The Tribune house & hoMe
STRIKE
• TUC head: There will be a reckoning as at least 14 unions set to take action
• Davis: Industrial action due to start today is branded as unlawful
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
AT least 14 labour unions are threatening to begin a two-day nationwide strike today, according to Trade Union Congress (TUC) president Obie Ferguson, who warned that there will be a “reckoning” and the government will feel the “might of the workers”
after three years of unmet demands. The government issued multiple statements yesterday indicating it was taking the threatened strike seriously, but the extent of any potential work stoppage remained unclear at press time, as many union leaders did not answer calls or respond to messages.
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Freeport Reporter
THE Swingers unoficially won Grand Bahama’s Pineyard Rush Junkanoo Parade after delivering a show-stopping performance that allowed them to dethrone six-time champions Platinum Knights to capture their first victory in nine years. The group claimed top spots in five of seven categories in the A Division: Best Banner, Group Costume, Choreography, Lead Costume, and Showtime Performance. Overall, the Superstar Rockers placed second, followed by the Platinum Knights, Classic Dancers, and New Generation, a new group. In the B Division, Showtime claimed
Pictured left: Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson.
Above: Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.
Photo: Vandyke hepburn
Swingers win GB Pineyard Rush Junkanoo Parade
place, Sting finished second, and the Bushwackers took third.
Despite the chilly conditions and a nearly two-hour delay, Junkanoo fans and visitors packed the parade route on Explorer’s Way, Freeport. Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg officially opened the event and delivered remarks.
Anjoun Armaly, a leader of the Swingers, expressed satisfaction with the group’s performance and the results.
The group dedicated this year’s parade to their beloved founder and leader, the late Anthony “Huck” Williams, who continued participating in Junkanoo even while battling cancer.
“It’s been a year since the passing of our former leader Anthony ‘Huck’ Williams. We chose a theme that he would like to bring to the road, and in paying tribute to him, we came up with a presentation we felt was fitting and executed it to the T,” Mr Armaly said.
The Swingers captivated the crowd with their them: The Great Indian Reunion - It’s a Powwow! Vibrant costumes featured feathered headpieces, and bold colours helped bring Native American culture to life.
The energetic choreography, perfectly timed with rhythmic drumming and soulful chants, transformed the parade route into a celebration of unity and tradition. The group’s dynamic storytelling and visuals left fans in awe.
After its loss last year, the group returned to its shack determined to win by making significant changes.
“Rather than cry or complain about it, we went back to the shack, rededicated ourselves, reorganized, and restructured the group, hoping that with a new look and better structure, the results would turn in our favour — and they did,” said Mr Armaly.
“We were pleased with our overall presentation. The last win we had was in 2016. We want to thank all our members, fans, and
sponsors. We truly appreciate their support and efforts, and we look forward to bigger and better things in 2026,” he said.
Junkanooers praised the return to the Explorer’s Way route.
“We like this route better because it gives Junkanooers better interaction with fans and better sound.
Spectators can actually feel the bass and vibrations bouncing off the buildings,” said Mr Armaly.
Thomas Curry, leader of the Platinum Knights, acknowledged challenges with sponsorships and their performance.
The Platinum Knights delivered a vibrant display with their theme, Come One, Come All: The Greatest Show on Earth, the Circus. The performance was a whirlwind of colour and excitement, featuring costumes inspired by circus acts, including a ringmaster, towering clowns on stilts, concession stands, and jesters. The group wowed the audience despite falling short of victory.
Platinum Knights were scheduled to enter the route second; however, due to the no-show of a B Division group, they were first out on the parade route.
“We thought we would walk away with the win, but we came out of the gate flat because we had been waiting in the gates so long,” said Mr Curry.
He noted the group’s struggled with securing sponsors, which came through late in the year.
“We had some challenges sponsor-wise, but we thank our sponsors for helping us get to the road,” he said.
“We will go back to the drawing board and come back next year. We always work hard, and I’m happy the monkey is off our backs now. It was a rough year for us, and now we can take a break and come back for what is ours,” he added.
Mr Curry said the new route was fairly good but noted there was still room for improvement in the parade’s organization.
Norris Bain, assistant director at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture,
said all group leaders had input concerning the return to Explorer’s Way. The twolap parade continued into the Majority Rule holiday, ending at 2am.
“The team has been working hard to make this successful for the island of Grand Bahama and to
propel Junkanoo on the island,” he said.
Mr Bowleg thanked all the sponsors who supported the groups and expressed gratitude to the fans for braving the cold weather to celebrate the country’s number-one cultural event, Junkanoo.
The SwingerS, winners of Grand Bahama’s Pineyard Rush Junkanoo Parade.
Photos: Vandyke hepburn
ClaSSiC DanCerS - FourTh PlaCe
SuPerSTar roCkerS - SeConD PlaCe
PlaTinum knighTS - ThirD PlaCe
Strike threat as 14 unions set for two-day action
from page one
The dispute stems in part from a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) controversially signed by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), along with trade union bodies, that promised a “Workers’ Agenda” to address pressing labour issues.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis described today’s proposed strike as “illegal,” arguing that Mr Ferguson, KC, is acting in bad faith.
In a statement last night, Mr Davis said the proposed strike is surprising, claiming that his office repeatedly tried to reach Mr Ferguson to schedule a meeting and even agreed on a time.
“For three and a half years under this administration, we have held up all part of the MoU agreement,” Mr Ferguson said in a recording. “Despite regular meetings with the Hon. Prime Minister and ministers of the government, we have not been able to get the respect and support necessary to resolve many of our labour issues. All we got were promises and more promises. As my mother used to say, a promise is a comfort to fools. Well, we are not fools. And we now say enough is enough. In the morning, we will demonstrate that we have had enough. And the powers that be will feel the might of the workers.”
In December, Mr Ferguson said 14 unions were holding strike certificates and were prepared to take industrial action. He said unresolved disputes involved customs and immigration officers, the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association, and national insurance workers.
In a purported leaked audio message yesterday, Bahamas Nurses Union President Muriel Lightbourne called for a two-day work stoppage, saying: “We are asking
all of you to stand in solidarity… by relaxing at home.” Yet when contacted for comment, she denied any knowledge of a strike, saying her union would not be taking part. Other union heads, such as Dwayne Woods of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union (BUWASU) and Belinda Wilson of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), said they are not involved. The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and the Ministry of Health & Wellness have activated contingency plans, warning that urgent care services
will remain operational while non-urgent appointments at public hospitals and clinics may be rescheduled. The PHA has pledged to contact patients affected by delays, and health officials have promised to keep the public informed if staffing shortages emerge.
Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle also acknowledged the strike threat, saying her ministry “has taken note” and that relevant government agencies are preparing for potential disruptions. Still, she challenged the need for a strike, insisting that the government is “actively engaged in addressing labour issues
Legal year opening Grand
through open and constructive dialogue and proactive action.”
Shanendon Cartwright, deputy leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), criticised the Davis administration in a press release, accusing it of “betraying unions and workers” and failing to honour agreements.
He said the government has “overpromised and underdelivered,” leaving many workers dissatisfied.
But Mr Davis, who believes he is negotiating in good faith, insists his office remains open to continued discussions, suggesting that a coordinated two-day
shutdown will do more harm than good. Parents were advised last night by the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training to monitor the ministry’s Facebook page and respective school pages “in the event it becomes necessary to collect their children”.
Meanwhile, the National Insurance Board warned of a potential three-day “national sick-out” which would involve members of the Union of Public Officers. It said that an agreement will this week be signed however with the Public Managers Union.
NIB said offices will
remain open from 9am5pm across The Bahamas, but to reduce delays urged people to use drop boxes at local officers where possible and use online services for card renewals and contribution payments, or email departments directly for additional assistance.
In a voice note last night, the president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Belinda Wilson, said they are “not, repeat not” participating in industrial action and said teachers would report as normal. She said she anticipated there would be little to no disruption to schools in The Bahamas.
Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson warned that there will be a “reckoning” and the government will feel the “might of the workers” after three years of unmet demands.
Bahama
MeMbers of the legal profession march in Grand Bahama during the opening of the legal year. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
Christie: My govt started work on GBPA
administration’s push for transformative change in the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s management has its genesis and roots in work done by his administration.
Speaking at the Rotary Club of Freeport on Thursday, he said: “You have a current situation where I am advised that the Prime Minister has indicated that he wants $357m as a result of an audit.
“There is either a foundation for it or there is not. I can only tell you that the consultancies that were established in my time were leading us in that direction and what he has done is followed it.”
Mr Christie noted that his administration appointed a committee led by bipartisan chair Dr Marcus Bethel (PLP) and deputy chair Maurice Moore (FNM) that made several recommendations.
“I lost the elections and I asked myself, ‘What happened?’ This thing that I put together that was to transcend politics and the division of politics died because of politics,” he said.
“I looked at it today and everything that the Prime Minister currently is doing or trying to do has its genesis in the work done by that committee.
“I was looking to invoke reimbursement provisions for a certain amount of years, and I said I did an accounting, not an audit. Prime Minister Brave Davis has done an audit. But what we were doing was trying to determine what should happen on this island to make it fly.”
Mr Christie noted that while infrastructure was put in place for 500,000 people, Grand Bahama’s economy was being challenged and limping. He
added that the sight of only a few private jets at the airport when he landed was a clear indication that something was wrong. He emphasised that he knew there was a need for an infusion of new capital, pointing out that the Oxford Group had reported the accumulation of unused land as a significant factor stunting the
island’s development.
“I had to wait for Mr Davis to come in and start over again,” he said. “Well, listen, you are not trying to take anything from anybody. You are trying to reason out what is best for Grand Bahama, and the people of Grand Bahama.”
Prime Minister Philip Davis has claimed that the GBPA has failed to meet
its obligations to Freeport and is demanding some $357 million in reimbursement allegedly owed to the government over the last five fiscal years. The GBPA, however, denies owing the amount.
Mr Christie emphasised Grand Bahama’s significance and the need for its development to be a collaborative effort.
“The people of Grand Bahama, you are sitting in a very special island, which requires special attention from any government,” he said. “You have a system here that a consulting group hired by the Committee of Maurice Moore and Marcus Bethel, the Oxford Group, indicated that there was no parallel in the US or elsewhere of
this kind of formula. And that every consideration has to be given to whether or not this is an effective model.”
“You cannot sit on this island and not understand the importance of having an interest in knowing that you have to be involved to guarantee the protection of your families and their future.”
Department of Corrections reviewing video of an officer fighting with a civilian
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
A
Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) officer fighting a civilian is now under review by the department’s Internal Affairs Unit.
Prison Commissioner Doan Cleare confirmed to The Tribune that he has seen the footage and is awaiting the unit’s recommendations on the matter.
The footage, which spread rapidly on social media, shows the officer gripping a woman by the hair, repeatedly punching her while both are on the
ground. It remains unclear what led to the confrontation, though during the incident, the officer references her son, shouting: “That’s my son,” as she continues hitting the other woman, who appears not to fight back. A man briefly attempts to separate the pair, but the officer persists.
In a subsequent clip, the officer tries to leave yet still holds onto the civilian’s hair, while the civilian clings to the officer’s clothes. “Let me go,” the officer says, before again knocking the woman down and demanding to be released. “My son is in here,” she said. “Leave my son alone.”
Former Prime Minister Perry Christie.
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
Extending maternity leave could hurt small businesses, says Chamber
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce has said extending maternity leave beyond 12 weeks could hurt small businesses and drive up consumer prices, even as the Ministry of Labour considers stakeholder feedback to increase leave to 16 weeks.
Bahamian law currently mandates 12 weeks of maternity leave, with at least one-third of this time paid by employers.
However, the Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association (BNBA) is advocating for extended leave to support breastfeeding and align with international labour standards.
BNBA president Trineka
McCardy has noted that the country has a exclusive breastfeeding rate of 22 percent, well below the
World Health Organisation’s 60 percent target. Yesterday, chief executive officer of the Bahamas
Chamber of Commerce Dr Leo Rolle said further research is needed to understand the economic implications of extending leave.
