Category: TRACK

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023

Sailing officially declared as our national sport

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

Prime Minister Davis makes a presentation to the crew of New Legend – Class A champion.

Prime Minister Philip Davis delivers remarks, conveying greetings and declaration of ‘a job well done’ to Commodore Danny Strachan during the regatta’s closing and awards ceremony on Saturday. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

The crew from Lonesome Dove – Class B champion.

CAPTAIN Peg – Class E champion.

IT AIN’T RIGHT – Class C champion.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was a big weekend for the island of Exuma.

#Not only did they attract one of the biggest crowds for the 65th Family Island Regatta, but they got to kick off the promotion of the torch run for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games just before the official proclamation of sailing as the national sport of The Bahamas.

#On Friday night, the torch run made its way through George Town, Exuma, to the new regatta site to signify the launch of the return of the Bahamas Games after a 21-year hiatus during the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations from July 6-14. “Prior to announcement of the national sport, we had the torch run with Exuma getting it started,” Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg confirmed. “It will go through the various islands participating in the Bahamas Games before it gets back to New Providence. That went very well.”

#In a relay form, the Royal Bahamas Police Force accompanied by some of the young athletes on the island, started the ruin with the torch that passed onto the island Administrator Donald Rolle before he handed it over to Bowleg. Minister of Parliament for Exuma and Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper received the torch from Bowleg and passed it on Prime Minister Phil ‘Brave’ Davis.

#“We then made the countdown of 75 days left before the start of the games,” Bowleg said. “It’s important for us to do this torch run because a whole generation doesn’t understand the concept of the Bahamas Games. This is to inform persons of the importance of us putting on this event and get them excited to be a part of the games.”

#Started in 1989, the Bahamas Games is expected to bring together more than 2,500 athletes and officials from teams throughout the country will participate from islands/grouping of islands including Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Columbus Isles, Eleuthera, Exuma and Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, Long Island, MICA and New Providence in at least 14 core sporting disciplines.

#The games, which continued in 1991, 1995, 1998 and in 2001, will be staged in New Providence next year including softball, basketball, track and field, lawn tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bodybuilding and powerlifting, cycling, baseball, regatta sailing, rowing and golf.

#Additionally, there will be competition in beach soccer and beach volleyball.

#As for the announcement of the national sport, Bowleg said they had a ceremony to receive the torch and at the same time, the announcement was made by Prime Minister Davis before the fireworks erupted. Bowleg also brought some remarks on the youth and developmental aspect of the sport, while Clay Sweeting on the history of sailing.

#“I’m elated to know that sailing is the only sport indigenous to the Bahamas,” Bowleg said. “Not only did we get our first Olympic medal in sailing from Sir Durward Knowles and Cecil Cooke in 1964, but it’s a sport that identify who we are as a people.

#“We are an archipelago surrounded by waters, so it’s our goal to see how best to get sailing back into the Olympics and winning medals again. It was really accepted by all those in attendance, including the sailors, who were there to compete in the regatta.”

#Danny Strachan, who will demit office as commodore of the National Family Island Regatta on June 1 after serving for the past 31 years, said the announcement of sailing as the national sport of the Bahamas could not come at a more opportune time.

#“I’m quite ecstatic about it because of the fact that I’ve been campaigning for this for more than 30 years for sailing to become the national sport of our country, which is another pillar in the development of our country as an independent nation,” Strachan said.

#“I’m so proud and thankful that the government made the decision to name it the official sport at this year’s 67th National Family Island Regatta. There couldn’t be q better setting to do that. We had almost 80 boats competing in this regatta so it was the appropriate venue and appropriate timing for the announcement on Friday.”

#According to Strachan, Georgetown, Exuma has been the cradle of sloop sailing since 1954, but he said he lobbied for the sport to become the national sport of the country because sailors have been sailing internationally in all types of sailing, led by the Olympic gold in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan with crew member Cecil Cooke. Knowles also teamed up with and Sloane Farrington to win the Olympic bronze in1956 in Melbourne, Australia.

#As for the final results of the regatta, the New Legend, skippered by David Knowles, captured the A class with five points, followed by the Running Tide, skippered by Stefan Knowles with seven, The New Courageous, skippered by Stefano Kemp, got third with nine.

