Category: TRACK

Buddy Hield scores 19 in 87-82 loss to Heat

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield (24) goes to the basket against Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro (14) during the second half last night in Indianapolis.
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield (24) goes to the basket against Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro (14) during the second half last night in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

#By MICHAEL MAROT

#AP Sports Writer

#INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 17 rebounds and Jimmy Butler scored seven straight points late in the fourth quarter to help the Miami Heat hold off the Indiana Pacers 87-82 last night.

#Butler finished with 20 points. The Heat had lost three of their previous four and evened the season series with Indiana by pulling away late.

#Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 19 points and nine rebounds – one shy of a double double – and Andrew Nembhard scored 18 as Indiana lost its second straight and for the sixth time in eight games.

#It was a rough-and-tumble game in which baskets came at a premium. But Butler finally cranked it up in the closing minutes, his late flurry turning a 77-73 contest into an 84-75 cushion with 2:26 to go.

#The Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton didn’t get closer than four again. Haliburton missed all nine of his shots, all six of his 3-pointers and wound up with one point and three assists.

#Miami had just enough scoring punch to survive Indiana’s 8-0 run midway through the third quarter that finally gave the Pacers a 62-57 lead and ended the quarter on a 10-2 spurt to take a 67-64 edge before Butler’s late flurry finally put it away. Miami scored 15 straight points in the second quarter to charge out to a 43-28 lead, but the Pacers finished the half on a 13-2 run to make it 47-42.

#TIP-INS

#Heat: Two-time All- Star Victor Oladipo was welcomed back to Indiana with a highlight reel that played on the video board before the national anthem. Miami improved to 14-49 all-time in Indianapolis. Kyle Lowry had eight points and made a 3-pointer in his 26th consecutive game, the third-longest streak of his career. Adebayo has scored in double figures in 42 consecutive games.

#Pacers: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. attended the game. Indiana has lost two straight home games to Eastern Conference foes after opening the season at 7-1. The Pacers were 11 of 39 on 3s but gave up only nine offensive rebounds two nights after allowing 29 in a loss to Brooklyn.

#ON THE MEND

#The Pacers could be getting one of their key rotational players, second-year guard Chris Duarte, back soon. Coach Rick Carlisle said the all-rookie team player practiced with the team’s G League affiliate in Fort Wayne yesterday and is expected to play in two games in Wisconsin later this week.

#Duarte has been out since November 4 with a sprained left ankle. “After practice today the first thing he said to me is ‘I feel better than I thought I would,’” Carlisle said. “We want him to feel good. We want him to feel great.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/buddy-hield-scores-19-87-82-loss-heat/?news

Grant named to All-Tournament team

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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ADARI GRANT

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsrtt@tribunemedia.net

#Team Bahamas second baseman Adari Grant was named to the All-Tournament team for the fourth annual Caribbean Baseball Cup.

#The St Louis Cardinals prospect was the lone Bahamian to receive the post tournament honour following Sunday night’s finale at the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium.

#The remainder of the All-Tournament team included Dudley Leonora (first base), Darren Seferina (shortstop), Reysheandall Michel (rightfield) and Reyshelon Carolina (leftfield) of Curacao; Yoelkis Gilbert (designated hitter) and Yeudi Reyes (relief pitcher) of Cuba; Ruben Castro (catcher), Jose Burgos (starting pitcher), Reynaldo Navarro (third base) and Miguel Egea (center field) of Puerto Rico.

#For the tournament, Grant hit .273, slugging .318 with a .320 OBP and .638 OPS. He finished second on the team with six hits, scored two runs, with four RBI and two stolen bases. He opened the tournament 1-4 against USVI followed by a 1-3, two RBI, and a stolen base in the first matchup against Curacao.

#After a hitless night against Cuba, Grant responded with consecutive multi-hit games.

#He went 2-4 with a run, RBI, and a stolen base against the first matchup against Puerto Rico and followed 2-4 with a double and an RBI.

#Defensively, he finished with a .963 fielding percentage, 10 put outs, and helped turn three double plays.

