The Bahamas lost another sporting icon yesterday, as Sam Haven, one of the premier soccer players in the country in his time, and a great sportsman in general, passed away.
Haven, 61, lost a lengthy battle with cancer during the early morning hours on Thursday at the Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, Florida.
As a player, he was one of the country's best, and later transitioned successfully into coaching and administration.
Haven started playing at age 15, and though he had long retired, remained active in the game he loved up until the time of his death. During his competitive career, Haven was a member of the United Football Club, formerly Nick's Body Shop, where he played with other talented players such as Brian Seville, Peter Daniels, Andy Guilluime, Steven Bellot and his younger brother Lionel Haven. His talents took him as far as the national team, where he served as captain for many years, and represented the country well on all levels. He served as a player, captain and coach during his time with the national side.
In his heyday, Haven was regarded as one of the better strikers in the country. With younger brother Lionel coming up behind him, and following in his footsteps, it was often debated as to which Haven was better. Both had their share of headlines, and both represented the country on national teams.
Sam was the pacesetter though.
Later in his career, Haven moved into coaching, and guided the United Football Club to numerous Bahamas Football Association (BFA) national titles. He moved up the ranks to president of the club, and eventually into administration as he became an executive member of the governing body of soccer in the country, the BFA. He eventually took over the reins of the BFA, moving up the ladder to president.
A statement from current BFA President Anton Sealey read: "Today, the Bahamas Football Association mourns the loss of one of its greats.... Sam was a truly gifted footballer with a fierce passion for the game. Highly intelligent, he not only was a gifted footballer, but was arguably one of the country's best all-around athletes, playing a number of different sports and did so at a very high level. As an administrator and mentor, he contributed mightily to the growth and development of the game in the country. We in the BFA are indebted to Sam for his tremendous contributions as a player, coach and executive in football. On behalf of the football family we extend our condolences to the Haven family at this most difficult time."
Sealey was Haven's immediate successor as president of the BFA.
During his tenure as president, Haven was instrumental in the formation of the New Providence Football League (NPFL) and the introduction of women's play into the league. He was a founding member and president of the NPFL.
Needless to say, after the formation of the league, soccer in the country flourished on all levels.
A number of inner city teams and clubs were formed, and more and more youngsters got involved in the game of soccer. Hundreds of youngsters became a part of the BFA's Youth League, commonly known as the Y-League.
International play improved as well, as The Bahamas qualified for the second round of the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup qualifying process for the first time in history, and eventually, the under-17 girls qualified for the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Championships. The trip to CONCACAF for the under-17 girls represented the highest level of qualification for any Bahamian national side ever. Just recently, that accomplishment was matched by the under-15 girls.
Sam Haven will always be remembered as a pioneer in soccer in the country, and one of the all-time greats. As a player, his tenacity and ferociousness was unmatched; and as a coach and administrator, he opened the doors for so many others to excel in the game of soccer. He delved into other sports such as softball, baseball and bowling during his time, and was an avid golfer as well.
At the time of his death, Haven served as Centre Director for the Scotia Private Client Group, a position he held since 2010.
Scores of associates, friends and family members expressed words of sympathy and well wishes on Haven's facebook page yesterday.
The Nassau Guardian Sports Team joins them in extending its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends in their time of great sadness.
Sam Haven, a Bahamian sports icon, will truly be missed.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian