The Tribune

IT was back to school for Alfred Forbes as he was honoured on Wednesday by the CI Gibson Secondary School’s principal, faculty, students and friends for his contribution to sports as a long-time administrator, mentor and coach.

Forbes, now retired, was given the royal treatment when he showed up on the campus where he served as a physical education teacher and coach from 2006-2013. In a ceremony fit for a king, Forbes was presented with a number of gifts that he needed some extra help to cart home.

He was recognised for his many contributions that included being one of the founding members of the historic Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic in 1983, the most prestigious high school tournament in the country.

Forbes also served as the founding president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association in 1993 and remained in that position for 20 years. He was also a president of the New Providence Interscholastic Sports Association, which governed sports before the GSSSA.

In addition to those high school positions, Forbes also served as the president of the Commonwealth American Football League and the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association.

Forbes deemed it an honour to have been presented with his flowers while he is still alive to smell the roses. He said he will forever be one of the fathers of CI Gibson and will cherish the gesture for the rest of his life.