Mike Sands.

July 21, 2020

Sheldon Longley

0305 Views

Athletes must always stay active to maintain that competitive edge, says North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) President Mike Sands, and one of the ways of doing that is by taking part in as many meets as possible during the calendar year.

However, 2020 has been like none other. Not since the Spanish Flu of 1918, has a major pandemic hit the world, forcing a stoppage of sports across the globe. The Bahamian leader of one of just six area associations in World Athletics said that it is imperative that track and field athletes get back to competition as soon as possible, while still respecting the health and safety measures in place because of COVID-19.

A compacted Diamond League schedule is set to continue next month, but already, the Olympics has been pushed to 2021, and other major meets and events have either been postponed or cancelled. A number of national championships have been cancelled as well.

“When I took over this wonderful body, this storm was not on the [radar]. We had to quickly adapt to find ways of managing it,” Sands told World Athletics. “A percentage of our membership has been able to resume active training now that their respective countries have started lifting their restrictions, so the process is starting to unfold gradually, but many of our athletes attend colleges and universities in the United States, so their training is directly affected because the university system is completely shut. There are some universities that are talking about extending the eligibility of their athletes, so that’s a plus for them.”

The region has taken a massive hit from COVID-19, particularly the closest nation to the Northern Bahamas, the United States of America (USA). The US is the most impacted nation in the world with about four million cases and nearly 150,000 deaths. Worldwide, there are about 15 million cases and over 600,000 deaths.

For the most past, staff at the NACAC office have been working from home in their respective countries. Be that as it may, a number of programs of NACAC are ongoing such as virtual coaching courses, in English and Spanish, via Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.

“The pandemic forced us to jumpstart our plans, simply because people are very keen for things to happen,” Sands told World Athletics. “We’ve been very fortunate and very impressed with the support and attendance. Some of the numbers are mind-boggling.”

Additionally, NACAC established a number of commissions to assist with the day-to-day running of the regional body, each assigned with separate tasks. Of utmost importance, is the medical commission in the face of what is going on with COVID-19. The pandemic, itself, has altered a number of plans, but one item that they have all agreed on, and would like to see brought to fruition, is a regional circuit featuring the best athletes from NACAC, and even others from around the world. One such meet that he would like to be brought on stream is a regional encounter, tentatively set for September 26, dubbed the ‘New Life Invitational’.

“We’re still holding on to a glimmer of hope that we’ll be able to stage it, but it is all dependent on what the restrictions are in the various member federations,” he said. “We canvassed the member federations, coaches and athlete representatives and a lot of them are anxious for competition. We hope that we’re able to pull it off in some shape or form.”

Traveling from country to country is expected to present a major roadblock in a successful staging of the meet.

“Transportation is a huge challenge for many in this area, so we have to address it in some way, shape or form,” said Sands. “We’re about to make an official request at a higher level to see what kind of support we can get for our athletes throughout the region.”

Locally, here in The Bahamas, sports is still at a standstill. The Bahamas was into phase five of the reopening of the economy plan, but a second wave of the coronavirus hit when the borders were opened to international travel. Since that time, in less than three weeks, a total of 70 cases of COVID-19 surfaced – nearly half of the country’s total number of 174. The death toll remains at 11.

The pandemic is far from over.

“This has given us an appreciation for the way things used to be,” said Sands. “We cannot take things for granted. We need to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.”

Sands has now sit in the chair of president of NACAC for a little over a year. He said he is looking forward to the remainder of the four-year term, but more notably, the day when track and field, and sports on the whole, would be able to return with some degree of normalcy.

AARON Levarity

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#AARON Levarity will make the transition to professional basketball in Denmark for the upcoming season.

#Levarity signed with the Svendborg Rabbits of the Basketligaen, the highest level in the country.

#The Grand Bahama native played collegiately at Milligan College in the NAIA where he became the team’s leading scorer and rebounder in his final two seasons under head coach Bill Robinson.

#The Bishop Michael Eldon graduate, who later attended the University of the Bahamas, became the Appalachian Athletic Conference leading scorer with 19.1 points per game, top rebounder with 12.5 rebounds per game and top shot blocker with 1.47 blocks per game in his senior season.

#His field goal percentage ranked seventh in NAIA Division II. He also ranked within the top 10 in four other categories, including both defensive and offensive rebounds per game.

#In his first season with the Buffaloes, Levarity averaged just 5.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Those numbers rose to 16.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game before his career high numbers in year three. “Aaron’s development on the court in three years has been remarkable. He averaged less than six points a game as a sophomore and became the best player in our league,” Robinson told The Tribune.

#“He is incredibly motivated both on and off the court. His team-mates love him because despite all the success, he is a caring and humble person. It has been a privilege to coach Aaron.”

#Levarity was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference men’s basketball player of the week for the second time this year and the fifth for his career.

#The Rabbits are based in Svendborg, Denmark. The team won gold in the best Danish basketball league in the 2009–10 season, silver in the 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. They won gold in the Danish Cup tournament in 2007, 2011 and 2013. And they competed in the 2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER one week of intense instructional training, Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney said he’s not disappointed at all that he has had to halt his Diamond Basketball Development Programme.

#The camp, held in memory of the late, versatile athlete Jonique ‘Mini’ Webb and coach Sherman Smith, got underway last week at the Hope Center Church for girls between the ages of eight and 16 from 9am to noon and boys 8-11 from 1-4pm.

#But on Sunday, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced that all parks, along with beaches, in New Providence and Grand Bahama, will be closed until further notice as a result of a spike in the coronavirus pandemic.

#McSweeney immediately sent out a letter to parents advising them that the camp will be put on hold until further notice, hoping and asking in prayers that it won’t be for any extended period of time.

#“I think the decision by the Prime Minister is a good one because lives matter,” McSweeney said. “The precautionary measures he took to shut down the parks doesn’t affect the overall objective that we are trying to achieve.

#“If it is that it probably takes a week or so for the parks to reopen, we will still try to see what we can do to commemorate Jonique ‘Mini’ Smith as well as coach Sherman Smith.”

#He admitted that the decision doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into his programme, but McSweeney advised the parents that if the parks remain closed for more than two weeks, then he will have no other choice but to shut down the camp.

#“We don’t want to interfere with the opening of school, whenever they do it, but as in the past, by August 15, we normally break training until September to allow the parents to get their children ready for school,” McSweeney said.

#“So the decision by the Prime Minister to close the parks was a good one for the nation overall, protecting lives. We were already out of the gate, so I give God thanks if we were only able to stage the one week of the camp.”

#While the camp was held from Monday to Friday last week, McSweeney also conducted a free Saturday training session at the facility where he indicated that the numbers increased and some of them were hoping to come out and participate this week.

#“Whenever I am able to go back to the court as a coach, I will continue to do what I do, training the girls in particular the basic fundamentals of the game. If not, whenever the parks are reopened, we will resume, if it’s just Saturday workouts.”

#Having gotten the camp off the blocks, McSweeney said he’s thankful to God and he will abide by the rules of the Bahamas Government because lives are more at stake.

#Webb passed away at the age of 30 on January 19 after a battle with lupus and 53-year-old Smith died on April 22, having been diagnosed earlier with sickle cell that led to complications with COVID-19.

#Already, McSweeney is already looking forward to next year when he will take his Diamond Basketball League to Harbour Island and Central Eleuthera during the summer for a primary school camp for girls in grades 4-6.

#Marcia Hall, the 10-year-old daughter of sportscaster Marcellus Hall, will be the face of the camp.

#Here for this year’s camp, Hall attends the Harbour Island All-Age School where she is coached by Ann Bullard.

#“If it is that we have to pull up anchor on this year’s camp, I am planning then to do a 3-on-3 tournament in her honour at some point and to go to Harbour Island and Central Eleuthera,” McSweeney said.

#“Those will be held in conjunction with the continuation of our regular Saturday morning training sessions. So we are going to try and stay busy, despite all that is going on with this pandemic. Once we get the clearance, we will provide the opportunities for our young girls to develop their skills in basketball.”

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

VALERIE Nesbitt

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#VALERIE Nesbitt continues to be the model student athlete since she has reacclimated herself to the Ole Miss Rebels’ women’s basketball programme.

#Nesbitt, a general business major, was recently named to the SEC First Year Academic Honour Roll and was also an M-Club Student of the Month for July.

#The senior guard was one of five women’s basketball players and 67 Ole Miss student-athletes on the 2019-20 First-Year SEC Academic Honour Roll.

