06142024 NEWS AND SPORT

WEEKEND

The Tribune

650 JOBS TO FILL AT $290M HOSPITAL

Report highlights flooding fears at planned location

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FLOODING risks are “a great concern” for New Providence’s new $290m hospital which will need a 650-strong medical staff to care for the anticipated 400 patients it is set to house daily.

The newly-released Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed specialist maternal and childcare facility disclosed that “historic wellfields” are located at the Perpall Tract site, which presently “act as a natural drainage from surrounding communities”.

PINTARD: MORE TOURISTS - BUT REVENUE DROPPING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said revenue from tourism is falling despite increasing numbers of tourists.

“I wanted to raise this issue because I keep hearing the chest-beating and the desk bamming, but how is it possible that the numbers keep going up but the revenue that trickles into society continues to decline?” he said during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday. “We continue to miss our numbers.”

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ROBYN Benicourt, a recent nursing school graduate, was looking forward to sitting her upcoming exams and getting registered with the Bahamas Nursing Council before she was

killed in a traffic accident Wednesday night. The 35-year-old mother was reportedly exiting a Suzuki jeep on her way to visit a relative near Minnie Street and Balfour Avenue when a passing vehicle struck her after 7pm. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital, leaving behind a husband and three young children. Her close friend and colleague, Rodreka Brown, said the two were supposed to link at a school meeting Wednesday evening, but she could not make it because of work.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Clay Sweeting said officials had discovered 12 additional shanty towns. He said they are located in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Andros and New Providence. The unregulated communities were discovered as the government prepared to demolish structures in five unregulated areas in New Providence and Abaco. During his contribution

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis underlined the potential for collaboration between the Caribbean and Africa during the Afreximbank Annual Meeting (AAM) at Baha Mar yesterday. He said the blueprint for collaboration “encompasses key initiatives designed to unite our banking systems, enhance financial inclusivity and catalase economic growth across Africa and the Caribbean”. He said that a joint

Pintard: More touristsbut revenue dropping

Mr Pintard said economic growth at 5.5 percent was projected in May 2023, and “record-shattering” visitor arrivals were announced in December 2023.

However, he said by December 2023, the government had reduced the economic growth forecast to 1.1 per cent.

“Now,” he said, “we see that government revenue will miss the budget targets for this fiscal year by $200-$300m.”

Mr Pintard stressed the impact cruise passengers are having on numbers that paint an unfinished picture.

“In fact, what we do not tell the public when we are boasting about these numbers is the majority of the people that you are counting are cruise passengers, and you seem to be counting persons who come on the ship as opposed to counting for the public those who come off the ship and spend,” he said.

from page one prosperity.

He said because cruise lines are building more attractions on private islands and constructing private ports, less money is being circulated to Bahamians.

He recalled what Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said last December in an address to the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s annual general meeting. Mr Davis said the country is in the tourism business for economic

“It is about how much we earn and how these earnings are distributed,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Pintard said the increase in visitor arrivals is not producing the expected benefits for Bahamians.

He noted that according to Central Bank statistics, the record-setting increase in visitor arrivals in 2023

came from cruise passengers who spent less than $75 per person.

“The average stopover visitor who spends 28 times more than the average cruise passenger, according to the Central Bank, did not grow by one new visitor,” Mr Pintard said.

“To reiterate the point again, Madam Speaker, all of the growth that we have

Mom-of-three

from page one

She said the last thing Robyn told her before her death was: “Rody, boy you are really a good big sister.” She replied that she loved her.

“I know I was expecting to hear from her that evening until I got that call and they were asking me to go down to accident and emergency to check on her,” she said. “But I could not go because I instantly broke down.”

Ms Brown said Robyn considered her “a big sister”, and the two became close during college.

They later graduated from Southern College off Soldier Road in December and were due to take their council exam in November.

“We were the first graduating class of Southern College,” she said. “Our actual clinical rotation to complete one or two courses that were still outlined to go in the rotation in the clinical area, we was supposed to start that today and the meeting was about that, and she was all excited. All of the colleagues who went to the meeting, they said how bubbly and how happy she was. She had an

and

extraordinary happiness about her yesterday.”

Ms Brown described Robyn, a personal care assistant at Sandilands, as “strong-headed” but serious about her career.

“I watched her grow from being that little feisty person to coming around to being the loving and caring person,” she said.

“You could actually see her transforming. Like I said, we were just waiting to sit our council exam and then she wanted to branch out to do a speciality.”

Ms Brown said her death has left the nursing community in mourning. She said classes at Southern College were cancelled to allow her close friends and colleagues to mourn.

President of the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) Muriel Lightbourn also expressed sadness over Robyn’s death, saying her future was bright.

“On the day she graduated, she was so tearful and very proud of her accomplishments. It was evident that everybody was proud of her. I mean everybody, even me,” she said, adding she knew Robyn for seven years.

been celebrating is coming from cruise passengers that spend less than $75 per person. Those visitors that spend more than $2000 per person did not grow at all!

“There is now incontrovertible evidence that what is really happening is that visitors that used to fly to The Bahamas and stay in our resorts are now choosing to cruise to The

Bahamas rather than flying to the Bahamas —that’s why pilots are also concerned.

“We are substituting visitors who spend less than $75 per person for visitors who used to spend more than $2000 per person. That is a large part of the reason that our stopover visitors did not grow.”

Mr Pintard said over the past 20 years, stopover

visitors from Florida declined.

“The reason is because Floridians are choosing to cruise to The Bahamas and often to the private islands,” he said. “This is also happening for other states along the eastern seaboard, the main source of the country’s tourists.”

“Remember, Madam Speaker, we are in the business of counting cruise passengers, not cruise visitors. Cruise passengers are those that board their ships in the United States. Cruise visitors are those that get off the ships and contribute to the economy of The Bahamas. That’s what we should be aiming for.”

Mr Pintard noted that in 2023, two million more cruise passengers were docked at private islands of cruise companies than in Nassau.

He noted that fewer than 1,000 Bahamians are employed on private islands compared to the 150,000 workers living in New Providence.

“Still worse, Madam Speaker, millions of cruise passengers that do dock in Nassau and Freeport never leave the ship to set foot on New Providence and Grand Bahama,” he said.

“This government fails to have realistic conversations of what the challenges are. You boast about revenue but yet people are not feeling it, they are hurting.”

killed in traffic accident

joining to provide laptops to 5,000 families

BTC is to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to provide internet connectivity and laptops to 5,000 families in the next two years through the launch of its regional digital equity program, JUMP.

JUMP is a social empowerment programme, aiming to provide families in need with internet access at an affordable price. BTC and the government will provide a subsidy, and the families will pay a nominal monthly fee for internet access.

Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna-Martin said: “We are optimistic about our continued partnership with BTC. We believe that the JUMP programme will empower households in need to overcome barriers and realise an improved quality of life.”

“Education is personal to me,” said BTC CEO Sameer Bhatti. “We believe

MEMBERS of team BTC, including CEO Sameer Bhatti, chat with the Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin and her team, during a courtesy call to give an update on the progress of the JUMP program.

that every child deserves access to a great education. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are committed to ensuring families have the digital tools and internet connectivity they need to thrive. JUMP aims to empower not just students but entire families. When we equip families with the resources they need, we take positive strides towards a better future for us all. By fostering an environment conducive to

learning and growth within the home, we are connecting communities and changing lives.”

Families also receive a free laptop, courtesy of a partnership with BTC and its parent company, C&W Communications with Dell. Additionally, each family will take part in a free comprehensive eight-week digital skills training programme. The training will cover not only the child, but the entire family.

ROBYN BENICOURT

OPPOSITION LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD

Sweeting: Twelve new shanty towns discovered

to the budget debate in the House of Assembly, Mr Sweeting said the Unregulated Communities Task Force has overseen the demolition of 15 structures in Kool Acres, where 70 structures were destroyed by fire.

He added: “In the area All Saints Way, 77 structures were counted where 62 of them were demolished. In Coral Harbour, in an area known as Area 52, 79 structures out of 81. The task force still has two unregulated communities that remain outstanding, provided notice. That’s Wells Field and Miller Road. On Miller Road, some 42 structures have been identified, and in Wells Field, 34 structures were counted by the ministry’s buildings control officer.”

He said on Abaco, there were nearly 500 unregulated structures in four communities. At the end of February, demolition had been completed in two areas. Of those communities, 123 structures were counted in Gaza, 120 of them torn down. In the Gully-Nelson, 28 out of the 85 structures were demolished.

“Demolition remains outstanding for the Gully South, with 31 unregulated structures and the Farm that has the largest number with unregulated structures at 240,” Mr Sweeting said.

In Eleuthera, 216 structures were counted in Blackwood; 184 were demolished. Demolition activities in Russell Island remain outstanding.

Mr Sweeting said demolitions will continue over the next several months, particularly in New Providence. from page one

Glass Window Bridge

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Clay Sweeting said reconstructing the Glass Window Bridge would cost $60 million.

He said a memorandum of understanding was signed in March between his ministry and Amey Limited, a United Kingdom consulting company. He said the memorandum covers five areas, including the bridge.

“A specific opportunity exists to use United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) credit support

to finance the new structure,” Mr Sweeting said. “The benefits of this approach to the government are that delivery of the bridge could be accelerated and finance secured at competitive rates.”

He added that the government is examining other bridges. One project involves replacing the public bridge at Staniel Cay, Exuma.

“The existing bridge timber deck structure has deteriorated, and the supporting concrete substructure piers are in a poor condition; hence, replacement

is recommended,” he said. “Following an open tender process, a contract has recently been signed with SJK Engineering and Construction for these works.”

“The cost of the project is approximately $800,000 with a planned construction period of six months. The project is due to start in July 2024.” Mr Sweeting also mentioned reconstructing the Davey Creek Bridge in North Andros and replacing docks around the island, including those in Nicholls

and

WORKS MINISTER CLAY SWEETING

Town, Red Bay, Lowe Sound

Conch Sound.

THE GLASS Window Bridge north of Gregory Town, Eleuthera.

PM touts Caribbean and Africa relationship

from page one

financial task force can be a “cornerstone” of the blueprint.

“This collaborative body will enhance the expertise of banking and finance leaders, policymakers and stakeholders from both regions,” he said.

“Tasked with identifying and dismantling barriers to banking integration, this taskforce symbolises our collective will to forge a unified path forward”.

The prime minister spoke of potentially “harmonizing” registry frameworks and aligning anti-money laundering standards as part of efforts to “create a seamless environment conducive to cross-regional banking operations.”

He cites the Sand Dollar and the DARE Act as examples of The Bahamas’ pioneering efforts in the digital finance and fintech industry.

