08152024 NEWS AND SPORT

A ‘SLIPPERY SLOPE’ TO REGUL ATE BANKS

Bowe: Moving toward a ‘communist state’ if we control bank fees

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff

Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

GOWON Bowe, the chairman of the Clearing Banks Association, said the country is “moving towards a communist state” when discussing regulating bank fees and services, calling this a “very slippery slope”. His comment came after Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell urged the Central Bank to take a more proactive approach to regulating commercial bank fees.

Although local banks have generally made substantial profits in recent years, fees continue to escalate, frustrating residents.

AN END TO QUA LITY STA MP S AS SUPER VA LUE GOES DIGITA L

By LYNAIRE

MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunzings@tribunemedia.net

SHOPPERS have mixed views about Super Value’s decision to replace its 35-year-old paper stamp rewards system with a digital quality points initiative. Super Value announced that its digital quality points would maintain the rate of one stamp per every five dollars spent. Customers will be able to track their points via a mobile app, but the company has promised to continue accepting paper stamps indefinitely. Stamp collecting has long been a staple for families looking to save money. “I imagine that gluing

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PATRICK Bevans, the man behind some of Grand Bahama’s most sought-after whelks and curb salads, was

found dead Wednesday morning after going missing while fishing in the East End area.

A well-liked figure in his community of Hunters, West Grand Bahama, Bevans, 65, was known for

gathering whelks and curbs along the island’s shores, a tradition that made his name synonymous with fresh, local delicacies, according to Pastor Frank

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Views from Downtown, Nassau

LEFT: Sun-kissed tourists enjoy a coconut beverage in the Nassau Cruise Port on Monday. While vendors on capturing sales from passing visitors.

Photos: Dante Carrer/ Tribune Staff

A ‘slippery slope’ to regulate banks

Mr Mitchell highlighted the work of the Central Bank of Barbados as an example of a successful intervention to regulate fees.

In January, the Central Bank of Barbados mandated no fees for electronic transactions, including Automated Clearing House (ACH) and real-time payments (RTP) transfers. The bank also requires all commercial banks to offer at least one savings account free from fees or charges. Guidelines introduced in July require banks and finance companies to seek a non-objection from the Central Bank at least 60 days before implementing or increasing fees. Additionally, there are to be no fees for electronic transfers and no cash management fees for transactions under $10,000 per day.

Mr Bowe cautioned against “cherry-picking” aspects of Barbados’ regulatory regime, saying they may not paint the full picture.

“If there were a deep analysis performed, they would appreciate that this was to provide, if you will, a minimum, but it did not put any cap on other fees,” he said. “So, with the argument that transfer fees are now zero, but ATM fees are higher, in-person fees are higher.

“We have to bear in mind that everything is not ceteris paribus, the Latin phrase meaning ‘all other things being equal’. If we impose and fix one particular item, it is naive and

president of Fidelity Bank, noted that the government

had increased costs in certain areas, which the public criticised.

“What,” he asked, “has been the government’s response? We need to cover our costs, right? So is it not a bit hypocritical for a government to say it must regulate a private enterprise that is offering a service we would like to exist? Do you want people walking around with all their money under their mattresses and in their pockets? Is that a stable financial system?”

He argued that bank fees are essential to meet service needs and stressed the importance of consumer education.

“The bank comprises management, shareholders, depositors, and borrowers. While the criticism that banks might be exploiting customers is valid, determining this requires educating consumers on how to evaluate and assess the reasonableness of fees.”

“The reality is you can evaluate whether the bank you use is charging you a fee that you believe is reasonable relative to the service they provide and the costs they incur by making that critical analysis.

“When we get into this debate about mandating, regulating, or legislating the value of services for private enterprise, we are moving towards a communist state. We are saying that the government is a free market enterprise, and we have to be very careful because that’s a very, very slippery slope.”

GB MAN FOUND DEAD AFTER GOING MISSING WHILE FISHING IN E AST END AREA

Hagan, his brother-in-law. Bevans’ body was reportedly found around 7am along the shore at Gold Rock Creek. A

medical doctor examined him at the scene and pronounced him dead, finding no signs of life. The news has left his family in shock. Pastor Hagan described Bevans

as an outgoing man who was a familiar face not just in Hunters but across the island.

“He went to do some curbing at the creek and might have fallen,” he

said. “This wasn’t his first time there, but after Hurricane Dorian, the creek in Freetown opened up more. What used to be ankle-deep at low tide is now waist-deep. The tides

started changing, and the currents carried him away.”

Earlier police reports indicated that Bevans had gone to Gold Rock Creek with another man. The two separated around 7am, planning to reunite at 9.30am. However, as the tide rose and water conditions worsened, Bevans did not return.

The loss is particularly hard for the family, as they had just buried Bevans’ sister a few weeks ago.

Alice McGregor, a close

friend, said Bevans’ passing is a double blow to those who knew him. She last saw him at a friend’s birthday party on August 4. Bevans had also worked as a taxicab driver for 25 years in Grand Bahama.

“He will be greatly missed by many people,” Ms McGregor said. “He was always a nice, quiet person.”

Police do not suspect foul play and are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

GOWON BOWE

PATRICK BEV ANS, the man behind some of Grand Bahama’s most sought-after whelks and curb salads, was found dead

An end to Quality Stamps as Super Value goes digital

and taping gets very tedious, so I have no issues with the digital platform,” said Ismella Delancy, 60, who shops at Super Value’s Prince Charles location every Thursday. Ms Delancy said she saves stamps for special occasions such as Easter, summer, and Christmas.

In contrast, Louise Smith, 86, is concerned about the change. “It’s going to be online. I ain’t into that. I don’t even know nothing about online,” she said.

Ms Thompson, a 70-year-old customer, acknowledged that improvements are welcome but stressed the need for support for the elderly.

“It will be at a disadvantage for the elderly because we are not going to learn as fast as the young people,” she said.

“When we come to the food store to get the digital stamp, we older people don’t understand it and will be confused.”

While expressing some concerns, younger customers generally seemed to support the transition.

“Well, 50/50, I think you could benefit from it,” said Lashea Smith, whose household uses the stamps monthly. “It’s not like they

are cutting it off completely, but it doesn’t make sense if five adults in one house each have their own card, especially for bulk shopping. That’s the only downside.”

Michelle Solomon, 25, who shops monthly, said she also supports digitisation once it is properly implemented, adding that a slow transition would be beneficial, as there are many “non-tech-savvy people”.

Food stamps aren’t the only item facing obsolescence. BTC recently announced that it will retire phone cards.

Keisha Edwards, BTC’s director of commercial operations, told The Tribune the elimination of phone cards will not affect customers.

“BTC offers a wide variety of ways for customers to top-up their phones,” she said. “Earlier this year, we upgraded our MyBTC Mobile app to simplify plan purchases and top-up. The app can be downloaded in the app store on Android and Apple devices. Alternatively, customers can top-up their accounts at their nearest BTC retail store or at thousands of merchants and vendors across the country, including grocery stores and gas stations, just by providing their mobile phone numbers.

52nd Bernie Butler Open Water Swim taking place August 24 in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE 52nd Bernie Butler Open Water Swim will take place on August 24 at Coral Beach, offering a qualifying opportunity for competitive swimmers and a chance for casual swimmers to improve their skills.

Stacey McBride, board member and race coordinator, aims to increase participation from 65 to 100 swimmers this year. The event will feature four race divisions: the John Bradley 5K, a 1.35mile race, the Bert Bell one-mile race, and a halfmile relay. The 5K race, which starts at 7.30am, is a key

qualifier for swimmers seeking a place on the Bahamas National Teams.

“This is a significant event for competitive swimmers,” Ms McBride noted, adding that many participants from New Providence will travel to Grand Bahama to compete.

The race is named in honour of John Bradley Sr, a renowned Bahamian athlete who passed away in 2021. The other two races will start at 10.30am, with the final event being the half-mile relay, featuring teams of three. The Bert Bell One Mile race, named after the late swim coach Bert Bell, is designed for those who prefer shorter distances. Bell was known for

training competitive swimmers and teaching many underprivileged children how to swim.

The event will conclude with an awards ceremony at the Grand Bahama Sailing Club. The Bernie Butler Open Water Swim, one of the longest-running swim races in Grand Bahama and the Bahamas, was paused for two years due to COVID-19 but resumed in 2022.

Robbie Butler, son of the late Bernie Butler, has participated every year and completed his 50th race last year. Bernie Butler, from Nassau, won the Kiwanis Harbour Marathon at age 18 and, after moving to West End, Grand Bahama, became a board member of BASRA

and one of the original organisers of the BASRA Swim Race in 1971. He competed until 1989, when he tragically died in an accident. The race was subsequently named in his

honour. Ms McBride highlighted that most donations and funds raised support swimming lessons for underprivileged children. Last year, $13,000

was spent on lessons for 12 to 13 kids at the Freeport Aquatics Club and the YMCA. Plans for next year include expanding to children from the Grand Bahama Children’s Home.

SWIMMERS competing in the Bernie Butler Open Water Swim two years ago.

SBDC awards over $600k as part of its 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) awarded more than $600,000 in grants to 83 women nationwide as part of its 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative.

An award ceremony was held yesterday at Access Accelerator on Gladstone Road, where the grant recipients were celebrated.

The initiative provided $604,782 in funding to women from diverse fields, including chefs, educators, creatives, entertainers, home caretakers, and other entrepreneurs.

The grant programme extends across New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands. Fourteen women in Grand Bahama will receive $98,410 in funding, while 20 women across eight other islands will receive a total of $136,300.

