The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE regatta community has petitioned for an increase in funding for years and, according to the minister of agriculture, marine resources and local government, they should expect that increase in due time.

In his contribution to the 2013/14 Budget debate on Wednesday, V Alfred Gray pledged an increase to regatta funding.

“This year, we were able to get a small increase in our regatta funds. I will not go to say what that increase was, but any increase is a good increase. I can say that the increase will bring a good reward,” he said.

“They are not simply a time when people get together. Regattas have a great important role to play in the socioeconomic development of our country. Because some of these people you know, when there is a regatta or a homecoming, that is the only time they see money for the year and that is why the government pumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into regattas and their development.”

At the beginning of the regatta season in January, Gray and his ministry made a contribution of $40,000 to the All-For-One Regatta.

At the time he noted the struggle of the government to fund the various regattas held throughout the country during the season.

“I know that is not sufficient to cover all of the expenses but because we have at least 15 regattas to partly sponsor during the year, you would agree with me when I say that is a good contribution from the government.”

The ministry hosted a sailing conclave in February in an effort to bring all regattas under one umbrella.

“We can amalgamate regattas all over The Bahamas. That, I believe, will catapult regattas to where they ought to be rather than having the different associations and factions all doing their own thing. The government is attaching a great deal of importance to this. At the end of it all, I am hopeful that we will able to be certain that the country’s premier sport will be enhanced by the development of this committee.”