Under Mike Sands' leadership, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) has grown by leaps and bounds. For the first time, cash incentives have been put in place for coaches based on the performances of their athletes, the organization has solicited more funds from corporate Bahamas than ever before, a talent search program is in place to identify potential athletes in our islands, teams are rewarded with trips to the prestigious Penn Relays for outstanding winning performances at the national high school championships, and Bahamian athletes are experiencing uncharted success regionally and globally. Not to mention, the current leadership has secured the hosting of the 2013 CARIFTA Championships and the inaugural International Association of Athletic Federations' (IAAF) World Relay Championships in 2014, and again in 2015. Those are just a few of the positive happenings in the past two terms of Sands' leadership.
It raises the question as to why one would want to challenge that record at this particular time. Sands, unfazed, is going ahead with business as usual as he seeks another three years at the helm of the most accomplished sporting body in the country. The incumbent president, who has ruled for five of the past six years, officially launched his campaign for re-election yesterday by announcing his intention to return to office. The BAAA's annual general meeting (AGM) and election of officers is set for Saturday November 17, at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. "Leadership is an awesome responsibility," said Sands yesterday. "I have run the course of this fine federation from an athlete, to public relations officer, all the way up to the presidency. Though the soles of my shoes are worn, my shoulders have been broadened through the many years of experiences - suffering through the trials, the errors, the beatings and the ridicule.
Together, through the contributions of so many talented people, we have inspired the world and established a 'blue chip' stock that causes us to say, 'I am proud to be a Bahamian.' This does not happen by accident. It happens over time with unshakable resolve in the pursuit of victory. As an athlete, I worked hard for my success, and I do the same in my responsibility for the BAAA," he added. Sands further said that under his leadership, the BAAA has become a better organization through ongoing training and certification of coaches, training of officials and administrators, and the proliferation of clubs throughout The Bahamas. Sands will be challenged for the top spot by newcomer Iram Lewis and immediate past president Curt Hollingsworth.
He said that his only wish is that the electorate, which consists of delegates from member clubs, executive members and the 12 council members, study the qualities of the three candidates, their performances, and examine their portfolios thoroughly before making their decisions. He said that the presidency of the BAAA should be viewed as a process and not an event. In other words, it is his view that persons interested in leading the organization should focus on being elected to subservient positions and becoming familiar with the daily operation of the BAAA before running for the top spot. Whereas he didn't confirm that if elected this will be his last term in office, he did say that he has no intention of serving much longer, and is already making plans for his succession. As for the youngest candidate in the field, Lewis, he has received the backing from current BAAA council member Harrison Petty, who at one point, supported Sands. "Well, life is about choices and persons make choices," said Sands.
"Whilst you might be disappointed when members of your team leave you, life must go on. The organization is bigger than any one individual, and as such, we must continue to find ways to progressively focus on our vision and move forward with our plans for the future of track and field." Like Sands, a number of the current executives are expected to seek reelection with the exception of Alpheus 'Hawk' Finlayson for public relations officer, Laura Pratt-Charlton for treasurer and Timothy Munnings for the secretary general spot. "There isn't a particular slate because we don't want to discourage persons from getting involved," said Sands. "I have encouraged persons to run for particular positions so at the end of the day, you would see names of familiar persons in track and field who have been recommended and who have sought my support. When I hear people talk about an 'old boys club', that is so far from the truth because there is an inclusion of young new talent in the organizing process."
Among his list of accomplishments and plans for the future of track and field is continued program growth in terms of number of clubs and athletes, youth and junior success regionally and globally, an integration of junior coaches on national teams, gender equality and female integration as it relates to coaches on national teams, inclusion on social media and websites, the creation of a weekly radio show on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM, certification from the IAAF to establish a global training center here in The Bahamas, the security of an improved agreement as it relates to uniforms and apparel for national teams, and funds for BAAA clubs and grassroot programs, with athletic giant Puma, more and more athletes on the Government Subvention program, and the security of Olympic Solidarity grants just to name a few. "We are confident that we have made great progress, but our document is directed toward 2012 and beyond," said Sands.
