Category: TRACK

November 4, 2023February 4, 2024

Sumner receives Gold Award at CAC Championships

Sheldon Longley
Nov 2, 2023 Updated Nov 2, 2023
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The accolades continue to pour in for Danny Sumner who has given more than half of his life toward the development of the sport of bodybuilding in The Bahamas and the region.

Sumner, a former president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF), now the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF), was awarded with the Gold Award at the Golden Anniversary 50th International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Palm Beach, Aruba, this year. The Bahamas won nine medals at those championships, including four gold, and also had a pro card winner.https://8339cc7912efad85ca6b95edd6edf671.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Sumner is the first Bahamian to serve on the executive board of the CACBBFF, reaching as high as vice president, and also served as the president of the Antilles region.

“It’s exciting to know that your work is appreciated,” said Sumner. “This is an award that the IFBB gives to long-standing members in different countries for the development and promotion of bodybuilding and fitness in the region. I’ve put in time, energy and effort into the sport and it’s just an amazing feeling when you are remembered. I feel like I was instrumental in the development of bodybuilding and fitness in The Bahamas and the Caribbean. I’m one of the first Bahamians to receive an international judge’s card, the first Bahamian to be vice president of the CAC and the first Bahamian patron of the sport regionally. All of that have led to me being respected by comrades, the athletes and coaches, and team officials, and it’s a good feeling to get that recognition.”

Sumner served as president of the BBFF at a time when The Bahamas got its first pro card in bodybuilding and first pro card in fitness. Charles Kemp and Natasha Brown earned those distinctions, respectively. Also during his reign, The Bahamas dominated at the CAC level, winning eight CAC Championships titles. The country was ranked as high as number one in the CAC region and was top 10 in the world.https://8339cc7912efad85ca6b95edd6edf671.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“I stepped away from the sport locally after serving as president because I felt that I had done my part, but I kept my position at the CAC level. Really and truly, I never left the sport,” said Sumner. “I was instrumental in getting Bahamians certified in judging and officiating. The first four came under me.”

Sumner said he wants Bahamian athletes to continue to pursue their goals in the sport and to continue to aspire for greatness.

“I want athletes and officials to pursue their ultimate goals and put more into the sport. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it,” he said. “The sport is big and will make you more disciplined in life. I want the people involved to get more active in creating a vision for younger people and I want Bahamians to gain international experience in the sport. I want the sport to get into the Olympics. It’s disappointing that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has not invited the sport into the fold as yet. We were close to getting it in about 10 years ago but we never got over the hump. It’s time that bodybuilding and fitness be added to the Olympic schedule.”

Sumner has received as much as seven awards in bodybuilding and fitness at the CAC level, but the Gold Award is the highest one. He is the first Bahamian to officiate at a fitness competition in Spain and has served as an official in bodybuilding and fitness at all levels, obtaining the highest level of experience and judging card.https://8339cc7912efad85ca6b95edd6edf671.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Also, Sumner was instrumental in the formation of government league slow pitch softball and government league basketball in the country, was president of government league basketball for 10 years and is certified as an international official in three sporting disciplines – bodybuilding and fitness, basketball and powerlifting. He served as CAC Vice President for three consecutive terms.

The CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation was formed to promote bodybuilding and fitness in the Caribbean and Central America.

November 4, 2023February 4, 2024

Mingoes soccer wins two-match tour in South Florida

Nov 2, 2023
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mingoes soccer 7.jpg — University of The Bahamas midfielder Ronaldo Green, left, moves the ball against United International College midfielder Felipe Sette Ribeiro in their match at Miramar Regional Park in Miramar, Florida. Green scored a hat trick and the Mingoes won the match 3-1.

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MIRAMAR, Florida – The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s soccer team completed a two-match tour in South Florida undefeated, knocking off United International College (UIC), 3-1, at the Miramar Regional Park in Miramar, Florida. It was the first time a Mingoes team completed a tour with only wins.

Midfielder Ronaldo Green turned in another hat trick for the Mingoes – his second in international play – leading the team to the 3-1 win.

The match against the UIC Eagle Rays started bumpy as there was a lot of contact between players. However, Green was able to break free from a tackle to connect for the first goal of the game in the 19th minute.

The Eagle Rays’ defense turned on the pressure after that goal and that turned into a few offensive opportunities for the Eagle Rays. They connected in the 39th minute to tie the match, 1-1.

The teams would carry that tie into half-time, and the Mingoes made several adjustments coming into the second half.

