Wednesday, August 31, 2016

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It seems as if the International Amateur Athletic Federation will make the World Relays its home in the Bahamas for the next few years.

#The biannual event, which gave birth at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in 2013 and continued in 2015, will return for the third edition next year and again in 2019 for the fourth time.

#Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Rosamunde Carey said after she and IAAF Councilwoman Pauline Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson and Director of Sports Timothy Munnings met with IAAF president Lord Sebastian Coe at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Bahamas was granted the rights to continue to host the relays.

#“The IAAF Council met in Rio and they approved the Relays to be hosted in the Bahamas for 2019,” Carey said.

#“In November they will make a decision for 2021 and 2023, but we believe that they will grant them to us too.

#“We are really excited about that because they had some other countries like Dubai, China and countries in the region. But the IAAF said they were quite pleased with our performance and they had great confidence in us putting on the world-class event.”

#As was the case in the previous two relays, the 2017 relays will serve as the qualifier for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, England and Carey said they are just waiting on the IAAF to confirm that the 2019 edition will serve as the qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

#What that means is that the top eight teams in both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metre relays at the consecutive World Relays will automatically qualify for the World Championships and hopefully the Olympics.

#“We know that the United States will be coming ready to defend the Golden baton that they won last year,” Carey said. “They came here and they dominated the relays and they qualified their teams for the World Championships.

#“With the World Relays back here and being a qualifier for the World Championships, we are going to ensure that we put the best teams possible so that we can qualify for the four relays and not have to wait until the last minute as was the case with the women’s 4 x 400m relay.”

#The Bahamas was only able to get the men’s 4 x400m team qualified for the Olympics at last year’s World Relays. The other three fell short. But the women’s 4 x 400m team took advantage of the last chance meet at the Blue Marlins to secure their spot, although they had to wait on a court ruling against Russia before they were finally in.

#In Rio, while the men’s 4 x 4 team held on for the bronze medal, the women’s 4 x 4 team set a national record while finishing with a world ranking of No. 11.

#Carey said she’s confident that the women can make the final at the World Relays and book their ticket to the World Championships.

#She said she’s also looking at the resurgence of both the men and women 4 x 100m relay teams and is just as confident in both of them making the final and also qualifying for London.

#“The World Relays are in our backyard and this is going to be an opportunity for us to qualify early, so we are going to make sure that we get our best teams assembled so that we can qualify early and not have to wait on the last minute.”

Local Organising Committee (LOC) members for the IAAF World Relays Bahamas, scheduled for April 22-23 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the United States of America already indicating that they will be bringing their A team to the third edition of the IAAF World Relays next month, the clarion call is going out to ensure that the Bahamas has its best team assembled.

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson made it emphatically clear that all efforts will be made to get all of the Bahamian athletes here for a relay camp two weeks prior to the World Relays, scheduled for April 22-23 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#“If you have some athletes second guessing and wondering if they need to come, then don’t come,” said Johnson during a press conference on Friday.

#“Just give me back my uniform. Everyone must show up to play because we don’t have time for anything else. If you don’t want to represent the Bahamas, just give the uniform back.”

#Johnson said he’s made a commitment to the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations to do whatever is necessary to get the athletes here for the training camp, even of they have to come and go during the sessions.

#But he said if the athletes are not willing to be a part of it, then they should publicly say so.

#Johnson was answering a question on what steps will be made to ensure that the Bahamas fields the best team possible for the World Relays, considering that the top eight teams in both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metres will automatically qualify for the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August.

#The question was poised based on what happened at the second edition of the World Relays in 2015 where some of the top athletes opted to run in both relays for the 4 x 200m. The Bahamas failed to make the final and had to wait for the last minute to get into the Olympic Games last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

#Unfortunately, only the women’s 4 x 400m team was able to secure a spot after the Russian Athletic Federation was banned from competing because of wild spread doping allegations.

#The women’s 4 x 400m team of Lanece Clarke, Anthonique Strachan, Carmiesha Cox and Christine Amertil ran a national record of 3:26.26 to place sixth in their heat for 11th overall.

#They joined the men’s 4 x 400m team that qualified after their second place finish to the United States at the World Relays. At the Olympics, the men’s team of Michael Mathieu, Alono Russell, Chris Brown and Steven Gardiner had to settle for the bronze behind the USA and Jamaica.

#Johnson said he has also instructed the BAAA to bring in the best coaching staff available to conduct the relay training camp whenever it is finalized.

#“I’m asking them to go out and hire the best coach that we can and we expect to see them as soon as next week to finalize the deal,” Johnson stressed.

