Riley Looking To Qualify For Olympics

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

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Quarter-miler Ashley Riley is looking to continue his athletic career with the goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ALTHOUGH he has been forced to join the workforce to support his wife and daughter, quarter-miler Ashley Riley said he’s still looking to continue his athletic career with the goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#Riley, a graduate of the CR Walker Secondary School, is in Louisiana where he’s employed with Target.

#But he said he’s still looking for some financial assistance from the Bahamas Government to help him with his training at his alma mater at Southeastern Louisiana University. “I can still train at my former college,” said Riley, a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana. “I didn’t get to compete this year because the COVID-19 came, but it’s bearable now.”

#After graduating from CR Walker Secondary High in 2012, Riley went to Colby Community College where he was a NJCAA All-American award winner in the 600m and on their 4 x 800.

#The following year, he transferred to SLU where he became a All-Southland Conference 1st team indoor 4 x 400m champion in 2016 and in 2017, the LSWA All-Louisiana member on the 4 x 400m relay and Southland Conference Spring Commissioner’s Honour Roll.

#Now married to Brishay and the father of Brai’lynn, Riley said his focus is on maintaining his family, but he’s not giving up on competing as a track athlete.

#“I had a rough time since I graduated from college. I got an injury during my last year in college, but without the assistance of school and no subvention, it was tough, but I made the decision to keep going.

#“It’s still a funding situation for me. You have to find the funding and everything you need to train and go to the meets to compete. I was still able to compete at a decent level, so it’s bearable, but it could have been a whole lot better.”

#The conditions of COVID-19 were not as drastic as it was with the curfews and weekend lockdowns in the Bahamas for Riley in Louisiana, but he’s not complaining about his situation.

#“We had some curfews, but it wasn’t that bad,” Riley reflected. “I was still able to do most things that I wanted. I pulled back from training until I am ready to start my offseason training, so I just concentrated on working for the time being.”

#And in the midst of the pandemic, Riley said the social racism resurfaced with the death of American George Floyd, but he tried to avoid the protests and all of the events surrounding Black Lives Matter.

#“The city that I am in is a bit small, so we’re not really affected by all of the riots and protests,” said Riley, who is stationed in Hammond. “But it’s affecting everyone seeing something like that happen.

#“I think it’s a good outcome because they are making a lot of changes to the law with the Police, so it’s worked. But I didn’t want to get caught up in all of that, so I just went about my business and back home to my family.”

#As he moves forward, Riley said whether or not he gets on the subvention that is provided by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, he’s looking forward to running in the 400m and the 4 x 400m relay team.

#“I will get back into training and make the Olympic team. I’m glad that they pushed it back until next year,” he said Riley, who ran a personal best of 46.70 in 2017, his last year in college just before he got injured. “I feel it’s more suitable to everyone , including me because I can have more time to train.”

#Riley, the son of Edwin and Shearine Riley, was a part of the RK Athletics Track Club that was formed last January in Arkansas by coach Bernard Newbold.

#The club was formed to help Riley, Andre Colebrooke, Maverick Bowleg and Cliff Resias prepare for the 2019 World Championships. The club, however, has been dismantled after Colebrooke moved on to MVP International, a club with Henry Rolle; Maverick Bowleg returned home in New Providence and Resias and Ashley relocated to Louisiana.

#Newbold said while all of the athletes are still committed to competing for the Bahamas, Riley is more committed right now to raising his family.

#“It’s kind of hard for Ashley, being an athlete who secured a world indoor silver medal as a member of the 4 x 400m relay team and can not get any subvention as well. As a young father, he made the decision that his family comes first and track and field has to be on the back burner,” Newbold said.

#“If we can get him some financial assistance or on subvention, he will be back this fall training,” said Newbold. “I spoke with him. He’s not given up. He said he will get back into training. But a guy of his caliber, but’s going to be tough working and training part-time. He’s a guy that can run 44 seconds easy if he can get the funding to train full time.”

#Riley, a former Carifta medalist, competed for the Bahamas at the 2017 IAAF Bahamas World Relays; was a member of the silver medal 4 x 400m relay team at the IAAF World Indoor Championships and on the 4 x 400m relay team that took third at the IX NACAC Under-23 Championships in 2016.

