Home|Sports|SportsTemple Christian celebrates growth of athletics program The Nassau Guardian Send an emailMarch 23, 2023 195 3 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

School pride is at an all-time high at Temple Christian High School following their historic third-place finish at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships. The achievement is a remarkable one that reflects positively on the school and its athletics program.

According to Perry R. Cunningham, the high school’s principal, finishing third in the BAISS championships is no small feat, and is something that should be celebrated and recognized by the entire school community.

“This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff who have worked tirelessly to prepare and compete at the highest level,” said Cunningham. “Our high school’s achievement sets a new standard of excellence for future athletic teams to strive for. It demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and commitment, anything is possible. The school community is proud of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff who have brought honor to the institution.”

Reflecting on the journey to this point, he said, “The team faced several challenges leading up to the BAISS Track and Field Championships, including COVID-19, injuries, lack of equipment and staff, limited financial support, and balancing academic work with athletic training. However, they were able to overcome those obstacles through hard work, dedication, and the support of their coaches, parents, staff, and community.”

Looking to the future, the principal said, “To maintain and build on this success, the school’s athletics program has several goals, including identifying new talent, improving facilities, implementing a physical conditioning program, inviting accomplished athletes to motivate student-athletes, implementing a mentorship program, participating in more competitions, increasing athletic scholarship awards, and gaining more parental support.”

Coach Kenya Culmer is the head of physical education and head of the track and field program at Temple Christian. She has been with the school for six years and has a background in track and field as a former athlete. She attended Temple Christian Elementary and was introduced to high jump by Coach Nekeno Demeritte.

After high school, Culmer was awarded a full track scholarship at Southern Illinois University (SIU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. In 2012, Culmer made history as the first Bahamian woman to jump over six feet, becoming the national high jump record holder. She originally came to Temple Christian to help out on a short-term basis, but six years later, she is still with the school, making a significant impact on its athletics program.

Coach Culmer credits the team’s success to a rigorous six-month training program that focused on endurance, strength, and technical aspects of each event.

“Our students and coaches sacrificed much time into the preparation for the BAISS competition,” she said. “We took the time to test each athlete and identify their strengths, which allowed us to put them into events where they could excel. The athletes themselves deserve much of the credit for their consistency and dedication, leaving everything on the track and in the field in each event. The athletes handled the pressure exceptionally well, with not one expressing fear of competing against larger, more dominant schools. We taught them how to be confident and most importantly to believe that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.”

Coach Culmer leads a team alongside coaches Marvin Darville and Kevin Armbrister. An experienced coach, Armbrister was instrumental in the development of C.H. Reeves’ track and field program for over 20 years. C.H. Reeves was dominant in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) Junior Track and Field Championships. 

Darville has been the head coach of the SunBlazers Track and Field Club for 19 years, specializing in the sprints and hurdling events. Culmer credited Darville’s experience in this area as a strong factor for the Suns’ success in the hurdles events at the BAISS championships.

“As a team, we were able to achieve this success through strong collaboration between the coaches and athletes. In addition, we were fortunate to have the support of dedicated parents and volunteer coaches, all of whom worked together to make this achievement possible. As we always say, ‘teamwork makes the dream work’.”

Principal Cunningham added, “By recognizing and celebrating these achievements, we can inspire and motivate future generations of athletes to strive for greatness and continue to build a strong athletics program at Temple Christian High School. This historic achievement shows that with the right resources, support, and guidance, even a relatively small student population can achieve great things. It is a reminder that hard work, dedication, and teamwork are the keys to success, and that anything is possible when we set our minds to it.

“This achievement is a testament to our school’s commitment to excellence and the development of well-rounded students. This accomplishment is not only a victory for the athletics program, but for the entire school community, and it should serve as inspiration for all students to strive for greatness in all aspects of their lives.”

Now that they have cracked the top three, the Suns are looking to continue to improve and achieve even better results in the future.

