Home|Sports|Mingoes get cross country season underwaySports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 6, 2023 76 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

BOCA RATON, Florida – The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes’ cross country teams turned in respectable performances against a number of powerhouse schools to start their seasons.

Lhevinne Joseph turned in the best performance across the teams, finishing 84th out of 137 competitors in the men’s division, at the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Invitational Cross Country over the weekend. He finished with a time of 18 minutes and 35.9 seconds in the five-kilometer (5km) event.

“I wanted to get out there in the first half and cruise and come home strong which I did,” Joseph said. “What I learned last season in cross country was the more relaxed and controlled I keep my pace, the faster I am able to finish. That was exactly what I did. I planned to go out and steadily pass runners one by one and that’s exactly what I did.”

Jackson Ozias finished 90th in 18:43.2. Dennis Williamson, who lead the team for the first half of the 5km run, took the 95th spot in 18:56.9. Kenold Jean finished 98th in 19.06.2 and Donya Roberts, known more for the 400 meters (m) event, finished 129th in 22:16.4.

The team amassed 419 points to finish 15th out of 18 teams. The top seven runners from each team received a score, but only the top five placements counted toward the team’s performance. In cross country, the lower the score the better the performance. Both of the UB teams competed in the 5k event.

“I think we did well overall competing against some strong division one schools,” said UB Head Coach Ednal Rolle. “Both teams held their own. Cross country is all about team, and you have to have a strong team because you are only as strong as your weakest link. Finding five solid long distance runners in The Bahamas is very difficult.”

On the women’s side, Lakeicia Lewis had the top performance for UB as she finished 152nd out of 178 competitors with a time of 25:54.8. Fridline Augustine took the 169th spot in 28:46.9, Kaiya Cambridge finished 170th in 30.35.2, Kendera Munroe was 172nd in 31:12.4 and Sienna Mackey took the 173rd spot in 32:16.4.

The women’s team amassed 538 points to finish 18th.

Both teams compete on Friday September 15 at 6 pm at the Keiser University Flagship Invitational.

 Home|Sports|At last, it’s time for competitionSports

Team Bahamas returns from hiatus to play Grenada on Sept. 20

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 5, 2023 138 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas senior women’s national soccer team has been ramping up its training session in preparation for the inaugural Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Women’s Gold Cup.

The team, making a comeback on the international scene, will host Grenada on Wednesday, September 20 in New Providence, and they have been looking forward to that match. They have been practicing for most of the summer under head coach Ricquea Bain. Some of the players are off to school, but Bain said those players will be home by September 13, and they will stage a friendly against Turks and Caicos, September 14 and 15.

“Preparation has been okay at home. We have been working hard with the girls. A portion of the core group of players are away so it has been a little difficult but we have been making it. We are looking at our college players to come home and add to the squad,” Bain said.

Bain embraced the opportunity for the ladies as they return to action for the first time since playing against Turks and Caicos in August 2021.

“It is good to have the opportunity for the senior women to play,” Bain said. “We finally have a competition for the seniors. The women now have something to look forward to. We are looking to give a good showing in our first game in Grenada.”

The team has a mixture of veterans and first-timers, according to Bain, one of the players play on the under-15 national team.

“The majority of the players have come up through the development program. Some of them have been training from as young as 13 on the national team so we are looking for a good showing out of those ones,” Bain said.

One of the veterans on the team is Karen Wert. She said the full team is not here as yet but they have been doing what they can. The center midfielder who can also play right back is happy for the opportunity to play on the women’s team.

“We have been training hard. Practices have been good, training almost every night of the week. A lot of players are away, which makes it difficult because we do not get to train fully as a team. I am looking at doing whatever I can. I’ll play wherever they need me to play and I am looking to do my best and give it my all,” Wert said.

Valtinique Simmons, who helped the C.R. Walker Knights win a national high school soccer title and a GSSSA (Government Secondary Schools Sports Association) title this past season, is the youngest member of the team at age 14. The striker is looking to put the ball at the back of the net for Team Bahamas.

“I was nervous at first but as I keep coming out to practice my confidence went up. I’m focused and worked and made the team. Training with the older girls was a little intimidating, but I’m ready,” Simmons said.

