06172024 NEWS AND SPORT

The Tribune

WEEKEND KILLINGS LEAVE THREE DEAD

Victim was repeatedly warned to stay away from man says sister

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff

Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE sister of Maigen Bethel, one of three people killed over the weekend, said their mother had repeatedly warned the woman to stay away from a man allegedly involved in a conflict that led to her death. Maigen was killed after visiting a man’s residence on Vinspen Road, off Cowpwn Road, on Friday night along with her best friend and another sibling. Police said when the women confronted an adult man and woman in the home, the man produced a firearm and fatally shot Maigen. Four women and one man remained in custody up to

I WASN’T READY FOR YOU TO LEAVE ME’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

AMERICANS who declined to rescue a Bahamian fisherman they found stranded at sea have received threats from angry residents. A viral video showed a purported Bahamian fisherman standing on his overturned vessel after men in another boat approached. The man said he was on a fishing trip when water entered his vessel. He said he had been stuck for a day and that other boaters passed him and did not offer help. In the video, he asked the Americans to be taken AMERICANS DEFEND NOT RESCUING STRANDED BAHAMIAN FISHERMAN

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was killed in a traffic accident in Abaco just before Father’s Day, leaving behind a heartbroken daughter and

loved ones. Villard Fenelus, 43, was driving home after playing pool with friends when tragedy struck around 11pm on SC Bootle Highway in Treasure Cay. Police said a white Ford F-250 was travelling west, and a white Suzuki Carry with two occupants was travelling east when the two vehicles collided. The passenger of the Suzuki exited the vehicle but the driver was trapped

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

“ABSOLUTELY nothing” - that’s what the upcoming budget for the Freedom of Information Unit will accomplish, according to Information Commissioner Keith Thompson.

He told The Tribune he was not disappointed because this was not the first time the government

AND GROUNDLESS’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CUSTOMS’ top official has slammed as “baseless and groundless nonsense” allegations that senior officials with the agency and Ministry of Finance were involved in an illicit alcohol smuggling racket. Ralph Munroe, the Customs comptroller, confirmed to Tribune Business that himself and other officials were questioned by the police over the findings of an investigation detailed by former prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, in the House of Assembly last week but disclosed that all were cleared of any impropriety.

Centreville Primary School renamed in honour of former educator Judith Thompson

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

CENTREVILLE Primary School has been renamed in honour of former educator Judith P Thompson, the former principal of the school for 30 years.

She was honoured by the current staff of the school and her students on Friday.

Mrs Thompson was appointed acting headteacher at Collins Avenue Infant School, which would be later re-named Centreville Primary School. She said: “Little did I think that I would be standing here and I would be thanking the government and all my staff and this school renamed after me. That was nowhere in my mind but I thank God for what I did.”

Her tenure was between 1968 and 1998.

In her remarks, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said the mark that Mrs Thompson has made on this nation is seen and felt every day and has been unforgettable.

She said: “I myself have come across many former students distinguished citizens who have spoken of the profound impact this woman

has had on their lives. She has been a trailblazer in the making of a new Bahamas. Without doubt, the official naming of this school in her name is most fitting as its patron epitomizes the significance of hard work, consistency and a passion in the pursuance of excellence.”

Former students of hers included National Security Minister Wayne Monroe. Mrs Thompson also taught former Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd and former Opposition leader Loretta Butler-Turner during her time as a teacher at Eastern Preparatory, now the Shirley Street post office.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis noted the many people who credit their success in part to her influence on them as students.

“For over 30 years, Mrs Judith Pamela Thompson poured her heart and soul into this institution,” Mr Davis said.

“She devoted her life to nurturing and uplifting our children. Visionary leadership turned Centreville primary schools into a standard institution among public schools today, I am proud to be here to be bear witness as we honour her passion selflessness and steadfast commitment.”

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis presents flowers to former educator Judith Thompson, accompanied byMinister of Education Glenys Hanna Martin. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Weekend killings leave three dead

from page one

press time yesterday.

Police also said that on Saturday, around 3pm, two brothers were inside a Nissan Note at the intersection of Sir Milo Butler Highway and Carmichael Road when they got into an altercation. The younger brother assaulted his older brother to the head with an object and exited the vehicle on foot. The 43-year-old reportedly pursued the younger brother and fatally struck him with his car.

In the third incident, a 38-year-old victim, an employee of Odyssey Aviation on Coral Harbour Road, arrived at work and was approached and shot multiple times by the occupant of a white Nissan Note. Police later arrested a 25-year-old man from Fire Trail Road in the departure lounge of the domestic terminal at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in connection to the matter.

The killings brought the murder tally for the year to 57.

Shanti Clarke said her sister, Maigen, celebrated her 23rd birthday on June 10 and leaves behind a fouryear-old daughter.

She said yesterday: “I was angry and sad at the same time because to know that she went there knowing that mom told her not to fool with this and leave this boy alone.

“We don’t know exactly what transpired at the scene, but the only thing that was going through my mind was why? Why would she go there? That’s not her.

“Like she let this boy take her out of character. That’s

not you. We don’t fight. We don’t carry on like that. She is not a street girl, that’s not her, she doesn’t fight and carry on. From she was in school she never been in problems, never been to the office, mommy never had problems with her until she came out of school and was dealing with this boy.”

“I just hope they get to the end of this and justice is served because she doesn’t deserve what she went through and yes she was wrong for going into his home but that still doesn’t give him the right to pull a gun and take her life. Because now a fouryear-old is living without a mother and a daddy.

“I wish she did just came to me about it like she went to my other sister. I would’ve probably talked her out of it, going to that guy house, because it wasn’t worth it. Trust, it was not worth it is going there.”

She said Maigen shared a unique bond with her daughter, who does not know her mother is dead.

“Maigen loved her child to death,” she said. “She doesn’t even let her baby out her eyesight and for her to just go and do something like that without your child, something really had to happen for her to go and do something like that or going through her mind.”

Ms Clarke said she turned off Facebook notifications to avoid discourse about her sister’s death.

“I don’t want to hear it. If it’s negative, I don’t want to hear it because that’s not doing nothing, that’s not bringing her back, that’s not doing no justice for her,” she said.

‘I wasn’t ready for you to leave me’

from page one

and had to be extricated with the Jaws of Life. He died of his injuries on the scene.

His daughter said on Facebook: “God knows I wasn’t ready for you to leave me, no on Father’s Day. You will always be in my heart, and I love you so much.” Fenelus’ death was the fourth traffic fatality in a week.

On Friday, another man

died after being struck while attempting to cross the street at the intersection of Jackfish Drive and Carmichael Road.

Chief Superintendent of Police Chrislyn Skippings told reporters that a black Dodge Ram truck was travelling east on Carmichael Road when the male pedestrian attempted to cross from the street’s southern side to the northern side.

On Wednesday, 35-yearold mother Robyn

Benicourt was reportedly getting out of a Suzuki jeep on her way to visit a relative when she was fatally struck by a passing car.

Another traffic accident claimed the life of a woman on Long Island on June 9. That accident happened on Queen’s Highway when a black Ford Ranger was heading south and a white Honda Stream, driven by a female, was heading north; the two vehicles collided.

MURDER victim, 23-year-old Maigen Bethel, was shot and killed after visiting a man’s residence on Vinspen Road, off Cowpwn Road, on Friday night.

THE SCENE of the traffic fatality at the intersection of Jackfish Drive and Carmichael Road on June 14, 2024.

FOIA chief: budget can do ‘absolutely nothing’

had budgeted so little for his department. The $140,000 his department will receive in the next fiscal year is the same as last year, demonstrating the government’s lack of commitment to implementing a Freedom of Information system despite continuous pledges from successive administrations.

Earlier this month, the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) expressed disappointment in the budget, saying it is “insufficient for necessary technology, training within the government, and public education”.

Last May, Mr Thompson, a retired Supreme Court judge, told the press the public may be able to request information under the Freedom of Information Act by September or October.

However, the technology needed to facilitate this never arrived. Mr

Thompson sought funding from the Office of the Attorney General for the technology, but has not been given it. The last Ingraham administration passed an information act shortly before the 2012 general election, but gave no date for enactment. The last Christie administration overhauled that legislation, but never implemented its provisions.

In May 2021, the Minnis administration made Mr Thompson the first Freedom of Information Commissioner. Shane Miller, a retired assistant director of legal affairs (ADLA), was appointed deputy.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said the FOIA is not a priority of his administration.

In January, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell went further, saying the Progressive Liberal Party does not believe in such issues.

WEATHER OFFICIALS MONITORING TROPICAL SYSTEM NEAR THE BAHAMAS

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Staff Reporter

WEATHER officials are monitoring a system developing near The Bahamas, which has a 30 per cent chance of becoming a tropical depression.

Forecaster Charvari Watson Rahming said the system could strengthen midweek.

“In the next few days, we’ll probably see probably some more consensus between the models but as it stands still, a 30 pre cent chance tropical cyclone formation.

“It appears that low-pressure system if it does occur it would pretty much be a depression; not seeing too much, strong winds associated with that.

However it develops, it will trek more so northwest, just to the east of the island chain.”

“Later on, it will start to drag some more moisture across us, not directly related to the system itself, but just bringing in some moisture into it to help possibly cause some strengthening of the system as it moves to

the east and north of us now.”

“Most of that moisture would be getting dragged across the southeastern Bahamas by Thursday and it’ll make its way up the island chain through the end of the week. In terms of any direct impacts, there isn’t any circulated.”

This year’s hurricane season is projected to be the most active in years, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projecting 17 to 25 storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.

Alex Storr, chairman of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Authority, said earlier this month that the country is ready to handle a strong storm.

Officials said 144 hurricane shelters would be available this hurricane season, and shelter inspections were complete as of May 30.

Aarone Sargent, the DRM’s managing director, said the government seeks to build at least five hurricane shelters that could withstand category five storms over the next two years.

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER KEITH THOMPSON

CHAIRMAN and CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper, June 12, 2024 in the Inagua Room, Baha Mar Resort, where the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) 31st Annual Meetings (AAM2024) took place June 12-14. Also present was Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey. The Dangote Group is a Nigerian multinational industrial conglomerate with headquarters in Lagos.

Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

GOVERNOR GENERAL, Her Excellency Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath, and presented the Instrument of Appointment to Mrs. Carolyn Vogt-Evans, assistant Chief Magistrate, as acting vice-president of the Bahamas Industrial Tribunal during a swearing-in ceremony at the Office of the Governor General on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Photos: Letisha Henderson/AP

Americans defend not rescuing stranded Bahamian fisherman

from page one

to Bimini. However, they declined and assured him officials from the US Coast Guard were on the way.

he Americans offered the man water, which he declined. One of them noted Bimini was 100 miles away.

After people questioned why the fishermen failed to offer more help, a Gulf Stream Custom Rods Company representative told The Tribune yesterday: “All you need to know is without our help this man would have been lost.”

“We got him the help he needed while listening to Coast Guard instructions over the radio. I’m amazed at the false narrative that’s been spread about this event.”

“Desperate people in desperate situations have been known to do desperate

things.”

“I was just keeping my crew safe. This man was in another country and not in The Bahamas so I didn’t want to complicate things further because he would have only gotten on our boat if I said I would take him to Bimini. That would have been illegal and we didn’t even have the fuel or time available to do that if it was legal to do.”

The representative said the company had received “hundreds of messages of threats” since posting its video. He said his group did not leave the Bahamian man alone, but waited “another 15 minutes” until the US Coast Guard arrived.

The Tribune understands the Bahamian fisherman is a West End, Grand Bahama, resident and is currently detained in the United States.

Senator Lightbourne named director for the Caribbean for IDB

SENATOR Quinton Lightbourne has been appointed alternate executive director for the Caribbean at The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

“Given his track record of success as chairman of The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB), the government of The Bahamas has endorsed Senator Lightbourne to sit on the IDB’s board of directors, which is the IDB’s executive authority, and he will be responsible for conducting Bank operations in absence of the executive director,” the OPM said.

“In this role, Mr Lightbourne will work closely with Caribbean stakeholders, which include The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St Lucia and Suriname.”

