As of Monday, August 14, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rampage and Police Crimestoppers kept their early season momentum going this past weekend for the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA).

#With less than one month removed from the young season’s start, the Rampage have put together a three-game winning streak following two weekend wins over the 3-3 (win/loss record) Beat and Teach Clinic Sharks and ninth-seeded Customs Taxmen.

#Additionally, the Crimestoppers handled business against the Police Royals to remain undefeated with a 6-0 record in the league.

#Rampage vs Taxmen

#The Rampage collected their third straight win this past weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

#Their most recent victory came in a double digit 18-point win over the Taxmen. The game was competitive in the opening period between the two government teams with the difference being a mere six points (21-15) after the first period of play.

#However, the second quarter of the game saw the RBDF team widen the gap by 19 points following some impressive play from Oral Rahming.

#He led the team in scoring and rebounds with 19 points with nine rebounds and shot a scorching hot 73% from the field.

#Otis Ferguson Jr chipped in 18 points along with five assists, and got two steals on the defensive end.

#Following the halftime break, the Rampage continued their dominance on offence, jumping out to a 52-28 lead at the 3:28 mark in the third period.

#Ultimately, the Taxmen were unable to stop the Rampage who won 76-58.

#The RBDF squad shot an efficient 57.4% from the field, meanwhile, the

#Taxmen only converted on 35.3% of their field goals. The Rampage also made their opponents pay at the charity stripe, swishing 11 of their 14 free throw attempts on 78.6% shooting. The Taxmen only managed to get to the line five times and only made two of their attempts.

#In their first win of the weekend, the Rampage defeated the Sharks 65-53. Ferguson Jr and Rahming put up 16 points and 14 points apiece, proving to be instrumental for the team once again.

#Bob Hudson, head coach of the Rampage, said the win felt good coming off a back-to-back game against the Sharks while being short-handed due to injuries. “It feels good, the guys played well. We had three guys injured last night but they played through it… Some of the players are off the island so we played short-handed but we came out with the victory for three in a row which is a sign that we are trending in the right direction,” Hudson said.

#Crimestoppers vs Royals

#The undefeated Crimestoppers reeled off their sixth straight win against the Royals in a 25-point drubbing. The 6-0 team demoralised the Royals from the opening tip, running out to a 12-0 unanswered lead in the first quarter. The Royals’ Spurgeon Johnson stopped the bleeding by splitting a pair of free throws at the line but the team was unable to score their first bucket until the 6:28 mark in the game.

#The Crimestoppers held the Royals to single digits in the first period, closing out the quarter leading 28-7.

#Michael ‘Furley’ Bain Jr checked into the game with 8:22 remaining in the second quarter and immediately got to work.

#He drained a quick two-pointer and followed it up with two relatively uncontested layups.

#Bain did not stop there. The guard splashed a three-pointer to push the lead to 45-16. He scored 12 of his 14 points in this period to head into halftime.

#The Crimestoppers got the lead up to as much as 30 points in the second half, and coasted to the win the rest of the way. The team had five players score in double digits and dropped 10 three-pointers in the comfortable win.

#Lavardo Bowleg, head coach of the Crimestoppers, said the team wanted to come out and have fun and show their identity while playing to the best of their abilities. Although the season is still new, he expects the team to get even better along the way.

#Cybots vs BDOC Challengers

#The Bain and Grants Town Cybots routed the Challengers 74-53 in a 21-point win. Things were evenly matched in the initial quarter which closed out 16-14 favouring the Cybots.

#However, in the second period of play, the latter turned up the heat and stretched the lead to 16 points headed into halftime. Despite trailing the majority of the game, the Challengers were able to trim the lead down to nine points (55-46) at the 6:08 mark in the fourth quarter.

#Although the Challengers seemed poised to mount a last-minute comeback, the Cybots held on for the win.

#Wayde Watson, head coach of the Cybots, talked about the importance of pace in the double-digit victory.

#“We were just running our sets because we knew we could beat that team… It wasn’t about running up and down playing fast basketball, we just wanted to get some practice in and get some of our guys acclimated and build chemistry,” the coach said.

