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Volume: 119 No.172, August 2, 2022
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
US FIRM DECLARES WE’RE GOING HOME
Florida company roasts GBPA with 130 jobs lost as contract collapses By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A FREEPORT concrete supplier’s battle with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) yesterday escalated into an all-out war as the two sides traded accusations of “spite” and “harassment” over the former’s imminent closure - with up to 130 jobs threatened. Gold Rock Corporation and its owners, the Floridabased Del Zotto family, branded the GBPA as “the leaders of the most grossly underperforming island in The Bahamas” as they unveiled the shuttering of
STEPPING OUT AT FOX HILL
not just their concrete-making business but also their Grand Bahama-based hardware store and furniture and home centre. The GBPA launched a counter-offensive branded comments as “false” and “salacious”, and accused the Del Zottos of “mud slinging” and failing to give “the real facts”. Gold Rock’s owners have already moved to make good on their threatened exit. FNM leader Michael Pintard said yesterday both the government and the FNM are “quite anxious” to resolve the dispute.
HAITIAN Chargé de Affairs Anthony Pierre Brutus says he believes the only way to discourage Haitians from travelling illegally to and from The Bahamas is to grant visas to the community. His comments came in the aftermath of the recent boating tragedy that left 17 Haitian migrants dead.
FAMILY’S QUESTIONS ON ANDROS DROWNING TWO families in Andros are grieving after tragedy struck their loved ones while out at sea in separate incidents last week. Police said the latest incident happened on Saturday in the Mangrove Cay area where a man apparently drowned. Police said reports indicate that two men dove into waters to retrieve two small fishing vessels that had become unattached from their parent vessel, a 42ft fishing boat. SEE PAGE FIVE
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
While expressing dismay over the incident, Mr Brutus said it was also an “opportunity” for both the Bahamian and Haitian governments to come together to see how they can prevent a similar event from occurring. “Seventeen people died on the sea,” he said during last week’s Office of the Prime Minister press briefing. SEE PAGE THREE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
EXPAND VISA SYSTEM TO CONTROL HAITIAN FLOW LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FACE TO FACE: LESSONS FROM FIGHTING TO KEEP OUR STREETS SAFE
MOTHER PRATT SWORN IN AS GOV GENERAL HAS COVID-19
DANCERS during the holiday weekend’s Fox Hill festival. The event saw a return to the traditional celebration after being disrupted previously by the pandemic. See PAGE FOUR for more photographs from the event. Photo: Austin Fernander
CARNIVAL SETS DATE FOR NEW PORT DREDGING BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net CARNIVAL expects to commence dredging in East Grand Bahama for its mega cruise port in the next 60 to 90 days, a Carnival Corporation executive told hundreds of residents gathered at the Grand Lucayan Resort. David Candib, vice president of Global Ports & Destinations Development, said they are looking to
DAVID CANDIB dredge about 12 meters and have identified some of the coral for transplanting and relocation at donor sites in Grand Bahama.
The $200m port will be the largest cruise terminal built by Carnival. It would be able to accommodate two of Carnival’s largest ships simultaneously. The cruise line broke ground on over 300 acres of land at Sharp Rock on May 12. During the introductory session and project overview held in the hotel’s convention centre on Thursday evening residents were given an update on the
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FIVE
GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius Smith has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, CD, JP, has been duly appointed as deputy to the Governor-General. SEE PAGE TWO
PETER YOUNG: GAMES DELIVER ON CHERISHED FRIENDSHIPS
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
CYNTHIA “Mother” Pratt sworn in as Deputy to the Governor General yesterday by Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
MOTHER PRATT SWORN IN AS GOV GENERAL HAS COVID-19 from page one She was sworn in yesterday by Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree. A brief press statement from the Office of the Governor General announced that Sir Cornelius contracted the disease but no further details were provided. The Governor General tested positive for the coronavirus nearly a year ago. As he is vaccinated, at the time he experienced no symptoms. “Sir Cornelius was tested last Friday, August 13,
(2021) out of an abundance of caution after coming into contact with an individual who was COVID-19 positive,” the Office of the Governor-General said at the time. “Sir Cornelius is fully vaccinated and remains asymptomatic at this time. The Governor-General will abide by the established public health quarantine protocol.” He also encouraged all Bahamians to get vaccinated. Sir Cornelius received his first dose of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine at Loyola Hall in March 2021.
