07072023 NEWS AND SPORT

‘Motion denied’ in Gibson trial

Long Island MP’s constitutional motion ‘improper’, judge said

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court

judge rejected Adrian Gibson’s latest constitutional motion to impact his corruption trial yesterday.

Mr Gibson and two of his co-accused, Joan Knowles and Jerome Missick, claimed they could not have a fair hearing within a reasonable time.

Their latest motion argued that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case and failed to let them exercise their right to address the matter in the Magistrate’s Court.

Ultimately, Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson determined the constitutional motion was improper.

She concluded the voluntary bill of indictment that

Hotel Union protests firing of Atl A ntis sHop stewA rd

By LETRE SWEETING

Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) members protested in front of the Department of Labour yesterday after Atlantis terminated the resort’s chief shop steward. The workers shouted

“solidarity forever” and “workers’ rights are human rights.” They visited the department after failing to meet Atlantis officials earlier.

Darrin Woods, president of the union, said Atlantis fired Princess Adderley, the chief shop steward at Royal Towers.

He said Atlantis

t wo-week g U n A mnesty begins next week

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe

expects a gun amnesty initiative to be introduced next week. He commented on this after State Minister of Social Services and Urban

two men killed w Hile on bA il for mUrder

TWO men on bail for serious crimes were murdered last night.

Chief Superintendent of Police Chrisyln Skippings said police were alerted to the shooting on Sunset Drive off Sea Link Drive around 9.20pm. She said the murdered men were being electronically monitored. One was

SEE page four

bAHA ri gets $20 n Ation A l symbols Us Age permit

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said Bahari Bahamas applied and received a permit on Wednesday to feature Bahamian national symbols on their merchandise.

SEE page two

Development Lisa Rahming revealed during her budget communication that the government would

SEE page four

Bahari gets $20 national symbols usage permit

He told The Tribune on Tuesday that the company didn’t have the permit. Yesterday, he said the company denied awareness of his ministry’s efforts to force compliance with

the law and did not see an email his ministry sent.

Mr Munroe said at a press conference earlier this year, he “made it clear that they intended to enforce the law”.

He said: “You ought not lose ten thousands of

dollars of inventory for the want of $20.”

Bahari, he added, “found their way into the ministry yesterday, paid their $20 and got their approval”.

When a reporter noted that even government officials wear Bahari clothes,

Mr Munroe noted customers are not targetted. “We,” he said, “put no obligation on the customer to ask somebody, did you get permission to produce this flag? Did you get permission to produce this product? To me and the

persons who made the law, that would be too onerous to put on members of the public, to go into stores and ask that. In this whole circumstance, we try to be reasonable with business people.”

“It was open to the ministry after May to go to every business place that didn’t have approval and seize all of their products that were non-compliant. It was open to the ministry once we emailed them and they didn’t respond to go to their locations and seize all of their product. That is not this administration.”

“This administration just

seeks to accommodate business while we enforce the law. So the law is so that there can be consistency, so that nobody can derogate our symbols, and as far as possible, we work with our business people, but they have to comply with the law. It is not overly onerous. You take a picture of the product, you pay a princely sum of $20. And that’s it, and you can now do it painlessly on MyGateway.”

Mr Munroe said officials would continue to monitor advertised products on social media to check compliance with the law.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said that Bahari has paid the requisite $20 fee for legal use of The Bahamas’ national symbols.

‘Motion denied’ on Gibson trial

transferred the matter to the Supreme Court was fair to the defendants.

“This honourable court has a duty to ensure that both the applicants and the respondents receive a fair trial,” Justice GrantThompson said. “With this being said, the court notes the applicants had many opportunities to object to the offences they have been charged with. However, the applicants elected to bring their application once again on the eve of the commencement of the trial.”

“However, despite the further delay, this court has in no way penalized the applicants for their actions. It is understandable for those individuals charged with serious offences for which there can be severe penalties that they will exercise and exhaust every avenue available to them. The court finds that the voluntary bill of indictment referred to in this matter is not flawed therefore the constitutional relief sought in this regard is denied.

“The court finds that the defendants can have a fair trial, so that constitutional relief also fails. The court finds further that even if

the indictment had been flawed, relief was available as was redress from Section 151 of the CPC. Therefore, the constitution was prematurely invoked. This court will not prematurely stay the prosecution, nor does the court find the process unconstitutional.”

“This court, in my opinion, has gone far and beyond to ensure that the applicants receive a fair, impartial and timely trial. The applicant could have taken these objections to the charged offences from the inception of this matter. The court has heard and carefully examined the arguments made by both parties.

“This honourable court is of the view that the aforementioned offences for which these applicants are charged are rightfully before this court and thus triable. This court looks forward to the trial commencing on the 24th of July, 2023 and reminds the applicant that there are six defendants before the court and they are all equally entitled to a fair trial within a reasonable time.”

Since last June, when the defendants were charged, Mr Gibson’s trial has been delayed by numerous legal challenges. In September,

Mr Gibson’s attorney, Murrio Ducille, objected to having the matter before Justice Grant-Thomson, arguing her deceased husband’s political alignment with the Progressive Liberal Party prevented her from being impartial. The judge denied his application.

In May, the start of the trial was delayed by another motion, a constitutional motion seeking to force a key witness to testify in person. That motion was also rejected.

The initial jury was discharged last week after two members were dismissed for breaching court protocol.

Mr Gibson is accused of enriching himself to over $1m through illicit cheques and wire transfers in connection with contracts the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) awarded while he was executive chairman.

WSC’s former general manager, Elwood Donaldson, Jr, Rashae Gibson, Gibson’s cousin, Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Jerome Missick were also charged.

Together, the group face 98 charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

Hotel Union protests firing of Atl A

ntis sHop stewA rd

MEMbERS of the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union stood in solidarity with an Atlantis chief shop steward, who was terminated today for “insubordination” and “inciting work stoppage”, after a clean record on the job for 24 years. Pictured in front in photos: President of Human Rights Bahamas and BHCAWU Union member, Princess Adderley, Chief shop steward for Royal Towers Housekeeping, Stephanie St Fleur, and Darrin Woods President of BHCAWU.

from page one

suspended the woman on Tuesday after an incident last Friday involving workers who objected to paying for new independence uniform shirts because their demands for a new industrial agreement have not been met. Mr Woods said Ms Adderley was not initially present during the incident but was held responsible when the employees stopped working.

The Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association, which represents Atlantis, and the BHCAWU have been negotiating a new industrial agreement for ten years.

Mr Woods said the association’s proposals had not satisfied members’ demands for greater financial compensation and job security.

Mr Woods said Atlantis’ termination of Ms Adderley because of alleged insubordination and incitement of work stoppage violated the industrial agreement.

Katie Longley, director of public relations at Atlantis, declined to comment yesterday.

“Today,” Mr Woods said, “is a sad day in the country

as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary as an independent nation where workers’ rights are being trampled on. We have a chief shop steward for the BHCAWU who has been terminated for what they call inciting a work stoppage when she was not even involved with it at the beginning.

“They also said she was grossly insubordinate by refusing to send the employees back to work. It is not her job to send employees back to work, but she complied. They didn’t like the manner in which she told the employees to go back to work so they took an action on Tuesday.”

“So when we went back for the meeting today, we wanted them to produce the evidence to support the actions that they would have written on the document. What we see this as is an attempt to get at the union in the first instance and to silence the employees, who are concerned about the negotiations and some things that are outstanding. So we stand here in solidarity for our shop steward first and foremost, second for the workers in this country, because we believe that 50 years later, we seem to still

Photo: Letre Sweeting

be back where we were at the initial stage when we should be much further than we are today.”

Mr Woods said Atlantis had no authority to discipline the shop steward.

“As an employer, you cannot engage her to talk about uniforms and stuff, you have to be engaging her as a shop steward and once you are engaging her as a shop steward, then you and her are on the same level,” he said.

Ms Adderley, who has been an Atlantis employee since 1999, said she feels “victimised”.

“I am an outspoken person and I speak my mind and nobody is going to take advantage of me,” she said. “If I don’t like what you are doing, I’m going to tell you about it. That’s me.”

“It shows me the character of the employees in there because, at the end of the day, you are walking in Atlantis, and you’re walking on eggshells. So, all I’m good for is to scrub toilets and make up beds. I can’t voice what I have to say? It doesn’t work like that.”

Ms Adderley promised to take legal action.

“I don’t want to work no more when I am finished suing Atlantis,” she said.

Death Notice for Donald Ross Kester

died at his residence in Nassau, The Bahamas on Thursday, 29th June, 2023. He was born in Highland Park, Michigan 12th January, 1927 and served in the US Army in WWII.

He studied business at Denver University. He became a Canadian citizen in 1963 as he was living there, and he gave up his US citizenship.

He arrived in The Bahamas in 1973 to run Trust Corporation of the Bahamas. Under his direction, it was to eventually become NatWest Interntional Trust Holdings Limited. He retired in 1989.

Together with his wife, Gia, they continued to make The Bahamas their home. He was involved in many service clubs and charities during his years in The Bahamas and helped many young people find their careers in finance. He was a kind and loving man.

