SVG debuts at ALBA Games in Venezuela

A contingent of athletes is representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the fourth edition of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) Games in Venezuela, which were set to begin last Sunday, July 17.{{more}}

Participation in the games was co-ordinated by the Department of Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of National Mobilisation, Youth, Sports etc., with the input of the four national associations to be represented. This is the first time that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is taking part in the Games, which began in 2005.

The Vincentian contingent left the state in batches, with a group, more suitably attired for a picnic, being the first to depart last Wednesday evening, via Trinidad and Tobago.

Vincentians will take part in four sporting disciplines: Table Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Cycling and Taekwondo during the Games, which will run for three weeks.

Deptor Culzac and Shimano Bailey are the cyclists selected by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union.

Taekwondo’s representation comes from Delrine Gaymes, Vanburn Harry, Emulus Alexander and Jesse Huggins.

Table Tennis has representation from Joseph Carrington, Damion Dublin and Kamal Hunte.

Beach Volleyball shows the male pair of Cassius Franklyn and Aziza Quashie, with the female duo of Ladonna Woodley and Desrene Campbell seeking to bring glory to this country.

Julian Small is the team’s Manager and Sean Stanley, the Assistant Manager. Gemma Alexander doubles up as Chaperone and the team’s interpreter.

Minister of National Mobilisation, Youth, Sports etc. Frederick Stephenson and Director of Sports and Physical Education Nelson Hillocks are also in the Venezuela for the Ministers of Sports and Directors of Physical Education Meeting.

Athletes will compete in 41 events in the states of Aragua, Carabobo, Cojedes, Distrito Capital, Lara, Miranda, Portuguesa, Yaracuy, Vargas and Zulia.

Eight member States of ALBA will take part in the Games, in addition to guest countries from South America, the Caribbean and Central America.

The Games, which are set to end July 30, are being organized by the Ministry of People’s Power for Sport of Venezuela. (RT)