Hon. Jermaine Wade & Sen. Hon Winston Williams Jr.
Two weeks ago (May 12) an Antigua and Barbuda delegation completed a one-day visit to Montserrat to start preliminary discussions leading towards an eventual MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Antigua & Barbuda in Sports.
The delegation comprised Sen. Hon Winston Williams Jr. – Minister of State, Local Government and Special Projects; Mrs. Eloise Sheppard – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sports, Youth and Gender Affairs;vMr. Mervyn Richards – Director of Sports; Mrs. Anne Jonas – Coordinator, Planning and Project Management; and Ms. Luann De Costa – Legal Counsel to the Ministry of Sports.
Mrs. Eloise Sheppard, Mrs. Anne Jonas,Mr. Mervyn Richards & Ms. Luann De Costa
The delegation held discussions with their counterparts in Montserrat. They included Hon. Jermaine Wade – Minister Ag. – Ministry of Health, Education, Youth Affairs, Community Services and Sports; Mr. Eugene Skerritt – Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Youth Affairs, Community Services and Sports; Mr. Raymond Cabey – Principal Assistant Secretary – Ministry of Youth Affairs, Community Services and Sports; Mr. Wilston Scotland – Sports Officer Ag. – Ministry of Youth Affairs, Community Services and Sports; and Legal Counsel (Attorney General Chambers Representative) Ms. Camille Skerritt.
Mr. Raymond Cabey & Mr. Eugene Skerritt
The items for discussion which will lead to an eventual MOU are as follows: Coach exchanges/attachments for National Sports coaches;
Facilitate and co-ordinate National Sporting team and club visits on a reciprocal basis;
Facilitate affordable accommodation for touring clubs and teams for e.g. (there may be a possibility for teams to stay at sporting grounds or facilities);
Assistance with developing a national sports policy for Montserrat; Development collaboration and cooperation;
Closer Collaboration between both Ministries of Sport & Youth Affairs;
Shared resources and expertise Re: RADO related issues;
Other Members of Montserrat Delegation
Exchanges and joint participation and representation by Sports Administrators to events related to sports development and other sports management initiatives;
Possibility of allowing sports touring teams and clubs to use and include Montserrat as part of their training and excursion destinations with facilitation by GOM;
Facilitation of access to athletic facilities for Montserratian athletes in Antigua and Barbuda;
Ms. Camille Skerritt, Mr. Wilston Scotland & Mr. Basil Morgan
Potential for teams of both countries to participate in the domestic sporting Tax matters, fees and direct charges for visiting sports delegations; and Invitations/exchanges for sports commentators for exposure and support in both countries;
Exchanges/invitations for sports regulating officials ref; – Umpires, referees.
The discussions were considered to be quite successful. Before the delegation departed both parties spoke to the local press.
During their busy one-day schedule the delegation also held Ministerial discussions and after visiting sporting facilities and venues on the island, met also with key stakeholders of most of the sporting activities on the island.
