Basseterre, July 1, 2016: SKNOC President, Alphonso Bridgewater, in his capacity as President of the ANOCES (Association of National Olympic Committees of Eastern Caribbean States,) has offered his support and gratitude to athletes in a special Welcome Message published to mark the opening of the ANOCES Games in Tortola this weekend, July 1 to 4, 2016.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Bridgewater is quoted, “In the name of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES), I bid you welcome to this the 2nd edition of the ANOCES Games. That sincere, hearty welcome is extended in equal portions of gratitude to the athletes of the OECS/ANOCES sub-region, participating athletes from outside the sub-region, track and field fans, media, visitors and residents of the BVI. Welcome, indeed, to the sub-region’s equivalent of the Olympic Games Track and Field discipline.”

Bridgewater also speaks about the Games as filling a gaping void in high level competition in the sub-region, while simultaneously showcasing the region’s elite athletes to admiring, adoring fans on home soil. He says, “The Games also offer an opportunity to athletes enroute to qualification for international, continental and other competitions including the Olympic, Central American & Caribbean and Pan American Games.”

Leading Team SKN at the 2016 ANOCES Athletic Championships will be Olympic sprinter, Antoine Adams and OECS Record holder Tameka Williams for the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays together with teams from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and host BVI.

New to ANOCES this year will be an individual women and men’s title. The Games’ Most Outstanding Male Athlete will walk off with the Joseph “Reds” Perreira Award, named in honour of the founder of the OECS Championships while the Female Athlete of the Games will take home the Veda Bruno-Victor award, in honour of the long-time regional administrator.

Alphonso Bridgewater said, “This year’s ANOCES Games have a special touch to them. That special touch emanates from the fact that it is the very first time that the Games are being hosted outside St. Kitts and Nevis. It is also the very first time that we have introduced the element of “Female Athlete of the Games” and “Male Athlete of the Games”.

In closing his Message, Mr. Bridgewater strongly emphasises that “Sports can be a most powerful ally in connecting people, integrating ideas and moving forward”.