Month: May 2022

The Bahamas splits matches against TCI


Simba FrenchSend an email3 hours ago 136 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ senior men’s national soccer team wrapped up a two-game friendly against the Turks and Caicos Islands with a 2-1 loss at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Saturday. In the first game on Thursday, The Bahamas won, 4-2.

The team is preparing for the upcoming CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League competition, and Head Coach Nesly Jean and his assistant Kevin Davies are making their final determinations before making a final cut.

The Bahamas is in League B Group C of the competition which gets underway on Friday, June 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson 

stadium. The Bahamas will take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines at home before taking on Trinidad and Tobago in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, June 6. The Bahamas will then host Nicaragua on Friday, June 10 before closing this window of play with an away match against Nicaragua in Nicaragua on Monday, June 13.

Jean said that the two games on Thursday and Saturday were a good gauge for the upcoming fixtures.

“We put on the matches to see how the team would look going into the actual games. We tried new players who just came to the team and different formations. They are buying into what we are trying to do and hopefully by June 3 we will be ready to go,” Jean said.

Jean added that there are always adjustments to make, and that they are expecting those players who are off to school and overseas to fly in as early as next week. They have been giving those players instructions as to what is needed of them.

On Saturday, Peter Julmis was The Bahamas’ lone goal scorer. He scored a header in the 65th minute to give the Bahamians some life. The home team had a few chances to tie the game at two but that never materialized.

“The goal was good for me in finding my footing and finally scoring for my country,” Julmis said. “I hope that it is something that I can get used to and continue to see in the future.”

Julmis is optimistic about holding that number nine position on the team despite the pressure that comes with it of finding the back of the net.

On Saturday, Billy Forbes opened the scoring for the away team with a perfectly placed free kick to put his team up 1-0 in the 25th minute of the game. It remained 1-0 at the half. About three minutes after the break, Junior Paul put the Turks and Caicos up 2-0.

On Thursday, Julmis opened the scoring for The Bahamas in the 10th minute of the game before Cory Williams scored an equalizer for the Turks and Caicos less than a minute later. The Bahamas went up 3-1 at the half with goals from Daylan Russell and Lesly St. Fleur.

Markenley Amilcar pulled the visitors to within 3-2 in the 62nd minute. In the 64th minute, Julmis’ brother Elvelt Julmis gave The Bahamas a 4-2 lead.

“Trinidad and Tobago and the other teams in the group won’t be easy. That is why we have to be compact and ready to go,” Jean said. “We need to go back into training and try and fix our defense and midfield. We need them to understand where we need them to be and also how we need to be when we have the ball. We are looking at these games and we want to win like any other team. We are gong out there to try our best and going out there to represent our country and try to win.”

Head Coach of the Turks and Caicos Islands Keith Jeffrey has been at the helm for just three weeks. He said liked how his team played, particularly on Saturday. They get their Nations League action in League C Group A underway against Bonaire at home on June 3. Also in that group are Sint Maarten and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mullings wins NACAC decathlon title


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Miller-Uibo, Charlton and Strachan compete in Doha

Sheldon LongleySend an email12 hours ago 267 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 Ken Mullings.

A pair of Bahamians has shone new light on the multi events in athletics here in The Bahamas, and this past weekend was no different as a major international title was captured.

This time, it would be former national record holder Ken Mullings rising to the forefront. Mullings won the men’s decathlon title at the NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association) Combined Events Area Championships, scoring 7,537 combined points at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, over the weekend.

The Bahamian won easily over Canadians Shawn Beaudoin and Rostam Turner who had to settle for second and third, respectively. Beaudoin was a distant second with 6,450 points and Turner rounded out the top three with 6,344 points.

Mullings won the eight of the 10 events over the two days of competition, was second in another, and ended the multi events with a fifth-place finish in the men’s 1,500 meters (m) race.

Mullings and fellow Bahamian Kendrick Thompson have been going back and forth in the men’s decathlon over the past three years – both having their turns with the national record which now stands at 7,762 points, set by Thompson at the University of Miami Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida, in April.

