The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

AS tomorrow marks the dissolution of the country’s ninth Parliament since Independence, it is highly likely that we are closing the doors on what may be the single greatest sporting tenure of any government administration.

Now, before you allow your political compasses to guide you to the comments sections to trash this article, please note that Fourth Quarter Press does not seek to address or comment on the fiscal performance, crime fighting initiatives, educational plans or social development strategies put forth by this administration. This purely based on the performance of this government in two distinct areas - sports development and sporting tourism.

Since coming to office in May, 2012, the Christie administration has done a great job of not only expanding the marketability of the Bahamas and its “Sports in Paradise” moniker, but translating that renewed notoriety into true development for several of these respective sporting disciplines.

I recall a quote by Dr Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture made last year: “We have completed the first phase of our rebranding of ‘Sports in Paradise’, trying to make the Bahamas the number one sports tourism destination in the region, but also number one in the world at hosting the small, boutique signature events. We are going to be the best at that.”

Best at that - the “that”?

Over the last five years, the Bahamas has hosted two NBA-level training camps; three NCAAF Division 1 championship games; eight Division 1 pre-season basketball tournaments; three international track and field events, several international golf tournaments; and a host of other events. The “that” to which Dr Johnson referred.

Beyond the millions of dollars earned directly and/or indirectly by the Bahamas through these events, the concept of bringing these world-class events to our shores has inspired Bahamian youth to view careers in sports as attainable goals.

I am not saying that the government’s efforts gave way to athletes like Buddy Hield to be as good as they are today; that couldn’t be further from my point. Athletes of this sort have ascended to the calibre of skill that they have because of their individual efforts.

Moreover, I will also concede the argument that much of what we have experienced over the last five years are as a result of the work put in by successive governments.

These two points are clear, but notwithstanding these notions, the Christie administration has sought out, engaged and incubated scores of events to the benefit of the Bahamas. There is simply no discussion around that: the efforts of this government in these two areas have been a success and I’m excited to see where things go from here. This talk of Bahamian ownership of these events, some talk of diversifying into local teams affiliated with American sporting leagues ... the possibilities are endless.

It is my final hope that if there is a change in government, that change does not result in sweeping changes for sporting tourism and sports development.

The idea should be keeping what works and addressing what does not. Far too often in the Bahamas we take the complete overhaul approach to governance, literally throwing the babies out with the bath water in our quest to show that our colorus and party lines know best.

Progress is upon us - hopefully that continues.

IAAF World Relays - to

have fun or to qualify?

The IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 is just under two weeks away and discussion has arisen over whether Team Bahamas’ focus should be on qualifying for 2017 IAAF World Championships or putting on the best show possible for the home crowd.

Over the last month, both organisers have confirmed the world’s best relay teams, all the while ensuring that the event has meaning and provides quality entertainment.

The World Relays provides direct qualification for this summer’s World Championships in London England, which subsequently provides qualification for the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan.

Now that this is clear, here is the issue; the events being eyed by many of the country’s best just so happens to be those that will not be carried over to the World Championships or Olympics – the mixed relays and the 4 x 200m relay.

In 2015, at the second IAAF World Relays meet, only the Bahamas men’s 4 x 400m was able to use the event as a means to qualify for the Rio Olympics. The women’s 4x400m team only made it to Brazil as a result of the banning of the Russian team. No 4 x 100m team qualified.

This reality shocked many local and international track enthusiasts, as Team Bahamas has long been viewed as a premier relay nation.

With that as the focus, steps were put in place by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) to ensure that Team Bahamas was always in a position to use the IAAF World Relays as its qualifying step for both the World Championships and subsequently the Olympics.

Now, I know the mixed relay and the 4 x 200m relay events do not bring us closer to World Championship and Olympic gold, but it does provide us with opportunities to see many of our great athletes in positions that we would enjoy and in which their talents are best displayed.

Shaunae Miller, perhaps the world’s top 400m female athlete, has already expressed interest in the mixed events. Can you imagine her and Steven Gardiner on the track during the same event? Amazing.

My view is simple: while ensuring that the country is in the best position possible should always be the focus, sometimes it is good to get out of our own ways and allow room for enjoyment and fun to creep in.

After all, sports has always been about fun.