Backgammon fish sanctuary fundraiser sparks MoBay-Kingston rivalry

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Bijoux Ocho Rios' Bobby Chandiram (right) and Andrew Todd, residents of Ocho Rios and supporters of the White River Fish Sanctuary, beneficiary of this weekend's Jamaica Inn Foundation's seventh annual Backgammon Tournament.

KNOLLY MOSES, co-director of Jamaica Inn Foundation's seventh annual Backgammon Tournament, anticipates a full house this weekend, at least 40 competitors for Saturday's finale, possibly an additional 20 participating during Friday night's warm-up, featuring seeded and unseeded tournaments.

Montegonian Adrian Armstrong, last year's winner, was among the first to confirm his participation, with Moses boldly declaring that he would be back to defend his crown in a quiet MoBay-Kingston rivalry for the US$2,500 first prize, Club VIP Red Card, and a three-night stay at tournament-host Jamaica Inn.

Bijoux Ocho Rios is among at least 24 sponsors for the three-day event, benefitting the White River Fish Sanctuary for which the Jamaica Inn Foundation also stages its annual Swim to the Sanctuary fundraiser.

Bobby Chandiram, owner of bronze sponsor Bijoux Ocho Rios, said his company was proud to support the Jamaica Inn Foundation and the White River Fish Sanctuary in their efforts to continue protecting and restoring the area's reefs as well as engaging and educating local fisherfolk to effectively preserve the local fish stock.

The White River Fish Sanctuary is a 'no-fishing' zone of 370 acres, approximately three and a half miles of coastline from St Ann to St Mary, established six years ago by the Jamaica Inn Foundation working with the area's fishers' association.

"I have witnessed the improvements along the coastline first-hand. With the support of events like the Jamaica Inn Backgammon Tournament and its sponsors, the future of the sanctuary, covering the Ocho Rios-White River coastline, looks bright for the tourism industry and residents," noted Chandaram, himself an Ocho Rios resident.

Meanwhile, Moses expects Friday night's post-cocktails warm-up tournaments to attract some veterans as well as newbies.

"We organise into seeded and unseeded players and have warm-up tournaments. We have the veteran players participating and new players testing their mettle. The less-experienced players tend to enter the warm-up tournaments," he explained, adding that Sunday's Father's Day adds to the charm of a family atmosphere.

"On Sunday, everybody gets to chill on the beach or at the bar and discuss Saturday's tournament. The idea of a three-day event is to make it a weekend, an experience for spouses, plus sponsors get to experience the warm-up tournament on Friday," Moses, a 50-year backgammon player, pointed out.