Month: May 2023

Table tennis spring tournament set for tomorrow

 Home|Sports|Table tennis spring tournament set for tomorrowSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 5, 2023 93 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 The Bahamas Table Tennis Federation will be hosting its spring tournament on Saturday, May 6 at L.W. Young Junior High School on Bernard Road. Competition gets underway at 9 a.m. BAHAMAS TABLE TENNIS FEDERATION

The Bahamas Table Tennis Federation will be hosting its spring tournament on Saturday, May 6 at L.W. Young Junior High School on Bernard Road. Competition gets underway at 9 a.m.

The competition will feature four divisions that will have players battling for the championship trophies and bragging rights. The divisions will include males and females in the 11-and-under, 15-and-under, 18-and-under and open categories.

Sudan Khalfani, organizer for the tournament, is excited to have the kids and adults in action.

“The preparations are coming along very well and we are ready for the event. We are expecting all skill levels to attend, from young children who are beginners to senior players with international experience,” Khalfani said.

It is a free tournament and Khalfani is expecting over 50 participants. The deadline to register is today and interested persons can do so by calling the telephone number (242) 426-5153 or by sending an e-mail to the address bahamasyouthtt@gmail.com.

According to Khalfani, this tournament is a part of their bigger plan in building a national team. They are looking at determining who are the best players in the country and assessing skill levels before getting the advanced program underway as they look to create a table tennis culture.

The federation has been going into schools and conducting training sessions, looking to engage more in playing the sport.

“The training is growing exponentially, and with the help of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and his ministry, we can maximize our potential. I see a few children who can beat the average adult player. The growth in the sport has been phenomenal with many teachers taking it upon themselves to introduce the game to hundreds of children. Right now, table tennis is played in over 10 schools and more will follow once we get the equipment,” Khalfani said.

This is the second tournament for the year. The last one was held on February 25.

The federation is hosting a six-week summer camp starting in June, which will be for all interested young persons. There is limited space, so parents interested in getting their children involved can send an e-mail to Khalfani at bahamasyouthtt@gmail.com or go to the Facebook pages ‘The Bahamas Table Tennis Federation or The Bahamas Youth Table Tennis Academy’ for more details.

https://thenassauguardian.com/table-tennis-spring-tournament-set-for-tomorrow/

Beach soccer returns to The Bahamas

 Home|Sports|Beach soccer returns to The BahamasSports

CONCACAF championships to be held May 8-14 at beach soccer stadium

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 5, 2023 90 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 The Bahamas captain, Lesly St. Fleur (right) battles with a Colombian player for the ball. Torrell Glinton

For the third time in 10 years, The Bahamas will be hosting the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Beach Soccer Championships. The Bahamas will be one of 12 countries that will be competing May 8-14, for one of two qualifying spots for the FIFA (International Association Football Federation) Beach Soccer World Cup, set to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2023.

The tournament will be held at the Beach Soccer Stadium at Malcolm Park, at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) held a press conference at that location on Thursday to launch the tournament.

According to a CONCACAF release, the team will be comprised of Gavin Christie, Lesly St. Fleur, Michael Butler, Torin Ferguson, Evelt Julmis, Daron Beneby, Jean Francois, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, James Thompson, Creven Ferguson and Wood Julmis.

Christie, who serves as the BFA Vice President with the responsibility for the chairmanship of the beach soccer committee, said they are once again happy to be back playing in this tournament, and at home again.

“We were elated when we found out that we were hosting this tournament. The team has been preparing for months and we are ready. It’s always good for us to play at home in front of our home fans. They’re like the sixth person on the pitch. We’re happy to showcase at home because we travel at times to play but now it’s time to showcase to The Bahamas, to our people, to our friends, to our family, all the hard work that we’ve been doing with this program for over the last 10 years,” Christie said.

The Bahamas is in Group B which has four-time CONCACAF Champion Mexico, as well as Belize and Guatemala. The teams in Group A are defending champions El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe and Turks and Caicos. Group C is made up of the United States, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic.

Following group stage play, the first and second place finishers in each group, plus the two best third-place finishers will advance to the quarterfinals. That will be followed by the semifinals, third-place match and the final.

Admission is free for the entire tournament. The Bahamas will play its group stage games at 7:30 p.m., May 8-10.

Christie also said that the team is a mixed one with experience and youth. A staple to The Bahamas’ beach soccer team and a player that teams do their homework on is St. Fleur. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for The Bahamas and he’s looking forward to playing at home.

“My role going into this tournament is going to be very important as a leader and as a player on the team,” St. Fleur said. “I bring my experience on the field to the team and will help to guide the players to realize their expectations and to go out there and fight for their country. We just got to go there and do our best and play to the best of our abilities and come out victorious.”

The custodian for The Bahamas in goal will be Butler, for the most part. He is no stranger to the sport having played in that position for several years for The Bahamas and FBS FC club out of Miami, Florida. Besides saving goals, he has scored a few goals himself, making him a threat for opposing sides.

“It’s a shock being one of the younger guys on the team and noticing that a lot of my team members look up to me. This was a change for me,” Butler said. “What I offer to the team is the ability to adapt. I’ve played in a lot of styles recently. Even this one that we’re going into is a little different, but I think the team trusts me and I’m glad that they do. I think that’s what I bring to the table along with a sense of responsibility and loyalty to the team.”

Adam Miller, who serves as Sports Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, represented Minister Mario Bowleg. Miller said that hosting this tournament is a part of the government’s mandate to bring sports back to paradise.

“This type of event is a great opportunity for the country to showcase what we have to offer,” Miller said. “This is the third time we have hosted this tournament in the last 10 years, so we are capable as a country to host this type of event. This is a very important year, being the 50th anniversary as an independent nation. This is an important tournament for the growth of beach soccer in the country. The government realizes that hosting these types of events are vital for our national teams, not only for them to be able to qualify and move on to higher tournaments, but to be able to showcase to the Bahamian public that we can compete on an international stage.”

According to Christie, the team has been training hard, which includes practicing in the mornings and evenings as they know how big of a tournament this is. He noted that being home is a competitive edge for them and Bahamians can expect to see a very strong showing from them next week.