#The Bahamas finished fourth in its return to international baseball at the senior level.

#Grant became the first Bahamian player to join the Cardinals organisation when they signed him in the 2021 class.

#In his rookie season he was assigned to the Dominican Summer League with the DSL Cardinals Blue.

#He finished with a batting average of .220 with a .691 OPS on the season with 36 hits, one home run, 27 runs, 10 RBI and seven stolen bases in 43 games.

#He progressed to the Florida Complex League last season and in 37 games he hit .206 with .594 OPS, the season with 20 hits, 14 runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases in 43 games.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/grant-named-all-tournament-team/?news

Major Jr, Bain face off with top tennis players in world

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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SHOWN, from left to right, are Michael Major Jr, Bahamian tennis legend Mark Knowles and Jacobi Bain at Baha Mar.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was a rare opportunity when high school sensation Michael Major Jr and collegian Jacobi Bain got to play against some of the top tennis players in the world at home.

#Thanks to legendary host Mark Knowles, that opportunity came on Saturday as the top junior tennis players teamed up to represent the Bahamas in an exhibition match at the third Baha Mar Cup at the Baha Mar Tennis Club.

#The duo fell victim to the American pair of James Blake and Jessica Pegula, but it didn’t matter that they fell short 6-3 in the final score. They were both just eager to be on the same court with Blake, one of the former top men’s players in the world and Pegula, who is now the top American female player ranked at No.3 in the world. “It was honestly amazing. I’ve never felt like that ever,” said the 16-year-old Major Jr, who is completing his final year at Windsor High School through the Albany Tennis Academy. “I would normally be a little nervous, but as soon as I got on the court, I kept a smile on and I was having fun the whole time.”

#Although he and Bain have not played together since he left for college, Bain said he was even more delighted to renew his relationship with Bain. The duo were actually tied at 3-3 in the one set match, but the Americans used their experience to win the next three points to hold on for the win.

#“Jacobi is one of my long-time friends. He just went to college, but we were training at the same academy, so it was good to finally play with him,” Major Jr said. “Today was actually the first day I saw him since he came back and so it’s just great to play with someone whom I have known for such a long time and who has had such an influence on my life in tennis.”

#The feeling was mutual for 19-year-old Bain, who is back home after taking a break from his sophomore season for the Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush men’s tennis team.

#“It was a great experience. I just want to thank Mark Knowles for putting this on and giving us an invite to play. It was great for me,” Bain said. “It was also the first time me and Michael played doubles in a long time, so it was good to get that opportunity here.”

#While Bain is preparing to head back to New Orleans before the end of the month, Major Jr is contemplating where he will pursue his collegiate career.

#“I got just a D1 (division one) college offer. I have an official visit in January,” said Major Jr, who declined to disclose the location. “Tennis has been good for me.”

#Having already gotten his feet wet from his freshman year last year, Bain said he’s eager to see what progress he has made for this year.

#“My season has been amazing. I’ve played some doubles and made finals in regionals in singles and doubles. I forfeited the singles and just played the doubles and lost in the third set,” Bain said.

#“Then I played in the ITF Cup and lost in the quarterfinals and finished the preseason ranking at number six.”

#Major Jr is coming off a trip to Bradenton, Florida, where he participated in his last tournament two weeks ago where he reached the third round of the qualifying.

#“I thought I could win the tournament, but I got to see what I need to improve on, but there’s always a next time,” Major Jr said.

#There’s another time coming up for Major Jr to compete against the top Bahamian male players when the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association hosts its annual Giorgio Baldacci Open National Championships, scheduled for December 19-22 at the National Tennis Center.

#The tournament serves as the first qualifier for the men’s Davis Cup and women’s Billie Jean King Cup teams.

#For Major Jr, the goal is to make the team. But before he participates in the tournament, he will be travelling on Wednesday with Justin Roberts to Jamaica to play against their Davis Cup team before they return home on Sunday. “Me and Justin playing together is dangerous,” Major Jr said. “Just imagine if we both make the team along with Jacobi. I think we can do some damage.”

