“Rise for the country, come see the children rise, rise for the country, this land we love, the BVI. So whether it’s in London Town, America or the Caribbean the children rise for you,” are some of the stirring words and ones that are bound to inspire the athletes as they attempt to join Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in qualifying for London 2012, as well as other sportsmen and women in whichever their particular sport may be.

It is also hoped that each sport will adopt the song.

Although the brainchild of members of the BVIOC and Paul “Gadiethz” Peart from ZROD, Quito Rymer has truly come up with a stirring rendition of a Fungi song, designed to motivate and stimulate all those representing the Territory across all sports.

“Proudly we rise for you, and will shine for you, build your friendship, respect yourself, respecting others too. Through excellence in all we do, we are giving back to you.”

The words encompass all that the athletes are trying to do through hard work and performance and an indication of how it’s time for family and fans alike, to get behind those efforts and support them in all those endeavours.

Whilst the Song for Sports will act as a rallying cry and increase a sense of National Pride, words alone cannot lift the present and future stars to their ultimate goals so with an equally timely effect, LIME announced a $20,000 donation to the BVIOC, which as Sean Augustine, General Manager of LIME stated, “would be to support the BVI National team with its preparations for the London Olympics.”

Augustine went on to comment on how LIME has been a long time supporter of sports throughout the Caribbean and was especially pleased to be able to support the efforts of the aspiring athletes. “We have just been the sponsor of the Carifta Games which was such a success for the BVI, but our sponsorship is about joining hands with the BVIOC to inspire a generation at a time when the youths are going astray.”

The sponsorship is also about ensuring the athletes can make the Caribbean proud, “and LIME has no doubt that our athletes will shine in London this year.”

Whilst the evening no doubt belonged to the live performance of the new song from Rymer, President of the BVIOC, Ephraim Penn thanked all the sponsors including LIME and Harneys. “We look forward to a long relationship with LIME,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here tonight without the support of sponsors and indeed the whole community.”

The Song for Sports was born from a discussion with Dean Greenaway and “Gadiethz”, and Quito was soon realised as the obvious choice having already been involved in the “Time for London” with visits to BVI House in London and the soon to be home of the Olympic team in Aston, Hertfordshire.

As Quito explained, “it is quite an honour to have been asked to write this song. It is about where we have been, where we are at and where we are going.”

“We will run for you in the ocean blue, we will jump the hurdles, mount the saddle, defend the wickets, smash the baskets and grab the victory for you. “Rise and Shine, It’s our time to shine, oh BVI, keep on track and don’t look back!”

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