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VI’s athletes need ‘all the support you can give them’- BVIOC President

- said there’s a lot of expenses involved in preparing for competition
President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), Mr Ephraim E. Penn said athletes from the Virgin Islands need as much support as they can get. Photo: YouTube
President of the BVI Olympic Committee Ephraim E. Penn, left, receives the generous donation from Clarence Thomas Limited. Photo: Facebook
President of the BVI Olympic Committee Ephraim E. Penn, left, receives the generous donation from Clarence Thomas Limited. Photo: Facebook
Some of the Virgin Islands' world class athletes set to compete on the international stage in 2026. Photo: BVIOC/Facebook
Some of the Virgin Islands' world class athletes set to compete on the international stage in 2026. Photo: BVIOC/Facebook
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), Mr Ephraim E. Penn, has called on the Virgin Islands (VI) community to step up and support its athletes.

Speaking during a 'meet & greet' event with Olympian Kyron A. McMaster, OBE, on Friday, January 2, 2026, hosted by Clarence Thomas Limited (CTL), Mr Penn said the BVIOC is nervous as they are unsure if they have enough funds to support the VI’s athletes competing on the world stage. 

“We are here appealing to the public again to assist us. We have increased our allotment to about two hundred and fifty thousand, but we still need a lot from the public because these are not just athletes; these are world-class athletes who will be competing against the best in the world. They need all the support you can give them.”

Thankful for athlete’s dedication through tough times

“It’s not an easy feat; we see the end results on TV, but there’s a lot that goes into preparation, there’s a lot of expenses involved, and we can only hope that the little bit that we are doing can keep them at the cutting edge of international competition,” Penn said. 

He added that as a small National Olympic Committee (NOC), they are well on their way and are thankful for the dedication of the athletes. 

He said they “stick with the programme through tough times but still go out and give 110 per cent for the British Virgin Islands”. 

Busy 2026 to 2028

Athletes representing the VI on the world stage will have a busy two years. 

Some of the international competitions they will compete in include: 

  • The Commonwealth Games (July 23 to August 2, 2026) in Glasgow, Scotland 
  • The Central American and Caribbean Games (July 24 to August 28) in Santo Domingo 
  • Pan-American Games (July 16 to August 1, 2027) in Lima, Peru
  • 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA

“That’s why we are here, we are confident our athletes will make it through just like how they did in 2024 in Paris,” Penn stated. 

CTL made a $10,000 donation to the BVIOC during the ‘meet & greet’.

9 Responses to “VI’s athletes need ‘all the support you can give them’- BVIOC President”

  • BOTH AH YOU (06/01/2026, 08:39) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    LIVE IN THE EAST , SO JUST DRIVE OVEF BY NA- TAL- EO , AND HOLLER OUT AT HIM / IS HE WHO RUN TINGS , IN CASE YOU FORGET ???? LOOK HOW EASY & SNEAKY HE " RAISED " THEIR SALARIES " HE SAY ALL THE WISE MEN COME FROM - UP DAE
  • E. Leonard (06/01/2026, 12:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Athletes are important national goodwill/roving ambassadors, fostering national unity, driving social change, promoting value, enhancing regional, international, standing, representing the territory, etc. When VI athletes compete and excel at regional, international competitions, they instill a sense of pride, euphoria, etc, among VI residents. However, effectively representing, competing, etc, at a high level comes at a high cost, ie, preparedness, readiness, time, dedication, commitment , collective national support, participating in local, regional and international events. Poor collective national support comes at a high opportunity cost.
    • GateKeeper (06/01/2026, 17:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E.Leonard, yes, we get a high, a euphoric feeling, etc, when our athletes are competitive at regional, events.It is also true that it is costly, dedication, qpassioqn, etc., too get them a high competitive level, punching well above their weight. The question is where is the commitment for support comes from. With limited resources, prioritization is essential. In the past you have quoted a wise sage saying, “ you can do everything you want to, but you cannot do everything.” There is an attitude in the BVI that the government should and can do everything. It cannot do everything. You didn’t say or imply this. Nevertheless, many may believe that government should bear the increasing cost. Government, taxpayers can contribute but it cannot bear all the cost. Therefore, the BVIOC must effectively maximize resources. Further, it must develop fundraising events to help defray the cost. This would motivate the community to contribute.
    • voter (07/01/2026, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said Mr. Leonard???????? Thanks for seeing the big picture ????????
  • Terror Fabulous (06/01/2026, 14:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go ask the minister for the subject area for more funding. What fund raising initiatives has you versed during your tenure? I am just asking because I am unaware Mr. Penn. The D8 rep. likes to say that’we family’ send him an email to lobby for more funding from his cousin as he says…

    We the public got too may bills and trying to survive!
  • E LIEONERD (06/01/2026, 14:48) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    hypocrite - you got answers for everything , but when it comes to " dem island people " you gets selective amnesia instantly , hush
    • @Lieonerd (06/01/2026, 16:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Lieoner, over the years, you have sling much ink at Leonard about writing on. “dem island people.” What exactly are you wishing this dude know or research and write about? It seems that you are much interested in and have a passion for the supposed plight of island people? Why don’t you research and write to educate, inform us about island people plight? Or you just want to keep the issue open to rant about? Nonetheless, you are persistent in asking, and accusing of lying though.
  • Mental health (07/01/2026, 04:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many of our athletes are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, workplace bullying and performance-related pressures, often compounded by financial strain, job insecurity and blurred work/life boundaries since the pandemic.


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