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FIVE KILLED IN WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE

Two more critically hurt after spate of shooting incidents

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FOUR separate shooting incidents in three days have left five people dead and two others in hospital in critical condition.

The latest killings took place yesterday after 6pm on Thompson Lane, less than 24 hours after two other men, one of whom died, were shot on the same street.

Police are investigating whether any of the weekend homicides are connected or possibly gang-related. Police are also investigating whether retaliation played a factor.

Superintendent Audley Peters said Sunday’s victims were in their midtwenties. He said they were not related.

He told the media on

the scene that shortly after 6pm police control room received reports of a shooting incident that occurred on Thompson Lane.

“Our officers were dispatched and on the arrival of the first responders they met two males suffering from gunshot wounds lying on the ground.

Emergency Medical Service were dispatched and on their arrival on the scene they examined the victims, one of the males was pronounced lifeless on scene. The other was transported to the hospital where a short time ago he succumbed to his injuries,” Supt Peters said.

“The initial investigation in this incident suggests that two persons were standing at the end of a residence when a dark sedan pulled up.”

SEE PAGE THREE

BAHAMAS SANCTIONS RUSSIAN FINANCES OVER the weekend, The Bahamas announced economic sanctions on financial resources of the Russian Federation and those of certain entities and individuals linked to the Federation and Belarus.

A notice from financial services regulators said: “After consultation with the government of The Bahamas and with due consideration to interests of this jurisdiction and the financial services sector operator within it, the agencies comprising the Group of Financial Services Regulators (GFSR) hereby direct regulated entities that are licensed or authorised to operate from or within The Bahamas not to engage in transactions with sanctioned persons, entities or businesses linked to Russia and Belarus.

SEE PAGE FIVE

MASKS INDOORS - BUT NOT FOR HOTELS IN NEW RULE CHANGES

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS take a body away from the scene of a double homicide on Thompson Lane yesterday where two men were shot dead.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

‘WHY EVEN LISTEN AFTER CEASE AND DESIST?’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

OPPONENTS of an Adelaide-based swimming pigs attraction are challenging why Town Planning is “entertaining” its application when it has already issued a “cease and desist” order for it to close.

Sam Duncombe, president of the reEarth environmental group, whose property sits immediately next door to Beyond Da Village Pig

A PICTURE posted by Beyond Da Village to Facebook earlier this month.

Experience, told Tribune Business that it “still boggles my mind” how this and a similar attraction nearby

- Da Pig Beach - were still operating despite both lacking Town Planning approvals.

Speaking after a virtual Town Planning meeting on Thursday night, which discussed the application by Beyond Da Village and its operator, Charles Johnson, to construct and operate a bar and grill at the site, Mrs Duncombe blasted: “Why is Town Planning even entertaining him right now?”

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness announced further relaxations to COVID-19 restrictions over the weekend, loosening mask requirements for those in hotels or outdoors and adjusting protocols for social gatherings, allowing larger events to take place.

The ministry said it was cautiously optimistic about the progress in the fight against COVID-19.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Free National Movement Chairman and former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands called the new relaxations on face masks “glaringly discriminatory”.

SEE PAGE FOUR

INSIGHT QUICK TO SPEAK BUT SLOW TO ACT ON RUSSIA SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, March 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER Environment Minister Kendred Dorsett pictured outside court previously.

Case against ex-minister Dorsett is dropped

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net NEARLY five years after several charges related to misconduct while in public office were brought against former Cabinet Minister Kendred Dorsett, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a nolle prosequi in the matter.

This means the case has been abandoned on grounds that there was insufficient evidence, according to a statement issued by the Department of Public Prosecutions on Friday.

“The witness, Mr

Jonathan Ash, indicated his intention not to testify,” according to the statement.

“Therefore, the Director or Public Prosecutions having been advised by the senior officer having conduct of the matter signed a nolle prosequi in the matter of R vs Kendred Dorsett.”

Press secretary Clint Watson made the announcement first during the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly press briefing on Friday followed by a formal statement.

The former environment and housing minister appeared in a Magistrate’s Court on July 14, 2017, accused of using his former

ministerial position to extort and solicit $120,000 in bribes from businessman Johnathan Ash. Mr Dorsett at the time was arraigned before Magistrate Samuel McKinney concerning nine criminal charges: a single count of misconduct in public office and four counts each of extortion and bribery. He denied the allegations.

The former member of Parliament spent two days in police custody and was then granted $50,000 bail with two sureties.

Mr Dorsett had been the first of three government officials brought before the courts.

PEDESTRIAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR A PEDESTRIAN died after he was hit by a car on Tonique Williams Darling Highway on Saturday, police said.

Around 7pm, police were called to the scene of the accident and were told that a vehicle was travelling in

an eastbound lane when the man was hit.

“The victim while on scene was incoherent and appeared to be mentally challenge(d),” police said.

The victim was taken to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services where he

later died.

Officers from the Traffic Division are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the male. “If there is a male family member who may be missing, relatives should contact the Traffic Police Station at 397-8050,” police said.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 3

Five killed in weekend of violence from page one

“A lone gunman exited that vehicle and discharged his weapon at those two gentlemen injuring them, resulting in their deaths.”

Asked if this incident was possibly connected to another recent murder, he replied: “There’s a possibility that there is a connection and we won’t rule it out — (we) just have to put all the dots together and do the victimology. That will tell us who it is, what’s the reason and we’ll (go) from there.”

A reporter pointed out that members of the RBPF’s anti-gang unit were on the scene. Supt Peters explained that wherever there is a firearm-related matter that unit is responsible for coming out and doing an investigation.

“The reason that they’re here is to canvas the area and listen to what the word is on the street, act on it, and verify what they’re saying whether it be true or not,” Supt Peters said.

The weekend of bloodshed began on Friday when one man was killed and another was taken to hospital. While police did not officially give the identity of the victim, The Tribune understands the deceased is Vernal Stubbs.

Supt Peters told reporters on that scene that the two victims appeared to be friends in their early 30s.

POLICE at the scene of a homicide at Cordeaux Ave on Saturday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

A BODY is taken from the scene of Friday’s shooting on Eighth Street.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

He said shortly after 5pm on Friday, police received a complaint of a shooting incident that occurred on Eighth Street, Coconut Grove.

“Officers were dispatched and on the arrival of the first responders they met a white jeep on the eastern side of Eighth Street with two inside suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services visited the scene and following the assessment of the technicians, one of the males was pronounced lifeless.

“Initial investigation indicates at least two males were standing outside the residence when a vehicle approached them. Two males exited that vehicle brandishing firearms and discharged their weapons at the males, injuring them about their bodies.“ One woman at the scene revealed the heartbreak of losing her brother. “They kill my brother and he don’t bother nobody,” the woman said. “They kill me too

dispatched and on arrival, they found a male in his twenties lying on the southern side of Thompson Lane crouched against a building. He was unresponsive following the officers’ examination and pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. He said four children under the age of ten were on the scene when the incident happened, but none was injured. “The particulars or the initial investigation suggests that a vehicle, which was a jeep, came through the street as young men gathered playing a game and two occupants exited that vehicle armed with firearms and discharged those weapons at those young men,” Supt Peters said on Saturday.

“A number of them scattered, however, this victim was shot about his body and succumbed to the injuries.”

He said police have a “promising” investigation.

Asked if police suspect this shooting to

because that’s my brother.

“They take away one of my heart away from me.

They take away my baby.

I don’t know what to say. I have too much love for my brothers.”

A person close to the victim said the culprits killed somebody who helped the people in the community.

“They took down a good person,” another resident said. “They took down a good person. He’s a wellrespected person and people love him. You can get the shirt off his back. For something like that to happen, we never would’ve thought that would happen to him.”

The other man taken to hospital was confirmed to be a family friend.

Two other men were killed on Saturday.

Supt Peters said that sometime after 2pm, police received complaints of a shooting that occurred on Thompson Lane off East Street. Officers were

be gang-related, he said “the streets are saying that” but police could not confirm.

Asked if the murder is connected to Friday’s shooting, Supt Peters added he could not conclusively say that at this stage.

Yesterday, Supt Peters confirmed a second person was shot in the Thompson Lane incident and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Hours later, after 10pm, police were called to Cordeaux Avenue as the result of a shooting incident. The victim in that incident is said to be in his early 50s.

“On the arrival of our first responders, they discovered a grey vehicle parked on the southern side of Cordeaux Avenue west of Market Street. An inspection of that vehicle revealed an adult male suffering from wounds consistent with gunshots.

A check of his vital signs and he was unresponsive hence EMS was called. On their arrival, following the

assessment of the technicians, they pronounced that the male was lifeless following their assessment,” Supt Peters said.

“The particulars at the moment are that this male was coming home and as he pulled up to his residence two vehicles pulled up behind him. Suspects exited one of the vehicles and armed with firearms they discharged their weapon at the victim hitting him multiple times and he succumbed on the scene.”

He went on to assure the public the police are putting their “best foot forward” in the wake of the recent spate of gun violence.

“Our response at the moment is a robust police presence on the ground,” he said “We are doing aggressive stops and searches in the Coconut Grove area where we’ve initiated some exercises and other areas. I could assure the members of the public we’re putting our best foot forward.

“However, this must be done in partnership with members of the community.

How do we need your partnership - your eyes, your ears, and your information.

If you know something, say something because we are in this together collectively.

We are encouraged to do our work and we will continue to do our work.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

SADNESS OVER DEATH OF ‘LOVELY AND KINDHEARTED’ CARISSA

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE alleged suicide death of a young mother has reignited outrage and concern throughout the country.

While social media was flooded with both kind words about Carissa Culmer, 24, and regrets that more had not been done to assist her, some government officials called for swift action regarding genderbased violence and mental health, while others said the death was unfortunate.

Among them were Senate President LaShell Adderley and State Social Services Minister Lisa Rahming. They noted on Friday that a Gender Violence Bill and Mental Health legislation are under active review with drafts to the Cabinet and Parliament forthcoming.

Both President Adderley and Minister Rahming had been intimately involved with Ms Culmer after she made an impassioned plea in a video uploaded to social media site Facebook for help in dealing with ongoing domestic violence. While that video was uploaded to the site last November, it was sometime in December that both the Senate president and

Ms Rahming intervened to help Ms Culmer.

They said they were deeply saddened and devastated by the death of the mother of one child.

She was found hanging in a hotel room at a hotel on West Bay Street.

“Carissa was a lovely and kindhearted young woman who so desperately wanted to make a difference in her life and our beloved country,” the joint statement read.

“We first became aware of Carissa’s acute crisis in December 2021 when her story of being a victim of domestic violence became viral. Senator Adderley immediately contacted her, and invited her to attend a Senate session as her personal guest to bring awareness to domestic violence. Minister Rahming was able to secure resources to assist Carissa and her son and invited her to address Urban Renewal’s Domestic Violence Training Session,” the statement continued.

“In my interactions with Carissa, she was always bubbly, warm and engaging,” Minister Rahming said.

The Senate president added: “Carissa was a sweet soul who was so appreciative and thankful for the consistent support, encouragement, and love my

family and I had shown her.

We often spoke with excitement about the next season of her life.”

Unfortunately, Carissa was a victim of domestic violence, the statement went on to note.

“The journey of all abuse victims is difficult, and is always accompanied by profound mental and emotional anguish. The path towards healing can be long and delicate. We stand resolute in continuing the fight against gender-based violence and mental health issues.

“We hereby advise that both the Gender Violence Bill and Mental Health legislation are under active review with drafts to the Cabinet and Parliament forthcoming.”

In a separate statement, Social Services and Urban Development Minister Obie Wilchcombe said he was saddened, and referred to Ms Culmer’s upbringing in state institutions.

He said: “I am advised that Ms Culmer was nurtured in our child care facilities as an adolescent and showed much promise when she eventually exited the system.

“The circumstances surrounding Ms Culmer’s death are under active investigation by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

her young son. These were reasons enough for her to doubt that Culmer committed suicide.

Ms Farrington said: “She’s a strong person and all that she been through. I mean, like being homeless, having nowhere to go… being abused – all this stuff. Why didn’t she kill herself then? “(But now) especially when she have a baby? That baby mean so much to her.

When she was pregnant with that boy, she didn’t want that little boy to go through what she went through. I can’t believe this happen

– not with her. She wasn’t the person to do this at all. Never talked about killing herself.

Never talked about hurting herself. None of that.”

Ms Farrington said she is going to wait on the results of the investigation.

She said she had lived with Ms Culmer between 2018 and 2019 for three to four months before Ms Culmer’s baby was born.

“She was excited about the baby,” Ms Farrington said. “She wanted her son to have something she did not have growing up – both a mother and a father.”

FRIEND DOUBTS CARISSA TOOK OWN LIFE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A FRIEND of a 24-yearold woman found hanging in a hotel room on Thursday night says she doubts the victim ended her own life. She suspects that she was a victim of foul play.

Carissa Culmer was found in a room at the Land Shark Coco Plum Resort on West Bay Street where she is alleged to have hanged herself. Her child was said to be in the room when her body was found.

Superintendent Audley Peters told reporters at the scene on Thursday that due to the early stages of the investigation, police would await the results of an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.

Last November, Ms Culmer made a tearful plea in a video on Facebook for help as she gave her account of the repeated and ongoing physical abuse she suffered at the hands of a man.

Monica Farrington, in an interview with The Tribune on Friday, last spoke to Carissa after that video was posted. She remembered her friend’s character and the love she had for

I will reserve further comments until these investigations are completed.”

As he referred to this week’s observance of International Women’s Day, Mr Wilchcombe reiterated that women should have equal rights, pay and participation in The Bahamas’ affairs and development.

“I am advised that Ms Culmer was a devoted mother despite the challenges she may have faced.

She would have personally shared her story in recent months. The Office of the Attorney General is working with my Ministry and other agencies and will introduce Revolutionary Legislation on Gender Equality, Mental Health and Children.”

He said it was the mandate of the Department of Social Services to respond in the most timely, effective, efficient and

compassionate manner to the changing social needs of all citizens through the various services provided by our agencies.

“It is most unfortunate that Ms Culmer had to endure the circumstances that ended in her untimely death,” he added. “We at the ministry extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ms Culmer. May Ms Culmer’s soul rest in peace.”

PAGE 4, Monday, March 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

MASKS INDOORS - BUT NOT FOR HOTELS IN NEW RULE CHANGES from page one

Regarding masking requirements, a person is not required to wear a face mask while in a lobby, corridor or casino of a hotel or while in an outdoor setting where there is at least three feet of space between persons who are not of the same household.

Disabled persons or people with specified medical conditions are not required to wear a mask provided they have in their possession a medical certificate or letter signed by a medical practitioner proving the existence of such disability or medical condition.

The ministry reminded members of the public to wear a face mask while away from his or her residence and in the company of people who are not members of their household. The mask should fit securely to the face of the wearer, ensuring that both

nose and mouth are covered at all times.

Dr Sands said he thinks that Bahamians will wonder if there is such a distinct difference in the management of COVID in hotel lobbies and casinos compared to ordinary Bahamian businesses.

“There may be or they may cite differences in vaccination rates and so on and so forth, but you know give Bahamians the courtesy of at least sharing with them the basis of your decision making,” Dr Sands said. “Show some respect for the intellect of Bahamians as opposed to something that was glaringly discriminatory.”

He added: “We note with interest the changes that have been made. We find it very interesting that the virus behaves differently in hotels and casinos than they do in Bahamian businesses, but most importantly we have been asking for the data that undergirds these decisions and to date they

have not been forthcoming.

So while we hope and wish the best for Bahamians we do not know on what basis these decisions were made.”

The Ministry of Health has also adjusted requirements for social gatherings.

A person may host or attend a social gathering indoors at a private residence or a facility provided that attendance is limited to 75 percent of the occupancy of the private residence or facility. All attendees must either be fully vaccinated or present a valid negative COVID-19 test and adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

A person may host or attend a social gathering held outdoors with not more than 300 people provided that all attendees must either be fully vaccinated or present a negative test and adhere to protocols.

Concerts, parties, carnivals, fairs, Junkanoo or carnival parades inclusive of practice rallies require

approval of the Emergency Operations Committee of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Consultant Physicians Staff Association urged members of the public to continue mask wearing in public spaces especially where there is a mixture of people not from the same household and the probability of touching high contact surfaces is present.

CPSA secretary general Dr Shakera Carroll, however, told The Tribune that overall, the newly announced COVID-19 relaxations are “doable”, noting decreasing case numbers and hospitalisations.

She said it was expected that the ministry would continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly in the event of a resurgence.

“I do think it’s doable because again we’ve had decreasing numbers of cases, decreasing numbers of hospitalisations and so the aim globally

of Health and Wellness made the announcement on Thursday, as of press time yesterday the change had not been reflected on the CDC’s website.

Mr Sands continued: “We are very satisfied that in the not-too-distant future as a result of the low number of COVID cases in the destination we should be elevated to either a level two or level one. This elevation goes a long way in sustaining the tourism sector and ensuring that the current pent-up demand for the destination goes unabated.

“The Bahamas has demonstrated to the world that we take COVID seriously.

That we have exercised

the protocols and now that we have demonstrated that we are getting to a better place we continue to commend the government on continuing to relax some of these protocols that act as inhibitors to potential travel to the destination of The Bahamas.”

He added that all resorts have been relaxing their restrictions, in response to the government also loosening measures.

He said; ““I can tell you that all comply with the protocols that are currently in place. There remains pressure from our guests to reduce further restrictions but we are governed, we’re a country of laws and we are governed by policy

and procedures. We are satisfy in due course that the government will address or hear our concerns on some of the remaining protocols in place and reduce them in due course.”

Mr Sands spoke a day before the Ministry of Health rolled back even more restrictions, loosening measures on social gatherings, large events and mask requirements for hotel guests.

The ministry said on Saturday a person is not required to wear a face mask while in a lobby, corridor, or casino of a hotel or while in an outdoor setting where there is at least three feet of space between persons who are not of the same household.

“I would say that a number of visitors to The Bahamas do not like the fact that these positions are in fact in place,” Mr Sands said on Friday. “I can also say that from a destination, the designation of category four put pressure on a lot of group organisers to recommend the destination going forward. So, it was a crutch to encourage more delayed booking decisions and also created opportunities for reductions in numbers or even cancellations at this point in time. The elevation takes away some of those

SANDS: TRAVEL RISK MOVE IS ‘STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Hotel and Tourism Association President Robert Sands says the country’s newly lowered travel risk rating by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention “is a step in the right direction”.

“We are very encouraged by the elevation of The Bahamas from a category four to a category three,” Mr Sands told reporters on Friday.

Last week, the country’s CDC travel rating was lowered from a four — very high risk — to a level three, which is high risk. While the Ministry

is to see how restrictions can be relaxed while at the same time monitoring for the effectiveness of those reductions in restrictions and making sure that the public is not adversely affected by that in terms of resurgences of cases,” Dr Carroll said.

“So, it’ll be expected that the Ministry of Health has continued to monitor the situation with the changes in restrictions and to either further relax or revise those relaxations should there be a rise in cases as a result.”

Regarding masking, she said: “The concern with mask wearing I would say that being the first defence it should be something that is continued throughout in public spaces especially… persons who aren’t in the same household and especially in areas where there are potentially high touch contact surfaces.

Persons may inadvertently sneeze or cough into their hands and sometimes people do those things

unconsciously and that can increase the risk of spread regardless of the fact that the omicron variant has thankfully been much milder than the other variants.”

She said while there is excitement that restrictions have been relaxed, safety protocols like hand washing and social distancing must continue.

The Ministry of Health has also said social distancing protocols remain in place. There should be no less than three feet between each person not of the same household whenever they are away from their residence.

Businesses must also ensure the same is maintained and have to determine the number of people permitted at any one time.

This comes as daily COVID-19 case counts remain low, with three new cases recorded on Friday.

• Additional reporting by Earyel Bowleg.

BAHAMAS Hotel and Tourism Association president Robert Sands. elements,” he explained.

Earlier this month, the government announced it had ended the requirement for an antigen test five days after arriving in the country.

Mr Sands expressed optimism over the change.

As the winter season is almost over and the warmer temperatures are approaching, Mr Sands gave a preview of how occupancy will perform in these periods.

“Understanding that hotels are seeing a robust period at this particular time and that is also against a backdrop. However, a number of hotels are still not online as yet as a result

of a number of factors Dorian, COVID, or hotels under renovation. And therefore, the capacity of rooms in The Bahamas is somewhat reduced at this point in time.

“That puts those hotels that are available in a very advantageous position to capitalise on this increased demand at this particular time. So, yes, we do see an increase number in occupancy in hotels that are currently open and also, we know that it’s a large amount taking advantage of the vacation market sector and also the cruise lines are also getting to a level of buoyancy.”

POLICE SEARCH FOR MAN OVER FIREARM

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABDUL RONDON BURROWS

A 32-YEAR-OLD Eight Mile Rock man is wanted by police in connection with investigation into possession of an unlicensed firearm with intent to endanger life.

Superintendent Terecita Pinder said police have issued an all points bulletin for Abdul Rondon

Burrows, of Pinedale, Eight Mile Rock.

He is five feet, eight inches tall and weighs 160 pounds of average build.

He has dark brown complexion, brown eyes, black hair, and speaks with a Bahamian accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 350-3014/6, 911, 302-8430, 352-1919, 3503106/9, or the nearest police station.

Funeral Service For Edward Bertram Turner, 70 Attorney-at-Law

a resident of Retirement Road will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, 10:00a.m. at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, East Shirley and Church Streets. Officiating will be Canon Basil Tynes assisted by Rev’d Dr. James B. Moultrie and Archdeacon James Palacious. Interment will follow in St. Matthew’s Church Cemetery, Church Street.

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

regulations

Relatives and Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 10:30a.m to 12:00noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30p.m.

Current Emergency COVID-19 regulations are in effect.

Social Distancing and Face Masks will be enforced.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 5

‘Please relax Ukraine visa rules’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net GALYNA Grynkiv and Inna Ostrovskaya say it has been unnerving living safely and comfortably in The Bahamas knowing their relatives in Ukraine fear death amid violence and bombing that continues to bear down on the Eastern European country from Russian forces.

“My family is sitting at home hoping not to die with bombs, planes and shelling.

It’s a war,” Ms Ostrovskaya said of her relatives who live just outside of Kyiv.

“We wake up and we go to bed with just one thought: are my relatives safe?” Mrs Grynkiv added.

The women are a part of a small Ukrainian community residing legally in The Bahamas.

They and others are advocating for the Bahamas government to relax tourist visa requirements for people in Ukraine to escape the war that began last month so that they can take refuge with their relatives living and working here.

Both made it clear that this was not a plea for financial assistance or refugee status, but simply an appeal to temporarily make it easier for Ukrainians to get visas for The Bahamas to stay for up to 90 days.

Currently, there is an exhaustive list of requirements to obtain visas.

The process involves completing an application from, submitting that form along with supporting

GALYNA GRYNKIV, her husband Sergii and their daughter Anna. documents, appearing in person at the nearest Bahamas Consulate or Embassy and a Bahamian citizen who wishes to sponsor a foreigner to visit them in the country must apply for the Bahamian visa in person at the Bahamas Consular Division in Nassau.

The supporting documents include a valid passport with more than six months before expiry and a return ticket. There must also be two passport photos on a white background,

a job letter or business licence, an original bank reference letter or statement, a police report, flight itinerary or ticket copy, copy of invitation letter and copies of previously held visas.

Children’s birth certificates to prove parental relations, copy of valid work permit for companies applying for a foreigner to take up employment in The Bahamas and all foreign marriage, birth, and death certificates submitted

in support of a visa application must be legalised/ apostilled in the country of origin before submission.

At best, people applying will wait a few weeks for approval.

“So, we are simply asking to temporarily lift the requirements or requirements for obtaining a tourist visa for citizens of the Ukraine,” Ms Ostrovskaya told The Tribune yesterday. “Only because it is physically impossible for people who

are running from a war zone to collect all of the necessary documentation now to follow the normal requirements for the tourist visa and really that’s it.

Just to simplify the process for them to literally evacuate a war zone so that they can just come here and be with their families and friends and be safe and secure.

“Whoever it is, the sponsors, they would fully be responsible for any kind of financial obligations or well-being of these people.

So, it’s not any kind of special status that we are hoping to get. It is pure administrative steps that we’re asking to temporarily lift to make it easy for these people and most importantly fast because if you can imagine timing is of the essence to be reunited with friends and family.”

She said that as it stands, her relatives in the Ukraine are simply sitting and waiting in hopes that they won’t die.

“They are sitting at home hoping not to die with bombs, planes and shelling, it’s a war. Just like what you’re seeing on TV they hope to get to the border but it’s so dangerous to leave your house in certain areas.

“My family is outside of the city and so the Russian army is coming from the outskirts and they’re trying to circle.

“They’re right outside of Kyiv, the capital and so the Russian army is trying to circle the city to basically

suffocate it. So, they’re coming to all these suburbs and villages and country sides and that’s where my family is.”

Any attempts to leave she said would be thwarted by paperwork.

“Paperwork stops them.

Number one they have to get to the border but once they do and if they do it’s the paperwork that stops them from being safe. Like all they want to do right now is just be safe and not have to worry about a bomb falling on their heads or a Russian soldier passing by and shooting people,” Ms Ostrovskaya said.

For her part, Mrs Grynkiv said waiving the visa requirement would mean less stress for relatives.

“We are not asking for refugee (status) or financial help, we are asking about waiving the visa requirements. That’s it and we think it will be a help making it easier to arrange the travel.

“Basically, since February 25 when the invasion began, we feel so bad. We wake up and we go to bed with just one thought: are my relatives safe where there is bombing raids and air raids are right now? It’s like what we are all thinking about.

“It’s hard for us to enjoy our everyday life because it’s the only thought that we have.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told The Tribune last week that currently officials were not considering relaxing visa requirements.

and defence support for Ukraine, as well as economic pressure on Russia.

It promotes the diplomatic and multilateral work that will be needed to ensure that solutions are found to restore Ukraine’s freedom

and sovereignty. No one expects this to be easy but we have to keep up the pressure so Putin ceases trying to redraw the borders of a sovereign, democratic nation in blood,” Ms Dickson said.

BAHAMAS SANCTIONS RUSSIAN FINANCES

from page one

“Regulated entities should apply the highest level of risk management controls to deter the potential for any misuse of the Bahamian financial system in the current global environments and indeed every circumstance.

“For the purposes of this directive, sanctions include those issued by the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, the European Union and other jurisdictions, which the GFSR may specify from time to time.”

The GFSR includes the Central Bank of The Bahamas, Securities Commission of The Bahamas, Insurance Commission of The Bahamas, Compliance Commission of The Bahamas and the Gaming Board.

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and a number of other countries have sanctioned Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said CARICOM was awaiting a decision from the United Nations Security Council before taking a position on

whether member states should impose sanctions on Russia.

On Friday, British High Commissioner to Nassau Sarah Dickson said the world has to pull together in a united effort against Vladimir Putin’s attempts to escalate the fighting in Ukraine.

“The images of the terrible destruction and civilian loss of life due to the indiscriminate bombing by the Russian military are impactful and distressing,” she said in a letter to the editor.

That is why the UK and The Bahamas co-sponsored a UN resolution demanding that Russia ‘immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.’ The resolution received overwhelming support with 141 countries from across the globe voting in favour.

“I have heard of some sympathy for Russia and the economic harm that will be a consequence of their invasion. I have read of people’s fears that if The Bahamas speaks up the country will be the victims of retribution. I have seen concerns about the value of The Bahamas objecting to Russian actions as irrelevant or inconsequential.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Opposing this war is the right thing to do. Standing up to a bully with one strong supportive voice is the right thing to do. That is why the vast majority of the UN’s members deplored ‘in the strongest terms the use of aggression by the Russian Federation’. Only by the world pulling together in this way do we have hope for the conflict to end. We have to calmly and in a unified way push back on president Putin’s attempts to escalate the fighting and create fear with threats of nuclear weapons readiness.

All the world’s voices and actions will count in global efforts to end this madness,” Ms Dickson said.

“A further reason to speak up is because the Russian government is lying to its people. It shuts down media outlets, blocks websites and harasses journalists that are reporting events. It has lied about the threat from Ukraine and is now lying about its barbaric actions in Ukraine, where civilians are targets for military action. The information flow from those of us that have independent, professional media analysing events is crucial.”

She said the UK has chosen to take rapid action

to try and stop the war through pressure on Mr Putin and support for the people of Ukraine.

“Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set this out in a six-point plan. This plan includes humanitarian

PAGE 6, Monday, March 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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Concern over trafficking of Ukraine refugees ONE MAN was detained in Poland suspected of raping a 19-year-old refugee he’d lured with offers of shelter after she fled war-torn Ukraine. Another was overheard promising work and a room to a 16-year-old girl before authorities intervened.

Another case inside a refugee camp at Poland’s Medyka border, raised suspicions when a man was offering help only to women and children. When questioned by police, he changed his story.

As millions of women and children flee across Ukraine’s borders in the face of Russian aggression, concerns are growing over how to protect the most vulnerable refugees from being targeted by human traffickers or becoming victims of other forms of exploitation.

“Obviously all the refugees are women and children,” said Joung-ah Ghedini-Williams, the UNHCR’s head of global communications, who has visited borders in Romania, Poland and Moldova. “You have to worry about any potential risks for trafficking — but also exploitation, and sexual exploitation and abuse. These are the kinds of situations that people like traffickers… look to take advantage of,” she said.

The UN refugee agency says more than 2.5 million people, including more than a million children, have already fled war-torn Ukraine in what has become an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Europe and its fastest exodus since World War II. In countries throughout Europe, including the border nations of Romania, Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Slovakia, private citizens and volunteers have been greeting and offering help to those whose lives have been shattered by war. From free shelter to free transport to work opportunities and other forms of assistance — help isn’t far away.

But neither are the risks.

Police in Wrocław, Poland, said Thursday they detained a 49-year-old suspect on rape charges after he allegedly assaulted a 19-year-old Ukrainian refugee he lured with offers of help over the internet. The suspect could face up to 12 years in prison for the “brutal crime,” authorities said.

“He met the girl by offering his help via an internet portal,” police said in a statement. “She escaped from wartorn Ukraine, did not speak Polish. She trusted a man who promised to help and shelter her. Unfortunately, all this turned out to be deceitful manipulation.”

Police in Berlin warned women and children in a post on social media in Ukrainian and Russian against accepting offers of overnight stays, and urged them to report anything suspicious.

Tamara Barnett, director of operations at the Human Trafficking Foundation, a UK-based charity, said that such a rapid, mass displacement of people could be a “recipe for disaster.”

“When you’ve suddenly got a huge cohort of really vulnerable people who need money and assistance immediately,” she said, “it’s sort of a breeding ground for exploitative situations and sexual exploitation. When I saw all these volunteers offering their houses … that flagged a worry in my head.”

The Migration Data Portal notes that humanitarian crises such as those associated with conflicts “can exacerbate pre-existing trafficking trends and give rise to new ones” and that traffickers can thrive on “the inability of families and communities to protect themselves and their children”.

Security officials in Romania and Poland told The Associated Press that plain-clothed intelligence officers were on the lookout for criminal elements.

In the Romanian border town of Siret, authorities said men offering free rides to women have been sent away.

Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation and can involve a wide range of exploitative roles. From sexual exploitation — such as prostitution — to forced labor, from domestic slavery to organ removal, and forced criminality, it is often inflicted by traffickers through coercion and abuse of power.

A 2020 human trafficking report by the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, estimates the annual global profit from the crime is $32bn. It says that sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking in the 27-nation bloc and that nearly threequarters of all victims are female, with almost every fourth victim a child.

Madalina Mocan, committee director at ProTECT, an organisation that brings together 21 anti-trafficking groups, said there are “already worrying signs,” with some refugees being offered shelter in exchange for services such as cleaning and babysitting, which could lead to exploitation.

“There will be attempts of traffickers trying to take victims from Ukraine across the border. Women and children are vulnerable, especially those that do not have connections — family, friends, other networks of support,” she said, adding that continued conflict will mean “more and more vulnerable people” reaching the borders.

A large proportion of the refugees arriving in the border countries want to move on to friends or family elsewhere in Europe and many are relying on strangers to reach their destinations.

“The people who are leaving Ukraine are under emotional stress, trauma, fear, confusion,” said Cristina Minculescu, a psychologist at Next Steps Romania who provides support to trafficking victims. “It’s not just human trafficking, there is a risk of abduction, rape ... their vulnerabilities being exploited in different forms.”

At Romania’s Siret border after a five-day car journey from the bombed historical city of Chernihiv, 44-year-old Iryna Pypypenko waited inside a tent with her two children, sheltering from the cold. She said a friend in Berlin who is looking for accommodation for her has warned her to beware of possibly nefarious offers. “She told me there are many, very dangerous propositions,” said Pypypenko, whose husband and parents stayed behind in Ukraine. “She told me that I have to communicate only with official people and believe only the information they give me.”

By STEPHEN McGRATH Associated Press

Ukraine and Zimbabwe EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE world has been left devastated by the recent decision from president Putin to invade Ukraine.

This inhumane act has left dozens of civilians slaughtered in the streets and thousands of brave soldiers deceased trying to defend the country. It is encouraging to see world leaders stand against this act of terror and implement sanctions on Russia. This is a clear message to the world that these human rights abuses and acts of terror will not be tolerated or excused.

Power should be exercised with fairness and

grace, it should not be abused to further a President’s agenda to the detriment of innocent civilians. It would be encouraging if the world could also hold Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF party accountable for their countless human rights abuses.

Some which include: unlawful or arbitrary killings of civilians by security forces; torture and arbitrary detention by security forces; cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The world needs to stand with Zimbabwe the same way it has stood with Ukraine.

These vile acts have no place in modern day society.

The world should condemn and ask president Emmerson Mnangagwa and his regime to stop violence against opposition members and activists. South Africa has an estimated six million Zimbabwean migrants who fled Zimbabwe as if there is civil war in Zimbabwe. President Emmerson Mnangagwa should create an environment which is conducive for every Zimbabwean scattered across the globe to come back home or resign.

MICHAEL TINARWO Warrington, England.

March 10, 2022.

Stress in our society EDITOR, The Tribune, I HAVE never held myself out to be a psychiatrist or anything of the sort.

My common and every day experiences along with interpersonal relationships have led me to the conclusion that a large number of Bahamians are suffering from assorted forms of mental illnesses. I further submit that we are good at denying and hiding the symptoms from ourselves. We hardly ever confide in others or talk about our internal demons because we risk being called crazy or worse.

As a direct result many of us have pent up emotional dysfunction and stress. The arrival of the pandemic over two years ago and the devastation of Dorian brought thousands of Bahamians and their households to the brink of the cliff. Many jumped or were pushed over into the abyss and beyond.