“Key to this blueprint is developing human capital, underscoring the belief that our greatest asset is

our people,” Mr Davis said. “Joint educational initiatives and training programmes will equip banking professionals with cutting edge skills in fintech, cybersecurity, and registry compliance, ensuring our financial sector is robust, secure, and innovative.”

Mr Davis suggested creating a bilateral payment system or exploring the development of a shared digital currency represents a “bold step” towards financial sovereignty and integration.

“Such an initiative will facilitate smoother trade and investment, reduce our reliance on external currencies, and strengthen our economic bonds,” he said.

“Together, Africa and the Caribbean can embark on this transformative journey driven by unity, innovation, and mutual respect. Let this blueprint be our guide as we strive to unlock the full potential of our regions, forging a path towards prosperity that will be remembered for generations to come.”

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks during Afreximbank’s 31st Annual Meeting at Baha Mar yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

PICTURE OF THE DAY

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

TELEPHONES

News & General Information

(242) 502-2350

Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394

Circulation Department (242) 502-2386

Nassau fax (242) 328-2398

Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608

Freeport fax (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK

www.tribune242.com @tribune242

Need to strike a balance on roadside signage

DIANE Phillips has long been a strong voice in The Bahamas.

She works closely with all kinds of businesses, so when she says that something needs to be done about something that involves some of those businesses, she is well worth listening to. Her topic in her column today is the proliferation of billboards and signs in our streets – so many that it stops being promotional and has become visual clutter.

She starts off with pointing out the state of Montagu Foreshore, telling us that a drive past tells us a lot about ourselves.

She’s right. Take a drive past there yourself and try to see past the forest of signs that block the way.

Now let’s make one thing clear –this is not an issue of taking things up with any individual company advertising. Far from it.

No, this is more about how we regulate such things to ensure that they are done appropriately.

If companies go about the correct process and are told yes, go ahead, then why would they have any reason to believe they are doing wrong?

They apply – for those who actually do so – for one sign. They are not to know that five, ten, 20 more businesses have done the same.

It is the control of that process that needs to be tighter – if we are not to end up with a wall of painted wood and cardboard blotting out the beauty for which our nation is renowned.

In fact, we are quite sure that a number of those very advertisers are frustrated that their signs are being crowded out themselves by others. Some even have others placed right in front so the one at the rear is impossible to read.

There are responsibilities for those who put up signs, of course – and that

includes those who either run our country or who would wish to.

The last election is long ago now –but you will still find plenty of signs up from the political campaigns at the time. FNM red, PLP yellow and the occasional DNA green can still be found nailed to telegraph poles or fences, wherever campaigners at the time thought convenient and never bothered to return to remove.

Then there are the many signs for long-passed cookouts or fairs, of events or cautions over roadworks, of hairdresser or haulage services, and so many more that it seems we are fighting a hydra. Take one down and two more will appear in its place.

It is about striking a balance. Opportunity for businesses without taking away the opportunity to see the horizon, to watch the sea, to glimpse our Bahamas.

When walls or fences go up to cut Bahamians off from accessing beaches, there is often uproar. When we put up advertising signs that do the same thing, it seems to go without a fight. We shrug, perhaps it won’t be there long, or we feel there is nothing we can do. It’ll be gone soon – and then it is still there half a year later, and another next to it.

What we need is a more coherent approach to approvals for such things. And a sensitivity to the knowledge that every time one such sign goes up, it blocks out another part of our horizons.

It can be a safety issue too – one electronic sign in Fox Hill next to a road is so bright it can be startling to passing drivers at night.

So we applaud Diane for raising the issue – and it should not stop with one article. How do we change it to strike that right balance? The talking starts here. Well done, Diane.

Rough road ahead for Pintard

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is unquestioned that the Free National Movement, with Michael Clifton Pintard as the leader, is on an upward trajectory to be the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in 2026.

But will the road be a smooth one to travel, or will it continue to be bumpy and littered with pot holes?

There is no doubt the FNM is still fractured, coming out of its recent leadership and officers’ elections. Many supporters

– persons on the Minnis side of the fence, and those that roll with Pintard –will not agree to travel on one accord. These are the people who profess to love the FNM, but have decided not to support the party’s leadership over the next two and a half years and will not vote for the party in 2026. These people cannot legitimately call themselves FNM regardless of whether they joined with Cecil Wallace Whitfield, came with Hubert A Ingraham, or started with Hubert A

EDITOR, The Tribune. GREETING and what a time to be alive, to be living among evil men, power hungry villains (speaking about the leaders globally, but specifically, these tyrants who were causing unrest, mass murders).

Within the last few minutes, the subject of the caption came across my periphery mind’s eye, the fringes of these facts highlighted and a particular fear began to envelop me, knowing full well that The Bahamas is not at all ready for the substantive proof the Father God has said shall come. Well, I have released the message received from on high several weeks ago now to your newspaper, and saw its publication, thank you. The problem I have is and I am wondering to what extent were the people of the land, preparing? Have they been stockpiling food

and water as directed by Father God?

After watching the weather on Cable, and reading the stories contained at the bottom of the screen, I saw where it was said that Russia has deployed warships to the Caribbean area, but where and why remains a mystery. Nevertheless, whatever may be the manoeuvres, the modus operandi, just knowing that Russia is that close to every country north south of the borders, is really, absolutely cause for grave concern. Usually, I am a positive person, but external to my proclivities, those overarching tendencies, the contradiction in rationalities arises when dealing with the likes of the Russians, their fickleness in

objectivity and the security, the wholeness of humans everywhere is speculative at best-in-their-usual-behavioral global trends, and where they will go, to those extremes, the world has noted.

In conclusion, to the powers that be, were you aware, or even in the position to question, have you started to formulate any views, safeguard, or even prompting of the country’s national security agencies and done so as a matter of national security - just saying?

Haven’t laid out the conditions, preconditions, this whole issue could come down to having just weeks to prepare, or even address views with international bodies on the way forward, for indeed these were perilous times in which we live, hallelujah, amen.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, June 2024.

Minnis.

Dr Minnis, however, could be the glue and the balm needed in the Free National Movement at this time and for the campaign ahead. He has led the party and the country through the perils of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. He must now show himself to be a statesman by being a good follower – helping to lead from behind.

RYAN THOMPSON Nassau, June 2024.

EDITOR, The Tribune. OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF ENERGY

GOOD morning Minister,

I trust you are well and enjoyed the Labour Day holiday. May I invite you, Minister, to call the telephone number 302-1581 that any of our 400,000 residents would call in the event that a live BPL wire were down in the road somewhere and children were playing around it. I am sure that the public purse must pay the salaries of at least one or two people to monitor that phone number. As BPL has allowed its resources to be squandered,

we have experienced continual outages in the Eastern area of New Providence in recent days and consequently one of its fuses on a home that I am looking after in Blair Estate burnt up on Wednesday night last. I have gone through the fancy BPL robot system beginning on Thursday morning when the gardener said the gate would not open. A call to the gate maintenance people discovered that there was no power at the gate and the generator had shut down, perhaps through recent overuse in that area plagued by outages for one reason or another. I myself tried that number most of yesterday, and did get through once

or twice and was promised a visit at some point. Said visit never materialised and I called again this morning and caught someone off guard who said that someone would come today. Saturday! Not a Public Holiday. As one of the 400,000 people who pay the freight to allow this SOE to continue losing money, I expect that we the public would have some small level of service from this disorganised operation. Is that too much to ask, Minister? Please let me know if anyone answers when you call the Emergency (joke) number.

BRUCE G RAINE Nassau, June 8, 2024.

A MEMBERS of The Mansa World performs during Afreximbank’s 31st Annual Meeting at Baha Mar yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

WOMAN GETS BAIL AFTER CHARGE OF CAUSING HARM

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was granted bail after she allegedly injured someone on Rose Island last month.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Adena Cunningham, 21, with causing harm yesterday.

The defendant allegedly injured Finesse Williams during a physical altercation on Rose Island on May 25.

After Cunningham pleaded not guilty to the charge, the prosecution did not object to her bail, which was set at $3,000 with one or two sureties.

Her trial begins on August 12.

ELDERLY MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING AND DEATH THREATS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN elderly man was granted $5,000 bail after he was accused of stealing $3,800 and threatening to kill a woman last December.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Bernard Saunders, 62, with threats of death, damage and stealing. Saunders allegedly threatened to kill Joy Major

Funeral Services For

Evelyn Elizabeth Williams King, 89

Saunders with death and caused $501.45 worth of damage to her door in New Providence on December 10, 2023. That day, the defendant allegedly stole $3,800 belonging to Hilton Forbes.

Saunders pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was warned not to interfere with witnesses in this matter.

The trial begins on September 19.

MAN CHARGED WITH HAVING AN UNLICENCED FIREARM AND AMMO

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison after he was accused of having a loaded gun on Wulff Road and Union Village earlier this week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Dexter Harris, 20, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition yesterday. Harris allegedly fled as police approached him on

June 10. During this chase, police reportedly saw the defendant discard a firearm.

After police apprehended the suspect, they allegedly found a black 9mm Taurus pistol and ten rounds of ammunition.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, the defendant was told that he would be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his bail hearing on June 17. Ian Cargill represented the accused.

MAN ALLEGEDLY FOUND WITH STOLEN MOTORCYCLE CHARGED

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail yesterday after he was allegedly found with a stolen motorcycle earlier this week.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Ashton Penn, 24, with unlawful possession.

Penn was allegedly found with a black 2022 Yamaha Crypton suspected of being stolen on West Bay Street on June 11. Penn pleaded not guilty to the charge. There was no objection to his bail, which was set at $3,000 with one or two sureties.

His trial begins on September 19.

‘Oldest Bahamian’ interviewed for National Independence Secretariat

109-year-old Mil-

a resident of Buttonwood Street, Pinewood Gardens who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday, May 26th, 2024 will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Robinson and Claridge Roads. Father Noel Clarke and Deacon D’Arcy Rahming will offciate. Interment will follow in the Southern Cemetery, Cowpen and Spikenard Roads. She is survived by her one daughter: Marguerite King; grandchildren: Monique Williams, Marco Ferguson, Carez Zonicle, Latisha Cole and Darin Higgs; 30 great grandchildren including: Lesley Brown (Quincy Brown), Dashenique, Jermonique, Joel Jr., Williams, Alfred McBride, Kamraniece Jones, Sabrina, Margo, Marcia, Lashantia, Mya, Marciana, Marco Jr., Marciano, Tyrese and Nicholas Ferguson; 28 great great grandchildren; 2 step daughters: Margaret Stevenson and Josephine Price; 1 step son: James Price; one sister-in-law: Iris Williams; numerous nieces and nephews including: Dollymae, Kathleen and Esther Williams, Florence Rudon, Felicia, Rufust Lightfoot, Elizabeth Walker(Kelsey Walker), Elizabeth Mackey, Leotha Amonshia, Winifred (Voxmus) Tethen Dwusy, Linda Huyler, Lemuel Smith, Chionel and Alexander Green, Ernest ( Tommy) Clarissa, Alfred ( Ruth), Phillip, John, Hillet, Wayde, Godfrey Williams, Richard, Orlando and Eric Kudon, Superintendent Of Police Jamaal Evans, Maria Rudon, Tamika (Kevin) Bartee, Vanessa (Garvin) Charlton Leegree ( Fernando) Brown, Cardia (Antone) Miller, Dorothea (Tony) Stubbs, Terah and Sonia Belle, Tangeen Green, Carolyn (Andre) Adderley; numerous great, great grand nieces and nephews too numerous to mention; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Delon Cadet, Portia Fowler, Aaron Davis, Deon Knowles, Farren Roberts, Tanya Brown, Tanya Ferguson, Paulette Davis, The Rahmimg Family, Holy Family Catholic Church and The St John’s Community of Pinewood Gardens.

