Month: June 2020

Etienne Gets All-American Honours

Jyles Etienne

Jyles Etienne

As of Tuesday, June 16, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamian Jyles Etienne, who decided to give up a promising career as a basketball player to compete in track and field, is fast becoming one of the premier high jumpers to watch at the collegiate level.

#Etienne, now attending Indiana University where he was competing in his junior year, was named by the US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on an All-American list for the indoor track and field season after he finished at the ninth spot in the event when sports was halted just before the NCAA National Indoor Championships was to take place in March.

#Etienne, the son of Vonchelle and Raphael Etienne, soared a lifetime best of 2.23 metres or 7-feet, 3 3/4-inches to earn his first Big Ten individual title.

#He opened the season at the Hoosier Open with the same height to post the fourth-best mark in the programme’s history.

#“It feels good. It’s just all of the hard work paying off,” said Etienne after he earned his first All-American honour at the collegiate level after twice receiving the nod while at the Brook in 2016 and 2017. “It really feels good.”

#The COVID-19 pandemic put a lid on his indoor and outdoor season at Indiana, but Etienne is now preparing for his return to Bloomington for his final season and ultimately a trip to Tokyo, Japan, in July 2021 for the 2020 Olympics, which was postponed this July due to the spread of the coronavirus. “The timing of the coronavirus wasn’t that bad. I just came off winning a conference meet, so I was glad that I was able to do it,” he said. “It cut right between conference and nationals, so basically it gave me time to prepare for next year.

#“I haven’t missed anything. Everything just got prolonged to next year. So I am hopeful that I will be able to get back to where I was before everything stopped because of the coronavirus.”

#The 21-year-old Etienne has been in town since March 20 where he’s been training under the guidance of local coach James Rolle at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium after Prime Minister Hubert Minnis gave the go-ahead for professional athletes to resume training at the beginning of May.

#“It was a little different at first because they didn’t open the stadium, but now it’s opened and you’re able to get into the weight room too, so it’s going good right now,” said Etienne of the training sessions here.

#But Etienne said he doesn’t expect everything to be as normal as before, considering the “Back Lives Matter’ and “I Can’t Breath’ campaign as a result of the resurgence of protests and riots after the death of African American George Floyd by a white policeman on May 25.

#“I think because of the pandemic, there will be a lot of changes,” Etienne said. “I’m just trying to take everything day by day and not let it get to me. “When that time comes, I will deal with it.”

#In the meantime, Etienne said he’s holding out to see whether or not the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will host their National Championships over the weekend of July 31 to August 1, or he just goes into his preparation phase for the 2021 season and the Olympics. “I heard that they are having the Nationals at the end of July, so that is the main thing on my calendar right now,” Etienne said. “But I want to qualify for the Olympic Games, so jumping 2.30m (7-6 1/2) is my main goal and then once I do that, everything else like college nationals will fall into place.”

#The 2017 under-20 CARIFTA bronze medallist in the high jump was a New York State champion in 2016 and was second at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2016 and fourth place finisher in 2017 while attending The Stony Brook High School after he left Queen’s College at grade 10.

#It was during his sting at Stony Brook High School that the 6-foot, 5-inch Etienne made a name for himself as a two-sport star. He was excelling in basketball, but was encouraged to venture into the high jump.

#“One of my coaches saw that I was jumping high and blocking a lot of shots,” Etienne said. “So he said I should try the high jump. I was doing both sports for about three years and then I saw I was way better in the high jump, so I made the switch.”

#After spending the past two seasons soaring in high jump, Etienne said he has no regrets making the transition from basketball. He said he’s grateful because track and field has provided him with more opportunities to travel and compete.

#As he began his freshman indoor season at Indiana, Etienne posted a third place finish at the Indiana Relays with a leap of 2.04m (6-8 1/4) on his first attempt. He also took the title at the Gladstein Invite with a clearance of 2.07m (6-9 1/2) and he won the Hoosier Open with 2.21m (7-3).

#During the outdoors, Etienne made an unsuccessful debut at the Big Ten Championships after he placed eighth at the Tennessee Relays with 2.07m (6-9 1/2) and he was in the top 10 at the Florida Relays with 2.06m (6-9).

#In 2018-19, Etienne continued to flourish in his sophomore year by climbing up the ladder to a third place finish at the Big Ten Indoor Championships with 2.16m (7-1) after he earned the titles at the Hoosier Open, Gladstein Invite, Indiana Relays and the Tyson Invitational. He also has second place finishes at the IU vs Tennessee Duals, Jim Green Track and Field Invitational and the Power Five Invite.

#Those performances carried over to the outdoor season where Etienne won the ASU Invitational and the Billy Hayes Invite, placed third at the Big Ten Championships with 2.20m (7-2 1/2) and culminated with 17th at his initial NCAA Championships with 2.15m (7-0 1/2).

#After getting off to another impressive start to his junior season this year, Etienne had to watch as everything came to a halt at the end of the Big Ten Championships.

Reno’ Johnson Happy Pro Boxing Is Back, Can’T Wait To Travel

As of Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER all of the problems he has experienced training here at home with the Bahamas Boxing Federation, Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson said he’s glad that professional boxing is back and he can’t wait for the international borders to open so he can return either to Cuba or the United States to continue to prepare for a possible world title shot.

#Johnson, the reigning 36-year-old WBC-NABF middleweight champion, was scheduled to fight on April 4 in Moscow, Russia against Magomed Madiev, but that was called off due to COVID-19, which put a damper on sports around the world.

#Having returned home, Johnson was hoping to stay physically fit and in shape as his promoters from the Golden Boy DAZN continue to negotiate for the mandatory fight for a shot at the World Boxing Association (WBA) world middleweight title.

#“We have decided that since Russia is still on a lock down, we will go another route, but we are still waiting on word from the WBA if it is okay for us to still go to Russia or can we take another fight now and wait until we can take that fight in Russia,” Johnson said. “We are looking for another world champion Jamie Munguia, who is also a part of Golden Boys Promotions. Both of us are in the same club, so that fight should be easily made. Right now we are in deep talks to make that fight happen.”

#Madiev, a 25-year-old orthodox fighter, has a 14-0-1 win-loss-draw record, while Munguia, a 25-year-old Mexican, is 35-0-0 with 28 knockouts. Johnson, 36, is 21-2-1 with 15 knockouts.

#After months with the sport all but completely on pause because of the global coronavirus pandemic, boxing returned in Las Vegas last week with a show promoted by Top Rank on ESPN without any fans in the stands.

#That was good news to Johnson, who knew that the sport would eventually return.

#“We knew that the virus has hampered us for a while, but like Bahamians, boxers are resilient and so we knew it was just a matter of time that it would return,” Johnson said.

#However, Johnson said he was concerned about boxing here in the Bahamas before the pandemic hit in March. He said what transpired from then to now is evident of his claim.

#“The leadership in boxing has been one of the poorest and boxing is now at an all-time low,” Johnson said. “After the Prime Minister gave us the okay to train in the gym, I’ve had some difficulties using the national gymnasium. But after having to go through the National Sports Authority after the president Vincent Strachan put up so many restrictions on the use of the gym and the equipment, I have been granted permission.”

#When he’s not training at the National Boxing Gym, Johnson said he uses the facilities at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium where he can train in the gym and utilise the track.

#“I can’t make any excuses. I have to worry about getting the results,” Johnson stated. “I’m training as hard as I can. I have to find a way to train, but it’s uncomfortable under the conditions that I have to train in. It could have been better, but I’m not complaining. I see the results and so I’m going to press on each and every day that I go out there to train.”

#In a recent press release, Strachan levied some charges that indicated that because the facility and the equipment at the National Boxing Gym were not properly secured, a letter was posted that no professional boxers will be allowed to use the equipment without permission of the BBA and its president.

#Strachan said there is one punching bag in the gym that was donated by the NSA that Johnson is allowed to use, but he wants to protect the equipment they have on hand for the amateurs when they are allowed to train.

#He said after he was elected two years ago, he met the gym in a deplorable state with a leaky roof and very little equipment for the boxers to train with.

#After getting promises from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to repair the facilities, Strachan said nothing has been done. He’s asking for the ministry to define the role of the BBF regarding the management and use of the stadium, which was turned over to them by former Minister, the late Charles Maynard.

#While there are too many issues to deal with over the use of the faculty, Johnson said he’s eager to catch the first flight out of town so that he can continue his training either in Cuba or the United States.

#“My next fight is a very good one because either I’m going to fight my opponent in his backyard in Russia or I have to take on another opponent in his backyard in Mexico,” Johnson pointed out.

#“So it’s not going to be easy. I’m training as hard as I could. I want to become the next Bahamian world champion and so I’m in dire need of getting in the best shape that I can without any interruptions.”

#On March 5, 2010, Johnson made a successful pro debut on March 5, 2010 against Cleoney Fuqua with a technical knockout after he enjoyed a long illustrious amateur career that ended with a trip to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China where he lost in the third round of the welterweight division to Kanat Islam of Kazakhstan.

#While he has yet to win any of the four major world titles (WBC, WBO, IBF or WBA, Johnson has won three minor titles.

