By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Forty years of service in the Bahamas for a leading international non-governmental organisation, and they seek to cast a spotlight on their organisation while fostering a major fundraising effort.

United World Colleges Bahamas is scheduled to host the “UWC Triathlon Bahamas” at Clifton Heritage Park October 28.

Set to begin at 8:30am, the event transformed from a sprint triathlon to a three division event. This year, it will feature an Olympic and Pro athletes course which includes a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

The sprint triathlon will feature a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and five kilometer run, while the new kids course features a 100m swim, 5km bike and 1km run.

Participants, grouped in several categories ranging from age 15 to over 70, can race individually or join either male, female or co-ed relay teams.

The UWC is a global educational NGO that seeks to unite students from across the globe who have been awarded based on merit and “irrespective of race, religion, politics or the ability to pay, with the aim of fostering peace and international understanding.”

It was founded by Kurt Kahn under the premise that: “Students aged 16 to 18 are grounded in their own cultures, but still impressionable enough to learn from each other.”

In the Bahamas, UWC premiered in 1971 and sent its first ambassador. 

In nearly 40 years, over 90 Bahamian students have graduated from UWC Colleges.

His Excellency LB Johnson served as chairman of the UWC national committee until 2008 before the position was filled by Mrs BJ Clancy Deveaux.

This year commemorates the 40th year of service to The Bahamas and the 50th anniversary for UWC International.

The events and the rules and other information for the 2012 Triathlon are available on the web site at www.uwctriathlon.com. 

According to a press statement issued by the UWC, “over the forty years of UWC Bahamas’ history, the National Committee has provided an essential transition for students to move from the standard high school environment to college or university.”

Over the past four years The Bahamas National Committee has increased scholarships and placements from one or two per year to the current average of eight per year.  A brief look at the list of alumni and students is all the proof needed to commit to UWC as a student, parent, teacher or guidance counselor or as a donor. 

The Bahamas UWC National Committee consists of UWC Alumni and volunteers dedicated to providing Bahamian high-school students with the unique and transformational opportunity of a UWC education.

UWC students are selected from within their own countries as ambassadors of their country.

According to the organisation, the traditional UWC graduate “seeks to apply their commitment to positive social change throughout their lives. We are proud that a UWC education can and often does benefit whole communities, not just the individual who received the scholarship.”