The qualifying standard for the 8,350 combined points, but there is also wildcard entries for a reigning world champion, a 2021 Diamond League Champion and as the current area champion from the athlete’s respective area championships. Athletes can also qualify via their World Athletics (WA) rankings.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mullings will get the nod as the area champion, given his performance in Ottawa over the weekend. The Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations (BAAA) would have to file an official request on his behalf.

Mullings won the 100m in 10.88 seconds – just eight one hundredths of a second over his personal best; took the long jump with a leap of 6.91m (22’ 8”) – about 30 centimeters short of his personal best jump of 7.19m (23’ 7-1/4”); won the shot put with a throw of 13.88m (45’ 6-1/2”) – again about 30 centimeters short of his personal best; won the high jump with a leap of 1.96m (6’ 5”) – 14 centimeters off his personal best of 2.10m (6’ 10-1/2”); won the 400m in 49.83 seconds – a little over half of a second off his personal best run of 49.18 seconds; won the 110m hurdles in 14.31 seconds – just two tenths of a second over his personal best run of 14.13 seconds; was second in the discus with a throw of 38.58m (126’ 7”) – significantly off his personal best throw of 44.96m (147’ 6”); won the pole vault competition with a jump of 4.40m (14’ 5-1/4”) – just off his personal best jump of 4.60m (15’ 1”); won the javelin throw with a toss of 56.83m (186’ 5”) – just off his personal best throw of 57.18m (187’ 7”); and finally finished fifth in the men’s 1,500m in 5:00.76 – about 12 seconds short of his personal best run of 4:48.89.

Meanwhile, at the Qatar Sports Club in Doha, Qatar, over the weekend, a trio of Bahamian women took part in the first Wanda Diamond League competition of the season.

Olympic Champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo suffered a shocking defeat in the women’s 400m, finishing third in a modest 51.84 seconds. It was her first loss in that event since the World Athletics World Championships final in Doha in 2019. Marileidy Paulino, of the Dominican Republic, the silver medalist behind Miller-Uibo at the Tokyo Olympics last year, won in a season’s best time of 51.20 seconds. Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson was second in a season’s best time of 51.69 seconds.

Bahamian Devynne Charlton settled for fourth in the women’s 100m hurdles, running a wind-aided 12.61 seconds. In the blanket finish with the top three, world record holder Kendra Harrison of the United States (US) won in 12.43 seconds, and Tobi Amusan, of Nigeria, and Jamaican Britany Anderson finished tied for second in identical times of 12.44 seconds.

The women’s 200m was also a close race. American Gabrielle Thomas equaled the meet record, winning in a season’s best time of 21.98 seconds. Jamaican Shericka Jackson finished second in a season’s best time of 22.07 seconds, Dina Asher-Smith is on the comeback trail, finishing third in a season’s best time of 22.37 seconds, American Tamara Clark settled for fourth in 22.72 seconds, and Bahamian Anthonique Strachan finished fifth in 22.78 seconds.

All three women have already qualified for the 18th biennial World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in the US, this summer. That global meet is set for July 15-24.

A total of seven Bahamians have now qualified for the world championships in Eugene. They are Miller-Uibo in the women’s 200 and 400m, Charlton in the women’s 100m hurdles, Strachan in the women’s 100 and 200m, TyNia Gaither also in the women’s 100 and 200m, Samson Colebrooke in the men’s 100m, Steven Gardiner in the men’s 400m and LaQuan Nairn in the men’s long jump.

Gardiner is the reigning world champion in the men’s 400m from Doha, and Miller-Uibo is the women’s 400m silver medalist.

Jones Posts Double Double In Win

As of Monday, May 16, 2022

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CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) beats Los Angeles Sparks centre Liz Cambage (1) to a rebound during a WNBA basketball game on Saturday in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photos: Sean D Elliot/The Day via AP)

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SUN forward Jonquel Jones (35) fends off Sparks forward Jasmine Walker, left, and guard Jordin Canada (21) on Saturday.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE reigning WNBA MVP posted a double double en route to a home opening win for the Connecticut Sun.