He is survived by his wife, Gia Kester; his children, Alan & Marijka Kester,Kathleen & Hal Quinn, Beth & Jac Eckhardt; his grandchildren, Josh Kester, Robin Martin, Sam Kester, Ted Kester, Morgan Morrison, Erin Angel, Carleton Eckhardt, Broidy McNab, Isabelle & Charlie Winner; his stepchildren, Christiana & Dale Winner, Jason & Sara Callender; 10 wonderful great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements to be announced at a later date.

A SUPREME Court judge rejected Adrian Gibson’s latest constitutional motion to impact his corruption trial yesterday.

Munroe: Security Forces Inspectorate Bill preparing to go to consultation

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said his ministry is preparing to submit a Security Forces Inspectorate Bill for consultation, hoping to establish a body to oversee investigations into civilian complaints against security forces members.

Members of the Police Complaints Inspectorate have pushed the minister to reform the inspectorate.

Mr Munroe told The Tribune a draft of the bill was sent to police, defence, customs and immigration officials for review.

“My recollection is that we’ve received some comments back from the Defence Force, which were addressed, and it should be back at law reform for finalisation,” he said.

Mr Munroe said the draft would be released for consultation. He hopes

to present the bill to the House of Assembly before the next summer break.

“Subject to law reform’s resources being available to us, I hope to be presenting that, the parole thing, something for NCIA (National Crime Intelligence Agency), in the upcoming legislative session,” he said.

The Police Complaints Inspectorate was established by the Police Act in 2009 to oversee the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Complaints and Corruption Unit, but its work is a mystery. In its annual human rights report, the United States has repeatedly noted the lack of available information about the body.

The current chairperson of the inspectorate is Tanya McCartney.

In May, Mr Munroe said members of the inspectorate had made recommendations for creating a “more robust investigative” system.

Two-week gun amnes T y will begin nex T week

from page one

declare a two-week gun amnesty.

He said top police officials are liaising with Minister Rahming and her team at Social Services and Urban Development in order to iron out minor details and it is anticipated that there will be a rollout of this amnesty proposal late next week.

He spoke during an Office of the Prime Minister briefing yesterday.

He said officials hope that with the work of Urban Renewal, the amnesty programme would encourage people to leave a lifestyle that could lead to death.

Mr Munroe also said that since police increased saturation patrols, crime has decreased throughout New Providence.

“The statistics provided to me by the police report that

RbPF To sPend $3.4m on FouR new sa Fe boaT s

year to date comparison for the central, northwestern and southern divisions that make up Bain and Grants Town decreased by 15 per cent for central, 44 per cent for northwestern, and seven per cent for southern division and these are crimes that relate to quality of life crimes,” he said.

“The south-central division experienced a decrease of 16 per cent a year to date. The northeastern division, that includes my constituency of Freetown, has seen a decrease of 38 per cent. And year to date, crime decreases in the Fox Hill division has fallen by 42 per cent and in Carmichael, which represents the largest policing division, that has fallen by 26 per cent.”

The government recently purchased a fleet of 100 police vehicles. Mr Munroe said police had received the final tranche of cars.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the Royal Bahamas Police Force will acquire four new safe boats for $3.5m.

“We are looking at over the next year to have the delivery of the four 41-foot safe boats,” he said during a briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. “I’m advised that the contracts have been signed off on those and the delivery schedule

have them being delivered in stages, the last vessel being delivered in November 2024. That would up the assets of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to secure our borders and guard our heritage.”

Mr Munroe recently revealed that the Defence Force would replace the HMBS AD Hanna.

The vessel was damaged on its way to Marsh Harbour, Abaco, in 2017. Officials revealed that the cost of repairing the vessel was $1.5m. The vessel’s port shaft and gearbox were damaged.

T wo men killed while on bail FoR muRdeR

from page one

on bail for murder, the other for attempted murder.

One of the men was in his early 20s; the other was in his mid-20s.

CSP Skippings said the slain men were found in

a blue Honda Fit. They were approached by two men with firearms, one of which was a high-powered weapon.

She alleged that the men killed were affiliated with gangs.

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said his ministry is preparing to submit a Security Forces Inspectorate Bill for consultation, hoping to establish a body to oversee investigations into civilian complaints against security forces members.

Photo: Mia Gardner

TwO men who were on bail for murder and attempted murder were killed last night on Sunset Drive.

Photo: Austin Fernander

North Andros BPL fire affects water supply as power restoration expected by today

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE fire that damaged a Bahamas Power and Light power station in North Andros on Wednesday also disrupted the water supply for many.

Yesterday, deputy press secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Keishla Adderley said although the water supply had been partially restored, one unit remained out of service.

Her comments came as BPL announced that it began to restore power on the island but warned that customers would temporarily suffer five-hour interruptions because the first unit connected to the network is insufficient to meet peak demands. BPL said it estimated this would be resolved between 48 to 72 hours.

“In the final analysis, the wellfields, as you may know, were also affected by this situation, and it’s been determined that a new generator at a cost of about $88,000 is being proposed,” Ms Adderley said. “A new generator will be put into place to completely resolve their issue of water generation.”

Meanwhile, BPL said two generator units capable of generating electricity for the North Andros community arrived on the island. BPL CEO Shevonn Cambridge had said he expected power to be restored by Wednesday evening or yesterday morning, but that did not happen.

In a statement yesterday evening, the company said it restored supply to the first group of customers Thursday evening. BPL said supply would gradually be restored to communities to

avoid unnecessary stresses on the network.

Some residents complained about outages elsewhere in The Bahamas yesterday.

Regarding a threehour outage in Eleuthera, Arnette Ingraham, communications manager at BPL, said: “The Eleuthera operations team had to perform an emergency shutdown to change a damaged pole. When the work was completed, there were several reports of low voltage that required an additional outage for customers south of Rock Sound.”

She said yesterday’s emergency outage affected the Rock Sound and Tarpum Bay areas between 10am and 1.30pm.

In New Providence, the Sea Breeze area experienced outages most of the day. Ms Ingraham said the cause of the blackout was not identified.

Lewis defends presence at cOi prOtest‘It’s not about party. It Is about people.’

a ll a ndros and berry Island HomecomIng cancellat Ion w Ill Impact 200 busInesses

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussesll@tribunemedia.net

THE postponement of the All Andros & Berry Islands Homecoming event after a power outage in North Andros will affect up to 200 businesses, according to Bernard Evans, chairman of the All Andros and Berry Islands Committee.

“Our national regatta event impacts every settlement from Behring Point in the south to Nicholl’s Town in the north, resulting in over two hundred businesses benefiting,” he said.

Mr Evans said a lack of clarity on when power would be restored prompted officials to postpone the event. His comments came after some complained on social media about how quickly the committee postponed the event.

A fire destroyed all generator units at a Bahamas Power & Light station in North Andros on Wednesday. BPL said it began restoring power to some residents last night, though it warned of five-hour interruptions for the next 48-72 hours while it worked to increase generation capacity.

“We value our patrons,” Mr Evans said. “We tried to get confirmation that it will be on. I know that nothing in life is guaranteed. But since we couldn’t get it, we decided amongst ourselves that the risk was too much to take.”

“I know BPL is very capable of providing power and full restoration. But because we didn’t get it, and this happened Wednesday morning, our first event was Thursday night. So we had people on the ground, on the boat that was scheduled to leave at 3pm.”

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CENTRAL Grand

Bahama MP Iram Lewis defended his appearance at the Coalition of Independents’ protest of Keith Bell outside the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Some FNM members were shocked by Mr Lewis’ appearance at the protest, given what some see as the COI’s extreme immigration views.

“It is unfortunate that persons are trying to put a spin on this,” Mr Lewis said in a video posted on social media.

“The Bahamian people gave me a mandate, a voice to speak on their behalf. I’ve spoken yesterday on their behalf and I will continue to speak on their behalf. It is not about self.

It is not about party. It is about people.”

During Tuesday’s protest, COI Leader Lincoln Bain delivered a letter demanding Mr Bell’s termination to David Davis, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. The letter was intended for the prime minister.

“I stood on behalf of the Bahamian people to voice their concern,” Mr Lewis said in his video. “I did it then, and I will do it again. So, whoever wants to put a spin on me taking a national stand, a stand of national interest and suggest that I joined another political party or that it was all a political stunt, that is on them.”

“God knows the intention of my heart. I did it for my country. I did it for my people. And I tell you, as

long as I have a voice, I will continue to do it on behalf of the people.”

“It is unfortunate that persons are trying to put a spin on this. I know better and those who are objective will know that we as Bahamians, we need to put our colours aside, take the political divide away, and solidify our effort, galvanize our effort in an attempt to save the country.”

“Again, we are not taking a xenophobic approach. We are not taking a hate approach. We want people to come but when you come, we want you to come the right way. We want our government officials to do things the right way.”

Critics have called for Mr Bell’s resignation because he granted citizenship to three people at a funeral.

CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis defended his appearance at the Coalition of Independents’ protest of Keith Bell outside the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Photo: Mia Gardner

A BPL building housing generators that supplied North Andors with caught fire and all generators inside were incapacitated, leaving the area without power and affecting the water supply. Andros was preparing for Homecoming weekend but the fire has led to a postponement of the event.

The Tribune Limited

What will our story read?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

O N July 10th the curtain will fall on the first fifty years of an independent Bahamas.

And at the stroke of midnight

Our embarkation into the journey of our first century continues.

As reflection like the turquoise blue ocean flicker through our minds.

We are taken back to 1973 when the u nion Jack descended and Officer Irvin Taylor hoisted our beloved Bahamian Flag.

Remember - and dare to build

By the time The Tribune’s next edition hits the streets, the celebrations will be done.

The 50th anniversary cakes will have been cut. Clifford Park will have filled and emptied.

In this golden year, however, the reverberations of the anniversary will continue to ring throughout the year.

There continue to be events beyond the anniversary day itself – and that is a good thing. For example, it lets us continue to shine a light on our culture, with plays being performed, musical events held and more.

In today’s Tribune, you will find our Independence supplement – in which a host of voices offer different views on where we are, who we are and where we are going. Those voices stretch back to the arrival of Independence itself, with the former Editor and Publisher of The Tribune, Sir Etienne Dupuch, having his say in a reprint of an article from the very first Independence supplement we published – in the year itself.

Other voices – such as Rupert Hayward in Grand Bahama – look to what the future will bring.

Still others consider issues such as education, social media, discrimination, equality, and more.

It is important to look back, to the reality of how Independence came to pass, because it is too easy to consider that history was easy. There were disagreements. There were rivalries. There was exploitation.

When we consider where we are going, knowing the history of how we

got here can help us chart our course in the future. It also shows how hard it was to achieve change – such as ending discrimination in The Bahamas.

Sir Etienne Dupuch fought hard – at great personal cost – to bring legislation to stop discrimination in The Bahamas. The Tribune found itself subject to all manner of threats, victimisation and more.

Change does not come easily. For those who wish to bring change in the future, knowing how hard it can be allows one to be prepared.

Sir Etienne is described as the editor who dared to walk alone. There are others now who walk alone to bring change. The first person to seek change is always alone – until their voice sways others. A lone voice becomes a chorus. A chorus becomes a rally. A rally becomes a wave of change.

What will the changes be in the next 50 years? We are still grappling with issues of equality – not least of all for citizenship and equality for women.

Once the celebrations are done, that must be the challenge we take up in this 50th year. We must take up the mantle of those who have gone before us and renew our efforts to improve our nation.

There are many whose names are known in The Bahamas as nation builders. It is up to the next generation of nation builders to take the next step.

We hope this time of celebration will also be a time of inspiration.

The Bahamas is 50 years old. The flags are flying. It’s time to dream.

Cries of joy and praises of thankfulness could be heard throughout the length and breadth of the land. There was not a dry eye to be found.

Sounding Cowbells and blaring car horns reverberate everywhere.

There will be no sleeping tonight.

Independent Bahamas

Free at last, free to govern ourselves. No longer dictated to by the archaic pen of colonialism.

yes, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second was still our sovereign head of state, but now we are able to plot our own destiny.

Now as we climb the Water Tower and gaze all around New Providence we marvel at what we see and we say to ourselves: “We have been transformed from a sleepy fishing village to the buoyant tourist mecca of the Americas and the Caribbean”. We are now one of the richest countries in the Americas after the u nited States and Canada.

Not bad for a horse and buggy, l izzie carries a basket on her head and a seasonal tourist getaway.

yes, we have come a long way, but did we get lost in the glitter, the hub? Did we grow too fast, were we prepared for the big-time city life?

From then till now

It was a bittersweet first fifty years.

Sweet, until we were influenced by the culture of varied nationalities.

We started dressing like them, started talking like

them. We infused carnival with junkanoo calling it carnival junkanoo, we even exchanged our music for theirs.

We stopped being us.

Copy cats are what we became.

Mama used to say what sweetens your mouth will bitter your behind.

What you sow, you shall reap.

Gangs, gang wars, turf wars, drug wars. Arm robberies, murders. Brother killing brother, friends killing each other.

Is this the price of prosperity?

Is this what our foreleaders envisioned?

Do we not long for the quiet peaceful days of the donkey-pulling dray and shucking corn to grind?

The first half has ended and the second one has begun.

Are you going to read the same old script, or will you write a new story?

We’ve only just begun to live

White lace and promises

A kiss for luck and we’re on our way.

They say that the first half is the most trying half because it is all new and it takes time to get used to.

Before the risin’ sun, we fly

So many roads to choose We’ll start out walkin’ and learn to run.

As a nation, fifty years is like a newborn baby who has not been weaned. We are still sucking breast.

As we write the second half of the book the first, paragraph of the first chapter should read: l et brotherly love prevail.

Will we take this war into the rest of our lives or will we rewrite the script?

Fifty years ago the change of the time was so subtle.

The signs were there, but we didn’t know what

to look for. We were so caught up in the glamour we reveled in the manifestation.

Sharing horizons that are new to us.

Watchin’ the signs along the way.

But today fifty years later there is no excuse. The signs are too glaring you can’t miss them. It is now time to become our brother’s keepers protect our neighbours. We have to be watchmen. Their children are our children. We have to teach them to study war no more.

Talkin’ it over, just the two of us Workin’ together day to day Together.

Today as we speak, this generation the last of the first fifty years is on a precipe and is about to continue to plunge into an abyss of destruction

“Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed, No more backward thinking time for thinking ahead.The world has changed so very much From what it used to be. There is so much hatred war and poverty,”

What are we going to do, are we going to rescue them or go to their funeral? We can not afford to lose another youth to this carnage.

It has been said many times and will be repeated over and over.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”

I believe there is a writer inside of us who is plotting a better story for us, before putting pen to paper listen to him. l isten to our conscience. l et our story be a new beginning.

What will your story read?

“And when the evening comes, we smile So much life ahead

We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow.”

Happy Independence March on Bahama land God bless the Bahamas.

ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, July 6, 2023.

Readers have their say

READERS have been posting their views on the stories making the news on tribune242.com.

After Central Grand Bahama MP Iram lewis raised eyebrows in the Free National Movement when he joined members of the Coalition of Independents at a protest demanding the resignation of Immigration Minister Keith Bell, lastManStanding had this to say:

“The FNM is about as useless as a wet paper bag when it comes to being effective as an opposition. lincoln has made more waves in challenging the government without even having a seat in Parliament; he is a far more effective campaigner than anyone in the PlP or FNM right now.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe warned against the unsanctioned use of Bahamian national symbols as officials announced that people can now apply online for licences to use the symbols.That prompted this comment from Birdiestrachan:

“Many have showed great talent in their shirt designs, hard to find, they are not available, just pay

the 20 dollars. It is not hard.”

Sickened supported that view with “Absolutely correct!”

But JokeyJack asked:

“Really? So you are happy that the people of The Bahamas now have no symbols, that they belong to the government? The govt can do anything to people when they are stupid.”

After Bahamian fishermen were said to be “distressed” over “tenfold” rises in annual boat registration fees that are causing “a lot of panic” in the sector, ThisIsOurs said:

“Wow. The MOF certainly knows how to kill an industry. What will one snapper cost now? 50 dollars? And this comes after Brave Davis’ eloquent speech about no new taxes.”

Bahamianson had this to say: “Crack conch went

from $10 to $12 to $14 to $16 to $24 to now I see the crack conch dinner is $34. Dang, you mean we will pay $50 for crack conch in 10 years. This inflation is out of control and we cannot deal with it in The Bahamas. Crack conch and the chicken snack used to be the poor man’s meal. Now, the poor man can’t afford it. We can dance for Carnival, though.”

And after Albury’s locksmithing shuttered its retail store after more than 50 years in business as part of a restructuring that now sees it providing reduced services remotely, The_Oracle posted this comment in response: “Government take note. you’re driving long standing middle class business owners out of business. Many are considering throwing in the towel. The relentless Government changes/demands/regulations and taxes are killing the productive back bone of this country.”

• Join in the conversation on a host of topics on www. tribune242.com.

The unseen community working for the benefit of our health and wellbeing

IdentIty. How often have you considered your identity? Over the past few months, our collective “Bahamian” identity has been contemplated on radio talk shows, in newspaper articles, and in lively debates in social settings as we approach the fiftieth Anniversary of Independence. But how would you describe your individual identity? Are you a Bahamian first? Or are you a man or a woman? Are you your race or your familial role? Are you really who you say you are? However you define yourself, I can bet you are not including the three pounds of microbial hitchhikers that are teeming in and on your body. the 37 trillion human cells that comprise our bodies are accompanied by an additional 39 trillion bacterial cells! And this number is not taking into consideration the fungi, viruses, and archaea (whatever they are) that are also along for the ride. Before you run for the sanitiser, know that these beneficial, microscopic beings are an essential part of a complex system called the microbiome.

