08302024 NEWS AND SPORT

The Tribune

WITHOUT A HOME FIVE YEARS LATER

Abaconians in trailers since Dorian facing eviction by October

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

Reporter

DOZENS of Abaco resi-

dents in government trailers meant as temporary housing after Hurricane Dorian are facing eviction by the end of October, including a struggling mother of five who is still searching for a permanent home.

The notice comes as the country prepares to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Dorian, the deadly category-five storm that killed more than 70 people and displaced hundreds. Machanttie Stuart, 59, expressed uncertainty about where her family will go.

NO NEED FOR VALLEY BOYS TO CHA NGE N AME TO PARTICIPATE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

The Valley Boys has broken into two factions. Trevor Davis, interim chairman of one faction, registered his group as a non-profit organisation. Brian Adderley, the leader

ALTHOUGH the Registrar General’s Office has required that the “World Famous Valley Boys” drop the Valley Boys name from its title, Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) chairman Dion Miller said the group will not have to change its name to participate in the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government signed a Heads of Agreement for the $665m Grand Bahama Shipyard transformation project yesterday, a project designed to position The Bahamas as “a global

leader in ship repair”.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis highlighted the critical importance of the shipyard’s redevelopment for Grand Bahama, saying it will create over 1,000 full-time permanent jobs for Bahamians within the next five years.

He also projected that the shipyard, once operational, would generate an economic output of $350m.

“This investment will repair crucial infrastructure, catalyse the island’s economy, and reaffirm this very special island’s prominent role in the maritime

MITCHELL DOW NPLAYS C AMPAIGN FIN A NCE L AWS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Fred Mitchell deflected Michael Pintard’s challenge to disclose the PLP’s financial donors and downplayed the possibility of introducing campaign finance laws this term. “Let me put it this way,”

he told reporters, “I’m not getting into any games with the leader of the opposition over this. “There’s only one issue which is before us. The issue is, does he support the people of The Bahamas and his constituents versus the Grand Bahama Port Authority? “The issue is not who got what donations and who got SEE PAGE

C ARLOS BROW N JR ADVA NCES IN THE 200M AT WORLD ATHLETICS UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS SEE SPORTS

PLP chairman Fred Mitchell

THE SIGNING ceremony in Grand Bahama yesterday as a $665m heads of agreement was signed for the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s transformation project.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Without a home five years later

She said nearly 60 people, including some government workers, face a similar situation. She said officials informed them during a meeting that they must move by October 31.

The trailers, located next to the Marsh Harbour government complex, were meant to provide temporary housing for those displaced by Dorian in 2019.

Central and South Abaco

MP John Pinder could not say the exact number of people still living in the 50 trailers but confirmed yesterday that October 31 is the deadline for residents to vacate. He said exceptions may be made for special cases.

He said the trailers were never intended for longterm use and have become problematic, citing health and safety concerns due to mould and septic tank issues.

“The majority of these trailers are not fit for living or any other use,” he said. “They’re leaking, with holes in the floors, and have been used well beyond their lifespan.”

He also raised concerns about the trailers’ inability

to withstand storm conditions, saying: “If a tropical storm comes by, they’re going to be collateral damage to everything else that’s been newly built. They will fly, and they will move.”

He said some trailers have been rented out by their original occupants and are allegedly being used for other illegal activities.

He said officials are planning to find alternative housing for vulnerable residents before the October deadline.

“The trailers have had free power, free water, and have been a free place to stay for almost five years,” he said, adding that the homes will be dismantled and disposed of once residents move out.

However, Ms Stuart wants the government to allow residents to relocate the trailers until a permanent housing solution is found.

Nearly two years ago, she, her two daughters, and her granddaughter moved into a government trailer after returning to Abaco following Hurricane Dorian.

“I asked about the trailer and if we can carry the trailer to our property, but

they said no,” she said.

She added that renting is not an option for the family of four because it is too costly.

In addition to caring for her young daughter and granddaughter, Ms Stuart also has an older disabled daughter with financial needs. She said she spends $700 a month on a nursing home in Grand Bahama to care for her daughter, who suffered a stroke a year ago.

“The hospital gave her up, and she isn’t doing anything. They said she’s like a vegetable,” Ms Stuart said. “I have to scrap up money right now to pay for this month.”

Ms Stuart, a long-term janitress, said her pay cheque is insufficient to make ends meet.

“I cannot save a dollar because I’m the only one paying the bills,” she said, adding that she also has her own medical bills due to her deteriorating health.

“I need to go to Nassau on the 13th because of my eyesight. I can’t see in one of my eyes.”

“It’s rough,” she said. “My youngest daughter need some shoes now. We getting her ready for school and she needs shoes and a schoolbag.”

Mitchell downplays campaign finance laws

what money, because there is a system of donations in the country, and some of those donations are tied to, you don’t know, confidentiality interest. If he wants to do that, that’s his business.”

“What is before us is, if you did get money or are you singing a song for these people because you hope for a donation for the future or you’ve gotten a donation in the past, that’s the issue before us. That’s the public policy issue. So I’m not, you know, engaging in his slight hands, smoking mirrors and trying to switch the game on me.

That’s an old trick.”

Mr Pintard said on Wednesday that the FNM would disclose its financial donors if the PLP does so. His comment came after

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis challenged him to confirm whether the Grand Bahama Port Authority had given him money. The matter has reignited attention toward the absence of campaign finance laws. In its Blueprint for Change, the PLP promised to introduce rules but has failed to do so, just like previous administrations. Yesterday, Mr Mitchell said there is no appetite for campaign finance reform, saying neither side can agree on the terms of disclosure.

“As for the public policy, that’s something which my colleagues in the Cabinet will have to decide as a philosophical point,” he said. “Everybody agrees with campaign finance

reform, so I can’t say I disagree with it, but the devil is always in the details.”

In January, Mr Mitchell reportedly told the Organization of American States officials that work is “ongoing” to develop a legal framework to govern campaign finance practices. Likewise, he was among several parliamentarians in 2016 who called for campaign finance laws to be enacted. He said the lack of such laws was at the root of the Peter Nygard/Louis Bacon controversy ensnaring the major political parties at the time.

“The question is the law needs to be designed to deal with that, disclosure, sources, amounts, and public financing campaigns,” he said. “All that should be on the table I think.”

AS work continues on the Abaco Hurricane Shelter residents remain sceptical that it will be completed by year’s end as the government has promised.

PLP CHAIRMAN FRED MITCHELL

Government signs $665m HOA for GB shipyard transformation project

industry,” Mr Davis said.

“We are re-establishing Grand Bahama as a regional and Trans-Atlantic shipping hub, ranked among the top shipping operations in the world.”

The project includes acquiring two new floating dry docks capable of lifting the largest cruise ships and commercial vessels. One dock is scheduled to arrive in January 2026, with the second expected in the third quarter of that year.

Prime Minister Davis expressed confidence that the investment would restore Grand Bahama to its “glory days” in the maritime industry.

“In five years, we anticipate some 1,200 employees will benefit from gainful employment at the Shipyard, the majority of whom will be full-time Bahamian workers,” he said.

“My government remains attentive to the issues surrounding seasonal labour, and we are working carefully to ensure just and fair working conditions as we welcome this new chapter for Grand Bahama.”

Mr Davis said the shipyard’s expansion is part of a broader surge of investment in Grand Bahama, with new investments underway to transform the local tourism

product, promote trade and industry, and provide opportunities for small businesses.

“Several large-scale businesses, thousands more jobs, and many new opportunities for entrepreneurs are on the way,” he said.

“At the same time, the government is investing in a new hospital, airport, and other critical areas to create and attract even more growth opportunities.”

“None of the progress we’re making in Grand Bahama was inevitable.

Multiple hurricanes, the pandemic, and the global inflation crisis all hit Grand Bahama hard. We know that to realise our extraordinary ambitions for Grand Bahama, we need extraordinary partners.”

Mr Davis thanked the Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corporation, along with the Grand Bahama Shipyard, for being world-class partners in this significant investment.

Dave Skentelbery, CEO of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, said the signing of the HOA marks another step forward for the shipyard and its infrastructural expansion. He confirmed that the docks are on schedule, with the larger dock, ‘Lucayan Dock,’ to be registered under the Bahamian flag

in Nassau and the smaller dock, named ‘East End Dock.’

“We are on schedule to complete the infrastructural work for the arrival of the docks,” Mr Skentelbery said.

He also noted that 16 Bahamian apprentices recruited in January were sent to the United Kingdom for training and will soon return to Grand Bahama.

Marie McKenzie, VP of global ports and Caribbean government relations, said the signing is a milestone for the cruise industry and a testament to enduring partnerships with The Bahamas.

She said since last year, they have increased the dry dock’s water depth from 20 feet to 25 feet, and the pier extension is well underway, with assembly beginning for two world-class floating docks.

“In addition to making Grand Bahama once again home to the largest cruise ship repair facility, the expanded shipyard will make the Bahamas the global leader in ship repair, not just for cruise ships but for commercial ships as well,” Ms McKenzie said. “In fact, it is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic impact in the Bahamas over the next 25 years.”

BCPOU HOLDS P RO TEST AT ZNS, C RITICISES GM CLIN T WATS ON

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia. net

THE Bahamas Communications and Public

Officers Union (BCPOU)

staged a protest outside ZNS’ headquarters yesterday to criticise General Manager Clint Watson.

