06092023 NEWS AND SPORT

US VP: We’ll team UP to helP the Caribbean Pledges made on guns, Haiti and climate change

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNITED States Vice President Kamala Harris announced efforts to combat gun trafficking, provide concessionary funding and tackle climate change yesterday during the highest-profile visit an American official has made to The Bahamas in decades. She announced the appointment of a coordinator for the Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions at the US Department of Justice to help crack down on firearm smugglers. She said the position would improve information sharing between regional countries to support the prosecution of traffickers.

Vice President Harris co-hosted a USCaribbean leaders meeting with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, the chair of CARICOM.

“Too many people in all of our countries are dying from gun violence,” she said in her address to Caribbean leaders at Atlantis.

“I will reiterate that our administration is committed to disrupt gun trafficking.”

“We are committed to interdict shipments of arms and ammunition and hold traffickers accountable, and today, I am pleased to announce that the United States Department of Justice will create a new position, a coordinator for Caribbean firearms prosecutions, which will help maximise information sharing between our countries

United States Vice President Kamala Harris poses with Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis ahead of a meeting with Caribbean leaders where the issues of climate change and resilience, energy management, food security, illegal migration and Haiti were discussed.

Former DNA leader Chris Mortimer dead at 53

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

CHRISTOPHER Mortimer, the former interim leader of the Democratic National Alliance, died yesterday at 53.

Former DNA Chairman Andrew Wilson, a close friend of Mr Mortimer, confirmed the death of the well-known businessman.

Mortimer was the former president of

Galleria Cinemas and Outback Steakhouse. He had two children.

FTX LiquidaTors in ‘never-ending battle’

His recent ventures included preparing to introduce Red Lobster to The Bahamas. According to his LinkedIn page, he was the president of Island Bloom and Pinnacle Franchise Brands.

“He was a very decent human being and my dearest friend,” Mr Wilson said. “I am shocked.”

Ben Albury, a former Montagu candidate for the DNA, called

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FTX Bahamas’ liquidators yesterday warned they will be placed in “an impossible situation” if they are forced into a “never-ending” legal battle with their US counterparts as operating cash has dwindled to less than $1m.

Photo: Austin Fernander

FORmeR Democratic National Alliance leader Chris Mortimer

US VP: We’ll team up to help the Caribbean

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to support the prosecution of traffickers.

“This effort will be aided by the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Biden signed last year and includes new federal criminal offences for firearms trafficking and straw purchases.”

Prime Minister Davis has continually urged the US to help reduce gun trafficking in the region, making this a core part of his crime reduction

message and strategy.

During a CARICOM meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in April, Mr Davis cited statistics on how many recovered weapons in some Caribbean countries can be traced to the United States.

In March, he announced that The Bahamas joined a $10bn lawsuit to hold US gun manufacturers accountable for the regional spread of firearms.

Yesterday, Mrs Harris pledged support for Caribbean-led initiatives to counter firearms trafficking.

She said: “Through the US law enforcement agencies, we are supporting a recently established Caribbean crime gun intelligence unit in Trinidad and Tobago to train officials in firearms investigations and help bring criminals to justice. “And we will stand up a Haiti transnational criminal investigative unit in collaboration with the Haitian national police to facilitate investigation and prosecution of firearm and human trafficking, which affects the entire region.”

Regarding climate change, she said the US would invest $20m in the Caribbean Climate Investment Programme to encourage partnerships between the private sector and Caribbean nations for clean energy projects.

Mrs Harris also announced a $15m investment to support emergency response efforts and strengthen the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. She noted a recent meeting with the World Bank president, saying she told him the US would lead a

diplomatic campaign on multilateral development bank reform. She said the US believes addressing the climate crisis should be a “critical part of the mission of the World Bank”.

She said strengthening the US-Caribbean relationship is a priority for the Biden administration.

The multilateral meetings are the fourth Vice President Harris has hosted with Caribbean leaders.

Yesterday’s visit follows a June 22 meeting the vice

president had with leaders at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. Her visit led to tightened security at Atlantis, which was swarmed with US Secret Service agents. Helicopters flew above the resort as a precautionary measure and the bridge was closed for hours to accommodate her visit. Members of the media went through two security checkpoints. Their movement was closely monitored and restricted.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris (pictured centre) and Chairman of CARICOM, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (centre left), Prime Minister of The Bahamas, hosted discussions with leaders of Caribbean nations comprising the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), yesterday at Atlantis, Paradise Island. Also present was the Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla N. Barnett (pictured centre right). The agenda for discussion included regional issues: climate change and resilience, energy management, food security, and illegal migration.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis Greeting US VP Kamala Harris ahead of multi-lateral Caribbean heads of government meeting.

Photo: Austin Fernander

SecretAry General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla N. Barnett.

Photo: BiS

CARICOM leaders.

Photo: BiS

Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceno (left), Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.

Photo: BiS US VP Kamala Harris speaks to CARICOM leaders on a variety of issues affecting Caribbean nations.

Photo: BiS

US VP Kamala Harris (left), Prime Minister and head of CARICOM Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (centre) and Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla N. Barnett.

Photo: Austin Fernander

US Vice President pledges over $50m in humanitarian funding for Haiti

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNITED States Vice President Kamala Harris

reaffirmed the US support for developing a multinational security force to address the crisis in Haiti while announcing humanitarian assistance for the nation.

During a meeting with CARICOM leaders yesterday, VP Harris said: “First,

I will say that our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and all who have been impacted by just this week alone, the flooding and the earthquake.”

“The international community must continue to support the Haitian people in light of the devastating humanitarian and security crisis in that country.”

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who attended yesterday’s meeting, looked

on as Vice President Harris announced $53.7m in new humanitarian funding.

The money will help to provide food assistance as 4.9 million people face “acute food insecurity”.

Mrs Harris also revealed that the Biden administration would support the extension of HOPE-HELP trade preferences for Haiti, which she said are up for renewal in 2025.

“Finally, in response to longstanding requests from our Caribbean partners, I am pleased to announce that the Biden-Harris administration has begun the process to establish an expanded diplomatic presence in the eastern Caribbean, including two new embassies,” she said.

This latest assistance from the US comes months after CARICOM member states agreed to provide

direct support to the Haitian National Police (HNP) to help restore peace.

In February, CARICOM leaders discussed the issue during a three-day CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting held in The Bahamas.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also committed Canada to send navy vessels to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence and maintain a maritime

presence off the Haitian coast during that meeting.

“From the climate crisis to development financing to security and Haiti and diplomatic presence,” Vice President Harris said, “we have achieved substantial progress in the last two years based on shared priorities, many of which have been formed and discussed through these convenings that we have had over the last two years.”

Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry looks on as US VP Kamala Harris pledges humanitarian support for Haiti.

Photo: BiS

US VP Kamala Harris speaks to CARICOM leaders on a variety of issues affecting Caribbean nations.

Photos: Austin Fernander

SecretAry General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla N. Barnett.

High security as VP roadshow rolls into Nassau

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WHEN US Vice President Kamala Harris visited The Bahamas yesterday, some residents found themselves in the middle of one of the most tightly choreographed security operations in the world.

Armed US Secret Service spotters stood on rooftops at Odyssey Aviation’s terminal, peering below as K9 dogs searched the area.

Drivers encountered road closures, heavy police presence, and helicopters hovering above.

Local journalists, accustomed to freely moving around dignitaries, were restricted to gazing from behind barricades and required a chaperone to leave a room designated for them at Atlantis.

Mrs Harris was the highest-profile American government official to

visit The Bahamas since 1973, and the weight of her presence was felt in some areas of New Providence before she touched down at 12.20pm.

Around 9am, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force bussed approved guests, including reporters, to Odyssey Aviation to await Mrs Harris’ arrival.

When she arrived, more than 100 people, mostly school-aged children and civic society representatives, greeted the former San Francisco District Attorney.

“As you know, we’re celebrating our 50 years of diplomatic relations, you’re celebrating your 50 years of independence, so we knew we had to go big, and we were just so excited to have her here,” said Jessica Elmshaeuser, acting Consular Chief at the US Embassy. “We knew we needed someone of her

calibre to come and emphasize the ties and the value in our relationships here in the Caribbean.”

Invited onlookers included Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority incorporated members, women dressed in the sorority’s signature salmon pink and apple green colours.

As she disembarked Air Force Two, Mrs Harris greeted several Bahamian officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, and State Minister for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.

