01052022 NEWS AND SPORT

‘ALARM’ AT CHILD ABUSE STATISTICS

Advocacy group questions lack of public outrage

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THERE were 240 new reported cases of child abuse, neglect and abandonment documented between January and October of last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Social Services.

The statistics led to an advocacy group expressing alarm and calling for greater protection for children.

Details on data recorded for November and December were not available up to press time yesterday.

But of the 240 cases reported, 75 were cases of sexual abuse, 115 were child neglect and three were child abandonment.

The first ten months of 2022 also saw 45 new cases of physical abuse and one new case each of verbal and emotional abuse.

COVID ‘UNDER CONTROL’ IN CHINA DESPITE WAVE OF NEW MEASURES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A CHINESE Embassy spokesperson yesterday insisted that the country has the COVID-19 situation there under control, arguing that commentary in international media regarding their virus policies is “nothing but double standards”.

This comes as a growing

number of countries, including the US, UK and other European nations, have announced new testing measures for visitors from China as the nation battles an outbreak of COVID19 after rolling back many pandemic restrictions last month.

US government officials have cited concerns over a

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FORWARD bookings for The Bahamas’ peak winter tourism season are 10-15 percent ahead of 2022 numbers, a leading hotelier disclosed yesterday, with the industry “satisfied” there will be no return to past COVID restrictions.

Robert Sands, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA)

president, told Tribune Business that “all the indicators for 2023” point to the industry surpassing its preCOVID record year of 2019 as it continues to monitor

A RESIDENT engineer for the Ministry of Works has given an assurance that safety measures are in place in Village Road after concerns were raised by motorists about the road project. This comes after pictures and video of a car that had hit a hole were circulated. The incident reportedly took place on Village Road. The road project has angered many drivers in New Providence and shifting completion deadlines have led to further aggravation.

the surge in COVID cases in China.

Pointing out that there are multiple “buffers” protecting The Bahamas against Chinese COVID cases, he revealed that average daily room rates (ADR), average per capita tourism spend and length of visitor stay were all “beginning to get to double digit increases” in percentage terms compared to prior year benchmarks.

ROBERT

‘Village Road is safe’ - despite car plunge

from page one

While not commenting on the pictures, resident engineer Albrion Symonette explained to The Tribune about the signage and cones placed to warn motorists.

“So in terms of safety, generally the site we do maintain a traffic management plan that is inclusive of signage as well as cones that warn motorists when there are work zones and when they should divert and take alternate routes,” he said.

“We also do have traffic management plans published on our website

as well. We generally do advise and whenever the major changes to the traffic plan we do put out a press bulletin and such. Generally, there are cones and there is signage and there are also flag men to maximise the safety of motorists.

“We’ve had some incidents in the past where persons would’ve ignored signage and entered into work zones without consideration (for) their own safety. So we do encourage persons to just adhere to the signage.”

Asked about the circulating photos, Mr Symonette said he was following up with the police and awaiting a report from them. He said

he could not comment on the photos until then.

As for open trenches, he added: “In terms of the roadworks, the roadworks are proceeding. We’re undergoing pressure tests of the waterline recently installed. As we advanced the pressure testing... we’ll be able to close up additional trenches.”

Last month, it was reported that Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears is committed to meeting Village Road business owners this month to discuss an economic stimulus plan after saying the road repair would be delayed until the first week of January.

ROADWORKS on Village Road yesterday, as taken by Tribune photographer Moise Amisial, and, below, an image of the crashed car.

ONE of the images of a crashed car circulating online.

Nassau

‘Alarm’ at child abuse statistics

from page one

During the same period the year before, there were a total of 258 new cases of the aforementioned crimes referred to the ministry.

Of these cases, 82 were reports of child sex abuse, 54 of physical abuse, 13 of verbal abuse, one of emotional abuse, 102 of child neglect and six were child abandonment.

While the latest data did not show an increase in reported cases of child sex

abuse and child abandonment when compared to 2021, it did show a slight rise in reported cases of child neglect for that time period.

Commenting on the statistics yesterday, Terneille Burrows, of advocacy group Rise Bahamas, called it alarming, saying more needs to be done to better protect our children.

“It is alarming that we continue to see high numbers of reported child abuse statistics, although there does not seem to be

extensive public outrage until a child is murdered.

Child physical abuse sometimes leads to their death,” she said in a statement sent to The Tribune

“In the instance of the late ‘Baby Bella’, it was reported by the media that some of the child’s neighbours suspected that she was in an abusive household, but never reported it.

In 2022, Rise Bahamas proposed the introduction of ‘Bella’s Bill’ - which would expand the mandatory reporting categories where

child abuse is suspected - to include immediate family, guardians and care givers.

“We urge the public to be vigilant and report suspected cases of child abuse to the Department of Social Services.”

Denise Major, a board member of the advocacy group, agreed that more people need to be held accountable, saying “the number of reports is not reflected in the amount of cases that we are seeing tried.”

Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe could not

be reached for comment on the matter yesterday.

But in April, Mr Wilchcombe had told reporters that child abandonment had become more “prevalent” in recent years.

Mr Wilchcombe said, at the time, he believed the abandonment trend was related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.

“We talk about COVID and we talked about Dorian, but the truth is it’s been happening since Hurricane Francis, Jeanne, Wilma from 2004. That

economy has not regained its strength. We have to fix the economy,” the minister added.

“We have to create opportunities for many who don’t have and find themselves in a dilemma and the only way to deal with a situation sometimes they believe is to run away from it, but we have to tell people that’s not the way to deal with matters.”

Mr Wilchcombe also conceded that cases of abuse, particularly sexual abuse, were “unacceptable”.

REID: WE MUST TACKLE ROOT ISSUES OF CRIME

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL community activist has called for a shift in the way the country deals with crime following a rise in killings last year.

Two people have already been killed in the new year after a couple was shot to death on Monday as they slept in a Montell Heights home.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Dr Carlos Reid, a consultant to the Ministry of National Security, thinks the country’s crime crisis is a result of several root issues, adding that there are not enough resources dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.

He deemed preventive measures as a vital part of tackling the matter, adding that individuals must be adequately prepared to face the reality of failure.

“We need to start raising up the kind of citizens that we basically want to see, so we have to go back to the basics,” he told this newspaper yesterday.

“What are we putting in these persons’ heads? We (are) training everybody for success, but I believe that the time has come when we got to prepare people for failure. Because success is something that you might experience, but failure is something that you will experience.”

According to Pastor

Reid, 46 of the 128 murder victims last year were people who were either electrically monitored or on bail for murder.

This, he said, reflects that retaliation is one of the biggest contributing factors to crime in the country, noting that crime prevention and intervention are important, however the country also needs to find ways to solve murder cases faster.

While acknowledging the flaws in the judicial system, Pastor Reid also noted that rehabilitative structures must be implemented to break the cycle of crime.

He said the focus on incarceration comes at a more expensive cost to the government when compared with ensuring preventative measures are taken.

“It costs us $20,000 a year, almost $20,000 to house every inmate that’s incarcerated,” he said yesterday.

“So when we look at putting a person that is convicted, now, we have basically I think about 1400 persons that are incarcerated right now, when you do the maths, right that’s a whole heap of money that we spent.

“We need to see how we make an investment like the Prime Minister said, at the beginning of the year, in preventative intervention programmes that seek to prevent persons from going there (Bahamas Department of Correctional

Services).”

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said his ministry had relaunched a series of crime preventive measures last year to help deter youth from turning to a life of crime.

He said the intervention programmes launched are youth-centred as many of the people being charged in the courts for murder offences are young people.

“So, the government’s policy is to intervene in the lives of young people at risk and stop them being people who are willing to shoot people four or five times in their head,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

“We’ve reintroduced programmes that the previous administration stopped, intervening in the lives of junior high and senior high students.

“We’ve introduced programmes intervening in the lives of primary school students because we found that there were murderers who were 15 years old. So it’s a bit too late when you’re a junior high and senior high student, so we’ve determined to intervene when you’re a primary school student,” he continued.

He said the government cannot “tolerate” the crime situation in the country, hence the decision to return to the previous crime plan that was on the table during the last Christie administration.

CARLOS Reid addressing the media previously.

COVID ‘under control’ in China despite wave of new measures

lack of data on infections in China and fears about the possibility of new strains emerging, according to international reports.

Meanwhile, local health officials have already said the government has no plans to implement similar testing measures at this time and that they will continue to monitor the situation.

In a letter sent to The Tribune yesterday, Chinese Embassy spokesman Cui Wei said China has been making steady progress in the fight against COVID19 and claimed that officials there have the disease under control.

“As things stand, China’s COVID situation is predictable and under control. Beijing is among the first cities to see infections peak, and life and work are coming back to normal there,” the spokesperson said.

“Relevant Chinese departments have been making necessary preparations for infection peaking in provinces and cities across China. We are confident that with the concerted efforts of the Chinese people, we will prevail over the pandemic and usher in a brighter future for our people.”

The statement added: “Based on scientific and rational assessment, the

Chinese government has taken a series of measures to facilitate people-to-people exchanges with the rest of the world. From January 8 onward, any visitor going to China will only need to do a PCR test 48

hours before travel and no quarantine or testing will be required after arrival. Air flights will be increased and visa applications facilitated. Outbound tourism for Chinese citizens will be resumed.”

The embassy spokesperson said the measures have been received warmly from many countries and added that China “will continue to adapt our COVID response measures as necessary to facilitate the safe

and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals”.

The Chinese official also insisted that China has actively cooperated with nations worldwide as it relates to the pandemic

and has openly shared information on their virus response in a timely manner in accordance with their law.

“In recent days, health experts from many countries have advised against the adoption of entry restrictions targeting Chinese visitors, believing that the main variant now spreading in China has been found elsewhere and that a new variant can emerge anywhere on the planet,” the statement added.

“A statement released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on January 4, 2023 described those measures taken by some countries as ‘ineffective’, and more like ‘science politics.’

“We hope that all countries will follow a science-based approach and work together to promote safe cross-border travel to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and bolster global solidarity against COVID and world economic recovery.

“Some Western media commentary sought to put a negative spin on China’s COVID policy adjustment. This is nothing but double standards. We remain committed to working with the international community in solidarity, to more effectively tackle the COVID challenge, and better protect people’s lives and health.”

15 PERCENT RISE IN VISITOR ARRIVALS TO GB FORECAST

By DENIISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OVERALL visitor arrivals are projected to increase by 15 percent in Grand Bahama, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Investments Chester Cooper said while in Freeport this week.

Mr Cooper said his ministry and the Ministry for Grand Bahama are working closely and speaking with cruise and airline executives to attract more cruises

and airlift to the island.

“We are projecting that over the next six months, we are going to see overall arrivals in Grand Bahama increase by 15 percent through the airport as well as the cruise port,” he said, while attending the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade in Grand Bahama on Monday evening.

He was very pleased with the turnout of visitors at the parade in Freeport.

“I am pleased with what I see, that visitors are in town. I made the comment in Nassau on Bay Street

that there could be more tourists at the parade. So, what I see here tonight warms my heart.”

He said Monday was indeed “a great day for cruising to Grand Bahama”.

“We attracted more than 500 guests today,” he said at the parade. “This is the beginning of magnificent things for Grand Bahama and I expect it will continue for months to come.

“So, I am excited about what we see. I have been working closely with the minister for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Grand

Bahama, and we have been meeting with all executives of the major cruise lines.

“And if you noticed, we have been attracting the big ones, but also the small ones as well. So, this is an opportunity really to grow cruise tourism and get the people from the cruise industry to experience Grand Bahama’s finest form.”

Mr Cooper said Grand Bahama can also expect new airlift.

“We are doing some great things at the airport as well. We expect new airlift now in the fourth quarter

compared to 2019 pre-pandemic. It has increased by almost 300 percent. So, we are very excited and continue to work.

“None of this happened by chance. So, when you see tourists here, it is a demonstration that we are back in the finest form.”

Mr Cooper believes that Junkanoo is a great opportunity to share Bahamian culture with visitors.

He was impressed with the performances, and the friendliness of Grand Bahamians.

“The production here is

pretty good. That is excellent - you can come for a few hours and see the parade and enjoy Junkanoo and experience it.”

“It’s been a difficult two years and three years for Grand Bahama if you count Dorian, and it is great to see people making money again. And this is an opportunity where everyone can come together and have fun, and the vendors can make money. We can experience not just culture, art, and music, but also Bahamian food. So, it is a great opportunity for everyone.”

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRESTON Albury

High School teachers and parents in Eleuthera protested over a myriad of concerns such as a teacher shortage and lack of support for dealing with insubordinate students.

Asked if there were some disruptions to classes, acting director of education Dominique McCartneyRussell indicated there may have been some because few of the teachers were outside.

“We have asked the

district superintendent to ensure that those children participate in our virtual platform,” she said.

According to a flyer that was circulated, there are calls for more teachers for core subjects, especially mathematics, English language and technical areas.

The Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said the union is in full support of the protest.

She added that for several months now teachers have been complaining about a teacher shortage, violence on school campuses, disrespect by students towards

teachers and the overall safety on campus.

“The matters have not been satisfactorily addressed as yet,” Mrs Wilson said. “These matters have been brought to the attention of the administration, the district superintendent, the acting director, and others - meetings were held last year. However, the matters have not been addressed.

