By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Interbational Amateur Athletic Federation councilwoman Pauline Davis-Thompson said she’s impressed with the level of enthusiasm that has been demonstrated so far throughout the Bahamas for the inaugural IAAF World Relays set for May 25-26 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Davis-Thompson, along with Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Mike Sands, has been on a whirlwind tour around the islands promoting the relays and both the high schools and the one-island, one lane concept that will be a prelude for the two days of competition for the global championships.

“It has been really great. The Family Island athletes and the Family Island residents are so excited about these World Relays,” Davis-Thompson said. “They want to be a part of it and they feel like they have the better athletes. When I was in Andros, they had the All-Andros track meet and I saw so many talented young athletes. I was so impressed with how they were showing and running so hard.

“When I compare them to the Nassau athletes, the Family Island athletes have more heart, more soul. They want it more. It pains me to see them running barefoot. When they are running, they show no evidence of running hard on tar. I am so impressed to see that our future remains with those Family Island athletes. These kids are busting with so much energy.”

Sands, who also serves as the assistant to chairman Keith Parker on the local organising committee (LOC) for the World Relays, said he has enjoyed the trip that he made and once they return from Poland, he will continue his appearances.

“One of the good things is that you will never see the dedication these young people have and the desire and aspirations that they have to perform,” he said. “What pains me is those young kids in the Family Islands are running barefoot and they don’t have the facilities that we have in Nassau.

“That is not a hindrance to them. I would love to put a pair of shoes in the hands of each athlete in each island. We will have to find a way to start that process. That alone will provide some incentive for them. But it’s a pleasure going to the Family Islands and meeting and talking to the kids. Everybody is getting excited about it.”

Once they return from Poland, Davis-Thompson will resume her travel with a stop in Long Island, the birthplace of her father, while Sands will be going to Inagua and the MICA islands.

The Family Island athletes will be coming to town to compete in a ‘Test Run’ over the weekend of May 9-10 when they will compete in a meet to determine those islands who will get to qualify to compete in the junior segment of the World Relays on March 24-25.

The “Test Run” meet will serve as a trial for the LOC and the IAAF to ensure that there are no glitches for the World Relays.

Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) president Ralf McKinney said having had the opportunity to go to Exuma to help officiate at their All-Island Championships, they were able to continue their training and they also left some equipment for the local officials there as well as Andros to help them prepare for their preparation for the Test Run meet.

Sands heaped accolades on BACO, noting that they are one of the few structured organisations within the region and every year when CARIFTA is held, the other countries make a request for their members to assist them. BACO is already lining up a team to assist the organisers in Martinique for this year’s CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend.

During the CARIFTA Games here last year, Sands said IAAF member Robert ‘Bob’ Hersh was in town and during a “walk-a-bout,” he expressed his gratitude with regard to how BACO officiated, especially during the relays. Hersh, by the way, is the director for the IAAF for the World Relays.

With 84 days left before the start of the championships, Davis-Thompson said she has to tip her hat off to the Bahamian people because they are heeding their plea to purchase their tickets early.

While tickets can be purchased online at bahamasworldrelays.org, the ticket booths are open daily 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

The BAAA, on the other hand, will be preparing for the hosting of the National High School Track and Field Championships scheduled for March 20-22 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet will once again be sponsored by Scotiabank.