BCPOU President

Sherry Benjamin said issues with Mr Watson’s leadership included his alleged favouritism, mistreatment of staff, threats of termination, intimidation, unilateral

decision-making, and a lack of professionalism.

“This gentleman has the staff at ZNS right now in turmoil,” she claimed. “He picks and chooses who he likes, and if you’re not in his good favour, you’re in trouble. It can’t work like that. The only place it works like that is in the court, the prison, and in the church. It cannot happen here in ZNS.” She accused Mr Watson of forcing non-shift workers into shift roles, which she claims violates their employment terms.

“He moves people around like chess pieces without proper consultation or regard for their well-being,” she added.

She said ZNS’ staff had been reluctant to speak out due to fear of retaliation.

“Right now, our staff at ZNS are afraid,” she said. “Some of them are afraid to come forward and talk because they fear victimisation or termination. He treats the staff like they are less than human. He disrespects them in meetings, cuts them off, and doesn’t allow them to voice their

concerns.”

She claimed Mr Watson fostered a divide among staff based on personal favouritism, leading to arbitrary and unfair treatment of those not in his favour.

“If he does anything to anyone of them, we will be in front of the House of Assembly, and the prime minister of The Bahamas and the Cabinet of the Bahamas would have to tell us why they still have him in the chair,” she said. “We’re not asking them to fire him, you know, put him in one corner, give him something to do. I want them [not to] take bread out of his mouth because he’s got to survive. His family has to survive. But I don’t want him there where he is mistreating the

staffers. He doesn’t need to be there.” Benjamin also raised concerns about non-payment of benefits and delays in staff increments. She claimed Mr Watson had not honoured the benefits outlined in the industrial agreement and has dismissed these obligations. She said performance-based increments for the 2022-2023 and 20232024 evaluation periods, due by April 15, have not been paid.

“I really wanted Mr Watson to succeed when he took over as the general manager for ZNS, but immediately, when he came in, he had a power problem,” she said. “When Mr Watson sat in a line

staff position in ZNS, no one could have done that to him. You couldn’t talk to him that way, because the first thing he’d do is run to the union president. Mr Bernard Evans used to catch hell from him.”

The BCPOU president also criticised the executive board and its chairman, Pricewell Forbes.

“Look at Chairman Pricewell Forbes,” she said. “He’s supposed to be an executive chairman, but he has no control over Watson. It’s almost like they’re scared of him. We’re asking the minister responsible for broadcasting to intervene. This cannot continue.” Mr Watson could not be reached by phone or text for comment yesterday.

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks at the signing of the $665m Heads of Agreement for the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s transformation project yesterday.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

‘He was a good friend, very nice and humble’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

NO E LCIN Vilma was tragically shot and killed at his job at a scrap metal yard off Carmichael Road, just a day before his birthday.

E ric Utile, his friend for over a decade, told The Tribune yesterday about their close friendship, which grew stronger when Mr Vilma started dating his sister, Nadia Petite.

The Wednesday shooting occurred around 12.30pm at a scrap metal yard near Carmichael Road, just north of Ramsey Street. Upon arrival, police found Mr Vilma unresponsive, lying on a dirt road with apparent gunshot wounds.

Mr Vilma, 43, was last seen in conversation with the occupants of a white hatchback vehicle, who approached him, demanded cash, and shot him multiple times after they were unable to get funds. The culprits escaped.

After hearing of the shooting, Mr Vilma’s loved ones rushed to the scene, hoping he had survived. Mr Utile said several police officers were barricading the

crime scene, making it difficult to check on Mr Vilma’s condition. The police later confirmed that Mr Vilma had died. H e was a good friend, a very nice and humble guy,” Mr Utile said. “ H e never troubled anyone.”

Mr Utile said that his sister is devastated by the loss of her boyfriend. The couple had lived together and dated for six years. Throughout their relationship, Mr Vilma supported his girlfriend financially as best as he could.

Mr Vilma had worked at the scrap metal yard for over ten years. Mr Utile said that just two weeks ago, an attempt was made to rob him in the same yard. H e was unsure if the same individuals were involved in the fatal shooting.

Mr Utile said his family needs justice for Mr Vilma’s untimely death. H e added that yesterday would have been Mr Vilma’s birthday, but sadly, he did not live to celebrate it.

According to loved ones, Mr Vilma leaves behind one child in H aiti.

H is death brought the murder count to 84, according to The Tribune’s records.

WSC says interuption in command system caused outage in parts of New Providence

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

Kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

AN interruption to the Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) command system, which

controls the pump system, disrupted water services in some areas of New Providence yesterday before the issue was resolved, according to WSC General Manager Robert Deal.

CARNIVAL CRUISE

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE new offices of Carnival Cruise Lines and the headquarters for Celebration Key officially opened on Thursday in the newly renovated Millennium Building in Freeport.

The commercial building is located on the Mall Drive, opposite the National Insurance Building Complex in downtown Freeport.

Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey described the opening as a significant milestone for Carnival and Grand Bahama.

“This moment represents more than just the opening of a hub for Carnival’s operations; it signifies the company’s

The disruption reportedly lasted about 40 minutes, from 2pm to 2.40pm. WSC officials said customers in New Providence at higher elevations and those at the extreme

ends of the distribution system were affected the most, while others experienced lower-than-usual pressure.

WSC public affairs manager Nikolette E lden said there was minimal

impact to critical facilities during the interruption and the company anticipates “minimal impact on water quality as a result of this disruption”.

“While we are continuously planning for

infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, disruptions may occur during these processes. H owever, such disruptions are typically short-term and limited to specific areas,” she said.

L INES OPENS HEADQUARTERS FOR CELEBRATION KEY IN GB

continued commitment to our beautiful island, vibrant community, and the Bahamian people,” she said.

Ms Moxey expressed the government’s satisfaction with the opportunities Celebration Key has created on the island.

She said the project has positively impacted the local economy, particularly in the construction sector and through the hiring of Bahamians. Additionally, Carnival has initiated various workshops, information seminars, and community initiatives that have benefitted Bahamians.

The minister highlighted her ministry’s efforts to prepare entrepreneurs for the new cruise port’s opening, including the launch

of the “Empower Grand Bahama Micro-Grant Programme” last year. Through this programme, 149 grants were distributed to Bahamians operating businesses in creative industries.

Ms Moxey said she looks forward to working with Carnival to ensure Bahamians can fully benefit from the opportunities available at the port.

Marie McKenzie, vice president of Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relations, emphasised that the new port is truly “happening” and that the opening of their Grand Bahama offices solidifies Carnival’s long-term presence on the island.

She recalled the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian, particularly at the

former University of the Bahamas campus near the construction site of Celebration Key.

Despite the heartbreak, she said Carnival remained committed to the project. “We simply said, we have to take the ground higher… we will go 15ft,” she recalled.

Ms McKenzie noted that Carnival did not pause its efforts but instead reinvested in the island.

“This was not our first leased office location, but as we all know, in 2020… there was a thing that wreaked havoc in many of our lives. However, even after that, our Carnival executives went to the board and said…let’s do this!”

The cruise line executive highlighted that Carnival is the leading cruise brand

in Grand Bahama, bringing over 330,000 guests to the island last year.

Celebration Key represents a $600m investment in Grand Bahama, making it the largest destination Carnival has built anywhere in the world.

Ms McKenzie also mentioned the HOA signing for the shipyard expansion, a partnership with Royal Caribbean and the Port Group, represents an additional $400m investment in Grand Bahama.

Rupert Hayward, executive director of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the opening of Carnival’s office is an important milestone for Celebration Key. He indicated the project will bring enormous benefits to GB in terms of new employment and

economic activity.

Mr Hayward noted the impressive progress at Celebration Key. “The office in Freeport is a powerful symbol of Carnival’s commitment to GB, and the Port Authority’s persistent efforts to attract world-class partners to the island,” he added.

H e stressed that many new opportunities for Grand Bahama will be announced as the port moves toward opening sometime next year.

“With more than $2 billion of investment by the Port Authority’s partners, including the government, to which Celebration Key is a complemental feature, I believe very bright days ahead for GB and its people are just around the corner,” Mr H ayward said.

NOELCIN ALCIME

POLICE remove Noelcin Vilma’s body from a scrap yar in the Carmichael area earlier this week. He was shot and killed during an armed robbery.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

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Five years on from Dorian

IT IS almost five years to the day since Hurricane Dorian struck The Bahamasand we still have victims.

There are still dozens of people living in government trailers, as we report in today’s Tribune

The trailers were intended to be a temporary measure in Abaco for those whose lives and possessions were ripped apart when Dorian barrelled through Abaco and Grand Bahama, unleashing the terrifying damage that only a storm of that category five magnitude could contain.

The toll at the time was horrifying.

Official figures say the death toll was 70 from the storm - though there has long been speculation that the number is higher. Hundreds found their homes destroyed, and were left with no place to go.

Some of those ended up living in trailers. There are 50 in total, though the number of people living in those could not be said by Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder yesterday.

Even that temporary solution - if five years can be said to be temporary - is coming to an end. The residents have been told to get out by the end of October - though Mr Pinder said exceptions may be made. In truth, the living conditions in those trailers are not good.

Mr Pinder says they are leaking, there are problems with mould and the septic tanks, and so on. They were intended to be a short-term solution, not a longterm home.

He also warned that if another storm comes along - heaven forbid - then the trailers themselves are not safe and could become flying debris.

Anyone who remembers what became of shanty town buildings in the face of Hurricane Dorian will know what that outcome could be.

