08282023 NEWS AND SPORT

Rastafarian community dissatisfied with location limit for religious use

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Rastafarian community is not satisfied with the Davis administration’s proposal for legalising cannabis for religious purposes, calling the draft bills inadequate. The legislation would let Rastafarian organisations get a religious use licence to distribute cannabis to

members as a sacrament. The substance could only be used on the premises for which the licence or exempt event permit is issued.

According to the regulations, people with a religious use license could permit the smoking or other use of cannabis to members of that place of worship as a sacrament within the place of worship.

MUNROE: MY VIEW IS LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

National Security Min-

ister Wayne Munroe has given his view on the debate about permitting abortion in cases of rape.

“My view is that life begins at conception,” he told reporters on Friday.

“And how we deal with life and being –– the Bible tells us that God knew us when

we were in our mother’s womb –– will be a matter for the people at large, as a country, and as the individuals concerned. Because let’s not mislead or fool ourselves, if anybody wishes an abortion, they can travel to any part of the world where it could be contracted. So, it’s a personal decision on the person, but when you change the laws

Investigation into missing funds nears completion

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Police Commissioner Leamond

Deleveaux said police are 80 per cent complete with their investigation into funds allegedly misused during the small home repairs programme under

MITCHELL SLA MS P ORT AUTHORITYSAYS A NEW INVESTOR IS NEEDED

the Minnis administration.

The programme was supposed to help people whose homes were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

“We are actively involved in that matter, and it’s very close to being resolved,” Mr Deleveaux told reporters at police headquarters

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Lib-

eral Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said the Grand Bahama Port Authority lacks the financial resources to maintain Freeport and that a new investor is needed.

S TEVE H AUGHEY, FOR MER COO OF T HE T RIBUNE, DIES

STEVE Haughey, The Tribune’s former chief operating officer, and excontroller at the 100 Jamz radio station, passed away yesterday morning following a short illness.

Former Tribune colleagues were left stunned by the sudden loss of Mr Haughey, who joined the daily newspaper in the mid-1990s as its financial controller after first arriving in The Bahamas to work for the KPMG accounting firm in the late 1980s.

Over time he became increasingly involved in other aspects of The Tribune’s operations, and at its radio affiliate, 100 Jamz, where he became its controller and most senior executive. Mr Haughey held the post of The Tribune’s chief operating officer at the time he left in around 2012 to take up the same post with Colina Holdings (Bahamas),

Mr Mitchell criticised the GBPA for the threeyear delays in repairing the Casuarina Bridge in Grand Bahama on Friday. His comments are a continuation of the Davis administration’s criticism of the GBPA. He noted the Casuarina

MISS Universe Bahamas Melissa Ingraham joins the Royal Bahamas Defence Force band during the final night of Goombay Summer Festival 2023, downtown Nassau, on Saturday.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs

Larger police presence to watch over students as 27 resource officers graduate

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS can expect to see a larger police presence in schools this school year, with the Friday graduation of 27 more school resource officers.

This comes after a series of violent incidents on school campuses during the

last school year, including the stabbing of a high school student earlier this year.

In February, police reported that a 17-yearold student in Abaco was stabbed by another student of the same age while on the playing field.

After the stabbing incident, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said she asked officials to

consider placing police officers at the school where the incident occurred.

Police Chief Superintendent Chasewell Forbes told reporters yesterday that since reimplementation of the school policing programme last year, school safety has been improved.

“Preliminary indicators of school safety have all found that school safety is being

improved,” he said. “We see a decrease in violence. We see a decrease in fighting, particularly after school.

“The school resource officers are in those classrooms preventing incidents before they happen. If they get word of something, say a fight, is going to happen after school, they intervene and prevent it from happening.

“One of the main reasons for that is the partnership, not only the school resource officers, but the principals, the teachers, the other security officers, all members of the school environment, working together to ensure that the school is safe and we are happy with it so far,” he said.

CSP Forbes said the policing programme, which had previously only been in nine schools, has been expanded to include 29 schools throughout The Bahamas. That is 15 senior and junior high schools in New Providence, three schools in Abaco, three schools in Eleuthera, two schools in Andros and one school in Exuma.

Mr Forbes also said police are now exploring the possibility of expanding the policing programme to primary schools.

Mr Forbes’ comments came on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony for 27 school resource officers, or SROs, on Friday.

The Police Training College’s School of Professional Development in conjunction with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) hosted the graduation ceremony for the police officers.

The 27 graduates of the Basic School Resource Officers Training Course brought the total number of officers involved in the school policing programme to about 60, said CSP Forbes.

The graduates are from New Providence as well as many of the family islands, including Inagua,

Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Grand Bahama, Long Island and San Salvador.

Mrs Hanna Martin, who was also at the ceremony, said although she initially wanted to avoid having officers in schools, she realised the need for the programme and, so far, is happy with the results.

“I was very dubious. I came from an understanding that you didn’t need police on a school campus. I always felt that, even when we had police there before,” she said.

“However, it was the data, it was also after the reopening of schools after the movement from pandemic conditions, we began to see some very disturbing trends on the campus, which caused me very great concern.

“At one of our schools, we had a serious incident and then we had a few other serious incidents after that. It was absolutely plain and clear that we had to intervene in some shape or form,” she said.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, who addressed the graduates at the graduation ceremony,

said: “My position is the Royal Bahamas Police Force is responsible for policing the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“That includes every school and every neighbourhood, including communities, but it does so with cooperation with the stakeholders in that area.

“The reintroduction of school resource officers happened because of a traumatic event and immediately President (Belinda) Wilson wanted to know what was going to be the basis of this reintroduction of police at schools, because that was a concern.

“We prefer prevention, because prevention prevents harm to society firstly and the loss of a student personally,” Mr Munroe said. Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said she is pleased with the programme so far.

“This is a true collaboration of two ministries with a programme that I can say is successful. Because of the intelligence gathering and the role that the SROs play in the schools on a daily basis, keeping our teachers, students and other support staff safe,” she said.

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CAFE Matisse, a fixture of the downtown scene for nearly three decades, officially closed on Saturday.

In an Instagram post, the restaurant called its end a “bittersweet day”.

The owners of the eatery, Greg and Gabriella Curry, are retiring.

“A place that my family and I have called home for the past 28 years is closing,” the company said.

“From the beginning, Café Matisse was intended to be a warm and familiar place where you could enjoy long lunches that turned into dinners, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, big wins or even nothing, and just enjoy each other’s company and sit for a while.

“That was the beauty of Café Matisse. It was a

space for everyone, for any reason.”

Mr Curry declined to be interviewed last week even amid rumours that the restaurant would reopen under new owners later this year.

The establishment boomed with guests after news of its closure spread earlier this year.

The restaurant, which specialised in Italian, food draws its name from the famous French painter Henri Matisse.

“The end of an era. You will be missed,” one Instagram user said. Said another: “Café Matisse was the standard. Thank you for the exceptional and consistent way you presented in the culinary world. You are already missed.”

According to Labour Minister Keith Bell, the restaurant’s closure is expected to affect at least ten employees.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said although she initially wanted to avoid having officers in schools, she realised the need for the programme.

Photos: Moise Amisial

‘Cannabis draft bill inadequate’

But Delrado Burrows, secretary of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress True Divine Church of Salvation, said between 80 to 85 per cent of Rastas are part of the Bobo Ashanti, a mansion that does not use cannabis in tabernacles.

“We don’t use it in our service areas,” he said yesterday. “Only about 15 to 20 per cent would benefit from that legislation.”

He said forcing Rastafarians to adjust their practices would infringe on their religious freedoms.

“This is the Dangerous Drugs Act 2.0,” he said. “There’s no real change in the proposed bill. I say that because, for us as the Rastafari faith, they’re saying we could only be able to use the cannabis around our tabernacles or vicinity. I don’t live in the campyard. I hold reverence or service away from the tabernacle, so I would be using marijuana illegally under this.

“In terms of communing, if I drive with marijuana in my possession, I would also be illegally possessing marijuana.”

People with a religious use license could apply for a cultivation license. They

would have to outline the total surface area where the budding or flowering cannabis plants must be contained, an area not exceeding 538 square feet. They could also secure an exempt event permit to worship or fellowship at a specified public place. The permit would allow a licensee to transport no more than 14 grams of cannabis to a public place.

Only people who have never been convicted of an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, or the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation Act) would be eligible for a license.

“Almost 80 per cent of our community is eliminated from competing in the market,” Mr Burrows said, referring to the number of Rastas he believes were previously convicted for possessing the substance.

“I don’t understand why they have to reinvent the wheel. This is not a complicated situation. Antigua has the ideal model for religious exemptions. The community has the ability, bar none, to cultivate, to distribute, even to trade marijuana, whereas with us, we would have to register

and have to get a license. Jamaica doesn’t have that much religious exemption because they have broader decriminalisation allowances.”

Attorney General Ryan Pinder has said public feedback will be accepted through October before the bills are debated in Parliament.

Jevon Thompson, chairman of the EABIC, said the community is open to provisions requiring that only registered members could use cannabis.

“We, as Bobo Ashanti,” he said, “most of our members carry IDs, and we are in the process of revamping those IDs and bringing them more up to date and getting more of our members to get them, specifically for showing authorities that you are an official member of our congress.” The Rastafari community’s constitutional challenge of laws prohibiting their use of marijuana recently failed. However, some Rastas still point to rulings in other jurisdictions, such as the St Kitts and Nevis, to insist their local drug use could be constitutionally protected.

“Not all Rastafari mansions or houses operate the way we do,” Mr Thompson

said. “Naturally, you would have ones who say they are Rastafari. They may not look like Rastas; you have some who already got their locs cut, and they choose

not to re-grow their hair because of different circumstances: they might have a family, they might have a job. But that don’t mean they’re not a Rasta. This

thing is a choice, so it would be up to the authorities to have a level of discretion also, but we willing to work with them as far as the IDs go.”

PENALTY FOR SMALL AMOUNT OF CANNABIS HIGHER THAN OTHER C ARIBBEAN COUNTRIES

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE penalty for having a small amount of cannabis in The Bahamas would be higher than most countries in the Caribbean that have decriminalised the drug if the Davis administration’s proposed legislation becomes law.

People caught with less than 30 grams of the substance could face a fixed penalty of $250, which would not appear on their criminal record if paid in time.

In Jamaica, people are fined $3 if they have up to two ounces of the drug.

The fine for less than two ounces of marijuana is $50 in St Kitts and Nevis.

Possession of less than two ounces of the drug carries a $95 fine in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Trinidad and Tobago have no penalties for having less than 30 grams. Likewise, there is no penalty for people 21 or older caught with two ounces in the US Virgin Islands. Those in Dominica can have up to 28 grams without penalty.

Some countries, including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago

and Dominica, also allow people to grow a limited number of cannabis plants without penalty, a feature not included in the bills unveiled during an Office of the Prime Minister press briefing last week.

In the past, Marijuana Bahamas Founder Renaldo Cartwright, 29, may have lamented the conservative approach the administration has taken toward decriminalising cannabis for recreational use. But now he just wants the government to pass the bills.

“The fastest this could get pushed, that’s what we are for,” he said yesterday. “I think the draft is actually a good thing. It’s the furthest we’ve gotten in any administration. The only thing the government needs to do is consider local opinions.”

Attorney General Ryan Pinder has said public feedback will be solicited through October. He wants the debate in Parliament to begin before year-end.

Mr Cartwright noted countries that decriminalise cannabis often liberalise their laws even further as time passes.

“Even Canada didn’t legalise it overnight,” he

Investigation into missing funds nears completion

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on Friday. “I expect very shortly to come back to you and tell you what the results are.

“A whole lot of witnesses have to be seen. We don’t put a time limit on investigations. We have to do investigations properly. So once we get information, we’re going to check the information out, and once it’s checked out, then we’ll make a determination.”

Last September, Disaster Reconstruction Authority Executive Chairman Alex Storr said some people who got aid under the repairs programme used the money to buy “high-end mattresses” and mirrors, among other things.

Mr Storr recently said the DRA forwarded findings of a forensic audit to police after encountering information that made officials uncomfortable.

Earlier this year, Mr Storr said there were missing items at the DRA, including vehicles and building materials.

It is unclear how broad the police investigation is and whether it involves DRA matters outside the small homes repair programme. The DRA investigation is among several matters connected to the former Minnis administration that are believed to be the subject of ongoing probes.

Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told The Tribune he was interviewed as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the COVID-19 food relief programme, though he was not a subject of that investigation.

Police are also believed to be investigating matters related to the Bahamas Beaches & Parks Authority.

said. “It took them a while. I used to be more radical, but I understand that things take time. We take the stance of having complete decriminalisation for recreational use like Canada, but we understand that’s not something that will happen right away. We are very happy about this legislation. We don’t want it to get held up. We don’t want to edit it or change it. Change could come later.”

In 2020, the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana recommended that officials review the amount of cannabis decriminalised every two years.

The group noted that decriminalising small amounts of the drug without legalisation for recreational use could have the unintended consequence of boosting the black market.

“Commissioners are aware that decriminalisation is in effect a form of legalisation of the recreational use of cannabis, as it is in effect authorising persons to possess up to an ounce of cannabis,” the commission’s report said.

“It is recognised that this poses a paradox, as decriminalisation on its own does not provide a legitimate and legal means for persons to obtain their supply of cannabis. It is appreciated that decriminalisation may further facilitate the already existing illegal ‘black market’ for persons to obtain cannabis, which has its inherent law enforcement challenges. If, alternatively, provisions are made for regulated facilities to supply less than an ounce to persons 21 years and older in an attempt to eradicate or reduce the ‘black

THE penalty for having a small amount of cannabis in The Bahamas would be higher than most countries in the Caribbean that have decriminalised the drug if the Davis administration’s proposed legislation becomes law.

market,’ this is in effect the legalisation of the use of cannabis for recreational purposes.”

Under the proposed legislation, those with more than five hundred grams of dried cannabis would be presumed to possess the substance with the intention to supply it to others and could face a fine of up to $250k or imprisonment of up to ten years, or both. Possessing cannabis with the intent to supply it to a minor could carry a stiffer penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment.

Those who supply, sell or distribute cannabis could face various penalties depending on whether they are convicted on information or through summary conviction. In the first instance, they could face a fine of $100k, imprisonment

for up to seven years, or both. For a summary conviction, they could be fined up to $50k, imprisoned up to five years, or both. Under the legislation, it would also be unlawful to promote cannabis or cannabis accessories.

D ELRAD O BURROWS, secretary of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress True Divine Church of Salvation. The Rastafarian community is not satisfied with the Davis administration’s proposal for legalising cannabis for religious purposes, calling the draft bills inadequate.

Munroe: My view is life begins at conception

from page one

of a country since we have certain views, it should be something that should be done after consideration of everything involved.”

Elected officials have been asked about abortion after a mother who allegedly gave her 11-year-old daughter abortion pills was charged for doing so. The girl was allegedly impregnated by her step-father.

Abortion is illegal in The Bahamas in all cases except to save the life of the mother.

Some governing party members, however, have suggested they are open to considering changing the law.

Social Services Min -

ister Obie Wilchcombe said last week that abortion appears to no longer

be a taboo topic. He said it is wrong to force a raped child to give birth.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told The Tribune he sees abortion exemptions in cases of rape as a “medical matter” he “would have to consider”. He also described abortion as a personal choice.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the topic is worth discussing. “The issue of abortion, I think, needs to come back to the forefront,” he said. “Personally, I don’t want to bring in my personal opinion, but I do support the fact that we need now to bring it to the forefront and discuss it in the open as it relates to what may be happening in the country and what the law says.”

Pastor Bethel pushes back against criticism of those who oppose marital rape legislation

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

LYALL Bethell, the senior pastor of Grace Community Church, said critics are too venomous to those who oppose criminalising marital rape.

He and other church officials called a press conference yesterday to discuss the issue.

In May, Evangelist Rex Major questioned how spouses would prove marital rape, saying some women would use rape claims only to end their marriage.

Mr Bethel said Mr Major was wrongfully attacked.

“I watched them castigate Pastor Rex because Pastor Rex made a statement, he said women lie,” he said yesterday. “His attackers failed to acknowledge he’s got four daughters. You think he wants his daughters being raped? No. He had a wife. But people get so venomous with this, but they don’t let you speak. They shut you down.”

He dismissed a study by University of The Bahamas professors that showed married women surveyed

were more likely to have non-consensual sex than single women, suggesting the questions during the survey were leading. He said section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act provides adequate support for a spouse who has had sexual intercourse without consent and that there is no

need for further legislation. Section 15 of the law characterises sexual assault by a spouse as sexual intercourse with a spouse when there is a decree of divorce or judicial separation; a separation agreement; an order of the court for the person not to molest or co-habit

STEVE HAUGHEY, FORMER COO OF THE T RIBUNE, DIES

with his spouse; and where the person has notice that a petition for judicial separation, divorce or nullity of marriage has been presented to a court.

“We firmly believe that any spouse who cries rape within a marriage is signalling that the marriage is already in trouble and more than likely is headed to the divorce court,” Mr Bethel said. “On the day of the wedding, both the man and the woman make marital vows and therefore cannot retract the consent to cohabitation which is part of the marriage covenant or contract without clear certifiable evidence that it has been withdrawn.”

Mr Bethel questioned whether the husband has to seek consent for “every stroke”.

He said: “He has to keep consent –– excuse me for being raw –– with every stroke? There has to be reasonableness in all of this, and if a marriage turns sour, then let’s make sure that at the point where it turned sour, there’s a very clear demarcation that we can all agree that this marriage they need to go for counselling, they need to be separated.”

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the BISX-listed life and health insurance, a post he held until his passing.

Ex-colleagues remembered Mr Haughey as a diligent, thorough and hard-working executive who played a key role in the success that both 100 Jamz and The Tribune enjoyed during his near two-decade service with the group. He was also a keen runner and health/fitness enthusiast, frequently spotted out jogging and often to be found exercising during lunch

breaks.

A past Board member and treasurer of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, he was also a marathon runner.

“His joining the Board is a hilarious story that I can relate at a more appropriate time,” said one Rotarian yesterday. “He was chief operating officer of the Colina Group and an avid runner/marathoner. Quite a shock. Rest in peace old friend.”

The Tribune and 100 Jamz extend their condolences to Mr Haughey’s family and friends.

Government working to remove challenges and barriers against women with disabilities

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemeida.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe said officials are working to tear down barriers against women with disabilities.

Mr Wilchcombe made his comments on Wednesday at the closing conference of the 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers meeting. He highlighted the key points taken away from the three-day conference, noting the challenges women with disabilities face.

“Not only are women and girls disproportionately represented with a disability prevalence rate of approximately 19 per cent versus 12 per cent for men. But they also face multiple barriers that may result in low economic and social status, increased risk of gender-based violence and abuse,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

He added that women and girls with disabilities have been affected by various types of abuse and discrimination. Including sexual violence, gender-based discriminatory practices, and limited access to education and health services.

“All ministers acknowledge that these are barriers

to the full realisation of the rights of all women and girls with disabilities. Ministers welcomed the recommendations for gender equality and inclusion of people with disabilities, highlighting the importance of the collection of disaggregated disability data and the adoption of a disability mainstreaming approach,” he said.

For her part, Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth

Secretariat, said 56 member states agreed to a road map that will aid in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“The Roadmap shapes the Commonwealth by annual reporting on gender equality and women’s empowerment to heads of government.

And the process by which member countries can review and provide input into the development,”

she said. The 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting was hosted in The Bahamas this year. It discussed women in leadership, women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women, climate, and the inclusion of women with disabilities. The next Women’s Affairs Meeting is expected to be hosted in Asia.

SOCIAL Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe said officials are working to tear down barriers against women with disabilities.

PASTOR LYALL BETHELL

STEVE HAUGHEY

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe has given his view on the debate about permitting abortion in cases of rape

Mitchell slams Port Authoritysays a new investor is needed

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Bridge hasn’t been fixed since Hurricane Dorian struck the island in 2019.

“The reason why I am standing here is because the Grand Bahama Port Authority is saying they have the wherewithal to keep this city going,” he said in a video. “And, this lack of repair of the bridge shows you they simply are not able to demonstrate they have the financial wherewithal to keep this city going.

“And the government has said enough of us subsidising the GBPA, we need to find someone who has the wherewithal who is willing and able to finance the needs and promotions of this city.

“If they can perform, under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, fine; but if they can’t, someone else needs to be asked to do the job.”

The Casuarina and the Jack Hayward bridges connect Freeport and East Grand Bahama.

The Casuarina Bridge, which spans the Grand Lucayan Waterway, sustained extensive damage during Dorian. In late 2020, Lucaya Services Company Ltd (LUSCO) and Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO) engaged All Bahamas Construction (ABC) to complete repair work at approximately $1.9m. However, changes in the scope of work

increased the total cost to $2.8 million, an increase of $900,000.

On Wednesday, the GBPA pushed back against the Davis administration, saying the government does not subsidise the authority.

“The GBPA, in fulfilling its industrial development, various regulatory and environmental oversights, and city maintenance mandate, is funded exclusively by its approximately 3,000 licensees,” the authority said.

“When adverse events such as hurricanes and the recent COVID pandemic cause a deficit, the shareholders of GBPA have always funded the deficit.”

“The government of The Bahamas is not subsidising the GBPA when providing healthcare, education, aviation, and assistance with tourism in Grand Bahama, as it is likewise obligated to do so for every other island in our country.

“While the GBPA has built schools, donated land for government projects, assisted with the hospital, and constructed the island’s airport, these were never a responsibility of the Grand Bahama Port Authority under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, but an act of a strategic partner.”

The GBPA said it wants to cooperate with the government to resolve issues.

Mr Mitchell, however, refused to relent.

“It is very unfortunate,” he said. “I knew Edward St George and Jack Hayward

and, outspoken as they were, they were not politically inept, and it seems to me there is an ineptitude on

display here when a private company tries to take on an administration in this way over something which is so

politically and economically charged,” he said.

“It is ill-advised, unwise, and it cannot benefit their

company in the long run.” “They have to know it is manifestly untrue. They know it and we know it.”

munroe warnS aGainS t viGilantiSm after incident involvinG Serial Groper

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe warned the public against vigilantism, saying information about a person’s criminal history is not an invitation to presume they are guilty of alleged attacks. He spoke to reporters on Friday after Sidney Cooper, a man convicted of 20 sex-related offences over nearly 20 years, was wrongfully accused last week of trying to abduct a 12-year-old.

People converged on the man’s residence with rocks, bottles and cutlasses. Police initially said the real culprit was a tall, ball-headed, bright man. However, the police said on Friday that the abduction

report was false. A police press release urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of making false reports “as it can result in an innocent person being injured or killed”.

Last week’s incident renewed concerns some have about the spectacle of hosting a press conference warning the public about a sex offender’s release, as Mr Munroe did earlier this month concerning Cooper. The national security minister said the notice is given “just to ensure that you know that if you see this person to exercise care”.

“It’s not an invitation to retaliate against anyone,” he added. “It’s not an invitation to do any of that. It’s in fact, counterproductive if you make an allegation against the wrong man.”

Mr Munroe defended his announcement about Cooper’s prison release.

“Being a criminal subjects yourself to harm,” he said. “You’re the person who can control that.

“But where you display from your criminal conduct, from your behaviour in the correctional institution, from what you say on your exit interview, from what you say when I speak to you that you pose a danger to the public, it is my duty to warn the public.

“If, for instance, you only pose a danger to people in your household, it will be my duty to notify the people in your household. The whole point of the sexual offender’s register is to protect the public, and that’s every member of the public.

“The whole thing I would hope people would

SandS call S aG’S refuS al to diScloSe e xuma oil Spill fine detail S, ‘rank arroGance’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands said Attorney General Ryan Pinder refusing to reveal how much the government fined Sun Oil Limited for an oil spill in Exuma last year is “rank arrogance.”

During an Office of the Prime Minister briefing on Thursday, Mr Pinder said he does not disclose “confidential settlements” when reporters asked about the amount of the fine.

“The attorney general of The Bahamas, the lawyer in charge of protecting the interests of the people of this country, said that we don’t have the right to know how much of our money was collected in a fine when the environment was violated,” Dr Sands said in a statement on Friday.

Dr Sands questioned why Mr Pinder did not want to disclose the fine to the public. He challenged whether the fine against Sun Oil was satisfactory for the amount of environmental damage caused by the spill.

“Is it because the sum was a pittance?” he asked. “Was it because the owner of the company deserved a special fine different from anyone else? And was the fine even appropriate for the level of environmental damage?”

