Sagicor Group is defending what it calls a successful, quasi-virtual staging of the 2021 Sigma Corporate Run on Sunday (February 21), even as Jamaicans across social media platforms scrutinised the event amid surging cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Sigma Run, an annual event put on for the benefit of public hospitals and special-needs initiatives, had an adjusted, ‘hybrid’ format green-lit by the Government due to the pandemic that saw its transformation into an invitational.

But, Jamaicans—thinking the Sigma Run would have been virtual as advertised, and watching the event being showcased live on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram—sat in disbelief as the invited athletes and volunteers tried and failed to keep socially distanced, with many not wearing face masks.

Sagicor, responding to a query on the efficacy of masks while racing, admitted that no masks were enforced for the title event, which triggered backlash from Jamaicans on Twitter.

“I hope those in masks take them off when they start running! Dem will stifle!” @the11thstone asked at the start of racing, to which Sagicor replied, “They definitely did and they had an incredible run!”.

In a statement after the event and faced with growing concern, Sagicor Group insisted that it adhered to all provisions stipulated by the Government.

The financial services and insurance company further argued that at no point did it mislead the public as Sagicor, on signalling the 2021 staging of the Sigma Run, had expressed its intent to host a hybrid event from as early as January.

“This year’s Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run was staged as a hybrid event and saw the majority of our participants running in their own private spaces and on Sunday, February 21, a special invitational run, as was announced at our launch on January 11, was conceptualised and executed in New Kingston. In total, 36 females and 45 males started in two separate races forty minutes apart. In addition, 8 wheelchair participants started in their own race,” Sagicor explained.

“All protocols were rigorously followed under the supervision of the relevant authorities, who were present to ensure compliance. It is our hope that this execution can act as a template for future sporting events in Jamaica,” the company continued.

Jamaicans on social media, especially Twitter, slammed Sagicor still for hosting crowds in the height of a fevered COVID-19 outbreak, at a time when Jamaica confirmed 458 new coronavirus cases on Sunday—the second-highest daily rate since February.

“That Sigma run is so offensive both to everyone who has had family members and friends suffer from COVID AND to the high schoolers whose futures depend so heavily on athletic scholarships but have been told to ‘be patient’,” @deevc20 tweeted.

For much of Sunday, during and after the run, Sigma was the number one trending topic on Twitter in Jamaica.

@thugluvin__ took a more conventional Twitter approach, turning the outrage into a meme when they said, “Covid at Sigma trying to decide whether to infect people now or wait until 8pm curfew.”

More reactions to Sigma Run 2021:

A good initiative ‘stained’ with controversy

Twitter users also chastised the Government, calling the selectiveness of certain interests ‘hypocritical’ when much of the entertainment and sports industries face reboot challenges.

“I believe a bad judgment call was made by hosting Sigma. Just doesn’t look good, sends wrong message & a lot of bad PR for such a strong brand and good initiative. How KSAC justify granting this permit? How will they defend this while denying permit for other ‘important’ events?” @ThisisPreki asked.

“Can imagine how our athletes must feel, seeing that Sigma video? In an Olympic year. The fact that they allowed Sigma with 100 participants means that they approved their protocols. Why the same can’t be done for other track meets? Athletes nuh have pension enu. Smh,” @IbKonteh tweeted.

“Entertainment sector suppose to vex seh Sigma a keep,” another woman chimed in.

Sagicor Group, in its statement, said the Sigma Corporate Run successfully raised JM$42 million for the Annotto Bay Hospital and the Port Antonio Hospital, as well as a special education initiative to assist our nation’s children.

The 458 new cases confirmed on Sunday, brought Jamaica’s cumulative COVID-19 tally to 21,382, 7,846 of which were classified as active cases.

The island is currently managing 8,083 active coronavirus cases as at Monday, since the country confirmed 297 new infections in the past 24 hours. Jamaica’s COVID-19 caseload now stands at 21,679.