Home|Sports|McFall named PSAC West Athlete of the WeekSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailNovember 16, 2022 147 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Jonathan McFall, a senior at Slippery Rock University (SRU) in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, has been named as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Athlete of the Week in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, the league office announced on Monday.

McFall earned the weekly honor after leading the Slippery Rock men’s basketball team to a pair of wins, taking down Alderson Broaddus University, 68-62, and Notre Dame College, 82-72, at last weekend’s Butler County Chamber of Commerce Conference Challenge.

In the two games, McFall averaged 21.5 points on 55.2 percent shooting from the field. He added 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. No other player in the PSAC West Division averaged at least 20 points and five rebounds per game last weekend.

The highlight of the performance for McFall came in Slippery Rock’s double-digit win over Notre Dame College as he scored a career-high 28 points while pulling down five rebounds, recording three steals and blocking a shot.

Now in his second season with Slippery Rock, McFall has started 25 of his 30 games played for SRU while producing per game averages of 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 52.6 percent from the field overall and 81.8 percent at the foul line.

Slippery Rock returns to competition at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday when it hosts Penn State Greater Allegheny at Morrow Field House in Slippery Rock. A victory would improve SRU’s win/loss record to 3-0, giving the program its first 3-0 start since the 2009-10 season.

McFall stands at 6’5” and weighs 160 pounds. He plays the guard or forward position for the Slippery Rock men’s basketball team.

SRU is a small public university in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA, with an enrollment of just under 9,000 students.

https://thenassauguardian.com/mcfall-named-psac-west-athlete-of-the-week/

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas’ women pull out of CentrobasketSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 16, 2022 145 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Months after qualifying for the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Centrobasket Women’s Championship Mexico 2022, The Bahamas’ senior women’s national basketball team is forced to pull out due to a lack of funds. They officially withdrew from the tournament on Monday.

The Bahamas was set to take on some of the top teams from the Caribbean and Central American region, from November 23-27, in Chihuahua, Mexico.

There was initial speculation late last week about the possibility of the team not making the trip. Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) President Eugene Horton confirmed the news on Monday. The cost of the trip was set to be in the range of $25,000, according to Horton. FIBA had extended the deadline for confirmation, but as of Monday, the federation found itself short of funds and informed FIBA that the team wasn’t going to travel.

Donillo “Donny” Culmer was the head coach of the team when they played in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in Havana, Cuba, in July. He was set to be the head coach again, for this tournament. He said he and his staff were working diligently with the women and preparing to compete.

“I am very disappointed, very disappointed,” Culmer said. “These women worked hard. We put in the work because we knew what we needed to do after we came from Cuba. We had hit the ground running because we were going to lose some of our younger talented players to school. They would not have been able to travel with the team.”

Culmer said that some veterans who played national team basketball before decided to come out of retirement and get in shape to represent the country. The team was working out six days per week in preparation for the tournament.

Culmer said he knows the women are upset, and admitted that he doesn’t know how women basketball will rebound after this debacle.

“I do not know how things are going to be from here on in when it is time for a women’s national team to form again. The women might feel some type of way – slighted because they put in the work. We had women who came in from abroad to work out and get acclimated,” Culmer said.

Culmer, who coaches both men and women’s night league basketball, feels that the women are being put on the back burner.

“All of a sudden there is no money to send the ladies but there is always money for the men. If The Bahamas ever back their women like they back the men, the women will make it farther,” Culmer said.

At the CBC Championships, The Bahamas placed third to book the final spot to the Centrobasket Championships. The team was able to beat Jamaica 68-57 in the third place game. Overall, the team finished with a 1-2 win/loss record. The team was led in points by a high school player who recently committed to Dayton University, Denika Lightbourne with 14.2 points per game. Britenique Harrison led the team in rebounding with eight rebounds per game and Valerie Nesbitt led the team in assists with 5.6 dimes per contest.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-women-pull-out-of-centrobasket/

 Home|Sports|Champions crowned in the NPPPSSASports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 16, 2022 169 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After Tropical Storm Nicole interrupted the soccer tournament last week, Sybil Strachan Primary School and Eva Hilton Primary School emerged as the boys and girls champions respectively in the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA).

