The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WELLINGTON Miller has served as president of the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation since 2000. But while he's ready to turn over the reigns to his successor, he admits that the process is not that easy.

After revisiting their constitution two years ago as mandated by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Miller said there's a new process by the governing body for the sport that they have to comply with.

"We are going through the process now to have the elections," Miller said. "The problem is not too many people are coming through to put their names forward with a full slate."

Within the next two months before the year is completed, Miller said they are hoping to have met the requirements by AIBA to hold the elections so that "the new person can take over and provide some new ideas to take the sport further."

Having served since taking over from Alvin Sargent, Miller said he will not be seeking another four-year term in office and has expressed that to the BABF membership. He noted that he is also contemplating whether or not he will be seeking another term as president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee when they go to the polls next month.

In order to be eligible to run in the BABF elections, Miller said AIBA has insisted that the names are submitted to their office for approval before the elections are held. "It's really a mess and I hold that they can change that," said Miller of the rule stipulated by the AIBA. "A lot of people are complaining about it because they don't know the people who are running, so how can they determine who should be eligible to run.

"They live internationally, so how can they determine who should be running locally. It's a rule that they put into their constitution and there's no way that we can get around it. We have to submit the names of the candidates to them for their approval."

By now the BABF's elections should have been held, but Miller said AIBA had asked him to stay around to ensure that the boxing segment of the Youth Commonwealth Games here at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in July was a success.

"Now that it's finished, I guess we can move on," Miller said. "I heard about some names of persons who wish to run for the presidency. I am encouraging them to submit their names with their slate so that it can be sent on to AIBA for their approval."

Miller, however, declined to release the names of any persons who have expressed an interest to run. He said it's unofficial, so until they make a formal request, he's not at liberty to release any names.

With a new slate of officers in office, Miller is hoping that the BABF can and would increase its level of participation in the major events like the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Commonwealth Games, two events on the agenda for 2018.