#His first came on July 11, 2004 when he pulled off a 10 round unanimous decision over Mike Gavronski for the vacant WBC Continental of Americas middleweight crown at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington.

#He went on to claim the WBC Silver and WBA international middleweight title in Madison Square Gardens, New York City, New York over Alex Theran on January 9, 2015.

#And in his last fight on July 18, 2019, Johnson earned the WBC-NABF middleweight title with a ninth round decision over Jason Quingley at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Minister Rolle Outlines Official Guidance Document

As of Tuesday, June 16, 2020

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#AS local sporting activities remain on hold throughout the country due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, organisations eagerly anticipate the guidelines that will allow them to return to participation.

#In her contribution to the Budget Debate for the 2020/2021 fiscal period, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle said the mode of operations for organisations moving forward would be outlined in the official Guidance Document.

#“In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has prepared a list of COVID-19 Guidelines for the benefit of youth organisations, sports federations and organisations and cultural artists and related entities that may choose to conduct independent programmes,” she said, “for the record we emphasise that until we are clear of this state of emergency particular contact sports and related facilities should not be conducted or opened in the absence of health guidance.”

#The official Guidance Document was expected to be available Monday 15th June, 2020 on the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture’s website and Facebook page. Rolle added that the government expects to move ahead with its summer programmes and announced dates for its commencement.

#“Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health we are planning to host our four-week summer programmes commencing July 27 to August 21,” she said.

#“We also continue to monitor guidance by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for best practices of reopening youth, sports and cultural sectors and activities. In this COVID-19 environment, our programmes will be guided by and subject to the advice of the Ministry of Health.”

#Several international sporting bodies, including FIBA and the World Baseball Softball Confederation, have issued safety guidelines for their respective member federations as the sporting community continues to search for a means to continue amid the pandemic.

#FIBA published recommendations on returning to basketball, with a basketball-specific Risk Assessment Tool, produced in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

#FIBA’s guidelines are primarily for national federations that are seeking direction and advice on the restart of basketball activities and competitions.

#The guidelines and risk assessment tool will serve as a checklist to ensure any decisions on basketball events are based on an assessment of risks and the best chance of a successful restart. This publication is not intended to replace the guidance and restrictions of governments and public health authorities.

#The WBSC published a set of health and operational recommendations for the safe return of baseball and softball activity.

#The precautionary measures and recommendations — named “Safe Return to Baseball/Softball — COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines” — have been developed by the WBSC Medical Commission in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s risk assessment tool and “Considerations for sports federations/sports event organisers when planning mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19”

Top Junior Female Tennis Player Sydney Clarke Graduates

Sydney Clarke

Sydney Clarke

As of Monday, June 15, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With most students here and abroad not able to have the graduation they expected from high school or college because of the COVID-19 pandemic, top junior female player Sydney Clarke is basking in the fact that she accomplished the feat at Windsor School.

#Clarke, along with 24 of her classmates, enjoyed the ceremony on Saturday under a big tent on the school’s grounds, surrounded by close family members as they endured the social distancing.

#“It’s exciting. I finally graduated from high school, so that is a big accomplishment,” said Clarke, who spent the past three years after transferring from CR Walker Secondary High School.

#“It’s only motivation moving forward as I go on to UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) so that I can do the same when I get there.”

#The 18-year-old shared the special moment with her parents Bernard and Shayvon Clarke and younger sister, Sarai, whom she has inspired to play tennis as well. Also sharing in the occasion was her Windsor coach Richele LeSaldo and BLTA coach Michael Butler.

#“I feel very lucky because many people either had to cancel their graduation, or do it virtually or do drive through graduation,” Clarke said. “But I feel very lucky and grateful that we were able to have our family there at the ceremony instead of doing it virtually.”

#In a short, but exciting ceremony, Clarke said she was proud to walk in and listen to a few speeches before they were presented with their awards. She earned the top honours for achieving outstanding performance.

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Sydney Clarke (front) wearing a mask during her graduation ceremony. Photo: Montez Kerr

#With the Bahamas Government expected to open the border for international travel on July 1, Clarke is eager to get ready to travel to Birmingham, Alabama to begin her freshman year on an athletic scholarship to play.

#“I’m really excited to get to UAB and begin my courses,” said Clarke, who intends to pursue a degree in business. “So I’m just really excited to build a path to graduate and become an alumni of UAB. “Tennis wise, due to COVID-19 with the tournaments on hold, we will just be training, trying to stay in shape. I’m told that the season will be cut short, so when I get there, I just have to be ready to get to work because I won’t have much time.”

