NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Minister of Youth, Sports and Housing the Hon. Neville Wisdom announces the amendment to the National Sports Policy on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at the Ministry of Sports headquarters.
The Bahamas Cabinet has agreed to increase funding to various sporting federations throughout the Bahamas by more than $500,000 after widespread consultation with the leaders in the national sporting scene.
The government will increase by $40,000 the grants going to softball, basketball, track and field, volleyball, baseball lawn tennis and boxing.
The total amount allocated for these very popular sports is pegged at $205,000, representing an allocation of $80,000 to each area from $40,000 each.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Housing Neville Wisdom, in announcing the increases on Wednesday, said it was a “wonderful day” for sports in the Bahamas as the increases were an indication of the government’s commitment to sporting excellence.
In addition, the government has earmarked $370,000 for Family Island councils and the National Sports Advisory Council.
The following islands each received grants of $30,000: Abaco, Andros, San Salvador, Long Island, Cat Island, Bimini/Berry Islands, Exuma/Ragged Island and Eleuthera.
Crooked Island, Inagua, Acklins and Mayaguana each received $15,000, and Grand Bahama $20,000. The National Sports Advisory Council will get $50,000.
Mr. Wisdom stressed the importance of getting value for the money and added that sporting federations will be required to submit accurate and timely financial statements and demonstrate accountability in getting the funds.
“Planned implementation of these two proposed amendments, amounting to $575,000 have been reserved for implementation in the new fiscal year and will be included in my Ministry’s 2007-08 annual projections,” Mr. Wisdom told a press conference at the Ministry’s Thompson Boulevard headquarters.
He was accompanied by senior officers in the Ministry including Permanent Secretary Mrs. Leila Greene.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Housing the Hon. Neville Wisdom; Shown looking on from left are Churchill Tener-Knowles, Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson and Martin Lundy. (BIS Photo: Tim Aylen)
“My Ministry is convinced that the proposed amendments will improve and enhance the effectiveness of the National Sports Policy, requiring greater accountability for all athletes, Federations and Councils benefiting from these policy improvements,” he added.
The announcement of the increased funding followed a conclave in November, 2005 involving representatives of all national sporting federations, associations, Family Island Sports Councils and other relevant agencies.
After a three-day meeting there emerged unanimous consensus that the National Sport Policy required improvement if it was to remain relevant to the changing environment of sports in the Bahamas.
“In that regard, comprehensive discussions were held over the span of the conclave and a significant number of amendments were proposed for the consideration of the government of the Bahamas,” Mr. Wisdom said. “My Ministry endorsed the amendments as proposed by the conclave and subsequently forwarded them for consideration of my Cabinet colleagues.”
He said that the government had agreed to sanction and approve the amendments as proposed by national leaders of the local sporting community.
