SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017
NBA ACTION
The Playoffs, Page 8
CARIFTA swim champions
By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
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TEAM BAHAMAS members (l-r) Samuel Gibson, Tyler Russell, Albury Miller and Izaak Bastian with their medals after the 15-17 Boys’ 400m freestyle relay. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
urther staking its claim as the region’s dominant swimming programme at the junior level, the Bahamas captured the CARIFTA Swimming Championships for the third time in four years. The 36-member team completed the four-day meet last night at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre with a total of 799.5 points. They finished 137.5 points ahead of second place finisher and defending champion Guadeloupe, who scored 662. The Cayman Islands finished third with 622.5 points, Trinidad and Tobago scored 615 and Barbados rounded out the top five with 556 points. The high-point scorer for Team Bahamas was Lilly Higgs with 65 points while her sister Albury Higgs posted 49 points in the Girls’ 15-17 division. Other top scorers for the team included ZaylieElizabeth Thompson with 43 points in the Girls’ 1112, Davante Carey with 43 points and Kevon Lockhart with 38 points in the Boys’ 13-14 and Izaak Bastian
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BFA names FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup team WITH just one week to kick-off, the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) has named the team that will represent The Bahamas in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. There are many familiar faces that have represented Team Bahamas in previous international beach soccer tournaments, as well as some new players who will wear the national jersey for the first time. • The following players will suit up for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017: Julio Jemison – Goalkeeper Making his first appearance with Team Bahamas, Julio is skilful with his hands and feet and one of the team’s top goalkeepers. Jean “Sonny” Francois – Forward One of the quickest on the sand, Sonny is playing for Team Bahamas for the first time and ready to show off his skills. Mark Daniels – Defender After a three-year hiatus, Mark is back on the beach soccer scene adding size and strength to the team’s defence. Renardo McCallum – Forward Known for his strength and defensive skills, Renardo is making his debut as a Bahamas national beach soccer player. Kyle Williams – Forward Considered one of the strongest shooters on the team with a powerful right leg, Kyle is a regular member of the national beach soccer Team. Gary Joseph – Forward Gary is a very skilful beach soccer player who is guaranteed to display tricks and score goals. Nesley Jean – Defender Considered one of the best defenders, Nesley is a regular on the Bahamas national team and a skilful player.
Dwayne “Smokey” Forbes – Defender Known for his quiet and reserved demeanour off the pitch, Smokey is the complete opposite on the sand where he displays aggressive defensive skills. Daron Beneby – Defender Daron is an experienced beach soccer player with great GAVIN CHRISTIE knowledge of the game and strong defending tactics. Lesly St Fleur – Forward With his speed, strength and skill, Lesly is a goal scoring machine and a crowd favourite. Gavin Christie – Forward and Team Captain Serving as team captain for the past 7 years, Gavin is known for his goal scoring and impressive bicycle kick. Ivan “Boogie” Rolle – Goalkeeper With his height and impressive wingspan, Ivan is known as a shot stopper with a powerful throw. Now that the final 12 players have been selected, head coach Alexandre Soares and assistant coach Stephen Bellot will focus on final preparations for the tournament. Jason McDowall, BFA vice president and team manager, said he is pleased with the team but it was difficult to hit the submit button when sending the final list to FIFA. “The coach had a tough decision selecting the 12 members who will represent the country in the biggest beach soccer showcase in the world. We have 22 talented and dedicated players on the squad who are all capable of playing in this tournament, but we could only go with our top 12 players. It was not easy,” said McDowall. Gavin Christie, the team captain, says the team’s chemistry is excellent and with a world-renowned coach like Soares, they are expecting great results. Soares led the Brazilian team to victory in four consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup tournaments from 2006 to 2009. “The team is excited to compete at the highest level and play against the best in the world. We are focused and eager to step on the sand in a few days for the opening game. We are confident that the team will have its best showing yet and we will show the world that a little country like the Bahamas can compete on a global stage,” Christie said. The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 is all set for April 27 to May 7. The Bahamas faces Switzerland on opening night - April 27. The team will play against Senegal on Saturday, April 29 and Ecuador on Monday, May 1. The first and second place finishers from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which will take place on Thursday, May 4.
RENARDO MCCALLUM
JEAN FRANCOIS
KYLE WILLIAMS
MARK DANIELS
NESLEY JEAN
GARY JOSEPH
DWAYNE FORBES
DARON BENEBY
LESLY ST FLEUR
JULIO JEMISON
IVAN ROLLE