VICTIM SHOT - AND GUNMEN SHOOT EACH OTHER IN FAILED ROBBERY THREE men are in hospital after being shot during an attempted armed robbery on Saturday. Two would-be robbers reportedly shot each ether, while their intended victim sustained injuries during the robbery. The incident occurred shortly before 11pm at a business establishment on West Bay Street west of Sandy Port. Preliminary reports indicate a male proprietor was closing his business establishment when another man armed with a handgun entered and demanded cash. The suspect and the proprietor got into a struggle, which resulted in the proprietor being shot, police said. During the struggle a second suspect, the accomplice of the first male, entered the establishment, and produced a firearm, which resulted in both suspects shooting each other.
The victim and the suspects were all taken to the hospital where their condition is unknown at this time. Active police investigation continues. Meanwhile, four people three males and one female - are in police custody and assisting police with their investigations after they were found in possession of $2,500 worth of suspected marijuana on Saturday. Officers assigned to Operation Ceasefire acting on intelligence conducted a search of a residence on Akel Close, Montell Heights around noon where the drugs were found and subsequently confiscated. Police said the drugs have an estimated weight of two and a half pounds with an estimated street value of $2,500. The suspects were arrested without incident. Active police investigation continues.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 3
‘Expand visa system to control Haitian flow’ from page one “We have to work together to see why that happened and stopped them. We have to continue to work with the government of The Bahamas. We have a good relationship and we need to keep that relationship.” He also said while the Haitian embassy cannot discourage Haitians from partaking in illegal migration, it does encourage nationals to apply for visas. He also recommended that the government improve this process as has been done by other countries. “At the embassy, we cannot discourage anyone, but we can ask them to apply for a visa just as the United States is doing and Canada is doing,” Mr Brutus added. “At that time, The Bahamas government will select who can come in. That happens in every country. The only way we can discourage the Haitian nationals from travelling here illegally is to open up a visa system for the public.” “The Haitians then can apply. The ones that get it, get it and the other ones that are refused are refused. That would be a better way for The Bahamas and Haiti to have a better relationship. It’s about an hour from The Bahamas to Haiti.” He also claimed that some 150,000 Haitians are currently living in The Bahamas. Mr Brutus continued: “There are a lot of Haitians that are travelling that goes to Cuba. They go to the US. They go to Santa Domingo and there are 150, 000 Haitians living here in The Bahamas.” “Around that number, there are persons who are here legally and (have been living) about 20 plus years in this country. The persons
that are here legally can have a better relationship with others that once they come here, they will be able to flow and apply for a visa in coming to the country legally.” Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, former Cabinet Minister Leslie Miller said he was “alarmed” and “disheartened” when he heard the figures. He also called for the government to do more to crack down on illegal migration, saying “we cannot continue to absorb the magnitude of Haitians we absorb in the country.” “I was alarmed, disheartened and scared as hell to know that this man is saying that at least 150,000 Haitians are living in the country so we have more Haitians in our country than the Caribbean combined,” Mr Miller said. “That cannot be right and we have to come with a policy now where there is no way where you can get automatic citizenship because you’re born here and you are legal. Now that’s one thing we have to grapple with as a people and if we have to change the constitution to facilitate that, we have to do that.” “There is no way in the world you can have a foreigner here just for the purpose of having babies to have a population increase that could aversely affect the lives and destiny of our own people. This is The Bahamas. I have nothing against my Haitian brothers and sisters but I’ll be dam--d if I love them more than I love my own people... and if we don’t put a stop to it, they gone overcome us as a people.” In May, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King told The Tribune that officials had seen a marked increase in illegal migration activity over the last several months.
FOUR CHARGED OVER DEATHS IN TRAGEDY FOUR men appeared in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged in connection with the recent human smuggling boat tragedy in which 17 people, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives. The incident happened on July 24 when a 33ft twin engine vessel overturned in rough seas near Blackbeard’s Cay around 1am. Donald Watson, 39, McKenzie Jerome, 53, Euland McKinney, 49, and Wilbens Joseph, 37,
were charged with 18 counts of manslaughter – which included the unborn child of one of the women on board the vessel. Watson and McKinney were also charged with reckless operation of a craft and for not having a boater’s licence. The four were not required to enter a plea and were denied bail. They will return to court on October 28 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.
POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPECTED SUICIDE POLICE are investigating a suspected suicide that occurred on Saturday in New Providence. Initial reports indicate that shortly before 7pm police responded to a report of a male hanging on a property in the area of Marathon Road, north of Robinson Road. Emergency Medical Services responded and confirmed the man showed no signs of life.
