As of Thursday, April 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) made its return to the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium yesterday for their annual track and field meet.

#After being shelved for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary school students and officials were excited to be back on the track and field for competition.

#With 19 of the 22 expected schools ready for action, Claridge Primary leads all schools with 27 points going into day two of the meet.

#Second place belongs to the defending champions Cleveland Eneas, who sits one point behind with 26. Uriah McPhee is positioned in third place with 16 points after one day of primary school competition.

#Latoya Sturrup, president of the NPPPSSA, talked about the excitement and morale at this year’s return meet.

#The president said it was a beautiful feeling to see the children have a good time and display their talents.

#She said the student athletes were super excited to be on the track for the first time and others after more than two years.

#This year’s event started with lots of camaraderie and new experiences for the primary school students.

#Although the rainy day mostly featured prelims for the young athletes to qualify for Friday’s finals, day one still had the excitement of everyone.

#The day’s finals included the girls and boys 1,200m run for the B division, and the long jump field events for the A and B division.

#On the track, Carlton Francis’ Talisha Racine took home the victory in the girls’ 1,200m run for the B division. She capped off the first place victory with a time of 5:06.77. Sciaka Eugene of Claridge Primary secured second place finish in the event after clocking 5:07.24. Cleveland Eneas’ Iyanna Rolle followed behind for third with 5:23.50.

#Rashad Francois of Gerald Cash Primary emerged victorious in the boys 1200m run for the B division. Francois finished with a time of 4:40.33 to edge out his competitors. Thelma Gibson’s Jabez Winder claimed second place after notching 4:49.39 in the race. Deon Fowler placed third for Cleveland Eneas with a 4:55.26 finish.

#Mariska Thompson, head coach of the defending champions, talked about how it felt to be back in action.

#“We are very elated to be back on the track myself and the athletes are very excited,” Thompson said.

#The head coach added that the school is ready to defend their championship and have conducted off season training sessions with the students since November leading up to this year’s event. Despite not being in the lead after day one, her message to athletes is to do their best, run hard, and try to qualify for the finals.

#On the field, Claridge Primary’s Tamia Brown nabbed first place in the girls B division high jump. Brown leaped to a height of 1.15m to hold off her competitors. She was followed by Eva Hilton’s Marvinique Perry who finished second. The pair were joined by Uriah McPhee’s third place finisher Ashley Ferguson.

#The boys’ A division long jump capped off with Uriah McPhee’s Jason Thompson bringing home the victory for the respective school. Thompson jumped to a height of 4.29m. Second place belonged to Tayler Johnson of Palmdale primary who notched 3.81m in the event. Meanwhile, Claridge Primary’s Jaterro Moss notched 3.68m in the day’s finals.

#With the majority of the event’s finals scheduled for the final day of the meet, the athletes spent the day trying to qualify. In the A division, Ariel Thompson won the qualifier for the girls 800m race. Second place was Eva Hilton’s Yeindera Martin with 2:48.06. Imani Collie of Gerald Cash came in third to book her ticket to Friday’s finals. Those athletes will be joined by Cleveland Eneas’ Brittania Rigby, Thelma Gibson’s Aniyah Burrows, T G Glover’s Chasey Nelson, Serenity Cash of Gerald Cash, and once again T G Glover’s Cindy Francois.

#For the boys, the A division 800m qualifiers will include Patereco Sherman (Claridge), Rhamelo Bethel (Sadie Curtis), Ayden Rolle (Carlton Francis), Tavardo Brown (Sadie Curtis), Nateo Wilchcombe (Sandilands), Jason Moncur (Uriah McPhee), Kenson Sactel (Cleveland Eneas), and Kelson Grant (Palmdale). Also, the A division 4×100 relay finals will feature Garvin Tynes, Uriah McPhee, Palmdale primary, Cleveland Eneas, Gerald Cash, Albury Sayle, Sadie Curtis, and Sandilands Primary.

