Wikipedia

Sport in the Bahamas

The most popular sports in the Bahamas are those of colonial British origin as well as those adopted from neighbouring United States. They include athletics, basketball, baseball, American football, swimming, softball, tennis, boxing, and volleyball.

In addition, Rugby union, rugby league, rugby sevens, golf, beach soccer, and lacrosse are also considered growing sports in the Bahamas.

Athletics

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See also: Athletics in the Bahamas and List of Bahamian records in athletics

The governing body for athletics track and field is the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations.[1]

In 70 years, the Bahamas has won 14 Olympic medals at the Olympics,[2] 25 medals at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics,[3] and numerous medals at the Pan American Games and the Commonwealth Games in Athletics alone.

Thomas A Robinson National Stadium and Old Thomas A Robinson National Stadiums are the first two certified tracks in the country.[4] Other tracks in the country are Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Grand Bahama that has a World Athletics certified track and[5] "Carl Oliver Track And Field Stadium" on North Andros.[6]

The nation has hosted CARIFTA Games a total of eight times. They also hosted the 2005 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and the first three editions of the World Athletics Relays.

American football

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Bahamas American Football Federation governs American football in the country. They operate a number of junior and senior flag football Leagues for men and women.[7]

Ed Smith is the first Bahamian to be drafted into the NFL.[8] Devard Darling and Michael Strachan are other Bahamians who played in the NFL.

There is an annual tournament called Bahamas Bowl that features ranked NCAA football teams from the United States.[9]

Association football

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See also: Football in the Bahamas
 
A football player from the Bahamas

The Bahamas Football Association is the governing body of association football in the Bahamas. Bahamas national football team has never qualified for Fifa World Cup[10]

The national team plays at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Domestic League matches are also played at the Freeport Rugby & Football Club on Grand Bahama.[11]

BFA Senior League is the top division of the sport in the country.[12]

Baseball

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Baseball in the Bahamas is governed by the Bahamas Baseball Federation.

Seven baseball players from the Bahamas has played in Major League Baseball between 1957 and 2022, and a total of 25 currently play in the Minor league system as of 2022.[13]

Andre Rodgers[14] was the first Bahamian to play in the MLB. The other Bahamians who have played in MLB are Ed Armbrister, Tony Curry, Wenty Ford, Wil Culmer, Antoan Richardson, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Lucius Fox.[15]

There is an annual tournament called "Don’t Blink Home Run Derby".[16]

Baseball is played at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.[17][18][19]

Basketball

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See also: Bahamas national basketball team

Basketball is governed by the Bahamas Basketball Federation[20][21]

Mychal Thompson was the first Bahamian drafted into the NBA.[22]Dexter Cambridge, Rick Fox, Ian Lockhart, Magnum Rolle, Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton and Kai Jones has since gone on to play in the NBA.

The men's, women's and junior level national teams have won many international tournaments in its history.[23] The men's team placed eighth at the 1995 Tournament of the Americas and won the FIBA CBC Championship a total of seven times. This makes them the most dominant country in CBC tournament history.

There is an annual tournament that takes place at the Atlantis Resort Paradise island, showcasing NCAA American-based athletes called Battle 4 Atlantis.[24]

"The Hoopfest in Paradise" is a tournament that will take place December 16–17, 2022, at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium annually showcasing high school teams from both New Providence and Grand Bahama who will compete against American-based ranked schools.[25]

There are numerous gymnasiums used for basketball in the country with the biggest one being The Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau.[26]

Boxing

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See also: Bahamas at the Olympics

The Bahamas Boxing Commission is the governing body of the sport.[27]

Tureano Johnson is a notable Bahamian boxer that fought at the 2008 Olympic Games. He also won the WBC Silver middleweight title.[28]

Cricket

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See also: Cricket in the Bahamas

Bahamas Cricket Association governs the sport in the Bahamas.[29] Cricket is no longer the national sport of the Bahamas. It was the national sport of the Bahamas until 2023, although it was long debated to be changed among the majority of locals, due to the decline in popularity of the sport.[30]

Haynes Oval and Windsor Park are to the two main cricket grounds in Nassau, Bahamas,[31] while the main and only cricket grounds on Grand Bahama is the Lucaya Cricket Oval.[32]

Equestrian

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Equestrian Bahamas is an organization that supports and promotes the sport of equestrian in the Bahamas. There is a growing interest amongst youth through their programs.[33]

Millie Vlasov has been competing for the nation and took part in the "Andalucia Sunshine Tour" in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. She is currently looking to qualify for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.[34]

Golf

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See also: Category: Golf tournaments in the Bahamas

Golf is governed by Bahamas Golf Federation.[35][36]

There are many golf tournaments in the Bahamas hosted annually including two on the Korn Ferry Tour: The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic[37] and The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic.[38]

Judo

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Judo is governed by the Bahamas Judo Federation.[39]

Darcy Rahming is the president while his son Darcy Rahming Jr is the Technical Director. Darcy Rahming Sr also has a daughter Cynthia Rahming who competes in Judo for the Bahamas.