“While we appreciate the desire to give new mothers more time to bond with their new babies, we would like to see a proper study showing benefits and challenges of the proposed change,” he said. “Many of our businesses are SMEs and may be challenged with an extension to the maternity period.”
Dr Rolle added that the Chamber of Commerce also wants an informed approach regarding paternity leave.
“In all of these questions, we must also address the productivity of the workforce as a more productive workforce makes such
Glover-Rolle: Bahamasair ramp operators took redundancy instead of transfer to NFS
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR Minister Pia
Glover-Rolle said Bahamasair ramp operators affected by the airline’s outsourcing plan were offered transfers to Nassau Flight Services (NFS) with their seniority and benefits protected, but the union advised them to accept redundancy instead.
“To my understanding, most if not all of those persons were inclined to proceed in that fashion but now I’m being advised that the union has encouraged its members to accept redundancy which, if correct, is unfortunate and regrettable,” she told The Tribune yesterday.
The move to consolidate ramp operations under a single state-owned agency had stirred concerns among
workers.
Mrs Glover-Rolle’s statement followed the AAAWU’s threat of a strike vote last year over what it deems a breach of its industrial agreement. Union officials also say the airline owes its members significant unpaid salary increments, a long-running issue.
Last year, Bahamasair’s Managing Director Tracy Cooper explained that shifting roughly 50 ramp operators to NFS would streamline operations, reduce duplication, and lessen reliance on government funding.
“The government of The Bahamas owns both Bahamasair as a corporation and Nassau Flight services as a corporation,” Mr Cooper said. “So this whole programme is to bring better efficiencies so that there could be less dependency on the government.”
Still, the union contended that employees face potential pension losses if they move to NFS, as Bahamasair’s pension fund is over $60m, compared to NFS’s $6m. AAAWU president Jewel Fountain said her members were not only
worried about pension benefits, but also about salary increments she claims are owed under Article 5 of their industrial agreement. The union had sent letters to Bahamasair’s management requesting appraisal forms and proper calculation of the increments.
Six RBPF officers receive promotions
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
SIX senior police officers have been promoted.
Newly appointed Commissioner Shanta Knowles announced on Thursday that Zhivargo Dames, Roberto Goodman, and Dwight Adderley have been promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioners, while Mareno Hinds, Anton Rahming, and Advardo Dames have been promoted to Assistant Commissioner. Anthony Rolle and Kirkwood Andrews were previously sworn in as Deputy Commissioners of Police during a ceremony at Government House. Commissioner Knowles has said that in her first three months, she plans to introduce mandatory ethics and conduct training for all officers and reserves, focusing on such topics as justifiable cause, harm reduction, and the abuse of power. She also committed to requiring all frontline officers to activate bodyworn cameras during public interactions to ensure
thorough documentation.
She introduced the Shanta Knowles Scholarship Fund, designed to support officers pursuing higher education in law enforcement and related fields. The fund has already received initial contributions, highlighting her commitment to professional development within the RBPF.
concessions an easier decision for the employer,” he said.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle confirmed her ministry is reviewing the possibility of extending maternity leave to 16 weeks, referencing feedback from a recent Labour Law symposium.
“The white paper is in its final drafting which will be presented to Cabinet,” she said. “We are anticipating within the month of January we will present the 255 recommendations from the stakeholders. The recommendation at this time will also be one that we will benchmark against international Labor Organization standards, the recommendation of which is 16 weeks.”
Mrs Glover-Rolle added that once Cabinet
sees the white paper, the proposals — including extended maternity leave — will be “returned to the stakeholders for further consultation before going for legislative drafting to take to Parliament.”
Secretary of the National Tripartite Council, Yolantha Ward-Yallop, has also confirmed that the Department of Labour is incorporating stakeholder input into the drafting process.
“It’s beyond a discussion,” she said last week. “Labour is trying to incorporate enhanced maternity benefits into legislation.” Paternity and shared parental leave are under consideration as well, though Ms Ward-Yallop could not provide a definite timeline for when final decisions will be made.
Bahamas ChamBer of CommerCe head dr Leo roLLe
LaBour minister Pia GLover-roLLe
The Tribune Limited
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LEON E. H. DUPUCH
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RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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Will Davis steer unions away from striking?
IT seems hardly any time ago that Philip “Brave” Davis was pictured in a pre-election photo shaking hands and all smiles with union leaders.
That was in August 2021 when he was party leader and not the nation’s leader. Fast forward to today and, as we write this column, the nation is seemingly about to be plunged into a two-day strike.
The love between leader and unions seems to be long gone. Indeed, Prime Minister Davis in a statement last night said that TUC chief Obie Ferguson had not been taking his calls for days.
It does not help the PM’s image that as he was insisting that the government would act, pictures of him at a birthday party in Bimini were circulating on social media. It is not as if there has not been warning of this coming.
In December, Mr Ferguson told The Tribune that a mass strike was “very possible… at any moment”. He said that all TUC affiliates had agreed to act as a collective unit to resolve workplace grievances.
That came after the Bahamasair staff sickout that grounded flights for almost an entire day. And there was also unrest with Customs officers it seems at Lynden Pindling International Airport before Christmas.
In December, Mr Ferguson called the industrial relations climate “very strained” and “very fragile”.
Mr Davis has been forthright in response, calling the threatened strike unlawful.
The Minister of Labour, Pia GloverRolle, has called on unions to negotiate rather than strike.
Most pointedly, the Public Hospitals Authority and the Ministry of Health and Wellness pointed up the very real possible human effects of all of this. People who have appointments for
their health may well find them being postponed – and most worryingly, the ministry talked of the potential impact on emergency and essential services at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Rand Memorial Hospital and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre as well as clinics across the country.
Of course, the best way to deal with disagreements is to sit down and talk them out. That is what the government is calling for. But unions have to have faith that the negotiations will have a path to resolution too.
Some would point to the feeling that the election countdown has begun and unions trying to make sure they get what they want before it comes to time to vote.
Proceeding with the strike will doubtless have a cost. Financial too. If Customs staff are out on strike, then there may well be income we lose from duties as people bring items into the country.
There is still time to pull back from action. There is still time to pick up that phone call from the prime minister.
Unions will need to be aware that the country cannot pay any price, that some demands can be accommodated and others cannot. The move to reduce VAT on food at stores from ten percent to five percent, for example, will come at a projected cost of $30m a year, according to Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis. Where should that money be spent? On cutting prices at the stores or elsewhere?
But it is on the healthcare front that the hardship might be most keenly felt. We hope that all those involved do everything possible to ensure that those in need of care receive it.
If indeed the strike goes ahead this morning, it will doubtless have an impact on our nation – and if unresolved, on the hopes of this administration’s future.
Travellers, be mindful of the cold
EDITOR, The Tribune.
GREETINGS once again and based on the ads playing out in the news media, about the proposed bookings of the trip to be present at the event in the caption, meaning ‘the inauguration of the US’ forty seventh president, how awesome is that? But, I just would like to share a note of caution about the likely weather forecast. As the US is currently undergoing a winter storm unlike it in decades, with temperature going below the centerline, or the divider between Centigrade, and Fahrenheit, but more like-two (bone chilling conditions, I might add). Now, when I saw the advertisements I was taken about by the crew from ZNS that traveled to the 2008 inauguration of former President Barack Obama, a temperature that settled at 20 degrees fah. I don’t know what was
told the Bahamian delegation (at the time), about what kind of attire for the occasion (was a must), because ZNS staffer Ms Felicity Ingraham (certainly, she doesn’t mind her name being used to drive home the absolute point, the necessity to prepare too faced one of nature’s wrath), as she was on the Bahamian people’s time ( I suspect), just so that you’ll all know (and I believed that Mr Clint Watson might have been a party to the trip), that I have real facts to back up the content of this essay, about that trip, whilst ill-prepared for the cold spell, it struck her like a ton of bricks, with a major decrease inter body defenses, its temperature, so much so, that she had already began to turn purple.
Had it not been for the quick thinking of some of the locals in attendance, who sprung into action by laying on top of
Picture of the day
Trump’s miscues have begun
EDITOR, The Tribune. PRESIDENT elect Trump is not even in office yet his minions have been working overtime to begin the dismantling of American Democracy already. There are stages to this process.
First, bring under control or dismantle police forces that have tried to protect and uphold the US Constitution. Those enforcement agencies that challenged Trump in private, business or while in office will be threatened, legislatively attacked and harmed.
So Reps Boebert and Burlison have introduced legislation to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives(ATF).
Boebert said she “cannot imagine under any circumstances or administration where the ATF serves as an ally to the Second Amendment and lawabiding firearm owners in America. The ATF should be abolished before they eventually abolish the Second Amendment”.
her, sharing their bodies warmth with her, and calling the medical emergency services, there is a good chance that she would be deceased. What am I saying? I would like for our Bahamian people whilst seemingly and perhaps too inquisitive in other people’s things, would be better served to remain at home in Nassau, just saying. But if still desirous of traveling it, to please pack warm clothing in abundance, and I am certain that much of the appropriate attire may not be available at home?
Editor, sharing the information, so that those who may not have had the information, can be informed ahead of their decision, able to make an informed calculation, and delegate the sufficient cash for winter dress, otherwise?
FRANK GILBERT
Nassau, January 6, 2025.
Rep Burlison said “the ATF is emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on the constitutional liberties of Americans without consequences”.
Once the ATF is abolished or changed from its present form, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be next to face rightwing strong arming. Any institution that has challenged Donald Trump in the past, be it police enforcement, regulatory or Judicial in nature is in peri and threatened by The Republican Party, the Congress, the House of Representatives and various Corporate entities, eventually the Oval Office as well.
2. Social institutions will be bulldozed into insignificance or eradicated completely. Roe
and Wade was defiled by the Supreme Court and all over America local and State Assemblies and Legislatures are attacking the very concept of gender identity, same sex marriage, equal rights for all. The incoming administration cares only for the following principals...
a. The complete protection of the Second Amendment, weapons ownership protection and the protection of those who manufacture and supply these weapons(Gun Manufacturers).
b. A Bible Based Social attachment placed upon all Assembly and State Policy. A direct attack upon those who believed Church and State need to be separated.
c. A return to traditional family values...parental guidance in school policies, designation that there are only two genders M&F, institutionalizing organisations that treat gender confusion as a mental health issue etc...
These Americans believe America is under siege and should be defended domestically using all police forces and law enforcement agencies on the local, State and National fronts. The very idea is based upon McCarthyistic attitudes. Instead of a “commie being under your bed, look out for illegal migrants instead”. You remember Senator Joseph McCarthy don’t you? He played upon the fears of his times, creating a situation where any person viewed as liberal or progressive was in fact a threat to America.
Sound Familiar, Folks! Seems Donald Trump comes from the same school as McCarthy,
pointing their finger and crying wolf!
3. The military will be the third and most important institution to be brought into the fold of right-wing ambitions. Like any other strong man (Franco, Hitler, Mao, Stalin), the military will be set upon by politically appointed individuals who will seek out those officers that don’t support Trump administration policies, any members of the LBGTQ+ community, questionable orogressives and Muslims and have them investigated and possible discharged from the Armed Forces. The socio-religious attitudes in the public will be involved in the military as well, a inquisition of sorts perhaps.
Has happened before and it may happen again under Trumps watch.
4. Law Enforcement and the Judicial Institution’s of America will be brought into the Trumpian Sphere of influence. Those who support the President will be favored for promotion or even public office. There will be no limit to the funding the police force can ask for, as it is the police who will protect the establishment and Washington DC from the wave of illegal migrants, progressive anarchists and of course the infamous ANTIFA.
A singular cycle of former military joining police forces across the nation will re-enforce America’s anti BLM, Democratic Movement, Brown & Black threat to the New Socially Acceptable Democracy that America is becoming, Republican, armed to the teeth bullies who know they have four years to rape Lady Liberty of its riches, influence and power.