#In the girls B division 200m dash, Derricka Smith qualified for the finals while clocking 31.76 to secure first place. Second place belonged to Uriah McPhee’s Ashley Ferguson who will join Smith in the finals. Thelma Gibson’s Aeiyah Clarke came in third. The next five qualifiers will include Tianna Baker (Uriah McPhee), London Edwards (Claridge), Brianna Robinson (E P Roberts), Shakira Brown (Palmdale), and Tanae Fowler (Cleveland Eneas).

#For the boys, the 200m finals will showcase Rico Strachan (Sandilands), Taharro Mackey (Uriah McPhee), Waiden Bain (Sadie Curtis), Travis Mesidor (Centreville), Breon Neely (Sadie Curtis), Jerome Brown (Claridge), Micah Watson (Cleveland Eneas), and Ashton Davis (Uriah McPhee).

#Day two of the NPPPSSA track and field meet will commence at 10am this morning at the old TAR stadium.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/27/claridge-primary-lead-going-day-two/?news

GOING FOR THE GOLD: Queen’s College Comets athletes prepare to leave for the Penn Relays in Philadelphia this weekend.

As of Thursday, April 27, 2023

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The 18-member SAC Big Red Machine team prepares to leave for the Penn Relays.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#With the athletes fuelled by the momentum coming off some big performances at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, they will now look to make their mark internationally.

#St Augustine’s College, St John’s College and Queen’s College athletes will all put their talents on display at this year’s Penn Relays high school invitational this weekend in Philadelphia.

#The teams left yesterday and will be competing April 27-29. The Big Red Machine athletes will compete in six events, Comets in five events and SJC in three events. SAC head coach Jason Edwards talked about his expectations for this year’s Penn Relays.

#“My expectation is the same as it is every year to go out and compete well and to make sure our kids get the exposure and opportunity they need most times we go there a lot of kids end up with division one scholarships,” Edwards said.

#Some Big Red Machine athletes have been competing hard since the BAISS championships in March straight throughout the 50th CARIFTA games and will now lay it all on the line at the Penn Relays.

#“After the performances at CARIFTA I am somewhat even keeled. Sometimes after two or three major championships it is rough to get the kids locked in but we try to make it seem like a fun event and sometimes when kids relax and feel good about themselves they end up running well,” he added.

#The team has been working on baton exchanges for this year’s high school invitational placing emphasis not only on speed but chemistry, timing, and extending the exchange zone to ensure that everyone is at maximum speed when the baton is passed.

#The Comets’ track and field athletes have also been on their A-game this track season. With the team fielding CARIFTA double gold-medalist Jamiah Nabbie and Team Bahamas’ first gold medalist at the games Kaden Cartwright expectations are high for the school at this year’s invitational.

#Everette Fraser, head coach of the Comets, said his expectations are high as he is expecting some big performances in the field events from Kaden Cartwright in the Javelin throw championships and from Annae Mackey in the girls shot put.

#Despite the busy track season, Fraser added that the physical preparation of the athletes was the easy part of preparing for the high school invitational as the team had to sort out paperwork, and logistics for the athletes ahead of their travels to Philadelphia.

#This upcoming weekend Bahamians can look forward to seeing QC’s athletes on display from 10am this morning. The first event will showcase CARIFTA gold medalist Kaden Cartwright in the Javelin throw championships. On Thursday, the high school boys 4x100m relay team of Alexander Dean, Matthew Chandler, Tairjiv Armbrister, and Zion Miller will compete in the heats at 12.04pm. On Friday, Lanaisha Lubin will compete in the girls triple jump championships and Annae Mackey will compete in the shot put championships at 9.30am. The 4x100m girls relay team will feature Lanaisha Lubin, Nia Richards, Jamiah Nabbie, and K’Leigh Davis.

#The 18-member SAC team will be competing starting today at 12.04pm in the boys’ 4x100m heats. The relay team will include Khalon Christie, Andrew Brown, Trent Ford, and Johnathan Fowler. The 4x400m boys will be in action at 3.15pm later in the evening. This team will feature Tumani Skinner, Clinton Laguerre, Andrew Brown, and Johnathan Fowler. The girls 4x100m heats relay team will be on display Friday at 11.15am. Amari Pratt, Nya Wright, Darvinique Dean, and Shayann Demeritte will look to leave it all on the track for this event. On Saturday, the girls’ 4x400m relay team of Bayli Major, Ezthia Maycock, Darvinique Dean, and Nya Wright will battle on the track at 11.14am. In the field, CARIFTA record-setter and gold medalist Kamera Strachan will look for a win in the javelin throw championships on Friday at 10am. Additionally, Bayli Major and Apryl Adderley will compete on Friday morning at 9.30am in the triple jump championships.

#The SJC 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams will compete today at 12.04pm and 3.06pm. The 4x100m relay team will include Tayshaun Robinson, Earle Johnson, Maxwell McNeil, and Ishmael Rolle. For the latter, the team will be Maxwell McNeil, Zion Davis, Jayden Cooper, and William Minors. The school’s final event at the high school invitational will be the girl’s 4x400m relay. The team will display Kennedi Knowles, Ta’mia Taylor, Payton Knowles, and Shania Major.

#Persons can tune in to watch the athletes via the Flo Track 2023 Penn Relays live stream.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/27/athletes-depart-penn-relays/?news

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

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Prime Minister Davis makes a presentation to the crew of New Legend – Class A champion.

Prime Minister Philip Davis delivers remarks, conveying greetings and declaration of ‘a job well done’ to Commodore Danny Strachan during the regatta’s closing and awards ceremony on Saturday. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

The crew from Lonesome Dove – Class B champion.

CAPTAIN Peg – Class E champion.

IT AIN’T RIGHT – Class C champion.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was a big weekend for the island of Exuma.

#Not only did they attract one of the biggest crowds for the 65th Family Island Regatta, but they got to kick off the promotion of the torch run for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games just before the official proclamation of sailing as the national sport of The Bahamas.

#On Friday night, the torch run made its way through George Town, Exuma, to the new regatta site to signify the launch of the return of the Bahamas Games after a 21-year hiatus during the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations from July 6-14. “Prior to announcement of the national sport, we had the torch run with Exuma getting it started,” Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg confirmed. “It will go through the various islands participating in the Bahamas Games before it gets back to New Providence. That went very well.”

#In a relay form, the Royal Bahamas Police Force accompanied by some of the young athletes on the island, started the ruin with the torch that passed onto the island Administrator Donald Rolle before he handed it over to Bowleg. Minister of Parliament for Exuma and Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper received the torch from Bowleg and passed it on Prime Minister Phil ‘Brave’ Davis.

#“We then made the countdown of 75 days left before the start of the games,” Bowleg said. “It’s important for us to do this torch run because a whole generation doesn’t understand the concept of the Bahamas Games. This is to inform persons of the importance of us putting on this event and get them excited to be a part of the games.”

#Started in 1989, the Bahamas Games is expected to bring together more than 2,500 athletes and officials from teams throughout the country will participate from islands/grouping of islands including Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Columbus Isles, Eleuthera, Exuma and Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, Long Island, MICA and New Providence in at least 14 core sporting disciplines.

#The games, which continued in 1991, 1995, 1998 and in 2001, will be staged in New Providence next year including softball, basketball, track and field, lawn tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bodybuilding and powerlifting, cycling, baseball, regatta sailing, rowing and golf.

#Additionally, there will be competition in beach soccer and beach volleyball.

#As for the announcement of the national sport, Bowleg said they had a ceremony to receive the torch and at the same time, the announcement was made by Prime Minister Davis before the fireworks erupted. Bowleg also brought some remarks on the youth and developmental aspect of the sport, while Clay Sweeting on the history of sailing.

#“I’m elated to know that sailing is the only sport indigenous to the Bahamas,” Bowleg said. “Not only did we get our first Olympic medal in sailing from Sir Durward Knowles and Cecil Cooke in 1964, but it’s a sport that identify who we are as a people.

