ARCHER LeRon Rolle with his archery gear.

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN less than a year, multi-talented LeRon Rolle has emerged as the top Bahamian archery man in the country. And based on his rapid progress, Bahamas Archery president David Rahming said Rolle could be one of the top competitors in the region.

#Rolle, a 17-year-old 2022 graduate of St John’s College where he played basketball, soccer and ran the sprints in track and field, got started in archery during the COVID-19 pandemic after he couldn’t get to participate in any other sports.

#He got a chance to represent the Bahamas in competition in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Belize and on each trip, he noted that he was able to improve on his scores.

#“My biggest achievement came in Chile where I got my best score,” Rolle said. “The highest score you can get is a 720. In the Dominican Republic, I scored 516, then in Chile I did 670, so that was my biggest achievement so far.”

#Next week, Rolle is expected to head back to the Dominican Republic where he will spend about a week training with one of the archery competitors he met on his initial trip.

#During his first trip to the Dominican Republic, Rolle was matched against the competitor from the Dominican Republic, who was ranked at number 10 in the world and was eventually declared the winner of the tournament.

#He said he gained a lot of experience from competing against him.

#Looking back at his performances, Rolle said every time he competes, he improves his scores, so he’s pleased with the way he’s progressing.

#As the no.1 competitor in the country, Rolle is also listed at the top in the English-speaking Caribbean and is pegged at 181 in the world.

#“I don’t like to pay attention to the ranking that much because it changes so quickly,” he said. “People are shooting every day and so the scores change, so you can maintain a rnaking as well as it could drop.

#“I know everytime I go out to shoot, my rankings go up. So, I’m very pleased with my progress.”

#Rolle said his goal this year is to be able to obtain sufficient sponsorship that will enable him to compete in more tournaments on the international scene.

#He also has his sights set on representing the Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean Games from June 23 to July 8 in San Salvador, El Salvador and hopefully coming out with a medal.

#He would then like to compete at the Pan American Games from October 20 to November 5 in Santiago, Chile and ultimately the Olympic Games in Paris, France, in 2024.

#Rahming said he’s excited sbout Rolle’s progress in such a short space of time because he has put in a lot of work and he’s applied himself, while performing at a high standard whenever he gets to travel.

#“We think that he’s going to enter the top echelon of archery in the region sometime this year,” Rahming said. “He’s shown that improvement so far. He started his first competition in March, and he shot 400 points out of 720. Then in September in the Dominican Republic, he shot 500 out of 720 and in November, in his third tournament, he shot 670 points.

#“Bear in mind, he’s shooting against the best archers in the region, who would have had at least 10 years experience. He just needs to shoot about 50 more points, and he would be right up there with them.”

#Normally it would take a competitor at least a year to produce the numbers that Rolle has posted, but Rahming said they are extremely pleased to see him doing it a lot faster. The plan this year, according to Rahming, is to send Rolle on a six-member national team to the Dominican Republic in April to qualify for the Pan American Games.

#He said there’s also a competitor, who is in England, who they hope will also be making the trip.

#“He’s already qualified for the Central American Games, and he’s not confirmed to be the archer that we send, but he’s definitely the leading archer at this point. So, if he continues shooting the way he’s shooting, he will definitely be the man we send.”

#As a self-trained competitor, Rolle practices every day and he spends a lot of time on YouTube picking up pointers how to improve his game. He thanked God, his mother Rolle, who has been there every step of the way in his journey as well as Rahming for his assistance in getting him to travel to the various tournaments.

#In track and field, Rolle competed in the 100 and 200m, did every position on the soccer pit and on the basketball court he was a shooting guard. But Rolle said there’s no better gratification that he gets than competing in archery.

#His proud mother said her main goal is to support her son in every aspect of the way.

#“LeRon started competing in archery a year ago during the pandemic,” said Rolle, who has joined her son in participating in the sport as well.

#“I was familiar with the sport, having played Robin Hood as a child. So, when he said he wanted to try it, I told him let’s go for it and ever since he’s been hooked, and he’s gotten better and better.”

#Since he got started and every time he travels, she said her son has been getting assistance from a lot of the other competitors from the different countries like Trinidad & Tobago, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Argentina.

