THE Bahamas Golf Federation's junior national team fnished with its third consecutive third place and a top spot in the girls’ 15-and-under fight at the 2026 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships. The championships wrapped up yesterday at the Playa Dorada Golf Club in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, with Team Bahamas scoring 121-50 behind champions Puerto Rico
with 153.50 and the Dominican Republic got second 136.
However, individually, The Bahamas had a pair of top three fnishers in the girls’ 15-and-under fight with Haley Hall and Anissa Robinson coming in second and third respectively,
while sisters Zaire and Zion Poiter fnished third and fourth in the girls’ 11-13 fight. And Maddison Carroll was fourth in the 18-and-under-fight.
Kerrington Rolle had the best individual showing on the boys' side when
he placed ffth in the 18-and-under fight. Archie Michelmore was sixth in the boys’ 11-13 fight and in the boys 15-and-under fight, Nie Kai Wilson and Rashawn Hanna were sixth and seventh overall.
Team manager Gina Gonzalez-Rolle said it was a lot of challenges for Team Bahamas, considering the fact that it was extremely hot in the Dominican Republic and some of the players were not feeling their best.
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bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WITH the team assembled, head coach Mikhail McLean said there's only one goal for The Bahamas men's national basketball team and that is to "win" their opening game tonight against Jamaica.
The Bahamas will complete its frst round of the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifcation when they host Jamaica tonight at 8pm at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and Puerto Rico on Monday at 7pm. The Bahamas, ranked at number 40 in the world, is currently 1-3 in Group B. In their previous meeting, Team Bahamas knocked of Jamaica 99-96 in Jamaica on February 26, but lost to Puerto Rico 71-66 on March 1.
In their only other match-up in the group, The Bahamas lost to Canada 111-75 on November 28 and 94-88 on December 1. McLean, who has taken over the head coaching job
from American Chris DeMarco, who is now the head coach of the New York Liberty and Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones in the WNBA, said the public will be pleased with the line-up they will have on the foor tonight.
"We have a good group. We will have our guys on the foor. We will be ready to rock and roll," said McLean, noting that they waited until the deadline last night to submit the names of the players on the team.
"We will play some exciting basketball, fast paced, shooting a bunch of threes and defending and rebounding. We will be displaying our athleticism and toughness."
The team is coming of a mini-camp in Miami, Florida, where McLean said the coaching staf got to view all of the pros and vets and the young guys like Franco Miller, Domnick Bridgewater, Samuel Hunter and Deyton Albury.
"We have a lot of guys who can play multiple
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THE Bahamas is expected to be represented by more than 20 athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of the month.
While the Bahamas Olympic Committee has not yet released the names, The Bahamas is expected to participate in four of the 10
disciplines at the games, set for July 23 to August 2. According to Roy Colebrook, one of the BOC's vice presidents, who will serve as the chef de mission at the games, the BOC is preparing to send two boxers, two judokans, six swimmers and at least another 10 or more track and feld athletes. "We are still fnalising the list, as it pertains to track and feld, and so we will not release the names
of the team as yet," said Colebrook, who is expected to be assisted by team manager D'Arcy Rahming, another BOC vice president. "I think it's a solid team we have put together," Colebrook said. "I think we have a well-experienced team. We have persons who have been selected on this team, who have been here a couple of times, most of them. "So I think we will do well. I think the Bahamian people will see the
strength of the team once it is announced." Colebrook said while they are fnalising travel arrangements, he cannot disclose the names of the members of the team until the BOC has completed the list of participants.