“It is said that two teachers have been identified to come to Preston Albury High School. However, our further investigation revealed that the teachers

do not have anywhere to live. They have not yet secured accommodations for them to live.

“So they have been advised not to leave the comfort of their homes to travel to Eleuthera for uncertainty. There are teachers who are home waiting to be hired from 2022 and a few of them from 2021. Education must address these concerns forthwith. It is 2023, (it’s the) same issues over and over. This is unacceptable.”

Mrs McCartney-Russell told The Tribune the district superintendent has already

spoken with the school administrators.

She added he has spoken with parents and with the teachers through their union, so they expect that those meetings will take place this week.

“Our response is that we will meet with the teachers and also the other community stakeholders because we want everybody involved in the process to look at the concerns that they have addressed with the school principal (and) to see how we can mitigate those concerns. We want to deal with the issues.”

The acting director also

spoke about redeployment and housing issues regarding teachers going to out islands.

“The thing is, you know, it’s a revolving door. Our issue, of course, is always finding adequate housing for teachers and ensuring that they have the funds to travel,” Mrs McCartneyRussell said.

“So those items because we had persons redeployed at the last-minute last year, we now have to replace those teachers and we do have the teachers available. We just, like I said, waiting, ensuring they get all of their allowances to go.”

A MAN and young boy who arrived on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong walk together at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, British Columbia, yesterday. Canada plans to temporarily require people flying from China, Hong Kong and Macao to test negative for COVID-19 before leaving for Canada, starting today. Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP

SUNKEN SHIP RESPONSE IS ‘LIKE A BAND AID ON TOP OF CANCER’

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL environmentalist said the government keeps putting “one BandAid on top of cancer” in its response to the sunken ship in South Abaco.

Sam Duncombe’s comments came yesterday after clean-up crews had been deployed to Abaco to assist with remediation efforts after a cargo ship that was carrying heavy fuel onboard sank in waters in the southern part of the island.

Onego Traveller, a general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda that was built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, located in South Abaco, on Thursday.

“If we’re not going to look at minimising the amount of ships that are coming here with oil by going to renewable energy. . .We’re going to continue to have these issues. So, this is just one Band-Aid on top of cancer. You know, tomorrow, it’s going to be another one,” Ms Duncombe told The Tribune

Ms Duncombe stressed that if the government continues to allow large numbers of ships carrying oil and fossil fuels onboard, incidents that can impact the environment are likely to continue to happen.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of environmental planning and protection, said officials were assessing to see if there was any environmental impact from the ship and said the remediation process was going well so far.

“We are looking through our documents now on the state of the environment before the vessel would have sunk to do a comparison so that we can have an estimate of actually what has been damaged and where we need to go from now,” Dr Neely-Murphy said.

She added that authorities have been at the site since Tuesday to provide remediation and clean-up efforts.

“We have a government team on the ground in Abaco. And they are supervising the salvage operation of the vessels. And the cleanup of the barrels and the cleanup of the Ferix. And the extraction, the removal of the barrels of oil from the vessel.”

Dr Neely-Murphy explained that there was no oil spill on the coast of Abaco. She said there was Ferix in the area which is a chemical used for the treatment of water.

“On its own it’s not a contaminant of concern to us. And once we are able, from the advice we have been given, once we are able to have it dispersed properly it should not be of concern to us anymore,” she stressed.

However, Ms Duncombe argued that “anything going into the marine ecosystem is a pollutant on some level”, adding Ferix may not be as harmful as crude oil or other substances, but it still is a pollutant entering the environment.

Ms Duncombe said that the government is playing down the urgency of the incident by claiming the impact on the environment from the sunken ship isn’t significant.

On Tuesday, The Tribune spoke to Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder who said he was very “optimistic” that there will be no long-term environmental effects in the area. He also denied claims of there being an oil spill on the south coast of Abaco, describing it as “erroneous”.

Ms Duncombe said the government needs to prioritise protecting the environment and minimise the number of ships that are allowed in.

“Everything has an effect on the marine ecosystem. And that’s why we need to be doing more and we need to do better.”

GOVT AWARE OF SHANTY BUILDINGS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government has reported it is aware of concerns of a new shanty town in Murphy Town, Abaco.

The comments came after a video recorded by a candidate who lost in the last election circulated.

Cay Mills, of the Coalition of Independents, complained about more than a dozen buildings near an old car junkyard in Abaco.

Last October, a special committee was formed under the auspices of the Ministry of Works to look into and investigate these irregular communities.

When contacted on Wednesday about recent concerns of the new shanty town in Murphy Town, Permanent Secretary Luther Smith told The Tribune that the government is aware of the situation.

“We are aware of reports of shanty town development in Abaco and elsewhere in The Bahamas, and the ministry is pursuing to establish a plan to deal with the shanty towns, and an official position will be made public soon.”

Frustration and concern about the shanty towns have been an ongoing issue for Abaconians, who want the government to take action.

Some 52 arrests were made last year as a result of an operation that exposed the scope of the worsening shanty town problem.

A local government official of the Marsh Harbour/ Spring City Township previously noted the situation had got out of hand and demanded action.

However, he also warned many shanty town dwellers are Bahamians of Haitian descent who have no place to go due to the housing crisis since Hurricane Dorian. Mr Thompson noted the government needs to find a suitable area to develop a housing subdivision and make it affordable.

After Hurricane Dorian decimated the shanty towns across Abaco in 2019, the government issued an immediate ban on the construction of any new buildings in the four major shanty towns on Abaco and later began demolition exercises of newly built structures there.

Those exercises were stopped after Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson ordered the government to cease and desist further interference with those communities until the judicial review of the matter had been completed.

Officials were also ordered to get approval from the court before demolishing any further structures.

MAN ACCUSED OF SHOTGUN THREAT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after being charged with threatening a woman with a shotgun last month.

Kenson Fertil, 23, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

On December 29 in New Providence, the accused allegedly assaulted the complainant with a shotgun.

In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was granted $3,000 bail with one or two sureties. Fertil is expected to sign in at his local police station while he awaits trial.

Fertil’s case was adjourned to February 3.

THE SCENE of the sinking, in this image provided to The Tribune.

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

(242) 322-1986

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(242) 502-2386 Nassau

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We have the statistics - now what can be done to stop child abuse?

WE have the statistics - now what can be done to stop child abuse?

Where is our outrage?

That is the question being posed by Terneille Burrows, of advocacy group Rise Bahamas, following the announcement of the latest statistics on child abuse.

The numbers show 240 cases of child abuse, neglect and abandonment in the period between January and October last year – the numbers for November and December are not yet available.

In itself, that is a slight reduction on the same period the year before – when 258 cases were reported to the Ministry of Social Services, although the number of cases of neglect increased.

However, it can be challenging to know what the true figures are. All too often, cases go unreported.

How often has a child been hit by a parent in the street and no one speaks up in protest? How often does a child suffer abuse in the home and people know it is happening but never intervene?

Terneille Burrows recalled the case of Baby Bella – D’Onya Bella Walker, who died aged four in 2021 from blunt force trauma, saying: “In the instance of Baby Bella, it was reported by the media that some of the child’s neighbours suspected that she was in an abusive household, but never reported it. In 2022, Rise Bahamas proposed the introduction of Bella’s Bill – which would expand the mandatory reporting categories where child abuse is suspected – to include immediate family, guardians and caregivers.”

At the funeral of Baby Bella, Father David Cooper said: “Bella’s death was indeed tragic; it was unnecessary, but the heart-wrenching thing is it was avoidable.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called the situation “distressing”, adding: “Let us do all that we can to ensure that no other child suffers the same fate. It goes far beyond what our laws can achieve and to the very idea of who we are. There are those in every society whose transgressions defy comprehension. Our job is to do what is necessary to prevent it.”

It was in November 2021 that Mr Davis called for us to do all that we can – but while proposals such as Bella’s Bill have been put forward, little else appears to have been done to take action against abuse.

We must of course note the drop in numbers, which is welcome, but also acknowledge that many cases still exist.

In large part, the conversation about what to do about abuse has largely been absent, stirring only in horrific individual

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WOULD someone please tell Financial Secretary Simon Wilson that it is easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. And maybe he could send a less aggressive photo of himself to The Tribune for any further utterances he might be making.

One would have thought

cases, or when statistics show the extent of the problem.

What can be done? Well, we must confront the reality of where and when abuse tends to occur. Stress is a prime source – and families caught in the poverty trap are particularly subject to stress and money worries. Parenting skills, or the lack thereof, can be an issue – to which end how are we ensuring these skills are passed along to new parents? Especially in a country where single-parent families are common, leading to one parent who may or may not have such skills having to cope at home.

And what about making it safer for people to report when there is a problem. In the Baby Bella case, one neighbour said they suspected abuse at another location but said: “You know we think something like this is happening - but what can we do? If we call, word may get out that it’s us who made the report and these new set of guys living round here seem to have nothing to live for.”

Also back in November 2021, Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe said: “Should this not be a wakeup call to us all?”

It should. And so should the statistics today. We will be sure to ask the government how we have woken up, and what we have done.

The real deal?

In the Iraq War, there was a Minister of Information of Iraq by the name of Muhammad Saeed Al Sahhaf. That is not the name he is remembered by.

He became known for his briefings in Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but his claims were always far from reality.

Indeed, he famously denied that there were any American tanks in Baghdad when they were in fact only several hundred metres from where he was speaking and the sounds of fighting could be heard in the background. His false claims earned him the nickname Comical Ali.

Meanwhile, in today’s Tribune, we have the Chinese Embassy insisting that the country has the COVID-19 situation under control even as the US, UK and European nations announce new testing measures for visitors, and the contractor for Village Road talking about safety measures for the road despite pictures circulating of a car upended in an open trench.

Just because someone says it doesn’t mean that it is so.

that the laws governing Real Property Tax would have provided some level of legal penance for defaulters, rather than having to rely on another government agency shutting the economy down, by becoming judge, jury and executioner, over a completely unrelated legal matter.

I know, it’s popular, and we are not much into hard

work in the Civil Service, so NIB has Immigration doing its job in compliance, Real Property Tax has the Treasury doing its job, while nobody seems to be doing the job that they were actually hired to do. What a circus.

MONKEEDOO Nassau, January 4, 2023.

A Junkanoo Festival

IF THERE is one thing the recent Junkanoo parades have demonstrated to us is that they are too long. Beautiful, spectacular, but long. Twelve and thirteen hours for one event is too arduous for both the Junkanoo groups and the public who come to enjoy the spectacle that is Junkanoo and to cheer on their favourite group.

There are five A category groups not counting the Music Makers. If a group should pick numbers four or five they have to wait around for five or six hours before they get out of the whole or onto the route. The fans waiting for their favorite group must also wait hours inclusive of long gap periods between the groups.

A few years ago, I wrote a letter making some suggestions of how we could reduce the hours of a single parade, spread the Junkanoo season over a longer period of time and make the Junkanoo season more exciting. I will restate many of those same points in this letter. Commonsense should win out.

I suggested a Junkanoo season or festival that will begin with the picking of entry numbers and end with an awards ceremony where the results of the parades are disclosed for the first time. The festival will also include junior Junkanoo (remember that), a B Division parade, an A Division parade, a dance-off between all the choreograph dancers and a street parade where fans must buy and wear t-shirts and other group paraphernalia in order to participate.

The choosing and announcement of the entry numbers for the groups should begin the season and should increase the anticipation and buzz surrounding Junkanoo. At the announcement of the entry order of groups, members of each group should give synopsis of their presentation on Bay. This will heighten the fever pitch even further.

Junior Junkanoo should be the next event where the Junkanoo culture is reintroduced and inculcated into students and also into the schools’ curriculum. The schools should choose their themes and assign the

students to work on their costumes over the summer break. When school reconvenes in August or September the costumes could be embellished and group work on the banner and other aspects of the presentation is done.

I sincerely believe that the A and B categories should have separate parades. I understand that there are some twenty B Category groups and I believe that the B groups are now at the level where they can support having their own parade. If you include the Music Makers and the Prodigal Sons in the B Division as the quality of their presentations are much closer to the B Division groups than they are to the A Division groups, I am confident that a separate B division parade is sustainable. In time their parades will be as exciting and competitive as the A category division.

The separation of the two parades will almost eliminate the waiting time between the groups, give the fans the opportunity to see three or four full laps of their favorite group. This would allow the A groups to have the streets for themselves. The parade of five groups would open up more opportunities to put together a television package of the parade and sell the package to the public and to global markets.

We saw in the Boxing Day Parade and the One Family presentation the influence, impact and power that the choreograph section could play in the overall impression of a group. I have always promoted the idea of a dance-off for the choreograph dancers for all the groups. The ladies are a bit constrained by their costumes and the restricted space on Bay St. A danceoff competition for the dancers would remove these restrictions on an open dance floor or stage. I think that the Junkanoo community would enjoy and support this event.

Now perhaps the most controversial of my suggestions is the street parade on New Year’s Day. A

non-competitive parade would close out the Junkanoo rushes. I propose that the street rush-out though not competitive will be regulated and controlled. Each group will be required to rush behind a banner and fans wishing to join in the rush with their favorite group will be required to purchase a group t-shirt thereby generating additional revenue for the groups. Each group will have a stall on the cultural section of Fish Fry to sell their wares and paraphernalia for the duration of the festival.