BOC reacts to budget cuts

BOC President Romell Knowles (standing) said his organization has made an appeal to the government of The Bahamas to reconsider budget cuts in sports. He said he fully expects to get this matter amicably resolved in the best interest of the Bahamian athletes.

June 16, 2020

Simba French

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The Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) is hoping that the Government of The Bahamas reconsiders the 2020-2021 budget cuts as it relates to sports, as athletes look to qualify for the 2021 Summer Olympic Games and participate in other sports meets.

BOC President Romell “Fish” Knowles said that the sports fraternity cannot afford another budget cut as athletes have an additional year to prepare for the Olympics.

“Our athletes in preparation for the Olympics will have to endure an additional year of preparation and with that comes expenses,” said Knowles. “There are Olympic qualifiers, coaches fees, nutrients, facility usage, travel, accommodations, food and other associated expenses that goes into an athlete’s preparation and on top of that they have to live.”

The athletes’ subvention took a hit of $269,230 this budget period. It was set at $1,346,150 for 2019-2020. For 2020-2021, that figure is at $1,076, 920.

The budget for the National Sports Authority (NSA) last year was at $3.2 million. For the current period, it’s at almost a million dollars less, set at $2,280,000.

“With particular references to facilities, it is my belief that sports and outdoor activities will be the catalyst that will embrace the return to normalcy in people’s lives. The protocols being prescribed by our health officials suggest operating cost will increase due to the frequent sanitizing of sports facilities coupled with their regular maintenance,” Knowles said. “It’s incumbent that the authority continue to promote healthy lifestyles and at the same time create a safe environment at sports facilities.”

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knowles said that athletes faced a lot of challenges such as the postponement of the Olympic Games, lockdowns and closure of sporting facilities. He added that through it all the athletes have adapted very well.

“We are aware of the government’s finances and we empathize with the government,” Knowles said. “However, over the years, sports has carried its fair share of cuts under the pretense that their grants would be restored when the economy improved. Well, over 12 years ago, sporting federations received grants of $80,000 each, $40,000 based on their classification. Today, sporting federations receive $12,500 every six months, some none at all. Let me just say that any financial reduction to athletes and federations will have a significant impact on the quality of representation locally and on the international stage. It stands to reason the more money the government invests in sports the greater the return.”

Knowles stated that athletes and federations cannot endure another cut, saying that they have had significant reductions.

The BOC chief said: “The BOC will continue to agitate for athletes subvention to remain as is; and federation grants to be distributed timely without hesitation.”

The 2019-2020 budget for the BOC was at $50,000. For this period, the budget is $10,000 less, set at $40,000. He said that he has asked Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to address their concerns.

“We are satisfied that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is aware of our dilemma and is addressing our concerns regarding athlete’s subvention, federation grants and the grant to the BOC. We appreciate that the decision lays in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance. [We] have asked the sports ministry to escalate our appeal to the higher component authority,” Knowles said. “We have in fact spoken to some of our athletes; some who are very concerned about the cuts to their subvention, particularly since they are now incurring more expenses not less. One should appreciate that a lot of our athletes live abroad. It is likely the COVID-19 pandemic would have impacted the financial resources of their parents and/or sponsors so it is likely they are having to depend on their subvention more than ever.”

According to Knowles, most of the athletes are at the lower tier of the subvention program which is not enough to cover all of their expenses.

To help those who are not on government’s subvention, the BOC has established an athlete’s welfare commission. The federations will be receiving more information in that regard this week.

Knowles confirmed that the BOC has made an appeal to the government to reconsider budget cuts in sports and they are awaiting a response from the Office of the Prime Minister and/or the Ministry of Finance. Knowles said he fully expects to get this matter amicably resolved in the best interest of the Bahamian athletes.

Cartwright looking to sail at 2024 Olympics

Bahamian female sailor Paloma Cartwright is hoping to represent The Bahamas at the 2024 Olympics. She has been competing in sailing since 2005 and uses it as a driving force to manoeuvre through everyday life. PALOMA CARTWRIGHT

June 16, 2020T

he Nassau Guardian

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Bahamian female sailor Paloma Cartwright, who is aiming to represent The Bahamas at an Olympic Summer Games in sailing, is studying at McGill University, in Montreal, Canada.

The Long Islander began sailing in 2005 when she was just five years old and has used it as a driving force in her life ever since.

