On Saturday February 9, almost 200 children filled the James Ronald Webster Park for the second annual JW Proctors Track Classic. In terms of athletics, this event if the first on the calendar of track and field activities for the 2008 season and also serves as the precursor to the CARIFTA games that will be held in St. Kitts in March.

The crown at the opening ceremony

Joining the Anguillian athletes this year were contingents from Sint Maarten and Tortola. St. Maarten brought over 20 athletes in total and were accompanied by Les Brown. Mr. Brown, a well known figure in sports in St. Maarten said, “we have come over to take part in a friendly track meet. All the athletes we brought are 13 and over and they are participating so that they can have qualifying times for the CARIFTA games.”

Children participating in the 1500m

Thirteen athletes from the BVI were present as well making it a very well rounded event. The categories for the meet were; long jump, high jump, discus, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m. All of the foot races were individual instead of the usual relays.

Delacroix Henry receives new spikes from Wilma Proctor

There was an opening ceremony chaired by Lorna Rogers in lieu of Kenn Banks, President of the AAAA, who was not able to attend. Pastor James Richardson gave the opening prayer which was followed by remarks from the Sports Director Mr. Alkins Rogers. Mr. Rogers said, “(to the visitors) we hope that you enjoy the brief stay you will have in Anguilla and we wish you the best. Remember the spirit in which you should play. Athletics is the mother of all sports and we will be developing a track so the next time our friends from St. Maarten and Tortola visit us, you will compete on something we can really be proud of.”

Officials reviewing times and keeping proper records

Mr. Oris Proctor, one of the Directors of JW Proctors, spoke on behalf of the supermarket and sole sponsors of the event. “We thank the Sports Department for giving us the opportunity to sponsor this event. We are proud to be involved with this event because the focus in on youth and I hope that the young people will continue to work hard and strive for a scholarship so that they can study abroad.” Unfortunately, last years JW Proctors Classic was cancelled due to the death of one of the athletes in a car accident, Chezroy DeSouza. Wilma Proctor, Deputy Director of Sports and the Meet Director, made a special presentation. Two of the mentors of the late Chezroy DeSouza who wished to remain anonymous, donated a brand new pair of spikes and asked that they be given to a worthy child. The sports officers unanimously decided that the spikes should go to Delacroix Henry and he was very pleased to receive them.

Mrs. Proctor gave the vote of thanks to end the opening ceremony and the events began promptly at 11am. Before beginning however, Mrs. Procotr said, “this event started four years ago but then there was a break so this is the second annual and we hope it continues to grow from strength to strength. Next year we hope to have the event at the new facility in Cauls Bottom. We want this to even to be one of the best events in the Leeward Islands. This is the first major event in Anguilla and it is important because we will select the athletes for the CARIFTA games.”

The Anguillian made numerous requests to the Sports Officials to get the entire results of the meet for the public but they were not readily made available. Rollins Richardson did mention however most of the Anguillian athletes achieved a personal best and exceeded expectations. Also, both Emmy Freank and Chris LeBlanc from Sint Maarten made an excellent showing and are expected to do well at the upcoming games. All in all it was a successful event that will continue to grow and become one of the premier events on the calendar this region.

- Jason Allen

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