#Watson also had a message for the rest of the league.

#“Once we get our chemistry together we should be good. The Bain and Grants Town Cybots will be in the championships guaranteed,” he added.

#The BGDBA basketball games will continue today at 7pm. The Bamboo Shack Patrollers face the Police Royals in game one.

#Additionally, the Challengers will look to avenge this weekend’s loss against the Airport Authority Avengers at 8:30pm.

As of Monday, August 14, 2023

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Dr Kent Bazard

#IN the domain of sports nutrition, one nutrient stands out as a cornerstone of athlete energy management – carbohydrates. These vital macronutrients transcend being mere energy sources; they are the strategic energy reservoirs that power an athlete’s every motion, from sprints to endurance feats.

#As a sports medicine physician and sports nutrition specialist, I work to ensure the athlete understands the integral role of carbohydrates in their nutrition, elucidating their significance and how tailored intake strategies can harmonise with the athletes’ individual goals and training phases.

#Carbohydrates: The Energy Dynamo

#Picture carbohydrates as the premium fuel that powers an athlete’s engine. It is the primary energy source for the body’s cellular processes. When consumed, carbohydrates break down into glucose, a form of sugar that the body efficiently converts into energy. This energy is then readily available to fuel every muscle contraction, every heartbeat and every breath an athlete takes during their rigorous endeavours.

#Athletes rely on these compounds to fuel their muscles during intensive physical exertion. It is essential to recognise that carbohydrates are not just about immediate energy provision; they actively influence endurance, recovery, and overall athletic performance. The unique demands of athletic activities require a continuous supply of energy. Carbs replenish the glycogen stores in muscles and the liver, ensuring that an athlete’s energy reserves remain topped up for high-intensity efforts and endurance feats, whether it’s a sprint, a marathon, or a basketball game. So, no matter how fast your Lamborghini is, without adequate fuel you will essentially go nowhere.

#Aligning Carb Intake with Athlete Goals

#A crucial aspect of carbohydrate utilisation is aligning intake with specific athlete goals. For instance, endurance athletes require sustained energy for extended efforts, necessitating a comprehensive carbohydrate intake plan.

#Conversely, athletes focusing on muscle growth and strength may adopt a cyclical carbohydrate approach to manage energy levels while facilitating muscle recovery and growth.

#Enter the science of periodisation, a key strategy used by sports nutritionists. This technique involves adjusting carbohydrate intake to synchronise with various training phases.

#During periods of intense training, higher carbohydrate consumption ensures fuel availability for demanding workouts and rapid recovery. On the flip side, lighter training phases are accompanied by moderated carbohydrate intake to maintain energy equilibrium and prevent excessive energy storage.

#The Recovery Boost

#The significance of carbohydrates in post-exercise recovery goes beyond the completion of the physical activity. Following strenuous workouts, carbohydrates assume a pivotal role in facilitating the recovery process through a series of intricate physiological mechanisms. During exercise, the body’s glycogen stores, which serve as a readily accessible energy reservoir, are often depleted. This depletion can lead to muscle fatigue and decreased performance. Consuming carbohydrates after exercise initiates a cascade of metabolic reactions. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is transported to muscles and the liver. In the liver, glucose is converted into glycogen and stored for future energy demands.

#This recovery-oriented glycogen replenishment process accelerates the recovery timeline. Swift glycogen restoration translates to reduced muscle soreness and improved muscle function in subsequent training sessions. Moreover, adequate carbohydrate intake post-exercise plays a pivotal role in minimising the risk of overtraining and subsequent burnout.

#In essence, carbohydrates act as the body’s signal for revitalisation. By facilitating rapid glycogen repletion, they not only pave the way for a more efficient recovery but also set the stage for optimal performance in forthcoming training sessions.

#Carb Choices: Quality Matters

#Holy cow this one right here. Not all carbohydrates are created equal! Hunt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. These sources provide a sustained release of energy, preventing energy crashes and maintaining a stable blood sugar level. Steer clear of sugary snacks and refined grains that offer short-lived energy spikes followed by crashes. No, its not easy.