After the match against Grenada on September 20, The Bahamas will head to Grenada to play an away match on Sunday September 24. In October, the team will play against the US Virgin Islands (USVI) on the road. That match will be played on Sunday October 29. The final match of this round is scheduled to be played in The Bahamas on Wednesday November 29.

The tournament presents teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean with an opportunity to qualify for, and compete, for the prestigious CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

 Home|Sports|Thompson expresses interest in playing for The BahamasSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 5, 2023 432 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas has advanced as far as it ever has in men’s basketball, but in order to get further, they would have to keep building team structure and cohesiveness going into an Olympic year in 2024.

The program received a major boost over the weekend as National Basketball Association (NBA) star guard with the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson cited interest in playing for the national team. The Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team is one step away from advancing to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, and in so doing, becoming the first representatives of the country in a team sport at the Olympic level.

It’s a realistic possibility, and with, potentially, its biggest pull to date, optimism is at its highest point going into next summer’s qualifying tournaments.

In August, The Bahamas stunned Argentina, winning the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, going undefeated in four games against some of the best teams in the FIBA Americas region. They defeated Argentina twice on their home floor, at the Estadio Ciudad de Santiago del Estero, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, cementing themselves as top notch contender in men’s basketball in this region.

With the win, The Bahamas has advanced to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, which are set for July 2-7, 2024. Just the winners of those qualifying tournaments will move on to the Paris Olympic Games in men’s basketball, and The Bahamas is right in the mix.

“… [W]hen it comes to Bahamian basketball, I couldn’t be more proud of what they have accomplished the past few weeks, especially Chris DeMarco, Buddy Hield, DeAndre Ayton, Eric Gordon and the rest of the Bahamians. Those guys, they had the biggest win in our country’s history, as far as beating Argentina twice on their home soil, not an easy task. Argentina is ons of the best teams in the world and it’s just going to do wonders for the country,” said Klay Thompson.

Thompson, the middle son of Bahamian legendary basketball player Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson, is intrigued by the idea of playing for The Bahamas next summer. The older Thompson is a former No.1 overall draft pick in the NBA and has always professed his love and affinity for The Bahamas.

“When that time comes, I will give it serious consideration just because of what The Bahamas meant to the Thompson family, especially my father,” Thompson explained during his trip to Manila, Philippines, to launch his shoe brand ‘ANTA KT9’.

“My father never had a chance to play for The Bahamas because they just didn’t have the chance to do so back in the 70’s and the 80’s,” said Klay. “Now my brother Mychel is coaching with them which is also a really nice thing. Now, I’m focused only on the upcoming NBA season but when that time comes next summer, I’ll consider the possibility.”

Thompson, 33, was born in Los Angeles, California, USA, and is an American citizen, but by means of his father being born and raised in The Bahamas, he has an option to switch allegiance for basketball and play for the nation of his father’s birth. For that to happen, USA Basketball would have to release him, and FIBA would then approve the switch. Thompson played at the international level for Team USA, winning a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and another at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To be eligible to play for Team Bahamas, Thompson would have to follow a similar path as Gordon who played for the United States of America (USA) at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Gordon’s release was approved just hours before the pre-qualifiers in Argentina, and he went on to help The Bahamas win the gold medal in those pre-qualifiers. Thompson has already an interest in playing for The Bahamas, and now, it’s just up to USA Basketball to release him and for FIBA to approve the release.

Last month, The Bahamas recorded its biggest accomplishment ever in basketball, winning the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament behind the leadership of three NBA players – Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield of the Indiana Pacers and Ayton and Gordon of the Phoenix Suns. Kai Jones, of the Charlotte Hornets, is also committed to the program.

Now, they might secure their biggest pull to date – four-time NBA Champion and five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.

View Post

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, of The Bahamas, centre, crosses the finish line to win the women’s 400 metres final race during the World Athletics Diamond League meeting at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)

As of Friday, September 1, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It didn’t take Shaunae Miller-Uibo that long to get her legs back under her. In fact, in just her second international meet since having her baby boy on April 20, she said it’s all about getting ready to defend her women’s 400 metre title at the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#Falling short of advancing out of the first round with seventh in her heat at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where she made her global return, Miller-Uibo took the spotlight in the pre-race programme at the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League in Switzerland.