SBDC’s executive director, Samantha Rolle, said the initiative offers training, mentorship, and targeted programmes to help Bahamian women succeed. She highlighted that the awardees were all first-time grant recipients. Ms Rolle said the grant funding will help to create jobs, support families, and inspire others.

“You can never go wrong when betting on women, yet too often women are overlooked in the entrepreneurial landscape,” Ms Rolle said. “This is why

the SBDC placed a priority on championing women through initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurs Initiative. When women succeed, entire communities prosper.”

Deputy executive director Phyllice Bethel added that over the past two years, the SBDC conducted a gender equality survey to understand and address the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Ms Bethel noted that the 2024 survey results showed some improvement, but more work is needed to help women overcome the barriers they face.

She reported that as of June 30, 1,139 womenowned businesses had accessed $29.8 million in funding through the SBDC. With these new grants, the number of funded womenowned businesses has increased from 1,139 to 1,222, and the total funding approved for these businesses has risen from $29.8m to $30.4m.

Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, also congratulated the grant recipients.

One of the grant recipients, Lisa Turnquest, owner of Kaptin Korn, received $9,865. Ms Turnquest runs a home-based business in Grand Bahama, cooking corn on the cob in 15 different flavours, including lemon pepper, butter pecan, and apple pie. Her business, which has been operating since 2018, uses a mobile

trailer to attend festivals.

Ms Turnquest, who also works a nine-to-five job in insurance and is a mother, said that she had been funding Kaptin Korn from her pocket for a long time. She said the SBDC grant has allowed her to trademark the Kaptin Korn brand and engage in marketing opportunities.

“A lot of people work at jobs that they have no passion for,” she said. “I have extreme passion for Kaptin Korn. I literally get excited when I start talking about Kaptin Korn, and I can’t think about what I do from nine to five. So, in doing that, it’s helped me to balance because Kaptin Korn is completely contrary to what I do in my day job.”

Another recipient, Tishka Moss, owns Traveling Tots Rentals, which provides cribs, car seats, strollers, and other baby gear for families vacationing in New Providence. Ms Moss, a mother herself, understands the stress of packing essential items for a baby when travelling. She plans to use the grant to acquire a business vehicle, enhance her marketing, and improve her website.

Meanwhile, Angelique Griffin, owner of Happy Healing Homecare, offers caregiving and nursing services primarily to older patients. She noted that the grant will help her better serve her patients, who often require extended care and assistance when dealing with illnesses.

SBDC unDergoing ‘aggre SSive’ auDit expeC teD to Be Complete By year’S enD

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) is currently undergoing an “aggressive” audit expected to be completed by the end of this year, according to Samantha Rolle, executive director of Access Accelerator, SBDC.

She said while audits have been conducted in the past, the current exercise aims to thoroughly evaluate the organisation’s environment, documented policies, and procedures to

ensure compliance.

“We are currently undergoing an aggressive audit exercise, making sure that all public records, all activities, consideration for risk and compliance and operational excellence are being examined, and also where there is a need to make any adjustments pertaining to our policies, procedures would be adjusted according to the results of the audit,” she told The Tribune. “We anticipate for the audit exercise to conclude at the end of 2024 at which we will make sure that all audits are publicly available.”

She said the audit will also review the financial management of the company’s funds.

The most recent audit of the SBDC was in 2021. Ms Rolle noted that significant findings from that audit were related to the lending aspect of SBDC, particularly in ensuring that entrepreneurs who received loans or debt-related funding are meeting their obligations. It is unclear whether the audit was released for public consumption.

The SBDC was established under the Minnis administration in 2018.

WIFE of the Prime Minister Ann Marie Davis congratulates all grant recipients during the SBDC’s 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative Grant Announcement Press Conference at SBDC Headquarters yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

SMALL Business Development Centre (SBDC) Executive Director Samantha Rolle speaks during the SBDC’s 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative Grant Announcement Press Conference at SBDC Headquarters yesterday.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

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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What goes on in the birth of a hurricane

WHEN tropical meteorologists peer at satellite images, they often catch sight of subtle cloud formations hinting at something more ominous brewing.

The first signs of a potential hurricane can be detected days before a storm gains its fierce momentum. Wispy cirrus clouds radiating outward, the appearance of curved banding lowlevel clouds and a drop in atmospheric pressure are all clues. These early clues are crucial for predicting the onset of what might develop into a catastrophic hurricane.

I am a meteorology professor at Penn State, and my research group uses satellites and computer models to improve forecasting of tropical weather systems. With an especially fierce Atlantic storm season forecast for 2024, being able to detect these initial signals and provide early warnings is more important than ever. Here’s what forecasters look for.

C O N DITIO NS RIPE FOR A

HU RRIC AN E

Hurricanes typically start as atmospheric tropical waves, areas of low pressure associated with clusters of thunderstorms. As these tropical waves move westward across tropical oceans, some of them can develop into hurricanes.

The formation of a hurricane hinges on several specific conditions: Distance from the Equator: Tropical cyclones usually form at least 5 degrees from the equator. This is because the Coriolis force, crucial for the initial spin-up of the cyclonic system, is weaker near the equator. The Coriolis force is caused by the Earth’s rotation, which makes moving air turn and swirl.

Warm sea surface temperatures: The sea surface temperature must be at least 26.5 degrees Celsius (about 80 Fahrenheit) for a hurricane to form. The warm water provides energy that drives the storm as the storm absorbs heat and moisture from the ocean.

Atmospheric instability and moisture: For tropical cyclones to form, the atmosphere needs to be unstable. This means that warm surface air rises and remains warmer than the surrounding air, allowing it to keep rising and forming thunderstorms. There also needs to be plenty of moisture, as dry air can cause clouds to evaporate and weaken the upward motions within thunderstorms. These factors are essential for the development of clustered thunderstorms within the tropical waves. Low vertical wind shear: Strong vertical wind shear can tear a developing hurricane apart. Vertical wind shear is changes in wind direction or speed at different elevations. It disrupts a storm’s formation and growth and makes it hard for a hurricane to keep its vortex aligned.

EA R LY FOREC AS TI NG

RE QU IRE S M ORE T HAN SATE LL ITE S

Recognising the early stages in the life cycle of a hurricane has been very challenging because there aren’t large numbers of surface stations and weather balloons to provide detailed atmospheric information over the open ocean.

Once a storm starts to form, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s hurricane hunter airplanes will often fly through it, taking measurements and dropping sensors to get more data. But that can’t happen for every wispy cloud, particularly when the developing system is far from the coast.

One of the primary tools meteorologists currently use to forecast the early formation of hurricanes is satellite imagery, which provides real-time data on cloud patterns, sea surface temperatures and other atmospheric conditions. For instance, the GOES satellites operated by NOAA help meteorologists track the development of hurricanes with unprecedented clarity. These satellites can capture images at multiple wavelengths, allowing forecasters to analyze various aspects of the storm, such as cloud formation, precipitation and lightning activity.

However, satellite observations alone don’t provide enough information for meteorologists to know which tropical waves are likely to develop into hurricanes.

To enhance forecasting accuracy, our research group has developed methods for incorporating real-time satellite data, including humidity levels and cloud patterns, into computer forecast models. This process, known as data assimilation, enables a more precise and consistent depiction of atmospheric conditions. As a result, forecasters can benefit from significantly enhanced predictive capabilities, particularly in anticipating the formation and progression of hurricanes.

We’re currently working with NOAA to refine these techniques and bring them into wider use for better hurricane forecasting and earlier warnings so the public has more time to prepare.

As people in North America and the Caribbean brace for what is predicted to be a particularly intense hurricane season in 2024, the need for accurate early storm forecasting has never been greater.

By Xingchao Chen Penn State

conversation.com.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BAHAMIANS near and far, especially those who remember the last administration led by Hubert Alexander Minnis, know that he was a strange leader with unorthodox reasoning. All Bahamians, including honest FNM, know that what we experienced from Minnis was nothing short of a dictator who ran amok. We stomached the self-promotion to The Most Honourable” a title we’ve never heard of before. But what else could be expected from a narcissist?

“Everything I say goes”, that is the attitude.

The strange behaviour continued until Minnis decided he was abandoning the ship and called an early election, much to the shock of his colleagues. Remember that his cabinet condoned his most questionable decisions; they collectively agreed.

However, to address the issue, he manipulated the police force and moved seasoned officers around like pieces on the checkerboard. We cannot say that he allowed the force to operate independently of the government. Therefore, he had his hand or insisted on what he wanted done by the police. His authority threatened them if they did not obey.

Now, he wants the present Prime Minister to usurp the authority of the Duly Appointed Commissioner of Police and prevent him from making his decisions independent of any influence or instructions from the Prime Minister. But Minnis hurling unfounded

accusations of conflict of interest is woefully insulting and serves no purpose.

The perceived Commissioner’s lack of honesty and irresponsibility in not conducting a thorough investigation on any alleged rogue cop is disrespectful. It sends the wrong message to the public, thus eroding trust in the force’s confidence.

Who could we turn to when it is our turn to seek the police’s support and cooperation in solving society’s many problems?

The call for a commission of inquiry is laughable because if the current administration wanted to, several past egregious events during the FNM would have warranted commissions of inquiry. The billions of dollars that disappeared from Hurricane Dorian are disturbing and require outside intervention. The $52M siphoned under the disguise of feeding programs, which still left us baffled. Lord knows corned beef, tuna, and rice cannot come to scores of millions. Who do they think they are fooling?

While beating the dead horse, the Minnis administration committed many severe offences and, in some cases, potential criminal acts, including ripping off the country’s purse, which should have been the subject of ongoing investigations.

