BVI eyes hosting OECS’ senior athletic championship next year

General Secretary for the BVI Athletic Association (BVIAA) Stephanie Russ-Penn has hinted at the possibility of the BVI hosting the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Senior Championships next year.

Speaking at the association’s general assembly meeting on Monday, November 25, Russ-Penn said the event will only be held in the territory once repairs at the AO Shirley Recreational Grounds in Round Town are completed in time.

The BVIAA General Secretary further said the association remains hopeful at the possibility.

The BVIAA’s ambition to host the senior championships is consistent with an ongoing movement to have the territory offer sports tourism services.

That movement saw significant advancements back in January when ground was broken in Greenland, Tortola for the development of a 2,500 seat multi-purpose stadium for recreational and sporting facilities and associated works back in January.

The facility is expected to include a six-lane, 400-metre grass track; netball and volleyball courts; a parking lot for up to 200 cars; and an access road between the parking lot and the multi-purpose stadium.

During the groundbreaking which happened under the previous NDP government, former Premier, Dr D Orlando Smith, said: “With a regulation-sized football field and 400-metre track, here will be the location of many engaging matches of football, track and other field sports that will provide entertainment to spectators, locally and from abroad, as it will be suitable to host international and regional matches.”