#Each month the FedEx Student-Athlete Success Center staff selects five student-athletes for the M-Club Student-Athlete of the Month Award. Students are nominated by staff based on observed effort that goes above and beyond normal expectations and results in personal or academic achievement.

#In April, Nesbitt addressed the issues surrounding her dismissal from the programme last season alongside head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin.

#McPhee-McCuin hosted a series of conversations on social media and Nesbitt was one of her guests, discussing changes in her behaviour since the surprising announcement last January, just 15 games into her tenure with the team.

#Nesbitt once again appears on the team’s official roster for the upcoming 2020-21 season.

#“Where I went wrong was not being able to understand my flaws and weaknesses. I wasn’t open enough to people that wanted to help me. I just knew within myself, I just wanted to do it my way and discipline is important, especially at this level and you need that structure. I didn’t allow the people that were trying to help me to better myself, I was like trying to do it on my own so that’s where I went wrong,” Nesbitt said. “I was just comfortable in mediocrity, I just wanted to be comfortable all the time so when I got removed from the team I was in a bad place and I just wanted everything to change. I was tired of the same results all the time.

#“I always used to blame my coaches and I never saw I was the problem so I had to do a lot of self check. Self checking, that helped a lot so now that I know where I go wrong and where I went wrong I’m able to change it and allow people to help me.”

#She was in the midst of making what appeared to be a seamless transition to NCAA Division I basketball following two years at the JuCo level. She led the Southeastern Conference in steals at 3.2 takeaways per game and had six games this season with at least four. She was the Rebels’ second-leading scorer at 11.3 points a game and was also second in minutes played at 24.3 per game.

#At the time of January’s announcement, McPhee-McCuin called it one of the toughest decisions she has made in her career.

#Nesbitt was the first Bahamian player signed by McPhee-McCuin in her tenure as the head coach of the Rebels. She has successfully recruited Bahamians to her programmes in the past – Jonquel Jones to Clemson and Shalonda Neely to Jacksonville.

#The Rebels will have the No.1 recruiting class in the SEC and No.13 class in the nation for the 2020-2021 season.

SHOWN (l-r) are Keith Joseph, NACAC general secretary, Carlos Clemente, ESA general secretary, Sebastian Coe, WA President, Geen Clarke CRC President, Calixto Sierra, HON President, Isaac Vargas, CADICA general secretary, Michael Serralta, NACAC competition director, Mike Sands, NACAC President, Helen Delanay, World Athletics, Deon Sutherland, BIZ President, Juan Carlos Ramirez, ESA President, Max Mollined, GUA President, Xiomara Larios, NCA President. Photo courtesy of NACAC

Monday, July 20, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SINCE coming into office last year, president Mike Sands has made considerable strides with members of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Confederation.

#While their actual meetings have been hampered this year by the coronavirus, Sands was able to hold a series of virtual meetings that have proven to be beneficial to all members.

#Over the weekend, the latest meeting took place via Zoom with World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe accepting the invitation to meet with the presidents of CADICA or the Central America countries.

#“It’s part of our plan to be all inclusive and so we wanted to meet with CADICA, who indicated during the election campaign that there are about seven of them who didn’t feel like they are a part of the NACAC membership,” Sands said.

#“I have given them my commitment that going forward, we will look at their sub division and to hear their concerns and to see how best we can address them.

#“We know we can’t solve all of their problems, but at least we will know what they are and try to address them as best as we can,” he said.

#One of the main concerns coming out of the meeting was how NACAC can assist CADICA in developing their schedule of events where it will be equatable to all of their members.

#“On average, if you took Nicaragua for example, a lot of events are held in El Salvador and people in Nicaragua would have to drive for about 16 hours to get into the competition and turn around and go back,” Sands said.

#“So these are some of the things that we can’t solve overnight because those are logistical problems, but certainly we can find ways to help them lessen the back and forth to help their athletes.”

#Technical training for the membership of CADICA was also discussed as NACAC listened to the six member presidents as they voiced their concerns.

#Sands, whose administration has gotten the approval of World Athletics as he sits on the board as the area representative, said the CADICA members were also delighted to hear directly from Coe, who expressed his gratitude for the invitation and once again pledged his commitment to NACAC.

#Since taking over from Victor Lopez as president, Sands was able to relocate NACAC’s office from Puerto Rico and it is now based at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Coe, along with a host of other dignitaries, were on hand for the official opening in January.

