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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the new school year begins on Monday, Government Secondary Schools Sports Association president Alfred Forbes doesn’t anticipate any changes in their coaching ranks. But he said the athletes can look forward to a change in the line-up of the disciplines.

The GSSSA, which caters to 12 junior and senior high schools, will be reverting back to their old schedule where volleyball is played first and softball is last on the agenda. This year, however, Forbes said the association will also be making an attempt to introduce baseball into the system for both the junior and senior high school division

“We started last year with softball and ended with volleyball, but this year we will be starting with volleyball and ending with softball,” Forbes said. “Once volleyball is finished, we will move to basketball. Then we will start soccer in January, track and field in February and in April, we will round off with softball.

“We are trying to get baseball in the system for the boys. We are working with the Bahamas Baseball Federation and the Ministry of Sports through Greg Burrows. We are trying to see if we can at least introduce baseball for boys this year. We have been playing softball for too long for boys and there’s no scholarships available for softball for boys.”

Forbes said last year, we went through a trial period to see if they can be in line with the other local high school bodies like the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools and the Grand Bahama High School Sports Association so they could coincide with the hosting of the Bahamas Softball Federation’s annual Austin ‘King Snake’ Knowles High School Softball Tournament.

“We wanted to make sure that all of our teams are prepared for that tournament, which is a major one for the schools. But the availability of the gyms was a difficulty for us at the end of the school year when we played volleyball last year because they were being used for the school examinations,” Forbes said.

“Last year, the volleyball season was so tight. We were only able to play one or two weeks. And with the daylight saving time coming into effect in October, we will have more time for the teams to get to the park when we play at the end of the school year and we won’t be challenged as we were last year.”

By moving softball back to the end of the calendar year, Forbes said the GSSSA will have sufficient time to iron out all of the knits to ensure that they can get ready next year for the introduction of baseball into their system. Hopefully, in the 2014/15 school year, they can look at the inclusion of flag football into their programme.

The GSSSA is expected to begin their new season around the third week in September. However, Forbes said they won’t know for sure if there were any late changes in coaching personnel or any new additions from the recent graduation of teachers from the College of the Bahamas until everybody reports to school on Monday.

In any event, Forbes said based on what happened last year, they don’t anticipate any big coaching movement. “Everything looks to be intact. We came off a good year and so we are looking forward to another successful year,” he said.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAFTON Ifill III may have taken a path in life that few athletes have followed, but he left behind a lasting impression on the third of his five appearances at the Carifta Games as one of the top sprinters in the Caribbean.

#In 2001, as a member of Team Bahamas at the 30th games in Bridgetown, Barbados, Ifill posted a double victory in the under-17 boys 100 metres in 10.67 seconds and the 200m in 21.86. Fellow Bahamian Oscar Greene got the silver in the century in 10.72 and the bronze in the half-lap in 21.94.

#What was more significant was the fact that Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt had to settle for the silver in the deuce in 21.81, which marked the last time that he was beaten in the top junior regional track and field meet before he went on to global acclaim on the senior circuit.

#“I don’t remember a lot of it, but I do remember getting out fast and covering a lot of ground very quickly in that race and I came off the bend ahead of the field and it was pretty much over after that,” said Ifill in an interview with The Tribune yesterday. “It was definitely a special race.”

#More than 20 years before that in Barbados, Ifill’s father, Grafton Ifill Jr, represented the Bahamas in the half-lapper as well as the triple jump. But he left the games empty handed and his performances haunted him throughout the years until he was finally able to revive the success through Ifill III.

#“Through my entire track career, he channelled all of his energy of his shortcomings into my career and I was able to go back to Barbados at the same Carifta Games with him and my grandfather, Grafton Ifill Sr (who was there during Ifill Jr’s appearance) to win the 200 that in our view was the medal that he left behind,” the younger Ifill said.

#“That’s why I threw up my hands because the race and the victory was so special. The fact that Usain (Bolt) was in the race didn’t really surface until years later. But it was very special, even before we realised what a success he has turned into.”

#The following year in 2002 in the Bahamas, Ifill III moved up to the under-20 boys division where he had to settle for the silver in both the 100 and 200 behind the Trinidad & Tobago’s double dynamic duo of Darrel Brown and Marc Burns respectively, while Bolt remained behind in the under-17 division where he dominated the 200 and 400.

#As fate would have it, Ifill III suffered a slight injury when Bolt climbed up the ladder to repeat the 200-400 feat in the under-20 boys division in 2002 in Trinidad & Tobago. Ifill III was unable to renew the rivalry with Bolt, although the two were at the 2004 games in Hamilton, Bermuda. Ifill III picked up the bronze in the 100 and Bolt claimed another title in the 200.

#While Ifill III went on to college and eventually retired from the sport before he landed a successful job on Wall Street, bolt decided to stay at home and train and has now emerged as the biggest name in the sport since the legendary American sprinter/long jumper Carl Lewis.

#“I wouldn’t make a read through it whatsoever. I was more prepared and executed better on that particular day and in that meet,” Ifill said. “In subsequent meets, you saw what he did relative to the rest of us and there’s no doubt in my mind that he is a phenol, so I wouldn’t make a read as to what would have happened if I had stayed in the sport.

#“In my view, I’m really happy with the path that I took. For many athletes, I took the road less travelled and having an academic balance, it allowed me to take a path to blaze new trails and hopefully inspire other people in terms of what other things that we can do with sports.”

#Ifill, 27, is currently employed in Cross Access Sales at Goldman Sachs in New York – the number one investment bank on Wall Street.

#With the games returning to the Bahamas for the first time since Ifill III last competed in 2004, he said it’s going to be quite a thrill for the Bahamian people, especially as the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium will be christened with the hosting of its first major international meet.