 Home|Sports|Sports‘Let’s Move Bahamas’Fun run/walk set for Easter Monday morning at Arawak Cay; all are invited to take part Sheldon Longley Send an emailMarch 23, 2023 139 4 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

Under the patronage of Lord Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, the Let’s Move Bahamas CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk is expected to be one of the more grand events of the CARIFTA weekend, set for Easter Monday, April 10, starting and ending at Arawak Cay.

The event will get underway at 6 a.m., leaving Arawak Cay and heading west to the roundabout at Baha Mar Blvd., circling around and heading back to Arawak Cay. Registration is online by sending an e-mail to the address info@bahamastrackandfield.org. There will also be onsite registration on the morning of the event at 5:30 a.m. at Arawak Cay.

The community-based event, which will be one of the highlights of the CARIFTA weekend, is expected to attract participants in the thousands, including regional and international guests who will be here for the CARIFTA Games. All are invited to take part, particularly former CARIFTA athletes, who would have represented The Bahamas, or their respective countries, over the years.

“When you look at, there are about 4,500 athletes who would have represented The Bahamas at CARIFTA from 1973 to present day – 50 years of CARIFTA. We want every member of The Bahamas’ CARIFTA teams over the years to be a part of this event. Anyone who could be here, who once represented The Bahamas, and wore the 242 across their chest, is welcomed to come out and be a part of this event. This is an invitation to every former CARIFTA athlete to be a part of the Let’s Move Bahamas Fun Run/Walk,” said Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA).

“The idea for us in track in field is to make this sport a bigger sport, so we are attracting more fans to come on board with us. One of the themes of this administration is to really engage the community, not only just in track and field, but the Bahamian community at large. It is a mandate of World Athletics, and we are pleased to say that the president of World Athletics Lord Sebastian Coe will be the patron of this event and he is incredibly excited about running with us on April 10. I can’t stress enough how important this event is, not only to the federation, but to the country. We want to promote wellness and we want to encourage everyone from every walk of life to be a part of this community-based event. We are extending an invitation out to the entire country.”

Not just Lord Coe, but other members of the World Athletics family including former World and Olympic Champion Edwin Moses and the great Willie Banks will be here taking part in the Let’s Move Bahamas CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk. The event is free of charge and all entrants will receive a Puma T-shirt. Also, the first 1,000 finishers will receive a medal. A raffle will also be held.

“We want everyone to take part. We are calling all former CARIFTA athletes and medalists to be a part of this grand event. We are expecting the numbers to be in the thousands, so we are asking people to register as soon as possible,” said Demrius Cash, BAAA special events coordinator. “Registration is open and you can register today by sending an e-mail to info@bahamastrackandfield.org expressing interest. Once you do that, there will be a registration form sent to you that could be filled out. Come one, come all and be a part of this great event.”

The Local Organizing Committee of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games (LOC) has come on board with the event, offering its full support.

“We certainly endorse this event and we will be a part of the Let’s Move Bahamas CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk,” said Lynden Maycock, chief executive officer (CEO) of the LOC. “We invite our regional guests and partners to join us in this event and walk and run with us on April 10. We know that The Bahamas is a place for early morning walks and runs, so we invite all those early walkers and runners to come out and be a part of this great event.”

Also speaking on behalf of the LOC was the Dame of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games Pauline Davis.

“We’re so excited to be able to participate in this event in support of the BAAA,” said Davis. “We want to congratulate the BAAA for organizing and staging this event, we believe it is a great gesture, and we wish you the best. We certainly look forward to taking part and joining in with the former CARIFTA athletics, our regional friends and members of World Athletics.”

Bahamian president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Mike Sands said there is already overwhelming support in favor of the Let’s Move Bahamas CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk. NACAC is the owner of the CARIFTA Games.

