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Volume: 119 No.93, April 5, 2022

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‘LAW MUST CHANGE TO PROTECT MINORS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SENATE President LaShell Adderley said the four-year sentence a 40-year-old man received for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl was a “slap on the wrist,” charging that the law must change to protect minors.

Ms Adderley said she also thinks that the age of consent must increase to 18 from 16, adding that sentencing guidelines for offenders needed review.

Other senators also weighed in yesterday, calling for greater protection of

children and victims.

Speaking in the Senate yesterday, Ms Adderley highlighted recent prominent cases of abuse and domestic violence, saying they were evidence that the system needs serious change.

“The recent unfortunate and traumatic cases of Baby Bella, Heavenly Terveus, Carissa Culmer, and the 14-year-old child who was impregnated by a man almost three times her senior, only for him to receive a slap-on-the-wrist sentence, reveals that our system is in need of critical legislative and social reform,” she said.

SEE PAGE THREE

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL LEADER BACKS CONSENT AGE CHANGE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A RELIGIOUS leader said yesterday that he too believes the age of consent should be 18.

Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander was asked for a comment on the matter after Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the age of consent should be raised from 16 to 18.

Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe on Friday said the Office of the

Attorney General is looking at “inconsistencies” in law with the age of consent with legislation expected to change in the summer.

On the sidelines of an event yesterday, the bishop gave his personal views on the matter.

“Our meeting is at the end of the month to get consensus,” Bishop Fernander said. “I really can’t speak on behalf of the council.

But for myself, if consent and adulthood and the ability to do certain things in SEE PAGE THREE

DANCING WITH PRIDE MUSICIAN Ebony 242 joins pupils and staff at CV Bethel National Pride Day Assembly for a celebration of Rake ‘N Scrape. A number of performers joined youngsters for the event. See PAGE TWO for more photographs.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

$50M TO MAKE MOST CHURCHES HOPE TO OF CARBON CREDITS BE FULL FOR EASTER

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS National Trust executive director Eric Carey yesterday said this nation must likely invest $50m to enter “what could be the very lucrative

international financing mechanism” of carbon credits.

Mr Carey said he believes this nation has “significant bankable carbons” through its mangroves and wetlands that can be monetised into major revenue streams for The Bahamas.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander said church leaders hope to have services at 100 percent capacity during Easter once

COVID-19 cases remain low.

Asked yesterday if the current trend continues, does the council expect that churches will be allowed to operate at 100 percent, he replied: “We expect so.”

SEE PAGE FOUR

HEATED MEETING OVER ANDROS PROJECT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE North Andros Chamber of Commerce’s president, Darrin Bethel, yesterday urged that the community “get all the facts” so it can make an informed decision on a multi-million aggregate mining project following a heated Town Meeting.

He said North Androsians want to “make a decision from knowledge

FRED MITCHELL and not just hearsay” on the proposal by Bahamas Materials Company.

Speaking after the weekend Town Meeting

in Nicholl’s Town, he estimated up to 75 percent of attendees were in support of the development by Cameron Symonette, the Symonette Group’s chief executive, and his partners.

Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting with two other Cabinet ministers - while police had to intervene to control the crowd after Prescott Smith and Keod Smith spoke out against the project.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FACE TO FACE: THE WOMEN OF SANKOFA FLAMINGO

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

One dead as two shooting victims found in doorway ONE man is dead and another is in hospital after a shooting off Malcolm Road.

Superintendent Audley Peters said a shooting was reported to the police control room last night in the area of Malcolm Bend off Malcolm Road east around 9pm.

Responding officers found two men lying in the doorway of a home with gunshot wounds.

EMS pronounced one of the men dead at the scene and the other victim was taken to hospital. His condition was not known up to press time.

“The details of this incident are somewhat sketchy so at this time we’ll reserve

comment on... how this event occurred,” Supt Peters said, however he appealed to the public to come forward with information that could help the case.

This double shooting took place the day after a man in his mid-20s was shot and killed at a barber shop on Sunday and after a spate of homicides in recent weeks.

Supt Peters said police are working hard to solve these cases, adding that regarding a homicide that took place on March 27, two suspects have been charged and are expected to be arraigned in court this morning.

He said during Operation

Ceasefire, a suspect was also arrested on Sunday in connection with another murder investigation.

Police said a pistol and marijuana were found when the suspect was arrested at a home on Linkford Street.

“We are resolute in our efforts as we combat these incidents, our officers are dedicated to the task and they are committed to completing each matter with the thorough investigation that these incidents require,” Supt Peters said.

Anyone with information on these incidents or any other crime is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS (8477).

A BODY of a man is removed from the scene after he was shot and killed at a residence on Winders Terrace off Malcolm Road last night.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

JULIEN Believe Performing at CV Bethel’s National Pride Day Assembly yesterday.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

DANCING WITH PRIDE SOUTH Beach MP Bacchus Rolle doing the Caribbean Slide at the CV Bethel Pride Day Assembly with students and staff.

THE CV Bethel dance team performing yesterday and, right, the CV Bethel choir.

CV Bethel Senior High School principal Harcourt McCoy at yesterday’s Pride Day.

STUDENTS join in the dancing as Lady E performs and, above, Trae performs during the assembly.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 3

‘Law must change to protect minors’

from page one While over the last few years she said visibility around domestic violence, sexual assault, and incidents of abuse against women and children in The Bahamas has significantly increased, there are some victims that choose not to report their abuses for various reasons.

Still, she said, we must all ask what can be done as a society to help victims feel supported, protected and encouraged to come forward.

Ms Adderley proposed changes and stressed that this was not a matter to be used as a political football.

“Societal laws must

reflect societal values,” she said. “What we value we must protect. The vulnerable in our society from Grand Bahama in the north to Inagua in the south needs to be protected, needs to feel safe and needs to be empowered. The Bellas, Heveanlys, and Carissas all need protection. Minors in particular need the strongest form of protection from sexual predators whether or not they consent. The law needs to protect the vulnerable even from themselves.

Sexual predators should be locked behind bars for a significant period of time and fully rehabilitated.”

Additionally she said there was a need for comprehensive review and

reform of sentencing for stiffer penalties that are just and fair, notwithstanding the conduct of a minor or woman.

Harsher penalties she said should be given to second-time offenders and that a starting point for sentencing guidelines “should be what is the appropriate sentence if the 14-year-old sexual victim is your son, your daughter, your brother, your sister, niece or nephew.”

There is also a need for designated courts for domestic violence and sexual offences, resulting in swift justice, and stiffer penalties for persons who use social media to communicate, lure or entice minors

SENATE President LaShell Adderley. into criminal activities, Ms the outrage that people felt would not just blow Adderley said.

Her comments were over but result in tangible endorsed by Free National change.

“I’m hopeful, Madame Movement Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis and President, that this outProgressive Liberal Party rage and the conversation Senator Michael Halkitis. we are now having, spurs The latter said he hoped us to action,” the Cabinet

minister said. “These are some vexing issues that we’ve been dealing with for several administrations; hopefully it is not the usual practice as it seems to be in our country where there’s outrage and as time goes on that outrage subsides.”

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL LEADER BACKS CONSENT AGE CHANGE from page one

our country is 18 I would think something as serious as sex would be 18 also. So as a pastor, as a father of a daughter and a son, I would say 18 is an appropriate age to give consent.”

Public discussions about the age of consent have occurred after a 40-year-old man was given a four-year sentence in a plea deal for unlawful sexual intercourse

with a 14-year-old girl whom he impregnated.

After the man completes his prison term, he will be on probation for three years.

The sentence prompted an outcry from some people that it was too lenient.

Controversy erupted after the remarks of Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Franklyn WIlliams and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe regarding the case, which some saw as victim blaming.

‘SIGNIFICANT’ WAIT FOR NON-URGENT SURGERIES THE Public Hospitals Authority yesterday said there may be significant wait times for non-urgent surgical procedures at Princess Margaret Hospital.

In a press statement, PHA said this is due to the suspension of nonemergency surgical procedures as part of the ever-evolving COVID-19 management protocols, coupled with nursing shortages throughout the system.

It came after a news report claimed that a mother in need of surgery has been at PMH for about two months.

There are also reports of an unresolved backlog of non-emergency surgeries at the hospital.

“While the Authority does not address specific cases in the media to preserve patient confidentiality, the PHA and hospital management acknowledge that there may be significant wait times for non-urgent surgical procedures at the hospital, resulting from the suspension of non-emergency surgical procedures as part of the ever-evolving COVID-19 management protocols,

coupled with nursing shortages throughout the system,” PHA said in a statement yesterday.

“PMH continues to triage all surgical cases prioritising procedures based on the critical nature of each case.

“Members of the public are encouraged to follow all announcements and advisories from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Public Hospitals Authority for further information regarding hospital and public health services.”

The public was also urged to use PMH’s Client Feedback Line at 825-3438 to voice concerns or queries.

“This dedicated line of communication allows for efficient response and immediate resolve where possible.

“As part of the process of in-patient care, the hospital provides family consultation and updates to the patient’s next of kin as specified according to the patient’s request. The public is reminded that visitation is allowed at the discretion of the attending physician based on the critical nature of each case.”

Mr Munroe suggested the sentence was too severe, telling reporters that had he defended the man, he would have argued it was not rape and that the girl consented.

“I really don’t look to those people to give me my position on things,” Bishop Fernander said.

“I really think as a father if my daughter has been assaulted, raped, and impregnated I expect the court to take its due course.

The time and sentencing I need more information to know how did it get to four years because it really really seems to be a short time for such an horrendous thing.

But as a parent and as a father, I am one of those who believe we should never blame the victim, we should protect the victim and really prosecute the perpetrator.”

There have been calls for tougher penalties on the books. Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, said she thinks the maximum sentence should be given to those who violate children.

The BCC president, on the

BISHOP Delton Fernander. other hand, asserted he is not a proponent of kneejerk reactions.

“I like the data. I like to study it. I like the professionals to give me advice.

It’s good to say these things and we get good PR points, but if we keep (becoming) stricter, stricter without changing the dynamics of what causes this, we will always have

the problem although we have great penalties and as a pastor I want to deal with the cause and then also I want to penalise those who break the law.

So I need more information before I just jump on the bandwagon.”

Fingers have been pointed to the church on what they have done to deal with these issues,

but the bishop thinks the criticism of the church is “always based on those who don’t know what the church is doing in society”.

“Church leaders are on the front line and we are the persons taking these matters to the police and having intervention because we can go into homes and social workers who need help getting in. Police officers who need our help getting in.”

Then there are those who criticise the church’s silence on matters of this nature.

To those critics, Mr Fernander said: “I would say be very careful with that because you’re just jumping on a bandwagon.”

“We have the privilege as the council to go right to the powers that be and while you are speaking to the press we are actually speaking and collaborating.

You saw us at the Office of the Prime Minister when I was away... So I’d be very careful because what we do sometimes does not end up on the front of the page, but we are always working for God’s sake.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Carissa Culmer ‘lived in perpetual fear’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net SENATE President LaShell Adderley remembered the life and tragedy of Carissa Culmer yesterday, saying in the months before her death she lived in perpetual fear as the man responsible for her alleged abuse enjoyed life despite an active warrant for his arrest.

Afraid to go out and afraid to be seen in public, Ms Adderley said the mother of one believed she was denied justice as she was never advised that the warrant for her accuser was satisfied.

Culmer was found

CARISSA CULMER hanging by a cord from the ceiling in a room at a hotel on West Bay Street last month in what is suspected a suicide.

In the wake of the tragedy, Clayton Fernander,

who was acting commissioner at the time, said police investigated two domestic violence complaints from Culmer last year and in both instances the suspect was charged.

He said in one instance, a man was charged and sentenced to probation and in the other case, the victim withdrew the charges, he said.

His comments to reporters at the time came in the wake of backlash after Culmer’s death.

Yesterday, the Senate president reflected on Culmer’s character and recounted the months before her death.

“Since I last sat on March 10, 2022, The Bahamas lost

a mother, adopted daughter, adopted sister, adopted niece and my friend,” Ms Adderley said in the Senate.

“She was a beautiful wellmannered lady with a quick smile and a grateful heart.

Carissa Culmer dearly loved the Lord and her only child. She was the kind of young lady who, although discouraged at times with the vicissitudes of life, saw her glass as half full.

“We often spoke with optimism of her future dreams, goals, aspirations and the possibility of her starting a new life in Canada. I don’t know what happened on that fateful evening of 10th March 2022, but I sympathise with the pain and anguish

she must have experienced during her final moments on earth.

