Sporting in Anguilla has reached another milestone with a team of young Anguillian competitors among thousands of athletes from seventy other countries participating in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.
The Anguillian team comprises eleven athletes as well as a number of officials. The athletes are Dee-Ann Rogers (participant in seven Heptathlion events); Kieron Rogers (100m sprint); Shanoi Richardson (100m & 200m sprint); Akeame Mussington (400m sprint); Shinelle Proctor (high jump); and Rechelle Meade (long jump). The five competing Anguillian cyclists in the Commonwealth Games are Justin Hodge, Benjamin Phillip, Danny Lloyd, Sherwin Osbourne and Kris Pradel. Unfortunately, sprinter Zharnel Hughes is not at the Commonwealth Games as his coach has advised against his participation given his hefty training for the upcoming World Juniors’ competition in Oregon.
The officials are Mr Jerome Roberts, Minister responsible for sport; Mr Kenn Banks, President of the Anguilla Commonwealth Games Association; Mr Cardigan Connor, Vice President; Mrs Althea Hodge, General Secretary;Mrs Althea Hodge, General Secretary; Mrs Lorna Rogers, President of the Anguilla Athletic Federation; and Mr Rollins Richardson, Deputy Director of Sports; Wilma Proctor, Miquel Leveret and cycling coach, Emmanuel Laud; and Office Administrator, Carmen Gumbs.
“We are looking forward to a very good showing at the games,” Mr Bank stated. “We have the support of Angus Council. Anguilla has been twinned with the Angus Council area and they will be our second team supporters.” He added that the team hoped to make Anguilla proud.
Governor Scott, who welcomed the athletes at a press conference at Government House, a few days before their departure, commended them for their fine athletic prowess and wished them the best of luck. “I am constantly amazed by just how much quality comes out of Anguilla with such a small population,” the Governor remarked. “To be able to send a team of this strength, with this level of ambition, is amazing for a population of thirteen/fifteen thousand. If the UK were to send an equivalent size team on a per capita basis, we would have to send thirty-five thousand people to the Commonwealth Games. Anguilla punches so high above its size that it is really a very impressive show, and so much work and personal sacrifices have gone into the preparations.”
Minister of Infrastructure, Evan Gumbs, sat in at the press conference for the Minister of Sports, Jerome Roberts, who had already left Anguilla for Glasgow. “I would like to wish the Anguilla Commonwealth Games team all the best,” he said. “I know it is going to be challenging, but the experience will be good. I know the cyclists, in particular, will be coming up against some of the top cyclists. I just want all of you to give it your best shot, and I am happy that Anguilla has a team going to the Commonwealth Games.”
According to Mr Banks, the Anguilla Commonwealth Games Association was granted $100,000 towards its preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
