Fresh from competing in the Caribbean, members of Bermuda’s Carifta teams met with sports minister Ernest Peets, who congratulated them on their medal endeavours.

The 49th edition of the Carifta Games took place in Jamaica, while the Carifta Swimming Championships were held in Barbados, with Bermudian athletes delivering outstanding performances on the track and in the pool.

“I had the good fortune of attending the games in Jamaica last month and was filled with such immense pride watching our athletes represent Bermuda on the international stage,” said Peets, who met the athletes at the National Sports Centre.

“Even against the stiff competition of other countries, both our track and swim teams delivered memorable performances, and I felt it important to thank them for flying Bermuda’s flag high for the entire region to see.”

Peets emphasised that the Government is committed to supporting Bermuda's young athletes and notes that there are significant societal benefits when “our talent is properly nurtured and developed”.

He added: “We recognise that by ensuring a robust athletic programme, we can accomplish so much. For starters, we can help deter our young people from engaging in activities and behaviours that are detrimental; we can aid in improving academic performances; and we can help develop and nurture our young people into becoming thriving adults.”

Peets added: “On an annual basis through the Department of Youth and Sport, we invest heavily in our young athletes.

“We provide close to $1.5 million in grants and funding to Bermuda’s national sports governing bodies so they can continue to help our athletes compete at home and abroad.

“With this support, we are seeing success with Bermuda punching above its weight at the international level ― we only need to look at our Carifta athletes as just one example.

“Bermuda has a very long and proud tradition of producing a number of talented sports stars in range of disciplines.

“For our part, to ensure that this legacy continues, we are in the process of working on a comprehensive sports policy.

“We are also continuing to explore innovative ways to strengthen our sports programmes. If this means ensuring more intense support of Bermuda's sports programmes at the school level to help those young rising stars, then we will commit to doing that.”

Peets advised that in the coming days he will be highlighting several grants that have been made to the various sporting bodies this year.

He notes that this is a tangible demonstration of the Government’s ongoing support to sport in Bermuda.