#“They recognised his talent and they have been pushing him along during the competition,” she reflected. “He’s looking forward to going back to the Dominican Republic for some training with one of the competitors there.

#“He’s also gotten a lot of encouragement from the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and also the president of the Archery Federation, David Rahming. He’s the son who introduced him to the compound shooting. “In order to get where he wants to be, he needs to get to travel more to compete. He’s doing very well, but he just needs to travel to get more exposure,” she noted.

#Rolle is also a musician who plays the trumpet and was involved in the Bahamas Musician Academy and is now a member of the Bahamas Youth Orchestra and plays in his church band at the Church of the Most Highly Trinity Anglican Church in Stapleton Gardens.

#He has also started the Trinity Flames Archery Club at his church and he’s also trying to form a club at his alma mater – St John’s College. Interested persons can contact Rolle at trinityflamesarchery@ gmail.com for further information. When he’s not engaged in any of the above, Rolle is on the campus at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute where he’s studying networking in cyber security with the view of one day being an astronaut.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/06/leron-rolle-emerges-top-bowman-bahamas/?news

BBA secretary general Teddy Sweeting makes some comments as BBA president Sam Rodgers, LUA secretary general Ainsworth Beckford and LUA president Martin Burrows looks on.

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#On the heels of the newly constructed Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium comes the newly formed Local Umpires Association-Academy.

#The LUA-A, headed by Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows, and endorsed by the Bahamas Baseball Association, was introduced to members of the various baseball leagues during a meeting at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Wednesday night. Burrows, who along with secretary general Ainsworth Beckford outlined their plans for the new body, said the formation of the association was long overdue.

#It’s also expected to include softball, but no members of the Bahamas Softball Federation were present.

#“It’s long overdue for our baseball and softball umpires to come together,” said Burrows, who will be assisted by Andrew Burrows with Anthony ‘Rakes’ Bowe as a senior consultant.

#“We’re a small country and we only have a handful of umpires, so when JBLN reached out to me to take over their umpires, I was happy to do so.

#“This gave me the opportunity to look at the formation of the LUA-A to bring all of our umpires under one umbrella so that we could call all the leagues, whether it be softball or baseball.

#“We will put a standard to it, and we will make sure that they are well-trained and properly uniformed, so they look professional, especially when they go out in the new stadium to officiate.”

#With the new stadium opened in December to accommodate the COPABE’s 4th Caribbean Cup, Burrows said it’s important to ensure that there is a competent group of umpires ready to officiate in any future tournaments that will be staged at the stadium, rather than having to bring in the international umpires to do so. “It’s a long overdue venture. We have to start somewhere,” Burrows said.

#“I was very impressed with the turnout. We had representation from all of the baseball leagues in New Providence and we even had persons representing Grand Bahama via Zoom.

#“So, I think we’re moving into the right direction and the sky is the limit.”

#During the meeting, Burrows revealed that a training session for local umpires will begin at 6pm on Wednesday in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Compex and will run every week until COPABE comes to town and puts on an international certification clinic.

#Additionally, he noted that there will be a college recruitment clinic in March in West Palm Beach, Florida.

#It’s one of the international tournaments that Burrows has been certified to officiate in, along with a few other Bahamians, including Burrows, Beckford and Oscar Smith from Grand Bahama.

#BBA president Sam Rodgers, who participated in the meeting along with his secretary general Teddy Sweeting, said it’s very promising to see that the umpire’s association is up and running. “I think it will be better for baseball and softball in the country, but I can only speak for baseball,” Rodgers said. “This is something that we were trying to get underway for a long time. When I came into office, I wanted to get the umpires together so that whenever we have our games, we will have properly trained umpires on the field and not parents or fans calling the games.

#“I can tell you that when there was a league playing, they had someone behind the plate umpiring behind the mound. I said at this stage in the game, it’s unacceptable. So, I’m very elated to see this movement started and to see all of the leagues behind this move because baseball is moving in the country, and we need to get our umpires ready to go along with the movement.”

#Beckford, whose responsibility is to make sure that all of the paperwork is done, and meetings are coordinated, said he’s pleased to know that the LUA-A are finally up and running.

#“We have a group or a body that will make the association to the point where umpires finally get the respect that they deserve,” he said. “We got abused verbally because some people don’t know the rules.

