High jumpers Sakari Famous and Elisha Darrell have been appointed as the girls’ and boys’ captains of Bermuda’s Carifta Games team that was unveiled at the National Stadium yesterday.

Bermuda will send a 14-strong team to compete in Nassau, Bahamas, from April 1 and 2.

“We are very pleased with the team that has been selected and have no doubt they will represent us very well,” said Donna Raynor, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president.

“We have a quality team with athletes who have committed themselves to this sport and have given their best to gain a place on the team.”

Multiple Carifta medal-winner Famous and Darrell were among the first to reach the qualifying standards back in January. Another athlete making the standard was runner Brianna Mendes who was forced to withdraw because of school commitments. Accompanying the team are coaches Rohaan Simons and Wayne Bean, manager Mia Black and Raynor in the capacity as organisational delegate.

Bahamas are hosting the Games, which will bring together about 500 athletes and 150 team officials from 26 countries, for the eighth time.

Bermuda won two medals at last year’s Games in Curaçao, with Famous claiming bronze in the under-18 girls’ high jump and Tiara DeRosa in the under-20 girls’ discus.

Meanwhile, Raynor also revealed at yesterday’s press conference at the National Stadium that Bermuda will be submitting a bid to host the 2020 Carifta Games with the support of Government.

“I feel confident that in 2020 we will have Bermuda bubbling with excitement as we did with Carifta 2012 when we are awarded the Games,” Raynor said.

“I am also excited when I look at our young athletes who are coming up and I have no doubt Bermuda will have a very strong athletics team representing Bermuda in 2020. Some of the athletes who just missed out on this year’s standard will get stronger and be ready to showcase their talents right here in Bermuda.”

Raynor also announced the BNAA’s “Laps for Health” initiative to help raise funds to cover costs of sending a team to this year’s Carifta Games and partner in the Ministry of Health’s fight against obesity and diabetes in the community.

The event will take place at the National Stadium on Sunday and will see participants run or walk between 12 noon and 6pm for a $2 donation per lap.

“Not only will they be assisting the team but also joining in the country’s initiative to fight obesity and diabetes,” Raynor said.