11142024 NEWS AND SPORT

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‘PUT HOTELS UP FOR SECURITY IN A PPEAL’

Sarkis argues CCA can use resorts for costs in court ruling challenge

By NEIL HARTNELL

Editor

Tribune Business

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHA Mar’s original developer last night argued that the two Nassau hotels owned by the project’s contractor should be pledged as security for its New York appeal against his $1.642bn damages verdict.

Sarkis Izmirlian, arguing that it was “speculative”

for China Construction America (CCA) to assert that enforcing his award would harm its two Nassau hotels and their employees, said downtown Nassau’s British Colonial and Margaritaville Beach Resort - the latter part of The Pointe complex - were sufficiently valuable to at least cover part of his damages.

aB aco workers waiting for govt to pay one year later

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune

Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of government workers engaged to survey shantytown communities in Abaco are calling on government to pay outstanding monies owed them for their work. The workers, who are representatives from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health, said they were promised payment after interviewing residents of shantytowns in the areas of Gaza and the Gully.

While they have yet to finish their surveys in the Gully, their work in the Gaza shantytown was completed in February,

COP declines to confirm voice notes verified by foreign investigators

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander declined to say whether voice recordings at the centre of an investigation into alleged corruption

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AS the holiday season often sees a rise in crime, Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said Bahamians remain careless in protecting themselves from criminals. CSP Skippings recently told reporters that the public is not taking enough precautions to safeguard themselves. She urged citizens to apply the same caution they use when traveling abroad to their

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AN Eleuthera project’s Bahamian co-founder yesterday moved to reassure that the developer did not use its own study to obtain the necessary environmental approvals from the Government.

Mr Fernander said the public would receive a full update on the investigation at the end of the year.

“I don’t wish to comment at this time. Let

have been verified as genuine by foreign investigators. This comes months after the recordings were first leaked, allegedly involving a senior officer and murdered gang members, prompting the announcement of an investigation into the matter, and resulting in a senior officer taking garden leave.

Carlos Palacious said that while his company, BRON Ltd, conducted its own investigation for the development in Governor’s Harbour, it was a separate EIA by another firm, JSS Consulting, that was submitted to the authorities to obtain clearance.

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander speaking at a passing out Ceremony in Grand Bahama yesterday. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Celebrating Jonquel Jones in art

BAHAMIAN artist Jamaal Rolle completes a mural on Sherwin Williams building on the Tonique Williams-Darling Hwy honouring local WNBA champion and MVP Jonquel Jones; a Grnad Bahama native.

Photos: Margo Scarlett

Abaco workers waiting for govt to pay one year later

with payment expected in March. However, they claim they have still not been paid.

The Tribune was told that some contractors are also awaiting payments.

One government worker, who spoke to The Tribune anonymously fearing victimisation, said: “You know what it is to go down in them areas.” “We spent almost two weeks or more. You don’t know if you would catch some virus or something and that’s a big risk. Mind you, we always went with our Defense Force officer. But still, it wasn’t even a lot of them, there was

only one or two.”

The workers claim they are each owed between $700 and $1,000.

“I wanted to use the funds to purchase items for my house, but now the monies what I got and wanted to do something else with, I have to take to buy those stuff, but they should have said to

us ‘well, do the work but I don’t know when y’all gone get paid’,” one frustrated employee added.

“But, no they didn’t say that. The Gaza been finished from in February and February coming soon again.”

The worker said they have reached out to several government

officials for help, but have received the runaround.

When contacted for comment, Works Minister Clay Sweeting acknowledged that some contractors were owed money for shantytown work, but not government employees. Nonetheless, he pledged to address the payment delays.

“We’ve ensured that Cabinet has approved funding for us to expand and to be consistent with the shantytown issues. If they are owed funding that the ministry is aware about, they should be paid. We have cabinet approval to pay some persons that were owed money.”

‘Be on your guard for Christmas criminals’

from page one

daily routines at home.

“Bahamians are not doing enough to ensure they’re not targeted,” she said. “They’re still very careless because they feel that they’re at home. They let their guard down.”

CSP Skippings noted that although CCTV and other security measures are in place, citizens must still take responsibility for their own safety. She explained that as the holiday season approaches, “criminals would want to buy gifts for their family members as well”.

She urged holiday shoppers to stay alert when leaving stores with large bags and warned against leaving packages visible in vehicles. Citizens are advised to avoid carrying large sums of cash and not to visit banks at late hours.

Additionally, business owners are encouraged to use local police stations for escorts to the bank when depositing funds. “Let the officers come to your establishment and escort you to the bank so that you can deposit your funds safely. We don’t want any incidents occurring, yet we still see business owners taking risks and going alone,” CSP Skippings said.

the investigation take its course,” he told The Tribune while in Grand Bahama.

In July, government officials requested international assistance to investigate recordings that allegedly capture a quid-proquo arrangement involving a senior police officer, a lawyer, and two murdered men, Michael Fox, Jr, and Dino Smith.

The conversation in the voice notes centred on a $1.5m airport bank car heist last November. Fox, Jr, and Smith were suspects, but were never charged.

Two other men, Oral Roberts, 34, and Akeil Holmes, 26, were charged in connection with the robbery. Roberts was killed in the Fox Hill area in July. Michael Johnson,

former head of CID, has taken garden leave as authorities investigate. Commissioner Fernander has previously noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the probe, which is being led by the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the police force.

The Police Complaints Inspectorate will oversee the SIB’s investigation.

Members of the United Kingdom National Crime Agency were scheduled to arrive in the country on August 14 to help oversee aspects of the probe, but they never did.

Commissioner Fernander said the UK partners and the FBI are in communication with local enforcement and have received documents and video tapes for assessment. Michael Fox, Sr, father

Murder on Beatrice Ave

of Fox Jr, claimed his son provided him with the voice notes, instructing him to release them if he died. He stated that he did not release the tapes himself.

Meanwhile, Sandra Smith, mother of Dino Smith, confirmed her son informed her about the voice notes, but did not give them to her.

Davis renews call for global action on climate

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip

“Brave” Davis renewed his call for global collective action on climate change, emphasising its severe impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Addressing the Leaders’ Summit of SIDS on Climate Change, Mr Davis said: “Our people have a right to survival. They have a right to pass down to future

generations a world better than the one they inherited.”

He warned that this fundamental right is under growing threat from the worsening climate crisis and urged nations, particularly those most vulnerable, to unite and take decisive action.

“We, the nations most at risk, do not have the luxury to retreat,” he said. “The moment demands courage, vision, and a shared commitment to hold hands and confront together the fierce challenges that lie before us.”

Highlighting the escalating frequency of climate-related disasters — heatwaves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and fires — Mr Davis pointed to these as clear signs of a global climate emergency.

“These are not mere coincidences. They are warnings, the earth’s way of showing us the high cost of inaction,” he said, stressing the urgency of recognising these events as interconnected alarms rather than isolated incidents.

“Every storm, every fire, every flood cries out that time

is running out, and yet some choose to look the other way.”

Mr Davis called for 70 percent of climate finance to be directed towards adaptation efforts, noting that adaptation is vital for the survival of vulnerable nations. “Adaptation is our right — to prepare, to protect, to persist,” he stated. He also emphasised the need for the Loss and Damage Fund to operate swiftly and efficiently, free from bureaucratic obstacles, to deliver timely relief to

affected communities.

“Justice demands that the polluter should pay, not those who bear the burden of the pollution!” Mr Davis said, pressing global leaders to choose action over inaction. “We are faced with a choice: to act with boldness and unity or to let fear and inertia decide our fate. Let us not be remembered as those who turned away in the hour of need, but as those who came together to fight for a world that honours the right to survival.”

Five UB researchers are awarded Wilson Family Foundation grants

FIVE University of The Bahamas researchers have been granted Wilson Awards. Small Island Sustainability (SIS) programme coordinator at UB Dr Brandon Bethel; Government and Policy Institute Policy Fellow Lesvie Archer; Assistant Professor of Physics Dr Amin Kabir; and the duo of SIS Research Centre executive director Dr Kristen Welsh Unwala and assistant Professor of Biology Dr Williamson Gustave have been granted $4,000 to further their research. The Wilson Awards Programme was created by donors Sir Franklyn Wilson, Sharon Lady Wilson and the Wilson Family Foundation (WFF).

Dr Bethel’s study, “Application and Implementation of Floating Solar Panel Arrays in The Bahamas” will offer insights into transforming the energy landscape of The Bahamas. He said: “When I found out, that represented an amazing opportunity to bring to life research that I think will bring change to Bahamians everywhere. Not five, 10, 15 years in the future, but two months and two months only because I’ll need to get government approvals. Everything that we need is in place. We can start right away. That represented an opportunity to change lives. That’s how I felt.”

Dr Bethel’s project explores how floating solar technologies can transform

the nation’s energy landscape.

Mrs Archer’s study is “The Bahamas at 50: Assessing the Cultural Values of The Bahamas”, while Dr Welsh Unwala and Dr Gustave are collaborating on “The Threat of Hurricanes to Sustainable Development in The Bahamas: Hurricane Dorian Recovery of Groundwater and Soils in Grand Bahama”.