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at THE CHAPEL OF MEMORIES THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME, INDEPENDENCE DRIVE on (TODAY) Friday from 11:00-6:00 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to service time.

Kevin Jerome Russell, 45 affectionately called “Coin”

of Fox Town, Abaco, Bahamas who died on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2024 will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Crown Haven, Abaco. Father Kristopher Higgs will offciate. Interment will follow in the Public Cemetery, Fox Town, Abaco.

We will forever love and cherish your memories and are held by his daughter: Keva Russell; brothers: Bradley and Williams Russell; sisters: Lovely Reckley, Nadine Rolle, Rosemary Russell, Jacquelyn Williams, Martha Heirrix, Rev. Pleasant McCreary, B.Msc. and Diane Robinson; sister in-law: Miquell Russell; brothers-in-law: Bradley Reckley, Henry Williams Jr. and Hatchie Robinson; nephews: Anwar Reckley, Marlon Rolle, Henry Williams lll, Blake, Davonte, Bradley Jr, William Jr. Raphael, Brayden Russell, Joseph McCreary and Cordell Moss; nieces: Khouri Morley, Vanessa McIntosh, Hendranique Williams, Julene, Brenika, Vashni and Brandysha Russell, Danielle Moss, Willicia Charlow, Aisha Johnson, Samara Rolle, Jasmine McCreary and Latoya Maddox; aunts: Lettymae Jones, and Florence McIntosh; aunts inlaw: Luella Russell; uncle-in-law: Capt. Charles Jones; nieces-in-law: Lakeisha Reckley, Amanda Williams, Victoria Moss and Ladona Russell; godfathers: Rolly Thompson and Roosevelt Wells; and a host of grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, friends including: the community of Fox Town, Abaco

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at THE CHAPEL OF MEMORIES THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME, INDEPENDENCE DRIVE on Friday in Crown Haven from 6:00 p.m. to service time on Saturday.

Death Notice For Adriel Luke Rolle, 56

of Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera, Bahamas and formerly of South Andros, Bahamas died on Friday, June 7th, 2024.

He is survived by his wife: Grace Sweeting Rolle; mother: Pastor Edna Rolle; mother-in-law: Mrs Agnes Sweeting; four daughters: Dayna Curry, Adrielle & Bronthaye Rolle & Anaya Coleby; one son: Dean Curry Jr.; two sisters: Esther Thompson & Elizabeth Brown; nine brothers: Ashley Poitier, Mark, John, Timothy, Peter, Irvin, Joshua & Michael Rolle, and other relatives and friends.

JOURNALIST Felicity Darville interviewed

lie Robinson, ‘oldest Bahamian,’ for the National Independence Secretariat on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 surrounded at home by members of her family.

Photos: Mark Ford/BIS

Understanding genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

ONE question I have often gotten as a grower from customers at Farmers Markets is whether an unusual produce item – like purple carrots or yellow string beans - is GMO or not. These three letters form an acronym, and it would not surprise me if many of those inquirers did not know what they stood for. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are the concern of many consumers. Often perceived with fear as the result of a science lab experiment, GMOs are even a concern of home gardeners who want to ensure that the seeds they plant are not under the “spell” of a mad scientist.

By

Dr Selima Hauber

Full disclosure - my first job after graduating with my Doctorate was in a

Funeral Service for LIONEL ROLLE, 77

of Rolleville, Exuma, will be held at 11:00

a.m. on Saturday, 15th June, 2024 at Anglican Church of The Epiphany, Prince Charles Drive. Officiating will be The Rev’d. Canon Atma Budhu, assisted by other members of the clergy Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Lionel is preceded in death by, Parents: Kathleen Clarke and Lionel Rolle Sr.; Daughter: Patricia Mervil; son: Lionel Theophilus (LT) Rolle.

Left to cherish Lionel’s life are his, Daughters: Monique Major; Karel Neymour-Jones; Shavon Rolle; Sons-in-law: Mervyn Major; Brandon Mervil; Sons: Peter Butler; Lionel Romanda Rolle; Marcus Blatch; Darren Rolle; Daughtersin-law: Wendy Butler, Quatrenda Blatch, Beverley Rolle; Grandchildren: Shannon & Reese Butler, Malia Major, Monae & Mathea Major, Malik Blatc, Jason & Paulette Mervil, Darnae Rolle, Alani Neely; Sisters: Denise Mackey; Brothers-in-law: Vincent Mackey; Brothers: Drexel (Jackie) Woods, Arrington Woods; Sistersin-law: Sheva Rolle, Cheryl Woods; Nieces: Shelley & Nicola Woodside, Oreantheia, Lakishna, D’Nika (Peaches) Mackey, Tamica Woods, Leighanna Greene, Latoya Cash, Stacey Williams, Sharmaine Moore, Jennie Munnings (Cameron), Norma; Shantell, Shurelle, Sonovia, Shanika & Norissa Rolle, Sherisma, Sherrington, Shantera & Samanth Woods, Naomi Adderley; Nephews: Sharven (Zelda), Gerrildo (Sharmika), Shanton, Stephen, Shonari & Norman Rolle Jr., Drexel (Nicole), Don & Ernest Fernander, Antonio (Samantha) & Anthony (Georgina) Woods; Grand Nieces: Lashingka & Laquelle Bannister, Lawanda Edgecombe Baptiste, Britanny & Burnelle Wallace, Kayashia (Kerim) Gaitor, Sharmika Moore, Shazell, Shanaee, Keitra, Kyia, Camari, Katrina, Shaniya, Shandria, Devincia, Safiya, Sofiya Rolle, Ashanti, Campbell, Branika Frazier, Zion & Arielle Major, Tyesha, Sanae, Antwanique, Antonya, Anyla, Breanna, Kiara Woods, Shakira Beneby; Grand Nephews: Shelton Thompson, Oreatio Taylor, Garrildo Jr, Shavy, Jeremie, Gerad, Shanton, Shavy, Shanton Jr., Stephen Jr., Terry, DeAngelo Rolle, Cameron Munnings Jr., Daryl Riley, Andrew Ingraham Jr, Khalius Major, Anthony Jr., Shanton, D’niqo & Alexander Woods, Kenneth Jr & Kyle Beneby, William Cash; Great Grand Nieces: Rayanna Roxbury, Taniel & Taylah Strachan, Kailee & Kaleigh Mackey, Ky’miah, Kierra, Grace, Janelle, Sheldia, Zendaya; Great Grand Nephews: Shelton Jr., Devaughn, Dylan, Ky’mani, LaQuann, Junior; Cousins: Joanna & Terrance Gilbert & Family, Gregory Trotman & Family, Mizpah, Gerrard, Anthony; Glen Rolle & Family, Yvonne Styles & Family, Esther Swann & Family, Lilis Thompson & Family, Theophilus, Nelson, Perry, Mark, Joe, Freddy, Maryann, Allison Clarke & Family, Spence & Roosevelt Finlayson & Family, Duran and Carmetta Minus & Family, Takera Marshall & Family Everette Hart and Family, Granville Clarke and Family; Other Relatives: Duchess Rolle, Dorothy Coakley, Minister Evangeline & Bishop Dr. J Carl Rahming, Minister Alda & Clinton Williams, Ann Johnson, Princess & John Blyden, Linda & Mark Turnquest, Donna & Erin Adderley & Family, Tanya & Michael Wright & Family, Simone Coakley & Family, Deaconess Lolita & Reverend George Bodie & Family, Kimberly & Wilver Deleveaux & Family, Carla Leggett & Family, Carl & Kym Rahming & Family, Senator Reuben Rahming & Natasha Rahming & Family, Patuel & Charmille Hart & family, Samantha Hart & Family, Henry Butler & Family, Ria Newbold & Family, Michael & Lineka Butler, Precious, Clintoya, & Clintinique Williams & Family, Alexander & Cassie, Butler & Family, Antonio & Royann Johnson & family, Johnneice Blyden & family, Percy & Prince Blyde, Krystle & Hulan Hanna & family, L’mar Turnquest & family, L’Mark & Lakeisha Turnquest & family, Kyle Turnquest, Children of the late Idell Rolle, Allan, Cedric & Theophilus Clarke, The family of the late Beatrice Clarke Wenzel Johnson; Friends: Judy Sands and Family, Brandon Smith and Family, Michael Rolle and Family, Reginald and Mattie Butler and Family, Yvonne Swain and Family, Alfred Butler and Family, Donald Butler and Family, Franklyn Hanna and Viola Major and Family, Hosea and Althea “Bobbi” Adderley and Family, Bacchus Rolle and Family, Lolamae Rolle, Theus Fountain and Family, Angela Phillips and Family, The Coakley Family, The Crawley Family, The Blyden Family, Gary Major and Family, Yvonne Major and Family, Frances Oliver and Family, Christ Community Church Family, Donzella Burke and Family, Sylvia Beneby and Family, Vanessa Armstrong and Family, Cherie Gilbert and Family, Fannette Albury and Family, Andy & Carla Fowler and Family, Mae Tucker and Family, Vanrea Kemp and Family, Elaine Adderley and Family, Merlin Adderley and Family, Latasha Cleare, Prince Rahming and Family, Stephanie and Dereck Edwards, Jackie Knowles and Family, Wendy Morley and Family, Sandra Woodside and Family, The Clarke, Ferguson, and Deveaux Families of Moss Town Exuma,The Hermitage Exuma, The Collins, Hart, & Rolle Families of Rolleville Exuma; Wentworth Campbell and Family, Dr Anischa Chong and Family, Norman and Shellee Smith and Family, Princess Margaret Hospital Surgical Team, Numerous other relatives and friends. May His Soul Rest In Peace!

molecular breeding lab at the University of Georgia. Molecular breeding is another less perturbing moniker for genetic modification, which tends to evoke emotional reactions from the public – and rightfully so! The thought of tinkering with the blueprint of life and creating novel organisms has been the theme of sci-fi thrillers for as long as the movie industry has existed. It is my duty as a scien tist and a consumer to allay the fears of those who border on paraly sis when deciding what is safe to eat or grow because of the fear surrounding this technology. First, we must establish how living organisms adapt to their surroundings. It all boils down to “survival of the fittest” – the birds, plants, or insects that have what it takes to survive in tough times and conditions get to pass their genes on to the next generation. This genetic endowment is what offers fitness and enables them to persist when others of a different genetic inheritance crumble. This genetic endowment is called the “genome” – the collection of genes that tell the developing body what to create and how to react in certain conditions. If lucky, the bacterium, virus, fungus, or frog would have a genome that enables it to survive in harsh conditions and thrive to outcompete others of its kind when conditions are optimum. This allows it to live long enough to reproduce and create the next generation with similar fitness. The long and short of it is that the less-fit organisms will not survive long enough or well enough to pass on their less-fit genome to a succeeding generation. Over time, the population of plants, porpoises or pilchers becomes dominated by the genome that confers optimum fitness for the environment at hand until conditions change either abruptly or gradually over time, making it incapable of surviving in the new conditions. This process of evolution happens over centuries or millennia, depending on the organism’s lifespan. This is called natural selection.

