As of Tuesday, November 1, 2022

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MEMBERS of the local organising committee in their pitch to World Athletics for the return of the World Relays.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE the World Athletics Council has decided to postpone the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 23 until May 13-14, a decision will be made by November 30 on the venue for the 2024 edition.

#The Bahamas made a strong bid to World Athletics to have the World Relays returned to its original home and the organising committee say they are optimistic that they will be successful.

#“We went through an expensive process. We submitted our documents on October 1. We did our video presentation that was submitted on October 28th, and we just completed our oral submission today (Monday),” said Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ president Drumeco Archer.

#“We are not sure what the results will be until December 1, but we have produced a first-class presentation. So, we will see what those results will look like later. But we are conservative, and we are very optimistic with our presentation for the World Relays to return home in 2024.”

#A committee included Archer, World Athletics’ councilwoman Pauline Davis, National Sports Authority’s acting manager Grafton Ifill Jr, Dr Daniel Johnson, Herbert Cash, Lateria Duncombe and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

#The Bahamas served as host of the first three editions of the World Relays in 2014, 2015 and 2017. The Bahamas lost out in hosting the fourth edition in 2019 to Yokohama, Japan and the fifth edition that took place in Chorzow, Poland.

#However, due to the ongoing pandemic conditions, a decision was taken with the agreement of both the Guangzhou organising committee (LOC) and the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA), to delay the World Athletics Relays, scheduled for May 13-14 in China.

#The delay will have an impact on the qualification system for the relay events at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2023.

#Therefore, the World Athletics Competition Commission, upon approval of the Council, has revised the qualification system to include the top eight teams from the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and the top eight teams from the performance lists.

#The philosophy is to replicate a similar qualification system by still qualifying part of the field through direct competition and part through performance in the qualification period.

#“It is regrettable when we have to postpone an event,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “However, World Athletics and the local organising committee are both committed to the responsible planning and delivery of the World Athletics Relays, which includes ensuring that athletes from all international federations are able to participate in and enjoy an experience in a safe and healthy environment.

#“I want to thank our colleagues at the Chinese Athletics Association and the LOC for their efforts and cooperation in resolving this situation and look forward to 2025 when our hosts are able to stage a spectacular World Athletics Relays.”

#The host of the 2024 World Athletics Relays is set to be awarded by the World Athletics Council at their meeting in Rome, Italy, on November 30.

#With the 2023 edition of the World Relays being postponed, the 2024 World Relays will serve as the only event for relay teams to officially qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#“We would expect that this would be the biggest World Relays yet and so we want it to come back home,” Archer said. “I’m very pleased with our presentation and we’re very optimistic that we will see the return of the World Relays to the Bahamas.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/01/push-world-relays-return/?news

As of Tuesday, November 1, 2022

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#IN only its second year, “Baha Mar Hoops” will play host to the largest event in the sport of college basketball when 20 men’s and women’s teams play this Thanksgiving at Baha Mar – the leading resort destination in The Bahamas.

#The 10-day slate of games includes Oklahoma State, DePaul, UCF and Santa Clara playing in the men’s Baha Mar Hoops “Bahamas Championship” and five 2021 NCAA tournament women’s teams – Dayton, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Utah and Virginia Tech – highlighting the eight-team field in the Baha Mar Hoops “Pink Flamingo Championship.”

#The action concludes with the eight-team Baha Mar Hoops “Nassau Championship” featuring 2021 NCAA tournament participant Vermont, 2021 NIT participants Long Beach State, Missouri State and North Texas, and 2021 CBI champion UNC-Wilmington.

#In total, 24 games will be played across three events November 18-27 at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/01/baha-mar-hoops-horizon-nov-18-27/?news

TODD Isaacs Sr – Don’t Blink Committee, Gina Gonzales-Rolle – Don’t Blink Committee, Todd Isaacs Jr, Lucius Fox, Harrison Thompson – Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ted Adderley – Atlantis, Shazell Rolle – Rev, Lynden Maycock – LOC.

As of Tuesday, November 1, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#The Don’t Blink Home Run Derby In Paradise continues to introduce new initiatives and will return to a familiar venue in 2022.

#Event organisers Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox officially launched the campaign to galvanise support for the fifth edition of the event, scheduled for December 13-18.

#“Five years of hosting anything in life is a blessing so we’re truly grateful, truly humbled and truly honoured, humbled and blessed that God gave us this opportunity to bring this vision to fruition, but not just for us baseball players but for The Bahamas in its entirety,” Isaacs said.