#“I would have really loved the opportunity to perform in this new stadium,” Ifill III said. “But I could speak to the fact that performing in front of the home crowd is something special and it’s an experience that our athletes should be pretty happy about.”

#For those athletes who have been selected to the 70-member team to represent the Bahamas this weekend, Ifill III advised them to carry the Bahamas’ name well on their chest.

#“It’s going to be very important to defend the home track,” he said. “Jamaica is going to do what they have to do and they are what they are and in many aspects, defending the home turf is more important than just winning medals. I think a lot of it will be just showing a lot of heart and leaving it all out on the track, in the field or in the pit.

#“If we’re not winning, you want to just make whoever is ahead of you really earn it. What they will realise is that a few of them will go on to be Olympians, set records and win medals. But for many of them, this is going to be the highest achievement that they would have set, so they have to really enjoy the ride and don’t take it for granted.”

#Like he did, Ifill III said he hopes that the athletes can leave their own legacy behind that people will be able to look back on in years to come and talk about what they achieved.

#“At some point, it’s going to all come to an end and the only thing that you will have is your memories,” he said.

#Ifill, who captured about 10-12 medals including relays during his five appearances in the games, graduated from St Augustine’s College and enrolled in Clemson University for his freshman year. After taking a year off to train professionally, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania before he started working at UBS Investment Bank for a few years and then three years ago he moved to Goldman Sachs.

#“I started early in track and field and I was able to have some great experiences early in my career that set me up,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to have my parents supporting me to get a good academic background and that afforded me some other opportunities, so I couldn’t dream of being in a better place right now.”

#Ifill III is scheduled to visit home today to lend his support to Team Bahamas during the games this weekend.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

They may not have gotten all of the sporting bodies back together again, but for the first time in many years, all of the school leagues will be operating under the same sporting calendar, which will better facilitate the Ministry of Education with the execution of their National High School Championships and Pilot Programmes in the various disciplines.

Evon Wisdom, who heads the Sports Unit in the Ministry of Education, said it’s a move that should benefit sports in general in the Bahamas.

“The GSSSA (Government Secondary Schools Sports Association) and the Secondary Sports Association in Grand Bahama will have a unified schedule with the BAISS (Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools),” Wisdom said. “Softball will be the first athletic event for high school inter-collegiate athletes.

“That will be followed by cross country, basketball, soccer and then volleyball, which will round out the season. That’s the same schedule as the BAISS is on. The only other sport that they participate in that we don’t do is swimming. But we’re pretty much on the same schedule as they are.”

Wisdom noted that the new Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald recently held a meeting with Eugene Bonimy, who represented the BAISS, Mrs Adderley, who represented the GSSSA and Kenton Rolle of Grand Bahama, who substituted for Norris Bain and the Small Schools Association, headed by Pastor Dave Adams.

“The minister insisted that he wanted to see championship events in these major sports, especially in the senior high and junior high levels, not the primary level,” Wisdom said. “In order for that to happen, it meant that we had to be playing the same sport at the same time in some extent.

“We know that we had a big problem with softball being last on the sporting programme for the GSSSA and Grand Bahama, while it’s first on the BAISS schedule and vice versa with volleyball. We found it was difficult to even do an invitational event that would decide a national champion in these two particular sports.

“So for the first time in many, many years, we are going to cause for that to happen. Based on rankings and how they finish in their leagues, we will send out invitations to the various school associations. We are looking at the format right now, but I think it will be for first, second and third from the various bodies.”

The Family Island schools will have a slightly different criteria for their participation, which will probably be in the form of their own championships to determine who will represent their islands.

The first event on the calendar for the Ministry of Education will be the Austin ‘King Snake’ Knowles National High School Championships which, as usual, is set to be held November 7-9 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The event is organised by the Bahamas Softball Federation.

“For the first time in years, you have a unified association,” Wisdom said. “They won’t be playing against each other, but for the first time, the actual core sport will be played at a specific time in a given season throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

It’s a move to facilitate all of the sporting bodies playing high school sports at the same time that will conclude with a National High School Championships.

Last year, the ministry hosted a pilot programme for volleyball in Grand Bahama, which will now become a full fledge championship. The championship, according to Wisdom, will return to Grand Bahama because of the success that they achieved in its initial year.

In a press release, the ministry announced the following:

• The Ministry of Education wishes to announce that for the first time in many years both the public and private schools on the Islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama will follow the same sport format.

• This milestone was reached under the able leadership of Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, talks between presidents of various Principals Associations were held over the summer, at the Ministry of Education

• This milestone does not facilitate the schools playing each other in the regular season, but opens the door for concluding National High School Championships in each of the core sports.

• The Ministry of Education is currently in talks with various District Superintendents in our Family Islands regarding the unified High School Sports format also. The format is as follows:

Softball (Boys & Girls Championships) – to be held in New Providence.

Cross Country (Boys & Girls Pilot Programme) – to be held in New Providence.

Basketball (Boys Pilot Programme) – to be held in New Providence.

Basketball (Girls Championship) – to be held in Grand Bahama.

Track & Field (Boys & Girls Championships) – to be held in New Providence.

Soccer (Boys & Girls Pilot Programme) – to be held in Grand Bahama.

Volleyball (Boys & Girls Championships) – to be held in Grand Bahama.

At least one of the relevant bodies noted how pleased they were to see the unification of the sporting schedule.

“What we are trying to do in conjunction with the Ministry of Education is to establish national high school championships,” Forbes said. “So we want everybody to be on the same page with regards to the sporting calendar so that at the end of each sport, we can have high school nationals.

