The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Judo Federation, one of the fastest progressing sports in the island nation, has advanced to another realm in securing the rights to host the Junior World Championships.

Federation president D’Arcy Rahming and some of the movers and shakers of the sport were on hand at the official press conference yesterday to reveal plans for the event that will be held in October.

The sport of judo was just a part of the Commonwealth Youth Games held last July at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and, at that event, the federation made an impact on its international body.

The Junior World Championships will be by far the largest undertaking for such a sporting body, but it bodes very well for the commitment and dedication that is being put in by Rahming and his executive team. It has been pointed out that such world leaders as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, UAE’s Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Azerbailani president Iiham Aliyev and Mongolia president Khaltmaagin Battugla, usually attend the events.

There’s no doubt that sports has and continues to attract some of the top personalities from around the world and judo is on the verge of doing the same if they can lure some of these world leaders here.

Nonetheless, it’s a testimony to the federation to be able to host such a prestigious event and even if none of these leaders show up, you can expect for competitors from around the world to be here for the event that will be televised in more than 100 countries.

The Bahamas has and continues to be a sporting destination and this is just a prime example of what to expect not just from the more popular sports like athletics and soccer, which was in the spotlight over the past few years.

We need to see more of the non-traditional sports making that leap forward with the support of the Bahamas Olympic Committee and this is just one of the steps in the right direction.

Congrats D’Arcy Rahming and crew. We look forward to the event.

‘UNCLE

LOU’

REMEMBERED

With all of the recent success of the Big Red Machine’s Athletic Department, there shouldn’t be any reason why the Alumni Association of St Augustine’s College’s hosting of the Uncle Lou Fun Run/Walk Race is not a successful one.

Alumni association president Godfrey ‘Steven’ Robinson has been pleading with former students to come out and participate in the event at 6am Saturday from Rawson Square to SAC’s campus.

During his tenure as SAC’s principal and the athletic director and coach of the Big Red Machine, Adderley touched the lives of countless students and student-athletes.

There’s no reason why at least half of them should not show up and participate in his memorial.

And, at the same time, they can make a contribution to their alma mater.

It’s disheartening to see how the numbers continue to dwindle over the years. I think the organisers have and continue to do a great job in providing more incentives for the public to come out and participate.

Maybe it comes down to a competition between the graduating classes during his era to see who produces the most entries and finishers.

Uncle Lou was indeed a sporting icon, whose contributions to our society should not go unnoticed. He deserves to be remembered and the road race is one way to do so.

Condolences

to Barbara

Thompson

I wish to join the Bahamas Gymnastics Federation and the Bahamas Olympic Committee in extending condolences to the family of the late Barbara Thompson.

I don’t think that there was anybody who was more enthused about the sport and in particular the Nassau GymNastics Club.

On many occasions, Thompson would either come into the office, call or email information on the sport and the way she made her case, if it was printed, you could bet that she would make contact the next day to find out why and the excuse had to be a good one.

Thompson was another one of those unsung heroes who has made an invaluable contribution to the growth and development of the sport over the years.

She will be sorely missed.