#NACAC was also in the process of staging a track and field meet for athletes in the region here at the stadium, but those plans had to be shelved because of the coronavirus.

#Sands indicated that they are still working out the details and whether or not it would be feasible for NACAC to still stage the event in the coronavirus environment.

#Sands said they also hosted their first ever NACAC Gender Leadership Workshop over the weekend with more than 80 attendees from throughout the NACAC family, including Olympic and world champion sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who sat through the entire six-hour programme.

#“There’s a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. It’s just that COVID-19 has slowed us down,” Sands said.

#“We’re trying to focus on as much as we can without physically meeting. That’s the upside of this pandemic. We still can meet over Zoom.”

#Sands congratulated the tech team at the National Stadium for assisting NACAC in pulling off the meeting that was hosted by vice president Catherine Jordan from Barbados, Bermuda’s president Donna Raynor and Secretary General Cydonie Mothersill from the Cayman Islands.

#The tech team was led by Dwayne Davis Jr.

#Two Bahamians, Simone Robinson, the daughter of the late Tommy Robinson and Ms Salvador, served as the the local interpreters during the sessions, which also featured a number of workshops.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Lashann Higgs

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#LASHANN Higgs will begin her pro basketball career in Spain.

#Higgs will join Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre PDM of the Liga Femenina Endesa, the top division of women’s basketball in the country.

#The league includes 14 teams and a 26-game regular season. The top eight teams make the playoffs, while the bottom two seeds are relegated to the second division.

#Higgs described her game to Bembibre Digital as “a fast and explosive player.”

#“I like to apply myself in defence, and I hope to help the team in any way,” she said.

#The former Texas Longhorn added that she is eager to learn about the Spanish basketball culture.

#“I hope that the Endesa Women’s League, one of the best in Europe, will give me a new experience and give me the opportunity to learn and improve my game in a different environment so that my jump to FIBA basketball is easier,” she said.

#“Spain is a very beautiful place, a country in southern Europe. I’m looking forward to trying the food. I’m excited to learn more about Spain and Bembibre.”

#Pepe Vazquez, head coach of the club, said he expects Higgs to provide an immediate impact with her versatility.

#“She is a very good level player. We cannot have WNBA players, but she has had a great university career. She is a very physical and explosive player. Extraordinary out in the open and on the run,” he said. “She has many resources to finish in one-on-one with a good shot. I like her defensive intensity. She is versatile, a combo that can play either guard position.”

#“It is a young team, eager to work, but not without talent. We have to be patient because we have a lot of work ahead. The team takes a leap in the physical plane compared to past seasons. Beyond having more height, we have more physical capacity, it is a more athletic team. You have to wait for the fans to identify with the players. Hopefully they can go to enjoy the pavilion.”

#Since the NCAA basketball season came to an end in March, Higgs signed with Sports International Group (SiG). The agency represents some of the biggest names in WNBA basketball including reigning Angel McCoughtry, Candace Parker and fellow Bahamian Jonquel Jones.

#“Personally it was a big step for me and them being a well-known agency as well as representing some of the most well-known players in basketball is huge,” Higgs told the Tribune.

#After going undrafted in the WNBA Draft, Higgs continued to await the next opportunity.

#“I guess everyone’s path is different, but I am still trying to achieve every part of my goals and aspirations. I just have to take another path to get to the WNBA and see where it leads me,” she said, “If it’s the WNBA then great, but if it’s not, I still have to move on with my career. I just have to be appreciative of what I have. It could have been worse, but I’m still playing basketball.”

#Higgs had her fifth year and senior season cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the NCAA women’s tournament.

#“As a freshman you think this is going to take forever but then when it finally gets there it’s a bittersweet moment because you want to see what else is out there for you but at the same time this is something you’ve been around for four years and in my case five years. I would consider it to be a very blessed moment because I got to finish what I started and I feel like that’s a big moment for me personally because it’s just something I’m proud of for accomplishing,” she told Longhorn TV, “I would hope that my legacy is not so much to basketball, I would hope I leave one to keep fighting in any area of life and to be that light for others however that may be.”

#In 28 games of her final collegiate season, including nine starts, Higgs has averaged 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She scored a season high 19 points off the bench in a 66 – 60 win over the then No. 17 Tenesseee Volunteers, December 8 on the road in Knoxville, Tennessee.

