Under the guidance of president Charlie "Softly" Robins, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) is charting a proactive, innovative program that could very well enable the sport to reclaim the once great popularity it had with the Bahamian public.
There was a time during the late 1960s and 1970s when "BABA" as the then Bahamas Amateur Basketball Association was known, topped the popularity sports ladder in this country. The noted disciplinarian, Vince Ferguson, was the long-standing president and he drove the organization to great heights.
Ferguson and his executive colleagues were forward thinkers and they hit a milestone with an office base at the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Exciting competition was synonymous with BABA. The glorious era was sparked by the marquee match-ups between the fabled teams, Kentucky Colonels that evolved out of the St. Bernard's Club and the ultimate mentor Father Marcian Peters; and the Cougars, started by a group of young Priory Grounds residents, Fred "Papa" Smith and company.
It was a special period in the sports history of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The man of the time who steered the national basketball program was Ferguson, despite his controversial side. It was a feel good time in Bahamian sports.
In recent decades, the luster faded from the national basketball program and league play slipped from its high popularity pedestal. Now, with Robins and Secretary Clifford Rahming leading the way, the basketball program is being rebranded. An event to honor the "40 greatest" basketball icons could very well launch a new era of basketball in the country.
When Robins first put his name forward for consideration as president of basketball several years ago, it was an encouraging sign for the sport. Quite frankly however, Robins was never able to catapult the program. The blast-off that was expected during his first term never came.
Now though, President Robins is being innovative. The idea, an event of substance, will push his organization into the spotlight. Robins, Rahming and the rest of the executives appear to be making a strong effort to devise a thorough marketing plan for the federation. The proposed event will no doubt spark new interest among those presently involved in basketball. It will succeed also in reconnecting fraternity members of the past, their family and supporters to basketball in the present era.
Robins was arguably the most exciting basketball player in Bahamian history. He rocked gyms over and over and bonded with all spectators, (whether they favored his team or not), like few others. Hopefully, he is now minded to bring that same on-court pizzazz to his administrative responsibilities. If he does, Robins will certainly emulate the job done by Ferguson and perhaps go beyond.
Best wishes and congratulations Softly! Congratulations to the BBF!
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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