03152024 NEWS AND SPORT

Use of juries needs review, says Court of Appeal president

from page one

highlighted issues with jury trials last night.

In addition to Sir Michael, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder, former Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree, and former Justice Sir Burton Hall were panellists during an event at Baha Mar marking the Eugene Dupuch Distinguish Lecture’s 25th anniversary yesterday.

Sir Michael said: “Suppose you have a complex fraud case. A jury of seven persons of humble origins may not be able to fully grasp the complications of a fraud case involving commercial fraud, etc. I’m not sure that’s the best way of adjudicating that kind of dispute.

“We do need to take a clinical view as to whether or not there are ways in which we can, in fact, reform the criminal justice system and reduce if not eliminate the number of trials by jurors and the risk involving that.”

Sir Michael said he was involved in cases where his expected ruling was the opposite of the jury’s verdict. He said sometimes he pondered how jurors arrived at the conclusion they did.

Sir Burton said it is wrong that a jury does not have to give reasons for their verdicts, noting that if a magistrate convicts someone, they must give a reason.

Sir Burton questioned how appellate bodies are to reach conclusions if jurors give no reason for their verdicts.

Sir Brian noted that in

countries like Trinidad, accused people have the right to elect a trial by jury or a trial by a judge. “As a halfway measure to test the point, that might be an option to look at as opposed to taking this step you know, in one big move,” he said. “Give the accused person an opportunity to elect and see how that works. I mean, I think it works

quite well in Trinidad.”

Sir Ian noted that if jury trials were eliminated, the trial process would move much quicker and there would be no need to struggle finding people to serve.

“All these issues with jurors popping out, jurors popping in, we have difficulties in getting people to serve as jurors,” he said. “It’s like pulling teeth.”

COURT of Appeal president Sir Michael Barnett.

FORMER Chief Justice Sir Brian M. Moree KT, K.C. and Chief Justice Ian Winder at the Eugene Dupuch Law School’s Present Justice in Dialogue lecture last night.

Crackdown on illegal shanty electric supply

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE government is going after generator owners who illegally provide electricity to residents in shanty town communities for a charge, according to Works Minister Clay Sweeting.

Such people could face a fine of up to $10,000.

“In some instances, you would see illegal connection, but in other instances, such as in Abaco, 90 percent of the homes did not have any running water,” Mr Sweeting said during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

“We also discovered that in the communities, there were three or four generators that were wired and not up to code, and the owners of the generators were then charged a fee for providing electricity to people in the community.

“They would have provided electricity from eight to six in the morning or at a

standard rate. So, in Abaco, there was no allocation for utilities; that was one of the biggest issues.

“Here, in New Providence, we found some situations in that regard, but it seems that there seems to be a trend where persons utilise and take advantage of people in these communities by providing generators for power and then charging them as if they are the utility company.”

The number of people facing charges in connection with this is unclear.

According to Mr Sweeting, officials will begin tackling shanty towns in Eleuthera, having demolished nearly 300 structures across New Providence and Abaco.

Mr Sweeting said an initial assessment of Eleuthera is complete, and officials are moving into the second phase of the process.

“Over the course of the next few months, the team will ensure that these areas are monitored to prevent re-occupation,” he said.

AMENDEMENTS TO LOCAL GOVT ACT ARE COMING, SAYS SWEETING

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

WORKS and Family

Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said his ministry had drafted amendments to the Local Government Act to strengthen the impact of local government on Family Island communities.

He said a 19-member committee travelled throughout Family Islands seeking input from local government and council administrators.

During last year’s Speech from The Throne, the Davis administration pledged to change the local government law to enhance the institution in Family Islands. The government had hired consultants to redraft the Local Government Act to give more power to Family Island councils, including greater ability to raise revenue.

Mr Sweeting declined to

give a timeline for when the legislation will be brought to Parliament.

“There are some things they wanted to do in regard to legislation and how they tie into all of that because the local Government Act also ties into other acts such as building control and things of that sort, so hopefully we will get that completed soon, but the format, the draft is completed and it’s at the AG’s office,” he said during a briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

In the Blueprint for Change, the Progressive Liberal Party’s pre-election manifesto, the party committed to creating a local government regime in New Providence. However, little has been said about this since then. The Minnis administration also promised to introduce local government to New Providence, but failed to do so.

Judge chastises defence over ‘time-wasting appeal’

from page one

against a ruling of Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, which permits an intended witness to give evidence in the case.

The defendants argue that the notice of additional evidence in the middle of the trial deprives lawyers of the ability to adequately prepare their defence.

They also contend that the statement the witness gave the police cannot be admitted into evidence without magisterial intervention, which they claim would result in an unfair hearing.

However, Justice Jon Isaacs said their grounds of appeal were not “constitutional” matters and accused the defence team of “cheapening the process”.

He said additional evidence is usually given late in every Supreme Court trial.

“These are matters that you raise during the trial,” he said. “If you have a problem with the witness as to when she may have started cooperating, you cross-examine her on it. These are not constitutional matters. I’m speaking for myself.

“This is a time-wasting exercise.

“You were caught by surprise, okay. Well, the judge has given you the option of an adjournment to prepare yourself accordingly. You wish to make this into a constitutional application. You’re cheapening the process. I’m speaking for myself.” Justice Milton Evans agreed and told defence lawyers that filing a constitutional appeal should only be done in exceptional circumstances.

He said trials would never finish if every judge’s order is challenged.

He said: “If you ask for an adjournment and she refuses, if you apply for a no-case submission and she refuses, are you going to come to the Court of Appeal on one of those?

The whole purpose of the scheme of things is that you leave those for final appeal if a conviction takes place.” Murio Ducille, KC, maintained that letting the witness testify would result in an unfair trial for his client because “it was not a deposition and it was not a VBI”.

He relied on section 166 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which says: “No witness who has not given evidence at the preliminary inquiry shall be called by the prosecution at any

trial unless the accused person has received reasonable notice in writing of the intention to call such witness.”

Damian Gomez, KC, made similar arguments, saying the witness’ statements to police should not be admitted into evidence.

However, Justice Isaacs highlighted section 167 of the code –– their ability to cross-examine the witness.

“That is the very essence of fairness so what are you folks complaining about?” he asked. “You have the name, you have the information related to the evidence. What about that you cannot adequately prepare a defense?”

For her part, acting Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier asked the court to reject the appellants’ application and to award costs to the respondents for “abusing” the court’s process.

She said defense lawyers have adequate time to prepare their case, noting the trial judge asked them how long they needed to review the evidence.

She said the witness’ evidence is unsurprising given what was outlined in the voluntary bill of indictment.

“To come to this court, which we say does not have jurisdiction, is an abuse of

the process because they have not applied to the court below for leave,” she said. “They could have done so, but it still would not have been on a constitutional basis because there was no absolute application before the court.”

The appellate judges

are expected to deliver their ruling later. The Long Island MP is facing several charges concerning his tenure as the WSC’s executive chairman under the Minnis administration.

The charges stem from

Mr Gibson’s alleged failure

The

WORKS AND FAMILY ISLAND AFFAIRS MINISTER CLAY SWEETING

ADRIAN Gibson greets attorneys Damian Gomez KC and Donald Saunders as he enters the Supreme Court on January 22, 2024.

‘This year’s carnival will look less like Junkanoo’

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

COSTUMES for Bahamas Carnival 2024 will look less like the Junkanoo-themed costumes of years past, according to Bahamas Carnival Association (BCA) president Dario Tirelli.

When Bahamas Carnival started in 2015, there was a mandate for Junkanoo-infused costumes.

But Mr Tirelli said during a press conference yesterday: “If you want someone to come and spend $2,500 to come here, you’re trying to get them to the product they’re used to. That product standard started to change five, six, seven years ago where it got more ‘sexy’, and so sexiness is the holiday of Carnival. You know, Carnival is a celebration, it’s about a street party. That’s all it is.”

The introduction of Carnival to The Bahamas received mixed reactions from Bahamians, some felt it was importing outside cultural expressions rather than building on Junkanoo.

Mr Tirelli said Carnival and Junkanoo have always been “married”, and 95 percent of Bahamas Carnival’s artisans are Junkanoo participants.

“They can’t wait for us,

but sometimes, you know, it’s a big debate in public, and everywhere I go, I get teased this and teased

that, but just everyone has Junkanooers. Some of the best designers are in the carnival bands. Every

carnival band has an element of Junkanoo in it.”

This year’s Carnival will run from May 15-20

and feature nine registered bands. Hennessy is the main sponsor and was represented at the press

conference by its official Bahamian distributor, Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL).

Commodore says repatriation of Haitians by sea is ‘imminent’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said a contingency plan would see two vessels used to repatriate undocumented migrants to Haiti.

He suggested 252 people will be repatriated –– the 107 currently detained in Matthew Town, Inagua, and the 145 at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

He said secondary vessels will “act as escort ships to the primary vessels with migrants embarked”.

“The preferred transportation method is by air (which is unavailable at the moment) with movement by sea being the contingent plan.”