#“But once we are all properly trained, they will have much more respect for us. So, we want to thank Martin Burrows and Andrew Burrows for the humongous job they are doing to get baseball and softball umpiring to a level where we are respected.”

#Clarence McKenzie, who is the commissioner for Freedom Farm, said it’s about time that there is a collaboration of umpires at all levels in the country.

#“This is what is needed. The stadium is built and so we need to get our level of officiating up to a standard,” he said. “So, it’s happy to see the level of interaction between all of the bodies involved in baseball. We welcome it.”

#Even women are involved in the movement.

#According to former player/manager Hyacinth Farrington, who is a certified softball umpire, it’s something she is eager to participate in.

#“I pray and hope that this association will move forward, and everything comes to fruition. This is a new year, and everything looks promising,” she said. “I hope that everyone takes it serious and let’s get on with officiating the game.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/06/baseballsoftball-umpires-association-formed/?news

KATERINA Coello aboard TGIF.

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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#THE Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) announced the results of its 2022 Mini Jumping Challenge, with Bahamian rider Katerina Coello winning the top overall individual score.

#Over 40 riders across the Caribbean competed in the 2022 CEA Mini Jumping Challenge (MJC).

#Each leg of the challenge was held in a different country, allowing athletes to compete on their own horses over a pre-set jump course built to international specifications and contested at three different heights: Class A (0.50 metres), Class B (0.60 metres) and Class C (0.70 metres).

#The Bahamas joined the CEA in February 2022 and held its first MJC event in October 2022. The jumping rounds were judged on the concept of “Optimum time”, designed to give riders an understanding of the correct speed at which a show jumping course should be ridden under international rules.

#The order of finish in each class was dictated by how closely the rider’s time matched the “Optimum time” of the course.

#Under these conditions The Bahamas’ Katerina Coello (riding TGIF of Mariposa Stables) was nearly perfect, finishing just 0.02 seconds off the optimum time and edging out Barbados’ Kai Cook-Johnson by three-hundredths of a second, to be named the top scorer of the MJC.

#Besides posting the top individual score overall, Coello, aged 14, was also named the individual winner of Height Class C. Bahamian teammates Storm D’Arville and Ella Saidi were also named as finalists in that height class, finishing 4th and 6th respectively. While dominating the top-Class C, Team Bahamas fared less well in the lower height Classes A and B, with the result that overall, in the team competition, The Bahamas placed third behind Bermuda and Barbados.

#Equestrian Bahamas president Cathy Ramsingh- Pierre praised all the riders, and Coello in particular, for their excellent performances. “Katerina was fantastic, and Storm and Ella also had very strong rides,” she said. “They have shown that we can hold our own with the rest of the region in equestrian sport.

#“We congratulate Katerina and commend all our riders for representing The Bahamas so superbly in our very first Mini Jumping Challenge.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/06/katerina-coello-wins-top-overall-individual-score-/?news

CONSOLIDATED Water (Bahamas) Ltd.’s (CWCO) donation afforded 30 Mario Ford Programme participants the opportunity to attend the recent ‘Don’t Blink Home Run Derby’ baseball clinic hosted on Paradise Island. During the clinic, participants were drilled at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding, pitching and baserunning.

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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WITH support from donors such as Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd (CWCO), the Mario Ford Programme is celebrating 37 successful years of mentorship, skill advancement and real-world readiness. Standing from left to right are CWCO General Manager, Henderson Cash, Mario Ford Baseball Program Founder, Mario Ford, CWCO Accounts Manager Mrs. Welliya Cargill and CWCO Operations Manager Mr Jeff Burrows. Photos: Ashley Albury/Serena Williams Media and Public Relations

#INNER city children as young as four and up to 15 years old continue to use baseball as a tool for both sport, physical fitness and character development thanks to the Mario Ford baseball programme and financial support from sponsors such as Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd (CWCO).

#Now in its 37th year, the programme is celebrated for the ongoing mentorship and multi-level real-world readiness learnt along with baseball skills.

#Founder of the Mario Ford baseball programme, Mario Ford, underscored that “baseball teaches life”.

#“A lot of the kids who came through my programme have gone on to play professionally after going off to school.

#“During the Mario Ford programme, participants not only learn baseball skills but gain an understanding of the importance of education, discipline, sportsmanship, and the benefits of good character,” he added.