#“We are an archipelago surrounded by waters, so it’s our goal to see how best to get sailing back into the Olympics and winning medals again. It was really accepted by all those in attendance, including the sailors, who were there to compete in the regatta.”

#Danny Strachan, who will demit office as commodore of the National Family Island Regatta on June 1 after serving for the past 31 years, said the announcement of sailing as the national sport of the Bahamas could not come at a more opportune time.

#“I’m quite ecstatic about it because of the fact that I’ve been campaigning for this for more than 30 years for sailing to become the national sport of our country, which is another pillar in the development of our country as an independent nation,” Strachan said.

#“I’m so proud and thankful that the government made the decision to name it the official sport at this year’s 67th National Family Island Regatta. There couldn’t be q better setting to do that. We had almost 80 boats competing in this regatta so it was the appropriate venue and appropriate timing for the announcement on Friday.”

#According to Strachan, Georgetown, Exuma has been the cradle of sloop sailing since 1954, but he said he lobbied for the sport to become the national sport of the country because sailors have been sailing internationally in all types of sailing, led by the Olympic gold in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan with crew member Cecil Cooke. Knowles also teamed up with and Sloane Farrington to win the Olympic bronze in1956 in Melbourne, Australia.

#As for the final results of the regatta, the New Legend, skippered by David Knowles, captured the A class with five points, followed by the Running Tide, skippered by Stefan Knowles with seven, The New Courageous, skippered by Stefano Kemp, got third with nine.

#In the B Class, Jeff Gale skippered the Lonesome Dove to victory with six points over the Ole Boy, skippered by Cochise Burrows, who collected 10. Tari Anne, skippered by Dallas Knowles, got third place with 11 points.

#The B class saw It Ain’t Right, skippered by Gale, emerged was the winners with nine points. Xena, skippered by David Knowles and Sassie Sue, skippered by Stefan Knowles, both ended up with 11 points for a two-way tie for second.

#Captain Peg, skippered by Josh Green, won the E class with seven points. Para, skippered by Douglas Saunders, was second with eight and Miss Agnes, skippered by Alvington McKenzie, got third with 12.

#The most outstanding skipper award went to Gale with two first and three third place finish to win both the B and C Class series championship title

#Man-O-War, skippered by Leslie ‘Buzzy’’ Rolle, took the Minister of Agriculture, Marine and Family Island E class Cup race. Whitty K, skippered by Cochise Burrows, won the Commodore Emeritus C class; New Susa Chase, skippered by Stefan Knowles, took the Governor General’s B class and Ruff Justice, skippered by Mark Knowles, captured the Prime Minister’s Cup for the A class.

#The next major regatta on the sailing calendar is the Long Island Regatta, which will take place in May.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/sailing-officially-declared-our-national-sport/?news

Ella Saidi placed 4th in the 0.85m Jumper Classic aboard Mister Right C, owned by JF Gagne.

As of Thursday, April 20, 2023

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Amber Lleida and DSP Collind, owned by Peacock Ridge LLC, were reserve champions in the 1.0m Child/Adult Jumper Division.

Katerina Coello and Manhattan (owned by Hazelbrook Farms) had 5 clear rounds over the course of the weekend.

All smiles after a successful weekend, shown from left to right are Katarina Coello, Ella Saidi and Amber Lleida.

#A TRIO of Bahamian equestrians showed off their showjumping skills at the Ocala Spring Classic 3 competition, held at the Florida Horse Park.

#Ella Saidi, Katerina Coello and Amber Lleida made their presence felt from the first day of the competition, jumping clear rounds in fast times to win blue ribbons in their respective divisions.

