"Gold for Grenada One Million for Francique", that's the up beat slogan of the recently formed Going for Gold Committee who has embarked on a major drive to raise one million dollars (EC$1,000,000.00), as a major reward for the historic achievements of top Grenadian sprinter Alleyne Francique.

Francique who is currently ranked the # 1, 400 meter champion in the world, is heading Grenada's Olympic team at the Olympics, presently held in Athens, Greece and is considered the favorite to win the gold medal in 400 Meter final come next Monday.

On Tuesday the (GGC) formally launched its initiative, with a press conference at the office of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC).

To compliment the official launching to members of the committee, Charley George and Christopher De Riggs took a brief moment to affixed their signatures to the committee's Going for Gold account, which was set up at Grenada Co-operative Bank.

The account number is 400000400, and to date the account had a cash flow of EC$100,000.00. In commenting on the role the occasion, President of the (GCIC), Nigel John, explained that the initiative was born out of informal conversation with a group of local executives, and sports enthusiast's who has a passion for sports and its development in Grenada.

John said all of the committees' members felt that Francique's achievement's thus far and his potential to win goal in Athens should be recognized and should not go with out the fanfare and the excitement that Grenadians expect.

According to the (GCIC) president, above and beyond, the top Grenadian sprinter should not have his achievements down played in so far as personal gains are concern.

He said they recognize that in our society there are numerous facilities to reward those who excel in the field of academia, but very little are in place for those in the performing arts and athletics.
Johns told reporters that the (GCIC) is not only interested in economic development and issues of governance but athletics and sports in general and appreciates what it can do for Grenada.
He said Francique's achievements will no doubt have spin off benefits not only for himself but the country and the region as a whole.

He said the chamber is happy to be part of the initiative and they has put all of their resources behind the initiative and looking towards a successful end.

John who also met with the Sports Minister Hon. Roland Bhola reported that one of the things discussed at the meeting was provision of possible rebates to companies making contributions.

He said although the Minister could not have given a firm commitment on the idea, the sentiments thus far are encouraging.
John told reporters that it appears that some sought of body will be set up by Government to review submissions made by those companies.

This he said can be best described as a feel safe mechanism, to ensure that companies who may claim to have made a contribution or contributions, did in fact make a contribution or contributions.

However, President of the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA), Charley George, in addressing the reporters said not withstanding the possibility that Francique will win gold, his achievements thus far merits and warrants recognition.

Mr. George, a respected sports enthusiast in the region added that Francique has been doing exceedingly well and has proven himself, by winning eight out of ten meets in which he participated, in countries such as japan Mexico, England and Europe.

George said we should not only think about what will happen in Athens but what Francique has done to bring glory and honour to Grenada.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Emmanuel Roberts, 1st Vice President of the Grenada Olympic Association (GOA), who indicated that his organization supports the initiative by the (GGC).
Roberts said he believe what Francique has done is not only for track and field but for all sports being played in Grenada.

"What Francique has done will motivate our youngsters to get more involved in all the different sports and also encourage the different associations to lift their level to the level of the athletics associations so that when the next Olympic's comes around we can have more than one Alleyne Francique in track and field and other athletes representing the different sport" .

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the (GIC), Christopher De Riggs said a number of administrative arrangements are being undertaken by the committee in ensuring that their objective, which is to raise 1 million dollars is achieved not in one week but weeks and possibly more than weeks they can get commitments which can be transformed into deliverables.

De Riggs said as a committee they have prepared a list of more than 250 businesses which includes banks, commercial houses, hotels, utility companies, insurance companies, manufacturing entities etc.

According to De Riggs all these companies helps to create their private sector and therefore the committee is of the view that the bulk of the contribution which they're hoping to raise will come from the private sector, but an arrangement is also being made to facilitate the generosity of the general public.

He further explained that they have identified some forty companies which they feel are most likely to make the largest contributions.

He said some of these companies are part of the planning process and has made commitments in the region of EC$20,000.000, but they are also hoping to attract financial contributions form the more financially well off companies within the range of EC$20,000 and more and from other companies EC$15,000 - EC$10,000 or less.

"We have also engaged two utility companies namely Grenada Cable Vision and Grenada Electricity Company Ltd (GRENLEC) to collect on our behalf. This collection will not be part of their utility bills, but a separate collection at the volition of the customers".

"We have asked (GRENLEC) to prepare an additional stub that can go with the bills which can indicate how contributions can be made at the next payment opportunity by their customers", De.Riggs explained.

According to the (GCIC's) Executive Director, in the coming days the committee intends to engage other utility companies on the island to discuss a similar accommodation.

The (GGC) has also indicated that Government has planned a number of activities in honour of Alleyne's success and his activities leading up to the Monday's event in which he is likely to win goal.