#Jonquel Jones finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead the Sun to a 77-60 win over the Los Angeles Sparks Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

#Her Sun frontcourt mate Alyssa Thomas had 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal.

#“She was the MVP for a reason,” Thomas said. “We knew she was going to have a monster night. They really had nobody that could guard her. So it just speaks volumes to the type of player she is. And when she’s playing like that, we’re just a really dominant team.”

#Jones got off to an early start with 10 points and six rebounds in the first quarter. The Sun led by as much as 24 in the first half and maintained that advantage through the second half. Jones was in foul trouble for much of the contest and fouled out with just over seven minutes left to play.

#“They were terrific in the first half, both of them, and there was intent to play through them,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller.

#Jones opened the season with 15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two assists and two steals but the New York Liberty upset her Sun 81-79 on May 7 in the season opener for both teams.

#The Sun looks to exact revenge on the Liberty and improve to 2-1 when the teams meet for the second time this season on May 17 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York.

#A promising 2021 season saw the Sun franchise produce the MVP, Most Improved Player, Coach of the Year, set franchise records in wins, winning percentage, and points allowed.

#They finished the regular season 26-6 but the year ended in a disappointing fashion with a loss to the eventual champion Chicago Sky in the semifinals.

#“We’ve been talking about championship or bust, last year was a bust because we didn’t get a championship,” Jones said during training camp. “This year is the year to finish things and we feel that and we know that.”

#In addition to league MVP, she was also named to the All-WNBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, the Associated Press Player of the Year and AP First-Team Honours.

#She also won the WNBA Peak Performer Award as the league’s top rebounder for the third time in the last five seasons and was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the months of May, August and September.

Men’S National Basketball Team Players Take Spotlight

As of Monday, May 16, 2022

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#POSTSEASON basketball continues for several Bahamian senior men’s national team players in their respective leagues throughout Europe and South America.

#Travis Munnings and Sporting Lisboa Benfica have advanced to the semifinal in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB).

#Benfica completed a two-game sweep of Povoa in the quarterfinal. In game one, Munnings had five points, four rebounds and three assists in his team’s 77-59 win.

#In game two, Munnings had a perfect shooting night from the field (5-5) and finished with 16 points and eight rebounds in an 84-67 win. They will advance to face the winner of CAB Madeira and Munnings’ former club UD Oliveirense.

#In 28 games this season, Munnings averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 61 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arch.

#The 6’6” wing is currently in his second season in the LPB. Last year he averaged 12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game for UD Oliveirense.

#Benfica eliminated UD Oliveirense in the quarterfinals of last season’s playoffs.

#Benfica looks to finish the local LPB on a high note and claim back-to-back titles after they were eliminated from FIBA EuroCup playoff contention in April. Munnings finished with a team high 19 points and eight rebounds, but Benfica dropped a crucial 89-72 to Sporting CP.

#In 14 EuroCup games, Munnings has averaged 8.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

#Zane Knowles and Levski Sofia find themselves in an 0-2 hole to Balkan Botevgrad in the semifinal of Bulgaria’s NBL.

#In game one, Knowles came off the bench to finish with eight points and four rebounds in an 80-74 loss.

#He moved into the starting lineup for game two, and he finished with 17 points and five rebounds in a 76-72 loss.

#Game three is set for May 17.

#Knowles finished with a dominant 28 point, eight-rebound performance in a 116-74 win over Beroe in the first game of the quarterfinals. His statline was highlighted by his first three-point field goal of his career.

#Last season while preparing for the season in Hungary with Zalakerámia ZTE KK, Knowles sought treatment for what he described as a minor hamstring injury when doctors discovered a rare Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) that required surgery.

#In seven games since he has returned to play, he has returned to form with averages of 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

#Tavario Miller and Minas Belo Horizonte advanced to the semifinal in Brazil’s Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) but currently trail Flamengo in their series.

#Miller had just three points and three rebounds in the 76-67 game one loss. Minas advanced with a 3-1 series win over Unifacisa in the qaurterfinal. In game one, he finished with six points and five rebounds in an 85-65 win.

