Track athletes are ready for CARIFTA
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
With little time left before they head off to Trinidad & Tobago for the CARIFTA Games, Team Bahamas’ track and field athletes were all enthusiastic during one of their last practice sessions.
The majority of the 78-member team, including athletes from college and Grand Bahama, were working out at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
Some of them interviewed were eager to get on the Bahamasair charter flight on Thursday and make their presence felt at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium when the competition takes place from Saturday to Tuesday.
Home from her dominating performance at Georgia Southern where she earned the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year award after winning the 60 metres at the
national indoors, Shatalya Dorsett said she can’t wait to see what unfolds outdoors.
But she said her concentration right now is on CARIFTA.
“This is my last CARIFTA, so I expect to medal in both the 100 and 200m and hopefully medal in the relay too,” said the 18-yearold Grand Bahamian.
Compared to the previous teams she’s been a part of, Dorsett said this is a really strong one and she’s
excited to lead the way in the under-20 girls’ division.
“We have some outstanding athletes, so it’s going to be very good to see how well they compete,” she summed up.
Eagan Neely, competing in his third CARIFTA, said he’s looking for nothing but the gold as he competes in the under-17 boys’ 200 and 400m as well as a member of the relay teams.
“I feel pretty good. I feel confident, so I know I can get the gold,” said Neely,
a 16-year-old student of St Augustine’s College. “I’m looking forward to being a part of this team. We should do very well as a team.”
Alexandria Komolafe, representing The Bahamas in the under-17 girls’ high jump, said as a third time participant in CARIFTA, she just wants to go out and do her best and, if she does, she has the potential to be on the medal podium again. “Last year, I got a silver so this time I want
By TIM REYNOLDS
THEY will be watching in Canada, not just because of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though the NBA’s scoring champion and MVP favourite who plays for Oklahoma City surely helps lure in fans who are north of the border.
They’ll be watching from Serbia and Greece, the homelands of Denver star Nikola Jokic and
to bring home the gold,” said Komolafe, a 16-yearold 10th grader at Queen’s College.
“I hope to do my personal best again, surpassing 5-feet, 7 1/4-inches or 1.71 metres with at least 5-10 3/4 (1.80m). Brion Ward, an under17 competitor in the girls’ 100 and 200m as well as the relays, said it’s all about putting her mind on becoming a medallist in
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
WITH the CARIFTA swimming and track and field competition taking place at the same time in one country, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture brought both national teams together for one big send off.
A special dinner reception was held for both teams last night in the foyer of the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, just before the 36-member swim team departs for Trinidad & Tobago today and the 78-member track team heads out on Thursday.
Both competitions will have one historic opening ceremony on Friday night at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium before the competition begins on Saturday for both sports in locations that are about one hour apart.
The CARIFTA Games will be held in the height of Trinidad & Tobago’s general elections that will take place the week after the games are held on April 28 after parliament was dissolved on March 18.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg assured the two teams assembled together for the first time that the country is expecting Team Bahamas to win its seventh consecutive swimming title, while the track and field team will give Jamaica “a run for their money.”
Bowleg, who will be accompanying the track team on Thursday, while consultant Harrison Thompson will go with the swimming team, said the mere fact that everybody will be on one island, it’s still one team representing The Bahamas.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Alperen Sengun will have them watching Houston games in the middle of the night in Turkey, too. Fans in Cameroon will be tuned in to see Pascal Siakam and the Indiana Pacers. Defending champion Boston features, among others, Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia and Al Horford of the Dominican Republic. Once again, the NBA
GOOD TO GO: Some of Team Bahamas’ track and field athletes at Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field
one of their last practice sessions ahead of the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad & Tobago.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
Kingsway Academy senior girls’ basketball champions courtesy
call on the Governor General
EDUCATORS GEAR UP FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL TRACK &
FIELD MEET
CLARA Storr, committee chairperson for the 45th Annual National Public Primary School Track & Field Meet, along with committee members, held a press conference at the Ministry of Education on April 10 to announce the 45th annual track meet.
The meet is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, starting at 11am.
Ms. Storr announced that 11 public primary schools are slated to participate in the upcoming national event. Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training Glenys Hanna-Martin said she looks forward to other schools participating.