According to Colebrook, the team will be leaving between July 20-24, based on which location they will be coming from and the disciplines that they will participate in.Colebook
said Team Bahamas will have representation at the games by the time the opening ceremonies get underway on July 23. He declined to say who will arrive frst to participate in the ceremony. For the frst time in the event's history, the ceremony will be held indoors at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow, Scotland, and will feature a cast of 600 local performers. The ceremony kicks of 10 days of
FOR athletes in The Bahamas, training in the heat is simply part of life. Whether it is a track athlete completing sprint sessions in the afternoon sun, a swimmer performing dryland conditioning, a baseball player spending hours on the feld, or a basketball team practicing in a warm gymnasium, environmental heat becomes another training stimulus that the body must learn to manage. Many athletes view the heat as the enemy. It makes workouts feel harder, causes fatigue to develop more quickly, and often reduces performance. Yet from a sports medicine perspective, heat is neither good nor bad. Like resistance training or sprinting, heat is simply another physiological stressor. When applied appropriately, the body adapts remarkably well. When ignored or underestimated, it becomes a major contributor to fatigue, poor performance, and potentially life-threatening illness. One of the frst physiological changes that occurs during exercise in the heat is an increase in cardiovascular demand. As body temperature rises, the skin requires greater blood fow to dissipate heat through sweating and radiation. At the same time, the working muscles continue
demanding oxygen and nutrients. The heart is therefore forced to perform two critical jobs simultaneously: supporting muscular work while also cooling the body. Heart rate increases, even when exercise intensity remains unchanged, a phenomenon known as cardiovascular drift.
Athletes often notice that a pace or workload that normally feels comfortable suddenly feels much harder on a hot day. The reason is not simply dehydration; it is that the cardiovascular system is working signifcantly harder to maintain homeostasis.
Heat also alters energy metabolism. As core temperature increases, the body relies more heavily on carbohydrate metabolism and muscle glycogen. Glycogen stores are depleted more rapidly, accelerating fatigue during prolonged exercise. This helps explain why athletes who train or compete in hot environments often “hit the wall” earlier than expected, even when they believe they are adequately conditioned.
Proper carbohydrate intake before and during prolonged activity therefore becomes even more important under hot environmental conditions.
The nervous system is equally afected. Rising body temperature infuences motor unit recruitment, nerve conduction, and central nervous system function. Research has demonstrated that
hyperthermia contributes to central fatigue, where the brain voluntarily reduces motor drive to working muscles as a protective mechanism. In practical terms, athletes may notice slower reaction times, reduced power output, impaired coordination, and decreased decision-making ability before they ever feel completely exhausted. This is one reason technical errors often increase late in competitions held under extreme heat.
Fluid loss through sweating further complicates performance. Sweat is not simply water; it contains sodium, chloride, potassium, and other electrolytes essential for nerve conduction and muscle contraction.
Excessive sweat losses reduce plasma volume, decreasing stroke volume and forcing the heart to beat faster to maintain cardiac output.
As dehydration progresses, the body’s ability to dissipate heat becomes impaired, further accelerating the rise in core temperature. Research suggests that fuid losses exceeding approximately two percent of body mass begin to impair endurance performance, cognitive function, and thermoregulation, although the exact threshold varies among individuals.
Fortunately, the human body is highly adaptable. One of the most fascinating concepts in exercise physiology is heat
acclimatization. Following repeated exposure over approximately seven to 14 days, the body undergoes several measurable adaptations. Plasma volume expands, improving cardiovascular stability. Sweating begins earlier during exercise and becomes more efcient. Sweat becomes more dilute, conserving sodium.
Heart rate decreases at a given workload, while perceived exertion is reduced despite identical environmental conditions. Collectively, these changes allow athletes to tolerate heat more efectively and maintain higher performance levels.This principle has become standard practice among elite sporting organisations.
Athletes preparing for competitions in hot climates often undergo structured heat-acclimation protocols before major championships. The goal is not simply to survive the heat but to use physiological adaptation as a competitive advantage.
However, adaptation should never be confused with invincibility. Heat illness remains one of the most preventable medical emergencies in sport. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke exist along a spectrum of increasing severity. Heat stroke represents a true medical emergency characterised by central nervous system dysfunction and dangerously elevated
core body temperature. Immediate recognition, rapid cooling, and emergency medical treatment are essential. Every coach working in The Bahamas should be familiar with the early warning signs of heat illness and have an emergency action plan in place.
Recovery becomes particularly important during periods of heavy training in the heat.
Replacing fuid losses requires more than simply drinking water after practice. Athletes should restore fuids, sodium, carbohydrates, and protein to support both rehydration and muscle recovery.
Sleep quality also becomes increasingly important, as much of the body’s physiological adaptation occurs during overnight recovery.
