02182022 NEWS AND SPORT

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Volume: 119 No.61, February 18, 2022

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MURDERS UP 63%

Figures also show increase in crimes against the person

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THERE was an 18 percent increase in crimes against the person in 2021 compared to 2020, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Paul Rolle said yesterday.

Tied to this increase were the 119 murders that occurred in 2021 over the 73 in 2020. This represented a 63 percent increase in murders. A further breakdown of murders by district revealed that 104 of them occurred in New Providence, 12 in Grand Bahama, and three in the Family Islands.

However, police statistics

DIANE PHILLIPS: THE LIGHTER SIDE OF SOPPY

SEE PAGE NINE

URBAN RENEWAL STAFF LET GO ‘AT CONTRACT END’

show that the overall rate of crime remained unchanged in 2021 compared to the previous year.

People between the ages of 18 and 35 represented 64 percent of all murder victims. Retaliation and conflict were the most common motives representing 45 percent collectively, the commissioner also said, adding that fatal gunshot wounds were the leading cause of death for homicides accounting for 104 incidents.

The police were able to solve 56 percent of all homicides and the majority of them occurred between 4pm and 12am.

By PAVEL BAILEY

SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Minister Obediah Wilchombe said his ministry is restructuring staffing at Urban Renewal in the wake of complaints about mass layoffs in the department.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a forum yesterday, he addressed the issue of layoffs at Urban Renewal and clarified that these former employees were only let go after their contracts had ended.

SEE PAGE FIVE

SEE PAGE THREE

ROLLE: I’M TRYING TO REMOVE OFFICERS’ WARRIOR MENTALITY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle says the Royal Bahamas Police Force takes its relationship with the public seriously and stressed his commitment to remove the “warrior mentality” from officers as they interact with people.

That mentality, he said, breeds confrontation.

His comment came after several high-profile incidents of police using deadly force, including last month’s police shooting of a decorated Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer among other incidents.

“I want to assure members of the public that we take our relations with the members of the public very seriously and you know we police by consent and that policing by consent means that we have to always try to maintain a good working relationship with the members of the public,” the police chief said during a virtual press conference.

“That being said where we find breaches, we’ve seen the level at which I have taken to address the concerns and I’m hoping that will be a step in the right direction and then at the end that we have these SEE PAGE TWO

SO FAR, SEW GOOD TAKING up a course at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute has given Kersheia Strachan a new calling in life, setting up her own design label, creating gowns such as the one pictured above, and giving the mother-of-two a whole new direction with her Sew Fashion business. See WEEKEND SECTION for the full story.

‘MORE INVESTIGATIONS’ AFTER VISA AUDIT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

AFTER an Auditor General’s report into the Travel Health Visa programme found that contracts were not executed in accordance with the law, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said further investigations on those findings will continue.

“I think our concerns expressed while in opposition about the travel visa and how it was implemented

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis pictured yesterday. (are) now being manifested in what the report reveals,” Mr Davis told reporters on the sidelines of an event yesterday.

“It doesn’t end there. I’m

advised that further investigations on those findings will continue and we’ll see where it leads.”

In the report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the Auditor General found that the contracts for the health visa were not executed in accordance with the Financial Regulations 1975, which requires that all contracts for supplies, workers and services by the government in excess SEE PAGE FOUR

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘SCRAP VAT ON BREADBASKET FOOD ITEMS’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urged the Government to eliminate VAT on “breadbasket” food items to counter soaring inflation and delay a minimum wage increase.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DRUG CANDIES PUT STUDENTS IN HOSPITAL

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL students from Akhepran International Academy were taken to hospital yesterday after eating suspected marijuanalaced candies.

While police said 21 students “fell ill” and went to hospital, Dr Jacinta Higgs, the school’s founder, earlier told The Tribune only four children needed medical treatment.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Friday, February 18, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

LONE survivor Juan Esteban Montoya Caicedo clinging to an overturned boat off the coast of Florida last month after travelling in a human smuggling operation that set off from Bimini.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING STILL ‘BIG CONCERN’ DESPITE DECLINE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE there was a 16 percent decline in human trafficking incidents in 2021 when compared to the previous year, the issue continues to be a “big concern” for authorities, according to Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Paul Rolle yesterday.

Last year there were 16 recorded incidents compared to 19 recorded in 2020.

The data was released by Commissioner Paul Rolle yesterday, who also suggested there were human

trafficking incidents being investigated already this year, but the cases were not reflected in information released yesterday.

“It is a concern,” Commissioner Rolle said. “Let’s start with that. It’s a big concern because we have some Bahamians who are now seeing it fit to get involved with the smuggling and trafficking of persons.

“The correct number of incidents I believe that would be in your package but some of those were this year now, so they may not necessarily be reflected in the package that you may have already

received but that is a concern and we are working and doing some things to stem that.

“That’s why you’ve been seeing it because along with the (Royal Bahamas) Defence Force and the police marine and US Coast Guard working jointly to stop this and try and save lives, we still have a challenge from persons trying to smuggle their way from the south from Haiti mainly and so yes, that’s a big concern for us.”

In 2019, there were 14 incidents of human trafficking, while 2018 saw seven and in 2017 there were 11.

Last month, RBDF

Commodore Raymond King said human traffickers had resorted to more advanced tactics to evade authorities. The Commodore said at the time that RBDF intelligence had uncovered new trends in the way migrants move, using American sailing vessels to conceal themselves.

“Our migrant apprehensions would have increased by some 456 percent year over (year) in comparison,” Commodore King said during an Office of the Prime Minister press briefing in January. “Of course, the migrant movement during the month of September would have

(contributed) to much of that.”

He also said: “Our strategy is focused on being able to intercept those migrant vessels in particular in the southern Bahamas.

“However, there’s a new trend with the migration movement. New tactics evasive and concealment tactics - being used to evade smuggling activities. They’re now using American sailing vessels to conceal their movement as opposed to the traditional Haitian sailing sloops.

“The traditional Haitian sailing vessels are now being equipped

with outboard engines to quicken their transit northbound into The Bahamas.

“Additionally what we’re experiencing now is we have multiple vessels leaving from multiple ports in Haiti with multiple destinations in mind and so it requires us to prioritise which target of interest based on the availability of our assets to intercept solely as an organisation or leveraging the assistance from the United States Coast Guard and finally our local law enforcement agents once we would have detected the vessels and handed over the information to them.”

ROLLE: I’M TRYING TO REMOVE OFFICERS’ WARRIOR MENTALITY from page one

cases really reduced to a minimum while we build on our relationship with members of the public.”

He said it was his vision to reset the mindsets of some officers.

“Let’s start with the issues that are on the table.

The public has expressed some concerns and those concerns that the public has expressed didn’t just happen, they have happened over a period of time, but while I’m here I am trying to at least begin the process you see because the more we have the use of force, the less cooperation you tend to get from members of the public,” he said. “So, policing to

try to change the mindset of police officers from this warrior mentality as though we are in a war.

“That’s a confrontation.

We need to move the police force towards a partnership where people could feel comfortable talking with their police officers. Comfortable giving their police officers information. That is where we are trying to head and so more and more that’s going to be one of the things that I want to do and make the public assured that we are going to do our part to make sure that we all are accountable for our actions.”

In 2021, the force recorded 20 incidents of police-involved shootings, resulting in 11 deaths and nine non-fatal injuries.

Ten of the fatal injuries are before the Coroner’s Court, one is before the disciplinary tribunal and one is before the Magistrate’s Court. In four of the nonfatal incidents, the suspects that engaged the police were charged.

Seven police officers have been placed before the disciplinary tribunal and interdicted regarding a December 12, 2021 incident involving victims Antonio Johnson Jr, Anton Rolle, Hughshan Perpall and Wildoneshia Dorsette.

Meanwhile, four officers charged with manslaughter on Wednesday in connection with the November 2021 death of Danrico Carey have also been interdicted from duty.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 3

Murders up 63%

from page one Attempted murder and manslaughter also saw increases of 34 percent and 50 percent respectively.

Asked by The Tribune yesterday whether there have been any challenges for the police force in efforts to stem the tide of violence, the Commissioner said: “Well two categories of crime I think that stands out would be those quality-of-life crimes where we have crimes against the person, which includes armed robbery and homicides.

“The easy availability of guns and in the hands of criminals of persons who have criminal intent has been a concern and I want to say also that we’re working closely with our partners in the United States in an effort to stem the flow of these illegal firearms into The Bahamas and hopefully that will have an impact on the level of these gun crimes that are being perpetrated in our communities.”

Regarding sexual offences, there was a seven percent increase with 48 matters reported in 2021 and 45 the year before.

There was a nominal

increase in the category of attempted rapes, with six last year and five in 2020, representing a 20 increase.

Unlawful sexual intercourse declined by 23 percent with 125 in 2021 compared to the 163 that were reported in 2020.

Finally, there were increases in armed robbery, robbery and attempted robbery of 33 percent, four percent and 36 percent respectively.

In all, there were 870 crimes against the person reported in 2021 compared to 736 incidents of this nature in 2020, an increase of 18 percent.

“A preliminary review of crime indicates that the deliverables targeted were achieved, as evidenced by the overall rate of crime remaining unchanged by the end of 2021 with 4,081 cases, compared to 4,064 in 2020,” Commissioner Rolle said. “We achieved our objective in this regard as the overall rate or percentage of serious crime did not increase. Albeit, there is room for improvement as various categories of quality-of-life offences did increase.

“In our quest to keep the Bahamian public safe, we heightened police visibility throughout the

Commonwealth. As a crime preventative measure, we ran daily police operations targeting hotspots and prolific offenders. As a crime deterrent strategy, we conducted road checks and engaged in aggressive stop and search tactics to remove illegal firearms and

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle.

dangerous drugs from the streets of The Bahamas.

“We executed numerous search warrants and detained persons on outstanding warrants and brought them before the courts. Notably, we were able to seize 277 illegal firearms and 3,430 rounds

of ammunition in 2021.

As a result, we arrested and charged 145 suspects for possession of illegal firearms.

“We continue to work with our law enforcement partners around the world to stem the transshipment of illegal firearms to the

Bahamas. On February 7 of this year, we partnered with our colleagues in the United States and seized seven pistols, one AR-15 assault rifle and 85 rounds of ammunition that was shipped to The Bahamas,” Commissioner Rolle said.

ROLLE TALKS OF ‘RENEWED FOCUS’ AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES RISE 19%

By PAVEL BAILEY

DOMESTIC violence cases increased by 19 percent last year compared to 2020, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle revealed yesterday.

His comments came the same day Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe said his ministry is putting a task force together to help investigate some 1,500 cases of violence against children.

Yesterday, Commissioner Rolle told reporters that his 2022 policing plan will place “renewed focus” on domestic violence and “dealing with persons at risk of harm”.

“So that’s always a

concern, you know this issue with domestic violence but I’m trying to make a more positive impact by making facilities more available and more amenable and comfortable for persons to come in and get help,” he said, adding that it was “predominantly women” who are affected by this issue.

Yesterday Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and other government ministers attended the National Gender Based Violence Law Review Forum and addressed a rise in domestic violence against women and children.

The three-day event, launched yesterday, is hosted by the Ministry of Social Services and Urban

Development’s Department of Gender & Family Affairs. It is being held at Baha Mar’s convention centre.

Speaking at the event, Mr Davis said, “I think we can all agree that our laws regarding gender-based violence must be aligned with our values and international treaty obligations.

As Bahamians we should speak with one voice when we repudiate discrimination against women and girls and denouncing gender-based violence and domestic abuse just as we should be advent advocates for gender equality and general family welfare.”

He said his government will take the

recommendations made at the forum into account as it drafts new legislation to advance women’s rights and safety in the nation.

“Recommendations that emerge after this threeday forum will be very important to the formulation of new public policies.

I thank both the standing Ministers and State Ministers of Social Services and Urban (Development) for this opportunity to review and debate these issues.

My government supports the UN charters and conventions on human rights, gender equality and greater access for the disabled and will continue to legislate and advance public policies to achieve these objectives.”

ACCUSED OFFICER BACK ON DUTY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer accused of being involved in a drug smuggling incident in Crooked Island in December has returned to active duty.

Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Paul Rolle said yesterday that while the suspects in the incident pleaded guilty and are spending time at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, there was not sufficient evidence to prove the officer’s involvement.

“The persons that were found with the drugs were charged, appeared before the courts and pleaded guilty and they are now doing time in Fox Hill,” Commissioner Rolle said when asked about the matter.

“The matter as it relates to the police officer. We did not have sufficient evidence to secure what we believe (was a) prima facie case. He has been returned to active duty.”

In December, Commissioner Rolle had said that the RBPF was investigating a claim that an officer was allegedly involved in a $25m cocaine operation.

Police arrested two Venezuelan men at the Crooked Island Airport on Wednesday, December 22. Officers became suspicious when they heard the sound of an aircraft hovering around the island’s airport after 11.45pm.

When they were arraigned in court, the men, Luis Andres Perez, 29, and Jaime Digiacomo, 64, said that a police officer was involved in the matter.