#Yesterday as she opened the meet at the Letzigrund Stadium, Miller-Uibo clocked 51.83 seconds to lower her season’s best of 52.65 she ran as a wild card entry in defending her title at the World Championships, holding off a field that had a pair of competitors from Switzerland trailing as Anna Fahr got second in 51.97 and Julia Niederberger got third in 52.11.

#“It has been a long season, and obviously it would have come in handy for this to be the start of it,” said Miller-Uibo, referring to her journey as a new mother, calling the birth of her son the greatest of blessings.

#“I just have to build for next season, and to get the body used to the shock again and be ready for next season.”

#While she continues to shock everybody with her quick return to competition, coming out of Budapest, the focus of attention for the Bahamas was on sprinter Anthonique Strachan and hurdler Devynne Charlton, who were the only two members of the 11-member team to get into the final.

#Strachan, who is having a breakout season at the senior level, duplicated her sixth-place finish at the World Championships in Zurich where she ran 22.65 in another hotly contested race that was won by her Jamaican training partner and world champion Shericka Jackson in 21.82.

#Great Britain’s Daryll Neita got second in 22.25 and American Kayla White was third in 22.33.

#Despite her position, Strachan stays in contention for a spot at the Diamond League Final as she’s in fifth place with 15 points with Jackson leading the pack with 24 in the 13-race series that got started in Doha, Qatar on May 5.

#Strachan, who celebrated her 30th birthday in Budapest, also contested the 100m in Zurich where she placed ninth in 11.39.

#American Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion, pulled off another victory in 10.88 with Jamaicans Natasha Morrison and Elaine Thompson-Herrah following in identical times of 11.00.

#Like the 200m, her specialty, Strachan is tied with two others for ninth place with 11 points in the qualifying standings for the Diamond League Final.

#Marie-Josée Ta Lou leads the field with 32 points with Jackson and Richardson in second and third with 26 and 24 points respectively. There are only two more events left and that is the Xiamen in China, which has replaced the Shenzhen, on September 2 and Brussels on September 8 before the finals is staged in Eugene, Oregon, September 16-17.

#Charlton, on the other hand, was eighth over her 10 flights of hurdles in 12.75. She was coming off her fourth place finish in 12.52, just outside of getting on the podium in Budapest and many wondered how well she would fear in such a short space of time.

#Jamaican world champion Danielle Williams weathered the storm, taking the tape in 12.54. American Alaysha Johnson got second in 12.58 as she held off her compatriot Kendra Harrison, the World Championship bronze medalist, who did 12.59.

#With her performance, Charlton is now in 12rth place in the standings with six points and is mathematically out of contention for a shot at the Diamond League final. American Nia Ali, who , leads with 25 points, just ahead of Johnson and world record holder Tobi Amusan, tied for second with 23. Harrison follows with 20, American Tia Jones is next with 19 and Puerto Rico’s World Championship silver medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Poland’s Pia Skrzskoska are next with 16.

#While she won’t be eligible for the Diamond League Final for the first time after her pregnancy denied her the opportunity to compete in any races, Miller-Uibo said she’s blessed to be back on the international scene and she’s just taking it easy as she prepare for next year.

#“I was looking forward to it,” said Miller-0Uibo about running in the pre-programme race. “We don’t want any big races right now. Just trying to get the feeling of running again.”

#With one more race left before she shut down her season, Miller-Uibo said she’s been happy with her performance and she’s trying to get back in shape and racing again. Hopefully it will all come together when she defend her title in Paris.

As of Friday, September 1, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING their appeal in early August for financial sponsors, the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF) still lacks adequate funding for travel expenses.

#The 14-member team is slated to compete at the 50th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Palm Beach, Aruba, in less than three weeks but have hit some obstacles in their preparations for the commute.

#Joel Stubbs, president of the BBWFF, talked about the issues they are faced with. “Honestly, we have not gotten the total amount that is needed because our total would have amounted to $25,000 when you consider uniforms, transportation, tickets for the entire team, and hotel rooms with two persons per room for the nights needed in Aruba, we fell short,” Stubbs said.

#According to him, the government has provided the federation with $17,000 to date but they are still short on the total amount needed to travel to the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.

