The Premier the Hon. W. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, handed over a cheque for $75,000 to Cayman Islands Invitational organiser and star sprinter, Ms Cydonie Mothersill, at his office on Tuesday, 1 May.

The presentation marks the Ministry of Finance, Tourism and Development’s position as one of the lead sponsors of the first-ever such track and field competition in the Islands.

To be held at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Wednesday, 9 May, the event features nearly 90 Olympians, world champions and national record holders from the US, Jamaica, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and Ivory Coast as well as the host, Cayman Islands.

Making the presentation, the Premier commented how pleased he was with Ms Mothersill being a sports ambassador for the Cayman Islands. “It is indeed wonderful that so many top athletes will be participating, which will be a huge inspiration for our young people and especially our athletes.” He added, “Government is very pleased to help in this endeavour and to be associated with it.”

This will be the first time Ms Mothersill will be competing at home since 1995. She thanked the Premier for his commitment to her dream for Cayman to host such an event. She also thanked Minister of Sports, the Hon. Mark Scotland, JP, for his involvement.

She further acknowledged that the event became possible because of all the corporate sponsors, led by Dart, and a number of community minded individuals.

She also lauded her organising team for shouldering a huge load, so she can simultaneously continue training for the London Olympics, where she will represent the Cayman Islands in June.

Promising a spectacular event, Ms Mothersill said a track camp on Monday for local athletes and visits to government primary schools by star athletes on Tuesday will precede the actual competitions on Wednesday. She invited all to attend and add to the excitement.