Road Town, Tortola - The Queen’s Baton left the Territory this morning as its journey through the Virgin Islands came to an end last evening at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College with a cultural extravaganza.
The end of the baton’s journey through the Territory was marked by a cultural display of music, dance and song from various local artistes including the Enis Adams Primary School Dancers, the BVI Heritage Dancers, Calypso Monarch Ms. Makisha Gordon, BVI Sky Dancers and The Lashing Dogs.
At the closing ceremony His Excellency the Governor David Pearey said it was amazing to see the effect that the passing of the baton had in the Territory. “It is extraordinary to see how we can take a single item such as the baton to heart,” Governor Pearey said.
“In the BVI and I am sure in other countries where the baton passes persons become enthusiastic and excited about the whole idea of linking the 71 countries that make up the membership of the Commonwealth through this long journey that the baton makes,” he added.
Governor Pearey also described the event as “fantastic” and one that everyone, including him will remember.
Minister of Education and Culture, with responsibility for youth affairs and sports, Honourable Andrew Fahie, told the gathering what made this event so exciting was that “sports has a way to always bring communities together”.
He added, “The spirit of sport transcends all boundaries. It transcends political and religious boundaries and the baton, which symbolises the Commonwealth Games, has done that once again in the BVI”.
Minister Fahie said the only time he has seen the same type of excitement on such a Territory-wide scale was during the Caribbean basketball games hosted locally a few months ago.
He said one of the lessons learnt from the passing of the baton through the Territory is that of the value of commitment, dedication, and cooperation. “We must all continue to do our part in order for our country to grow from strength to strength,” he said. The minister also congratulated and commended the BVI Olympics Committee and its President Mr. Ephraim Penn for their hard work and dedication in coordinating this major event.
Caribbean Region Vice President for the Commonwealth Games Federation Mrs. Fortuna Belrose told the crowd that the involvement and participation of everyone in this event is a testimony of good leadership. “Leadership because we saw it reflected in the participation of your leaders. We saw the Minister of Health and Minister of Sports running and I think that if we want to move our societies this is the best way to do it, collectively as a people with good leadership,” she said.
She added, “We are very proud as West Indians that we can testify that in the BVI we saw the communities mobilised, not leading by talk but by action.”
As part of the ceremony Governor Pearey returned the baton to the international delegation, marking the end of the baton’s journey through the Territory.
The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi was relayed around Road Town, Sea Cow’s Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Carrot Bay, Virgin Gorda, Beef Island, East End, Long Look and Paraquita Bay. The baton was also on a sailing flotilla from BVI Watersports Centre at Manuel Reef to Road Harbour.
The Territory was the 41st country to host the baton. The baton is on its way to Anguilla and will conclude its journey in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi on October 3, where The Queen’s message, which has been placed in the baton, will be read to officially open the games.
British Virgin Islands News