He said the repatriation

date is “unknown, yet imminent”. Commodore King’s comments came after Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard told The Tribune the government should consider repatriating the migrants by sea.

“What steps is the government taking to augment the existing facilities to make sure that we are complying with international protocols surrounding health, and what are suitable or appropriate accommodations for detainees?” he asked yesterday.

“Secondly, to what extent is the government, in tandem with the United Nations, United States, France, Canada, and CARICOM, working to create any facility in Inagua that can serve as a temporary spot?”

NOTICE is hereby given that SIDNEY MITCHELL PAUL of P. O. Box SB-51627,

ONE of several Haitian migrant vessels intercepted in waters adjacent to Inagua and Turks and Caicos Islands recently.

‘I practically raised him’, says sister of man murdered in Montell Heights area

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A DRIVEN and ambitious go-getter - that’s how

Keisha Davis described her brother, Eric Davis, 45, who was shot dead on Monday at around 9pm on Akel Close in the Montell Heights area. Last night saw the latest murder in the country take

place. A man in his early thirties was shot dead shortly before 8pm. Police were notified of gunshots from the vicinity of Campbell Estates off Fire Trail Road east. Upon arrival, officers found a man lying outside a home, with multiple gunshot wounds. Preliminary reports

indicated the man had just arrived at the residence when he was ambushed and shot multiple times by three males who exited a white vehicle.

Emergency services were called but the victim was dead at the scene.

Speaking of Mr Davis, who was a father-of-three, his sister said: “I practically raised him, so he was

Sonny Miller’s trial on drug related charges resumes with USCG video of Columbian boat

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A CD containing US Coast Guard helicopter footage of 181lb of cocaine that was confiscated in Acklins in 2022 was entered into evidence yesterday during a trial against former Police Staff Association chairman Sonny Miller, 46.

The former assistant superintendent, who Bjorn Ferguson represents, faces eight drug-related charges. His trial has faced numerous adjournments.

Ronald Haynes, a supervisory special agent of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, testified yesterday that on June 9,

2022, he received two CDs from a US Coast Guard officer. Footage captured by a Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter reportedly showed the drug bust in Acklins from an aerial view.

While agent Haynes told Mr Ferguson that he did not participate directly in that operation, he said he gave the CDs to local law enforcement. Assistant Commissioner of Police Roberto Goodman testified that he received the CDs on June 10, 2022.

Two Colombian men –– Christhian Garcia Aristizabal, 35, and Christhian Gaviria Aragon, 33 were also charged in relation to the matter.

While all three face six charges for possession of, as well as conspiracy to possess and import dangerous drugs with intent to supply, only the Colombians face importation charges.

ASP Miller faced two counts of abetment to importation of dangerous drugs.

Sometime between May 9 and June 7, the accused allegedly conspired to possess and import 181 lbs of cocaine and 31 lbs of Indian Hemp into The Bahamas.

On June 7, the accused were arrested for allegedly having these drugs in Spring Point, Acklins.

Terry Archer and Shaneka Carey served as prosecutors.

Death Notice for

ALMA TAYLOR, 71

a resident of #3 Johnson Terrace Subdivision, died at PMH on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

She is survived by her, common law

husband: Fern McKenzie; 1 son: Ondrey

McKenzie; 2 daughters: Sherlinda

McKenzie & Dandra Cartwright; 3 grandchildren: Rayne, Blaise & Claire

McKenzie; 1 daughter-in-law: Gabrielle

McKenzie; 4 sisters, 4 brothers, numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

in essence my first child before I became a mother.” Police found Davis’ unresponsive body outside a white Japanese model vehicle with gunshot wounds to his upper body. Police said a lone gunman dressed in dark clothing reportedly approached him and shot him multiple times before making good his escape. Holding back tears, Ms

Davis described the late taxicab driver as a caring person who gave sound advice when asked for it.

“He did, in his younger years, make one or two little mistakes, nothing drastic, just what children do,” she said. “But as he became an adult and more so when he became a dad, he did a 360. He turned himself around, he became

more productive, he saw that he needed to make a positive change to be a better role model for his sons and daughter, and he tried his best to accomplish a lot of things in his young life.”

“He would go above and beyond to help when you needed help.”

Davis’ children are ages 14, 7, and 11.

Death Notice For Stephen James Jenkins, 61 affectionately called “Jenks”

Cartwrights

a resident of Guana Cay, Abaco, Bahamas died on Saturday, March 9, 2024

He was predeceased by his mother: Patricia Jenkins, nee Cartwright; father: James Jenkins; aunts and uncles: Angela Gape, Leslie Cartwright, Barbara and Keith Talbot, Robert and Gloria Cartwright, Cecil and Merle Cooke, Douglas and Ann Carey; first cousin: Scott Talbot.

He is survived by his aunt: Diane Cartwright; first cousins and their families:

Sean Cartwright - children Kerrie and Jesse Cartwright; Brent and Layna Cartwright - children Tanner, Tucker and Carter Cartwright and Brian Higgs and Brianna Hepburn, Kristin and Lloyd Williams: - children Gray and Ford Williams, Robin Cartwright – Brittney and Amanda Cartwright.

Gapes

Terence Gape and Patricia Gape: Children Alexandra Major and Justin Gape, Andrew and Lynn Gape, Derek and Krissy Gapechildren Christopher, Jack, Harrison and Lucy Gape, Christina May and James Lightbourn - child Jennifer Lightbourn, David and Robyn Gape - children Katrina Toothe, Keigan and Sydney Gape.

Talbots

Mark Talbot: Jacob and Sydney Talbot

Katherine and Gary Schmidt - children Kurt and Eric Schmidt

family and friends:

Becky Lightbourne-Scannnelli, Sandra Cooke, Charlie Cooke, Cheryl Cooke and their families Dr. Anthony Carey, Mario Carey, Aunt Helena Lightbourn, Freddie, Kathryn Marie, Charlie and Christopher Lightbourn, Donna Carrer, Scott Cartwright, Andrew Burrows, Johnny Brown, Jane Patterson, Johnny Roberts, Darvin Curry, Jamie Bethel, Troy Albury, Colin Tozer, Scott Higgs, Faron Sawyer, Chip Loper and the entire community of Guana Cay.

THE SCENE where 45-year-old Eric Davis was found shot to death in the Montell Heights area on Monday night.

Photo: Dante Carrer

A plan to find new leadership for Haiti ‘moving forward’

is moving forward after a majority of Haitian parties and coalitions submitted the names of those charged with finding new leaders for the country, Caribbean officials said on Thursday.

The names were provided to a regional trade bloc known as Caricom that is helping lead the transition.

“It is all up now to the Haitians as they are the ones who want a Haitianled solution,” Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told The Associated Press. “It is for them to pick up the ball and run with it, being responsible for their own destiny.”

He spoke a day after Haitian politicians and influential figures bickered publicly about the plan and what names to submit, seemingly putting creation of the council at risk.

Caribbean leaders had announced plans to create the council after meeting in Jamaica Monday behind closed doors with officials including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Shortly after the meeting, Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to resign once the council is created.

The council will be responsible for choosing an interim prime minister and a council of ministers, as well as help organise general elections, which haven’t been held in nearly a decade.

“We hope this is a breakthrough for Haiti,” Ramdin said.

He said Caricom officials met Wednesday night for an update on the situation.

The names haven’t been made public, although a senior Caribbean official not authorized to speak to the media told the AP that the Dec 21 Agreement group, which backs the current prime minister, has not submitted a name.

In addition, Jean-Charles Moïse, who leads the Petit Desalin party and has allied with former rebel leader and convicted money launderer Guy Philippe, announced Wednesday that his party would not join the council despite the offer of a voting position.

The others awarded a spot on the council are EDE/RED, a party led by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph; the Montana Accord, a group of civil society leaders, political parties and others; Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide; the Jan 30 Collective, which represents parties including that of former President Michel Martelly; and the private sector.

Of the remaining two nonvoting positions, one would go to a representative of Haiti’s civil society and the

other to its religious sector. It wasn’t immediately clear what would happen to the position rejected by Moïse and his party.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Thursday that the UN special envoy for Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, remains in contact with many key political and civil society representatives and is “encouraging them to act in the best interest of the people of Haiti to resolve this crisis as quickly as possible”.

The push to create a council comes as Haiti’s capital and other areas become increasingly overrun by powerful gangs that control around 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

On Feb 29, gunmen launched a series of attacks on key state institutions, including police stations, the main international airport and Haiti’s two biggest prisons, where more than 4,000 inmates were freed. Scores of people have died in the attacks, and more than 15,000 people have been left homeless.

The violence has somewhat subsided, although a fire was reported Thursday at the National Penitentiary in downtown Port-au-Prince, one of two prisons attacked more than a week ago. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was injured or killed in the blaze or how it started.

Dujarric said some of the UN’s 267 international staff whose presence in Haiti is not essential are being moved to the neighboring Dominican Republic to work remotely, given “the volatile security situation.” He added that other UN staff needed to deal with the ongoing humanitarian crisis will be going to Haiti.

