ST.GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

Track and field officials here say plans are progressing well for the staging of the 2016 Carifta Games in Grenada, the 45th edition of the annual regional championships.

About 500 athletes will compete from March 26 to 28 at the new Chinese built national athletic stadium expected to be handed over to the government next month.

Chair of the local organising committee (LOC), Veda Bruno Victor, says a quarter of the budget for the event had already been raised.

Televised launch

"We have sought sponsorship from local corporate business and we are receiving favourable responses," said Bruno Victor, addressing a live televised launch of Carifta Games 2016.

"To date, the National Olympic Commitee (NOC) has pledged US$100,000 to support the effort. This is in addition to US$100,000 - US$50, 000 from our regional body PASO (Pan American Sports Organisation) and we have asked Olympic solidarity to assist us with another US$50,000.

It will be the second time in 16 years the games will be staged in Grenada. They hosted them in 2000, but were unable to repeat in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan in September 2004, which forced the meet's relocation to Tobago.

"With 150 days to go, we are sparing no effort to have everything in place to have a successful hosting of the 2016 Carifta Games," said Bruno Victor.