Dr Kabir is conducting atmospheric aerosol studies in The Bahamas.

The Wilson Grant Programme offers a maximum of four $4,000 awards, renewable, upon proof of progress, for a second year in the first cycle and a maximum of four years in the cycles thereafter.

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis addresses the Leader’s Summit of SIDS on Climate Change yesterday at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday.

Photo: BIS

UB administrators, members of the Wilson family and Wilson Family Foundation, Wilson Grant Review board members, and Wilson Grant awardees.

ORG urges RBPF to be more transparent

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Organisation for Responsible Governance

(ORG) has urged the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) to be more transparent with information on its investigations, emphasising that public trust can only be strengthened through open communication.

Matt Aubry, ORG’s executive director, said the RBPF has emphasised the need for community assistance in combating crime. However, he stressed that building a positive relationship between the police and the public requires consistent, honest, and clear communication.

While Mr Aubry did not comment on any specific ongoing investigations, he emphasised the importance of police providing updates on timelines and progress in criminal cases.

ORG conducted studies last year revealing that the public struggles to trust the government, public institutions, and non-profit organisations. Mr Aubry said it is not uncommon for people to be sceptical of police systems, noting that societies worldwide face challenges in building trust due to situations that undermine security.

“It’s even more important to be as deliberate and forthcoming as possible. That means if there are challenges or timelines that have been put off because other things are being utilised, or resources are scarce, that’s also important to be able to discuss.”

The RBPF’s lack of transparency in investigations has been a long-standing concern. Many have criticised the police for delaying investigations or not disclosing findings after completing them.

On Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Leamond Deleveaux told The Tribune that an investigation into the alleged misuse of funds in the Small Home Repairs Programme under the Minnis administration is still ongoing.

This follows his statement a year ago, when he told reporters the investigation was 80 percent complete and that the public would soon hear the outcome. Mr Deleveaux did not give a clear reason behind the delay in its completion.

In August 2023, he told reporters that the investigation was “very close to being resolved,” adding: “I expect very shortly to come back to you and tell you what the results are.”

He said: “A whole lot of witnesses have to be seen. We don’t put a time

“When you have a lack of information, it only fuels that level of scepticism, and that scepticism is contrary to building public ownership, involvement, and participation,” Mr Aubry said. “Participation is one of the critical roles for having effective governance systems.”

limit on investigations. We have to do investigations properly. So once we get information, we’re going

to check the information out, and once it’s checked out, then we’ll make a determination.”

MAN DENIES HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ATTE MPTED MURDER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied his involvement in the attempted killing of a man in New Providence over the summer.

Senior Justice Cheryl

Grant-Thompson arraigned Drexel Frazier on attempted murder. The defendant allegedly attempted to kill a man on July 10 in New Providence. After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant was informed

FIVE MONTHS PRISON SENTENCE FOR $2,400 WORTH OF HE MP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to five months in prison yesterday after he admitted to having $2,400 worth of marijuana in his home earlier this week.

Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms arraigned Christopher Scott, 37, on possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Police reportedly went

to Scott’s residence on Johnson Road acting on a warrant on November 12. Upon seeing the police, the defendant admitted to having drugs in his home and showed officers the 2.4lb of marijuana he kept in his room.

Scott pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to five months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson served as the prosecutor.

his matter would proceed to trial before Justice Grant Thompson. The defendant’s trial

date is tentatively set for May 25, 2026. Ian Cargill represented the accused.

ORG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT AUBREY

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Corruption throws wrench in ease of doing business

AT the start of this year, we wrote about the ease of doing business in The Bahamas. Or, more to the point, the lack of ease of doing business.

At the time, St Anne’s MP, Adrian White, had been speaking about the way in which we continue to “fumble the ball” as a country.

Companies were wrestling with the Inland Revenue portal, trying hard to fill in their details as the portal continually let them down.

That was one aspect of ease of doing business – yesterday’s Tribune highlighted another, the corruption that too often forms part of our daily experience.

Nearly three-quarters of Bahamian firms have reported that they have paid bribes to obtain permits and public services.

In the Caribbean, we are fourth in the rankings for this type of corruption –fourth worst, that is.

A total of 73.4 percent of Bahamian companies say they have made “informal” payments to government officials to speed up approvals or access to services.

This is of course totally unacceptable. And yet we accept it, as a nation, over and over again.

The statistics come from a report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The report is partially titled “Are we there yet?”

The answer is we are not even close.

Matt Aubry, the executive director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance, pointed out this was not an isolated finding, either, noting that in 2018, Transparency International ranked The Bahamas as the leader – if that is the right word – in the region for paying bribes before they were even requested.

That includes everyday corruption

such as paying public officials “lunch money”.

This also comes at a time when concerns have been raised after the outcome of the legal battle between Sarkis Izmirlian and China Construction America, which included a judge’s ruling that CCA paid $2.3m to a firm run by the son of the then Prime Minister’s top advisor. Sir Baltron Bethel’s son Leslie was chief executive at Notarc Management Group. The judge ruled that the move was to “curry favour”. Sir Baltron and his son have said there was no wrongdoing. The judge said: “The record evidence establishes, at the very least, that the defendants relied on their business relationship with Leslie Bethel to gain access to Sir Baltron Bethel and, by extension, the Bahamian government.”

Such matters being part of the legal record of a case ought to be enough to trigger some kind of probe here in The Bahamas – and indeed the Opposition has called for that. There has been no indication that the government intends to do any such thing. Not even to prove that indeed nothing is wrong.

The outcome of that case was a $1.6bn ruling in favour of original developer Sarkis Izmirlian. A challenge is being made to that ruling – and the outcome could dictate the future of two hotels in the country. That means the future of their workers and their impact on the economy as well.

When it comes to the idea that paying bribes is commonplace, what we are really talking about is an extra tax on every single one of us.

As long as there are elements of corruption inherent in our everyday systems, there is no ease of doing business. And until it is tackled, there never will be.

Deserved recognition for ASP Whyms

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ASSISTANT Superintendent of Police Kendra Whyms is finally getting the recognition she deserves for her selfless hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to providing hope for people, especially women who are being taken advantage of. Mrs Ann Marie Davis, a strong advocate for eradicating domestic violence since the early days of the New Day Government, stressed that it is time for us to focus on the cries of too many women who were abused.

ASP Whyms is uniquely qualified for her current role, having prepared herself throughout her professional life. Her experiences and qualifications have equipped her to effectively serve in her current position.

Whyms, a qualified

social worker with years of experience, has a deep understanding of life’s challenges and uncertainties. Her work in the field has allowed her to empathize with the struggles people face and the frustration many feel when their concerns are not taken seriously by the authorities. She also worked in CID, witnessing firsthand what people go through when reporting their concerns and the nonchalant attitude of those who did not see the seriousness. So, the Commissioner, in his wisdom, saw fit to utilize Whyms’s skills, qualifications, and experience to drive the new Domestic Violence Unit.

I congratulate ASP Whyms on becoming the Public Service Employee of the Year; she deserves it. Whymn is proof that there are still some in the

PICTURE OF THE DAY

What has PM done to ease pain?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is nothing short of stunning, shocking, beyond belief and even a massive stretch of the imagination that Prime Minister Philip Davis in his recent comments blamed the Bahamian people for the extremely high cost of living.

Just imagine, PM Davis said that the cost of living lies in the choices that people make!

PM Davis, simply put, in that statement, insulted the Bahamian people!

The statement is offensive and highly insulting to the Bahamian people.

It is enormously insensitive, uncaring, devoid of concern and compassion for the real, hurting and most challenging struggle of many Bahamians who are actually eking out a living daily.

public service dedicated to helping others and focused on bringing hope to people who believe the system is not acting in their best interest.

While ASP Whyms’ work is commendable, it’s important to remember that eradicating domestic violence is a collective responsibility. We must all join forces to change the mindset that abuse, whether mental, psychological, financial, or physical, is acceptable.

ASP Whyms is a shining example of the kind of dedication and service we need in the public sector. Let’s hope for more individuals like her, who are committed to making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence.

IVOINE W INGRAHAM New Providence November 4, 2024.

I am reminded of the saying, “Believe me and not your lying eyes.”

In this case, PM Davis is saying, believe me and not your actual lived and currently living experience, everyday!

A particular word has become popular today and I could not resist using it because it is so very relevant here, it is gaslighting!

Yes, PM Davis in his comments attempted to gaslight the Bahmaian people, in perhaps the worst possible way – as to their actual lived and living experience. Imagine, at this very moment, many of our people are catching eternal hell –trying to make ends meet.

Yes, PM Davis gaslighted all of us; telling the Bahamian people something he knew or should have known is not true, but want us to believe it nonetheless.

The thing is, thankfully, it was an attempt. But based on public outcry, outrage and frankly disgust, it does not appear a successful one!

When the comments came to light, I was contacted by a very distraught, distressed and utterly disgusted mother – she sent me a voice

note – and listening to it brought tears to my eyes. The thought that came to mind was, where is the humanity?