Braving the hot sun at the multi-purpose fields adjacent to the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, the youngsters brought the two-day championships to an end on Tuesday.

Hernandez Toussaint, who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Golden Boot awards, played a huge role in helping Sybil Strachan to a 5-1 victory over Yellow Elder Primary in the boys division. The Golden Boot Award is given to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament.

Toussaint scored two brilliant goals for his school in the championship game, one was a far post header on a free kick and the other was a powerful right foot shot from about 18 yards out.

“It felt good to score those goals. My coach told me to pressure the big defender and I was able to score,” Toussaint said.

His coach Greer Thompson said it was a great win for the school as her team’s hard work paid off.

“I want to thank God for the victory. It feels good to get the victory. We’ve been through a lot but we made it to the top. The players worked hard. Coming into the game, we were a bit shy but I told them to give it their best and do what I tell them from practice,” Thompson said.

Thompson won the Shining Light Coach Award. Sybil Strachan also carted off the Golden Glove award which went to Novins Emile.

Eva Hilton came back after Claridge Primary School went up 1-0 early in the girls championship game to win 3-1. Scoring one of those goals for the champions was their captain, Aiyanna Hernandez. Like Touissant, she won the MVP and the Golden Boot awards.

“I am very happy to get the win because this means a lot to my school. It feels good to score in the championship game and to celebrate,” Hernandez said.

Eva Hilton’s coach Zindora Munnings said she is happy that her school won the title despite having to come from behind.

“The girls played well. They came together and worked as a team and we were victorious. It was a close game. The other team scored first but my girls kept their composure and now we are the champions,” Munnings said.

Winning the Golden Glove Award was Eva Hilton’s Dwanae Rahming. Cleveland Eneas Primary School’s coach Mariska Thompson won the Shining Light Coach Award.

It was a close battle for the bronze medal in the boys division as a penalty shootout was needed to decide a winner between T.G. Glover Primary School and Sadie Curtis Primary School. That game was deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of regulation time. In the end, it was T.G. Glover securing the win 1-0 in the penalty shootout. In the girls bronze medal game, Cleveland Eneas secured a close 1-0 victory over Garvin Tynes.

https://thenassauguardian.com/champions-crowned-in-the-npppssa/

 Home|Sports|Team Bahamas ready for OPTINAMsSports

Team Bahamas ready for OPTINAMs

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 14, 2022 296 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Team Bahamas is ready to defend its waters at the 2022 Optimist North American Championships (OPTINAMs) that gets underway tomorrow and wraps up on Saturday at Montagu Bay. The awards ceremony is set for Saturday at the Nassau Yacht Club.

The Bahamas last hosted the event in 2019 and some of the Bahamian sailors who sailed then are also sailing this year.

Representing The Bahamas are Craig Ferguson II, Zane Munro, Finley McKinney-Lambert, Norman Cartwright, Patrick Tomlinson, Eliza Denning, Sienna Jones, Jude McCarroll, Mary Jacqueline Nash, Joss Knowles, Emit Knowles, Erik Jensen, Johannes Maritz, Callum Pritchard, Alethea Tsoumpas, Taryn McKinney-Lambert, Johan Hauber, Conry Raine and Javien Rankine.

Coaching the team is Martin Manrique. He moved to Eleuthera in 2019 and has been working hard with the sailing program there. He’s very excited for this opportunity.

“Since we lasted hosted the event, we have improved a lot,” Manrique said. “We trained a lot and at least once a month we did high-performance clinics. We have been traveling quite a lot and the sport has grown. I am excited to see all the work we have been doing. We get a chance to compete in our home waters with more kids able to participate, so we are looking forward to that,” he added.

Looking to place in the top five is Ferguson who will be sailing in his third and final OPTINAMs. The 15-year-old, who will be over the age limit at the next OPTINAMs, said he has been training hard for this event.

“It is a fierce competition and it has gotten even more fierce and has grown. Since 2019, I have learned countless amount of things such as techniques and tactics. I hope to capitalize on what I have learned. This is my final OPTINAMs and I just want to perform good,” Ferguson said.