#Yes, it will make you even more awesome. As a busy professional parent of an athlete myself, I understand the challenges with time and cost in the selection of quality nutrients.

#I also understand that each athlete’s journey is unique. That’s why we emphasize the importance of personalised nutrition plans that factor in the athlete’s sport, training intensity, and performance goals. It is vital that every athlete harnesses the energy they need to excel in their chosen discipline.

#Recommended Daily Carb Intake

#The ideal daily carbohydrate intake for athletes is a nuanced balance that hinges on factors such as training volume, intensity, and personal physiology.

#As a general guideline, aiming for 6-10 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day is recommended.

#For example, a 70 kg (154 lb) athlete might consider an intake of approximately 420-700 grams of carbohydrates daily. It is crucial to underscore the value of collaborating with a skilled nutritionist to determine the optimal range for individual requirements.

#In conclusion, carbohydrates represent the bedrock of athletic accomplishment. As a sports medicine physician, I advocate for embracing carbohydrates as the tactical catalysts of peak performance. With meticulous carbohydrate management and periodised nutritional planning, athletes can surpass barriers, surmount challenges and carve their athletic destiny, one disciplined step at a time.

EMPOWERING OUR WOMEN: The Bahamas Olympic Committee’s (BOC) women in sports commission recgonised the talents of nine high school graduates for their sporting accomplishments this past weekend.

As of Monday, August 14, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) through the Women in Sport Commission hosted a luncheon to recognise and award the sporting talents of nine high school graduates this past weekend at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

#The young women’s empowerment event included athletes from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco. The young ladies, who are now graduates, were taught the importance of manners and respect, etiquette, grooming and hygiene, and how to conduct themselves in society at the next level.

#The event was led by fashionista Phyllis Albury- Garraway under the theme “Empowering 2023 Class of Outstanding Secondary Female Athletes.”

#Cora Hepburn, vice president of the BOC and chairperson of the Women in Sport Commission, talked about the importance of this event as the girls transition out of high school. “Today’s event was the beginning of an empowerment programme for the graduating class of 2023…they learned how they are supposed to act, eat and sit,” Hepburn said.

#As a means to empower the young ladies, the nine graduates were gifted with their very own self empowerment gel polish kit.

#“They can practice on their siblings, their friends… in today’s society you could get a manicure and pedicure for hundreds of dollars…our aim and objective is if one of those girls can perfect that business in a box, then this programme will be successful,” she added.

#Among the Class of 2023 graduates empowered at the event were Antonicia Moultrie and Amari Pratt (St Augustine’s College), Dahphaney Maxine (Patrick J Bethel), Teajah Johnson (RM Bailey), Vanessa Sawyer and Davanna Douglas (CR Walker), Alesia Seymour (Anatol Rodgers), Lanaisha Lubin (Queen’s College), and Shatalya Dorsett (Sunland Baptist Academy).

#CARIFTA silver medallist Lubin gave insight on what she has learned throughout her track and field journey and her future goals.

#“In my experience with track and field, I have learned that dedication and hardwork is literally all that you could have to succeed and never giving up and believing in God,” Lubin said.

#Although she has not made a final decision on a college as yet, Lubin plans to major in sports medicine and minor in physiotherapy.

#Dorsette, who is headed to Louisiana Tech University, talked about what she learned at this past weekend’s event.

#“I learned that etiquette is everything and in sports, women are still recognised,” she said.

#In Dorsette’s future, she plans to lower her track times while studying forensic science.

#Maxine, who is multi-talented, competed in sporting disciplines including basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, flag football and track and field.

#She described this weekend’s ladies’ empowerment event as inspirational.

#“It taught me to be more of a lady and to be more inspiring to others and getting to know more people rather than being in my small circle,” she said.

#The Patrick J Bethel graduate plans to pursue nursing and forensic science.

#Additionally, she wants to continue playing the aforementioned sports at the collegiate level.

#Seymour was especially grateful to be in attendance at this past weekend’s women empowerment event.

#The Anatol Rodgers graduate will study environmental science while pursuing a career in sports at the University of Ozarks.

#“It was a wonderful experience, definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has filled my heart with joy to be able to attend this. I know that I have paved the way for people to come after me and to show the people who come before me that I deserve this,” she said.