“Immediately prior to her demise, Carissa was heartbroken because despite our best efforts, she could not obtain justice in her matter against her alleged abuser. She was profoundly disappointed that despite taking her matter to court and detailing the violence she experienced, including being (allegedly) beaten, choked, kicked, and threats of death, the accused was sentenced to a mere 12 months’ probation with failure to comply resulting in six months at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

“In mid-December 2021,

a warrant of arrest was issued for the suspect for failing to attend court. Until Carissa’s demise in March 2022, the alleged suspect was in plain sight, active on social media, partying and enjoying life meanwhile Carissa was never advised that the warrant for his arrest was satisfied. For three long months, she lived in perpetual fear for her safety — afraid to go out, afraid to be seen and afraid to be in public. Again, she strongly believed she was denied justice and protection under the law.”

Ms Adderley said this incident as well as several others in recent months highlights the need for change.

Medals for Grand Bahama officers

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith presented medals to some 60 police officers in Grand Bahama yesterday.

The event, held at the Sir Albert Miller Law Enforcement Complex, in Freeport was the first time the Police Award of Medals ceremony was held outside of New Providence.

Twelve officers received the medal for gallantry for acts of bravery and great courage in circumstances of extreme danger during Hurricane Dorian, while 43 were given medals for long service and good conduct.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander were present.

The medal for gallantry is awarded to officers who have performed acts of great courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

The officers who received this medal are: Superintendent Wendell Clarke, Superintendent Annmarie

Neely, Superintendent Advardo Dames, Assistant Superintendent Stephen Rolle, ASP Elie Ariscar, Inspector Etric White, Inspector Bryant Outten, Sergeants 2654 Melvin Thompson, 519 Eugene Outten, 3137 Nelson Botin, 3243 Sherwin Moore, and 3703 Glen Telusma.

The medal for meritorious service is awarded for distinguished service characterised by devotion to duty. The medal of long service and good conduct is awarded to officers who have completed 18 years of continuous service on the force and who have a history of good conduct.

The medal of faithful service is awarded to reserve officers who have completed 15 years of voluntary service in the police reserves and who have performed such service faithfully.

Mr Munroe told the award recipients that their contributions to the RBPF and the wider Bahamian society have been immeasurable.

He said the officers being awarded performed above and beyond the call of duty and are being

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Theophilus Cunningham, officer in charge of GB and northern Bahamas District, with Governor General CA Smith. recognised for their invalu- given all the tools that are necessary for them to battle able contribution.

Mr Munroe believes it criminals.

He said for proper funcis an exciting time to be a police officer as the Royal tioning of the police force, Bahamas Police Force there must be properly celebrates 182 years of ded- trained personnel, adequate equipment, and a icated service.

“The force today has 182 sound organised structure years of rich law enforce- of administrative command ment tradition. A tradition and supervision.

However, he stressed that that is marked by the organisation’s ability to adapt, for best results, the morale evolve, and overcome chal- of men and women must lenges of all kinds to better also be kept on a high level.

“All personnel should be service the public,” Mr eager and willing to do a Munroe said.

He thanked officers for good job,” he said.

“Officers, you have certheir service to the Bahamas in helping to create tainly been doing your part, and today your safer communities.

He told them their pro- efforts, bravery, going fession as a police officer is above and beyond, and a huge undertaking that car- sustained loyalty to the force is today being recogries a lot of responsibility.

The government, he said, nised and honoured,” Mr will ensure that they are Munroe said.

INSPECTOR Valencia Joachim receives the Medal for Meritorious Service.

INSPECTOR Ramando Russell receives the Medal for Meritorious Service.

CHURCHES HOPE TO BE FULL FOR EASTER from page one

The Ministry of Health and Wellness had announced earlier that restrictions on churches have been further relaxed, allowing them to operate at 75 percent seating capacity.

This comes amid weeks of low daily COVID-19 cases, with just four new cases recorded on April 3 bringing the nation’s toll to 33,313 since the start of the pandemic. Eleven people are in hospital with the virus.

While speaking to reporters yesterday, Bishop Fernander expressed optimism for ensuring safety.

“The government has been consistent in what they have promised us,” he said. “We went to 75 percent because if everything held safe we would shift to that and Easter is

the period when we are to go to 100 percent if the number remains safe. I see there was a fluctuation. This might have been the first week or second week we were over ten – the rate of infection is still low and so I believe wearing the mask in the environment with the sanitation protocols, we can (guarantee) safe worship.”

In February, it was reported that church services in New Providence and Grand Bahama were allowed to have a maximum seating capacity of 50 percent as opposed to the previous 25 percent occupancy limit.

Last year, the BCC president told The Tribune the council felt certain restrictions on churches made no sense, especially considering the many political events that were being held with only minimal constraints.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 5

UN: CUT EMISSIONS BY 45 PERCENT THIS DECADE THE United Nations secretary general said countries must cut global carbon emissions by 45 percent this decade to ward off the worst effects of the environmental crisis.

Reacting to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report yesterday, which noted emissions must be drastically reduced, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said the “damning verdict” by scientists is evidence the world is on a fast track to climate disaster.

He said this will cause major cities to be under water; unprecedented heatwaves, terrifying storms; widespread water shortages and the extinction of a million species of plants and animals.

“This is not fiction or exaggeration. It is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies,” he said.

“We are on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5-degree limit agreed in Paris. Some government and business leaders are saying one

thing – but doing another.

Simply put, they are lying.

And the results will be catastrophic. This is a climate emergency.”

The UN official said climate scientists warn that the world is “perilously close to tipping points that could lead to cascading and irreversible climate impacts”.

He said world leaders and officials left COP26 in Glasgow with a “naïve optimism, based on new promises and commitments” but said the main problem of a growing emissions gap was all but ignored.

“The science is clear,” he continued. “To keep the 1.5-degree limit agreed in Paris within reach, we need to cut global emissions by 45 percent this decade. But current climate pledges would mean a 14 percent increase in emissions. And most major emitters are not taking the steps needed to fulfil even these inadequate promises.”

The report said global renewable energy policies must be strengthenend so the world does not surpass the 1.5 degree-Celsius threshold.

Mr Guterres said this means the world must “triple the speed of the shift to renewable energy”, which in most cases is “far cheaper” than fossil fuels.

“Today’s report comes at a time of global turbulence,” he said. “Inequalities are at unprecedented levels. The recovery from the COVID19 pandemic is scandalously uneven.

“Inflation is rising, and the war in Ukraine is causing food and energy prices to skyrocket.

“But increasing fossil fuel

production will only make matters worse. Choices made by countries now will make or break the commitment to 1.5 degrees.

“A shift to renewables will mend our broken global energy mix and offer hope to millions of people suffering climate impacts today. Climate promises and plans must be turned into reality and action, now.

“It is time to stop burning our planet, and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us.”

• See page ten for more.

UB NORTH TO HOST EVENT ON SUSTAINABILITY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

KEITH COOPER, left, who will be appearing in a wildlife documentary, They Talk With Animals.

Expert takes to TV to spread the word about stingrays

By PAVEL BAILEY A LOCAL stingray expert says he hopes to “normalise” the marine animals and bring an end to the public stigma against them with his involvement in an upcoming Canadian documentary.

Keith Gordon Cooper, an eco-conservationist and owner of West End Ecology Tours in Grand Bahama, spoke about his recent participation in a wildlife documentary for the Montreal-based Blip.TV. Mr Cooper spent four days last week shooting his segment on southern stingrays for “They Talk with Animals” to help show the public that these aren’t the dangerous animals he said they were “misled” to believe.

Mr Cooper said that while shooting for the documentary as part of his educational ecology tour, he interacted with stingrays on camera in order to show the audience how to do so safely.

“So, they got in the water with me, they filmed me, the work that I was doing as well as interacted with the stingrays so that we could talk about why these different stingrays are so close to me,” Mr Cooper said.

He said the documentary aims to

STINGRAYS swimming near Grand Bahama.

show the audience what it’s like to interact with these misunderstood sea creatures.

He also discussed how he hoped to change public perceptions of both stingrays and lemon sharks common to Bahamian waters, as he said they play a vital role in our ecosystems.

“Also the interaction with lemon sharks was very conducive to further educate the guests from the show, the crew, and the host about how we as humans bond either with the animals or we are deathly afraid of the animals. So I was trying to do my best to try and showcase that sharks and stingrays are not these wild maniacal animals that attack humans, that’s not the way it works.

“So my goal was to show that they were not evil, they were not bad animals, that they serve a purpose in our ecosystem. And that closeness that I have with them basically validates that they’re not dangerous to us as long as we don’t do anything dangerous to them, like try to kill them.”

While Mr Cooper acknowledged that many people are still afraid of stingrays after the death of famous conservationist Steve Irwin back in 2006, he says that they don’t have to be as people have grown close with

many so-called dangerous animals over the years, including bears and tigers.

He believes that if people interact with southern stingrays and lemon sharks with the proper care and respect they’d be less afraid of them. Mr Cooper also said that by doing so people would gain a greater appreciation of The Bahamas and its environment.

“Educating our people, I’m talking (about) the native Bahamians, about stingrays not being something that they should fear. Bahamians were taught from a very young age and for more than three to four generations that stingrays are these dangerous animals to be feared, you can’t get near ‘em, if they do they might kill you.

That is what I hope to take away from this entire documentary.

“What I try to get people to understand is that in order to really appreciate your country, our country, in order to appreciate the marine life while we need to stand up and breathe above the water, we should also put on our masks and a snorkel and learn to breathe under the water or even wear scuba gear.”

Mr Cooper’s episode of “They Talk with Animals” is expected to air sometime in January next year.

THE University of the Bahamas North will host the third Sustainable Grand Bahama Conference this week.

The event will be held Thursday to Saturday.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will deliver the keynote address during the opening of the event, which is being held virtually under the theme, “Diversifying and Expanding Our Economy”.

Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis will make a presentation on Saturday.

Dr Ian Strachan, president of UB North, said the conference is free and will bring together international and local experts, public, private and civic leaders.

“As the world continues to navigate a global pandemic and prepares to return to normalcy, world economies must innovate to assist in the recovery.

The Bahamian economy is similarly challenged with finding innovative methods to move the country forward to a more promising economic future for its citizens,” he said.

He said UB remains committed to providing leadership on the most pressing concerns of the nation.

This conference, Dr Strachan said, will explore diversification and adaptation as mechanisms to secure a sustainable future for present and future generations.

“We are truly grateful that this year’s conference has attracted so many excellent industry leaders, scientists, scholars, and policy makers. This is just the type of exchange we hope to achieve. The panels will explore mental health, education policy, entrepreneurship, tourism, technological innovation, sustainable agriculture,

alternative energy, water security, and so much more.”

Dr Strachan also announced that UB North will be creating an anthology of the best presentations from this year and the previous two conferences. He said it is important that UB continues to make the knowledge it creates available to as many as possible.

Dean of Faculty Dr Andrew Moxey said in addition to economic and policy discussions, this year’s conference features international and local natural scientists, environmental scientists, and marine scientists who will present and discuss their findings on research that has been and is currently being conducted right on Grand Bahama.

“As you know over the past 10 to 20 years the coastline, forests, and freshwater aquifers, and marine systems around Grand Bahama have been subjected to a number of acute and repeated stresses.

These extremes have disrupted the delicate balance that has maintained some of our most valuable natural resources,” he stated.

He said several scientific presentations will focus on the extent of these disturbances, and to document and study the recovery profiles of some of these systems.

He noted that topics to be covered are communitybased conch management, opportunities in the marijuana or cannabis economy, ground water resources post Hurricane Dorian, freshwater resources, and with focus on research opportunities for climate resilience.

Those interested in the conference can register at www.sustainablegb.org.

The first day of the conference and opening will be live streamed via UB’s Facebook page.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

PICTURE OF THE DAY

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

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Why is Europe balking at Russian energy ban?

SHOCKING pictures from the Ukrainian town of Bucha and accusations of Russian war crimes are building pressure for more sanctions against Moscow. A key potential target: Russian oil and natural gas, and the $850m that European importers pay for those supplies every day.

But it’s not so easy, given Europe’s dependence on Russian energy.

Western sanctions so far have targeted Russian banks and companies but spared oil and gas payments — a US concession to keep European allies on board and present a united front.

Here are key facts around Europe’s energy imports from Russia and whether a boycott is possible: WHAT SUPPLY IS AT STAKE? The European Union gets about 40% of its natural gas from Russia, which is used to heat homes, generate electricity and supply industry with both energy and a key raw material for products such as fertilizer.

