Press Statement

I was saddened to hear that Neville Wisdom passed away today.

He was a serious, committed public servant from his youth, learning from his father, the former General Manager of ZNS. Wisdom was heavily involved with young people; He was a longstanding track-and-field coach, particularly with the Bain Town Flyers Track Club, where he coached prominent Bahamian athletes including Pauline Davis and Frank Rutherford.

Later, as Minister under the first Christie administration, he held portfolios that included responsibility for youth, sports, culture and housing. His work helped shape the framework that still guides Bahamian sports today, including the Sports Authority Act, and his support for the Bahamas Baseball Federation opened doors for young Bahamians to pursue baseball at higher levels, including in Major League organizations.

What I always respected about Minister Wisdom was his refusal to accept the easy argument that our young people deserve more punishment than investment. He fiercely believed youth deserve to be challenged and assisted toward greatness, not managed through incarceration. That conviction shaped his approach to public policy, and this country still needs voices to carry it forward.

Minister Wisdom and I sat on different sides of the aisle, but public service in The Bahamas has never been the property of one party. His service deserves to be saluted and remembered.

To his wife, Manita, and the Wisdom family, I encourage you to find comfort in knowing that his work outlives him, in the young athletes still coming up through the systems he built, and in a life that was full and well lived.

On behalf of my wife, Berlice and the entire Free National Movement family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.

Hon. Michael C. Pintard

Leader of the Official Opposition

Leader of the Free National Movement

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