“NACAC is very proud to be a part of this event and I could say that the Let’s Move Bahamas event has certainly resonated among the masses,” said Sands. “I could tell you that the World Athletics family is very excited to be here for CARIFTA, particularly the Let’s Move Bahamas Fun Run/Walk. Lord Coe is a two-time Olympic champion and he is an avid walker and runner. He has pledged to be here, he is looking forward to this, and he will be participating. I am encouraging all Bahamians, and all visitors and everyone else, to take part. Let us unite as one Bahamas and let us all join in with this event.”

Following the Let’s Move Bahamas CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk, the final day of competition of the CARIFTA Games will commence at 9 a.m. The 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games is set for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Thirty-two countries are expected to take part in the CARIFTA Games. Perennial champions Jamaica, in particular, has pledged a full contingent, and has already paid for their charter flight into The Bahamas.

The final local trials for CARIFTA, the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals, is set for this weekend, March 25-27, at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium. It is a test event for the CARIFTA Games itself.

https://thenassauguardian.com/lets-move-bahamas/

 Home|Sports|SportsTeam Bahamas hoping third time is a charm Simba French Send an emailMarch 23, 2023 195 4 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

It has been about eight months since The Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team experienced action on the pitch. They will return to play tomorrow when they take on Trinidad and Tobago in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. The pivotal match gets underway at 4 p.m.

This will be the third time in the last two years that these two teams play each other with the first one ending in a 0-0 stalemate and the second one ending 1-0 in favor of the Trinidad and Tobago ‘Soca Warriors’ last June. The third time just may be a charm for Team Bahamas as they look for a favorable decision this time. According to assistant head coach for Team Bahamas Kevin Davies, preparation will be a key aspect.

“I don’t think it has much to do with luck but how you prepare,” Davies said at a press conference at the Bahamas National Beach Soccer Stadium yesterday. “The team has been preparing well. I always try to keep a positive mindset, regardless of the situation. I always try to keep the message positive to help motivate them. They are playing on the national team and they should be self-motivated by having the Bahamian flag on their chests. That should be motivation in itself. If we stick to our game plan and execute, I think we will come out with a good result.”

The Bahamas has only scored one goal in the current Nations League competition and has been defending for most part. Davies said they are looking to open up more. He said he has seen an improvement over the last eight months.

“We have been preparing and I have seen some great improvement in a lot of the guys like Omari Bain who has shown that he has an ability to find the back of the net. There is Peter Julmis who is also capable of striking. In the midfield, we have Christopher Rahming, Marcel Joseph, Elijah Mitchell who are very capable of finding the back of the net. These are young and hungry guys who want to prove to the team and nation that they can do it. I am confident that they can do it. We have a few games under our belt and I see the improvement in the team. I am very confident that they will perform to the best of they abilities on Friday (tomorrow),” Davies said.

Bain, who plays the midfield position, was available for all but one game of the Nations League competition so far, due to an injury. He is more than ready for this game, having spent some time in Spain developing as a player.

“I am happy with how the team has been preparing so far. I returned from Spain and it is great to be home with the team. We have been preparing for this match both on and off the field. We have been mentally and physically preparing for this match. We did well in the warmup matches against Turks and Caicos and I have no doubt in my mind that we aren’t going to have any complications in terms of technical ability of the team,” Bain said.

Nicolas Lopez, who is also a midfielder, returned home from school to train with the team on Monday. He is looking forward to playing in his first 2022-2023 Nations League competition.

“There are few faces on the team that I know and a few who I am looking forward to meeting and working with. It is great to be back in that environment. I am looking forward to Friday,” Lopez said.

Sports Officer from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Adam Miller cited a study that showed that The Bahamas had the youngest senior national men’s team in the world last year. That study, from the International Center of Sports Studies, looked at over 150 men’s teams average age. He encouraged Bahamians to come out and support the team.