The OPM said Mr Lightbourne is the youngest Bahamian ever to hold this position.

Other Bahamians to have the post include Barry Malcolm, former managing

director of Scotiabank Bahamas Ltd, and Jerry Butler, former vice president of the RBC Caribbean Financial Advisory Services with responsibility for The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands and The Cayman Islands.

The OPM said: “Senator Lightbourne has served as the youngest chairman in the Bahamas Development Bank’s history, generating significant growth under his leadership. Among his notable accomplishments, Senator Lightbourne led the bank in securing $30 million from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which is the largest capitalisation in BDB’s history.

“The government of The Bahamas congratulates Senator Lightbourne on this monumental appointment and wishes him well as he carries his expertise and talent to the IDB. This administration will continue to elevate promising young Bahamian leaders in roles where they can flourish while bringing new energy and fresh ideas to our nation building agenda.”

BAHAMIAN fisherman standing on his overturned boat in a video taken by Americans who called the US Coast Guard to assist him, but would not take him on board.

SENATOR QUINTON LIGHTBOURNE

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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-

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Did PM forget what is in his ‘blueprint for change’?

DOES Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis know what was in his own Blueprint for Change?

It may sound as if we are being facetious, but it is a serious question – let us take a look at some of the evidence that suggests he is not governing in the way he said he would.

In today’s Tribune, the Information Commissioner, Keith Thompson, talks of the budget that has been assigned to the Freedom of Information Unit in the latest Budget.

A grand total of $140,000 has been assigned, which is wholly insufficient for the needs of such a body.

When asked what that budget will accomplish, he replied: “Absolutely nothing.”

He is right. That will not allow even any further establishment of the office let alone any actual use of it. Frankly, you might as well assign zero dollars and scrap the whole thing if that is what you think of it.

Mr Davis has said the Freedom of Information Act is not a priority of this administration. No kidding. As if the budget is not clue enough.

Back in January, Foreign Affairs Minister got into a bit of a kerfuffle on the matter when he said that the PLP does not believe in such issues, which led to a bit of a to and fro with his prime minister.

Either way, the numbers do not lie.

A budget of $140,000 is a sign of the contempt the party has for the idea of freedom of information.

That is, of course, not what they said in their much-vaunted Blueprint for Change issued before the election.

In there, under the category of good governance, the party said: “We commit to good governance, with integrity and accountability.”

The document went on to say: “We commit to fully implementing the Freedom of Information Act, an Integrity Commission Act, Ombudsman Bill, new Public Disclosure Act, Anti-Corruption act, Campaign Finance Reform, Code of Conduct, Whistleblower Act, Electoral Reform Act and Procurement Act.” First on that list is freedom of information. Top priority. Now relegated to anything but a priority.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

So why is it so important that the party said one thing on the campaign trail, but is now doing another thing in office?

Well, not least because in rejecting doing anything about marital rape laws, Mr Davis said himself that he was guided by the blueprint.

He said: “I am guided by my Blueprint for Change. That sets out the basis for which I asked people to vote for me and marital rape was not contained in that.”

So he clearly says this blueprint is why people gave him their votes. This was what they gave him a mandate to act upon. And right there, is his promise to fully implement the Freedom of Information Act.

Incidentally, he is wrong on the absence of marital rape in the blueprint too.

The document also commits the party to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals “that ensures quality education, lifelong learning opportunities, gender equality and empowerment for women and girls, quality water, sanitation and access to affordable reliable, sustainable and modern energy”.

As our columnist Alicia Wallace has previously pointed out, the Sustainable Development Goals include gender equality measures. That includes ending gender-based discrimination in law, policy and practice. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) looked specifically at the Sexual Offences Act, including the section on rape, as one that needed to be amended. That would include the criminalisation of marital rape. So the blueprint does reference it – but perhaps Mr Davis does not know that?

Perhaps he does not know that he committed to two things in his blueprint – reasons for people to vote for him –that he has backtracked from in office.

Did he mean what he said on the campaign trail? If so, will he live up to those promises? The signs so far are not good. And earning a reputation for breaking promises is not something one wants to take on the next campaign trail, drawing ever closer. Voters will take their own view on that.

EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS difficult to believe that our politicians, from our Prime Minister on down can actually have any self respect. The Bahamas is unable to keep the electricity on, the water flowing, or count on reliable phone and internet service. We are unable to provide these essential services anywhere in this archipelago. Not even in the capital. Social conditions are deteriorating, We are deeply in debt.

Most every state owned enterprise is failing. The climate is entering a very dangerous phase, threatening every aspect of our way of life, and our very livelihoods. Sea level rise is accelerating, our waters are heating up, threatening every marine species we rely on for food and income. There appears little to no effort at educating our children to these realities, leaving them vulnerable to the ignorance we adults almost seem proud of. Please tell me what any politician has to be proud of, or hopeful for? Do we not have any an obligation to focus on these issues as a national priority? Given the speech and actions of our political class, it seems that we simply do not care about our children and the future of this country. I wish I could be more optimistic.

While Myles Munroe may no longer be with us, certainly his words still ring true. Politicians are not leaders, Dr Munroe said. And now, more than ever, we need leaders. I see very few. I see politicians.

The entire Bahamas, at 350,000 people, is smaller than Miami-Dade county in Florida. Yet, our Prime Minister and his administration spends millions travelling the globe, mostly with their hands out, like beggars. What does the world gain from having our politicians travel around shaking hands? Do our politicians have something of importance, something of value to say to the world? Wouldn’t a Zoom meeting suffice? What are we The People getting for these travel expenses? I would argue nothing. Given that our economy is based on tourism, accounting for 80% of our GDP, our politicians seem not to care about providing even the most basic of services and amenities so that our guests can be comfortable and give us good reviews. This administration seems clueless, in that they are jeopardizing our country’s life blood and our golden goose because they have neither the vision, nor the decency to look out for our country’s people and the businesses we depend upon. It seems like this is a game, a joke to them.

Any politician who objects to a robust Freedom of Information Act should be removed from office immediately. There is nothing, absolutely nothing in this country that should be kept from The Bahamian People. There is no National Security reason for anything to be kept secret from the Bahamian people. There is not a penny of public money spent that the public should not have a right to know about and seek accountability. The nation’s newspapers and media are unable to be effective and informative, specifically because there are people in public office who seek to keep information from The People. Our leading publications, including The Tribune, should be hounding this administration on a daily basis for this all-inclusive Freedom of Information Act. Any politician who objects, should be called out for the ignorant and lame excuses they proffer. A thinking person must question the reasons, and why the secrets, of this government? Lying, corruption, protection of people’s interest? Why is it that any decent, educated person would want to keep information out of the public’s purview? In my mind, there can only be one reason. They are doing things that do not benefit, and are a detriment, to the public good.

As I continue along this path of reasoning, it becomes apparent why there is no real emphasis on education. Neither the politicians, nor the pastors, want a populace capable of asking serious questions. The politicians and pastors want obedience. They want obedience so that they can do what they wish without interference from those who pay their salaries, and allow them to become rich off of other people’s money.

What if the Bahamian public actually knew all the reasons why we cannot have reliable electricity, uninterrupted water, and decent phone and internet service? There must be reasons, right? These are basic management problems. In the real world, if someone isn’t doing their job, or stealing by way of employment, we fire them.

Simple.

But here in The Bahamas, there are a few more unsavory layers of obfuscation, corruption, politics and nepotism which are, quite frankly, destroying this country. And currently, our politicians claim we have no right to know about these things. They

As we listen to the financial experts, who seem unable to speak the truth, pretending that they are financial geniuses, we watch this country bleed hundreds of millions of dollars in interest alone each year for loan money already spent, with little to show for it. As we listen more closely, as we read this paper even poorly, we realise that every single State Owned Enterprise in The Bahamas has failed. And, these enterprises show little chance of redemption because we do not demand that the Ministers of these enterprises are educated, moral or competent. They are merely loyal to a particular political party. This is a recipe for certain disaster. We are presently living in this unfolding disaster in The Bahamas. But, we seem not to have the decency, nor moral countenance to stem the tide of this pervasive corruption, lying, deceit and nepotism at the root of the problem. Plus, we seem not to care. Could this be by design?

As Lord Acton, in a letter to an Anglican bishop in 1887 is quoted as saying, “Power tends too corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

I believe that this quote has great truth. Which is exactly why we need, and our politicians Do Not want, a vibrant and robust Freedom of Information Act. We have allowed little petty politicians to have unlimited power in this country. We did, and do, little to stop them. Why is that? Too many hands in the cookie jar?

What our country is lacking is the leadership necessary to move this country forward, upward and onward. We have not cultivated this leadership, and we have managed to chase away far too many of our youth who have gone abroad to get educated. What, pray tell, would they want to come back to The Bahamas for, after getting an education and seeing that there are places where things actually work, and where people encourage them to do better?

The Bahamas has no need for petty politicians. Unfortunately, this seems to be all we have ever had here since our independence, a mere 50 years ago. From my viewpoint, the future is not looking good for The Bahamas. We presently have very, very few people qualified to lead. Instead, we have a bunch of selfish, compromised, greedy and corrupt politicians. But, as we say, where there’s life there’s hope.

NOTES FROM THE SEA Nassau, June 5, 2024.

Cooper calls Pintard’s criticism of tourism numbers ‘utter nonsense’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper criticised FNM leader Michael Pintard, stating that “tourism accounts for over $6 billion of direct annual spend” in the economy and roughly 60 percent of the Bahamas’ GDP.

It is impossible, he insists, that Bahamians are not feeling the growth in stopover arrivals as suggested by Mr Pintard during his budget debate contribution this week in parliament.

“I was not present in the House of Assembly to hear the contribution to the budget by Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, but after reading his comments about tourism revenue dropping despite having more visitor arrivals, I can categorically state he is speaking utter nonsense,” he said.

Mr Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, reported in a statement on Friday, that

stopover arrivals grew by 17 percent overall last year from 2022 and 3.5 percent over 2019. And in the first quarter of 2024, they also grew by over 3.5 percent.

He also mentioned that air traffic to Grand Bahama alone has surpassed pre-Hurricane Dorian levels. He reported hotel occupancy was also up all of last year and the first quarter of this year, at over 80 percent.

“The same goes for this year,” he stated.

The Minister of Tourism noted that the British Colonial Hotel reopened months ago, and experiences excellent occupancy and provides many jobs. Airbnb business is also booming, he added.

Exuma is also seeing record growth, even with no cruise port, said Mr Cooper.

“He has no evidence whatsoever to support that people who used to fly to The Bahamas from Florida and the Eastern Seaboard are now preferring to cruise here,” the tourism minister said, claiming that Mr Pintard made it up.

MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING SOMEONE WITH A BOX CUTTER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $5,000 bail on Friday after he was accused of stabbing someone with a box cutter on Boyd Road last week.

Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux charged Damiko Stuart, 38, with causing harm and

assault with a dangerous instrument. Stuart allegedly assaulted Austin Dean with a box cutter and injured him on June 10. After pleading not guilty to the charges, the defendant was informed that will be fitted with a monitoring device as a condition of his bail.

Stuart’s trial begins on October 3.

MAN CHARGED WITH ENDANGERING A MAN’S LIFE WITH A FIREARM

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison on Friday after he allegedly endangered a man’s life with a gun last December.

Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux charged Kevin “Shadow” Glinton, 33, with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He faced an additional charge of possession of dangerous drugs.

Glinton allegedly threatened the life of Mark Davis Jr with a black handgun on

December 7, 2023 in New Providence.

The defendant was further alleged to have 5g of marijuana on June 9. Although Glinton pleaded not guilty to the drug charge, he was informed that the firearm charge would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Despite being granted bail at $2,000 for the drug charge, Glinton was remanded to prison for the indictable offence.

Glinton will return to court for service of his VBI and his drug trial on July 31.

MAN ACCUSED OF HOUSEBREAKING AND STEALING $2K WORTH OF ITEMS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted

$6,000 bail after he was accused of stealing $2,279.29 worth of property in a recent house robbery in New Providence.

Senior Magistrate

Kara Turnquest Deveaux charged Lavardo Messidor, 28, with housebreaking and stealing.

