Thanks to ROC Taiwan, St. Kitts and Nevis is the leading member in CARICOM in terms of sports based facilities

Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Mr Rong Chuan Wu Delivering Remarks at Opening Ceremony of the 10th CARICOM Social Security Games

ZIZ News…April 16, 2010 – The Republic of China, Taiwan has demonstrated its continued willingness to partner with its Caribbean nation friends in the promotion of general social cohesion as well as in their efforts at regional integration. This was evident in the role played by the Taiwanese Embassy located in St. Kitts and Nevis; in connection with the recently held 10th CARICOM Social Security Games.

The Director of Social Security, Mrs. Sephlin Lawrence sounded a special note of gratitude in relation to the contribution of the Republic of China, Taiwan to the successful hosting of the Games by St. Kitts and Nevis. In a special review meeting at the Social Security Office, Mrs. Lawrence revealed to staff that the Embassy of the Republic of China, Taiwan came to the support of the Sports and Social Club at a time when (despite the fundraising efforts of the Board and the Sports and Social Club) the Organizing Committee of the event was falling short of the projected budgetary requirement to ensure a successful staging of the Games.

The Taiwanese Embassy responded favourably to the request for sponsorship, which was conveyed with the concurrence of the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, and provided a financial contribution of US$17,900.00. “That’s almost fifty thousand Eastern Caribbean dollars” Mrs. Lawrence declared.

In addition to the timely and generous contribution, the Resident Ambassador of the ROC Taiwan, His Excellency Mr. Rong Chuan Wu was gracious enough to deliver encouraging remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the games on Friday 2nd April 2010. Alluding to his country’s long standing relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis, he voiced his pleasure and honour at being associated with the games which embodies a cross section of English-speaking members of CARICOM.

Director of Social Security Mrs Lawrence presenting appreciation plaque to the Taiwanese Ambassador

“As a friendly nation of St. Kitts and Nevis for years, we were able to participate in the development of this beautiful Federation; from community centres, sports facilities, and Warner Park to Silver Jubilee Stadium. I want to congratulate you, in that, in this Federation you are the leading members in CARICOM in terms of sports based facilities.” declared the Ambassador.

Participants in this year’s event hailed from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Over 400 persons from the other territories joined their local counterparts for the Easter weekend of fun and camaraderie while competing for the coveted championship.

In spite of the competitive nature of the Games Day itself, the ‘athletes’ who are social security staff members and their associate members of their respective sports clubs were encouraged by the Taiwanese Ambassador to participate in a spirit of goodwill. “I want to remind you [that] participation is more important than winning and I wish that you would seize the opportunity of the Games to fellowship, to exchange and to promote the experience and make the Social Security Board [and] Social Security policies more successful.” The Ambassador stated.

The contribution of the Republic of China, Taiwan was the largest of three Platinum Sponsorships received by the Social Security Board and the Sports and Social Club. The other two such sponsorships were received from the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank Ltd and Construction Technologies DT Ltd.