#“I don’t want to let too much out of the bag s yet, but we are putting a call out as of Monday (yesterday) that whoever needs to come to the camp, we will back them.”

#As the only country to host the World Relays, which got started in 2014, Johnson said they want to secure the best trainer or therapist to be a part of the team and the ministry will pay for them to be here.

#“We want the best team we have on the track,” he insisted.

#IAAF Councilwoman Pauline Davis said it’s important for the Bahamas to assemble its best team because the rest of the world will be here with their best.

#“We have Elaine Thompson (Jamaica’s Olympic double sprint champion), who has been speaking to the media about how excited she is to get here, we have Andre de Grasse (Canada’s Olympic 200m silver medalist and 100m bronze medalist) coming here and we have the newest world record holder in the men’s 400m, Wayde Van Niekerk (from South Africa),” she pointed out.

#“Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake (both Olympic 4 x 100m relay medalists from Jamaica) will be here. We were also told that the Big Man would be here. Everyone knows who the big man in track and field is.”

#The “big man” is referred to Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the reigning World and Olympic 100 and 200 as well as 4 x 100m relay champion. But while the world is left in suspense over his future, Bolt announced over the weekend that a return trip to Nassau for the World Relays may not be in the plans.

#“My coach hasn’t said anything about it (World Relays), so I doubt that I will be competing there this year. I am just trying to stay injury free,” said Bolt, who is looking forward to his final race on Jamaican soil, the Racers Track Club Grand Prix set for June 10.

#“It’s just going to be exciting and emotional, I think it might be a little bit emotional, but I am looking forward to it, it’s my coach’s meet, so I am excited to be a part of it.”

#Whether or not he compete, Davis said a host of American stars are already committed to come here to compete, so she’s urging the Bahamian athletes to come home and represent the 242 in both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relays in the lead up to the road to the London World Championships in August.

#Tickets for the World Relays are now available at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium

#from Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. Persons can also go online at www.NSA-Bahamas.com.

#The tickets went on sale as of February 1 and are priced at $70 for gold seating, $50 for silver, $40 for bronze and $15 for general admission.

#“The tickets are moving so we want the persons to know that if you’re interested in the gold, silver and bronze sessions, they are going very quickly,” said Tonique Williams, BAAA’s first vice president and Senior Director of Event Media Services for the World Relays.

#“We want to urge you to get to the national stadium as quickly as you can. We are also looking at moving t the JFK Plaza by the movies on Saturdays. So if you’re in the area, you an stop in and secure your tickets.”

Local Organising Committee (LOC) members for the IAAF World Relays Bahamas, scheduled for April 22-23 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the United States of America already indicating that they will be bringing their A team to the third edition of the IAAF World Relays next month, the clarion call is going out to ensure that the Bahamas has its best team assembled.

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson made it emphatically clear that all efforts will be made to get all of the Bahamian athletes here for a relay camp two weeks prior to the World Relays, scheduled for April 22-23 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#“If you have some athletes second guessing and wondering if they need to come, then don’t come,” said Johnson during a press conference on Friday.

#“Just give me back my uniform. Everyone must show up to play because we don’t have time for anything else. If you don’t want to represent the Bahamas, just give the uniform back.”

#Johnson said he’s made a commitment to the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations to do whatever is necessary to get the athletes here for the training camp, even of they have to come and go during the sessions.

#But he said if the athletes are not willing to be a part of it, then they should publicly say so.

#Johnson was answering a question on what steps will be made to ensure that the Bahamas fields the best team possible for the World Relays, considering that the top eight teams in both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metres will automatically qualify for the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August.

#The question was poised based on what happened at the second edition of the World Relays in 2015 where some of the top athletes opted to run in both relays for the 4 x 200m. The Bahamas failed to make the final and had to wait for the last minute to get into the Olympic Games last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

#Unfortunately, only the women’s 4 x 400m team was able to secure a spot after the Russian Athletic Federation was banned from competing because of wild spread doping allegations.

#The women’s 4 x 400m team of Lanece Clarke, Anthonique Strachan, Carmiesha Cox and Christine Amertil ran a national record of 3:26.26 to place sixth in their heat for 11th overall.

#They joined the men’s 4 x 400m team that qualified after their second place finish to the United States at the World Relays. At the Olympics, the men’s team of Michael Mathieu, Alono Russell, Chris Brown and Steven Gardiner had to settle for the bronze behind the USA and Jamaica.

#Johnson said he has also instructed the BAAA to bring in the best coaching staff available to conduct the relay training camp whenever it is finalized.