We have experienced: economic and financial dislocation; critical food supply and sustainability to the point where many were obliged to toe the breadlines; educational facilities, in house were shuttered; persons could not properly bury their deceased ones; we were obliged to undergo multiple curfews and lock downs; recreational centres and restaurants were also shuttered and staff sent home for months. All in all mental unease obviously became the order of the day.

Bahamians who were catching hell before the above events quickly started to do so after their arrival, back to back. While the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net economy is showing signs of a robust return to normalcy the average person is still trying to catch him/herself.

In the meantime accumulated bills and debts are literally stressing out many people. Marriages and relationships have crumbled or are facing serious strains for any number of reasons.

Children who would have been deprived of in-person education have also suffered from the lack thereof and they too are stressed out.

Homelessness is not an attractive societal issue and few of us talk about it much less actually do something other than talk. I invite you to take a casual drive through the inner city areas of New Providence and even in the downtown area and you will often see gaggles of unkempt looking individuals walking about aimlessly and mumbling to themselves. I have seen individuals apparently living in abandoned buildings or derelict motor vehicles parked in yards.

Mind you, I am not suggesting that Covid and Dorian are to be exclusively blamed for this increase but they sure did not help in a positive way.

We have also seen a troubling increase in suspected suicide cases; interpersonal assaults; batteries and alleged homicides. Many Bahamians are now conditioned to hearing ‘bad’ news on a daily basis. Something has got to give before we have even more societal explosions. I do not agree

that we should build a new prison block/complex at this time. It is rumored that the cost to build such a facility would be around $45m.

That money could be better spent on facilities for the homeless and mental health care and treatment.

The Davis administration has its work cut out for it and he will have to rise to the occasion in spectacular form, as I fully expect that he will. He is a direct product of the inner city, Rolle Avenue just north of Wulff Road and would have seen multiple cases of homelessness and deprivations first hand. I too would have spent time, not in the inner city per se, but close enough to observe the process.

Alcoholism and inordinate drug abuse also play a major role in mental instability and stress. There are far too many liquor stores and bar rooms here in New Providence licensed and unlicensed. It would appear that there are no more publicly drunken persons than ever before. It maybe that economical and societal stress are leading men and women to the bottle big time.

The above are all root symptoms of the hidden consequences. All is not doom and gloom, however, once we collectively confront these debilitating issues. The hidden consequences must be publicly debated but, more importantly, internally within ourselves. Until then, we will collectively bark at the Moon and suffer the hidden consequences.

ORTLAND H BODIE, JR. Nassau, March 13, 2022

Billion dollar food bill EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS THE debate is about the reduction of the $1bn import into The Bahamas and the need to help reduce the cost of food for Bahamians it would be important for the Bahamas government to make a significant contribution and assistance to help Bahamian farmers improve their farming with the best foreign expert in farming so that the Bahamian farmers

can get good at delivering excellent products that can be implemented locally to the food stores and hotels in The Bahamas.

This is the major problem that had not been addressed in the Bahamas how to make Bahamian farmers’ products better to be able to replace the food being imported that can be grown and meats that can be provided locally by Bahamian farmers. This is the only way to realistically reduce the cost of living in

The Bahamas for the Bahamian people.

Also try to get more young Bahamians to consider a career in farming with the Government providing loan assistance and Crown land to help them get started, this will make a great difference in reducing the $1bn import of food and reduce the cost of food for the Bahamian people.

PEDRO SMITH Nassau, March 12, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 7

HANDS FOR HUNGER LAUNCHES NEW SCHOOL PANTRY INITIATIVE

By PAVEL BAILEY

HANDS for Hunger launched its school pantry initiative on Friday.

Officials from Hands for Hunger and FTX as well as the Minister of State for Education, Zane Lightbourne and corporate sponsors gathered at the New Providence Community Centre Auditorium to celebrate the launch of the school pantry initiative.

This initiative will start with 15 schools across Nassau.

Thirteen pantries are already active in primary schools as well as junior and senior high schools in New Providence. The programme is aiming to ensure that no school child has to go hungry, as one of Hands for Hunger’s recent surveys indicates that one in four Bahamians suffers from food insecurity.

Precious Thompson, Hands for Hunger outreach

THE LAUNCH of the Hands for Hunger scheme on Friday with Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne present, right. manager, expressed her enthusiasm for this initiative, as she said the programme aimed to help feed hungry school children to boost their academic performance.

Ms Thompson said: “Today is such an exciting

day, as we expand our programme with the launch of the Hands for Hunger school pantry initiative.

Research has shown that children who experience less hunger will achieve higher academic performance and will have fewer

emotional and behavioral problems. Hands for Hunger remains steadfast in the fight to reduce hunger and food wastage.”

She also thanked their government and corporate partners, including FTX, for making this initiative

possible.

Clifton Josie, principal of Stephen Dillet Primary School, one of the recipients of the pantry initiative, thanked Hands for Hunger for providing the school the opportunity to help erase the learning gap.

Ms Thompson said that any school that wishes to join the programme can reach out to them as Hands for Hunger wants to see the School Pantry Initiative go nationwide.

“Ever since we started the initial school pantry initiative, we do see that there are schools that are reaching out to us. And so, these are schools that we are looking to onboard and so we have schools, like I said, that are currently in the pipeline to be onboard and as we onboard those ones, we will then reach out to further schools to get them onboard.

“So, like I said, our goal is to make sure that the model is perfect enough so that this can be operated on every school campus across the Bahamas. So, any school out there, you can feel free to reach out to us, because we are very passionate about this programme.”

Watson criticises Minnis for language wihout ‘right tone’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net PRESS secretary Clint Watson on Friday said Dr Hubert Minnis’ use of inappropriate language to rebut allegations by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis regarding a non-profit organisation was “concerning” and “did not set the right tone”.

“It’s a stupid and immature statement, an irresponsible statement to be made by any Prime Minister and I can’t wait to get in Parliament to buss his a-- and their a-- for talking stupidness,” former Prime Minster Dr Minnis said on

Thursday in response to revelations coming out of Mr Davis’ mid-year budget communication about a non-profit that was affiliated with the former Minnis administration’s food programme.

On Wednesday, Mr Davis said an NGO attached to the Minnis administration’s national food programme had close to $2m sitting in its bank account that was not used to help Bahamians. He said the money has since been returned to the government as demanded by his administration.

However, Dr Minnis said Thursday that the matter was a result of a quoting error that the NGO was

working to resolve.

Asked by The Tribune how government and the prime minister responded to Dr Minnis’ use of expletives as part of his administration’s defence to the claims, Mr Watson said: “I think first of all the first thing that we want to say is that we are extremely happy that Dr Minnis who wasn’t present for the communication because of sickness has recovered well. We are happy that he has recovered and we’re glad that a day after the communication in Parliament he’s feeling better. So, we’re happy that the former Prime Minister is doing well.

“As far as a response to it. Prime Minister Davis was aware of what was said.

I don’t want to misquote him; I want to quote the prime minister: ‘I look forward to it.”

Mr Watson continued: “I am sure the Bahamian people will have their opinions on the choice of language and expression by the former prime minister, particularly at a time where violence and crime is an issue in our country.

“It doesn’t set the right tone. Some could consider it threatening. Some can consider it vulgar.

“Choice words are violent and for a national leader to express that

publicly is concerning, concerning and Prime Minister says he awaits.”

Mr Watson was also asked to respond to critics who’ve said the Prime Minister did not provide evidence to back his claims on Wednesday.

He said Mr Davis intended to elaborate in the coming debate next week.

“This was a communication in Parliament to introduce the budget. The meat of the details as has always been as parliamentary procedure always comes at the beginning of the debate and during the debate.

“The debate begins on Wednesday and Prime

Minister will substantiate and explain the claims that he has made and so the Bahamian people need only wait for that debate to begin and to have their say.”

He continued: “It’s interesting though that we see the opposition and others on it and you know sometimes when you are so quick to get on something before there has been an opportunity to explain what you’re referring to, it really suggests something different.

“But the prime minister is willing to substantiate.

Prime Minister Davis is not careless in his statements.

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

A DESTROYED car in front of a building damaged by shelling, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

Photo: Andrew Marienko/AP

Quick to speak but slow to act

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

INCH by inch, it seems, we have arrived at a policy on Russian sanctions.

On Saturday, the government released a statement that committed The Bahamas to halting all transactions with entities from Russia and Belarus that have been sanctioned by other Western nations.

“Regulated entities, that are licensed or authorised to operate from or within The Bahamas, (are directed) not to engage in transactions with sanctioned persons, entities or business linked to Russia and Belarus,” read the statement.

It stops transactions involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation or the Russian Ministry of Finance, while a search is being conducted of relevant databases by regulatory agencies to find what individuals or companies this might apply to, and report them to the Attorney General.

It was announced without any fanfare, and without a senior figure in government addressing the issue directly.

We seem to have been slow to reach this point – and yet things started out with a quick response from The Bahamas after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Almost immediately, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell issued a statement saying: “The Bahamas has and maintains its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, including at this time Ukraine. We deplore the escalation of tensions and the attendant loss of life along the UkrainianRussian border. We support the statement of the Secretary General of the United Nations.

“We call on actors to seek a diplomatic solution to the current conflict that respects the rules-based system of international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“We encourage all

THE THREE Russian tankers that were said to be headed to Bahamian waters.

relevant actors to turn their efforts toward an immediate cessation of hostilities, the preservation of human life, and the prevention of any action that may intensify an already dangerous situation; so that a peaceful and sustainable resolution can be achieved.”

Soon after, we were told that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was to speak on the issue at a regional conference, though all we ever heard was that CARICOM had decided to “sit back and wait” on the UN Security Council resolution on sanctions.

There will be some who say “so what?” to The Bahamas raising its voice on the issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – what does our voice matter to

issues so far away? But it was notable when the Security Council did cast a vote how the names of those countries who did not stand together against the invasion soon became talking points around the world.

And as we waited, the effects of the war started to reach The Bahamas too.

Basketball star Jonquel Jones felt the effects in person – leaving Russia where she spends her offseason with the UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes basketball club. She tweeted afterwards: “Just landed in Turkey and all I want to do is cry. That situation was way more stressful than I realised.”

British High Commissioner Sarah Dickson wrote an open letter in which she

said: “Our support and that of The Bahamas matters for the sake of Ukraine, a European sovereign nation and UN member, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity, which should be protected by the UN Charter, is being dismembered by a UN Security Council permanent member.”

Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell warned that the price of gasoline could soar as high as $8 a gallon as oil prices around the world started to rise. He again called for the “immediate cessation of hostilities and for the Russians to withdraw to their borders”.

But while Mr Mitchell’s words were welcome and appropriate, we seemed slow to act, until the decision came knocking on our

door as Russian tankers that had been refused harbour elsewhere set course for Bahamian waters.

Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis was unable to confirm the reports of the tankers being en route to The Bahamas – even as one seemed to be in dock already.

That prompted FNM leader Michael Pintard to call for the government “to act more decisively in the interest of sovereignty, humanity and the maintenance of international laws and norms”.

He added: “The opposition calls upon the government of The Bahamas to elucidate its policy relative to Russia so that the Bahamian people and the international

community might know where we stand.”

He was right to do so.

There were already concerns about what would happen if a Russian plane tried to land and refuel in The Bahamas, or other Russian vessels. We have seen around the world a number of yachts owned by Russian oligarchs being seized. Our lack of decisiveness puts us behind the rest of the world in acting, and leaves air control or harbour staff without any clear guidance over our nation’s policy.

Then there is our financial sector – how many Russian businesses or investors have funds here in The Bahamas, and what is our policy with regard to such dealings? That at last has some guidance, but it is strange that it has taken so long, when we were so quick to speak out at the beginning.

Daily, we see in our newspapers and on our TV screens the horrors from the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s justification was flimsy at best, a fabricated lie at worst, and they should be given no encouragement that their actions can be tolerated.

We play a part in that. Is it a small part? Perhaps. But when nation after nation stands shoulder to shoulder, it becomes a wall of opposition that cannot be denied.

This is not the only issue where we do not seem to have followed up our words with timely action – but it is one which has international reverberations rather than just within our own borders.

There remains uncertainty over what will happen if Russian vessels try to arrive in The Bahamas by sea or by air and whether they should be refuelled or turned away – and that’s a question that should still be resolved.

If we truly mean our opposition to the Russian invasion, let’s back it up by strong, implacable action.

We should stand with our fellow nations and be determined in saying that we shall not offer any comfort to an invading nation.

Our voice means nothing if we fail to back it up.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 PAGE 9

We have been warned before about Putin PAGE A4, Tu

esday, March

25, 2014

A4M AI N

EDITORIAL /LETTERS The Tribun TO THE E e Limited

NULLIUS ADDI Being Boun CTUS JURA RE IN VE d to Swear to The Dogm RBA M AGISTR I as of No M LEON E. H. aster DUPUCH, Publisher/Ed itor 19 03 -19 SIR ETIENN 14 E DUPUCH , Kt ., O.B.E. , (Hon .) LL .DK.M., K.C. S.G ., ., D.Litt .

Publisher/ Contributin Editor 1919 -19 72 g Editor 19 72 EILEEN DU -19 91 PUCH CA RRON, C.M .G ., M.S ., B. A., LL .B .

Publisher/Ed Published Da itor 19 72ily Monday to Saturday Shirley Stree Insurance M t, P.O. Box Nanagement Building., P.O3207, Nassau, Bahama s . F- 485, Free port, Grand Bahama TELEPHON Switchboard ES (News, Circu lation and Ad Advertising vertising) 32 M an ag 2-1986 er Circulation Departmen (242) 50 2-2352 t - (242) 50 Nassa Freeport, Gr u Fax: - (242) 32 8-239 2-2386 8 and Bahama : 1-(242)Freeport fax : (242) 352-9 352- 6608 348 W EBSI TE ww w.tribune 242.com – up dated daily at 2pm

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We recall Sir ars Et ienne later, sian (5‘5“) who has wo a diminutive Rus- afternoon from havin returning home one g tea with himself as rked hard to wife of Chief La a determined “he-man” and “super project to 1939), an Justice Sir Richard dy Tute, to he d rec ro” rep ou , ea is nting to ou Tute (1932 t history by once great Lady Tute ha pu Ru tti d ng the cau ssian Empir slapped him r mother how again. For se, e on ba de his ck sp the Putin has set moment, President together that Baha ite her protestations, cheek behe mi Vl bold land gra his gaze on the Ukrai adimir live in a wo ans had to start pre insisted paring to rld at war. La ne. In a ga over the Cr b this weekend, his arm dy ine Tu d he te r composur quickly rey took fus e Sea from imean peninsular in an d ely apologised . the Black whose parli pro Russian fla ament build The next g Hitler’s — now flies. His excu ing the sight. By we knew Poland was 9p in se? Like sians. Thesethe protection of eth the sinking m on September 3, 19 Hitler’s nic RusEDITOR , in Crimea whare his people, he say Athenia, the of the British passeng39, with The Tr ibune s, living ose rights er liner world was at . abused by Is today’s the Ukrainia he claims are being world now war.

I HAVE a Russia’s Bl Pu ns on tin .

It friend who ? Unlike the the brink wi is also where ack Sea fle tra pp is ed th thi land-locked in rties, the wo et is locate far advanced which over a marriage in rld is so and well eq the MediterrRussia’s only southern d and is with nucle the years he uipped on ar band has r huslet t lantic Ocea anean and ultimately route to er an optio armaments that war all sides be en emotionally is no longn. n. and physica it was Ukrai However, up to last the Atville M However, his we nian territor not as bad aslly abusive. It’s sian. y. Today it ekend itself. Like Hi tory seems to be rep In it us ed to be there is still is Rus- lar tler, Putin, , but are eating Although a ge chip on she lives in some abuse and to all his should little man with a — Putin sai— like Hitler with Sude no fea tenland co t believe the world iser because he does might beco r as to when he an stan sovereignty, d he would respect me violent. d to untry the res giv ing him Uk it W hen Lesli or his eyes set on oth would seem that he raine’s is on a missi pect he thinks is de en ser ved, he about beati e M iller talked me. The ethnic Russi er parts of the Ukrai has his empire by on to rebuild the gre ng up his n’s c retaking los at Russian ne, where ans have als fri gir en ld it sen t territories laugh ab mean the wh o settled.

Hitler’s ge . Does this spines of mat chills down the land and Fr nerals believed that states and ole of the Ukraine, ha the Baltic possibly ev are victim ny women who McW hile dling of Hi ance been stronger in d Eng- land? en s Finland an tle words gave of abuse. His say Cartn d Po continued on r, letting him know the hanThe question tha other justifi some men an- fau ing a the path he now is: Ho seemed to hat if he world let him w far ca for beating cation or a pass is lt is w go ve set ing , and possibly without him self-destn the or girlfrien up their wives M the pri ructtaking all of ds iller is i us with him by many of . The laughter ?

House of the men in the doMany b matters wo Assembly made in mestic rse. this c Many wo wo see if our mamen waited to is men of come for wa le leaders would be for our p M iller straig rd and set M r. up braver tie said nothiht. Perry Chris- ab and def usive wor Dr Hubert ng. Neither did M innis or Bran- sisOur wom ters like

RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin and, right, The Tribune editorial in 2014.

THE eyes of the world have been on the conflict in Ukraine as Russian forces have invaded.

As the tanks rolled in and fighter jets battled in the sky, one reader of The Tribune was reminded of an editorial from our edition of March 25, 2014.

The lessons of history remain as a guide for our world today – and that editorial of eight years ago compared the actions of Russian forces in the Crimea in Ukraine to days long gone by when Germany targeted the Sudetenland.

The reader contacted The Tribune to say how much the editorial resonated with today’s events in Ukraine. And so we revisit the article itself, for all our readers to consider where we are now, and where we have been before.

IS WORLD HISTORY TODAY REPEATING ITSELF?

As we watched in horror a Russian tank smash through the gates of a Ukrainian army base in Crimea’s Balbek city on Saturday, it was as though a sledge hammer had forced open the memory box of a small child sitting in her father’s editorial office many years ago listening to him discussing another European land grab by a mad tyrant. Only this time – the mid-1930s – the names were different – Austria, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, Poland…

WAR! The names were too difficult for the child to pronounce, but she never forgot them.

In those years, an insignificant Austrian sign painter by the name of Adolf Hitler was

determined to undo the parliament building the peace treaty which was Russian flag now flies. patched together at Ver- His excuse? Like Hitler’s sailles by the old men of – the protection of ethnic Europe after World War Russians. These are his One. Out of that Treaty people, he says, living in was born the Republic of Crimea whose rights he Czechoslovakia. Hitler’s claims are being abused flimsy excuse, much to by the Ukrainians. It is the dismay of some of his also where Russia’s Black army commanders, was Sea fleet is located and is a vow to smash Czecho- land-locked Russia’s only slovakia on the pretext southern route to the Medof protecting the Sude- iterranean and ultimately ten Germans, one of the the Atlantic Ocean. Howmany nationalities taken ever, up to last weekend from the defeated Haps- it was Ukrainian territory. burg Empire Today it is to create ‘However, history Russian. the new seems to be Although Republic.

– like Hitler Hitler, who repeating itself. with Sudetenhad served Like Hitler, Putin, land – Putin in the first a little man with a said he would world war, respect felt that the large chip on his Ukraine’s Treaty had shoulder because sovereignty, humiliated it would he does not Germany. seem that he He was par- believe the world has his eyes is giving him or ticularly set on other upset that his country the parts of the the treaty Ukraine, put the full respect he thinks where ethnic blame for the is deserved, he is Russians war on Ger- on a mission to have also many. Hitler settled. rebuild the great dedicated Hitler’s his life to Russian empire generals righting that by retaking lost believe that perceived had Engwrong – in territories. Does land and so doing this mean the France been he almost whole of the stronger in destroyed the the handling Ukraine, the world. of Hitler, Today, 76 Baltic states letting him years later, know that if and possibly a diminutive he continued Russian (5’ even Finland on the path 5”) who has and Poland?’ he seemed worked hard to have set to project himself as a “he- himself, they would take man” and “super hero”, is up arms to block him, determined to repeat his- there would have been no tory by putting the once Second World War. great Russian Empire But they didn’t. They back together again. For fell into the trap that all he the moment, President wanted was a declaration of Vladimir Putin has set his justice for the Sudeten Gergaze on the Ukraine. In a mans. If not he would have bold land grab this week- to see that they got that end, his army took over justice. The idea was gainthe Crimean peninsula in ing traction that the only the Black Sea from whose way to settle the dispute

was to cede Czechoments that slovakia’s Sudeten war is no area to Germany. longer an It was a solution option. that Britain’s Prime HowMinister Neville ever, history Chamberlain felt seems to he could live with. be repeatEngland believed ing itself. it would satisfy Like Hitler, Hitler’s thirst for Putin, a little conquest. But it man with a didn’t. large chip Chamberlain on his shoultook his first air der because flight at age 69 he does not LE to meet with believe the Hitler in his world is giving Berchtesgaden him or his counretreat in Gertry the respect many to discuss he thinks is the face-savdeserved, he is ing deal. The on a mission to meeting was rebuild the great September 15, Russian empire 1938. By then by retaking lost we were eight years old and on territories. Does as keen as was our father September 3, 1939, to read the cable news sent with the sinking of the Brit- this mean the whole of the daily from the Colonial ish passenger liner Athenia, Ukraine, the Baltic states and possibly even Finland Office in London and to the world was at war.

Is today’s world now and Poland? climb on his knee to listen EDITOR , The Tr ibune . ontalthe with Putin?

The question now is: , but duebrink to the BBC news broadto fin LAST week ances I decided to go , I was admi ba lly abthe public thithirties, tedone usive attituHow far can the world let to The Pr t-Unlike the s Th casts. Dad wasHo of the tim e incess e. de of M rs Maternity Al len. Th Margare spital, Mate rnity Ward t comparable if not Ward was without ey all spoke to her labour, believed , inworld raisin is sobettefar him go EDwithout him selffew in Nassau who becau Do r thanadvanced Her ac cusat g their voices.

ITOR , The vious caesa se I had a pre- my ctors Hospital. That ion s wa to rea tho ne. s the n section, ughts as I fel es ha nu rsticatedly arm knew that I d meall andTribupossibly equipped on that war was inevitable.

He IandTh well l asleep. worried , destructing, but then AGAI N I I rea lised ern milita e that mode agwas to deliver by giv e next morning I appreciate that I could ry was feel en a bath ain. sp ac the e yo no u ha other dang better than t by a nuclear The rec lost many friends because taking all of us with him? ve all sides with armanurse in pink, a ve ow eption I go ero I ed in did yo me to en and I knew ur valuable then, ry pleasant the t on da bour Ward pa was great. We talked about little lady. wrong. I fel somethi ng was to applaud the Ba per. I wish law-abidinger a he talked warI waLa while s prepared they t sorry for hamas Fire ng a then she he things nu Ar ms an d rse the As lef lpe citizens my s who sociatio t d me to my n section, wh for chair, while she with this wo have to work forming of that n on the is time of our talked peace. resultcaedesarea ich bed. made that thes entit man. in healthy ba the birth of a on The morning staff ca my a supervisor wh I too am see it as a body tha y, and, taught how by and a in t to The English mother. Frset proud ca and I just marvelled at me and if I ever spere I work, have come into effec should concealed we u maraderie om the Op t the ok a tim ap lon e e to my tea m the wa g tect the ago. I hope of the tea ing Theatre eratms Nassau, like the those inIl waEngs taken to made me wonder wh m. It those nu rse y she spoke to ment backs it ful the govern- general elves – Antenata ly in the p Ward, where private in the first y I went that it wo s, I would know We all should ly. life once again and place. uld Then a lad land, were delighted with to retire or be time for me as a necessity, ansee the BFA crimina property vice was y that I had exceptional. the ser find l element d no see no to bed, upda I was assisted an n before ca me on the wa t trust that most a new job. I more so in our crime w even ciety. For as d looked at it stan Chamberlain’s return from patients do country. Al -ridden cri ted on rd not co my and ev ba my me so the major minals are by, starte notes. She into contact en had a sm liti carr d cal po tal M king to the with rs Al len. parties all visit, but then my waving nu rses ba Berchtesgaden a like great backing could receive no law abiding c To the staff the nursery by went back to “I they aren’tPremium t ev en all an ow d hu ed to c of the Labo Space man. and Office Lease for the night. am M rs Al ing times of forvotes du rur in nu An len a rse de My tenatal Wa ge and I expla worthless piece of paper the rds – Be As many neral election. pear fence, which ment; made ined my treat- sai supervisor,” I quote. am strong, you are know to be doing a gre e job. Co re that I wa at criminals are now today’s and dangeroa very comfortable suin declaring: “Peace ours chard something about “flSh uid cellenc ntinue to strive for ex us sophis- co a pleasant go then wished me ro t” and “med ication untry; we are situ e. r”. I watch erod night. at t I was ov time!”

R nu rse who ed as the nice e f e r A SATI SF IE worked in e pleasantly erwhelmed and are n d D PATI EN surprised, u the OF LA a, gently ste m T see as my Sir We recall Etienne ere m ing BO ED d her first ca ITOR , The reception, sq.ft.UR AN4D AN-offices, i of my room 1,056 Tr ibune. and into the out TENATA L was done at esarean section rid It was not. co Doctors WA RDS, returning home one afterHospi- nu or. It seems to me tha r- PM H, TH ER E is was held to The refe t the rses were us a huge misco Nassau, de ed to this ve ception tha conference room, kitchen $2,640.00 pm. cid n- or e t rnoon from having had March 2014 held a while the referendum tax not webshops sh . ed ag for one, vo tea with Lady Tute, wife plus CAM and VAT or not to legaliosewawes whbshoethpser. soWmehy?thi. BeI,ngcau se you ca that isn’t of Chief Justice Sir Richard Tute (1932 to 1939) 1,292 sq.ft. High spec 5 offices & and recounting to our mother how Lady Tute had conference room, kitchen, bathroom, slapped him on his cheek IT, ample parking, private entrance. because, despite her protestations, he insisted that $3,768.33 pm plus CAM and VAT Bahamians had to start preparing to live in a world at war. Lady Tute quickly Contact Mr. Sean McCarroll regained her composure 327-1575 or 359-2957 and apologised profusely.

Email: sean@mccarrollrealestate.com The next we knew Poland was in Hitler’s sight. By 9pm

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PAGE 10 MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

A pebble in the wheel VERY few individuals can comprehend the intense and extreme mental toll placed on a person when multiple loved ones become sick at the same time. This is the real-life story of one such saga, so compelling I am telling it in a two-part series. This is part one.

Still in his early 30s, my patient’s husband who we will call Jake (not his real name) couldn’t possibly have been happier. He had a great job, a roof over his head, a beautiful wife and three incredible daughters.

That happiness was unfortunately short-lived and the harrowing story of what my patient and her husband Jake have endured over the past decade bears truth to the scripture that while mountains quake with their surging and the waters roar and foam, faith ultimately remains our greatest refuge.

Jake’s older sister had ambitions of becoming a doctor. Enrolled in pre-med courses, she became romantically

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

involved with a man who lived in their neighbourhood. After a short while, she started to notice that he was becoming excessively jealous of her male friends from college. When that transitioned into aggressive behaviour, she quickly ended the relationship.

Despite that, he continued to come by the house hoping to reconcile. Then one day she went jogging and never returned home.

After three hours, her family became concerned.

Jake drove to his sister’s usual exercise spot. When he didn’t see her, or her car, he had a sinking feeling that something was wrong. She wasn’t responding to phone calls and her best friend said she also strangely hadn’t heard from her.

He and the rest of the family went to the police station to file a report but she

needed to be missing for a full 24 hours before they could begin an investigation.

By the next day when she still had not returned home, they called her exboyfriend. He did not answer his phone. In a panic, the family decided to drive around the neighbourhood together but they were unsuccessful in their search. Later that evening, however, Jake recalled that his sister’s ex-boyfriend frequently hung out at a shack where he made his Junkanoo costumes every year. So, in a last desperate attempt to find his sister, he went there alone.

As he pulled up, hidden behind some overgrown trees, he saw his sister’s car.

His heart racing, he began running towards it, but slowed down.

Even from a distance he could see his sister laying with her head slumped against the door in the passenger’s seat. He guardedly called out her name, his voice in a hoarse, strong whisper hoping against hope that she would recognise the sound. He’d anxiously waited for a response, but deep down he already knew that she was dead.

The police determined that she had been strangled. A few days later her ex-boyfriend was taken into police custody and questioned. But, with no

evidence to hold him, he was eventually freed and was himself shot and killed by an unknown assailant.

Finding his sister’s body took a tremendous toll on Jake. Shortly after that, his wife began to develop consistent episodes of chest pain that became progressively worse. So, when he opted to take his wife to the US for a consultation, he was arranging to take his mother with him as well.

A retired teacher who had dedicated her life to her children, his mom suffered from diabetes marked by a consistently elevated blood sugar level.

It was because of her failing health that Jake and his wife (my patient) wanted her to go to the US with them, but she declined and before anyone left Nassau, she went into kidney failure. Her doctors advised her to have a port placed for access to start dialysis. It was supposed to be a minor procedure so she opted to have her surgery performed locally rather than travelling abroad. It was a decision her family regrets to this day as her surgeon accidentally cut her jugular vein and she bled out on the operating table and died. The family initiated a malpractice lawsuit but the hospital refused to release her body to be buried while the investigation was ongoing. So after the investigation dragged on for weeks, and the thought of their mother being in the morgue for months, they opted to drop the case and bury her with dignity.

Reeling from the death of his mother, Jake barely had

time to catch his breath.

It was a devastating blow so when his younger sister called him to say that she needed to see him in person, he’d hit his breaking point. When he saw her the next day, in their mother’s home, she sat him down and told him that she was recently diagnosed with AIDS and she wanted him to take care of her son when she died. She contracted it from her fiancé of less than a year and with no medications, her symptoms progressed rapidly.

She became depressed and during the last few years of her life, she was cared for with deep love by their aunt who stayed by her side as she passed away. At this point, Jake says he felt like he was running towards something but no matter how much he tried and struggled, he just couldn’t reach it. He was exhausted and became emotional when sharing his last conversation with his baby sister. They spoke about how much they loved one another and he promised to watch after her son, which is a promise he intends to honour for as long as he lives.

The stress of his circumstances was overwhelming.

He was suffocating and cried at work, both at his desk and in the bathroom, and then on Saturdays he’d go to the beach hoping the ocean breeze could provide some semblance of calm and clarity of thought. The last time he was there, it rained and as he watched the dark blue-green waves crash along the seawall, he lost control. All of his

PART ONE

emotions poured out and he yelled and screamed, slamming his fists against the car. Then he headed home, recomposed, smiling and ready to provide a strong shoulder for his family to lean on.

During this time, his wife of over a decade, the mother of his children and the only surviving adult female in his life, was still suffering with constant and severe chest pain. It was like there was a wheel in her chest turning with each heartbeat that suddenly malfunctioned because of a small pebble restricting its movement and forcing her chest to clamp down and tighten. The pain was nearparalysing and it progressed rapidly. After multiple doctors’ visits, her symptoms including chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath, persisted unabated. Ultimately, she underwent open heart surgery and even that didn’t help to alleviate her pain so she was admitted to the hospital for yet another surgical procedure.

On that day, my patient’s husband walked with his wife, hand in hand as she was wheeled from her room to the operating theatre for her third heart surgery. He stayed with her for as long as the nurses would allow.

As her hands slipped away from his, his throat tightened thinking about having to explain to their daughters that their mother may never return home. He prayed, watching for as long as possible until he could no longer see her. As he faced the real possibility of his wife dying in a few short hours, he cried there alone and uncontrollably, demoralised and afraid that he’d lose yet another person that he so desperately loved.

• Part two of this series will be published next Monday, March 21.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 PAGE 11

Commonwealth should stand together over Russian aggression THE Commonwealth, made up of 54 nations of which 32 are small states, should be deeply concerned at the grave threat to the international legal order caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and should act together to show strong disapproval.

This was the theme of a lecture I delivered at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, on March 7, to over 100 highlevel government and military participants from 47 countries, 14 of which were Commonwealth members. This week’s commentary is a brief outline of some of the points in a 45-minute lecture.

Russian military forces have invaded the sovereign territory of Ukraine in violation of the agreed principles of the United Nations and of international law. In the words of a distinguished group of international lawyers and academics, on March 4: “President Putin’s decision to launch attacks on Ukraine poses a grave challenge to the post-1945 international order. He has sought to replace the rule of law and principles of self-determination for all peoples by the use of force”.

In almost every international forum, the actions of the Russian government have been roundly condemned, and many governments have instituted measures not only to register their strong disapproval, but also to penalise the Russian government.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

However, the response of the 54 Commonwealth countries to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has not been uniform. Commonwealth countries are located across the globe.

Nineteen of them are in Africa, 8 are in Asia, 13 are in the Americas and the Caribbean, 3 are in Europe and 7 are in the Pacific.

The most telling evidence of the differing positions of the 54 Commonwealth countries is the vote, on March 2, in the United Nations General Assembly on a Resolution that condemned the Russian invasion. Forty-three of the 54 Commonwealth member states voted in favour of the Resolution; and eleven of them abstained or absented themselves.

Of the 11 Commonwealth countries that abstained or stayed away from the vote 7 were African and 4 were Asian. The three other regions – the Americans and the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe – comprising 23 countries, all voted in favour.

To be clear, there was no meeting of governments under a Commonwealth umbrella before the United Nations General Assembly Special Emergency Session

on March 2, or at any time, concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Each Commonwealth country voted at the Session, or stayed away from it, either on the basis of its own government’s conviction, or in harmony with other non-Commonwealth organisations of which it is a member. Every small state voted for the Resolution of condemnation.

These small countries would almost automatically oppose any military aggression toward any country or invasion of it. Lacking the military means to defend themselves against a powerful aggressor, and also deficient in economic strength to apply sanctions, these countries depend on respect for the rule of international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity. When the walls of international law are breached, these small and militarily powerless nations become even more vulnerable to aggression from others. The arbitrary and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine demanded their immediate condemnation in what they would have

considered to be their own the African Union, the interests.

Association of South East The Commonwealth’s Asian Nations and the Cargreatest benefit to each ibbean Community and of its leadCommon ers is that it ‘Events in Ukraine Market. The puts them in and the precedent potential of close contact a collective with each that Russia has now Commonother at first set by discarding wealthoutreach hand, and international law into these and privately at other internatheir retreats, and replacing it tional groups when the with force to invade remain of leader of and subjugate enormous the smallvalue. est country the country, In the can talk with should remind the present disthe leader of Commonwealth pensation of the largest or international richest nation that it, too, has politics and as an equal, disputes that military and in frank economic allithreaten its discussion. ances, it would As a prac- member states. be impossitical matter, Among these are: ble to form no other the Comassociation of India and Pakistan monwealth over Kashmir; countries today. That it brings already exists Guatemala which together gova forum for claims all of Belize; as ernments international and non- Venezuela that dialogue and governmental claims two-thirds of debate in an organisations atmosphere from every Guyana; Argentina of intimacy continent in and Britain over is a gift to its the world that the Falklands members. have a voice In this in almost all Islands; and issues regard, events regional and with Turkey in Ukraine multilateral and the precover Cyprus.’ groupings, edent that including Russia has the G7, the G20, NATO now set by discarding interand a host of multilat- national law and replacing it eral organisations such as with force to invade and subthe Organisation for Co- jugate the country, should operation in Economic remind the Commonwealth Development, the Organi- that it, too, has disputes sation of American States, that threaten its member

states. Among these are: India and Pakistan over Kashmir; Guatemala which claims all of Belize; Venezuela that claims two-thirds of Guyana; Argentina and Britain over the Falklands Islands; and issues with Turkey over Cyprus.