#And with the close-knit family she has, Clarke said she knows that she will miss being around everybody, including Windsor School and the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association and the National Tennis Centre.

#“When I was at Windsor, I was glad that on the weekends, I could go home to see my parents and play some tennis at the National Tennis Centre,” Clarke said. “So it’s gonna be a challenge getting used to everything in my new environment, but I feel I can handle it.

#“I know that I will be even more excited whenever I get a chance to come home and spend some time with everybody. But I’m looking forward to moving on from high school to college.”

#Before graduating, Clarke completed her junior year as the top female tennis player in the country last year.

#In December, she earned her second spot on the team to represent the Bahamas at the Fed Cup tournament.

#But with the Fed Cup on hold because of COVID-19, there’s no telling if Clarke will be able to come home from school to participate, if the event is not held before she heads to Alabama.

‘Nacac Don’T Support Racism In Any Way, Shape Or Form’

As of Monday, June 15, 2020

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Mike Sands

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE Mike Sands indicated that that there is no room for systemic racism that has resurfaced in the United States, there is an opportunity to help unite the athletes in the region through a track and field meet staged here in the Bahamas.

#Speaking over the weekend as the newly elected president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean region, Sands said NACAC finds it absolutely necessary to add its voice to the chorus that continues to grow, declaring its total rejection of any form of racism in society, generally, but more so in the world of sports.

#“I just want people to understand that NACAC don’t support racism in any way, shape or form,” said Sands, a former president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations. “If you look at what is happening, sporting bodies are talking about it and NACAC, which represents a cross section of ethnicity and race, creed, religion and colour, we want to raise our concern that we do not support racism. We just don’t want to remain silent on the issue. We just want to make the statement that we do not support racism in any shape or form.”

#The USA went into a “Black Lives Matter’ frenzy following the brutal death of African American George Floyd by a white Policeman in Minnesota. That led to a nation-wide protest, riots and looting in leading up to his funeral service last week as people banded together for justice.

#“I think what has been happening through North America, the world and even in the Bahamas, has sensitize people that we need to be more aware that all people are created equal,” Sands said. “We have to make it a point to treat everybody equal, regardless of race, creed or color. That is the underlying message. People want to be treated equal, especially those that are considered minority.”

#As NACAC and its parent body, World Athletics, continue to lead the world in the fight against drugs, Sands said they too strive to play a leading role in the eradication of racism in sport, fully cognizant that by doing so, they are participating in a greater war, that of eradicating the scourge of racism from global society.

#With the world coming to grips with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has halted activities since March, Sands said NACAC is doing a lot of work behind the scene to put on a meet that will bring the region together later this year.

#“We do have a plan and we are looking at something before the end of the season later on in September to be centered around the remaining Diamond League and the Prefontaine Classic, which is scheduled for October 4.

#“We’ve been doing a survey with our area coaches and our area athletes’ representatives and there is a huge support for an event for the athletes to n because a lot of them have been training and they are anxious to see how they stack up before they go into their Olympic preparatory phrase.”

#While the 2020 Olympic Games were one of the major casualties on the sporting calendar this year, the International Olympic Committee has agreed to postpone the games in Tokyo, Japan from July 24 to August 9, 2020 to July 23 to August 8, 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

#“Next year is going to be a very busy year for our sport for the juniors andc the seniors,” Sands said. “There is the Junior World Championships, the Carifta, the NACAC Under-23 Championships, World Indoors, World Outdoors and the Olympic Games, so it’s going to be a very, very busy season.

#“I think the coaches, the athletes and their agents are very anxious to get in a meet to measure their performances so that they can start planning for the big year next year. So we are excited about the prospect of putting on the meet. We are just keeping our fingers crossed. We know the time frame that the coaches will meet to get their athletes ready to compete in the meet.”

#With a proposed date on the agenda, Sands said they are looking at the possibility of hosting the meet here in the Bahamas at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. If that doesn’t work out, he said they have an alternate plan to go to Grenada or even

#“We have to see what kind of support we can get from either one, but what we in the Bahamas is truly missing is our opportunity for a number of reasons,” he stated.

#“We have the best geographic location and people are expressing their interest to come here and there are a number of airlines who operate in South America and in the Caribbean airline that also comes into the Bahamas at least twice a week and there are airlines in the United States and Canada, who fly here, so we have everybody covered very easily.”

#As the president of NACAC with its headquarters now located here at the TAR National Stadium, Sands its his only wish that the Bahamas can cater to the NACAC meet later this year.

#“We need the support of every body here because the Bahamas has always been an attractive venue to host an international track meet, so we hope that we can put this meet on here,” Sands summed up

Smith To Make Move To Big 10

As of Monday, June 15, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#SPRINT hurdler Oscar Smith will make the move to the Big 10 when he transfers to a new programme.

