The Tribune

NINETEEN local businesses, 14 media companies and three local hotels have been named Friends of 2014.

The announcement was made during a press conference yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium (TARS).

The businesses, media companies and hotels will all be friends of the biggest sporting event happening in the Bahamas May 24-25.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson, said: “The friends programme allows smaller companies to be showcased in the proper light.”

Gold, Silver & Bronze Friends of 2014 will have visibility during the upcoming Bahamas 2014 High School Relays scheduled for May 9-10.

During the Bahamas 2014 High School Relays, young high school athletes from around the Bahamas will test the readiness of (TARS) by competing in a series of relays, namely the 4X100, 4X200, 4X400 as well as a medley relay for both boys and girls.

Frank “Pancho” Rahaming, senior director of athletics in the LOC, said all private and public schools have been invited to participate in the Bahamas 2014 High School Relays and the top 24 teams will soon be selected.

In addition to having visibility at the Bahamas 2014 High School Relays, Friends of 2014 will also have visibility during “the “one lane, one island” junior event.

The newest twist to the event, taken from the Bahamas Games format, will run hours before the world-class event.

All-star teams from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Eleuthera, Andros and the Berry Islands, Abaco, Exuma, Colombus Isles (Long Island, Cat Island, San Salvador, Long Cay) and MICA (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crocked Island, Acklins) will participate during the junior event.

The Gold Friends of 2014 have all sponsored one of the teams participating in the “one lane, one island” junior event.

Consolidated Water (Bahamas) LTD- New Providence, Morton Salt Bahamas Ltd – MICA, Senior Frogs – Freeport, Chances Web – Eleuthera, Cash N’ Go- Exuma and FYP & The Builders Mall, Abaco were unveiled as Gold Friends of 2014.

Silver Friends of 2014 include Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace, The Prickle Patch, Doctors Hospital, Bahamas Harvest Church, Jemini Fitness, Thompson Trading Company Limited, Chilly Willy Ice and Outback Steakhouse.

Bronze Friends of 2014 include Grant Thornton, Sister/ Sister Beauty Supply Store, Porky’s Trucking & Paving, BGC Ltd and Potraits A- LA Sawyer’s & Media Centre.

The Gold Media Friends of 2014 include 100 Jamz, Star FM, Cool 96 FM, Joy FM, Sports Radio, The Nassau Guardian, The Punch and The Tribune.

The Silver Media Friend of 2014 is Love 97 FM.

Bronze Media Friends of 2014 include Classical 97.1 FM, Y98.7 FM, Bahamas Local and Bahamas at Sunrise.

The Gold Hotel Friend of 2014 is The Melia and the Silver Hotel Friends of 2014 include Breezes Hotel Resort and The Paradise Island Hotel Resort.