As early as 1971, in their Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, Commonwealth countries stated that they were “convinced that the Commonwealth is one of the most fruitful associations” for “international co-operation (that) is essential to remove the causes of war, promote tolerance, combat injustice and secure development among the peoples of the world”. That declaration remains valid today, with even greater urgency.

The nations of the world are now engaged in a struggle to safeguard the international legal order, which has been gravely threatened by Russia’s invasion of a sovereign State.

No states are more vulnerable than small ones which are usually the first victims.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto).

PAGE 12, Monday, March 14, 2022

KATIE SEIDE, of Reach Out Youth Organisation, feeds children in West Grand Bahama on Saturday. Photo: Andrew Miller/BIS

YOUTH GROUP HELPS THE NEEDY

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

REACH Out Youth Organisation, in partnership with other community leaders, helped many needy families and provided positive recreation for young men in West Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Some 300 food packages were distributed and a basketball tournament was held at the Powerhouse Gym in Eight Mile Rock.

The effort was launched to address social ills such as poverty and the recent murders of young men in that community.

ROYO also distributed toys, tennis shoes, and tasty treats and refreshments to the youth.

“Today is a day that I dreamt of many days.

ROYO feeding programme is here in West Grand Bahama,” said ROYO founder Dudley Seide. He recalled that previously, many residents of West Grand Bahama would have to travel all the way to Freeport to the Reach Out Community Centre for food parcels.

The recent killings of young men in West Grand Bahama is also a concern, said Mr Seide.

“The young men are dying in West Grand Bahama,” he said. “We are losing our young men because of bad choices; we are losing our young men because they prefer joining gangs than being a part of the programme. So, that is why we are here today partnering with Powerhouse Gym in the west so we could save the young men in the west.”

Mr Seide said the feeding and youth mentor

SAUDI ARABIA KILLS 81 IN MASS EXECUTION DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Associated Press

SAUDI Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of crimes ranging from killings to belonging to militant groups, the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom in its modern history.

The number of executed surpassed even the toll of a January 1980 mass execution for the 63 militants convicted of seizing the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979, the worst-ever militant attack to target the kingdom and Islam’s holiest site.

It wasn’t clear why the kingdom choose Saturday for the executions, though they came as much of the world’s attention remained focused on Russia’s war on Ukraine — and as the US hopes to lower record-high gasoline prices as energy prices spike worldwide.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly plans a trip to Saudi Arabia next week over oil prices as well.

The number of death penalty cases being carried out in Saudi Arabia had dropped during the coronavirus pandemic, though the kingdom continued to behead convicts under King Salman and his assertive son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency announced Saturday’s executions, saying they included those “convicted of various crimes, including the murdering of innocent men, women and children”.

programmes are his passion.

“I want everyone to understand the passion I have. They had a gun to my head and wanted to kill me.

And I asked the Lord, ‘if you spare my life and if you just give me an opportunity I would do your work.’ And for me to just watch young men keep on dying in West Grand Bahama, dying every week, it hurts.”

He recognised community leaders in the West Grand Bahama community who are helping the community.

He called on local businesses to help make a difference.

Norris Bain, assistant director at the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, commended Mr Seide and his organisation for its work and also D L Isaac, and his son Omar, at Powerhouse Gym. He said that murder is number of killer of young men in The Bahamas.

“So many young men are dying in the streets,” Mr Bain said. “That...is played out across our television and Facebook far too often today.”

He told young men to get involved in positive activity.

“Basketball and education open doors,” he said.

“Many of you are dreaming of playing college basketball someday. I can stand here telling you stories of young men who are in college today that are on scholarship because of that thing called basketball; basketball will cause you to see the world. It will take you places you never dream of, and I want to encourage you to continue to invest in positive activities and listen to your coaches.”

THE TRIBUNE

Ministry ‘working to address shortage’ of teachers in Abaco

By PAVEL BAILEY

MINISTER of State for Education Zane Lightbourne says his ministry is working to address a teacher shortage in Abaco as industrial action continued on the island regarding the issue on Friday.

Teachers, parents and students gathered outside the Patrick J Bethel High School with picket signs protesting the lack of a sufficient number of teachers at a school of more than 500 students. This comes a month after Education Minister Glenys HannaMartin promised action during a PTA meeting in Abaco on February 2.

A group of concerned parents could be heard chanting in video seen by The Tribune: “We need teachers and we need them now, we need teachers and we need them now.”

Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson told this newspaper that her union supports the industrial action in Abaco.

Mrs Wilson said: “The Bahamas Union of Teachers supports the teachers at Patrick J Bethel High School in Abaco and we support the teachers and parents of JA Pinder Primary School, Sandy Point, Abaco, in their demonstration today and several days ago.

“They have been very patiently waiting for teachers respectively and a guidance counselor for the Patrick J Bethel High School on promises from the Ministry of Education that they would have not yet been fulfilled. BUT supports the actions of our teachers 100 percent.”

Mr Lightbourne said during an interview that the ongoing action in Abaco started last week Thursday.

He said the ministry has been in contact with protesters and that they are preparing to dispatch teachers to the island.

“We are going to get them more teachers. We’ve met yesterday when we learned that they were going to take some form of action and we tried to see if we can expedite the process.

Teachers were identified for the last two weeks now and just the process of getting them to the island, getting them paid, making sure that they have everything that they need to move. So, that is a number of agencies that are involved with part of that process and the Ministry of Education is trying to see if we can hurry that along,” Mr Lightbourne said.

Minister Lightbourne acknowledged and empathised with parents’ concerns over the insufficient number

of teachers on the island, but said that the country as a whole is experiencing a teacher shortage.

“I understand the parents’ concern, I would be concerned also. We have said that this is the only school that has been fully virtual since we opened back up into hybrid mode and that is very concerning, because they have an amazing shortage of teachers.

We have a country wide shortage, it’s national. It’s global we understand.”

Minister Lightbourne also said that his ministry hopes to better respond to situations like this with improved cooperation between the relevant government agencies.

“However, we can do a better job of making sure that schools going forward that we identify and respond

PROTEST signs in Abaco on Friday over a lack of teachers. quickly if we can just modify the process of how government works when it comes to public service. To make sure that the agencies can work in cohesion to respond to timelines and needs. So, this is a huge concern, this is a focus for us, and we are going to get the teachers to those schools so the students can get their education.”

While the Minister reported that the country is currently experiencing a shortage of about 280 teachers, he says that the Ministry of Education will respond to this situation as they can given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and safety restrictions.

Regarding the shortage in Abaco, Minister Lightbourne said teachers were identified for that island.

“There are some teachers I understand that are being immediately sent, as of yesterday (Thursday). When we met on this some teachers have been identified for Abaco, and they are for Patrick J Bethel specifically, and they are in the process of being sent. So, I’m hoping that this week we have that problem solved, in the new school week coming.”

However, despite Mr Lightbourne’s claims that the Ministry is handling the matter, Mrs Wilson claimed there had been no communication between the Teacher’s Union and the Ministry of Education since the industrial action and that she is not aware that any new teachers had actually arrived at Abaco as yet.

Responding to questions as to why his ministry seemed to have waited until industrial action and union uproar happened to remedy the situation, Mr Lightbourne said plans to deploy teachers were already in motion. He, however, recognised that the ministry’s response to the national teacher shortage could have been better.

35 DEAD AS RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKE HITS BASE LVIV, Ukraine Associated Press

RUSSIAN missiles pounded a military base in western Ukraine yesterday, killing 35 people in an attack on a facility that served as a crucial hub for cooperation between Ukraine and the NATO countries supporting its defence.

The barrage marked an escalation of Moscow’s offensive and moved the fighting perilously close to the Polish border.

The attack so close to a NATO member-country raised the specter that the alliance could be drawn into the fight and was heavy with symbolism in a conflict that has revived old Cold War rivalries and threatened to rewrite the current global security order.

More than 30 Russian cruise missiles targeted the sprawling facility, which has long been used to train Ukrainian soldiers, often with instructors from the US and other countries in the Western alliance.

Poland is also a transit route for Western military aid to Ukraine, and the strikes followed Moscow’s threats to target those shipments.

Since their invasion more than two weeks ago, Russian forces have struggled in their advance across Ukraine, in the face of stiffer than expected resistance, bolstered by Western weapons support.

Instead, Russian forces have besieged several cities and pummeled them with strikes, hitting two dozen medical facilities and leading to a series of humanitarian crises.

The UN has recorded at least 596 civilian deaths, though it believes the true

A VIEW of destroyed apartments damaged by shelling, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

Photo: Andrew Marienko/AP toll is much higher, and Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s office said that at least 85 children are among them. An American filmmaker and journalist was also killed Sunday. Millions more people have fled their homes amid the largest land conflict in Europe since World War II. Talks for a broad ceasefire have thus far failed, but the Kremlin’s spokesman said another round would take place today by videolink, according to Russian state news agency Tass.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is sending his national security adviser to Rome to meet with a Chinese official amid concerns that country is amplifying Russian disinformation and may help Moscow evade punishing Western economic sanctions.

The attacked training base near Yavoriv is less than 15 miles from the Polish border and appears to be the westernmost target struck during Russia’s 18-day invasion.

The base has hosted NATO drills and a senior official, Admiral Rob Bauer, previously hailed it as embodying “the spirit of military cooperation” between Ukraine and international forces.

As such, the site is a potent symbol of Russia’s longstanding concerns that the expansion in recent years of the 30-member Western military alliance to include former Soviet states threatens its security — something NATO denies.

Still, the perceived threat from NATO is central to Moscow’s justifications for the war, and it has has demanded Ukraine drop

its ambitions to join the alliance.

Lviv governor Maksym Kozytskyi said most Russian missiles fired yesterday “were shot down because the air defence system worked”. Those that got through killed at least 35 people and wounded 134, he said.

Russian fighters also fired at the airport in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk, which is less than 94 miles north of Romania and 155 miles from Hungary, two other NATO allies.

NATO said yesterday it currently does not have any personnel in Ukraine, though the US has increased the number of American troops deployed to Poland. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the West would respond if Russia’s strikes travel outside

Ukraine and hit any NATO members, even accidentally.

Biden “has been clear, repeatedly, that the United States will work with our allies to defend every inch of NATO territory and that means every inch,” Sullivan said on CBS News.

Sullivan is headed to Rome today to meet senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi. Their talks will centre on “efforts to manage the competition between our two countries and discuss the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on regional and global security,” said Emily Horne, speaking for the White House national security council.

Lviv itself so far has been spared the scale of destruction unfolding to its east and south. The city’s population of 721,000 has swelled during the war with residents escaping bombarded population centers and as a waystation for the nearly 2.6 million people who have fled the country.

Ukrainian and European leaders have pushed with limited success for Russia to grant safe passage to civilians trapped by fighting, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said authorities have managed to evacuate nearly 125,000 people from combat zones.

Ukrainian authorities said more than ten humanitarian corridors would open yesterday, with agreement from Russia, including from the battered and besieged port city of Mariupol, where the city council said 2,187 people have been killed. But such promises have repeatedly crumbled.

The suffering in the port city is “simply immense”, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 13

Australia beats New Zealand by 144 runs at Cricket WCup

By STEVE MCMORRAN AP Sports Writer WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Favourite Australia showed off the full extent of its depth and talent yesterday when it overwhelmed host New Zealand by 144 runs at the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Even after losing batting stars Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning relatively cheaply in just over 15 overs, Australia put 269-8 on the board after batting first at New Zealand’s request.

Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath stepped up with half centuries in a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket and Ashleigh Gardner, just out of COVID isolation, smashed 48 late runs from 18 balls with four sixes and four fours.

“I think it was nice to rebuild a little bit through the middle there with (Beth Mooney), then Thalia came in and especially Ash Gardner near the end with some real fireworks,” Perry said. “It was an awesome way to finish the innings because it was a bit slow and it was nice to finish with some momentum.”

Darcie Brown then led a magnificent effort by the Australia bowlers who quickly dismissed New Zealand’s prolific top-order batters, Sophie Devine,

Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, to leave the home team reeling at 35-5.

Amy Satterthwaite and Katey Martin were involved in the beginnings of a recovery but leg-spinner Amanda-Jane Wellington found conditions in her namesake city to her liking and dismissed Martin and Hayley Jensen with consecutive balls in the 20th over.

New Zealand was 73-7 and the match proceeded to a predictable finish when it was all out for 128 in 30.2 overs.

Brown took 3-22 and Wellington 2-34.

The pitch at the Basin Reserve was the best of the tournament so far, providing both pace and bounce.

The omnipresent Wellington wind helped the medium pacers to achieve some movement in the air.

New Zealand bowled well early and the Australians took time to get used to the geography of the Basin Reserve — the biggest

DARCIE BROWN, of Australia, bowling during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 cricket match between England and Australia at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Saturday.

(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP) ground used in the tournament — and to figure out the best angles for scoring shots.

Haynes and Healy put on 37 in a tough partnership for the first wicket but Australia lost Lanning and Haynes quickly and was 56.3 after 15 overs.

Perry rebuilt the innings with 68 from 86 balls, working first with Mooney (30), then with McGrath who made 57 from 56.

Gardner’s hard hitting at the end made a major difference, allowing Australia to reach a total which was

above par and put pressure on New Zealand.

The Kiwis couldn’t recover from their poor start and the loss in quick succession of Devine, Bates and Kerr whose wickets fell at 22, 23 and 24 respectively.

Satterthwaite batted her way to 44 from 67 balls but lacked a partner who could stick with her to strengthen the innings.

“We wanted to bowl first because we knew if we could contain them and get some early wickets we could put some pressure

on,” New Zealand captain Devine said. “But I guess that shows the quality of this Australian team.

“Even when we had them three or four down and had the run rate under control, the way they were able to launch in the last 10 overs in particular was too much for us today.”

Australia now moves to the top of the tournament points table with three wins from three games.

New Zealand started in third place but drops to fourth with two wins and two losses.

HAVERTZ GIVES CHELSEA MOMENT OF JOY AFTER TURBULENT WEEK

By MATTIAS KAREN Associated Press LONDON (AP) — After a week of unprecedented turmoil for Chelsea, Kai Havertz gave the club’s fans and staff a reason to forget about their worries for a moment.

In a game that came to symbolise the Premier League’s connections to so-called “sportswashing” by unsavoury owners, Havertz netted an 89th-minute winner to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League yesterday.

Havertz used an exquisite first touch to control a cross into the box and then slotted a calm finish into the net to set off wild celebrations among the capacity crowd at Stamford Bridge.

It may be some time before Chelsea plays in front of a soldout home stadium again after the UK government imposed sanctions on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, but the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future has so far not had an effect on the field.

The win followed a 3-1 victory over Norwich on Thursday and maintained Chelsea’s solid grip on third place in the standings. More importantly, it gave everyone

involved in the club some muchneeded joy and manager Thomas Tuchel dedicated the victory to the Chelsea staff worrying about their jobs. “They worry much more at the moment than actually us (players and coaches) because we are still privileged,” Tuchel said. “For them, it’s important that we show fighting spirit like this. This is what we can do ... and maybe it gives us the chance to put it aside every three days and focus on what we can influence.”

For Newcastle, it was the club’s first league loss of the year, ending a nine-game unbeaten run.

In other games, relegationthreatened Watford and Leeds both earned much-needed wins, while Everton’s struggles continued and Ukraine forward Andriy Yarmolenko scored an emotional goal to help give West Ham a victory. But the Chelsea-Newcastle clash was always going to be the day’s standout game because of events off the pitch.

Chelsea has been granted a special license to keep playing after Abramovich was sanctioned because of his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, halting his attempt to sell the club and preventing sales of merchandise and tickets.

Newcastle, meanwhile, is facing renewed scrutiny after Saudi Arabia carried out a mass execution on Saturday, putting to death 81 people convicted of various crimes. Newcastle was bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in October, although both the club and the Premier League have insisted that the Saudi state isn’t involved in the running of the club.

Havertz may have been fortunate to escape with just a yellow card for elbowing Dan Burn in the head in an aerial duel in the first half. In the end, his goal meant Chelsea escaped with a win that may quell talk of a full-blown crisis — for now.

“You feel sorry for everyone in the club, the supporters, also the workers, not only for us professionals, for the academy, for everyone, it’s a tough time,” Havertz said.

“But we just tried to give everything for them in the moment and if you can give them moments like this, it’s always nice because we all have to stand together in these times and we tried to do that. We try to win games and give them a good feeling.”

RELEGATION FIGHT HEATS UP In the tightening race to avoid relegation, Watford and Leeds

Rattled by spectator’s outburst, Osaka loses at Indian Wells INDIAN WELLS, California (AP) — Rattled by a derogatory shout from a spectator, Naomi Osaka went on to lose 6-0, 6-4 to Veronika Kudermetova of Russia in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday night.