SHOWN, from left, seated: Lorraine Armbrister, permanent secretary; Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; Clara Storr, primary education officer, Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training. Standing: Oria WoodsKnowles, deputy director of sports; and Keesha Johnson, high school education officer, Ministry of Education. Photo: Mark Ford/BIS
Pro Youth Foundation. It will feature baseball teams for boys and softball teams for girls from Grand Bahama and New Providence. It’s also anticipated that some teams from the Family Islands will also be in New Providence to participate.
TRACK ROAD TO TOKYO
THE Silver Lightning Track Club is scheduled to hold its annual Track and Field Classic on Saturday, May 10, at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, starting at 9am.
The event, dubbed the “Road to Tokyo,” will be used as a qualifier for athletes wishing to make Team Bahamas that will compete at the World Championships from September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan. Interested athletes can contact coach Rupert Gardiner at 821-2836 for more information.
PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY NIGHT PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace
on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence. The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” will be held from July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up. Lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, will be up for grabs.
FAST TRACK ATHLETICS
SPRING FLING
INVITATIONAL THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex May 16-17.
The event is open to competitors from throughout The Bahamas. The action is slated to begin at 5pm on Friday, May 16 and at 10am on Saturday, May
16. It promises to provide fast competition, perfect prep for championship season and an unmatched island atmosphere in Grand Bahama.
For more information on the meet, persons can email fasttrackmanagement00@gmail.com
RESURRECTION
10K RUN/5K WALK
“Arise and Shine” is the theme for the Resurrection 10K run, 5K walk, bike and breakfast fellowship as they encourage persons to “push your limits, cross the finish for change.”
The event, powered by Unity Initiative, is scheduled for Easter Monday, April 21, starting at 5:45am from the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The categories include 12-and-under, 13-17, 18-39, 40-59 and 60-and-over for male and females.
Trophies and medals will be presented to the top finishers in all categories. “Come one, come all as we celebrate” is the call for all physically challenged, families, churches and all civic groups.
For more information, persons can contact Votebcp242@gmail.com, telephone 242-524-1798 or log onto www.bcppaerty. org
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL, Dame Cynthia “Mother” Pratt (centre) welcomed Kingsway Academy High School principal Dr Cindy Wade and coach Randy Cunningham along with the senior girls’ basketball team - winners of the Father Marcian Peters Basketball Classic and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools Basketball Championships - during a courtesy call at Government House on April 8, 2025.
Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS
MLB: ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr among league leaders for home runs
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter
BAHAMIAN Major League Baseball (MLB) professional player Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is finally getting his groove back after dealing with a scoring drought following his hot start to the 2025 season.
The Yankees’ second baseman suffered through a 0-for-24 rough patch in the team’s previous seven games before finally breaking the scoring barrier against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. He finished that game 1-for-4 with a homer, one RBI and a run scored. And the home run party continued for the flashy 27-year-old slugger against the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. The Yankees won that matchup 4-1 and Chisholm Jr contributed to the victory by cracking another homer in his second consecutive outing.
Royals’ shortstop Bobby Witt Jr got the scoring started at the top of the the third inning when he homered 388 feet to the
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. reacts after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 14, 2025, in New York.
centre field for a 1-0 lead.
Chisholm Jr levelled the score at one apiece when he went yard at the bottom of the fourth inning.
He homered on a pitch from Royals’ pitcher Seth Lugo. He was pleased to finally return to form. “I’ve been barrelling a lot of balls
Bodybuilder Jimmy Norius to compete in the Miami Muscle Beach Pro
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE not being at full strength, Jimmy Norius is packing his bags to compete in the professional segments of both the men’s open and the masters physique competition at the Miami Muscle Beach Pro.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, in Miami, Florida.
Having had to undergo some treatment for the loss of his weight over the past few months, Norius said he’s in excellent condition and ready to compete in what will be his first event for the year.
“A couple months back, I was diagnosed with hypostasis, which causes your body to produce an excess amount of fat burning materials and I was losing a lot of weight,” Norius said.
“I went to the Princess Margaret Hospital and I saw Dr Kenny Knowles, who is handling my situation now.
“He told me what supplements to stay away from. He’s been treating me so that I am able to compete in this show.”
While he won’t be going in as tight as he wants to be, Norius said he’s hoping that his conditioning will place him very high during the competition in both categories.
“In the open division, if I can get a second call out, I would be extremely proud as a 50-year-old competing against these young guys,” Norius said.
