BTC Team Bahamas makes its presence felt at the 40th edition of the LIME CARIFTA Games

Prior to the recent 2011 LIME CARIFTA games, Jamaican officials touted that they wouldn’t allow a single gold medal to leave their country. But there was no questioning whether The Bahamas was up to the challenge to collect as many as possible, finishing second overall with 30 medals and Under 20 competitor Athonique Strachan’s Austin Sealy Award title of Most Outstanding Performance at the 2011 CARIFTA Games.

Overall, the BTC Bahamas team finished with nine gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals, topped off by a new 4x400 relay record in the Under 20 boys division led by O’Jay Ferguson and Stephen Newbold.

And as The Bahamas commanded attention from the region, there was an equally noticeable presence at the Games -- the LIME brand. While BTC’s investment in Bahamian athletes has carried on through the support of local track and field events, its new carrier LIME has been the presenting sponsor for the CARIFTA Games for two consecutive years.

“Our new partnership with LIME adds a unique dimension to our sponsorship efforts,” stated Marlon Johnson, BTC vice president of marketing. “In the past, we have created avenues to ensure the future of our Bahamian athletes and we have a continued commitment to reach out into our communities just as our customers have come to expect, only now it’s with a much broader, regional scope and impact.”

As the new partnership is fully established, BTC plans to continue seeking opportunities to support youth and sports in The Bahamas while strengthening existing ties with the community. Its partner LIME also facilitated live streaming of the Games for fans and viewers around the world to watch real-time coverage. LIME has made a two-year, $400,000 commitment to CARFITA -- the largest in the history of the Games.

“We’ve had a long standing affiliation with BTC and we’re quite pleased to see that the new management saw fit to maintain that relationship,” said Michael Sands, BAAA president. “This year’s gold medal performance was the best it has been in 10 years. It helps our administration when we don’t have to focus on fundraising and direct our attention to other aspects. On behalf of the athletes, coaching staff and executives we take this opportunity to thank BTC for their generous sponsorship and we look forward to a continued partnership.”