#“I’m asking them to go out and hire the best coach that we can and we expect to see them as soon as next week to finalize the deal,” Johnson stressed.

#“I don’t want to let too much out of the bag s yet, but we are putting a call out as of Monday (yesterday) that whoever needs to come to the camp, we will back them.”

#As the only country to host the World Relays, which got started in 2014, Johnson said they want to secure the best trainer or therapist to be a part of the team and the ministry will pay for them to be here.

#“We want the best team we have on the track,” he insisted.

#IAAF Councilwoman Pauline Davis said it’s important for the Bahamas to assemble its best team because the rest of the world will be here with their best.

#“We have Elaine Thompson (Jamaica’s Olympic double sprint champion), who has been speaking to the media about how excited she is to get here, we have Andre de Grasse (Canada’s Olympic 200m silver medalist and 100m bronze medalist) coming here and we have the newest world record holder in the men’s 400m, Wayde Van Niekerk (from South Africa),” she pointed out.

#“Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake (both Olympic 4 x 100m relay medalists from Jamaica) will be here. We were also told that the Big Man would be here. Everyone knows who the big man in track and field is.”

#The “big man” is referred to Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the reigning World and Olympic 100 and 200 as well as 4 x 100m relay champion. But while the world is left in suspense over his future, Bolt announced over the weekend that a return trip to Nassau for the World Relays may not be in the plans.

#“My coach hasn’t said anything about it (World Relays), so I doubt that I will be competing there this year. I am just trying to stay injury free,” said Bolt, who is looking forward to his final race on Jamaican soil, the Racers Track Club Grand Prix set for June 10.

#“It’s just going to be exciting and emotional, I think it might be a little bit emotional, but I am looking forward to it, it’s my coach’s meet, so I am excited to be a part of it.”

#Whether or not he compete, Davis said a host of American stars are already committed to come here to compete, so she’s urging the Bahamian athletes to come home and represent the 242 in both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relays in the lead up to the road to the London World Championships in August.

#Tickets for the World Relays are now available at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium

#from Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. Persons can also go online at www.NSA-Bahamas.com.

#The tickets went on sale as of February 1 and are priced at $70 for gold seating, $50 for silver, $40 for bronze and $15 for general admission.

#“The tickets are moving so we want the persons to know that if you’re interested in the gold, silver and bronze sessions, they are going very quickly,” said Tonique Williams, BAAA’s first vice president and Senior Director of Event Media Services for the World Relays.

#“We want to urge you to get to the national stadium as quickly as you can. We are also looking at moving t the JFK Plaza by the movies on Saturdays. So if you’re in the area, you an stop in and secure your tickets.”

Friday, March 17, 2017

Brent Stubbs

#By BRENT STUBBS

#IT IS not how you start, nor how you get there. Most importantly, it’s how you finish.

#• The Finish Line, a weekly column, seeks to comment on the state of affairs in local sports, highlighting the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills and the successes and failures.

#THE WEEK THAT WAS

#THE third version of the IAAF World Relays is fast approaching and already a stern warning has gone out to the top athletes to either come home and prepare for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ training camp or turn in their Bahamas team uniform.

#“If you have some athletes second guessing and wondering if they need to come, then don’t come,” said Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson during a press conference on Friday.

#“Just give me back my uniform. Everyone must show up to play because we don’t have time for anything else. If you don’t want to represent the Bahamas, just give the uniform back.”

#Johnson was making reference to a question poised during the press conference about what measures are being taken to ensure that the Bahamas has its best team assembled for the relays.

#The relays are not just being staged in the Bahamas for the third time since its inception, but it provides an opportunity for the top eight teams in both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x400 metre relay teams to automatically qualify for the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August.

#Johnson’s statement should be one that all athletes, with the exception of those that are in college and universities, should consider highly because there’s no better feeling than having the opportunity to compete at home against some high-level competition.

#It’s not every day that the Bahamian public will get to see these athletes in person compete in what is more a fun event as there’s not as much pressure as competing in an individual event.

#The world is coming and the majority of the countries have already indicated that they are coming with their best. The United States of America has won the Golden Baton – the award presented to the winning team – for the first two editions in 2014 and again in 2015.

#The World Relays were not held in 2016 because of the Olympic year.

#But if the Bahamas wants to seriously contest to make the World Relays a permanent home in the Bahamas, one of the things that will work in our favour is for the best that we have to compete.

#At the same token, Johnson has indicated that they are looking forward to having the best coaching staff assembled to coach Team Bahamas, even if it means bringing in one of the Bahamian coaches, who are currently a part of the collegiate coaching chores in the United States.