The Eagle Rays were a bit more aggressive coming out of the half, but Green was able to receive a short pass from Grand Pierre in the 51st minute and connected for a second goal to put the Mingoes up, 2-1.

Green was not done at that point. Eight minutes later, he scored off a chip shot to give the Mingoes a 3-1 lead.

The Mingoes’ defense held up to pick up their second win of the tour and become the first team in UB history to finish an international tour with only notches in the win column. Three weeks ago, the Mingoes finished a tour with a tie and a win.

Head Coach Alex Thompson said the team is clearly growing with each match and is looking forward to big things in the future.

“They executed what we worked on in training and they tried to take a very professional approach so I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “A few players stepped up today like Ronaldo Green with the hat trick, Peter Julmis and Evelt Julmis played very strong and again Nathan Wells was very solid for us. This shows that teams from The Bahamas can definitely compete internationally with the right structure and with the correct organization. Not only can we compete but we can definitely be successful.”https://72db7f8ccb1a3fa2c98501b3f68cbe53.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The team now waits for the Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) season to start later this month.

November 4, 2023November 4, 2023

Career night for Ayton

Blazers pick up first win; Hield, Suns fall

Sheldon Longley
Nov 1, 2023
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DeAndre Ayton’s scoring numbers might be down a bit this year, but he is still a monster on the boards, pulling down rebounds at a record pace.

The Bahamian recorded a new career-high in rebounds on Monday, pulling down 23 rebounds to help his new team, the Portland Trail Blazers, secure their first win in the National Basketball Association (NBA) this season

For the season, the Bahamian is averaging 8.8 points and 14.8 rebounds per game – the first season of his six-year career that he is not averaging double digits in scoring. His 14.8 rebounds is 3.3 rebounds per game more than his previous season-high for averages and is second in the league this season behind Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings. Sabonis is averaging 15 rebounds per game this season.

Ayton had 15 of his 23 rebounds in the second half, when Portland outscored Toronto, 52-41. He finished with seven offensive boards.

“His presence was felt everywhere on the floor tonight,” said Trail Blazers’ Head Coach Chauncey Billups of Ayton after the game. “Those are some of the things that we’re going to expect to be getting from him,” he added.

Ayton’s previous rebounding mark was 21, set three times. He last reached it November 26, 2022, against the Utah Jazz – also the last time he recorded a 20-20 game in the NBA, which he has done three times.

Overall, his performance on Monday represented the fifth 20-rebound game of his career. He had 20 against the Dallas Mavericks in January this year, and 21 on three other occasions, before increasing his career-high to 23 on Monday.

Ayton’s playoff career-high for

rebounds is 22, done against the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA’s Western Conference Finals. He had 19 points and 22 rebounds in an 84-80 win for the Phoenix Suns over the Clippers, giving them a 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. The Suns went on to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals that year.https://f209dd661264620902e033cbea650799.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Ayton and the Blazers stay on the road and face the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, tonight. That game tips off at 7 p.m.

The other Bahamian in action in the NBA on Monday night was Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield as he and the Indiana Pacers hosted the Chicago Bulls at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hield scored 11 points and added five rebounds and four assists off the bench, but the Pacers lost, 112-105, suffering their first loss of the season. They now have a 2-1 record.

In the game, Hield shot 4-for-12 (33.3 percent) from the field and was 3-for-8 (37.5 percent) from distance. He buried at least one three-point shot for the 36th straight regular season game, dating back to last season, and matching the third-longest streak of his career.

For the season, Hield is averaging 11.7 points per game on 39.4 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent shooting from three-point range.

Hield and the Pacers will face the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, tonight. That game will tip off at 7:30 p.m.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Ken Mullings ends up with DNF in decathlon

Ken Mullings, of The Bahamas, competes in a men’s decathlon 110-metre hurdles heat at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Bahamas’s Ken Mullings competes in the men’s decathlon discus throw at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#After getting off to a scorching start on day one of the 19th Pan American Games, national record holder Ken Mullings dropped out of contention for a medal and eventually the rest of the 10-event competition on the final day yesterday in Santiago, Chile.

#His downfall came in the third event of the day in the men’s pole vault where he failed to clear any height, dropping him from fourth place to ninth place, at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos.

#He didn’t start the javelin as the final two events took place in the evening session and subsequently was not allowed to close out the competition in the gruelling 1,500 metres, which brought the curtain down on the showdown between the versatile athletes in track and field.