#CWCO’s donation afforded 30 Mario Ford programme participants the opportunity to attend the recent ‘Don’t Blink Home Run Derby’ baseball clinic hosted on Paradise Island. The event highlighted current Bahamian professional baseball players along with some of baseball’s top major and minor league players from around the world. During the clinic, participants were drilled at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding, pitching and baserunning.

#“With help from Consolidated Water, we were able to outfit our kids with shirts and rent a bus to the event,” said coach Ford. He added that financial support is crucial for the programme and goes a long way to ensure every child has equipment like proper shoes and a glove.

#CWCO general manager, Henderson Cash, was happy to hear about the youngsters’ excitement during the clinic and applauded coach Ford for maximising the benefits of playing baseball. “We recognise that baseball is more than swinging a bat and hitting home runs. Through programmes like the one headed by Mario Ford, education and good character are just as important as game wins.

#“CWCO is proud to support initiatives that develop youth and will continue to support the vision of the Mario Ford programme,” Mr Cash said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/06/mario-ford-baseball-camp-gets-support/?news

University of the Bahamas Mingoes open new year with big victories

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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#WITH the return of the New Providence Basketball Association action at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the University of the Bahamas Mingoes and the Rockets opened the new year with big victories.

#In the feature game on Wednesday night, the Mingoes knocked off the Tucker Boys 91-58, while in the opener, the Discount Distributors Rockets blasted the RC Liquors Eagles 84-74.

#• Here’s a summary of the two games played:

#Mingoes 91, Tucker Boys 58: Dremiko McIntosh exploded for a game high 18 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the University of the Bahamas, who improved to 2-3.

#McIntosh, who shot 8-for- 14 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line, finished with 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block shot.

#Dave Lindsey added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals and blocks, Justin Burrows had 12 points and nine rebounds, Theodore Grant had 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals, Erquantae Edgecombe had nine points and seven rebounds, Delano Armbrister also had nine points with five rebounds and both Ricardo Taylor Jr and Ahmad Young chipped in with eight.

#For the Tucker Boys, who remained scoreless at 0-5, Jaden Stubbs scored 12 points with six rebounds, Clayton Tucker had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Leon Bain had eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, Arlington Brown also had eight points with 10 rebounds, Kieron Mortimer had seven points and six rebounds and Randon Swaby added six points with eight rebounds.

#Rockets 84, Eagles 74: Keith Rolle pumped in a game high 26 points with six rebounds and three assists to lead the Discount Distributors to victory as they improved to 4-1.

#Davito McIntosh had 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, Terrano Oliver Sr had 18 points, three rebounds and two steals and both Careem Gray and Torrez Basden added seven points, Basden with 14 rebounds and two steals and Gray with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

#In a losing effort for RC Liquors, who dropped to 3-1, Sherman Marshall scored in 21 points with six rebounds and three assists, Lorenzo Riley had 16 points and three assists, Alexio Frances had 14 points, 19 rebounds and three assists and Devon Seymour had 10 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists and steals and Cornelius Rigby had seven points and six rebounds.

#• Here’s a look at this weekend’s schedule:

#Tonight

#7pm – Your Essential Store Giants vs RC Liquors Eagles (DII)

#8pm – Commonwealth Bank Giants vs Sand Dollar (D1).

#Saturday

#7pm – Cyber Tech vs

#Produce Express (DII)

#8pm – Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets vs Caro Contractors Shockers (D1).

As of Friday, January 6, 2023

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#By YOURI KEMP

#Tribune Business Reporter

#ykemp@tribunemedia.net

#The Opposition’s leader yesterday warned that the Government’s “breach of law” in borrowing $233m worth of IMF special drawing rights (SDRs) from the Central Bank sends “a bad signal” to the international financial markets.

#Michael Pintard, returning to the attack on the issue, reiterated that the Free National Movement (FNM) was not opposed to the Government seeking out creative means to access low-cost foreign currency borrowing and save Bahamian taxpayers millions of dollars in interest costs.

#However, he again argued that such transactions must first have full legal standing under Bahamian law. This was not done in the case of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) SDRs, as both the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance have both confirmed that the former’s governing Act will now be amended retroactively to give the borrowing lawful basis.