She will be looking to represent The Bahamas in sailing at the 2024 Olympic Games.

“Embarking on my 2024 Olympic campaign with Paul de Souza in the Nacra 17 (mixed) class brings to mind every important life lesson sailing has taught me. Balancing university studies, training in Florida, as well as a new diet and fitness program has been no easy feat. This has brought even greater focus to the prioritization of goals. A medal from the 2024 Olympics is now my ultimate goal,” Cartwright said.

Cartwright spoke about the impact that sailing has had on her life and how terrified she was at first.

“To try and articulate the impact sailing has had on my life is no easy feat, but I can easily say it has truly taught me countless valuable life lessons over the years. I recall being terrified when I sailed my first optimist nationals at Montagu Bay at five years of age but persevering because that was what sailing was about,” Cartwright said. “Sailing taught me how to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of life, just as we adapt to weather conditions on the water.”

The highlight of Cartwright’s summer every year was going to New Providence to sail in the Bahamas National Sailing School’s (BNSS) summer sailing program. She saw all of her friends from the different islands who she usually only saw at the optimist nationals – friends who became like family to her. That sailing family consisted of mostly male sailors, so the girls stood together and worked hard to stand out. Being a female in a male dominated sport was not always easy, but this was another life lesson for Cartwright. She stated that every time she was recognized for her accomplishments or sometimes just participation, she felt an immense sense of pride.

In addition to international class sailing, Cartwright loved competing in sloop sailing regattas.

“For me, sloops made the sport that much more fun. It’s less about winning and more about being able to have bragging rights. It also helped advance my skills as a sailor because skippering a sloop is all about teamwork,” Cartwright said.

From the beginning of her sailing career to high school graduation, sailing was a driving force for the young Long Islander. Cartwright had to be focused in school, so that she could fly to New Providence for all the major regattas during the year and not fall behind.

Cartwright won countless regattas, a national youth award for excellence in sailing, the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s (BOC) Presidents Cup in 2015, along with many other achievements over the years. This helped in building her portfolio and undeniably contributed to her winning the All-Bahamas Merit Scholarship Award in 2017, which now pays for her education at McGill University.

Another huge accomplishment for Cartwright was organizing and leading the Long Island’s Summer Sailing Camp in 2018, where over 70 young sailing enthusiasts participated. According to Cartwright, it was a great feeling to be able to teach youngsters in her own community how to sail and ultimately how to form a team to represent the island at the optimist nationals. She was also an instructor at the BNSS summer camps and is honored to have introduced sailing to so many young sailors on Long Island and throughout The Bahamas.

Looking back, the aspiring Olympian said she has a great appreciation for the training she received through the Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club on Long Island, the Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) and the BNSS. Cartwright encourages every young person in The Bahamas to participate in sailing.

Happinets Re-Sign Kadeem Coleby In Japan B-League

As of Thursday, June 18, 2020

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Kadeem Coleby

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#KADEEM Coleby will return to the Akita Northern Happinets for his fourth consecutive season of pro basketball in Japan.

#The club announced that it re-signed the veteran forward and extended his tenure with the team in the Japanese B-League following a COVID-19 shortened season.

#Through 34 games this season, Coleby averaged 10.6 points per game on 54 per cent shooting from the field. He also averaged 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in just over 26 minutes per game.

#Amid the pandemic, the B-League suspended play in February and attempted to return in March.

#Arenas were filled with players, essential personnel and television crews only, however, it was a brief return to action as the season was eventually cancelled in late March.

#Following the month-long layoff, Coleby finished with 12 points (6-7 from the field) and eight rebounds to lead the Happinets to an 87-83 win.

#In game two, he posted a double double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in an 84-79 loss. The league returned to confusion and mixed reactions from players and coaches, according to the Japan Times. The matchup between Coleby’s Happinets and the Sunrockers was one of few B-League games without incident as the league returned, according to “The Times.”

#Several players or referees from other games were diagnosed with fevers.

#Akita finished 19-22 on the season, fifth in the league standings.

#Last season, Coleby took home the trophy for the league lead in blocked shots (2.4 per game) in his second season with the Happinets.

#In 52 games, he averaged 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds and his aforementioned league lead in blocks in 30 minutes per game. He shot 54 per cent from the field and also added 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Coleby completed his second season with the club after they were promoted from the B2 League last year.

