The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Olympic Committee chairman Wellington Miller is welcoming the opposition from former Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' Mike Sands to his presidency when the BOA's annual general meeting and election of officers is held on Thursday night.

The AGM will take at the Paul Farquharson Auditorium at the Royal Bahamas Police Force the headquarters, but Miller said he's confident that he will be re-elected for another four-year team in office during the elections.

"I feel we have been able to help the various federations and associations and so our record should speak for itself," Miller said. "It's there for everyone to see."

During their tenure, Miller said his administration was able to assist the federations and associations with coaching courses and participation in various events that come under the purview of their international bodies.

He said they have also ensured that more sporting bodies are getting the exposure to be able to compete in the international meets such as the Central American and Caribbean Games, which lead into the Pan American Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

As for the opposition coming in from Sands during the elections, Miller said he welcomes the challenge but is confident that he will be returned to office.

"You're supposed to be challenged. That's not a concern of mine," Miller said. "I'm very confident that the delegates will see what we have accomplished over the past four years. It's up to them to decide."

Whatever the outcome, Miller said he would be satisfied because he knows that he has given it his best shot and he's not going only to let the decision have an effect on how he views the Bahamas, the country that he lives in. Looking back at his tenure in office, Miller said in 2014 he was appointed to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Commission and in 2015 he was appointed to the Coordination Commission. This year, Miller was appointed to the Technical Committee for the 2019 Pan Am Games, which is going to be a different experience than his previous assignments with 32 sports that they have to oversee.

"You learn a lot from the whole operation," said Miller, who had a chance to put some of his expertise in operation with the Bahamas hosting the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games. "I'm glad that I had the opportunity as the president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee to work on the various committees and once I am re-elected, I'm looking forward to making my contribution in other areas," he said.

Going into the election, Miller said he has a slate of officers, some returning from the current administration and a few who will be vying for office for the first time.

He said the slate should be announced this week before the elections on Thursday. But he said while they have not yet released the name, they have been canvassing with the delegates and are confident that they will receive their endorsement.