Shanareo Grant, the head boy of St John’s College, described yesterday’s event as a “once in a lifetime” experience.

“I know that seeing someone like her, at her rank, that’s an experience,” he said.

SCENES from Vice President Kamala Harris’ arrival yesterday. Photos: Moise Amisial

VICE President Kamala Harris at Atlantis yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

SOME of the guests at the airport arriving yesterday.

Photos: Moise Amisial

The Tribune Limited

US VP visit more than just the show

CONVOYS of police and secure vehicles, a military helicopter overhead – and smiles and handshakes at the airport. The arrival of Vice President Kamala Harris to The Bahamas yesterday brought quite a show.

The visit was more than just show, of course – the highest profile visit by an American official in decades would not have happened if there were not real issues of substance to consider too.

That means issues that are of interest to us – and issues that are of interest to the United States.

For ourselves, one of the big issues has been gun violence. The murder count has already reached 50 deaths before six months of the year are complete, while Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis seemed to concede this week that the government’s initiatives on crime are not working as they hoped.

He said in Parliament on Wednesday of his initiatives: “None have yet produced the downturn we would like to see.”

All the more reason, then, for the Vice President’s visit to be welcomed, with a further commitment from Mrs Harris to efforts to disrupt gun trafficking.

The majority of guns on our streets come from the US – and efforts to stop some of them reaching here will include a new coordinator for Caribbean firearms prosecutions in the US Department of Justice. There are also new federal offences for firearms trafficking and certain types of purchases.

These are useful steps – though how useful we will see in terms of how many prosecutions take place and whether there is any sign of a drop in the number of guns in the hands of criminals.

Then there is the issue of climate change – and a number of investments and initiatives were detailed surrounding that. None of the investments were of the scale to spend on the level of protection needed to prevent major damage – if that were even possible – nor were they of the level to compensate for damage previously received. Instead, they focused on developing partnerships, advancing understanding or supporting emergency efforts. Not the end of the story, by any means, but a step along the path.

Then there is the issue of Haiti.

Things are desperate in that nation at present. People are beset by gangs. Food supply is at risk. People are going thirsty. Killings are commonplace, whether by gangs or by a new wave of vigilantism.

A wave of humanitarian aid was announced as Mrs Harris was landing, while there are also moves to deal with crime across international boundaries, with a transnational criminal investigative unit to tackle firearm and human trafficking involving Haiti. Given the international nature of some of those accused of involvement with the murder of Haitian leader Jovenel Moise, it seems likely that such a unit might be more able to respond to cross-border plots that undermine the nation.

As for boots on the ground? The Vice President reiterated support for a multinational security force to deal with the crisis.

How much each of those steps will make a difference, we shall have to wait and see. Stopping the guns isn’t easy. Turning the rising tides seems impossible. Solving Haiti’s political and social crisis seems more challenging still.

Bringing such a high-profile leader to The Bahamas is a victory in itself, however. Having a seat at the table to discuss such issues raises the level at which they are being considered.

And with that, the convoy rolled back out of Atlantis – and the show packed up and flew home. The outcome, we shall have to wait and see.

Christopher Mortimer

The news of former Democratic National Alliance leader Christopher Mortimer’s death was shocking yesterday.

Details were still being revealed as The Tribune was going to press, but the reaction was shock across the political divides.

Such a reaction prompted memories of another death of a political figure. In 2012, word came in to The Tribune of the death of Charles Maynard, the chairman of the FNM at the time, who died while on the campaign trail in Abaco.

As The Tribune reached out to confirm the news, the shock was palpable. Not Charlie, said voices from across the political spectrum. Too young. Not him.

It is a measure of the respect for Mr Mortimer that yesterday there was the same reaction. Too young indeed. Rest in peace, Mr Mortimer, and with our prayers.

Education and the way ahead

EDITOR, The Tribune.

GOOD, better and best are the clear and present options we may select from as The Bahamas moves beyond its first half century as an Independent nation. As far as the area of education is concerned, the choices should be clear. We may or may not have a good system now, but it certainly can be made better. Just when The Bahamas would achieve the best possible educational system is the question we should be focusing on now and into the near future.

Recently, there has been some talks about adjusting the standards or criteria for students graduating from public secondary/high schools. At this point, from my perspective, it would appear to be a glorified version of social promotion, which would mean codifying that popular dance; one step forward - two steps backwards.

Without debate or argument, we should all be able to agree that our schooling system here in The Bahamas was revolutionised with the advent of (coalition: small “c”) Majority Rule government. Prior to that time, a majority of Bahamian students were necessarily finished with their schooling at 14 years old (give/take a year or two, on either side of that number). So, the establishment of many, many high schools throughout the archipelago must be seen as a step forward.

With the proliferation of public secondary schools came a broader diversity of subjects in the curriculum. Additionally, teachers’ qualifications were mandated to be at a higher level. Just how and exactly when tragedy struck might not be easily ascertained. But, “social promotion”

entered the school system. The old practice of failing, staying back/repeating a grade, and special classes all went out the window. Everyone passed. You studied, you didn’t study, you got good grades, you got bad grades, it didn’t matter. “No reward without work” was just swept out of the classrooms.

Some serious studies may be done to confirm my suspicions, but I believe that it was around the same time that indiscipline (from primary school to secondary school) crept into the classrooms. Of course, it didn’t stay just there. Like all negative infections, it spread to the playgrounds, the streets, and just about everywhere these unchecked students wandered. Nowadays, we can see its growth and development with the increasing truancy, violence, coupled with belligerence among a growing number of students. Putting police officers in schools or even in classrooms seems to be but another part of that popular dance; one step forwardtwo steps backwards.

Hold on, there’s one more step backwards which makes the dance smooth and distinctive. That other step backwards would be a new policy of the Ministry of passing the diploma baton to those who are bound to break off running in the opposite direction --instead of forward, upward, onward together. With or without the blasting music from who-knows-where, that popular dance ain’t about to stop no time soon.

Here’s another one of my crazy ideas: How about giving all students a fair chance for the first three

years of schooling? After that, assessments can be made about their potential; academic, technical, vocational, artistic, as well as related interests. At such young ages, nothing could be assumed to be definitive, so temporary streaming might be implemented and adjusted as appears suitable. By the time students reach junior high school level, they should be paired with areas of interest and abilities. Of course, some hearts will be broken (especially unrealistic parents), and egos may be slightly bruised, but Reality Street is the best one to proceed on if we look at the bigger picture; forward, upward, onward together.

Finally, consideration must be given to the archipelagic nature of The Bahamas. Some method must be devised to afford all students, throughout the 700 islands, rocks and cays, the same opportunities, no matter the size or distance their communities may be from the capitol.

In some cases, computer technology with online learning might be possible. In other cases, more innovative options would be needed. In any case, we may keep on doing what we’ve been doing, or even what the Ministry has recently proclaimed, and keep looking for different outcomes that will never come.

Alternatively, we may search for, and find, some real answers to some real problems facing us in these next 50 years of an Independent Bahamas.

Otherwise, that dance of one step forward - two steps backwards, will remain quite popular. Shall we dance?

US Vice President Kamala Harris during yesterday’s arrival in The Bahamas as she chats to people at the airport.

Photo: Earyel Bowleg

VP tells LGBT advocate: We’re here to support you

VICE President Kamala

Harris signalled her support for expanding LGBT rights in The Bahamas when she arrived yesterday.

While greeting people chosen to meet her, transgender advocate Alexus Demarco raised LGBT rights with her, according to a video. She said: “Fighting for LGBT rights in The Bahamas, Alexus Demarco.”

The Vice President responded: “We’re here to support you, you know that, right?”

The exchange comes after the US Embassy in Nassau marked the start of June with a statement highlighting Pride Month.

“US Embassy Nassau kicked off Pride Month on Thursday, June 1, by raising the rainbow flag at the Queen Street chancery and at Liberty Overlook, the

ambassador’s residence,” the embassy said.

“The embassy is supporting events throughout the month of June to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community. Events include a film screening, a safe-space chat on inclusion issues, a diplomatic reception, and social gatherings.

“Since taking office in 2021, President Biden has championed the rights of LGBTQI+ people and supported legislation to ensure every American enjoys equal rights and full protection under the law. He has welcomed LGBTQI+ individuals, families, and advocates to his home, and called on his diplomatic representatives around the world to take a public stand in support of the LGBTQI+ community.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris with Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

US Vice President Kamala Harris on arrival. Photo: Earyel Bowleg

POLICE outriders on Bay Street as onlookers wait for a glimpse of the convoy.

