By STAFF WRITER, Guardian Sports Desk

sheldon@nasguard.com

When the reigning 2006 NBA (National Basketball Association) Champions, the Miami Heat, return to their home court on October 31, for their official season opener against the Chicago Bulls, The Islands Of The Bahamas will be on center stage.

The Ministry of Tourism recently inked a deal for a three-year partnership with the Heat. Among the promotional benefits that will accrue to The Islands Of The Bahamas as a result of the agreement, will be a number of Bahamas-themed nights at the American Airlines Arena along with several community related activities involving the Heat players and coaches.

The most immediate occurrence will be held this week. Over 50 coaches from across The Islands Of The Bahamas will travel to the American Airlines Arena in Miami today, for one-on-one coaching sessions with famed Miami Heat Head Coach, Pat Riley and his coaching staff. This initiative is expected to be the first of many community activities organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the Miami Heat aimed at energising Bahamian youths through the sport of basketball.

Bahamian coaches who will travel to Miami for the two-day clinic include: Natasha Miller; Antoinette Knowles; Varel Clarke; Christine Jenoure; Margaret Albury; Nickita Taylor; Annastacia Moultrie; Harcourt McCoy; Tito Thurston; Ashley Rolle; Charles Mackey; Frederick Brown; Felix Musgrove; Mario Bowleg; Sean Bastian; Anthon Francis; Monstressor Charlton; Sherwin Major; Anthony Swaby; and Donnie Culmer. They will depart today and return to New Providence tomorrow night.

As far as the new semi-professional basketball league is concerned, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) is advising that it has not been sanctioned by them and they are not prepared to recognise it. "We would like to advise that any coach, player, official (floor or desk) or administrator who may be involved in this league that they will not be able to participate in any BBF sanctioned events. We would like to make particular note that any young player who may have dreams of playing college level basketball, will be putting their amateur status in jeopardy which may prevent them from ever reaching their dream," the federation stated through an official press release.

"We would also like to advise that Mr. Ricardo Smith who is said to be the 'Commissioner' of this new league has been suspended from basketball by the BBF indefinitely. Therefore, he is precluded from any basketball participation until such time as the suspension is lifted," it continued.

In the release, it was also stated that the federation has written to both the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Housing and to the Ministry of Education seeking their support in causing this body to open discussions with the BBF and to further support the BBF by not allowing this body to use any of their facilities be it indoor or outdoor.

"We would further like to caution any sponsors who may be entertaining sponsorship in anyway of this leagues or any of the participating teams to be extremely careful," the release continued. "We would in fact like to recommend that no sponsors get involved in this organisation unless it is officially sanctioned by the BBF. Should any sponsor get involved with this league and later are unhappy or believe that there funds were misused, the BBF will not entertain any complaints or accept any responsibility in regards to this league."