She said, “I guess I chose to get cancer, I chose to need the treatment, I chose to need the medication from the hospital (PMH) that is not free.” She also said, “One chemo needle is twelve dollars and they want that from everybody, every test, every cotton swab, every Q-Tip, you pay for it. There is a sign posted that says everybody pays for treatment, everybody pays for registration, every blood test.”

Further, she said that they (PMH) are very serious about that. If you do not have the money you will not get any service or treatment. She said there were persons who started the chemo treatment when she did but they had to stop. “I guess those people chose that too.”

She said, “I have two more rounds of chemo treatment that do not include the cost of labs or blood work that has to be done before getting the treatment. And this past week I had to choose between paying for the chemo treatment or buying groceries – those were my choices.” She said, “My cable has been off for some time and my electricity had been off also due to the cost of chemo treatment and medications. Those were choices, I had to make.”

Most unfortunately and sadly, PM Davis in a Godawful way, is minimizing the lived experience of many Bahamians, not seeing them, showing no empathy or feeling the pain of their daily struggle. Bahamian people need to be very clear-eyed about this, PM Davis has demonstrated plainly, clearly and unmistakably that he is out of touch

with the daily struggles of many Bahamians, he does not really care about their daily lived experience, and he is just not checking for them.

Perhaps, if he travelled a lot less and was present, he just might bring real, priority focused attention and meaningful action to relieving the struggles of the people. In fact, last week he was in the Pacific and at the writing of this letter, he is in Eastern Europe.

Let us be very clear, the real question is, what is PM Davis and the PLP doing to bring real, significant, on-the-ground relief?

Let us not forget, the FNM government took VAT off breadbasket items but PM Davis and the PLP came to government in 2021 and placed VAT on breadbasket items again, as they did previously. They also put VAT on medication and insurance, that a lot of people could hardly afford without the VAT costs.

Bishop Laish Boyd at the 2023 Anglican Synod, pleaded with the Davis administration to remove VAT from breadbasket items. He said at the time that VAT being on breadbasket items is hard for poor people. He said “... could we take VAT back off of breadbasket items --and off fruits and vegetables -- so that we can allow poorer citizens to eat better and more economically than they are now?”

What was done by PM Davis and the PLP, following Bishop Boyd’s plea? Absolutely nothing!

It is a shameful insult that PM Davis and the PLP do nothing to bring real, meaningful and significant relief to struggling Bahamians, yet PM Davis chooses to blame the same struggling Bahamians for the extremely high cost of living they are experiencing and living every single day.

MICHAEL A FOULKES

Former MP Golden Gates and Parliamentary Secretary

Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day!

quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net

PRESIDENT Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House yesterday in Washington.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

96 recruits complete six months RBPF training

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force welcomed 96 new recruits on Wednesday.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe congratulated the 66 men and 30 women of Squads D, E, and F during the 2024 Passing Out ceremony held at the Grand Bahama Sport Complex.

The group, comprising recruits from New Providence and Grand Bahama, completed six months of training at the Police College in Freeport. According to Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, the force expects to recruit 200 officers before the year ends.

“There is a need for more,” he said. “Every other year or so, we have a number of officers who are leaving on retirement, and one or two just resigned, so we have to continue to build our capacity.”

Mr Fernander said they are seeing more women applicants.

Mr Munroe reminded the “newly minted officers” that being a police officer is one of the most serious professions

they could choose. Every call you answer, every case you investigate, and every life you protect is an opportunity to serve our community with honor and uphold the law with unwavering fairness,” he added.

He stated that crimefighting today requires more than just enforcing laws - it demands integrity, courage, and a mindset of lifelong learning.

“We live in challenging times, where crime has become sophisticated and the need for effective ethical policing has never been greater,” he said. “The seriousness of this profession cannot be overstated. You will face moments of danger and unpredictability.”

Commissioner Fernander said the passing out of the 96 recruits marks a significant milestone for them and the organisation. He said: “Remember, being a police officer does not end when your shift does; it is a lifelong commitment to integrity, respect, and honour. As you navigate your career, remember to always be true to your moral compass. Policing will test you, and there will be moments when choices are

ROYAL Bahamas Police Force Welcomes 96 new recruits at passing out ceremony in Grand Bahama yesterday.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

Voter expectation and structural realities

IT has almost been 30 years since the Bahamian people reelected a government. The last time was in 1997, when Hubert Ingraham and the Free National Movement ended the 25-year run of Sir Lynden Pindling and the Progressive Liberal Party.

That year, the FNM got a whopping 57.7 percent of the vote compared to 41.9 percent for the PLP. Sir Lynden reportedly initially assumed that Ingraham would be a one-term prime minister.

The Chicago Tribune reported on the general election: “Before the vote, citizens said that, after four years of relative prosperity, they wanted a government that would crack down on crime and create more jobs. Both Ingraham and Pindling had promised to do so.

“The FNM pointed to its record since 1992… It pointed to infrastructure works, the revitalised tourist industry, the creation of 14,000 new jobs and major foreign investment.

“The PLP, which was tainted by allegations of corruption during its last tenure, promised more state involvement in the economy to make jobs.”

In the lead-up to the election the construction of phase two of Atlantis was in train. The country was booming. Figuratively and literally, Atlantis was rising. The megaresort visible from many vantage points throughout New Providence.

It was one of the largest construction projects in Bahamian history, with many Bahamian companies and subcontractors involved. Several thousand were already permanently employed following phase one. Phase two offered scores of construction jobs and the promise of more full-time jobs at the resort. The boom in construction meant economic good times for many businesses ranging from suppliers of material to retail stores including luxury and jewelry outlets.

Atlantis delivered two extraordinary economic feats: an experience of increasing prosperity and the promise of sustainable growth. It increased GDP, significantly lessened unemployment, and circulated capital at every level of the economy. It was industrial scale tourism and added more Bahamians to the middle and upper middle classes.

Atlantis helped to revive a moribund tourism industry. Curiously, some in the PLP initially opposed the new resort.

Ingraham made other changes to the tourism product and infrastructure that also benefitted the economy. The reputation of the country as a premiere destination improved dramatically. The excitement and expectation of economic success and growth was palpable.

We are now living in very different times, especially following the Great Recession of 2008 and the post-COVID-19 cost of living after-effects. Bahamians under a certain age do not recall the spiral of inflation of the early 1970s to the early 1980s.

Back then, inflation was fueled by the high gas prices caused by the energy crisis, high government deficits, and a range of other causes. Consumers kept experiencing sticker shock on goods and services.

Decades later, Bahamians, like consumers worldwide, continue to be shocked by ever rising prices, especially for food, energy costs, housing and other costs. Rents have skyrocketed. The amount now being paid for electricity is shocking for residential and consumer customers of BPL. The cost of electricity adds significantly to many other costs. It is within this context that incumbents are today trying to retain office. In Australia, where a firstterm government usually wins reelection, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labour Party are worried about becoming a minority or one-term government because of high costs, including for housing.

WHYY PBS recently reported: “Maziar Minovi, CEO of the Eurasia Group, has studied the political reaction to dozens of inflation spikes going back decades and found the party in power was about twice as likely as usual to be ousted. ‘When there is an inflationary shock across the world, the risk of the incumbents getting kicked out — no matter what party or persuasion they are — goes up a lot…’

“It also didn’t seem to matter much to voters if the price surge occurred in isolation or was part of a global infationary shock... ‘Throw the bums out either way.’”

“Minovi’s research shows voters aren’t inclined to forgive inflation, even when — as in this case — it’s happening all over the world.

“‘It also didn’t seem to matter much to voters if the price surge occurred in isolation or was part of a global inflationary shock,’ Minovi and his colleague Robert Kahn wrote in a research note to clients. ‘Throw the bums out either way.’”

In response to the high inflation in The Bahamas, Prime Minister Philip Davis recently made some highly impolitic and insensitive remarks that provoked a backlash that will haunt him going into the next general election.

Voters, who may already be angry with an incumbent government, will grow only angrier if they perceive that the government of the day is callous and unresponsive. The prime minister’s frequent travelling has become a political football, with voters viewing such constant travelling negatively.

In a statement on the high cost of living, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) noted: “From limited competition in essential industries to high shipping costs, monopolised sectors, and a housing market affected by high demand from vacation rentals, the cost of living has remained persistently high in The Bahamas.

“In fact, The Bahamas ranks among the top six most expensive places in the world, a reflection of these entrenched issues.

“Monopolies and a lack of competition in key areas mean that Bahamians often have limited choices and pay higher prices for goods and services. Additionally, the growth of the shortterm rental market has squeezed rental inventory, making it more challenging and costly for Bahamians to find affordable housing.

These structural issues require a committed approach, not just for short-term relief, but for long-term, lasting change…

“The challenges we face are complex and requires bold action, and we know that structural change takes time.”

The statement was reasonable and had a number

of significant points. But even in the best of times, much less the current difficult times, voters are typically neither reasonable nor rationale. Academic-like statements on high costs mean little to the vast majority of voters. How long will it be before voters in the US punish the Republicans and the incoming presidential administration if high costs persist?