“The BFA (Bahamas Football Association) is willing to not only invest in the youth but also give opportunities to the players to represent their country at the men’s level. I want to commend the coaching staff and technical staff of the BFA on their preparation for these Nation League games. Good luck to the players on their quest to play in the Nations League and represent The Bahamas,” said Miller.

Davies urged the public to come out and support the team as they have been working out for months to prepare for this game.

“The Bahamian public can expect a group of young men who have been working hard who is ready to put everything on the line for this game. They are excited and they want to prove that they can play with the big boys in the region. I can assure you that they will have a good showing and we will have them prepped and ready to go. I always try to preach a positive message,” Davies said.

The Bahamas sits in third place in its group with a 1-3 win/loss record and three points. Trinidad and Tobago is in second place with a 3-1 record and nine points. In its second game in this window, The Bahamas will head to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to play that nation. St. Vincent and the Grenadines sport a 0-1-3 win/draw/loss record and have one point. They sit in fourth place in the group. The Bahamas’ only win in the group came against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a 1-0 victory.

The Bahamas takes on St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday in an away fixture.

https://thenassauguardian.com/team-bahamas-hoping-third-time-is-a-charm/

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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#THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools has returned to soccer play after a three-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down soccer action. The BAISS division continues to grow with the addition of Windsor Academy fielding teams this season. The soccer convener is Yiorgo Coyle of St. Andrews School.

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahama — The inaugural Island Relays for visiting college teams over the weekend at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex gave some of the local athletes a chance to improve on their performances before they come to New Providence for the National High Schools Championships and final CARIFTA Trials this weekend.

#Tervon Clarke, the 16-year-old 10th grader at Eight Mile Rock High, was the winner of the boys’ 100 metres in 11.43 seconds, holding off Michael Riley, who did 11.44 for second, while Aiden Kelly was third in 11.65. Clarke said he just wanted to gauge himself going into the Nationals and CARIFTA Trials.

#“I just want to do my best and hopefully I can make the CARIFTA team,” Clarke said. “I know the competition will be stiff, but I’m looking forward to competing in it.”

#Shatalya Dorsett, in winning the girls’ 100m in 12.57, also showed that she’s ready for the dual meet and a chance to secure another berth on the CARIFTA team. She took the title over Phebe Thompson, who did 13.05, followed by Kianna Henchell in 13.27.

#“It was a good opportunity for me to showcase my talent in front of my home crowd,” said Dorsett, a 16-year-old 12th grader at Sunland Baptist School.

#“I feel confident that I will qualify again and make the CARIFTA team. I’m in good shape and I don’t have any injuries.”

#Akerman Bowleg said he got some valuable advice from one of the collegiate athletes and it helped him as he went on and won the boys’ 400 metres in 49.79 seconds over Javano Bridgewater, who did 50.03, followed by Jayden McGregor in 50.77.

#“Instead of me just going there and running, I decided to take her advice and to go out there and see how it works,” said Bowleg, a 17-year-old 12th grader at St George’s High.

#As he prepares to make the trek to New Providence this weekend, Bowleg said he just wants to do his best and see how well he can perform as he competes in both the 200 and 400m.

#Bishop Michael Eldon’s seventh grader Thomas, just 13 years old, said it was fun running against the older competitors.

#“I’m just glad that I came out injury free,” Thomas said.

#“I am coming for the Nationals, but at my age, I don’t think I would be able to make the CARIFTA team. But if I do, all thanks be to God for making it possible.”

#Treasure Burrows was the winner of the girls’ 800m in 2:22.99 over Erin Barr, who trailed the entire race for second in 2:36.25.

#Zion Musgrove was third in 2:30.52. “I listened to my coach and I ran a strong first lap. On my second lap, I made a move coming through the last two hundred metres to get the win,” she said. “I felt very good. I am looking forward to competing in the Nationals. Hopefully I can run a PR and qualify for CARIFTA. I hope that me and Barr can make it. It would be good to have two competitors from Grand Bahama in the event.”