For oil, it’s about 25%, most of which goes toward gasoline and diesel for vehicles. Russia supplies some 14% of diesel, S&P Global analysts said, and a cutoff could send already high prices for truck and tractor fuel through the roof.

WHY CAN’T EUROPE CUT OFF RUSSIAN ENERGY LIKE US DID? The United States imported little oil and no natural gas from Russia as it’s become a major producer and exporter of oil and gas thanks to fracking. Europe had some oil and gas deposits, but production has been declining, leaving the 27-country EU dependent on imports.

Of the 155 billion cubic meters of gas that Europe imports from Russia every year, 140 billion comes through pipelines crossing Ukraine, Poland and under the Baltic Sea. Europe is scrambling to get additional supplies by ship in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, but that can’t make up for losing gas by pipeline.

LNG is also much more expensive, and suppliers are maxed out. While some European countries are wellconnected to LNG terminals, such as Spain, and new projects are in the works in places like Greece and Poland, the infrastructure isn’t there to get supplies to the rest of Europe. Building LNG import terminals and pipelines to connect the gas to places that need it can take years.

Because reliance on Russia varies, agreement on an EU boycott is harder to achieve. Lithuania said Saturday that it stopped Russian gas imports and would rely only on an LNG terminal it launched in 2014. Poland, which has spent years looking for alternatives, says it won’t renew a Russian gas contract at year’s end, on top of taking steps to ban Russian coal and oil.

Germany, the continent’s biggest economy, still gets 40% of its gas from Russia, even after cutting its reliance.

It aims to end Russian coal imports this summer, oil imports by year’s end and be largely independent on gas by 2024, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

WHERE ELSE COULD EUROPE GET ENERGY? It’s working to get off Russian gas as fast as possible by finding new sources, conserving and accelerating wind and

solar. The EU plan is to cut use of Russian gas by two-thirds by year’s end and exit well before 2030.

Besides getting LNG from places like the United States and Qatar, Europe is pushing for more gas from non-Russian pipelines from Norway and Algeria.

Oil is different in that it mostly comes by ship. Still, it wouldn’t be easy to replace Russian supply with global markets tight. Taking Russia’s 2 million-plus barrels per day to Europe off the market would push oil prices higher worldwide.

And Russia could try to sell the oil to India and China, though it might earn less.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF EUROPE BANNED RUSSIAN ENERGY? Estimates vary, but a cutoff implies a substantial hit to the European economy. A ban might mean governments would have to ration gas among companies to protect homes and hospitals.

Makers of metals, fertilizer, chemicals and glass would be hard hit. Even a partial shutoff of gas to industry could cost “hundreds of thousands” of jobs, said Michael Vassiliadis, head of Germany’s BCE union representing workers in the chemicals and mining industries.

“We will likely continue to see resistance from Germany and a select few others as they’re simply far more reliant on Russian imports of oil, gas and coal,” said Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst for the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa at currency broker Oanda.

“Forecasts for the impact of an embargo vary, but it would almost certainly tip the country into recession.”

A group of nine US, UK and German economists said an embargo would mean substantial economic costs for Germany but that it would be “clearly manageable.” The country “weathered deeper slumps in recent years and recovered quickly,” including the 2009 global financial crisis and pandemic recession, they said.

“Public fear-mongering about the catastrophic consequences of an energy embargo from lobby groups and affiliated think tanks does not hold up to academic standards,” they said in an analysis on the Centre for Economic Policy Research’s policy portal voxeu. org.

WHAT ELSE COULD EUROPE DO? Energy policy expert Simone Tagliapietra and economist Guntram Wolff at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels proposed an EU import tariff on Russian oil and gas. That would reduce Russia’s revenue while avoiding a major hit to Europe’s growth, with the legal advantage of leaving contracts intact.

European leaders last week insisted those same contracts protected them from Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles. The money from the tariff could be used to protect vulnerable households from higher energy prices.

While the army that invaded Ukraine is already paid for, the tariff would put the Kremlin in “a more difficult economic position, in which they might possibly start having difficulties buying stuff from the outside world, including armaments, and paying the salaries of the public sector,” Tagliapietra said.

By the Associated Press

Egg on the face EDITOR, The Tribune.

MR PRIME Minister egg all over your face warned and told by the professionals don’t include bread basket items with the Vat 10% but you did … you will have to remove Vat on bread basket very soon and face the laughter from the

opposition and the public.

You were warned heed what the professionals tell you, Sir. That issue lasted how long - four months?

Can the Prime Minister publish a list of all the locally grown and available today and how much is available? Just come from

foodstore didn’t even see locally grown cabbage!

Local made honey $6-$8.00 more expensive than similar clover honey from the US…buy local for higher prices!

JACOB JOHNSON Nassau, February 17, 2022.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

EDITOR, The Tribune.

TODAY I became aware of Anita Doherty’s passing in Grand Bahama.

I was part of the Bahamas Arawaks Field Hockey Club of which Anita was member.

I attach a team picture when the Arawaks women won the inaugural Pepsi Cola Cup in the mid-1970s.

The team comprised of some players from HO Nash where I taught. The team also included two other well known

Bahamian female athletes - Winnifred Bethell-Russell and Florence Rolle.

Anita was a very valued member of the club; a very skilled player and supported the club’s efforts to recruit and train school age children. If you decide to print this picture, you have my permission to provide my email address if anyone in the picture wants to contact me.

ERIC MAHABIR emahabir@shaw.ca

Rasta belief EDITOR, The Tribune.

BASED on a March 25 Tribune article on Bobo Ashanti members of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (EABIC), I am inclined to believe that these Nassaubased Rastas were unhappy about the visit of the Dutch and Duchess of Cambridge to The Bahamas. It was either on the 26 or 27 of March when Prince William posted on Twitter a moving tribute about the resilience of Abaconians some twoand-a-half years removed from Hurricane Dorian.

In all likelihood, the Duke of Cambridge might have been aware of the negative response of the Rastafari community concerning his visit. That he would take the high road on Twitter in the face of hostility is a testament of his maturity. The EABIC was established in Jamaica in 1958 by Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards, around the time of the Rastafarian Universal Convention in Back-O-Wall, Kingston.

Back-O-Wall was once an unsightly slum that was flattened by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government of Alexander Bustamante under the auspices of Edward Seaga, and transformed into Tivoli Gardens during the 1960s. Tivoli Gardens became a JLP stronghold.

After the destruction of Back-O-Wall, Prince Emmanuel and his EABIC devotees would move their base of operations to Bull Bay near Kingston. Prince Emmanuel’s meteoric rise in the Rastafari sect can be described as serendipitous, considering that the colonial

LETTERS

letters@tribunemedia.net administration had destroyed Leonard P. Howell’s Rasta camp, Pinnacle, in 1954, after evicting its residents for the second time in 13 years.

For what it’s worth, Prince Emmanuel represented stability, at a time when the state had been largely successful in discrediting Howell and Rev Claudius Henry of the African Reform Church of God in Christ.

For Bobo Ashanti members, Prince Emmanuel is considered divine, notwithstanding his death in 1994, which must have rattled the faith of many within the sect, as the untimely deaths of Bob Marley and Jacob Miller had done to the cultists in the early 1980s. Next to Emperor Haile Selassie I and perhaps Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Prince Emmanuel is the most important individual in the EABIC branch of Rastafari.

The bone of contention EABIC members have with the Dutch and Duchess of Cambridge seems to be the transatlantic slave trade and the thorny subject of reparation. The Rastafari community in The Bahamas seems to be unwilling to forgive the British royal family for its massive role in the enslavement of our African ancestors, despite the heartfelt apology of Prince William. The tirade of EABIC members in The Tribune is similar to the rant against King George V by GG Maragh in The Promised Key. Gangunguru Maragh was a Hindu pseudonym of Howell, perhaps due to his

extensive plagiarism of Fitz Balintine Petersburg’s Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy in his volume.

Bahamian EABIC members appeared to also be annoyed with their Jamaican religious counterparts for their warm reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

I suspect that Jamaican Rastas, at least those who met Prince William and Kate Middleton, are far more informed than their Bahamian counterparts, about Haile Selassie’s cordial relationship with the British royal family. It would be this relationship that would restore the so-called Solomonic Dynasty of Ras Tafari in May 1941, after the Negus Negusti fled Ethiopia in May 1936 due to the Fascist Italians’ invasion of Addis Ababa.

The Solomonic Dynasty would face an earlier disruption in the 10th century by Queen Gudit, who destroyed the Aksumite Kingdom. It would be restored in 1270 by the Abyssinian Prince Yekuno Amlak. As a highly educated monarch, Haile Selassie was familiar with his nation’s storied past.

The basis of the Solomonic legend is The Kebra Nagast, which reads more like an Apocryphal document.

Had it not been for the British, it is unlikely Rastafari would’ve survived. The Ethiopians were no match for the armed forces of Bernito Mussolini and the Axis powers.

Truth be told, the Bahamian members of the EABIC owe the Dutch and Duchess of Cambridge and Winston Churchill a debt of gratitude.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

April 4, 2022.

National Youth Service EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE long called for the introduction of a scheme/ system of National Youth Service. The late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, may his soul continue to rest in peace, called for the same generations ago but he, alas, was laughed to scorn and ridiculed. He opined that with the relative ease of wealth acquisition and the gradual decay in family and moral values that it would only be a matter of time before our young and not so young people spiraled out of personal and societal control. He was called everything except a child of God. Now, the chickens, which have morphed into Condors and Vultures are large and in charge.

The demise of the traditional family and an increase in rampant greed and materialism has spurned a nation of youthful gangsters and deviants who are a menace to all and sundry. Human life, for them, has little or no value. They are prone to lick off a shot or stab someone for merely looking or talking to them too hard. 75% of our households are led by females who themselves are mere children and under intense economic and social pressures just to breathe easy.

Yes, there are baby daddies when it comes to procreation, but after that most of them run to the hills, literally, to avoid or duck responsibilities. Women. with all due respect, are not wired to raise males on their own. That is

a clear reason why God, in His infinite wisdom, ordained the family structure. Mind you, I am not suggesting that formalised marriage is for everyone. My own father, the late Reverend Doctor Ortland H Bodie Sr., was what one would call a rolling stone but he was always there for my siblings and myself....always. He provided abundant resources and sustenance. He is truly missed.

The PM is to be complimented on hosting a recent conclave of the causation of crime and possible solutions.

Crime is not, in my view, political, even if, historically our run of the mill politicians have sought to play the blame game. I am not for this. All Bahamians of good will must come to the stark realisation that crime is not a party member of any particular party. It is, therefore, automatic that All hands are required on deck.

I submit that because of the gradual demise of the traditional family and support group that many of our younger people and the misguided older ones are now resorting to a life of criminality and bonding among themselves. They are, in short, a brotherhood with nubile females hanging out and bringing sexual comfort.

My beloved brother, Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie, a natural musical genius, penned a best seller some years ago: ‘They want a Thug’.....The sentiments are even truer today than yesterday.

Turfs are cultivated and

developed for all sorts of criminal enterprises and one’s life is looked at as collateral damage. If you and I are in the same gang we look out for each other and show the love that is now missing in the traditional family, where one exists, or where there is not formalised structure. ‘You are my dog’.

It is unfortunate that according to statistics that 65% of our males are high school drop-outs and have not an ounce of marketable skills. Most of them wear their pants below the waist exposing dingy looking underwear and worse. 40% of them would have gotten at least an Associate Degree in Crime up at The Bahamas Correctional University. Many of the others are either in Sandilands talking to themselves or lying dead in their graves. We need to get a serious grip on this as a nation.

I look forward to the PM and the Ministers of National Security and the Ministry of Social Services coming up with a sensible and affordable National Youth Service in short order.

The opposition is urged to collaborate, but if they refuse or play coy, the rest of us right-thinking Bahamians must move on. We need discipline; moral and spiritual education, with a small stipend to motivate our wayward youths. As the #1 rated talk show host, I am eager to assist wherever possible.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, April 3, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 7

TWO MEN ARE ‘Our Daddy only had ACCUSED OF a gun to protect us’ BAILLOU HILL SHOOTING

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO men accused of shooting a man while he was driving on Baillou Hill Road last month were charged with murder yesterday.

Denzel Kemp, 21, and Kervon “CJ” Stewart, 23, were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court in connection with the March 27 shooting of Jamesley Zamar.

According to reports, shortly after 9pm that day police found a man slumped over in his vehicle with gunshot wounds on Palm Tree Avenue.

