Tag: Lanisha Rolle

Minister Visits Andre Rogers National Baseball Stadium

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visit the Andre Rodgers National Stadium site on June 12. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visit the Andre Rodgers National Stadium site on June 12. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS

As of Thursday, June 18, 2020

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visited the construction site of the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium June 12.

#Michael Foster, project architect at Arconcepts, Ltd., along with Ministry of Public Works architect Terran Rodgers, led the tour as the group interacted with construction stakeholders and discussed the possibilities in the use of the entire stadium’s structure.

#Among those on the tour were permanent secretary Eugene Poitier, under secretary Montez Williams, acting under secretary Renee Bullard, director of sports Tim Munnings, office manager Aileen Spencer, consultant Telford Mullings, National Sports Authority chairman Burton Rodgers and other NSA officials.

#Rolle announced in the House of Assembly last week during her debate o the 2020/2021 budget that the new stadium should be completed by December 2020 at a cost of $27,486.658.00.

Minister Rolle: ‘I’M Just Not The Type Of Mother That Has Favourites’

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#LIKE a mother with three children, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle said her triple portfolios will be treated the same in the allocation of funds.

#Rolle, the Member of Parliament for Sea Breeze, was making her contribution to the Free National Movement government’s 2020/2021 budget report in the House of Assembly yesterday as she indicated that none of her portfolios will be treated any different, although she claimed there are persons who believe that she favours one over the others.

#In her address, Rolle constantly dubbed it an “unprecedented budget in an unprecedented time for budget for the people” whom she said she intends to spend equally on youth, sports and culture. “I’m just not the type of mother that has favourites,” Rolle said. “They’re all going to share and share alike.”

#The three-headed ministry is budgeted at $18,938,186.00, which represents a reduction of $5,143,194.00 or 21 per cent from the last fiscal budget.

#“This simply means, given the changing circumstances and limited financial resources, a portion of the ministry’s funds had to be reallocated,” Rolle said. “This cut ensures that in the given circumstances, there are adequate provisions to help with public health expenses, social safety net programmes, job creation and sustenance, food security initiatives and tourism rejuvenation.”

#Rolle noted that although her ministry has suffered necessary deductions, the differences are not below actual expenditure.

#She said expenditure are in accordance without below the approved budget estimates for the last budget cycle, hence the following allocations:

#Ministry’s general programmes, including summer programmes – $2,300,000.00 or 12.14%.

#Personal emoluments, minus summer employment staff – $5,331,280,.00 or 28.15%.

#Youth – $1,518,280.00 or 8.01%.

#Sports – $2,839,829.00 or 14.99%.

#Rolle drew reference to the fact that Athletes’ Subventions were approved at $1,346,150.00 last budget period. A difference of $338,562.00 was not spent based on the date of this record.

#“This position would inform any reasonable adjustment or rationale for new budgetary spending,” she said. “I hasten to add for the benefit of our athletes of whom we continue to be immensely proud, that in accordance with the existing sports policy, no active athlete approved for subvention would be affected by the item adjustments.

#“However, where an athlete is not performing in accordance with standard policy, the usual adjustments will be applied as recommended by the Department of Sports and our standard consultation with the respective federation sporting bodies.”

#Athletes assistance

#Rolle revealed that the ministry, in the last fiscal period, provided direct and indirect financial assistance to 93 elite athletes in 11 sporting disciplines at an approximate cost of $1 million.

#“We will not waiver in that commitment,”: said Rolle, adding that a committee, headed by the University of the Bahamas’ Athletic Director Kim Rolle, has been established to recommend policies for enhanced accountability of the subvention system.

#And Rolle disclosed that while organization fixed grants (to member associations and federations) were reduced by 20 percent, they will continue to provide assistance to the athletes through their federations to successfully compete in regional and international meets.

#Athletes recognized

#Rolle also took the time out to commend men’s 400 meters gold medalist Steven Gardiner and women’s 200m silver medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the World Championships for their performance in Doha, Qatar last year.

#“All medal athletes, in addition to Ms Tynia Gaither, who qualified for the final at the championships, were rewarded the customary prize monies for their performances in the amounts of $40,000.00, $30,000.00 and $5,000.00 respectively in accordance with the established sports policy,” Rolle said.

#She also singled out Grand Bahamian Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield, who won the National Basketball Association (NBA) three-point shooting contest during the All-Star weekend and subsequently earned a $86 million dollar contract over the next four years with the Sacramento Kings.

#“Buddy continues to make us proud and certainly he makes me proud to serve as the Minister of Sports during a time when he and as many of our athletes are breaking glass ceilings,” said Rolle, adding that each year, Hield has hosted the 27 Elite Basketball Clinic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and Day Sessions at neighborhood parks.