STEvEN KASzAB Bradford, Ontario January 12, 2025.
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A reAder submitted these photos of construction at the Royal Caribbean project on Paradise Island, raising concerns over whether the central ridge of the area was being removed and how that would affect protection for New Providence from weather impacts
Pintard: VAT rate cut falls short of bringing relief
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Move-
ment leader Michael Pintard said the upcoming reduction in the Value-Added Tax rate on food falls short of the significant relief Bahamians need.
He pledged to exempt VAT from healthy foods and pointed to long-standing calls from his party for the Davis administration to remove VAT from breadbasket items, medicines, and feminine hygiene products.
“Mr Davis still has an opportunity to take responsibility for this mistake and do the right thing,” Mr Pintard said, a day after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced the VAT reduction in a national address.
“Anything less is halfstepping,” he said.
Mr Pintard also criticised Mr Davis’s statement for failing to address critical issues such as crime and
Two
corruption. “Bahamians are still waiting for leadership that demonstrates accountability at every level of governance,” he said. “If this address is an indication of the administration’s agenda for 2025, it’s clear they are already out of ideas.”
During his New Year’s address at the University of The Bahamas on Wednesday, Mr Davis announced the VAT reduction, saying it was intended to ease the burden of rising prices on families.
“We know that high prices exert a terrible pressure on families,” Mr Davis said. “Reducing VAT by 50 percent will make a difference for those with the tightest disposable income.”
The reduction will apply to all food sold in grocery stores, including fresh produce, frozen items, baby food, and snacks, but excludes prepared foods from deli sections. The measure also extends to the importation of these goods.
This policy marks a shift
for the PLP, which has traditionally supported a low-rate, broad-based VAT system with minimal exemptions, praised for its efficiency and simplicity.
In 2018, the Minnis administration removed VAT from breadbasket items, including butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, grits, cheese, corned beef, evaporated milk, margarine, rice, flour, bread, tomato paste, baby cereal, baby formula, soups, broths, powdered detergents, soaps, fresh milk, and mustard. However, sugar was excluded from the exemption. At the same time, the overall VAT rate was increased from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.
In June 2019, then-Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands announced plans to add healthy items such as spinach, broccoli, almonds, and certain fruits to the breadbasket list, making them price-controlled and VAT-free. However, these items were never officially added to the list.
accused of aiding and abetting in a double homicide
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO men were sent to prison on Thursday after being accused of aiding and abetting a double homicide at Potter’s Cay Dock in December.
Magistrate Samuel McKinney arraigned 26-year-old Jameko Wright and 25-year-old Nichalai Shetty on charges of abetment to murder. Wright additionally faced two more charges for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He was also charged with possession of ammunition alongside Jacqueline Smith, 57, and Alric Neil, 47.
Prosecutors allege that while in Okra Hill, Wright and Shetty aided and abetted in the murders of 28-year-old Keith Allen, Jr, and 24-year-old Jeff
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail on Thursday after he was accused of exposing himself to the occupants of the Nassau Straw Market last
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was placed on two years probation after admitting to setting fire to a man’s car and tools earlier this month on Bamboo Cay.
Magistrate Samuel McKinney arraigned Sacha Stubbs on two counts of causing damage by fire. Prosecutors said Stubbs intentionally set fire to a
m
Auguste on December 6, 2024. The victims had reportedly been involved in a verbal altercation with suspects at a club in Okra Hill on the night of the shooting.
Allen and Auguste were ambushed and shot by two male suspects in a white Japanese vehicle as they left a restaurant on East Bay Street in the early morning of December 6. One victim was found slumped against a car near an exit at Potter’s Cay Dock, while the other was discovered lying in a parking lot near the eastern exit.
Allen, a father of two, was on bail at the time of his death. He had been accused in the July 8, 2018, murder of 30-year-old Shanindore Neely outside Neely’s Homestead Street residence.
On January 6 this year, Wright was reportedly found
week.
Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs arraigned Rodnell Ploydor, 38, of indecent exposure.
The defendant is accused of “exposing his privates” to a man and woman at the Straw Market on Prince
in New Providence with one round of .223 ammunition, 15 grams of amphetamines, and 20 grams of marijuana. He was the only defendant to plead guilty to the drug and ammunition charges; the charges against his coaccused, who pleaded not guilty, were withdrawn.
Wright was ordered to pay a total fine of $1,500 or serve six months in prison for each charge.
Neither Wright nor Shetty was required to enter a plea to the abetment to murder charge. They were told the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
Both men will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their VBI is served on March 4.
Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bowles served as the prosecutor.
George Wharf on January 7. Ploydor pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defendant was granted bail on condition he returns for trial on January 15. Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor.
car and tools
2010 Honda Crossroad valued at $6,000 belonging to Lorenzo Rolle on January 4. He was also accused of igniting and damaging $2,000 worth of Mr Rolle’s tools on the same date. Stubbs pleaded guilty to both charges and apologised for his actions. Taking into account the defendant’s young age, Magistrate McKinney granted a conditional discharge and placed Stubbs on two years probation.
Halkitis: Govt would forgo $30m after 50% VAT reduction on food
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said government would forgo about $30 million annually after reducing value-added tax (VAT) from ten percent to five percent on food sold in food stores.
Mr Halkitis, during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, said retailers and store owners were not informed before the Prime Minister’s national address last week announcing the new measure.
The Free National Movement had pushed the Davis administration to remove VAT from breadbasket items as the Minnis administration had done.
Mr Halkitis said the new approach, to be implemented on April 1, is better.
He noted that in 2018, the FNM removed VAT from the 22 breadbasket items and a few additional products, but raised the tax rate from 7.5 percent to 12 percent. He stressed that the vast majority of goods were suddenly taxed at a higher rate, representing a substantial 60 percent increase on those items still subject to VAT. The PLP reduced the rate to 10 percent when it came to power, but removed most VAT exemptions.
The PLP has traditionally taken the view that the VAT rate should be low with few exemptions to ensure simplicity and efficiency. Mr Halkitis rejected the idea that the new approach, which differs from this philosophy, undermines his party’s credibility as the one most capable of managing the VAT system.
Death Notices For
Police Reserve Superintendent Leslie Patrick Brown, 77
of Winton Meadows, New Providence, Bahamas and formerly of Mayaguana, Bahamas died at his residence on Monday, December 30, 2024.
He is survived by his wife: Judy Ferguson Brown; daughter: Sharon Brown; granddaughter: Sherdell Cox; sister: Evelyn Pratt; sisters-in-law: Dr. Laurette Isaac-Brown and Gerladine Brown; brothers: Herbert H and Victor Brown; numerous nieces and nephews of Mayaguana, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.
Charisma Sands Barrett, 49
If he breaches this probation, he faces 18 months in prison.
He was additionally ordered to pay Mr Rolle $8,000 in compensation. Failure to pay this sum would result in a onemonth prison term for each charge. Stubbs was informed of his right to appeal his sentence within seven days.
Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bowles served as the prosecutor.
an aCCused of having over 200 hemp gummies Charged with drug possession
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail on Thursday after he was accused of having over two hundred marijuanainfused gummies earlier this month.
Magistrate Samuel McKinney arraigned D’Chaz Quentin Moss, 26, on possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
Moss was allegedly found with 225 marijuana-infused gummies worth hundreds of dollars on January 3 in
New Providence. After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant’s bail was set at $4,500 with one or two sureties. Moss’s trial will begin on March 12.
Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bowles served as the prosecutor.
of Rose Street, Fox Hill, New Providence, Bahamas died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
She is survived by her father: Patrick Sands; son: Kenneth King Jr.; daughter: Devinney Smith; sisters: Christa Miller and Candice Sands; brothers: Warren Davis and Toverano Sands; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.
Anthorn Jaheim Johnson, 15
of Bailey Town, Bimini, Bahamas died in Bimini on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
He is survived by his mother: Sharell Rolle; sisters: Reina, Nickhya & Nae; brothers: Leonari, Furon, Cynard, Chad, Keron, Nickhy, Shandon & Shanvaughn; grandparents: Pamela Rolle & Doyle Saunders; aunts: Ranika, Patrell, Nekquell & Doyvondria; uncles: Relando, Necodaine Jr., Nakia, Rudy, Torey, Gepetto, Dexter & Antwon, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.
Economic AffAirs ministEr michAEl hAlkitis
Monday, january 13, 2025
A positive start to the new year
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
IT is often easy to take a position of always criticising the party in power, whatever the colour of their shirts.
After all, they are the ones in charge, and when we find fault in things, well, we look to the top.
Whisper it softly, but it has been a good start to the year for the administration of Prime Minister Philip Davis. So far.
At the end of last year, less than two weeks ago, you could not say things had the same optimistic hue.
Let us start with crime. The end of the year saw a total of 119 murders recorded throughout 2024. So far, this year has not seen a murder recorded officially.
There has been some talk on social media about a couple of incidents but contrast with this time last year when January had started with such a spate of bloodshed that it prompted Mr Davis to come up with the ludicrous suggestion that we just pretend that the murders are not happening – on the front pages of newspapers at least. The change has come about at the same time as
there has been a change at the top in the police. Out has gone Clayton Fernander, in has come Shanta Knowles.
Now I am not naïve enough or foolish enough to suggest that this is the Knowles effect in action – the new commissioner has barely had time to get her feet under her desk let alone have an impact on the streets. But it is a welcome relief from the violence that we have been seeing.
If it continues this way, then we will be able to start giving credit to the police force and its new leader –and we pray it will.
There is another area we can give credit to Commissioner Knowles already. As the new year ended, then Commissioner Fernander noted that a file had been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions with regard to the voice notes probe.
In swift course, there have since been charges – for former CID chief Michael Johnson, for lawyer Bjorn Ferguson and for a police sergeant, Deangelo Rolle.
That might have been that, but Commissioner Knowles was quick to come out and say that more investigation was taking place. This seems like a marked difference in the communication from her predecessor, who perpetually seemed to be telling people to stand by.
I’ll take it as a good sign for how the new commissioner might continue to give people a clearer picture of the state of investigations – it certainly is to be encouraged.
As for the prime minister himself, he took the spotlight with a national address to announce a cut in VAT from 10 percent to five percent on all food from food stores.
I’ll get to the meat of that in a moment, but the announcement itself was a sign of the stage managing we should come to expect as the countdown to an election continues.
A national address should be good enough by itself. It should command the attention of the nation – but the presentation of this one struggled to command the attention of the cameraman.
The speech was held surrounded by all manner of
other people, as if this was an open mic night at a bar.
The camera kept cutting away to look at the other people sitting around – as if they had anything to do with the importance of the announcement. It kept distracting. Who were these people? There’s a beauty queen among the crowd, why is she there for an economic policy announcement? Why does the camera linger on someone in front of the PM, making him background footage? Why does it seem like we have wandered into Central Perk on the set of Friends? And that applause at the end, was that real or were they playing canned applause? Were these people paid to be there? And if so, by who? The public purse?
The strange thing is, none of that was needed. Here was, as far as the general public is concerned, good news that benefits them in the pocket right away.
There are questions about it, of course. Despite the PM’s assurances that this will not affect the country’s fiscal policy, it will without doubt reduce revenue from that area.
The PM has presumably made the calculation that economically we can
afford that revenue hit. Or perhaps he has made the calculation that politically he cannot afford for us not to take it.
People have been feeling the pinch. I don’t need to tell you that. You might well have been doing so too. Inflation has been hard. Living costs are a blow. Try renting somewhere in an affordable range and it is a struggle.
So the five percent drop in the VAT rate at the stores – halving the previous amount – will benefit people.
That’s five percent off your food bill at stores. Not the whole bill, just food.
Previously, the FNM has called for VAT to be taken off all breadbasket items completely. Now the PLP has opted for this path to reduce costs for people. The rest of the speech was less impactful. Those housing problems mentioned? The PM talked about encouraging private companies to build houses and some non-specific promises of government action.