#The young athletes were all excited to embark on their future endeavours in education and sports at the next level.

As of Monday, August 14, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#SEVENTEEN FC and Flamingo FC will square off on the Roscow A L Davies soccer field next week Sunday for the Capital Football Label (CFL) Summer Soccer Championship.

#In front of a packed crowd, Seventeen FC upset Happiness FC, ending their quest to the finals. Flamingo FC remained in top form, collecting yet another win against Skilsaw FC while remaining undefeated to return to the finals for another consecutive year.

#Flamingo FC vs Skilsaw FC

#The Flamingo FC has yet to drop a game in the CFL Summer Soccer Championships. The feat remained unchanged after they ousted the Skilsaw FC 3-1 last night.

#The dominant Pool B team saw Johny Tinus and Alex Richard Vixamar score two goals to give them a 2-0 lead headed into the second half of the game. Romel Neymar followed suit in the final half of the game, sinking the ball to the back of the net to lift Flamingo FC into yet another CFL finals.

#The soccer club has been on a mission all tournament long with their sights not only set on the $3,500 cash prize, but also the bragging rights and championship hardware.

#Neymar, a Flamingo FC player, talked about how it felt to advance to the finals against Seventeen FC for another consecutive year.

#“It feels pretty good. We have dreamed about it and said we are gonna work hard to make it to the finals. We are really happy… we started our ‘A’ game late last time but this time we are bringing our ‘A’ game early in the game,” he said.

#Seventeen FC vs Happiness FC

#Seventeen FC secured their spot in the championship game once again after closing out Happiness FC 2-1.

#The Pool B team delivered the upsetting loss to the leading Pool A team following two goals from Brandon Adderley and Lesly St Fleur. After booking their ticket to battle against a familiar foe, the team’s head coach said they are on a quest to get the job done in the finals.

#Steven Soirylian, head coach of Seventeen FC, talked about how it felt to knock off Happiness FC en route to next week’s finals. “Right now I cannot even explain it because we were waiting for this for so long.

#“This was a good team and they put up a good fight but we came out there, played hard and played to win,” he said.

#With both teams looking to wrap up unfinished business from last year’s controversial finish to the Summer Soccer Championships, competition will be stiff on the final Sunday of the soccer tourney.

#Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 12.

As of Monday, August 14, 2023

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SHOWN, from left to right, Andrew Higgs, team leader, Ellianne Higgs, Norman Cartwright, Nash Cartwright, Craig Ferguson II, AIden Sumner, Aiden Wilson and Robert Dunkley, team coach. Photos courtesy of Andy Roy

TEAM EFFORT: From left to right, Norman Cartwright, Craig F Ferguson II, Ellianne Higgs, Aiden Sumner and Aiden Wilson.

#FIVE young Bahamian sailors competed in the ILCA 6 class at the Cork International and Olympic Regatta as part of the August Regatta Series in Kingston, Canada, August 8-11.

#The August Series starts with the CORK International Optimist Regatta held August 3-6, in which Patrick Tomlinson, current Bahamian national optimist champion, achieved podium position as 5th overall, tied with 3rd and 4th place finishers.

#The five ILCA 6 Bahamian sailors include Norman Cartwright, gold medal winner in the ILCA class event at the recent Bahamas Games, Ellianne Higgs, also a gold medal winner as top female ILCA sailor in the Bahamas Games and Craig Ferguson II, a bronze winner in the ILCA class at the recent Bahamas Games. He was the only Bahamian to finish in the Gold fleet, finishing 2nd in one of his races, 22nd overall and 19th in the youth division out of 145 sailors.

#Norman Cartwright and Ellianne Higgs each had a top 5 in their fleet to finish 14th and 20th in Silver respectively. Competing internationally for the first time are Aidan Sumner and Aiden Wilson, who also recently qualified as junior sailing instructors and have helped run summer sailing camps with the Bahamas National Sailing School.

#Wilson and Sumner – in Bronze fleet – also each had a top 5 finish in one race to finish 12 and 21. The team returned home yesterday.

