GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: Fresh on the heels of hosting what has been described by many as the best CARIFTA Games ever, the Turks & Caicos Islands Minister of Sports Dr Carlton Mills has revealed that it is his Ministry's intention to build on this momentum,

Minister of Sports Dr. Carlton Mills

In his contribution to the Budget Debate, Mills noted that on May 19, 2007 the Turks & Caicos Islands will join the rest of the world in observance of World Athletics Day. To commemorate this day, the Ministry of Sports will revive the JAGS McCartney relays. 

Mills also noted that Simpson Penn, who recently represented the TCI at the 36th CARIFTA Games, has qualified for the World Youth Championships, scheduled to take place later this year.

The Sports Minister also revealed that the Turks & Caicos Islands will also be sending a delegation to the Pan Am Junior Games and the CAC Games.

He also noted the other plans his Ministry has for the upcoming season. These include; 

• Training for all the athletes in the National Junior Track & Field Programme which began on April 23rd 2007
• CAC Age Group Championships Trial Meet 1 on June 2nd, 2007
• CAC Age Group Trials 2 on June 16th & 17th, 2007
• Track & Field Summer Camp July-August
• Retreat to plan training for 2007-08 Season

Meanwhile a number of Road Race Series will also be held throughout the islands.

• October- Run Turks & Caicos
• Road Race 3 in Grand Turk
• Road Race in Providenciales
• 2nd Annual TCI Primary Schools Cross Country Championships
• 2nd Annual High Schools Cross Country Championships
• December 1 TCI will host the Island Triathlon Series
• December 8, TCI Road Race Series Finals 

Mills also stated that a new event will be added to the roster this year. This is the Red Bull Basketball Invitational, scheduled for October 2007 at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex.

This event, he said, will be a joint venture between the local franchise owners of Red Bull and the TCI Sports Commission.