#Swift Athletics’ Kenzie Knowles is a little too late for CARIFTA at 19, but he was just delighted to get the opportunity to compete in the meet. He won the boys’ 800m in 2:02.71.

#“It’s a blessing competing in this event. I tried to push myself in every event and try to run my PR (personal best) because I really want to go off to college,” said Knowles, a recent graduate of St John’s College.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/athletes-get-ready-nationalstrials/?news

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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VERSATILE Grand Bahamian Launy Duncombe is coming to town this weekend to compete in the CARIFTA Trials.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahama – After falling short of making the Bahamas Aquatics’ national team for the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Curacao, versatile Grand Bahamian Launy Duncombe is coming to town this weekend to give it a shot at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ track team for CARIFTA here at home.

#Duncombe, the overall male winner of the BAARK’s 10th annual Powerade Potcakeman Triathlon that was held on Jaws Beach on March 5, came through as the junior boys’ winner of the Grand Bahama Cycling Association’s Time Trials over the weekend.

#He said he used the event to get him geared up for the competition in the under-17 boys’ division of the BAAA National High School and final CARIFTA Trials at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

#“When I went to the swim CARIFTA trials, I didn’t qualify, so when my coach told me I had a chance to qualify for the track team for CARIFTA, I decided to prepare myself for it, along with the CARIFTA triathlon,” he said.

#“I love competing in cycling and then swimming and track. But I enjoy competing in all three because they help me to become a better triathlete. I just hope that I can make the CARIFTA team this weekend in track.”

#Look for 15-year-old Duncombe to make his presence felt in the 1,500m.

#Duncombe, a ninth grader at St Paul’s Methodist College, started swimming from the age of two, but just recently got involved in cycling and running long distances to help him gear up for the triathlon.

#“It was a good experience for me,” said Duncombe of winning the Potcakeman Triathlon. “I didn’t have any high expectations. I just wanted to put myself in a position to be one of the competitors they picked for CARIFTA later this year.

#“So I just went there to make sure that I solidified by spot. But I didn’t expect to come out with the position that I got. When I saw I had the opportunity to win it, I took it and pushed myself across the finish line.”

#Although he had the fourth fastest time in the Time Trials on Saturday, Duncombe said he just wanted to compete with the older competitors, who are all training for the Bahamas Games in Juily.

#“It was fun competing against them,” Duncombe said.

#“I hope that I can make the team to represent Grand Bahama at the Bahamas Games as well.”

#He certainly has a bright future ahead of him as a multiple sport standout.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/duncombe-coming-town-carifta-team-trials/?news

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the 50th CARIFTA Games only 15 days away, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg is urging Bahamians not to wait until the last minute to purchase their tickets for the event.

#The CARIFTA Games are expected to be held on Easter weekend April 7-10. With the games almost two weeks away, Bowleg said 6,000 to 7,000 of the CARIFTA tickets have already been sold with more than 20% of ticket sales coming from Jamaicans.

#Bowleg had this message for Bahamians ahead of the country’s 50th CARIFTA Games.

#“If we Bahamians don’t get to the ticket booth and start purchasing then we gone see more green, yellow and black in the stands than the aquamarine, gold and black so we want the Bahamians to understand that they must come out and that the young people need their support in order to have that extra push,” Bowleg said.

#Before the Easter weekend CARIFTA Games, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), in conjunction with the MOYSC, is set to host the CARIFTA Trials and High School National Track and Field Championships as a mock version of April’s games. The event will take place March 25-27.

#Bowleg said 500 athletes will be competing in this weekend’s trials and everything that is set to happen at the CARIFTA Games will be done at this weekend’s event.

#“We are encouraging all parents, fans, and families to come out and support your kids because at the end of the day we are gonna have athletes from all over the Family Islands, including New Providence and Grand Bahama that are gonna be vying for their spot in the CARIFTA Games,” he said.