The mystery of millions sucked up at Water and Sewerage, and passed all of the usual intricacies that would notice irregularities and not one

minister, or prime minister knew nothing, begs for a commission of inquiry. The need for transparency and accountability in this matter is undeniable, and we all must stay informed and aware of these issues.

So where is Minnis getting off, telling Prime Minister Davis what to do? Davis has already expressed his concern and was disturbed by the sketchy information. He, too, calls for a thorough investigation.

The conscientious Commissioner has said on numerous occasions that he is working assiduously to investigate the incident. We trust him to continue to do his job, just like he always does. This case is no different. We must give the Commissioner our full support, share all our information, and actively assist in the investigation. Our involvement is crucial in bringing those involved to justice, and we all must unite and commit to this cause.

If Minnis is serious, he should, too, share what information he has and help the police close this complex investigation. Either Minnis and his colleagues are part of the solution or part of the problem. Only then would Bahamians see if Minnis and the FNM are serious about bringing those involved to justice or if they are playing politics to get cheap brownie points; we should not do it at the expense of giving the international viewers the impression that we are corrupt, as he told them in the past.

LA Plata river floods a road after Tropical Storm Ernesto passed through Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, yesterday.

Photo: Alejandro Granadillo/AP

Senate president awarded honourary Doctor of Laws by Northern Caribbean University

SENATE President J LaShell Adderley was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Jamaica, over the weekend. Ms Adderley was conferred with the degree in recognition of her 30-year career as an economist and attorney-at-law, with outstanding proficiency in compliance, corporate governance, and financial policy and regulation. The university also recognised her efforts as president of the Senate, where Ms Adderley has advocated for gender equality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and other human rights concerns. In an impassioned address during NCU’s morning commencement exercise on August 11, Ms Adderley encouraged the graduates to become climate change adaptation advocates. Noting that Small Island Developing States are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, crippling heat, floods, intense droughts, and severe Hurricanes like Beryl and Dorian, Ms Adderley emphasised the importance of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Privy Council ruling on joint mortgage after a partner dies

Audrey Flowers.

In September 2011, Mr Scavella and Ms Flowers took out a $540,000 mortgage from the Finance Corporation of The Bahamas Ltd (FCB) on a property they owned jointly at No 1 Harold Heights, New Providence. When Mr Scavella passed away, most of the mortgage was still unpaid.

As the surviving joint tenant, Ms Flowers became the sole owner of the property automatically upon Mr Scavella’s death. She later became the administrator of Mr Scavella’s estate and used $165,000 from his life insurance policy to pay the mortgage. This life insurance policy was Mr Scavella’s main asset but was not connected to the mortgage.

In 2017, Gina Scavella and her daughters sued Ms Flowers, arguing that the mortgage should have been paid from the estate, not just by Ms Flowers. They based their claim on section 65 of the Probate and Administration of Estates Act 2011, which states that if a person dies and their

property is charged with a debt, that property should be used to pay the debt unless the deceased person specified otherwise.

The Supreme Court initially ruled in favour of Ms Scavella and her daughters. However, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision in 2022, ruling that section 65 did not apply in this case. The Court of Appeal ruled that when Mr Scavella died, the property did not become part of his estate because it automatically passed to Ms Flowers as the surviving joint tenant. Therefore, the property was not available to cover Mr Scavella’s debts.

The Privy Council agreed with the Court of Appeal, ruling that section 65 does not apply to property held in joint tenancy. Once Mr Scavella died, his interest in the property ceased to exist, and it could not be used to settle his debts.

This decision clarifies that if a property is held in joint tenancy, the surviving owner is not automatically responsible for the deceased person’s share of the mortgage unless both were originally liable for the debt.

“Activism and advocacy are vitally important to ensuring that industrialised countries fulfil their commitment and provide $100bn a year to developing countries so that they can adapt and move towards renewable energy and greener economies,” Ms Adderley said. While in-country, Ms Adderley also paid courtesy calls to Jamaican Governor General Patrick Allen, Senate Thomas Tavares-Finson, and Cabinet Secretary Audrey V Sewell. In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Allen noted that the two “discussed strengthening Jamaica-Bahamas relations in areas of mutual interest, such as the tourism and education sectors, as well as the shared commitments within CARICOM.”

SENATE President J LaShell Adderley was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Jamaica, over the weekend. from

The outrageous fees by commercial banks

WITH a recent increase in various fees by CIBC

First Caribbean, Bahamians and residents are once again asking why the Central Bank of The Bahamas and successive government have failed to adequately and clearly address the variety of outrageous fees bank customers endure on a broad range of services.

This is added to the feeling by most Bahamians that we are often gouged and taken advantage of by various commercial interests, including various grocery stores.

The consumer regulatory regime in The Bahamas is considered a joke with little regulatory teeth, and a complacent political elite afraid to take on certain interests who regularly contribute to political parties and candidates, who are in turn reticent to take broader regulatory actions.

Indeed, some commercial enterprises scoff at government ministers and advocates pressing certain consumer interests.

Some years ago, a leading political figure was bluntly told by a senior expatriate banker that there were things that foreign commercial banks could get away with in The Bahamas that they could not get away with in the banker’s home country of Canada.

A recent former senior employee of the Central Bank believes that this remains the case. This individual remarked that the need for the government to borrow from certain local banks made the cabinet more reluctant to request certain structural changes.

Canadian institutions have dominated commercial banking in The Bahamas from the inception of this economic sector. Even before it opened branches in parts of what was then considered the boondocks of Western Canada, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) opened its first branch in Nassau in 1908.

Almost 50 years later, three other Canadian banks arrived in The Bahama Islands over a three-year period. In 1956, Scotiabank opened a small branch in Nassau, followed in 1957 by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

certain fees.

Still, there have been times over the many decades that these banks could have been better corporate citizens. There is a view by various informed observers that public officials, including the Central Bank, have often been less than vigorous, and at times complacent, in pressing for necessary reforms and changes in commercial banks, including in lending practices in terms of commercial loans. Various banks, domestic and foreign, are engaged in the dollar equivalent of the nickeling-and-diming of customers with the imposition of various fees, a practice also under scrutiny in other locales.

‘Various banks, domestic and foreign, are engaged in the dollar equivalent of the nickelingand-diming of customers with the imposition of various fees, a practice also under scrutiny in other locales.’

Certain fees may be understandable given the nature of services provided. Still, consumers and regulators need to be vigilant about the range of fees imposed locally and the possible greed and potential gouging involved in

Wikipedia reports that in “1958 Bank of London and South America [ BOLSA], an affiliate of Lloyds Bank, and Bank of Montreal established Bank of London and Montreal as a 50-50 JV with headquarters in Nassau in The Bahamas”. There have been significant changes in the banking sector in the ensuing decades. The Bank of Montreal was purchased by the government of The Bahamas in 1988, becoming the Bank of The Bahamas. Commonwealth Bank is a fully-owned Bahamian entity. The Canadian commercial banks have contributed to the national and economic development of The Bahamas. Canadians and Canada are generally wellregarded by Bahamians.

An egregious and ridiculous example is the story of a bank customer paying off a loan. To help facilitate the repayment, this customer wrote and sent to one of the commercial banks postdated checks for dates the bank proposed. Because it took the bank some days to process the post-dated checks, the customer was fined a late fee, despite the bank having proposed the date on the check in the first instance. The late fee was subsequently reversed after considerable effort.

Another story: A certain bank has repeatedly called a certain customer on a matter. The customer notes that every time he returned the call for a period of a year, he has never once gotten someone on the phone from the bank.

Customer service by telephone is a notorious problem in many jurisdictions. Combine this to the natural slackness and indifference of many Bahamian employees, which further frustrates bank customers.

Many Bahamians have swallowed or reluctantly accepted the range of fees to use debit cards, credit cards, and ATMs, including the fee every time one

uses an ATM card at a bank machine where one has an account.

While ATMs are convenient for customers, they save the bank from even more customers on bank lines, which are typically slow to move here at home, especially on certain paydays.

It is ridiculous that a recipient of a cheque cannot cash a cheque at certain banks if one is not a customer of that bank, though one can deposit that cheque to an account one has at another bank.

Other Caribbean jurisdictions appear more proactive in reining in certain fees and protecting consumers than the Central Bank of The Bahamas and both major political parties.

A story last year in the Amandala newspaper in Belize, entitled “Central Bank clamps down on bank fees/charges” reported: “A significant upcoming change announced by [Central Bank] Governor [Kareem] Michael is the regulation of bank fees and charges, set to take effect on January 2, 2024. ‘All banks must reduce or limit ATM withdrawal fees to a maximum of 25 cents per transaction,’ he stated, with the goal of eliminating these fees for innetwork transactions in the future.

Note: One Belize dollar is worth Bahamian 50 cents.

“The Central Bank is also addressing other fees, including those for dormant accounts, account closures, and early loan payouts. Additionally, they have committed to stop charging banks for electronic and instant funds transfer on online apps, with reductions for customers expected to fall below $1.00, also effective January 2nd.”

The Governor observed: “Evidence has shown that it drives positive financial

inclusion and therefore enhances the financial stability mandate.”

Yesterday’s Tribune reported: “In January, the Central Bank of Barbados mandated that no fees could be charged for electronic transactions including Automated Clearing House (ACH) and real-time payments (RTP) transfers.

“The Bank also requires all commercial banks to offer at least one savings account free from fees or charges. Guidelines introduced in July require banks and finance companies to seek a non-objection from the Central Bank at least 60 days before implementing or increasing fees.”

The story continued: They must also notify customers at least 30 days before a fee takes effect, although no notice is required for fee reductions. Additionally, there are to be no fees for electronic transfers and no cash management fees for transactions under $10,000 per day.”

