The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS the nation celebrated Charter Day for the University of the Bahamas, plans for the future of sport at the institution were also revealed.

Speaking during yesterday’s charter ceremony at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, University President Dr Rodney Smith touted the expansion of university facilities – a result of the partnership between UB and the National Sports Authority.

“As of today the university’s facilities also include a collaborative programming between our academic programming and the NSA.

“We are effectively expanding the campus to include this very stadium. Technically, you are now on the campus of the University of the Bahamas,” he told the crowd gathered at the stadium to witness history.

“This expansion allows us to jointly create the Bahamas’ National Sports Academy. The university will be the epicentre for student athletes throughout the country and during the summer months, we will host athletes for international competition.”

That expansion will include a host of new opportunities for UB’s student athletes as it seeks membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The NAIA is an athletic association that organises college and university level athletic programmes among small to mid-size institutions, primarily across the United States but also outside the US. The NAIA began accepting members from Canada in 1999 which made it the only international intercollegiate athletic association in North America until 2009. Today there are three Canadian members. As of July 1, 2016, the NAIA reports having 246 member institutions.

“In order to grow our university athletic programme we are now in the process of securing membership in the NAIA,” Dr Smith said.

“In the near future the university will host championship tournaments across several sports, while providing unlimited opportunities for our student athletes educationally, athletically and professionally.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie said the expansion of sports, both at the university level and through national sports academies, is of great importance to his organisation.

“In reference to the president speaking about sports and the university’s role in sports. Let me add that this is a matter that the government takes very seriously and with the highest priority. We must recognize that culture and sports are vital now vital components of the new economic order globally,” Mr. Christie said, “As we commit ourselves to centers of excellence in sports and the management of sports academies it is my hope and anti that the government will immediately move to create a great lawn where athletes of our country will be scene to be practicing on this great lawn in the precincts of the university. This is done by universities and colleges in our region and the Bahamas must not be left behind.”

The Prime Minister said the university’s expansion of these programmes will aide national development by allowing more student athletes to be trained and educated at home.

“When in the fullness of time we assess who has done best on the world stage and Olympic games, per capita, the Bahamas invariably takes the position of number one,” he said, “I therefore ask of the university to recognise that your commitment to sports in every island of our country will incentivize students to know that they should aspire to ultimately come to the University of the Bahamas and to know that in doing so, you are helping to unify our country in more meaningful ways.”