According to Digicel’s Marsha Chatterjee, the amount is in “cash and kind”, with $10,000 going toward participation in the World Games in Los Angeles, and $1,000 toward the National Games. The remaining $1,000 is provided in the form of T-Shirts for the travelling team, as well as the branding support for the National Games including tents, banners and décor.
Chief Executive Officer Johnny Ingle said Special Olympics have always been of interest to Digicel, and the company’s sponsorship was a tangible way of supporting the work of the organization. He believes that it is a “visible way to support those who, in society, sometimes tend to be forgotten”.
“It doesn’t matter, race, colour, creed or physical ability, if you are an Olympian, you are an Olympian. I think it is really important to recognize that. Every single person is special. Every person is unique, and we all have something to contribute, if we are given the right support. Digicel is very proud to be able to offer material support to ensure that our Olympians here in the Federation get the opportunity to really shine in Los Angeles at the World Games this year,” Ingle told MiyVue.com on Wednesday, 20th February.
According to Ingle, the Special Olympics athletes have talent of which the people in the Federation should be proud. “It is certainly talent that I am very proud to support,” stated the Digicel CEO of St. Kitts and Nevis, as he added, “The call to action that I would send out to everybody is support, support, support, a little goes a very long way, and if everybody contributes, we would ensure that our Special Olympics teams really get what they need.”
According to Ivor Blake, the national director of Special Olympics St. Kitts and Nevis, about 150 athletes from both islands would be competing at the Silver Jubilee Stadium in the spirit of Special Olympics, as they compete in track and field events.
The well known Law Enforcement Torch Run would form part of the National Games event. Security agencies in the Federation, headed by the Police, annually raise funds through the Torch Run to assist Special Olympics. This year, the run would end at the Stadium, where the torch is handed over to an athlete who would then light the torch for the National Games.
Blake disclosed, also, that a 16 member team of officials and athletes from Special Olympics Connecticut would be participating in the event. Special Olympics Connecticut is twinned with the national organization and has been helpful in training, equipment and other developmental programs for Special Olympics St. Kitts and Nevis.
One of the National Games events, however, the swimming competition, would be held on Saturday, 21st February, at the Sugar Bay Club, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The National Games would be held 25th February, 9:30 a.m., at the Silver Jubilee Stadium, Bird Rock.
[Editor’s note: Starting 1st March 2015, MiyVue.com would become MyVueNews.com]