Forde gets sponsorship from Eddy Grant
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
July 4, 2002
Junior Carifta games gold medalist Clevland Forde received sponsorship from world renowned Guyanese artist Eddy Grant, to participate in the Central American and Caribbean Junior Track and Field Championships, billed to get underway tomorrow in Barbados.
Forde and his manager/coach Leslie Black received two return airline tickets to attend the Games in Barbados, along with accommodation and meals during their stay there.
According to Black, the sponsorship which can become a full time one, was acquired through Grant's brother Rudy.
Black pointed out that (Eddy) Grant has never before sponsored an athlete but is impressed with Forde's recent performances in the Region and will be looking at his (Forde) performance in Barbados over the weekend, before making any commitment to sponsor him fully.
Forde who is eying the World Junior Championships slated for Jamaica later this month told Stabroek Sport he is confident he can medal at the CAC meet. "The type of training I did leading up to this meet (CAC), I am confident I can win a medal in the 10,000-mere race, but I cannot say if it will be a gold medal, all I know is I am confident of medaling".
With regards the 5000-metre, Forde said he is not as confident of that event as he is about the 10,000-metre.
While the other team members left for the Games yesterday along with their coach Dennis Smith and Manager/Chaperon Pamela Phillips, Forde will leave today.
The other team members are; under-17 girls: Analisa Austin (100 and 200 metres), Kimberly Holder (800m), Jennifer Chichester (800 and 1200m), Delcie Dick (1200m) and US based Jeavon Benjamin (100 and 200m). Under-17 Boys; Randy Lee (400 and 800m) and Derwin Eastman (800 and 1500m) and Under-20 boys; Tai Payne (400 and 800-metre).
Forde's best time for the 5000-metre is 15 minutes 27 seconds which he clocked at the Dexter E. Braxter Games in Trinidad recently. Forde and Black will be accompanied to Barbados by one of Forde's most ardent supporter, Allica Back, daughter of Leslie Black.