"We are satisfied that we have accomplished more than 70 percent of what we set out to do when we came to office in 2009 and we hope to continue the work that we were doing. Having said that, I would say that the organization is not static. We do not suggest that we have all of the ideas, and we are not opposed to moving the organization forward. I looked at the other document and there are some very strong similarities. I'm not suggesting any form of imitation, but maybe they saw the wisdom in what we were doing as well. At the end of the day, there is no need for disruption for our current team because our plans are already in place. No matter how good you are, there is a learning curve that will take place with any new entity coming into place. There may be a few new people coming in, and we welcome that, but the ship needs steady hands to continue the progress that we have made so far.
At this time, the leadership needs to stay the course and focus on continuity." Just recently, it was brought to one's attention by one of the presidential candidates that the constitution of the Bahamas Track and Field Coaches Association was not adhered to when national team coaches who were not recommended by the association were identified and selected. One of the by-laws of the association is that national team coaches be recommended or suggested to the BAAA for selection to national teams. Additionally, that particular candidate stated that no notice of intention to amend the constitution was sent to the secretary and no meeting was held nor vote taken to change the process. "There is no question that some healing needs to be done, but we have attempted and will continue to attempt to bring the parties together," said Sands. "Unfortunately, in any organization, you would find a level of disgruntlement and no matter what you try to do, it will be very difficult to please everyone all the time. The coaches association was formed as the voice of the coaches. There is a very long process when a team leaves this country, and this includes the selection of coaches. Names are recommended and at the end of the day, they are brought before the general body for ratification. The general body decides on the names presented just who leaves this country.
"Dianne Woodside is the president of the coaches association, and then there is Frank Rahming who is the vice president, and they have made numerous efforts have meetings with the coaches. They weren't even able to stage an election because they couldn't form a quorum. What the coaches do when they don't go to the meetings is put the onus on Ms. Woodside and Mr. Rahming to do what they believe is in the best interest of the coaches. At the end of the day, I am very satisfied that the process is very transparent." Also, it has been mentioned that only coaches with level four and five certifications would be considered for the position of head coach on national teams. "The IAAF spends a great deal of money trying to educate coaches. We have taken advantage of that in a number of ways. We want them to improve themselves," said Sands. "In any job, there is a qualification. We are not suggesting that coaches cannot apply or be a part of the entire process, but for the head coaching job, it is our view that it should be a level four or level five coach."
As it stands now, athletes are not allowed to vote in the BAAA elections unless they are selected as delegates by their respective clubs. An imminent creation of a proposed athletes association is expected to eradicate that issue. Sands said that he welcomes the change, but added that giving the athletes a "voice" is not something new. He said that move is something that was on the table a long time ago. "Over the years, we named three different athletes' representatives to come into executive meetings and sit at the executive table. The three of them have not combined to attend meetings three times," said Sands. "That fell by the wayside, but yes we have gone all out to ensure inclusion for the athletes. I don't even know if the athletes themselves are aware of the move because they were poorly represented by the persons who were appointed to represent them."
When asked if he would serve as an advisor to the new administration if unsuccessful in his bid for reelection, Sands responded: "I have a love and passion for this sport and I see no reason why I would move away. From an athlete in the 70s to present day, I have never left the sport and have no intention of doing so now. Having said that, I believe that the next term leadership will require a team of committed, experienced persons with knowledge, professional qualification and skills who are prepared to serve. I am that person to lead the association for another term." Sands initially won the presidency of the BAAA in 2006. Former interim president Hollingsworth took over in 2008 when a vote of no-confidence was held in Sands, but Sands and his 'Vision Team' returned with a new focus and direction a year later and he re-captured the presidency. During the last three years, The Bahamas had its highest finish ever at a global event - fourth at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Lille, France - captured the country's most medals at CARIFTA in 28 years (2012) and won World Championship and Olympic medals capped by a stunning gold medal winning run by The Bahamas men's 4x400-meter relay team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
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