The sport of track and field (athletics) in this country deserves to be highlighted regularly.
Athletics received the baton from international sailing decades ago and has been a magnificent pacesetter ever since. Often though, and rightly so, the general public makes a profound connection only with the athletes. This is the case because indeed, the athletes are the faces of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA).
However, there is an entity that has for more than 20 years now, been the very foundation for the strides made by the BAAA. The officers operate in a humble fashion, neither seeking nor even wanting public recognition. Their collective role is to be that base organization that drives a successful program.
I refer to the Parents Association of Track and Field Athletes (PATFA). This splendid group has been around since 1999 and is largely (and in many instances) single-handedly responsible for the success structure within the BAAA. The original Steering Committee included: President Harrison Petty; Vice President Grafton Ifill Jr.; Vice President/Administrator Donna Nicholls; Secretary/Treasurer Joyanne Petty; Director Yvonne Lewis; Director Gonzalez Caine; Director Leevan Sands Sr. and Director Peter Pratt. Other founding members were Rupert Gardiner, Foster Dorsett and Barton Duncanson.
Presently, the Pettys and Pratt maintain their administrative responsibilities, joined by vice president Bernard Newbold and Director Mabelene Miller. The main objective back in 1999 and today is to "procure scholarships to junior colleges and interact on behalf of Bahamian student/athletes with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)."
The alumni of the PATFA numbers into the hundreds with World Championship performers, sprinter Derrick Atkins and high jumper Trevor Barry, as the prime examples of athletic/academic excellence. Other than that awesome role of empowering the talented and dedicated Bahamian students, the PATFA is also the financial bloodline of the BAAA.
The major events that generate funding, the connection with corporate sponsors, and in general, the branding of the BAAA, are duties handled by the PATFA. A case in point was the BAAA 60th Anniversary Ceremony held recently at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and the signature supplement production. The PATFA led those initiatives, further proof that without this group of dedicated parents, grandparents and guardians, the BAAA would not be nearly as successful as it is today.
It is important as the country embarks on the mission to define the sports industry, that important elements like the PATFA are given full credit for ongoing contributions to nation building.
I salute Harrison Petty and his colleagues in the PATFA. The BAAA is challenged to continue working with and feeding off this group. There are three government ministries that would be minded to heavily support and partner with organizations such as the PATFA, as much as is possible. Those are the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.
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