#Mr Pintard argued that this admission sends a “bad signal to ratings agencies” and the wider international financial community, including The Bahamas’ lenders, creditors and holders of its external foreign currency debt.

#“It is absolutely important that the international community be able to trust the word of policymakers, and to the extent that we act in a manner that is ultra virus of the law – that is, a breach of the law – we then create a credibility issue, and what flows out of that is decisions are made in the credit market that are likely not to be favourable to us.”

#The Opposition has argued that, without the promised legal reforms, the IMF SDR transaction contravenes the Central Bank Act’s section 21. They are now demanding an accounting of how the funds will be used.

#The Ministry of Finance, in a previous statement on the matter, said that when the IMF’s SDRs were first issued in August 2021 it was made clear that they could be used for debt management and other fiscal purposes in the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath.

#Mr Pintard, though, described this as a “red herring” because the Ministry of Finance was speaking to what the funds could be used for rather than their actual use. “Quite frankly, this matter shouldn’t arise,” he added. “That money should really be returned, because that there is no basis for them having that in their possession.

#“In August 2021, the Central Bank released a press release that indicated the Bahamas’ SDR allocations are not being earmarked for lending to the government and do not increase the Central Bank’s ability to lend to the Government. The lending limits remain fixed by the law. This is the same law that the IMF has said to member countries like The Bahamas that you need to be compliant with your local laws as you treat with these SDRs.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/06/opposition-bad-signal-over-233m-borrowing/?news

ABOVE THE RIM: Deyton Albury in action for the Chipola College Indians, who are riding a perfect 18-0 record that has them sitting on top of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) division one men’s basketball rankings.

As of Thursday, January 5, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#DEYTON Albury and the Chipola College Indians are off to a great start, riding a perfect 18-0 record that has them sitting on top of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) division one men’s basketball rankings.

#The Indians had to wait until the new year for NJCAA to publish its weekly rankings. This marked the first time that Chipola has been ranked atop the poll since the 2006-2007 season, holding that feat for 10 straight weeks. Their 18-0 record is also the best since the 2012-13 team that started the season with the same record.

#In their last game on Saturday, December 31, Albury saw limited action as they blew out North Florida Prep 117-39 as he scored on a field goal, pulled down three rebounds with as many assists and a pair of steals.

#The Indias are gearing up for a big match-up on Saturday when they take on Northwest Florida State College, one of their top rivals in their conference.

#“A lot of people were underestimating us in our conference, saying we were probably the fourth best team, and we weren’t as talented as last year,” Albury said.

#“But we have a very good coach (Donnie Tyndall) and a talented team, and we believe we can become what he believes we can become. Every day we were grinding it out from June to now. It started with us being locked in at practice and we just have a very unselfish team, which is the reason for our success.”

#Albury, a 20-year-old 6-foot, 3-inch guard, is making his contribution to the success of the team. He is averaging 11.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Those numbers have allowed him to be pegged at number 56 for the first time in the NJCAA rankings.

#“It means a lot to me because I’ve never been ranked a day in my life in the Bahamas in a solid ranking,” said the former Temple Christian Academy Suns player, who left in grade 10 to attend Sunrise Christian Academy.

#“Being in America where there are so much JUCO players and to be ranked as the 56th player in the country means a lot to me because coming from the Bahamas where you really didn’t have this kind of recognition. So, this is really special for me.”

#As for the numbers he’s posted so far, Albury said they dropped a bit because of the system coach Tyndall is using.

#“We have a lot of guards who came back, and we rotate fast because we press a lot and what he likes to do is wear down our opponents so we have the starting five in for about five minutes and then he would put in another five, which is just as good as the starting five,” Albury said.

#“We just keep wearing down our opponents and because we substitute our players a lot, my numbers have dropped this year, but I’m not worried about it once we are winning.”

#After they play on Saturday, Chipola will have 11 more games to complete their regular season and hopefully an unprecedented perfect season.

#Can they do it?

#“It’s just a matter of us to stay locked in and be together as a team,” Albury stated.

#“I know I’m going to put in my extra work, and I will encourage my team-mates to do the same.

#“Hopefully we all can stay healthy God’s willing, and we come out and win the conference, win the state and win the national tournament. Winning the national title would afford a lot of our guys an opportunity to get a scholarship to go on to a division one college.”

