CAC Championships pick up steam

It is being called “Run It To Win It” and Cheryl Ryan-Mohammed, executive director of L&M Promotions said yesterday it will change the lives of many.

The programme is being inducted in schools, both primary and secondary, and nearby communities, and will provide a solution for the negativity permeating the country.

According to Ryan-Mohammed, all you have to do is walk into any school in Trinidad and Tobago and take part in a mini-race for a chance to win a ticket to CAC Championship courtesy corporate Trinidad and Tobago.

Already the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission has ledged $250,000 towards the event as gold sponsors.

Their Corporate Communications Officer Dennis Mc Comie said his company has always supported sports and pointed out that with the nation suffering from the effects of violent crimes, the programme will come as a relief.

The commission’s assistant general manager Colleen Liquoresh presented the sponsorshop cheque to Ken Doldron, president of the National Amateur Athletic Association (NAAA). Financial contributions were also made by Caribbean Paper and Printed Products (1993) Limited through Delecia John, its Marketing Manager, and SM Jaleel and Company who will be the official drink’s provider (Fruta) for the championships.

At yesterday’s launch at the T&TEC headquarters in Port-of-Spain, it was revealed that Trinidad and Tobago’s number one golfer Stephen Ames has already agreed to send the first batch of kids to take part in the event.

Ames will also provide some 24 signature balls and has set a pattern for the rest of corporate T-T to follow.

Ryan-Mohammed announced —that the programme will be targeting some 10,000 kids on a daily basis. She called on other corporations to come to the assistance of youth enhancement and development. She also made it clear that a number of companies have also pledged their assistance among them, the Port Authority and PTSC, who have agreed to subsidise the fees for students and provide travelling arrangements.

The CAC Championships are expected to be the biggest and most exciting track and field event to be held locally in the past decade with a budget of over $10 million.

Doldron said a total of $6 million was spent for the relaying of the new Mondo track and $3 million will be spent on meals. An additional $1.5 million will cover other miscellaneous expenses.

According to Doldron, government has provided $1.5 million to off-set the cost of accommodation for the athletes during the three-day competition.

About 35 out of 38 countries in the Central American and Caribbean region comprising some 500 athletes, have already confirmed their participation in the championships.

Doldron said a cadre of 200 Trinidad and Tobago athletes has been shortlisted to go into preparation for the championships.

“We are expected to win” said Doldron yesterday. The stadium he said will be completed by Sunday but his major concern is the hurdles from which only six sets of hurdles have been available instead of the mandatory 10.

Doldron said also that a hammer facility will be constructed at the stadium and will make the venue the premier sporting facility in the Caribbean.