Perhaps worse still, some of the trailers are apparently being rented out by their original occupants. Some are

even possibly being used for criminal purposes.

All of that will not help those who are still there with nowhere to go.

One woman living there talks of the impossibility of renting because of the high cost.

Machanttie Stuart talked of how she does not make enough money to make ends meet, even as she has to spend $700 a month on the needs of her disabled daughter, who suffered a stroke a year ago, and who talks of having lost sight in one eye and trying to scrap up enough money to buy shoes for her daughter to go to school. It seems almost unreal that Hurricane Dorian is five years ago now.

Those living in these trailers are not the only ones still experiencing the aftermath of this disaster.

There are others who mourn those who are no longer with us after the storm.

There are those whose properties still have not been fully repaired from the damage of the wind and the rain and the debris.

And there are those who still carry the emotional damage of having been through the terror and the trauma of the storm.

We have not fully recovered from Hurricane Dorian. For some who went through it, they never will recover from such a terrible impact.

But while we still have people living in trailers, displaced and more or less homeless, we cannot really say we have done everything to help our brothers and sisters in the wake of Dorian.

The trailers are not a solution. But we hope that those still living there can be helped to find the solution they need.

And as a community, we should do all we can to help them get there.

Say a prayer for those still struggling in the aftermath as we reach the anniversary of that deadly event. But those in such a place need more than prayers, they need practical help.

Delivery or water boy is deja vu

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN the 1992 general elections, the late Sir Lynden Pindling referred to the then Hubert Ingraham as the “delivery boy”. Let’s not play upon words. This was not meant to be a term or endearment, but rather a backhanded slap (to use a Bahamian vernacular) which I believe was meant to belittle the then Hubert Ingraham. The term seemed to suggest that “I am monarch of

all I survey: I am king of the hill; how dare you rookie boy politician challenge me!” As it turned out, the term stuck. It took on a life of its own, and as they often say, the rest is history. Recently, Prime Minister Davis referred to opposition leader Michael Pintard as the “water boy” for the Grand Bahama port authority. The phrase sounds eerily similar, almost a carbon copy of the phrase used to describe the then Hubert

Sandals closure

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Nassau Guardian recently published an article about the expected negative impact the temporary closure of Sandals Resorts will have on the island of Exuma. Indeed, Sandals represents the economic lifeblood of that Central Bahamas island, as it has in its employment over 400 Bahamians. The concerns that these Bahamians have are legitimate, especially as a Sandals executive mentioned recently to the media several conditions that the Progressive Liberal Party government must meet before the Stewart family decides to reopen after they have completed the planned multimillion dollar renovations. The timing of the announcement has left many wondering if the Stewart family is engaging in a tit-for-tat with the Department of Inland Revenue over an alleged $30m in back taxes owed to the state.

Ingraham who ended up becoming Prime Minister of The Bahamas. It proves that what is meant for bad sometimes turns out for good. No one can accurately predict in which direction the ball of history will bounce. History does not repeat itself, it sometimes rhymes. But what do I know!

ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, August 29, 2024.

In the event Sandals decides to play hardball by dragging its feet in following through with its redevelopment plans, I feel that Exuma MP and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper might suffer the political consequences of this game of chess between the Stewart family and the technocrats in the Ministry of Finance. Bahamians, especially swing voters, typically vote on bread and butter issues. While Cooper has done a stellar job in the Davis Cabinet as Minister of Tourism, his Exuma constituents will evaluate him on a parochial basis. Cooper is second in command of the government and the PLP. Before the Sandals announcement, I would have estimated that his reelection chances were around 95 percent, as I view him as a formidable heavyweight in Bahamian politics. Subsequent to the Sandals Resorts announcement, however, political strategists would have to concede that his reelection bid as Exuma MP isn’t a lock, considering the financial hardships his constituents will most likely encounter.

If Sandals Resorts follow through with its estimated 12-to-15-month timeframe for its redevelopment, the political damage will be hard to ignore. A 15-month closure would mean that Sandals would be reopening in either November or December 2025. There’s the unsettling possibility of this closure carrying over into 2026 due to any number of reasons. The

issue with 2026 is that it just happens to be the year of the constitutionally scheduled general election. For the Exuma incumbent, this is too close for comfort. At this juncture, I would surmise that Cooper’s reelection chances are around 60 percent. That’s a 35 percent drop from the 95 percent I had him at. If the closure extends all the way into the general election year, his chances could be even lower than 60 percent. In any case, I view the four heavyweights within the Progressive Liberal Party government to be Prime Minister Phillip Brave Davis, Cooper, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin. I have chosen to discuss Cooper’s reelection bid because it is germane to the subject at hand regarding Hanna Martin. In the unlikely event that Davis decides to follow US President Joe Biden’s example of not pursuing another term as prime minister, the only obstacle that would be standing in HannaMartin’s way of attaining the PLP leadership post would be the deputy leader of the PLP. By virtue of his position, Cooper has the advantage, albeit a slight one. Yet no one would argue that he is more PLP than Hanna Martin. I do not know how long Cooper has been affiliated with the party. He first became MP in 2017 - 15 years after Hanna Martin first became MP for Englerston. Cooper’s rapid ascension to his current position was made possible by the near wipeout of the PLP Parliamentary caucus in 2017. PLP heavyweights, such as Fred Mitchell, Jerome Fitzgerald, Alfred Sears, Damien Gomez, Shane Gibson and Perry Christie, all lost their seats. The late Dr Bernard Nottage also lost his seat in 2017. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the National Convention that year, as he passed away in June - weeks after the May 10 general election. Hanna Martin is the daughter of the legendary AD Hanna, who served as Sir Lynden Pindling’s deputy leader from 1968 to 1984. Her political pedigree is impeccable. AD Hanna was a man of principles. That’s why he was disgusted with the situation within the PLP during

and subsequent to the 1984 Commission of Inquiry and tendered his resignation as deputy prime minister. I believe his daughter is cut from the same cloth. She will not tolerate slackness or corruption within her party. Hanna-Martin is a second generation PLP. Cooper, compared to her, is a Johnny-come-lately. This fact alone should be factored into consideration by stalwart councilors in the event the two were to vie for the leadership post. Hanna Martin has in the past expressed a desire to lead the PLP. She did so in August 2017 subsequent to the retirement of former Prime Minister Perry G Christie. Hanna Martin would unsuccessfully challenge for the top post within the PLP against Philip Brave Davis at that party’s National Convention in October 2017. She was only able to get 300 votes to Davis’ 1,004. What’s more, Hanna Martin was not given the opportunity to address delegates at that convention, in an obvious undemocratic move to silence her. This might have played a role in her resigning as opposition leader of business in the House of Assembly days after the convention. She would fare better against a lesser opponent in Chester Cooper. All this is purely hypothetical. Yet stranger things have happened in Bahamian politics. For example, I would have never imagined in 2017 Marco City MP Michael Pintard becoming Free National Movement leader a mere four years later. Back then, Dr Hubert Minnis was leader with a Cabinet comprised of FNM heavyweights Dionisio D’Aguilar, Dion Foulkes, Brent Symonette and Desmond Bannister. In summation, two things would have to happen for any thoughts of Glenys Hanna Martin ascending atop the PLP. Firstly, Prime Minister Phillip Brave Davis would have to call it quits. This is unlikely. But it isn’t outside the realm of possibility. And secondly, Chester Cooper would have to lose in Exuma. With the uncertainty regarding Sandals Resorts’ exact reopening date, the PLP deputy leader’s reelection in 2026 isn’t a guarantee. If both were to happen, then the PLP leadership post would be in play for Hanna Martin.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama August 25,

2024.

MANJUI Indigenous children compete in a sack race in the Abisai community in Mariscal Estigarribia, in the western region of Paraguay known as the Paraguayan Chaco, on August 28. Photo: Rodrigo Abd/AP

No need for Valley Boys to change name to participate

from page one

of the original group, registered his group as an NPO later. The Tribune understands the Office of the Registrar General has sent his group a letter demanding that it drop the Valley Boys name from its title.

Mr Miller emphasised yesterday that the JCNP has never required documentation from the Registrar General’s Office for parade registrations.

“The matter before the Registrar General’s Office between the Valley Boys and the Valley Boys has nothing to do with the registration as it pertains to

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 32-YEAR-OLD father was granted a conditional discharge after admitting to trying to steal baby formula and other groceries to feed his family at Super Value Golden Gates last week.

the JCNP for the upcoming parades,” he said. “No document from the Registrar General’s Office has ever been needed, nor required to register groups for the participation of Junkanoo parades in the Bahamas. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever.

“Mr Adderley registered the Valley Boys to participate in the upcoming Junkanoo parades just as the Valley Boys have done for the past 20 years, using the same documents and methods.”

“Unfortunately, one group is registered for the upcoming parade, while the other is not. Therefore, one

will compete for a prize, and the other will appear merely as a fun group.”

Mr Miller noted that the JCNP allows groups to amend their names up to 30 days before the parade.

John Williams, communications officer for Mr Adderley’s group, said the group is registered in the A-Division and is preparing to soon receive seed funding from the government.

He said Mr Adderley “has not stepped down; he has not been fired, he has not been removed. He remains our chairman and our executive team is unchanged”.

ENVIRONMENT REMOVES OVER 1,000

C ARS AND TRUCKS FROM NEIGHBOURHOODS

Vescine reportedly tried to steal $47.48 worth of groceries from Super Value on August 24.