Police are uncertain of the circumstances surrounding this incident and said an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Anyone with information that can assist police with probing this matter is asked to contact police at 911, 919, the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2 or visit the nearest police station.
SURVIVORS clinging to the overturned vessel off New Providence.
He said data at the time showed that 1,892 migrants had been apprehended by local authorities since the start of this year to April, with most of those interdictions taking place in March. In June, Attorney General Ryan Pinder described the number of migrants entering illegally into the country as being “through the roof” and higher than ever seen before. A month later, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis affirmed his administration’s position on irregular migration, saying the government will not open the country’s borders to migrants because it does not have the resources to do so. “The world is suggesting that we should absorb all of those who leave Haiti. That’s what they will say to me,” Mr Davis said during a press conference last month. “When I was at the summit of Americas, they wanted me to sign onto an irregular migration declaration but we have our own peculiar circumstances which I keep reminding the world of. We’re unable to open our borders to irregular migration and our refugees either because of our own limited resources.”
PREGNANT WOMAN A VICTIM By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net A PREGNANT woman was among the victims of the recent boating tragedy that left 17 Haitians migrants dead. Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander made the revelation during the OPM’s weekly press briefing on Friday, saying that during the autopsy the pathologist discovered that one of the women was pregnant. The commissioner also said that two of the men suspected of being involved in the smuggling operation are reportedly from the Family Islands – one from Exuma and the other from Abaco. Mr Fernander added: “As I indicated some of the victims had came in from the various Family Islands, so you could see that connection in there.” The investigation of the incident is still ongoing, and more individuals are believed to have been involved based on the police investigation. “It had to be some safe houses and then, where the destination was, somebody on the receiving end,” Mr Fernander said. “So, this investigation is continuous – very much alive. And, as I indicated, our US partners are working closely with us. “So, I want to take this opportunity to commend all of our law enforcement partners who assisted with this investigation. You have the Defence Force, you have
immigration, and then you also have the medical team from PMH. With us presently we have the representative from the embassy of the Haitian community,” Commissioner Fernander said. The commissioner also noted that two pastors have assisted the police in the identification process of the victims. The commissioner continued: “As we speak, they’re at CID and the investigators are mobilising to make this happen to see if we could officially identify some of the deceased persons with respect to this matter. So, this is what’s coming together with law enforcement agencies and working in partnership.” Meanwhile, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Captain Glenn McPhee, who also was present at the OPM briefing, disclosed that search and recovery efforts have been suspended. “However, all of our assets remain on routine patrol to canvass those areas,” Captain McPhee noted. “Just in case for the option that we can reactivate our full-scale search and rescue or recovery efforts, If any detail is favourable to such reactivation.” The Public Hospitals Authority’s acting managing director, Aubynette Rolle, said that five out of the 17 deceased have been identified – one male, a one-year-old toddler, a 13-year-old girl, and two women. She also reported that three individuals who were being treated for near drowning, have been discharged to the immigration department.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
STEPPING OUT AT FOX HILL
SCENES from Fox Hill Festival over the weekend. Photos: Austin Fernander
PAYING TRIBUTE
THE OFFICIAL funeral service for the late Vernon J Symonette, CMG, former Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Parliamentarian at Zion Baptist Church, on Friday, attended by Governor General CA Smith, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Leader of the Opposition Michael Pintard. Interment will take place on Saturday in Great Inagua. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 5
Family’s questions on Andros drowning from page one One of the men, a 52-year-old resident of Pinewood Gardens, surfaced a short time later, while the second man did not. Police said while conducting a search of the area with local mariners, they found the victim’s body in waters 300 yards off Little Harbour Creek, Mangrove Cay, on Sunday. He was identified by relatives yesterday as 33- year-old Roynardo Strachan, a father-of-one. His mother, Susan Strachan, told The Tribune her son was on a fishing trip with several other men when the incident happened. She said “everything was going fine” until Saturday when her son’s friend, who was also on the trip called, telling her he had bad news. “The gentleman who he went with called me Saturday and said he had bad news and then he told me that they couldn’t find my son,” Ms Strachan said. “So, I eventually start praying and thanking God and praising God and then my apostle told me to come by the church and when I reach by the church, she called the members and they all gathered and prayed. “I thank God for them so much because the words I couldn’t give God, they gave to him and I said Lord I need closure and in order to get the closure, I know I got to get the body.” The next day, Ms Strachan said she received news that her son’s body was found. News of his death came the same day as her birthday. “Yesterday (Sunday) was my birthday and people usually get gifts on their birthday but I gave the Lord a gift. My son was a gift to the Lord because my apostle saw him praising the Lord and making it right with the Lord,” she added. Describing her son as a “strong swimmer” she said the family wants more answers as to what led to the incident. “He was a strong swimmer and he usually would catch a cooler of conch and swim back to shore and everything and he’s a good swimmer so everyone is trying to wonder how that could happen… so I want