Team Bahamas’ last competition was the ANOC World Beach Soccer Games qualifiers that was held in Costa del Sol, El Salvador, April 6-10. The team finished sixth overall in that competition. The team past played at home in October 2022 in the Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup. They won the tournament with a spirited final match up against Colombia, winning 3-1.

https://thenassauguardian.com/beach-soccer-returns-to-the-bahamas-2/

Athletes stand out at meets overseas

FANTASTIC FOUR: St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine quartet, from left to right, Shayann Demeritte, Amari Pratt, Darvinique Dean and Nya Wright.

FANTASTIC FOUR: St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine quartet, from left to right, Shayann Demeritte, Amari Pratt, Darvinique Dean and Nya Wright.

As of Monday, May 1, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Sprinter Denisha Cartwright had another grand appearance over the weekend, this time to lead a small field of competitors at the Drake Relays at the Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

#In other meets this weekend, Ras Jesse Delancy, Anthaya Charlton and Antoine Andrews secured wins in two separate meets, while Laquan Nairn got third in Botswana and the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine led the charge for three high school teams competing at the Penn Relays.

#Cartwright, a junior at Minnesota State, missed out on a clean sweep of all three events she competed in as she had to settle for second in the women’s 100 metres in 11.49. The race was won by her senior team-mate Amira Young in 11.31 on Saturday.

#Young (11.44) and Cartwright (11.50) had the top two fastest qualifying times from the preliminaries on Friday.

#Cartwright, running the opening leg, helped to lead Minnesota State women’s 4 x 100m relay team to victory in 45.30.

#The other members of the team were Ja’Cey Simmons, Rose Cramer and Makayla Jackson. Lewis was second in 46.24.

#And in the sprint medley, Cartwright appeared on the third leg of Minnesota State’s team of Jackson, Cramer and MaKenna Thurston that also won in 3:52.52.

#Also competing at the meet was Devynne Charlton in the women’s invitational 100m hurdles.

#The Bahamian national record holder, representing Puma, clocked 12.71 for firth place as she trailed Nigeria’s world record holder Tobi Amusan in 12.69. Amusan and Tia Jones, who won the race in 12.44, both represented Adidas.

#SAIC Championships

#Fresh off winning his second consecutive Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year, Ras Jesse Delancy switched to track and field where he soared to victory in the men’s high jump at the Cricket SIAC Track and Field Championships.

#Delancy, a junior at Benedict College, cleared 6-feet, 10 3/4-niches or 2.10 metres to secure the win in Atlanta, Georgia. Sundiata Washington, a senior at Tuskegee, placed second with 6-8 3/4 (2.05m).

#Jim Green Invitational

#At their outdoor track in Lexington, Kentucky, University of Kentucky’s freshman Anthaya Charlton showed off her speed as she stopped the clock in 11.27 for the victory in the women’s 100m, well ahead of second place finisher Karel Ziketh, unattached, in 11.54.

#Charlton has the fastest qualifying time of 11.32 in the heats to advance to the final. And Megan Moss came through in second place in the women’s 400m in 53.34 as the Kentucky junior trailed her senior team-mate, Karimah Davis, who won in 52.52.

#On Friday, Charlton and Moss also contested the 200m where Charlton got sixth in 23.97 and Moss followed in seventh in 23.98. Their senior team-mate Masai Russell won the race in 23.26.

#Corky/Crofoot Shootout

#At the Fuller Track and Field Complex in Lubbock, Texas, Antoine Andrews, a freshman at Texas Tech, took the tape in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.46 with Justin Guy, a sophomore at South Plains, coming in second in 13.57.

#Lacarthea Cooper, a freshman at New Mexico Junior College, ran 54.31 for fifth place in the women’s 400m that was won by Grace Obour, a freshman at Western Tech College in 52.71.

#Botswana Golden Grand Prix

#Commonwealth Games champion LaQuan Nairn, the only Bahamian competing in Botswana, finished third in the men’s long jump with a leap of 26-7 (8.10m) on his sixth and final jump in the competition.

#He was shy of the qualifying standard of 27-0 3/4 (8:25m) for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August that was surpassed by American Marquise Dendy in taking the win with 27-4 1/2 (8.34m) on his third attempt. Norway’s Ingar Bratseth was second with 26-11 1/4 (8.21m) on his second attempt.

#Rock Chalk Classic

#At Kansas University, Wendira Moss, a junior, ran a personal best of 54.56 for third place in the women’s 400m. Na’asha Robinsdon won in 53.64 and Shalysa Wray was second in 54.36.

#Penn Relays

#St Augustinee’s College

#The Big Red Machine’s team of Amari Pratt, Nya Wright, Darvinique Dean and Shayann Demeritte rolled to a fifth place finish in the High School girls’ 4 x 100m Championship of America in 46.61.

#It was the best performance by any of the three Bahamian teams at the 127th running of the meet at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The quartet, running in the same order, clocked 46.80 for fourth place in the preliminaires on Friday to advance to the final.

#SAC’s team of Khalon Christie, Andrew Brown, Trent Ford and Jonathan Fowler ran 42.78 for seventh in the high school boys 4 x 100m international race.

#The same team ran 43.15 for 28th place in the High School Boys’ 4 x 100m heats.

#In the high school girls 4 x 400m, SAC’s team of Ezthia Maycock, Bayli Major, Antonecia Moultrie and Alexis Roberts came in eighth in 4:02.04.

#On the field, Kamara Strachan,coming off her record breaking performance at the CARIFTA Games, picked up seventh place in the high school girls’ javelin with 131-8 (40.13m) on third attempt. Her other throws in the series were 130-0 (39.62m), 122-9 (37.42m), 127-8 (38.93m), 121-7 (37.07m) and a scratch.

#And Major, who contested the high school girls triple jump, soared 37-01/4 on her first attempt for 11th place. She did 32-2 (11.02m) and 36-8 1/2 (11.19m) on her second and third tries respectively.

#Apryl Adderley, also representing SAC in the event, was 17th with her only legal mark coming on her first attempt with 35-8 1/2 (10.88m). She scratched her final two attempts.