Messidor allegedly broke into the residence of Cleare Duncombe and

stole a variety of household items inclusive of a TV, clothing, perfume, furniture and other electronics on June 10

Following his not guilty plea, Messidor under the terms of his bail must sign in at the East Street South police station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday by 7pm. He must also be fitted with a monitoring device. He was further warned not to interfere with any witnesses. Messidor’s trial begins on August 15.

“But even if it were true, we have opened up direct routes to cities and countries that have no cruise ports or seaports that access The Bahamas.

“The issue that exists is that we need more hotel rooms to meet the demand to come to The Bahamas.”

Mr Cooper reiterated that the Bahamas needs to double the number of hotel rooms it has over the next ten years.

“Pintard appears to want to paint increasing cruise ship arrivals as a bad thing, which is one of the most absurd statements I have ever heard,” he said.

Mr Cooper said the cruise business contributes to the treasury and economy. it also puts money in the pockets of many vendors, he stated.

“Every cruise visitor is a potential stopover visitor,” said the minister.

Mr Cooper accused Mr Pintard of making “inaccurate and irresponsible” statements.

“Our GDP is growing because of tourism,” he said.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CHESTER COOPER

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024

Are we doing enough to help fatherless homes?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

I SAT in church yesterday listening to my pastor talk about the importance of Bahamian fathers. I’m sure many of you did the same.

My pastor was not wrong. He talked of how men needed to step up not just for the benefit of their own sons and daughters but for the sake of society at large.

If I needed reminding of what is at stake in the matter, there was also an appeal this weekend for volunteers to join a scheme to become a prison visitor to talk to the young men behind bars about how they can change their lives.

Keeping people from that life is no easy task. There is often much made of how many of the young men in prison come from broken homes but I have known happy families driven to despair by the actions of one of their children who has gone off the rails and ended up on the wrong side of the law.

Good, churchgoing people who do everything right – according to how we are told. They care for the child. They send them to a good school. They help them with their homework. They given them every chance. And still sometimes it is thrown back in their faces as the young man – and it usually is boys – chooses a destructive path instead.

The hurt I have seen in those people is a constant one. Time moves on and they smile and do their best especially for any other children, but the hurt hangs heavy on them.

It is worth saying that because sometimes when we point to children of single parents and broken homes, it castigates those parents who are themselves trying their best.

I was listening in to a discussion not long ago on the subject where one church friend was opining on how important it was to have two parents in a family, while someone I knew who was a single mother listened in.

You might think this was where the discussion turned into an argument – but she agreed, not least of all for the financial reasons.

If you and your partner are happily together, you know how much the bills can add up to. Take away one of your salaries and try to think how you can cope with it.

As much as we hail and salute those settled relationships, we also ought to be making sure we help out as much as we can those who, for whatever reason, do not have a partner to support them.

Again, we can sometimes tend towards criticism of people simply for being single parents. I’ve seen people roll their eyes and use the phrase as if to explain that was the source of all of their problems.

Strangely enough, it is a criticism more often levelled at women than men.

The all-too-often absent male partner is somehow absolved of this criticism. Or, worse, it is accepted that men can be absent while women pick up the

pieces. For some children, such home situations have been the same way for generations. Their mother is the daughter of a single mother who is a daughter of a single mother and so on. The children sometimes have no idea of what an alternative looks like.

It can mean they do not learn as they grow up what a healthy relation

ship looks like – they do not learn what it takes to be a husband, a father, a caring parent. They do not know what to mimic in their own childhood when they want to care for their own children. They start off with a blank slate, and have to learn as they go.

To some extent, we all have to do that. How many of us were truly ready for parenthood and all its surprises when the time came? But for those who have nothing to draw upon, it can mean for a self-fulfilling prophecy and a repeating cycle in relationships that fall apart. Throw into the mix the way our society tolerates sweethearting.

Sweethearting is a very gentle-sounding way of saying cheating. It is a very polite way to describe being unfaithful. And yet we accept it, all while calling ourselves a Christian nation.

When I listened to my pastor in church, he talked about the importance of being there for your children. He talked in general terms. He didn’t differentiate between children born in wedlock and children born to sweethearts, though there are both for members of the congregation. Perhaps he should have been more forceful. After all, if we are talking about the sake of society at large, a reminder not to cheat on your wife might be very pertinent. That is before we even talk about those children who are falling between the cracks, and who is there to catch them.

Father’s Day is important – if we choose to make it so. It is a celebration of those who are doing the right thing, and a reminder of what we still need to do.

But first of all, we do have to look at ourselves. At who we are. At what we do. At what we can do better.

We cannot castigate a single mother while absolving a cheating father. We cannot dismiss a broken family, rather we should reach out to try to help.

There are many who need that help. That help can be financial, certainly, but it can start by just being supportive. Sometimes that help might be protecting them from an abusive partner – we’re told at last that a government shelter will be bought this month, but why has it taken so long?

We must not let words just be words. If the guidance and protection of our children is so important, we must take tangible steps. Are we doing so? Are we doing enough? Those are questions we need to ask ourselves.

We cannot castigate a single mother while absolving a cheating father. We cannot dismiss a broken family, rather we should reach out to try to help.

Establishing even handedness: Antigua and Barbuda and Palestine

ON Friday, June 14,

Antigua and Barbuda and the State of Palestine established diplomatic relations, advancing the step taken in 2011 when Antigua and Barbuda declared its recognition of Palestine as a State.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

The agreement, signed in New York, by Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister E Paul Chet Greene, and Palestine’s Ambassador with Ministerial rank, Dr Riyad

Mansour, emanated from a decision by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, which was endorsed by the country’s Cabinet.

Prime Minister Browne tasked me with the responsibility for negotiating the text of the agreement between Antigua and Barbuda and the State of Palestine. This diplomatic move was strategically sensitive, given the complex dynamics of the Palestine-Israel conflict over Gaza.

Since achieving independence, Antigua and Barbuda, like many nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel. The decision to extend similar relations to Palestine was made not to repudiate ties with Israel but to provide equitable diplomatic recognition to both states, thereby supporting our role in fostering global peace and security. Such a role could not be played with credibility and authority, if diplomatic relations exits with only Israel.

Critics may argue that Antigua and Barbuda, a relatively small Caribbean state, should avoid entanglement in the complex politics of Middle Eastern affairs. However, the recent actions of other small states within the European Union—such as Ireland, Norway, and Spain—illustrate a broader trend. These nations have recognised the State of Palestine, challenging the perspectives of larger EU members and underscoring the importance of self-determination and respect for sovereignty. This principle is crucial for small countries, whose fate should not be dictated by the geopolitical interests of more powerful nations.

The intractable conflict between Israel and Palestine has persisted without resolution since 1947, when the United Nations, then dominated by European nations and the victors of World War II, partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Notably, at that time, no Caribbean countries except Haiti were UN members, and the majority of African nations, still under colonial rule, lacked representation. This European-dominated decision-making process left many regions without a voice, a historical oversight that small states today are working to correct, even in the face of enormous pressure.

The declaration of

the State of Palestine by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988 marked a significant shift. By then, the global context had evolved with many former colonies gaining independence and joining the international community. This period saw a swift recognition of Palestine by 78 countries, a movement primarily driven by nations previously marginalised in global decision-making.

Currently, 144 UN member states recognise the State of Palestine. This growing consensus challenges the earlier resistance by some Western nations and highlights the persistence of Israel’s policies perceived as aiming to subjugate the Palestinian people. The increasing global recognition of Palestine not only bolsters the Palestinian people’s claim to selfdetermination but also bolsters efforts to reinvigorate the stalled peace process, including by moderate groups in Israel who are fed-up with living in a state of interminable war.

While Antigua and Barbuda unequivocally condemns the violence by Hamas against Israel, as well as the disproportionate responses by Israeli forces, it advocates for a balanced approach that supports the creation of two secure and peaceful states. This vision aligns not only with international legal principles of peace and human rights, but also with justice and fairness.

The role of small states in global diplomacy is not merely symbolic; it can be pivotal. The involvement of countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, brings a unique perspective shaped by histories of colonisation and struggles for self-determination. By participating actively in international diplomacy,

small states can help mediate conflicts and push for solutions that larger nations alone have not achieved.

The voice of small states is the voice of moral suasion and truth. And it is a role that is acknowledged in powerful councils of the world, such as the Congress of the US, where on June 12, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Gregory W Meeks, singled out Antigua and Barbuda for its leadership role with 24 member states of the Organization of American States “to condemn Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine”. In this Antigua and Barbuda was on the side of the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including repudiation of aggression and invasion.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with Palestine reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to upholding international law and contributing to peace. It underscores the influence small states can exert in the international arena, championing justice and equality

Overcoming history is not easy but if the legacy of ills is not remedied. the world will continue to be plagued by injustice, unfairness and conflict from small, will escape. Leaders like Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, exemplify the courage needed to steer these critical decisions, demonstrating that small states can indeed play a significant role in addressing global issues.

• The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries at www.sirronaldsanders.com.

ANTIGUA and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister EP Chet Greene and Palestine’s Ambassador, Dr Riyad Mansour sign an agreement formally establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries in New York on Friday.

A tourism dilemma in need of solving

By FNM leader Michael Pintard MP

THE Bahamas, one of the world’s most tourismdependent countries, is facing a major dilemma. It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with facts as presented by data from our Central Bank.

The graph below, tells us almost everything that we need to know. The cruise business to The Bahamas has seen explosive growth while our much more valuable stopover business, most of which arrive by airlines, has been relatively stagnant. When we compare 2023 visitor arrivals with those for 2019, our previous best year, we discover that ALL of the growth has come from the much less economically valuable cruise passenger. There was NO increase in stopover visitors. Why?

When we compare The Bahamas’ performance for stopover visitors for 2023 vs 2019, we note that stopovers did not grow but stopovers to other destinations in our regions grew by as much of 36% for the same two years. Why?

In the midst of the announcements of record shattering visitor arrivals, given the economic importance of tourism, we downgraded economic growth forecasts from 5.5% to 1.1%. Why?

In nearly all other vacation destinations around the world, e.g. Las Vegas, Orlando, Macao, stopover visitors come in the greatest number from nearby source markets. On the other hand, stopovers from Florida, the nearest state to The Bahamas, has stopped growing while cruise passengers from Florida are exploding. Why?

And Florida as a source market delivers more stopovers than Canada, UK Europe and the rest of the world combined. We appear to not be concerned about the stagnancy of this critical source market for stopovers. Why?

There was a very strong Bahamas delegation at the SeaTrade Conference earlier this year when the following was revealed as one of the key takeaways according to Travel Agent Central:

All the leaders say their cruise brands aren’t competing with each other, but rather land-based vacations. “We’re chasing to close that gap to land-based vacations,” said Jason Liberty, CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. 1.5 percent of the vacation industry represents cruising, while the other 98-plus percent comes from hotels or resorts. “That’s our competition.” There is a long-standing trope in The Bahamas and Caribbean suggesting that cruise passengers are potential land-based visitors. Clearly, that ship has sailed according to cruise executives at Seatrade. The cruise companies are targeting, saying and succeeding at exactly the opposite, converting landbased visitors to cruise passengers.

There is no question that visitors that once travelled to The Bahamas to stay in our hotels and resorts are now travelling to The Bahamas aboard cruise ships instead. Many of those cruise passengers drive to their departure ports and board their vessels all along the eastern and southern seaboards of the United States, thereby saving themselves the cost of a flight to The Bahamas.

They then set sail for a much less expensive two to five-day vacation to enjoy the amenities aboard the ships and the unequalled beaches and waters of The Bahamas that are found primarily on their private islands. It is that substitution and growing preference for cruises that is flattening the number of visitors arriving by air.

Not so long ago, the cramped conditions of cruise ships were such that passengers could not wait to get off the ships once they docked in Nassau or Freeport and enjoy the experiences that they found on land.

Nowadays, the current classes of cruise ships rival our best resorts in total number of cabins, number of restaurants, number of bars, shopping entertainment, spas, casinos and relaxation areas. After visiting the beaches and waters of their private islands, they are quite comfortable remaining aboard the vessel while it is in port at Nassau or Freeport. In that way, their two to five-day vacation in The Bahamas is fulfilled at a much lower total price.