#In 2017, his first campaign with the club, he posted averages of 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds per game on 58 per cent shooting from the field and 1.6 blocks per game.

Mackey Jr Returns Home

As of Monday, June 15, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER months under quarantine in Spain since his rookie season of pro basketball abruptly concluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Willis Mackey Jr is one of many Bahamian residents who have finally returned home.

#Mackey documented his journey via his Youtube channel as the benefit of one of a series of repatriation flights arranged by the Government of the Bahamas. “It was an amazing experience, and I can’t say thank you enough to everyone involved in making this a possibility. I’m so happy to be home with my family and my sisters right now,” he said. “When we got home we were confronted by these nurses and had to sign papers saying that we will be quarantined for 14 days. We also had to sign up for an app that will track our location so if we leave the house it tells the authorities our location. Right now I’m in quarantine for 14 days, but I’m happy to be home just to spend time with my family.”

#Mackey was based in Salamanca, Spain, and plays for Aquisima Carbajosa of the Liga Española de Baloncesto Aficionado, commonly known as Liga EBA. He was named the EBA’s Eurobasket Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year, Forward of the Year and was an All-EBA 1st Team selection. He led the club with 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

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#He travelled from Madrid to London on a British Airways flight chartered by the Cayman Islands government connected from London to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The Bahamian government then coordinated with the Turks and Caicos government to run a connecting Bahamasair flight to Nassau. Bookings for the special humanitarian flight were made available through the Bahamian High Commission in London.

#“COVID-19 has meant that families have found themselves kept apart due to border closures, travel restrictions, and lack of commercial air traffic routes,” according to a press release from the British High Commission. ‘With an ocean between them, those Bahamian nationals and residents in the United Kingdom and Europe have had a particularly tough waiting period to be united with their loved ones.”

#Mackey made his pro debut last October with 20 points and nine rebounds against La Antigua. He posted four double doubles on the season highlighted by 31 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in a November matchup against Chatanda.

#A season of milestones for Mackey also included his debut as a member of the Bahamas senior men’s national team in the latest window of FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers.

Restart date looking unrealistic for Freedom Farm

The June 30 restart date for the Freedom Farm Baseball League doesn’t appear to be feasible, as there is no green light given for sporting activities to resume in the country in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. League Commissioner Clarence “CJ” McKenzie said the league will continue to weigh its options

.June 15, 2020

Simba French

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The only significant sporting activity to realistically resume in The Bahamas since the emergence of COVID-19 is professional athletes training. Local leagues such as the Freedom Farm Baseball League (FFBL) were looking to resume play by June 30, but that has now been pushed back as they await the green light from the government of The Bahamas on the advice of public health authorities.

According to the league’s commissioner, Clarence “CJ” McKenzie, the league thought about resuming on June 30 but that date is not looking feasible anymore.

“We would have dates that we would have liked to resume our season after the outbreak, which would have been June 30, but as that time is approaching it doesn’t seem as though we will start the season by then. It doesn’t mean that the season is canceled so we are pretty much under suspension; and we hope that within the next couple weeks, as we get further into the summer, we can make a final decision on the current season,” McKenzie said.

League members have been meeting every two weeks to discuss the current situation and plan for the future. There is a general concern for the health and safety of the players, coaches, fans, spectators, umpires, scorers, concession stand workers and everyone else affiliated with the league and regular play. McKenzie said there are some who are ready to go and others who are hesitant.

As for safety and health concerns, McKenzie said the league has the luxury of having a number of doctors and other medical professionals at hand.

“I think we have over a dozen doctors and over a dozen nurses as medical professionals who are affiliated with the league. We have a committee that is led by Dr. Valentine Grimes, who is our health and safety director for Freedom Farm. He is there to oversee the health protocols and measures for us to return, whenever that is. He is responsible for putting all the health and safety standards in place, recommending [what] the new norm for baseball will be and we are relying on him from that standpoint to help us to get back to baseball safely,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie said the players are always ready to play.

“The kids are motivated. They are excited. Their perception of risk is different. That’s why it calls for adults to be in a position to make the decision for them. If you leave it up to the kids, they will all be out to the park all together. We are moving cautiously. The kids are ready to get back to playing, from the young ones all the way up to the older ones,” he said. “Those kids who play on the senior field, ages 13 and up, baseball is important to them as they are seen by high school, colleges and university coaches. You also have persons in that age group who would have been seen by professional scouts so that opportunity to be seen has not been there the last few weeks. It is a lot more on the line for them than the younger ones. Some are ready to go and to travel but we have everything on hold, but their perception is different when to comes to the pandemic and how it is changing all of us.”