The birth of agriculture over 10,000 years ago ushered in artificial selection on a large scale. Artificial selection is the result of us deciding which traits we want to persist in successive generations. Artificial selection is Grammy saving the seeds from the sweet watermelon she got from the neighbor or the conch salad vendor saving the seeds from the largest and juiciest sour oranges he used. Each successive season, the most desirable fruits and vegetables ensured their immortality in the next generation as the consumer held on to the seeds to enjoy the same pleasures in years to come.

is where genetic engineering or molecular breeding steps in and shows off. What used to take more than a decade can now be achieved in a fraction of the time. The technology of plant genome sequencing or elucidation in the late nineties spurred the GMO environment that we live in today. Scientists could now identify which gene or group of genes were responsible for specific characteristics like yields or disease resistance.

Further discoveries, some from observing microorganisms in nature, gave the tools to introduce novel genes into plant genomes, “silence” genes, rendering them ineffective, or turn genes on that were ineffective or “silenced”. Deeper investigations into the defense strategies of bacteria yielded yet another more precise, faster, and cheaper tool to alter a plant’s genome. All this boils down to is a faster pace of creating high yields of the ideal crops while increasing resistance to pests, diseases, drought and heat.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians and Crematorium, #44a Nassau street on Friday 14th June 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday 15th June 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Traditional plant breeding, also artificial selection, involves plant breeders making predetermined crosses, where pollen from one parent with great characteristics is introduced to the female part of the flower of another plant with great characteristics – all with the hope that the random shuffling of genes amongst the children will yield at least one offspring that has that winning, magical combination of characteristics. This process, although faster than natural selection, not only requires decades depending on the natural lifespan and the number of favourable traits desired in the progeny, but there is also no guarantee that unfavorable traits will not be passed on. Traditional Plant breeding often seeks to increase yields, extend shelf-life, improve flavour, or increase resistance to pests and diseases.

So, what does all this mean for the consumer? Whether the breeding occurs using traditional or modern molecular methods, a plant’s genome is altered. What concerns me as a consumer regarding genetic modification is whether the alteration includes introducing a gene that humans would never have encountered in nature in our entire history. The prime example of this is probably the most common genetic modification in commercial agriculture – glyphosate herbicide resistance. Herbicides are chemicals that are applied generally to kill weeds in a crop. A crop that is genetically capable of resisting the effect of a herbicide enables a farmer to apply the herbicide on his entire field and have only the weeds affected – the fast and cheap way to weed hundreds or thousands of acres. This modification developed by a global agrochemical company made the targeted herbicide the most used herbicide in human history, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes being applied annually worldwide. There are great concerns in the environmental and medical community surrounding the impacts of glyphosate on human and environmental health. The concern in this case is largely surrounding the residues of the herbicide remaining on the crop as it traverses the food chain and not necessarily the gene itself.

Large-scale agronomic crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and canola are the most common glyphosate-resistant GMOs in cultivation today. This means products made from these crops contain the herbicide resistance gene and are likely to contain high levels of herbicide residues. While much of these grains are used for livestock feed, a lot of the GMO corn and soybeans are used in ultra-

pro-

cessed foods and drinks. Fried foods are often cooked in soybean oil made from GMO soy or canola.

Even though the cost of the technology is coming down, it is still quite expensive, making only the most globally economically viable crops eligible for its use. Because of this, as a home gardener, you can be confident that the cabbage or tomato seeds that cost less than $5 per packet and are readily available at your neighborhood nursery supply center are not GMOs.

A few fruits and vegetables currently on the market are GMOs. The Arctic apple, for example, was engineered to turn off the gene that results in the cut flesh turning brown when exposed to the air. The Pinkglow pineapple by Dole silences an enzyme that breaks down the naturally occurring lycopene in the fruit, resulting in a pink flesh. The Rainbow variety of papaw was developed to resist a virus that practically destroyed the industry in the Caribbean. If you have a papaw plant whose leaves at the top of the plant are smaller, distorted, and yellowish, it has probably contracted the dreaded papaya ringspot virus for which this variety was molecularly bred.

The technology of genetic modification of food crops is a controversial one. In more prosperous, developed countries where access to food is not a problem, more consumers tend to have strong feelings about it. In poorer, less developed countries, where agrarian economies rule, many farmers are grateful and even desperate for new crops that are drought-tolerant or pest and disease-resistant – their very existence depends on it. Wherever you stand on the issue, you have choices as a consumer. Read labels and search the internet for information regarding what you have access to in your market. Talk to local farmers about the practices they use to produce crops. You have a right to know what is going into your body and whether to consume GMOs.

Dr Selima Hauber, PhD, is the agricultural education and outreach officer at OEF and CTI. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a nonprofit organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. For more information, visit www.oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and farm. For more information about CTI’s programmes, email: info@oneeleuthera. org.

of One Eleuthera Foundation

DR SELIMA HAUBER, PHD

Billboard blight is a sad, sad sight

A DRIVE by Montagu

Foreshore tells us a lot about ourselves. It tells us we have little respect for Mother Nature. It shames us, telling us we tolerate too much for too long, that we should have spoken up when the first billboard appeared, before there were ten of them obliterating the view of one of the last remaining public beaches in New Providence. It tells us that even when our blood pressure boils at the sight of exploding billboards and sprawling unregulated signage, we secretly hope someone else will stop the madness.

The billboard march on Montagu Foreshore started slowly. First there was one, then two. Now ten massive 4x8 foot or larger billboards, propped up on painted wooden legs, tower above the scene below, stretching from the Nassau Yacht Club on the west to the Royal Nassau Sailing Club to the east. They shear off the view, dominating what should be an open canvas of sea, shore, palms and Bahamians at play or exercise. Each board stands tall and proud, like a sentinel of commerce casting a shadow over blades of grass. They stare back at us as we drive by. We glare at them as if it were their fault.

It’s not. It is ours for allowing it to happen, for allowing unbridled signage to explode all over The Bahamas, in Nassau, in the Family Islands, untamed by style, taste, zoning or threat of enforcement. In Eleuthera, along a beautiful long stretch of highway a billboard appears out of the blue. It has a picture of a dead cockroach and the name of a company that can kill them.

There are supposed to be controls, an application process and a permitting exercise. Removal is supposed to be required when permits expire. Event signage, for instance, is allowed two weeks prior to the event and must be

By Diane Phillips

removed one week following. But, hey, who’s watching? There is a sign still explaining the Village Road Improvement Project, long finished. Signs and banners remain up for events from so long ago that those who attended might have a hard time remembering what the event was like or which charitable cause it was supposed to benefit. Real estate signs are governed by size, 2 feet by 2 feet, and though they have one of the most lenient licences, with no permits needed, abuses of size are so regular that faces of agents become almost unnoticed fixtures of front walls. Every contract pending addition or agent information slot on top of or below the coveted 24 inches is a violation, but hey, who’s watching?

The billboard blight is a sad, sad sight.

Signs are glued and tacked to utility poles, posters nailed to gum elemi trees and lignum vitae, which is supposed to be the tree of life not a support system for unpaid ads. Banners are nailed and screwed and stapled all over the island. They dot and block the view of the breathtaking natural limestone of Sir Milo Butler Highway. They desecrate block after block of Carmichael Road. They clutter verges around LPIA, thumb tacks and nails holding rickety notices of stores and those who use hand-painted distorted blotter-like print to advertise they can paint your house. Not all signs are created equal and some of the newer digital signs can be quite compelling so long as they remain in commercially viable locations,

in proportion and architectural perspective, adhering to appropriate size and not at parks and public spaces.

I do not entirely blame those who planted those soldiers of commerce in a public park and beach at Montagu Foreshore. They did it because they were allowed. Imagine if they had tried to do it in Lyford Cay, Old Fort, Albany, Port New Providence or Treasure Cove. Residents and property owners would be up in arms and those who attempted to post unwanted signage would be booted out and booed by a community enraged.

Our Fault, Our Fight

We, the public, are to blame. We allowed it because we did not fight back hard enough when it first started. Some of the signs are attractive, the RF Fidelity sign, for example. The businesses want to sell their goods or services. Why wouldn’t they take advantage of a scenic route – if they could. So let us not blame them entirely. Let us blame those who allow a limestone wall to be desecrated, a beach and park scene to be obliterated, a drive on a Family Island to turn into a reminder that you are not alone – crawling bugs that carry disease inhabit that island, too.

This is not an anti-signage campaign. It is an anti-signage in the wrong place and out of control campaign and I say campaign loosely since it is, at the moment, a one-person movement. Others have written letters to the editor.

We actually face a shortage of informational and directional signage. We face a shortage of historic

markers that tell our story and the story of our ancestors and before them, the Lucayan Indians. Instead, we have oversized blasts to swim with a dolphin or make dealing HR, with all those employees, easier. We have signs that tell us we can grow our own food or our investments. At Montagu, there is even a sign that advertises where you can order your signs and banners.

But who can blame them? Business is business. It was up to us to protest. We do not just get the government we deserve, as some say, we get the laws, rules and regulations we deserve.

Sign on. After all, who’s watching? Or take a stance. This is our chance to force an end to eye pollution and a respect for the canvas that Nature painted. This is personal. I spent a year of my life helping to save Montagu Foreshore and ensuring that the fishing culture would survive in the eastern district, thanks to Loretta Butler-Turner entrusting me with a task that made a difference and to Atlantis for financing it. Thanks, too, to all those companies that continue to maintain the park.