Police said evidence suggests the man was shot on Baillou Hill Road and ended up at Palm Tree Avenue where his small grey car crashed into a fence.

The two men were not required to enter pleas to the charge during their appearance before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr. Bail was also denied and the two were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

However, the men will return to court on April 17 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.

They have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail in the interim.

45-YEAR-OLD FACES COURT OVER RAPE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 45-YEAR-OLD man was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday, accused of raping a woman last month.

Police arrested Robert Valcom after he was accused of having sexual intercourse with the complainant on March 26 without her consent.

He was one of several men who appeared in court yesterday for sex-related offences.

Due to the nature of the offence, Valcom was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

He was told the case will proceed by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), which will be presented to him at his next court appearance on April 17.

After bail was denied, the accused was remanded to the Bahamas Department

of Correctional Services (BDCS).

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

Also appearing in court yesterday was Marvin Sands, 44.

Sands is accused of having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl sometime between November 2020 and March 2021.

He also was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to June 24 for presentation of a VBI. In a separate arraignment, 26-year-old Michael Hanna was charged with indecent assault after police allege that he acted inappropriately in front of a 22-year-old woman last December.

Hanna was not required to enter a plea to the charge and was subsequently remanded to BDCS. His next court appearance is May 17.

AMERICAN TOURIST HAD MARIJUANA AS HE HEADED TO FLIGHT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN American tourist who was arrested at the airport for marijuana possession was yesterday bound to keep the peace for one year.

John Horouritz, 63, was arrested at Lynden Pindling International Airport on April 1 after customs officers found him with four grams of marijuana as he was preparing to leave The Bahamas.

Police said that after the accused was arrested, he admitted to the offence during an interview with police, explaining the drugs were for his personal use.

During his hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday, the American said the drugs in question were really for medical purposes.

His attorney, Ryszard Humes, also confirmed the claims, saying his client used the drugs because he suffered from brain trauma.

The attorney showed the court his client’s medical marijuana card – which was on a cellular device.

However, after reviewing the card, Magistrate McKinney found that it had expired.

In view of this, Magistrate McKinney said he could not take the fact into consideration when determining his sentencing.

In a plea in mitigation, the attorney noted that his American client was a surgeon and played a very important role in society.

Mr Humes said Horowitz had no prior

convictions in the jurisdiction of the Bahamas and was extremely remorseful for his actions.

Because of this, the attorney asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

“It was a mistake,” he said. “He has been in custody for several days and that served as a valuable lesson for him.”

Magistrate McKinney told the accused that in future, he must learn to familiarise himself with the laws of whatever country he plans on visiting to avoid a similar mishap.

As a result, the accused was bound to keep the peace for one year.

He was told that should he re-offend or commit another crime while in the jurisdiction of the Bahamas, he would be fined $500 or have to serve one month behind bars.

Ramon Rolle, 19, was also charged with drug possession after officers found him with nine grams of marijuana on April 2.

Rolle pleaded guilty to the offence during his hearing before Magistrate McKinney, saying the drugs were also for his personal use.

“There’s a lot of killing and thing going around and I ain’t trying to get involved in none of that so I buy my stuff and I go inside,” he said.

Asked whether he had any prior convictions, Rolle replied, “No.” As a result, he was ordered to keep the peace for one year.

Failure to comply would result in a $500 fine or one month in custody.

A POLICE officer yesterday testified how daughters of a man accused of firearm possession told him on the day of his arrest that their father only had the weapon to protect them.

The remarks were reported by Sgt Kevin Ellis during the trial of 46-yearold Richard Bowles before Magistrate Samuel McKinney.

Bowles is accused of possessing an unlicensed black Taurus pistol and a quantity of ammunition after officers alleged they found the contraband on him on December 11, 2021.

However, he was denied the allegations.

When Sgt Ellis took the stand yesterday, he testified of his role in

discovering the firearm and ammunition in question.

The police officer said sometime around 3.45pm that day, he was on mobile patrol in the area of Meeting Street, Baillou Hill Road.

Sgt Ellis said while conducting road checks, officers observed a white vehicle travelling east.

The vehicle was stopped, and all occupants were ordered to get out out of the car with the exception of three young girls who were seated in the backseat.

The police sergeant said shortly afterwards, he activated his bodycam and informed Bowles, the driver, that a search of his person as well as his vehicle would be conducted in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms.

The witness said while searching Bowles, he found a silver and black

.40 Taurus pistol with a magazine inserted on the inside.

Ten live rounds of ammunition were also found, he testified.

Sgt Ellis said after making the discovery, Bowles told him that he had the gun on him for his protection.

He also claimed that shortly afterwards, his three daughters got out of the vehicle and told him: “Officer, daddy only have that on him to protect us.”

As a result, the accused was arrested and taken to the Nassau Street Police Station.

Sgt Ellis said the firearm and ammunition were dated and labelled and handed over to his superiors, ending his involvement in the matter.

Bowles was not represented by an attorney yesterday.

The case continues May 9.

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PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

ANGELIQUE MCKAY, centre front, with Busuaa elders and members of Sankofa Flamingo foundation, including Dr Michael Pateman, Robin Lightbourne, and Oswald “Ras Copper” White.

The women of Sankofa Flamingo SANKOFA Flamingo is a unique and purposeful group. It comprises Bahamian men and women with a passion for Africa. They have made it their life’s mission to connect the dots between Africa and The Bahamas. For centuries, blank spaces in the history of the black people of The Bahamas have existed. Documenting history from the perspective of the African was negligent, because he was enslaved. The colonialists, however, held the purse and the pen. So, the average Bahamian knows only a little about the original Bahamians, the Lucayans, and a little about their rich African history before the trans-Atlantic slave trade, unless they resorted to researching beyond the school curriculum. They do know, however, a great deal more about the era of the Nassau pirates, and the colonial history that followed.

For Christopher Davis, there was so much more to learn. He embarked on a journey of knowledge of self, and his roots, and eventually, Sankofa Flamingo was born. Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana meaning “to retrieve”. It is symbolised by a bird, which turns its neck 180 degrees to retrieve a seed found right on its back.

The flamingo, the national bird of the Bahamas, stands elegantly graceful, and can do so on one leg. Together, these birds became the standard bearers of a group determined to connect the dots, and bring Africa and The Bahamas together.

“Initially, Sankofa Flamingo was started as a way for Bahamians to trace their roots, and also to research the origins of Junkanoo,” Christopher shared.

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

“The more I learned... and Bahamas’ biannual Junkasince visiting, the more the noo parade. This is only a story expanded and reveals beginning and it changes the Jan Kwaw, also known as historical narrative to one John Canoe (the namesake the entire Disapora can be of the commemorations proud of.” throughout the western Today, we share a bit world), also known as King of the journey of two Badu Bonsu II, and the entire members: Tamara ScavAhanta people are heroes for ella Davis and Angelique the entire Diaspora and the McKay, whose lives have rediscovery of a black mecca been changed by their in South West Ghana.” recent trips to Ghana. They “The research took me to travel to the Ahanta region, Princess Town and specifically in the Ahanta ‘I learned so to the town of West Province Pokesu, which of Ghana. This much. It felt is where King is where you like these Jan Kwaw’s can find Jan people were castle drew Kwaw’s fort many from and ruins of his our brothers the surroundpalace, mansion and sisters; ing regions to and wall. It was that we were a safety. there he fought Tamara and the Dutch, part of a wider Christopher Danish, British community... made their first and Portuguese which we were.’ trip to Ghana in slave traders July of 2021. On for a number this fact-finding of years until he was finally mission, they were able to removed in 1725 and make confirmations of their took exile at Kwadaso in research, and see and feel Kumasi. He was a general, the place where the mighty a chief, and the proverbial Jan Kwaw reigned. minister of defence.”

“It was amazing,” “The first stage of the Tamara told me. research is complete with “I learned so much. It felt the help of the Sankofa like these people were our Flamingo team – Tamara, brothers and sisters; that we Robin, Angelique, Michael were a part of a wider comand Oswald. It will be pub- munity... which we were. We lished in various forms for were able to confirm some Bahamians and the wider of the things in our research.

Diaspora to read. The We were able to see his research connects Jan Kwaw castle and learn about the (John Canoe) to numerous things that Jan Kwaw did to countries; but nowhere is save his people during the he commemorated like the time of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. They were not only capturing people, but also precious jewels. One of the powers he had was retaining his water reserves – everyone needed fresh water, which you know was a commodity at that time. People would make a pilgrimage to Jan Kwaw’s kingdom for water and for safety. During that time, people were not travelling alone. He would send them out on missions 50 at a time CHRISTOPHER “Nana Asafohene Jan Kwa II” Davis and Tamara Da- to keep his people safe.”

After learning so much vis with village elder Abusupuanin Augustin Yaw of Princess Town and gathering more during their tour of the “Year of Return” exhibition in Accra, Ghana.

ANGELIQUE McKay (second from right) with village elders in Pokesu, Ahantaland, Ghana.

THE TRIBUNE

CHRISTOPHER and Tamara Davis with kids from the soccer club, to whom they donated soccer gear.

information, they returned to Nassau, only to return to the Ahanta Region, the home of King Jan Kwaw, again

by October 2021. In this region, their pilgrimages are made to a town called Pokesu, where the remains of the castle still stands.

Just as people made their pilgrimage to Jan Kwaw centuries ago, Sankofa Flamingo members made their pilgrimage there. They were going to the wellspring of knowledge and appreciation, unmasking the origins of a culture for which so many Bahamians are proud – Junkanoo.

On this trip, Tamara shared that they took along with them clothing for those in need. They also provided school supplies for the children. Christopher is a soccer player, and the sport is huge in Africa; so naturally, they took soccer gear for the kids’ football club. But what they received from these people – love, esteem, history, culture, spirituality, and togetherness – is worth so much more to the Davises.

The young girls took to Tamara, a well-known singer and performer and eventually, they asked her to assist them in putting on a pageant, which she will serve as chairperson. She also took the time to meet with young girls and speak with them about hygiene, beauty, etiquette and selfcare, as well as respect for their bodies, and deciding on goals and aspirations for their lives.

“Things are definitely working out there in Ghana,” she said, “I was happy to learn, to grow, and to give back, and I will continue to do as long as I am alive. Ahanta forever!”

Angelique made the most recent pilgrimage with the Sankofa Flamingo group, returning to Nassau just days ago: We were greeted as if we were long lost children, and in actuality we were! I got the sense that stories were told for generations about how their children were taken away from them and that they will eventually come back. They greeted us like, ‘Our children are back home!’ So, this trip has changed me. It has me feeling like this is my destiny right here!”

As a member of the Junkanoo Commandos, Angelique has had the opportunity to travel all over the world displaying Bahamian culture. To find the root and the source of Junkanoo has been aweinspiring for her. Due to her wealth of knowledge in festival development, she was a presenter at a special conference designed to

create a TAMARA tourist “Lyrics” product ScavellaforPokesu.

Davis.

Together, Sankofa Flamingo and Pokesu elders will map out the way forward to show the origins of many western festivals such as Junkanoo. She will be heading some of the virtual training sessions with them over the next few months.

She will be sharing with them best practices, and guiding them on how to monetize their heritage sites. She said that as the Junkanoo Commandos travelled, she always felt that the ancestors were guiding their steps. As she set foot in Pokesu, she resolved that the ancestor at work over the years was indeed Jan Kwaw himself.

“I feel at peace in Pokesu in the same way I feel at peace in Cat Island,” she said.

“I feel like this is what I’ve been training all these years to do - to be in a position to help my people... because they are also my people. They need me. I have the expertise and I am going to help.”

While in Pokesu, she was given the title “Asafochereba”, meaning warrior queen, during a special ceremony: “As a queen mother it is my responsibility to assist the community.

Traditionally, this person would guide the women and children. If men were going to war, she would find a safe space for the women and children and hold it down. In this day and age, I am a representative, like a mInister of Social Services kind of thing, helping to ensure the well-being of the women and children in the community. I have a seat at the table with the elders to help make decisions for the village.”

“This is my destiny. This is what I have been waiting for. This is what I have been training for, and I take this very seriously.”

During this trip, Christopher received the title: Nana Asafohene Jan Kwa II. The members of the Sankofa Flamongo Foundation (SFF) on the trip also included: Archeologist

ANGELIQUE McKay receiving the title “Asafochereba”, or warrior queen. and anthropologist Dr Michael Pateman, humanitarian RObin Lightbourne, and performing artist Oswald White, better known as “Ras Copper”.