“But in the masters, I feel I have a really good chance of placing in the top three. I completely changed my diet, eating a lot of salmon to help regain the weight and build up my energy.”
Additionally, Norius said he’s taking advantage of one of the greatest training facilities that God has blessed The Bahamas with and that is the sand on the beach.
“I’m getting a lot of vitamin D, which is necessary for my condition and swinging my weights,” he said.
“I feel so good. It’s just a motivation to be training in The Bahamas.”
In his last two shows last year, Norius said he walked off stage with the silver medal at a show in Sarasota, Florida, on September 7 and the other in Fort
Lauderdale on November 16.
“For some reason, every show I go to, the judges all seem to like me,” Norius said. “Sometimes I go into shows at 60 per cent and I place well. I normally beat guys who go into the shows at 100 per cent.
“Maybe they like my skin tone for being so lean coming from The Bahamas and training on the beaches. But I know for sure, I’m going to place well in this show.”
Following his practice session yesterday, Norius said he developed a new method of training to complement his dark skin and his muscles being matured.
He noted that he will be willing to impart that knowledge to men who are 40 years and over.
After this show, Norius said he will decide whether he will retire or continue competing.
He made his debut as a novice in 1999 and from 2017, he earned his professional card.
With 26 years of competing under his belt, Norius said he’s now contemplating retiring from the sport and will just concentrate on his job as a personal trainer.
up over the last week… they just haven’t been falling, but that’s what baseball is all about. You could hit a million balls at 100 miles
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
per hour and get zero hits out of it.
“I’m just happy to see that my luck is finally turning around,” he told YES
Network reporter Meredith Marakovits.
“Jazz” concluded that game batting 1-for-4, with a homer, run scored and an RBI.
His home run against the Royals’ on Monday was his sixth of the season. He is now in an eight-way tie for the most home runs this season with six.
The versatile pro also has some good company in that group. His teammate and Yankees centre fielder Aaron Judge also has six homers this season.
Prior to the start of the season, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone made the decision to move Chisholm Jr to his natural position at second base and, despite a recent slump, he has thrived. He is batting .175 with six homers, 10 runs scored, 11 RBIs and four stolen bases in 16 games played this season.
The Yankees now own a 9-7 (win/loss record) and are at the top of the American League East.
The Bronx Bombers played the second game of their three-game series against the Royals last night and will play their final game against the team tonight at home.
READY TO RUMBLE: Jimmy Norius is packing his bags to compete in the professional segments of the men’s open and the masters physique competition at the Miami Muscle Beach Pro.
GAINING
added
Lenox Lockhart wins Micro Swift Championship at the Stars Championship Series
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter
BAHAMIAN racing
prodigy Lenox Lockhart has all the momentum on his side when it comes to go-kart racing overseas.
Lockhart added another first-place finish to his arsenal after claiming the Micro Swift Championship in the 2025 Stars Championship Series Queen City Gambit over the weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
He narrowly clinched the top spot in the standings with a total of 361 points.
Nitro Kart’s Slate Harrell fell to the second position with a total of 360 points and Team Benik’s Zev Godschalk secured the third podium spot with 349 points.
Over the weekend, the nine-year-old competed in a four-race series and placed in the top three of his final three rounds.
He spoke about how it felt to prevail despite being a bit inexperienced compared to his competitors.
“It was pretty hard and not easy because some people had more experience than me but I still kept pushing and got the win in one of the heats and came second in the final,” he said.
The Bahamian go-kart racer had his best showing of the series in heat two. He won the prelims with a time of 10:15.121 in 13 laps.
Lockhart, who represents Velocity Racing, was in the seventh spot in lap two before climbing all the way up to the second position by lap nine.
He fell behind to the fourth spot in lap eleven but then stole the lead in the final lap for a comeback victory.
The nine-year-old daredevil dropped one spot in the pre-final and went on to complete that race with a time of 13:57.608 in 18 laps for third place.
In the final event, Lockhart clocked 16:53.377 in 22 laps for second place.
Migueal Lockhart, his father, was really impressed with his son’s feat at the Stars Championship Series over the weekend.
“I was really impressed. It was our first time at that track and a lot of those kids have been there previously. The kid that won was actually from Dallas’ home track so it was nice to see Lenox adapt so quickly to that environment and that track.
“We didn’t have as much time as we typically would to try and get the kart right and teach Lenox the track but I was really impressed by how quickly he adapted to it and was able to be
competitive right away,” Mr Lockhart said.
