This year’s Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Sports Day, sponsored by Lloyd’s Aviation Services, got underway after a brief passing shower that served to cool the morning.
After some delay, the opening ceremony began with prayer offered by Pastor Rondy Isles-Carty. Two male students, Sharvim and Arvin Naine, played the National Anthem on steel pan; two female representatives of the school choir, Christen Fleming and Gavani Brown, played the Anguilla National Song by flute; and yet another female student, Danicia Lake, rendered the school song.
The moderator, Mr. Andy Matthews, welcomed the government dignitaries’ and other invited guests to the 2024 Inter-House Sports Day and noted that sports create a bond between contemporaries that lasts for a lifetime. “It also gives life structure, discipline and genuine fulfillment that few other areas of endeavour can provide,” he added.
“Today, we have assembled to showcase our students’ athletic abilities and their team spirit,” Mr. Matthew said. “May today be one of wholesome competitiveness and immense enjoyment.”
Principal Rita Celestine-Carty noted that it was a blessing to be on the sports field to participate in the 2024 sports meet, considering the recent happenings at the school. “We are happy to be here on this Sports Day that ‘almost didn’t happen’.
“We are happy because we recognize that Sports Day is an important event, not only for the school, but for the entire Anguillian community. Sports is the best means that the whole world has to express the celebration of youth, life, energy, enthusiasm, exuberance and joy.”
“We are thankful to all who have made today’s event possible,” she said. “We undoubtedly feel the support of a range of stakeholders – from sports officials, law enforcement, government and our sponsors. We are indeed very grateful to you all.”
She particularly thanked the longstanding sponsorship of the annual road race, Fair Play Group of Companies. By the same token, she expressed her heartfelt thanks to Lloyd’s Aviation Services for sponsoring the Sports Day event.
“We are happy for all of the activities that we seek to be engaged in as a school, so that we can live in a nation where peace is promoted and sustained,” she declared.
Before pronouncing the 2024 Sports Day open, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, remarked: “Sports Day has always been a celebration of team spirit. It has always been regarded as a community-wide event. I want to take this special moment to thank the Royal Anguilla Police Force, and particularly the Commissioner of Police, for the assistance that they have been giving to the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School to ensure that this event is a safe one.”
“We expect the point rankings will change throughout the day,” she said, “but I would like to encourage all the teams, irrespective of where they are in the points standing, to give this event their best effort…And with that being said, I now declare the 2024 Sports Day of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School open.”
The points standing at the opening of the day-long event was Pink House – 453 points; Orange House – 409 points; Yellow House – 333 points; Purple House – 286 points; and Maroon House – 228 points.
By press time, the final scores were not yet submitted as the games were still in progress.
The Anguillian Newspaper congratulates all of the Sports Day teams and athletes.