Athletes who consistently under-recover often begin the next training session already carrying a hydration defcit and accumulated fatigue.
Not every athlete responds to heat in the same way. Body composition, ftness level, acclimatization status, genetics, age, medications, and even previous illness infuence heat tolerance. This is why training programmes should be individualised rather than assuming every athlete can tolerate identical workloads under identical environmental conditions.
At Empire Sports Medicine & Performance, environmental conditions are considered another
training variable, just like speed, volume, or resistance.
Athletes recovering from injury, returning after illness, or preparing for major competition may require adjustments in workload, hydration strategies, recovery protocols, and nutritional planning depending on heat exposure.
Monitoring fatigue, recovery, and performance allows training to remain productive while reducing unnecessary risk.
Perhaps the greatest misconception is that struggling in the heat means an athlete is mentally weak or poorly conditioned.
More often, it refects normal human physiology responding to an extraordinary environmental challenge.
The athlete who understands how heat afects the body can make better decisions about pacing, hydration, nutrition, and recovery.
More importantly, they can use the environment to build adaptation rather than allowing it to become an obstacle.
Living and training in The Bahamas gives our athletes something many competitors around the world must artifcially create.
Used wisely, our climate can become one of our greatest training tools. The goal is not simply to endure the heat.
The goal is to understand it, adapt to it, and ultimately perform because of it rather than in spite of it.
ON January 31, 2027, marathoners and running enthusiasts from around the globe will converge in The Bahamas for an extraordinary race experience where elite performance meets tropical paradise.
Run Bahamas Race Weekend promises far more than a competition - it ofers an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
The inaugural Run Bahamas Race Weekend, powered by Four Seasons Race Management, will feature a Full Marathon, 4-Person Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, and the inspiring Colours of Courage 5K, along with Virtual Half and Full Marathon options for participants worldwide. As part of a commitment to giving back, a portion of the event’s 5k proceeds will beneft the Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group.
Inaugural Race Weekend invites the world to run, explore and experience The Bahamas like never before
Set on the picturesque harbour of Paradise Island, Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas, serves as an ideal host hotel for Run Bahamas, ofering participants a comfortable, convenient, and welcoming retreat before and after race day. This adults-only, all-inclusive resort combines authentic Bahamian hospitality with modern amenities, providing runners and spectators with a relaxing environment just minutes from Nassau's vibrant attractions and pristine beaches. Its central location allows easy access to race activities, transportation hubs, and many of the destination's most popular experiences.
Warwick Paradise Island features spacious accommodations, multiple dining venues, ftness and
wellness facilities, and tranquil waterfront views that create the perfect setting for athletes preparing for competition or recovering after crossing the fnish line. Guests can enjoy nutritious dining options, unwind by the pool, or explore the beauty and culture of The Bahamas throughout their stay Designed for athletes of every level — from seasoned marathoners to frst-time runners — the 2027 event showcases a dynamic race lineup set against the stunning backdrop of turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and the historic charm of Nassau.
Run Bahamas will deliver a world-class race experience complete with ofcial timing, hydration stations, medical support, experienced volunteer teams, and
professionally managed race courses.
Run Bahamas is also proud to be supported by a distinguished group of partners committed to promoting health, wellness, tourism, and community engagement throughout The Bahamas.
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) is a Goombay Sponsor of the event. At the same time, additional partners include The Nassau Guardian as the ofcial Media Partner, Commonwealth Brewery Limited, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Their collective support underscores the growing momentum behind Run Bahamas and its vision of establishing the event as one of the Caribbean's premier running experiences. “Run Bahamas represents far more
than a race — it marks the beginning of a premier destination running experience in The Bahamas,” said Marcel Major, CEO of Four Seasons Race Management and RRCA-Certifed Race Director.
“Our vision is to create an event that not only challenges athletes but fully immerses participants in the beauty, culture, energy, and spirit of Nassau. Run Bahamas is helping to position The Bahamas as an emerging global sports tourism destination while delivering an exceptional and professionally executed race experience.”
What truly sets Run Bahamas apart is the immersive cultural experience woven throughout the race weekend. All races will begin at 6am at the iconic Goodman’s Bay in
Nassau, giving participants the rare opportunity to race alongside the shoreline and celebrate their accomplishments in true Bahamian style.
