The sponsorship board of the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015 got a significant boost yesterday, as five corporate citizens announced their support of what is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever hosted in The Bahamas.
The International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Relays is set for May 2 and 3, at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium right here in Nassau, The Bahamas. Already 47 countries have confirmed participation, up from the 43 that took part a year ago. Over 1,000 athletes, coaches and officials are expected to be here for the world relays, and about 30,000 spectators are expected to pack the stadium over the course of the two days of the meet.
As for the sponsors who announced their support yesterday, Atlantic Medical Ltd. and Caribbean Bottling Co., distributors of Coca-Cola, have returned as national partners. Commonwealth Brewery Limited, through its Kalik Radler Zero brand, and Bahamas Waste Ltd. have returned as national suppliers, and the National Sports Authority (NSA) is also on board as a national supplier. Whilst the two slots for national partners have been filled, there are still six positions remaining at the national supplier level, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the event (LOC) Mike Sands is encouraging more corporate citizens to step forward.
"This event will be televised nationally, regionally and internationally, so it will provide exposure to millions of viewers around the world. With that being said, we are encouraging others to come forward and assist," said Sands. "There are a few more spaces that are left on the board and they are limited. We want to invite potential corporate citizens to join us in this venture."
Last year, the world relays was televised in 161 countries worldwide, and with more countries participating this year, the reach globally is expected to be greater. International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) is returning as the host broadcaster of the event, and will offer feeds to various broadcasters around the world.
"We wish to welcome the representatives of the various organizations who have agreed to join us in this venture once again, to successfully host a world-class athletics competition here in The Bahamas," said LOC Managing Director Lionel Haven yesterday.
"The Local Organizing Committee, through its sponsorship team, has been working diligently. I'm pleased to announce that the various units of the Local Organizing Committee are working to ensure that we produce another 'Bahamazing' experience. We are pleased with the progress that we have made to date, but we know that in these last six weeks we must pay close attention to the fine details that are required to produce an event that exceeds the quality of last year."
Representing national partner Atlantic Medical, Executive Vice President and General Manager Lynda Gibson said that they are proud to be on board with such a global event.
"The IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015 is a grand event that will have the eyes of the world on it," said Gibson. "Atlantic Medical believes in people as a corporate citizen. Sporting events promote healthier, happier lives, so there is a natural synergy in who we are and what we do as a company as far as supporting athletes are concerned. I'm confident that our collaboration with the relays will ensure that this event is staged to the highest international standard once again. Atlantic Medical looks forward to cheering on the Bahamian athletes and being a part of this grand event."
Cara Douglas, Marketing Manager at Caribbean Bottling Co., said that they are committed to their corporate social responsibility and the development of The Bahamas.
"For this reason, we are ecstatic to announce our second national partnership of the 'Bahamazing' IAAF World Relays," she said. "We proudly support the Local Organizing Committee and acknowledge the tremendous job that they are doing in promoting and organizing this international event."
Douglas encouraged patrons of the event to visit Coca-Cola's hospitality tent during the relays, May 2 and 3 at the stadium, "for a very exclusive and special surprise."
Chairman of the National Sports Authority Leroy Archer said that they too are pleased to partner with the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015.
"The partnership is indicative of our collective efforts to showcase our sporting facilities," said Archer. "Our ability to host this very important international event supports our vision to continue to develop our sports tourism culture. We want to create an experience that every Bahamian and every international person who is here will remember. We congratulate the hard-working team of the LOC and the NSA, and we are looking forward to another very successful 'Bahamazing' event."
Stacy Mackey, Brand Manager for Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Commonwealth Brewery, said that they feel extremely proud, knowing that this event is both cultural and sports related.
"Commonwealth Brewery through Kalik Radler Zero is happy to partner with the LOC for the staging of this event," she said. "We get an opportunity to showcase our country to the world. We are very excited and we believe that it is going to another exceptional event. Congratulations to the LOC for an awesome job done last year, and we look forward to another excellent event this year."
Francisco de Cardenas, Managing Director at Bahamas Waste Ltd., said that they are on board for most NSA events at the stadium, so it was a no-brainer for them to offer their support once again.
"As the son and grandson of an Olympic sailor, I know what sports means to the youth of this nation," he said. "We at Bahamas Waste know and appreciate that we have to support events such as this. It is our pleasure to be on board. It was an amazing experience last year, and we're just glad for the opportunity to do it again."
Sands thanked the corporate citizens for their support, as they continue to set the stage for just the second edition of the IAAF World Relay Championships.
"We are extremely delighted to have you as partners join us, as we seek to providing the country, and indeed the world, with an athletics event that is second to none," said Sands. "Sponsorship and partnership relationships are extremely important to an event of this magnitude. We believe that it sends a strong message to the public that the corporate community endorses this event. We are convinced that your association with this event will allow Bahamians to appreciate your commitment to nation building through sports."
The event is rapidly approaching, just 38 days away. The deadline imposed by the IAAF for all countries to submit their final entries is Monday, April 20. Sands said that they feel confident in their ability to attract the remaining partners.
"It's just a matter of once contracts are in order, the details could be worked out," said Sands. "There are some very stringent guidelines that we are working with, but we feel very comfortable to attract the remaining national suppliers that we need."
The start time of the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015 has been pushed back to 7 p.m. each evening, as opposed to 5 p.m. from a year ago. According to LOC Chairman Keith Parker, this will allow spectators on the Eastern Grandstand to avoid the heated conditions of a year ago. The sun would have already set by the time the event gets underway each evening. Parker said that they are also looking forward to more sponsors coming on board.
"Our sponsors are key to the success of this event as they were in 2014," he said. "We already have 47 countries confirmed to be participating, up from the 43 that took part last year, so we are already looking forward to a bigger and better event. We have to thank our sponsors because of that. This event was televised in 161 countries last year, and on a consistent basis, so whatever the level of the sponsorship, the value is multiplied over and over again."
Tickets for the event are available at the box office at the national stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets in the gold section are priced at $65 each, the silver section seats will be going for $45 each, bronze section seats are being sold for $35 each, general admission is $12 each, and for children 12 years and younger, the price is $7 each. There are limited seats available, so the LOC is encouraging the public, particularly Bahamians, to get their tickets early. The LOC is expecting to experience a sell out for both days of the world relays.
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