#Success continued over the course of the weekend with multiple placings. Highlights included Saidi’s 4th place finish in the 0.85m Jumper Classic (aboard Mister Right C, owned by JF Gagne) and Coello’s sweep of the 0.95m division and her subsequent move up to the 1.0m Child/Adult Jumpers, where she and Manhattan (owned by Hazelbrook Farm) placed 5th and 7th. Meanwhile, Lleida and DSP Collind (owned by Peacock Ridge LLC) won multiple placings before finishing as reserve champions in the 1.0m Child/Adult Jumper Division.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/20/showjumpers-haul-ribbons-ocala-spring-classic/?news

BGF National High School Golf Championships – day 3

THE Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) National High School Golf Championships wrapped up day 3 yesterday in the Driving Range of the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

As of Thursday, April 20, 2023

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FOR the third year in a row, the Eva Hilton Primary School was able to secure a win in all the team divisions.

THE FINAL day of the national high school golf championships begins at 8am today in the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#By Tenajh Sweeting

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#DAY three of the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) National High School Golf Championships wrapped up yesterday in the Driving Range of the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#For the third year in a row, the Eva Hilton Primary School was able to secure a win in all the team divisions.

#The third day of golf action featured the primary qualifiers for the public schools. The individual division included the lower primary school boys and girls and the upper primary boys and girls.

#In the lower primary boys division, Liam Stubbs of Sandilands Primary came out on top with a score of 47. Second place finish in the division belonged to Eva Hilton’s Daniel Ramsay who notched a score of 55. He was also joined by schoolmate Treilon Stuart who finished one stroke behind with 56.

#For the lower primary girls division, Zohalle Smith from George Town’s St Andrews scored 56 on the day. Eva Hilton’s Jamiah Miller came in second with 62. Third place finish belonged to Marlee Poitier from Palmdale Primary with 66.

#Antonio Hernandez led the way for the upper primary boys division with 34.

#Fellow schoolmate Yelisey Smith and TG Glover’s Deandreay Poitier tied for second place respectively with 45 apiece.

#Hernandez talked about how it felt to get the win in the division.

#“It feels very good that all my training and hard work has paid off because my mother and father kept telling me to practice, practice, practice,” he said.

#The young golfer added that despite playing two hours in the sun, he was able to keep going and get the first-place finish.

#Another Eva Hilton student brought home a first place finish at yesterday’s national high school golf championships. Alyanna Hernandez was crowned first place finisher after scoring 43.

#Garvin Tynes’ Janae Philips came in second with 55 on the day. Philips was one stroke better than third place finishers Maddison Culmer from C W Sawyer and Eva Hilton’s Ri’Annah Hanna.

#Amahl Henfield, one of the coaches at Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy, talked about how it felt to see his team get another win. “It’s always a blessing to see all of the school kids come out and perform, knowing that they had such a short time to prepare for the tournament they still did well,” he said.

#He added that he was very impressed with the return athletes and they have exceeded his expectations in regards to pace of play and preparedness.

#He is looking forward to stiff competition between the public and private schools today.

#The final day of the national high school golf championships will commence at 8am today in the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/20/eva-hilton-primary-wins-all-team-divisions-third-y/?news

HEAD coach Da’Nai Minus, far left, celebrates with the SC McPherson Sharks junior girls’ team after their playoff win against the AF Adderley Tigers. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting

As of Thursday, April 20, 2023

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#By Tenajh Sweeting

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) junior girls’ volleyball playoffs got underway yesterday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

#The first-seeded HO Nash Lions faced off against the fourth-seeded CH Reeves Raptors in a winner advances, loser goes home playoff battle.

#In the first set, both junior girl teams battled on the court for 13 minutes of volleyball action. The Lions came out on top in the first set 17-14 in a matchup that was competitive between the two teams.

#The Lions came into the second set on a mission to wrap things up. They started off 9-6 with momentum coming out of the first set against the Raptors. The fourth-seeded team got the score as close as 8-9 but the Lions were too much as they won the second set 17-11 after 22 minutes of volleyball action.

#Patty Johnson, head coach of the Lions, talked about their win in this year’s junior girls’ volleyball playoffs.

#“It takes pressure off you because when it’s time for the championships, everybody wants to win, so there are no winners or losers but I think the Raptors played a much better game than they did the first time, but we are on our way to the championships and will see how it goes,” Johnson said.

