By Neto Baptiste
Close to 200 young athletes have registered for the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association’s (ABAA) 2026 season opening meet slated for the YASCO Sports Complex today.
The list includes top junior and senior national athletes like Tyra Fenton, Maliek Francis (Carifta record holder in the Javelin), Zonique Charles (Carifta gold medalist in the under-17 javelin), Ranique Richards (Carifta bronze medalist in girls under-17 shotput), Geron Henry and many more.
The PRO for the athletic association, Kesswin Anthony, encouraged members of the public to come out in support of the athletes.
“I am just trying to encourage the public to come out and support the youths. We have some sponsorship on board this year for the start like Flow. We’d like to thank them for the tents they’ve provided for the just-concluded camp that we had with Rai Benjamin and his team. They’re also providing covers for this weekend for the stands, so patrons can be assured that they’ll be well-sheltered from the sun. We have about five development meets, including Carifta, the trials, so total about six before our national championships,” he said.
The meet, which runs off at 3pm, will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Carifta Games slated for April 4-6 in Grenada.
Anthony said they have made it affordable in an effort to encourage spectator support for the young athletes.
“The entry fee is $20 if you want to drive in on the eastern side, the gate up at Christ the King side, [and] it’s $10 for patrons who want to park outside and come in on the western side. Children under 12 years old are free so I’d just like to encourage the public [to] come out, support the youth. Let’s see if we get more qualifiers for Carifta this weekend,” he said.
In December last year, national junior athlete Kasiya Daley became Antigua and Barbuda’s first qualifier for the 2026 Carifta Games. Daley, representing Allen Community College in Kansas, registered a time of 21.54 seconds in the 200 meters during his first indoor meet of the year. His time bettered the standard of 21.75 seconds set by the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA).
Daley also qualified in the 100 meters after he debuted in the 60 meters with a time of 6.82, which is also within the qualification standards for the 100 meters. The standard is 6.85 seconds.