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TheBahamasWeekly.com has randomly selected 10 Bahamians to canvas their opinions on highlights of The Bahamas over the year 2012, as well as ask about the upcoming 40th year of independence for The Bahamas, and the direction of the country.

It is our way of highlighting Bahamians in our community, as well as sharing a wide variety of opinions. Our first feature is with actor, writer, filmmaker Moya Thompson of Nassau, who is the CEO of her own Production Company C2it Productions...

Freeport, Grand Bahama -  On Monday 24th December 2012, around 11:45pm, Officers of Operation Snowball while in the Santa Maria Drive, South Bahamia area, observed a blue 1999 two door Chevy S-10 truck and its occupant acting suspicious.

Officers stopped and searched the vehicle with one male occupant and discovered two (2) brick like packages of suspected marijuana in a plastic bag, also $1,694.00 was found on the suspect.

The recent announcement by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson about the recruitment of five coaches for the National Sports Academy was a most encouraging sign. All within the national sports fraternity should be enthused. Without a doubt, Prime Minister Perry Christie is living up to a promise made shortly after the general election of May 7 returned him to the highest political chair in the land. His declaration of the intention to have four centers of excellence established throughout the country was well received.

However there were the skeptics, who wondered about the follow-through process of the promise made by PM Christie. I was one of those who were skeptical. The intent with this forum is to be balanced and forthright always. Accordingly, points are made in this column at times, that are not favorable to the prime minister, his sports minister or the ministry charged with responsibility to the government for the various sporting disciplines in the country. Thus, it is imperative for credit to be given when due.

I think it is inspirational to observe the National Sports Academy (which will encompass the centers of sports excellence) coming on stream within a year. This is truly a great sign. Upon the announcement by Minister Johnson, the Government of The Bahamas, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, placed itself into a position of no-return and I dare say, no-hold back. Minister Johnson plans to officially introduce the recruited coaches to the general public in January. This can only mean that the process for the sports academy is well on the way.

Minister Johnson was in fact quoted in a Nassau Guardian article informing that the planning (of the sports academy) is in its advanced stages. This is good and hopefully all the pieces will be put in place without much difficulty. I see the centers of sports excellence project as one of the most important items on the agenda of Christie and his Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government. There is little doubt in my mind that once the sports academy gets off the ground and is operating on all cylinders, the social dynamics of this country will change for the better.

Many of the young boys and girls, men and women of this nation, across this beautiful archipelago of ours, will have wholesome options to pursue. Yes, some will still fall by the wayside, but the sports academy will indeed make a huge positive difference for the country. The change will be beyond the primary objective of refining our sports product. The entire social culture will be different. Our sister Caribbean nation, Jamaica, has its share of social problems.

Just think how much more difficult the efforts for social order would be if not for the thousands caught up in the National Sports Academy environment in Jamaica. We have a similar scenario. Congratulations Prime Minister Perry Christie! This is indeed an exciting time for the Bahamian sports family. o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.