The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson brought the “Sports in Paradise” initiative to the forefront during his contribution to the House of Assembly yesterday.

“The international sports brand is going to be centre stage first class,” he said. “Traditionally we have always sold the three s’s, our sun, sand and sea. And we look to add one more s, which is sports. We have launched our worldwide brand which we call ‘Sports In Paradise’ led by the the biggest sporting event in the history of the region, the IAAF World Relays.”

According to Dr Johnson, the IAAF World Relays are set to revolutionise the way the country is viewed as a sporting power in the global community.

“This will be the largest event, period. Sporting event, cultural event, national event ever held in this region and I am excited about it,” he said. “You have about 60 countries coming to the Bahamas, some for the first time, from all around the world. The entire world will converge on the Bahamas for basically a week, even though the event is a two-to three-day event.

“You will have the presidents of several countries visiting, you will have the greatest athletes on the planet from (Usain) Bolt right down to our crew. It will be the largest international event ever held in this region and we are ready for it.”

As big as its impact will be, Dr Johsnon said it is just one segment of an eventful year for the “Sports in Paradise” initiative.

“Over the next year we have about eight amazing events. Each event has a chance of generating $10-20 million at a time and we expect thousands of visitors at a time. This is an example of a new sporting industry. New ideas, new jobs, new revenue.

He also lauded the partnership between his ministy and the Ministry of Tourism to elevate the profile of sports tourism in the country.

“I want to congratulate the Minister of Tourism, Minister Obie Wilchcombe for being an integral part of this development. Tourism in his view is a sales and marketing and promotional company, that’s what they do, but when you get here, the Ministry of Sports, we make sure we put on a show,” Dr Johnson said.

“We have the facilities, and once you hit the airport, our people are with them from when they arrive until they leave. It’s a collaboration between ourselves in tourism where we have a division of labour, none of us can do all of this, they do what they do best and then we do what we do best and you will see a better product. We have the best sailors in the world that will be coming to the Bahamas every year for the next five to seven years, we have professional golf that will be here, the first stop on the tour every year for the next five years, and of course we have the world coming to us in the athletic arena with the World Relays in May and we could do it again next year if we wish to.

“We have professional soccer coming, we have baseball coming, we have lacrosse coming, we have volleyball coming, and so you see now with these events that attract 40 teams at a time, there is an economy attached to that. This is where we are going into an industry, you can put a business model together to make projections for five years and invest,” he said.

Despite the recent legislative controversy surrounding the gaming industry, Johnson also backed the launch of a national sports lottery which he said would benefit the country’s national team infrastructure.

“We assist all federations with everything in regards to funding, but we are looking at producing more and supporting more. As a country we are going to have to look at a sports national lottery scenario. It should be overseen by a government body, the proceeds should go to social, cultural and educational advancements.

“The Ministry of Sports seeds over 30 federations. We could do more, but we have to be more organised,” he said. “We have to produce more to give more and in all of these arenas, and that is why industry is important. Industry means you are doing something you can sell. In creating an industry, going out to the world and engaging new money, new ideas and new companies.”