Last year, NationNews in Barbados reported: “The Central Bank of Barbados has confirmed that Bajans opening new bank accounts can do so free of controversial maintenance fees.

The monetary authority revealed that from June, Barbadians have been able to open a bank account free from maintenance fees at any of the six commercial banks operating here.

The news comes as commercial banks have increased their profits, with the Central Bank urging them to focus on growing their earnings via lending, and less from maintenance fees.”

To help serve certain customers, the Government of Canada forged an agreement some years ago with commercial banks for

low-cost accounts. These accounts “cost a maximum of $4 per month in banking fees. The Government of Canada and certain financial institutions have an agreement to provide lowcost basic banking services.”

These accounts offer the following services: “at least 12 debit transactions per month, including at least 2 in-branch transactions where available; ability to write cheques; a debit card; unlimited deposits; monthly printed statements; ability to set up pre-authorised payments; cheque image return or online cheque image viewing.”

Why can’t such a regime be set up in The Bahamas?

Yesterday’s Tribune reported: “In July, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced a 50-cent decline in debit card transaction fees for ATM transactions involving other banks in the country and purchases at local points of sale.”

This should be welcomed. Correspondingly, if RBC was able to reduce these fees, how much were they originally making from these fees and why did it take so long to reduce these fees? Moreover, what other actions can other banks take to reduce certain fees?

The government should cause the issuance of a consumer report detailing the full range of fees by the commercial banks and the amount of money made from these fees so that consumers can compare the fee structures. Further, how much VAT or other taxes is the government earning from these fees?

Again, why do the Central Bank and both major parties appear so out of touch and out of tune with consumers who feel taken advantage of and gouged by the commercial banks?

Post-Olympics political landscape is shifting

NOW the Olympic Games are over, and the consensus seems to be that the French people, France’s Olympic committee and its government did a sensational job of presenting the Games in the context of a world riven by two brutal, almost transcendental wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In an overall competition diminished without Russia present, the US emerged victorious, but China, the UK, France and others also did very well.

In America, the Olympics provided a most welcome respite from the unpredictable craziness of the current presidential campaign. Luckily for most American men and a growing number of women, the NFL preseason has begun with all of its annual promise for the 25 or so teams that have no practical chance to compete for a championship.

The oddsmakers seem to like defending champion and AFC titlist Kansas City a lot, and the team will be strongly motivated to win an unprecedented third straight championship. In the NFC, San Francisco and Philadelphia are favoured.

Major League Baseball has six weeks to go in a season which still has the real potential to provide surprises that could match 2023, when the finalists for World Series title were the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. If you had made a $10 preseason wager on that parlay, according to Fox Sports Bet, your payoff would have been $17,510. The Rangers entered last season as the 17th highest betting favourite out of 30 MLB teams; the Diamondbacks were rated 24th best.

As of yesterday morning, the best record in baseball was held by the Cleveland Guardians, who changed their name from Indians under some political pressure a couple of years ago. In their surprising AL Central division, both second-place Minnesota Twins and third-place Kansas City Royals could also make the playoffs as wild card teams. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles would also make the playoffs, as would the consistently competitive Houston Astros.

Meanwhile, in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers hold onto a lead and, with Cleveland, hold the sport’s best record through 120 games. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres would make the expanded postseason from the same division. Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Phillies are coasting to the playoffs in the NL East, and the Atlanta Braves seem on track to join them. The Milwaukee Brewers would represent the NL Central Division.

Right now, the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees and Orioles have the lowest odds of advancing to the World Series. But underdogs like Cleveland or Minnesota

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

could join Atlanta or San Diego in a World Series shocker. It would be a fun story, but such matchups would not be popular at MLB’s New York City offices because of the lower sized media markets in those cities.

Meanwhile, in American politics, a kind of earthquake seems to have just happened quickly and almost without anyone noticing. Biden flubbed his debate; Harris won his endorsement and the unanimous support of her Democratic Party in what seemed like the blink of an eye; Trump seems to have erred, perhaps badly, in his choice of JD Vance as his vice-presidential running mate, and Harris made the safe and seemingly wiser choice of Tim Walz as hers.

Biden was a political dead man walking just weeks ago. Now Harris seems to be cruising to what might be a big November win. Before Harris moved up, Trump could taste victory - and liberation from his 34 felony convictions. Now he looks old, with his turkey-gobbler neck lines and perpetual frown.

Has Trump finally grown stale? After nearly a decade of his assaulting our values and some of our most

cherished institutions, have voters finally tired of his dreary, pessimistic act? We will see.

For now, on the eve of a Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week that should give Harris-Walz a significant public relations boost and inject even more vigour into their legions of young, organized labour and minority supporters, it’s Trump who looks like the political dead man walking.

Here’s part of a conversation between two of the smartest political observers in American politics today. The interviewer is Ezra Klein, a brainiac now working for the New York Times who confidently tackles some of the most complex, significant and seemingly incomprehensible issues in contemporary life. The interviewee is Nate Silver, also once affiliated with the Times. He is a former professional poker player whose political forecasts are among the most widely watched these days. Klein: “There was a great piece the other day on the way the Trump campaign was thinking about the race after the debate with Biden, and they felt they had Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia

completely locked up, and that the election was really a race in only three, maybe four states. Now, my understanding is that Harris and her team think they have re-expanded the map. They think that Nevada, Arizona and Georgia are back in play. They think that North Carolina might be back in play. Do you think that’s true?”

Silver: “I think that’s right. Look at the voters that Biden was falling off with. Nevada is extremely diverse, and its workingclass voters of colour were drifting away from Biden. In Georgia, you have tons of young professionals and tons of great colleges and universities and, of course, tons of black voters — the same groups that he was declining with a little bit. North Carolina has been interestingly close in the polls. Arizona is the one that doesn’t seem to have moved quite as much, though there was one poll with Harris ahead there.

“But now, that’s right. I agree with you. I think the map has indeed expanded, and it’s obviously plausible again that Harris would win Georgia, especially with Trump’s almost incomprehensible, continuing feud with really

popular Georgia Republican governor Brian Kemp not helping the GOP one bit.

“At the moment when Trump got grazed by an assassin’s bullet, I think a lot of people seemed to be like, oh, he’s just going to win the election, right? And then he picks JD Vance and I think Trump became a little arrogant. And then, you know, in poker, when you go from having a big stack, and then you lose a big pot, then you lose another big pot, and then you go on tilt, and before long, you have no chips left in front of you.”

It’s interesting that neither of these political savants made any mention in this discussion of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, apart from Silver’s earlier remark that Trump’s campaign had really feared the possibility that Harris would pick combative but extremely popular Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate.

Despite opting instead for Mr Midwest in Tim Walz, Harris now has earned a statistically significant polling edge over Trump in these three key states. And it’s still highly likely that if she can win these three in November, she will earn a four-year stay in the White House. Pennsylvania is especially intriguing. The conventional wisdom for many years has been that Democrats must turn out in big numbers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in order to prevail over the

rural remainder of the state which normally votes Republican. It is almost a truism that rural Pennsylvania is “just like Alabama, without the accent”. Driving in those parts of the state, one sees plenty of Trump signs and almost none favouring the Democrats.

In a recent talk in New York, a veteran Pennsylvania pollster offered a different take on his state’s present status. Berwood Yost runs the Franklin and Marshall College Poll, which is the longest-running statewide Pennsylvania poll exclusively directed at and produced in the state.

Yost told his private audience that “rearrangement of ideological and partisan identities within key demographic subgroups and geographic regions in Pennsylvania have created increased polarization and intense political competition.”

He believes that in recent years, after many years of fairly steady Republican domination in the state, “several demographic changes have created the conditions for competitive races for statewide and national offices, while at the same time moving the state from Republican- to Democratic-leaning.”

Recent electoral results certainly support Yost’s thesis. At present, both Pennsylvania senators and the state’s governor are Democrats, and they and the GOP each control one house in the state legislature.

REPUBLICAN presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference, on August 8, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally, on August 7, 2024, in Romulus, Michigan.

Photo: AP

Doctor testifies as two men stand trial for 2018 murder

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A DOCTOR testified yesterday that an 18-year-old man sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder and jaw after being shot in McCollough Corner in 2018.

Justice Jeanine Weech Gomez is presiding over the attempted murder trial of Hensil Ellis and Wilbert Ingraham.

Dr Chavago Rolle, a

former A&E physician at Princess Margaret Hospital, testified that on September 25, 2018, Bernard Farrington arrived at the emergency room with multiple gunshot wounds. According to reports, the victim was allegedly shot by two men on a dirt road off Sandy Lane around 7am.

Dr Rolle, who was the initial physician to treat Farrington, recalled that the teenager complained

of multiple gunshot wounds before being transferred to another doctor.

During cross-examination by Moses Bain, the defence attorney, Dr Rolle, confirmed that he did not have his notes from the day he treated Mr Farrington. He explained that after leaving PMH, he requested the file but was informed that it could not be found.

Dr Rolle also said that he could not recall

Man accused of stealing wo M an’s

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was

whether the victim lost consciousness during the examination or if police accompanied him.

Sergeant 3765 Javardo Musgrove testified that he visited the victim in the hospital on September 27, 2018, after Farrington’s condition improved. On that same day, Musgrove conducted a one-hour interview with Ellis.

Carmen Brown is serving as the prosecutor, and Tonique Lewis represents one of the defendants.

vehicle this M onth

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A WOM AN WITH DEADLY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail yesterday after he allegedly threatened a woman with a gun last week in New Providence.

Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr arraigned Keino Johnson, 39, on assault with a deadly weapon.

The defendant allegedly assaulted Sophia Morley with a handgun on August 7. After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant was granted bail at $8,000 with one or two sureties. Johnson’s trial begins on October 17.