#The Harbour Island native played in 137 games as a Longhorn with 52 as a starter. She ranked as the seventh all-time in the Longhorns’ history for games played and 28th in career points scored with a total of 1,288.

#As a junior in November 2018, Higgs was diagnosed with a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. Through three games, she was averaging 16.3 points, five rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 56 percent shooting from the field before the season ending injury. Despite her limited time on the floor, she became the 44th player in Texas history to reach the 1000 point plateau when she scored 20 points in a 64-54 win over North Texas. In the offseason, The Big 12 approved a hardship waiver for Higgs, making her eligible to return to the Longhorns for a fifth season.

#Higgs entered her senior season projected to be one of the top players in the Big 12 conference and was named to the 10-member Preseason All-Big 12 Team. She came off a junior season where she claimed All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, USWBA National Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week.

#Though sidelined, Higgs received her third selection to the Academic All-Big 12 Teams. She was one of just eight student-athletes in the conference to have at least three selections.

#As a junior, she started 35 games and averaged 12.8 points per game, which ranked third on the team, 3.3 rebounds per game and was third on the squad with 1.4 steals per game. Scored in double figures on 21 occasions, including four 20-plus point performances.

#In her sophomore season, Higgs averaged eight points, three rebounds, 1.5 assists and one steal in just over 17 minutes per game.

#She built upon the numbers from her freshman season when she averaged 7.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in 13.2 minutes

#She came to the Longhorns heralded as the preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and was consensus All-American at Cedar Ridge High School (Round Rock, Texas). She emerged as the No. 7-ranked player overall and third-ranked guard in the class of 2015, according to ESPN.com.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo

.July 20, 2020

Sheldon Longley

0216 Views

Operating independently and apart from World Athletics (WA), a newly formed global Athletics Association (AA) is tasked with the responsibility of catering to track and field athletes’ needs first and foremost, and ensuring that they are at the center of attention on matters of the sport.

Bahamian Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo is a member, representing thousands of athletes, not just in the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), but athletes around the world as well. The 24-member body was recently formed with the intention of looking out for the best interests of track and field athletes.

American four-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor serves as the president of the body, which comprises members from every continent across the globe. American steeplechase runner Emma Coburn is the vice president. Other members on the board include Miller-Uibo, 13-time world champion Allyson Felix of the United States, Ashton Eaton of the United States, Julius Yego of Kenya, Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Great Britain, Jamaican nine-time World Champion and two-time Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, American Tianna Bartoletta and Tom Walsh of New Zealand, just to name a few.

Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations (BAAA) President Drumeco Archer said Miller-Uibo’s elevation to the management of athletics worldwide is just another step on the ladder of significant accomplishments for her.

“She is an ambassador, not just for the country, but she is an ambassador for the sport, and I think there could be nothing more befitting than for her to be one of the representatives for global athletics,” said Archer. “This is a proud moment not only for the sport, but also for the country. I am elated to see her involvement at a higher level and I believe this bodes well for The Bahamas, as she continues to represent herself, and The Bahamas, as one of the leaders in this sport.”

According to reports, the 24-member body was formed to give athletes, worldwide, a more significant presence on matters of world athletics, adding to the contribution of the athletes commission, which is a part of the executive landscape of the international global governing body of the sport.

“The objective of the Athletics Association is to provide track and field athletes with a meaningful voice, to fight for stronger athletes’ rights, and to seek an athletes-first approach to our sport,” as stated in a press release from the newly formed body.

Looking to expand the reach of the sport is another one of the objectives of the AA.

President Taylor said: “I am very proud of the progress made by the members of the Athletics Association board. Since its inception, a lot of work has been put in to establish the right governance and long-term viability that is essential to do justice to the athletes we represent. It’s this that has attracted the commitment and support of the athletes on the board. In addition to the board members, there are so many other athletes who have helped get us to this stage. World Athletics recently published a strategic plan, and athletes have been identified as key stakeholders. The Athletics Association provides a representative voice and a simple way for the sport’s governing body to follow through on their commitment. We are ready to contribute to the growth of the sport that we love, ensuring that athletes are part of the decision-making process. We firmly believe that we can affect positive change in our sport. We are ready for the challenge.”