A healthy, diverse microbiome confers not only physical health but mental and emotional health. Communication between the microbiome and human organ systems happens by way of the byproducts released as they digest the food we consume. For instance, let’s take the by-products of the fiber that these bacteria eat. Our microbiome digests the fiber in fruits and vegetables and releases short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the process. these SCFAs go on to star in various roles

By Dr Selima

Hauber

of One Eleuthera Foundation

around the body – lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, activating immune cells, suppressing hunger, and stimulating the growth of blood vessels contributing to wound healing, to name a few.

Other byproducts of our microbial partners’ digestion function to reduce stress and anxiety and protect against certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. Recently discovered is the microbiome’s role in mental health as a whopping ninety-five percent of serotonin and fifty percent of dopamine were found to be produced in the gut. these neurotransmitters are key players in controlling mood, sleep, memory, pleasurable reward and motivation, and behavior. Our microbiome is so intricately involved in so many bodily functions that it is hard to tell who is really in control – human cells or microbes!

If how the microbiome keeps us healthy isn’t fascinating enough, consider how we get the microbiome in the first place. How we are born and nourished during the first days of our lives, and postpartum

is crucial to developing a healthy microbiome. the protective environment of the womb was once believed to be sterile, but it is now known that beneficial bacteria first colonise us in utero through the placenta. Our microbial community is further enhanced as we traverse the birth canal on our “birth day”. even more beneficial bacteria jump on board during the initial skin-to-skin contact with mummy immediately after birth. this growing community of health-conferring partners is further fortified in two ways if one is breastfed. Firstly, breastmilk delivers additional bacterial species drawn from the mother’s gut by certain immune cells. the second way breastfeeding fortifies the microbiome is almost poetic. Breastmilk is a brilliantly convoluted fluid containing over 200 complex sugars. these sugars are not digested in the baby’s stomach but pass through untouched all the way to the large intestine to be broken down by the microbes. In essence, “Mother” would’ve created these complex sugars to feed the very microbes she endowed the baby with during gestation and birth. the byproducts of this digestion are short-chain fatty acids that the baby’s gut cells consume. Can you now imagine how detrimental elective C-sections and

formula feeding can be to a newborn’s development?

Alarmingly, studies have shown that the microbiome of babies who are delivered by C-section more closely resembles the microbial community of the delivery room than of the mother’s microbiome. this is not an ideal start to a long, healthy life, as studies have found that children born by C-section are more likely to develop allergies, asthma, Coeliac disease, and obesity as they grow older. the critical role a robust microbiome plays in one’s immediate and longterm wellbeing is important enough to encourage natural birth and breastfeeding on a national level. We should incorporate several lifestyle habits to maintain or establish a healthy, diverse microbiome. Because our microbes eat what we eat, we must nurture them with the foods that cause them to thrive so that they can, in turn, cause us to thrive. A diet rich in whole, plant foods is most favorable to beneficial microbes that devour the fiber contained. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables also strengthens the microbiome as the produce itself is covered with beneficial microbes that colonize our gut. Frequently spending time outdoors, coming into physical contact with the soil and breathing the air exposes us to trillions of microbes. Keeping a pet is another way to increase the diversity of microbial

colonisers. Regularly consuming fermented foods that contain living cultures also contributes to microbiome fortification. yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha are a few of the yummy ways you can introduce more microbes to your gut. Probiotic capsules are often taken and do help, but to achieve the diversity necessary, one should not rely on commercially available probiotic capsules alone.

Fortifying the microbe is easily achieved. Unfortunately, modern-day life makes the destruction of the microbiome even easier. the widespread use of antibiotics in healthcare and the industrial production of meat threatens healthy microbiomes. Chlorinated and fluorinated water from municipal water treatment facilities negatively impacts the microbiome.

the typical Western diet rich in highly processed foods and animal proteins and fats; and poor in fiberrich fruit and vegetables starves beneficial bacteria and favors the overgrowth of pathological microbes. Widespread use of topical sanitisers, antimicrobial cleaners like bleach, and products that incorporate antimicrobial agents further diminishes our microbial helpers. Stress negatively impacts the gut environment making it less favorable for beneficial microbes to thrive and allowing the bad guys to flourish. Collectively, these practices will ultimately

result in dysbiosis – or a microbiome that is out of balance. dysbiosis has been linked to diseases as far ranging as psoriasis, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, obesity and autism, which is nothing short of shocking! now, how would you answer the question ‘Who are you’? We can no longer consider ourselves just Homo sapiens. We are holobiont – Homo sapiens and a host of other species existing together for mutual benefit. In the biological world, we are colonized by an unseen community that, if nurtured, will guarantee a lifetime of health and wellbeing, so take care of your beneficial colonisers.

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

By MIA GARDNER

tHe One eleuthera Foundation (OeF) and Centre for training and Innovation (CtI), two non-profit community development organisations focused on sustainable community and national development, have announced a transition of leadership. effective June 30, Shaun Ingraham has stepped down as president and CeO, giving the titles to Keyron Smith.

Mr Ingraham will continue to serve as a director on the OeF and CtI boards. Looking to the future, he is enthused about the trajectory of both organisations and Keyron’s ability to carry on in his place.

Mr Smith said: “the board of directors wishes to congratulate Keyron on his new appointment, which was part of a carefully planned succession process. His proven track record of success, strategic acumen, and expertise in development, local governance, and policy writing make him an ideal choice to lead the team through the next phase of expansion and advancement. His deep understanding of OeF’s values, mission, programs, and stakeholders uniquely positions him to drive continued growth and impact for the benefit of our communities.” the leadership transition coincides with OeF’s fiscal year-end.

“It is truly an honour to lead OeF and CtI into the next chapter and to continue the vital work of evolving and expanding our successful community development model,” said Mr Smith.

“I value and appreciate the extensive groundwork laid by Shaun in building a strong foundation for community development on our island and within the country and sector. I intend to build upon past successes while focusing on increasing our community impact and embracing new opportunities to realize the vision for eleuthera.

“Our approach will remain locally rooted and globally minded,” Mr Smith Said.

‘Our microbiome is so intricately involved in so many bodily functions that it is hard to tell who is really in control...’

Dr Selima Hauber

On a ladder, every rung is important

The phoTo would have been easy to overlook.

It was one of the many I get daily from BIS (Bahamas Information Services) which churns out non-stop information about Cabinet ministerial activities from sunup to sundown and beyond, bless their souls.

Something about this set of photos caught my eye and I tried to figure out why. There was the Deputy prime Minister Chester Cooper, who also happens to be Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Investments, along with the Minister of State for education Zane Lightbourne and the president of Bahamas Technical Vocational Institue (BTVI) Dr Linda Davis. They were all at Sandals in exuma, celebrating the graduation of newly trained nail technicians.

Was it just me or have we come full circle, once again appreciating that in any economy, and in particular a tourism-driven economy, the service industry is as essential to success as food is to human survival. That a group of newly-minted nail techs got the attention of the local Mp who is also the Deputy prime Minister and two high-ranking education leaders was a gigantic leap forward from a half century of honouring those who passed a CpA or Bar exam and hardly casting a glance at those who graduated with a degree in massage – an achievement, if you ask any athlete, that deserves equal credit.

Did we, as a young nation trying to find its identity, finally graduate from the school of thinking the power suit was the dress of success?

Did we really remember to appreciate what we had forgotten to acknowledge over recent decades – that on a ladder, every rung is equally important.

So thank you, Sandals, a trendsetter built on romance, sand, sea and service, for hosting the event. Thank you, DpM and Zane Lightbourne for standing up publicly for those

By Diane Phillips

who are as excited to graduate with a new career ahead of them as the proud student who survived Statistics and physics and just completed her undergrad program to earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

Thank you, Dr Davis, for using your great energy to grasp the reins of BTVI and make things happen.

Thank you to all who turned a page and put behind you the age when we were asked to believe that the only meaningful and important work is performed by doctors and lawyers and accountants and such. Welcome to the new old world of honouring an honest day’s work and rewarding it with an honest day’s living. There are only so many things that can operate on self-serve and this graduation exercise at Sandals was a reminder that for every lawyer or doctor or accountant, there is a cashier ringing up your groceries, an attendant filling your tank, a plumber or electrician keeping your home or business or settlement running and a nail tech somewhere waiting to make you feel a little bit better about your own beauty.

Independence is broader than we give it credit for being. It’s also about how we think about life for ourselves and not how others think we should think. And when we follow our own instincts as in cases like this, we will land in a very good place, indeed.

HOW PAINFUL IS A STINGRAY BARB?

oUCh – the warning you didn’t see coming, sting ray bite nearly takes man’s life

A friend who is just as much at home in the waters

of exuma as he is in the finer dining establishments of Nassau had the shock of his life a few months ago. It is a story he kept close to the chest, and now has agreed to share as a warning to others.

We’ll call him Tough Guy, obviously not his real name.