#In the B Class, Jeff Gale skippered the Lonesome Dove to victory with six points over the Ole Boy, skippered by Cochise Burrows, who collected 10. Tari Anne, skippered by Dallas Knowles, got third place with 11 points.

#The B class saw It Ain’t Right, skippered by Gale, emerged was the winners with nine points. Xena, skippered by David Knowles and Sassie Sue, skippered by Stefan Knowles, both ended up with 11 points for a two-way tie for second.

#Captain Peg, skippered by Josh Green, won the E class with seven points. Para, skippered by Douglas Saunders, was second with eight and Miss Agnes, skippered by Alvington McKenzie, got third with 12.

#The most outstanding skipper award went to Gale with two first and three third place finish to win both the B and C Class series championship title

#Man-O-War, skippered by Leslie ‘Buzzy’’ Rolle, took the Minister of Agriculture, Marine and Family Island E class Cup race. Whitty K, skippered by Cochise Burrows, won the Commodore Emeritus C class; New Susa Chase, skippered by Stefan Knowles, took the Governor General’s B class and Ruff Justice, skippered by Mark Knowles, captured the Prime Minister’s Cup for the A class.

#The next major regatta on the sailing calendar is the Long Island Regatta, which will take place in May.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/sailing-officially-declared-our-national-sport/?news

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023

Athletes make their presence felt overseas

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE strongwoman Rhema Otabor, versatile Anthaya Charlton, hurdler Gabrielle Gibson and sprinter Wanya McCoy were taking care of business over the weekend in the United States, sprinters Anthonique Strachan and Wendell Miller were making their presence felt at the Velocity Fest 13 in Kingston, Jamaica.

#At the Michael Johnson Invitational at the Hart Track and Field Stadium at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Otabor – a junior at Nebraska – had a personal best heave of 194-feet, six-inches or 59.28m to win the women’s javelin throw, well ahead of second place finisher Maddie Harris, a junior at Nebraska, who did 183-03 (55.86m).

#Also at the meet, Charlton, a member of the Bahamian connection at the University of Kentucky, led by head coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene and his assistant “Golden Girl” Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, secured the win in the women’s long jump.

#For good measure, Charlton also ran on Kentucky women’s 4 x 100m relay team that won in 43.38.

#Fellow Kentucky team-mate Megan Moss came through with a fourth place finish in the women’s 400m in a season’s best of 52.55.

#Moss also contested the women’s 200m where she had to settle for 23rd place in 24.09.

#Moss also teamed up on the women’s 4 x 400m relay for Kentucky as they ran 3:28.21 for the sixth fastest time this year and is now ranked as the fifth best in Kentucky history. Charlton ran on Kentucky women’s 4 x 100m relay that ended up on top of the field of teams in 43.38.

#Antoine Andrews, representing Texas Tech, came through the men’s 110m hurdles final in 13.85 for fifth place.

#In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Gibson clocked13.07 to pull off the victory in the women’s 100m hurdles. Her nearest rival was Kiara Smith, a junior at Missouri Southern in 13.22.

#Gibson also had double duties, running in the 200m where she placed fourth in 23.35. Rosey Effiong, a sophomore at Arkansas, was the winner in 23.02.

#McCoy, a sophomore at Clemson University, won the men’s 200m in 20.46 at the USC Outdoor Open/. Jadyn Tabois, a junior at Iowa, came in second in 20.55.

#Strachan lead duo in Jamaica.

#At the National Stadium in Jamaica, Strachan picked up a third place finishers in the women’s 100 and Miller ended up fourth in the men’s 200m.

#In the final of the 100m, Strachan held on for third in 11.11 seconds as she trailed Jamaicans Shericka Jackson, who ran a meet record 10.82, and Natasha Morrison, who got second in 11.09. Strachan won her heat of the women’s 100m in 11.30,

#“It was good. I’m constantly trying out new things and trying to correct what’s wrong so when it matters, I can just do it,” Strachan said. “I had no expectations.”

#Strachan was scheduled to run the 200m, but didn’t compete. The event was won by Jamaica’s Josean Williams in a season’s best of 23.56.

#Miller, also competing for the MVP Club, got fourth in his heat of the men’s 400m, but had to settle for 11trh overall in 21.82. Rasheed Dwyer of Jamaica was the winner in 20.68.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/athletes-make-their-presence-felt-overseas/?news

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023

GSSSA volleyball championships on

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) volleyball championships commenced this past weekend at the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium.