They had the honour of being the first people outside of Africa, to visit the mortal remains of Otumfuo Badu Bonsu II, known as the Great Whale, Ahantahene. They were prepared for the visit by undergoing a cleansing ritual. The Great Whale was beheaded by the Dutch in 1838 during the wars between the Ahanta people and the Dutch. Jan Kwaw, who was chief of Pokesu, today’s Princess Town, was his Minister of Defense, trusted advisor and best friend. The Great Whale’s head was taken back to Holland to be studied by the Dutch.

They were trying to ascertain how a black man, with limited weapons, could mount such strong strategic resistance to their armies.

Stay tuned for more from Sankofa Flamingo (find them on Facebook) as they continue to reveal the wonders of their travels.

I saw a news report in Ghana that highlighted the trip of these Bahamians to Ahantaland.

It was amazing to see the elders, kings and queens adorned in gold, all over themselves and their garments.

It is important to connect these dots and find a sense of pride in the rich history, and we thank the Sankofa Flamingo team for their efforts and discoveries.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 9

Farewell to a famous prince The Peter Young column BY its nature, news reporting has to be selective. Editors worldwide determine what is of interest and whether, for a variety of reasons, it should be brought to public attention and is worthy of publication.

In Britain over the last couple of years, one subject which the media always fully reported about was the incidence and serious consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone was affected. But, inevitably, the spotlight fell on those in the public eye – including, of course, the Royal Family.

Following this line of thought, it is unsurprising that people are now comparing the atmosphere and spirit of last week’s memorial service - at Westminster Abbey in the heart of London – for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, with the sadness and sombreness of his funeral service a year ago at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Because of the pandemic restrictions in force at the time this was attended by just 30 people, nearly all close relatives.

What was described as its austere dignity was epitomised by the poignant image of The Queen sitting by herself as she mourned her beloved husband of 73 years. Her state of “aloneness”, as the TV cameras panned in on her, was seen by millions watching from the comfort of their living rooms, and they admired her quiet dignity and strength as a wonderful example to others of stoicism and composure.

By contrast, last week’s service was attended by

BRITAIN’s Queen Elizabeth II attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London, on Tuesday, March 29, and, right, Prince Philip pictured in 2016.

1,800 people and, with its mix of splendour, tradition and humanity, it was widely seen as a magnificent tribute to Prince Philip.

It would be superfluous to repeat what was written in praise of him following his death last year at the age of 99 – apart, that is, from a reminder of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s memorable words that “By any measure, Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life – as a naval hero in the Second World War, as the man who inspired countless young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, above all, as Her Majesty The Queen’s loyal consort.

We are a kingdom both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing, and gratitude for his decades of selfless service to the country.”

At last week’s service, the Dean of Westminster paid tribute to Prince Philip’s intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to family – a remarkable man who could also be abrupt since he was known for not suffering fools gladly and was not slow in “pricking what he thought to be bubbles of pomposity or sycophancy.”

Meanwhile, others have spoken anew about a special man, a unique blend of traditionalist and moderniser, who disliked sentimentality but understood human foibles - a great public figure who has left a gaping hole at the centre of the Royal Family.

For Bahamians, it is noteworthy that Prince Philip was a regular visitor here over the years. His first official trip was with The Queen in 1966 during a Caribbean tour. But, as long ago as 1959, he came to the Royal Nassau Sailing Club to present race trophies, including the cup donated by King George V. His last private visit was in 1998 in connection with

gen-

his own award scheme – known locally as the Governor General’s Youth Award – when, almost needless to say, it was a most interesting experience to have accompanied him on his appointments.

Following last week’s high-profile memorial service, many people have been disappointed and even irritated that the UK press should be making so much of what is being called the central role in it played

by Prince Andrew. He escorted The Queen inside the Abbey and guided her to her seat after which he himself sat in the front row next to his brother, Prince Edward.

Since newspapers in Britain all too often look for sensation and controversy,

perhaps it comes as no surprise that the most critical among them are now saying that he should not have been allowed to play such a significant role because he is a disgraced figure who is supposed to have stepped down from public life after being stripped of military honours and royal patronages and banned from official royal duties.

They claim his action cast a shadow over the dignified proceedings of what should have been a memorial to a great man and was “another clanger by the Royal Family”.

To my eye, such criticism in these particular circumstances is over the top and borders on pure mischief-making. It is largely

erated by socalled royal watchers intent on publicity at any cost, though there is a legitimate debate about Andrew’s long-term future more generally.

But his father’s memorial service was essentially a family gathering as well as a state occasion. Interestingly, public feedback over the weekend shows that many people believe his prominent role at an important family event was justified even though otherwise it is right that he should relinquish his public duties. Moreover, reportedly The Queen herself wanted her favourite son to escort her in view of her increasing lack of mobility, and her wishes should surely be respected -- but whether or not this might have any bearing on his future role within the family can only be a matter for conjecture at this stage.

A FARAWAY FORGOTTEN CONFLICT BRITAIN’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew arrive at the Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

HUMMINGBIRDS I WONDER whether anyone who happened to read my piece earlier this month about Harriet – aka Harold - the Hummingbird might like to know that she has successfully hatched two eggs. Now, one can see two small beaks protruding over the edge of the tiny nest high up under our patio roof. But my wife and I are still pretending not to notice it for fear of disturbing and frightening the mother bird and her brood.

The other day, Harriet’s landing radar seemed to have malfunctioned when she was returning to the nest, presumably to bring some tasty morsels to feed her little ones. She flew into my study again.

But unlike the last time - when she came in deliberately because she was

cross with me and was making a point about my staying away from her newly-built nest – on this occasion she apparently did so by mistake.

With her tiny wings beating furiously, Harriet tried in vain to fly towards the light through the closed windows in a frantic but unsuccessful bid to get out of the room.

But, fortunately, my wife was able to intervene and managed, with the aid of a large bath towel, to usher her out through the open door. So the crisis was averted, the chicks were fed and all was well in the end.

We now await the next stage as the young ones eventually become able to fly and at some point push off for good – leaving us to ponder at leisure on the intriguing and amazing wonders of Nature.

ALTHOUGH it was top of the world’s news agenda at the time, Argentina’s invasion of the British territory of the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982, that provoked a bitter military conflict has now been largely forgotten except by those who participated in it and the families left to mourn their dead. But this year is the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War and there has been a good deal of publicity about it, perhaps encouraged in part by those watching developments in Ukraine as another example of unprovoked aggression. The Argentine invasion was all the more shocking because such action by the military junta in Buenos Aires was unexpected by Britain given that bilateral diplomatic negotiations about the future of the Islands were taking place at the time.

In reaction to the invasion and occupation of this remote place with a population of less than 3,000, who were fiercely opposed to any interference in their lives by Argentina, a naval task force was quickly sent and British armed forces landed on the Falklands on May 21.

Historians argue that the success of the operation of assembling a task force at short notice and sending it 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic surprised the junta who underestimated Britain’s political will and resolve to mount such a forceful response in an effort to retake the Islands.

Meanwhile, Britain had made clear at the UN that, in accordance with international law, it had no doubts about its sovereignty over the Falklands which it had administered for 150 years, and it was protecting its citizens in a legitimate overseas territory in accordance with the principle

THE SINKING of the Belgrano. of self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter.

After fierce fighting, the Argentines surrendered on 14 June. But the price paid was high in terms of casualties suffered by both sides. During a conflict lasting seventy-four days, six British warships were sunk, 255 British and 649 Argentine military personnel were killed and many more were wounded. Among numbers of Argentine aircraft and ships lost, the cruiser named the General Belgrano was sunk by a British nuclear-powered submarine. Three islanders also lost their lives during the hostilities.

Coincidentally, at a personal level I became involved in the aftermath of the conflict as a young(ish) desk officer in then Foreign and Commonwealth Office working on policy in relation to reconstruction and redevelopment of the Falklands and was fortunate to be able to make a familiarisation visit there in 1986 -- a fascinating and sobering experience

that left a sense of pride that one’s own country was prepared to stand up to international aggression in the way it did in order to protect so few.

As regards the future, from Argentina’s latest pronouncements it still maintains its claim to what it calls the Malvinas situated some 250 miles from its coast and it has said it wants to engage Britain in talks about sovereignty. But imposition of a fisheries licensing regime many years ago will have helped the local economy and the attitude of the Islanders themselves has not changed. Indeed, in a 2013 referendum 99.8 per cent of its population voted to remain British.

As I understand it, Britain continues to maintain a military presence in the region – and I imagine the present government remains committed to respecting and protecting the interests of the Islanders, the overwhelming majority of whom clearly wish that the Falklands should continue to be a British Overseas Territory.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘An unliveable world’ BERLIN Associated Press TEMPERATURES on Earth will shoot past a key danger point unless greenhouse gas emissions fall faster than countries have committed, the world’s top body of climate scientists said yesterday, warning of the consequences of inaction but also noting hopeful signs of progress.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change revealed “a litany of broken climate promises” by governments and corporations, accusing them of stoking global warming by clinging to harmful fossil fuels. “It is a file of shame, cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track toward an unliveable world,” he said.

Governments agreed in the 2015 Paris accord to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) this century, ideally no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit). Yet temperatures have already increased by over 1.1C (2F) since pre-industrial times, resulting in measurable increases in disasters such flash floods, extreme heat, more intense hurricanes and longer-burning wildfires, putting human lives in danger and costing governments hundreds of billions of dollars to confront.

“Projected global emissions from (national pledges) place limiting global warming to 1.5C beyond reach and make it harder after 2030 to limit warming to 2C,” the panel said.

In other words, the report’s co-chair, James Skea of Imperial College London, told The Associated Press: “If we continue acting as we are now, we’re not even going to limit warming to 2 degrees, never mind 1.5 degrees.”

TOURISTS walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Argentina, pictured in November.

Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP Ongoing investments in greenhouse gas emissions that were the first to burn myriad ways in which the fossil fuel infrastructure and to peak before 2025 at the coal, oil and gas begin- world can be brought back clearing large swaths of forest latest and be reduced by 43 ning with the industrial on track to 2C or even, revolution. with great effort, return to for agriculture undermine the percent by 2030,” he said.

Such cuts would be The UN panel said 40 per- 1.5C after that threshold massive curbs in emissions needed to meet the Paris hard to achieve without cent of emissions since then has been passed. This could without drastic, economy- came from Europe and North require measures such as goal, the report found.

Emissions in 2019 were wide measures, the panel America. Just over 12 per- the removal of CO2 from about 12 percent higher acknowledged. It’s more cent can be attributed to East the atmosphere with natuthan they were in 2010 and likely that the world will pass Asia, which includes China. ral or artificial means, but 54 percent higher than in 1.5C and efforts will then But China took over the posi- also potentially risky techneed to be made to bring tion as world’s top emissions nologies such as pumping 1990, said Skea.

The rate of growth has temperatures back down polluter from the United aerosols into the sky to reflect sunlight. slowed from 2.1 percent per again, including by removing States in the mid-2000s.

Many countries and comAmong the solutions recyear in the early part of this vast amounts of carbon dioxcentury to 1.3 percent per ide — the main greenhouse panies have used recent ommended are a rapid shift year between 2010 and 2019, gas — from the atmosphere. climate meetings to paint away from fossil fuels toward Many experts say this is rosy pictures of their emis- renewable energy such as the report’s authors said.

But they voiced “high confi- unfeasible with current tech- sions-cutting efforts, while increasingly cheap solar and dence” that unless countries nologies, and even if it could continuing to invest in fossil wind power, the electrificastep up their efforts to cut be done it would be far fuels and other polluting tion of transport, less meat greenhouse gas emissions, costlier than preventing the activities, Guterres charged. consumption, more efficient “Some government use of resources and massive the planet will on average emissions in the first place.

The report, numbering and business leaders are financial support for poor be 2.4C to 3.5C (4.3 to 6.3F) warmer by the end of the thousands of pages, doesn’t saying one thing but doing countries unable to pay for century — a level experts single out individual coun- another,” he said. “Simply such measures without help.

The situation is as if say is sure to cause severe tries for blame. But the put, they are lying. And the impacts for much of the figures show much of the results will be catastrophic.” humanity has “gone to the carbon dioxide already The report isn’t without doctor in a very unhealthy world’s population. condition,” and the doctor “Limiting warming in the atmosphere was some hope, however. to 1.5C requires global released by rich countries Its authors highlight is saying “you need to

change, it’s a radical change.

If you don’t you’re in trouble,” said report co-author Pete Smith, a professor of soils and global change at the University Aberdeen.

“It’s not like a diet,” Smith said. “It is a fundamental lifestyle change. It’s changing what you eat, how much you eat and get on a more active lifestyle.”