Photo: Cara Hunt

A MILITARY helicopter accompanying the convoy.

THE VEHICLES carrying Vice President Kamala Harris and her team on Bay Street.

Photo: Cara Hunt

Thompson say that Davis administration’s budget doesn’t account for $110m BPL loan

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

KWASI Thompson, former State Minister for Finance, said the Davis administration presented an incomplete budget that does not include all estimates as required by law.

He expressed discontent with the administration’s deficit figures, saying the budget doesn’t account for a $110m Bahamas Power & Light loan.

Some $110m was lent to BPL over the first nine months of the current fiscal year to pay off its fuel bill debt.

Mr Thompson noted the Davis administration is legally obligated to list how funds are appropriated.

“Can we,” he said, “even trust the government’s deficit figure? We remember the deficit debacle during the last budget. The Prime

Minister stated that he expects to beat this year’s deficit by almost 50m. But does it really?”

“We fail to see where the Prime Minister included the $110m loan to BPL, as he is legally obligated to under the law.”

“We call on the government to indicate what appropriations were made by parliament for this $110m in lending to stateowned enterprises. If there are no appropriations for this lending, this is clearly and patently illegal.

“Alternatively, the government will have to use the budgetary mechanisms to transfer funds already appropriated by parliament into an appropriate line item to effect the loan. But the law is clear.

“In other words, the government will have to show this sum in its budgetary expenditure. And this fact

means that this additional $110m expense will blow their budget deficit wide open.”

“The PLP,” he continued, “has also presented an incomplete budget. Their own law gives specifically what should be included in this budget book. The fourth schedule of the Public Financial Management Act, 2023 states as follows: ‘The annual budget shall have estimates of financing with financing information for the previous two years (both budget and actual) and projected financing for the current year and the next three years.’

“Clearly the government’s estimates only include the current year and the next two years. They are missing a year. To proceed means it is not in compliance with the law and the budget is incomplete.”

Georgetown, Exuma sees heavy rain and flooding with more expected

Former DNA le ADer Chris mortimer De AD At Age 53

Former deputy and interim leader of the DNA and businessman, Christopher Mortimer(second from right) died yesterday at the age of 53. He is pictured here with former DNA leader Branville McCartney (centre), DNA chairman Andrew Wilson (second from left), Stephen Greenslade, formerly a DNA Candidate for Golden Aisles and Youri Kemp, formerly a DNA candidate for Garden Hills, who were political partners and friends. from page one

Mortimer an “exemplary young man”.

“You know, I admired Chris,” he said. “I looked up to Chris. You know, not that we never had our differences, but one thing I always felt was with Chris he was always somebody that you could talk to, you could confide with. And, you know, Chris was very good at organizing.”

leader of the DNA from October 2017 to February 2019.

The Tribune could not confirm the circumstances surrounding his death yesterday.

However, police reported that a 53-yearold male resident of Lockhart Lane off Davis Street died in a suspicious car accident.

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

A LACK of proper drainage caused significant flooding, expanded potholes and road deterioration in Georgetown, Exuma, this week amid rainy weather. Donald Rolle, the Family Island administrator for Georgetown, Exuma, said

torrential rain brought the community’s prolonged drainage issues to the fore last week.

“The Ministry of Works here in Exuma and New Providence is working furiously to rectify the problem here in Exuma,” he said.

“We have local personnel on the ground at this time that is carrying out some preliminaries until we

have the professional help that will come in from New Providence. In the Georgetown area, this problem has been lingering now for some time.”

Mr Rolle said the rain and flooding impacted several homes and businesses.

“I know of one business and a few homes that have been impacted, but there hasn’t been a vast amount

of damage that we can talk about at this time,” he said.

“There is just flooding and the roads are deteriorating and we have potholes that have been expanded because of the water.”

Ian McKenzie, a weather forecaster from the Department of Meteorology, said heavy rainfall is expected on Exuma for the next five days.

“He was always very strategic and he was always very, you know, very involved with the execution of things and how things should be carried out. And I think that Chris is definitely a young Bahamian man that we lost too soon and somebody that should be admired.”

After the DNA’s first leader, Branville McCartney stepped down, Mortimer became interim

The incident reportedly happened shortly before 4pm and involved a black Ford Escape.

The driver drove west along Lockhart Lane when he reportedly got out of the vehicle. Police said on arrival at the scene, officers found the car in the reverse gear and the driver pinned against a chain link fence. He received serious injuries and died of his injuries at the scene.

Heavy rainfall over the last few days has exposed drainage issues in Georgetown, Exuma. Forecasters are calling for more rainfall for the next five days.

GB native achieves his dream to become a pilot

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ROBERT Clarke Jr, a 29-year-old Bahamian pilot with Silver Airways, received a warm Bahamian welcome after making his first flight to The Bahamas on May 28.

Clarke, who is employed as a first officer, touched down in his native Grand Bahama, and then in Bimini, before returning back to Florida.

Flying to The Bahamas was not only his dream, but it was a momentous occasion for his family and friends who gathered at the Grand Bahama International Airport to meet him on his arrival, including his mother, Tiffany Brice; grandmother, Thelma Brice; Senator James Turner, and local news reporters.

“It was a great accomplishment and a nice flight for me,” he recalled.

Clarke has been with the airline for five months and is already being assigned to the airline’s senior routes.

Silver Airways, headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, is a leading regional US airline operating flights between gateways in Florida, the Southeast, and The Bahamas.

When he learned that he would be flying to The Bahamas, he told his mother the great news. “It was a big surprise to see my mom and all the people who came to support me,” Clarke said.

As a boy, Clarke would

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Public Hospitals

Authority has created a 24-hour hotline to report misconduct and abuse.

PHA said the hotline will be live on June 12.

“This facility allows members of the public or PHA employees to confidentially report fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, or abuse to PHA, relative to PHA corporate offices, Princess Margaret Hospital, Sandilands Rehabilitation

accompany his father, Robert Clarke, Sr, on work trips to Abaco and the Family Islands. They would travel by private aircraft, and he would always sit in the front with the pilot.

At age 25, he began his aviation career at the Treasure Coast Flight Training School in Stuart, Florida, where he obtained his private instrument, commercial, and instructor licenses.

Clarke said that his next goal is to become a Captain.

As a licensed instructor, he has assisted other Bahamians with getting their commercial and private instrument licenses.

“I also check up on them to make sure they are staying up to date with their proficiency checks and landings and that they accomplish their goals.”

His advice to students interested in a career in aviation is to study hard and stay focused.

Clarke said that they must be prepared for long nights of studying and training sessions. The support of his parents and family was also important.

“My dad, mom, and grammy pushed me and they were always available no matter what time I called,” he said.

He encouraged parents not to give up on their children. “Always support them in whatever they want to be,” he said.

My parents were my role model growing up because they were very hard working and always made sure I had the best life, and that I

ROBERT ClaRkE JR a 29-year-old Grand Bahamian pilot with Silver Airways, receives a warm Bahamian welcome after making his inaugural flight to The Bahamas on May 28.

had what I needed to succeed. They told me that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to,” he said.

Clarke, who has his single-engine and instrument instructor license, said he is willing to assist

new beginners and rookie pilots obtain their private licenses, and keep their licenses updated. He said

persons may contact him at 553-1407 or email him at lilrobbie10@hotmail. com.

m etrolo GY l a B stren G thens Bahamas s tandards Bureau

Centre, Grand Bahama Health Services, National Emergency Medical Services, or Supplies Management Agency,” PHA said in a statement.

People making a report can remain anonymous, though there may be cases when investigators need more information on a complaint.

“Complainants may request that their identity remain confidential unless it is determined during the investigation that such disclosures are absolutely unavoidable,” PHA said.

“In this case, our investigators will not reveal your identity without the complainant’s prior consent. However, based on the nature of the complaint or alleged breach, ‘mandatory’ reporting and police intervention, including name/identity of the complainant for investigative purposes, may be required.”

“Help us protect the integrity of our PHA institutions and agencies, if you see something, say something.”

The number for the hotline will be 502-9124

e xuma man accused of $3,000 shoPBreakinG sPree remanded until trial

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was denied bail after being implicated in a shop-breaking spree in Exuma where he allegedly stole more than $3,000 worth of goods.