But it was a positive speech for Mr Davis. The presentation criticisms? Nitpicking by me of course, without material impact, but it would be useful for the PM’s marketeers to perhaps not hide the star act as the countdown continues.
All in all, as I write this 12 days into the new year, it has been a positive start. The only major negative has been the flak the government received over the implementation – or lack thereof – of Freedom of Information. The Attorney General weighed in with a non-specific plan and supposedly we will see things happen this year. Forgive my skepticism on that one. Unless. Unless.
Perhaps Mr Davis’ move to cut VAT is about something more. Perhaps this is the first shot in something bigger. Such as an election campaign.
There have been some noises that there may be an early call for a vote. It feels like this VAT announcement is too early to be part of that, but it might be on the way. For that, we shall have to wait and see.
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaking during the Chief of Police Handover Ceremony on January 3, 2025. Photo: Nikia Charlton
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Recent remarks by US President-elect Donald trump have drawn attention to the Panama canal.
He accused the Panama canal Authority (PcA) of charging higher fees for US ships passing through the canal compared to other nations.
Mr trump, who is to be inaugurated for a second time as President on January 20, also expressed concerns that china is effectively operating the canal. He even refused to rule out using military force to retake control of the canal, emphasising its importance for US economic security. to be fair to the President-elect, he did not volunteer the latter statement about the use of military force; he was responding to a reporter’s question at a free-wheeling press conference as to whether he would assure the world that he would not use military or economic coercion to gain control of the Panama canal and Greenland. He responded by saying he could not give assurances on “either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security”.
The human sacrifice behind the Panama Canal
the story of the Panama canal is not only one of significant financial investment and engineering skill by the US; it is also one of human sacrifice by West Indians. Between 1904 and 1914, the canal was constructed by approximately 200,000 West Indian workers who faced gruelling conditions and significant risks. Research reveals that, in relation to Barbados alone, 5,893 workers perished, succumbing to disease, landslides, explosions, and machinery
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
accidents. By comparison, 350 US nationals died.
The historical context
In 1903, the United States signed a treaty with a nascent Panama, granting the U.S. perpetual control over a 10-mile-wide canal zone. While this agreement enabled the construction of the canal, it was negotiated under circumstances of Panama’s limited bargaining power. Over time, Panamanians increasingly viewed US control as an impediment to their sovereignty.
However, the United States did invest significantly in the canal’s construction between 1904 and 1914. the total cost of the project was approximately $375m, which included the purchase of the assets of a French company that had previously failed to build the canal.
During the 89 years that the US operated the canal, it generated substantial revenue from tolls charged to ships passing through. However, the primary goal of the canal was to provide a strategic and economic advantage by shortening shipping routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, not only for trade but also for the US military. therefore, the strategic and economic benefits of the canal to the US were immense. the mid-20th century saw growing agitation for change in Panama, leading twice to amendments to the original treaty and
granting some concessions to Panama, but not to any alteration of the fundamental structures of US control.
Violent protests by Panamanians, especially students, in the 1960s, together with the rise of independent nations advocating for fair treatment around the word, paved the way for the 1977 torrijos-carter treaties. Under these treaties the US committed to gradually transfer control of the canal to Panama.
By December 31, 1999, Panama assumed full authority, with the obligation to maintain the canal’s neutrality and to ensure fair access for all nations. that is an obligation that the PcA unequivocally states it upholds.
The canal today
Since the transfer of control, no country or company using the canal has officially complained about discriminatory fees or non-compliance with international law. the canal’s revenue funds its operations, maintenance, and expansions, without external financial dependency on the treasury of any other nation. the PcA has categorically denied the suggestion by the President-elect that it charges US ships higher fees, emphasising its commitment to neutrality. Similarly, it stated that concerns about china “controlling” the canal are unfounded. the authority points out that while
chinese companies manage ports near the canal and have invested in Panamanian infrastructure, the canal itself remains under the full authority of the PcA.
Addressing misunderstandings
In any event, Presidentelect trump’s concerns about the canal’s financial arrangements and chinese influence underscore the importance of clarifying these issues. Misunderstandings can strain international relations and obscure the collaborative history between the US and Panama over the canal.
For example, the suggestion that Panama is seeking a $3 billion loan from the US for canal repairs is rejected by the PcA, which points to its historical record of managing its finances responsibly, using revenues and loans from the international financial market to fund projects
like the canal’s expansion in 2016.
Opportunities for dialogue the Panama canal is a vital conduit for global trade, and its neutrality and accessibility benefit all nations, including the United States. Given that President-elect trump has expressed concerns, his remarks highlight the need for open, respectful dialogue to address them. Latin American and caribbean countries, long committed to principles of mutual respect and cooperation, would undoubtedly be supportive of efforts between the US and Panama to clarify misunderstandings. Having moved beyond the tenets of the Monroe Doctrine, the region’s interest is to maintain an area of peace where all forms of aggression are rejected in favour of dialogue and cooperation. the economic and social growth
of each of these countries depends on upholding mutual respect and pursuing shared interests.
Looking ahead
As President-elect trump prepares to assume office, there is an opportunity to build on the legacy of USPanama collaboration. With an open exchange of views and a commitment to clarity and respect, both nations—and the wider Americas—can reaffirm the principles of the torrijoscarter treaties, ensuring that the operation and practices of the canal remain cooperative and not contentious, and that diplomacy and international order prevails.
• The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders. com.
The Panama Canal
Remove all taxes on food
By Dr HuBert Minnis Former Prime Minister
Prime minister Philip Davis gave a New Year’s address on January 8. in it he said very little. For as long as he rambled there was only one major new policy announced. The prime minister said his administration was cutting VAT on food from 10 to 5 percent.
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on coming to office made a bad decision. The previous FNm administration had no VAT on breadbasket foods and medicines. it was our belief that people should have relief on these essential items in order to survive.
The PLP thought otherwise. They heartlessly applied the 10 percent VAT to the foods and medicines Bahamians rely upon on a daily basis.
The opposition aggressively opposed this policy ever since. We never stopped speaking up on behalf of working Bahamians and a middle class that is falling further behind.
The PLP’s breadbasket tax made global inflation worse. Bahamians are frustrated with the high price of goods and services. it is hard for families to make ends meet.
The PLP now cutting VAT on food has come because of the consistent pressure put on them by the opposition and the public. Cutting VAT on food is a move in the right direction. Still, the PLP’s policy is only half way to where we should be. Given the nature of the global inflation crisis, much of which was spurred by the COViD-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as well as other international events, the governing party should eliminate all taxes on food. This would include VAT and customs duties.
The only duties that should remain would be in the limited cases when there is a viable Bahamian food producer who needs certain domestic considerations and protections.
This no-tax policy on food is urgently needed. it would not pertain to cooked foods.
The prime minister acknowledged the struggles Bahamians face.
i know that high prices exert a terrible pressure on families,” he said during his national address.
“i know how stressful it is when there is more money going out than coming in, even when you are working hard. When there is no way to pay all the bills that need to be paid.
“The rising cost of food is one of the costs that has
hit many families the hardest. even though inflation is now slowing, prices remain higher than many find reasonable or affordable.”
By fully acknowledging these difficult decisions for our people, the prime minister should be open to the policy of no taxes on food.
mr Davis took too long to realise that our people urgently need food relief. i call on him to act swiftly to embrace a no-tax on food policy.
Successive administrations have cut or removed some customs duties on various items. it is time for a comprehensive review of these taxes to ensure as many as possible are taken to zero percent.
mr Davis should act quickly. it would significantly help Bahamian families. His New Year’s announcement was only half way to a better policy. not a worD on cri Me
The other major issue we face is a crime crisis this government has repeatedly failed to address in a comprehensive and strategic manner.
There has been an upsurge of murders during the Davis administration. During their first year in office in 2022, there were 128 murders. This was the second most in our history. There were 110 and 119 murders in 2023, and 2024, respectively.
The prime minister and his
minister of national security have had no effective policy to address crime. everything he announced has failed.
A year ago, for example, he announced the clear, hold and build strategy. Near the end of last year, he announced it again. Despite these announcements, which came with great fanfare and plenty of public relations, murders remained high. most of the country is still shocked that the prime minister said not a single word about crime in his national address. This was disgraceful.
most of our crime problem is in New Providence where the majority of the population lives.
Bahamians are fed up
with the high number of murders and the high rate of crime. They want their leaders to come up with policies to reduce crime.
By not saying a word about crime in his national address it appears as if the prime minister has given up on the issue. This is unacceptable! it is frightening! in the 2021 general election campaign the PLP promised in its Blueprint manifesto, enhanced “crime fighting methodologies” in an “aggressive war against crime”.
The PLP promised to “ensure that the necessary reforms are executed for a safe Bahamas”. They said they would “introduce research-based analysis and
policies on countering antisocial behavior, violence and crime”.
None of these things have happened. instead, we have witnessed out-of-control crime and violence. The PLP’s approach to crime has been an utter, complete and terrible failure.
The killers are not deterred by PLP policies. They kill during the day and night. Those who are charged – and not enough are charged – when they get out on bail either resume their violent ways or themselves become murder victims.
The PLP has not been able to meaningfully reduce the cycles of retaliatory violence that plague our country. And now the prime minister has decided not even to utter a word about our crime crisis in his New Year’s address. it is clear that mr. Davis is clueless and hopeless as to what to do about crime.
Solutions can be reached.
During our administration we had back-to-back years of fewer than 100 murders before the pandemic.
The opposition has called for the prime minister to appoint a new minister of national security. The prime minister also needs to surround himself with better crime consultants and advisors, as his current team has not been able to provide him with the strategies required to reverse the high crime trend we face.
PM is Failing mr Davis is struggling with the responsibilities of being prime minister. He lacks the focus and commitment to be an effective leader. His constantly being away on trips means that he is rarely at home addressing a range of critical issues.
With the cost-of-living crisis raging and the crime crisis persisting, the nation is calling on the prime minister to spend more time in the country this year doing the work the people elected him to do.
The Davis administration’s poor record is fomenting an anti-PLP mood. Bahamians are fed up with an administration that imposes high taxes and fees on citizens while it transfers that wealth to PLPs through contracts, consultancies, jobs and other special favors.
The opposition will continue in 2025 to keep the pressure up on the PLP to do better for the Bahamian people.
• Dr Hubert Minnis is the Killarney member of Parliament. He is also the former Free National Movement leader and former prime minister of The Bahamas.
Price of a dozen eggs at the grocery market this year
The sacrosanct importance of alumni in Bahamian academia
Knowles, Emerging Leader
Over the past 50 years and counting, University of The Bahamas (UB) and its antecedent, the College of The Bahamas (COB) has produced an illustrious network of 22,000-plus alumni comprised of some of the world’s leading CeO’s, award-winning artists, heads of government, and influential politicians.
For proof, look no further than the likes of Fred Perpall (’94), chief executive officer of the US-based design build firm, the Beck Group; the first person of African descent to become president of the United States Golf Association (USGA); and the first Bahamian to become president of a major sports organisation. Then, there is the first female Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Sharlene Cartwright-robinson (’92), who studied law and criminal justice at COB.
Last, but certainly not least, there is talented data scientist, Leandra Moonsammy (’22), who, with an impressive 3.95 GPA was the valedictorian of her class and the recipient of UB’s prestigious top two awards—the Governor General’s and President’s Awards. Moonsammy is now an adjunct lecturer at UB, where she has the
GAIN AN EDGE
unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of students while simultaneously giving back to the institution that played a crucial part in shaping her academic and professional journey.
“They are all thriving in their respective fields and spaces, and I think that’s what’s important to note,” said Nyisha Tilus, UB Alumni Association chairperson. “They’re all amazing, but they’ve all contributed and all of them obviously had their foundation at the College of The Bahamas or the University of The Bahamas. And we hear often that the foundation you receive at our institution is second to none. So, I think it’s important to note that the work they’re doing is a testament of what we’re offering at the University of The Bahamas.”