#All of his previous points didn’t matter as Mullings ended up with a DNF (did not finish) logged beside his name on the scoresheet.

#Coming into the final day of competition in fourth place after completing the first five events on Monday, Mullings won his heat of the men’s 110m hurdles in 14.27 seconds for the fastest time combined.

#The 26-year-old Mullings remained in contention in the men’s discus in fourth place with a heave of 136-feet, 7 1/4-inches or 41.64 metres. But the medal slipped out of his grasp after he couldn’t post a mark in the pole vault to end the morning session.

#Mullings completed the first day in fourth place with 4,035 points after the first five of 10 events contested with a victory in the heats of the men’s 100m in 10.89, third in the long jump with 22-7¾ (6.90m), third as well in the shot put with a heave of 47-9 ½ (14.57m), third also in the high jump with 6-7 ¼ (2.01m) and second in his heat of the 400m in 50.67. Efforts to contact Mullings for comments were unsuccessful. Also yesterday, Joshua Higgins completed the sixth race in the Dinghy ILCA 7 category in the waters of the Cofradía Náutica del Pacífico in Algarrobo, Chile. However, he didn’t move up the final rankings, finishing 17th place overall.

#The Harbour Island native came in 20th place to dit in 17tth place on the standings with 87 points.

#Still waiting to compete in track and field for Team Bahamas on Friday in their respective events are men’s high jumper Donald Thomas and female javelin thrower Rhema Otabor..

#Team Bahamas already earned a medal at the games during the first week of competition as swimmer Lamar Taylor touched the wall for the bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle.

Ken Mullings, of The Bahamas, competes in a men’s decathlon 110-metre hurdles heat at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Bahamas’s Ken Mullings competes in the men’s decathlon discus throw at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#All of his previous points didn’t matter as Mullings ended up with a DNF (did not finish) logged beside his name on the scoresheet.

#The Harbour Island native came in 20th place to dit in 17tth place on the standings with 87 points.

#Still waiting to compete in track and field for Team Bahamas on Friday in their respective events are men’s high jumper Donald Thomas and female javelin thrower Rhema Otabor..

#Team Bahamas already earned a medal at the games during the first week of competition as swimmer Lamar Taylor touched the wall for the bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Trent Deveaux hopes to get back to minor league

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Trent Deveaux. Photo – Fabian Whymns.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE he’s taking the time to recuperate from an elbow injury that sidelined him this year, outfielder Trent Deveaux said he’s glad to be taking on another important role as a “father to a newborn son” as he waits for his return to minor league baseball.

#Deveaux, 23, played with the Inland Empire 66ers before he was released on June 7, 2022. He returned home and spent the past year helping out at various baseball leagues until the arrival of his son – Trent Deveaux II on September 9 at Doctors Hospital – with his girlfriend Helena Ferguson from Acklins.

#“It’s something different,” said Deveaux of fatherhood. “I’m enjoying it because I see so much joy in my son when I’m around him.”

#If all goes well, Deveaux hopes that he will be afforded another opportunity to continue his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player. He was appreciative of the opportunity he got from the Los Angeles Angels organisation.

#“I was doing quite well until I got the injury,” said Deveaux of playing with their affiliate Inland Empire 66ers. “So right now, I’m working out getting ready to return to the league. I have some plans in motion, but I don’t want to say anything about it until the deal is completed.

#“Every time I would straighten up my arm, it would give me a lot of pain, so I was taking those painkillers and playing through it. You’re not going to be healthy all the time, so I just tried to bear with it.” Although he’s still staying in shape, waiting for the opening of spring training so that he can get back in the league, Deveaux said he was glad when he got the opportunity to assist the athletic department at St Augustine’s College in getting the ladies’ softball field completed.

#“When I was at SAC, we didn’t have this kind of facility,” said Deveaux, who actually spent one year there in grade seven before he did the home schooling. “A lot of people don’t know it, but I was benched when I played on the Big Red Machine junior boys’ team.”

#During his tenure at SAC, Deveaux said he remembered when they played on the senior boys’ softball field with the pool as the home run turf. So, to see where SAC has emerged to produce the beginning of their field of dreams brings a “lot of smiles” to his face.

#Deveaux, however, said he is even more thrilled now that he is a father to his newly born son.