The last line in the OPM statement partially sums up the difficulty for PLP headed into the next election. There is little time left to ease the cost of living crisis. Further, there are many structural issues The Bahamas has failed to address and which make us a highly expensive country in which to live. They will not be solved anytime soon. Throwing out a government every five years is now a structural reality in The Bahamas. It is possible for the PLP to win the next election. It is just as possible that the FNM may win, especially with what appears to be a global anti-incumbency wave. The boom of the late 1990s increased the expectations of Bahamians. These expectations have not been met subsequently. They will not be met again anytime soon. Even if the FNM wins, it will also likely have a single term, unless there is a series of economic miracles in The Bahamas on the order of the first Ingraham terms.

FORMER PRIME MINISTER HUBERT INGRAHAM

Immigration, economy and ‘culture wars’ hurt Democrats at the polls

JUST over a week has passed since Donald Trump was emphatically reelected as president (he will now be president number 45 and number 47). In a ‘red wave’ that was predicted but did not materialise two years ago, the Republicans also recaptured control of the US Senate, and the GOP will probably also eke out a slim margin of control in the US House of Representatives.

All in all, it was a pretty comprehensive shellacking of the Democrats, made quite a bit more painful by the fact that it seemed to have caught so many of the Democratic leadership by surprise. But in the midst of all the hand-wringing, blaming and lamentation by the losers, there were still Democrats who managed to give voters reasons to support them – largely by acknowledging the shortcomings of the current Biden administration.

There is an emerging consensus that the three issues that most hurt the Democrats were immigration, the economy and the “culture wars” that have seized a disproportionate share of the public political discourse during the past several years.

On immigration, as the New York Times reported six months ago, “the Biden administration has been notably slow to address one of his biggest political vulnerabilities: immigration.

“Polls show that immigration is a top concern of voters, often trailing only the economy. Most voters are unhappy with Biden’s handling of the issue and say they trust Trump more on it.”

Indeed, figures cited from the bipartisan and widely trusted Congressional Budget Office show that during the first 20 years of this century, the total of legal plus estimated illegal immigration into the US peaked in 2005 (1.8 million) and 2014 (1.6 million).

Biden swept into office and initially welcomed the resumption of immigration that had been restricted during Trump’s first term. And potential

STATESIDE

immigrants heard Biden. After 1.2 million came to the US in 2021, the totals jumped to 2.7 million (2022) and 3.3 million in 2023. Voters clearly felt the gates for migrants were too widely open.

Two Democrats won by confronting the immigration issue head-on. In an often-redistricted Ohio district that now stretches from the endless farmlands along the Indiana border along the south shore of Lake Erie to the western suburbs of Cleveland, veteran Democratic legislator Marcy Kaptur managed to squeak by to another victory despite

the Ohio Republican legislature’s determined efforts to redistrict her out of Congress.

In one of Kaptur’s ads, she called out “the far left for ignoring the millions illegally crossing the border”.

Arizona reversed most of the gains Democrats had made two years ago in a solid Trump victory. An exception was the apparently successful Democratic candidate for the US Senate, Ruben Gallego. In one of his campaign ads, he said, “Arizonans know — on the border, there is no (Biden) plan.”

On the American economy, success found Democrats who didn’t pretend that inflation, COVID hangover and relentlessly rising consumer prices were inconsequential, or that these economic realities weren’t still exacerbating the quality of life for millions of American voters.

Some Democrats won tough races while acknowledging and confronting economic issues. On this issue, they emphasized their frustration at high prices, slow wage growth, corporate greed and unfair Chinese competition. Elissa Slotkin, who won a difficult Senate race for a vacant seat in Michigan by 20,000 votes out of 5.4 million cast, spoke of how her own mother had been “gouged by the insurance companies”.

Personalising the economic hardships felt by so many voters was a common theme among candidates of both parties, and those who seemed most convincing used examples from their immediate families.

Culture wars issues such as transgender bathrooms and permission for once-males to compete in women’s sports clearly were the obsessions of a small minority of Democratic far-left zealots, according to exit polling after voters had cast their ballots.

Republicans could make a convincing argument that such issues were truly peripheral for most voters and little more than a distraction from the high cost of living in the US

“How could you take a party seriously that gave so much attention to these issues that impacted only a few thousand people? The key to this election, as it usually is, was the economy,” said a liberal pundit who joined in the mass repudiation of Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and their campaign staffs in the wake of the GOP triumph.

In a gracious concession speech, Harris spoke before a large crowd at her alma mater, Howard University, the talismanic American historically black college located

in Washington DC. She and her husband, her sister and her kids must be relieved to be finally through with this bruising election campaign during which she was both called a communist and said her opponent was a fascist. All eyes are now on Trump. He’s reportedly prioritising personal loyalty to him as he considers personnel assignments, as many incoming presidents also have done. His choice of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State is interesting for several reasons.

Rubio, still a relatively young national politician at age 53, famously sparred and traded personal insults with Trump nine years ago when both sought the GOP presidential nomination. But Rubio has scrambled back into favor with Trump in the intervening years and avoided a possible Trumpbacked primary challenge two years ago.

Overall, Rubio has grown in stature right before our eyes in the Senate. He has served on both the Foreign Relations Committee and the Select Intelligence Committee. The latter especially is something of a badge of honour for senators, inasmuch as it affords to its members the most complete Congressional look behind the curtain of American intelligence and other secret activity. Membership on this committee signifies trust to guard the most precious US secrets.

Presuming Rubio is indeed nominated and then easily confirmed by the Senate, Florida governor Ron DeSantis will have the opportunity to appoint his temporary successor. That should spawn a great deal of speculation in the coming weeks in the Sunshine State and beyond.

As Secretary of State, Rubio would assume the mantle of senior member of this Trump cabinet. His trips overseas will propel him to the front pages and TV newscasts for as long as he serves. And Rubio may well thus emerge as the most formidable challenger to the incoming vice president for the role of successor to the now term-limited Trump.

JD Vance still looks like the heir apparent. But he’ll be looking over his shoulder at America’s new top diplomat. Along with Rubio’s

prospective appointment, Trump also tipped his intention to appoint Florida congressman Michael Waltz as his national security adviser. Waltz, who succeeded DeSantis in representing a district that stretches from just south of St Augustine to Daytona Beach, has been an outspoken hawk on China and a generally loyal and effective Trump surrogate on the campaign trail.

What will Trump’s foreign policy look like? Expert testimony came last week in a webinar featuring Dr. Matthew Kroenig, a 47-year-old Washington insider whose gaudy credentials include service as a foreign policy adviser to Rubio during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

While carefully modifying his comments as speculation, Kroenig offered a very plausible preview of how Trump will behave with respect to America’s European allies during his second presidential term.

“Overall, I think Trump is very likely to project the ‘peace through strength’ approach that Republicans have embraced since Ronald Reagan’s presidency,” Kroenig said. “Trump is going to be guided by the art of deterrence.”

T he GOP insider reminded his audience that Trump on at least two occasions during the campaign said he would not pull the US out of the NAT O alliance that has been the bedrock for American foreign policy since World War II. T he incoming president has at times publicly mused about the possibility of withdrawing from this key alliance.

“But he will return to his insistence that our European allies contribute more of their Gross Domestic Product to defense-related expenditures,” Kroenig said.

“Our European allies now average 2 percent of GDP on defense. T he goal is 3.5 percent.

“At the same time, Trump may push American defense spending up from the present figure of $800 billion to around $1.3 trillion.”

As for U kraine, Kroenig expects Trump to push for a quick cease-fire roughly along current battle lines, as he has been saying for months.

with Charlie Harper

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, R-Fla., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Allentown, Pensylvannia, October 29, 2024. Photo: Matt Rourke/AP

Trump picks Gaetz for AG, Rubio as Secretary of State

WEST PALM BEACH

Associated Press

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Donald Trump chose Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general on Wednesday, bypassing more experienced options in favour of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor and whom Trump has tasked with dramatically overhauling the Justice Department.

Trump also announced that he had tapped Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state. And he selected Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, to serve as his director of national intelligence.

The choices continued a pattern of Trump stocking his Cabinet with loyalists he believes he can trust to execute his agenda rather than longtime officials with experience in their fields. Gaetz’s selection, in particular, was seen as a shock. The Florida lawmaker was not among the more established attorneys who had been mentioned as contenders for the job, and even his colleagues in Congress appeared stunned by the news.

“Everybody was saying, ‘Oh my God,’” said Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho. “That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time.”

Trump announced the decision in a post in his Truth Social network, saying Gaetz would “root out the systemic corruption at DOJ, and return the Department to its true mission of fighting Crime, and upholding our Democracy and Constitution.”

Gaetz represents much of the Florida Panhandle and became a conservative star when he joined Congress, appearing as a frequent staunch defender of Trump on cable news.