“I think it’s a move in the right direction because for too long we have been talking about doing it. With the new ministry in place, they are all willing to do so. With their assistance, we can look forward to doing it this year. Everything is in place and we are looking forward to a good year.”

As for the movement of physical education teachers and coaches, Forbes noted that as far as he knows, only Edna Forbes has moved from CV Bethel, while Audrey Martin has also been moved from CC Sweeting to North Andros High.

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May 27, 2011

The Nassau Guardian

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Gary Campbell has compiled a noteworthy amount of Bahamian cricket records. He has been closely observing the game for 32 years since he began playing at the age of nine and along the way he has put in many hours of research.

One area of concentration for Campbell of course, was batting.

There have been many Bahamians who were terrific at batting in cricket, but overall, Eddie Ford stands clearly at the top. Many who have been a part of the Bahamian sporting scene over the last five decades, credit Ford with being the most versatile athlete The Bahamas has ever produced.

A case could be made for Fred ‘Papa’ Smith, Tom ‘The Bird/Berruti’ Grant, Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, Roy Armbrister, Leonard ‘Boston Blackie’ Miller and a few others but if a national poll was taken and Ford emerged the winner, I doubt anybody would be annoyed.

Ford’s cricket background makes a strong argument for him. He has played professional baseball and arguably is the best centerfielder in our history. He has scored 100 points in a single basketball game. He has been one of our best softball players.

However, cricket is in my view, his top sport.

Campbell was bursting with pride when he talked about Ford who has been his mentor in cricket.

“There hasn’t been any player like Eddie. What I always liked about him is that fact that he was there to teach and help everyone. I made sure to stay around him and gain as much as I could about cricket,” said Campbell.

According to Campbell’s list, Ford is the game’s leading centurion. He has 40 centuries, followed by his brother Mario with 37, Whycliff Atkinson with 28, Kevin Ford with 20 and Ken Rodgers with 16 to round out the top five.

Eddie Ford also has the top league single-game batting mark.

In 1951, S.J. Symington who competed for the Civil Service Team, knocked in 162 runs to set the new modern day record. He didn’t remain ahead for long. Later that season, batting for St. Agnes, the legendary Tan Bain produced 167 runs not out.

That record would stand for 29 years. In 1980, Eddie Ford, for St. Bernard’s, had 180 runs not out. Four years later, he established the record that still exists for league play, 221 runs.

Ford does not own the highest single game effort ever done in the country however. In a match against an English side during the CARICOM Tournament in 1999, Atkinson knocked in 230 runs.

In league play, Rodgers, also of St. Bernard’s, is second at 210 and Mario Ford registered 207 runs while playing for the T-Bird Flyers to sit at No. 3 all time in the country.

The statistical milestones compiled by Campbell add a special flavor to our cricket history. No doubt, they will result in renewed interest in the sport, by players, fans and others within the Bahamian sporting family.

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at frobertsturrup@gmail.com)

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May 26, 2011

The Nassau Guardian

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Old records will indicate that although the Bahamas Cricket Association (BCA) was established somewhere around the late 1920s or early 1930s, the sport was being played in The Bahamas from in the 1850s. The bulk of cricket activity was in New Providence but the game was prominent also in some of the Family Islands, particularly Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Inagua.

Gary Campbell has done a lot of research and is desirous of a forum to bring much of the game’s exciting history to light. He was always a historian of sorts. Campbell informed that as a young cricket player, he began compiling newspaper clippings mostly about his very own exploits and then he got seriously into the act.

It’s a time-consuming process but Campbell believes if more people understand the “true history” of cricket, the game will reclaim the popularity of yesteryear.

“I’m fascinated with the game of cricket. I have played it and loved the game for a long time. I have enjoyed my years playing. I feel proud of what I have accomplished as a young player and afterwards, in batting and bowling and particularly in representing my country, but in my mind, there is so much more to cricket than individual accomplishments.

“Cricket was a strong point for our society back in the day. Cricket cemented the family. As a boy, I noticed that many families came out to watch cricket. It kept people together and the game connected different families. Socially, our country was much better then. Everybody knew each other directly or through families related to players. The family spirit was a big part of the legacy of cricket.

“Those of us involved with cricket have an obligation to work toward building the game again and getting it back to where it was. If we can do that we will have a much better country,” said Campbell, as we talked recently about the noble game.

He is intent upon making his contribution to a resurgence of the quality aspect of cricket through compiling historic data to educate generations of Bahamians about the sport. Campbell’s strong cricket background includes youth play from the age of nine.

At 14, he was playing for Beck’s Brewers and began developing a solid reputation for bowling and batting. Campbell recalls a missed opportunity that today, perhaps is one of the big motivating factors for him in his drive to help bring cricket back into the spotlight.

“It was during the late 1980s. The Somerset Cricket Club came in and played here. I found out later that the Somerset group was impressed enough with three Bahamians to extend an invitation to the association to have us travel to England to play at the secondary level. We were not informed of the situation. I was just 18 at the time and when I found out, I was very disappointed,” said Campbell.

Wycliff Atkinson and Andy Ford were the other two young Bahamians who were selected by Somerset. Campbell says there are lots of players with similar raw talent who can be nurtured. He is of the view that there should be a concentration by the BCA on United Kingdom cricket scholarships. It was quite refreshing to chat with Campbell and recognize the deep interest he has in boosting his sport.

I applaud his dedication. Hopefully he will get an appreciable amount of support for his cricket research/compilation project.