They questioned why police did not report the involvement of a certain high-ranking officer who they claimed was supposed to receive the drugs and later take the plane.

Speaking through an interpreter, Digiacomo told the court that when they landed, the police officer in question was waiting to receive the shipment and was supposed to take them to a speedboat that would

later travel to the Dominican Republic.

He also named the officer as being the chief of police of Crooked Island.

Asked in December if the officer was on leave, Commissioner Rolle said at the time: “He is not on leave. He ain’ gotta be on leave for me to do my investigations. He would be on leave if I find him at fault, he would have to

answer. The chips will fall where they may. I just hope that he’s not involved, but the investigations are ongoing and we’ll see where it goes.”

In 2021, there were 4,672.96lbs of cocaine seized along with 30lbs of hashish.

Police also confiscated 6,323.97lbs of marijuana and 8,801 marijuana plants.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Wilchcombe acknowledged the rise in gender-based violence in recent months, including the murder of Heavenly Terveus by her fiancé. The minister also expressed alarm at the rise in violence against children stating that his ministry is currently addressing an estimated 1,500 cases in this category.

“When you appreciate that we are now dealing with 1,500 cases of children’s violence and it’s troubling and over the years we have not given it the attention.”

He said his ministry is working closely with authorities to deal with this issue and elaborated on his plans to establish

a task force to assist the police in addressing the reported 1,500 cases of child violence.

“What I am trying to do now is put in place a new force, a new team that deals with it directly that will assist the police, because with 1,500 cases we’ve been dealing with five case aids dealing with 1,500 cases, but here is the problem, the police are just overwhelmed. So, we are trying to find a way to assist the police in assisting the young people in assisting families.”

He said this task force would also help to relocate the victims of domestic violence and directly confront those who perpetuate these vicious acts.

Memorial Service For

Sean Curtis Assee, 53

will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at The New Providence Community Church, Blake Road.

Officiating will be Pastor Derek Benjamin.

Cremation was held.

Due to Current Government COVID-19 regulations attendance at the Church Service is limited.

Cherished memories will forever rest in the hearts of his daughters: Brooke and Danielle Assee; his family: Rachel Thompson-Assee; Elizabeth Ann, Nicole, Chrystal, Faye and Melaney-Jae Assee; Shireen and Paul Dewan; Naila Kling and Carl Assee; and many other relatives, friends, and colleagues including: Tanya Lowe and Family, Matthew Pinder and Family, Dr. Graham Cates and Family, the Family of The New Providence Community Church and the Staff of Diamond International Limited, All Saints Camp and The Princess Margaret Hospital.

A very special thank you to Mr. Uriel Adderley, Operations Director of NPCC.

PAGE 4, Friday, February 18, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘More investigations’ after visa audit from page one of $250,000 be approved

by Cabinet. There was no competitive bidding and services initially began with a verbal agreement only, not written contracts.

Tourism officials justified this by emphasising time constraints.

However, Auditor General Terrance Bastian did not uncover evidence of fraud or grave mismanagement.

Still, Mr Davis was asked if authorities or police will get involved in the investigation.

He said: “That will be a matter for the investigators to determine, where it ends up, but wherever the chips fall, there it will land.”

Asked for more detail about the scope of the investigation, he said: “We have the Auditor General’s report and it’s now being reviewed by the technocrats in the Ministry of Finance. They’ll then determine whether they need to bring in a specific outside auditor or just from what the auditor’s findings are, have inquiries taken up from those issues that arose.”

The Progressive Liberal Party criticised the Minnis administration’s decision to give a no-bid contract to Kanoo for the travel visa programme last summer.

The party previously highlighted the company’s association with Dr Nigel Lewis, the co-manager of the Free National

Movement’s general election campaign.

The Auditor General’s report also found some discrepancies in accounting records for the programme and concluded the Ministry of Tourism opened a Bank of the Bahamas account with payment processing company Kanoo in contravention of the law, which requires that the Minister of Finance approve any such action that involves public funds.

However, the Office of the Auditor General also commended the Ministry of Tourism for its implementation of the Travel Health Visa.

Mr Bastian offered rare commendation in his report, saying: “We want to commend the Ministry

Project. The current space, she said, is small, cramped, and provides no room for growth.

“The Ministry of Public Services is charged with accommodations, and the Davis Administration has signed on to International Labour Organization Decent Work Programme to ensure that public servants are in buildings and offices that are well structured, safe, and decent to work in,” she said.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey commended Minister Glover Rolle for coming to Grand Bahama to address concerns and issues at the MOPS and relating to public servants.

She said the Davis Administration is committed to doing all it can to ensure GB thrives.

“I am so excited to have Minister Glover-Rolle here, she said. We are delighted to know that issues at the office of the Public Services on GB are being looked into so that persons no longer have to wait for

answers to their matters months and even years from New Providence,” she said.

Ms Moxey also gave an update on the downtown revitalisation project.

The University of the Bahamas and AML Food store will be located in downtown Freeport.

“It is progressing really well, she said. We will have some government offices located downtown. And the Doctor’s Hospital will also be near downtown,” Ms Moxey said.

“Downtown is really going to be thriving, and we are encouraging entrepreneurs to invest downtown,” she said.

Minister Moxey said that the government is also working with the Grand Bahama Port Authority to have a license fee waiver for anyone who wants to open their business in the downtown area.

“So, we are really excited about what will happen there,” Minister Moxey said.

CONCERN OVER $80K ANNUAL LEASE FOR UNUSED DRA OFFICE SPACE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PIA Glover, State Minister for Public Services, expressed concerns about a non-executed lease of over $80,000 a year for office space for the Disaster Reconstruction Authority in Grand Bahama.

She said the Ministry has terminated the lease.

“We discovered a matter of public concern at our DRA Office; we found there is a non-executed lease that was being paid for the space used for DRA to the tune of $83,000 a year.

“We ceased that, and we are looking at other matters of that kind where it speaks to the mismanagement of accommodation status of many offices and departments in GB,” she said.

Minister Glove-Rolle also said that the Ministry of Public Services (MOPS) would be located in downtown Freeport as part of the Downtown Revitalization

of Tourism for its vision and implementation of the Bahamas Health Travel Visa. It assisted The Bahamas in monitoring the movement of people travelling during the pandemic.

During such extraordinary times government needs to be creative, flexible without jeopardising good governance (transparency and accountability).”

Meanwhile, issues have emerged recently surrounding the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA). Former DRA Managing Director Katherine Forbes-Smith filed a lawsuit seeking damages for alleged breach of contract.

DRA Executive Chairman Alex Storr previously said an accounting firm will forensically audit the

authority after an operational review found many signs of mismanagement.

Regarding the government’s position on the DRA moving forward, Mr Davis said “that is under review.”

“I find that there’s been duplications of efforts between NEMA, DRA, and other agencies that’s charged with responsibility for disaster preparedness, reconstruction, and recovery and we’re trying to collapse all those in. So an ongoing exercise is now being undertaken to determine the usefulness of all these agencies….”

Mr Davis was also asked about former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ characterisation of the PLP as corrupt and greedy. With

MINISTER of State for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.

the Minnis administration’s actions now being reviewed, the current Prime Minister said he thinks what has been revealed “speaks for itself as to how hypocritical they were when they were in power.”

“I think what we said about it and what we continue to say, even while in opposition, we call them hypocrites. We understood what they were doing and they were not transparent at all and still not being transparent because there’s still a lot of things that we are still trying to uncover and not being able to uncover. I think what is being revealed now speaks for itself as to what, how hypocritical they were when they were in power,” Mr Davis said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 5

Urban Renewal staff let go ‘at contract end’ from page one He said those employees whose contracts ended had the opportunity to reapply for their jobs.

The Free National Movement had raised concern about the layoffs recently.

“What has happened is many of the former employees’ contracts ended, in fact ended early 2021 and many were working without contracts. And so, what we decided to do was allow all to end employment and reapply if they so wish. But it also allows us to put in place our paradigm which requires new plans, new thoughts, new ideas and, of course, new people,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

He said officials sought to address issues within the department where people were working at Urban Renewal without a contract and that many employees operated under uncertain status.

“The reality is many were in the system and in fact we’ve had

some very unusual circumstances as well where we’ve had individuals without contracts who’ve been working, and so we’ve had to bring to some level of normalcy,” he said. “The public service over the many years, not just now, but for many years, has seen the population of individuals who are in the service with their status uncertain and we don’t want that to continue. So, we are trying to bring everything to normalcy and be able to build upon a team and allow for that team to be a part of the paradigm we put in place because we want to ensure that we’re taking urban areas from their blight realities and creating prosperity and growth.”

In January, it was revealed that the government will be giving “somewhere around” $350,000 in outstanding allowances to 65 former employees of Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

The government said it had settled with all former employees

of Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands who were “unceremoniously terminated” after the May 10, 2017 general election, when the Minnis administration was elected.

Yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe said Urban Renewal did not want a repeat of that incident and ensured the workers who were let go were both properly compensated and given the opportunity to reapply for their position.

“Yes, some were told that their contracts would not be renewed, but we ensured that we provided some gratuity and assistance, we did not just send people out. We provided them with gratuity, of course... and of course it’s open for them to reapply if they wish.

But it’s to get to some normalcy.”

He also addressed concerns about how Urban Renewal centres were closed recently stating that these closures were to facilitate the staff restructuring and that these centres would reopen MINISTER of Social Services and Urban Development Obie Wilchcombe. soon.

DAVIS URGES YOUTHS NOT TO GIVE UP ON CLIMATE FIGHT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis urged young leaders attending the One Young World caucus at University of the Bahamas not to give up on the fight against climate change.

The Office of the Prime Minister has partnered with the university and One Young World to host the caucus — the first of its kind to take place in the country — entitled Climate Action

Road Map to Climate Recovery in the Caribbean.

One Young World is a global forum for young leaders that identifies, promotes, and connects the world’s most effective young leaders to create a better world.

Mr Davis said he hears the “frustration of many young people about the lack of action” as well as fears and anxieties about their future and the kind of world they will inherit.

“I understand that amidst this existential

threat and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic greater sacrifices are being demanded from you,” he said.

He urged them “not to despair”.

“Even though the world seems to remain stubbornly-addicted to a way of life that produces carbon emissions, there are signs that the largest-polluting countries and the highestpolluting industries are hearing the message. Steps taken so far are not nearly enough and certainly not

DRUG CANDIES PUT STUDENTS IN HOSPITAL from page one

Police said an initial investigation revealed the students allegedly purchased the edibles from a lunch vendor at the school before consuming them.

As a result, a man and a woman have been arrested for possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply.

Yesterday, Dr Higgs said she was informed about the incident late yesterday morning after school officials observed strange behaviour among several students at the junior and senior level.

“Later this morning, one of our administrators who is a police reservist, (noticed strange) behaviours within one or two of the students and immediately alerted the principal,” she said when contacted for comment yesterday.

“They did a sweep in terms of going out on the campus grounds and they brought together and questioned 22 students based

on investigation leading them to one student to the next and they provided information to police but we only (found) four of them who ate the candies in terms of their manifested behaviour.”

She also cleared up speculation that was circulating on social media yesterday.

“People were saying brownies or cookies but it’s little candies if I’m not mistaken. I haven’t seen them because everything was taken by the police officer, and we are waiting on them to confirm what was in the candies.”

As for the students’ condition up to press time, Dr Higgs said she was told that two are now at home, while the other two “may still be at the hospital.”

Dr Higgs said the incident is the first to ever happen in the school’s history and said teachers will hold informative sessions with students today in view of the shocking event.

“All schools are drugfree zones and even within a certain radius of the

campus, no drugs are supposed to be transported or transmitted and therefore, unfortunately things are allowed to happen because we have heard about it in other schools but out here at Akhepran, because of my role in this nation we are going to make sure the fullest extent of the law is brought to bear and more importantly, we are going to work with the children in terms of being alert, vigilant and aware,” she said.

Last evening, police said officers were called to the school sometime before 12.30pm as a result of students “allegedly ingesting marijuana infused snacks during a break period”.

“The students then fell ill after consuming the snacks.

The incident resulted in 21 students inclusive of 13 males and eight females being transported to the hospital to seek medical attention. Their condition is not known at this time,” police said.

An investigation is ongoing.

BOY IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR A BOY is in hospital after he was hit by a car shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, police said.

Officers were called to the scene of a traffic accident that occurred in the area of Roosevelt Avenue and Kemp Road.

Police found the boy suffering from injuries sustained as a result of the accident.

He was taken to hospital

by Emergency Medical Services, where his condition is listed as serious.

An initial investigation

indicates that the boy was walking south on Kemp Road when he was hit by the driver of a black BMW. Police did not reveal the boy’s age.

The investigation is continuing.

WOMAN SPEAKS TO POLICE AFTER PEDESTRIAN’S DEATH

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN driver who allegedly struck and killed a male pedestrian on Prospect Ridge on Monday morning turned herself into police yesterday.

Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Paul Rolle gave the update during his annual meet the press event, which was held virtually via Zoom.

“I also wish to advise that the female driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on Prospect Ridge this weekend surrendered to police a short

time ago and is assisting with the investigations,” he said.

Police said sometime around 1.30am on Monday, officers were informed about a traffic accident that occurred on Prospect Ridge.

When responding officers arrived in the area, they found a man lying in the street unresponsive who was later pronounced dead

by Emergency Medical Services.

Initial investigations of the accident claimed that the man was struck by the driver of a small Japanese vehicle that fled the scene heading west.

Regarding efforts to curb traffic incidents, Commissioner Rolle said yesterday the RBPF’s initiatives led to a 16 percent decrease in traffic fatalities for a second year in a row.

“We conducted thousands of traffic stops and cited motorists that were in violation of traffic laws.

We utilised speed guns to monitor our highways and crackdown on reckless drivers as a means to encourage road safety.

“We mobilised officers throughout The Bahamas and issued over 31,000 fixed penalty notices and investigated 9,528 road accidents,” he said.

fast enough. And we must not be fooled by attempts to ‘green-wash’ and confuse the debate. But we mustn’t give up and all our lives depend on it.”

Mr Davis also highlighted steps that are being taken to include young people in national issues domestically.

He noted the announcement that the government has agreed to host a youth climate conference at UB later this year, from July 6 – 8, as well as informing Parliament the government has appointed two climate

youth ambassadors “to help us to engage and empower young people on the world stage”.

As preparations for The Bahamas to be well-represented at COP27 in Egypt, Mr Davis added that the government is committed to ensuring that at least eight youth representatives will form part of the delegation from The Bahamas.

David Jones, co-founder of One Young World, emphasised the critical importance of climate

action in terms of attacking the climate crisis.

“The core focus of this has to be ocean safeguarding and especially for The Caribbean region,” he said. “…So oceans are critically important as a part of solving the climate crisis and so is youth leadership. We believe that youth leadership is key to tackling the problem and we have to ask ourselves and find solutions to the question of how we can safeguard and restore the world’s oceans.”

PAGE 6, Friday, February 18, 2022

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

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

THE TRIBUNE

Sir Godfrey PLP slight a disgrace EDITOR, The Tribune.

Published daily Monday to Friday

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Allies watch for Kremlin justification THE US issued some of its starkest, most detailed warnings yet about how a Russian invasion of Ukraine might unfold, and its Western allies went on high alert for any attempts by the Kremlin to create a false pretext for a new war in Europe.

US President Joe Biden sounded unusually dire yesterday, as he warned that Washington saw no signs of a promised Russian withdrawal — but instead saw more troops moving toward the border with Ukraine, indicating Moscow could invade within days. “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine,” Biden told reporters at the White House. He said the US has “reason to believe” that Russia is “engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in,” but he did not provide details.

Western fears focus on an estimated 150,000 Russian troops — about 60 percent of Russia’s overall ground forces — posted around Ukraine’s borders.

The Kremlin insists it has no plans to invade, but it has long considered Ukraine part of its sphere of influence and NATO’s eastward expansion an existential threat. A key demand in this crisis is that NATO promise never to allow Ukraine to join.

Biden planned to speak by phone today with trans-Atlantic leaders about the Russian military buildup and continued efforts at deterrence and diplomacy.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed some conclusions of US intelligence, part of a strategy designed to expose and pre-empt any invasion planning. The US has declined to reveal much of the evidence underlying its claims.

Blinken told diplomats at the UN Security Council that a sudden, seemingly violent event staged by Russia to justify an invasion would kick off the assault. Blinken mentioned a “so-called terrorist bombing” inside Russia, a staged drone strike, “a fake, even a real attack… using chemical weapons”.

The invasion would open with cyberattacks, along with missile strikes and bombs across Ukraine, he said. Blinken described the entry of Russian troops, advancing on Kyiv, a city of nearly three million, and other key targets.

By Thursday evening, US and European officials were on high alert for any Russian attempts to create a pretext for invasion, according to a Western official familiar with intelligence findings.

Ukrainian government officials shared intelligence with allies that suggested the Russians might try to shell the Luhansk area in the disputed Donbas region on Friday morning as part of an effort to create a false reason to take military action, according to the official who was not authorised to comment publicly.

Violence spiked in a long-running standoff in that area yesterday, fueling worries it could provide the spark for wider conflict. The region already has been the site of fighting since 2014 that has killed 14,000.

Separatist authorities in the Luhansk region reported an increase in Ukrainian government shelling along the tense line of contact. Separatist official Rodion Miroshnik said rebel forces returned fire. Ukraine disputed the claim, saying separatists had shelled its forces but they didn’t fire back. The Ukrainian military command said shells hit a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska, wounding two teachers, and cut power to half the town.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that the kindergarten shelling “by pro-Russian forces is a big provocation”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov countered with the same: “We have repeatedly warned that the excessive concentration of Ukrainian armed forces in the immediate vicinity of the line of demarcation, coupled with possible provocations, could pose a terrible danger.”

NATO’s defence ministers discussed ways to bolster defenses in Eastern Europe, while EU leaders huddled over how to punish Russia if it invades.

Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris are among political, military and diplomatic leaders heading to an annual security conference in Munich that will see urgent consultations on the crisis.

China, a key Russian ally, accused Washington of “playing up and sensationalising the crisis and escalating tensions”. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the US should “take seriously and address Russia’s legitimate and reasonable concerns on security assurance”.

At NATO headquarters in Brussels, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin questioned the Russian troop pullout claims. “We’ve seen some of those troops inch closer to that border. We see them fly in more combat and support aircraft,” he said. “We see them sharpen their readiness in the Black Sea. We even see them stocking up their blood supplies. You don’t do these sort of things for no reason, and you certainly don’t do them if you’re getting ready to pack up and go home.”

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the West has seen “an increase of troops over the last 48 hours, up to 7,000”. That squared with what a US administration official said a day earlier.

Russia says the pullout, announced earlier this week, will take time. Russia also made a new diplomatic overture Thursday, handing the US a response to offers to engage in talks on limiting missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidencebuilding measures.

The response, released by the Foreign Ministry, deplored the West’s refusal to meet the main Russian security demands and reaffirmed that Moscow could take unspecified “military-technical measures” if the US and its allies continue to stonewall its concerns.

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, YURAS KARMANAU, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and LORNE COOK Associated Press

Bank service EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM disturbed and even more disgusted by the way customers are treated at the Commercial Banks in our country, especially the ones that are in the South Western District of New Providence.

Sir, a few days ago, I went to one of the banks in the South to do my business. At my arrival, I noticed that there was a line with about 20 persons. As a senior citizens, I asked the Security at the door what had happened to the Senior Citizens’ Line. His reply to me was that they no longer had a Senior Citizens’ Line. I said thank you and have

a good day and left the premises.

Due to the urgency of my business, I returned later and joined the regular line.

At that point, there were about six persons before me. A few minutes later, a senior citizen, very senior walking with her cane, assisted by perhaps one of her family members or friend entered the bank.

The person that accompanied her asked the same question that I asked at my initial arrival. She was given the same answer that I was given. After standing for a short period of time, the Security went and fetched her a chair and I was happy for her but for me, who was more senior than her must

still remain on the line.

Sir, I believe that The Bahamas deserves better accommodations from these banks. Truthfully, we are the ones that contributed to their success and now that they have gotten rich, they do not need our dollars anymore - it appears.

Another thing that I observed is that the banks take our savings, lend them out at high interests but refuse to pay us a substantial interest. That is robbery and should be changed immediately.

BISHOP ALBERT H HEPBURN Nassau, February, 2022.

IT WAS disgraceful to listen to the PLP in the House of Assembly saying they somehow just forgot to give Sir Godfrey Kelly the honours he deserved in death. I don’t buy their apology. I think it was a deliberate slight.

Sir Godfrey was a member of the United Bahamian Party and later the Free National Movement. He was a former MP and served in the first Cabinet of The Bahamas as minister of education. He died last week at the age of 93.

The PLP cannot move on from the past. It is still obsessed with denigrating anyone who was from the old United Bahamian Party or early Free National Movement.

The PLP cannot accept that Bahamians of various skin colours, religions and belief systems contributed to the development of this country over the decades.

The PLP has created this false historical narrative that “they” created the modern Bahamas, and anyone who was opposed to them was a wrongdoer.

Sir Godfrey had a distinguished career of achievements and service.

He, Godfrey, was an avid sailor, competing in the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Summer Olympics.

Sir Godfrey practised law for 66 years and served in many capacities over the many years, including at the Bahamas Bar Association; as elected representative to Parliament for the Cat Island constituency in l956, 1962 and l967; and as minister of education. He also served in the Senate.

Sir Godfrey and the late Sir Harold Christie were founders of the Cat Island Regatta.

Sir Godfrey was bestowed a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honours.

The PLP demonstrated their nastiness and pettiness when Sir Godfrey was knighted. Rather than be gracious to a man in his 90s, that party attacked Sir Godfrey.

In a December 30, 2019, interview in The Nassau Guardian, Philip Davis, then the leader of the opposition and now the prime minister, said he was “appalled” that Kelly was recommended by the then FNM administration for a knighthood.

Davis questioned whether Kelly’s knighthood was “an effort to rewrite history or is it just awarding

persons who would’ve perpetrated ideologies and policies and philosophies that treated the majority of our Bahamian people as second-class citizens?”

Sir Godfrey served his country. He was successful and gave back to the community. He came forward to help develop The Bahamas. He was an Olympian.

He was a philanthropist.

He evolved with the times as our country advanced through independence.

The Davis attack on Sir Godfrey when he was knighted is why I do not believe PLP claims that they somehow forgot to honour Sir Godfrey at his death.

As a former Cabinet minister Sir Godfrey should receive an official funeral by the state if his family so desired.

After Sir Godfrey and his family were slighted by him not being offered this honour, Davis and Fred Mitchell were in the House of Assembly on Wednesday attempting to apologise.

Pettiness is unbecoming of men elected to high office. The PLP acted disgracefully to Sir Godfrey.

This is a mean-spirited government.

Bahamians should take note.

MARTHA S GREENE Nassau, February 17, 2022.

PLP food tax attack on poor EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE PLP fooled the Bahamian people on the campaign trail. They said they would lower VAT. That sounded good. No one likes paying taxes. Everyone wants taxes lowered.

What the PLP did when they won the election was something none of us imagined a caring and responsible party would do.

They put a 10 percent VAT on previously zero-rated breadbasket foods while lowering VAT from 12 to 10 percent on other things.

Breadbasket items are the foods poor and working-class people eat most.

They are the foods they budget for in order to feed their families.

Successive governments have kept taxes off these foods to give relief to the poor.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has done wrong by struggling Bahamians. I cannot understand how it makes sense to him that his government should create a new tax on the food poor people eat.

The new PLP

Breadbasket Tax is contributing to the inflation that is hurting Bahamian families.

The pandemic and global supply chain disruptions also play a role. However, the PLP’s VAT on breadbasket items is one of the main causes of the high prices at the food stores for various items.

Mothers who budgeted a certain amount to feed their children now cannot afford all the food they used to buy. This is a real world consequence of the bad policy decision made by the PLP. Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was right to attack the PLP on the issue in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

“I call on the new administration to remove VAT from breadbasket items.

Have a heart, man,” Minnis said.

“Reverse the bad policy that is causing some food prices to be so expensive.

“They should apologize to the people and reverse the disastrous policy of taxing breadbasket items and this government must realize that many

Bahamians are recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic on our economy.

“It will take a long time before many of our citizens get back to financial positions pre-COVID. This was the wrong time to stress poor and working-class Bahamians with more taxes.”

The PLP must remove this heartless tax. It is an attack on the poor. It is disgraceful.

The government should be working on ways to reduce inflation, not ways to make it worse.

Dr Minnis has started the call for the reversal of VAT on breadbasket items so there could be relief for the poor in these difficult times.

Church leaders, unions and civic groups should also pressure the government to remove the VAT on breadbasket items.

It is uncaring to make food more expensive for those who are least able to afford it.

THE MACKEY STREET MAN Nassau, February 17, 2022.

Keep masks EDITOR, The Tribune.

COVID related – Ministry of Health please - please do not follow the US and remove the mandatory masks as yet. Be sensible and let’s wait till Easter hopefully by then a considerably improved COVID condition.

Officials - you are not excluded from wearing masks - your defiance says a lot. Vanity is not a good attribute… be humble and comply and obey.

Rising retail - blame the US and their management of COVID… Oil prices skyrocketing so high gas and fuel prices.

Post Dorian Recovery contracts - PM Davis be a leader and do the obvious - establish complete audit of the recovery work - food

supply, etc… instruct an external Audit practice and then act on their findings.

There is already enough proof in public domain to convince most there were highly questionable decisions and lack of work, but were paid. This involves millions.

