Scores of young athletes from Anguilla, several other Caribbean islands and the United States, showed much enthusiasm and keen competition during the Third Annual Starters Invitational held at the James Ronald Webster Park on Saturday, June 6.
There were various track and field races, and other sporting activities including long jump and shot put during the day. The athletes were presented with ribbons and other awards for their outstanding performance.
The event was organised in Anguilla in order to expose the children to the sporting skills and experience of other youngsters and coaches from outside the island. Some 40 athletes came from the regional islands.
Speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Starters Committee, Alfred Ali Douglas told The Anguillian about the event of and his involvement. “I am the IAF (International Athletics Foundation) Area Starter for Anguilla. In 2013 the IAF selected a set of starters. Fifteen were chosen from around the world and Anguilla was very fortunate in having me as one of those chosen persons,” he stated. “I basically control St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands. I am the person who would help out with meets and make sure that the starters are doing what they are required to do by the international body of athletics – which is the IAAF, International Association of Athletic Federations.”
“The event is a one-day meet for students from all the public Primary Schools, and we may have a few from the private Omololu and Central Christian Schools. There also others from various clubs including Elite, Diamonds, Black & Gold and Rockets from the Comprehensive School. So we have a big field of activities, and I am sure that everybody who comes here will be pleased and excited to be part of the event.”
In addition to long jump and shot put, the activities included 60 meters for children under 7; 80 meters for children under 9; 115, 300, 400 and 800 meters – and other sports – for older participants.
Asked about sponsorship, Douglas replied: “We have partnered with the Anguilla Tourist Board, Social Security Board, Greig Trucking, Tropical Shipping, CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Cap Juluca, Anacaona – the latter being the hotels that hosted the international athletes. Then a lot of persons came on board in kind and other forms of assistance, and we are grateful to all of them.”