The UN political mission announced that an air bridge was being established between Haiti and the Dominican Republic including to bring in some supplies and staff, but Dujarric said it isn’t operational yet.

When the attacks began, Prime Minister Henry was in Kenya to try and secure a UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country. The deployment, however, has been put on hold. Meanwhile, Henry remains in Puerto Rico, unable to return home.

Schools, gas stations and airports remain closed in Port-au-Prince and beyond, although public transportation has resumed, and a growing number of Haitians have been seen on previously empty streets.

By BERT WILKINSON and PIERRE-RICHARD LUXAMA Associated Press

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PAYING bills … real life went to a cash payment service. Tried to pay BTC by debit card... service down... bill expiring today alternative to pay cheque or cash.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

LITTLE Inagua is a small remote island in the Bahamas and it is the largest uninhabited island in the Caribbean. It is 50 square miles (as big as New Providence) and only 100 miles from Haiti. 370 miles from Nassau, 553 miles from Miami and 16 miles from Greater Inagua.

The CARICOM Heads of Government convened in Nassau on February 15, 2023, preceded by a special meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Caricom.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas foreshadowed that the deliberations on Haiti in particular would be very intense and that the issue had drawn representatives from the United States, Canada and other countries outside of CARICOM in recognising the gravity of the problem.

Mr Mitchell said that Haiti has been descending into chaos as a result of the collapse of their political system and the countries of the world have been trying to see what can be done to help. The United States, he said, have been forefront front and centre of this and that’s one of the reasons they were bringing such a large delegation to the conference, as The Bahamas is located just 90 miles to the north of Haiti and the transit passage for Haitians on the way to the United States.

The Canadian representative said that they had agreed to take the lead in trying to resolve some of these problems and that was why Justin Trudeau was coming to The Bahamas to have discussions with Prime Minister Davis.

The Prime Minister in closing Caricom said: “CARICOM believes it’s time for action and not just talk, but I will leave it at that for the moment, but they have committed themselves to support the efforts that we have [made] and at the moment, we are now crafting a plan.

“We will indicate to them what that plan is and we will

look to them for support that they have promised and committed to.”

I have taken the Prime Minister’s conclusory remarks to CARICOM and have prepared this uninvited proposal that may be useful to their deliberations.

My approach in developing this paper is that The Bahamas is the first and most affected country by this problem which we have been struggling with for the last five generations. The very future of our Bahamas depends on finding a solution.

The leaders of the Caricom at the conclusion of their 2023 Summit called for “the development of a plan to restore security and the rule of law” and further “agreed to build international partnerships in support of efforts to return Haiti to peace and stability as a necessary precursor for free, fair and credible elections”.

I propose, therefore, an idea which would require The Bahamas to initiate a novel, bold, and, yes, brave approach to this intractable issue which has bedeviled not only The Bahamas, but also the UN, CARICOM, the US, and CANADA.

Suggestion:

1) Little Inagua be proposed to the UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency as a site to establish a refugee camp for the thousands of migrants who may be fleeing Haiti on an almost daily basis. This could also have an additional benefit to The Bahamas, and the US in particular as a drop-off point for repatriations to Haiti.

2) Multinational partnership would be established between The Bahamas, The United Nations, Caricom, Canada, and the United States to build and develop the Little Inagua Refugee Camp.

3) Little Inagua Refugee Camp - Little Inagua is the largest uninhabited island

in the Caribbean and is just about the same size as New Providence and only 100 miles from Haiti. Little Inagua is 50 square miles and should be easily able to house a large percentage of the undocumented persons awaiting deportation in the Bahamas, the US, and Canada.

4) Little Inagua Paramilitary Training Centre - The Bahamas reiterated [to CARICOM at its Nassau Conference] that the community must play a leadership role in addressing the deteriorating situation in Haiti, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada more specifically laid out that “As neighbours, and, for Canada … [with a] history of support for the people of Haiti, we need to work on long-lasting solutions that will:

(1) restore order and security,

(2) allow for essential aid to flow to those who urgently need it, and

(3) create the conditions for free and fair elections –so that the Haitian people can live in a stable and democratic society.

These very same sentiments have been repeated by representatives of all the major parties interested in this maelstrom.

CARICOM, the United States and Canada under the auspices of the United Nations should create a paramilitary training centre which can recruit able bodied individuals from the refugee camp at Little Inagua, who would be trained to eventually be consigned to Haiti to bolster the national police in working to achieve the objectives expressed in CARICOM.

A number of supporting facilities may be added to Little Inagua (eg, a naval facility to accommodate Bahamian, Canadian, and United States naval deployments to this mission, a Defence Force outpost, and Immigration processing centre).

GEORGE WILSON

New Providence, March 14, 2024

SPACEX’s mega rocket Starship launches for it’s third test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas yesterday.

Photo: Eric Gay/AP

Former golf pro says NIB missing a decade worth of his contributions

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FORMER golf professional Bobby Rose said the National Insurance Board could not find records of his employment contributions from 1974 to 1984.

Rose, 74, signed up for his NIB pension at age 70. He only receives benefits for contributions made from 1989, when he was employed for about 11 years with a local construction company. He claims that his monthly pension from NIB should be much more than what he currently receives.

“What they are paying me, I can’t live on that,” he said. “I am starving to death with what they are giving me. If I did not have friends that were helping me out, I would be dead.”

Mr Rose, a well-known golfer, was employed in 1974 as head golf pro at the Shannon Country Club

and the Lucayan Country Club. In 1979, he was hired at the Jack Tar Village Grand Bahama Hotel in West End as the director of golf. In 1984, he moved to Florida for a few years and returned to Grand Bahama in 1989. He managed the Scorpios Restaurant in Port Lucaya for a while and later worked with his brothers as a fisherman before joining the Reef Construction Company.

When he submitted paperwork for his NIB pension four years ago, a clerk told him nothing about him existed in the system before 1989.

“I told her that I have been working here since I got out of high school before NIB came into existence, and I asked where the rest of my records were, and she said that’s all they have,” he said.

Mr Rose was told that he would have to get an affidavit to verify the

information concerning his employment from 1974 to 1984.

He said he did this and was informed that processing in New Providence would take four to six weeks. It has now been four years, and still no resolution.

He says he is not the only person this has happened to. His brother, Colin Rose, experienced a similar issue.

Colin Rose told The Tribune yesterday that he provided documentation of his contributions to NIB. However, the matter was resolved in one year.

Bobby Rose said he does not have any of his pay stubs from 1974 to 1984.

“I never kept them because I figured NIB was taking money out of my account, so they should have records of it,” he said.

He also noted that his home in Queen’s Cove was destroyed by a hurricane in 1999.

POLICEMAN ACCUSED OF BRANDISHING WEAPON OUTSIDE BAR CHARGED AND GRANTED $8K BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER police constable was granted $8,000 bail and charged with gunrelated offences yesterday after he was accused of brandishing a loaded gun outside a bar earlier this week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged former PC 4394 Dreyon Henfield, 27, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Henfield was dismissed from the force on Wednesday. Relatives and friends packed the court room during his arraignment.

Henfield is accused of brandishing a black .45 Springfield XD-45 ACP pistol and 14 .45 rounds of ammunition at the Tight Pocket Bar on Cowpen Road in the early morning of March 12. He was allegedly intoxicated at the time. An off-duty officer reported the incident, resulting in the confiscation of the firearm. Henfield was reportedly on extended sick leave at the time of the incident. After Henfield pleaded not guilty to the charge, prosecutor Inspector Lincoln McKenzie raised no objections to him getting bail. The defendant must sign in at the Carmichael

MAN GETS SIX-MONTHS PRISON FOR BREAKING INTO RESTAURANT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday after he admitted to breaking into a restaurant and stealing more than $1,000 worth of property last Sunday.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Terry McKinney, 29, with shopbreaking, stealing and

damage.

McKinney reportedly broke into the Green Parrot restaurant on March 10 and stole $1,096.59, including a carton of cigarettes, a black Dell laptop and three bottles of Birds and the Bees wine. After pleading guilty to the offence, McKinney was sentenced to six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

MAN FINED FOR POSESSION OF DRUGS WITH INTENT TO SUPPLY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was fined in court yesterday after admitting to a drug charge.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Deangelo Dawkins, 28, with

possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Dawkins was found with 13 grams of marijuana on March 13 in New Providence. Following him entering a guilty plea to the charge, Dawkins was ordered to pay a fine of $700 or risk one month in prison.

Pintard appealing for help to find missing GB man

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard is appealing for help finding Philip “Big Mama” Stubbs, who has been missing for almost a week.

Mr Stubbs, 80, was last seen on Monday, March 11, leaving his residence in the Caravel Beach area. He was wearing a red FNM shirt, dark-coloured trousers, flip-on shoes, and a baseball cap.

Mr Pintard said the FNM has organised and conducted a massive search effort for Mr Stubbs, a meritorious council member. “He is 80 years old, and there are challenges that go with aging,” he said. “We want to get him home as soon as we can — it is chilly, and those things give us cause for concern.”

