Carifta dignitaries to travel in style
Published:Wednesday | March 2, 2022 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
INTERNATIONAL TRACK and field dignitaries, including World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who will be attending the 2022 Carifta Games in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 16-18, will travel in style.
That style will come courtesy of high-end automobile brand Mercedes-Benz and Carifta’s partnership with Stewart’s Automotive, through Budget Car Rental.
The partnership was announced yesterday at Stewart’s Automotive’s South Camp Road office, with one of the organisation’s director, Jackie Stewart-Lechler, saying the resumption of sports was very important and this was how it plays its part.
“Stewart’s Automotive, through Budget Car Rental, is super excited to be part of the 2022 Carifta Games,” she told the gathering.
“We have been on a hiatus for two years due to the pandemic, so we must come back with a bang. We love Jamaica and Brand Jamaica is important. Budget Car Rental is going to provide luxury transport through Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing. We are hoping Lord Sebastian Coe and his official crew will be pleased to be driving around in their Mercedes-Benz in good style.
“We need to say goodbye to COVID, so let’s make this a great event and Stewart’s, Budget Car Rental and Mercedes-Benz are here to make it happen in our own small way,” she said.
Chairman of the Carifta organising committee, Mike Fennell, said Jamaica has a very big reputation in the international track and field community, and Stewart’s coming on board to provide transportation assistance will help them maintain that proud international stature.
“This is extremely important because the organising committee has to provide transport for a number of people. The athletes have their transport, like buses and vans, but we also have dignitaries coming here and part of the legacy of hosting these games is our reputation worldwide,” he commented.
LUXURY cars
“Stewart’s, through Budget Car Rental, will be providing us with luxury cars to assist with transportation and helping to make a good impression on the big guys coming here.
“When you host an event of an international or regional nature, you expect to get various benefits, there are benefits directly for the sport, but there is an indirect benefit, for example, the reputation for the country. Sport is important as we develop what we are doing here in Jamaica, and athletics is a sport in which Jamaica is ranked highly worldwide, so we have to put on a good impression so that when we are seeking other things, we will be favourably considered,” said Fennell.
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president, Garth Gayle, welcomed the partnership and hopes the relationship between Stewart’s and the JAAA will continue to grow.
“This morning we welcomed a new partner, Stewart’s Automotive through their brands Budget Car Rental and Mercedes. This agreement will allow our visiting delegates, and I speak of Lord Sebastian Coe and other presidents of NACAC [North American, Central American and Caribbean region], will be properly taken care of re transportation.
“Stewart’s has always been synonymous with sports, so this is a perfect fit at the right time, as Jamaica opens our borders for business and sports. We are very pleased and we will be working with the Stewart’s Group in order that this partnership grows year after year,” he added.