Team BVI Returns From 53rd Carifta Games
Athletes who represented the Virgin Islands at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada were welcomed home Tuesday at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport after a competitive weekend at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium. The national delegation returned with a silver medal from Jah’Kyla Morton in the Under-20 girls high jump, several fourth-place finishes, new national records and multiple personal bests, according to a Government of the Virgin Islands press release. The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports praised the team’s determination and reaffirmed support through programmes such as the Athlete Tier Programme; the release was issued by Information Officer Angelique Lettsome and provides contact details for further media enquiries.
Athletes who represented the Virgin Islands at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada were welcomed home on Tuesday during a special ceremony at the Terrance B. Family members, supporters and government officials gathered to greet the delegation after a competitive weekend at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, where junior athletes from across the Caribbean competed.
Among those on hand to welcome Team BVI were Premier for a Week Honourable Roman Nibbs Alberto, who represented Premier Honourable Dr. Wheatley, and Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports for a Week Honourable Rudell Stoute. Both officials commended the athletes for their dedication and performance on the regional stage, as noted in a Government of the Virgin Islands press release.
The national team’s headline performance came from Jah’Kyla Morton, who secured a silver medal in the Under-20 girls high jump. In addition to Morton’s podium finish, Team BVI posted several fourth-place results and registered a number of new national records and personal bests across multiple age groups and events, the government release confirmed.
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro praised the athletes during her remarks at the arrival ceremony. “I watched you in Grenada and I saw the grit, the determination and the heart that you brought to every event,” Minister de Castro said, adding that the athletes “did not go simply to participate; you went to compete.” She highlighted visible improvements in events such as the high jump, decathlon and relay competitions as evidence of the Territory’s growing athletics programme.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to developing local athletes through targeted investments, including the Athlete Tier Programme. The programme provides financial assistance to elite and developing athletes for training, competition preparation, travel and performance development, helping to strengthen pathways for Virgin Islands competitors at regional and international events, according to the Ministry’s statement.
CARIFTA remains one of the Caribbean’s premier junior athletics competitions, offering young athletes valuable experience and exposure; performances there often lead to scholarships, senior national selection and further international opportunities. The Ministry congratulated Team BVI — athletes, coaches and support staff — for representing the Virgin Islands with pride in Grenada.
This article incorporates details from the Government of the Virgin Islands press release issued by Angelique Lettsome, Information Officer, Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports. For media enquiries, the release lists Angelique Lettsome at anlettsome@gov.vg and telephone 1-284-468-9448, and the government press email BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com.
Update: This piece updates earlier coverage with the full government release confirming the silver medal, the national records and the Athlete Tier Programme details.
Primary source: BVI Government