The university has long been keen on ensuring its alumni are capable of trailblazing new paths in
society and building rich legacies worthy of national and international recognition and praise. Supporting student success by nurturing their full development as global citizens above all else, and optimising its environment of teaching, learning, and athletic excellence to allow graduates to forge ahead in the global arena - as per the university’s six strategic priorities are just two ways the institution does this. Once students become alumni, the focus shifts towards engaging and highlighting outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves amongst their peers and positively impacted wider society. events and initiatives like UB’s annual Alumni Awards reception do just that. The most recent installment of that initiative, the 2024 President’s Soiree and Hall of Fame and Outstanding Alumni Awards Gala held on 7th December at Baha Mar’s
Grand Hyatt hotel, paid homage to nine exceptional alumni for their contributions to The Bahamas and the world, marking the culmination of UB’s Golden Jubilee celebrations this year. Among them were Lifetime Achievement Award winner Sharon Poitier; Hall of Fame inductees Merrit Storr and Mark Munnings; Outstanding Alumni Award recipients Tameka Lundy and Dr Nikkiah Forbes; Trailblazer awardees Dr Nicora Stubbs-Young and Khrystle rutherford-Ferguson; and emerging Leader honorees Ashley Knowles and Alphonso Major.
“I think it is our duty as a university to both honor and recognise the accomplishments of our alumni,” said director of UB’s Office of Alumni Affairs elvardo Thompson. “It is also important for our students to have recognisable persons that they can aspire to be or become, persons
who have already walked in their same shoes.”
Mr Thompson’s point is a salient one; young and old, prospective UB students have literally thousands of positive examples to look up to for guidance and inspiration. Mrs Lundy, for example, has successfully completed UB’s holy trinity of student, staff, and lecturer by becoming an adjunct professor at UB, as well as the assistant vice president of university relations.
“University of The Bahamas is one of the strongest conduits for transforming this nation into the best version of itself,” said Mrs Lundy. “I think that it is something that the founders of this great institution believed in, and it is something that I strongly believe in. I am connected to UB on multiple levels, being in senior administration, being the parent of an alum as well as an alumna myself, and being an adjunct faculty member. And so, there is no way I cannot believe in the power, the transformative power, that is, of University of The Bahamas.”
Meanwhile, Mr Munnings is deeply connected to his alma mater on both a personal and professional
level. As managing partner of Deloitte Bahamas, he can attest to the fact that some 50 percent of its partners and staff are UB alumni, himself included.
“The deep-rooted relationship that me and my firm has had with UB over the years brings me a lot of pride,” said Mr Munnings.
“We’ve had numerous— I would say hundreds of graduates from UB that came through our firm, and either have stayed with us or gone on to be very successful in whatever they intended to do. So, that brings me great pride.”
Such success stories of COB/UB’s alumni aid both UB’s Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Affairs in being engaging entities focused on the advancement of current and future alumni, UB, and the institution’s mission to, amongst other things, drive national development.
• “Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.
The California wildfires Could be leaving deeper inequali T y in T heir wake
ALTADENA Associated Press
THe sight of celebrity mansions and movie landmarks reduced to ashes can make it seem like the wildfires roaring through the Los Angeles area affected a constellation of movie stars.
But a drive through the charred neighbourhoods around Altadena shows that the fires also burned through a remarkable haven for generations of Black families avoiding discriminatory housing practices elsewhere. They have been communities of racial and economic diversity, where many people own their own homes.
Some now fear the most destructive fires in California’s history have altered that for good. recovery and rebuilding may be out of reach for many, and pressures of gentrification could be renewed.
Samantha Santoro, 22, a first-generation college student at Cal Poly Pomona, remembered being annoyed when the initial news coverage of the wildfires focused more on celebrities. She and her sister, who attends UC Berkeley, worry how their Mexican immigrant parents and working-class neighbours who lost their homes in Altadena will move forward.
“We don’t have like, ‘Oh, I’ll just go to my second home and stay there,’” Santoro said.
The landlord of their family’s two-bedroom house with a pool had never increased the $1,650 rent, making it possible for the Santoros to affordably raise their daughters. Now, they’re temporarily staying with a relative in Pasadena. The family has renters insurance but not much else.
“I think it’s hard to believe that you have nothing,” Santoro said, through tears, thinking of her parents. “everything that they ever worked for was in that house.” Altadena had been a
mix of tiny bungalows and magnificent mansions. The community of 42,000 includes blue-collar families, artists, entertainment industry workers and white-collar ones. About 58% of residents are nonwhite, with one-fourth of them Hispanic and nearly a fifth Black, according to Census data. During the Civil rights era, Altadena became a rare land of opportunity for Black Americans to reach the middle class without the discriminatory practices of denying them access to credit. They kept
homes within the family and helped others to flourish. Today, the Black home ownership rate there is at 81.5%, almost double the national rate.
That’s impressive considering 92% of the 15,000 residences in Altadena are single-family homes, according to the 2023 Census American Community Survey. The median income is over $129,000. Just over 7% of residents live in poverty.
victoria Knapp, chair of the Altadena Town Council, worries that the fires have irreparably changed
the landscape for these families.
“Someone is going to buy it and develop who knows what on it. And that is going to change the character of Altadena,” Knapp said, adding that those with fewer resources will be disproportionately hurt.
The family of Kenneth Snowden, 57, was one of the Black families able to purchase a home in 1962. That house, as well as the one Snowden bought almost 20 years ago, are both gone. He is challenging state and federal officials to help all fire-affected communities fairly because “your $40 million home is no different than my $2 million home.” Snowden wants the ability to acquire home loans with 0% interest. “Give us the ability to rebuild, restart our lives,” he said.
“If you can spend billions of dollars fighting a war, you can spend a billion dollars to help us get back where we were at.”
Shawn Brown lost not only her home but also the public charter school she founded in Altadena. She had a message for fellow Black homeowners who might be tempted with offers for their property:
“I would tell them to stand strong, rebuild, continue the generational progress of African-Americans.” She and other staff at
Pasadena rosebud Academy are trying to raise money to rebuild while looking at temporary sites in churches.
But even some churches have burned. At Altadena Baptist Church, the bell tower is pretty much the only thing still standing.
The rev. George van Alstine and others are trying to help more than 10 church members who lost homes with needs like navigating insurance and federal aid. The pastor is worried the fires will lead to gentrification, with Black parishioners, who make up half the congregation, paying the price.
“We’re seeing a number of families who are probably going to have to move out of the area because rebuilding in Altadena will be too expensive for them,” he said.
The 32-year-old photographer Daniela Dawson, who had been working two jobs to meet the $2,200 rent for her studio apartment, fled the wildfires with her Hyundai SUv and her cat, Lola. She lost almost everything else, including thousands of dollars of photography gear. She did not have renter’s insurance. “Obviously now I’m thinking about it. Wish I had it,” she said.
Dawson plans to return to Arizona, where she lived previously, and regroup. But she likely won’t be returning to Altadena.
NiNe exceptional UB alumni pose for an official photograph after receiving their prestigious awards at UB’s recent President’s Soiree and Hall of Fame and Outstanding Alumni Awards Gala. From left:
Alphonso Major, Emerging Leader Award; Dr Nicora Stubbs-Young, Trailblazer Award; Dr Nikkiah Forbes, Outstanding Alumni Award; Mark Munnings, Hall of Fame inductee; Sharon Poitier, Lifetime Achievement Award; UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder; Merrit Storr, Hall of Fame inductee; Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, Trailblazer Award; Tameka Lundy, Outstanding Alumni Award; Ashley
Award.
ResideNts embrace outside of a burning property as the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California.
Photo: ethan swope/AP
Celebrating
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Rushing for glory at Grand Bahama’s
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
SPORTS
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025
Cameron Riley hopes his putting will improve in the Korn Ferry Tour
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
While he’s excited about the change in location from Exuma to the Ocean Club on Paradise Island, Grand Bahamian Cameron Riley wished his putting could improve in the second round of the Korn Ferry Tour.
As the lone representative at the Bahamas Golf Classic, the first of two events of the tour in the Bahamas, Riley didn’t get to complete his first round. The three-some he played in were on the 14th hole when they had to stop playing. They will complete the final four holes today.
Before the latter part of the first day was suspended, John VanDerLaan completed his 18 holes to stake his early claim for the title after he shot an easy 10-under 60 to snatch the early lead.
Trailing VanDerLaan by two strokes each are fellow Americans Rick Lamb
and Pierceson Coody with 8-under 62 apiece. There is a three-way tie for fourth with American Robby Shelton, Tanner Gore and James Nicholas.
Out of a field of 144 players, Riley is sitting tied at 138 with American Tyson Alexander. But he admitted that he feels he’s in good company based on his performance.
“It was a rough day today. I shot the ball well. I did everything I was supposed to do. I played solid golf. The shots were just not dropping today,” Riley said.
“But that’s golf. I’m proud of the way I played. It got kind of rough for a bit, but I hung in there. I always have tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Play was suspended due to darkness at 5:39pm and will resume today at 7:15am before Riley moves into the second round in a bid to qualify for the final two days of competition. Riley, who used Bahamian Alex Gibson as his caddie, said the
competition is like nothing else in the world.
“It’s the second highest place you could play in professional golf. I think I’m matching up pretty
well against them. But the one thing you have to do is think,” Riley pointed out.
“These guys from one to one hundred and forty-four are among the best in the
world. They are the best in the world in their country. So it’s crazy and even cool that I get to represent the
Athletes requalify at T-Bird Flyers Track Classic
tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
WHILE collegiate athletes made their season debuts with their respective universities abroad, local track and field athletes made their mark at the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic hosted at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium over the weekend.
The two-day meet saw numerous athletes attain the CARIFTA qualifying standards for the 2025 CARIFTA Games, to be hosted in Trinidad & Tobago, and set new meet records at the first club meet of the new year.
Annae Mackey, of the Blue Chip Athletics Club, qualified for her second
After qualifying in the under-20 girls’ discus event at the BAAA Odd Distance meet last year, she hit the CARIFTA standard in the under-20 girls’ shot put event to get the ball rolling in 2025.
The 2024 CARIFTA silver medallist won the under-20 girls’ shot put event with a season’s best throwing distance of 12.79m. Her heave was well over the CARIFTA standard of 12.49m and the meet record of 12.20m, set by Carnitra Mackey in 2021.
Dahija Mesidor, representing the 3PA Stallions, notched the second spot in the event at 8.05m. Farrah Saunders, of Blue Chip Athletics, rounded out the top three with a
SOFTBALL
BBSF MEETING
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold a meeting 10am on Saturday, January 18 at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street,for all churches interested in participating in the softball league that will start in February. During the meeting, registration forms for the family fun run/walk race, scheduled for 6:30am Saturday, January 25 from Jean Street, will be distributed, along with the remainder of the calendar for the year.
DTSP WOLFPACK
CLASSIC THE DTSP Wolfpack Track Club will hold its “I Come To Get Me” Track Classic on Saturday, January 18 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.This
CALLING this his final term to serve as president, Algernon Cargill and his entire executive team got a unanimous vote of confidence as they were elected unopposed during the Bahamas Aquatics’ annual general meeting and election of officers.
Cargill, who has been elected as president from 2003, was returned to office at the Balmoral Club on Saturday during the elections conducted by the Bahamas Olympic Committee.
Joining him to serve from 20025-2028 are the following: Grand Bahamian Lynne Fraino as first vice-president; Christine Wallace-Whitfield as second vice president with responsibility for public relations; Gena Culmer-Taylor as third vice-president; Georgette Albury as secretary, assisted by Andrea Longley and Erald Thompson as treasurer, assisted by Kendric Albury.
Courtney Barr, Carrie Saidi, and current swimmer Mark-Anthony Thompson, the youngest member of the team, were elected as members-at-large to complete the board.
