The Bahamas National High School Track Field Championships all set for March 5-7

Wed, Jan 14th 2015, 10:26 AM

The 2015 Bahamas National High School Track & Field Championships, expected to be bigger and better than ever before, was officially launched at a major press conference at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.
This year, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority (NSA) in conjunction with the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) will stage the high school nationals from March 5-7, at the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. For the first time in its long history, the nationals will have the involvement of all major parties with an invitation extended to all alumni of every high school in The Bahamas.
The Government of The Bahamas is interested in the high school nationals becoming the biggest sporting event in the country every year. As a result, the education and sports ministries will play a major role in promoting this national event. With a lack of meaningful activities for the youth of The Bahamas, the high school nationals will provide an outlet for thousands of student-athletes to get involved in sports.
"We are placing major emphasis on getting the young people involved in sports, and the nationals provide that opportunity because all of the high schools in The Bahamas can participate," said Senator Greg Burrows who heads the committee responsible for the high school nationals this year. "We have made contact with all of the high schools in the Family Islands, as I personally went to see all of them, and they are on board with a renewed enthusiasm. This definitely will be the biggest and best high school track and field championships in years."
Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, Tim Munnings, who also attended the press conference, confirmed the government's involvement through his ministry. According to Munnings, the National High School Track & Field Championships is a major event on the ministry's calendar, and they are on board to promote this as a major sporting event for the young people of this country.
"We here at the ministry, especially in my department, we want to ensure the success of this national annual event," said Munnings. "We know that there is so much that can be done, but the involvement of the young people is critical as there is so much crime in our country and we know that this can be a major outlet for them, which will definitely occupy their time. My ministry is fully committed to the success of the nationals and we'll do whatever is required of us."
With the full commitment of the ministries along with the NSA and the BAAA, the 2015 Bahamas National High School Track & Field Championships is extending an open invitation to all graduates of the many high schools in The Bahamas over the last 50 years to support their respective schools.
"We are going to have a major campaign where we get all alumni of the various schools to buy a towel with their school name to support their high school at the championships," said Committee Chairman Senator Burrows. "We believe that we can encourage 'School Pride' back into the former students and this will transcend into 'National Pride'. We have to win back our country and get everyone involved. We need to feel proud of who we are and where we came from, especially our high schools."
In addition to this major sporting event, the committee will recognize and honor nine outstanding high school principals and coaches who have helped the high school nationals over the many years. At a special ceremony to open the high school nationals at the stadium, these honorees will receive an award each. The honorees are Sonja Knowles from St. Augustine's College (SAC), Anita Doherty from Bishop Michael Eldon School in Grand Bahama, Maria Galanis from Central Eleuthera High School, Cynthia Wells from St. Anne's High School, T. Nicole McKay from C.R. Walker High School, James "Jimmy" Clarke from Doris Johnson High School, Herbert Oembler from C.I. Gibson Senior High School, Colin Johnson from R.M. Bailey Senior High School and Rev. Anthony Williams from Moore's Island All-Age School.
Tickets will go on sale for the event at the Box Office at the national stadium in short order. 'School Pride' will be the driving point of the committee as the campaign to build national pride is underway.
NSA executives Leroy Archer, Jeffery Beckles and Anton Sealy expressed their commitment to have the stadium ready for the high school nationals, and look forward to working with the committee and the two ministries.
Mike Sands, president of the BAAA, expressed the association's commitment to helping make this year's event the best ever.
According to Committee Chairman Senator Burrows, there will be regular media updates, and as soon as a major sponsor is committed, they will have a press conference to announce that.
"We are encouraging corporate citizens to jump on board and help sponsor this major event so that we can continue to direct the young people to more positive events in sports," said Senator Burrows. "We need sponsors, supporters, volunteers and everyone who feel they can make a difference in making this the best ever high school nationals."
The committee meets each Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the national stadium.

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