#He followed with 22 points and seven rebounds in a 90-81 game two loss before 13 points and six rebounds in a 88-85 win.

#In the closeout game of the series he finished with 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 75-63 win.

#Minas finished the regular ranked third in the league at 25-7.

#The team also finished third in the FIBA Basketball Champions League of the Americas with a win over Quisima in the bronze medal game last month.

#In his first season with the club, Miller is averaging 11.5 points and seven rebounds per game on 65 percent shooting from the field.

Prep Basketball Prospect Rashawn Ferguson Commits To Mounties

As of Friday, May 13, 2022

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Rashawn Ferguson

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#ANOTHER Bahamian prep basketball prospect will head to Canada to begin his collegiate and academic career.

#Rashawn Ferguson was the latest signee of the Mount Allison Mounties to join its 2022-23 men’s basketball recruiting class.

#“I selected MTA because all the coaches I asked really recommended it,” he said. “Coach [Steve] Chapman really helped me gain information and understand why it would be a good fit for me as a student athlete.”

#The Mounties finished last season 7-5 in the Atlantic University Sport and Chapman said he expects Ferguson to help the team’s development toward contending in the conference.

#“Rashawn is a very athletic player with the ability to play more than one position which fits nicely with the style we wish to play. He has an incredible work ethic, always puts the work in to improve his game, and is a coachable young man,” Chapman said. “His size, length, quickness, and versatility will really be an asset for us this coming fall and we are excited and glad he has chosen our program here at Mount Allison.”

#A former St Augustine’s College student, the 6’7” Ferguson spent post grad time at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton, Florida.

#He also participated on the AAU circuit with International Basketball Academy and Lucayans Basketball Club.

#Director of Empower Sports Network and head coach at Niagra Prep, Ollen Smith, said having another Bahamian in the pipeline is beneficial to both Canadian basketball and The Bahamas.

#“It’s wonderful to see the changes within style of play and the number of international players getting opportunities to chase their dreams of playing high quality of basketball,” Smith said.

#“Rashawn is both a great student and athlete who will contribute significant minutes for Mount Allison.

#Most importantly, Rashawn will be a good role model to the kids in his community and other Bahamians looking to study abroad.”

#Ferguson joins 6’6 Gabe Powter of Ottawa, Ontario, 6’4 Connor Briand of Kingston, Ontario, and 5’11 guard Momar Niang from British Columbia as part of its 2022-2023 recruiting class.

Bahamians Receive Postseason Honours

As of Friday, May 13, 2022

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FRANKEY Moree

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MALIQUE Charlton

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JOEL Miller

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NORMAN Bastian

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#A GROUP of Bahamian players played a prominent role on the Tallulah Falls varsity boys’ baseball programme and were recognised with postseason awards for their outstanding 2022 season.

#Seniors on this year’s roster included Norman Bastian and Joel Miller from New Providence and Malique Charlton and Kristian Williams from Grand Bahama.

#Underclassmen included junior Frankey Moree from New Providence, sophomores Zaiden Cox from Grand Bahama and Caden Walker from New Providence, and freshman Danny Grant from Grand Bahama.

#Bastian and Charlton received Region 8-A Private First Team honours while Moree was named to the Second Team and Miller received Honourable Mention.

#Bastian, who has signed to play at Olivet Nazarene University, batted a team-high .424 with four home runs and 30 RBI. He set a new programme single season record with 36 hits. He heads to an Olivet Nazarene Tigers programme that finished 38-15 this season. They recently capped off their 2022 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference season by pairing their regular season championship with the tournament championship.

#The Tigers advance to the NAIA National Championship Opening Rounds scheduled for May 16-19.

#“In my short time at TFS, I’ve not only furthered my education but I’ve become a new baseball player as well,” states Bastian.

#“I have learned a lot from my coaches and teammates. This is a special team and no matter the outcome of the season, I will be proud to say I was a part of the Tallulah Falls varsity baseball team. I am excited for what lies ahead of me in the classroom and on the baseball field at Olivet Nazarene University.”