#Queen’s College

#The best showing at the Penn Relays for the Comets came in the high school girls’ 4 x 100m international race where the team of Rache Pantry, Nia Richards, K’Leigh Davis and Jamiah Nabbie ran 47.61 for fourth place.

#The same team, in the same order, ran 48.32 for 17th place in the preliminaries of the high schools girls 4 x 100m. but it wasn’t enough to get them into the final.

#And their boys 4 x 100m relay team of Alexander Dean, Matthew Chandler, Zion Miller and Tairjov Armbrister did not finish in their heat.

#On the field. Kaden Cartwright ended up sixth in the high school boys’ javelin championship with a best of 193-7 (59.01m) on his second heave In his series of throws, Cartwright did 173-7 (52.92m), 190-6 (58.06m), a scratch, 187-2 (57-06m) and 188-10 (57.57m).

#In the high school girl’s triple jump championship, Lanaisha Lubin was ninth with a leap of 37-6 3/4 (11/42m). Lubin, who made it to the final, had a series of jumps of 36-9 1/2 (11.21m), 35-11 1/2 (10.96m), a pair of scratches and 36-2 (11.02m) on her final attempt.

#And Annae Mackey was 16th in the high school girl;s shot put championship with 28-10 (8.80m) being the only mark she registered on her second attempt. She scratched both the first and third tries.

#St John’s College

#The Giants boys 4 x 400m relay team of Jayden Cooper, Zion Davis, William Minors and Maxwell McNeil placed 10th in 3:39.20, as did their girls team of Kennedi Knowles, Tamia Taylor, Shania Major and Payton Knowles in 4:08.56 in their 4 x 400m relay.

#St John’s, with a very small team at Penn’s, saw their boys 4 x 100mn relay team of Tayshaun Robinson, Earle Johnson, Maxwell McNeils and Ishmael Rolle didn’t finish in their heat.

#Corky/Crofoot Shootout

#At the Fuller Track and Field Complex in Lubbock, Texas, Lacarthea Cooper, a freshman at New Mexico Junior College, ran 54.31 for fifth place in the women’s 400m that was won by Grace Obour, a freshman at Western Tech College in 52.71.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/01/athletes-stand-out-meets-overseas/?news

Uriah McPhee seals the win at primary school championships

TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS: Uriah McPhee Primary School are your 2023 New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association track and field champions.
Photos by Tenajh Sweeting

TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS: Uriah McPhee Primary School are your 2023 New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association track and field champions. Photos by Tenajh Sweeting

As of Monday, May 1, 2023

photo

Third place finishers Sadie Curtis with education officer Clara Storr.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#URIAH McPhee emerged from the fold to secure the win at the New Providence Primary Public Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) track and field championships last week Friday.

#The primary school hovered around the second and third place positions on day one and two but, on day three, they edged out the defending champions by seven points.

#Cleveland Eneas, the defending champions, wrapped up the three-day meet in second place with 217 points. Sadie Curtis capped off the meet with 195 points.

#Uriah McPhee’s head coach Leo Delaney said it felt good to finally get the win after placing second for two consecutive years. He added that the team has been trying to build a programme for the students and he thinks that the hard work finally paid off.

#The final day featured mostly track finals with one field event.

#In track action, for the A division girls’ 400m finals, Ariel Thompson brought home the victory for Garvin Tynes. She clocked 1:08.32 to seal the win. She was joined by Cleveland Eneas’ Brittania Rigby for second with 1:09.85. Thelma Gibson’s Aniyah Burrows came right behind with 1:11.58.

#In the A division girls’ 100m dash, McKaya Rahming of Cleveland Eneas emerged victorious after clocking 14.41 for first place. Eva Hilton’s Ta’Aj Curry placed second with 14.70. Chrisnae Miller of TG Glover followed behind after notching 14.98.

#Derricka Smith won the girls B division 100m dash after finishing with 14.65.

#Uriah McPhee’s Ashley Ferguson secured second place in the race and TG Glover’s Alexandria Williams came in third.

#Ashley Ferguson came in first this time in the girls B division 200m finals in a time of 32.99. Derricka Smith this time settled for second in the race with 33.84. Uriah McPhee’s Tianna Baker ended the race with 34.60.

#In the same event for the boys, Waiden Bain of Sadie Curtis bested his competitors with 30.55 in the race.

#Claridge’s Jerome Brown came in behind with 31.03 and Breon Neely finished the competition in third.

#Bain also took home another first place finish in the boys B division 100m dash.

#Uriah McPhee’s Jamaine Burrows finished right after and Claridge’s Breon Neely once again positioned in third. In the final B division races, Aeiyah Clarke of Thelma Gibson was the winner for the girls 400m finals with 1:16.96. Meanwhile, Rashad Francois of Gerald Cash bested his competitors after notching 1:12.59 in the race.

#For the C division, Marjorie Davis’ Neveya Pratt solidified a win for the school’s return to the track for the first time in ten years in the girls 100m finals. J’Lynn Bain of Sadie Curtis wrapped up in second and Shanquaya of Sandilands primary ended in third.

#Lavaeh Johnson of Thelma Gibson bested her opponents in the 200m finals with 33.82. Majorie Davis’ Pratt once again made her presence felt as she secured second place with 35.07. Carlton Francis’ Erin Daul finished in third after running 35.31.

#For the boys, Sandilands’ Devron Pugh took home the victory in the boys 100m finals and Cleveland Eneas’ Kaydin Thompson won the 200m finals with 32.83.

#In the final day’s D division finals, Thieira Brown came in first for Albury Sayle in the 75m dash. Xyonique Moss of Sadie Curtis followed right behind for second. Uriah McPhee’s Alliyah Kemp placed third in the event.

#For the boys event, Eva Hilton’s Ricardo Bowleg won with a time of 13.25. Lavago Bootle of Cleveland Eneas placed second with 13.57. Meanwhile, Sadie Curtis’ Jazz Gibson came third with 14.10.