#As a top 20 international prospect, Deveaux signed with Los Angeles on July 2, 2017. He moved around the organization playing with the AZL Angeles, Orem Owlz and ACL Angels before he completed his stint with the Inland Empire 66ers.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

BHTA golf tournament resumes at Royal Blue

SHOWN, from left to right, are first place winner Tony Aranha, Robert “Sandy” Sands, President of The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and First Place Winner Neale Jones.

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

#THE Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) “resumed play” as the organisation brought back its immensely popular Annual “Spooktacular Golf Tournament” at the behest of players and corporate sponsors – after a three-year hiatus.

#This year’s tournament, held on Sunday, October 29 at The Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar, was met with excitement and enthusiasm by throngs of golfers who enjoyed a beautiful day of play amidst a bevy of animated, interactive, aptly themed corporate “fun stations” that were interspersed along the green.

#The tournament has become a favourite of the golfing community, due to the enthusiastic support of corporate sponsors, many of whom are directly or indirectly linked to the tourism industry.

#These loyal supporters donate an array of valuable prizes, provide a wealth of gift bag giveaways and corporate swag bag items, in addition to their donation of funds and fun to ensure golfers have an all-inclusive day of competitive golf and entertainment.

#The coveted tournament victory went to repeat winners Neale Jones and Tony Aranha who walked away with the first place trophy and top prize staycations at Bah Mar’s Rosewood and SLS properties. Second place was awarded to Javier Bowe and Lynford Miller and third place went to two junior golfers, Maddison Carroll and Anissa Robinson, who clinched their top tier title amidst a cadre of seasoned golfers.

#The two young ladies were pleased to be invited to play on Restaurant Bahamas’ Team – they represented the long-term corporate supporter with grace and determination.

#All top team players won prizes such as luxurious hotel stays at Goldwynn Resorts & Residences, Baha Mar’s Grand Hyatt and the Royal Towers at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

#Newcomer Commonwealth Brewery Ltd. (CBL) came on board with enthusiasm as a corporate sponsor and event partner.

#CBL paired with BHTA to take the tourney’s prize ceremony to newly elevated levels of fun and anticipation. Golfers gathered under the CBL prize party tent surrounded by beverage stations conveniently located on the green apron of The Royal Blue Clubhouse. Effervescent CBL executives and team members served thirsty golfers with a variety of CBL distributed beer, wine and bubbly brands as the players eagerly awaited the results of the tally.

#Major sponsors of this year’s tournament also included Baha Mar, Baha Mar Foundation, Atlantis, Margaritaville Beach Resort and it’s soon-to-be-open neighbour, The British Colonial, The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Royal Fidelity Bank and Trust, John Watling’s Distillery, The Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA), The Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB), Restaurants Bahamas, J.S. Johnson and The d’Albenas Agency.

#Over half a dozen corporate sponsors set up “fun stations” along the course where they provided golfers with the opportunity to network, interact, play games and win prizes.

#Golfers were asked to vote for their top three best fun stations. Taking first place was Margaritaville Beach Resort, who served sliders and rum infused cake to hungry golfers, who were invited to bike ‘n’ blend their own margarita before they took aim on the beautiful 16th Hole.

#NPIPB won second place in the Golfers Choice award, with its brightly coloured, balloon-strewn Haunted House featuring unique spooky cocktails, Halloween music and giveaways, while Royal Fidelity took third spot as they enticed players off their tee with their exquisitely decorated cocktail lounge, their variety of libations served by aptly attired “Day of the Dead” costumed servers and staff.

#The tourney has become known for its quantity and quality of prizes, the fun and frolic as well as the competitive level of play. Prize donors included Atlantis Paradise Island, Royal Blue Golf Club, Rosewood, SLS, Grand Hyatt, Goldwynn Resorts and Residences, Abaco Beach Resort, Comfort Suites, British Colonial, Embrace Resort, Pelican Bay, Graycliff Hotel, Makers Air, Lyford Cay Club, Rentokil, Green Systems Ltd., Baha Bay, John Watlings, Commonwealth Brewery, and Bahamas Wholesale Agencies (BWA).

#Robert “Sandy” Sands, president of the BHTA, thanked players, corporate sponsors, prize donators and the Royal Blue Golf Club team for helping to make the association’s 22nd annual Spooktacular event a resounding success.

#The proceeds of the event help power the organisations integral workforce development efforts, a key component of the BHTA’s mandate.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Girls’ softball field of dreams dedicated at SAC in memory of the late Charlotte Pyfrom

DEDICATION DAY: Glen Ritchie, Floridell Adderley, Geno Nairn, Glenn Archer, Monsignor Alfred Culmer, Sonja Knowles, Mike Rolle, Marici Thompson and Sean McWeeney.