The festival should end with an awards ceremony. The ceremony should be held within two or three days after the street rushout. The results must be withheld until this time. My experiences with past awards ceremony have been that the group that has the most wins (say first place both Boxing Day and New Years) will have the most fans at the awards ceremony. If the results are withheld for a few days, no one knows who won and since all groups believe that they ought to have won, the ceremony which should be in the format of the Oscars, Tonys or Grammys will be well attended.

These suggestions are not groundbreaking or revolutionary, but I believe that they could start real discussions on the improvement of the parades for both Junkanooers and fans. Tickets for all the events could be packaged for all the events or could be sold as single events. One competitive parade should allow groups to invest more resources and time into one parade. It would give the winner of the parade bragging rights for a year rather one group wins Boxing Day and another group wins New Year’s Day and enjoy bragging rights for a year without having won the big one. I have other ideas one of which is one general theme for the parades where the creativity and innovation of the artists could be more apparent when you compare apples with apples. However, I hope I have given some food for thought.

MAURICE TYNES Nassau,

January 3, 2023.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

LOCALS attend a Chinese Lantern Festival in Santiago, Chile, yesterday.

Photo: Matias Basualdo/AP

JAILED FOR THREE YEARS OVER $25K GOODS THEFT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday after admitting to stealing over $25,000 worth of goods from a restaurant where he used to work last summer.

Wesner Georges, 38, represented by attorney Alphonso Lewis, faced Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges of shopbreaking and two counts of stealing.

On July 8, 2022, being concerned with others, Georges broke into the Mayaguana Bar and Restaurant on East Street South. While there he stole an estimated $25,009.07 worth of assorted goods, including TVs and several alcoholic beverages. These items were the property of Hiram Kelly and Monique McQueen.

Georges, and Fedeline Melador, faced further charges of possession of a component part of a firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of forged currency.

At around 10.10pm on December 29, 2022 police, acting on a search warrant, entered Georges’ residence. Upon seeing the police Georges immediately admitted to having a gun clip and pointed it out to authorities in a box on top of his fridge.

Alongside the empty black 9mm magazine, police also found two shotgun rounds as well as five counterfeit US $100 bills.

In court, Georges pleaded guilty to all charges while his co-accused pleaded not guilty to hers. With Georges admitting to and accepting the facts in his case the charges against the woman defendant were formally withdrawn.

It was further revealed in court by the complainant Hiram Kelly that Georges

was a dishwasher at his restaurant before the break-in. Mr Kelly said that five other suspects were caught in the security footage of the incident and claimed Georges served as the getaway driver. When asked if the accused could identify any of his conspirators or help recover the stolen TVs, Georges said no, adding that the items had already been fenced.

Although Georges offered to reimburse Mr Kelly with $2,000 monthly payments, he asked that Georges be punished to the “full brunt of the law”.

During his plea of mitigation Mr Lewis stated that his client is a father of two and is gainfully employed as a sanitation worker. After stating that Georges had no previous offences up to this point and that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, Mr Lewis asked that the court temper justice with mercy and be as lenient as possible to the accused.

When asked by the magistrate why he did what he did, Georges said that things were tough with the rent. Although the defendant’s counsel said that he was remorseful, Magistrate Kelly said she saw no remorse in Georges further saying that he seemed nonchalant.

She convicted him and sentenced him to three years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services on the stealing charges. He further faced a two-year sentence for the ammunition charges to be served concurrently.

Georges was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 for the forged currency charge or risk an additional six months in custody.

Before being taken into remand the accused was informed of his right to appeal sentencing within seven days.

BAIL REJECTED AFTER ALLEGED FAILURE TO CHARGE DEVICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was denied bail yesterday after being accused of failing to charge his electronic monitoring device (EMD) while on bail for armed robbery, in addition to other charges.

On the day before, he had been arraigned for a recent attempted murder. Malik Hanna, 24, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on five counts of violation of bail conditions. The bail had been granted to the accused by the Supreme Court for pending charges of armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Between December 6–20, 2022, it is alleged that the

accused failed to charge his court imposed EMD on five occasions.

One of these days, December 18, coincided with the attempted murder of Adam Newbold for which Hanna was charged in court on Tuesday.

In court, Hanna pleaded not guilty to his most recent set of charges. Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom objected to his bail on the basis that he is now being accused of a new serious offence while he was out on bail.

As a result, Hanna’s bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He had been previously on remand for the attempted murder charge he faced on Tuesday.

Hanna’s trial for the attempted murder charge is scheduled for February 3.

MAN ACCUSED OF DRUG AND FIREARM CHARGES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in court yesterday on firearm, ammunition and drug charges after being arrested on New Year’s Day.

Timoon Munroe, 27, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of possession of an unlicenced firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of dangerous drugs.

It is alleged that on January 1, officers apprehend Munroe after he was found with a green and black Taurus 9mm pistol

with the serial number erased. At the time of his arrest, it is also said that the accused had six unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition.

It is further alleged that on the same day Munroe had 4¼ oz of Indian hemp in his possession.

In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

He was granted $7,500 bail for the firearm charges and $1,500 bail for the drug charge with one or two sureties attached for each.

Munroe’s trial is set for February 7.

Tough year predicted for low-income families

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS “can’t spend a dime while earning a nickel,” a top financial expert said while calling on the government to do more to help those with low incomes.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank’s CEO, told The Tribune yesterday that despite some positive initiatives implemented by the Davis administration, this year is going to be especially hard for low-income families due to a failure to completely deliver on its promises.

“You cannot spend a dime while earning a nickel. The reality is, if you are exceeding the income, then you’re only really deferring pain. This current administration is committed with the change in value added tax and it removed the exemptions, which I applaud and I believe is the right approach, that all of us should be taxed consistently,” Mr Bowe said.

“(But) they failed to carry out the other planks of that same promise and that was to introduce the RISE programme expeditiously. And that would have helped to redistribute some of the money being collected by those who before got away but did not need the benefit to those who need it the most.”

Mr Bowe’s statements come nearly one week after Free National Movement officials agreed with a recent report from the Inter-American Development Bank calling the measures taken by the government to combat inflation not beneficial to small businesses and low income families.

Mr Bowe urged the government to focus on tax reform and income redistribution as a way to financially assist Bahamians this year.

“The reality is that the government has to look at rebalancing the tax system such that the tax burden is not unevenly placed upon those who are the lowest income earners. And the way of doing that is by having simplified tax systems that taxes everyone, the same way so that we all pay the same relative percentage, but I take the excess taxes from those who have more and pay more, and redistribute that to those who have less, so that they can live more dignified,” Mr Bowe said.

“The truth of the matter is, if you’re telling any business that they need to reduce their profits during

GOWON BOWE

these tough times, be careful that you understand what that is equating to, because if it is turning it from a profit to a loss, you’re not asking them to reduce profits, you are asking them to subsidise a government obligation. And more importantly, if it becomes where they’re paying more in taxes to the government — say business licence fees — than they’re taking home as return on profits, then is it viable for them to continue business?”

Mr Bowe’s comments come amid concerns about a recession this year amid global inflation. Last year Bahamas Power and Light electricity rates increased. The government increased minimum wage and expanded price controls for businesses, with which some in the private sector take issue.

In its latest quarterly Caribbean economic bulletin, the IDB said the government’s price controls are a poorly-targeted mechanism to counter

soaring 16 percent food inflation as they benefit the rich as much as low income and vulnerable families.

The IDB indicated that social assistance to offset the cost-of-living crisis could be better focused on poor families through the use of conditional cash transfer (CCT) initiatives that build on existing initiatives such as food stamps.

The report also warned that the price controls will disproportionately impact small and medium-sized food stores that lack the breadth of product range and economies of scale - in comparison to larger competitors - to absorb selling more items at a loss, or below cost.

Meanwhile, Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe announced in October that the RISE programme would be formally relaunched with a budget of $21m to further strengthen the ministry’s social assistance initiatives.

However, the programme has not as yet been formally launched.

Or fester like a sore-And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?”

Langston Hughes

THE LATE Roman Catholic Vicar General Monsignor Preston Moss grew up a stone’s throw away from the top of the hill East Street, not far from Mortimer Candy Kitchen.

Mortimer’s, which produced a rainbow of confectionary and other treats enjoyed by generations of Bahamians, was one of many black-owned enterprises which populated New Providence. The business grew from a dream into a cornucopia of confectionary delights for generations of Bahamians.

The website Ramble Bahamas describes the candy factory as “a landmark in the Over-the-Hill” community since 1928. The business was started by Ulric Mortimer, Sr, who first learned to make candies from his mother when he was a child.

“He was motivated to set up a manufacturing company to provide jobs for young black children in his community.

“After attending candy college in the United States, he first opened his doors on Hospital Lane, and as his business became more

well-known, moved to the location on East Street where Mortimer Candies is today, under the name of ‘The Best Ever Candy Company’.”

Monsignor Moss’s homestead stood in walking distance from Mortimer’s, and the Fort Hill, Mason’s Addition, Grant’s Town, Bain Town and other communities of former slaves, now free people, striving to overcome the indignity of slavery by reigniting their dignity and sense of possibility through unyielding struggle and the instruments and fruits of transcendence, including political and economic power.

Monsignor Moss remembered well the racial inequality and discrimination unceasingly visited upon the majority of Bahamians by the white oligarchy.

The oligarchy greedily hogged commercial interests for themselves, denying the majority of black Bahamians and many white Bahamians economic opportunities reserved for a few well-connected families.

Quite a number of Greek Bahamians and others who were not a part of the white elite were also denied a host of economic benefits and special arrangements.

Yet amidst the economic and social discrimination, Monsignor Moss had vivid memories of the vital and vibrant communities of black Bahamians Overthe-Hill and in settlements of freed slaves such as Fox Hill.

The familial, social and economic networks of these communities included: churches, shops, restaurants, burial societies, lodges, nightclubs and a host of other black-owned enterprises.

He recalled the entrepreneurial zeal of many skilled black Bahamians, including business people, who nurtured and enjoyed their own social milieu with a quilt of associations, societies and clubs.

DISCRIMINATION

Many of these Bahamians wanted discrimination dismantled so that they and their children might flourish even more. They did not pine for membership in various white clubs nor did they have an antipathy toward white Bahamians.

Nassau enjoyed some of the finest seamstresses and tailors, who could easily compete with other similar professionals or clothiers found anywhere in the world.

One was the late Leroy Archer, affectionately known as “Uncle Lee”, who passed away in his 90s and was known for the quality of work and dedication to his craft.

The Reinhard Hotel on Baillou Hill Road and Tin Shop Corner, accommodated “people of colour during the days of segregation.”

As Ramble Bahamas notes: “Initially designed and constructed by Dr Claudius Roland Walker and Mrs Mabel Walker in the 1930s, the hotel

MAJORITY RULE: A SHARED CELEBRATION

elections that led to Majority Rule”.

The opening of Government High School in 1925 revealed the abundance of talent among young black Bahamians hungry for educational opportunity.

SCARCITY

It also revealed the scarcity of opportunity for young black Bahamians, whose dreams often festered, or were deferred and unrealised, because of blatant discrimination and the poisonous mindset that black children were simply not as smart or as capable or as equal as others.

A number of such individuals helped to form the Progressive Liberal Party, which gave rise to party politics, a major advancement in the country’s political development, of which the late William Cartwright played a pivotal role.

Like Monsignor Moss, former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes recalls the vibrancy and energy of black entrepreneurs, an economic force he and others wanted to help to unleash in the development of a modern Bahamas teeming with energy, especially as tourism was becoming a major industry.

furnished the stage for everything from social soirees to local business operation to pivotal moments in Bahamian political history.”

The hotel “served as headquarters to the Progressive Liberal Party during the landmark 1967

Over many decades, Government High would educate many black and white young people.

The history of how the school’s mission was upended by some of the very people who benefitted from the institution is a sad chapter in how a group of certain black Bahamians betrayed new generations of black, young and gifted Bahamians.

In pursuit of equality of opportunity, some make the mistake of denying the need to provide opportunity for certain pathways for the gifted in fields of endeavour such as the arts, academics, athletics and others.

Like many others of his generation, a sense of inferiority never inhabited the sinews and synapses of Monsignor Moss’s soul or imagination. His parents and grandparents imbued in the young Preston a sense of pride and dignity as a human being, as a Bahamian, as “a child of God”, who also happened to be black.

The very notion that he was inferior or less talented or less capable than another human being because of the colour of his skin was an anathema, “an affront to God”, a specious lie laid bare by the splendid priestly ministry of a saintly native son.

A friend recalls his grandmother, who owned a grocery shop on Shirley Street. Her husband was one of the first black men to become a sergeant on the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Their story was typical of a burgeoning black middle class. All of their children went on to become professionals in their fields.

Many black Bahamians enjoyed a sophisticated cum cosmopolitan worldview with an appreciation for educational and economic advancement. In quite a number of homes, books and music enlivened the spirits and yearnings of black Bahamians.