The diesel spill occurred in Exuma in July 2022. It resulted in 35,000 gallons of diesel being spilled into waters off an Exuma bay as a vessel contracted by Sun Oil was offloading fuel to Bahamas Power and Light at George Town.

A “breach in the hose” from the supply ship was reportedly responsible for the leak. Sun Oil chairman Sir Franklyn Wilson later said the company activated

its crisis management protocol.

Dr Sands criticised Mr Pinder for claiming the Exuma oil spill fine is confidential.

“This is rank arrogance,” Dr Sands said. “And clearly you believe that we, the people, don’t deserve an accounting or an explanation. Maybe you, the new day Cabinet, believe that Bahamian people are too stupid to understand.”

It had not been publicly known until Mr Pinder’s comment on Thursday that the fine was part of a confidential settlement. In April, he said he could not reveal the fine because one had not as yet been finalised.

get is you can avoid finding yourself in that position by avoiding committing sexual offences.”

Cooper is the second person about whom Mr

Munroe held a press conference to warn the public. The first man, Alden Scott, 55, was found dead on a track road in Yellow Elder Gardens less than a

week after he was released from prison. He reportedly suffered from injuries to his body. Authorities claimed he died from natural causes.

MOVEMENT CHAIRMAN DR DUANE SANDS

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said the Grand Bahama Port Authority lacks the financial resources to maintain Freeport and that a new investor is needed.

NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER WAYNE MUNROE

The Tribune Limited

What is one thing you would change?

THROUGHOUT this week, The Tribune is inviting a series of guest editorial writers to feature in this space - all of which have been posed the question: “What is one thing you would change?” We also encourage readers to offer their suggestions on the same topic, and send their contributions. The first of our guest editorial writers this week is, appropriately enough as children go back to school, educator Shar Hanson, of Boost Academy.

“What is one thing you would change?” posed Tribune managing editor Stephen Hunt. “My mind immediately began racing, thinking of ideas.

“Hmm… a reliable public transportation system would reduce traffic (and road rage) and increase the amount of time working parents may be able to spend with their children, is that the type of idea you’re looking for?” I queried.

“You’re free to interpret the question as you like,” replied the seasoned reporter.

I continued to mull over the question, and talked to my husband about it during dinner. He has known of my long-standing frustration with the public transportation system since I met him, but also reminded me that while it is a pertinent issue, my article should actually focus on a more substantial issue such as financial reform, or at the very least, stay true to my passion: education.

Needless to say, after a long day of work and wrestling alligators feeding, playing, bathing and putting my children to bed, and a bit more time to have mulled it over, it occurred to

me that what the world needs isn’t one quick fix or band aid solution. It needs a Burt Bacharach solution! Cue the music! “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love…” Too cheesy? Okay, maybe I should stick with a tried and true Gandhi quote: “Be the change you want to see”. As cliche as it may seem, it really is true! If everyone really just consciously worked toward demonstrating one act of kindness per week, it would create an astounding ripple effect, both locally and globally.

Recently, I was a guest on The Full Gambit Podcast, alongside fellow Lend a Hand Bahamas board member, Lucas Metropulos, and we spoke at length on philanthropy and the importance of becoming involved in projects or programmes that can make a difference not only in the lives of the charity recipients, but also in the lives of those who are doing the giving. During the show, the host, Jay Phoenix, posed the question: “As a community, all of us, are we doing enough?” The simple answer is, no, we’re not - even though everyone has the ability to give back. For those so inclined to make a difference in the lives of current and future generations, there is no act that is too small. You can open a door for someone, pick up trash along the roadside, have a chat with an elderly neighbour, sign a petition, walk dogs at the shelter … the list is endless!

In summary, if I could change one thing, it would be changing the mindset of people who are so focused on negativity that they fail to see the power they wield to make changes, one simple act at a time.

READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON THE STORIES MAKING THE NEWS

Readers have been posting their opinions on the stories making the news on tribune242.com.

After Crooked Island residents said they were dissatisfied with unfinished roads, telling The Tribune the roads are affecting their quality of life, Greentea said:

“Looking back over the past 50 years, I wonder what the family islands and the Bahamas more generally would have looked like if governments had focused resources on the development of infrastructure on one or two islands each year and general maintenance on all. Inagua and Mayaguana, then Acklins Crooked Island and Long Cay . . . setting things in motion to make them places for over 55 housing developments, elder care, hospice care, connecting them better to boat and plane transport. What might have the Bahamas been if all the money lost to corruption had been invested in the lives of the people and the nation? Feeling old since July 10 and feeling as if we have failed in this 50th year. We should be further ahead. This right here is ridiculous.”

BONEFISH had this to say: “Crooked Island is where my mother is descended. The island has suffered a decline in it’s population from the sixties. A number of settlements in that island no longer exist. Most Bahamians seem to be unaware of the that the Bahamas is an archipelago of islands. I always say that Bahamians don’t live in the Bahamas, they live in New Providence and Freeport. That lop-sided disbursement of the population poses tremendous challenges to the country’s development. Every inhabited island in this country has infrastructure issues.”

The news that Bahamas Power and Light workers had gone on work-to-rule, raising questions about how the company would function in emergencies, prompted this reaction from Sickened: “They aren’t at work. Wow . . . couldn’t tell. The system and

generators aren’t maintained either way. We could actually save a bunch of salaries if we didn’t have to pay half of them for doing nothing.” Benniesun had this to say: “Complex: consisting of many different parts and often difficult to understand. Complicated: difficult to understand or deal with, because many parts or details are involved.

“Management of people and an organisation is a complex art. Any experienced and competent manager will tell you that the situation at BPL is due to poor management, as staff take on attributes and dispositions of the managers. An innately poorly skilled captain at the helm cannot possibly successfully navigate a complicated bitter disagreement into a win win outcome, due to being oblivious to the local and system wide impact of the various parts and details. Further, anyone who says ‘either do your job, or quit’ is delusional and does not live in the same world as the rest of us.”

Labour Director Robert Farquharson believes 40 per cent of the 12,000 work permits issued this year relate to jobs Bahamians can fill – that led to this comment from DWW: “The simple fact of the matter is the Bahamas does not have sufficient work force labour to meet the needs of the country. That work force needs training certification, whatever, but if the Bahamian is not interested in that line of work then we need to be more open and easy with allowing foreigners in to do work.”

After the Davis administration released a compendium of bills that would transform cannabis use in The Bahamas from a strictly illegal activity to an industry regulated for medical, recreational, religious and scientific research purposes, AnObserver said: “Why waste so much time and money putting together complex legal framework? If you are over 18, it should be

in civil service

EDITOR, The Tribune.

legal to buy, consume, and produce. Done, simple.”

ing Minister JoBeth Coleby Davis said officials would meet the Hope Town District Council last week to discuss the increase in boat registration fees, which they called outrageous.

BONEFISH posted this comment: “An adjustment or revision to these fees will have to be made at mid-year budget. Tax policy is complex and not cut and dry as most Bahamians believe. This increased push to collect taxes is due to the international lending pressures.

The Bahamas government is going to increasingly find it difficult to borrow to fund its deficits.”

And there was this from ThisIsOurs: “It cannot be that Ministry of Finance is spending time drafting bad economic policies only to find weeks and months later that they’ve created confusion and had a direct impact of reducing revenue. This is happening over and over and over again. Either PM Davis is responsible for the confusion or Simon Wilson is responsible for the confusion. But somebody needs to accept responsibility and recognise the end result is confusion. Randomly increasing fees to reach a magic revenue target does not work. That’s not how pricing works.

“If the Ministry of Transport for example, suddenly raised car licensing fees from 200 dollars to 5,000 dollars thinking they’d have a jump in revenue because everybody needs a car, it would actually backfire, they’d see a dramatic decrease in revenue, more people would either break the law or more would catch the bus. Pricing affects consumption. Peter Turnquest’s 12% VAT increase and subsequent reduction in customs revenue should have taught them this.”

to join the conversation on tribune242.com.

Before I delve into the primary reason for writing this letter to the Editor, I want to acknowledge that many civil servants, both past and present, have selflessly sacrificed to make the Bahamas what it is today.

There are too many to mention who have gone far beyond the call of duty to provide outstanding service. Let us applaud them; we must not hesitate to show our appreciation while they are still with us.

Many have already gone unnoticed. To overlook their contributions would indeed be a grave oversight.

The pressing issue at hand is that the public’s satisfaction needs to improve. People often feel disheartened when dealing with many ministries and deserve to be treated professionally and with utmost respect.

Some who are in charge of signing documents engage in childish behaviour, stalling clients to solicit a tip before expediting the process.

There’s a prevailing culture in the public service where some expect remuneration to get things done. The move towards cashless transactions has disrupted this practice.

Ministers make suggestions to technocrats who often feign agreement. They deliberately slow

down the process to show their disdain for ministers interfering in daily operations. People sent by ministers to receive services they rightly deserve soon realise that the public servant ultimately has the final say.

The traditional way of operating has kept the Bahamas delivering third-world service. This outdated mindset persists, but we can replace these inefficiencies with prompt, courteous service.

On another note, some individuals aim to undermine the ministers, and even the prime minister, for their own reasons, often political.

Their goal is to hinder the “New Day” government.

A few in sensitive positions are intent on causing disruption. Classified information gets leaked more often than it should.

The government cannot achieve its objectives if those responsible for implementation are setting up barriers. This gives the impression that the government is not as competent as it claims.

The stark reality is that the government needs to remove any obstacles

that hinder its mission of ensuring a better quality of life for Bahamians.

Petty jealousy and envy when someone new joins the team needs to cease. Progress is marked by the accommodation and acceptance of new and innovative ideas. We must evolve. No one owns a position permanently.

I would urge everyone to revisit the first paragraph before reacting strongly to my opinion.

True courage lies in making decisions for the greater good, even if they are unpopular.

Now is an opportune time for a thorough ‘house cleaning’ to create a better environment where all Bahamians can feel a positive change.

Let’s not forget that even Jesus couldn’t please everyone. Despite his good deeds, in the end, some of those he aided still shouted, “Crucify him!”

So, as a devout Methodist, I conclude with a quote from John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

IVOINE W INGRAHAM

Nassau, August 26, 2023.

A COMMERCIAL airliner crosses in front of the moon after taking off from Midway International Airport heading east, in Chicago last week. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Bouquets and brickbats for the government this week

By TYLER MCKENZIE

THERE is an old phrase about giving out bouquets and brickbats – bouquets in praise and brickbats in criticism, and this week, the government has earned both.

I’ll start with the bouquets.

It has taken some time to get here – but the plans revealed for legislation over marijuana are comprehensive and, I would say, thoughtful.

The bills will, if passed, open up the pathway to medical use, which is an area where the laws have long fallen short of the latest research.

The renowned CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta has filed a series of reports in recent times about marijuana and cannabis usage.

In an article earlier this month, he noted that he had been sceptical about the use of cannabis as a medicine, even having written a few years earlier in Time magazine that the evidence simply was not there, but that he had “spent time with patients - even young children –who changed my mind.

I came to the realisation that in some cases, not only did cannabis provide relief, it was the only thing that did so”.

He details too the way in which it has been taken up by seniors – as a sleep supplement, for example – and the case of a child who takes it to deal with seizures, and whose seizures have gone from more than 300 a week to practically none.

In terms of medical use, our antiquated laws are simply not keeping up with current medical

advice – although there are still disputes in the medical value of such usage – so these revisions open the door to treatment that may make a substantial difference to people’s lives.

Exemption

It is also notable that there will be a religious exemption for Rastafarians. I go to church each Sunday, and my Christian community drinks wine at communion, with no sign of a liquor licence for the church, and sometimes with minors taking a sip despite the drinking age laws. If a Christian religious community can have an exemption, then so can a Rastafarian one.

The laws will also see small amounts of possession decriminalised – although the laws are not opening things up to broader recreational use.

Now, I’ll be honest, in spite of what I say above, I’m actually hesitant about marijuana usage becoming more common – because, despite it all, there are hazards.

I hate the smell of weed, and would hate for it to become prevalent. Imagining the Downtown area or every bar smelling of weed would drive me away from such areas, and others too perhaps.

I’ve also seen the effects on others of bad trips or excessive marijuana usage which has taken good and productive employees and seen them ending up

losing jobs or their way in society. But you know what? I’ve seen those same kinds of effects on people from alcohol too – but that’s legal. How many fights in bars are fuelled by alcohol? How many times must police break up drunken encounters? How many times is domestic violence the outcome from a partner getting drunk first?