No one should be surprised therefore that more and more travellers are choosing to cruise to The Bahamas instead of arriving by air. But that presents a significant problem for our economy.

Again, according to the Central Bank statistics, the average cruise passenger spends less than $75 in The Bahamas and the average land-based stopover visitor spends more than $2,000 per person. And the land-based visitor support far more employment and pays far more taxes into the Treasury than cruise passengers for fairly obvious reasons. The

SINCE

average cruise passenger is on land in the ports of Nassau and Freeport for approximately eight hours.

The average stopover is on land in The Bahamas for an average of eight days.

This problem is peculiar to The Bahamas because of our proximity to Florida, the United States and Canada. Cruises to The Bahamas aboard these modern, amenity-filled cruise ships can be priced far more competitively compared to land-based vacations in The Bahamas.

The cost and other logistics involved in cruising from the United States to more distant Caribbean destinations does not present those destinations with the dilemma that The Bahamas faces.

We have a problem, and it needs to be addressed.

Our economy needs increasing numbers of visitors spending more then US$2,000 per visit instead of them choosing to come and spend less than US$75 per visit. No supermarket in The Bahamas can survive with increasing numbers of patrons buying chewing

gum instead of carts full of groceries. No bakery in The Bahamas can survive with increasing number of patrons buying cookies instead of cakes and loaves of bread. Those are roads to financial ruin.

Our economy relies primarily on the foreign currency being spent primarily by our stopover visitors. It relies on the substantial employment delivered by our landbased visitors. It relies on the substantial VAT payments that land-based visitors contribute on accommodations for eight days, food and beverage for eight days, transportation to various places over eight days and entertainment and tours for eight days.

We must seek to find solutions to this dilemma. It will not be solved by denial and meaningless political spin. There are many brilliant Bahamian stakeholders, who we must engage to address crucial issue.

the pandemic The Bahamas has seen a significant rise in tourist arrivals to the country, however, 100 percent of that growth has come from cruise passengers alone while stop-over visitors appears to be stagnant.

Preparing Bahamian students for the jobs of the future, today

JUNE is always an exciting month as graduation season kicks into full gear. The sounds of cowbells, goat skin drums, horns, and whistles fill the air, resonating with the names of graduates as they are called to receive their diplomas.

Parents, guardians, and wellwishers celebrate not just an ending, but the promising beginning of their children’s futures. But as we venture further into this year, decade, and century, what does that future and promise really look like?

Thousands of students across the Bahamas are graduating high school this month, entering a world full of new opportunities and challenges. This transitional period is crucial, marking the end of one journey and the start of another. As education evolves rapidly, we must ask: how prepared are our students for the future job market?

Last Thursday, I had the honour of delivering the commencement address at the Institute of Science, Business, and Education Technology (ISBET), founded by the late Mitzi Turnquest. During the awards, I was impressed by the certifications in coding, robotics, fintech, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and data science, far surpassing the traditional subjects of my time. This shift highlights a key point from my speech: we must equip our students for future jobs.

Right before our eyes, we are witnessing a generational shift among one of the most connected generations. Today’s students are digital natives, growing up in a world where technology is integrated into every aspect of life. While adept at using technology, they must also master creating and managing it.

To achieve this, we need to strengthen our educational systems to align with the jobs of the future. Roles from just five, ten, or 15 years ago are becoming obsolete or automated, while new fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology are emerging, requiring a different set of skills and knowledge. How will we master this new era?

How are we preparing our sixth graders today for new careers in solar and other emerging fields? How are we letting them know they can become solar energy engineers, solar photovoltaic installers, solar storage specialists, and site assessors?

At Eeden Farms, when we began sourcing employees to operate our indoor hydroponic container farms, we quickly realised that our technology was creating new roles such as environmental control technicians, automation and robotics engineers, and agricultural engineers. Historically, these jobs did not exist in agriculture, but technology has now changed that. Public-private partnership schools worldwide foster innovative environments that prioritize critical thinking and digital literacy from an early age. Finland, for instance, integrates coding into its national curriculum, empowering students to create with technology, not just consume it.

The Bahamas should follow suit, integrating subjects like coding, robotics, and data science into our national curriculum. Partnering with local and international tech firms can offer students internships and practical experience, bridging education and employment gaps. We must also address the digital divide. Access to technology and the internet is crucial for students to compete in a global economy.

LINCOLN DEAL

Beyond using a computer, they need to understand data analytics, digital marketing, and various digital tools. Ensuring every student has access to these resources should be a national priority.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bahamian job market, like the rest of the world, will undergo significant changes over the next ten years. As global trends shift towards sustainability and technological advancement, we must adapt. Renewable energy, marine biology, and tech sectors will grow rapidly, requiring skilled professionals. Are our students being prepared now?

The Bahamas is uniquely positioned to lead in renewable energy, driving demand for careers such as solar engineers, energy analysts, and wind turbine technicians.

Additionally, given The Bahamas’ rich marine resources and concerns about climate change and ocean health, marine biology and oceanography present promising career paths. Future marine sciences will play a crucial role in ocean conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

The tech sector will be crucial in the future job market. With fintech, cybersecurity, and data science on the rise, skilled professionals will be in demand.

Integrating these subjects into our education system now will prepare Bahamian students for future opportunities.

Tourism, the backbone of our economy, is also evolving. The future of tourism will likely involve a greater emphasis on eco-tourism and tech-driven experiences. Training in these areas will ensure a competitive and innovative workforce.

Engaging parents and communities is key. This fall, my team and I will host the next cohort of students in the Bahamas STEM Academy, a free STEM programme for kids. Such initiatives help to prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.

Preparing our students for future jobs involves updating curriculums, offering hands-on learning, partnering with tech companies, ensuring access to technology, and engaging the community, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a changing world and secure our nation’s future.

Adaptability is key. We must embrace new skills, changes, and strategy shifts. As automation takes over routine tasks, critical thinking and problem-solving become more valuable, shaping analytical thinking and innovation.

As the graduation ceremonies end, the drumbeats fade and the celebratory sounds quiet, the focus shifts to what lies ahead for our young people. Graduation marks the beginning of their career journeys, and we must ensure they are well-prepared for the jobs of the future. The year 2030 is already upon us—are we ready?

Access to technology and the internet is crucial for students to compete in a global economy.

BTVI remains a pillar on

GRAND Bahamians are a resilient people. The same applies for the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). Despite destruction during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the Grand Bahama branch remains the career training institution of choice on that island.

“Dorian didn’t stop us. Here in Grand Bahama, BTVI is really respected. What helps is that our students go out there and perform. We receive excellent feedback,” said associate vice president of the Northern Campus and Family Islands, Veronica Collie.

“The high quality and standards offered at

GAIN AN EDGE

BTVI are comparable to technical programmes worldwide. Our students who further their education abroad reiterate these sentiments,” she said. Currently, 16 Grand Bahama Shipyard apprentices - who are also BTVI students - are in Liverpool, United Kingdom, to participate in a three-month training programme. It is taking

place in conjunction with the Engineering College, where they will be exposed to marine mechanical works and pipe fitting. Meantime, in keeping with the institution’s high standards, last September, a $1.6m contract was signed for campus renovations after a devastating blow by Dorian. Areas to be renovated and or upgraded include

Grand Bahama

the entire administrative block and labs, including welding, carpentry and auto mechanics. A media technology lab and an auditorium will be added.

“The facilities needed renovation for some time; however, Dorian worsened their state. The facelift and upgraded offices, instructional labs, classrooms and technology will add to the community’s overall

perspective of BTVI,” said Ms Collie.

BTVI remains a fixture on Grand Bahama since 1983, the days when it was known as the Industrial Training College (ITC).

Over the past 40 years, its partnerships with industry have been strengthened to the benefit of students.

Affiliations include, but are not limited to the Freeport Container Port, Grand Bahama Shipyard, Ministry of Youth, Ministry for Grand Bahama and Ministry of Education. According to Ms Collie, the institution’s credibility has been solidified by its affiliations with these major industry partners.

“We continue to work with industry to gather the

technical and vocational needs and address them as effectively as possible.

BTVI is here to serve. Further, training is essential and organisations that allow our students to complete internships, some of the interns end up getting jobs at these entities. The record they set speaks for us,” said Ms Collie.

• Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

PHA celebrates World Blood Donor Day

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Public Hospitals Authority celebrated World Blood Donor Day on Friday by honoring a number of regular donors for their lifesaving donations.

Among those celebrated were Assistant Commissioner of Police Warren Johnson and his wife.

ACP Johnson said he and his wife donate blood about every two months, adding it’s always heartwarming when someone thanks them for their donation.

“When you donate life, potentially in the case of the men, you have the opportunity to save three lives. In the case of my wife and I, we do this every two months and essentially that means, we’re able to affect four lives of individuals who may need our help,” he said.

“It’s a way of demonstrating God’s gift to us of life by helping others and if we’re serious about building this country in The Bahamas that we love so much, all of us should get involved and not wait until a family member or is in need of blood.”

Hedwig Goede, a PAHO representative, said although tremendous progress has been made

to shore up blood supply regionally, the demand for blood continues to exceed supply.

“We know that volunteer blood donations is the cornerstone of safe and adequate blood supply and therefore there is need to really continue to motivate people to become a donor,” she added.

“For those of you unable to donate yourself, you can still contribute to the availability of safe blood by promoting voluntary donations because it’s always so that not everyone can donate and I would like to reassure you that PAHO would continue to co-operate with you, The Bahamas,… in strengthening universal access to high-quality safe blood and blood projects “

Mary Walker, the hospital administrator at Princess Margaret Hospital, thanked the donors for putting service above themselves and encouraged them to continue giving blood.

She also had this message for the wider community: “ Blood donation is a very safe process and we encourage you to give more love to the persons in our community who need it.”

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14 annually to thank millions of blood donors worldwide.

Annual GB blood drive held at City of Life

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

THE annual Drip Drip Challenge Blood Drive was to be held on Saturday at the City of Life to boost blood donation and encourage more people to become regular donors.

Lededra Marche, the president of the Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama, anticipated a strong attendance from civic organisations, church groups, and alumni of various institutions.

The group with the largest number of donors will be named the winner and walk away with the Drip Drip Challenge Blood Drive floating trophy.

Last year’s winner was the Hiram Lodge No 5.

The event held under the theme, ‘Share Life, Give Blood,’ is in observance of World Blood Donor Day which was celebrated on June 14.

Claudia Glinton, laboratory manager at Grand Bahama Health Services, and treasurer of BDSGB, underscored the need for regular blood donations as blood only lasts 35 days.

“There is always a need for blood donors, but people don’t come in routinely to give blood,” she said.

An individual can donate blood once every three

months. The blood bank needs blood to help cancer, kidney, sickle cell, and anemic patients, as well as individuals preparing for

surgery, are included in this context.

“With this event, we are hoping it will encourage people to come out and

donate continuously,” Ms Glinton said. She suggested that if individuals are not inclined to donate every three months,

director of

they might consider committing to an annual donation on their birthday instead.

Valeria Burrows, assistant

Fox Foundation and Ministry of Education

A PLAN to put swimming pools into public schools is hailed as being set to make “a transformative impact” on the education system. The project, titled “Swimming Pools in Public Schools”, is a joint effort funded by the Fox Foundation and several gaming house operators in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Let’s Swim Bahamas.

A statement issued about the project said: “With the ultimate goal of ensuring that every child in The Bahamas has access to inschool swimming facilities, this initiative will provide public schools with the resources to install and

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Warren Johnson and his wife were among those honoured as the Public Hospitals Authority celebrated World Blood Donor Day 2024.

MEMBERS of the Blood Donor's Society of Grand Bahama at an event in 2018.

communication at PHA, and GBHS, said the BDSGB has been an active healthcare partner in the fight to save lives.

