With the holding of the second annual Watkins Hodge Community Memorial Relay Race, the sporting event is gaining popularity among a growing number of young athletes both in school and in the community.
The road area encompassing Caracasbaai Supermarket, the Collins O. Hodge Complex and Anguilla Printers was a busy and colourful scene on Sunday, May 17. There, a number of sprinters from four of the six public primary schools, and five community clubs, converged for the sporting event.
The participants represented The Valley School, Adrian T. Hazell School, Morris Vanterpool School and Orealia Kelly School. The community groups were Black & Gold Club, Rainbow Rockets, Diamonds, Team Spirit and Independence. The age groups were 8-12; 13-18; 19-24; and 25 years and older.
The event is organised annually by the Anguilla Community Alliance whose leaders are Dallen Connor, President; and Sherman Williams, Vice President. Commenting on the activity, Williams said: “We put this on to honour the late citizens of the Stoney Ground, Little Dix and Quarter community, especially Watkin Hodge who had been very instrumental in sports and other community service.”
Mr. Williams went on: “Compared with last year, we are hoping to continue to grow this event. This year we have more participants, and it is very encouraging to see the involvement of students from the primary schools, as well as other athletes, including persons 25 years and over. We are focused on growing and to have our name out there.”
Mr. Rollins Richardson, Acting Director of Sports, commented: “Any sporting event, such as this one, will contribute to sports development in the long run. I see a number of young schoolchildren participating in the event and I hope that they will continue to do so. We are trying to promote sports for everyone and I am pleased that we have wide representation here. I commend the organising group and I hope that next year they can open the event to the fun-day teams as well as teams from other sports – whether football, volleyball or cricket. The idea is to help to encourage fitness among all of our sporting groups.”
Mrs. Melonie Hodge, widow of the late Watkins Hodge, somewhat overcome by emotion, thought the annual event was a fitting tribute to her late husband, and in recognition of his love for sports and young people. “I am thankful to the organisers,” she added. Her daughter, Mrs. Jasmine Thomas, Principal of The Valley School, was also grateful to Sherman Williams, Dallen Connor and others for organising the event and involving the participation of the schools.
Mrs. Thomas distributed symbolic cheques to the winners in all categories of the sporting activities, with the cash prizes being EC$500 for first place; $300 second place and $200 third place. The total prize money amounted to $4,000.
