MINISTER OF Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange announced an increase in the prize money for winning schools at this year’s staging of the INSPORTS/Devon Biscuit Regional and National Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

Grange made the announcement yesterday at the National Indoor Sports Complex during the event’s launch.

For the three regional championships, the school which finishes first will receive $350,000, an increase from last year’s cash prize of $250,000. The school which finishes second will receive $250,000, up from last year’s $200,000, while third place will get $200,000, up from $150,000.

Teams that finish from fourth place to 10th will receive $100,000 each, an increase from the previous prize of $75,000.

At the national championships, the winning school will receive $600,000 instead of the previous $500,000. Second place will get $350,000, up from $250,000, while third place will receive $300,000 instead of $200,000.

For the teams that finish from fourth to 10th at the national championships, they will walk away with $150,000 each, instead of the previous $100,000.

“I felt it was important,” Grange said.

“They have a saying, ‘encouragement sweetens labour’, so I felt it was important to increase the prize money and I hope you do appreciate it.”

Event sponsors Pitec Limited also announced a sponsorship package valued at $3.1 million for the track meets.

The package includes cash of $2.4 million along with gifts valued at $700,000.

Tageria Jones, marketing executive at Pitec Limited, said the contributions point to the company’s belief in youth development across all aspects of life.

“We place significant emphasis on extracurricular activities,” she said.

“We firmly believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically, but also various other aspects of their development.”

The regional championships will begin with the Eastern Primary School Championships at Stadium East from May 1 through to May 3.

The Central Primary School Championships follow next on the calendar, running from May 6 to 8 at the GC Foster College. The regionals will close with the Western Primary School Championships at STETHS from May 9 through to May 11.

Qualifying athletes will then compete at the National Primary School Championships at the National Stadium from May 23 through to May 25.