#Charlton registered a .354 batting average to go with 4 home runs and 20 RBI, and led the team along with Miller with a new programme record 14 stolen bases.

#Moree was a .333 hitter with a pair of round-trippers and 20 RBI, adding 24 runs.

#Miller had a .358 average, 4 homers, and 25 RBI, as well as 31 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. He also set a single-game programme record with a 7-RBI game. Miller is also the TFS all time leader in stolen bases (26) and walks (34).

#TFS had a record-setting offensive season and finished 12-13 on the season.

#The Bahamian contingent helped TFS set new school records in runs scored (217), home runs (20), 10-plus run games (11), and single-game records for home runs (7), hits (20), and runs (23), while even tying school records for win streak (4) and shutouts (2).

#The TFS JV Baseball team also featured seven Bahamians on its roster, including the aforementioned Cox, Walker and Grant along with Rohajae Pinder, Davante Brown, Ashton Roache, from New Providence, and Justin Smith out of Andros.

#The team finished 7-1-1 on the season.

#TFS, located in Tallulah, Georgia, is an independent co-ed boarding and day school serving more than 500 students from grades 5-12.

Mavs Rout Suns, Force Game 7

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton shoots over Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock, left, during the first half of Game 6 last night.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton shoots over Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock, left, during the first half of Game 6 last night. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

As of Friday, May 13, 2022

#By SCHUYLER DIXON

#AP Sports Writer

#DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 33 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 113-86 last night to force a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.

#The home team has won all six games, none with a final margin closer than seven points. The deciding game is Sunday in Phoenix.

#The Mavericks won when facing elimination for the first time in three tries with Doncic, their three-time All-Star.

#The two losses came against the Clippers the past two seasons, including Game 7 in Los Angeles last year after the visitors won the first six games, a first in the playoffs.

#Dallas is playing beyond the first round for the first time since winning the title 11 years ago.

#The Suns, seeking a second consecutive trip to the West finals, are going the distance in a series for the first time in two postseasons with Chris Paul and Devin Booker.

#The previous three went six, including Phoenix’s loss to Milwaukee last year in the NBA Finals.

#Booker scored 19 points but was shut out from 3-point range (0 of 4) while going 6 of 17.

#Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Paul added 13 points.

#The top-seeded Suns were held to a season low in scoring, regular season or playoffs, for the second time in the series.

#Reggie Bullock scored 19 points and Jalen Brunson added 18 for Dallas. Spencer Dinwiddie had a series-high 15, all on 3s (5 of 7).

#Doncic played through an apparent left leg injury that sent him to the locker room when he would have been out of the game anyway in the second quarter.

#He returned to the bench and rode a stationary bike before re-entering the game.

#Soon after, the Mavericks went on a decisive 19-5 run to finish the first half, turning a two-point lead into a 60-45 halftime edge. It was a home-team replay of the third quarter from Game 5, when Phoenix went on a 17-0 run for an 18-point lead and ended up winning by 30. Doncic, who had 11 rebounds and eight assists, fought his shot while fighting the injury early, but had a 3 on the late first-half run and scored 10 in the third to help the Mavericks push their lead to 22 (94-72).

#Paul mostly avoided the problems with turnovers and fouls that cost the Suns in the first two losses in Dallas. But the 37-year-old point guard was never much of a factor, getting just seven shots. Booker was stuck on eight points while Dallas pulled away in the second and third quarters, opening the second half with a miss on an ill-advised 3 and not scoring again until the Suns were down 21 late in the third.

#TIP-INS

#Suns: Ayton got a technical for elbowing Doncic in the face when Doncic fouled him on a dunk in the third quarter. Doncic missed the technical free throw, and Ayton finished the three-point play.

#Bismack Biyombo didn’t have the same impact as the replacement for JaVale McGee, who didn’t play for the first time in the series. Biyombo had four points and three rebounds in 14 minutes.

