The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

As we continue the countdown, I wish to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year.

I also wish to remind people that the reason of the season is because of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So make sure that you take the time out to visit the church of your choice.

Today, I was supposed to release the results of the poll submitted by you the readers on the outstanding male and female junior and senior athletes as well as the executives, coaches, teams and stories of the year.

However, that list will not be published at this time as the final tally has not yet been done. I do apologise to our readers.

Instead, I would like to take this opportunity to publish my Christmas list for sports. I promise I’m not going to be too greedy this year.

Here’s my Christmas prayer:

Completion of Thomas A

Robinson Track and

Field Stadium

Dear Lord, since the official opening of the multi-million dollar complex in February, we have heard so many reports about the track not being certified by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) because the track surface has to be repaved and the grass on the field has to be redone to make the requirements of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for the soccer matches to be played there.

So far, no one from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) or the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) was willing to either verify the reports. But, from all indications, it appears that some restructuring has to be done.

I pray Lord that for the sake of the late Thomas A Robinson, whatever needs to be done will be done in a timely fashion to coincide with the landscaping that is being done around the perimeter of the stadium. I must say, the work on the outside is making the stadium a sight to behold.

Less bickering and

more appreciation

I don’t know why, but it seems like when every sporting organisation in this country holds their election of officers, there is so much bickering that one wonders if those complaining have been able to make any positive contribution to the growth and development of the sport. Lord, please grant us some serenity in resolving our dispute, forgiving one another and moving on as our national motto states: ‘Forward, upward, onward together.’ We need to understand that in such a small country of ours, we have to learn to love a little more.

Major Decisions

Dear Lord, we have seen, from time to time, the drastic decisions that have been made which were meted out as a form of discipline and deterrent for other athletes and officials to follow.

Even as we prepare for Christmas, there’s a lot of talk about the punishment issued to the CI Gibson Rattlers and CC Sweeting Cobras senior boys basketball teams for the roles they played in the incident that has marred the start of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s basketball season at the DW Davis Gym last month.

While there are some who felt the term “melee” was not the ideal one that I could have used to decribe what took place, the fact of the matter is there was a fight that involved both teams and fans who came out of the stands.

It is still my prayer that the decision to allow the teams to serve a two game suspension and the two players that initiated the fight be given an extra game, only to be denied a chance to compete in the post season if they qualify, be rescinded. The teams, instead, could be levied some other type of community sentences to encourage other young men from falling into the same trap.

New gymnasium

Thank God, we are finally seeing the refurbishment of the AF Adderley Gym. The venue has been the site for so many memorial events in both the New Providence Basketball Association and the prestigious Hugh Campball Basketball Classic for senior boys.

While the latter is set to return as the first event to be held in the new environment in February, Lord, I pray that we will see more of the fans coming back out and supporting the local teams. Too many of our people have decided to stay at home and watch international sports and have shown less appreciation for the talent displayed by our local athletes.

Lord, we have come a long way and as we now prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary as an independent nation, I pray that we will see a rise and further improvement in all areas of sports, especially those mentioned above.

Merry Christmas to all.