Historically Black Coconut Grove in Miami nurtured young athletes. Now that legacy is under threat

MIAMI Associated Press

AMARI Cooper’s football jersey hangs in the Coconut Grove Sports Hall of Fame. So does Frank Gore’s, alongside tributes to Negro League baseball player Jim Colzie and football coach Traz Powell, whose name adorns perhaps the most revered high school football stadium in talent-rich South Florida.

They represent West Coconut Grove when it was a vital majority-Black neighbourhood hidden among some of the most affluent areas in Miami that boomed with family businesses, local hangouts and sporting events. Some call it West Grove, Black Grove or Little Bahamas in a nod to its roots. Most just call it The Grove — a place steeped in cultural history transformed by the decades.

“When you talk about what is The Grove, you’re talking about true history of South Florida,” said Charles Gibson, grandson of one of the first Black members of the Miami City Commission, Theodore Gibson.

Sports was its heartbeat. It nurtured the early careers of Olympic gold medalists and football stars like Cooper, national champions and future football Hall of Famers like Gore, all of whom trace their first sports memories to this close-knit community.

Today, few remnants of that proud Black heritage exist. Years of economic neglect followed by recent gentrification have wiped out much of the neighbourhood’s cultural backbone. Robust youth leagues and sports programs have dwindled. Now, the community that once created an environment for young athletes to succeed — a trusted neighbour watching out for a young football player on his walk to practice, a

PORT-AU-PRINCE

Associated Press

respected coach instilling discipline and persistence in a future track star — is at risk of extinction.

“I think in two or three years, if something’s not done, Black Grove is going to be totally eradicated,” said Anthony Witherspoon, a West Grove native and founder of the Coconut Grove Sports Hall of Fame.

Witherspoon, known as “Spoon” by everyone in town, is a former college basketball player and coach who returned to West Grove in 2015 after nearly 30 years in Atlanta and found a neighbourhood far different from the one that raised him.

Witherspoon recalled the late 1970s, when he would walk down the aptly named Grand Avenue — once the economic epicenter of West Grove — after a Friday night high school football game, grab dinner at a local mom-and-pop place and hang out at the popular Tikki Club.

The neighbourhood’s earlier generations died, many

HAITIAN leaders have ousted Frantz Elbé, the beleaguered director of Haiti’s National Police, following months of criticism that he wasn’t doing enough to protect officers under assault by gangs.

A government official not authorized to speak to the media told The Associated Press on Saturday that former Haitian police chief Normil Rameau will once again take the helm of an underfunded and ill-equipped department that a UN report notes only has around 4,000 officers on duty at a time in a country of more than 11 million inhabitants. Rameau had been dismissed from the post nearly four years ago under a different administration,

More than 2,500 people have been killed or injured across Haiti in the first three months of the year as gang violence continues to surge.

Among those killed are nearly two dozen police officers, overwhelmed by gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince and are better-equipped and have more powerful weapons. The most recent killings targeted three officers from a newly formed anti-gang tactical unit who were on patrol in an armoured vehicle. A fourth remains missing.

From 2015 to 2024, more than 320 police officers have been killed, with 120 of them slain under Elbé’s administration, according to a survey released this week by the local nonprofit group National Network for the Defense of Human Rights.

Rameau’s appointment comes as a newly selected prime minister and Cabinet take the reins of Haiti’s government with a transitional presidential council at their side.

Rameau previously served as police director-general under slain former President Jovenel Moïse, who appointed him in August 2019. Prior to that, he oversaw the detective division. He was ousted as police chief in November 2020 after Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe accused him of being incompetent and not producing results at a time when gangs were seizing control of more territory.

Neither Rameau nor Elbé returned messages for comment.

Haiti’s Office of Citizen Protection praised the selection

of their families moved elsewhere and disinvestment led to poverty and neglect. Then redevelopment moved in, replacing longtime locals with nonBlack newcomers. The mom-and-pops are largely gone. So is the Tikki Club, now an empty building, its last bit of vibrancy the Bahamian-inspired colours lingering on its walls.

“I was here. I lived in the community. I felt the impact of sports,” Witherspoon said. “I came back from Atlanta, Georgia, and I ran into the gentrification. And this was in the back of my mind: We still need to preserve this history.”

Witherspoon founded the Hall of Fame as a way to keep that legacy alive. A time capsule of about 90 athletes and coaches from the area, it starts with figures like Colzie, a World War II veteran who played baseball for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues, and continues with the former pro running back Gore and Cooper, a

receiver with the Cleveland Browns.

“Coconut Grove is the nesting place for all of us athletes from this neighbourhood,” said Gerald Tinker, a West Grove native who won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics as a member of the US 4x100 meter relay team. “They would always expect us to be just as good (as earlier generations), and just as humble as well. And it’s always been that way.”

The community’s reputation for athletics was birthed at George Washington Carver High School, a segregated Black school. Carver was a football powerhouse in the 1950s and 1960s, winning five state championships under Powell, who helped shape the landscape of Miami’s high school sports scene.

Harold Cole, a former coach and athletic director at nearby Coral Gables High School who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019, said Powell’s influence has lasted

generations.

“He was a coach; he was a mentor,” Cole said. “He was responsible for so many of the athletes that have come out of Coconut Grove.”

Cole said West Grove still has youth sports programs, but since many families have moved out and kids have dispersed to other school districts, “it isn’t quite the same.”

Integration in the 1970s forced Carver to close. It’s a middle school now, located in the wealthy nearby town of Coral Gables.

“That division broke the fabric of the community to a degree in the ‘80s,” Witherspoon said.

Nichelle Haymore’s family hopes to preserve some of the old neighbourhood by reopening the Ace Theatre, a popular spot for Black residents during the Jim Crow era. Haymore’s great-grandfather, businessman Harvey Wallace Sr., bought the theatre on Grand Avenue in the 1970s. Born in West Grove, Haymore spent years in Texas before moving back in 2007 to help maintain the theatre.

“The feel of the neighbourhood is different,” Haymore said. “Neighbours who may have looked out for your house in the beginning, they don’t say hello, they don’t speak. People walk their dogs in your yard. That neighbourly respect is different because the neighbourhood is different.”

Shotgun-style homes belonging to Black residents have been torn down for sleek, boxy estates — called ice cubes by some — and condominiums far too expensive for the middle-class people that built the community. Abandoned, boarded-up buildings sit where landmarks used to draw crowds. Giant real estate advertisements are plastered on the fences of vacant lots.

“They’re knocking down homes that’s been in people’s families for years and they’re building townhomes,” said Denzel Perryman, a Coconut Grove native and former University of Miami star who is a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers. “So, it does affect the community because some kids who are from there, they end up going to different places, different parks because they don’t live in the Coconut Grove area.” Perryman, who lived in Miami’s historic Black neighbourhood of Overtown as a kid, spent most of his time in West Grove playing football at Armbrister Park or participating in the many after-school activities the community had to offer.

Some still exist today. Perryman watched his childhood football team, the Coconut Grove Cowboys, win a Pop Warner championship in December. Youth teams still hold practices at Armbrister Park, though some of them look different from teams of years past.

“It’s unfortunate because you lose so much, the character,” said Gibson, a football and lacrosse coach. “There’s certain things in a community that has family ties to it. When you lose that, I think that it’s a sadness.”

Gibson is determined, like many other residents, to foster the same family environment that nurtured him.

“You can’t put a dollar sign on saying, ‘Go to grandma’s house. She (lives) next door,’” Gibson said. “You don’t even have to look outside because you know that it’s just 10 steps away and they’re inside the house. How can you put a value on that?” In The Grove, that is the question people are struggling to answer — before it’s too late.

of Rameau as police chief and demanded that he act swiftly to stop gang activity and establish a security plan to curb violence. It also urged police to push judicial authorities to open investigations into the killings of citizens, including journalists, and into what it called the “spectacular” escape of more than 4,500 prisoners in March after gangs stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons. The office said that the attack took place “with the complete indifference” of Elbé and the former ministers of justice and public security.

Haiti’s police unions have repeatedly called for Elbé’s resignation and arrest, noting that gangs have raided and burned at least 30 police stations and substations in recent months as part of a series of attacks that began on Feb. 29 that targeted critical state infrastructure and led to the eventual resignation

of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. On Wednesday, a police union known as SPNH-17 held a news conference to condemn the state of the department and deplore the deaths of the officers.

“Look at these young men, hacked to death,” spokesman Garry Jean-Baptiste said as he pointed to rows of pictures behind him that depicted officers killed on duty.

The union also issued a statement the day Haiti celebrated the creation of its police department.

“Haiti’s National Police is 29 years old, but it still can’t walk … it hasn’t grown because corruption and incompetence has held it hostage,” it said.

Meanwhile, another police union known as SYNAPOHA called on newly installed Prime Minister Garry Conille this week to make

strengthening the department a priority.

Conille went along on a patrol with police on June 2, donning a flak jacket and helmet as he entered an armoured vehicle.

SNPH-17 said at the time that the prime minister would notice during the patrol that the country had no leadership and that criminals had too much control.

“The prime minister must see the need to have another team at the top,” the union said. Elbé was appointed head of Haiti’s National Police in October 2021, replacing Léon Charles.

Last year, under Elbé, at least 36 officers were killed in gang-related violence from January to midAugust, according to a UN report.

The international community has provided training and other resources to help boost Haiti’s National Police, which also is

awaiting the UN-backed deployment of a police force from Kenya as it struggles to contain gang violence and boost morale. The survey by the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights, which interviewed 132 police officers, confirmed longknown issues, including unpaid salaries, inexistent health care and a lack of psychological help, Police officers for the most part do not receive additional training after graduating from the academy and are forced to use old and substandard equipment, the survey found.

It also noted that certain police officers work with gangs: “Consequently, the police institution, weakened by state authorities, severely hit by insecurity and welcoming into its midst agents who are in collusion with criminals, tries as much as possible to confront the situation of general decay.”

A PERSON walks past an empty building, which housed the once popular entertainment spot the Tiki Club, in the Miami neighbourhood of west Coconut Grove, Friday, April 5, 2024. Historically Black West Coconut Grove is a majority Black neighborhood hidden among some of the most affluent areas in Miami that once boomed with sports and economics. Photo: Lynne Sladky/AP

SECURITY guards stand guard as Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille leaves after attending the inauguration of the nation’s new cabinet in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

SPORTS

Bahamians set meet records at NACAC

New Life Invitational

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Bahamians benefitted from competing on home soil yesterday evening at the NACAC New Life Invitational hosted at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

Athletes excelled on both the track and field picking up first place finishes, setting new personal bests and for veteran jumper Donald Thomas, setting a NACAC meet record.

FIELD

Thomas, who is 39-yearsold, replaced his previous New Life meet record of 2.26m and soared to 2.28m last night in the men’s high jump event. He posted the mark on his seventh attempt to earn the first place spot.

Jamaica’s Raymond Richards was second with his mark of 2.21m and Puerto Rican Luis Castro

Jonquel Jones scores career-high 34 points

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

MIKHAIL McLean, who is a part of the Bahamas coaching staff that is preparing the men’s national team for the final Olympic Games qualifier, will be joining the Wildcats men’s basketball team at the University of Kentucky Wildcats’ head coach Mark Pope made the official announcement on Friday. McLean, who left his assistant coaching job at the University of Houston with the Cougars men’s coach, coached by Kelvin Sampson, said he’s looking forward to the change in locations.

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF), in conjunction with the Jr National Basketball Association (NBA) programme, hosted a coaches and player development clinic on Friday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

The successful hosting brought out 50 youth athletes (girls and boys) and 50 local coaches from all levels of basketball.

The Jr NBA coaches clinic was facilitated by senior women’s national basketball team coach Yolett ‘Coach Yo’ McPheeMcCuin and senior men’s national basketball team coach Chris DeMarco along with other officials.

Coach Yo, who is also the head coach of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels, thoroughly enjoyed working with the coaches that showed up on

McLean, however, noted that his past working experiences certainly helped prepare for him what’s ahead of his basketball journey as a former player turned coach.

“I would be remiss if I did not also thank Alvin Brooks for his selfless leadership and mentorship the last 14 years at both Lamar University and the University of Houston, along with Kelvin Sampson for their unbelievable support and guidance,” he stated.

