By FRED STURRUP, NG Associate Editor, frederick@nasguard.com, frobertsturrup@gmail.com

The presence in Bimini last week of personalities of the game like Charlie 'Softly' Robins, Sharon 'The General' Storr, Ivan Butler, Wayne Smith and others is indicative of the focus being placed on the Family Islands by the Bahamas Basketball Federation under the presidency of Lawrence Hepburn.

At the outset of his tenure, Hepburn said a major part of his administration's platform would be to encourage more activities in the Family Islands. He is intent on supporting island leagues and establishing a strong basketball presence even where there are no actual leagues. Hepburn and his team has gone as far south as Inagua to revive the basketball spirit in the islands.

"We have to do this. For too long, there has been a neglect of the islands and their associations. I am happy that the federation is getting support in our efforts," said Hepburn while observing the Gateway Invitational Tournament two weekends ago.

Robins, one of the signature basketball names in this country, was feeling quite proud. A former high school great, he went on to play basketball at the collegiate level and returned home to work with student/athletes. A native of Bimini, he was thrilled that such an event was being hosted there.

"This is good. We have to concentrate on the islands. This general focus on New Providence has been going on for too long. You look at the Wall of Fame at the airport in Nassau and the Hall of Fame at the Ministry (Sports) and you will see just a few people from the islands. We have to start recognizing all of the true heroes. This tournament is good for a couple of prime reasons.

Firstly, it's the competition that recaptures the presence of basketball on the island and then there is the exposure that Bimini will get from the event," Robins pointed out.

In truth, the tournaments are domestic sports/tourism bonanzas for the host islands.

Scores of players, coaches, officials and supporters filled hotel rooms and patronized dining areas in Bimini. It was a solid infusion of cash, quite good for the island. A similar situation was in Inagua the week before and Harbour Island earlier in the year. The island schedule being driven by the BBF could also be building strong rivalries in the initial case, for sections of the country and ultimately throughout the land.

In Bimini for instance, the Gateway Academy Eagles held their own in competition against two of the premier teams from Grand Bahama, Jack Hayward High and Tabernacle High. With improvement, in the near future they might be able to win the tournament.

"The enthusiasm that is building is most satisfying to me. The excitement that I have seen everywhere we go in the Family Islands means that there is a hunger for basketball. We have to make sure that we are there to help in the re-development of the game in the islands. The sport has been played all over the country for many years now but a lot of the programs have faltered," acknowledged Hepburn.

This has happened because of a lack of direction from the parent body for the game, lack of proper facilities and a general lack of interest from the government of the day (any day for the previous several decades).

Perhaps what the BBF is doing will make a big enough statement.

Coach Ivan Butler, who preferred to be diplomatic when we talked in Bimini following the Gateway Invitational, still made it clear that there is much work to be done to come close to maximizing the basketball potential in the islands. He called for continued proactive efforts from the federation and he acknowledged that there is great need for a national sports fund.

Certainly, the BBF will need lots of financial help to carry out its new mandate in the Family Islands.

It is understood that the government grants for core sports organizations will be doubled from $40,000 to $80.000. This is a must-do for sure, but it's a pittance for organizations when one thinks of the many regional tournaments alone that must be attended. Each regional is a great expense for team sports because of the amount of players, coaches, officials and administrators necessary for each national team. Two trips could wipe out $80,000, so while the political powers who make the country's budget decisions might think $80,000 is a large grant, in reality, it is very small for a major team sports organization.

So, hopefully while the planning goes on for the 2008-2009 budget some significant factors are taken into consideration. Coach Butler talked about basketball returning to the point at least where The Bahamas is the best in the region once more. That will happen only if appropriate funding is added to the energy and desire of sports leaders like Hepburn.