“As of today, we continue our search and urge anyone who may have seen Mr Philip Stubbs to please get in contact with us and the police. We are

anxious to have him home. Our hearts go out to his family. The family is going through a difficult time.”

Mr Pintard said flyers and posters have been distributed, foot searches have been conducted in several subdivisions, and drone aerial surveillance was carried out.

“Our plans include expanding search efforts to additional communities to raise the alarm,” he said. “We will go out and continue our search. We ask persons who have drones to assist us.”

IF

Road Police Station every Monday and Friday by 6pm.

Henfield is the son of former Foreign Affairs Minister and current FNM Senator Darren Henfield. His trial begins on May 2. Ryzard Humes, Elsworth Johnson and Desmond Bannister represented the accused.

Phillip ‘Big

Stubbs please contact his family at one of

(242) 727-2614, (242) 557-6381, (242) 352-7721 or call the police at 919 or 911.

Discovering the Bahamian dream: Going back home

GROWING up in North

Andros, I learned the beauty of isolation and the richness of a blank canvas waiting to be painted. For many Bahamians raised on the Family Islands, there is a magnetic pull to “move back home,” something we refer to as “The Bahamian Dream”. However, this dream envisions personal fulfillment and professional uncertainties.

Now, the Family Islands are becoming out-islands and developing at a quick pace. The professional needs have advanced beyond the local skills bank. Industries are rapidly growing across these islands — tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and more. Meanwhile, as Nassau swells with congestion, inflated costs, oversaturated markets, and safety concerns, this opportunity for the Bahamian Dream is becoming a reality for many professionals.

The past few years, postCOVID, have reshaped our perceptions, underscoring the value of space and efficiency. Amidst rapid development, the Bahamian Dream lies in perfecting selective isolation while enhancing productivity and accessing economic opportunities.

Studies affirm that reduced stress increases mental well-being. For busy professionals, daily life on out-islands awakens a nostalgia — line fishing off local docks or

By Kentisha Ward

chatting at familiar stores. The absence of urban luxuries often translates to a reduced desire for them. We see many visitors embrace the disconnection from the hustle and bustle to embrace silence and serenity, while professionals can actualise work-life balance.

Moreover, out-island life offers an unparalleled connection with nature, rekindling childhood hobbies forgotten through age and the lack of time and opportunity. The simplicity of true island living can

give an appreciation for the environment, promote healthier lifestyles with locally grown food, and even enhance a passion for serving, returning to the traditions of community living that our parents grew up on.

As rent prices skyrocket, the cost of ownership has also become out of range for the average Bahamian. Building a home on an out island is still a reality, as property prices on the out islands remain within grasp. The average Bahamian’s dream home can

still be a reality despite the challenges of overpopulation, inflation costs, and the lack of increase in annual wages experienced by most people.

Reduced living expenses translate to increased disposable income and financial stability. With less financial strain, there is more room for professionals to invest in personal development, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, or contribute to community initiatives, amplifying the ripple effect of prosperity.

For many entrepreneurs, the out islands are a fertile ground for innovation, tapping into unmet local demands and providing a raw canvas for creativity. There are many unmet needs and not enough people to fill the gaps. Whereas the capital may have oversaturated markets, the out islands have markets that have yet to be realized.

In the context where many people are unable to leave the islands to learn, the only careers they know are the ones they are exposed to. Increasing the number of professionals on our out islands increases exposure to the possibility of new career paths for out-islanders. By exposing local communities to new diverse skills that were not previously needed and by adding more professionals to our out-island skills bank, we contribute to a ripple effect in out island development and overall country development.

The increase in out island populations boosts local economies. It can increase revenue for many local family-owned

businesses, which can directly correlate with a child going away to college or increasing their employees to service the growing demand. While out-island infrastructure deficits such as power outages or limited grocery options may pose hurdles, they also point to new opportunities. Power outages fuel the need for solar solutions. Although healthcare gaps are a looming concern throughout the country, this creates an opportunity for more private clinics and returning nurses who also seek the opportunity to live the Bahamian Dream.

Seeing community development organizations like One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) advocate and pioneer sustainable solutions for many of these common challenges exemplifies the impact Bahamians can have in out island development, when returning to their roots with skills, experience, exposure, and most importantly, a vision. OEF was started twelve years ago by Shaun Ingraham, a native Eleutheran desiring to provide solutions for the challenges within his community.

Today the organisation is led by Keyron Smith, also a native Eleutheran inspired to make a difference and contribute to out island development.

I encourage professionals to explore opportunities on their ancestral family islands or to create them where they do not exist. You can begin this process by exploring ways to work with local organisations and committees that

are key partners in your island’s development. This model can be a road map for many professionals who want to return to the out islands and realize the Bahamian Dream.

In conclusion, the journey to the Bahamian Dream unveils a plethora of new opportunities — where tranquility meets productivity and isolation fosters innovation. For professionals yearning to reconnect with their roots or chart new paths, our out islands are rich with new opportunities.

As Bahamians continue to redefine success and happiness in the 21st century, the thought of family island living has become more prevalent amid increased living costs and crime. In embracing the Bahamian Dream, professionals are becoming more confident in participating in the development of their preferred family island.

KENTISHA WARD, OEF Development and Grants Officer.

Profile of courage – the chopper pilot who flew into Port-au-Prince to rescue ten shares his story

IT was the dark of night

Tuesday, March 12, as US Congressman Cory Mills, his Special Forces security aide, and two South Florida pilots laid their lives on the line to rescue ten Americans hiding in a safe house in Haiti. Hours before, scenes showing out of control violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince captivated audiences around the world. Shockwaves followed video after video. A city that had once been the jewel of the Caribbean was now held hostage by gangs. Street warfare, machine guns randomly fired in air, fires, looting, a leaderless country whose debunked prime minister could not re-enter even to resign was at war with its own people, and anyone else unlucky enough to be there. Airports and ports closed, locked down, sealed against the terror of total anarchy.

That was the scene the four men who made up the rescue team knew they would face. They didn’t have to jump on a chopper, they didn’t have to swoop down in the middle of the night to rescue the stranded Americans who had gone to Haiti to help, but they did. Here is the story of that rescue, told to me the morning after by the chief pilot, Anthony “Tony” Marinello, who flies search and rescue and medical airlift between

By Diane Phillips

The Bahamas and South Florida hospitals.

The night began with a phone call from Congressman Cory Mills’ office.

“The man on the phone told me who he was and asked if I would do it, perform the rescue,” said Marinello. That was 7.30pm. Marinello got the details of the operation. A short while later, the Florida congressman who represents the 7th District, Cory Mills, called, confirming it was a go. Marinello called another pilot, Benny Matos, a neighbour and friend as well as trusted airman. Both men who now live in Ft Lauderdale had served on the New Jersey State Police Force at various times. While the congressman was arranging a jet to scoot from New Smyrna Beach to Ft Lauderdale to hook up with the helicopter, Marinello was getting the Sikorsky s-76B search and rescue aircraft ready. Getting to Haiti would be kinder on the fuel than returning with a full load,

‘We just have to get this done. These people are depending on us’ - Marinello

ANTHONY MARINELLO

at first thought to be six people, including Detroit Free Press columnist and well-known author (Tuesdays with Morrie, The Seven People You Meet in Heaven) Mitch Albom who was making his monthly visit to an orphanage he supports. “As soon as the congressman landed, he introduced himself, his security Special Forces member checked our passports, and we tossed our knapsacks on the helicopter and were off.” Not knowing what would happen, Marinello carried paperwork, phone charger, a single change of clothes. Cory Mills had done this before, Marinello tells me, in Afghanistan and Israel. This time, he was acting on behalf of a congresswoman in Michigan contacted by the stranded well-meaning Americans, most of whom were from Michigan, now part of a nightmare in a gang-infested, civil wartorn Haiti, scared for their lives, hiding. At roughly 10.30 that night, the chopper took off. Two challenges lie ahead. Finding the backyard of a house in the dark in a city on fire and getting the people waiting out safely.

“You are trying to find a house in the dark in a country you have never been to and you have three minutes to do it. We sent them a message, when you hear the helicopter coming, I want you to blink all the lights in the house on and off three times, on and off, on and off. We got near, it was amazing, saw the lights, turned the helicopter around, landed. The congressman exited the aircraft and suddenly he wasn’t a politician, he was Special Forces, running, gathering everyone and piling them on the helicopter.

“We swooped down, landed and were gone in less than a minute. It was like having a front row seat to a movie.”

Except for Marinello, he wasn’t watching the movie. He was in it.

On the ground, every second was vital. Decisions had to be made lightning fast. The original plan was to pick up six people, qet them safely across the border to the Dominican Republic and make a second run for the rest. Marinello knew the noise of the twin engines blew any cover the darkness provided. There would be no second chance. He

and Mills nodded at each other and the congressman-turned-solider saviour scrambled all ten people in the yard, now hunching, running, dodging the downdraft, escaping with their lives in the daring mission.

The chopper was loaded, at the top limit of its weight capacity carefully calculated in the flash of an instant by the pilot.

