From now on, there will be many more people on the roads in Anguilla walking, running or cycling as they join in the Nation’s Fitness Quest, an exercise programme launched at the Ronald Webster Park Annex on April 1.

Speakers at the Opening Ceremony

It is a programme under the direction of Tom O’Connor whose services, for five months, have been made available to Anguilla by the Australian Government. It involves efforts by this island’s Ministry of Social Development, sponsorship in part by the Social Security Board, initiatives by the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association and support of the Health Authority of Anguilla.

President of the Association, Kenn Banks, noted that over ten years ago his organisation wanted to have a programme to encourage more persons to get involved in fitness activities as a means of attracting younger people in its own sporting events. He was pleased that the Athletic Association had at last been able to obtain sponsorship from the Australian Government though the services of Mr. O’Connor.

Health Authority: R Campbell and Wilbert Fleming

In chairing the ceremony, Sports Director, Atkins Rogers, commended O’Connor for his hard work in getting the programme started and hoped that at his departure a suitable person in Anguilla would be found to continue the work.

Mr. O’Connor said over 150 persons had so far registered for the fitness programme aimed at improving health. He was grateful to all for welcoming him to Anguilla and becoming involved in his work.

Acting Governor, Mark Capes, was pleased that so many persons had signed up for the programme, but noted that women and out-numbered the men by far. “When we are fit, we are happier and more productive and we have more self-esteem,” he said. “It is no doubt that being fit now will certainly help us to live longer and to enjoy a better quality of life in later years.”

Persons on fun walk from the Ronald Webster Park

He stated that there were long stretches of beaches, other large open areas and good climatic conditions to facilitate fitness activities in Anguilla compared with the opposite situation in crowded and weather-affected cities abroad. “Getting fit requires discipline and perseverance – and that last word is the one that really counts because staying is a big challenge,” he added.

Director of Social Security, Timothy Hodge, said that a healthy and fit workforce was in the best interest of his organisation. He explained that workers would be more productive and miss less time off work, thus resulting in less pay outs in sickness benefits and more payments in contributions. “It is makes good sense for us to have a vested interest in the people of Anguilla being fit,” he went on. “It goes beyond that because a fit and productive workforce means a healthy economy, less money coming out of our personal pocket to pay for health care and less money coming from the health services…”

Vernice Battick, Food and Nutrition Coordinator, spoke on behalf of the Health Authority of Anguilla. She emphasised the importance of having public health initiatives in place to stem the increasing number of cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and cancer on the island. She observed that diabetes and high blood pressure especially create havoc on the social, financial and physical lives of sufferers and place a huge economic burden on the health care system and island as a whole. Mrs. Battick spoke about the benefits to be derived from exercise and urged all persons to participate in the Nation’s Fitness Quest programme and to follow a regular health and nutrition plan.

The fitness programme was declared open by the Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, who was pleased with the large number of persons who registered as participants. “I think the challenge is that we must be dedicated not only to be just fit but to stay fit,” he advised. “I would also like to say that a fit nation is a healthy nation and physical activity is part of being healthy.” He thanked Mr. O’Connor for the effort and energy he has put into the programme.
The opening ceremony was preceded by a number of health checks conducted by various health care persons and was followed by a fun walk by many of those in attendance.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News