Home|Sports|Strachan appoints Knowles as boxing association presidentSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailNovember 15, 2022 178 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In a state of inactivity for many years, the Bahamas Boxing Federation (BBF) is looking to reactivate the New Providence Boxing Association to assist with the development of the sport of boxing here in the capital.

Also, it has been reported that there is unrest among some of the local clubs. BBF President Vincent Strachan is optimistic that the revitalization of the New Providence Boxing Association will help to alleviate some, if not all, of the issues. 

The New Providence Boxing Association itself has been dormant for a few years. Strachan has appointed former local standout boxer Valentino Knowles as the new president of the body, and Knowles will put together a team of officers who he feels comfortable working with.

Knowles said he grateful for the appointment and he will be looking to bring unity to the sport of boxing in New Providence.

“I am very grateful,” he said. “Thanks to the former president Wellington Miller who has always been like a father figure to me in and out of the sport. I also want to say thanks to president Strachan for the appointment. I give thanks to the Most High for this opportunity and for them believing in me. We’re at the ground level now but we will get things moving in the right direction. We have to start in the communities and get boxing to the point where it is one of the more productive sports here in New Providence.”

Knowles, 34, has won medals at almost every level as an amateur fighter for The Bahamas. He is a former CARIFTA gold medalist; he won a gold at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a silver at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

Knowles also represented The Bahamas at the 2009 AIBA (International Boxing Association) World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy, and the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was also on the doorstep of qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.

Knowles fought two professional bouts in 2013, winning both. He defeated American Ruben Ozuna and Mexican Alejandro Ochoa, but his career was cut short after being shot multiple times in 2014. Knowles said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve and is looking to get more and more youngsters involved in the sport of boxing.

“Right now, the goal is to revitalize the sport and settle the controversies that are ongoing between the clubs,” said Knowles. “Boxing will never rise as long as negative feelings exist toward each other. We can’t win if we’re not right within. We intend to adhere to the needs of the New Providence boxing community and ensure the boxers are at the forefront. There must be constant communication between the federation and the association and we must be in line with international standards.”

BBF President Strachan implied that mediator was needed between the federation and the clubs in New Providence. He said he is thrilled to have Knowles on board as an administrator in local boxing.

“It became necessary to appoint an executive team to take the association to another level,” said Strachan. “This will be the flagship association for all associations in the country. Valentino is the new president, on an interim basis for one year, and I’m looking for great things from him. He is very enthusiastic and energetic and I’m delighted to appoint him as the president of the New Providence Boxing Association.”

The New Providence Boxing Association will function as a member of the Bahamas Boxing Federation and will have jurisdiction over the local boxing clubs on New Providence.

 Home|Sports|BBF looking to send 10-member team to boxing tournamentSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailNovember 15, 2022 184 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In a last-ditch effort to send a local boxing team to the Sugar Bert Boxing WBC (World Boxing Council) Tournament Series, the Bahamas Boxing Federation (BBF) is appealing for funds from corporate Bahamas, or the general public, to make the trip a reality.

The federation is looking to send a 10-member team to the tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, this weekend. The three-day event, the fifth Sugar Bert Boxing show for the year, will be held November 17-20 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center Celebration Area.

Set to represent The 

Bahamas are veteran boxer Carl Hield (middleweight), Tyrone Humes (heavyweight), Keianno Cox (featherweight), 11-year-old Milton Newbold (strawweight), Clarence Hepburn (heavyweight), Christian Thompson (junior middleweight), Elijah Smith, Keianno Green (super heavyweight) Maliko Davis (lightweight) and Anniah Powell (welterweight).

The head coach of the team is former local standout boxer Valentino Knowles who has just been appointed president of the revived New Providence Boxing Association, and he will be assisted by Jermaine Gibson out of Freeport, Grand Bahama. Knowles is also the National Boxing Coach.

“We initially started out with a 25-member team but that had to be reduced to 10, and might get cut further, depending on finances,” said BBF President Vincent Strachan yesterday. “It is a strong team. We have boxers from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Inagua. It is indeed a pleasure to be back at this tournament following a two-year disruption, due to COVID. This tournament is one that we have always participated in and it is a good tune-up for the Caribbean Boxing Championships which will be held in December. We are indeed happy to be a supporter of this major boxing event. Most of the boxers are new, but I am very confident that they will do well and bring back medals for their country.”