#In the 400m finals, Albury Sayle’s Thieira Brown took home another first place win as she won with a time of 1:42.38. She was followed by Garvin Tynes’ Gabrielle Clarke and Cleveland Eneas’ Heavenly McKenzie.

#Lavago Bootle upgraded his second place finish in the 75m finals to first place in the 400m finals. Samuel Clarke joined him for second in the event and he was trailed by Uriah McPhee’s Kenario Mackey.

#For the girls 4x400m relay finals, Cleveland Eneas’ team clocked 5:07.48 to secure the win. Second place finishers were Eva Hilton Primary with 5:11.98. Gerald Cash secured third with 5:13.77.

#However, for the boys 4x400m relay finals Uriah McPhee won in convincing fashion with 4:42.95. Garvin Tynes’ team placed second with 4:54.36. Gerald Cash once again finished third with 4:57.46.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/01/uriah-mcphee-seals-win-primary-school-championship/?news

Brogdon makes Collegiate Equestrian Zone Finals

Carisa rides “Phoenix” in an Over Fences competition.

Carisa rides “Phoenix” in an Over Fences competition.

As of Monday, May 1, 2023

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RWU Hawks team captain Carisa Brogdon places 2nd and 3rd to advance to the IHSA Zone 1 Finals.

#BAHAMIAN collegiate rider Carisa Brogdon is fulfilling the early promise she showed as a freshman both in and out of the riding ring.

#Brogdon competes with the Roger Williams University Hawks Equestrian Team in Zone 1, Region 1 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

#IHSA competitions take place under a horse-draw format, meaning that horses and riders are randomly matched.

#This format tests the horsemanship skills of the riders who must navigate jump courses and under saddle equitation tests on strange horses.

#Under the guidance of coach Nikki Speranzo, Brogdon’s performances throughout the show season, which included multiple 1st and 2nd placings, helped her team earn a spot to Region 1 post-season competition.

#At Regionals, Brogdon placed 3rd in the Limit Over Fences and 2nd in the Limit Flat Divisions, becoming the only member of her team to advance to the IHSA Zone 1 Finals.

#The Zone Finals took place at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

#Brogdon rode well enough to finish in the ribbons, earning a 9th place finish in the Limit Flat Class, but failed to advance to the National Finals.

#Now a junior, Brogdon is making her presence felt on the RWU Campus – she has been named the Captain of the varsity equestrian team, is the president of the student athletic advisory committee and holds a lead ambassador position in the University Admissions office. Brogdon is pursuing a double major in marketing and business analytics with a minor in graphic design.

#She credits equestrian sport with helping her to maintain a balanced and disciplined approach to university life.

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http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/01/brogdon-makes-collegiate-equestrian-zone-finals/?news

RAY MINUS JR ‘WAS A GIANT OF A MAN’: Bahamian boxing great dies at 58

Ray Minus Jr (left) and pictured with Quincy Thrill-a-Minute Pratt.

Ray Minus Jr (left) and pictured with Quincy Thrill-a-Minute Pratt.

As of Friday, April 28, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Legendary Ray Minus Jr, the country’s most celebrated boxing extraordinaire, who touched the lives of so many persons as a fighter, trainer, coach and promoter, passed away yesterday after suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

#The 58 year-old Bahamas bantamweight, lightweight and light welterweight champion, who went on to win a number of international titles, including the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas bantamweight title, World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-Continental super bantamweight title, and Commonwealth bantamweight title, passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital around 9:25am.

#He was admitted there for the past two weeks and on Thursday, during a tracheostomy – an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow air to fill the lungs – it was unsuccessful and he died. Doctors reportedly revived him at least three times before he passed away.

#On his passing, Minus Jr left to mourn a host of family and friends, including Michelle, his ex-wife and co-partner in First Class Promotions, his daughter Rayshell, his father and long-time trainer Ray Minus Sr, a legend himself and his brothers Renaldo ‘the Terminator’ and Kenny ‘Lightning’ Minus, all of whom were Bahamian boxing champions.

#His daughter, known as ‘Daddy’s girl’, Rayshell said it was difficult for her because when anyone saw her father, they saw her.

#She took care of him for the past few years after he became too weak to do anything on his own.

#“It’s still a shock. It was unexpected. We expected him to pull through. But the family are in shock, but they are sad at this time,” she said. “He was a strong, full, clownish person who was one who was always respected and he made sure, not only me and his immediate family, he was there for everyone.”

#Rayshell put in a nutshell when she proclaimed that “he served his purpose.”

#Minus said his brother kept him closer than any of their other siblings.

#“That was the man who made me a man. We travelled together and we supported each other in and out of the ring,” Renaldo said. “I learnt more things from him than I did from my own father. We have some memories. He was a giant of a man.” Minus Sr, a former Bahamian boxing champion who got his sons involved in the sport, was criticized during the height of his son’s career for failing to allow Minus Jr to migrate to Miami, Florida, said he always felt he made the right choice.

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TOP boxers Quincy ‘Thrill-A-Minute’ Pratt and Ray Minus Jr square off in front of former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling before their first fight in 1992.

#“I did the best I could with him,” he insisted. “He was the greatest. No one could touch him. He was too fast. My best memory of him was when he beat Happy Lora. But I still remember when he fought Quincy.”

#Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora won an unanimous decision over Minus Jr on November 27, 1987 at the Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, but while many didn’t get to watch that fight, there were hundreds who viewed the three epic showdowns that he encounters that Minus Jr secured over Quincy ‘Thrill-A-Minute’ Pratt, his former sparring partner, in 1992, 1999 and 2000.

#An emotional Pratt, who couldn’t hold back the tears said Minus Jr made him the fighter and the man that he is today and he thanked him for the relationship they were able to develop in their post-fighting era.

#“It’s a long story, but he was a great warrior. He was good for boxing. He did all he could to help save so many young men who were going down the wrong path of life,” said Pratt, who included himself in that category, remembering how he spend some time in the Sampson Penn School for Boys.

#“He was a man who fought for three world titles, he won the Commonwealth British titles, he fought for this country and a man who thought me how to move. He was the man who I learnt my craft from, bot knowing that I would be in the ring against him in three of the greatest fights ever staged in the Bahamas.”

