The Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) are hoping to take a team of 20 talented young athletes to the upcoming Carifta Games in St.Kitts.

So far 13 Islanders have reached the qualifying standard for the annual Caribbean competition, which gets underway in March.

This weekend will see the likes of Deanne Lightbourne, Eulane Douglas, Darico Clarke and Kyle Virgil push for places in the squad when they compete at the National Sports Centre.

Donna Watson, from the BTFA, said she was delighted 13 athletes had already qualified at this early stage and believed it would not be long before a few of Bermuda's overseas contingent joined them.

"I'm confident our overseas athletes such as Tre Simons and Aranxta King will also qualify for Carifta," she said. "Sunday's meet will also be another opportunity for some others to achieve places."

Last weekend saw Sean Trott, Jasmin Brunson, Tre Houston, Alexis Bean and Allison Outerbridge all qualify for Carifta after delivering impressive performances at the NSC.

Aaron Evans also secured a spot by finishing second in the 800m at the Reggie Lewis Center, in Boston, for Cushing Academy. Matthew Spring finished third in the same race, but had qualified for the Games.

Ryan Furbert, Kyla Bolden, Shuntae Hendrickson, Taylor Ashley-Bean, Ashley Berry and Megan Berry have already secured their tickets to Carifta, which runs from March 21 to 25.

The qualifying window will remain open until just a few weeks before the event. Sunday's meet starts at 1 p.m.