After pleading guilty to the charge, the defendant said he tried to steal the goods to provide for his family, including an infant child.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville arraigned Ronald Vescine on attempted stealing.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail after he allegedly assaulted someone with a baseball bat in July.

Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr arraigned Perez Collie, 23, with assault with a deadly weapon. Collie allegedly assaulted Sanja Nixon with a bat during a verbal altercation on July 15 in New Providence. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Collie’s bail was set at $4,000 with one or two

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 21-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 30 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun in a car on Carmichael Road earlier this week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby arraigned Douglas Moss, Jeffrey Toussaint, 21, and Latario Mackey, 19, on possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Police reportedly encountered the defendants in a silver Suzuki Swift on Montgomery Avenue, where a front seat passenger threw a bag out a window at 1.30pm on August 26. After stopping the vehicle and recovering the bag, which had Moss’s name on

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-YEAR-OLD man was granted a conditional discharge after admitting to having a small quantity of drugs earlier this summer.

it, officers found a black Taurus G2C .40 pistol and ten rounds of .40 ammunition inside the bag. Moss was the sole defendant who pleaded guilty to the charges.

Alphonso Lewis, the defendant’s attorney, said his young client had accepted responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He also said that Moss was gainfully employed as a mechanic. He asked Magistrate Coleby to temper justice with mercy and implored him to give a lenient sentence.

After noting that one of Moss’s co-accused had a prior stealing conviction, Magistrate Coleby remarked to the defendants: “God knows what stupidness you were up to that

The magistrate ordered the man to be on good behaviour for six months or risk a one-month prison term.

The defendant will return to court for a report on February 27, 2025.

Magistrate Serville advised the defendant to seek help from social services and said that while it is hard for men to seek help, it takes strength.

sureties. He must sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station every Monday and Wednesday by 6pm. Magistrate Allen warned the defendant not to contact the complainant or any witnesses in this matter, or his bail could be revoked. Collie’s trial begins on September 16.

Magistrate Coleby sentenced Moss to two and half years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS). During that time, he must enrol in further mechanic courses or assist with machinery in prison.

Moss thanked the magistrate for his judgement.

The two remaining defendants appeared confused when the magistrate told them the charges against them would proceed.

Magistrate Coleby advised them to seek legal counsel before their next court date on September 25. Until then, both Toussaint and Mackey will be remanded to BDCS.

Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom served as the prosecutor.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

STATE Minister for the Environment Zane Lightbourne said 690 cars, 346 trucks and jeeps, and 11 commercial vehicles had been removed to clean up areas with derelict vehicles. The vehicles were removed in the Englerston, Sea Breeze, Garden Hills, Yamacraw, and Fox Hill constituencies.

Mr Lightbourne said officials are compiling data to measure the initiative’s success and expressed concern that some vehicles entering The Bahamas have been condemned in other countries.

In February, Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Keith Bell said 600 derelict vehicles would be removed from the Englerston community, identified as the “most challenged area” in a recent survey.

During a visit to Englerston that month, he highlighted that many derelict cars were parked on private properties that owners had abandoned or neglected for years.

Launa Williams, acting director of the Department of Environmental Health Services, reported that health inspectors had assessed these areas. At the same time, vector control officers had set traps for rats because removing the vehicles could disrupt the habitats of rodents.

The defendant was reportedly found with 25 grams of marijuana in New Providence on June 14. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. When asked by the magistrate to defend himself, Thurston described himself as a young, talented and decent man. He asked Magistrate Whyms for sympathy and a second chance.

Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms initially arraigned Rosten Thurston on possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply before the charges were reduced to simple possession.

Magistrate Whyms ordered that the defendant be of good behaviour for six months or risk a one-month prison term. He must also attend drug counselling during this period.

Thurston must return to court for a report on February 26, 2025.

Before Thurston was released, Magistrate Whyms told him not to waste his second chance.

JUNKANOO CORPORATION OF NEW PROVIDENCE (JCNP) CHAIRMAN DION MILLER

GOVERNOR General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt visited Ms Matilda “Millie” Robinson on Tuesday at her home in celebration of her 110th Birthday. Her Excellency presented Mrs. Robinson with a Letter from King Charles III, a Letter from the Office of the Governor General, and an arrangement of flowers. The oldest known living Bahamian, Millie was born on August 19, 1914 in Blackpoint, Exuma, a place she cherished for its natural beauty, and her love of fishing. At her home in Nassau, pictured sitting from left are: Dame Cynthia Pratt; Ms Matilda Robinson; Ms Curly Williams, daughter. Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS

SS Karnack wreck at Nassau Harbour

THE British steam ship Karnak was a large vessel wrecked at Nassau Harbour bar at the western end of Paradise Island on April 14, 1862. The ship’s engines are still clearly visible out of the water where they were dumped on the shore. The hull was towed to the Carolinas.

Built by Denny’s of Dunbarton Scotland in 1855, Karnak was owned by Cunard Line and began sailing to The Bahamas from the UK and US in 1859, often appearing in the international papers. Her construction was enabled by a £3,000 subsidy through the British & Foreign Steam Navigation Company, which initiated a monthly service from New York to Nassau. The 1,116-ton ship connected New York to Havana, and Captain Alfred Brownless was her master arriving from Nassau at New York on August, 9, 1859, with William Devereux, age 25, a stonemason who died on the passage. The ship was so important in Nassau that the Karnak Hotel was named for it.

Postal historians note that “when Prince Alfred paid his visit to New Providence in December 1861”, he arrived on Karnak (also spelt Karnack). Leading philatelists Edward Bailey Proud (2000), Morris Hoad Ludington (1982), and Harold GD Gisburn (1950) agree that Karnak was wrecked at Nassau Harbour bar. Proud opines that she was too large for the service, at 202 feet long, 30 feet wide, with a 170-hp engine – in a way he was proved right. She had a barquentine rig and propeller, and Ludington confirms “she was wrecked entering Nassau harbor on Monday,

By Eric Wiberg

April 14, 1862, but there was no loss of life and all the cargo and mails were saved.”

Nassau papers described how “we deeply regret… Karnak, which has been so faithfully and punctually carrying our mails… for the last four years, is now lying in a hopeless condition at the entrance of our harbour. She left Havana on Saturday [and] 11.30 am on Monday, on nearing Nassau, took on board Mr Cooke, one of the branch pilots. Capt Le Messurier raised objections to coming into the harbour, but on being assured… he consented. On crossing the bar at 12, the vessel struck heavilly. As he was remonstrating [Cooke] for not piloting properly, she was thrown by the surf on the coral reef, the engines all the time working in perfect order.”

“Out of five steamers lying in our harbour, not one of them was in condition to render the slightest assistance: HMS Bulldog [was not] in port… SS Nassville had no coal, the boilers on SS Cecile were in repair… the fellow steamer Ella Warley arrived from Havana a 4 pm [and] was in as much danger as Karnak… SS Gladiator and SS Southwick didn’t have coal.”

Karnak rolled, with the right side facing the breakers to the north. Within a half hour of hitting the

seabed the ship was leaking - her steam pumps were soon overwhelmed and broke. Manual force-pumps were manned by crew and passengers, and more men arrived aboard from shore to assist.

A panic amongst passengers ensued, particularly effecting women and children, who numbered half of the 60 passengers. Surgeon Dr Linquist “took the children up in his arms and deposited them carefully in the small boats which were plying around the steps. Three of the ladies fainted, but soon came-to, on being assured of their safety”.

Passengers wrote that the captain “gave his orders with the greatest presence of mind and utmost coolness, and too much praise cannot be bestowed on him and his officers… Perfect discipline prevailed among the crew”.

“As soon as the tide began to fall, about 8pm, wreckers were engaged to remove the cargo of [Cuban] sugar, cotton, tobacco, and cigars, and continued working during the whole night. Several are reported to have been drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the surge, and many received severe wounds and bruises while in the vessel’s hold, by the shifting of boxes of sugar.”

After the first night journalist reported that Karnak had “completely shifted her position, and now lies

Matriarch Pearl Lucinda Harvey, 93

of Mortimer Street, Matthew Town, Inagua, Bahamas and formerly of Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands will be held at the Wesley Methodist Church, Smith Street, Matthew Town, Inagua, Bahamas on Saturday, 31st August, 2024 at 10:00am. Officiating will be Rev. Carla Culmer. Interment will follow in the Inagua Public Cemetery.