#“His sports acumen and community mindedness speaks to the example of a sports superstar that our youngsters and athletes can emulate,” she stressed. “We must invest more in sports to identify and groom more ‘Buddys’, who are value adders to the public purse.”

#She also mentioned that there are at least 20 Bahamian players playing professional baseball in the minor leagues and another group who are befitting through athletic scholarships at various colleges throughout the United States.

#And she praised Grand Bahamian Nathan Bain, who in his senior year at Stephen F. Austin University led the Lumberjacks men’s basketball team to a huge upset win over No.1 ranked Duke and sparked a relief effort that yielded more than $100,000.00 to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

#However, Stephen F. Austin were subsequently suspended by the NCAA and their fantastic performance was erased from the history books.

#“Buddy, Nathan, Shaunae, Steven are all testaments to the fact that the money will come if we invest in the people, and this budget and this government has been and will continue to do just that,” Rolle stated.

#Faculties repairs and construction

#Rolle revealed that the facilities of the National Sports Authority are in the process of being renovated.

#She noted that the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium suffered considerable damage due to its use and a long term shelter for the evacuees of Hurricane Dorian. She commended the NSA and its General Manager Quinton Brennen for their exceptional hospitality provided to those in need.

#And in case you’re wondering about the construction of the baseball stadium, Rolle said work is steadily progressing with a proposed completion date set for December 2020.

#“The cost of the project to date is $27,486.658.00,” she said. “I want to thank this government for its substantial investment in sports and in this facility that will help to save our youth. An unprecedented $27,486,658.00 invested in sports.”

#The ministry under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, is expected to host its summer youth programme from July 27 to August 21.

#“We also continue to monitor guidance by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for best practices of reopening youth, sports and culture sectors and activities,” she stated. “In this Covid-19 environment, our programmes will be guided by and subject to the advice of the Ministry of Health.”

#The ministry announced on March 12 during the first day of competition at the National High School Track and Field Championships at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium that all sporting activities with large gatherings will be postponed until further notice.

#All sporting activities in the country ceased as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread. No date has been given for the resumption of sporting activities, even though the Bahamas government is moving towards a full reopening of the economy by July 1.

#To date, the Bahamas has been affected by 103 cases of the virus, which claimed the lives of 11 persons. There are more than 7 million cases worldwide with over 400,000 deaths. The United States has recorded more than 2,000,000 cases and over 100,000 deaths.

#ing activities in the country ceased as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread. No date has been given for the resumption of sporting activities, even though the Bahamas government is moving towards a full reopening of the economy by July 1.

#To date, the Bahamas has been affected by 103 cases of the virus, which claimed the lives of 11 persons. There are more than 7 million cases worldwide with over 400,000 deaths. The United States has recorded more than 2,000,000 cases and over 100,000 deaths.

Sports minister justifies financial cuts

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle addresses the House of Assembly yesterday. BIS Photo/Eric Rose

June 12, 2020

Sheldon Longley

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Rather than beckoning for a review of the overall national budget allocation for sports, particularly as it relates to subvention for elite athletes, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle offered her full support of the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal period on Thursday.

The sports ministry was one of the hardest hit in the budget allocation for the upcoming term, suffering more than a $5 million reduction. Whereas a major reduction was expected given the nature of Hurricane Dorian last September and the ensuing global disaster of COVID-19, sports personnel and enthusiasts still felt like the cuts were unevenly dispersed throughout various government ministries and departments. In comparison to other commodities, they feel that sports was adversely affected.

In her budget presentation in the House of Assembly on Thursday, Rolle said that this is a budget for the people and an unprecedented one for an unprecedented time. Subvention for elite athletes alone was reduced by about $300,000. Justifying the cuts, the minister said that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, and that while the budget is unprecedented, it is a budget for the people. She highlighted that sports still consumes 15 percent of the ministry’s budget, which is the greatest share of the three departments under her purview.

“I wish we had more funds for sports development; and I wish COVID and Dorian didn’t happen because one life lost was one life too many, but it did,” she said. “Given the changing circumstances and limited financial resources, a portion of the ministry’s funds had to be reallocated. This cut ensures that in the given circumstances, there are adequate provisions to help with public health expenses, social safety net programs, job creation and sustenance, food security initiatives and tourism rejuvenation. We are all in this together, and all food comes from one pot, and every man, woman, boy and girl, rich and poor, has to eat.”

The minister said one of their primary goals, through these national disasters, was to ensure that all persons in her ministry who had jobs and benefits prior to COVID-19, maintained that status, thereby keeping their jobs and benefits. As it relates to subvention, she said that in accordance with the existing sports policy, no active athlete approved for subvention would be affected by the adjustments. However, she stated, where an athlete is not performing in accordance with standard policy, the usual adjustments will be applied as recommended by the Department of Sports and through consultation with the respective federations.

