BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS the Federation puts the final preparations in place for the hosting of the 44th CARIFTA Games, the team representing St. Kitts and Nevis is in high spirit on the eve of the event.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Manager of the St. Kitts and Nevis team Evris Huggins indicated that the team is mentally prepared for the start of the meet tomorrow (Apr. 3).
“The team is in very good spirit. We have been camping for the last two days. The athletes, in my opinion and the coaches’ opinion, the team is mentally prepared. They have been working very hard. I think part of the reason for it, about 75 percent of them who were originally part of the camp, had the camping experience and they know what it is like to prepare for these types of competitions.”
Huggins further indicated that in recent days they have been try to shape the athletes’ focus.
“What we have been trying to put in the athletes head at this stage, is to not focus on the aesthetics of the meet itself... and not to focus on the apparel and the type of gears they are going to be getting, and to just focus on performance and execution of the performance and giving the body rest and feeding your body the right type of food.
“We think we have seen the maturity that we needed to see from our athletes as a result.”
He was questioned whether the team was feeling any added pressure performing at such a high level in front of a home crowd.
“The pressure that they have is in a positive light like the Inter-School Championships when the athletes bring their ‘A’ game. And I think performing in front of the home crowd will help them reach further in what they are doing.”
Huggins was also questioned as to how preparations have been going in the lead-up to the meet.
“We had a little logistical challenge. However, we have persevered the sessions. We have gone very well. Our relay team are meshing together very nicely! The chemistry is building quite nicely and based on feedback from the coaches they are quite satisfied that come tomorrow when competition starts they will be able to execute.”
He also made a commitment to the fans.
“I can tell the fans that we will do our very best. Our goal is to eclipse our lifetime best of five medals in 2008. And I think with the crop of athletes that we have and with the type of preparation, that is going to pay off. I would like the public to not sit in their homes and hear about it but to come out and witness it for themselves.”
