The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT has only been about two months since Lanisha Rolle has been sitting in the seat as the first Bahamas female Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

And while she has had a low-keyed transformation from the Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, Rolle assured the media that she's enjoying the therapeutic change and is up to the task.

Rolle, who replaced Michael Pintard during Prime Minister Hubert Minnis' first Cabinet shuffle, said she's adjusting very well to her new environment and having an opportunity to welcome home 'Golden Girl' Shaunae Miller-Uibo provided her with a greater appreciation of her portfolio.

"I'm really grateful to be in the world of sports, not just sports, but youth and culture, so for me, it's invigorating and I look forward to the exciting things we are doing and are going to be doing in the ministry," she said.

October has been designated as Youth Month, November is Sports Month and December is Culture Month and so Rolle said there is a festive atmosphere that is on the horizon that should produce a variety of activities for the Bahamian people to feast on as they "party over here and party over there."

Since taking on one of the more vibrant ministries in the Bahamas Government, Rolle said she has met with some of the federations and associations and will continue to do so from time to time to meet with the others individually. "Just Thursday past, I met with the Bahamas Bodybuilding Federation, but I wasn't too intimidated," said Rolle about her session with the bodybuilders.

"We've met with others and we will be meeting with others so that we can hear their concerns on the way forward. I'm certainly delighted with what's going on."

Rolle said having Miller-Uibo come home and pay a courtesy call on her office, along with her husband, Maicel Uibo and father, Shaun Miller, on Monday was one of the key ingredients for a healthy recipient for success in sports.

"Coming together and collaborating is one way that we can promote the Bahamas and to inspire our young people here at home," said Rolle, who advised Rolle privately that they can venture into the schools and the Family Islands to promote the growth and development of sports in the future.

Depending on how long PM Minnis allows her to stay there, Rolle said during her tenure in office she would like to uplift the profile of her ministry in a way that it can positively impact the mindset of our young people in that there are so many disciplines that they can venture into.

"There are so many things that they can achieve and it is reachable and it's tangible," she stated.

"I think we just need to build hope in our people today, notwithstanding whatever is happening, and I think I want to be a part of it and I am a part of it and we can do it if we work together."

Since she took on her new role, Rolle found a number of issues on her desk, including the completion of the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

Rolle said the Ministry of Works has full control of the project and her ministry will only make recommendations to the cabinet that are wholesome and good for the Bahamas when it is deemed necessary.

"The Ministry of Works is responsible for where it is and where it is going because of the engineering factors and structural factors engaged in it," she said.

"But anything that can grow and develop and give our young people something to do, I am on board because I was there."

Once the stadium is completed, like every other facility that is financed by the government, Rolle said the stadium will be accessible to the Bahamian people.

"It has to be because that is the way that we are going to promote them, that is the way we are going to promote them, that is the way we are going to build their talent and skills and we have an obligation as a government to do just that," she said.

"We did it before and we must do it again," added Minister Rolle.

Another area of concern that greeted her in office is the transition that the National Sports Authority is experiencing as they get set for a new leadership.

"There are some changes that need to take place and we are in transition of doing just that," she revealed.

"Once those changes are finalised, then we will have a better system or structure that we can offer in excellence and service. I will be in a better position to communicate that to you."

Although there has been the perception that Rolle herself is not accessible because of her low-keyed introduction to the ministry, she assured everyone, especially the athletes, that she will make herself available to discuss their needs and the way forward.

"I'm here to make people smile the best I can because the world is stressful enough," quipped a jubilant Rolle as she smiled from ear to ear. "I liked social services, but now they have caused me to love sports and youth and culture, so it's just a tremendous experience for me to enjoy until it's time for another transition. I'm just excited to be a part of it all."

And having her claim to fame as the first female Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Rolle said she's basking in her achievement.

"It's just a part of growing and showing that our nation is growing by leaps and bounds in terms of opening up our doors to every gender and people who can make a contribution," she said. "I'm grateful to the men for allowing us in. You were there first and so I'm just certainly happy and grateful and happy for the support to do my very best and to make the country proud."

However long it will be, Rolle said she intends to make the best of her tenure in office and welcome whoever deems it necessary to come along with her to get the job done.