#The president maintained that he does not want to downsize the team that is capable of bringing back hardware for The Bahamas.

#“We are still trying to solicit as best we can among the corporate world in The Bahamas to see if the possibilities are there for a few more dollars. Every little penny would count, we do not want to modify the team because every athlete would have sacrificially prepared themselves and have put in the necessary time and efforts,” he said.

#The federation has taken other measures to raise funding, including a fun run, walk but it did not prove to be as successful as hoped. However, the president said they would examine other measures in the future, including car washes, and possibly a boat cruise. “The financial dilemma we deal with each year is a sad place and position until the Ministry of Sports sees our sport as a core sport. I think until that time we will always be placed out of that scope,” the president said.

#With the funding that they have received so far the federation is trying to make the best of what they have allocated.

#“The monies that were given we are trying to see how best we can purchase tickets that are within a comfortable price. We are looking online and speaking to the travel agencies. We are trying to find a way and means of how we can best travel with the money that we have to get our team down to Aruba,” he said.

#The president is confident in the national team’s ability to represent The Bahamas well at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships and made his final appeal to corporate Bahamas ahead of September 21-25.

#“I would love to continue to make a financial appeal for persons interested that want to assist the federation in its team travel to Aruba this year and at least give these athletes the opportunity to represent The Bahamas,” he said.

#Individuals interested in sponsoring the 14-member team’s trip can contact 376-2121 or email bbff.242@gmail.com

Bodybuilding ‘challenges’ ahead of big CAC

As of Friday, September 1, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING their appeal in early August for financial sponsors, the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF) still lacks adequate funding for travel expenses.

#The 14-member team is slated to compete at the 50th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Palm Beach, Aruba, in less than three weeks but have hit some obstacles in their preparations for the commute.

#Joel Stubbs, president of the BBWFF, talked about the issues they are faced with. “Honestly, we have not gotten the total amount that is needed because our total would have amounted to $25,000 when you consider uniforms, transportation, tickets for the entire team, and hotel rooms with two persons per room for the nights needed in Aruba, we fell short,” Stubbs said.

#According to him, the government has provided the federation with $17,000 to date but they are still short on the total amount needed to travel to the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.

#The president maintained that he does not want to downsize the team that is capable of bringing back hardware for The Bahamas.

#“We are still trying to solicit as best we can among the corporate world in The Bahamas to see if the possibilities are there for a few more dollars. Every little penny would count, we do not want to modify the team because every athlete would have sacrificially prepared themselves and have put in the necessary time and efforts,” he said.

#The federation has taken other measures to raise funding, including a fun run, walk but it did not prove to be as successful as hoped. However, the president said they would examine other measures in the future, including car washes, and possibly a boat cruise. “The financial dilemma we deal with each year is a sad place and position until the Ministry of Sports sees our sport as a core sport. I think until that time we will always be placed out of that scope,” the president said.

#With the funding that they have received so far the federation is trying to make the best of what they have allocated.

#“The monies that were given we are trying to see how best we can purchase tickets that are within a comfortable price. We are looking online and speaking to the travel agencies. We are trying to find a way and means of how we can best travel with the money that we have to get our team down to Aruba,” he said.

#The president is confident in the national team’s ability to represent The Bahamas well at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships and made his final appeal to corporate Bahamas ahead of September 21-25.

#“I would love to continue to make a financial appeal for persons interested that want to assist the federation in its team travel to Aruba this year and at least give these athletes the opportunity to represent The Bahamas,” he said.

#Individuals interested in sponsoring the 14-member team’s trip can contact 376-2121 or email bbff.242@gmail.com

As of Friday, September 1, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH some unfinished business since moving up from first vice president to president during the middle of the past four-year term in office, Eugene Horton will be seeking another tenure at the helm of one of the country’s most fledgling sporting bodies.

#When the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s election of officers takes place on Saturday in the Ministry of Education’s conference room, Horton will be running against the challenge of Grand Bahama’s Quentin ‘Three Ounce’ Hall, a former national team player turned coach.

#The elections will take place during the annual general meeting that will start at 10am.

#“We have a lot of unfinished business, things that we need to do,” Horton said. “One of the things I would like to do before I leave is to develop the Family Island programme, which we started to work on since taking office,” Horton said. “We have some partners who are eager to assist us with that.

