The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

I WANT to applaud the executives of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association for the decision to honour Mark Knowles on his retirement from the ATP men’s circuit after a stellar 20-plus year career.

The BLTA is slated to hold an official ground-breaking ceremony 4pm today for the Mark Knowles Tennis Center that will cater to the development of young children.

Knowles, who was one of the oldest and longest members on the pro circuit before he made his exit in August at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, got started playing in a similar environment as a youngster himself.

He was an outstanding junior player at St Andrew’s School before he left for Nick Bolleterri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. From there, he ventured on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he excelled in both singles and doubles before he departed for the fame and fortune of the pro circuit in 1991.

The welcome home and ground-breaking ceremony comes on a big weekend when the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will induct 13 more athletes and officials into the National Hall of Fame. In fact, their induction ceremony will be held at the Wyndham Cable Beach resort tonight.

What a fitting tribute to a future Hall of Famer.

There’s no doubt that because of the success that he has achieved, having won a title in all four Grand Slams - the biggest tournaments in the world - and representing the Bahamas on both the Davis Cup and Olympic Games teams, more times than any other Bahamian male athlete, it’s an honour that he rightfully deserves.

Hopefully, the tribute for Knowles, who is preparing for the hosting of his December 6-9t Celebrity Tennis Invitational that he got started in 2001, will inspire more young players as they look at his longevity that has been highlighted by a 50-plus career doubles title run, the majority of which was achieved with Canadian Daniel Nestor.

It’s good to see him get to smell his roses while he’s still alive. Congrats for the memories that you gave us.

ELECTION FEVER

It’s unfortunate that at the same time that we are honouring some of our national heroes, Knowles and those being inducted into the Hall of Fame, controversy is being highlighted as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations heads to the polls to elect a new executive board.

While there are three persons who are vying for the post of president, there have been a series of emails surfacing about who is eligible and ineligible to vote and whether or not the right procedure is being followed.

Can’t we all just get along like one big happy family.

With all of the ideas that are being presented from those vying for office, it’s a pity that there can’t be a coming together of the minds to ensure that at the end of the day, the BAAA is better off as a result of the consolidation.

If there’s one thing disheartening is the fact that there is no provisions in the constitution for the athletes to be a part of the voting process.

Why is it that the executives have a right to vote for themselves and the athletes, who actually make the association, are left out in the cold?

Hopefully when the BAAA holds its AGM tonight, there will be some emphasis placed on this important aspect.

And if I may, in taking a page from the manifesto of Curt Hollingsworth in a quote from T Roosevelt: “The best executive is the one who has the sense to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint enough to keep from meddling while they do it.”

Too often when our sporting leaders are elected, they don’t allow their officers to function in the manner that they were mandated and, as a result, the big happy family that started the trek on election day, is slowly driven apart by the time the next election rolls around.

Let’s get along for the sake of the sport and not for personal agendas.