As Strachan mentioned, the tournament has been canceled in each of the last two years because of the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open to all levels, beginners to elite, and will feature boxers from as young as nine years old. Strachan said it is a development tournament for all levels.

“We’re appealing to corporate Bahamas for assistance, and we look forward to the support to ensure that these boxers have an opportunity to represent The Bahamas and make this country proud,” said Strachan.

The team is set to leave for Central Florida on Wednesday. Persons wishing to make a donation can do so to the Bahamas Boxing Federation’s account at Commonwealth Bank. Otherwise, they can contact Strachan at telephone number (242) 426-1113 or contact the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s (BOC) office.

Knowles said the team is a skillful one and he is hopeful that they will get an opportunity to compete.

“When you look at young Milton Newbold, his superior level of boxing has propelled him to have a position on this team. He trains hard and is very skillful in the sport of boxing at such a young age. Keianno (Cox) is well-trained and prepared and Tyrone is undefeated through two fights. He will be competing as a novice in Kissimmee. I am confident in the entire team,” said Knowles.

“We intend to be very productive, hopefully bring back some gold medals. For the most part, these guys are just getting their feet wet. This is a part of their development process, so we’re just looking for them to do their best.”

Newbold, who trains at the Aftershock Boxing Club, said he is looking to do his best and represent his family and his country well. He said he gets up at 4 a.m. every day to train. 

Cox, who lives on Inagua, said he enjoys the sport and is also looking to represent his family and country well. The 18-year-old said he has been training every day in preparation for this boxing event in Kissimmee, jogging, doing push-ups and sit-ups, and going to the gym on a regular basis. He said he is grateful to his family and coaches for their support.

Humes, 20, trains with the Aftershock Boxing Club right here on New Providence. He said he is looking to win a gold medal and thanked his coaches and parents for always believing in him.

“I train like two times per day, doing morning runs and push-ups, sit-ups, sparring and just hitting the bag. I also train at the UB (University of The Bahamas) gym, lifting weights, so it’s really like about three times per day,” said Humes.

“I feel like I’m ready for this event. I feel sharp and I’m ready to go.”

As for the Caribbean Boxing Championships, that event is set for December 10-18 in Dominica.

 Home|Sports|Strachan to hold one-day javelin campSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailNovember 15, 2022 287 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Keyshawn Strachan, already one of the more accomplished javelin throwers in Bahamian track and field history, is looking to give back in the sport in his hometown of North Andros here in The Bahamas.

At just 18, Strachan is the junior and senior national record holder in the men’s javelin and is listed among the best junior throwers in the world. Not only that, but his personal best effort of 79.89 meters (m) – 262’ 1” – has him listed among the best throwers in the history of the javelin on the junior side. He is number 23 on the all-time list, and still has a full year of junior age eligibility. He is number two among junior throwers on the top performance list for 2022.

The Bahamian phenom has won medals at every level of athletics on the junior side, and now is prepared to teach other youngsters what he has learned in the sport that has catapulted him among the world’s best junior throwers.

Strachan will stage a one-day javelin camp on Saturday, November 26 at the Carl Oliver Track at Huntley P. Christie High School in Nicholl’s Town, North Andros.

“This feels great – to be able to give back to the community of North Andros and help youngsters like how I received help is a good feeling,” said Strachan.

“Hopefully, there is a good turnout and we are able to discover some hidden talent. This is something that I wanted to do for a while. To be able to host the camp brings joy to me as a young man. The students could learn a lot from this.”

Strachan hails from Lowe Sound, North Andros, and moved to New Providence in 2018 to attend high school. He graduated from St. John’s College and received a full four-year scholarship to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, USA.

In addition to being The Bahamas’ junior and senior national record holder in the men’s javelin, Strachan is also the record holder in the under-17 and under-20 boys divisions at the CARIFTA Games. He is a multi-gold medalist at CARIFTA, a gold medalist at the Penn Relays in the High School Boys Division and he also has a gold and silver from the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships.

Strachan competed at the last two World Athletics Under-20 Championships, culminated by a bronze medal performance in Cali, Colombia, this year. He is looking for the javelin clinic to be an annual event.