#The championship round featured volleyball play from both the junior and senior teams.

#Both divisions showed up for game one as three of the four games played went to three sets.

#For the juniors, the HO Nash Lions’ girls and DW Davis Royals boys sit comfortably after defeating their competitors in game one of the championship rounds.

#The Lions snatched game one away from the SC McPherson Sharks. Meanwhile, the Royals took down the HO Nash junior boys team to go up 1-0 in the series.

#For the seniors, the CR Walker Knights’ girls brought home game one after defeating the CV Bethel Stingrays in two sets.

#Additionally, the CI Gibson Rattlers claimed game one after winning against the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins in three hard-fought sets.

#In the first game of the day, the junior girls put on a show against each other in their first championship game.

#The Lions and Sharks gave it all that they had against each other in the three sets. In set one, the Sharks won 25-19 after 18 minutes of volleyball action. However, the Lions retaliated in set two and evened things up after beating the Sharks 25-16. After a big showing in set two, the Lions kept up their momentum which fueled them to a 15-10 win to claim game one of the junior girl’s championship series. Patty Johnson, volleyball head coach of the Lions, talked about how it felt to get the game one win in the best of three series. The coach said the game started off a bit shaky for her team due to a breakdown in communication between the girls, However, she believes that the team got it together and they will ride the momentum into game two. She credited the play of the Sharks after a competitive game but will look to make adjustments for a better showing from the Lions.

#The junior boys also brought a competitive showing to the Anatol Rodgers gymnasium this past weekend. In a bout that went to three sets, the Royals took the fight to the Lions early on winning set one 25-16 after 17 minutes of gameplay. The Lions made a comeback in set two and evened the score after winning 25-17. Despite trying to keep their hopes alive after tying the sets, the Royals took over in set three winning 15-9 to take home the game one series win.

#Mark Hanna, head coach of the Royals, talked about how it felt to emerge victorious in game one.

#“We are the underdogs as far as they are concerned, we are not supposed to be here but this team is a fighting team and the mentality is to never give up so it feels good to get the win,” Hanna said.

#He added the team will be focused coming into today’s game two and he wants them to play free, and have fun as he he feels good about their chances.

#In one of the most intense matchups on the day, the Knights and the Stingrays left it all on the court after their game one battle against each other. The senior girls exchanged a flurry of bumps, flicks, spikes, and serves in efforts to take down the opposing team. In set one, the Knights reigned supreme after defeating the Stingrays 25-20. Despite game one only being

#two sets, the Knights had their hands full in set two as both teams kept the ball active for nearly one minute on the court. Also, leading into the final minutes of the 23-minute set the Stingrays led 23-21. However, the team could not hold on and the first-seeded Knights wrapped up the final set 26-24 to seal the game one win.

#Aikia Rose, head coach of the Knights, said the team started off a bit slow in the first set but they regained focus in the second set of the day. She added that her message to the team was to pass the ball, and call for the ball. She expects that going into game two if they follow this message and play a little harder than they did on Friday they can take home a championship victory.

#Vanessa Sawyer, the setter for the Knights, was involved in some huge power plays for the winning team. She said her mindset in game one’s win was to come out and get a few big hits for her team because it is her final year in high school, and she wanted to make a big impact in the championship game.

#In the final matchup on the day, the Doris Johnson Marlins dropped game one to the CI Gibson Rattlers. The Rattlers bested the Marlins in set one 25-18. However, the Marlins mounted an attack and returned the favor in the second set shutting out the team 25-19. With the sets tied 1-1 going into the final one, the Rattlers got back into the matchup and won 15-7 to runaway with the game one win.

#The junior and senior division teams will resume the GSSSA volleyball championships at 4pm this evening at the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/gsssa-volleyball-championships/?news

April 28, 2023February 4, 2024

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

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

As of Friday, April 28, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023

‘Tyrone was always the life of the party’

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE Tyrone Oliver Jr was being considered for representation in his first major international event by the Boxing Federation of the Bahamas next week, his younger brother Shakuar Oliver was preparing for his marriage on his older brother’s birthday in May.

#Today, their family is grieving their loss on Saturday morning after they were killed together in the parking lot of Solomon’s Super Center. Tyrone Jr would have celebrated his 28th birthday on May 11 and Shakuar was 23.