Also sailing in his third OPTINAMs is the current national champion, Tomlinson. He said he is looking forward to the competition.

“We are in our home waters so I am excited because we have an advantage. We know the course. There is a lot of current in the channel and you have to look out for the tide. It is very patchy and the wind is in different places so you have to get your head out the boat and look for the gust,” Tomlinson said.

Manrique said that he knows that he has a group who has OPTINAMs experience.

“Some of these sailors were young and now they are 12 or 13 years old. They finished at the back of the fleet. They have been training hard and I am confident and happy to see them. I noticed the improvement and they have high expectations for the hard work they have been doing,” he said.

Nash is looking forward to competing against persons from different countries.

“I was young the first time it was here – I was a beginner. We know how the course works. It is great that we are hosting this event in front of our family and friends,” Nash said.

Taryn McKinney-Lambert is making her debut in the OPTINAMs. She said she is happy to be representing The Bahamas at home.

“I am looking forward to taking advantage of what I know about this area with the current and wind shifts,” McKinney-Lambert said.

There are 20 countries that will be competing and 155 athletes will be on the water this week.

The opening ceremony takes place today at 5 p.m. at the Nassau Yacht Club. There will be a parade of nations from Fort Montagu to the Nassau Yacht Club. The parade will get underway at 4:15 p.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/team-bahamas-ready-for-optinams/

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas split weekend games; eliminated from qualifiersSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 14, 2022 318 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas outscored Argentina 29-17 in the fourth quarter last night, but it was not enough as they fell short 80-76 to the fourth ranked team in the world in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas World Cup Qualifiers at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

Leading the way for The Bahamas was David Nesbitt who finished with a double-double – 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Godfrey Rolle III chipped in with 15 points and a game-high six assists in the spirited effort for Team Bahamas.

The loss means that The Bahamas is eliminated from qualifying for the 2023 FIBA World Cup as they sport a 3-7 win/loss record and sit in fifth place in Group E. Argentina is ahead of them with a 7-3 record. The Bahamas cannot finish higher than fifth place in the group with two more games remaining. Only seven teams from the Americas will participate at the 2023 FIBA World Cup – the top three teams in each of the remaining two groups and the best fourth-place team.

Steeping in as Head Coach for The Bahamas, Moses Johnson said he was proud of the team’s resiliency in the game, particularly after Argentina took them down, 95-77, in the away game in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in August.

“Well, a few costly turnovers down the stretch cost us but I’m so proud of these guys. A lot of people counted these guys out, but we came together and we bonded and these guys put up a heck of a fight tonight. We want to thank God for keeping everybody healthy and getting us through that game. We were right there at the end. A few bounces, the ball going our way and it could have been a different result, but thank God for the result nonetheless,” Johnson said.

The Bahamas split their two weekend games. They won their first game, 83-79, over Panama on Friday night. Looking ahead to the next window in February 2023, Johnson wants the team to finish strong. They are set to play Panama and Venezuela on the road.

“We’re satisfied. I mean, I’m never satisfied losing, but we gave a good effort,” Johnson said. “We would have wanted to go 2-0 in this window, but I’m satisfied with the effort that the guys gave on the floor this weekend. It’s never easy, knowing that you’re out of the race, but it’s always good to finish strong, you know. Nonetheless, these guys are always going to come out and compete. I’m so proud of them and they’re still staying resolute. They’re happy with the result. All I asked them to do tonight was to give me all they had, and they did that.”

The Bahamas had their biggest scoring run of the game, 11-0, in the fourth quarter. Before that, Argentina had a 66-47 lead with 9:38 left in the game. Nesbitt scored eight points during that run that ended with Argentina leading 66-58 with 6:44 left in the game.

Nesbitt got The Bahamas within three points when he made two free throws with 23 seconds left in the game. With the lead trimmed to three at 74-71, Argentina called a timeout. The Bahamas took it down to two points when Rolle completed a three-point play with 13 seconds left in the game. Argentina led 76-74 at that point. Argentina made their free-throws the rest of the way to hold on for the win.

The second quarter was the turning point of the game as Argentina outscored The Bahamas 23-12 in that stanza. This came after the first quarter ended 19-18 in favor of the away team.

