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GOVT’S REVENUE RISES IN PIPELINE

New steps to achieve $1.3bn target to come in mid-term budget

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government will bridge the “gap” to its $1.3bn revenue increase with “additional measures” in the upcoming mid-year Budget as it faces criticism for “very extreme” fiscal forecasts.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, told Tribune Business that some “new tax measures” will be required to achieve the projected 55.7 percent increase in government revenues

THE government wants to put to rest questions and criticism surrounding Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ admission that he broke his self-induced COVID-19 isolation to buy gifts at businessman Leon Griffin’s store before

ISLANDS HIT

BY WEEKEND MURDERS A GRAND Bahama man who was shot while playing a game of backgammon in front of a church was one of three people killed in separate homicides that occurred on New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Regarding the New Providence killing, police said that sometime after 7pm officers were alerted to a shooting incident that occurred on Comfort Street.

over the next four years - an objective critical to achieving a forecast $71.9m Budget surplus by the 20242025 fiscal year.

While confirming that the Davis administration has not fully declared its hand on all possible options in the just-released Fiscal Strategy Report, he held to the position that enhanced enforcement and greater compliance will be “the primary driver” behind the attainment of $3.643bn in total revenues in the 20252026 fiscal year.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

the former Bahamas Taxi Cab Union president was murdered.

Press secretary Clint Watson was asked to address concerns that there were inconsistencies in the account given by Mr Davis and the version of events stated by Health Minister Dr Michael Darville.

SEE PAGE FIVE

IT’S RAMS V BENGALS SEE SPORTS

By DENISE MAYCOCK and EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporters

SEE PAGE TWO

ELEVEN MORE COVID DEATHS ADDED TO TOLL

‘WE’D RATHER NOT TALK ABOUT THIS ANY MORE’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER BOWL

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

HE FOUGHT FOR US ALL TRIBUTES have been paid to Charles W Saunders, who has been described as a “giant in the religious community” following his death on Friday at the age of 91. See full story on PAGE THREE.

‘CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM’ FOR END OF FOURTH WAVE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville says officials remain cautiously optimistic about an end to the fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country.

The minister said while things appeared to be getting better, it was still too soon to tell based on the ever-evolving nature of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a Baha Mar

MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff official disclosed that 72 percent of its staff have

been fully vaccinated.

Dr Darville spoke to reporters on Friday, when the Ministry of Health reported 43 new cases in the country for January 27.

On January 28, there were 67 new cases recorded and 26 new cases on January 29.

Earlier in January, cases were in the triple digits with more than 800 cases in a single day alone on January 7.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

ELEVEN COVID-19 deaths were reported over a three-day period according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, bringing the number of reported deaths in the country from to 746.

In the most recent case, a 45-year-old New Providence woman died on January 25.

The death was disclosed in the Saturday, January 29, COVID-19 dashboard, which was released yesterday.

SEE PAGE FOUR

INSIGHT THINGS CAN GET BETTER IF WE PULL TOGETHER

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

ISLANDS HIT

BY WEEKEND MURDERS from page one

THE SCENE of the shooting in Eight Mile Rock.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

“Officers responded and on their arrival at the scene, investigations revealed that a male and female were sitting in a vehicle outside their residence when they heard the sound of gunshots. Moments later the male realised that he was shot, he was then transported to the hospital in a private vehicle where he later succumbed to his injuries,” police said.

Although police have not officially given an identification of the deceased, The Tribune understands the victim was Carlin Smith.

Earlier that evening, shortly before 6pm, a Grand Bahama man died after he was shot in the chest while playing a game of backgammon.

A man is in police custody assisting with the investigation into the incident which took place in the area of Sapodilla Road, Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle said when officers arrived at the scene the victim had already been taken in a private vehicle to the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical attention. He died at the hospital.

He said initial police investigations revealed two men were playing a game of backgammon in front of a church when they were approached by a man with a firearm. The gunman pointed the firearm in their direction and discharged several rounds of ammunition, shooting one of the men in his chest. The gunman fled into nearby bushes.

ASP Rolle said the second man was not injured and is assisting police. He urged anyone with information concerning this matter to contact the Eight Mile Rock Police Station or call 911 or 919.

He also appealed to the public for information concerning anyone in possession of illegal firearms.

“We are appealing to them to give these persons up so police can take these firearms off the road,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday,

shortly after 4am, officers from the Marsh Harbour Police Station received a report of a man being found unresponsive on Crocket Drive, Marsh Harbour.

“A team of officers were dispatched and upon their arrival, they observed the lifeless body of a dark adult male on the ground with apparent gunshot injuries about the body,” a police crime report noted.

“A white Honda vehicle was also found near the victim’s body. EMS personnel attended the scene and found no signs of life.”

The victim was taken to the Marsh Harbour Clinic where he was seen and examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead.

Police in Abaco are also investigating two other shooting incidents reported early Saturday morning.

ASP Rolle said the first incident happened shortly before 2am when officers received a report that a woman went to the Marsh Harbour Clinic suffering from gunshot injuries.

When police officers went to the clinic to investigate, the victim told them while she was standing outside a business on Don McKay Boulevard, she heard several gunshots and later discovered that she had received injuries about her body.

ASP Rolle said doctors examined the woman and listed her injuries as serious.

An hour later, police received a report of a second shooting shortly after 3am at Murphy Town.

When officers arrived at the scene, a woman reported that while asleep in her bedroom, she was awakened by the sound of gunshots coming through her bedroom window.

After the shooting, the woman said she heard a vehicle speed off in an unknown direction.

ASP Rolle said there were no injuries reported in that incident.

He said investigations are continuing into both shooting incidents.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call police at 502-9991, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS(8477) or the nearest police station.

THE TREE planting ceremony at the Bahamas National Trust.

MEDWAY PLANTS TREE AT BNT THE commanding officer of the Royal Navy ship HMS Medway and British High Commissioner Sarah Dickson, joined Bahamas National Trust President Geoff Andrews and Executive Director Eric Carey to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”.

Since the beginning of 2020, HMS Medway has been deployed to the Caribbean as the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the region. She provides support and humanitarian aid in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster and works side-by-side with regional law enforcement, helping to stop the flow of illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America.

The ship visited Nassau from January 25–28 as part of its preparations for the 2022 hurricane season.

Commanding Officer Chris Hollingworth was joined by the UK’s Defence Attaché Lt Col Simon Westlake, who leads on defence cooperation between the UK and The Bahamas.

The year 2022 will see celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum

Jubilee. To mark the 70th anniversary of her reign, a tree planting initiative known as “The Queen’s Green Canopy” has been created.

The Retreat Garden National Park was selected as an ideal location for this inaugural tree planting as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as patron of The Bahamas National Trust, officially opened The Retreat in 1985 as the BNT’s then-headquarters.

Two Lignum Vitae trees were planted in the park to honour the jubilee.

Commander Hollingworth said: “Planting a tree is an ideal way to support the environment and reduce carbon emissions.”

Ms Dickson said “2022 will be a busy year of activity, with the Platinum Jubilee of our shared head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, linking the UK and The Bahamas in celebration.

It is great to have HMS Medway visiting and planting a tree to kick us off in January. There will be plenty more Jubilee action to come.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 3

He fought for us all CHARLES W Saunders, described as a “giant in the religious community”, died on Friday. He was 91 years old.

As the nation mourned the death of the pastor emeritus of Salem Union Baptist Church, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis described the former educator as the “quintessential religious leader”.

“The Rev Charles W Saunders was a giant in the religious community, having rendered 39 years of faithful, dedicated and committed services to Salem Union Baptist Church.

In retirement, his services to Salem Union, the Baptist Union and ecumenically through the Bahamas Christian Council continued to the end,” Mr Davis said in a statement released after his death.

“His leadership and passion for nation building extended into the educational development of The Bahamas at all levels. Rev Saunders was fearless and uncompromising in sharing his sage counsel and advice to public and private sector leaders as well as the citizenry on any number of issues of national importance affecting the lives and general wellbeing of ordinary Bahamians.

“He was a good and faithful servant who ran the good race and never fainted or grew weary of doing good.”

Mr Davis thanked Rev Saunders for his stellar service and contributions to the nation’s development, especially in the areas of evangelism, Christian

education, church leadership, community outreach and church missions.

He extended condolences on behalf of the government to the Saunders family, Salem Union Baptist Church, and affiliated educational communities.

In 2002, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham described Rev Saunders as “a prince of the Baptist church in The Bahamas”.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr Ingraham said Rev Saunders “dedicated his life to the pursuit of the spiritual and academic upliftment of the Bahamian people and proved to be a truly outstanding Bahamian and nation builder, who through a lifetime of service and commitment, earned the warm affection of the Bahamian people.”

He also said: “His service to the Baptist community and to the wider Bahamian community extended so much further than the doors of his congregation. Over his long career Dr Saunders was a teacher, principal, senior public servant, and colleague and mentor to numerous Bahamian leaders including ministers of government, senior public officers, educators, and captains of Bahamian business.”

Mr Ingraham said Rev Saunders leaves a legacy of a “freedom fighter” who stood fearlessly against inequality and prejudice.

“It was not unusual for him to use his annual address to the Baptist community to hold the feet of (the) government of the day

to the fire on issues he considered paramount to the welfare of the people and country that he believed were not being satisfactorily or adequately addressed,” Mr Ingraham said.

He said Rev Saunders was not only a pioneer in education but a champion of the collaboration between the church and state in the pursuit of the common good.

He said the pastor was recognised for his contribution to the country’s development on the observance of the Silver Jubilee anniversary of independence in 1998. The Charles W Saunders Highway in south central New Providence was named in his honour.

“Rev Dr Charles Saunders, a proud son of Moss Town, Exuma was a remarkable man. “During my last visit with him at his home he told me how much he regretted that circumstances did not permit him to spend his waning years in retirement at the home he had built in his beloved Exuma,” Mr Ingraham said.

“Delores joins me in offering sincere sympathies to Rev Dr Saunders’ widow, Victoria, their daughter, Cyprianna, sons, Byron and Emmet, and their grandchildren Victoria and Jason.”

Bahamas Baptist College was founded in 1988 by the National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention under the direction of then President Rev Saunders and Executive Secretary, Dr William Thompson.

THE REV Charles W Saunders, who has died aged 91.

Bahamas Baptist College was an attempt to extend secondary education for all Bahamian youth regardless of social class or colour.

Its doors were opened on October 3, 1988 with 75 students under the leadership of Rev Saunders.

In 1992, the primary school was founded and took up residence on the same campus in two separate buildings, thus forging a direct link to the high school.

The school got its present name after Rev Saunders saw the need to establish a tertiary level institution; thus, the high school, which

was named the Bahamas Baptist College, was renamed in honour of its visionary founder, the Rev Charles W Saunders and the new tertiary level institution was named the Bahamas Baptist Community College.

Former Exuma MP George Smith also released a statement about Rev Charles’ death, remembering him as a “dear friend, great Exumian and noble Bahamian”.

“His presence in our many communities will be sadly missed,” Mr Smith wrote. “But his momentous contributions in so many

aspects of our lives will live on for a very long time. His was a life greatly deserving of (celebration).”

Mr Smith said Rev Saunders was always proud to call Exuma home, even though he left the island at an early age to attend school in New Providence.

“We, who knew Charles Saunders well, appreciate how fortunate we were to share with him, to learn from him and to benefit from his friendship and Christian guidance. We are all the better for his having been in our lives. May God comfort and strengthen his grieving family.”

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL UP SINCE WALKABOUT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION officials have seen a marked increase in school attendance at Uriah McPhee Primary School since conducting a walk about in the community targeting students who were otherwise delinquent.

They say the initiative yielded a 19 percent rise in attendance at the school, including virtual and inperson learning, according to Clint Watson, press secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

He also announced that officials were working

assiduously to address repair issues at Uriah McPhee and TA Thompson Junior High School. The latter’s teachers sat out this week in protest of conditions there.

Both schools will remain on the virtual platform for now.

“The opening of school happened this week successfully,” Mr Watson said Friday during the OPM’s weekly press briefing. “This week public and private schools opened for hybrid learning for the first time in months.

“In the public sector there were some challenges namely at TA Thompson and Uriah McPhee. We are

WOMAN USED HER CAR AS A WEAPON

By PAVEL BAILEY

A WOMAN charged with hitting a man with her car while aiming for her ex-boyfriend has officially changed her plea to guilty.

Jermonique Williams, 25, appeared before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on Friday to continue her trial for a charge of causing harm after she was accused of hitting Kevin Laing with her car while aiming for her ex-boyfriend.

This incident occurred on August 9, 2020.

Following testimony about the incident from Mr Laing and two other witnesses on Thursday, Williams officially reversed her initial not guilty plea to one of guilty.

Williams’ lawyer asked that the court show leniency towards her client, stating this was her first offence. She also said the accused was studying to become a patient care assistant. She asked that when it came to sentencing, the magistrate takes into consideration Williams’ plea reversal.

The case was adjourned to March 5.

MINISTRY of Education staff during the walkabout in the Freetown constituency earlier this month. working to ensure that the campuses at TA Thompson in particular are up to standard for students in short order and we’ll have an update for that in this next week.

“TA Thompson and Uriah McPhee will remain virtual for now. We know it’s not ideal so we’re trying to ensure that it is resolved in speedy fashion. Our first priority is to ensure students are indeed safe.”

He continued: “At Uriah McPhee we have seen a 19 percent increase in

attendance after the ministry of education did a walk about prior to school reopening.

“The staff and team there went throughout the community surrounding Uriah McPhee and as a result of them going in to find out what was going on with those students who were delinquent, who weren’t logging on, we’ve seen turn around and an increase in students now attending school either virtually or face-to-face by 19 percent.

“So, hats off to the

TWO ON DRUG POSSESSION CHARGE

By PAVEL BAILEY

TWO men were charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday after being found in possession of dangerous drugs by police.

Calvin Tynes, 26, of Fire Trail Road, appeared before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of possession of dangerous drugs. This comes after he was found in possession of one gram of Indian hemp when he was apprehended by authorities on Monday, January 24.

Tynes pleaded guilty to the charge and admitted that he had the drugs for his own personal use.

Given the relatively small quantity of drugs, Magistrate McKinney sentenced Tynes to a fine of $500 or two

months in prison. Upon payment of the fine, he would be released from custody.

Another man was also charged with dangerous drug possession with intent to supply in a separate matter.

Bosfield Butler, Jr, 34, of Pride Estates, also appeared before Magistrate McKinney after his arrest by police on Wednesday, January 26, after being found in possession of five grams of Indian hemp.

While the suspect pleaded guilty, he said the drugs were solely intended for his own personal use. This resulted in his charges being reduced to simple possession of dangerous drugs.

Magistrate McKinney sentenced Butler to a $500 fine or two months in prison. Butler was released after paying his fine.

students and staff and teachers at Uriah McPhee administration for that exercise, which proved very fruitful.

“This week has been one of diagnosing students and where there are learning gaps we will adjust. This week as students come back, we’ve got to find out where they are academically so we know how to address their needs and that’s what’s been happening this week with students who’ve been returning.”

Mr Watson also said there

was no issue with students wearing school uniforms or dressing appropriately to attend class as was a concern of some.

“We have not had an issue with uniforms as some people suspected as most of the students returning to school were in uniforms and those who could not be in uniform, they were dressed appropriately, which is a good thing.

“By and large teachers came out in full force and it represents a commitment to what they do and so that’s a

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 4, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Sands alarm at travel protocols

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Hotel and Tourism Association president Robert Sands said the “bigger issue” for the country is changes in entry protocols as opposed to health travel warnings from the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Earlier this month, the government suspended the mandatory RT-PCR test requirement for vaccinated people entering the country. The BHTA president said the hotel sector was grateful for the move.

“We need to get to a position whereby we are on a projection that we’re sort of constant rather than changing because it has an impact in the source markets, airlines and different persons become confused

as to what are the current arrangements to enter a country and also some of the requirements can become onerous on the travelling public,” Mr Sands said.