Osaka trailed in the first set when a woman in the stands shouted, “Osaka, you suck.” The Japanese star approached the chair umpire to ask that something be done. But the umpire explained that she didn’t know who it was and could not take any action.

“I didn’t hear what lady say because I really so focus on my game, on my serve game, I didn’t understand what she say,” Kudermetova said. “But after that moment, I saw that Naomi, she start to cry.”

Osaka later made the unusual request to use the umpire’s microphone to address the crowd, which did not happen. A supervisor came on court for a prolonged discussion with Osaka. The supervisor told the umpire “if it happens again, we’re going to find him.”

NAOMI OSAKA, of Japan, sits down between sets during her match against Veronika Kudermetova, of Russia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) Kudermetova waited behind the baseline for the match to resume. Afterward, Osaka spoke to the crowd with tears streaming down her face. “To be honest, I’ve gotten heckled before, like it didn’t really bother me, but heckled here,” she said, her voice trailing off. “I watched a video of Venus and Serena (Williams) getting heckled here, if you’ve never watched it you should watch it,” Osaka said.

“I don’t know why, but it went into my head and it got replayed a lot. I’m trying not to cry.”

Earlier, Daniil Medvedev beat Tomas Machac

6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the Russian’s first tournament since ascending to No. 1 in the world.

Medvedev made quick work of his Czech opponent, finishing Machac off in just over an hour.

The Russian won 80 percent of his first-serve points and saved the lone break point he faced.

Rafael Nadal didn’t have it as easy in opening his pursuit of a fourth title at Indian Wells.

He got pushed to the limit by practice partner Sebastian Korda before winning 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (3), giving Nadal a 16-0 record this year.

both boosted their chances of staying up while Everton slipped closer to dropping out of the top flight for the first time in 71 years.

Cucho Hernandez netted twice to give Watford a 2-1 win at Southampton, while Leeds ended a six-game losing streak by beating last-place Norwich by the same score thanks to an injury-time winner.

Kenny McLean had equalised for Norwich at the start of stoppage time but Joe Gelhardt then came off the bench to net the winner for Leeds and hand American manager Jesse Marsch his first victory at the third attempt.

At Goodison Park, boyhood Liverpool fan Conor Coady headed home a second-half winner for Wolverhampton to secure a 1-0 victory over 10-man Everton.

The England international expertly glanced home Ruben Neves’ cross and Jonjoe Kenny was then sent off for two yellow cards in the space of three minutes to damage Everton’s hopes of a comeback.

The results mean Watford is now tied on points with 17th-place Everton, although Frank Lampard’s team has three games in hand. Leeds moved four points above the relegation zone.

TAYLOR

FROM PAGE 18 was to get a medal in the triple jump, which I did with a new personal best and Bahamas national indoor record, so I’m proud of myself in that aspect,” she said.

In the 60m hurdles, Taylor was 12th place in in 8.07 seconds.

Florida’s sophomore Grace Stark took the victory in a personal best of 7.83 for a new facility record.

But Taylor ended up 15th in the long jump with her best of 20-2 1/4 (6.15m).

Moore also got the victory with her leap of 21-6 3/4 (6.57m).

She noted that because of the hectic schedule on Friday, she was only able to take two jumps in the long jump before she had to report to the hurdles and was a little bit fatigued.

“In the hurdles, I got a pretty good start, but I hit the first hurdle and that threw off my whole race.

So I was pretty much upset myself,” Taylor stated. “But like I said, I was upset for a while, but I knew I had one more event to do so I just shook it off and got ready for the next event, which was the triple jump.”

Having improved from fifth place last year to third

this year in the triple jump, Taylor said she knows that God is with her and having qualified in three events, she’s just thrilled to enjoy the ride she is going through.

“I’m excited to put the indoor season in the past because it was a good one, but I’m just excited to continue my outdoor season and compete to the best of my ability,” she added.

Her first outdoor meet will be in Florida on April 1 where she’s expected to open up in the 100m hurdles and possibly the long jump. But she intends to push towards qualifying for both the World Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, July 15-24 and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, July 28 to August 8.

“I’m very excited about where this outdoor season is heading,” Taylor lamented. “I’m excited and very happy that I had a very healthy indoor season, but the best is yet to come.”

Grand Bahamian Terrance Jones, competing for Texas Tech in his freshman year, had a false start in the preliminaries of the men’s 60m on Friday. Jones ran a scorching collegiate leading personal best of 6.45 in Lubbock, Texas, on January 15, a race being reviewed for what appeared to be a false start as well.

WEST INDIES HOLD OUT ENGLAND FOR DRAW IN 1ST TEST ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) — West Indies held on to draw the first test after England made a bold declaration on the final day Saturday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

That England came within six wickets of winning on a sluggish pitch with an undermanned bowling attack — seamer Mark Wood was injured — was testament to its tenacity.

West Indies also deserved credit for holding out after being reduced to 67-4.

Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder kept England at bay for the last 36 overs, but not without some drama.

After England captain Joe Root notched his 24th test century and was out for 109, England declared its second innings at 349-6 just before lunch and tempted West Indies with a winning target of 286 from 70 overs.

But West Indies lost too many wickets after lunch and went into survival mode, finishing on 147-4.

Bonner was 38 not out after facing 138 balls and Holder 37 not out after 101.

Spinner Jack Leach was the main tormentor.

In the 49th over, he rapped Holder on his back pad on 13 but England didn’t review.

England used its last review in the 53rd over when Leach thought he got Holder’s edge, but no edge was found.

In the 58th, Bonner was given out lbw off Craig Overton, but Bonner reviewed. It showed an inside edge and the out was overturned.

That was England’s last chance, as Bonner and Holder held out for an unbeaten stand of 80, after their key stand of 79 in the first innings.

West Indies made 375 and 147-4 in reply to England’s 311 and 349-6 declared.

England finished its second innings in the morning, resuming on 217-1.

Zac Crawley added four runs to his overnight score before he was yorked by Holder on 121, and Root moved from 84 to 109 then was bowled by Alzarri Joseph.

Root daringly declared two overs later, and if the West Indies was teased to go for the win, it didn’t last long. Three of the four overs to lunch were maidens.

Opener John Campbell was let off in the eighth over when he was dropped in the slips by Crawley off Leach.

Campbell and captain Kraigg Brathwaite posted their second 50-run opening stand then departed in consecutive overs.

Two Bahamians were expected to compete for their respective schools in the women’s 4 x 400 metre relay that was left under review.

But Doneisha Anderson and the University of Florida didn’t get to start the event.

Sophomore Megan Moss was not on the University of Kentucky’s team as the quartet of Alexis Holmes, Abby Steiner, Karimah Davis and Dajour Miles held onto third place in the last of the heats in 3:28.77 for third place overall.

Arkansas won in 3:27.23 for a facility record, erasing the previous mark of 3:28.27, set by Texas in 2016. Texas got second in 3:28.60.

Moss is now expected to head to Belgrade, Serbia with hurdler Devynne Charlton and two-time Olympic women’s 400m champion Shaunae MillerUibo for the World Athletics’ 2022 World Indoor Championships March 18-20.

Bahamian Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene, the head coach for both Moss and graduate assistant Charlton at Kentucky, will serve as the head coach in Belgrade.

Lance Brauman, MillerUibo’s coach with Pure Athletics Track Club, is also on the team that will be managed by Laura Pratt and assisted by Foster Dorsett and Dave Charlton.

PAGE 14, Monday, March 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Paralympics close to end Asia’s run at centre of world sport

SPAIN QUALIFIES FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 1999

BEIJING (AP) — The president of the International Paralympic Committee expressed “hopes for peace” as the Winter Paralympics closed yesterday but avoided mentioning Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The closing ceremony marked the end of an almost six-week run for international sports in the Chinese capital that began with the opening of the Winter Olympics on February 4.

IPC President Andrew Parsons sounded a note of unity at the ceremony in the Olympic stadium after athletes from Russia and Belarus were expelled earlier.

“Differences here did not divide us,” Parsons said, speaking before an audience that included Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Through this unity we have hope. Hopes for inclusion, hopes for harmony and importantly hopes for peace,” Parsons said.

“Humankind hopes to live in a world where dialogue prevails.”

The ceremony ended a run for Asia of hosting four of the last eight Olympics and Paralympics, starting with the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It’s unclear when sports’ largest stage will return to Asia.

The next Summer Olympics and Paralympics are in 2024 in Paris, followed by Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy in 2026, and Los Angeles in 2028 with the Summer Games.

The earliest return to Asia looks like the 2030 Winter Olympics with Sapporo, Japan, a top contender.

MADRID (AP) — Spain qualified for the Rugby World Cup yesterday for the first time since 1999.

The Spanish beat Portugal 33-28 at Estadio Nacional Universidad to ensure they finished second to Georgia in the combined 2021 and 2022 Rugby Europe Championship, which also doubled as qualifying for the World Cup in France next year.

The feat marked a remarkable turnaround for Los Leones, who started the championship with three defeats but have won six straight. They face Georgia next weekend.

“It’s been a long journey and a very tough qualification process,” Spain coach Santiago Santos said. “The performance of the team was amazing and we are very excited to be going to the Rugby World Cup.” Spain has qualified as Europe 2 in a World Cup pool with defending champion South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and the Asia-Pacific 1 qualifier. Its opening match is September 9, 2023, against Ireland at Stade de Bordeaux.

In its only previous World Cup appearance in 1999, Spain was based in Scotland and lost all three of its pool games to Uruguay, South Africa, and Scotland.

FIREWORKS ignite during the closing ceremony at the 2022 Winter Paralympics, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Beijing.

(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) It was the Winter Games host in determination despite the war at Russian President Vladimir Putin 1972. home. attended the opening of the OlymThe Paralympics opened just Parsons expressed horror at pics on February 4, one of the few eight days after Russia, aided by Russia’s attack on Ukraine in an major world leaders to attend with Belarus, invaded Ukraine. impassioned speech at the Para- Xi also present.

The International Paralympic lympics’ opening ceremony, with The Winter Paralympics Committee, after declining to bar Xi attending. attracted just under 600 athletes, Russian and Belarusian athletes, Parts of Parsons’ speech were far fewer than the 2,900 who reversed course and removed their not translated by Chinese state attended the Winter Olympics.

83 athletes — 71 from Russia and TV and some of the audio was Both events were held under 12 from Belarus. dropped. The IPC lodged a protest China’s severe COVID-19 Ukraine, with only 20 ath- over what it said was likely censor- restrictions. letes competing, finished second ship but was told the silence was They required daily testing by to China in the medal stand- caused by an unexplained glitch. athletes and others attending, ings. Many overcame difficult China has declined to condemn with access limited to only hotels, journeys to make it and showed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. venues and media centres.

RUSSIA STEPS UP LEGAL FIGHT AGAINST ISOLATION IN SPORTS LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia stepped up its legal fight against isolation in sports because of the war in Ukraine when its national Olympic body made an urgent appeal Friday to overturn a ban on its athletes competing at a European youth winter sports festival.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it was setting a timetable for the case ahead of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival being held in Finland from March 20-25.

Russian officials had promised to challenge athlete bans

ADDERLEY FROM PAGE 18

appearance at CARIFTA, also won the 400m hurdles in 1:08.97, but was off the standard as she won over Redline Athletics’ Aydin Bullard, who did 1:19.42. Adderley’s personal best in the event is 1:06.50. “I just need to focus on training and do the things my coach tells me to do,” said the 15-year-old 10th grader at International School of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology.

In what was expected to be an exciting under-20

imposed by most Olympic sports bodies this month, though no appeal to CAS has been announced relating to the figure skating world championships which start March 21.

The International Skating Union is organising that event in Montpellier, France.

The appeal by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) challenges the European Olympic Committees, whose executive committee decided on March 2 to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes.

CAS said Friday the ROC has not asked for an interim

girls 400m hurdles, two competitors, including Redline Athletics’ Lacarthea Cooper, went down clearing the second flight of 10 hurdles.

Fast Forward’s Kasha Neilly went on to win the race in 1:07.00.

Redline’s head coach Tito Moss said there was some concern for Cooper, who sprained her right ankle and after a lengthy time on the field, had to be escorted off on a wheelchair and taken to the hospital to get further medical attention.

Cooper, who was named to the 2020 Olympic team, but didn’t get to travel to Tokyo, Japan after she

ruling — so-called “provisional measures” — to freeze the ban, suggesting the full merits of the case could be decided over the next week.

The appeal joins Russian soccer in going to CAS to push back against the country’s sporting isolation after the invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian soccer federation has appealed against bans on national and club teams by FIFA and UEFA. Those suspensions were imposed March 1 within hours of the International Olympic Committee urging sports

came down with a case of COVID-19, earlier won the 200m in 24.91.

Her team-mate D’Arjha Davis got second in 26.13.

Davis won the 100m in 12.71, while Star Trackers’ Amari Pratt was second in 12.90. Pratt also got third in the 200m in 26.33.

Fast Forward’s Paige Archer took the 400m in 1:00.39. Spirit of Excellence’s Kristr Ford doubled up in the under-17 girls 400m in 59.07 and the 800m in 2:36.00. Una Thompson’s Jamiah Nabbie won the 100m in 12.85; Redline Athletics’ Nya Wright took the 200m in 25.68; 3 PA Stallions’ Jasmine Mackey

bodies to act against Russia.

The arguments in favour of Russian athlete bans were restated Friday by IOC president Thomas Bach in an open letter to international sports officials.

Bach said that while it was clear Russian athletes were not responsible for the war, the fairness and integrity of competitions where Ukrainians could be unable to compete had to be considered.

He also cited “safety risks for Russian and Belarusian athletes taking part in international competitions, because of deep anti-Russian and

came through in 5:28.12 in the 1,500m and Sunblazers’ Essence Sands ran 16.25 in the 100m hurdles.

Nabbie also won the long jump with 5.00m and Blue Chips Athletics dominated the throwing events with Danielle Nixon taking the shot put (11.37m); Cailyn Johnson in the discus (34.95m) and Taysha Stubbs in the javelin (31.50m).

Roadrunners’ Sabriya Farquharson cleared 4.80m to win the under-20 girls long jump and Blue Chips Athletics got another triple feat as Calea Jackson took the shot put with 10.65m and the discus with 36.20m, while G’Shan Brown won the javelin with 29.76.

In the open women’s division, Ambassadors’ Brianique Strachan sped to victory in the 100m in 12.93; Power Athletics’ Printassia Johnson took the 200m in 24.93 and University of the Bahamas’ Britanny Lundy captured the 100m hurdles in 17.54.

On the boys’ side, Redline Athletics’ Tamari Skinner was the winner of the under-17 100m in 11.55; DTSP Wolfpack’s Philip Gray got the 200m in 23.05 and the 400m in 50.87, just off the B qualifying standard of 50.03.

Hurray Murray’s Raywind Winder came close in the 800m in 2:00.72, but also fell shy of the CARIFTA standard of 2:00.14.

Andros Heats’ Nathaniel McHardy got a double dose of victory on the field in the shot put with 14.42m and the discus with 30.13m.

Blue Chips’ Robert Deal Jr threw 44.58m in the javelin.

Redline Athletics’ Shimar Bain clocked 54.88 in the 400m hurdles.

In the under-20 boys’ division, Fast Forward’s Matthew Chandler took

anti-Belarusian feelings following the invasion.” Bach also criticised those who made the “cheap argument” that the IOC broke its own rules on neutrality by politicising sport with its call to block Russian competitors.

“Whoever so blatantly violates the Olympic Truce with political and even military means cannot denounce the consequences as being politically motivated,” Bach wrote, referencing the pledge signed by all 193 United Nations member states, including Russia, ahead of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.

the 100m title in 11.10 and Swift Athletics’ Samalie Farrington got the 200m in 22.31; Logan Major took the 400m in 49.09 and Kenzie Knowles got the 800m in 2:03.19. 4D’s Stallions’ Kristopher Wong and T-Bird Flyers’ Jean Dorelien got 1-2 at the line in the 1,500m in 4:37.33.

Rickey Moxey’s Nathaniel Rahming won the high jump with 1.85m; Fast Forwards’ Zachary Evans took the long jump with 6.48m; Redline Athletics’ Brandon Hutchinson took the triple jump with 13.98m; Noble Prep Academy’s Terrance Deveaux won the shot put with 11.50m and Blue Chips’ Kaden Cartwright won the discus with 33.10m and Nathaniel Zervos got the javelin with 54.95m.

In the open men’s division, SPIA’s Yorick Dean clocked 10.88 in the 100m and Joel Johnson did 21.77 in the 200m.

Power Athletics’ Gregory Storr took the 400m in 49.16 and Lhevinne Joseph got the 800m in 1:55.73.

T-bird’s Denzel Sawyer won the 5,000m in 16:55.97.

Power Athletics’ Ken Mullings doubled up in the 110m hurdles in 14.59 and the javelin with 51.36m.

There was also the age group competition contested.

PA Stallions’ Brianna Bootle took the under-13 girls 100m, in 13.50 and the 200m in 27.73; Fast Forward’s Zara Fraser won the 400m in 1:05.26 and 3PA Stallions’ Cierra Delancy won the 800m in 2:46.82.

Shakinah Johnson of Spirit of Excellence won the under-15 girls 100m in 13.26; Team Velocity’s Sarsha Wright won the 200m in 26.49; DTSP Wolfpack’s Brey’Elle Cooper got the 400m in 1:02.54

and Quick Step’s Yulianis Akompi won the 800m in 2:29.49.

Jireh Woodside of Swift Athletics swept the under13 boys sprints in the 100m in 13.44 and the 200m in 27.18.

Team Velocity’s Ksmron Henfield (59.73) and Anthony Sanders (2:35.59) took the 400 and 800m respectively.

