By Christopher Osborne

Seven hundred plus (700+) athletes dazzled the world class Thomas A. Robinson stadium with their colors and prowess of talents as they vied for top record performing times in the 25th T. Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic.  

Competition was keen over the past weekend, as 38 athletic clubs competed in the TBF Classic meet that was held Friday, January 13th at 6:30 p.m. through Saturday January 14th at 1 PM at the world class, new Thomas A Robinson Stadium.  

Foster Dorsett, head coach of the club gave “a vote of thanks to God for a good weather” and he expressed sincere appreciation to all the athletic track clubs that participated, the athletes, the coaches, the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials who managed the professional performance of each race, as well as to the Tech Team for record keeping times and statistical data for the track and field events.

“I was really impressed with this event and the support” said Dorsett.  The significant increase in participants at this year's event was a change to the club's marketing approach and it was fulfilled as Dorsett expected.

“Also,” he expressed “thanks to the T. A. Robinson Stadium management team for allowing us to host this annual event. This stadium gave our ‘fine upcoming’ athletes the opportunity to perform and acquaint themselves with the stadium and, they were really pleased for participating on the tracks of the new stadium,” he noted.  Unfortunately, the fielding events such as the Javelin, Discus, Shotput etc., were held at the University of The Bahamas sports field.   

Sincere thanks for this “well supported” event, was highly extended to the featured T. B. Flyers’ Classic sponsor, world renowned Olympian and track and field legend, Chris "The Fire Man Brown."   Brown is a world record holder in the middle distance running and the most decorated male athlete in the history of The Bahamas.  In a recent interview with Brown, he noted that his highest aim is to give back to the country and support the development of track and field and aspiring athletes.

Further appreciation was extended to Trevor Moss and the Tech Team for “outstanding work and electronic timing; Sandra Butler for the dedicated service in putting over 700 athletes into the system. “I really commend her for the dedication and hard work,” he emphasized, as well as he said thanks to this digital journal and its administration, the Bahamas Athletics for assisting in the PR and coverage of the event.  

The T. Bird Flyers’ head coach noted that the event is an effort to raise funds for uniforms for the athletes and other accrued expenses for the organization in general. Having a two day classic meet was structured into a two day event than a one day affair because it appeals to coaches and athletes and, it enables coaches to enter more athletes and gauge the most suited performing records for particular events moving forward.  

Another huge attraction coming soon in this 2017,  is the honoring of Chris Brown, four-time Olympic medal winner that includes a gold in the 4X400 relay in London in 2012  and recent outstanding performances. Dorsett believes that the increased effort on marketing and the presence of Brown will ignite expected registered athletes and surpass a 1000 inclusive of anticipated addition of international qualifiers.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) hope that athletes will be able to make qualifying standards as soon as possible for the CARIFTA Games, which take place this year in Curacao during the Easter weekend between April 15 and April 18.

The Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic was the perfect event for athletes to launch their quest to qualify for the upcoming specialized games.