“There is not a better fan base to work for and chase championships than this one. I would like to thank coach Pope and Mitch Barnhart for affording me this opportunity.”

“I am honoured to be joining coach Pope and the Kentucky men’s basketball staff,” said McLean in a statement as he accepted the new deal with the Wildcats, one of the top men’s collegiate basketball teams in the United States.

“My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Lexington community and I can’t wait to get to work.” McLean and his wife Arrion, along with their three sons, Mikhail Jr., Amari and Kai, were welcomed to Lexington by Pope.

SEE PAGE 19

MIKHAIL MCLEAN

DONALD THOMAS in

in this file photo.

GROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVE BRINGS SWIMMING POOLS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE BAHAMAS

IN an unprecedented move towards enhancing the physical education curriculum and promoting water safety, a collaborative initiative titled “Swimming Pools in Public Schools” is set to make a transformative impact on the education system in The Bahamas.

This initiative is a joint effort being funded by The Fox Foundation and several esteemed gaming house operators in collaboration with The Ministry of Education, and Let’s Swim Bahamas.

With the ultimate goal of ensuring that every child in The Bahamas has access to in-school swimming facilities, this initiative will provide public schools with

the resources to install and maintain swimming pools. This project aims to foster a culture of water safety, health, and wellness among students while also opening doors for future athletic opportunities.

Living in a country surrounded by water, it is concerning that a high percentage of public school students do not know how to swim. This initiative seeks to address this critical issue by making swimming pools more accessible to students, providing them with essential water safety skills and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Key Objectives of the Initiative:

• Enhancing Physical Education: Integrating

swimming into the physical education curriculum to promote overall health and fitness.

• Water Safety Education: Equipping students with essential water safety skills to prevent drowning and promote safe water practices.

• Skill Development: Providing students with the opportunity to develop swimming skills that could lead to competitive sports and scholarships.

• Community Engagement: Encouraging community involvement and support to ensure the sustainability of the pools and programs.

Statements from

Key Partners: Fox Foundation:

came third with 2.18m.

The veteran high jumper spoke about how it felt to set the new record at home.

“It felt good. I always appreciate coming home and representing in front of the Bahamian crowd. It is always an honour and privilege to be here and I just wanted to put on a show,” Thomas said.

He acknowledged that he took a lot of jumps and although he was unable to attain the Olympic qualifying standard of 2.33m, he intends to keep trying.

“I knew I had it in me to jump it. I took a lot of jumps tonight but it is a jump that I could make. I just have to keep trying,” he said.

The former world champion expressed that it felt good to be at home and represent the country in the win.

“It is lovely, being home is always fun and always a privilege. I just love this little country so every time I go out there I try to represent us to the best that I can,” he said.

Anthaya Charlton posted a winning mark of 6.50m in the women’s long jump event. Hong Kong’s Nga Nga Yan Yue was second overall with 6.35m and Puerto Rican Alysbeth Felix settled for third with 6.32m.

The 20-year-old described the process of achieving the winning jump.

“It started off a little rocky because I wasn’t quite on the board but throughout the series I kind of got the hang of what I was doing. My fifth jump was my best jump but on my last jump I over thought it. It

was all-in-all a good series,” she said.

Earlier in the evening, Charlton was a part of the women’s 4x100m quartet which placed first with a New Life record of 43.59 seconds. Despite feeling a bit tired, she used the home supporters to keep her going.

“I was a wee bit tired after the 4x100m but I have

called Partanna Global, the world’s first carbon negative and climate resilient solution for cement.

Fall, the president of the Basketball Africa League and Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of the NBA Africa. The quartet all spoke under the theme” The Transformative Power of Sports: Lessons from Legends” with Akamanzi and Fall providing a brief history of how their lives and so many others in Africa have been positively affected through sports.

Fox, a former basketball player for the Kingsway Academy Saints, who left the Bahamas to complete his high school in Warsaw, Indiana before enrolling at the University of North Carolina where he flourished with the Tar Heels men’s basketball team.

Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1991 in the first round with the 24th pick, Fox started as a rookie and played until 1997 when he was released. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played until 2004 helping the Lakers to a three-peat run from 2000-2003.

Fox, who went on to become a budding actor in movies such as Blue Chips, Eddie, He Got Game, is now the chief executive officer of the company

Fox said he was thrilled to see Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis embracing climate change and through his company, he hopes that he can instil further awareness by creating some job opportunities for Bahamians to excel and embrace the climate changes around the world.

As the ambassador for sports, Fox said he was honoured to follow in the footsteps of Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson, who set the pace as a two-time champion with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988.

Thompson had just spent a half a season with the San Antonio Spurs in 1987 when he was acquired by Los Angeles and went on to help capture the first of their two back-to-back titles.

Prior that, he spent eight seasons with Portland.

“Mychal Thompson was a neighbour of mine who became the first Bahamian drafted into the NBA with the number one pick in 1978 (by the Portland Trail Blazers).

He went on to have a storied career, winning two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers,” Fox said.

“So the partner of sports began with the mentorship. It was his journey that

The Honorable Dr. Adrian Fox and The Fox Foundation is dedicated and proud to be a catalyst to the empowering of our nation’s youth and fostering a safe and healthy environment for their growth. We believe that the introduction of swimming pools in public schools will have a lasting positive impact on students’ lives.”

Gaming House Operators: “As proud contributors to this initiative, we recognise the importance of giving back to the community and supporting youth development. Swimming is not only a sport but a lifesaving skill that every child should have the opportunity to learn.”

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey to enrich our students’ educational experience and provide them with vital life skills. This initiative aligns with our commitment to holistic education and the well- being of our children.”

Let’s Swim Bahamas has taught Bahamian children how to swim and understand that water safety is crucial in a nation surrounded by water. Their expertise is a great addition to this initiative and we are excited to see the positive outcomes it will bring.”

Nathaniel Rolle, proprietor of The Pool Doctor, is the contractor and intends to construct eight pools, starting with The Government High School.

Next Steps:

The first phase of the project will focus on selecting pilot schools, with construction expected to commence at The Government High School. The initiative partners are committed to ensuring that all installations are completed to the highest standards, providing safe and accessible facilities for students.

The “Swimming Pools in Public Schools” initiative represents a significant investment in the future of Bahamian youth, promoting a culture of health, safety, and excellence. We look forward to the enthusiastic participation and support from the community as we embark on this exciting journey together.

Nairn bested the Demarcus Simpson, of the USA, previous meet record of 7.75m. Dominica’s Tristan James was also remarkable in the event. He came second with a jump of 7.79m. Hong Kong’s Ming Tai Chan got the third spot with 7.70m. TRACK

been doing it all season so it didn’t take me that long to recover. It is always good to compete at home. I had people calling my name when I was on the runway so it was really good,” Charlton said.

LaQuan Nairn came away with a New Life meet record in the men’s long jump event. He soared to a winning height of 7.83m.

inspired my belief that I too could go onto this part and become an NBA player and a three-time champion.”

As a strong believer in God, Fox said he grew up in a village that helped his parents, especially his father, Ulrick Fox Sr, who started an ice making company on a tropical hot island to make a living for his family.

“I did not for one second believe that black men could not rise to power of influence,” he said.

“That made stepping on the basketball court become so easy and stepping into a boardroom became so much easier,” he stated.

Fox said whenever he got the opportunity to play basketball, sit in a boardroom with the movers and shakers of companies or get set to display his acting skills in a movie, it was because of what was instilled in him through some people around him.

Partanna Global, according to Fox, was why he decided to come home two years ago after Hurricane Dorian to ensure that he could service his community in a more meaningful way than he could ever imagine.

Similar to what his father did with his ice company, he hopes to make an impact through his cement company here in the Bahamas, providing job opportunities for Bahamians to excel

The relay team of Antoine Andrews, Terrence Jones, Ian Kerr and Wanya McCoy emerged victorious in the men’s 4x100m event with a time of 38.89 seconds. Trinidad and Tobago stopped the clock at 38.99 seconds and Haiti crossed the finish line in third place.

In the women’s event, the quartet of Olympic qualifier Charisma Taylor, Camille Rutherford, Printassia Johnson and Charlton took the first spot in the women’s 4x100m relay event. The ladies came away with a New Life meet record of 43.59 seconds.

in another field of the environment.

Williams, a graduate of St John’s College and a former CARIFTA standout, went on to the University of South Carolina before she ventured into the professional ranks with her breakout year in 2004.

She started the year winning the bronze medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Budapest, Hungary and followed that with her victory at the IAAF Golden League, beating and breaking Mexican world champion Ana Guevara’s 23-race winning streak in the women’s 400m.

That was followed by Williams’ triumph as the first Bahamian to win an individual Olympic 400m gold medal in Athens, Greece, as she once again defeated Guevara.

She went on to close out the year as the cooverall Golden League jackpot winner, sharing the $1 million cash prize with Christian Olsson, the Swedish Olympic triple jump gold medalist.

Williams came back in 2006 and was defeated by Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

Injuries plagued her over the next two years, forcing her to eventually retire. In 2009, she was inducted into the University of South

The All-Stars team of Murielle Ahoure-Demps, Flordalisa Cofil, Nia Richards and Lauren Rain James trailed Team Bahamas for second place in 44.70 seconds.

Wanya McCoy, who is on the cusp of dipping under the Olympic qualifying standard of 10.00 seconds, completed the men’s 100m (Final A) event in 10.06 seconds. Davonte Howell, of the Cayman Islands, along with Omari Lewis, of Trinidad & Tobago, had identical times of 10.10 seconds for second and third overall respectively.

McCoy is looking forward to running a sub-10 time at the BAAA Jr and Sr Nationals next week.

“I feel pretty good but I am tired of running 10 seconds. I want to run sub-10. I am in shape to run sub-10 but I blame the gun, this time he sent us off too quick and I wasn’t ready. I know at nationals I am gonna run

Carolina’s Hall of Fame and the Bahamas Government renamed the Harrold Road to the Tonique WilliamsDarling Highway. She was married at the time to Dennis Darling, a former male 400m runner and the nephew of the legendary Frank Rutherford, who was the first Bahamian to win an individual Olympic track and field gold medal in the men’s triple jump in Barcelona, Spain in 1992.

Williams, who served in various capacities in athletics and was a coach, said she was inspired by Rutherford, but motivated by her coaches, the late Keith Carey at John’s, Sidney Cartwright, who mentored the start of her pre-pro career and American Steve Riddick, who completed her journey.

“That moment with Frank Rutherford was what really peaked my interest in track and field,” Williams said. “He wasn’t a mentor at that time, but he was a Bahamian that I could identify with, who was doing some phenomenal things in the international stage.”

Williams said having their photographs, along with so many other talented Bahamian athletes on the Wall of Fame as one enters the Lynden Pindling International Airport speaks volumes for the success the country has achieved over

sub-10 and get us an Olympic qualification,” he said. Terrence Jones prevailed in the men’s 100m (Final B) stopping the clock at 10.13 seconds.

Kion Benjamin, of Trinidad and Tobago, had the second best time of the event with 10.21 seconds. Darren McQueen of the USA was third in the event. Antoine Andrews had the best time in the men’s 110m hurdles. He had the top time of 13.35 seconds. Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m hurdles event, Taylor finished one spot behind Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent. The latter posted a time of 12.54 seconds which was good for an Olympic qualification and a New Life meet record. Taylor ended the event in 12.83 seconds.

P Johnson and Shakeem Hall-Smith were third overall in the women’s 200m finals and men’s 400m hurdles respectively.

the years. “Track and field gave me the opportunity to get a higher education. As someone who came from a single parent home,” Williams said. “I had some financial challenges, so college wasn’t on the radar, but track and field opened up the doors of opportunities.

“For a long time, we did not see sports as an avenue for financial gain and what it really means in terms of being another industry. But that helped to change the way that I saw athletics, making it a career. Since then, I was able to mentor so many others in so many ways.”

Williams said in turn she was able to open the doors for so many other Bahamian athletes to venture into college track and field, including having one of her athletes making it on the women’s 4 x 400m relay, as well as another one to become the first female to venture into world wrestling.

“Just being able to use what I’ve learnt through my journey as an athlete and with my mentors were able to instil in me, I was able to pass that on and I’m sure that my athletes would be able to do the same thing.”