“We have a great executive board. Most of the officers are returning to their respective positions and we have a young 22-year-old swimmer in Mark-Anthony Thompson, so that would be great to
year’s meet will honour icon Michael Sands, the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean NACAC) and is a former public relations and president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA). Sands is a standout sprinter for Penn State who went on to two Olympic Games in 1972 and 1976. He has held several national records, including the men’s 400m. Meet director Larry Clarke said they are delighted to honour this living legend for his contribution to the sport. He indicated that the track meet will be one that people will not forget. BBSF RUN/WALK RACE THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation, now in its second year of
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
MALE high hurdlers
Oscar Smith Jr and Raymond Oriakhi Jr took the spotlight to highlight the list of Bahamians who competed in track and field for their respective schools over the weekend.
Making his return to action after being sidelined with an injury for over a year, Smith Jr, now in his senior year at Louisiana Tech, posted a personal best of 7.74 seconds in a school record to win the men’s 60 metres hurdles at the University of Kentucky’s Rod McCrary Track and Field Meet in Louisville, Kentucky.
The St Augustine’s College graduate, who transferred from Ohio State to join the team with Bahamian coach George Cleare as the sssociate head coach for sprints and jumps, won his semifinal heat in 7.82 to initially break the school record. “Oscar competed very well in his season opener. I was pleasantly surprised by him running a new personal best of 7.74 in the final after a fast 7.82 in the preliminary round. Both runs were school records,” said Cleare, who joined LA Tech’s coaching staff last July. “This was his first competitive race in 597
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
OSCAR Smith Jr flanked by two of his Lousiana Tech team-mates.
Cameron Riley in action during the Korn Ferry Tour at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
JAYDEN DANIELS LEADS COMMANDERS TO FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN NEARLY 7,000 DAYS, 23-20 OVER THE BUCCANEERS
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
TAMPA, Florida (AP)
— Jayden Daniels ran for a critical first down to set up Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal that clanged off the right upright and went through as time expired, and the Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in an NFC wild-card game last night for the franchise’s first playoff win in 6,945 days.
Daniels played with a bandage beneath his right eye after his face was bloodied. He became the third rookie quarterback in three years to win a playoff game. The Commanders (13-5) will face the No. 1 seed
Detroit Lions (15-2) in the divisional round. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (10-8) missed several opportunities and the veteran quarterback committed a critical turnover in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers couldn’t get 1 yard on two tries from the Commanders 12 and settled for a field goal to tie the game before
Washington’s winning drive. Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy as rookie QBs to win playoff games in the past three seasons. Washington hadn’t won in the postseason since beating the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay 17-10 in a wildcard game on January 7, 2006.
again because there is still more that can be improved,” she said.
FROM PAGE 15
toss of 7.64m. Mackey was pleased to be able to qualify for the under-20 girls’ shot put event early in the season.
“I am blessed to be able to represent in shot put once again. I am grateful and humble in all forms,” she said.
The 18-year-old thrower spoke about how it felt to get over the hump after coming so close to hitting the qualification mark at the first meet of the season.
“Like I said previously, I knew I would have had to go back to the lab and fix any errors and that is what I did.
Now I will be going back to the drawing board once
Mackey also requalified in the under-20 girls’ discus throw, posting a winning mark of 43.61m to eclipse the CARIFTA qualification mark of 40.36m. Long jump standout performer Jazae Johnson surpassed the CARIFTA qualification of 5.45m in the under-15 girls’ long jump for the second consecutive track and field meet. She emerged victorious in the event with a new personal best jump of 5.65m, which was well over the under-17 girls’ qualification mark of 5.45m and on target for the under-20 girls’ qualifying standard of 5.58m. In addition to qualifying for the CARIFTA Games, she broke her previous meet record of 4.49m which was
set last year. The 14-year-
old said it felt awesome to be able to qualify again. “It feels awesome. I just want to thank God for carrying me out on this journey. I want to thank my mom, my coaches and my teammates for supporting me. I am very excited,” she said.
She talked about what led to her pulling off the new personal best and her expectations for the rest of the season.
“I just put my faith in God and trusted my coach. I definitely want to PB in every meet but going towards the CARIFTA Trials I want to be around 5.80m,” she said.
CARIFTA gold medallist Taysha Stubbs picked up the win in the under-20 girls’ javelin throw event, while also requalifying for the CARIFTA Games and setting a new meet record. She
posted a winning throw of 41.10m in the event for first place. Her toss surpassed the previous meet record of 37.17m, set by Carnitra Mackey in 2021.
CARIFTA record holder Dior-Rae Scott made her season debut in the under20 girls’ division. She placed second in the event with a heave of 39.72m.
Mesidor, representing the 3PA Stallions, came in third with her throwing distance of 21.80m.
A trio of Blue Chip throwers attained the CARIFTA qualifying standard once again in the under-17 boys’ javelin throw event. The CARIFTA qualifying mark for the event is 44.95m.
Wyatt Cartwright turned in a winning throw of 53.06m to win the event and smashed Kaden Cartwright’s
previous meet record of 52.72m which was set in 2021. Ahkeel Williams settled for second with a toss of 47.38m. Third place went to Kendal Turner at 45.38m.
A few meet records were set on the track as well at the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic. Jade Knowles, representing DTSP Wolf Pack, shaved some time off her former meet record of 5:33.43 in the under-17 girls’ 1500m event. She clocked 5:22.25 to earn first place. Ramonique McLennon, of Hurry Murray, came in second at 5:56.51 and Team Velocity’s Layla Duncombe settled for third at 5.57.61. Jayda Rahming’s meet record of 5:57.42 is now a thing of the past in the under-15 girls’ 1500m event. Hurry Murray’s Haleel
Munnings crossed the finish line first in 5:33.04. Samara Cumberbatch, representing the T-Bird Flyers, got the second spot with a time of 5:40.73. Cierra Delancy, of Red-Line Athletics, ended the event in third. The top three finishers in the under-17 boys’ 1500m all shaved time off Kristopher Wong’s previous meet record of 4:54.90. Kyden Thurston, representing the T-Bird Flyers, finished first in 4:19.53. Noble Prep’s Dario Butterfield trailed for second in 4:39.13. Devontae Crowl, of CH Reeves, dropped to third in 4:41.68. Next up on the 2024-25 BAAA calendar will be the DTSP Wolfpack Mike Sands Track Classic set for Saturday, January 18 at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
COMMANDERS wide receiver Dyami Brown (2) runs against the Buccaneers during the second half last night. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Hurts tosses 2 TD passes and Goedert throws 3 stiff-arms to lead Eagles past Packers
RAVENS’ POWERFUL GROUND ATTACK LEADS TO 28-14 WIN
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP)
— Jalen Hurts tossed two touchdown passes in his first game since a lateseason concussion, Dallas Goedert threw three stiff-arms on a rugged touchdown catch and the Philadelphia Eagles rode their NFL-best defence to a 22-10 wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers last night.
Hurts threw for a modest 131 yards but played with no hesitation in his return from a three-week layoff after a concussion in December. He started strong — six straight completions to open the game — and held off the Packers with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Goedert in the third quarter that will be forever stamped on the franchise’s postseason highlight reel. Philadelphia’s defence handled the rest.
The Eagles turned a recovered fumble on the opening kickoff into Hurts’ first TD pass three plays later and the defence picked off Jordan Love twice in the first half.
Holding a 19-10 lead in the fourth, the Eagles forced a turnover on downs when Green Bay had a fourth-and-3 on its own 41 with five minutes left in the game. Quinyon Mitchell had one final interception of Love with 1:51 left in the game that sealed the win for the NFC East
champions, who’ll host a division game next week at the Linc.
The Eagles had the book on the Packers — and had time for some light reading as wide receiver A.J. Brown flipped through the pages of “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy while on the bench. Brown had one catch for 10 yards. Love threw for 212 yards and was intercepted three times as he nursed a sore right elbow that was hurt in the regular-season finale against Chicago, Josh Jacobs ran for 81 yards and a score — and popped Green Bay’s offence with a 31-yard run in the third where he shook off one tackle, had his jersey stretched to his heel by one defender, plowed one more and dragged two more hapless Eagles to the 1-yard line. Jacobs punched it in for the score on the next play and cut it to 16-10.
Aided by an unnecessary roughness flag on Green Bay, Hurts got the Eagles close enough for Jake Elliott to kick a 30-yard field goal for a 19-10 lead. Elliott needed the short kick for a confidence boost after he missed an extra point on Goedert’s touchdown.
Elliott, who struggled with kicks from 50-plus yards this season, added a 32-yarder in the fourth and a 31-yarder in the first quarter.
Saquon Barkley, who led the NFL in rushing with
EAGLES quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands the ball off to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first half against the Green Bay Packers yesterday in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
2,005 yards, had 119 yards in his Eagles’ postseason debut.
The Eagles had the Linc thumping, from the time the public address announcer put a little relish on his command to, “Welcome back to the Eagles lineup, Jalen Huuurts,” to the recovered fumble moments later.
Green Bay’s Keisean Nixon had the ball knocked loose by Oren Burks and it was recovered by Jeremiah Trotter at the Green Bay 28. Hurts needed only three plays to find Jahan Dotson for an 11-yard touchdown. Darius Slay went over his
shoulder for the cornerback to haul in the ball like an elite receiver for an interception and AllPro linebacker Zack Baun made it two for the Eagles. The Eagles didn’t score off those picks, but did keep the Packers off the board.
Hurts put all immediate questions about his health to rest when he completed his first six passes for 39 yards, including the TD to Dotson. He then missed his next seven going into the half. He didn’t complete another pass until late in the third quarter, then hit seven of his final eight overall, that included the Goedert TD catch.
Brandon McManus hit one from 26 yards to make it 10-3 at halftime.
Injuries Packers: Lost receivers Romeo Doubs (concussion) and Jayden Reed (shoulder), offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins (stinger) and Josh Myers (left leg) and several defenders to injury.
Eagles: LB Nakobe Dean was ruled out quickly after leaving with a knee injury in the second quarter.
Up next Packers: Season over.
Eagles: Wait to find out if they play Tampa Bay, the Vikings or the Rams.
Allen leads balanced offence as Bills dominate Broncos for wild-card win
By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK,
N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ spread the wealth approach on offence that was so productive in the regular season, proved unstoppable in their playoff opener.
Whether it was Allen completing a 24-yard touchdown pass to sliding running back Ty Johnson on fourth down, or James Cook racking up 120 yards rushing, including a 5-yard touchdown run, the Bills leaned on a balanced attack in a 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos in a wild-card playoff game yesterday.
“I don’t think there was one certain thing over another. We just wanted to come out and execute well,” Allen said. “At the end of the day, we just wanted to come out and play our best football, and I feel like we did that today.”
With Allen completing 20 of 26 attempts for 272 yards passing and two touchdowns, and the running game combining for 210 yards, Buffalo methodically wore down the Broncos by scoring on six of its first seven drives in a game where the Bills finished with a 23-minute edge in time of possession.
Allen completed passes to eight players, including getting receiver Curtis Samuel involved by essentially sealing the win with a 55-yard touchdown catch on the opening snap of the fourth quarter.
“I’ll speak on behalf of Curtis. He probably didn’t have the season that he wanted to have,” Allen said of the eighth-year player who was limited to 31 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown. “But he just continued to work hard, and that’s kind of the mentality we’ve had all year is everybody eats. And today was his day.”
The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills, who became the NFL’s first team to score 30 touchdowns rushing and passing in a season, advanced to
the divisional round for a fifth straight postseason, and will face the thirdseeded Baltimore Ravens next weekend.
The Ravens, coming off a 28-14 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, routed Buffalo 35-10 at Baltimore in Week 4 this season. The outing will mark the second playoff meeting between Allen and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson after Buffalo defeated the Ravens 17-3 in the 2020 divisional round.
“This is what everyone’s been waiting for, right?” coach Sean McDermott said.
“So it’ll be a nice week and everyone will be looking forward to it, and they’re a great football team. I mean they handled us pretty good the first go around and they’re certainly playing well.” The seventh-seeded Broncos were outclassed in their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015.
