Triple gold medallist and winner of the Austin Sealy Trophy for the most outstanding athlete of the 49th CARIFTA Games, Adaejah T. Hodge, left, receives a token of appreciation from Sports Minister Sharie B. de Castro. Photo: VINO

The Virgin Islands ended third on the medals table, behind Jamaica and Bahamas with 4 gold medals, 2 silver and 1 bronze for a total of 7 medals. Photo: VINO

Yesterday May 19, 2022, the territory celebrated all the athletes, coaches, trainers, teachers, parents and sponsors with a motorcade and celebration ceremony. Photo: VINO

The motorcade commenced at the Port Purcell roundabout and concluded at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex after which the ceremonial aspects of the celebration was held at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Ground. Photo: VINO

The comment was made by Vice President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) Mr Ralston Henry aka 'Grandfather', as commentators of the games and other international press went at length to stress that Hodge was born in Puerto Rico and currently resides in the USA.

Hodge ended as a triple gold medallist and winner of the Austin Sealy Trophy for the most outstanding athlete of the 49th CARIFTA Games.

The Virgin Islands ended third on the medals table, behind Jamaica and Bahamas with 4 gold medals, 2 silver and 1 bronze for a total of 7 medals.

Motorcade

Yesterday May 19, 2022, the territory celebrated all the athletes, coaches, trainers, teachers, parents and sponsors with a motorcade and celebration ceremony.

The motorcade, which included Hodge, commenced at the Port Purcell roundabout, made its way through central Road Town and concluded at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex after which the ceremonial aspects of the celebration were held at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

Most members of the National Unity Government were present but taking the podium were Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John J. Rankin, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Education, Culture Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL).

Adaejah was ‘built in the BVI’- Henry

Giving remarks in the absence of Steve Augustine, President of the BVIAA, Mr Henry sought to set the record straight.

"We will continue to strive, Adaejah did a wonderful job for us, she did and I am not afraid to say a lot of people thought that Adaejah was built in the United States. They have their yam and they got their thing we got we lemon grass and we coconut bread and we fungi and fish. She was built in the BVI. She left here with the base, we gave her the base. If you know sports, she had the base from right here."

Similar was said for the many other local athletes who participated in the CARIFTA Games this year, "These kids have the base," Henry proudly stated.

‘Respect the coaches’

Further, Henry said local coaches need to get their respect because, "They putting in the work, they out here day in and day out. Sometimes I even have to turn on the government light for them to stay out here late."

He pleaded for the continued support for the local athletes, "So guys I want to ask you to keep supporting the children keep it up."

‘Financial support needed’

Stressing the need for continued financial support, Mr Henry said, "We going to need that support because our season is not done. We have the Caribbean games, we have PanAms under 20 championship in Brazil. We have the Under 20 World championship where we have athletes already qualified."

VI needs the inspiration- Premier Wheatley

On the other hand, Premier Dr the Honourable Wheatley said, "I have to say that this nation, the Virgin Islands, needs the type of inspiration and the type of support that sports can provide.

“Sports is an excellent metaphor for life. The performance of these athletes is a microcosm of what we can achieve as a Virgin Islands people.”

‘You have helped many to believe’- Hon de Castro

Hon de Castro said: "Athletes you not be aware of the positive impact that you all have made to our Territory but there are people that you may never ever meet who witnessed how hard you trained, competed and pushed yourselves and the dedication, your dedication has helped them to also believe in themselves. You have helped them to believe that they too can do and conquer things that seemed to be great and challenging."

The Education Minister told the athletes that their demonstration has reignited her passion and drive." The power of your example gave so many people strength to never give up, it matters, and if I am honest it matters especially today.

Gov Rankin pledges to cheer for VI athletes @ Commonwealth Games

Meanwhile, Governor Rankin told the audience that for the upcoming Commonwealth Games he will be cheering for the Vi athletes.

"I know that the BVI success at the Carifta Games wasn't a one-off. It followed the brilliant performances of our athletes in the Olympics games in Tokyo and that success in Tokyo and that success in Jamaica at the Carifta Games I believe bode well for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in England this summer."

Governor Rankin said while he is English the VI can count on him cheering mainly for the VI athletes.

"As I know sometimes when you have to make a lot of speeches it can be hard to choose the exact right words to use. For today's event, I have got no such hesitation, to all the athletes to all the young people of the Virgin Islands that made up the CARIFTA Games team, I simply say this: you are absolutely brilliant and we are very very proud of you."