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by pltm
(PLTM) - Sporting organizations continue to question the validity of the Territory’s Sports Policy and specific clauses, this time putting pressure on officials for responses on whether or not local athletes and individuals representing the Territory would be compensated for their time spent off from work.
The questions came about in response to a clause within the document that was approved in 2013, which states that for athletes who are traveling to represent the British Virgin Islands, once approved by the Sports Council, their employer shall grant them leave of absence for that duration.
An excerpt from the policy reads, “Any person selected to represent the Virgin Islands as an athlete, official or administrator in local, regional and international sporting competitions, meetings or seminars, shall be deemed to be performing a national duty. This shall be regarded as contributing to the promotion of the Virgin Islands. His or her employer shall grant such a person leave of absence for the duration of the tour, once given the approval of the National Sports Council.”
Questions and concerns have rolled in about current instances and inquiries of if and how the issue would be addressed.
“Employers allow these athletes to go, but that's without pay. These athletes travel to represent the BVI and at the same time, they take off from work without pay,” said one coach.
Another coach chimed in, “These businesses can't afford to pay persons who are away from their jobs, whether on national duty or not. Who will pay these athletes?”
The organizations questioned whether the Sports Council or the Ministry would offer compensation to these national athletes.
In response, Acting Director for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye noted that such a decision would have to be made by legislators.
She noted that the issue is something the department has listed for discussion with the Minister.
“Athletes being paid as national athletes, this is their job. We have persons who live and breathe athletics and continue to represent the BVI. It's a direction we will have to address.”
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