Sporting associations receive $2 million from NLA

Production Development Officer of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) Anthony Dennie has reaffirmed the NLA’s commitment to assisting sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines, disclosing that EC$2 million has been distributed among sporting associations over the last three years.{{more}}

Speaking at a function organized by the National Sports Council, in conjunction with the Minister Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil Mc Kie and the National Lotteries Authority, recently at the President’s Suite at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, Dennie noted that cricket and athletics have received the lion’s share of the distribution, with the former totalling in excess of $560,000 and athletics $366,342, which essentially has gone to the hosting of the annual inter-primary and inter-secondary schools championships.

The contribution to athletics, Dennie said, was in addition to assisting the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports with medals and trophies for school events.

Others Dennie identified as beneficiaries over the last three years were tennis – $166,000, squash – $146,000, football – $125,000; swimming – $120,000; along with basketball – $65,000 and counting; cycling – $40,000; and netball – over $35,000.

“In addition to that we have done significant work in the development of hard court and playing fields in St Vincent and the Grenadines and it is no secret we have recently gotten $6.5 million from the National Insurance Service, which has gone directly into developing playing fields,” Dennie underscored.

Among those listed by Dennie were the Cumberland Playing Field, the Hope Playing Field, the Biabou hard court and the Fitz Hughes Playing Field.

“Also, the National Sports Council benefits tremendously from the National Lotteries Authority … On a monthly basis close to $40,000 goes directly to the National Sports Council and we also assist wherever: equipment, supplies and assist with work at several playing fields,” he added.

Dennie reiterated that for this type of funding to be sustained, persons have to continue to play the 3D, Lotto, Super Six and the scratch games, which allow the NLA to gain its revenue.

The NLA was set up in 1984 as a gaming establishment, with the aim of funding the causes of sporting and cultural entities in St Vincent and the Grenadines.(RT)