Internal strife in sporting disciplines has become common in recent times. Democracy allows freedom of expressions and at times the conflicts have stalled the progress of sporting programs.
There is now what could be considered an uneasy peace between the hierarchy executives of the Bahamas American Football Federation (BAFF) and the Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL). Actually, present circumstances dictate that peace exists.
As pointed out by this columnist several years ago, it is actually the Bahamas American Football Federation that is a member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). As such, USA Football was notified that there is an IFAF chapter in The Bahamas to coordinate the youth clinic with, and, so followed this announcement:
"A youth football clinic is scheduled for Monday December 22 from 3-5 p.m. at the Roscow A.L. Davies Field in Nassau. The clinic is open to kids ages 7-13, and will be held in cooperation between the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, USA Football and the Bahamas American Football Federation (BAFF)."
There was another report:
"The Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL) will be partnering with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Sports Department of the Ministry of Tourism to honor some local football legends at the
inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve, December 24."
Thus, the BAFF and the CAFL, though separate organizations, are equal in the historic aspect of the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. IFAF recognizes BAFF as the official body in the country for youth development and that's how it is. Actually, with the sport being showcased so prominently, it just makes good sense for the two bodies to work out an agreement of understanding in the interest of the overall development of American football in the country.
The CAFL inherited the national senior program. Over the years, the seed sowed by Jeff Williams, Jesse "Butkus" Ferguson, Bruce "Dick Brown" Russell and that ilk produced many quality gridiron players. The CAFL has sustained the program over decades, often against great odds.
The BAFF on the other hand is relatively new. It was created by the American football stalwart, LaLisa Anthony. The BAFF spawned a healthy program from its Grand Bahama base and made history when it sent the first Bahamian junior team away, to compete internationally. A national squad took part in an IFAF World Junior Championships qualifying tournament in Panama a few years ago.
Around the world today, particularly in the leading nations, experts from other nations are solicited to lead national sports programs. On the greatest of world sports stages, this happens, so, there is nothing in that regard, unusual about the presence of Anthony to propel American football youth development for The Bahamas.
Anthony is the president of BAFF. The other executives, all Bahamians, are Vice President David Adderley, Secretary Standford Duhaney and Treasurer Tammi Mitchell.
Now, with the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl about to become a fixture in the country, a meeting of the American football minds is essential. Perhaps, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson can step in as he did with baseball and help to craft a compromise between the BAFF and the CAFL.

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com#mce_temp_url#)

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