The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@trivnemedia.net

DOHA, Qatar -- Before she leaves to return to the business of the House of Assembly on Tuesday morning, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle met with Team Bahamas at the International Amateur Athletic Federation's 17th World Championships.

On Sunday morning at the EZ Dan Hotel where the Athletes' Village is located, Rolle said it was a wonderful feeling to sit and bring some words of encouragement to the athletes, officials and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations on behalf of the Government of the Bahamas.

All members of Team Bahamas, except quarter-milers Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Alonzo Russell, were present for the meeting.

Rolle shared the stage with quarter-miler Steven Gardiner.

Rolle, who arrived here on Thursday with Director of Sports Timothy Munnings and national coach Rupert Gardiner, said she wanted to assure them that the government fully supports them and they hope to come together a little more as a ministry, federation and athletes for the betterment of the sport.

Prior to coming here, Rolle was lambasted for not providing the full funding of the $116,000 grant to the BAAA to cover the expenses of Team Bahamas competing at the championships. The ministry provided $25,000.

Rolle said she was pleased with the reception that she received from the athletes because many of them had a different view of her, but she left knowing that she did the best she could to support the team and the BAAA in getting here.

"This was the first time that I met a few of the athletes and so it was good to hear their motivation to go on and to do their very best," she said. "Despite what we're going through at home, we know the resilience of our people and we want to encourage them to work together for the betterment of the country through sport."

Having watched the first two days of competition at the Khalifa International Stadium, Rolle said she will be in attendance through tonight before she leaves on Tuesday morning.

"We expect that they will go out and give it their best," Rolle said. "I know that they have the country at heart and so we can only expect them to continue the legacy of greatness in track and field that we possess."

Unfortunately, Rolle said she will have to leave Doha on Tuesday to report to the opening of the House of Assembly on Wednesday when all of the ministries are expected to give a report post Hurricane Dorian.

She wished the team every success as they continue to strive for greatness through the rest of the championships that will conclude on Sunday, October 6.