Sunzahra Liburd Banks received her F1 Student Visa in Bridgetown, Barbados, and departed for Savannah State University on, August 12th 2021. Sunzahra has been training for a tennis athletic scholarship for the past two (2) and a half years. She has been accepted into Savannah State University (SSU), a Division 2 school in Savannah, Georgia.
On Saturday, July 24th, a ceremony was held at the Anguilla Tennis Academy as a celebration of her ongoing tennis journey. The evening was made alive from the energy of Dr. Linda Banks who MC’d the ceremony. It was opened with a heartfelt prayer from Mr. Kenn Banks. He extended God’s blessings and his gratitude to the ATA coaches, teachers, family and friends and everyone who helped Sunzahra – and played a part in her growth into who she is today.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Social Development, Honorable Dee Ann Kentish Rogers, shared her well wishes with Sunzahra. She also spoke highly of the Anguilla Tennis Academy and remarked, “I believe it is one of the institutes on the island that has the most structured programmes for taking young students from the Anguillian system to college opportunities, university opportunities and networking opportunities”. She added that it is something that the sporting disciplines on the island can learn and build strength from.
Omari Banks performed his hit, ‘Move On’, via a virtual presentation, a song which inspired him on his well-lived journey on the West Indies Cricket Team. Omari sent his love to Sunzahra and thanked the ATA for, “doing a great job over the years of promoting our young talent on the island.” Virtual remarks were also made by Chris Wade, Athletic Director at TBAR M Dallas, Texas, and
Fabiana Liburd, Sunzahra’s mom. Fabiana thanked everyone who supported Sunzahra along the way ,and gave Coach Mitch a special thanks for the many opportunities he provided for Sunzahra.
Mr. Mitchelle Lake, Founder and President of the Anguilla Tennis Academy, thanked Sunzahra for trusting him and the ATA coaches, Vallan Hodge-Richardson, George Richards, Tristin Rogers, and Shridath Rey “for their countless hours of training Sunzahra and their commitment and dedication to the ATA and the children of Anguilla.” He also extended his gratitude to his wife, Mrs. Keesha Fleming Lake, and her staff at the Fleming Lake Group (FLG) office: Elizabeth and Denysea Bryan; along with Chris Wade at T Bar M and Chuck Keenan, Head Women’s Tennis Coach of Savannah State University.
Mr. Mitchelle Lake also thanked Clement ‘Bankie’ Banks who believed in the ATA from inception. He explained, that Bankie “gave of his time, talent and resources without charging the ATA a dime. Today, the ATA is facilitating a tennis athletic scholarship for his daughter, Sunzahra, to attend Savannah State University. Indeed, this is a special moment for the ATA. Thank you, Bankie”.
The ceremony culminated with a vote of thanks by Nzingha Banks, former graduate of the ATA, Washburn University. She congratulated Sunzahra, shared facts about the ATA and explained the significance of being an ambassador for the ATA and emphasised on the importance of giving back to Anguilla.
Sunzahra was extremely grateful for her coaches who helped her realise her goal of attending university on a tennis athletic scholarship. She remarked, “What Coach Mitch has done for the island cannot be measured. He deserves gratitude, praise and recognition for 26 long years of nonstop work for the youth and the development of tennis in Anguilla. I am fortunate to be a product of his love, dedication and commitment to the island. It’s my dream to keep his dream alive”.
– Contributed