Denver’s offence essentially stalled after rookie Bo Nix capped a fiveplay opening drive with a 43-yard touchdown pass to former college teammate Troy Franklin.
Nix finished 13 of 22 for 144 yards in an outing where Denver punted four times and turned the ball over on downs twice.
The game served as a lesson in how much further the first-round pick and the Broncos still have to go after a promising season in which Nix threw 29 touchdown passes — two short of the NFL rookie record.
“I’m really proud of these guys. We’ve overcome a lot and not really been counted in many games,” Nix said. “But to make the playoffs was a special moment for this group. It’s something we can build off of. ... Our goals are changing.”
Meantime, the Broncos attacking defence was kept at bay by an Allen-led attack that was more than content in gaining small chunks of yards on lengthy time-consuming drives.
The Broncos, who had an NFL-leading 63 sacks this seasons, sacked Allen just twice in an game where the Bills punted once.
“Who got punched in the mouth?” Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau asked, dismissively, regarding the Broncos scoring 2:24 into the game.
“It really was just a message to ourselves,” Rousseau said. “We know who we are week after week, and what we’re capable of and what we’re supposed to do out there. That’s what it’s all about.”
Though the Bills didn’t force a takeaway, they made impactful plays in limiting the Broncos to convert just two of nine third down opportunities.
And then there was Cam Lewis’ diving tackle in shoving running back Jaleel McLaughlin out of bounds for no gain on fourth-and-2 at the Buffalo 14 early in the fourth quarter.
With Buffalo leading 13-7, Allen broke the game open with his touchdown pass to Johnson with 3:06 left in the third quarter.
The score held up following a replay review, which showed Johnson’s foot touching out of bounds but after he secured the ball.
“You tell me it’s complete, I’m going to sign up for it every week,” McDermott said in placing his faith in Allen to convert on fourth down. “You guys know that. I trust him and I believe in him.”
Allen’s touchdown to Samuel came on Buffalo’s next possession.
Cook became Buffalo’s first player to top 100 yards rushing in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas had 158 yards rushing in a 1995 wild-card playoff win over Miami. Allen increased his playoff total to 23 passing touchdowns, breaking the franchise record of 21 held by Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.
Up next Broncos: offseason.
Bills: Host the Ravens next weekend in a matchup of two quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 draft.
BALTIMORE (AP)
— Lamar Jackson threw for two touchdowns in a flawless first half, Derrick Henry scored twice while leading Baltimore’s devastating running game, and the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 on Saturday night to advance to the second round of the AFC playoffs.
The Ravens move on to face Buffalo after jumping out to a 21-0 halftime lead and holding on against their AFC North rivals.
Baltimore had a 19-2 advantage in first downs in the first half, when the Ravens produced touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards, Henry ran for 186 yards, and Baltimore outrushed the Steelers 299-29. It was the most yards rushing allowed by Pittsburgh in a playoff game, breaking the mark of 232 set by the Oakland Raiders 51 years ago. Jackson, the two-time MVP still seeking a postseason breakthrough, made it clear from the start he was going to make Pittsburgh (10-8) defend his arm and his legs. He kept the chains moving, and the Ravens (13-5) were happy to advance the ball methodically against a Steelers team that has relied heavily this season on forcing turnovers.
TEXANS 32, CHARGERS 12
HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Murray returned one of Justin Herbert’s careerhigh four interceptions for a touchdown, C.J. Stroud threw a TD pass and Houston rolled past Los Angeles. It’s the second straight year Stroud and the Texans (11-7) won in the first round after they beat Cleveland last season.
Herbert threw just three interceptions in the regular season and had never thrown more than two in a game before facing a Texans secondary led by AP All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley, who had two INTs. Kamari Lassiter had the other pick. The Chargers (11-7), who returned to the playoffs under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, lost in the wildcard round for a second straight time after also losing in the 2022 season to remain without a postseason win since 2018. Stroud threw for 282 yards with the touchdown pass to Nico Collins and an interception. Collins finished with seven catches for 122 yards. Joe Mixon ran for 106 yards and a score. Herbert was 14 of 32 for 242 yards with a 40.9 passer rating.
BILLS wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) reacts after a punt return against the Broncos during the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game yesterday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
DR BERNARD NOTTAGE TO BE HONOURED WITH ANNUAL FUN RUN/WALK AND HEALTH EXPO
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
FOR the fifth year, the Bains and Grants Town sporting committee will honour the late Member of Parliament Dr Bernard Nottage with their annual Fun Run/Walk and Health
Expose.
The fee-for-all event will take place on Saturday, starting at 6am from the Southern Recreation Grounds with more than 300 participants from the community and the various institutions that fall under the jurisdiction of national security, according to race coordinator Sean Bastian.
“Dr Nottage was very instrumental in the development of sports and was a strong advocate for community development,” Bastian said. “We are asking the residents of Bains and
Grants Town to come out and be a part of this historic fun run/walk.”
Current Member of Parliament Wayde Watson thanked Portia Nottage, the wife of the late Dr Nottage, for partnering with the committee to continue to host the event in honour of her husband.
“The objective of this fun run/walk is to bring the community of Bains and Grants Town together after all of the ham and turkey we ate during the Christmas and Thanksgiving season,” Watson said.
“We want people to get an opportunity to think healthy and exercise properly and to get some of their health checks done while at the health walk.”
Watson said Nottage set a standard as an excellent MP and as his predecessor, he has vowed that his representation will always
be remembered during his tenure in office. “I would like to thank him for the work he has done,” said Watson, who encouraged his parliamentary colleagues and members of the Bahamas Musicians Union, of which Dr Nottage was a member, to come out and show their support.
Last year, Watson said they had participation from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Bahamas Department of Corrections, Customs and Immigration and they are hoping that they will be back again this year,
In response, Nottage expressed her gratitude to the committee for keeping her husband’s legacy alive.
“It’s a pleasure for me to support you in this. I remember when we first started, I participated fully and I will be on the road
again with a few of my friends,” she stated. “But I would like to encourage everybody to get involved. We all like to jump start the new year by getting in some exercise so make it a point to jump start your year with this event.”
Participants this year will get a treat, according to Watson, who revealed that through the sponsorship from Cable Bahamas, they will be staging a raffle for all participants of the run and walk event.
Additionally, every age group category will be presented with a trophy, along with the overall male and female finishers.
All competitors who complete the course will also receive a commemorative medal.
The walkers, covering a 1.8 mile course, will leave Cockburn Street and head east onto Market Street, head south to Wulff Road, then west on Wulff Road to Blue Hill Road, head north on Blue Hill Road to Cockburn Street.
Algernon Cargill re-elected
FROM PAGE 15
have him on board. We have representation from four of the clubs in the federation, which is great.”
In a thorough report, Cargill highlighted the achievements of Bahamas Aquatics over the past four years, including sponsorships, international appointments, event hosting and participation, membership, individual athlete and national team achievements.
“The results we had pretty much confirmed the confidence the members had in us,” Cargill said, “So I’m happy to lead for another term.
“During this term, we definitely want to see someone (swimmer) make the finals at the Olympic Games. We haven’t had anyone since Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace did it in 2012 in London.”
Going into this Olympic cycle that will conclude at the games in Los Angeles, California in 2028, Cargill said they have quite a number of swimmers, especially males, who have the potential to make the next breakthrough.
He noted that the federation will get these swimmers prepared for the FINA World Championships, which serves as the major qualifier for the Olympics.
Hopefully, he said the Bahamas can also field a male team to compete in one of the relay events.
“If we do, it would be the first Caribbean nation to do so,” Cargill said. The Bahamas has already established itself as a powerhouse in the region, having won its sixth straight title at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.
“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for us to repeat
as champions when we go to Trinidad & Tobago over the Easter holiday because we will be in a hostile environment where they will have a full team without the cost of travel,” Cargill said.
“But it’s even going to be tough for us because we will be on a bus ride for about four hours a day to and from our hotel to complete the swim and back and we will have to do that twice a day.”
Cargill said he’s assured that the coaches will prepare the swimmers for the task ahead of them at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships from April 18-22 in Trinidad & Tobago. The twin nation has been the runner-up to the Bahamas over the past few years.
There’s another task for Bahamas Aquatics this year and according to Cargill, it’s the possibility of hosting the Goodwill Games at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex in August.
“We have applied to the government to host the games. We have advised the government that we have until January 31 to confirm the deal,” said Cargill of their submission from August.
“If we don’t get a reply by January 31, we will have to move on because it will be unfair to any country to start preparing for it after that date. It’s just too late after that to start planning. Hopefully we will get an answer one way or the other so we know what to do.”
The swim team at the Goodwill Games are following in the footsteps of the CARIFTA Swim team in that they’re going for their third straight title this year.
For those interested, the president’s report and executive board election results are available on the
federation website (www. bahamasaquatics.com) and facebook page. Bahamas Aquatics will officially start its 2025 season with their first meet over the weekend of January 24-25 with the Bahamas
Aquatics Invitational Saturday, January 25 with their CARIFTA trials in mid-March and their 53rd national swimming championships from June 19-22. On the international scene, the FINA World
Championships long course meet is scheduled to be held July 11 to August 3 in Singapore and the FINA World Junior Championships is scheduled for August 19-24 at a site yet to be determined.
BAHAMIANS MAKE NAME FOR THEMSELVES ON THE TRACK AND FIELD OVERSEAS
FROM PAGE 15
programme at Texas Southern, said they are very early in their preparation phase with their focus on the outdoors.
“Oscar is slowly getting healthy and once we put it all together, I feel he will have a breakout season,” Cleare stressed. Smith Jr, 22, is the son of Charlotte and Oscar Smith Sr. Quarter-miler Philip Gray Jr, a sophomore at Louisiana Tech, was 20th in the men’s 300m in 35.22. Gray Jr, a graduate of St
Anne’s, also contested the 400m where he was 16th in 49.44. Gray, the son of Nicole and Philip Gray Sr, and their 4 x 400m relay team with Gray Jr on the lead off leg, failed to finish the race. “Philip is coming off his freshman season. We decided to shut him down indoors to get him healthy and ready for this season,” Cleare pointed out.
“He has a huge upside and I feel with him still being Carifta eligible it was best to take it slow and build towards the future. We are looking forward to some improvements
in his performances and over time I feel he has the potential to be a major player in the 400m.”
Also at the meet, sprinter Paige Archer, a junior at the University of Central Florida, ran 39.46 for 17th overall in the women’s 300m. The Queen’s College graduate also ran the opening leg for UCF women’s 4 x 400m relay team that placed third in 3:37. Shayann Demeritte, a 5-9 sprinter who also graduated from St Augustine’s College, is in her freshman year at Louisiana Tech, but she didn’t compete in the meet. Demeritte is the
daughter of Shekena and Shayne Demeritte. Demeritte and Gray Jr will both celebrate their next birthdays on January 30. Meanwhile at the Badgers Midwest Invite, Oriakhi, competing in his senior year at Chicago State, was second in the final of the men’s 60m hurdles in 8.02. Oriakhi, a former student of St Augustine’s College, posted the fastest qualifying time of 7.93 in the preliminaries. He is the son of Maria WoodsideOriakhi and Raymond Oriakhi Sr.
At the McFerrin-12 Degree Invitational at the Bryan College Station in Texas, Olympic quartermiler Javonya Valcourt, now in her junior year at Tennessee, was third in the women’s 300m final in 27.55. The 20-year-old Valcourt, who previously attended Queen’s College and then Montverde Academy in Florida, ran on the Bahamas mixed relay team at the Olympics in Paris, France in August. Unfortunately, the team didn’t advance out of the preliminaries to the final of the event.
Over 3.2 miles, the runners will leave Cockburn Street and head east onto Market Street, travel south to Wulff Road, head west on Wulff Road to Poinciana Drive, north onto Nassau Street to Meeting Street onto Blue Hill Road north onto School Lane onto Market Street and back.
According to Bastian, a Health Expo will enable persons to take advantage of a free health check up by certified nurses from the Fleming Street Clinic.