Left to cherish his memories are her son: Dale (Norma) and Bernard (Yvonne) Harvey; daughter: Janice Harvey; grandsons: Sharrad (Wanda) Smith, Dernier Mullings, Diovanni, Devion Harvey and Lorenzo Emzie; grand daughters: Daleya and Deaneah Harvey; great grandchildren: Arianna & Avery Harvey, Cattleya and Chloe Smith and Amanda Ingraham; bothers: Avan (Marion) Wilson and MacDonald Wilson; sister: Shirley Jennings; brothers-in-law: Scottie (Yvette) Harvey and Richard Harvey; nieces: Blanche (Sherlock)Forbes, Georgia Smith, Deborah Major, Sherri Dasilva, Patsy & Angela Jennings, Lydia Durham, Andrea and Zelma Wilson, Majorie (Eddrick) Gibson. Irene, Jane, Daisy and Judy Grant. Monique (Percy) Major, Barbara, Darlene and Monalisa Harvey; nephews: Gilbert, Russell, Winston, Coven, Stephen and Quincy Jennings. Mario Durham, Carlton Grant, Avan II and Smauel Wilson; step-children: Shirley Swain, Livingston (Kathleen) and Kim Harvey; and a host of great grand nieces and nephews, families and friends including: Gertrude, Landy, Clifford, Leon, Lennox (aka) PJ, Philip Wilson, Monica Been, Minnie Butler & Family, Daisy Nembhard, Leathe Wilson, Jounce, Joann, Allie, Precious, Jane, Suzette, Delores Wilson & Family, Ronnie, Ashleyann, Harry, Nyleemar, Nykeidar, Nathaia, Natasha, Rain, George Harris & Family, The Pyfrom Family, The Ellis Family, Dorothy Ingraham & Family, Vincent Cartwright & Family, Louise, Rita, Willie, Vivian Ellis & Family. Alfreda Allen & Cynthia Harris, Merlie Rahming & Family, Earlin, Kayvanna, Min. Coral & Authur Edwards, Carolyn Moxey, Sandy, Deaconess Sylvia Strachan, Cherisse, Robert Forbes & Family, Lynette, Nicola, Kasunia, Natalia, Ricardo, Tyrell, Jeff (JP), Mary Arnette & Family, The Pastor, Officers & members of The Methodist Church, The Medical Team of Inagua Community Health Centre, The Entire Community of Matthew Town, Inagua and the entire communities of The Turks and Caicos Islands.

Friends may pay their last respects at the Wesley Methodist Church Smith Street, Matthew Town, Inagua on Friday, 31st August, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and again on Saturday from 9:00am until service time.

SS Karnak wreckage behind Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club. with her head towards the south”. If the ship was on the north side of Paradise Island, that meant she faced the shore. Passengers who were booked to sail on Karnak from Nassau to New York were sent north on other ships, including SS Vigilant under Adderley & Co, SS Alma, SS Charles Tunnel and SS Lucy Darling.

Some aboard SS Karnak had strong connections with The Bahamas, including Charles Adolphus Murray, Earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle, and Lord Murray, Baron Dunmore of Dunmore, who was related to the former governor of the Bahamas, after whom Dunmore Town Harbour Island is named. The younger Dunmore “behaved very gallantly during the wreck of the Karnak, in averting danger from the lady passengers. He was completely drenched, and at first put up at the Karnak Hotel, where its venerable hostess, Mrs Fisher, heard many amusing incidents respecting his illustrious ancestor. His Lordship has since become a guest at Government House”.

An April 25, 1862, a Charleston, South Carolina, paper wrote that Captain Higgs of Nassau brought a dozen Karnak survivors on the schooner Evelina. Papers described possible causes, as in Karnak, “… in charge of Mr Cooke, an old and experienced pilot of that port, grounded, in consequence of his not being able to head her around, the harbor being so full of vessels. Karnak might have been saved if there had been facilities in Nassau for it, such as steam pumps, etc.”

A letter from passengers declared that they had “…engaged passage

on Karnak to New York, although suffering serious invonvenience from the delay occasioned by the loss of the vessel, they bore willing testimony to the uniform care, good seamanship and kindness” of Captain LeMessurier. They expressed their ‘entire trust’ in him and noted his duties were carried out to “such unqualified satisfaction and approval.”

Signatories included prominent surnames Ogden, Waters, Baldwin, Langdon, Bruger, Jenkins, Sexton, Jewell, Congdon, Crowell, van Camp, Harriwood, Briggs, Bradford, van Rensalear, Phinney, Wilcox, and Merrill. Karnak resurfaced on September 7, 1862, nearly half a year later, when she put into Charleston “in distress. She ran ashore last April on one of the Bahama Keys, and being badly damaged, was sold to speculators in New York for $1,000. Her machinery was taken out, and an English steamer in Nassau was engaged to tow her to New York”. It did not go so well, as “somewhere in the latitude of Charleston, without warning [they] cut her adrift”.

The indefatigable crew on Karnak, with no motor and no tug, on a hostile foreign lee shore, nevertheless spread sail and shaped course for Beaufort, Hilton Head. On arrival she “narrowly escaped [a second] wreck in attempting to run over the bar, for which there was little more than 18 feet of water beneath her. The vessel now lies at quarantine ground, in a helpless condition; but arrangements will probably be made for towing her to her destination.”

The removal of engines, cargo and passengers no doubt made the ship shallower. Mystery shrouds her final fate, and “the steamer which had the Karnak in tow is thought by many to have been one of the British vessels which rendezvous at Nassau for the purpose of running the blockade.” Probably she was sold powerless “as is” and converted to a barge or scow, towed up and down the US eastern seaboard until grounded, sunk, or used as a dock. Her bowels – the large steam machinery – remain forever on Paradise Island for all to who enter or leave Nassau Harbour to see.

WHILE not identical to Karnak, Cunard’s RMS Hibernia was also steam and sail, within 250 tons in weight, and built only a dozen years prior to Karnak, of which we have no images.

“Cutaway diagram of a triple-expansion steam engine,” Wikipedia.

DIAGRAM of a triple-expansion steam engine such as lies today on the PI Beach, Wikipedia.

Who invented e-mail anyway?

I HAVE 59,775 e-mails in my inbox, 5,532 unread, and I am not even an important person. Oops, make that 59,776 and climbing. Most of them are businessrelated, some are general – what’s on at an art gallery next month, entertainment line-up at a resort – and every now and then, a personal note slips through. It might be an invitation to an event or to lunch or just to take the place of the days when we used to pass each other on the street and stop to chat, a kind of hail ya’ without being bothered to pick up the phone and take real time to say hello.

Half the time I am grateful for e-mail, like when I finish a column and send it off in a split second to the editor. In the old days, I used to print it, drive it to a building, walk it up the stairs, hand it to someone who had to type it in. Just thinking about it makes me wonder how newspapers ever got printed.

But the other half of the time I long for the days before I was wired to my inbox. What did I do with all that spare time before email all but ran my life?

Now if I turn my back on my inbox, I am riddled with guilt. So I stay tuned. And it’s not like you get a warning anymore like you did in the beginning that says, ‘You’ve got mail.’ No, you just have to be on the trail, ready to read, hit reply or reply all, figure out if there is someone else to add, determine if a thread should be forwarded or deleted before sending, but

By Diane Phillips

always like a football player in the huddle when the ball is about to be tossed, on high alert, afraid to ignore something important that might land, requiring immediate attention or scuttling an opportunity because you missed by a deadline you forgot to notice.

We are so dependent on email that it has changed us from a society of folks who want to talk with each other to a culture of strangers who feel compelled to converse. We’ve become an army of e-speakers ready to march, to hit that reply key and continue what someone else started.

Average person 121 emails a day

The good – or bad –news is that it is only going to get better, or worse. The number of emails flying across however they fly grows by a few percent every year. Think back to 1976 when Queen Elizabeth became the first head of state to send an electronic message. That was just five years after computer engineer Ray Tomlinson sent the first test message from a lab in Massachusetts in 1971. The queen’s act was so bold, so modern it made headlines

What is an Atlantic Niña? How

– an electronic message.

In 2023, it was reported that people across the globe sent 347.3 billion emails. No telling how many were spam or junk. No telling how many were teasers that set you off dreaming for just a moment fantasizing about a trip to Tahiti before you took your eyes off the scenery and hit delete and unsubscribe.

McKinsey, usually a very reliable source, says the average professional spends 28 percent of his or her time handling emails. That’s 2.6 hours per workday or more than a full day of the week at the end of a week’s time. Maybe it is essential.

I’m not suggesting that we go back to the age of driving messages across town or failing to communicate instantly with those across the globe. I’m certainly not advocating a return to the days of the fax machine, though some doctors’ offices still use them (shudder). But I am begging for a balance, a way to slip away from the grip of the inbox which follows me everywhere I go, on my desktop, my laptop, my phone. Sorry, gotta go, it’s a whatsapp I have to answer.

La

Niña’s smaller cousin could affect hurricane season

By ANNALISA BRACCO

Georgia Institute of Technology

THE North Atlantic Ocean has been running a fever for months, with surface temperatures at or near record highs. But cooling along the equator in both the Atlantic and eastern Pacific may finally be starting to bring some relief, particularly for vulnerable coral reef ecosystems.

This cooling comes from two climate phenomena with similar names: La Niña, which forms in the tropical Pacific, and the less well-known Atlantic Niña. Both can affect the Atlantic hurricane season. While La Niña tends to bring conditions ideal for Atlantic hurricanes, the less powerful Atlantic Niña has the potential to reduce some of the hurricane risk.

We’re ocean and atmospheric scientists who study this type of climate phenomenon. It’s rare to see both Niñas at the same time, yet in August 2024, both appeared to be developing. Let’s take a closer look at what that means.

La Niña and its cousin, Atlantic Niña

La Niña is part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, a well-known climate phenomenon that has widespread effects on climate and weather around the world.

During La Niña, sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific dip below normal. Easterly trade winds then strengthen, allowing more cool water to well up along the equator off South America. That cooling affects the atmosphere in ways that reverberate across the planet. Some areas become stormier and others drier during La Niña, and the wind shear that can tear apart Atlantic hurricanes tends to weaken.

La Niña and its warmer opposite, El Niño, oscillate every three to four years or so.

A similar climate phenomenon, Atlantic Niña, occurs in the Atlantic Ocean but at a much smaller scale and amplitude. It typically peaks around July or August and tends to have a shorter duration than its Pacific cousin, and much more modest and local impacts. Atlantic Niñas generally have the opposite effect of Atlantic Niños, which tend to reduce rainfall over Africa’s Sahel region and increase rainfall in Brazil and the countries that surround the Gulf of Guinea, such as Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

While much weaker than their Pacific counterpart, Atlantic Niñas can, however, partially counteract La Niñas by weakening summer winds that help drive the upwelling that cools the eastern Pacific. Why are both happening now?