He irked fellow GOP members in early 2023 when he filed the resolution that successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy then helped fund a primary challenge to Gaetz that included commercials alleging that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old, an allegation currently investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and the Justice Department ended its own sex trafficking investigation without bringing charges against him.

Inside a private meeting of House Republicans, GOP lawmakers first thought the news was a joke before realizing Trump had indeed named

Gaetz to serve as the nation’s chief law officer.

GOP Rep. Max Miller told reporters the shock in the room was more a reflection of members’ happiness that the Florida Republican will no longer be a member of the chamber after years of instigating interparty battles.

Even Trump’s allies in the Senate were keeping their distance.

“We’ll see,” said Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin when asked whether he would vote to confirm the congressman.

Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, suggested that the Senate would look closely into Gaetz, including the House Ethics Committee investigation.

“I’m sure it will make for a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing,” said GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who serves on the committee that will take up the Gaetz nomination, said it would be “the first test of whether Republicans are willing to stand up to Donald Trump and go with conscience and conviction as opposed to just politics.”

The announcement came shortly after Trump confirmed that he had picked Rubio, a conservative lawmaker, as the nation’s top diplomat. A onetime critic who evolved into one of the presidentelect’s fiercest defenders, Rubio, who will become the first Latino in the job, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump’s running mate this summer.

On Capitol Hill, Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has pushed for taking a harder line against China and has targeted social media app TikTok because its parent company is Chinese. He and other lawmakers contend that Beijing could demand access to the data of users whenever it wants.

He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement.

Trump made the announcement while flying back to Florida from Washington after meeting with President Joe Biden.

The president-elect had been expected to pick Rubio for the post, but had also faced pressure from allies of Ric Grenell, who served as acting director of national intelligence

Bangladesh leader Muhammad

AZERBAIJAN

BANGLADESH’S interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Wednesday that world leaders shouldn’t be negotiating at United Nations climate talks this year, and countries responsible for warming up the planet should instead just simply provide the funds to deal with the climate crisis.

“Why should there be a negotiation? You are causing the problem, then you solve it,” he told The Associated Press in an interview in Baku, Azerbaijan. “We will raise our voice and tell them it’s your fault, like what we did with colonialism.”

Yunus was chosen to head Bangladesh’s interim government after the nation’s longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned

during Trump’s first administration.

Grenell responded to the news on X, writing, “Congratulations, Senator. You will be great for America!”

The selection is the culmination of a long, complicated history between Trump and Rubio. During their tense competition for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016, Rubio was especially blunt in his criticism of Trump, calling him a “con artist” and “the most vulgar person to ever aspire to the presidency.”

He tried to match Trump’s often-crude attacks by joking about the size of Trump’s hands in a reference to his manhood. Trump responded by branding Rubio as “little Marco,” a nickname that stuck with the senator for years.

But like many Republicans who sought to maintain their relevance in the Trump era, Rubio shifted his rhetoric. As speculation intensified that Trump might pick him as his running mate, Rubio sought to play down the tension from 2016, suggesting the heated tone simply reflected the intensity of a campaign.

“That is like asking a boxer why they punched somebody in the face in the third round,” Rubio told CNN when asked about his previous comments. “It’s because they were boxing.”

Rubio was first elected to the Senate in 2010 as part of the tea party wave of Republicans who swept into Washington. He quickly gained a reputation as someone who could embody a more diverse, welcoming Republican Party. He was a key member of a group that worked on a 2013 immigration bill that included a path to citizenship for millions of people in the country illegally.

But that legislation stalled in the House, where more conservative Republicans were in control, signalling the sharp turn to the right that the party — and Rubio — would soon embrace. Now, Rubio says he supports Trump’s plan to deploy the US military to deport those in the country illegally.

“We are going to have to do something, unfortunately, we’re going to have to do something dramatic,” Rubio said in a May interview with NBC.

Gabbard, meanwhile, will to serve as director of national intelligence.

As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!”

Trump said in a statement. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!”

Both Vice Presidentelect JD Vance and Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. had been advocating for Gabbard to get a position in the administration, after she grew close with them during the campaign.

She helped prepare Trump for his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, announced she was becoming a Republican at a Trump rally during the race’s final stretch, and received huge cheers from his crowds at events.

Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider, compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions.

Gabbard hasn’t worked directly in the intelligence community, outside of House committees, including two years on the Homeland Security Committee. Like others Trump has selected for his agency leadership, she has been among his most popular political surrogates, often drawing thunderous responses from crowds as she stumped for him in the campaign’s closing months.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump announced that four longtime aides would be joining his administration as well.

Longtime aide Dan Scavino, who first worked for Trump as caddy at one of his golf courses and later became his social media guru, will serve as a deputy chief of staff. James Blair, the campaign’s political director, will serve as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs. And Taylor Budowich, who ran the pro-Trump Super PAC, Maga Inc., before joining the campaign, will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. All will have the rank of assistant to the president.

Trump also formally announced Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner and another of Trump’s longest-serving aides, will be deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.

Yunus slams rich nations for burning up the planet at UN climate talks

and fled abroad. Her resignation followed intense political turmoil earlier this year, with weeks of protests and clashes with security forces that killed nearly 300 people. Known as the “banker to the poorest of the poor,” Yunus, a Nobel laureate, was a longtime critic of Hasina. Yunus said the climate negotiations, known as COP29, can be “humiliating” for poor countries. Yunus likened the talks to a “fish market” packed with people trying to get the best bargains. “That’s a very wrong perception of the whole thing,” he said.

Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Various scientific reports have found that the South Asian nation could lose up to 17% of its land to rising

seas and is also at the brunt of increasingly more frequent and intense cyclonic storms.

But “everyone’s home is on fire,” said Yunus. He said rich nations, who developed their economies by burning planet-warming coal, oil and gas, are “not safe either. So they have to act in their self-interest as well as the interest of the whole planet.”

Yunus said he will dedicate his time as leader to clean energy projects in Bangladesh and protecting the population against climate change.

“Whether it’s an interim government or no government or a democratic government, whatever government is in power should be aware and has to work hard to stop that fire,” he said.

MUHAMMAD YUNUS, head of Bangladesh’s interim government speaks to members of the media at the COP29 UN Climate Summit, yesterday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Photo: Sergei Grits/AP

PRESIDENT Elect Donald Trump to appoint Florida representative Matt Gaetz, as Attorney General.

Photos: AP

STEPHEN Miller will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for policy and Homeland Security adviser.

TULSI Gabbard will serve as director of National Intelligence

SENATOR Marco Rubio of Florida is tapped as Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State.

Teams take 1-0 series leads in

GSSSA volleyball championship

FROM PAGE 16

“Pattie” Johnson gave special credit to the Sharks but said her team was ready for game one. “We went home and we discussed what was going on and what we needed to do. I told everybody you have to respect SC McPherson because they have a very good team but we cannot come back in the gym and say the same thing. We went out there and played heads up and we just were the better team today,” she said.

With one game separating the junior girls from their third straight title, coach Johnson said they have to maintain the same focus in game two.

The Lions’ junior boys got a little push back from the Sharks but managed to steal game one 2-1.

HO Nash obliterated the Sharks in set one 25-13. It came down to the wire in set two with SC McPherson regaining their footing in the matchup 25-22. With game one up for grabs, HO Nash took care of business 15-5 in the third set.

Lions head coach

Sydline Justilien said her team had some game one jitters but were able to shake it off and get the victory.

“I feel the boys were a bit shaky today and we usually play better than that but I know it is the first game and they were a little scared but hopefully

tomorrow we have a better game,” she said. She shared the message given to her team after the Sharks tied the matchup 1-1.

“I had to rally them up and let them know we are still in the game, not to give up, hold your head up and play fundamental volleyball and let’s win,” she said.

The goal is now for both Lions to wrap up their championship series today in game two.

Senior Division

It was a tightly-contested matchup between the Rattlers and Magic.

GHS, who came up short in last year’s finals, opened the beginning set with a 3-0 lead but the Rattlers remained poised and won it 25-20. They followed up set one with a 25-21 victory to close out game one 2-0.

Rattlers head coach

Kaivone Newbold was impressed with the way her team competed in the championship game.

“I think that at the end of the day they dug deep and they wanted it much more than Government High. I am very good with their performance. I am very happy with the way they performed when they were down, they dug deep and they didn’t give up,” she said.

Coach Newbold spoke about what the team needs to do to complete the twogame sweep today.

“They gotta continue to push and continue to be

OPENING DAY: The Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) volleyball best-of-three championship series kicked off in thrilling fashion yesterday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

confident but most of all continue to play ball and have fun. It is all about having fun and giving your all,” she said. In the final game of the night, the Rattlers and

Photo: Nikia Charlton

Knights fought tooth and nail to the finish. The decision came down to three sets and the Knights nabbed game one 2-1 over the defending champions.

The Knights threw the first blow in set one to emerge victorious 26-24.

The Rattlers rallied together in the following set and stunned the Knights 25-21. Set three came down to the final play and it would be the Knights leaving with bragging rights with a 15-13 victory.

Head coach Trevor Grant said it was no surprise that game one was so close against the defending champions.