Cynthia Rahming is ranked 145th place in the world as of February 2022.

Andrew Munnings of the Bahamas is ranked 234th in the world as of February 2022.

Lacrosse

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The Bahamas has been hosting lacrosse events in Nassau and Grand Bahama in recent years.[40][41]

Mixed martial arts

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The Bahamas Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) is the governing body for mixed martial arts in the nation. They hope to become a part of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the near future.[42]

Empire Mixed Martial Arts Bahamas is a Pan American member of the (IMMAF)[43]

Netball

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Main article: Netball in the Americas

The governing body for netball in the country is Bahamas Netball Federation.[44]

The Bahamas women's national netball team competed in the 1971 World Netball Championships and the 1979 World Netball Championships.[45] They also competed in the 1976 and 1977 Caribbean Games. The sport has been on the decline in the country since then.[46]

Rugby sevens

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See also: Bahamas national rugby sevens team

U18 Bahamas National Sevens Team competed in the 2020 "Tropical Sevens" Tournament in Orlando, Florida.[47]

Rugby union

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See also: Rugby union in the Bahamas

Bahamas Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby Union in the country.[48] Bahamas national rugby union team has never qualified for the Rugby World Cup.[49]

Sailing

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Sailing is a very popular sport in the Bahamas. It was announced as the new national sport in April 2023.[50] The country got its first Olympic medals in sailing with Durward Knowles and Cecil Cooke.[51][52]

Numerous regattas take place throughout the Bahamian Islands, with the biggest being the "National Family Island Regatta" in Exuma Island.[53] The "Long Island Regatta" in Long Island, Bahamas,[54] and Cat Island Regatta on Cat Island, Bahamas are also major events.[55]

Softball

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Bahamas Softball Federation governs softball in the country.[56][57]

The sport has been played in the Bahamas since the 1940s.

There are several leagues across the nation, mainly in Nassau and Freeport. In 2022 the University of the Bahamas women's softball team competed in Florida.[58]

Swimming

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See also: List of Bahamian records in swimming

The Bahamas Aquatics Federation ('BAF') is the governing body in the country.[59]

Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace is the first Bahamian to make an Olympic final at the 2012 Olympic Games.[60]

This biggest swimming venue in the country is Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex in Nassau. There are numerous other swimming pools in high schools across Nassau.

On Grand Bahama there is an Olympic standard size swimming pool at Bishop Michael Eldon School and the YMCA.

The country has hosted CARIFTA Swimming Championships on four occasions.[61]

Tennis

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Tennis is governed by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association.[62]

Mark Knowles is the most notable tennis player from the Bahamas.[63]

There is a National Tennis Center located in the Queens Elizebeth Sports Complex in Nassau.

Volleyball

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See also: Bahamas women's national volleyball team

Bahamas Volleyball Federation Governs the sport volleyball in the country.[64][65]

Other

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Emily Morley is the first Bahamian to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in rowing.[66]

Stadiums in the Bahamas

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Stadium Country Capacity Image
Thomas Robinson Stadium Bahamas 15,023