#Minister Bowleg added that the competition will be keen and the public does not want to miss the preview of some of the CARIFTA athletes.

#Although repairs to the Thomas A. Robinson stadium were underway ahead of the 50th CARIFTA Games, they are expected to be done in time for April’s track and field event.

#Persons that are interested can purchase tickets for the 50th CARIFTA Games online at https:// www.carifta50.com/ticketspurchase or can purchase via the box office located at the Eastern Grand entrance of the TAR stadium.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/minister-dont-wait-until-last-minute-buy-carifta-t/?news

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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Dr Wentia Ford-Diagne

THE late baseball legend Wenty Ford.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#In an effort to help keep the legacy of her late father alive, former versatile athlete Dr Wentia Ford-Diagne has established the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation with a “50-50 Dream Big” initiative.

#The public charity, non-profit organisation that is dedicated to the support and development of the youth though the fundamental skills of sporting disciplines, leadership and community development, was formed last September, but is expected to commence with its first set of participants this September to June 2024 with the inner-city kids in Centreville.

#“We know that there are many inner-city kids, whose parents can’t afford to pay for them to go to the private camps,” she said. “The goal is to launch the programme to commemorate 50 years since my family first started playing Major League baseball.

#“So I’ve created an after-school programme where the kids can come at least two times a week to learn the fundamentals of the sport of baseball and two days where they can get the tutoring from some of the teachers in the programme.”

#Ford-Diagne said they are opening the programme up to the first 50 youngsters, but one of the criteria for enrolment in the programme is a minimum of a 2.5 overall grade point average and a minimum of 2.0 GPA in a subject. It’s geared towards youngsters between the ages of five and 12.

#Ford, who also played cricket, signed with the Braves in 1966 as an undrafted free agent and was promoted to the Major Leagues in September 1973 after his eighth season in Atlanta’s farm system, having won 17 of 24 decisions with an earned run average of 2.46 with the Braves’ two top minor league affiliates.

#In his Major League debut on September 10, 1973, Ford started against the San Francisco Giants at Atlanta-Fulton County against future baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Manchal. Ford pitched a complete game in a 10-4 triumph, surrendering five hits (four of them singles) and six bases on balls (walks), with three strikeouts.

#Ford, the only Bahamian to pitch in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves, was killed in a car accident on July 8, 1980.

#His daughter, Ford-Diagne – a former multiple sporting star for the Kingsway Academy Saints – left the Bahamas in 1995 to pursue her studies at Norfolk State University before she went on to Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School.

#She is now residing in Edinburg, Texas where she is a physician assistant partnering with her husband Dr Thiendella Diagne at Dr Diagne Premier Ob Gyn Practice with emphasis on women’s health and infertility and is the mother of one daughter, Mareme Evangeline.

#Ford-Diagne was too young to remember the exploits of her father. But while in town in 2022 to participate, her uncle Mario Ford’s annual baseball camp on Windsor Park opposite their homestead, she said the genesis of her starting the Sports Foundation in honour of her father.

#“I feel like I am doing exactly what he would have been doing if he was still alive,” she said. “He always had a keen interest in helping the youth in the inner-city and so I think I am only carrying out his mandate to help as many young people as I could.

#“He wanted to make sure that they had everything they need so that they could get the opportunity to compete just like the other kids whose parents have the funding to ensure that they can get the private tutoring.”

#The following are the objectives

#of the camp:

• #Teach the basic fundamentals and discipline of the game of baseball (or any sport).
• #Teach the physical basic and develop the skills of baseball.
• #To provide mentorship to both young boys and girls.
• #To provide tutoring.
• #Develop leadership skills to build.
• #To develop and provide an after-school programme to aid in academic growth and tutoring assistance.
• #All members to participate in community service.
• #Long-term – to provide or support other Sport Foundation(s) including sponsorship for other kids.

