The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Former two-time Olympic sprinter turned architect Iram Lewis has officially launched his campaign for the presidency of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations. And, in the process, he has gained the support of businessman Harrison Petty.

During a special presentation at The Crab House Restaurant on Collins Avenue and Madeira Street, Lewis and four members who are also seeking office outlined their plans and objectives, should they become new executives when the election of officers is held at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on November 17.

The others who joined Lewis were Carl Oliver for general secretary, Mabeline Miller for assistant secretary, Philippa Arnett-Willie for treasurer and Susan Glinton for public relations.

The function was well attended by a number of executives, coaches, athletes and members of the BAAA, including Petty, “Golden Girls” Pauline Davis-Thompson and Eldece Clarke, coaches Ronald Cartwright, Rupert Gardiner, Carrington Maycock and Dexter Bodie and athletes Osbourne Moxey, Oneil Williams and Hughnique Rolle.

One by one, the candidates, starting with Lewis, spoke about various aspects of their administration and the road forward, as they see it, should they be elected to office. The audience then took the

opportunity to ask a number of questions, including the role of the coaches in the group’s vision as well as their willingness to serve in office at this particular time.

Lewis, who in addition to having represented the country at two Olympic Games, was also a World Championship semifinalist and Pan-Am finalist. The former national record holder also served as a manager on the BAAA national team that participated in Guatemala. He said that having been asked to serve, he felt obligated to step forward to lead the group.

Lewis indicated that he decided to go after the leadership of the BAAA because he felt that the “athletes have no voice and no vote, there is low morale amongst the senior athletes, there is a lack of sustainable athlete talent search and development programmes, there is a lack of unity amongst coaches as well as a non-functioning coaches association, a lack of financial safety net for former athletes and ageing coaches, lack of proper administration facilities, lack of joint

accountability for finances, sustainable funding, a very late start with planning and preparation for the 2013 Carifta Games and the inaugural 2014-2015 World Relay Championships.”

If elected, Lewis said he intends to put together a proper planning and management programme that will:

• establish a ‘working’ Athletes Council as an affiliated member of the organisation with voting privileges.

• provide servant leadership and forge an open and honest relationship with athletes, Family Island and New Providence coaches.

• provide grants to support Family Island and New Providence Coaches Athletes Talent Search and Development Programmes.

• rebuild and sustain a strong, consistent Coaches Association, promote coaches education courses and clinics

• establish an Athlete and Coaches Endowment Fund, managed by a local trust company

• lease to purchase land from the Government to construct proper professional accounting procedures, practices ad reporting

• to foster continued partnership with corporate stakeholders and build strong and effective marketing programmes locally and abroad.

• immediately meet with the National Sports Authority and assist with the stadium readiness to host three meets in January 2013, for example, the Odd Distance, High School Relays and one Club meet to ensure stadium readiness for Carifta.

• meet regularly by video conferencing with IAAF representatives to ensure short, medium and long term preparations are current.

Petty, who was an advert supporter of incumbent president Mike Sands, said after much reflection on the past three years, he has concluded that the BAAA needs a change in leadership if the athletes, coaches and athletic programmes are to advance to their full potential.

“After an intense vetting process I wish to express in a public way that I have nominated businessman, former athlete and former BAAA council member, Mr Iram Lewis for president of our beloved organisation. His servant leadership style of presidency will certainly bring healing and unity to the many factions in our organisation and to those offended in the past,” Petty said.

“He has laid concrete plans and a clear vision in the attached brochure to take our athletes, coaches and organisation to a new level. I fully endorse his plans and look forward to working with him to assist in bringing these goals to fruition to the benefit of our athletes and coaches.”