#Bain said while the focus is on making the Davis Cup team at the tournament, he will be using it to prepare himself for his return to college in January.

#“I will be out to try my best and see how far it will take me,” Bain said. “I still have a lot of tennis to play at college, so I’m really looking forward to that right now. If I make the team, it would be great, but if I don’t, I still have college to look forward to.”

#While home, Bain said he wants to take advantage of the home-cooked meals that he missed the most. “I miss my conch,” he stressed.

#Even though he will be eating more than he would at school and relaxing and having some fun with his family and friends, Bain said he’s not neglecting any opportunity he has to get on the court and play some tennis.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/major-jr-bain-face-top-tennis-players-world/?news

Jonquel Jones posts 29 points, 19 rebounds in blowout victory

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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JONQUEL Jones

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsrtt@tribunemedia.net

#JONQUEL Jones continues to lead CBK Mersin to the top of the standings in Turkey’s Herbalife Nutrition Women’s Basketball Super League, and contention in FIBA EuroLeague play.

#Mersin improved to 9-1 with a 90-61 win over seventh ranked Hatay. Jones finished with 29 points and 19 rebounds. She shot 9-14 from the field and 3-5 from three-point range.

#Jones’ other Turkish league performances this month include 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 79-75 win over Canyaka and 28 points, 16 rebounds in an 81-80 win over Besiktas. She currently averages 19.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

#In FIBA EuroLeague play, Jones continued her dominance but the club fell to 2-3 on the season in Group B. She finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 76-72 loss to Italian club Beretta Familia Schio.

#Jones has four double doubles in four EuroLeague appearances, highlighted by 24 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and two blocks to lead her club to their first win of the 2022 EuroLeague campaign with a 68-61 win over French club Basket Landes.

#Mersin will face Spar Girona on November 16 in Mersin, Turkey.

#Jones highlighted a season of high-priced acquisitions that initially vaulted Mersin to no.3 in the FIBA EuroLeague power rankings, however, they fell to no.6 in the latest edition after a pair of losses.

#Jones is averaging 19.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in EuroLeague play.

#In 11 EuroLeague games last season with Russian powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg, Jones averaged a team-leading 17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/jonquel-jones-posts-29-points-19-rebounds-blowout-/?news

RIP: BACO members are laid to rest

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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COURTNEY WALLACE

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IVY CHARLTON

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was an unusual Saturday for members of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials.

#Instead of the BACO members officiating a track and field meet or a road race, they spent the day expressing their condolences to the family of two of their members who were laid to rest one after the other in Lakeview Memorial Gardens following their funeral services at two different churches.

#Immediate past president Courtney Wallace’s funeral was held at Evangelistic Temple where the Rev. Dr. Vaughan Cash did the eulogy.

#Following that, the funeral service for elder Ivy Faceitha Charlton was held at New Destiny Baptist Cathedral where apostle Delton Fernander was officiant.

#At both services, members of BACO as well as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, led by returned elected president Drumeco Archer, and government officials attended, along with family members and friends.

#Wallace, 57, passed away on November 15. The Saxons Junkanoo Group member served in BACO for more than 20 years, ascending from a floor member to become the vice president and the immediate past president.

#Matice Rolle, who worked as the chief call room referee, said she remembers when Wallace became the president, he was “excited, energetic, challenged to inspire officials to a higher level in training” and to become a force to reckon with.

#“Without a doubt, our former president loved what he was doing,” she said. “At various meets, he would be one of the first ones there, setting up the field. He participated in assisting at the high jump, shot put and long jump pit. And most times he was the last one to leave.”

#This year, the BAAA afforded Wallace the opportunity to serve as the manager of the CARIFTA team and while they attended the event, Rolle said they watched as he arduously carried out his job.

#“I remember looking down at the stadium in Jamaica and I saw Courtney loading down with bags and escorting athletes to their events,” she said.

#“I tried to reach him but was not successful, so I ended up sending a message to him to be careful and slow down.

#“I guess the message never reached him and the next day I saw him loaded down with bags and transporting athletes to their various events.