MAN CHARGED WITH HAVING ILLEGAL FIREAR M AND A MMO

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail yesterday after he was allegedly found with a loaded gun last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby arraigned Jermaine Rolle, 44, for possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition.

The defendant was allegedly found with a black

The

with one or two sureties. He must sign in at the Grove Police Station every Monday through Saturday by 6pm. Rolle will return for trial on October 24.

ORG Young Leaders Plastic Challenge awards three high schoolers $500 for environmental projects

THREE high school students have each won $500 to launch projects to reduce plastic pollution in their schools following their participation in the Young Leaders Plastic Challenge.

The initiative, led by the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG), seeks to empower Bahamian students to tackle environmental issues through creative, studentled projects.

The competition, which began in March and concluded with a final pitch event on August 9 at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat on Village Road, featured nine finalists presenting their plans to a panel of conservation experts. Trevan Fernander from St Augustine’s College, KeAnte Roker from Kingsway Academy, and Iyana Eaton from St John’s were awarded grants for their impactful projects. Each student will receive $500 to implement their proposals, along with ongoing support and technical assistance from ORG. The projects range from schoolwide recycling initiatives to campaigns designed to reduce single-use plastics.

Ariannah Wells, outreach manager at ORG, highlighted the significance of the challenge. “The Young Leaders Plastic Challenge is more than just a competition,” she said. “It’s about empowering students to take meaningful action in their communities. The creativity and passion shown by these young leaders have been truly inspiring.”

The challenge, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and in collaboration with the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRCCaribbean), is part of a broader effort to engage youth in environmental

(L-R) BNT outreach officer Garth Jackson; Cameron Rolle; ORG assistant director Steffon Evans; judge Ashawnte Russell; ORG engagement manager Ariannah Wells; Iyana Eaton - St John’s, grade 12; KeAnte Roker - Kingsway academy, grade 12; Trevan Fernander - St Augustine’s College, grade 11; BNT education officer Katherine Coleby; judge Dr Kristal Ambrose; judge Lashanti Jupp; and judge Jervon Sands.

stewardship and address the management of chemicals and waste in Small Island Developing States. Throughout the competition, ORG conducted educational sessions at schools across New Providence and the Family Islands, encouraging students to develop sustainable solutions for plastic pollution. The finalists’ projects were evaluated by a panel including youth climate ambassador Ashawnte Russell, 2024 Rhodes Scholar Jervon Sands, Dr Kristal Ambrose from the Bahamas Plastic Movement, and marine conservationist Lashanti

Jupp.

Katherine Coleby, education officer at BNT, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage students in the challenge, noting its role in inspiring them to become agents of change. ORG assistant director Steffon Grant praised the participants for their enthusiasm and innovation, stating: “By supporting these projects, we are not only helping to reduce plastic pollution but also fostering a culture of responsible governance and community involvement that will benefit The Bahamas for years to come.”

ORG engagement manager Ariannah Wells (front centre) with expert panel of judges (L-R) Jervon Sands, Ashawnte Russell, Dr Kristal Ambrose, and Lashanti Jupp.

Meet the swimming pugs!

MEET the dogs that inspired a book!

Author Gabriella Suighi saw our Love Ya Dog campaign in the paper and knew she had to share some pictures of her own dogs. She said: “I saw the section in today’s newspaper and loved it!” She sent

pictures of her dogs Mr Pugsley and Penelope, “also known as The Swimming Pugs!”

She said: “These two are characters of the Bahamian children’s book - The Swimming Pugs: Explore The Islands of The Bahamas! The books are available in bookstores around the country and online.”

A second book is currently in production and will be

released early next year. You can also follow the dogs on Instagram - look for them @theswimmingpugs.

The Love Ya Dog campaign encourages dog owners to take care of their pets - and we are calling on readers to join in.

We want to encourage those who do treat their pets well to show them off - and by doing so letting others see a better way to treat their pets.

CARE TIP: Make sure your dog or cat visits a vet once a year and gets their shots, just like humans there a essential vaccines that they should receive. Keep your pet safe and visit one of the many Nassau vets yearly..

• Send us a picture of you with your dogs to loveyadog@tribunemedia.net to join the campaign and show that you Love Ya Dog.

Port committee meeting hosted by The Bahamas

THE 29th meeting of the Caribbean Memorandum on Port State Control Committee (CPSCC) was recently hosted by the Bahamas government on Paradise Island.

More than 30 delegates from 20 countries were welcomed by Jacqueline Simmons, chairman of the board of directors of the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Ms Simmons extended her sympathies and well wishes to those impacted by Hurricane Beryl and expressed her concern that it was yet another indication of the vulnerability of the region to climate change.

The meeting, which is held annually, was led by CPSCC chairman Michel Amafo of Suriname, and CPSCC vice chairman Joel Walton of the Cayman Islands, supported by CMoU Secretary General, Jodi Munn-Barrow and the CMoU Secretariat. Port

state activities in The Bahamas are a collaborative national effort involving The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), Port Department and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, who were represented by RBDF Commodore Dr Raymond King, Acting Port Controller Sr Cmdr Berne Wright, Asst Port Controller Lonna Bethell, ISPS Coordinator Sr Lt Ernestine Cleare, BMA CEO and managing director, Captain Dwain Hutchinson and BMA Nassau Director, Katie Clarke. BMA board chairman Simmons and director LaMarque Drew were also joined by other BMA team members for the event’s welcome reception. The CPSCC has been responsible for the development of several regional codes which have reaped great benefits for maritime locally. These relate to technical standards, vessel operations and crew

certification for non-IMO Convention ships trading in the Caribbean region, including in The Bahamas. The work that this committee has undertaken has played a vital role in the elimination of sub-standard foreign ships operating within the Caribbean.

Thanks to the stringent Port State Control (PSC) ship inspection programme the CMoU operates, the Caribbean can ensure that foreign vessels entering its regional waters are compliant with the various international maritime conventions.

This meeting, like those that preceded it, was an opportunity for representatives from throughout the Caribbean including the United States Coast Guard and other regional PSC MoUs (whose representatives attended virtually) to engage with each other as they explored routes for collaboration to face the challenges of the future.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish paid a courtesy call on Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey at the Office of the Prime Minister on August 14. Also in attendance was Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Lisa Adderley-Anderson. From left, US Embassy

Public Affairs

Officer Suemayah Abu-Douleh; US Embassy Political and Economic

Section Chief Erika Lewis; Kimberly Furnish; Ginger Moxey, and Lisa Adderley-Anderson.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

THE CPSCC29 leadership team, from left, Joel Walton, CPSCC vice chairman; LaMarque Drew, BMA board director; Jacqueline Simmons, chairman, BMA board of directors; Jodi Munn-Barrow, CMoU Secretary General; Captain Dwain Hutchinson, BMA CEO and managing director; Michel Amafo, CPSCC chairman. Photo: Unseen Media

MINISTER of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell with Chinese Ambassador Yan Jiarong during a courtesy call at the ministry’s One Montague headquarters. Mr Campbell was joined by permanent secretary Neil Campbell, director of agriculture Deon Gibson and director of marine resources Gregory Bethel. During the courtesy call, matters discussed include ongoing technical support at the Gladstone Road Agriculture Centre (GRAC), scholarship opportunities and a proposed pilot project to produce agricultural projects on Family Islands, such as rice and sea cucumber. Mr Campbell also thanked the ambassador for the recent donation of four tractors with repair parts, the erection of three grow houses at GRAC, and the continued support provided to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

MARINE FORECAST

SPORTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024

Jazz Chisholm Jr on the injured list

By TENAJH SWEETING

Sports Reporter

The verdict is now out on whether or not Bahamian

Major League Baseball (MLB) pro Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr will find himself on the injured list following an elbow injury sustained on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.

The New York Yankees officially placed the dynamic third baseman on the 10-day injured list roughly 24 hours after team manager Aaron Boone told reporters the team is awaiting word from doctors on the severity of the injury.

It is still unclear whether the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury in the versatile pro’s left elbow will require surgery or how long he will be shelved.

According to reports from MLB Insider Jon Heyman per the New York Post, the Bronx Bombers are remaining hopeful that the Bahamian can return to baseball action within the next 3-4 weeks but it is still up in the air.

Boone, the team’s manager, revealed to reporters on Tuesday that the team will certainly miss the newfound services of Chisholm Jr but they are remaining optimistic.

“He’s been a dynamic player for us,” he said. “He provides power, speed. He’s done a great job on defence. He’s been great in the room. But again, hopefully, it’s something that doesn’t turn out to be too long and we can get him back.”

The 2022 MLB All-Star has seemed locked in since arriving in the Big Apple.

In the 14 games played with his newest club, the 26-year old is batting .316 with 18 hits, 7 homers, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored in 14 games. Additionally, the electric baseball pro is the first Yankees team member to launch seven homers in the span of 12 games and is just one of five players in the

New addition to the New York Yankees ‘day to day’ for 10 days

YANKEES’ Jazz Chisholm Jr has been officially placed on the 10-day injured list.

MLB with 20 home runs and at least 20 stolen bases. The first team in the American League East has put in place a backup plan with their latest spark plug now being shelved with injury.

In the interim, the Yankees have called up former top prospect Oswald Peraza along with righthander Enyel De Los Santos to fill in the void on the roster.

The third baseman sustained the left elbow sprain while sliding to the home plate in the fifth inning against the White Sox on Monday.

Despite having his fair share of run-ins with the injury bug, “Jazz” has been relatively healthy this season with 115 games played, well over the 97

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

games total registered during the 2023 campaign in Miami.

