Anguillian celebrated cyclist, Hasani Hennis, is to compete in his most historic and costly event – the under-23 World Cycling Championships in Yorkshire in the United Kingdom – from September 22-29.
Six sponsors have come together to contribute US$20,000 to finance his participation in the Union of Cycling International (UCI) event which will further enhance his experience and bring much publicity to Anguilla in sports tourism. The sponsors are the Government of Anguilla, the Department of Sports, the Social Security Board, the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla, the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Amateur Cycling Association.
Speaking at the Social Security Board’s conference room, where he chaired the proceedings on Monday, September 16, Director of Sports, Mr. Andre Collins, said in part: “This is a significant time for Anguilla. It is the first time that an Anguillian will be riding at this UCI level. In the past couple of years, Mr. Hennis has shown a steady development of his skills towards elite participation. For us, the Department of Sports, and all of us around the table, this is just another phase in his development; and it opens the doors even further for Anguilla to compete at the highest level.”
Premier Victor Banks said: “Our support is behind Mr. Hasani Hennis. He has demonstrated that, with scarce resources, we can achieve a lot if we have the will and the mind to do so. Cycling is one of the key sports now developing in Anguilla, and it all goes back to the late John Oliver Thomas who put his all, as an individual and businessman, into the development of this particular sport. I am proud that members of the community, and the Cycling Association, have been so impressed to honour his contribution by naming one of the premiere events – the John T. Memorial Race after him. Mr. Hasani Hennis has distinguished himself as a champion by winning that race on two occasions – as well as other exploits.”
The Premier was delighted that the Anguilla Government and its agencies were involved in assisting Hasani to participate in the upcoming world event, and encouraged other young people to emulate him in youth development.
Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Mr. Cardigan Connor, saw the coming event as a great opportunity for Hasani in his cycling career – and for the Anguilla Tourist Board in sports tourism. He was grateful to all the partners who made it possible for Anguilla to be represented at the world class cycling event.
Corporate Manager of the Anguilla Tourist Board, Mrs. Shellya Rogers- Webster, congratulated Hasani for his “amazing achievement.” She went on: “The Anguilla Tourist Board remains committed to ensuring that we promote sports tourism locally, regionally and internationally. We dedicated ourselves over the last few years to supporting a number of different sporting events because we see the value in sports tourism. We have seen what sports tourism has done for a number of Caribbean islands and we, too, want to take advantage of that.”
Mrs. Avenelle Caragliano spoke on behalf of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla. She said NCBA had jumped on the opportunity to assist Hasani as part of its social responsibility and its desire to promote youth development in Anguilla. She added that while the bank’s budget was not big, the institution would endeavour to give its support generally wherever possible.
Director of Social Security, Mr. Timothy Hodge, expressed pride that Hasani and other young Anguillian athletes were achieving leading positions in sports abroad despite not having had the relevant and supportive facilities in Anguilla. “Just imagine what would happen when we eventually have those facilities,” he stated. “In terms of Hasani, I have had the opportunity to see him at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and, as far as I can recall, he was the best Caribbean participant. This was pretty amazing and I look forward to this cycling event now coming up in Yorkshire.”
Mr. Hodge pointed out that every time Social Security made a contribution like that to Hasani, it was done on behalf of the people of Anguilla who contribute to the social security system. He explained, however, that the sponsorship money “comes from a fund established in 1986 – and does not affect the social security benefits of any individual.”
Ms. Sharon Lowe, President of the Anguilla Amateur Cycling Association, thanked the various sponsors for their assistance to Hasani. Commenting on his sporting career, she said: “Following the Commonwealth Games he went back to Australia where he trained for about six months – and at the end of his training his coach recommended that we should try to get him to the world championships…We submitted the request but did not know we would get through. When we received the positive reply on September 3rd we were really elated, and we put together a budget based on flights, accommodation and other incidentals. We are grateful for the support of everyone and are confident that Hasani will represent Anguilla to the best of his ability.”
The Cycling Association President added that Hasani was now in New York attached to the “Good Guys” & US 98 Cycling Pros in preparation for the UCI Championships in Yorkshire.
Mr. Curtis Richardson, Elected Representative for Road South, where Hasani lives, thought that Hasani would have become a boat race captain rather that a cyclist but was delighted that he had chosen cycling as a career. The Minister said he was impressed by Hasani’s discipline and advancement in cycling, and was pleased that he had been able to get Executive Council’s approval for the Government to provide financial assistance for the young cyclist.
