Sports
BVI banking on home crowd support for “difficult” game with Puerto Rico

BVI coach Chris Kiwomya
(JTV News) — Coach of the BVI men’s national team, Chris Kiwomya, said the upcoming match between the BVI and Puerto will be a difficult game because most of the players on the opponent’s team are professionals.
The CONCACAF Nations League match is scheduled to take place on March 23 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds in Road Town.
Kick-off time is 3 p.m.
According to a press release from the BVI Football Association, “this is the final game in this season’s Nation League, with the BVI’s last home game a 1-1 draw with the Cayman Islands. That result was repeated in the reverse fixture and then the BVI went to Puerto Rico, where they suffered a 0-6 defeat”.
Coach Kiwomya hopes that the gap will be reduced when the BVI and Puerto Rico meet again.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, obviously,” Kiwomya was quoted as saying in the press release. “Puerto Rico are a very talented team with strong players in all areas on the pitch, but we have been working hard and recently held a training camp in Florida, which was excellent, a really good motivation for the players and where I got to see a lot of the players for the first time in a long time.”
He added: “We spoke about how we wanted to approach the game and the players took it on board. We’ve got some good young players in the under-20s and under-17s who are coming forward so hopefully, I will be able to try and give them opportunities in the national team when the time is right. We’ll be looking for the support of the BVI fans and all the people in the Territory to come and support the team. They got right behind the team when we played the Caymans, and they created a really wonderful atmosphere.”
According to the release, Kiwomya said vociferous home support will help the team play even better and that the players did the BVI proud, which they will do again when Puerto Rico comes to town.
“They are 39 places ahead of us in the FIFA rankings and are a team full of professionals who will be technically better than us, but they won’t have bigger hearts than us and if we have more legs than them on the day, with a large crowd behind us, being our 12th man, then when they come to our place we can show that the gap between us is shrinking, so let’s get a big a crowd as possible there and I look forward to seeing everyone on the day and doing our best to make you proud,” he explained.
Regarding home crowd support, senior player Tyler Forbes echoed similar sentiments.
He said in the release: “This is a whole new game, a whole new team, and a new system, so I think it’s very important that we’re not undermined. There are a lot of people I know who are coming from the UK and from all over to watch the game. My mum’s going to come to watch the game, and I feel like we deserve that crowd, like when we played Cayman, to come down again, and you know when I was on the pitch and I felt like I couldn’t run that extra 10 yards, the crowd cheering us on made me know that I can run another 10 yards or even more. So, I feel like that’s a big part of the game and we need that excitement and level of support.”
Troy Caesar, who missed the game against Puerto Rico, but featured in the home game against Cayman after a long period of unavailability, and is now captain of the team, also hopes for a large crowd at the A.O. Shirley.
“The crowd, the community, the whole of the British Virgin Islands, my co-workers, everyone plays a big part. They are our 12th man on the field, they bring that energy, they bring the spirit and we need to get that support because we all know that it’s going to be a tough and competitive game. The energy we get from that crowd gives us a lift and keeps us going for 90 minutes.”