The Bahamas shot just 23.5 percent in the second quarter, finishing at 36.7 percent at the end of the first half. That was mainly due to The Bahamas being forced to take jump shots as they had no inside presence.

The Bahamas came out the intermission on 7-0 run to cut the lead to five points, 42-37. Argentina took that lead back to double digits, taking a 50-39 lead at the 5:39 mark in the third quarter. Argentina ended the third quarter with a 63-47 lead.

Argentina was led by Juan Vaulet with a game-high 19 points.

The Bahamas shot 44.1 percent from the field while Argentina shot 47.4 percent for the game. Both teams were sloppy with the ball with The Bahamas coming away with 18 turnovers and Argentina with 17. However, Argentina scored 23 points from The Bahamas’ turnovers while The Bahamas only had 11 points off turnovers. The home team outrebounded the visiting team, 38-36.

On Friday, The Bahamas took down Panama, 83-79. The game had 12 lead changes and seven ties but The Bahamas led for just under 30 minutes of the game. The home team held their biggest lead of 12 points in the second quarter.

Every player on the Bahamian squad scored with Nesbitt leading the way with 14 points. Jaraun “Kino” Burrows came out of retirement from national duty to score 12 points – 10 of them coming in the final quarter.

Livingston Munnings Jr. had a game-high 13 rebounds as he flirted with a double-double. He finished with nine points.

The game came down to the fourth quarter as the teams were deadlocked at 63 points at the end of the third quarter.

Burrows turned back the clock in the fourth quarter and went to work inside the paint. The Bahamas was dominant there all night, outscoring the Panamanian squad, 44-30. Burrows got an assist, passing to Munnings who converted a bucket to cut into a lead by Panama. The score at that point was 70-67 in favor of Panama with 7:44 left in the game. About a minute later, Burrows made a layup to put The Bahamas up 71-70 at the 6:25 mark. He then made another layup after Panama came up empty as The Bahamas led 73-70 with 5:57 left.

Panama kept the game close. They got within one point when Carlos Rodriguez made a three-point shot with 1:12 left in the game. The Bahamas led 79-78 at that point. With The Bahamas needing some separation, Burrows made a layup with 57 seconds left in the game to put his team up 81-78. Team Bahamas held on the rest of the way.

It was a dominant game for The Bahamas on the glass as they outrebounded Panama 59-32 which included a whopping 22 offensive boards. Those offensive boards yielded 23 second chance points for Team Bahamas.

Panama were led by Josimar Ayarza and Rodriquez with 18 points apiece.

That was Bahamas’ first win at home in the first and second round of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers.

The final window of qualifiers is set for February 24 and 27, 2023, which is during the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seasons. In that final window, The Bahamas will play Venezuela and Panama on the road.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-split-weekend-games-eliminated-from-qualifiers/

 Home|Sports|Bahamas Games on the way backSports

Multisport event set for the summer of 2023

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 14, 2022 398 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Games is on the horizon.

The event was officially launched on Saturday, culminating a two-day conclave hosted by the Bahamas Games Secretariat as representatives from the Family Island Sports Council; the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and sporting federations gathered at SuperClubs Breezes on Friday and Saturday. The official launch of the event was at Baha Mar.

The multisport event, which in 2023 will be dubbed ‘The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games’, is set for July 7-15 on the island of New Providence next year. This the first time the games will be held in over 20 years with the last one being held in 2001. This is the sixth edition of the games.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture was on hand to bring remarks at the launch.

“The launch of these games is very exciting not only to the ministry and myself, but also to the people of The Bahamas. The Bahamian people have been calling for these games as the last one was held some 20 years ago. I am happy and proud that as we move toward our 50th year anniversary, we are able to reintroduce these games and bring the excitement back to the Bahamian people. It is my belief that these games will once again unite us as a people and one nation coming together through the discipline of sports,” Bowleg said.

Deputy Chairman of the Bahamas Games Secretariat Sharon ‘The General’ Storr said that the planning of the games is coming along but there are a few items that need to be ironed out.

“The dialogue is healthy,” Storr said.