In July and August 2024, meteorologists noted cooling that appeared to be the development of an Atlantic Niña along the equator. The winds at the ocean surface had been weak through most of the summer, and sea surface temperatures there were quite warm until early June, so signs of an Atlantic Niña emerging were a surprise. At the same time, waters along the equator in the eastern Pacific were also cooling, with La Niña conditions expected there by October or November.

Getting a Pacific-Atlantic Niña combination is rare but not impossible. It’s like finding two different pendulums that are weakly coupled to swing in opposite directions moving together in time. The combinations of La Niña and Atlantic Niño, or El Niño

We are so dependent on email that it has changed us from a society of folks who want to talk with each other to a culture of strangers who feel compelled to converse.

and Atlantic Niña are more common.

Good news or bad for hurricane season?

An Atlantic Niña may initially suggest good news for those living in hurricane-prone areas.

Cooler than average waters off the coast of Africa can suppress the formation of African easterly waves. These are clusters of thunderstorm activity that can form into tropical disturbances and eventually tropical storms or hurricanes.

Tropical storms draw energy from the process of evaporating water associated with warm sea surface temperatures. So, cooling in the tropical Atlantic could weaken this process. That would leave less energy for the thunderstorms, which would reduce the probability of a tropical cyclone forming.

However, NOAA takes all factors into account when it updates its Atlantic hurricane season outlook, released in early August, and it still anticipates an extremely active 2024 season. Tropical storm season typically peaks in early to mid-September.

Two reasons are behind the busy forecast: The near record-breaking warm sea surface temperatures in much of the North Atlantic can strengthen hurricanes. And the expected development of a La Niña in the Pacific tends to weaken wind shear – the change in wind speed with height that can tear apart hurricanes. La Niña’s much stronger effects can override any impacts associated with the Atlantic Niña.

Exacerbating the problem: Global warming

The past two years have seen exceptionally high ocean temperatures in the Atlantic and around much of the world’s oceans. The two Niñas are likely to

contribute some cooling relief for certain regions, but it may not last long.

In addition to these cycles, the global warming trend caused by rising

key Atlantic Niño/ Niña monitoring region

20TH WORLD ATHLETICS UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Carlos Brown Jr in the 200m finals

By TENAJH SWEETING

JSports Reporter

ust when it appeared as if Team Bahamas would wrap up the 20th World Athletics Under-20 (U20) Championships without a single finals appearance, Carlos Brown Jr stepped up and advanced to the 200m finals yesterday at the Estadio Atletico de la VIDENA in Lima, Peru.

On day three, a number of juniors were in action in the sprints and hurdles events, including hurdlers

Tayshaun Robinson and Tahj Brown along with sprinters Alexis Roberts, Andrew Styles and Brown.

The latter, who is making his third appearance at the World U20 Championships, had a big day in the qualification rounds of the men’s 200m event.

Brown came into heat three of the semifinals sporting a season’s best time of 20.83 seconds. He powered his way out of the blocks and pulled into the top three with a qualifying time of 21.19 seconds for the third spot.

Overall, he finished with the fourth fastest time in the semifinals out of 22 competitors.

Earlier in the day, the former Pan-American U20 champion crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 21.31 seconds in heat six of the opening qualification round.

Team head coach Daron Lightbourne was impressed with Brown’s performance as he is the first athlete from Team Bahamas to make it to the finals at this year’s meet.

“It was extremely impressive. In my eyes, Carlos is a superstar and the third time’s the charm at these championships (2021, 2022 and 2024).

“His coach Andrew Tynes had him prepared to handle both events and he knew he had the opportunity to advance to the

AUGUST

TRACK/SOFTBALL EXUMA

HOMECOMING THE Williams Town Exuma Homecoming Association is scheduled to hold a softball game and road race over the weekend of October 11-14. The softball game will be played on October 11-12 between the Corner Boyz from the New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association and the local All-Star team from Exuma. Then on October 12, a five-mile road race will be staged, starting at 7am from the Culture Centre in Forbes Hill to the Public School in Williams Town.

Competitors in the under-9, under-11 and under-13 divisions will compete in a 2 1/2 mile run, while those in the under-15, under-17, under-20 and open divisions will compete in a five-mile run. TRACK FUN RUN/ WALK RACE THE Roots Junkanoo Group is scheduled to hold its Fun Run/Walk Race under the theme “Let’s Do This Together,” on Saturday, October 12. The event will start promptly at 6:30am at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. The event will be sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority. The registration fee is $25 per athlete. Categories include under male and female Under-15, Under20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61-and-over.

FOR more than four decades, Joseph “Joe Mo” Smith has been known for his expertise in volleyball that has led to his elevation from a player to a coach and an executive to president.

He feels his experience in sports has enabled him to transcend to the religious realm where he has moved up from being a youth pastor to senior pastor and bishop to the newest role as the Oversee of the Church of God.

On Sunday at the Church of God Auditorium on Joe Farrington Road at 4pm, Smith will be installed in that role as he will become the fifth Oversee to govern about 72 churches for the next four years.

Coming from the island of Long Island, Smith said he was pleased to be able to serve in every capacity that he did to get to this point in his life.

But he admitted that it wasn’t something that he envisioned, although he gladly embraces the opportunity presented to him.

“It’s been a long road, being in the world of sports and doing what I did best then,” Smith said. “I got started in the gospel ministry in 1990 when I became the youth pastor under Bishop Teuton Stubbs at Southland Cathedral Church of God.

“A lot of my training came from the sporting world. In actuality, it was like God was training me and I didn’t know. I was still representing the country as a player and even a coach in volleyball. But it wasn’t until 2010 that I actually became an ordained minister, serving under Senior Donnie Stuart at Southwest Cathedral.”

A year later, he was sent back to Southland Cathedral and he realised that his

THE 2024 Olympic Games in Paris has wrapped up and, for many Bahamians, there is a sense of pride mixed with the awareness that there is room for growth. Our athletes gave their all, but our overall performance indicated that there is more we can do to shine on the global stage.

As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, it’s crucial that we start preparing today to ensure a stronger showing.

Reflecting on Paris 2024: Lessons Learned This year’s Olympics was challenging for The Bahamas. While there were moments of brilliance, our medal count fell short of expectations. Athletes like Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner – who had carried the hopes of a nation — faced tough competition.

Our track and field team, which has traditionally been our strongest suit, was met with stiffer opposition and new emerging talent from other nations. The performances were commendable, but there was a clear indication that other countries are evolving, and we must do the same. The truth is, the gap between elite athletes and those just below that level is narrowing. More countries are investing heavily in sports science, coaching,

facilities and athlete development programmes. To stay competitive, The Bahamas needs a strategic, well-planned approach starting now.

The Blueprint for 2028: Identifying New Talent

The journey to a better performance in Los Angeles begins today with talent identification and development. One area where The Bahamas has always excelled is in raw athletic talent. Our islands are filled with young boys and girls who show remarkable speed, strength and endurance. However, we need a more systematic approach to finding and nurturing this talent.

Programmes: We must establish talent identification programmes that start at the

SEE PAGE 14

CARLOS BROWN JR, of The Bahamas, has advanced to the 200 metre finals at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.

No. 1 seeds Sinner and Swiatek move into third round at the US Open, Hurkacz and Korda ousted

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner flashed their No. 1 form yesterday with powerful performances that moved them into the third round of the U.S. Open.

Swiatek raced by Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1, finishing off the match in 65 minutes. It took the 2022 U.S. Open champion longer than that to play the second set of her first-round match, when she needed a tiebreaker that she eventually closed out in 72 minutes.

“I just felt the rhythm was much better,” Swiatek said. “I was a bit tense in my last match, so today I just wanted to focus on the right things.”

Earlier, Sinner downed Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in 1 hour, 39 minutes.

Sinner dropped the first set in his opening match in New York but didn’t encounter much trouble while facing his second straight American on

Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Italian earned his 50th victory of the season, including his ATP Tour-leading 30th on hard courts.

His previous one was a little shaky after a slow start against Mackie McDonald, so Sinner got in a practice session after that match and was happy with the results Thursday.

“Trying to keep going, trying to understand what works here best on these courts. Let’s see what I can do in the next round,” he said.

That will be against Christopher O’Connell of Australia on Saturday.

Sinner beat Michelsen for the second time this month, having also won a second-round match in Cincinnati shortly before it was revealed that he tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March.

Another Italian, Jasmine Paolini, played just three points before advancing when Karolina Pliskova appeared to injure her left foot. The No. 5-seeded Paolini, who has reached the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in her breakout season, advanced past the second round of the U.S. Open for the first time.

“Finally, we made third round!” she said with a laugh during an interview on the court.

Paolini will next play No. 30 seed Yulia Putintseva.

Other women’s winners included No. 6 Jessica Pegula, No. 15 Anna Kalinskaya, No. 16 Liudmilla Samsonova and No. 18 Diana Shnaider. Pegula took out fellow American Sofia Kenin.

But No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, withdrew from the tournament before her second-round match, sending French qualifier Jessika Ponchet to the weekend.

“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries,” Rybakina said in a statement. “I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I

have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong.”

