The third annual Montserrat Basketball Invitational Tournament has officially begun, with St Kitts and Nevis and the British Virgin Islands claiming victories in the first two games.
Players, fans, and officials gathered at the multipurpose sports complex in Little Bay on Tuesday, 10 December, to mark the start of the event.
A welcome ceremony kicked off proceedings, during which Gilmore Williams, president of the tournament’s host organisation, the Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association, thanked attendees.
In his opening remarks, Williams emphasised the significance of such events for boosting sports tourism and helping players develop their skills.
Sports minister John Osborne highlighted that the tournament is not only a showcase of athleticism, skill, and passion but also a celebration of Caribbean unity and integration.
“This tournament isn’t just about winning,” he said. “The presence of all these teams is a reminder that sports transcends our waters, bringing together our nations and their communities through the love of the game.
“It is an opportunity to learn from one another, build friendships, and leave lasting memories. It is a celebration of what we can achieve together, not just as athletes but as one Caribbean.”
Osborne then took the ceremonial opening shot to officially inaugurate the tournament, which features games every evening at 7pm, running until Saturday, 14 December.
After the ceremony, St Kitts and Nevis faced St Eustatius in the opening game of the tournament, delivering a dominant performance that has set the tone for their campaign.
St Kitts and Nevis ended with 124 points, and St Eustatius, despite moments of effort, could only muster 49 points, struggling to keep up with the relentless pace of their opponents.
The convincing victory positions the former champions St Kitts and Nevis as early favourites in the competition.
Montserrat then faced the British Virgin Islands in a tightly contested match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Both teams displayed determination and skill, but in the end, the BVI emerged victorious with a score of 83 to Montserrat’s 65.
Click below to watch the opening ceremony and matches in full:
