Nassau (Bahamas), Dec 2 (IANS/CMC) The Bahamas has reassured the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that it stands ready to stage the inaugural World Relays next year.
A delegation from the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 local organising committee (LOC), including Sport Minister Daniel Johnson, recently provided an update to the IAAF Council in Monaco.
The Bahamas will host the World Relays at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau May 24-25, 2014, and members of the LOC have been updating the governing body about the preparations.
During the meeting they also confirmed that transportation between the team hotels should be swift and smooth and the main route will incorporate a dual carriageway between the hotels and the stadium, with police escort.
The LOC said that access to the Bahamas' capital Nassau will be smooth as the new wing to the local international airport has recently been opened.
The LOC Bahamas 2014 also reiterated that plans for a junior relay meet, incorporating the Bahamas' top teams, would take place before the main competition programme each day immediately before performances by the elite athletes.
The IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 is expected to welcome more than 700 athletes and 300 team officials, from more than 40 nations.
"I congratulate the organising committee for their professional presentation of high quality," said IAAF Council member Nawal El Moutawakel, in praising the Bahamas LOC.
Noting that she was impressed with the calibre of the delegation, she added that the IAAF has rarely had the presence of past international athletes and high-ranking government officials for a progress report.
The Bahamas tourism ministry's newly appointed leader for sports tourism, Olympian Greg Rolle, was a part of the team that provided assurances to the IAAF that the islands of the Bahamas are ready to provide the best in world class hospitality for the great event.
"We are continuing to work towards making this event a success - there is a sense of confidence and excitement for the event," said LOC chairman Keith Parker.
Also expressing satisfaction with the Council response and promises, LOC vice chairman and president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Mike Sands said: "We are looking forward to delivering a first class event, always keeping up with the IAAF standards and expectations."
The LOC also announced that a communications plan, including a very aggressive promotion plan for ticket sales, will commence this month and discussions with sponsors were well advanced and announcements, including a title sponsor, were imminent.
--IANS/CMC
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