LIME, Cable & Wireless Communications’ Caribbean business, is surprised at the recent reports in the media regarding negotiations around the staging of the 2011 CARIFTA Games.
LIME was the presenting sponsor of the games in Grand Cayman in 2010, which were regionally broadcast for the very first time in the Games’ 39- year history. LIME also facilitated the live-streaming of the games over the internet to the delight of Caribbean athletics fans worldwide.
Last year at those very successful games, LIME pledged its continued support to be the Presenting Sponsor of the games to the North American & Central American Confederation (NACAC) which is the umbrella organization for the CARIFTA Games, through to the 2012. That commitment to the CARIFTA Games remains unwavering.
The protocol involved with the sponsorship of these games is that the sponsor (in this case LIME as Presenting Sponsor) negotiates terms with the rights owners (NACAC) and agrees to the amount that will be paid to the rights holders. All other agreements for support to the host country are then a matter for discussion and agreement between NACAC and the host country.
While LIME would be extremely pleased if the games were held in the Bahamas, that decision rests solely with NACAC and the bidding host countries. Our commitment to sponsor these games remains in effect regardless of where the games are staged.
LIME would like to place on record its continued desire to do all possible to work with NACAC, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, or any other selected host country to ensure a successful execution of the games.
LIME’s 2010 sponsorship of the games also included a region-wide CARIFTA promotion that afforded one school in every LIME territory the opportunity to win a $5000 local currency contribution to their athletics program. LIME also assisted 10 CARIFTA teams in LIME territories with financial support and team equipment.
LIME continues to support Caribbean athletics at all levels and sees the CARIFTA games as an excellent vehicle to showcase and develop the next generation of athletes.
Diane Phillips & Associates