The four panelists indicated they all hope to see more interaction between the Bahamas and African nations, not just through sports but also in the trade industry in the future.

CHARISMA Taylor gives a few remarks.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

ANTHAYA Charlton in action in the women’s long jump.

Celtics back home with chance to close out Mavericks and clinch record 18th NBA championship

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) —

The Boston Celtics’ catastrophic performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals gave them a chance to clinch another championship tonight under the 17 banners already hanging in the TD Garden rafters.

And, coach Joe Mazzulla reminded them, that they would still have two more chances after that.

“We don’t like to lose,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said before practice yesterday. “I think we are ready for Game 5. I think that’s the best answer that I’ve got. I think that we’re ready. We’re at home. And we’re looking forward to it.”

The Celtics cruised through the regular season with the best record in the NBA and then did even better in the playoffs, never trailing in a series while winning 15 of their first 17 games. They opened a 3-0 lead on Dallas, but the Mavericks avoided elimination with a 122-84 victory on Friday night — the third-biggest blowout in Finals history.

That sent the series back to Boston, where the Celtics will again try to win their unprecedented 18th NBA title — and their first since 2008.

In a city that’s collected 12 championships already this century, that’s what passes for a drought.

“This is what we all work for,” Brown said.

“We are at the precipice of completing what we set out to do at the beginning of the season. So I think it’s not difficult to get everybody in that locker room on the same page right now.”

The Game 4 loss snapped Boston’s franchise-record 10-game postseason winning streak (and also ended Kyrie Irving’s personal 13-game losing streak against his former team). Boston had been 3-0 in potential elimination games so far during these playoffs.

But the Celtics know — and Dallas surely does as well — that they still have three more chances to close out the series. AllStar Jayson Tatum said Mazzulla told his team yesterday not to “surrender to that idea that we have to win tomorrow.”

While it’s unusual for a coach to diverge from the “one game at a time” mentality, the Celtics said the acknowledgement that they have three tries to win one game takes some of the pressure off them — pressure that may have gotten to them in their total dud of a Game 4.

“We would love to win tomorrow — more than anything,” Tatum said. “But if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world. We have more opportunities.”

Irving said that the Mavericks are also trying to “enjoy the moment” and not focus on the fact that no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0

deficit in a playoff series. Game 6 would be back in Dallas on Thursday, with the potential deciding Game 7 in Boston on Sunday.

“(We are) just thinking about the goal that we have in front of us as best we can, and try not to get tired of everyone talking about the history that has not been made,” Irving said.

“We got a chance to accomplish one of our goals, which is to make it back to Boston. We have another goal in front of us, and that’s to make it back to Dallas.”

That will be a lot harder if Boston centre Kristaps Porzingis is available. The 7-foot-2 Latvian was listed on Sunday as questionable

with a dislocated tendon in his left ankle.

Porzingis did not speak to reporters yesterday. He practiced with the team wearing a white sleeve on his right leg, and during the 30 minutes that reporters were able to observe him on the court he was gingerly putting up shots from inside the lane, apparently taking care not to jump.

“I’m not sure where he’s at,” Mazzulla said. “But he’s trying and doing everything he can to try to put himself in position to be out there. I know that for sure.”

Porzingis missed 10 straight playoff games after straining his right calf in the first-round series against Miami.

Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the finals and was a big reason for Boston’s victory, scoring 20 points with six rebounds and three blocked shots in 21 minutes.

But Porzingis dislocated a tendon in his left leg in Game 2, did not play in Game 3 and was said to be available for Game 4 “on a specific basis, if needed.”

(With the Celtics quickly falling behind in a 38-point loss, he never checked into the game.)

Less of a concern is the status of Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who has been on the injury report with injuries to his right knee and left ankle along with a bruised chest. He went through the warmups for Game 2 with his torso and knee wrapped, but delivered a triple double in the loss.

“At this point in the season, a lot of things going on,” he said on Sunday. “If I’m playing, I’m fine. No worries.”

CELTICS STAR JAYSON TATUM REFLECTS ON FATHER’S DAY ON HOW BEING A DAD CHANGED HIS LIFE AND

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum spent part of his Father’s Day thinking about how his son made him a better person — and probably a better basketball player, too.

Speaking at practice the day before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tatum acknowledged that he was “a little selfish” when he learned, as a teenager still in college with hopes of basketball stardom, that he would be a father.

“I’d be the first to say I wasn’t super-thrilled to find out I was going to be a dad, and quickly realised that it was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. There’s nothing better than being a dad,” Tatum said yesterday.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”

Now 26 and in his seventh season, Tatum is a five-time All-Star who has led Boston to the Eastern Conference finals five times and to the NBA Finals twice.

The Celtics lead the Dallas Mavericks 3-1 in the best-of-seven series; after missing their first chance to clinch a title on Friday, they have a second shot at an unprecedented 18th championship banner tonight.

Tatum had just turned 19 and was in his only year at Duke when he learned his

girlfriend at the time was pregnant.

“I wasn’t ecstatic,” Tatum said yesterday. “I was a little selfish at that point because I knew that I was about to go chase my dream and be in the NBA. I felt like that was going to affect what people thought of me, affect where I went in the draft.”

Tatum was picked No. 3 overall by the Celtics, and Jayson Tatum Jr. – familiar around the Celtics as “Deuce” – was born in December of his father’s rookie season. Having a son helped the NBA star manage the expectations of his new wealth and fame, and the temptations that came along with them, too.

“It taught me a sense of responsibility,” Tatum said. “Nobody can help you or prepare you for what it’s like to be 19 and have millions of dollars.

“And I think — not that I think, I know — that having Deuce at that age grounded me.

“Because whatever decision I wanted to make, I had to make sure that he was taken care of. I couldn’t just up and go or do everything that some of my peers were doing because I had to go home and put him to bed.

“Or for Father’s Day weekend I was going out of town, or I had to skip out on this trip with my friends because it was my weekend with him.

“Not that it’s a sacrifice. I willingly would

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DERECK Lively II drained the first 3-pointer of his career, forced a missed layup at the other end and ping-ponged back down the court to slam home an alley-oop pass.

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t trail again in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Boston following that firstquarter sequence from their 7-foot-1 rookie centre.

And while a series loss to the Celtics with the title on the line still seems inevitable, the 20-year-old from Duke has left an impression on the global basketball stage.

Never mind the unmistakable imprint from Lively on a franchise that tanked to try to preserve the first-round draft pick that landed him — but wasn’t really expecting this much this soon.

“I think people forget he’s a rookie,” superstar Luka Doncic said after the 122-84 blowout in Game 4 that kept Boston from sweeping. “He’s a rookie doing this stuff. He’s been amazing the whole season. Just watching him grow was unbelievable.”

Next up for Lively is trying to make a little more noise in Boston. The chance comes in Game 5 tonight. In the two Dallas losses at TD Garden, he had a combined four points on four shots with 12 rebounds.

Lively grabbed at least that many rebounds in each game in Dallas, scoring 11 points both times to join Magic Johnson (1980) as the only rookies with consecutive double-doubles in the NBA Finals.

He won’t be the focal point for the jeers from the opposing crowd — fellow Duke alum Kyrie Irving is the foil for Boston fans after spurning their team in free agency five years ago and fuelling the rage with his antics on the parquet floor since then.

Lively feels the need to prepare for it nonetheless.

“It’s going to be loud and nasty,” Lively said. “You do your best not to focus on the crowd. There’s going to be a lot of people talking to you. It’s part of the game. Part of the job.”

CAREER

FANS reach out to Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) as he leaves the court holding his son, Deuce, after the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a double overtime NBA basketball game on February 13, 2020, in Boston. Tatum spent part of his Father’s Day thinking about how his son made him a better person — and probably a better basketball player, too.

choose those things. But it has taught me a sense of responsibility — as well as just making the right decisions, knowing that there’s a six-year-old ‘mini me’ essentially watching everything that I do and knowing that I have to be the best version of myself. I have to make the right decisions, because he’s always watching.”

When the Mavericks added another pick-androller and rim protector before the trade deadline in Daniel Gafford, it figured to be for depth behind Lively.

But Lively was in and out of the lineup because of injuries in the second half of the season, and the Mavs went 18-2 in a 20-game stretch with Gafford as the starter.

Gafford has started every playoff game, but the pendulum has swung back to Lively as the primary contributor at centre. His earliest entry into a game in the finals, with 9:30 left in the first quarter in Game 4, came not long before the corner 3 that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Had the score been closer, Lively probably would have had a second consecutive 30-minute game. At one point in the second half, he already had all 12 of his rebounds while Boston’s entire team had 16.

DALLAS Mavericks centre Dereck Lively II hangs from the rim after a basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half in Game

3 of the NBA basketball finals on June 12 in Dallas.

(AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Champions crowned at AiD Tennis Nationals

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s AiD Junior nationals for the U8 and U10 is now completed. There were over 60 matches played over the weekend and the matches were very competitive. National champions were crowned in the following categories:

U8 Boys Champion: Tatum Culmer Runner Up: Rayne Perez

U8 Girls Champion: Zainya Davis Runner Up: Eden Storr U10 Boys Champion: Oliver Van Onselen Runner Up: Tatum Culmer U10 Girls Champion: Kennadai Major Runner Up: Zainya Davis G8 Consolation Winner: Ava Cooper

Runner Up: Aja-Rinai Adderley

The BLTA congratulates the winners, runners up and all the participants at the nationals, many newcomers displayed their talent for the first time at the event and we crowned new champions in the U8 and U10.

BLTA president Perry Newton noted: “It is exciting to see the number of U8 and U10s at the competitive level and the

strong showing of girls is commendable. We have to stay consistent with our development plans and put more focus on attracting boys to the sport. With the younger kids completed we now shift kids to the older kids and looking forward to them competing on Friday.

“If the U12-U18 is as competive as the U8 and U10 it will continue to be a great AId Junior Nationals. Congratulations to

the players, parents and coaches on all your hard work, continue to work towards the goals you have set. The officiating was strong, they were out in full force as this age group requires more assistance and it is a teachable moment for the players.

“It is important for the BLTA and officials to take advantage of the training and educational opportunities like the refresher course

held last week by our officiating manager, Mickey Williams.

“We thank our title sponsor Aid. We also thank Customs Computers, Dasani, Mondo Media and Powerade. A special thanks to the volunteer referees. The U12-U18 divisions will get underway on Friday, June 21 when more athletes from throughout the Bahamas will compete at the National Tennis Centre.

DECHAMBEAU WINS ANOTHER US OPEN WITH CLUTCH FINISH TO DENY MCILROY

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

PINEHURST, N.C. (AP)

— Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open yesterday for the second time with the best shot of his life for another finish on the 18th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 that won’t be forgotten — and another heavy dose of heartache for Rory McIlroy.

In a wild final hour of more blunders than brilliance, DeChambeau capped off a week of high entertainment by getting up-and-down from 55 yards out of a bunker, making a 4-foot par putt to close with a 1-over 71.

“That’s Payne right there, baby!” DeChambeau screamed as he walked off the 18th green.

Payne Stewart famously made a 15-foot par putt on the final hole in 1999 at the first U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, beating Phil Mickelson by one shot.

DeChambeau says he was inspired to go to SMU when he saw a mural of Stewart on campus.

The par putt wasn’t as long or as suspenseful as

Stewart’s in 1999. The celebration was every bit of that.

DeChambeau repeatedly pumped those strong arms as he screamed to the blue sky, turning in every direction to a gallery that cheered him on all week. McIlroy was in the scoring room, devastated by another close call in a major.

This one will sting. As much as this U.S. Open will be remembered for DeChambeau’s marvelous bunker shot, McIlroy played a big part by shockingly missing two short putts, the last one from just inside 4 feet for par on the final hole. He closed with a 69. He had the look of a winner for so long on Sunday, running off four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn. He was a model of cool, the opposite of DeChambeau’s exuberance.

