Chief Executive, Sutcliffe Hodge, said the money was part of the company’s ongoing crusade to help with the development of Anguilla’s youth. “Because Cable and Wireless has been in this region for some 140-plus years, I think we have a good feeling and a good understanding about the evolution of the Caribbean society. It is because of this why Cable and Wireless has placed so much emphasis on the development of the youth because to develop and protect the youth, is to secure our business as well,” he told a media briefing.

Mr. Hodge said that one of the things that kept him loyal to the company was its commitment and stewardship to the community in Anguilla and whereever it served. He spoke of its investments in the protection of the environment, the youth, enrichment of national culture and education. “We at Cable and Wireless continue to be very vigilant and concerned, to a large extent, on what is happening to our youth in Anguillla,” he went on. “Even though I think a lot of effort has been placed on sports, I think there are some issues of organisational leadership and practice that must be addressed and this is what we are trying to assist with…We are committing our support and sponsorship for the Under 15 cricket team which we have been doing for many years now and will continue to do in the foreseeable future.” He noted that it was out of this sponsorship that Omari Banks had emerged as a West Indies cricketer.

Cricket Development Officer, Cardigan Connor, to whom the cheque was presented, spoke of his interest in developing the young cricketers. He said it was in keeping with his efforts that he had brought in Jack Birkenshaw, a cricket umpire and coach he knew in England, to help in the training and development of the youngsters. Mr. Birkenshaw, who has been of much assistance to Omari Banks, was in Anguilla in December on his fourth or fifth working visit to the island.

Mr. Birkenshaw praised the recent performance of Anguilla’s Under 15 team in St. Maarten and noted that there were a number of other skilled and talented youngsters following in the footsteps of Omari Banks. “I am privileged to be out here, I like coaching kids who are responsible and these Anguillian youngsters are responsible.” He was pleased that some of them were travelling to England for exposure to English county cricket.

Sports Director, Atkins Rogers, who joined in expressing gratitude to Cable and Wireless for its continuing assistance to the young cricketers, said he was proud of their skills and the coaching they were receiving from Cardigan Connor. He was especially pleased with that Mr. Birkenshaw had undertaken to come to Anguilla to work with them and thanked him on behalf of the Anguilla Government.

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