Local News
Rikkoi Brathwaite and Beyonce Defreitas Prepare for World Indoor Championships in Glasgow
Rikkoi Brathwaite and Beyonce Defreitas are set to represent the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
Brathwaite is scheduled to compete in the 60m prelims on March 1st at 8:10 am local time, with potential advancement to the semis at 2:45 pm and the finals at 4:45 pm on the same day. In 2022, Brathwaite ran 6.66 seconds in the 60m prelims, advancing to the semis but withdrew as a precaution due to discomfort. In the 2024 track season, Brathwaite has already run 6.65 seconds, with a personal best of 6.52 seconds on March 12, 2022.
Defreitas will compete on March 2nd in the same event, with the prelims at 6:20 am, semis at 2:45 pm, and finals at 4:45 pm. Her season’s best is 7.37 seconds, achieved two weeks ago. Defreitas’s personal best in the 60m is 7.34 seconds, dated February 24, 2023, during her collegiate years at UCF. This will be Defreitas’s first World Athletics Indoor Championships, having represented Team BVI as the only female athlete at the World Athletics Outdoor Championships in Oregon in 2022.
Team BVI secured its only World Athletics Indoor Championships medal in 2008 when Tahesia Harrigian-Scott won bronze in the 60m sprint in Valencia, Spain. Kyron McMaster, OBE, secured BVI’s only World Athletics Outdoor Championship medal in 2023, winning silver in the 400m hurdles in Budapest.
World Athletics certified senior coach Mr. Ralston Henry will perform coaching and management duties during the Championships. The team is set to depart for Glasgow on February 27th. Updates on the event will be provided on the official site and various platforms.
Education
Seven Young Ballers Embark on an Eight-Day Basketball Adventure in Orlando
Seven young boys from the British Virgin Islands are set to experience basketball at its finest as they head to Orlando, Florida From November 23 to 28. The ballerswill participate in the Jr. Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camp, an opportunity that combines skill development, fun, and a front-row seat to the NBA world.
The trip is organised through Sports Vision Academy, led by Mr. Eustace “Boss” Freeman. The young athletes—Niquan Freeman, Kyle Gumbs Jr., Jahy Smith, Ke’mori Daway, Tiondre Martin, Jaiden Cameron, and Jadey Glasgow—will be accompanied by Freeman himself, alongside Jovaughn Cameron and Roy Garraway.
“It’s the first time attending this camp, and the boys will also get the opportunity to attend an NBA game as well,” Freeman shared enthusiastically. “They will witness the Bulls take on the Magic, which is bound to be an unforgettable experience.”
The camp promises not only to refine their basketball skills but also to expose them to professional-level gameplay and sportsmanship.
Freeman expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors who made the trip possible, including the BVI Olympic Committee, Travel Wize LTD, and HNF. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s stars,” Freeman said, reflecting on the impact this trip could have on the boys’ futures.
For these young ballers, this is more than a camp—it’s a chance to dream big and see where their talent can take them.
Crime/Police
Teen Arrested in Connection With Series of Burglaries Across Virgin Islands
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has made a major breakthrough in addressing a string of burglaries that had left communities across the Territory on edge. A 17-year-old male from Jost Van Dyke has been arrested and charged in connection with multiple burglaries in Butu Mountain, East End, Great Mountain, and Mount Healthy.
The young suspect faces four counts of burglary and one charge of criminal damage, marking a significant development in the RVIPF’s efforts to combat crime in the region.
“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to addressing the concerns of our residents and ensuring that offenders are held accountable,” said Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool. She also called attention to the broader issue of youth involvement in criminal activities, emphasizing the need for community collaboration to tackle the problem. “It will take an all-hands-on-deck approach to solve this serious problem,” Vanterpool added.
While the arrest represents progress, police officials urge residents to remain vigilant. The RVIPF continues to seek information related to these burglaries and encourages the public to come forward with tips.
Anyone with relevant details can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or 1-284-800-8477.
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