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Bahamas' athletics tradition: small country, great athletes". World Athletics. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Bahamian Medals and Results in the Olympic Games". Olympian Data Base. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Medal Table". World Athletics. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Thomas A. Robinson Stadium". Bahamas Bowl. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Grand Bahama Sports Complex". Bahamas.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Special Assembly For Reconstruction Of Carl Oliver Track And Field Stadium". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  7. ^ "American football on the rise in Bahamas". Flag Spin. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  8. ^ "AHAMIAN NFL STAR ED SMITH NAMED 2018 MAKERS WANTED BAHAMAS BOWL HONORARY AMBASSADOR". Bahamas Bowl. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  9. ^ "This Year's Bahamas Bowl Most-Watched Edition Of Event In Four Years". The Tribune. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Team Bahamas Named For First World Cup Qualifier In Qatar 2022". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Grand Bahama Soccer Club". Grand Bahama Soccer Club. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Member Clubs". Bahamas FA. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  13. ^ "The Bahamas is no longer a baseball secret". MLB. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  14. ^ "André Rodgers". sabr.org. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  15. ^ "A Dream Come True For Lucius Fox". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Don't Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise returns; set for Atlantis Paradise Island". EW News. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium". National Sports Authority Bahamas. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  18. ^ "André Rodgers Baseball Stadium". Structure Point. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  19. ^ "TOO FAR IN: PS defends govt's $31M spend on baseball stadium; says govt can't let investment die". EW News. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Bahamas Basketball Federation Official". BBF Basketball. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  21. ^ "Bahamas basketball team hopes to give country a taste of World Cup". Toronto Star. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  22. ^ "Mychal Thompson Should Definitely be in the Hall of Fame". 10th Year Seniors. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  23. ^ "Bahamas Basketball Federation". FIBA. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Star-Studded Field All Set For Battle 4 Atlantis". The Tribune. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Hoopfest In Paradise Seeks To Bring Elite Prep Basketball Programmes To Bahamas". Tribune 242. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Sir Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium". Bahamas CGF. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Boxing returns to The Bahamas". Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Interview with Tureano Johnson". wbcboxing.com. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Bahamas Cricket Association". ICC-Cricket. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. ^ "Diane Phillips: Come On - It'S Simply Not Cricket". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Team Bahamas ready for battle". Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  32. ^ "The Lucaya Cricket Club". Bahamas.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Equestrian Bahamas". equestrianbahamas.org. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Vlasov goes clear in Spain; takes aim at the CAC Games". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  35. ^ "Bahamas Golf Federation". Bahamas Golf Federation. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  36. ^ Gomez, Jame. "A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOLF IN THE BAHAMAS". Bahamas Gov. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  37. ^ "The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club". PGA Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  38. ^ "The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay". PGA Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  39. ^ "Bahamas Jude Federation". IJF.org. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Bahamas Bash Lacrosse Tournament Was A Success". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Boys and Girls 7 v 7 Lacrosse Tournament". LW Lacrosse. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Local Mixed Martial Arts federation looks to join IMMAF". Bahamas Local. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Lasting Infrastructure Sees Bahamas Chosen to Host Pan-American Open Championships". IMMAF. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  44. ^ "Winnifred Russell-Bethell Member of this Country's first national Netball t" (PDF). Bahamas Gov. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  45. ^ "The Bahamas women's national netball team". The-Sport.org. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  46. ^ "Spotlight on the World Netball Tournament held in Jamaica, January 1971". Jamaican Gleaner. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  47. ^ "TROPICAL Sevens is the largest sevens event on the east coast of the US". Bahamas Youth Rugby. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Bahamas Rugby Football Union". Bahamas Local. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  49. ^ "BAHAMAS RUGBY REVIVES MEN'S INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM". Rugby Americas North. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  50. ^ "Sailing named the national sport of the Bahamas". 14 April 2023.
  51. ^ "Celebrating the sport in the Bahamas". Scuttlebutt Sailing News. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  52. ^ "Sir Durward Knowles' place in Bahamian history" (PDF). Bahamas Gov. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  53. ^ "The World's Greatest Sailing Event". Exuma Bahamas. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  54. ^ "Long Island Regatta". Bahamas Geo Tourism. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  55. ^ "Cat Island Sailing Club honors Sir Godfrey". Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  56. ^ "Bahamas Softball Federation History". WBSC. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  57. ^ "Titans Softball In Fastpitch Classic". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  58. ^ "Ub Ladies' Softball Team Displays Strong Showing In The Inaugural Games". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  59. ^ https://thenassauguardian.com/arianna-speaks-out-about-swimming-in-the-bahamas/ The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  60. ^ "Vanderpool-Wallace Lands Her First Full-Time Job". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  61. ^ "Davante Carey Takes Gold, Sets Carifta Swimming Record". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  62. ^ "BLTA Website". BLTA.net. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  63. ^ "Island Tennis Bahamas Programme Launched". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  64. ^ "BAHAMAS VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION". FIVB. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  65. ^ "UB Women's Volleyball team searches for players". EW News. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  66. ^ "row2k Starting Five: Bahamas' Emily Morley". row2k.com. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
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