One move often described as “low-hanging fruit” by scientists is to plug methane leaks from mines, wells and landfills that release the potent but short-lived greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. A pact forged between the United States and China at last year’s U.N. climate conference in Glasgow aims to do just that.

“The big message we’ve got (is that) human activities got us into this problem and human agency can actually get us out of it again,” said Skea, the panel’s co-chair.

The panel’s reports have become increasingly blunt since the first one was published in 1990, and the latest may be the last before the planet passes 1.5C of warming, Skea told the AP. Last August, it said climate change caused by humans was “an established fact” and warned that some effects of global warming are already inevitable. In late February, the panel published a report that outlined how further temperature increases will multiply the risk of floods, storms, drought and heat waves worldwide.

Still, the British government’s former chief science adviser David King, who wasn’t involved in writing the report, said there are too optimistic assumptions about how much CO2 the world can afford to emit.

“We don’t actually have a remaining carbon budget to burn,” said King, who now chairs the Climate Crisis Advisory Group.

SPORTS PAGE 12

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

KAI JONES RECALLED TO HORNETS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net KAI JONES completed a dominant rookie season in the NBA G-League with the Greensboro Swarm and was recalled to the Charlotte Hornets following the season finale.

Jones finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four blocked shots, and two steals in the Swarm’s 119-113 loss to the Raptors 905 on April 2 at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Ontario, Canada.

In 24 games with the Swarm this season, Jones averaged 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, two blocked shots, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 63 percent from the field and 31 percent from three point range.

The Swarm finished just 9-23 and will miss the G- League playoffs but Jones will join the club for the final week of the regular season.

Jones recently scored a career high 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 139-119 win over the Long Island Nets on March 27 at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina.

He shot 12-18 from the field and 1-4 from three point range to go along with three blocked shots on the defensive end.

The 6’11 rookie forward has played sparingly in the NBA with the Hornets but has been one of the top players on the Swarm all season.

The no.19 pick in last year’s draft, Jones and the other members of the Hornets rookie class have played sparingly as the Hornets have chased a spot in the NBA playoffs.

The team is currently 40-38 and ranked no.9 in the Eastern Conference, 7-3 in their last 10 games.

In November, Jones scored the first points of his NBA career in the Hornets’ 133-115 November 26 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He made his first three point field goal of his NBA career in the Hornets’ 158-126 win over the Indiana Pacers on January 26 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg; Martin Lundy, chairman of the Bahamas Games Secretariat and Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games committee members. Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

Bahamas Games are back

‘GOLDEN JUBILEE’ VERSION OF EVENT TO RETURN FOR 50TH YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER a hiatus of more than 20 years, the sixth version of the Bahamas Games has been launched as the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games to coincide with the nation’s 50th Independence celebrations.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg made the announcement on Monday at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium for the return of the multipurpose games, scheduled for July 6-14, 2023.

“It has always been the ambition of my ministry to positively impact the lives of Bahamians whether through youthful activities, sports and culture development,” he said. “The Bahamas Games, unique in its form, will continue to bridge the gap, showcasing the world class talent that exists, especially in our Family Islands.

“As was the case in the past five versions of the games, partnering with the local media is paramount. I look forward to the upbuilding of the relationships established in the past so we can continue to highlight and promote this national endeavour.”

Minister Bowleg called on corporate Bahamas, sponsors, the health care system and other entities to come forth and invest in the nation as they continue to build the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Martin Lundy, back as the chairman of the Games Secretariat, said all systems are in place for the games,

MARTIN LUNDY, chairman of the Bahamas Games Secretariat. which officially began in 1989 under then Senator Peter J. Bethell, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The games, which comprised of 10 islands or grouping of islands in at least 14 core sporting disciplines, continued in 1991

under Dr Norman Gay. It was then scheduled for every three years – in 1995 under Algernon Allen, in 1998 under Zhivargo Laing before the last one took place in 2001 under Dion Foulkes.

Lundy, flanked by members of the Games

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

Secretariat, revealed that the sixth edition was to be hosted in 2004, but circumstances, including hurricanes, delayed the games.

“The intent was always to revive the games at the right moment,” Lundy said. “The right moment is

the occurrence of our 50th anniversary of our independence in 2023, hence we have the Golden Jubilee Games.”

Competition in 16 disciplines will be staged in New Providence next year SEE PAGE 14

U-TURN FOR FOX AS HE RETURNS TO NATIONALS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a whirlwind seven day period featuring miles of travel and transactions, Lucius Fox went from Washington National Spring Training, to the Triple-A affiliate and now back to the big league club with a legitimate shot at a spot on the opening day roster.

Fox was optioned to the Rochester Red Wings on March 28 and was preparing for opening day in the Triple-A East League when he received the call on Sunday to immediately return to Spring Training.

Fox told National Pastime’s Mark Zuckerman that Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy delivered the message of the latest transaction just hours before the club’s road trip to face the Toledo Mud Hens: ‘Hey kid, pack your bags. You’re going back to Florida.’

The announcement prompted Fox to immediately catch a flight back to West Palm Beach, Florida after driving more than 10 hours to join the Red Wings in Rochester, New York.

BACK TO THE NATIONALS: Lucius Fox

“I had in that moment a lot of thoughts in my head,” he said.

“Damn, is this happening for real?”

Fox got the start at shortstop in yesterday’s penultimate Spring Training matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals.

According to reports, veterans Alcides Escobar (neck) and Ehire Adrianza (quad) are dealing with

injury issues, leaving a void in the middle infield.

“It’s special, man,” Fox said.

“I’ve been working my whole life for this opportunity, this moment. I always envisioned how I’d feel, but I can’t put it into words.”

He hit the Nationals’ first home run of Spring Training with his solo shot in the ninth inning of a 6-2 loss

to the New York Mets at The Ballpark of Palm Beaches.

He followed with a game tying double in the eighth inning of a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

In his Spring Training appearances thus far, the 24-year-old infielder ranked No.25 in the Nationals’ farm system, has hit .286 with thee RBI.

Fox was claimed off waivers by the Nationals in December and joined the fifth franchise of his MLB career.

Last season, he rose as high as No.26 in the Kansas City Royals’ prospect pipeline and spent the bulk of his season at the AAA level with the Omaha Storm Chasers in the International League.

In 57 games with the Storm Chasers, Fox hit .245 with a .353 OBP, .729 OPS, 56 hits, five homeruns, 24 RBI, 44 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases.

Over the course of his minor league career, he has played 386 games at shortstop, 46 games at second base, nine games at third, and eight games at centre field.

Fox was signed as an International free agent by the San Francisco Giants in 2015. After just over a year with the organisation he was traded along with pitcher Michael Santos to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Matt Moore and third baseman Matt Duffy.

After spending just over two seasons with the Royals organisation, he had a busy 2022 offseason.

Where he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and eventually the Nationals.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 13

ACTION from the Rockets’ game against the Mingoes. Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

NPBA sets the stage for championship

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH all two game sweeps of their best-ofthree semifinal series over the weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the stage is now set for the New Providence Basketball Association’s best-of-five championship series in both the men’s division one and II. Over the weekend, as the league resumed play for the first time in over a year, Your Essential Store Giants routed the Maintenance Asphalt Pirates 95-76 and 120-82 in their half of the division II semis and will face the Sun Oil Rockets, who advanced with their 101-86 and 81-63 decisions over the Leno Eagles Nest.

As for division one, the Commonwealth Bank Giants swept aside the Breezes High Flyers 89-62 and 92-85 to advance to the finals to face the Discount Distributors Rockets, who eliminated the University of the Bahamas Caribs 101-58 and 102-81.

On Friday, the Rockets and the Giants will square off in game one of their division II best-offive championship at 7 pm, while the Giants and the Rockets will meet in the division one feature contest at 8:30 pm.

Game two for division II will be played on Sunday at 4 pm, followed by the division one at 5:30 pm. They will resume play over the Easter holiday weekend with game three in both series at the same time on Thursday, April 14 and Saturday, April 16th at 7 pm and 8:30 pm.

If necessary, the fifth and deciding games will be played on Friday, April 22nd.

The league, headed by James Price, resumed its competition on Thursday after taking a break because of Covid-19.

But instead of starting the 2022/23 regular season, the league wanted to complete its 2019/2020 season.

Teams which had lost players due to work or other commitments were allowed to draft up to four players, all of whom would not have been on a roster during the season in play.

Here’s a summary of the games played over the weekend:

Giants 120, Pirates 82: As they wrapped up their division II series on Saturday, Dylan Musgrove erupted for a game high 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals to lead Your Essential Store.

Kirklyn Farrington added 18 points with four steals and three assists; Anderias Black had 17 points and 125 rebounds; Edward Williams had 12 points, 12 rebounds and four assists and Michael Turnquest added 10 points and three assists.

Maintenance Asphalt got 21 points from Kamal Murphy, who also had six rebounds and five assists.

De’Joan Sturrup had 11 points and two steals and Antonio Hanna (two steals), Jefferson Oliver (five rebounds and two steals) and Qyemah Gibson (seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks) all had nine points.

Giants 95, Pirates 76: In the opener of their division II series on Thursday night, YES had five players in double figures as Anderias Black exploded for 21 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals.

Brandon Strachan followed with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks; Dylan Musgrove came through with 15 points and three rebounds; Kirkland Farrington had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists and Edward Williams ended up with 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Antonio Hanna had 12 points, two rebounds and an assist to pace Maintenance Asphalt, Sherman Marshall had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists and both De’Joan Sturrup (five rebounds) and Marcian Higgins helped out with nine points.

Rockets 81, Eagles Nest 63: Bertrum Minns had 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead Sun Oil as they clinched their division II series on Sunday with a two-game sweep.

Lerecus Armbrister added 20 points with nine rebounds and three assists and Kevin Thompson had 14 points, two rebounds and as many steals.

In a losing effort for Leno, Donte Deveaux had a game high 29 points with 11 rebounds and two

steals and Jonaldo Joseph chipped in with 21 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.

Rockets 101, Eagles Nest 86: Game one of this series on Friday saw Lerecus Armbrister explode for a game high 26 points with five steals, four rebounds and two assists to pace Sun Oil. Bertrum Minns helped out with 20 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and steals and a block shot; Rumalo Ellis had 12 points and seven rebounds and Torez Bastian added nine points with 17 rebounds.

Leno got 21 apiece from Donte Deveaux (seven rebounds and two steals) and Jonaldo Joseph (12 rebounds).

Tyrell Butler added 16 points with five rebounds and four assists and steals; Johnacy Augustin had 15 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three assists and Bradley Altidor had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Giants 92, High Flyers 85: Jackson Jacob poured in a game high 29 points with six rebounds to pace Commonwealth Bank as they completed the sweep of their division one series on Saturday.

Michael Bain Jr had 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals; Adam Johnson had 15 points and nine rebounds and Jeffrey Henfield had eight points and three rebounds.

Jeremy Neely led a balanced scoring attack in the loss with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists; Dale Davis had 16 points and nine rebounds; RusShorn Strachan had 16 points and six rebounds; Devontae Gibson had 11 points and nine rebounds, Dimargio Taylor had 11 points and Justin Gardiner had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Giants 89, High Flyers 62: Jackson Jacob produced 22 points with two assists and two steals to lead Commonwealth Bank in their division one opener on Thursday.

Michael Bain Jr had 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two assists and steals each; Jeffrey Henfield had 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists; Brian Bain (three rebounds

and assists) and Renardo Baillou (11 rebounds and three assists) both had eight and Avery Walker (three rebounds) and D’Shon Taylor both contributed six points.

For Breezes, Devontae Gibson had 14 points and three rebounds; Jeremy Neely had 13 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and steals and Enrico Bethel

had 12 points and two rebounds Rockets 102, Caribs 81: Livingstone Munnings’ 31 points and 15 rebounds was more than enough to help the Discount Distributors to seal the deal in the sweep of their division one semifinals on Sunday.

Able Joseph made sure they got through as he added 26 points with 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block.

Roosevelt Whylly had 21 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

Devon Ferguson had eight points, eight rebounds and three assists and Dencel Knowles added eight points with a pair of rebounds and blocks.

Christoff McKenzie led the University of the Bahamas with 20 points and eight rebounds; Theodore Grant had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists; Daniel Hall had 14 points and five rebounds and Erquantae Edgecombe had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Rockets 101, Mingoes 58: Game one of their series was literally over before it

got started as Ernest Saunders paced the Discount Distributors with a game high 31 points with s even steals and five rebounds.

