09182023 NEWS AND SPORT

IMMIGRATION MOVE ‘STINKS’

McCartney insists sidelining director reeks of victimisation

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net

BRANVILLE McCartney, the former minister of state for immigration and past leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), suggested Keith Bell was unfairly attacked for some of his actions as immigration minister but chided the Davis administration for sidelining acting Immigration Director Keturah

Ferguson, saying: “That stinks.”

“It’s unfortunate because it stinks of victimisation,” Mr McCartney told reporters on Friday. “Let me put it like that, plain and simple, it stinks of victimisation, and the PLP should know better because they’re known for that previously, and they went ahead and did something that reeks of victimisation. That is not right. It’s not fair.”

UNION STEPS BACK FROM STRIKE AFTER MEETING NEW MINISTER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union President Kyle Wilson said the union is backing down from its strike threats after meeting JoBeth Coleby-Davis, the new energy minister.

Mrs Coleby-Davis began her tour of BPL facilities nationwide by visiting the Blue Hills Power Plant on Friday.

She said her discussions with Mr Wilson over matters pressing to workers are going well.

PM: I’LL FIGHT FOR BAHAMIANS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis reflected on his administration’s second anniversary yesterday and pledged to fight for Bahamians.

“Two years ago, when the PLP came into office, we said that we were not here to maintain the status quo,” he said at Mount Tabor Church as churchgoers and government dignitaries filled the pews.

PIT BULL DOG SHOT DEAD AFTER ATTACK ON TEEN GIRL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

POLICE shot and killed one of three unchained pit bulls in Abaco on Friday after a dog seriously injured a teenage girl. The dogs reportedly tackled the girl –– a 10th-grade student of Patrick J Bethel High –– to the ground and bit her face and arm on her way home. When police responded to calls for help, they killed one of the dogs. The remaining two escaped. Police believe the dogs’ owner lives near where the incident took place.

SEE PAGE THREE

“We were here to lay the foundation for big changes as we take steps toward a fairer and more prosperous society for all Bahamians.”

“Our first priority was to drive the recovery of the economy and job market, strengthen the healthcare system, and reopen schools. So many people were suffering financially, going hungry, and praying for better days. We moved

POLICE officers from New Providence visited Grand Bahama last week to interview a number of Disaster Reconstruction Authority employees as part of a criminal investigation. The

A LITTER clean-up was held in Coral Harbour on Saturday to mark International Coastal Clean-up Day. The event was hosted by Blue Lagoon Island’s notfor-profit educational department Dolphin Encounters - Project BEACH. Event coordinator Te-Shalla Clarke, education supervisor at Blue Lagoon Island, said: “Often we go into areas that are obviously used as dumping grounds. We find old appliances, mattresses and other big items. What we found out here though was garbage being left behind by beach goers. There were lots of small items, one spot where we found more than 400 bottles, all left behind by people who came here to enjoy the beach. It just doesn’t make sense.”

The event was supported by corporate sponsors including Caribbean Bottling, Bahamas Waste, New Providence Ecology Park, Bahamas Wholesale Agencies, Aliv, CAT Bahamas and T&K Trash Removal. The Bahamas Red Cross provided an on-site ambulance service and Randy C of 917.6FM provided music.

This year’s clean-up saw more volunteers than ever before - with organisations showing up including the Governor General’s Youth Award, the Girl Guides and Brownies, the Boys Brigade, the Rotary Club of Nassau, Eco-Schools Bahamas, Temple Christian School Eco Club, BREEF, Visionaries, University of The Bahamas Eco Club, Certified Conch and Journey International.

Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 Melissa Ingraham joined the event, and said: “It’s really heart warming to see so many young people getting involved, she said, “That’s really important to the whole platform that I’m targeting, ensuring that there is ongoing education and awareness and the inclusion of all ages, but specifically the youth, and ensuring that they’re aware of the importance of what’s going on and what we need to all do to preserve our beautiful environment.”

VOLUNTEERS JOIN IN COASTAL CLEAN-UP

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net.

A LARGE turnout of volunteers participated in a major beach clean-up initiative on Grand Bahama in observance of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day on September 16.

Eleven beaches were identified, and 31 civic organisations and 21 schools assisted this year.

Aulenna Robinson, sustainable tourism representative at the Ministry of Tourism Investment and Aviation, was pleased with the level of interest and support from local organisations and businesses.

ICC is an annual event that was started by Ocean Conservancy which engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways.

Ms Robinson said data was collected. Volunteers

identified the trash found on the beach on tally cards, and garbage bags were weighed to determine the amount of trash collected.

“We appreciate the support and the interest we are getting from organisations that are calling and asking to participate in the ICC initiative, which initially started with the schools,” she said.

Mr Robinson recalled that the schools did not participate only in 2021 because of safety restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Williams Town Beach, the Bishop Michael Eldon School scored a very large find buried in the sand.

Ms Selim–Dela Pena and her team of students, were able to remove the part of the small sailboat.

“It was heavy, and we think it is approximately 300 pounds and it took a lot of time because it was very deep under the sand,” she said.

“This initiative is very important because it allows children to see what is happening around them, and how they can help save the environment.”

Shannals Johnson, principal of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, said students from the Fourth Freeport Girls Guides, Brownies, Sunflower, and Anchor Club participated.

According to Ms Johnson, the institution received its eco-school designation and is internationally recognized as an environmental school.

“This initiative is important, and we have to continue the effort of instilling into our students and indeed the entire Bahamas that we must keep the Bahamas clean, green, and pristine,” she said.

Joye Ritchie, vice president of the Pilot Club of Lucaya, said their service organisation looks

forward to partnering with other organisations. She said their two Anchor Clubs, which are the junior arm of Pilot Club, also volunteered.

“One of our mandates is mental health and making sure your environment is clean contributes to good mental health and so every year we partner with organisations on the island anytime they call for service,” she said. Ms Robinson commended and thanked local businesses for their contributions, including Halt which donated gloves; PharmaChem donated gloves and gift cards from Cost Right for hand sanitizers; Bahamas Wholesale Agency (BWA), which donated garbage bags; Bethel’s Superstore donated pencils; and Crown Ice and Bahama Pure each donated five 50 gallons of water.

BISHOP Michael Eldon School discovered and removed a part of a small sailboat buried in the sand.

PM: I’ll fight for Bahamians

immediately to expand support to those who needed it the most while rolling out a new, data-driven approach to combatting COVID-19.

“Within months, the economy roared back to life, and we began seeing major progress as hope

returned to our nation.”

Noting his government’s increase of the minimum wage, among other actions, Mr Davis said they laid a foundation for recovery and future progress.

“We are securing the future by advancing the global conversation on climate change and developing practical solutions to

finance our progress toward climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy for cleaner, cheaper, more affordable power generation,” he said. “This outcome was not inevitable. There were those who, gripped by fear, warned that opening the economy would worsen the pandemic. There were

those who were afraid that increasing the minimum wage would slow down employment. Even experts were afraid, predicting that the tourism industry would take years to recover; some even predicted that the cruise industry would never recover.” “But look at God. The economy is booming, we

are thriving, and it is now up to us to use this opportunity to build a better tomorrow for all Bahamians.”

The prime minister said although the way forward looks promising, there would be challenges ahead. “Very few things worth achieving are easy,” he said. “One thing you can

be sure of when it comes to this PLP government is that we will never stop fighting on behalf of the Bahamian people. That is a promise we will always live up to. “As we look forward to year three, let’s remember to give thanks for the many blessings and mercies that have allowed us to come this far.”

PIT BULL DOG SHOT DEAD AFTER ATTACK ON TEEN GIRL

The attack led Bahamas Humane Society President Kim Aranha to renew her call for the owners of unleashed pit bulls to face hefty fines.

“My heart bleeds for the poor girl and her family. What happened was absolutely dreadful, but the onus has to go on the owner of the dogs,” Ms Aranha said yesterday.

“I believe that the owners of any animal that injures somebody, it doesn’t have to be a pit bull, it can be a

chihuahua, any animal that injured somebody because of the owner’s negligence, the owner needs to be charged. And clearly, if you have dogs that have been a problem before, and if you have dogs that are aggressive, which obviously these dogs were, then they belong in a fencedin yard. There is no excuse to let them roam. And until the owner gets fined and punished to the fullest extent of the law, people will continue doing it. They just laugh at us trying to have laws that protect animals and people. Nobody in this country is taking this seriously.”

Ms Aranha noted there is no animal control unit in Abaco. She said a board created by the Animal Protection and Control Act only has jurisdiction in New Providence. She said there has been little engagement from the government with the board since the law was passed in 2010. In the past year the board has advocated for dog breeders to reach certain requirements before being issued a licence and for more humane living conditions for animals.

Ms Aranha hopes to soon meet the new Minister of Agriculture and Marine

Resources Jomo Campbell.

“We need his ministry to accept that the Animal Protection and Control Board is actually the competent authority over the pound and over many other things, like the licensing of breeders, the licensing of pet shops and the licensing guard of dog kennels,” she said.

“We are the ones that should be sending the animal wardens out to inspect. The animal wardens need to be properly trained as well. We want to be able to bring someone to train them properly. The animal wardens need

to be trained so that they can do the job that they are there to do. Right now, they haven’t received adequate training to do that job.”

In the last year, some legislators have called for pit bulls to be banned.

In April, St Anne’s Adrian White said it is incongruous that the country has banned the importation of pit bulls but not the dog’s breeding.

Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell later told The Tribune he agreed with Mr White’s call for pit bulls to be banned. Carmichael MP Keith Bell also raised concerns about

the dog breed. Concern about dangerous dogs made headlines last week when British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to ban American XL Bully dogs, calling them dangerous. His decision came after an 11-year-old girl was seriously injured and a 52-year-old man was mauled to death by two dogs in separate incidents. The American XL Bully was originally bred from the American pit bull terrier. Pit bulls were banned in the United Kingdom in 1991.

POLICE QUIZ MORE IN DRA INVESTIGATION

The investigation, which follows a forensic audit into the DRA, shows pressure continues to hover over officials connected to the former Minnis administration, some of whom have hired lawyers as the

Royal Bahamas Police Force examines whether to charge more people with crimes. A separate investigation into the Bahamas Beaches & Parks Authority is at an advanced stage. Since 2021, former FNM legislators Lanisha Rolle and Adrian Gibson have been charged with

offences.

DRA chairman Alex Storr said a forensic audit was ordered for the authority because of what he called stark evidence of mismanagement by the former administration.

Last month, Mr Storr said: “We had two audits ongoing, a forensic audit as

well as the financial audit. We’ve received both of those. The forensic audit, we have looked over it and we have turned that over to police, who are now investigating.”

Meanwhile, in August, Deputy Police Commissioner Leamond Deleveaux revealed

that police were 80 per cent complete with their investigation into funds allegedly misused during the small home repairs programme under the Minnis administration.

In addition to the DRA and the Beaches and Park Authority, former Prime

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

Prostate Screening Clinics will be held as follow:

September 19 – Elizabeth Estates Clinics

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Registration Starts at 6:00 pm Clinics End at 9:00 pm

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PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking at Mount Tabor Church yesterday.

Photo: Leandra Rolle

IN a series of courtesy calls from diplomats, Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt welcomed, clockwise from top left, US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts; Chinese Ambassador Dai Qingli, accompanied by Counsellor Cui Wei, Deputy Chief of Mission and Liu Yi, Head of Political and Press Affairs; Brazilian Ambassador Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins; and UK High Commissioner Thomas Hartley.

Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS

UNION STEPS BACK FROM STRIKE AFTER MEETING NEW MINISTER

“Everything is on the table, but based on what the minister did today, it really softens the hearts of the workers,” Mr Wilson told reporters after the tour.

“I’m very happy that she came and put boots on the ground and showed that hey, we are serious about resolving the problems. And so we see COO Toni Seymour. She putting boots on the ground walking along. We have the power station manager, Mr Davis, they’re putting boots on the ground and walking around with the union and hearing our cry. And so only positive things can happen. I can only foresee positive things happening.”

The BEWU received its strike certificate last week, allowing it to potentially take industrial action against BPL. Workers are upset about hazardous pay, pension and medical benefits, among other issues.

Mr Wilson said union representatives showed the new minister areas where cables have fallen and old buildings that have deteriorated.

“We’re asking for new buildings for the safety of the workers so we don’t have to traverse the plant in our personal clothing in unsafe gear to get to our changing area, but to put us in a more safe area where

we can put on our safety gear to get to the work station,” he said. “That’s something we’ve been asking now for over ten years since I’ve been at the company. But she’s committed to do what’s necessary to help the workers, and that’s a breath of fresh air.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis expressed satisfaction with how the plant is run.

“I wanted to make sure that I understand the conditions the workers are in and the job they do on behalf of the Bahamian people so that I have a better and greater appreciation for it,” she said.

“It’s been my first week, and it’s been a heavy week. We have sat and had first intro conversations with the union leader, Mr Kyle, just so he could present to me what matters are still on the table and still pending, and so we are going through them one by one.

“One of my main concerns when I spoke with him was just health and safety, just because the industry where I come

from, that has always been a priority for us. So I just want to make sure that we are cognizant of the concerns and we are taking them seriously.”

Significant numbers of patients with dengue show no symptoms

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 40 to 80 percent of people show no symptoms of dengue, with most of the recently confirmed 100 cases confined to the inner city in New Providence, according to officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness on Friday.

Earlier this week, health officials confirmed the country is experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever, with 100 cases confirmed

to date.

The bulk of the cases are in New Providence, with the few family island cases being the result of those who had a history of travel from New Providence.

Luther Ferguson, assistant director of the Department of Environmental Health Services with responsibility for vector control, spoke to the location of some clusters of dengue cases, during a Zoom meeting Friday on Dengue and Vector Control.

“We’ve had a few clusters, but for the most part, the cases are confined to what we call the inner city,” he said. “You do have those outliers that are outside of that area, but those are few. So we really want to encourage the public, all persons, to basically inspect your yard.

