02072022 NEWS AND SPORT

HOUSE & HOME MONDAY

Coffee is Brewing HIGH 79ºF LOW 66ºF

i’m lovin’ it!

Monday,

February

CARS! CARS!

8, 2021

The Tribune Established

Being Bound To

Swear To The Dogmas

1903

Of No Master

The Tribune L A T E S T

Volume: 119 No.52, February 7, 2022

N E W S

tise Call

To Adver

-2351

601-0007 or 502

Starting at

$33.60

CLASSIFIEDS TRADER

ed

VAT includ

Established 1903

O N

T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

Biggest And Best!

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

SEIZED SHIPS: WHO’S PAYING THEIR BILLS?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNS were voiced yesterday over the fate of 900 crew members due to uncertainty over who will cover the costs for two Bahamas-flagged cruise ships arrested in Freeport.

Stephen Turnquest, the Callenders & Company partner who obtained Supreme Court-approved arrest warrants for both the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, told Tribune Business “the last thing The Bahamas wants is for a humanitarian crisis to erupt” if no agreement is reached on who pays the bills while

the vessels are detained.

The attorney, who represents Peninsula Petroleum Far East, a Singaporebased shipping fuel supplier claiming to be owed some $2.1m for outstanding bunkers provided to the Crystal Cruises vessels, said funds would be needed to provide the crews - who have remained on board the vessels - with sufficient food until the dispute is resolved.

Fuel will also be required to operate the ships’ air conditioning, pumps and other systems in the interim, while garbage, sewerage and sludge disposal must also be addressed.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DAVIS: PRESS PROTOCOLS AVOID ‘GOTCHA MOMENT’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he doesn’t view the change in protocol for press seeking Cabinet interviews as the media being shut out, rather it was an attempt to add structure and avoid a “gotcha moment”.

Last Tuesday, the press was denied direct access to Cabinet ministers as they arrived for the weekly Cabinet meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister. Press secretary Clint Watson said the move was in direct

response to the logistical and security issues created by reporters and cameras gathering in an attempt to speak with senior government officials. Moving forward, Mr Watson said the media would be facilitated in the press room at OPM. Asked about it on the sidelines of a passing out ceremony at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force base at Coral Harbour on Friday, Mr Davis was quoted by ZNS as saying: “I don’t know that it was a shutout per se.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

ONE of the Crystal Cruises ships in Bahamian waters.

WHERE DID PIT BULLS HUGE BACKLOG KEEPING IN DEADLY ATTACK GO? PRESSURE ON HOSPITALS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

KIM Aranha, Bahamas Humane Society president, says she’s not only concerned by how authorities have handled a recent dog attack, but is “mystified” at how “quiet” the incident has been treated.

While The Tribune was told a man is expected in court today over the mauling of a 51-year-old woman by dogs he owns, Ms Aranha raised several questions that have become apparent in the aftermath of the near fatal attack.

SEE PAGE FIVE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Health Minister Dr Duane Sands says the public healthcare system is far from being “back to normal” despite declining COVID-19 infections, citing strained resources and a “phenomenal” backlog of

cases involving people seeking non-COVID related care.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Dr Sands underscored the impact the virus has had on public health even as the nation’s fourth wave appears to be weakening.

SEE PAGE FOUR

THIRD OF LANDED FISH BREAK RULES INSIGHT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS were yesterday warned it was “folly” to believe the oceans have an inexhaustible fisheries supply after it was revealed that 36 percent of landed catches are illegal or unregulated.

Paul Maillis, the National Fisheries Association director, told Tribune Business that the country suffers from

THE REPORT says almost a quarter of all conch landings are illegal. a “cloud of the unknown” as to the health of its fisheries resources because too many catches are either improperly reported or not

recorded at all.

As a result, he was “not shocked” by an InterAmerican Development Bank report’s estimation that more than one-third of Bahamian fisheries catches fall into the illegal, unreported or unregulated category - thereby representing a significant threat to the industry’s long-term sustainability and the livelihoods of many families and communities.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

A RAM IN THE BUSH - A STORY OF HOW TO KEEP GOING SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Barnett-Ellis sworn in as senator in ceremony SENATOR Michela Barnett-Ellis at her swearing-in ceremony, right, with FNM leader Michael Pintard, left, and Governor General CA Smith.

By PAVEL BAILEY THE Free National Movement welcomed its newest senator in an official ceremony on Friday.

Michela Barnett-Ellis received her instruments of appointment as the nation’s latest senator for the FNM in an intimate ceremony at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre on Friday morning, with several key FNM party members and Governor General Sir Cornelius Smith in attendance.

A former lecturer at the University of The Bahamas, a “decorated” attorney and lifelong public servant, Ms Barnett-Ellis was honoured at her appointment.

She replaced Viana Gardiner in the Senate, who resigned from the post in late December.

On Friday, Ms BarnettEllis said she was grateful to her daughter for being a source of inspiration and strength in her life and thanked Michael Pintard, the leader of the opposition, for the opportunity to serve.

“Today is not the culmination of hard work, but further steps on a journey of deeper public service.

Mr Leader, I am extremely privileged and humbled to be your first appointment, we are a party united behind and inspired by your leadership,” she said.

In her new appointment, Senator Barnett-Ellis promised to uphold the ideals of the FNM and fulfil the party’s promises to the Bahamian people “I have worked and will continue to work toward the fulfilment of our party’s promise to the Bahamian people,” she said. “Equality of opportunity, transparent and transformative government, and accountability. I promise to always remember why it all started and what we all stand for.”

Mr Pintard, FNM leader, congratulated the new senator on her appointment and commended her for her years of dedicated public service. While he

acknowledged that Ms Barnett-Ellis was chosen to replace another female senator under the recommendation of several women’s groups, including the party’s Women’s Association, he assured the public that she was not chosen solely based on her gender but due to her outstanding qualifications for the role.

“Our newest senator is a remarkable Bahamian,” Mr Pintard said. “Gender is not the primary reason for her appointment, she is just flat out brilliant, with a track record of service and is someone who I have had the opportunity to observe from a distance and seen the tremendous commitment she has to any task that has been assigned to her.

“She is a decorated attorney partner at the firm Graham Thompson, she has many years of public service having served as chairperson of the building and contracts committee and chairperson of the operations committee of the National Insurance Board from 2017 through September 2021.”

Mr Pintard welcomed Ms Barnett-Ellis to the Senate and reaffirmed the FNM’s commitment to building a better nation.

“So, this morning ladies and gentlemen I am pleased to welcome to our parliamentary caucus Senator Michela Ellis. Her experience and unique perspective and dedication to serving Bahamians will further strengthen the Senate and help shape our country.

“We are committed to building a country that’s not steeped in political tribalism but believes that when Bahamians collaborate, we can produce Bahamian exceptionalism and excellence. And that when the world looks at us, we will have created a model of a nation that in many respects sets the pace not merely in the region but globally.

I believe we are one step closer to doing that with this important appointment this morning.”

SENATOR Michela Barnett-Ellis with Governor General CA Smith.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 3

Minister backs GB students to excel

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin is optimistic Grand Bahama and Abaco students will excel, despite the double ordeal of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister toured public schools throughout the island on Friday, interacting with primary and high school students as well as teachers who returned to the classroom about two weeks ago under a hybrid model of face-to-face learning after a protracted period of virtual classes.

She was pleased with what she saw and experienced during the school

tour. Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne accompanied the minister.

“This has been such an upliftment for me because Grand Bahama went through the pandemic and Dorian, and they had a double whammy,” Ms Hanna Martin said.

“And the optimism, the resiliency, the determination I have seen at the schools is just so refreshing and heartwarming.

“And really it engenders a sense of hope for what we are looking forward to.”

The attitude of the students, teachers, and administrators is encouraging, she said.

“This has really been excellent to see young people at all age levels. The

little ones and the grade 12 students, the focus, determination, and resiliency has just been an amazing experience.

“The challenges are still there, but it is the attitude we are seeing exhibited by teachers, administration, students, parents and the community.

“This has been really a wonderful eye-opener today.”

While the pandemic has had an impact, Mrs Hanna Martin is hopeful that students will do well.

“I think through the combination of parents, schools, teachers and the wider community is the formula to really cause for these students to excel. It has been so rewarding to interact with these young children, particularly the

grade 12 students. They got two years at a critical time in this situation, three years if you count the hurricane, and they just

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin pictured during the tour of Grand Bahama on Friday.

Photos: Lisa Davis/BIS seemed so determined and focused.”

She stressed that support is needed for the students and schools.

“It will take a lot of leg work to catch up for the loss that has occurred during this pandemic. But I think that what I see in Grand Bahama, this shining optimism bodes very well for the recovery of Grand Bahama, and we hope across the board in this country.

“I have said, and I believe that this generation that has been subject to this ordeal, and I want my words to be marked, they will prove to be the most resilient generation of Bahamians we have ever seen. I think they are going to excel; I think they are going to be incredible. And I am seeing it as I move through the country, in Abaco two days ago, and in Grand Bahama today, and as I move through schools in New Providence - it is a refreshing thing to see and a hopeful experience.”

When asked about the new school in West Grand Bahama, the minister said they are looking forward to its completion.

“We are looking for it to be open by next school year,” she said. “There seems to be progress and I am looking forward to its completion because it is very needed in the community. I see progress there now, and I am looking forward to the completion of that project.”

She was also impressed with St George’s High School.

“It is a multifaceted school, with strong technical and vocational, and agricultural components, as well as performing arts and strong academics; it was quite an excellent experience. They have very good BGCSE results even in this situation. And I asked them how, and they said the determination of the children who come in on Saturdays and put in long hours, and they have done well,” she said.

$500,000 GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP CENTRE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas received a $500,000 grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Friday for the development of the Centre of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at its Grand Bahama campus.

The signing of the technical cooperation agreement was held at the Grand Lucayan’s convention centre, marking a significant partnership for UB. In attendance were Allyson Maynard-Gibson, chair of UB’s board of trustees, Rodney Smith, UB president and Dr Ian Strachan, president of UB North.

Attending virtually was Daniela Carrera-Marquis, IDB country representative, who brought brief remarks.

She said the contribution further cements IDB’s commitment to drive innovation for improving social, economic, and environmental conditions of the most vulnerable.

Ms Carrera-Marquis said that through the partnership they hope to see a cadre of well-trained technical professionals over the next few months.

“We hope to see more digitally savvy workers; and we want to see linkage with the private sector,” she said.

The IDB representative said they want to see entrepreneurial and innovation support to 500 graduates of the entrepreneurship boot camp, with a 50 percent target to be women.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said the partnership,

created by the half-a-million-dollar grant from IDB and matching commitment from UB, will transform UB-North, Grand Bahama and the country.

“The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UB-North will stimulate micro, small and mediumsized business ownership and increase the capacity of Bahamians to soar in the digital realm, ensuring our competitiveness nationally and internationally,” she said.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said the investment from IDB is important. She thanked IDB and Ms Carrera-Marquis for her leadership.

“I am also grateful for the efforts of our UBNorth community in this partnership. I look forward to …UB North becoming the leading regional training centre for innovation, technology, and digital entrepreneurship,” she stated.

Dr Strachan said Friday’s signing is the start of a new chapter in the life of UB North.

“The technical cooperation agreement with the IDB intended to spark innovation and entrepreneurship in Grand Bahama, constitutes a combined million-dollar commitment by our institutions over the next three years to train, coach, and inspire our citizens,” he said.

Dr Strachan said participants will be empowered to confidently start businesses or to expand the reach, versatility, and resilience of their existing businesses by harnessing digital technology.

He said the boot camps,

incubators, and courses offered will make available to citizens, at a crucial moment of high unemployment, much needed opportunities to retool, to gain valuable skills that will allow them to become more marketable, more competitive and to be masters of their own fate through entrepreneurship.

Dr Strachan said the skills gap and the lack of diversity are key weaknesses of the Bahamian economy.

“This initiative seeks to tackle these head on,” he explained. By doing so we improve Grand Bahama’s profile as a magnet for future investment.”

He said after the creation of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UB North, a business incubator will be established.

After that, programmes in entrepreneurship, computer science, operations management, electrical engineering, civil

engineering, mechanical engineering, marine science, environmental science, and sustainable innovation will be created.

Dr Strachan said the goal is to establish UB North as the STEM campus of the university system, drawing students from across the country, the region, and world to centres of academic excellence.

Dr Smith views the partnership with IDB as an essential part of carrying out UB’s mission.

UB, as a national institution, must be open to engaging in meaningful discussions and partnerships with international agencies that help us further our mission, by focusing efforts toward attaining our national development,” he said.

PLP Senator Kirkland Russell said the signing is more than just a special milestone in the history of UB and its northern campus. “It serves to

demonstrate the Davis administration’s commitment to lead the nation’s economic transformation, with Grand Bahama as its

innovation epicentre, and with the university playing a pivotal role in entrepreneurial development and training,” he said.

PAGE 4, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Huge backlog keeping pressure on hospitals from page one “There is no part of the healthcare system that’s back to normal. None.

Whether you’re talking about public institutions or private institutions, we continue to be seriously challenged by COVID,” Dr Sands said.

“It has impacted staffing levels, ICU nurses in particular, there’s bed limitations and we have had to change our protocols in terms of how patients get into the hospital and it has made it very, very challenging to provide care to everyone. So, we have accumulated what I believe to be a huge backlog of cases and that’s for non-COVID care.”

The senior physician said due to limited resources, some patients with nonCOVID related illnesses are forced to wait days in order to be admitted to the hospital.

“I had a not-so-young patient with a chest problem and it took me almost four days in order to get her in the hospital and in order

related deaths while 69 people are currently in hospital with the virus, three of whom are still in the inten81-year-old man who died sive care unit. on January 23; a 56-yearWhile calling the drop old woman who died on in virus numbers a “good” January 24; a 70-year-old sign, Dr Sands said it is still man who died on Janutoo early to tell whether the ary 26 and a 74-year-old country is nearing the end woman who died on Janof its fourth wave. uary 27. The deceased However, he urged Bahawere all Grand Bahama mians not to become too residents. optimistic or lower their On February 5, 13 new guards as the COVID-19 cases were recorded — the situation in the country still lowest daily case count remains very fluid. since December 11, 2021.

He said: “I think that According to the latest data, 69 people are in hosthere are some hopeful pital with the virus. signs that the number of worse by the structural cases is declining but if you were to look at the challenges facing our number of cases over the healthcare system to begin last four weeks, it has with and when you put only been one week that them all together you have the total number of cases a perfect storm.” confirmed by PCR in The Health officials recorded Bahamas was less than the 93 new cases over a three- highest number of cases in day period between the third wave.

Thursday and Saturday last “If you go back and look week. at the numbers, we would This pushed the nation’s have peaked at 900 cases a total confirmed count​to​ week during the third wave.

32,773 since the start of the Last week, we had 1,200 pandemic. cases. The week before There are also now 753 that, 2,200 cases. The week

FIVE MORE DEATHS CONFIRMED THE Ministry of Health has reported five more COVID-19 deaths and 93 additional cases over a three-day period.

Thirty-five new cases were recorded on February 3, along with one COVID-19 related death.

Health officials said the deceased is a 61-year-old New Providence man who died on January 27.

On February 4, 45 new cases were recorded along with four more deaths. They include an to treat her in what was a potentially life-threatening chest problem because of the impact of COVID,” he said.

“So, bed availability is less, the patients require testing to be done at the right interval and that has to be verified and then it changes how you approach the patients. I don’t know when we’re going to get back to normal, but understand that there has been a phenomenal backlog related to COVID made

before those was 3,000 cases. So, it’s only been one week where we have had confirmed cases less than the highest level during the third wave.

“In addition, we continue to have a significant number of people hospitalised and... we’re still getting double digit cases. I believe we are all hopeful but let us not get in front of ourselves... and I don’t know if there’s another wave coming but certainly there’s a possibility that there will be if we have another variant.”

The apparent downward trend in cases comes as vaccine uptake wanes in the country.

Dr Sands called the situation concerning and stressed vaccinations still remain the most effective tool in the fight against COVID-19.

“The concerning thing however is that we seem to have reduced our resolve to get our people vaccinated,” he said. “I have heard the arguments back and forth but there is a very well written study in New York that looked at the experience

of Omicron and that study basically showed that notwithstanding what people think is Omicron being mild or what have you that the city data showed that among the cases in New York City, the death rate among the unvaccinated was 17 times higher than it was among those who are vaccinated.

“So, vaccination remains an effective tool for preventing hospitalisation and death. We don’t know what variants are coming so let us be very, very cautious and very, very careful. We can be hopeful that this thing is heading in the right direction, but we don’t know for sure.”

Last week, the Pan American Health Organization told reporters during its weekly media briefing that the agency was working with various health ministers in the Caribbean to “develop a comprehensive strategy” to address vaccine​ hesitancy.

According to official data, 159,839 people have been fully vaccinated as of February 5.

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET FOR STUDENTS A RED carpet welcome for students of Columbus Primary from the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau and the Rotaract Club of South East Centennial.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

STUDENTS from Columbus Primary School received a red-carpet welcome from the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau and the Rotaract Club of South East Centennial last Thursday.

The students were given

bags with school supplies as they walked onto the campus and were met with cheerful signs.

The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau has partnered with the school for the past six years on various initiatives.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 5

Davis: Press protocols avoid ‘gotcha moment’ from page one “Unfortunately, that was a security issue I think more than anything else and I’ve asked them to address it.

“You know it’s always very difficult to be focusing on going to a meeting, of a Cabinet meeting where weighty matters are being discussed to be interrupted on the way to answer questions that sometimes you don’t even know the answer to and we’re just trying to bring some structure so that whenever you speak to us that there will be an informed discussion as opposed to what I call a gotcha moment.”

Mr Davis suggested his administration’s weekly press briefings provided sufficient time for reporters to field burning questions.

“I know that the press would like to talk to us every day. It’s always questions out there to be answered, but Cabinet ministers, public officials have to get on with their work and what we did is we carved out a time every week to allow the press the opportunity to speak to any issue that they may have on their mind.

“Do they want more than that? If they do, I don’t think we’re being less accountable because whenever you think you have a question a Cabinet minister must stop and answer it.

There has to be a give and take.

“I would think you would want to talk to a Cabinet minister when he has the time. You’ll get a better and more informed answer,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Watson said last week officials had to think about all parties and their confidentiality affected by media

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis during Friday’s Defence Force passing out ceremony. presence outside the OPM. “But I think the bigger picture must always be that we have to always think about everyone impacted and in this building that means thinking about those who visit - the customers that come here, the Bahamians that come to visit, the investors that come for meetings to ensure that their privacy is protected from media and a whole street of cameras outside on a Tuesday, which will now become a regular and a

norm,” Mr Watson said.

Mr Watson continued: “So, we’re seeking to ensure that everyone at the end of the day is satisfied with the arrangement and hopefully we’ll have the support of my colleagues in ensuring that this happens.

“We’re going to try and work it. If it doesn’t work, we’ll tweak it and find a way for it to work. I believe Cabinet ministers will cooperate if that is a concern.

Will they come to the media room? I believe they will.

The Cabinet ministers have not run away from media.

They’ve not.

“If they can provide you with information they always seek to do so and our press team stands ready and able to ensure that those persons that are needed for interviews are brought here before they go to the Cabinet room.

“We stand committed to that and our Cabinet ministers stand committed to assisting us in that regard and so we ask for you, the

Photo: BIS media, to come on board and work with us as well to ensure that this is a smooth transition and believe at the end of the day it’ll be a more comfortable one for all of you as well and I think a more dignified approach to ensuring that you can get stories that you need on a regular basis.”

Last Tuesday, the media met orange cones erected outside the OPM’s entrance, which were guarded by Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers.

Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper was the only minister who walked over to reporters and agreed to be interviewed.

In the past, media would usually wait directly outside buildings where ministers were expected to meet to get interviews without facing such restrictions.

Mr Watson later said the measures outside OPM were not unusual and only a part of the RBDF’s security protocols.

WHERE DID PIT BULLS IN DEADLY ATTACK GO? from page one

Alicia Barton, a cancer survivor, was attacked by four Pit Bulls in the yard of her Pastel Gardens home more than a week ago. The incident has left her nursing severe head, arm and leg injuries.

“I’m sort of mystified by

everything,” Ms Aranha told The Tribune yesterday. “I am hearing that the dogs have disappeared and that nobody knows where they are. How do dogs like that disappear into the neighbourhood and nobody can find them?

“I’m presuming that they’re pretty aggressive dogs and they would have made themselves known. So,

THIEF: I WAS FORCED TO STEAL FROM CHURCH

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MAGISTRATE sent a man, accused of stealing church items, to prison on Friday after he claimed he was “forced” by residents in his neighbourhood to commit the act.

Raynard Bain was arrested after police said he stole two speakers from Calvary Baptist Church, valued at $1,700, on February 2.

He was charged with sacrilege during his first appearance before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on Friday.

The 36-year-old, who appeared emotionally distressed, told the court he feared for his life and claimed that people in his area forced him to steal the items.

“They put a gun to my head to do this stuff.

Ma’am, I don’t know what to do. I am in fear of my life. If I don’t do it, they threaten to kill (me),” Bain tearfully told the court.

He also told the court that he could identify those who had threatened him.

However, Crown prosecutor Sgt Vernon Pyfrom said he didn’t believe Bain was being truthful with the court and further noted that police had “strong evidence” against him.

Having listened to both explanations, Magistrate

Kelly said she would record a not guilty plea and remand Bain into custody for his personal safety.

As a result, the matter was adjourned to February 11 for trial.

Deshannon Amal, 32, also appeared before Magistrate Kelly, charged with receiving a stolen Yamacraw scooter.

According to the prosecutor, a man reported to police that his scooter was stolen on January 3.

While doing their investigations, officers were led to Amal’s home where they found the stolen scooter and he was arrested as a result.

When given the opportunity to speak, the accused asked Magistrate Kelly for leniency, saying he was unaware that the scooter was stolen.

He also claimed that he paid two men $1,300 for the item.

Asked if he had proof to support his claims, he said he had messages in his phone to verify what he said.

As a result, Magistrate Kelly said she would enter a not guilty plea in view of his claims and adjourned the matter to February 25 for trial.

Bail was granted at $3,000 with one or two sureties. Amal was also ordered to report to the Carmichael Police Station every Wednesday.

has somebody taken them?

You know I see what would happen so often with aggressive dogs. They get bred and rebred because now they’ve proven themselves.

So, I find it concerning that there seems to be very little sunshine on what is going on with this case.

“It all seems to be very quiet and we don’t know who owns the dogs. I find it strange that the name of the owner hasn’t been released.

I find the whole thing kind of strange actually. I question how seriously it’s being taken.

I think that’s the approach that I’m going to take rather than saying it’s being swept under the carpet.”

She also drew attention to

the frequency at which Pit Bulls have been neglected and had to be either rescued or surrendered to the Humane Society. She said in the last week, around six Pit Bulls needed the BHS’ intervention, including a very emaciated female dog.

“What’s happening in the Pit Bull community to start with, they breed these poor females to within an inch of their life and they are not useful anymore. They just don’t feed them properly and the condition that poor dog was in was horrific and we’ve had about six of them in a week. Two, this guy just threw them out of his car window. Fortunately, we got them.

“I don’t understand.

These are dogs that people originally paid good money for, why would you do that when all you have to do is bring them to us anyway?

“You don’t have to torture them with no food and no water and put a big chain around their neck. It may not be the definition of torture that people might think, torture comes in many shapes and styles.

“If you do not want the dog anymore, bring her to us... and this is happening with Pit Bulls all the time and you know it’s a crying shame because they feel the pain. They feel the hunger, they feel the thirst, just like everyone else.

“Pit Bulls are very, very maligned around here.

People think they are vicious.

But if you mistreat an animal enough, they will — but they’re not born vicious.”

She made an appeal for help from the public.

“I’d like people to adopt and not shop. I’d like them to come down and see what dogs we have,” she said.

“I’d love them to come down with donations of food — dog food and cat food — we always need newspapers, we also need volunteers to come in and help with dog washing, dog walking you know helping tidy up and, of course, they will have to apply to the Humane Society for that.”

PAGE 6, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

We must protect the future of fishing SOMETIMES, we can be our own worst enemy.

The report detailing the extent of illegal or unregulated catches in the fishing industry shows how often people fail to think of tomorrow when trying to make money today.

The report comes from the InterAmerican Development Bank, but it has found general agreement locally from Paul Maillis, of the National Fisheries Association, who described the industry as a “cloud of the unknown” when it came to catches being improperly reported or not recorded at all.

Long-time readers of The Tribune will know the number of times we have highlighted fears over low stocks of conch – including in this column – and the report suggests that a quarter of all conch landings are illegal.

Worse than that, three out of every five conch are harvested before they can reproduce. How are we supposed to stop our fisheries from being exhausted if we don’t even let conch reproduce before we harvest it?

Do we want to be telling the next generation that conch used to be a national symbol of Bahamas life, that a conch salad was a traditional staple of our diet – but that we destroyed it?

Mr Maillis agrees, saying: “We have to take the conch problem very seriously.”

It’s not just conch that has to be dealt with in a more serious way – the report also cites other problems with fish catches, and the way in which catches are reported, accurately or otherwise.

Some of this requires structural change.

Of course we can’t know how our fishing stocks are being drained if we don’t have a strict requirement for accurate reporting.

That needs to change, but other measures are needed too. Some of that might involve restrictions on catches, some of it might come down to simple education to ensure immature conch or fish are left to create a next generation.

Most of all, we have to acknowledge that while this report is welcome, we didn’t really need it. We’ve known for years the problems with stocks, we’ve known for years that we need to do something about it … and we’ve known for years that not enough was being done.

We would love to hear the current government’s plans to deal with the situation. It won’t be popular to fix some of the problems – extra regulation or documentation is never welcomed. But if we do want to keep our fishing industry going 20 and 30 years down the line, we need to do more than we are right now.

Crystal Cruises The situation over the Crystal Cruises

ships parked in Bahamian waters during a legal stand-off is peculiar and worrying.

The ships have been detained in a row over money owed by the parent company. One fuel supplier says about $2.1m is owed, for example. Indeed, a Supreme Court ruling led to arrest warrants being served on Friday.

Money wrangles are one thing – but there are also crew members still on board the two ships, the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Those crew members are not to blame for their parent company’s financial strife – but the staff still needs to be paid, and fed, and needs to get home if they can no longer stay on board the ships at some point.

The ships themselves will continue to need fuel to operate its systems, as well as food and other deliveries.

Arranging for 900 crew members to get home to the different parts of the world they come from will be no small operation – and who will foot the bill for that?

It’s a mess – and we hope it doesn’t get worse for the crew. Being stuck on a ship with nowhere to go and diminishing supplies is a recipe for disaster. We hope all concerned can make sure that situation is averted.

Part of the problem is of course that these ships are here because they fly a Bahamas flag of convenience. Rather than face the courts in the US, they head for Bahamian waters as a temporary legal shelter rather than risk having the vessel seized elsewhere.

We’ve been bitten by this problem before, of course, when cruise ships that couldn’t find a home at the start of the pandemic, with sick passengers on board, found themselves in our waters, seemingly leaving behind damage to the seabed that has never been adequately explained or for which we have received appropriate compensation.

The amount that we charge for such flags is a pittance, which is fine enough when there are no consequences, but when we wind up with ships having to seek shelter in our waters and the financial hit we might have to take as a result, the sum is a fraction of what we might have to potentially spend if the worst comes to the worst. Let alone the sight of ships going nowhere in our waters and the damage it does to our reputation as we hear stories of people trapped on board in terrible conditions.

We ought to look again at what we charge for such things, bearing in mind the potential costs we could be saddled with by handing out these flags of inconvenience to ourselves. We’ve seen the dangers now – we shouldn’t ignore them.

FNMs must not take risks EDITOR, The Tribune.

I BELIEVE that Free National Movement (FNM) foot soldiers are taking unnecessary risks by attacking the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis via irresponsible means.

These loyal FNMs are putting themselves and their families in harms way by launching libelous attacks on their political rivals on Facebook and other social media platforms. They can be sued.

I believe we can engage our political opponents in a civil manner without doing gutter politics.

FNM foot soldiers can learn from Sir Lynden Pindling, Milo B Butler, A D Hanna, Sir Randol Fawkes

and Sir Arthur Foulkes - men who risked their livelihoods in challenging the powerful United Bahamian Party.

They can also learn from Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, who challenged the PLP government during a time when it was unpopular to openly question Sir Lynden.

We’re approaching the fifth month anniversary of the PLP’s general election win. The Davis administration now has 55 months remaining in its current legislative term. FNMs must realise that the so-called silly season has gone.

What bothers me is that these FNM loyalists are the ones in the trenches for their party while in opposition, only to see prominent members of the FNM, who

are nowhere to be found during the opposition years, getting to enjoy the spoils of victory when the FNM becomes the government.

I’ve seen this on more than one occasion, when these prominent FNMs are appointed to lucrative positions on government boards and in the Cabinet, while FNM foot soldiers are on the outside looking in, expressing their disgruntlement on Facebook.

These prominent FNMs are typically the beneficiaries of the hard work of the foot soldiers. Again, I am imploring FNM foot soldiers to stop taking unnecessary risks.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama February 6, 2022.

What baggage?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM not an FNM and most of my other habits are food ones. I was almost astounded when I read a recent article in The Tribune by Rashad Rolle, a senior reporter at that fine establishment, wherein he quoted Adrian White (FNM-Ann’s Town) as suggesting that both he and Shanendon Cartwright (FNM-St. Barnabas) have “baggage” going into the upcoming FNM convention. They are both seeking to become Deputy Leader of that party. Former members of parliament Dr Duane Sands; Malcolm Foulkes and Elsworth Johnson are seeking to become National Chairman.

As I am not a member or supporter of the FNM, I fail to understand what “baggage” Cartwright brings to the political arena or table. I make no secret of my admiration, on a strictly non partisan way, for Cartwright and former Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Dionisio D’Aguilar. These gentlemen are seeped in business and community work and could have had much more to offer the wonderful people of The Bahamas if hard-headed Minnis did not call a snap election.

With a large and solid PLP majority in what was once Kemp Road and the surrounding streets, the PLP, led by Philip “Brave” Davis, QC (PLP-Cat Island) had little hopes of winning Free Town. The vast majority of the intake of PLP members of parliament did not, in my view, succeed because of their own traits. In fact, they rode to victory on the coattails of Brave.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Cartwright and I have been friends for almost a thousand years from the time he was a Search Clerk at Messrs Graham; Thompson & Company and I was a youthful attorney with the law firm of Messrs Bostwick & Bostwick. He later moved onto university in the USA on a basketball (believe it or not) scholarship.

He excelled and returned home where he carved out a managerial position at McDonald’s. Again, he excelled in this position. He is a long time member of the FNM and did not just drop out of the sky. He has proven himself as a valuable member of that party.

Of the handful of FNMs who were re-elected to the House he is extremely popular in St Barnabas. My brother Senator Michael Halkitis, now Minister of Economic Affairs (and a good one at that), and the PLP could have won that constituency, but I guess that the PLP took it for granted that they had it in the bag.

White has been quoted as suggesting that both he and Cartwright have “political baggage”. What was he talking about? He went on to say that his opponent for the Deputy position within the FNM was under “investigation” for his role at Beaches & Parks.

White is a lawyer so I expected him to understand the stark differences between an investigation and actual criminal or other charges.

To seemingly imply “guilt” on Cartwright’s

behalf, without the investigation being completed or the appropriate report laid on the table of the House is disingenuous and accounts to a naked political assault by a fellow party member and MP. Was he pre-empting any possible report? Was he suggesting that Cartwright may have, in some nebulous way, benefitted from contracts issued by the Beaches & Park Commission, with no evidence, yet in the public domain?

The quest for political ascendency often brings out the worst in many Bahamians. I would hope that White is distinctly different. There is no longer room for gutter politics and ad hominem character attacks, without public evidence. Well do we all recall the saga of Boboo & Toggie.

No, I am not a spear carrier for Cartwright.

All Bahamians know just where my political loyalty lies. I will not, however, roll over and have anyone, without credible evidence, appear to vilify and scandalise any one in public life, regardless of party.

It is of great interest for me to hear and see the possible conclusion of any current or pending “investigations” as they may relate to the tenures of Minnis as competent Authority; former Minister of Works & Utilities, Desmond Bannister, and, of course, the Hon. Adrian Gibson at the Water & Sewerage while Executive Chairman. In the meantime, White, leave Cartwright alone.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau February 6,2022.

Avoiding the media EDITOR, The Tribune.

IS THE post election honeymoon over and Government goes back to avoiding the media and the question?

The American style press officer isn’t who we expect Ministers to be accessible to the public and the media… not controlled and certainly the press officer needs to understand his job is to “report facts not editorialise and opinionated”.

Security? Seems rather peculiar to say the least

that the RBDF at Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitifield would not know if Cabinet was to be held there on a Tuesday they would be expected to accommodate the media in and outside the office.

Editor, thought we were promised access - Government transparency?

Why doesn’t the Prime Minister commit to Question time every Wednesday in the House? Didn’t the PLP in opposition scream that Minnis/FNM did not give replies to over 300 questions – foot on the

other foot now surely you are not avoiding being questioned?

Suspect honeymoon is over so we will see entrenching - avoiding refusal to comment anyway we used to all of that then arrogance will come and we kick this lot out like we did Minnis, Christie, Ingraham and Pindling – one term Government all “canceled” by arrogance.

J HALL Nassau, February 2, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

JAILED OVER ILLEGAL GUN

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 21-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $5,500 on Friday after he was caught with an illegal firearm and ammunition earlier this month.

Dwayne Martin, 21, as well as Tray Marc, 18, and Javonte Rolle, 19, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with firearm and ammunition possession.

According to the facts read by the prosecutor, a team of officers, acting on information, went to Martin’s Close off Carlton Road sometime around 10.50am that day.

While there, officers observed three men sitting in a gold coloured Toyota Corolla acting in a suspicious manner.

Because of their behaviour, police asked the men to get out of the vehicle, which they did.

The police later searched the car.

While searching, officers found a black Smith and Wesson 40mm loaded pistol lying on the floor of the car.

As a result, the men were arrested and taken into police custody.

During Friday’s hearing, Martin pleaded guilty to the firearm charges, while Marc and Rolle denied the offences.

As a result, the charges were dropped against the latter two, who were later discharged.

During a plea in mitigation, Martin’s attorney asked the magistrate to be lenient in her sentencing, noting his client’s youth and clean record before the firearm incident.

He also told the court that Martin was gainfully employed before his arrest and was extremely sorry for his actions.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said while she commended Martin for owning up to the offence from the onset, she could not overlook the seriousness of the crime.

She told Martin that possessing an unlicensed firearm was simply “unacceptable” and further noted

that too many people have lost their lives due to gun violence.

As a result, Martin was sentenced to one year each for the firearm and ammunition possession charges.

The sentences will run concurrently, which means that he will serve one year.

He was also fined a total of $5,500 and warned that failure to pay the fines would result in an additional year behind bars.

After sentencing, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told the 21-year-old his conviction did not define his life and urged him to make better choices going forward.

“This experience is not going to define who you are. You are much better than this and… you could make a comeback because starting on a lifestyle of crime is not the way to go,” she said.

“Parliament has empowered me to give up to seven years. That’s what you were gambling with…seven years of your life but today I have given you a chance.”

Also appearing before court on similar offences was 18-year-old Keith Forbes Jr. The teenager is accused of possessing a silver and black 9mm Ruger pistol and ten live rounds of ammunition on Feb 2.

Police alleged they found the 18-year-old with a quantity of marijuana on the same day.

However, during Friday’s hearing, Forbes denied the offences.

His parents, who were both present in court, told the magistrate that Forbes was a high school senior and had a lot of potential.

“That’s my baby,” his father tearfully said.

However, he noted the teenager had a poor judgement in choosing friends and surrounded himself with bad company.

In response, the chief magistrate said she would remand Forbes to jail as opposed to prison to allow him time to self-reflect.

She also deferred bail to Monday.

“You have to catch yourself,” she said.

MEN ACCUSED OVER MURDERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to prison on Friday on murder charges.

Pedro Gibson, 24, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt, accused of killing Sharlencio Demeritte on July 15 and deceiving a public officer on January 30.

According to police, shortly before 6pm on the night in question, police were alerted to a shooting on Mauritius Avenue in Elizabeth Estates.

Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive man on the ground with gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services were called but later pronounced the victim dead.

Police said the victim had arrived at his residence to return an item when he was

approached by a gunman who fatally shot him.

During Friday’s arraignment, Gibson was not required to plea to the murder charge due its serious nature. However, he denied deceiving a public officer last month.

As a result, both matters were adjourned to July 13 and Gibson was remanded to prison in the interim.

He has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail in relation to the murder charge.

Tahj Charite, 22, also appeared in court on Friday charged with murder.

Police allege Charite intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of Carlin Smith on December 22, 2021.

The 22-year-old was also not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to March 2 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Caves Village Premium Office Space for Lease 850 sq.ft. 3 offices, reception, conference room, kitchen $2,125.00 pm. plus CAM and VAT 1,202 sq.ft. High spec 4 offices & conference room, kitchen, bathroom, IT, ample parking, private entrance. $3,305 pm plus CAM and Vat Contact Mr. Sean McCarroll 327-1575 or 359-2957 Email: sean@mccarrollrealestate.com

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 7

PM CONGRATULATES NEW DEFENCE FORCE OFFICERS

By PAVEL BAILEY PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis congratulated the latest crop of Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers for their successful completion of their initial basic training during a Passing Out Parade on Friday.

Mr Davis extended his heartfelt congratulations to newly minted officers of New Entry 58 and Woman Entry 27. He said it was his privilege to honour them for dedicating their lives to public service and remarked that this was the first step of their military career.

“It is a privilege to offer you my heartfelt congratulations on the completion of your initial basic training

in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force,” Mr Davis said.

“You could have chosen a less demanding path, but instead, you chose a career of service, and for that, you have my gratitude and — I feel confident in saying — the gratitude of your fellow citizens. Seeing all of you makes me so hopeful; I know it required great tenacity and determination to complete this rigorous training, so I know you are capable of great things.

Today is not just a milestone, but a stepping-stone, you are now officially on your way in your professional military career.”

He noted how the RBDF has continued to evolve since its mission first started in 1975 and stated that

these exceptional new officers would use these new tools to continue the fight against transnational crime.

“Combating threats today requires top analytical and technological skills. You will be patrolling our waters, conducting amphibious missions, and providing protection at governmental and diplomatic ports. You will be strategising, planning, and executing complex missions. You will be using the latest tools, including drones (or unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs) to fight transnational crime. New Entry 58 and Woman Entry 27, you are models for your peers, and we know the power of your example will help us continue to recruit the brightest young Bahamians

of your generation as we strengthen and build our modern capabilities.”

He also warned the officers that they will face many challenges in their new roles, but assured them that with the right resolve they could overcome any obstacle.

“You will find that you will get out of your service what you put in. The true measure of your character will be evident not when you navigate calm waters, but turbulent ones.

I urge you to put aside any complacency and instead develop a reputation for accepting the hardest challenges. If you understand that when you face difficulties, you are being shaped for a purpose, you will rise to the moment every time.”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

No way forward for a government that lacks answers

By MALCOLM STRACHAN IF the government wanted to move on from issues surrounding press access, it didn’t make a convincing case to talk about anything else this week.

After a ham-fisted attempt to bring an end to discussion over Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis blurting out that he left quarantine by press secretary Clint Watson simply saying that the government wanted “to put this to rest” without Mr Davis actually answering questions about it, and then blocking reporters from being able to quiz ministers on the way to Cabinet, you would think the government would convincingly push on with its agenda to try to change the topic. It didn’t manage that either.

The shame is there were some good things to talk about this week if the government wanted to do so.

The most significant of those is the drafting of a bill to address gender violence – including the long-standing issue of marital rape.

In the wake of the death of Heavenly Terveus at the hands of her boyfriend, the

THE CONES placed at the Office of the Prime Minister to prevent the media from accessing the premises. issue has been brought to the fore once again – so the drafting of an actual bill to tackle the matter could well have taken the spotlight.

This announcement too though seems to have been fumbled a little. It was

announced by Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Development Lisa Rahming rather than by, say, the Prime Minister himself – and officials were soon stepping back from the inclusion of marital

rape in the bill, or even that it is something the administration has agreed to.

Other positive news – such as the apparent reduction in the size of the deficit - similarly didn’t move matters on.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff Indeed, we ended up of COVID lockdown rules back at the same old dis- that it looks fairly likely to cussion – with Mr Watson lead to the end of his time defending the decision to as leader. prevent the press from The government there questioning ministers by cannot move on, because limiting entry. every time it tries to do so, He insisted he was happy another revelation drags that clips showing him rail- it back to the same old ing against barriers being argument. Every incorrect put up when he was on statement has people harkthe other side of them by ing back to Mr Johnson’s saying it “identifies my pas- denials of parties taking sion about ensuring that place in the Prime Minmedia have access to gov- ister’s office only for it to ernment officials”, despite have turned out that he photographs showing the was at parties there, eating cones put in place to stop birthday cake and drinking the media from having that beer. very access.

As Mr Johnson has “That indeed is why I learned, once the public took this job to ensure that trust has gone, it’s impossiyou have access,” said the ble to move forward. man who was defending the Despite Mr Davis’ apparreduction of access. ent breach of quarantine Instead, Mr Watson and bid to keep it secret, seems to be suggesting a the situation isn’t irretrievsystem where “our press able here – but following up team stands ready and able his failure to answer questo ensure that those persons tions by hiding ministers that are needed for inter- away behind a screen of views are brought… before unelected appointed offithey go to the Cabinet cials certainly doesn’t help room”. Is the press team in matters. charge of ministerial moveThis should be simple ments now?

– just say that preventing So here we are, with a the media from approachPrime Minister who hasn’t ing the ministers was a addressed the questions mistake that wouldn’t be that remain, and a press repeated in future, and secretary limiting access to move on, coupled with a other ministers who might positive announcement have been able to move the about legislation the govtopic on to something else. ernment intends to bring.

Is it any wonder the govern- Mr Watson having doubled ment seems like it is going down on the move sugnowhere fast? gests that won’t be the way The problem is if the forward. government doesn’t push A government shouldn’t forward, these matters are be above being questioned not going to go away.

– that’s a surefire way to You only need to look lose the public trust. There’s across the sea to the United time to turn this around, Kingdom, where the Prime but is there the will to do Minister Boris Johnson so? A government that is is so mired down in false unanswerable and unacstatements and unanswered countable may soon find it questions over breaches is unelectable.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022 PAGE 9

A ram in the bush NONE of us can recall the exact details of the day we were born so our knowledge of that day is limited to what our parents tell us.

Despite this, every birthday is a cause for celebration whether someone organises it or we are old enough to do it ourselves. Some, like myself, prefer to travel to celebrate while others enjoy a quiet evening at home with loved ones.

Many like to throw parties where food, cake, music and alcoholic beverages are typical expectancies and turning milestone ages like 18 and 50 often triggers the most extravagant events.

In April 2016, the patient featured in today’s report was celebrating one of those milestones, her 25th birthday. She had a week’s worth of partying planned with her fiancé, her close friends, brother-in-law and her sister who was also celebrating her birthday that month. On the night of her birthday, she confesses she became very intoxicated.

She drank copious amounts of various alcoholic beverages and partied the night away, laughing and dancing the entire time. As the night wore on, her fiancé became progressively annoyed. They argued and at one point he left without her knowledge. She later learned he had been staring at her the entire night and was visibly aggravated by her behaviour. She, her family and friends were at a bar on one of the family islands and she threw up on several occasions before

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

having to be escorted to her room.

At some point during the night, her fiancé gained entry into her room and barricaded the door. She now divides her life into two halves - the person she was before he entered her room that horrific evening and the person she became after he left. While so inebriated that she could barely lift her hand to defend herself, her fiancé beat her mercilessly with his fists in a barbaric monstrous rage. After he had broken four of her ribs and bloodied her face to the point that she was unrecognisable, he raped her and left her for dead.

Broken in spirit, physically bloodied and mutilated, she laid there unable to either move or speak for hours until the following day when her brother-in-law discovered her motionless body. Her face was swollen, disfigured and covered with dried blood. The little clothes that she had on were ripped revealing the extensive bruising on her body including her breasts and genitalia.

Her brother-in-law came to check on her before leaving for work and when the

front door wouldn’t open, he eventually gained entry via a side window. She moaned in pure agony as he wrapped her with a sheet and attempted to get her to the car. Her sister came running to assist and escorted her to the family island clinic where the nurse performed a rape exam. She was then flown to Nassau and spent six weeks in the hospital.

Both her top and bottom jaw were shattered and she had to undergo surgery to have her face reconstructed. She was unable to eat for two weeks and the right side of her body, from her knee straight down to her foot is numb to this day, a condition that no amount of therapy or medication has been able to resolve.

The constant stiffness and neuropathy in her leg, ankle and foot has caused notable gait instability. She has no previous medical or surgical history and was not on any medication prior to this situation.

Her ex-fiancé was arrested and charged with assault but only spent six weeks in jail before being released. He claimed he had nothing to do with her assault and she must have

been attacked by a tourist visiting the island so the charges were ultimately dropped.

Unfortunately, a vital piece of evidence in her case, the rape kit performed at the clinic, was lost when it was forwarded to Nassau. After some time had passed, she confronted him but the only thing he said was that he loved her and wanted her to do well.

Following this, she suffered with anxiety and sank into a deep depression, blaming herself entirely for the events that unfolded.

Rams are male sheep with large, curved horns and the bible tells us God once asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac on the altar in allegiance to him. But just as he was about to make the sacrifice, God showed him a ram in the bush that could be sacrificed instead. It was a story primarily about faith and obedience but it was also about knowing that no matter how bad things may appear, God always has a ram in the bush that will allow all of your fears and pain to dissipate.

Recalling that story specifically, this patient held onto the faith that her life

would someday be worth living and one day awoke and made the tough decision to stop being depressed about her situation.

She underwent a vigorous phase of counselling and a year later moved to one of the smaller family islands. She started a new life where she met her current husband. They’ve been married for two years and she credits him with initially helping to reconstruct the broken pieces of her soul.

But her situation has taught her to always walk with eyes wide open so when she found out that her husband made sexual advances toward her 14-year-old sister she filed for a divorce immediately. She credits counselling for giving her the courage to instantly recognise and walk away from a toxic relationship and the strength to appreciate what may at first appear as a loss is simply a life lesson.

This patient wanted to share her story hoping others in a similar situation

can recognise even the darkest night will end and the sun will shine again. She cautions young women to recognise and never ignore red flags or warning signs that the person you’re with may have the capacity to inflict emotional and/or physical harm. She strongly recommends getting professional counselling. She also advocates having fun but drinking alcohol in moderation so that you’re, in the very least, able to stay coherent.

In two months, Godwilling, she’ll live to enjoy another birthday but her celebration plans are much more reserved. She’ll have a cake, some great food and spend time creating new memories with the people she loves because, with a renewed outlook on life, birthdays like this are now all she truly hopes for.

• Nicknamed ‘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.

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2022-2023 Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school

by Friday, February 11, 2022. .

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

A DELICATE BALANCING ACT SUSTAINS THE ROYAL FAMILY (MOST OF THE TIME)

By JUDITH ROWBOTHAM Visiting research professor in sociolegal and constitutional history, University of Plymouth AS Queen Elizabeth II approaches her platinum jubilee - the first British monarch to do so - the royal family is also facing a difficult time. Headlines on the upcoming trial of the Duke of York are competing with plans for the jubilee.

Meanwhile, news coverage suggests the queen and other royals, notably the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, remain popular and much loved.

The history of the British monarchy shows that ebbs and flows of popularity were not unusual, especially in the last 200 years – an era when the royal family began to be presented to the public via the mass media.

In the late 18th century, an expansion of affordable print publications created a wider audience for media stories about the royals.

The attention of these publications focused on three types of news: crime, sport and the royal family.

Stories covering members of the royal family exposed them to a scale of unprecedented public scrutiny, archives show. Even before he became king, George IV’s character and extravagant habits were widely lampooned in caricatures by cartoonists such as James Gillray.

George had failed to appreciate that his habits – excessive personal expenditure, disloyalty to friends and gross self-indulgence – were disapproved

THE SCREEN in Piccadilly Circus is lit to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, in London, yesterday.

Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP of in an industrialised and increasingly urban Britain, with evangelical moral values. Times had changed, but George had not.

Fluctuations in the monarchy’s popularity, and of individual royals, are often rooted in how the monarch represents the cultural values of the majority of his or her subjects. Elizabeth II has strongly displayed

this during the pandemic, notably in her decision not to demand any special privileges at Prince Philip’s funeral in compliance with the rules of her government.

WILLIAM IV’S POPULARITY

William IV appreciated why his older brother had

been out of favour. His popularity increased when he opted for a low-key and low-cost coronation, spending nearly £200,000 less than George IV’s lavish celebrations. Interestingly, his wife Adelaide was the first modern consort to engage with the ordinary people through a range of philanthropic enterprises, including the Royal Naval asylum.

Widespread press coverage on Victoria’s accession confirmed her popularity. Archives show that The Globe newspaper commented: “One united wish seems to have pervaded all classes, ranks, ages, and conditions, to make the day truly one of rejoicing: throughout the length and breadth of the land this is the case, and for weeks past the provincial journals have had their columns filled with the proceedings of public meetings, and announcements of subscriptions on the part of the rich to enable their less wealthy fellow subjects to join with them in celebrating the day in a manner suitable to it.”

One united wish seems to have pervaded all classes, ranks, ages, and conditions, to make the day truly one of rejoicing: throughout the length and breadth of the land this is the case, and for weeks past the provincial journals have had their columns filled with the proceedings of public meetings, and announcements of subscriptions on the part of the rich to enable their less wealthy fellow subjects to

join with them in celebrating the day in a manner suitable to it.

Despite this, Victoria’s popularity dipped in 1839, after a scandal caused by Victoria’s unkind (and untrue) gossip about Lady Flora Hastings being pregnant. It turned out Lady Flora was dying of stomach cancer.

But attitudes to Victoria shifted again with the birth of a son and heir. This is illustrated in portraits of the royal family by painters like Franz Winterhalter and is apparent through a survey of newspaper headlines, periodical articles and popular fiction. British historian John Plunkett from Exeter University described Victoria as the first media monarch as headlines established her as a national, and then imperial, embodiment of Britishness.

Even Victoria’s extravagant mourning after Prince Albert’s death in 1861 was received with popular sympathy as the mass market fiction of Rosa Nouchette Carey indicates.

Victoria’s popularity is also reflected in the consistent (unauthorised) use of her image in contemporary advertising selling an extensive range of goods from black velvet to cocoa.

HIGH PROFILE SCANDALS

The popularity of her son Edward, the Prince of Wales, dipped when his indulgent lifestyle

conflicted with Victorian morality embodied by his mother. This was particularly apparent when he appeared as a witness in a high profile divorce case and in an 1891 gambling case. Much of the media, including the Pall Mall Gazette, was critical of the heir to the throne admitting to playing baccarat, which was illegal. His conduct in the witness box at the Old Bailey was recorded as appearing shifty, evasive and dishonest, according to the Pall Mall Gazette archives.

But public opinion shifted back behind the royal family after the Prince’s eldest son died in the 1892 influenza epidemic. His other son, George, who went on to become George V, married Mary of Teck and, as Duke and Duchess of York, then became popular figures, much like the Cambridges today, after their tour of the Empire in 1901.

That 19th-century pattern has clear modern echoes in the 20th century and beyond. The abdication of undutiful Edward VIII strengthened the popularity of dutiful George VI and his queen. But the lesson provided by George IV holds. What sustains the monarchy is its ability to appear both culturally relevant and cost-effective in the eyes of the wider public.

This careful balancing act continues and is something Elizabeth II herself has been consistently successful in achieving.

Death Notice for MRS. BETTY SANDS, 74 of Sea Beach Estates, West Bay Street, died at Doctors Hospital on Wednesday, January 26th, 2022.

She is survived by her Daughters: Margo Moree and Carolyn MoreePommier; Son: Charles (Chuck) Sands; Grandchildren: Hannah, and David Sands, and Jonathan Moree; Sister: Eleanor Russell; Brother: Ronald Taylor; Aunt: Thelma Taylor Duncombe; Uncles: Donald and George Fernander; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022 PAGE 11

Lawsuit highlight NFL’s abysmal record hiring diverse coaches

By GEORGE B CUNNINGHAM Professor of Sport Management, Texas A&M University BRIAN Flores, the former Miami Dolphins head coach fired at the end of the 2022 season, filed a lawsuit on February 1 against his former team, the NFL and two other NFL teams, charging widespread discrimination.

In the 58-page document filed in a Manhattan federal court, Flores alleges a pattern of racist hiring practices by the league and racial discrimination during the interview process with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, as well as during his tenure with Miami.

In the lawsuit, the firm representing Flores said the coach hopes to “shine a light on the racial injustices that take place inside the NFL.” The lack of racial diversity in the NFL’s high-level coaching ranks is real. Now, a few weeks after the close of the National Football League’s regular season, there is just one black head coach, one Latino head coach, and one Arab American head coach left in the League - Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders and Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, respectively.

Of the nine head coaching vacancies, four have been filled, all going to white coaches.

At issue is the glaring absence of non-white head coaches. In a league in which most of the players are black, it’s hard to ignore that most of the NFL head coaches are white.

The NFL denies charges it discriminates against minority candidates. “The

FIRED Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

NFL and our clubs are to interview at least two deeply committed to ensur- minority candidates for ing equitable employment their head coach openpractices…” the league said ings. In 2021, the league in a statement in response expanded the rule to to Flores’ lawsuit. “Diver- include general managers sity is core to everything we and offensive and defensive do, and there are few issues coordinators. on which our clubs and our The policy had positive internal leadership team short-term effects, as the spend more time. We will league saw an increase in defend against these claims, black and Latino coaches. which are without merit.”

The gains have since I have studied diversity diminished, though, and and inclusion in sport for the number of black head more than two decades, coaches at the start of the including the ways in which 2021 season, three, was the race and gender intersect to same as in 2003. affect leadership opportuIn short, the NFL is back nities for women and men. to where it started.

My research shows that When looking for explabiased decision-making, nations, it is helpful to organizational cultures that explore factors at the indivalue similarity, and societal vidual, organisational and forms of bias and discrimi- societal levels. Research nation are all to blame for evidence shows some of the lack of diversity among these explanations are NFL head coaches. better than others.

HISTORY OF EXCLUSION

The dismal numbers are nothing new. In 1989, Art Shell became the first black head coach of an NFL team in the modern era. But his hiring did not break down the barriers other minority coaches face in the NFL. Seeking to address its diversity problem, the NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003, requiring teams

INDIVIDUAL FACTORS

At the individual level, people might not obtain a job if they lack skills or experience, don’t have contacts or don’t apply. There is no consistent evidence, though, that any of these explanations describe black coaches.

For example, scholars have found black assistant coaches in college football

were less likely to be promoted and had less career satisfaction than their white counterparts, but neither was a function of the coaches’ experience, skills or social networks.

This is the case in the NFL, too, where sports economists have also shown that black assistant coaches are equally as skilled as their white counterparts.

Other researchers have analysed NFL data from 1985 to 2018 and found no racial differences in the performance of head coaches.

In short, there is no evidence that black coaches are unqualified.

ORGANISATIONS AND LEADERS

On the other hand, research does show that leaders and organisations make a difference in who gets hired. For example, an analysis from Arizona State University’s Global Sports Institute shows seven NFL teams have hired only white head coaches.

The types of positions black coaches have access to also matters. Offensive and defensive coordinators are frequently in line for head coaching opportunities. But research at the NFL and NCAA levels reliably shows white coaches are over represented in these coveted coordinator positions.

What’s referred to as “the glass cliff” offers another organisational explanation.

This theory suggests members of under-represented groups are most likely to be hired by organisations that have a history of poor performance or that are in crisis. When performance continues to wane, the leaders are likely to be replaced by majority group members.

Researchers

have shown race and racism also affect the glass cliff, including leaders in sport.

Relative to white coaches, minoritised men’s basketball coaches were more likely to be hired to teams with a history of losing, and if they were unable to turn things around, they were likely to be replaced by white coaches.

These examples show that leaders clearly make a difference. A study of the Las Vegas Raiders further illustrates the point. Under former general manager Reggie McKenzie, who is black, the Raiders had the highest share of black players in the league, at 79.2 percent. In 2016, when McKenzie won NFL executive of the year, the Raiders also had the highest share of black coaches, at 82.3 percent.

Following the 2018 season, the Raiders fired McKenzie and brought in a white head coach, Jon Gruden, and a white general manager, Mike Mayock. The percentage of black players has decreased every year since. In 2021, in one of the most damaging blows to the NFL in recent memory, Gruden resigned after it was discovered he made racist and homophobic comments after an analysis of thousands of emails sent to NFL executives and others. Mayock was fired after the season, too. At the same time, the percentage of black players on the Raiders roster dropped to 67.2 percent.

Though the study on the Raiders focuses on players, organisational scholars have consistently shown that people are most likely to hire others who are of the same race. Bias among decision-makers can affect the diversity of the

organisation.

SYSTEMIC RACISM

Finally, societal factors make a difference, the most prevalent of which are systemic forms of racism, meaning racial bias at the community, state and national levels. Societal factors reflect people’s collective racial biases, as well as the racially tinged laws, policies and norms embedded in societies’ institutions.

A focus on systemic racism moves beyond individual actors and prioritises the societal patterns of prejudice and discrimination.

For example, my colleague and I have shown that county-level racism is predictive of fans’ reactions to Black Lives Matter protests

by NFL players.

Systemic racism has an enduring impact that can affect people years later. Researchers have shown that counties most dependent on slavery in 1860 also have high levels of racism today. As systemic racism increased in these counties, black residents’ poverty rates increased and their social mobility decreased.

Given the impact of systemic racism across all elements of society, it is hardly surprising that NFL coaches, analysts and scholars – including those in media studies, sport studies, sociology, sport management, and behavioural science – point to systemic racism as a reason for the lack of black coaches in the league.

The evidence is clear: organisations, their leaders and systemic racism all contribute. Until structural change occurs, the pattern will continue.

• Originally published at theconversation.com

PAGE 12, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

QUEEN OFFERS SUPPORT TO CAMILLA

TEN CUBANS RESCUED OFF FLORIDA COAST

MIAMI Associated Press TEN Cuban migrants in a sinking vessel were rescued off the Florida coast, according to the US Coast Guard.

A Coast Guard boat spotted the vessel Thursday about 40 miles off Key Largo, the Coast Guard said in a tweet.

Invasion of Ukraine could come ‘any day’ WILMINGTON, Delaware Associated Press WHITE House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine “any day”, launching a conflict that would come at an “enormous human cost”.

The senior adviser to President Joe Biden offered another stark warning the day after US officials confirmed that Russia has assembled at least 70 percent of the military firepower it likely intends to have in place by mid-month to give President Vladimir Putin the option of launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“If war breaks out, it will come at an enormous human cost to Ukraine, but we believe that based on our preparations and our response, it will come at a strategic cost to Russia as well,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan did not directly address reports that the White House has briefed lawmakers that a full

Russian invasion could lead to the quick capture of Kyiv and potentially result in as many as 50,000 casualties.

US officials, who discussed internal assessments of the Russian buildup on the condition that they not be identified, sketched out a series of indicators suggesting that Putin intends to start an invasion in the coming weeks, although the size and scale are unclear.

They stressed that a diplomatic solution appears to remain possible.

Among those military indicators: an exercise of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces that usually is held each fall was rescheduled for mid-February to March.

That coincides with what US officials see as the most likely window for invasion.

The administration has stepped up warnings in recent days that Russia increasingly seems intent on further invading Ukrainian territory.

Last week, Biden administration officials said intelligence findings showed

the Kremlin had worked up an elaborate plot to fabricate an attack by Ukrainian forces that Russia could use as a pretext to take military action against its neighbor.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that the scheme included production of a graphic propaganda video that would show staged explosions and use corpses and actors depicting grieving mourners.

“It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet,” Sullivan said. He added that Putin “has put himself in a position with military deployments to be able to act aggressively against Ukraine at any time now.”

Sullivan said the administration held on to hope that the Russians would move to de-escalate the situation through diplomacy.

“The key thing is that the United States needs to be and is prepared for any of those contingencies and in lockstep with our allies and partners,” Sullivan said.

“They didn’t have lifejackets or safety equipment,” said Capt.

Shawn Koch, commanding officer of Air Station Miami. “If the air crew hadn’t found them on the patrol, these people would not have survived the night.”

Six migrants were repatriated to Cuba, and four others were evacuated to Florida for medical treatment, the Coast Guard said.

QUEEN Elizabeth II remembered the past and sought to cement the future of the monarchy Sunday as the United Kingdom marked the 70th anniversary of her rule.

The monarch expressed a “sincere wish’’ that Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, should be known as “Queen Consort” when her son succeeds her as expected. With those words, Elizabeth sought to answer once and for all questions about the status of Camilla, who was initially shunned by fans of the late Princess Diana, Charles’ first wife.

In her statement yesterday, the monarch remembered the death of her father, King George VI and recalled the seven decades of “extraordinary progress” her reign has spanned.

State Recognized Funeral Service For

Rev. Dr. Charles W. Saunders C.B.E. J.P., 91

a resident of #1 Prince Charles Drive & Garden Road, and formerly of Moss Town, Exuma, will be held at 11am on Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at Salem Union Baptist Church, Taylor Street.

Officiating will be Bishop Neil C. Ellis assisted by Rev. Heuter B. Rolle and other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherish his memories and legacy are his wife: Victoria; children: Byron, Emmett, Cyprianna, Winifred, Advinis, Bishop Neil & Lady Patrice Ellis; grandchildren: Jason, Victoria, Arona, Teena, Shera, Sasczha; adopted children: Delores Ingraham, Olive Mackey, Stephen ‘Shay’ Beneby, McGregor Adderley, Jeffery Cooper, Wayde Russell & Administrator Ivan Ferguson; godchildren: Wellington McPhee, Leolean Rolle & Audrey Clarke; nieces & nephews: Emmie Richardson, Rhonda Chase, Gregory Seymour, Nadia Richardson, Sonia & Martin Theodore, Desmond Gibson, Brent Armbrister, Jameel and John Smith, Larry Gayle and Deborah Clarke, Evelyn Wanjuki, Verona and Ervin Missick, Bruce, Diana, George, Tammy, Jerome, Edris, Norbert, Angela Nicola and Mutahi Elliott, Daria and Timothy Bain, Clifton, Norris, Ruby, Sherman, Anthony & Rita Barr, Prince and Charles Dexter Saunders, Victor Nicholas, Judith McSweeney, Annabell Rolle, Rev. Heuter & Prescola Rolle, Elaine Hinsey, Jacqueline & Dereck Sands, Dwayne, Yolande, Linda and Raymond Rolle; numerous grand, great grand and great-great grand nieces and nephews; cousins: The descendants of Deacon Edward & Susan Saunders-Musgrove, Esau & Ethel Curtis-Saunders, Elizabeth Saunders Curtis & Theophilus Curtis, Ruth Elizabeth Saunders, Henry Saunders & Ada Hamilton Saunders, Ezekiel Saunders & Sarah Curry Saunders, Nathaniel Saunders, Caesar Clarke & Letitia Saunders-Clarke, Richard Saunders and Lloyd Major & Lillian Saunders Major, Maurice & Rachel Clarke, especially Letisha Clarke-Smith, James & Florence Clarke, Lizzie Rolle & family, Richard, Joseph & Olive Greenwich, Iva Dozier; extended family & friends including: Rev. Dr. Sir Baltron & Lady Helen Bethel, Rev. Cedric & Beverley Farquharson, Rev. Dr. Edris Bowe, Deacon Robert Moncur Sr., Sis. Eloise Smith, Hosea Musgrove Jr., Family of the late Rev. Enoch Backford Sr., Officers and Members of The Salem Union Baptist Church, Elder Miriam Roker, Deacon Audrey Russell (Bimini), Rev. Urban & Sis. Maria Knowles & Family (Long Island), Superintendent, Officers & Members of the Bahamas Baptist Union (Exuma, Long Island & New Providence Districts) The Principal, Staff & Students of Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School, the Principal Staff & Students of Charles W. Saunders Baptist School, The President, Staff & Students of the Bahamas Baptist Community College, The President, Officers & Members of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention inclusive of the Women’s Convention, Rev. Dr. Nathan Johnson & The Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan, Pastor Deno & Sis. Brittany Cartwright and the Bethel Church Family, National Overseer, Bishop Dr. Franklin & Dr. Rowena Ferguson and The Church of God of Prophecy Family, Dr. Charles & Deborah Johnson & Family, Cheryl Bazard & Family, Monique Vanderpool & Family, Paula McGregor & Family, Dolly Brown & Family, Dr. Lincoln Marshall & Family, Dr. Birdie Curtis, Family of the late Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) Rolle, Mother Elizabeth Curtis & Family, Yendi Salmon & Family, Deacon Judy Mae Earns & Family, Jerome & Michelle D’Arceuil, Jill Saunders, Hon. George A. Smith, Administrator Everett Hart, Melvin Seymour, Brice Mae Gibson, Registry Section of the Department of Housing, the Principal, Staff & Students of The Government High School, His Excellency, The Most Honourable Cornelius A. Smith & Lady Smith, The Right Honourable Phillip & Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, The Right Honourable Hubert & Mrs. Delores Ingraham, The Right Honourable Perry & Mrs. Bernadette Christie, Dame Ivy Dumont, Dame Marguerite Pindling, Sir Arthur Foulkes & Lady Foulkes, and many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Viewing will be held at Salem Union Baptist Church, Taylor Street on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 from 10am to 5pm.

The body will lie in repose in the foyer of The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Education Convention Head Quarters, Jean Street on Wednesday, February 9th, 2022 from 12noon to 5pm.

SPORTS PAGE 13

ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR THE CARIFTA GAMES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022

STRACHAN BREAKS HIS NATIONAL RECORD IN JAVELIN

NBA, Page 17

3 YEARS LATER...

JAGUARS GET THEIR RINGS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KEYSHAWN Strachan, in rewriting his Bahamian national javelin record, led a list of nine athletes who achieved the qualifying standards for the 2022 CARIFTA Games in Kingston, Jamaica, set for the Easter holiday weekend.

All of that came after the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Star Performers Time Trials on Saturday was interrupted for at least one hour and 30 minutes to sort out some COVID-19 safety protocol matters involving police and COVID officers.

As the meet was going through the under-13 girls’ 100 metres, Royal Bahamas Police Force officers and two COVID-19 officers forced officials to halt the meet, saying they were not given permission to stage the meet with an estimated 2,500 participants in the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

But after the BAAA got the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mario Bowleg, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe and Minister of Health, Dr Michael Darville, to intervene in conference calls, they were allowed to resume competition.

The meet, the first fullfledged competition in all disciplines, was used as a qualifier for the BAAA for the team heading to Jamaica for the return of the CARIFTA Games, the top regional track and field meet, after a two-year

athletes in attaining the qualifying standards for the CARIFTA Games set for Kingston, Jamaica, over the Easter holiday weekend.

“I think the government has put in place a system to ensure the safety of the Bahamian people,” Archer said. “There is an exception to the rule in legislation where there is a provision made for the ongoing sporting competition.

“We stood our ground there. We believed we were on the right side of the law and we didn’t commit any infraction so that escalated to the point where we had to challenge the interpretation of the act and I believed that calmer heads prevailed.”

THREE years after their historic triumph, the first two-time winners of the Bahamas National High School Basketball Championships finally received their championship rings to commemorate the occasion.

The St George’s Jaguars senior boys’ basketball programme were presented with their rings for their 2019 national title on Saturday night at an official ceremony in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Several members of the team went on to pursue collegiate basketball careers and are in the midst of their respective seasons, but others were on hand to be recognised by the Bahamian basketball community at large.

Team members included tournament MVP Paul Greene, Shavaul Butters, Christopher Johnson, Sammy Pinder, Khosygen Hield, Jaden Atkinson, Dion Storr, Micah Moss, Theodore Grant, Adrian Pinder, Dwaine Gayle and Adrian Harris.

Butters currently competes at the Division I level with Texas-Rio Grande Valley, while Greene is a member of the Three Rivers College Raiders and Johnson has been a breakout star for the CCBC Catonsville Cardinals.

Darell Sears was the team’s head coach, assisted

by Calvin McIntosh, and Gregory Munroe and Patrick Victor served as assistant coaches.

“It feels great. It’s a very proud moment. From the

SEE PAGE 16

SEE PAGE 19

SEE PAGE 16

SHOWN, from left to right, are Blue Chips Athletics’ javelin throwers Dior-Rae Scott, Keyshawn Strachan and Kamera Strachan.

Time trials allowed to continue

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

W

ith all of the COVID19 protocols in place and no spectators in the stands, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) president Drumeco Archer said they lived up to their end of the bargain in hosting their Star Performers Time Trials Meet at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.

But after they got started, they had to halt the meet midway in between the under-13 girls’ and boys’ 100 metres after two members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force

and the COVID-19 officers showed up claiming that they could not continue.

Apparently, they were charged with having 2,500 participants in the stadium, but the BAAA only had just over 200 competitors registered and there were no spectators in the stands.

So after deliberating for an hour and-a-half on conference calls with Mario Bowleg, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Wayne Munroe, the Minister of National Security and Dr Michael Darville, the Minister of Health, they were allowed to continue.

Once they did, one national record was achieved by Keyshawn Strachan in the men’s javelin and he was joined by almost 10 other

Martin wins long jump, Gaither second in 200m final

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahamian jumper Holland Martin and sprinter Tynia Gaither led a list of Bahamians competing in various collegiate meets in the United States over the weekend by snatching a victory and a runner-up position in their respective events.

Competing at the University of New Mexico Collegiate Classic, Martin soared 25-05 ½ or 7.06 metres to win the men’s long jump. Competing in flight two, Martin posted his winning mark on his fifth attempt. After he fouled his first attempt, he got on the

scoreboard with his leap of 24-2 ¼ (7.37m) on his second attempt. However, he fouled his third, fourth and six attempts.

He needed to soar 26-11 3/4 (8.22m) to qualify for the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, March 17-20.

Kelsey Daniels of New Mexico Junior College, who trailed with 24-11 (7.59m) on his final attempt, got second, just ahead of third place finisher Seaneke Abraham, who did 24-10 (7.57m) on his fifth jump.

At the Charlie Thomas Invitational at the Bryan College-Station in Texas, Gaither, competing for Adidas, clocked a season’s best of 23.32 for second

HOLLAND Martin

TYNIA Gaither

place in the women’s 200m final. The race was won by Laila Owens, a freshman at Texas A&M, in 23.28.

Unfortunately, the 200m is no longer contested at the World Indoor Championships as World Athletics

banned it in Budapest, Hungary, in 2002 because they felt it was too predictable to the competitor who drew the outside lane in the one lap race on the 200m track.

Dominic Demeritte went down in history as the last male champion, setting a Bahamian national record of 20.66 at the Budapest Championships on March 7.

However, Grand Bahamian Demetrius Pinder shattered that mark on February 3, 2012, at the New Mexico Classic.

Camille Rutherford, a freshman at the University of Houston, placed second in the women’s 60m in 7.31.

She had the second fastest qualifying time of 7.42. Rayniah Jones, a sophomore

at the University of South Carolina, won the race in a personal best of 7.23.

Rutherford’s cousin, Alexis Tilford-Rutherford, also a freshman at the University of Houston, placed third in the women’s long jump with 19-0 (5.79m).

They are the daughters of brothers Chad and Frank Rutherford.

Frank Rutherford won the first Olympic Games track and field meet in the men’s triple jump with a bronze in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain.

Ingeborg Gruenwald, a sophomore at UTSA, won with 20-10 (6.35m), while Samiyah Samuels, competing unattached, was second with 19-2 ½ (5.85m).

YOLETT MCPHEE-MCCUIN AND OLE MISS REBELS IN WIN COLUMN

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net YOLETT McPheeMcCuin’s Ole Miss Rebels were back in the Southeastern Conference win column powered by another defensive effort.

The Rebels brought an end to a two-game losing streak with a 61-45 win over the Missouri Tigers at the Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi, on Friday.

The Ole Miss identity has been its defence all season long and they again led the way by limiting one

of the best shooting teams in NCAA Division I. The win over the Tigers marked the programme’s first since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012.

Ole Miss forced 21 turnovers, forcing 15 or more in eight of nine SEC games.

The 41 points allowed to the Tigers were the fewest points allowed in an SEC road game since 1991.

They improved to 18-4 overall, 6-3 in the SEC. “We’re totally focused on dictating and disrupting.

And we felt like Missouri would punish us if we gave up the three. We didn’t care

MISSISSIPPI head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks at the overhead monitor for a replay of a foul called against her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee on January 9.

(AP Photo/Rogelio V Solis)

if they shot 100 twos. We did not want to give up the three,” McPhee-McCuin said. “And so what you saw in the first and second quarter, all of the actions, all of the time it takes for them to get that shot off, we were right there.”

As one of the best teams in Division I in forcing turnovers, Ole Miss did just that, especially in the fourth quarter with five by the Tigers in a four-minute stretch. Ole Miss returns to the floor tonight with another ranked game in the SEC when they host No. 15 LSU Tigers. Just

over a week ago, the No.25 Rebels suffered a 69-40 loss to No.1 South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena in South Carolina and followed with a 62-52 loss at home to No.15 Georgia Bulldogs at home.

The Rebels earned multiple honours as the NCAA and United States Basketball Writers Association Team of the Week once they earned the ranking in the AP poll. Ole Miss has two wins over ranked teams this season, over then No.23 Kentucky Wildcats and a December win over No.18 South Florida.

PAGE 14, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

XI MEETS POLAND, PAKISTAN LEADERS IN OLYMPIC DIPLOMACY BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met yesterday with leaders from Poland and Pakistan in a flurry of diplomacy on the sidelines of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Xi told President Andrzej Duda that China seeks to further improve ties with Poland, whose warm relationship with Beijing has not sat well with main rival the United States.

Poland was the only European Union nation to send an elected leader to the Games despite a U.S.led diplomatic boycott. The meeting also comes amid concerns over a potential Russian attack on Ukraine, with which NATO member Poland shares a lengthy border.

Xi, who has not left China since 2019, has met a range of world leaders over recent days, including President Vladimir Putin of Russia, with which China is building a closer informal alliance.

The meetings highlight Xi’s moves to elevate himself as a major player in world diplomacy, while positioning China’s single party authoritarian political model as an alternative to the long-dominant liberal world order led by the United States.

MLB

FROM PAGE 15 Mets on the day prior to the lockout.

“We want a system where threshold and penalties don’t function as caps, allows younger players to realise more of their market value, makes service time manipulation a thing of the past, and eliminate tanking as a winning strategy,” Scherzer wrote.

George H Cohen, director of the FMCS from 2009-13 after many years as an outside lawyer for the baseball players’ association, mediated disputes involving the NFL, NBA and Major League Soccer.

“A mediator’s objective is to try to persuade the parties that it’s in their best interests to try to resolve their problem directly -- namely to control their own destinies,” he said. “In the end, it’s the parties that reach an agreement. All I did was to provide them a forum and an opportunity and some thinking that goes into it.”

Players blame owners for the lockout. Commissioner Rob Manfred said his side was being proactive, not wanting to risk a late-season strike similar to the one that wiped out the 1994 World Series.

Players are upset payrolls declined to $4.05 billion last year, the lowest in a fully completed year since 2015. They are asking for an expansion of salary arbitration eligibility, a significant increase in luxury tax thresholds and minimum salaries, a decrease in revenue sharing and new rules to prevent what they allege is service time manipulation by clubs.

Teams say they will not expand arbitration or decrease revenue sharing, and that intensive negotiations on the luxury tax are for the final stage of bargaining.

The lockout entered its 65th day Friday and shows every sign of rolling past the scheduled start of spring training workouts on February 16. Given that at least three weeks of training and exhibition games are required and the need for several days for players to report to camps and go through COVID-19 protocols, opening day on March 31 will be threatened if there is no agreement by the end of February or early March.

There is little chance of negotiations next week, when owners are scheduled to meet from Tuesday to Thursday in Orlando, Florida. Management’s bargaining team is expected in Orlando for the session.

Players do not start accruing salary until opening day, and teams generate a large portion of their revenue from opening day through the World Series.

RYOYU KOBAYASHI, of Japan, celebrates after his jump during the men’s normal hill individual ski jumping first round to win gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics, yesterday in Zhangjiakou, China.

(AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader)

STRIKING GOLD IN BEIJING BEIJING (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Sunday, February 6, at the Beijing Games: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING MEN’S 30KM SKIATHLON Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov pulled away from the pack early to win gold in the 30-kilometre skiathlon.

Bolshunov, the World Cup points leader in distance races, crossed the finish line in one hour, 16 seconds. Bolshunov and Iivo Niskanen of Finland led the race through the first four classic ski laps but Russia’s Denis Spitsov passed Niskanen once they were on the freestyle legs.

Spitsov stayed out front and secured the silver, one minute, 11 seconds behind Bolshunov. Niskanen held on for the bronze two minutes back.

FREESTYLE SKIING WOMEN’S MOGULS Jakara Anthony of Australia has captured the women’s moguls title at the Beijing Olympics.

Anthony’s back flip with a grab at the bottom of the course sewed up the gold medal Sunday on the Secret Garden Olympic course. Her score of 83.09 edged American Jaelin Kauf, who had been poised to pick up the first gold medal for Team USA in China.

Russian athlete Anastasiia Smirnova earned the bronze while defending champion Perrine Laffont of France finished fourth.

The 23-year-old Anthony joins Dale BeggSmith as the only Aussies to win the Olympic event.

Begg-Smith earned his title at the 2006 Turin Games.

LUGE MEN’S SINGLES Johannes Ludwig of Germany is the Olympic champion in men’s luge, adding that to the World Cup overall title he won this season.

It’s the 11th time in 16 Olympics that a German man — counting the days of East Germany and West Germany in there — has won the luge title. Wolfgang Kindl of Austria was second and Dominik Fischnaller of Italy was third.

Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Sunday, February 6

FROM left, silver medallist United States’s Julia Marino, gold medallist New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski Synnott and bronze medallist Australia’s Tess Coady celebrate after the women’s slopestyle finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday.

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

NILS van der Poel, of Sweden, celebrates after winning the gold medal and setting an Olympic record in the men’s speedskating 5,000-metre race at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in Beijing.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Ludwig led after all four first gold medal in Winter Marino, who won silver, heats. He set the tone for Olympics history, stomping and bronze medalist Tess Sunday’s final two runs of down a pressure-packed Coady of Australia knew the competition by set- run on her last trip down it, too. They gang-tackled ting a track record leading the mountain Sunday to her at the finish line to off the third heat, putting win the title in women’s celebrate. more pressure on everyone slopestyle.

SPEEDSKATING else in the field to catch Sadowski Synnott went MEN’S 5000 him. Nobody did. into her last of three runs METRES SNOWBOARD trailing American Julia Nils van der Poel gave WOMEN’S Marino but came up big.

Sweden its first Olympic SLOPESTYLE She raised her hands speedskating medal since Zoi Sadowski Syn- in the air after landing, 1988, pulling off a stunning nott won New Zealand’s knowing what she’d done. comeback to win gold in

the 5,000 meters at the Beijing Olympics.

Van der Poel was a big favorite coming into the event as the reigning world champion with an undefeated record in the distance events on this season’s World Cup circuit.

He lived up to the hype in the 12 1/2-lap race at the Ice Ribbon oval, turning on the speed at the end to overcome Patrick Roest of the Netherlands with an Olympic record of 6 minutes, 8.84 seconds.

Roest won silver and the bronze went to Norway’s Hallgeir Engebraaten.

SKI JUMPING MEN’S NORMAL HILL Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi won Olympic ski jumping gold on the normal hill. Kobayashi jumped last and best, clearing 99.5 meters (326 feet) and had 129.6 points thanks to his graceful style from start to finish that won over the judges.

Austria’s Manuel Fettner won silver and Dawid Kubacki of Poland earned bronze.

FINALLY TIME FOR US-CANADA IN WOMEN’S HOCKEY

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — It’s time for the United States vs. Canada in women’s hockey.

Round one of two, in all likelihood.

The North American powerhouses play live tonight on USA Network in what may be the most anticipated event on Day 3 of the Beijing Games.

It would be even more significant, except the teams seem likely to meet again for the gold medal later.

Also Monday, Nathan Chen begins his bid for individual gold when he skates in the men’s short programme.

• Here are some things to watch (all times Eastern):

HOCKEY The US and Canada have combined to win all seven Olympic women’s hockey tournaments, and only once has anyone else (Sweden) finished second.

In 2018, the Americans won the gold in a shootout over Canada.

“When you actually see two equals getting after it, it’s a special opportunity, and that’s why I think people tune in to watch it,” U.S. coach Joel Johnson said. “It should be fun.”

The matchup starts at 11:10 p.m.

“Our team is right where we need to be at the right time,” American veteran Amanda Kessel said. “We had a bunch of games cancelled against them the past few months, so we have been waiting for that

day to get another chance to play them.”

FIGURE SKATING Chen won the short programme while competing for the US in the team competition, but that event didn’t include Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time defending men’s champion. It was still a good start for Chen at these Olympics.

“It’s nice to be able to have run-throughs like this,” he said.

“Whatever you can take from each practice, whether good or bad, you take with you, and that’s the same thing with competition.”

NBC and USA Network will have live coverage of the men’s short programme in prime time.

BIG AIR Eileen Gu, the San Francisco native competing in freestyle skiing for her mother’s homeland of China, is a medal contender in Big Air. The women’s final will be live on NBC in prime time.

PLANTING THE FLAG Brittany Bowe, a flagbearer for the US in the opening ceremony, is a medal hopeful for the Americans in speedskating. Her best races are the 1,000 metres and the 1,500, and the latter takes place Monday.

USA Network will show the 1,500 live early in the morning, with an encore presentation later in the day. NBC also plans to air coverage of that race in prime time.

Ireen Wust, the 35-yearold Dutch star who has won five Olympic golds and 11 overall medals, is also in that event.

ALSO OF NOTE The mixed team ski jump — a new event — is part of USA Network’s early coverage and will be shown by NBC in the afternoon. ...

Two short track speedskating gold medals are at stake in the women’s 500 and men’s 1,000.

Italy’s Arianna Fontana won gold in the 500 in 2018, one of nine Olympic medals in her career.

USA Network will have live coverage of both short track events in the morning, and NBC is showing the women’s 500 in prime time and the men’s 1,000 as part of its late-night slate.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 15

France opens Six Nations title bid with 37-10 win over Italy PARIS (AP) — Left winger Gabin Villiere scored a hat trick of tries as Six Nations favourite France beat an improved Italy 37-10 yesterday.

Les Tricolores face Ireland at home next Saturday in a huge contest that could largely influence whether France wins its first title since 2010, having been runner-up the past two years.

The Irish opened by beating Wales 29-7 in Dublin on Saturday.

Meanwhile, France fell behind against Italy and was scrappy for spells despite five tries.

“We made quite a lot of mistakes tonight and we were a bit clumsy, but we got the result,” scrumhalf and captain Antoine Dupont said.

“We know how much energy the Italians put into it (but) we gave them penalties and we’ll need to improve on that. Ireland are a great side.”

Ireland and France both have five points with an attacking bonus point.

Flanker Anthony Jelonch and Villiere had first-half tries for France after right winger Tommaso Menoncello, one of 12 Benetton players in coach Kieran Crowley’s side, scored a debut try as Italy surprisingly led 7-3.

Right winger Damian Penaud added the fourth try for the French before Villiere took a pass from reserve centre Yoram Moefana and dived over in the left corner.

“It’s a great feeling to score, especially in front of the fans,” Villiere said.

“Of course, we’ll work on our errors but we’re not going to complain about this result. There was a lot of wind and rain and we managed to turn things around.”

Les Bleus went in 18-10 up at the break without having shown the flair it did when beating New Zealand 40-25 last November.

But Dupont, the world player of the year, and halves partner Romain Ntamack hardly played any club rugby recently after contracting the coronavirus.

Still, Crowley’s new-look Italy competed better than most observers expected and France was being frustrated until the 50th, when Villiere got a fine feed from No. 8 Gregory Alldritt and side-stepped his way over the line at Stade de France.

The bonus-point fourth did not come until the 68th, when Dupont burst into life and set up Penaud’s 14th international try as they swapped passes down the right touchline.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

FRANCE’S CYRIL BAILLE, centre, is tackled by Italy’s Sebastian Negri, left, during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Italy at the Stade de France stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) Fullback Melvyn Jaminet, a revelation on the summer tour of Australia when he was still playing second-tier club rugby, kicked the first points of his Six Nations career with an early penalty from 35 metres.

But Italy, which has not won in the competition since 2015, caught France napping in the 16th.

After scrumhalf Stephen Varney led a quick break, flyhalf Paolo Garbisi crosskicked into the right corner

and 19-year-old Menoncello jumped up well — just staying in bounds and twisting down for a fine effort given following a TMO review.

The lead lasted 10 minutes as Italy botched a line out in the heavy rain, and Varney patted the ball back into the hands of Jelonch to sprint clear for an unconverted try.

Garbisi and Jaminet traded penalties, and Jaminet then appeared to overrule France’s coaching

staff when not kicking an easy three points.

France won the lineout instead, the ball was swiftly switched left in a flurry of fast offloads and Jaminet justified his own call by sending Villiere free down the left before converting from wide out.

France was without coach Fabien Galthie, after he tested positive for the virus on Friday and went into isolation, so assistant coach Raphael Ibanez took charge.

INDIA WINS ITS 1,000TH ODI WITH 22 OVERS LEFT V WEST INDIES AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — India celebrated its 1,000th one-day international with a crushing six-wicket win over West Indies with 22 overs to spare yesterday.

Rohit Sharma scored 60 in his first outing as India’s full-time ODI captain. His side easily chased down West Indies’ total of 176 in the first one-day international.

India finished on 178-4 in only 28 overs — with 132 balls remaining — to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“Losing with 22 overs to spare is a heavy defeat,” West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said. “It was the same old (story) for us, not being able to bat 50 overs ...

We’ve got to dig deep and get better in terms of technique, myself included.”

West Indies was all out in 43.5 overs.

India became the first team to achieve the 1,000 mark with its first ODI against England in 1974 at Headingley.

The historic game Sunday marked the beginning of a new chapter for India as Sharma takes over from Virat Kohli as captain in the white-ball formats.

Yuzvendra Chahal took 4-49 and Washington

Sundar 3-30 after India won the toss and opted to bowl.

At 45-3 in 12 overs, the visitors never really got going. Mohammed Siraj (1-26) provided the initial breakthrough by removing Shai Hope (8) early.

Sundar sent back Brandon King (13) and Darren Bravo (18) with West Indies struggling for partnerships as India pressed home its advantage.

Chahal struck a triple blow in the middle overs as West Indies was reduced to 78-6 in 21.5 overs.

Nicholas Pooran (18) was trapped leg before wicket, while Pollard (0) didn’t even trouble the scorers. Chahal took his third wicket in nine balls as Shamarh Brooks (12) was caught behind.

The leg spinner was named man of the match for his spell. “I knew pressure was on them and my job was to sustain that pressure,” Chahal said.

“I looked for variations in pace and when the ball turned, I kept doing it.”

Jason Holder (57) scored an anchoring half-century as West Indies escaped embarrassment. He added 78 runs for the eighth wicket with Fabian Allen (29).

LOCKED OUT MLB PLAYERS REJECT OFFER OF FEDERAL MEDIATION

INDIA’s Rohit Sharma bats during the first one day international cricket match against West Indies in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) In reply, India was never in bother. Openers Sharma and Ishan Kishan (28) put on 84 runs off only 79 balls.

Sharma hit 10 fours and a six in his 51-ball innings, scoring his 44th ODI half-century.

Alzarri Joseph (2-45) dismissed Kohli (8), who had played uncharacteristic shots to four successive short balls and was caught at fine leg.

Rishabh Pant (11) was run out after Kishan threw away his start and holed

out. India was at 116-4 in 17.3 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav (34 not out) and debutant Deepak Hooda (26 not out) avoided any further hiccups with a calm 62-run partnership.

India had been set back with four players missing due to COVID-19. Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Navdeep Saini returned positive tests on Wednesday and were ruled out of the series. West Indies

was coming off a 3-2 win against England in a fivematch T20 series at home.

It’s looking to continue its white-ball transformation under Pollard.

All three matches will be played in a secure bubble at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by three Twenty20s in Kolkata under similar restrictions. There will be no crowds attending the ODI series. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The start of spring training likely will be a casualty of Major League Baseball’s lockout, which will threaten opening day unless the drawn-out talks lead to a deal in less than a month.

After a half-year of bickering over the sport’s economics, baseball’s warring factions couldn’t even agree on whether to have a mediator.

The Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday ruled out a third party intervening, one day after MLB asked for help from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

“Two months after implementing their lockout, and just two days after committing to players that a counterproposal would be made, the owners refused to make a counter, and instead requested mediation,” the union said in a statement.

“After consultation with our executive board, and taking into account a variety of factors, we have declined this request. The clearest path to a fair and timely agreement is to get back to the table. Players stand ready to negotiate.”

Owners locked out players on December 2, immediately following the expiration of a five-year collective bargaining agreement. There have been just three in-person negotiating sessions on core economics since, on January 24-25 and this past Tuesday, plus a digital session on Jan. 13.

The sides are still far apart.

“With camps scheduled to open in less than two weeks, it is time to get immediate assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to help us work through our differences and break the deadlock,” MLB said in a statement.

“It is clear the most productive path forward would be the involvement of an impartial third party to help bridge gaps and facilitate an agreement,” the league said.

“It is hard to understand why a party that wants to make an agreement would reject mediation from the federal agency specifically tasked with resolving these disputes, including many successes in professional sports.”

No negotiating sessions are scheduled on the primary economic issues. The sides met three times this week on non-core topics.

“We don’t need mediation because what we are offering to MLB is fair for both sides,” tweeted pitcher Max Scherzer, who agreed to a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York

SEE PAGE 14

BUCCANEERS EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR SUCCESSOR TO TOM BRADY

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Long before Tom Brady called it quits, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began contemplating a future without the seven-time Super Bowl winner.

Brady announced his retirement last Tuesday, ending an unparalleled career that began with a two-decade stint with the New England Patriots followed by two seasons with the Bucs, who went from missing the playoffs 12 consecutive years before his arrival to winning the NFL title in his first season in a new uniform.

The decision was not a surprise to general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians, who assembled an all-star roster around Brady with an understanding that it would be difficult to keep an ultratalented lineup together for 2022 — with or without the

44-year-old quarterback.

“We’ve been preparing,” Licht said, adding that the Bucs will “explore all avenues to try to make the best decision that we can for the organisation’’ regarding a successor.

“We feel like we have a really good foundation. I think B.A. has already said that this isn’t a rebuild, it’s a reload. I look at it as a little bit of a remodel, Licht said from Mobile, Alabama, where he’s attending the Senior Bowl and evaluating draft prospects. “We’ve got seven of our nine Pro Bowlers under contract for next year. We’ve got a lot of really good young players on this team,” Licht added. “We’re going to try to re-sign some of our players back, and we’ll continue to explore players in free agency as well.”

The day after the Bucs lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs, Arians conceded the team

was already pondering potential options if Brady decided he had played his last game.

“We do that with every position. The quarterback, obviously, you start there,” Arians said. “Again, see where we’re heading and see what Tom does. But we’ll be doing our homework, that’s for sure.”

In all, 11 starters from the January 23 playoff loss can become unrestricted free agents in March, including running back Leonard Fournette, tight end Rob Gronkowski, linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston, Pro Bowl centre Ryan Jensen, guard Alex Cappa, cornerback Carlton Davis and safety Jordan Whitehead.

Arians was asked if there was a chance a potential successor to Brady, who threw for a league-leading 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns in his final season,

was already on the roster.

“I’d be comfortable if it is. I like what we have,” Arians said. “But again, you never know what’s behind Door No. 2. We went down that road two years ago, and there’s Tom Brady.”

Licht and Arians prepared for free agency in 2020 not knowing whether Brady would actually wind up leaving the Patriots after 20 seasons. It was also unclear at the time if the NFL’s career passing leader would seriously consider joining the Bucs, who had a talented nucleus of young players but also a long history of losing.

A more pressing decision in the weeks ahead of landing Brady was whether to retain 2015 No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston, who threw for more than 5,000 yards, but also undermined the team’s chances for success the previous season by leading the league in interceptions.

Brady not only changed the

culture of the franchise but instilled confidence among teammates while leading the Bucs to a 29-10 record, including a 5-1 mark in the playoffs and the second Super Bowl title in club history.

Expectations remain high, which is one of the reasons it’s difficult to imagine the next starting quarterback is already on the roster.

With Brady retiring, rookie Kyle Trask is the only remaining quarterback under contract for next season. The 2020 second-round draft pick out of Florida was inactive for every game this season.

Veterans Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, meanwhile, will be free agents next month. Neither has a dazzling pro résumé, with Gabbert going 13-35 as a starter over portions of 10 seasons with five different teams and the 32-year-old Griffin having four career passing attempts.

Licht said Brady’s decision doesn’t necessarily change the timetable on Trask’s development.

“We’re very excited about the development of Kyle, where he’s come from the last year and what he’s done just being able to sit behind Tom and Blaine, and Ryan as well,” the GM said.

Arians said last week a major priority this winter will be re-signing as many of Tampa Bay’s own free agents as possible.

Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet is confident the team will do whatever necessary to remain a championship contender.

“I think once you start rebuilding the team, and the core guys that are still here, they’re not going to forget that, that’s for sure,” Arians said.

“There will be a different sense of urgency, I think, coming into OTAs and minicamp as we put the team together.”

PAGE 16, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

TRIALS

FROM PAGE 13

LOCAL athletes compete on Saturday during the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Star Performers Time Trials Meet at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

CARIFTA

FROM PAGE 13

hiatus, due to COVID-19.

Strachan, who extended his national javelin record to 236-feet, 7-inches or 72.13 metres at the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica on Independence Day last year, pushed it further with his winning heave of 247-5 (75.41m) to surpass the under-20 boys’ CARIFTA standard of 199-11 (60.94m).

“I feel great. Coach (Corrington Maycock) and I have been working on this and we just came out here and let it happen,” said Strachan, who last year signed a scholarship deal to attend Auburn University this year. “I really expected it to come, but I didn’t expect it to come today. I expected it to come later in the year.”

With the performance and moving up to the under-20 division, Cartwright said he’s confident that he can go to Jamaica and come out with the gold medal. He noted that he’s working on throwing at least 80m by the World Junior Championships.

“I think I would have been well ahead of where I am if it wasn’t for COVID19,” Strachan said. “But

I was a little frustrated after they had planned to stop the meet, so I had to take out my frustration in competition.”

Coming in second and third were Strachan’s team-mates with Kaden Cartwright throwing 185-53/4 (56.23m) and Nathaniel Zervos trailing with 161-11 (49.35m).

Strachan’s 14-year-old sister Kamera Strachan led a Blue Chips Athletics’ sweep of the top three spots in the under-17 girls’ javelin with her toss of 122-2 (37.25m) to surpass the CARIFTA standard of 112-10 (34.39m) along with her team-mate DiorRae Scott, who did 120-11 (36.86m) for second.

Taysha Stubbs got third with (25.05m) for third, but she fell short of qualifying.

The younger Strachan said her brother, Keyshawn, has really inspired her.

“I felt good, but I have to pick up a few things with it,” she said. “I have to work on my hand and my crossover.”

Scott, a 13-year-old ninth grader at St Augustine’s College, said she has only been competing in the event for eight months, but she’s very proud of her achievement. “I came in with the intention of qualifying for CARIFTA and that is what I did,” she

KEYSHAWN Strachan has extended his national javelin record with a winning heave of 247-5 (75.41m) to surpass the under-20 boys’ CARIFTA standard of 199-11 (60.94m). said. “The competition was and excited and looking good, but I’m looking for- forward to it. “I just need to ward to throwing over 40m develop my step phase and with the competition at my landing so I can go even CARIFTA.” longer because I feel that I Lubin soars in could do better.” triple jump Former triple jumper First year competitor Jameison Pratt, now teachLanisha Lubin, competing ing physical education at for the DTSP Wolfpacks, Nassau Christian Acadwas the lone competitor emy, said he knew that she in the under-17 girls’ triple had the potential to qualify jump, but that didn’t deter for CARIFTA. “She was her from her goal. She way off the board and she cleared 38-1 ½ (11.62m) qualified,” said Pratt, who to surpass the CAR- is following in the footsteps IFTA standard of 38-01/4 of his legendary father (11.60m).

Peter Pratt, one of the top “I really like jumping, triple jumpers now a coach. so I just decided to see if “If she can hit the board, I can do it,” said Lubin, she has the potential to go a 15-year-old student at 12m and win CARIFTA. Queen’s College.

We just have to see what “My coach Mr J Pratt has the other competitors really pushed me. I didn’t bring.” expect to qualify right Sprinters in fine form away, but I’m very satisfied Grand Bahamian Shatathat I did. I’m really happy lyn Dorsett, competing for

the Kenyan Knights, set the stage in the under-17 girls’ sprints, pulling off the double dose of victory.

First she did 11.94 seconds in the 100 metres to surpass the CARIFTA standard of 11.96. Then she came back and duplicated the feat in the 200m. Her time of 24.55 was faster than the qualifier of 24.58.

Both Quick Step’s Andrew Brown (11.08) and Red-Line Athletics’ Tamani Skinner (11.21) went under the B qualifying time in the under-17 boys’ 100m of 11.24. They both failed at the A standard of 11.02. Skinner won the 200m in 22.60 with Brown second in 22.78, but they both missed the standard of 21.84.

In the under-20 girls’ division, Fast Forward’s Paige Archer ran 11.80 for a B qualifying time of 11.92 in the 100m. The A standard is 11.69. She also won the 200m in 24.80, but it was off the standard of 23.95.

And in the under-20 boys’ century, Bahamas Speed Dynamics’ Antoine Andrews pulled off the win in 10.39, followed by Carlos Brown of Swift Athletics in 10.44 as they both dipped under the qualifying standard of 10.50.

Just shy of standards Hurry Murray’s Raywind Winder clocked 2:04.99

While he called it something that was “emotionally driven,” Archer said they easily got it resolved, even though it took a “little longer” than they had anticipated, but they got it done and he thanked all of the stakeholders for their assistance.

“I believe this is something that we could have easily resolved and I am happy with the intervention of all of the stakeholders for making this happen,” he stated.

“I believe this is an important precedent that establishes our standings to be able to host events like this in the lead up to the CARIFTA Games.

“I believe that the Bahamas’ team will be a very strong team and we would hope that we would not be denied the opportunity for our athletes to represent us at the international level.

So it’s important for us to be able to put on these meets so that our athletes can attain the qualifying standard.”

Archer, a lawyer by profession and a losing candidate for the Free National Movement in the Fort Charlotte constituency, said they were able to convince the government that they should be allowed to continue with their meets without any spectators in a competitive way.

“I believe this may have been a necessary evil and I’m confident that if we can sit down like real men and we understand what the real game is all about, then we could arrive at good decisions in a win-win situation for everyone.”

Archer said he wants to assure the Bahamian public that the BAAA is running a smooth and prepared track and field campaign that is designed to bring out the best in the athletes, especially as they prepare for the return of the CARIFTA Games after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

“We are out here preparing our athletes. I believe we have the strongest protocol regimen in the country and we’re happy to note there is little to no COVID-19 cases in our track and field bubble,” he stated.

“It all bodes well for us because we have a big space to work with and the coaches have been doing a good job in abiding by the COVID-19 guidelines.”

The BAAA had to postpone all of its major meets in January and resort to putting on time trials to keep their athletes in tiptop shape. The next meet on the schedule is the Road Runners Meet on Saturday, February 19.

“This allows us to have unfettered access to competing without the interruption of the authorities since we have already gotten their approval,” Archer said. to win the under-17 boys’ 800m, but he was shy of the qualifying standard of 2:00.14 and Johnathan Rodgers came close to the under-20 boys’ triple jump qualifying mark of 14.89m with his leap of (14.69m).

“It was good. I just tried to remember the things that my coach taught me,” said Rodgers, an 11th grader at CI Gibson. “I kind of bummed out when they said the meet was called off, but I’m happy that they didn’t call it. I wished it could go back to the way it used to be, but I know that won’t happen.”

Elite athletes’ presence felt A couple of Leap of Faith elite athletes also competed with Tamara Myers winning the open women’s triple jump with 44-103/4 (13.68m). Ryan Ingraham was back in action with a height of 6-6 3/4 (2.00m) in the men’s high jump and Kaiwan Culmer took the open men’s long jump with 22-9 1/4 (6.94m).

National decathlon record holder Kendrick Thompson, competing for the University of the Bahamas, won the open men’s shot put with 46-0 (14.02m) and former national record holder Ken Mullings, competing for Power Athletics, took the discus with 147-6 (44.96m).

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 17

Deandre Ayton posts his 17th double double of the season

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net DEANDRE Ayton was off his minutes restriction and had his most dominant performance of the three games he has been back on the floor since his return from an ankle injury.

Ayton finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds in the Phoenix Suns’ 95-80 win over the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena Saturday night in Washington, DC. He played just 24 minutes, but not because of a precaution due to his previous injury, but because the Suns dominated wire-towire in the win.

Phoenix led by 25 before the midpoint of the second quarter, 27 at the half and 36 in the third quarter.

Ayton said it was imperative for him to return to form after he finished with just six points in last Thursday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks which ended the Suns’ 11-game win streak.

“Didn’t sleep.

Rewatched the game twice to see what I needed to do.

Mainly it was my wind, but the best way I can get back in shape is by playing hard through these games, running on each possession, that’s the quickest way,” Ayton said. “The level of intensity and energy was great and we were really locked in from the get go.”

The Suns are now 42-10.

“It was finally having my feet up under me, I felt like I finally had my second bounce back. I definitely felt good out there,” Ayton said.

“We were locked in, especially in the second quarter, when we really started closing in on our defence,” Ayton said, “We were counting (our stops).

It was fun out there.”

In his first game back, Ayton returned from his seven-game absence and finished with 12 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes of the Suns’ 121-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets last Tuesday. He followed with the six points and nine rebounds of 24 minutes against Atlanta.

The game against the Wizard was Ayton’s third consecutive where he played fewer than 30 minutes.

“At this point, we’re going to start playing him his normal minutes so he can get back into a groove,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said pregame.

Injuries and illnesses have kept Ayton in and out of the lineup for 21 games this season and the Suns have gone 18-3 in those games.

Ayton has missed six games in the NBA’s health and safety protocols for COVID-19, he also missed three games with a nonCOVID related illness and

EMBIID CARRIES 76ERS PAST DEROZAN, BULLS IN EAST SHOWDOWN

SUNS’ DEANDRE AYTON, left, shoots as Wizards’ Thomas Bryant, right, defends during the first half on Saturday in Washington.

(AP Photo/Luis M Alvarez) five games with a right leg contusion. Ayton is averaging 16.4 points and 10.5

rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting from the field.

He has 17 double doubles in 31 games so far this season.

JAMES RETURNS, LAKERS OUTLAST KNICKS IN OVERTIME LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 29 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists in his return from a left knee injury and the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the New York Knicks 122115 in overtime Saturday night.

James had his fourth triple-double of the season and tied a season high in rebounds after missing five games because of swelling in his left knee.

He was 13 of 24 from the field in 40 minutes, helping the Lakers overcome a 21-point deficit.

Malik Monk scored 29 points, and Anthony Davis added 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers.

They has dropped four of five coming in.

R.J. Barrett scored a career-high 36 points for New York, and Julius Randle had 32 points and 16 rebounds. The Knicks have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Los Angeles trailed 71-56 at halftime before rallying in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 31-13. The Lakers were down 75-61 less than 2 1/2 minutes into the quarter before going on a 21-6 run

over a nearly six-minute span to take the lead.

SUNS 95, WIZARDS 80 WASHINGTON (AP) — Deandre Ayton had 20 points and 16 rebounds in an efficient 24 minutes and NBA-leading Phoenix rebounded from a streak-ending loss to beat short-handed Washington.

Ayton, playing his third game since returning from a sprained right ankle, and the Suns bounced back from a loss Thursday night at Atlanta that ended their 11-game winning streak.

Phoenix led by 25 before the midpoint of the second quarter, 27 at half and 36 in the third quarter. The Wizards set offensive season lows — and the Suns defensive bests — for points in a quarter (11 in the second), half (33 in the first) and game.

Chris Paul added 14 points and nine assists for Phoenix, Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges each scored 12 points, and Devin Booker had 11. At 42-10, the Suns moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Golden State for the league lead.

Montrezl Harrell scored 15 points for Washington.

LAKERS forward LeBron James, left, passes while under pressure from Knicks centre Mitchell Robinson during the first half on Saturday in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) The Wizards have lost seven of eight.

BUCKS 137, TRAIL BLAZERS 108 PORTLAND, Ore, (AP) — Bobby Portis Jr. had a season-high 30 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and Milwaukee Bucks handed Portland its fifth straight loss.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, with a season-high four 3-pointers, and nine rebounds. Portis was 11 of 13 from the field and 6 of 8 from 3-point range.

GRIZZLIES 135, MAGIC 115 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 33 points in three quarters and Memphis led by 31 points against NBA-worst Orlando.

Morant scored 22 points in the first half to help Memphis win its second straight and fifth in six games. The Grizzlies had a 14-0 run in the first quarter and led 76-56 at the half.

Cole Anthony scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half for Orlando.

HEAT 104, HORNETS 86 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 rebounds and Miami handed slumping Charlotte to its fourth straight loss.

Tyler Herro had 19 points behind five 3-pointers for Miami. The Heat scored 27 points off 20 turnovers by Charlotte while holding the Hornets to 38.4% shooting from the floor.

Terry Rozier had 16 points for Charlotte.

KINGS 113, THUNDER 103 SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — Harrison Barnes had 24 points and nine rebounds and Sacramento held on to beat Oklahoma City.

Tyrese Haliburton added 13 points and a career-high 17 assists to help the Kings win for the second time in three games following a seven-game losing streak.

Moe Harkless also had a double-double for Sacramento with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Josh Giddey scored a season-high 24 points for Oklahoma City.

CHICAGO (AP) — Joel Embiid dominated with 40 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame DeMar DeRozan’s season-high, 45-point game for Chicago to beat the Bulls 119-108 yesterday.

The 76ers won the matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams after letting a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter shrink to four.

They hung on down the stretch to beat the Bulls for the 10th straight time. They also knocked Chicago a half-game behind first-place Miami and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the idle Heat.

With the 76ers’ victory, Miami clinched the best record in the East through Sunday, sending Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff to the All-Star Game in Cleveland to coach Team Durant.

Embiid simply did what he wanted, hitting 14 of 23 shots.

Tobias Harris added 23 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 16, helping the Sixers shake off losses against Washington and Dallas to win for the sixth time in eight games.

DeRozan finished seven points shy of his career high. The All-Star carried Chicago with Zach LaVine (back spasms) and guard Coby White (strained right adductor) sidelined.

NUGGETS 124, NETS 104 DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his NBA-leading 14th triple-double of the season and Denver handed shorthanded Brooklyn its eighth straight loss.

Will Barton had 21 points and Aaron Gordon had 17 points and nine rebounds in his return from a two-game absence to help Denver end a three-game skid.

Kyrie Irving had with 27 points and 11 assists for Brooklyn.

Nets guard James Harden missed his second straight game with left hamstring tightness. Brooklyn coach Steve Nash was asked before the game if it’s accurate the team won’t trade Harden before Thursday’s deadline and gave a definitive answer. “Yes, that’s correct,” he said.

TIMBERWOLVES 118, PISTONS 105 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat Detroit for its fourth straight victory.

D’Angelo Russell returned with 22 points and eight assists after missing four games because of a left shin contusion. Michael Beasley had 20 points off the bench.

Saddiq Bey scored 24 points for Detroit. The Pistons have lost eight of nine.

Vucevic has 36 points, 17 rebounds to help Bulls beat Pacers INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 36 points and had 17 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan added 31 points and the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Vucevic went 16 of 21 from the field and had four assists and three blocks to help Eastern Conference-leading Chicago win for the four time in six games. AllStar Zach LaVine sat out because of back spasms.

Caris LeVert had a seasonhigh 42 points for Indiana. The recently signed Terry Taylor had 21 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

JAZZ 125, NETS 102 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points in his return from a concussion that sidelined him for eight games, Bojan Bogdanovic added 19 points and Utah routed shorthanded Brooklyn.

Utah scored for first 10 points in its third wire-to-wire victory of the season to send the Nets to a season-high seventh straight loss.

Mitchell shot 8 for 10 from the floor and had six 3-pointers and

six assists in 22 minutes.Brooklyn rookie Cam Thomas had a careerhigh 30 points.

CAVALIERS 102, HORNETS 101 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Love made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left and scored 25 points and Cleveland held on beat Charlotte.

Jarrett Allen had a career-high 29 points and 22 rebounds, and Love scored 22 of his points in the second half as the Cavaliers overcame a bizarre technical foul on bench player Ed Davis with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter.

Davis, who was on the Cavaliers’ bench in warmups and never played, interfered with Terry Rozier’s 3-point attempt by swatting at his arm, apparently thinking the play was over.

Replays appeared to show a whistle had blown before Rozier attempted the shot.

MAVERICKS 107, 76ERS 98 DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 33 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists for his 44th career tripledouble as Dallas rallied from a 16-point, second-quarter deficit and beat Philadelphia.

The game was delayed 44 minutes midway through the first period when one of the rims was determined to be crooked.

Reggie Bullock scored 20 points, including two clutch 3-pointers down the stretch, for Dallas. Jalen Brunson added 19 points for the Mavericks, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Joel Embiid had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, who have lost two straight games for the first time since a three-game skid in mid-December. Dallas native Tyrese Maxey added 18 points.

RAPTORS 125, HAWKS 114 TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam matched his season high with 33 points, Fred VanVleet had 26 points and 11 assists and Toronto beat Atlanta for its fifth straight victory.

The Raptors also beat the Hawks 106-100 in Atlanta on Monday night.

De’Andre Hunter and John Collins each scored 23 points for Atlanta, and Trae Young had 22 points and 13 assists. Atlanta is 8-2 in its last 10, losing only to Toronto.

SPURS 131, ROCKETS 106 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson had 28 points and San Antonio punctuated Zach Collins’ return from a nearly two-year absence with a victory over Houston.

Collins had 10 points to help San Antonio snap a three-game skid. The 7-foot former Gonzaga star had not played an NBA game since Aug. 15, 2020, with the Portland Trail Blazers. He had two operations on his left foot over the 10 months and signed with the Spurs in the offseason.

THUNDER 96, TRAIL BLAZERS 93 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Luguentz Dort had 23 points and Oklahoma City held off Portland for its first three-game winning streak since December.

The Thunder trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter but closed the gap in the fourth and pulled ahead 88-82 on Josh Giddey’s basket with 5:45 left.

CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simons led Portland with 19 points apiece.

Portland was short-handed after trading Norman Powell and

Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier Friday for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, rookie Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round pick.

PELICANS 113, NUGGETS 105 DENVER (AP) — Herbert Jones scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Brandon Ingram had 23 points and 12 assists and New Orleans sent Denver to its third straight loss.

Jaxson Hayes added 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic returned after a one-game absence with a sore toe and had 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, but was limited to 10 shots.

CELTICS 102, PISTONS 93 DETROIT (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 24 points in 28 minutes and Boston beat Detroit for its fourth straight victory and sixth in seven games Boston held Detroit to a season-low points total in the first half, leading 46-31 at the break.

Hamidou Diallo had 21 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit, The Pistons lost for the seventh time in eight games.

PAGE 18, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Tom Hoge surges past Spieth for 1st PGA Tour win

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.

(AP) — Another cliffhanger at Pebble Beach, this one memorable for Tom Hoge delivering all the right shots on the back nine to surge past Jordan Spieth and win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for his first PGA Tour title.

Hoge, one of seven players who had at least a share of the lead yesterday, came within inches of holing out from the 16th fairway, tapping in for birdie to catch Spieth. Then after Spieth made bogey from the bunker on the par-3 17th, Hoge rolled in a birdie from just outside 20 feet.

He closed with a par for a 4-under 68.

Hoge, a 32-year-old who grew up in North Dakota,

had been runner-up twice in his previous 202 starts on the PGA Tour, most recently at The American Express two weeks ago.

His time came amid the magnificent setting of Pebble Beach under a clear sky, and it didn’t come easily with so many players in the mix for so long.

Spieth looked like a winner when he birdied the 12th and 13th holes, and he reached the 15th tee with a two-shot lead.

But he missed a 5-foot par putt on the 17th, and only as he stood under the pine in fairway on the par-5 18th did he realise he needed an eagle.

He caught a sandy lie that left him in a fairway bunker, and the best he could do was par for a 69. Hoge had to wait for Beau Hossler, one of three players who

TOM Hoge looks over the fourth green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., yesterday.

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar) shared the 54-hole lead, who needed eagle on the 18th to force a playoff.

Hossler sent his fairway metal right into a bunker, blasted out long and threeputted for bogey for a 71 to finish alone in third.

Hoge earned his first trip to Augusta National for the Masters, along with getting a two-year exemption. Until this year, his best season on the PGA Tour was in 2020 when he was 50th in the FedEx Cup and won just over $1.8 million.

Hoge, who finished at 19-under 268, earned $1,566,000.

So many others had chances, including Patrick Cantlay, at No. 4 the highest-ranked player in the world at Pebble Beach.

He opened with two birdies and was still atop the leaderboard until a bogey at the eighth that left the final three hours wide open.

Cantlay didn’t make another birdie until the 18th when it was too late.

He spent most of the back nine scrambling for par and his luck finally ran out on

the 15th and 16th hole. He shot 71 and tied for fourth along with Troy Merritt (67).

Joel Dahmen (72) and Andrew Putnam (73) also had a share of the lead during the final round.

They were in the group that tied for sixth.

Spieth won at Pebble in 2017, had a two-shot lead going into the final round last year and had everything seemingly in his favour.

That includes the signature moment of this week, when he had his left foot planted on the edge of a 60-foot cliff on the eighth hole Saturday that only gave him anxiety after he realised the risk he had taken.

His hopes began to fade with an 8-iron he was starting down on the 17th, shocked that it came up short and in the sand.

Forest ousts FA Cup holder Leicester, 5th-tier team advances

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer FIRST the FA Cup’s most successful team. Now the holders.

Nottingham Forest reached the fifth round by ousting Leicester 4-1 yesterday, building on the second-tier side’s previous elimination of 14-time winner Arsenal.

It wasn’t the biggest upset of the fourth round.

The last 16 will feature a fifth-tier team after Boreham Wood won 1-0 at Bournemouth, which is 74 places higher in the English pyramid. It’s now five matches without conceding, stretching back into a qualifying round, for the team based just north of London.

Mark Ricketts, Boreham Wood’s 37-year-old captain who had been out injured for almost a month, scored the goal that eliminated the Championship’s thirdplace team and secured a trip to a Premier League ground to play Frank Lampard’s Everton next month.

“I ran out of steam towards the end but the adrenaline kept me going,” Ricketts said. “There will be even more interest drummed up in the club and I think it’s fantastic.”

Bournemouth’s focus now is on the quest to return to the Premier League after two years.

Forest has been waiting since 1999 to get back into the top division and its impressive cup run is reviving memories of its prowess in the last century.

Forest was champion of England in 1978 and then won back-to-back European Cups. The only titles since then came in the League Cup in 1989 and 1990. Now there will be hope of another deep FA Cup run for the team that reached the 1991 final against Tottenham, with fellow second-tier club Huddersfield next up.

The cup form reflects the revival in the Championship side since Steve Cooper was hired in September. The manager has taken the team from last place to within two points of the promotion playoff spots.

“Some of our attacking play was excellent ... dare I say it, it could have been more,” Cooper said.

“Games like this matter.

We have a global fanbase.”

Forest stunned Leicester by scoring twice inside 90 seconds through Philip Zinckernagel and Brennan Johnson to take a 2-0 lead by the 24th minute.

The blot on the day came when Joe Worrall headed in from a corner in the 32nd and Forest forward Keinan Davis was targeted amid the goal celebrations by a pitch invader throwing a punch. Police later said a man had been arrested.

It was the first game between the East Midlands rivals since 2014 when Leicester was last in the Championship before gaining promotion and winning the Premier League in 2016 so unexpectedly.

This fourth-round game drifted away from

NOTTINGHAM Forest’s Ryan Yates, Brennan Johnson and Cafu, from left, celebrate at the end of the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at the City Ground, Nottingham, England, yesterday. Nottingham Forest won 4-1.

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Leicester. Although Kel- out injured and scored his Phillips in the 68th. Cardiff echi Iheanacho pulled one first Liverpool goal in a 3-1 substitute Rubin Colwill back in the 40th, there victory over Cardiff. pulled one back in the 80th was no comeback with Elliott produced a but Liverpool held on to Djed Spence restoring the swiveled finish in front of set up a meeting with topthree-goal cushion to rock the Kop in the 76th minute tier Norwich in the first Brendan Rodgers’ side. for Liverpool’s third goal, week of March.

This time Forest even capping the 18-year-old FIFTHproduced the upset without midfielder’s recovery ROUND 13-goal top scorer Lewis from a left ankle fracture DRAW Grabban, whose goal elim- dislocation.

Following the draw yesinated Arsenal in the third The lead came via Diogo terday morning, the only round. It’s why Leicester Jota’s 15th goal of the other all-Premier League manager Brendan Rodg- season in the 53rd against matchup in the next round ers couldn’t make excuses the second-tier side, head- is Southampton’s home about being missing ing in a free kick from game against West Ham. players.

Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Premier League cham“I said to the players New Liverpool signing pion Manchester City after that, for the first time Luis Diaz was brought off will go to second-tier side since I’ve been here I’ve the bench for his debut in Peterborough, which has been embarrassed,” Rodg- the 58th — along with Elli- reached the last 16 for the ers said, approaching his ott — following his arrival first time since 1986. third anniversary at Leices- from Porto on Friday and Middlesbrough’s reward ter this month. “It was an played a role in the second for knocking out Manembarrassing performance. goal. chester United is a home I feel for the supporters.”

The Colombia interna- match against Tottenham, LIVERPOOL tional seized possession European champion ChelTHROUGH and Takumi Minamino met sea will travel just north of Teenager Harvey Elliott his cutback before striking London to Luton and Crysreturned from five months under goalkeeper Dillon tal Palace will host Stoke.

10-man Barcelona ends winless run against Atlético Madrid

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Barcelona showed yesterday why it shouldn’t be discarded just yet as a threat in Spanish soccer.

The Catalan club beat Atlético Madrid 4-2 in the Spanish league to end a five-game winless run against Diego Simeone’s team. Barcelona overtook Atlético to move to fourth and is back in the Champions League qualification places for the first time since the third round.

Real Madrid later increased its gap at the top over Sevilla to six points by beating Granada 1-0 at home.

Barcelona played well to take a big lead before hanging tough while playing more than 20 minutes with a man down.

Xavi Hernández’s team conceded early but rallied to a 4-1 lead before Atlético threatened to get back into the game in the second half. Luis Suárez — playing

in front of Barcelona fans at the Camp Nou Stadium for the first time since joining Atlético — pulled the visitors closer in the 58th, then Dani Alves was sent off with a straight red card in the 69th after video review saw him stepping on Yannick Carrasco’s leg from behind.

Barcelona held on, though, earning the victory that could prove a turning point in what has been a challenging season so far.

“It was an important victory, against the defending champions,” Xavi said. “It was the best Barcelona of the season during some parts of the game. If we keep working hard like this we will lose very few matches.”

Barcelona hadn’t beaten Atlético since a league match in December 2019.

It had gone 11 consecutive matches without defeating either Atlético or Real Madrid in any competition.

Atlético hasn’t beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou since 2006. Simone’s

team paid the price for a dreadful performance by its defence. It was coming off a league win over Valencia but had lost its previous three matches in all competitions.

“We have to find a way to improve defensively,” Simeone said. “We have to keep working on that.”

Atlético’s defence usually ranks top in the league but it entered the weekend as the 11th-best in goals conceded.

Barcelona came into the game one point behind Atlético in the standings.

It trails third-place Real Betis by two points and second-place Sevilla by nine points. Barcelona is 15 points behind Madrid with a game in hand.

“It was an important match and we are glad we got the victory to get back into the Champions League places,” said Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo, who scored one of the goals for the hosts.

Both teams got off to a fast start and created

BARCELONA’S DANI ALVES, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Joan Monfort) back-and-forth scoring a header about 10 minutes opportunities, but it was later. Suárez didn’t celAtlético that got on the ebrate after the goal and board first after Suárez gestured to Barcelona fans set up Carrasco’s shot for forgiveness by putting from inside the area in the his hands together.

Traoré made his debut eighth minute.

Barcelona equalised two after returning to Barminutes later with a superb celona on loan from volley from Jordi Alba Wolverhampton until the from one of the corners of end of the season. Forward the area following a pass Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, signed at the end

by Alves.

Gavi Páez put the hosts of the transfer window, ahead with a header in replaced Traoré in the 61st.

Ousmane Dembélé, the 21st after a cross by Adama Traoré, and Araújo who was included in Xavi added to the lead from Hernández’s squad despite close range off the rebound his refusal to sign a new of Gerard Piqué’s header contract or secure a move to a new club in the transthat hit the crossbar.

Alves scored his first fer window, stayed on the goal since returning to Bar- bench and was jeered by celona with a low strike the Barcelona fans.

Daniel Wass and Reinfrom inside the area in the 49th before Suárez ildo Mandava made their pulled Atlético closer with debut for Atlético.

“Maybe my best swing of the day,” he said. “I thought it was going to be 2 feet.”

Instead, he blasted out 5 feet long and hit the putt too hard to take the left-toright break.

Hoge hit the ball so pure on the back nine that he had a birdie putt from inside 20 feet on every hole until he got to the 17th, and that’s where he made the biggest putt of his career.

“It’s awesome,” Hoge said. “I’ve worked through so many hard times.”

Hoge, who played college golf at TCU, has been on the PGA Tour since 2015.

He started out on the Canadian tour, where he won in 2011.

“I’m almost a little in shock,” Hoge said. “It’s been so long since I won anything that I forgot how to celebrate.”

NEW SIGNINGS VLAHOVIC AND ZAKARIA STAR FOR JUVENTUS VENICE, Italy (AP) — Dušan Vlahovic made a dream debut for Juventus, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Verona in the Italian league yesterday.

The coveted striker completed a 70-million-euro ($80-million) transfer from Fiorentina on January 28 on his 22nd birthday. At his new club, he wears the No. 7 shirt vacated by Ronaldo.

Vlahovic, a Serbia international, scored with a clinical finish, lobbing onrushing Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo in the 13th minute.

He’s joint top of the Serie A scoring charts, along with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile with 18 goals.

Another new signing for Juventus, Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria, who joined from Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach, doubled the lead with a low shot past Montipo in the second half.

Juventus moved to fourth in the standings with 45 points, Verona is ninth with 33.

Wearing a protective mask, striker Victor Osimhen scored on his first start since November as Napoli beat 10-man Venezia 2-0 to move level on points with second-place AC Milan.

Napoli and Milan trail Serie A leader Inter Milan by one point after Milan rallied late to beat its city rival 2-1 on Saturday. Inter has a game in hand.

The 23-year-old Osimhen, who suffered a serious injury in a clash of heads with Inter’s Milan Skriniar in November, headed in the opening goal in the 58th minute. It was the sixth Serie A goal for the Nigeria international this season and 10th in all competitions. He returned to the squad from injury last month.

In a lively finish, defender Tyronne Ebuehi received a straight red card following a VAR review for a high tackle on Dries Mertens five minutes into stoppage time before substitute Andrea Petagna made it 2-0 another five minutes later.

Earlier in the game, Ebuehi and referee Maurizio Mariani needed both treatment after colliding on the pitch.

Venezia is 18th in the standings.

Udinese also relied on injury time goals to beat Torino 2-0.

In another late drama, Torino’s Rolando Mandragora received his second yellow in the second minute of stoppage time for tackling Mato Jajalo.

Substitute Nahuel Molina curled in the free kick before another substitute, Ignacio Pussetto, converted from the spot for Udinese’s second.

Udinese is 14th while Torino is 10th.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 7, 2022, PAGE 19

2019 CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS: Three years after their historic triumph, the St George’s Jaguars senior boys’ basketball programme - the first two-time winners of the Bahamas National High School Basketball Championships - were finally presented with their championship rings for their 2019 national title. The official ceremony was held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on Saturday night.

Photo: Bahamas Information Services

3 years later, Jaguars get their rings FROM PAGE 13 former principal Mr Barr and all our coaches, I am happy and proud of all of them,” Sears said.

“I have the best coaches in The Bahamas and the work that they and the young men put in, they are the ones to be thanked for what they’ve done.”

Greene’s broken left hand was in a cast until the day before the Jaguars’ 2019 title run, but he delivered a series of gutsy performances to lead his programme to the title.

He finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds in the Jaguars’ 62-57 win over the Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy Falcons.

Pinder had 19 points, while Butters had eight points and nine rebounds.

The Jaguars overcame an early loss in their tournament opener, but won six consecutive games to make their third appearance in the national title game.

They lost the aforementioned 2016 inaugural title 60-55 to Bowleg and the Cobras and returned in 2017 with a 61-53 win over the Jordan Prince William Falcons.

“Also, Minister Mitchell, he’s also to be thanked,” Sears said.

“I’ll never forget the day I was on Facebook crying about these boys not getting their just due and I saw other teams getting their championship rings.

Mr Mitchell was not in the position of power at that time, but saw it fitting to make this happen.”

Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell said it was the right thing to do, getting the team members their championship rings.

“The rings were donated by the Prime Minister [Philip Davis] when he was Leader of the Opposition, because we felt that these young men were neglected by the last administration.

“They won the championship, but could never get the championship rings. So, he stepped in.

“I was chairman of the PLP at that time and brought it to his attention and now the young men

have the rings. We have a commitment to young people, to sports and a commitment to an economy where young people can get an opportunity and a chance to excel.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg claimed the inaugural national championship in 2016 when he was the head coach of the CC Sweeting Cobras.

“To know what it is for these young men to be able to have something that they can wear for the rest of their life, it shows something that they can always keep as a remembrance of what they’ve done and achieved during their high school career,” he said.

Prime Minister Philip Davis offered his congratulations to the programme.

“You became history makers for not just your school, but the entire community of Grand Bahama.

For that, you should be proud.

“I celebrate with you your major achievement.

Your 2019 win at the National High School Basketball Championship is one that is admirable and a true representation of what hard work and determination will get you. You now have your championship rings, which you will forever have as a reminder of your major achievement and the stellar high school basketball career you leave behind.”

Mr Davis also said his administration is mandated to the development of Bahamian sport at both the youth and international levels.

“My government is committed to ensuring we positively impact the lives of the young and old throughout the length and breadth of our beautiful Bahamaland. We have world-class talent right here at home, which is why we believe giving the tools and support to our athletes is key,” he said.

“We want to see sports in this country come alive again. We are actively leveraging the power of the world’s top athletes brands to reintroduce ‘Sports in Paradise.’”

PAGE 20, Monday, February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Dolphins hire Mike McDaniel as head coach THE Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as their head coach yesterday, making him the first minority candidate to get hired so far this offseason.

McDaniel, who is biracial, replaces Brian Flores, who was fired despite posting winning records in the final two of his three seasons in Miami.

Flores sued the NFL, the Dolphins and two other teams last week over alleged racist hiring practices for coaches and general managers, saying the league remains “rife with racism” even as it publicly condemns it.

McDaniel had worked under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan for the past 11 seasons and gets his first shot as a head coach after only one year as offensive coordinator.

McDaniel was credited for his role in developing San Francisco’s creative running game that featured receiver Deebo Samuel as a running back at times, along with other wrinkles. He could bring some of those to Miami to feature playmaking receiver Jaylen Waddle in even more creative ways,

The Dolphins struggled offensively this season despite finishing 9-8 in a roller-coaster campaign that featured a seven-game losing streak followed by a seven-game winning streak.

Second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled at times and Miami ranked 22nd in the league in scoring this season.

The 49ers had a much more productive offence despite also having a quarterback with limitations in Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Yale-educated McDaniel got his coaching start on Mike Shanahan’s staff in Denver in 2005.

He worked an offensive assistant in Houston for in 2006-08 when Kyle Shanahan was on that staff.

McDaniel then worked in Washington for three years with Mike Shanahan as coach and Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator before working under Kyle Shanahan when he was a coordinator in Cleveland and Atlanta.

McDaniel then joined Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco in 2017 as run game coordinator and took over the offensive coordinator role this past season.

The Dolphins’ hiring of

McDaniel followed some paths that the team has used in the past, most notably how he is yet another first-time NFL head coach.

McDaniel becomes the 10th consecutive hire by the Dolphins to have exactly zero previous games as the person in charge of an NFL sideline, following Jim Bates, Nick Saban, Cam Cameron, Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles, Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell, Adam Gase and Flores. Bates, Bowles and Campbell were all interim hires. Of those, including McDaniel, six have come during Ross’ ownership. And all of those moves have come in the last 18 years, starting with the firing of Dave Wannstedt and Bates being put into place nine games into the 2004 season.

The hiring of McDaniel leaves the NFL with four minority head coaches with openings remaining in Houston and New Orleans.

Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Robert Saleh of the Jets and Washington’s Ron Rivera are the others. The 49ers will receive two extra third-round picks the next two years as compensation for developing a minority head coach.