By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The year 2020 has already brought some historic moments to the Bahamas with the opening of the new North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) office at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

But according to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, who participated in the official opening ceremony along with Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of the World Athletics, formerly the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), there is a lot of good stuff to come.

"It's wonderful to begin the year with the NACAC area office being opened here in the Bahamas, particularly the island of New Providence in the city of Nassau," Rolle said. "I'm very pleased because not only are we opening the office here, but our own Mike Sands has been elected to serve as the president of NACAC and he also sits on the board of the World Athletics.

"This is a great feat for the Bahamas and sports continue to be that important thing that encourages us, motivates us, unites us and causes us to build and develop as a country, so I'm very pleased to see that sports is continuing to set trends and continue to cause us to grow by leaps and bounds to assist the ministry in its mandate to develop the division of youth, sports and culture."

Having said that, Rolle said her ministry is aiming to bring unity in sports so that the Bahamas can develop its strength on the international stage.

"There are a lot of things that we can accomplish once we are all united on one front," she stated. "What is so important about this office opening is that it is going to inspire that unity. It's going to inspire that across sporting disciplines. Coming together is where we are going to have success."

Although there has been some criticism levied against her by various sporting bodies, Rolle said she's prepared to sit down and have a discussion with all relevant parties to foster that unity.

"We can't build a team or accomplish results by ourselves. We have to do it together," she said. "So whatever it takes, we must work together to accomplish our goals."

When it comes down to funding, although some sporting bodies have indicated that their grants and assistance from the ministry has been reduced, Rolle defended those accusations, indicating that there will also be a need for more funding to get the job done. "I've made that commitment, as the minister, the best way I can, by the powers that are invested in me," she said. "Wherever we can help, we will assist in the facilitation of sports, we will, in athletics and of course the sporting disciplines."

Rolle said that even though a lot of attention has been placed on athletics sand the lack of support that they did not get, the other sporting bodies are also feeling the pinch and so it's going to be imperative that all relevant parties understand the situation and work together for a more harmonious conclusion.

With that in mind, Rolle also addressed the issue faced by the Bahamas Basketball Federation and its membership, who have been deprived of the use of the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium because of the housing of the evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama as a result of the destruction left behind by Hurricane Dorian last year.

"We realise what we've gone through and, as a result of that, we've had to shelter a number of persons for the last several months because many of their homes have been totally destroyed," she pointed out. "We're assisting them to get back to a place where it is more inhabitable and where they can strive in decency.

"The numbers are dwindled and once that is done, we will consider how we will restore the premises for its natural use. So you can rest assured that the Government of the Bahamas is working on that process. But it is a process. It's a hard one and we all have to bear the burden together."

Very soon, Rolle said they will have discussions with the relevant parties on the way forward as they get their recommendations and that sports will continue to play the role that it has in the development of young leaders both locally and worldwide.

Right now, the BBF will have to look at an alternative venue to house its FIBA home and away games and practices for the men's national team, while the organisers of the prestigious Huge Campbell Basketball Classic may have to stage all of their games, including the championship final, at the AF Adderley Gymnasium in February.