COVID supply - was the process of at least threeparties bids for the supply of merchandise? Davis have you already forgotten about the $25m that the Auditor General questioned and then PM Minnis refused to give any answer to -- PM Davis you are obligated to support the Constitutionally supported Auditor General. We must find out if the million spent were spent according to correct practice - with no favour

and legitimately. PM Davis hear me.

RBPF SOS has anyone seen a patrol car in recent days? West Bay has become a racing track 60-70mph common... oh those ‘cubes’… self-drive cars have the drivers qualified for Driver’s licence?

West Bay and Nassau Street traffic lights… been out for months - see finally new set being installed Public Works why so long?

West Bay and Blake Road..whoever is responsible is it possible to complete the work … a simple job has taken virtually 12 months and still remains incomplete (ex PM Minnis takes credit for this!)

PAULA MINNS Nassau, February 10, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 7

SWEETING: WE NEED A NATIONAL FOOD STRATEGY

WENDALL JONES, pictured yesterday at the announcement of his appointment as ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

Jones named as new ambassador to the US

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis officially announced the appointment of Wendall Jones as the new ambassador to the United States yesterday.

Mr Jones, who began his career as a journalist at The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas and later founded Jones Communications, a news and media network, will lead the effort to strengthen ties with the country’s largest trading partner.

Mr Davis said: “Mr Jones is amply able to promote our objectives in the relationship as follows: The further cementing of commercial, economic, political and cultural ties; expanding our range of contacts with all branches of the United States government; working with our Consuls General to utilise the diaspora of Bahamians to promote the political and economic

interests of our country; and work with the United States government on a range of geopolitical issues toward our mutual benefit.”

Mr Jones said his family will run Jones Communication in his absence.

“This is a long way from Delectable Bay, Acklins, and it is a long way from Poodle Street,” Mr Jones said. “I started in journalism, this year would make the 50th year and never thought that I would serve the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in this capacity.

“I have been asked by previous leaders of The Bahamas to serve politically and I declined on every approach made. But our Prime Minister Davis, coming from humble beginnings like myself, when he asked me to serve, I thought of his trajectory in politics and tremendous influence that he had on my life and thought that I should give him all the assistance that I could possibly muster to make his administration

successful. While I did not seek to serve The Bahamas in this capacity, I must confess that it is a single honour for me to be appointed as the Ambassador to the United States of America.”

Meanwhile, Mr Davis said his administration will expand the professional foreign service. This, he said, would facilitate a greater Bahamian footprint in the areas of trade and investment and a more responsive and engaging presence to the needs of the Bahamian diaspora resident in the United States and other foreign countries.

“Their full engagement and participation will be essential to our national developmental thrust,” he said.

Mr Davis said the government will ensure embassies have a trade and investment attaché to attract investments to the country and expand its international trade portfolio. He said the government is committed to establishing a Foreign Service Institute at the University of The

A Tribute To

SIR GODFREY KELLY My memories of Sir Godfrey span over fifty years. As a young man growing up in Chester’s Acklins and prior to my migration to New Providence I was introduced to both Sir Godfrey and his brother, the late David, by his late brother, Basil. My relationship with him evolved to the point where he became a mentor to me. He provided tremendous assistance to me in many ways.

Without a doubt I can say that he was a man for all seasons, for he had a sense, among his brothers, as being the pious, brilliant and yet firm. A better teacher could not be found as he never hesitated to impart much of his experience to others.

As a community leader he often responded to those who sought his assistance, be it in law, sports, and/or everyday living; he gave it his all.

Sir Godfrey’s character can best be described in the writings of author Josiah G. Holland “It is not a question of how much a man knows, but what use he makes of what he knows; not a question of what he has acquired, and how he has been trained, but of what he is, and what he can do.”

“Uncle Godfrey” affectionately referred to as I knew him, taught me among other things how to improve my bird shooting techniques during our many visits to South Andros during the bird shooting seasons. Over dinners, and after days of traveling through thick bushes, he shared stories of him embarking to South Andros by sea planes and wading to land submerged shoulder high in water with shotguns over his head. Also, he never allowed anyone in his party to exceed the legal quota of birds shot in any given day. There are many more fond memories, too numerous to mention, but I will cherish them all throughout my remaining days of life.

The words of Aristotle summarizes Sir Godfrey’s friendship, “Friends are an aid to the young, to guard them from error; to the elderly, to attend to their wants and to supplement their failing power of action; to those in the prime of life, to assist them to noble deeds.”

My family and I extend deepest condolences to Lady Sonia and the entire Kelly family.

May his soul rest in peace.

Lawrence G. Chisholm

Bahamas “to support the training, education and preparatory needs of the foreign service.”

He said: “Our active participation in the various organs of the United Nations must be well supported as we seek memberships on influential councils to cause for greater integration in global affairs, which is just one of the hallmarks of responsible global citizenship.”

MARINE Resources and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting says there is a need for the country to develop a national food security strategy especially now with rising inflation coupled with the threat of climate change.

He said The Bahamas cannot continue business as usual and added the Davis administration is “committed to enacting policies” to help keep local food prices down.

“The challenges of COVID-19 have shown us that now, more than ever, we must develop (a national food security strategy),” he said at yesterday’s briefing at the Office of The Prime Minister. “We are seeing the sharp increases of food prices and the unpredictable delays of shipments. The Bahamas is also burdened by the astronomical price of food imports that hover around $1 billion; a bill that we cannot continue to pay. Additionally, our nation faces the peril of climate change. We must determine ways to strategically and sustainably grow our food.”

His comments come as he and other officials prepare to attend the Food for Future Summit & Expo in Dubai later this month.

The estimated cost of the trip is about $25,000 for each department, Mr Sweeting said. “We see this as a tremendous opportunity to conceive partnerships with

other countries and entities who have been where we are and are seeking to bolster their food systems. We are looking to develop innovative, unconventional ways of growing food for many generations of Bahamians to come while safeguarding ourselves against the trauma of external pressures,” he said.

Mr Sweeting said his ministry has taken several steps toward food security, including reopening of the packing house at Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, “a staple in the Central Eleuthera community that has been closed for four years”.

He added: “Additionally, we have completed the renovations at the packing house in Cat Island and most recently, we moved a step closer in our goals by tabling and debating The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute Bill, 2022 in Parliament. We established a president of the institution, and we look forward to the development of BAMSI.” He also reiterated the government’s decision to lift the ban placed on the import of Canadian beef, done in response to mad cow disease in 2003. “For some time, The Bahamas has imported Canadian beef through US distributors who have repackaged the product for resale,” he said. “We are now cutting out the middleman, which we hope will reduce the prices of beef in The Bahamas. We are working tirelessly to reduce our import bill.”

PAGE 8, Friday, February 18, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

SANDALS HONOURS WORK OF BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST

ADAM STEWART, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, presents Eric Carey, executive director at the Bahamas National Trust, with the third annual Stewart Family Philanthropic Award.

THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has been honoured by Sandals Resorts International, with the group named the 2021 recipient of the Stewart Family Philanthropic Award by Sandals executive chairman Adam Stewart.

The award recognises the efforts of those who, for more than ten years, are giving back to build and inspire Caribbean communities.

Stewart described the BNT as “champions for species conservation and resource protection” with their work representative of “an act of reverence to the power of nature; developing an unshakeable path towards the sustainable management of the ecosystems in [the] country”.

As the national park management agency, the BNT operates across the country.

In accepting the award,

BNT executive director Eric Carey said: “I’m honoured to accept the Stewart Family Philanthropic Award on behalf of the BNT. We are very grateful and would like to thank the Stewart Family for recognising our important work in education, community and the environment. We would also like to thank the Sandals Foundation for their commitment to conservation and protecting the natural resources of The Bahamas and The Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation has proven to be a committed friend and steward of the environment, and we cannot thank them enough for their help in advancing the work of the BNT.” The BNT is collaborating with the Sandals Foundation to develop the island’s first primary level environmental curriculum to support students and educators.

‘Get vaccinated’ urges govt press secretary CHINA DONATES PPE SUPPLIES

IN a brief handover ceremony held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper accepted a supply of 20,000 N95 masks and six portable ventilators donated by The People’s Republic of China. He is pictured with Chinese ambassador Dai Qingli.

China has lent significant support to The Bahamas in the fight to curb the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, China has provided to The Bahamas seven batches of medical supplies, including masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, oxygen machines, patient monitors, and dialysis machines.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRESS Secretary Clint Watson issued another appeal for Bahamians to get vaccinated yesterday, saying unvaccinated residents must not come to the false conclusion that the pandemic is over now that cases are declining.

Mr Watson spoke after the United States government delivered 32,400 Pfizer doses to the country on Wednesday, representing its third shipment of the brand since the start of the nation’s vaccination programme.

This comes as the country’s vaccination rates appear to be declining. In a push to get more Bahamians vaccinated, Mr Watson said the government is hoping to have private healthcare facilities administer the doses very soon.

“We’re around the 46 percent (mark) right now as far as it comes to vaccinations. For those

of you who may not know and we want to get about, I think the international standard is about 70 percent,” Mr Watson said at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. “And I think what you find happening now is there is this belief among people is ‘oh, I made it out, we’re coming out of the pandemic so if I didn’t get vaccinated, I can pretty much be okay’ and we want to encourage people not to think that way because we’re not out of the pandemic. . .and we don’t know if there will be another wave.

We’re still dealing with Omicron and we’re still dealing with other strains so it’s important not to think ‘I can get out of this so I don’t need it,’ so please if you can get vaccinated, go ahead and do so.

“It is important for us, not for your own personal health, but also for the country because what it enables us to do is to be able to effectively and efficiently open up fully sooner.”

Yesterday, the press secretary

also defended the government’s decision not to fully re-open the economy despite low COVID numbers. Over 6,000 COVID cases remain active in the country, though the daily case count continues to remain low.

He said: “Many people are asking, ‘well the numbers are low and we seem to be out of the fourth wave, why aren’t we opening up’ and the reality is there is still too much at risk and people are wondering what do we mean ‘at risk’.

“The numbers may be low, but our healthcare sector is still very vulnerable and that’s one of the reasons why there has not been an overwhelming thrust to relax restrictions.”

On Wednesday, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville told reporters his ministry was looking at loosening the nation’s border restrictions. His comments came a day after he suggested that no further relaxation of restrictive measures was imminent.

GOVT IN TALKS TO IMPORT SAUDI OIL

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has started discussions with the Saudi Arabian government on how the country can import fuel from the Middle Eastern country, according to Press Secretary Clint Watson.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Watson said Mr Davis initiated the conversation when the delegation paid a courtesy call on him earlier this week and added the group appeared to be open to discussions on the matter.

“This week, the Saudi Arabian government placed a courtesy call led by their tourism minister,” Mr Watson said.

“One of the things that I think we’re looking towards is greater dialogue with (the) Saudi Arabian government particularly as we face what we see happening globally and here at home is inflation.

“We recognise that higher prices in food, higher prices

in fuel and higher prices in goods coming to the country are all linked to one key thing — fuel, the rising oil prices and what Prime Minister Davis has been able to strategically do is to begin a discussion with the Saudi Arabian government on how we can work a network that accesses oil from them and to access fuel from them so that it will cut down on the overhead costs coming to the country.”

He also said: “It is a great strategy if we can work together with them in that regard and will significantly impact what we see happening at the ports, at the pumps and at the wholesalers because it all relies on the shipping costs, trucking costs and all that is going up with rising fuel prices so this is something that Prime Minister Davis initiated in conversation with them and something they are open to discussions with and we’re looking to see how quickly and soon we can begin that bout of discussions to bring relief here to our domestic supply.”

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt pictured during a courtesy call with her successor, Chester Cooper, on Tuesday at the Centre of Commerce, British Colonial Hilton.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 9

The lighter side of soppy V

ALENTINE’S Day came and went. Did you notice?

No, neither did we. It was probably because it was on a Monday and a Monday that followed the Super Bowl no less. I mean, how much excitement can one body handle?

Lots of people overlooked Valentine’s Day this year being that it was on the first day of the work week after the biggest TV party of the year.

Six hours of dazzling pregame history before the event even kicked off.

There was nothing like that leading up to Valentine’s Day, a few perfume ads maybe, not even anything seriously chocolatey.

Certainly no lovers’ day ads that cost an average of $6.5 million for 30 seconds of viewing time. As for the youth target market for ‘be my valentine’, you’d have to sell a whole lot of Hershey’s Kisses to make up that kind of investment.

While that’s all lighthearted, there’s a

serious economic side to Hallmark holidays, those days of the year set aside specifically to generate revenue unlike Christmas, Chanukah or Easter which have significant noncommercial reasons for existing even if they coincidentally bring in a lot of money.

There are so many Hallmark holidays that there’s a national day of something or other every day of the year in the US - Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, Clergy Appreciation Day. In fact, there are so many pizza day holi-

days they are divided into ingredients, like cheese pizza day, but then what pizza doesn’t honour cheese?

It won’t be long now until it’s time to celebrate National Nurses Day, a holiday that pays tribute to a slew of men and women who deserve to be honoured, especially in the past two years.

