Aecon To Sponsor Bermuda Carifta Team
The Bermuda National Athletics Association [BNAA] has announced that Bermuda’s team set to compete in this month’s Carifta Games to be held in the Cayman Islands, has received a major cash boost from infrastructure development and construction firm, Aecon.
The developers of Bermuda’s new airport passenger terminal will donate $40,000 to cover travel, accommodations and the cost of uniforms for the team announced by the BNAA earlier this week, that consists of under-17 and under-20 division athletes participating in various track and field events.
“This is a great and historic moment for the BNAA to be receiving sponsorship from Aecon to assist in the cost of sending our team of 18 athletes and five officials to these Games, which will be held from April 20 to 22,” said BNAA President, Donna Raynor.
The team of athletes includes Nathan Armstrong, Clevonte Bean, Suresh Black, Caitlyn Bobb, Ketura Bulford-Trott, Johndell Cumberbatch, Mikal Dill, Isabelle Dutranoit, Sanaa Rae Morris, Sadiq Nurse, Amelia Othman, Ryan Outerbridge, Za’Kayza Parsons, Kahzi Sealey, Sancho Smith, Nirobi Smith-Mills, Jezhari Talbot and Chayse Tanner.
“These Games have produced, over several decades, many world record holders. Bermuda has its own champions who participated in Carifta, such as Debbie Jones, Candy Ford, Brian Wellman, Clarance “Nicky” Saunders, Sonya Smith, who still holds the record in javelin, and Raneika Bean, who still holds the record in the 100 metres which was set in 1998,” said Ms. Raynor.
“I am pleased to say that Bermuda is the only country to have beaten Jamaica in the medals table, in 1975, and I was a part of that team. Also, through the Carifta Games, many of our athletes have received athletic scholarships and continue to do so yearly.”
“I have no doubt that our athletes are very appreciative of this financial boost and this will make them compete even harder and stronger.”
“We say a huge thank you to Aecon for believing in our young athletes and our programme by awarding this sponsorship for the 2019 Carifta Bermuda team. We look forward to the relationship continuing in the years to come.”
President of Aecon Concessions and Chairman of Skyport, Steve Nackan, expressed his delight in supporting Bermuda’s young athletes at the National Sports Centre yesterday.
“I’m delighted and honoured to be here today to announce our sponsorship of the team that will represent Bermuda at the Carifta Games,” Nackan said.
“Aecon, and by extension Skyport, have developed a robust social investment platform to complement the investments we’re making in delivering Bermuda’s state-of-the-art new airport terminal, scheduled to open next year. In other words, to ensure that we’re not only investing in infrastructure but also in the community.”
“Our programme is focused on the development, education and overall betterment of Bermuda’s young people, including investment in schools and the performing arts, as well as through sports. We’re really thrilled to support this wonderful and important initiative and we’ll be rooting for Team Bermuda every step of the way,” said Mr. Nackan.
The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport, Lovitta Foggo, commended Aecon’s investment in Bermuda’s Carifta team.
“The Bermuda Government is always pleased when we have entities that stand behind and support our young athletes, indeed they are Bermuda’s future and Bermuda’s ambassadors,” she said.
“I know that this support that has been given to the Bermuda National Athletics Association will go a long way in helping them to perform at the levels that we all know they are capable of.”
Minister Foggo will be a part of the official delegation heading to the Cayman Islands next month to support the Bermuda team which will be led by manager Terry Lynn-Paynter and coaches Devon Bean and Jerome Richards.
Minister Foggo added, “We do expect our athletes to come back with medals. After all they are sporting the blue and pink and they are winning colours!”