#“Today under the current administration ‘Sports In Paradise’ is one of their main mandates and it aligns so perfectly with our mission – to inspire the youth, give them opportunities to let sports lead them to the four corners of the world. Through the sports we have an opportunity to highlight The Bahamas for what it is, the beautiful beaches, the warm weather, and the welcoming people.”

#The only home-run derby in the world where players hit into the ocean, the unique concept showcases the natural aesthetic of the Bahamas and the country’s young baseball talent.

#The first three editions were hosted at the Montagu foreshore, before last year’s event shifted to the grounds of the Atlantis resort.

#This year’s event will relocate to its original location.

#“This is our favourite time of the year. We are here again and we are grateful that we get to put this show on for our Bahamian people,” Fox said. “We’re also excited that we will be moving back to Montagu. This is where we started, it’s easily accessible to the people and we look forward to them coming out, packing the beach and bringing out that love. Hopefully one day this will be the best event in the world.”

#In addition to the derby, the event has expanded to include a week-long schedule of activities. Players and guests will arrive December 13 and the following day will be the second edition of the Celebrity Softball game featuring derby participants and local influencers on December 14.

#On December 15, the participating players will host the annual kid’s clinic.

#Saturday, December 17 will be the main event at the Montagu foreshore.

#A new initiative to the week of festivities will be the Prayer to Praise event, featuring a concert by former minor league prospect turned gospel singer, Todd Delaney.

#Fox added that the organisation continues to expand its reach by partnering with several organisations, including the Major League Baseball Players Association and the Players Alliance.

#“We joined forces with MLBPA, executive Tony Clark and the members of his team. The MLBPA acts as the voice for all players in the game of baseball. We also have the Players Alliance,” he said. “This group is so special because they work hand in hand in minority communities to provide assistance, equipment and leadership to the youth. They make baseball accessible to all races and they give everyone a fair playing chance to learn the game, get introduced and hopefully make the most out of it. They have been instrumental in the United States so we look forward to what they can do here in The Bahamas.

#“The group was founded by Edwin Jackson, their President is Curtis Granderson and their Vice President is CC Sabathia. Accompanying them will be a list of legends and Hall of Famers that paved the way for us to play the game of baseball and we don’t take that for granted.”

#Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays won the inaugural event in 2018 and repeated as champion in 2019. Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson captured the title in 2020 and Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez was the most recent winner in 2021.

#“Our goal of the event is to always use this as a platform to highlight our Bahamian baseball players, our Bahamian athletes, and just show what the Bahamas consists of – our natural beauty and these beaches. We have the best beaches in the world,” Isaacs said.

#“Being a baseball player, you wanted to really bring the two elements together. The most exciting part of the game, the home run, and then the most beautiful part of us being from The Bahamas, the beaches. So we decided to do something extremely crazy. Set up a stage and hit balls into the water.”

#Event sponsors include the Government of The Bahamas, the Ministry of Tourism, the Atlantis Resort, Rev TV, Chandler Bats, Bahamasair, Bahamas Waste, Heritage Seafood, Cancer Tratment Centers of America, A Sure Win, M and E Limited, Balso, Global Sun Intergration Management, Family Medicine Center, Triple A Marine, Harmony COnstruction, BBG Baseball Generations, Prime Shipping, Happy Healing Homecare, and C3 Propane.

#“It’s amazing for us to get this far. Everything is moving so fast, just having these sponsors believe in us and trust these young men to put on this event.

#“Just hearing us out was a plus for us. Just having our sponsors buy in to make this event bigger and better every year,” Fox said.

#“Sports has changed my life. It took me places I never knew existed. With more baseball being played, it creates more opportunities and more kids that can change their lives so we just want to inspire as many people as we can.

#“You can accomplish anything you put your mind to and there are different avenues to do that. Whatever we can do to impact this country we plan to do our best to do that.”

#The event has grown in stature to be showcased prominently by several international media outlets, including the MLB Network, and features both minor and major league prospects from around the league.

#Even organisers announced that the 2021 event garnered a reach of over eight million viewers through live streaming and various social media networks.

#“We play a sport that allows us to go places, see places, but, you know, at the end of the day, you have to really come home and use that platform to make it a better place. There were people before us, athletes before us, famous celebrities before us and their respective platforms that didn’t use their platform to build a bridge. We get to raise money, we get to do cool things. But the most important thing for us was to always find ways to get back in the community,” Isaacs said.

#Isaacs recently completed his second season in the Frontier League and is set to join a new cub – the Lake Eerie Crushers – in the 2023 season.

#In 50 games with the New Jersey Jackals, he totalled .327 batting average with 70 hits, including nine home runs, 34 RBI, scored 45 runs, with 22 stolen bases, slugging .505 with a .300 OBP.