Shawn Cartwright, 36, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly. He was charged with five counts of shop-breaking, five counts of stealing and two counts of receiving.

From 7.30pm to 6.30am between April 17 and 18, Cartwright allegedly broke

into Thompson’s Car Rentals in Moss Town, Exuma, and stole $993 worth of car and office keys. He also stole a black and grey safe.

From 4.20pm to 5.57am between May 12 and 13, Cartwright allegedly broke into Kermit’s Restaurant in Moss Town and stole $360 in cash and an assortment of chocolate bars.

Between May 20 and 22, Cartwright broke into Sun Oil Limited’s office in George Town and stole $200 in cash and a $140 Bluetooth speaker.

During the night between May 25 and 26, Cartwright

Police find $60k in Bimini m an’s home, allegedly proceed of crime

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A 52-year-old man was arrested after $60k was found at his home in Alice Town, Bimini, on Wednesday.

According to reports, police in Bimini seized nearly $60k from the man’s residence.

The incident happened shortly after 4am when officers executed a search warrant on the home, where the cash was discovered and confiscated.

Subsequently, the 52-year-old man was arrested. The cash, which is believed to be from the proceeds of crime, was in US and Bahamian currency.

allegedly broke into the Island Luck office in Exuma and stole $200 cash and an alarm keypad.

Between May 29 and 30, he allegedly broke into Thompson’s Car Rentals, stealing $2,000 worth of auto equipment and assorted tools.

After pleading not guilty, the defendant was denied bail after prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom pointed out that he was already released for pending charges.

Cartwright will remain in remand until his trial begins on August 18 in Exuma.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) hosted the 2023 Bahamas National Quality Policy Re-Engagement Forum yesterday, introducing a new mass metrology lab.

The forum was held at Breezes under the theme “Strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure” through enhanced standards and metrology services.

Metrology is the scientific study of measurement.

Business leaders and legislative stakeholders discussed the bureau’s new mass metrology lab. The lab was made possible through the 11th European Development Fund funds and the CARICOM Single Market Economy Standby Facility project.

Officials of the Bureau stressed the need for continuous improvement to national quality infrastructures, adding it would prepare more local goods and services for global trade.

Minister of Economic Affairs

Michael Halkitis

highlighted the bureau’s work.

“Through the establishment of BBSQ, we have begun to lay the necessary framework to enhance competitiveness and provide access to new and emerging markets for Bahamians,” he said. “Ultimately, our work continues as we improve upon the standards and quality of goods and services exported, thus allowing for the promotion of fair trade, industry best practices, and the overall protection of the consumer against unsafe products.”

sidelined Prison commissioner’s trial date set for novemBer 27

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE trial date for prison commissioner Charles Murphy’s lawsuit against the government has been set for November 27.

A case management hearing took place yesterday before Justice Carla Stubbs.

Commissioner Murphy’s lawyer, Romona Farquharson Seymour, complained about how long it is taking for the trial to start. She argued

for an earlier trial date after Justice Stubbs tentatively set proceedings for early 2024.

Antoine Thompson, the government’s lawyer, said he expects the trial to take only two days.

Commissioner Murphy sued the government after he was placed on leave. Two senior officers who were sidelined under the Minnis administration, Bernadette ThompsonMurry and Doan Cleare, were brought in to oversee the prison when the commissioner was sent on leave.

Under the Davis administration, Mrs Thompson-Murray and Mr Cleare settled a lawsuit they brought against the government after claiming they were forced to take vacation leave.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe’s role in sidelining Commissioner Murphy has faced scrutiny because his law firm represented Mrs Thompson-Murray and Mr Cleare when they filed their lawsuit.

Govt’s mYGate WaY Portal hits 100k users, as additional services soon to Be added

MYGATEWAY, the government’s centralized system for digital services, now has 100k registered users.

According to the Digital Transformation Unit, 127k applications have been processed by the portal, 87k documents were collected from the Centralised Collections Centre, and $3.6m in revenue was generated.

The Road Traffic

Department has generated the highest revenue through the portal, totalling $2m.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has processed the most applications on the portal: 67,700.

The Registrar General’s Department has the most trained officers working on the portal’s backend, 65.

“Launched in February 2021, the online portal has

grown steadily and achieved a number of firsts in The Bahamas and quite a few milestones along the way,” the DIU said in its press statement. “What’s next for MyGateway? We will be launching a new slate of services with digital outputs in the very near future. With the continued support of our stakeholders and talented

project team we will expand our user groups to include new user categories. The government of The Bahamas’ support and partnership has been invaluable and as we collectively celebrate fifty years of independence, we herald this 100K registered user accomplishment as a marked progression for e-government.”

Pha announces 24-hour hotline to reP ort misconduct and a Buse

Careful consideration needed on how sponsorship of The Bahamas’ new national sport is done

By Diane Phillips

THERE’S a temptation brewing on the waters, especially the churned-up waters around regattas. Now that sailing is the national sport - a much-welcomed and long overdue move - the attention to one version of the sport, Bahamian native sloop sailing, is greater than ever.

Record crowds gather at post-Covid revived regatta sites, drawn to the action from the start when the gun goes off and up to a dozen boats in Class A pull up anchor and hoist the oversized main sail to masthead, leaving us staring in awe at the sight.

Everything about the majestic native sloop defies the odds. The wooden vessels with their canvas-like sails billowing, flying from masts more than five stories high, nearly twice the height of the length of the 28ft boat.

From onshore, we watch the age-old start, unlike one design class boats and new handicap

rating racing yachts that jockey for position and cross the start line in full speed ahead for the upwind first leg, sloops line up like race horses before the gate is opened. Muscle and man and

womanpower hoisting sail and upping anchor. The action never stops, the pulse never stops racing. Onshore, we watch controlled nearpandemonium as crew balances precipitously on a pry board and prepares to manoeuvre, then scrambles, sliding across like slithering eels for the fastest, smoothest tack possible, looking to gain a boat length or two over the nearest competitor. But underlying the beauty of native sloop sailing from the anchor up and human mainsail hoist to the slacked jib-and-main downwind ride, there is a growing temptation to commercialize this sport that is so uniquely Bahamian. And that would be a tragedy. Like selling your soul for a box of Animal Crackers. I understand the talk.

No price tag oN BahamiaN uNique

It costs money to own and race any kind of sailboat. You’d be sur-

prised how much. A new Star class racing machine – that’s the same boat that the late Sir Durward Knowles sailed to Olympic Gold in 1954 though no longer an Olympic classcan cost $70,000 or more.

The 5.5 meter like Bahamians Gavin McKinney and Craig Symonette compete in around the world can run well three times that. Then there is the cost of transporting the boat and crew to regattas from Australia to the US to Norway where the world championship is most often held.

Those extreme onedesign monohulls designed and built for international racing are a far cry from the native sloop that originated as a work boat. But there is something special about the sheer lines and simplicity of the native sloop. The sloop is a wooden vessel, the sails are not a fancy composite, the mast is Sitka spruce, there’s no instrumentation like GPS, no radar, not even a VHF radio. Nor is there mechanical advantage – no winches or grinders, just human strength. It’s pull and scamper and skipper and shout and go and shout some more, mostly yelling starboard even when on port because the boat on starboard has right of way. There is nothing quite like Bahamian native sloop racing anywhere in the world. For all the fancy regattas in places with exotic names, for all the roundthe-world races that try men’s and women’s strength, stamina and strategy and make us all wonder how in the world they can do that, for all the various styles of racing from the child’s tub-like starter boat to the America’s Cup, there’s nothing anywhere that remotely compares to the raw magic of native sloop sailing.

And that is why it must be preserved with all traditions intact. And that means no sponsor logos on sails. We know it costs money to campaign a

native sloop, especially if you want to hit every regatta so crew get the most practice working together, you get the kinks worked out or vie for boat of the year.

Boats have to be towed from island to island, crew has to be transported. Once they arrive, they have to be fed and housed. The beer budget alone can be a killer. But start slapping logos on hulls and sails and see how the sport changes, the enthusiasm wanes, the commercialization creeps in and native sloop sailing loses its purity, sold for a few cents.

There are local experts who say it is only a matter of time. The day will come, they say, when sloop sailing caves in and joins most classes of racing sailboats, but elsewhere commercialisation is carefully governed by very detailed specifications set by World Sailing and still some regattas and a few classes like the 5.5 metre remain pure.