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at frobertsturrup@gmail.com)

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By Brent Stubbs

Monday, February 23, 2009

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By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT has been a big adjustment from the Bahamas to Kenya but distance runner Oneil Williams said he’s enjoying his stay there as he continues his training in preparation for a shot at qualifying for the London Olympics in August. Williams has spent the past four months training in Kapsabet, Kenya. He left the Bahamas on November 3, 2011, and is expected to return home in time for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Scotiabank National Open Track and Field Championships at Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium June 22-23. “The training in Kenya is on another level and I would recommend any serious distance runner to train here,” said Williams when contacted during a break from training yesterday. “I came over here expecting to beat the ladies at first but the first month of training in altitude, I was getting beat by the ladies. I did not see any improvement until the second month when I started beating the ladies. The ladies I train with run half and full marathons at the world class level for example 1:08 and 2:24 respectively and that’s beating our national records.” When he originally arrived in Kenya, Williams said it was raining just about every day which prevented him from training. But he noted that they are into their sunny season which is more conducive for him to train. “The rain did not stop the training so much that I could not compete. I had several races already which show good improvement,” he said. “I ran my first 8k race in a time of 35 minutes because of the altitude and disappointment settled in. My last 8k race was in 26:47 which was a big improvement at altitude. It’s really funny because I beat most of my training partners.” When he arrived, Williams said his team-mates were not sure if he was an athlete because he was considered to be “fat.” But after he started working out and performing up to par with them, he’s now being called upon to lead the practice sessions. Williams is currently training with coach Aziz, the former coach of Jelimo Pamela, the current Olympic women’s 800 metres champion from Beijing, China. “Everyday I train twice or three times and tend to do a little extra to get a head of the guys,” he said. “There is a 40-minute run in the morning before heading to the field at 10(am) and then another 40 in the evening is a typical day. “The morning and evening runs are done on the dirt road which leads into the forest. The speed session is also done on the 400m dirt track.” At present, Williams is the only foreigner in their training camp but he noted that, in another town called Iten, there are a number of foreigners training there. “I saw Paula Radcliffe, the women’s world record holder in the marathon and Asbel Kiprop, the world and Olympic champion,” he said. At present, he is staying with the Kirwa family, but for his last six weeks in Kenya, he intends to train in Iten where the altitude is higher. Kapsabet’s altitude is 6,499 compared to Iten’s 8,000 feet above sea level. When asked if he misses home, Williams quickly stated: “Well not really. I made a sacrifice which no Bahamian in history has done and that’s coming to Kenya to train and also compete with the best distance runners in the world. Honestly, I don’t expect any competition at home. The only thing I would have been able to do is run against the clock.” When he comes home for the trials, Williams said he hopes that he will be able to get someone to help him through the first 800m in 1:54 so that he can go after the Olympic qualifying time of 3:35.50 in his specialty in the 1,500m. “When I qualify for the 1,500m I will either turn my attention to the 5,000m or the 800m because I would like to hold most of the Bahamian distance records before my career is done,” he said. So far, Williams said he’s enjoying his stay in Kenya. “I would love for Kenya to be my training ground for the rest of my career and I plan on running for five to six more years,” he said. “I like training in Kenya although the language barrier still creates a problem but I am learning Swahili so I will be fine.” Williams has expressed his thanks to the majority of the people who have helped to make his trip to Kenya possible. They include his adopted father Dionisio D’Aguilar, his boss at Grant Thornton Paul Gomez, Harrison Petty, his two adopted mothers Dawn Knowles and Kay Smith and his family and friends “who all believe in me.”

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Ms. Lalisa Anthony President / Commissioner Bahamas Youth Football Freeport, Grand Bahama

Dear Madame

Thank you once again for your communication. However the CAFL can not share with you, in congratulating the others of your organization you on their so called accomplishments of membership to the International Federation of American Football IFAF, as they have been achieved by fraudulent means. Your note of congratulation is directed to Bahamians whom I would be surprised would have been a part of what you have orchestrated.

For those who will read this communication, we in the Commonwealth American Football League of the Bahamas have been tolerating the self serving, aggressive and clandestine actions of Ms. Lalisa Anthony since she came into this country two years ago. Ms, Anthony, an American and Bahamians Stanford Duhaney and Renaldo Russell know very well what the CAFL’s position is on the matter of their operations as executive members of the Bahamas Youth Football / Bahamas American Football Federation which is not recognized by the CAFL the governing body for American Football in the Bahamas. The CAFL supports American Football played at any level in this country, however we cannot support persons whom wish to use this event to serve themselves. The CAFL does not take lightly that a person who is a non citizen can come into the country, would seek to use weak persons, set up shop and demand compensation for services. We take grave exception to Ms. Anthony’s motives where she would be seek local and international sponsor donations for the procurement of equipment for the play of youth football without cost and then wish to sell them to the players based on information received.

We take alarming exception to Ms. Anthony as the President and Commissioner of the Bahamas Youth Football / Bahamas American Football Federation, clearly a conflict of interest when it comes to management and we take grave exception that Ms. Anthony would seek to have coaches pay her office to cover, as she describes strategically, “her expenses”.

Cont/2

July 27, 2008

(2)

Communication to Ms. Lalisa Anthony Cont/.

July 27, 2008

Whereas many of you are not aware there is a thrust internationally to for the development of American Football. The PAFAF to which Ms. Anthony has subscribed is only two years old with a majority of countries whom have a limited number of years in playing American football. The Bahamas has played the sport of American football in an organized fashion for forty years under the administration of the Bahamas American Football Association BAFA or the Commonwealth American Football League CAFL longer than most countries in this region save the U.S. Canada and Mexico.