SUFFRAGE

In a circular read to thousands of students on Majority Rule Day in 2013, Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, a key figure in the struggle, enthused: “On the 10th of January 1967 the will of the majority of Bahamians was freely expressed in a general election based on universal adult suffrage where all men and women of adult age, regardless of property qualifications could vote to determine who would govern them.”

Sir Arthur insisted: “Majority Rule removed the last psychological shackles from the minds of many. It shattered false notions of superiority and inferiority; it initiated the fulfillment of the promise of universal access to education; it created the foundation upon which to build a society with opportunity for all.”

He recalled that it liberated many white Bahamians from prejudice and the burden of their discriminatory practices, and liberated black Bahamians in myriad ways.

Despite a treasury and rich legacy of black achievement, there are those who have, over many decades, continued to spin the false, prejudiced tale that there was little black enterprise or entrepreneurial spirit Over-the-Hill before Majority Rule.

Such a tall tale is a deepseated prejudice and a grand lie easily detected, arrested, convicted and sentenced to the graveyard of racist conceits, countered by demonstrable facts and a narrative of enterprise and achievement by black Bahamians that we should observe as the shared commemoration of Majority Rule, a celebration for black and white Bahamians.

“What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?

Predicting the future as 2024 race begins to build

JUST about two years ago, there was a forecast in this space as to how the 2022 US Senate races would unfold. The prediction at that time was that the Democratic party would actually gain two seats as the result of this past November’s election. That would have given them a 52-48 advantage, basically immunising the Dems from the whimsical loyalties of Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kristen Sinema of Arizona, two noted mavericks. That prediction was based upon three essential ideas: First, that incumbents basically always win.

Second, that the open seat in Pennsylvania created by the retirement of Republican Pat Toomey would revert to the Democrats.

Third, that incumbent Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin would be voted out of office in a notoriously independent thinking swing state. The third tenet contradicted the first.

The first two notions were upheld, thanks in no small part to the unhelpful interventions of Donald Trump. In the end, the Democrats increased their margin in the Senate by just one, giving them a 51-49 edge. But with Johnson’s triumph, every single incumbent in either party was re-elected. And except for Pennsylvania, the party of the retiring senator held on to the open seat.

Still, the Democrats will be defending more seats next year than the GOP, so opportunities are there for “flipping” seats in red states with Democratic incumbents like West Virginia (Manchin), Ohio and Montana.

Commentators are turning to the 2024 elections by breathlessly heralding the onset just twelve months hence of the first round of primaries before things start to really roll in March of next year. While it’s a little premature to speculate on what will happen in the Senate races next year, there is an emerging picture of the presidential race.

Basically, while he probably won’t formally announce his intentions for five or six months, President Joe Biden will, barring health - or agerelated setbacks, run for re-election. There is no viable alternative to Biden in the Democratic ranks at present, and a growing sense that he is doing a

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

satisfactory to good job in office. He remains popular personally, has shown an unanticipated ability to push through major, even transcendent, legislation, and, of paramount importance, he already beat Trump.

Potential dissidents are backing off. The head of the House Democratic progressive caucus said “at this point, I don’t think a candidacy from someone else would do anything other than weaken the president. And why would you want to do that headed into an election that’s going to be close?”

The president of the Young Democrats of America has been critical of Biden in the past, but recently said he’s “good” if Biden wants to run again. “We’re not always going to be super enthused, but we’re going to show the hell up,” he said. “We’re obligated because we know what happens if the GOP wins could be something even scarier than January 6.”

A national columnist published ten days ago what many felt to be a shameless puff piece about Vice President Kamala Harris, headlined “2022 Was Great for Harris”. This contradicts insidethe-Washington-beltway conventional wisdom, but Biden has signaled his intention to again choose her as his running mate.

For the Republicans, it’s a different and familiar story at the same time. Remember 2016? Those crowded debate stages with all sorts of characters you had never heard of, and have hardly heard of since, crowding around a tall, blond, central figure who knocked off every one of them. The nicknames. The bullying. The shouting over each other. It was raucous, rancorous, and, astoundingly, successful. Trump prevailed, smashing all sorts of precedents during and after his election.

Then he lost four years later, in a stunning repudiation.

Trump declared two months ago his third

candidacy for president. Again, there are many challengers. There are reports that as many as ten Republicans are actively weighing 2024 presidential bids in open defiance of Trump, emboldened by the growing belief that the former president is as politically vulnerable as he’s ever been.

That’s fine, and it makes for provocative headlines. But this already looks like 2016 all over again. Trump has begun to go on the attack against his rivals. This approach worked spectacularly well six years ago, and it would be unwise to assume it won’t work just as well again. Also, and importantly, Trump appears to maintain a stranglehold on the loyalty of the 35 percent of the party’s most active voters, who will once again likely dominate GOP primary contests.

Still, voters will have several options in a likely field that features Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Indiana congressman and Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, outgoing Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, former South Carolina governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and others, including Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida. Most have already begun actively making the rounds of donor dinners and policy fora, and also trying to get organized and established in early states on the presidential primary calendar.

But the reality remains that all those named, except Hogan, achieved their greatest fame and notoriety while Trump was president. He was the predominant figure. Trump may be stumbling around now trying to get his feet under him for another White House run, but recent history has clearly shown that once he hits his stride, he’s a tough man to beat. History has also shown that American voters have astoundingly short memories, and it’s a fair bet that many will

CHANGE IN VISA REQUIREMENTS

IN CASE you missed it, the US State Department announced December 23 the relaxation of certain non-immigrant visa interview requirements. Consular officers can now continue to waive in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis throughout 2023 for certain first-time and/or renewing applicants.

These categories of visas are “for Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural

Workers (H-2 visas), Students (F and M visas), and Academic Exchange Visitors (academic J visas), and certain beneficiaries of approved individual petitions for nonimmigrant temporary worker visas in the following categories: Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), Trainee or Special Education Visitors (H-3 visas), Intracompany Transferees (L visas), Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or

Achievement (O visas), Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P visas), and Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programs (Q visas); and qualifying derivatives.”

“The authorisation to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration was previously authorised to remain in place until further notice.”

Meantime, there’s a GOP contest later this month that will bear watching. That’s when the Republicans will select a chair for the Republican National Committee. The incumbent, Ronna McDaniel, is seeking

another term. She is Mitt Romney’s niece and has been all-in to support Republican nominees, but her failure to preemptively back Trump this time has alienated him. Also, Republicans have underperformed expectations in 2018, 2020 and 2022 during her period as chair, so a change might be indicated.

Trump has a candidate. It is California attorney Harmeet Dhillon, the Indiaborn chair of Women for Trump. MAGA loyalists will battle prominent establishment Republicans in this contest, and many will look to the results to assess the chances of defeating the former president.

A major question for Republicans this year will be whether the success of 2016 or the failure of 2020 is more likely if Trump is their nominee. The MAGA zealots won’t care. But the

GOP more generally wants to regain power and sees Biden as vulnerable, even given the success incumbents, including presidents, enjoy in US elections.

No one will want a repeat of what just happened in November when Trump’s candidates generally lost in elections Republicans felt they could have won. The director of the Senate GOP’s leading political action committee has vowed to “play a much more assertive role” in shaping future Senate contests. And the incoming head of the Senate Republican campaign effort has said that his committee will actively participate in Republican primaries to ensure that candidates prevail who can be more competitive in general elections than were Trump’s choices. It should all be fascinating.

have forgotten or trivialized the January 6 hearings, the tax return release, the potential criminal charges against him and his family businesses and other sensational revelations by the time primary season rolls around next year.

GROWING YOUR FAITH IN THE NEW YEAR

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features acadet@tribunemedia.net

MOST resolutions usually involve changing your diet, exercising, and overall self-care.

But what about when it comes to spiritual growth in the new year? Tribune Religion spoke to a number of Bahamians who shared their thoughts on the topic.

For Daniella Brown, spiritual focus is important. She went on to dig deep and explain: “I don’t know if you are seeing this trending news. But I feel like every time I log on the internet I am reading a horrible story about persons harming themselves, husbands killing their wives, mothers harming their kids. Something

is most definitely going on and more now than ever, we have to draw closer to God, believe in Him and hold on to our faith. I feel like when people have no faith, they have nothing to guide them and nothing to believe him, and that is a horrible place to be.”

Spiritual self-care can include a myriad of activities including meditation, daily devotional time, prayer and or prayer breaks throughout the course of one’s day.

Francis Butler said: “In my book, prayer is the best

form of self care there is. I could be feeling emotionally sick; not in a good mood, feeling down and depressed and the best pick me upper is when I begin to pray. Prayer is powerful because it invites the presence of God into your situation and circumstance.”

Darnell Moxey said life is so full of the hustle and bustle, that everywhere you turn, people are bragging about how busy their lives are and how they do not have much time to engage in activities that boost their mood and mental state.

“Those who have the greater awareness about self-care turn to various activities like yoga and other things but very rarely to do you heard spiritual self care being pushed. As a Christian, we should not be turning to the self care practices that do not include

our spiritual life. Our spiritual life is the source of all things, so how can you not direct your self care practices towards your spiritual care,” she said.

In an article via www. biblestudytools.com, Pamela Palmer shares various ways in which persons can grow spiritually in the new year. She said Christians can prayerfully discern resolutions that are in line with scriptures to enhance their faith. Ultimately, making resolutions can help Christians stay accountable to prioritising God first and foremost.

One tip included spending more time with God. The advice noted: “We are instructed to model our lives after the life of Jesus. He set the perfect example for believers, and one of the things we read about Jesus doing often was setting

aside time to pray and commune with the Father. As you look to set goals in the new year, consider spending more time with God. Ask God to show you how you can make more time for Him. This time with God will give you rest, peace, hope, and wisdom.”

Another tip included connecting to a church. Pamela said The New Testament teaches a lot about the importance of the church body and that followers of Jesus should be part of a community of believers.

“We need fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to hold us accountable, walk through life with us, and help us grow in our faith.

God knows we will face all sorts of hardships in life — having a church family to encourage and support you is vital. There is great purpose in the body of Christ,

and each of us should make it a point to connect to a church in the new year, or get more involved in the one you are already attending,” she said.

Lastly, the writer suggested to read the bible, as it is a beautiful gift to humanity that reveals who God is, helps persons understand nature and God’s great love for human beings.

“Every day, believers should be in the word of God. It encourages, teaches, corrects, and trains. Many struggle to find the time to read the Bible and study it. In the new year, pray that reading the Bible be a new spiritual habit you incorporate into your daily life. You will see your faith impacted in powerful ways as you study and learn God’s word,” said Pamela.

CHURCH BRASS BAND HOSTS SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION SYMPOSIUM

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Brass Band of the Church of God of Prophecy is kickstarting the year with an outreach effort that will offer talented school-aged musicians a golden opportunity.

Students who are adept at playing a musical instrument are being invited to audition as The Bahamas Brass Band hosts its annual symposium geared to creating continuous awareness of the opportunities that exist in music.

From January 7-9, a series of scholarship auditions will be held at the Church of God of Prophecy, East Street Tabernacle at 10.30am daily.

G Sean Gibson, the band’s coordinator and PR officer said: “Music students from both public and private schools have taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity and this year 2023 will be much bigger.”

Given over $2m in scholarship offerings have been afforded over

the past five years, Mr Gibson encourages students to come out and showcase their talent for a chance to have their education funded.

Standing on the Proverbs 18: 16-18 scripture that states “Your gift will make room for you”, Mr Gibson said they hope to communicate this message to the young musicians.

Five music professors and their assistants from colleges and universities in the United States of America will be represented to recruit Bahamian music students for their marching bands.

Dr Timmey Zachery, (PV) Praire View A&M University, Houston, Texas; Professor Adrian Thompson, Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama; Professor Mark Gordon, Langston University, Oklahoma City; Professor H Wade Johnson, Benedict College, South Carolina; and Professor Andrae King, Shaw University, Raleigh North Carolina are the international guest directors/professors for this year.

The band has also expanded the symposium to welcome auditions by persons skilled in the world of performing arts.

“Persons who can sing and dance will be auditioning for scholarships from these educational institutions also. Over the years, Bahamian students have benefitted much from these opportunities by earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in studies such as law, medicine, mass communication, computer engineering, music education and so on.

“This symposium will also be an information sharing event for students and parents. Representatives from the Scholarship and Loans Division of the Ministry of Education Unit will provide materials concerning various academic scholarships opportunity to supplement their tuition and education. A Consular from the US Embassy will also share vital information on applying for a Student Visa among other things,” he said.

The Bahama Brass Band will honour five distinguished band leaders for their excellence in

leadership on January 8, at the Church of God of Prophecy, Ernest St Love Centre at 10am.

Those being honoured include Superintendent of Police Seldin Adderley (director of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band); Force Chief Petty Officer Matthew Rolle I (director of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band); Inspector Kenneth Sweeting (Ddirector of The Bahamas Department of Correctional Service Band); Yonell Justilien (director of The Bahamas Allstars Band); and Superintendent of Police Theodore Campbell (director of the Urban Renewal Band).

PROFESSOR MARK GORDONLANGSTON UNIVERSITY

MATTHEW ROLLE I-DEFENCE FORCE BAND DIRECTOR

KENNETH SWEETING-DEPT. OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE BAND

SUPT. SELDIN ADDERLEYPOLICE BAND

DR. TIMMEY ZACHERY

YONELL JUSTILLIEN - ALLSTAR BAND

SUPT. THEODORE CAMPBELLURBAN RENEWAL BAND

PROFESSOR ADRIAN THOMPSONTALLADEGA COLLEGE

Funeral Services for

MISS TEMEKA SAMANTHA DUNCOMBE, 28

a resident of Falcon Crest Drive, Eastern Estates, will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Robinson & Claridge Roads, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Father Jay Cartwright & Deacon D’Arcy Rahming. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherished her memories are, Daughter: Jazmine Dames, Parents: Kevin and Birdie Duncombe, Siblings: Michelle, Tremain, and Demario Duncombe; Nephews: William Albury Jr., Tremain Duncombe; Aunts: Hazel Knowles, Agatha Meadows (Rodger), Lonnie Simmons (Wallenstein), Anecca Duncombe, Lydia Bryan of Miami, FL (Arthur) and Gail Duncombe; Uncles: Rudolph Tinker, Vincent Tinker (Marilyn), Gregory Tinker, Reno Johnson, Herbert Duncombe, Garth Duncombe (Dianne), Samuel Duncombe (Lisa), and Victor Duncombe (Michelle); Grandaunt: Majorie Cleare, Godparents: Sharon Thompson, Godchild: Daylynn Burrows,and many cousins and a host of other relatives too numerous to mention Other Extended Family and Friends include: Antione L. Dames, Oswald and Sybil Burrows, Ashley Burrows, Shantell Poitier, Darryl and Montel Burrows, TaShanna Bastian Burrows, Clineicia Hunt, Gardennia Duncombe, Neressa Seymour, William Albury, Althea Conliffe and Van Hall, Berkley and Sarah Williamson, Dwight Baker and Family, Ricardo Adderley and Family, Esther Rahming, Anthonyia Armenteros, Michelle Ingraham, Chef Claudio and the Carmine’s Family, Delvin Duncombe and Family, Thelma Gibson Primary School, Sandilands Primary School, Demeritte’s Funeral Home and Holy Family Catholic Church.

We, the family, apologize if anyone may have been omitted in error. We humbly ask for your understanding and prayers.

THERE WILL BE NO VIEWING.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING HANDLED BY DEMERITTE’S FUNERAL HOME, MARKET STREET.

JOYANN FERNANDER GILBERT, 44

a resident of Island Drive, Pride Estates #3, will be held at New Bethany Baptist Church, Key West Street, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Bishop Victor S. Cooper Jr. Interment follows in Old Trail Cemetery, Old Trail Road.

Left to cherish her memories are her, Husband: Rueben Gilbert Sr.; Sons: Davard Fernander Sr., Robert, Robin and Rudy Gilbert; Mother: Malita Daxon (predeceased); Father: Austin Fernander; Mother-in-law: Merlene Gilbert; Sisters: Bernadette and Merlann Daxon; Brother: Desmond Daxon; Grandchildren: Davard Jr. and Riley Johnson; Aunts: Shammiel Mackey and Eleanor Hanna; Sisters-in-law: Sheila Mae Gilbert and Margaret Ann Pierre (predeceased), Carolyn Dorsette, Sharon Williams, Vernice Gilbert, Christine Gilbert and Maxneka Daxon; Stepchildren: Valentina Gilbert, Rueben Jr., Rebecca and Rubenique Gilbert; Nieces: Alexis, Judnisher, Desinique, Timbernique and Cristernique Daxon, Shantell Davis, Quetell Rolle, Toniqua and Cristal Smith, Serenity Miller, Sherika Hepburn, Shikena, Keithra and Tyrese Forbes, Calva Saunders, Deandre Gilbert, Sharine Kelly, Leslia Smith and Taleah Gilbert; Grand Nieces: Brenae Daxon, Turia Brown, Anthia Saunders, Klarra Scott, Carsonique and Lakeitha Strachan, Regginique Knowles and Nareka; Nephews: Bernardo Gray, Michael Smith, Desmond Dixon Jr., Darren Gibson (predeceased), Francis Hunt, Lavardo Dorsette, Carson and Elton Strachan, Tario Brown, John Sands, Kirkland and Clarence Sr. & Jr., Dion Cole, Kazim Wood and Anthony Saunders Jr. and Sr., and Shogun Neymour; Cousins: Shawn Mackey, Shantel and Lashan Davis, Victoria, Desiree, Keno, Kendra Ferguson, Krishwell Mackey, Andrew Stubbs, Lashan Davis, Lashanda McDonald and Rosemary Moss. Other relatives & friends: Public Service and Ministry of Works, Sophia Hart, Arnett, Rose, Mona, Debbie, the staff of Public Service, Roads and Parks, Island Industries, the Gilbert family, the Daxon family, the Fernander family, Key West St. family, the Village and Crew, Wilson Tract family, Atty. Jennifer Mangra and a host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-6:0 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

BRO. FRANK GAITOR, 64

a resident of St. Albans Drive, will be held at Greater Chippingham Church of God, Eden & Rosebud Streets, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Bishop Brian Rolle, assisted by Rev. Mechelle Rolle, Rev. John Darville, Rev. Arlington Hanna & Rev. Antonio Steele. Interment follows in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Boyd Road.

He is survived by, Brothers: Allan (Jeanne), Vernon II, Ronald (Laverne) Johnson, Albert (Diann) Gaitor; Sister: Geneva (Gary) Cooper; Nieces/Nephews: Anita (Russell) Royal, Tamica (DeVaughn) Price, Angela (Owen) Stubbs; Vernon III, Akintunda (Tiffany), Shane,

David Jr., Lennon (Gizelle), Leonard Jr. (Stacy) Johnson, Gary Jr., (Terrell), Javar Cooper, Aisha (Kirkwood) Neely, Alvashan, Alvanique and Amaiah Gaitor; Grand Nieces/Nephews: Shamara, Azaria, D’Nera, Vernon IV, Verron, Duane, Daeyn, Cayden, India-jai, Kirkwood Jr., Kailee, Kai, Amya, Gary III, Javar Jr., Aayah Belle, Phil Jo Immanuel Khilee; Aunts: Constance Smith, Persis Lawrence, Doris Adderley, Anna Edgar; Numerous other relatives and friends including, Ricky and Pedro McPhee, Francina Sturrup, Sherry Moss, Sharmain Brice, Sandra Gaitor & Family, LaVerne Johnson and family, Norma Revis, Patricia Archer & Family, Vandetta Moorshed Smith & Family, Sharon Cooper, Debra Johnson and family, Shanique Stern, Greater Chippenham Churchlong- time loving neighbours, Ed McPhee and family, Sonia Pratt, Reckley family, Leadon family, Gibson family, Lockhart family, Bethel family, Blanch Morley, The Bahamas Red Cross, Ishmeal Martin, Forbes Family, Lydon Johnson, Hon. Alfred Sears, Tommy Turnquest, SDA Church, Sabrina Johnson, Ted and Tonya Gaitor, Jeff Sands, Bruce Lafleur. Special Thanks: Warren Grant Photography, Ena Cooper, Athama Bowe, Dr Nigel Lewis, Dr Kendal Major.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday & on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time

FELIX “Shine” WALLACE, 67

a resident of Plantol Street, will be held at Love Worth Finding Ministries, Golden Isles Road, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Loreen Russell. Cremation follows.

Left to cherish his memories are his, Wife: Deborah Major Wallace; Son: Felix Wallace III (Nyasha); Daughters: Philippa and Susan Wallace; Siblings: Daisymae Wallace, Hildamae Robinson, Sandra and Christine Wallace; Grandchildren: Amarion, Azaria, Nyasia Wallace, DeAngelo Wilson, Dionte, Omarion, Faith, Michael, Sushi and Sengyarah Nudola; Brothers-In-Law: Junior and Philip Major; Sisters-In-Law: Eva Major and Dorothy Wallace; Stepsons: Theophilus and Ricardo Major; Nieces & Nephews: Clement McKenzie (Yvette), Deborah McKenzie Gibson (Darron), Norma-Pierre, Monalisa Collie, Cyprianna and Kelcine Clarke, Melrose Gray (Brian), Shawn Stuart, Suzette Wallace, Adrian Horton, Hatchie Robinson Jr., and Keithra Pickstock; Grand Nieces & Nephews: Leading Seaman Clement Jr. (Victicia), Able Seaman Keano, Camron and K’Dria McKenzie, Shaquant Mckenzie, Lorenzo Nixon, Able Seaman Reynaldo Ferguson, Kendiesha Hanna, Owenique and Owen Pierre, Sade Collie, RN Anfernika, Taniko and Lavron Clarke, Kelicia Clarke, RN Takeia Williams (Deleno), Bianca Gray, Brittney and Brianne Ingraham, Shaniya Knowles, Harmony and Hatchie III Robinson, Elvardo Thompson; Cousins: Pastor Loreen Russell, Sarah, Ruthmae of Dallas Texas, Helena, Glenroy Jr., Stephanie, Flora, Clarence, Kemmie, Rosemary, Sybilene, Gwendolyn, Christina, Sherry, Mae, Roy, Winston, Antoinette, Carlton and Stanley.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time

ROSEMARY ELIZABETH JOHNSON-OUTTEN, 66

a resident of #16 Kiki Street, and formerly of Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, will be held at First Baptist Church, Market Street, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Diana Francis. Interment follows in Old Trail Cemetery, Old Trail Road.

She is survived by: Husband: James Outten; Son: Henry Johnson; Daughters: Daphne Roberts and Latasha Morgan; Son-in-Law: Oral Morgan; Daughters-in-Law: Dale Johnson and Wendy Pinder (pre-deceased Anthony Pinder); Grandsons: Christen Horton, Deondre Pinder and Dakarai Johnson; Granddaughters: Hendranique Johnson, Imani Caldwell, Angel Pinder, Shermaya Taylor, Danae Pinder and Aaliyah Morgan; Great Grandsons: Camari and Camelo Butler; Great Granddaughter: Sabella Butler; Brothers: William Johnson, Bellande Georges, Peter Georges, Benfils Georges, Glenn Georges, Luckner Georges, Jimmy AllenGeorges, Willie Jr. Georges and William Wilfred; Sisters: Dorothy Bethel, Mary Laurenceau, Janet Brown, Arthemise Dupuy, Adelmonde St. Felix, Ramela Oscar, Charitable Saintil, Jeanine Georges, Fanette Georges, Carine Georges and Yolanda Daley. Host of other relatives and friends including: Beverly Deveaux, Brenda Martin and Sheila Butterfield and family, Stacy Moss and family, Sandra Butler and family, Deniseia Burrows and family, Annamae Cambridge and family, Delsean Gaitor and family, Marcy Belle and family, Shirley Clarke, Margret Miller & Betty Outten and family, Nathan Pinder and family, Eleanor Rolle and family, Dr. Herbert Orlander, Patrick Huyler, Sheri Rolle and family of Old Bight Cat Island, Shirley Armbrister and family, Tammy Armbrister-Delancey and family, Betty Trotman, Verlene Mackey, Marie Meadows, Henry Johnson Sr. and the Johnson family, Hubert Roberts and family, Sherman Taylor and family, Jane Bain and family, Keva Major and family, Patrick Rolle and family, Fred Scott and family, Vano Butler, Ms. Smith, Eddie & the Farrington Road family, Throvalta Cooper and family, Rollie Henfield and family, Smith family of Ragged Island Street, First Baptist Church family, C. R. Walker School family, National Art Gallery family, Stapledon School family and the Hatchet Bay & Eleuthera Communities.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time

KENDRICK “Kenny” ALEXANDER MOSS, 37

a resident of Alexandria Blvd., Nassau Village, will be held at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Pigeon Plum & Plane Street, Pinewood Gardens, on Saturday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Daniel A. Nottage, assisted by other Ministers. Interment follows in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING HANDLED BY DEMERITTE’S FUNERAL HOME, MARKET STREET

DEATH NOTICES FOR

MERLIE CONYERS, 87

a resident of North Blanket Sound, Andros, died at her residence on Friday, December 23, 2023.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

DERYIL SANDS, 64

a resident of Staniard Creek, Andros, died at his niece’s residence, Garden Hills on December 29, 2022.

He is survived by his 2 sisters: Rudell Shirley Wright & Coralee Sands; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

JACQUELINE ROSELLA GIBSON, 81

a resident of #10 Campbell’s Close, Hope Gardens, died at her residence on Monday, January 2, 2023.

She is survived by her 2 daughters: Stacy Clarke & Tanya Reckley; numerous grand and great grandchildren; 7 sisters: Delores Springfield, Pamela Hanson, Nurse Beulah Carroll, Cametha Knowles, Robertha Knowles, Ret. Petty Officer Christine Gibson & Rose Richardson; 4 brothers: Ret. Cpl Cyril Gibson, Don & Rupert Gibson & Bishop Anthony Roker; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

SARAH LOUISE HUTCHINSON SANDS, 53

a resident of Rock Crusher, New Providence Highway, died at PMH on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

She is survived by her loving husband: Desmond Sands; daughters: Celestial, Jewel & Charity Sands; adopted son: Desmond McKinney; grandchildren: London Ferguson, Paris Sands& Gabriel Thompson; brothers: Matthew, Mark & Luke Hutchinson; sister: Brenda (decease); sister-in-law: Sabrina Davina McKinney; brother-in-law: Steve McKinney, Terrado McKinney; nieces: Ashley, Alicia, Aliketha, Eureka, Chineka; nephews: Bernado & Alex & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

Minister: ‘I anticipate a very, very active year’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

With this being the 50th anniversary celebrations of the nation, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said there’s quite a bit of things for the sporting populace to look forward to in 2023.

“I anticipate a very, very active year for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in all three departments within the ministry. That is youth, sports and culture,” said Bowleg, who just witnessed two successful junkanoo parades in

New Providence and one in Grand Bahama.

“There are some major sporting events on the calendar, including the CARIFTA Games, the return of the Bahamas, the international relays in March in Grand Bahama and the return of the Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic.”

Not to bypass the other two components of his ministry, but Bowleg said they are looking forward to the E Clement Bethel event, the return of Junior Junkanoo with New Providence having their own on January 26 and the historic launch of the National Youth Guard in Grand

MARIO BOWLEG

Bahama where they will be preparing 100 young people for the disaster response as well as the first draft of the youth policy.

As for the sporting activities, Bowleg said Grand Bahama, which played host to the North American, Central American

and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships in November, will host the first international relays.

“We will have some college teams coming in to participate in a series of relay events and all of the high school teams will be invited to participate,” Bowleg said.

“It’s like a showcase event where the colleges will be looking at recruiting some of our athletes,” he added.

Although sailing and regatta in particular fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Bowleg said his ministry is looking at a collaboration in naming

sailing as the national sport during the National Family Island Regatta in George Town, Exuma, in April.

With this being the 50th anniversary, he said it’s important for all Bahamians to embrace the celebrations because it’s not likely that many would be around for another grand occasion.

“It’s very important for all Bahamians to get involved in celebrating this milestone,” he pointed out. “We hope that they will come out and participate in each and every event they can because it’s a rare moment that we will

Deyton Albury and Chipola undefeated

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DEYTON Albury and the Chipola College Indians are off to a great start, riding a perfect 18-0 record that has them sitting on top of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) division one men’s basketball rankings.

The Indians had to wait until the new year for NJCAA to publish its weekly rankings. This marked the first time that Chipola has been ranked atop the poll since the 2006-2007 season, holding that feat for 10 straight weeks. Their 18-0 record is also the best since the 2012-13 team that started the season with the same record.

In their last game on Saturday, December 31, Albury saw limited action as they blew out North Florida Prep 117-39 as he scored on a field goal, pulled down three rebounds with as many assists and a pair of steals.

The Indias are gearing up for a big match-up on Saturday when they take on Northwest Florida State College, one of their top rivals in their conference.

“A lot of people were underestimating us in our conference, saying we were probably the fourth best team, and we weren’t

as talented as last year,” Albury said.

“But we have a very good coach (Donnie Tyndall) and a talented team, and we believe we can become what he believes we can become. Every day we were grinding it out from June to now. It started with us being locked in at practice and we just have a very unselfish team, which is the reason for our success.”

Albury, a 20-year-old 6-foot, 3-inch guard, is making his contribution to the success of the team. He is averaging 11.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Those numbers have allowed him to be pegged at number 56 for the first time in the NJCAA rankings.

“It means a lot to me because I’ve never been ranked a day in my life in the Bahamas in a solid ranking,” said the former Temple Christian Academy Suns player, who left in grade 10 to attend Sunrise Christian Academy.

“Being in America where there are so much JUCO players and to be ranked as the 56th player in the country means a lot to me because coming from the Bahamas where you really didn’t have this kind of recognition. So, this is really special for me.”

As for the numbers he’s posted so far, Albury said they dropped a bit because

of the system coach Tyndall is using.

“We have a lot of guards who came back, and we rotate fast because we

PGA Tour more mysterious than ever

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

KAPALUA, Hawaii

(AP) — One moment the splash of a humpback whale’s tail pierced the Pacific blue below the Plantation Course at Kapalua. Before long, as players began lining up for practice rounds, a brief shower sent everyone seeking cover.

It was a fitting start to a new year on the PGA Tour, where circumstances can change with little notice. As for what to expect in 2023 — the short answer is anything — check in with Scottie Scheffler and what he would have wanted going into last year. “One win would have been nice,” Scheffler said with a laugh. “When you’ve got zero, all you’re looking for is one.”

He wound up with four, including a Masters green jacket, a PGA Tour record $14 million in tournament earnings and a bronze status of Jack Nicklaus awarded for being player of the year.

In these times, trying to decipher which player will emerge is secondary to so many other issues off the course.

Here are six topics to contemplate for 2023: LIV GOLF

The question of “who’s next?” has given way to “what’s next?” for the Saudi-funded rival league.

LIV Golf has gone largely quiet in the last month except disclosing that its chief operating officer had resigned. A 2023 schedule was expected in November, but at the close of the year,

only seven sites had been announced for the 14-tournament schedule.

Far more pressing is whether LIV Golf can find a television partner for the United States and the United Kingdom, even if it has to pay for it.

As for who’s next, expect the rumours to crank up as soon as the PGA Tour gets started this week at Kapalua, though there has

been no substance in any speculation involving the top players. Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann waited until the FedEx Cup playoffs were over to join LIV Golf last summer.

LIV’s first tournament is February 24-26, a week after the West Coast Swing ends at Riviera with a $20 million purse in the Genesis Invitational.

However many millions of dollars LIV paid to sign top players last year, it’s hard to imagine the rates coming down to get a big name. LIV can’t afford to lose momentum.

TIGER WOODS

It’s not so much where Tiger Woods plays as how much he plays. Plantar fasciitis that kept him from

BAHAMAS OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ELECTIONS PARAMOUNT

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Olympic Committee president Romell Knowles said they are looking forward to another hectic year of activities, but paramount will be their election of officers.

Although no date has been set, Knowles said he will be seeking re-election for another four-year term in office when they hold their annual general meeting and elections during the first quarter.

Looking back at his tenure in office since taking over the mantle from past president Wellington Miller, Knowles said he was pleased with the manner in which his executive team performed.

“We saw small sports make gigantic leaps like equestrian, we’ve seen baseball make some strides,

SEE PAGE 17

EQUESTRIAN PRESIDENT: ‘WE ANTICIPATE CONTINUED STRONG PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORT’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

EQUESTRIAN Bahamas president Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre said they will enter 2023 with gratitude for the successes achieved in the past year, and a sense of optimism and renewed energy for the year to come.

“We anticipate continued strong participation in the sport locally, with five competitions planned between January and May featuring classes from beginner to intermediate levels,” she said of one of the most vibrant sporting bodies in the island nation.

The popular team-based Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League competitions will also continue, with two competitions planned culminating in a championship event.

Singer, college scam mastermind, gets 3.5 years in prison

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) —

The mastermind of the nationwide college admissions bribery scheme that ensnared celebrities, prominent businesspeople and other parents who used their wealth and privilege to buy their kids’ way into top-tier schools was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison Wednesday.

The punishment for Rick Singer, 62, is the longest sentence handed down in the sprawling scandal that embarrassed some of the nation’s most prestigious universities and put a spotlight on

the secretive admissions system already seen as rigged in favour of the rich.

For more than a decade as an admissions consultant for wealthy families, Singer paid off entrance exam administrators or proctors to inflate students’ test scores and bribed coaches to designate applicants as recruits for sports they sometimes didn’t even play to boost their chances of getting into the school.

Singer pleaded guilty to numerous charges on the same day the massive case became public nearly four years ago.

Federal prosecutors in Boston had asked for six years behind bars.

press a lot and what he likes to do is wear down our opponents so we have the starting five in for about five minutes and then he

would put in another five, which is just as good as the starting five,” Albury said.

TIGER WOODS

ABOVE THE RIM: Deyton Albury in action for the Chipola College Indians, who are riding a perfect 18-0 record that has them sitting on top of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) division one men’s basketball rankings.

Chiefs kick off Week 18 playing for AFC’s No. 1 seed

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

THE NFL is moving forward with the Week 18 schedule during a difficult, emotional week.

While coaches, players, fans and the sports community are focused on Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s health, the final weekend of the regular season kicks off Saturday with the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs (13-3) took over the AFC’s No. 1 seed when the Bills-Bengals game was suspended in the first quarter after Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field.

It’s uncertain whether the Bills-Bengals game will be resumed or cancelled so the Chiefs need a win to maintain that top spot.

The Raiders (6-10) were eliminated last week after losing in overtime to San Francisco.

The Chiefs are 9 1/2-point favourites, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Pro Picks figures Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will want to finish strong following a struggle against the lowly Broncos last week.

CHIEFS, 31-17 Houston (plus 2 1/2) at Indianapolis

The Texans (2-13-1) need to lose to lock up the No. 1 pick in the draft.

COLTS, 16-13 New York Giants (plus 14) at Philadelphia

The Eagles (13-3) are playing for the No. 1 seed. The Giants (9-6-1) are locked into the NFC’s sixth seed.

BEST BET:

EAGLES, 30-13 Tennessee (plus 6) at Jacksonville

The AFC South title is on the line. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (8-8) have won four in a row. The Titans (7-9) are giving Josh Dobbs his second straight start, aiming to snap a sixgame losing streak and secure a third straight division title.

JAGUARS, 23-20 New York Jets (minus 1) at Miami

The Dolphins (8-8) will likely start rookie Skylar Thompson because of injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater as they aim to snap a five-game losing streak and try to earn a wild-card spot. The Jets (7-9) are reduced to spoiler after losing five straight games.

JETS, 22-17

Cleveland (plus 2 1/2) at Pittsburgh

The Steelers (8-8) still have a shot at a wild-card berth and want to avoid coach Mike Tomlin’s first losing season.

STEELERS, 23-20 Tampa Bay (plus 4 1/2) at Atlanta

Tom Brady wants to play even though the Buccaneers (8-8) are locked into the NFC’s fourth seed. Bucs coach Todd Bowles can’t keep his starters in too long.

FALCONS, 24-16 Carolina (plus 3 1/2) at New Orleans

This game would’ve had playoff implications if the Buccaneers didn’t rally against Carolina last week.

SAINTS, 23-17 New England (plus 7) at Buffalo

It’s difficult to imagine how the Bills (12-3) will handle playing this game with Hamlin in the hospital. The Patriots (8-8) need a win to clinch a wild-card spot.

BILLS, 24-22 Minnesota (minus 7 1/2) at Chicago

The Vikings (12-4) fell to the third seed. Nathan Peterman starts for the Bears.

VIKINGS, 27-13 Baltimore (plus 6 1/2) at Cincinnati

The AFC North would’ve been up for grabs if the Bengals (11-4) lost to the Bills. The Ravens are 2-2 with Tyler Huntley filling in for Lamar Jackson.

BENGALS, 27-17

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)

— Aaron Rodgers didn’t make any bold proclamations about running the table this time around.

But the similarities between the Green Bay Packers’ current turnaround and their remarkable run to the NFC championship game back in 2016 otherwise are too obvious to ignore.

After losing eight of their first 12 games, the Packers (8-8) have won four consecutive games and will reach the playoffs if they beat the Detroit Lions (8-8) on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. That 2016 team rebounded from a 4-6 start to win eight straight before losing to the Atlanta Falcons with a Super Bowl bid at stake.

“Now, that (2016) team had some guys who’d been a part of winning some really big football games,” Rodgers said.

“This team has less of those guys. But I just think this team is a little bit more talented top to bottom. Definitely on the back end, the way our guys play in this defence, I think, guyfor-guy is probably a little bit better on that side of the ball. Offence is probably pretty similar. And then we

have (kick returner) Keisean Nixon.”

The current Packers who played on that 2016 team included Rodgers, offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, kicker Mason Crosby, wide receiver Randall Cobb and injured defensive lineman Dean Lowry.

“It definitely has some similarities, the course of the season, the way that it went,” Cobb said. “For us to battle back and be in this situation and have an opportunity, that’s all you can ask for.”

Rodgers said back in 2016 he believed the Packers would “run the table” before they went on that streak. The four-time MVP quarterback didn’t make a similar prediction this time, but said after the 41-17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday that he had a good feeling the Packers would make a late run.

He recalled thinking when the Packers were 3-6 that if they could win just one of their next three games — home matchups with Dallas and Tennessee plus a trip to Philadelphia — they could win their final five games. Green Bay beat Dallas in overtime, lost the next two games, but has gone 4-0 since while plenty

Los Angeles Rams (plus 6 1/2) at Seattle

The Seahawks (8-8) need a win and loss by Green Bay to get a wild-card berth.

SEAHAWKS, 24-13

Los Angeles Chargers (minus 2 1/2) at Denver

The Chargers (10-6) don’t have much at stake, either a fifth or sixth seed.

UPSET SPECAL: BRONCOS, 20-17 Arizona (plus 14) at San Francisco

The 49ers (12-4) would earn the No. 1 seed with a

win and loss by Philadelphia. 49ERS, 34-9 Dallas (minus 7 1/2) at Washington

The Cowboys (12-4) still have a shot to win the NFC East. COWBOYS, 27-13 Detroit (plus 4 1/2) at Green Bay Aaron Rodgers and the Packers (8-8) have climbed from 4-8 to a point where a win clinches a wild-card berth. The Lions (8-8) need a win and loss by Seattle to get in after a 1-6 start.

PACKERS, 27-24

2022 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 12-3. Against spread: 9-6.

Season: Straight up: 159-95. Against spread: 128-121-5.

Thursday: Straight up: 13-6. Against spread: 9-10.

Monday: Straight up: 10-7. Against spread: 8-9.

Best Bet: Straight up: 9-8. Against spread: 9-8.

Upset Special: Straight up: 6-11. Against spread: 8-8-1.

CHARGERS MAY KNOW BY KICKOFF IF BRONCOS GAME AFFECTS SEEDING

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Staley is approaching the final week of regular-season practices for the Los Angeles Chargers with a business as usual approach.

What happens in the three hours leading up to Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos though will have a lot of bearing on the Chargers’ strategy though.

The playoff-bound Bolts should know by kickoff if their game has any bearing on the AFC’s fifth seed for the playoffs. The NFL made that a reality yesterday when it scheduled the Baltimore Ravens-Cincinnati Bengals game for 1 p.m. EST instead of 4:25 p.m. EST.

A Bengals win would not only give them the AFC North title, but it would assure the Chargers the fifth seed and the Ravens sixth seed regardless of what happens in Denver.

However, a Ravens victory would mean the Chargers would also have to beat the Broncos to secure the fifth seed. Both teams would finish 11-6, but Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker by having a better conference record.

The fifth seed would face either Jacksonville or Tennessee in the first round.

“We’re definitely going to prepare this week to try and go win this football game with the guys that we have on our team, the 48 guys that are going to be up,” Staley said.

“You have to take the facts on the ground, as they happen, to make your determinations. Once we find out about that game, we’ll make the appropriate decisions moving forward, just take it case-by-case.

“Our approach this week is to go beat the Broncos and to play our best.”

Packers have forced the same number of turnovers (12) that they did through their first 12 games of the season.

“I’d like to be 15 and 0,” Rodgers said. “That was a fun run. But those are different teams. Different players, different mindset, different scheme. I just need to be efficient. If I’m efficient and taking care of the football as best I can, making the right checks, I can still impact the game in a positive way.”

Green Bay benefited from some subtle tweaks during this late surge. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he tried to include more competitive periods in practice “just to try to heighten the intensity a little bit.”

Staley likened this situation to when he was an assistant with the Chicago Bears in 2018. The Bears and Rams were in a battle for the second seed going into the final game, but Los Angeles needed to lose for Chicago to gain a first-round bye.

Both games though were going on at the same time, but once the Rams took a big lead, the Bears decided to sit some players in the second half with a playoff game the following week.

some clarity and we came back, and for whatever reason, we had a different level of enjoyment and energy at practice.”

The Packers aren’t taking anything for granted.

of other results involving other teams have fallen their way.

“There was something in there that had hope, but it was a fool’s hope at the time I think,” Rodgers said. “And so much had to happen, which is why, like I said Sunday night, I had to wrap my head around the scenarios and find a peace in that.”

These Packers have relied on a different formula than that 2016 team.

Rodgers led the way in 2016 by throwing 15 touchdown passes without an interception in a six-game

winning streak to end the regular season. He then threw six touchdown passes with only one interception in Green Bay’s two playoff victories while throwing to a potent receiving group featuring Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Cobb.

The 39-year-old Rodgers has been solid but unspectacular over the past four games — he has thrown only one touchdown pass in each of them — but Green Bay’s defence has come on strong after underachieving for much of the season.

During their fourgame winning streak, the

A fourth-quarter rally provided the spark.

One month ago, the Packers were 4-8 and trailing the lowly Chicago Bears 19-10 heading into the final period. The Packers rallied to win 28-19 and haven’t looked back since. Rodgers called that moment the turning point.

“I just think it felt a little bit different in the locker room,” Rodgers said. “There was maybe a deep exhale from everybody, and then we had the bye week. And the bye week allowed me to get healthy. I think it allowed us to mentally get

They’re still in a mustwin situation against the Lions, who have staged their own remarkable turnaround by winning six of their past nine games after a 1-6 start. The Lions would earn their first playoff berth since 2016 if they beat the Packers and the Seattle Seahawks (8-8) lose at home to the Los Angeles Rams (5-11).

Detroit’s surge started two months ago with a 15-9 victory over the Packers in which Rodgers threw three interceptions. “I think our game kind of maybe galvanised them to turn it back in the right direction, and they’ve been playing really good football — as good as just about anybody in the league the last nine weeks,” Rodgers said.

GREEN Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II, right, during a 2-yard touchdown run in the second half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

KANSAS City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is introduced with his team before the start of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

McKay Jr and Saints on a roll

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER some good Bahamian cooked meals and some quality time with family and friends, Gregory McKay Jr returned to Limestone University and helped the Saints men’s basketball team to two straight victories.

On Monday night, McKay Jr scored seven points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal as the Saints marched past North Greenville 85-48 at home at the Timken Center. The win came two days after Limestone knocked off Converse 78-67 in Gaffney, South Carolina as McKay Jr contributed four points with six rebounds, six assists and a block shot.

The pair of victories pushed the Saints’ record to 5-7 and 1-3 in the South Atlantic Conference.

For the 21-year-old 6-foot, 6-inch forward now in his sophomore year, McKay said the performances were good to get the season going after the Christmas break.

“The past two games were really good for us. They gave us a good start to the new year,” McKay

PGA

FROM PAGE 14

playing in the Bahamas and hobbled him at the PNC Championship raised more doubts about his future. His emotional crossing over the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews in July was the last time Woods walked in a tournament.

The earliest Woods might play is at Riviera in February for the Genesis Invitational. The Masters is certainly a target (Woods has never missed the cut as a pro). The PGA Championship is at Oak Hill in May, which could be chilly. Woods tied for 39th in 2003 and tied for 40th in 2013 his previous two PGAs at Oak Hill. Woods remains active in helping to reshape the PGA Tour. But fans want to see him play.

THE MAJORS

The Masters waited until 11 days before the end of the year to say its criteria

said. “We were playing alright before the break, but we’re starting to turn things around and are playing much better now.”

As for his contributions to the team, the former HO Nash student who went on to play at Piper High School, McKay said it’s exactly what he expected.

“I felt like I did pretty good. I did what my coaches asked me to do and that is what everybody is doing,” he said. “I feel it’s a collective team effort that we are putting together and that’s how we’ve been able to get it done.

“But personally, I felt like I’ve been able to do some good stuff out there and I was able to help us to get the past two victories.”

The Saints will be back in action tonight when they take on Tusculum in their second of four straight home games where they are now 3-2.

They will have 15 more games before they complete their regular season on Saturday, February 25 in another home game against Wingate. As he looks ahead to the rest of the season, McKay said he hopes that they can continue to secure the wins.

“We just hope to stack up

will stay the same for April, even as Chairman Fred Ridley expressed disappointment in the disruption LIV Golf has caused.

Most telling was a reminder that any modifications or changes to the invitation criteria would be announced in April. One possibility is leaning more on the money list than the world ranking, as it last did in 1998. The US Open will decide any changes at its annual meeting in February. The PGA Championship has used the PGA Tour money list and invitations, which typically are for the top 100 in the world, but not stated that way in the entry form.

When or if LIV gets world ranking points, most of the players will have slid out of the top 50. Moving up in the ranking with 48-man fields won’t be easy.

AZALEA That’s the name of the 13th hole at Augusta National, a par 5 that has

Can they do it?

been reached in two with a driver and a sand wedge by some of the longest hitters. And everyone seems to hit it long these days.

The Masters finally decided to lengthen one of the most dynamic holes on the course, extending the tee to make the hole play 35 yards longer.

Ridley cited Augusta National co-founder Bobby Jones as saying a decision to go for the green in two at the 13th should be a momentous one. “And I would have to say that our observations of these great players hitting middle and even short irons into that hole is not a momentous decision,” Ridley said in April.

Tony Finau was there in November when it was soft and damp and hit 3-iron and 4-iron in the rounds he played. He expects players hitting about 5-iron in April. To be determined is whether the decision is “momentous.”

THE SLAM

The question has been the same for the last five years: Who gets to the career Grand Slam first? Rory McIlroy is the obvious choice at the Masters, coming off a stellar season that saw him return to No. 1 in the world.

Jordan Spieth gets his seventh crack at the final leg in the PGA Championship.

The difference is Augusta National and the scar tissue it leaves from being the only major played on the same course. This will be McIlroy’s 15th appearance at the Masters. Sergio Garcia (19) and Mark O’Meara (15) are the only two players to have played the Masters that often before finally winning. Neither was going for the final leg of the Grand Slam.

The other, of course, is Phil Mickelson. He will be 53 when he tries to win the US Open.

more wins, stack up more good days in practice and get better every day, but most importantly stack up more wins,” he projected.

“I feel like winning takes care of everything so once we continue winning, everything else will fall into place. I just try to control what I can control and just allow God to do the rest.”

With the way the chemistry has been coming together, McKay said everything is just looking up for Limestone College and the Saints basketball team.

And for McKay, a business administration/ general business major, he is appreciative of the support that he has gotten from his parents Gregory McKay Sr and Anishka Taylor as well as the rest of his family and friends in the Bahamas.

“Thanks to God most of all because without him, none of this would be possible,” he stated. “I was able to come home and get some good weather, some good, home-cooked meals and some conch salad, which helped to rejuvenate my body. It helped me a lot. It was amazing.”

Hopefully, it will only help his season the rest of the way.

RYDER CUP

The first question is who plays?

The Americans had three players on the winning team from Whistling Straits who have joined LIV Golf and are ineligible to earn points. Given the depth, they are easily replaced.

Europe lost five players from the ‘21 team to LIV Golf, though all are in their 40s and toward the back ends of their careers except for Bernd Wiesberger at age 37.

The core of the team — McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland — is in tact.

The matches will be held in Italy for the first time. What’s not new about the Ryder Cup is the perception of the Americans being favoured to win. It’s been that way for much of the previous 30 years since they last won on European soil.

BOLON PUSHES NO. 23 CHARLESTON PAST N.C. A&T 92-79

By MITCHELL NORTHAM Associated Press

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Dalton Bolon tallied his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds as No. 23 College of Charleston won its 14th straight game, notching a 92-79 victory over North Carolina A&T.

Charleston (15-1, 3-0 CAA) is off to its best single-season start since joining the Division I ranks in 1991.

Bolon – who was one of five Charleston players to score in double digits – made 10-of-16 shots for the Cougars and also dished out two assists. Ante Brzovic and Pat Robinson III each scored 12 points, while Raekwon Horton and Ben Burnham both had 11.

“Winning on the road is hard, and winning Division I games is hard,” Charleston coach Pat Kelsey said.

“There were stretches in the game where we looked like a special team. I told those guys that I’m proud of them. We were stringing stops together and playing very efficiently offensively.”

Kam Woods scored a career-high 30 points to lead N.C. A&T (6-10, 1-2). Duncan Powell added 20 points for the Aggies, while Marcus Watson had 12 points and 12 boards.

N.C. A&T jumped out to a five-point lead early, but Charleston roared back to tie the game, and then used a 26-6 run to take a 22-point advantage into halftime. Ryan Larson and Bolon each scored eight points during that stretch.

Charleston went on to lead by as many as 30 points in the second half, pushing its advantage with a 12-5 run.

Five different Cougars scored in that span.

The Cougars turned 12 turnovers by the Aggies into 14 points, and Charleston also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and flipped them into 19 secondchance points. Charleston entered the game ranking 19th nationally in offensive rebounding, grabbing 13.4 per game.

“They got out in transition and opened that thing up. They’re a high scoring team and it doesn’t take long,” Aggies interim coach Phillip Shumpert said.

“We got to protect the paint and not give up so many offensive rebounds. … Scoring ain’t the problem. Stopping somebody is what we need to get fixed.”

RANKING BRINGS

A TARGET Charleston is in the AP Top 25 Poll for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Stacking up victories in the CAA should help Charleston solidify its place in the rankings and bolster its resume for the postseason.

But Kelsey knows the Cougars will have a target on their back now in conference play.

“We just keep wearing down our opponents and because we substitute our players a lot, my numbers have dropped this year, but I’m not worried about it once we are winning.”

After they play on Saturday, Chipola will have 11 more games to complete their regular season and hopefully an unprecedented perfect season.

“It’s just a matter of us to stay locked in and be together as a team,” Albury stated.

“I know I’m going to put in my extra work, and I will encourage my team-mates to do the same.

“Hopefully we all can stay healthy God’s willing, and we come out and win the conference, win the state and win the national tournament. Winning the national title would afford a lot of our guys an opportunity to get a scholarship to go on to a division one college.”

Although he hasn’t received any offers as yet, Albury said since the rankings came out, a lot of schools have expressed an interest in signing him for the next two years, including FYU, Indiana State, Buffalo, North Texas,

Florida Gulf Coast University, Austin PA, SMU, Liberty State, UTA, Stoneybrook and West Seattle.

The son of Genice and Michael Albury Sr, has a younger brother, Michael Albury Jr, 17, who is now starring for Florida Coastal Prep Sports Academy after he left Teloes Baptist Academy in Nassau.

“I would just like to stay healthy God’s willing, win the conference, win the state championships and win the national title and have a lot of opportunities where I can choose which school I want to go to,” Albury summed up.

“I don’t want to be forced into a programme where it’s a last-minute thing. I want to be able to explore my opportunities and to embrace the moment.”

Hopefully it will be a good one.

MINISTER

FROM PAGE 14

encounter again.

“I know I myself will be involved in anything and everything leading up to the celebrations and during the celebrations and I encourage all athletes, officials and the fans to get involved. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime thing that you will remember for the rest of your lives.”

One of the highlights of the celebrations will be the Bahamas Games, which makes its return after a 21-year hiatus with the last one staged back in 2001. The mini-Olympic style sporting event will take place from July 7-15 in New Providence.

“We have a whole generation who don’t have any experience of what

the Bahamas Games is all about,” he said.

“For them to experience this, I think it will bring a new appreciation for sports in the country because for many of the athletes, they will get a chance to compete against athletes from the various Family Islands.

“It’s a different feeling and a different view of sports that they would expect, so we’re looking forward to them coming out and participating in every event or as much as they can participate in.”

At this stage, Bowleg said the wheels are in motion for the planning of the event through the Games Secretariat, headed by Martin Lundy, assisted by Sharon “The General” Storr.

He noted that another conclave with the Sports Councils for each island will be held either at the end of

January or the beginning of February.

“We want to ensure that the Sports Councils are taking the necessary steps to have their teams ready to compete,” Bowleg said.

“The funding is available for them. We know that some of them are preparing for their island games and so we’re just waiting for them to announce their dates.”

Bowleg also took the time to wish all of the student athletes, coaches, administrators and officials a “Happy New Year.”

He added that he hopes it will be a “prosperous one” filled with sporting activities.

And he expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the late basketball coach and official Rodney Johnson, who will be laid to rest this weekend.

GREGORY McKay dunks the ball during warm-up.

GREGORY McKay being congratulated by his team-mates as he comes out of a game.

Without Embiid, 76ers push past Buddy and Pacers 129-126 in OT

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— De’Anthony Melton hit a go-ahead 3-pointer late in overtime and James Harden scored 26 points to help a Philadelphia 76ers team playing without Joel Embiid beat the Indiana Pacers 129-126 last night.

Melton put the Sixers ahead 125-124 with 2:16 left in overtime. He finished with 19 points.

Montrezl Harrell followed with a rim-rattling dunk, and the Sixers held on for their 11th straight home win. Harrell also had 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting.

“It was one of those games that was almost out of control with the way everyone was playing,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said.

Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 24 points, and Bennedict Mathurin had 19. Tyrese Haliburton had 16 points and 12 assists.

Embiid, who had been playing with a sore lower back, sat out with a sore left foot. Embiid hurt his foot in Monday’s win against New Orleans and was ruled out hours before tipoff against Indiana.

Embiid is day to day, with missed games about the only aspect slowing down his MVP push. Embiid won the NBA scoring title last season, and his 33.5 average this season has him just behind Dallas star Luka Doncic’s league-best 34.3 average.

He was named Eastern Conference player of the month for December. Embiid led all players in

scoring at 35.4 points in the month on 55% shooting from the floor and 42% from 3-point range.

Without Embiid, the Sixers needed more production off the bench — and got it, notably from backup centre Harrell. Harrell, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2019-2020 when Rivers still coached the Los Angeles Clippers, made all five baskets in the first half and scored 12 points.

“With Joel being out, Montrezl was playing well on both ends of the ball,” Harden said. “He’s a true vet.”

Harden missed two free throws with 28 seconds left in OT and the Sixers up one. But he had a big blocked shot late that preserved the lead and set up two Sixers free throws that essentially sealed the win.

The Pacers stormed back in the fourth, keyed by Hield’s 3 that pulled them within one and a Mathurin bucket on a goaltending call during a 10-0 run.

The Sixers pulled ahead on Melton’s fourth 3 of the game, but Hield hit a 3 and Myles Turner scored for a 120-116 lead.

Without Embiid, the Sixers tied the game in regulation on Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris buckets in the final 37 seconds.

The Pacers outscored the Sixers 36-23 in the fourth but couldn’t hold on in the final minutes.

“We never should have been in overtime. We know that,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We need to

grow stronger from this. We’ve got to learn from some of the things that happened and we’ve got to build on some of the good things, especially down the stretch.”

Harris had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Maxey scored 17 points in his return to the starting lineup after he missed about six weeks with a broken foot. “He doesn’t have his rhythm yet but it’s

coming,” Rivers said. “You can see it. He’ll be back very soon.”

TIP-INS Pacers: Former 76ers guard and Pittsburgh native T.J. McConnell wore a Damar Hamlin jersey to the game. “I just wanted to show support for a fellow Pittsburgh native and athlete, and let him and his family know that all of us here are thinking of him

and praying for him,” McConnell said.

76ers: Harden has at least 20 points and five assists in six straight games.

Won their third OT game of the season. Improved to 15-1 after leading at halftime.

UP NEXT Pacers: Host Portland on Friday.

76ers: Host Chicago Friday.

Bulls end Nets’ winning streak at 12 with 121-112 victory

CHICAGO (AP) —

DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams each scored 22 points, and the Chicago Bulls stopped Brooklyn’s 12-game winning streak with a 121-112 victory over Kevin Durant and the Nets last night.

Durant scored 44 points, but Chicago had six players score in double figures. Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmo finished with 17 points. The Bulls had dropped two in a row.

Durant rested at the beginning of the fourth quarter and Chicago put together an 8-0 run. Dosunmu stole a pass at midcourt and went in for the jam for a 106-95 lead with 6:46 left. Williams and DeRozan each hit two foul shots in the final minute to help close it out.

Durant scored a seasonhigh 28 points in the first half, but Brooklyn trailed 69-59 at the break. He went 15 for 22 from the field for the game, finishing one point shy of his season high against Orlando on November 28.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points for Brooklyn.

BUCKS 104, RAPTORS 101, OT

TORONTO (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 10 assists and a season-high 21 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season, Grayson Allen hit a

EQUESTRIAN

FROM PAGE 14

“As a federation we plan to continue to engage with our regional and international partners to provide maximum opportunities for training and competition,” she noted.

Ramsingh-Pierre further revealed that this year riders will compete in Caribbean Equestrian Association events and will continue to compete to earn points towards qualification in the Princeton Equestrian League and Marshall and Sterling League Finals in September.

“Of course, the most exciting event of the year promises to be the 2023

tiebreaking 3-pointer with 11.6 seconds to go in overtime and Milwaukee beat Toronto.

Antetokounmpo, who scored a career-high 55 points Tuesday night against Washington, came in having at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each of his past three games. The two-time MVP shot 7 for 18 against Toronto, making 1 of 3 from 3-point range and 15 for 21 at the free throw line.

Allen scored 16 points, Bobby Portis Jr had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Pat Connaughton scored 15 points for the Bucks. They won for the third time in four games since losing a season-high four straight.

Fred VanVleet had 28 points and 12 assists for Toronto.

PELICANS 119, ROCKETS 108

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 28 points and short-handed New Orleans opened up a 31-point lead and beat Houston.

Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 17 rebounds for New Orleans. The Pelicans snapped a two-game skid in their first game since learning star power forward Zion Williamson would be sidelined about three weeks by a strained right hamstring.

Jabari Smith Jr had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Eric Gordon added 13 points for the Rockets.

CAC Games this summer in San Salvador, El Salvador, at which Anna Camille Vlasov will make history representing The Bahamas,” she said.

“This is a huge step for us.

Millie has been a trailblazer at home and a supreme ambassador for The Bahamas in the European show jumping arena. We have several strong junior riders who are eager to follow in her footsteps. “

Ramsingh-Pierre further noted that a strong focus in 2023 will be on growth and development in the continued maintenance or upgrading of competition officials’ certification in various elements such as jumping course design.

They dropped their fifth straight game and lost for the 10th time in 11 contests.

GRIZZLIES 131, HORNETS 107

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ja Morant had 23 points and eight assists, Desmond Bane added 19 points and 10 rebounds and Memphis beat Charlotte for its fourth straight victory.

Dillon Brooks scored 18 points and Jaren Jackson Jr added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies. Steven Adams had 15 rebounds.

“We will continue with our outreach programmes such as the Learn to Ride Summer Programme, while also exploring a pilot programme to introduce equestrian sport into the primary schools,” she stated.

“Initiatives like these are essential in helping to realise our mission of making equestrian sport accessible to a broad range of Bahamians.”

On another front we have joined with fellow FEI national federations to embark upon a livestock replenishment initiative, with the goal of supporting our member clubs in accessing talented, affordable horses.

LaMelo Ball had 23 points and 12 assists for Charlotte. The Hornets have lost 14 of 17 games.

MAGIC 126, THUNDER 115 ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Orlando beat Oklahoma to end a three-game losing streak.

Gary Harris and Terrence Ross each scored 18 points for the Magic, playing without four suspended players because of an altercation

“Our aim is to enable our equestrian athletes – especially those unable to afford private horse ownership – the opportunity to practice their sport with quality equine partners, which promotes a higher technical level of competition,” Ramsingh-Pierre said.

In the early summer, Ramsingh-Pierre revealed plans to hold their annual awards ceremony, which is always a fun event during which time they will celebrate the successes of our athletes in and out of the show ring.

“At this time, we try to celebrate everything about sport that is important, not only giving awards for points accrued

in a game at Detroit. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points for Oklahoma City.

KNICKS 117, SPURS 114

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 38 points, Julius Randle had 25 points and 13 rebounds and New York beat San Antonio.

Brunson added seven rebounds and six assists for the Knicks, who won their third straight since a 122115 loss in San Antonio last Thursday.

Brunson missed that game during a three-game absence with a sore right hip, but returned with 24 points in a victory over Phoenix on Monday and made the big plays late in this one to surpass his previous regular-season best of 34 points.

TIMBERWOLVES 113, TRAIL BLAZERS 106

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat Portland.

Luka Garza added 14 points off the bench for Minnesota, which saw another halftime lead slip away in the third quarter but held on for its second straight victory after a sixgame skid.

Damian Lillard scored 27 points for Portland. Jerami Grant scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half.

during shows, but also for categories such as our All-Bahamas Equestrian Scholars, who successfully balance sport and academic achievement, and the President’s Junior Sportsmanship Award,” she said.

As they enter 2023, Ramsingh-Pierre said that Equestrian Bahamas would like to acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Bahamas Olympic Committee, their corporate sponsors, and volunteers, coaches and parents for their staunch support and tireless commitment.

“We look forward to a year of growth and achievement,” Ramsingh-Pierre summed up.

CAVALIERS BEAT AYTON AND SUNS 90-88

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Evan Mobley’s 14-foot jumper with four seconds left — off an assist from Donovan Mitchell — helped the Cleveland Cavaliers rally for a 90-88 victory last night over the Phoenix Suns, who lost their fourth straight.

Mitchell finished with just 20 points two nights after scoring 71. But on Cleveland’s final possession, he drove and fed Mobley, who calmly knocked down his shot in his return after missing two games with a sore ankle.

The Suns had a chance to tie it, but Mikal Bridges missed a jumper in the final second.

Mitchell snared the rebound and fired the ball to the other end in celebration.

Caris LeVert scored 21 points to lead the Cavs, who spent most of the night chasing the Suns. Mitchell was just 6 of 20 from the field (3 of 12 on 3s) after his historic performance on Monday.

Chris Paul scored 25 points and Deandre Ayton added 15 points and 18 rebounds for Phoenix, which went just 1-5 on a trip and dropped to 4-12 since December 5. The Suns have struggled without injured All-NBA guard Devin Booker, out with a groin strain.

Cleveland was without All-Star guard Darius Garland, who missed his third straight game with a sprained right thumb.

judo made some strides, basketball made their strides and so it’s only a matter of time before these sports make their presence felt internationally in the Olympic sporting arena,” Knowles said.

“We have an open-door policy and we have been very supportive of our member associations and federations, and we have taken the financial burden of travelling to the CAC Games, the Pan American Games, the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, the Youth Commonwealth Games, all of which were done through the purse of the Bahamas Olympic Committee through our international partners.”

Knowles said they were also able to assist in getting a number of associations and federations started in their coaching clinics and the women in sports have also done a phenomenal job, he added.

“So, there are any number of things that we can point our fingers to and be proud of accomplishments, but the work is not done,” he said. “We want to continue to see our federations go full-fledged in their developments and we will continue to work with the government and our private partners for the good of the sport.”

Once the elections are completed, Knowles said the BOC will go full force in preparing the national teams to represent the country at the Central American and Caribbean Games as well as the Pan American Games and possibly the Youth Commonwealth Games.

And while the focus at home will be on the return of the Bahamas Games in July, Knowles said the BOC will be making its contributions to member federations to ensure that the event is successful and at the same time they will continue to prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

“We will continue to offer scholarship assistance, both continental and Olympic scholarships, to our athletes,” he said. “So, it’s going to be very hectic.

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield, left, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers’ De’Anthony Melton during the first half last night in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

BROOKLYN Nets’ Kevin Durant (7) dunks during the second half against the Chicago Bulls last night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)