Donations are beginning to pour in to the Dominica Amateur Athletics Association after an urgent appeal was made for the sponsorship of Dominican athletes for the CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas.
Just days before the team is set to leave Dominica to compete in the games, President of the DAAA, Cedric Harris, said the association is facing a serious financial crisis.
Speaking on state-own DBS Radio on Friday morning, Harris said the association is in urgent need of $55,000 for the purchase of tickets for the 13-member delegation that will be representing Dominica.
“The team has been selected, tickets are booked but to date finance to getting the team out of Dominica is a big hurdle,” he said.
Harris pointed out that the government and several entities were approached for assistance but the association has received no reply so far.
He said thankfully the Dominica Olympic Committee has agreed to assist by paying the $3,500 needed for accommodation but much more is needed.
However, Harris’ appeal has not fallen on deaf ears as several callers to privately-owned Q95 have has pledged to assist with lawyer David Bruney leading the move by committing to sponsor one athlete. Bruney challenged other professionals on the island to contribute and some have responded positively.
Still, the questions remains as to whether the DAAA will be able to raise the full amount in time without a major donation from the government or some other source.
Ten athletes will be representing Dominica at the games, including Olympian Luan Gabriel.
The CARIFTA Games, dubbed by some as the “Olympics of the Caribbean,” will take place from March 29 to April 1 in the Bahamas.
Some 25 nations from across the Caribbean will be represented.
At last year’s game Gabriel secured the only gold medal for Dominica in U-17 200-meter dash, clocking 24.35 seconds.
I agree with you about having to help ourselves but the sad reality is when you have an economy built on AID money then there is no private sector to help build a sporting industry.
So while we must raise our own money, we must force Government to spend tax money ONLY on projects that will generate revenue.
Severin Mckenzie just pointed out this morning that we spent 600 million but only earned 70 million. WOW!!!!
Thats like a household with a salary of $100 but every month they spend $1500 so bank ready to foreclose and courts ready to repossess etc etc etc. Then they get a little western union money from their aunty but instead of using it to make ice cream to sell for example, or to buy seeds to plant food, they use it to buy a gold chain and a dress for Triple K jam on Saturday night.
That household is The Skerrit Administration. NO!!!!! Demand they grow up and be men before you give the little sports team such a hard time while they struggling to find a penny out of a shitty crashng economy.
That’s ridiculous!
The head of these associations need to be fired. $55OOO and youguys are now begging for money.
Come on… better organisation and plannign is definitely needed.
Asking the government for money everytime with the smae results yet, you continue to.
What happened to thinking outside the book? COme on – approach private businesses and ask for sponsorships..host fundraisers. Do something.
Seems like everywhere you turn is a bunch of small minded people, lack of fresh ideas.
It’s the same old, same old story – the government failed to help, they are in a last minute bind.
Wake the hell up – YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU… there are many different ways to help yourself than to constantly keep begging at the doors of the same establishments with the same results.
farfetched…have a sewo – you’ll raise some money!
Cedric Harris does NOT have to request funds for DOMINICAN athletes to participate in CARIFESTA games!! The athletes are representing DA. there is a Ministry of Sports and Culture, why should citizens be scurrying for funds when the calandar event was planned so long ago.The ministry, under the leadership of Hon. Justina Charles must have monies placed in the annual budget to take care of these activities. Or is it an opportunity for PM Skerritt to play his game again, saving the nation at the last minute? This has to stop and excellent planning introduced in ALL that we do. I sincerely hope that ths is the last time that such a situation arises: it may have serious consequencies for the athletes’performance.
This is what lack of planning causes. The assoc. must have been aware that these games were coming up, why not have fundraising activities done early enough, ask the athletes to seek funding and then let the powers that be (gov’t or private sector) know the short fall..they areonly embarassing themselves with this last minute nonsense. I have sent my contribution, others will as well…
The president of the association should bear the brunt of the blame for this fiasco. Poor planning and not enough communication wit the respective club representative and coaches to prepare way in advance for the potential qualifiers. There is to much last minute planning going or reacting going on, and the move to go on “The Matt? I question the motive of that move.
I sincerely hope that the athletes who qualify can get to go to the games, I know the feeling, because I was one of those athletes at the some point.