#“The only thing I could say, ‘Lord, give him the strength because he isn’t letting nothing get in the way of what he loves to do.”

#Not only did Wallace have a love for track and field, but Rolle said he also had a love for God and their conversations on the road from the track stadium on many occasions was about the “goodness of God and where God brought us from.”

#“He said and I quote ‘God is a God of a second chance’ and I replied to him and said he is third, fourth and he is just that kind of God. No matter what, he loves me and you the same.”

#Charlton, on the other hand, was a long-time physical education teacher at a number of schools, including Green Castle Primary in Eleuthera, EP Roberts, CW Sawyer, SC McPherson and Sybil Strachan Primary.

#She died on November 11 at the age of 67 after serving for a number of years as an official of BACO, particularly at the high jump pit.

#Barry Saunders, one of the starters of track and field meets, said Charlton was a member of a diverse bunch of officials, covering different socio-economic levels, nationalities, religious, political and cultural divides joined together for the good and advancement of the sport.

#He said she was the glue for their family structure and their togetherness. “Never was an ill word spoken of or by her as she was always respectful of athletes and her fellow officials and she was given that respect in return,” Saunders said.

#“She worked anywhere she was asked and did so with great humility, pride and unselfishness and though she had great knowledge of officiating, she would show up to every training exercise and immerse herself in it like it was her first time learning it.

#“Yes, she was humble like that. These are the qualities we’d do well to emulate.”

#As they mourn, Saunders said Campbell was similar to Wallace, as they were both individuals who were kind, caring, giving and loving to the end.

#“Yes, we need more of them. Yes, we need to be just like them.

#“Our lives are richer because they passed our way,” said Saunders, as he offered his condolences on behalf of the executives and members of BACO and the tech team to their family praying that God will sustain then during the days and months as he holds them close to his bosom.

#May their souls rest in peace.

The Return: Chickcharney Challenge set for January 28

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

#IF you have not yet registered for the Chickcharney Challenge there’s still time, as organisers of the island nation’s premier obstacle course challenge have announced a new date for the wildly popular event.

#Chickcharney Chirren chief executive officer Chester Robards says that the event will now be held on January 28, 2023, after the initial date of December 3 was scrapped so as not to conflict with a number of other events scheduled that weekend.

#Following a two-year hiatus, the upcoming iteration of the event aptly dubbed “The Return” will be held at the Clifton Heritage Park.

#The Chickcharney Challenge, which is now in its seventh edition, puts one’s fitness and endurance to the test over a three-mile course featuring some 16 obstacles.

#Robards says the postponement was somewhat of a “blessing in disguise.”

#“We, like so many others, are still suffering from some shipping issues and so some things had not come in yet. It has also allowed more time for people who wanted to become sponsors to now come on board.

#“Hurricane Nicole also impacted the part of the beach where our starting line was going to be so hopefully it will be remediated in time for the event.”

#Robards said: “We have our package pickup and happy hour at Crypto Isle the night before the event.”

#The package for Chickcharney Challenge registrants would include their entrance and timing chip.

#“We are also inviting people running in the event to camp over in the park the night before.

#“If they’re running at 6.30am they don’t have to drive out early. They can’t camp at the site in their vehicle unfortunately, but they can use a tent. We do have a limited number of them for rent,” says Robards.

#Persons interested in participating in the obstacle challenge are urged so sign up as soon as possible as there are limited spots available.

#The Chickcharney Challenge is geared toward not only serious fitness enthusiasts but also those simply looking to have fun while trying something new.

#The event began back in 2015, typically attracting around 100 participants, a number Robards says he hopes to see doubled this time around.

#The event is being held in partnership with Clifton Heritage, with Colina Insurance as the lead sponsor.

#The cost to participate in the challenge is $70 for adults and $50 for persons under the age of 17.

#For groups of four or more participants the cost is $65 per person and groups with participants ages 17 and under, the cost to participate is $45 per person.

#Obstacle course racing is one of the fastest growing segments in endurance sports globally.

