Long Island sports and education leaders will get a good idea of the role the Bahamas Boxing Commission (BBC) intends to play in fostering the growth of the sport throughout the archipelago.
The islands have produced some of the iconic boxers of our history. Of course, Bimini has led the way through Yama Bahama, Gomeo Brennan and Gary Davis. Sherman 'Tank' Williams has been the great sports ambassador for Grand Bahama. Then there is Andros, the land of Ernie, Sammy and Freeman Barr. The commissioners, in examining the state of affairs in the country as it relates to boxing development, have determined that the time has come to place much more emphasis, than was previously the case, on the Family Islands.
Yama Bahama and Brennan were bright lights of boxing for this country. They began their individual campaigns in the 1950s and crafted legendary careers. Presently, under the sponsorship of the Pan American Caribbean Boxing Organization (PACBO), a club was established in memory of Yama Bahama and is being kept vibrant by Jeff Davis.
Programs are also going on in Inagua and Grand Bahama. The commission wants to carry out an initiative that will see the sport take root in quite a few more island areas. It is in this vein that the team will be venturing, November 28-30, into Long Island.
"The time has come for us to reach out more in the Family Islands. We want to go into these areas and introduce the sport of boxing, speak about the wholesome value of training for competition and also the need to just to stay in condition and healthy. We look forward to traveling to Long Island. Our colleague down there, Commissioner Dr. Munir Rashad, who is also on our Medical Committee, has been paving the way for the visit by the rest of the team," said Chairman Alvin Sargent.
The focus on the islands ought to indeed take place in a much more comprehensive manner. Although the proposed National Sports Academy speaks to overall development in the country, it would be good for organizations to initiate individual programs geared to include the islands.
The commission, along with PACBO, is seeking to work also with the Amateur Boxing Federation of The Bahamas (ABFB) in spreading boxing around the nation. A key collective goal of the boxing fraternity is to have representatives at all of the regional and international events coming up, leading to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
While visiting Long Island, commissioners will hold sessions with sports and education leaders. Also, the Medical Committee will conduct free examinations of interested young students. The visit by the commission is in keeping with an expanded approach being taken by sports federations and quasi-government entities toward national development.

o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian