The Valley Anguilla – The Honourable Minister of Social Development and Education Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers extends congratulations and best wishes to Mr, Zharnel “Swift” Hughes on his selection to United Kingdom Olympic Team. Reflecting on the impact of this level of national representation Minister Kentish-Rogers looks ahead with greater anticipation to a day when more Anguillian athletes are given the opportunity to excel on the world stage.
The world is set to turn its eyes on Tokyo Japan on Friday 23rd July as the Olympic Games are due to commence. Anguilla with its relatively small 15,000 population has once again managed to secure representation at the highest international level in sports.
Commenting on the 2021 Olympic Games, Minister Kentish-Rogers stated, “This is no new feat for Anguilla, with a history of punching above its weight. Keith Connor became the first Anguillian to compete for the United Kingdom at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The trend of athletes donning the lion crest on their chests but wearing Anguilla in their hearts continued at the London 2012 Olympics when Shara Proctor broke through as the first Anguillian woman to rise to the elite ranks of “Olympian” after breaking the British long jump record. She repeated this achievement again in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. Unfortunately, this year we will not be lucky enough to see our Golden Girl compete at the Games this year due to a medical condition but she has already made history.”
It now seems a well established tradition over the past decade for an Anguillian to compete at the Olympic Games. Despite all the challenges with COVID-19, this year it has remained true. For the 2021 Olympic Games our very own Zharnel “Swift” Hughes will make his debut as an Olympian in Tokyo.
The Ministry of Social Development with a specific mention from the Department of Sports wish him good luck and all the best as he competes against the greatest in the world to become the greatest in the world.