#Long after their episodes, Pratt said he and Minus Jr remained close friends. He noted how he even visited Minus Jr when he went into a nursing home. But he said the best memories he recalled was when he visited him at home and Minus Jr put the championship belt on the table and reminded Pratt that he is still the “champion.

#“Although he was ill, he was still funny,” said Pratt, who compiled an 11-24 win-loss record before he suffered an injury that prevented him from boxing any further. “He made me laugh. I will miss him. This is a sad time.

#Minus Jr, who also competed for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super bantamweight title against Cesar Soto, WBC Continental Americas lightweight title against Leavander Johnson, World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title against Israel Contreras and International Boxing Federation (IBF) against Orlando Canizales, left behind Michelle Minus, his former wife and partner of First Class Promotions, his daughter Rayshell, his father/trainer Ray Minus Sr and a host of brothers and sisters, including Renaldo ‘the Terminator’ and Kenny ‘Lighting’ Minus, who were both former boxing champions.

#Minus Jr compiled a 37 with 27 knockouts win, nine losses (seven by TKO) and a draw record before he officially retired on December 31, 2012.

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Ray Minus Jr, Ray Minus Sr and Quincy ‘Thrill-A-Minute’ Pratt, pictured left to right, pose together at the funeral of Elisha Obed.

#After his retirement, Minus Jr devoted his time and energy to the Champion Boxing Club where he groomed many of the top amateur and pro fighters including Meacher ‘Pain’ Major, Jermaine ‘Choo Choo’ Mackey, Jerry ‘Big Daddy’ Butler and Alpachino Allen. Together, with Michelle, they formed First Class Promotions, which staged several successful boxing shows in the country.

#As they gathered at the hospital on Thursday, Rayshell said it was a hard pill for the family to sallow.

#Michelle, in bringing the first all female pro boxing card to the Bahamas last month, honored Minus Jr with a red carpet affair, flocked by many of his former boxers as they paid their tributes to him.

#Vincent Strachan, president of the Boxing Federation of the Bahamas, expressed his sympathy on behalf of the boxing fraternity, said Minus Jr will be “greatly missed” and will be very hard to “replace” for what he achieved in the sport.

#“To God be all the glory. Ray fought the great fight. He finished his course. Hence is laid up for him a crown in Glory,” Strachan said. “He gave selflessly of himself to the development of boxing at all levels in the world. A great worrier a great champion is no longer with us.

#“My heartfelt condolences to his family on behalf of my family, the Boxing Federation Of Bahamas. I pray that Almighty God will strengthen you and give you comfort and peace in your time of bereavement.”

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mario Bowleg, also offered his condolences on behalf of the Ministry of which Minus Jr served as a consultant.

#“The country has lost a great boxer and statesman. The sad news of the passing of boxing legend Ray Minus Jr., has rocked the sporting world. The fierce fighter in the ring lost the fight of life today, Thursday, 27th April, 2023; a match we must all contest one day,” Bowleg said.

#“The Government of The Bahamas recognized his immense talent and hired Minus to serve as a Boxing Consultant/Instructor at the National Boxing Centre at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Here, Minus taught youngsters from our inner-city communities and inspired new generations of athletes to train, to focus and to dream of the many possibilities in the sport of boxing.”

#Bowleg noted thar Minus served dutifully as an employee of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for nearly a decade, only recently retiring. In November of last year, he said Minus Jr was among the most notable and accomplished sports heroes who were inducted into the National Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

#“The Bahamas has lost a boxing icon and a mentor in the sport of boxing. As a country, we cannot repay Minus for his immeasurable contributions made in the sport of boxing,” Bowleg said.

#“On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas, the nation, and members of staff at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, I extend prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Ray Minus Jr. My deepest sympathies are also extended to the local and international boxing communities. May God strengthen you all during this time of bereavement.”

#Minus Jr started his pro career on June 18, 1982 with a knockout win over Angels Torres in Nassau. Although he fought throughout the United States and Europe, one of his greatest fights in Nassau outside of the Pratt sequel came on August 2, 1990 when he lost to Israel Contreras in a ninth round TKO.

#Minus Jr officially retired on March 31, 2001 when he dropped a eighth round TKO lost to Leavander Johnson at the Bally’s Park Place Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a year after he stopped Pratt in the seventh round in their last bout at home in 2000.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/28/ray-minus-jr-was-giant-man-bahamian-boxing-great-d/?news

Comets, Dragons, Hurricanes are BAISS soccer champions

SOCCER CHAMPIONS: Queen’s College Comets senior girls’ championship soccer team.

SOCCER CHAMPIONS: Queen’s College Comets senior girls’ championship soccer team.

As of Friday, April 28, 2023

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St Andrew’s junior boys soccer champions.

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LYFORD Cay School senior boys’ soccer champions.

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QUEEN’S College Comets junior girls soccer champions.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Queen’s College Comets left the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex yesterday as the junior and senior girls’ champions of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools Soccer Championships.

#In the senior and junior boys’ divisions, the Lyford Cay Dragons and the St Andrew’s Hurricanes split the pair of titles as they faced each other in two exciting matches that went right down to the wire.

#While Queen’s College held off Windsor High 2-1 in their junior girls game, their senior girls out-scored Lyford Cay 6-0.

#In the senior boys match-up, Lyford Cay prevailed with a 2-1 decision over the St Andrew’s Hurricanes, but the junior boys down to the penalty with St Andrew’s getting the edge after they finished scoreless in regulation and overtime.

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

#Junior girls

#Queen’s College 2, Windsor High 1: Afreen Fathima completed her two-year career by booting in a goal in both the first and second half to preserve the win for the Comets.

#“I felt proud of myself. I didn’t expect to score more than one goal. So I’m really proud of myself and my team for helping me,” said Fathima, who is in her second year on QC’s team.

#“I feel great. We put a lot of work into this season and so I’m happy with our team. I will be moving up to senior (next year), but I hope we do the same thing.”

#The Comets finished the year undefeated and Dion Peterson, one of their coaches, said it was a testament of the hard work they put in.