“I think he was able to bring the momentum coming out of the previous race in Texas and the race before the final to keep his confidence up. He was able to stay on top of the leaderboard all the way through up until the final.”
The young karting star is coming off a remarkable showing at the 2025 Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour WinterNationals in New Caney, Texas. He claimed his first title of the SKUSA Pro Tour with a time of 17:57.002 in 18 laps.
Lockhart wants to improve his consistency as he continues to take the kart racing world by storm.
“I have to work on being more aggressive and making sure that I can be more consistent,” he said.
Next up for the Bahamian racer will be round two of the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS) Carolina Grand Prix at the Trackhouse Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, May 2-4.
RACE TRACK: Lenox Lockhart added another first-place finish to his arsenal after claiming the Micro Swift Championship at the 2025
Championship Series Queen City Gambit over the weekend.
MAGIC CLAIM 7TH SEED WITH 120-95 WIN OVER HAWKS IN PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT
By DICK SCANLON Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)
— Cole Anthony came off the Magic bench with 26 points and six assists to lead the Orlando Magic to a 120-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks last night in the first game of the Play-In Tournament.
Paolo Banchero had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black also came off the bench and scored 16 points on 6-of-7
shooting in the the Magic’s first appearance in a play-in game.
Earning the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed after a 41-41 regular season, the Magic will start their first-round playoff series at Boston on Sunday.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists before getting two technical fouls and an automatic ejection with 4:47 left in the game.
The Hawks, who have reached the playoffs through the play-in route in two of the last three seasons, will play at home
Friday night for the eighth spot against the winner of Wednesday night’s game at Chicago between the Bulls and the Miami Heat.
Georges Niang scored 15 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Hawks.
Banchero and Black produced most of the offence and the Hawks scored just two points in the final 6 minutes of the first quarter.
Anthony, who averaged 9.4 points in an injuryplagued season, made 10 of 17 shots including 4 of 9 3-pointers.
NBA playoffs will, once again, be an international showcase of stars
FROM PAGE E1
Young of the Hawks is from the U.S. — the postseason will have plenty of international feel as well.
Gilgeous-Alexander is in, while Sabonis and Daniels (along with Young, obviously) could join him if their teams get through the play-in tournament.
“We have a tremendous number of international players in this league,”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this season. “It’s roughly 30% of our players representing, at least on opening day, 43 different countries, so there’s much more of a global sense around our teams.”
By the end of the season, it wound up being 44 different countries — at least in terms of countries where players who scored in the NBA this season were born. For the first time in NBA history, players from one country other than the U.S. combined to score more than 15,000 points; Canadian players scored 15,588 this season, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, the first scoring champion from that country.
Gilgeous-Alexander is favored to be MVP this season. It’ll be either him or Jokic, which means it’ll be a seventh consecutive
year with an international MVP for the NBA. Antetokounmpo won twice, then Jokic won three of the next four, with Cameroon-born Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning two seasons ago.
“Shai is in the category of you do not stop him,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said after a game between the Raptors and Thunder this season.
In other words, he’s like a lot of other international guys now. Nobody truly stops Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and Doncic either. And this season brought another international first: Doncic finished atop the NBA’s most popular jersey list, meaning NBAStore. com sold more of his jerseys than they did anyone else’s. Sure, that was bolstered by Doncic changing jerseys midseason when he was traded by Dallas to the Los Angeles Lakers, but it still is significant.
The Slovenian star is the first international player to finish atop the most popular jerseys list — and the first player other than Stephen Curry or LeBron James to hold that spot in more than a decade, since soon-to-beenshrined Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony did it when he was with New
York in 2012-13. “We’re so small, we have 2 million people. But really, our sport is amazing,” fellow Slovene Ajsa Sivka said when she was drafted by the WNBA’s Chicago Sky on Monday night and asked about Doncic and other top Slovenian athletes. “No matter what sport, we have at least someone that’s great in it. I’m just really proud to be Slovenian.”
All this comes at a time where the NBA is more serious than perhaps ever before about growing its international footprint. Last month, FIBA — the sport’s international governing body — and the NBA announced a plan to partner on a new European basketball league that has been taking shape for many years. The initial target calls for a 16-team league and it potentially could involve many of the biggest franchise names in Europe, such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. It was a season where four players topped 2,000 points in the NBA and three of them were international with Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic and Antetokounmpo. Globally, time spent watching NBA League Pass was up 6% over last season.