“We are grateful that the government delayed their approach to going to a PCR test and stayed to an antigen, and I think the government is currently reviewing the permanency of the antigen test which I think will be a very good thing.

“We’re hopeful that they can continue to review the protocols for entry into The Bahamas that have minimal impact on the travelling consumer both in terms of cost, both in terms of the frequency of tests that they have to do and also terms of taking into consideration the overall improvement of the COVID levels within our destination.”

Earlier this month.

Health Minister Dr Michael Darville said while the RT-PCR requirement remains in place for people who are not fully vaccinated, it was the intention of the government to reinstate the PCR test requirement across the board by the end of January when the spike in cases is expected to calm.

Recently, the CDC upgraded this country’s travel warning from level three to level four, advising people to avoid travel to The Bahamas due to the high level of COVID-19 cases. Asked if the advisory has had some impact on the industry, Mr Sands said “it has and isn’t”.

“Certainly the movement and the changes in the market place certainly has an impact on persons’ perception and willingness to travel, but we are now

satisfied that there’s significant pent-up demand that the discerning traveller is beginning to cope with these different categories,” said Mr Sands, a senior executive at Baha Mar. “It does, however, create opportunities for persons who may want to opt out of confirmations, gives them an easier way out in terms of cancellations, etc, and it does to some degree have a negative impact on group bookings going forward and a lesser degree on leisure bookings at this point in time.”

He added: “We have to appreciate that the CDC standard is based on numbers of COVID positive, COVID tested at any one time. Once you’re at a particular level then they move you to a particular category as you begin to improve they reduce you

to a particular category. So, the minister alluded to the issue about our numbers getting better and if those numbers continue to get better and they hold at a particular level for at least 14 days, then I think we can then see the CDC upgrading The Bahamas from a four to a three then possibly getting back to a level two.”

The government recently launched its free COVID19 testing pilot programme on some islands. Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union President Darrin Woods had said earlier that hotel workers have been helped tremendously by this move.

Some hotel properties mandate that unvaccinated hotel workers pay for their own weekly antigen tests.

Asked if the hotel industry has saved money with the government providing

antigen tests, Mr Sands replied: “The hotel doesn’t save anything simply because we want to create a safe environment and those costs have been extremely high for us over the last two years, certainly since the advent of COVID where we’ve taken the role that we want to create a safe environment not only for our guests but also want to create an environment for our associates and even today where over 70 percent of our associates at Baha Mar in particular are vaccinated they are still mandated to test on a weekly basis of which the company absorbs.

“If they have to provide an antigen test and the vaccinated individuals, they’re not paying for that, and we do accept the government test - free test. A site that is just behind us here (at the Melia).”

‘CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM’ FOR END OF FOURTH WAVE from page one

Asked if this was an indication that the country is at the end of the fourth wave or if testing had slowed, Dr Darville said: “Well what it is is a combination. We’re watching the signals around the world and many signals are pointing in the direction that we may be at a point where we are at the peak or we’re coming down, but for us in The Bahamas we remain very, I should say, cautiously optimistic about signs that we see.

“This is a very tricky variant and even though we’re seeing signs where it’s going down there’s always the possibility. COVID-19 has shown us that anything is possible and for us we must look at all the various scenarios. If it goes down, thank the Lord. If it begins to go up, we need to activate protocols in order to push back.”

Dr Darville made the comments at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel where he thanked the team there for vaccinating many people in The Bahamas.

Friday was the site’s last day administering vaccines.

The minister said it was his understanding that some 20,000

ELEVEN MORE COVID DEATHS ADDED TO TOLL from page one

MINISTER of Health Dr Michael Darville thanks the Melia hotel for assisting the government with the National Vaccination Programme. vaccinations have taken place He said: “We believe that at the site. vaccinations are the key for us “We understand that it was combating COVID-19. In fact, a very instrumental effort and by example, we are proud to say an awesome corporate partner our vaccination rate amongst that has brought us to where we our associates is running close are with our vaccination efforts to 72 percent. In no small measin the Commonwealth of The ure having this facility in close Bahamas. We understand there proximity to our resort allowed is a long way to go and we are us the opportunity to push the also pleading to other corporate vaccination rate at Baha Mar. entities throughout the Com“Community is one of the monwealth of The Bahamas pillars of our foundation and certo partner with us as we begin tainly where the community is now to get people vaccinated good to us it is important that we throughout the country,” he said. are good to the community and Robert Sands, senior vice- our partnership in this vaccination president of government and programme signifies our commitexternal affairs at Baha Mar, ment to supporting the people of highlighted how the site has The Bahamas, the government of been beneficial to the nation’s The Bahamas in all of these comvaccination campaign. munity-related ventures.”

There were also 26 new cases of the virus on Saturday: 20 in New Providence, one each in Grand Bahama and Abaco; two cases per island were also recorded in Eleuthera and Exuma.

Regarding hospitalisations, the ministry said 118 people were in hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19. One hundred and nine of the cases are moderately ill and nine are in the intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, there are 7,134 active cases of the virus in the country.

Six additional deaths were reported in data released on January 28.

Those deaths happened between January 15 and 25.

They included an 82-year-old woman on January 15; a 62-year-old woman on January 17; a 69-year-old man on January 20; a 72-year-old man on January 24; and a 59-yearold woman on January 24.

All of the deceased were from New Providence. The final death recorded on January 28 was an

83-year-old woman from Abaco who died on January 25.

In the January 27 dashboard, four deaths were recorded.

Among the deaths was a 98-yearold woman from the capital who died on December 31, 2021. And then on January 2, a man, 54, died. The other deaths were an 89-year-old woman on January 11 and a 56-year-old man on January 14.

Officials could not be reached for comment yesterday, but back in October, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said local health experts believed the incease in deaths at the time was the result of people seeking medical intervention too late in their illness when help is less likely to yield results.

At the time he also said the government was looking at procuring additional drugs that were currently unavailable in the country to treat people sick with COVID-19.

While it is not yet known if the country has received those drugs, Doctors Hospital Health Systems has said it will soon have the monoclonal antibody to treat COVID-19 positive patients.

GOVERNMENT ‘CLOSE’ TO PLAN ‘BETTER THAN PROSPECT RIDGE’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby Davis says government may be close to locking down prospective areas in the western portion of New Providence “that will be better” than the area at Prospect Ridge proposed by the previous Minnis administration.

The minister has said this week that her technical team advised that government should step away from the highly anticipated Prospect Ridge development for young professionals, the brainchild of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

Dr Minnis has said around 30 names had been pre-approved for the development.

In response, Minister Coleby Davis said those people were still eligible for

the Davis administration’s housing programme.

Additionally, the minister said she has set her sights on a goal of building 1,600 homes during this term in office.

“We have the list of persons that were preapproved and like I stated on yesterday (Thursday) when I was speaking to the press that those preapprovals they coincide with actually value,” the minister said during the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly press briefing.

“So, that’s the value that you are approved for by your financial lender and so that doesn’t take them out of the category to being homeowners. That still puts them in the category of being homeowners.”

She continued: “It’s just that it may change the location of where the property is and that does not rule out west.

“We have already invested in having someone begin searching for other places out west and I had a very fruitful conversation yesterday and I’m hopeful that we will locate new locations out west for those persons who wish to live out west.

“But the east is a beautiful place to live as well.

Elizabeth is very beautiful to live so don’t get distracted. We’re definitely looking for property out west and we think we may be close to locking down some areas that will be better and for us to start right away.”

She also defended the cost that has been chosen for various homes.

According to Mrs Coleby Davis, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis would have liked the cost to remain at around $120,000 per home. However, it was not doable due to inflation.

The homes range from

$120,000 to about $190,000.

“Actually, I will tell you the prime minister wanted just $120 (thousand). So, that’s his target.

“What we were faced with and obviously we’re still in a crisis, a pandemic and there is inflation and so the cost of material and the cost to build has went up and extremely high and it’s important to remember a lot of these contractors are small contractors.

“A lot of them haven’t had work for maybe two, three years. A number of years and so we have to make sure that we balance it.

“Yes, we can put people in their home and it can be affordable to the extent that we still allow these contractors to be able to take something home to their families and not just transfer the funds to purchase the material and then have nothing left for themselves to take home to their families and so we have to find a healthy balance.

“But I will tell you that we have a data base right now at the Department of Housing we have a number of persons that have qualified up to over $210,000.

“They are quite comfortably ready to move into the homes and so where there may be some concerns with the cost, we have persons that actually are ready and are qualified for the numbers that we’re putting out.”

The Department of Housing is also looking at how it can facilitate prospective homeowners for a rent-to-own payment option.

“Most definitely, we’re trying to determine the structure,” she said in response to a question from The Tribune.

“So, I had two examples for our two templates that came to me from lenders who would be willing to assist the government in doing that and I want to make sure that the structure is tight.

“What happens with rent to own is actually the renter, the tenant doesn’t have much protection because if they default you can just take them out of the home because it’s not really theirs.

“So, we’re trying to find a structure that will actually protect both the government and then also we don’t want to be putting people on the street if they don’t come in to pay their rent or if they miss two or three months of paying their rent.

“So, it has to be a balance in how we design that structure. We’re looking at a structure that they presently use in New Zealand and it’s not really a rent to own. It’s almost like an escrow/asue sort of account where they allow persons to pay in to build up their down payment in equity with the government programme and then they enter into their home and they design it by whether they pay to enter in 18 months or in three years.

“So, those are the options that we’re presently discussing and once we tighten it up and tighten up the structure that the Cabinet will be happy with and that I will be happy with to present to the Bahamian people we will speak more about that.

“But I will tell you that I’ve been speaking with quite a number of self-employed persons, especially in the Family Islands, and they are really interested in that because it’s quite difficult for them to build equity and credit with the bank being selfemployed, but they’re making good money and they are able to afford $1,200 and so they would be comfortable to afford paying a mortgage, but because of their present circumstances they don’t get the mortgage approvals from the bank as they would like to so that programme would work well with persons like that as well,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 5

from page one

The Prime Minister gave the details of what transpired during a memorial service in honour of Mr Griffin at the PLP’s headquarters.

His admission sparked calls from former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands for his resignation, while former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the Prime Minister should apologise and pay a fine.

Regarding this, Mr Watson said the Prime Minister could only pay a fine if he had been charged with breach of the law.

“You can only pay a fine if you’ve been charged with something,” he said. “He’s not been charged with anything.”

Asked whether Mr Davis had been a part of investigations into Mr Griffin’s murder as he was one of the last people to see him alive, Mr Watson said: “I’m not aware of anything of that sort, I’m not aware of that.”

The Office of the Prime Minister had said earlier that Mr Davis did not breach the 2021 Health Services Rules by leaving quarantine last month, saying the nation’s leader had not been ordered to sequester by a medical professional.

As Christmas approached, Prime Minister Philip Davis was informed that he had been exposed to persons who had tested positive for COVID,” a previous statement from OPM said.

“Between the 22nd and the 24th of December, he took three COVID tests — two PCR and one antigen — all of which were negative. Because the Prime Minister has had two vaccine shots and a booster shot, in addition to a prior infection, and because he had multiple negative test results, he was informed that he posed little transmission risk.”

The statement continued: “At no time did the Prime Minister breach the regulations in the Health Services (COVID-19) (Prevention and Management of Community Spread) Rules, 2021. The Prime Minister was not ordered into quarantine by a medical officer, as described in Article 19 (of the Health Services Rules).”

OPM officials previously said Mr Davis went into quarantine around 11.30pm on December 22. Mr Griffin was found shot dead outside his home shortly before 8pm on December 23.

A man has since been charged in court in connection with the incident.

‘We’d rather not talk about this any more’ “Here’s what we’re going to say on that, I know that this has been lingering, lingering and I think we want to put this to rest,” Mr Watson said Friday in response to a question from a reporter about the situation.

“Here is what it is: at no time did the Prime Minister who is vaccinated, boosted and had just tested negative three times in a row, represent a transmission risk to others. Nor had he been ordered, let me make it clear, nor had he been ordered into quarantine. He chose to quarantine.

“There’s really nothing more to be said on this issue. Those are the facts and the Bahamian people have not asked us to move forward with it.

“We’ve given these facts and for the Bahamian people’s sake we want to move on and focus on what we are doing with the fight against COVID. How we are moving forward in the healthcare system and in the hospitals to create new hospitals here in the capital and there is so much more work that we are doing.

“Those are the facts; those are the particulars and we want to move on from this.

“The Bahamian people want us to move on from this.”

Last week, Dr Darville said Mr Davis “was en route” to self-quarantine when he stopped to “pay a bill” on December 23.

However, Mr Davis gave the impression that he was already in quarantine when he contacted Mr Griffin about purchasing gifts from a store that Mr Griffin owned, adding that he visited the store while only employees were present. Mr Griffin was also there and Mr Davis said they spoke during that time.

“I was supposed to be in quarantine and Christmas was nearing as we know and I ordered all of my Christmas gifts and I needed to pay for them so, I called the store and I said, ‘Look, I’m in quarantine and I need to pay for the things, but I can’t be seen out.’

“They said ‘Well when we close the store, we’ll let you know when the store is empty and you can come by.’

So, they called the aide about 10 minutes after six to say, ‘All clear, come now,’” Mr Davis said earlier this month.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at the Sandals Royal Bahamian reopening last week.

PINTARD: IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE ON WHEN QUESTIONS LINGER

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard says it is impossible to move on from the lingering questions surrounding Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ admission that he broke quarantine to buy Christmas presents last month.

According to Mr Pintard, given that there is more than one account detailing the sequence of events on December 23, Mr Davis should address the country regarding what actually happened that day.

His comments came in

response to press secretary Clint Watson who on Friday said the Davis administration wanted to put the issue to rest.

“There are three separate versions of the same story,” Mr Pintard said yesterday in an interview. “So, it is virtually impossible to neatly package this and move on when the Prime Minister, unsolicited gave his version of events surrounding his admitted departure from quarantine as not only required by him but by the law if you are exposed to a number of persons with whom you are constantly in close proximity.

“His admission was then followed by an official

statement by the Office of the Prime Minister purportedly on his behalf however, differing from the substance of what he had said.

“These two statements which are at odds were followed by another set of statements by possibly the third most significant person in these kinds of discussions no less than the Minister of Health, which again represented something different.

“So, certainly this is not a matter that can be put to rest. The Prime Minister may very well be able to do so if anyone can, by him simply speaking to the country about the correct sequence of events and how

hr@grsweeting.com

he proposed to resolve the matter or how it ought to be resolved in law.”

Mr Watson insisted on Friday that at no time did Mr Davis — who is vaccinated, receive a booster shot and tested negative three times in a row — represent a transmission risk to others.

He said neither had Mr Davis been ordered into

quarantine, but chose to quarantine.

Regarding this, Mr Pintard said: “There is a protocol that is dictated by exposure.

When somebody is exposed and when somebody lives in, works in close proximity to a number of persons who had tested positive there is a course of action that follows and so quarantine is one of

those courses of action.

“However, if somebody wishes to utilise the negative test the question is when were the tests taken?

“So, if you took a test a day or two or within two or three days afterwards does the protocol say the results of your test has covered the incubation period of the virus for example?”

PAGE 6, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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We deserve answers over quarantine breach NOTHING to see here, move along.

That’s what the government wants you to think about Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ admission that he left COVID-19 quarantine to go pay for his Christmas presents.

Press secretary Clint Watson tried to put the whole matter to rest on Friday.

He said: “Here’s what we’re going to say on that, I know this has been lingering, lingering and I think we want to put this to rest.”

Before we let him continue, we should perhaps point out that it has only been lingering because the Prime Minister hasn’t come out and answered questions about it, but let’s hear what Mr Watson has to say.

He continued: “Here is what it is: at no time did the Prime Minister who is vaccinated, boosted and had just tested negative three times in a row, represent a transmission risk to others. Nor had he been ordered, let me make it clear, nor had he been ordered into quarantine.

He chose to quarantine.”

Mr Watson went on to say, without providing evidence: “The Bahamian people want us to move on from this.”

Perhaps they do, Mr Watson, but don’t you think the Bahamian people deserve to hear the Prime Minister address the matter and answer questions on it rather than just be reassured by you?

Here is what it really is: the Prime Minister openly said in a public setting that he left quarantine. Now, that is different from what the Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Darville, said, who claimed that Mr Davis was en route to quarantine when he stopped off and paid a bill. Which is it? Did he leave quarantine or not? And why does Mr Darville have a different story from the one that came from Mr Davis himself?

Then there is the fact that Mr Davis also involved a government aide to inform him of when the coast was clear.

Plus Mr Davis himself said that he told the store he “can’t be seen out”, and entered the store by a side entrance.

Even Mr Watson’s own words are inconsistent, with him having said previously that the Prime Minister was “placed into quarantine”. By who? And now Mr Watson says that Mr Davis had not been ordered into quarantine. Was Mr Watson misinforming the nation then or now?

Some of these facts should be easy to demonstrate – such as exactly when Mr Davis received these three negative tests.

But neither Mr Watson nor Mr Davis

gets to tell the public when to move on.

If they want an end to the matter, come out and give answers.

Or is this how this New Day government is going to be, hiding away when there are questions they don’t want to answer?

If Mr Davis wants to see where that leads, he needs only look back to the fate of the government the last time he was in office, when questions were repeatedly dodged on issues and ministers kept away from the press.

Had Mr Davis made a misjudgement and paid a fine at the time, we could have moved on. However, after a statement that he was in quarantine, he has seemingly used the machineries of government to assist him as he left quarantine, and then to shut down any questioning afterwards.

He said that he “can’t be seen” to the store? Well, it certainly seems he can’t be seen now – not if you want him to give you a straight answer.

If this is how the government treats simple questions about the Prime Minister’s actions and whereabouts, how can we have any faith they will be transparent about deals, contracts and decisions on our nation’s future?

It’s not good enough.

FNM lacks political identity

A leader’s legacy The Rev Charles W Saunders was a man who made a difference.

He died on Friday at the age of 91, but he leaves behind a legacy of making The Bahamas a better nation.

You only have to see how the tributes to Rev Saunders come from across the board, regardless of political affiliation.

Notable in those tributes are Rev Saunders’ efforts to stand against inequality and prejudice.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said: “It was not unusual for him to use his annual address to the Baptist community to hold the feet of (the) government of the day to the fire on issues he considered paramount to the welfare of the people and country that he believed were not being satisfactorily or adequately addressed.”

He also was the first president of the Bahamas Baptist College, which sought to extend secondary education to all students regardless of social class or colour.

We are thankful for the legacy that Rev Saunders has left behind. If we can follow in his footsteps, they lead to a better nation.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Women safety EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOULD like to express my feelings about women’s safety. When we turn the pages of a newspaper, we come across many headlines reporting cases of sexual assault, molestation, sexual harassment, rapes, trafficking, ill treatment of women in houses, violence against women in outside areas.

The crime comes amid heightened concerns about domestic violence against women in The Bahamas. It seems that criminals are no longer afraid of the law. It is

also evident that The Bahamas can no longer claim to be safe for their women.

The Bahamas ranks #1 in the Caribbean for domestic abuse against women.

How did we get here?

The law should be strong enough so that nobody could ever imagine of doing such things.

It is time the government undertakes drastic measures to put an end to crime against women.

• Eradicate Bail for Sexual Offenders • Promote Government Funded Emergency Shelters for Domestic Violence Victims

• Make Marital Rape an Illegal Offence • Develop a Registered Sex Offenders List • Legalize Pepper Spray I would like to request our Bahamian government to please, please provide equal respect and security to women.

I would like to quote here that a country which does not respect women cannot become a developed country.

domestic violence in our society.

However, I have heard no mention of legislation to curb marital rape which is a real and present element of domestic violence.

Inquiring minds want to

know which politician will have the cojones to introduce legislation to curb this kind of violence.

CLEVELYNN RODGERS Nassau, January 28, 2022

Marital rape law EDITOR, The Tribune.

FOLLOWING the recent horrific death of a young woman by her companion there has been much said and promised by members of government, the church and civic groups to rein in

JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, January 29, 2022.

I

THE PLP appears to be smartly embracing the moral vision and concept of majority rule – in The Bahamas. The present makeup of that party looks to be a solidly engaging Bahamian political organisation.

The Official Opposition, FNM - on the other hand, appears to be a political scrap gang without a viable national identity. That political party has allowed itself to be derailed and robbed of its noble Caravan-oflove image of the 1980s – by a bunch of political pirates of the last three decades – in my humble view.

The Free National Movement today is basically comprised of loyalists of the expired and rotten Hubert Alexanders. We know exactly what they are all about; their secret motto is: lovers, selective family and friends. We know that that sweetheart practice is not compatible with true nation building.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net So, the present FNM leader - Mr Pintard, has a lot of house cleaning to do, if he wants to be taken seriously by the Bahamian electorate. It cannot be about the same old FNM sellout crew who have allowed our great party to descend back into the dark political era of the 1970s.

The upcoming FNM virtual convention is a real test for Mr Pintard, and the future of the Free National Movement – FNM. If the Ingraham-mites and the Minnis-ites continue to control the party after the conference, then the FNM will find itself going around in unfruitful circles - until another royal cut-ass brings them to their full senses.

The FNM focus should now be on a new dispensation in The Bahamas - in my view; where every Bahamian gets their equitable

taste of the good life. Away with the exclusive lovers, family and friends club in the FNM! The all-for-we-baby clan could run for party positions as much as they want.

They will never gain political control of The Bahamas again. They could choke the party’s future as much as their wicked hearts desire, but they will die miserably in opposition - as lonely, greedy and selfish political nincompoops.

As an FNM in exile, I am tuned in to the show. So, let’s see how this upcoming virtual convention goes.

Will it be more of the crazy same, or will the FNM delegates put an end to the foolishness - and send the Ingraham and Minnis dead weights packing? We’ll know the much awaited answer by February 25, 2022 - no doubt.

DENNIS DAMES FNM in Exile FNM-X Nassau, January 28, 2022.

Misinformation over shelter EDITOR, The Tribune.

COULD you please allow me some space in your most read paper.

I am writing to clear up some misinformation about The Reservist who for over two years has worked the Hurricane Shelter.

I have worked at this Hurricane Shelter for two years. We were told that we all would receive, mobilisation pay equal to rank served. To this day we have not been paid. This has

been agreed by both Commissioner past and present.

It was said that we all have been paid, which is not true. The only payment we received was for hours worked - 150 hours. All of this could be easily found out. There are time sheets and bank statements.

I have seen a letter that was sent to both Commissioners, where they both agreed. Also the then Minister of Social Service had agreed to assist the police with helping to pay us.

As a Reservist, not alone, we are ready if the now Minister of Security would like to meet with us, so that he could be well informed. Thank you for the space. A Reservist awaits to be paid. It got so bad that several Reservists quit because they did not get their money. We all worked three shifts… 8am to 4pm 4pm to 12 midnight and from 12 midnight to 8am everyday.

THE RESERVIST, Nassau, January 26, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

TRAINING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development hosted a training session Friday for its Relief Task Force as it seeks to take proactive measures in the fight against curbing domestic violence.

So far, the task force has 35 people, State Minister Lisa Rahming said, adding that volunteers would also be included to assist.

Friday’s event was held at the National Training Agency at Gladstone Road.

“So, it’s going to be progressing,” she said Friday.

“There (is) so much because persons who are going to be a part of the task force need to know and certainly, they cannot learn that in one day, but we wanna give them the basics of what to look for, how to identify when they go from door-to-door. Persons who may possibly be in an abusive situation.”

Ms Rahming explained that despite this event being compacted to one day, there would be other similar events, which were anticipated to be more exhaustive. Those events also would be hosted for more than one day.

The session comes in the aftermath of Heavenly Terveus’s murder last Saturday. The 21-yearold was shot to death by Fenron Ferguson, her boyfriend and the father of her child. He also died in hospital in the days following her death after turning the weapon on himself on that tragic day.

It reignited national discussions about genderbased violence.

Ms Rahming noted the significance of initiatives like this one as it is a step toward being more proactive.

“This is very important.

We want to be more proactive. I am tired of hearing somebody’s killed and then we’re like what do we do next or somebody was beaten they’re in the hospital. I realise that we have to go out - our team realises that. Let’s do something first to stop it. Like I said, we might not be able to help everybody. If we help one person, I feel like efforts will not be in vain.”

Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis commended the minister for taking this “bold step forward so quickly”. She further gave thanks for organising the event and launching the task force.

“It is always bad when our men believe that the

first option in resolving a conflict is with a barrel of a gun or a weapon,” Mrs Davis said. “It is equally bad when the perpetrator brandishes a weapon and fires shots in the direction of those who attempt to peacefully intervene in the name of peace and human dignity. It is equally bad and evil will flourish when these threats of violence and acts of intimidation designed to silence the peace makers succeed.”

She added: “We all acknowledge with regret the unacceptable level of cases of domestic violence, especially against our women. Domestic abuse in their many incarnations and manifestations are socially unacceptable (and) culturally intolerable. Therefore, all of civil society must join hands, place all hands-on deck. All hands must be on deck. All shoulders to the wheel in this national fight to save our girls, boys, and men as all victims and perpetrators are losers and are victims when all of us fall victim to domestic abuse and gender violence.”

Dr Eric Fox, anger management consultant, said that violence is learnt and anger is an indicator.

“Anger is an indicator to us or to men or to people in general that there’s something deeper going on and it’s something that they need to talk about.

However, we have a communication problem in this country when it comes to men. They cannot find words to put to how they feel,” he said.

“When they run out of words, they start to punch and fight. So, this training is giving them words to put to how they can communicate better other than being violent. We’re gonna talk about the different levels of anger. We’re gonna talk about our behavioural signs. There are things you do when you become angry, so we want them to pay attention to themselves.”

The minister of state also had a strong message for detractors.

“Anyone who fights or intends to fight the efforts that what we intend to put in today I want to ask you where is your heart? People are dying today.

“They are depending on us. We don’t need 20 Zoom meetings, 18 emails, 15 talks before we could get on the ground and I make no apologies for this. We have to do this now. They are depending on us and I say to you I want you to be a part of this. Don’t be a part of the nay-sayers. Embrace this,” she urged.

PRIVACY CONCERNS RAISED OVER BANK DETAILS IN GIBSON LIBEL CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY A BANK employee raised financial privacy concerns regarding revealing the personal information of a man on trial for libelling former Water and Sewerage Corporation Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson.

Gabriel Miller appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on Friday and as a representative of the Royal Bank of Canada discussed bank policy regarding revealing clients’ data during ongoing criminal investigations in relation to his ongoing trial.

Miller is charged with attempted intentional libel and intentional libel after prosecutors alleged he transferred $200 to Mr Gibson’s Royal Bank of Canada account in an attempt to defame him in December 2018. Mr Gibson is also the Long Island MP. Miller is further accused of causing the publication of defamatory matter concerning Mr Gibson on a Jones Communication Network television programme in June 2019.

Miller, who is represented by Ian Cargill, has

denied the allegations.

During Friday’s hearing, while the bank representative said they were willing to help with this investigation, she raised privacy concerns over revealing both the defendant’s and complainant’s personal banking information.

While Mr Cargill objected to the personal banking information of his client being submitted into court, he also raised the point that it would be a breach of the complainant’s privacy as well if both parties’ information were disclosed.

The prosecution conceded this point to Mr Cargill, stating that if one side decided not to reveal their information the other should be allowed to object to the motion as well.

The magistrate requested Mr Cargill submit a written submission of his findings on the matter before Miller’s next trial appearance and advised the financial representative to return to court on that trial date.

The case was adjourned to either February 10 or 18.

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 7

‘BASEBALL $31M AN UNFUNDED OBLIGATION’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE additional $31m needed to complete the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium is part of $1 billion in unfunded obligations facing the government, according to Financial Secretary Simon Wilson.

Mr Wilson said on Friday that the Davis administration had every intention to honour those obligations in a “managed” way within the framework of the budget.

The Christie administration initially contracted Woslee Construction Company to build the stadium for about $24.9m. That figure, Works Minister Alfred Sears said last week, was adjusted to $21.4m then increased to $27.5m after contingency and provisional fees were added.

Mr Sears said construction began in September 2016 and was supposed to last for 15 months, ending in November 2017.

However, years later the stadium remains unfinished.

Asked about Mr Sears’ revelation last week that an additional $31m is now needed to finish the project, Mr Wilson said: “I think you have to go back to the Prime Minister’s supplementary budget presentation.

“The Prime Minister

indicated at the time that there was close to $1bn in unfunded obligations for the government. That $31m is a part of that and what the Prime Minister also indicated was that the government was going to honour those obligations in a managed way within the framework of the budget.

“So, I think that’s where the answer is. This was not out of the blue. But really the Prime Minister laid the framework of this during the supplementary budget presentation,” Mr Wilson said during the Office of the Prime Minister’s press briefing on Friday.

Asked whether the huge price tag for the stadium’s construction was expected to yield returns, Mr Wilson said profits were never the reason for building the facility.

“Well, I say this, I don’t know that the stadium (was) supposed to be a profit centre for the government of The Bahamas. I don’t think that was ever the plan.

It was designed to have a positive social impact among young persons as well as the wider community.

“So, you can’t always measure investments in terms of profitability. This is why you have taxes and so on and so forth to help offset that to make the society better.

“So, it’s in the framework

that whatever is going to be done in the fiscal framework that was announced in the supplementary budget and which will be fully elaborated in the mid-term budget.”

The stadium’s troubles were again brought to the forefront by Mr Sears in the House of Assembly last week.

He said at the time: “To date, $27,438,868.26 has been certified for payment.

However, of that amount, there are payment certificates valued at $3,256,650 to date, which have not been paid for lack of funding allocated in the 2021/22 Ministry of Works and Utilities capital budget.”

Mr Sears said the project has been greatly delayed and impacted by a number of issues, including an escalation in the cost of materials, equipment and labour because of the transition between administrations.

“The project has been extended a number of times over approximately 38 months and across two VAT periods, causing the need for additional funding,” he said.

“Construction of ancillary buildings and concrete works, such as (ticket booths, batting cage aprons, roof and structural support for batting cages, etc) - was not priced in the tender process as

drawings were incomplete and require $1,109,145.20 for completion. Hardscape and landscape – a provisional sum of $375,000.00 is needed for completion.

“Outstanding change order requests that may be valued at $906,057.69 pending scrutiny.

“Additional funding will be required to complete the stadium in the amount of $31,349,566.28. This includes VAT.” Mr Sears said the project would have been completed if Woslee Construction Company had been allowed to finish its work.

He said a number of events are scheduled to take place at the stadium when it is finished.

“With the remobilisation of this project, we anticipate that by December 2022, the stadium would be ready for the hosting of the International Series Baseball Tournament,” he said.

“We are working towards an early finish of the stadium, Madam Speaker, so that many more athletes such as Jazz Chisholm Jr, Lucius Fox Jr, and Kristian Robinson who are currently on the scene may follow in the footsteps of that great Bahamian Andre Rodgers, who was the first to make it to the major leagues in the sport of baseball.”

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 STUDENTS heading back to school at Sadie Curtis Primary School last week.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff

Things CAN get better if only we pull together in the same direction

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

holds for their children. We must partner to ensure that your children are given the best opportunity possible.

LAST week saw the We pledge to do all that we return of students to face- can to achieve positive and to-face learning, and while even outstanding results for there remain concerns your children.” about whether that will Getting back to normal lead to greater spread of also brought another return COVID-19, it was heart- – disputes between the govwarming to see children ernment and teachers. getting back to some form That disruption seems to of normality. be a regular feature of any Too many will have fallen return to school, but not behind during remote without good reason. For learning, whether through example, at TA Thompdifficulty son School, accessing the ‘Our education teachers education staged a sit-in platform, or system does need due to the simply strug- improvement, inadequate gling without absolutely. We conditions a more direct there. Those involvement. should always are conditions Ahead of have a restless that affect the the return, teachers, the need to improve Education staff and the and do better – Minister students too – Glenys Hanna and we should and given we Martin laid are now at the do so inspired by out the end of Januimportance of the likes of Rev ary, goodness getting back Saunders, reaching knows what to school, the state of saying: “Our out to all our the school children must children and not would have be all that simply favouring been back in they can be.

September those who are This is not when children about me. advantaged would have This is about economically, been returnthe children. ing in a world This is about through class or without a the next gen- through colour pandemic. eration.

I of their skin.’

Reportknow that edly, the many parents main teachare anxious and even wor- ing block at TA Thompson ried about what the future could not be used, forcing

MINISTER of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna Martin during a tour of schools before the reopening.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff staff to work from another have done so at the school economically, through class education system and are block on the campus named after him for his or through colour of their now leaders in the com– which only had one efforts in improving educa- skin. munity, in business and We may offer criticism beyond. working bathroom for 200 tion in the country.

Seeing a need to extend of aspects of our education students, and where some As Dr Pinder said last classrooms did not have secondary education for system – but we should also year: “Those of us with proper ventilation. These all young people in The see the achievements that world-class expertise can things shouldn’t be hap- Bahamas regardless of have been secured, and only help The Bahamas”. pening at the best of times, social class or colour, he celebrate those who have As tributes are paid to let alone this far into a was the first president of emerged from our edu- Rev Saunders this week, the Bahamas Baptist Col- cation system to become the example he showed is school year.

There is a good part of lege when it was formed in leading lights in their that things can improve if profession. this conflict, however – and 1988. we put in the effort. He Its doors were opened There are those such as didn’t get there alone – he that each side is pushing for an outcome that will ben- on October 3 of that year, Nicolette Bethel, one of got there with the help of efit students. This isn’t just with 75 students under his our foremost scholars and those around him. That about pay and promotions leadership. Later, in 1992, now a lecturer in social same kind of partner– though that can often be came the primary school studies at the University ship – involving teachers, a feature in such disputes on the same campus, then of The Bahamas. There parents, officials and our – but about the environ- later again Rev Saunders are people such as Dr Ian brightest and best – can ment our children have for saw the need to form a ter- Strachan, a prominent can- help to improve things their education. Improving tiary level institution, the didate to become the next again. that can only help them. So Bahamas Baptist Commu- president of the univerIt’s easy to say we need when Mrs Hanna Martin nity College - with the high sity. There are artists and to do better – but we have talks of the need to partner, school being renamed in journalists, scholars and made things better in the teachers, there is even Dr past, so we know it can be doing the same with teach- his honour.

Our education system Patrice Pinder who went done. We need to live up to ers can improve matters all does need improvement, from being taught at CI the achievements of those around.

We should Gibson Secondary School who have gone before us to The past week saw absolutely. another moment we should always have a restless to working with NASA on give the best opportunity to reflect on when it comes to need to improve and do a programme to bring a those who will come after education in The Bahamas better – and we should do love of science to the next us. It’s our turn to carry the – the death on Friday of the so inspired by the likes generation. baton, and let us make sure, We don’t need to look far with Rev Saunders as our Rev Charles W Saunders at of Rev Saunders, reaching out to all our children – we have role models all inspiration, that we do so the age of 91.

Some of the children and not simply favouring around us, people who have for the benefit of all of our returning to school will those who are advantaged been through the Bahamian children.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 PAGE 9

Is Omicron actually going to help us all out in the long run?

By PRAKASH NAGARKATTI and MITZI NAGARKATTI, professors of pathology, microbiology and immunology, University of South Carolina IN THE short time since the Omicron variant was identified in South Africa in November 2021, researchers have quickly learned it has three unique characteristics: It spreads efficiently and quickly, it generally causes milder disease than previous variants and it may confer strong protection against other variants such as Delta.

This has many people wondering whether omicron could act as a vaccine of sorts, inoculating enough people to effectively bring about herd immunity – the threshold at which enough of the population is immune to the virus to stop its spread – and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

As immunology researchers at the University of South Carolina who are working on inflammatory and infectious diseases, including COVID-19, we find the characteristics of omicron in the pandemic setting particularly intriguing. And it is these characteristics that can help answer that question.

Some 4.73 billion people across the globe – about 61.6 percent of the world’s population – have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the United States, 63.4 percent of the population is fully vaccinated with two doses as of late January 2022, while only 39.9 percent of Americans have received the booster dose. Such low levels of vaccination resulting from vaccine hesitancy and the complexities of the global vaccine supply chain cast doubt on reaching herd immunity through vaccination anytime soon.

HOW DOES OMICRON MIMIC A VACCINE?

All vaccines work on the principle of training the immune system to fight against an infectious agent.

Each vaccine, regardless of how it is made, exposes the human or animal host to the critical molecules used by the infectious agent – in this case, the SARS-CoV-2 virus – to gain entry into the host’s cells.

Some vaccines expose the host only to select portions of the virus. For example, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use a molecule called messenger RNA, or mRNA, to encode and produce a fragment of the “spike protein” – the knobby protrusion that is expressed on the outside of SARS-CoV-2 viruses – inside a person’s body. These spike proteins are the key way that the coronavirus invades cells, so the mRNA vaccines are designed to mimic that protein and trigger an immune response against it.

In contrast, some vaccines against other infections, such as chickenpox and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), expose the host to a “live attenuated” form of the virus. These vaccines use

small amounts of a weakened form of the live virus.

They mimic a natural infection, trigger a strong immune response and afford lasting resistance to infection.

In some respects, omicron mimics these live attenuated vaccines because it causes milder infection and trains the body to trigger a strong immune response against the delta variant, as shown in a recent study that is not yet peer-reviewed from South Africa.

DELIBERATE INFECTION WITH OMICRON IS NOT THE ANSWER

While Omicron may share certain characteristics with a vaccine, it should not be considered a viable alternative to the existing vaccines. For one, COVID19 infection can result in severe illness, hospitalisation or death, especially in vulnerable individuals with underlying conditions. It can also cause long-term health effects in some people, called long COVID. In contrast, vaccines currently available against COVID-19 have been tested for safety and efficacy.

The high transmission of Omicron combined with ongoing vaccination efforts could help attain herd immunity soon and end the most acute phase of the pandemic. However, there is little chance of it eradicating COVID-19, since all signs point to the likelihood that the virus will become endemic – meaning SARSCoV-2 will be in circulation but will likely not be as disruptive to society.

Thus far, smallpox is the only infectious disease that has been eradicated globally, which shows how difficult it is to fully eliminate a disease. However, it is easier to control an infection effectively. One example is polio, which has been reduced or eliminated in most countries through vaccination.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BODY MEETS A VIRUS OR VACCINE

Both viral infections or the mimicking of a virus through vaccination activate a critical component of the immune system, called B cells, in the body. These cells produce antibodies that bind to the virus,

preventing it from infecting cells. These antibodies act much like anti-ballistic missiles that shoot down an incoming virus missile.

However, once a virus manages to get inside the body’s cells, antibodies are less effective.

That’s where another key player in the immune system, called killer T cells, come in. These cells can recognise and destroy a cell as soon as it is infected, thereby preventing the virus from multiplying and spreading further. Think of this as an anti-ballistic missile that detects and destroys the factory where missiles are manufactured.

Immunologists believe antibodies against COVID19 prevent an individual from catching the infection, while the killer T cells are crucial in preventing severe disease. Despite its numerous mutations, omicron can trigger a strong killer T cell response. This may explain why the COVID-19 vaccines – by triggering the T cells – have provided strong enough immunity against Omicron to, in most cases, prevent hospitalisation and death.

But, critically, the first wave of antibodies and killer T cells produced during infection or vaccination last for only a few months. This is why recurrent infections of COVID-19 have occurred even in the vaccinated population, and it’s also why booster shots are needed.

In contrast, some vaccines – like the one against smallpox – have been shown to trigger immunity that lasts for several years.

MEMORY IMMUNE RESPONSE

So what exactly triggers strong and lasting immunity? The lifelong immunity

seen in certain infections such as smallpox can be explained by a phenomenon called “immunological memory”.

After the B cells and killer T cells first encounter the virus, some of them get converted into what are called memory cells, which are known to live for several decades. As their name suggests, when memory cells “see” a virus again after initial exposure, they recognise it, divide rapidly and mount a robust antibody and killer T cell response, thereby preventing reinfection.

For this reason, memory cells are critical for establishing strong, long-lasting immunity. This is evidenced from studies with smallpox in which people that were infected or vaccinated were found to have the antibody response even after 88 years!

Why some infections or vaccines trigger long-lasting memory and others do not is under active investigation. Because COVID-19 is only two years old, we researchers don’t know yet how long the memory B and T cells last. Based on recurrent infections, it looks like longer-term immunity does not last very long, but that could also in part be due to the evolution of new variants.

All of these considerations leave room for hope that when new variants of SARS-CoV-2 inevitably arise, omicron will have left the population better equipped to fight them. So the COVID-19 vaccines combined with the Omicron variant could feasibly move the world to a new stage in the pandemic – one where the virus doesn’t dominate our lives and where hospitalisation and death are far less common.

• Originally published on www.theconversation.com

PAGE 10 MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022

GETTING punched in the eye is a different experience altogether from getting punched anywhere else on the body. Both are deeply painful and incredibly shocking blows to the musculoskeletal system; but a hit to the eye, powered by a mountain of hate and centripetal force, abets long-term physical and mental damage. The ramifications of such a tragedy become even more insidious when those punches are perpetually inflicted by the person you love.

Over the course of her marriage, my patient was both physically and emotionally abused by her husband and on more than one occasion, she was nearly bludgeoned to the brink of death. As she tried to run away, her attacker, the man she vowed to love, cherish and respect forever,

LORD OF THE MANOR

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

the father of her children, would grab and squeeze the back of her neck so forcefully it felt like her neck and head would burst. That was usually just a prelude to what would follow, her head so uncomfortably contorted that her hearing became muffled, and the back of her throat burned.

Then the punches came, like a firestorm of bullets from an AR-15 rifle. Her jaw, her cheek, her eye. It was a heavyweight boxing match and her contender was winning easily. An

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attempt to block the blows young women mature, they to her face by lifting her either forget or ignore this arms left her torso unpro- warning, opening the door tected. The knee kicks as to their heart and allowing she’d be pushed against the their heart to overrule any wall were particularly hor- clarity of thought. The monrendous but she opted not sters are willingly invited in, to share any further details though initially disguised. of the violence inflicted Women then seemingly and upon her. continuously volunteer to She and her husband stay in a relationship that separated several years ago breaks them and in doing so after her family helped her invite this wildly indecorous find the courage to leave and even life-threatening him. But this behaviour to is the extent ‘Blaming women persist. of what They also I can tell for staying is unfortuyou about counterproductive... nately fail her ordeal because they will to realise because that there after initially continue to stay is refuge in agreeing to until they finally the light of share her realise love is not facing the story anonyunknown mously, she supposed to hurt and and opening abruptly their spirit to they find another reconsida life more way out in whatever ered out of fulfilling. fear that shape or form it The promher former presents itself.’ ise that he abuser may change would stop and that supporting their children. the punches will stop are Her fear of him and what commonplace in these situhe may do continues to ations. But past behaviour control her. Sadly, her situ- is the best predictor of ation of domestic abuse future performance. is staggeringly pervasive For the most part, I throughout the world and believe women stay because The Bahamian archipelago they feel they don’t have a is not immune. better alternative. But by Parents often tell their exposing their children to children to never open the this, they indirectly teach door to strangers because their young sons that this is evil monsters may try to how a man should behave hurt them. But when some and their young daughters

A BAHAMIAN BUSINESS

HERE TO HELP

that this is what love looks like.

Children become conditioned to the environment they’re in and what they see repeatedly will become what they expect to see in the future, unknowingly allowing it to become indoctrinated into their psyche as a normality.

Blaming women for staying is counterproductive, however, because they will continue to stay until they finally realise love is not supposed to hurt and they find another way out in whatever shape or form it presents itself. The highly acclaimed African-American novelist Richard Wright once said that ‘the impulse to dream has slowly been beaten out of me by the experience of life’. It was an alarming reminder that when you live in a culture or an environment that destroys your sense of self, you become marginalized and feel hopeless and it becomes a deep-seated challenge to see yourself beyond that.

So, it is incumbent upon us all to remember abuse is never the victim’s fault and communities around the abused must be held more accountable for reporting suspected abusers. The World Health Organization now strongly urges the health sector to be more proactive in responding to the needs of abused women. A home should provide a sense of comfort and security to its inhabitants but when that fails, the community must rise up to assist in a manner that doesn’t invite danger into their own lives.

Every man longs to live in his own home and be the ‘Lord of the Manor’ and captain of his domain. It’s an inner drive to be a leader to, and a provider for, the people we love. But societal norms have changed dramatically throughout the years. More women have degrees and work outside of the home than ever before and in many instances earn infinitely more than their spouse. This rigid dichotomy in finances is deeply

threatening to the ego of some men and a driving force to exert their power and prove they’re still in control.

Locally, The Bahamas Crisis Centre is a private non-profit organisation founded in 1982 that provides a wide variety of services to men, women and children who are victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. So, for those individuals who feel trapped in abusive relationships, organisations such as this can provide a way out, a ray of hope and, when ready, the resources required to help.

In our society the issue of gender-based violence and abuse is so prevalent that both Ann Marie Davis, wife of (current) Prime Minister Philip Davis, and Patricia Minnis, wife of (former) Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, work together, united in their efforts to continuously bring these issues to the forefront of national discourse. Partisan politics recedes in significance when lives of the innocent and abused are at stake. No one asks how you voted when you are wheeled into an emergency room, the victim of domestic abuse.

With her life now purged of its previous malignancies, my patient is the queen of her castle and finally feels free. She is able to sleep through the night without interruption because stepping into the unknown, though initially terrifying, has allowed a new woman to emerge.

With that new woman came a joy that had never before been felt and a burgeoning confidence that grows with each passing day.

My prayer is others facing a similar turmoil may soon find the inner strength to reach out to those waiting to help and, in time, find this same peace.

Nick-named ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 PAGE 11

Checks and balances - is it time to change the electoral system?

THE second consecutive general elections in Barbados on January 19, at which Mia Mottley’s Barbados Labour Party (BLP) won all 30 seats in the House of Representatives, were hailed as historic. They certainly were for Barbados, but not for the Englishspeaking sub-region of the Caribbean.

The New National Party (NNP) of Dr Keith Mitchell achieved this feat three times in Grenada. Under the system of constituency divisions and first-past-thepost, which also exists in Barbados, the NNP won all 15-seats in 1999, 2013 and 2018.

Winning all the seats in both Grenada and Barbados left opposition political parties without representation in the legislature, and, therefore, unable to question the laws being proposed or the policies bring pursued by the governing political party. Thus, an important check on the actions of the ruling party does not exist.

Usually in the liberal democratic system which English-speaking Caribbean countries inherited from the British, there is a separation of the powers of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary: the legislature makes the laws; the executive puts the laws into operation and the judiciary interprets the laws.

The powers and functions of each are separate and are expected to be carried out by separate personnel - in the case of the legislature, by elected representatives of governing and opposition parties. The theory is that power, so divided, should prevent the exercise of absolute power by a single group.

In Grenada and Barbados, since the executive

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

and the legislature are both fully controlled by the ruling political party, notwithstanding Senates comprising a majority or people appointed by the leader of the governing political party, the executive and the legislature are effectively not separated.

However, these conditions have arisen in Grenada and Barbados as a result of democratic elections in which the majority of the electorate decided who should govern their affairs. There was no question the five elections in both countries were free, fair and transparent. Subsequently, the results reflected the desire of the majority of the electorate not to install a political party in which they had no confidence or trust.

When these circumstances occur, particularly in small countries such as Grenada and Barbados, checks and balances fall primarily on an independent judiciary which is the custodian of the rights set out in national constitutions.

In Barbados and Grenada, the independence of their Courts from the political system is not in question.

The Barbados Courts and its highest court of Appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice, are as independent as the Eastern Caribbean Courts and the British Privy Council which serve Grenada.

But the day-to-day vigilance relies more particularly on a free and

vigilant media – these days the social media platforms on which information, commentaries and views are widely shared, whether or not they are accurate. Governing parties, wishing to be re-elected, follow the criticisms on these unbridled social media platforms carefully.

Notwithstanding, the role of the judiciary and the media – both traditional and social – as checks on ruling political parties with no elected oppositions, the question arises as to whether the electoral system of multiple constituencies and first-past-the-poll should not now be changed constitutionally to always allow for an elected opposition.

It is universally accepted in Caribbean countries that candidates for elections have less appeal than political parties and their leaders. Electors vote for the party and leader they believe could best serve them and the country.

It is only in exceptional circumstances that an outstanding candidate could win a constituency where the majority reject the party and leader concerned.

Further, in small countries, divisions between communities in terms of their needs, aspirations and interests have dissolved with modern road transportation, instant telecommunications, and shared expectations. With the disappearance of these divisions, the electorate

BARBADOS Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at the COP26 UN Climate Summit, in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. votes less for individual (roughly 71 percent of the English-speaking Caribbean candidates and much more vote) with Mia Mottley has been discussed for decfor parties and their leaders. as Prime Minister as the ades without any attempt to If these two realities are majority of the electorate reform the Constitution to recognised, perhaps the clearly intended; and the make it possible. Now that time has come to consider Democratic Labour Party many countries are again a change of the electoral would have won nine seats considering constitutional system to one of propor- (28 percent. reform in the context of tional representation in The majority of the elec- changing from Monarchiwhich the entire country torate would still choose cal to Republican status, becomes one constituency the leader and govern- perhaps it is also time to to elect contending parties ing party they prefer, but consult the people of these to the House of Represent- the minority would have countries on reforming the atives. This system would a voice in the national leg- electoral system to ensure be guaranteed to elect both islature and the leader of that all votes result in repa ruling party and its leader the opposition would exist resentation in Parliament as as well as opposition par- with all the rights, duties government and opposition. ties in accordance with the and obligations which the proportion of votes they Constitution of the nation • Responses and previreceive. Each of the party confers upon that office. ous commentaries: www. leaders would submit, in In Guyana, the only Eng- sirronaldsanders.com advance of the elections, lish-speaking Caribbean names that would serve in country in which the Brit(The writer is Antigua the House of Representa- ish changed the electoral and Barbuda’s Ambassador tives or National Assembly. system to proportional repto the United States and the Had such a system been resentation, elections return OAS. He is a Senior Fellow in place in Barbados for representatives of several at the Institute of Commonthe 2020 general elections, political parties, giving the wealth Studies, University based on preliminary pub- governing party a majority of London and Massey lished results, the BLP in Parliament and ensuring College in the University would have won 21 seats in opposition representation. of Toronto. The views the 30-member Assembly Electoral reform in the expressed are his own).

PAGE 12, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PEOPLE chant slogans yesterday during anti-coup protests that have rocked the country since a military coup three months ago in Khartoum, Sudan.

Photo: Marwan Ali/AP

Sudanese take to streets in protest against coup CAIRO Associated Press THOUSANDS of protesters took to the streets of Sudan’s capital and other cities across the country Sunday for the latest in a months-long string of demonstrations denouncing an October military coup that plunged the country into turmoil. At least one person was killed when security forces violently dispersed protesters, a medical group said.

Protesters, mostly young men and women, marched in the streets of Khartoum and other cities, demanding an end to the military’s takeover. They called for a fully civilian government to lead the country’s now-stalled transition to democracy.

The coup has upended Sudan’s transition to democratic rule after three decades of repression and international isolation under autocratic President Omar al-Bashir.

The African nation has been on a fragile path to democracy since a popular uprising forced the military to remove al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.

The protests are called by the Sudanese Professionals Association and the Resistance Committees, which were the backbone of the uprising against al-Bashir and relentless anti-coup protests in the past three months.

Footage circulated online

showed people beating drums and chanting anticoup slogans in the streets of Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman. Protesters were also seen carrying Sudanese flags and other flags with photos of protesters reportedly slain by security forces printed on them.

They marched towards the presidential palace, an area in the capital that has seen deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in previous

rounds of demonstrations.

Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters in at least one location in the capital. At least three people suffered injuries from rubber bullets, said activist Nazim Sirag.

The Sudan Doctors Committee, a medical group tracking casualties among protesters, said a 27-yearold protester died in a Khartoum hospital after he sustained unspecified injuries to his chest during

the protests. It did not elaborate.

There were protests elsewhere in the country including the eastern city of Port Sudan, western Darfur region and Madani, the capital city of Jazira province.

Madani saw a massive anticoup protest last week.

Ahead of the protests, authorities stepped up security in Khartoum and Omdurman. They deployed thousands of troops and police and sealed off central Khartoum.

EAST COAST DIGS OUT AFTER BLIZZARD

BOSTON Associated Press

A COUPLE walks through the snow on Boston Common on Saturday. Photo: Michael Dwyer/AP

THE sun shone down on much of the East Coast on Sunday, a day after a vicious nor’easter brought blizzard conditions to many areas, and left more than 100,000 customers without power for a stretch that could last into Monday.

Winds that had gusted to more than 80mph on Saturday died down on Sunday, and temperatures climbed into the upper teens and 20s as people emerged from their homes to dig out.

The storm dumped snow from Virginia to Maine, but Massachusetts bore the brunt of the fury, with

the neighboring towns of Sharon and Stoughton getting more than 30 inches of snow before the storm moved out.

More than 100,000 lost power at the height of the storm, mostly in Massachusetts. The outages in Massachusetts had dropped to about 40,000 by Sunday afternoon, mostly on hard hit Cape Cod. No other states reported widespread outages.

Utility Eversource said Sunday it had 1,700 crews working to restore electricity in Massachusetts, and customers will have their power back on “by the end of the day Monday, with most before then”.

“We know how challenging it is for our customers to be without power, especially in this frigid weather,” Eversource vice president for electric operations Bill Ritchie said in a statement.

In and around New York City, snow totals ranged from a few inches in some areas north and west of the city to more than two feet in Islip on Long Island, according to the National Weather Service. Warren, Rhode Island got more than two feet, and Norwich, Connecticut finished with 22 inches. Some areas of Maine and New Hampshire also received more than a foot.

SPORTS PAGE 13

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022

Gardiner shatters Lyles’ 300m indoor world record

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

dd the men’s 300 metres indoor world record to Steven Gardiner’s list of

accolades.

As he lowered his Bahamian national record of 32.06 seconds he clocked on January 14 in Birmingham, Alabama, Gardiner shattered American Noah Lyles’ previous world-best mark from 31.87 in 2017 when he ran an impressive 31.56 at the South Carolina Invite in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday.

Nathan Allen, competing for Puma, was a distant second in 32.54.

The feat by Gardiner, the 26-year-old Murphy Town, Abaco native, led a list of elite and collegiate athletes as they represented their various track clubs and collegiate teams in action around the United States over the weekend.

“I feel amazing for it. We were training really hard in the fall and now I have the confidence in what I could do, seeing that this is just January and it’s been an amazing time for me,” Gardiner said.

“I’m in the best shape of my life.

This has been the best offseason that I’ve had this past fall and so I’m just looking forward to this season.”

Like he has done all of his career, Gardiner will skip the World Indoor Championships. He said his enormous height of 6-feet, 3-inches poses problems for him running

STEVEN Gardiner has shattered American Noah Lyles’ 300 metre indoor world record. He also lowered his Bahamian national record he clocked on January 14 in Birmingham, Alabama. the tight bends indoors where the track covers one lap over 200m.

So while he will not run in the World Indoors Championship March 18-20 in Belgrade, Serbia, Gardiner will now prepare himself for the World Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, August 6-15. He will be going after his second consecutive gold medal, having won the title in 2019 in Doha, Qatar following an upgrade from his silver in London, England, in 2017. He also won the gold

medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in August.

“I will just continue to work hard and get ready for the World Outdoors,” Gardiner said. “World Indoors is not the big picture for me. The big picture for me is the World Outdoors and so I don’t want to run in the World Indoors and risk any injury.

“I know once I put my race together, it’s going to be a crazy outdoor championship. I just want to go out there and have some

fun and not put any pressure on myself. I just want to cross the line as the champion.”

Without any schedule yet set for the outdoor season, Gardiner thanked the Bahamian people for supporting him. Although his time was a shocker, Gardiner said he knew he could do it, based on the training he got from coach Gary Evans.

“Records don’t last forever, so I will cherish this,” said Gardiner, who spent some considerable time reviewing the tape as he reflected on his performance. “Everybody was excited for me, including my coach, so I’m really pleased with what I did.”

Kinard Rolle, competing unattached, was also 10th overall in the event in 34.49. Janeko Cartwright, representing the Phoenix Track Club, was also entered, but he opted to contest the 200m where he placed 14th in 23.89.

Gregory Seymour, competing unattached, was 13th in the men’s 400m invite in 49.24. William Spencer, a junior at South Carolina, won the event in 47.24.

Charlton second at Milrose At the 114th Millrose Games in New York City, Devynne Charlton surged to second place in the women’s 60m hurdles in a season’s best time of 7.95. Jamaica’s Britany Anderson took the tape in a personal best of 7.91.

“I’m pretty pleased with the race overall and my progression so far this season. I’ve bettered my season’s best for three consecutive

SEE PAGE 18

Pro boxer Williams victorious in four rounds

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IN his first pro boxing show for the year, it didn’t take Bahamian professional fighter Rashield Williams long to dispose of American Dylan Dobbs.

Williams stopped Dobbs one minute and 22 seconds into the fourth round to improve his win-loss record to 5-1 with four knockouts.

It was the second loss for Dobbs, who is making the transition from MMA.

BAHAMIANS GO HEAD-TOHEAD IN ONTARIO SCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A PAIR of Bahamians went head-to-head in a marquee matchup in Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association regular season play.

Assistant coach Ollen Smith of Niagara Prep led his team to a 93-91 win over Romad Dean and Crestwood Prep to highlight the weekend of the top prep league in the country.

Dean finished with 14 points in the loss on Saturday. Niagara improved to 7-6 while Crestwood suffered just their second loss of the season at 7-2 in the Pool A standings.

Smith, a former Bahamian junior national team standout, seeks to establish an exchange programme

SEE PAGE 18

MCCOY, BASTIAN LEAD TEAMS TO WINS IN NCAA DIV. II BASKETBALL

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net MALACHI McCoy and Lathaniel Bastian led their teams to key conference wins and Jonathan McFall returned to the floor to highlight play from Bahamians in NCAA Division II basketball.

McCoy finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench in his Benedict Tigers’ 81-74 win over the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on Saturday in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

The Tigers had an early 16-0 run in the first half to build a big lead and took a 38-27 lead at the half.

The lead reached 16 points when McCoy hit a three-pointer to take a 59-43 lead and the Tigers maintained an advantage

“He was a tough kid. He was coming out, but I just stuck to the game plan and took him out in the fourth round,” said Williams, who returned to action on a successful note after losing in his first bout in the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, in November.

In Miami, Florida, on Friday night, the 26-yearold Williams got shaken up when Dobbs managed to pin him on the ropes and

SEE PAGE 18

NFL, Pages 18 & 19

RASHIELD Williams has his left hand raised by the referee after his victory.

SEE PAGE 18

BLTA Annual General Meeting called off at last minute

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHILE the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s annual general meeting and election of officers was called off at the last minute, incumbent president Perry Newton said it will still be business as usual until they get the matter resolved.

The AGM and elections were scheduled for Saturday at the National Tennis Centre. But on Friday, a group led by Ken Kerr, who is seeking to oppose Newton, got an injunction from the Supreme Court to postpone the AGM and elections.

Justice Donna Newton presided over the matter.

The BLTA was represented

by Ramona A Farquharson while Kerr’s side was represented by Kahlil Parker

of Cedric L Parker & Co. The hearing was heard by Zoom.

According to Kerr, who is backed by lawyer Bjorn Ferguson, they were disappointed in the manner in which the elections were called and members of the BLTA have been denied the opportunity to become financial in order to vote.

It’s unfortunate that our AGM was not able to take place on the scheduled date and time,” Newton said.

“We pray that this matter will be resolved soon and as an association, we will continue with our developmental programmes.

“Play tennis and afterschool programmes resume in February and we also will focus on the preparation of our national teams as there are two teams scheduled to go off in February and two in early March.”

PERRY Newton Newton, who was elected to serve on the COTECC board in August with the responsibility for The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Haiti over the next two years, said it’s unfortunate what transpired, but they will continue to work for the continued growth of tennis in the Bahamas.

Looking forward to making his first stab at an

executive post in the BLTA since making his transition from playing in the Commonwealth American Football League, Kerr said he feels vindicated.

“We now have the correct way to proceed.

“So we’re hoping now that all of the matters we’re concerned with will be debated with regards to the changes in the constitution so that we can have something that would reflect the proper way that everybody who wants to participate can do so in the right and fair environment,” he stated.

Kerr said they will continue their membership drive to ensure that those persons who wish to be financial members can do so and be eligible to vote when the duly elections are held no later than April 30, as constituted by the BLTA.

“Once we have done that, we will be about our business trying to make tennis accessible to all Bahamians,” Kerr said.

“We want to provide educational opportunities for all of the young players, develop our junior programme and provide some wholesome, healthy opportunities for all Bahamians interested in the sport.”

As they look ahead to the possibility of being elected, Kerr said they would like to focus more on inner city tennis, their partnership with the International Tennis Federation, their relationship with the collegiate and professional players and the disciplinary actions of its players.

Kerr said they also want to focus on their financial partners with the view of securing the necessary funding to assist in the

growth and development of their game locally and internationally, as well as improving the facilities at the NTC. And he noted that they want to launch a programme called Tennis Anywhere Bahamas where interested persons can locate both players and coaches whom they can contact to either play with or against or to gain some knowledge of the sport.

Just before the AGM and elections, Newton came under heavy scrutiny by professional player Kevin Major Jr, who has called for a change in the leadership of the BLTA. Newton, indicating that he felt no animosity towards Major Jr, said he will respond in short order because he feels he was misrepresented in the comments directed toward him.

PAGE 14, Monday, January 31, 2022

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Ministry of Transport EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 15

Suns beat Spurs for 10th straight win, NBA-best 40-9 record PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 28 points, Mikal Bridges added a season-high 26 and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win their 10th straight game, beating the San Antonio Spurs 115110 last night.

The NBA-leading Suns became the first team in the league with 40 wins — against only nine losses.

The victory also assured that coach Monty Williams and the rest of the coaching staff will lead Team LeBron in the All-Star Game next month.

Booker hit back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth to turn a two-point deficit into a 112-108 lead with 1:18 left. He finished 12 of 24 from the field, going 4 of 9 from 3-point range.

The Spurs took a 91-79 lead into the final quarter, but the Suns erased that

advantage in less than 3 1/2 minutes. They used a 14-point run — highlighted

by Cam Johnson’s powerful one-handed jam — to take a 96-93 lead.

Phoenix point guard Chris Paul had another huge game with 20 points, 19 assists and eight rebounds, just two nights after he had his 18th career triple-double. Bridges shot 11 of 16 from the field.

Starters Deandre Ayton (right ankle sprain) and Jae Crowder (left wrist contusion) and key backup Cameron Payne (right wrist sprain) remained out.

Doug McDermott led San Antonio with 24 points.

HAWKS 129, LAKERS 121 ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored 36 points and Atlanta won its seventh straight, rallying in the fourth quarter to beat Los Angeles.

HAWKS guard Trae Young (11) and forward John Collins react after a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Lakers last night in Atlanta.

(AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr) Young also had 12 assists.

John Collins added 20 points with 11 rebounds, and Clint Capela scored 15 points.

Malik Monk led Los Angeles with 33 points in the Lakers’ third consecutive loss, all without LeBron James. James was not with the team due to continued

swelling in his left knee. He returned to Los Angeles for treatment. Anthony Davis, returning after missing one game with a sore right wrist, had 27 points for Los Angeles.

Russell Westbrook added 20 points.

NUGGETS 136, BUCKS 100 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 18 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds to help Denver rout Milwaukee.

The reigning NBA MVP just missed his 13th tripledouble of the season. He matched his season high for assists.

Aaron Gordon scored 24 points, Monte Morris had 18 and Will Barton 15 for the Nuggets. They improved to 4-0 on a sixgame trip and matched their longest winning streak of the season.

Denver has won six of the last seven and 13 of the last 19 road games against Milwaukee.

Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of his 29 points in the first half. He was the MVP in consecutive seasons before Jokic earned that honor last season.

TIMBERWOLVES 126, JAZZ 106 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Jaden McDaniels scored a season-high 22 points off the bench and Minnesota routed shorthanded Utah.

Towns scored 16 straight points as the Wolves pushed a four-point halftime lead to 17 entering the fourth quarter. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 for Utah. The Jazz have lost five straight.

Playing without Donovan Mitchell (concussion) and Rudy Gobert (left calf strain), the Jazz suffered another setback when forward Joe Ingles exited the game in the second quarter with a left knee injury.

BULLS 130, TRAIL BLAZERS 116 CHICAGO (AP) — Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 14 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan added 23 points and 10 assists and Chicago overcame a slow to start to beat Portland.

Zach LaVine had 20 points, and Ayo Dosunmu finished with 11 assists. Chicago has won three of four to improve to 31-18.

C.J. McCollum had 29 points for Portland.

Norman Powell added 22, and Anfernee Simons had 21.

CLIPPERS 115, HORNETS 90 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Reggie Jackson and Brandon Boston Jr. each scored 19 points, helping Los Angeles beat Charlotte.

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 16 points for the Clippers.

They improved to 4-3 on an eight-game trip.

LaMelo Ball had 23 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and no turnovers for Charlotte. Miles Bridges had 18 points and nine rebounds.

PISTONS 115, CAVALIERS 105 DETROIT (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 31 points, Cade Cunningham had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Detroit Pistons overcame a terrible start to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115105 last night.

After Cleveland raced to a 15-0 lead, Detroit cut it to 55-49 at halftime, and finally took its first lead in the fourth quarter. Cunningham finished with the

LEBRON JAMES RETURNS TO LA FOR TREATMENT ON KNEE ATLANTA (AP) — LeBron James has continued swelling in his left knee and was not with the Los Angeles Lakers for last night’s game at the Atlanta Hawks.

James is missing his third straight game. He left the team early to return to Los Angeles for treatment.

Another Lakers AllStar, forward Anthony Davis, is starting after missing one game with right wrist soreness.

Davis had the wrist taped during pregame warmups.

Guard Kendrick Nunn is out with a right knee bone bruise. Guard Malik Monk was listed as probable after missing one game with soreness in his left groin. Guard Russell Westbrook also is expected to play with a sore right knee.

The Lakers will try to end a two-game losing streak as they close out a six-game road trip.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said an MRI on James’ knee revealed “general swelling.” triple-double after failing to score in the first half.

MAGIC 110, MAVERICKS 108 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 18 points, including the tiebreaking layup with 54 seconds remaining, and Orlando Magic overcame Luka Doncic’s seventh triple-double of the season to beat Dallas.

Chuma Okeke scored 19 points and helped NBA-worst Orlando win consecutive games for the second time this season.

Doncic had 34 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his 43rd career triple-double.

‘SPLASH BROTHER’ KLAY HITS LATE 3, WARRIORS BEAT SHORT-HANDED NETS SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson hit the biggest shot yet of his 2 1/2-year injury comeback, making a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to send the Golden State Warriors to a 110-106 victory over Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

Irving wasn’t done and made a 3 of his own moments later and scored 32 points while hearing boos from the Bay Area crowd directed at the unvaccinated Nets star.

Thompson finished with 16 points. Stephen Curry hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 5:09 left and five free throws over the final 1:44 to score 19 points as Irving kept delivering on the other end without the injured Kevin Durant and James Harden.

Andrew Wiggins contributed 24 points and eight rebounds as the Warriors made key late stops, including Irving’s missed reverse layup try with a minute left.

Jordan Poole added 17 points and six assists off the bench.

RAPTORS 124, HEAT 120, 3 OT MIAMI (AP) — Fred VanVleet hit two 3-pointers in the third overtime and Toronto outlasted Miami.

Gary Trent Jr. led Toronto with 33 points, Scottie Barnes added 22, Pascal Siakam had 21, and OG Anunoby 20. Sidelined the previous two games because of right knee soreness, VanVleet finished with 19 points.

VanVleet’s first 3 tied it at 117. Anunoby’s dunk with 3:05 left put Toronto ahead for good before VanVleet connected again from long distance and a 122-117 lead.

Jimmy Butler had a triple-double with 37 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists

NETS guard Kyrie Irving, left, talks with Warriors guard Klay Thompson after the Warriors defeated the Nets Saturday.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat.

76ERS 103, KINGS 101 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 36 points, Tyrese Maxey keyed a game-changing run in the fourth quarter and Philadelphia beat Sacramento for its fourth straight victory.

Philadelphia held on when Harrison Barnes missed a 3-pointer as time expired. The 76ers have won 14 of 17 and the first three games of a five-game homestand that continues tonight against Memphis.

Embiid had 12 rebounds and six assists. He made 10 of 18 field goals, including 2 of 5 3-pointers, and 14 of 18 free throws. Tobias Harris added 16 points, and Maxey had 13.

Tyrese Haliburton scored a career-high 38 points for the Kings.

GRIZZLIES 115, WIZARDS 95 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 34 points, his sixth straight game of at least 30 points, and Memphis beat Washington.

Morant, picked as an All-Star starter for the Western Conference this

week, was 15 of 27 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range.

Desmond Bane had 19 points, and De’Anthony Melton added 13 to help the Grizzlies win their third straight and fourth in five games. Steven Adams had 10 points and 15 rebounds. with Memphis controlling the boards 60-37.

Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 30 points and eight rebounds.

MAVERICKS 132, PACERS 105 DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 30 points and 12 assists and Dallas spoiled former coach Rick Carlisle’s return with Indiana.

Carlisle coached the Mavericks during the past 13 seasons, leading the team to its lone title in 2011.

He resigned June 16 and rejoined the Pacers a week later. The 62-year-old coach was recognised with a video tribute before the game, tears streaming down his face afterward.

Reggie Bullock added a season-high 23 points, hitting 6 of 7 3-pointers, and Maxi Kleber had 15 points and 13 rebounds — one short of his career high — on his 30th birthday. The Mavericks have won 13 of 16 to improve to 29-21.

Duane Washington Jr. led the Pacers with 22 points.

CELTICS 107, PELICANS 97 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 38 points, Jaylen Brown added 31 and Boston beat shorthanded New Orleans.

Robert Williams grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked four shots for Boston.

New Orleans undrafted rookie guard Jose Alvarado scored a career-best 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, going 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

PAGE 16, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Barty wins drought-breaking Australian Open women’s title

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ash Barty really didn’t know how to react to this drought-breaking triumph.

The usually so reserved and understated champion just let it all out, yelling “yes ... yes.”

A quick walk to the net to congratulate the Australian Open runner-up, 28-year-old American Danielle Collins. Yes, that restored some sense of order. Acknowledge the umpire with a handshake.

Yes, that’s another important task for the women’s top-ranked tennis player.

Then back onto Rod Laver Arena to scream out again: “yes ... yes.”

Yes, it had been 44 years since an Australian won a singles title at the Australian Open, quite an anomaly for a country with such a long list of Grand Slam champions. So no need to keep a lid on the celebrations. An almost full house at Rod Laver Arena, despite ticket restrictions imposed for the COVID-19 pandemic, was rocking.

Barty knew what to do when she saw who was presenting the trophy. Her mentor, the Indigenous and Australian tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley, had flown in secretly from Queensland state to hand it over to the next generation star with Indigenous heritage.

Instinct kicked in for Barty. It was a big, loving hug.

Barty will no longer be weighed down by the 1970s.

She recovered from 5-1 down in the second set to beat Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final on Saturday night, becoming the first Australian to win the Australian Open women’s singles championship since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

The pressure is off the 25-year-old Aussie, who has made a remarkable career comeback after taking time off — missing every Grand Slam tournament in 2015 and ‘16 — and briefly flirting with a professional cricket career.

“It was a little bit surreal,” Barty said. “I didn’t quite know what to do or what to feel — just being able to let out a little bit of emotion, which is a little bit unusual for me, and being

ASH BARTY, of Australia, poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup yesterday at a park the morning after defeating Danielle Collins of the US in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships.

(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

DANIELLE COLLINS, of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Ash Barty of Australia during the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships.

(AP Photo/Simon Baker) able to celebrate with eve- Open at the age of 19. She one service game through ryone who was there in won Wimbledon in 1971 six matches leading into the crowd, the energy was and, after having a baby, in the final. incredible.”

1980. She reached 11 other And Collins was the Barty now has Grand major finals, including four fourth American in as Slam singles titles on three in a row at the U.S. Open. many rounds to take her surfaces, adding the hard And she spotted Barty’s on, with Barty beating courts of Melbourne Park talent at a young age.

Amanda Anisimova, Jesto her titles on grass at “Very lucky to be able to sica Pegula and 2017 U.S. Wimbledon last year and give her a hug in some of Open runner-up Madison on clay at the 2019 French the biggest moments in my Keys in straight sets.

Open. Serena Williams life,” Barty said.

Collins, meanwhile, had is the only other active “To be able to experi- to rally from a set and player on the women’s tour ence that together on such break down to beat Danish with majors on all three a big occasion, on such a teenager Clara Tauson surfaces. beautiful court, and in a in the third round. She “This is just a dream tournament that means was hampered by a sore come true for me,” Barty so much to both of us — back, which prevented said. “I’m just so proud to it was really nice to have her from sitting down in be an Aussie.” her there just as someone changeovers.

Goolagong Cawley was to lean on when I wasn’t Barty took the first set a trailblazer. She won four really sure what to do.” after saving a break point of her seven Grand Slam O’Neil was involved in in the fifth game and then singles titles at the Aus- the night, too, ushering the breaking in the next. tralian Open from 1974-77, trophy into the stadium.

Collins hit back, relyafter winning the French Barty had only conceded ing on her high-power,

high-intensity game to break Barty’s serve in the second and sixth games.

She twice served for the second set, and got within two points of taking her first Grand Slam final to a third.

But she lost momentum when Barty jumped into a second serve and sent a return winner down the line in the seventh game.

Collins went to talk to the chair umpire when she faced a break point, and got booed by the crowd.

When she lost the game, Collins got another chorus of boos.

Revived by that kind of energy, Barty won five of the last six games and dominated the tiebreaker.

“This crowd is one of the most fun I’ve ever played in front of,” Barty said.

“You relaxed me, forced me to play my best tennis.”

Until Saturday, Barty’s best run in Australia had ended in a semifinal loss to eventual champion Sofia Kenin in 2020.

Australian flags and the red, black and yellow Aboriginal flag were waved around in the crowd.

Cathy Freeman, who carried both flags to celebrate her gold medal in the 400 metres at the Sydney 2000 Olympics — one of the defining images of those Games — was there for support, too.

Collins, whose previous best run at a major was a semifinal loss here in 2019, paid tribute to her longtime mentor Marty Schneider and her boyfriend Joe Vollen.

“Thank you for believing in me,” she said, crying. “I haven’t had a ton of people believing me in my career.”

Collins, who doesn’t have a permanent coach, said: “I was pushed to the max, and I gave myself a chance.”

“So it was a great event for me. Accomplished some new things. Learned a lot of new things.”

The home country’s drought in Australian Open men’s singles dates back to Mark Edmondson’s victory in 1976, but the men’s doubles title is back with a homegrown team for the first time since 1997.

Wild-card entrants Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis — the so-called Special Ks — finished off a fairly wild men’s doubles campaign by beating Matt Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5, 6-4.

Kyrgios, Kokkinakis win men’s doubles MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis entered on a wild card and were dubbed the Special Ks on their wild ride to the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open.

With a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Matt Ebden and Max Purcell on Saturday, the long-time friends became the first home-grown pairing to win the men’s doubles title here since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, aka the Woodies, in 1997.

And this was only their fourth Grand Slam event as a team.

The pair, who won the Wimbledon boys’ doubles title nearly nine years ago, never faced a break point in a dominant performance in a final that started on Rod Laver Arena following Ash Barty’s drought-breaking women’s singles title.

It capped a decent day for the Aussies, with the so-called Special Ks becoming the first allAustralian team to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles

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NICK KYRGIOS, right, and Thanasi Kokkinakis, left, of Australia celebrate after defeating compatriots Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the men’s doubles final at the Australian Open tennis championships on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Simon Baker) title since Woodforde and he said “I battled COVID courts, but hasn’t fulfilled Woodbridge won their 11th a week out from the Open the potential he showed by together at Wimbledon in and I wouldn’t be here reaching the quarterfinals without you.” at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2000.

Woodbridge and Wood- at the Australian Open the Kyrgios and Kokkinakis conceded only two sets forde, both working as TV following year.

His style of play and in six matches on a run to commentators, presented attitude on and off-court the title that included wins the trophy to the winners.

Kokkinakis, who won has divided opinion, too. over the No. 1 and No. 3 his first ATP singles title His first Grand Slam title, seeded teams.

“What a week. I can hon- at Adelaide earlier this albiet in doubles, could be estly say we didn’t expect month, is still making his a sign of things to come.

The men’s doubles comto come even close to this. way back onto the tour This is a crazy cherry on after several seasons inter- petition attracted more rupted by injuries and local attention than usual, the top,” Kokkinakis said. with Kyrgios and KokkiKyrgios added: “I illness.

The 26-year-old Kyrgios nakis packing a smaller, wouldn’t have wanted to do has a career-high singles 5,000-seat outside stadium this with anyone else.”

He gave thanks to his ranking of No. 13 and won and getting boisterous support team, also, when six ATP titles, all on hard support in earlier rounds

before having to shift into all-ticketed main arena for the semis and the final.

Given the popularity of the Kyrgios-Kokkinakis team, polite applause initially greeted winners from the rackets of Ebden and Purcell. But the less flamboyant pair gradually gained more support from fans who stayed behind to watch after the women’s singles final.

It seemed the opening set was headed for the inevitable tiebreaker with not even a break point until the 11th game on Ebden’s serve.

Ebden fended off three break points before a dipping Kokkinakis forehand service return forced a backhand volley error for the crucial breakthrough.

Kokkinakis followed up by not conceding a point as he served out the set.

The second set followed a similar pattern.

At the insistence of all players a spectator, who had yelled “out” as Purcell served in the ninth game, was removed by security.

The three-minute incident only delayed the inevitable as Kyrgios stepped up to clinch victory in the next game.

It was the first all-Australian men’s doubles final at the Australian Open since 1980, when Mark Edmondson and Kim Warwick beat Peter McNamara and Paul McNamee.

TOP-RANKED KREJCIKOVA, SINIAKOVA WIN WOMEN’S DOUBLES MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Top-ranked Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova took another major step in a partnership which began in junior ranks when they won the Australian Open women’s doubles 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4 yesterday from unseeded Anna Danilina and Beatriz Haddad Maia.

The Czech pair claimed their first Australian Open title to go with one Wimbledon and two French Open titles to move a step closer to a career Grand Slam in doubles. They also are Olympic champions.

They were finalists in Melbourne last year but went down 6-2, 6-3 to Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka. Krejcikova also had been in top form in the singles in Melbourne this year before unexpectedly falling to Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.

The top seeds were fully stretched by Danilina of Kazakhstan and Haddad Maia of Brazil who put together their partnership less than a month ago and were unbeaten in nine matches before Sunday.

They won the Sydney Classic doubles title before tackling their first Grand Slam tournament together.

Danilina and Haddad Maia became the first pair to take a set from Krejcikova and Siniakova in Melbourne and kept the final alive for 2 hours and 42 minutes before finally succumbing.

Krejcikova and Siniakova’s well-honed partnership was scratchy at times Sunday before experience pulled them through. Siniakova was more active in the first two sets while Krejcikova seemed unusually stuck on the baseline and less mobile than usual at the net.

Krejcikova stepped up in the final set and produced many of the key points, hitting strongly through the middle of the court while Siniakova crossed over at the net for clutch volleys.

Siniakova had served for the match at 5-2 in the third set but Danilina and Haddad Maia, not to be denied, broke her serve.

Haddad Maia held serve in front of cheering fans waving Brazil flags before Krejcikova clinched the win on serve.

“You guys have played two great tournaments and I hope you’re going to continue together and I hope we’re going to have more fights like this because it’s a real pleasure to share a court with you,” Krejcikova said court-side.

“You’re really amazing.

“I want also want to thank my partner for playing with me for a very, very long time. I’m so happy we are still working so well together and our co-operation is only going up so I’m really happy with that and I’m looking forward to the next adventure.”

Siniakova thanked Krejcivoka for her support through recent difficult times.

“Thank you for pushing me hard and for helping me and just being on my side on the court,” she said.

The top seeds fell behind in the first set when Siniakova’s serve was broken in the third game. They leveled, breaking Danilina in the eighth game and Siniakova and Danilina both lost their serves again before the set went to a tiebreak.

Danilina and Haddad Maia won the first six points on the tiebreak and held on comfortably to take the set.

Haddad Maia dropped serve in the opening game of the second set and Krejcikova and Siniakova held that advantage to level the match. They also broke Haddad Maia for an early advantage in the deciding set before their unseeded rivals fought back to extend the match.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 17

Nadal wins Australian Open for record 21st major title

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Searching for inspiration when he was down two sets and facing triple break point, with his prospects of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title almost shot, Rafael Nadal thought back to some of his most difficult defeats.

A renowned right-tothe-end competitor, Nadal dug deep in that critical moment and won the next four points to survive the immediate threat from Daniil Medvedev. Minutes later he held for 3-3 in the third set and swung the momentum of the Australian Open final around.

Nadal eventually did get to 21 first, setting the men’s record for most Grand Slam singles titles after a dramatic 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 comeback win that lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes and finished early Monday morning.

The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more major title than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, his long-time rivals in the socalled Big Three.

He was the only one of three who had a chance to claim the record solo in Australia.

Federer is still recovering from knee surgery and Djokovic was sensationally deported from Australia on the eve of the tournament because he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

It’s all history now that Nadal has become just the fourth man to win all four of the sport’s major titles at least twice.

“I was repeating to myself during the whole match, ‘I lost a lot of times here having chances, sometimes I was a little bit unlucky,’” Nadal said. “I just wanted to keep believing until the end.”

“Tonight has been unforgettable. I feel very lucky.”

Nadal was broken when serving to serve it out for the first time at 5-4 in the

RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, today.

(AP Photo/Simon Baker) fifth set, but he made no winner,” Medvedev said. because he was sidelined mistake two games later, “Maybe would have won with a chronic foot injury. converting the first of his the match.”

He also overcame a bout of championship points.

“Tactically nothing COVID-19.

Taking everything into changed,” he added, “but “For me, it’s just amazaccount, “the scenario, Rafa stepped up.” ing,” he said, adding that it the momentum,” he said, Indeed, he did. And at was only six weeks ago “I “without a doubt probably 1:30 a.m. he stepped up didn’t know if I’d be able to the biggest comeback of my onto the podium to give his play on the tour again.” tennis career.” victory speech.

Nadal won his first AusCertainly, he added, “Good evening. No, tralian Open title in 2009 “The most unexpected. good morning!” Nadal and then lost four other And most surprising, I joked, looking at his watch. finals here. His conversion think, for everyone.”

In the background, Rod rate in major finals is now Federer and Djokovic Laver, the ageing Austral- 21 out of 29. were watching, from a dis- ian tennis great for whom Medvedev, who was tance, and both used social Melbourne Park’s main aiming to be the first man media messages to offer stadium is named, was in the Open era to win his congratulations to Nadal holding up his smartphone second Grand Slam title at for breaking their three- to capture the scenes. A the very next major, was way tie atop the men’s woman nearby held up a ever-so-close to spoiling Grand Slam standings. sign that stated: “Rafa is another 21st celebration.

Nadal and Medvedev the GOAT.” Djokovic was chasing packed a lot of drama For now, in terms of the same record at the into the final that started men’s major titles at least, U.S. Open last year, and a Sunday night, was delayed Nadal is the Greatest Of calendar-year Grand Slam, in the 84-minute second set All Time. when Medvedev beat him when a human rights activNadal praised Medve- in straight sets in the final. ist jumped onto the court, dev for the part he played Federer also had his and finished close to 1:15 in what eventually became chance at 21, but Djokovic a.m. the second longest Austral- stopped that after saving Nadal was serving for the ian Open final ever. Nadal’s match points en route to second set but was broken loss to Djokovic a decade winning the 2019 Wimblein that game. Then Med- ago lasted 5:53. don final. vedev had his moments to Nadal’s 21st major title For Nadal, this was just break again in the third set was even more remark- the fourth time — and first but admitted he got tight. able considering he had since 2007 — he’s rallied “Should have done two matches under his belt from two sets down to win better. Should have hit a in the second half of 2021 a best-of-five-set match.

It’s the first time it has happened at the Australian Open final since 1965.

Medvedev, who lost the 2021 final in Melbourne to Djokovic, began his postmatch news conference by talking about having been “a young kid who dreamed about big things in tennis” who now has become a bit disillusioned. He spoke a little later about being disappointed in the way spectators treated him in the final and earlier in the tournament.

“From now on, I’m playing for myself,” Medvedev said. “For my family. To provide (for) my family, for people that trust in me. Of course for all the Russians, because I feel a lot of support there.”

Medvedev continued his love-hate relationship with Australian crowds. He stayed calm for the first two sets before complaining about the yelling and noise between first and second serves.

After Nadal broke him in the third game of the fourth set, on a double-fault, Medvedev walked to the changeover giving an ironic thumbs-up to the crowd.

There was an exchange of breaks but Nadal got the upper hand after a long game when he converted his seventh breakpoint.

Medvedev urged chair umpire John Blom to shut the crowd up.

“Step up, man. It’s the final of a Grand Slam.

‘Please’ is not enough,” he said. “They’re idiots.

With idiots, ‘please’ doesn’t work.”

After Medvedev served a double-fault to open the fifth set, Blom warned the crowd that anyone yelling between first and second serves could get kicked out by security.

Medvedev did manage to hold that game but in the end he didn’t quite have the endurance.

“I want to congratulate Rafa,” he said. “What he did today was amazing. You’re an amazing champion.”

BARTY AND DJOKOVIC KEEP NO.1 RANKING; COLLINS INTO TOP 10 MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Newly crowned Australian Open women’s singles champion Ash Barty has maintained her more than two-year grip on the number one ranking after winning her third major title with a straight sets victory over Danielle Collins on Saturday.

Barty, winner of the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon the following year, has extended her ranking points lead over incumbent No.2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, with French Open champion

Barbora Krejcikova rising one spot into third after making the quarterfinals in Australia for the first time.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek moves up five places into fourth after making her first major semifinal outside of a clay court, while 28-year-old Collins jumps up 20 places to be in the top 10 for the first time after an impressive run to her maiden Grand Slam final.

“It’s been an amazing fortnight for you,” said Barty of the American in her post match speech after Saturday’s final. “You’re in the top

10 and it’s absolutely where you belong. I know you will be fighting for many more of these in the future.”

Former No. 1, Spain’s Garbine Muguruza drops four places into seventh after losing in the second round at Melbourne Park.

In the men’s rankings, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini is the only mover inside the top 10, climbing to a new career high of No.6 after making the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the first time, with Russia’s Andrey Rublev dropping

to seventh. Novak Djokovic, with 20 grand slam titles, will continue as No. 1 despite missing the Australian Open after being deported for not meeting the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules.

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev maintains second irrespective of his result against Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open men’s final.

Nadal, tied with Djokovic and Roger Federer with 20 grand slam titles, stays fifth, behind Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Salah shines as Egypt advances YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored the equaliser and created the winner to inspire Egypt’s comeback yesterday to beat Morocco 2-1 after extra time and reach the African Cup semifinals.

Egypt fell behind to an early penalty won by Achraf Hakimi and converted by Sofiane Boufal in the seventh minute.

Egypt captain Salah reacted quickly to knock in a rebound to make it 1-1 in the 53rd and sent in a perfect low cross for Trézéguet to tap in near the end of the first half of extra time.

Egypt was left to rely on third-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy for most of extra time after an injury to Mohamed Abou Gabal, who was already in the team in place of first choice Mohamed el-Shenawy.

Abou Gabal was injured in normal time but tried to play through it. He couldn’t and had to come off in the sixth minute of extra time, leaving the 22-year-old Sobhy to make his debut for his country at the end of a high-pressure game.

In the end he wasn’t tested

EGYPT’S MOHAMED SALAH, right, is challenged by Morocco’s Adam Masina during the African Cup of Nations 2022 quarterfinal soccer match yesterday.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) and Salah and Trézéguet goalkeeper Yassine against host Cameroon, combined for the winner Bounou joined an attack which is a repeat of the four minutes after Sobhy in the desperate search for 2017 African Cup final that came on. Salah was faced an equaliser and left the was won by Cameroon. with three defenders cover- Moroccan goal unguarded.

Egypt hasn’t won the ing him on the right wing Egypt broke and Salah African Cup since its but he went for the outside chased down a through record-extending seventh and sent a right-foot cross ball but couldn’t force it title in 2010. Salah made into the path of Trézéguet into the empty net from a his debut for the national at the back post. tight angle. It didn’t matter. team the year after that triSalah almost had a Full time came about a umph and is still searching second in the final, chaotic minute later and Egypt for a first major title with moments when Morocco went through to a semifinal his country.

CASTRONEVES CLAIMS YET ANOTHER CROWN JEWEL WITH ROLEX VICTORY

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP) — After 24 hours of racing in recordlow Florida temperatures, ageless Helio Castroneves still had the energy to climb the fence on yet another crown jewel motorsports victory.

Castroneves won a major race for the third time in a year yesterday by closing out the Rolex 24 at Daytona for Meyer Shank Racing, the team that helped him win a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 last May. “It sounds cliché, but it’s all about belief,” Castroneves said. “I believe in them, they believe in me.”

Michael Shank studied the data after Team Penske cut Castroneves loose following the 2020 season. He saw the 46-year-old Brazilian could still run with the young drivers taking over motorsports and hired him as the guy to help expand his programme.

Penske’s loss is Shank’s stupefying gain.

“A lot of people talk about his age, but I kind of see through that,” Shank said. “There were young guys out there that deserved something. But we felt for our business, at this time, we needed to make an impression at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That’s what we set about doing.”

Castroneves has elevated an entire organisation while reviving a career that seemed to be running out of fuel after more than two decades at the top levels of motorsports. He won the Rolex last January as the endurance driver for Wayne Taylor Racing, went to Indy with Shank and at last won his fourth 500, and turned a six-race IndyCar deal with Shank into a full 2022 program.

Now he’s won a second Rolex watch in consecutive years and turned the Shank programme into a legitimate contender. Castroneves held off Ricky Taylor — his teammate at Penske in 2020 when they won the IMSA championship and last January when they won the Rolex together — over the final hour and denied Wayne Taylor Racing its fourth consecutive win at Daytona International Speedway.

“The fire’s still burning.

One of the quotes that Rick Mears told me a long time ago, ‘If you don’t have the fire, if you stop thinking about it, then it’s time for you to stop,’” Castroneves said.

HOST CAMEROON, SURPRISE BURKINA FASO INTO THE AFRICAN CUP SEMIFINALS DOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon marched on at the African Cup of Nations on Saturday with a brace by striker Karl Toko Ekambi sending the tournament host into the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Gambia.

Burkina Faso joined Cameroon in the last four by surprising Tunisia 1-0.

Teenage forward Dango Ouattara scored Burkina Faso’s goal in first-half injury time and was sent off in the 82nd minute for an elbow on Tunisia defender Ali Maaloul, leaving his team to cling on to the lead he gave it for the last 10 minutes.

The Burkina Faso squad has had to try and focus on soccer this week amid the distracting news of a coup back home. The players erupted in joyous celebrations at the final whistle in Garoua. They swept up coach Kamou Malo, hugged him and danced and chanted while he was trying to give a post-match TV interview.

Toko Ekambi scored his goals for Cameroon in

the space of seven minutes in the second half at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, where security was increased following the crush that left eight fans dead at the home team’s last game. That incident at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Monday is the subject of an investigation which could yet see the venue removed as host of the African Cup final on February 6.

Cameroon is still on course to make that final — wherever it is held — after dominating against Gambia, which was playing in its first African Cup and caused a major surprise to make it to the quarterfinals.

Toko Ekambi headed in from a cross in the 50th minute and side-footed into the roof of the net from another cross in the 57th to see the Indomitable Lions into the last four after the tournament’s first quarterfinal.

The French-born Toko Ekambi now has five goals at the tournament, one behind Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar.

PAGE 18, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Rams rally, stun 49ers for 20-17 victory

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer INGLEWOOD, California (AP) — Travin Howard made a game-sealing interception with 1:09 to play, and the Los Angeles Rams rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure a spot in the Super Bowl at their home stadium next month with a thrilling 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game last night.

Cooper Kupp caught two touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford for the star-studded Rams (15-5), who began the fourth quarter down 17-7 after wasting a multitude of scoring opportunities.

But after Kupp’s second TD catch and a tying field goal on a drive extended

by Jaquiski Tartt’s brutal dropped interception, the Rams drove for Matt Gay’s go-ahead, 30-yard field goal with 1:46 to play.

Los Angeles’ defence then won it when Aaron Donald got hold of Jimmy Garoppolo and forced him to fling a pass toward JaMycal Hasty. The ball caromed high in the air off Hasty’s hands and came straight down to Howard, who didn’t miss it.

“I’ve got total trust and confidence in that defence,

GARDINER FROM PAGE 13

SHAUN Miller Jr weeks now,” said Charlton, a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky, whose previous SB was 7.99 two weeks ago.

“That speaks a lot to my fitness and my ability to learn from previous mistakes and continuously build on it week to week.

The 7.95 is tied for my second fastest ever and fastest I’ve ever run this early so I think once I start to taper off towards the indoors world in March, I’ll be in a great spot.”

Americans Tonea Marshall and former world record holder Keni Harrison were third and fourth respectively in 7.99 and 8.00.

“It’s always a pleasure when I get to line up with such a stacked field of women,” said Charlton of the competition. “My best races come when I’m challenged and this is what a round at the world indoor championships could look like so it’s great practice for that level.”

The 26-year-old Charlton, coming off her final

man,” said Stafford, who passed for 337 yards in the third playoff victory of his 13-year career. “They’ve been unbelievable all year.

Way to freakin’ ice the game. I loved it.”

Los Angeles will welcome the Cincinnati Bengals in two weeks for Super Bowl 56 in Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s multibillion-dollar SoFi Stadium.

After 54 consecutive Super Bowls without an NFL team playing in its home stadium, the Rams are the second team to do it in two seasons after Tampa Bay broke the streak last year.

“You can’t write the story any better,” Stafford said.

“I’m at a loss for words. I’m just having a blast playing ball with these guys and, shoot, we’ve got one more at the home stadium. Let’s get it done.”

The Rams won their second conference title in the past four years under coach Sean McVay and moved one step from the franchise’s second championship in the Super Bowl era.

Perhaps even more impressively, Los Angeles finally snapped a six-game losing streak against its San Francisco archrivals, who secured their playoff berth with an overtime comeback victory in Inglewood just

appearance in August at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will now take the week off before she returns to competition at the American Track league meet in Louisville, Kentucky.

Miller Jr victorious at Rod McCravy At the University of Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Track and Field Invitational at the Nutter Fieldhouse in Lexington, Kentucky, Ohio States’ sophomore Shaun Miller Jr soared 7-feet and 1/2inch or 2.15m to snatch the victory in the men’s high jump.

And Tamar Greene, in his senior debut for Purdue University in the men’s triple jump, cleared 52-04 (16.-06m) for third place.

Clarence Foote-Talley, a sophomore at Ohio State, won with 52-09 (16.38m) and Kentucky’s freshman Luke Brown was second with 52-08 1/4 (16.06m).

A number of Bahamians also competed at the meet, including Kentucky’s sophomore Megan Moss, who crossed the finish line in the women’s 400m in 52.69 behind Alexis Holmes, her junior team-mate, who won in 52.07.

Moss also led off Kentucky women’s 4 x 400m relay team, composed of Karimah Davis, Masai Russell and Alexis Holmes, who won in 3:34.65. Kentucky entered another team, featuring Bahamians Jaida Knowles on lead off and Anthaya Charlton on anchor. Along with Darci Khan and Dynasty McClennon, they were 14th in 4:02.68.

LOS Angeles Rams’ Travin Howard (32) intercepts a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers’ JaMycal Hasty during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game last night.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) three weeks ago. Deebo McVay wasted his final Los Angeles shook it off, next drive, which ended Samuel and George Kittle timeout on a failed chal- got a defensive stop and with a missed 54-yard field caught touchdown passes lenge with 10:01 left. made an 18-play, 97-yard goal by Gay. from Garoppolo, who In front of a crowd drive consuming more than Samuel shook off a maspassed for 232 yards in a packed with fans of both 9 1/2 minutes. Kupp capped sive, clean hit from Rams heartbreaker for the 49ers California clubs, San Fran- it with his 16-yard TD catch safety Nick Scott on San (12-8). cisco held a 10-7 halftime in the back of the end zone. Francisco’s drive ending Coach Kyle Shanahan lead after a litany of missed But the Niners answered in Robbie Gould’s 38-yard punted twice from the opportunities by Los with yet another moment of field goal at the halftime Rams’ half of the field and a Angeles. brilliance of Samuel, who gun for a 10-7 lead. third time from the 50, and The Rams got to the San caught an inside screen pass San Francisco’s defence that caution likely ended up Francisco 3 on their second and rampaged through the stopped the Rams on downs costing San Francisco. drive, but K’Waun Williams Los Angeles defence. near midfield in the third San Francisco also will alertly tipped an end zone The All-Pro dived to the quarter, and Garoppolo hit lament its late-game execu- pass to Jimmie Ward for a pylon for his first career Kittle for his second TD tion, but no mistake was long interception return. postseason scoring catch. pass moments later. bigger than the dropped The pick was Stafford’s first The Rams’ mistakes multiLA kept it close with interception by Tartt, who of the playoffs, but his fifth plied: Kupp and rookie Ben a gritty drive ending in could have put the Rams in in three games against the Skowronek dropped poten- Kupp’s 11-yard TD catch dire straits moments after Niners. tial scoring passes on LA’s early in the fourth quarter.

NCAA

FROM PAGE 13

STEVEN Gardiner has shattered American Noah Lyles’ 300 metre indoor world record. He also lowered his Bahamian national record he clocked on January 14 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Moss also took it out on the second leg on the Kentucky women’s distance medley team of Jenna Gearing, Jenna Schwinghamer and Tori Herman as they took second place in 11:01.81.

In other results from the meet, Charlton contested the women’s long jump where she was seventh in the long jump with her best leap of 19-feet, 2 1/2-inches (5.85m).

She went on the track where she finished 37th

WILLIAMS FROM PAGE 13

send him to the canvas with a flurry. Williams quickly got up, returning the favour to Dobbs. After he landed a combination of his own, Williams followed it up with a devastating hook that rocked Dobbs’ body.

Eventually, it forced Dobbs to drop to his knees as he spat out his mouthpiece, forcing the referee to step in to administer the mandatory 10 count. Realising that Dobbs had taken enough punishment, the referee waived off the fight, awarding Williams the TKO victory.

“It was good. My condition for the fight was good and the guy was definitely in good condition,” Williams said. “But I had a reach advantage over him and I was much stronger than him, so it helped me to get the job done when I did.”

RASHIELD Williams stopped American Dylan Dobbs to improve his win-loss record to 5-1 with four knockouts.

Going into the fight, Williams said he spent the past three months

overall in 7.77 in the women’s 60m. Charlton closed out her meet when she came back in the 200m where she was 47th in 25.26.

However, Knowles, also competing in her freshman season, had a better showing after she ended up 30th in 25.24.

Adrian Curry, the Ohio State’s sophomore, turned in the 15th best qualifying time of 6.86 to advance to the semi-final where he was 12th in 6.84. Curry also

since he returned to Florida and his coaches Steve Ray and Chico Rivas got him prepared.

“I was happy to be back in the amateur atmosphere, but those guys are quicker than we are as professionals,” said Williams about the World Championship that allowed the pros to fight against the amateurs.

“If I get the opportunity to go to the Commonwealth Games, I will probably go to Cuba and train for that one. My coaches here are doing a great job getting me ready for the pro ranks. But the amateur ranks is a little more difficult now to compete and train for.”

Williams will take another break before he fights in about two months.

But he noted that he’s eagerly looking forward to the possibility of representing the Bahamas once again at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 27 to August 7 in Birmingham, England.

contested the 200m where he was 22nd in 21.97.

Oscar Smith, a sophomore at Ohio State, had the third fastest qualifying time of 7.99 in the preliminaries of the men’s 60m hurdles. He was 8th in 8.08 to get into the final where he was seventh in 8.10.

Curry and Smith, running the first two legs respectively, combined with Cameron Cooper and Nick Miller on Ohio State’s third men’s 4 x 400m that placed 10th in 3:28.15.

ONTARIO FROM PAGE 13

between the Bahamas and Canada for prep basketball prospects.

He also serves as director of Empower Sports Network (ESN), and also has recruiting ties to Brock University.

Prior to his post at Niagara, Smith was a member of the coaching staff for the St. Mary’s University Huskies who compete in the Atlantic University Sport Conference of U Sports.

Dean finished with a season high 38 points in week six in an 83-78 win over New Horizon

for the rest of the way.

The Tigers improved to 14-4 overall and 10-1 in the SIAC. The Tigers look to extend their win streak tonight against Fort Valley State. McCoy is averaging 10.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Lathanial Bastian and the Angelo State Rams returned to the win column with a dominant performance against Eastern New Mexico, 93-62, in Lone Star Conference play.

Bastian finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

The Rams improved to 14-5 and 4-3 in the Lone Star Conference. Bastian is averaging 11.2 points and a team leading 8.3 rebounds per game.

The Rams continue their homestand Tuesday, February 1, against UT Permian Basin.

Jonathan McFall returned to the court for Slippery Rock but the team continues to be mired in a three-game losing streak in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Slippery Rock lost 92-83 to California University on Saturday.

The loss drops The Rock’s record to 10-6 overall and 6-4 in PSAC games.

McFall came off the bench to score 15 points, collected six rebounds, two steals and one block.

On the season McFall is averaging 15.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Academy when league play resumed following the winter break and ensuing stoppage due to COVID-19.

In December, the Lions finished the City of Palms Classic in the win column and finished third in the Signature Series bracket with a 68-56 win over Victory Prep (Bradenton, Florida).

Dean finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocked shots in the finale.

He averaged 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for the tournament. A 6’7” wing, Dean said his plan is to declare early and spend his senior season focused on his on-court production.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 31, 2022, PAGE 19

Bengals top Chiefs 27-24 in OT to clinch Super Bowl trip

WEST INDIES WINS T20 SERIES, FOUR WICKETS IN FOUR BALLS FOR HOLDER

By DENNIS WASZAK JR AP Pro Football Writer

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Pacer Jason Holder took four wickets in four balls to blow up the last over of England’s run chase as West Indies won the fifth Twenty20 game by 17 runs yesterday to capture the series 3-2.

West Indies won the toss, chose to bat and scored 179-4 at the Kensington Oval. In reply, England was all out for 162 with one ball left after entering the final over at 160-6 and needing 20 runs to win.

In that last over, Holder first claimed the wicket of Chris Jordan (7), immediately followed by the key dismissal of Sam Billings (41 runs off 28 balls) before golden ducks for Adil Rashid and Saqib Mahmood.

Holder did not get a chance to go for five wickets in five balls with no England batters left. The allrounder finished with 5-27 from 2.5 overs.

James Vince top-scored for England with 55 off 35.

Earlier, West Indies had been frustrated by England’s spinners but captain Kieron Pollard (41 not out off 25) and Rovman Powell (35 not out off 17) shared an undefeated fifth-wicket stand of 74 in just over five overs to give the hosts a reasonable target to set England.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Evan McPherson kicked a 31-yard field goal with 9:22 left in overtime after Joe Burrow kept his cool while leading a furious second-half comeback to get the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years with a 27-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game yesterday.

The Bengals erased an 18-point deficit — tying an AFC title game record — to take a late 24-21 lead on McPherson’s 52-yarder.

But Harrison Butker’s 44-yard kick as time expired in regulation sent it to overtime a week after his 49-yarder on the final play of regulation did the same against Buffalo.

One week after Buffalo’s Josh Allen called tails and it came up heads for the overtime coin toss — giving Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs the ball — Cincinnati backup quarterback Brandon Allen called heads and the coin came up tails. The Chiefs opened overtime again with the ball, but Vonn Bell intercepted Mahomes on the third play, and Burrow and the Bengals took over.

And now they’re heading to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989 after winning their first playoff overtime game.

“Usually when you lose the coin flip to those guys, you’re going home,” Burrow said. “Our defence really stepped up and made plays in the second half.

And on offence we made plays when we had to. I

MILLER-UIBO

thought the offensive line played really well all day.

We started running the ball there at the end and that’s exciting.

“Big win for us.”

The Bengals (13-7) will play the winner of the NFC championship between San Francisco and the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl in Los Angeles on February 13. Cincinnati lost to the 49ers in both of its previous trips to the Super Bowl.

Mahomes and the Chiefs (14-6) will be left to lament blowing a chance at a third straight Super Bowl appearance. They had a chance at a winning touchdown in the closing seconds of regulation, but sacks by Sam Hubbard on consecutive plays forced Kansas City to settle for the tying field goal.

The Bengals have won six of their last seven games against the Chiefs, including two this season.

The Chiefs got a touchdown on their first three possessions, with Mahomes finding Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard score that made it 21-3 — and had this one looking very much like a rout. Mahomes joined Tom Brady (2014), Joe Flacco (2012) and Aaron Rodgers (2010) as the only players with three games with three or more TD passes in a single postseason.

But Burrow kept the Bengals in it.

He tossed a short pass to Samaje Perine, who avoided a tackle attempt

by Charvarius Ward and raced into the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the opening half.

BENGALS kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 31-yard field goal during overtime in the AFC championship NFL football game against the Chiefs yesterday.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Chiefs appeared “I was hoping we could get zone to catch Burrow’s toss headed for their fourth the ball in the end zone,” for a touchdown. Burrow straight touchdown drive coach Andy Reid said. “I then found a wide-open to open the game, espe- probably gave the wrong Trent Taylor for the 2-point cially after Byron Pringle’s play, first of all. I could conversion to tie it at 21 10-yard catch put Kansas have given them something with 14 seconds left in the City at the 15 with 13 sec- better than that. I’ll take third quarter. onds left — setting off responsibility for that one.”

The 18-point comeback chants from the fired-up McPherson’s 31-yarder by Cincinnati tied IndianArrowhead Stadium crowd cut the Bengals’ deficit to apolis (vs. New England of “13 seconds!” who were 21-13 with 2:58 left in the in 2006) for the largest in still reveling in the Chiefs’ third quarter.

AFC championship history. stunning comeback last Cincinnati got the ball STATS week against Buffalo. back at the Chiefs 27 Burrow finished 23 of 38 A pass interference call moments later when B.J. for 250 yards with the two on Eli Apple in the end Hill intercepted Mahomes’ TDs and an interception. ... zone put the ball on the short pass intended for Mixon rushed for 88 yards 1, but the Chiefs couldn’t Demarcus Robinson. Two on 21 carries. ... Mahomes get into the end zone on plays after Joe Mixon went 26 of 39 for 275 yards two tries, with Mahomes’ gained 2 yards on first-and- and TDs to Hardman, pass to Tyreek Hill losing goal from the 5, Ja’Marr Travis Kelce and Tyreek a yard and ending the half. Chase went up over Hill, and was intercepted It ended up costing them. Rashad Fenton in the end twice.

record-holder at 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m.

FROM PAGE 20 For those who won’t be able to a number of elite athletes at travel to New York, they can view this year’s New Balance, includthe 2022 New Balance Indoor ing the following: Grand Prix live on NBC from • Omar McLeod, the 2016 12pm to 2pm EST on Sunday, Olympic champion in the 110m February 6. hurdles, will line up in the flat Now in its 27th year, the New 60m against the previously Balance Indoor Grand Prix has announced Noah Lyles and played host to nine world records Ronnie Baker. and 16 American records.

SHAUNAE • Devon Allen, fourth and fifth The series of the best indoor MILLER-Uibo in the 110m hurdles at the last athletics events around the world two Olympic Games and reigning Diamond awards overall tour winners $10,000 and a League champion, will join world record- guaranteed spot at the 2022 World Athletholder Grant Holloway in the 60m hurdles. ics Indoor Championships in Serbia.

• Jake Wightman, the 2018 ComIn accordance with the regulations of monwealth Games and European the city of New York, all persons aged five Championships bronze medallist at 1,500m, and older attending the 2022 New Balance will step up in distance and race the 3,000m, Indoor Grand Prix must show proof of vacwhere he’ll take on Spain’s Adel Mechaal, cination against COVID-19 in order to be the 2017 European Indoor Champion at allowed access to the Ocean Breeze Ath3,000m, and Luis Grijalva, the Guatemalan letic Complex.

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

PAGE 20, Monday, January 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo and her husband Maicel Uibo enjoy a water ride at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Photo courtesy of Eric Hall

Miller-Uibo set to open season on February 6

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FRESH off her recent training camp here with her Pure Athletics Track Club teammates, back-toback Bahamian Olympic women’s 400 metre champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo is now looking forward to her season opener at a meet that saw her Bahamian national 400m record last year.

Miller-Uibo, who spent a week here with coach Lance Brauman, her husband Maicel Uibo, British long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, American sprinter Lynna Irby and Trinidad & Tobago sprinter Khalifa St Fort, is scheduled to kick off her season at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Sunday, February 6.

The New Balance event, traditionally held in Boston, will once again be temporarily relocated and held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island, New York, but it will continue to be a part of the World Athletics Grand Prix.

After falling short of winning her first gold medal at the World Championships in 2019 in Doha, Qatar when she was beaten out by suspended Salwa Eid Naser

of Bahrain, Miller-Uibo virtually breezed through the 2020 season, which was considered an off year due to the start of the COVID19 pandemic.

She came back in 2021 and was undefeated over 400m, starting with a Bahamian indoor record at last year’s New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, and ending with the successful defence of her Olympic title, recording a remarkable 48.36 and another Bahamian record.

At this year’s New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Miller-Uibo is expected to get an early test when she competes against Wadeline Jonathas, the 2020 USA indoor champion at 400m, who won a gold medal in Tokyo as part of Team USA’s 4x400m relay squad.

Miller-Uibo is using the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix to prepare her for her participation in the World Athletics’ 2022 World Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 18-20 in Belgrade, Serbia.

In 2014, Miller-Uibo earned her first and only World Indoor Championship medal when she claimed the bronze in the 400m in Sopot, Poland.

Miller-Uibo and Jonathas are expected to be joined by

SEE PAGE 19