The former Miami Marlins player was acquired late in July for three minor

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT

BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

THE BGDBA regular season action has resumed at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Friday, August 16 - Time: 7:30pm Police Crimestoppers vs Bahamas Customs Taxmen Police Staff Association

BAHAMAS AQUATHLON, TRIATHLON TEAM READY TO MEDAL

WEDNESDAY was a very busy travel day with numerous sporting teams across various sporting disciplines commuting to the Eastern Caribbean region and USA.

The Bahamas Triathlon Association’s (BTA) CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon team members made their journey to Barbados yesterday in hopes of securing a top three podium spot at the 2024 CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championships to be staged this weekend.

After a third-place finish at the 2023 CARIFTA Championships staged at home, team head coach Cameron Roach is expecting the athletes to improve from last year’s performances in Barbados.

“Team expectations are always to see them improve from their last performance.

league prospects shortly before the MLB trade deadline.

The Yankees sit atop the American League East standings with a 71-50 win/

AUGUST

By The Associated Press

loss record and 6-4 record in the last 10 games played.

The Bronx-based team is hoping to have the dynamic third baseman back into the fold in due time.

THE final game of the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s (BBF) Summer of Thunder basketball tournament concluded yesterday at the Kendal GL Isaacs (KGLI) Gymnasium.

The South University Jaguars dominated Raw Talent Elite 82-63 to close out the seasonal tourney on a high note.

Jordan Johnson stuffed the stat sheet for the Jaguars with a game-high 20 points, three rebounds along with one assist and

JONQUEL LEADS NEW YORK LIBERTY AGAINST LA SPARKS TONIGHT

more made shots on average than the 8.3 per game

Los Angeles allows. The teams meet for the third time this season.

In the last matchup on June 22 the Liberty won 98-88 led by 33 points from Breanna Stewart, while Dearica Hamby scored 20 points for the Sparks.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Hamby is averaging 19.2 points, 10 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Sparks.

Ionescu is averaging 19.8 points and 6.1 assists for the Liberty.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Sparks: 2-8, averaging 80.9 points, 30.5 rebounds, 21.4 assists, 7.1 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 87.3 points per game.

Liberty: 9-1, averaging 84.7 points, 32.9 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.3 points. GRAND Bahamian

WNBA rookie stars Clark, Reese take advantage of Olympic break to reset for sprint to playoffs

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Caitlin Clark took full advantage of her snub by the U.S. Olympic team. She visited Mexico, attended a friend’s wedding in Iowa, and even got to see the New York Yankees’ clubhouse. So, when the Indiana Fever star returned to practice Tuesday, she was rested, revived and revved up to restart the WNBA season.

For Clark and the rest of this year’s remarkable rookie class, the nearly monthlong Olympic break was a welcome and perhaps necessary respite before for the final sprint to the playoffs.

“Oh yeah, I think it was very helpful just to reset,” Clark said. “Coming in here, I didn’t know my teammates very well and you’re just kind of tossed out on the court, trying to figure each other out. I think you can tell I’d gotten more comfortable over the last few games heading into the break, so I was kind of like ‘Oh, I need the break.’” Clark was hardly alone in her assessment.

In Chicago, coach Teresa Weatherspoon acknowledged her two rookie stars — Angel Reese of LSU and Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina, both NCAA champions — came back

re-energised after enduring an unprecedented whirlwind for almost a full year. From the moment college practices opened last

fall, these rookies played under a white-hot glare rarely experienced in women’s basketball — nightly sellout crowds, soaring

ticket prices on secondary markets, record-breaking television ratings and their own incessant desire to live up to growing expectations.

“You talk about those two, especially coming from the college level, they just went year-round and the body needs a break,” Weatherspoon said. “You want the body to have that break to remain productive.”

With only eight days between the NCAA championship game and the WNBA draft and two more weeks before the start of training camp, the fast pace continued into their pro careers.

Fans debated what longterm impact these women could have on the sport while salaries, endorsement deals, chartered flights and, yes, even the Olympic selections continued to fuel interest in the sport.

In mid-May, the rookies began a 40-game regular season — one made all the

more challenging by a modified schedule, compressed because of the long break.

“I think mentally we’re all refreshed,” said Reese, who went shopping in Paris during the layoff. “We needed that little break because we were playing back-to-backs, we were with each other on road trips for a really long time. I even tell my teammates I got lucky with this Olympic year, and they spoiled us because now I’m looking forward to it every year.”

Don’t bet on it. When the break comes again, in 2028, Clark and Reese could be forming the nucleus of the U.S. team in Los Angeles, while Cardoso hopes to represent Brazil. But that doesn’t discount how this trio benefited this time around.

Cardoso, who missed the Sky’s first six games with a shoulder injury, got some extra time to recuperate. Reese and her teammates also healed up. Clark, meanwhile, used the non-practice time to bond with teammates. They held a “home run derby,” competed on an Indianapolis ropes course and braved some of the hottest temperatures of the summer to attend the Indiana State Fair. Now, it’s time to get back to basketball.

“Definitely need a game,” Fever coach Christy Sides said after running a game between her players and the men who practice against them. “It’s time to see some competition. Like, it’s been a long time.” Indiana and Chicago begin their stretch runs holding the final two spots in the league’s eight-team playoff bracket.

The Fever have 14 games left, starting at home against Phoenix and Seattle, teams that have four players who returned from their Olympic break with gold medals — Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Kahleah Copper and Jewell Lloyd.

The Sky have 16 games left, beginning tonight at home against Phoenix and followed by a three-game trip to Los Angeles, Phoenix and Connecticut.

The race to the playoffs is what matters now.

“I’ve been ready to get going and play games for a while,” Clark said.

“I think we’re all kind of ready. We’re kind of beating up on each other, beating up on the boys and I think we want to get out there and feel like we’re ready to play more games. I think this prep has been really good, but eventually you get to the point where it’s like ‘All right, let’s go now.’”

Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty take on the Los Angeles Sparks tonight.

CHICAGO Sky’s Angel Reese, in action, is getting ready for the WNBA playoffs.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Golden Eagles Basketball Club win titles in Orlando

By TENAJH SWEETING

Sports Reporter

Tribune

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Golden Eagles Basketball Club, which is committed to training and developing young basketball players at the youth level, saw their hard work pay off during travel ball in Orlando.

Thirty-two ballers traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in various divisions at the Super 6 and Dynasty Hoops basketball tournaments July 17-31.

The Golden Eagles competed in the under14, under-15 and under-17 divisions and were all successful.

The U15 and U17 basketball teams both won their respective championship games at the Super 6 Basketball Classic.

The former defeated the Orlando Pirates 43-28 and the latter dominated Swift Elite 42-24 for the championship hardware.

The Golden Eagles’ U14 group put up a valiant effort in the championship game against Eawk Central 2028 but suffered a narrow 32-29 loss.

Alphonso Brown, one of the club’s coaches, was proud that the teams showed up and showed out in overseas competition.

“It was good because it gave the young kids something to look up to.

“The older kids travelled with me before in the past and were not as successful as this year, so it was good for them to see that they stuck with the programme, continued to get better and they won this year,” he stated.

Eagles Basketball

their

off during travel ball in Orlando. Thirty-two

from July 17-31.

He added that one of the goals of the basketball programme is to equip players with the adequate skills needed for them to excel in high school ball. Coach Brown was also happy to see the group bounce back after coming

up short last year. “It says a lot about our dedication to training as coaches but we give most credit to the kids.

“It shows that our training is actually working and it shows the kids that once they stay consistent they can achieve success. They

will be able to transfer what they did this summer to their high school teams when they go to tryout. Our main goal is to have them make their school teams,” he said.

The Golden Eagles had three teams make the

playoff cut at the Dynasty Hoops tourney but they were unable to advance.

However, the teams showed great competitive spirit in their efforts.

With travel ball now wrapped up, the Golden Eagles Basketball Club is on a break until the second week of September. The non-profit basketball programme caters to over 60 kids aged 5-18. Registration opens at the end of August. Contact 242-421-6839 for more information.

steal. He was one of three Southern University players to clear the double-digit mark in the contest.

Dionjahe Thomas was the team’s second best scorer with 14 points and five rebounds. Michael Jacobs posted 13 points, three rebounds and two dimes for the visiting team. After a back and forth opening period, the Jaguars were able to pull away with a narrow three-point lead (18-15) going into the second quarter.

The visitors created a small deficit late in the second quarter thanks to Delang Muon, who got the ball rolling with a massive dunk at the 3:49 mark.

The Jaguars then went on a 7-1 run to get ahead of the home squad 37-31 late in the second quarter.

The Bahamian team only scored two more points after this juncture and fell behind 40-33 at halftime. The third quarter is where the Jaguars made their mark on the ball game. Damariee Jones, of Southern University, picked off a bad pass made by Gavin Clarke Jr and Thomas finished off the play with a jam on the opposite end of the court with 1:48 on the clock. That play prompted a 10-point advantage (5949) for the Jaguars and they rode that momentum into the third period with a 63-49 lead. The visiting team went on to outscore the Raw Talent Elite team 19-14 in the fourth to put away the contest. The Jaguars severely outrebounded Raw Talent Elite 58-38. The

MEMBERS of the Golden

Club, which is committed to training and developing young basketball players at the youth level, saw

hard work pay

ballers traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in various divisions at the Super 6 and Dynasty Hoops basketball tournaments

Raiders WR Tre Tucker

seeing clearly thanks to offseason Lasik eye surgery

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer

HENDERSON, Nev.

(AP) — Tre Tucker ran a go-route, first turning to his right and then adjusting to his left.

Watching — with the help of modern science — the ball as he leapt to make a sensational catch.