#Mavericks: This was the 10th consecutive time this season the Mavs have answered a loss of at least 20points with a win. Dallas recovered from a slow start from 3 to finish 16 of 39 (41%) while holding the Suns to 40% overall for the game.

Miller-Uibo ‘Trying To Find Perfect Race Model’

As of Friday, May 13, 2022

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Shaunae Miller-Uibo

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With the Wanda Diamond League kicking off today in Doha, Qatar, quarter-miler Shaunae Miller- Uibo said she’s looking forward to running fast but, at the same time, she’s hoping to have some fun competing against her peers.

#Miller-Uibo, preparing to add the World Championship title to her ledger this summer, was addressing the media yesterday, along with Great Britain’s sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and Sweden’s Olympic and World Indoor pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis.

#Competing out of lane five where she will be sandwiched between Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino in four and Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson in six, Miller-Uibo said she’s expecting to run well.

#“The main thing is I’m trying a new race model and I’m trying to find that perfect one before Eugene and we can go sub-48,” said Miller-Uibo, who already posted a season’s best of 49.91. “But for right now, it’s just testing things out and getting familiar with it.

#“But I’m expecting some fast times, but overall, I’m just looking forward to some good competition with the girls.”

#Miller-Uibo, coming off her first gold-medal performance at the World Indoors Championships in Belgrade, Serbia in March, is one of three Bahamian athletes competing in the first of the Diamond League series.

#She will be joined by World Indoors’ 100m hurdles silver medallist Devynne Charlton and 60m semifinalist Anthonique Strachan. “We opened and closed our season at the World Champs and think I can’t complain about walking away with the gold medal,” said Miller-Uibo when asked about her indoor campaign this year.

#As she prepares for this year’s season, Miller-Uibo was asked about her approach and she didn’t hesitate to point out that her coach, Lance Brauman, is taking it one step at a time.

#“The main thing is to make sure we train well and we’re making decisions as we go, but right now, the main goal for us in Eugene is to try and take home the title,” she lamented. “So we will see how it goes. But everything is going very well right now and we’re excited to see it.”

#At the last World Championships in Doha in 2019, Miller-Uibo lost out to Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, who has since been suspended by World Athletics for two years for a doping violation. Miller-Uibo came back last year and won the delayed 2020 Olympic Games crown and will now go after the World Championship crown in Eugene in July.

#As she opened her season last year, Miller-Uibo did it with a victory in Eugene at the Hayward Field, which will host this year’s World Championships.

#She’s looking forward to making her appearance in Oregon.

#“It was the first time competing back there after the renovations and it’s a pretty quick track,” said Miller-Uibo about running in Oregon last year.

#“I’m expecting to see some pretty fast times at both the Diamond League and the World Championships, so I’m excited about it and I hope things go very well because the competition is going to be pretty fast.”

#When asked about her training session during the off-season, Miller-Uibo said they have been taking it easy.

#“Obviously, we were coming off an injury after Tokyo, and the coach took a little more time getting me back into the normal schedule with training,” she pointed out. “We stepped it up throughout and we picked up a few knick-knacks here and there but it’s a part of sports.

#“But we’ve been making our way through it and training has been going really well, we’re expecting great things this year and we will see what will come from it.”

#Looking at the landscape of track and field right now, Miller- Uibo said the women’s 400m has certainly become one of the hotly contested events for fans to watch.

#“Just to make the Olympic final last year you had to run sub-50, so it’s pretty hot,” Miller-Uibo said. “Everyone is stepping up their A-game and I’m expected to push forward. I think the ladies coming up right now are exceptional and I think the 400m is going to go very far very soon.”

#On competing at the Olympics without any spectators, Miller-Uibo said it was out of the ordinary, but she’s eager to see what the World Championships hold when they are expected to have the crowd back.

#“It was a little different. I’m someone who feeds off the crowd. That’s where I get my energy boost, so it did feel a little bit like training,” said Miller-Uibo about the difference in having fans in the stands at a meet.

#“I guess I was fortunate that my 400m was more the ending of the track schedule and I had a lot of

#the athletes come out and support, so I was able to hear a few people cheering. It was good, but it was definitely a different feeling. I’m looking forward to having the crowd come back.”

