subject: Canadian Fashion Guru Peter Nygård Jumps on Board to Sponsor Regatta [print this page] Canadian Fashion Guru Peter Nygrd Jumps on Board to Sponsor Regatta
Peter Nygrd, when asked by Bahamian musician "King" Eric Gibson to sponsor the 58th National Family Island Regatta this April in George Town, Exuma, he simply "jumped on board."
"There was no hesitation on his behalf, and he asked for no publicity or nothing in return for his actions," recalled Gibson, who befriended Nygrd 30 years prior when he first introduced him to local Bahamian music. "What he has done is directly from his heart, helping the people and communities that need help."
Nygrd is no stranger to Bahamian athletics. His love of sports and his drive to help people succeed has motivated him to sponsor many Bahamian athletes over the years. He sponsored the "Golden Girls" relay team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, during which they won the first gold medal for the Bahamas. In 2002, it was with the help of Nygrd that the Amateur Boxing Federation of the Bahamas was able to take its team to Martinique. Most recently, his support for beach volleyball has grown, making significant contributions to The Bahamas Volleyball Federation and The Bahamas National Beach Volleyball team.
The founder ofNygrd International and fashion mogul's continuous belief in Bahamian sports has given many athletes the opportunity of a lifetime. Many of them were on hand to thank him personally at a March 25 press conference in Lyford Cay, including Prince Wilson and Muller Petite from the 2010 Bahamas National Volleyball team and Wellington Miller, President of The Bahamas Olympic Committee.
In response to the outpouring of support, Nygrd said he was "touched" by the "gratitude" expressed and displayed by his friends and the Bahamian people. In addition to a $10,000 check donated to assist the Central Andros Youth Camp, Nygrd invited other corporate businesses and individuals to assist with local sports development programs, pledging to match their donations two times over. While no one has yet to come forward, Nygrd remains steadfast in his promise to support the place he calls home.
"It makes me feel very proud to be a Bahamian and to be considered a brother by so many Bahamians," he said. "I will do all that I can to help the continued development of the Family Islands."
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