Tough Guy was in the clear turquoise waters of exuma, preparing to take a last dip before heading to the airport, his business venture ending just early enough to let him enjoy the moment. one minute he was standing in shallow water not even up his knees, chatting with friends, the next minute he stood on something that stung him like an electric shock, instant agony so intense for the moment before he blacked out, he thought he had been shot. excruciating pain, unable to move, his paralysis was so complete and the pain so severe that he barely remembers being loaded on to a stretcher, taken by ambulance and airlifted to Nassau where he underwent four hours of surgery by a leading surgeon to whom he is extremely grateful today.

Tough Guy had been stung by a sting ray, the normally docile sea creature that can, on rare occasion, if feeling threatened, release its venom. Most often, it happens in shallow water where it is least visible, blending in with the sand, and in a place where the human who accidentally steps on it is least expecting the encounter that can be deadly.

“You think it is the barb that gets you,” he says, “but the venom that I was injected with actually comes from secretory cells near the base of the body before

tail. The sting ray ... has perfected its defences. It has not had to evolve in all those centuries. If it stings you, it can be deadly because its venom is so poisonous.”

You may recall that one of the toughest guys on TV, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, who took insane chances with crocs and stampedes of elephants wasn’t taken down by any of those wild animal

stunts or adventures. he died in 2006 of a sting ray encounter. I am thinking I probably don’t need to share that with Tough Guy in case it slipped his mind. he already has enough to worry about. Although the surgery went well, Tough Guy was still unable to walk for the next two weeks. There was more recovery time after that and only now, months later, is he

beginning to feel like his old self again. he knows that his chance of survival would have been far slimmer if the sting ray had stung closer to the heart.

Today, along with daily doses of gratitude, he is trying to find a way to educate the public so an innocent moment in the sea does not turn into a nightmare and an air ambulance ride to try to save a life.

Nail technicians graduate at a ceremony at Sandals in Exuma.

Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

the

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister Zane Lightbourne and BTVI president Dr Linda Davis all gather for nail tech graduation.

Life for Japanese man unlawfully imprisoned was hard after release

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EVEN after winning significant damages in a case against the government, life for Atain Takitota, a Japanese man held unlawfully in prison for eight years, remained rough. Although he had been awarded more than $1m for what he endured in

prison, the largest sum of its kind in The Bahamas, he did not live a lavish lifestyle.

He died last month at the Princess Margaret Hospital at the age of 59.

A friend of Mr Takitota, who asked to remain anonymous to maintain his privacy, said the man’s case left him bitter, not restored.

He said he was not wealthy and hated the

impression people had that he was rich. He also couldn’t understand English and believed he signed contracts he did not understand. His amnesia was so severe he could not always remember where he was from, sometimes claiming Japan, other times saying China, the Philippines or Venezuela.

Mr Takitota had been receiving care at Pat’s Senior Citizen Nursing

Home and Daycare Centre for a year before he died.

He suffered from hypertension, dementia, a heart condition, and seizures, according to Patricia Moxey, proprietor of the home.

She said he was depressed when he entered the facility.

“When he first came, he would recognize you as a person, and as he went down, he became

less responsive to you as an individual,” said Dr Beneby, the home’s doctor.

While in prison in the 1990s, Mr Takitota attempted suicide, first by going on a hunger strike in 1997, then by slashing his wrists twice on successive days in 1998.

The medical staff at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre concluded that he

suffered from retrograde amnesia. He arrived in the country from Japan on August 1992 with permission to remain for a week.

That month, after losing all his money and documentation, he was arrested on Paradise Island for vagrancy. He was detained at the Fox Hill prison until October 2000 without being charged or tried.

BTVI commencemen T cermony for T he class of 2023

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

THERE will a fun run walk on Saturday, July 15. This event is part of a series of events for the Dr Moses C Norman Jr Leadership conference for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. The conference is being held in Nassau from July 13-16.

Participants will set off from the National Beach Soccer Stadium. The event begins at 6am.

For more information, visit www.pixichapter.com/funwalk.

rOtary Club OF nassau

THE Rotary Club of Nassau held its annual changeover and awards ceremony at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre on Monday, July 3.

In a night that celebrated the impressive achievements of the club over the past year, more than 80 Rotarians and guests, witnessed president Chantel Nesbitt hand over the president’s chain of leadership to incoming president Darren Bain.

Along with installing the group’s new officers, the evening also served as an opportunity to recognise the outgoing officers, reflect on, and celebrate the club’s recent accomplishments, and pledge anew to continue their mission of “Service Above Self”.

As his final duty as the president of the club, outgoing president Nesbitt recognised the work of various club members who have made a significant contribution to the organisation, its causes, and the community during her presidential term.

Among those recognised were, Kino McCartney - Rotarian of the Year Award, Stephen Dean, Charlyne Sealy and Craig Lowe - Service Above Self Award and Monique Palmisano – Rising Star Award.

A highlight of the night was the presentation of Rotary

Bahamas Technical Vocational Institute (BTVI) held a commencement ceremony for the Class of 2023 at Bahamas Faith Ministries yesterday.

Photos: austin Fernander

Foundation Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) Recognition to Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Development Lisa Rahming, Commissioner of Police, Royal Bahamas Police Force

Clayton Fernander and president of the Bahamas Kidney Association, Tamika Roberts. All who have who have given their time and talents to make a difference in the country.

The keynote speaker was Dr Shenique Carmichael from Charlotte, North Carolina and the founder of Leah’s Hopes and Dreams, a non-profit organisation helping to empower homeless

individuals and under privileged families. Rotary Club officials said they remain committed to improving the quality of life for those in need in our communities.

Bottom left, president Darren Bain and outgoing president Chatel Nesbitt. Also pictured are presentations to awardees including Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Development Lisa Rahming, bottom right, and Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander, top right.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

‘Pork’ Burrows will not allow the foreign umpires to officiate over the local umpires.

Exuma’s chairman Bernard Swain said they anticipate fielding more than 300 athletes as well as they compete.

Family Island teams are settling into Games Village for 6th Bahamas Games

By LEESHAN MORLEY

THE competition has arrived in New Providence as the Family Island teams started to settle into the Games Village for the 6th edition of Bahamas Games. Staff memebers at the Superclubs Breezes resort were waiting to welcome the athletes to their home away from home for the games, scheduled for today until July 16.

Heather Smith, sales manager at Breezes, was able to explain how they have prepared for the teams coming in.

“With some teams having to come in at different times, the number of athletes in the hotel will vary throughout the duration of the games.

“We expect to have on any given day anywhere from 500 up to just over 1,000 athletes, depending upon the day of arrival,” Smith said.

She further went on to say how the resort is prepared for the number of athletes

and coaches coming in. “We are prepared. “We have the rooms, our regular guests have basically checked out

of the hotel, we maybe have a handful of non-Bahamas Games guests in the hotel but, for the most part, it is

STEVEN GARDINER WINS THE 400 METRES

FROM PAGE 15

after delivering her baby in April, she said she was not surprised and did not feel like her body took any big toll. She added that she missed running and it felt awesome to be back at home to enjoy the food, beaches and herself.

In the men’s high jump, Grand Bahamian Donald Thomas finished with a season’s best jump of 2.28m. High jumper Kyle Alcine ended in second with 2.15m and third place went to the CAC Games bronze medallist Shaun Miller Jr.

Thomas talked about how it felt to come away with the win.

“It feels good. I am glad to be here in Nassau, I am satisfied. I wanted to jump higher but I take the win. It’s great to be home, this is

where I was born and raised in The Bahamas, I love this place and it’s just a privilege and honour to represent the country,” Thomas said.

JUNIORS

Zion Miller, of Bahamas Speed Dynamics Elite, outran his competitors in the under-18 boys 400m finals. He notched a personal best time of 48.12. Grand Bahama’s Zion Shepherd finished shortly after with 48.56 and Tumani Skinner of Red-Line Athletics came third with 48.79.

Alexis Roberts won the 400m finals for the under18 girls with a personal best time of 57.02 (.014).

Nya Wright of Red-Line Athletics claimed second with 57.02 (.020) in a close finish between her and the winner. GB Heat Athletics’ Janiyah Rolle ended the race in third.

Melvinique Gibson of the T-Bird Flyers continued her season’s momentum, earning another win in the under-20 girls 400m finals. She ran a time of 1:00.09.

Olivia Denney came second with 1:00.27 and Adonya Stanislaus of Bahamas Speed Dynamics Elite finished in third place.

Gibson said she tried to be relaxed in the race, using her strides to follow her coach’s advice. She added that she could have done better but you win some and lose some so she is content for now with her time and performance.

For the under 20 boys 400m finals, Matthew Chandler of Fast Forward Athletics ran a season’s best time of 48.78.

Shimar Bain, who ran unattached, clocked 48.86 for second and Taryll

all Bahamas Games,” he said.

Anishka Wallace, coordinator for volunteers

and accommodations at Breezes, was able to explain how the teams are settling in the hotel.

“The teams are coming in and they are excited. We are trying to ensure they are checked into their rooms, ensuring that they are in, they are fed, and everyone is organised,” Wallace said.

The Tribune also spoke with an athlete who is experiencing the Bahamas Games for the first time.