That isn’t to say that sponsorship of native sloop sailing should be banned, just redirected. Cartier shows its stuff through necklaces, watches or other accessories, not by splashing its name across the front of a gown.

In the same way, native sloop racing sponsors can get their money’s worth in a dozen creative ways. They can brand the crew providing crew shirts, caps, windbreakers or the drinks they celebrate or commiserate with. They can have feather banners, flags, tote bags, air time on TV and radio. Better yet, they can rebuild or otherwise improve regatta sites. Imagine a Kalik and conch salad village at Salt Pond, Long Island, or a Sands beer sculling contest leading up to the main regatta in Exuma. A sponsor could add sports events or charity fundraisers prior to or in tandem with regattas anywhere. They can decorate golf carts in places where they are suitable. They could host sailing demonstrations with trials in Montagu Bay with visitors and brand reef-safe sunscreen.

They can get their pound of flesh everywhere except on the hull or the sail of the native sloop because some things are just too valuable to be traded for a buck. And Bahamian sloop sailing is one of them.

Photos: Diane Phillips

JOEL FORBES BREAKS CHRIS BROWN’S 800M NATIONAL RECORD

JOEL FORBES

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

CHRIS ‘Fireman’

Brown said he was surprised that it took 25 years for his Bahamian men’s national 800 metre record to be broken.

Meet Joel Forbes, considered a “late bloomer,” who only started competing in the sport seriously at the age of 19. He just shattered Brown’s mark of one minute and 49.54 seconds that he ran on August 17, 1998 at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Forbes’ record-breaking feat came at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Marion, Indiana. The junior at Cumberland in Tennessee ran 1:49.32 to ink his name in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) record books.

“Going into the championships, I had an idea that I would break the record,” said Forbes, who, like Brown, also ran the 400m. “At our last chance meet in Cleveland, Tennessee, I was close to the time, so that showed me that I had a chance to do it.

“Even when I ran at Conference, my coach told me that I have the ability to break faster than the national record. When I did it, I was so happy. It was an unbelievable experience for me.”

Brown, who admitted that he’s never met Forbes, could only smile when he heard about the performance after Forbes did it with splits of 53 in the first 400m and 56 in the last lap of the race.

“I was like wow. Finally, somebody went under 1:49.5,” Brown said. “That was impressive. I was excited to know that somebody out there has that fire and spark to go for it. It was a record that was there forever, but records are meant to be broken.

“So I’m extremely proud of him. I can truly say that as a Bahamian who ran the event, it was good to see someone else who was able to join me in running that fast. I hope that one day we can clash, or at least I can be around to see him perform.”

As a youngster growing up at St John’s College, Forbes said he got to run for the Giants’ track team, but it wasn’t until he was enrolled at the University of the Bahamas that he found himself venturing over to the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium to train and compete.

He joined Quick Step Athletics Track Club, headed by Clinton Smikle and the rest was history.

“I was trying to get a track scholarship and so I went out there to train and to see what I can get worked out,” Forbes said. “I had a school lined up in Alabama, but the same time I was trying to get in, they fired the head coach.

“After that fell through, things worked out at Cumberland and I

Terrence Jones in NCAA 200m final

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER missing out on the opportunity to advance in the men’s 100 metres, Terrence Jones made sure he secured his berth into the final of the 200m at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championships.

On day one of the fourday meet at the University of Texas’ Mike A Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, the Texas Tech junior clocked a personal best of 20.03 seconds for second place in his heat and seventh overall to clinch one of the nine spots in the final today when he will run out lane nine.

PJ Austin, a senior at Florida, posted the fastest qualifying time of 9.89.

Jones, a native of Grand Bahama, also contested

fourth in his heat in 10.06, for 11th place over all, denying him an opportunity to compete in the sprint double final.

Earlier this year, Jones posted another lifetime best when he tied Derrick Atkins’ Bahamian national record of 9.91 that had been established with a silver medal at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

The ninth and final spot was timed in 10.04 by Udodi Onwuzurike, a sophomore at Stanford, while Austin assured himself of a chance for the double threat by turning in the fastest qualifying time again. This time in 9.89.

Jones’ teammate,

Andrews in his debut at the championships, placed seventh in his heat for 22nd place overall in 14.30. Wanya McCoy, who missed out in advancing to the championships in their regional competition two weeks ago, got a chance to help Clemson clinch their berth in one of two finals

In the 4 x 100m, McCoy and Jones clashed on the final legs for their respective teams in the same heat.

While Jones and Texas Tech took the tape in 38.20, McCoy and Clemson came in third in 38.72. However, Texas Tech moved on with the second fastest time, while Clemson fell short in 11th place. Louisiana State University had the fastest qualifying time of 38.06.

McCoy then ran the lead off leg for Clemson as their 4 x 400m relay team booked their ticket to the final today. Their time of 2:59.78 for second in their heat placed them fifth overall. Florida had the fastest qualifying time in a faculty and meet record with a time of 2:58.62.

today will be Shaun Miller Jr of Ohio State. He was one of the 24 competitors competing in the men’s high jump final. He has a season’s best of 7-feet, 2 1/2-inches or 2.20m and a personal best of 7-3 3/4 (2.23m).

The women’s semifinal events were set for Thursday with the rights to advance to Saturday’s finals when the meet concludes.

Among those who were expected to compete are Nebraska’s junior Rhema Otabor in the javelin; Tennessee’s senior Charisma Taylor in the 100m hurdles and both the long and triple jumps; Kentucky’s freshman Anthaya Charlton in the 100m and Tennessee’s freshman Javonya Valcourt in the 400m.

Megan Moss is also expected to run a leg on Kentucky’s 4 x 400m relay

AIMING TO MAKE HISTORY

WILDCATS TARGET FOURTH STRAIGHT LEAGUE TITLE

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Paradise Games Wildcats are aiming to complete an historical feat in The Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL): winning four straight league titles.

Recently, women have been making waves in not only soccer and football but flag football as well. The Wildcats started the regular season with some lofty goals and have ticked them off their proverbial checklist along the way.

The women’s team – the defending champions – wrapped up the regular season in dominating fashion as the first flag football team in history to remain undefeated in the women’s division. Ultimately, the team capped off the regular season as the pennant winners and, as they continue to break barriers along the way, one goal remains: a four-peat.

The ferocious Wildcats will step onto the Winton Rugby Field for the first time this postseason to take on the Fidelity/Money Maxx Phoenix Fire. Last year, the team’s driving force came behind the passing of the late coach Phillip Rahming. The team dedicated their third title win to the man that had a vision of the Wildcats being more than just a dominant flag football squad in The Bahamas. Now with the “second” season underway,

the team is more poised than ever to make flag football history. No team has ever completed four straight title wins in the league.

Dwight Marshall, the team’s general manager, talked about the mindset they have going into this weekend’s flag football showdown.

“The ladies are always confident it’s a veteran group and they have been on this stage over and over. Many of them have played in playoffs since they entered the league so they just see it as another challenge…this is just a next step to give themselves a chance to win another championship,” Marshall said.

Marshall added that the name of the game is consistency for his team, and building on things that need to be worked on after every season. Despite

the successes of the veteran squad,

he acknowledged that every team has strengths and weaknesses but the way the Wildcats prepare, and how they play, is what sets them apart.

Overall, Marshall is proud of the feats his team has accomplished over the years and he was also happy about Wednesday’s announcement of NFL Flag Football expanding to The Bahamas.

“It’s big news, it will provide a lot of opportunities for the ladies I am sure . . . it gives them a pathway to make something bigger out of their flag football careers,” he said. “Hopefully it opens some doors for the ladies who have been in the league [and] it’s very exciting for younger players who are just getting into flag,” he said.

Despite the numerous milestones

achieved by the seasoned women’s team in the BFFL, the late great coach Phillip Rahming had aspirations of his team soaring to heights beyond The Bahamas.

The defending champions are accustomed to travelling twice a year to the United States and some of the members have also competed on The Bahamas’ All Star teams in 2017 and 2018.

Following the announcement of the country as the first Caribbean nation to join NFL Flag, Wildcats defensive captain Jayde Knowles talked about the excitement from a team’s perspective.

“We are more than ecstatic that NFL Flag Football Bahamas has established more opportunities for our youth to receive scholarships, but more importantly the possibility of a future Olympic team in the sport that we love is phenomenal and gives us more reason to continue striving to be the best in the region,” Knowles said.

With Sunday’s semifinals looming, Knowles added: “We are continuing to break barriers, reach new heights, and make history when you think of women’s flag football in The Bahamas you will never forget the Wildcats standard.”

Fans can witness the Wildcats’ quest to make history this Sunday at the Winton Rugby Field starting at 1.10pm.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: The Paradise Games Wildcats are the 2023 Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL) pennant winners after being the first women’s team in league history to go undefeated.

NFL FLAG FOOTBALL PRACTICE AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM

JOSÉ RAMÍREZ HITS 3 HOMERS TO POWER GUARDIANS TO 10-3 WIN OVER SLUMPING RED SOX

BASEBALL

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) —

José Ramírez’s only misses came on swings for history.

Ramírez homered in his first three at-bats — and from both sides of the plate — to power the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

Ramírez connected for a solo shot in the first inning off Matt Dermody (0-1), belted a two-run shot — his 200th career homer — in the third and added another solo blast in the sixth when the Guardians hit for the cycle, had eight straight hits and scored five times.

Ramírez came up a second time in the sixth bidding for a rare four-homer game, but struck out swinging. The fourtime All-Star third baseman had another chance in the eighth, and grounded to third.

“My last two at-bats I was swinging away,” Ramírez admitted.

There have only been 16 four-homer games in the majors since 1901. The last to do it was Arizona’s J.D. Martinez in 2017. Cleveland got one from Rocky Colavito on June 10, 1959.

“Everyone in (the clubhouse) would say the same thing, he’s the best player in the game,” said Cleveland starter Aaron Civale (2-1), who had his second straight solid start. “He plays the game the best way every single night.

“He might not be on paper the most talented. He might not be considered the best. But when he plays the game the way he plays it, he’s the best in the game.”

Ramírez also showed off some of his defensive prowess in the sixth by backhanding Justin Turner’s hard shot and throwing off balance across the diamond to get Boston’s

third baseman while backpedaling in foul territory.

“If that was back in the day like Brooks Robinson, that play would be shown over and over and over,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said said.

Will Brennan added a homer as the Guardians won the series and handed the Red Sox their fifth loss in six games. Boston is under .500 for the first time since April 28.

“It’s not the type of baseball we want to play,” said manager Alex Cora. “But here we are.” Triston Casas chased Civale in the sixth with his seventh homer to pull Boston within 3-2.

But Cleveland, whose offense has awakened after a slow start, pounded former teammate Corey Kluber in the sixth. After Ramírez homered, Andrés Giménez hit a two-run double, Myles Straw hit an RBI triple and Brennan singled home a run as the Guardians opened an 8-2 lead.

Kluber, who was recently demoted to the bullpen, was tagged for seven runs and 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings. When manager Alex Cora pulled him, Kluber, a two-time Cy Young winner with Cleveland, made a slow walk from the mound where he had so much success to Boston’s dugout.

“It’s really tough,” Cora said about seeing Kluber hit so hard. “He couldn’t buy a break.”

Dermody’s first major league start came with some controversy.

The left-hander posted a homophobic tweet in 2021, and since deleted it, that the Red Sox were not aware of when they signed Dermody in January. He participated in the team’s mandatory anti-discrimination and harassment prevention training in March.

The team called Dermodys’ post “hurtful” and Cora

praised the club’s handling of the matter.

“You have to say it like it is, and be transparent,” Cora aid.

HAVE A SEAT Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo was not in the starting lineup after being benched for not hustling in Wednesday’s loss.

With Boston trailing 5-2 in the seventh inning, Verdugo slowed up between first and second base on a ball hit by Masataka Yoshida. Cora felt like Verdugo should have been running harder and immediately pulled him.

Before the series finale, Cora explained Verdugo was being disciplined.

“We just felt like on that play his reaction wasn’t a great one, not hustling his behind to second,” Cora said. “I don’t know if he was out or safe, but I didn’t like it. ... I felt like it wasn’t acceptable, and he knows it.” Cora said he spoke to Verdugo, who has been having a solid season. He’ll play tomorrow in New York.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: INF Yu Chang (left hamate fracture) will continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester this weekend and rejoin Boston’s roster on Monday. ... LHP Richard Bleier (shoulder inflammation) is not recovering as quickly as the team expected. He recently began playing catch for the first time since going on the IL on May 22.

NEXT UP

Red Sox: RHP Garrett Whitlock (2-2, 5.16 ERA) starts the series opener in New York against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (7-0, 2.82).

Guardians: Rookie LHP Logan Allen (3-2, 2.76), who tossed seven scoreless innings in his last start, goes against Houston RHP Christian Javier (7-1, 2.84) in the opener of a three-game set.

NATIONAL Football League Flag Football team members practiced with youth at the Thomas A Robinson stadium on the heels of The Bahamas being announced as the first Caribbean nation to join NFL Flag.

CLEVELAND Guardians’ Jose Ramirez watches his home run against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, in Cleveland. It was Ramirez’s 200th career home run. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

went there and I worked extremely hard. I knew that I was on to something once I started competing there.”

On his late entry into competitive track and field, Forbes said it wasn’t something that his parents, Delores and Wellington Forbes, pushed for him or his brother, Joshua Forbes. In fact, he said after he secured the scholarship to Cumberland, he’s gotten all of the support that he needs.

“In our family, we haven’t had anyone running track in college,” Forbes said. “So they are not only surprised, but they are happy to see how I am excelling in it. I’m just happy that I can do it.”

As a young boy growing up, Forbes said he heard about Brown and so when he got a chance to break the record, he was extremely thrilled because he was an idol that he looked up to, although he never got a chance to meet him in person.

“He called me after I broke the record, and we had a good talk. He encouraged me to continue to hold my head up high and continue to excel,” Forbes said.

“Looking at it now, it was a big accomplishment and to hear him compliment me was something that I will really cherish. He said he was proud of my performance.”

Smikle said when Forbes joined his club, he was running 2:21 in January 2018. A year later, Smikle said Forbes became the national champion, running 2:02. Following that, he dipped under two-minutes with a time of 1:57. So Smikle said he saw the progression.

“He’s a really hard worker. Once he puts his mind to doing something, he goes out there after it,” Smikle said. “I feel that there’s still more left in the tank for him. I expect that he can run under 1:55.”

Forbes thanked Smikle for taking the opportunity to work with him.

While home for the summer, Smikle said he will be working with Forbes to get him ready for the BAAA’s National, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Forbes noted that if the opportunity presented itself, he would definitely like to represent the Bahamas on any of the international meets this summer. He said he is also prepared to run the 400m and will be willing to run on the 4 x 400m relay team.

“I’ve had a long season. I’ve been running since August with Cross Country and I’ve been racing just about every weekend since up to nationals,” Forbes said.

While he’s enjoyed a wealth of success in the 400m, having held the Bahamian national record and won numerous individual medals as well as several as a member of the 4 x 400m relay team, Brown said the 800m has been an event that he’s not settled himself in.

“I would like to challenge him,” said Brown, who has not quite finished competing although he’s now serving full-time as the head coach at Clayton State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

“It won’t be this year because July is too quick, but if he gives me until the trials next year, I would be prepared to compete against him and to see how far I can push him.”

At this stage in his progress, Forbes said he’s willing to face a challenge from any Bahamian who is willing to line up against him, even his idol, whose national record he just recently broke.

Chris Brown is proud of Lakers track and field team

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HAVING just completed his fifth season as the head coach at Clayton State University, Golden Knight Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown said he could not be prouder of the achievement of his Lakers track and field team.

Brown, who joined the Laker Nation in September 2018 as an assistant, said they are still a work in progress, but their work ethic is yielding some fantastic results.

“We had some outstanding performances, a few records broken and a few events that I was really impressed with,” said Brown, who watched recently as his 25-year-old Bahamian men’s national 800 metre record was shattered by Joel Forbes.

“We are still a work in progress because we still have a long way to go. Our men’s team finished third for the first time (in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and our

women finished fourth. We are doing very well, so I’m proud of all of the athletes who came out who were healthy and contributed and to those who were injured and are recovering.”

As he continues the journey next year, Brown said he’s looking forward to his coaching staff getting to work with the athletes as soon as they come back to school in August to continue where they left off.

“We’re looking for

several individuals to qualify for the National Championships and just looking to continue our success until we get that W (win),” Brown said. “Nothing has changed. “I’m just excited because we have a good crop of kids coming in to match what we had there and so it’s going to be a good ride here.”