“To win a game against the defending champions feels good. We are champions too so it was champions and against champions but in this game the next champion survived. KJ is going to put up a fight and I am going to put up a fight because it is the clash of the two titans and this rivalry has been going for years.

“Hats off to CI Gibson, they put up a fight but I had to make some adjustments with my players. Some of them have never played at this level in this capacity and they got a little shaky. They got their head focused and they came back,” he said.

Coach Grant is disappointed in the quick turnaround of the sudden death playoffs and championship games but he is hoping the team will close out the series today.

The 2024 GSSSA Volleyball Championships will continue today at 4pm in the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Bodybuilders face possible suspension

FROM PAGE 16

“During this meeting, BBWFF president Wellington Sears and other federation executives have expressed concern about this event. It was further stated that the captioned has not been endorsed/ sanctioned by the federation. Therefore, the BBWFF athletes, who chose to participate in this occasion, will not be compensated nor recognised for their performance by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture or the federation.

“Further, athletes should be aware that the Federation will not be held liable for any expenses/ injuries incurred as a result of their participation,” the memo stated.

The memo also outlines Article 17(h) of the Federation’s Constitution which states: any athlete or official who participates in any event not approved or sanctioned by the BBWFF, CAC or IFBB may be fined, suspended or expelled.

Over the weekend, 18 Bahamian bodybuilders took the stage at the 2024 NPC WorldWide Grand Prix, prompting another written correspondence from the BBWFF president to the athletes expressing his disappointment.

“As your president, the last thing that I want to do is stop any athlete from spreading their wings through competitions and garnering more competitive experience under their belt. However, please understand that this unsanctioned competition is a ‘slap in our faces’ as a federation and a country and under the IFBB Elite rules, I cannot subject myself to dishonesty and breaking of the rules.

SPORTS CALENDAR

FROM PAGE 16

“Once again, please note that I Wellington “Cat” Sears cannot stop you from competing as you are our Bahamian brothers and sisters.

“But, as I would have mentioned before, competing in a competition as such carries certain ramifications that will leave me no choice but to implement and follow through,” the letter stated.

Prominent bodybuilder

Paul “Mighty” Mouse won the open lightweight men’s bodybuilding category over the weekend. Wilson expressed his concerns about the impending suspension.

“In the past, we the members/athletes of the federation had the privilege of competing in various competitions in different organisations without fear of any consequences such as suspension, expulsion or the like because the executives and presidents of the past understood the benefits of having our athletes and some judges exposed to higher levels of competition/judging to sharpen our skills, talents and gifts.

“Presently, that is not the case, even within our own organisation athletes were either reprimanded or disrespected for competing in a show without informing the current president. Personally, as a competitor I saw no reason as to restrict athletes from competing anywhere which can help them grow competitively,” he said.

Veteran bodybuilder Stephen Robinson, former secretary of the BBWFF, expressed similar concerns on the matter.

“The president has been threatening many of the athletes ever since coming into power hence why there was nobody for the

Sports and Culture and the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, will recognise Curry-Davis, a former executive of the BBSF, who was working as the director for track and field before her death this year. Beginning at 9am, the meet will be geared for men and women competing in the under-7, under-11, under15, under-20 under-30 open, under-50 open and masters 50-and-over categories as well as the clergy for pastors, ministers, evangelists and deacons. TEE-OFF FOR HUNGER THE Bahamas Feeding Network is scheduled to

nationals and then again nobody was interested in participating in the CAC Championships. In the past, we were always allowed to be participants in the NPC shows here in Nassau or whether we travelled to the United States to participate in shows there.

“I was a part of the former administration for about 8-10 years and we had no issue then granting our athletes permission to participate.

“He can threaten whoever he wants to threaten with being suspended but at the end of the day he cannot stop anybody from participating in the NPC shows.

“Right now, no one it seems is interested in remaining under the BBWFF to go on to participate in nationals next year and the CAC Championships. It shouldn’t be that way and it shouldn’t be the angst or an axe to grind as the president,” he said.

Robinson suggested the president meet with bodybuilders and support the athletes in their efforts.

“You have athletes who train year round to participate in more than one show. With the nationals being the only show that they can possibly pull off, the athletes always sought other shows to participate in, being NPC shows.

“The threats are bottomless because no athlete is indebted to the BBWFF. We do not get any subvention or support from the Ministry as amateur athletes. “We pay membership dues to the BBWFF only in order to participate at the nationals and other than that we have the right to participate in any show that we choose to pay membership for, travel to and participate in,” he said.

host its 3rd annual Tee-off For Hunger on December 9 with Fidelity as its title sponsor. The tournament will begin at 12:30pm at the Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island. All interested players must register at: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/ tee-off-for-hunger-2024/ register.

Sears returned as BBWFF president back in January following a 20-year hiatus. He previously served as president from 1999 to 2001 before taking over from the former president and bodybuilder Joel Stubbs. The BBWFF National

Championships were cancelled earlier this year, but Team Bahamas had four members return home with four medals from the 51st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships last month.

to honour her athletic excellence, perseverance, and the spirit of determination that has made her a global icon and a beloved hometown hero.

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg expressed deep admiration and excitement, stating:

“It was an absolute joy to watch Jonquel play in person this season. Her athleticism, dedication, and love for the game are evident on the court, and we could not be prouder to celebrate her achievements on her home soil. She represents the power of resilience and hard work, and she is an inspiration to our youth and to all Bahamians. We are overjoyed to give her the hero’s welcome she deserves.”

Jones has become a symbol of Bahamian pride on the international stage, inspiring young athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. This homecoming tour gives her fans the chance to connect with her, hear her story firsthand, and celebrate the exceptional journey that has taken her from the courts of The Bahamas to WNBA stardom.

“Jonquel’s success showcases the global impact that Bahamian talent can achieve, and her commitment to her roots is inspiring,” said acting director of sports, Kelsie Johnson-Sills.

“The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is honoured to support this celebration and recognise her influence as both an athlete and an ambassador for The Bahamas.”

The tour will include stops at key locations and special events that highlight Bahamian culture and community, culminating in a grand ceremony with honoured guests, government officials, and fans, in Grand Bahama on Friday evening.

All Bahamians are invited to join in the festivities and cheer on Jonquel as she continues to reach new heights and inspire future generations. For more information and updates on Jonquel Jones’ homecoming tour schedule, please visit the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture’s Facebook Page.

4TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL POTCAKE GOLF TOURNAMENT TO TEE OFF IN SUPPORT OF ANIMAL WELFARE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS

Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) is proud to announce the 4th Annual International Potcake Golf Tournament, set to take place on December 1 at the prestigious Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar. Now a staple on The Bahamas’ events calendar, this highly anticipated event attracts both golf enthusiasts and community supporters alike, who come together in the spirit of sport and compassion. The Potcake Golf Tournament has quickly established itself as a highlight on the island, consistently reaching full capacity with eager participants and sponsors alike.

This year’s event will serve as a critical fundraiser for Baark!’s mission

to reduce the homeless animal population throughout The Bahamas through essential spay/ neuter and education initiatives.

Baark! aims to raise $100,000 to support its programs, which are expected to fund 5,000 spay and neuter surgeries annually across Nassau and the Family Islands, creating safer, cleaner communities and reducing the number of stray animals. These efforts are made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, prize donors and participants. Supporting Spay and Neuter Initiatives Across Eleuthera

This year, Baark! has hosted Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital (MASH) clinics across

the island of Eleuthera. These clinics provide vital spay and neuter services to help manage the stray population and educate communities on responsible pet ownership. Since its founding in 2009, Baark! has worked tirelessly to address the issues of stray and unwanted animals through spay/neuter programmes and educational projects. The organisation’s goal is to reach not only the animals in need but also to create more responsible pet ownership and compassionate communities. The funds raised at this year’s Potcake Golf Tournament will help cover Baark!’s operational costs and fuel the continued growth of its essential services throughout the Bahamas.

Pro Picks: Big-time QB matchups highlight NFL’s Week 11 schedule

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

RUSSELL Wilson and Lamar Jackson go headto-head for first place. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes renew their rivalry. Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels start theirs.

Big-time quarterback matchups highlight the NFL’s Week 11 schedule.

Wilson and the Steelers (7-2) host two-time MVP Jackson and the Ravens (7-3) in a showdown in the AFC North on Sunday.

Then Mahomes and the undefeated Chiefs (9-0) take on Allen and the AFC East-leading Bills (8-2) in a playoff rematch.

The NFC East lead is at stake when the Commanders (7-3) and Eagles (7-2) kick off the week tonight.

Five road teams are favourites, including Baltimore, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Pro Picks seeks another winning week.

Seattle (4-5) at San Francisco (5-4)

Line: 49ers minus 6 1/2

The Seahawks haven’t defeated the 49ers since Wilson was their quarterback in 2021. San Francisco has won six straight in the series, including a playoff victory. Seattle is a long way from its 3-0 start under rookie coach Mike Macdonald.