#Buckeyes Track and Field announced via Twitter that Smith will join the Ohio State programme for the upcoming Fall campaign following a COVID-19 pandemic shortened freshman season with the Kansas State Wildcats.

#In his lone season with the Wildcats, Smith ran an indoor season’s best of 7.81 seconds in the 60m hurdles in the prelims at the Razorback invitational in February. The time ranked No.4 all time on the school’s top 10 list. He eventually went on to finish eighth in the final in 7.86.

#At the Tyson Invitational he finished third in the 60m hurdles in 8.09.

#Smith was also a member of the 4x400m relay team that turned in a season’s best time of 3:27.09 at the DeLoss Dodds Invitational.

#According to his feature on the Wildcats’ athletic website, he made his Kansas State debut with a time of 8.02. The following day he ran a time of 7.87 and in his first race of 2020, posted a time of 7.98.

#He credited his training and quick adjustment to the NCAA Division I level for his early success.

#“It was pretty intense when I first started, but as we inched into indoor season it started to settle down, started to get more specific with my event, and I think I’m handling it well now,” he said in February. “I think I’ve gotten significantly faster. I’ve improved my form over the hurdles, especially with the hurdles going up three inches. I think I’ve improved in that division of it.”

#Smith joins a Buckeyes men’s programme that finished fifth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships. The Buckeyes claimed 10 top-eight finishes and collected four medals.

#He becomes the second Bahamian sprinter to transfer to the Buckeyes in as many years following Devine Parker’s transfer from the Kentucky Wildcats. Parker earned All-America honours in her first season at Ohio State.

#Locally, Smith was a member of the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine. He was a 2018 CARIFTA bronze medallist and a 2018 World Junior semi-finalist in the 110m hurdles.

‘Buddy’ Scorching Hot On His Return To Court

Sacramento Kings sharpshooter “Buddy” Hield scored 45 points, including 13 made three pointers, to lead his “Pink Parrot” team to an 82-72 win in the Skinz League Tournament at the Hive Sports Complex in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Sacramento Kings sharpshooter “Buddy” Hield scored 45 points, including 13 made three pointers, to lead his “Pink Parrot” team to an 82-72 win in the Skinz League Tournament at the Hive Sports Complex in Edmond, Oklahoma.

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Chavano Rainer ‘Buddy’ Hield returned to the basketball court for competitive play for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined the NBA.

#The Sacramento Kings sharpshooter participated in the Skinz League Tournament at the Hive Sports Complex in Edmond, Oklahoma, as the NBA nears its imminent return.

#Hield scored 45 points, including 13 made three pointers, and led his “Pink Parrot” team to an 82-72 win.

#Amateur basketball has resumed in several states that have progressed to their phased re-openings, therefore summer leagues like the Skinz League are off to an early start.

#League founder Chris Skinner began the tournament five years ago and he estimates that approximately 90 per cent of the league’s 160 players played college basketball.

#Around 25 per cent are professional players from overseas, the G League or the NBA. This year’s appearances from NBA players have been highlighted by Hield and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Both played collegiately for the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma City Thunder wing Darius Bazley also competed in this year’s tournament.

#“If you know anything about the basketball world, if one player’s doing it, the other players will do it,” he told Sports Illustrated. “So if I get one big-time player, it’s kind of like now, people see Trae [Young] playing, so now I’m getting calls all the time about this guy’s trying to play.”

#In just over a month, Hield and the Sacramento Kings will return to the court at the NBA level as the league prepares to return to its 2020 season on July 30.

#The league’s board of governors approved a proposal for the NBA to resume play in Orlando, Florida, featuring the 16 teams currently in playoff position and eight teams currently within six games of 8th place in the two conferences. All games will be hosted at the Walt Disney World Resort.

#Teams will officially begin training at team sites in July and will advance to full training camps in Orlando prior to regular season play. The Kings are 28-36 – No.10 in the Western Conference and 3.5 games behind the No.8 Memphis Grizzlies (32-33).

#The NBA has suspended its season since March 11, when Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert was the league’s first player to test positive for COVID-19.

#Through 64 games this season, Hield is averaging 19.8 points per game and is shooting 40 per cent from beyond the arc, making 3.8 three-point field goals in about 10 attempts per game. Hield also added 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

#Hield started 44 of those games and was moved to the bench on January 24 and has continued his production post-All-Star break after he won the Mountain Dew 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star weekend last February.

#This season, Hield has 244 three-point field goals thus far.

#He was on track to surpass last year’s total of 278 and possibly become just the third player in NBA history to make 300 in a single season.

