…Entries close tomorrow

THE annual Kennard Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day Horse Race Meet yesterday got a shot in the arm, compliments of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) who handed over a cheque that will cover the four prizes for the `I’ and Lower seven-furlong race on December 26.
The eight-race meet will be staged at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne Berbice race course and will commence at 13:00hrs.
The BBCI has chipped in with monetary prizes for the first four finishers in the `I’ and Lower event which carries a first prize of $250 000. The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $125 000, $63 000 and $32 000 and entrance fee per horse for this event is $27 000.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony yesterday, BBCI’s Chief Executive Officer Omadat Samaroo said his company is pleased to be associated with the event.
The BCCI head explained that his company received a request for sponsorship of the event from the Kennard Memorial Turf Club and was not hesitant in supporting the activity.
He said this is the third year that BBCI would be involved in sponsoring the annual event and it would not be the last time BBCI would be doing so.
He said that the BBCI has sponsored three horse race meets so far for the year and it gives his company great pleasure in doing so.
According to Samaroo, BBCI gave sponsorship to the Phagwah Day as well as the Independence Day race meets.
Samaroo said BBCI does not only sponsor horse race meets but also other events such as charitable, non-charit6able, Government, non-Governmental and other entertainments.
He informed that for this year, BBCI has received 101 requests for sponsorship and to date 94 of those requests have been given assistance.
According to Somaroo, the BBCI decided to come on board the Boxing Day Horse race meet mainly due to the fact that horse racing has created a great attraction for Berbicians, and also the profits generated from this Meet will be used to upgrade the facilities at the race track and for general improvements of horse racing in Guyana.
“The Berbice Bridge Company not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the Retractor opening and under High Span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly, played an integral part in the development of education, sports, supported national events and made donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in close proximity to the bridge or in Regions 5 and 6,” Samaroo stated.
The CEO noted that in the past the BBCI has sponsored many events that benefited communities both on the eastern and western sides of the Berbice River Bridge.
Justice Cecil Kennard, in accepting the sponsorship cheque from Samaroo thanked the BBCI for coming on board and noted that this will be the third year that the company has provided sponsorship.
He informed that this year’s sponsorship is greater than the two previous years.
Meanwhile, entries for all eight races will be closed tomorrow and horse owners/trainers can make contact with Roopnarine Matadial on telephone number 325-3192 or Ivan Dipnarine on telephone number 331-0316.

(By Michael DaSilva)