As far as the Government is concerned, you can’t expect to ask the Government for money today and get a response today. The Government has to budget for things as such, so request has to be made well in advance.
So Mr. DAAA president you have to come better than that on this one.
After the team raise funds to go to Carifta they should not be expected to represent Dominica. They should develop a team name and run under that instead of Team Dominica. A team should never have to fund their own trip if they are representing a country.
I have absolutely no problems with women in high positions,but I have a problem with the square peg that is in the wrong sports hole.When was the last time we heard something positive from the Minister of Sports relating to sports in Dominica. Subject to correction, while Shane was causing havoc at the Windsor Park,I did not see the Minister of sports on the grounds. I wish to thank Matt for the interest he has shown, however,I hope the animal show promoters will at least say something pleasant about him on Saturday.
Nine months after the London Olympics when Dominicans had the opportunity to see the glory the Jamaican, Trinidadian, Bahamian and of course the GRENADIAN brought to their respective countries, it is unbelievable that the Government of Dominica would allow the athletes, who have worked so hard, struggle in that way to participate in the CARIFTA games. What a shame!
A doctor at the hospital who works for $4500.00 a month is going on leave and the Government of Dominica is replacing him with a U.S. based Dominican doctor at a price of $25,000.00 per month. Two months salary of that man is sufficient to send out the team of Dominica’s future olympians.
On Monday the big man will show up with his dimples and a nice smile and announce that the Prime Minister has given a cheque to the athletes.
There is no need to panic my dear athletes, you will be going to the Bahamas, your trip is secured, a tribal leader is just testing you, he is trying to determine which tribe you come from, if your parents have shown any hostility to his tribe. Play it safe, wear red and say Hail to the leader, Clean Sweep, Revenge is yours Great Leader and all will be well. God is Good.
On a matter of principle, I’ll not contribute to this fund raising exercise, because I know All is Well.
Some people are playing games with the young people of this country and the seeds they are sowing will soon haunt them.
God bless our 2013 CARIFTA athletes and may the people of this country see the light.
Lol, Annica! So, let me understand you well…you would rather send athletes to Bahamas than save human lives in Dominica?! Lol!!! Do you see how this suggestion sounds?
What are the facts regarding your doctor story, Annica? Additionally, what are the facts on this CARIFTA games issue? Your post shows a abject disregard for facts’ Annica. How can you take up such positions without even knowing the circumstances of which you speak?
According to DNO, “Harris pointed out that the government and several entities were approached for assistance but the association has received no reply so far.” When was the government “approached” and through what means; a phone call, a letter to the secretary of some office somewhere, a letter hand delivered at the last minute, etc? I believe that this is not the first time that this situation has surfaced with the DAAA.
In the absence of the facts on this matter, Annika, you and I can only read and wonder and refrain from the usual orgasmic responses. BTW, I too, advise you NOT to support that radio campaign because begging, after all, is bad for Dominica. No? The DAAA must work to raise its funds.
P.S Even non-tribe members receive generously from the Great Leader. They simply choose to make you believe otherwise and, unfortunately, you have swallowed their propaganda hook line and sinker.
you are one red eyed wicked person…
How do you start a radio pledge at the eleventh hour. What about booking lodging and airfares, does the rest of the World/ Caribbean wait on Dominica. Where were the patriots? Good effort but too late. I’ve always said that there is just too much talk and less action. Also, for those interested – use this scenario as a gage towards the next elections.
Come ye forward, passport agent ,drug dealers, politicians……………………………………………………………………………………………..giving hands that pay the passges hotel and food. Medard hath bless some/thee. do the right be firm be fair.
I would like to recommend at this point that in the future beginning immediately that all groups who has the intention of going oversees on be it sports or whatever should have fundraising. They could start out like the guides did in the time of before, go do odd jobs for people and bank the money so they can get in the future. Yes they go out there to represent Dominica but it is also exposure for themselves.
Come on Mudd, where is your contribution? or is it you just talking?
The more I learn about this president is the more I realize he is a ‘talk shop’. Last year was the same thing….I believe in planning ahead….do your fundraising and writing early so every year you do not have to be on radio crying and making the country go into overdrive about who not doing this and not doing that. When are you going to take responsibility? I mean….more is needed when people take certain positions…you may be working good on one part but proper administration is needed…..Where is the Secretary of the Association to ensure that letters are written on time… and do you have to wait until last minute to request assistance….especially when I was hearing meets going on so close to the date of the Games? Just write a general letter….put in expectations so people can have something to move on with. Poor organization and administration I say. You always have to know that when you send a letter in the bigger boss might not see it the same day..esp in Government circles…which has to go through so many processes before Treasury gives you money.
