According to Dean Greenaway, President of the BVIAA, “Thirteen athletes achieved the qualifying standards, but as some of those didn’t have the required travel documents others were added.”

Team BVI for the 2012 Carifta Games to be held in Bermuda is Under 17 Boys: Andre Turnbull, Long Jump/High Jump. Girls: Nelda Huggins, 100/200m; Trevia Gumbs, Shot Put, Tynelle Gumbs, Javelin Throw; Taylor Hill, 100/200m; Lakeisha Warner, 800/1500m; Tarika Moses, 400m; Jonel Lacey, 100/300m Hurdles; Deya Erickson, 100/300m Hurdles.

Under 20 Girls: Niayla Smith, 800m; Shian Vandenburg, 100/200m; Tarikah Warner, Long Jump/High Jump. Boys: J’Maal Alexander, 100/200m; Shaquoy Stephens, 200/400m; Brandon Andrew, 110m Hurdles/Heptathlon and Tarique Moses, 800m.

Coaches: Willis Todman, Eric Matthias, Steve Augustine, Winston Potter. Chaperone: Delva Thomas. Psychologist: Dr. Sylvia Simmons. Physiotherapist: Shaun Williams. Delegates: Dean Greenaway and Dag Samuels.

In announcing the team, BVIAA President Greenaway stated that it’s the biggest team since the BVI first took part in the Carifta Games in 1976.

For some reason in his opening remarks he also chose to “single out” some media houses for their efforts in promoting the activities of the association through numerous “Press Releases”, whilst ignoring others who have published as many , if not more stories on the success of the BVI Athletes.

Alienating the Press, especially in an Election year for the BVIAA, is a dangerous game, but as he also forgot to mention ZROD, for whom he works, perhaps it was just an error in the excitement of the moment.

The President, though, also went onto to make a veiled accusation towards those bodies who the BVIAA turns to for funding. “We have received support from the BVI Olympic Committee and I must thank the Honourable Myron Walwyn for the support of his Ministry,” he stated.

“I must say there are past trends we have seen which must cease; that of trying to stifle the development of Track and Field by a person putting a cap on what they think the number of our team should be,” he further stated.

Sources from within Sports saw those remarks as reportedly aimed at the BVIOC. Sources also claim that Greenaway will be running for election as President of that Body later this year.

President of the BVIOC, Mr. Ephraim Penn, maintained a higher level of decorum and made it clear that the Carifta Games is not part of the Olympic Solidarity Programme and whilst it is on the BVIOC Calendar, whatever funds are made available are discretionary. “Not withstanding the restraints on funding we have put in $17,000 this year and look forward to some exciting performances.”

The comments didn’t affect the smiles of excitement and pride on the faces of the chosen team and Virgin Islands News Online wishes them all the best at the Games.

This website will bring you up to date schedules, results and reports from the Games which starts on April 7 with the 100 metres Hurdles.

According to Donna Watson, President of the Bermuda Track and Field Association, "the Games could happen tomorrow and we would be ready! Grand stand tickets are sold out and general admission tickets are going fast. All the technical elements are in place, the accommodation, the transportation, the officials have been trained and the stadium is prepared."

Jamaica, Barbados, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, and Trinidad and Tobago are among 19 of 27 teams which have already submitted final registration documents, with teams such as The Bahamas, Cayman and Bermuda staging annual trials this weekend. A submission from all 27 teams would mean the participation of over 550 young people.