The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

OUTGOING Bahamas Basketball Federation president Mario Bowleg, now in charge of the three-headed Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said his focus will be providing equality to all and not just concentrating on one over the other.

The newly minted Member of Parliament for Garden Hills was selected to serve in the Progressive Liberal Party’s cabinet as he was appointed by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on Wednesday in the ballroom of the Baha Mar resort.

“I am very much excited and looking forward to the challenge of trying to improve all three aspects of this ministry, which is sports, youth and culture,” Bowleg said.

“I know that people will think that because I’m sports oriented through my coaching and administration of basketball. But I don’t know if people know that I am a musician. I play the trumpet, I was a member of the Music Makers and I play the drums in church. So for those who don’t know, there is a cultural aspect inside of me.”

Once he reports to office, Bowleg said his first mission is to meet all departmental heads in the three departments of the ministry so that he can ascertain where they are and what they need to do to move forward.

“I want to make sure that we have the necessary human resources in place because I really want us to get culture back to where it used to be by revolutionising it. I want to form a culture commission whereby we get all of the culture people in place to revolutionise the entertainment industry.

“Once we would have revolutionised the entertainment industry, we can identify what is Bahamian culture and then we can bring about a celebration throughout the Bahamas as far as culture is concerned.”

Don’t take him for granted

While he feels a lot of people believe his focus will be primarily on sports and basketball in particular, Bowleg begged to differ.

“The intent is to put together a Sports Advisory Council board together to allow all of the stakeholders in sports to come together,” he stressed. “I want to get innovative thinkers to come together to move sports forward.”

Admitting that he doesn’t have all of the answers, Bowleg said he will rely on the expertise of those around him to give him the opportunity to ensure that all and sundry are happy with what will take place as they move to the next level.

“Without a doubt, we will have to put some new programmes in place that will allow the youths to be more productive,” he revealed. “So we will have to provide some training for them to be better equipped for what is happening in the world today.

“We also have to bring these young people to the table so that they can tell us how they feel and what can be done and what can attract the attention of the young people in the decision-making of our country.”

Indicating that he does have a plan that was put together long before he was elected, once he gets into office, he wants to ensure that the morale of the staff is heightened so that they can make the ministry, one of, if not, the most attractive in the Davis-led PLP government.

“I want to make sure that this ministry becomes what it used to be and be very active and informative in this country,” he projected.

“We want to encourage the participation of all in the sports, youth and culture aspect to come on board with me in getting the job done.”

Emphasis on all aspects of sports

In reference to those who lament that his focus of attention will be primarily on basketball, Bowleg said there’s no disputing the fact that track and field and swimming advanced to the Olympic level, but the team sports need to be given some priority to ensure that they get their share of the international glory.

“It’s more expensive to deal with team sports than it is for individual sports,” he pointed out. “But yet we have to look at the team sports in this country and see where they are and what needs to be done to take it to the next level.

“We don’t want to be stagnated where we are only having representation in track and field and swimming in these individual sports, but basketball is one of those team sports where we could be in a position to qualify for the next Olympics. “I also feel that with the amount of talent that we have at the professional level, that baseball could also be given some serious consideration. We also have volleyball where there is a lot of talent available as well.”

Bowleg advised everyone that his approach will be to provide the necessary funding and assistance to all of the athletes and team sports that are needed and not just waiting until they have attained the international acclaim for the country to jump on the bandwagon in celebrating their accomplishments.

“I don’t want the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to only look at giving these athletes the flowers after they would have made the Bahamas proud,” he noted. “We have to make sure that they have the necessary funding to sustain themselves so that when they get to the international competition, they will be able to compete to the best of their abilities.”

The subvention programme for athletes will definitely be revisited and a clear statement will be made on how the funds will be dispersed to assist these athletes in their preparation for their international competitions.

“I’m dealing with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and so I want all components to understand that if they have the passion for the area that they are responsible for and if they want to see us strive as a nation, let’s move forward as we make sure that we have the action plan to make this country great again.

“And if there is something that is hampering them, I need to know, I want to know because I want to be able to move those obstacles out of the way so that we can all enter into those doors at the ministry to do the work on behalf of the Bahamian people and get the job done.”

No preferential treatment

As he demits office as president of the BBF, the former assistant and head coach of the men’s national basketball team ensured his collegiate that they have the ability to take the sport even higher than he left it.

“I know that the individuals left behind have the passion, the ability, the knowledge and know how to get to the next level,” he pointed out. “I know what their goals are. It’s the same as mine when I was there. So I know they will do all they can and I will provide any support that I can so that they can attain those goals.

“But all disciplines in this country will be provided with the necessary tools and funding once available that they need to ensure that they are successful. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is out there to support the various associations and federations and clubs as they go out there on a daily basis meeting the people and helping them to become productive citizens in this country.”

Bowleg said it’s definitely a “new day” in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and he will make himself available to hear what people have to say and the advice they have to give for the betterment of the three components of his ministry.