So is weed any worse than booze? Both have effects on our society.

The laws being introduced tiptoe into those kind of changes rather than lift the restrictions completely – and I think personally that is a good thing.

There are hazards, but these bills seem to be

broadly well thought out, and thankfully there is a consultation starting now. I hope that consultation is one that will be heard –the outcome of the gender violence legislation shows the hazard of not listening properly – and that there is room for changes where good advice prompts such alterations.

A bouquet for the government on this issue – well done, indeed, and especially to Attorney General Ryan Pinder for shepherding such a potentially controversial topic through to this stage.

Alas, time for a brickbat.

In July 2022, 35,000 gallons of diesel spilled into the waters off the coast of Great Exuma when a vessel contracted by Sun Oil was delivering fuel.

Damage

It was so serious that Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper dashed off with a full entourage in tow to inspect the damage.

Back in February, Mr Pinder said that the company responsible would face penalties. He said at the time: “They will absolutely see penalties. We prepared our litigation materials, we’ve conducted all of the interviews, and received all of the reports. We are prepared to file a civil action.”

He also said: “The owners of the vessel have approached the government recently and started engaging in negotiations regarding the appropriate fines. We have a fine analysis that we would have done. A lot of the fines under our environmental laws are dependent on the environmental damage that was done.”

And yet last week, when asked about the fine, his response was a terse “I don’t disclose confidential settlements at the Office of the Attorney General, you know that.”

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands was swift to respond, saying: “The attorney general of The Bahamas, the lawyer in charge of protecting the

interests of the people of this country, said that we don’t have the right to know how much of our money was collected in a fine when the environment was violated.”

He asked: “Is it because the sum was a pittance? Was it because the owner of the company deserved a special fine different from anyone else? And was the fine even appropriate for the level of environmental damage?”

I read the court stories that appear in the news each day – and I read about people being fined for drug possession, for fraud, for assault. I know that every day people get stopped by police and fined for this being wrong with their car or that being wrong with their insurance. None of these are confidential – so why is the perpetrator of a 35,000 gallon diesel spill that prompted an announcement in Parliament and urgent damage limitation measures able to skip by without us knowing what the penalty is?

Laws

We have laws in place to hold environmental polluters to account – and yet we have not done so here, we have agreed a settlement instead. This is in truth not a fine, but an agreement. There should be absolutely no reason why the Bahamian public should not know to the cent what the cost of the environmental spill is and what the amount the company responsible must pay is.

Anything less is shameful, and if it is not revealed, then the next time a member of this government boasts about transparency, then laugh in their face.

A well-deserved brickbat on this issue, which shows utter contempt for the Bahamian people.

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder speaking on Thursday. Photo: Moise Amisial

ABOVE: An aerial view of the oil spill in Exuma last year.

Photo: Reno Curling

RIGHT: FNM Chairman Dr Duane Sands

The angel on my shoulder

IN a moment of self-reflection, it is not unusual for an overwhelming torrent of emotion to inexplicably take hold of your soul as you plummet into a dark void. In that downward spiral, your heart feels like it’s being squeezed, your breath sucked out, and you wonder if the slow beat of a once happy heart will ever return. In those moments of grief and melancholy, even the strongest amongst us can succumb to the tentacles of depression. It’s unbelievably harder when the one experiencing the unexpected is still a teen.

For some, in those moments of darkness, as it did for my patient, the Angel on your shoulder offering whispers of hope, empathy and compassion pulls you from the swamp of despair encouraging you to move forward and reminding you with stealthlike fervor that better days are yet to come. The patient featured in today’s report, hereafter referred to as Robert junior (RJ), is 17 years old. For two years, he and his family were in a kaleidoscope of never-ending darkness. But inherently, RJ is a fighter buoyed by his Christian faith. Determined to shake off the heaviness of his grief, he fought through his suffering day and night. Rocked by tragedy at a young age and with miles to go before normality, this, for now, with his father’s blessing, is RJ’s remarkable story.

Born one of four children, RJ says that he had an amazing childhood. He recalls playing with his two brothers and sister often and when his cousins were with them, the fun was infinitely multiplied. They played games of tag, hide and seek, football, baseball and basketball. They cycled and on special

occasions they’d go to the beach and race one another in-between explorations for sunken pirate treasure.

Those fun-filled moments also came with injuries. RJ has injured almost every part of his body from falls and scrapes but with three boys, his parents were accustomed to patching broken skin. Case in point, when RJ threw a rock in the air and it landed back on him with

hot weather he’d been accustomed to growing up in The Bahamas. While abroad, he vaguely recalls visiting a mountain and other similar tourist attractions but he vividly remembers laughing almost non-stop with his cousins and siblings. That Christmas, his parents bought him a Nintendo 3DS – a solid bucket-list item – that made him jump for joy and dance about the living room as his siblings tore through their gifts simultaneously. RJ’s father smiled with pride but his mother Nakia (an alias) chuckled as her feet pulsated in perfect choreography to the rhythm of her son’s impromptu dance compilation. They each hoped that feeling could last forever and, unsurprisingly, their gratitude for that shared memory persists undiluted by time.

such gravitational force that it lacerated the top of his head, his parents placed salt on the area and told him to walk it off. In that instant, RJ’s pain increased exponentially but his wound never became infected, healed quickly and most importantly, he never made that mistake again.

During the Christmas holidays many years ago, one of RJ’s happiest childhood memories was vacationing in Atlanta with his family. The winter’s chill was at its peak and absolutely bone-chilling but RJ embraced the season’s change. It was a welcomed reprieve from the constant

Nakia worked in the hospitality industry for most of her life but left to become a stay-at-home mother after the birth of her last child, RJ’s younger brother. His dad, Robert (Sr), enjoyed working with his hands and found work as a plumber with his uncle immediately after high school. He’s been in the field for almost 30 years now and has slowly built a reputation as one of the best on the island. Nakia and Robert were high school sweethearts and they worked tirelessly to provide a nice home for their children, instilling in them the importance of hard work, faith, kindness and gratitude.

In 2018, while getting out of her car, Nakia injured her foot. The entire area immediately became swollen and the pain was intense. When it didn’t subside after a week, she saw a doctor and was diagnosed with a sprain. Routine blood work was ordered as a precaution to

eliminate the possibility of an infection and to Nakia’s surprise, her blood sugar was dangerously elevated. Subsequent tests revealed she had Type II Diabetes so she was placed on medication and her blood sugar levels remained under control for many years until it wasn’t.

In the summer of 2021, at the peak of Covid19, the entire household became infected. After a week, everyone started to feel better with

over-the-counter cough medicine and vitamins but Nakia’s symptoms were worsening. Scientists have postulated that by entering and attacking the cells of the pancreas (an organ within the abdomen that regulates blood sugar), the Covid-19 virus, amongst other damaging characteristics, alters the way the body processes glucose causing blood sugar levels to rise unabated.

Robert took his wife to see a doctor and she was placed on an IV drip. They were never told what medications were administered but to them it didn’t matter because by the time her drip was finished, she felt a lot better and her family was relieved to see her almost back to normal. But by the following morning, Nakia struggled to breathe and felt even worse than before.

Not wanting to take any chances, Robert and their eldest son helped get Nakia into the car and took her to the hospital. She was admitted immediately but because of strict Covid19 protocols they couldn’t stay. Throughout the day, in the few short hours since she’d been gone, her absence was noticeable and the quiet was palpable. So, the family thought of ways to cheer her up when she came home.

Early the following morning, before the last remnants of the moon’s shadow disappeared, RJ was awoken by a loud scream. His sister was crying but he didn’t react, thinking that he was still dreaming. Not long after, his father entered the bedroom that he shared with his younger brother.

Robert sat on their bed and fighting through his own tears, he told his two youngest sons that the hospital called and said that their mother had passed away.

With those words, RJ’s entire world shifted. He remained in shock for several hours but reality set in when family members and neighbours trickled into their house. It was only then that he realized his life would never be the same. He was 15 years old at the time. For the next year, RJ barely ate and rarely had a night of uninterrupted sleep. To this day, he wishes that he told his mother how much he loved her before she left

for the hospital, hugged her longer and more tightly and told her that she was the best mommy in the world.

Still carrying out daily duties robotically, tears streamed from RJ’s bloodred eyes like an endless river day after day as he drowned, alone and choking in the dark. Life was so unbearable and eclipsed by pain that it took all his strength just to get out of bed. His grades suffered and initially he hated people reminding him about his mother’s death or seeing friends with their own mother but eventually his support system helped him break through the fog.

Today, RJ says that he wants the world to know that his mom was the best person he’s ever known. She was loving and kind, generous, really friendly and always optimistic about life.

She was strict and made sure that he and his siblings completed their chores and homework but no one cheered louder when they succeeded at anything or laughed more heartily at their jokes.

She gave the best, warmest hugs and was an amazing cook. Her favourite food was pasta and she loved television shows like Bridgerton and Judge Judy. Nakia died at the age of 43.

RJ’s take-home message to readers is to put God first and have faith that everything happens for a reason. He challenges both young kids and adults to always appreciate their parents and tell them you love them even when they make you mad because one day you’ll wake up and they’ll be gone. He’s also incredibly grateful for his family but especially his father who more than anyone in his life has been a shining example of what super heroes look like.

For so long after his mother’s death, when RJ closed his eyes, the only thing he saw was her and the weight of that loss was crippling.

But today, he can talk about her and smile. Remembering her laugh comforts him as he thinks about his future, knowing that she’ll always be an Angel on his shoulder guiding him for the rest of his life journey, until they meet again.

This is The KDK Report.

“For some, in those moments of darkness, as it did for my patient, the Angel on your shoulder offering whispers of hope, empathy and compassion pulls you from the swamp of despair encouraging you to move forward and reminding you with stealth-like fervor that better days are yet to come.”

Stopping the spread of political assassinations and gang violence

THE saying, coined by the Latin poet, Horace, that “you too are in danger when your neighbour’s house is on fire” is particularly relevant now in relation to Latin American countries which are the closest neighbours to the member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

There has been a marked increase in deadly violent incidents in Latin America, linked to organized criminal gangs. This includes the assassination of the leading candidate in Ecuador’s presidential elections and the murder of two other politicians over the last month.

Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated on 9 August, eleven days before the 2023 Ecuadorian general election on August 20, at which he was polling in second place to win the presidential contest. He had a fearless and courageous stance against organized crime and corruption which have increased dramatically over the last three years. He was shot in broad daylight.

Police

It is generally accepted in Ecuador that Villavicencio was the victim of organised criminals who feared that he would crack-down upon their activities if he won the presidency. Ecuadorian police reported 3,568 violent deaths between January and July this year. There are some neighbourhoods that police, who are outgunned, unprepared and underpaid, dare not enter.

According to the International Crisis Group (ICG), there have also been upsurges in violence in Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama and Paraguay. The ICG reports that “Even in Chile and Uruguay, long considered bastions of regional calm, crime is skyrocketing. In 2022 alone, murders in Chile increased by 32%, reaching a record high. Similarly, incidents of rape and the illegal use of firearms rose. In Uruguay, a transit nation for cocaine smuggling, a surge in crime last year saw a 25% increase in murders. Feeding the region’s

epidemic of violence is the unchecked flow and circulation of illegal weapons.”

In Mexico, the number of criminal groups doubled between 2010 and 2020. In El Salvador, over the last two years, the government of President Nayib Bukele locked up more than 70,000 persons with what has been described as “little semblance of due process”. The purpose was to eliminate criminal gangs that have tormented the country for years.

The governments of the neighbouring states of Honduras and Guatemala have praised the El Salvador model as one “worth emulating”. And, Honduras President, Xiomara Castro, announced her own crackdown on gangs.

Both the governments of El Salvador and Honduras have been criticised for human rights abuses in relation to these responses to violence and crime. But analysts say that the security situation is “pretty dire”. Therefore. although the general population acknowledges human rights abuses in El Salvador, “people are so sick of crime that they’re willing to sacrifice democracy or personal freedoms if it means that they can sleep easy at night”.

These events in Latin America are taking place in the CARICOM neighbourhood; it would be foolhardy to ignore them or to pretend that Latin America is some distant part of the world that matters little. Latin America envelopes the Caribbean, bound by shared waters.

Crime, particularly involving gangs linked to drug and human trafficking, knows no borders. Much like communicable diseases, it can spread unchecked across nations.

