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Monday, July 6, 2009

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Government's unique role in sports development - Part II By FRED STURRUP ~ NG Associate Editor ~ frederick@nasguard.com: The present permanent secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture recently penned a letter to the editor that spoke to the unique situation the Ministry of Sports finds itself in. It has the responsibility of providing annual grants and other financial aid to various sporting federations and individuals. Yet the ministry has no control whatsoever over the day-to-day operation of these entities. That's the edict set down by the international sports domain. International federations actually frown on any of their member bodies allowing interference by a government. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, understands the situation. He emerged several years ago as one of the leading sports mentors in the country via the route of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations presidency. He relates. I can personally speak to a recent boxing controversy that the Bahamas Boxing Commission had to settle. The commission is a government-appointed entity. Minister Bannister adhered to protocol and did not throw his weight around, fully respecting his commissioners, every step of the way. For that reason and several others, I think he has the capacity to handle the role Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has given him and he will continue to be up to the task. It's not an easy one but he seems to be mixing rather well into the overall sports picture in this country. He was an official guest at the CASI Radio Remote Launch at Breezes on Tuesday past and my friend Greg Lampkin tried to "blindside" him with a question about baseball. Minister Bannister shifted gears, addressed the question and gave much more than was expected in the way of providing an opportunity for baseball. Viewed skeptically at first by many, from this quarter as well, he is now very much a part of a good sports mix in the country. In an earlier column, I referred to the fact that the sports budget actually increased during a financially-trying period. Minister Bannister must have made an extremely good presentation (pitch) to Prime Minister Ingraham. While the minister had good points to argue, he still deserves credit for coming away with more funding for sports than last year. It's about his tenacity for sports. He will be tested again and again in the months and years to come (depending upon how long he is left in his present position). I believe though that the nation will see during his tenure, great progress on the National Stadium, more growth generally in all aspects of sports and a healthier bonding with other leaders of the sports development process. Yes, I think Minister Bannister is up to the task at hand. Monday, June 22, 2009