Tucker received Lasik eye surgery in the offseason to make it easier to make such plays for the Raiders. His 44-yard catch in Saturday’s 24-23 preseason loss at Minnesota converted a third-and-11 and set up a short touchdown run.

Such plays are not unexpected for Tucker. Las Vegas drafted him in the third round out of Cincinnati last year because his 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash, and Tucker averaged a team-high 17.4 yards per catch as a rookie. But the Raiders wanted him to be more multidimensional this season, and Tucker has worked on improving all areas of his game as he tries to join Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers in the starting receivers group.

“The first thing Tre did that was probably the smartest thing he’s ever done was get Lasik eye surgery,” Adams said. “When he did that, you can tell he’s a lot more confident catching the ball. Playing that position, that has to be something that’s not even on your mind. You just think about making the play, not, ‘Hopefully, I’ll catch this ball.’

“You can feel a person’s confidence as they progress and get better at a specific part of their game. To watch the evolution of him and to know his mentality and his aim going out there, he’s a very driven young player.

“He’s doing all the things right now.”

Tucker has the inside edge for that third spot and

received extra play over the previous week with Adams away from training camp and the preseason opener because of the birth of his third child and first son.

The 31-year-old Adams views Tucker, eight years his junior, as an extended member of his family.

“I feel like I’ve got a son on the team in the most brotherly way,” Adams said. “Going into Year 2 and going into Year 11, we’ve got a little experience gap. I’d love nothing more here but to help anybody, but especially that kid.”

Tucker, of course, doesn’t view Adams as his Raiders dad.

“He’s like a big brother,” Tucker said, smiling. “I’ll have to get on him about that.”

Mentor and model receiver are descriptions Tucker can get behind when talking about Adams.

When Tucker played in college at Cincinnati in 2022, he watched the Raiders play their AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs, and his coach then put in a video that featured Adams making play after play.

Then Tucker got to meet that player on the screen.

“When you get to know Tae and who he is, we kind of think the same way,” Tucker said. “We instantly clicked. I came in as a rookie and we value the same things. When that happens, you become really close to him. Last year, we got close as the year went, but this year, we got super close.”

Now Tucker is trying to become a more complete

receiver like Adams and improve on his 19 receptions for 331 yards.

Such as that big play against the Vikings, he plans to watch the ball into his hands many times with his perfect vision thanks to eye surgery.

“When I looked at the end of my season last year, it was harder seeing things far away,” Tucker said. “It wasn’t crazy, but as a receiver when you don’t have 20-20 vision, I think it’s very important that you do. So it’s something I looked into and something I decided to do.”

Scorching wings Adams took part in a “Hot Ones” faceoff with Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“Hot Ones” is a popular internet show in which guests eat chicken wings

that become increasingly spicy.

“I don’t know if you all have ever tasted anything that hot before, but it’s not a game,” Adams said. “It’s funny because we’re laughing and doing all of that, but it’s not acting.”

LLWS connection Raiders assistant equipment manager Adam Johnson is managing Las Vegas-based Paseo Verde in the Little League World Series.

“We need some advice from him,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Hell, he’s in a World Series. I didn’t know he was that good of a manager. We’ve been holding him back. He spots the ball and next thing I know this guy is on ESPN celebrating with his team. We’re extremely happy.”

PANTHERS WIDE RECEIVER DIONTAE JOHNSON RELISHING RETURN TO ROLE AS THE TOP OPTION WITH NEW TEAM

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

(AP) — Diontae Johnson is relishing the prospect of being a No. 1 wide receiver again. When Johnson was acquired by the Panthers in an offseason trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was informed by new head coach Dave Canales that he’d be the primary option in Carolina’s passing game.

“I liked to hear that,” said Johnson, who is entering his sixth season in the league. “Now it’s up to me to run my routes and get open.” Johnson is familiar with being the go-to guy. From 2020-22, he averaged 94

catches, 989 yards and five touchdowns per season for the Steelers, including a huge season in 2021 when he had a career-high 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns while being targeted 169 times.

But Johnson’s role dropped off significantly last season with the emergence of wide receiver George Pickens and Pittsburgh’s inconsistency at quarterback. He was targeted a career-low 87 times and finished the season with just 51 catches for 717 yards and five TDs.

Although he declined to provide any personal statistical predictions for this season, Johnson said he feels “very confident” that

he can get back to the production level of 2021 and be a dominant receiver.

The Panthers feel that way too, which is why they sent starting cornerback Donte Jackson to the Steelers to get Johnson. “As we build our offence, we will really try to feature someone — and for us right now it’s ‘Where’s Diontae Johnson at?’” Canales said.

Canales said the Panthers plan to move Johnson around in different formations, and he has been spotted lining up in the backfield during training camp. Canales isn’t worried about teams focusing their attention on Johnson.

“Tendencies are OK as long as you know you have them,” Canales said. “The defence is going to be looking for someone and I think that opens everything else. So I think the patience of the quarterback going through progressions and finding the next guy, and I think the (other) receivers and tight ends will come alive after that.”

Johnson sat out yesterday’s practice with what Canales described as a mild groin sprain, but the injury is not considered serious. It’s unclear if he will participate in the team’s joint practice with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Thursday in Charlotte.

The Panthers could certainly use a boost from Johnson.

He joins an offence that was one of the worst in the league last season and was shutout the final two games of the season with rookie

Bryce Young struggling to make his mark at quarterback. Young was 2-14 as a starter and finished with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

But Johnson likes what he’s seen from Young in practice saying he has poise and confidence. Johnson said Young has the skills to excel at the NFL level.

“I think he’s going to surprise some people,” Johnson said. “I think this offense will surprise some people.”

The Panthers spent the offseason putting some new players around Young. They invested more than $150 million on guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to bolster a porous offensive line, and drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette from South Carolina in the first round to go with Johnson.

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

BEREA, Ohio (AP) —

J.J. McCarthy’s rookie year with the Minnesota Vikings is already over.

The former Michigan star quarterback and first-round NFL draft pick will miss the season after undergoing surgery to repair torn meniscus in his right knee, which he injured in his preseason debut last week. McCarthy had the operation yesterday after suffering the injury at some point against Las Vegas. McCarthy had been having a solid training camp and was pushing starter Sam Darnold, who signed a oneyear, $10 million contract with Minnesota in March.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell delivered the news about McCarthy shortly after the team arrived for two days of joint practices with the Browns. McCarthy’s loss was especially tough for a franchise looking for a fresh start after letting Kirk Cousins go as a free agent.

While some may have doubted Minnesota’s decision to take McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, the 21-year-old, who led the Wolverines to a national title last season, checked all the boxes over the past few months.

“I really believe that J.J. has kind of confirmed to me and a lot of our coaches and players that we got the right guy in the building for the future,” O’Connell said. “And he did it in a short amount of time. That’s what makes this news hard.

“Because you know just how exciting it would have been as a daily, minuteto-minute process moving forward. But I think that optimism should be felt by anybody in our building and hopefully our fans.” McCarthy went 11 of 17 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the 24-23 win over the Raiders — a performance that may have led to him getting more reps with the starters. Following the game, he told the Vikings his knee was sore and imaging tests confirmed the meniscus tear.

Adam Thielen, by far the team’s most reliable receiver in 2023, returns and the Panthers are optimistic former secondround draft picks Jonathan Mingo (2023) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (2021) can take the next step and develop into consistent playmakers. Young has already developed a good rapport with Johnson in practice with the duo hooking up on short and intermediate routes on a consistent basis.

That has Young excited for the season.

“To see the amount of fire that he comes out with every day, saying, ‘hey, let’s get this right after practice’ and just how competitive he is, you can see how much he cares about this,” Young said. “He cares about the details and little things.”

LAS Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) makes a catch in front of Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) during the first half of an NFL football game on Saturday in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/ Charlie Neibergall)

CAROLINA Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) catches a pass during the NFL football team’s training camp in Charlotte, N.C., on August 3. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Bernie Butler Open Water Swim is in its 52nd year

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE 52nd Bernie Butler Open Water Swim is set for August 24 at Coral Beach, serving as a qualifying event for competitive swimmers and an opportunity for casual swimmers to enhance their skills.

Stacey McBride, board member and race coordinator, hope they will surpass last year’s participation by increasing the number of swimmers from 65 to 100.

The event features four race divisions - the John Bradley 5K, the traditional 1.35-mile race, the Bert Bell one-mile race, and a halfmile relay.

The 5K race, starting at 7:30am, is a key qualifier for swimmers hoping to earn a spot on the Bahamas national teams.

“So, this is a big thing for competitive swimmers,” she said, noting that many

participants from New Providence will be travelling to Grand Bahama to compete.

John Bradley Sr, whom the race is named after, was a well-known Bahamian athlete who passed away in 2021.

The other two races will begin at 10:30am with the final event being the halfmile relay, where teams of three will compete.

“These are fun swims for people who are not swimmers but want to push themselves,” Ms McBride noted.

The Bert Bell One Mile, the shortest of the races, is named in honour of the late swim coach Bert Bell, who trained many competitive swimmers and taught countless underprivileged children how to swim.

Ms. McBride explained that this race is for those who do not wish to compete in the longer races. “This is a fun swim for people who

are not swimmers but want to push themselves,” she reiterated.

The event will culminate with an awards ceremony at the Grand Bahama Sailing Club. The Bernie Butler Open Water Swim is one

of the longest-running swim races in both Grand Bahama and the Bahamas.

The event was paused for two years, from 2020 to 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in 2022.

Robbie Butler, the son of Bernie Butler, has competed every year and completed his 50th race last year. His father, affectionately known as “Bernie,” was from Nassau and won the

Kiwanis Harbour Marathon in Nassau at age 18.