Matthew Green, a 17-year-old sprinter, spoke about how he is feeling going into the games for the first time.

“It will be an experience for me. You know I get to learn a lot of new things, learn how the competition is, and I would still like to see a great outcome for me,” Green said.

Green also went on to share his expectations for the games, saying that he’s very confident that he can win his races in the 100 metres and the long jump when track and field is staged during the final week of the games.

“I am confident that we will do well. We can’t pinpoint any event that we will win outright, but I know we will do very well,” he said. “We came here strong and we ain’t come to take any prisoners.”

Exuma will be fully represented in all of the disciplines except for baseball and that is because of the changes of the ages of the competitors.

“We had to withdraw our team because we were only going to bring the kids to compete in baseball,” Swain said. “We couldn’t put our kids to play against the older guys.

“I accept their rationale for changing the rules, but I understand what they are doing.”

Look for Exuma to be very strong in swimming, sailing, men’s softball and women’s basketball. If there’s a weakness for Exuma, it would be in tennis where he claims they are not strong at all.

Abaco, according to chairman Kirk Reckley, is looking really good.

“We were able to accomplish the things we set out to do and now we are about to put it in our performances,” he said. “We are coming here to win it all.”

With athletes competing in all disciplines, Reckley said it’s going to be hard for Abaco to get beat.

“We were able to put together a very solid team,” as he compliments his assistants, who worked tirelessly with him. “We are strong across the board. We don’t have any weaknesses.”

The games will get started today at 9am with competition in volleyball at the Kendal Isaacs and Anatol Rodgers gymnasiums, baseball at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and soccer at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Centre at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The official opening ceremonies for the games will take place at 6pm on Saturday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Prime Minister Philip Davis is expected to lead the list of dignitaries.

CHARISMA TAYLOR, top, and Lacarthea Cooper, above, have punched their tickets to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and Pan Am Under-20 Championships, respectively.

Thompson of Fast Forward Athletics followed behind with 49.67.

The final day of the BAAA Junior & Senior

National Track and Field Championships is slated to begin at 3pm today in the original Thomas A Robinson stadium.

VLASOV MAKES HISTORY FOR BAHAMAS EQUESTRIAN SPORT

FROM PAGE 15

a double combination, a triple combination and an open water jump. After a shaky start and a pole down on the first fence, Vlasov and Gulliver got stronger and stronger as they rode through the course, finishing on 12 faults.

Sitting in 16th place –good enough to be near the top 10, but technically out of medal contention –Vlasov chose to retire from the competition rather than jump the second round of the Final.

“I made a horseman’s decision,” said Vlasov. “My horse gave his heart for this event. We are both still very inexperienced. We learned so much in this, our first Championship Games, and I felt it was unfair to ask him for more when he had already given so much.”

Vlasov was not the only athlete to make this decision. She was one of five riders in the top 20 who chose to retire from the competition rather than work their horses further. In the end, Vlasov and Gulliver placed 20th overall, tied with Colombia’s Jorge Andres Barrera and Explosive TV. “It was the hardest test I have ever faced in my career,” said Vlasov. “I feel so honoured to have such an incredible horse like Gulliver. I am so fortunate to be supported by an amazing team, who guided me every step of the way on this incredible journey.”

Vlasov was accompanied to the Games by her trainer, Gilles Bertran de Balanda, a former world champion and member of the French Olympic Show Jumping Team, Chef d’Equipe Heidi Mello of Bermuda,

who has over 25 years of experience in equestrian sport at the CAC, Pan-Am and Olympic Games, and professional show groom Margaux Rampnoux of

France, who has over 15 years’ experience preparing top horses for international competition.

“This is only the beginning,” said Vlasov. “I am

so thrilled with our performance. Now we continue to train and set our sights on representing The Bahamas in the Pan-American Games in 2026!”

MULLINGS FROM PAGE 15

Sands in the stands cheering for him. “What really made me happy was seeing

Mike Sands in the stands cheering me through the line in the 1,500m,” Mullings said.

“There wasn’t any covering from the rain, so it was just the media and athletes left. That’s why seeing him made me feel happy finishing in second.”

Although it wasn’t a national record, Mullings said just to soar over 8,000 was a gigantic feat for him to achieve.

“This achievement just shows me how much more I can really score if things go my way,” Mullings said.

“I was disappointed with the DQ (disqualification) for Kendrick (Thompson). I always want to see a fellow Bahamian athlete finish and get a medal for our country.”

Back home since his appearance in the games, Mullings said he’s not sure when he will compete again. But he will continue his training under coach Petro Kyprianou in Chicago, Illinois. Hopefully, at his next international meet, Mullings said he would be able to make the trek with him to assist him along the way.

ATHLETES playing connect four at SuperClubs Breezes.

Tribune Intern

ATHLETES and officials checking into Superclub Breezes.

ATHLETES enjoying a game of pool at Superclub Breezes.

TEAM BAHAMAS, shown from left to right, are Equestrian Federation president Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre, Chef d’Equipe Heidi Mello, Gulliver du Saint-Chene, Anna Camille Vlasov, Margaux Rampnoux (groom) and trainer Gilles Bertran de Balanda.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

CWCO BACKS BASKETBALL PROGRAMMES

FOR the past 18 years young boys and girls between the ages of seven and 17 eagerly anticipate and enjoy the D-Squad Summer Basketball Camp.

Last week, the free camp primarily sponsored by Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd (CWCO), concluded with over 50 registered campers. The Nassau-based seawater desalination plant and water supplier also made a donation to the C V Bethel Senior High School basketball team. Both the summer camp and basketball team, headed by coach Harcourt McCoy, encourage sportsmanship and character development.

Henderson Cash, general manager of CWCO, commended coach McCoy for his enduring and valuable commitment to youth development.

NFL FLAG BAHAMAS MAKES WAVES ON FOX 5 NEW YORK

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE National Football League (NFL) Flag Bahamas’ team commuted to New York to appear on Fox 5 New York yesterday morning.

The team, along with the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg, Adriana Fox, co-founder of the Fox Foundation along with six children, flew out to the Big Apple to talk about The Bahamas being the first Caribbean country selected to join the NFL Flag.

Chris Prudhome, head of NFL Flag Bahamas, talked about the league’s expansion to the Caribbean country.

“The NFL obviously wants to expand it on a global capacity and flag football is certainly the way young girls are involved and everyone’s involved so we are pretty enthusiastic about that, so we are excited to be the gateway to the Caribbean and The Bahamas,” Prudhome stated.

In his appearance on Fox 5, Minister Bowleg said The Bahamas’ borders are open to all international

sports as it is the place for “Sports in Paradise”.

“We welcome it, the government welcomes it and we are providing land so that we can make sure that we get the necessary facilities.

“We are happy to be the first in the Caribbean,” Bowleg said. Minister Bowleg added that NFL is a brand, The Bahamas is a brand, and the combination is going to make NFL Flag Football Bahamas great in the country.

Fox talked about the role the foundation played in the launch of NFL Flag

Bahamas. “We played a pivotal role in the launch of the NFL Flag Football and we believe in helping the young Bahamians.

“We want to better the Bahamas. We want to encourage all students, females and males, to participate in this sport and wherever we can help, we will help them in getting the job done,” Fox said.

According to Prudhome, NFL Flag Bahamas will look to expand to other Caribbean countries in the future.

But the organisation has pledged to work on helping The Bahamas first.

Next week Tuesday, NFL Flag Bahamas is scheduled to host the first-ever flag football clinic in the Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

The clinic will allow for the youth and adult participants to showcase their flag football skills and test their agility.

Following the flag football clinic, the season is expected to begin for kids and adults in late August.

The cost for the flag football clinic is $100 for the youth and $115 for adults.

Interested individuals can sign up at www.nflflagbahamas.com

“Coach McCoy has been a driving force in youth basketball, dedicating his time and expertise to nurturing the athletic talents and character of children and young adults.

“Through his basketball summer camp and wider coaching efforts, he has instilled values that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Remareo Forbes Jr has been a D-Squad Basketball Summer Camp participant for over three years.

As he enters 12th grade, the aspiring pro basketball player said he learns valuable skills as a camper and C V Bethel Senior High School basketball team member.

“I learned how to layup in this camp, it has been great. Being a participant has improved my skills a lot and taught me multiple skills like shooting, dribbling and dunking.

“This is going to make me great one day as I plan to play basketball for the rest of my life.”

Wembymania selling out Las Vegas, as Spurs rookie ‘can’t wait’ for Summer League debut

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) —

There are just some tickets that are hard to get in Las Vegas. Like Adele, for example. Or Garth Brooks. Or U2, which starts a residency there this fall.

And now, add Wemby to that list.

Victor Wembanyama’s debut at NBA Summer League is tonight — and it’s sold out. All 17,500 tickets that were available for Day 1 of the 11-day series of games on the campus of UNLV were gone by sometime Wednesday, largely because of the debut of the 7-foot-3 rookie who will be playing his first game in a San Antonio Spurs uniform.