“Although the ministry has suffered necessary deductions, the differences are not below actual expenditure. In other words, expenses are in accordance with or below the approved budget allocations for last budget cycle. For example, athlete subvention was approved at $1,346,150 in the last budget period. The actual expenditure under that item for the budget period was $1,007,588 as per the date of the 2020-2021 budget publication. A difference of $338,562 was not spent based on the date of this record. This position would infer any reasonable adjustment or rationale for new budgetary spending,” said the minister.

In that vein, the minister said that Kimberley Rolle will oversee a committee charged with recommending accountability of the subvention system, and she said collectively, they do not intend to ignore or neglect their commitment to deserving Bahamian athletes.

“In the last period, the Department of Sports provided direct and indirect financial assistance to 93 elite athletes in 11 sporting disciplines at an approximate cost of $1 million,” said the minister. “Sports remains a priority of this Minnis-led administration. We will continue to provide assistance to our athletes through the federations for them to successfully compete in international meets. This budget continues to prioritize athletes and sporting organizations. This is a budget for the people.”

Referencing athletes such as collegiate basketball standout Nathan Bain, whose GoFund Me account skyrocketed in the face of Hurricane Dorian from his heroics in college basketball this past season; Chavano “Buddy” Hield, who won the National Basketball Association (NBA) Three-Point Competition this season; and athletic superstars Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Rolle said their success and generosity in giving back to Bahamian communities takes a tremendous burden off the public purse, and are leading examples of why a national sports academy must come on stream.

“We must identify more Buddys, more Shaunaes and more Stevens, and the national sports academy will do just that,” she said. “When you look at our athletes in baseball who have obtained scholarships and don’t have to apply for government assistance, and the 20-plus who are in the minor leagues, sports adds to the financial pot in a tangible way. We must measure the value of sports to our overall fiscal performance. The money will come if we invest in the people, and this budget and this government will continue to do just that. I thank this government for a substantial investment in sports.”

Expanding on the national sports academy idea that surfaced under the last central administration, Rolle said that would go a long way in helping to produce more Bahamians who would add value to the tourism product and international reputation of the country.

“Bahamians possess raw talent in the area of sports,” she said. “What we allocate to sports programs in comparison to academic programs, investing strategically in sports development through sports education is a thought worthy of conscious consideration. Sports is a focused skill that has the ability to produce strategic results. It keeps the youth positively engaged in clean fun and it helps them to remain healthy and to stay active. This sector requires more investment and room to grow.

“It is challenging to build successful national teams without the structure of a national sports academy where the focus is on sports more so than just academics. In that vein, we need to make the sports academy a reality, and given the proper priority, it will happen. Not every professional needs to sit behind a desk with a business suit and tie. A national sports academy will harness the development of multiple sporting disciplines. It would not merely be facilitating, but regenerating.”

The minister gave tremendous credit to the team she has working with her in sports, stating that they continue to carry the weight of sports on their shoulders and that they do a phenomenal job of overseeing the sports component in the country.

“The Department of Sports is deficient in its pool of resources, but nevertheless, the sports team ensures that we execute our mandate to facilitate the direction of sports in the country and directly coordinate annual reward programs designed to give national recognition to the hard work and outstanding accomplishments of our athletes, former athletes and organizations through the national sports awards and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. We are appreciative of their efforts,” said the minister.

Speaking on the success of Bahamian athletes at the Doha World Championships a year ago, with Gardiner winning gold in the men’s 400 meters (m), Miller-Uibo winning a silver in the women’s 400m and Tynia Gaither making the final of the women’s 200m, Rolle said that they are indeed proud of those three athletes and the entire team, and that the aforementioned trio all received compensation via the government’s remuneration program.

Gardiner received $40,000 for his gold medal win, Miller-Uibo was awarded $30,000 for her silver medal win and Gaither received $5,000 for making a final.

As it relates to a return of sporting activities in the country, in the face of COVID-19, Rolle said in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the sports ministry has prepared a list of safety and social distancing guidelines for the benefit of sporting federations, associations and various clubs and leagues.

“For the record, we emphasize that until we are clear of this state of emergency, particular contact sports and related facilities should not be conducted or opened in the absence of health guidance,” said the minister.

She said the official document will be available on Monday, June 15, and can be viewed via the ministry’s port on the government of The Bahamas’ website or on the ministry’s Facebook page.

Major sporting events worldwide, and local sporting events and seasons here in The Bahamas, have been postponed, canceled or discontinued because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas there is some promise of a gradual return of sports, there is no telling when leagues will be up and running fully, with some degree of normalcy.