By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS one who has served as a local sports administrator, I would normally not side with the athletes when a disciplinary action is handed down.

But this is not one of those normal instances and so for what it’s worth, I have to disagree with the ruling that was made by the Ministry of Education and the New Providence Association of High Schools Principals against the CI Gibson Rattlers and the CC Sweeting Cobras for their role in the melee on Monday, November 19 that disrupted the start of the senior boys basketball season.

Here’s the ruling:

• Both teams will lose the game that the incident occurred in by forfeiture and will be suspended for the next two games they are scheduled to play.

• The two players that initiated the incident will be suspended for a third game.

• Both teams will not be eligible for the playoffs and the championship.

• Both teams will be placed on athletic probation for the next two years.

I can understand and concur with the part of the ruling where the teams forfeit the game and be suspended for their next two games that they are scheduled to play. I think it’s a fair decision to also suspend the two players who initiated the incident that eventually led to the melee for an extra game.

But for me, I think those responsible for the ruling should rescind the third clause of the four-part decision because in the words of both head coaches Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson and Mario Bowleg, “it doesn’t make any sense” to not allow the teams to participate in the post season, should they make the playoffs and subsequently the championship.

There’s nothing wrong with putting the teams on athletic probation for the next two years. But to exclude them from participating in the post season, if they qualify, doesn’t make any sense. I understand the fact that the administrators want to make an example of the schools and the players.

But this is one punishment that I don’t think fits the crime.

How can you tell the teams that it’s okay for them to participate in the regular season, but turn around and tell them that they are not worthy to be eligible for the post season. They might as well had stuck with the original plan which was to suspend the two teams for the rest of the season.

In that way, they won’t be able to participate at all.

Under the ruling, with only eight teams making up the league, both teams will already find themselves facing an 0-3 win-loss record in what is expected to be a shortened season with everybody playing each other just once. Both teams are capable of winning their remaining five games, which could make them eligible for the playoffs.

So if they’re going to be penalised, the Rattlers and the Cobras would probably be best not to suit up at all whenever the season resumes in January.

If you look at the collegiate ranks and even the NBA, players and teams are suspended for a certain amount of games and in the necessary cases, are also fined. But they are not deprived of getting a chance to participate in their league’s post season unless the suspensions for their actions conflict with the dates of their post season play.

REST IN PEACE ROBINSON

It’s a pity that the late Thomas Augustus Robinson has not even been laid to rest and already the culprits are ran-sacking his home.

What are the criminals going to do next?

It’s certainly not a good impression for the nation to let one of our most famous national icons “rest in peace.”

I send out a plea for those responsible to please make amends and return the man’s prized possessions to his family.

Robinson, 74, was a man of integrity who tried to inspire the next generation to pride themselves on the four Ds in life: Discipline, Dedication, Desire and Determination, in order to make the best out of whatever situation they find themselves in. He stood for something that we all can aspire to be like to further enhance our country.

The legendary sprinter, who made history as the first Bahamian to compete in track and field in the Olympic Games and make it to a final as well as the lone representative to participate as the flag bearer and athlete at one of the British Empire Games, will be remembered for the grace and manner that he conducted himself on and off the track.

He was an exemplary Bahamian, a role model, an elder statesman, a true ambassador, a trailblazer, a pacesetter. He will certainly be missed.

As a tribute to him, I would recommend that the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations name their year-ending banquet in December in honour of Thomas A Robinson. Additionally, I would also like to see some type of recognition be given to the late Tom ‘the Bird’ Grant, who will be laid to rest on Saturday.

While Robinson was indeed the pioneer for track and field, Grant also left his mark, having ran on the first men’s 4 x 100 metre relay team that won an international medal. While Robinson has his name on the track and field stadiums, Grant has a park named after him.

Their achievements were quite significant and should not go un-noticed. May their souls rest in peace.