“Now, let’s be reminded that what we call a clean, well-kept, yard or premises could very well breed mosquitoes. Once you have water in a receptacle and that water is shaded from

Funeral Service For WESLEY GARTH REUBEN “Russ” THOMPSON, 71

of Christie Ave. and Hope Hill Estates, Exuma, will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday 21st September, 2023 atTrinity Methodist Church, Trinity Way and Fredrick Street. Officiating will be Rev. Bill Higgs, assisted by Rev. Carla Culmer. Cremation will follow

He is survived by his, Wife: Sherrilynn Thompson; Children: Wayde & Nicola Ramsey, Robert “Robbie” Thompson, Jaiden Thompson, William Dean; Grand children: Joshua, Jude and Gabriel Ramsey, Liam & Arianna Dean; Brother: Wes Thompson; Sisters: Jeanette Thompson & Justice Cheryl Albury; In-laws: Linelle Thompson, Addison & Sherrin Cooper, Arlene & Ivan Collie, Evelyn Daphne & Clyde Warren Sawyer, Joycelyn Moss; Nieces & Nephews: Perez & Deidre Adderley, Sharlaine Adderley, Greer Flowers, Arnold Flowers, Dana & Deidre Thompson, Candia & Alex Ferguson, Dr. Caryn Albury, Ronelle Thompson, Vanessa Thompson, Christophe Thompson, David Thompson, Jewel & Dr. Nolan Beneby, X & Raven Thompson, Wesli Thompson, Mark, Dakota, Elsa, Donna, Debbie, Wes, Joan, Tiffany, Kim, Julian, Nicola, Christian & Don, Khaalith & Leodie McKay, Dominique & Claudette Collie, Erika & James Smith, Christa Stubbs, Larissa & Theo Burrows, Dr. Noelle Sawyer; Numerous cousins, relatives and friends including , but not limited to: Ormond “Skull” Russell, Gary “Skinner” Albury, Leslie Isaacs, James Smith, Keith “Big Five” Albury, Larry Davis, Tyrone Sawyer, Leslie Miller, Nolan Munroe, Val Henry, Laura Thompson, the Mitchell Family, the Thompson Family of Eleuthera, the East Street Crew, the St. John’s College Class of 1969, and the Lunch Bunch.

May His Soul Rest in Peace!

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44a Nassau Street on Wednesday 20th September, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.and on Thursday 21st September, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and at the church from 5:00 p.m. until service time.

direct sunlight, you can have breeding,” Mr Ferguson said.

Dr Felicia Balfour Greenslade, who leads the ministry’s national communicable disease surveillance unit, and also attended the meeting gave more information on the subject of dengue symptoms.

“Usually if you’re going to develop symptoms, and I say if because about 40 to 80 percent of persons may not actually develop symptoms, but if you do, they usually come on four to 10 days after the bite,” she said.

“There is a possibility for severe illness where you actually need to be in hospital. You would have problems with bleeding, notice bruising on the skin and bleeding of the gums, you feel worse.

“If you see you’re developing the bruising or any type of bleeding after you’ve been put in the category of suspect or you’ve already gotten your results back as confirmed. You don’t hesitate, you need to get medical assistance,” Dr Greenslade said.

Dr Greenslade also said that the ministry is only recommending persons be tested if they have symptoms.

“If you’re not symptomatic, if you’re not having a challenge, it really doesn’t make sense for you to actually burden the system with doing a test for you.

“Once you come in, complaining of symptomology,

complaining of the fever, the headache, the pain, the body ache the nausea, once you have that particular problem, and you come in and we see you as a potential suspect case, then you’ll be tested. If you’re not ill, there is no need for you to present to the healthcare system, requesting a test,” she said.

Dr Greenslade added that due to confidentiality, those with the disease are not normally required to disclose their status to their workplace, but it is recommended so that the business may take the necessary precautions.

“There is a thing that we call a degree of confidentiality and while I would say you’re not able to give the illness to any of the individual, there’s no human-to-human transmission, I think there’s a degree of responsibility with the individual to at least let their employer know,” she said.

“The employer would need to take whatever precautions at the site at the worksite. Is there a possibility that you have breeding grounds there? Could other persons potentially have been exposed to mosquito bites within our work environments?

“So when it comes down to maintaining that environment, I don’t think it would be remiss for the individual to let the employer know that,” she said.

Dr Greenslade said:

“When you see your health

care provider, we usually will give you some time off with the advice to do your best to prevent mosquito bites for at least a week from the onset of your symptoms, because that’s the time when you have virus circulating in your blood.

“If a mosquito bites you within that period. It will pick up the virus and potentially be able to give it to another person,” Dr Greenslade said.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness announced the reappearance of the dengue fever last month, with confirmed cases steadily increasing each week. The disease is spread through contact with the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is most active after dawn and before dusk and lives and breeds in standing water.

Therefore, health officials are cautioning people to be mindful of any still, clean water, not directly exposed to sunlight, as this is ideal breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Amounts as small as a bottle cap of water can be a breeding ground.

Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and aches and pains in certain areas of the body.

Those showing symptoms are asked to visit local government approved clinics for treatment. More information can be found on the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Facebook page.

JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS, the new Minister of Energy, led a tour of the BPL plant.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Immigration move ‘stinks’

The Tribune understands that former Immigration Director William Pratt is replacing Ms Ferguson at the department’s helm.

Although the government has yet to comment on the change publicly, critics see the move as the administration installing a loyalist after a series of revelations showed top immigration officials were concerned about Mr Bell’s alleged intervention into matters related to work permits, citizenship and law enforcement operations.

Mr Bell, now the housing and urban development minister, was criticised for overseeing an unorthodox citizenship swearing-in ceremony. Also his role in releasing dozens of Chinese nationals at the British Colonial Hotel despite their work permit irregularities was scrutinised.

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard also released documents highlighting the former minister’s role in granting work permits to some people under circumstances that raised questions.

“There was a lot of talk about Minister Bell and some of the actions taken by him,” Mr McCartney said on Friday. “But the actions from a legal point of view fell within his purview. It may have been out of the ordinary, but that does not necessarily mean it was wrong. There was a lot of talk about citizenship and that sort of thing.

Well, the minister has a right to swear someone in. It doesn’t necessarily say where, and in order for the minister to swear someone or to give citizenship, he must have had the approval of Cabinet.”

He continued: “What I do find very concerning, though, is the situation with Ms Keturah Ferguson. That stinks. I’ve had the good fortune to work with Keturah when I was at

immigration and found her to be an excellent, excellent civil servant in the department, someone who is well equipped who knew her job.

“As a matter of fact, I mean, when I went there as a minister, she helped to guide me. We all have this concern or thought when you become a minister of a particular ministry, you’re the expert. Well, that’s not the case. I wasn’t an expert

in immigration, although I did some of it in my law practice. But I had to be guided. She was the person who guided the situation.

“With her being asked to resign or step down or retire or whatever it is, it stinks. That I don’t think it bodes well for the government in the circumstances.

In July, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government would

review how immigration decisions are made to strengthen the process. However, little has been revealed about the purported review, including who is conducting it.

Mr McCartney said he believes Ms Ferguson “would have good legal recourse in the circumstances” should she pursue legal action. Several top government

officials sued the government under the Minnis administration after they were sidelined and have since received confidential settlements.

“Anyone who has concerns with the minister or government official, including the prime minister, should be in a position to express it, whether they are right and wrong in what they’re saying,” Mr McCartney said. “They should

be able to express it. By having some consequence for expressing it, that does not bode well. Are you saying you can’t speak out against a minister or prime minister? Are you saying that? Because if you’re saying that, that’s wrong. You should not be fearful of doing that because of repercussions like losing your job. But it’s not surprising.”

‘COUNTRY WON’T ACCEPT A THIRD PARTY’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Democratic National Alliance (DNA)

Leader Branville McCartney said on Friday the country is still not accepting a third political party when it comes down to election time.

“We stuck on stupid and that’s our problem,” Mr McCartney said during

a press conference held at Halsbury Chambers.

“Whether they will be accepting of another party or other parties - no. They will give the support and they will say everything against the PLP or the FNM. But when that fateful day comes, they going to one of them. We stuck on stupid.”

The Bahamas has for decades operated within a two-party political

system where the two major parties, the Free National Movement (FNM) and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), have dominated in elections.

Mr McCartney suggested the country would be able to advance further if voters gave another political party a chance in government.

“We’re not where we are because of the parties in this country. We’re where we are because of us and

what we do,” he added.

Many have said the Coalition of Independents (COI), which is led by Lincoln Bain, has replaced the DNA as the unofficial third party. In the 2021 election, the newly formed COI outperformed the DNA at the polls.

When asked about critics saying the COI has overtaken the DNA as the unofficial third party, Mr McCartney said: “Well they

are more out there than the DNA, certainly. And the COI and Mr Bain they are bringing the issues to the forefront which I think is a good thing.”

Mr McCartney noted he stepped down as leader of the DNA in 2017. He said he couldn’t provide details on the status of the party since then.

Although Mr McCartney said he is focused on his legal profession and family

life right now, he did not fully oppose the possibility of returning to the political arena.

“Never say never I’ve learned that over my last 56 years,” he said. “I went into politics to hopefully do whatever I can do - to better the country in whatever way I can. That’s still my position in terms of politics or political parties and what have you. I want to see the country do well.”

FORMER minister of state for immigration Branville McCartney.

The Tribune Limited

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE are two issues which stand out as having the very real potential of destroying our entire way of life, our standard of living and our national security in The Bahamas in the very near future. I postulate a conservative estimate of the very near future being five-15 years time.

The two existential threats which are now upon us are as follows: Our looming debt crisis and sea level rise.

Each of these threats have the potential to totally upend life as we know it here in our beautiful country.

One of the greatest criticisms I see, of this and previous Bahamian administrations is the lack of transparency, and the lack of accountability.

After reflection, what comes next?

WHEN Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis spoke at Mount Tabour Church yesterday, he was in reflective mood.

It is, after all, two years since his party won the election and took office – and the weekend was one of celebration for the party.

In his address to the congregation at the church, he outlined the decisions the party had made since coming to power.

He talked of needing to “lay the foundation for big changes as we take steps toward a fairer and more prosperous society for all Bahamians.”

He said: “Our first priority was to drive the recovery of the economy and job market, strengthen the healthcare system, and reopen schools. So many people were suffering financially, going hungry, and praying for better days. We moved immediately to expand support to those who needed it the most while rolling out a new, data-driven approach to combatting COVID-19.

“Within months, the economy roared back to life, and we began seeing major progress as hope returned to our nation.”

In short, open the schools, get back to work and rebuild the economy. That was certainly a priority of the incoming administration – although it is also true that the rest of the world was in the process of opening up too.

Credit where it is due though and the economic resurgence has certainly coincided with the PLP administration.

The question is of course what comes next? If the foundation has been laid, then what will be built upon it? That will be the test the administration faces as it starts to turn towards the countdown to the next election.

The coming year in that case will be crucial. If Mr Davis is to make the big changes he talks about, the time is now.

Speaking of credit where it is due, in today’s Tribune Dr Hubert Minnis speaks up about issues on the national agenda – and appears to try to take back some of the credit belonging to the PLP administration.

He speaks of the demolition work being conducted Downtown, saying that the Davis administration “continued the work” his administration began.

He cites the demolition of the old Post Office and the Churchill Building as evidence of that.

Dr Minnis is over-reaching in his attempt to claim the current demolition programme for his own. He had plenty of opportunity to carry out such a demolition scheme in the Downtown area. He did not.

The malaise that has affected Downtown for too long has spanned a number of administrations, that of Dr Minnis included. In the span of his leadership, to point to two demolitions across his whole administration is thin indeed.

However, he is correct in that we now need to ensure that once the demolition is done, we need to revive the area –through tax incentives, investment and good management.

Dr Minnis has given praise for the PLP’s demolition work, and urges the government to show the “creativity and courage to bring about the proper leadership structure for the area”.

There is an opportunity here for both sides to work together, to share the work and ensure the best outcome for the Downtown area.

There does not need to be a contest for who gains the most credit. But if, as Mr Davis looks upon the foundation he sought to build, he can set his sights on ensuring that Downtown has a bright future ahead, that will indeed be a target worth aiming for during the remainder of this term.

One flows from the other. Without knowing what our politicians are doing, it is not possible to contribute, nor to criticise, the actions of those who represent us. It appears this is our history and present day attitude among those at the political top. By their own words and actions, those in Parliament seem to believe that the Bahamian public has little right to know what they do.

This seemingly valid complaint comes from watchdog groups, the press, and the public with a usual stonewalling by those in government.

The “financial experts”, those who make their living speaking on such matters, the accountants, the bankers, the Minister of Finance, know exactly what pain will be imposed on The Bahamian people in the coming years. They know the consequences of this odious debt our country now finds itself in. They have seen this exact same scenario play out in countries around the world. Whether or not they were present when the government took out these loans, they must, if they are to be called financial experts, know what is coming. Under what are loosely called Structural Adjustment Programmes, The Bahamas will be raising taxes and cutting social spending. Who will be impacted most heavily?

What I am claiming is that The Bahamas has a whole lot of so-called “financial experts” in government, in finance, in banking, in accounting, in consulting, in business, who are refusing to tell the Bahamian people the truth about where we are headed. If these experts have paid attention these last few decades, and they have, they know just what to expect from the experience of other countries, even more advanced than The Bahamas. The cuts to social services and the raising of taxes will take a very heavy toll on this country. Who will bear most of the burden and suffer the most? The poorest among us. And, what effects will the cuts to social services have on our small island nation and the hardscrabble Family Islands?

Perhaps these experts have entrenched interests. Perhaps they do not believe the Bahamian public would understand. Perhaps they are afraid of losing clients if they tell the truth. Perhaps they believe they may be blackballed by the political class. Or, worse, that those who speak the truth will be voted out of office if Bahamians knew how careless these politicians have been. Careless, as in not caring about all of our people in this island nation.

“Politics is killing this country” is something I hear from many, many people here. They are not wrong, as far as I can see.

According to Mr Hubert Edwards, now head of the Organisation for Responsible Governance, in a recent Tribune article, says “The Bahamas finds itself at a place where it has a significant concentration of external debt, maybe more than it has ever had in the history of the country..... It has suffered over the last couple of years a number of credit downgrades which effectively put it into ‘junk’ bond status. There are elevated external pressures on The Bahamas at this time......”

“At some point in time, the Government is going to have to get their fiscal house in order.”

Now, I would like to

reference an article in the Tribune, by Neil Hartnell on August 25, 2023, entitled “IDB: $856m strategy for The Bahamas ‘too ambitious’”. This article focused on the fact that for the most part, the Inter-American Development Bank and The Bahamas have failed in far too many of the projects and programmes the IDB had lent money to The Bahamas to implement. Not only that, the actual money spent was five times what the experts originally budgeted. Most of the blame was as follows:

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has admitted its last country strategy for The Bahamas was “overly ambitious and unrealistic” despite approvals for over five times the originally-forecast level of financing.