answers,” she added. The Andros resident said coping with his death has not been easy for the close-knit family but credits the prayers of friends for helping them through this difficult time. The incident came just days after a man was left dead and another missing after their boat capsized off Andros. The fishing vessel – named Molly - was en route to New Providence and had three men on board. They were transporting conch to the capital. Police said while on their journey, the men experienced rough weather and engine problems, which led to the vessel capsizing. The incident left one man dead and another missing, while a third man made it safely to shore, officers added. “A local fisherman was able to rescue a 44-yearold male of Money Rock, South Andros, who was found, shortly before 7pm on Thursday 28th July 2022, drifting in the area of Burnt Rock,” police reported. “He was taken to the Mangrove Cay Clinic, where he is being treated.” “The police have conducted a search of the area where the vessel capsized and retrieved the body of a second male from waters near Mangrove Cay, Andros.” The deceased victim was identified by friends as Caiaphas “Mucka” Forbes. “The entire community of South Andros grieves on the passing of Caiaphas ‘Mucka’ Forbes, a son of the soil from Mars Bay, South Andros who was on board the vessel that capsized Thursday, July 28,” former FNM candidate for South Andros D’Angelo Ferguson wrote on Facebook. “I was saddened to hear of this unexpected and shocking news. My heart goes out to The Forbes Family, the Mars Bay and the Bluff Community and the entire South Andros community during this time of grief. It will take time for us to get through the shock of this loss.” Search and recovery efforts were said to be continuing for the third male at last report. In the meantime, police are encouraging boaters to pay close attention to the weather forecast, and to ensure their vessels are outfitted with life vests for all
CAIAPHAS “Mucka” Forbes, who died after a boat capsized en route to Andros, and, right, Roynardo Strachan, whose body was found off Little Harbour Creek on Sunday. passengers at all times. Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros MP Leon Lundy issued similar warnings in a press statement over the weekend, reminding boaters to exercise safety precautions and always notify family members of their fishing locations at regular intervals. “We have experienced recent tragedies, and these are tragic reminders that life is fragile. Families are forever changed when we lose loved ones,” Mr Lundy said. “We do not want this trend to continue and so we take bold steps that include the practical and the spiritual to prevent water and boating accidents.”
CARNIVAL SETS DATE FOR NEW PORT DREDGING from page one project and told that opportunities would be available, particularly for Bahamians interested in the construction, and operating retail, food & beverage, restaurant businesses, and shore excursions at the port. Candib was extremely happy with the turnout. “We are incredibly pleased, he said. Today is very exciting for us. This is very important for us because the idea is that this new cruise port destination creates a gateway to GB.” The first component of the project will focus on maritime construction, which includes dredging and pier construction work. Mr Candib said Carnival has identified the right location for the pier. “We have identified some coral to be transplanted and relocated, to a donor site in the east and west. That is taking place now with experts who understand that.” He said Carnival knows what it is doing. “We have done that as the developers in the past and have been successful at it. We
are working closely with the environmental agencies and government,” he said. By September and October, Candib said they expect to start dredging. “We are now working with a variety of large international dredge contractors with large equipment to dredge to allow the ships to come in and dock. The dredging is expected to be completed by early January. Carnival will use the material dredged from the sea to elevate the land some 14ft, which was determined according to the storm surge experienced in the area during Hurricane Dorian. By May 2023, Candib said they will begin to see buildings coming out of the ground. The port is projected to be completed in late 2024, he said. Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said the government is confident that the Carnival project will significantly contribute to the revitalization of GB’s economy as a result of the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that will become available. “The future transformation
of EGB and the enhancement of GB’s tourism product with this world-class cruise facility will position GBI as one of the Carnival’s most sought-after destinations, offering cruises and unparalleled authentic Bahamian experiences,” she said. Minister Moxey predicts that it would be “the envy of the Caribbean and a jewel in Carnival’s fun ship brand.” She noted that Carnival’s continued confidence in the Bahamas is evidence of the longstanding partnership that spans 50 years, since the country’s independence in 1973. Ms Moxey encouraged Bahamians to prepare and position themselves for the opportunity that will become available. She said the introductory session and project overview is the first in a series of meetings hosted by Carnival Cruise Line and her ministry. Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said: “these are some exciting times for GB. We have quite a number of projects that will transform the economic state of this island. I commend the