Sprinter Resias Is Seeking Financial Support

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

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Cliff Resias has been hoping to get on the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s subvention to elite athletes since graduating from Southeastern Louisiana last year.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITHOUT any success in securing any financial support from the Bahamas Government, sprinter Cliff Resias is forced to come home from the United States of America to redirect his career as he prepares for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#Since graduating from Southeastern Louisiana last year, Resias was hoping that he would have gotten on the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s subvention to elite athletes.

#But with only the support from his parents, Tamika Evans and Cliff Resias Sr, along with his coach Bernard Newbold, Resias Jr said it’s not sufficient to sustain him in the United States.

#Still in Louisiana, Resias had to put his training on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic and now he’s waiting until July when the border opens to make the trek back home.

#“If I can get the financial support, I can go back to Arkansas and continue my training with coach Bernard,” Resias said. “I was never on subvention. Before I graduated, I was trying to get on it. After I graduated, I continued and a whole year went without any word from the ministry.”

#Despite not getting any financial support from the government, Resias said he intends to continue running track because he loves it.

#“I can only do what I can do. I can’t do everything,” he said. “I can only do so much with the help from my parents and with coach Bernard’s help. He’s been helping me out as best as he could.”

#Since his graduation from SLU on May 19, 2019, Resias has been training and competing for the Bahamas. He made the team that competed at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in August where he failed to advance out of the preliminaries of the 200m, placing sixth in his heat in 21.74 seconds.

#Resias also led off the Bahamas men’s 4 x 200m relay team that included Stephen Newbold, Anthony Adderley and Rico Moultrie at the Worth Athletics’ fourth World Relays in Yokohama, Japan in February.

#The team, however, got disqualified. Resias, Newbold, Adderley and Shavez Hart advanced out of the preliminary rounds with the sixth fastest time after placing second in their heat.

#In his last season for SLU at the 2018 outdoor season, Resias captured the 200 in 21.23 at the Louisiana Classics and was on the second-place 4 x 100m relay that ran 41.32. He also helped their 4 x 200m relay set a school record with a second-place time of 1:26.78 at the McNeese Cowboy Relays and was also on the winning 4 x 100m relay team that ran 40.69 and 4 x 400 that did 3:18.57.

#During that indoor season, Resias was fourth in the 200 (21.79) and fifth in the 60 (6.85) at the Samford Open. He also got eighth in the 60 (6.96) at the KMS Invitational and broke a 17-year-old school record with a second-place time of 6.72 seconds in the 60 at the LSU Purple Tiger.

#He was training up until the coronavirus pandemic put a damper on sports throughout the United States in March, shutting down all sporting facilities and training sites. During that time, Resias said he’s not been able to work out, which made his stay in Louisiana that more difficult.

#“My parents couldn’t really send me any money because the banks were closed, so the only person I really had to rely on was coach Bernard,” Resias said. “I really want to thank him for all of the assistance that he gave me because it was really hard for me.”

#In addition to that, Resias said he didn’t get his Optional Practical Training (OPT) card, which denied him the opportunity to secure a job while in the USA. He noted that with all of the social unrest and protests over the death of American George Floyd in Minneapolis, he’s tried to stay away from everything and not get involved in it.

#Newbold, who had formed the RK Athletics Track Club in the US last January to help Resias, Maverick Bowleg, Andre Colebrooke and Ashley Riley to prepare for the 2019 World Championships, said he’s done all he could to try and get Resias on the subvention programme, but nothing has happened and it has made it difficult for him to continue his training.

#“We’ve been trying since last year trying to get him on subvention. We followed all of the procedures like all of the other athletes,” said Newbold, now in his second year of his masters degree programme at the University of Central Arkansas in College Student Personnel Administration.

#“We’re thankful for the assistance that we got for him from Mr (Harrison) Petty to help him train and to travel to competition. But we sent in his resume and indicated that he was no longer a collegiate athlete and was now on the pro circuit. Then we found out in August that the ministry was not putting any new athletes on subvention because the BAAA didn’t submit their list in time for consideration.”

#Once again in February, Newbold said he resubmitted Resias’ information to the BAAA so that he could be considered in this year’s subvention list, but now they are told that the current athletes on the list are going to be cut by at least 20 percent.

#“It’s just a tough one,” Newbold said. “He was in Arkansas with me training earlier this year, but after the Covid-19 outbreak and the state began shutting down, he went back to Louisiana. We were hoping it was only temporary, but it’s still going on, so it’s tough.

