Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, right, is pictured presenting a cheque of 10, 000.00 US dollars to the President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) Mr Steve E. Augustine on May 7, 2019. Photo: Franklyn Skerrit/GIS

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) greets Carifta Games gold medallist Jaleel J. N. Croal during a motorcade in honour of the 2019 Virgin Islands Carifta Games team on April 26, 2019. Photo: Facebook

The Sitting of the House of Assembly on April 26, 2019 was put on pause to allow Members to personally honour the 2019 Virgin Islands Carifta Games team during a motorcade. Photo: Facebook

The 2019 Virgin Islands Carifta Games team was treated to a motorcade reception on April 26, 2019. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Islands team of Akrisa Eristee, Kaelyaah Liburd, Ariya Smith and Jahtivya Williams won silver in the Girls Under 17 400m Relay at the 48th Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands on April 22, 2019. Photo: BVIAA/Facebook

Receiving the cheque was President of the BVIAA Mr Steve E. Augustine, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the association for the assistance from the ministry.

Serious commitment to sports

Honourable Wheatley had made the promise at a recognition ceremony for the history making Virgin Islands Carifta Games team on April 26, 2019.

It was a historic occasion for the Virgin Islands at the 48th Carifta Games as it was the first time medals were won in the 100m and 200m. Jaleel N. J. Croal won both of them- gold in the Under 17 Boys 200m and bronze in the Under 17 Boys 100m.

The Virgin Islands ended the games with 7 medals.

 “We are going to make a serious commitment to sports because it is a commitment that is giving very good returns. So I don’t think we need to hesitate to make that investment. In fact, I believe there is a cheque already there for you, for the Athletics Association,” Hon Wheatley had said.

The Minister holding the portfolio for sports noted that sports has provided many scholarships to students from the Virgin Islands and in fact scholarships is one of the biggest requests he gets as Minister for Education.

He encouraged athletes to make their education a top priority.

National pride

Recognising the many athletes who have performed well on the world stage and are now role models, including Kyron A. McMaster, Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott, Chantel E. Malone, Eldred Henry and Elinah Phillip, Honourable Wheatley said one of the most important roles sports play in the VI is fostering VI pride.

This is something, he said, Government wants to build in the Virgin Islands.

“We want to build pride in being from the Virgin Islands. And it doesn’t matter where you are born. It doesn’t matter where your parents are from. When you compete with this flag (waving VI flag) we all embrace you. It doesn’t even matter what type of passport you have, we embrace you as a patriot of the Virgin Islands.”

Hon Wheatley had said he was overcome with a feeling of great pride and joy when Jaleel J. N. Croal won gold at the 48th Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands.

The Sprint Tech Track Club athlete ran a blistering 21.43 seconds out of Lane 8 in the Under 17 Boys 200m Final at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on April 21, 2-019, beating the highly fancied Jamaicans Christopher Scott (21.73) and Richard Nelson (21.84), who were second and third respectively.

The accomplishment even received acknowledgement from the 2-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is regarded as the greatest female sprinter of all time.

Meanwhile, Hon Wheatley had promised to make a further request of financial assistance for the BVIAA.