After moving to West End, Grand Bahama, Bernie, a board member of BASRA, became one of the original organisers of the first BASRA Swim Race in 1971.

He competed in the race until 1989 when he was tragically killed in an accident. The race was subsequently named in his honour.

Ms McBride mentioned that most of the donations and funds raised through the Bernie Butler Open Water Swim go towards teaching underprivileged children how to swim.

She noted that this past year, $13,000 was spent to provide swimming lessons to about 12 to 13 kids at the Freeport Aquatics Club and the YMCA for some eight months.

Next year, they plan to include children from the Grand Bahama Children’s Home.

BAHAMAS AQUATHLON AND TRIATHLON TEAM READY TO MEDAL

“I feel if all the kids [can] improve from last year’s performances, we have a chance for The Bahamas to finish in a top podium position,” he said.

More than 20 triathletes and aquathlon competitors will be representing The Bahamas this upcoming weekend but, according to coach Roach, the team is missing some of its usual members due to the Goodwill Swimming Championship going on simultaneously in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

The Bahamas narrowly snagged the third-place spot at last year’s CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships with a total of 88 points along with six medals (one gold, three silvers and two bronze medals).

“We did, and we also had the privileges of a few extra athletes who are also participating in the Goodwill Games this very same weekend. Our numbers are not as large as we would like them to be, but we have a very good group of athletes and we expect to do well within each of the age groups,” he said.

Selected to the team are Fraser Menzies, Lyall Menzies, Kyle Muray, Blair Thompson, Torion Turner, Sophie Bruekner, Blue Gray, Taylen Nicholls, Damari Butler, Will Farrington, Lauchlan Menizes, Alex Murray, Mateo Theberge, Emma Barigelli, Issa Bournas, Taylor Knowles, Grace Shouldice, Mia Van

Der Riet, Ayden Bain, Ragh Cordova, Launy Duncombe, Enea Gervasini, Malcolm Menzies, Sienna Culmer-Mackey, Grace Farrington, Alanna Murray, Erin Pritchard, Mathis Bournas, AJ Knowles, Avery Roberts,

Sibby Poitier, Jayden Smith, Callum Pritchard, Tristan Johnson, Na’ia Belton, Barron Musgrove Jr and Kami Roach.

Coach Roach said based on team practices over the last six weeks, this group appears to be ready to

medal again. “Preparing for this event has been intense, fun and exciting. We went through six weeks of team training together, which included a strength and conditioning phase, speed and endurance phase and finally the taper phase. The

ATLANTIS DONATES TO BAHAMAS SWIM TEAM

kids are rested, excited and ready to race,” he said. Rounding out last year’s top three podium spots were reigning champions Barbados, Bermuda and The Bahamas. Twelve nations will be vying for a chance at

championship

ing Antigua

The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago. May the best nation win.

THE 52ND Bernie Butler Open Water Swim Race will take place in Grand Bahama on August 24 at Coral Beach.

glory, includ-

& Barbuda, Aruba,

headed

Gros Islet, St. Lucia, for the 28th Goodwill Swimming Championship, taking place

16-18. The lunch boxes were provided at the request of the Bahamas Aquatics Goodwill Committee. Pictured, from left to right: Coach Dwayne Davis Jr, Gillian Albury, Tosheena Robinson, Atlantis executive director of community development, Nai’a Belton and Kieran Sealy.

Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championships to be staged August 16-18.

Bahamian track star has Olympic dreams after recovering from major brain injury

AS millions sat glued to screens watching athletes from 200-plus countries vie for a spot on the podium at the Olympics in Paris, a young Bahamian who months earlier could not walk, or talk is nurturing his own dream – to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Kristofer Wong, a passionate long-distance track and field athlete who recently graduated from Temple Christian High School in Nassau, is taking that dream with him as he heads off to college, a dream no one thought possible when they witnessed a near-fatal blow to his head on January 15, 2024.

The incident occurred when Wong was doing what he loved best, pushing himself to better his time in the 1,500 and 800-metre events. It was during his high school inter-sports day when in a split second, an 8lb spherical shot-put ball flew through the air and struck him in the head.

The impact resulted in a severe brain injury that left Kristofer incapacitated. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital where he was closely monitored by a team of medical professionals. The situation looked dire. A strapping, young, 6’1 athlete now left unable to walk without assistance, speak, or perform tasks he once handled with ease.

INTENSIVE THERAPY AT CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA GAVE KRISTOFER WONG HIS LIFE BACK

Seeking a second opinion, Wong’s parents decided to consult the experts at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. Neurologist Dr. Badih Adada reviewed Wong’s MRI, identified significant brain swelling and trauma, ruled out surgery and instead recommended a rigorous and intensive regimen of physical and speech therapy. Over the next months, a dedicated team of physical therapists, including Shari Gordon, DPT, Katerina Rooks, PTA, Brandon Grant- Martin, PTA and Paul Zumaeta, rehabilitation technician, worked tirelessly with the young Bahamian. The work for Wong was gruelling but he was determined to give it every ounce of strength he had.

“I remember Kristofer’s struggle to stand or walk without assistance,” recalled Gordon, a member of the team that specializes in treating patients with neurological issues such as

ATTORNEY

brain injuries and strokes, “We were confident that our comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan would enable him to regain his strength and make swift progress.”

Wong was not alone in the fight to get his health and stamina back.

The engaging 19-year-old has hundreds of followers who are inspired daily by his positive posts on social media platforms. As he and the team at Cleveland Clinic Florida worked to regain his muscle and reteach his brain, people he never met sent messages of support for the determination and grit he shared.

His recovery exceeded everyone’s expectations.

During a quick visit home in April, just three months after the injury that could have ended his career, he was able to step out of a car and walk out to the place he had been longing to be - the track. A local TV camera caught the ear-toear grin on his face, a stamp

of satisfaction that re-energised him as he returned to Cleveland Clinic for ongoing treatment. “Kristofer bounced back remarkably quickly, his progress surpassed even our most optimistic projections,” said Gordon. “We constantly encouraged him, knowing his dream is to compete in the 2028 Olympics. I’ve even asked him to

visit me when he wins his medal.”

“I am thankful to God for bringing me this far in my health journey. I am deeply grateful for my church family at Evangelistic Temple Church, Nassau, Bahamas, my family, the team of caregivers at Cleveland Clinic and to everyone who prayed and sent well wishes,” said Wong, who wants to study journalism and sports business management while maintaining his passion for track.

Wong’s parents, Keno and Ephenette Wong along with his sister, Saniyah, look at how far Kristofer has come in the longest race of his life and they, too, thank the Cleveland Clinic team and their son’s support from around the globe.

CALLS OLYMPIC SPRINTER ERRIYON KNIGHTON ‘COLLATERAL DAMAGE’ IN WIDENING ANTI-DOPING FEUD

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

THE doping case involving United States sprinter Erriyon Knighton’s claims of eating contaminated meat is being appealed and will be sent to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while Knighton’s attorney suggested the sprinter could be “collateral damage” in an ongoing feud between antidoping authorities across the globe.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, which polices antidoping on a global level for track and field, announced yesterday it was appealing the “no-fault” finding issued by the U.S. AntiDoping Agency before this summer’s Olympic trials.

Knighton tested positive for a banned drug Trenbolone, which is often found in livestock and has been linked to a number of contamination cases over the

years. Knighton said he ate oxtail from a bakery in central Florida that was contaminated.

After Knighton was cleared by USADA, he qualified for the 200 metres at Olympic trials, then finished fourth in Paris. His case was singled out last week by anti-doping authorities in China, who suggested U.S. and Chinese athletes aren’t held to the same standard — an argument made in the context of the withering criticism the country and the World Anti-Doping Agency have faced over the handling of contamination cases involving Chinese athletes.

“The very public battle between WADA and USADA, which has recently caught the attention of the IOC, rightly leads to the question of whether United States athletes like Erriyon Knighton are collateral damage in a

series of coordinated efforts against USADA’s attacks,” said Knighton’s attorney, Howard Jacobs.

“Erriyon will vigorously defend himself against this baseless appeal,” added Jacobs. An independent arbitration panel issued the no-fault decision for Knighton after reviewing results from tests conducted by USADA from the same shipment of that meat to the bakery where Knighton bought it.

The panel concluded the meat could have caused the trace amount of the drug — an amount that still results in a positive test — to show up in Knighton’s system.

The AIU did not disclose details of why it was appealing the case.

Knighton’s case became public as tension between USADA and WADA was ratcheting up over the way WADA and China handled the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who were cleared to keep competing

despite testing positive for a banned heart medication.

China won 12 swimming medals at the Paris Games, many of which involved swimmers from that case who were not sanctioned.

Chinese authorities determined the positive tests were results of contamination, but WADA has been criticised because no public announcement was made and the details of the case were not revealed until reporting by The New York Times and German

broadcaster ARD exposed details of the case.

USADA released a statement from CEO Travis Tygart explaining the “stark contrast” between how it handled the Knighton case versus China and WADA’s handling of the swimming cases.

“We understand the AIU’s reasons for appealing this case, as we assume they are the same reasons for which we charged and prosecuted the case,” Tygart said.

ERRIYON KNIGHTON, of the United States, reacts following his men’s 200-metre semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

BAHAMIAN track star Kristofer Wong (centre) with his Cleveland Clinic Florida physical therapists Paul Zumaeta and Shari Gordon in Weston, Florida, where intensive therapy gave Wong a chance to dream once again of running, a feat that seemed all but impossible in early 2024 when a traumatic head injury on the field left him temporarily paralyzed, unable to speak or walk.