#Although he hasn’t received any offers as yet, Albury said since the rankings came out, a lot of schools have expressed an interest in signing him for the next two years, including FYU, Indiana State, Buffalo, North Texas, Florida Gulf Coast University, Austin PA, SMU, Liberty State, UTA, Stoneybrook and West Seattle.

#The son of Genice and Michael Albury Sr, has a younger brother, Michael Albury Jr, 17, who is now starring for Florida Coastal Prep Sports Academy after he left Teloes Baptist Academy in Nassau.

#“I would just like to stay healthy God’s willing, win the conference, win the state championships and win the national title and have a lot of opportunities where I can choose which school I want to go to,” Albury summed up.

#“I don’t want to be forced into a programme where it’s a last-minute thing. I want to be able to explore my opportunities and to embrace the moment.”

#Hopefully it will be a good one.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/05/deyton-albury-and-chipola-undefeated/?news

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

As of Thursday, January 5, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With this being the 50th anniversary celebrations of the nation, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said there’s quite a bit of things for the sporting populace to look forward to in 2023.

#“I anticipate a very, very active year for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in all three departments within the ministry. That is youth, sports and culture,” said Bowleg, who just witnessed two successful junkanoo parades in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama.

#“There are some major sporting events on the calendar, including the CARIFTA Games, the return of the Bahamas, the international relays in March in Grand Bahama and the return of the Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic.”

#Not to bypass the other two components of his ministry, but Bowleg said they are looking forward to the E Clement Bethel event, the return of Junior Junkanoo with New Providence having their own on January 26 and the historic launch of the National Youth Guard in Grand Bahama where they will be preparing 100 young people for the disaster response as well as the first draft of the youth policy.

#As for the sporting activities, Bowleg said Grand Bahama, which played host to the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships in November, will host the first international relays.

#“We will have some college teams coming in to participate in a series of relay events and all of the high school teams will be invited to participate,” Bowleg said.

#“It’s like a showcase event where the colleges will be looking at recruiting some of our athletes,” he added.

#Although sailing and regatta in particular fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Bowleg said his ministry is looking at a collaboration in naming sailing as the national sport during the National Family Island Regatta in George Town, Exuma, in April.

#With this being the 50th anniversary, he said it’s important for all Bahamians to embrace the celebrations because it’s not likely that many would be around for another grand occasion.

#“It’s very important for all Bahamians to get involved in celebrating this milestone,” he pointed out. “We hope that they will come out and participate in each and every event they can because it’s a rare moment that we will encounter again.

#“I know I myself will be involved in anything and everything leading up to the celebrations and during the celebrations and I encourage all athletes, officials and the fans to get involved. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime thing that you will remember for the rest of your lives.”

#One of the highlights of the celebrations will be the Bahamas Games, which makes its return after a 21-year hiatus with the last one staged back in 2001. The mini-Olympic style sporting event will take place from July 7-15 in New Providence.

#“We have a whole generation who don’t have any experience of what the Bahamas Games is all about,” he said.

#“For them to experience this, I think it will bring a new appreciation for sports in the country because for many of the athletes, they will get a chance to compete against athletes from the various Family Islands.

#“It’s a different feeling and a different view of sports that they would expect, so we’re looking forward to them coming out and participating in every event or as much as they can participate in.”

#At this stage, Bowleg said the wheels are in motion for the planning of the event through the Games Secretariat, headed by Martin Lundy, assisted by Sharon “The General” Storr.

#He noted that another conclave with the Sports Councils for each island will be held either at the end of January or the beginning of February.

#“We want to ensure that the Sports Councils are taking the necessary steps to have their teams ready to compete,” Bowleg said.

#“The funding is available for them. We know that some of them are preparing for their island games and so we’re just waiting for them to announce their dates.”

#Bowleg also took the time to wish all of the student athletes, coaches, administrators and officials a “Happy New Year.”

#He added that he hopes it will be a “prosperous one” filled with sporting activities.

#And he expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the late basketball coach and official Rodney Johnson, who will be laid to rest this weekend.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/05/minister-i-anticipate-very-very-active-year/?news

As of Thursday, January 5, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMAS Olympic Committee president Romell Knowles said they are looking forward to another hectic year of activities, but paramount will be their election of officers.