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Geno Nairn throws out a pitch. Photos: Fabian Whymns

Mike Rolle making his remarks.

SAC principal Marici Thompson making her remarks.

Floridell Adderley and Glen Ritchie unveiling the plaque.

Glen Ritchie delivers a pitch.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN the midst of their quest for another successful Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools campaign, the Big Red Machine kept the memory of deceased former head of department Charlotte Pyfrom alive with the dedication of its girls’ softball Field of Dreams at St Augustine’s College.

#The blessing and unveiling of the plaque in honour of Pyfrom took place yesterday morning. The ceremony was conducted by Monsignor Alfred Culmer, who filled in for Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder.

#Among the dignitaries on hand were Sean McSweeney, Mike Rolle, chairman of the Unca Lou Charity Foundation, Glen Ritchie of Family Guardian, who represented Pyfrom’s family and minor league baseball player Trent Deveaux.

#After Tristan Roberts, president of the Student Council, gave a spirited welcome address to the visiting dignitaries, the faculty and staff, students and special guests, who included Floridell Adderley – the wife of the late principal Deacon Leviticus ‘Unca Lou’ Adderley – and remarks were made by Ritchie and Rolle, McSweeney unveiled the plaque to the softball field that was read by principal Marici Thompson.

#Thompson, who is also the current principal, said this was just the completion of phase one of the field of dreams project.

#Nonetheless, she honoured those persons who made it possible to realise the initial dream yesterday for a lady who was worthy of praise and recognition.

#“In honour and recognition of Charlotte Pyfrom, 1951-2022, Mrs Pyfrom was a faithful and dedicated physical education teacher at St Augustine’s College for 17 years. The family of Mrs Pyfrom and the family of Family Guardian made a generous contribution towards the completion of the ladies’ softball field.”

#Rolle, who worked on a committee that included Freddie Albury, Geno Nairn, Van Diah and Glen Archer, said they were inspired by the late Unca Lou Adderley, who started an indelible school pride for all who attended SAC.

#“Every SAC student who was graced by the presence of this giant of a man was left with something even greater than pride,” Rolle said. “You were left with love. He was so beloved by his students, he became known as Unca Lou. He was a father figure, a mentor, a teacher, a coach and a confidante.”

#Having been taught by Unca Lou in his math class, Rolle said he remembered the vision that he had for a multi-sport complex at the school, which would consist of a running track facility, softball fields and a multi-purpose gymnasium.

#“His passing put that dream on hold,” Rolle said. “However, the dream was kept alive by Eugene Nairn, Pat Walkes and others who have encouraged me and together we formed the Unca Lou Charity and undertook to see the dream begin to materialise.”

#After hosting a successful golf tournament last year, Rolle said they began the process for the creation of the ladies’ softball field. He said a men’s baseball field is next followed by a first-class track and field facility.

#Representing Family Guardian and the family of the late Pyfrom, Ritchie, another graduate of SAC, said the event marks an occasion to recognise the contribution of a wonderful person, an educator and a friend.

#“Charlotte spent 17 happy years here at St Augustine’s College where she taught physical education and nurtured young athletes,” Ritchie recalled.

#“She was unweaving in her dedication to her students and this fine institution, ensuring that their bodies were strengthened, along with their minds.

#“Charlotte not only taught the rudiments of each sport, she instilled discipline, she fostered camaraderie, she pushed her students to excel and she immiserated with them when they fell short of the mark.

#“She encouraged everyone she encountered to do their best, no matter the task at hand.”

#As a result of those attributes, Ritchie said Family Guardian and the Pyfrom family combined their resources to assist in the completion of the ladies’ softball field that was dedicated in her honour.

#Pyfrom, according to Ritchie, played her role as a member of the board for 25 years.

#“The dedication of this field in her honour is a tangible representation of the respect and adoration we all feel for her,” he pointed out. “To the students gathered here, who will use this facility, none of you would have met or been taught by Mrs Pyfrom, but it is my hope that her spirit of sporting excellence will carry on in you.”

