Twins give TASVG ultimatum – no stipend, no travel

A decision will be forthcoming from the executive of Team Athletics SVG (TASVG) in relation to two of this country’s most promising sprint athletes – Reberto and Reuberth Boyde.

This was assured last Monday by the secretary of the local track and field body, Tyrone James.{{more}}

The brothers (twins) are part of a team selected to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Hampton International Games, set for the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago this weekend.

But the duo, at a meeting held last Wednesday to brief athletes selected, returned their uniforms, giving the local track and field body an ultimatum.

The Boydes stated that unless a stipend is paid to them, they will not be travelling to the games.

One person present at the meeting deemed the actions of the twins “rude.”

When SEARCHLIGHT contacted the Boydes’ coach Garth De Shong by phone on the matter last Sunday, he blurted, “I don’t have no time to talk to nobody,” after which he abruptly ended the call.

De Shong has, in the past, been very accommodating to SEARCHLIGHT, even initiating interviews, especially when the brothers performed well.

But SEARCHLIGHT understands that TASVG has no policy in relation to granting stipends for such regional meets.

A stipend, however, is normally given to Vincentian athletes attending major international events, such as the Olympic Games, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games etc. However, these stipends normally come from the coffers of the National Olympic Committee.

If the brothers’ demands are not met and they refuse to travel, it will be the second