#“I would also like to see the establishment of the national team coaches’ selection. The only one I probably would not interfere with is the national men’s team because of the position that they are in right now. You don’t want to interrupt the chemistry that they have developed.”

#Horton, a former president of the New Providence Basketball Association, began his tenure in the federation as the public relations officer under the presidency of Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins.

#He then served as the first vice president under immediate past president Mario Bowleg, who demitted office when he became the new Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture after the Bahamas general elections in 2021.

#After taking over from Bowleg, Horton said he’s seen some improvement, especially with the men’s national basketball team which, earlier this month, qualified for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July in the hopes of advancing to the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#Horton will be running a slate of officers that includes men’s national team assistant coach Moses Johnson as first vice president; rules interpreter Freddie Brown as second vice president; Andros’ Brian Cleare as third vice president; LaToya Silver as secretary general with Natasha Miller as her assistant and Simone Beneby as treasurer.

#“Most of the people on the slate have been in the executive role in the past,” Horton said. “We have a good slate and so we will just be continuing what we started.

#“Hopefully on Saturday, the delegates will give us another chance to continue what we started. We will see how it goes, one way or the other. We have a challenge from Quentin Hall and a slate of officers, but we feel confident that we will be returned to office.”

#Although nominations have already been closed, Horton said the BBF will be able to entertain any nominations from the floor, but it will have to be voted on by the delegates.

#Other than that, it will come down to a two-way slate for each position.

#“One thing I don’t do is politics, so I just hope that at the end of the day, whoever is elected is elected to serve for the good of basketball,” Horton said.

#“We have presented our case to the delegates, so hopefully they will give us the mandate to serve for the next four years.”

#According to Horton, the achievements of the federation during this electoral tenure should be commended because they were put on a good footing towards future success.

#He highlighted a summary of the BBF executive team effort expressed in the achievements and the challenges that the team undertook over the review period that encompasses the past two fiscal years ending 2022/2023. Within the context of facing the unprecedented world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, the BBF has soldiered on in pursuit of rebound-focused key strategic goals.

#Establish Standardised Fee Structures and Negotiating Guidelines

#• We are happy to have established a standardised sanctioning fee structure that was communicated widely to local and foreign agencies and also is posted to the federation website.

#• The federation has successfully negotiated a new 3-year agreement with The Atlantis Paradise Island Battle 4 Atlantis who has proven themselves to be what we regard as one of our key strategic partners.

#Established local and international donation/ sponsorship capabilities

#• We shepherded a landmark achievement in establishing a tax efficient federation affiliated 501(C)3 organisation. This has put the BBF on a new track that has addressed a longstanding need to attract US-based funding.

#• Based on successes of our national team programme we have created standard proposal packages to offer to local businesses/ agencies detailing the benefits of their support and the cost for the same. Through these negotiations we have been able to foster continuing business relationships with Island Luck, SuperClub Breezes, Oak Tree and Superior.

#Family Island Support

#• We have been proactive in our efforts to effectively maintain contact with each of the Family Island Association presidencies.

#• We are actively negotiating with agents and teams participating in our annual Summer of Thunder tournament to bring necessary support to developing our family island facilities, equipment and uniforms.

#• The federation, in our constant pursuit to partner with reputable key strategic partners, we are happy to have finalised an agreement with BD Global Sports Agency in bringing that all important international component in the promotion of our beloved sport of basketball.

#Training and Technical Support

#• The federation is proud of the fact that we successfully held officials and table technician training throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

#• The federation has been successful in ensuring representation at FIBA meetings.

#National Team Programmes

#• The federation is heartened by the fact that we have successfully established both a blue-ribbon national team selection committee and a streamlined application process

#• During 2022, despite the ever-present financial challenges, the federation was successful in sending four national teams to participate in FIBA regional and Central and South American competitions. This included the following:

#The Under 15 male National Team,

#The Under 15 female National Team

#The Sr. Women National Team

#The Senior Men National Team

#• The above teams participated in FIBA events, that saw our senior men assembled which is arguably the strongest team ever to date, that includes four NBA players. We are thankful to these players for their service and their sense of national pride exhibited in the face of unmentioned personal and professional self-sacrifice for the common goal of maintaining The Bahamas’ banner waving high.