“I fully expected to be shot at, there was gunfire everywhere, there’s no law and order, the prime minister resigned 20 minutes after we arrived.

“I knew we would take them by surprise, no one knew we were coming except the people in the house we were going to. In the air, we had the element of surprise, flying in under the darkness, but once on the ground we were fully vulnerable.”

As fast as it landed, the chopper lifted straight up.

“We were just noise and then we were gone.”

But now with 14 people onboard, the trip back would be far more challenging. Marinello and team landed in five countries, Dominican Republic, where evacuees and the congressman landed, Turks & Caicos, then putting down at Stella Maris in Long Island, Bahamas, fearful they did not have enough fuel to make it to Nassau. With every landing, pilots and others were greeted by Police, Customs, Immigration, Air Traffic Control. Finally, Nassau and back to Ft Lauderdale.

“Everywhere, they laid out the red carpet,” said Marinello. He had no idea who was in the rescued group. One man introduced himself as Mitch.

(Mitch Albom happens to be among this columnist’s three favourite authors and I’ve read every book he’s written, but that is beside the point). “To me, it wasn’t important to know who they were, it was more important to get them safe.”

For Marinello, a pilot with nearly 40 years’ experience, former New Jersey police sergeant, former mayor of a New Jersey city, the night rescue in a strange land of turmoil and terror was the “most intense moment” of his life.

“You think about fear briefly, but once you start the mission, your mind is working, there’s no time for fear. We know we have to get this done. These people are depending on us.”

ARMED members of the G9 and Family gang stand guard at their roadblock in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday. Ten Americans were rescued by helicopter from Haiti after becoming stranded in the poverty-stricken and violence-torn Caribbean nation while visiting an orphanage.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

US Congressman Cory Mills, his Special Forces security aide, and two South Florida pilots laid their lives on the line to rescue ten Americans hiding in a safe house in Haiti.

Photos: Antohony Marinello

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS

THE Horticultural Soci-

ety of The Bahamas (HSB) will hold its biennial plant show on Saturday, April 6, from 2pm to 6pm, at Doris Johnson Senior High School, Prince Charles Drive. Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $3 for children.

According to the HSB president and plant show committee chairman Dail Pearce, the show is one of the largest in The Bahamas with displays of beautiful plants grown by its members. This is the first show since 2016 and green thumb enthusiasts are excited to exhibit their flora. As part of the HSB’s objectives to promote horticulture, the club will donate fruit trees to the school’s garden.

“As a garden club, we are committed to educating and sharing with the public our knowledge of horticulture,” says Pearce. “We have been in existence for 40 years and we consider it important to

hold shows. With that being said, we are excited as the members of The Horticultural Society of the Bahamas Nassau Branch to present a show of ‘Horticulture Extravaganza’. You don’t want to miss this plant show!”

The HSB has evolved

over their 40 years in existence. “Many new members have signed on both to exhibit beautiful plants and to help with producing the show. That’s encouraging for the future of HSB, “said Sara Parker, a founder member.

Vendors for this year’s

show include Flamingo Nursery, Muriel’s Garden, Duke Strachan, Kent Lightbourne, Marina Greaves, Dail’s Exotic Orchids, Donnell Ferguson, Ocean Marie Garden Accessories, MCM Orchids and Sandy Towning.

The top award of the event is the Sara Bardelmeier Award of Horticultural Excellence, named after the HSB’s founder and awarded to the judges’ choice as the most outstanding plant in the entire show. Steven McKinney won the award at the 2016 show and the winning plant was a Vriesea Bromeliad. Hubert Albury won the award in 2014 and the winning plant was a Grammatophyllum Orchid.

The Horticultural Society of The Bahamas was founded in 1984 by Sara Bardelmeier to promote horticultural knowledge, educate the public on care and maintenance of trees and plants, and to enhance the beauty of our islands. Meetings are held the first Saturday of every month. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

HSB Plant Show

Committee:

Chairman: Dail Pearce

Floor plan and traffic

flow of show: Dail Pearce, Alicia Oxley, Ian Hutchinson, Sean Lightbourne

Plant Show Booklet: Pam Pa acious Seyfret

Placement and Classi-

fication: Sarah Lobosky, Pam Pa acious Seyfret, Sara Parker, Lana Levarity, Hubert Albury, Sean Lightbourne, Melanie Roach

Staging or set-up: Dail Pearce, Ian Hutchinson, Sean Lightbourne, Kent Lightbourne, and entire Plant Show Committee

Ribbons: Sarah Lobosky

Trophies and awards: Dail Pearce and Georgette

Dames

Admissions cashiers: Jillian Ferrera and Camille

Cleare

Door prizes: Cindy Wilde

Plant Show

Tags: Cynthia Gibbs

Vendors organizer:

JOIN THE CLUB

OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 826-2242.

Georgette Dames

Food: Sharon Archer, Batter Girls, Petite Cakes

Scorers: Gordon Wilde, Sarah Lobosky, Pam Pa acious Seyfret

Protocol: Kyron Strachan

Publicity: Sara Parker, Felena Burrows, Rosemary Hanna, Georgette Dames, Wendy Mazuk Light lunch for Judges and Executives - Sharon Archer Wilson

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL

On Tuesday, February 27, the Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill led by our president Dominique Gaitor, visited the Yellow Elder Primary School to present 30 Terrific Kids Certificates, and 25 Bring Up Grades (BUG) certificates to the students. These students were identified by their teachers for these awards. Kiwanis Terrific Kids is a character-building program that recognises students for modifying their behavior. The program encourages kids to become the best version of themselves. Kids determine what being terrific means to them, then develop their own goals and use peer mentoring to hold themselves accountable for the actions they take each week. When a participant achieves their goal, her or she is recognised for being a Terrfic Kid.

Kiwanis Bring Up Grades-Now you can empower kids to succeed in

school. Bring Up Grades, or BUG, is a program that recognizes elementary students who raise their grades or maintain good grades from one grading period to the next. Students are motivated to excel because they set their own goals — and they participate in peer mentoring, which involves their classmates in their success. When they reach their goals, the entire class celebrates.

The Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill was organised on September 24, 1975, and remains the only all men’s Kiwanis club in Sunshine Division 22, Bahamas, under the Eastern Cananda & Caribbean District of Kiwanis International.

LONG ISLANDERS ASSOCIATION

The Long Islanders’ Association recently held its annual Souse-Out at the RM Bailey Park, resulting in overwhelming support from patrons. Long Island mutton souse, chicken and sheep tongue souse were on the menu, as well as stew conch and stew fish. All were served with Long Island-style Johnny cake or a homemade roll.

The Long Islanders’ Association (LIA) wishes to thank all who helped to make the annual Souse-Out a massive success. Members served souse to a sold-out crowd. This fundraiser is the first major event of the year.

The annual fair is slated for the first week in May, and raffle tickets are already on sale. The grand prize is a brand new vehicle, which is the top amongst a long list of lucrative prizes. The Long Island Regatta is scheduled to take place in Salt Pond, Long Island in early June. The LIA is currently celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.

To stay abreast of The Long Islanders’ Association’s events and announcement, visit them on Facebook.

FROM left, Yellow Elder advisor Aaliyah Anderson, president Dominique Gaitor, past president Quintin Percentie, past president Berry Sweeting and chair Tristen Lewis.

SCENES from the Souse-Out held by the Long Islanders’ Association.

LIVERPOOL ROUTS SPARTA TO REACH EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS.

LATE GOALS PROPEL LEVERKUSEN

SOCCER

By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press

MOHAMED Salah scored one goal and set up three to help Liverpool demolish Sparta Prague 6-1 and march into the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.

After winning 5-1 the opening leg of their last 16 tie in Prague, Liverpool scored four in the opening 14 minutes at Anfield to advance on a massive 11-2 aggregate score.

Sparta had no answer to Liverpool’s high pressure.

Salah seized the ball on the right of the area before shooting inside the far post over Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl for his 20th goal of the season, becoming the first Liverpool player to score at least 20 goals in seven straight seasons.

Salah, who injured his hamstring with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, started after having been used as a substitute in both the first leg in Prague and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Darwin Nunez opened the rout with a clinical low finish seven minutes into the game after scoring two in Prague.

A minute later, Salah won the ball on the edge of the box to feed 19-yearold Bobby Clark to score his first senior goal for Liverpool to jump 2-0 up.

Salah then scored before finding Cody Gakpo with a cross to make it 4-0.

Dominik Szoboszlai made it 5-1 in the second half with a deflected shot before Gakpo added his second.

Veljko Birmancevic had the lone goal for Sparta.

In Germany, Patrik Schick came off the bench against 10-man Qarabag to score two goals in stoppage time to complete Leverkusen’s 3-2 comeback win and secure a quarterfinal spot for the Bundesliga leader.

In a dramatic second half, Abdellah Zoubir and Juninho gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage before Jeremie Frimpong started the comeback.

Leverkusen made the quarters 5-4 on aggregate to extend its unbeaten streak to 37 games across all competitions this season — a German record.