Athletics Track Club is scheduled to hold a team

tryout for sprints and hurdles today (August 30), from 9am to 1pm at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. It’s open to all athletes between the ages of 12-18 who want to become a part of High Performance

Athletics Club. All interested persons are asked to contact 456-2115 for more details.

TRACK RED-LINE CROSS COUNTRY

IN preparation for the off-season training, the

Red-Line Athletics Track Club is scheduled to hold its inaugural Cross Country & Fitness Run on Saturday, September 14, at the St Augustine’s College Campus.

The categories for the male and female runners are under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, under17, under-20, under-30, under-40, under-50 and over-50.

The male and female walkers will compete in the under-20, under-30, under40, under-50 and over-50 categories.

The course length will be one-mile over two hills, a staircase, road and grass surfaces that will feel like two miles.

Trophies will be distributed to the first three all age groups and divisions for both the walkers and the runners.

The registration fee is $20 per athlete and interested persons can register online at redlineathletics242@ gmail.com

BODYBUILDING NOVICE SHOW THE Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation will hold its 2024 Novice and National Bodybuilding Competition on Saturday, September 7 at the University of the Bahamas. Competition will be held for men and women in fitness, classic, physique, figure, bikini, wellness and bodybuilding. Tickets are priced at $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP and can be purchased from any of the bodybuilding gymnasiums.

WRESTLING FIGHT FOR PARADISE

THE All Caribbean Wrestling (ACW) will hold its Fight for Paradise Show on Saturday, October 19 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Doors open at 1pm. Wrestlers from throughout the Caribbean and the United States of America will be participating. For ticket information, persons can contact FightForParadise.eventbrite.com TRACK UB CROSS COUNTRY THE University of the Bahamas will hold its annual Cross Country 2K24 Invitational on Saturday, September 28, starting at 7 am at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Interested persons can contact coach Ednal Rolle at 424-6469 or ednql. roolle@ub.edu.bs for more details.

CHESS SUMMER CHESS SHOWDOWN THE Bahamas Chess Federation will hold its Summer Chess Showdown this weekend at the Q Cafe at Queen’s College. The championships will take place on Saturday and Sunday and will serve as a qualifier for the Bahamas National Chess Championships.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35 general admission and $45 for VIP.

No. 7 seed Hurbert Hurkacz was eliminated in straight sets by Jordan Thompson, and No. 16

Sebastian Korda was knocked out by Tomas Machac. Action continues today.

IGA SWIATEK, of Poland, returns a shot to Ena Shibahara, of Japan, during the second round of the U.S. Open yesterday. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

JASMINE PAOLINI, of Italy, prepares to hit autographed balls to fans after advancing to the next round when opponent Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, retired during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships yesterday in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

JANNIK SINNER, of Italy, returns a shot to Alex Michelsen, of the United States, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships yesterday. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

2024 Paralympics: Shooting for medals, showdowns in the pool and on the track

PARIS (AP) — Competitions continue at the Paralympic Games in Paris today, with medals to be won in six of the 22 scheduled sports.

The first Paralympian medallists in athletics will be crowned at Stade de France in the morning, with women’s discus, long jump and shot put competitions. Men will run the 5,000 metres T11 final for athletes with visual impairments and throw javelins in the F38 final for competitors with coordination impairments.

The action continues in the evening session with more highlights including the women’s 200 metres T37 final.

Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira, the world’s fastest Paralympian, will be going for a new title in the T47 classification 100 metres, where he holds a record of 10.29 seconds.

Altogether on Friday, there are medals enticing Paralympians in para athletics, para cycling track, para swimming, para table tennis, para taekwondo and para shooting.

Here is a closer look at what to watch on Day 2 of the Paralympics.

A total of 4,400 athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments are competing until September 8.

France’s hope

One of the day’s highlights looks set to be the appearance of two-time R9 world champion Tanguy de La Forest in the mixed 10m air rifle standing competition in front of his home fans at Chateauroux.

Despite success elsewhere, De La Forest is yet to win a medal at a Paralympics after competing at five Games.

De La Forest, the former CEO of the French Paralympic Committee, will hope that changes with home support for his sixth attempt.

Challenge for India’s sharpshooter Para shooter Avani Lekhara, the first Indian woman to win a pair of medals at a single edition

of the Paralympics, returns to defend her 10-metre air rifle gold in the SH1 category from Tokyo.

But Lekhara faces a challenge from the Chinese duo of Zhang Cuiping and Zhong Yixin. Zhang has won nine medals over the four previous games.

Chufarov’s quest for gold Ukrainian para swimmer Danylo Chufarov, who was forced to flee the Russian invasion of Mariupol, will race in the men’s 400m freestyle S11 final for

athletes with extremely low visual acuity and/or no light perception.

Chufarov, who is legally blind, was featured in “20 Days in Mariupol,” the Academy Award-winning film from AP journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka, when they filmed him at a well getting water.

Chufarov was forced to flee — like the journalists — shortly afterward, with his wife and dog. He stayed in Ukraine and continued training there,

(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

winning three world titles last year.

Chufarov has already won five medals at a Paralympics — now he’s aiming for his first gold. Czech teenager David Kratochvil is carrying Czech hopes of a medal in the same race. The 16-yearold Kratochvil lost his sight because of a serious illness about 10 years ago. He used to play ice hockey but switched to the pool, where he set world records in the 50 and 200 metre backstroke last year.

‘Joe Mo’ Smith moves into new role

tenure was coming to an end in volleyball. It was confirmed in 2013 when he became the senior pastor at Independence Church of God where he is currently serving.

“Everything was starting to pile up on me and I asked God ‘how can I handle all of this,’” Smith said. “But I realised that if the Lord has placed you somewhere, he won’t allow you to fail.

“So I continued to serve in volleyball and before I knew it, I was elected to serve as a vice president for the Bahamas Olympic Committee and now I am still there, even though I am still doing what I have to do for the Lord.”

With a number of mentors to assist him in his development, Smith said he’s gotten all of the support he’s needed to go through his transformation from the sporting arena to the religious platform.

“I served in so many capacities in volleyball, not just locally but internationally with NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) and CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal, Volleyball Association), learning the systems and everything.

“I think it has all helped to train me with how to deal with the next generation. It gave me the opportunity to understand them and to try to formulate some sort of plans to forge forward in building the kingdom and our country at large at the same time.”

In preparing for his new role, Smith said he worked in just about every capacity as a youth worker, Sunday School teacher, bus driver, usher, evangelising on the street, in the men’s ministry and a church leader. The other area he didn’t venture into was the women’s ministry.

There was one time that he was travelling with the national volleyball team to Barbados to compete

CARLOS BROWN JR ADVANCES TO 200M FINALS

FROM PAGE 11

finals. Carlos is in good spirits and excited about the finals,” he said. Brown made it to the semis of the boys’ 100m event on Tuesday but came up short with a 19th place finish overall.

Coach Lightbourne expressed what his message to Brown will be ahead of today’s 200m finals scheduled for 7:50pm.

“This race is for him and not to allow the pressure of anyone to make him overthink. He should leave it all on the track in Lima, Peru in his last race as a junior. Everyone has their own lane and his focus should be on him executing his race. He fought to be in this race and has the chance to deliver like any of his other competitors. Don’t overthink just allow your destiny to be fulfilled,” he said.

Styles also competed in the men’s 200m heats.

Running out of lane two, the sprinter capped off the event in fourth with a time of 21.72 seconds in heat two. He was well over his season’s best of 20.76 seconds achieved at the Len Paddock Open in April. His time placed him 34th out of 54 competitors.

Roberts, a NACAC U18 champion, came into the girls’ 200m sprints with a season’s best time of 24.21 seconds in the event.

On Thursday, she made her World U20 debut in heat four and stopped the clock 24.82 seconds for the sixth position. She ended the meet ranked 39th out of 45 performers in the event.

Brown and Robinson represented The Bahamas in the boys’ 110m hurdles event.

and they got robbed. The policemen caught the culprit, but Smith said he was led by God to go into the cell and witnessed to the young man.

As he cried on his shoulder, Smith said the young man confessed to the crime and he pinpointed exactly where he stashed the items in the sewer and everything was recovered.

It was an opportunity for Smith to take off his volleyball suit and put on his robe of compassion to produce something that left even the policemen bewildered because they admitted that they never saw anything like that before.

“It was things like that God brought back to my memory to let me know that I was with you then and I will be with you now when you move into this new chapter in my life.”

Having served in the past in the administration office under the past three Oversees, Smith will replace Moses Johnson, who served for the past 12 years as the Oversee.

“I learned this a lot time ago. True leaders and great leaders don’t truly want to lead,” Smith said. “I’ve learnt that because that is how the Lord has dealt with me.

“I only wanted to serve, but he wanted me to step out and be a leader. I am on the stage today, but I really don’t know where I would be after this term in office. So I just have to perform because the day will come when I’m not on that stage.”

During his tenure in office, Smith said he will try to work with his team of officers because “no man is an island.”

He said he has 11 other men who will be a part of his administration and he will sit down with them and collectively map the way forward for the Church of God for the next four years.

“If you look back in the pre-Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 era, we have lost so many people now

who have left the church, left the ministry and are not interested anymore,” he said.

“So it’s time to reunite, re-engage and re-focus our people. Too many people are now relying on the favour of man and not the favour of God. They are looking to the politicians and not to God. We say we are a Christian nation, so we have to get the interest of the people back to God and rebuild the relationship that we once enjoyed with each other.”