Scholarly research shows that enterprises of organized crime are far better funded and organised than the law enforcement agencies of all the CARICOM countries combined. In this connection, it is time that the Caribbean pays serious attention to Latin America, not only for occasional forays into trade and tourism opportunities, but to safeguard against the spread of crime which now terrorises people and murders politicians and

government officials who stand in their way.

The limited attention given to Latin America is evident in the Caribbean media’s lacklustre reportage and commentary. Such events as are reported in the press, radio and television are captured from the Internet or international broadcasters such as CNN and the BBC. Consequently, the Caribbean public receives news of Latin America that CNN and the BBC deem important or relevant.

Connections

In any event, CARICOM countries cannot ignore matters in neighbouring states in Latin America, particularly as connections, through modern day technology, are being freely used by criminal elements to organise and strengthen their own networks. This begs the question concerning what structured links are there between law enforcement agencies in Latin America and CARICOM?

The Organization of American States (OAS), through several of its programmes, offers the opportunity for discussion and formulation of actions

by law enforcement bodies throughout the hemisphere. However, while the OAS forum is beneficial, it should not be the only means by which the burgeoning problems of crime, gangs and violence are addressed between Latin American and Caribbean authorities.

Much more is needed; the fire is raging in some Latin American states, and it is also blazing in Haiti. The Caribbean must try to stop the spread before it happens. This requires focussed national and regional attention by governments and law enforcement agencies within CARICOM, but it also needs a structured relationship with Latin American states to learn from their experiences and to exchange information.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com)

By EVENS SANON Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A powerful gang opened fire Saturday on a large group of parishioners led by a pastor as they marched through a community armed with machetes to rid the area of gang members.

The attack was filmed in real time by journalists at the scene, and several people were killed and others injured, Marie Yolène Gilles, director of human rights group Fondasyon Je Klere, told The Associated Press.

She watched online as hundreds of people from a local church marched through Canaan, a makeshift town in the outskirts of the capital of Port-au-Prince founded by survivors who lost their homes in the devastating 2010 earthquake.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were killed and injured in the attack.

Canaan is controlled by a gang led by a man identified only as “Jeff,” who is believed to be allied with the “5 Seconds” gang.

Gangs have grown more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Gédéon Jean, director of Haiti’s Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, told the AP that he also watched the event unfold online and planned to ask the Ministry of Justice to investigate.

He accused the pastor of being irresponsible because he “engaged a group of people and put them in a situation like this.”

The parishioners who clutched machetes and yelled “Free Canaan!” were no match for gang members armed with assault rifles.

“Police should have stopped them from going,” Jean said. “It’s extremely horrible for the state to let something like this happen.”

A spokesperson for Haiti’s National Police did not return a message for comment.

From Jan. 1 until Aug. 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and another 902 injured, according to the most recent United Nations statistics.

Fed up with the surge in gang violence, Haitians organized a violent movement in April known as “bwa kale” that targets suspected gang members. More than 350 people have been killed since the uprising began, according to the U.N.

In October, the Haitian government requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force to quell gang violence.

The government of Kenya has offered to lead a multinational force, and a delegation of top officials from the eastern African country visited Haiti recently as part of a reconnaissance mission.

The U.S. said earlier this month that it would introduce a U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorise Kenya to take such action.

SOLDIERS board a truck after reinforcing security at the polling station where presidential candidate Christian Zurita, for “Movimiento Construye,” voted in a snap election in Quito, Ecuador, last Sunday. Zurita’s name was not on the ballot, but he substituted Villavicencio who was killed while at a campaign rally. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)

RELATIVES of people who died who were killed during a religious march to root out a gang, gather at the gate of the church in Canaan, at the Tabarre the district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Back-to-school event hosted by Centreville MP in Masons Addition

BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune StaffReporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

As thousands of students prepare to return to school this week, some back-to-school events were held over the weekend in Grand Bahama.

Kwasi Thompson, Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, hosted a big giveaway in Freeport at the Basil Neymour Park, near Coral Gardens on Saturday.

The event catered to hundreds of kids.

In addition to distributing backpacks with school supplies, the MP provided hot dogs, donuts, drinks, and icy treats.

There was also entertainment, complete with a live DJ, and children’s characters.

“We are very thankful to MP Thompson for

holding this event for our children as they head back to school,” said a resident of Coral Gardens.

In West Grand Bahama, a giveaway was also held in Eight Mile Rock.

Children received bags, school supplies, electronic devices, and delicious snacks.

Chris Williams of Central Convenience said they were able to partner with several small businesses this year for the second annual giveaway.

Hair braiders and barbers were providing free services to girls and boys. They also distributed bags filled with school supplies and there were special prize giveaways such as laptops, gas vouchers, and gift certificates.

Mr Williams thanked the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs for their support.

AS thousands of students prepare to return to school this week, some back-to-school events were held over the weekend in Grand Bahama.

CENTEVILLE MP Jomo Campbell hosted a back-to-school event Saturday at Father Marshall Cooper Park (Masons Addition) where constituents were treated to some good food, music and other fun activities. School supplies, snacks, backpacks were provided along with hair braiding and hair cuts.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

SPORTS

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2023

Jazz, Page 16

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

wo finalists, one sparked by a national record-breaking performance, along with a pair of injuries highlighted the Bahamas team’s appearance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.The nine days of intense competition, which saw the Bahamas fail to win a medal and didn’t have any team entered in the relays competition, came to a close yesterday.

Devynne Charlton, improving on her sixth place finish at last year’s championships in Eugene, Oregon, came so close, but was fourth in her quest to get on the podium in the women’s 100 metres hurdles.

She advanced to her second straight final, fuelled by lowering her new national record time to 12.44 in the first round. The Commonwealth Games silver medallist from last year did 12.49 in the semifinal, but her time of 12.59 kept her out of contention for her first global medal.

The other finalist was Anthonique Strachan, who breezed through the first round of the women’s 200m in a victory in 22.31. She did 22.30 for third in her heat and the eighth and final spot to get into the final.

The double sprint World Junior Championship from 2012, in making her first global final as a senior athlete, celebrated her 30th birthday with a sixth place finish in 22.29.

Tito Moss, the assistant team leader and track coach for the team, summed up the Bahamas’ performance overall as a mixed bag of results.

“Obviously, the two best performances were by Devynne Charlton in reaching the women’s final in the 100m hurdles and finishing fourth, followed by Anthonique Strachan making her first major world championship final by placing sixth,” Moss said.

ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN, of The Bahamas, competes in a women’s 200-metre heat during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on August 23.

“These were the highlight performances for the Bahamas, but we also had some injuries to LaQuan Nairn in the men’s long jump and Steven Gardiner in the men’s 400m.”

Notwithstanding what transpired with those athletes, Moss said the Bahamas can also be proud of the efforts by Charisma Taylor in the women’s triple jump, Rhema Otabor in the women’s javelin and Shakeem Hall-Smith in the men’s 400m hurdles, who made their debut on the global stage.

He also noted the tremendous effort by Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who competed in the women’s 400m by virtue of getting a bye as the defending champion. But four months after delivering her baby boy, Maicel

Uibo, she didn’t advance out of the first round.

Alonzo Russell also failed to advance out of the first round of the men’s 400m. “We had some very great performances and we had some heartbreaking injuries and then we had some athletes who got their feet wet.”

Moss said the management team was hoping to get at least a medal or two, but they settled for the national record by Charlton and it showed that there’s a ray of hope going into the

Olympic Games in Paris, France, in 2024. The Bahamas also had a chance to compete in the women’s 4 x 100m relay, but the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations opted not to take a team because they felt there were not sufficient women to make up the team. As a member of the BAAA executive board, Moss said he would have loved to have seen the women’s team, and even the men’s team, compete at the championships, if they had gotten the opportunity.

“The competition was keen, but I think this would have been a good building block to get us ready for the World Relays in 2024 in Nassau,” said Moss about the event.

The World Relays returns for the sixth edition after the first three were held in 2014, 2015 and 2017 before moving to Yokohama, Japan, in 2019 and staged last in 2021 in Chorzow, Poland.

Next month, Moss said the BAAA, headed by president Drumeco Archer, will hold their conclave when they will lay their foundation in regards to getting their pools ready for the World Relays, which serves as a qualifier for World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. “We will also identify some competition

early for the potential Team Bahamas to participate in to be as sharp as possible for the World Relays,” Moss said.

“We believe that the 4 x 1 men, the 4 x 1 women as well as the mixed 4 x 4 relay team will give us the highest chance of qualifying for the Olympics. But that does not mean that we won’t contest the 4 x 4 for both men and women.”

Moss said they will also be communicating with the collegiate coaches to ensure that they have access to their athletes who have the potential to compete on these relay teams next year.

Once they host their conclave, Moss said they hope to solidify their plans going forward as they reflect on the past performances from the World Championships.

MU TAKES BRONZE IN 800, MEN’S 4X400 WINS GOLD AS AMERICANS CLOSE OUT WORLDS WITH 29 MEDALS

FRANCE came to the World Cup planning to win gold. It won’t even make the second round, an absolutely stunning development for the reigning Olympic silver medallists.

Latvia got 22 points from Arturs Zagars and shocked France 88-86 last night in a Group H game at Jakarta, Indonesia.

The result sent Latvia and Canada through to the second round, and meant France — which won the bronze at the last two World Cups — cannot finish better than 17th place this year.

“We let a lot of people down, ourselves first,” French forward Nicolas Batum said.

Rolands Smits added 20 points and Davis Bertans had 15 points, as Latvia

rallied from a 13-point deficit. It took the lead for the first time with 37.7 seconds left and held on when Sylvain Francisco missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“Congrats to Latvia,” Batum said. “They earned it. They deserved it.”

Evan Fournier had 27 points for France, which lost to Canada in its opener. The momentum swung in the middle of the fourth quarter when France playmaker Nando de Colo was ejected after receiving his second unsportsmanlike foul.

Latvia and Canada will play for Group H’s top spot on Tuesday.

GROUP H — CANADA 128, LEBANON 73

At Jakarta, RJ Barrett scored 17 points as Canada

PHILIPPINES guard Jordan Clarkson (6) shoots during their Basketball World Cup group A match against Angola yesterday. (AP Photo/ Aaron Favila)

overpowered Lebanon to continue its perfect start.

Trae Bell-Haynes added 15 points and eight assists for Canada (2-0), which opened with an impressive 95-65 win over France. Canada set a senior men’s

national team record for points — it scored 126 against Jordan at the World Cup four years ago — and set a tournament record with 44 assists.

SEE PAGE 18

BUDAPEST, Hungary

(AP) — Athing Mu still had on her bedazzled aqua-blue track spikes when she made her announcement: She was officially on vacation.

Before heading on a trip for some rest and relaxation, the 800-metre runner grabbed a bronze medal on the final day of world championships last night.

Time for a quick reset before getting back to work to defend her Olympic title at the Paris Games in 11 months.

“I’m just happy my race is over,” said Mu, who entered as the defending champion but nearly skipped worlds due to fatigue.

“I can go home and finally enjoy vacation and

stop thinking about track and field.”

A bronze from Mu and a gold by the men’s 4x400 relay team pushed the Americans final total to 29 medals in Budapest, including 12 gold.

The red, white and blue eclipsed the Jamaicans (12) in total medals, along with Canada and Spain (four apiece) in gold medals.

This wasn’t quite the bountiful haul of last summer, when the US amassed 33 medals, 13 gold, at worlds on home turf in Eugene, Oregon.

Now, it’s time to regroup. But first, a break. That’s Mu’s plan, anyway.

Since winning in Tokyo and in Eugene, Mu has changed coaches to Bobby

SEE

T

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(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MARINERS TAKE AL WEST LEAD FROM

TEXAS, BEAT ROYALS 3-2 BEHIND

CASTILLO’S 7 SHUTOUT INNINGS

SEATTLE (AP) — Luis

Castillo pitched seven shutout innings and the Seattle Mariners grabbed sole possession of first place in the AL West, beating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 yesterday for a three-game sweep.

Teoscar Hernández and Julio Rodríguez homered off rookie Alec Marsh (0-7) as the Mariners (7456) won for the 11th time in 12 games and improved to a major league-best 36-14 since July 1.

Seattle moved one game ahead of Texas (73-57) and Houston (74-58). The Mariners trailed by 7 1/2 games on August 15 but have sole possession of first this late in a season for the first time since 2003.

Castillo (11-7) allowed one hit, struck out six and walked one to win his fourth straight start. Andrés Muñoz struck out the side in the ninth for his 10th save.

