The director of sports role in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is particularly pivotal at this point in our history. More than ever before, the country is dependent upon the continuity of a progressive national sports development program.
Although sporting federations are subservient only to their respective international parent organizations, there is still a wide area of interaction necessary with the Central Administration's sports arm. In our system, that's the Ministry of Sports, presently combined with Youth and Culture.
There is the minister of course, in the hierarchy mix, as well as the top civil servants - the permanent secretary, deputy permanent secretaries, under secretaries and other middle administrative officials.
It is the director of sports though who is responsible to the government through the minister of sports, for providing updated intelligence. It is the director of sports who is most responsible for the collection of information about the federations, and appointed boards and commissions to enable the minister and his associates in government to best make decisions, particularly pertaining to the distribution of funds.
For instance, it should be established that the funding provided through the sports ministry is spent appropriately and for the ultimate benefit of the athletes and not for the personal agendas of certain officials. The accusation has been out there for quite a number of years now that some officials are inclined to live large during certain international competitions on the backs of corporate Bahamas and the government, while athletes are treated like second-class citizens.
Just recently, there was the complaint that the athletes who represented this country at the London Olympics were not happy with their official attire. The point was made that the priority of the athletes when they go forth to represent the country is to compete and they ought not be bothered with not having a jacket, the right sized competition outfit or old sportswear while their peers are afforded the very latest.
The federations that are set against the government getting involved in their day-to-day-affairs, request, always, and get funding. It is correct that the international sports code insists that governments should have no control whatsoever over the federations. The government should always be satisfied though, on behalf of the taxpayers, that the money advanced is for honorable reasons and goes directly towards ensuring that the athletes train and compete in a comfortable environment.
In this regard, it is the duty of the director of sports to keep the sports minister fully informed of what is going on throughout the sporting landscape of the nation. It is a curious business, this Westminster System of Governance we adhere to. The permanent secretary is the top figure in the chain of command, but the government puts ministers in place and the respective directors are to demonstrate allegiance accordingly.
The present director of sports is the former top quartermiler Tim Munnings. He follows Winston "Gus" Cooper and Martin Lundy, two huge footsteps to fill. Because of the advancement of the national sports program, his challenge is greater.
More so than ever, the position of director of sports will be under the microscope. There are prevailing situations that interfere with the growth of the national sports program. The government ought not be advancing funds to these organizations until satisfied that positive solutions have been reached. On the other hand, there are cases where just a bit of funds would jumpstart viable programs.
The delay of funding in these instances is counterproductive to the national sports program.
Hopefully, Mr. Munnings will be up to the task.

o Look for part two of this series in Monday's publication. To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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