And in the under-15 boys division, Swift Athletics got another sweep as Rolinny Labranche got the 100m in 12.16 and the 200m in 23.89.

Hurray Murray’s Tieano Ferguson got a sweep as well in the 400m (56.47) and the 800m (2:35.31.

Meet director Dexter Bodie was quite pleased to have another meet to enable the athletes to get sharp before the BAAA final CARIFTA trials over the weekend of April 1-2.

“The meet was excellent.

It was a good performance by all the clubs,” said Bodie, the head coach of the Roadrunners. “I just want to thank all of the coaches and the athletes for their support.

“I knew we would have one or two CARIFTA qualifiers, so I was very impressed with the overall performances. This is almost peak time, so by the trials, all of the athletes should be ready to go.”

Based on the performances he saw, Bodie said he’s confident that there will be some outstanding performances turned in, which would enable the BAAA to select a solid team for the games.

After a two-year hiatus in which organisers had to postpone the event due to COVID-19, the regional top junior track and field meet will return to Kingston, Jamaica, over the weekend of April 16-18.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 15

OLE MISS REBELS EARN NO.7 SEED IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net YOLETT McPheeMcCuin’s complete overhaul of the Ole Miss women’s basketball programme now includes a trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Ole Miss (23-8, 10-8 SEC) earned an at-large bid and the no.7 seed in the Witchita Region.

They will face the no.10 seed and Summit League Champion, South Dakota Coyotes (27-5, 17-1 Summit) on Friday in Waco, Texas.

Ole Miss earned its first NCAA title bid in 15 years and will make its first appearance since the 2007-08 season when they advanced to the Elite Eight.

This year will also mark the 18th tournament appearance in Ole Miss history.

McPhee-McCuin previously led the Jacksonville Dolphins programme to the Tournament in 2016.

She led the programme to its first ASUN Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth.

Ole Miss enjoyed its best finish in conference play since the 1993-94 season. They concluded the regular season with wins in four of their last five games. This season, the programme earned its

first top 25 ranking since 2007. The 2021-22 campaign thus far has been highlighted by a 13-game win streak, the third longest win streak in programme history. It also included wins over three ranked opponents.

In conference postseason play, Ole Miss earned its first SEC Tournament Semifinal game appearance in 29 years, when they suffered a 61-51 loss to the no.1 South Carolina Gamecocks.

McPhee-McCuin joined the Rebels in 2018 with expectations to rebuild a programme that struggled in recent years and was in the cellar of the SEC. In her first year at the helm the team finished 9-22, 3-13 in conference play and the season concluded with a first round loss in the SEC Tournament. In year two, The Rebels finished the season at 7-23 and suffered another opening round loss in the tournament.

Last year, the Rebels finished the season 15-12, for their first winning season since 2016-17. After an 11-11 regular season, 4-10 in the SEC, they advanced to the first SEC Quarterfinal since 2004. Their résumé included three wins against ranked teams and four Top-50 NET wins. They eventually fell to Rice in the WNIT title game.

Klay Thompson scores seasonhigh 38, Warriors top Bucks

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson has been waiting for his shot to start falling consistently, and he certainly found a groove for Golden State against defending champion Milwaukee.

He didn’t force it, and plans to build on this as he keeps learning during his comeback season. Grinning, he said he wanted to score 40 points, it just sounds better, but 38 was great.

Thompson’s total was a season best and he raised his right arm in triumph to ignite the home crowd while leading the Warriors past the Bucks, 122-109 on Saturday night.

“I was eager for a night like this,” Thompson said, “but a mid-season shooting slump it’s not going to kill my ego, I’m still going to go out there and compete.”

Thompson shot 15 for 24 with eight 3-pointers had his second 30-point performance since returning Jan. 9 from a 21/2-year absence following knee and Achilles surgeries. “I’m sure it’s a relief,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s so hard on himself and wants so badly to succeed.”

Kevin Durant scores seasonhigh 53, Nets beat Knicks NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant scored a season-high 53 points, making the tiebreaking 3-pointer in a sensational show for a crowd that included Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the New York Knicks 110-107 yesterday.

Durant’s 3-pointer snapped a 103-all tie with 56 seconds remaining. He added four more free throws to keep the Nets ahead, finishing one point shy of his career high. Durant also had nine assists and six rebounds in his 60th career 40-point performance.

Irving had a nice view while attending his first Nets home game this season, though still unable to play in New York. There is no longer a mandate that spectators are vaccinated against the coronavirus, but there is still one requiring it for someone who works there. Irving has not been vaccinated. So the star guard had a seat in the stands, just as he did a night earlier to watch his college team, Duke, lose in the ACC championship game. He walked off arm-in-arm with Durant toward the Nets locker room after the game ended.

MAVERICKS 95, CELTICS 92 BOSTON (AP) — Luka Doncic returned from a hamstring scare to hit a tying 3-pointer with a 1:21 left, Spencer Dinwiddie made the winner with nine seconds to play and Dallas beat Boston to

WARRIORS guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Bucks centre Bobby Portis Jr during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Milwaukee native Jordan last month when the Nets Poole returned to Golden waived him, injured his State’s starting lineup and right knee and was helped scored 30 points with five to the locker room with 2:31 3-pointers to go with six left in the third quarter. He rebounds and five assists. went down hard along the Giannis Antetokounmpo sideline leaping to defend had 31 points and eight Poole’s 3-point attempt. rebounds, but the Warriors’ Bembry was getting an defence held the rest of the MRI exam. “We just need Bucks down. Milwaukee to wait and see what that had won six a row. looks like,” coach Mike This was a bad night for Budenholzer said. “... It Milwaukee on the injury felt like tonight was one front. of those nights where Klay New forward DeAn- was going to make some dre’ Bembry, only signed shots that were tough, that

were well-defended. His offence and his shooting were just better than what we could defend. Credit to him. He had a great night.”

Serge Ibaka received stitches in the first half for a right eye laceration after he was injured in the opening quarter. He briefly returned and scored 15 points.

The Warriors opened the first 1:58 of the third quarter on an 11-0 spurt to go ahead 78-58 before Antetokounmpo’s basket at the 9:43 mark.

Andrew Wiggins added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Warriors.

Poole started for just the second time in the past 13 games and shot 9 of 16, while Stephen Curry had eight points and eight assists taking just seven shots. “It’s crazy when an MVP only has eight points and we still win against a really, really, really good team,” Poole said.

Golden State held Milwaukee to 41.3% from the floor, with Khris Middleton 3 of 11 in the first half before he wound up with 18 points on 6-for-19 shooting.

The Bucks were 17 of 44 from deep.

UP NEXT Bucks: At Utah tonight.

Warriors: Host Washington tonight.

SUNS ROUT LAKERS, JAMES REACHES 10,000 ASSISTS

GARVIN Clarke

spoil Kevin Garnett’s special day.

With Garnett courtside awaiting the postgame ceremony to retire his uniform No. 5, the Mavericks won for the seventh time in eight games and snapped Boston’s fivegame winning streak.

Doncic, who left in the first half rubbing his left leg, finished with 26 points and eight rebounds.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum missed an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer. Tatum had 21 points and 11 rebounds, but made just a pair of baskets in the second half.

SUNS 140, LAKERS 111 PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 30 points, Deandre Ayton had 23 points and 16 rebounds and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns routed the Los Angeles Lakers 140-111 on Sunday night.

LeBron James led the Lakers, who have lost 10 straight road games, with 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

James reached a milestone with his 10,000th career assist in the second quarter on Carmelo Anthony’s 3-pointer. James in the only player in NBA history with at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.

HAWKS 131, PACERS 128 ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored 33 of his 47 points in the first half and Atlanta beat Indiana

CLARKE FROM PAGE 18 LAKERS forward LeBron James, left, drives onSuns forward Torrey Craig during the first half yesterday in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pacers 131-128 on Sunday night. and Memphis fended off a late Danilo Gallinari and De’Andre push by Oklahoma City.

Hunter had 15 points apiece for Jaren Jackson Jr added 18 Atlanta, 10th in the Eastern Con- points and Ja Morant had 17 for ference. The Hawks shot 54.8%. the Grizzlies.

The Hawks have won 13 of 15 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led at home and two straight overall. the Thunder with 31 points and They had a season-high 77 points seven assists. Darius Bazley had a in the first half. Tyrese Halliburton season-high 29 points and finished and Buddy Hield each scored 25 with 10 rebounds. points for Indiana.

CLIPPERS 106, 76ERS 116, PISTONS 102 MAGIC 114, OT DETROIT (AP) — Marcus ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Morris scored 31 points and Luke Joel Embiid had 35 points and 16 Kennard had 16 against their rebounds and Philadelphia kept former team, helping Los Angerallying, finally beating Orlando les overcame an 18-point deficit to in overtime. Down by 17 points in beat Detroit. the first half and trailing by 10 in Reggie Jackson, another former the fourth quarter, the Sixers were Piston, had with 15 points, nine behind 113-109 with 1:25 left in assists and eight rebounds.

OT. James Harden hit one of two Jeremi Grant scored 21 points free throws with 6.7 seconds left for Detroit. Cade Cunningham in overtime to give Philadelphia had 19 points, 10 assists and nine a two-point lead. Cole Anthony rebounds. missed a 3-pointer at the horn for PELICANS 130, Orlando. Harden finished with 26 ROCKETS 105 points and Tobias Harris added 25 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — for the 76ers. Wendell Carter Jr. Jonas Valanciunas had 32 points led Orlando with 23 points and 12 and 10 rebounds and New Orleans rebounds. beat Houston to snap a four-game GRIZZLIES 125, skid. Jaxson Hayes added for 21 THUNDER 118 points for New Orleans.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Green led Houston with Desmond Bane scored 21 points 17 points.

Clarke scored 11 points off the bench and shot 3-5 from three-point range in a 75-55 victory over rival Kent State in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Clarke is averaging 3.2 points and 2.4rebounds per game in 23 appearances off the bench. He scored a career high 12 points in a November 18 win over Wheeling. He also had nine point outings in back to back games on February 22 and 25.

Clarke made his Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team debut last November at the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers for Group A. At the prep level, Clarke completed his high school career with Cleveland Heights Tigers after spending his previous seasons with the Euclid Panthers, both in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 6’0” point guard was listed as a three-star recruit by several recruiting services and chose Akron over Buffalo, Cleveland State, Florida A&M and Youngstown State.

Spurs’ Gregg Popovich becomes NBA regular-season wins leader

By RAUL DOMINGUEZ Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich’s name is on top of the NBA regular-season victory list. He thinks of it more as a group accomplishment.

“All of us share in this record,” Popovich said Friday night after getting his record-breaking 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102. “It’s not mine.

It’s ours, here in the city.”

Popovich broke a tie with Don Nelson, the friend and mentor he served as an assistant under while with Golden State for two seasons. The milestone came in Popovich’s 2,030th game and 26th season with the Spurs, the only franchise for which he has served as head coach.

“It’s just a testament to a whole lot of people,” Popovich said. “Something like this does not belong to one individual.

Basketball’s a team sport. You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. The fans support us no matter what.”

Unsurprisingly, the evening was met with zero fanfare. That is, until the end — players mobbed the 73-year-old Popovich when the game was over, jumping around and hugging him until he could break free and headed to the locker room. Popovich was doused with a cooler of water and huge roars could be heard from the locker room as the Spurs celebrated along with Hall of Famer David Robinson.

“Tonight, he had to enjoy it,” Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray said. “He had no option.”

Praise or celebration of any achievement is typically brusquely deflected or simply ignored by

Popovich. To hear Popovich explain it, he simply shows up to work and rolls the ball onto the court.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

He’s the fourth coach, going back to the end of the NBA’s first season, to stand atop the wins list.

Red Auerbach held the mark for about a half-century, followed

by Lenny Wilkens, followed by Nelson — and now, Popovich.

“The ironic thing about this is Nellie gave me a job when I didn’t have one back in ‘92,” Popovich said. “He took me on. To be in this position, as the same breath as him, is in my opinion undeserving and quite awkward because he was so wonderful in saving my family’s (behind). So, it’s ironic that I’m sitting here in this situation.”

Popovich’s first stint in San Antonio ended in 1992, working for Larry Brown — until the whole coaching staff got fired.

That’s when Popovich got a job as an assistant in Golden State, working for Nelson for two seasons. He returned to the Spurs in 1994 and took over as coach in 1996. The Spurs released a video from Nelson after the game, congratulating Popovich — whom he called one of his best friends — and telling him how proud he is of his former assistant’s accomplishments “and all the wonderful things you’ve done for basketball, worldwide.”

“I’m so proud of you for doing it,” Nelson said. “I couldn’t wait for this day to happen.”

Popovich has won five NBA championships and 13 division titles and was recently named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history. He has coached NBA 75th Anniversary Team members Robinson and Tim Duncan, future Hall of Fame members Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker as well as journeymen who found careers in San

Antonio such as Danny Green and current NBA coaches Steve Kerr, Monty Williams, Ime Udoka and Doc Rivers.

“Gregg Popovich’s success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league, so it’s only fitting that he now holds the record for most career wins,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“His leadership and unwavering commitment to the game are widely admired by generations of players and coaches alike. Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career.”

San Antonio won 50 games for a league-record 18 straight seasons from 2000-2017 under Popovich. The Spurs matched a league record with 22 consecutive playoff appearances but have missed two straight postseasons since their streak ended in 2017.

While the glory days seem distant, Popovich continues plugging along.

PAGE 16, Monday, March 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PITCHER TAHNAJ THOMAS INVITED TO MLB SPRING TRAINING

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TAHNAJ Thomas achieved another career milestone in the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation and is one of the club’s non-roster invitees to major league Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida.

Thomas is among the group, which includes some of the club’s best minor league prospects, in Grapefruit League play next week.

The 22-year-old 6’5” right hand pitcher is currently ranked no.13 in the Pirates organisation, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Pirates begin their Spring Training schedule against the Baltimore Orioles on March 18 at LECOM Park. Thomas spent last

season at the High A returned to the field, level for the first time he finished with four with the Greensboro strikeouts, and gave Grasshoppers. up one run on six hits In 16 appearances, in four innings of a 7-5 all starts, he finished win over the Rome with a 3-3 record in Braves.

He threw 60.2 innings, with 62 just 59 pitches in the strikeouts, an ERA of appearance.

5.19 and a 1.58 WHIP. A Grand Bahama The Grasshoppers native, Thomas signed finished the regular with the Indians in season 74-46 in the December 2016 and TAHNAJ Thomas East Division and lost was traded to the to the Bowling Green Hot Rods Pirates in November 2018. in the league championship series.

In a profile with MLB. He began the season with com, Thomas said his strug15 strikeouts in seven innings, gles last season were a learning allowed just three hits, one earned experience. run, and four walks in his first two “Honestly, I feel I shouldn’t starts of the season. blank most of it out,” Thomas Thomas missed several starts in said. “I think it was a learning July, and in his first start once he season for me. You have to fail to

succeed. Personally, I just have to pick out the goods and bads, what I have to work on, what I have to get better with from last season and bring it into this season and get better.”

Thomas added that he patterns his game after perennial CY Young contenders Jacob deGrom, Walker Buehler, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

“All of them start at one pace, and they keep that same pace throughout the entire game, ‘Ah, I’m trying to go get 99 [miles per hour].’ Then, you have someone like deGrom and Buehler, who are nice and easy,” Thomas said.

“But, if you look at their pace throughout the game, they’re still 75 to 85 percent. Their bodies aren’t moving on the mound at 100 percent. I feel like for me, by

Burns, Hoge share 36-hole lead at frigid TPC Sawgrass

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Sam Burns bundled up to fight near-freezing temperatures at the start and closed out his second round with a 75-foot eagle putt and an 18-foot par to share the lead with Tom Hoge after 36 holes in the rain-delayed Players Championship.

Hoge has been atop the leaderboard for four days at the TPC Sawgrass. He played golf on only two of those days.

The Pebble Beach winner opened with a 66 on Thursday and because of rain delays, didn’t start his second round until Sunday morning.

The temperature was 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 degrees Celsius) in the morning with a light wind.

Hoge closed with a pair of tough pars for a 71. Burns made his eagle on the par-5 16th and his big par on the final hole for a 69. They were at 7-under 137.

Erik van Rooyen, the South African who played

his college golf at Minnesota, holed a wedge for eagle on the par-5 ninth hole to close out his 67 and leave him one shot behind with Harold Varner III, who had a 69.

This week is all about the weather. Four inches of rain that saturated the Stadium Course led to five hours of delays on Thursday, four hours of play on Friday and a late start — noon on Saturday — to get the course ready.

Sunday at TPC Sawgrass typically decides the winner.

This time it was all about who got to keep playing into this evening.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler can count themselves among the fortunate. They finished the second round Saturday at 2-over 146 and appeared certain to miss the cut with the final two groups finishing up the round.

And then Scott Piercy, who appeared safe at 2-under par, hit two shots into the water on the island-green 17th and made a quadruple-bogey 7 that knocked him to 2 over.

the third inning, I’m like, ‘okay, I’m starting to ramp up. I’m over 85 percent, I’m starting to get to 95 percent.’ That’s when I’m starting to fly open and I’m starting to get out of my mechanics.”

In 2019 with the Bristol Pirates of the Appalachian League, Thomas finished with a 2-3 winloss record which also included 59 strikeouts - the most for any Bristol pitcher since 2012. In 12 starts, he pitched 48.1 innings with a 3.17 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. As the MiLB returned after a COVID-19-cancelled 2020 season, Thomas was promoted to the Grasshoppers and High-A baseball.

