NASSAU, The Bahamas -­‐-­‐ Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Iram Lewis said, on March 22, 2021, that it was not often or, perhaps not often enough, that as mature Bahamian citizens in seats of authority and influence, they pause to say thank you and recognize the works and efforts of those that preceded them in their various paths and stages in life.

“As a political newcomer and more specifically as the newest Minister to Youth, Sports & Culture, I could think of no better source for guidance and ideas than to reach out to all living former ministers of this very important Ministry -­‐-­‐ all 16, and yes, I make number 17,” Minister Lewis said, at a Roundtable Meeting, held at the Balmoral Club.

Among those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works the Hon. Desmond Bannister and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Michael Pintard (both former Ministers of Youth, Sports and Culture); Permanent Secretary Eugene Poitier; Under Secretary Montez Williams; Director of Sports, Timothy Munnings; Executive Director of Culture Rowena Poitier-­‐Sutherland; Head of Youth Division, Mrs. Sandena Neely; Senior Cultural Affairs Officer Sonovia Pierre; consultants and Junkanoo icons Edward "Fast Eddie” Dames and ‘King of Junkanoo’ Percy "Vola" Francis; and other Ministry officers; National Sports

Authority Chairman Burton Rodgers; General Manager of the National Stadium Quinton Brennen; Bahamas Olympic Committee President Romell Knowles; North American, Central American and Caribbean President, Mike Sands; Bahamas Baseball Association President Sam Rodgers, and other association representatives; National Art Gallery of The Bahamas Director Amanda Coulson and Board Chairman Lawrence Bascom; National Youth Choir Director Dexter Fernander, and the first Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Affairs Mr. Kendal Nottage.

Former Ministers of Youth, Sports and Culture, David Thompson and Zhivargo Laing also joined via Zoom.

Among the topics discussed included sports programmes and development; youth initiatives; the Orange Economy; the Cultural Policy; corporate partnerships and sponsorship; community outreach; the need for grant writers; and the importance of the integration of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Minister Lewis noted that he was no stranger to sports, nor the Ministry; being an Olympian, as well as playing an “integral role” as Project Manager during the construction of the National Stadium and the layout of the Master Plan associated with the surrounding property.

He added that he stood before them that day inspired by the many generous words of congratulations and encouragement he received; and that, with boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in him by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis, he had humbly accepted the appointment as the 17th Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture.

“I have, therefore, invited you here to personally demonstrate my sincere respect and appreciation to each of you no matter what party line you stand on for your contributions to this Ministry, whose mantle has now been placed in my care,” Minister Lewis said.

“After all, at the end of the day, we are all Bahamian and all our efforts are geared toward improving the lives of our citizens and our stakeholders by providing access and opportunities for success where without us there may seem little to no hope.”