Ephraim Penn secured a fourth consecutive term as President of the BVI Olympic Committee on Thursday night, defeating challenger Cleave Farrington for the pivotal post. The elections were conducted at the BVIOC office at Road Reef Plaza and were overseen by an independent election committee comprising Mrs. Kisheba Sprauve, Gareth Thomas and Kayron Todman.
Also reelected to their posts were Secretary General Lloyd Black and Treasurer Mark Chapman. The newly elected comprise of 1st Vice President Sabinah Clement, 2nd Vice President Ralston Henry, Member At Large Gloria Fahie and a new BIVOC Athletes Commission Chairwoman, Ashley Kelly.
Our news team caught up with President Penn following the confirmation of his successive fourth election victory, and he said the win is a testament to the work executed over the last few years by him and his team.
He said, “Personally it’s gratifying that I’ve returned at it shows that there’s an appreciation for the hard work and dedication of not only myself but the other persons on the previous body who’ve worked hard to put the BVI to a special place in the development of sport and we just hope to continue on that journey. And I’ll just like to congratulate the other persons that won and for those who didn’t win, well done, but everyone can’t win.”
He further said, “But this is a long-term process that I think we have to continue building for the future of the athletes. It’s not about me or a term, it’s about what can we do to improve the lives of the young athletes, of the young persons in the community and also develop a programme that can help the community in a whole, so that’s my passion, that’s my strive for the next three years whatever long that takes to make sure that we continue on this journey and we continue to make the BVI proud in whatever way we can.
It’s all about giving back to the territory
Penn also made it clear that his victory is for the people of the Virgin Islands and not just a personal accomplishment. He said it’s all about giving back to the territory in ways he knows best, which is in the world of sport.“Sometimes people get carried away in their own importance and think that the process is about them, but it is not. It’s about giving back to your country, giving back to the young people to make sure that their lives are better. That’s what really matters to me, I don’t do it for the fame or whatever, I do it because someone gave me the opportunity to be successful in life and I feel that it’s very important that I do the same for the generation to follow,” Penn explained.
Plans to implement new programmes soon
Penn also revealed some of his team’s immediate plans for the Olympic Committee, which include the implementation of some new programmes as well as strengthening some of the already existing programmes.
He said, “We immediately have some very important projects planned that we are meeting with the Rotary Club of Tortola to work on the implementation of the Long-Term Athlete Development Plan for communities. We have a programme with Canada Sports for Life that we hope to implement in the British Virgin Islands with the Canada Sports for Life and with the backing of the Rotary Club, because obesity and what-have-you has played a lot of problems here and we hope to try to address that in a positive way.”
President Penn also said that his team will be working to further develop the Elite Athlete Programme, which has so far reaped success with two of the BVI’s top athletes Chantel Malone and Kyron McMaster becoming the first two finalists from the territory at an Olympic Games.