It is in this vein that Ms. Anthony came to “introduce” football to the Bahamas just two years ago, a statement she has perpetrated to international organizations for personal recognition and funding. To achieve her goals, membership to International Federations were a necessity and the misleading acts to accomplish this were executed as follows;

1. In April of 2008 Miss Anthony, with the assistance of Bahamians Stanford Duhaney and Renaldo Russell as fronts misrepresented themselves as the Bahamas Youth Football / Bahamas American Football Federation to the Pan American Federation of American Football PAFAF in Panama as the governing body for American Football / Bahamas to gain membership. This group knew fully well that requirement for membership to the PAFAF was a governing status in the country of origin which they were not.
2. Ms. Anthony, again with the assistance of Bahamians Stanford Duhaney received travel assistance from the Ministry of Sports to attend the PAFAF Congress in Panama. However the point of dishonesty is that they did not advise the Government that they were seeking membership to the PAFAF where they knew that a requirement for membership to the PAFAF was that they had to be the governing body in the country from which the application is applied.

Cont/3

(3) Communication to Ms. Lalisa Anthony Cont/.

July 27, 2008

3. Ms. Anthony, with the misrepresented acquisition of membership status to the Pan American Federation PAFAF, so again misrepresented and misled the greater International Federation of American Football IFAF in Seville Spain on or before July 21 2008 to acquire membership into that organization. Again, a primary requirement for membership to the IFAF is a membership status to the PAFAF and governing status in the country of origin which they were not.

For the understanding of those whom Ms. Anthony congratulated, the achievement was gained based on an “act of misdeed “. Please be advised that the Ministry of Sports of the Bahamas had prior to the application for membership to the IFAF denied an application from Ms. Anthony’s group, the Bahamas Youth Football / Bahamas American Football Federation for Federation Status. This denial was instructed after the first misrepresentation to the PAFAF. The Ministry of Sports of the Bahamas also provided a direct diplomatic letter to the Robert Huber, the then General Secretary of the International Federation of American Football IFAF to advise that the Commonwealth American Football League is the recognized body for American Football in the Country of the Bahamas and not the Bahamas Youth Football / Bahamas American Football Federation. The letter was received and responded to by Mr. Huber and the CAFL was advised to direct the matter to the new General Secretary Mr. Hendrik Oenstroem which we have done. The CAFL response to all matters will be as follows;

1. File a writ to the Bahamas Department of Immigration and Customs.
2. File an official complaint to the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. File a complaint to the United States Embassy / Bahamas based on the actions of one of its citizens in a violation of the sovereignty of a foreign country.

Cont/4

(4)

Communication to Ms. Lalisa Anthony Cont/.

July 27, 2008

Additionally legal actions have been filed based on the illegal use of named persons in a Document of Support submitted to the Government of the Bahamas in an attempt to mislead and receive federation status by fraudulent means. We will seek to have Ms. Anthony et al charged with a violation to the right of sovereignty in respect to actions of misrepresenting the BYF/BAFF your organization, to International Organizations on behalf of the country of the Bahamas.

Unlike the misrepresentation to the PAFAF where Ms. Anthony deflected responsibility to Mr. Stanford Duhaney and Mr. Renaldo Russell we are confirmed that Ms. Anthony misrepresented this country to the IFAF in Seville.

To you Ms. Anthony, you must think that this country of the Bahamas is a subject of the United States. You are a non status foreigner whom we are advised possesses no work permit or any other status to be in this country other than a visitor. You seemingly have arrogated unto yourself the power to ignore that an official Government Ministry which advised you that the Commonwealth American Football League CAFL is the governing body for American Football in this country. Additionally you have arrogantly chosen to ignore a diplomatic letter from an official Government Ministry, signed on behalf of a Government Minister to achieve your personal goals in arrogantly marketing the sovereignty and flag of this country the Bahamas, without authoritative permission to the IFAF.

Your actions in our opinion should be an embarrassment to your great country and to us continentally as people of African decent. Your teary eyed pleas on behalf of the Bahamian youth, is greatly overshadowed by your indiscretions. Willfully so, it is now very clear that your personal objective overshadows any act of charity first promoted. Having been denied by the former, Minister of Sport, we are aware of your recent communications to Mr. Archie Nairn, the new Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth & Sports and to the new Minister to persuade them to reverse previous orders which have failed. What you have failed to relay to them in your heap of E-mail communications is your indiscretions and lies to achieve membership to the PAFAF and the IFAF.

Cont/5

(5)

Communication to Ms. Lalisa Anthony Cont/.
Please be advised that we will stop at nothing to stop you in your dishonest quests.

Your actions shall be broadcasted to every media, local and international organization, and the appropriate governmental institutions that are concerned. You really seem to think that you can influence this government to support you an illegal American governing a one year organization over a Bahamian organization with governing body status and of good standing of forty years where unlike to you, a penny was never paid or expended to anyone. We will not ask you to desist as that time is past.

We trust that you will cease and take our position seriously.

Yours Etc.
Michael A. Foster
Co-Chairman
Commonwealth American Football League

Cc. Hon. Desmond Bannister – Minister of Sports, Govt. of the Bahamas
Mr. Archie Nairn – PS Ministry of Youth & Sports – Govt. of the Bahamas Mr. Martin Lundy – Director of Sports / Govt. of the Bahamas Congressman Jack Kemp – Chairman USA Football
Tommy Wiking – President IFAF
Scott Hallenback – Executive Director USA Football / IFAF
Mr. Hendrik Oenstroem – General Secretary IFAF
Richard Munro – Continental Rep. PAFAF / Canada
Joe Browne – Exec. VP / Communications & Public Affairs NFL
Mr. Brent Stubbs – The Tribune / Nassau Bahamas
Mr. Gerino Saunders – The Bahama Journal
Mr. Ricardo Lightborne – ZNS Television / Freeport Bahamas
Mr. Charles Fisher – ZNS Television / Freeport Bahamas
Mr. Phil Smith – ZNS Television / Nassau Bahamas
Ms. Dahlia Smith – Freeport News / Nassau Guardian
Mr. Sheldon Longley – The Nassau Guardian
Hon. Obie Wilchcombe – Opposition Member / Parliament of the Bahamas Nassau Info Newsletter /

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Funeral Service for Karl Paul Nay Russell Spencer age 81 years of Winton Meadows will be held on Saturday February 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at The Anglican Church of The Epiphany, Prince Charles Drive. Officiating will be The Rev’d Canon Atma Budhu assisted by The Rev’d Canon Delano Archer and The Very Venerable James Palacious. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Church Cemetery, Shirley Street.