“I can’t wait. Can’t wait,” Wembanyama said yesterday, after practice in Las Vegas with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich among those in the gym. “The practices lately have been really intense. I made a little pause in basketball with the draft and stuff, couldn’t really practice. I’m getting back in shape and I can’t wait. I’m having so much fun.”

The plan, as of now: He’ll play “at least one or two games” in Vegas, Wembanyama said. That means he’ll play today against Charlotte (and No.

2 pick Brandon Miller) and likely again Sunday against Portland (and No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson). He’s got appearances to make as well — Wembanyama is one of the headline attractions at the inaugural NBA Con event that starts today; he’ll be part of the Saturday unveiling of the new in-season tournament alongside Commissioner Adam Silver, and he’ll have an on-stage conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a session called “Exploring the Evolution of Basketball.”

Welcome to the NBA, Wemby. People have been waiting.

“I just realise more and more how lucky I am to be in this situation,” Wembanyama said. “I’m just happy to be here. Enjoying the moment.”

Tickets aren’t just gone — this is only the fifth sellout of Summer League in Las Vegas, the NBA said — but they’re also soaring on the secondary resale markets. Vivid Seats, a resale ticket marketplace, said its data shows the average cost of a ticket for Friday was $106; that would top its Summer League record of $86 set on opening night in 2019, when Zion Williamson made his debut for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Spurs summer coach

Matt Nielsen hadn’t heard

that Friday was sold out; he was told after San Antonio finished its twogame stay at the California Classic summer league in Sacramento — Wembanyama wasn’t part of those games — before flying to Las Vegas on Wednesday night. “It’s probably not the biggest surprise,” Nielsen said.

The growth of Summer League in Las Vegas is well-chronicled. The inaugural event in 2004 drew six teams playing a total of 13 games, and it seems as though the spectacle has grown almost annually since. It’s now an unofficial leaguewide meeting for anyone with ties to the NBA; most coaches show up, hundreds of players show up — many will be courtside for Wembanyama’s debut on Friday — and the final days of

Summer League this year just happens to coincide with the WNBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

“It’s grown tremendously and it’s a bit of basketball magic in a bottle,” said Kelly Flatow, the NBA’s executive vice president of global events.

“We liken it to three key ingredients — incredible passion of the rookies, free agents that are all working to get a permanent spot on a team, and incredible energy of the fans. It seems so many fans that come back every year that make this a bit of a pilgrimage. And they visit from not just the U.S. but from all over the world.” That seems especially true this year; NBA data shows that 98% of fans who purchased tickets through NBA Experiences for Summer League live

outside of Nevada, and 13% live outside the U.S.

Wembanyama was asked what advice Popovich is giving him.

“Being myself,” Wembanyama said.

“No one can worry about me not being myself. Coming into a new environment it’s important not to lose that sense of just being myself, having fun and experiencing it. This is the time to experience stuff on the court — because when the season starts, it’s about winning.” This is the second time Wembanyama has arrived to play to great fanfare in Las Vegas. His French team had a pair of exhibitions last fall against the G League Ignite — a team that featured Henderson. The success of those games led to the Ignite booking another series for this fall against the Perth Wildcats.

FORMAT

All 30 NBA teams are represented, and each will play four games before a four-team playoff bracket is set. The 26 teams that don’t make the playoffs will play a fifth game on July 15 or 16 before leaving Las Vegas; the four playoff teams will play a single-elimination tournament with semifinals on July 16 and culminating with a championship game on July 17.

WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND FINALLY FINISHED 2 DAYS LATER THAN PLANNED

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Let the record reflect that the rain-logged first round of Wimbledon 2023 finally concluded at 3:23pm local time yesterday, Day 4 of the tournament, 48 hours later than originally planned, when Alexander Zverev finished off his 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) victory over Dutch qualifier Gijs Brouwer.

Zverev was supposed to start and, naturally, finish, on Tuesday. Instead, he didn’t take the court to play his first point of the fortnight until about 17 1/2 hours after Novak Djokovic already had made his way into the third round.

“Took me three days,” Zverev joked, “but I’m here.”

For once this week, the sun was out at the All England Club, and the showers were nowhere to be found.

Instead, there was plenty of play, plenty of results — 56 in all — and plenty of drama, perhaps none more than in one much-hyped

USA BASKETBALL UNVEILS THE 12-MAN ROSTER FOR WORLD CUP

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) —

Grant Hill started working on the USA Basketball roster for this summer’s World Cup many months ago, long before the first invitations were extended. The result, he hopes, will make it worth all that effort.

USA Basketball formally unveiled the 12-player World Cup roster yesterday, with no changes to the group that had made commitments in recent weeks. All 12 have signed their agreements to play, a necessary step before the roster could officially be revealed.

The final list: New York teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Brooklyn teammates Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah’s Walker Kessler, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves.

showdown that did not conclude: Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray vs. two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas was suspended at 10:40 p.m. and will resume today.

Played with the roof closed at a loud Centre Court filled with “Let’s go, Andy! Let’s go!” chants from fans, that one was stopped just after Murray took a two-sets-to-one lead.

Tsitsipas took the opening set 7-6 (3), but Murray took the next two 7-6 (2), 6-4. Murray, 36 and with an artificial hip, slipped and fell behind a baseline but arose and finished that third set just before play was halted.

There were tears for Alizé Cornet, who slipped to the turf and hurt her leg at 5-all in the second set of what would become a 6-2, 7-6 (2) loss to defending champion Elena Rybakina. There were tears for Donna Vekic, too, and she won. She came back from a set and 5-2 down in the second to eliminate 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens.

“I was losing,” Vekic said later. “Not that I was just losing — I felt like I was getting killed.”

There was realism for Stan Wawrinka, a threetime Grand Slam champion who is now 38, coming off years of injuries and operations, and, while he was pleased to defeat Tomás Martín Etcheverry 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, knows what comes next: a matchup against Djokovic, who has won seven of his men’s-record 23 major championships at this event. “There’s zero opportunity to win Wimbledon for me, I think,” Wawrinka acknowledged.

“It’s an honour to play Novak here. ... Hopefully I can make a competitive match,” he continued, “but if you will look at recent results, I don’t really stand a chance.” There was new ground for a group of men who won to reach the third round at the All England Club for the first time: No. 14 seed Lorenzo Musetti, qualifier Maximillian Marterer, Mikael Ymer, Quentin Halys and Roman Safiullin. Ymer came back from a two-set deficit to knock off No. 9 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Two American men stuck around for the next round by winning: No. 10 Frances Tiafoe, a semifinalist at the U.S. Open last September, and No. 16 Tommy Paul, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January.

They were joined in the third round by two American women, No. 4 Jessica Pegula and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.

There was familiar disappointment at the grass-court major tournament for Casper Ruud, who was the runner-up at three of the past five majors but lost to British wild-card Liam Broady on Centre Court 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Ruud has never been past the second round in four appearances at Wimbledon. “I’m going to keep trying. I have a goal, of course, in my career to try to do well here at some point,” said Ruud, who was seeded No. 4 in the men’s bracket. “It didn’t happen this year. I’ll come back. I honestly love coming here. It’s such a special place.”

“I think I speak for all of us when I say that we’re very pleased,” Hill, the team’s managing director, said yesterday in a telephone interview. “And we were very thoughtful, very deliberate, very intentional about putting together the pieces to the puzzle. It was not easy, but I think we got the desired result. And we’re very pleased with the roster, the versatility, the complementary parts. So, we’ve crossed that hurdle. And now we’ve got a bigger hurdle to attempt to cross as a collective unit.”

Players have been getting the international basketball — slightly different from the NBA ball — to work out with in recent weeks, so they can familiarise themselves with that element of the FIBA game before arriving in Las Vegas for the start of a weeklong training camp on August 2.

The team will be coached by Golden State’s Steve Kerr, assisted by Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Gonzaga’s Mark Few. The coaching staff will gather to continue making plans in Las Vegas early next week; also expected to be part of that gathering is Jim Boylen, who coached the teams of G League and international players that went through a 12-game schedule to qualify the U.S. for the World Cup.

POGACAR WINS PYRENEES, VINGEGAARD CLAIMS TOUR DE FRANCE YELLOW JERSEY

CAUTERETS-CAM-

BASQUE, France (AP)

— Tadej Pogacar was not done yet.

Just 24 hours after losing more than a minute to his biggest rival at the Tour de France — defending champion Jonas Vingegaard — Pogacar showed he was not ready to give up, and revived the suspense at cycling’s biggest race.

Two-time champion Pogacar, who was dethroned by Vingegaard last summer, claimed a 10th career stage win yesterday after a stunning counterattack that dropped the reigning champion in the finale of the second and last stage in the Pyrenees.

“I would not say revenge, but it’s good to win today and take back some time,” Pogacar said after an epic day of racing in thin air. “I feel a little bit of relief and feel much better now.”

Vingegaard crossed the finish line 24 seconds behind Pogacar following their pulsating duel and seized the yellow jersey, 25 seconds ahead of his Slovenian rival.

“I would say it’s almost perfect the gap, and it’s going to be a big, big battle until the last stage,” Pogacar said.