#Members of the Boxing Federation of the Bahamas and some of the coaches who worked with Oliver since his introduction into the sport have expressed their sympathy to the Oliver family, including their parents Eunice and Tyrone Oliver Sr, their three sisters and one brother.

#Sonovia Oliver, one of the sisters, said it’s a double blow to their family and the community of White’s Addition off Kemp Road where they reside.

#“Tyrone was always the life of the party. Once he comes with the jokes, the party will start,” she said. “He was always dancing, always cheerful. He always had an encouraging word to tell anybody. Even at the end of the conversation, he would tell you ‘blessing,’ or ‘forward blessing.’ He was always disciplined from boxing and his daddy, who was a no-nonsense person.”

#As for Shakuar, who came out and supported Tyrone when he was in training and competing, Sonovia said he was quiet the opposite to his older brother. “He was very quiet. Most times you didn’t even know he was there. He was like a fly on the wall,” she noted. “He was a man of very little words, but he expressed himself through his music.”

#According to Sonovia, Shakuar was getting ready to get married on Tyrone Jr’s birthday on May 11. The two left behind two daughters. Tyrone’s daughter was Danielle Oliver, who was seven, while Shakuar’s daughter was two-year-old Shaniyah Oliver.

#“The only good thing about it is we have a huge outpouring of love already,” she stated. “There’s a song that says let your life speak for you. My brother’s lives are speaking for them right now. We are from Kemp Road, born and raised. We know what it is to share one plate of food and to see how far they came, not being a product of their environment and to go the way they did, I can’t fathom hat happened, but I know that is not the way my brothers should have goner.”

#Boxing Federation of the Bahamas Vincent Strachan said it was painful for him because he only got to meet Tyrone Jr earlier this year in person, although they communicated over the past few years by phone.

#“He was made a member of the Bahamas Boxing Federation elite men’s team. He was path of the IBA World Boxing Championships team for Tashkent, Uzbekistan from April 29th to May 14th, 2023.

#Tyrone Oliver, according to Strachan, was making plans to go to the federation’s training camp in Freeport Grand Bahama and was being considered for selection on the national team for the

#Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, El Salvador in June; the Pan American Games qualifier in August in Cali, Columbia and the Pan American Games in November, also in Cali.

#“He was positive about qualifying for the 2024 Olympics, in France,” Strachan said. “He was the main event representative for Team Bahamas, March 4th, 2023,at Sir Kendal Isaac Gymnasium for the second Sonny Boy Rahming and Leonard Boston Blackie Memorial Boxing Championship,” Strachan said.

#“As the chief judge and a scoring judge, he won his match on my score card. I am proud of his representation of the 242 against the Bermudian boxer, who was much heavier.”

#Strachan expressed his deepest condolence to the Oliver family, his boxing family and friends.

#“I pray God will have mercy on him and his family member soul who died in the same incident,” he stated.

#Ronn Rodgers, who had the opportunity to work with Oliver Jr since he started competing in the sport at age 13 when he started boxing up until he turned professional.

#“When I got the news, I wanted to confirm it,” said Rodgers, who was in Canada at the time. “I got a call from Michelle Minus and told me that it had happened. I started to make some calls to make sure it was true or not. Once I confirmed it, all I could do was shut down.”

#Rodgers said he had just spoken to Oliver Jr about a week ago as he was working out details to get him to appear on the undercard of the Return of Drama in Paradise professional boxing show on June 3 at Baha Mar featuring Ladarius Miller against Nomeva Kolisani in the main event.

#“I was making sure he was training and also staying active and to confirm that he was still a go for the show on June 3,” Rodgers revealed. “I have fighters calling me from London, England, America and I have kickboxing and boxing coaches reaching out to me.

#“The fighters who he grew up with say they can’t stop crying. So it’s a big blow to the club. He was fiery. When it came to the sport, there was nothing he love more than boxing. In fact, that was the way I could reach him mentally, physically and spiritually. I used boxing as leeway to get to him and make sure he stayed on the right path.

#“He wasn’t happy unless he was doing boxing, weather it was training or fighting. If you saw him before a fight, he was the most exciting fighter ever. He was bouncing around. He wasn’t timid at all. He wanted to get into the boxing ring immediately. So his love for boxing is like none other.”

