The Anguilla Tourist Board has embarked on promoting sports tourism as a key part of its marketing programme and, according to Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, that effort has come a long way.
He made the statement at the just-concluded special exhibition at the Anguilla Tennis Academy, on November 8, which featured the Australian tennis professional, Mark Philippoussis, and his Barbadian opponent, Darian King.
Mr. Connor, a former Anguillian cricketer in England and Australia, told the considerably large number of spectators: “In my playing days at Hampshire, I would see Mark playing at Wimbledon and in Australia in the winter when I played down there. I would see him playing in the Australian Open but I never thought I would see him playing in Anguilla for the first time. So sports tourism has come a long way in Anguilla.”
Mr. Connor continued: “The fact that we have someone from the Caribbean in the person of Darian King, I think is the best message for any of our youngsters – to see one of own can compete with the best in the world.”
He was pleased that the Anguilla Tourist Board was in a position to provide some funding for the exhibition match notwithstanding the difficult financial situation. He was grateful to the Caribbean Cup Series, the Anguilla National Tennis Association, the Anguilla Tennis Academy, the Social Security Board, CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa and the Department of Sports for their support.
“I think if we all work collectively we can have exhibitions like this, but even more importantly the development of the sport for our youth,” he went on: “We have the fastest runner in the world, and we will soon have the Miss Universe from Anguilla – as well as what Shara Proctor is doing. We need the support of our people, and we hope that Mark Philippoussis will spread the word that Anguilla is the best place in the world.”
Mr. Karl Hale, of the Caribbean Cup Series and the Rogers Cup Anguilla Tennis Programme Tournament Director, who was born in Anguilla, said the aim of the Caribbean Cup Series was to promote youth development in Anguilla. “This is a very exciting exhibition we have in Anguilla. We have the number one player from the Caribbean, Darian King of Barbados. Last year he was 109 in the world and got to the second round of the US Open. He has defeated ten top players and is only 26 years old, so the future is really bright for Caribbean tennis. We also have Mark Philippoussis from Australia. He got to the finals of the US Open. He won the Davis Cup and beat [a number of top players]. He flew in to Anguilla from Santiago for this special exhibition.”
Mitch Lake, Founder of the Anguilla Tennis Academy, commented: “It is a great feeling to have this special exhibition in front of our children and to show the Anguillian community how tennis is played at a very high level. It is a dream come true.”
Mr. Lake added: “I trust that the people will appreciate what we at the Anguilla Tennis Academy are trying to do in terms of developing our children through the sport of tennis; and the exposure we are giving them by bringing such renowned tennis players to Anguilla.”
The special exhibition was preceded by the coaching of a number of children by visiting tennis players.
