THE staging of the 2016 CARIFTA Games in Grenada will cost about EC$2 million (US$740,000), according to organisers of the annual regional track and field championships.
Addressing the live televised official launch of CARIFTA Games, chair of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Veda Bruno-Victor said about quarter of the budget has already been sourced and expects to get additional financial support from government and the private sector.
“A budget we’ve put forward – just a little over $2 million ($2,050,000) is what we presented for the hosting of the Games and we’ve sought sponsorship from local corporate businesses and we’re receiving favourable responses,” said Bruno-Victor.
It is the first major announcement by the LOC which is hoping to provide a true Grenadian hospitality for about 450 athletes and officials expected for the Games to stage March 26 to 28.
Bruno-Victor said that the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC), through its regional and international partners, has pledged US$100,000.00 for the hosting of the Games.
“To date, the NOC has pledged US$100,000.00 to support the effort. This US$100,000.00 from our regional body PASO (Pan American Sports Organisation) and we’ve asked Olympic Solidarity to assist us with another $50,000.00,” said Bruno-Victor, who is also the General Secretary of the GOC.
PASO has been providing financial support to assist regional associations hosting the CARIFTA Games.
The government, North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have all given commitments to provide financial support for the Games and Bruno-Victor believes that the LOC is on target to meet all deadlines.
“With 150 days to go, we’re sparing no effort to have everything in place to have a successful hosting of the Games.”