If your blood pressure boils when you drive by Montagu Foreshore or Sir Milo Butler Highway of any area littered with signs, like those of supersized dead roaches staring you in the face from an otherwise serene setting, let your voice be heard. Hey, they may not have been watching before, but chances are they will start watching now. Call the Public Parks and Beaches Authority. Let them know how you feel.

Or if you don’t care, just sign off.

By BRENT STUBBS

It was the college of “choice” for Road Runners women’s 400 metre hurdles specialist Ta-mia Taylor as she decided to compete for the Warriors track and field team at Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech).

The 17-year-old, who will graduate from St John’s College next week, said that Indiana Tech was her first choice because she liked the athletic and academic programme offered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Yesterday before a packed office of her family, friends and team-mates at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, Taylor officially

signed her letter of intent as she prepares to enrol in school in August.

“This moment is unreal. I would like to thank God and everyone who has supported me so far in this journey because it wasn’t easy,” said Taylor. “It was very rough, so I would just like to thank everyone for supporting me in this journey.”

To the cheers of her team-mates from the Road Runners and St John’s College, Taylor said it’s a wonderful feeling to share the moment with them because they were there with her along the way.

Taylor, who intends to study graphic design, said she’s looking forward to showing off her talent and expanding it more as she looks forward to being a good student-athlete and

one day making it to the Olympic Games. Her mother, Kissie Rolle-Wilson, said they saw the potential in her from an early age and they decided to push her. She said when they came out

to the track, her husband Angelo Wilson reunited with coach Dexter Bodie of the Road Runners and the rest was history.

“We pushed her every time, especially me,” said Rolle-Wilson. “She knows

‘I

that she is good, but I don’t think she realises how good she is. That is my take.

“Hopefully from this experience going off to college, she will take what her local coaches told her, she will take that to Indiana and she will go beyond Indiana. That is our hope.”

Trying to hold back the tears, Rolle-Wilson said they found another fatherfigure in coach Bodie, who took care of her and all of the athletes in the Road Runners.

She noted that every time her daughter goes off to compete, she has to bring back some custard cream cookies for coach Bodie.

Bodie, who has served as her coach for the past 10 years, said he’s extremely

Taylor heads to Indiana Tech Pools

WILL MISS MY LOVING WIFE RENEE SUNSHINE DAVIS’

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RENEE “Sunshine” Davis, known for her contagious smile that lights up any atmosphere in softball, baseball, volleyball or track and field, passed away on Wednesday night after a short stay in Princess Margaret Hospital.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

GROUND-breaking ceremonies were held on Wednesday for the first pool to be constructed in the government schools in a Pools in the Schools initiative headed by the Fox Foundation.

Nathaniel Rolle, the proprietor of Pool Doctor, said they intend to construct a total of eight pools, but they are starting with Government High and hope to complete it in short order.

He noted that each of the 50-metre six-lane pools will cost about $500,000 to be constructed.

The others will be located at TG Glover Primary, Anatol Rodgers High, Doris Johnson High, Sadie Curtis Primary and CH Reeves Junior High.

All of the pools are expected to be completed before school reopens in September, according to Adrian Fox, whose company spearheads the

project that will eventually be expanded to include the Family Islands in the future.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Minister of Education Glenys HannaMartin, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Gaming Board chairman Dr Daniel Johnson were all on hand to speak during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Also in attendance was Algernon Cargill, president of Bahamas Aquatics, who noted that as the sport continues to achieve its international success, like the historic six-straight championship feat at CARIFTA here in April at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, they are appreciative of the many projects that are being pushed to get more Bahamians involved in swimming.

The “Pools for School” project is a spin off from the “Learn to Swim” programme that was instituted

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

BASKETBALL PEACE ON DA

STREETS THE annual Peace On Da Streets Basketball Classic, dubbed “Shooting Hoops instead of Guns,” is scheduled for July 15-21 at the Michael ‘Scooter Reid” Basketball Center at the Hope Center. All games will start at 6pm each day. Categories include 12-and-under, 16-and-under, 20-and-under, government ministry, church and open divisions. The event is being promoted by Guardian Radio and Radio House Outreach.

CLERGY VS POLITICIANS BASKETBALL

AS a part of the annual Peace ON Da Streets Basketball Classic,

June, 2024

organisers will once again stage the showdown between members of the Clergy against the Members of Parliament. The game is scheduled for 8pm Sunday, July 21 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

JOHNSON’S BASKETBALL CAMP

GET ready for the annual Coach Kevin Johnson’s Basketball Camp 2024. Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson has announced that his camp will run from June 24 to July 12 at the CI Gibson Secondary High School and will run daily from 9am to 1pm.

Campers will get a chance to play and learn the fundamentals of the

IN the world of sports, injuries are an inevitable part of the journey. The physical toll is evident, but the psychological impact often remains in the shadows, unspoken yet profoundly felt.

Today, we delve into the mental and emotional challenges athletes face when dealing with sports injuries and explore strategies to build psychological resilience, drawing from the insights of sports psychologists and real-life stories of athletes who have overcome significant setbacks.

The Invisible Wounds

When an athlete sustains a physical injury, the immediate concern is often the physical rehabilitation required for recovery. However, the psychological wounds can be just as debilitating. The sudden inability to participate in their sport

can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, and even depression. This emotional turmoil is not just a side effect; it can significantly impact the recovery process and overall well-being.

The 56-year-old longtime employee of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, who was recently redeployed to the Department of Immigration before she took sick and was admitted to PMH, leaves behind her husband Lloyd, children Dino and Tiffany, grandson Lavardo Deveaux - a CARIFTA medallist - and a host of other relatives and friends.

“I will miss my loving wife, who gave me all the love and support I needed

CAPRI

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Bahamian track and field athlete Alexis Gray, who is also known by stage names Kaylia Capri and Sierra Breeze, is thoroughly enjoying her introduction to pro wrestling since transitioning to the sport in January 2023.

The Texas Southern University graduate initially started her pro wrestling career with World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) NXT Developmental brand last year, but she has now moved to the Women of Wrestling (WOW) Superheroes brand where she intends to take her wrestling career to the next level.

Gray made her wrestling debut on WOW Superheroes last week against former WOW World

The Mental Challenges

The psychological impact of sports injuries can be multifaceted:

Loss of Identity: For many athletes, their sport is a significant part of their identity. An injury that sidelines them can feel like losing a part of themselves, leading to an identity crisis.

Fear and Anxiety: The fear of re-injury or not returning to pre-injury performance levels can create anxiety. This fear can hinder the recovery process and affect performance upon return. Depression: The loss of routine, camaraderie, and the thrill of competition can lead to depression. The isolation from teammates and the sport they love exacerbates this feeling.

PAGE 15

COACH DEXTER BODIE, Kissie Rolle-Wilson, Ta-mia Wilson, principal Junann Lewis and Angelo Wilson give thumbs up after the college signing.

POOLS IN THE SCHOOLS: The new project is a spin off from the “Learn to Swim” programme instituted by the husband and wife team of Andy and Nancy Knowles, shown above, to get as many Bahamian children learning how to swim.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘I will miss my loving wife Renee Sunshine Davis’

FROM PAGE 11

in whatever I did,” said Lloyd Davis, a national team player turned coach as he tried to hold back his emotions of his 14-year-old marriage.

“God just took her away. It’s sad, but there’s nothing else we can do. We thank God for her life.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said when he got the call to “remember her,” he immediately called Moses Johnson of the National Sports Authority, who confirmed his worst fears.

“I was not aware that she was in the hospital, so it was very shocking to that because I was wondering what the WhatsApp message was all about,” said Bowleg as he sat in the House of Assembly.

“It’s very sad and I offer my condolences to her husband Lloyd Davis and her family. Renee was a hard working individual who gave it her all in whatever she did. She loved her job.”

Whether she was working out of his office, the NACAC office, the Bahamas Games or the various sporting bodies, including the New Providence Softball Association, Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association, the Bahamas Association of Certified Officers or the Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation, formerly the Baptist Sports Council, Bowleg said Davis gave it her best.

“She definitely will be missed. She was a no-nonsense individual who was a straight shooter. If she felt she needed to bring

something to your attention for the betterment of sports, she did it. So she will be missed.”

Her team-mates, including Vernie Curry, who was too visibly shaken to speak, all had fond memories of Davis, who was more like the spokesperson for the perennial queens Sunshine Auto Wildcats.

Pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Edgecombe, who had a long-time relationship, said Davis was the life of the party and even if you didn’t see her, you could hear her.

When you saw her, she brought a lot of sunshine.

“She was definitely the life of the Wildcats, actually wherever she went. She always had a smile on her

face. She will be missed,” said Sweeting, who first met Davis in 1995 when she left the Bahamian Kitchen softball team.

“When we went to the funeral service of Van Johnson in February in Eleuthera, as we gathered as players, she told how he brought all of the softball players together. She said she wished that we not only come together on sad occasions, but more often as a family.”

Val Kemp, president of BACO, said Davis was remembered as a person with “all bark, but no bite” in the more than a decade that she worked with them.

“She was not somebody who was out of commission

like some of the recent members who passed away,” Kemp said. “So this one was a little harder because people said they just spoke to her last month and she was jubilant and herself.

“But for someone like me who would have seen her progressing in the wrong direction, I was there (Wednesday night) when they said they had to hook her up to the tubes and the machine to her heart. I left. Before I got home, I got a call to say she was gone.”

Kemp said Davis will be missed because she had the connection for everybody and was willing to take on the responsibility of getting information to everybody.

“She would make noise that the officials are this and they are that, but she still did it, whatever you asked her to do. That was Sunshine,” Kemp stated.

Dwayne Stevens, president of the NPSA, said when he was the president of the BGDSA, Davis served as his first secretary.

“She was always the life of the party. She personified that word ‘sunshine’. There was never a dull moment. She was always cheerful,” Stevens said. “She always gave her best. She always stood out. No matter where she went, she always let you know she was there.”

Davis was also appointed as the director of track and field for the newly formed Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation. During her hospitalisation, a call was sent to the female officers to attend a meeting with newly elected Bahamas National Baptist president Bishop Delton Fernander.

In response, Davis rebuked this writer, who serves as the president, because her name was not called. As she was in hospital, there was no way she could attend the meeting.

But she just had to make the point clear that she wasn’t given the invitation to attend.

Condolences poured in all over social media.

Bahamas Softball Federation president Jennifer Dotson extended “heartfelt

Ta-mia Taylor heads to Indiana Tech

FROM PAGE 11

proud of her achievement. He’s excited to see what the future holds for her.

“I just want to thank coach Black, coach Missick and coach Lockhart for putting in the time with her,” he said. “I’m quite sure she will do well. She will achieve all of her goals when she gets over there. I’m happy for her in the choice she has made.