Thomas joined Miami Marlins infielder Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr on the roster of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports last May.

SAM Burns hits from the pine straw on the 18th fairway during the second round of play in The Players Championship golf tournament yesterday.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Piercy bogeyed the 18th and wound up missing the cut.

Others didn’t get off so easy. The strongest field of the year won’t include three of the top 10 players in the world — Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

One thing made clear at the halfway point was who lucked out on the tee times.

The top 15 players going into the third round all had the early-late side of the tee times, meaning they faced mostly calm and rain-soaked conditions on Thursday and avoided the ferocious wind that wreaked havoc on the Stadium Course on Saturday.

Burns was watching most of Saturday on TV. “I just felt bad for the guys that had to play,” he said. “You never wish that upon your opponents. It’s unfortunate. Over your career, you have good waves and bad waves. ...

There’s only so much you can control out there, and weather is not one of them.”

Burns did his part after a sloppy start to his back nine, including what he described as one of the worst shots he ever hit, a 7-iron that went 126 yards into a bunker on the 10th hole.

The bonus was his eagle putt on the 16th after a shot that avoided water by some 5 yards and left him a putt from the front of the green to a back pin.

Kevin Kisner was among those on the wrong side of the draw, and his only wish was that players on Sunday morning suffered in the cold weather. That wish was granted. Hoge found himself layering up with three sweaters and even that wasn’t enough.

But he played good golf, too, playing bogey-free for the final 17 holes. Even with the realisation that it

was yesterday afternoon, the tournament was more like a Friday afternoon.

There’s still a long way to go, and 32 players were within five shots of the lead. That included Jon Rahm, who played yesterday morning and shot 72, and Dustin Johnson, who had a 73 on Saturday that felt much better.

The average score was 74.46, about a full stroke lower than it was at the end of Saturday to reflect how much better the conditions were, even in the cold.

Rahm hit one shot on Saturday when the round was stopped by darkness.

It turned out to be a decent break because he returned for the next 71 shots without as much wind.

“I was able to play a rather mediocre round of golf and post a decent score and I’m still in the hunt for this tournament,” he said. “So I consider myself lucky.”

BOXER MICHAEL CONLAN OK AFTER BEING KNOCKED OUT OF RING NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — The Irish boxer who gestured at 2016 Rio Olympic judges with his middle fingers after losing a controversial decision was reported to be “conscious and stable” and recovering in a hospital after being knocked out of the ring in a WBA featherweight title fight on Saturday.

Michael Conlan was knocked out in the 12th round by English boxer Leigh Wood, who recovered

from an early knockdown to retain his title after an often bruising fight at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.

Topping the bill in his home city, Wood was put on his back by a looping overhand left towards the end of the first round and while he rose on wobbly legs, the 33-yearold Wood was outclassed over the first half of the fight. In the final round, though, a bruising right hand seemed to buckle Conlan

before Wood unloaded with a further flurry to back up his opponent, who tumbled between the ropes and out of the ring.

Conlan was taken by stretcher from the arena. Wood’s promoter Eddie Hearn said on Twitter: “Update on Michael Conlan..conscious and stable, sitting up and talking and await CT scans.”

Later Conlan tweeted that he was OK: “I’m all good folks, cheers for the messages. I’ll be back, good

shot and congrats to Leigh and his team.”

At the 2016 Olympics, Conlan, who was the reigning world and European champion, lost on a controversial split decision in a bantamweight quarterfinal to Russian Vladimir Nikitin. That resulted in the Irishman going on an expletive-laden rant on live television after the loss, including raising the middle finger of each of his hands as he faced the judges.

SWIM

FROM PAGE 18

Rachel Lundy, Delaney Mizell, Keianna Moss and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson.

Boys 11-12 - Maxwell Daniels, William Farrington, Lenin Hamilton, Noah Knowles, Dijon Simmons and David Singh.

Boys 13-14 - Caleb Ferguson, Zion Gibson, Tristen Hepburn, Asher Johnson, Ayrton Moncur, Donald Saunders and Caden Wells.

Boys 15-17 - Jack Barr, Tristin Ferguson, Nigel Forbes, Emmanuel Gadson, Marvin Johnson, Jake Thompson and Erald Thompson III. Travano McPhee is the head coach, assisted

by Camron Bruney and Andrew Loveitt.

The team manager is Andrea Strapp. Courtney Barr is the female chaperone and Patrick Ferguson is the male chaperone.

“I was very happy with the team selection,” said Bahamas Aquatics president Algernon Cargill. “We feel that the swimmers have performed very well to get themselves ready for this year’s games after we didn’t get to go the past two years because of COVID-19.

“We feel we have assembled a pretty good team

SALESTE Gibson

CALEB Ferguson

KAYLAN Williams

TIA-ISABELLA Adderley

that will be able to go and win the title for the fourth straight year. That is our goal.

“We won three straight before the pandemic and now we are looking to win the title again this year.”

Cargill said they are seeking the support of corporate Bahamas to join the Bahamas Government in their grant to the federation to ensure that the team gets to Barbados to defend their title. He said he’s confident that they will be able to achieve their goal.

In the meantime, he noted that McPhee and the rest of the coaching staff will be working with the swimmers to ensure that they are in tip-top shape as they get ready for the games over the next few weeks.

For some of the swimmers,

it’s a relief to know that they will finally get to compete in the meet after they met the qualifying standards last year, only to be told for the second straight year that the event had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barracuda’s Saleste Gibson, following in the footsteps of her older siblings Samuel and Selena Gibson, clocked two minutes and 49.27 seconds in the girls 11-12 200 metres individual medley (IM) to dip under the qualifying standard of 2:49.63. “I’m very excited to go for the first time,” said Gibson, an 11-year-old ninth grader at Queen’s College who has been swimming for about nine years.

She noted that Samuel Gibson, who is now

swimming for Pace University in New York and Selena Gibson, not swimming but enrolled at Howard University, have both played a vital role in her development over the past nine years she’s been in swimming. She’s excited to continue the tradition they left behind as some of the top junior national team members that the Bahamas Aquatics has produced.

“I want to train hard so I can go to CARIFTA and swim my best and hopefully get the gold medal like they did,” said Saleste Gibson, who expects to make a splash for the Bahamas in the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.

Mako’s Tia-Isabella Adderley, who swam 37.19 in the girls 13-14 50m breaststroke to surpass

the CARIFTA standard of 38.56, said she can’t wait to travel to Barbados.

The 14-year-old ninth grader at St Andrew’s High School said after making the team last year, she expects to compete in multiple events this year.

“I want to go to CARIFTA and try and medal,” said Adderley, who is looking forward to doing it as she competes in the 50m, 100 and 200m breaststrokes and possibly the 50m free.

“I feel really good about where I am right now. I just want to continue to train hard.”

Caleb Ferguson, representing Alpha Aquatics, had a pretty good swim in the boys 13-14 100m freestyle where he won in 54.88 and was joined by YMCA’s WaveRunners’ Ellie

POGACAR DEFENDS TIRRENO TITLE - 3RD STRAIGHT VICTORY SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO, Italy (AP) — Three races, three overall victories.

Two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar extended his nearly perfect start to the cycling season by defending his title in the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico race yesterday.

The Slovenian rider also won the weeklong UAE Tour last month then put on a dominant display on the white, gravel roads of the Strade Bianche singleday race last weekend in Tuscany.

“I might seem unbeatable but I’m not,” Pogacar said.

In the Tirreno, Pogacar won the two toughest stages and finished with an advantage of 1 minute, 52 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard and 2:33 ahead of Mikel Landa.

The 23-year-old Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, also won the Tirreno’s points classification and best young rider classification.

German rider Phil Bauhaus won the final stage of the sea-to-sea race, a 159-kilometre (99-mile) leg that began and finished in San Benedetto del Tronto, in a sprint finish.

Giacomo Nizzolo finished second in the final stage, which was hilly at the start then flat at the finish, and Kaden Groves crossed third. Pogacar crossed 33rd with the same time as Bauhaus.

Up next for Pogacar is the Milan-San Remo classic next Saturday.

Gibson in 55.50 as they both surpassed the CCCAN qualifying time of 56.01.

The pair were followed

by Black Marlins’ Caden Wells (56.15) and Lightning Aquatics’ Donald Saunders (57.58) as they all went under the CARIFTA standard of 57.78.

“It’s really exciting because I made it last year, but they didn’t have it, but now that they are having it this year, it’s really great,” said Ferguson, a 10th grader at St Augustine’s College.

“I’ve been working out a lot because I really want to bring home some gold medals for the Bahamas,” Ferguson added.

And Grand Bahamian Kaylan Williams, representing the YMCA WaveRunners, is looking forward to making the trip to Barbados as well. The 11-year-old made some national championship qualifying times, but hopes that he will be selected to compete at CARIFTA. “I’m getting older. This is my second year in 11-12s (division), so I really want to make it to CARIFTA,” he said.

“The competition is kind of hard, but I can get used to it. If I go to CARIFTA, I plan to do the best I can and put my best foot forward.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 14, 2022, PAGE 17

12 Indiana (20-13)

MW

E

Second Round March 19-20

First Four

Wed., March 16

11 Rutgers (18-13)

16 Bryant (22-9)

11 Notre Dame (22-10)

S

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Sweet 16

Sweet 16

March 24-25

Elite 8

8 Boise St. (27-7)

Elite 8

March 26-27

March 17

9 Memphis (21-10)

March 26-27

March 18

9 TCU (20-12)

FINAL FOUR

4 Arkansas (25-8)

4 Illinois (22-9)

New Orleans

March 17

March 18

April 2

WEST

13 Chattanooga (27-7)

SOUTH

6 Colorado St. (25-5) March 17

11 Notre Dame/Rutgers

11 Michigan (17-14)

3 Texas Tech (25-9)

3 Tennessee (26-7)

14 Montana St. (27-7)

14 Longwood (26-6)

7 Michigan St. (22-12)

7 Ohio St. (19-11)

March 17

March 18

March 18

NATIONAL All times EDT CHAMPIONSHIP

10 Davidson (27-6) 2 Duke (28-6)

10 Loyola Chicago (25-7) 2 Villanova (26-7)

April 4

March 18

15 Cal St. Fullerton (21-10)

March 18

15 Delaware (22-12)

1 Baylor (26-6)

1 Kansas (28-6)

16 Norfolk St. (24-6)

16 A&M-CC/Texas Southern

8 North Carolina (24-9)

8 San Diego St. (23-8)

March 17

March 17

March 17

March 17

9 Marquette (19-12)

9 Creighton (22-11)

5 Saint Mary’s (25-7)

5 Iowa (26-9)

12 Wyoming/Indiana

12 Richmond (23-12)

4 UCLA (25-7)

4 Providence (25-5)

13 Akron (24-9)

13 South Dakota St. (30-4)

March 17

March 17

March 17

EAST

MIDWEST

6 LSU (22-11) March 18

March 18

11 Virginia Tech (23-12)

11 Iowa St. (20-12)

3 Purdue (27-7)

3 Wisconsin (24-7)

14 Yale (19-11)

14 Colgate (23-11)

7 Murray St. (30-2)

7 USC (26-7)

10 San Francisco (24-9)

10 Miami (23-10)

March 18

March 18

March 18

March 17

All times EDT

2 Kentucky (26-7)

2 Auburn (27-5) March 18

March 17

15 Saint Peter’s (19-11)

15 Jacksonville St. (21-10)

Murray outlasts Daniel at Indian Wells for 700th career victory INDIAN WELLS, Calif.

(AP) — Andy Murray outlasted qualifier Taro Daniel 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Friday in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open for his 700th career victory.

“It does mean a lot to me because I know how difficult it’s been, certainly the last few years,” Murray said, referring to numerous injuries and a bout with COVID-19. “When you look at the players that have done it, most of the players that are up there and have won that many matches are certainly the best players of the last sort of 30, 40 years.”

Murray, who received a wild card into the desert tournament, twice came from behind in the nearly two-hour match. He overcame a 1-3 deficit in the third set, winning five of the final six games.

“There were points in the match where I did play pretty well,” Murray said.

“But there’s also times in the match where it was poor. I really need to try and find that consistency.”

Murray broke Daniel to tie the set 3-all. The 34-yearold Scottish star led 40-love in the last game before closing it out on his third match point.

It was their third meeting this year. Ranked 106th, Daniel won at the Australian Open. Murray, who is 88th in the world, won in Doha last month.

Murray has never won at Indian Wells. His best finish came in 2009, when he lost to Rafael Nadel in the final. He was a semifinalist in 2007 and 2015, losing to Novak Djokovic both times.

Milwaukee

6 Texas (21-11)

Buffalo

March 17

ANDY MURRAY, of Britain, returns a shot against Taro Daniel, of Japan, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Friday, March 11 in Indian Wells, California.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

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Greenville

Buffalo San Diego

8 Seton Hall (21-10)

March 18

March 18

Greenville

March 18

16 Wright St./Bryant

12 UAB (27-7)

March 18

Fort Worth

1 Arizona (31-3)

12 New Mexico St. (26-6)

6 Alabama (19-13)

Portland

March 17-18

5 Houston (29-5)

13 Vermont (28-5)

Milwaukee

March 19-20

First Round

5 UConn (23-9) March 17

Indianapolis

Second Round

Pittsburgh

16 Georgia St. (18-10)

March 24-25

W

Indianapolis

March 17

Wed., March 16

16 Wright St. (21-13)

Pittsburgh

1 Gonzaga (26-3)

Dayton, Ohio March 15-16

Fort Worth

March 17-18

2022

16 Texas A&M-CC (23-11)

First Round

Portland

Tues., March 15

12 Wyoming (25-8)

San Diego

Tues., March 15

16 Texas Southern (18-12)

SPORTS PAGE 18

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

NBA, Page 15

Taylor sets national record in triple jump

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

lthough she would have preferred better results across the board, multi-talented Charisma Taylor was content with another Bahamian national record-breaking performance in the women’s triple jump at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Indoor

Championship over the weekend.

As the only Bahamian to make an individual appearance in a final at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, Taylor came off two dismal performances in Friday’s 60 metre hurdles and the long jump to soar in the hop, skip and jump event on Saturday.

Taylor, a University of Tennessee junior transfer from Washington State,

cleared a personal best of 45-feet, 9 3/4-inches or 13.96m to improve on her own national record of 13.90m on January 30 in Clemson, South Carolina when she broke the Lady Vols indoor record at the Bob Pollock Meet.

Florida’s sophomore champion Jasmine Moore, in taking the victory, made some history herself as she erased the meet, facility and collegiate records with her leap of 47-9 3/4 (14.57m).

Natricia Hooper was the runner-up with 45-10 3/4 (13.99m).

“I came in with a different mindset than Friday because it didn’t go as I expected in the hurdles and the long jump,” Taylor said.

“But that is track and field and you have to move on from disappointments and get ready for the next day, which I did. I focused on the task at hand, which

SEE PAGE 13

CARIFTA SWIM TEAM NAMED

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FOLLOWING its Last Chance Meet on Saturday at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, the Bahamas Aquatics has named a team contingent as they prepare for the return of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

The announcement came yesterday after several swimmers made a splash in the meet to join the list of previous qualifiers on the team headed to Bridgetown, Barbados, for the Easter holiday weekend, April 16-19.

There were also a number of qualifiers for the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation

Championships (CCCAN) and National Swim Championships, both expected to be staged in June.

Team Bahamas is hoping to go for their fourth title after winning three straight before the event was halted for the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following swimmers have been selected: Girls 11-12 - ChristinAlyssa Clarke, Samirah Donaldson, Seleste Gibson, Lelah Lewis and Trinity Pratt.

Girls 13-14 - Tia-Isabella Adderley, Lauren Bridgewater, Mia Patton, Erin Pritchard and Elle Theberge.

Girls 15-17 - Rhanishka Gibbs, Kyana Higgs,

SEE PAGE 16

NCAA DIVISION I BASKETBALL: CLARKE AND ZIPS N0.13 SEED

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net GARVIN Clarke and the Akron Zips made history by winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament and now look ahead to the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament this week.

The Zips were named the no.13 seed in the East Region and will face the no.

4 seed UCLA Bruins in the first round Thursday at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Time and broadcast providers have yet to be determined.

The winner of this game will go on to face either the no.6 Saint Mary’s Gaels of the West Coast Conference

or the winner of the no.11 seed play-in game between the Mountain West Conference’s Wyoming Cowboys or the Big Ten Conference’s Indiana Hoosiers.

The Zips have never won an NCAA Tournament game while UCLA, fresh off a Final Four berth last year, has more tournament championships than any other programme.

The Bruins finished the regular season (25-7, 15-5 PAC-12) ranked at no.13 in the country and advanced to the Pac-12 Championship game.

The Zips (24-9) won their fourth MAC Tournament title in school history and first since the 2012-13 season to earn an automatic bid. On Saturday night,

SEE PAGE 15

HIGH JUMPER KOI ADDERLEY QUALIFIES FOR CARIFTA

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FAST Forward’s versatile Koi Adderley was the latest athlete to post a CARIFTA Games qualifying performance.

Her performance came Saturday during Road Runners Track Club’s Dianne Lynn Thompson Memorial Time Trials Classic at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium where she matched the under-17 girls’ high jump standard of 1.62 metres. Her nearest rival was Andros Heats’ Tylah Pratt with 1.45m.

“It was good, I was a little scared of the wind because it was windy today,” said Adderley. “But I listened to my coach and I had faith

KOI Adderley in God and my training and that was what pulled me through. “My goal is to jump at least 1.70m,” she added.

Adderley, looking forward to making her first

SEE PAGE 14