Carnival team and Carnival Corporation for its commitment to GBI and the
people of GB.” The breakaway sessions on Friday will provide
businesses with further details on those various areas of interest.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
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Tensions arise over Pelosi plan to visit Taiwan KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Associated Press US HOUSE Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday for the second leg of an Asian tour that has been clouded by an expected stop in Taiwan, which would escalate tensions with Beijing. The plane carrying Pelosi and her delegation touched down at an air force base amid tight security, national news agency Bernama reported. While there have been no official announcements, local media in Taiwan reported that Pelosi will arrive in Taipei on Tuesday night, becoming the highestranking elected US official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times — Taiwan’s three largest national newspapers — cited unidentified sources as saying she would fly to Taipei and spend the night after visiting Malaysia. China, which regards Taiwan as its territory, has warned of repercussions, saying its military will “never sit idly by” if Pelosi pushes ahead with the visit. The White House on Monday decried Beijing’s rhetoric, saying the US has no interest in deepening tensions with China and “will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling”. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby underscored that the decision on whether to visit the self-ruled island was ultimately Pelosi’s. He noted that members of Congress have routinely visited Taiwan over the years. Kirby said administration officials are concerned that Beijing could use the visit as an excuse to take provocative retaliatory steps, including military action such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, or flying sorties into Taiwan’s airspace and carrying out large-scale naval exercises in the strait. “Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing US policy into some sort of crisis or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait,” Kirby said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also urged China to “act responsibly” in the event that Pelosi proceeds with the visit. “If the speaker does decide to visit, and China tries to create some kind of a crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing,” he told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. “We are looking for them, in the event she decides to visit, to act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation
going forward.” China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation for a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains. Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island’s decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step US leaders say they don’t support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the US government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997. Pelosi kicked off her Asian tour in Singapore on Monday but her purported visit to Taiwan has raised concerns in the region. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong “highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security” during talks with Pelosi, the city-state’s foreign ministry said. This was echoed by Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo, who said stable ties between the two rival powers “are extremely important for the international community as well”. Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself. Washington’s “One China policy” says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative “One China principle” that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader. Pelosi is expected to call on lower house Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun in Parliament before adjourning for a luncheon meet with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Bernama said. On Thursday, she is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, according to Kim’s office. Pelosi is also due to visit Japan, but it is unclear when she heading there.
A DIVER jumps from the Old Bridge during the 456th traditional annual high diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia, on Sunday. A total of 31 divers from Bosnia and region leapt from the 23m-high bridge into the Neretva River. Photo: Armin Durgut/AP
Readers have say on vaccinations AFTER Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis attended the roll out of paediatric vaccines and said the more children become vaccinated, the more freedom the country can have, readers had their own views on the matter. Joeblow said: “Foolish and reckless especially since children are least likely of any demographic to have adverse effects from covid. Sadly, “vaccine” manufacturers can’t be sued for adverse effects from the shot including death!” Ondrap4 added: “The joke is on us. 169000 ‘fully vaccinated’. But the thing expires after 3 months.” Rodentos said: “It not only expires, the vaccine is for 2019 virus... what is circulating has no relation to 2019 virus, the “vaccine” is anyway absolutely 0 effective. How ashaming.” Carltonr61 said: “France donated to us what the French people wise Haitians refused. that should be telling us something. If the Europeans advised as risky to give children the vaccination why us? “However SARS-CoV-2 is a moving target, and the balance between vaccine induced and infection induced MIS-C and myocarditis, and the efficacy of vaccines, may be different for Omicron and other new variant waves that seem likely to arise. Furthermore, the duration of protection against both MIS-C and severe COVID-19 following vaccination is unknown. Continued surveillance and monitoring of both SARSCoV-2 infection rates and severity, and complications of vaccines will be needed to guide decisions on how to use the available vaccines in children.” Bcitizen said: “This is almost criminal, children cannot give proper informed consent to have