#One of the seminal moments of the MLB season came on April 10 when Fox made his debut with the Washington Nationals to become the ninth Bahamian to reach the Major Leagues.

#In the final week of Spring Training, Fox was recalled from the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate (Rochester Red Wings) to the big league club and had an immediate opportunity at the opening week roster after several injuries to veterans in the Washington middle infield.

#When the Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins on April 27, Fox and Jazz Chisholm Jr became the first pair of Bahamas-born players to appear in the same MLB game in over 50 years.

#According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other pair of Bahamians to play in the same game were Andre Rodgers and Tony Curry, who faced each other six times during the 1960 and 1961 seasons.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/01/dont-blink-home-run-derby-set/?news

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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#KENTON Roker came to town from Grand Bahama and won the New Providence Cycling Association’s Catch Me If You Can Cycling Road Race on Sunday in Clifton Pier.

#In the last official road race for the season, Roker was too much to handle as he wasn’t caught by the rest of the field.

#Jeff Tynes was second, Barron Musgrove Jr was third, Felix Neely fourth and Kevin Daley rounded out the top five.

#NPCA president Barron ‘Turbo’ Musgrove said although they experienced their share of challenges this year coming out of the COVID-19 restrictions, the cycling community was very supportive in making it an exciting season.

#“We had a very good year. In New Providence, we saw a lot more people coming out to cycle,” Musgrove said.

#“So we are trying to target those people in terms of getting them into cycling. The New Providence Cycling Association wants to be more innovative to get more cyclists involved.

#“Next year, we want to have more community rides, more fun rides and we want to get into more parts of the islands so that we can attract cyclists from different parts of the island. So we will be speaking to more of the community leaders, neighbourhood watch and some of the MPs to join us as we do these rides.”

#Musgrove said the NPCA and the Bahamas Cycling Federation, headed by Roy Colebrooke, will now switch its attention to mountain bike cycling where they will be able to go into different turfs off the road to compete.

#“Hopefully we can see even more participation because the bikes are even more cheaper than the road bikes,” Musgrove said. “We also don’t have to deal with all of the traffic on the streets. So we’re looking at having more off road bikes with the mountain bikes in racing in areas like parks and other areas.

#“We started off the year strong in road racing and we finished strong. That is the main point.

#“We hope to do the same thing with our mountain bike racing.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/kenton-roker-wins-catch-me-if-you-can-cycling-race/?news

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship will return to the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island this weekend.

#Dubbed the GOAT or the Greatest of All Time by friends, colleagues and fellow competitors, the three-day event is scheduled from Friday to Sunday and will conclude the P1 AquaX personal watercraft race season with a mix of more than 30 professional and amateur riders from North America, the Caribbean and Western Europe.

#According to Jason Spencer, the vice president of marketing, special events and entertainment, the championships will begin with a series of qualifying races on Saturday starting at 11am with the gates opening from 10am and will wrap up on Sunday with the finals scheduled to start at noon and the awards presentation at 7:30pm.

#“The site is looking very great and there is a lot of excitement on the property and around the island,” Spencer said. “The contestants and the drivers are on property. We expect that this will be a great weekend.”

#Veteran rider Chris MacClugage, considered the sport’s most decorated and highest winning world champion, will be one the favourites at this year’s P1 AquaX and Pro Enduro champion Jimmy Wilson from North Carolina..

#Jimmy Wilson’s Broward Motorsports team-mate Dustin Farthing from Georgia and 2021 Pro class champion Erminio Iantosca will also be serious contenders at the event, according to AquaX. Thomas Favolini “The Flying Frenchman” , will also return to Nassau after the 2019 World Championship where mechanical problems knocked out his ski, while Jay Finlinson from Northern Indiana will be vying for the Amateur International Cup in the AM 300 Class. The event will be broadcast in the United States on the Bally Sports Regional Networks and CBS Sports Network, with international coverage on leading sports channels in more than 100 million homes in over 50 countries.

#This is the second year that the championships will be staged at Paradise.

#But after taking a two-year break after the initial championships in 2019, Spencer said they are looking forward to putting on another amazing event for the world to see.

#“We plan to put on an unique offering that guests don’t get to see on a normal basis,” Spencer said. “The P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship is one of those events. So our guests are excited about this event. “In addition to watching these exciting races, our team here does an amazing job just setting up that area out there and having the food trucks and beverage outlets, so it’s going to be fun. We look forward to hosting it again this year.”

#All of the racing can be viewed free of charge.