The multilateral lender, in a report by its internal watchdog, the Office of Evaluation and Oversight, found that the 2018-2022 Bahamas’ country programme made no or little contribution to seven of the 11 strategic objectives for improving areas such as fiscal consolidation, strengthening the Government’s institutional and digital capabilities and bolstering “integrity and transparency” in the public sector.

The country programme evaluation attributed the Government’s low implementation capacity to a lack of technical experts to design and implement financed programmes, slow decision making, low co-ordination capacity, and lack of political commitment.”

So, where did that billion dollars go? One might ask.

Of even greater concern to me is the near term financing needs that will be necessary for our country to deal with the immediate need to mitigate sea level rise impacts. This, the IDB makes very clear they acknowledge, along with the fact that some of our debt burden is due to the impacts of 4 hurricanes in the last 10 years. Has anyone seen the forecasts for hurricanes in the coming years? Such as more frequent and more intense storms? Does anyone deny, today, that sea levels are rising and the science behind these claims? Now, let’s be real. There are no surprises in the idea that The Bahamas government squandered money, and failed to do the things they said they would do. Use whatever pretty words you wish to make excuses. Our governments have a history of failure. Is that a fair statement?

Now, with that said, let’s ask what are the InterAmerican Development Bank’s responsibilities?

The IDB is a lending institution with a mandate to help improve the lives of the people in the country they are working in. Do they have no culpability in these failures? And what of the consequent economic burdens on the Bahamian people because of the loans taken out in their name, who got little to nothing in return?

Did any of these IDB experts, or their Bahamian liaisons, have a reduced salary because of these failures? So, truth be told, the only ones who have to pay the bill for these failures are the poor and working people of The Bahamas. The exact group of people who has no say in the programmes, no say on the loans, no benefits from the failed programmes. Sounds like a recipe for utter failure and true injustice. How can any thinking individual think this is OK?

I would suggest that after the first round failures and the consequent poor results of the IDB’s Project Implementation Units to follow, there should have been the rethinking of the due diligence, for the sake of The Bahamas increasing debt obligations, in making sure the IDB wasn’t further burdening our country with more odious debt.

I believe that the InterDevelopment Bank has also failed in a major and equal way. As much as we have failed here in The Bahamas. Either by accident or by design, these loans were ostensibly intended to help develop The Bahamas in a financially sustainable way. In fact, where we are now, I believe, is in a decidedly

worse place than we were before the IDB stepped in. Now, we are taking out loans, big loans, for the sole purpose of paying the interest on the loans we’ve already taken out. And now, at higher interest rates. This is NOT sustainable. The IDB experts know full well what Structural Adjustment Programmes and austerity measures will be put into place in The Bahamas if The Bahamas performs in the way they have, historically speaking. Do they believe in miracles?

They know through experience, that with either a PLP New Day or an FNM People’s Time, the results do not change. They say as much in their report. We know politicians lie. Is this wrong to say?

So, the IDB is going along with a scheme to put the people of The Bahamas under great financial, social, physical and psychological pain. The experts at the IDB know all too well that the poorest among us will be paying the highest price for the sins of those who claimed they were representing us. Those we voted into office. They know full well that the austerity measures they will require the government of the The Bahamas to impose on our country will cripple our economy, and our standard of living. Bahamians will suffer for the sins of those whom we elected to look after us, and for the sins of those we invited to our shores to help us out of this mess. The IDB is not blameless. They know poverty will increase in The Bahamas.

Another question I have, which I believe is pertinent, is why The Bahamas has any debt, at all? Why does a country, that all the experts say is one of the richest in the Caribbean, not have a surplus of money?

After 50 years of independence, this is where we are as a country? We are in so much debt that it is strangling our economy, destroying any hopes for national development, dashing the dreams of our youth and sending so many Bahamians into poverty. Is this the best we can do?

With these thoughts, I am proposing that if The Bahamas and the IDB are serious about our future and the future of our children here in The Bahamas, that we begin a discussion asking the IDB and other lenders to completely forgive our existing debt. Let me say it again, I believe we must ask the IDB and other lenders to completely forgive our debt. At some point, we have to put people above money. Given the existential economic threat posed by our indebtedness, and the all too real climate events unfolding upon us, is it really unreasonable, as decent human beings, as adherents to something called Christianity, that we ask for this debt forgiveness? Is this asking too much of those who say they wish to help us?

The Bahamas simply cannot continue to see millions of dollars leave our shores each day solely to pay the interest on loans. There is no way, absolutely no way, that The Bahamas can prepare itself for the expenses associated with mitigating the effects of sea level rise and future hurricanes, take care of our Bahamian people, and still make the outrageous and odious interest and principal payments coming due in the next few years to these financial institutions.

I am sick and tired of watching people all over the world suffer terribly, innocent, hard working people, all because a handful of corrupt people couldn’t keep their hands out of the cookie jar. It is not fair to punish a whole country for the crimes of a few politicians. It is patently unChristian, let alone an affront to human decency to allow collective punishment, as we will soon experience, for the crimes of our ruling class.

At some point, the people of the world must stand up to the rulers. Whether they are the rulers of their own country, or the heads of the big banks and transnational corporations. It is way past time to truly put people’s lives and human decency first and foremost.

Debt forgiveness for The Bahamas –

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER OF ACCOMPLICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison on Friday accused of the fatal shooting of his masked accomplice last week in Yellow Elder Gardens. The victim was on bail for murder at the time of his death.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Denero Whymns, 22, with murder.

Whymns and his accomplice Katraz Coakley, were both allegedly armed and wearing masks on Lightbourne Street at around 3pm on September 10. After a gunfight, Whyms allegedly shot Coakley as they were fleeing on foot. The 24-yearold victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coakley was on release for a pending murder charge in the death of Roland Williams in 2018. Coakley had just recently been released from prison after a one-year bail violation sentence.

Whymns was told the matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment to be served on November 16. He will be sent to the

DOUBLE DONATION FOR HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail.

• Another man was remanded to prison on Friday after he was accused of a separate fatal drive-by shooting outside a bar on Comfort and Hay Streets earlier this month.

Acting Chief Magistrate Reckley charged Delano Kelly, 28, with murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Kelly, along with accomplices, allegedly drove past a sports bar on Comfort and Hay Streets in a dark coloured Japanese vehicle on the night of September 7. The accused allegedly opened fire and shot Seth Strachan, Vantonio Cambridge and Shavanda Simms as they stood outside, before driving away from the scene.

While the other two victims were treated in hospital for their injuries, 20-year-old Strachan died at the scene from his injuries.

Kelly was informed his case would be moved to the Supreme Court by a VBI to be served on November 16 and that he too would have to apply to the higher court for bail.

MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMAN RESPONDING TO WELFARE CHECK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison on Friday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his house as she responded to a call for a senior citizen welfare check earlier this month.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain charged Gregory Davis Jr, 31, with rape.

Davis is accused of raping a 39-year-old woman at his

residence in the Coconut Grove area at around 2am on September 2. Police reports indicate that the accused allegedly struck the victim in her face as she responded to a welfare check call and proceeded to sexually assault her.

The accused was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Davis’s case will be moved to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment set for service on November 3.

ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL SEX

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was put behind prison bars on Friday, accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl he helped raise, after getting her drunk earlier this month. The 39-year-old, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the minor, was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent and cruelty to children before Assistant Chief Magistrate

Subusola Swain. The accused allegedly gave the underaged girl liquor while she was in his custody in New Providence on September 9. The accused then allegedly had sexual intercourse with the young girl while she was intoxicated.

The accused’s case will be transferred to the Supreme Court by a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI), to to be served on November 7. He will remain behind bars until a higher court grants bail.

WANTED OVER GUN POSSESSION

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A FREEPORT man is wanted by police for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

An all-points bulletin has been issued for Bendania Headley Morley, 21, of 32A Beaconsfield.

The suspect is about five feet, seven inches tall, medium build, and weighs 170 pounds. He has a dark complexion and black afro/ braided hair. Morley is considered armed and dangerous and should be approached with caution.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to contact police at 350-3014/6, 352-1919, 3503106/9, 911, or the nearest police station.

THE Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation has announced two donations totaling $35,000.

Last week, members of the board of the foundation received an anonymous donation of $10,000 that will pay for the purchase of a craniotome tool.

This tool will be used for neurosurgery and spine procedures at Princess Margaret Hospital to help patients who have suffered brain and spinal injuries. Foundation chairman Prof Dr Magnus Ekedede welcomed the

donation, saying: “We want to thank the donors for their support. This will help the work of the hospital, and it will make a difference to the patients. With brain and spine injuries, there is always a need to act as quickly as possible, and having the right equipment is so important to the work of our medical teams. Donations such as these make a real difference.”

A second donation was also made in February – with $25,000 to Foundation funds donated by the Friends of

Prof Dr Magnus Ekedede.

In receiving the gift, he said: “I am so thankful. I am so appreciative for this donation. The Foundation is aiming to do big things to help the hospital, and this will go towards that work.

“I also thank all the members of the foundation for their continued support and contribution to our healthcare system.”

For more information about the foundation, visit https://www.thepmhfoundation.org.

BOARD members of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation received a donation of $10,000 from an anonymous donor last week. Pictured from left, Julian Smith, board chairman, Prof Dr Magnus Ekedede, Venentia Cambridge, Ionie Diggiss, board vice-chairman, Dr Kenneth Kemp, and Stephen Hunt. A second donation was also received for $25,000 from the Friend of Prof Dr Magnus Ekedede.

Two years in - is the govt on course?

By TYLER MCKENZIE

TWO years in, the Progressive Liberal Party is taking the opportunity to pat itself on the back for its time in government in the current administration.

The weekend was one of victory celebrations, with a thanksgiving church service, a grill and chill, a curbside breakfast, and no doubt more.

A flier circulating on social media a couple of weeks ago listed the administration’s success –although frankly, it looked a little thin.

The first item boasted about lifting the curfew and ending emergency orders – but let’s face it, that’s something the whole world has done.

It talked of free testing and free masks, reopening schools and initiatives to help learning recovery, again issues that any administration would have been dealing with.

There was talk of recruitment of police, immigration and defence officers, which is a fair point, though some recruitment would of course have taken place regardless to cover retirements and departures as part of natural turnover.

Strangely, rather low down on the list is the boast of unemployment being the lowest in 15 years, which frankly should be top of the list. If there is anything this government has to boast about, it is the strength of the economic recovery. Perhaps the wave was coming regardless, but the administration appears to have ridden it effectively.

Also low down is that 22 labour agreements have been concluded – and this

administration seems to have been strong in getting deals concluded and, broadly, getting many unions on its side.

What was lacking was any boast of a strong legislative agenda, any suggestion of laws that have made people’s lives better.

It was spend, spend, spend on salaries, medical facilities, labour agreements – not so much about where the money is coming from, which would be our pockets.

So if this is the hard sell, it is coming up surprisingly short for a party so seemingly confident of its successes.

There have also been two notable opinion polls of late – one, from Public Domain, reporting that 70 percent of people approve of the job being done by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, with only 15 percent disapproving.

A second poll circulating in the past week went in the other direction, with 83.7 percent of respondents having a negative view of Mr Davis, and interestingly 81.4 percent not believing the outcome of the Public Domain poll.

Now we can argue which poll is more likely to be true – but one thing is clear, both cannot be true. In the end, the only opinion poll that will matter is the one where Bahamians cast their votes in the next election, and the PLP would be fools if they sat too comfortably based on the outcome of any opinion poll between now and then.

There are some things that seem clear – the government can certainly tout the economic strength of the country as it recovers after the pandemic and it can talk about jobs, jobs, jobs as long as anyone is

within earshot.

Meanwhile, also play ing in its favour is that it can seemingly point to the apparent disunity in the FNM, where leader Michael Pintard is look ing over his shoulder at the lingering pres ence of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who appears to be wanting to lose the “former” part of that sentence.

Interestingly, that second poll that has circulated – which it must be said, seems of uncertain origin – said that 90.7 percent of people were opposed to Dr Minnis getting another chance as Prime Minister. Although, perhaps I’m being too generous, as the poll might be shown up by the fact that the question, “Should Dr Hubert Minnis be giving a next opportunity to be Prime Minister” was in such poor English that it brings doubts about the professionalism of the results.

Dr Minnis should not, however, be anywhere near a chance at leadership again. His leadership was roundly rejected at the last election, and there seems to have been no sign of people changing their opinion about him. There are plenty of people who do not appear to be convinced by Mr Pintard one way or another, but most seem convinced Dr Minnis would not be the answer.

So, two years in, where does that leave the PLP?

Having just taken a break to reset ahead of the next legislative session, and reshuffled with an utterly unconvincing reshuffle that

leaves those who needed to be shuffled still in ministerial posts, it means the coming year has to be a strong one for the party.

People need to feel a difference in their pockets. The cost of electricity is really hurting the PLP’s hopes at the moment, so they will be counting on that changing by the time of the next election. The missed opportunity to hedge fuel and limit the costs on the public – one of a number of reasons why Alfred Sears needed to be ousted as Minister of Works – will haunt the party until those costs come down.

It is good to tout jobs, it is good to tout the deals with unions, but if that money is going straight out of people’s pockets, they won’t feel the benefits of those other gains yet.

The administration has suffered other hits, too – not least of all to its trustworthiness.

Issues over lack of transparency, things such as the myriad unorthodox methods of Keith Bell at Immigration going unanswered, several other investigations that appear to be treated without urgency all count against the party for now. The cutting back of public briefings

is another sign that the party is moving away from being open with the public rather than towards greater accountability. The reshuffle also showed a reluctance by Mr Davis to completely remove appointees who have led to flak for his administration – and that’s not a good sign.

If this was a report card, we might conclude that the party must do better – but then again, it is only partway through its term. Perhaps we must conclude that it is a work in progress – and see what the administration delivers by its full term.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking at the G77+China Summit in Havana, Cuba.

The load we carry

DOCTORS told Emily with a modicum of certainty that she’d never be able to have children. She was 21 at the time. Diagnosed with a severe form of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), her ovaries were inundated with cysts and for months she’d been exhibiting irregular menstration, weight gain and excess body hair. Emily was happy to finally have an answer that adequately explained all her symptoms but the news that she would never have children was devastating.