One of those areas will be sports because as a young man growing up, Smith said if it wasn’t for his participation, he doesn’t know if he would have developed the discipline for him to be the person he is today.

He noted that they have formed a vibrant sports programme, whose committee has been mandated to provide some wholesome activities in not just track

and field, but basketball, volleyball and softball.

“I believe if we can get the sports arm of the church up and running, we will be able to reach a lot of our young people,” Smith said.

“Sports is a vital tool used for the development of young people.

“The Church can not grow with old people. You have to grow with young people. So you have to find a way to get to the young people and sports is a very important vehicle to get the job done.”

For those who may not know, Smith began his early education at the age of three in Simms, Long Island. At the age seven, he migrated to New Providence with his family when his grandmother died and he was enrolled at Lincoln Primary School (LPS) before it was renamed EP Roberts.

When they destroyed LPS, Smith said they

were transferred to Uriah McPhee until the new LPS was completed and they eventually were relocated.

From there, he went on to attend CH Reeves Junior High and then the Government High School. He was introduced to volleyball in grade seven by Caswell Thompson and he was on the junior national team before making his first senior national team at the age of 15. He played in the New Providence Volleyball Association with the Champion Sports Land in 1978 with players such as Leroy Fox and Carl Minns.

But, in 1982, he formed the Intruders Club with his older brother Jethro Smith as the manager. And in 1984, he formed the Vixens ladies’ club. Both teams went on to win numerous titles. He moved into coaching at the national level with Raymond Wilson, together working sometimes with both the junior men and women and senior men and women teams.

The former turned in a time of 14.28 seconds in heat three to place fifth in the qualification round and 47th overall. Robinson had a tough time in his heat, posting a time of 14.69 seconds for ninth place in the race and 61st overall.

Brown will serve as The Bahamas’ last hope to medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships. He competes in the 200m finals at 7:50pm this evening.

The five-day global event wraps up on Saturday, August 31.

“I had a great career and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world,” said Smith, who served in one capacity or the other in the Bahamas Volleyball Federation from 1977 until he relinquished his post as president this year when he was replaced by Crystal Forbes. He got married to his wife, Andrea, in 1992 and they are the proud parents of two children, Justin and J’Shanne. All three played volleyball as well, including Andrea, who went on to school on a scholarship at St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

With the full support of his family and friends, Smith said he’s eager to venture into his new role as of Monday morning when he sits in the seat as the new Oversee of the Church of God.

BISHOP JOSEPH SMITH

PARALYMPIC athlete Araujo dos Santos, of Brasil, left, celebrates his victory at the Men’s 100m backstroke -S2 final, during the 2024 Paralympics yesterday in Paris, France.

THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION: HOW THE BAHAMAS CAN IMPROVE FOR 2028 OLYMPICS IN LOS ANGELES

grassroots level. Schools should be at the heart of this process. By partnering with schools and local sports clubs, we can create scouting networks that identify promising athletes from a young age. Regular athletic meets, inter-island competitions, and talent camps can help spotlight future Olympians.

“The truth is, the gap between elite athletes and those just below that level is narrowing. More countries are investing heavily in sports science, coaching, facilities and athlete development programmes. To stay competitive, The Bahamas needs a strategic, well-planned approach starting now.”

Establishing dedicated sports academies can play a vital role. These academies should not only focus on athletic development but also provide educational support, nutrition guidance and mental health resources. The Bahamas can look to countries like Jamaica, which has successfully developed sprinting talent through high schools and clubs that function as feeder systems to the national team.

— Dr Kent Bazard, Empire Sports Medicine

Developing Our Current Athletes: Preparing the Elite

While identifying new talent is vital, we must also support and develop our

development heavily relies on data analysis. From biomechanics to injury prevention and recovery, data is now a critical component of athlete performance. Investing in sports science and integrating technology into our coaching and training programs will provide our athletes with a competitive edge.

current pool of experienced represented The Bahamas in multiple Olympics or major competitions need continuous support and resources to improve.

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larger countries, our elite athletes often face the challenge of balancing training with financial burdens and inadequate facilities. We must provide more consistent year-round support to these athletes, including access to high-quality coaching, world-class facilities, and financial aid to focus solely on training.

to high-level international competition is crucial for athlete development. Competing regularly against the best in the world can help our athletes adapt to the pressures of the Olympics. We need to ensure our athletes have more opportunities to compete international meets, and training camps abroad.

mental aspect of sports cannot be underestimated, especially at the Olympic level, where the margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin.

with access to sports psychologists and mental conditioning programmes will help them manage stress, stay focused, and perform at their best when it matters most.

Building the Infrastructure for Success

To support both emerging talent and experienced athletes, we must invest in our sports infrastructure.

son Stadium and the Betty Kelly Swim Complex are excellent foundations, buting our facilities to meet

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international standards is crucial, as is providing more specialized equipment and training environments.

in more versatile training facilities that cater to various sports. This includes indoor tracks, weightlifting facilities, aquatic centres, and rehabilitation clinics. These centres should be accessible to all national athletes, not just those

sports-specific centers of excellence can help train athletes in focused environments. For instance, a sprinting and hurdling centre could attract elite coaches and allow our athletes to train year-round in optimal conditions.

prevention and recovery are critical in an athlete’s sports medicine and rehabilitation centre would not only aid in the recovery of our athletes but also help in preventive care, ensuring that they remain fit and healthy throughout the Olympic cycle.

Engaging the Community and Building a Winning Culture

Finally, fostering a national culture of sports excellence requires engaging the entire community. Success at the Olympics is not just about the athletes –it’s about the entire country rallying behind them.

focus on youth sports development, with programmes in every island, can help instil a love for athletics from a young age.

Community sports festivals, mentorship programmes led by former Olympians, and media campaigns can drive youth engagement.

pride in our athletes and their journeys will help build a culture of support. It is crucial that the country, including businesses and private citizens, supports our athletes through sponsorships, endorsements, and community involvement.

lete who represents The Bahamas on the world stage is a hero, regardless of the outcome. Celebrating every achievement, big or small, helps build a culture of appreciation and motivation for future generations. Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028 The road to the 2028 is long, but with the right planning, investment, and support, The Bahamas can improve on its performancemitment from everyone involved – from athletes and coaches to government officials and the private sector.

By starting now, identifying new talent, supporting our elite athletes, and building a culture of sports excellence, we can proudly represent The Bahamas on the world stage once again. Our athletes have the potential; now, it’s time to give them the tools to succeed.

sports medicine physiciancine, specializes in ensuring athletes reach their peak performance safely. With extensive experience and a passion for sports health, Dr. Bazard provides insights and guidance for athletes of all ages.

ISABELLA MUNROE

Timothy Munnings and Isabella Munroe successful in August

OLYMPIAN Timo-

thy Munnings along with Goodwill swimmer Isabella Munroe were in a tier of their own in August to be named this month’s Tribune Athletes of the Month.

The Tribune Sports Section will recognise the efforts of athletes across all sporting disciplines and award a top male and female candidate at the end of each respective month, culminating with the athlete of the year distinction.

Athletes of the Month ATHLETES

While Munnings would prove that age is nothing but a number at the World Masters Athletics (WMA) Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, Munroe represented well for the young ones at the 2024 Goodwill Swimming Championship in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

Timothy Munnings -

Male Winner

The old Bahamian adage “age een’ nothing but a number” took on a new meaning last week

as Timothy Munnings emerged as a world champion for the second time in his athletics career at the WMA Championships. Munnings, 58, clinched a gold-medal finish in the men’s 55-59 400 metres event at the Slottsskogsvallen & Ullevi Stadium. The decorated quartermiler turned on the jets to power his way to a season’s best time of 53.05 seconds in the win.

His victory marked the first gold medal finish for The Bahamas at the WMA Championships.

Munnings competed six times in one week, including three rounds in the 200m event and another three rounds in the 400m event.

He was just as fortunate in the 200m sprints. The two-time World Champion secured the bronze medal in the men’s 55-59 200m finals. The 2001 World Outdoor relay gold medallist improved drastically throughout the three rounds of the event.

He opened round one with a winning time of

24.81 seconds to qualify for the semifinals with the third fastest time. Competing in the semifinals, Munnings lowered his previous time to 24.40 seconds to book a spot in the final round of competition. He turned in his best performance in the finals, crossing the line third with a season’s best run of 23.83 seconds for bronze.

Isabella Munroe –Female Munroe Isabella Munroe returned home from the 2024 Goodwill Swimming Championships with a haul of medals. Munroe accumulated a total of 12 medals (five golds, four silvers and three bronze medals). She was also one of four winners of the high point trophies with a final individual score of 77 points in the girls’ 9-10 division. If that was not enough, the Goodwill gold medallist set three new meet records in the process.

The 11-year-old dominated the girls’ 9-10 100m freestyle event to establish a new meet record. She swam away with gold in a record-breaking time of 1:03.42. She continued to put on a show in the girls’ 50m freestyle, touching the wall in a time of 29.08 seconds for first place.

Swimming out of lane two, Munroe pulled off a second place finish in the girls’ 9-10 100m butterfly, clocking 1:11.92 in the event for her third meet record. She earned gold medals in the 100m free, 50m breast, 200m IM, 100m breast and 50m free. Her four silver medals were picked up in the 50m and 100m back, 50m and 100m fly.

Her three bronze medals all came in the 400m medley relay, 200m medley relay and 200m free relay. Be on the lookout for September’s Tribune Athletes of the Month.

By The Associated Press

TIMOTHY MUNNINGS

PHOENIX