#For Spencer, it’s a significant event for Atlantis as it continues to be labelled as the leader in hosting major international competitions in the Bahamas.

#“It’s special for Atlantis and just for the Bahamas in general to continually be recognised as an ideal and targeted destination for these types of events where everyone across the world can come and enjoy the Bahamas,” he stated.

#“This is a beautiful place. We have a great infrastructure and staff to host these types of events and we are seeing this more and more with these types of events coming to the Bahamas and particularly here at Atlantis.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/p1-aquax-bahamas-world-championship-returns-atlant/?news

OAKTREE Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer Don Deveaux presents a $300,000 cheque to BAAA president Drumeco Archer as other members look on.

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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OAKTREE Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer Don Deveaux speaks about their sponsorship.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the return of the CARIFTA Games in April to the Bahamas for the ninth time in 50 years, the Oaktree Medical Center came on board as the major sponsor with a donation of $300.000.

#The presentation was made by Oaktree Medical Center’s Director Sr Don Deveaux and his wife, Kristi, the general manager, made the presentation to the CARIFTA Local Organising Committee’s chief executive officer Lynden Maycock.

#Among those present were Mike Sands, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC), under whose jurisdiction the games fall under; Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and Rev. Harrison Thompson, a consultant at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

#After prayers were offered by Pastor Vaughn Cash and a rendition was made by Nikita Thompson, Deveaux made the cheque presentation, saying that while it appears to be a “large amount of money, saying the lives of our youth is priceless.”

#He noted that he and his wife stand as strong advocates of sports and youth develop and the CARIFTA Games embodies strength, unity and team work. He noted they are not self-made and have crossed the finish line on their own, but they stand on the shoulders of so many who have selfishly helped to make this archipelago a world-class gem.

#“When thinking about making a sound investment, some may say, why not technology, why not other important areas,” Deveaux said. “For us here at Oaktree Medical Center, we believe, not only in caring and providing compassionate medical care, but most importantly we believe in investing in the human capital, investing in the human soul, which to us represents the youth of this nation.”

#Sports, according to Deveuax, has the power to change lives, so they want to start with the youth.

#“If we don’t pour into them, how can we build the future,” he asserted. “The social decadence that we have seen throughout the country over the years is contributed to the lack of youth development, so why not change that.”

#Since the games got started in 1972, Deveaux said founder Austin Sealy started something that caught a fire and since 1977 when they honoured him, the Bahamas has won eight of the Austin Sealy awards as the most outstanding athlete for each of the past 48 editions of the games.

#He congratulated Maryann Higgs-Clarke (1978), Lavern Eve (1982-1983), Pauline Davis-Thompson (1984), Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (1995), Anthonique Strachan (2011-12) and Shaunae Miller-Uibo (2013), who are strong women and four of them were St Augustine’s College alumnus like himself.

#“This donation truly represents a sacrifice,” he said. “Many people see the success, but the sacrifices that goes on behind the scene. My wife Kristi and I believe that success requires faith, hard work and dedication. We believe that through God, we can heal this nation through life-changing events like the CARIFTA Games.”

#He said Oaktree Medical Center is a community centre and as the Bahamas has struck gold in hosting the 50th anniversary of the games, they are delighted to work with the organising committee and the government of the Bahamas to see the event become a success.

#“Thanks again for the partnership. Our team here at Oaktree is ready and excited for this event to come together,” he said. “We invite the country and corporate Bahamas and Caricom to support this initiative.

#“Together, we are limitless. God bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Come go with us. Let’s cross the finish line together.”

#Maycock, playing a rendition of a song that will be the war cry for the Bahamas as they go after the Jamaicans and the Trinidadians at the games and he ensured Deveaux that the Lord will enlarge his territory because of the tremendous donation that he made to the LOC for CARIFTA 2023.

#“Dr Deveaux would have given 10 percent of what the team will be receiving this year in sponsorship,” Maycock said. “That sponsorship level is three million dollars from corporate Bahamas.

#“November 30th, those financial statements will be posted for the Bahamian people to see where their money will be spent. So for the first time the people of the Bahamas will be able to go to the CARIFTA website page and see how their monies will be spent.”

#Maycock said they anticipate the Bahamas government providing funding for the capital works, but the support of corporate Bahamas will take care of the operations of the games, which he described will be like none ever held.

#“Oaktree Medical Center is a world-class medical facility that provides high quality, holistic patient centred, affordable medical services,” Maycock said.

#“As the emblem of their logo, the Oaktree represents strength and resilience. Oaktree Medical Center is a shade for those who need help and support.”

