The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JUST over two weeks remain until opening night of the 2013 BTC Carifta Games and the local organising committee has added another name to its list of growing corporate sponsors.

Colina Insurance Limited officially joined as a bronze sponsor of the games with a $30,000 contribution to the hosting effort.

“This is another example of Colina’s commitment to sports, youth and fitness,” said Melanie Hutcheson, corporate communications officer at Colina. “Like the rest of the Bahamas, we at Colina are eager to lend our hand and support Team Bahamas, not just today, but during competition as we cheer our young student athletes on.”

Basil Christie, chairman of the local organising committee, said the contribution was another timely example of Colina’s role as a supportive corporate citizen.

“After having organised six games in the past, we have no doubt that these 2013 Games will be the very best ever held in history,” he said. “We depend heavily on corporate sponsorship, there is still need for more sponsorship but Colina has again proved to be a reliable corporate citizen with their effort. Some eight years ago Colina Imperial Insurance was the title partner of the hugely successful 20th Senior Central American and Caribbean Trak and Field Championships held in Nassau at the old Thomas A Robinson Stadium. Last year the company renewed its support of our sport by becoming the title partner of the Carifta Trials. You would remember that last year the company printed a calendar which promoted the numerous sporting disciplines that the youth are involved with in the Bahamas. “

The local organising committee has set a budget of $1.2 million to cover the expenses of hosting the games set for March 29 to April 1.

“We have promoted this an an event everyone should be proud and be privileged to be a part of,” Christie said. “Just about everything is in place. Categorically we have assembled a very dynamic organising team and we have gotten support of the Government and the National Sports Authority. We have no reservations in saying that this will be the best Carifta ever.”

With approximately 15 days before the Bahamas will host Carifta for the seventh time since 1976, they have already gotten confirmation from a number of dignitaries around the world, including Lamine Diack, president of the IAAF, who attended Carifta for the first time when it was hosted here in 2002.

“These games can be a costly undertaking and it cannot be possible without the support of corporate Bahamas. We have made pleas to corporate Bahamas on a number of occasions and I’m pleased to say that Atlantis has answered our call and has joined us once again to support another venture,” Christie said.

“It was at those games in 2002 that he [Diack] declared the Carifta Games as the best junior championships to be held in the world.”