Marriott Dome
The court which was donated to the SKAVA by North Central and Caribbean Confederation of Volleyball (NORCECA) was assembled on Monday June 2nd by members of SKAVA.
Once again the Marriott collaborated with the SKAVA in providing the multi-purpose facility now fondly called The Dome for SKAVA to not only host the upcoming World Championship qualifying tournament but also to complete their Business League.
SKAVA was also able to get the full support of the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis as they waived VAT and import charges at the port of entry.
Asked how SKAVA was able to get the Government to agree to waiving VAT, President Glenn Quinlan remarked that ‘the ramifications of receiving the gift and the requirements of the donor were discussed with the Minster and his group and the obvious social and related advantages far outweighed the potential financial inputs.
It was also clear that the SKAVA would not have the resources to meet the import charges if levied. SKAVA is fully appreciative of the support it receives from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and continues to work closely with the Department of Sport, in particular, in continuing to develop volleyball throughout the Federation.’
Dave Connor the Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports expressed satisfaction with the donation of the Court from NORCECA as part of its development program.
“I believe the parent organization (NORCECA) has demonstrated the manner in which other international organization ought to go, not just with the donation of material (The court) but also training and development”, he said.
He then made reference to the Cool Volleyball Programme where the rudiments of the game were introduced to hundreds of primary school students and the recently concluded VCP program where the teachers of the schools were trained as well.
“The Ministry is very happy and satisfied that they are playing their role as far as the development in young people is concerned”, he concluded.
President Quinlan was particularly pleased with this development since he was the one to make a clarion call several weeks ago for the governments in the region to reconsider their position not only with waivers of taxes but also for an area to place these courts that would give autonomy and exclusivity to the Volleyball Associations.
SKAVA is still without an area to call home and share the Netball facilities with Netball and in the recent past The St. Kitts Football Association.
Several OECS countries (Dominica and St. Vincent) are in line to receive a similar donation and at the moment the negotiations are ongoing in order for them to get similar and other waivers from their Governments.
The BVI, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat, French St. Martin, St. Lucia and Grenada all have received court donations from NORCECA and SportCourt.