Roosevelt Whylly had 26 points,15 rebounds and four assists; Able Joseph had 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine steals and six assists and Devon Ferguson finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.

In a losing effort, Timothy Grant paced the University of the Bahamas with 15 points and four rebounds; Christoff McKenzie had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block and Dremiko McIntosh added 10 points and two rebounds.

• BEST-OF-FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Friday, 7 pm Pirates vs Giants (DII).

8:30 pm Rockets vs Giants (D1).

Sunday, April 10 4 pm Pirates vs Giants (DII).

5:30 pm Rockets vs Giants (D1).

PAGE 14, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas Games are back FROM PAGE 12

including softball, basketball, track and field, lawn tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bodybuilding and powerlifting, cycling, baseball, regatta sailing, rowing and golf.

Additionally, there will be competition in beach soccer and beach volleyball.

Youth Olympic sailing will play a prominent part in the games to capitalise on the fact that the Bahamas Government will be announcing very shortly that sailing will be named the national sport of the country.

It’s anticipated that around 2,500 athletes and officials from teams throughout the country will participate from islands/ grouping of islands including Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Columbus Isles, Eleuthera, Exuma and Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, Long Island, MICA and New Providence.

No financial figures have been released, but Lundy said the government is expected to ensure that the Family Islands are prepared

YESTERDAY’S press conference to announce the Bahamas Grand Jubilee Games. to participate as they hope to stage what will be considered the best one ever held.

For those islands with a lack of sporting personalities, Lundy said they will continue to use the draft system, but it will only be for athletes who would have been born on the islands that they seek to participate in.

While Grand Bahama has already announced their plans to stage their Grand Bahama Games in July to start preparing

their team, Lundy said the Games Secretariat intends to stage a conclave in short order to get the Family Island teams up and running.

Although the focus will remain here in New Providence, Lundy said there is a plan to infuse a budget of at least one million dollars to get their island facilities up to standard so that they can properly prepare their teams for future games.

While Lundy serves as chairman of the Games Secretariat, he will be assisted once again

by Sharon ‘the General’ Storr with Keith ‘Belzee’ Smith as the secretary/treasurer. There are two clerical staff on board full time in Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis and Angela Bain.

Named as the liaison for sporting federations is Kevin Colebrooke, Dawn Knowles will be in charge of accommodations and Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming

and Jeff Williams will be serving as statisticians and technical advisors.

The Games Secretariat is now open and is located upstairs in the Yanis Building, #35 Thompson Boulevard.

Over the past five games, New Providence has dominated, winning more medals than any other island, followed by Grand Bahama and Andros, Abaco and Eleuthera rounding out the top five.

KING JR DECOMMITS FROM CARDINALS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

RED-Line Athletics coaches and athletes flank Mayqueen Demeritte as she receives the cheque and food items for Great Commissions Ministries.

Red-Line Athletics donates to Great Commissions Ministries

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second consecutive year, Red-Line Athletics have made a substantial donation to the Great Commissions Ministries.

On Saturday, flanked by several athletes, coaches and parents, the club, headed by president and head coach Tito Moss, presented Mayqueen Demeritte, the secretary of Great Commissions Ministries with a cheque of $1,650 and 1,000 pounds of dry goods.

“Every year, we partner with Great Commissions,

COACHES Tito Moss and Michael Armbrister display the cheque and food items they donated to Great Commissions Ministries.

who is doing a humongous job helping those who are less fortunate,” Moss

said. “We find, as a part of our yearly operation, to give back and we again

decided to partner with the Great Commissions to give back.”

In providing an avenue for the youngsters to learn the importance of giving back, Moss said they encouraged the athletes to assist in donating dry goods and cash.

To secure their targeted goal of $1,500, Moss said the club matched the efforts of the athletes and as a result, they were able to accumulate the total amount they presented to Great Commissions Ministries.

Assistant coach Michael Armbrister said the club is grateful to those persons who have contributed to their efforts, just as they did last year during the pandemic.

“This is something that we would like to continue for the duration of the club,” Armbrister proclaimed.

In accepting the donation on behalf of founder Bishop Walter Hanchell, the Board of Directors and the staff of Great Commissions, Demeritte said the contributions will go a long way in assisting them in their daily distribution of meals to the needy in the community.

Shimar Bain, one of the senior members of the club, said it is necessary for them to be able to donate to those persons who are less fortunate than themselves.

“On behalf of the club, I think this was necessary for us to come together

and to donate back to others that don’t have it,” said Bain, one of the most versatile members of the team.

“Even though some of us may not have had it, we still came together as one and provided for others. I feel as though, as a club, it was good for the environment.”

Hurdles specialist Shanai Sweeting said it was a natural fit to be able to lend a hand to those in need.

Thankful “I’m thankful that we could come together and donate to others less fortunate, so this was a very good thing to do and I really hope that these items and our donations go a very long way to help,” she said.

And Richard Hardy, one of the newcomers to the sport, said if Red-Line can help him in his participation in track, they could do the same for others off the track.

“I’m very fortunate for everything the club did for me and I’m going to reach out to all those so they can see what track can do for their lives,” he said.

The donation to the Great Commissions Ministries comes on the heels of the first Red-Line Athletics Age Group Time Trials, a successful oneday meet that was held on Sunday, March 27.

NCAA Division I basketball prospect Fredrick King Jr has reopened his recruiting process and will be a highly sought after prospect of the late signing period.

King decommitted from the Louisville Cardinals following the programme’s transition away from former coach Chris Mack.

King committed to the Cardinals under Mack’s tenure last November, however, the board of trustees and University of Louisville Athletic Association announced that he would be relieved of his duties as head coach in January.

Travis Branham of 24/7 sports first announced that King requested his release from his National Letter of Intent, the second recruit to do so since Mack’s departure from the programme.

The 6’10” forward chose head coach Louisville ahead of the Washington State Trojans, Creighton Bluejays, Georgetown Hoyas, and Miami Hurricanes.

It took just several months for King to go from relatively unknown to an elite Division I prospect for the class of 2022.

The Andros native is a product of the NBA Academy Latin America and is currently listed as the no.133 prospect of his class.

King, a former CI Gibson standout, became the first Bahamian to ever receive an invitation to an NBA Academy and made the most of his opportunity in a relatively short time span.

ESPN listed him as one of the class of 2022’s top prospects emerging from the NBA Academy Invitational last September following his performance at the NBA Academy Invitational.

He averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds per game on 77 percent shooting from the field at the event hosted by his NBA Academy Latin America programme in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

He opened with 31 points and 16 rebounds to lead NBA Latin America to an 82-61 win over NBA Africa Red and followed with 29 points and 13 rebounds in a 93-87 over The Skills Factory.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, PAGE 15

MORIKAWA NOT FOCUSED ON MASTERS LORE AS HE TRIES TO MAKE IT

IGA SWIATEK of Poland celebrates winning the first set against Naomi Osaka of Japan, during the women’s singles finals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The weight of history packed into every inch of Augusta National can be overwhelming. There isn’t a tee box, a fairway, a bunker, a thatch of pine straw or a putting surface where the greats haven’t walked. Where iconic shots haven’t been made. Where green jackets haven’t been won. Or lost.

Collin Morikawa appreciates the lore. Acknowledges it. And is well aware of the impact it can have on your game.

“You show up for your first time and that’s what happens with a lot of people,” Morikawa said, who will be playing in his third Masters. “They are like, ‘Oh man, this happened here.

This happened here.’”

Yet the 25-year-old, twotime major champion doesn’t get hung up on it. Walking onto the 18th green at the end of a practice round Monday, caddie J.J. Jakovac asked Morikawa if he wanted to recreate Mark O’Meara’s dramatic birdie that captured the 1998 Masters.

To which Morikawa had just one question.

“What putt? I had no clue which putt (O’Meara) had to win the Masters,” Morikawa said with a laugh. “So he drops the ball, and he’s like, ‘Oh, I thought you would have known.’ I was like, ‘No, I have zero clue.’”

It’s not disrespect. It’s more of a choice. He loves the game. He’s simply intent on not letting it consume him. That’s just not how he’s wired.

“If I want to have a long career .. if golf is 24/7 and I go study everything and watch everything and remember everything, that’s just not how my head works,” he said.

There are moments cemented in his memory, particularly watching Tiger Woods’ emotional victory in 2019.

Morikawa joined his Cal teammates at an off-campus house a few of them shared, stuffed as many couches as they could together then sat transfixed as Woods captured his fifth title.

Three years later, Morikawa’s vantage point will be far different.

So will the stakes. He arrived in Georgia this week not as a college kid watching the Masters on a massive TV from parts unknown but as the third-ranked player in the world, one determined to tackle one of the most iconic courses in the world on his terms, mostly because trying to do it the other way didn’t work.

Morikawa kept being told he needed to hit a draw consistently if he wanted to contend. So he spent his first two Masters trying to work the ball right to left even though his preferred shot is a cut that starts left and drifts back to the right.

He finished tied for 44th during the patron-free and fall-swept 2020 Masters and while he improved to 18th last spring, he was never a factor.

He’d seen enough. He figures the five draws he tried to hit off the tee on the front nine in 2020 amounted to more than he would normally hit during an entire year. It’s not that he can’t hit one. He’d just prefer not to, mostly because of what happens when the ball doesn’t go where he wants. If he’s hitting a cut and it misses, he still has a pretty good idea of where he’ll end up. Not so much when his swing goes one way and the ball goes another.

Augusta is hard enough as it is without overthinking things, which is exactly what Morikawa felt he was doing repeatedly during his first two trips to the Masters.

“I was just making it so much tougher because I was trying to hit these shots that, you know, aren’t my go-to shots,” he said.

Things tend to work out when Morikawa trusts his instincts, like the cut 3-wood at Harding Park during the final round of the 2020 PGA that set up the clinching eagle and turned him into a major champion at 23. His near flawless triumph in the British Open at Royal St. George’s last summer made him the first player since Bobby Jones to need eight starts or less to claim multiple majors.

Iga Swiatek becomes 1st Polish tennis player ranked No. 1

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer IGA SWIATEK moved up one spot to the top of the WTA rankings on Monday, becoming the first tennis player from Poland to be No. 1 in the sport.

The 20-year-old Swiatek — pronounced shvee-ON-tek — takes over from Ash Barty, who announced last month she would be retiring at the age of 25 after more than two years at No. 1.

Swiatek won the 2020 French Open and is currently on a 17-match winning streak that includes the title at the hard-court Miami Open, where she defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-0 in the final on Saturday. That followed Swiatek’s triumph at Indian Wells, California, last month, making her only the fourth woman to complete what’s known as the “Sunshine Double,” and another trophy in Doha, Qatar, in February, so she is the first woman to win the first three WTA 1000 events in a year.

“I felt like everything clicked this season,” Swiatek said in a video interview with The Associated

IGA SWIATEK, right, of Poland, holds up her trophy after beating Naomi Osaka of Japan, left. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Press.

She is the 28th woman to lead the rankings.

Osaka is a former No. 1 whose run to her first tour final in more than a year allowed her to go all the way from No. 77 to No. 35 on Monday.

Miami Open men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz, an 18-year-old Spaniard, jumped five spots to No. 11 in the ATP rankings, his highest showing so far.

The player he beat 7-5, 6-4 in the final Sunday, Casper Ruud, also got to his best ranking, rising one place

to No. 7.

Novak Djokovic remained at No. 1 despite not having played at Indian Wells or Miami because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and couldn’t travel to the United States.

Daniil Medvedev briefly held the top spot this year and could have returned there depending on his performance in Miami, but his quarterfinal loss meant he stayed at No. 2. He announced Saturday he would be sidelined for a month or two after having hernia surgery.

Reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova rose two places to No. 2 in the WTA rankings, equaling her best. Paula Badosa moved up three spots to No. 3 to set a career high.

Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins, an American who beat Swiatek in the semifinals at Melbourne Park, went from No. 11 to No. 8, her highest placing.

Jessica Pegula, who made it to the semifinals in Miami before losing to Swiatek, soared from No. 21 to No. 13, the best ranking of the American’s career.

Masters is all about Tiger Woods, even with so many subplots

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The gates to Augusta National opened a little after 7 a.m. Monday. It didn’t feel as though Masters week started until just before 3 p.m.

Tiger Woods was on the first tee, and this was no time to be shopping for shirts and caps or standing in line for pimento cheese sandwiches.

That much was evident by the biggest golf crowd this year on one hole except for the circus par-3 16th at the Phoenix Open.