#Sands said he’s delighted to be a part of the historic presentation by Oaktree to the LOC for CARIFTA 2023.

#“In my knowledge, this is the first time that a medical institute has come on board to the extent that Oaktree has come on board,” Sands said. “Again, I want to thank you on behalf of NACAC, which encompasses 36 nations in the region.”

#He noted that he found one of the original founders of CARIFTA, which came out of Caricom, and he intends to introduce the Trinidadian to the Bahamas when the games are held here in April, along with Austin Sealy, whom many regard as the founder of the games.

#“This is going to be the most exciting CARIFTA Games that we have ever had,” Sands stated.

#“I’m satisfied that these CARIFTA Games will be the best ever and I want to congratulate the LOC executive officer Lynden Maycock and his team for the tremendous work that they are doing.”

#Archer said while we live in a country whenever you turn on the television, there’s always a report about crime and the heinous events that take place in what he calls the Goliath of our day. But he noted that the Deveauxs have become the David in their commitment to the country. “He (Don) has an amazing story and if he had to tell you his story, he was a troubled boy, who was put out of school from the Bahamas Baptist College and he went to St Augustine’s College, but his family had financial challenges attending SAC,” Archer said.

#“It was a time in his life when things went very low and he has emerged from being hopeless to seeing a ray of hope. Through hard work, we all can achieve it. Track and field is no different. It’s a sport rich with culture and heritage, but it is also a sport where we attract the grassroot every day.”

#With the assistance of companies like Oaktree Medical Center, the BAAA is able to carry out its mandate to assist in the development of these athletes and he commended the Deveauxs for making their contribution to CARIFTA 2023.

#Rev. Thompson, in joining in the chorus in saluting the Deveauxs and Oaktree, called it a tremendous blessing on their behalf to support the young people and the country’s athletes.

#“If ever a time we need corporate citizens to come on board and support the athletes, the time is now,” Thompson said.

#“So on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and by extension, the government of the Bahamas, we want to say sir, congratulations.

#“And as we go into our 50th anniversary of the Bahamas and the 50th anniversary of the Bahamas that the Bahamas will bring home gold this year in our golden anniversary.

#“To our friends in the Caribbean, we invite you to come. We want you to come and enjoy the scenery and everything, but you will get beat.”

#“Golden Girl” Tonique Williams, who heads the media team for the LOC, said she had met the Deveauxs and the entire Oaktree team and she was very impressed with the work that they are doing.

#“He spoke extensively about his work here and Oaktree Medical. There’s so much that he’s doing, but he was able to share from his heart. When I heard that Oaktree Medical was the title sponsor, just reiterated what I already felt,” she said.

#“This is a business, led by Don and his wife, who have a heart for people and they have a heart for the youth. So I’m proud to stand beside him as he donates this cheque to CARIFTA where I tell people I got my start right here at CARIFTA in 1992. CARIFTA was what really propelled me in track and field and so I want to say congratulations to you and your entire team.”

#An emotional Kennedy Knowles, a student of St John’s College and a member of the Red Line Athletics Track Club, headed by Tito Moss, said it’s just an honour to be a part of the track and field and hopefully the team that will represent the Bahamas at the games.

#“I feel having the games here is going to be very exciting. We haven’t had it since 2018, so I’m looking forward to running in the trials and hopefully I can make the team,” she said. “It’s here, so I believe our athletes will show up and show out. So I’m really excited that it’s going to be here.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/oaktree-medical-center-hops-board-carifta-title-pa/?news

NEWLY certified officials celebrate the successful completion of the CEA 2022 Education Tour. L-R: Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre, D’Yanndria Saunders-Curry, Carrie Saidi, Erika Adderley, Kimberly Johnson and Dr. Amanda Pinder. Clinicians CEA President Heidi Mello and Colleen Hoffman in foreground.

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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AN HISTORIC MOMENT: The first riders from The Bahamas to participate in the CEA Mini Jumping Challenge prepare to receive their awards from Judge Colleen Hoffman. L-R: Hannah D’Aguilar, Ella Saidi, Katerina Coello, Isabella Coello, Storm D’Arville.

#EQUESTRIAN sport achieved another milestone this weekend as The Bahamas became the third country after Jamaica and Barbados to obtain certification of competition officials from the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA), while also holding the inaugural Bahamas leg of the CEA Mini Jumping Challenge.

#Overseeing the event were Heidi Mello, president of the CEA, and Colleen Hoffman, president of the Ground Jury at Spruce Meadows, the largest show jumping venue in North America.