More people watched NBA games in France this season than ever before, even with Wembanyama missing the final two months.
NBA-related social media views in Canada this season set records,
and league metrics show more fans than ever were watching in the Asia-Pacific region — already a basketball hotbed — as well.
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said the numbers — which are clearly being fueled by the
continued international growth — suggest the game is very strong right now.
“Looking around the world, and of course here in North America,” Zagklis said, “the NBA is most popular and more commercially successful than ever.”
ORLANDO Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates after teammate forward Franz Wagner made a shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game last night.
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
INDIANA Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates after basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
NUGGETS centre Nikola Jokic is congratulated after making a basket and drawing a foul against the Grizzlies in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
OKLAHOMA City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, shoots near Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, left, during the an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Green’s hattrick sends Mingoes past United
THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes men’s soccer team was back in action with a key 3-1 victory against United FC Sunday at the Roscow A L Davies Soccer Fields.
Midfielder Ronaldo Green scored a hattrick in the first half said that it was a tough game.
“We had a few players from our team on United so they know our playing style. It made it challenging. We missing two key players in Elijah Mitchell and Justin Minns who played a key role for us,” Green said.
UB now has seven points and sits alone at the top of Division I in the Bahamas Men’s Soccer League. They sport a 2-0-1 win/loss/draw record with two more games remaining in Division I.
United struck first in the fifth minute to take the 1-0 lead. It put pressure on UB who found the back of the net in the 35th minute. It came from none other than leading goal scorer Ronaldo Green who was crafty on a breakaway to tie the game at one goal apiece.
UB’s Sidney Decius got fouled going for a loose ball just inside United’s 18-yard box. Green stepped up and took the penalty. He put it away to give UB the 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute.
Green was one-on-one with a defender before be passed the ball to Philip Pilgrim in the 18-yard box. Pilgrim rewarded Green with a one-touch pass and Green tapped it past United’s goalkeeper to put his team up 3-1 and completed his hat-trick in the 45th minute.
UB
His three goals in the span of 10 minutes were the game-changer for UB as United could not score another goal in the match.
“I love the hat-trick. It was good to be on the scoreboard again. I have to do what I have to do to help the team get the victory,” Green said.
UB is at the top of the table in Division I action with seven points. They get the week off and return to action on Sunday, April 27 at 6 p.m.
Photos
by
UB Athletics
ON THE REPLAY: University of The Bahamas Mingoes striker Andreas Cochinamogulos goes up to control the ball against United FC Sunday, April 13 at the Roscow Davies Soccer Fields. Mingoes won 3-1.
midfielder Kevin Thomas on the move.
UB Mingoes winger Dillon Ferguson (blue #12) shields the ball against United FC Sunday, April 13 at the Roscow Davies Soccer Fields.
UB Mingoes captain and midfielder Marlon Barnes makes a pass.
UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas Mingoes midfielder Ronaldo Green scores the penalty-kick.
UB Mingoes winger Philip Pilgrim gets fouled.
MINGOES winger Durron Pratt battles for the ball.
MINISTRY BRINGS NATIONAL TEAMS TOGETHER FOR ‘ONE BIG SEND OFF’
FROM PAGE E1
“While the aquatics team will be going for seven straight and we expect that they will pull it off, we have a very successful track team that is headed out of here,” Bowleg said.
“I looked at them (athletes) during the nationals and the BAISS and GSSSA events, also the track in Grand Bahama, so I see a very strong team.
“I am looking for great success from both teams. So it was great for them to come together separately (in competition), but as one moving forward, upward and onward as a team into Trinidad & Tobago.”
Bowleg said his ministry will be well represented, ensuring that the athletes get everything that they
need to accomplish their goals in Trinidad & Tobago when they land on their separate Bahamasair-chartered flights.
“We are the only country where our athletes can travel to CARIFTA and when they land on the ground, their plane can say Bahamas,” he said. “There’s no other country whose national airlines take them to any destination when it comes to CARIFTA.
“So as Bahamians, our athletes can feel proud that they can go to these destinations on their airline. So for years, we have been chartering these planes to make them feel special.
“We don’t want them to wait until they become elite athletes to make them feel special. We want to start this trend now and
when they become elite, they know what it’s like to be treated like kings and queens.”