Qarabag’s Elvin Jafarguliyev received a red card in the 62nd when his team was leading 1-0.

AC Milan cruised past 10-man Slavia Prague 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals. Milan advanced 7-3 on aggregate after winning the first leg of the last 16 tie 4-2 at San Siro a week ago. The seven-time European champion has never won the second-tier Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA Cup.

The competition gives the Italian powerhouse its only realistic chance to win a trophy this season after it was eliminated from the Italian Cup and currently trails Serie A leader Inter Milan by 16 points.

Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leão put the result in the second leg beyond doubt with first-half goals in Prague.

Pulisic netted from 10 meters with a low shot to open the scoring in the 33rd minute and LoftusCheek tapped in the second into an empty net off a precise cross from Theo Hernández before Leão curled a right-footed drive from outside the area into the top right corner in first-half stoppage time.

Slavia got a consolation goal from substitute Matej Jurásek.

Pulisic now has 11 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions in the U.S. international’s first campaign with the Rossoneri to match his most productive season — the 2019-20 campaign at Chelsea.

SINNER STAYS UNDEFEATED TO REACH INDIAN WELLS SEMIS, SWIATEK MOVES ON AFTER WOZNIACKI QUITS

TENNIS

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Jannik Sinner defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday, running his winning streak to 16 consecutive matches this year.

Sinner’s streak includes the Australian Open title he won in January. The Italian is 19-0 overall dating to last year’s Davis Cup. He’s won 21 of his last 22 sets.

“You earned these things by working hard and believing,” Sinner said in a Tennis Channel interview. “I’m just glad to be in this equation. It doesn’t matter if you’re 16-0 or whatever.”

Sinner made just four unforced errors in the first set when Lehecka had 17 miscues.

Sinner got the lone break in the second set in the fourth game with a backhand winner. Lehecka erased Sinner’s first match point in the eighth game before Sinner converted his fourth match point in serving it out.

“I’ve improved many things which makes me more confident on the court,” Sinner said.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the first set and advanced when Caroline Wozniacki had to quit their quarterfinal.

Swiatek was leading 6-4 and had just broken Wozniacki to open the second set when the Dane retired because of a right foot issue. She had jammed a toenail on her foot earlier in the tournament and had a trainer retape it between sets.

Wozniacki, the 2011 tournament champion and former world No. 1, raced to a 4-1 lead in the first when Swiatek committed many of her 17 unforced errors.

But Swiatek turned it on from there, winning the final five games to take the first set. She broke Wozniacki in a four-deuce game to close out the set in which Swiatek had 17 winners in front of actor Will Ferrell.

Swiatek moved on to the semifinals for the third straight year in the Southern California desert, having dropped just 14 games in her matches so far. Wozniacki was in the seventh tournament of her comeback since retiring 3 1/2 years ago, marrying and having two children.

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine defeated Russian Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 7-5 for the first time in three career meetings to reach the semifinals. All eight quarterfinals were being played on the same day for the first

NFL By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

THE Detroit Lions made a relatively bold move to strengthen their run defence by signing veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader on Thursday.

The Lions landed Reader with a two-year contract worth up to $27.5 million, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. One person said the contract includes $9.5 million in guarantees.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced.

Reader represents the biggest move this offseason by general manager Brad Holmes, whose contract was extended as was coach Dan Campbell’s deal earlier in the day, to potentially help Detroit take at least another step next season.

The defending NFC North champion Lions, who reached the conference championship game for the first time since the 1991 season, previously made a series of less splashy moves.

Detroit acquired cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay; signed edge rusher Marcus Davenport and cornerback Amik Robertson; and re-signed guard Graham Glasgow, special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Khalil Dorsey. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound Reader should help the Lions stop the run, and provides playoff experience. He has played in 12

DJ Reader celebrates a stop while with the Cincinnati Bengals against the Buffalo Bills last year in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)

postseason games, starting all of them, for the

In

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are adding a dynamic playmaker alongside Stefon Diggs by agreeing to sign receiver Curtis Samuel to a three-year, $24 million contract, two people with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The people spoke to the AP on the condition

season in Washington in which he was limited by groin and hamstring injuries.

Samuel spent his first four seasons in Carolina, and is reunited with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who held the same position with the Panthers in 2020.

Samuel had a career season with 77 catches and 851 yards and three touchdowns. He also had career highs with 41 carries for 200 yards, with two TDs.

In Buffalo, Samuel has the potential to fill the starting spot left open following Gabe Davis’ departure in free agency. He also provides Buffalo a speedy threat to stretch defences on a pass-oriented offense that features Diggs, receiver Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid.

IGA SWIATEK, of Poland, returns to Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, during a quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

JANNIK SINNER, of Italy, returns to Jiri Lehecka, of the Czech Republic, during a quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

DEYTON ALBURY TO ENTER THE NCAA MEN’S DIVISION ONE BASKETBALL TRANSFER PORTAL

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER producing an outstanding season for the Royals men’s basketball team at Queen’s University where he earned several individual awards, Bahamian guard Deyton Albury has decided to enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division One Basketball Transfer Portal.

It was a decision that Albury thought long and hard about, but one that he feels will only enable him to achieve his ultimate goals, which is to play in the NCAA March Madness before he graduates from college next year, and to be able to increase his stock for the professional ranks.

The decision to enter the portal was made following the Royals’ 83-71 loss to Stetson in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday at the J. Ollie Edmunds Arena in DeLand, Florida.

Albury scored 14 points with six rebounds and a team-leading three assists for Queens, who ended up with a 20-12 record this season, including an 11-5 mark in the conference.

The junior guard, who exceeded double figures in 16-of-18 ASUN contests this year, said it was time to move on after he was named the Atlantic Sun Newcomer of the Year and Third Team All-Conference after averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.7 assist per game.

“I want to find a better position for me to reach my end goal and to put myself in a better position to play in the (NCAA Mad Madness) Tournament and to take advantage of the opportunity to play professionally,” Albury told The Tribune.

“It was a difficult decision because I had already built up a relationship with my

coaches and teammates, so it was sad to leave and to go into a new programme and building that relationship all over again. But basketball-wise, it wasn’t a bad decision.

“I felt I had a great season. During the season, I was getting a lot of calls from people advising me that I should enter the portal, but at the time, I wasn’t really thinking about it. I was just trying to focusing on my season.”

With the assistance from Jamaal Smith, the former head coach at Temple Christian Academy where Albury played in high school before he left for the United States to complete his high school eligibility, Albury said they were able to analyse the whole process together with his parents.

“At the end of the season, we put a list together and I had a lot of agents who have been hitting me up, just trying to help me with my next move,” Albury said. “So far, I’ve already had about 12 schools making a request.

“People around me have been telling me that my phone will be buzzing a lot because of the type of season that I had, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this crazy. The portal doesn’t officially open until Monday, but they have been getting a jump on things.”

Among the schools are Samford University, Sam Houston, Iona College, Bryant University, University of Loyola, Winthrop University, Northern Illinois, Fordham University, University of Akron, Marshall University and Indiana State.

“When I start filtering these teams based on what they have to offer, where they are in their conferences, I could easily cut down the list,” Albury said. “I don’t think it will be hard to decide.

“A lot of the D1 schools are still in their season, so they haven’t looked at the portal yet. If one of these schools crossed my path, I will consider them heavenly.” With his 22nd birthday coming on April 11th, Albury said he expects that he will be able to make his decision. But if it doesn’t happen then, he still has until May, when the portal closes, to decide.

“I don’t want to rush anything,” Albury said. His father, Michael Albury, Sr, said all he and his wife, Geniece Albury, want is for his son to fulfil his dream.

“We’re going to support him in every way and whatever decision he makes,” said Albury, whose younger son, Michael Jr, is following Deyton’s footsteps playing in the US at Believe Prep Academy.

“He’s done extremely well with his decisions and I’m sure that he will make the right decision as to where he wants to play when the time comes. We will continue to support him no matter what.”

Looking back at his season at Queens, Albury said he exceeded all expectations.

“I don’t think people thought that I would be as effective as I was,” Albury said. “Basically, I doubled my performance from Juco, (junior college). I received a lot of individual awards. I worked hard for it.

“It felt good. I felt like I am a totally different person right now getting so much publicity and getting so much attention. This season was truly a tremendous one for me. I am so grateful to God for everything that happened to me.”

The sociology major

“I want to look at a school with a better programme, a programme that suits my playstyle and lets me be Deyton Albury,”

he said. “I just want to go where they have confidence in me to do my best. “I want to find a coach that I can trust. I know that will be hard to determine in like a month, but these are the things I will be considering whenever I get ready to make my decision.”

Albury thanked all of the Bahamian people for the love and support they gave him so far and as he goes through the process, they will continue to support him in whatever decision he makes.