According to the release, tickets are now on sale and available from the BVI Office in East End/Long Look as well as the CCT main office across from the Fire Station.
They cost just $10 for adults and $5 for children. aged 5-12.
Local News
Winston Bolus League Opens With Wins for Relentless and Run It Up
– Premier Wheatley Tips Off Season with Ceremonial Free Throw
The 2026 Winston Bolus National District Basketball League opened Saturday, May 9, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, with four games played over two days as the British Virgin Islands Basketball Association resumed organized district basketball competition.
Premier Natalio D. Wheatley officially opened the league by taking a ceremonial free throw during the opening ceremony, which marked the start of a season designed to strengthen coaching and expand opportunities for young athletes across the Virgin Islands.
Saturday’s schedule began with a Junior Division matchup in which Skillfull Ballers Club defeated On A Mission of the Ninth District, 79-27.
Azani Frett led Skillfull Ballers Club with 17 points. Neshaun Frett added 14 points, four steals and three blocks, while Azaniah Glasgow contributed 13 points and five assists.
On A Mission was led by Caleb Stuart, who scored 10 points and added three rebounds and one block.
In Saturday’s Senior Division game, Relentless of the Fourth District defeated VG Elite of the Ninth District, 90-70.
Shakeem Blackemor scored 29 points to lead Relentless. Devante Brewley added 16 points, and Tavon Phillip contributed 13 points.
VG Elite was paced by Shamarr George with 24 points, while Stephano Paul added 14 points.
On Sunday, Mt. Zion Stars of the Second District edged Young Empire of the Eighth District, 54-49, in Junior Division play.
Zion Phillip led Mt. Zion Stars with 25 points and 19 rebounds. Michael Sue added 10 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.
Young Empire was led by Jaleil Matthew with 15 points, while Ricco Bailey scored 12.
In the final game of the weekend, Run It Up of the Third District defeated Empire of the Eighth District, 63-45, in the Senior Division.
Kymal Panchoo recorded 23 points and 13 rebounds for Run It Up, and Jamal Serrante added 15 points.
Empire was led by Dreyonte Findlay with 14 points.
Local News
Nick Spizzirri Wins EMCs Tortola Classics Title After Five-Game Final
The EMCs Tortola Classics came to a spectacular conclusion on Friday night, May 8, 2026, at Tortola Sports Club, with top seed Nick Spizzirri crowned champion after an unforgettable five-game victory over Pakistan’s Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim.
Spizzirri claimed the title 11-13, 11-1, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5 in a gripping 67-minute final that delivered everything fans had hoped for. From the very first rally, both players showcased exceptional quality, battling fiercely for control of the middle of the court. Ibrahim edged a razor-close opening game in a tense tiebreak, but Spizzirri responded emphatically in the second, storming through 11-1. The momentum continued to swing throughout the contest, with Ibrahim forcing a deciding fifth after a powerful fourth-game display. However, Spizzirri’s composure, consistency, and attacking precision proved decisive in the final game as he pulled away to seal the championship.
The title capped off an outstanding week for Spizzirri, who had looked every bit the tournament favorite from start to finish. His path to the championship included commanding victories over BVI National Champion Joe Chapman in the quarterfinals and fellow American Tad Carney in the semifinals.
Quarterfinal night saw Spizzirri defeat Chapman in straight games, while Carney delivered a clinical win over Abhiroop Reddy Nagireddygari. BVI National Coach Adam Murrills kept local hopes alive with a dominant quarterfinal victory over Ian Rothweiler, and Ibrahim secured his semifinal berth by overcoming Charles de la Riva.
In the semifinals, Spizzirri once again demonstrated his class by defeating Carney in straight games, while Ibrahim ended Murrills’ remarkable tournament run in four games. Murrills had thrilled home supporters throughout the week with upset victories and inspired performances before injury hampered his semifinal challenge.
The tournament also featured standout moments from BVI players including Joe Chapman, Charles de la Riva, and Murrills, all of whom delivered memorable performances and represented the home crowd with distinction.
Ultimately, the EMCs Tortola Classics showcased an outstanding week of professional squash in the British Virgin Islands, blending elite international talent with impressive local achievements. From opening-round upsets to a championship final worthy of the occasion, the event proved a major success for Tortola Sports Club and the growing squash community in the BVI.
As players and fans reflect on a thrilling week, one thing is certain — the EMCs Tortola Classics has further cemented its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier squash events.

Local News
Top seed Nick Spizzirri and Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim PAK advances to the finals of the EMCs Tortola Classics
Semifinals night at the EMCs Tortola Classics brought high-level drama, fierce competition, and emotional moments on Thursday evening at Tortola Sports Club, as the tournament’s championship finalists were officially decided.
Top seed Nick Spizzirri continued his impressive run with a straight-games victory over close friend and fellow American Tad Carney. With the two players having grown up together, attended primary school, and living just minutes apart, familiarity was high entering the contest. The match opened with long, tactical rallies as both players carefully tested each other’s strengths. While the exchanges were often evenly contested, Spizzirri consistently demonstrated superior composure in key moments, using his movement and shot selection to outmaneuver Carney and secure an 11-3, 11-6, 12-10 victory. Carney threatened to extend the battle after building a 9-7 advantage in the third, but Spizzirri steadied himself to close out the match in three games.
The second semifinal featured hometown favorite and BVI National Coach Adam Murrills against Pakistan’s rising star Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Murrills energized the local crowd with a fast start, racing to an early lead in the opening game, but Ibrahim’s explosive power and precise winners soon shifted momentum. After taking the first two games, Ibrahim saw Murrills respond brilliantly in the third with improved court positioning and creative attacking play. However, disaster struck early in the fourth when Murrills sustained a right leg injury, significantly limiting his mobility. Despite bravely continuing, the BVI coach was unable to overcome the physical setback, and Ibrahim capitalized to seal an 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-2 win and punch his ticket to the final.
The results set up a highly anticipated championship clash between the tournament’s top seed Nick Spizzirri and the dangerous Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Spizzirri enters the final with consistent form and recent success from tournaments in Bermuda and the U.S., while Ibrahim’s power and shot-making ability have established him as a serious challenger capable of producing an upset.
Following the semifinals, JTV Sports caught up with Adam Murrills, Tad Carney, and Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Murrills expressed disappointment that he was unable to fully dictate play from the start, Carney predicted Spizzirri would claim the title in three games, and Ibrahim acknowledged Spizzirri’s credentials while making it clear he would not be intimidated as he pursues championship glory.
With the EMCs Tortola Classics final now set, fans at Tortola Sports Club are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an outstanding week of professional squash.
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Local News11 hours agoNick Spizzirri Wins EMCs Tortola Classics Title After Five-Game Final












