COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT MAKES

QUEEN’S BATON RELAY A SUCCESS

Minister for Education, Culture and Sports Honourable Lloyd K. Black commended the businesses, athletes and young people who worked together to make last week’s Queen’s Baton Relay a success.

“We had great support from the community.  Both our corporate and private citizens worked very well with our young people and we look forward to your continued support for the years to come,” the Minister said.

Hon. Black was speaking at a closing ceremony Tuesday evening at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town.

The Queen’s Baton arrived in the Territory Sunday evening (21 August) and left Wednesday morning after being relayed around Beef Island, Virgin Gorda and Tortola. More than 100 athletes took part by carrying the baton during different segments of its journey.

Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the Queen’s Baton Relay is an historic occasion for the Territory. “This is the first time in the 47-year history of the Queen’s Baton Relay that it has come to our shores. It is a real joy to know that the British Virgin Islands has been included in this prestigious world event, and that we have succeeded in putting our best foot forward,” he said.

President of the BVI Olympic Committee Mr. Rey O’Neal said that he was pleased with the community’s involvement in the relay. 

“We are very glad of the enthusiasm shown by the community from the beginning.  We do hope that the BVI will be well represented in the Games next year,” he said.

His Excellency Governor Thomas Macan also looked forward to next year’s Commonwealth Games. “I take this opportunity to wish success for the BVI athletes who are going to participate in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia,” he said.

The Queen’s Baton Relay was sponsored by the BVI Tourist Board, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Education and Culture, Scotia Bank and the BVI Olympic Committee.

The Queen’s Baton will be relayed around 71 Commonwealth countries in 366 days.

Designed in Australia, the baton carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to athletes in every member country who will compete in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The message will be read at the opening ceremony of the games in March 2006.

The BVI first participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand, and is expected to participate in the upcoming 2006 Games.