“I feel great having this opportunity. We’re looking for the kids to take advantage of this opportunity and just come out and have fun,” said Strachan. “Hopefully, we could get more throwers in the country to excel internationally. There is a lot of talent in the islands. I am a product of that. I just want the young athletes to come out and enjoy 

themselves and, hopefully, we could produce more word-class throwers.”

Strachan said he is anticipating about 85-100 campers in North Andros. The inaugural one-day camp will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, and it is being billed as a “great opportunity to learn from The Bahamas’ best ever junior thrower in the men’s javelin”.

The camp is free for all and lunch will be provided. Awards and prizes will also be given out.

Sponsors are welcomed to come on board as Strachan gives back to the sport and the community.

BAHAMAS NEWS

July 12, 2019 – by Oswald Brown, EditorSHARETWEETSHARE

MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State Athletics will see new leadership of its men’s and women’s track & field programs for the first time in program history as four-time Olympic medalist Chris “Fireman” Brown will assume those duties with long-time head coach Mike Mead being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Alumni Engagement announced Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher on Thursday, July 11. Mead will remain head coach for both cross country programs.

“We couldn’t have asked for two better individuals to promote into new positions,” said Erlacher. “Coach Mead has been a tremendous asset to our program for a number of years and having him involved on the administrative side will make our department better. He is a class act and will help us move the needle in a number of areas.”

“With Coach Brown’s background and experience, he too will make significant strides forward for our programs. He has an exciting vision for our track and field programs and I have no doubt he will do an exceptional job. Our student-athletes, campus community, and alumni will all benefit greatly from these promotions.”

Brown, who joined the program as an assistant coach prior to this past season, brings instant credibility to a program that has seen success at the national level throughout its 22 years under Mead’s leadership. A native of the Bahamas, “Fireman” as he is known has been a fixture on the international stage since the age of 20 when he competed in the first of five consecutive Olympic Games. https://claytonstatesports.com/news/2019/7/11/mens-cross-country-clayton-state-promotes-four-time-olympic-medalist-chris-fireman-brown-to-head-track-field-coach-mike-mead-to-assistant-ad.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1JC39HahGUGj59vup4t_nsXpBF823HyKOQZlRjbNYefNL8gEzGIlYt2dQ

Posted: Mar 13, 2019 https://www.facebook.com/v2.6/plugins/like.php?action=like&app_id=172525162793917&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df69466780650c8%26domain%3Dwww.gobluewave.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gobluewave.com%252Ffc6b4bf0b0cbc4%26relation%3Dparent.parent&container_width=0&font=arial&height=25&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobluewave.com%2Fsports%2Fwvball%2F2018-19%2Freleases%2F20190313o8n6gi&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&send=false&share=false&show_faces=false&width=90https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.644279d1635fd969e87af94a98bd232b.en.html#dnt=false&id=twitter-widget-0&lang=en&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobluewave.com%2Fsports%2Fwvball%2F2018-19%2Freleases%2F20190313o8n6gi&size=m&text=FSCJ%20BlueWave%20announces%20Edric%20Poitier%20as%20new%20volleyball%20coach&time=1668228801089&type=share&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobluewave.com%2Fsports%2Fwvball%2F2018-19%2Freleases%2F20190313o8n6gi

Florida State College at Jacksonville Athletics announces the hiring of Edric Poitier as the Head Volleyball Coach for the BlueWave.  “I’m confident Coach Poitier will continue to grow on the success of FSCJ Volleyball.  He has a commitment to building programs that are strong and connections to recruiting high caliber players that can lead our program to the next level”, said Athletic Director Ginny Alexander.

Poitier has 14 years of head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and Division II level.  He garnered three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year awards, four consecutive CIAA Championship and three NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional appearances. 

Poitier has most recently been at NCAA DI Savannah State University as the head volleyball coach for the last three seasons.  Prior to Savannah State University, Poitier was at Bluefield State College rebuilding a program that had gone 6-113 in the five seasons to a 21-7 record by 2015.  Poitier also spent three seasons at Winston-Salem State University from 2010-12 and posted a 43-51 record.  