TWINS 7, RANGERS 6

13 INNINGS

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Jonathan Hernández (1-2) walked three batters in the 13th inning, among a season-high 10 walks by Texas pitchers. The Rangers’ only other day without a share of the lead was after play on April 8.

Texas wasted a 5-0 lead built with Jonah Heim’s grand slam and J.P. Martinez solo homer, and Royce Lewis started Minnesota’s comeback with a fourth-inning slam. Donovan Solano hit a tying single in the ninth against Aroldis Chapman.

Dylan Floro (5-6) got three straight outs after a leadoff walk in the 13th for Minnesota, which leads the AL Central by six games.

ASTROS 17, TIGERS 4

HOUSTON (AP) —

Justin Verlander (10-6) struck out seven and allowed two hits over five scoreless innings against his first team and got his 254th win.

Kyle Tucker hit his 26th homer in the third against Alex Faedo (2-5). Mauricio Dubon and Martin Maldonado hit back-to-back homers off Tyler Holton.

Houston added seven runs in the eighth inning on Jeremy Pena’s three-run triple off Andrew Vasquez and Yainer Diaz’s two-run homer on a 63 mph fastball from backup catcher Carson Kelly. Miguel Cabrera hit his 510th

JORGE SOLER HITS 35TH HOMER AS MARLINS BEAT NATIONALS

homer, a three-run drive in the eighth.

DODGERS 7, RED SOX 4

BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts capped his return to Boston with a second straight three-hit game, hitting a two-run homer against the team he led to the 2018 World Series title.

Playing in Boston for the first time as a Red Sox opponent, Betts collected seven hits and a series of standing ovations over the three-game set.

Freddie Freeman also had three hits, and James Outman homered to help the Dodgers improve to 21-4 in August. Gavin Stone (1-0) earned his first career victory. Tanner Houck (3-8) lost his eighth straight decision. Evan Phillips pitched the ninth for his 21st save.

RAYS 7, YANKEES 4 ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) — Brandon Lowe homered and drove in four runs, and New York (62-68) dropped a seasonhigh six games under .500. Benches and bullpens emptied twice in the eighth inning after one of five hit batters in the game but no punches were thrown, and the Yankees lost their eighth straight series rubber game, Tampa Bay rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the sixth when Harold Ramírez flared a bases-loaded, twoout single to right off Ian Hamilton (2-2) and Lowe followed with a two-run single against Wandy Peralta. Zach Littell (3-4) allowed four runs and four hits in six innings, and Jason Adam worked the ninth for his 12th save.

METS 3, ANGELS 2

NEW YORK (AP) —

Pete Alonso hit a tying double in the eighth inning and Rafael Ortega a winning single in the ninth off Reynaldo López (2-7) as New York stopped a fourgame losing streak.

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and was 3 for 9 with three runs, two steals and an RBI in his first series since the Angels said he tore a ligament in his right elbow while pitching on Wednesday. Adam Ottavino (1-4) struck out one in a perfect ninth.

ROCKIES 4, ORIOLES 3

BALTIMORE (AP) — Hunter Goodman had two

hits and RBI, scoring the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning of his major league debut as Colorado stopped a six-game losing streak. Goodman hit .371 with nine and 33 RBIs in 15 games at Triple-A after he was promoted. The 23-year-old first baseman went 2 for 4. He hit an RBI single off Ryan Flaherty in the sixth for a 3-1 lead and reached on an infield single against Yennier Cano (1-3) leading off the ninth and scored on Elias Díaz’s groundout.

Justin Lawrence (4-6) got the final four outs. BREWERS 10, PADRES 6

MILWAUKEE (AP)

— William Contreras homered and doubled, Sal Frelick drove in three runs and Milwaukee won its eighth straight game. The Brewers took the lead for good in a seven-run sixth inning that included five walks.

Milwaukee has a fourgame NL Central lead over the second-place Cubs heading into a three-game series beginning Monday at Wrigley Field.

Carlos Santana’s basesloaded walk forced in the go-ahead run against Steven Wilson (1-2). Bryse Wilson (6-0) pitched four shutout innings.

CUBS 10, PIRATES 2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cody Bellinger had three hits and five RBIs, raising his total to 53 since July 1 and 75 this season. Bellinger singled in Hoerner in the first inning. He doubled home two more runs in the fifth for a 5-1 lead.

The 2019 NL MVP added another two-run double in the ninth.

Nico Hoerner had three hits and scored three times, helping Chicago close out a 5-2 trip. Jeimer Candelario homered and drove in three runs.

Javier Assad (3-2) struck out seven in seven innings. Bailey Falter (1-8) was tagged for six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Pirates have lost nine of 10 against the Cubs this year.

PHILLIES 3, CARDINALS 0 PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Aaron Nola (12-8) allowed one hit and struck out nine in seven innings, Kyle Schwarber homered on the first pitch of the game from Drew Rom (0-2) and NL wild-card leading Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep.

Johan Rojas doubled among his three hits and Bryce Harper hit an RBI single for the defending NL champion Phillies, who outscored the Cardinals 22-3 in the series.

Craig Kimbrel completed a two-hit shutout with his 20th save, sending St. Louis to its ninth loss in 11 games.

GUARDIANS 10, BLUE JAYS 7 11 INNINGS TORONTO (AP)

— Kole Calhoun hit a tiebreaking double in the 11th off Jay Jackson (3-1), and José Ramirez and Ramón Laureano hit two-run home runs, Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit two-run home runs, and George Springer added

2-1 TO AVOID 3-GAME SWEEP

MIAMI (AP) — Jorge Soler hit a two-run drive for his 35th homer, and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 yesterday to avoid a series sweep.

Luis Arraez reached on a leadoff single in the third inning before Soler connected against Trevor Williams, giving Miami a 2-1 lead. It was Soler’s 19th go-ahead homer of the season, extending his major league lead.

“Soli has been winning game after game for us and he won another game for us today,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said.

Jacob Stallings had two hits for the Marlins, who had dropped six of seven to fall back to .500.

a solo shot for Toronto, which has lost four of its last five.

Emmanuel Clase (2-7) got the final five outs for the Guardians.

WHITE SOX 6, ATHLETICS 1

CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Clevinger (6-6) struck out 10 in seven innings, his 13th career double-digit strikeout game.

Yoán Moncada went 4 for 4 with two doubles for Chicago, and Tim Anderson, Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits.

Oakland (38-93) is on pace to finish 47-115, the franchise’s most losses since the 1916 Philadelphia A’s went 36-117, Paul Blackburn (3-4) allowed four runs in six innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 5, REDS 2

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker hit a sacrifice fly off Lucas Sims to break a 2-2 tie in the eighth as Arizona took three of four from Cincinnati and remained in the NL’S last wild-card spot, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Reds.

Corbin Carroll walked off Ian Gibaut (8-3) leading off the eighth and stole second. Carroll has 22 homers and 40 steals, joining Tommie Agee (1966), Mitchell Page (1977) and Mike Trout (2012) as 20-40 rookies.

Arizona boosted its lead on Evan Longoria’s sacrifice fly and Alek Thomas’ RBI single.

Scott McGough (2-7) struck out three in 1 2/3 innings and Ryan Thompson got his first save.

“A good win for us that we needed badly,” Arraez said. “It’s been a tough second half for us. Everybody wants to win. We just need to continue playing hard.”

Washington wasted a strong performance by Williams (6-8), who allowed five hits and walked two in a season-high seven innings. The Nationals had won five of six and 11 of 14.

“The offence just couldn’t score any runs,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “We had a couple of opportunities and couldn’t capitalise on them. That’s how it goes.”

Washington threatened in the ninth against Tanner Scott. Keibert Ruiz and Ildemaro Vargas hit oneout singles, but Scott retired Jacob Young on a doubleplay grounder for his third save in five opportunities.

Scott replaced David Robertson as Miami’s closer after Robertson squandered a 2-1 lead Saturday. It was Robertson’s third blown save since the Marlins acquired the veteran reliever from the New York Mets on July 29.

“We still have a lot of confidence in him,” Schumaker said. “We acquired him for a reason — to get us out of high-leverage situations and that’s still going to happen. So I don’t want you to think because of what happened last night you won’t see him again.”

Miami reliever Bryan Hoeing (2-2) pitched fourplus innings of one-run ball for the win. Steven Okert, A.J. Puk and Andrew Nardi each pitched a hitless inning before Scott closed it out.

CALIFORNIA WINS LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

6-5 OVER CURACAO ON WALK-OFF HOMER

By SETH ENGLE Associated Press

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Little

Leaguers everywhere dream of a moment like this.

Louis Lappe hit a walkoff homer and California beat Curacao 6-5 in the Little League World Series championship yesterday, despite giving up a four-run lead.

Louis flipped his bat and threw his arms in the air as he trotted around the bases, leaping onto home plate as he was greeted by his teammates surrounding the batter’s box. The leadoff hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning, Louis lofted the second pitch he saw just beyond the left field fence.

“This is a unique feeling that maybe only five or less people experience in their lifetime,” said Louis, who finished the tournament with five homers, the most of any player. “I feel great. It’s hard to beat this feeling. I don’t know what would make me feel happier.”

Curacao tied the game in the fifth on Nasir El-Ossais’s grand slam to centre, setting off a frenzied celebration by the players, coaches and Curacao fans down the third-base side of Lamade Stadium. Nasir also drove in a run in the third.

Jaxon Kalish and Lucas Keldorf drove in two runs each for California.

“The five guys that I have in the top of the lineup, they’re as good as anyone in this tournament,” El Segundo manager Danny Boehle said. “I stand by that full heartedly.”

It was the first trip to the final for the team from El Segundo, a community in the Los Angeles area. California’s eight titles are the most by any US state.

Curacao, a small island off the coast of Venezuela that is home to just

150,000 residents, has represented the international side of the bracket in the championship the last three times non-US teams have competed — in 2019, 2022

and this year — but has lost each time.

There was no tournament in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 tournament was limited to American teams because of travel restrictions.

Curacao returned five players and its coaching staff from the team that lost 13-3 to Hawaii in the 2022 final.

“I ate the cake already last year. I ate the cake this year, too, but I ain’t take the cherry home,” Curacao manager Zaino Everett said after the game with tears in his eyes.

Both California and Curacao took a loss during the tournament and had to work their way through the elimination bracket to the final. With pitch counts mounting across the rosters, each turned to less experienced LLWS starters.

Crew O’Connor drove in a run for El Segundo in the fourth with a single to left field that followed Max Baker’s triple, giving California a 5-1 advantage. It got bumpy from there, but California came out on top.

“What we did may never happen again in the history of El Segundo,” Boehle said.

HELLO, GOVERNOR

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was on hand for the game, joined by 2014 LLWS pitching sensation Mo’ne Davis. Next August will mark 10 years since Davis became the first female pitcher to win a tournament game, helping Philadelphia’s Taney Little League to make it to the US semifinal.

“We’re really proud of her in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said.

STUART SCOTT

HONOURED

The late Stuart Scott was the 62nd person to be enshrined in the Little League’s Hall of Excellence before yesterday’s tournament final. Scott was recognised for his support of the Little League World Series while he was at ESPN. ESPN is the broadcast partner for Little League and carried 337 games across all divisions of play this season.

MIAMI Marlins centre fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr catches a ball hit by Washington Nationals’ Dominic Smith during the first inning yesterday in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

EL SEGUNDO, California’s Lucas Keldorf (9) hits a double off Curacao’s Sean Serverie, driving in two runs, during the first inning of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., yesterday.

(AP Photo/Tom E Puskar)

Davis-Thompson honoured

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

“RUNNING Sideways: The Olympic Champion Who Made Track & Field History,” the biography of the Bahamian Golden Girl, earned Pauline Davis-Thompson the 2023 Coogan’s Book Award.

During the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Davis-Thompson was presented with the Biography of the Year for 2022 by Dave Johnson, the president of the Americas Sports Writers Association. Also on hand for the presentation were North American, Central American and Caribbean president Mike Sands and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.

“I was stunned,” said Davis-Thompson, who first got the call a few weeks ago that she would receive the award at the championships. “I was already in shock from getting the first award for International Book Award.

“So within weeks of getting the two awards, I was ecstatic and out of my mind. I never knew that my book would touch those persons because I just wanted to write the book to bring attention to show in particular the BAAA and sporting bodies around the world that you need to be careful how you treat your athletes.”

