Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson has reflected on a successful Carifta Games for the Island’s young athletes who won six medals in Jamaica.The athletes who basked in medal-winning glory were Shaquille Dill (silver, 800 metres), Bruce DeGrilla (silver, long jump), Ashley Berry (silver, 3000m), Dage Minors (bronze, 3000m), Kyrah Scraders (bronze, 1500m) and Justin Donawa (bronze, triple jump).A squad of 38 athletes competed in the Caribbean over the Easter weekend, and Watson –believes the experience will stand them in good stead ahead of next year’s event to be held in Bermuda for the first time since 2004.“We’re so looking forward to next year and will begin our preparations as soon as our athletes have had a few weeks rest,” she said.“Everyone across the Caribbean is looking forward to these Games and I’m not only speaking of athletes but also spectators.”The region’s marquee junior track and field meet had been under serious threat of being cancelled for the first time in its 40-year history after original hosts St Kitts opted out of their original bid, before Jamaica stepped in.In an effort to prevent that happening again, Watson has opened talks with the International Association of Athletes Federations (IAAF) and several overseas companies about coming on board as sponsors.“I’m also in discussion with some overseas companies and the IAAF who want to sponsor the Carifta Games from next year onwards because they see what a special youth event it is,” said Watson.“They do not want any country to be in a financial state where the Games could possibly be cancelled like this year, so the IAAF are stepping in to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Fortunately Bermuda will be the first country to receive this assistance.“As the IAAF president (Lamine Diack) stated, this is the best youth event in the world in track and field.”Watson praised Bermuda’s contingent for their performances especially as many of last year’s medal winners were competing at the more competitive Under-20 level, having moved up from the Under-17 division. And had it not been some misfortune, she believes the Island could have enjoyed a few more podium finishes.Sprinter Jeneko Place was wrongly informed by organisers before his 200m heat that the top two finishers would reach for the final. Later it emerged only the heat winners and the four fastest runners-up would –qualify.Place finished second in his heat but thinking he had done enough, took his foot off the pedal as he neared the finish line which ultimately cost him a place in the medal race.“This was a great Carifta for Bermuda. We took a team of youth and experience and our medals were balanced out –between youth and experience,” Watson said.“What Bermuda has to realise is that all 26 (Carifta) countries participated this year with everyone, especially Jamaica, bringing their ‘A’ team.“Our athletes had to bring their ‘A’ game and the majority of them had to get a PB to win a medal.“We also had several personal bests and a few disappointments. With Henry Stevens Carty unable to compete (because of school commitments) that was a possible two medals that we could have had in the 1500m and 800m.“We had disappointment with Jeneko Place while Chas Smith just missed out on the bronze in the high jump. If he would have jumped his PB of 1.90m he would have won the bronze.”Hosting the next Games –during an Olympic year will add some extra spice to the event and inspire many local athletes to emulate their idols, said –Watson.She hopes the Bermuda –public turn out in their droves to the National Sports Centre to out cheer the supporters of their –rival nations.“I hope Bermudians get on board or we will be outdone by the crowds of Bahamians, Trinidadians, Jamaicans, Bajans because they are coming with a full charter plane of spectators and we don’t want to be not heard in our own back yard,” she said