#She added that her message to her team was to take it one point at a time and not think about the future nor the past but the present moment. She noticed that her team was rushing a bit and mid-game gave them the message in efforts to get the win over the Raptors.

#With the team all set to play against the SC McPherson Sharks for the GSSSA junior girls’ volleyball championship, Johnson will look to spread out her rotation to put the best team on the floor against their opponents.

#The second-seeded SC McPherson Sharks defeated the third-seeded AF Adderley Tigers to advance to the junior girls volleyball championships.

#In the second matchup on the day, the Sharks and Tigers went at it in a competitive match that featured three sets between the two teams.

#In set one, the Sharks bested the Tigers 18-16. Both teams were poised to come out with a win against each other as the first set started out evenly matched (5-5) before the Sharks took over.

#The Sharks looked to take things home in the second set but the Tigers clawed their way back into things, dominating the set 17-12 after 14 minutes of action.

#Although it looked like the Tigers would dethrone the second seeded team after set two, the Sharks won set three 15-13 after the Tigers were unable to get a serve over the net.

#Da’Nai Minus, head coach of the Sharks, talked about how it felt to advance to the championships.

#“It feels amazing and it’s well-deserved. These girls worked hard and have been working hard since last year so it feels really good to get this win,” Minus said.

#Minus said the girls started off the first set of the playoff game a bit shaky, but she encouraged them to play their game and they got it together.

#In set two, she noticed that they got a bit relaxed but were able to cap things off in the third.

#The team is ready to take on the HO Nash Lions as the coach said the girls will look to defeat the only team to beat them in the regular season.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/20/sharks-lions-advance-junior-girls-volleyball-champ/?news

Ministry of Education officials announce the 43rd edition of the primary schools track and field championships at yesterday’s press conference.

As of Friday, April 21, 2023

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#BY TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE 43rd edition of the public primary school track and field championships is set to return to the old Thomas A Robinson stadium after a two-year hiatus.

#The event is scheduled to get underway from 10am to 3pm April 26-28. This year’s return of the sporting event will feature 25 public primary schools and the event will host over 700 athletes.

#Officials are excited and ready for this year’s track and field showdown as the children make their return to the stadium. This year’s theme will be “Returning Better Than Ever”.

#Clara Storr, education officer for physical education, talked about the excitement of faculty members and primary school students leading up to next week.

#“This is a commemorative event seeing that coming out of CARIFTA now celebrating our 50th year of independence our children are excited, principals are elated, persons have their banners, rags and flags ready to celebrate those schools willing and able to show their talents on the field and track,” Storr said.

#At this year’s meet, the public can expect to see the primary school students compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprint races.

#Additionally, they will go head to head in the 800m and 1,200m middle distance races. For the field events, the 25 school representatives will battle it out in the high jump, long jump, triple jump and shot put.

#Latoya Sturrup, president of the New Providence Public Primary School Sports Association, talked about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the preparation of the primary school athletes.

#The president said it had a major impact on them because they were on lockdowns and could only reach the students virtually.

#She added that they were able to adapt by using whatever they had at home just to give students an idea on how to do the various sporting activities.

#After a successful 50th CARIFTA Games, officials noted the importance of primary school students competing at these types of track and field meets.

#Evon Wisdom, senior education officer for the sports unit, said the primary school track and field championships are foundational and it is where we develop student athletes, find out who our stars are, and most importantly, cultivate talent.

#For persons that are interested in watching next week’s primary school track and field championships, ticket prices are $5 for adults and $1 for children.

#This year’s return of the primary school track and field championships will also feature the defending champions Cleveland Eneas who will look to take home another victory.

#The 43rd edition of the primary school track and field championships will be sponsored by Virgo Car Rental.

#Officials are encouraging more local businesses to get on board and support the primary school students as they are the future of the nation.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/21/primary-school-track-and-field-returns/?news

IBA Bahamas Panthers senior boys’ championship team.

