Athletes from Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas, BVI and Anguilla, at the start of their Under 13 Girls 100 meters dash

TORTOLA—Jamaican athletes put on a splendid display, winning eight of the 10 division titles at stake—including 6 of the 10 individual titles—to become 3-peat champions of the 12 bi-annual Caribbean Union of Teachers Games, which were held in the British Virgin Islands for the first time.

Several meet records we broken and Jamaican High Jumper Chanice Porter, broke the All Comers Record of 1.65 meters which was established by Virgin Gorda’s Takola Creque in 1994 and tied by Chantel Malone during the June 29, Leeward Islands Jr. Championships, with a leap of 1.66 meters.
Jamaica finished the 2-day competition with 562 points to Barbados’ 452.5. Trinidad and Tobago followed with 353.5.

“This is very special, because its almost unbelievable,” said Jamaica’s coach Arthur Edwards, noting it was their fifth time in the competition, placing third in 2000 and coming second in 2002 before starting the streak. “Every single member that came with the team—38 member strong—won at least one medal and many of them got three and more. We are elated for that.”

CUT president Roustan Jobe congratulated the BVI Teachers Union on organizing a successful event. “It was well executed and I can see that a lot of planning went into the games and all facets associated with making the games a success,” he said. “I thank government, the corporate sponsors who contributed financially to make it a success. I also thank BVI Teachers Union president Mr. (Cecil) Hodge for his bravery, when he decided to take on this mammoth task. Again, I congratulate him and his executive for that.”

Jobe said he would like to see others in the future organizing the games like the BVI Teachers Union did and even raising the bar. In the past, he said there was a reluctance to host the games, because of the level of organization required. “However, it’s heartening to see four countries—St. Kitts, St. Croix, Bermuda and Barbados—expressing an interest during our executive before the games, in hosting the games,” he said. “That decision will be made during our executive meeting in December.”

Hodge said the games, which had 15 teams competing including new comers St. Croix, were a resounding success. “Thanks to the people and business community of the British Virgin Islands—our gold, silver, platinum and event sponsors,” he said. “Thanks also to the BVI Investment Club and its associated group of companies for believing in us when we came to them. Thanks to the BVI Tourist Board, the Ministry and Department of Education and the Premiers Office, as well as the Dept. of Youth Affairs and Sports, have been with us from beginning to end.”

Final results: Jamaica, 562 . 2. Barbados 452.5. 3.Trinidad and Tobago, 353.5. 4. Bahamas, 292.5. 5. St. Kitts, 166. 6. British Virgin Islands, 143.5. 7. Cayman Islands, 131.5. 8. St. Lucia, 108.5. 9. Anguilla, 101.5. 10. Grenada, 100. 11. Bermuda, 65. 12. Nevis, 51.5. 13. Antigua, 30. 14. U.S. Virgin Islands, 20. 14. Montserrat, 4.

© Copyright 2008-9 BVI Olympic Committee

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