#An official governing body – the International Obstacle Racing Federation (IORF) – was established nearly a decade ago to legitimise efforts to have obstacle course racing become an Olympic sport.

#Robards says that when that becomes a reality, he hopes to someday see a Chickcharney participant competing in the Olympics.

#In keeping with efforts to foster greater adoption of digital payments in the country, The Chickcharney Challenge is going digital this year and accepting Sand Dollars. SunCash is the payment solution provider for this year’s event

#To register for the Chickcharney Challenge go to https://www.chickcharneychirren.com.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/return-chickcharney-challenge-set-january-28/?news

Baha Mar junior tennis clinic ‘a huge success’

PARTICIPANTS enjoy the 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup over the weekend. On the final day the young kids were invited to participate in a free tennis clinic.

PARTICIPANTS enjoy the 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup over the weekend. On the final day the young kids were invited to participate in a free tennis clinic.

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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#THE 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup was held this past weekend.

#On the final day the young kids were invited to participate in a free tennis clinic.

#The kids played with the tennis professionals and received tips from the world #3 in singles and doubles, Jessica Pegula, James Blake former world #4 and Milos Raonic, former world #3.

#Bahamian tennis star Mark Knowles, former world #1 in doubles, has been instrumental in the organisation of the Baha Mar Cup since its inception.

#Knowles also was on the court with the kids at the Baha Mar Racquet Club sharing his love of the sport.

#Others who assisted in the clinic included coach Turner, Cory Francis, Afrika Smith, Jacobi Bain and Michael Major Jr.

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) joined in the event with many of the NTC “Play Tennis” kids taking part in the clinic.

#The kids were inspired to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams a reality.

#The tennis professionals who played with the youngsters were also very gracious signing balls and taking pictures with the aspiring tennis players many of whom are relatively new to the sport.

#Despite the rain the kids had fun and went away with a positive tennis experience.

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THE CHILDREN played with the tennis professionals and received some helpful tips.

#President Perry Newton noted that the impact the Baha Mar event has had on the young kids will be long lasting as they were able to meet and play with the tennis pros who were very kind and considerate in giving back to the children.

#It is a wonderful work that Baha Mar Foundation is doing and the BLTA supports the tennis work and the community focus.

#The Baha Mar Cup also featured an exhibition game on Saturday that was led by tennis stars American Andy Roddick former world #1, Australian Lleyton Hewett former world #1, James Blake, Mark Knowles and Jessica Pegula.

#The pros played in an exhibition game with ESPN legend Cliff Drysdale providing live game commentary.

#The matches were exciting and fun as Jacobi and Michael were also invited to play in an exhibition game.

#The fundraising event is expected to benefit the Baha Mar Resort Foundation, supporting Mark Knowles Children’s Tennis Initiative.

#The 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup has concluded but the work continues.

#Congratulations to the entire Baha Mar team on a very successful event and we look forward to great things ahead.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/baha-mar-junior-tennis-clinic-huge-success/?news

Retailer orders three months early to beat supply backlog

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

#By YOURI KEMP

#Tribune Business Reporter

#ykemp@tribunemedia.net

#A BAHAMIAN retailer says this Christmas has proved more challenging than in previous years because product orders had to be placed months in advance to overcome supply chain and shipping challenges.

#Martha Wallace, owner/ operator of Janaees Uniform Centre, told Tribune Business all Christmas inventory had to be shipped by the end of August because she could not rely on receiving timely product if orders were placed in November as occurred pre-COVID.

#And, despite placing orders some four months in advance of the festive season, not all items have arrived. A shipment of bicycles will be received by week’s end, but children’s tricycles will now arrive after Christmas.

#“The challenge that we had this year was that our shipment and supplies were coming in late,” Ms Wallace explained. “We just have to order earlier and trust that the persons will stay healthy, because in the Far East when they have one person with COVID-19 the whole place shuts down.

#“That is a big challenge. But we have our bicycle containers coming on Monday. So I understand that they are having some delays with container shipping in the Far East, and they will slow down on the process like how they would have had it, because that’s what our shipping agent told us. We’re trying to just get to things earlier.”