He is known for rebuilding programs as he started his head coach career with St. Augustine’s College (now St. Augustine University) and went 113-34 in five seasons at the helm.  In his first season, he went 14-13 overall, including going 14-6 in conference play.  The next four seasons, Poitier record 20-plus win and a conference championship in each season. In year two, Poitier went 23-6, including a 19-2 mark in conference play and won the conference and was named the CIAA Coach of the Year and followed up with a 22-7 overall record, including a perfect 21-0 conference record and won the CIAA Championship for the second consecutive season and lost in the first round of the NCAA Regionals. Poitier went 29-3 overall and 21-0 in conference play and won the CIAA Championship for the third consecutive season and advanced the second round of the NCAA Regionals and went 25-5 overall and 21-0 in league play with a conference championship and was named Coach of the Year in his final season.  He is still the only CIAA coach to ever win an NCAA Tournament First Round match. St. Augustine’s went on a 77-game conference win streak over the last four-plus seasons.  

The Nassau, Bahamas native coached the Bahamas National Women’s Team for nine years from 1992-99 and led the team to two gold medals and three silver medals at the Regional Caribbean Volleyball Championships and was the assistant coach from 1989-92.  Poitier played on the Bahamas Men’s National Team as a setter for 13 years from 1979-92 and won the bronze medal at Commonwealth Volleyball Championship in London in 1981. Poitier took a break in 2004 and left St. Augustine to work in his homeland in the Bahamas as a police officer while coaching two club teams in five years before returning to coach college in 2010. Poitier graduated from St. Augustine’s College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.  

“I would like to thank Athletic Director Ginny Alexander and the volleyball search committee for selecting me and having the confidence in me to take over and lead this program. I’m very excited about the opportunity to continue to build on the success that FSCJ Volleyball has had in the past and look forward to the opportunity to take them to the next level.  My goal is to establish FSCJ as a national powerhouse in NJCAA volleyball.” 

Bahamian collegiate track coaches (l-r) Lonnie Greene, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Derrick Atkins and Norbert Elliott.

As of Tuesday, December 24, 2019

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#By virtue of securing the bronze medal at the FIBA Under-27 Centro Basket Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Grand Bahamian Quintin “Three Ounce” Hall was selected as The Tribune’s Coach of the Year.

#The Bahamas earned the third place with an 85-83 victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, July 28 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente Arena and in the process, qualified for the first time for the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championships in 2020.

#“It’s very beautiful when everything comes together,” Hall said. “When something like this happens, it isn’t possible without all the work, all the commitment of a lot of coaches that I’ve been around and have been a part of this process. I don’t want to leave them out, because this has been a struggle.”

#This year’s candidates’ list of honourees included Bahamas water polo head coach Laszlo Borbely, swim coach Travano McPhee, track coaches Ronald Cartwright and James Rolle and tennis coach Marvin Rolle, who all excelled on the international scene with the national team.

Bahamas head coach Quintin Hall gives some instructions to forward Isaiah Braynen.

#Internationally, recognition must also be given to collegian track coaches Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene, Norbert Elliott, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Derrick Atkins and Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown, volleyball coach Edric Poitier and basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCunn, who are all making headlines at their respective universities with a few Bahamian athletes on their rosters.

#Hall, a former point guard for the men’s national basketball team, credited a lot of the team’s success to his coaching staff that included Kevin Clarke, Mark Hanna and Denykco Bowles.

#The team was led by 17-year-old Deyton Albury, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.0 assists and 3.4 steals per game, along with Malik Joseph with 11.4 rebounds per game.

#As a result of the international prominence, Hall beat out a couple of basketball coaches who made their presence felt on the local scene.

#Heading the list was Bowles, who guided his Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins’ senior boys team to both the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association and the coveted Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic titles.

#And the father-son tandem of Perry Thompson Sr and Jr combined their expertise to take the Commonwealth Bank Giants through a perfect season in winning both the New Providence Basketball Association and the Bahamas Basketball Federation men’s championship crowns.

#Job well done!

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/dec/24/hall-our-coach-of-the-year/

SportsJuly 31, 2021July 31, 2021 at 11:11 am Eyewitness News

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Kai Jones.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday acknowledged several Bahamian athletes competing on the international stage.

In a statement, the prime minister said: “It was a moment of great pride for the country last night when Kai Jones was drafted 19th overall in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. He will play for the Charlotte Hornets.

“This young man has put in the hard work to make his NBA dream come true. He is a model for other young people in our country. With focus, dedication and tenacity Bahamians can succeed at any task they apply themselves to on the world’s stage.

“Kai is joining a league in which another son of the soil just recently made us proud by reaching the NBA Finals. Deandre Ayton was the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He is one of the leaders of the Phoenix Suns. He helped take his team close to a championship this year, with the Suns narrowly losing to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“Deandre is a rising talent in the league, and I am sure he will have many other finals appearances in his great career.”

Minnis said Bahamian athletes are “also shining in Tokyo, Japan, at the Olympics”.

“I congratulate Joanna Evans and Izaak Bastian, who completed their events in the swimming competition. They fought hard to proudly represent our country,” he said.

“As our athletes begin the track and field competition, I wish each competitor good luck.

“Our nation is watching and cheering for you from afar. We are holding you in our hearts and in our prayers.

“In this difficult pandemic time, all these young Bahamians from these various sporting disciplines are giving our country a sense of hope and renewed pride.

“It is the pride of a nation small in size but large in world-class talents in myriad areas from athletics to the arts and other fields of endeavor. The world continues to ‘mark the manner of our bearing.’”

 Home|Sports|BBF names roster for FIBA World Cup Americas qualifiersSports

Team is without NBA players Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield and Kai Jones

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 11, 2022 112 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Basketball Federation named its 11-man squad for the upcoming window in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers (WCQ). The first game in this window will see them play against Panama tonight at 8 p.m. at Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The final roster includes Eugene Bain, Jaron Cornish, Godfrey Rolle, Kemsey Sylvestre, L.J. Munnings, Abel Joseph, J.R. Cadot, Dwight Coleby, Kadeem Coleby, David Nesbitt and Kino Burrows.

The players in this window are no strangers to playing for the senior national team at some point in the past. Kadeem Coleby is the only player returning from the window in August.

The Bahamas is without National Basketball Association (NBA) players Indiana Pacers guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield and the Charlotte Hornets center/forward Kai Jones. They are also without head coach Chris Demarco on the bench, who is with the Golden State Warriors coaching staff. All three are in their season and will be unavailable to travel for these two games.

The team will also play without National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I players Franco Miller Jr. and Garvin Clarke Jr., who were a part of the previous squad. Their season got underway this past Monday.

This game will be a part of a four-game schedule night in the FIBA Americas WCQ. This is also the third window of the second round. The Bahamas will play Argentina on Sunday, November 13 at the same venue. That game will start at 7.15 p.m.

The team is looking to be the first from The Bahamas to qualify in a team sport for a global competition, since softball teams did it in the 1980s, they have to finish strong in these final four games of the qualifiers without the services of Hield, Jones and other professional players in Europe. It will be an uphill battle but the players that will be available for this window should be able to still compete at a high level.

The last time the team played was back on Monday, August 29 against Argentina, the number seven ranked team in the world at that time. A second half meltdown saw Argentina taking down The Bahamas 95-77 at the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Jones led The Bahamas with 16 points and six rebounds while Clarke had 12 points and four steals. Hield finished with 10 points and seven boards.

In the previous game against Venezuela her in New Providence on August 25, The Bahamas let the game slip away in the fourth quarter and lost 86-81 in a standing room only Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium. Jones led the team in points again with 20 points while Hield finished with 19 points. Mychel Thompson finished with 12 points.

The final window of qualifiers is set for February 24 and 27, 2023 – also during the NBA season. The qualifiers will determine the seven teams that will participate at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, as the top three teams in each group and the best fourth-place team will qualify.

In the final round of qualifiers, The Bahamas will play Venezuela and Panama away.

Tickets for the two home games this weekend can be purchased at https://happsnow.com/event/bahamas-basketball-federation.

 Home|Sports|Bahamas water polo to compete at CARIFTA this weekendSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 11, 2022 136 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Three Bahamas’ national water polo teams are in Coral, Springs Florida to compete in the CARIFTA Water Polo Regional Champion Championships 2022, and will be looking to bring home the gold medal. Competition gets underway today and wraps up with the gold medal matches set for Sunday, November 13 at the Coral Springs Aquatics Center.

The Bahamas will be competing in the 14-and-under co-ed, 16-and-under and 19-and-under boys division.

Head coach for the teams, László ‘Coach Lotty’ Borbely, is happy to get his teams back competing after not competing in CARIFTA since 2019.

“It is very nice to get back to CARIFTA after being absent for two years,” Borbely said. “What is very unique in this CARIFTA is that it is not kept at the same location or time as the swimming CARIFTA. It is held in south Florida instead. It is not just the Caribbean countries but Florida club teams will be participating as well. I am excited because it is two tournaments at the same time.”

