Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

KATS regatta turns 16 without depending on Govt. $$

- Hails NAGICO as longest serving patron/sponsor
KATS Premier’s Cup regatta makes its 16th year and credits NAGICO as being one of their longest serving partners. In photo are NAGICO's Managing Director Mr Shan Mohamed (left) and KATS Chairman Mr John R. Lewis. Photo: VINO
For the third of a five year sponsorship contract NAGICO handed over a cheque for $5K to KATS at a simple ceremony yesterday July 15, 2014. Photo: VINO
For the third of a five year sponsorship contract NAGICO handed over a cheque for $5K to KATS at a simple ceremony yesterday July 15, 2014. Photo: VINO
At the presentation ceremony Nagico’s Managing Director Mr Shan Mohamed said that while this is the third year that they would have given the organization such a lump-sum of monies the value of the company’s support adds up to much more. Photo: VINO
At the presentation ceremony Nagico’s Managing Director Mr Shan Mohamed said that while this is the third year that they would have given the organization such a lump-sum of monies the value of the company’s support adds up to much more. Photo: VINO
KATS Premier's Cup regatta this year will be hosting participants from Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, St Croix USVI and VI. Photo: VINO
KATS Premier's Cup regatta this year will be hosting participants from Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, St Croix USVI and VI. Photo: VINO
NANNY CAY, Tortola, VI – This year as countries from around the Caribbean join counterparts in the Virgin Islands (VI) to see the KATS Premier’s Cup regatta through intense competition they would also be celebrating with them their 16th anniversary.

Ensuring that the competition is executed with its usual high standards and comfort one of their longest serving patrons/sponsors NAGICO Insurances has dished out yet another fat cheque of $5K. A simple presentation was held yesterday July 15, 2014 at the KATS Headquarters at Nanny Cay, Tortola.

Giving a detailed account of the organisation’s progress over the years KATS Chairman Mr John R. Lewis said that the organization is 26 years old but has been hosting the regatta for the 16th year around and recognized NAGICO as one that must be credited for its longevity.

“The contributions that Nagico makes to our programme allows us to maintain all of our programmes and we have a sailing programme which gobbles a lot of our money… we have a slobber programme, a basic programme which allows children to learn all the basics of sea sails and a swim programme,” said Mr Lewis.

At the presentation ceremony NAGICO’s Managing Director Mr Shan Mohamed said that while this is the third year that they would have given the organization such a lump-sum of money the value of the company’s support adds up to much more.

“We are pleased that we are into our third annual sponsorship as a platinum sponsor,” said Mr Mohamed. “Given the current economic times it is difficult to decide where we get the best bang for your dollar, how do we make the best use of our resources and I am quite pleased to say that KATS more than qualifies and I can say with all certainty that this is money well spent and we will continue to support KATS.”

Mr Mohamed said that his company will continue to ensure that they continue with the programme as a platinum sponsor for years to come and in addition they will continue to lend human and other resources to assist KATS organization which adds up to much more dollar value.

The regatta this year will be hosting participants from Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, St Croix, US Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Lewis said that KATS is one organization in the Virgin Islands that can boast of not being on the backs of Government for monies as he noted that despite sponsorship and resources is never enough the commercial public and private individuals must take more than a pat on the back for their part played in the success.

“First and foremost we are not dependant on the government for funding and one may ask why but like everything else if it is a community based programme then it is to be funded by the community and we do have other sponsors. We appeal to the entire commercial and public sector for our funding.”

11 Responses to “KATS regatta turns 16 without depending on Govt. $$”

  • dj (16/07/2014, 08:48) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply

    Now KATS, GOVERNMENT can not pay for every organizations that begs for help, what you think that the government have money sitting down waiting for a group that want to go college, swimming, sailing, track, baseball, or even basketball to put money in their hands and tell them run with it.............There are standards that must be follow. If you can find a private company with it, GOOD for you let them help you for s....ing people money with h... vehicle insurances.

    • shame.... (16/07/2014, 15:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Did you even read the article? They weren't begging the Gov't for a thing, actually, they were boasting about NOT depending on the Gov't for a handout.... unlike the "I from here" types....
      • @Grammer Police (17/07/2014, 17:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Like u venturing into 'comprehension'...lol...for this u hav my support..
  • Thanks KATS (16/07/2014, 12:02) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    KATS has helped so many of our kids learn to swim, sail and other meaningful water activities. I take this medium to say a big thank you to all of the volunteers, workers and organizers for your meaningful contribution.
  • qc (16/07/2014, 12:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Big belly man like to be in ting
  • Tiki (16/07/2014, 15:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the point was KATS has been so successful over the years and continues to be a success without Government assistance, so this is proof that an idea can flourish without government funds!! Capeche!! Insulting the persons who work hard to keep it going will get us no further than our noses. Congratulations to KATS, the Volunteers, the Donors and all those who contribute to making it a huge SUCCESS!
  • voter (16/07/2014, 15:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shurn if you were from here you could have run for office
  • wondering (16/07/2014, 15:49) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is Mr Lewis responsible for organizing this event? It must take a lot of time and skills... nice to see one of our own so capable. Thank You, great to see our own have taken this over!
  • Kats supporter..... (16/07/2014, 16:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have a great weekend with great sailing and great participants from other islands. Thanks to Rotary for their enormous help in the organizing moment to moment. All the best to all...
  • Cuan Law (17/07/2014, 09:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    First of all the community should thank Tom and Barbara Gerker for bringing the KATS Programme here so many years ago. Teaching so many young people how to cope with boats, the sea and accidents in the water. Since then there have been so many volunteers too many to number, who have kept this programme very very active. From a parent who has benefitted and a volunteer, who has enjoyed working with everyone, thank you. Please keep this programme going without government support otherwise it will die.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.