Dominica’s Young Athletes Shine at CARIFTA Games 2025 Despite Facility Challenges
Team Dominica delivered a spirited performance at the 2025 CARIFTA Games, showcasing raw talent and perseverance despite limited access to international-grade training facilities. Competing in sprints, relays, and javelin, the young athletes demonstrated resilience that earned praise from coaches and spectators alike.
Coach Joel Hamilton emphasised the team’s determination, noting that many of the athletes trained on a makeshift 300-meter track. “Imagine if we had even the basics,” Hamilton stated. “These athletes have so much potential, and yet they’re performing against world-class competitors without a proper facility back home.”
The team included standout performances from sprinter Kerelle Etienne and javelin thrower Addison James, with the mixed relay squad also gaining attention for their coordination and tenacity. While no medals were claimed this year, the team’s participation was hailed as a success, especially considering the resource constraints.
Calls for urgent investment in athletics infrastructure were echoed by parents and sports advocates watching from Dominica. Officials from the Dominica Amateur Athletic Association expressed hopes that this performance would renew dialogue with government stakeholders to accelerate the development of national training grounds and talent pipelines.
As Dominica continues to shape its identity in regional athletics, the journey of its CARIFTA team reflects the island’s resilience and growing potential.
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