“I know she will do her parents well, she’s going to do her country well and she’s going to represent the school well, so I’m looking to see her representing the Bahamas in World Championships and Olympics. She is a very good athlete from

11

champion Penelope Pink at the Belasco in Los Angeles, California. Although she was defeated following an inverted DDT by Pink, the Bahamian wrestler’s WOW debut video made its rounds on social media as Bahamians offered their support. The former WWE developmental star spoke with Tribune Sports about how it felt to observe the support from Bahamians. “That actually caught me by surprise because I didn’t even get to post it before someone on Facebook posted it. When she posted it, that is really when it spread like wildfire and I saw it on the Bahamian TikTok page with 40k views. It is so crazy that I am impacting the country like this and it left me in awe because that WOW episode is my very first introduction into WOW. Since then, anytime

start to finish. You couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Junann Lewis, principal at St John’s College, said Taylor was one of the representatives for the Giants, just as she did in representing the country and the Road Runners.

“As her school family, we are very proud of her.

We are proud that she was able to choose the school she wanted to go to,” Lewis said.

“I’m so glad that she said she’s going to be a studentathlete because coach Bodie, you prepared her for the athlete part and we prepared her for the student part.

“So we are a family and we are sending her out there as a village. So we will

I have stepped into the ring has just been more experiences, more things I have learned and applied to myself and it is just exhilarating,” she said. The former track and field athlete completed her tenure at Texas Southern University in 2019 with a degree in biology with concentration in chemistry. She was preparing to pursue a master’s degree when officials from the WWE reached out to her to come to tryouts in Dallas, Texas. She was successful at the tryouts and signed a contract which prompted her to move to Orlando, Florida.

Gray stayed with the WWE NXT brand until September 2023 and then joined WOW Superheroes in October.

When asked how she would describe her transition from track and field to the wrestling ring, she used the word “interesting”.

“I would describe it as interesting. It is just so interesting that I have worked my whole life to be a track star and get these degrees to be a doctor and wrestling literally fell into my life. It is very interesting and I am all for interesting,” she said The former sprinter acknowledged that although wrestling is her new love, she has taken the lessons learned in track and field with her to the wrestling ring and also applied them to her life.

“Track and field is that sport that completely shows you how commitment can help you to skyrocket. It keeps you humble as well because even though you can be consistent there are days that will be an absolute mess and you have to be mentally strong enough to pull yourself out of that rut and still push for more. Track and field shows you that you have many

pathways to get to your goal.

“I know what I want my life to look like but I do not want to commit to one specific path,” she said. With that being said, the former national champion did not mince words when expressing her desire to be one of the top wrestlers on the WOW Superheroes roster.

“I plan to get back in there and really establish myself. I need these women to know this is not gonna be just another girl who got a wrestling job and she was just good. The story is not gonna be like that. It is gonna be a story where I stepped into that building and they felt my presence from the moment I stepped in there. I wanna be the face of WOW. I think that is my short term goal to become a face at WOW, become a champion at WOW and establish my brand,” she said.

condolences to the entire family, especially her husband Lloyd and children.

“We know how much Sunshine loved softball and exhibited her passion every time she played or watched the game.

“May her soul RIP and rise in glory.”

Bahamas Baseball Association secretary general Theodore Sweeting said on behalf of the baseball community, “where her support was greatly felt and appreciated, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband and family. Let her glowing smile and sunshine light up the heavenly gates.”

Richard ‘the LionHeart’ Johnson, probably the country’s most prolific pitcher, said her “sunshine will be missed in the Bahamas.”

Another talented pitcher Leroy Thompson remembered Davis as “an energetic competitor on the field or in the coach’s box. A friendly and lovable person. May she rest in peace.”

“Golden Girl” Pauline Davis referred to her friend as a “real person, especially around the track. Rest easy my girl. I love you and will miss you.”

And Trevor Moss summed it up when he said: “Into the hands of our God we commit your spirit. Take your rest in peace my sister.”

continue to pray for her and for her family that she does well. We’re looking forward to some great things from Ta-mia Taylor.”

Road Runners’ team captain Trent Ford said Taylor is like a sister to him and he’s going to miss tormenting her in practice.

“I’m proud of her. She’s come far. I hope she continues to improve,” said Ford, who noted that Taylor has been an inspiration to him and the rest of their team-mates.

The male sprinter, who also made the CARIFTA team with Taylor, noted that as he gets set to graduate from St Augustine’s College, he hopes to follow in her footsteps by going off to college as well.

Before Gray can get back to working on her Sierra Breeze gimmick, she will be looking to put on a show for the home crowd on Saturday, June 29 at the live pro wrestling event Baha Bash to be hosted at the Baha Mar resort. She is big on representing the Bahamian brand even in her newest gimmick as Sierra Breeze. The 26-year-old talked about how she has made her newest character relatable to Bahamians. “I have integrated the ‘get offs’ into my gimmick because one thing Bahamians know how to do is be not serious and ‘get off’. I think using that made me more personable. Before they say I like her because her outfit is cute, she is pretty or because of her hair, I want people to say I like her because of who she is,” she said. Capri will be making an appearance at Fusion Superplex on June 22 to host a Meet-and-Greet along with

BAHAMIAN wrestler Kaylia Capri is expected to bring her

home to wrestle against JC Storm at the Baha Bash wrestling event

TA-mia Taylor with her parents Kissie Rolle-Wilson and Angelo Wilson.

RENEE ‘Sunshine’ Davis waving to her fans.

THE late Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis.

Cleveland Eneas Primary holds awards ceremony for Eagles’ track & field team

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN celebration of winning their eighth New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association title, the Cleveland Eneas Primary School hosted an awards ceremony on Wednesday for their Eagles track and field team.

In attendance was Myles LaRoda, the Member of Parliament for Pinewood Gardens, along with “Golden Girl” Pauline Davis, who delivered the keynote address.

Also present was Lanaisha Lubin, the bronze medallist in the girls’ long jump at the 2024 CARIFTA Games that was held in April at the Kirani James Stadium in St George’s, Grenada.

Lubin not only displayed the medal she won, but she also participated in the awards ceremony, helping LaRoda as members of the Eagles track team were called up one by one by head coach Mariska Stubbs to receive their medals from the meet held in May at the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Davis, who indicated that as a barefoot girl who rose from Bain Town to winning the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 200m in Sydney, Australia in 2000, saying if she could do it, there could be others coming from Cleveland Eneas who could aspire to become the next celebrated Bahamian.

Having added this year’s title to the NPPPSSA titles won in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were no small feats, according to Davis, who noted that she was in the presence of “royalty” because

of the performances of the team.

She praised Thompson and the rest of the coaching staff and support group, along with principal Avinel Newball-Smith and the administration of the school for assembling what she considered to be an excellent team of athletes.

LaRoda said he remembers telling Wayne Munroe, the Member of Parliament for Freetown, in the House of Assembly that Uriah McPhee only borrowed the title when they won the meet last year.

He noted that he was so pleased to come back and share in the celebrations as Cleveland Eneas brought the title home to the Eagles’ nest where it belonged.

He said he hopes to continue to return year after year, as long as he is the MP, to celebrate the Eagles’ success.

Thompson, in her address, said that the road was a difficult one to travel and, at one point, she considered giving up. But she indicated that when she thought about her “young darlings” on the team, she had to press on. Thompson said the team was a very solid one and all of the athletes went out and gave it their best and that was one of the reasons why they were so successful.

Thompson, a former 400/800 metre runner, also lauded the school’s administration and staff as well as the parents for standing behind her and giving the athletes all of the support that they needed to achieve their goal.

Cleveland Eneas, according to Thompson, also dominated at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s National Primary School Track and Field Meet, held in honour of Frank “Pancho” Rahming. But she noted that while the meet didn’t give out any awards for the top school, when she and principal Newball-Smith added up the figures, the Eagles soared again.

ABACO BASEBALL TEAM ‘WILL ONLY GET BETTER’

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THEY didn’t win any games, but team manager Troy Feaste said his baseball team from Abaco will only get better from the experiences gained at the Bahamas Baseball Association’s 2024 Andre Rodgers Senior Baseball Championships.

Abaco was the only island outside of Grand Bahama who came to the capital to compete in the nationals that was played over the weekend at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Feaste, a former radio sports show host who left New Providence in 2017 for Abaco, started to build the baseball programme in 2019 at the Patrick J Bethel School in Murphy Town.

He noted that it’s something new for the island, which prides itself on playing softball.

“They played baseball at a certain level, but when I got there, we wanted to move it to another level,” Feaste said. “Every year, we scrape a team to come to these tournaments.

“But we’re trying to develop a league where settlements get to play against settlements and we can look at putting the best players together to be able to represent the island.”

Feaste, however, said there’s been a lot of challenges and that is to get fathers and father-figures, especially those who have some knowledge of the game, to assist the programme.

“The biggest challenge after that is finances. The kids are there, the athletes are there, but we just don’t have the funding to

POOLS IN THE SCHOOLS HITS THE GROUND AT GHS

FROM PAGE 11

by the husband and wife team of Andy and Nancy Knowles to get as many Bahamian children learning how to swim.

“I’ve been really thankful for the government’s support over the 16 years that we have been in the schools,” Andy Knbowles said. “So we want to press on and get in more of the schools.

“We are very happy for the support from the Ministry of Education. We’re still working on the Betty Kelly and South Beach pools because we want to get at least 10 schools there. We want to get all 24 primary schools done. Hopefully within the next two to three years.”

So far, Knowles said the programme has already been in 12 schools and they are learning every day how to do it the most cost effective way.

“We have a good working relationship with the Bahamas Defence Force and its model that everyone knows. So we want to continue to use that model,” he said. “Once we have done all of the primary schools, we will move on to the high schools.”

Varel Davis, the president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association, said it’s a long time coming for their schools to start utilising their spaces to accommodate facilities like the pools.

“I think it’s about time that we have swimming included in our schools,” she said. “So it’s a great day. We’re looking to the future when we can have competition in swimming.”

She said the association will continue to work with Bahamas Aquatics and the “Learn to Swim” programme to ensure that they provide the same type of competition that the private schools are being exposed to.

FROM PAGE 11

sustain the programme,” he noted. “We’ve asked for people to assist, but only a few people have stepped forward to keep the programme afloat.

“We bring these kids here so that they can experience what it is like to play in this type of competition. In Abaco, we just play amongst ourselves on a softball field and it’s difficult to do it there because it is a softball field.”

He lauded persons like Pedro Williams, who came to Abaco from New Providence, and has been a tremendous help to the programme, along with Mr Henchell, who has a 15-year-old grandson who performs extremely well.

Despite their shortcomings against teams from Freedom Farm, Junior Baseball League of Nassau and Grand Bahama’s Legacy and Little League, Feaste said the team was still able to hold their own.

