UPDATE: ‘Cricket pitch vandalism being investigated’ – Diane Drayton
According to Public Relations Officer of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Diane Drayton, the matter is still under investigation. She made no disclosures of possible arrests at this stage.
Ranks of the RVIPF had visited the scene on Friday September 18, 2015 following the reports of vandalism. It was discovered ealier that morning that parts of the cricket matting were removed and large cuts were made on other parts of it.
BVI Cricket Association (BVICA) President Charlie E. Jackson has said that the incident appeared to be a wanton act of pure vandalism which will do little or nothing to stop the progress of cricket.
He had also said the authorities had been notified and that he was positive that with the police investigating, the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Contacted today September 22, 2015, Jackson said that while the BVICA has no official games scheduled, the basic repairs done to the damaged portions of the matting on the pitch means that teams can make use of it.
See previous article published on September 18, 2015:
Cricket matting at Greenland vandalised
GREENLAND, Tortola, VI- Cricket in the Virgin Islands has been bowled a ‘no ball’ with the alleged vandalising of the cricket matting at Greenland Playfield on Tortola.
According to reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online, the discovery was made this morning, September 18, 2015.
Parts of the cricket matting were removed and large cuts were made on other parts of it.
“The guys had cricket practice last night plus the footballers were also out there last night so it had to be that the pitch was damaged after the lights went out late into the night,” a source told Virgin Islands News Online.
The pitch matting was laid by the BVI Cricket Association (BVICA) some two years ago.
BVICA President Charlie E. Jackson said: "What appears to be a wanton act of pure vandalism will do little or nothing to stop the progress of cricket."
He also said the authorities have been notified and, "I am positive that with the police investigating, the perpetrators will be brought to justice."
Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn when contacted said he was not available to speak to us. Efforts to reach Chairman of the BVI Recreation Trust Mr Roy N. Barry and Executive Director of the BVI Recreation Trust Mr Stephen Payne were not successful.
Virgin Islands News Online was also informed that a hardball cricket tournament was slated to start this weekend at the Greenland Playfield.
Cricket is easily one of the most popular and supported sports in the Virgin Islands, although mostly among the expat population.
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22 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘Cricket pitch vandalism being investigated’ – Diane Drayton”
Stop talking BS, those lights are never turned off at nights I live overlooking the field and I can see young men on bikes riding and doing stunts on the pitch. I am not surprised at this but how come it happened now that Ragga is set to host a tournament beginning sunday coming to last until sometime in November, why all of a sudden the pitch get cut up and it was a free for all. SOMETHING SMELL FISHY HERE. This aint no EELL people doing this is spite. Come On man this aint right. Thank God the Football association will have control of the FIFA stadium. This is so messed up.
d ins****** boss say he will do that to d mat at last Saturday nite and he did a very job I wish him all d best what ever happen in dark will come to lite only a matter of time,,,,,,,,,,,,,.........''''''';;;;;;;
Who is this? And did somebody actually heard him said that he will destroy matting ? Seriously!??? Let's see the outcome of this one. God pls help us solve this.