#• In our efforts to, as much as possible, promote our country and to feed our number one economic industry of tourism, the federation has successfully hosted four FIBA Americas tournament games here in Bahamas.

#Federation Social and Government Responsibilities

#• The federation is pleased to have successfully participated in the commemoration of The Bahamas 50th Anniversary of Independence in working with our key strategic partner, the Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture in the organisation of the Bahamas Games.

#• Render support to the baseball federation, assisting in the set-up and online ticketing platform for their recent international tourney in Nassau. Additionally, we have assisted in providing them with a fee structure and guidelines to operate by as they venture into sports tourism.

#Challenges

#• The economic hardship that persists, and that unavoidably is endemic in The Bahamas archipelagic structure.

#• In the face of ever competing sports interest for funding, there exists an acute lack of adequate funding sources.

#• The new FIBA home and away tournament format has proven cost prohibitive, where the cost of the senior men’s national team averaged in excess of $80,000 per trip.

#• The federation, like so many others, had been faced with the inevitable challenging sustained economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

#The above factors present limited the BBF’s ability to do more in basketball promotion and programming.

#Future Initiatives will include:

#• Continue strengthening BBF capacity through focused training modules targeting the following:

#• Statisticians’ Training

#• Referees’ Training at various levels.

#• Coaches training.

#• FIBA-based executive training

#• Continue to enhance our ongoing fiscal management improvement capabilities through key officer certifications and training.

#• Continue to provide clean audited financial statements of the federation to The Registrar General Department and to other requisite authorities.

#• Publish our audited financial statements on our website.

#• Implement an executive shadowing initiative to promote stronger future capacity in leadership building.

#• Promote the building of more Family Island facilities.

#• Hold more FIBA technical multi-island workshops.

#• Develop a robust youth development programme.

#• Promote the development of 3-on-3 basketball tournaments.

#• Pursue multi-jurisdictional networking as strategy to engender greater revenue streams through institutional advancement initiatives.

Four Walls coaches head delegation to regional competition

TEAMS from the various countries line up with their flags during the opening ceremony of Caribbean Area Squash Association Senior Squash Championships on August 26 in the Cayman Islands.

As of Friday, September 1, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Photo Gallery

Squash Championships

#THE Bahamas fielded a three-man delegation to compete in the recent Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Squash Championships, which ended on August 26 in the Cayman Islands.

#Four Walls Squash & Social Club coaches Father Scott Jupp and Troy Rahming headed the delegation that competed in the singles and team competitions. Teenage player Luque Lockhart, a Bahamian college school student in Canada, rounded out the team.

#“The fellowship and camaraderie with the other countries and team players was wonderful. Other countries were elated by our return. “It felt as if we hadn’t left at all, especially connecting with familiar faces. We met new friends. We established new relationships. Strengthened old relationships,” said Coach Jupp, a former Bahamian junior champion who last competed in CASA 19 years ago, also in the Cayman Islands.

#He said his return as a senior was a moving experience. The Bahamas’ participation was made possible because of recent efforts to reestablish The Bahamas Squash Association, the representative body for the sport.

#A group of local players formed a committee to get the association back on its feet and plan to coordinate elections early next year to formalise the body. Coach Jupp is the acting vice chair and spokesperson for the group. Coach Rahming is the acting president of the committee. The group held a successful fundraising initiative at Four Walls prior to the tournament and received donations from the community to make the trip possible.

#“The entire Four Walls community salutes Team Bahamas for representing The Bahamas so graciously and igniting community enthusiasm. We took over the historic squash club with an aim to revive the sport, and we’re extremely proud to see squash growing once again. The return to international competition will create new opportunities for recreational players, and young people entering the sport,” said Noelle Nicolls, Four Walls managing director.

#“With the momentum generated, we expect to field an even bigger team next year. Granted, for the next few years, our prospects will be the strongest in the veteran’s category, but we will be a force to reckon with nonetheless,” said Nicolls. Team Guyana walked away with the team trophy along with several singles titles.

#Four Walls continues to be the premier squash club in The Bahamas, offering weekly adult coaching classes for recreational players.

