Guardian Holdings, NGC sponsor Carifta Games

HISTORY was created yesterday when the 2004 Carifta Games was launched simultaneously in Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda made possible by a video-conferencing link. The latest technology was utilised to bridge the gap between the home of the co-sponsors of the annual junior regional track and field championships in Trinidad and the venue for the 33rd Games — Bermuda. Venue for the historic occasion was the Guardian Life Building in Westmoorings and present were Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Holdings Limited, Douglas Camacho; Clarence Mitchell, director of National Gas Limited; Amadeo Francis, vice-president of the Intern-ational Association of Athletics Federations; Keith Joseph, vice-president of the Eastern Caribbean for North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NCAC), and Ken Doldron, president of the National Amateur Athletic Association (NAAA).

They were linked to Bermuda where Judith Simmons, president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association followed the proceedings with other officials through the video link. Camacho, who is also president of the Trinidad Olympic Committee said that only for the third time in the history of the Carifta Games, a sponsor has been found for the three-day track and field fiesta traditionally held over the Easter Weekend. Guardian Holdings which comprise Guardian Life and Guardian General Limited among other subsidiaries have an agreement with NCAC for three years which will generate US $40,000 a year for the regional organisation towards the Carifta Games. Camacho said the occasion of the launch was another opportunity to demonstrate “Caribbeaness” as the Carifta Games united all the regional nations under one banner. “It is more Caribbean than the West Indies cricket team,” Camacho, a former top hockey player declared. He said the Games play an important role in human development especially since it is an age-group competition. He outlined Guardian Life’s alignment with the School Games since 1997 and their support of the Youth Star Programme through which Darryl Brown, Fana Ashby, Danielle Prime and Mark Burns have graduated.

NGC’s Mitchell, in his address said although the company he represents does not have a presence in Bermuda, they embrace the opportunity to foster regional awareness through a new global vision to drive the buisness development effort both inside and outside Trinidad amd Tobago. Joseph, was born in Gasparillo but makes his home in St Vincent and the Grenadines and through NCAC has been spreading the gospel of track and field throughout the region. He said he was especially proud that the Carifta Games has commanded the attention of the head of the IAAF, Lamine Diack who has boasted that it is the best developmental meeting in the world. Puerto Rico based diplomat and economist Amadeo Francis, the most powerful IAAF official in the region also welcomed the involvement Guardian Holdings Limited and NGC saying it was timely. Francis said it was only recently the IAAF, meeting in Paris had adopted a document “Athletics World Plan” which placed great emphasis on youth and their future.

“I am impressed with Douglas Camacho and the dedication of Guardian Holdings Limited,” said Francis. He said he was on a mission to find a similar level of commitment throughout the region to youth development and also complimented NGC’s Mitchll for the level of leadership shown in this regard. From Bermuda, Simmonds was given the assurance that TT is behind the 2004 hosts by President of the NAAA, Doldron who received an award last year for organising the biggest and best ever Carifta Games. Simmonds thanked the Trinidad-based sponsors and said despite being hard hit by Hurricane Fabian last year all plans are on stream for a successful games.