In PCOS, a condition that is surprisingly common in females though in varying degrees of severity, ovaries produce an excessive amount of male sex hormones which in turn inhibits ovulation. Birth control medication, as in Emily’s case, is often prescribed to regulate hormone levels but eventually she had to stop taking them because they were causing consistently elevated blood pressure coupled with recurrent headaches and extreme nausea. Fortunately, the moment she stopped her symptoms dissipated quickly.

Four years passed relatively symptom-free. Then when Emily was 25, her headaches returned and with a vengeance.

This time they were more intense and lasted

for longer periods of time, often disrupting her sleep. Emily had a check-up with her doctor and all her tests were normal. So, out of an abundance of caution, her doctor decided to perform a pregnancy test and to their utter shock, it was positive. Emily was beside herself with emotion, caught between feelings of joy and disbelief. When an abdominal ultrasound confirmed that she was close to six months pregnant, she fainted and smelling salts (an ammonia inhalant) was quickly used to revive her. Leaving the doctor’s office that fateful day, having initially gone to seek treatment for a headache but now knowing that there was a life growing inside her, was absolutely surreal. People often wonder how she didn’t know that she was pregnant, but all of her symptoms prior to that point were non-specific. Weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area is common with PCOS and whenever she experienced

fatigue, nausea or vomiting, she believed it to be a side effect of her headache medication. Emily (an alias) is my patient and that day her life changed forever.

Within three weeks of finding out she was pregnant, Emily was hospitalised because her cervix started to open and to prevent preterm birth, a cervical cerclage was performed. In this procedure, the cervix is temporarily closed with stitches in an effort to delay labour until the baby is more developed. Emily remained in the hospital for two weeks. Shortly after she was discharged and now only six and a half months pregnant, she was shaving her legs in the shower when she felt a gush of water drenching her legs. Immediately she knew her water bag had burst. Her family rushed her to the hospital, gravely concerned.

Now in full labour, Emily was pre-warned by her doctor and nurse that the baby she never knew she could have but already

felt so much love for likely wouldn’t survive. She understood, yet refused to accept a dire fate for her son all the while knowing that if he survived it would be months before she could take him home followed by concerns of his mental acuity. Her son, who we’ll refer to as Mason was born weighing less than a pound and immediately placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While there, he developed an infection that was treated intravenously with antibiotics and he underwent multiple surgeries to close a valve in his heart. Mason coded twice and both times he was disconnected from monitors and placed in what looked like a shoe box. Both times, Emily cried, screamed and begged for doctors to reconnect him to the monitors and both times through God’s grace, he survived. Mason was finally discharged home after four months of care in the NICU. Physically, Mason

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

developed without any issues and Emily is eternally grateful for that blessing. But by age two, he still wasn’t talking and she became increasingly concerned. Mason was tested for autism but the test was normal so Emily was advised that delayed speech is not unusual. When he turned three and still wasn’t speaking, Emily did some research on her own. With the dogged determination of an impassioned mother, she eventually took her son to have a hearing test. Initially the audiologist told her that his hearing was fine but on a subsequent visit, Emily was told that Mason was experiencing some mild hearing impairment and needed hearing aids.

Not long after spending several thousand dollars on the hearing devices, which never helped, Mason developed fluid build-up in his ears and after a lot of back and forth, Emily took her son to a children’s hospital in the US for another opinion. There she consulted with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist and Mason underwent surgery to drain the fluid in his ears. He also had a hearing test performed intraoperatively and results were conclusive.

Mason was profoundly deaf in his right ear and moderately to severely deaf in his left ear.

Frustrated that for three years she was told that everything was fine, Emily wept, shedding tears for what her son had gone through and angry that despite her many attempts to get to the bottom, the healthcare professionals who managed to bring him into the world and save him at birth failed him as he faced the most formative years of his life. Certainly not by its intention but perhaps in its effect, one of the medications that Mason was given while in the NICU to save his life caused him to lose his hearing. But the situation was not without hope. The ENT specialist referred Emily to a hearing institute in the same area to see if Mason would be a candidate for cochlear implants and he was.

Initially the surgery was denied by their insurance provider because Mason had already been dispensed hearing aids that year. They subsequently approved it once they received a letter written by Mason’s specialist at the hearing institute explaining that a hearing aid, which functions to optimize and amplify acoustic sound, is for someone who already has some level of hearing. But when hearing loss is profound no acoustic sound is detected making hearing aids obsolete. A cochlear implant instead bypasses the inner ear and translates acoustic sounds into electrical signals transmitted directly to the hearing nerve and brain.

At a total cost of seventy thousand dollars, the procedure, implant and

hospitalisation weren’t cheap and without insurance it wouldn’t have been an option. They stayed in the US for six weeks before the implant could be activated and when it was, Mason reacted with a gamut of emotions to every sound he heard, jumping and waving with a joy that his face lacked since birth. The look in his eyes beamed with gratitude as if to say that today of all days, someone finally saw him. Mason cried the first time he heard the toilet flush, never knowing that the water disappearing down the toilet bowl made noise. Watching him react to every new sound and his innocent bewilderment was emotional.

Two years later, when he was five years old, Mason gradually began to speak and within the same year, with the help of a private speech therapist, he began to articulate his words. Today, Mason is 12-yearsold and he still struggles with comprehension and articulating words but he gets better every day. Amazingly, what he lacks in English, he makes up for in math because in that subject, he truly excels. He is also learning sign language to augment his speech. Emily’s primary concern is that Mason grows up to be strong and can vocalise things for himself so that no one ever takes advantage of him. Until then, she vigilantly stands guard. Emily’s take-home message is that prayer can move mountains. With a big smile and sense of pride, she says that Mason is a miracle baby and she feels blessed to be his mother. She encourages other mothers to always seek a second opinion when something doesn’t feel right and she wishes that hearing tests were more routinely performed on babies. Never wanting to attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence, Emily also reminds parents to always question what drugs are being administered to their children and what the potential side effects entail.

Often times, we carry a load so heavy that after a while we forget what it’s like to live without worry. The day she discovered she was pregnant, a heavy bolder was placed atop her shoulders but for her own survival, Emily has fortunately been able to offload some of the weight to her husband and her parents. Together, they’ve sought to tackle only the burdens for the day and not ones from yesterday or those appointed to the future. Day by day, it makes for a smaller mountain to climb and a much lighter load to carry. This is The KDK Report.

• Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.

Let’s make Nassau a great Caribbean city

By DR HUBERT MINNIS

Former Prime Minister of The Bahamas

WE the Bahamian people have an historic opportunity and obligation to fix and revitalise the City of Nassau. Its history traces back to the late 17th century.

Nassau has been around from the days of the rivalries of colonial powers for Caribbean territory. Pirates roamed its streets. It has endured through merchant rule to The Bahamas now being a multicultural sovereign democracy. The Nassau of today is a city of gleaming potential. But it also has tremendous challenges. As the city is redeveloped, we should remember that it runs east to west and north to south.

The Ingraham administration relocated the Port of Nassau and dredged the harbour to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world.

The $250m Pointe development has given some life to the city centre. It was joined earlier this year by the $300m cruise port development, which is expected to attract millions of additional cruise passengers in the coming years. Additionally, the $310m US Embassy is in the late stages of construction.

That’s some of the good news. Sadly, Nassau’s problems are many.

Derelict buildings blight the area. We’ve been unable to bring sufficient residential properties to the city. There is a lack of clear leadership. The city is not clean. Visitors complain of harassment and pickpocketing. There is a lack of greater diversity in

retail, entertainment, restaurant and other offerings. At night, the city shuts down.

BOLD ACTION NEEDED

I am passionate about Downtown. Its revival is essential to expanding our economy and to the redevelopment of New Providence.

The City of Nassau has the potential to be one of the best cities of the Caribbean.

It has the potential to be a beautiful, properly maintained modern city that also showcases Bahamian heritage, culture and arts.

During my administration, we understood the issue of derelict buildings had to be addressed in order for the city to grow. There were buildings in the city centre that were derelict for decades.

These buildings were eyesores and disincentivised investment. My

administration began the demolition process. We took down the old Main Post Office and the Churchill Building.

The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation moved into the old Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. Government House has undergone comprehensive refurbishment under the current government.

I am pleased that the Davis administration continued the work our administration started in removing derelict structures. In recent weeks, several old buildings in the Downtown area were demolished.

The government must continue this work to completion. By the proper procedures of law, derelict buildings in the City of Nassau should be demolished. This includes abandoned and derelict

buildings owned by the state.

There is widespread support for this policy. There is momentum. The Davis administration should not tear down some now, and some later. Derelict buildings should be removed to increase the possibility of new construction, new investment, new ideas and new energy.

Significant tax incentives already exist to invest in Nassau. Removing derelict structures will further help lure investors to the area.

PROPER CITY LEADERSHIP NEEDED

Nassau needs a properly structured statutory authority to govern its affairs. The central Government controlling the area is not working.

Nassau is not kept clean. The policing plan for the area is inadequate. New zoning is needed to define what is

permissible in different areas. More public parking is necessary. Some side streets should be made for pedestrians only.

These are just some of the many urgent areas of concern in the city.

Parliament needs to pass, and the government needs to enact, legislation clearly defining the municipal district of the City of Nassau – also empowering a statutory body and manager to run the city.

The city needs dayto-day leadership, a funding mechanism and certain independence to ensure things get done in a timely and organised manner.

The Davis administration has recently announced that it will bring legislation to create the Downtown Management Authority upon the return of Parliament in October.

I wait to see if this legislation has been properly considered. We need a municipal governance structure that can act with authority quickly. It would be a mistake to create a weak authority that is fully controlled by the central Government. Such a structure might get bogged down in unnecessary politics. We need an authority that has the power to bring all stakeholders to the table and make the sweeping changes necessary to transform the city.

Nassau needs its own leaders, empowered to focus on its needs on a dayto-day basis. The Davis administration can help transform Nassau

if it has the creativity and courage to bring about the proper leadership structure for the area.

WHAT NASSAU COULD BE

We are not doing enough fast enough to make the City of Nassau attractive, vibrant and world class. The government must give Downtown the same focus it gives to the Paradise Island and Cable Beach areas.

The Davis administration’s decision to cancel the Central Bank project was an error. The bank needs a new headquarters. Its construction would have created hundreds of jobs.

The proposed Sand Dollar building was innovative in design, symbolising the future possibility of the city, while showcasing Bahamian heritage.

Millions of people come to the port in Nassau each year. Thousands of Bahamians work there. It is the place where Parliament and the Supreme Court sit.

By beautifying the area, creating new leadership, by bringing in new investors and attracting residential investment, we can make Nassau a thriving city that is an even bigger economic driver of the country than it already is. Nassau could be the place everyone wants to come and see. It is up to us to do what is necessary to make that happen.

Like so many other Bahamians, I believe in Nassau’s potential and future.

‘GOVERNMENT MUST BE BOLD IN ITS VISION AND ACTIONS’

TRACTORS clear rubble at another site where an old crumbling building was demolished making way for possible new construction as the government moves forward with the rivitalisation of Downtown Nassau.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Small island states seek climate justice in case

JOB VACANCY

A prominent car dealership is seeking an SENIOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN/ WORKSHOP FOREMAN

The ideal candidate must have a wide range of experience in the automotive business as well as good written and oral communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

diagnostic equipment

real world experience in the automotive field. management skills for all dealership-owned tools at all times. tools.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: times.

giving detailed explanation; status, location, etc. all tools as required. when required. allotted. lead the team. multitask. control checks. passed on to the service advisor to be communicated to the customer. completed is recorded on the repair order. wheel alignments, transmission diagnostics. equipment, process/procedures and staff dress code.

AN ATTRACTIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES:

ON September 11 in Hamburg, Germany, a significant legal proceeding began that could redefine the parameters of climate justice for small island states. This case, slated to run until September 25, will unfold at the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

Background: The ITLOS Proceedings

ITLOS, which is composed of 21 distinguished judges, is currently reviewing an advisory opinion request from the Commission of Small Islands on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS). The central issue is the obligation of states to combat pollution linked to climate change and its ensuing marine repercussions, such as rising ocean temperatures, sea level elevation, and ocean acidification.

By its conclusion, 19 inter-governmental and civil society organizations will have presented their testimony to the tribunal, supported by evidence — both written and oral — from 31 nations.

History is being made

At no other time in history has the deleterious effects of climate change on small states been given such meaningful international attention. The results of this case will be watched carefully, particularly by the world’s greatest contributors to the harmful impacts of climate change. Those countries have used the annual United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) to tie-up any real progress on considering, let alone accepting and paying for, the loss and damage being wreaked on small island states.

COSIS: A response to unkept promises

The origins of this request to ITLOS for an advisory opinion began two years ago, in the margins of the COP 26 meeting in Glasgow. The leaders of two small island states from two different parts of the world, took a decision to form an inter-governmental organization that would use the international legal system to seek justice for the considerable impact of Climate Change on their countries.

The Prime Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean and Tuvalu in the Pacific, Gaston Browne and Kausea Natano respectively, frustrated by the lip service being paid by the world’s major contributors to climate change, and the broken promises of every previous COP meeting, decided that they would seek an Advisory Opinion from ITLOS.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Consequently, they launched the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) as an international organisation within the framework of the UN. They were subsequently joined by several other small states, including the Bahamas, St Lucia, St Kitts-Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and by Vanuatu, Palau and Niue. What each of these small islands faces is a real and present threat to their existence.

The gravity of the problem

In the opening presentation to the Tribunal on behalf of COSIS, Prime Minister Browne explained the gravity of the situation. He said: “It is no exaggeration to speak of existential threats, when some of these nations may vanish in the foreseeable future because of rising sea levels. The scientific evidence leaves no doubt that this situation has arisen because of the failure of major polluters to effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This inaction, this failure of political will, has brought humankind to a perilous juncture with catastrophic consequences.”

The Prime Minister’s argument is not mere theory; the science is clear and irrefutable. The primary culprits are the major polluters who have, thus far, shown a staggering lack of political will to remedy their actions.

Why go to ITLOS?

Small island nations are primarily maritime states. They depend on the ocean not just for sustenance, but as a crucial part of their heritage and identity. The ocean is also a vital carbon sink. With increasing ocean temperatures reaching record highs this summer, all nations must act now to safeguard this critical component of Earth’s climate system.