At the end of grade ten at Temple Christian Academy, Albury left for the United States where he went on to graduate from Sunrise Christian School in Bel Aire, Kansas where he was an honour student. He then attended Believe

Prep Academy where he was named MVP and Big Shots Prep Champion. He then enrolled at where he appeared in all 34 games, including 28 starts. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game and was named First Team Panhandle AllConference and was ranked No. 56 in the 2023 JUCO Basketball Top 100 Player Rankings. He also led the Indians to a pair of Panhandle Conference titles, two trips to the NJCAA Division 1 Tournament, and a national ranking as high as No.1 before he transferred to Queen’s last year. Now he’s set for the NCAA transfer portal, which serves as an application database, and compliance tool launched

on October 15, 2018, to manage and facilitate the process for student athletes seeking to transfer between member institutions.

The transfer portal permits student athletes to place their name in an online database declaring their desire to transfer. Athletes enter the portal by informing their current school of their desire to transfer; the school then has two business days to enter the athlete’s name in the database.

Once an athlete’s name is entered in the database, coaches and staff from other schools are permitted to make contact with the athlete to inquire about their interest in visiting the campus and accepting a scholarship.

CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

School in the second spot. The trio of William Mahelis, Caleb Davis and Connor Stevenson settled for third with a total of 118 for St Andrew’s.

Cunningham was the top individual golfer in the upper primary boys division with a total of 31. Deandrey Poitier, of TG Glover, rounded up 33. Maximilien Demole, of King’s College and Mahelis both equalled the score of 33. The remaining top 10 finishers in the individual round were Johnston, St Thomas More’s Kai Bastian, Landry, Eva Hilton’s Antonio Hernandez, Wood and Juan Pedro Vianna, representing Lyford Cay International School.

The three-member unit including Zaire Poitier, Zohalle Smith and Adelyn Amorello-Bradley scored 138 for Home School to hoist the trophy for the upper primary girls division. The Queen’s College Comets team of Kaleah Brown, Tatyana Clarke and Charlie Banner totaled 142 for the second position. Windsor fell to third in this event with a score of 150. The team members were Zara Greaves, Adrielle Goncalves, Taylor Davis

and Amelia Ingaggiato.

Poitier took the podium once again this time as the best performer in the individual upper primary girls division. She shot 35 on the final day. Londyn Strachan, representing Genesis Academy, scored 38 for second place and QC’s Brown notched a score of 40.

Also rounding out the top 10 were Payton McKenzie (Xavier’s Lower School), Sarah Scheidecker (Nassau Christian Academy), Greaves, Stella Ward (St Andrew’s), Goncalves, Smith and

Martinique Perry (Eva Hilton).

Zion and Zeden Poitier along with Skyrah Chambers teamed up well for Poitier Golf HomeSchool to claim the lower primary girls division championship. They scored 114.

Summit Academy’s Savannah Mackey, Madison Miller, Sierra Moxey and Shayla Smith scored 172 to lock up the second podium position. Eva Hilton, who swept all divisions of the public primary schools championships, cracked the top three with a score of 174.

PRINCIPLES OF VOLLEYBALL

FROM PAGE 16

fortify themselves against the specter of common injuries that plague the sport. Studies such as those outlined by Tsai et al. (2020) provide empirical evidence of the efficacy of core training in mitigating the risk of injury, thereby ensuring the longevity and durability of athletes’ careers.

However, the pursuit of volleyball excellence extends beyond mere physicality; it encompasses the intricate interplay of mind and body. Visualisation techniques, mindfulness practices, and cognitive behavioural strategies are integral components of Performance Training, equipping athletes with the mental fortitude needed to navigate the competitive crucible with poise and resilience.

In essence, Performance Training serves as the compass guiding athletes along the arduous journey to volleyball mastery. By embracing its core principles – informed by cutting-edge research and

empirical evidence – athletes are empowered to transcend their limitations and unlock the full spectrum of their athletic potential.

As volleyball continues to evolve and the quest for excellence persists, so too must our training methodologies adapt and evolve. With Performance Training as our lodestar and empirical research as our compass, we embark on a transformative odyssey, poised to conquer the peaks of athletic achievement and redefine the boundaries of possibility in the realm of volleyball mastery.

Dr. Kent Bazard is a Bahamian Sports Medicine Physician, Sports Performance Coach, Sports Nutrition Specialist, and Founder of Empire Sports Medicine and Performance. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

The team members were Jamiah Miller, Amelia Frazer, Kendia Dames and Maddison Taylor. The Poitier girls placed first and second with scores of 34 and 38 respectively on the individual lower primary girls leaderboard. Liv Ward, of St Andrew’s, scored 41 to secure third place. Completing the top 10 were Chambers, Sadie Jones (Windsor), Samantha Mahelis (St Andrew’s), Eliana Rodarmel (King’s College), Semaj Sands (St Cecilia’s), Miller and Azaria Bethel (Lyford Cay

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

International School).

The battle for the top two positions of the lower primary boys division was close but ultimately St Andrew’s had the lowest score. The team of William Stevenson, Advik Arora and Zane Gibson scored 130 collectively. Windsor’s team of Luca Greaves, Benjamin Lozzi, Tomas Jongsma and Gael Cepeda were knocking on the door for first place with their score of 131 but settled for second. The Comets’ trio of Cameron Coakley, Rees Henderson and Caiden Bain scored 165 to wrap up third. Greaves led the individual round with a score of 34. Tyhler Rolle, of Nassau Christian Schools, totaled 42 to take the second best spot. Arora concluded with a score of 43, good for the third position. Wrapping up in the top 10 also were Stevenson, Gibson, Coakley, Jeter Rodarmel (King’s College), Lozzi, Jongsma and Liam Bethel (King’s College). Event organisers were pleased with this hosting of the 2024 Primary Schools Golf Championships and are looking forward to even more competitive action for their fifth year.

Mar. 2024

TRACK FINAL CARIFTA TRIALS

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will hold its final trials this weekend at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The trials will begin today, starting at 5pm and continue on Saturday at 4pm, wrapping up on Sunday at 3pm. Immediately following the trials, the BAAA is expected to select the team that will travel to Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend to represent the Bahamas at the CARIFTA games.

BASKETBALL NPWBA ACTION

The New Providence Women’s Basketball Association will continue its regular season action on Saturday at the DW Davis Gymnasium with a double header on tap. In the opener at 7pm, the Lady Sparks will take on the Elite Ballers. At 8pm, the Foxxy Delights will play the Sand Dollar Lady Flyers in the feature contest.

DEYTON Albury in action.

DEYTON ALBURY, second from left, and his teammates get some instructions from one of their coaches.

SAC CELEBRATES WITH DEVYNNE CHARLTON

Tamia Edwards, representing Luca Kozac of Hungary; Zaria Stapelton as Charisma Taylor (The Bahamas); Bayli Major for Massai Russell (United States); Darvinique Dean as Devynne Charlton (The Bahamas); Jayla Snmith for Cyrena Sambe-Mayela (France); Yulianis Akompe for Pia Skrzyszonska (Poland) and Malynte Clarke for Sarah Lavin (Ireland).

Much to the delight of the cheering spectators on the sidelines, Dean powered across the finish line ahead of the pack, cutting the tape in the world record time of 7.65 seconds with the rest of the field trailing in the order they finished in Glasgow.

As one of the country’s most promising hurdlers, Dean said she was thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to represent Charlton.

“I felt overjoyed for her,” said Dean, about Charlton’s achievement. “I’m glad that she executed her race the way she did. She represented the Bahamas very well.”

Dean said it was an even greater appreciation from one SAC-er to another to have Charlton present as the Big Red Machine clinched another BAISS title last week.

Nya Wright said it was a great feeling watching the performance.

“She went out there and brought home the gold for us, especially with all of the backlash she was getting when they were calling her a nobody and she really showed them who she really was,” Wright said.

Principal Maricia Thompson said it was important for the entire school and the alumni association to take the time off to honour Charlton and to celebrate the achievement of the Big Red Machine’s track team.

“Devynne was an amazing athlete when she was here at St Augustine’s College,” said Thompson, also an alumni of SAC. “She represented her school very well and we are extremely proud of her.

“So we wanted to celebrate our national hero and our SAC hero this morning. We wish her all the best in the future. We think this is a fitting celebration for her.”

At the same time, Thompson said SAC got to recognise the 150 students who represented the Big Red Machine last week in winning another title at the BAISS Championships.

“These young people fought with heard and determination and they made us proud,” Thompson said. “We want to congratulate the coaches who worked with them and the parents who took good care of them.

“Today was truly, truly a happy day here at SAC, home of the Big Red Machine.”

Two students, Dauate Burtler and JaiDon Haley, conducted a very informative interview posing as a reporter and as Charlton, while teachers Dawn Johnson and Genaye Sturrup, who introduced the participants for the reenactment race, staged a creative conversation sbout Charlton’s performance.

From an except, Johnson said: “And away - Devynne Charlton driving through the first hurdle, but she has some company. Oh no, Devynne Charlton streaking away five barriers cleared.

“Now at the finish line 7.65 seconds. If it is confirmed, that is the second world record for the champion. Femke Bol did the first in the 400m.”

In response, Sturrup stated: “She is quietly spoken, she is brilliant. 7.65 seconds, she is the outright world record holder in the 60m hurdles. What a season she has put together.”

