By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WITH the Local Organising Committee getting all of the logistics in place, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has embarked on a renovation plan that will cost close to three million dollars to ensure that both Thomas A Robinson Track & Field National Stadiums are ready for the 50th CARIFTA Games.
During his session with the press yesterday prior to going into the Cabinet meeting, Minister Mario Bowleg said work has already commenced on the new stadium.
“We have obtained a contractor to the cosmetic works at a cost of $2.8 million to do the cosmetics works as it relates to the structure of the stadium,” Bowleg said. “That is expected to be finished by mid-April, the latest by the end of March.
“That would get us ready to go for CARIFTA, which is the second week of April during the Easter celebrations. The track, itself, we are also in the process of repairing both the old and the new track. The old track surface should be completed by the end of this month and the new track, which is getting some minor repairs, which we intend to replace for the World Relays in 2024.”
Bowleg said the plans are to complete the repairs to the old track first so that they can still have some events while the repairs to the new track are being completed. To repair both track surfaces, Bowleg said the government will spend about $800,000, in addition to the $2.8 million for the cosmetics work on the outside of the new stadium.
The games return to the Bahamas for the ninth time in its existence April 7-11 as part of the 50th celebrations of the country’s independence. Bowleg is encouraging the Bahamian public to come out and view the biggest junior track and field competition in the region.
“We want the Bahamian people to come out and support the Bahamian athletes,” said Bowleg, who noted that he doesn’t have any complimentary tickets to give away. “Ten dollars for the tickets in the general area.”
“I think that’s very little that we can spend to show our support for the athletes and give them that support they need to give them that extra boost to get over the finish line. I experienced this during the last CARIFTA in Jamaica when we were running the relays and it appeared as if we would not medal.
“But the last leg, just hearing the junkanoo music and the Bahamians cheering on the sidelines, we were able to cross the finish line and got the bronze medal. So I know what extra boost that can give us. So I’m asking all Bahamians, fans to please come out, support your Bahamian athletes and make sure we perform very well in this CARIFTA and give Jamaica the best beating that we can give them.”
Jamaica has had a stranglehold of the games, winning more gold medals than total medals of most countries, including the Bahamas, for more than decade. It will be interesting to see the virgin of victory this time around.
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