ITLOS, the guardian of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is the natural venue to seek legal clarity on the obligations of states to protect our marine environment.

Compensation and the Principle of Equity

One of the most glaring injustices is that while small island states contribute the least to climate change, they suffer the most from its ravages. The situation

calls not just for mitigation but also for compensation. The concept of loss and damage must be squarely addressed. We are not just talking about climate change adaptation but also about building resilience against future threats. All these require substantial financing. If justice is to be served, major polluters must be held financially accountable.

The Advisory Opinion: A Beacon of Hope

By going to ITLOS, the countries of COSIS are not seeking to rewrite laws; they are seeking clarity on existing ones. This Advisory Opinion from ITLOS can serve as a benchmark, a guidepost, for international actions going forward.

The Hour of Decision

The world is at a fork in the road of human history. On one hand, inaction and the continuation of empty promises, leading to existential loss for small island states. On the other, immediate, effective action informed by international law.

As climate change continues to simultaneously burn our world, while flooding it; as Climate change upends weather patterns, ruining food production, and creating water shortages; as glaciers melt and the levels of seas rise, drowning small islands and eroding coastal areas; as people are displaced from their natural habitats and seek refuge on other shores, small island states are the first to suffer; but they will not be the last. All are involved and all will be consumed.

On behalf of all small island states, COSIS’ approach to ITLOS is an effort to tip the scales towards justice and survival. But its plea is not just for small states; it is for the health of a planet which every nation shares.

A decision by ITLOS is unlikely to be delivered until early next year. There is a great volume of legal and technical submissions for the 21 judges to consider. But, already, there is cause for celebration that COSIS – a group of courageous small island states – stood up for the rights of their people, and ITLOS listened, giving validity to their concern. There is also cause for lamentation that other island states, with just as much to lose, chose to stand silent on the sidelines.

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

THE INTERNATIONAL Tribunal of the Law of the Sea hearing.

HONOURING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS

A LUNCHEON honouring senior citizens was held on Friday by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The event saw a number of senior citizens picked up and taken to hairdressers earlier in the week, before being taken to Superclub Breezes on Friday for a luncheon that also saw awards and honours being handed out - while music was provided by the police band.

Chief Superintendent Janet McKenzie and the officers of the Western Division hosted the event, which was funded through donations by sponsors.

Chief Supt McKenzie said: “As The Bahamas celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary, it is fitting to celebrate these men and women who assisted in the development of our country. All our honorees contributed to our beloved country in public and private service as homemakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in civic and religious organisations. You, our seniors, existed before the country became independent and paved the way for many

of the successes we enjoy today.”

The honorees included Rosemary Newry, Godfrey Newry, Freddie-Mae Strachan, Mavis Alfreida Jackson, Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brown, Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Vincent Hamilton, Deborah Cox Hamilton, Kevin Basden, Sonia Novella Bostwick, Leanora Morris-Poitier, Gloria Bonita Moss, Badia Gloria Balfour, Janus Dean, Roberto Thurston, Vernal Sands, Gladstone Thurston, Alice Maria Martinborough, Rosemarie Barry Sawyer, Alpheus Wright, Letitia Rose Curry, Bradick Henry Cleare, Agnes Elois FernanderPinder, Muriel Almonard, Victoria Dean, and Oliver Hunt.

The committee members who organised the event were Assistant Superintendent Aaron Wilson, Reserve Assistant Superintendent Muriel Almonard, and Sergeant 2679 Christine Allen. The Tribune was a media sponsor for the event.

• For more photographs from the event, see page 14.

Photos: J Lorenzo McKenzie/Royal Bahamas Police Force Photographer

SCENES from Friday’s luncheon for senior citizens hosted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Photos: J Lorenzo McKenzie/Royal Bahamas Police Force Photographer

‘Jazz’ hits grand slam for 2nd straight game

Chisholm Jr and Marlins rout Braves 16-2, sweep series

MIAMI (AP) — Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr hit a grand slam for the second consecutive game and the Miami Marlins routed the Atlanta Braves 16-2 yesterday to complete a three-game sweep of the NL East champions.

Jorge Soler, Jake Burger and Nick Fortes also went deep, and Luis Arraez had three hits for the Marlins, who began the day a half-game out of the third NL wild-card spot. It was Miami’s first three-game sweep over Atlanta since 2015.

Marlins starter Jesús

Luzardo struck out eight in six scoreless innings.

Luzardo (10-9) allowed four hits and walked two.

Miami outscored Atlanta 36-11 in the series after getting outscored 83-29 while losing nine of the previous 10 meetings between the division foes this season.

On Saturday, Jake Burger hit a go-ahead tworun homer and Chisholm Jr added a grand slam in the eighth inning as the Marlins pulled away to beat the Atlanta Braves 11-5.

Luis Arraez and Yuli Gurriel also went deep for the Marlins, who became the first NL East team to win a series against the division champions. The Braves were 11-0-1 in their previous series against division opponents.

“This team has handled us the whole year, handled the league,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, whose club was 1-9 against Atlanta before winning the first two of the series. “We knew that we weren’t going to shut them out. We had to keep punching back whenever they scored.”

Gurriel singled, and Jesús Sánchez and Garrett Hampson walked before Chisholm Jr connected off Michael Tonkin for Miami’s first grand slam of the season.

“I didn’t even know that, honestly, that it was the first grand slam,” Chisholm Jr said. “It feels great, especially how we’re playing right now.”

Yesterday, Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr missed his second straight

game because of right calf tightness. Chisholm Jr’s shot over the wall in right-centre capped a five-run third against Braves starter Charlie Morton.

Josh Bell hit an RBI single before Chisholm Jr became the first Marlins player to hit grand slams in consecutive games.

Four consecutive two-out walks by Morton in the fifth increased Miami’s lead to 6-0 and ended his outing.

Morton (14-12) gave up six runs and six hits. He walked five and struck out five.

Arraez’s RBI single and Soler’s two-run homer off Dereck Rodriguez in the sixth made it 10-0. Activated from the injured list earlier in the day, Soler drove Rodriguez’s fastball into the left-field seats for his 36th homer.

Burger also connected off Rodriguez with his two-run shot in the seventh.

Coleman edges world champ Lyles, Richardson 4th in 100 metres at Prefontaine Classic

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer

EUGENE, Oregon

(AP) — American Christian Coleman edged world champion and fellow countryman Noah Lyles in the 100 metres at the seasonending Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

Coleman won in 9.83 seconds, matching Lyles’ world best this season, with Lyles finishing in 9.85. Coleman roared after his time became official and slapped the hand of a cheering fan at Eugene’s Hayward Field.

The annual Prefontaine Classic, normally run in late May, was this year’s final stop on the international Diamond League circuit. The 32 champions crowned during the twoday meet were set to earn $30,000 apiece.

Lyles won gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay at the track and field

world championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month. Coleman finished fifth in the 100, so on Saturday he got a bit of revenge.

“As a professional, you definitely want to take advantage of every opportunity that you can,” Coleman said. “I knew this one would be a good one. It was a world-class field, a chance for me to redeem myself a little bit coming off of a world final.”

Lyles was treating the Prefontaine as something of a victory lap in his own country. After Saturday’s race, he celebrated second place with a salted caramel milkshake.

“I gotta come bring it back home,” Lyles said about running one final race this year on American soil.

Joining Coleman and Lyles in the star-studded event was sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who won golds in the 100

metres and the 100 relay in Budapest. Richardson is in the midst of a comeback in the run-up to the Paris Olympics next summer, after she was denied a chance to run in the Tokyo Games because of a positive drug test for marijuana.

She ran a world-best time this season of 10.65 in Budapest but on Saturday she finished fourth in 10.80. Jamaican Shericka Jackson, the second-place finisher at the worlds, won the 100 in 10.70.

SEE PAGE 17

Rodriguez, promoted from the minors yesterday, allowed eight runs and eight hits in two innings. Marcell Ozuna hit his 35th homer and Michael Harris II had an RBI single for the Braves in the eighth before Fortes connected on a solo shot in the bottom half.

SMALLER CREW

The game was played with three umpires. Manny González, who worked the first two games, was not with the crew Sunday.

ROSTER MOVES

The Marlins optioned OF Dane Myers to TripleA Jacksonville to make room for Soler. Miami also selected the contract of RHP Chi Chi González from Jacksonville and optioned LHP Josh Simpson to the same minor league club.

The Braves selected the contract of Rodriguez from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned Jared Shuster to the same affiliate.

TRAINER’S

ROOM

Braves: Eddie Rosario was hit on his right elbow by a 97 mph fastball from Luzardo in the fourth. Although he needed assistance from the training staff, Rosario stayed in the game before being removed in the seventh. ... LHP Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Marlins: OF Bryan De La Cruz (right ankle discomfort) missed his second consecutive game. ...

OF Avisaíl García (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to increase his lower body rehab activities this week.

UP NEXT

Braves: Return home for a three-game series against Philadelphia beginning Monday, when RHP Kyle Wright (1-2, 7.48 ERA) will start against Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (11-6, 3.70). Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera (6-7, 4.52 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series against the Mets at home on Monday. RHP José Butto (1-2, 3.46) pitches for New York.

FLAG FOOTBALL AT THE OLYMPICS? STOP CHUCKLING, IT MIGHT HAPPEN

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Columnist

FLAG football at the Olympics?

Admit it: You chuckled a bit at the thought.

Well, hold the laughter.

This apparently is a serious thing, though it’s increasingly difficult to keep a straight face with anything involving the International Olympic Committee.

The suits who allowed 3-on-3 basketball — also known as pickup games at the local Y — into their grandiose spectacle and went along with the idea of handing out gold medals next summer for breakdancing are trying to lock down which new sports make the cut for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Nine are under consideration, but the most eye-catching is the flagged, non-contact version of the game that dominates the American sporting

landscape but is barely a blip to the rest of the world.

Not surprisingly, the NFL is a big part of the push to make flag football an Olympic sport — at least for a one-off in Los Angeles — because it’s a way for the world’s richest league to generate potentially even more revenue.

The NFL already plays regular-season games in Europe and is staking out territories of influence around the globe, all in a bid to expand the fan base beyond its traditional borders.

Now it’s pushing for football in the Olympics, even if means using a version where tackles are made by grabbing a strip of cloth. The sport has grown significantly across the US, especially at the youth and high school levels where it provides equal opportunities for both males and

SEE PAGE 18

SPRINTER Sha’Carri Richardson speaks to reporters at the Prefontaine Classic track meet on Saturday. (AP Photo/Anne M Peterson)

MIAMI Marlins’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam during the third inning against the Atlanta Braves yesterday in Miami. SEE CAPSULES AND PHOTO ON PAGE 16

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Triathlete Kami Roach bringing home two silver medals

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

TRIATHLETE Kami

Roach will return home from the Caribbean Elite Juniors Road Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic, leading the Bahamas’ team with a pair of silver medals.

Roach, competing in the junior girls’ 17-18 age group division, got her first silver in the individual time trials on Saturday. The 17-year-old senior at Windsor School at Albany came back yesterday in the road race and secured another silver.

“It feels great to win two medals. I’ve been training hard and felt really good this weekend,” Roach said.

Looking at the two races, Roach said she enjoyed the road race the most. “There’s most strategy involved and you always have to

be watching everyone’s moves,” she said. “The competition was tough. All the girls kept attacking and trying to drop everyone.”

Roach clocked 16 minutes and 38 seconds for her silver in the junior girls (age 17-18) timed trials.

Gabrielle Gabourel of Belize took the title in 25:58 and Melsey Perez Vega of the Dominican Republic was third in 15:45.

Barron Musgrove Jr, competing in the junior boys’ race, was 10th in 33:30.

In the boys’ juvenile (1516) division, Ayden Bain was 11th overall in 16.09 just ahead of his Grand Bahamian team-mate Launy Duncombe in 16.29. Anjaleah Knowles got fifth in the girls’ race in 19:52.

Back for the 60 kilometre road race, Roach clocked 2h:7mins:1sec for her second silver. Perez Vega took the gold this time in

1h:6m:40 and Gabourel had to settle for the bronze in 1h:7m:1sec.

In the other results from the road race, Bain was 11th overall and Duncombe was 20th, both timed in 1h 55 53. Ellie Gibson got a cramp and was unable to finish the race. Knowles had some mechanical problem and didn’t finish, while Musgrove Jr got a crash and was unable to complete the race. Barron Musgrove Sr, the secretary general of the Bahamas Cycling Federation, said as the coach of the team, he was very excited and elated to see their youth programme is taking off again.

“We have started the process again and we are looking at a 10-year programme where we are preparing the cyclists for all of the major international competitions,” Musgrove said. “We hope in the future

that we will have cyclists from Eleuthera, Exuma and Long Island to join with what we have from New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“But we are ecstatic with the biggest youth team that we ever carried and we got on the podium.

“We missed it with the boys, but we hit it with the girls. Great performances

from all of the team members, especially Kami, who got two silver.”

As they move forward, Musgrove said they intend to seek their own training and competition facility so that they can prepare their cyclists to compete in the road race, track, time trials and mountain biking.

“We’re looking to explore all avenues, but we

definitely need the facilities because this is just an indication of what we can do when we put our effort into it,” Musgrove said.

“We want to thank the manager, coaches, attaché and everybody who came and supported this team. It was an excellent job.”

The team, managed by Kenton Roker, is expected to return home today.

ORIOLES, RAYS CLINCH POSTSEASON SPOTS

BALTIMORE (AP)

— Cedric Mullins hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Baltimore Orioles edged the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 yesterday after both teams clinched spots in the postseason.

The winner of this game would have wrapped up a playoff spot regardless, but when Texas lost 9-2 to Cleveland, both the Rays and Orioles were in. Moments later, Adam Frazier doubled home the tying run in the bottom of the ninth off Pete Fairbanks to send the game to extra innings.

DL Hall (2-0) threw a scoreless 11th, retiring the Rays on a popup and two grounders.

Mullins flyball to centre off Jake Diekman (0-2) was easily deep enough to end it, touching off an on-field celebration in which the players wore orange shirts saying “TAKE OCTOBER” on them.

The Orioles salvaged a split in this key four-game series at Camden Yards and took a two-game lead over Tampa Bay atop the AL East. Baltimore also holds the tiebreaker over the Rays.

DODGERS 6, MARINERS 1

SEATTLE (AP) —

Jason Heyward, Austin Barnes and James Outman homered to lead Los Angeles to a three-game sweep one day after clinching the NL West title.