National Nurses’ Day was so popular Hallmark created its counterpart, National Doctors Day, a few years ago, though it does not appear to be generating the same enthusiastic response.

You’d think the digital divide

would have separated traditional card giving from electronic, depowering the former with the ability to click a few keys and send a message, knowing it will be received on the right day and saying exactly what you wanted to say. So, it may come as a bit of a surprise to know that card giving, like hand-written letter-writing, is making a bit of a comeback.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day (or did I say failing to do so) triggered my curiosity about the subject of cards, exchanging, taking pictures for, writing messages in. Whenever I think of moving one day from the home we have occupied for more than 35 years, I wonder what I would do with the drawer filled with cards from my children from the days they were too tiny to have signed them on their own to when they were grown and continued to write loving messages that filled every available inch.

would go into a store and buy, then sign, stamp and send.

Cards are one part of the equation of celebration. On Mother’s Day it’s all about the flowers. On the holiday that Woodrow Wilson used his presidential pen to sign into law in the U.S. in 108 years ago, people spent an average of $196 per person for a total till of $25 billion, including $5.2 billion on jewellery.

Or so CNN reported in 2019. I think some of those funds went to masks this year.

There is something to be said for cards that are soppy and flowers that are delivered, but they are no substitute for someone holding you tight, looking into your eyes and saying ‘I love you.’ That’s something that the best creatives at Hallmark will never be able to match, though Heaven knows they‘ll give it their best.

Remembering Mr L M

CARDS are one part of the equation of celebration.

On Mother’s Day it’s all about the flowers.

The number of cards we send to one another is astonishing. According to one report, Americans traded 144 million cards on a recent Valentine’s Day (not 2022 and not in our household as noted above).

What’s even more astounding is the mindboggling choices. There were some 1,200 cards to choose from just for Valentine’s Day. Whatever the formula, it is working for Hallmark which not only authored a whole lot of holidays that would not have otherwise existed – a fact worth digesting --- but grew the concept of sending a simple greeting into a $3.5 billion enterprise with 27,000 employees and enough funding to take it from public back into private in 2016. Imagine asking an accountant more than a hundred years ago to draw up a business plan predicated on expressing feelings on paper that you

R L PASSED AWAY on February 12. He was in his 80s and had battled heart disease and other issues for some time but had been lovingly cared for by his son who is a doctor, by his wife and by the nurses and caregivers around him.

Why cover Mr L’s death? Because he is like so many other Bahamian men who slide away leaving grown offspring behind who wonder if they did enough to show their love, to express their feelings, to make that parent’s life all that it could be.

Mr L was humble. He could lay block and bricks like an artisan.

He was willing to work as many jobs as it took to make sure his son, who grew up shadowing and admiring his work ethic, could realize a dream of his own, to become a doctor and heal others.

Mr L never wanted to stop working and only did so when his health would no longer let him perform even rudimentary tasks on the road.

Married twice, he had several children, including his son, the doctor.

At least two predeceased him and he took their deaths hard.

Toward the end, he seemed to lose the lust for life.

Maybe it was the pain or maybe he was just tired.

Why dwell on a man whose name will never be in a Who’s Who or a list of movers and shakers who shaped The Bahamas?

Because it is men just like him who did, in fact, make this country what it is.

Men who worked hard so their children could do better than they did.

Men who made a difference by setting an example of a work ethic, quiet men of strong character who did make a difference by raising children who grow up to make The Bahamas a better, safer, healthier place.

It is worth remembering all the Mr L’s whose sacrifices were not wasted, they were invested in those they left behind.

PAGE 10, Friday, February 18, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

BIDEN: RUSSIA THREAT TO UKRAINE STILL ‘VERY HIGH’

FEARS of a new war in Europe resurged yesterday as US President Joe Biden warned Russia could invade Ukraine within days, and violence spiked in a standoff in eastern Ukraine that some fear could be the spark for wider conflict.

World dignitaries raced for solutions but suspicions between East and West only seemed to grow, as NATO allies rejected Russian assertions it was pulling back troops from exercises that had fueled fears of an attack. Russia is believed to have built up some 150,000 military forces around Ukraine’s borders.

Concerns escalated in the West over what exactly Russia is doing with those troops — including an estimated 60 percent of the overall Russian ground forces.

The Kremlin insists it has no plans to invade, but has long considered Ukraine its sphere of influence.

TRUMP MUST TESTIFY IN NY, JUDGE RULES FORMER President Donald Trump must answer questions under oath in New York state’s civil investigation into his business practices, a judge ruled yesteday.

Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and his two eldest children, Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr, to comply with subpoenas issued in December by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump and his two children must sit for a deposition within 21 days, Engoron said.

Engoron issued the ruling after a two-hour hearing with lawyers for the Trumps and James’ office.

A RESIDENT stands on property destroyed by mudslides on the second day of rescue efforts in Petropolis, Brazil, yesterday.

Photo: Silvia Izquierdo/AP

Brazil mudslide death toll at 110 with another 134 people missing PETROPOLIS, Brazil Associated Press THE death toll from floods and landslides that swept down on the mountain city of Petropolis rose to at least 110 on Thursday and local officials said it could still rise sharply, with more than 130 people still unaccounted for.

The Rio de Janeiro state government confirmed the rising loss of life hours after local police announced 134 people are missing, many feared trapped in mud beneath the German-influenced city nestled in the mountains above the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Torrents of floodwaters and mudslides dragged cars and houses through the streets of the city Tuesday during the most intense rainfall in decades. One video showed two

buses sinking into a swollen river as its passengers clambered out the windows, scrambling for safety.

Some didn’t make it to the banks and were washed away, out of sight.

Survivors dug through the ruined landscape to find loved ones even as more landslides appeared likely on the city’s slopes. A small slide Thursday prompted an evacuation but didn’t cause injuries.

Rosilene Virginia said her brother barely escaped, and she considers it a miracle. But a friend hasn’t yet been found.

“It’s very sad to see people asking for help and having no way of helping, no way of doing anything,” Virginia told The Associated Press as a man comforted her. “It’s desperate, a feeling of loss so great.”

As some people tried to clear away mud, others began burying

lost relatives, with 17 funerals at the damaged cemetery.

Rio police said in a statement Thursday that about 200 agents were checking lists of the living, the dead and the missing by visiting checkpoints and shelters, as well as the city’s morgue. They said they managed to remove three people from a list of missing after finding them alive in a local school.

“Every detail is important so we can track people,” said Rio police investigator Elen Souto. “We need people to inform the full name of the missing person, their ID, physical traits and the clothes that person was wearing.”

Petropolis, named for a former Brazilian emperor, has been a refuge for people escaping the summer heat and tourists keen to explore the so-called “Imperial City”.

Its prosperity has also drawn residents from Rio’s poorer regions and the population grew haphazardly, climbing mountainsides now covered with small residences packed tightly together, often in areas made more vulnerable by deforestation and inadequate drainage.

The state fire department said 25.8 centimeters of rain fell within three hours on Tuesday - almost as much as during the previous 30 days combined. Rio de Janeiro’s Gov Claudio Castro said in a press conference that the rains were the worst Petropolis has received since 1932.

“No one could predict rain as hard as this,” Castro said. More rain was expected through the rest of the week, according to weather forecasters.

2022 SECOND QUARTER REPORT CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the period ended December 31, 2021 with comparatives for December 31, 2020 (Expressed in B$000, unaudited)

As of December 31, 2021 (Expressed in B$000, unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED

Dec 31

Jun 30

2021

2021

ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS : Cash and cash equivalents Term deposits Trade and other receivables, net Prepaid expenses and deposits Short-term investments Inventory Contract assets Total current assets

$70,178 1,302 14,368 4,754 30,665 7,718 619 129,604

$57,834 6,597 16,400 6,477 44,991 9,554 916 142,769

320,494 60,436 1,009 381,939 $511,543

319,241 62,933 681 382,855 $525,624

Dec 31

Dec 31

Dec 31

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

$107,383

$100,498

OPERATING EXPENSES

(37,690)

(38,616)

(73,278)

(71,686)

16,291

13,561

34,105

28,812

(12,653)

(12,274)

(25,248)

(24,575)

3,638

1,287

8,857

4,237

(1,162)

(111)

(1,160)

(134)

(11)

11

10

18

Interest expense

(4,204)

(4,310)

(8,514)

(9,154)

Dividends on preferred shares

(2,941)

(3,138)

(5,883)

(6,751)

Loss on disposal of assets & investment in subsidiary, net

NET AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

$(4,680)

$(6,261)

$(6,690)

$(11,784)

Net and comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests

$(5,360)

$(4,984)

$(9,881)

$(10,329)

Net and comprehensive income (loss) LIABILITIES AND EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable & accrued liabilities Current deferred income Current portion of preferred shares Current portion of lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt Total current liabilities

$61,478 3,539 3,516 4,182 72,715

$59,042 6,130 9,272 3,574 2,520 80,538

8,323 55,039 58,703 12, 523 264,114 398,702 471,417

8,851 54,746 58,620 11,998 264,043 398,258 478,796

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

EQUITY: Ordinary share capital Retained earnings Non-controlling interest Total equity TOTAL

attributable to owners of the parent

$680

$(1,277)

$3,191

$(1,455)

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

$0.02

$(0.03)

$0.07

$(0.03)

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

$0.02

$(0.03)

$0.07

$(0.03)

Net loss

Depreciation and amortization Other expense

Balance at June 30, 2020 Redemption of share based options

31 9,154

Dividends on preferred shares

5,883

6,751

Loss on disposal of assets & investment in subsidiary, net

1,160

134

34,115

28,861

Decrease in trade and other receivables, net

2,032

2,874

Decrease in prepaid expenses and deposits

1,723

1,175

Decrease (increase) in inventory

1,836

(1,309)

Operating cash flow before working capital changes

(Increase) decrease in contract assets

(31)

677

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable & accrued liabilities

720

(1,593)

(2,591)

(307)

Decrease in deferred income

Net cash from operating activities

non-controlling interest

(35)

37,276

30,343

5,295

(4,381)

14,326

(34,986)

( 24,797)

(17,175)

-

(24)

(5,176)

(56,566)

Lease liabilities, net

(4,725)

(6,649)

Interest paid on long-term debt

(6,616)

(4,070)

Payments of long-term debt

(2,520)

-

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(5,883)

(6,629)

-

(37,235)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

RETAINED

CONTROLLING

CAPITA L

EARNINGS

INTEREST

TOTAL

$30, 367

$92,894

$(48, 296)

$74,965

-

56

-

56

(1,455)

(528)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Net cash used in investing activities

NON-

SHARE

-

24,575

8,514

Disbursements associated with sale of subsidiary

Net and comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the parent

25,248

Interest expense

Additions to property, plant and equipment

For the period ended December 31, 2021 with comparatices for December 31, 2020 (Expressed in B$000, unaudited)

$(11,784)

-

Proceeds from redemption (purchase) of investments

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

$(6,690)

Adjustments for:

Decrease (increase) in term deposits

-

(1,455)

Redemption of preferred shares Purchase of treasury shares

(13)

-

1

56

(19,756)

(54,527)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

12,344

(80,750)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

57,834

174,902

$70,178

$94,152

Redemption of share based options

Net and comprehensive loss attributable to 30,367 30,367 90,044 86,865 (80,285) (70,404) 40,126 46,828 $511,543 $525,624

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Decrease in subscriber deposits

ORDINARY Subscriber deposits Lease liabilities Notes payable Long-term debt Preferred shares Total non-current liabilities Total liabilities

SIX MONTHS ENDED

Dec 31

$52,177

Other (expense) income NON-CURRENT ASSETS : Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Contract assets Total non-current assets TOTAL

SIX MONTHS ENDED

Dec 31

$53,981

OPERATING INCOME

For the period ended December 31, 2021 with comparatives for December 31, 2020 (Expressed in B$000, unaudited)

Dec 31

REVENUE

Depreciation and amortization

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

-

-

(10,329)

(10,329)

Balance at December 31, 2020

$30, 367

$91,495

$(58,625)

$63,237

Balance at June 30, 2021

$30, 367

$86,865

$(70,404)

$46,828

Purchase of treasury shares

-

(12)

-

(12)

-

3,191

-

3,191

Net cash used in financing activities

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

Net and comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent Net and comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest Balance at December 31, 2021

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

-

-

(9,881)

(9,881)

$30, 367

$90,044

$(80,285)

$40,126

These consolidated interim condensed financial statements are prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. The accounting policies used in the preparation of these interim financial statements are consistent with those used in the annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021. These statements also follow the guidelines of IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements and incorporate the financial statements of the 48.25% owned subsidiary Be Aliv Limited. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.

SPORTS PAGE 11

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

Top jr golfer Heathcliffe Kane ties for 1st place

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

and Canada during the 2021 campaign. The HJGT season is based on a calendar year and players earn points throughout the season towards year end honours beginning December 31, 2021.

“The HJGT was founded in 2007 with the intention of providing junior golfers between the ages of 8-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment,” the organisation said.

“Currently the HJGT is the largest multi-day junior golf tour in the United States hosting more 2-day nationally ranked events than any other tour.”

Kane has a World Amateur Golf Ranking of 3,573 and a points average of 228.3.

Locally, Kane is the defending Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF) National Amateur Golf champion.

O

ne of the top junior golfers in the island nation, Heathcliffe Kane took his game on the road and earned a first-place finish on the international stage.

Kane tied for first place at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Southeast Florida Junior Open February 12-13 in Miami Lakes, Florida.

In the Boys 16-18 division, The Albany Academy product shot rounds of 78 and 36 to tie Diego Azar from London, The United Kingdom, and Brett Kaufman from Palmetto Bay, Florida, for a weekend total of 114 each.

According to the organisation, the Orlando, Florida, based HJGT hosted events in 28 states

HEATHCLIFFE KANE, one of the top junior golfers in the Bahamas, earned a first place finish on the international stage. He tied for first place at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Southeast Florida Junior Open in Miami Lakes, Florida.

Kane easily carted off the top prize in the men’s division with a total gross score of 215 (72-69-74).

He also captained Team Bahamas and finished 10th individually in his division at the 33rd Caribbean

Amateur Junior Golf Championships (CAJGC) in The Dominican Republic.

UB Softball, Page 12

JOEL EMBIID SCORES 42 POINTS, 76ERS BEAT BUCKS 123-120 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joel Embiid had 42 points, 14 rebounds and five assists and the Philadelphia 76ers regrouped after squandering a 15-point lead to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123120 last night.

Embiid put the 76ers ahead for good at 117-116 with a 10-footer with 2:32 left.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks.

Philadelphia played without James Harden, who hasn’t made his 76ers debut since coming over in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets last week. The 10-time AllStar and 2018 MVP hasn’t played since February 2 due to an injured left hamstring.

Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton missed a 3-pointer with about nine seconds left.

The Bucks had one final chance after Philadelphia’s Furkan Korkmaz lost the ball out of bounds with 2.3 seconds left.

After Embiid fouled Antetokounmpo to force one more inbounds pass with 1.1 seconds left, Middleton missed a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

SEE PAGE 12

Sprinter Joel Johnson hopes to make a comeback

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

a better place than he was dealing with a series of injuries that have sidelined him over the past few years.

“It’s been a lot of ups and downs over the past three years, but I’m in a much better place today than I was back then,” said Johnson, who first suffered a left hamstring injury in 2018.

“After the first injury, I suffered an injury on my right leg, so it was rough.

I’m in pretty good shape and I’ve been training because this is what I love to do and where I feel I need to be – on the track running.

Having had to pass up an opportunity to secure an athletic scholarship to college because of the nagging injuries he sustained, Johnson is now enrolled at the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute where he is studying business management.

He credited his deceased father Maxwell Johnson, who passed away last year, his family, coach and friends, for the words of encouragement to enable him to continue to pursue his dream of being a professional athlete.

“My father, before he died last year, told me that

HE was off to a blistering start up until 2018 when he got sidelined by the injury bug. Four years later, Joel Johnson is hoping to make a comeback. His aim is to re-emerge as one of the top male sprinters in The Bahamas.

The 2018 graduate of St Augustine’s College, who won the CARIFTA Games under-20 boys’ 100 metres and the silver in the 200m the same year at home at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, went on to the IAAF World Under-20 Championships Tampere 2018 where he was a member of the boys’ 4 x 100m relay pool.

A year later, Johnson produced one of the fastest times by any Bahamian male sprinter when he lowered the Bahamian junior national record to 10.19 on July 26, 2019 at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations Nationals in Grand Bahama.

Johnson, who also posted a personal best of 20.87 in the 200m on June 17, 2018, remembers those good old days. He said he’s now in

JOEL JOHNSON, left, with his coach Rashad Patton. life is not easy and I just have to persevere through it, even though it might be hard,” said Johnson, who is the son of Daisy Dawkins and the sibling to McNeice, McRettina, McTavis and McChenier Johnson and Shireen Seymour. “My family was behind me from day one. They have been pushing me, despite what they’ve seen me go through.

Regardless of how I feel, everyone, including my

TOTAL

1.

Norway

14

7

8

29

2.

ROC

5

9

12

26

3.

Germany

10

7

5

22

4.

United States

8

8

5

21

5.

Canada

4

5

11

20

6.

Austria

6

7

4

17

7.

Japan

3

5

9

17

8.

Italy

2

7

7

16

9.

Sweden

7

4

4

15

10.

Netherlands

6

5

4

15

Source: IOC & Sportradar

Updated Feb. 17 at 1:25 a.m. EST

therapist, have assured me that I can do it.”

His coach Rashad Patton of SPIA – Speedy Performance Intelligent Athletes - said a lot of people have been asking when will Johnson be back.

Patton said he is scheduled to compete in a 400m this weekend to shake his legs out. But he said that Johnson won’t make his season debut in his specialty in the century until a

meet in the United States at the end of the month. “He’s more much matured and focused,” said Patton, who has been coaching Johnson for the past seven years.

“The good thing is he’s healthy and ready to go.”

Johnson said Patton believed in him from day one and he’s still there trying to get him to the next level. “He has always put his trust in me because he’s seen my talent from day one,” Johnson said of Patton. “He’s the only coach that I’ve been with since I started track, so I really appreciate what he’s been doing to get me back on track.”

Patton said the goal this year is for Johnson to return to the world stage, but this time at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in August, not only in the 100m, but possibly as a member of the men’s 4 x 100m relay team, if the Bahamas succeeds in securing one.

“I just want to be able to represent my country again,” said the 6-foot tall Johnson. “Hopefully I can go under the 10-second barrier and represent my country at the highest level of the sport.”

And in order to be in that position, Johnson admits that he will have to be back at his old form where he was close to being another Bahamian to dip under the 10-second barrier.

“I just have to take care of body, eat right and get my rest,” he said. “I just have to keep working every day, no matter if it’s a good or a bad day in practice.

Hopefully one day, I can break that 10-second barrier and be back on the world stage.”

For all those supporting him on his journey, especially when he was down and out of track, Johnson encourages them to continue to uplift him because he’s looking forward to some great things as he makes his return to the track this year.

Only two other Bahamians have ran either below or just at the 10-second barrier – Derrick Atkins, who did 9.91 to break the national record in picking up the silver on August 26 at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan and Samson Colebrooke with his 10.01 on June 5, 2019 in Queretaro, Mexico to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

National basketball team standouts face off in France’s NM1 League

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A PAIR of Bahamian national basketball team standouts faced off In France’s NM1 League.

Kino Burrows and his St Thomas Basket Le Havre defeated Willis Mackey and Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration 85-62 in a pivotal matchup for the Group B Standings.

Burrows finished with 13 points and six rebounds while Mackey scored just two in limited minutes.

Le Harve improved to 18-7, second in Group B, while Mulhouse is tied for

third in the group with LYon CTC at 17-8. Le Harve concludes the season February 18 in a matchup against GET Vosges. Mulhouse will face Caen on February 18.

After a slow 2-4 start to the season, Le Harve won 10 of their next 11 games to get back into the playoff race. On the season, his first with the club, Burrows is averaging a team high 13.4. points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 64 percent shooting from the field.

Last season, Burrows completed his second stint with the FOS ProvenceBasket Byers of the LNB Pro B League. In 11 games, he averaged 6.1 points and

3.5 rebounds per game en route to the Byers claiming the league championship and receiving a promotion to JEEP Elite Pro A for the second time in club history.

In 22 games, Mackey, the third year 6’7” forward is averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 64 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

Mackey spent last season with JSA Bordeaux Métropole Basket as the team struggled to a 7-19 record, 13th place in Group A. In 16 games he averaged 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

PAGE 12, Friday, February 18, 2022

NBA FROM PAGE 11 Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris scored 19 points each for the 76ers.

MAVERICKS 125, PELICANS 118 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 49 points and 15 rebounds and Dallas never trailed against New Orleans en route to its sixth victory in seven games.

Doncic made four of his first five 3-point shots — sometimes skipping back to the defensive end in celebration as the net billowed from a long make — before finishing 7 of 14 from deep.

He also had eight assists.

Dallas raced to a 45-27 lead after the first quarter, when Doncic scored 19 points and the Mavs combined to make nine of 12 3s.

The Mavs took their first lead of 20 or more on another 3 by Davis Bertans on their first shot of the second period.

CJ McCollum scored 38 points, giving him four straight games with 20 or more, including three with at least 30, but the Pelicans fell to 1-4 since acquiring the star guard from Portland on Feb. 8.

HEAT 111, HORNETS 107, 20T CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Lowry scored 12 of his 25 points after regulation and Miami beat Charlotte in double overtime to enter the All-Star break tied for the Eastern Conference lead.

Duncan Robinson added 21 points for Miami, and Jimmy Butler overcame a horrendous shooting night to make clutch jumpers in the second overtime period to finish with 15 points, 10

THE TRIBUNE rebounds and eight assists.

Miami has won six of their last seven games, tying the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the East at 38-21.

Miles Bridges had 29 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, and LaMelo Ball added 14 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds before fouling out in the second overtime.

WIZARDS 117, NETS 103 NEW YORK (AP) — Rui Hachimura scored 20 points, Corey Kispert added 16 and Washington beat Brooklyn.

Ish Smith had 15 points, and Dani Avdija 13 to help the Wizards win their second straight.

Patty Mills scored 22 points, and Cam Thomas added 20 for the Nets, coming off a comeback victory at New York on Wednesday night. They have lost 12 of 14.

MILWAUKEE Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo saves a ball from going out of bounds during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers last night in Milwaukee.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

ON THE REPLAY: The University of The Bahamas women’s softball team dropped the team’s first four games in Mingoes history against The St Thomas University Bobcats and the Florida Memorial University Lions at St Thomas in Miami Gardens, Florida, and at Pembroke Lakes Optimist Park in Pembroke Pines, respectively, over the weekend.

Photos courtesy of UB ATHLETICS

UB ladies’ softball team displays strong showing in the inaugural games PEMPROKE PINES, Florida - The University of The Bahamas women’s softball team dropped the team’s first four games in Mingoes history against The St Thomas University Bobcats and the Florida Memorial University Lions over the weekend.

Head Coach Shane Albury said the squad should be proud of the historic showing over the weekend despite the losses.

“This team really played hard in those games and should be proud of being so competitive against those teams,” he said.

The Mingoes lost to St Thomas University 5-0 in the first game and 11-0 (five innings) in the second game Thursday. The squad came back for a second double-header Friday against Florida Memorial University and lost both games—7-3 in the first and 14-3 (five innings) in the second.

“I told the ladies that I’m extremely proud of their play,” Albury said. “This is the first time for many of them to play internationally. We were short-handed but they came out and played tremendous ball.

We lost all four games but we were able to put runs on the board against Florida Memorial.”

He added the team’s chemistry is much improved after the tour because the squad was able interact more. “We have learned some of the characteristics of several of the players in a productive way,” he said.

“The players have really opened up to each other and were giving into the team concept which will go a long way for us. I am pleased with the level of

play over the two days and it’s a good measuring stick of what we have and where we have to go.”

UB 3, FMU 7 (Friday) UB 3, FMU 11 (Friday) The Mingoes scored the programme’s first ever run and homerun against The FMU Lions in the doubleheader Friday at Pembroke Lakes Optimist Park in Pemproke Pines, Florida.

Despite the stronger offensive and defensive production, the team just could not get enough runs on the board and lost both games. “We came out more

aggressive and were able to put the bat on the ball and we got runners in scoring position and we scored a few runs,” Albury said.

“We now know we need to work on defence and our pitching staff after this but we had a good showing nonetheless.”

Ramona Hanna was tagged with the loss in the first game with 4 strikeouts and Adonya Rolle got the loss for the second game with 2 strikeouts.

Co-Captain Sophia Cartwright scored the first run from third base on a wild

pitch in the top of the first inning of the first game.

Adonya Rolle scored the first homerun for the program in the second game: an infield homerun in the top of third inning of the second game.

UB 0 , St. Thomas 5 (Thursday) UB 0, St. Thomas 11 (Thursday) The Mingoes held the Bobcats to only two runs in the first two innings of the first game. A slew of errors from The Mingoes in the bottom of the fourth inning though allowed the

Bobcats to extend the lead to 5-0 - with all three runs scored with two outs. “We were right in the game and I told the ladies to keep their heads up,” Albury said.

“We lost 5 to nothing but those runs came off a ton of errors we were able to put the bat on the ball and got a few runners in scoring position but just were not able to get them home.”

Ramona Hanna was tagged with the loss going all seven innings for the Mingoes. She had three strikeouts on the night.

She also went 1-2 for the squad. Cynetese Cooper went 1-3 for UB. Albury said he liked the team’s effort despite committing seven errors. “We

competed and we competed from the beginning of the game right to the end of the game and that was something that I was preaching to them. “As long as we compete we would stay in the game. Their spirits are still up and they are ready to keep on being competitive.”

