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by pltm
(PLTM) - Some of the best athletes in the British Virgin Islands are unable to represent the Territory on a national level due to their status and the absence of a local passport. This rule stifles the progress of various sports and the sporting industry of the Territory on a whole. This is according to various sporting organizations around the BVI. Coaches of various disciplines met with the Department of Youth and Sports last evening, September 21, in a meeting aimed at bridging the gap between the stakeholders, in addition to discussing the sports policy and the formation of a sports council. One by one, the coaches expressed to representatives from DYAS the issues they are facing with the current clause put forward by legislators, that outlines who can represent the Territory on the national level. Within the sports policy that was approved and passed by the House in 2013, it states that only Belongers, as defined by the new Constitution of the Virgin Islands, and holders of a Virgin Islands passport, shall be eligible for selection to national teams participating in international competitions. The coaches noted that this clause affects great athletes who are living in the Territory for a significant amount of time on work permits, with no intention of leaving. They added that these persons and/or their offsprings are well involved in various sports and are really good, but unfortunately cannot travel to represent the BVI. Sports Officer within DYAS, Mr. Dean Greenaway said, “One of the things I would like to see is, like the major countries, we give status to people to represent us. These persons have ties here and are very good at what they do.” He added, “We have quite a number of talented persons living here and are a part of local teams who can't get a passport and can't represent us. It's affecting what we can do with representation. All the teams we know are affected by this; it is a major issue that affects every sport. Some of the best players can't represent the Territory because they were not born here. It weakens the team.” DYAS noted that the issue will be communicated to the Minister with responsibility for sports, for it to be addressed amongst the legislators. “The fact that some of the best athletes in the BVI are unable to represent us, this issue weakens the teams. This is something we plan to take forward to the Minister to see how it can be addressed,” said the Acting Director of DYAS, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye.
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