#The facility has three professional squash courts, a clubhouse lounge, bar and restaurant, and is open to the public for lunch and dinner. It also hosts private squash fun days for individuals and private groups to experience a new form of wellness and fun competition. It joins the Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club as the two primary spots to affordably play squash in The Bahamas.

Home|Sports|Mingoes women’s volleyball gains valuable experienceSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 1, 2023 2 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

HIALEAH, Florida – The University of The Bahamas women’s volleyball team lost both matches over the weekend to Florida National University Conquistadors but head coach Raymond Wilson said the team not only improved over the weekend but also gained valuable experience heading into the season.

The Mingoes lost the first match Thursday 25-10, 25-12, 25-8 and lost the second match Saturday 25-12, 25-15, 25-9. These were the first matches of the season for the team.

In the first match the team was still a bit rusty in the backcourt with returns and it showed in the score.

The team made improvements in the second match and lead the first set of the second match 10-5 at one point. The Conquistadors bounced back and were able to score 10 straight points on the Mingoes to go up 15-10. The Conquistadors went on to win 25-12 in that set. The Mingoes went up 5-1 early in the second set but could not sustain the attack and fell 25-15. The Mingoes never had the lead in the third set.

Head coach Raymond Wilson said he was very satisfied with the improvement of the team over the two matches.

“We did not win but our goal was for the team to improve,” he said, “but if we had gotten the win we would have taken it.”

He added that he team did exactly what they set out to do –improve.

“We accomplished what we came here to do and that was to grow and improve as a team and if we continue along this pathway the team will be very successful in upcoming games and the league.”

Looking forward to the upcoming season, Wilson said the team is showing great promise.

“If our team performs at this level consistently I am looking for us to do very well in the league,” he said. “It is a very good team even though we have a couple of players who weren’t with us over the weekend and when they come back we are looking for good things and good representation.”

The Mingoes next play The Millennia Atlantic University Macaws September 8-9, 2023 in Doral, Florida.

JUMPLINE:

H

IALEAH, Florida – The University of The Bahamas women’s volleyball team lost both matches over the weekend to Florida National University Conquistadors but head coach Raymond Wilson said the team not only improved over the weekend but also gained valuable experience heading into the season.

The Mingoes lost the first match Thursday 25-10, 25-12, 25-8 and lost the second match Saturday 25-12, 25-15, 25-9. These were the first matches of the season for the team.

In the first match the team was still a bit rusty in the backcourt with returns and it showed in the score.

The team made improvements in the second match and lead the first set of the second match 10-5 at one point. The Conquistadors bounced back and were able to score 10 straight points on the Mingoes to go up 15-10. The Conquistadors went on to win 25-12 in that set. The Mingoes went up 5-1 early in the second set but could not sustain the attack and fell 25-15. The Mingoes never had the lead in the third set.

Head coach Raymond Wilson said he was very satisfied with the improvement of the team over the two matches.

“We did not win but our goal was for the team to improve,” he said, “but if we had gotten the win we would have taken it.”

He added that he team did exactly what they set out to do –improve.

“We accomplished what we came here to do and that was to grow and improve as a team and if we continue along this pathway the team will be very successful in upcoming games and the league.”

Looking forward to the upcoming season, Wilson said the team is showing great promise.

“If our team performs at this level consistently I am looking for us to do very well in the league,” he said. “It is a very good team even though we have a couple of players who weren’t with us over the weekend and when they come back we are looking for good things and good representation.”

The Mingoes next play The Millennia Atlantic University Macaws September 8-9, 2023 in Doral, Florida.

: Top athletes set to compete today in Zurich, Switzerland

Devynne Charlton and Anthonique Strachan at the World Athletics Championships. (AP photos)

As of Thursday, August 31, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Following their respective stints in the finals of the sprints and hurdles at the 19th World Athletics Championships, Bahamians Anthonique Strachan and Devynne Charlton are expected to compete at the Zurich Diamond League meet in Switzerland today.

#After wrapping up their Budapest, Hungary, experience with fourth (Charlton) and sixth-place finishes, both ladies will look to earn a spot in the Diamond League Final scheduled for September 16-17.

#Charlton, who was one position shy of a podium spot at the World Championships, will step on the track against familiar competitors today in the women’s 100-metres (m) hurdles.