Not known for any athletic prowess, but more for her administrative and cheering skills, proud mother Laura Charlton, who graduated from SAC in 1980, said it was an awesome experience for their family, who attended the championships in Glasgow.

“Today, to see the outpouring of love and appreciation for Devynne has just been amazing,” she said. “This is where it started for her, so we are delighted that she could return and get the kind of support that she received.”

Although he’s not an alumni of SAC, Dave Charlton said he’s still on cloud nine.

“It’s a very special feeling when you have your kids achieving all of their goals,” he said. “We’re happy that my wife and I were able to share that moment with her. Right now, we are still on an emotional high. We haven’t come down yet. It’s still amazing.”

As for the celebrations, Dave Charlton, who served as his daughter’s initial coach with the Star Trackers Track Club, said it was good to see the SAC pride in motion.

“It carries on from generation to generation. Laura went to SAC and Devynne went to SAC, so it was good to see each generation following that SAC pride,” said Charlton, who hailed from Grand Bahama where he graduated from Freeport High in 1979.

The future now switches to the outdoor season and while she leaves today for Kentucky to resume her training with her Bahamian coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene at the University of Kentucky next week, Charlton said there’s another mission ahead of her.

That goal is to get a gold in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Olympic Games in Paris, France in August.

“Nobody goes to the Olympics and says I hope to come second,” Charlton said. “I’m definitely going to be doing what I did to get to this point. I’m not going to slack off. I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

She noted that she was glad to spend the past week at home recuperating and recharging her battery as she gets set to launch her outdoor campaign in short order.

All photos by Fabian Whymns

BIRTHDAY girl Dior-Rae Scott makes a special presentation to Devynne Charlton.

DEVYNNE Charlton and former SAC principal Sonja Knowles share a moment together.

DEVYNNE Charlton is flanked by SAC’s cheerleaders.

DEVYNNE Charlton sharing a moment with some of the members of SAC’s alumni association.

INTERVIEWERS Dauate Butler and JaiDon Haley pose with Devynne Charlton.

MEMBERS of SAC coaching staff

LAURA CHARLTON, Maricia Thompson, Devynne Charlton and Dave Charlton.

SAC students assembled for the occasion.

DEVYNNE Charlton signing autographs for SAC’s students.

DEVYNNE Charlton with race enactment medal winners Yulianis Akompe, Darvinique Dean and Jayla Smith. SOME of the boys of SAC’s track team

SOME of the girls of SAC’s track team.

SOME of the SAC students dressed for the day.

SPORTS

CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

the 2024 Primary Schools Golf Championships powered by Capital Union Bank were crowned yesterday at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) Nine-Hole Facility.

The Poitier Golf Home School and St Andrew’s International School were the overall team winners of the lower primary girls and lower primary boys divisions respectively. Home School were declared the winners of the upper primary girls division and Windsor School managed to haul away the hardware for the upper primary boys division.

Chris Marie, head coach for Windsor School, gave special credit to boys for playing well and event organisers for hosting a great primary golf championship.

“Hugo, Zachary, Hawthorne and Jack did a great job today. They kept focused, took their time and shot some nice scores and all the boys played pretty consistently today. I have to credit the guys at Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy… It is an amazing job that they do here and they also come to our school on Tuesday and Thursday and do some work with the kids at school,” the coach said.

He added that Windsor School will be back next year for competition.

“I am amazed that this is the fourth year and it is so well run and organised so we are just happy to be a part of it. We are fortunate to have some really good golfers. We will come back every year because this is such a great event for the kids,” he said.

Windsor’s quartet of Hugo Johnston, Zachary Landry, Hawthorne Wood and Jack Fox collectively scored 111 to be crowned the overall winners of the upper primary school boys division. The four-member team consisting of Briland Cunningham, Reef Harvey, William Smith and Thermelis Cathapolis scored 117 to put Home

SEE PAGE 13

PRINCIPLES OF VOLLEYBALL

IN THE world of volleyball, where every spike, block, and dive carries the weight of victory or defeat, the pursuit of excellence demands a meticulous approach that transcends the ordinary. It is within this domain of heightened physicality and mental acuity that the principles of Performance Training emerge as the guiding beacon, illuminating the path to athletic mastery.

Recent insights gleaned from esteemed research articles, such as “Landing kinematics, sports performance, and isokinetic strength in adolescent male volleyball athletes: influence of core training” by Tsai et al. (2020), have revolutionised our understanding of the specialised training methodologies requisite for success on the volleyball court. These studies underscore the critical importance of core training in enhancing landing kinematics, isokinetic strength, and overall sports performance among volleyball athletes.

SAC CELEBRATES WITH DEVYNNE CHARLTON

The unique demands of volleyball – characterised by explosive movements, rapid changes in direction, and split-second reactions – necessitate a holistic approach to physical development. Core training, as elucidated by Tsai et al. (2020), lies at the crux of this approach, serving as the cornerstone for stability, balance, and injury prevention.

By targeting the muscles of the core – the anatomical fulcrum of athletic prowess – volleyball practitioners can

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN pro boxer

Carl Hield has experienced great progress since transitioning from the amateur ranks to the pro level. Hield has been a machine between the ropes, picking up his latest victory in the super welterweight division against Colombian Fabian Morimon via a second round technical knockout (TKO) at the Round a Round Fitness Club in Santa Marta, Colombia on Tuesday.

The latest feat helped him to improve to an undefeated 6-0-0 (win/loss/draw record) and placed him firmly in a position to fight for a title in the near future. Meanwhile, his opponent fell to 19-12-1 after being dealt his eighth loss via knockout in 32 pro bouts.

“First of all I want to give God thanks for giving me the strength, knowledge and opportunity to come over here and get my sixth victory.

I want to give thanks to 4x4 Promotions for giving me the opportunity to fight over here on the card and for making everything possible,” the Bahamian boxer said.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was a momentous day double at St Augustine’s College yesterday as the Big Red Machine welcomed home alumni Devynne Charlton as the World Indoor Championships’ women’s 60m hurdles champion and world record holder.

The recognition from the championships in Glasgow, Scotland over the weekend of March 1-3 came as the Big Red Machine celebrated their fourth straight victory at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools track and field championships last week at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The Big Red Machine laid out the red carpet for Devynne Charlton and her parents, Laura and Dave, which included a reenactment of the historic race; an interesting interview by two students, posing as a reporter and as Charlton, and Charlton and two

The pro boxers had a slow first round but in the second round the bout heated up as both men went blow for blow. However, it was Hield who landed the final blow to lift his hands in celebration for the sixth consecutive match.

“The opponent came out strong in the first round but in the second he wasn’t able to deal with the body shots. He dropped to the ground and didn’t get back up until the eight count was over,” he said. “With that opponent it was the fight to get me in a position to compete for a world title. It isn’t any of the big world titles but it is a title that is going to get my name out there and help me to

be able to fight for a bigger world title down the line.”

The 37-year-old is actively making preparations to contend for the Universal Boxing Intercontinental title on April 26 and with six straight pro wins now under his belt he knows that opponents will be bringing their A-game.

“The main plan is to get to a certain amount of fights because that is when people are really gonna to start to call me out…I want to be able to show that I can perform at that level against those top dogs in the weight to have an opportunity to fight for a world title,” he said. Hield described his mindset going into April’s bout

members of staff discussing the aftermath of the race. Charlton, a member of the 2013 graduating class, captain of Seton House and a former basketball player, swimmer and track star for SAC, said it was a lovely reception for her and the SAC team.

“It was great to see the impact that I had on the student population here,” said Charlton, who came home and was in the stands cheering on the SAC team at the BAISS Championships.

“It was also good to be on the opposite side of the meet for a change. I got to see in the same segment with the spectators and I enjoyed the energy. I’m super proud to be able to see the legacy continue.”

One of the highlights of the day came when a list of eight competitors were introduced as they were escorted into the parking lot to re-run the World Indoor Championship race, organised by coaches Tito Moss and Jason Edwards. Competing in order from lane one to eight were

with not only an undefeated record on the line but also a title hanging in the balance.

“My mindset is just to stay focused and be prepared for whatever comes. Whatever they bring to the table, I will have something to manage it and come out victorious. I want to win the world title and have the opportunity to defend it at home,” he stated.

He is ranked no. 421 in the super welterweight division and has a 100 per cent knockout ratio up to this point. The pro boxer is grateful he made the decision to fight at the pro level which has paid dividends so far.

“It shows that being focused and not letting the past bother the present while also believing and investing in myself is leading up to a bigger goal.

“I will be training for the title fight on April 26 as well as the Olympic Qualifiers to hopefully qualify to represent The Bahamas. Those are the two main focuses right now,” he said.

Hield thanked Rollin’ Tyre Imports (Trinidad and Tobago), Jet Wave, SO Management, the Bahamas Boxing Federation and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and

for their support.

DEVYNNE CHARLTON and principal Maricia Thompson are surrounded by some of SAC’s top female athletes. Photos by Fabian Whymns

DEVYNNE Charlton receives gifts from some of SAC’s male athletes.