Predeceased by: parents: John Nay Russell Spencer and Mildred Francisco Spencer, son: Edmund Spencer and grandson: Able Marine Seaman Dionidias Spencer.
Left to cherish his memory are Wife: Mae Louise Spencer; Children: Carlos Spencer, Keith Spencer, Caprice Spencer-Dames (Louis Roscoe Dames), Sharon Sweeting (James Sweeting), Ricardo Spencer (Killy Heastie), Aileen Spencer, Aaron Spencer (Dornell Spencer); Adopted son: Neville Ebanks; Adopted daughters: Shanika Pearson Latisha Bethel and Wanda Bissainthe;. Grandchildren: James Sweeting Jr. (Shariena Sweeting), Schambé Sweeting, Gabrielle Johnson, Rickema Spencer, Channing Spencer, Nikisha Spencer, Jashanno Sweeting, Shapiro Ebanks, Errin Spencer, Azar Ebanks, Israel Spencer, Zion Spencer and Sub Lieutenant Nicholas Cartwright; Great-Grandchildren: Essence Sweeting, Harmony Sweeting, Hakeem Octave and Jadon White; Brother: Edwin Spencer (Agatha Spencer), Atlanta, Georgia; Sisters: Maude Mayers (Larry Mayers), Orlando, Florida, Beryl Cynthia Nguyen, Mrs. Thelma Cumberbatch (Basil Cumberbatch); Sister-in-law: Isabella Thompson, Miami Gardens, Florida; Nieces: Stephanie Unwala (Jimmy Unwala); Dianne Sayer (Carey Sayer); Donna Comito (Frank Comito); Bonnie Nguyen; Linda Spencer and Deborah Spencer; Teresa Holmes; Jacqueline Esteves; Jodel Roberts (Dr. Patrick Roberts); Joan Cartwright; Lorraine Crawl; Donna; June Cartwright; Jacquelyn Estervez; Charlene Murphy; Agatha Capron; Ingrid Forbes; Sophia Oliver; Nadene Moss; Renee Cooper; Shun Cooper; Ruth Delaney; Virginia Roach, Cynthia Ferguson; Shirley Cooper; Christine Carswell (George); Lavern Cooper; Lana Cooper; Cherisse Symonette of Freeport, Grand Bahama; Jhan Daniel of Miami, Florida; Nephews: Dr. Brasil Cumberbatch (Gisela); Basil Cumberbatch (Maria); Andrew Cumberbatch; Stephen Cumberbatch (Christine); Dr. Michael Spencer(Vickie), Brian Spencer(Angie),Winston Spencer (Pamela); Charles Cooper, Philip Cooper, Paul Cooper, John Cooper, Gary Cooper, Leonard Ferguson, Kevin Ferguson, Amos Ferguson, Trevor Ferguson, Ernest Ferguson, Tyrone Cooper, Victor Cooper, Kasine Cooper, Thomas Cooper Jr., Ken Thompson, Andrew Cooper, Junior Cooper; Other Relatives and Friends: Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brennen, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Miller, Mr. Richard Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. Romer, Mrs. Donna Colebrooke and Family, Chadston Cooper, The Venerable James Palacious and Rev’d. Angela Palacious, The Rev’d Canon Delano Archer and Mrs. Archer, The Rev’d Canon. Atma. Budhu and Mrs. Budhu, The Rev’d Canon Sebastian Campbell, Hon. Brensil Rolle, MP, Hon. Ellsworth Johnson, MP, Hon. Lanisha T. Rolle, MP, Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Hon. Perry G. Christie, Dame Marguerite Pindling, Dame Janet Bostwick, Hon. Melanie Griffin, Mr. Algernon S. P. Allen, Hon. Philip Bethel, Hon. Edison Key, Mr. and Mrs. Loftus Roker, Ms. Verna Musgrove, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bowe, Mr. Prince Rahming, Mr. Hugh Chase, Mr. Joe Roberts, Mr. Zack Patton, Mr. Athma Bowe, Mrs. Brenda Newton, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Margaret Turnquest and Family, Ms. Dellerese Symonette, Mr. Derrick White, Ms. Brenda Johnson and Family, Ms. Minerva Bethel, Mr. Mitchell Johnson, North Andros, Mr. and Mrs. Rhinehart Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bethell, Father Luiz Amaro, Mrs. Kelly Amaro, Pastor Erick Thomas, Mrs. Angela Tynes and Mrs. Brenda Newton, The Bannister Family, Mr. Harrison Thompson, Mr. Melvin Seymour, Mrs. and Mr. Gordon Roberts, Mrs. Jennifer Treco, Mrs. Vernice Butler, Sister Camille, Mrs. Valerie Butler, Mr. Montez Williams, Mrs. Lola Johnson, Mr. Ian Bethel, Ms. Anastacia Ferguson, Mrs. Enid Stuart, Mrs. Lisa Russell, Ms. Preva Deveaux, Mrs. Nicole Chatrie, Ms. Tanya McDonald, Mr. Silbert Mills, Mr. Litifield Rolle, Reverend Dr. Philip McPhee, Colleagues and Friends Former and Current Family Island Administrators, The Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture and Staff, The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, The Eastern Community Association, The Bahamas Red Cross Association, The Golden Isles Constituency Association and The North Andros Community, The Grand Bahama Community, The Abaco Community, The Winton Meadows Community, The Eleuthera Community and many others too numerous to mention..
Special Thanks to: Dr. Clinton Kemp, Dr. Patrick Cargill, Dr. Bimal Francis and Team, Princess Margaret Hospital – Accident and Emergency Staff, Medical Surgical II Staff and Intensive