#While she has the foundation up and running, Ford-Diagne revealed that there are 10 positions available for a board of directors to assist her. But she noted that she has an advisory board that includes veteran journalist Fred Sturrup and former track star Addis Huyler, who has been assisting with the branding of the foundation. For more details, persons can email info@wentyfordsportsfoundation. com or contact Ford-Diagne at WhatsApp 956-780-6100.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/dr-wentia-ford-diagne-remembers-her-late-father/?news

WORLD and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner said he is looking forward to getting back on top of the men’s standings in the 400 metres.

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BACK in action after sitting out the past season with an injury, World and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner said he’s excited about his progress and looking forward to getting back on top of the men’s standings in the 400 metres.

#The 27-year-old multiple Bahamian national record holder from Abaco opened his season with a pair of quality performances indoors in February before he won his outdoor season opener on Friday in Puerto Rico, all three in the 300m.

#“At the beginning of the year, it started out rocky. I had to go to Germany in January for a checkup and I got the green light to compete,” said Gardiner in an interview with The Tribune.

#“I did my first indoor meet in South Carolina and then we went back to Gainesville (Florida) for my second competition. That’s where we ran really well. Then we went to Puerto Rico and I had a great start for outdoors. I almost PR (personal best).”

#Last year in his 300m opener before he went down with a UTE Tendon Inflammation injury that prevented him from defending his 400m title at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Gardiner clocked his lifetime best and national record of 31.52 and over the weekend, he came close with his winning time of 31.59.

#“I think coming off the injury, we are in a great place where we need to be this year,” said Gardiner of his performance so far. “I feel good. Training has been going very well.

#“I’m excited about training and the times are right there.”

#With this being dubbed his “return to competition,” Gardiner said he’s looking forward to going to Budapest, Hungary in August and getting back on top of the podium in the men’s 400m.

#“I think it will take around 43 to win it, but whatever time is the winning time, that is what I want to be able to do,” projected Gardiner, whose national 400m record is listed at 43.48.

#Not having competed in a while, Gardiner said he has to concentrate on his start with his long-time coach Gary Evans in their training camp in Florida. But he said they have been making the necessary adjustments to get him ready.

#“I just want to run the perfect race,” said Gardiner, who has been training under Evans’ supervision since 2016. “He’s been a real help in getting me to where I need to be. He’s my coach and he’s been helping me to get everything together.”

#With each passing race as he makes his return to the international circuit, Gardiner said he’s seen the tremendous support poured in from the Bahamian public on social media. “I want to thank them for supporting me,” he stressed. “I want to continue to make them feel proud and to put the Bahamas back on the international stage and make more history for the Bahamas.”

#Gardiner, however, said he misses not having his close friend and fellow Bahamian star Shaunae Miller-Uibo competing. She’s taken some time off to have her baby with her husband, Maicel Uibo.

#“As my good friend, I just want her to have a healthy pregnancy and enjoy her time off because I know she really needs it, having gone back-to-back competitions for so long,” Gardiner stated.

#“I just want her to take her time and when she returns, we will link up and we can continue what we started before she took her break for motherhood.”

#Having competed on both silver and bronze medal winning 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relay teams for the Bahamas at the 2014 CARIFTA Games in Fort-de-France, Martinique, Gardiner also sent his personal endorsement to the athletes who will be trying out this weekend for this year’s CARIFTA Games, scheduled for the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium over the Easter holiday weekend.

#“Always put your best foot forward. Most people can’t do it, so for those who make it, just do your best,” Gardiner stated.

#“You are competing at home with your family and friends there, so just go out there and do what you have to do and have fun.

#“Don’t put any pressure on yourself. The pressure should be in your training. You just need to be prepared to enjoy the games. Plus, this is our 50th year of Independence, so this is the icing on the cake. Just enjoy the experience of competing in CARIFTA and at home in your backyard.”

#Gardiner is looking forward to competing in his next meet in Florida, but while he will be running both the 200 and 400m, he said he might just surprise everybody and run in a 100m race.