“Our boys who played in this tournament moved up from 14U to 16U and they are really good,” he said. “I think they can compete with any 16U boys in the country.

“But what we find out when we come to these tournaments is we are playing against All-Star teams that have been assembled where we just get home grown boys who didn’t get to play from T-ball up to the various divisions like they do in Freedom Farm and JBLN and Grand Bahama Little League and Legacy. “Some of our boys just started playing baseball last year and the most experience some of them would have had is about five years, but we will continue to develop them. We have a good crop of 10U boys and, in the next few years, you will hear about

MANAGER Troy Feaste giving some instructions to his catcher.

them as they continue to get better.”

When they get back to Abaco, Feaste said they will embark on a vigorous training programme in the gym to help strengthen the bodies of these young players so that when they step out on the field, they will be better prepared to hit the ball.

“Our boys are not defeated. The scores on the field are not reflective of how we played,” he said. “We made some fundamental errors and executions that went wrong. “So we have to work on our pitching and cutting down on the walks and the errors we made. We can’t afford to make those mistakes and still expect to be in the game.”

Feaste said the players have gotten a better appreciation of what they need

to do to be successful and so he’s looking forward to

game of basketball from professional instructors. Interested persons can sign up by contacting coach Johnson at 636-9350 or email: coachkjjohnson@gmail. com

BASKETBALL

NEX-GEN

THE third annual Nex-Gen Elite Training Basketball Camp, hosted by JR Basketball Academy, is all set for June 24 to July 13 from 9am to noon at the Telios Indoor Gymnasium on Carmichael Road. The camp, powered by Frazier’s Roofing, will provide training for game situations, shooting, passibng, ball handling, defense and footwork for boys and girls between the ages of 8-19 years. Registration is now open. Interested persons can contact Cadot at 535-9354, email jrcbasketballacademy.com or go online to www.jrcbasketballacademy.com

CLEVELAND Eneas track team, administration and staff celebrate their eighth victory with Pinewood MP Myles LaRoda.

KAYDIN Thompson and his parents celebrate his achievement with head coach Mariska Stubbs, MP Myles Laroda and CARIFTA medallist Lanaisha Lubin looks on.

instructions to

Coach Yo, No Ceilings Foundation set to host free basketball clinic

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas senior women’s national team

coach Yolett “Coach Yo”

McPhee-McCun has had

quite a busy week since making her return to The Bahamas to kickstart training camp for the women’s national basketball team.

In addition to this latest endeavour, the No Ceilings with Coach Yo Foundation

will host a free basketball clinic on Saturday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium, with the goal of continuing the development of the new generation of basketball players in the country.

The one-day event will be separated into two sessions which begins with a 9am to 10am session for first to fourth graders. The next session, which involves fifth to eighth graders, will run from 10am-11am.

Interested participants are urged to come out and bring their own basketballs. Upon completion of the clinic, basketball players will be awarded a free t-shirt for their efforts.

Coach Yo spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the second practice session of the senior women’s national basketball team training camp. She was beaming with joy as she encouraged people to come out and take advantage of the opportunity.

“I want people to come out. It is free and they will get a t-shirt. I will be out here sweating with them along with some of the girls. When you hear about the women’s national basketball team you not only wanna hear about basketball, you want to hear about service and leaders.

“I really want to blow the whole expectation up and say this is who the Bahamas senior women’s national basketball team are. Please come out and bring your kids. It is going to be a good time for sure,” she said.

Last year, the No Ceilings with Coach Yo Foundation hosted the first edition of the free basketball clinic down in her birthplace Freeport, Grand Bahama. She also shared some of her expertise with the youth of Oxford, Mississippi on June 1, hosting a free basketball clinic there as well.

With that being said, the University of Mississippi

(Ole Miss) Rebels head coach is excited to work with the youth in New Providence.

“I am excited. When I did it in the USA, I had 90 kids show up and for me I was like I could do this for the rest of my life. It is something I am passionate about. I feel blessed that I could be paid to do it but I am passionate about the youth and just giving people an opportunity. It means a lot for me and it would mean a lot for people to come out,” she said.

The No Ceilings with Coach Yo Foundation made their first stop in Grand Bahama last year and are continuing their development campaign here in

New Providence but Family Islands can expect to see Coach Yo and her team in the near future.

“Last year I did Freeport, this year it is Nassau. Next year it can be Bimini or Andros. Every year I am gonna go to a different island and have a free basketball clinic.

“We have basketball and we have shirts, the whole nine yards. I am really looking forward to it and really looking forward to coming back and doing more in The Bahamas.

“I just need the support for it to make sense so I am hoping that people come out,” she said. The free clinic begins at 9am this Saturday.

COACH Yolett McPhee-McCuin gives

the players last night as she hosted the senior women’s national basketball team training camp at Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr

COACH Yolett McPhee-McCuin speaks with reporters as she hosted the senior women’s national basketball team training camp at Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium. Photo by Chappell Whyms Jr

Tiger Woods returns to the US Open, shoots inconsistent opening-round 74

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

PINEHURST, N.C.

(AP) — Tiger Woods started off the U.S. Open with a birdie yesterday, putting him into the red and atop the leaderboard, and turning back the clock 25 years to when a phenom still on the rise first played the national championship at Pinehurst No. 2.

The next 17 holes contrasted the player he once was with the player he is now. Woods drove the ball exceptionally well, threading narrow fairways flanked on each side by native grasses, and he made a couple of long putts to save pars. But he also hit far too many wayward iron shots on a course that demands accuracy, and his deft touch around the greens abandoned him more than once on the way to a 4-over 74 in the opening round.

It was his 12th consecutive round without breaking par in a major, one derailed by five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch.

“I was somewhat conservative in some of my end points. Then again, I didn’t hit the ball very well either,” explained Woods, who found 12 of 14 fairways in regulation but hit just half the greens. “It’s not where I wanted to be on a lot of holes.”

To be fair, the famed times be borderline unfair.

Woods hit several shots that would have produced good birdie chances most anywhere else, but instead they rolled off the wildly contoured greens and came to rest in collection areas. That was the case at the par-3 ninth, his final hole of the day, when his approach appeared to be so safely aboard that he plucked his tee and began heading toward the green.

That’s when a groan began rising from the crowd. Woods looked up

to see his ball starting to trickle, pick up speed, and come to rest 30 yards down the fairway. His birdie chance had become a testy pitch-and-putt par save to finish the round.

“It’s hard to get the ball close,” Woods said. “In most golf courses you play, you hit shots into where it’s feeding off of slopes into flags, where it’s collecting. Here, everything is repelling. It’s just hard to get the ball on top of the shelves.

“You know if you miss it short side, it’s an auto bogey, or higher.” Woods at least avoided the big numbers Thursday, and while his round easily could have been even par or better, it at least kept the three-time U.S. Open champ in the mix to make the cut. That alone was

an improvement over his last time out in the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where two triple bogeys during a second-round 77 kept him from playing the weekend.

More good news: The battered body that has so often betrayed Woods in recent years seemed to be up to the task. Woods, who missed the last U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 2014 while recovering from the first of four back surgeries, rarely grimaced on his morning march. The relatively flat layout, at least compared to places like Augusta National, helped his cause, as did the weather, which was hot and humid and kept those aching joints from locking up. He also benefited from an early tee time,

giving him almost 24 hours exactly to recover for Friday’s round.

“I’m hoping I don’t get too tight in the car ride back. I can get tight in air conditioning,” said Woods, who in fact went straight to the driving range after his round, and began working on those inconsistent irons.

He should have had a suspicion they might be a problem.

“I was pretty one-dimensional early in the week, which is interesting. I was drawing the ball a lot. Now I’m cutting the ball a lot,” Woods said, before flashing a wry smile. “Welcome to golf.”

Welcome to inconsistency. And that may be the product of infrequency.

Woods had not played a U.S. Open round since

Winged Foot in 2020, thanks mostly to all those injuries — five back surgeries, four knee surgeries and the procedure to piece together a shattered right leg and ankle from his 2021 car crash.

“I’m physically getting better as the year has gone on. I just haven’t been able to play as much because I just don’t want to hurt myself pre, then I won’t be able to play in the major championships,” Woods said. “It’s pick your poison, right? Play a lot with the potential of not playing, or not playing and fight being not as sharp.”

Woods admitted he hopes his body will allow him to begin playing more often.

Playing this weekend would be a good start.

ABERG OFF TO STRONG START WITH 66, SEEKS TO BECOME FIRST ROOKIE TO WIN SINCE 1913

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

PINEHURST, N.C. (AP)

— Seemingly unflappable and definitely in contention, Ludvig Aberg’s U.S. Open debut couldn’t have gone much better.

And if the 24-year-old Swede can maintain his ballstriking ability over the next 54 holes, he has a chance to become the first rookie to win the tournament in more than a century.

Aberg fought off some pre-round nerves yesterday and hit all 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens at the Pinehurst’s difficult No. 2 course to shoot 4-under 66, leaving the budding star in contention for his first major championship.

“I’ll absolutely take it,” Ludvig said. “I’m very, very pleased, obviously. I wouldn’t want to have to do it again.”

Not since Francis Ouimet beat Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff in 1913 has a first-time participant won the U.S. Open.

Aberg’s success doesn’t come as a huge surprise. He finished second at the Masters last month and is ranked sixth in world.

Aberg averaged 321 yards off the tee, outpacing the remainder of the field. But it was his accuracy that stood out in Round 1. His focus coming into the day was to stay disciplined, and he did just that.

Aberg never made it look hard. The player that Rory McIlroy has called golf’s next big star played with a calm confidence, never getting rattled or intimidated by Pinehurst’s fast, bowl-shaped greens. Aberg, though, admitted he was little bit worried coming into the tournament.

“I’m always nervous when I’m playing tournament golf,” said Aberg, who has one win on the European Tour and one on the PGA Tour.

The Psychological Impact of Sports Injuries and Recovery: Building Resilience

FROM PAGE 11

Pressure to Return: Athletes often face immense pressure to return to their sport quickly, whether from themselves, coaches, or external expectations. This pressure can lead to rushed recoveries and further complications. Building Psychological Resilience Psychological resilience is the capacity to mentally and emotionally cope with the stress and adversity that comes with injuries. Building this resilience involves several strategies: Acceptance and Positive

Attitude: Accepting the injury and maintaining a positive outlook is crucial. This doesn’t mean ignoring the pain or frustration but rather acknowledging it and focusing on the steps needed for recovery.

Setting Realistic Goals:

Goal-setting can provide a sense of direction and purpose during recovery. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For instance, an athlete might set a goal to improve range of motion by a certain percentage within a month.

Mental Imagery and Visualization: Mental imagery involves visualizing successful return to play and the steps involved in recovery. Studies have shown that visualization can enhance physical recovery and performance.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and progressive muscle relaxation can help manage stress and anxiety. Mindfulness encourages staying present and reducing negative thought patterns.

