The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a hiatus of more than 20 years, the sixth version of the Bahamas Games has been launched as the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games to coincide with the nation’s 50th Independence celebrations.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg made the announcement on Monday at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium for the return of the multi-purpose games, scheduled for July 6-14, 2023.

“It has always been the ambition of my ministry to positively impact the lives of Bahamians whether through youthful activities, sports and culture development,” he said. “The Bahamas Games, unique in its form, will continue to bridge the gap, showcasing the world class talent that exists, especially in our Family Islands.

“As was the case in the past five versions of the games, partnering with the local media is paramount. I look forward to the upbuilding of the relationships established in the past so we can continue to highlight and promote this national endeavour.”

Minister Bowleg called on corporate Bahamas, sponsors, the health care system and other entities to come forth and invest in the nation as they continue to build the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Martin Lundy, back as the chairman of the Games Secretariat, said all systems are in place for the games, which officially began in 1989 under then Senator Peter J. Bethell, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The games, which comprised of 10 islands or grouping of islands in at least 14 core sporting disciplines, continued in 1991 under Dr Norman Gay. It was then scheduled for every three years – in 1995 under Algernon Allen, in 1998 under Zhivargo Laing before the last one took place in 2001 under Dion Foulkes.

Lundy, flanked by members of the Games Secretariat, revealed that the sixth edition was to be hosted in 2004, but circumstances, including hurricanes, delayed the games.

“The intent was always to revive the games at the right moment,” Lundy said. “The right moment is the occurrence of our 50th anniversary of our independence in 2023, hence we have the Golden Jubilee Games.”

Competition in 16 disciplines will be staged in New Providence next year including softball, basketball, track and field, lawn tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bodybuilding and powerlifting, cycling, baseball, regatta sailing, rowing and golf.

Additionally, there will be competition in beach soccer and beach volleyball.

Youth Olympic sailing will play a prominent part in the games to capitalise on the fact that the Bahamas Government will be announcing very shortly that sailing will be named the national sport of the country.

It’s anticipated that around 2,500 athletes and officials from teams throughout the country will participate from islands/grouping of islands including Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Columbus Isles, Eleuthera, Exuma and Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, Long Island, MICA and New Providence.

No financial figures have been released, but Lundy said the government is expected to ensure that the Family Islands are prepared to participate as they hope to stage what will be considered the best one ever held.

For those islands with a lack of sporting personalities, Lundy said they will continue to use the draft system, but it will only be for athletes who would have been born on the islands that they seek to participate in.

While Grand Bahama has already announced their plans to stage their Grand Bahama Games in July to start preparing their team, Lundy said the Games Secretariat intends to stage a conclave in short order to get the Family Island teams up and running.

Although the focus will remain here in New Providence, Lundy said there is a plan to infuse a budget of at least one million dollars to get their island facilities up to standard so that they can properly prepare their teams for future games.

While Lundy serves as chairman of the Games Secretariat, he will be assisted once again by Sharon ‘the General’ Storr with Keith ‘Belzee’ Smith as the secretary/treasurer. There are two clerical staff on board full time in Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis and Mivida Ewing.

Named as the liaison for sporting federations is Kevin Colebrooke, Dawn Knowles will be in charge of accommodations and Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming and Jeff Williams will be serving as statisticians and technical advisors.

The Games Secretariat is now open and is located upstairs in the Yanis Building, #35 Thompson Boulevard.

Over the past five games, New Providence has dominated, winning more medals than any other island, followed by Grand Bahama and Andros, Abaco and Eleuthera rounding out the top five.