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  by pltm
• Aug 10, 2022
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(PLTM) - Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley asserted that a resolution will be introduced in the House of Assembly on Tuesday August 9th, and once given an affirmative vote, will bring into effect new categories of the Money Services Levy that will be allocate resources to development of sports in the Territory.

He indicated that the holistic advancement of sport will be supported by a Sports Council legislation, which is currently in its draft stage, in addition to a review and reformulation of the existing sports policy.

Dr. Wheatley, who is the former Minister for Sports noted that “It was a priority for me because I wanted to ensure that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports had dedicated monies committed to sports that can be put towards the grassroots programs, infrastructural development, and our elite athletes programs.”

This announcement was made a few days after Kyron McMaster successfully retained his gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He also captured a gold medal in the event during the last Commonwealth Games meet in Australia in 2018.

Premier Wheatley noted that “Kyron is the two-time defending champion, and we are confident he will win it again in 2026. He continues to be the flagbearer of BVI athletics, and we are extremely proud. Let me just say it was very moving to hear our Territorial song played at his medal ceremony on Saturday. I was filled with pride as a Virgin Islander, and especially proud to have brought the resolution to the House of Assembly to make this possible.”

In addition, he extended congratulations to the entire Virgin Islands team that competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Premier Wheatley attended the opening ceremony of the Games to lend support to the athletes, whom he referred to as “heroes” and a source of pride and inspiration.

“When you look at the size of the Territory’s population at roughly 35,000 and compare our performance to much larger countries, we are doing exceptionally well. Government will further invest in our athletes and youth to ensure we remain highly competitive and see even greater success,” Wheatley mentioned in his most recent press conference. .