McIlroy was two shots ahead walking to the 14th tee. The chants grew louder — “Ror-EE! Ror-EE!” and DeChambeau could hear them. McIlroy took bogey from behind the 15th green,

but he stayed one ahead when DeChambeau, playing in the group behind him, had his first three-putt of the week on the 15th when he missed from 4 feet. And that’s where this U.S. Open took a devasting turn for McIlroy.

He missed a 30-inch par putt on the 16th hole to fall back into a tie. On the 18th hole, McIlroy’s tee shot landed behind a wiregrass bush.

He blasted out short of the green and pitched beautifully to 4 feet. And he missed again.

McIlroy was watching from the scoring room as DeChambeau escaped from an awful lie left of the fairway — a tree in his back swing, a root in front of the golf ball — and punched it out into the bunker. He expertly blasted a shot from the soft sand that rolled out on the crispy green to set up the winning putt. “I still can’t believe that up-and-down,” DeChambeau said as he watched a replay from the video screen during the trophy presentation. “Probably the best shot of my life.”

McIlroy spun his tires in the gravel as he drove away without comment. Since he won the U.S. Open at Congressional in 2011, he has seven top 10s without a victory — it’s been more than 100 years since anyone did that well without going home with the trophy.

DeChambeau becomes the second LIV Golf player to win a major, following Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship last year.

An image of Stewart’s famous pose was on the pin flag at the 18th, and DeChambeau put on a Stewart-inspired flat cap during the trophy presentation, later replacing it with his “Crushers” cap from LIV.

He finished at 6-under 274.

Patrick Cantlay lingered around this duel all afternoon, unable to get the putts to fall at the right time until he missed a 7-foot par putt on the 16th hole that ended his chances. He closed with a 70 and tied for third with Tony Finau, who matched a Sunday best with 67 without ever having a serious chance of winning.

DeChambeau holds the trophy

yesterday.

winning

Cantlay would have needed a runner-up finish to get the fourth American spot in the Olympics. That goes to Collin Morikawa. Corey Conners closed with a 70 to move past Adam Hadwin and claim an Olympic spot for Canada. DeChambeau earned $4.3 million — more than he gets from winning a LIV event — from the record $21.5 million purse. This is not the same DeChambeau who set a scoring record for U.S. Opens at Winged Foot in 2020, a quiet victory because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and no fans were allowed. In the sandhills of North Carolina, he had thousands on his side. He signed autographs during his round, he engaged with fans and he delivered one hell of a show. And when it was over, he looked at the doubledecker grandstands around the 18th and thousands circling the 18th green and invited them to his party.

BRYSON

after

the U.S. Open golf tournament

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Nationals complete sweep of ‘Jazz’ and Marlins, 3-1

By PATRICK STEVENS Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Jacob Young hit his first major league homer, Lane Thomas went deep for the third day in a row, and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 to complete a three-game sweep yesterday.

Washington has won eight of nine and improved to 7-0 against Miami. It was the Nationals’ second sweep of the season. The other was April 26-29 at Miami.

The Marlins have lost five in a row and 11 of 13. An NL-worst 23-48, Miami was swept for the sixth time and is 25 games under .500 for the first time this season. The Marlins are 3-23 against left-handed starters, including losses in all three games of this series.

The Nationals’ Mitchell Parker (5-3) allowed six hits and no walks in six innings while striking out four. Miami’s lone run came when he was unable to glove Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr.’s infield single with two outs in the fifth inning, allowing Emmanuel Rivera to score.

Over the last 10 games, Washington starters are 6-0 with a 1.41 ERA.

“Everyone’s throwing well,” Parker said. “It’s contagious. We keep winning ballgames. Winning’s fun.”

Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his 20th save in 22 opportunities.

Young, who has served as Washington’s regular centre fielder since just after he debuted last August, drove Jesús Luzardo’s fastball into the

visitor’s bullpen in left to lead off the sixth and give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. It came in his 93rd career game and 325th plate appearance. “We were joking with him how he crushed it,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “It was good for him. I could see when he touched third base, he had a smile from ear to ear. It was awesome, and in a big moment, too.”

Thomas hit his seventh homer of the year in the first off Luzardo (3-6). It marked the second time

Thomas smacked homers on three consecutive days. He also did it last September 1-3 against Miami. Luzardo allowed two runs on five hits and struck out two in five innings. Miami manager Skip Schumaker said Luzardo woke up Sunday with a stiff back.

“To grind through five innings, hot day, with a stiff back, still got a lot of outs,” Schumaker said. “Two runs against a good team, he did plenty enough for us to win.”

Ildemaro Vargas added an RBI double in the

sixth off reliever Anthony Bender. Miami was 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position Sunday and 2 for 17 in the series. The Marlins have scored 26 runs in 13 games in June. “They’re not happy when they’re getting one run or shut out or that type of thing,” Schumaker said. “It was a tough road trip, no question. But it’s not a lack of effort or preparation. Just a lack of execution right now.”

Trainer’s RoomNationals: Martinez said an MRI exam on OF Jesse Winker’s

right knee was “pretty clean” and that Winker should be available in a couple days. Winker was injured running the bases Saturday.

Up Next Marlins: LHP Braxton Garrett (2-2, 6.10 ERA) gets the nod as Miami returns home Monday to start a three-game series against St. Louis.

Nationals: Washington is off today. RHP Jake Irvin (5-5, 3.00) starts the opener of a three-game series against Arizona the homestand continues Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jonquel Jones scored a career-high 34 points, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu each had a doubledouble and the New York Liberty pulled away in the second half to beat the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces 90-82 on Saturday.

Ionescu finished with 15 points and 12 assists and Stewart added 14 points and 12 rebounds for New York (12-2). Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had 12 points and seven rebounds. New York won its eighth straight game, while Las Vegas (6-6) has lost four of its last five games. Jones finished 12 of 16 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

Kelsey Plum hit a floater that gave the Aces a 53-47 lead with 6:33 left in the third quarter. They then went scoreless for nearly five minutes. New York responded with a 14-0 run, including six points from Jones, to take the lead for good.

Kate Martin hit a 3-pointer to break the Las Vegas scoring drought with 1:47 left in the period, and A’ja Wilson followed with a bucket in the lane. That cut the deficit to 61-58 but the Aces got no closer. Plum led Las Vegas with 22 points and Wilson finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. Alysha Clark added 13 points, Jackie Young had 10 points and six assists and Kiah Stokes grabbed 12 rebounds.

BAHAMAS BASKETBALL FEDERATION HOSTS JR NBA CLINIC, COACHES CLINIC

FROM PAGE 15

Friday. “I was pleasantly surprised with how many coaches showed up. They were engaged and I have a connection with Bahamian people so when I had a chance to get in there it was like we picked up where we never started. It was great and I wanted to give them some gems. I was inspired by them coming out because sometimes I feel like I am not sure if people really care about basketball in The Bahamas anymore. They like it when they see Deandre, Buddy and Jonquel but who is the next? They have to have the tools to be able to help,” McPhee-McCuin said.

The coaches were engaged in offensive and defensive drills and had

SPORTS CALENDAR

FROM PAGE 15

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

the opportunity to pick up some coaching gems shared during the clinic.

Grand Bahama native Coach Yo shared some of the tips she passed on to the coaches in attendance.

“Sometimes, you cannot be what you cannot see so sometimes just my presence provides inspiration. Secondly, I wanted to give them something that was unique so the way we got it out of bounds with the 1-3-1 defence is very unique. I thought it was a great opportunity to be in here with them for them to see this is something we can use and really be a force to reckon with in their own programmes. Then, I shared the story about me coaching with the men’s basketball team because I wanted to encourage them to never stop wanting to learn,” she said.

As for DeMarco, he assisted with both the Jr NBA coaches clinic and the player development clinic. The young basketball players got the opportunity to

work with Portland Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton and were awarded Jr NBA paraphernalia and sneakers during the clinic.

The Golden State Warriors assistant coach expressed how important it was for the BBF and Jr NBA programme to collaborate on this development initiative. “I think the coaches clinic in general is a huge piece of development. A lot of times we talk about player development

but there is also a coaching development aspect. We have been trying to get this together and are really thankful for Deandre Ayton and the Jr NBA to be able to put this together along with the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

“We just got together and talked about offence, defence, and talked about team building and the culture. The hope is just that even if it is just a little bit everybody got better today

and they are able to teach some of what we were talking about,” the Golden State Warriors assistant coach said.

Anastacia SandsMoultrie, who serves as head coach of the SAC senior girls’ basketball team, found the coaches clinic to be very informative. “It was nice and very informative. I am glad to see that a lot of coaches came out but we could’ve had some more female

coaches that came out.

Other than that, we got a lot of offence and defence strategies and learned how to adjust our offence and defence. We also learned how to work our practices and games and how to break it down,” she said.

The highschool head coach explained the significance of the Jr NBA coaches clinic from her perspective as a coach.

“They are very important because it makes you change your mindset on some of the things that we have been doing over the years. It also makes us see it at another level in terms of helping the players to come along and improve their game as well,” she said.

The Jr NBA programme focuses on helping to develop the skills and fundamentals of girls and boys globally while teaching them the core values of the game. The programme caters to youth basketball at all levels and extends the learning experience to coaches and parents.

Mikhail McLean added to coaching staff

“Mikhail played and coached under Kelvin Sampson who is one of the best, toughest and smartest coaches in the game,” Pope said.

“Mikhail’s work with The Bahamian national team along with his college coaching experience has allowed him to become one of the hardest-working, detail-oriented and top skill development coaches in the country.

“I’m so excited to have him and his family join our staff, and for him to get to work with our team because he is going to make a massive impact on this programme.”

McLean brings a wealth of experience to the Wildcats, having played with the Houston Cougars as a four-year letterwinner with

102 games under his belt and also a team captain as a senior. He registered 245 career points, 187 rebounds, 25 assists, 21 blocks and 21 steals. He went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Houston in 2015. McLean earned a Master’s in Education from Houston in 2015. Now, he’s bringing his coaching talents to Lexington with the Kentucky Wildcats.

A former standout player for Houston, McLean was a four-year letterwinner for the Cougars and appeared in 101 games. He was a team captain and a five-time Dean’s List selection. McLean completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Houston in four years.

Following his playing career, McLean joined the Cougars’ staff as a

graduate assistant before transitioning into the role of assistant director of player development.

McLean was also a part of Houston’s staff for six seasons, helping the Cougars to American Athletic Conference titles in backto-back seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Houston advanced to the Sweet 16 in each of his final two seasons with the programme and made a run to the 2021 Final Four.

At Houston, McLean’s duties included opponent scouting and player development. He worked with three NBA Draft selections, including Marcus Sasser, Quentin Grimes and Damyean Dotson. McLean joined Lamar’s coaching staff under Brooks back in 2021 after previously coming from Houston

as the assistant director of player development. There, he helped lead the Cougars to AAC titles in 2019 and 2020 with a Final Four run in 2021.

McLean is currently travelling with the men’s national team in a training camp in Houston where they are preparing for the final Olympic qualifier in Valencia, Spain, from July 2-7. It’s the first time that the Bahamas has had a team reach this far in qualifying for the Olympics. The team is hoping to book its ticket to the games in Paris, France, from July 27 to August 11.

As an assistant coach and defensive coordinator on the team since 2021, McLean continues to serve under the direction of head coach Chris DeMarco of the National Basketball

Association’s Golden State Warriors. The team is being led by NBA players Chavano “Buddy” Hield of the Philadelphia 76ers, Kai Jones of the Los Angeles Clippers, Deandre Ayton of the Portland Trail Blazers and Eric Gordon of the Phoenix Suns. The Bahamas advanced to the Olympic qualifier by winning the 2024 FIBA Men’s Pre-Qualifying Tournament that was held from August 14-20, 2023 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, beating the fourth-ranked Argentina team twice. With victories over Cuba and Uruguay during the 2023 run, The Bahamas has now been pegged at number 57 on the FINA world ranking. In preparation for Spain, The Bahamas will play two exhibition games during their training camp.

MIAMI Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. catches a fly ball hit my Washington Nationals CJ Abrams during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Sunday, June 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

THE Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF), in conjunction with the Jr National Basketball Association (NBA) programme, hosted a coaches and player development clinic on Friday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium. Photo: Nikia Charlton