#“I think we performed very well. The girls worked hard all season. They did a lot of practice to perform for the season,” Peterson said.

#“They controlled the game for the most part. We did a good job.”

#Brinnyah Bynoe, a tennis player, stepped up and scored the lone goal for Windsor down the stretch of the second half as they ended their first appearance in the BAISS competition by getting on the scoreboard.

#“Just getting a goal was enough to put our team in a place where they felt more comfortable, “ said Bynoe, a 15-year-old ninth grader.

#“Not having a goal and being down gave my team a sense that we were still in the game.”

#Unfortunately, time expired before they could come up with the equaliser.

#Senior girls

#Queen’s College 6, Lyford Cay 1: Captain Alexis Williamson, leading by example, struck for a pair of goals and they benefitted from another on Lyford Cay’s own goal as the Comets took a 3-0 lead into the half and held on for the win in the second half.

#They added another pair of goals from Diane Maillis and one more from Mia Underwoods to seal the deal as their junior girls rocked the stands cheering for them.

#“I’m really proud of our team. We worked tirelessly from last October last year practicing two and sometimes three times a week,” said Williamson, a 17-year-old 12tth grader. “We made sure we won every game. That was the mentality that we took into the league. We worked extremely hard to get this win.”

#The Comets almost duplicated the efforts of their junior girls, but they only lost one game and that came during the regular season against Lyford Cay. Coach Deborah Humes said it was payback time in the final. “We knew that we had the team to win. These girls played so hard and worked hard for it,” she said. “I am so proud of them and what they were able to accomplish.” Sara Ilgenfritz, the coach of Lyford Cay, said although they had a very young team with players mainly in grade seven and eight, they gave a good account of themselves.

#“I think we played as well as we could under the circumstances,” she said. “Queen’s College had some very experienced players, but we have a lot more years ahead of us, so we hope to be back and hopefully the next time we can win it.”

#Senior boys

#Dragons 2, Hurricanes 1: Michael Massie booted in the game winning penalty in the second half as Lyford Cay broke up a 1-1 tie at the end of the first half for the win. While Lyford Cay scored the first goal of the game, St Andrew’s came right back and equalized it on Benjamin Luner’s goal.

#Junior boys

#After full time and ten minutes of extra time, St Andrew’s and Lyford were scoreless. It went down to penalty, but the Hurricanes emerged as the victors, hitting four of the five penalty shots to seal the deal after the goalie blocked two of the four penalties, so they didn’t need to take their fifth.

#Owen Cates saved two of the three shots by Lyford Cay, although one got away from him.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/28/comets-dragons-hurricanes-are-baiss-soccer-champio/?news

Cleveland Eneas primary takes lead into the final day

As of Friday, April 28, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#DAY two of New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) saw more primary schools cement their positions in the total team rankings going into the final day of the meet.

#The defending champions Cleveland Eneas Primary sits atop the rankings with a total of 103 to lead all schools. The second-place position belongs to Uriah McPhee who collected 90 team points after two days of track and field competition.

#Sadie Curtis sits five points behind second place with 85. Garvin Tynes Primary will look to enter the fold today, trailing a mere one point behind Sadie Curtis.

#Mariska Thompson, head coach of the defending champions, talked about how it felt to be in the driver’s seat going into the final day of the three-day meet.

#“To be honest that’s really not my focus, my focus really is keeping my children on task and on target, and whatever is the result is the result,” she said.

#Thompson added that she is not worried about too much as the team has prepared since November and trained very hard so may the best team win.

#Day two featured some finals action on the track and field as teams looked to earn big points leading into the final day.

#For the A division girls 800 metre run, Ariel Thompson came first for Garvin Tynes with a time of 2:42.79. She was joined by second place finisher Brittania Rigby of Cleveland Eneas who did 2:46.22. Gerald Cash’s Imani Collie clocked 2:47.48 for third place.

#In the same event for the boys, Rhamelo Bethel emerged victorious for Sadie Curtis with 2:35.94. Claridge Primary’s Patereco Sherman followed behind with 2:41.81. Ayden Rolle of Carlton Francis secured first place after notching 2:42.91 in the race.

#Garvin Tynes’ Melody Thompson claimed first place in the girls C division 800m run. Second place belonged to Dutchess Williams of Sadie Curtis who finished with 3:24.89. Third place finisher was Carlton Francis’ Daska Sylvai with 3:33.84.

#For the boys, Palmdale Primary’s Siddon Sawyer took home first place with 3:01.72. Cleveland Eneas’ Kaydin Thompson finished closely behind with 3:01.95. Daniel Ramsay of Eva Hilton joined both for third place in the race.

#The final track event of the day were 4x100m relay finals for the A division girls and boys. The girls relay team of Cleveland Eneas took home first place honors with 1:00.80. Eva Hilton clocked 1:01.54 to secure second position. Third place belonged to the Yellow Elder girls’ relay team who clocked 1:02.83 in the race.

#In boys relay action, Garvin Tynes came in first with a time of 55.74. Uriah McPhee followed behind with 56.60 for second. Third place was claimed by Palmdale Primary as they ran a time of 57.04 in the race.

#Day two featured the long jump, high jump, shot put, and S Ball Throw field event finals.

#For the A division girls long jump, Carlton Francis’ Jade Malcolm was victorious after a jump of 3.42m. She was followed by Samaya Taylor of Palmdale Primary with 3.33m. Claridge Primary’s Kelsea Jean-Louis placed third with 3.30m.

#The C Division boys long jump saw Palmdale’s Siddon Sawyer win after a leap of 3.13m. Uriah McPhee’s Donald Rolle placed second with 2.85m and Ridgeland’s Percival Knowles came third with 2.82m.

#Dutchess Williams got the win in the same event for the girls with 2.97m. Uriah McPhee’s Monica Curtis came in second with 2.65m and third place was secured by Charity Marshall of Cleveland Eneas.

#The B division boys high jump was dominated by Leon Bain of Albury Sayle. Second place finish was Cleveland Eneas’ Deon Fowler and third place belonged to Rashad Francois from Gerald Cash.