#Since 2000 alone, CORK has hosted dozens of North American and World Championships out of Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. The area offers some of the best fresh-water sailing in the world, excellent wind and wave conditions, and is a short distance from shore to the race courses.

#With a total participation of more than 1,000 boats, the CORK August Regatta Series is a magnificent sailing festival, attracting sailors from all over the world. Accompanying the young sailors was coach Robert Dunkey who said “all of our junior sailors have been training hard in the last few months to prepare for the Cork Regatta.”

#Competing internationally provides invaluable experience and for many will be the largest fleet they have competed in and a very different environment to their home venue of Montagu Bay.

#Also competing internationally this month is Joshua Higgins from Harbour Island in the Olympic Class ILCA 7 event at the Allianz World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands.

#Races were being held from yesterday until August 20. The ILCA 6 is a smaller version of the Olympic class ILCA 7 dinghy.

 Home|Sports|Jones, Liberty win Commissioner’s CupSports

Bahamian wins MVP award as Liberty pull away from the defending champs

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 16, 2023 19 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian professional women’s basketball player Jonquel “JJ” Jones and the New York Liberty blew a double-digit lead against the Las Vegas Aces in the first half on Tuesday, but rebounded in the second half to win the third edition of the Commissioner’s Cup, an in-season tournament in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) played between the two top teams from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference of the league.

They prevailed 82-63, stamping their authority on the best the league has to offer and establishing themselves as the team to beat this season. Additionally, Jones won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award after scoring 16 points and pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds.

For the Liberty, it was their second win against the WNBA defending champions in the last two weeks and this time it came on the Aces’ home court, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will play each other again, on Thursday at the same venue, but this one was for Commissioner’s Cup bragging rights and a splendid gold-plated Commissioner’s Cup trophy, that features an 11-inch broad crown and a halved nine-inch wide basketball. It’s the first trophy in 27 years for the Liberty, one of the league’s three remaining original franchises.

Also, a total of $500,000 is awarded in prize money, with the winning team making around $30,000 per player and the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) taking home an additional $5,000. Safe to say, it was a pocket filler for Jones as she bagged about $35,000 for her efforts. On the losing team’s side, players earn $10,000 each.

As for the game, the Liberty took control in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth for a convincing win over the defending champs. They won by 38 on August 6 in Brooklyn, New York, and consolidated the win with another dominant performance last night, winning by 19. The 38-point win was the second largest win in the Liberty’s franchise history, and the biggest losing margin by a team with the best record in the league.

Jones was fantastic on Tuesday, as mentioned, finishing with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. She and teammate Courtney Vandersloot were the only players in the game to record a double-double. Vandersloot had 11 points and 10 assists. It was reserve guard Marine Johannès, of France, who got the Liberty off to a strong start, knocking down four of five three pointers early, and finishing with a side-high 17 for the game. Breanna “Stewie” Stewart added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Liberty, and Sabrina Ionescu gave them five players in double figures with 12 points and she added eight rebounds.

Jackie Young paced the Aces with 16 points. Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray added 15 points apiece and two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was held to just nine.

Led by Johannès, the Liberty’s bench outscored the Aces’ bench, 28-8, and led by Jones, they dominated on the boards, 49-28. They were also efficient from the field and from deep. The Liberty shot 40.6 percent for the game (28-for-69) compared to 33.3 percent for the Aces (23-for-69). They shot 15-for-35 from three point range, compared to just 5-for-26 for the Aces.

The Liberty were up 17-11 after one and led by as much as 11 in the first half, but the Aces came storming back to take a 34-32 lead at the break.

After Young scored five quick points to open the second half, including a three point shot, the Liberty went on a 9-2 scoring run to pull even at 41. Moments later, they took their first lead of the second half on a layup from Kayla Thornton, 44-43, and they never looked back. The Liberty went on to lead 56-48 at the end of three.

They quickly got that lead up to double digits at the start of the fourth and the Aces had no answer. The Liberty went on to lead by as much as 20 points in the fourth.

If last season’s result is any indication, the Liberty will go on to win the WNBA title as well, as the Aces rode a strong performance in the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup to win their inaugural championship in the WNBA. It remains to be seen what will happen going forward, as there is still a long way to go in the season.