Adonya Rolle picked up the loss in the second game and Albury said the team knows it needs to sure up the personnel on the mound. “Overall our pitching was pretty good but we just have to reduce those errors moving forward,” he said. “We need more experience out there but this team has the heart to play against those ladies.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 13

BRITAIN, SWEDEN TO PLAY FOR OLYMPIC MEN’S CURLING GOLD

GOLD medal finishers from left, Norway’s Espen Bjoernstad, Norway’s Espen Andersen, Norway’s Jens Luraas Oftebro and Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger celebrate during a venue ceremony after the cross-country skiing competition of the team Gundersen large hill/4x5km at the Winter Olympics yesterday in Zhangjiakou, China.

(AP Photo/ Alessandra Tarantino)

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — The British have clinched their first medal of the Beijing Games, thanks to Bruce Mouat and the men’s curling team.

Four Scottish lads beat the American defending Olympic champions 8-4 in the semifinals yesterday night to clinch no worse than a silver medal and earn the right to play Sweden for the gold.

Although Scotland is curling’s birthplace and the sport remains a national passion, the British have not won the men’s gold — and have just two medals of any colour — since the sport returned to the Winter Games in 1998.

“It’ll be some party back home if we do,” British lead Hammy McMillan said. “It would mean the absolute world to everyone if we do.”

The Swedes topped Canada 5-3 in the other semifinal at the Ice Cube curling venue. Skip Niklas Edin will have a chance to complete his set of Olympic medals, having won bronze in Sochi and a silver in Pyeongchang.

“It’s going to be a super, super interesting final,” Edin said. “I think it might be nerve-wracking to play, but I think it’s going to be a super well-played game.”

John Shuster, who won bronze in 2006 and gold four years ago — the only Olympic curling medals in US history — will skip the Americans in the thirdplace game against Canada.

“I learned a lot in Torino back in 2006, because you have this huge disappointment. And then, you know, it’s really easy to just let that disappointment linger,” he said.

Trailing 5-4 at the fiveend break, the Americans intentionally blanked three straight ends to retain control of the last-rock advantage, known as the hammer.

They would have happily done it again in the ninth end, but Britain boxed them in, and Shuster intentionally threw away his last stone — conceding one point to retain the hammer in the 10th, trailing 6-4.

In the final end, Mouat left Shuster no good options for his final stone, and in desperation he wound up knocking away all of the red rocks in the scoring area to leave two British yellow ones.

“We lost to a team that played better. That’s the long and the short of it,” US second Matt Hamilton said.

“There’s nothing you can really say or to sugarcoat it.”

STRIKING GOLD IN BEIJING BEIJING (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Thursday, February 17, at the Beijing Games: ALPINE SKIING WOMEN’S ALPINE COMBINED Defending champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland clinched a second straight Olympic gold medal in the Alpine combined race after Mikaela Shiffrin again skied out in the slalom run.

Gisin beat teammate Wendy Holdener by 1.05 seconds in the two-run race to help Switzerland make it a record five gold medals in Alpine skiing at a single Olympics.

Federica Brignone of Italy was third, 1.85 seconds behind Gisin, to claim a second medal in Beijing.

She also took silver in the giant slalom — another race Shiffrin failed to finish.

FIGURE SKATING WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva ends in fourth place in the women’s individual figure skating event, which she competed in despite failing a preOlympics doping test.

The 15-year-old was atop the leaderboard after Tuesday’s short programme, but falls and stumbles shunted her out of contention last night.

The stumble means Valieva’s Russian teammate Anna Shcherbakova took first. Russian Alexandra Trusova placed second and Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamato claimed third.

The trio will get medals.

The IOC had said they wouldn’t hold a medal ceremony if Valieva placed in the top three.

HOCKEY WOMEN’S Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in the fierce rivals’ latest

Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Thursday, February 17

FROM left, silver medallist, Alexandra Trusova, of the Russian Olympic Committee, gold medallist, Anna Shcherbakova, of the Russian Olympic Committee, and bronze medallist, Kaori Sakamoto, of Japan, pose during a venue ceremony after the women’s free skate programme during the figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics yesterday in Beijing.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) showdown to win the gold medal in women’s hockey.

Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice and assisted on Sarah Nurse’s goal to add another chapter to her legacy as “Captain Clutch” for Canada.

Goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens made 38 saves and was at her best when under siege.

Canada won Olympic gold for the fifth time in seven chances since women’s hockey was introduced CANADA goalkeeper Emerance Maschmeyer and Natalie Spoonat the 1998 Nagano Games. er, right, pose with their gold medals after defeating the United The defending champion States in the women’s gold medal hockey game yesterday in US settled for silver for a Beijing.

(AP Photo/Jae C Hong) fourth time.

Finland won bronze a where the third-place fin- Fanny Smith of Switzerday earlier by beating Swit- isher was disqualified. land, but after a delay the zerland 4-0.

Naeslund opened up a bronze was awarded to FREESTYLE SKIING lead and held off Cana- Daniela Maier of Germany.

WOMEN’S SKICROSS da’s Marielle Thompson Smith moved her left World champion Sandra on a snowy day along the ski directly into the line of Naeslund of Sweden won winding course filled with Maier and Maier briefly the women’s Olympic ski- bumps and jumps. The lost her balance. Maier fell cross competition in a race third-place finisher was two body lengths behind

and couldn’t catch up. Following the review, Smith’s place was listed as “RAL” -- ranked as last.

NORDIC COMBINED TEAM GUNDERSEN LARGE HILL/4X5KM CROSS-COUNTRY Norway won Olympic gold in the Nordic combined team competition after overcoming the COVID-related loss of Jarl Magnus Riiber.

The team led by fourtime Olympic gold medallist Joergen Graabak pulled away late in the cross-country race to win by 54.9 seconds. It was an impressive result after Riiber went home earlier in the day.

Germany won silver for its sixth straight Olympic medal in the team event.

Japan finished third.

SPEEDSKATING WOMEN’S 1,000M Miho Takagi of Japan won her fourth speedskating medal of the Beijing Games and the first individual gold of her career with an Olympic-record victory in the women’s 1,000 metres.

The silver went to Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands, while Brittany Bowe of the United States claimed the first individual medal of her career with a bronze.

Takagi won with a time of 1 minute, 13.19 seconds, easily breaking the previous Olympic record of 1:13.56 set in 2018 by Jorien ter Mors. Leerdam posted a time of 1:13.83 despite dragging her left hand on the ice to stay upright in a turn. Bowe grabbed the bronze in 1:14.61.

RUSSIAN TRIO OF SKATERS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURES AFTER DRAMA

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — The gold medallist said she felt empty. The silver medallist pledged never to skate again. The favourite left in tears without saying a word.

After one of the most dramatic nights in their sport’s history, Russia’s trio of teenage figure skating stars each enter an uncertain future.

Her Olympics and life turned upside down by a doping case, world record holder Kamila Valieva faces a possible ban and a coach whose first response to her disastrous skate yesterday was criticism.

“Why did you let it go?

Why did you stop fighting?” cameras caught Eteri Tutberidze — the notoriously strict coach who will be investigated over Valieva’s failed drug test — telling the 15-year-old after she fell twice and dropped out of medal contention.

As Valieva placed fourth and left in tears, she received a message of support from 2018

silver medallist Evgenia Medvedeva.

“I am so happy that this hell is over for you,” Medvedeva posted on Instagram. “I really value you and love you and I’m happy that you can relax now, little kitten. I congratulate you on the end of the Olympics and I hope that you can live calmly and breathe.”

Unfortunately for Valieva, she can’t relax just yet. The failed drug test which turned her life upside down still hangs over her head. While she was allowed to keep skating in Beijing by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to avoid “irreparable harm,” that ruling is valid only until a full investigation of her December 25 test for the banned substance trimetazidine is resolved. The case could take months and still cost Valieva and her Russian teammates the gold medal they won in last week’s team event.

Runner-up Alexandra Trusova was also in despair after her historymaking five quadruple jumps proved not enough to beat teammate Anna

KAMILA VALIEVA, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts after competing in the women’s free skate programme during the figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics, yesterday in Beijing.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Shcherbakova to the gold one without a gold medal. medal. “I hate this sport,” The Russians won the she shouted at the side of team event using Valieva the rink. “I won’t go onto twice instead of allowing the ice again.”

Shcherbakova or Trusova Trusova said she was to skate one of the womhappy with the skate but en’s programmes. That win not with the result, an could be stripped because apparent jab at he judging of Valieva’s doping case. that gave Shcherbakova Trusova later said her enough extra points for art- comments about not istry to keep her ahead. skating again had been Trusova could be heard “emotional”, the result of crying that she was the only missing her family and her

dogs, but didn’t commit to compete at next month’s world championships.

Shcherbakova seemed unsure how to react the drama unfolding around her, and said she felt sorry for Valieva. “I still don’t comprehend what has happened. On the one hand I feel happy, on the other I feel this emptiness inside.”

Shcherbakova arrived in Beijing as the world champion from 2021, but Valieva’s record-breaking scores and Trusova’s allor-nothing quads turned her into an underdog to her younger teammates.

Being called an Olympic champion was “unreal,” Shcherbakova said. “I don’t feel like it’s me they’re talking about.”

Russian skaters’ careers are typically so short that at the age of 17, Shcherbakova almost immediately faced questions over whether she would retire.

“I have the desire to skate, and I can’t even imagine being without figure skating,” she said.

The 2026 Olympics are a long way off, and no Tutberidze-trained woman has

ever stayed in elite skating long enough to become a two-time Olympian. The last woman to retain the gold was Katarina Witt of East Germany in 1988.

What happens next for Shcherbakova and her teammates-turned-rivals depends on many factors — the eventual doping verdict, any further punishment for Tutberidze and the rest of her entourage and the myriad of injuries which can plague young skaters performing quads.

As she tries to recover from a failure on the sport’s biggest stage, Valieva remains at the centre of a confrontation between Russia and international institutions.

About six hours before she took to the ice, Russian Olympic Committee president Stanislav Pozdnyakov said he would not give up the team event gold medal “under any circumstances, regardless of the results of the disciplinary investigation into the athlete.”

Just one of many unresolved questions for the three young Russian skaters.

PAGE 14, Friday, February 18, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Scheffler, Spieth tied for early lead at tough Riviera

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some of the best players in golf were at their best yesterday in the Genesis Invitational, with Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler sharing the early lead.

Riviera still managed to hold its own, to no one’s surprise.

Even in ideal conditions — very little wind and warm sunshine — Spieth and Scheffler did well to post 5-under 66 on a course with minimal rough and firm greens.

British Open champion Collin Morikawa, who has another mathematical shot at reaching No. 1 in the world if he were to win, joined a group that included Justin Thomas at 67.

Jon Rahm, the No. 1 player in the world, had another week where he couldn’t seem to make anything. He raised his arms in mock triumph when he made a 4-foot birdie on the par-4 eighth, his 17th hole of the round. It was the second-longest putt he made all day. The longest was on the next hole, when he made a 5-footer for par.

Rahm still managed a 69.

The tournament now has Tiger Woods as the host and has been awarded elevated status, meaning it has a $12 million purse and the winner gets a threeyear exemption. Add that to Riviera and all its reverence, and it’s not surprise all 10 of the top 10 in the world are playing, along with 19 of the top 25 in the world ranking.

That doesn’t guarantee big-time winners. Woods, even in his best years, never won at Riviera.

For someone like Spieth, it would be extra special given the location.

“If I could pick one non-major (or) Players Championship to win on

the PGA Tour, it would be here,” Spieth said. “I love Riviera. I think it’s arguably ... it’s in the conversation as the best golf course in the world.”

Spieth has one big win at Riviera, part of the Texas team that won the NCAA title in 2012. He looked as though he had a chance to take it lower than 66 when he opened with a pair of birdies that trickled into the side of the cup. Even after a three-putt bogey on the par-3 14th, holed a 20-foot birdie on the next hole. He also made a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 7 to become the first player to reach 6 under on the day, only to be slowed by a bogey on the eighth.

Scheffler is coming of his first win last week in the Phoenix Open, and he was more tired than usual, which is a good problem to have.

He escaped with par on his second hole, the par-5 11th, with a tee shot he expected to be on the practice range and outof-bounds. From there, he found the slope of the barranca and ultimately got up-and-down from a bunker.

His round turned on the par-5 opening hole with a 7-iron to 2 feet for eagle, and he closed out his round with an approach to 4 feet on the ninth.

JORDAN Spieth hits his second shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club yesteday in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. TOP LEFT - Scottie Scheffler putts on the 13th green.

(AP Photos/Ryan Kang) Thomas did all his have have to be smart. We ago, went from 15-time work on the front nine play our misses, and thank- major champion to first-tee after missing several good fully I was able to miss in starter. chance on the back. He was the fat sides of the greens He announced the openeven par until picking up and roll it up next to the ing group, which included an eagle at No. 1, followed hole.”

