The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH just about 38 days to go before the start of the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s 2015 World Relays, scheduled for May 2-3, the Local Organising Committee has identified its two national partners and the first three of nine national products and suppliers.

During a press conference yesterday in the foyer of the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, the LOC revealed that Atlantic Medical and Coca-Cola will serve as the national partners, while the National Sports Authority, Commonwealth Brewery and Bahamas Waste are the first of the national products and suppliers.

Lionel Haven, managing director of the LOC, said they are working diligently to ensure that the companies they pursue are of the world-class brand to complement the world-class two-day sporting event that will attract some of the best athletes on the planet.

Having identified the first five companies, Haven said they are well on their way to ensuring that the LOC produces another Bahamazing experience.

“We are pleased with the progress that we have made today,” said Haven as they attempt to improve on the initial world relays held last year.

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Mike Sands, who serves as the CEO and vice chairman of the LOC, said they are getting ready to welcome the world once again to the Bahamas and showcase the Bahamas to the world via the television coverage.

Thanking the local companies for demonstrating their commitment to the event for the second consecutive year, Sands said they can be assured that they will get their advertising worth for their dollar when the event is televised to more than 166 countries, an increase from the estimated 161 that tuned in last year.

And so far more than 1,060 athletes, representing at least 47 countries as far as Australia, were registered to compete up to Monday night. However, Sands said the IAAF has given all of the countries until April 20 to have their final team selection submitted to the LOC.

Sands officially welcomed and introduced each of the five companies represented at the press conference. One by one, they placed the names of their companies on the sponsorship board and gave some comments.

Atlantic Medical

Back as a national partner for the second year, Lynda Gibson, the executive vice president, said the World Relays is a grand event that will capture the eyes of the world and Atlantic Medical is proud to sponsor the event.

“Atlantic Medical believes in people and as a corporate citizen, we know that sporting events promote healthy lifestyles, so there is a natural synergy in who we are and what we believe in, as far as supporting athletes,” Gibson said. “I’m confident that our collaboration with the World Relays will ensure that the event is staged at the highest level.”

Coca-Cola

While brand manager Karla Wells-Lisgaris placed their companies’ name on the board for their second straight sponsorship, marketing manager Cara Douglas said the Caribbean Bottling Company Limited was pleased.

“We are ecstatic to announce our sponsorship as a national partner for the IAAF World Relays,” Douglas said. ““We are proud to support the local organising committee and acknowledge the tremendous job that they are doing in organising this international event.”

Like the Bahamian public, Douglas said they are looking forward to watching the Bahamian athletes perform against the rest of the world and have indicated that those spectators should make sure and check out their tent during the championships for an exclusive and special surprise.

National Sports Authority

As the chairman of the NSA, which has the direct responsibility for the operation of the stadium, chairman Leroy Archer said they don’t consider themselves a national supplier, but rather a national partner because of what they bring to the table.

“We are looking forward to another successful Bahamazing event,” he said. “Bar none, every Bahamian will enjoy themselves because we are the best at what we do.”

Kalik Raddler 0.0%

Introducing a new product called Kalik Raddler 0.0% - a non-alcoholic beverage - Commonwealth Brewery’s marketing manager Stacy Mackey said they are happy to partner with the LOC and the IAAF for another year to showcase the Bahamas to the world.

“We think that it’s going to be an excellent event and we would like to say that we are excited and we hope that the whole Bahamas is excited,” Mackey said. “To the LOC, congratulations to an excellent event last year and we are looking forward to another excellent event this year.”

Bahamas Waste

Francisco de Cardenas, the managing director, said Bahamas Waste is not only proud to be sponsoring the event for the second consecutive year, but also continuing to make their contribution to the upkeep of the stadium since its official opening.

“As a son and grandson of a world champion and Olympic sailor, what sports means to the youth of this nation,” de Cardenas said. “My kids are all involved in soccer and baseball and so we know we have to support this event. It’s our pleasure because we have been supporting the NSA over the last two years since the opening of this stadium with anything they put on, in sponsoring this event. It’s a wonderful event. We were here present last year and it was an amazing exeperience, something that we had to do again.”

Keith Parker, chairman of the LOC, said with the sponsors now coming on board, they are looking forward to putting the finishing touches on what they are anticipating will be another grand event when the World Relays return to the Bahamas next month.

He predicted that it will be another spectacular event and the LOC is ensuring that both the sponsors and the fans get their money’s worth.

For those who are interested, Haven advised the general public that tickets are currently on sale and are available from the box office at the stadium. However, he asked the public not to wait until the last minute to purchase their tickets, which start from $7 for children under 12 and $12 general admission.

He noted that the spectators should not be concerned about the scorching heat that some experienced last year on the eastern side of the stadium as the LOC has changed the starting time on both days from 5pm to 7pm, which will enable them to avoid the heat.