Sports Scope

By Fred Sturrup

Acting Managing Editor

The Grand Bahama Port Authority has always been a prime advocate of sports development in the country. Over the years, the Port has done its part in assisting various sporting programs.

Nothing has changed. Today, the Port still stands out as that beacon for sports assistance. Yes, the Port remains a friend of the country's sporting fraternity.

The far-reaching arms of the Port have extended outside of Grand Bahama, its's base, but the decision to salute two special champions who hail from the second city, cements the Port's long-standing modus operandi of assisting and encouraging those within the sporting fraternity. The Tabernacle Christian Academy Senior Boys Basketball Team, recent winners once again of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Championships, proved the solidarity of the Port.

I focus today though, on Delroy Boothe.

Here is an athlete who just about a month ago, strode into history by capturing the first Marathon Bahamas Interanational.

The race, by all appearances, will turn out to be top rated and will be a dream event in The Bahamas for years to come. No matter how the field builds and how diversified the entry lists become, Boothe will always be able to say he won the first one. It's in the record books.

Somehow though, until now it has been low key for him. The Tabernacle players were the toast of the town in Freeport. They were showered with praise and treated to a motorcade.

There was no such fanfare for Boothe.

But, in steps the Port Authority. The Port recognizes the level of his achievement and Boothe will be honoured. Here is a Bahamian athlete who should be showcased to the world as the country works to build an international marathon running image. Right now, Boothe is far and away the best that we have to take to the world stage in representation of The Bahamas.

Quite honestly, I don't see him as a winner of the Boston, London or New York Marathons. The view here though is that he can bring his national record time of 2:34.00 down to around the 2:20s and if he in fact does that, he would be in the high quality district of marathon running. He won't match Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie's 2:03:59 world record, but he has the potential to do well in satellite meets and perhaps win a few, if he is able to get into a proper conditioning and technical program.

I don't see him winning a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, but he has what it takes to qualify, again, if he is able to get into an upscaled preparation routine.

Delroy Boothe certainly is capable of being the first Bahamian to establish a respected presence in world marathon running. His hopes are high. At 37, he is certain that he has good years ahead.

Hopefully the Port will be just the first of a string of corporate entities here in The Bahamas that will come forward to propel Boothe and The Bahamas accordingly to top world marathon status.

Best wishes to Delroy and congratulations to the Grand Bahama Port Authority for its continuing efforts in nation building through sports.