#China’s ‘zero COVID’ policy has caused havoc for global supply chains as it has resulted in multiple factory closures, halting and disrupting production schedules as well as the shipping and logistics sectors. Ms Wallace said: “We started ordering in April because they had to prepare for if I wanted specialty items. They had to prepare those items.

#“Every time you would talk with the shippers, they keep saying this is closed down, that has closed down, and so many items never left until September. We have a container that will be here even after Christmas, which is so very sad because in that container is our tricycles. We’re a uniform store dealing with the children, and you want to put a smile on their faces, so it’s challenging.”

#Janaees has increased staff numbers to 30 persons for Christmas this year, a 50 percent increase from the regular 20 workers. “I want to commend our staff, they’re doing an awesome job,” Ms Wallace said. “I know that they are tired, but they’re not saying, and they’re still trying to assist customers and finding the items and getting everything that they’re looking.

#“I say hats off to the staff. We normally bring in additional persons so we have about 30 people on duty now. We’re looking a lot better for this Christmas than what we did last Christmas. God has really richly blessed us coming out of the pandemic. We had some challenges, but the objective was to keep all of the staff employed, and we’ve had staff that had been with us for 20 years plus. So we’re just making it happen and diversifying with the seasons.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/dec/13/retailer-orders-three-months-early-beat-supply-bac/?news

BAAA has aggressive plans for track

 Home|Sports|BAAA has aggressive plans for trackSports

Board paves the way forward for the next four years

Sheldon LongleySend an emailDecember 13, 2022 232 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 The new administrative team of the BAAA convened on the campus of the University of Central Florida (UCF) on Monday.

Tasked with the mandate of pushing the track and field agenda in the country for the next five years, the new administration of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) held a two-day self-funded conclave in Orlando, Florida, over the last two days, mapping out a course.

BAAA President Drumeco Archer said the move was necessary in determining the way forward for the country’s biggest active sporting discipline and ensuring its continued success.

Since The Bahamas’ inaugural participation in sports internationally, athletics has been the country’s biggest money maker in sports, the country’s most successful sporting discipline at global meets and the country’s biggest draw in terms of athlete and fan participation.

Be that as it may, Archer said it is the new board’s intention to do “more” and be “more”. He was returned to office less than two weeks ago after a detailed and comprehensive “More with Meco” campaign, and brings along with him a whole new administration.

Five pillars of the BAAA’s strategic plan for the next four-year period are more grassroots, talent search and development programs; building more partnerships and exploiting more commercial opportunities; more coaching and sports administration education; more fan engagement; and more athlete safeguarding policies.

“The BAAA has forged a quadripartite relationship with its auxiliary body, the coaches association, the government of The Bahamas, and the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) in a long-term talent search and development program, with emphasis throughout the public school system and family island student athletes,” said Archer. “Already, there have been groups of coaches who have visited Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera, Cat Island, and it is the intent of the next administration to continue this ongoing exercise in every island of The Bahamas, to ensure that no island and no child is left behind. This also requires an equal amount of engagement with family island-based school teachers to make this program an ongoing and sustainable one.

“To guarantee the success of the program, members involved will collect data that will allow us to provide systems of training and performance analysis that would assist in the growth of the program.”

During their time in Orlando, the new administrative team met up with the only Bahamian athlete on the University of Central Florida (UCF) track and field roster, Paige Archer. The freshman sprinter said she is enjoying university life so far, and is looking forward to suiting up for the UCF Knights. Due to a hamstring strain, she is expected to miss some of the indoor season, and is eagerly anticipating a debut at this level.

“Initially it was a culture shock for me, but I’m enjoying the experience so far,” she said. “I like the team and I like the coaching. The hamstring is healing and I feel I will be able to go in January. At this point, I just want to see improvement. Before the injury I could feel myself improving, and with some college training, I feel I could go a long way so I’m excited about the future,” she added.