Professional Support:

Engaging with sports psychologists can provide tailored strategies to cope with the psychological impact of injuries.

These professionals can offer cognitive-behavioral techniques and other therapeutic interventions.

Real-Life Examples Consider the story of Lindsey Vonn, the Olympic skier who faced multiple injuries throughout her career. Her resilience and mental toughness allowed her to return to the slopes time and again, often performing at peak levels. Vonn’s journey highlights the importance of a strong mental game in overcoming physical setbacks.

Similarly, Paul George, the NBA star who suffered a gruesome leg injury, showcased immense mental fortitude during his recovery. His comeback story is a testament to the power of psychological resilience and the support systems around him, including sports psychologists and a dedicated rehab team.

Conclusion: The Role of Psychological Support in Recovery

The psychological impact of sports injuries is profound and multifaceted. Addressing these mental challenges is crucial for a holistic recovery process. By fostering psychological resilience through acceptance, goal-setting, mental imagery, mindfulness, and professional support, athletes can navigate the turbulent waters of injury recovery. Athletes should remember that their mental health is as important as

their physical health. The journey to recovery is not just about healing the body but also about nurturing the mind. By embracing this comprehensive approach, athletes can return to their sports stronger, both physically and mentally, ready to conquer new heights.

Bahamian sports medicine physician, sports performance coach, sports nutrition specialist, and founder of Empire Sports Medicine and Performance. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

Contact: 242-364-2001

TIGER Woods lines up a putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament yesterday in Pinehurst, N.C. (AP Photo/ Mike Stewart)

Celtics on the brink of 18th title, can close out Mavs in Game 4 tonight

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

DALLAS (AP) — It’s

over. That’s what the numbers say. There will be a record-setting 18th championship for the Boston Celtics to celebrate soon, maybe very soon. They have a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals, a lead that has never been wasted in any NBA series, ever.

The stats are absolute.

The Celtics, to their credit, are taking nothing for granted.

On perhaps the next-tolast day of the NBA’s 78th season, the Celtics — who could finish off the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 on Friday night — were desperately trying to keep things as close to business as usual as could be expected, given that the team’s first title in 16 years is now just one win away.

“At the end of the day we’re the most vulnerable in this,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who, at 35, could be the youngest coach to win a title since Bill Russell won one as a player-coach for Boston in 1969.

“So, we have to remain with a sense of urgency. We have to have an understanding of our environment. We have to know that we’re just as vulnerable as anybody else in this situation, and how we handle that will determine our fate.”

His point: Don’t let up. A team that has gone 79-20 in its first 99 games of the season — on pace for the second-best single-season record in Celtics history — would likely be wise to keep doing what’s worked all year, one more time.

“Either you survive or you don’t,” said Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, repeating something Mazzulla told the team earlier Thursday. “That resonates with me.”

It might seem puzzling that it’s the Celtics — the team up 3-0 — talking about survival and vulnerability. The reality is,

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) — Luka

Doncic winced ever so slightly as he stepped onto the stage to address reporters a day after his Dallas Mavericks fell behind Boston 3-0 in the NBA Finals.

A rough first finals for the 25-year-old superstar, no doubt — an injury-filled postseason punctuated by fouling out for the first time in his playoff career, thanks to a four-foul fourth quarter in a 106-99 loss to the Celtics in Game 3. Near the end of six seasons filled with comparisons to LeBron James, here’s

obviously, that it’s the Mavericks who are backed into the corner that no NBA team has ever successfully escaped from. They’re 0-5 against Boston this season. They’ve been outscored nearly 2-to-1 from 3-point range in this series. They saw a 13-point lead turn into a 21-point deficit on their home floor in Game 3.

It’s hard to find the proverbial silver lining right now, though the Mavs insisted they still have hope.

“We’re not in the offseason yet,” Mavericks star Luka Doncic said. “They’ve still got to win one more game. Like I said, we’re going to believe until the end.”

There were no concession speeches from the Dallas side on Thursday, no outward signs of surrender whatsoever. But there was an understanding of how tall this mountain — down 0-3 — is to climb, and how nobody in the NBA has managed to scale it.

Boston came close last year, rallying from a threegame deficit to force a Game 7 at home against Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals, only to lose. And that came after the Celtics lost the 2022 NBA Finals to Golden State, that series ending in Boston as well. Those were learning experiences. These finals will be one as well for the Mavs.

“When you look at the Celtics, they lose to the Warriors two years ago. They lose to Miami in Game 7 (last season). So, it’s just experience of understanding that you’re not promised to get back, that you’ve got to work,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “You see the group that is out there

today. They know how to play. They’re a really good team.”

By tonight, they could be a championship team.

The only way for the Celtics to lose this series, obviously, is if they lose the next four games. Never mind the stat about how teams with 3-0 series leads in a best-of-seven series are unbeatable — 156 teams have gone up 3-0, 156 teams have eventually prevailed in that series.

Consider this one instead — the last time the Celtics lost four consecutive games in the same season was in May 2021, two coaching changes and a whole slew of roster turnover ago.

“I think from our experiences over the past couple of years, the thing

that we’ve really gotten a lot better at is not relaxing, not being complacent. From game to game or series to series, we always want more,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said.

“Maybe in recent years we took things for granted at some points or were happy to make it to certain rounds, where (now) we’re not satisfied. Even now up 3-0, nobody is celebrating or anything.

“We still feel like there’s a lot more that we can do. There’s a lot more that we want to do.”

There’s really only one thing left for this Celtics team to do. One more win and Banner 18 — one that’ll break the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in NBA history — will finally be secured.

Mazzulla doesn’t care when it happens, just that it happens.

“There’s four rounds left in this fight,” he said. “And however long it takes, whatever it takes, we’ll see how it goes.”

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

IT was during the NBA Finals in 2010. Kobe Bryant was asked a question about whether he thought he was the greatest Los Angeles Laker ever.

The answer was immediate.

“No,” Bryant said. He wasn’t being difficult or misleading and the question was fair, especially because Bryant surely would have been on the list of candidates for such a title. But in Bryant’s mind, that distinction — greatest Laker ever — belonged to only one person.

“In my opinion,” Bryant said, “it’s Jerry West because of everything that he’s done.” Bryant didn’t mean just one thing, but really, he could have. What West — who died Wednesday at the age of 86 — did at the 1996 NBA draft and in the weeks that immediately followed not only added to his own incredible legacy, but also was the first step to Bryant becoming a true global icon and helping the Lakers win five championships in the next 14 years.

West had the courage to do what 12 other teams did not. He rolled the dice and drafted Bryant, who was still only 17 at the time. (Technically, Charlotte drafted Bryant, but on the Lakers’ behalf because he was traded later that night.) And three weeks or so later, West completed the second half of his master plan by signing Shaquille O’Neal to a seven-year, $120 million contract in free agency.

The Shaq and Kobe Era was born. West took the risk. The rewards were unforgettable.

“He’s responsible for managing here, he’s responsible for Shaq, he’s responsible for myself,” Bryant said at that finals news conference in 2010, the year that he won the last of his five titles — all with the Lakers. “He put the whole picture together and everything that he’s done, to me, he’s the greatest.”

another for Doncic. Just like the player he idolised as a teenager, Doncic is on the verge of having to weather failure on basketball’s biggest stage before getting more chances to experience the ultimate success.

“I didn’t really study the first finals of some people,”

Doncic said yesterday, the eve of Game 4 in Dallas with the Celtics on the verge of an 18th championship, which would break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in the NBA.

Doncic did remember the first Eastern Conference finals — two, actually — for Michael Jordan in Chicago a generation ago.

“Obviously, there’s the story of MJ against Detroit,” the five-time All-Star said. “That was a big thing. I think he just learned from it. You’ve got to go through lows first to go on top. I think that’s great experience.”

After finally breaking through against the Pistons, Jordan won the title in his first trip to the NBA Finals in 1991, the start of a 6-0 run in the title series over an eight-season span.

Doncic is at risk of the same fate in his first finals as James, who was swept with Cleveland against San Antonio in 2007. James lost again with Miami — against Dallas, no less — in 2011 before winning back-toback titles with the Heat.

Asked if he thought his game could improve in the offseason, Doncic said, “Oh, definitely, a lot of holes,” before reiterating he would learn plenty from his first finals. Then he paused. “But we’re not in the offseason yet,” Doncic said. “They’ve still got to win one more game. Like I said, we’re going to believe until the end.”

The end is near for Dallas because Doncic didn’t get enough help from co-star Kyrie Irving in the first two games, or from his supporting cast in any of the first three. Still, the Slovenian sensation has had his own

difficulties, particularly in Game 3. The Celtics relentlessly targeted Doncic’s defence, which has been solid to good overall in these playoffs.

The four fouls came so quickly in the fourth quarter, his sixth forced a challenge that Dallas lost with 4:12 remaining.

The Mavs were on a 20-2 run when Doncic was disqualified, and scored again to get within a point before Boston held on to avoid blowing a 21-point lead with 11 minutes remaining.

With a long history of complaining to officials, Doncic made a point earlier in the playoffs to go back to having fun. He’s had trouble sustaining it, and didn’t have kind words for the refs after fouling out in regulation for the first time in his career.

“I just really want to win,” Doncic said. “Sometimes I don’t show it the right way, but at the end of the day, I really want to win. I’ve got to do a better job showing it a different way.”

Doncic is 3 for 3 on miserable fourth quarters in the finals, with more turnovers (four) than baskets (three) and zero 3-pointers.

Before the rare foulout (the third of Doncic’s career), he sat most of the fourth with the Celtics comfortably in front in Game 1. Dallas’ best closer hasn’t been closing in this series, and added a chest contusion

to a postseason litany of ailments that included a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle.

Although the chest injury — sustained in Game 1 — was the only one on the latest injury report, it’s significant enough that Doncic confirmed to ESPN the network’s report that he had been taking a pain-killing injection by acknowledging he would probably have another one before Game 4.

“My message to him is he’s not alone in this,” said Irving, who bounced back from a sluggish offensive start to the series with 35 points in Game 3. “He’s played as best as he can despite the circumstances,

just injuries and stuff. He’s been giving it his all. It’s not all on him.”

The spotlight in still on him, just as it was for Jordan in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and James before the first of his four titles nearly 20 years ago.

“I think the history is there for us to learn from, when you look at great players and the struggles,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “But the great ones, they use that going into the next season or the next couple seasons to try to get back there because now they understand experience is a big thing.”

Doncic won’t do that until this season is officially over.

BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, left, is hugged by guard Jaylen Brown after they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-99 in Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals on Wednesday in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

DALLAS Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots in front of Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second half in Game 3 on June 12 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)