I hope this nonsense is not repeated last year. Good luck athlete.
well said
it would be nice if the Olympic committee donae some funds as well, after all hopefully they will be future olympians.
just wondering?
I thought Matt in the Morning would be droned by now, thank god he is still alive, Where is our tax paying nation station to keep us informed?? Its only under Labor our athletes will beg.
Dnt worry my people the one will make a grande entrance to rescue the athletes. Another Ferdinand Frampton is about to go down and the athletes will be on their merry way. But allas that is what we have become – beggars groveling at the feet . So athletes must be out patients of the red clinic. What a shame what shame.
gary you kind of bit me to it.I was about to say it like this; Check the jefe $55k US sterling EC french francs that is coins el jefte puts into his mchage bottle at night when heempty’s his pockets and takes off his pants lol.while that is being done notes$100’s fall to the floor.why the olympic committe don’t sneak in at bed time?
Hahahahahahaahaha you making me die withlaughter Gary ou bon garcon let’s see later tonight he might just do a kind of Robin hood with a back flip style lol
This is sad. A national team has to come on the radio and cry for sponsorship. This is what sports come to now? Since this government came into power sports has hit. Rick bottom. The athlets should boycut all sporting events. It is time we athlets take a stan and let the government know we mean business.
A testimony of the dire situation in Dominica. On the Red website owned by the lawyer who wants to hunt down patriots like Taliban and Bin Laden I compared our situation to the act of a heroin addict panhandling for the next fix. But how long can we keep this up. The country cannt meet it’s commitments and chrity can only go as far as the finger tip. Papa Chavez is dead and the house of cards will inevitably crumble.
So shall we wait to hear from an apologist like Peeping atom or Observer that St Lucia or St Kitts could not find the money for their athletes so it s Ok fr us to be in the same boat.
The writing had been on the wall but Dominicans we don’t read ( literally and metaphorically ) we fail read the signs of an incapable administration who has been running our country like the mafiaso.
This is not the first time that our athletes have been in this situation but in addition to that the government cannot pay bills. How it is that we pay Francine Baron, Arthey Aaron, Emmanuel Nanthan, parry Bellot, Charles Saverin, Lorraine Bannis, spiritual advisor – what are paying these people to do. Somebody please educate me – lizavier4jesus do you have a Devine answer.
“snakes inthe grass they know no luv politicians drinking human blood concrete heart can hold no luv” one thing they cannot spin is the truth cause te truth is a stubborn bitch. Now that the china dollars have depleted and the only thing coming in is the passport money whenever the lawyers decide to give the treasury 15% of the earning the Country is desperate runni g on fumes to get to the next fuel station hoping to get money for the next fix.
So to those who will choose to give me the thumbs down notice that you will be looking at the back of your hands. The truth is inthe palm of your hands and a thumbs up shows the palm of your hands.
Hands up not thumbs alone the whole hand, hats off to Frenz you are very clear.
Fundraising should be a continious thing not last minute.But it appears this is the norm.This is amatuer level…Atheletes must bear dome of the expenses..ain’t no free ride…money tight….
We have $26 million for a state palace which will produce absolutely nothing for this country. Nothing. Just pure niggeritis. But we cannot find $55000 to fund our young people in sports and one does not have to detail the ocean of benefits of a vibrant sports industry for a country.
David we have worked together in the past and I always found you to be a man of heart, conscience and integrity. Thank you for what you did this morning. May God continue to bless you and your family.
To Matt:
You are a true gift to Dominica and I hope that as Dominicans we all give you your flowers while you are still here with us. We thank you for the positive contribution that you continue to make to the foward development of our country. May God continue to bless and guide you.
To David:
Thanks for what you did this morning. I listened to the program and I complete concure with the points that you made. Well done David!! Well done!
True gift! Oh please…
@Anonymous…that you hear oui! A Gift! Now choke on it.
When is to contribute on Q95 everyone contributes making it look like the only sports Dominicans are good at is TALKING. Come on people