#Let’s just hope that it won’t be a difficult process in determining who will take up the mantle and make their contribution to the success of the team as we prepare for the trek towards London.

#WHEN WILL WALK

#OF FAME BE

#REPAIRED?

#Have you noticed that since the passing of Hurricane Matthew, the Walk of Fame at the entrance of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium has not been repaired?

#It’s so disheartening to pass and see so many of the photos of our sporting celebrities still not replaced since they were damaged in October when one considers the elaborate fanfare that the Bahamas government went through to mount the portraits.

#As one passes, you can see some of the portraits still intact while there are just the frames standing for the others that are missing.

#This certainly doesn’t look good for the country as we welcome hundreds of visitors via the taxi drivers and tour bus operators, who make the sporting facilities one of their stops.

#Next month we will be bringing the world for the IAAF World Relays. Let’s not wait until the 11th hour before we address this issue.

#Either we correct it now or take it down because we are doing an injustice to those athletes and the families of those who are deceased, considering that so much resources, time and energy was spent putting it together.

#MARCH MADNESS

#This is the time that all eyes are glued to the tubes to watch who will emerge as the champions of America’s collegiate basketball championships in both the men and women divisions.

#But right here at home, we have our own version of the March Madness as the New Providence Basketball Association hosts their playoffs to determine who will represent the island in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s National Championships.

#If you haven’t been to the AF Adderley Gymnasium, you are missing some exciting competition between some very good teams vying for the top spot.

#Games are being played Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and have been keenly contested so far. If what was witnessed so far in the first round is any indication, the semi-finals between the top teams to come out of the John Archer and Vince Ferguson Divisions should be a humdinger.

#So far the John Archer is set after the pennant winning Commonwealth Bank Giants and the Mr Ship It Freight Regulators lived up to their advanced billing and will be contending for the top spot.

#The Vince Ferguson is still open with the Mail Boat Cybots and the Shockers taking 1-0 leads into game two of their respective series against the University of the Bahamas Mingoes and Rockets.

#Come out and support your favourite teams. I promise you, it will be worth your while because you will get to see some of the top players in the country in action.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Brent Stubbs

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It’s not how you start, nor how you get there. Most importantly, it’s how you finish.

#• The Finish Line, a weekly column, seeks to comment on the state of affairs in the local sports scene, highlighting the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills and the successes and failures.

#It’s time to pull the curtain down on 2015 and usher in 2016.

#My how time flies.

#As we flip back the pages of the past 12 months, we remember some of the more notable achievements like the repeat championship performance of our CARIFTA swim team, the improvement of the CARIFTA track team, the return of the IAAF World Relays for the second consecutive year, the cancellation of the Chris Brown Invitational, the Pan American Games with the dominating performance of Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and the return of Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands as well as the IAAF World Championships and the stellar feat by Shaunae Miller and Jeffery Gibson, just to name a few and the triumph of our bodybuilders at the CAC Championships.

#Over the past year, we’ve seen a shift in the administration of some of our sporting bodies like Joel Stubbs replacing Danny Sumner as president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. And Teddy Sweeting moving up from secretary general to take over from Craig ‘Salty’ Kemp as president of the Bahamas Baseball Federation and most notably, former treasurer Rosamunde Carey – the first female elected as president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations – removing Mike Sands from office.

#And we will not close out 2015 without saying farewell to some of our sports men and women who left us like Reno Brown, Collins ‘Troppy’ Knowles, Sean Neville, De’Yanza Burrows, Tamaz Thompson, Anthony Fisher, Keith Reid, Roscoe Hall, Gonzalo Caine, Bernard Livingstone Bostwick, Rev Enoch Backford II, Arlington Stuart and most recently DeVince Smith.

#There have been quite a number of significant accomplishments, both locally and internationally, on and off the field of play.

#Of course, stacked in our faces as we leave the past accomplishments, failures, triumphs and disappointments behind us, is the allegation of the Bahamas being cited as a venue for the supply of illegal drugs to sporting personalities, as told by former American world 100 metre record holder Tim Montgomery in an Al Jazeera’s Investigation Unit broadcast on Sunday in a report entitled “The Dark Side – Secrets Of The Sports Dopers.”

#Whether or not all or none of the allegations are true, the truth of the matter is it’s going to call for some turbulence as we get set to venture into the unexpected in 2016.

#This is one of those occurrences where we just have to wait and see what comes out of the final investigation before we can cast any judgement. I’m not defending the doctors nor the athletes, but they have a right to tell their sides of the story and I’m sure in due time, the muddy picture will be cleared up for all to see.

