Hampton Games gets $120,000 boost

THE HAMPTON International Games 2003 have benefited from a grant of $120,000 by the Sport and Culture Fund to assist the staging of the 29th annual event, this weekend at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

But, according to a letter sent to Rawle Raphael, chairman of the Games Organising Committee by the Fund’s Management Secretary Annette Nathaniel, the grant was made with a few concessions. With a deadline of June 16, the Organising Committee must submit a report on the event, a statement of income and expenditure in respect of the sum disbursed and copies of bills and/or receipts to the Sport and Culture Fund.

Raphael, speaking at yesterday’s press briefing at the VIP Lounge, Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo, noted that the event has, once again, received meagre support from Government and corporate citizens. “We’re very grateful for whatever assistance that we get,” stated the former politician, who added that the committee has been promised sums of $2,000-$5,000 by smaller companies. “But the efforts have been ridiculous,” he continued, “we’ve had problems with all Governments throughout the 28 previous years.” A special effort is being made to have the events contested on time on Saturday, following the 4 pm opening ceremony, and Sunday from 3 pm.

Chief co-ordinator of the Games Clyde Forde, in admitting his struggles in marketing efforts of the Games, revealed that he was successful in his attempts to get companies to sponsor individual events, with the top three athletes in each event guaranteed a medal and cheque. “We’re going to create such an impression on the public that they’ll know we can handle a Grand Prix,” Forde boasted. “We’re imploring the public to come and see some good running.” Among the international athletes booked to participate in the two-day meet are Antiguan sprinter Heather Samuel, British quartermiler Lesley Owuso and the Jamaican bunch of Delloreen Ennis-London, Jenice Daley, Michelle Pierre, Winston Smith, Jermaine Gonzales, Danny McFarlane and Marvin Watts.

The Games’ Technical Committee will hold their final meeting today at the Audio-Visual Room, Hasely Crawford Stadium from 5.30 pm. The Games will be declared open at 4 pm tomorrow by President George Maxwell Richards while Sports Minister Roger Boynes is expected to deliver an address at the opening ceremony.