Heyward also had a double, single and two RBIs, and Amed Rosario was a homer shy of the cycle.

J.P. Crawford had two hits and drove in the only run for the Mariners, who have lost seven of nine in the midst of a playoff race.

The Dodgers got a strong pitching performance from left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (8-6), who held the Mariners to one run in 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Yarbrough came on in the second following opener Shelby Miller, and Gavin Stone entered with two outs in the sixth and

closed out the game for a save, giving up one hit.

Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (13-6) struggled, giving up five runs on seven hits in five innings.

NATIONALS 2, BREWERS 1 (11 INNINGS)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joey Meneses hit a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and Washington defeated NL Central-leading Milwaukee to prevent a three-game sweep.

Luis García homered early for the Nationals, who are last in the NL East.

With right-hander Thyago Vieira (0-1) on for his second inning of relief in the 11th, automatic runner CJ Abrams advanced to third base on Lane Thomas’ flyout and scored on Meneses’ third sacrifice fly of the season.

With runners at the corners in the bottom half, Robert Garcia (1-2) got pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez to ground into a game-ending double play to secure his first major league win.

Garcia also pitched out of trouble in the 10th, holding the Brewers scoreless after they loaded the bases with one out.

ASTROS 7, ROYALS 1 KANSAS CITY, Mo.

(AP) — Yordan Alvarez and Jake Meyers homered and Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings as Houston beat Kansas City.

The Astros salvaged the final game of the series, expanding their American League West lead to 1 1/2 games.

Valdez (12-10) pitched around three Astros errors for his fifth consecutive quality start, allowing one unearned run on five hits and a walk, striking out five.

Meyers led off the fourth with his 10th homer and Alvarez hit his 28th leading off the fifth, the 38th allowed by Jordan Lyles (4-17), tying a Royals record. Lyles completed six innings, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

BLUE JAYS 3, RED SOX 2 TORONTO (AP)

— Matt Chapman hit a game-ending double off the center-field wall in the ninth inning, lifting Toronto over Boston for a threegame sweep. The sweep of Boston put the Blue Jays back in the postseason picture after they were swept by Texas in a four-game series last week.

With All-Star closer Jordan Romano unavailable after pitching the previous two days, Erik Swanson (4-2) blew a save for the second time in six chances.

Cavan Biggio singled with one against Garrett Whitlock (5-5), and Chapman followed with his second double of the game. Chapman’s 37 doubles are tied for third-most in the AL. Red Sox rookie Wilyer Abreu, who took over in center in the eighth, jumped for the ball but couldn’t make the play.

GUARDIANS 9, RANGERS 2 CLEVELAND (AP)

— José Ramírez homered on his 31st birthday to touch off Cleveland’s ninerun outburst in the fourth inning, leading the Guardians to a three-game sweep of playoff-chasing Texas.

With the loss by Texas, Baltimore and Tampa Bay clinched playoff berths.

Ramírez connected off rookie Cody Bradford (4-2) leading off the fourth and the Guardians kept swinging away. They scored a season-high nine runs on a season-best nine hits — the homer, two doubles and six singles.

The big inning — Cleveland got just one hit the rest of the way — took any stress away for Guardians rookie Gavin Williams (3-5), who limited Texas to one run and four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts.

CARDINALS 6, PHILLIES 5 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Walker hit a

tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and Paul Goldschmidt drove in three runs to lead St. Louis over Philadelphia.

St. Louis avoided a season sweep after losing its first five meetings with the Phillies this year.

Alec Bohm homered for Philadelphia, which leads the NL wild-card race.

Walker homered off Seranthony Domínguez (4-5) with two outs to snap a 5-all tie.

John King (2-1) allowed one run in one inning for the win, and Ryan Helsley earned his 11th save in 15 opportunities.

TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 0

CHICAGO (AP) —

Sonny Gray closed on Gerrit Cole for the AL ERA lead, Edouard Julien and Jorge Polanco homered and AL Central-leading Minnesota earned its 11th shutout this season.

Gray (8-7) lowered his ERA from 2.96 to 2.84, just behind Cole, who leads the AL at 2.81 for the New York Yankees. Gray gave up five hits in seven innings, struck out six and walked none, ending a three-start winless streak.

Griffin Jax and Emilio Pagán finished a six-hitter for Minnesota.

Dylan Cease (7-8) allowed three runs, four hits and three walks in six innings.

METS 8,

REDS 4 NEW YORK (AP)

— Pinch-hitter Daniel Vogelbach had a threerun double in the seventh inning, and New York

hurt Cincinnati’s wild card chances.

A trio of rookies — third baseman Noelvi Marte, first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand and relief pitcher Carson Spiers — made errors for the Reds, who had four errors in their previous eight games combined.

José Quintana (3-5) allowed two runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Quintana, who didn’t debut for the Mets until July 20 after a broken left rib, has a 3.02 ERA in 11 starts. Reds starter Brandon Williamson (4-5) gave up three runs in four innings.

PIRATES 3, YANKEES 2

PITTSBURGH (AP)

— Jason Delay hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning that benefited from a fortunate bounce off third base, and Pittsburgh edged New York to avoid a three-game sweep.

Delay turned on a curveball from Carlos Rodón (3-6) and hit a bouncer that nicked the outside of the bag and rolled away from New York third baseman Oswald Peraza and into foul territory in left field, allowing Jared Triolo to score from second.

David Bednar worked around a one-out double by Austin Wells for his 36th save.

Rodón pitched relatively well across 6 2/3 innings in his 12th start since returning from forearm and back injuries that sidelined him until early July.

The left-hander allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out a season-high 10, reaching the 1,000-strikeout mark for his career when he fanned Ke’Bryan Hayes leading off the fourth.

The Yankees managed just four hits against five pitchers.

Pittsburgh reliever Ryan Borucki (3-0) got two outs in the seventh to earn the win.

GIANTS 11, ROCKIES 10 DENVER (AP) — Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson had two hits each in a 10-hit sixth inning as San Francisco opened a nine-run lead, and the Giants hung on to beat Colorado and stop a threegame skid that hurt their wild card chances.

San Francisco led 9-0 in the sixth inning before Colorado closed. The Giants stopped their longest road losing streak since 1996 at nine games.

Rockies starter Chris Flexen (1-8) gave up four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Colorado had won a season-high five straight games but stopped to 12-33 against the NL West, their worst winning percentage against the division.

Sean Manaea (6-6), making his second start since May 10, gave up three runs — two earned — and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Taylor Rogers earned his second save.

PADRES 10, ATHLETICS 1

OAKLAND, California (AP) — Juan Soto homered twice, including his first career grand slam, and San Diego won its fourth straight game for the first time this season.

The Padres had been the only team in baseball this season to not have a win streak of more than three games. Their success resulted in another dubious mark for the A’s, whose 103 losses this season are the most in franchise history since 1979.

Both starting pitchers threw three scoreless innings before being replaced — Joe Boyle for the A’s and Nick Martinez for the Padres.

Pedro Avila (2-2) recorded the win for the Padres after making his first relief appearance in nearly a month.

Ken Waldichuk (3-8), who replaced Boyle in the fourth inning, immediately gave up three straight hits.

TIGERS 5, ANGELS 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles was assured its eighth consecutive losing season, falling to Detroit as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep behind two home runs from Jake Rogers in the first three innings.

The Angels (68-82), playing without injured stars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, have lost five straight games and dropped to 4-12 in September.

Joey Wentz (3-11) won for the second time in 16 appearances since May 14, giving up three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. Alex Lange pitched a perfect ninth for his 24th save in 29 chances.

Scheduled starter Reid Detmers was scratched by the Angels because of illness.

Jimmy Herget opened with a scoreless inning and Kenny Rosenberg (1-2) gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.

SHOWN on the podium are The Bahamas’ Kami Roach, far left, with her silver medal won in the road race.

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, is met by Jorge Soler (12) after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, September 17, 2023, in Miami.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

BOC officers elected

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE president Romell Knowles, secretary general Derron Donaldson and newly elected treasurer Dorian Roach went in unopposed, the remaining cast for the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s executive board was completed during the election of officers on Saturday night.

With the exception of one newcomer, Adam Waterhouse from the Bahamas Rugby Union, all of the incumbents contesting their same positions or new ones, were returned by the delegates in the Paul Farquharson Building in the Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters.

Joining Knowles, Donaldson and Roach were Roy Colebrook and Cora Hepburn (with 16 votes apiece); Clarence Rolle (14); Bishop Joseph ‘Joe Mo’ Smith (13); Darcy Rahming Sr (12) and Robert Butler 12-10 in run off with Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre, after they were tied with eight each, for the six vice presidents spots.

In an historic voting procedure, there were a total of 16 persons who were nominated for the vice president spots. The others in order of voting procedure were Shane Albury (7); Vincent Strachan and Theodore Sweeting (6 each); Algernon Cargill (5); Brian Cleare and Moses Johnson Jr (4 each); Sean Bastian and Gina Rolle (3 each) and Lori Roach (1).

Oria Wood-Knowles claimed the assistant secretary general spot with 14 votes over Jenny IsaacsDotson, the president of the Bahamas Softball Federation and RamsinghPierre, who both had four, while Waterhouse got in as the new assistant treasurer with 14 votes over IsaacsDotson (5) and Strachan (3).

Knowles, a former versatile national team player and executive of a number of organisations, said he was really pleased with the selection of the board, whom he will work with during his second consecutive four-year term as president. “I’ve had a chance to work with just about everyone on the board, with the exception of Adam Waterhouse from rugby,” Knowles said. “But we’ve seen the contribution that he has made to rugby and so we welcome him on board.”

DUPLANTIS SETS POLE VAULT WORLD RECORD

EUGENE, Oregon (AP) — Sweden’s Armand Duplantis set a new world record in the pole vault with a leap of 6.23 metres (20 feet, 5 1/4 inches) yesterday at the season-ending Prefontaine Classic track and field meet. It was the second world record set at the two-day meet at Eugene’s Hayward Field. Earlier in the day, Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay broke the world record in the 5,000 metres, finishing in 14:00.21.

Knowles commended all of the persons who offered themselves for elections and noted that his team will work with all to ensure that no sport is left behind in their quest to make the country more vibrant on the international stage.

Although they are now in the process of getting the national team off to the Pan American Games next month in Santiago, Chile, his administration will be working towards hosting a sports seminar for all associations and federations before the end of the year.

Donaldson, back to serve as the secretary general for another term, said the election process went very well and he commended all of their members for the diligence in hosting the elections, even though it was overdue.

“This has been a busy year and we were in the midst of a number of teams travelling and we are right in the midst of another travelling for the Pan Am Games, which is a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games,” Donaldson said.

“So usually we try to have the elections in November, but we didn’t want to interfere with the games, so we found this window and we’re glad that we were able to get the elections off.”

Donaldson, a former executive of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, admitted that every four years, but because of COVID-19 and the lockdown, they had to delay the elections. He noted that this turned out to be the opportune time, with a year out from the Olympics, to stage the elections

and not be interrupted in their planning.

In the only position that had to go to a re-run to break a tie for the sixth and final vice president spot, Butler said it was a relief to have gotten in, even if he was the last man in.

“It’s like the weight of the world is off my shoulders,” he stated. “Sitting in the chair and listening to my name being called and her name being called, it was nerve-racking. I’m glad I won because she is just as qualified to serve. At least I can get back into it for one more term. So let’s see what happens.” Ramsingh-Pierre, one of few women who put their names into the hat to run for the various positions, said she was thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to test the waters. “It was thrilling. It was an honour to see that equestrian is really taking its place in the sporting world in the Bahamas,” said Ramsingh-Pierre, who in 2016 founded the Bahamas Equestrian Federation, one of the rising sporting bodies in the country.

“All of these people in the room here tonight have sports and its development in their hearts and to see that a sizable portion thought it worthy for me to be given a chance at this endeavour, I’m happy with it. Congratulations to Robert Butler who won in the end.”

One of the two women returned to office was Hepburn, a former national team volleyball player who represented the Bahamas Gymnastics Association.

“It’s always good to return, so I’m thankful to

all who supported me,” she said. “I will continue to push for equal opportunities for women. This is the first time in the history of the BOC elections that we had six women vying for positions, so I will continue to encourage persons to immerse themselves into federations so that they can be dominated for positions.”

As a new kid on the block, Waterhouse said he’s excited to be in a position to serve on the highest sporting body in the country.

“I get to work alongside Dorian and I know that we will get a chance to continue to push for the smaller associations and federations to get a chance to get representation on the board,” he said.

Roach, the president of the Bahamas Triathlon Association, said he now has a chance to serve at a higher level in the country.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “D’Arcy (Rahming) is still on the board, but as a vice president, so I know he will help to make the transition for me and Adam (Waterhouse), the assistant treasurer, an easy one, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

In garnishing the highest number of votes for the vice presidents, Colebrook said it’s a testament to the contribution that he has made, but he knows that they can’t rest on their laurels.

“We still have a lot more work to be done,” he said. “We need to make sure that our athletes are taken care of as we push the Olympic movement forward. So it’s important that we have persons who

understand that movement as we continue to take the Bahamas to higher heights.”

And even though he has a heavy load as a pastor of a Church of God, Bishop Smith, the president of the Bahamas Volleyball Association, said he’s excited and jubilant at the same time.

“We will have a lot of work to complete,” he stressed. “The team is a great team. The things that we have forecasted for the next four years is great. It’s good when a team can sit together. We can accomplish much.

“I’m back committed to doing what I have committed to do in the BOC. I know volleyball is on the rise, especially on the beach volleyball side, so we have some plans with NORCECA and FIBA that we want to implement and I feel like all of the other federations have their plans that will be brought to the table.

“So we just have to see how well we can assist them all.”

President Knowles commended the Bahamas Football Association for electing its first female president; the Bahamas Basketball Federation for advancing to the Qualifying Tournament for the Olympics; the Bahamas Equestrian Association for the efforts they are making along with the Bahamas Golf Federation.

The elections was conducted by Kendal Isaacs, a lawyer and host of the popular sports talk show “Getting It Wright,” while NACAC president Mike Sands, Petra Haven and Ethan Adderley served as the observers as they counted the ballots casted.

BGDBA PLAYOFFS: CRIMESTOPPERS TIE SERIES 1-1, CYBOTS WIN GAME ONE

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Police Crimestoppers tied their series 1-1 with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Panthers.