According to McKenzie, they will be weighing their options in a few weeks.

“We do have the option, if we so choose, to resume our season at any point later on in the fall, or if we feel it’s best because of the time frame to have a short tournament that is also being discussed as well as a shortened fall season. All of that is being discussed,” McKenzie said.

He assured that they will not rush to return as the health and safety of league members and everyone involved is paramount.

NACAC, Sands speak out against racism

Mike SandsJune 15, 2020Sheldon Longley0433Views

Given the current climate in the United States, and indeed throughout the world, following the death of African American George Floyd while under arrest, a number of sporting bodies are speaking out against systemic racism and social justice.

One of the latest organizations to come forth and offer its position is the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), which is headed by Bahamian Mike Sands. Over 50 percent of its members represent nations that are predominantly black. The 31-member body released a statement over the weekend, stamping out racism and social injustice as ills in society that must be eradicated.

NACAC is arguably the most productive area association out of the six of World Athletics (WA), usually generating the bulk of the medals and top finishes at global outdoor meets, particularly the world outdoor championships and the Olympics.

Floyd’s death heightens an ongoing issue in the United States – one that has reached crisis level and has spurred numerous protests in major cities in the U.S. and around the world.

“Over the past few weeks, the spectre of systemic racism has been at the forefront of international news. Because of the resurgence of racism at the global level in the recent past, many local, regional and international sporting organizations and athletes have been forced to speak out because of their understanding of the mounting evidence of its invasion in the world of sport,” said Sands in a press release. “NACAC finds it absolutely necessary to add its voice to the chorus that continues to grow, declaring its total rejection of any form of racism in society, generally, but more so in the world of sport. The positive values attendant to sport have allowed it to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. The blight of racism and its consequences defy our very humanity and must be vehemently rejected in all its forms, wherever it threatens to rear its ugly head.”

The NACAC covers nations in North and Central America inclusive of English and Spanish-speaking countries, and all of the Caribbean. Sands made history when he became the first Bahamian to be elected to the top position of the prestigious body a year ago. He will serve until 2022.

“NACAC is insistent that there is no place for racism in our sport of athletics and will commit to the promotion of the lofty values that has allowed us to rise to and maintain our position at the very pinnacle of global sport,” said Sands. “As we continue to lead the world in the fight against drugs in sport, so too we strive to play a leading role in the eradication of racism in sport, fully cognizant that by doing so, we are participating in a greater war – that of eradicating the scourge of racism from global society,” he added.

The sports world, athletics included, has been on hold since the COVID-19 pandemic became widespread in March. Following that, systemic racism and social injustice came to the forefront following the death of Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May – an incident that has sparked outrage throughout the U.S. and the world. Four police officers were fired and have been charged – Derek Chauvin with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter; and three others with aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Sands helps recruit two Bahamians to Northern Colorado

June 15, 2020

Simba French

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Four-time Olympian “Superman” Leevan Sands, an assistant coach with the Northern Colorado Bears, has helped in the addition of a couple of Bahamians to the school’s roster for the fall semester. Legendary Bahamian athlete Sands is preparing to start his second year with the institution in Greeley, Colorado, USA.

The two athletes he successfully recruited to the school are local standouts Wendira Moss and Craiesha Johnson. Moss is expected to run the 200 and 400 meters (m), and Johnson is expected to compete in the 400m and 400m hurdles while at the University of Northern Colorado.

As mentioned, Sands is embarking on his second year at Northern Colorado after some years of running his own club in Auburn, Alabama. Moss was his first recruit and he looks forward to signing more Bahamians in the future.

“Wendira signed from the end of last year. When I first decided to take the job that was like my number one goal – to look out for my fellow Bahamian junior athletes first. Wendira is one of the top quarter-milers for The Bahamas in high school. She was one of my first signees which was big for the school. I know more will follow,” he said. “My number one goal is to give Bahamian junior athletes more opportunities to pursue an education abroad. It is my number one goal to give people from my country an opportunity to improve themselves as track athletes and in the educational field as well.”

