BVI delegation Ramos Pembeton, left, coach Angeleta Bernard, Deane Fonseca, flag bearer Naheem Stevens with their plaque card bearer during the opening ceremonies of the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo> David Thomas

TORTOLA—The British Virgin Islands made its Commonwealth Youth Games debut during a spectacular opening ceremony Saturday, hailing the third edition of the games in Pune, India, that targets athletes 18 years and under.

Despite the fabulous start to the games that were first held in 2000, there was confusion with scheduling that saw some teams including the BVI being affected.

During a Saturday afternoon technical meeting, officials were told that no boys Tennis matches would be played, only girls, a change in the original schedule that had matches scheduled for today.

“Something kept nagging at me so I finally went downstairs after midnight just to go ease my mind and there on the board they had the Tennis matches for Sunday posted and they have a whole bunch of boys playing and no girl’s matches scheduled,” noted BVI Olympic Committee public relations officer and delegation head, David Thomas. “Of course, Deane (Fonseca) has to play at 10 a.m. I had to go to his room, wake him up and tell him because we had the technical meeting at 7 p.m. and he knew he was not going to be playing.”

Fonseca made his games debut with a straight set, 6-2, 6-1 loss to Brian Phillp of Antigua. Thomas said Fonseca's nervousness got the better of him.

“I think that he played very well. It was the first time for him playing in an event of this magnitude but he handled it well,” Thomas pointed out. “I'm sorry that he couldn't get himself relaxed enough so that he could have managed the game better. But, he impressed a lot of the coaches that saw him play today. All he needs is more match time against this level of competitors and he will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Today is the technical meeting for tomorrow’s start of track and field competition. Virgin Gorda’s Naheem Stevens, a Bregado Flax Educational Center student who carried the flag in the opening ceremonies, will see action along with Elmore Stoutt High School’s Ramos Pemberton. Both will run the 100 meters.

© Copyright 2008-9 BVI Olympic Committee

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