The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH the tagline “family, fun and football,” event organisers of the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl have promised to provide an interactive experience for its patrons.

The game between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders kicks off at noon today but activities around the Thomas A Robinson Stadium get underway at 9am with the Popeyes Pre-Game Fanfest.

Joy Jibrilu, deputy director general of tourism, said the game will serve as a backdrop for a number of activities geared toward local and visiting fans alike.

“A whole slate of Bahamian pre-game activities have been organised: football drills, Bahamian themed tailgate parties, the Bahamas All-Star Marching Band, Greek Organisations’ barbecue competitions and of course Junkanoo. During halftime there will be a junkanoo rushout between the Saxons and Valley Boys, and we know that is a healthy rivalry,” she said. “We invite residents and visitors alike to come out in great numbers and join in the great pre-game activities.”

Considered a “game changer” in the country’s sports tourism product, the inaugural Bowl provides a new arena of exposure for the Bahamas, proving the country can serve as a destination for elite NCAA Division I football.

“The Bahamas is honing its reputation as a sports tourism destination and the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl is an absolute winner for the Bahamas. The promotion our destination receives in advertising and marketing benefits is truly priceless. Over 11 million household views the inaugural bowl and we certainly expect that number to be even higher this year. This year the game will be carried by ESPN, the only bowl game on at this time and that means millions of college football fans we anticipate, will be tuned in exclusively to the Bahamas Bowl, great news for us,” Jibrilu said.

“Family members and hundreds of fans will travel here for this event. For our local tourism industry, this game will translate into an appreciable increase in hotel room nights and the usual vacation expenditure. Christmas Eve in the Bahamas has now become known as game day.”

Jeff Beckles, general manager of the National Sports Authority, assessed his organisation’s readiness as they prepare to host.

“We started our preparation just after the last Bahamas Bowl and we feel very confident in our preparation and our efforts. The big question we had going into this second event was the condition of the field. We have committed and are continuing our efforts to improve the field and operations team has our field ready,” he said. “This partnership is producing a tremendous opportunity for some of our colleagues. As we continue in the coming years we hope to inspire our young people studying in the field because sports and events managements are one of the largest growing industries in the world. In years to come the Bahamas will be defined in how we participate in this Bahamas Bowl.”

Hector Munoz, chief marketing officer at Popeyes, called it a pleasure to partner with the country for another edition of the event, a bond that was strengthened with the recent opening of a new Popeyes franchise on Prince Charles Drive.

“Popeyes could not be more proud to be the title sponsor of this event. Obviously we do this because it’s good for our business in the US and now here because we have a restaurant. But we also do this for the sense of pride that it instils in our employees worldwide and our franchises. A lot of the people that are here with us, it’s their second time. The experience, the game, the events that took place were very memorable and hence they’re all here the day,” he said. “The key reason is to provide opportunities for players, opportunities that they may not have had. We are really excited about the game and as soon as it’s over we are looking forward to planning next year’s game.”

The bowl has been strengthened going forward as ESPN Events announced the acquisition of the game last May. The addition of the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl makes the game a part of an impressive stable of events in football and basketball for ESPN Events.

“What an honour it is to have these schools in our bowl game,” Munoz said. “It feels like a family event. It’s just special and it speaks volumes to this event. We’re expecting a great game and I’m sure these teams will bring the best of college football to the Bahamas. This is our new holiday tradition and we want to keep this going as long as possible.”