#As for those personally acquainted with her either as a colleague, a teacher or a friend, Ritchie said he hopes that her memory will live on in their hearts and minds.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

12 to be inducted into Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Class of 23 National Hall of Fame

HALL OF FAMERS — Pictured seated from left to right are John Johnson, Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, Fernley Palmer and Montez Williams of the Ministry of Sports. Standing in back from left are Oria Wood-Knowles, Lawrence ‘Larry’ Davis, James ‘Sam’ Brown, Minister Mario Bowleg, Anton Sealey, Craig Flowers, Kelsie Johnson-Sills, director of sports and consultant Harrison Thompson. Photo: Andrew Laroda

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SATURDAY will be a special day for 12 more distinguished Bahamian sporting personalities. They will be inducted into the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Class of 23 National Hall of Fame.

#The ceremony will take place on the lawn of the ministry’s headquarters starting at 6:30pm.

#During the ceremony, the ministry will also select its outstanding athletes, teams and coaches for their achievements during the past year.

#The event is being staged under the theme: “United in sports – A Golden Jubilee.” Being inducted are Lawrence ‘Larry’ Davis (basketball), Anton Sealey (soccer), Allan Murray (swimming), John Johnson (basketball), Craig Flowers (golf), Peter Pratt (track and field), Mark Knowles (tennis), Irvin Taylor (cricket), Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson (volleyball), Yvonne Lockhart (softball), Fernley Palmer (boxing) and James ‘Sam’ Brown (cycling).

#During a press conference on Monday at the Ministry of Sports, more than half of the honourees were introduced to the public.

#Those in attendance expressed their delight in receiving the gesture.

#Issacs-Dotson, who played a number of sporting disciplines but really excelled in volleyball as a setter and softball as an infielder, called it a “dream come true” for her.

#“To receive this award and to be recognised nationally is overwhelming,” said Isaacs-Dotson, who now serves as the first female president of the Bahamas Softball Federation. “It’s also humbling as well to be recognised with the persons you are with as Hall of Famers.”

#Looking at the class, Isaacs-Dotson said it’s one filled with a lot of people who deserve the recognition because of what they accomplished during their era, so she’s enthused and excited to be a part of the class.

#For her, the highlight would be when she was a member of the women’s national volleyball team that lost the Caribbean Volleyball Championship title to Barbados when it was first played here and the following year they went to Barbados and avenged the defeat by winning the title.

#Flowers, a businessman who served as a long-time executive and player of the Bahamas Golf Federation, commended Minister Mario Bowleg and his team at the ministry for the initiative to stage a month of celebrations as a part of the country’s 50th Jubilee.

#“Whatever they give you, you have to accept it because it gives you the opportunity to be recognised and brought to the forefront, those of us who would have made our contribution to sports,” Flowers pointed out.

#As for himself, Flowers said he doesn’t do what he does to be recognised.

#“I do have a profound respect for those persons who made the choice in selecting me,” he said. “The things I’ve done are not to be given back. For whatever reason people think that is so, but that is where I beg to differ. I did nothing to receive anything in return. “But in light of the fact that we are being recognised, I’m honoured and I am pleased that the ministry is recognising me and I would be the first to be on the water tower and tell them how pleased I am to receive the recognition.”

#Davis, who served as a long-time executive of the Bahamas Olympic Committee while making his contribution as an executive and referee in the Bahamas Basketball Federation, said he’s also honoured to be recognised.

#“To be able to get an award along with the people who are being honoured, I feel it’s a great thing,” Davis stated.

#“It is an honour but, on the other hand, I am very humbled to receive the recognition.

#“I’ve made my contribution but what I did, I did it for the love of sports. I never really went out there to do anything to achieve anything in return. I just wanted to do my part to help to make the Bahamas the number one sporting nation in the world. I think I’ve done that.”

#Over the years, Sealey would have served as a soccer player, coach and executive in the Bahamas Football Association. The immediate past president of the BFA said he’s now elated to receive the highest sporting honour in the country, which is to be inducted into the National Hall of Fame.

#“This culminates a long career for me in sports and so it’s humbling and indeed I am honoured to be a part of the Class of 2023,” Sealey pointed out.

#“I am just thrilled to be considered in this class of honourees.

#“I think it’s an exceptional class, to be honest with you. I’m happy to be going in with this class that includes Craig Flowers, a noted golfer, Larry Davis from the Olympic movement and Fernley Palmer, my goodness. It’s a very good and impressive class and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

#And John Johnson started playing organised basketball at the age of 18 out of Mason’s Addition in 1964. He remembered playing against teams from the east to the west and from the north to the south. “I’m elated. I’m happy that they are finally honouring me. It’s better late than never,” Johnson told The Tribune.