Davis-Thompson, the famed 57-year-old Bahamian sprinter who captured individual medals in the 100m, 200 and 400m as well as a member of the women’s 4 x 100m relay team, was referring to all of the difficulties that she encountered with the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, the governing body for track and field in the Bahamas.

“I was able to survive my depression because of the love of the Bahamian people,” Davis-Thompson said. “The extraordinary Bahamians who walk the streets every day showed me so much love,” DavisThompson said.

“I went to this place. A lady just put her hands on my shoulder and said ‘this shoulder carrying a lot of weight,’ I just burst out crying and in the middle of the restaurant, this lady hugged me and prayed for me.”

To her fellow Bahamian athletes who are following in her footsteps, DavisThompson advised them that when they are presented with “lemons, you make lemonade.

“I want you to keep pushing, keep striving, don’t ever give up. God has you covered.

“No man can do anything to you. They might slow you down with speed bumps, road blocks and hurdles, but they can’t stop you from achieving what you have to achieve.”

As a strong advocate for women in sports, DavisThompson said she got a chance to speak with sprinter Anthonique Strachan and hurdler Devynne Charlton, the only two members of Team Bahamas to make it to a final in Budapest.

“I told them to keep the faith. Keep pushing. Do not give in. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Keep believing in themselves and one day they will mount that podium.”

Davis-Thompson, the first Bahamian female to become a Council Member for World Athletics, having served for 12 years, earned the Honorary Life Person Member of the IAAF, now known as World Athletics, which allows her to attend all international competitions hosted by the world’s governing body of the sport.

Davis-Thompson, who also served as a coach for the sport both locally and internationally, was given the Order of Merit Award in 2001 and was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003.

BOL’S BLAZING BURST DOWN STRETCH LEADS THE NETHERLANDS TO GOLD IN 4X400 RELAY TO CLOSE OUT WORLDS

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

BUDAPEST, Hungary

(AP) — In a come-frombehind victory for the ages, Femke Bol of the Netherlands closed track’s world championships yesterday by overcoming a 20-metre deficit down the stretch to finish first in the women’s 4x400 metre relay.

It was the last race of the nine-day track meet and it more than made up for a slip-up on opening night by the country’s biggest sprinting and hurdles talent.

In that one, she was cruising for what looked like a sure medal when she fell at the finish line in the mixed 4x400 relay.

There was no medal that night, and all signs pointed toward a third-place finish when Bol received the baton to run the last lap Sunday.

With 300 metres to go, Bol wasn’t in the same camera frame with the two leaders, Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams and Britain’s Nicole Yeargin. With a half a lap to go, Bol was five steps behind Yeargin.

With 100 metres left, her teammates were excited about the prospect of finishing third. “To be honest, I was already happy with a bronze medal,” said Cathelijn Peeters, who ran the third leg.

Bol wasn’t having it.

“I wanted to stay patient,” Bol said, “but in the last metres I said, ‘No, we have to take it.’”

The 23-year-old said her motivation for kicking it into overdrive was simple:

“It’s your team,” Bol said.

“I mean, I was tired. My body didn’t feel so well, but you have people before you running and they are going so deep.”

So she did, too.

First, she reeled in Yeargin. Then, she reeled in Williams. Then, she crossed the finish line first, fell to the ground and was surrounded by her amazed teammates.

The Netherlands time of 3 minutes, 20.72 seconds edged Jamaica by .16 seconds, though nobody will remember the time — only the effort.

Bol, of course, already had a gold medal from her

400-metre

“It was one of my most important runs ever, but it is the first time we became world champions so it applies for all of us,” Bol

said. “Every tenth and hundredth of a second was needed. We had good exchanges and still barely won it.”

BRONZE medallist Athing Mu, of the United States, poses after the final of the women’s 800-metres during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday.

WORLDS

FROM PAGE 15

Kersee and relocated to Los Angeles. It’s been a lot to absorb. That’s why she nearly passed on worlds. “Bobby knows what’s going on and he just wanted to make sure that my mental was fine,” Mu explained. “He knows, obviously, what everyone expects for me or what they wish to see from me. He just wants to take that pressure off me and just let me do what I could because this sport is very long. We have many years ahead of us.”

Mu recently deleted all her social media so she could concentrate on training for worlds. In the final, she was leading before being caught by silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson of Britain and Kenya’s Mary Moraa, who punctuated her gold-medal finish by leaping across the line.

“I feel fine. I’m not upset with it at all,” Mu said. “Coming to this meet, the world was already talking about me — whether or not I was coming? What is Bobby doing? What is Athing doing? Athing is gonna lose. Athing is going to (win).

“I just, like, people can just take a chill pill sometime. Just let us do our thing,” Mu added. “I don’t know, just let us be athletes.”

This season, something has been missing for Mu — that extreme passion. That’s why she needs a reset. Just don’t ask where she’s going on vacation, because she’s not saying.

“I feel like I was definitely fighting to find the excitement this go-around,” Mu said. “This year wasn’t my favorite. But we’ll see what happens in the future.”

The Americans turn toward Paris with a lot to be pleased about. Like the emergence of sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who won gold in the 100 and as part of the women’s 4x100 relay. Or the domination of Noah Lyles, who not only won the 100 and 200 but helped the men’s 4x100 to a title — just like Usain Bolt used to do.

The medal tally could’ve been more, but the Americans were missing several big names. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, always a sure-fire bet to medal, withdrew due to a minor knee issue. She could possibly compete in both the 400 hurdles and 400 next summer. Michael Norman, the defending 400 champion, also didn’t race.

On the last race of the championships, the women’s 4x400 relay, Team USA could’ve been going for their 30th medal. But they weren’t in the field after being disqualified in the previous round due for a faulty baton exchanged.

Instead, Femke Bol made a big comeback in the final few metres to lead the Netherlands to a gold.

It’s the first time the Americans haven’t won gold at worlds in the event since 2015.

On the men’s 4x400 relay, the team of Quincy Hall, Vernon Norwood, Justin Robinson and Rai Benjamin powered to a title in convincing fashion by beating France by 1.14 seconds. The silver was the first medal for France — the host next summer — at worlds in Hungary. “We did what we needed to do,” Benjamin said.

hurdles race. Her comeback helped Peeters, Eveline Saalberg and Lieke Klaver win one, too.

FEMKE BOL, of the Netherlands, crosses the line to win the final of the Women’s 4x400-metres relay during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday.

(AP Photo/ David J Phillip)

GOLDEN Girl Pauline Davis-Thompson gets an award from Dave Johnson. At left are NACAC president Mike Sands and World Athletics’ president Sebastian Coe.

THE award presented to Golden Girl Pauline Davis-Thompson.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

US learning to roll with the hits at Basketball World Cup

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines

(AP) — It was late in the first quarter of the US team’s opener at the FIBA World Cup.

Austin Reaves was in transition and tossed a lob to Cam Johnson, who got sandwiched in midair by two New Zealand defenders and took a hard fall.

Steve Kerr expected such plays to happen.

The US coach knows that every opponent awaiting the Americans in this tournament will likely be very aggressive, hoping that tactic works to derail

WORLD CUP

FROM PAGE 15

FIBA began keeping assist records in 1984.

After recording 27 points in his World Cup debut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in 17 minutes.

Canada used 11 players and nine reached double figures; the others were Melvin Ejim (13), Kelly Olynyk (12), Zach Edey (12), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (12), Kyle Anderson (10) and Dillon Brooks (10).

Canada shot 71%, and played without Lu Dort, who was held out with soreness. Former NBA player Omari Spellman led Lebanon with 16 points.

Canada plays Latvia on Tuesday in its final group game, while Lebanon (0-2) faces France.

GROUP A — DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 87, ITALY 82

At Manila, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andres Feliz

the only team in the World Cup with a roster composed entirely of NBA players.

New Zealand tried; the US shook off a slow start to win 99-72 and now faces Greece today.

“I know everybody walked in this morning a little frustrated,” Kerr said yesterday as the Americans got loose for practice. “But we won by 27 points.

And so, that’s the lesson. In FIBA, it’s so physical. Everybody is going to try to beat the crap out of us because that’s their best chance to beat us.”

It’s an adjustment for the Americans, but so far, so good. “We understood that

each scored 24 points, and the Dominican Republic connected on 16 3-pointers to beat Italy and move to the brink of the second round.

Feliz had seven of those 3s for the winners (2-0).

Towns finished with 11 rebounds and Jean Montero had 12 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.

“Getting the job done,”

Towns said.

“I think we did a great job and found a way to win. Andres and everybody down the line was amazing. This was a great team win.”

A win over Angola on Tuesday would clinch a second-round trip for the Dominican Republic.

The team could lose that game and still advance, based on other results.

Italy (1-1) led 12-0 to open the game but led only 39-38 at the half — and lost coach Gianmarco Pozzecco to a second-quarter ejection after he picked up his second technical foul.

The game changed entirely in the third; the Dominican Republic outscored Italy 31-17 in those 10 minutes, then held off a rally in the fourth.

this would be part of the process,” Johnson said.

It wasn’t quite like that in the five exhibition games the Americans played on their way to the World Cup because, well, they were just exhibitions. A game against Spain earlier this month against the reigning World Cup winners and FIBA’s No. 1-ranked team — the US is ranked No. 2 — got physical at times, but that was to be expected and nothing got out of hand.

But in the World Cup, the stakes are higher and so is the intensity. Johnson

Marco Spissu led Italy with 17 points, while Simone Fontecchio scored 13, Giampaolo Ricco had 12 and Achille Polonara added 10. Italy remains alive in the race for the second round and plays the Philippines to end group play on Tuesday. It’s a must-win for the Philippines to have any chance.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Italy’s Luigi Datome said.

“It’s going to be a nice atmosphere and all the players like to play in a nice atmosphere.”

GROUP A — ANGOLA 80, PHILIPPINES 70

At Manila, Gerson Goncalves scored 17 points, Gerson Domingos added 15 and Angola erased an 11-point deficit to beat the Philippines.

Bruno Fernando scored 14 for Angola (1-1), which trailed 28-17 early in the second quarter -- and then outscored the hosts 56-29 over the next 24 minutes.

Even with the loss, the Philippines (0-2) remains alive in the race for a second-round spot. It must beat Italy Tuesday and get some help. Jordan Clarkson had 21 points for the Philippines.

stayed down for a few seconds after the big hit, then made his way to his feet uninjured. He said Sunday that he was fine and didn’t show any aftereffects.

“That’s their way of playing, that’s their way of trying to stay in the game and whatnot,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely different than how we’ve been playing, but we’re all capable of adjusting and figuring it out. I think the thing that’s important for us to keep in mind is what’s the legal limit of our physicality. You can go out there and fight

GROUP E — GERMANY 85, AUSTRALIA 82

At Okinawa, Dennis Schroder scored 30 points and added eight assists for Germany (2-0).

The win, combined with Japan’s win over Finland later Sunday, sent Germany to the second round.

Maodo Lo scored 20 for Germany, which trailed by four entering the final quarter but opened it on a 10-0 run.

Australia tied the game twice in the fourth. Both times, Schroder had an immediate answer to reclaim the lead. His basket with 46 seconds left put Germany ahead for good.

Patty Mills, as he did in the first game, led Australia with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Matisse Thybulle had 17 for Australia, which was only 9 for 16 from the foul line.

Germany played without Franz Wagner, who sat with an ankle injury.

Australia faces Japan — the home team in the group — on Tuesday, with the winner moving to the second round. Germany

and throw punches and all that all game, but if you get three, four quick fouls, your game is basically over.”

Kerr — as Gregg Popovich did before him as the US coach, and as Mike Krzyzewski did before that — finds himself reminding his team often about how the FIBA game isn’t the NBA game. It’s called differently and defenders can be much more aggressive.

Kerr explains it to players like this: In the NBA, rules lean toward helping scoring, while in FIBA it’s the opposite. The solution, he says, is

finishes group play against Finland.

GROUP E — JAPAN 98, FINLAND 88

At Okinawa, Joshua Hawkinson scored 28 points for Japan (1-1) as it put together an overwhelming fourth quarter to beat Finland (0-2) and eliminate the Finns from knockoutstage contention.

Japan outscored Finland 38-15 in the final 10:03, erasing what was a 13-point deficit.

Yuki Kawamura scored 25 for Japan, including a three-point play with 4:35 left that gave the hosts the lead for good. He added a 3-pointer about 40 seconds later and Japan pulled away.

