NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Addressing last week’s criticism of her ministry’s response time and the means of communication by members of the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) and other national sports federations, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle said she’s open to meeting with the BOC next month.
During her contribution to the 2019/2020 Budget communication in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Rolle said that she has heard the concerns of the BOC and those raised by national federations about their grants, and will work to clarify the government’s position on the grants.
Rolle said she will also sort through some of the other concerns raised during the meeting held last week, in particular, her means of being accredited for the 2019 International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) World Relays.
According to BAAA executives, Rolle also had a meeting with IAAF representatives without their knowledge. BAAA president Drumeco Archer said it would have been common courtesy to allow them to organize a meeting of that magnitude.
Yesterday, Rolle said she looks forward to entertaining a courtesy call to the BOC on July 1 to address some concerns that were recently raised.
“Since we got in office last October, we have audited numerous requests from a number of federations, but it must be said the government is unable to provide total funding for each federation,” Rolle said.
“I will say that in order to be granted funds, proper measures had to be taken leading up to the request. This will be the only way we go about things, because this government is focused on doing the right things the right way.
“I must also speak to a productive meeting that was held to strengthen the bond between in international body and the ministry of sports. It is my honor to serve as the messenger that reaches out to all sports stakeholders. It was a message that was delivered on behalf of the government, so, I felt I was the right messenger to do that.”
The 2019 IAAF World Relays were held last month in Yokohama, Japan. Along with the meeting with IAAF officials, there were also some complaints made by national federations about the size of minister Rolle’s entourage at the games.