The Athletes Commission is one of four commissions under World Athletics, and has similar goals as the newly formed Athletes Association, but a stronger presence around the decision-making table. For instance, under the 2019 Constitution of World Athletics, Athletes Commission Chairperson Renaud Lavillenie, of France, and one other member of the Athletes Commission are full voting members of the World Athletics Council.

World Athletics has previously stated that it supports athletes being present at the decision-making tables the council. Additionally, all athletes accredited for 2019 Doha World Championships were invited to vote in the elections, which took place during the championships, and nearly two-thirds of them cast their ballots.

As for the newly formed Athletics Association, its aim is to engage in positive dialogue with the sport’s governing body and the athletes commission, but is expected to hold World Athletics accountable and challenge the global governing body if they feel the best interests of the athletes are not being tended to.

According to the association’s statement, they have developed a number of support services and member benefits for athletes, including a hardship grant fund, training courses, and discounts on products. Of paramount concern is lobbying on behalf of the athletes to World Athletics and the Diamond League stakeholders in reference to changes to the Diamond League schedule, which includes removing the 200 meters (m), triple jump and discus from the circuit.

The newly formed association also plans to introduce a welfare charter, highlighting their commitment to improving the conditions for athletes across a range of issues as well as solidify a membership package that will begin in January 2021 and will offer access to courses on issues such as financial literacy and life after athletics.

The Freedom Farm Baseball League (FFBL) will make a decision by this Saturday about what to do with the rest of its season.

July 20, 2020

Simba French

1213 Views

It has been over four months since the last ball was thrown at the Freedom Farm Baseball League (FFBL) and that just might have been the final ball thrown for the season.

Freedom Farm Commissioner Clarence “CJ” McKenzie said the next coaches meeting will be held on Saturday, August 5, at which time a final decision will be made on the 2020 season.

“We are anticipating the latest report from our health and safety committee at our next coaches meeting. At that time, we expect to discuss and make a final decision on our 2020 regular season as well as plan out the future of baseball for the league,” McKenzie said. “We have been hoping for a complete and positive turnaround of the virus during the summer to resume playing safely, but that has yet to take place. As a matter of fact, things are now trending in the wrong direction.”

As of yesterday, July 19, The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health reported 153 confirmed cases of the coronavirus – 15 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. Since July 1, when the borders were fully reopened, there has been a surge in new cases.

The season is still under suspension, since March 15, after the first reported case of COVID-19 in The Bahamas. McKenzie said the kids were disappointed but the league had to make a proactive decision in the interest of the health and safety of everyone in the league.

“With cases spiking on the island recently, a return to play safely looks more difficult for the immediate future. Mass gatherings such as sports events have proven to be the biggest spreaders of the virus, so bringing back baseball in any form given the present circumstances, continues to be very risky,” McKenzie stated.

According to McKenzie, in the event of a cancelation, they will look at multiple options for resuming activities during the fall. Those options can come in the form of training, a tournament or a shortened season, all of which are based on sporting activities resuming safely.

For more than three decades, Freedom Farm has been an avenue for boys to develop their playing skills and confidence in the sport of baseball. If the season is canceled, it’s a setback for the senior players who were looking forward to showcasing their skills to collegiate coaches and Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts.

“The opportunities for our players to be seen by college and university coaches as well as Major League Baseball team scouts are huge, so we are compelled to continue planning the way back for baseball but under a safe format where everyone is comfortable,” McKenzie said.

A number of players have put in the work and time with the intention of improving their craft in baseball and showcasing their skills. Though unfortunate, the health and safety of everyone involved is of paramount concern, said McKenzie.

Freedom Farm’s health and safety team is comprised of several doctors and other medical professionals.

July 20, 2020

Simba French

0187 Views

The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) and the Spectrum Pain Management Sports Medicine Clinic have announced a partnership to assist national team players with medical attention in the future.

The BBF and the clinic made the announcement at a recent press conference at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium.

According to BBF President Mario Bowleg, the clinic will be responsible for assisting the federation in taking care of national team players.

Clinic anesthesiologist and pain physician Dr. Sy Pierre said the clinic has been looking for an organization to partner with for the past two years. He said the service is free of charge to the federation.

