BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE ST. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletics Association (SKNAAA) and other partnering agencies had invested a relatively large amount of money in the team that represented the Federation at the CARIFTA Games.
According to a statement from the SKNAAA, the participation of the local team in the recently concluded Games in Curacao “has been a costly undertaking that cost the St. Kitts & Nevis Amateur Athletic Association, SKNAAA, over EC$100,000.00”.
The team, which returned home yesterday (Apr. 18), tasted success through the likes of Jermaine Francis, who scaled new heights to win Gold in the Boys High Jump and, in the process, set a new CARIFTA Games record.
Providing a breakdown of the cost, the SKNAAA declared that support was had from the St. Kitts-Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), which provided a substantial sum of money through a joint funding initiative.
The sum of US$32,600 or EC$88,570.94. was expended on the team’s journey to Curacao via Virgin Islands Air Link Charter Service, 50% of which was covered by the SKNOC, the statement noted.
Support was also received from the Federal Government to the tune of EC$20, 000.
“Other ancillary expenses budgeted to prepare Team St. Kitts and Nevis included accommodation levies, uniforms and gear for the team, inter-island travel, stipends and emergency funds. This equates to a total of EC$112, 399.81,” the statement said.
It was highlighted that the Government’s contribution was the second in as many weeks.
The first contribution was EC$40, 500 to assist the SKNAAA in replacing the High Jump bed and other equipment that were destroyed in a fire at the Kim Collins Athletics Stadium last month.
The CARIFTA Games team returned to a warm welcome and cogratulatory remarks from government officials, members of the SKNAAA and the media.