Local runners, walkers, corporate teams, schools, civic organisations, and families are encouraged to participate in this historic inaugural event. Finishers will receive a commemorative inaugural medal with awards presented across select race categories.
Race Course Highlights: The 5K and 10K courses travel east along West Bay Street.
The Half Marathon heads east along Cable Beach before continuing onto West Bay Street and into historic downtown Nassau The Marathon features a double-loop course, requiring participants to complete the Half Marathon route twice. For full course details and to register online, participants can visit runbahamas.net.
and international coaches looking to evaluate players for high school and collegiate opportunities.
WITH more than $1 million in scholarship ofers generated through the Bahamas Athletic Pride (BAP) softball programme, organisers used Wednesday’s press conference to refect on the growth of “The Show” from a twoteam event into one of the country’s premier softball showcases ahead of this weekend’s seventh edition.
This year’s tournament, themed “All Star Survival,” will feature 130 student athletes representing 10 teams, while attracting local
BAP founder and tournament director Dachaye Stubbs said the idea for the programme was born after she represented The Bahamas on the country’s frst junior national softball team in 2017.
“From that experience, three of my teammates and I realised we had to do something at home,” Stubbs said.
“At the time, there were only a few softball programmes and there really wasn’t a pathway for young girls to continue playing after high school. We wanted to create those
opportunities for kids our age.”
The BAP softball programme was established in December 2017 before hosting its frst AllStar Week in June 2018.
“The frst All Star Week featured just two teams with 12 players,” Stubbs said.
“Today, we have 130 girls and 10 teams. That speaks to the growth of the program and the vision we had from the beginning.”
Stubbs said one of the organisation’s primary goals has always been helping student athletes continue their education through softball.
“We’ve grown from having three student
FIFTEEN-year-old
Addyson Munroe capped of an impressive week of tennis by capturing two singles titles, headlining a successful 2026 BLTA AiD Junior Nationals that interim Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association president Marvin Rolle believes signals progress for junior tennis despite recent challenges.
Munroe claimed the girls’ under-16 singles championship before returning to win the girls’ under-18 title, defeating Briana Houlgrave 6-4, 6-0 in the fnal.
“It feels good,” Munroe said after securing her second title. “I worked really hard towards it, and I think I did everything I could, and I think I deserve it.” The 15-year-old said she remained patient after a competitive opening set before taking control of the
match. “I just made sure to stay low on my shots and made sure to make my shots in,” she said. “I just had to grind through the frst set, and then I knew it would be a little easier in the second set.”
Winning the older age division made the accomplishment even more rewarding.
“The under-18s are defnitely harder because you have people that are more experienced and have played longer,” Munroe said.
The championships featured competition across multiple age groups and, according to Rolle, delivered several memorable matches while bringing together many of the country’s top junior players.
“It went well,” Rolle said. “Kids came out, they performed. We had some good matches. One of the matches was like three and a half hours long, so it was good. Overall it was good competition.”
Rolle said the event also attracted players from the
Family Islands, adding another positive element to the tournament.
“The Family Islands were able to come in and play and compete. They did well. Overall, it was a good turnout.”
While acknowledging the recent uncertainty surrounding the BLTA, Rolle said rebuilding junior participation remains a priority.
“Tennis is coming back. We’re trying to get it back,” he said. “It defnitely is not what it used to be. Even with me and vice president PJ and others growing up, there were defnitely more participants. Over the years it’s gone down, so that’s why we’re trying to bring it back up.”
He believes the tournament showed encouraging signs for the future.
“This was a good turnout,” Rolle said. “We got to see the top players and it’s always good to see that.”
This year’s tournament was also held at Baha Mar, a move Rolle said received positive reviews
athletes sign scholarships in 2023 to nine this year,” she said.
“Our athletes have now received more than $1 million in scholarship ofers. That’s what this program is about.”
She said while she is often recognised for starting the organisation at 17 years old, the success of the programme has been a community efort.
“People often congratulate me for starting BAP at 17, but the truth is I didn’t do it alone,” Stubbs said.
