Organizations that have "control" jurisdictions over sporting disciplines ought to all place more emphasis on their authority. Some do, but others don't.
I recall in 2005 when the big boxing extravaganza took place on Clifford Park. Initially talks went on without the Bahamas Boxing Commission being in the mix. Dr. Norman Gay, the catalyst behind the legislation of the Boxing Act, was the chairman at the time and in short order the message got through to all and sundry that no pro boxing could go on in the country unless the body mandated by an act of Parliament was given due respect.
Needless to say, everything soon evened out and the event went on, one of the biggest sports spectaculars in the country's history, covered in particular by ESPN.
Nothing happens in track and field unless the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) is front and center in the arrangements. This is as it should be. There are some matters of concern, however. Annually, mega basketball events endorsed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) take place in this country.
The Bahamas Basketball Federation is in the mix for sure. However, does the federation get paid sufficiently for its endorsement? The latest version of the NCAA men's Battle Four Atlantis was a huge financial success. The profit was reportedly way up.
How much went to the federation to assist in the national development of basketball across the archipelago of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas?
The Michael Jordan Golf Tourney became a fixture at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. The Pure Silk Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) came on stream and got a lot of international attention.
How much of a factor has the Bahamas Professional Golfers Association or the Bahamas Golf Federation been?
This is an area that deserves a big focus in 2014. All those organizations with jurisdictions over national sporting programs must exert their authority. They ought not allow companies and hotel properties to simply work around them. It's not fair. Whenever a mega-sporting event is planned, prime consideration should be given to assisting with the development of the respective disciplines in the country and funding ought to be advanced accordingly.
This is a subject that some would wish to avoid. It's there in the open, however, and as the sports industry in this country expands, those organizations that have jurisdiction ought to be treated with respect and brought fully into the picture. In fact the sporting organizations should insist on being respected.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Sports ought to be on board with the organizations and endorse the events only when assured that the appropriate jurisdictional respect has been given. This is in keeping with the new sports culture in the country.
Let's see what transpires, going forward throughout 2014 and beyond.
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.
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