#As a welterweight, Tyrone Oliver produced a 40-5 amateur win-loss record before he turned pro on May 26, 2018. He made a successful debut with a technical knockout over Justin Sawyer in an all-Bahamian match-up at the A Social Affair and Convention Center in Grand Bahama.

#However, he suffered two consecutives losses on the road. On October 31, 2020, he suffered an unanimous decision to American Christian Otero in Colombia, before he got knocked out on July 31, 2021 by American Isaah Flaherty in Decatur, Georgia.

#About three months ago, Valentino Knowles said Oliver Jr reached out to him to go over the details of a pro contract he had signed in Africa. After he helped to guide him along, Oliver Jr turned the deal down and returned home.

#“Ever since he came back home, he came into the National Gym, along with Israel Johnson and Carl Hield where they trained together,” Knowles said. ”He was very respectful, humble and he had a lot of all-around skills. He was expected to be our next best international prospect.”

#The Tribune Sports Department extends its dee[pest sympathy to the Oliver family on their double loss

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/tyrone-was-always-life-party/?news

April 28, 2023February 4, 2024

CI Gibson Rattlers celebrate titles with awards ceremony, motorcade

TEAM EFFORT: In honour of their hard work and successful season that culminated with both the Rattlers senior boys and girls basketball teams winning the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association pennant and championship titles, the CI Gibson Secondary School celebrated their achievements with an awards ceremony and motorcade. Above, members of the senior boys’ team pose with some of the dignitaries. Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

CI Gibson Rattlers senior girls and boys on their motorcade in honour of their successful basketball seasons. Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN honour of their hard work and successful season that culminated with both the Rattlers senior boys and girls basketball teams winning the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s pennant and championship titles, the CI Gibson Secondary School celebrated their achievements with an awards ceremony and motorcade.

#While the ceremony was held inside the CI Gibson Gymnasium, the awards presentation to the players was delayed in order for the motorcade to take place on Friday as it threatened to rain. But despite the light showers, the motorcade paraded the players and their fellow students through the streets of New Providence.

#Kevin ‘KJ” Johnson, head coach of both teams, said it was important to recognise the players for their tremendous feat, becoming the first school to cart off both titles in the same year.

#The senior boys also participated in the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic, where they fell short in the championship game against the Sunland Lutheran Stingers from Grand Bahama.

#“I feel the year was a very good year for both the senior boys and girls basketball teams and we really worked hard in the GSSSA championships,” Johnson said.

#“We also did very well in the Hugh Campbell Classic, although we didn’t get to bring home the bacon. We played extremely hard and gave ourselves a chance to win, but Sunland was just a better team.”

#Johnson said they will continue to work hard during the summer and will be back for an encore performance next year.

#The Rattlers, however, could have something else to celebrate as their senior boys’ team will be participating in the GSSSA volleyball championship series this weekend.

#The celebrations for the Rattlers was highlighted by a sterling keynote address from youth pastor Basil Johnson of Living Waters Kingdom Ministries, who encouraged the teams and the rest of the students at CI Gibson not only to dare to dream, but believe that they can achieve their success, as the theme of the celebrations depicted.

#Also participating in the ceremonies was Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell, a former head boy of CI Gibson and a hard nose supporter of the Rattlers, along with Sheenan White, the Northern New Providence Secondary Schools district superintendent, Floyd Armbrister of the Sports Unit at the Ministry of Education and Varel Davis, president of the GSSSA.

#In his remarks, Armbrister said everywhere he went, he spoke to persons and all he could hear them say was that CI Gibson was definitely “Second to none” as their motto would suggest.

#He said they demonstrated that in their performances on and off the basketball court.

#Some of the parents of the basketball players were also on hand to share in the celebrations as Kaivonne Newbold, the mistress of ceremonies and head of the physical education department at CI Gibson, labelled the school band, the teams and principal Herbert Oembler as the greatest in the country.

#CI Gibson’s debate team was also recognised for their recent achievement.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/24/tyrone-was-always-life-party/?news

April 28, 2023February 4, 2024

CI Gibson Rattlers celebrate titles with awards ceremony, motorcade

As of Monday, April 24, 2023

CI Gibson Rattlers senior girls and boys on their motorcade in honour of their successful basketball seasons. Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff