The President of the BVIOC said that the Territory was batting above its weight and size class to have 4 athletes qualify for the Paris Olympics later this month.
Kyron McMaster, OBE, in the 400m hurdles will likely give the Territory its best chance at a medal since he has the most experience competing in major international tournaments including the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
The sensation, Adaejah Hodge, will run the women’s 200m and one of the fastest 60m sprinters, Rikkoi Brathwaite, will enter the 100m dash. And Thad Lettsome will endeavour to sail his way into BVI history on the laser.
We will cheer them on from the sidelines as they each pursue their goal in Paris.
But it was the Sports Minister expounding on the government’s commitment to all sporting activities and to the tangible help they were able to focus on the athletes that gives cause for consideration. It speaks of a government having to make tough decisions about scarce resources.
Governance in the BVI has become extremely complex over the last couple of decades. This is the moment when the Territory can best benefit from the leadership of the 13.
But they each continue to dream of grandeur and have little real interest in the people until votes are needed to continue the mismanagement and grandstanding in the Honourable House for which they demand and vote themselves a king’s ransom.
So, the people with their aspirations are adrift looking outside of their leaders for hope, for a lifeline.
But where must they look? To the East that is showing the greatest promise for world dominance?
Certainly, the de facto leaders of the free world have their own challenges. And although we have no influence in those quarters, we must keep our eyes on the politics of the UK and the US.
In the UK, Labour now rules the roost. BVI stands to be affected, of course, for Labour will seek to change the social fabric of the UK, and by extension, the OTs.
And traditionally, Labour has not been a spirited defender of the financial services industry of the OTs.
How dare the OTs seek to execute a global business as if they were welcomed participants in the game as if the rules included them?
It hardly matters that the rigor of the regulatory regime in the OTs is often superior to that of those who unceremoniously are throwing them out of the game while pretending an interest in fair play and the principles of capitalism.
And the Americans are something of an enigma. It is unclear whether they consider democracy to have been a failed experiment or if they no longer see themselves as having the moral fortitude to guide the nations of the world that are desperate for leadership.
So, to whom must the people of the Territory look for survival, guidance, leadership?
Fridays wonder. Opinions run the gamut. The jury deliberates. The clock is ticking as life becomes more challenging and the misery index steadily rises.
But not for the 13.
Nevertheless, there is something on which we can all agree: To support our athletes’ bid for Paris 2024.
Happy Friday!