Good morning. I am delighted to welcome you all to Government House this morning.
The Queen’s Baton for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, champions the individuality in humanity and celebrates bringing people together. As you will see from the design, the Baton is entwined with unique components and displays connectivity to represent the power of collaboration.
On 7 October 2021, at a special event at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton, signifying the start of the 294-day Relay across 72 Commonwealth nations and territories. As it travels, the Baton is inspiring people to come together and host moments of celebration ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
I am sure everyone here is extremely proud to be part of this celebration and moment in history to launch the Queen’s Baton on a two-day relay across Anguilla. The Queen’s Baton relay brings unity and seeks to embrace the themes of youth, untold stories, digital innovation, common ground and journeys that matter.
The natural beauty of our island will provide certainly a cinematic backdrop for the entire Commonwealth to see. The stops at schools across the island will celebrate our youth and Anguilla’s future. With the baton’s visit to the Heritage Museum, we can only imagine countless untold stories harboured by the artefacts of the island’s history on display and of journeys that mattered.
I would like to acknowledge the presence of our 2022 athletes – each of you have made your own journey that matters – one of sacrifice, determination and drive for sporting excellence. We are incredibly excited to see you compete. As a proud sporting nation, I am sure Anguillians here and overseas will be avidly watching and cheering with enthusiasm your success in Birmingham. Thank you for the inspiration and pride that you bring to Anguilla.
I would also thank in particular the coaches and the Commonwealth Games Association – you give life to the hopes of Anguilla’s young sporting talent; and your continued hard work in championing Anguilla; and in ensuring our athletes are fully supported, cannot be understated.
I hope all Anguillians will come together over the next two days to celebrate the journey of the Queen’s Baton as it passes through Anguilla. In showcasing the beauty and sporting spirit of the island, I hope the relay also serves to inspire Anguillians, however young or old, to take up a sport themselves, for their own health and well-being and that of Anguilla.
In closing, I offer our best wishes and blessings to our athletes who will see the Queen’s Baton again in July in Birmingham at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Thank you.
– Press Release
09 May 2022
