Affixed and put to immediate use are a state of the art high jump landing mat, which has eliminated the need for local high jump athletes to travel to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) for practice sessions. Photo: Team of Reporters

According to President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) Steve E. Augustine, right, local high jump athletes who recently participated in international meets had to spend time camping out in the US Virgin Islands to practice for their competitions. Also in photo, from left, are Stephanie Russ-Penn, Mr Colin O’Neal and Mr Reynold S. O’Neal, OBE. Photo: Team of Reporters

The new high jump landing mat, compliments of JOMA Properties Limited. Photo: Team of Reporters

The BVI Athletic Association’s landing mat was destroyed over two years ago when the territory was hit by two severe hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Since then high jump athletes had none to practice with.

Thanks to the gift from JOMA Properties Limited, athletes can comfortably and professionally resume their high jump practice sessions locally.

According to President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) Steve E. Augustine, local high jump athletes who recently participated in international meets had to spend time camping out in the US Virgin Islands to practice for their competitions.

“You now have a high jump bed back. Some of you are really good at it because I have seen you jump,” Augustine said while challenging the athletes to be the watch dogs for the new equipment and to make the best use of it.

‘Supporting young athletes’

The jumping bed and accessories were handed over to the BVIAA on October 31, 2019 by Mr Colin O’Neal, the Chief Executive Officer of JOMA Properties Ltd and Mr Reynold S. O’Neal OBE aka 'Rey O'Neal, a Past President of the BVIAA and BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in the presence of many local athletes, trainers and BVIAA officials.

According to Mr Colin O’Neal, earlier this year he was approached by one Omar Jones who sought his support in purchasing the jumping bed. “Without knowing anything about going about it, I immediately told him yes.”

He told the athletes, “We did it because we wanted to support young athletes who have shown so much promise in recent competitions and we thought that this was a good way to help you to develop.”