The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A CAMPAIGN which began in earnest in September 2012 is just days away from coming to fruition and the local organising committee for the BTC 2013 Carifta Games took time out to honour its many corporate sponsors.

Over the past six months, Corporate Bahamas has answered the call issued by the LOC and accepted the challenge of putting on what event organisers assure will be the “best Carifta Games ever.”

“Much needs to be done in our country for our beloved sport to grow as we wish and adequate financing is one of our foremost needs,” said BAAA president Mike Sands.

“We congratulate you all on your investment in the Bahamian and region’s youth, and for your allowing us to spread the message throughout the Bahamas, the region and the world about these games, which president of the IAAF Mr Lamine Diack designated the ‘best junior championships in the world.’ We also wish you to reap the best from your investment. The tradition of the Bahamas’ hosting of athletic events, especially Carifta, has allowed us to be able to host our seventh this year and the IAAF awarding us next year’s inaugural World Relay Championships.”

Sands called the investment an opportunity for sports tourism to take their products to the world and insisted they stay on board as sponsors as the Bahamas continues to host international events at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

“Nearly 30 foreign media will be welcomed to our shores to tell the world of this great and world-class event. More than 70 track and field coaches from the United States colleges offering scholarships will descend upon our shores. We will be welcoming a large delegation of the region and world’s track and field notables,” he said.

“While you are enjoying the games we wish you to get the vision of your involvement in the inaugural World Relay Championships in May of 2014. At these Carifta Games there are 25 visiting countries attending. Next year there will be an estimated 150 visiting teams from every corner of the world.”

The welcome ceremonies for the meet begins 5pm Friday and the event concludes April 1 with the U-20 men’s 4x400 relay – the final event on the track. “We have done an oil change, put air in our tires, had a practice run and made adjustments. From the welcome team at the airport, transportation officials, accreditation and accommodation offers, competition officials and technical delegates, the experienced ‘attaches’ who will accompany each of the record 25 delegations, volunteers in general, all hands are on deck and ready to go,” Sands said.

The local organising committee has set a budget of $1.2 million to cover the expenses of hosting the games.

The Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture provided major funding for the games at $245,000.

Title sponsor BTC donated $175,000 while Gold Sponsors - Caribbean Bottling and Bahamian Brewery - each contributed $75,000.

Silver sponsors include the Bahamas Electricity Corporation and Bahamas Business Solutions at $60,000, while bronze sponsors include Atlantis and Colina Insurance at $30,000 and CIBC at $25,0000.

“When we first began this venture, the question was where to begin, but everyone bought into it almost immediately and we got contributors at all levels,” said local organising committee chairman Basil Christie.

“These were not our only sponsors, so even in these hard economic times people came forward to support, invest in our youth and invest in Carifta 2013.”

“BTC has been a sponsor of the BAAA and track and field in the Bahamas for many years so it is fitting that we took on the role of title sponsors for the 2013 Carifta Games. It is indicative of what we stand for in our support for local talent and we are proud to partner with other corporate sponsors in hosting this event,” said Carole Barnett of BTC.

“This is quite a milestone for the entire country, to be able to host an event of this magnitude in a facility such as this. We have to be very proud. For myself to be a Bahamian, as a gold sponsor in an event like this is another privilege and I hope to be joined by even more Bahamians when the opportunity presents itself again,” said James Sands of Bahamian Brewery.

“Our company will certainly be out in full force cheering on Team Bahamas and we encourage folks to come out and show national pride for our young athletes as they compete not only for themselves, but to represent us all this weekend,” said Jason Dodge of Bahamas Business Solutions.