#Her competitors will include the newly-crowned world champion Danielle Williams, second place finisher at the World Championships Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, former world record holder Kendra Harrison, the United States of America’s (USA) Nia Ali, Alaysha Johnson and Tia Jones.

#Additionally, the event will include Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska.

#At the culmination of last week’s World Championships, Charlton got off to a strong start in the hurdles finals but stopped the clock at 12.52 seconds for fourth position.

#She was one of two members from Team Bahamas to actually advance and compete in the finals at the World Championships.

#After notching a new national record with the time of 12.44 seconds and coming in one position behind of a medal at the previous track meet, the 27-year-old will mean business in her quest to advance to the Diamond League Final.

#Strachan, who is having one of her best track seasons to date, will also be in action at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, for the women’s 200m sprint event today.

#The sprinter ended her World Championships experience with a sixth place finish in her first global final.

#The 30-year-old will return to the track to run against two-time world champion Shericka Jackson, Great Britain’s Daryll Neita and the USA’s Gabby Thomas, Twanisha Terry, Brittany Brown, Tamara Clark and Kayla White.

#Strachan is slated to compete today at 4:04pm. Meanwhile, Charlton will be on the track at 4:33pm in Switzerland. The event will be streamed on the Peacock and NBC Network.

#The 2023 Zurich Diamond League in Switzerland will be followed by the Diamond League Xiamen in China on September 2.

#The next Diamond League Meet will continue in Brussels, Belgium, on September 8.

#And the Diamond League Final will be the last stop in Eugene, Oregon (USA) September 16-17. The Diamond League meets began in May this year.

Jazz Chisholm Jr, centre, chats with Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng, right, and Marlins president of business operations Caroline O’Connor, left.

As of Thursday, August 31, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN Major League Baseball (MLB) star Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr officially launched his foundation earlier this month and had its launch event, a charity fashion show, this past Monday.

#The Jazz Chisholm Foundation was finally announced after two years of planning and aims to help the youth – in need – from The Bahamas and Florida.

#The foundation will also coincide with the launch of the Jazz Chisholm Foundation Little League in New Providence, Bahamas on September 23.

#The Little League in Chisholm Jr’s hometown will be recruiting 150 boys and girls from both baseball and softball to be a part of the inaugural team.

#The team members will also be afforded the opportunity to not only adopt the fundamentals of both sports, but also participate in games around the island.

#The Miami Marlins’ centre fielder will provide participants with uniforms, backpacks and equipment at no cost in efforts to help the youth of the future.

#Chisholm Jr shared the mission of his foundation in an Instagram post on the launch day of his newest philanthropic project.

#“The mission of the Jazz Chisholm Foundation is to provide meaningful opportunities and foster the well-being of young athletes and their families from high need communities in Florida and The Bahamas,” he wrote.

#With the newest foundation directed not only towards baseball initiatives but also the community, Chisholm Jr is hoping to bring joy to the youth while alleviating their hardships.

#“Our focus [is] providing equipment and resources to youth baseball and softball leagues, incorporating financial literacy education into various programming activities, [and] supporting mission-aligned nonprofit organizations,” the MLB star wrote. Although baseball and softball are the main focuses with the foundation in its beginning phase, Chisholm plans to partner with National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Football League (NFL) players to make it a collaborative effort.

#Chisholm’s little league registration is now available to youth between ages 5-14. Registration is free and the deadline to apply is Friday, September 8.

#The little league coaches are Richard Bain, Javardo Bain, Stephen Beneby, Javier Bowe, Mandell Curry, Stephen Curtis, Pedro Dean, Etienne Farquharson, Lionel Ferguson, Dave Forbes, Dvaughn Knowles, Jervis Miller, Lincoln Rolle, Castino Sands, Frantz Watkins, and D’Vaughn Wong. Meanwhile, the girls softball coaches are Shane Albury, Beneby, and Dachye Stubbs.

#For individuals interested in being apart of the inaugural team the registration link can be found at www.jazzchisholmfoundation.org

#The 25-year-old is no stranger to charitable efforts as he is often involved in hosting baseball clinics or assisting with International Elite Sports Academy. Additionally, Chisholm was involved in the relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

#The Bahamian MLB star is committed to giving back to the youth of the future.