Meanwhile, the Bain and Grants Town Cybots won game one against the Bamboo Shack Patrollers in round two of the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association playoffs.

It was a busy weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium for the round two teams. The Crimestoppers and Panthers put on a show on Friday night to get their series started and played the following day featuring another close finish between the top teams.

Additionally, the Cybots are the only remaining playoff team that have not suffered a loss in the 2023 BGDBA playoffs.

Crimestoppers vs Panthers

The Crimestoppers took the floor against the 2022 BGDBA champions, the MOYSC Panthers, and with sky-high expectations they did not disappoint. On Friday night, the top teams put on a crowd-pleasing

thriller as the Panthers edged out a one-point win 85-84 in overtime.

The powerhouse teams showed the packed crowd at the AF Adderley gymnasium why they are atop of the government league. In game one of the pair played, the Panthers snuck away with the win following a game where no team had the advantage until the final buzzer. The Crimestoppers threw the first offensive blow in the opening quarter of round two. The secondseeded team jumped out to a 17-13 lead at the 2:33 mark following a jumper made by Michael Furley Bain Jr. The quarter closed out with a one-point differential favouring the Crimestoppers 18-17.

The tide shifted in the second quarter for the Panthers behind the efforts of Kemsey Sylvestre in Friday’s game. With 8:23 remaining in the second quarter, Sylvestre picked off a bad pass by Jeron Smith which translated into a dunk in transition to switch the team’s momentum.

He was big for the Panthers, especially in the second and third quarters. On the night, Sylvestre dropped a well-rounded double double in the win.

He put up 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks in the overtime victory. The Panthers’ offensive surge led to the team jumping out to a double digit 60-49 lead to end the third.

In the fourth quarter the Crimestoppers clawed their way back into the bout with Bain leading the bunch.

He went head-to-head with Sylvestre and came away with a game-high 31 points and eight boards on a crisp 58.8 per cent shooting.

Ultimately, after trimming the lead to 74-72 in the fourth quarter, the Crimestoppers came up short on ample opportunities to win the game at the charity stripe in regulation and the extra period of play.

In game two of the weekend, the Crimestoppers corrected their mistakes on Saturday night to drop the Panthers 84-76. After playing in a gruelling game on Friday night, the team turned in a group effort to carve out the 8-point win.

The Crimestoppers had five players score in double digits to tie the best-of-five series.

Anthony “Cops” Rolle, head coach of

the

Crimestoppers, talked about the timely win.

“Last night’s win was considered a must win for me because I didn’t want to go in a 0-2 hole with such a good team that has two national team players, so us getting the win now shifts the pressure back to them to respond,” Rolle said.

The head coach said the game plan remains sticking with the zone defence while continuing to make it difficult on offence for the Panthers’ star players in efforts to force the others to beat them instead.

Cybots vs Patrollers

The Cybots are the only undefeated team in the BGDBA playoffs, a feat they kept alive on Saturday night. The league’s best regular season team shut down the Patrollers 92-84 to win their third consecutive game of the playoffs.

The team outrebounded the Patrollers 53-41 in the win. Additionally, their offence was running on all cylinders from the field and behind the arc. They finished shooting 31/65 from the field for 47.7 per cent and splashed 16 threepointers on 43.2 per cent.

Georgio Walkes and Able Joseph turned in brilliant performances in the team’s latest win. Walkes filled the stat sheet with a

Duplantis, known as Mondo, broke his own record of 6.22 metres (20 feet, 4 3/4 inches) that he set indoors earlier this year. He was lifted up by fellow competitors after clearing the jump then hopped onto the track’s railing and struck a victory pose for fans.

Canadian Andre De Grasse, the 200-metre champion at the Tokyo Olympics, won the event in 19.76 seconds to cap the season. World champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica won on the women’s side in 21.57 for her second Prefontaine title of the weekend.

American Joe Kovacs had a monster throw of 22.93 metres (75 feet, 2 3/4 inches) in the men’s shot put, ahead of native Oregonian and world record holder Ryan Crouser.

American Athing Mu won the 800 in 1:54.97, a new national and meet record. Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic won the 400 in 49.58.

Femke Bol of the Netherlands won the title in the 400 hurdles in 51.98, while Tobi Amusan of Nigeria won the 100 hurdles in 12.33.

COLEMAN

FROM PAGE 15

“I want people to understand, it is not related to just winning,” Richardson said about her resurgence. “I’m having fun because I’m embedded within my spirit, within my mind, and within my community that I created for myself. So that’s the happiness that you guys see. And the wins are just a bonus.”

Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway won the Bowerman Mile, an event unique to the Prefontaine Classic, in a European record 3:43.73. It was also a Diamond League record.

American Rai Benjamin won the 400-metre hurdles in a Diamond League and meet record 46.39. He bested Norway’s Karsten Warholm, who won the event at the worlds. Grenada’s Kirani James won the men’s 400 in 44.30, ahead of American Quincy Hall. Matthew HudsonSmith of Great Britain did not finish because of what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

game-high 24 points and team-high 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, his teammate dropped 20 points to pair with six assists and four steals.

Wayde Watson, head coach of the Cybots, said it is always important to win the first game in a best-offive series, according to history, and he is simply grateful for the win.

“The key to victory was our defence and experience. This team is very

experienced and we have been together for a long time so we have some very good players and chemistry,” Watson said. The head coach added that the team is looking forward to game two and would like to take a commanding lead in the series to put pressure on the Patrollers.

Round two of the BGDBA playoffs continues tonight at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $5 at the door.

ELECTED BOC officers, from left in front row, are Bishop Joseph Smith, Dorian Roach, Oria Wood-Knowles, Romell Knowles, D’Arcy Rahming, Adam Waterhouse and Robert Butler. In back row, from left, are Cora Hepburn, Clarence Rolle, Derron Donaldson and Roy Colebrook.

MAHOMES, CHIEFS GET PAST EARLY MISTAKES TO BEAT JAGUARS, AVOID 0-2 START

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

(AP) — Patrick Mahomes

threw two touchdown passes, including one to returning star Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs overcame three early turnovers to beat Jacksonville 17-9 yesterday for their third victory against the Jaguars in 10 months.

The Chiefs (1-1) won their eighth straight in the series and avoided becoming the first Super Bowl champions to start 0-2 since Denver in 1999.

The Jaguars (1-1), who insisted all week they owed the Chiefs because of a loss in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs in January, pretty much no-showed in their home opener.

Coach Doug Pederson’s team had another slow start, failed to capitalise on two of three turnovers and struggled to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence threw incomplete on a fourth-and-12 play with 4:16 remaining in an eight-point game, and Kansas City didn’t let the Jaguars get the ball back.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, making his season debut after ending his holdout and signing a one-year contract, dominated his one-on-one matchups. Jones finished with 1 1/2 sacks on five QB pressures.

COMMANDERS 35,

BRONCOS 33

DENVER (AP) — Sam Howell threw for two touchdowns and Washington rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Denver, holding on after Russell Wilson connected with Brandon Johnson on a 50-yard Hail Mary but failed to complete the tying 2-point try.

Washington cornerback

Benjamin St-Juste broke up Wilson’s pass to Courtland Sutton on the 2-point conversion attempt. St-Juste appeared to get away with pass interference, but no flag was thrown and the Commanders celebrated the franchise’s first 2-0 start since 2011.

Howell threw for 299 yards on on 27-of-39 passing in his first road start and led Washington to the second-biggest comeback in franchise history. Washington overcame a 21-point deficit to beat Detroit on Nov. 4, 1990.

The Commanders trailed 21-3 in the second quarter. Brian Robinson Jr. ran for two scores during a 32-6 scoring outburst before the Broncos made it interesting at the very end.

With 2 seconds left and the Broncos trailing 35-27, Wilson heaved a pass toward the end zone that was deflected by a scrum of players before Johnson snared it for the score.

The Broncos (0-2) have lost back-to-back home games for the first time, not the kind of history coach Sean Payton was hoping to make in his return to the sideline.

RAVENS 27, BENGALS 24

CINCINNATI (AP) —

Lamar Jackson tossed two touchdown passes, Gus Edwards ran for another score and Baltimore held

FLAG FOOTBALL

FROM PAGE 15

females to play our true national pastime — without turning one’s brain to mush. Then again, the Summer Games are supposed to be for the best athletes in sports that are popular across a wide range of nations, a standard that flag football doesn’t come close to meeting.

In every country other than the United States (and maybe throw in Canada, too), American-style football is nothing more than a niche sport, no matter what version is being played.

And, sure, there are plenty of highly skilled flag players taking part in international competitions, but it’s not like anyone is mistaking them for Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow.

Then again, the Olympics already includes racewalking, which we can only presume was conceived by those who weren’t fast enough in track.

off slow-starting Cincinnati. The AFC North champion Bengals fell to 0-2 for the second consecutive season. The Ravens (2-0), their division rival, certainly looked like the better team.

Jackson was 24 for 33 for 237 yards. He ran for 54 more, and Edwards — with more chances because of a season-ending Achilles tendon injury to J.K. Dobbins — picked up 62 yards on 10 carries.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, looking as if he might still be suffering the effects of a calf injury in training camp, finished 27 for 41 for 222 yards and two TDs after passing for just 86 last week in the seasonopening loss to Cleveland. Burrow hooked up with Tee Higgins for a 4-yard touchdown on third-andgoal to cut the deficit to three with 3:28 left in the game.

But the Bengals couldn’t stop Jackson and the Ravens’ offence, which moved the chains twice after the ensuing kickoff to run out the clock.

SEAHAWKS 37,

LIONS 31, OT

DETROIT (AP) —

Geno Smith threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett on the opening drive of overtime, lifting Seattle past Detroit.

The Seahawks (1-1) allowed the Lions (1-1) to rally from a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter. Detroit extended the game with Riley Patterson’s 38-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.

Smith threw a go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown pass to Lockett early in the fourth. Tre Brown intercepted Jared Goff and returned it 40 yards for a score on the ensuring drive to give Seattle a 31-21 lead.

Goff showed his resilience after throwing his first interception in 383 attempts — 30 shy of the NFL record — by throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds. Detroit forced Seattle to punt on the ensuing possession, sacking Smith for the first and only time when Alex Anzalone tracked him down at the 3. That set up the tying field goal.

But the Seahawks won the overtime coin toss and Smith marched them 75 yards in nine plays for the game-ending score. Smith finished 32 of 41 for 328 yards and two touchdowns.

Goff went 28 of 35 for 323 yards, three touchdowns and the one costly pick.

TITANS 27, CHARGERS 24, (Overtime) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nick Folk kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime in a sudden downpour and Tennessee beat Los Angeles to snap an eightgame skid.

The Titans (1-1) won for the first time since last November 17 at Green Bay. They had to rally from an 11-point deficit, at which point the Chargers had more points than Tennessee had yards (8).

Ryan Tannehill rebounded from the worst

For the 2028 Games, flag football is being considered as a discretionary sport along with lacrosse, squash, cricket, baseballsoftball, karate, kickboxing and motorsports, as well as breakdancing, which hopes to remain in the Olympics after making its debut in Paris.

A decision on which sports get in was supposed to be finalised last week. Instead, the vote was put off as the IOC and Los Angeles organisers try to hammer out an agreement on what to include in an already bloated programme.

In the meantime, those who compete for the U.S. national flag football teams are awaiting word on whether they have a shot at being actual Olympians in less than five years’ time.

“I grew up watching the Olympics, all the athletes on the U.S. teams and even the athletes from other countries,” said Housh Doucette, a 34-year-old New Orleans native and charismatic leader of the men’s squad. “If others are

game of his career in the opener by throwing for 246 yards. He put Tennessee up 24-21 with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. He also ran for a touchdown and started the game-winning drive with a 49-yard toss to Chris Moore.

Derrick Henry rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

The Chargers fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2017.

Justin Herbert threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to Keenan Allen. With the ball and 2:22 left in regulation, he was sacked by Harold Landry, forcing the Chargers to settle for Cameron Dicker’s third field goal of the game to force overtime.

Los Angeles won the OT coin toss, but Herbert threw three straight incompletions.

COWBOYS 30, JETS 10

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Zach Wilson had three interceptions in his first start after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tendon injury, and Dallas beat New York.

CeeDee Lamb had 143 yards receiving and Brandon Aubrey kicked five field goals in the 28-yearold rookie’s second game as the Cowboys (2-0) finished a season-opening sweep of the New York teams. Dallas routed the Giants 40-0 in the opener.

Wilson threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson to get the Jets (1-1) within three points in the second quarter and ran for 36 yards on a drive to a field goal for an eight-point halftime deficit. But New York had just 147 yards outside the long TD, and four second-half turnovers left little doubt for Dallas.

Wilson was sacked three times and was picked off by Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker and Trevon Diggs. Micah Parsons had two sacks and forced a fumble by Dalvin Cook.

Prescott was 31 of 38 for 255 yards and Tony Pollard had 72 yards rushing. Wilson finished 12 of 27 for 170 yards.

49ERS 30, RAMS 23

INGLEWOOD, California (AP) — Brock Purdy passed for 206 yards and ran for an early touchdown, Deebo Samuel rushed for

Then it was Ridder and Robinson teaming up for two more drives that set up field goals by Koo, including a 39-yarder with 8:13 remaining.

The Packers’ offence dried up in the final quarter, allowing the Falcons to move to 2-0 for only the 11th time in franchise history.

BILLS 38, RAIDERS 10 ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen rebounded from a fourturnover, season-opening dud by throwing three touchdown passes and Buffalo routed Las Vegas.

DJ Moore had six receptions for 104 yards, but the Bears were limited to just 67 yards rushing.

COLTS 31, TEXANS 20

HOUSTON (AP)

— Anthony Richardson rushed for two touchdowns before leaving with a concussion and backup Gardner Minshew threw for 171 yards and a TD as Indianapolis held off Houston.

It was the first win for coach Shane Steichen, who was hired in February after spending the last two seasons as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator.

an 11-yard TD with 11:28 left and San Francisco hung on for its ninth consecutive regular-season victory over Los Angeles.

Christian McCaffrey rushed for 116 yards and a score for the 49ers (2-0), whose only loss to the Rams since December 2018 was in the NFC championship game in January 2022.

Isaiah Oliver and Deommodore Lenoir intercepted passes by Matthew Stafford in the second half, finally allowing the 49ers to pull in front of their longtime rivals.