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, on Friday February 14, 2020 from 10:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00a.m. until service time at the church.

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Funeral Service for
Jonique Elizabeth Webb, 30

of Guadeloupe Street, Golden Gates II who died on January 19, 2020 will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2020 at 10:00 am at Golden Gates Native Baptist Church, Lobster Avenue. Officiating will be Rev. Alonzo Hinsey Jr. assisted by Other Ministers. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to Cherish Memories are her Mother, Linda Forbes; Father, John Webb Sr. (Kimberley); Grandmother, Deaconess Joanne Webb; Sisters, Candice, Ariel & Johnnain Webb; Brothers: Brian Hanna (Jameka), Marine Seaman Kenneth Musgrove & John Webb Jr.; Uncles, Rev. Dr. Ian Webb (Evamae), Marvin Darville, Cardo & Dennis Forbes, Commander Clarence Dean & Philip Wells; Aunts, Ingrid Forbes, Yvonne Dames, Brittney Darville, Hazel Wells, Deidre Miller, K. Vita Forbes & Nurse Joyanne Burrows; Niece, Briannah Hanna; Nephew, Khairi Bowe; Grand Aunts, Eulamae Larrimore (Felix), Dotlean & Geraldine Flowers, Eugenia, Jennifer & Bridgette Smith, Rosalyn Taylor, Allison Haynes, Endolyn Clarke, Rosetta, Ethel & Geraline Forbes, Relania Rolle & Maurd Kerr; Grand Uncles, Philip and Reuben Wallace, Haven, Ben, Elon, Vincent, Wellington & Terry Forbes; Cousins, Ashley & Ashton Webb, Javon Mckinney, Philip, Hosea (Shantia), Ashley, Pamela & Phillipa Wallace, Kazia (Anton) Moss, Rubyann, Dwayne, Carla, Ursula, Tanya Moller, Simone, Darnell, Bernadette, Janice Webb, Monique (Jermaine) Poitier, Abagail (Mario) Gibson, Ramond, Sherille, Pramell & Aron Smith, Donavon & Camron Dean, Miguel, Candea, Eyeissa, Marisha & Marvin Darville Jr., James Wells, Denidra & D’shante Josey, Shantey & Lathera Bodie, Troy and Natasha Lewis, Julian (Sherie) & Jermaine (Sherene) Butler, Hesbond (Charmaine) Burrows, Kiffany (Mario) Daxon, Dellerese (Malcom) Charles, Quanteka (Tyrone) Sands, Christopher (Tamara) Young, Tiffany (Alton) Percentie, Jason, Alexander & Charlene Flowers, Mario Minnis, Safiah & Hezica Butler, Kiziah Smith, Joerelle Haynes, India, Gary & Garren Carey, Miguel Smith, Erica and Latisha Taylor, Jefferey, Anthony, Godfrey, Carolyn, Catherine & Christine Darling, Doral & Michael Andrews, Karen Thompson, Yvonne Andrews, Latiesha & Latia Wallace; Close Friends, Valeska Thompson and family, Lesley Pearson & family, Shandia Saunders, Antonia Dupuch, Lauriette Grant & family; Godparents, Marva Cleare, Melanie Mackey, Karen Thompson, Vaughn O. Jones & Darren Roker; Other relatives and friends including, Mavis Collie & family, Marcia White, Jasmaine Dean, Keshia Gaitor, Herbert Knowles, Demetris & Lenny Rolle, Charles Bastian, Patsy Gaitor & family, Veronica Mackey & family, Hamilton family, Ministry of Education Evaluation & Assessment Unit, Patricia Hall & Evening Star Prayer Group, Annex Baptist Church family, R.M. Bailey Class of 1982, The Percentie family, Creola Pinder and family, Rena Tinker & family, Auldridge Culmer & family, The Johnson family, The Willy family, Dr. Lashan Wallace & family, the Lightbourne family, “The Get Better Crew” PWH Class of 2006,Coach Terrance “Redeye”McSweeney, Charles & Elva Turner & family, George Turner & family, the Minns family especially: Ivy, Agnes, Dianne, Maxine, Cleo & Sheila, Iris Tynes & family, Felicia Evans & family, Dr. Alonzo Hinsey Sr. & Rev. Jessie Hinsey, Pastor Alonzo & Monique Hinsey, Golden Gates Native Baptist Church family, Barry Winder & Pastor Daisy Winder & family, Esther Winder Storr and family, Bishop Carrington Pinder & Rev. Dr. Sabrina Pinder, Bishop Michael & Hilda Symonette, Rev. Donald Carey & family, Director Ms. Christine Rolle and the Securities Commission family, Pastor Ivan F. Butler, Jr., Dr. Joanne Butler & the Kemp Road Ministries family, Rev. Anthony Carroll & family, Bishop Lawrence & Macala Rolle, Commissioner & Mrs. Everette Hart, Dencil & Velthia Rolle Brenda Moss, Alvira Moultrie & family, Beatrice Forbes & family, Margaret Lewis & family, Denise Deveaux & family, Kevin Rahming & family, Herbert Bain & family, Deborah Potter & family, Sonia Walkine & family, Stephanie Smith & family, Fredrica Winters &; family, Sarah Smith & Judea Baptist Church family, Sheila Carroll, Rev. Deno Cartwright & New Bethany Church family, Evangelist Tia Rolle & family, Deacon Sylvia & Levi Lloyd & family, Brent Stubbs & family, Rev. Lennard Miller & family, Vernelle Curry & family, Berthamae Archer & family, Rev. Richard & Joy Hanna , Rev. Jerome Johnson & family, Arthur & Freddie Minns, Rev. Willis & Yvette Johnson, Rev. Wellington & Sherri Collie & family, Rev. Sandra Knowles & family, Geralean Jones & family, Bishop Kirkwood & Kelly Murphy & family, Gertrude Clarke & family, Gwen Williams & family, the family of the late Pearlene Dean, Sylvia & Ephraim Jones, Alice Mortimer, Jentezen Deal, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., National Baptist Youth, National Baptist Young Women, Lupus 242 Association, St. John’s Native Baptist Young People Union, National Society of Leadership and Success, Bahamas All Star Band, Colours Junkanoo Group, Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants and Baptist Sports Council.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on Friday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm and on Saturday at the Church from 9:00 am until service time.