#I predict that the Bahamas will regain its integrity as it heads into the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

#Before we get to the world’s biggest sporting spectacular in August, I predict that Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson will get himself a world title shot in professional boxing. And Antoan Richardson will recover properly from his surgery and return to Major League Baseball.

#In addition, Grand Bahamians Buddy Hield and Jonquel Jones will come though with some pretty decent accolades at the end of their collegiate careers and will be highly drafted into the National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Association respectively.

#Once again, the Bahamas will be graced with a number of international stars competing here, starting with the Pure Silk Ladies Professional Golf Tournament at the end of January at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise and including the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational that is scheduled to take place in May at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#I predict that the Bahamas Olympic Committee, headed by Wellington Miller, will be kept busy as they prepare to secure berths for a number of athletes representing swimming, boxing and athletics in Rio. It’s a pity that we still won’t have a team sport included, but look for both the men and women’s national basketball teams as well as the volleyball teams to make some inroads.

#It’s still early, but I predict that the Bahamas national anthem will be played at the Olympic Games and the Bahamas will once again win the battle of “per capita,” based on the amount of medals that will be collected. I won’t, however, make any predictions just yet on who exactly will be on the dais to receive their medals and in which sporting discipline.

#Before we blink, we will be in 2016, so let’s get ready for another banner year for the Bahamas. Happy New Year.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Brent Stubbs

#By BRENT STUBBS 

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT’S not how you start, nor how you get there. Most importantly, it’s how you finish.

#• The Finish Line, a weekly column, seeks to comment on the state of affairs in the local sports scene, highlighting the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills and the successes and failures.

#THE WEEK

#THAT WAS

#It’s unusual to start this column off this way, but it was an unusual occurrence this week as we mourn the loss of two sporting legends.

#On Sunday at St Agnes Anglican Church on Baillou Hill Road, members of the Bahamas Olympic Committee and the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations said their farewell to Bernard Livingstone ‘Winkie’ Bostwick, who has been credited with having the longest tenure in office as an executive.

#Whether you liked him or not, Bostwick carried out his role as secretary of the BAAA for 30 years and as the assistant secretary of the BOC for just about that same amount of time with distinction.

#On Monday morning, the shocking news came of the death of the Rev Enoch Backford, the last surviving member of the first team to win an international medal in track and field for the Bahamas. Backford, 77, would later go on to serve as president of the BAAA and a vice president of the BOA.

#It’s a humbling feeling when anyone dies, but it hits home harder when you have to reflect on the life of those persons who have made invaluable contributions to society. Both Bostwick and Backford have done just that, not just in the athletic arena, but in religion as well.

#During his eulogy, the Venerable Archdeacon Ranfurly Brown highlighted the fact that Bostwick was just as dedicated to St Agnes Church just as he was to athletics. Backford’s commitment is documented, but he also left his footprints in the sand of time, having last served as pastor of Mt Carey Union Baptist Church, Fox Hill, where national coach Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming has been a long-time parishioner and choir director.

#Although they were both no longer serving as executives, they will be missed for the contribution that they made.

#And I liked what Brown said in his message that it’s time for those persons who have performed at the national level be given the accolades they so rightfully deserve by having their portraits placed at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Bostwick and Backford are definitely two of those candidates.

#It’s not a bad idea to erect a memorial wall where those deceased persons, who served with distinction like Bostwick and Backford, could be remembered. It’s a good way to express our gratitude and appreciation to the men and women who have performed exceptionally during their sojourn on earth.

#While I offer my own personal condolences and that of The Tribune Sports Department to their families, I would also like to say: May their souls rest in peace.

#Who Gets The Money?

#In the ‘Incentive Grants to Elite Athletes,’ the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is expected to award some $50,000 to three athletes for advancing to the final at the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, last month. However, two other athletes are not expected to get anything because they finished outside of the top eight spots in their respective events.

#For the record, Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands made the final of the men’s triple jump, which took 12 competitors. Trevor Barry made the final of the men’s high jump, which also carried the top 12 competitors. Unfortunately, they both came in 10th place, outside of the top eight that went on to compete for the medal.

#But at least you can’t take away the fact that they were listed as finalists.

#It should be noted, however, that the IAAF, in its incentive payout to the athletes, only the top eight athletes earned a cheque that ranged from $60,000 for first place to $4,000 for eighth place. There was no cash offered to those athletes who finished from ninth to 12th place, regardless of the field events where 12 athletes competed.

#In the field events, athletes compete for eight spots to contest for a medal.