See you there!
15
Bahamas. I want everybody to know about the Bahamas. I want to put them on notice.”
With the change in location, Riley said it made a big difference having more spectators, including Bahamians, on the sidelines cheering for him and the other players.
“It’s always added pressure. You want to do well and make your country proud,” he insisted. “I think the one thing that I enjoyed is that I am proud to be a Bahamian.
“I want to thank everybody who came out and supported us from the young to the old. It gets lonely out there on the golf course in the professional setting. But just knowing that I have a whole country on my back and supporting me just keeps me going.”
Going into the final four holes before he started his second round today, Riley said rather than hitting the ball, he was going to go to the putting green to improve his shot.
“I was hitting the ball, even better than most of the field today. I just couldn’t buy a putt to save my life,” he told the media. “If you all want to buy a putt, you are welcome.”
The top 20 golfers will remain in the tournament after today’s second round. The winner will go on to earn approximately 17 official World Golf Ranking points as well as $180,000 out of the $1,000,000 purse allocated for the tournament.
Last year, the Korn Ferry Tour hosted the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay. But they switched it to the Ocean Club after the resort was closed for renovations. Following the Bahamas Golf Classic, the Korn Ferry Tour will return to the Abaco Club where the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic will take place from January 19-22.
Devaughn Robinson will be representing the Bahamas after he earned the rights at the Bahamas Professional Golfers Federation’s qualifier. Riley won the qualifier for the Ocean Club.
The two tournaments are the first of the 26 events being offered on the Korn Ferry Tour that runs from January to October with the top 20 players earning 2026 PGA Tour membership.
SHOWN, from left to right, race coordinator Sean Bastian, Portia Nottage and MP Wayde Watson.
ANDREA LONGLEY WALLACE-WHITFIELD COURTNEY BARR
ERALD THOMPSON GENA CULMER-TAYLOR GEORGETTE ALBURY
KENDRIC ALBURY LYNNE FRAINO MARK-ANTHONY
NPBA season back on tap
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter
tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
THE New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) regular season resumed this weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium following a brief hiatus for the holidays.
In division one play, the Rebels claimed their first victory of 2025 with a narrow 79-73 win against the TMT Giants.
Over in division two, the Mason Rockets edged out the BIBT Great Whites 68-58 on Saturday night.
Division Two
It was a close affair between the Rockets and Great Whites until Lamont McPhee started to heat up throughout the course of the game.
The Rockets’ star player finished the contest with a game-high 26 points, 18 rebounds, four dimes and four steals. He shot 11-for22 in the ball game.
With less than a minute to go in the first period, McPhee drove the ball coast-to-coast to put the Rockets in charge 15-11 going in the second quarter.
He talked about what went right for the team in their latest win.
“I think we came out to play together as a team. We had a little bit of mistakes but we have a good coaching staff as well. I think in the early part of the game we slacked off but we picked on our defence. We
just came to play ball,” he said.
The Great Whites smelled blood in the water and closed in on the Rockets 22-21 at the 4:38 mark of the second period.
However, the Mason Rockets put together a quick unanswered 7-0 run to an eight-point separation (29-21).
With two more quarters remaining in the ball game, the Rockets went into the break with a 32-22 edge.
After going into the halftime break with a double-digit cushion, the Rockets did not let up. By the 6:28 mark of the third quarter, the team sat comfortably in the driver’s seat 43-28.
The final nail in the Great Whites’ coffin came in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. McPhee perfectly orchestrated an alley oop to Leo Johnson which gave his team a 59-44 lead and they never looked back.
The Rockets’ “run and gun” offence complemented by their relentless defence in the passing lanes paid dividends in their latest victory.
The team forced 35 turnovers which translated to 31 points. Additionally, they earned 27 points from fastbreak opportunities compared to 15 points converted by the Great Whites.
McPhee said the team has one goal for the rest of the way - to win.
“We hope to win the rest of the way. The goal is to win that’s it. In order to get a ring we just have to put our trust in each other and come out and compete against these other teams,” he said.
Travis Robinson had a team-high 14 points and nine boards for the BIBT Great Whites in the loss.
Division One
The Rebels pulled off a comeback victory to upset the TMT Giants on Saturday night.
Dejoan Sturrup erupted for a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and two steals in the Rebels’ triumph.
After closing out the first half on top 39-37, the
Rebels found themselves behind by double digits in the third quarter.
Fayne Thompson gave the TMT Giants the lead 52-51 at the 4:29 mark of the third. From this point, the team closed out the third period with a 13-2 run.
The TMT Giants outscored the Rebels 26-14 and led 63-53 to end the third.
The Rebels withstood the Giants’ massive third quarter surge and returned the favour when it counted the most.
The team opened the fourth quarter with eight straight points to close in 63-61 at the 7:53 mark. With the Giants now
reeling, Ishad Rolle gave the Rebels the lead 67-65 following a fadeaway shot.
Both teams exchanged buckets until the Rebels got ahead by four (74-70) with less than three minutes to go in the fourth.
After this stint, the Giants were unable to recover.
Dashaun Saunders put up a team-high 18 points and nine boards for the TMT Giants in the loss.
NPBA action continues tonight with the TMT Giants taking on the Commonwealth Bank Giants at 8:30pm. The Your Essential Store Giants will match up against the Rhythm Rebels in the opening matchup at 7pm.
KLAY THOMPSON SCORES 25 FOR MAVS IN 112-101 LOSS TO NUGGETS
DALLAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and Nikola Jokic added 19 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112101 yesterday.
The Nuggets trailed by 19 points late in the third period and by 12 early in the fourth. They outscored the Mavericks in the fourth period 33-12. After hitting only four of 25 3-pointers through three quarters, Denver shot 3 for 7 down the stretch while the Mavs missed all 11 3-point tries in the fourth.
The Nuggets won for the 12th time in 17 games.
Klay Thompson scored 25 points to lead the Mavericks, who are 2-5 playing without All-Star guards Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (back sprain). Thompson was scoreless on four shots, all 3-pointers, in the fourth period.
Up next The teams will meet again in Dallas on Tuesday night in their final regular-season meeting of the season.
‘BUDDY’ HIELD SCORES 17 IN WARRIORS’
108-96 LOSS TO PACERS - HIS FORMER TEAM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam each scored 25 points on Friday night to help the Indiana Pacers race past the Golden State Warriors 108-96.
Haliburton added 10 assists and Siakam also had 10 rebounds as Indiana won its fifth straight to match its longest streak of the season.
Golden State was led by former Pacers star Buddy Hield who had 17 points.
Pat Spencer scored a season high 17 as the Warriors sat six players on their second game in two nights, including All-Star Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.
Coach Steve Kerr said Green was bothered by a back injury and Curry had a bad knee.
Indiana took control with a 17-2 second quarter run that turned a 30-29 deficit into a 46-31 lead. Golden State never led again but cut the halftime deficit to five and closed within three early in the third quarter. But the Pacers had an answer every time Golden State got close.
Takeaways
Warriors: It’s hard to take much out of a game
with so many key players on the bench. But Golden State played hard and Spencer and former Indiana high school and college star Trayce Jackson-Davis shined.
Pacers: The momentum continues to build for Indiana, which looks like it’s finally found its rhythm. Indiana has won all five games by 10 or more points, Haliburton has rediscovered his All-Star level, and with the Pacers getting healthy, their depth is helping, too.
Jean Street and the finish line.
existence, will hold its annual Family Fun Run/ Walk race on Saturday, January 25.The dual event, opened to the general public, will get started at 6:30am from the Bahamas Baptist College/Charles W Saunders High School on Jean Street.
The run will begin from Jean Street and head south to Prince Charles Drive. It will travel east on Prince Charles Drive to Fox Hill Road. On Fox Hill Road, the route will head north to Bernard Road, west on Bernard Road and south on Jean Street back to the finish line.
The walk will leave Jean Street and travel north to Bernard Road, head west on Bernard Road to Soldier Road, travel south on Soldier Road to Prince Charles Drive, head east on Prince Charles Drive and back to
The categories for both the male and female in both events will be under-15, under-20, under-40, under60 and 60-and-over. There will also be a Pastors/Ministers/Deacons category. Medals will be presented to the first three finishers in each age category, while the top finishers in each event will be presented with a trophy. There will also be a trophy for the church with the most finishers.
The registration fee is $10 per person and there will be a souse out priced at $10 for chicken or turkey.
Interested persons are urged to contact Ann Thompson at 425-3557 or email ann837609@gmail. com or Brent Stubbs at 4267265 or email stubbobo@ gmail.com.
TRACK AND FIELD
STAR PERFORMERS
MEET
THE Star Trackers Track Club will hold its 22nd Star Performance Track and Field Classic on Saturday,
Key moment Pacers started slowly from 3-point range, but Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin turned the game with back-to-back 3s in the middle of a big spurt that put Indiana in control.
Key stat Pacers struggled to score in the paint in the first half, but finished the game with a 54-46 scoring advantage inside.
Up next Golden State makes its third stop on a 4-game road trip tonight at Toronto.
February 1 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
The event, powered by Baker/Greyco Limited, will be held from 9am to 5pm. The registration deadline is on Friday, January 24 at 10pm at www.coachoregistration.com.
Meet director Dave Charlton promises that the athletes and spectators will enjoy a very competitive meet that will be contested on time.
BBSF
SOFTBALL LEAGUE
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its 2025 softball league, starting on Saturday, February 8 at the Charles W Saunders High School, Jean Street. The co-ed slow pitch league will allow each team up to a total of 15 players with the registration fee of $200.
The deadline for team registration with rosters and team payment is Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Interested persons can tournament director Thomas Sears at 424-2888 or email 242softball@gmail. com or Brent Stubbs at 4267265 or emil stubbobs@ gmail.com
TRACK AND FIELD
RED-LINE CLASSIC
THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club will hold its fifth annual Sonja Knowles Classic over the weekend of January 25-26 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, sponsored by Slim Jim and Mahatma, will begin at 10am on Saturday, January 25 and conclude on Sunday, January 26, starting at 1pm.
Meet director Tito Moss has indicated that they will offer some awesome customised medals for top three finishers, customised crystal awards for MVPs U7 to U20 boys and girls. He also noted that they will offer more events for the under-7 to under-13 age groups, but they expect that
the under-15 to the open and masters categories will be very competitive with heats and finals in all sprint events. The entry deadline is January 19. Interested persons are urged to send in entries to redlineathletics242@ gmail.com and smnbutler@ yahoo.com or contact Tito Moss at 425-4262.
GOLF KORN FERRY VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS are needed for the Korn Ferry Professional Golf Tournament 2025 Bahamas Golf Classic at The Ocean Club, scheduled for January 9-15. Volunteers are needed. The biggest need is walking scorers as there are approximately 44 shifts to be filled from the 9th-10th. There is a cut after the second round for the golfers, so approximately 25 shifts to be filled the 11th and 12th.
- There will be a training held at 3pm on Saturday January 18 at the Ocean Club. You must attend the training if you are a new volunteer to be able to walk in the scores.
- The training will last no more than an hour.
- This is the most important job for the golf tournament, as the walking scorers are sending in scores to be updated on the PGATOUR’s leaderboard.
- You must be able to walk 18 holes at a time, which is approximately four miles. WhatsApp is usually the preferred communication method for shift times and job category groups. If you prefer a different method (iMessage/email).
* Please reach out to volunteer coordinator Allie Leigeb for any further questions and if you would like to confirm dates available to volunteer* WhatsApp/ Mobile- 859699-2197 Email- allie@ bdglobalsports.com
Walking Scoring Notes - Walking Scoring involves keeping score for an assigned group of golfers and radioing in scores to Scoring Central.
WARRIORS guard Buddy Hield (7) makes a move around the defence of Pacers guard Ben Sheppard, left, on Friday, January 10.
INDIANA Pacers centre Myles Turner (33) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) during the second half. (AP Photos/Doug McSchooler)
PLAYERS in action during the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) regular season which resumed this weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr