BOC assists BBF national team

With almost five weeks left before the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) senior men’s national basketball team travels for their second window in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) stepped up big time financially and assisted the team with part of their travels.

Competition is slated for November 29-30. Team Bahamas is set to open play against the United States of America (USA) on November 29 and the following day, they will play Puerto Rico. This competition is one of the steps to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France.

The BOC donated $15,000 yesterday and will look to donate another $15,000 in three weeks. The money was funded from the Olympic Solidarity Team Grant and Project. It was distributed through the BOC’s Athletes Welfare Commission.

President of the BBF Mario Bowleg said he is grateful for the dedication and assistance from the BOC to all the national federations.

“Once again, the BBF is appreciative of the token given by the BOC, which will assist our senior men in traveling to the second window of the AmeriCup Qualifiers to be held in Puerto Rico. As you are aware, the pandemic has affected the worldwide economy including we here in The Bahamas and most of our major sponsors have been closed and the federation is seeking some $80,000 to make the trip possible. We are very happy and elated that the BOC was the first to assist us with some funding to ensure that we make this trip possible,” Bowleg said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOC formed the Athletes Welfare Commission to assist those athletes who are affected by the pandemic financially. Chairman of the commission, Roy Colebrook encourages all the athletes to apply for the assistance.

“In this tough economic time, during this COVID-19 period, we continue our work with the basketball federation… We believe that it is very important to ensure that our athletes continue to thrive and to do and be the best that they can be during these tough economic times,” Colebrook said.

President of the BOC Romell Knowles thanked the International Olympic Committee through the Olympic Solidarity for investing in the BOC and other National Olympic Committee with finances and resources to assist the athletes. He was grateful for the due diligence of Colebrook and Bowleg.

In an effort to raise more funds, Bowleg said he has written to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for the federation’s annual grant of $20,000 along with some extra funds. He is hoping that will come through, so the team can travel to play. He is also looking to get some funding from outside The Bahamas but that is also a wait and see.

He knows that these are hard times and money is tight. The basketball chief also said that when they play, they are advertising The Bahamas and can bring in even more money when they make it to the Olympic Games.

This window comes at a time when some of the country’s best basketball players are available to suit up for their countries. As a result, Bowleg said the federation will do whatever it takes for them to make the trip happen.

Making up the $80,000 budget are the cost for travel, accommodation, food and COVID-19 testing.

The Bahamas split their opening two games against Mexico back in the February window earlier this year. They lost their first game, 75-61, in Mexico, then travelled back home to The Bahamas a few days later and took down Mexico, 76-59.

The Bahamas is in second place in Group D play with three points. The Americans sit above them with four points. Mexico also has three points, but loses the tiebreaker to The Bahamas, while Puerto Rico rounds out the group with two points.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/boc-assists-bbf-national-team/