The 49ers’ defence overcame a record-setting performance by rookie Puka Nacua, who caught 15 passes for 147 yards for Los Angeles (1-1). The fifthround pick broke the NFL’s single-game record for receptions by a rookie, and he set a new overall league mark with 25 catches in the first two games of his career.

Purdy went 17 for 25 with a handful of glaring mistakes in his first career game against the rebuilding Rams (1-1). He came through on fourth down at the Rams 1 on the final play before halftime, sneaking over the goal line to even the score 17-17.

Stafford passed for 307 yards and threw a TD pass to Kyren Williams for Los Angeles.

FALCONS 25,

PACKERS 24

ATLANTA (AP) — Younghoe Koo booted a 25-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining and rookie Bijan Robinson turned in another dynamic performance, rallying Atlanta past Jordan Love and Green Bay.

Robinson rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries and hauled in four catches for another 48 yards, showing why the Falcons (2-0) selected him No. 8 in the draft even though running backs aren’t supposed to go that high anymore.

The Packers (1-1) squandered a 24-12 lead and three more touchdown passes from Love, who now has a half-dozen scoring throws in his first two games as Aaron Rodgers’ replacement.

Atlanta’s young quarterback, Desmond Ridder, bootlegged for a 6-yard touchdown on fourth-and-4 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

Allen completed his first 13 attempts for 94 yards, and finished 31 of 37 for 274 yards and no turnovers. His 13 consecutive completions to start the game set an individual record and matched his best run at any point of an outing. He improved to 13-4 in games following a loss, and 23-4 when he doesn’t turn the ball over.

Dawson Knox scored on a 2-yard catch to put Buffalo up 14-7 three minutes into the second quarter, and Khalil Shakir padded the lead with an 11-yard touchdown reception in the final seconds of the first half.

James Cook rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries for the Bills.

The Raiders (1-1) blew an opportunity to open a season with back-to-back road wins for the first time since 1982. Jimmy Garoppolo finished 16 of 24 for 185 yards, with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams. He was intercepted twice, by linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.

Josh Jacobs, last year’s NFL rushing leader, finished with minus-2 yards on nine carries for Las Vegas.

BUCCANEERS 27,

BEARS 17

TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Baker Mayfield passed for 317 yards and a touchdown, adding to his strong debut with Tampa Bay, which beat Chicago.

With Mayfield playing turnover-free for the second straight week and Mike Evans catching six balls for 171 yards and a TD, the Bucs improved to 2-0 while handing the Bears a franchise-record 12th consecutive loss.

Mayfield completed 26 of 34 passes. He set up Rachaad White’s 1-yard TD run with a 70-yard completion to Evans in the first quarter. He also finished an 89-yard drive with a 32-yard scoring pass to Evansearly in the second half.

Tampa Bay’s defence did its job, too, after yielding a 75-yard TD drive on Chicago’s first possession. The Buccaneers sacked Justin Fields six times and picked him off twice.

The Bears (0-2) closed within 20-17 on Chase Claypool’s 20-yard TD catch, but saw any hope for a comeback fade when Fields tossed an interception that Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett returned 4 yards for a clinching TD.

Fields completed 16 of 29 passes for 211 yards.

stuff. Our sport is a fantastic sport that requires a lot of skill.” No argument there. These men and women are very good at what they do, and their sport — with all its trickery and speed and none of the bone-crushing, head-jarring violence of the real thing — certainly has its appeal.

But is it Olympic-worthy?

That seems like a stretch, especially since many consider flag football nothing more than a watered-down version of a violent game that parents let kids play growing up so they don’t get hurt, or maybe one that’s goofed around with on the intramural fields at college.

The Colts led by 18 at halftime and managed only a field goal in the second half. But their dominant start was enough to snap an eight-game skid dating to last season.

It was their first victory since November 13 at Las Vegas.

Richardson gave the Colts (1-1) an early lead when he dashed 18 yards untouched on their first drive. Minshew took over for Richardson in the second quarter and orchestrated a 76-yard drive capped by an 11-yard scoring run by Zack Moss that made it 21-7.

Houston’s C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns. But he was sacked six times and hit nine other times playing behind a line filled with backups. Collins finished with seven receptions for a career-high 146 yards for the Texans (0-2).

GIANTS 31,

CARDINALS 28

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Daniel Jones threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns, Graham Gano connected on a 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining and New York rallied from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to stun Arizona.

It was the biggest comeback win for the Giants since a 21-point rally in 1949 — also against the Cardinals.

Arizona blew its biggest lead since 2011.

The Giants (1-1) lost 40-0 in Week 1 against Dallas and didn’t look much better against the Cardinals during the first half, falling into a 20-0 hole at halftime. They trailed 28-7 in the third quarter but evened the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Barkley, a 9-yard TD pass from Jones to Barkley and Jones’ perfectly placed 11-yard touchdown pass to a diving Isaiah Hodgins.

The Giants forced a three-and-out, then drove 56 yards in eight plays to set up Gano’s go-ahead kick. Jones was 26 of 37 passing. He also ran for 59 yards and a 14-yard touchdown. Barkley ran for 63 yards and a touchdown, but hobbled off the field late in the fourth quarter with an apparent right ankle injury. James Conner ran for 106 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals (0-2), who have lost six straight home games.

Carolina. “But there’s a bunch of strategies and techniques you have to master to be the best of the best. It takes elite skills to be on this team.”

The 5-on-5 version of flag football got a tryout last summer at the World Games, an Olympic-modeled event for sports that aren’t on the Olympic program.

able to watch me and some of my teammates go out and compete in the Olympics, that would be just amazing.”

Madison Fulford, a former college track athlete who is now a 28-year-old rookie on the women’s national team, was asked how she responds to those who say flag football has no business in the Olympics.

“Hmm,” she said, pausing for the right words. “I can respond to that in two different ways. One way would be: go out on the field and try to guard me. My second response I would put out there is: give it a chance. Take a good look at the games. Watch the clips that people have out there, the athleticism is takes to do a lot of this

Of course, as with all sports, flag football is much more complex and requires a far greater level of athleticism at its highest levels.

It might not be Chiefs vs. Eagles, but it’s a pretty thrilling game if one gives it a look. “A lot of people have misconstrued the idea that flag football is powder puff,” said Fulford, a native of Charlotte, North

The United States won gold in the men’s competition, beating Italy 46-36 in the final, but the Americans settled for a silver on the women’s side after a 39-6 loss to Mexico in the title game. “Some countries are taking flag football more seriously than our own country,” Doucette said.

“They train. They work hard. They have great athletes like we have in the U.S. We’re playing countries that I didn’t even know played the game growing up. You go out there and see how much they love the sport.”

Flag football at the Olympics? Maybe it’s no laughing matter after all.

OTTAWA quarterback Madysen Carrera (21) is tackled by Midland defender Casey Thompson, left, during an NAIA flag football game in Ottawa, Kan., Friday, March 26, 2021. Not surprisingly, the NFL is a big part of the push to make flag football an Olympic sport — at least for a one-off in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

CHIEFS quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gestures to the crowd during yesterday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)

Anthonique third in the 200, Nairn seventh in long jump

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ANTHONIQUE Strachan got off to a slow start but managed to storm back for third place in the women’s 200 metres as the Wanda Diamond League concluded yesterday with the Prefontaine Classic.

Strachan, running as the rabbit out of lane eight ahead of her Jamaican training partner Shericka Jackson in seventh at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, clocked 22.16, just off her season and lifetime best of 21.15.

Coming off her sixth place finish at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August where she celebrated her 30th birthday, Strachan was able to surge back and made up enough ground to beat out American Twanisha Terry in lane nine for third.

Jackson, however, came off the bend in complete control and went on to extend her lead on the home stretch in a meet record of 21.57 to add the half-lap title to the 100m crown she claimed on Saturday in 10.70.

The 29-year-old Jackson fell short of her ultimate goal of eclipsing the late American Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record of 21.34 from September 29, 1988, but Jackson said she got to achieve something else she had on her agenda.

“Funny enough, last year one of my goals I wrote was how I wanted to get two trophies,” she said. “I didn’t get two trophies last year and I wrote that again, that I wanted two trophies this year. I got it and I’m grateful.”

The World Championships’ 100m silver medallist and 200m gold medallist became the third woman behind American Carmelita Jeter (2011) and

her compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2013) to win the 100m and 200m Diamond League titles in the same year.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou emerged as the runner-up in a season’s best of 22.10 to add to the same position she got in the 200m in 10.75. Terry, who was fifth in the 100m, followed Strachan in 22.21.

With her pair of victories, Jackson pocketed $60,000, $30,000 for each win. Ta Lou got $24,000 or $12,000 for each race as runner-up and Strachan picked up $7,000 for third. She didn’t compete in the century.

Nairn back in action/

seventh

LaQuan Nairn, who rebounded from an injury that prevented him from completing his second appearance at the World Championships, was the only other Bahamian competing in the meet, finishing in seventh place in the men’s long jump.

The Commonwealth Games champion popped a leap of 23-10 ¼ 7.27m on his fifth attempt, but it wasn’t enough to get him higher in the standings. His series of jumps were 23-9 (7.24m), 19-4 ¼ (5.90m), 17-9 ¾ (5.43m) and 22-10 ¾ (6.98m). He fouled his sixth and final jump.

Nairn, 27, entered the championships with three victories among nine meets, including a Diamond League win in Lausanne. He posted a season’s best of 26-7 ¼ (8.11m) and a lifetime achievement of 26.11 ½ (8.22m). For his efforts, Nairn was awarded $1,500.

Simon Ehammer of Switzerland took the title with 26-11 ½ (8.22m) on his fourth attempt.

Jamaican Tajay Gayle got second with the same distance as Ehammer on his fourth try as well, but lost out on the countback. Yuki Hashioka of Japan was third with 26-8 ¾ (8.15m) on his sixth attempt.

JONQUEL POSTS DOUBLE DOUBLE, LIBERTY TOP MYSTICS 90-75 IN GAME 1 OF WNBA PLAYOFF SERIES

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamian

Jonquel Jones put up a dominant double double performance to propel the New York Liberty to a game one win over the Washington Mystics.

The leading Eastern Conference team dropped the eighth-seeded Mystics 90-75 to claim the first win of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) best-of-three playoff series.

The efforts of Jones and the Liberty’s guard Sabrina Ionescu meshed perfectly to lead New York to their first home playoff win since 2015 at the Barclays Center.

The former WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) charged her way to 20 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and two blocks in her Liberty playoff debut.

Despite turning in a strong performance, Jones’ teammate Ionescu stole the show in the Big Apple after putting up an historic franchise postseason record of seven made three-pointers in the win.

To start the opening round of the WNBA playoffs, the Mystics came out on top in the first period outscoring the Liberty 29-23. However, in the second period, to lead into halftime, the stellar New York team outscored the 19-21 (win/loss record) Mystics 23-13 to regain control ahead of the intermission. Jones’ team led 46-42 to go into the locker rooms for halftime.

Following the break, Ionescu was on fire for New York in front of a packed crowd of 8,789 on their home court. The guard

scored 20 of her game-high 29 points in the second half and canned six of her seven three-pointers after the break to cement a new playoff record.

Jones’ teammate also pulled down six boards and dished out two dimes.

The forward and guard offensive combo was essential to the Liberty’s latest win as the 2023 Associated Press Player of the Year Breanna Stewart had a tough game. She collected a mere 10 points on 3/16 shooting and was unable to connect on any of her four three-point attempts.

The Liberty jumped out to a 60-50 lead in the third period at the 3:27 mark following a pair of free throws made by Jones.

On the night the team was impressive at the charity stripe, converting 85.7 per cent of their 14 free throw attempts in the game one win.

One of New York’s best sporting teams currently outscored the Mystics 23-15 in the quarter.

Despite the Mystics trimming the Liberty lead down to six in the fourth quarter, Ionescu sapped their momentum after nailing consecutive shots from deep.

New York shot 44 per cent from the field in the game and 35.3 per cent from behind the arc.

The team cleaned the boards by outrebounding the Mystics 43 to 37.

Myisha Hines-Allen notched a playoff careerhigh 21 points for the Mystics in the loss.

The Liberty will look to bring out the brooms to complete the sweep against the Mystics at 7pm on Tuesday.

ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN, of The Bahamas, races to the finish in a 200-metres semifinal during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on August 24. INSET - LaQuan Nairn in action in the long jump in this file photo. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

RASHIELD WINS BY TKO IN 1ST ROUND

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BIRTHDAY boy Rashield Williams, preparing for a possible title shot in November, wasted little time in disposing of Jorge Luis Munguia of Honduras on Saturday at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, Tampa, Florida.

Williams, who celebrated his 34th birthday on September 13, stopped Munguia, a resident of Houston, Texas in a first round technical knockout. He improved his win-loss record to 9-2 with seven KOs since he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to begin his pro career in 2019.

The welterweight (147pound) bout lasted about one minute and 30 seconds as Munguia was dropped to 15-17 with nine knockouts.

“I watched my opponent to see what type of fighter he was because this was supposed to be a test match

for me,” Williams said. “My next fight is supposed to be a belt.

“He seemed to be a good strong fighter, but he was no match for me.”

After throwing a flurry of punches, Williams connected with a straight right to the jaw of Munguia, who fell to the canvas, forcing the referee to step in to signal the end.

“The performance was good. I didn’t get a chance to break a sweat,” Williams stated. “I put in a lot of hard training, but I didn’t get a chance to really show what I can do. He couldn’t take the power. I was too strong.”

This was Williams’ third fight with as many victories for the year. He credited the training he’s getting from his coaches Steven Ray and Melvin Rivers at the Contenders Boxing Gym in Fort Lauderdale.

His previous two matches this year were at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center, Tampa

where he got a TKO win over Walter Raul Saravia on March 18 and unanimous decision over Ramon De La Cruz Sena on June 17.

The wins came after Williams suffered his second loss in his career in his last fight against Elijah Flores in a split decision on October 15, 2022, at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando.

“I feel good. I think I’m ready for it. I’m prepared,” Williams said. “This is what I’ve been waiting for. The opportunity. This is it. What God has blessed me with, I’m going to take it. I’m not going to let it pass by now. I have a lot to gain and nothing to lose.”

With a belated birthday present, Williams said he will go to a restaurant and celebrate, but he’s not going to over indulge because he knows he has to get right back into the gym to start preparing for the possible title fight.

PROFESSIONAL boxer Rashield Williams has his hand raised by the ring referee after the victory.