For the first time in Anguilla representatives of all sporting associations in Anguilla, as well as a number of cultural groups, participated in what was dubbed “the Anguilla Olympic Legacy Sporting Showcase.”The event was held at the Ronald Webster Park on Saturday, October 12.
Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary, Education and Sports, thanked all the organisers of the event – the Department of Sports, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Youth and Culture and other groups and individuals. She was grateful to them, for doing a fantastic job in organising the event.
“Some may, ask why should we be observing the anniversary of the Olympics?” She continued. “The answer is clear. There is much to celebrate, and there is much to encourage. While, unfortunately, the rules of the International Olympic Committee currently preclude our athletes from formally representing Anguilla at the Olympic Games, we all know that even though they may be members of the Great Britain Olympic Team, they are Anguillian to the core. So we can celebrate with pride the fact that our Shara Proctor gave a stunning performance at her Olympic debut last year. We can look forward with anticipation to her next Olympic appearance in 2016. I firmly believe that once she has breath, we have no doubt that she will be there.
“We can also look forward with anticipation for the debut of Zharnel Hughes and others who are destined for the 2016Olympics. We encourage all of them to stay on the development path because, based on their performance, Olympic goal is within reach.
“There is remarkable talent in Anguilla. I can see Jahmar Hamilton, Chesney Hughes and many others who are out there blazing trail and we encourage all our upcoming athletes to stick with it, train hard; take advantage of the opportunities to compete and to develop your prowess. May all those who are blazing trail be a source ofencouragement. The sports highlighted today should make it clear to emergingathletes that there is more than one path to Olympic glory.”
Governor Christina Scott said in part: “It was a year ago, exactly, that we celebrated the Olympic Games in London. The importance today is merely to symbolise the extent to which sport can really be a unifying force in society. It is not just about personal achievement, but how we work together in teams and how we support one another to get glory together.
“The Permanent Secretary mentioned our Olympian here. It was absolutely fantastic recently to meet Shara when she visited me. She brought with her this amazing trophy – a Diamond League International Trophy – for being the best long-distance jumper in the world last year. It was fantastic to meet her and it is not just her, but it is also the other names that were mentioned – Chesney Hughes, Zharnel and others. They are real inspirations to all of the youth here, and I really hope that when our youth try different sporting activities they will be inspired to become the Olympians of tomorrow.”
The Governor observed that the Commonwealth Games were just around the corner. “Next summer there will be quite a team from Anguilla going to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and I know that the Commonwealth Games Association of Anguilla is today raising money for a raffle.” She thanked all the participants for their involvement in the various events.
The events were delayed for at least half an hour due to a downpour of rain which flooded some areas of the park. Many of the activities continued as normal and climaxed with several performances by cultural groups.
The sporting activities included skipping by the Pepper Steppers; basketball, boxing, dominoes, volleyball, football, netball, short sprints, and jumps, cycling, cricket, breaking boards and skill demonstrations by ITF Tae-Kwondo; and tae-kwondo skills by members of Styler’s Gym.
The closing ceremony of the sports fair included a number of cultural performances. The groups listed to participate comprised Klassique Dancers, Mayoumba Folkloic Theatre, From Within Dance and Took ‘n De Boys stringband.