Aaron Beverly, who is playby two birdies. Morikawa, Among those play- ing on the Charlie Sifford who ironed out some swing ing in the afternoon were exemption that goes to issues last week, was his defending champion and players hopeful of promotusual steady self.

Southern California native ing more minorities in the In that respect, so was Max Homa, Rory McIlroy game. This is the 100-year Riviera. and Patrick Cantlay, who anniversary of the birth “It played tough. There’s also has a mathematical of Sifford, the first Black some pin locations out chance to reach No. 1 if he golfer to win a PGA Tour there and you just can’t were to win. event. The number 100 was miss in some spots,” MoriThe round started with on the flag on the first hole. kawa said. “Some spots a touch of class. Woods, Beverly made birdie and out here if you’re going to still recovering from inju- was going well until a 9 miss, you’re going to make ries to his right leg from on the eighth hole, and he (automatic) 5s and you a car crash in LA a year wound up with an 82.

Transgender swimmers bring spotlight to Ivy championship

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

(AP) — There isn’t much to indicate anything other than a typical college swim meet is taking place this week at Harvard University’s Blodgett Pool.

No demonstrations or protests outside the building. But there is evidence of the discussion surrounding the sport during the past year.

An “8 Against Hate” sign is displayed above the pool between flags representing each of the schools competing in the Ivy League women’s swimming championship.

Athletes from several schools also wore shirts featuring the statement.

There’s also the public address announcement made before every session that reminds spectators the conference is committed to putting on an event “free of racist, homophobic or transphobic discrimination.”

For Lia Thomas and Iszac Henig, it’s an example of the environment that has surrounded both for more than a year as they’ve sought to showcase their talents and compete at the sport’s highest level.

Their personal journeys and participation in the Ivy championships are the latest in an ongoing national conversation about the rules that govern the participation of transgender athletes in college athletics.

Both Thomas, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, and Henig, a junior at Yale University, are transgender.

Thomas is a transgender woman and former male

swimmer for the Quakers, and has followed the NCAA and Ivy League’s rules since she began her transition in 2019 by starting hormone replacement therapy. Henig is swimming for Yale’s women’s team while transitioning to male, and he competes in some of the same events as Thomas.

Thomas has been a star this season, entering this week’s championship as the top qualifier in the 200-, 500- and 1,650-metre freestyle events. Some of her wins this season have been by wide margins, including in yesterday’s 500-metre freestyle final, which she won by half a pool length and set a new pool record in a time of 4:37.32.

It’s prompted some — purportedly on her own team — to question whether she has an advantage since she was born as a biological male.

At Penn’s final home swim meet of the season, protesters who opposed her participation yelled things like, “Stand up for women! Even when they’re swimming! Men cannot be women!”

But Thomas has also been beaten by Henig, who won a meeting last month in the 100-metre freestyle.

Thomas finished sixth.

They have a chance to go head-to-head again today; Henig and Thomas are the top two qualifiers in the 100 freestyle.

Henig won the 50-metre freestyle final in a poolrecord time of 21.93 and qualified fifth in the 200 freestyle.

Several states either have or are considering laws that would keep transgender girls and college-age women from playing in

PENN’s Lia Thomas waits to compete in a qualifying heat of the 500 yard freestyle event at the Ivy League Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Harvard University, yesterday in Cambridge, Mass. Thomas, who is transitioning to female, is swimming for the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s team.

(AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) school sports leagues that match their gender identity.

South Dakota’s governor signed a law that’s set to take effect July 1 to do just that, and Utah is considering creating a state commission to make decisions about transgender student-athletes participating in youth sports.

Ever-shifting requirements for transgender athletes at the NCAA and college levels briefly left Thomas’ participation in the Ivy championships and next month’s NCAA championships in doubt.

Last month, the NCAA said it would defer to the rules of each sport’s governing body to determine the eligibility of transgender athletes. On February 1, USA Swimming released an update to its policies, requiring transgender women competing at the elite level to have small levels of testosterone — half the previous level Thomas was allowed to compete under -- for 36 months before being eligible.

But citing “potentially detrimental impacts to

schools and student-athletes,” the NCAA said in a statement last week that it wouldn’t alter the previously approved testosterone threshold for transgender women to compete at this year’s championships. It cleared the way for Thomas to be in the pool this week and next month.

Thomas and Penn coach Mike Schnur declined an interview request through an Ivy League official.

Yale’s swim and coaching staff won’t be conducting media interviews during this week’s championship, the same official said.

But in an interview prior to the NCAA’s policy change, Henig told The Associated Press that the constant changes in policies were unwarranted.

“At every level, from elementary to collegiate, trans athletes have been competing for years — and the extremely negative predictions about what will happen to sports have already been shown to be false,” he said. “In every sport, at every level, there is a wide range of athletic abilities on display. Trans athletes are no different and don’t change this.”

Thomas’ only public interview this season was in December on the SwimSwam podcast. She said that she’s starting to find peace after feeling “trapped” in a man’s body for years prior to starting her transition.

“I’m feeling confident and good in my swimming and all my personal relationships,” she said, “and transitioning has allowed me to be more confident in all of those aspects of my life where I was struggling a lot before I came out.”

DJOKOVIC GETS WARM WELCOME IN DUBAI BEFORE TENNIS TOURNEY DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic yesterday received a warm welcome in Dubai, where he visited the world’s fair following the global drama around his decision to remain unvaccinated.

After being twice detained and deported from Australia ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam Tournament last month, Djokovic was in the United Arab Emirates for the Duty Free Tennis Championships.

“I’m excited to go out on the tennis court next Monday,” he said when asked by The Associated Press how he feels after the recent twists and turns of the legal dispute over his travel visa. “I miss tennis honestly after everything that has happened.”

Djokovic this week doubled down on his decision to stay unvaccinated. The No. 1-ranked tennis player said he would skip the French Open, Wimbledon and other tournaments if he was required to get a coronavirus vaccine to compete.

Djokovic reiterated in an interview with Serbia’s state RTS television yesterday that he keeps “an open mind” about the possibility of getting vaccinated in the future but remains willing to miss upcoming majors because of his refusal to do so.

“I am not exclusive, anything is possible in life,” he said. “I decided at this moment not to do it and I am ready to bear consequences.”

The government of Dubai does not require visitors to be vaccinated to enter. The men’s tennis tour event begins next week.

As he ambled into the pavilion yesterday surrounded by a sea of journalists, fans clapped and chanted “Nole,” his nickname.

Djokovic posed for selfies with adoring fans and set off on a guided tour of Serbia’s national pavilion at Expo 2020 days before he was due to hit the courts.

The pavilion was hosting an event for his foundation, the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which promotes early childhood education in Serbia.

“I’m proud to be on this stage,” Djokovic said after his wife Jelena gave a presentation about the foundation’s work with children.

He said it was often hard to be involved as much as he wanted to be with the foundation given his whirlwind tournament schedule.

But he quickly acknowledged: “It’s not as busy as it used to be.”

CASPER RUUD PULLS OUT OF RIO OPEN WITH ABDOMINAL INJURY RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Second-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway pulled out of the Rio Open clay-court tournament yesterday with an abdominal injury.

Ruud told a news conference that he was still feeling the effects of an injury he picked up during Sunday’s final of the Argentina Open, which he won.

“I tried as much as I could, but unfortunatelly it wasn’t possible,” Ruud said.

“It was a tough decision, I was looking forward to play here.”

Ruud was replaced by Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, who lost his second-round match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 after the second set was halted for a rain delay.

Cerundolo will next face Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, who beat sixth-seeded Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 7-5, 6-4.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 18, 2022, PAGE 15

HAMILTON BECOMES 1ST BLACK DAYTONA 500 RACE DIRECTOR

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

GOLDEN State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry and general manager Bob Myers, from left, pose while the players were presented All-Star Game jerseys, before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in San Francisco, on Wednesday.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Today’s best, yesterday’s stars set to shine at NBA All-Star

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer THE NBA’s All-Star weekend is about fashion and fun, Saturday night slams and celebrating the very best in the game today.

This year, it’s just as much about the stars of yesterday.

The league is honouring its 75th anniversary team during Sunday’s game, just as it celebrated 50 years when it last brought AllStar weekend to Cleveland in 1997.

Michael Jordan had the first triple-double in AllStar Game history that night and Kobe Bryant won the slam dunk contest as a rookie the night before, but it was the halftime ceremony that provided one of the most moving memories in the event’s history.

“I remember 25 years ago watching those guys get those leather jackets and stand on top of that podium. I thought that was an unbelievable moment,” LeBron James said on TNT after drafting his team that will play against the team picked by Kevin Durant in the game.

Both are part of the 75th anniversary team and James has become one of the greatest All-Stars of them all. The Akron, Ohio native returns home to make his record 18th consecutive All-Star start, a streak that began during his first stint playing for the Cavaliers in 2005.

“It’s very humbling and grateful to be a part of it,” James said. “But it just doesn’t make sense still to me, just knowing the game that I loved, the game that I watched and the game that I’ve studied my whole life, and then knowing that I’m a part of such a historic moment back in my hometown around my family and friends. It just feels like a dream, to be completely honest.”

Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul and James Harden are the other All-Stars who were voted to the 75th anniversary team. The game also includes first-time All-Stars such as guards Ja Morant of Memphis, LaMelo Ball of Charlotte and starter Andrew Wiggins of Golden State.

Things to know about All-Star weekend: THE HOST Not exactly the first choice as a winter-travel destination, Cleveland will nonetheless warmly welcome the All-Stars and hoop fans.

Fortunately, the weather forecast is mostly promising and won’t hinder the

international event, which was grown in scale since its last visit to the city 25 years ago.

Cleveland’s downtown has been spruced up with All-Star signs, including a massive banner on a building across the street from Rocket Mortgage Arena, a spot where James’ image towered for years during his two stints with the Cavaliers.

He returns as Cleveland is enjoying another basketball renaissance. The Cavs, who won just 60 total games over the past three seasons, are relevant for the first time since James left following the 2018 season, ending the franchise’s run to four straight NBA Finals.

The Cavs will be represented in Sunday’s game by first-time All-Star guard Darius Garland and center Jarrett Allen, who got his first nod as a reserve as a replacement for injured James Harden.

STRIVING FOR FIVE James is 4-0 as the captain since the NBA switched to the format of the leading vote-getters in each conference drafting teams, rather than the East against the West.

WHAT’S NEW? The Skills Challenge, combining dribbling, passing and shooting, is now a team event. Giannis, Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo will compete against the Cavaliers team of Garland, Allen and Mobley, and a rookie trio of Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey.

The Rising Stars Challenge tonight also has been revamped into a fourteam tournament format featuring 12 rookies, 12 second-year players and four players from the NBA G League Ignite.

THE 3-POINT FIELD Chicago All-Star Zach LaVine, a two-time slam dunk champion, takes another shot at winning the 3-point contest. The remainder of the field: AllStars Trae Young (Atlanta), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) and Fred VanVleet (Toronto), plus CJ McCollum (New Orleans), Patty Mills (Brooklyn), Desmond Bane (Memphis) and Luke Kennard (Clippers).

THE DUNKERS New York’s Obi Toppin, last year’s runner-up, is the only former competitor in the dunk contest. Orlando’s Cole Anthony, Houston rookie Jalen Green and Golden State’s Juan Toscano-Anderson round out the field.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Jusan Hamilton fell hard for fast cars, dreaming as a kid of a NASCAR career as he drove at dirt tracks in New York. He contended for wins, kept pace with top drivers as he bounced from series to series and trusted his talent enough to know that he could succeed as a professional driver.

What Hamilton didn’t see as his family traversed around tracks were other kids that looked like him.

And while a dearth of minorities didn’t deter him from racing, it did lead other friends and family to wonder what he was doing with his time each weekend.

“Why does an AfricanAmerican kid from upstate New York have an interest in motorsports?” Hamilton said he was often asked.

The answer was simple, based less on breaking barriers and blazing trails, and more about simply pursuing his passion.

“For me, it was, this is what I enjoy,” Hamilton said. “This is what I love doing. There’s a huge connection with me and my family to go to the race track each weekend and spend the time together.”

The 31-year-old Hamilton did make it in racing, not in a driving career that petered out -- to a great degree because of the financial strain on his family -- but behind the scenes for over a decade in NASCAR. He has worked in event production, social media, shepherded the series’ Drive for Diversity program (that rejected him as a teen) and eventually was named race director for NASCAR’s three national series.

On deck, his milestone moment: Hamilton is set to become the first Black race director in Daytona 500 history and only the third since 1988. He will watch from a booth overlooking the sprawling track and call the shots on everything from cautions to penalties to the clean-up crew, navigating the complexities of the race in the official debut for NASCAR’s Next Gen car.

“It’s not necessarily about being the first Black man to call the Daytona 500,” he said. “Career-wise, it’s a huge accomplishment for me, with the passion I’ve had for motorsports. Bigger picture, I hope it sets a positive example for others that, regardless of race and background, if you work hard and have a mindset toward your goal, it is achievable.”