The Seahawks are coming off a bye, and they have the NFL’s No. 1 passing offence behind Geno Smith but their defence is bottom third. The 49ers just got Christian McCaffrey back last week and this is the time of year when they go on a run. They were 9-0 after a bye in 2022, 6-0 after it last season and started 1-0 with last week’s win in Tampa Bay. Brock Purdy had an excellent game against the Buccaneers and is 5-0 with a passer rating above 115 against the Seahawks.

BEST BET:

49ERS: 31-20

Cincinnati (4-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)

Line: Chargers minus 1 1/2 Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals

had a shot to knock off the Ravens last week, but blew a 14-point lead and then couldn’t convert a 2-point conversion at the end. Burrow is playing his best football but has a tough challenge against a defence that has two straight games of six sacks or more. The Chargers are giving up the fewest points per game (13.1) and Justin Herbert has benefited from a strong rushing attack. The Chargers are 3-0 against the spread as a home favourite. The Bengals are 2-1 ATS as an underdog.

UPSET SPECIAL:

BENGALS: 23-20

Washington (7-3) at Philadelphia (7-2)

Line: Eagles minus 3 1/2

The NFC East lead is on the line when Jalen Hurts and the Eagles seek their sixth straight win. Philadelphia has the league’s No. 2 defence and No. 6 offence. Saquon Barkley leads the NFL’s second-best rushing attack. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels and first-year coach Dan Quinn have led a major turnaround in Washington. The Commanders’ offence is fourth in yards and second in scoring at 29 points per game. Washington gave up 28 points in a loss to the Steelers and need to rebound against a dynamic offence.

EAGLES: 29-24

Green Bay (6-3) at Chicago (4-5)

Line: Packers minus 6 1/2

Fresh off a bye, the Packers seek their first NFC North victory after losing to the two teams ahead of the them: Detroit and Minnesota. Jordan Love has thrown 10 picks in 240 attempts. Caleb Williams has struggled during a three-game losing streak and the Bears fired their offensive coordinator this week. Maybe a fresh voice can help Williams get going. Green Bay is 10-0 against the spread in the past 10 games vs. Chicago. The Bears are 2-13 straight up in the past 15 divisional games.

PACKERS: 24-16

Jacksonville (2-8) at Detroit (8-1) Line: Lions minus 14

The Lions found a way to win a difficult road game in Houston despite Jared Goff’s five interceptions. With tougher games coming up, they can’t afford a letdown against the overmatched Jaguars. Jacksonville might be the biggest disappointment in the league this season. The Jaguars are 1-6 in one-score games and have lost 13 of 16 since an 8-3 start last year after winning their division in 2022. Mascot Jaxson De Ville might be the team’s MVP.

LIONS: 31-16

Minnesota (7-2) at Tennessee (2-7)

Line: Vikings minus 6 Sam Darnold is starting to show why he’s on his fourth team, but the Vikings are still winning thanks to a stout defence. Darnold has five interceptions in the past two games and is tied with Love and Geno Smith for the most interceptions in the NFL with 10. Will Levis returned from injury and had his best game for the Titans in another loss. Tennessee still has the top-ranked defence in the league, giving up the fewest yards per game.

VIKINGS: 23-16

Las Vegas (2-7) at Miami (3-6)

Line: Dolphins minus 8 Miami’s offence is almost back on track with Tua

Tagovailoa and the defence stepped up in a road win against the Rams on Monday night.

The Dolphins can climb back into the AFC wildcard race with two winnable games coming up against the lowly Raiders and the Patriots. Las Vegas returns from a bye with three new assistant coaches.

The Raiders have bigger issues. The offence can’t score and the defence can’t stop opponents from finding the end zone. A short week for Miami off a West Coast game prevents a rout.

DOLPHINS: 23-16

Los Angeles Rams (4-5) at New England (3-7)

Line: Rams minus 4 1/2

The inconsistent Rams blew a chance to better position themselves for a playoff run with a home loss to Miami. They’ve got an opportunity to rebound against an overmatched team that’s coming off an impressive road win.

Drake Maye has been a bright spot for the Patriots and earned his first win as a starter in Chicago.

New England sacked Caleb Williams nine times and could make it a long afternoon for Matthew Stafford.

RAMS: 24-17

Cleveland (2-7) at New Orleans (3-7)

Line: Saints minus 1

Jameis Winston returns to New Orleans where he started 10 games in four seasons with the Saints. Winston excelled while leading the Browns to an upset win over the Ravens in his first start and struggled in his second. The Browns are coming off a bye and aren’t as bad as their record. The Saints upset the first-place Falcons in interim coach Darren Rizzi’s debut. They haven’t turned the ball over in three games, though only won once. Cleveland’s Nick Chubb could have a breakout game against a bottom-six run defence in his fourth game back.

BROWNS: 20-17

Indianapolis (4-6) at New York Jets (3-7)

Line: Jets minus 3 1/2

The Colts are going back to Anthony Richardson after Joe Flacco had six turnovers, including four interceptions, in the past two games. Cornerback Kenny Moore doesn’t think his teammates are working hard enough. The Jets are more of a mess. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t made an impact. The offence is 26th in yards and averaging just 17.7 points per game. New York’s defence has gone downhill since Robert Saleh was fired. Someone has to win, though.

JETS: 17-16

Baltimore (7-3) at Pittsburgh (7-2)

Line: Ravens minus 3

The Steelers have dominated this rivalry, winning seven of the past eight games. Wilson gets his first taste of it after leading Pittsburgh to three straight wins in his first three games. The Ravens have the No. 1 rushing offence and are first overall in total yards. But the Steelers are fourth against the run. Jackson is 2-4 with four TDs, seven interceptions and a 66.8 passer rating against Baltimore. The Ravens are 1-5 ATS in their past six games vs. Steelers.

RAVENS: 24-23

Atlanta (6-4) at Denver (5-5)

Line: Broncos minus 2 1/2

The Falcons couldn’t overcome Younghoe Koo’s three missed field goals in

New Orleans. Now, Kirk Cousins and the rest of Atlanta’s offence face a tough challenge in Denver against the league’s fifthranked defence. Bo Nix outplayed Mahomes last week and should have plenty of time to throw facing the league’s worst pass rush. Sean Payton has to make sure the Broncos aren’t sulking after a crushing loss in Kansas City.

BRONCOS: 24-20

Kansas City (9-0) at Buffalo (8-2)

Line: Bills minus 2 1/2

The Chiefs barely stayed undefeated thanks to a blocked field goal on the final play against Denver. Their plus-58 point differential is the lowest of any of the 34 teams that have started 9-0. But Patrick Mahomes relishes the underdog role. The Chiefs have won five straight games as underdogs, including a victory at San Francisco in Week 7. Mahomes is 11-3 during his career as a underdog. The Bills are off to their best start since 1993 thanks to feasting on teams with a combined record of 26-49. Josh Allen is 3-1 against Mahomes in the regular season, 0-3 in the playoffs, including a home loss in the divisional round last January.

CHIEFS: 22-20

Houston (6-4) at Dallas (3-6)

Line: Texans minus 7 1/2

The Texans blew a 16-point lead against Detroit and failed to take advantage of five picks.

C.J. Stroud needs to get the offence going and could get help if receiver Nico Collins returns. Houston won’t need to score many points against Dallas, which won’t have Dak Prescott for the rest of the season. The Cowboys can’t run the ball and that makes everything more difficult for backup QB Cooper Rush. Micah Parsons is the only one who could keep Dallas from another 20-point loss.

TEXANS: 27-16

column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games.

FANTASY PLAYS: PLAYERS TO START AND SIT THIS WEEK

By DORIAN COLBERT RosterWatch

IT’s Week 11 of the fantasy football season and the changes keep coming.

However these sit/start options will attempt to help you to fantasy success this week and beyond.

Quarterbacks

Start: Russell Wilson, Steelers vs Ravens

Wilson has had a renaissance of sorts in Pittsburgh, displaying arm strength and accuracy. Over his first three starts since returning in Week 7, Wilson has been responsible for seven touchdowns and just one interception. The addition of receiver Mike Williams adds another option, and this week Wilson will face a Ravens defence that is the second-best matchup for opposing QBs.

Other locks:

—Justin Herbert vs Bengals

—Brock Purdy vs Seahawks

—Jalen Hurts vs Commanders

—Lamar Jackson at Steelers

Avoid: Caleb Williams, Bears vs Packers Williams was spectacular before Chicago’s bye, but his fantasy production has fallen off since. He’s yet to throw a TD since Week 6, and Williams has only thrown for more than 200 yards once in three games since the break. The offensive line is failing the young QB, allowing him to get sacked nine times in Week 10. His opponent this week, the Packers, has the best defence Williams will have faced since the bye, so don’t expect him to turn it around this week.

Running backs

Start: Nick Chubb, Browns at Saints Chubb has been fairly quiet from a fantasy

standpoint since he returned from the knee injury he sustained early last season, but that’s largely been predicated on the matchups he’s had since coming back. Chubb has faced top-10 run defences in each of his first three outings this season, and his offensive line hasn’t been doing him any favours either. Chubb gets a reprieve this week though, as the Browns will face a Saints front that is the third-best matchup for opposing runners going into Week 11. Chubb is in line to have the best game of his season.

