The Tribune

By CHESTER ROBARDS Tribune Senior Reporter crobards@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS' national stadium officially opened Saturday night with all 15,000 of its seats filled and another almost 2,000 eager spectators waiting on the outskirts of the stadium to get a look. Bahamians from every walk of life came to experience first hand what the People's Republic of China had gifted the Bahamas and what was promised to be a spectacular opening, replete with live entertainment by Bahamian artists and a huge fireworks display. The opening was said to have cost the government $600,000. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham officially opened the new Thomas A. Robinson stadium, saying it was a celebration of "our Bahamian identity and nationhood." "We are all here this evening with unity of spirit, unity of purpose, a shared love of country and a Bahamian patriotism that transcends creed and race, circumstance of birth and political affiliation," said Mr Ingraham. That unity was felt within the stadium as the 15,000 stadium guests performed a wave and held up coloured cards that formed two Bahamian flags. During his remarks, Mr Ingraham thanked Thomas Robinson for his contributions to sports in the Bahamas and the country's development. "We celebrate the embodiment of our Bahamian spirit and our Bahamian Pride in Thomas Augustus Robinson in whose name and honour we dedicate this new National Stadium," he said. "Tommy, you make us all proud to be a Bahamian. You are a sprinter by training. "Yet you are also a marathon man as demonstrated by your considerable contributions to national development, and in helping to bring to fruition, the dream of this day." The gathering was one of the largest of its kind in Bahamian history and all Bahamians were invited to attend the opening at no cost. There they were entertained by Bahamian singers such as Nita, KB and Funky D, and Bahamian born pop star Johnny Kemp whose song "Just got paid" was an international chart topper. There was even a re-enactment of the Golden girl's famous Olympic win in Sydney Australia when they took the Gold medal in the women''s 4x100 relay. The national stadium cost $50 million to build and was officially handed over to the Bahamas government last June. While the stadium itself is complete, a $49 million project to creating parking and beautify the area around it is continuing. It took Chinese workers almost three years to complete the stadium. The stadium was negotiated under the Progressive Liberal Party, and Mr Ingraham recognized them for helping to bring it to fruition. "I wish therefore to acknowledge and thank the Leader of the opposition and his colleagues in office for their contributions towards the development of our National Stadium," he said. He added that the Thomas A Robinson stadium will be one of the best in the Caribbean. "The Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, the centrepiece of what will be among the foremost athletic complexes in this region, gives full expression to the boldness of our vision, the breadth of our Bahamian imagination and the strength of our national character," said Mr Ingraham. * Re-enacting the Golden Girls' magic moment, see sport.