Anguilla, having produced a number of professional athletes in several disciplines of sport, over the years, is now proud of the island’s young and upcoming cyclist, Hasani Hennis, now back home from Australia.
Travelling for two days on his return journey, he arrived at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal on Friday, July 12, to a big welcome. Among those at the brief ceremony were: Premier Victor Banks; Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans Rogers; Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Mr. Cardigan Connor; Ms. Rosanna Browne, Public Relations Officer with Social Security – Hasani’s sponsoring organisation; and Mr. Derek Carty, President of the Anguilla Cycling Association.
“It is always great to have our athletes come back home – especially those who go as far as Australia and represent Anguilla at the highest level,” Mr. Connor, the Anguilla Government’s main spokesman at the welcome ceremony, stated.
Mr. Connor, a former Anguillian cricketer in England and Australia, added: “It is also great to see the support for Hasani’s return, and to show what it means for us. So welcome home, Hasani, and we wish you all the best in defending your title in the upcoming John T Memorial Cycling Race in Anguilla.”
Premier Banks commented: “Hasani did a great job in promoting Anguilla abroad, with his cycling skills and talents, and we look forward to the continued support of the community for him.”
Mr. Derek Carty, who as President of the Cycling Association saw Hasani’s development over the years, said in part: “I just want to say thanks to all the partners who made his Australia trip possible: the Government of Anguilla; the Anguilla Social Security Board; and everybody who would have contributed in making that a reality.”
Ms. Rosanna Browne, speaking on behalf of the Social Security Board, had this to say: “We would like to think that our sponsorship of, and contribution to, sports and education and everything else we do, is an investment in our young people, and in Anguilla, and not just sponsorship. And we do see a return on our investment. Hasani is a clear example, and he has a long way to go.”
Ms. Browne recalled that the Social Security Board’s sponsorship for Hasani began last year when he was the first Anguillian to have won the John T. Memorial Cycling Race. The sponsorship continued when he and others participated in the Commonwealth Games in Australia. While there, he lost his bike some months ago – and Social Security assisted him with a replacement.
Ms. Browne, a former athlete, who held a 200-metre race record for 26 years, reflected that in the 1980s she and a number of other Anguillian athletes were not privileged to have had the level of sponsorship now available. “The athletes of today have that advantage, and I encourage them to take hold of the opportunities that are there for them – and to be the best that they can be,” she added.