The Aces continue to lead the standings with a 27-3 win/loss record, as the Commissioner’s Cup’s championship game doesn’t count toward the standings. The Liberty are second at 24-6, but have now taken two out of three against the defending champs this season. They have also won seven straight and 11 out of their last 12.

The two teams will play each other again on Thursday as the regular season resumes. They are the only two teams in the league to clinch a playoff spot so far this season.

 Home|Sports|Bahamian athletes getting settled in BudapestSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 16, 2023 31 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Team Bahamas is beginning to settle in at the athletes village in Budapest, Hungary, preparing for competition in the 19th edition of the World Athletics Outdoor Championships, set to get underway this Saturday.

More than 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries are set to compete in the 35,000-seat National Athletics Centre in the Hungarian capital starting this weekend. About half of The Bahamas’ 11-member team is already in Budapest with the remainder scheduled to arrive today. The meet will run through August 27.

Anthonique Strachan has been there for a couple days already, and said she is looking forward to competition. She will run in the heats of the women’s 100 meters (m) on Sunday afternoon in Budapest.

“I feel okay. I’m not really treating this any differently than a normal meet, not as yet. I set several goals and one big one. So, even when I was not motivated I still had something to work toward so I’m guessing that aided in a better season,” she said.

Strachan had arguably the best season of her life, running personal best times in both the 100 and 200m this year. She clocked 10.92 seconds in the 100m and 22.15 seconds in the 200m, becoming the fourth-fastest Bahamian of all-time in the women’s 100m and the second-fastest in the women’s 200m. Strachan passed Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Pauline Davis-Thompson and Eldece Clarke in the 100m this year, and Savatheda Fynes, Davis-Thompson and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie in the women’s 200m.

She travelled to Budapest with a team of athletes from her training base at the Maximising Velocity and Power (MVP) Camp in Kingston, Jamaica, and has now settled into the athletes village where she will begin final preparation for competition this weekend. Strachan said they are training twice per day in Budapest.

“I just have to continue doing what I’m doing – worrying and working on myself. This season is me being selfish,” she said. “I don’t live in the future. I work hard to stay in the present so I can enjoy life and the work I’m doing.”

Strachan said she is looking forward to the 200m more as that is her better event. The opening round heats of the 200m will be held on Wednesday afternoon in Budapest – two days after the completion of the 100m. Strachan will be fortunate enough to have personal coach Shawn Terry trackside in Budapest, and she said that’s a great help.

“It’s very important. I’m a creature of habit and I prefer not to change things, especially my inner circle which is my personal coaches and training mates – that’s who my comfort is with,” said Strachan.

Other than her events, Strachan said she’s taking particular interest in the 400s in both genders and the men’s long jump. She said she also has interest in any event that Faith Kipyegon, of Kenya, is competing in, given the tear that she has been on in recent times. Kipyegon broke three world records this summer and is entered in the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m in Budapest. She is the world record holder in both.

The men and women’s 400m will be led by a pair of Bahamians – World and Olympic Champion Miller-Uibo for the women despite giving birth to a son just four months ago, and Olympic and former world champion Steven Gardiner who goes into that event as the world leader.

Terrence Jones will be the first Bahamian in action, set to compete in the heats of the men’s 100m on Saturday evening in Budapest. He has clocked a national record tying 9.91 seconds this year, becoming just the second Bahamian to ever run sub-10 seconds in the men’s 100m.

Jones will be joined by Gardiner, Alonzo Russell, Miller-Uibo, Strachan and Shakeem Smith on the track on Sunday. Gardiner and Russell will run in the heats of the men’s 400m, Miller-Uibo in the heats of the women’s 400m, Strachan will experience action in the heats of the women’s 100m and newcomer to this level of athletics Smith will run in the opening round heats of the men’s 400m hurdles.

In the field events, former World Champion Donald Thomas will compete in the qualifying rounds of the men’s high jump on Sunday. The other members of Team Bahamas are Devynne Charlton (women’s 100m hurdles), Charisma Taylor (women’s triple jump), Rhema Otabor (women’s javelin) and LaQuan Nairn (men’s long jump).

