The inglorious state of affairs in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) goes on. The fiasco continued this past Tuesday evening, when at a "constituted executive board meeting, and in accordance with Article 4.14 and 5.25 (v) of the BAAA's constitution", a vote to suspend President Mike Sands was passed.
The action is the latest in a series of shameful incidents that have occurred since the elections of November 2012, which left Sands the lone one standing from his slate of solid supporters. All of his key supporters from the incumbent executive board on that evening were defeated.
As it turns out the ostracizing of the new executives, their rebellious responses, certain seemingly arranged meetings and other disgraceful incidents collectively have just been the tip of the iceberg.
I have been informed that the report from the financial 2013 CARIFTA Games was done without the participation (or knowledge) of the majority of the executives of the BAAA. The local organizing committee that managed the event was a BAAA-appointed entity. That fact alone entitled all executives to an understanding of some kind of the financial report and all other related data regarding the CARIFTA Games.
Hopefully nothing further scandalous surfaces.
What appears to be definite, however, is that those executives who reportedly felt disenfranchised, will pursue their objective to have their elected positions respected, to the very (bitter) end.
The resolution to suspend Sands happened with the following present: Iram Lewis, Dexter Bodie, Carl Oliver, Ricardo Rolle, Curtis Pride, Harrison Petty, Dwayne Jennings, Tonique Williams, Maryann Higgs-Clarke (representing Debbie Ferguson McKenzie), Kem Stuart and Mabelene Miller.
The aforementioned are all significant to the track and field fraternity and sports in general in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The fact they supported a suspension of Sands speaks volumes. I have long felt and suggested it in this space, that it was Sands' obligation to seek a compromise. As the leader, the responsibility was his to right the BAAA ship.
However, he allowed the situation to get too far out of hand.
The press release that elected Secretary General Carl Oliver was directed by the executive board to send out follows:
"On November 19, 2013, members of the BAAA executive board, being the majority, at a duly constituted executive board meeting, and in accordance with Article 4.14 and 5.2.5 (v) of the constitution, took a vote to suspend Mr. Mike Sands, president of the BAAA, for 30 days. Within seven days after serving his suspension, Mr. Sands is at liberty to appear before the executive board and show cause as to why his suspension should not be extended to [an] expulsion. Should he fail to appear before the executive board, the board will make [a] final determination in his absence.
"Mr. Sands was informed of the action taken against him. The board will in short order provide further details on the suspension of Mr. Sands."
So, there you have it readers.
The country now awaits further development in this bizarre situation.
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup150@gmail.com.

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