#So that might be the premise that the ministry has agreed to only award Shaunae Miller $20,000 for her silver medal in the women’s 400 metres, Jeffery Gibson $15,000 for his bronze in the men’s 400m hurdles and Donald Thomas $5,000 for finishing sixth in the men’s high jump. Under the arrangement, the gold medallist earns $30,000.

#An explanation was given by Timothy Munnings, director of sports, and even though it didn’t sit well with Sands, it’s documented in the sports policy and can only be changed on the recommendation of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson.

#It will be interesting to see if Johnson makes any adjustment to the policy to award the two athletes.

#The Week Ahead

#The New Providence Softball Association has gotten its final round of the regular season underway in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex and now with no team left undefeated, it’s going to come down to an interesting showdown for the playoffs and the championships. The keenly contested games are being played every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, starting at 7pm.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Rev Enoch Backford II

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ONE day after the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and the Bahamas Olympic Committee laid to rest one of its longest serving members, Bernard Livingstone ‘Winkie’ Bostwick, the two bodies are mourning the death of Rev Enoch Backford II, the last surviving member of the first team to win a medal for the Bahamas in international track and field competition.

#Backford, a former educator and minister of religion, was an elite sprinter who eventually became an executive in both the BAAA and BOC. He passed away yesterday morning, aged 77. He was the last surviving member of the men’s 4 x 100 metre relay team that competed at the 1957 West Indies Federation Games in Jamaica, winning the first international medal for the Bahamas with their bronze. The team included Tom ‘The Bird’ Grant, Oscar Francis and Thomas A Robinson, all three pre-deceased Backford in 2012.

#Backford took over as Sir Arlington Butler as president of the BAAA and after Butler became president of the BOA, Backford joined him as a vice president. Backford passed the reigns on to the late Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper.

#When contacted, Butler was in shock of Backford’s passing.

#“My association with him came from his school days. He was an outstanding athlete who was very keen about sports,” Butler said. “His father wasn’t interested in sports. His father was a preacher and he was never really interested in sports, so Enoch came with his baseball uniform underneath his suit. He was defiant because he loved sports.

#“He and Tommy (Robinson), (Oscar) Francis and Tom (Grant) won the first medal for the Bahamas. They helped to set the stage for track and field because after they won the first medal, the Bahamas went on to win numerous medals at both the Olympic level and the World Championship level.”

#As a politician, Butler said he gave up the reigns of the BAAA presidency to Backford, who was more neutral in the sport. But at the time, Butler decided that he would stay on as the BOA president and Backford came on board as one of the vice presidents. Together, they served for a number of years.

#During the days that he competed on the local scene, Backford had one of his most memorable days at the Empire Day Sports Meet at the Western Fort (Clifford Park) in 1955.

#“That’s when Tommy beat the crew including (former champion) Leonard “Skeeter” Dames for the first time. I’ll always remember also that I was anchoring the relay for the Southern Athletic Club and Rinky (Irrington Isaacs) ran me down. I’ve never forgotten that,” he was quoted as saying in a recent interview.

#“What people didn’t know then was that I suffered from an asthmatic condition. That’s why I always had my quick start, nevertheless, there were good days and bad days in running the full distance, but I never said anything. Crawford always said if you were not ready then don’t go in the race so I never complained.”

#On Friday, November 22, Backford was one of 21 persons inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame, hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Also included in the class was Bostwick, who was laid to rest on Sunday.

#Rev Backford is survived by daughters Enique Farrington, Jarrisa, Endrenise and Eldira Backford; son Juan Mario Backford; adopted son Angelo Smith; grandchildren Trenique and Tre Farrington, Kaitlyn and Kaiden Babb; and sisters Lilymae Lockhart, Naomi Smith and Ruth Turner.

Monday, December 3, 2012

#by RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Final respects were paid to one of the Bahamas’ greatest sporting legends over the weekend as scores turned out to honor the memory of “The Bird.”

#Tom Wilfredo Grant, 71, was laid to rest Saturday morning at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Boyd Road.

#Family remembered the sporting icon for his personal contributions as a family patriarch.

#His wife Hannah reminisced of their early years and his job as a father.

#“We met during my participation in volleyball, basketball and track and field, and fell in love. You were truly a father in every way. You loved them. I often thank you for your care, nuture and suspension which helped me to further my career, knowing full well the children would be taken care of,” she said, “History will judge the accomplishments of Thomas Wilfredo Grant as a man, father, but more as an athlete. He played almost every sport you can name. Thomas you fought a great fight the part 11 years. Take your rest Tom, you’ve earned it.”

#The national icon, who played a number of sports in track and field, basketball, softball, volleyball, cricket and rugby and made an invaluable contribution as an coach, official and administrator, left behind two daughters and five sons, two adopted daughters and adopted sons, who have all made strides to carry on his legacy.

#He was the first Bahamian recruiter for a major institute – St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the first Bahamian to become an international certified volleyball referee.

#Tom Jr. said he used the moments as bonding opportunities as he learned the game of volleyball from his father.

#“We bonded throughout the years growing together as father and son, you took me to all your volleyball practices and games as a coach and a volleyball referee, I being your assistant. coach and we officiating volleyball games together were the highlight of our relationship,” he said, “I think the proudest moment for me was when I. decided to follow in your footsteps to become a volleyball referee. We were the only father and son duo to officiate. volleyball games together. We talked, laughed, argued and spent a lot of time together.”I am and will always be proud of all your success and achievements during your sporting career. I am proud to be called your son and to carry your name.”

#For over 50 years he served as ä champion sprinter and the coach of champion sprinters, as the country’s first internationally certified volleyball official and as the head coach of the national team that won this country’s. first game in international volleyball; or a valuable member of the 4 X 100 Relay Team that earned this country its first international track and field Medal (1957), or as Coach Steve “Bulla” Pinder’s flamboyant basketball scoring machine with the championship Pinder’s Barber Shop Club.

#On October 21, 2006, Grant was honoured by the Government of the Bahamas when Prime Minister Christie declared it as Thomas “The Bird” Grant Day.

#Christie highlighted the list of dignitaries on hand to pay their respects to Grant at the Tom ‘The Bird’ Grant Park in Yellow Elder last week.

#A number of people showed up to pay tribute to Grant during a memorial service on Wednesday night.

#Among those in attendance were Dr Norman Gay, Timothy Munnings, director of sports, Mike Sands, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, members of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation and other sporting bodies.

#He was interned at Lakeview Cemetary.

Friday, November 30, 2012

#PRIME Minister Perry Christie highlighted the list of dignitaries on hand to pay their respects to the late Tom Grant at the Tom ‘The Bird’ Grant Park in Yellow Elder.

#A number of people showed up to pay tribute to Grant during a memorial service on Wednesday night.

#Among those in attendance were Dr Norman Gay, Timothy Munnings, director of sports, Mike Sands, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, members of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation and other sporting bodies.

#Grant, 71, will be laid to rest on Saturday following his 9:45am funeral service at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church. He will be buried at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

#Grant is survived by his wife Hannah and seven children.

November 17, 2012

The Nassau Guardian0

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The news of the sudden passing of versatile athlete, coach, mentor and instructor Tom Berutti “The Bird” Grant Sr. spreaded quickly throughout the country yesterday.

The first international volleyball official, Grant, died early Friday morning in hospital. He was 71. Grant slipped into a diabetic coma shortly after he was admitted to hospital on Monday.

His son, Trevor Grant, said his father was weak and tired of battling. He thanked all for their well wishes and the many condolences that poured in from students, athletes and friends.

“After years of living with diabetes, I think he was just tired of battling and that fight came to an end this morning (Friday),” said Trevor.

“My father was a disciplinarian, a nation builder, who helped to mold a lot of the persons who you see running the country. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt was one of his proteges. He represented the country in every different sport from as far as track and field, softball, volleyball and basketball.

“One thing he enjoyed most was giving back and that was shown as an athlete and administrator. He held numerous positions in various federations and sporting reigns. I think his most exciting memory was when he ran with the Olympic torch. This was the first time the torch came to The Bahamas and he held and ran.”

Not only was Tom Grant one of the top sprinters in the country, but he is remembered for his outstanding performance in a basketball game. He scored 47 points for Pinder’s Barber Shop, which dominated the Priory Recreational League in the early 1960s.

Tom Grant was also a member of the St. Bernard’s Sporting Club and a part of the historic relay team that won the first international medal in track and field for The Bahamas, in 1957.

“I spoke to him last week because I was dealing with some business for him,” Trevor Grant went on to say.

“We actually spoke everyday. But whenever we spoke, we always cracked jokes. There was always something to crack a joke about. He was amusing, always finding something to humor me about or I humor him. Anytime something went down in sports, especially high school sports he would call and ask me if I heard about it and [about] my thoughts.

“Me and him had a very good relationship, as far as father son is concerned. He was one of the persons who led the charge and I followed. Basically everything that he has done, I followed in his footsteps. As a former president of the GSSSA and one of the leading coaches in the country, I too helped to mold men into being good citizens of The Bahamas and that was his motto.”

