By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SAM Haven, one of the country’s most prolific soccer player and sports administrators, passed away on Thursday in Florida.

The 61-year-old died at the Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida after battling cancer.

Haven was one of the top players with the United Football Club, formerly Nick’s Body Shop, where he played with his brother Lionel, Steven Bellot, Brian Serville, Peter Daniels and Andy Guillaume. He eventually became the coach and president of the club.

Under his direction, the late Haven guided United Football to numerous national championships.

The late Haven later became the president of the BFA and was responsible for the formation of the New Providence Football League and the introduction of women’s football in the league.

Anton Sealey, who took over as president following the late Haven’s tenure, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the association.

“Sam was a truly gifted footballer with a fierce passion for the game,” Sealey said.

“Highly intelligent, he not only was a gifted footballer, but was arguably one of the country’s best all-around athletes, playing a number of different sports and did so at a very high level.”

Sealey said as an administrator and his mentor, the late Haven contributed mightily to the growth and development of the game in the country.

“We in the BFA are indebted to Sam for his tremendous contributions as a player, coach and executive in football,” Sealey said.

“On behalf of the football family, we extend our condolences to the Haven family at this most difficult time.”

As a banker by profession and a softball enthusiast, Haven was responsible

for the formation of the Bankers League that currently play at the Bankers

Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Additionally, he was instrumental in the formation of the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission, currently chaired by Dr Jerome Lightbourne.

From the official establishment of the BADC in 2010, Haven contributed mightily to the preparation of the documents that informed sporting partners and the general public of the side jurisdiction of the BADC. He was also instrumental in solidifying relationships with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (Caribbean RADO).

"He will be missed as a friend, confidant and a principal role player in

the National Anti-Doping Commission," Lightbourne said.