#Both Mello and Hoffman are Level 3 FEI officials. The CEA Officials Education Tour was an initiative conceived by Mello, who became the new president of the CEA earlier this year, as part of an effort to upgrade the education of regional equestrian officials to international competition standards.

#Equestrian Bahamas President Cathy Ramsingh- Pierre said the federation jumped at the opportunity to participate and learn from such esteemed professionals. “As our sport grows, we aspire to hold higher levels of competition here in the country. However even regional-level competitions require certain levels of official certification, and like many other Caribbean countries we do not have these. Competent officiating is the bedrock of any sport, and equestrian is no different in that respect.”

#Six senior members of the federation successfully participated in a rigorous 4-day certification exercise to become CEA-Certified Candidate Jumper Stewards and Candidate Jumper Judges. The course encompassed theoretical and practical elements and a written exam.

#On Saturday, the practical day of the clinic, young riders had an opportunity to participate and learn alongside the adults about various procedures, such as horse inspections, that take place at International competitions. Then on Sunday came the big day – the inaugural Bahamas leg of the Caribbean Equestrian Association Mini Jumping Challenge.

#The Mini Jumping Challenge (MJC) is one of several competitions contested by the eight member nations of the CEA – Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

#Fifteen riders took part in the competition, which featured three different classes according to fence height.

#Results were tallied for individuals in each class, and for The Bahamas as a team, and will then be ranked against riders from other CEA member islands. The MJC is run in each CEA member country over the course of the calendar year, after which overall results from the region are tallied and awards distributed.

#CEA president Mello had strong words of encouragement for all involved, saying, “As President of the Caribbean Equestrian Association, I have seen many firsts for Equestrian Bahamas. This is their first year as members of the CEA…their first time competing in the CEA Mini Jumping Challenge…and [their] first officials to be regionally credentialed. Equestrian Bahamas has a great future in both international and national equestrian sport. I wish them every success to obtain their reachable goals.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/reaching-milestone-equestrian-sport/?news

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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#THE University of The Bahamas women’s volleyball team just could not sustain a push against The Panthers in New Providence Volleyball Association action and fell to them in three sets – 25-20, 25-13 and 25-21.

#The Mingoes started the first set off slow as The Panthers riddled off nine straight points to start the match. The Mingoes eventually broke serve and started to mount a comeback but the Panthers were just too strong for them and pulled out with the 25-20 set win. In the second set, The Mingoes were trying to keep it close but The Panthers again jumped out quickly to go up 17-9. Despite a strong service game in the set, The Mingoes lost 25-13.

#The third set, The Mingoes were just about to hit their stride. The Mingoes started slow and stayed close at 16-11 and 19-14 but The Panthers held off another late surge to win the set 25-21.

#Jada Coakley scored seven points (four kills) and Shanyhah Bowe scored five points (four kills) for The Mingoes in the loss.

#Head Coach Raymond Wilson said he’s seeing the improvement in the team across games. “We have to learn to capitalise on the free ball more though,” he said. “The area that we really need to work on is that we have a characteristic that we allow a team to six and nine points and then playing from behind. When you are playing against experienced teams you cannot give them a head start of nine points.”

#Wilson added that the team has the capabilities but just needs to pull it all together.

#“I feel that our team knows how to play and can play at this level,” he said.

#“But we have to learn how to side out quicker but all in all this was a better match and I see some good things and good promise.

#“We just need to stay more consistent in playing our game.”

#The Mingoes now have an 0-2 record and are scheduled to play The Johnson Spikers 7:30pm tonight at The D.W. Davis Gymnasium.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/panthers-top-ub-mingoes-3-sets/?news

COCABE EXECUTIVES DECIDE TO USE NEW ANDRE RODGERS BASEBALL STADIUM AS ITS MAIN BASE TO ORGANISE FUTURE TOURNAMENTS

SHOWN, from left to right, are Trae Sweeting, Avard Hart, Sam Rodgers, Geron Sands, Albert Cartwright and Teddy Sweeting.

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With the completion of the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, the Bahamas Baseball Federation will not only get to host the fourth annual Caribbean Baseball Cup next month, but will become the base for any and all future COCABE baseball tournaments.

#The BBA, headed by Sam Rodgers, will host the Caribbean Baseball Cup December 4-11 with teams coming in from the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Cuba, defending champion Curacao and Haiti. Yesterday, the BBA announced its management team for Team Bahamas.

#Geron Sands, a former national team player who helped the Bahamas to defeat Cuba 2-1 at the World University Games in 2006 and who serves as the co-founder of I-Elite Baseball, will serve as the head coach and third base coach. Albert Cartwright, a former minor league baseball player, co-founder of I-Elite and the first base coach for Team Great Britain, will be the bench coach.