#The crowd is expected to be in the stands in Doha as Miller-Uibo competes with the other Bahamian competitors.

#Charlton, with her season’s best of 12.89, will run out of lane seven in the women’s 100m hurdles. She will be next to Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan (12.61) in six and American Gabriele Cunningham (13.06) in eight. American world record holder Kendra Harrison, with her season’s best of 12.56, is in lane four.

#And Strachan, who has a SB of 22.55, will run out of lane three in the women’s 200m.

#She will trail Asher- Smith, who is in lane four, American Gabrielle Thomas in five and Jamaican Shericka Jackson in six.

Miller-Uibo Third In Diamond League, Gardiner And Wilson Win In Puerto Rico

As of Friday, May 13, 2022

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Shaunae Miller-Uibo (File photo)

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Steven Gardiner (File photo)

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Jamal Wilson (File photo)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE Steven Gardiner prevailed in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Shaunae Miller-Uibo struggled in Doha, Qatar as the Bahamian reigning Olympic Games’ 400 metre champions took on some worthy opponents over the past two days.

#Gardiner, dropping down to the rarely ran 300m, was joined by high jumper Jamal Wilson and the duo were victorious at the Puerto Rico International Classic 2022, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level Meeting on Thursday in Ponce.

#One day later at the start of the Wanda Diamond League in Doha, Miller-Uibo faded in the stretch for third place in the women’s 400m in 51.84 seconds. She couldn’t catch Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, who held on for the win in a season’s best of 51.20.

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Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic celebrates after winning the women’s 400m race at the Qatar Diamond League athletics meet in Doha, Qatar, Friday. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

#Paulino was the silver medalist behind Miller-Uibo as she secured her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s 400m at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games last August in Tokyo, Japan.

#Miller-UIibo, who had surged ahead of the pack on the back stretch, could only watch as Paulino took over on the home stretch. With Miller-Uibo running out of real estate to catch Paulino, she slowed down going through the finish line and was passed by Jamaican Stephanie Ann McPherson with her season’s best of 51.69 for second.

#Miller-Uibo, the World Athletics’ World Indoor Championship’s 400m champion in Belgrade, Serbia in March, was joined by two other members of Team Bahamas from the championships.

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Devynne Charlton (File photo)

#Devynne Charlton, coming off her silver medal performance in the women’s 60m hurdles at the World indoors, ran 12.61 in Doha in the women’s 100m hurdles for fourth place in 12.61.

#American world record holder Kendra Harrison took the tape in 12.43. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan was second and Jamaican Britany Anderson got third in a photo finish in 12.44.

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Anthonique Strachan (File photo)

#And Anthonique Strachan, a semifinalist in the 560m at the World’s Indoors, ran 22.78 for fifth place in the women’s 200m as American Gabrielle Thomas posted a season’s best of 21.98 to erase fellow American Allyson Felix’s meet record of 21.98 that she established in 2015.

#Strachan’s MVP training partner in Jamaica, Shericka Jackson, was second in a season’s best of 22.07; Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was third in her season’s best of 22.37 and American Tamara Clark was fourth in 22.72.

#Gardiner/Wilson in Puerto Rico

#Moving down to the 300m, Abaco native Steven Gardiner stretched out his 6-foot, 3-inch frame for an easy win in 31.52, well ahead of American Vernon Norwood, who picked up second in 31.81. Jamaican Nathan Allen was third in 32.04.

#In a field of five competitors, including two Bahamians, Jamal Wilson soared to victory with a leap of 7-feet, 3 ¼-inches or 2.22 metres in the men’s high jump. Donald Thomas finished at the other end of the spectrum in fifth place with 7-2 ¼ (2.19m).

Minister: National Sports Authority Has A ‘New, Energetic Board’

As of Monday, December 13, 2021

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE National Sports Authority has a new board and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg has mandated them to go out around the world and bring the “Sports in Paradise” brand to the various facilities under the jurisdiction for the 52 weeks of the year.

