Local News
Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Men’s Under 23 Championship to Kick Off October 11 in the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands is gearing up to host the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Inaugural Under 23 Championship from October 11 to 15. This event will see talented young volleyball players from the region compete for the championship title.
At a press conference held by the Virgin Islands Volleyball Association (VIVA) today October 10, to kick off the event, key figures shared their thoughts and expectations for the upcoming tournament.
The President of the VIVA Willis Potter with great enthusiasm, spoke about the team’s preparation, stating, “These young men have prepared for the past three months. Jackie Weeks has really been working with our team, she’s been our trainer for a long time. Steven Payne has been instrumental, and I want to give them a shout-out for the work they have been doing.”
The president urged the BVI community to rally behind their home team, saying, “We are asking everyone in the BVI to come out and support your home team… Team BVI, we are home. We are on your home floor, in your own gym. We should have the biggest support… We are going to be playing from Wednesday to Sunday, and we intend to medal.”
Kymal Panchoo, the captain of Team BVI, expressed his confidence in the team’s progress, stating, “We have really improved a lot over the last three months.”
The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, in addressing the press, highlighted the broader opportunities that volleyball can bring. He stated, “One thing that I’ve noticed with volleyball is that persons should see the opportunity to travel… Team BVI will have the opportunity to travel and get scholarships.” The Premier proudly shared the recent success story of BVI athlete Sharonda Pickering, who signed a professional contract, emphasizing the potential for success and recognition that volleyball offers. He also emphasized the government’s responsibility to invest in sports, while also stressing the need for support from parents and the parent organization.
The participating countries in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Under 23 Championship include Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Grenada, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Alongside these formidable opponents, the British Virgin Islands will also compete against teams from Anguilla and Saba, Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis setting the stage for a highly competitive tournament.
As the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Under 23 Championship approaches, teams from across the region have already started arriving in the British Virgin Islands.
Tickets for the daily games are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 14. However, for the championship game, which will be held on Sunday, October 15th, adults can secure their seats for $15. Save by getting a Season Pass which gives you access to the entire competition for only $50.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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