this shot and no matter what the spin the long term safety data is unknown and cannot be known for years. Furthermore there is no public health emergency for children. it has been known since the beginning covid has little to no impact on kids. Why are we experimenting on our children?” DDK said: “Actually, EVEN MORE SICKENING. Davis is indeed cruel . This is the same joker who said the mandates should be lifter by SUMMER!” Sheeprunner added: “The politicians don’t wear masks in public anymore ...... Why should we be forced to wear masks??? “Most face masks don’t really prevent Covid spread. And the vaccinated ppl are past reckless when in public. So, if those who are not vaccinated are afraid of getting Covid, then y’all better stay safe and mask up.” Bobsyeruncle took a different view, however, saying: “LOL, 21 comments from the usual conspiracy theorists. The only time you guys & gals seem come out to play is when the words ‘covid’ or ‘vaccination’
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net
appear. You know talking to yourself is a sign of madness, right?” After the president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Belinda Wilson, told teachers to prepare to take industrial action on August 22, readers spoke up on the issue. Sheeprunner12 said: “Please teachers... Vote her out in September. “She is an embarrassment to the profession.” DDK replied: “She is an embarrassment to herself. She won’t be happy until there are no public schools in The Bahamas. Then what will she do for money?” Sickened said: “The 3 month break simply isn’t long enough for the teachers? Don’t worry Ms. BW the gov’t school repairs and upgrades won’t be finished by then anyway.” Tribanon said: “Belinda Wilson just doesn’t get it. Government’s final position is that the funds the teachers want in their financial package are needed by Fwreddy Boy Mitchell to spruce-up his ever expanding empire of diplomatic offices abroad as a matter of much more urgent priority. LOL” • To join in the conversation, visit www.tribune242. com.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 7
$63K OF MARIJUANA FOUND BY POLICE POLICE said marijuana worth $63,000 was found inside a business establishment on Jean Street, off Bernard Road yesterday. The discovery was made as police were responding to reports of a shop having been broken into. “Preliminary reports indicate that around 12.40 am on Monday officers attached to Operation Ceasefire responded and made the discovery. “The drugs have an estimated street value of over $63,000.” Police said no arrests were made in connection with this incident. Meanwhile, 11 weapons and 300 rounds of ammunition were seized on July 24 and July 31. This includes five highpowered weapons and six handguns. “Acting on intelligence, officers attached to Operation Ceasefire, the Central Intelligence Bureau, Fox Hill Division, Southern
Division and South-central Division, confiscated the weapons during five separate incidents. “Two males were arrested in connection with two incidents. Police are aggressively investigating the others and are appreciative of the overwhelming support members of the public continue to provide in an effort to remove illegal weapons from our country.” Police are also requesting the public’s assistance in locating a 2005 champagne Chevrolet Colorado licence plate number AC6569. Reports are that around 5pm on Saturday the truck along with an undisclosed amount of cash, was stolen from the front of a business establishment on East Street. Anyone with information who can assist police in locating the truck is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2.
POLICE FIND DRUGS BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama police discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana in the Pinder’s Point area this week. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle said shortly after 5pm on Wednesday, a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit went to an area in Pinder’s Point where they saw a group of men through a track road. He said the men fled the area after seeing the officers. Police searched the area and found a brown paper bag hidden behind an old television. ASP Rolle said the bag contained 1.5 pounds of suspected marijuana, with an estimated street value of $1,500. There was no arrest, and investigations are continuing. • Police launched two joint operations that resulted in the arrests of four men and one woman following the discovery of dangerous drugs at two residences in Grand Bahama on Wednesday. ASP Rolle reported that shortly after 9pm a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, Mobile Patrol Unit, Intelligence
Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit, and K-9 unit, K-9s Barco and Aries, executed a search warrant on a residence situated on George Mack Way, Mack Town. When police arrived, a man sitting at the entrance of the residence fled. ASP Rolle said that another man identified as the owner was shown the warrant. He said police found suspected marijuana in a bedroom drawer. Mr Rolle said that K-9 Barco also searched a derelict building on the same premises. A brown box, containing a large quantity of suspected marijuana, was also found. He said two men were arrested and taken into police custody. ASP Rolle said the suspected marijuana weighed in at 1.5 pounds, with an estimated street value of $1,500.00. In the second incident, the team executed a search warrant shortly before 10pm at a residence situated on Williams Way. While searching the kitchen, officers discovered a clear plastic bag with a quantity of suspected marijuana. Mr Rolle said two men and a woman were arrested and taken into police custody. He said investigations are continuing into both matters.
