Nassau, Bahamas - The 2012 Law Enforcement Sports Challenge will invest in the lives of young men and women when it begins on January 18, 2012 in Grand Bahama Island.  

Organisers of the event said final preparations are being made for the special games, which will be hosted by Grand Lucayan Resort. In addition to assisting the youth, the sports challenge will also express appreciation to those who have answered the call to service in law enforcement and honour those who have given their lives in the line of duty, said leading organiser Shawn Thomas.  

The law enforcement games will include golf, swimming, volleyball, basketball and track and field.  Organisational support will also come from the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.  

“This is the type of event that bridges gaps and allows us to give back to the men and women who have given to us,” said Tyrone Sawyer, director of Sports Tourism. “We at the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation give this initiative our full support.”  

Organisers are pictured after a press conference in Rawson Square. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

For the first ever Bahamas Law Enforcement Sports Challenge, an ‘Olympic Games’-style "international sports event" for Law Enforcement (including Police, Fire & Border Control officers), homage will be paid to local sports legends.  

In a similar vein to the World Police & Fire Games, recently held in New York City, the Bahamas Law Enforcement Games will encompass a wide variety of sporting events that will test the physical & mental athletic skills of the competitors. Sporting events will include – among others – basketball, soccer, football, boxing, softball, and open-water swimming. Awards for various competitions will be named in honor of local legends in the respective field. Proposed honorees include Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee’ for his contributions to basketball, and Jimmy Lee for his contributions to softball.  

This 5-day event, headed by Ms. Shawn Thomas, has garnered the support of The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, and Ministry of National Security as well as the United States Embassy, the Florida Police & Fire Games, and Bahamas Celebration (including discounted rates for travel during that time). The Bahamas Weekly has also joined on as a media partner with the event assist in getting the word out. Talks are also underway with The Bahamas’ Ministers of Education, and Youth, Sports & Culture. The event opens January 18, 2012, and will be hosted by Grand Lucayan Resort.  

For more information, please contact Shawn Thomas ( shawnbthomas@gmail.com ) or Rosalyn Pinder ( rpinder@bahamas.com ) via e-mail or at 350-8600.