Bowleg aims to improve Bahamas communities with basketball

NASSAU (Bahamas) – With a new direction that includes recently elected President Mario Bowleg, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) is set to transform the administrative structure of the island in order to produce long-lasting and significant changes for the youth and the general community that exceed basketball.

Bowleg arrived at this position after being elected in April to replace Charles Robins as the leader of the organization established in 1962, and that has several championships of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) under its belt.

Among the main plans of the President are working in youth development and sports marketing.

“One of the main objectives of the Bahamas Basketball Federation is to promote and ensure the adequate growth and development of basketball through the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Bowleg to FIBA.basketball.

“As the new President of the Federation, as I get ready to reach new levels, I’ll bear in mind that although basketball is a sport, it's also a tool that builds character,” he added.

Bowleg emphasized on working with the holistic development of athletes through discipline and character, turning them into better citizens that can contribute to the community after their career in basketball. The President also sees this sport as a great initiative to take up the youth's free time, which at times can tan steer them off the right path.

With this goal, the new federation and governing body of Bahamian basketball has established five pillars upon which it will work.

1. Developing and training Executives and Administrators
2. Constant development, training and re-certification of table and floor officials
3. Continuous development, training and re-certification of coaches
4. Reestablishing youth development programs
5. Restoring women’s basketball in all levels throughout the nation

Another priority will be to prepare players with solid foundations and make them attractive for foreign university scouts, in a move that follows the path of Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton, who are both established players in the NBA.

Bowleg also stated that basketball is a business and should be treated as such, considering it's currently the most popular sport in the island.

“With these initiatives, my vision and purpose as chief of the Federation, my team and the professionals of other sectors that will be chose, we want to ensure that the game is organized appropriately and is developed for the wellbeing of all Bahamians, present and future,” stated Bowleg.

The BFF was one of the 26 federations invited by FIBA to the technical directors’ workshop organized by FIBA this month in Miami, Florida.

FIBA