Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), has pledged the government's commitment to investing more in local athletes to enable them to compete on regional and international stages. Photo: Facebook

A welcome home ceremony for the athletes who represented the Virgin Islands at the Carifta Games in Grenada took place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Photo: Facebook

The minister made her comments during a welcome home ceremony on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for the athletes who represented the Virgin Islands at the Carifta Games in Grenada. 

Minister acknowledged VI athletes

She acknowledged the contributions of Virgin Islands athletes, stating, “We had some amazing accomplishments. I know we wanted more medals, and that's good. Next year we will get some more, but I want to say to you guys, from your personal best to the national records, to the qualifiers, and of course, that we acknowledge Jah'kyla Morton.” 

Jah'kyla Morton secured the Virgin Islands’ only medal at the 53rd Carifta Games in Grenada, finishing second in the Girls U-20 High Jump on Monday, April 6, 2026 receving a sliver medal.

Honourable de Castro recognised Morton’s accomplishment, noting that Morton had already left to pursue her studies overseas. She encouraged the athletes to reflect on the fact that sports can provide a pathway to higher education, stating, ”I want you to realise that that is what this environment does to you. It not only gives you a pathway to sports but it gives you a pathway to higher education, and I don't want you to take this for granted.”

The minister also recognised Ty’Rique Charles, one of the youngest competitors, who made it to the U-17 200-meter finals and finished with a time of 22.07 seconds. She emphasised that there are valuable lessons to be learned from this experience.

'We will keep investing in you'- Hon de Castro 

Honourable de Castro stated, “I think the blessing for me right now is even though many of you didn’t get what you wanted, you still went out there.” 

She encouraged the athletes to remember, “You’re not always gonna get what you want, if you stick together, you keep pushing, you represent team VI with everything that you have. we gonna be proud of you, and we’re going to keep investing in you and supporting you.”

She further added, “We are proud of you, and from a permanent standpoint, we will keep investing in you.”