Archer specializes in the short sprints. She is one of the top female junior sprinters in the country and at just 17, she has two years of CARIFTA eligibility remaining. She said she expects to be at full strength by the time the 2023 CARIFTA Trials rolls around, and with the 50th CARIFTA Games being held in The Bahamas in 2023, she is looking forward to making the team and representing The Bahamas at home.

As for the two-day conclave by the BAAA administration, the roles and functions of executives were outlined, appointments were made, and various commissions were discussed and formed, among many other items.

Archer said he is pleased with the new team and is looking forward to another fruitful four year of track and field in the country.

The current term of the BAAA administration covers a number of major meets, inclusive of but not limited to, the 2023 World Outdoor Championships, the 2024 World Relay Championships, the 2024 World Indoor Championships, the 2024 Olympic Games, the 2025 World Outdoor Championships and the 2026 World Indoor Championships.

The new administrative team has responsibility for the running of track and field in the country for the next four years and is tasked with the governance and overall function of the sport during that time.

The team returns to The Bahamas today.

https://thenassauguardian.com/baaa-has-aggressive-plans-for-track/

Chickcharney Challenge is back on

 Home|Sports|Chickcharney Challenge is back onSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailDecember 13, 2022 193 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

 Chickcharney Chirren Chief Executive Officer Chester Robards (elevated) speaks to participants in the Chickcharney Challenge in this file photo. The date for the popular obstacle course event has changed, now set for January 28, 2023, at Clifton Heritage Park. CHICKCHARNEY CHALLENGE

There’s still time to register for the Chickcharney Challenge, as organizers of the country’s premier obstacle course event have announced a new date to stage it.

Chickcharney Chirren Chief Executive Officer Chester Robards said the challenge will now be held on January 28, 2023, after the initial date of December 3 was scrapped so as not to conflict with a number of other events scheduled that weekend.

Following a two-year hiatus, the upcoming iteration of the event, aptly dubbed “The Return”, will be held at Clifton Heritage Park. The Chickcharney Challenge, which is now in its seventh edition, puts one’s fitness and endurance to the test over a three-mile course, featuring about 16 obstacles.

Robards said the postponement was somewhat of a blessing in disguise.

“We, like so many others, are still suffering from some shipping issues and so some things had not come in yet. It has also allowed more time for people who wanted to become sponsors to now come on board,” he said. “Hurricane Nicole also impacted the part of the beach where our starting line was going to be, so hopefully it will be remediated in time for the event. We have our package pickup and happy hour at Crypto Isle the night before the event,” he added.

The package for Chickcharney Challenge registrants would include their entrance and timing chip.

“We are inviting people running in the event to camp over in the park the night before. If they’re running at 6:30 a.m. they don’t have to drive out early. They can’t camp at the site in their vehicle unfortunately, but they can use a tent. We do have a limited number of them for rent,” said Robards.

Persons interested in participating in the obstacle challenge are urged to sign up as soon as possible, as there are limited spots available.

The Chickcharney Challenge is geared toward not only serious fitness enthusiasts, but also those simply looking to have fun while trying something new. The event began in 2015, typically attracting around 100 participants, a number Robards said he hopes to see doubled this time around.

The event is being held in partnership with Clifton Heritage, with Colina Insurance as the lead sponsor. The cost to participate in the challenge is $70 for adults and $50 for persons under the age of 17. For groups of four or more participants, the cost is $65 per person and groups with participants ages 17 and under, the cost to participate is $45 per person.

Obstacle course racing is one of the fastest growing segments in endurance sports globally. An official governing body – the International Obstacle Racing Federation (IORF) – was established nearly a decade ago to legitimize efforts to have obstacle course racing become an Olympic sport. Robards said that when that becomes a reality, he hopes to someday see a Chickcharney participant competing in the Olympics.

In keeping with efforts to foster greater adoption of digital payments in the country, the Chickcharney Challenge is going digital this year and accepting Sand Dollars. SunCash is the payment solution provider for this year’s event.

To register for the Chickcharney Challenge, interested persons can go to the website https://www.chickcharneychirren.com

https://thenassauguardian.com/chickcharney-challenge-is-back-on/