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.
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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