#Although no date has been set, Knowles said he will be seeking re-election for another four-year term in office when they hold their annual general meeting and elections during the first quarter.

#Looking back at his tenure in office since taking over the mantle from past president Wellington Miller, Knowles said he was pleased with the manner in which his executive team performed.

#“We saw small sports make gigantic leaps like equestrian, we’ve seen baseball make some strides, judo made some strides, basketball made their strides and so it’s only a matter of time before these sports make their presence felt internationally in the Olympic sporting arena,” Knowles said.

#“We have an open-door policy and we have been very supportive of our member associations and federations, and we have taken the financial burden of travelling to the CAC Games, the Pan American Games, the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, the Youth Commonwealth Games, all of which were done through the purse of the Bahamas Olympic Committee through our international partners.”

#Knowles said they were also able to assist in getting a number of associations and federations started in their coaching clinics and the women in sports have also done a phenomenal job, he added.

#“So, there are any number of things that we can point our fingers to and be proud of accomplishments, but the work is not done,” he said. “We want to continue to see our federations go full-fledged in their developments and we will continue to work with the government and our private partners for the good of the sport.”

#Once the elections are completed, Knowles said the BOC will go full force in preparing the national teams to represent the country at the Central American and Caribbean Games as well as the Pan American Games and possibly the Youth Commonwealth Games.

#And while the focus at home will be on the return of the Bahamas Games in July, Knowles said the BOC will be making its contributions to member federations to ensure that the event is successful and at the same time they will continue to prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#“We will continue to offer scholarship assistance, both continental and Olympic scholarships, to our athletes,” he said. “So, it’s going to be very hectic.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/05/bahamas-olympic-committee-elections-paramount/?news

 Home|Sports|Jones shines in the G-LeagueSports

Bahamian averaging 28.5 points and 11 rebounds in two games

Simba FrenchSend an emailJanuary 9, 2023 182 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Playing in his second game this season on National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League assignment, Bahamian professional basketball player Kai Jones didn’t disappoint his team and fans as he had a monster night. He dropped 27 points and flirted with a double-double as he added nine rebounds to help the Greensboro Swarm to a 118-113 victory over the Delaware Blue Coats on Friday night at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware.

Jones went 12-for-15 from the field, shooting 80 percent. He made his only shot attempt from deep and hit both of his attempts from the charity stripe. Jones also had two assists. The center was not only an energizer on offense but also on defense where he came away with four of his team’s five swipes and blocked half of his team’s eight shots that night.

Jones was everywhere. He scored eight points in the first quarter alone. His final field goal of the first quarter, at the 5:20 mark, put them up 20-12. On that play, he grabbed a defensive rebound and went coast to coast, maneuvering his way in the paint for a slam dunk. The quarter ended with the Swarm up 27-25.

Jones showed more of his athleticism in the second quarter. The 6’10” player stole the ball at the 10:24 mark, sprinted up the court and threw down a reverse slam dunk to put his team up by double digits, 37-27. By the end of the first half, the center had 17 points, most with dunks and some on jump shots. He also had two blocks and five rebounds before he was subbed out of the first half with 4:45 left in the second quarter.

The Swarm went into the intermission up 61-56 as the Blue Coats hung around.

Both teams battled fiercely in a back and forth third quarter. In the end, it was the Blue Coats outscored the Swarm in that quarter, 32-29, but Jones’ and company held on to a slim 90-88 lead going into the fourth.

Jones made two free throws late in the game to put the Swarm up 114-109. That came with 1:27 left in the game. He got his fourth block of the game with 25 seconds remaining, helping his team hold on for the win.

The Swam finished the game shooting 50 percent and they were able to hold the Blue Coats to 40 percent shooting from the field. The Swarm had 14 three-pointers while the Blue Coats finished with seven three-pointers.

The game had two lead changes and one tie.

This was Jones’ second game of the season for the Swarm. In the two games, the 21-year-old is averaging a double-double with 28.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. The 2021 first round draft pick is averaging 3.5 steals and three blocks in those two games. He is shooting 77.4 percent from the field.

Despite his success at that level, Jones is looking forward to returning to the big league to help the Hornets.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-shines-in-the-g-league/