#“He couldn’t train because all public spaces were locked down and then we found out that there were no more meets, so we called it a season. We just have to see how we can get him some funding so he can be relocated here in Arkansas and see how best that can work and to pursue the legal challenges to get him on the job force, if that is possible.”

#The 23-year-old Resias, who came into SLU after attending Iowa Western Community College where he was an All-American and regional champion on the 4 x 100m team, was a Carfita, BAISS and GSSSA 100 champion while competing for CV Bethel up until 2014 when he graduated.

#Having posted personal best times of 6.82 in the 60m, 10.20 in the 100, a wind-aided 21.58 in the 200m and 50.89 in the 400m, Resias said he’s not yet ready to give up on his dream of being a professional athlete and competing for the Bahamas in the Olympic Games.

#With the Olympics delayed from July 24 to August 9, 2020 to July 23 to August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, Resias said he’s more committed to getting ready to compete in the 100m and possibly on the men’s 4 x 100m relay team, if they qualify.

#“If it works out, it works out, but if it doesn’t work out, then I would have to move on and find something to do in the job market,” he said. “Even though I may not be on subvention, I still want to try and achieve that goal of competing at the Olympics.

#“I know that I am close, so I’m not about to give up right now. If I wasn’t that close to qualifying, I would give up. I could use the subvention, but I don’t want to let that discourage me from trying to qualify for the Olympics. Hopefully everything will work out in my favor.”

Riley Looking To Qualify For Olympics

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

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Quarter-miler Ashley Riley is looking to continue his athletic career with the goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ALTHOUGH he has been forced to join the workforce to support his wife and daughter, quarter-miler Ashley Riley said he’s still looking to continue his athletic career with the goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#Riley, a graduate of the CR Walker Secondary School, is in Louisiana where he’s employed with Target.

#But he said he’s still looking for some financial assistance from the Bahamas Government to help him with his training at his alma mater at Southeastern Louisiana University. “I can still train at my former college,” said Riley, a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana. “I didn’t get to compete this year because the COVID-19 came, but it’s bearable now.”

#After graduating from CR Walker Secondary High in 2012, Riley went to Colby Community College where he was a NJCAA All-American award winner in the 600m and on their 4 x 800.

#The following year, he transferred to SLU where he became a All-Southland Conference 1st team indoor 4 x 400m champion in 2016 and in 2017, the LSWA All-Louisiana member on the 4 x 400m relay and Southland Conference Spring Commissioner’s Honour Roll.

#Now married to Brishay and the father of Brai’lynn, Riley said his focus is on maintaining his family, but he’s not giving up on competing as a track athlete.

#“I had a rough time since I graduated from college. I got an injury during my last year in college, but without the assistance of school and no subvention, it was tough, but I made the decision to keep going.

#“It’s still a funding situation for me. You have to find the funding and everything you need to train and go to the meets to compete. I was still able to compete at a decent level, so it’s bearable, but it could have been a whole lot better.”

#The conditions of COVID-19 were not as drastic as it was with the curfews and weekend lockdowns in the Bahamas for Riley in Louisiana, but he’s not complaining about his situation.

#“We had some curfews, but it wasn’t that bad,” Riley reflected. “I was still able to do most things that I wanted. I pulled back from training until I am ready to start my offseason training, so I just concentrated on working for the time being.”

#And in the midst of the pandemic, Riley said the social racism resurfaced with the death of American George Floyd, but he tried to avoid the protests and all of the events surrounding Black Lives Matter.

#“The city that I am in is a bit small, so we’re not really affected by all of the riots and protests,” said Riley, who is stationed in Hammond. “But it’s affecting everyone seeing something like that happen.

#“I think it’s a good outcome because they are making a lot of changes to the law with the Police, so it’s worked. But I didn’t want to get caught up in all of that, so I just went about my business and back home to my family.”

#As he moves forward, Riley said whether or not he gets on the subvention that is provided by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, he’s looking forward to running in the 400m and the 4 x 400m relay team.

#“I will get back into training and make the Olympic team. I’m glad that they pushed it back until next year,” he said Riley, who ran a personal best of 46.70 in 2017, his last year in college just before he got injured. “I feel it’s more suitable to everyone , including me because I can have more time to train.”

#Riley, the son of Edwin and Shearine Riley, was a part of the RK Athletics Track Club that was formed last January in Arkansas by coach Bernard Newbold.

#The club was formed to help Riley, Andre Colebrooke, Maverick Bowleg and Cliff Resias prepare for the 2019 World Championships. The club, however, has been dismantled after Colebrooke moved on to MVP International, a club with Henry Rolle; Maverick Bowleg returned home in New Providence and Resias and Ashley relocated to Louisiana.