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HEILD TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 – Grand Bahamian and shooting guard for the Sacramento Kings, Chavano “Buddy” Hield (center) is one of the few National Basketball Association’s (NBA) players to have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the league’s re-start set for July 30. The news was reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, June 24. Two of his teammates, center Alex Len and forward Jabari Parker also tested positive for the virus. There was no report on where each player contracted the virus. (AP PHOTO)Sports, Top Gallery  June 25, 2020  FN Sports Reporter Shayne Stubbs

In light of the recent discovery of hometown superstar Chavano “Buddy” Hield testing positive for COVID-19, the Sacramento Kings’ shooting guard has received a number of well wishes from residents on social media platforms and otherwise. 

The Freeport News reached out to longtime coach Gladstone “Moon” McPhee, who, has a well-documented history with the 6’5’’ guard. Much like everyone the news came as a surprise. 

While there was no report on where Hield could have contracted the virus, the sharpshooter’s performance in the Skinz League went viral. He scored 45 points while sinking 13 three-pointers. The game was played in Oklahoma City earlier this month.

“I am surprised. But, I found out he was working out. He just loves the game so much. We all believe at times it won’t happen to us, but it just happened and it’s unfortunate. 

“I know this will be the hardest 14 days in his life whereby he can’t play or workout, and he loves the game so much. All we can do is keep him in our prayers,” said McPhee.

Hield is one of several National Basketball Association’s (NBA) players to have tested positive for COVID-19, just ahead of the league’s re-start set for July 30. 

The news was reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania on June 24. Two of his teammates, center Alex Len and forward Jabari Parker, reportedly also tested positive for the virus. There was no report on where each player contracted the virus. 

Hield and the other players who tested positive must now quarantine for two weeks as teams get set to begin training camp for the league’s return-to-play. June 22 marks the return of players to their respective training facilities. 

According to CBSSports.com, the NBA began phase two of six, of their plan to resume the season, which meant teams could begin testing their players. 

Since then, a number of NBA players have been tagged as COVID-19 positive, including the Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic, Indiana Pacers’ point guard Malcom Brogdo, and, two unnamed players from the Phoenix Suns. 

The NBA is said to be prepared for a wave of positive tests in the coming days. 

The Sacramento Kings are a part of the 22 teams set to resume the season at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Training camp begins June 30 and teams will begin travel to the bubble location on July 7.

The Kings will resume the season in the 11th seed with a 28-36 record, 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies who are holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the western conference.  

Hield is one of the main contributors to the Kings’ success. Hield is the team’s second leading scorer at 19.8 points per game while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from the three-point arch. He also averaged 4.8 rebounds and a career-high in assists at 3.1 per game.

The 22 teams set to resume the season, will play eight regular season games, then there will be a play-in tournament which will feature the number eight and number nine teams in both eastern and western conferences. If the ninth seed finishes the regular season within four games of the eighth seed, the number eight seed enters a double-elimination tournament, and the number nine seed a single-elimination tournament.

Teams already locked into playoff spots include Western Conference leaders in the Los Angeles Lakers (49-14) and Eastern conference leaders, the Milwaukee Bucks (53-12). 

Second in the East are the Toronto Raptors (46-18), with the Boston Celtics (43-21) following in third. 

In fourth are the Miami Heat (41-24), fifth place the Indiana Pacers (39-26), and sixth place the Philadelphia 76’ers (39-26) – who are all expected to clinch playoff berths. 

The Brooklyn Nets (30-34), Orlando Magic (30-35) hold the seventh and eighth spots respectively in that conference while the Wizards will play from ninth place at 24-40).

With the eight-game format in the West, the second place Clippers (44-20), third place Denver Nuggets (43-22), fourth place Utah Jazz (41-23), fifth place Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24), sixth place Houston Rockets (40-24) are expected to clinch berths out West.

The seventh place Dallas Mavericks, at 40-27, are on the verge of clinching their play-off berth out West. The Trailblazers hold the ninth seed at 29-37, the Pelicans are 10th at 28-36, the Spurs are in 12th place at 27-36, Bahamian DeAndre Ayton and the Suns are 13th in the west at 26-39. 

The league suspended play back in March due to COVID-19 pandemic.