National Lotteries gives SVG School Team $30,000.

by Shayne Alexander

The National Lotteries Authorities (NLA) continues to be of assistance to the development of sports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Tuesday, July 25, 2006, National Lotteries handed over a cheque for $30,000 to the Secondary Schools Team that will represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the 2006 Windward Island Inter-Secondary Games in St. Lucia from tomorrow, Saturday, July 29 to August 6.{{more}}

Two representatives who have been preparing the team, Elford Charles and Charles Samuel, were present at the handing over.

Coach Elford Charles expressed his gratitude to the Lotteries Authority for their continued support to the team. He gave a brief overview of how the team’s preparations has been coming along, and said preparations have been going great. He stated that the team would be participating in five disciplines: football, basketball, track and field, netball and volleyball. The training had started with 60 athletes, but the final squad has been narrowed down to 40 athletes. Charles also stated that the team is at the top of their game this year and they do expect to win the tournament and make St. Vincent and the Grenadines proud.

Chief Education Officer Susan Dougan also spoke at the session, and thanked the Lotteries Authorities for their sponsorship. She also acknowledged that this is the only way that talent can really be exposed, and she wished the team the best of luck and urged them to strive for greatness.

Three members of the track and field team, Raffique Providence, Tonya Trimmingham and Ranica Williams, attended the ceremony.

The official start of the meet is July 30, 2006.

The NLA has been sponsoring the team for four years now.