Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers
The Honourable Parliamentary Secretary for Sports in Anguilla, Mr. Cardigan Connor, has made a convincing case for improved sporting facilities on the island. It has resulted in a high level official coming here for a familiar visit and discussions.
That official is Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletic Federations, who is expected in Anguilla before Christmas. Mr, Connor released this information in a press conference here on Wednesday, September 2.
He met with Lord Coe and other British Government and athletic officials at the World Championships in Beijing, China, several days ago. Mr. Connor was there to witness the performances of three Anguillian athletes – Shara Proctor and Zharnel Hughes – who are members of the UK national teams; and Mauriel Carty who represented Anguilla in the 200 metres finals. He was also there to meet with the above-mentioned officials to bring attention to Anguilla’s contribution to British sports and the need for funding for sporting facilities on the island.
Anguilla’s position, articulated by Mr. Connor, was that Shara, who placed second in the women’s long jump and Zharnel, who placed fifth, one of the winning categories in the men’s 200 metres finals, were in fact Anguillians who continue to bring much commendation and pride to Great Britain’s teams. He has put forward the Anguilla Government’s position that Anguilla should benefit from improved sporting facilities financed by British funds. The ultimate goal is for the island to have an international track and field facility to train Anguillian athletes as well as for use by visiting regional and international athletes.
It is expected that in addition to the sporting facilities at the Ronald Webster Park that Lord Sebastian Coe will be told about the Anguilla Government’s procurement and ownership of seventeen acres of land in The Quarter earmarked for the development of a track and field facility.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lorna Kentish, President of the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association, who was also at the World Championships with Mr. Connor, and a constant advocate for a track and field facility, said it was an urgent need. She suggested however that for the time being a suitable grass track and field facility would be useful, but a synthetic facility, though costly, could also be considered. It was also suggested that a warm track and field facility for British athletes wishing to practice in Anguilla during the cold weather in the UK, could also be something for the island.
Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, Minister for Social Development, reported on a recent preparatory meeting in Bermuda where he managed to get a proposed British Overseas Territories Sport Council on the agenda for the Ministerial Council Meeting in London in November. It is hoped that through such a facility Anguilla could receive funding for the development of sporting facilities, like a track and field facility. This and other provisions would be in recognition of the contribution of outstanding Anguillian athletes to the success of British teams in world championships.
The position of Anguilla in this matter has the full support of Chief Minister, Victor Banks. He commented that it must be an interesting matter when Anguilla, with a small population, could contribute so much to British sports, and when out of the seven World Championship winners for Britain, two of the athletes were from the Overseas Territories.