#Zamira Swann threw a distance of 6.22m for first place finish in the A division girls shot put. C W Sawyer’s Christia Thompson threw 6.12m for second place. Simiyah Rolle of Gerald Cash came in third.

#For the boys, C W Sawyer’s Leon McPhee brought home a win for the respective school with a throw of 10.16m. Tavardo Brown of Sadie Curtis claimed second and Aaron Collie of Gerald Cash was awarded third place in the finals.

#For the S Ball Throw event, Sadie Curtis’ J’Lynn Bain and Josiah Fitterman took home the wins in the girls and boys B and C divisions. For the girls B division, Uriah McPhee’s Diamond Strachan wrapped up in first.

#Day three of the NPPPSSA will commence today at 10am for a finals-filled day

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/28/cleveland-eneas-primary-takes-lead-final-day/?news

A ‘Ray’ of hope diminishes

 Home|Sports|A ‘Ray’ of hope diminishesSports

Bahamian boxing legend passes away at age 58

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 28, 2023 575 7 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 Ray Minus Jr.

One of The Bahamas’ greatest boxers ever, a sports icon, and a legend inside and out of the ring, has passed.

Ray Minus Jr. had a boxing career that would make most sportsmen marvel, and be in awe of, as his list of accomplishments puts him in another stratosphere in Bahamian sports history – one that has only been matched or surpassed by Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson. Many, including this sports writer, would regard Minus as The Bahamas’ second greatest boxer ever behind Obed, but when you add in his accomplishments outside of the ring, including a coaching and training career that spanned more than 20 years, the legacy of Ray Minus Jr. is incomparable.

Minus, 58, died at 9:25 a.m. at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on Thursday, succumbing to the rare and incurable neurological disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which is named after the American professional baseball player who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) and was diagnosed with the same disease in 1939 before passing away in 1941. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Minus was officially diagnosed with ALS in October 2022.

 As for the man himself, inside the ring, he enjoyed a professional career that spanned 19 years, from 1982 to 2001, winning numerous titles along the way. Minus fought as a bantamweight (118 pounds), super bantamweight (122 pounds), featherweight (126 pounds), super featherweight (130 pounds), lightweight (135 pounds) and light welterweight (140 pounds), during his illustrious 19-year professional career.

“I will always be a daddy’s girl – when you saw him, you saw me,” said daughter Rayshell Minus-Rolle. “He was a great man, respectful, caring, loving and he cared for anyone and everyone. When it came to the boxers and Bahamians at large, and the world at large, he was there. He made himself available. He fought a good fight and we all love him, but Jesus loves him best. I love him and he will be missed.”

Minus was a former Bahamian featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight champion, a Commonwealth Boxing Council’s (CBC) bantamweight champion, a World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Continental of Americas bantamweight champion and a World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion. He also fought for a legitimate world title three times and is the only Bahamian to do so.

Following his competitive career, Minus served as a boxing consultant in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and as an instructor at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex National Boxing Center. He was inducted into The Bahamas’ National Sports Hall of Fame in November of last year.

The Bahamian boxing legend ended his professional career with a win/loss/draw/no contest record of 37-9-1-1 with 27 knockouts (KOs) in 48 pro fights.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said the country has lost a great boxer and statesman, the sad news of which has rocked the sports world.

“He was passionate about paving the way for our future fighters and worked tirelessly imparting his knowledge and creating opportunities for so many,” said the minister in a statement. “Minus taught youngsters from our inner city communities and inspired new generations of athletes to train, to focus and to dream of the many possibilities in the sport of boxing. Minus served dutifully as an employee of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for nearly a decade, only recently retiring.

“The Bahamas has lost a boxing icon and a mentor in the sport of boxing. As a country, we cannot repay Minus for his immeasurable contributions made in the sport of boxing.

“On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas, the nation, and members of staff at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, I extend prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Ray Minus Jr. My deepest sympathies are also extended to the local and international boxing communities. May God strengthen you all during this time of bereavement.”

Boxing Federation of The Bahamas’ President Vincent Strachan called Minus a great warrior and a great champion.

“Ray fought the great fight. He finished his course – hence what is laid up for him is a crown in glory,” said Strachan. “He gave selflessly of himself to the development of boxing at all levels in the world. He is greatly missed and will be very difficult to replace. My heartfelt condolences goes out to his family. On behalf of my family and the Boxing Federation of The Bahamas, I pray that Almighty God will strengthen his family and give comfort and peace in their time of bereavement. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Some of Minus’ fiercest local battles were against Quincy ‘Thrill-A-Minute’ Pratt – a fierce adversary he defeated all three times they faced each other. Internationally, he has fought and has won fights all over the world. Minus won and then successfully defended his Commonwealth title five times, and won and then successfully defended his WBC Continental of Americas title. In his three world title bouts, he lost his WBC World Bantamweight fight to Colombian Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, in 1987, he dropped the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) World Bantamweight title fight to Venezuelan Israel Contreras inside the Crystal Palace Ballroom in Nassau, The Bahamas, in 1990, and lost in his International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) World Bantamweight title opportunity to American Orlando Cañizales at the Civic Center Arena in Laredo, Texas, USA, in 1991.

He got his first professional victory, in his first pro fight, against Mexican Angel Torres in Nassau, in 1982, and ended his professional career with a technical knockout (TKO) loss to American Leavander Johnson for a vacant WBC Continental of Americas lightweight title at the Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2001. In between, Minus was a fierce and strategical pugilist who was known for exceptional defense in the ring, speed, foot movements, dancing and timely connections and combinations. In fact, in an interview just two years ago with The Ring Magazine, former WBC Bantamweight Champion Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora, now 62, had nothing but high praise of Minus.

“That guy was tough to hit. I won that fight by unanimous decision, but that was one of my tougher fights. He made me work for everything I got. His defense was very impressive. To get in on him was difficult,” said Lora.

He continued: “His hand speed was superb. He was a fast guy all around. Sometimes fighters couldn’t find me, but Minus was able to tag me a couple of times because of his hand speed. A couple of times I had to watch out for his jab and he threw good combinations and the speed they came at really caused me trouble.

“Also, I really admired his footwork. He made me try to cut off the ring because his footwork was so quick and so good.”

