Celebrities, kick-boxers weigh-in for charity

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

The fourth annual RISARC/Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational (CCGI) Foundation celebrity golf tournament and charity event, will tee-off today in Montego Bay with a full schedule of events.

The four-day activities will start with a VIP welcome party tonight, which includes an exclusive Muay Thai Exhibition, a prelude to a kick-boxing event among some of the world's best artists in that sport.

Activities will continue on Thursday evening with the weigh-in Conference and Culture Night Kick-Off Extravaganza. Eighteen fighters will weigh in for one of the biggest and most prestigious fight cards hosted outside of Asia.

International line-up

The international line-up includes world number one Muay Thai fighter, Yodsaenklai Fairtex.

Fairtex winner of the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium title in Thailand, will defend his World Boxing Council (W.B.C.) Muay Thai super welterweight title on Friday in one of nine title bouts scheduled for the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium at 9p.m.

Fighters from the United States, Canada, Thailand, France, China, Japan, Holland, Russia are also in the island to participate in the world class fightin event.

On Friday, local and international celebrities will then challenge the 18-hole Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, starting at 10a.m. The par-71 golf course offers a variety of mountain, island and ocean views, along with 7,000 yards of greens and tees to challenge players of all skill levels.

The tournament will culminate with the second day of golf at the 600 acres, 16-18 hole Ritz Carlton White Witch at 11a.m. on Saturday.

The annual CCGI gala awards dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. the same evening.

Advertised on Internet

Corent McDonald, organiser of the Jamaican leg of the tournament, told The Gleaner that people here and overseas have been sensitised about the event and it is anticipated that over 200 celebrities will participate.

"We have advertised on the Internet, golf clubs and the local and international media. Person are still registering for the tournament so it is expected to be a big turn-out," McDonald said.

The CCGI Foundation and RISARC, a US-based software and health care consulting firm, through their annual celebrity golf tournament aims to donate hundreds of computers to primary school students throughout the island.

Last year, 36 schools received 300 computers. The organisations are looking to significantly increase those numbers in 2008. Supporting this cause is a celebrity guest roster featuring Olympic champions, famous recording artists, top Hollywood comedians, actors, writers and more.