Lauri Markkanen topped Finland with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

GROUP D — MONTENEGRO 89, EGYPT 74

At Manila, Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and seven rebounds and Montenegro (2-0) had little trouble with Egypt. Nikola Ivanovic scored 15 for Montenegro, while Kendrick Perry scored 11 and Vladimir Mihailovic

to weather the storms, rely on depth and keep cool. So far, it’s working. “Our threat is that we have 12 guys who are ready to make a great four- or fiveminute push,” Kerr said. “And we keep coming with another wave and another wave, another wave. So, teams can be physical with us, but they have to do that for 40 minutes. As long as our guys stay composed and poised like they did (Saturday), then we’re going to be tough to beat and I think that’s the lesson here early on.”

and Dino Radoncic finished with 10 apiece.

Ehab Amin led all scorers with 26 points for Egypt (0-2), while Anas Mahmoud and Patrick Gardner each finished with 13.

A major difference was points off turnovers: Montenegro turned Egypt’s 22 giveaways into 30 points, while Egypt managed 17 points off Montenegro’s 16 turnovers.

Montenegro plays Lithuania on Tuesday — both teams are going to the second round, and Tuesday will only decide who wins the group — while Egypt will take on Mexico.

GROUP D —

LITHUANIA 96, MEXICO 66

At Manila, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Rokas Jokubaitis added 15 points and Lithuania (2-0) rolled into the second round.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas scored 14 for the winners, while Donatas Motiejunas and Ignas Brazdeikis each scored 10.

Gabriel Giron scored 13 for Mexico (0-2). Israel Gutierrez, Orlando Mendez and Pako Cruz had 10 apiece.

US OPEN 2023: DEFENDING CHAMPION ALCARAZ RETURNS AS THE FANS’ FAVOURITE, BUT NOT OF THE ODDSMAKERS

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz wishes he could go a little more unnoticed as he tries to move around the home of the US Open.

That’s not possible, of course. New York is the last place to find quiet when you’re the star of the show, and even at just 20 years old, it appears the Spaniard is already that in tennis.

He may not be the favourite of the oddsmakers despite being the defending champion — Novak Djokovic is back, after all — but he certainly seems to be a popular choice among fans.

They will have to wait one more day to watch him. Alcaraz isn’t on the schedule today for the first day of play, when top-ranked Iga Swiatek opens her title defence in the afternoon and both 19-year-old Coco Gauff and Djokovic play at night.

Alcaraz is scheduled to play Dominik Koepfer on Tuesday night, providing an extra day to set aside the distractions and hype that were already starting even before he won the title last year and have snowballed since.

“Well, my life changed a lot, a lot,” Alcaraz said this week with a smile. “Probably it’s a different life, talking about the way that I’m more, let’s say, famous. A lot of people are starting to know my name after the US Open last year, for example.”

His victory over Casper Ruud made Alcaraz the first teenager to win the US Open men’s title since Pete Sampras in 1990.

Sampras, though, didn’t immediately shoot to stardom, not with John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors still around and Andre Agassi having already burst onto the scene.

But with Roger Federer retired and countryman Rafael Nadal sidelined since January because of injuries, Alcaraz has quickly picked up many of their fans along with his own. It was a fact he quickly discovered when he returned to New York and noticed how many people recognised him when he went to restaurants or golf courses.

“Sometimes I like it; sometimes no,” Alcaraz said.

“Sometimes you want to feel like a normal guy, to

walk normally. ... Yeah, I wish some days to be someone not recognised at all. But it’s going to be impossible. I have to enjoy that part as well. But sometimes it makes difficult.”

But he’s clearly enjoying it. He played a point with

NBA star Jimmy Butler during a charity event to raise money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine, then on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day booted a goal with an oversized tennis ball and teamed with Swiatek to win a soccer volleyball point.

Still, it’s his real tennis that spectators can’t wait to see. Alcaraz’s crowdpleasing style, the huge whacks with his forehand and deft touch on his drop shots, had Djokovic and McEnroe marvelling right along with everyone else.

“This guy is amazing. Electric,” said McEnroe, now an ESPN analyst. He called Alcaraz “the most complete 20-year-old I’ve ever seen, and that includes Novak and Roger and Rafa.”

That’s led Alcaraz to a tour-high 53 wins this season and six titles, including a second major trophy when he edged Djokovic at Wimbledon.

He is coming off a loss, though, beaten by Djokovic in a Cincinnati final that went three sets and nearly four hours.

That victory, along with his men’s-record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, are likely the reasons Djokovic is the tournament favourite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

He and Alcaraz have met in the last two Grand Slam tournaments, and though they couldn’t do it in New York until the September 10 final, the 36-year-old from Serbia won’t wait long to check out his new rival.

“He’s definitely one of the best players in the world the last couple years,” Djokovic said.

“Sure, there’s always an eye that follows him from my team, from any other team. I know that the same goes for me, probably.”

CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, reacts after winning a point against Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men’s singles final of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, on Sunday, August 20, in Mason, Ohio.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

PAOLO BANCHERO, of the USA, vies for the ball during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group C game between United States and New Zealand in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines on Saturday. (Ezra Acayan/Pool Photo via AP)

Champions crowned at AID Clay Court Championships

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE 29th edition of the Automotive and Industrial Distributors (AID) Limited Clay Court Championships culminated after two weeks of competition at the Gym Tennis Club in Winton Meadows.

The tournament took place from August 12-26 featuring tennis action in the men and women’s singles and doubles matchups.

The categories included the men and ladies open singles and doubles, men’s junior veteran singles and doubles, and the mixed doubles.

Caila Bowe claimed the championship honours in the women’s open singles.

In her first ever appearance at the Clay Court Championships, she got to work early.

Bowe first eliminated the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Esther Newton 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals to take on Sh’Ron Saunders. The latter would not be an easy opponent for the younger competitor as she previously won the mixed doubles in 2022.

Bowe ultimately came out on top in the initial set of the final round, winning 6-2. She remained focused in the final set, wrapping up the match 6-1 to win her first match at the AID Clay Court Championships.

“It feels pretty good, it was hard to win at first but I got through. It was a good match but a pretty tough opponent but I ended up coming out on top which I am really happy for,” Bowe said.

She added that her first time experience at the 29th edition of the championships was pretty good and she is looking forward to joining more tournaments.

Cory Francis earned the singles win in the men’s category. Francis got on the tennis court against Harrington Saunders. His opponent had earned wins against Andrae Nairn and Anthony Munnings in two sets apiece to solidify a spot in the finals.

Francis and Saunders went down to the wire in the first set which favoured the newest champion 7-6 (7). In the final remaining set, Francis capitalised after a gruelling opening set and dropped his opponent 6-1 to claim the title.

The men’s single winner also capitalised on another victory alongside partner Kenwood Kerr in the men’s junior veteran doubles. The

team was ranked number one in the category and dropped John Fong and Franklyn Williams 6-2, 6-1 to hoist the championship trophy.

Marvin Rolle and last year’s men’s 35-and-over doubles champion Wayne Thompson teamed up to close out their opponents in the men’s open doubles category. The duo defeated the doubles team of Bobby Chen and Fong 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals. Ultimately, the team cruised to a championship win following a victory against Patrick Fernander and Larry Rolle in two sets 6-3, 6-1.

Thompson talked about how it felt to compete at the Clay Court Championships for another consecutive year.

“It was fantastic because when you plan towards something and you are able to target and achieve the goal it is great…we want to encourage all Bahamians, especially those 35 and over, to know some exercise along with camaraderie builds healthy relationships, helps your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels,” he said.

Tom McDermott and Saunders repeated as champions for the second straight year in the mixed doubles event.

The mixed team emerged victorious in their semifinals match against president of the BLTA Perry Newton and his wife. They lost the first set 7-6 (5). However, the duo won set two 6-4 and ultimately won the tiebreaker 10-3. In the finals, the team wrapped up Fernander and Della Pinder in the first set 6-2. They lost the following set 7-6 (5) but came out on top 11-9 in the tiebreaker to get the win.

The two were very excited to talk about their second consecutive win.

“We have competed in this for two years, we won last year and we have regained our title this year. It was different this year because there was more competition, both matches were very close and went to tiebreakers,” McDermott said.

Saunders said the competition was very fierce this time around and as the years go by, she believes it is going to be harder to defend the title.

Shaun Mahelis left the Clay Court Championships with the men’s junior veteran singles title. He upsetted the fourth-seeded Alejandro Mesples in two sets 6-1, 6-2.

After the ending of two weeks of tennis play at the AID title sponsored Clay Court Championships, Janelle Watson-Davis from the company’s board of directors had some final words.

“AID is a company that really prides itself on community. One of the reasons why the company sponsors the tournament is because the chairman is an avid tennis player and loves the sport,” Davis said.

She added that overall the aim of the company is to keep the sport going in The Bahamas, and to provide opportunities that introduce new persons to it.

The competition ended after two weeks at the Gym Tennis Club this past Saturday.

CHAMPIONS UNITE: Winners of the 29th AID Clay Court Tennis Championships hoist their championship hardware following two weeks of competition at the Gym Tennis Club in Winton Meadows.

THE BAHAMAS FINISHES THIRD IN THE CARIFTA TRIATHLON

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE host country finished third at the 2023 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships this past weekend at Goodman’s Bay.

The Bahamas accomplished a much better showing at home following last year’s fifth place finish in Bermuda. Barbados repeated as champions once again, earning a first place finish at the event.

Second place went to last year’s host country Bermuda. Trinidad and Tobago ended the two-day championships in fourth for the second straight year, meanwhile, Aruba dropped down to fifth overall.

Day one - Triathlon

On Saturday, the Menzies brothers both brought home the first set of medals for Team Bahamas.

Lauchlan Menzies captured a gold medal finish in the male 11-12 division. The 12-year-old competed in a trio of events, including a 200m swim, 5 kilometre (km) biking, and 1.5k run. The younger brother finished the events with an overall time of 21:15. In the swimming portion of the event, he had the third best time with 5:42.

Although he appeared winded after competing in multiple events, L Menzies was excited about the win at home.

“It feels amazing because I have never done that. The last CARIFTA I did, I came 13th…my favourite part was the bike because that’s the part where I dropped people the most. For the swim, I came out of the water third which was one of my strongest parts and then the run someone hunted me down but I outran him at the end,” Menzies said.

Malcolm Menzies, his older brother, placed second for the second consecutive year in the 13-15 division of the male’s triathlon.

Bermuda’s Jackson Langley completed the trio of events, including a 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5k run with a time of 32:56.

Menzies stopped the clock at 33:28 ahead of Bermuda’s Ollie Hayward who placed third. The silver medallist finished first in the swimming portion of the event, emerging from

the water first in 6:25. He also turned in a good showing for the 10km biking which he completed second in 16:00. He talked about how it felt to earn the silver medal for The Bahamas once again.

“It was good to come out with a silver medal in front of all my family and friends. The swim put me in a great position but Langley is insane at running so I could not take him, but overall it felt great,” he said.

Ralph Wood was one of two competitors in the men’s 21 and under triathlon. He finished the event behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Liam McLaughlin. Wood ended the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5k run with a time of 1:19:09.

Erin Pritchard, who finished second in the 13-15 division last year, secured a bronze medal in the women’s 16-19 division of the triathlon. She wrapped up her 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5k run in 1:14:39.

Day two - Aquathlon

Yesterday, Team Bahamas added more medals to their total to earn the third place position at the championships.

Grace Farrington earned a bronze medal in the 16-19 division of the women’s aquathlon. Farrington finished her 1,000m swim and 5k run with a time of 40:51. She finished behind Isis Gaskin from Barbados and Nina James of Grenada. The newest bronze medallist got out of the water first after clocking 17:05 to complete the swimming portion of the aquathlon. She completed her run with the fourth best time of 23:25.

She was overwhelmed as she talked about the bronze medal finish.

“It feels really good, this was my first ever CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships so I just wanted to go out and do my best. I am a past CARIFTA swimmer so I just wanted to push myself and knew that I could do well,” Farrington said.

On day two of the championships, Wood came second in the 21 and under aquathlon. He completed the event with a time of 45:00. Wood got the best of McLaughlin in the swimming part of the event but his opponent pulled away in the 5k run to earn the win.

The two-day event ended this past Sunday at Goodman’s Bay.

TEAM Bahamas after placing third at the CARIFTA Triathlon & Aquathlon Championships over the weekend at Goodman’s Bay.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Team Barbados celebrates after placing first overall. Photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff