Bruno-Victor calls for greater investment in regional sport as OECS Championships return

by Michael Bascombe

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, July 4, 2026 - Vice-President of PanAm Sports, Veda Bruno-Victor, has urged Caribbean governments and regional leaders to prioritise sport on the development agenda, warning that the high cost of regional travel continues to limit opportunities for athletes across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Speaking during Saturday's opening ceremony of the revived Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES) OECS Track and Field Championships in St Kitts and Nevis, Bruno-Victor said expensive inter-island travel remains one of the greatest barriers to athlete development and regional competition.

She explained that the issue emerged repeatedly during discussions with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the Caribbean at the start of the current Olympic quadrennial in 2025.

"One issue was consistently raised by the members of the OECS National Olympic Committees - the lack of regular regional competition across many sports," she said.

According to Bruno-Victor, the financial burden associated with international competition prevents many athletes from competing regularly, gaining valuable experience, and improving their international rankings.

"The high cost of international participation often limits our athletes' opportunities to compete, gain valuable experience and improve their international rankings," she said. "Without these opportunities, many talented athletes are placed at a disadvantage when preparing for major international competitions."

She noted that discussions among the NOCs also highlighted the important role that former regional competitions played in developing sporting excellence while strengthening relationships among the islands.

"It was recognised that the OECS once hosted regional competitions that played a significant role in developing sporting excellence and strengthening the bonds among our islands," Bruno-Victor said. "The members expressed a strong desire to see these Games revived, and PanAm Sports was proud to support that vision."

She described the return of the championships as the revival of an important sporting tradition that has inspired generations of Caribbean athletes.

"These Games have inspired generations, showcased extraordinary talent, and united a Caribbean family through the power of sport," she said.

While celebrating the return of the championships, Bruno-Victor urged regional policymakers not to overlook the logistical challenges that continue to hinder sporting development.

"Limited inter-island transportation, lengthy travel times and the high cost of regional travel remain significant obstacles to athlete development and regional competition," she said.

She appealed to governments throughout the OECS to recognise sport as a strategic investment rather than simply a recreational activity.

"Investment in sport is not simply an investment in competition," Bruno-Victor told the ceremony. "It is an investment in our youth, our health, our economies and our future. Sport promotes tourism, creates opportunities, builds national pride and strengthens regional integration in ways few other sectors can achieve."

Bruno-Victor reaffirmed PanAm Sports' commitment to supporting the continued growth of sport throughout the Caribbean and the OECS, expressing hope that the return of regular regional competition will provide athletes with greater opportunities to develop and succeed on the international stage.

Penn: ANOCES success could reignite discussion on OECS Sports Desk

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES), Ephraim Penn, believes the organisation's early success could eventually help lay the foundation for renewed regional sports cooperation, including discussions surrounding the possible return of an OECS Sports Desk.

Appearing on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn was asked whether there remains a need for a formal OECS Sports Desk, which for years played a role in coordinating sporting initiatives and development programmes across the sub-region.

While stopping short of directly calling for its immediate return, Penn stressed that ANOCES is currently focused on demonstrating that meaningful and sustainable regional collaboration can work before pursuing broader institutional support.

"There's a need for cooperation among the OECS countries, and that is where we have started," Penn said. "It can evolve into further discussion."

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee President explained that ANOCES first wants to establish a successful sporting product through its championships and development initiatives before approaching governments and regional institutions for greater collaboration.

"If we are successful and we have a successful product from ANOCES, then we can go to the governments and to the OECS Secretariat and say, 'Look, we are not just talking. We have a product that can benefit the entire region. How can we work together to help foster better cooperation in the sporting environment for the OECS?''

Penn noted that simply creating a sports desk without a strong foundation of cooperation would not be enough to address the challenges facing sport in the region.

"Setting up a desk is one thing, but we need collaboration and cooperation," he said. "Not only in the sporting sector, but the private sector has to play a key role. Government has to play a key role."

The ANOCES President said the organisation's primary focus is engaging young people through sport, particularly at a time when many countries across the Eastern Caribbean are facing social challenges affecting youth.

"We have looked at the landscape. Our young people are suffering. They are crying, especially our young men," Penn said. "It's a big challenge among young men throughout the OECS. It's not particular to any one island or any one country."

He argued that sport can provide a positive avenue for engagement and development, but warned against waiting for ideal conditions before taking action.

"We cannot just sit down and say we're not going to do this because we don't have a sports desk, or we're not going to do this because we don't have this or that," he said. "We have decided to start, and once we begin to do that, then the other things will fall into place."

ANOCES is currently embarking on its first full year of regional championships, including track and field, beach volleyball, and table tennis competitions, as it seeks to create sustainable opportunities for athletes throughout the sub-region.

Penn expressed hope that successful events would attract support from both governments and the private sector, helping to strengthen the organisation's long-term vision for regional sports development.

"This is the first year, and we are hoping and praying that all our events are very successful and that we present a good product that the private sector would want to buy into and governments would see the advantage of supporting," he said.

The ANOCES President also acknowledged the contributions of those who worked with the former OECS Sports Desk, noting that their efforts should not be forgotten.

"I know there was a lot of work that went into the Sports Desk, and there are people who really did a lot of work that should be appreciated because, just like us, their heart was in the right place," Penn said.

He emphasised that the ultimate objective remains the advancement of athletes and future generations across the OECS.

"We are trying to do the right thing, not only for ourselves, but for the athletes and, most importantly, the future athletes of our sub-region," Penn added. "Let's work together for that."

Penn welcomes renewed discussion on OECS Throws Academy

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - The possibility of establishing a regional Throws Academy remains very much alive within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), according to the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES) President Ephraim Penn.

Speaking on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn said the concept, which has been discussed periodically over the years, continues to enjoy support among regional sports leaders and could receive renewed attention at upcoming ANOCES meetings.

The idea of a Throws Academy gained traction several years ago, particularly in light of the Eastern Caribbean's growing success in field events, including javelin, discus, shot put, and combined events. Grenada, in particular, has produced world-class athletes such as two-time world javelin champion Anderson Peters and Olympic decathlon bronze medallist Lindon Victor, while several other OECS territories have also developed talented throwers and field event athletes.

Responding to a question about whether the academy could return to the regional sporting agenda, Penn pointed to the continued commitment of Veda Bruno-Victor, General Secretary of the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) and First Vice-President of PANAM Sports.

"Well, if you know Veda, you know it's going to come back," Penn said. "And she's committed to that. And I'm sure that at our meeting in St Kitts, we are going to be building on a lot of things and trying to do things like that."

Penn noted that the concept of specialised sports academies has already demonstrated success within the region and cited the experience of one of the Caribbean's leading athletes.

"I know she's always committed to that. In fact, some of our athletes, including one of our most famous athletes, Kyron McMaster, a hurdler, went to an academy in Grenada when he was very young. So there is proof that it works," he said.

McMaster, the British Virgin Islands' most decorated track and field athlete, has enjoyed significant success internationally, including a 400 metres hurdles medallist at the World Athletics Championships.

Penn praised Grenada's continued contribution to regional sport development, describing the island as a country that consistently exceeds expectations despite its size.

"I think Grenada, among the small countries, always punches above its weight," he said.

The ANOCES President stressed that regional cooperation remains important to maximising the sporting potential of OECS nations and suggested that Grenada's expertise in the throws could be shared more broadly throughout the sub-region.

"It's something that, as you mentioned earlier, in the region, we work on together," Penn said. "We recognise the skills and the talent in Grenada. And if they are willing to help the other OECS countries, I see no reason why we shouldn't take that up and run with it."

The concept of a regional Throws Academy was originally championed by respected athletics coach Paul Phillip of Grenada and has been viewed as a potential pathway for developing the next generation of Caribbean field event athletes through specialised coaching, sports science support, and regional collaboration.

Phillip is also the coach of Anderson Peters.

ANOCES outlines busy calendar of regional championships for 2026

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES), Ephraim Penn, says the organisation has an ambitious programme of regional sporting events planned for the remainder of 2026 as it continues to strengthen sporting opportunities and collaboration across the Eastern Caribbean.

Speaking on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn outlined a calendar featuring five major championships across four sports, while highlighting the return of one of the region's most significant athletics competitions.

"We have the rebirth of the OECS Track and Field Championship, now called the ANOCES Track and Field Championship," Penn announced.