The altitude at Northern Colorado is just about 5,000 feet above sea level, and it gets extremely cold. Despite that, Johnson is excited to be on the roster.

“I am very ecstatic. I chose that college because I wanted a new start, meaning a new environment with a different weather. As a child I always wanted to live in a cold place and going to this university would be living a childhood dream,” Johnson said. She just graduated from Queen’s College this past Friday and she is hoping to not just add to the program with her talent but to bring her joyful spirit as well. She intends to major in biology.

Johnson’s personal best time in the 400m hurdles is 1:02.65 – a time she ran in March at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships. In the 400m, she has a best time of 57.99 seconds.

Several schools reached out to Moss, but Northern Colorado was her choice because they had the academic major she wanted to pursue – criminology and criminal justice/forensic science.

“Northern Colorado was the only school I looked at who had forensic science and biochemistry on the academic program. Also, the school is 5,000 feet above sea level and training in that atmosphere as a 400m female athlete would help me to run faster and easier when I do get to compete at sea level. In addition, I didn’t want to go to a school that is popular or to a school that has a lot of students. I wanted to go to a school that I could help build up academically and also on the track,” Moss said.

Moss, a former CARIFTA athlete, said that the students and coaches there made her feel like family when she visited the campus. Her personal best time in the 200m is 24.13 seconds and in the 400m she has a personal best of 54.94. Moss left St. John’s College as a double champion, winning the BAISS 200 and 400m titles in March. This past season, she was hoping to lower her times, but was unable to do so. Nevertheless, she is optimistic about her freshman year as she hopes to run “spectacular” times and to do well in her class while remaining injury-free.

Sands said the head coach for the Bears, Wayne Angel, is very experienced and has coached several Olympians in the 400m and 400m hurdles.

Sands said he was familiar with Johnson’s coach Everette Fraser. He said he had an opportunity to see Moss train and said she reminded him of former Bahamian Olympic quarter-miler Avard Moncur with long strides. He said that Johnson has a lot of potential although she just started running the 400m hurdles. He said he is looking forward to both athletes dropping their times.

Having Sands there means a lot, said Moss and Johnson. For Johnson, she knows that she will be in good hands. Moss said Sands being there means she will have someone to talk to and make her feel safe.

The two competed against each other in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) Junior Track and Field Championships when Moss ran for T.A. Thompson Junior High School and Johnson for C.H. Reeves. Johnson said she is happy to have Moss there with her.

“It’s amazing because me and Wendira have been friends from grade eight where we competed against each other in GSSSA and we have grown closer over the years, so it’s great having someone like her around to encourage and push me,” Johnson said.

Moss said it is amazing to have a fellow athlete there who she knows.

Bahamian national record holder Sands just wrapped up his first season at Northern Colorado, helping out in the triple, long and high jumps. He helped several jumpers to obtain personal best leaps and one of his triple jumpers made school history by winning silver at the conference indoor championships.

The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sands was looking forward to seeing his athletes in the outdoor season, but will now have to wait for next season.

Locally, Moss is coached by her father Randy Moss at Galaxy Invaders Track Club. Johnson trains under coaches Everette Johnson and Wynsome Cash at Fast Forward Track Club.

The Bears competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I in the Big Sky conference.

Hepburn back on the volleyball court in Switzerland

Shonari Hepburn.

June 12, 2020

Simba French

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Bahamian professional volleyball player Shonari Hepburn has returned to practice, in Luzern, Switzerland, after being off the court since mid-March when the COVID-19 pandemic ended his team’s postseason run.

Hepburn spent last season playing for Lindaren Volley Luzern in the Swiss National Liga A – the top professional volleyball league in Switzerland. The league’s season was canceled on March 13.

On the court yesterday, the 6’7” middle blocker said his first day back went well and wasn’t as bad as he thought it would have been.

“I watched hours and hours of footage, and old games, during quarantine so my mind for the game stayed sharp,” he said. “It’s just up to my body to get used to the physical load of playing again. Of course I am happy to be back. It’s going on three months since I was able to do full court work. I think that’s by far the longest stint I’ve gone since I started playing volleyball competitively in 2011.”

Hepburn chose to ride out the pandemic in Switzerland, which he said was not super stressful for him. He said that the “worst” part of the pandemic for him was the cancelation of the season. The former Bahamas Academy student said he made good use of all the time he had on his hands.