“Coaches believed in me. Adults opened doors for me. Sponsors took a chance on me and volunteers gave their time. “The Show is proof of what can happen
when a community chooses to believe in a young person’s vision.”
Stubbs said the tournament has become much more than a softball competition.
“It creates opportunities for young softball players, brings college coaches to The Bahamas and allows families to beneft without the fnancial burden of travelling overseas for exposure,” she said.
“Every athlete gets an opportunity to be evaluated.
“Players from diferent islands build lifelong friendships and the event continues to raise the standard of softball in The Bahamas.”
from competitors and their families.
“I think everybody liked it. I didn’t hear anything negative, so that was good,” he said. “The players loved it. Some of the kids from the Family Islands were staying here, so it was easy to have a room right there and come down to the courts. Overall it was a good experience for all the kids.”
Champions crowned at the tournament included Aurora Christen (Girls Under 8 Red Ball), Phoenix Christen (Girls Under 10 Orange Ball), Jayce Braynen (Boys Under 10 Orange Ball), Rayne
Perez (Boys Under 10 Green Dot), Zara Brathwaite (Girls Under 10 Green Dot), Tatum Culmer (Boys Under 12), Madison Mackey (Girls Under 12), Harrison Van Onselen (Boys Under 14), Rebecca Bitan (Girls Under 14), Patrick Mactaggart (Boys Under 16), Addyson Munroe (Girls Under 16), Patrick Mactaggart (Boys Under 18) and Munroe (Girls Under 18).
In doubles, Synaj Watkins and Julius Williams won the boys’ under-18 title, while Rebecca Bitan and Munroe teamed up to capture the girls’ under-18 championship.
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positions and we have VJ (Edgecombe), Eric (Gordon), Kai (Jones), DA (Deandre Ayton) and Buddy (Hield). Everybody is ready to do their thing.
“We have a combination of the NBAs, the guys playing overseas in Europe and we have a couple of guys in college, so we have a great mixture. It would be very exciting to watch the show.”
The team named last night includes Garvin Clarke Jr, Domnick Bridgewater, Franco Miller Jr, Buddy Hield, VJ Edgecombe, Eric Gordon, Samuel Hunter, Kenwan Smith, Deyton Albury, Jaraun Burrows, Leono Rolle and Kai Jones.
With all this talent assembled here at home, McLean said it’s important that the public comes out and cheers on Team Bahamas tonight.
“We can’t look to the next one. This frst one is the most important one,” said McLean about tonight’s matchup against Jamaica.
“We have to handle business for this frst game and then we will look at the next one.
“We were just trying to take it one game at a time but, at the same time, we’re trying to focus on Jamaica. We haven’t said one thing about Puerto Rico this whole time. We have to handle business tonight and then we will prep on Saturday and get ready for Monday.”
With what he called a talented roster, McLean said the coaching staf have all been a part of the Bahamas Basketball Federation in the past, either as a player, coach or executive.
“To have (Lourawls) Tum Tum (Nairn), Charles (Allen), Nashad Mackey, Mychie (Thompson), Willis Mackey and Moses Johnson and all that he has done, along with (Rodney) Crippy (Wilson), who has been a part of this organisation for 40-plus years still leading the charge with our general manager, LJ (Rose), I have nothing to worry about. I have a great group behind me as well.”
Gonzalez-Rolle said the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico both came with full teams and they dominated the competition. But she commended coaches Keno Turnquest and Fredrick Taylor for keeping the players on Team Bahamas focussed. Michelmore, making his debut on the team, said the conditions were pretty hard.
“It was windy and so it was pretty hard to gauge, but I will practice really hard and hopefully come back and play a lot harder than I did this year next year,” he said. The performance from Team Bahamas matched its third-place fnishes in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2024 and last year in Puerto Rico. Here’s a breakdown of how Team Bahamas performed in the various fights:
Girls 11-13 Team Bahamas was second with their three rounds of 88-80-85 for a total of 255 to trail Puerto Rico, who won with 237.
Zaire Poitier shot 90-8085-255 for third, while Zion Poitier came up with 88-8592-265 for fourth.