That brief synopsis is from a former world champion – a testament to the quality of fighter Minus was in the ring.

He was a legend outside of the ring as well though, assisting in taking hundreds of young men off the streets of New Providence and turning them into boxing champions. Any young boxer of note in the late nineties, early 2000s and into the 2010s came up under Ray Minus Jr. and his Champion Amateur Boxing Club (CABC). The club served the boxing community as an outlet for talented young men for more than 20 years, initially operating from the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex National Boxing Center and later from the location it shared with First Class Promotions on Wulff Road opposite Whim Automotive Ltd.

In one of his last interviews, with ZNS Sportscaster Charles Fisher, Minus said that boxing will always be his love and among the aspects he misses the most are training and teaching young talented fighters about general boxing skills and life itself.

At one point, Minus had seven regional boxing champions under his wing – Jermaine ‘Choo Choo’ Mackey with four titles, Meacher ‘Major Pain’ Major with two titles and Elkeana ‘The Punisher’ Saunders with the other. Former and current Bahamian boxing stars such as Jerry ‘Big Daddy’ Butler, Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson, Carl Hield, Alpachino Allen, Anthony ‘Cougass’ Major, Shimon Bain, Ivan Major, Keishno Major, Valentino Knowles and Lennox Boyce just to name a few, all came up under Minus.

“Ray had one of the largest stables in terms of young up-and-coming boxers. He produced numerous top boxers who went on to be international champions. Without fear of contradiction, I could say that he was one of the best coaches we have had in this country in boxing in the last few decades. He was true to what he did,” said Ray’s ex-wife Michelle Munnings who was there through many of her ex-husband’s boxing journeys. “Ray lived, slept and drank boxing. The whole Bahamas is grieving today and there will never be another. He is like Angelo Dundee (legendary American boxing trainer) – he will go down as one of the most elite coaches in this country’s history and he enjoyed what he did. Never once did he look for pay or accolades – he just loved it and lived it.”

Minus was admitted to the hospital about two weeks ago suffering from shortness of breath and breathing complications. He was on a ventilator, had a feeding tube installed and was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Minus was scheduled for surgery Thursday morning, but never made it into the surgical theater as his blood count was too low. He succumbed at 9:25 Thursday morning.

“Ray was loved all over the world and it shows by the number of calls we have received from people from all over the world,” said Munnings. “When we went to the Commonwealth Games in England in 2002, and we did the walk-through, the Queen asked ‘where is Ray Minus?’. She said she wanted to have lunch with Ray, and later, Ray was having lunch with her, sitting just eight seats down from the Queen. He was a legend. Everyone respected him because every time he came to fight, he was in shape and he brought his best.

“When he fought Israel Contreras, his jaw was broken from round two and he went straight up to nine rounds before Dr. Rashad made the call to stop the fight. That was at Crystal Palace. When he fought Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora at the Miami Beach Convention Center in 1987, there were more Bahamians in attendance than foreigners. The Bahamas took over the stadium that night. Everywhere you looked, you saw a Bahamian flag. It was just phenomenal and prestigious,” added Munnings.

Ray Minus Jr. is survived by his daughter Rayshell Minus-Rolle, father Ray Minus Sr., mother Alice Minus, a number of siblings including former Bahamian heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Reynaldo Minus and former boxer Kenny ‘Lightning’ Minus, son-in-law Terez Rolle, and grandchildren Terell and Teray Rolle.

Ray’s ex-wife Munnings has been a staple of support as well, organizing the all-female professional boxing show that was held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium last month from which proceeds went in aid of Minus’ health and medical expenses. Hundreds of current and former boxers, members of the boxing and sporting community, and Bahamians in general, came out in support of Minus that night. Munnings is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of First Class Promotions, the boxing entity that shared an outlet with Ray Minus’ Champion Amateur Boxing Club (CABC) on Wulff Road.

The late L. Garth Wright, a former Bahamian boxing legend, was Ray Minus’ uncle and so is Sidney ‘Bobby Baylor’ Fernander, a softball legend in the country.

The Bahamian sports legend will certainly be missed.

https://thenassauguardian.com/a-ray-of-hope-diminishes/

Team Bahamas endured tough competition in Curaçao

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 Home|Sports|Team Bahamas endured tough competition in CuraçaoSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailApril 28, 2023 384 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 Shown is The Bahamas’ Under-20 (U20) Women’s National Soccer Team as they gathered for a photo prior to the CONCACAF Championship Qualifiers in Curaçao.

The Bahamas’ Under-20 (U20) Women’s National Soccer Team recently participated in the CONCACAF Championship Qualifiers, hosted in Curaçao, facing formidable opponents from Panama, the host nation Curaçao and St. Maarten. They displayed a spirited effort, but was unable to secure a win in the competition, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities for growth ahead.

In their opening match on Sunday April 16, the team took on Panama. The experienced Panamanian side delivered a dominant performance, resulting in a 13-0 victory over The Bahamas. This match showcased the difference in experience between the two teams and demonstrated the level of competition the Bahamian team needs to reach.

The second match took place on Tuesday April 18, with the Bahamian team facing Curaçao. Despite demonstrating determination and resilience, the team was unable to overcome a skillful Curaçao side, ultimately succumbing to a 7-0 defeat.

In their final match on Thursday April 20, The Bahamas competed against St. Maarten. The team put forth a commendable effort, scoring their first goal of the tournament. However, St. Maarten emerged victorious with a 3-1 win.

“Our young athletes gave their all on the field, and despite the results, we saw significant growth and development in their skills and teamwork. We’ll take the lessons learned from this experience and use them to build a stronger team for future competitions,” said Coach Phylicia Sargent.

Despite facing tough opposition in the CONCACAF U20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers, The Bahamas’ young athletes demonstrated resilience and determination throughout each match. Although the results may not have gone their way, the team’s performance revealed a promising trajectory of progress and development. As they navigate the challenges of high-level competition, the players gained invaluable experience and a deeper understanding of the game.

https://thenassauguardian.com/team-bahamas-endured-tough-competition-in-curacao/