The athletes, accompanied by the coaching staff and their parents, were feted to a dinner provided by the ministry. It was the last official event for both teams as they make their way to Trinidad.
Both the swimmers and the track athletes were invited by acting director of sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills to come together in front of everybody on stage to form one unified team.
Some of the team captains were given the opportunity to address the audience.
Before they left the stage, they chanted their theme song that they hope to perform as they cheer for their team-mates whenever they are competing.
water swim before they return home.
The track and field competition will wrap up on Monday night and the team will return home on Tuesday. However, the swimming competition will be concluded on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, they will have the open
Hopefully, according to Bowleg, the swimmers will produce a seventh-peat, while the track team will claim its share of medals to make The Bahamas a viable force to reckon with against powerhouse Jamaica, who is going for
home in 1981 before an encore in Martinique in 1983 and here at home again in 1984.
Track and field athletes ready for CARIFTA Games
FROM PAGE E1
just her first appearance at CARIFTA. “I’m going out there to put my best foot forward,” she stated.
“I’m going to do my best and come back with a medal. I feel I can help this team in the relays to win a medal as well.”
Jade Knowles, who just turned 16 on March 30, said her focus will be on the 800m as she aims for her first individual medal on her second trip to CARIFTA.
“I’m just going to go out there and do my best,” she said. “I want to keep in mind what my coach told me and just to keep my supporters, my mom and my dad and my family in representing my country.
“I’m extremely proud and happy for myself making it on this amazing team. I am proud of all of my team-mates. I know we will all do very well. 242 to the world.”
Jasmine Thompson, a 15-year-old 11th grader at Temple Christian, will be back for her second appearance at CARIFTA, although she competed in the 400m hurdles, but this year she made it for the under-17 100m hurdles.
“This year, I just want to place in the top three,” she stated. “I want to end with a PR. I feel with the experience of competing last year, I know what to expect this
year. So I know what I need to be and I am going out there to do it.” Jayla Smith, entered in the under-17 girls’ 100m hurdles, said it doesn’t matter that it’s her first CARIFTA, she wants to produce a PR and get on the podium for a medal. “I want to make my country, my team-mates and my parents and family proud because I’ve been working so hard for this,” said the 14-year-old 10th grader at St Augustine’s College. “I just want to go out there
and do my best. “It’s been really exciting because this is my first year, so hopefully it won’t be the last. I just want to bring back a gold, if not just a medal for my country.” And her close friend Kei-Mahri Hanna will be competing in the under-20 girls’ 400m hurdles. The 17-year-old 10th grader at Queen’s College is also making her first CARIFTA, but not her first national team. “I want to bring home hardware for my country, make my coach
proud and make my family members proud,” she said. “I really want to focus and try my best to win a medal since this is my first CARIFTA. I just want to live up to the expectations that my coach has set for me.”
With this being a much bigger team than she has competed with in the past, Hanna said she hopes that all of the athletes will perform at their best. But her aim is also to make lifelong friends as she hopes to one day become a professional athlete.
Nathaniel Smith, who is entered in the under-20 boys’ decathlon, said he’s concentrating on being as focused as he possibly can for his first CARIFTA.
“With God on my side, I’m sure I can get the gold for The Bahamas,” said the 16-year-old CV Bethel Senior High student. “I’m trying to perfect my weaknesses in each event. As I go on, I want to improve before than I did before.”
“Everyone is focused and they know what they have to do,” he stated.
“Everyone is on the same page. It’s Team Bahamas. So hopefully we can stay together from the time we leave here until we come back home.”
The team is scheduled to depart the Bahamas on Thursday on the Bahamasair charter for Trinidad & Tobago.
One of the coaches, James Rolle, who has been working with the jumpers, said they are all looking great and he anticipates some big performances from them.
its 39th straight title and 46th overall.
The Bahamas, the last team to defeat Jamaica, won the CARIFTA track title back-to-back twice in Hamilton, Bermuda in 1980 and here at
CARIFTA GAMES VENUE: The newly resurfaced Hasely Crawford National Stadium in Trinidad & Tobago.
TEAM Bahamas’ track and field athletes at Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium yesterday during one of their last practice sessions ahead of the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad & Tobago. Photos: Nikia Charlton
TEAM Bahamas’ track and field athletes yesterday during one of their last practice sessions at Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.