Donna Watson, the president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, has revealed that the Island will send a smaller squad to next month’s Carifta Games after raising its qualifying standards.

Kyrah Scraders, Daniel Oatley, Chas Smith, Jahnai Perinchief, Sakari Famous, Kionje Somner, Tiara Derosa and Dage Minors have booked their tickets to the annual competition, which will be held in Martinique from April 19 to 21.

Watson will be hoping that number will swell slightly before the qualifying deadline on March 31, but believes that it is important to demand more from the Island’s most promising athletes.

At last year’s Games in Bahamas, 23 athletes represented Bermuda, winning five medals, with Scraders, the Young Female Athlete of the Year, claiming a gold and silver in the 800 metres and 1,500 metres.

“At the moment, we have eight athletes who have reached the qualifying standard with the hopes of a few more,” Watson said. “But we won’t have the same size team that we have had over the past few years.

“We have raised our standards across the board in all international events, as we are expecting our athletes to perform at a higher level.

“We are no longer using the Carifta Games as a training ground, but expect the clubs to focus on the development events.”

Bermuda’s Carifta hopefuls will have a chance to reach the new qualifying standards at a meet held at the National Sports Centre tomorrow.

“The athletes have several more meets and they can also qualify during their school and inter-school sports as long as there are legitimate officials officiating,” Watson said. “The adjustments, as far as the standards go, are making sure that our athletes are competitive in their specific events.

“We don’t need them to necessarily be medallists, but they should be able to make the finals based on their qualification. You never know what will happen on the day.”

Athletes taking part in the Carifta Games next month will compete in slightly different age groups than in previous years.

Instead of the traditional under-17 and under-20 divisions, they will be competing in the under-18 and under-20 divisions.