#Dominique Collie, a former NAIA College standout and former minor league player with the Diamondbacks, will be the first base coach.

#Trae Sweeting, former division one college standout, former national team player who helped the Bahamas to defeat Chinese Tapia at the World Games in Canada and co-founder of LDK – Learn Develop Kaizen – will be the outfield coach.

#Donovan Cox, a former national team player and head coach of the Bahamas College team that participated in the Charles Johnson Collegiate Summer League, will be the bull pen coach. Avard Hart, a former national team player, will serve as the team’s general manager.

#BBA secretary general Teddy Sweeting, who is the chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said the members of Team Bahamas will be announced in the next few days.

#But he noted that they are excited about the progress being made towards the completion of the stadium heading into the tournament.

#“I think December will be a very exciting month for baseball,” Sweeting said. “We are hosting the Caribbean Baseball Cup in the first time in the history of this country we will be hosting a qualifier for the CAC Games. So we are looking forward to that.

#“It’s an exciting time for us. We finally realise how critical it is for us to come together with everybody on board. We’re heading into the direction that we should have been in about two years ago. We are on the right track and we have a lot of things to do.”

#Addressed to BBA president Sam Rodgers, who also serves as the vice president of COCABE, the letter signed by George R. de Lira and secretary general Manuel Fries, reads as follows: “After a sporting greeting of affection and respect, we write this communication thanking the organising committee of the 4th Caribbean Baseball Cup for the hospitality given to the COCABE executives from September 28 to October 3.

#“COCABE through this letter wants to inform you that the board of executives of COCABE has made the decision to choose the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium as its main base to organise future COCABE baseball tournaments on the island of Nassau, Bahamas.

#“We thank the BBA for their willingness to share the office at Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium with COCABE.

#“COCABE will have its main office in the same stadium together with the BBA.

#“With nothing more to add, we say goodbye with a sports greeting.”

#Sweeting said the completion of the stadium is coming in the right time.

#“We can now see the relevance for the purpose for the completion of the stadium,” he said. “We have already agreed to the hosting of an 18 youth qualifier in October 2023, so that is our next item on the drawing board. “So we’re really excited because baseball is heading in the right direction and we’re moving very quickly. Right after that, we will have the home run derby and so we will have a full month of activities for baseball in December.” The stadium, which has been under construction for the past few years, is expected to be completed by the end of November.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/02/stadium-chosen-main-base/?news

Sports

A number of local and foreign pro players expected to take part

Sheldon LongleySend an emailNovember 1, 2022 302 6 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After a one-year tryout at Atlantis Beach, adjacent to the Atlantis Resort, the Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby is back to its home base, set for December 17 at Montagu Beach.

The event, which is growing exponentially in popularity and exposure, to the tune of over eight million viewers online, will once again feature local professionals, minor and major league hitters, going up against each other for the title of Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby Champion. Organizers Lucius Fox and Todd Isaacs Jr., both Bahamian professional baseball players, are excited about this year’s event.

In the team competition, Team Fox will be aiming to tie Team Isaacs at two victories apiece. Team Isaacs won last year.

In the individual competition, Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop Bo Bichette prevailed the first two years it was held at Montagu Beach. Lewis Brinson, formerly of the Miami Marlins and most recently the San Francisco Giants, won the third version of the event, and Mervyl ‘MJ’ Melendez of the Kansas City Royals came out on top last year.

This year, a vast majority of the 25-plus Bahamian professionals, including Fox and Isaacs, are expected to take part. Fox, Isaacs and Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins were all a part of the first class of young Bahamians, under the current wave of youth baseball talent, to sign professional contracts in 2015. Since then, over 20 young Bahamians have signed pro baseball contracts with Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations.

“A lot of foreigners coming here and taking the crown back with them and that’s not right,” said Fox during the official launch of the event yesterday. “Hopefully, a Bahamian could take it this year. If I don’t get it, hopefully a Bahamian could keep the trophy here in The Bahamas.”

The event, now in its fifth year, will once again encompass a lead-up to the main event, inclusive of a celebrity softball game on Wednesday December 14 and a kids clinic the following morning. The softball game is set for 7 p.m. on the Atlantis grounds that Wednesday. On Thursday, the kids clinic will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The main event, the 5th Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby, will commence at noon on Saturday December 17 at Montagu Beach.

 Set to take part this year are a number of Bahamian professional players as well as foreign professionals in the minor and major league system in the United States. Melendez will be back to defend his title and he will be joined by Michael Harris II of the Atlanta Braves, Paul ‘CJ’ Abrams of the Washington Nationals and Dominic Smith of the New York Mets, among others.