Woods consumes attention at every Masters he plays. It’s been that way since the first of his five green jackets he won 25 years ago.

Now it’s even greater under these unusual circumstances.

He hasn’t played against the best in 17 months, not since the 2020 Masters in November, while recovering from a car crash that once looked as though it might end his career. And still to be determined is whether he plays this one.

Woods has said it would be a “game-time” decision whether his battered right leg and ankle can handle walking and competing over 18 holes at Augusta National.

“There’s always buzz around this place,” Billy Horschel said. “But there’s just another level of buzz to see him and see him play.

I’ve thought about it in the past, and I may be on the first tee watching him tee off if my tee works out and everything, just because it’s a special moment.”

SPECTATORS watch five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods tee off during a practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Monday.

(Curtis Compton /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) It’s not as though this to a popping sound in his not hitting it anywhere near Masters was devoid of wrist before his TV match where I know I should be drama. against Brooks Koepka in hitting it,” he said. “Yelling Rory McIlroy gets Las Vegas last November. ‘Fore!’ off the tee every time another crack at the career That led to a hairline frac- is just not fun. It’s very difGrand Slam. He spent ture of his hamate bone in ficult on your mental psyche Monday in an Irish four- his left hand. And then he as well.” ball alongside Shane Lowry, slipped on marble while Playing the Masters was a Padraig Harrington and playing table tennis is Saudi “huge risk” a few weeks ago Seamus Power. They have Arabia in early February, and a decision he said his eight majors among them; went horizontal and landed doctors did not recommend.

Power is making his Masters on his hand and his hip.

He was day to day until he debut.

He declared himself 80%, felt comfortable giving it a Bryson DeChambeau is though he liked the way he go. back, even though he says felt coming into the Masters.

“Different situation than his doctors don’t recom- DeChambeau hasn’t make a Tiger, obviously, but it was mend it.

36-hole cut since The North- definitely a day-by-day proDeChambeau said he first ern Trust in late August cess of figuring out if I could hurt his left hip two years — then again, he has played do this,” he said. ago while speed training — only eight times since then, So much goes back to swinging as fast as his body six of those tournaments Woods, who had broken allowed — and slipping on without a cut. bones in his right leg and concrete.

“The past few weeks have ankle from the car crash Then, he didn’t work on been very, very difficult on outside Los Angeles in finger strength, and that led me, not playing well and February 2021 that left

him immobilised for three months and not swinging a club until last November.

Brooks Koepka knows a thing or two about playing with injury, even if not as many were people were paying attention.

Koepka had surgery on his right knee three weeks before the Masters last year and still was determined to play. It was so bad he couldn’t crouch to read putts. Koepka is finally back at full strength, though he still hasn’t won since the Phoenix Open more than a year ago.

He is more concerned with his own game that what Woods has going on, though Koepka can appreciate the walk Woods is facing better than most players.

“Look, I’m happy he’s becoming healthier and able to play golf,” Koepka said.

“We need him, the game needs him, everybody needs him, the fans need him, all that stuff. But at the end of the day everybody is just out here competing. I’m worried about myself and I’m sure everybody else is worried about themselves.”

Koepka said he required cortisone shots just to play.

Throw in the hours to prepare before the round and to recover after the round, and that has led to some long days.

“I understand what he’s up against. It’ll be difficult.

But if anybody can do it, it’s him,” Koepka said. “I don’t know everything he’s going through. His was a lot worse than mine, so I’m not trying to compare it. I just know it’s difficult walking this place when you don’t have the same body parts you’re used to.”

PAGE 16, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

CARDINALS’ PUJOLS TO MAKE 22ND CONSECUTIVE OPENING DAY START

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer ALBERT PUJOLS will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the club where he became a star, will be the designated hitter for his 22nd straight opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.

“I don’t want to set expectations because I like to be surprised, so I’m just going to enjoy it,” Pujols said as he headed into the last few days of spring training in Jupiter, Florida. “I’m sure it will be emotional for me, and the fans, too. But my focus is on trying to get in the reps I need to get myself ready for this season.”

Later Monday, the 10-time All-Star issued a statement confirming that he had filed for divorce from his wife, Deidre, after 22 years of marriage. Deidre Pujols underwent surgery last week to remove a brain tumor discovered in October.

“I realise this is not the most opportune time with opening day approaching and other family events that have recently taken place,” Pujols said. “These situations are never easy and it’s something that just happened overnight. As a devout Christian, this is an outcome that I never wanted to see happen.”

Pujols asked for “our privacy and the privacy of our five children during this time.”

On the field, Pujols could relieve Paul Goldschmidt at first base at times this season, and he was expected to get a little work there this week before the club heads back to St. Louis. Otherwise, the Cardinals view him as a designated hitter and late-inning pinch hitter, along with a sagely presence in a clubhouse that has a nice mix of the old and new.

The 42-year-old Pujols and his close friend, Yadier Molina, already have said this will be their final big league season. That also could be the case for righthander Adam Wainwright, who joined the other two in bringing World Series championships to St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.

Pujols, who returns to St. Louis with 679 career home runs, hit .236 with 17 homers last season while splitting time with the Angels and Dodgers. But the threetime NL MVP showed he can still be a force against left-handed pitching, hitting .294 with 13 homers in just 136 at-bats and making him an attractive depth piece for the Cardinals.

“This guy is definitely dialed in,” Marmol said.

“He’s on a mission to finish well. He’s in shape, he’s feeling well and with his timing, every time he gets an at-bat, he feels better. From a mental and physical standpoint, he’s ready to go.”

The 40-year-old Wainwright was picked to start opening day on Saturday, though the announcement merely made official what just about everyone expected. It will be the sixth time he’s taken the ball on opening day for St. Louis.

“Me and those two guys are the last ones still here, and it’s special to have them with me as I’m finishing my career,” Pujols said. “Hopefully we’ll get one more run at a title.

“That would make it so perfect.”

In other news Monday, the Cardinals placed righthander Jack Flaherty on the injured list and announced that rookie pitcher Andre Pallante had earned the last spot on the 28-man roster following a strong spring training.

The Cardinals had already indicated they do not expect Flaherty back for the first month of the season.

Their opening day starter the past two years received a platelet-rich plasma injection on March 18 to alleviate irritation in his shoulder, and he has been dealing with a small tear in his right labrum that could be compounding the recovery.

HOUSTON Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr., left, talks with New York Mets’ first base coach Wayne Kirby (54) and third base coach Joey Cora, right, before a spring training baseball game, Monday, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Lockout experience fuels Astros’ Baker’s unorthodox approach

By CHUCK KING Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros players trust that manager Dusty Baker’s sometimes unorthodox approach to the lockout-shortened spring training has them better prepared for the rigors of the 2022 season.

“He’s been through it a few times,” pitcher Justin Verlander said. “That’s wonderful insight, and maybe gives us a leg up because a lot of these other managers weren’t around when Dusty was and went through these processes. And he was playing through them, so he knows what it takes to get ready. I think guys have a lot of faith in his opinion on this.”

No manager has more experience dealing with labour stoppages than Baker. He’s been around for all of them.

Baker played in 127 games for Atlanta in 1972 following a player strike. Players either went on strike or were locked out five more times during his playing career.

In 1990, Baker was San Francisco’s hitting coach when a lockout delayed the start of the regular season by a week. He’d been elevated to manager by the time a players’ strike ended the 1994 season prematurely, and was

DUSTY Baker Jr. of the Houston Astros baseball team.

still at the helm when baseball returned in 1995.

“How many people have even been in this situation?” Baker said. “I’ve been in every situation of this type, but they’ve all been different. Even though I think I have really good experience, you don’t know, man, until you get into it.”

Baker applied lessons learned during those work stoppages to

this year’s condensed spring.

Notably, when some teams deployed potential opening day lineups in their first spring games, Baker held nearly all major league position players out of the Astros’ first four Grapefruit League games.

While the Astros’ core group of hitters exit camp healthy, it remains to be seen whether their bats are ready for the season.

Only three regulars — Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena — will head west from Florida with a batting average above .300.

Most have fewer than 25 plate appearances.

“We always trust his experience,” said third baseman Alex Bregman, who went 6 for 24 this spring.

Baker also slow-played his pitching staff.

Entering spring already on a throwing program as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2020, Verlander made four starts. The remaining four pitchers in Houston’s rotation combined to make six starts.

“I think you have to have faith in Dusty on this one,” Verlander said. “It’s something that none of us have been through.”

On Monday, in Houston’s final spring training game, José Urquidy made only his second start on a main ballpark mound,

tossing five shutout innings at the New York Mets.

Baker intends to continue his conservative approach when the Astros open the regular season on Thursday at the Los Angeles Angels.

“Early in the season I’m going to have to give guys a rest when I wouldn’t normally give them a rest,” Baker said. “They haven’t played three or four games in a row or nine innings yet.”

Baker now turns his attention to the first weeks of the regular season.

He’ll be looking for a better result than in that 1995 season, when his Giants finished in the NL West cellar.

He expects young fastball hitters and experienced pitchers with a feel for their off-speed pitches to start fast, taking advantage of pitchers who haven’t locked in their breaking balls and hitters who need more plate appearances to time their swings.

Baker also is concerned about the potential for early injuries, the likelihood of which could increase because of the shortened spring training.

“This is a very volatile situation that we’re about to enter into because if you get hurt early in April, you’ll never get into shape, or you’ll be playing catch-up the whole time,” Baker said.

In Oakland, trades of Chapman and Olson mean opportunity

By JACK MAGRUDER Associated Press MESA, Ariz (AP) — For the remade Oakland Athletics, there are opportunities all over the roster.

After trading Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea, the A’s could begin the season with rookies at third base and in centre field, two rookie starting pitchers, and a group of new bullpen arms in front of closer Lou Trivino.

They will look starkly different than the team that went 86-76 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

“We’ve lost obviously some very important guys, but there are also guys in this clubhouse who will step into those roles and be just fine,” catcher Sean Murphy said.

“Oakland fans may not know who some of these guys are, but they are very talented. They will know.

Everybody is nobody until they show that they can.”

It has happened in Oakland before. Chapman and Olson moved into the corner infield spots in 2018 and never left, combining for 215 homers and five Gold Gloves from 2018-2021.

Rookie Kevin Smith and Sheldon Neuse, 27, are expected to make the opening-day roster as possibilities for third base.

Rookie Cristian Pache is

OAKLAND Athletics manager Mark Kotsay talks with coaches in the dugout prior to the team’s spring training baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, in Mesa, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) expected open the season in centre while Ramon Laureano serves the final 27 games of his 80-game PED suspension.

Right-handers Daulton Jefferies and rookie Adam Oller are in the starting rotation behind opening-day starter Frankie Montas, who won a team-high 13 games last season. Bassitt (12) and Manaea (11) were second and third.

Smith was obtained in the trade that sent Chapman to Toronto. Pache was acquired in the Olson deal

with Atlanta, and Oller came over from the New York Mets in the Bassitt deal.

“The learning curve is something that everybody in baseball” goes through, first-year manager Mark Kotsay said. “The pressure, the expectations you put on yourself.

“The message is just to go out and try to focus on having fun, even though at the end of the day it is a result-oriented business.

We’re here to win baseball games.”

Veterans Murphy, Elvis Andrus, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Piscotty are back, but the trades enabled Oakland to cut its 2022 payroll to about $33 million, according to Spotrac.com, the secondlowest in the majors.

Max Scherzer is slated to make $43 million this season in the first year of his free agent deal with the Mets. Mike Trout ($37 million), Jacob deGrom ($36 million) and Carlos Correa ($35.1 million) are among nine players who will earn at least $35 million in 2022.

Projected No. 5 starter Oller, whose journey has included stops at Windy City of the independent Frontier League and Sydney of the Australian League, is a beneficiary of the Mets’ largesse.

“I knew when the Mets went out and starting buying some top guys ... that some of us were going to have to go,” he said.

“I loved it when I was with the Mets, but I was not upset to be traded over here for the opportunity I was going to be presented with.”

Veteran free agent Stephen Vogt is expected to spend time at first base, a position that could be matchup dependent after non-roster invitee Eric Thames was reassigned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Outfielder Seth Brown started at first base Sunday, non-roster invitee Billy McKinney started there Monday and veteran utilityman Jed Lowrie has played 11 games there in his eight seasons.

Vogt sees similarities to his previous time with the A’s in 2013-17, when he was with a group that included the first two full seasons of third baseman Josh Donaldson.

“A lot of guys are going to get an opportunity to go out and prove what they can do at the major league level,” Vogt said, “and that’s a scary team.”