The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC)’s Division of Sports launched a new regional sports competition format this year – marking the first time the Ministry was solely holding these events. (See full event results and photo feature here.)
This move, explained Montez Williams, Acting Permanent Secretary (APS) with the MOYSC, aimed to elevate the standard of youth sports across the nation, particularly in track and field. The core objective, he said, was to transition from an ad-hoc selection process, where coaches previously decided participants, to a more structured and competitive system. This new format mirrors international standards (like NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association), ensuring selections are based purely on athletes’ performance (time and distance) and looks to foster a higher degree of competition at national events.
Ultimately, said Mr. Williams, the goal is to develop youth athletes, facilitate their transition to college scholarships or international competitions, and boost the overall profile of sports in the country. The MOYSC Division of Sports hosted its first Northeastern Bahamas High School Regional Track and Field Championships, at the track facilities located on the grounds of the Preston H. Albury High School in Rock Sound, South Eleuthera, from March 11th to 12th, with two days of competition.
Officials, who had expected athletes from the island of Cat Island to take part in the competition, informed that inclement weather travel advisories hindered planned travel between the two islands, resulting in essentially a repeat of the Eleuthera District High Schools Track and Field Championships (hosted by the Eleuthera Public and Private Schools Sports Association – EPPSSA), which had taken place just one week earlier on the grounds of the North Eleuthera High School, where most junior and high schools across the island took part, with the exception of Preston Albury High, and Deep Creek Middle School. Final overall results at the District Champs saw North Eleuthera High in first, followed by Central Eleuthera High School, Harbour Island All Age, Samuel Guy Pinder All Age, Harbour Island Green School, and Windermere High School.
At the Northeastern Bahamas High School Regional hosted in Eleuthera, under the new format, the top two athletes in each event automatically advanced to the national championships (Frank Pancho Track & Field Nationals – Primary and High Schools – which took place in New Providence from April 13th to 18th, 2026), along with those with the best overall times and distances, across the eight regional competitions held.
APS Williams, outlining some of the impacts and benefits of the new regionals format, said that it aimed to discover and nurture talent from the Family Islands, addressing the historical concentration of scouting opportunities in New Providence. It also exposed athletes, he added, to competitive formats that they would be familiar with if they were to go on to pursue sports at the collegiate or international level, making it an easier transition for them.
Williams also highlighted that sports was a vital vehicle for personal advancement, promoting health, and also offered financial gain through scholarships and professional careers. He pointed to the crucial role of parental support in pushing their children to realize their full potential in sports, as well.
In support of the new regionals format, Mr. Williams, said that it had been deemed by the Ministry as viable and slightly more cost-effective than the previous model, which involved flying in and accommodating numerous athletes from all islands for nationals. The regional events, he said, also served as a catalyst for upgrading sports facilities across the islands. Discussions were underway, he informed, with the Ministry of Finance to support these upgrades, which, he said, would benefit not only youth sports, but also adult competitions, like the Bahamas Games.
Mr. Kerry Baker, Assistant Director of Sports with the MOYSC, who was also on island for the two-day ‘regional’ competition in Eleuthera, said that the Ministry collaborates closely with the Ministry of Education, recognizing that the athletes are their students. He added that the MOYSC also communicates with various sports federations and focuses on community initiatives to develop sporting disciplines – basically functioning as an umbrella organization, overseeing and developing various sports activities across the country. Public input, added Mr. Baker, was both encouraged and welcomed from individuals with ideas or with concerns. People can reach out to the Division of Sports at 502-0600, or get in touch with him via email at [email protected]
Final overall results at the Northeastern Bahamas Regionals, hosted in Rock Sound, saw Preston Albury High in first, followed by North Eleuthera High, Central Eleuthera High School, Harbour Island All Age, Samuel Guy Pinder All Age, Deep Creek Middle School, Windermere High School, and Harbour Island Green School.
See full event results and photo feature here.
