The participation of Team Bahamas at this month’s Doha 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships is still uncertain. Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), made the pronouncement again on Sunday (15 Sept).
The 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships, Doha 2019, will be over ten days, 27 Sept to 6 Oct in Doha, Qatar.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture cut its usual contributions to the BAAA to $25,000 – way short of the proposed $116,000 budget.
According to Archer, in 2015 the BAAA received $150,000, and $140,000 in 2017.
On Saturday night, NACAC President Victor Lopez, who was made aware of the development, said the PanAm Sports Organization, promised to pick up the cost of travel.
However, Archer said up to Sunday he is still not 100 per cent certain what is going to happen.
PanAm Sports funds would have to go through the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) for distribution to local associations.
Archer said he spoke to the president of the BOC, Romell Knowles, who could not provide him with any details.
“The (BOC) president would have indicated at this juncture, he is not in a position to confirm the availability of the funds, as this is an extraordinary request,” Archer told Trackalerts.com.
“He (BOC president) would have to have more discussions with that body (PanAm Sports) in order to determine whether those funds are available,” added Archer.
“His view was that he was doubtful, but he would want to confirm with his colleagues before any confirmation could be made,” concluded Archer.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner are overwhelming medal contenders for the Bahamas.
Team – Tynia Gaither, Anthonique Strachan, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Pedrya Seymour, Steven Gardiner, Alonzo Russell, Latario Collie-Minns, Lathone Minns and Donald Thomas.
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This is really unfortunate?
Thanks be to God someone step in
Lie that .. unu a look headline
Mi nuh just read seh smady a pay fi dem why all the drama
trackalerts I knew I saw that story posted. Thought my eyes were deceiving me.
Hope this will be sorted out soon so that Bahamas wil be at the WC. ?
trackalerts, wow! I hope they get it sorted out and the team gets to Doha.
Old news. Pan Am paying their travel expenses.
Madelyn Mitchell Because no one knew that hurricane would destroy the island. So the government is using the money to rebuild
Why do they wait for moments like these to say funds are low. They knew when 2018 WC ended. Plan better folks