As of Friday, April 21, 2023

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Championship MVP Lavardo ‘Lil Soggy’ Saunders.

IBA Bahamas Panthers junior boys team.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was payback time for the IBA Bahamas team as they avenged their first loss to beat the CC Sweeting Cobras to clinch the Eagles Basketball Classic’s senior boys’ championship title.

#At the tournament played from April 13-15 at the Gateway Christian Academy Gymnasium, IBA junior boys, however, went undefeated up to the semifinals game where they suffered their first loss of the tournament to the St John’s Giants.

#Coach Denycko Bowles said he was still pleased with the way his teams performed.

#“I think the performances were good from both of my teams, “ Bowles said.

#“I was really pleased with the way they played.”

#In their senior boys game, Bowles said after losing to the Cobras in their opening game, they were determined not to allow a repeat feat in the championship, pulling off a 64-41 victory over CC Sweeting behind the most valuable performance from Lavardo ‘Lil Soggy’ Saunders.

#“The guys played hard. They executed for the full length of the game for four quarters,” he said. “We were really locked in and focused. I think it was because of what happened in the first game.

#“Our guys came back with a vengeance. It wasn’t really our style of play. They dug down deep and came back with vengeance. They executed very well on both sides of the court.”

#In the junior boys’ division, the DW Davis Royals emerged as the champions with a 40-32 decision over St John’s.

#Over the Labour Day weekend, IBA will have their Jam Fest at the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium where they will have competition in the 18-and-under, 16-and-unser, 14-and and 12-and-under divisions.

#“We have to tighten up on a few things and we will be ready to go from there straight into the summer,” said Bowles.

#He is asking any teams interested in participating to contact him.

#Additionally, the IBA will resume its second annual Grassroots Youth Basketball League this weekend with games scheduled for the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium today, starting at 5pm and will continue on Sunday from 3pm.

LEFT: Carl Hield and his trainer Luisbey Fernando Sanchez. RIGHT: Rashield Williams celebrates beside one of the ring girls.

As of Friday, April 21, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE Carl Hield will be going for his seventh appearance at the IBA World Boxing Championships, Rashield Williams will be attending his second straight as the amateur and professional boxers represent the Bahamas at the Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

#From April 30 to May 14, the pair, the only two to represent the Bahamas, will be a part of the contingent of amateur and pro boxers who get to compete in the championships that will offer huge cash prizes in all of the divisions.

#For Hield, this one will be dedicated to his deceased mother, Norma Hield, who passed away on January 16. He got as far as the round of 16 in 2015 in Doha, Qatar and would like to improve on that in the light middleweight or 156-pound division as he pays tribute to his mother.

#“I want to give God thanks. I had a rough start to the year after my mom passed away. I took a while to get over it, but I’m back in training camp because I know this is what she would want me to continue to do,” Hield said. “That was a lot I was going through.

#“So, all the hard work I put in, I have to dedicate this fight to her. I have to make sure that I put her dream of seeing me succeed in the sport. That’s where I’m at right now. She was my biggest supporter. She was my backbone. She supported me with everything that I was going through. That is a big loss. So, I have to do it now or never.”

#Hield, 39, is back in Cuba where he’s training in preparation for the championships.

#“My plan is to go over there and make it to the top four because while this is not a qualifier for the Olympic Games, it is a preparation for me for the CAC Games that will be held at the end of June,” Hield said. “I just want to go out there and put on a good performance and try and get to the medal round.”

#The IBF is offering $200,00 for the gold medal, $100,000 for silver and $50,00 for the pair of bronze medallists.

#Hield, whose wife and family still reside in Cuba, said he wanted to get back to his basic training.

#“Everything is going well. I’m getting the sparring and the medical checkups every day by the doctors,” he revealed. “So, everything is going as planned. I am going to be ready for the war because of all the money involved in these championships.

#“It’s going to be a lot of people coming to get their hands on the purse, so I just have to be prepared to get my share. I was sparring with professionals who were world champions, so I just have to stay focused and be prepared.”