Brown, however, will be without the services of the lone Bahamian on the team as middle distance runner Sasha Knowles from St Augustine’s College graduated last month.

Knowles, who also competed for the first time in the 4500m hurdles, emerged as the one of three Lakers’ team members named to the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) track and field team of Academic Distinction.

Knowles had a very decorated career for the Lakers. In her four-year cross-country career, she gathered three PBC Team of Academic Distinction honours and was a twotime D2ADA Academic

Achievement selection.

On the track side, Knowles is a two-time D2CCA Academic Achievement and PBC Presidential Honour Roll selection. She also earned all-conference honours in the 4x400 metre relay in the 2021 Outdoor Championships.

In her career, Knowles ran the middle-distance races and competed in her first ever Heptathlon in the 2023 Outdoor Championships earning fourth place.

Earlier this season, Knowles was awarded the Dotty M. Bumbalough & Pat Keene Female Academic Athlete of the Year, which is an award given to a senior student-athlete that earned the highest GPA in the department. “It was good. It’s always good to know that you have someone from your hometown out there. We are both from the same place and just hearing another Bahamian out there in practice brings a smile on your face,” Brown said.

“I’m going to miss her.

She was an honour student. I’m so proud of her and her parents and I hope what she gained here will help to propel her as she moves forward in life.”

In her departure, Brown said he has a few Bahamians in the pipeline, but he declined to reveal any names until they have all of the necessary paperwork sorted out.

“I’m looking forward to getting some more Bahamians here so that they can continue their success and help to represent the Bahamas on the international scene,” Brown summed up. Brown, a native of Eleuthera, is a veteran quarter-miler, having participated in five Olympic Games, earning a gold medal (2012), a silver (2008) and two bronzes (2000 and 2016) in the men’s 4x 400m relay.

He also won numerous individual medals in the World Indoor Championships as well as the Commonwealth, Pan American CAC and Carifta Games.

CHLOE ROUNCE ON COURSE FOR US-KIDS GOLF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHLOE Rounce, who now resides in Florida, will be one of the few Bahamians participating in the US-Kids Golf World Junior Championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina from August 2-6.

The 10-year-old former Windsor Academy student is now playing on the US Kids Golf Tour, the South Florida PGA Prep Tour and the Under Armor Junior Tour.

She has travelled home to compete in the series of US-Kids Golf Tour at Baha Mar, organied by Georgette Rolle-Harris of the Fourteenth Golf Academy and sanctioned by the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Junior Golf Association, headed by Gina Gonzelez-Rolle.

Rounce has qualified and been invited to compete in the Under Armor Junior World Championships in Orlando and the Canadian Invitational at Niagara in July.

“I hope to win. If I don’t think I could win, then I should not go,” said Rounce

about her expectations. “I just have to work on my tournament strategy and my endurance because it’s a very long tournament.”

Last year, Rounce won the South Florida Drive, Chip and Putt competition in Doral, Florida, which allowed her to qualify for the Copperhead Classic in Tampa and the Jekyll Island Cup in Jekyll Island, Georgia in March.

She is the daughter of David and Chirstine Rounce.

She will be attending the prestigious Benjamin School in Palm Beach in August. Her aspiration is to one day play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour.

A few other Bahamians have qualified to play on the US-Kids World Junior Championships, but have opted to play on the Bahamas Junior National Golf team that will be competing overseas around the same time.

BAHAMAS NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS GET UNDERWAY NEXT WEEKEND

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Aquatics Federation will host the 2023 Bahamas National Swimming Championships next weekend. The 51st edition of the swimming nationals will commence from June 15 to June 18 at the Betty Kelly Kenning National Swim Complex. The event will feature age groups of 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17 and 18 and over. The event will serve as an early qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the CARIFTA swimming championships in April next year.

Algernon Cargill, president of

Bahamas Aquatics, talked about the level of competition to be on display next weekend.

“We are expecting some extremely high performances especially from our international swimmers coming home to try and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” Cargill said.

Among the 50 international swimmers expected to return home will include Lamar Taylor, Marvin Johnson, Luke-Kennedy Thompson, Olympian Izaak Bastian, DaVante Carey, and Lilly Higgs. According to the president, swimmers will be coming from the US, Bermuda, and the Dominican Republic to compete.

Although athletes will be vying

for a chance to qualify for next year’s Olympics, the swimming clubs are all looking to dethrone the defending champions, Mako Aquatics Club. The club has won the competition four consecutive times and will look to add another national swimming championship to their collection.

Despite being one win shy of having the same number of wins as the CARIFTA swimming team, Cargill believes Mako Aquatics might face some challenges from the Barracuda Swim club and Alpha Aquatics.

“The Mako Aquatics club is confident that they will defend their titles however I am expecting some stiff and exciting competition

from Alpha Aquatics and the Barracudas,” he added.

In addition to the event being a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, swimmers will have the opportunity to qualify a year in advance of the CARIFTA games which are slated to be held at home next year following the fifth consecutive win this April.

Cargill expects that local and international athletes will look to qualify early on to get it out of the way and work on improving their times and standards ahead of next year’s major swimming events. The championships will get underway at 9am for the first session and will start at 6pm for session two on day one.

HEAT STILL CONFIDENT, NUGGETS REMAIN FOCUSED AS NBA FINALS REACH GAME 4

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler showed up in plush blue slippers for what was officially called practice.

Kyle Lowry was trying to distract him during an interview session. Nikola Jokic continued to say how he doesn’t care about statistics.

Jamal Murray talked about all the fun he’s having.

At this point, there isn’t a lot of off-day, on-court work for the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.

Game 4 of the NBA Finals is Friday night in Miami, and it’ll be the only time in the series that there’s just one day off between contests. The Nuggets — behind a historic effort from Jokic and Murray — reclaimed the lead in the series with a 109-94 win Wednesday night, and could take a commanding 3-1 edge with a win in Game 4. “It’s a lot of fun. A lot of fun. We’re all having fun,” Murray said Thursday. “Trying to solve this puzzle together. We’ve all been

dreaming about getting to this stage. We have vets in the league that haven’t made it this far in their 15, 16 years of playing. So, we don’t want to take this opportunity for granted, knowing that this is not an everyday thing. It takes a lot of work to be here.”

Murray and Jokic each had 30-point triple-doubles in the Game 3 win, the first time that’s ever happened in NBA history. Jokic had the first known game of at least 30 points, 20 rebounds

and 10 assists in finals history. As always, he greeted news of his latest statistical accomplishment with a resounding yawn, preferring instead to solely focus on what he called the chess game between the Heat and Nuggets.

“They are one move, we are another move,” Jokic said. “I think this is the time where the players show what they’ve got.” There were 15 other instances of teammates having triple-doubles in the

same game, but never of the 30-point variety — and for that to happen not just in the playoffs but the NBA Finals only adds to the historic level of the performance.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Nuggets coach Michael Malone was wasting any time thinking about that.

“As I watched the film, as we watched it as a staff and then with the team, there was nothing about the historical night that it was,” Malone said.

“We’re addressing all the areas where we have to be better.”

Malone loves to quote stats, and it’s safe to assume he knows that a 2-1 lead in the finals guarantees nothing. Boston had such a lead over Golden State last year. Phoenix led Milwaukee 2-1 the year before that. Golden State was up 2-1 on Cleveland in 2016, the Cavaliers had that same lead on the Warriors in 2015, San Antonio had that lead over the Heat in 2013 and the Heat had that lead over Dallas in 2011. And all of those 2-1 series

leaders lost the finals. It’s happened that way six times in the last 10 instances, seven times in the last 14 instances going back to Miami’s rally past Dallas in 2006. A 2-1 series lead used to be automatic — from 1979 through 2005, there were 22 instances of a team going up 2-1. All 22 of those teams went on to win the title. But starting with the Heat in 2006, that 2-1 lead hasn’t meant a whole lot.

“Stay in the saddle, stay the course,” Heat forward Kevin Love said. “That’s the biggest thing we can do. We have a game plan that is proven to work. … If anybody is capable of it, we are. Continue to drill, continue to stay true to our concept, no slip-ups. If we do that, we feel we can give ourselves a chance.”

Murray and Jokic were tremendous, and Denver’s 58-33 rebounding edge in Game 3 was not solely a byproduct of effort or lack thereof. But there were also things Heat coach Erik Spoelstra believes are correctable for Friday.

