Sports in The Bahamas is promised to get a boost across numerous disciplines following Minister of Youth and Sports Mario Bowleg’s contribution to the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The minister touched on various initiatives, including allocations for the national sport of sailing, sports tourism, sporting facilities in the Family Islands, the National Sports Authority (NSA), the National Sports Endowment, and subventions for athletes.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports now has sports tourism, with a national brand of ‘Sports in Paradise’, under its portfolio, and there has been an allocation of $5,583,870 to promote the country’s sports brand.
“This investment will help us attract more events, strengthen existing partnerships, build new relationships, and expand opportunities throughout the country,” Bowleg said on Tuesday. “Every team that trains here supports our economy. Every event hosted here creates opportunities for Bahamian businesses. Every athlete, coach, official, and supporter who visits our shores contribute to communities throughout The Bahamas. The return on that investment can be seen in our hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, vendors, entrepreneurs, and the many people whose livelihoods benefit from increased activity and exposure.”
In addition to furthering the country’s sports tourism product, there has been an extra emphasis placed on the national sport of The Bahamas, sailing.
This initiative includes expanding this year’s summer sports program to include sailing classes, sail-making courses, and boat-building instructions for youth hailing from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Cat Island, Exuma, and Eleuthera.
Furthermore, the national junior sailing program has now onboarded two more schools — S.C. McPherson Junior High School and Doris Johnson Senior High School — bringing the total number of participating schools to 16.
Most importantly, Bowleg said an additional $500,000 was allocated to assist with the development of sailing in the country.
“As part of this effort, I intend to introduce a new governance structure, beginning with the establishment of a national sailing federation and a national sailing commission which will be rolled out in phases through proper consultation,” he said. “These bodies will assist in the overall growth, governance, and development of sailing throughout The Bahamas by strengthening administration of the sport, improving coordination among stakeholders, and creating a framework for long-term sustainability. The national sailing federation will provide a clear pathway for Bahamian sailors to once again compete at the highest levels of international competition, including Olympic qualification, world championships, and other major international events. To support this objective, we will increase support and subsidies for sailors competing abroad, providing greater opportunities for training and participation in international events.
“Complementing this initiative, will be the development of a national sailing academy, designed to identify and nurture talent, strengthen coaching and officiating standards, expand youth participation, and create a sustainable pipeline for future generations of sailors. The ministry will work closely with the Bahamas Sailing Association to ensure the academy aligns with international standards and supports the continued growth of sailing throughout the country.”
The minister also highlighted the importance of continuing to develop facilities in the Family Islands, as those islands have been the homes of some of the nation’s best athletes.
Bearing that in mind, the government has allocated $120,000 to the upkeep of sporting facilities in the Family Islands.
“The challenge has never been talent,” Bowleg said. “The challenge has always been ensuring that opportunity can meet that talent wherever it exists and there are young Bahamians throughout our Family Islands waiting for that same opportunity today. That is why this budget allocates $120,000 toward the maintenance, improvement, and enhancement of sporting facilities and recreational spaces throughout our Family Islands. We want to see softball continue to thrive in Eleuthera, basketball continue to grow in Bimini and Grand Bahama, create more opportunities for volleyball, track and field, baseball, swimming, sailing, and the many other sports that help shape communities and create pathways for young people.”
Bowleg’s 2026/27 budget contribution also included an allocation of $2,025,000 for elite athletes as part of the subvention program. An additional $4,450,000 was allocated to the NSA, while the National Sports Endowment now totals $2,500,000.
“These allocations, along with contributions to international games, assistance to student-athletes, support for World Athletics, the Bahamas Local Organizing Committee, and the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission, form the core of the Department of Sports’ financial framework,” the minister said.
“Together, these investments enable us to provide sustained support to athletes, coaches, teams, and national federations, while strengthening the systems that develop talent, promote excellence, and ensure that Bahamian sport continues to compete and succeed at the highest levels.”
Bowleg maintained that these investments and allocations are a sign of progress.