Bahamian Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins will highlight the local talent, and Fox and Isaacs will also compete.

“This event was actually inspired from the CARIFTA Games,” said Fox. “Todd and I saw the excitement from the CARIFTA Games and we sat down and discussed how we could bring this same excitement to local baseball. We’ve played all in the United States where there are American fans supporting us, but there is nothing like getting it from your own. This is still in the infancy stages, but we feel like we are on our way to making this event one of the best baseball events in the world, and I’m just so proud that it’s here in The Bahamas on Bahamian soil. We intend to take this event to new heights. I’m excited to see the beach packed with Bahamians and overall just baseball enthusiasts. It’s going to be another fun event. We just can’t want to give the Bahamian people a treat. With COVID and everything else that’s going on, a treat is definitely what is needed right now. We just want it to keep getting bigger and better and to put on a show for the Bahamian people. That’s our goal.”

Both Fox and Isaacs are in their eight years of professional baseball. Fox received a call-up to the majors last season and is anticipating greater success in 2023.

“Sports teaches you how to persevere through any incident you would face in life. Baseball taught us that it’s not how you start that determines your outcome, but how you power through to the end,” said Isaacs. 

“Speaking to the young men in the country, we just try to show them how sports keeps you focussed on a goal of becoming a better person. It shows you how to be humble and how to put others before yourself. That is what makes this event such a success. Lucius and I saw an avenue where we could put our young professionals in the spotlight and have them perform in front of their own people, and also to find a way where we could bring awareness to the sport of baseball here in The Bahamas.”

A number of baseball hall of famers and future legends are rumored to be a part of the contingent coming to The Bahamas for the popular baseball event. Also, representatives from the Players Alliance organization, former major leaguers CC Sabathia and Curtis Granderson, will be in The Bahamas for the staging of the derby.

“The Players Alliance is a community driven event and it is centered around getting the kids off the streets and into something positive. The future is bright here in The Bahamas through sports. I’m just grateful to be one of the athletes who can come home and make a difference,” said Fox.

Chairman of the local organizing committee of the event Lynden Maycock said a gospel event on the Sunday following the derby will climax the weekend of activities.

“With everything that is happening in our country today, we need as much prayers as possible. The organizers were very receptive to the idea and so on the Sunday following the home run derby, when all of the guys would have completed their partying from the night before, we have this event happening under the theme ‘Victory belongs to Jesus’,” said Maycock. “We saw it all coming together with a former minor league player from the New York Mets organization, turned gospel artist, in Todd Dulaney, playing a major part in this event. We know what’s happening here today is no accident, so we are looking forward to this event on Sunday December 18 – a moment of worship and prayer for the nation.”

Consultant in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Harrison Thompson said Fox and Isaacs have their full support in the staging of the derby.

“This event is a 

testament of the work and commitment of Todd and Lucius. They are bringing this fantastic event to The Bahamas and that is what sports tourism is all about,” he said. “Everyone wants to come to The Bahamas and we welcome them to our shores. Visitors want to experience our culture, our people and our beautiful scenery. There’s no other place in the world like The Bahamas. We want to commend these young men for this venture and we look forward to it expanding even more in the future to the point where it is the most popular baseball event in the world. You have our full support and we will assist in any way that we can. Keep pressing forward.”

Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Atlantis Ted Adderley said they are happy to be part of the event, once again showing support for young Bahamian talent.

“I cannot say more about the contribution that Todd and Lucius are making,” said Adderley. “When you speak to them, you feel what they are trying to accomplish and you have to embrace it. This event is about to take off. It’s still in its infancy stages in terms of growth and you could feel it expanding and really taking off. We are so proud of what these young men are doing and we wholeheartedly support this event. These young men are on to something amazing and we’re so happy to be a part of it.”

Public Relations and Communication Coordinator at Cable Bahamas Shazell Rolle the event will be broadcasted live in REV TV.

“We have been a part of this event from its inception and we are so pleased to be a part of it for another year,” she said. “There are a lot of international people talking about it and that alone shows how much this event has grown. It’s now into year five and we look forward to continuing to be a part of this event. At REV, we are the home of sports and we want to make sure that everyone captures the excitement of the home run derby so it will be live on Channel 212 and also available on the REVGO Play app. By showing support for Bahamian talent, and sponsoring events like this, at REV, it definitely shows that it’s you and us together.”

As mentioned, the home run derby is into its fifth year. A foreigner has won the top individual award at each of the first four. Organizers are hopeful that a Bahamian can be crowned Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby Champion for 2022.