“There are one or two kinks that have to be worked out – in particular, the draft. New Providence wants to take a different approach to the draft and the Family Islands are contesting. We are a sporting family and tonight we have seen that. We are on the same wavelength and it is just a matter of modernizing and adapting to the young people. We have put in an age category in sports that did not have age categories like baseball and sailing.”

Storr said they realize that a lot of people do not know what the Bahamas Games is because of the 20-plus years break. Next up for the secretariat is to populate the committees. Storr said that the games is on schedule.

The islands that will be participating are Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Columbus Isles (Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador), Eleuthera, Harbor Island and Spanish Wells as one unit, Exuma and Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Long Island and MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay).

Andros Sports Council Chairman Brian Cleare said he is happy to have the games back, particularly so the younger persons can be showcased.

“There are so many young athletes today who only heard about the Bahamas Games but never had the opportunity to experience it. This year, Andros is going to be participating in all of the disciplines. The majority of our athletes will be young athletes. We want them to experience what the games are all about,” Cleare said.

Cleare mentioned that athletes like national record holder in the javelin Keyshawn Strachan and basketball player Shaquille Cleare are expected to compete for Andros.

Chairman for Exuma and Ragged Islands Sports Council Kendall Feguson said that the conclave was productive. He said that one of the things that was discussed was a need for sports facilities on the Family Islands.

“Everyone including me is elated in the Exuma and Ragged Island community. The level of enthusiasm among the other Family Islands council members and the camaraderie is there. There is a need for facilities on the Family Islands. If we are going to compete as Family Islands, emphasis must be placed on facilities, so that we can offset what happens in New Providence,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said despite a lack of facilities, they will be ready to compete.

Chairman for the Long Island Sports Council Jermaine Adderley said his island is preparing for the games, and that they will be strong in a number of disciplines, particularly sailing.

“We are getting into a groove of putting teams together,” Adderley said.

“We have already started in softball and we are about to start in basketball. We will then work our way into track and field. We are already ready in sailing.”

Adderley said he is looking to give those athletes who live on the island first preference, then look at those ones who live on other islands if they need more. Other than those sports mentioned, Long Island is also looking to do well in swimming, golf, boxing, bodybuilding and fitness, and possibly beach volleyball.

Bimini has been known to be a force to reckon with in the past in baseball. Chairman of Bimini and the Berry Island Sports Council Leonard ‘Brave’ Stuart said they are looking forward to participating in the upcoming games.

“We are going to hopefully have a strong team, not only in baseball but in track and field as well. We have some hidden gems who we do not want to discuss at this time, but we should be strong in baseball. We were great back in the day in that sport and we hope to carry on that legacy. We will have teams coming into Bimini and have teams traveling to South Florida, Freeport and Nassau to get ready for these games.”

Stephen Brown from Columbus Isles said they have something in store for New Providence.

“The trash talking coming from those other Family Islands builds our morale,” Brown said.

“New Providence feels like no one can beat them but I got something in store for them. I think we will utilize the draft with great care. We know that only 12 members can play on a basketball team. I don’t care how much New Providence try, they will miss the best set of players. We have a good contingent in Columbus Isles and we will utilize them as best as we can.”

Brown, like the other Family Island council members, highlighted that facilities is an issue they have but they are using their resources to make something happen.

Thirteen sports are expected to be in action at the games. These are softball, basketball, athletics, lawn tennis, bodybuilding and fitness, boxing, baseball, sailing, cycling, soccer, golf, swimming and volleyball.

The theme for the Bahamas Games is ‘Challenges are Chances for the Courageous’.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamas-games-on-the-way-back/

 Home|Sports|Strachan appoints Knowles as boxing association presidentSports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://thenassauguardian.com/strachan-appoints-knowles-as-boxing-association-president/

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

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

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

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

Set to represent The 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://thenassauguardian.com/bbf-looking-to-send-10-member-team-to-boxing-tournament/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://thenassauguardian.com/strachan-to-hold-one-day-javelin-camp/

BAHAMAS NEWS

July 12, 2019 – by Oswald Brown, EditorSHARETWEETSHARE

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

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

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

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