The championship will be hosted in St Kitts and Nevis from July 4-5 and marks the return of a competition that has played an important role in the development of track and field throughout the sub-region.

Penn said the athletics championships will be followed by the ANOCES Beach Volleyball Championship, also in St Kitts and Nevis, from July 10-12.

The regional sporting calendar will then continue with the OECS Swimming Championship in St Lucia from November 6-8, an event that has received financial support from ANOCES, before concluding with the ANOCES Table Tennis Championship in St Lucia from December 6-8.

The ANOCES President said the organisation has been encouraged by the success of recent initiatives, particularly the regional 3x3 basketball programme, and by the level of commitment being shown by member territories.

"All of our countries have committed to compete at the OECS Track and Field Championship, including those without National Olympic Committees, Montserrat and Anguilla, which is great, as all our athletes are going to get a chance again to showcase their talent," Penn said.

He revealed that the Track and Field Championship will also serve as a platform to honour two individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on sport in the OECS.

Among those to be recognised is the late Alphonso Bridgewater, the long-serving President of the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee and former President of ANOCES, who died in 2024 after decades of distinguished service to sport administration in the region.

ANOCES will also honour Rey O'Neal, a co-founder of both the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the British Virgin Islands Athletics Association, whose dedication to preserving the history of Caribbean athletics has earned widespread respect throughout the sporting community.

Penn announced that O'Neal's book, The History of Track and Field in the OECS, will be officially launched during the championships in St Kitts and Nevis.

"We're going to recognise the contribution of Mr Rey O'Neal to the development of track and field in our sub-region by launching his book, The History of Track and Field in the OECS," Penn said.

"And every island, every country will be surprised as to what is in that book. This is a labour of love, and we're going to unveil that at the OECS Track and Field Championship in St Kitts."

 

Regional Olympic committees stepping up to revive Eastern Caribbean sport

by Michael Bascombe

CASTRIES, ST LUCIA, May 27, 2026 – Alfred Emmanuel says the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) was created to help fill a major gap in regional sports development following the decline and eventual disappearance of the OECS Sports Desk.

Speaking on Saturday’s TalkSports programme, Emmanuel, a founding member of ANOCES and President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc., reflected on the original vision behind the organisation and its growing role in coordinating sporting opportunities for athletes across the Eastern Caribbean.

“Well, if you can recall, before ANOCES, we had what we call the OECS Sports Desk, which was responsible for trying to coordinate sporting activities in the region,” Emmanuel explained.

According to the veteran sports administrator, the gradual decline of the OECS Sports Desk led to a reduction in regional competitions that once provided valuable opportunities for athletes from the smaller islands.

“We slowly saw the death of the desk, and we saw the decline in the various sporting competitions that we, as small islands, would have benefited from,” he said.

Emmanuel noted that the region’s National Olympic Committees recognised the growing void and decided to collaborate through a more structured organisation supported by independent funding mechanisms.

“So it was with that in mind that we decided, as National Olympic Committees with an independent source of funding, if we come together in an organised manner, we would be of assistance to our members,” he stated.

He admitted that building ANOCES into an effective regional body has not been easy.

“That has been a really painstaking task for us. But I am saying, at the end of the day, I think we’re getting there,” Emmanuel added.

The SLOC President pointed to tangible progress in 2026, revealing that with support from Panam Sports, ANOCES is coordinating five regional sporting events this year.

Among them are the recently held Under-23 3x3 Basketball Tournament in the British Virgin Islands, the upcoming OECS Athletics Championships and Under-20 Beach Volleyball competition in St Kitts and Nevis in July, and table tennis and swimming events scheduled for Saint Lucia later this year.

The renewed programme is being viewed as an important step in rebuilding consistent regional competition pathways for athletes in the Eastern Caribbean.

During the discussion, Emmanuel was also asked whether ANOCES now effectively serves as a replacement for the former OECS Sports Desk.

“I think that’s exactly it,” he responded. “ANOCES now would have to fill that void because clearly the Heads of Government of the OECS… have placed their energies into other areas.”

He stressed that in the absence of a dedicated regional sports structure, organisations like ANOCES must now assume greater responsibility for sustaining sporting development across the sub-region.

“With the absence of a dedicated sports desk, somebody has to pick up the challenge. And if ANOCES had to do it, then so be it,” Emmanuel declared.