CHARGES EXPECTED ’S A POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said a man is expected to be charged early this week in connection with the death of Kenton Seymour Jr. “I’m happy to say this morning that we have an individual who is in custody and he is expected to be charged early next week,” Commissioner Fernander said in an update at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. “Investigators are still on the ground and we are moving forward and swiftly with respect to that.” He also provided updates on two other shooting incidents. “Also the matter at Peter Street happened just a week and half or so (ago) we also have an adult male in custody who is assisting with the investigation.
“He too should be charged next week and the third matter which occurred at Pinewood Gardens where the individual who was shot was shot by his partner. One of the individuals in that turned themselves in. “This is after information was put on the ground with respect to the individuals and he turned himself in so he is also assisting with that investigation and it’s closed. “I want to say that we want to prevent these matters from happening. So, we are aggressively on the ground working with our law enforcement partners.” The child was hit by a stray bullet last Tuesday as his mother held him in her lap inside their vehicle. He was taken to the hospital but later died.
TWO POLICE HURT AS CAR OVERTURNS TWO police officers are said to be recuperating after their marked police cruiser overturned in Pinewood Gardens. The accident reportedly occurred at around 11.45 pm on Friday at the intersection of Plane and Pigeon Plum Streets. Preliminary reports indicate the officers were travelling north on Pigeon Plum Street in a marked white Dodge Charger, when a white Ford Ranger
travellng west on Plane Street collided with them, which resulted in both vehicles being overturned. The drivers were all taken to the hospital via Emergency Medical Services personnel where the officers were treated and discharged. The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 40-year-old male of southwestern New Providence remains in hospital in fair condition. Investigations continue.
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Judiciary honours departing Moree By: PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net MEMBERS of the Bahamas Judiciary extended best wishes to outgoing Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree in a touching farewell event on Friday at the Magistrate’s Court Boardroom. Senior members of the Bahamas Judiciary service including several magistrates and Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt praised Sir Brian for the notable changes brought into the system during his tenure in the post. Sir Moree assumed the post of Chief Justice on June 12, 2019 after his predecessor Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs died. Upon Sir Moree’s retirement on August 4 Justice Ian Winder will inherit the mantle of Chief Justice on August 5. While thanking Justice Moree on behalf of the Magistrate’s Court, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt pointed to some of the landmark reforms implemented in the judiciary under his tenure. These include extending the Magistrates bail granting jurisdictions and the introduction of the digital recording system through the speech to text court stenography initiative. “The Chief Justice (CJ) would have not pioneered but he certainly endorsed and put the finish touches on our digital reporting unit and machinery and that is very very necessary. It’s not quite up to speed but the annals of history would record that the Chief Justice was responsible for making the speech to text feature come alive in the magistrate’s court,” FergusonPratt said.
“And I want to pause there because I know when this project first came on stream that was one of the questions that I asked, ‘why do we not have that feature?’ And the technology was not to that point. But through the CJ we are able to be the beneficiaries of that very modern feature, which I am told is on the cutting edge of technology and it is very helpful. I have just been sitting in court taking evidence and the laborious process of hand taking notes. I am grateful that it will soon be something of the past. “I also want to commend the CJ also for the bail management project which he has been very much instrumental in. You know there was a time when Magistrates had very limited powers in terms of who we could hear on bail applications. It was during the CJ’s administration that I believe he used his influence to ensure that a lot of powers and jurisdictions was returned to magistrates, particularly because we as magistrates hear the cases in any event. And it seemed a little bit of a paradox that we could hear the evidence of a case but we were not able to adjudicate on the question of bail.” The Chief Magistrate also briefly touched on the mutual respect she shared with the outgoing Chief Justice before wishing Justice Moree well as he embarks on the next stage of his life. “I don’t intend to give a blow by blow accounting of all the things the CJ has done. He has worked hard and as is normal in the general scheme of things we may not always agree but we have always had a respectful
division of thought. And so I join with my colleagues CJ who wish you well.” After her remarks Chief Magistrate Ferguson presented Chief Justice Moree with a commemorative plaque along with a painting and flowers as a token of their gratitude. In his farewell remarks Chief Justice Moree said he was thankful for the gifts and expressed his sincere gratitude for their continued vital work in service of the nation. He said: “I’d like to thank you for your lovely gifts which will be a constant reminder of my tenure. I have a feeling it will have a prominent spot in wherever my office is or in my study at home. Thank you very much. The magistrate’s court is obviously one of the most critical parts of the administration of Justice in the Bahamas. I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t know but I want to tell you directly. We’ve all said your volume of cases is more than the Supreme Court, more than the Court of Appeals and you have more people going through this building during the course of a week than some of the other levels of court have in the course of a month. “A high volume of cases ranging from all sorts of different matters you have to have multiple skill sets and let’s be frank about it you’re not working under the best of conditions and that even makes the job more difficult. So, I want you to know that contrary to what others might say or what you might think, you have a profound respect and recognition of the role that Magistrates play in the court system towards the administration of Justice so I thank you for your service.”