#Newbold said while all of the athletes are still committed to competing for the Bahamas, Riley is more committed right now to raising his family.

#“It’s kind of hard for Ashley, being an athlete who secured a world indoor silver medal as a member of the 4 x 400m relay team and can not get any subvention as well. As a young father, he made the decision that his family comes first and track and field has to be on the back burner,” Newbold said.

#“If we can get him some financial assistance or on subvention, he will be back this fall training,” said Newbold. “I spoke with him. He’s not given up. He said he will get back into training. But a guy of his caliber, but’s going to be tough working and training part-time. He’s a guy that can run 44 seconds easy if he can get the funding to train full time.”

#Riley, a former Carifta medalist, competed for the Bahamas at the 2017 IAAF Bahamas World Relays; was a member of the silver medal 4 x 400m relay team at the IAAF World Indoor Championships and on the 4 x 400m relay team that took third at the IX NACAC Under-23 Championships in 2016.

BOC reacts to budget cuts

BOC President Romell Knowles (standing) said his organization has made an appeal to the government of The Bahamas to reconsider budget cuts in sports. He said he fully expects to get this matter amicably resolved in the best interest of the Bahamian athletes.

June 16, 2020

Simba French

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The Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) is hoping that the Government of The Bahamas reconsiders the 2020-2021 budget cuts as it relates to sports, as athletes look to qualify for the 2021 Summer Olympic Games and participate in other sports meets.

BOC President Romell “Fish” Knowles said that the sports fraternity cannot afford another budget cut as athletes have an additional year to prepare for the Olympics.

“Our athletes in preparation for the Olympics will have to endure an additional year of preparation and with that comes expenses,” said Knowles. “There are Olympic qualifiers, coaches fees, nutrients, facility usage, travel, accommodations, food and other associated expenses that goes into an athlete’s preparation and on top of that they have to live.”

The athletes’ subvention took a hit of $269,230 this budget period. It was set at $1,346,150 for 2019-2020. For 2020-2021, that figure is at $1,076, 920.

The budget for the National Sports Authority (NSA) last year was at $3.2 million. For the current period, it’s at almost a million dollars less, set at $2,280,000.

“With particular references to facilities, it is my belief that sports and outdoor activities will be the catalyst that will embrace the return to normalcy in people’s lives. The protocols being prescribed by our health officials suggest operating cost will increase due to the frequent sanitizing of sports facilities coupled with their regular maintenance,” Knowles said. “It’s incumbent that the authority continue to promote healthy lifestyles and at the same time create a safe environment at sports facilities.”

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knowles said that athletes faced a lot of challenges such as the postponement of the Olympic Games, lockdowns and closure of sporting facilities. He added that through it all the athletes have adapted very well.

“We are aware of the government’s finances and we empathize with the government,” Knowles said. “However, over the years, sports has carried its fair share of cuts under the pretense that their grants would be restored when the economy improved. Well, over 12 years ago, sporting federations received grants of $80,000 each, $40,000 based on their classification. Today, sporting federations receive $12,500 every six months, some none at all. Let me just say that any financial reduction to athletes and federations will have a significant impact on the quality of representation locally and on the international stage. It stands to reason the more money the government invests in sports the greater the return.”

Knowles stated that athletes and federations cannot endure another cut, saying that they have had significant reductions.

The BOC chief said: “The BOC will continue to agitate for athletes subvention to remain as is; and federation grants to be distributed timely without hesitation.”

The 2019-2020 budget for the BOC was at $50,000. For this period, the budget is $10,000 less, set at $40,000. He said that he has asked Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to address their concerns.

“We are satisfied that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is aware of our dilemma and is addressing our concerns regarding athlete’s subvention, federation grants and the grant to the BOC. We appreciate that the decision lays in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance. [We] have asked the sports ministry to escalate our appeal to the higher component authority,” Knowles said. “We have in fact spoken to some of our athletes; some who are very concerned about the cuts to their subvention, particularly since they are now incurring more expenses not less. One should appreciate that a lot of our athletes live abroad. It is likely the COVID-19 pandemic would have impacted the financial resources of their parents and/or sponsors so it is likely they are having to depend on their subvention more than ever.”

According to Knowles, most of the athletes are at the lower tier of the subvention program which is not enough to cover all of their expenses.

To help those who are not on government’s subvention, the BOC has established an athlete’s welfare commission. The federations will be receiving more information in that regard this week.

Knowles confirmed that the BOC has made an appeal to the government to reconsider budget cuts in sports and they are awaiting a response from the Office of the Prime Minister and/or the Ministry of Finance. Knowles said he fully expects to get this matter amicably resolved in the best interest of the Bahamian athletes.