The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the sixth consecutive year, Scotiabank will be the title sponsor for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships.

The event is all set for April 18-20 in the refurbished original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium and will comprise of competition in all categories, including bantam, junior, intermediate and senior boys and girls divisions with the relay events as well.

“This has actually become a staple event on Scotiabank’s calendar and it is one that we at Scotiabank and all of our employees look forward to each year, both as facilitators and actually as participants,” said Leah Davis, marketing manager at Scotiabank.

“We believe in doing our part in the community and we have a long standing relationship with the BAAA with our track record of giving back to the community and the development of track and field and sports in the country. We do believe that a bright future is possible for every young Bahamian and the sponsorship is a part of our bright future here at Scotiabank.”

Through their sponsorship, Davis said Scotiabank can get to invest in the Bahamian community and decide what’s best to participate in.

Two years ago, Davis said they initiated the Most Outstanding Athletes award for the meet, which has had such past winners as Shuanae Miller, Anthonique Strachan and Latario Collie-Minns, who has gone on to perform exceptionally well locally, regionally and internationally.

This year, Davis said Scotiabank intends to continue to present the award.

BAAA president Mike Sands said they are delighted to have Scotiabank return as the title sponsor. “Your contribution has always allowed us to do some exciting things,” Sands said. “Last year, we were able to provide some incentives for all of the visiting schools from the Family Islands, including Grand Bahama. This year, we intend to do the same thing.”

And like they did last year, Sands said the winners of the National High School Championship titles in the senior boys and girls 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 rmetre relays will be awarded a trip to compete in the Penn Relays in Philadelphia at the end of the month.

“It’s an expensive undertaking, but we in the executives saw this as an incentive for our athletes,” Sands said. “With your partnership (Scotiabank), we are able to do these things.”

Teams are still entering for the championships and based on what they experienced at the BTC Carifta Games over the Easter holiday weekend, Sands said they expect that the competition will be very keen because the meet will also serve as a qualifier for the Junior Pan American Games and the IAAF World Youth Championships.

“The rivalry between the schools, SAC, Queen’s College, CR Walker and CV Bethel will be there and Moore’s Island, whose coach Pastor Williams has already indicated that his senior boys 4 x 400 relay team will be coming to the meet to break the record,” Sands said. “And he expects to be on the Penn Relay trip, so I think that has motivated them very well.”

Tickets for the event, according to BAAA first vice president Iram Lewis, will be on sale starting today at Scotiabank’s branches on Thompson Boulevard, in Palmdale and all the Texaco gas stations. “We just want to encourage the people to go out and get their tickets early because we know the lines will be long,” Lewis said.