There is no head coach named, but Leevan Sands will be the jumps coach and Corrington Maycock will coach Otabor in the women’s javelin. A number of personal coaches will be in Budapest as well including Shaun Miller for Miller-Uibo, Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene for Charlton and Terry for Strachan.

The team leader is Laketah Charlton, Tito Moss is the assistant team leader, Dr. Keir Miller is the team doctor and Pharez Cooper will serve as the team’s physiotherapist.

The world athletics championships is the biggest meet in the world for athletics. The 2023 edition will represent the first time that athletics’ top event will be held in Hungary.

Led by Miller-Uibo and Gardiner, The Bahamas will compete in the sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws.

Home|Sports|Abaco hosts first inter-island junior tennis tournamentSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailAugust 16, 2023 14 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Abaco Tennis Association (ATA) recently hosted its first inter-island junior tennis tournament in Abaco.

The tournament featured girls and boys in the under-14 (U14) category. Participants from New Providence and Grand Bahama joined tennis athletes from Abaco in very competitive matches.

The event was sanctioned by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) and athletes were encouraged to take part in this maiden tournament in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

President of the ATA Cameel McDonald welcomed the local and visiting guests at the opening ceremony of the tournament in Forest Heights, Abaco.

The BLTA congratulates the ATA on organizing and hosting its inaugural inter-island junior tennis tournament.

“The development of tennis throughout The Bahamas allows for tennis sustainability. It is very good that the juniors have access to tennis tournaments throughout The Bahamas and are able to participate in more matches to aid in their development. The ATA continues to break barriers and to foster tennis development,” as stated in a BLTA release.

The winners of the tournament were Aiden Ritchie in the boys category and Tatyana Madu in the girls category. The runner up in the boys was Synaj Watkins and Caitlyn Pratt was the runner up in the girls. Alessio Batello won the sportsmanship award for boys and Kiona Orlando took home that title for the girls.

In the girls division, Savannah McKinney and Anya Hepburn finished third and fourth, respectively. On the boys side, Dylan Sykes and O’Neal Hanna finished third and fourth, respectively. BLTA President Perry Newton, Raymond McKinney and Sirluke Innocent were all on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards.

The inaugural tournament was said to be a complete success as the island of Abaco provided more persons with an opportunity to play tennis on the island.

“This expansion of island tournaments is great for the young players. The future of tennis is indeed bright. Keep shining juniors, keep shining ATA,” read the BLTA statement.

Scores of young players took part in the tournament.

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 Home|Sports|Soccer is on the horizonSports

Men’s and women’s teams to compete next month

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 15, 2023 52 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas men and women’s national soccer teams are gearing up for competition at the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) level. The men will experience action in the Nations League competition and the women will compete in the 2023 ‘Road to CONCACAF’ Women’s Gold Cup. It is first-ever ‘Road to CONCACAF’ Women’s Gold Cup, and The Bahamas’ women will look to book a spot in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

Both teams have been training almost daily as they prepare to take on various teams from the region.

The men’s team schedule and opening games are now known as they get their League B Group D action underway with a home game against Puerto Rico. That game will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in New Providence on Saturday September 9. It gets underway at 6 p.m.

In their second game, they will make a trip down south to take on Guyana at the National Track and Field Center in Leonora, Guyana. That match will get underway at 6 p.m. on Tuesday September 12.

Those three teams are in Group D along with Antigua and Barbuda. It is a tough group for The Bahamas which is the lowest ranked team in the group at number 197 worldwide. The other fixtures will be released at a later date.

The Bahamas has played all three countries with matchups against Puerto Rico and Guyana in 2021.

The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Guyana were in Group F in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers in 2021. Puerto Rico and The Bahamas battled in June that year in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, with the home team taking advantage of The Bahamas, coming away with a 7-0 victory. Guyana and The Bahamas played on neutral territory in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2021 with Guyana winning that battle 4-0 as the world, in sports, battled back in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas played in The Bahamas at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in October 2018 with the visitors winning 6-0.

The Bahamas will be looking to return the favor against those three teams.