Girls 15-and-under Team Bahamas won the title with 77-73-76-226, four strokes better than Bermuda, who ended up with 230.
Haley Hall was second with 77-73-83-233 and Anissa Robinson did 81-85-76-241 for third. Denn Bretchart won with 76-80-74-230.
Girls 18-and-over Team Bahamas came in third with 84-83-79-246 with Puerto Rico winning with 214 and the Dominican Republic getting runner-up with 234. Maddison Carroll shot 84-83-79. Chemari Pratt did 84-84-79.
Boys 11-13 Team Bahamas was sixth with 85-79-83-246. The Dominican Republic won the title with 219. Archie Michelmore was sixth overall with 84-79-83-246. Connor Stevenson came in 14th with 90-86-91-267.
Boys 15-and under Team Bahamas was third with 154-164-161-479. Puerto Rico emerged as the champions with 445.Nie JKai Wilson was sixth with
73-8 4-81-238R. Rashawn Hanna followed closely behind in seventh with 81-8B0-080-241. Boys 18-and-over Team Bahamas got third with 156-151-152 - 459. The Dominican Republic took the top spot with 435. Kennington Rolle came in ffth with 76-71-78-225. Aidan Gorospe was 10th with 80-80-74-234. Luke Graham closed it out with 14th place with 82-81-83 - 246.
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — Argentina has the World Cup titles, arguably the best player of all-time in Lionel Messi, the rich history and a roster flled with stars.
Cape Verde has none of that.
Soccer's version of David vs. Goliath happens tonight at Hard Rock Stadium, where defending World Cup champion Argentina faces a Cape Verde squad with absolutely no burden of expectations going into the round of 32 match.
“I believe we can do a great thing here," Cape Verde backup defender
Ianique dos Santos Tavares, who goes by the name Stopira, said through a translator yesterday. "And this is no exception. This match is no exception.”
A win by Cape Verde would be one of the most stunning upsets in soccer history, maybe even sports history. Think of it on a
“Miracle on Ice” scale from 1980, when the youthful US hockey team stunned the supposedly unbeatable Soviet Union at the Lake Placid Olympics and went on to win the gold medal. This would be a Miracle on Grass, without question. The Argentines mean no disrespect when they say this, but when the draw for the tournament came out they thought Spain or Uruguay would be waiting for them in this round. It was going to be the Group J winner
— three-time champion Argentina — against the Group H runner-up, and most people would have picked Spain or Uruguay for that spot.
Enter Cape Verde, the tiny island nation with a 40-year-old goalkeeper, the tale of how his mother needed help to get to the US to watch some of the group stage, and how one of the longest long shots in the tournament grabbed everyone's attention by playing Spain to a draw in its opening match.
“The truth is that when the draw was decided, the group that we would (have) to face ... there were two world champions there," Argentina midfelder Rodrigo de Paul said.
Spain, the 2010 champion, got through the group stage. Uruguay, a two-time World Cup winner, did not. Cape Verde did, and a showdown with Messi — the 5-foot-7 Goliath, so to speak — awaits.
“The most important match in our history," Cape Verde coach Bubista said.
"So, we are being responsible and also trying to enjoy the match. We did not reach this stage by chance. It was on our own merits and we want to show the world our qualities, our values and that there’s a lot of quality in Cape Verdean football.”
Cape Verde hasn't yet won a match at this year's World Cup, making it the only team to reach the round of 32 without a victory. It had three draws in the group stage; Argentina won all three of its matches,
with Messi starring in each of them. They're even now. It's win or go home. And it's no fuke that Cape Verde is here, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
“We are not surprised, to be honest," Scaloni said.
"They are a good team. And they are not here by chance. We must respect them. And that’s what we will do.” Cape Verde insists it has a plan for tonight. It wants to be aggressive on set pieces. It wants to try to control possession as much as possible. It will rely on a defence that yielded only two goals in three group matches and kept Spain scoreless. And it'll try to be ready for Messi, though no team in the world ever really seems to be ready for Messi.
“We have our own strategy, not only against Messi, but the whole team," Bubista said. “We know they are the current world champions, one of the best teams in the tournament. And we will play against the whole team, not just Messi.”