#Williams, returning after making his debut last year in Belgrade, Serbia, said he’s looking for his encore as he competes in the welterweight or 147lb division.

#“I feel good, but the amateurs are completely different from the pros, so in this competition I have to be throwing more punches than I normally do,” said Williams.

#“It’s a lot I have to adjust to really quick.

#“So, when I’m sparring, I have to be pushing really hard for three rounds. It’s so different from the professionals.”

#Williams, who is coming off a 1-1 win-loss record in his first two pro fights to push his record to 7-2, is in a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he is working out strictly with a group of professionals.

#“Everything is good. Training is good. I am training with a lot of high-class professionals, no amateurs” he stated.

#“I really should be training with amateurs so I can get used to the speed and the number of punches they will be throwing.”

#Does that put the 33-year-old Williams at a disadvantage?

#“I don’t think so. I just have to go out there and do what I have to do,” he stated. “I don’t think it’s a disadvantage for me.”

#With the hefty course on the line, Williams said he’s even more motivated to compete.

#“Everybody needs that money, so that’s motivation to push even harder,” he insisted.

#And to make the trip with Hield, Williams said he’s even more inspired because they connect very well, and they work together. The duo was a part of the team that represented the Bahamas at the Commonwealth Games last year in Birmingham, England.

#“He’s an awesome fighter. Hope he gets to pull it off himself,” Williams said. I know I am going there to do my best and get in the mix to get some of the money.”

#Williams, who is preparing for his next pro fight on June 10 when he returns from Uzbekistan, is coming off a fourth-round technical victory over Walter Raul Sarsvi at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center in Tampa, Florida on March 18 after he suffered a split decision to Elijah Flores at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, on October 15.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/21/hield-and-williams-going-world-boxing-championship/?news

As of Friday, April 21, 2023

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#By Tenajh Sweeting

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE University of The Bahamas will host its sixth edition of the UBFIT Fun, Run, Walk and Skate race this morning at 6am.

#The race weekend, scheduled for April 21-23, features a virtual and in-person element.

#The fitness event will include a 5k, 10k and 15k route for persons that want to challenge themselves.

#The annual event operates as a fundraiser for the university and to date they have raised up to $300,000 for students.

#With more than 500 persons registered to go, UBFIT co-chair Kandice Weech Eldon talked about the steady increase in race participants from 2021 to now.

#“We have seen a steady growth, our first year we had 600 participants and then came COVID and we ended up having to go virtual in 2021 and our numbers have been climbing ever since but our goal this year is 600 again,” Eldon said.

#The event is open to students, alumnus, faculty members and the general public.

#The route starts from the entrance of UB, then race participants will head north on Nassau Street, they will then make a left onto West Bay St, and the cutoff point will be at the Bahamas Girl Guides office.

#For persons that wish to complete the 10k route they will walk, run, bike or skate further down to the ‘go slow’ bend.

#Additionally, for the 15k participants, they will continue until the Rosewood and then make their way back for the after race celebration. Potential registrants will have the opportunity to register by visiting ubfit.ub.edu.bs or can register at the Chapter One bookstore. For adults the registration cost is $35, UB students and persons 17 and under is $20, and groups of ten or more is $30 per person. The registration package for the event will include a race bag, UBFIT Dry Fit T-shirt, and a finishers medal.

#Eldon talked about the importance of supporting UB FIT 2023.

#“All proceeds support the annual fund which is so staff, faculty, and students can apply for funding whether it be for travel for a research conference, for equipment and then also technology needs for our students,” she said.

#This year’s sponsor for a third consecutive race is Oaktree Medical Centre. A total of 14 corporate sponsors are supporting this year’s event and have helped to raise $48,000 so far.

#After completion of their race, participants can expect to entertained by a special guest performance from the Bahamas’ very own Wendi.

#UB North is scheduled to have their third edition of the fitness event on May 6.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/21/sixth-ubfit-race-weekend-april-21-23/?news