Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' (BAAA) President Mike Sands, said that while he was pleased with the performances at this year's Junior National Track and Field Championships, he was disappointed by the lack of support from the public.

"Generally, I'm satisfied by the efforts put forth by these young athletes," he noted, "but there were a few athletes who came out here and performed well beyond expectations. So over the next 24 hours, I will be getting together with the executive members of the BAAA to go over the results of this meet, and by Monday, we would've already decided who's going to be on the Jr. CAC and Jr. World teams," he explained.

Addressing the issue of the lack of fan support, Sands said that the BAAA has to take some of the blame.

"We need to put forth more effort into getting the word out to the public about these events. So the BAAA in the future will be looking to do more marketing and promotion of our events. We must do a better job," said Sands.

While expressing to The Nassau Guardian his views of what it'll take to improve flaws within the BAAA, Sands made mention of an issue that involves a teenage female athlete that has stirred up a lot of controversy. About two months ago, pictures were circulated by e-mail with a teenage female, who is also a track athlete, posing nude and indulging in other pornographic acts.

Part of the controversy surrounding this story is that a young coach was the one who took the pictures and spread them over the Internet.

However, the only thing identifiable on the male in the pictures were his gold watch and ring.

The male in the photos never showed his face. Judging from the photos, the teenage girl didn't seem forced to pose nude against her will either.

"Even though the young lady seemed willing to pose for those photos, the person who took them should be scrutinized just as heavily," said Sands.

that young girl's future is affected because of this. Everywhere she goes now, she'll be stigmatized by those photos."

According to Sands, this week, the BAAA will formally address this matter, and he also indicated that they found out who was responsible for taking the pictures.

"We need to address this matter before the public, to clear the air about some things. A certain young coach is suspected of doing this, but it should have been said when the Minister addressed this matter, that it was not a coach that took those pictures," Sands noted.

As far as the Jr. CAC and Jr. World teams are concerned, Sands said that these teams could be much stronger than previous ones.

He said that the future is looking "exceedingly bright" for track and field in the country, and also mentioned that the BAAA will be working closely in the future with the Cuban Sports Ministry.

Already, a number of Bahamian athletes like Leevan Sands, Laverne Eve, and Mike Sands' son Tino, have benefited from training in Cuba.

"I have an excellent relationship with Alberto Juan Tureno (former Olympic 400 metre champ), and the Cuban Sports Ministry has been most co-operative. So yes, it is intended for us to forge a closer sporting relationship."

ARTHUR ELDON-Still going strong