A billboard to honour Anguillian International sprint sensation Zharnel Hughes has been erected on the island.
Sports enthusiasts in Anguilla have been elated with the recent home-coming of the world renowned sprinter athlete Zharnel Hughes. The reaction to Mr. Hughes presence on the island was witnessed on Thursday 19th October, 2023, as a billboard was unveiled by the Department of Sports in his honour.
The billboard is located in the vicinity of the People’s Market, next to Willy’s Bar, and opposite the St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral in The Valley.
During the auspicious occasion, Deputy Director of Sports, Mr. Rollins Richardson, said: “Today we are here to witness a historic event. This is a well-deserving activity – the unveiling of the billboard of our number one athlete, Zharnel Hughes. We know that he represents England, but, as a son of the soil, he is well loved here in his hometown, Anguilla, and he is our most outstanding track and field athlete.”
“This billboard is an effort of the Department of Sports to proudly highlight this outstanding athlete,” he said. “It will serve as a daily reminder of where our home-grown athletes can reach in the realm of track and field, not only in Anguilla, but in the region and around the world.”
Mr. Richardson gave Zharnel his accolades as the fastest man in the world this year and predicted that he is very well poised for bigger and better things to come.
The Director of Sports, Delano Mussington said: “When I was given the task to assist in arranging the welcome home ceremony for Zharnel, I felt a great sense of honour because I know what he had been overseas doing, blazing the trails in track and field. Zharnel is very close to my heart. I knew him ever since he was the ‘size of a grasshopper’ beside his mom.”
“I continue to wish Zharnel all the best in his endeavours,” Director Mussington said. “Hopefully, when he is ready to return he will be going back with all smiles, knowing that Anguilla loves him, and I am sure he will continue to love Anguilla.”
The Honourable Minister responsible for Sports, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers commented: “This is a very important day for us to recognize the work that Zharnel has put in to increase Anguilla’s footprint on the global stage.”
“Zharnel,” she endearingly said, “I think it is an understatement to say that the island loves you. We celebrate you and recognize you for what you have done for Anguilla.”
“As you look forward to prepare for the Olympic Games in 2024, the unveiling of this billboard will put the pressure on us to see what bigger things we can do to recognize your potential achievements on an international stage,” the Minister acknowledged.
The Hon. Premier, Dr. Ellis L. Webster also delivered brief remarks.
“For me, it was a real honour to have met Zharnel when he came home last week. He carries GB on his chest, but I know that in his heart he carries Anguilla,” he said. “Zharnel shows Anguilla’s resilience. He exemplifies our motto of strength and endurance on our Court of Arms. He is perseverant, and he represents what we are as a people.”
“I wish Zharnel the best now and in all the days to come,” the Premier said, “and I do hope that he can take back that spirit that would cause him to know that whenever he lines up in the blocks that he has all 15,500 of us there to cheer him on.”
The Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Haydn Hughes said: “It was back in 2012 down at the Blowing Point Port that we welcomed Medalist, Zharnel Hughes, Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers and Terron Niles, who had then recently returned from a regional athletic meet. It shows that we have been doing well in sports, because one-third of those athletes who returned that day has achieved great heights in the person of Zharnel Hughes.”
“Unveiling this billboard today is only a small token of our pride and appreciation for Zharnel, and we will be doing more,” Minister Hughes said.
In responding to all the accolades Zharnel said: “I am excited to be here today for this unveiling. I am truly grateful for this token. It means a lot to me. It will help me to keep humble as I showcase my talent to the world and continue to make Anguilla proud.”
“I have great joy in my heart to know that my country supports me 110 percent,” he said. “I look forward to going out there again to represent you.”
The portrait was revealed when all the presenters, as well as Zharnel himself, pulled the veil off the billboard.
It depicts Zharnel victoriously reaching the finish line at the London Stadium as he smashed John Regis’ 200 meter record of 19.94 seconds within 19.73 seconds. Earlier, Zharnel had broken Linford Christie’s 30-year-old record of 8.87 seconds in the 100 meters men’s dash, to set a new record of 9.83 seconds.