CHRIS ‘Fireman’ Brown

MIAMI Heat centre Bam Adebayo dunks against Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday in Miami. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

MLS HOPES MESSI WILL BOOST ATTENDANCE, TV VIEWERS AND MARKET SHARE

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

After two decades competing against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Brazil, Lionel Messi will be going against the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA. Major League Soccer is hoping for a breakout boost to its television audience and market share after Messi joins Inter Miami next month. Following Pelé’s signing with the New York Cosmos in 1975 and David Beckham joining the LA Galaxy in 2007, Messi is expected to become the third supreme soccer evangelist in a nation where the sport has been playing catch-up for more than a century.

“Lionel Messi coming to MLS is an event that can’t be replicated in any other way,” former U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “You’ve got one of the best players of all time, if not the best player of all time, coming on the heels of a World Cup win and worldwide popularity joining an American soccer league. That’s just a fantastic, fantastic opportunity for the sport in the United States.”

Messi will join MLS at age 36 while Pelé was 34 and Beckham 32. Messi remains a regular with Argentina’s national team and could play in next year’s Copa América and perhaps the 2026 World Cup, both in the U.S.

The Cosmos of the old North American Soccer League averaged 3,578 fans in 1974, the season before Pelé, and played in Downing Stadium along the Triborough Bridge. By his final year, 1977, they averaged more than 34,000 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Clive Toye, the Cosmos general manager who signed Pelé, remembered being met with hostility.

“Oh, Americans will never play that soccer. Oh, what a ridiculous game.” he recalled being told. “Messi is coming to a country which has millions of soccer players, where its national team draws packed crowds, its women’s national team draws packed crowds, its professional teams are at all kinds of levels — there are minor league teams tucked into villages and goodness where across the country, and kids playing soccer everywhere every day.”

The NASL folded after the 1984 season and was replaced in 1996 by MLS, launched two years after the U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time. Begun with 10 teams, MLS has grown to 29 this year and San Diego is to start play in 2025.

Attendance has increased from 2.8 million and an average of 17,400 in 1996 to 10 million and an average of 21,033 last year. Total attendance is up 28% this year and the average 7%.

Roughly 22 teams are in new or substantially rebuilt soccer-specific stadiums and just six play on artificial turf.

“When you think about stadiums, infrastructure and soccer-specific stadiums, the training grounds, all of that makes it a great league,” said Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. coach at last year’s World Cup. “And when you’re comparing it to other leagues that he can potentially go to when he’s doing that checklist, MLS comes out on top in a lot of categories.”

Still, soccer lags other U.S. sports. The 272 NFL regularseason games averaged 16.7 million viewers across television and digital platforms last season and the league drew 18.8 million to stadiums, an average of 69,442.

MLB drew 64.6 million, an average of 26,843.

ABC and ESPN televised 34 MLS games last year that averaged 343,300 viewers, while the league averaged 443,000 on Fox, 138,000 on FS1 plus 254,000 for Spanishlanguage broadcasts on Univision and UniMás.

In its first year of a 10-year agreement with AppleTV+, MLS did not provide television audience figures for its games this season.

Messi, a World Cup and South American champion and a four-time Champions League winner, brings a wide appeal.

He has 469 million Instagram followers, dwarfing the 22 million of the LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernández, MLS’s most-followed player.

HAALAND LOOKS SET TO REPLACE MESSI AND RONALDO AS SOCCER’S NEXT GLOBAL SUPERSTAR

By JAMES ROBSON AP SOCCER WRITER

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — With Lionel Messi on his way to Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo already in Saudi Arabia, it’s time for soccer’s next global superstar to emerge.

Step forward Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine who has smashed his way through defences in a recordbreaking first season with Manchester City.

Standing 6-foot-4 with flowing blond locks, the striker is a daunting sight, with devastating power and pace to go with his precision in front of goal.

Youngsters including the son of teammate Kevin De Bruyne are emulating Haaland’s hairstyle.

“They all have hair like that,” De Bruyne told Belgian broadcaster VTM this week.

Image is one thing, but it is Haaland’s prowess on the field that is propelling him to the top of the sport.

Perhaps only Paris SaintGermain forward Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior can challenge the 22-year-old Haaland to the title of the world’s best in the postMessi and Ronaldo era.

On Saturday, Haaland could fire City to its first Champions League title and a historic treble of trophies after winning the Premier League and FA Cup in a season in which he has exceeded all expectations after signing from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

His goal-scoring talents were already well known. European giants Real Madrid and Manchester United were among his admirers.

But his feats at City have defied belief at times and set new standards in England’s top flight.

With 36 goals in the Premier League, he set a new benchmark in the division by breaking the record of 34, which was jointly held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer. It had stood for 29 years.

He scored 52 in all competitions, including six hat tricks.

Haaland’s five goals against Leipzig in the Champions League matched the record held by Messi and Luiz Adriano for the most in a single game in European soccer’s top club competition.

He also became the fastest and youngest player to reach 30 Champions League goals.

“His mentality is to score more, more,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

While he will likely be the player Inter Milan fears most in Saturday’s final in Istanbul, Haaland is on something of a scoring drought heading into the game.

Just one goal in his last seven matches represents his worst run for five years, dating back to when he was still establishing himself at

Norwegian team Molde.

That recent dry spell, however, has done nothing to shake the sense that he is one of the few players capable of taking over from Messi and Ronaldo as soccer’s next global icon. And at 22, he is still developing his game.

“I am still young. I can improve a lot and I am at the perfect place, to work with the best coach and players in the world,” he said, describing Guardiola as a “detail freak.... There (are) always things you can get better at.”

Haaland’s all-round game has improved after developing more of an understanding with his City teammates. He was outstanding, for instance, in the 4-0 win

against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals, despite not getting on the scoresheet.

Just as Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry helped drive them to even greater heights — sharing 12 Ballon d’Or trophies between them — Haaland’s primary competition for the title of the world’s No. 1 soccer player is likely to come from Mbappe and Vinicius.

But while Haaland may not have their finesse or intricate footwork, his raw power, athleticism and scoring instinct sets him apart.

The greatest players, however, are judged by the trophies they win. Messi’s World Cup triumph with Argentina in December

has, for many, settled the debate as to who is the greatest out of him and Ronaldo, who has never won the competition.

Haaland is already playing catch-up in terms of trophies in comparison to Mbappe and Vinicius. But he’s one game away from adding the Champions League to his Premier League and FA Cup collection.

Mbappe, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, is still to triumph in the Champions League.

Brazil star Vinicius won it last year with Madrid.

Given Haaland is unlikely to win major honors with Norway, club titles and personal records are likely to be his chance of establishing himself

ahead of Mbappe and Vinicius as the best of his generation.

He feels like the final piece of the puzzle for Guardiola in the coach’s pursuit of the Champions League title.

Having won it twice as coach of Barcelona with Messi, Guardiola has repeatedly come up short in the competition since then.

“The Premier League, they won it two times in a row before I came here,” Haaland said.

“So they know how to win the Premier League. The only thing they miss now is the Champions League, you can think and read between the words, and the lines, I have been coming here for a reason.”

While Mbappe and Vinicius present the potential for a long-term rivalry, Messi likely provides the biggest challenge to Haaland if he is to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

Argentina’s World Cup success could land Messi the accolade of the world’s best player for a recordextending eighth time. A Champions League trophy for Haaland might change that.

Either way, Haaland looks likely to be a contender for many years to come.

Not that filling Messi’s shoes will be an easy task.

Even Haaland’s remarkable feats this season have fallen short of Messi’s most prolific campaign when he scored 73 goals in all competitions for Barcelona in 2011-12, including 50 in the Spanish league.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored 61 for Real Madrid in 2014-15.

Perhaps that is why Haaland was coy when recently asked if he was now the best goal-scorer in the world.

“I don’t want to answer that. I think someone else should answer that,” Haaland told the BBC.

“But I scored most goals this season, I think, so that’s a good start.”

MANCHESTER City’s Erling Haaland is seen after training with teammates at a UEFA Champions League Media Day before the forthcoming Champion’s League final, Manchester, England, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

MANCHESTER City’s Erling Haaland, centre right, trains with teammates. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

MANCHESTER City’s Erling Haaland lifts to celebrate Manchester City’s win at the end of the English FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, Saturday. (Nick Points/PA via AP)