MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
'Developing for the Future' — Falklands Is. Commonwealth Games Association to receive further fu
David Hudd, Chairman of Falkland Islands Holdings Falkland Island Holdings (FIH) and the Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company (CAIC) have announced a joint financial package, aimed at assisting Falkland Islands competitors in their quest to participate at the 20th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.
The two Companies will contribute £40,000 over the next four years, which will be divided into annual payments of £10,000, leading up to the commencement of the Games in October 2010. The financial assistance offered by FIH and CAIC is primarily targeted to assist young competitors qualify in their respective sports, and the cash includes a considerable sum which will finance a series of sporting scholarships for Falklands youngsters. Additionally, young athletes will have the opportunity to receive top-class coaching in clay target and pistol shooting disciplines, while badminton players will also benefit through qualified coaches being brought to the Islands to assist their preparations. Through the innovative FIH/CAIC 'Developing for the Future' programme, the Shot Gun and Pistol ranges in Stanley will be modernized and should reach International standard by the time the next Commonwealth Games are staged. The present open air firing point will be covered to give protection to the shooters, and a modern 'turning target' system for pistol shooters will be installed. The Badminton Club, which has an exciting group of youngsters training regularly, will, through the financial package, receive new equipment in the form of rackets and shuttlecocks. The Club will also set up a series of competitive tournaments in Chile aimed at providing wider International competition for the players. A qualified coach will be recruited and brought to the Islands to supervise several weeks training. The Swimming Club intend to purchase the much needed turning blocks for the local pool, while also heading for Chile in the search of advanced training and competitive requirements. The recently announced FIH/CAIC financial package follows extensive assistance provided to the Falklands prior to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. The Companies financed the air fares for a team of Full-Bore rifle shooters to attend the annual National Rifle Association Championships at Bisley, Surrey, where they obtained much needed practice before the Games in Australia. The Gun Club benefited through the purchase of a shot gun practice lazer system and a new clay pigeon trap, while two qualified coaches were brought in from Australia to assist with the Commonwealth Games preparations. Falkland's teams first attended the Commonwealth Games in 1982, shortly after the Falklands War, when two full-bore rifle shooters flew to Brisbane, Australia. The Islands have entered every Commonwealth Games since then. In 1993 the Falklands took part, for the first time, in the Island Games, a biennial event. The Falkland Islands Company, a subsidiary of FIH, kindly offered to sponsor the official team tracksuits on that occasion. They have also incorporated the Commonwealth Games uniforms and tracksuits into their long standing and much appreciated gesture. Patrick Watts, Chairman of the Falklands Commonwealth Games Association, said, ' We thank FIH and CAIC for their magnificent financial assistance, which will not only upgrade our facilities locally, but will also enable our competitors to receive valuable competitive International experience prior to the next Commonwealth Games in Delhi. We are particularly grateful to Mr. David Hudd, the Chairman of FIH, for his most enthusiastic and energetic support to our prospective Commonwealth Games competitors. This 4 year package will encourage many youngsters in the Falklands to set their sights on qualifying for the Delhi Games of 2010'. David Hudd, Chairman of Falkland Islands Holdings plc said â€" 'I am delighted that together with Caribbean Alliance we have been able to make this long term commitment to sport in the Falklands. The presence of a strong team from the Falklands can only enhance the Islands' reputation internationally'.Games Association Press Release â€" Stanley â€" Falkland Islands
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