Grand Cayman, 3 May 2022 – The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage (MYSCH) held a reception to honour the National Junior Track and Field and Swimming squads last night (Monday, 2 May).

The Cayman Cabana gathering celebrated the teams’ outstanding CARIFTA Games 2022 performances in Jamaica and Barbados with an evening reception featuring remarks by MYSCH Minister, Hon. Bernie Bush and Minister for Tourism & Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan. Premier, Hon. G. Wayne Panton gave his apologies.

Attended by His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper; Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, Hon. Johany “Jay” Ebanks and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Isaac Rankine, the event was held to celebrate the achievements and the resilience of Cayman’s CARIFTA athletes who won a combined 65 medals. CARIFTA parents, coaches and members Cayman Islands Athletic (CIAA) and the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Associations (CIASA) members were also acknowledged. 

Minister Bush, who attended the CARIFTA Games at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, said: “As I look around at our talented and dedicated young athletes, it gives me great hope for the future of sports in the Cayman Islands.

“Many of the qualities needed to excel in the competitive world of sports – such as commitment to excellence, setting personal goals, teamwork and resilience – are the very same traits that can be transferred into other areas of your life.”

Minister Bryan congratulated the teams on behalf of the PACT government promising partnerships with MYSCH in the near future.

CIASA President, Mr. Stephen Broadbelt, and CIAA President, Mr. Delroy Murray also gave remarks. Both thanked the MYSCH for its support and spoke about the journey each team had taken before and during the games. The swimming squad had smashed their previous medals record by 17 at CARIFTA 2022 and both presidents predicted an even greater medal tally at next year’s games.

The reception ended with a brief speech by Digicel Cayman’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Diane McAuliffe. As representatives of the official broadcaster of the CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, she and her staff gave complimentary gift bags to the athletes.