The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

OVER the next year as he sits in the chair as the new athletes’ representative for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, sprinter Ian Kerr said he hopes to bring more transparency for the athletes in track and field. 

Kerr, one of the top sprinters in the country, won the position 30-15 over female sprinter Anthonique Strachan during the online voting that was conducted from May 28-29.

The 30-year-old Kerr, who has represented The Bahamas at both the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, said he's honoured to be occupying the position.

"I know it's not just me in this role, but me and my team, so we will just do our best to bring that communication between the BAAAs, the government and the athletes."

As he begins his new role, Kerr said he just wants to see "more transparency, more honesty and more communication between the higher ups and those in position of power and the athletes so we know what's to come and we can plan accordingly."

One of those areas of concern for the athletes, according to Kerr, is when they will be paid their subventions by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Kerr said a number of athletes, including himself, have not received their monthly stipend in months and they are seeking some answers now that the election is over and the Progressive Liberal Party has been returned to office. 

"All we can do is stay patient and wait for our turn," said Kerr, who noted that the delay has caused some hardships for some of the athletes. "We know we will get paid, but it's just a matter of when."

Fresh into office, Kerr said he's still trying to sort out the issues that the athletes have and present them to the relevant persons in the BAAA and the government.

In the meantime, Kerr said he's preparing for his next competition scheduled for Saturday, June 6, in Florida. He has produced a season's best of 10.39 seconds in the 100 and 20.80 in the 200m, which are off his personal bests of 10.14 and 20.33 respectively.