The Ministry of Education's sports program has for many years been quite a massive undertaking. The national curriculum has always included a variety of sporting disciplines, played throughout the school year. With the advent though of a precise Sporting Unit, the brilliant idea of education Minister Desmond Bannister, the avenue was opened for a rather exciting national sports expansion. Part and parcel with Bannister's plan for enhanced sports in the nation through the Ministry of Education was the appointed of Evon Wisdom as the Director of the Sports Unit. He is the czar for after school sports within the ministry, throughout the length and breadth of this country. It is a monumental task. I think though, he is capable. Certainly he has the enthusiasm necessary. Last week, he was delighted to host personnel from the Ed Armbrister Baseball League at the ministry as the announcement was made that the sport will be introduced into the schools. Congratulations are due all around. Minister Bannister's concept will go a long way towards growing the status of The Bahamas in sports. As Jamaica is doing, we now have the appropriate forum to capitalize on the young talent throughout this archipelago and broaden the horizons for all of sports. Education Director Lionel Sands is well prepared to give full sport and work with Wisdom in boosting baseball in the system. Wisdom, who from his early childhood has been grounded in athletics, brings knowledge, understanding and a strong passion for sports to the table. The EABL with the legendary baseball performer Ed Armbrister as the face of the organization is well placed now to continue a trend. Baseball and the sport of cricket will find fertile soil among the young school student athletes. The cricket element that was going strong a few years ago has dimmed. Perhaps the EABL initiative will cause the batteries within the Bahamas Cricket Association to be recharged for its school project. The announcement of the EABL school program coincides with the start of the Summer League at Windsor Park. The EABL's first tournament, that was quite successful, was staged in memory of the late Wenty Ford. Today, for all of the mid morning hours into mid afternoon, EABL directors will be registering players at the age of 10 and over at Windsor Park. Play will begin on Saturday July 2. This is a refreshing time for baseball in the country. Presently, Freeport is hosting the Bahamas Baseball Federation's annual classic, the Andre Rodgers Championships. The future looks bright indeed for baseball. (To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at frobertsturrup@gmail.com).
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