Track and Field fever is alive and well in The Bahamas this spring and Bank of The Bahamas is helping to keep the heat going. The Bank recently took the decision to expand its relationship with Olympian Gold medalist Chris Brown by becoming a partner of the first Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational Meet. This exciting event, set for April 13, 2013, at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, is expected to feature fierce competition amongst 100 top professional track and field athletes many of whom are Olympians.

During a recent cheque presentation at BOB Head Offices at Claughton House, Shirley and Charlotte Streets, Hubert Edwards, Deputy Managing Director of Bank of The Bahamas praised event organizer, Bahamian Golden Knight Chris Brown, who is fresh from the history making gold medal performance in the 4x400 meter, at the London Olympic Games in 2012. Mr. Edwards said the Chris Brown Invitational Meet is an absolutely fabulous idea that has the potential to grow into a major annual event.

“We understand how these things can start in a small way and then develop to become something great.  In recent times BOB has been involved in elements of track and field. We see this more as a national contribution.  Having an international meet on the circuit where athletes come on an annual basis is going to generate significant benefits for The Bahamas in track and field with a natural spillover effect on the economy,” Mr. Edwards said.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, Justin Gatlin, Ramon Miller, Lashawn Merritt, Karani James, Demetrius Pinder, Kelly Wells, Derek Atkins, Michael Mathieu, Christine Amertil, David Oliver, Wallace Spearmon, Trevor Barry and Sheniqua Ferguson are just some of the many track and field luminaries expected to compete at the Chris Brown Invitational.

“I want to give Bahamians an event that will keep them glued to their seats in awe,” said Brown of the upcoming meet.

According to Brown the invitational meet is organized so that junior athletes will compete during the early  session with the professional athletes  taking to the track later in the afternoon.  Brown promises that there will be a highly anticipated 4 x 400 meter relay event and as far as possible all elite events will have Bahamian representation, allowing the home crowd to see their local heroes in action up against some of the best in the world.   

Chris Brown, who is the face of BOB Express ATM ads and appears on the cover of this year’s BOB annual report, acknowledged that he has a great relationship with Bank of the Bahamas.

“I hope to take BOB with me wherever I go.  We are family and I intend to keep it that way,” Brown said.

With 4,000 Bahamian shareholders and 350 employees across the archipelago, Bank of The Bahamas this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.  Known as “the Bank of Solutions,” BOB is a leader in financial services with 13 branches in seven islands and a long history of firsts in the local Banking Industry. BOB has five times received the Euromoney Award for Excellence in Banking and was named Best Bank in the Country three times by The Banker, part of the Financial Times Group.

Photo Caption: BOB SUPPORTS CHRIS BROWN – Bank of The Bahamas is doing its part to keep track and field fever alive in The Bahamas. The Bank recently came on board as a sponsor of the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational Meet set for Saturday, April 13 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. BOB presented Brown with a $5,000 cheque. Pictured above from left to right: Ian Thompson, Senior Manager, Marketing & Sales; Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Brown; and Hubert Edwards, Deputy Managing Director, Bank of The Bahamas. (BOB photo).