#“The last time I did the 100m was in 2020 when COVID-19 started,” Gardiner said. “I ran a PB, so I will see if I can beat that.”

#But at the World Championships, Gardiner said his focus will be on the 400m where he was unbeaten in 23 consecutive races dating back to the 2017 World Championships when he won the silver medal behind world record holder Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa.

#If the opportunity presents itself, he said he could make himself available to run on the men’s 4 x 400m relay team.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/gardiner-pleased-his-comeback/?news

As of Thursday, March 23, 2023

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SHOWN, from left to right, are Nassau Gymnastics’ Daelyn Jones, Anai Ingraham, Peyton Pickstock and Mikelle Cartwright on their return home as medallists after competing in the Florida Crown.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#NASSAU Gymnastics seeks financial support and equipment for young gymnasts after their Gasparilla Classics and Florida Crown performances.

#With gymnasts practicing every evening at the Nassau Gymnastics facility in the Oakes Field Shopping Center, team coaches and parents are advocating for more funding for the sport in the country.

#At the Gasparilla Classics, the young gymnasts shined in the competition. Kayla Culmer came 12th all around in her age group. With all possible scores being out of 10, Culmer notched 8.90 in the 6th vault, 7.10 in the 12 bars, 8.325 in the 10th beam, and 9.60 in the 5th floor.

#She was joined by A’Niyah Williams who placed 8th all around. In the 5th vault, she notched 8.95, 9.25 in the 6th bars, 8.40 in the 8th beam, and 9.125 in the 11th floor.

#Despite the young ladies shining at the Gasparilla Classics, Samantha Cartwright, a parent of one of the gymnasts, talked about how the Nassau Gymnastics programme needs to be improved.

#Cartwright said persons that wish to donate can do so towards equipment which is very costly and includes beam equipment, bar equipment, springboards and gym upkeep so that the young gymnasts can have the equipment necessary to ensure that they represent The Bahamas in the way that they should.

#She added that despite the gymnasts using old equipment, she is still proud of them for performing well and making The Bahamas look good.

#Head coach Trevor Ramsey talked about the need for a better gym facility for the gymnasts.

#“The facilities here on the island are very much below par. Florida is one of the strongest gymnastic regions and most of the kids we compete with come from state-of-the-art gym facilities and they are all over Florida,” Ramsey said.

#Ramsey added that although the kids from Florida have better equipment and facilities, the Bahamian gymnasts are still able to go to Florida and be on par with them but, if they had better facilities, things would be better.

#While at the Florida Crown Gymnastics competition, the Bahamian gymnasts performed well once again.

#Mikala Cartwright placed 2nd all around in the competition. In the 2nd Vault 9.35, 5th Bars 9.00, 1st Beam champion 9.60, and 5th floor 9.625.

#Tiana Nixon placed 6th all around. In the 8th vault 8.925, 8.725 in 8th bars, 9.275 in the 4th beam, and 9.575 7th floor.

#Additionally, Taylor Robinson placed 5th all around.

#Team coach Rashad Cunningham talked about how important it is for gymnasts to have exposure in the country. “One of the biggest competitions I would have done would have been the junior Olympic festival which was held in Mexico and I am the first Bahamian male that was born here that made it that far and while being there no one knew,” Cunningham said.

#Cunningham added that sports in the country is focused on track, swimming, basketball, and baseball which makes gymnastics the forgotten sport a lot of times but if we wanted the Shaunae Millers and Steven Gardiners we need to have some funding to help these kids as well because gymnastics is very expensive.

#The Nassau Gymnastics gymnasts will look towards being in their next competition in the next three weeks.

#For persons that wish to donate to Nassau Gymnastics, they can reach out at 242-525-7279 or email at nassaunastics@yahoo.com

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/23/nassau-gymnastics-seeks-funding-better-facilities-/?news