#Bowleg introduced the new board during a press conference on Friday in the foyer of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Calling them a “new, energetic board,” Bowleg announced the members, which include Greg Burrows Sr as the chairman, Grafton Ifill Jr as the deputy, Director of Sports Timothy Munnings (statutory member) and NSA general manager Quinton Brennen (statutory member), along with Bahamas Basketball Federation representative Moses Johnson, basketball Hall of Famer Keith ‘Belzee’ Smith, volleyball Hall of Famer Margaret ‘Muggy’ Albury, Felice Albury and Nicole Pratt.

#“This board is made up of a diverse group of young men and women, who believe have the necessary resources and assets and mindset to take this National Sports Authority to the next level,” said Bowleg, of the board he said is made up of former bankers, businessmen and women and CPAs.

#“The whole idea in the lounge of Sports in Paradise is to ensure that these facilities are occupied within the 52 weeks of the year by bringing the various disciplines and events to our shores that would also impact us economically through sports tourism.”

#Without going into any details, Bowleg said having read the controversial report of the previous board where the auditor general Terrance Bastian discovered some irregularities that took place financially, he’s concerned about what transpired.

#But while he assured the public that where any legal action is warranted, the Bahamas Government will pursue that course for those guilty. He stated that as the leader of this board appointed by himself, he will take responsibility for any infractions.

#He also revealed that very shortly, he intends to release the names of those persons appointed to the Sports Advisory Board that will be mandated for sports policies and how to assist the various federations and associations.

#As it further relates to the NSA Board, Bowleg said they will not sit back and wait for events to come to them.

#“The mandate of this board is to go around the world and seek events and bring them back to this country,” said Bowleg, referring to the collegiate Final Four and the various professional league’s playoffs and championships where they will set up booths to sell the facilities to entice people to want to host their events in Sports in Paradise.

#Without letting the “cat out of the bag,” Bowleg said his ministry will also engage our elite athletes as sports ambassadors as well as persons in culture as culture ambassadors to assist in the promotion of the Bahamas.

#On Friday, the new board will get its first taste of competition when they oversee the seventh edition of the Bahamas Bowl football game between the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and the Toledo Rockets at 1pm Friday at the TAR National Stadium.

#The game, Bowleg reminded the public, is free of charge and will be carried live on ESPN.

#From July 7-11, the inaugural Babe Ruth Region Caribbean Championship and International Baseball Tournament will be staged here.

#Bowleg, however, said the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium may not be ready, but they hope to have the two adjacent fields prepared for the event. “Myself and the Minister of Works, Alfred Sears, are scheduled to meet with the contractor next week to get an update and get a timeline on when the work will be finished,” Bowleg said.

#“There’s some funding that is owed to the contractor, which we hope to get sorted out. Once that is sorted out, we will see more work being done to get it completed in a timely manner.”

#Additionally, Bowling said his ministry has put in a bid to have the World Athletics’ World Relays returned to the Bahamas for the seventh edition in 2025.

#The first three editions took place here in 2014, 2015 and 2017 before losing the fourth bid in 2019 to Japan.

#This year’s fifth event was staged in Poland and China has already secured the hosting of the sixth edition in 2023.

#“We are in competition with other countries, but it’s our intent to have it return here,” Bowleg said.

#Burrows, in expressing his gratitude to Bowleg on behalf of his members for the opportunity to serve on the board, said there are events on the drawing board that they will be reviewing.

#With venues including boxing, softball, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, athletics, swimming, tennis and hotrod under their portfolio right now, Burrows said they have to seek out and find the international events and other cultural and social events to take place here in the Bahamas.

#For those venues that are shared by sports and cultural and social events, Burrows said they will have to find a way to co-exist on a first-come, first-serve basis to ensure that they maximise the use of all of the facilities.

#Burrows, by the way, serves as the Babe Ruth Caribbean Region Commissioner. He is also the founder of the Freedom Farm Baseball League where many of the players in the under- 12 divisional championship and 15-and-under divisional invitational will be selected to represent the Bahamas.