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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2017 - 2:30:00 PM |
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard was the guest speaker at the opening ceremonies for the Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association’s (BAAAs) Senior National Track and Field Championships, which were held at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, June 23-25, 2017. BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn
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Freeport, Grand Bahama - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard said that over the course of the next five years, it is the intention of the Government of The Bahamas to improve subvention to elite athletes, improve facilities available for athletes, and strengthen the country’s junior programs in order to produce more world class athletes.
The Sports Minister’s remarks came during the official opening of the Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association’s (BAAAs) Senior National Track and Field Championships, held at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex over the weekend of June 23-25.
During his remarks, Minister Pintard noted that one of the challenges faced by the Ministry of Sports, and by extension, the Government, is insufficient funds to support the Elite Athlete’s Subvention Program.
He revealed that the Government of The Bahamas spends annually more than $1.2 million in the subvention program.
“This is clearly not enough to assist our athletes as they train, as they ensure that they have proper nutrition, pay for coaches, massages and equipment required to continue to distinguish themselves,” said Minister Pintard.
“So, we are reaching out to corporate Bahamas and to partners in the international community to partner with us as we continue to increase the subvention to support our athletes. We appreciate them for what they do.”
The Sports Minister pointed out that for Bahamian elite athletes, it is difficult enough having to compete on the world stage, facing their own personal demons as athletes and the potential for injury, to add to that the uncertainty of whether or not the people they represent celebrate them regardless of their placing on the field.
OFFICIALLY OPENS MEET – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest officially declared the 2017 BAAAs Senior National Track and Field Championships opened on Friday, June 23. Also present at the Meet and bringing remarks was Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, the Hon. Iram Lewis. BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn
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“So, we want to say to all of our athletes, we love you, we appreciate you for raising the banner of The Bahamas around the world,” added Minister Pintard.
Minister Pintard acknowledged that in the sporting complex during the opening ceremonies and during both days of competition, there were a number of athletes who gave of their time, talent and resources to put The Bahamas on the map as a sporting powerhouse.
He encouraged Bahamians not to take those athletes for granted, and to lend their full support to those athletes who are presently competing locally, nationally and internationally. He made special reference to Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who recently set a new world record in the women’s 200m race.
“The Bahamas has demonstrated in so many ways, but certainly in the area of sports, that Bahamians are as gifted as anyone else, anywhere else in the world.”
The Minister thanked all of the partners who came together to make another hosting of the Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association Senior National Track and Field Championships possible for Grand Bahama. They included the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Aliv, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, and the BAAAs.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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