After a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, The Bahamas women’s national team is making a comeback. They are in League C Group C with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grenada.

Their first match is a home game scheduled for Wednesday September 20 against Grenada. This will be followed by an away match against the same team on Sunday September 24. In October, The Bahamas will play an away match against the U.S. Virgin Islands on Sunday October 29, and the final match at home against the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday November 29.

The venues and times will be announced at a later date.

As mentioned earlier, the ‘Road to CONCACAF’ Gold Cup serves as a qualifier for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. This is a highly esteemed tournament within the world of women’s football. It presents teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean with an opportunity to compete for the prestigious Gold Cup title.

The upcoming matches are seen as a significant opportunity for the Bahamian teams to showcase their talent and the progress they have made.

 Home|Sports|Babe Ruth League throws its support behind Burrows Sr.Sports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 15, 2023 114 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Brushing off the stiff penalties handed down by the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA), the Babe Ruth League Inc. is standing firm behind Greg Burrows Sr., stating that it fully supports the local sports figure in the execution of his duties.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Philip Davis, the Babe Ruth League Inc. stated that they are in firm support of Burrows Sr. and that he will continue in his role as Babe Ruth League Caribbean Commissioner, thereby being the liaison officer between the league and Caribbean nations in growing the game around the region.

Over the weekend, the BBA handed down a 15-year suspension for Greg Jr. and a five-year suspension for Greg Sr., prohibiting them from national team duties and the representation of The Bahamas internationally, in baseball, for the foreseeable future.

“In our opinion, the BBA’s action is punitive and severe for a volunteer who has served the sport and The Bahamas with class for the better part of his life,” read the statement. “With his dedication to the sport, many players have graduated from the Freedom Farm Baseball League and represented your country either in the MLB (Major League Baseball) or at other internationally recognized events. The community benefitted from our event through tourism as well as the completion of the Andre Rodgers Stadium and the renovation of the Baillou Hills Complex.”

The statement affirmed that the league has a good working relationship with The Bahamas and the governing body for the sport in the country, the BBA.

“… We have all focused on bringing tourism through baseball to your great country … We hope to continue bringing additional tournaments and opportunities to The Bahamas,” the statement read. “We would hope to return to The Bahamas for the 2024 Babe Ruth League Caribbean Regional Tournament under our regional commissioner Gregory Burrows Sr. and continue to support your ‘Sports in Paradise’ initiative.”

According to findings revealed by the BBA over the weekend, it was determined that Greg Sr. interrupted in the ability of foreign umpire Edaine Cannister, of Curaçao, to carry our his functions as home plate umpire for the 16-and-under semifinal game between The Bahamas and Puerto Rico during the Babe Ruth Caribbean Baseball Championship and Invitational at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium three weeks ago.

In its report, the BBA stated that the actions of Greg Sr. were in clear violation of the standard baseball rules by ordering the reinstatement of an ejected game participant, namely his son, Greg Burrows Jr., and the removal of the game officials, Cannister and Robert Coakley, from the middle of the game if they did not reinstate Greg Jr.

The report added that Greg Sr. failed to permit the tournament directors to perform their duties and present a formal complaint to him, as commissioner.

The Babe Ruth League Inc. didn’t have any comment on the actions of Greg Jr., solely throwing support behind Greg Sr.

Greg Jr. was handed a 15-year suspension from all local and international baseball competition in any capacity including and not limited to player, coach, manager, official, executive and organizer in The Bahamas.

It was ruled that he did not leave the playing area within the required time frame after his ejection from the game and that he violated the rules by going into the spectator seating area (the stands) to give game instructions to his team during the remainder of the game competition.

The BBA condemned the actions of both Greg Jr. and Greg Sr., stating that they were inappropriate, and damning and damaging to the image of baseball, and by extension sports, in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“The BBA understands that this is a grave matter that can affect The Bahamas’ tourism product and, in particular, the game of baseball throughout The Bahamas when it comes to hosting any baseball games or sporting events on our soil,” the BBA stated in a release.

The umpire in question, Cannister, an umpire for more than 40 years, is pursuing the matter legally.