Overnight leader Jai Hindley dropped to third place overall, 1 minute, 34 seconds off the pace.

The brutal 145-kilometre (90-mile) Stage 6 with a mountaintop finish from the southwestern city of Tarbes to the Plateau of Cambasque featured three tough climbs including the legendary Col du Tourmalet.

It was on the steepest part of the famed mountain pass, in thin air, that Vingegaard, riding behind a small group of breakaway riders, started the battle.

After his Jumbo-Visma teammates asphyxiated competition with a frenetic pace that made most of the other contenders crack, Vingegaard launched a sharp attack about 1.5 kilometres from the summit.

Pogacar was the only one able to follow. “The display Jonas showed yesterday was incredible and I was thinking when they started

pulling on the Tourmalet, ‘If it’s going to happen like yesterday we can pack our bags and go home,’” Pogacar said. “Luckily I had good legs today and could follow on the Tourmalet quite comfortably.” Vingegaard’s teammate, Wout van Aert, who was part of the early breakaway

and rode furiously throughout the day, waited for his leader in the downhill as a group of eight riders gathered at the front before the final grind with some steep sections with an 11% gradient. The tireless Van Aert accelerated again with five kilometres left to set up

Vingegaard’s second attack of the day, with Pogacar and Michal Kwiatkowski taking his wheel.

The Polish rider was quickly dropped and the duelists were on their own for the last three kilometers of the stage, spurred on by the vociferous cries of buoyant fans lining up

the road and lighting flares. Pogacar then placed his explosive counterattack with 2.6 kilometres left and never looked back.

Pogacar was in a class of his own earlier this year, triumphing nearly everywhere he showed up. Following his wins at the Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallonne, he aimed for a hat trick of the Ardennes one-day classics when he suddenly found himself down on the ground, forced to abandon Liege–Bastogne–Liege because of a crash that left him with a broken wrist requiring surgery.

Before the accident two months ago, Pogacar had been untouchable on all sorts of terrain, also dominating the field at the Tour of Flanders and the weeklong Paris-Nice. But his injury hampered his preparations for the Tour.

Today’s 170-kilometre (106-mile) stage from Mont-de-Marsan to Bordeaux is mainly flat and should offer some relief to the main contenders, with sprinters expected to fight for the win.

DENMARK’s Jonas Vingegaard leads Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 145 kilometres (90 miles) with start in Tarbes and finish in CauteretsCambasque, France, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

SPURS’ VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, the No. 1 draft pick, shoots during an NBA press conference at AT&T Center in San Antonio. (AP Photo/ Eric Gay)

BRITAIN’s Andy Murray reacts after slipping and falling trying to play a shot to Stefanos Tsitsipas on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, yesterday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023

BAAA JUNIOR/SENIOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONALS

Gardiner cruises to victory in 400

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian professional track and field athletes stole the show on day two of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) Junior & Senior National Track and Field Championships.

In his return to The Bahamas, Olympian Steven Gardiner had all eyes on him in the senior men’s 400-metre finals.

Athletes also continued their quest of qualifying for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica. Also, the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as well as the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

SENIORS

With most of the home crowd anticipating yesterday’s 400m finals featuring Gardiner, the two-time Olympic medallist did not disappoint.

Gardiner came away with a comfortable victory in the finals, running a time of 44.64 for the win.

Sprinter Wendell Miller came in second with a season’s best of 46.16. Third place finish belonged to Gregory Seymour of UCAC track and field.

Gardiner said it felt good to be at home and he stuck to his coach’s plan in the race. “It’s good to be back home for one, yesterday in the semi-final, my coach we had a plan to run a certain

MULLINGS REFLECTS ON SILVER MEDAL AT CAC GAMES

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

KEN Mullings, back home to celebrate his silver medal performance in the decathlon at the Central American and Caribbean Games, said he was thrilled to get on the podium in San Salvador, El Salvador.

At the end of the gruelling two days of competition in 10 different events, Mullings compiled a total of 8,060 points for a lifetime best, becoming only the second Bahamian to score over 8,000 points.

“I felt great, finishing another decathlon healthy and being able to get the silver medal in the process,” Mullings said.

The other Bahamian, national record holder Kendrick Thompson, with his total of 8,182 that he posted in May in Austria, also competed at CAC, but he had to withdraw from the 400 metres at the end of day one because of an injury.

Mullings, 26, was sitting in second place with 4,307 points, but admitted that he had the potential to surge out front, but he didn’t.

“I had a very bumpy start with the first two events, but I was able to really bounce back with the PR (personal best) in the high jump and a strong finish in the 400m.

time and we did that yesterday and today he wanted a 44 so I had to give him a 44 today. It’s a good run, I felt very relaxed and I felt comfortable and that’s the most important part about it. I am healthy after the race,”he said.

He added that he feels like his old self again after being out due to Achilles and spinal injury last year.

In the women’s finals, CARIFTA gold medallist Lacarthea Cooper outran

her opponents with a time of 54.12. Megan Moss from the University of Kentucky followed behind in 55.10. Meanwhile, Breanna Pratt wrapped up in third with 57.14.

The remaining three events for the heptathlon concluded for sisters Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Shaunece Miller on day two. In the javelin throw, the younger sister notched a throwing distance of 21.41m.

Let the mini-Olympicstyle Golden Jubilee Bahamas Games begin

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE they wait to hear the sound of “Let the games begin” today, island council chairmen are eager to showcase their talent during the Golden Jubilee Bahamas Games.

After a 21-year hiatus, the mini-Olympic-style competition will get underway today and continue through Saturday, July 15 at various sites in New Providence.

The games will feature competition for athletes in volleyball, soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, cycling, softball, tennis, golf, boxing, sailing, track and field and edukarting.

Grand Bahama, the only team to beat New Providence in the games that have had five editions before it was put on the shelf after the last competition in 2002, will be coming with a solid team to win it all.

Veteran chairman Churchill Tener Knowles said with more than 300 athletes coming in to participate in all of the events, they are certain they will give the rest of their counterparts a run for their money.

“We have a group of athletes who are committed to competing at a very high level,” Knowles said.

“We basically have a lot of young people. We have a few mature people in softball and basketball, but we have some very talented athletes representing Grand Bahama.”

Knowles said Grand Bahama will be very strong in events like swimming, basketball and softball. For all of the other sports, he said, they will field teams that will be just as competitive. If there is any issue going into the games, Knowles said it’s the report that they received that baseball has decided to include international certified umpires to officiate the games, while including some of the local umpires.

Knowles said as these are the “Bahamas Games,” they should be officiated by Bahamian umpires and they hope that the Games Secretariat, the Bahamas Baseball Association and chief umpire Martin

SEE PAGE 18

Meanwhile, the Olympian threw at a distance of 18.05m.

In the long jump, Miller leapt to a height of 4.97m (+1.1). The younger Miller completed the final event, which was the 800m race, in 2:38.47.

Both women said it was fun to experience competing against each other.

“It’s a blessing just to be able to compete with my little sister. “I always wanted to compete with

her so it was a lot of fun over these past two days,” Miller-Uibo said. She added that her favourite event of the seven was the shot put. She said she wants to take it slow this year, get ready for next season and focus on the Olympics.

Despite the shock by many about the quick return of the two-time Olympic gold medallist

SEE PAGE 18

“The goal on day two was to finish and get the best medal possible. I was able to finish with a silver medal and broke 8,000 for the first time with some really bad events and horrible conditions coming down to the last two events.”

Mullings, however, said he was appreciative to have North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) president Mike

SEE PAGE 18

ANNA VLASOV MAKES HISTORY FOR BAHAMAS EQUESTRIAN SPORT

ANNA Camille Vlasov has made history for Bahamas equestrian sport by becoming the first Bahamian to compete in a Regional Show Jumping Championship.

Vlasov represented The Bahamas in show jumping at the Central American and Caribbean Games, held in the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic sub-venue.

Riding her superb mount Gulliver Du Saint-Chene, the pair completed three gruelling rounds over four days just to qualify for Wednesday’s Individual Final.

As an individual entry, Vlasov and Gulliver were required to compete not only in Sunday’s individual qualifying round but also in the team competition the next day.

The pair showed their quality with a smooth, competent round in the individual qualifier that put them in a solid position going into the team competition. This was held under a Nations Cup format, with

Becomes first Bahamian to compete in a Regional Show Jumping Championship

MILLIE & GULLI - The eye-catching Dominican Republic Wall caused problems for some but Millie and Gulli jumped it easily.

two rounds of 16 jumping efforts each, with fence heights between 1.45 and 1.47 metres.

In the first round, the pair had one of the fastest times, well under the time allowed, with two unlucky rails down. Despite a refusal at jump two in the second round, they finished strongly on

a score of 34.32 over the three rounds jumped, good enough to qualify for the individual final.

The individual final was an incredible test for the athletes - the first round alone comprised 17 jumping efforts, including a triple bar 1.85 metres wide,

CRUISE CONTROL - Steven Gardiner cruises to victory yesterday in the 400 metre finals on day two of Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Junior & Senior National Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson stadium.

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff