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Volume: 119 No.53, February 8, 2022

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UNION CHIEF QUITS TO WORK FOR GOVT

‘DON’T JUMP THE GUN TO EASE COVID PROTOCOLS’

Evans promises to fight for workers and strive towards a liveable wage

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net BERNARD Evans has resigned as president of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas and will become the chief labour consultant/negotiator for the government.

His resignation was confirmed in a letter dated January 23 sent to Dwayne Woods, the second vice-president of the organisation.

Mr Evans insisted yesterday that he is not abandoning the labour movement and said he believes he can help from within the government.

His letter said: “Please advance to the Central Council of the NCTUB the tendering of my resignation as president of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas effective immediately.”

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS COVID-19 case numbers continue to trend downward, a local senior physician has said it may be time for officials at the Ministry of Health to begin discussions about easing restrictions.

On Sunday, there were 29 new cases of the coronavirus reported in the country.

Twenty-six of these cases were in New Providence, one was in Grand Bahama and two were in Eleuthera.

SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE PAGE THREE

MINNIS ‘UNFAMILIAR’ ON CONTRACT TERMS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis says he is not familiar with the contract of former Director of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority Katherine Forbes-Smith, adding that the government is entitled to challenge any irregularities it claims to find.

“I have not seen the lawsuit and I am not at this point in time familiar with the contract,” he said.

Mrs Forbes-Smith, who was appointed to the post under the Minnis administration, is seeking contractual damages of over $408k for alleged breach of her contract. She alleged in a writ filed in the Supreme Court that the damages include $238,333.16 for 26 months’ salary; $65k in housing allowance; $32.5k in duty allowance, $6,500 in fuel allowance and $66k in gratuity entitled at the end of her contract.

SEE PAGE THREE

HELPING HANDS ROBIN PREST, of the I CAN Foundation, with children in Antigua being helped by the programme.

Robin is now working to help children in The Bahamas. See Face to Face on PAGE EIGHT for the full story.

FIRE FAMILY TAKES KEYS FOR NEW HOME ONE family received the keys to their new home less than a year after a massive fire on Jennie Street left them and several other people displaced.

Last May, a huge blaze destroyed six homes and damaged four others on Jennie Street.

Weeks later, President of Arawak Homes Franon Wilson announced a “home incentive offer” to the victims who wanted to build a home after the tragedy.

GRANVILLE and Juliet Brown recieve the keys to their new home.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff At the time, Mr Wilson offered to donate $7,500 to

any fire victim who wanted to build a two-bedroom home with Arawak Homes and $10,000 to any fire victim who wanted to build a three-bedroom home or duplex with the company.

Juliet Brown and her husband Granville Brown took on the offer.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after she turned the keys into her new home in Sir Lynden Pindling Estates, Mrs Brown SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

EX-JUDGE AND QC FIGHT OVER WHO SHOULD BE PAID COSTS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AN EX-SUPREME Court judge and top QC are battling over who is entitled to receive $114,793 in costs awarded with Western Air’s $1.5m claim against the Airport Authority.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PETER YOUNG: TENSIONS TAKE SHINE OFF CHINA SPORT SHOWCASE

- SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

GRANVILLE and Juliet Brown, who survived the Peardale fire last year, cut the ribbon to their new home.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

FIRE FAMILY TAKES KEYS FOR NEW HOME from page one said she was “excited”, “relieved” and “grateful” to have come so far.

“It’s a lot to take in,” she said.

She said it took a lot of sacrifice to become a homeowner, but after going through last year’s tragedy, she said her family made the commitment to go through discomfort for a short while in order to

GRANVILLE and Juliet Brown outside their new home.

reap the benefits of having a place to call their own.

“It’s so surreal because (it’s not been) a year yet and just knowing that my family and I have a place to call our own was the best,” she said.

“It was really a lot of sacrificing and commitment... Unlike the other fire victims, they had their properties to rebuild back on, my family and I was the biggest loser because

we didn’t own anything. So for us, I couldn’t make that mistake again to have nothing. So I made a sacrifice so my children, my family, my husband, we can have our own and would never have to experience it again. . .

“This right here was a sacrifice of love because I wanted something to call my own and it will be the first for me and my bloodline to own our own home,” she said.

BOWLEG HOPES TO REDEVELOP PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

By PAVEL BAILEY

YOUTH Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg spoke about plans to renovate a local performing arts centre to further foster the growth of Bahamian culture as he voiced his support for the newly formed Cultural Commission.

Mr Bowleg spoke to The Tribune during a press conference announcing the launch of the Cultural Commission. This commission is a statutory body in a public private sector partnership aimed at highlighting and preserving Bahamian culture. It will also focus on developing talent in several art fields, including film and media, arts and craft, Junkanoo and much more. As part of this push for greater cultural appreciation, Mr Bowleg talked about plans to redevelop the National Centre for the Performing Arts on Shirley Street.

“We do have plans to renovate the performing arts centre. We have had the Ministry of Works review it, we have had offers already from persons who may want a private partnership with the government and so that is something that is on the agenda. As we

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg. further discuss when the time comes for us to reveal more information we will do so, but that is something that we have on the agenda.”

While members of the theatre and artistic community have long considered the existing arts centre outdated, Mr Bowleg wanted to assure these groups that current plans for the renovation of that facility have

taken their concerns into account and that a whole new design is planned for the building.

“The one that exists now does need not only renovation but a whole new design and creation of what one should be for that will bring us up to the standard of what we want to have to represent who we are as a people, as a culture.

And so definitely there is

a whole new design, we have something in drawing already, but again, like I said, it’s soon time for (the) budget (and) those things will be discussed and presented. And then it is this administration’s duty, goal and desire is to ensure that we have a performing arts centre in the short distant future.”

During the press conference, tentative plans were

also discussed for the establishment of a School for Performing Arts as part of the Cultural Commission’s plan to advance culture and encourage more of local artists to stay home to enrich the nation. Although the minister was clear that the proposal for the school is still in the early conceptual phase, he did not rule out the designs for such a school being eventually added to the University of The Bahamas or the redesigned performing arts centre.

“That has not come to a final decision as yet, but whether it’s with UB or not there will be a school, even if it means that the new design of the present (performing arts) location that will be able to house an aspect of that.

“Because as you can see the old design, that can also go up about two, three stories, so taking all that into consideration, the uses of the property and then the widening of the building, there (are) many things that can be done.”

He also discussed how he fully supported the establishment of the Cultural Commission and how he was dedicated to taking any of their recommendations

seriously to further their goal of safeguarding Bahamian culture.

“It is very important, because establishing a Cultural Commission is to show that the desire and goal and vision of this government is to see culture go to the standard and level it should have been over the years.

I think we have pedalled backwards (in) showing appreciation and respecting those who are in the art economy and the artisans and those who are in the entertainment industry.

And what we want to do is just give them that respect and help them guide me in this ministry as it relates to culture and where they want to see culture go. I assure them that once they give me and guide me in what they want to be done, because it’s their love and passion, as the Minister of Culture I vow to ensure that we see all these initiatives come true that is possible to come to fruition.”

• A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the government was planning to redevelop the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, which is privately owned.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 3

Union chief quits to work for govt

from page one “As you are aware, the sitting executive body by order of the court has remained in place beyond the normal triennial governance. For the sake of transparency, I advised our legal counsel that I have been appointed by the government of The Bahamas as a chief labour consultant/negotiator.

As such, I sought the permission of the courts to be released from my obligations as president.

“Noteworthy that while the NCTUB’s constitution is silent on who the employer/job status of an elected officer should be, it is always my intention that the governance of the Congress remains unfettered by any unnecessary distractions. Therefore, my resignation is predicated on that premise. Please note that my role as a workers’ representative does not cease upon this resignation; rather it is now redirected to another peak national level. I am grateful for the support of those persons who recognised the work of the Congress in the transformation of the landscape of labour in our country. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.”

When contacted, Mr Evans said yesterday he will agitate for a liveable wage from within the government, among other things.

“I don’t want it to come off like I abandoned labour because I did not,” he said. “As a matter of fact I feel it’s an opportunity for labour to further advance because I’m all about deepening democracy and

the only way you can do that is to have more participatory mechanisms put in place. I’m a strong, strong believer in (the idea) that if you have more persons involved in the discussion then the things that matter in this country to advance the country can be won. No one person has a monopoly on good ideas.

“As a labour person, I often found it very difficult that decisions made around the table, that labour representation was always missing and so I see this as an opportunity to advance labour’s agenda.”

Mr Evans said a liveable wage cannot be a fixed thing but should change as inflation shifts.

He said: “Let’s lean on what the highest learning institution in the country, University of The Bahamas, has said.

“They came up with around $600 a week as a liveable wage in Nassau and about $670 on Freeport, I believe.

“That is what they considered the liveable wage is in this country based on the inflation rate, based on what is required to pay for housing, utilities, food, clothing and all that stuff.

“That’s not my number, that’s something done by University of The Bahamas in conjunction with the NGOs. My number would be that and I would go on that but I also know that we can’t get to that just at a snap of the finger, it has to be incremental. The minimum wage should be replaced by a liveable wage and that’s my agitation.”

BERNARD EVANS, who has resigned as president of the national congress of trade unions.

MINNIS ‘UNFAMILIAR’ ON CONTRACT TERMS from page one

Mrs Forbes-Smith had a four-year, fixed-term contract that would have expired on November 30, 2023.

Under the contract, Mrs Forbes-Smith, a former Senate president, was required to provide six months’ notice of her intention to terminate the agreement before the expiration date, but it had no provision allowing the DRA to terminate it before its end.

Dr Minnis said yesterday: “If the government feels that there’s wrongdoing, then the government should take the case to court. That’s what

democracy is all about.”

Dr Minnis noted that under his administration the government won a case involving Melissa Hall, a former general manager of the Bridge Authority who sued the body in 2018, claiming breach of contract of employment.

Justice Ruth Bowe Darville said Ms Hall’s claim that she was entitled to three years’ notice before termination was “delusional” and a “clear and rank abuse of power”.

Dr Minnis said: “We thought (Ms Hall’s) contract should not have been a valid one and that it should not have stood because what that contract did, it gave an indefinite employment and standard

contracts usually give a 30-day out clause. This particular contract, they made an amendment to give indefinite employment and an amendment to give three-year notice should we want to come out of it and that person sued us for $593k and a lot of other incidentals.

“What the case showed was this was an addendum done by the then-minister and it was proof read by the attorney at large at that time who was Obie Ferguson and in addition to that the legal document also pointed out that Rory Higgs - who was chairman of the Bridge Authority - in his submission in the court document, he said he was ordered by

the minister to sign. And the secretary, who was Fowler, said that that was not his signature on the document, that that signature there was a forged signature. The government should pursue to find out who forged the man’s signature, it shouldn’t stop right there. That’s a serious offence.”

Asked specifically about the claim that Mrs ForbesSmith’s contract had no out clause before the expiration date, Dr Minnis said: “I am not a lawyer, I am not a judge so I can’t make judgment on it. I have not seen what filings she has done, I am not familiar at this point in time with the contract.

However, if the present government feels that there

is any irregularity, the court system is there, go and challenge it just like we did with

Melissa Hall and we won the case and thus saved the taxpayers over $700k.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Committee planned to handle chambers

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE Senate yesterday passed a resolution for the creation of a standing committee of Parliament to allow for the independent handling, administration and management of both chambers.

As he moved the resolution, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said a key reason for the resolution was that Parliament being an equal branch of government should have control over its own budget and management of its affairs.

The Cabinet Office, prior to the resolution, has administered Parliament’s budget.

It was something that former House Speaker Halson Moultrie took issue with and repeatedly called for Parliament to act independently.

“A large part of what brings us here is the feeling and the belief that Parliament being an equal branch of government, the legislature being an equal branch of government, should have control over its own budget and the management of its affairs,” Mr Halkitis said. “Every year a budget is voted for the House of Assembly and for the Senate. It’s ventilated in public. It’s voted on and approved, but in actual practice it is administered

by the Cabinet Office and that has been, that reality to have a head in the national budget that voted on and approved, but the administration of it by the Cabinet Office has caused again some consternation and that consternation has been quite public.

“In recent years, particularly in the last term when we had a Speaker who had become very, very vocal in that area and some would even say that his strong feelings and his commitment to that independence is what has brought us to an early poll and an early change of administration.

“So, that is something for the committee to consider, Madam President.

How does the Parliament exercise management and control of their budgets?

“So, Madam President, I think key and part of the genesis of this entire resolution is the principle that Parliament, inclusive of the House of Assembly and the Senate, are being independent (and) be allowed for the administration for their own budget so that they can be more nimble and move more quickly in securing the goods and services they require to deliver on their responsibilities.”

The debate also saw senators on both sides agree that the physical state of Parliament needed upgrades to ensure the efficiency of all representatives.

SENATOR Maxine Seymour congratulating newly-appointed Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis during yesterday’s meeting of the Senate.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder speaking at the Senate.

SENATOR Rueben Rahming at the Senate yesterday.

‘DON’T JUMP THE GUN TO EASE COVID PROTOCOLS’ from page one There were also 13 new cases recorded on Saturday: four in the capital, seven in Grand Bahama and two in Eleuthera.

Consultant Physicians Staff Association president Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler told The Tribune yesterday that while it may be time to begin weighing the options, there must also be balance to ensure the decision to ease any of the restrictions does not come prematurely.

“Certainly in the past, because you know we’ve been through highs and lows of COVID for two years or so now and we’ve always supported that when we’re not at peak and when we’re not having overwhelming surges that certainly we would support engagement at the level of ministry and at

the level of grouping that has been providing guidance to look at whether or not it’s okay for us to try to relax some of the measures that are in place,” said Dr Pinder-Butler.

“However, we do appreciate that sometimes we have to wait to make sure that we’re not jumping the gun with certain things.

“And so, I think that even at this state we’re now starting to truly see a bit more consistency with the decline; it may be the same for those types of thought processes to begin.

“Certainly, we know that sometimes we see things and then it’s not sustainable and so you don’t necessarily want to rush in moving those measures because sometimes when that happens it can cause the reverse that we’ve been working towards and so I think perhaps now may be the time for those thought

processes to be revisited from that level.”

This comes as Minister of Education Glenys Hanna Martin told a local daily there are plans to begin the rollout of full face-toface learning in schools this week.

Currently, most public schools are operating under a hybrid model with some virtual learning and some face-to-face instruction.

Ms Pinder-Butler said the education of the nation’s children is most critical and the CPSA supported the hybrid model of instruction.

“I think we have seen in a lot of other countries where children have returned to school safely. I think we always have to be mindful, from what we have been seeing with the pandemic, we have to make adjustments as the need arises,” she said.

She added that health protocols must be enforced

in schools to mitigate any spread of the disease on campuses.

“I think this is perhaps a step in the right direction, we’re hopeful that all parties involved would have properly engaged, communication would have been had with the relevant unions, stakeholders so they can all work together to make this work the best for our children,” she also said.

Despite the country moving in the right direction in its fight against COVID-10, Dr Pinder-Butler said resources continue to be strained.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had challenges with resources prior to COVID, during COVID and now those challenges still remain.

“This is one of the sad realities for those that are in healthcare because despite us having less concern as

it relates to our COVID patients we know that there are challenges with space.

We still have challenges with supplies, with manpower and with so many other things.

“We know that there are budget restrictions that have still not been replaced and deficits and all those sorts of things that have not been addressed.

“Perhaps there may have been challenges with addressing them because they were also dealing with COVID and other economic challenges facing the country,” she said.

“So, right now we are dealing with these things and also now being burdened with the persons that were perhaps not able to receive the care that they needed because of COVID now presenting in some instances worsened cases of disease and diseases processes, which also require

more urgent care and more resources and unfortunately we are still not as equipped as we should be as it relates to manpower and supplies. We’re still having challenges offering certain services in the hospital and in the clinic because we don’t have things that we need.”

Her comments follow former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands’ view that the public healthcare system is far from being “back to normal” despite declining COVID-19 infections.

He too noted on Sunday that resources were strained coupled with a “phenomenal” backlog of cases involving people seeking non-COVID related care. Dr Sands said due to limited resources, some patients with nonCOVID related illnesses are forced to wait days in order to be admitted to the hospital.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 5

ORG hopes media protocols will improve communication

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net AFTER a new protocol was put in place for the media to interview ministers at Cabinet, a local civic group hopes the mechanism for building some structure allows for more long-term and substantial communication.

Last Tuesday, members of the media were denied direct access to Cabinet ministers as orange cones were erected outside the Office of the Prime Minister, which were guarded by Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers.

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. When contacted about the issue, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) Executive Director Matt Aubry said: “I think there has been a tendency in our past, we tend to get very reactive related to governance. We find out things after the fact and they become things that end up getting a lot

of energy and attention, but there’s more immediate issues vs things that are kinda longer term. So I would hope that the mechanism of building in structure allows the communication for more long term and more substantial engagement to be available.”

However, he acknowledged public trust in government is eroding globally, leading to more scepticism. Hence the need for information to be made available.

“At the same time, what we know is that public trust in governments across the world is suffering. There’s lots of challenges that coming out of COVID have

made citizens more sceptical, have made the balance in relationship between media and government more tenuous and so there needs to be this balance.

There needs to be a back and forth,” he explained.

“There needs to be availability of information such as there’s no perception that something is not being provided as efficiently. At the same time, the time to respond appropriately, give full information and do so in a (lawful) and regarded way is going to be crucial and so this restoration of trust that I think needs to exist between all the sectors government, civil society,

private sector, media and the like - has to be fostered on all sides and I think we have to go into it with an understanding of we all have to balance and give just a bit more and I think that is critical.”

Asked about the issue on the sidelines of a passing out ceremony at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force base at Coral Harbour on Friday, 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 to a “gotcha moment”.

He was quoted by ZNS as

saying: “I don’t know that it was a shutout per se.

“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 said.

FROM FLORIDA TO FREEPORT FOR FIRE TRUCK THE Bahamas Diaspora group successfully secured a fire truck that will serve the people of Freeport, Grand Bahama and a rescue vehicle for the people of Exuma from the City of Lauderhill, Florida.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister of Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Consul General Curt Hollingsworth, Consul Charla Cartwright, City of Lauderhill Commissioner Lawrence Jabbow Martin, and City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Robert Mckenzie were on hand for the handover ceremony at Lauderhill City Hall last week.

The Bahamas Diaspora consists of a group of Bahamians living abroad seeking to help their home nation. The first Bahamas Diaspora Summit and Trade Show will take place in Miami on July 22-24. They will conduct workshops on investments, education and many other topics. During the sessions, speakers with will share their vision on how the Diaspora can play a role in the advancement of The Bahamas.

“You take a simple issue such as the fire equipment that was donated to The Bahamas yesterday; as a Bahamian, when I herd that the city of Lauderhill was decommissioning fire equipment that was still usable, I went to work on seeing if we in The Bahamas could get

that equipment, which was was earmarked for another country,” said Andy Ingraham, founder and president of Bahamas Diaspora.

“Relationships and connections do work, and having individuals on the commission that had Bahamian ties allowed us to work together to influence the other commissioner to see it our way. Our goal in the Bahamas Diaspora is to showcase what we have and how helpful we can be to The Bahamas by using our talents, connections and resources to give back.”

“Unfortunately in the past, there has been very little interaction between Bahamians abroad and the Bahamas Government. Just imagine if a Bahamian living in New York was encouraged to invest in The Bahamas and the welcome mat was put out. That, in itself, would give many of us the confidence to look at doing business at home and not run into red tape or being discouraged by the lack of respect for what we bring to the table.

Mr Ingraham referred to Hurricane Dorian, where thousands of Bahamians all across the diaspora answered the call to help. He said: “I intend to start a movement to showcase Bahamians abroad and their desire to bring their resources and connections to help build a better Bahamas.”

NO MINISTRY OF HEALTH APPROVAL FOR DEXTA DAPS CONCERT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Health has not given any approval for a Dexta Daps concert to be held this weekend, Office of the Prime Minister Director of Communications Latrae Rahming said yesterday.

“The Ministry of Health had asked the organiser to resubmit(an application), for a proposal to be reviewed today (Monday),” Mr Rahming said. “The Ministry of Health has reviewed that proposal and has indicated to the organisers that due to the Health Services Rules that underscores an embargo on large events from happening and the potential for the event to be a super spreader and the lack of satisfaction that the country is out of the

fourth wave, that it cannot approve it at this time.”

His comments came during an appearance on Beyond the Headlines with Shenique Miller last night.

This comes after a promoter of the reggae concert said publicly yesterday that the event was “still on”, adding that organisers had submitted a request for approval.

“What is with the new protocols and how events (go), basically you put in your approval and the ministry gives you approval the week of due to the fact that everything has to be in compliance with the event,” the promoter said in a video uploaded to social media.

“Testing has to be put in place. Vaccination cards, vaccination, proper persons administering these tests. All these things have

to be approved.... It’s a seven-page application actually you have to complete — how much persons gonna be there, how many employees. All these things you have to put in those applications.”

The event promoter billed the concert as a potential “major economy booster for The Bahamas,” saying people were coming from Canada and the US for the event.

The event was scheduled to take place at the carnival grounds at the National Stadium this Friday.

Under current health rules, events can only take place with a maximum of 30 people outdoors and 20 people indoors.

Organisers of events must seek approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, according to the Health Service Rules.

PAIR DENIED BAIL OVER CHILD SEX CLAIMS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO men accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with underage girls were sent to prison yesterday.

Devon Rigby, 20, and Afream Brown, 18, were arraigned in Magistrates Court, each charged with two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Brown is accused of having unlawful sex with an eight-year-old girl on two occasions last month.

While police allege that Rigby had unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl twice sometime between October and November of last year.

Due to the nature of the charges, neither of the accused men was required to enter a plea to the offences.

As a result, Rigby’s case was adjourned to March 29 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment, while Brown’s case was adjourned to May 3.

Both men were denied bail. They were subsequently remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

The men were told of their rights to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER STABBING A GRAND Bahama man is in critical condition after he was stabbed on Sunday.

Police got a report shortly before 8pm that a man had appeared at Rand Memorial Hospital with stab wounds.

The victim told officers that when he arrived at his home, he was approached from behind by an unknown man who stabbed him in the abdomen. The victim said they both fell to the ground where he was able

to fight the assailant off and run into nearby bushes.

He then walked to RMH where he was examined by a doctor who listed his injuries as critical.

An investigation is ongoing.

THE CARNIVAL Grounds at the National Stadium, intended as the venue.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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Is a liveable wage a realistic goal?

THE goal set by Bernard Evans as he leaves his work as a union negotiator and moves into a government post is a challenging one.

Mr Evans is seeking to ensure the introduction of a liveable wage rather than just a minimum wage.

With Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis having pledged on the campaign trail to raise the minimum wage from $210 to $250 per week, Mr Evans has his sights set on a loftier target. He is aiming for a liveable wage of $600 a week in Nassau and $670 in Freeport.

He said that would essentially be a starting point too – and would change based on inflation.

Mr Evans said: “Let’s lean on what the highest learning institution in the country, University of The Bahamas, has said. They came up with around $600 a week as a liveable wage in Nassau and about $670 on Freeport, I believe. That is what they considered the liveable wage is in this country based on the inflation rate, based on what is required to pay for housing, utilities, food, clothing and all that stuff. That’s not my number, that’s something done by the University of The Bahamas in conjunction with the NGOs. My number would be that and I would go on that but I also know that we can’t get to that just at a snap of the finger, it has to be incremental. The minimum wage should be replaced by a liveable wage and that’s my agitation.”

The actual numbers in the 2020 study from the University of The Bahamas were $2,625 in New Providence and $3,550 in Grand Bahama per month.

So what does a liveable wage represent? Well, according to the authors it gives the ability to sustain a person’s “physical, emotional, social and cultural needs and that of their family beyond mere subsistence”. It’s not just food on the table, it’s food that meets needs for

nutrition. It’s not just working to exist, it’s working to live a life beyond mere survival.

You can soon see where the money goes – just look at your own bills, starting with your rent and your electricity and the cost to get to work each day and see how soon you reach $2,625 a month.

Predictably, there is opposition to such a proposal. Peter Goudie, of the National Tripartite Council, said “there’s no way on God’s green earth” that $2,625 is Nassau’s monthly living wage.

He said that those behind the study “have to be out of their minds” and were “absolutely dreaming”, saying: “That is ridiculous. That is way ridiculous.”

You don’t have to look far to see the challenge there will be in introducing such a proposal.

Employers who are paying someone a minimum wage will take some convincing that they ought to be paying more than double that amount, perhaps even treble in Grand Bahama.

It won’t be easy for Mr Evans to find a compromise that works for everyone – and would a compromise even make sense if that’s what it takes to truly live?

Mr Evans talks of trying to introduce it slowly, bit by bit, but the basic principle will be the fight he faces to start with.

That said, as much as there may seem little prospect of victory, it is valuable to talk about those who are surviving on the poverty line, if only to put the focus on how we can help them better.

The debate may get somewhere, or it may not, but talking about those most in need can only help bring support where it can help most.

Will we see a liveable wage introduced before the next election? We’re not convinced we shall. Over to you, Mr Evans, to prove us wrong.

Protocol for media EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM both trained as a journalist, but I have been engaged in the media as a radio and television talk show host for a decade and counting, so I am somewhat qualified to opine on the apparent spat between segments of the profession and the Office of the Prime Minister as it relates to access to cabinet ministers to and from meetings of the cabinet.

In no democratic nation, such as The Bahamas, is the wider press “allowed” to simply accost the particular

President; Prime Minister and/or essential cabinet and other members of the particular administration off the cuff with unscripted questions and sound bites.

Yes, they are all subjected to questions about public issues and policy matters, but in a dignified and orderly manner.

Many Bahamians just do not get it. Questions, yes. There is a Press Briefing Room at the Office of the Prime Minister where bona fides media and press personalities and communications networks are able on a regular basis to

pro-offer their legitimate questions.

To simply allow the press and all manner of individuals to approach the PM or members of the cabinet, one on one, in the entrance to cabinet or the parking apron is a potential serious breach of security and protocol. None of you all can ever imagine members of the press in the USA or The Russian Federation, approaching President Joe Biden or President Vladimir Putin willy-nilly shouting often incoherent questions?

For too long, our leaders and others have encouraged literal street meetings and consultation in unsecured areas.

During political campaigns which require that one-on-one touch, press briefings and question periods by the PM and his cabinet must be the right and proper way. It is ludicrous to accuse this administration of being adverse to questions. On what logical and sensible basis is this premise based? To give the Office of the Prime Minister which it has long been lacking, access must be directed by standard protocol, no more, no less.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, February 3, 2022.

A lethally reckless judiciary EDITOR, The Tribune.

LAST week, a young man convicted of possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition received a sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $5,500.00. This kind of thing has become so normalised in The Bahamas that it hardly receives any notice, either editorially or by government ministers charged with maintaining societal norms.

But it is not normal.

Let’s look at the Cayman Islands, by contrast.

Last August, in an extremely controversial case, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop sentenced a man to just over eight years in prison for simple possession (the firearm wasn’t actually illegal, it was just unlicensed).

In doing so, she justified departing with the territory’s statutory tenyear minimum sentence on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances. But the lightness of the sentence was nonetheless considered controversial.

The Cayman Islands had a murder rate of 8 per 100,000 people in 2021. We had 31 per 100,000, most of them involving illegal firearms.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net In this context, a custodial sentence of a mere one year for possession of an illegal firearm is simply outrageous.

Further, the imposition of fines for serious crimes arguably invites further criminal behaviour.

Where are repeat criminal offenders expected to find thousands of dollars to pay court fines? Think a little.

This total absence of common sense among our judiciary is so commonplace that it is the leading immediate cause of our stubbornly high rates of violent crime. Our criminal courts have become revolving doors of bailed and lightly sentenced violent offenders. Yet somehow politicians fail to do anything to address it, in stark contrast to better run societies.

At present, the revolving doors tend to magnify the level of criminality caused by what is still a relatively small number of repeat offenders in a largely lawabiding society.

But we are fast approaching the point where the failure of politicians to

control a reckless judiciary using statutory minimum sentencing and restrictive bail legislation will result in a criminal culture so rampant and pervasive that these tools will not be sufficient, even when politicians wake up to the need to use them.

If you don’t believe me, look at Jamaica. There the present government has enacted a series of Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs), in which whole parishes are effectively subjected to martial law, with curfews and shoot-on-sight orders. But it is still losing the battle against crime in once-peaceful areas like Montego Bay and Westmoreland.

That is what happens when criminality goes from being a few bad apples released over and over again to a general culture of lawless violence - which our judges are busy normalising with their casual treatment of illegal gun possession.

The clock is ticking, our judiciary is failing us miserably, and politicians appear to be either indifferent or too timid to act.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, February 6, 2022.

FNM moving on EDITOR, The Tribune

IT WAS a pleasure to see the appointment of Michela Barnett-Ellis as Senator on Friday, for many reasons.

Ms Barnett-Ellis is brilliant in her own right, not just in her career as an attorney and as a public servant, but in her time at the University of The Bahamas as a lecturer. Many students will remember how she helped to shape their education.

Her appointment though marks a welcome transition.

The time of the leadership

of Dr Hubert Minnis in the FNM is now gone, and Ms Barnett-Ellis’ appointment comes under a new leader, Michael Pintard.

It is time to move on, and her appointment shows just that.

It is no secret that Dr Minnis was a divisive figure at times in the FNM. Even before he became Prime Minister, he faced a leadership challenge and the Rebel Seven broke away from the FNM. As Prime Minister, he at times seemed autocratic.

He had to make tough

decisions in a difficult period for The Bahamas, with Hurricane Dorian and then the pandemic hitting the nation, but people never warmed to his leadership style, as was shown by the election outcome.

If Mr Pintard’s new approach is to appoint people as talented as Ms Barnett-Ellis, and as importantly to be seen to listen to those around him, then it will be very welcome.

HOPEFUL Nassau February 7, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 7

Call to get tough over gun crimes

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net SENATE President LaShell Adderley has called for stiffer penalties and longer imprisonment terms for gun possession and gun-related crimes as the country looks to curb the scourge of domestic violence.

In the upper chamber yesterday, Ms Adderley made a clarion call to immediately address the issue, with a view to cultivating a culture of zero tolerance legislation and policies.

She highlighted the tragic death of 21-year-old

Heavenly Terveus, the young mother who was shot to death in front of her infant child by her fiancé last month.

Ms Adderley said she was pleased State Minister for Social Services Lisa Rahming last week indicated a draft domestic violence bill is in the works.

“The chair submits that there needs to be greater emphasis placed on increasing the number of safe houses throughout The Bahamas to protect the vulnerable and at risk,” Ms Adderley said.

“The government, NGOs, and corporate Bahamas can

ATTEMPTED MURDER ACCUSATION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was charged with attempted murder in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Daquan Lundy appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt accused of trying to kill Eduardo Deveaux on November 10.

Lundy was not required to enter a plea to the charge due to the nature of the offence and the matter was adjourned to July 24 for a service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Bail was also denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until he is successful in securing bail from the Supreme Court.

In a separate matter, a 33-year-old man who denied gun-related charges was remanded to jail pending his bail hearing.

Stephen Bain appeared before Chief Magistrate Pratt-Ferguson, charged with one count of possession of a firearm with intent to supply and two counts of possession of ammunition with intent to supply.

Police alleged that they found two unlicensed firearms, namely a black 40mm Glock pistol and a black Taurus, on Bain on February 4.

He is further accused of being in possession of 31 live rounds of 9mm

ammunition and another 25 live rounds of another type of ammunition.

Bain denied all the allegations.

The Crown prosecutor asked for bail to be deferred so she could determine whether the accused had any antecedents.

In response, Bain’s attorney, Ian Cargill told the court that as far as he was aware, his client had no previous convictions.

It was also revealed that Bain suffers from seizures and has to take medication on a regular basis.

Having taken these matters into consideration, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she would remand Bain to one of the local police stations as opposed to sending him to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

A bail hearing was also deferred to today.

Bain is represented by Keevon Maynard.

In a separate matter, Brinton Bain Jr, 24, and Kenton McBride also appeared in court on similar firearm offences.

The two were arrested after police said they found them with a black Taurus 9mm pistol and seven rounds of ammunition on February 4.

However, the two denied the offences and the matter was adjourned to April 12 for trial.

The two men will return to court on February 11 for a bail hearing.

20-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF ARMED ROBBERY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD man who is accused of stealing a woman’s vehicle at gunpoint was remanded to prison yesterday.

Antonio Paul stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, charged with armed robbery in connection with an incident that occurred on January 26.

Paul is accused of using a handgun to rob Obiecheryl Bowe of her 2012 red Nissan Note, valued at $5,500.

Police also said the 20-year-old dishonestly received a stolen iPhone sometime between January 26 and February 1.

At court, the 20-year-old was not required to enter

a plea to the offences and the matter was adjourned to July 24 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Bail was also denied.

However, he has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Also appearing in court was 21-year-old Michael Deveaux, who was charged with shop breaking.

Police allege that the accused broke into Anchorage Seafood on Arawak Cay with intent to commit a felony sometime between November and February.

Deveaux denied the allegations telling the court: “I lost my job for something I didn’t do.”

As a result, the matter was adjourned to April 25 for trial. Bail was also granted to Deveaux at $3,500 with one surety.

form a dynamic partnership to raise funding so that victims of abuse can have a temporary safe haven.

There needs to be increased numbers of safe houses in the capital and throughout the Family Islands. In doing so, victims who are not comfortable in Nassau can be discreetly transported to another Family Island and vice versa. These safe houses also need adequate funding, security, and all other resources required to provide victims with basic needs.

“As a Christian nation, the Gospel of Matthew, New Living Translation relays to us the direct

words of Christ: ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ We all need to try harder and move a lot faster.

“There is also the need for greater and quicker access to competent mental/emotional health services, programmes and counselling for victims and perpetrators. The services and counselling assistance should be widely advertised, accessible, and affordable.

“The crime fighting strategy should include a robust operation to track

down and remove illegal guns from our streets.

Amendment to the current legislation to provide for stiffer penalties and longer imprisonment terms for gun possession and gun related crimes should be considered. The gunman needs to fear the law with the knowledge that there is a huge price to pay for illegal behaviour and actions.

We need zero-tolerance now.”

In speaking to domestic violence victims, Ms Adderley said it was her prayer that they would summon the courage to walk away, speak out, seek help and find the means

to be financially independent. She was also hopeful victims were able to file complaints with the police and not withdraw them while saying “enough is enough”.

This is not the first time the Senate president has publicly stated her position in relation to domestic and gender-based violence.

In December as she welcomed the Zonta Club, which was ending its 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence, Ms Adderley said the issues must be met with robust, “pragmatic and commonsense holistic legislation” that protects Bahamians.

$1,000 FINE AFTER BEING FOUND WITH MARIJUANA AND COCAINE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 39-YEAR-old man was fined nearly $1,000 yesterday after police found him with a quantity of marijuana and cocaine last week.

Andy Johnson, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply after he was found with three grams of cocaine and over one ounce of marijuana at a farmer’s market on February 4.

The Crown prosecutor told the court police found the drugs while conducting routine surveillance at the market.

They had observed Johnson conducting suspicious transactions with different individuals, which included handing over baggies with silver foil wraps.

As officers approached the accused, they saw him throwing three silver foil wraps to the ground, which were suspected of containing marijuana.

A further search in the surrounding area resulted in the discovery of 20 silver foil wrappings containing suspected marijuana and an additional

three silver wraps, containing three grams of suspected cocaine.

Police said over $40 was also seized from the accused, who was arrested and taken into police custody.

The court was told that during his interview with police, Johnson declined to answer the questions put to him.

During yesterday’s hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann FergusonPratt, Johnson’s attorney, Alfred Gray, told the court that while the offences were quite serious, he didn’t believe the drugs found were a large amount.

He also told the court that his client, who was remorseful for his actions, committed the act out of desperation.

“It was a poor man’s attempt to survive,” Mr Gray said, asking the court for leniency.

In response, Magistrate FergusonPratt told Johnson even though times are tough right now, he could have resorted to other means to make an honest living.

She also noted it would have been better if he sold fruit like many other Bahamians as opposed to selling drugs.

As a result, he was fined $400 or three months in prison on the first count of drug possession, $300 or three months on the second count and $250 or three months on the last charge.

Laphanza Riley, 47, also appeared in court charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Riley was arrested after police reported that they found him with $1,500 worth of marijuana on February 6.

The court was told that officers were in the area of Carmichael Road when they observed Riley acting in a suspicious manner.

Officers said while searching Riley, they found 40 silver wrappings along with three clear plastic bags, all containing suspected marijuana.

During his interview with police, Riley admitted to possessing the drugs, but insisted they were not his.

At yesterday’s hearing, the accused echoed similar sentiments, saying he was only holding the drugs for someone.

As a result, he was fined $2,000 or eight months in prison and the case was adjourned to April 25.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Robin’s making waves to help children in need MILLIONS of people around the world visit The Bahamas and end up falling in love with this country and its people.

Many are repeat visitors, captivated by these balmy isles. Some have decided to take up permanent residence and call this place home. But few are the people who come and take a special interest in making a difference in the lives of the Bahamian children who may need their help the most – those in the inner city.

Robin Prest is doing just that. She is the outreach coordinator of the I CAN Foundation, a non-profit organization determined to create “infinite ripples of possibility” around the world.

Yachting is in Robin’s blood. It’s what first brought her to The Bahamas. She was a professional chief stewardess, highly skilled in five-star hospitality, responsible for guest satisfaction onboard, anticipating the yacht owner’s needs and exceeding their expectations.

Robin, who has a degree in marketing and advertising, was involved in yachting as a chief stewardess for four years. Her yachting travels brought her to the shores of The Bahamas several times.

Her travels in the Caribbean and around the world allowed her to see first hand the needs of the people, especially since the onset of the pandemic.

In her last yachting position, Robin worked on I CAN’s sailboat “Wisdom”. This 100ft vessel takes young adults from the foster care system on a 90-day trip around the Caribbean.

They are taught valuable life skills, they get PADI certified and they have an opportunity to volunteer and give to others at I CAN events.

This job sparked Robin’s interest in doing even more to help kids in need. She became fully involved with the I CAN Foundation and was appointed the outreach coordinator. In this position, Robin really came alive.

She created “Robin’s Tents”, a safe space for kids to have a hot, balanced meal, a great pep talk and lots of laughs.

“Robin’s Tents were born through the outreach that I was able to accomplish with the help of the crew on sailing yacht Wisdom,” Robin explains.

“When I was in Antigua, I had the opportunity to arrange a lot of outreach efforts with local programmes, such as foster homes.

“The week before we left for our next destination, I threw a barbecue with all of the people we had reached out to. We had over 100 people come by. I thought, ‘Why does this need to end now that we are leaving?’ So, I continued to make the event happen every Saturday in Antigua through local volunteers, and then proceeded to move on to other countries to start the same trend. Through this, I created the mentorship programme. Our next step is to give the children of our Robin’s Tents the opportunity to learn a new skill, which we will be integrating into our tents and foundation this year.”

I CAN and Robin’s Tent are making ripples all over the world: in South Africa, they feed over 100 children every week; in Costa Rica, they feed over 100 children every week and teach English, swimming and soccer; in

ROBIN Prest of the I CAN Foundation.

Antigua, they feed over 350 children every week and they have a thriving mentorship programme.

I CAN has now set up Robin’s tent at McPherson Park, Hay Street.

They started two weeks ago, and in that time, they have fed just over 200 children and their parents in the area. I CAN will be serving the community indefinitely, and there are plans to expand the programme and even take it to the Family Islands.

“For me, it’s not just a job; it’s my passion,” said Robin.

“Being able to be a part of this foundation… it’s a dream job. Being able to see these children and the families that come out to these events; being able to be on the ground making them happen is a gift in itself to me.

It’s extremely cool, it’s really amazing.

I love seeing people just wanting to volunteer their time and help these families who, in some cases, have nothing. I am so happy to make these events happen, not only in The Bahamas, but around the world.

I am working, finding out what each island’s needs are, to keep it going forward, wherever we take this.”

I CAN outrea

ch efforts in

onto other islands and around the world.”

The I CAN Foundation seeks to provide young adults with the “tools, confidence and support to create any future they can possibly imagine”.

The founder, Jeffry Wisdom, has always had a passion for helping others through charity work.

When he told the other founder Sean Ives that he wanted to empower underprivileged children, they got together and dis-

ABOVE AND BELOW: Kids at McPherson park enjoying a healthy meal thanks to volunteers organic chef Coty Pate, Josh Musehl, Brian Benn, and the Bahamas Culinary Chefs Association.

Antigua.

Robin, a native of Toronto, is no stranger to philanthropy.

She was involved in nonprofit work from a young age.

“When I was 16, my mom took me on a trip to South Africa where I saw the most extreme poverty,” she said.

“After this trip, my life forever changed. I became very much involved in non-profit work and travelled throughout Ontario in my teen years talking about leadership and the importance of giving back.

“I have always had a passion for philanthropic work. I love to travel and be immersed in local culture.

“Because of this, I have been able to be exposed to many different cultures and see the need for help.

While I was in Antigua, I was able to really get to know the locals and see how much need there is on the islands.

“Through my platform with the I CAN Foundation, I felt the need to bring this to life.

“Being able to use our platform to give back to so many people, especially children, in need is truly the greatest gift to me and I can’t wait for Robin’s Tents to continue to grow into providing lessons and

cussed unique new ways to do so. With Sean having an extensive sailing background, he personally knew the lessons sailing can teach, such as self confidence, self worth, values and so much more.

Robin should know.

She considers her yachting career an “amazing experience” that inevitably launched her into her new profession as I CAN’s outreach coordinator.

“The Bahamas feels like a second home to me,” Robin said.

“From the first time I came here, I fell in love with the islands of The Bahamas and the people.

I am thankful to have been fortunate enough to have spent a lot of time here through my yachting career.”

Since Jeffrey and Sean created I CAN about a year ago, the foundation has grown its programmes with Robin’s Tent - always with the same mindset of empowering underprivileged youth.

In addition to serving the people at McPherson Park, I CAN has worked with the Ranfurly Home for Children and the Red Cross Society.

Every Saturday between 1 and 4pm,

I CAN will be at McPherson’s Park to feed those in need in the community.

The foundation is

seeking sponsors, mentors and more volunteers.

Those interested in being a part of the foundation are invited to come

out to the park and see them in action. You can also visit www.i-can-foundation.org, or WhatsApp: 954-310-1594.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 9

THE OPENING ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday.

Photo: Ashley Landis/AP

GLOBAL TENSIONS TAKE THE SHINE OFF CHINA’S SPORTING SHOWCASE

IN an ideal world politics should be kept out of sport. But, in reality, that is rarely possible since at the national level, in particular, the two are inextricably linked. Examples go back to the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936 - when Hitler and his Nazi collaborators promoted an image of a new, strong and united Germany - to the horror of the 1972 Olympics in Munich when Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists or to the partial boycott of the Moscow Games in 1980 in protest against the then Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan; and, of course, sporting isolation helped to bring about an end to apartheid in South Africa in the 1990s. Now, politics have intruded again at the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The Games are underway after last week’s spectacular opening ceremony in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium. But, even though they have not prevented their countries’ athletes from participating in the events of the Games, most Western leaders, including the US and UK, boycotted the opening ceremony over China’s human rights record and persecution of the Uyghur Muslims.

According to the UN, at least one million Uyghurs are being detained in the western province of Xinjiang in so-called reeducation camps and are subject to torture, forced labour and sterilisation - and China’s choice of a

The Peter Young column Uyghur athlete to light the flame at the opening ceremony has been seen by many as blatant propaganda to attempt to deflect accusations of genocide.

However, while Western leaders were absent, many other dignitaries - like the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Egypt as well as, most importantly, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin - attended the opening ceremony.

It comes as no surprise, of course, China denies any human rights abuses and claims its camps for Uyghurs provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism. Meanwhile, there was reported to have been a moment of tension when Taiwan’s athletes entered the stadium as “Chinese Taipei”, given that Taiwan views itself as a self-governing nation while Beijing sees it as a

breakaway province and has threatened to “reunify” it by force.

Inevitably, there have been comparisons with the good atmosphere of the Olympics in Beijing in the summer of 2008. It is generally accepted that an Olympic Games is an opportunity for a host nation to showcase its culture, define its place in the world and flaunt its best side which is, of course, something the Chinese have been intent on doing for decades as the nation gradually emerged as a global superpower.

That certainly worked in 2008 when China pulled off an immense success in using soft power to achieve a monument to national pride. Then, Western leaders attended the Games and cheered on their athletes whereas now they have spurned Beijing’s current Winter Games.

What is particularly interesting to Western observers this time around is the use of the event by China and Russia to strengthen their deepening relationship.

Putin’s meeting with Xi in Beijing was apparently their first for some two years and the pair are said to be drawing closer as tensions grow with the West.

Their talks were expected to focus on coordinating their countries’ foreign policies, with Putin reported to have made the extraordinary public claim that “both play a stabilising role” in global affairs and help to make them “more equitable and inclusive”.

A NATION IN DISTRESS THE international media seems to pay little attention to the ongoing crisis in the Southeast Asian state of Myanmar. But the beginning of February is a reminder of a grim anniversary there. On February 1 last year, the country’s military seized power shortly before the newly elected parliament was due to convene for the first time. The military leaders alleged voter fraud in the elections the previous November in which the party of the ever popular Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory.

In response to mass protests by pro-democracy demonstrators across the country, the military unleashed a violent and brutal crackdown that has caused more than 1,500 civilian deaths, an untold number of injuries and thousands of arrests and detentions. Thousands more have had their property destroyed and have

become displaced while living in poverty and with a lack of food and medical care.

The UN has identified more than 14 million people across the country in need of humanitarian assistance and has described the situation as an “unprecedented political, socio economic, human rights and humanitarian crisis”.

The violent crackdown by the military has sparked powerful armed resistance among civilians and, from all reports, it seems further violence and financial hardship is inevitable across the country as the military junta struggles to maintain its grip on power.

While activists and journalists now living abroad are telling the world what is happening at home, there are renewed calls for the international community to take action against the Myanmar military and to investigate

How hollow and even mischievous that is, given the events now taking place in eastern Europe.

Both Russia and China have lambasted Western powers for supposedly meddling in their affairs - with China accusing the US of stoking protests in Hong Kong and bolstering Taiwanese independence and Russia berating the UK for destabilising Ukraine.

While working together in tandem in the UN Security Council, China has made it clear it supports Russia’s stance in its dispute with the West over NATO expansion in countries on its borders.

Meanwhile, the two countries last year renewed their existing 20-year cooperation treaty and are in the process of signing new trade and business deals and, crucially, have agreed to work together to offset the “negative impact of unilateral sanctions” - and that presumably means any imposed after an invasion of Ukraine.

Both Putin and Xi are, in effect, presidents-for-life.

So they can plan long term with no realistic threat to their leadership. They are said to share a disdain for democracy, human rights and individual freedoms and commentators now suggest Putin’s posturing and war games in relation to Ukraine and Belarus suit Beijing as it ramps up its rhetoric about retaking Taiwan.

It is now being said China needs a successful Winter Games to show its authoritarian political

the extreme brutality and atrocities committed against its own people.

The UN has called for an immediate cessation of violence but there are accusations the “world is just sitting and watching” while the horrors continue.

There is no space today to examine this in any detail. But as other international crises develop in an unstable world – not least, of course, the stand-off over Ukraine – some commentators are reflecting on the fragility of peace and order around the globe, with individual freedoms and human rights under constant and growing attack from authoritarianism. In the face of this, many urge that there is an overwhelming need to defend everywhere in the world the values of freedom and democracy under the rule of law – and be grateful for the way of life that these ensure.

system works, not least because of its perceived failings in handling the COVID-19 crisis after the virus was first detected in Wuhan. Failure to contain

the pandemic has adversely affected its standing around the world which it needs to restore - and that is one reason why it wants a successful Games.

THIS past weekend marked a hugely significant milestone for the 95-yearold Queen Elizabeth II. Sunday, February 6, was the 70th anniversary - celebrated as a Platinum Jubilee - of her accession to the throne on the death of her father King George VI. He had been suffering from lung cancer and died in his sleep in the early hours of that morning in 1952. At the time, the then-Princess Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were on a visit to Kenya at the start of a tour of Commonwealth countries on behalf of the ailing King.

Such was the extent of the British Empire at the time, the 25-year-old mother-oftwo had suddenly become Queen of much of the planet. She has devoted her life to the task and has given tireless service during her 70 years on the throne which is the longest reign in the history of the British Monarchy. Since 1952, every single world leader has changed except for The Queen and she has seen 14 British Prime Ministers come and go.

By common consent, her sense of duty, stoicism, restraint, tact and good judgment have made her one of the most popular of British sovereigns and have earned her worldwide respect. Her long reign has helped to maintain the popularity of the Monarchy and ensured its survival in increasingly egalitarian times.

In her public statement on February 6, which she signed as “Your Servant”, she said her Platinum Jubilee gave her time to reflect on the goodwill shown to her by so many people over the years for which she gave thanks. She also put an end to years of uncertainty about the future role of Prince Charles’ wife, by announcing her wish that Camilla should be Queen Consort when Charles becomes King “in

the fullness of time”. This is seen by many as Her Majesty’s recognition that Camilla has become indispensable to her eldest son’s wellbeing and happiness.

It is considered to be the ultimate stamp of approval that Charles has always craved. The Queen’s statement also seems to put paid to any suggestion she plans to abdicate.

Commentators in the UK press are already saying that this action by The Queen has ensured the transition to her son - when it comes - will be as seamless and trouble free as possible. The events during the course of the year celebrating the Platinum Jubilee also will be an opportunity for the country to come together during continuing difficult times.

There are, of course, some people who worry about the future of the Monarchy when The Queen’s reign comes to an end. There are those who question the suitability of Charles for the role amid talk of adultery by those concerned and continuing condemnation of the way the late Princess Diana was allegedly treated. However, I found it revealing and interesting that an article in one of the UK newspapers over the weekend attracted more than 15,000 comments from the public online, most of which were in favour of the Royal Family.

Most also supported The Queen’s announcement about Camilla. There are fears, however, this could still become a controversial issue since, reportedly, it had earlier been agreed that she should become Princess Consort.

No one denies the existence of anti-Royalist sentiment in Britain. But the evidence shows it remains relatively limited and it is heartening to read that even republicans agree generally the nation is fortunate to have Her Majesty as Head of State!

SEVENTY YEARS AND COUNTING

PAGE 10, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

GUN SALUTES MARK QUEEN’S PLATINUM YEAR

GUN salutes rang out in London and Edinburgh on Monday to mark the official start of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year, as the 95-year-old monarch prepared for a busy season of public duties.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Elizabeth became queen on the death of her father, King George VI, from lung cancer at age 56 on February 6, 1952.

The monarch doesn’t celebrate the anniversary of the date she became queen, known as Ascension Day, as it is also the anniversary of her father’s death.

In a statement, the queen remembered the death of her father and recalled the seven decades of “extraordinary progress” her reign has spanned. The queen made clear she intended to continue as head of state, renewing the pledge she made on her 21st birthday to devote her entire life to the service of the UK and the Commonwealth.

THE KING’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire gun salutes to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in Green Park beside Buckingham Palace, London, yesterday.

Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP

Ottawa declares state of emergency over protests TORONTO Associated Press THE mayor of Canada’s capital declared a state of emergency on Sunday and a former US ambassador to Canada said groups in the US must stop interfering in the domestic affairs of America’s neighbour as protesters opposed to COVID-19 restrictions continued to paralyse Ottawa’s downtown.

Mayor Jim Watson said the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government. It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.

Thousands of protesters descended in Ottawa again on the weekend, joining a hundred who remained since last weekend. Residents of Ottawa are furious at the non-stop blaring of horns, traffic disruption and harassment and fear no end is in sight after the police chief called it a “siege” that he could not manage.

The “freedom truck convoy” has attracted support from many US Republicans including former President Donald Trump, who called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “far left lunatic” who has “destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates”.

“Canada US relations used to be mainly about solving technical issues. Today Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues.

Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies,” Bruce Heyman, a former US ambassador under President Barack Obama, tweeted.

Heyman said “under no

circumstances should any group in the USA fund disruptive activities in Canada.

Period. Full stop”.

After crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it would refund or redirect to charities the vast majority of the millions raised by demonstrators protesting in the Canadian capital, prominent US Republicans like Florida Gov Ron DeSantis complained.

But GoFundMe had already changed its mind and said it would be issuing refunds to all. The site said it cut off funding for the organisers because it had determined the effort violated the site’s terms of service due to unlawful activity.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called it an occupation.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon tweeted: “Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers’ worthy cause.” and Texas Sen Ted Cruz said on Fox News “government doesn’t have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates”.

“For some senior American politicians, patriotism means renting a mob to put a G-7 capital under siege,” tweeted Gerald Butts, a former senior adviser to Trudeau.

In Canada’s largest city, Toronto, police controlled and later ended a much smaller protest by setting up road blocks and preventing any trucks or cars from getting near the provincial legislature. Police also moved in to clear a key intersection in the city.

Many Canadians have been outraged over the crude behaviour of the demonstrators. Some protesters set fireworks off on the grounds of the National War Memorial late Friday.

A number have carried signs and flags with swastikas last weekend and compared vaccine mandates to fascism.

PEOPLE gather in protest against COVID-19 mandates in Ottawa, in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday.

Photo: Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 11

REESE, NO. 8 ARIZONA WOMEN HOLD OFF OREGON STATE 73-61

By BRIAN J PEDERSEN Associated Press

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas women’s softball team members gather for a meeting after practice Saturday at Bankers’ softball field. The team is scheduled to play three international games this week in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Photos courtesy of UB ATHLETICS

BIG SWING: UB ladies’ softball team ready for first international tour this week THE University of The Bahamas women’s softball team practiced ahead of the team’s first set of international games set for this week.

The UB Mingoes softball team is expected to play two games Thursday in Miami Gardens against the St Thomas University Bobcats and then one game Friday at Flamingo Park in Pembroke Pines against the Florida Memorial University Lions.

This tour will be the first for the UB Mingoes softball team.

“I’m looking forward to some good competition in Florida,” head coach Shane Albury said. “This is the first time internationally and the first time in two seasons that the team has played. I think we have a good stock of players on the team right now.”

Coach Albury said his team is going into the tour full steam and hoping to come back with three wins.

The FMU Bobcats have just started the women’s softball programme and this will be one of the first games the team will play.

“I’m not taking any of the games lightly,” he said.

“I had a conversation with the team and told them we are going to win and this is

UB women’s softball head coach Shane Albury gives instructions to team members. not vacation. We will compete and we are going to win.”

Albury added that the path to a win starts with pitching.

“I wish we were stronger in that aspect of the game as we recently lost two players,” he said.

“Defence will also be important. We have some speed and we have some sluggers. If our pitching holds up our defence and we can put the bat on the ball we can be quite competitive.”

Infield specialist and senior Cyntese Cooper said she’s excited to get the experience and to represent UB. “I’m excited to see our team come together as

a cohesive unit and play these games,” she said.

“We have worked hard to get here and we are going to put it all on the field.”

Utility player Kenisha Kelly said the team has been working on communication heading into the games this week.

“I feel we have a good chance to pick up the wins,” she said. “We just have to hit the ball, field the ball and reduce the errors out there.

The team plays St Thomas University in a double-header at 4pm and 6pm Thursday in Miami Gardens and then plays Florida Memorial University noon on Friday at Flamingo Park in Pembroke Pines.

MLB

FROM PAGE 16 Mitchell issued a report commissioned by MLB that implicated 85 players in PEDs use, including seven MVPs and 31 AllStars. Many denied the allegations.

While prominent players suspended under the drug programme include Rafael Palmeiro (2005), Ramirez (2009 and ‘11), Rodriguez (2014) and Robinson Canó (2014), there were just five positives for PEDs among 8,436 tests in the year ending with the 2021 World Series: Miami pitcher Paul Campbell, Oakland outfielder Ramón Laureano, Seattle pitcher Héctor Santiago, San Francisco pitcher Gregory Santos and Colorado third baseman Colton Welker.

Baseball’s halt in testing was signalled to players in a “Work Stoppage Guide” created by the Major League Baseball Players Association and distributed to its members, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. “Will Joint Drug Agreement (JDA) testing be administered during a work stoppage?” read a heading on page 19.

“Based on past precedent in the NFL and NHL, it is unlikely that MLB can administer JDA testing during a work stoppage,” the guide said.

MLB logos on an unidentified MLB player in this file photo.

On another topic, the union thinks players may sign to play with teams in Japan and South Korea during the lockout, a prospect that might become more attractive as the stoppage increasingly threatens opening day on March 31.

“The PA would challenge any attempts by MLB to interfere with players who choose to participate in a foreign league during a lockout,” the guide said.

“During the 2004-05 work stoppage, a large number of NHL players chose to play internationally.”

In a sign of a potential grievance should the lockout extend into the regular season and cost players pay, the guide states: “The PA will take the position, consistent with other sports unions in prior lockouts,

that a player who is injured and unable to play at the time of the lockout must receive his pay and access to rehab until he is medically cleared.”

Teams cut off access to club medical staff and facilities when the lockout started. The union has arranged for training facilities for players.

The sides remain far apart on terms for a deal.

Owners meet from today to Thursday in Orlando, Florida, and union staff will meet with players in Arizona and then Florida this week.

Players last week rejected MLB’s request that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service assist talks, and Labour Secretary Marty Walsh offered to help yesterday.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas outfielder Charlene Symonette fields a fly ball during practice on Saturday.

“I have spoken to both the MLBPA and MLB about the ongoing contract negotiations and encourage both sides to continue engagement,” Walsh said in a statement, first reported

by Politico.

“Like any contract negotiation in any industry, I stand ready to help facilitate productive conversations that result in the best outcome for workers and employers.”

Players blame owners for instituting the lockout. The guide acknowledges what Commissioner Rob Manfred has said, that MLB thinks the timing of a lockout that starts during the offseason is more beneficial to clubs that a late-season strike, such as the August walkout in 1994.

“In recent years, work stoppages in other pro sports (NFL, NHL, NBA) have all been lockouts,” the guide said.

“Ultimately, owners would prefer to choose the timing of a work stoppage and attempt to do so when it is most advantageous to them. Management does not want players to have the opportunity to go on strike during the middle of the season, or in advance of the playoffs, when it would be most damaging to the clubs.”

The guide says health benefits for players who were on 40-man rosters at any point during the 2021 season will have coverage

until the 2022 season is scheduled to start. At that point, “the PA will ensure your health coverage remains intact.”

The union has started making $5,000 stipends available to players from money it has saved.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — By taking care of the ball, Cate Reese and No. 8 Arizona took care of Oregon State.

The Wildcats forced 16 turnovers, turning those mistakes into 19 points, while giving it away only a programme record lowtying three times in a 73-61 win Sunday.

“That’s what they do,” Oregon State coach Scott Rueck said. “I think this group of guards is one of the very best groups and most experienced groups in the country. They just do a great job forcing you to make mistakes, keeping you on your heels and making you work for everything.”

Reese played all 40 minutes and scored 19 points in Arizona’s 15th consecutive home win.

Koi Love came off the bench to score a seasonhigh 16 in 29 minutes. The Wildcats (17-3, 7-3 Pac-12) were thin in the frontcourt — Ariyah Copeland missed the game due to a headache and starting post Lauren Ware picked up two fouls in the first four minutes.

Oregon State (11-7, 4-4) shot 55.6 percent in the first half, making five of eight 3-pointers, but turned it over 11 times, resulting in Arizona taking 18 more shots than the Beavers.

“That was a huge discrepancy at the half, that was unique,” Rueck said.

Love, a Vanderbilt transfer who came in averaging 4.4 points per game, was 7 of 10 from the field. She also had two of Arizona’s 11 offensive rebounds that produced 13 second-chance points.

“This whole weekend she kind of came out of her shell a little bit,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said of Love, who had eight points and nine rebounds in Friday’s win over No. 19 Oregon.

“She really brought us great energy, offensively and defensively.”

Arizona led 36-34 at halftime and increased the margin to nine points midway through the third quarter by getting to the foul line.

Point guard Shaina Pellington drew three shooting fouls in a 58-second span, making five of six free throws to put the Wildcats up 45-36.

Oregon State finished the third quarter on a 6-0 run to trail 49-47 but couldn’t get a stop in the final period.

The guide points to similar types of payments in the past but points out “even if the executive board authorises financial assistance to players, be aware that the amount of any assistance will be far less than the player’s contract salary.”

PAGE 12, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

NBA

FROM PAGE 16 Malcolm Hill scored the final eight points, including a layup at the buzzer, to pull Chicago within three. But the Bulls, who came in tied for second in the Eastern Conference with defending NBA champion Milwaukee, lost for the third time in four games.

Phoenix was rolling along with an 88-61 lead midway through the third after Booker hit a 19-footer, then withstood a push down the stretch by Chicago.

A three-point play by DeRozan cut it to 113-104 with 5:56 left in the game.

Jae Crowder quieted the crowd with a 3.

Deandre Ayton scored on a hook and hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it a 15-point game with 4:42 left.

The Suns took control in the second quarter while building a 67-49 halftime lead.

Booker scored 22 in the half, going 8 of 10 from the field with three 3-pointers.

The Suns went on a 17-3 run early in the second quarter to stretch a fivepoint lead to 19. And a three-point play by Bridges midway through the quarter bumped the lead to 58-37.

TIP-INS Suns: Phoenix coach Monty Williams, in jest, when asked where he sees Billy Donovan’s fingerprints on Chicago: “I’m not a forensic scientist.” Williams was Donovan’s top assistant during the 201516 season with Oklahoma City. Donovan has the Bulls contending in the East in his second season coaching them. “I learned a lot about coaching and different ways to pace,” Williams said. “You could see that the foundation they laid last year is paying off now.”

Bulls: G Coby White had 13 points after missing back-to-back games because of a strained right adductor.

UP NEXT Suns: Visit Philadelphia tonight.

Bulls: Visit Charlotte on Wednesday.

WARRIORS 110, THUNDER 98 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 21 points and Golden State beat Oklahoma City for its ninth straight win.

After the Thunder rallied late in the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to five, Thompson hit two 3-pointers — including one with just over a minute remaining — to put the Warriors up nine.

Stephen Curry added 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who shot 50% from the field.

Lu Dort scored 26 points and Darius Bazley matched a season high with 20 for Oklahoma City. Josh Giddey added 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

HEAT 121, WIZARDS 100 WASHINGTON (AP) — Bam Adebayo scored 21 points and Jimmy Butler had 19 as Eastern Conference-leading Miami cruised past Washington.

Miami (35-20) never trailed and won its third straight, improving to 3-2 on a six-game road trip.

Corey Kispert equalled his career high with 20 points for the Wizards (2429), who lost for the ninth time in 11 games. They are a season-low five games under .500 after opening 10-3.

The Heat shot 18 for 32 (56.3%) from 3-point range while the Wizards were just 7 for 31 (22.6%).

RAPTORS 116, HORNETS 101 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Pascal Siakam had 24 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Toronto defeated Charlotte for its sixth straight win.

Gary Trent Jr scored 24 points, and Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby each had 20 for the Raptors, who began a stretch of eight of nine games on the road. Scottie Barnes added 15 as Toronto’s starters accounted for all but 13 of the team’s points.

Miles Bridges scored 25 to lead the Hornets, who lost their fifth consecutive game. LaMelo Ball, named as an All-Star Game replacement a few hours before tipoff, finished with 15 points and nine assists.

GOLD medallists team from the Russian Olympic Committee celebrates following the victory ceremony after the team event in the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in Beijing.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip)

STRIKING GOLD IN BEIJING BEIJING (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Monday, February 7, at the Beijing Games: ALPINE SKIING MEN’S DOWNHILL Beat Feuz of Switzerland captured gold in the Olympic men’s downhill.

Johan Clarey of France, who is 41, was 0.10 seconds behind to win silver and two-time Olympic champion Matthias Mayer of Austria was 0.16 behind for bronze.

The victory gave Feuz the one thing lacking from a career filled with accomplishments. He won a silver medal in super-G and bronze in downhill at the 2018 Olympics and is the four-time reigning World Cup downhill champion.

WOMEN’S GIANT SLALOM Swedish skier Sara Hector capped a recent career resurgence in the best way possible, winning the gold medal in the women’s giant slalom at the Beijing Olympics. It was her first individual victory at a major championship.

Federica Brignone of Italy was 0.28 seconds slower over the two legs to add a silver medal to the bronze she won in the giant slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland was third, 0.72 behind Hector, and now has another bronze to go alongside the one she collected in the downhill at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

BIATHLON WOMEN’S 15KM INDIVIDUAL Denise Herrmann of Germany missed only one of 20 shots and skied fast to win Olympic gold in the women’s 15-kilometer individual biathlon.

A former Olympic cross country skier, Herrmann led early and maintained it, completing the course in 44 minutes, 12.7 seconds.

Anais Chevalier-Bouchet of France missed her very last shot, which proved to be a costly mistake, and won silver 9.4 seconds behind Herrmann.

Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, the overall World Cup leader, missed two shots, one prone and one standing, and settled for bronze, 15.3 seconds back.

FIGURE SKATING TEAM EVENT Kamila Valieva became the first woman to land a quad in the Olympics and

Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Monday, February 7

BEAT FEUZ, of Switzerland, celebrates with his gold medal during the ceremony for the men’s downhill at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in the Yanqing district of Beijing.

(AP Photos/Luca Bruno)

SWEDEN’s Sara Hector celebrates on the podium with her gold medal for the women’s giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in the Yanqing district of Beijing.

her historic free skate put a stamp on Russia’s dominant run to the gold medal in the team figure skating event.

Valieva scored 178.92 points, giving Russia 74 points and their second gold medal in three editions of the team event.

The U.S. took the silver medal after back-to-back bronze, while Japan won its first team medal with bronze.

SKI JUMPING MIXED TEAM Slovenia won gold in the ski jumping mixed team event’s Olympic debut.

The team of Ursa Bogataj, Nika Kriznar, Peter Prevc and Timi Zajc had 1,000.5 points Monday, dominating the competition by more than 100 points.

Prevc jumped last and soared 101.5 meters (333 feet) and had 126.3 points to seal the top spot on the podium for the Slovenians.

Russia won silver and Canada, in a surprise, earned bronze.

Germany, one of the favorites to win, was disqualified after the first

race and let out a yell as she crossed the line to earn her 10th career medal.

Fontana won in 42.488 seconds. Schulting took silver in 42.559 and Kim Boutin of Canada earned bronze in 42.724.

She also won a silver in the inaugural mixed team relay on Sunday, putting her ahead of Viktor An and Apolo Ohno for career medals with nine.

Fontana was already the only athlete to win a medal of every color in the same individual event. She won gold in the 500 four years ago in Pyeongchang, silver in Sochi in 2014 and bronze at Vancouver in 2010.

SPEEDSKATING MEN’S 1,000m Ren Ziwei of China survived a controversial finish to win the men’s 1,000 meters in short track speedskating.

Liu Shaolin Sandor of Hungary crossed the line first Monday, but was penalized twice and earned a yellow card. That elevated Ren, who crossed second, to the gold medal.

Li Wenlong of China earned silver. Liu Shaoang

round because of an equipment violation.

SNOWBOARD MEN’S SLOPESTYLE Canadian snowboarder Max Parrot took home the Olympic gold medal in men’s slopestyle just over three years after being diagnosed with cancer.

Technically superior on his second of three runs, Parrot scored a 90.96 to hold off the field. He tossed his snowboard in delight after the final score was revealed.

Su Yiming of China earned the silver and Mark McMorris of Canada used a strong final run to bump himself into bronze — his third straight one — and knock defending champion Red Gerard of the United States off the podium.

SHORT TRACK SPEEDSKATING WOMEN’S 500m Arianna Fontana burnished her legacy as short track’s most decorated skater with her second Olympic medal in Beijing.

The 31-year-old Italian took the lead from Dutch world champion Suzanne Schulting late in Monday’s

COMMIT FROM PAGE 16

“Randall is one of the best interior players in South Florida.”

Archer is a 6’4”, 310-pound versatile offensive lineman that has played centre, guard and tackle. He previously received offers from Webber International University and Florida Memorial University. “I’ve coached some good offensive teams during my coaching career. All Sun Belt, All MEAC and All Ohio Valley,” Tunsil said. “I have three good senior offensive linemen that have all conference potential - Kaylin Smith, Mazio Randall and Amarie Archer.”

Both players join a Dodge City programme that will also welcome new MIAMI International Academy outgoing seniors Mazio Randall and Amarie offensive coordinator Richard DorArcher, above signing commitment letter and inset, have committed to the ceus under head coach Terry Karg.

Dorceus, a Florida native, was a Dodge City Community College Conquistadors football programme in Kanformer offensive linemen at Howard sas for the upcoming fall semester.

of Hungary, the brother of Liu, took bronze.

Liu appeared to bump Ren in taking the lead late in the race. Ren grabbed Liu approaching the finish line. Liu still managed to cross first before going down.

But the referee assessed the penalties to Liu. WOMEN’S 1500m Ireen Wüst added to her haul as the most decorated speedskater in Olympic history with another gold.

The 35-year-old Dutch skater won her second straight gold in the 1,500 meters, setting an Olympic record with a time of 1 minute, 53.28 seconds at the Ice Ribbon oval in Beijing.

Miho Takagi of Japan claimed the silver in 1:53.72, while the bronze went to Antoinette de Jong of the Netherlands in 1:54.82.

Wüst has now won 12 medals over her career, including six golds. That makes her the most decorated athlete in the history of speedskating, as well as her country’s most prolific Olympic medalist.

University where he racked up several postseason honours, including Howard Offensive Lineman of the Year twice, MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week four times, and second-team All-MEAC in 2005, and also served as a team captain two seasons.

Several other Bahamians in the Miami International Academy programme have received offers from programmes at both the NAIA and NCAA levels.

Lewis, a 6’3” 215-pound outside linebacker and defensive end, has fielded offers from Kentucky Christian Knights in the NAIA and Wagner Seahawks in the Northeastern Conference of NCAA Division I. He finished the year with eight sacks.

Miami International Academy finished their inaugural season 2-7 but it was highlighted by a 40-0 South Florida High School Orange Bowl win over Palm Beach Christian Prep.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 13

Super Bowl/Olympics Sunday about to become routine for NBC

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer SUPER Sunday has morphed into Super Gold Sunday for NBC. Next Sunday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals will mark the first time a Super Bowl and Winter Olympics are taking place at the same time. CBS was scheduled to have this year’s game, but in 2019 agreed to a trade with NBC. CBS had last year’s game, giving it two Super Bowls in three years.

The trade made sense for many reasons. NBC was able to pair Super Bowl and Olympic spots for advertisers, while CBS will not worry about going up against the Olympics.

NBC Sports Group President Pete Bevacqua admitted there are logistical challenges to doing two mega-events simultaneously, but the advantages far outweigh the negatives.

“We’ll have that 100 million-plus audience from a Super Bowl, and we’ll segue right into great live Olympic

coverage back in Beijing.

To me, that’s an unbelievably, really unparalleled and never before seen one-two punch,” Bevacqua said. “I think from a sales and marketing perspective, it’s an absolute home run.”

NBC has sold all of its spots during the game, with only a couple spots remaining for pregame.

Dan Lovinger, NBC Sports’ executive vice president for advertising sales, said rates are up nearly 20 percent compared to the last time they had the Super Bowl in 2018. Some 30-second spots went for $7 million.

Lovinger credited a variety of factors for the robust sales.

“I think first the NFL has never been stronger, particularly in comparative terms. If you’re looking to reach 100 million people in an evening, there’s only one place you can go, and that’s the Super Bowl,” he said. “I think second is the economy, and it seems to be on pretty stable footing.

You’ve got great consumer confidence, and what we’ve learned is that when

SOFI Stadium stands in Inglewood, California. The stadium is the site of NFL football’s Super Bowl 56, scheduled to be played on February 13.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash) consumers consume, advertisers advertise.

“But the third thing, which is the really interesting thing, is the impact of COVID and how advertisers have learned to adapt to it. Marketers are finding a way through it and we’re seeing categories that sat out last year come back, like studios. We see new categories like legalied sports betting, cryptocurrency, and some streaming

platforms come in, and then you’ve got your old standbys (autos, beverages). So, it all adds up to a really strong market for the Super Bowl.”

NBC executives have promoted this as a “once in a lifetime” day. However, it is about to become a common occurrence. When the NFL’s 11-year television contract starts in 2023, NBC’s spot in the Super Bowl rotation lines up the

same year as the Winter Olympics.

If the league remains on its 17 games over 18 weeks regular-season schedule, the 2026 Super Bowl will take place on February 8, the first weekend of the Milano Cortina Games.

Next Sunday beginning at 8am ET with four hours of Olympics coverage before the Super Bowl programming kicks off at 12pm.

Following the Super Bowl postgame, which is likely to be around 10:30pm, NBC will return to Beijing for ice dance and the new monobob (one-woman bobsled) competition.

By the time NBC signs off with the Prime Plus show from Beijing, there will be nearly 18 consecutive hours of coverage between the Super Bowl and Olympics.

“Yeah, we are going to be that Super Bowl party guest that doesn’t leave because we’re going to be there first and stays last.

“We’re going to leave the lights on for you,” NBC Olympics and Super Bowl pregame host Mike Tirico said.

Tirico will be doing double duty. His final show from Beijing will be Monday night before he flies to NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, to host Wednesday’s and Thursday’s shows. Tirico then arrives in Los Angeles on Friday to anchor Olympic and Super Bowl coverage through Sunday.

This is Tirico’s third Olympics as the prime-time host after joining NBC in 2016, and his fourth Super Bowl (the previous three were with ABC).

“They’re both dream assignments, so who needs to sleep at that point?

The one thing you want to make sure is you can do it the right way,” Tirico said.

“I think from an editorial standpoint, we’ll still be able to deliver the same coverage and that’s got to be at the forefront of this. And in some ways, I think it will help enhance this unique weekend to be at the Super Bowl site, as we’re part of that buildup during our coverage of the Olympics.”

Herbert, Crosby send AFC to 41-35 win in Pro Bowl’s return

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — From Darius Leonard’s rambling pick-6 on the opening drive to Mac Jones’ blissfully enthusiastic Griddy dance at the 2-minute warning, the Pro Bowl’s Vegas debut was a messy, chaotic show.

And Justin Herbert, Maxx Crosby and the AFC stars all won big.

Herbert hit Mark Andrews with two touchdown passes, leading the AFC to a 41-35 victory over the NFC on Sunday in the return of the Pro Bowl.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to come out here and play some of the best football players this game has to offer,” Herbert said.

“What an opportunity to learn more about their game, understand them, get to know them and just have some fun.”

Jones passed for 112 yards and threw a touchdown pass, and the New England rookie also did a memorable rendition of the Griddy in the first Las Vegas edition of the NFL’s annual All-Star game, back from a one-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Herbert won the offensive MVP award after passing for 98 yards and

finding the Baltimore tight end for two TDs in the first half of the Los Angeles Chargers star’s first Pro Bowl appearance. Andrews had five catches for 82 yards.

Crosby, from the hometown Raiders, won the defensive MVP award with two sacks, three batted passes and three tackles for loss in a pleasingly sloppy game featuring seven interceptions, with at least one thrown by each of the six quarterbacks.

“I didn’t want to injure or hurt anybody, but I still wanted to have some fun and work on my game,” Crosby said. “No matter what it is, we’re still in full pads and want to have a little bit of fun.”

The AFC has won five consecutive Pro Bowls since the league returned to a conference format in the 2016-17 season. Its players took home $80,000 apiece from Vegas, while the NFC got $40,000.

Kyler Murray passed for 160 yards and three touchdowns for the NFC. The Arizona star made it close when he hit Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook for a TD with 2:36 to play, trimming the AFC’s lead to six points.

Jones then got stopped on a scramble in the waning minutes, but kept running about 55 more yards to the

AFC tackle Mark Andrews (89), of the Baltimore Ravens, reacts with wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14), of the Buffalo Bills, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10), of the Kansas City Chiefs, after Andrews scored a touchdown in the first half of the Pro Bowl NFL football game against the NFC on Sunday in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) end zone and celebrated alone with the Griddy, pioneered by Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson. After learning his celebration was premature, Jones hit Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris for a first down on the next play to allow the AFC to run out the clock.

The Pro Bowl moved to Las Vegas for the first time after a four-year run in Orlando, and a less-thancapacity crowd at Allegiant Stadium mostly cheered for the Raiders and booed their AFC West rivals.

Otherwise there was a decidedly mellow vibe on the field from the moment Leonard returned an interception 45 rambling yards for a TD.

Both teams treated the Pro Bowl with all the seriousness it deserves: Tackling to the ground was rare while both teams effectively played two-hand touch, and neither defence put up more than a perfunctory pass rush.

The informal rules to prevent excessive violence were also quite flexible: Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield returned an interception 63 yards for a score to end the first quarter, but only after running through a pretty clear twohand touch from Las Vegas’ Hunter Renfrow.

Renfrow got the day’s biggest single cheer when he made a tip-toe TD grab in the back of the end zone.

CAN’T KICK IT In another attempt at violence-reducing innovation, the Pro Bowl was played with no kickoffs.

The game started with the NFC offence on its own 15 in the so-called “spot and choose” method of eliminating dangerous kickoffs from football. The winner of the opening coin toss has the option to choose where to spot the ball on the field or whether to start the game with the ball.

Neither Pro Bowl punter got to play, either. AFC coach Mike Vrabel told Las Vegas’ AJ Cole earlier in the week that the team wouldn’t be punting — so Cole said he ate two hot dogs at halftime.

“I’m just here for moral support, basically,” Cole said. “Just passing out water and high-fives.”

WISH I WAS A BALLER Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans went up and over the Raiders’ Denzel Perryman for a 19-yard TD catch in the first half. Perryman then went into the locker room at halftime and tweeted: “Lol i know i know, only if i was taller.”

BROTHERS GOTTA HUG Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs got to go against his little brother, Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs,

for the first time as professionals. Stefon even switched to defensive back when Trevon came in as a receiver for the NFC in the first half, and Stefon got credit for a pass breakup in the end zone after a good bit of hand-fighting between the brothers.

Stefon called checkmate when he juked Trevon to the ground at the goal line on a TD run in the third quarter.

AMERICA’S PLAYGROUND The stars seemed to enjoy Vegas, even if many didn’t hit the casinos. New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan spent the week at various attractions with his wife and children.

“It’s been a setup that, with some tweaking, can be phenomenal,” the seventime Pro Bowl selection said. “Sensational, even.”

The Pro Bowl will be followed to Vegas by the NFL draft in April. Super Bowl 58 will be here February 11, 2024.

THE ABSENT GOAT Tom Brady ended his NFL career by not participating in the final 13 Pro Bowls for which he was selected, including this season. The seven-time champion quarterback hasn’t played in a Pro Bowl since 2005.

NFL TO BOLSTER INCLUSION POLICIES, PROBE TANKING ALLEGATIONS

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told teams Saturday the league will look to bolster policies meant to encourage hiring of minorities, particularly as head coaches, and he pledged an investigation into tanking allegations raised by Brian Flores in his discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. “We will reevaluate and examine all policies, guidelines and initiatives relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, including as they relate to gender,” Goodell wrote in a memo to the league’s 32 clubs that was obtained by The Associated Press.

The commissioner added that the league’s record on hiring minority coaches has been “unacceptable.”

The memo came five days after Flores sued the league and three teams over alleged racist hiring practices for coaches and general managers, saying the league remains “rife with racism” even as it publicly condemns it.

The NFL’s main avenue for increasing diversity in

its leadership ranks is the two-decade-old Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for jobs including head coach and general manager. Despite the rule, there is currently one Black head coach in the league: Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin.

There are no Black team owners, just a handful of Black GMs and relatively few Black coordinators in a league where more than 70% of players are Black or another ethnic minority.

Goodell said the league will include outside experts in its review along with “current and former players and coaches, advocates and other authorities in this area. Our goal is simple: make our efforts and those of the clubs more effective so that real and tangible results will be achieved.”

In a statement, Flores’ attorneys said while Goodell’s memo appears to be a positive first step in confronting systemic racism in the league, they “suspect that is it more of a public relations ploy than real commitment to change.”

Flores, who is Black, was fired as Miami’s coach last

month despite back-to-back winning seasons. He named the league and three teams — the Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants — in a class-action lawsuit this week alleging unfair hiring practices in the NFL. After the lawsuit was filed, the league said it would defend itself against claims it said were “without merit.” The Dolphins, Broncos and Giants also denied Flores’ allegations.

Goodell took a softer approach to Flores’ claims in his memo.

“We understand the concerns expressed by Coach Flores and others this week.

While the legal process moves forward, we will not

wait to reassess and modify our strategies to ensure that they are consistent with our values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” the commissioner wrote.

Flores’ most serious allegation is his claim that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told him he would pay him $100,000 for every loss during the coach’s first season because the owner wanted the club to “tank” so it could get the top draft pick.

The Dolphins went 5-11 that year; the Cincinnati Bengals went 2-14 and used the No. 1 pick on quarterback Joe Burrow, who led the team to this season’s Super Bowl.

“We also take seriously any issue relating to the integrity of NFL games,” Goodell’s letter said. “These matters will be reviewed thoroughly and independently. We expect that these independent experts will receive full cooperation from everyone associated with the league or any member club as this work proceeds.”

Ross pledged his team’s full cooperation into an investigation on Thursday when he labeled Flores’ accusations “false, malicious and defamatory.”

Flores also contended that the Broncos and Giants conducted sham interviews, Denver’s in 2019 and New York’s during the current hiring cycle. Critics of the Rooney Rule have long contended that many teams complied with the rule by interviewing minority candidates they had no intention of hiring.

“There’s a lot of work to do. I wish there was a quick fix. I wish there was a silver bullet for some of these things,” Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who is Pakistani-American, said Saturday. “But I

think it says as much about America, frankly, as it does anything else.”

The Jaguars had two interviews with Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who is Black, for their head coaching job, but talks with him broke down and Jacksonville hired Doug Pederson, the fifth white coach Khan has hired in as many opportunities as owner of the Jaguars.

Lawyers Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis, who represent Flores, said they were skeptical that Goodell’s memo would lead to meaningful changes and called on a court or government agency to appoint a federal monitor to oversee the league.

“For too many years, the NFL has hidden behind the cover of foundations that were supposed to protect the rights of Black players and coaches, as well as law firms and experts that purport to be unbiased an independent but are paid for by the NFL,” the attorneys said in their statement.

“All the while, systemic racial bias has festered in the NFL’s front offices.”

PAGE 14, Tuesday, February 8, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Mané beats Salah as Senegal wins its first African Cup YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Sadio Mané finally delivered a first African Cup for Senegal, and Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah could do nothing about it but stand and watch.

Mané drilled the decisive penalty in a shootout into the bottom left corner to beat Salah and Egypt in Sunday’s final in Cameroon and make up for missing a penalty early in the game.

Senegal won the shootout 4-2 after it ended 0-0 after extra time. Salah, who was supposed to be his team’s final penalty taker, didn’t get a say in the shootout after two of his teammates missed.

Senegal had lost two finals previously, including against Algeria at the last African Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019, when Mané was left inconsolable.

This time Mané provided the winning moment. He raced off to joyously celebrate with teammates but also returned to spend some time consoling Salah, who was in tears.

“We are proud,” said Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was also crucial to the cause by saving a penalty in the shootout. “We never won before. We worked really hard to win this trophy and today we won as a group, as a country.”

The final at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde was billed as a battle between Liverpool forwards Mané and Salah, who were both searching for their first major title with their country.

But it never reached the heights of a classic despite the presence of the two superstars.

That was even after the final started with drama when Senegal won a penalty inside the opening five minutes for Mohamed Abdelmonem’s foul on Saliou Ciss.

When it became clear that Mané was going to take it, Salah went over to goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal to give him some advice while covering his mouth with his hand. That appeared to irritate Mané, who interrupted their conversation and pointed with his hand toward the right corner of the goal.

In the end, Mané blasted the seventh-minute penalty straight down the middle and Abou Gabal blocked it.

Senegal continued in that vein to miss a series of other chances, with Abou Gabal starring as Egypt’s last line.

Salah had two shots on goal in the first half, the

PENG SHUAI WATCHES GU WIN OLYMPIC GOLD IN FREESKI BIG AIR

By JAKE SEINER AP Sports Writer

SENEGAL’s players celebrate with trophy after winning the African Cup of Nations 2022 final soccer match against Egypt at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Sunday.

(AP Photos/Sunday Alamba) second a powerful drive that was heading for the top corner before Mendy got hands to it. But Salah drifted out of the game from the second half of normal time as fatigue clearly caught up with Egypt, which was also without coach Carlos Queiroz on the touchline.

Queiroz was given a red card in the semifinal and banned from the touchline, and he spent the final watching from the stadium seats, sometimes speaking into a phone.

All three of Egypt’s knockout games before the final also went to extra time, and two of them to penalties, and Egypt seemed to be playing for another shootout in a bid to win a record-extending eighth African title.

Egypt won those shootouts in the last 16 and the semifinals without missing, but failed with two penalties in Sunday’s shootout.

Defender Abdelmonem completed his miserable final with Egypt’s first miss, with his penalty cannoning off the post. Senegal’s Bouna Sarr had the next penalty saved by Abou Gabal.

But Mohanad Lasheen had Egypt’s fourth penalty saved by Mendy, leaving Mané to win it and Salah to drop his head and start wiping away tears with his shirt. Salah has now lost two African Cup finals after Egypt couldn’t hold onto a 1-0 lead and lost 2-1 to Cameroon in 2017.

Mané had said before the tournament that he would give up everything he’s won at club level to lift an African Cup with Senegal.

SENEGAL’s players celebrate with Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse after winning the African Cup of Nations 2022 final soccer match.

He was so eager to get his hands on the trophy that he had to be shooed away from it when players were being given their medals.

Mané had to wait for Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to walk up to the VIP area to be formally presented with the trophy in the presence of Cameroon President Paul Biya, African soccer confederation president Patrice Motsepe and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Koulibaly walked slowly back to the field and his teammates with the trophy, savouring every second as Senegal finally rid itself of the label of being the best team to never win an African Cup. The result was also special for Senegal coach Aliou Cissé, who was the team’s captain and missed

SENEGAL’s Cheikhou Kouyate kisses trophy after winning the African Cup of Nations 2022. the decisive penalty in a shootout when Senegal lost the 2002 final against Cameroon.

Cissé was also coach for the 2019 disappointment.

His players grabbed hold

of him at the end and threw him in the air.

“Champion of Africa,” Cissé said. “It’s been long.

It’s been difficult. Sometimes complicated. But we never gave up.”

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai sat with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and watched American-born Chinese freeskier Eileen Gu win gold at the women’s big air event today.

Peng appeared a day after delivering a controlled interview in Beijing that touched on sexual assault allegations she made against a former high-ranking member of China’s ruling Communist Party. Her answers — delivered in front of a Chinese Olympic official — left unanswered questions about her well-being and what exactly happened.

Bach said he and Peng spoke with athletes at the Big Air Shougang venue for about 30 minutes, and the pair was seen together in the stands.

Bach said Peng told him that she was going into quarantine later Tuesday and planned to exit the closed Olympic coronavirus bubble. He was not sure if she planned to return for any more Olympic events.

Peng’s interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe and an announcement that Bach met Peng for dinner this weekend seemed aimed at allaying sustained international concerns about the three-time Olympian and former No. 1-ranked tennis doubles player.

Fears for Peng’s safety have threatened to overshadow the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Peng told L’Equipe that the concerns were the result of “an enormous misunderstanding.”

But the format of the interview appeared to limit followups about the allegations and their aftermath.

L’Equipe asked Peng about sexual assault allegations that sparked the controversy in November.

The allegations were quickly scrubbed from her verified account on leading Chinese social media platform Weibo.

She subsequently dropped out of public view for a while.

That led to “where is Peng Shuai?” questions online and from players and fans outside of China, in part because the country has a history of disappearing people who run afoul of its leaders.

NASCAR scores win with successful race inside LA Coliseum

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — NASCAR was the big winner at its glossy Los Angeles gala held inside Memorial Coliseum.

In need of an energy boost ahead of its upcoming season, NASCAR broke its dated mold and staged an experimental exhibition race inside one of the most iconic venues in sports. The race itself on a temporary quarter-mile asphalt oval was a sideshow in Sunday’s made-for-Fox Sports spectacular.

Just how successful was the Busch Light Clash? Two losing drivers high-fived a pair of NASCAR senior executives as they passed in the USC locker room.

One was Ben Kennedy, the 30-year-old greatgrandson of NASCAR’s founder and forwardthinker who pushed The Clash from its birthplace in Daytona across the country and into the Coliseum.

“Really good day for the entire sport,” Kennedy said.

The Clash was a success before a single racecar drove through the Southern

California football team’s tunnel and onto the smooth, black asphalt that covered the Trojans’ field. Ice Cube performed a six-minute set from the Peristyle during a brief “halftime,” and Pitbull with backup dancers outfitted in a checkered-flag theme used the same stage for his pre-race concert.

The grand marshals were Los Angeles sporting greats and Jeff Gordon lit the cauldron built for the 1932 Summer Olympics before the race began.

Celebrities walked a red carpet, the USC student section filled in early, and the crowd booed pole-sitter Kyle Busch like a bunch of old pro’s during driver introductions.

The name of the race was the same, but everything else about the 44th running of The Clash was different.

Joey Logano was the actual race winner and, like nearly everyone else in the industry, heaped praise on NASCAR for successfully fulfilling Kennedy’s vision.

“The hype around this, you watch football games lately, they’re advertising the Clash as much as they’re advertising Daytona 500,” Logano said. “ That

COMPETITORS make a turn during a NASCAR exhibition auto race at LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) kind of puts it into perspec- since its 1979 inception, as tive a little bit on what this part of a focused effort to event meant to our sport, break from its dated trahow big of a gamble this ditions. And the race was really was, right? This could a success before a single have gone awful. It went racecar drove through the Southern California footgreat.”

Added runner-up Busch: ball team’s tunnel and onto “Ben Kennedy and the guys the smooth, black asphalt at NASCAR, if this didn’t that covered the Trojans’ work, it was going to be field.

The Coliseum could ugly.”

Instead, Busch was one hold about 60,000 fans for of the drivers who high- The Clash, and although it wasn’t a sellout, the crowd fived Kennedy.

NASCAR moved the was both strong and loud.

Clash to Los Angeles from NASCAR said at the start Daytona International of the week that 70 percent Speedway, its only home of those who purchased

tickets identified as firsttime race attendees, and the buildup in Los Angeles for next week’s Super Bowl only helped publicise NASCAR’s big party.

The name of the race was the same, but everything else about the 44th running of The Clash was different.

“I think it was a risk. We knew that from the start,” Kennedy said. “As we’ve talked about the schedule over the past couple years, we talked about being bold, we talked about being innovative. This was something new, something different.

We challenged ourselves, the team challenged themselves, to think about this event differently.

“We’re really proud of the outcome.”

The field was determined by heat races held earlier Sunday, and a pair of last chance qualifiers to give drivers one final chance to make the 23-car starting grid. The format made for spirited racing in the final “LCQ” as rookie Austin Cindric bounced and banged his way through traffic trying to transfer into the main event.

Cindric fell short but was in good company:

NASCAR champions Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch were among the drivers who didn’t make it out of the heats.

Kyle Busch started on the pole for the 150-lap feature that included a planned stop on Lap 75 for Ice Cube’s set. Busch dominated the first half but was eventually caught by Logano, who never gave Busch a chance to move him out of the way for the win.

Logano won the Clash for the second time in his career. It was the fifth win for Team Penske, which has won three of the last six runnings of what had traditionally been a warmup for the Daytona 500.

Nothing learned in Los Angeles will transfer into the February 21 seasonopening Daytona 500, but the race was the first for NASCAR’s new car.

The Next Gen was a longplanned project that was delayed a season by the pandemic. The car is designed to cut costs to teams, even competition throughout the field and produce a better racing product. The Next Gen didn’t disappoint in its debut on the shortest track on the NASCAR schedule.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PAGE 15

TENNIS PLAYERS KONTAVEIT, BENCIC, MERTENS PROGRESS

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD FINLEY LAMBERT SAILS AWAY WITH OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AFTER returning since it was postponed in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, 12-year-old Finley McKinney Lambert clinched the Optimist National Championship title in the waters of Montagu Bay. Lambert, who has been sailing since he was just four years old, currently resides in Eleuthera. He sails with the Eleuthera Sailing Academy. His first big accomplishment in a major event was achieving first place in the Green Fleet in the 2017 Optimist Nationals at the age of seven.

Lambert has since sailed competitively at most of the major events held in The Bahamas and has represented The Bahamas internationally many times in Canada, the USA, Mexico and Italy at World Championship level.

Last weekend’s event was hosted by the Royal Nassau Sailing Club in conjunction with the Bahamas National Sailing School with the action on the water taking place in Montague Bay. The optimist boat is the most popular youth boat in the world, as it is universally considered the top trainer boat for the majority of other youth boat classes. The sailors range in age from 8-15 years old and are divided into several fleets dependent on age and experience.

The event was attended by sailors from 6 Bahamas Islands, including Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Harbour Island Grand Bahama and New Providence and, as it is an “open” event, we were also joined by over 20 young sailors, accompanied by family and coaches, from several corners of the USA as part of the initiative USODA (United States Optimist Development Authority).

Sailors also came from Cayman and Turks and Caicos to swell the participant list to around 80 boats.

The weather on Saturday was incredibly windy. The race committee monitored the situation throughout the day, but with well over 20 knots of breeze, it was decided to postpone racing until the following day.

Sunday brought a respectable 12-14 knots with lulls of around 6 knots, making far more favorable conditions for the young sailors.

The race committee managed to coordinate six races that day, leaving everyone cold and tired, but feeling accomplished.

The Green Fleet of boats comprises the sailors with less than a year’s sailing experience and was won

by Michael Knowles of the Nassau Yacht Club (NYC) and the Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS), second was Aiden Meister (NYC) and third Travon Davis of Harbour Island Sailing Club.

In the White fleet (ages 10 and under) Aiden O’Gwen (USA) came first, Grant Chin (USA) second and Kingston Peel of Lyford Cay (LCSC) was third.

The Blue fleet (ages 11-12) was won by Ian Farley (USA), second Finley McKinney Lambert (Eleuthera), third Kaemen Floyd (USA).

The Red fleet (ages 13-15) was won by Kyle Nguyen (USA), second Pierce Weber (USA) and third Zane Munro (Lyford Cay). The top placed sailors in each fleet received trophies.

Special trophies also went to the top female sailor Katlia Sherman (USA) and to Craig Ferguson of the Nassau Yacht Club who received the well deserved Sportsmanship Award. “This is an annual award and is decided by vote from all the junior sailors,” the committee said. “We congratulate Ian Farley of Lauderdale Yacht Club for his first place overall in the championship.”

Bahamian overall top places were Patrick Tomlinson (Lyford Cay) in

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Seeded players Anett Kontaveit, Belinda Bencic and Elise Mertens all got through tough three-set matches to reach the second round of the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy yesterday.

Kontaveit, who’s seeded No. 2 behind Maria Sakkari, had the least trouble of the three as she defeated Swiss player Jil Teichmann 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 on the opening day of the tournament.

Fifth seed Bencic came from 3-0 down in the third set to force a tiebreak and defeat Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5), and No. 8 seed Mertens came from a break down in the third set to beat Alizé Cornet 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Also, home favourite Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.

NEW ZEALAND LOSES KANE WILLIAMSON FOR SOUTH AFRICA TESTS

FINLEY MCKINNEY LAMBERT, hoisting trophy, clinched the Optimist National Championship title in the waters of Montagu Bay last weekend. Lambert, out of the Eleuthera Sailing Academy, has been sailing since he was just four years old. third, Zane Munro (Lyford Cay) in second and Finley McKinney Lambert (Eleuthera) in first.

Finley was awarded the prestigious Geoffrey Holowesko perpetual trophy and is the new national champion.

As the BSA and NSS are non-profit organisations, we extend our tremendous appreciation to our numerous corporate sponsors without whom the championship would have not been possible. They are: RF Group, Caribbean Bottling, Home Fabrics,

Subway Restaurants, Super Value and Quality Supermarkets and Abaco Big Bird. “We also extend a huge thank you to North Sails who presented a beautiful brand new Optimist sail to each of the visiting Family Island sailing clubs,” the committee further said.

Thanks also goes to the numerous coaches, parents and volunteers who assisted on the race committee and off the water and to The Royal Nassau Sailing Club for hosting the event. “Though

COVIDprotocols had to be kept in place, it was a joy to see so many join us from our Family Islands and abroad,” the committee said. “Many old friendships were rekindled and new ones made after the past couple of years when our sailing events have been unable to take place.”

The next scheduled major event will be the annual KPMG Winter Championship February 19-20th and the 2022 Optimist Nationals are due to take place October 1st-2nd, both in Nassau.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Captain Kane Williamson will miss New Zealand’s two-test home cricket series against South Africa with an elbow injury.

The strain injury, which can’t be corrected by surgery, also caused Williamson to miss New Zealand’s recent series against Bangladesh. His most recent test was against India in November.

The retirement of veteran Ross Taylor will leave New Zealand with one of its thinnest batting lineups in recent years, with the bowling allrounder Daryl Mitchell likely to bat as high as No. 5.

Coach Gary Stead has recalled batsman Hamish Rutherford and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme to an enlarged 15-man squad which also includes uncapped wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher and seamer Blair Tickner. Rutherford last played a test in 2015.

New ball bowler Trent Boult will miss the first test while awaiting the birth of his third child.

Stead said Williamson was “desperate to be fit for the series but with the amount of loading required for test cricket, we had to make the tough call for him to sit it out and focus on returning for the white ball matches against the Netherlands in March.

World Cup doubts see UK-Ireland drop 2030 bid, target Euros

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer DOUBTS and disputes over FIFA’s push for biennial World Cups contributed to Britain and Ireland dropping plans for a joint bid to host the 2030 edition and opting yesterday to pursue the 2028 European Championship instead.

A potential rival also moved aside when Italy switched its focus on bidding for Euro 2032 rather than 2028.

The British Isles nations determined there was more certainty bidding for the UEFA tournament while FIFA’s plans for the World Cup beyond the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico are in flux.

Europe has been leading opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s push to double the frequency of World Cups so they are held every two years. Resisting his key

proposal while seeking a tournament from soccer’s ruling body would have impaired the prospect of success by the British Isles bidders.

The World Cup feasibility study was being led by the English Football Association, which assessed the prospects of winning after losing badly in 2010 in a tainted contest for the 2018 edition.

“We’ve been very clear as (have) all the UEFA countries — we didn’t think that a biennial World Cup either in men’s or women’s was a good idea,” English FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said, revealing his opposition for the first time to reporters. “We don’t believe that they’ll come to fruition. So we’re stepping back again.

“We looked at the two opportunities in front of us and the 2028 Euros is very clear as an opportunity. A very clear timeline.”

Countries have until next month to register interest

in hosting the European Championship in 2028 or 2032, with a vote scheduled for next year. There could be entries from Russia and Turkey.

Reigning European champion Italy announced yesterday it was bidding for Euro ‘32 to give it time to modernise stadiums.

The Associated Press first reported in July that UEFA could expand the tournament from 24 teams in Germany in 2024 to 32 participants in future, putting the British Isles bid in a strong position to use existing infrastructure to meet the hosting demands.

“UEFA are being very transparent with all 55 countries that they want to use the 2024 and 2028 men’s Euros to rebuild their coffers and rebuild their reserves, which they’ve had to use during the pandemic,” Bullingham said.

“We believe we could put together an incredibly strong tournament in many ways and we also

know we can have a really strong commercial return to UEFA, and we feel that puts us in a strong position.”

The decision helps Spain and Portugal, who are pursuing a joint candidacy for 2030, and with UEFA desiring one European candidate.

Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe said on Friday that he wants an African bid but there is no declared candidacy, despite previous interest from beaten 2026 contender Morocco.

There is also a coalition of South American countries keen on bidding from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile but the infrastructure is lacking.

Following corruption investigations into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests, decisions are now made in a FIFA vote by the congress, which features the 211 member associations, rather than the smaller ruling council,

with full publication of how contenders have been scored by inspectors before the vote, along with human rights assessments.

UEFA has a more closed decision process, which remains in the hands of its executive committee.

England last hosted the World Cup in 1966 and also failed with a bid for the 2006 tournament. But it hosted the 1996 European Championship and Wembley had eight games last year when the competition was staged across Europe.

Scotland also staged four Euro 2020 games at Hampden Park.

Northern Ireland is part of the bid but is likely to be used only for team bases with Windsor Park’s Belfast capacity around 18,000 below the UEFA requirements. Cardiff has the 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium fits more than 50,000.

Although the 2021 Wembley final was marred by

violence by England fans ahead of the loss to Italy, UEFA has shown its backing to London by choosing to stage a game with CONMEBOL between European champion Italy and South American champion Argentina in the city in June.

England is staging the women’s European Championship after that in June.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered financial backing for a World Cup bid and discussed it with Infantino.

“Following a full feasibility study, and in light of the current uncertainty around the future format of the tournament, we accept the conclusion of the five football associations that now is not the moment to proceed with a bid,” the British government said in a statement.

“We remain passionate about bringing a World Cup to the U.K. and Ireland when the time is right,” he said.

SPORTS PAGE 16

UB Softball, Page 11

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Randall, Archer commit to Conquistadors football

BOOKER SCORES 38, NBA-BEST SUNS HANG ON TO BEAT BULLS BY 3

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer

A

pair of Bahamian football players are two of the latest in the pipeline from The Bahamas to one of the newest rising collegiate football prep programmes in South Florida.

Miami International Academy outgoing seniors Mazio Randall and Amarie Archer have committed to the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors football programme in Kansas for the upcoming fall semester.

Randall, a 6’4”, 280pound lineman, played on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball last season. He also received an offer from South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference, Kentucky Christian, and the Webber International University in the NAIA. “One of the most unselfish kids I ever coached, Randall was a starting defensive tackle the last two seasons but has made the move to offensive tackle to help the team,” said Miami Prep’s Mike Tunsil.

“College coaches, he can play offensive tackle, defensive tackle, or strongside defensive end at the next level.”

SEE PAGE 12

MIAMI International Academy outgoing seniors Mazio Randall, above right signing, and Amarie Archer have committed to the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors football programme in Kansas for the upcoming fall semester.

CHICAGO (AP) — Devin Booker scored 38 points, and the NBA leading-Phoenix Suns hung on to beat the Chicago Bulls 127-124 last night.

Deandre Ayton contributed 13 points with nine rebounds, a blocked shot and one assist in 23 minutes on the hardwood.

The Suns led by as many as 27 points in the third quarter and withstood a push down the stretch to win for the 13th time in 14 games. They improved to 43-10 overall and a leagueleading 21-5 on the road.

Booker hit the 30-point mark for the third time in four games. The AllStar made 14 of 23 shots, including five 3-pointers, in scoring more than 30 points for the third time in four games.

Chris Paul added 19 points and 11 assists. JaVale McGee finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Mikal Bridges scored 15.

Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan scored 38, coming off a season-high 45-point performance in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia.

Zach LaVine added 32 points after missing the previous two games because of back spasms.

SEE PAGE 12

‘We feel they should throw those standards out the door’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH very few meets to compete in before the final trials next month, local coaches are calling on the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations to rescind on the qualifying standards for the return of the CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend in Kingston, Jamaica.

As they’ve done every year, the BAAA has determined their qualifying standards based on the third to first place finishes from the previous games. With no games held in the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, the standards are based on the games from 2017-2019.

The coaches, however, are of the opinion that since there were very few local meets held in the past two years since the outbreak of the pandemic, the BAAA should consider allowing the athletes to make the team based on their performances at the final trials.

“Based upon all of the results and due to the fact that all of the countries are affected by the pandemic, we feel they should throw

those standards out the door for the time being,” said Andrew Tynes, the head coach of Swift Athletics, who is leading the coaches’ campaign.

“I don’t think the performances will be as strong as it was in the past because we know that most of the kids in the other countries were not competing like our athletes are. Up to last year, we had a few meets, but there were no high school sports and that has affected a lot of the athletes.”

So far, the BAAA has only been able to stage one full-fledged meet and that was on Saturday when the Star Performers Time Trials was staged at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Although interrupted for at least an hour and-a-half by the Royal Bahamas Police Force and COVID-19 officers, there were almost 10 athletes who attained the qualifying standards when the meet finally resumed.

All meets in January were postponed and the BAAA had to resort to a pair of low-keyed time trials. The next meet is scheduled to be held Saturday, February 19 by the DLT Track Club. After that, the BAAA Final Trials will take place from March 25-26.

COACH Andrew Tynes The CARIFTA Games is set for April 16-18 in Jamaica.

It will be the first time that the top regional junior track and field meet has been held since 2019 in George Town, Cayman Islands.

The past two games in 2020 and 2021 were called off due to the spread of the coronavirus.

As one of the top 200 metre sprinters at both the junior and senior level, Tynes said with limited competition for the local athletes to compete in, it would be more advantageous to the BAAA to just select the top two athletes in their respective events to compete at CARIFTA. Tynes, who competed for RM Bailey

and the University of Texas at El Paso, was a 1990 silver medallist and 1991 gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games in the under-20 boys’ 200m, who went on to win a gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games and a silver at the Pan American Games. Additionally, he represented the country in three World Championships in 1995, 1997 and 2001 and the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.

The former national record holder said another criteria could be determined in selecting who will compete in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metre relay pools as there are some considerations that should be given to athletes competing in disciplines other than the 100 and 400m.

“The trials will give the BAAA a chance to look at the athletes in head-to-head competition,” he said. “We only have one more meet before the trials. There’s no way that the athletes will be able to qualify in just one meet.

“Right now, it’s so unfair to the athletes to go out there and compete in very few meets. We already had a rough time during the pandemic, so we can award our athletes by allowing them

to travel without having to rely solely on the standards.”

Tynes, now regarded as one of the top sprint coaches in the country, said the coaches are consulting and will present their collective ideas to their coaches association president Shaun Miller Sr so that he can share their suggestions with the BAAA. He currently coaches s number of top sprinters, including Carlos Brown, who qualified for the under-20 boys’ 100m at the Star Performers Meet on Saturday with a second place finish behind Antoine Andrews of the Bahamas Speed Dynamics.

Among the other qualifiers from the meet on Saturday were Grand Bahamian Shatalya Dorsett of the Kenyan Knights, Lanisha Lubin of the DTSP Wolkpack, Terell McCoy of the Xtreme Athletics, brother and sister national record holder Keyshawn and Kamera Strachan and Dior-Rae Scott, all of the Blue Chips Athletics.

Two athletes, Andrew Brown of Quick Step and Tamani Skinner of the Red-Line Athletics, did the B standards in their event. Both would have to attain the A standard in order to compete.

APNEWSBREAK: MLB, PLAYERS STOP DRUG TESTING DURING LOCKOUT

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has stopped testing players for steroids for the first time in nearly 20 years due to the expiration of the sport’s drug agreement, two people familiar with the sport’s Joint Drug Programme told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday because no public announcement was made.

The halt in testing is a casualty of the sport’s lockout that started December 2 and a provision in the joint drug agreement between MLB and the players’ association that states “the termination date

and time of the programme shall be 11:59pm ET on December 1, 2021.”

“It should be a major concern to all those who value fair play,” Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the US Anti-Doping Agency, said yesterday.

MLB and the union declined comment on the halt.

Just last month, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were denied election to the Hall of Fame by baseball writers over suspicions of PEDs use. Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, who both served drug suspensions, fell well short in voting.

“If it’s just a simple matter of agreeing to it,” Tygart said, “you would have hoped they would

UNITED States Anti-Doping Agency Chief Executive Officer Travis Tygart. have been able to get that figured out, so that when the game does restart, you don’t have questions hanging over individual players based on size, speed, batting

percentage, home run numbers, whatever it may be, that people are going to call into question again.”

MLB and the union conducted 47,973 tests from 2017-21, including 7,327 during offseasons, according to a report in November from Thomas M Martin, the independent programme administrator.

Absent fear of detection, it is hard to predict whether some players will attempt to use PEDs in the period before a new collective bargaining agreement is in place along with a restoration of the drug-testing programme.

“You could easily do what the cyclists were doing even in a good testing programme, which was

microdosing of testosterone,” Tygart said. “You can do testosterone gels or oral pills that could be out of your system and you can do more in maybe weeks.”

Baseball reached its first joint drug agreement in late 2002, a deal calling for survey testing in 2003.

Urine testing for PEDs with penalties for violations began in 2004 under a series of a repeatedly tightened drug agreements.

Testing for banned amphetamines started in 2006, and in 2012 blood testing for Human Growth Hormone began, though it was suspended last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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