Part of the enjoyment of the CARIFTA Games was the music and percussion provided by various sections of the crowd.

The announcers stirred up patriotic pride by calling out various countries and the appropriate sections would raise the roof.

Jamaica had their Jarifta band, Cayman had pockets of entertainers but it was the Bahamas that provided the most entertainment.

The music on the sound system was excellent too, so there was always a constant stream of entertainment.

Wayne Thompson is leader of the Bahamas CARIFTA Congo Band. They have been cheering Bahamian athletes at CARIFTAs for six years and have become a welcome and accepted part of each Games. This year they drafted in a big man to play a big tuba, maybe to ensure the Jamaicans didn’t have the deepest bassline!

There are around 15 who pay their own way every year and play trumpets, horns, drums and whatever comes to hand to make a loud, percussive sound. They actually play tunes too so it’s not all senseless noise.

Thompson said: “We like to come out to support the athletes and help them find motivation to achieve. Everywhere we go we are well received.

“We love young people and it is very important in the Caribbean region to help this generation receive excellence. Not only in track and field but in their lives. And we want to give them positive, helpful motivation. We cheer for the other countries when they win as well.”

Thompson is a preacher in Nassau and also a clinical psychologist.