BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, March 23, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — The St. Kitts Cricket Association (SKCA) which has made the Conaree Cricket Centre its home has come in for high praise from the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon Jonel Powell for the investment it has made at the venue.
Minister Powell, who made the remarks on Saturday March 20 at a St. Kitts Cricket Association breakfast meeting held at the Conaree Cricket Centre, praised the association for making the venue a nucleus of excellence and encouraged all other sporting associations to take a page out of the book of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, not just in tournaments but also in terms of the investment made by the association.
“This is a model that the Department of Sports hopes to adopt in many different facilities around St. Kitts and Nevis, not just in cricket but football, basketball etc.” said Minister Powell. “We need these sorts of partnerships with associations and with the private sector and so keep up the good work. We look forward to doing, and hearing, many more good things.”
The breakfast meeting which was moderated by Mr Val Henry, was attended by the entire St. Kitts Cricket Association committee led by President Mr Dennis Phillip, President of Cricket West Indies Inc. Mr Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Ms Valencia Syder, Director of Sports Mr Charles Morton, and former cricket players and umpires among them Mr Victor Eddy and Mr Luther Kelly.
Also present was Mrs Jennifer Nero, Chair of St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee Women in Sport Commission. A native of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mrs Nero created history way back in 2011 when she was appointed as the first female to the Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board, a position she held until two years ago.
Others present included Mr Denrick Liburd, Vice President of Nevis Cricket Association and a former director on the Cricket West Indies Board; former President of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association, and St. Kitts Cricket Association, Mr Dwyer Astaphan, and representatives of the various sponsors among them the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis (DBSKN), Carib Brewery St. Kitts and Nevis Ltd, NAGICO Insurances, Windsor University, Ram’s Trading Ltd, SKN Technology Ltd, and Digicel.
“I wanted the opportunity to commend the St. Kitts Cricket Association on the good work that it has been doing, and to offer continued support from the Department of Sports and the Government on a whole,” said the Hon Powell. “In my short nine months since assuming office, I think we have been able to really work very closely together and forge a good relationship and one I think will continue in the years to come.”
During the breakfast, the St. Kitts Cricket Association through its President Mr Dennis Phillip unveiled ‘Sponsorship Proposal 2021’ with the view to introduce and seek private sponsorship partners in the inaugural Annual Under-19 Local Male Cricket Tournament.
“The main objective of this tournament is to provide the development and participation of cricket in St. Kitts while educating and entertaining a wide range of audiences,” stated Mr Phillip. “The tournament, which is sanctioned by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, will be produced and delivered through the St. Kitts Cricket Association.”
Packages for SKCA’s Male U-19 Cricket Tournament, which ranged from Platinum, Gold, Silver, to Bronze and which would offer sponsorship opportunity that is ideal for private companies and brands wishing to support emerging talent through sports development, particularly cricket, were announced by the President.
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The Development Bank of St Kitts-Nevis (DBSKN) is Premium-Gold Sponsor of Sugar Mas 49.
The Development Bank of St. Kitts-Nevis (DBSKN) will continue its long standing partnership with the St Kitts Nevis National Carnival Committee by contributing EC$30,000 to Sugar Mas 49. The Bank has been instrumental in preserving the cultural aspect of National Carnival for many years.
In accepting the sponsorship proceeds from Marketing Officer of The Development Bank, Ms Chantelle Rochester, Shannon Hawley (Chair of SKNNCC) indicated that the Bank has been one of the most dedicated and committed sponsors of Sugar Mas throughout the years.
She added “We deeply appreciate the assistance from the Development Bank of St. Kitts-Nevis. We have seen how the Development Bank has contributed significantly to nation building and we are honored for the Bank to be on board for Sugar Mas 49 in spite of all of the challenges faced with the Covid-19 Pandemic”.
The SKNNCC looks forward to working with The Development Bank to bring an enjoyable Sugar Mas virtual experience to residents of St Kitts and Nevis as well as to show Carnival lovers world wide what Sugar Mas has to offer.
]]>CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, October 14, 2020 (DBSKN) — Nevis’ 2019 Farmer of the Year, 40-year old Mr Sais Persaud is fondly referred to as the ‘Melon King’ or the ‘Cane Juice Man’, not only by the staff at the Department of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), but also by his partners and admirers at the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis (DBSKN).
“As we in Nevis, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and indeed the entire world celebrate week-long activities leading to World Food Day 2020 that will be observed on Friday October 16, we at the Nevis branch of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis salute Mr Sais Persaud for the role he is playing in securing food security for the Federation,” said Closing/Compliance Officer at the Nevis branch of the Development Bank.
Melon King, Mr Sais Persaud, who has for nearly ten years been working as a farmer in Brown Hill in the St. John’s Parish of Nevis under the family unit umbrella, the Persaud’s Family Farm, is an ambitious farmer who attributes his success to support and encouragement he has received from the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I do farming in Brown Hill, and started about ten years ago on a leased half acre of land and at that time I had no finance – nothing to start agriculture,” recalled Mr Persaud. “So I went to Development Bank and I explained my situation to them. I made an application for some cash and they responded positively in about three weeks’ time, which I think was good.”
He has expanded his farming business over the years and today is working on some nine acres of land, and has gone back to the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis five times where he always comes out a satisfied man. He uses drip irrigation to grow, among others, water melon, banana, plantains, passion fruit, season pepper, okra, papaya, lettuce, and sugarcane.
“Over the years, I have been working with the Development Bank, and they have been working with me,” noted Mr Persaud. “I think I am at the right age to develop myself, and Development Bank is there willing enough to help me achieve my goals. I was able to fence off the farm and buy a drip irrigation system through financing by the bank.”
Through an additional loan from the Development Bank, Mr Persaud was able to purchase a juice making machine with which he processes sugarcane to add value to the product. His wife Mrs Soma Persaud is the Marketing Manager, and with her assistance he is now looking at processing plantains and bananas to add value to them. He noted: “I think I am on the right track and with the Development Bank by my side, I think I could make it.”
In the meantime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration, Mr Huey Sargeant, described Mr Sais Persaud as one of the more prolific and innovative farmers on the island of Nevis. When the Department of Agriculture on Nevis celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Agriculture Open Day last year, Mr Persaud was recognised as ‘Farmer of the Year’.
“He is an inspiration for everyone in the sector for his especially hard and smart work attitude,” observed Mr Sargeant. “We are always happy to support Mr Persaud in his activities and initiatives as we are confident about his attitude and proven track record. He is always ready to assist and teach persons about his operations, and is more than accommodating to the Department of Agriculture. We are also encouraged by his social and community spirit.”
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