“With everything being closed and I now having a lot more free time, I used it to go on hikes and places I wouldn’t normally have the time to go to – I mean, it’s Switzerland, one of the greenest countries I’ve ever seen. The lakes and views from the mountains are amazing in person,” Hepburn said. “Honestly, as soon as everything started to unravel I chose to stay in Switzerland just because I knew that in the event that I got sick I would be in one of the safest countries in the world. Switzerland is one of the best when it comes to health and medical care, and they did everything to prepare for COVID-19 so it made sense to stay.”

Life in Switzerland now is almost business as usual but with safety precautions in place, Hepburn said.

Luzern finished this past season third overall with an 11-5 win/loss record. His team lost one game after the Christmas break. That one loss came in the playoff series where they fell to Volley Nafels before winning the series. The league canceled the rest of the season after that.

“I had a great season here in Switzerland, individually and team-wise. I was the best middle in Switzerland and it helped make my teammates better and we all fed off each other’s energy and determination,” Hepburn said.

The league had to decide on how to rank the teams without a postseason. Luzern was given a third place finish. The Swiss Cup Final, which Luzern is going to be a part of, will be played at the beginning of next season.

Hepburn plans on coming home to The Bahamas once the border opens up and he can continue to train.

“As of right now, I do plan to return home when the border opens as long as I know I’ll be able to continue to train and work out as necessary. If not, Switzerland is where I’ll be until then,” said Hepburn. “I miss my friends and family, that’s one of the hardest things about playing overseas. Being so far away from loved ones can have its toll, but I do a good job of keeping in touch with everyone and staying in the loop with things going on at home.”

As for next season, Hepburn said that nothing is official as yet but he’s just taking it one day at a time.

His offseason goal is to get stronger and he wants to be more functional on the court when play resumes. The Bahamian’s weight training routine began on May 11 after restrictions were lifted in Switzerland. He said he is hoping to work on the little parts of his game that will help him on defense and on service pressure.

Minister Rolle: ‘I’M Just Not The Type Of Mother That Has Favourites’

As of Friday, June 12, 2020

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#LIKE a mother with three children, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle said her triple portfolios will be treated the same in the allocation of funds.

#Rolle, the Member of Parliament for Sea Breeze, was making her contribution to the Free National Movement government’s 2020/2021 budget report in the House of Assembly yesterday as she indicated that none of her portfolios will be treated any different, although she claimed there are persons who believe that she favours one over the others.

#In her address, Rolle constantly dubbed it an “unprecedented budget in an unprecedented time for budget for the people” whom she said she intends to spend equally on youth, sports and culture. “I’m just not the type of mother that has favourites,” Rolle said. “They’re all going to share and share alike.”

#The three-headed ministry is budgeted at $18,938,186.00, which represents a reduction of $5,143,194.00 or 21 per cent from the last fiscal budget.

#“This simply means, given the changing circumstances and limited financial resources, a portion of the ministry’s funds had to be reallocated,” Rolle said. “This cut ensures that in the given circumstances, there are adequate provisions to help with public health expenses, social safety net programmes, job creation and sustenance, food security initiatives and tourism rejuvenation.”

#Rolle noted that although her ministry has suffered necessary deductions, the differences are not below actual expenditure.

#She said expenditure are in accordance without below the approved budget estimates for the last budget cycle, hence the following allocations:

#Ministry’s general programmes, including summer programmes – $2,300,000.00 or 12.14%.

#Personal emoluments, minus summer employment staff – $5,331,280,.00 or 28.15%.

#Youth – $1,518,280.00 or 8.01%.

#Sports – $2,839,829.00 or 14.99%.

#Rolle drew reference to the fact that Athletes’ Subventions were approved at $1,346,150.00 last budget period. A difference of $338,562.00 was not spent based on the date of this record.

#“This position would inform any reasonable adjustment or rationale for new budgetary spending,” she said. “I hasten to add for the benefit of our athletes of whom we continue to be immensely proud, that in accordance with the existing sports policy, no active athlete approved for subvention would be affected by the item adjustments.

#“However, where an athlete is not performing in accordance with standard policy, the usual adjustments will be applied as recommended by the Department of Sports and our standard consultation with the respective federation sporting bodies.”

#Athletes assistance

#Rolle revealed that the ministry, in the last fiscal period, provided direct and indirect financial assistance to 93 elite athletes in 11 sporting disciplines at an approximate cost of $1 million.

#“We will not waiver in that commitment,”: said Rolle, adding that a committee, headed by the University of the Bahamas’ Athletic Director Kim Rolle, has been established to recommend policies for enhanced accountability of the subvention system.

#And Rolle disclosed that while organization fixed grants (to member associations and federations) were reduced by 20 percent, they will continue to provide assistance to the athletes through their federations to successfully compete in regional and international meets.

#Athletes recognized

#Rolle also took the time out to commend men’s 400 meters gold medalist Steven Gardiner and women’s 200m silver medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the World Championships for their performance in Doha, Qatar last year.

#“All medal athletes, in addition to Ms Tynia Gaither, who qualified for the final at the championships, were rewarded the customary prize monies for their performances in the amounts of $40,000.00, $30,000.00 and $5,000.00 respectively in accordance with the established sports policy,” Rolle said.

#She also singled out Grand Bahamian Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield, who won the National Basketball Association (NBA) three-point shooting contest during the All-Star weekend and subsequently earned a $86 million dollar contract over the next four years with the Sacramento Kings.

#“Buddy continues to make us proud and certainly he makes me proud to serve as the Minister of Sports during a time when he and as many of our athletes are breaking glass ceilings,” said Rolle, adding that each year, Hield has hosted the 27 Elite Basketball Clinic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and Day Sessions at neighborhood parks.

#“His sports acumen and community mindedness speaks to the example of a sports superstar that our youngsters and athletes can emulate,” she stressed. “We must invest more in sports to identify and groom more ‘Buddys’, who are value adders to the public purse.”

#She also mentioned that there are at least 20 Bahamian players playing professional baseball in the minor leagues and another group who are befitting through athletic scholarships at various colleges throughout the United States.

#And she praised Grand Bahamian Nathan Bain, who in his senior year at Stephen F. Austin University led the Lumberjacks men’s basketball team to a huge upset win over No.1 ranked Duke and sparked a relief effort that yielded more than $100,000.00 to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

#However, Stephen F. Austin were subsequently suspended by the NCAA and their fantastic performance was erased from the history books.

#“Buddy, Nathan, Shaunae, Steven are all testaments to the fact that the money will come if we invest in the people, and this budget and this government has been and will continue to do just that,” Rolle stated.

#Faculties repairs and construction

#Rolle revealed that the facilities of the National Sports Authority are in the process of being renovated.

#She noted that the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium suffered considerable damage due to its use and a long term shelter for the evacuees of Hurricane Dorian. She commended the NSA and its General Manager Quinton Brennen for their exceptional hospitality provided to those in need.

#And in case you’re wondering about the construction of the baseball stadium, Rolle said work is steadily progressing with a proposed completion date set for December 2020.

#“The cost of the project to date is $27,486.658.00,” she said. “I want to thank this government for its substantial investment in sports and in this facility that will help to save our youth. An unprecedented $27,486,658.00 invested in sports.”

#The ministry under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, is expected to host its summer youth programme from July 27 to August 21.

#“We also continue to monitor guidance by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for best practices of reopening youth, sports and culture sectors and activities,” she stated. “In this Covid-19 environment, our programmes will be guided by and subject to the advice of the Ministry of Health.”

#The ministry announced on March 12 during the first day of competition at the National High School Track and Field Championships at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium that all sporting activities with large gatherings will be postponed until further notice.

#All sporting activities in the country ceased as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread. No date has been given for the resumption of sporting activities, even though the Bahamas government is moving towards a full reopening of the economy by July 1.

#To date, the Bahamas has been affected by 103 cases of the virus, which claimed the lives of 11 persons. There are more than 7 million cases worldwide with over 400,000 deaths. The United States has recorded more than 2,000,000 cases and over 100,000 deaths.

#ing activities in the country ceased as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread. No date has been given for the resumption of sporting activities, even though the Bahamas government is moving towards a full reopening of the economy by July 1.

#To date, the Bahamas has been affected by 103 cases of the virus, which claimed the lives of 11 persons. There are more than 7 million cases worldwide with over 400,000 deaths. The United States has recorded more than 2,000,000 cases and over 100,000 deaths.