Other locks:

—Josh Jacobs vs Bears

—Kareem Hunt at Bills

—Jahmyr Gibbs vs Jaguars

—Kyren Williams at Patriots

Avoid: Tony Pollard, Titans vs Vikings Pollard has been putting up solid numbers since

the Week 6 bye, but he’s only scored once over that stretch too. His production waned significantly with the return of Tyjae Spears, who suffered an injury in Week 6, gaining 63 combined yards. With an offence that generally struggles to get in scoring position, Pollard is a middling option at best this week.

Wide receivers

Start: Jakobi Meyers, Raiders at Dolphins Meyers is one of the few bright spots on the Raiders offence right now, along with tight end Brock Bowers. Meyers put up season-high numbers before the bye, catching 8 of 11 targets for 105 yards in a losing effort to Cincinnati, and though he faces a formidable matchup with Miami this week, Meyers is still a strong play, as the Raiders just don’t have too many playmakers outside of him and Bowers.

Other locks:

—Courtland Sutton vs Falcons

—George Pickens vs Ravens

—Terry McLaurin at Eagles

—Jauan Jennings vs Seattle

Avoid: Jordan Addison, Vikings vs Titans

Addison has topped 50 yards just twice this season, a far cry from his rookie season in 2023, and things seemed to get worse for him in Week 10, when TJ Hockenson made his proper return to form. Addison only had two catches for 25 yards in that game, while Hockenson led the team in receiving. Addison’s recent struggles, along with a matchup with the Titans, who have a strong secondary, make him an unreliable play in Week 11.

Tight ends Start: Will Dissly, Chargers vs Bengals

Dissly led the team in targets (six) and receptions (five) in Week 10. In fact, he’s averaged five targets over his past five games, a more than respectable number for a starting TE this season.

Dissly has gone up against top-10 TE defences in three of those games too, a far cry from the fourthbest matchup Bengals he’ll face this week.

On a Chargers team that has gone pass-happy in recent weeks, Dissly makes for a solid streaming option in Week 11.

Other locks:

—Mark Andrews at Steelers

—Evan Engram at Detroit

—TJ Hockenson at Titans

—Kyle Pitts at Broncos

Avoid: Zach Ertz, Commanders at Eagles

Ertz had been a high floor option for the majority of the season, until this recent run of stout TE defences that the Commanders have faced.

Over his past two outings, Ertz has managed only five catches for 36 yards, thanks in part to the emergence of WR Noah Brown in the offence. The Commanders offence has been efficient, so any drop in targets can potentially have a dramatic effect on a player’s output. Also this week is Washington’s matchup with the Eagles, who are the worst matchup for opposing TEs going into Week 11.

BALTIMORE Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 7 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

‘Buddy’ and Klay Thompson clash in Emirates NBA Cup

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamian

sharpshooter Chavano

“Buddy” Hield and the Golden State Warriors spoiled Mavericks guard Klay Thompson’s return to Golden State on Tuesday night at the Chase Centre.

The Warriors’ opening game of the Emirates National Basketball Association (NBA) Cup came down to the final shot, but Golden State held on to win 120-117.

Thompson, the son of Bahamian basketball legend Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson, got a warm welcome from the Golden State crowd in his Warriors homecoming.

The four-time NBA champion was feeling the love on the court too. He

finished the emotional return with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists. He went for 7-for-17 from the field and 6-for-12 from three-point range.

He expressed how it felt to return to the Bay Area.

“It was a really cool experience. I appreciate the fans very much and the captain’s hat ended up being a great touch because I am such a passionate boater. I saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd and that was a warm-hearted feeling. It was really cool to see the fans’ gratitude towards myself and it’s something I will never take for granted so it was very awesome,” he said.

Head coach Steve Kerr said it was fantastic to see the love the fans displayed for the former Warriors shooting guard.

“Klay hit some big shots and had 22 points and made

his mark on the game. We were thrilled to come away with the win and then to see the emotion in the crowd and the love for Klay was fantastic,” he said.

Despite a strong shooting night from Klay, fellow “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry put the Mavs to sleep in the fourth quarter with some dynamic shooting in crunch time. He closed out the Mavericks with a gamehigh 37 points, six rebounds and nine assists. He made five threes and shot 14-for27 from the field.

Hield, Thompson’s replacement on the Warriors, chipped in 14 points off the bench and made some timely plays down the stretch in the second half.

Thompson was fouled by Curry on a two-pointer within a few seconds of the opening tip.

He drained the two shots at the charity and Curry retaliated with a deep three, a back and forth stretch that would foreshadow how the contest would play out in the end.

After the first 12 minutes of regulation, Golden State was ahead by six (33-27).

Dallas managed to create some separation with a strong offensive showing in the second half. The Mavs three-point specialist canned back-to-back threes at the 6:27 mark to give his newest team a 48-41 edge. “Buddy” scored a quick two off a Curry assist with less than four minutes to go but the Warriors were still behind 53-46.

The Mavericks were on top 63-59 going into the locker rooms for the halftime break.

While Thompson continued to let it rain from deep, Curry continued to return the favour.

The two-time NBA MVP let a deep 28-foot three pointer fly at the 8:04 mark to give GSW a 72-66 lead after Andrew Wiggins put them back on top earlier in the quarter.

Dallas got outscored 37-24 in the third period and trailed 96-89 with one quarter left to be played.

The fourth quarter got underway and “Buddy” scored consecutive layups to put the Warriors on top 102-100.

Thompson had eight of his 22 points in the fourth quarter but missed a wide open three pointer at the 1:29 mark while Dallas struggled to make a bucket.

What was once a definitive seven-point cushion (112-105) for Dallas at the four-minute mark turned into a 114-110 swing thanks to Curry.

The Mavs continued to hang around but the Warriors starting point guard had Mavs centre Dereck Lively II leaning at the top of the key before stepping back for a clutch three.

Quentin Grimes retaliated with a stepback three of his own on the other end of the court to put the Mavs within one but Curry once again iced the game with a pair of makes at the freethrow line.

Dallas had a chance to force OT but Wiggins smothered Luka Doncic on a last minute three-point heave.

The Warriors improved to a 9-2 win/loss record on the season while Dallas dropped to 5-6 in the Western Conference.

The group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup continues for Golden State on Friday at 10pm against the sixth seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the Chase Centre.

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with guard Buddy Hield (7) during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in San Francisco, on Tuesday night.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

SPORTS

Knights win Game 1

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) volleyball best-of-three championship series kicked off in thrilling fashion yesterday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

The HO Nash Lions took a commanding 1-0 series lead in their junior boys and girls matchups against the SC McPherson Sharks.

Over in the senior division, the CI Gibson Rattlers took charge 1-0 in their series against the senior girls of Government High School.

Teams take 1-0 leads in GSSSA volleyball

THE Government of

Championship games will continue at 4pm today in the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Junior Division

The HO Nash Lions, the two-time defending champions, continued to dominate in the junior girls’ division. They stepped onto the floor against this year’s pennant winners and battled their way to consecutive set wins against the Sharks.

The Lions finished off the Sharks 25-21, 25-12. Lions head coach Patricia

The CR Walker Knights senior boys are also in the driver’s seat 1-0 against the defending champions CI Gibson.

SEE PAGE 13

MEET THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold its Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis Memorial Track and Field

November Bodybuilders face possible suspension

By TENAJH SWEETING

Classic on November 16 at Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, hosted in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth,

13

The Bahamas, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, is thrilled to announce a grand homecoming celebration in honour of Jonquel Jones, our very own WNBA champion and MVP.

This historic event will celebrate her outstanding accomplishments with the New York Liberty, including her MVP season and championship title, which have brought immense pride and inspiration to Bahamians everywhere.

Major sponsors for this momentous occasion include Baha Mar, ALIV, Grand Bahama Port Authority and Grand Lucayan.

The homecoming tour will kick off on Thursday, November 14, featuring a parade, public meet-andgreet events, and special appearances by Jonquel herself as she connects with fans across The Bahamas. This celebration is designed

BAHAMIAN bodybuilders picked up a number of trophies at the NPC Worldwide Caribbean Grand Prix last weekend at the Atlantis resort but will now face a possible three-month suspension because of it.

Wellington “Cat” Sears, president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Wellness Federation (BBWFF), confirmed with Tribune Sports earlier this week that bodybuilders that competed at the event will face consequences due to the event not being endorsed/sanctioned by the federation.

not to compete at the meet or risk disciplinary action, not having their performance recognised and risk not being compensated.

Prior to last weekend’s event, a memo was sent to coaches, athletes and executives back in August warning BBWFF athletes

13

The memo, which references a meeting held with the federation’s executives and officials of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, outlined the concerns expressed by the BBWFF president.

TEAM EFFORT: CR Walker senior boys head coach Trevor Grant makes in-game adjustments against the CI Gibson Rattlers last night. The Knights won 2-1 in a three-set thriller. Photo: Nikia Charlton