Officials from three companies investing in local sports are lauding the tremendous value to their respective brands being tied to track and field and the governing National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA).
State-owned Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL), a subsidiary of the National Gas Company (NGC), insurer Sagicor General Inc and Blue Waters have all declared that the sport proved to be an ideal fit with their identities. The NGC was also a partner of track and field and signed a three-year development deal with the national sporting organisation valued at $12 million that covered 2015-2017.
Representatives from the previous three companies declared that the Olympic sport and the results achieved so far by the nation's dedicated athletes epitomised this country's national watchwords: discipline, production and tolerance. Among the companies, Sagicor had the longest relationship with the NAAA, 11 years, and was co-title sponsor with NGC for the annual National Open Championship which took place at the weekend (June 27-28) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Woodbrook.
Michelle Seville, assistant manager at Sagicor General Inc, said, "There is alignment of the value of the NAAA and Sagicor, in that we believe that track and field is a key vehicle for promoting high standards of excellence, discipline, commitment and fair play in a healthy society. We at Sagicor are proud to be part of these games for the 11th year as title sponsor for the NAAA Senior (Open) Championship. For us, events such as these enable our vision, which is 'to be a great company committed to improving the lives of the people in the communities in which we operate'."
She added, "Our sponsorship runs deeper than a commercial agreement. Over the last five years, Sagicor has become an integral part of the Games committee and we have enlisted our employees to assist on the weekend of the games from manning the gates to working with the basket children. Sagicor believes that sport is an integral part of our youth's development. It encourages academic discipline and healthy life style." Seville cited the dedication and discipline of the athletes and applauded their passion and commitment to the sport. She noted that in addition to their medal haul, excellence in sport also provided them platforms for higher education through scholarships, as well as, endorsements for their financial future.
But the national sporting organisation was not denied of its accolades.
From the early championships of 1946, overcoming the political hurdles of 1962 and 1990, to its rebranding and repositioning in 2009, the Sagicor official said, the company was heartened by the steadfastness of the NAAA for both its vision and mission. Of the NGC and the other partners of the sport, Seville described the opportunity to collaborate with them as "a pleasure" citing the importance of the games not for today, but for the future. Track and field fans were treated to another exciting round of competition throughout the month of June with the NGC/NAAA National Juvenile Championships, the NGC/NAAA National Junior Championships, the NGC/NAAA National Combined Championships followed by the NGC/Sagicor National Open Championships.
Crystal Grainger of Blue Waters said partnering with the NAAA for years, gave officials at the company an opportunity to witness first-hand the remarkable investment the NSO made in its athletes. This, she said, convinced the company to stay its course as the Ephraim Serrette-led administration continued, "Investing in our local talented people and saw the value in promoting track and field as the premier sport in T&T. We pride ourselves in partnership with the NAAA as Blue Waters believes in providing support for a sustainable future for young people in the country. Having embarked on this journey with the NAAA some years ago, has fostered a synergetic relationship which Blue Waters is more than excited to part of. To commemorate our longstanding partnership, the NAAA has officially signed a three-year agreement with Blue Waters and we look forward to our continued partnership well into the future."
For Elsa Lara-Joseph, team lead for public relations at PPGPL, urging citizens to stop taking the nation's athletes for granted was a top priority for her company. She lamented that this attitude persisted in spite of the tremendous accomplishments of local athletes on the local, regional and international stages.
"Our athletes continue to fly the flag of T&T high wherever they compete. We often take for granted their accomplishments, despite the fact that when they represent our country, they are representing 1.3 million people in a world of millions.
Although we are a dot on the map, our athletes always make the world notice that there exists a small twin-island called T&T that is a force in the area of sport. I urge the people of T&T to come out and support our athletes.
This is a call I make every year and I will continue to do so until our stadium is a sea of red. Bring your children, your grandchildren to an enjoyable series of events. If you want to motivate anyone who is lacking purpose and direction, bring them to the games so they could see for themselves what it takes to succeed. Let them experience the thrill of healthy competition and the energy that drives each competitor," Lara-Joseph said.
She added, "PPGPL continues to support this initiative as it provides an opportunity for the citizens of T&T to witness the achievements of our track and field athletes. It is an opportunity for all of us to show our appreciation for the tremendous display of endurance, determination, talent and most importantly discipline.
PPGPL is proud to join other energy companies in consistently supporting the NAAA in its quest to take track and field further.
Many times citizens say that the energy companies are not doing enough, but for years we have been the sponsors of track and field and other sporting activities. Together, we are utilising the resources of T&T for national development.