“Eugene Horton (BBF vice president) and I had a discussion and what my organization has decided to do is to provide free-of-charge service for the things that we can perform for the athletes. For example, if a player had a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or meniscus tear that was not serious or did not require surgery, there may [be] some interventional procedures where we can assist the healing and enhance healing over a short period of time and get them back without surgery. That is what interventional pain management and sports medicine is about at this point. Obviously, if they require surgery, this is something that we don’t do or maybe it will be included in the future,” said Pierre.

The plan is to have a team from the clinic travel with the team to tournaments to provide specialist care instead of using physicians at the destination.

“If the team needs medical care or some type of specialist care for their injuries abroad, we will be there. We can provide that using ultrasound technology to diagnose and make sure they are fine,” Pierre said. “In speaking to the leaders of this organization, we don’t realize it but if you are in a place where English is not the first language and a player is injured, it may be difficult for him or her to explain to the physician what is going on. I think this is a good thing for them. It is a great thing for us, the federation and The Bahamas. We are so happy to be a part of this.”

Bowleg noted that as the federation progresses to the next level, they believe that how they treat the athletes on and off the court is important in the athletes’ execution of their national team duties, playing at the highest level possible.

Injury in sports is a reality, and with the clinic onboard, national team players can now get specialist treatment if they get injured representing The Bahamas, said Bowleg.

Dwight Coleby.July 20, 2020Simba French0206Views

It has been a tough three-month stretch for Bahamian professional basketball player Dwight Coleby in Sassari, Italy, but now, he is home and is working out, trying to stay active. He is scheduled to head back to Europe in mid-August.

Coleby was on the repatriation flight that brought Bahamians back home in early June from the United Kingdom. He said he is happy to be back among familiar faces.

“Feels great to see my family again. It was about three to four months being in Italy without being able to come to my home country. I’m just happy to be around them,” Coleby said.

Not being able to be around family and friends during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was hard at first for him, said Coleby. He noted that while in Italy, he was not in any danger of being exposed to the virus.

When Coleby’s season ended in March, he was playing for Dinamo Sassari in the Basketball Championship League in Sassari. The league followed the stance of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States of America (USA), which suspended its season in March.

“Knowing I had time to develop more chemistry with the team, I didn’t want to force anything at that moment, but, knowing what I know now, things would’ve been a lot different for sure. I’m just glad to be home,” Coleby said.

In five Basketball Champions League games, Coleby averaged 4.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest. He also played three games in Serie A, where he had just 1.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Since returning home, Coleby said he has returned to the court after his quarantine period and started to get his on-court workouts done, before he makes his way back to Europe to play.

“Workouts have been getting better every day,” Coleby said. “I’m just trying to make up for all the lost time. I stayed active while in quarantine, so it wasn’t as bad starting back up, but I am still getting in better shape now – working my way up with more workload every week.”

The 26-year-old will not be returning to Italy when basketball resumes in Europe, as he signed a contract in late-June to play for Denizli Basket in the Turkish Basketball League in Denizli, Turkey. During his last stint in Turkey, he played for Sigotam.net ITU Basket Istanbul in the Basketball Super League (BSL), where he averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 15 games.

The big man said for next season, he is looking to expand his game, looking to assist his team in winning a championship – something that he said is crucial to him. Coleby said he has been working on that since he has returned to the court, working on his shot-making ability and ball handling skills.

The senior men’s national basketball team player is looking forward to suiting up for The Bahamas again.

Collegiately, Coleby started out with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels, averaging just 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game during his freshman season. His numbers increased to 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore year at Ole Miss, but he sat out the following year with a knee injury after transferring to Lawrence, Kansas, to play for the highly ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Coleby suited up for the Jayhawks for the 2016-2017 season, and in just 5.6 minutes per contest, he dropped in 1.7 points per game and added 1.8 rebounds per game, but helped lead the Jayhawks to the Elite Eight in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament that year. In a second round upset win over Michigan State, Coleby stepped in for Landen Lucas, who was in foul trouble, and played well, and was mobbed by teammates afterward.

As a fifth-year senior for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Coleby’s numbers skyrocketed to 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

The 6’9”, 240-pound forward’s return to Turkey will depend on how the pandemic is affecting The Bahamas and the rest of the world. Up to press time, Turkey had 218,717 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 5,914 deaths. Here, in The Bahamas, the numbers have skyrocketed lately, with 49 confirmed cases since July 8. There are now 153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 11 deaths.