The 19-and-under boys team consists of Jayden Seymour, Joshua Gibson, Nicholas Wallace-Whitfield, TeSean Henfield, Dereo Maycock, Ashley Darville, Dominic Demeritte, Matthew Thompson, Logan Carey, Khari Marshall, Aidan Johnson, Tonny Simon and Alexander Miller.

The 16-and-under team has a mixture of boys and girls includes Simon Seth Roberts, Emma Turnquest, Davawn Turner, TeSean Henfield, Darville, Gibson, Thompson, Marshall, Aaron Poitier, Miller, Braeden Seymour and, Shanterro Knowles.

The final team the 14-and-under co-ed is made up of Alayna Darling, Jayden Turner, Knowles, Jamar Bienamie, Knyjah Sylvain, Tiah Seymour, Chelsea Smith, Paityn Burrows, Skarlette Donaldson, Asher Bastian, Jahmahl Wilson, Jacob Johnson, Durmani Stubbs, Elijah Turnquest and Angel Curry.

Borbely has high expectations for his two older teams, but he hopes the 14-and-under team can also win the gold.

“I hope that my 19-and-under and 16-and-under team perform very well. I expect them to work hard and to win gold medal. The under-14 team is learning to play so it is hard to predict what will happen, but I hope to win the CARIFTA gold with them also,” Borbely said.

The teams were training from last year after COVID-19 restrictions were eased. They were hoping that CARIFTA Water Polo Championships were going to be in April of this year. That did not happen. Borbely kept training the players and even took some to play in Texas and Florida this year. He took a break with them in August and resumed training from September until this week.

“They swam a lot because they are swimmers. I mixed the younger players with the older players so that they can learn faster from the older ones. We are rested because the storm gave us two days off. We trained today (Thursday) and play our first game tomorrow (today),” Borbely said.

The 14-and-under co-ed team will play today at 4:05 p.m. against Bonaire. The 19-and-under boys division will be in action against Barbados at the same time. The 16-and-under team will have the day off today and open play tomorrow at 9 a.m. against Hialeah Storm.

 Home|Sports|RBC and government ministries sponsor OPTINAMSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailNovember 11, 2022 105 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Optimist North American Championship (OPTINAM) is a large, high profile junior sailing event hosted annually at different locations around the North Americas and Caribbean. This year, for the second time, it is being hosted in Nassau at the Nassau Yacht Club, with sailing in Montagu Bay. It is set for November 13-20.

Twenty countries are represented, with teams traveling from as far away as Chile, Argentina, Canada, Bermuda, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland. The 155 young athletes, who represent the world’s top sailors aged 15 and under, have been arriving since last Sunday, eager to commence training on Bahamian waters. The strong winds of Tropical Storm Nicole produced some challenges to training schedules and flight arrivals, but will not significantly impact the event, as the first day of racing is not until Tuesday November 15th.

Team Bahamas comprises 19 sailors – 14 boys and five girls. Twelve train with the New Providence clubs and/or National Sailing School, two join the team from Exuma Sailing Club and five are from the Eleuthera Sailing Academy. A national ranking system during the year based on results from four championship events determined the qualifying sailors for inclusion on the team.

The opening ceremony takes place on Monday, November 14, commencing with a parade of nations headed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, from Fort Montagu to the Nassau Yacht Club. This will be followed by a performance by the band and an opening ceremony and dinner for the sailors, their entourage and special invited guests.

The VIPs include representatives from the many sponsors of the championship, without whom the event would simply not be possible to host. The organizing committee wishes to thank RBC Bank, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources for their tremendous support. Other corporate donors include Commonwealth Bank, Legend Yacht Transport, NUA, Callendars Reality and BBD, all of whom will have their corporate logos displayed on the boat fleets next week.

Goods and services to aid the smooth and efficient running of this prestigious international event have been provided by Bahama Blu, Sports Center, Home Fabrics and Harken Derm, to name just a few.

Not only a sporting accolade for The Bahamas to have been invited once again to host OPTINAM, this major international event is of significant impact on the promotion of the country to a large international audience as a holiday destination and sporting venue.

Watch out for the action in Montagu Bay in the coming days. The final race day is Saturday, November 19th. For more information check out the Optimist North American Championship 2022 on Facebook and Instagram.