Tom Grant Sr. is survived by his seven children, two girls and five boys, all of whom have played on national teams in the past. He was a leader in the community. His funeral service will be held at St. Joseph Church, on Boyd Road.

• Guardian Sports would like to send heartfelt condolences to the Grant family. Tom Grant Sr. was instrumental in the development of sports in the country as an administrator and athlete. It was a joy covering him and we thank him for his many contributions to the sporting world.

November 20, 2012

The Nassau Guardian

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This country called the Commonwealth of The Bahamas produced many noteworthy nation builders. Across the board though, Thomas ‘The Bird’ Grant was comparable to the best of them in contributing to his native land becoming a better and more progressive place for children to grow up in. Tom died last Thursday at the age of 72.

Yes, he was a sportsman for all seasons. That itself is a story that qualified him for iconic status. There was much more though, to this young Bahamian lad who emerged out of the belly of the inner city (over-the-hill) to craft many young boys and girls into noted adults, able to carry on with the same passion he possessed, in advancing Bahamian society.

None who knew Tom well would say he placed much emphasis on diplomacy. No, Tom was a straight talker. He readily acknowledged the “shooting from the hips” aspect of his character. He called it like it was (in his view) and he was quick with it. While others waited to frame their words, Tom, like the old gunslingers, let loose quickly to get the first word out in a debate/argument. It was a competitive touch that carried him throughout life. He never lost the strong spirit of expressing himself despite the change of his physicality from that of a champion to moving around with an effort.

The last conversation I had with him went very much like many others. As often was the case with Tom, he declared then waited for a response. We were in front of the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex a few months ago. Tom was there for the annual summer program for students, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

“Man, we need to get

together to write my book. You know me, and you have a lot of material you wrote about me. With what I have, we can make it happen,” said Tom on that fateful day, the last time we were to speak to each other on this side of eternity.

The opportunity never came again for us to further that objective but perhaps one day, before my time comes, with Tom close by in spirit, I will be able to put his life together in book form. The book would have highs and lows, but much more of the former. On the athletic side, there are just a few Bahamians who I would put in the argument regarding versatility, along with Tom. He was a standout in track, basketball, rugby and volleyball.

In my view, in the country’s history, only Tommy Robinson, Kevin Johnson, Mike Sands and Andrew Tynes had more natural talent for the 200 meters than Tom. They were not as stylish however. Bahamians have seen Debbie Ferguson come around that turn to home, adorned with dark shades, blazing for the tape in the 200 meters.

That’s the kind of flair Tom had. He patterned himself after the Italian great Livio Berruti who was known for his dark glasses and white socks. Berruti won the Olympic gold medal for the 200 meters in 1960 and immediately became the hero of the young Bahamian Tom Grant. Tom was on that Bahamian sprint relay team in 1957 that won the breakthrough bronze medal at the West Indies Federation Games in Kingston, Jamaica. At home he was track’s glamour sprinter.

With his career in sprinting at its peak, he got into basketball and exhibited the same kind of flamboyance. He was one of the pure shooters and on the many occasions that he scored, he would turn and glide down court with arms outstretched like an eagle. That’s why we called him ‘The Bird’, a nickname that will last eternally, because that is the image that sticks most in the minds of many of us who knew him really well.

In volleyball, as a player and administrator, he revolutionized the sport and paved the way for the glorious era that was headed by Dr. Norman Gay.  In rugby, he was conscious always about his legs, but whenever he got loose with the ball, it was over. No one could catch him. As an athlete, Tom was truly superb.

Then, there was Tom Grant, the educator. He schooled many athletes in the skills of their respective sport, but most importantly, about “making it through life” as he would emphasize.

“The sport will be there for a time only, as an athlete. They might stick around to help others, but they have to know how to get through life because there is so much more, other than sports,” he once said.

So, Tom qualified himself at Miami Dade North and St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, to mentor his charges in sports and academically. He did quite well. He became a double positive for the youngsters under his wings. He helped them during the early development period and then ensured that they got scholarships to further their education. Tom was the pioneer Bahamian large-scale recruiter of athletes for institutions abroad.

In fact, only one other can compare with his record. That person of course, is Cynthia ‘Mother’ Moxey-Pratt, who (herself) was recruited by Tom. That’s the great example that personified the life and times of Thomas ‘The Bird’ Grant. Not only was he a champion but he made many others and caused even more to reach the point of deserving to be so honored.

May your soul forever rest in peace my friend! A nation will forever be indebted to you.

• To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.