PAGE 8, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Lessons to learn from a lifetime fighting to keep our streets safe Face to Face
DOUGLAS Hanna Sr contends that he has likely solved more homicides and major crimes than any other detective in the history of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. This retired superintendent has lived a life of dedication and pas- By FELICITY DARVILLE sion, protecting the lives of his countrymen. He took “Community policing to the streets and came and consultative policing is face to face with criminals. the start. Police and memHe helped carve out suc- bers of the public have to cessful tactics against the get together and come to drug trade. His life was a common ground on how on the line on many occa- the community should be sions; even one in which policed.” a criminal put a gun to his The Urban Renewal Prohead. But through it all, his gramme, he pointed out, is love for community and his an excellent one in which desire to give back to his there is a firm partnership country remains stronger with the Royal Bahamas than ever. Police Force (RBPF). OfficNow, as he celebrates ers are involved in the his 70th birthday, Doug- community activities and las shares wisdom that children’s programmes, could help officers still on often serving as menthe frontline of the battle tors for inner city kids. He against crime. believes more “Prevention civic organi‘These officers, and deterrence sations and are important young and eager NGOs should aspects of the to police the involve the work that the police in their streets, may be police must better utilised by programmes. do,” he said. Neighbour“We fight being involved hood watch crime; but we groups proin community need to stop the vide another policing, gaining opportunity crime.” In light of intelligence from for community/ alarming incipolice partdents of gun the people they nerships, he violence in New know. Together, said. With Providence, neighbourthe police and including one hood watch the public which recently programmes claimed the can work to now supported life of a four- effectively stop by legislation, year-old child, Douglas hopes crime before I spoke with to see commuDouglas about it happens.’ nities all over the state of the New Provination. He told me the part- dence implement robust nership between the police programmes and involve and members of the public the police every step of the is critical to stemming the way. tide of gun crimes and murDouglas then pointed to ders. These are the areas of intelligence-led policing real concern, he said, noting and technology as importhat in other areas of crime, tant tools in the fight. The the police are managing to RBPF also needs as much be effective. resources as possible to “The police are doing increase manpower, vehifairly well given the cir- cles and technology, he said. cumstances; but we must During his 32 years of continue to find innovative service to the RBPF, Dougways to solve the problems las served at the forefront we face,” he said. of crime fighting. He spent
25 years as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). During times when criminal activity became unacceptably high, Police Force leaders assigned Douglas to lead special force teams in an attempt to stem the flow of crime. “In early 1992, when there was a sharp increase in criminal activity in Nassau, I led a team of officers known as ‘Sweep Unit’ whose objective was to stop the rise in criminal actives by apprehending offenders and preventing criminal activities,” he recalled. “History shows that this was arguably one of the most effective crimefighting units ever. Police officers were led on walkabouts; sometimes patrolling almost the entire island on foot. Criminals stayed at home when the Sweep Unit was visible. Many nights, people on the street would say to me: ‘Dougie, the bad boys staying in tonight; they see the camouflage hat out tonight!’ Crime prevention was very effective.” Leading the Sweep Unit was challenging, because Douglas was still performing duties as Assistant Superintendent at CID. He was managing investigations and investigators during the day and leading the Sweep Unit at night. This was a time when he got only four hours sleep on
THE TOP brass of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, current and retired officers, attend the 70th birthday celebrations of retired Supt Douglas Hanna (back, right). Among them are: Commissioner Clayton Fernander; Former Commissioner Anthony Ferguson; Deputy Commissioner Leamond Deleveaux; Assistant Commissioner of Police Bernard K Bonamy Jr; former Assistant Commissioner Stephen Seymour; and Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell.
average each day for at least a
year. Douglas was only 14 years old when he completed his schooling. He went on to work as an electrician’s apprentice. By the age of 19, Douglas enrolled in the Police College. This literally changed the trajectory of his life. He grew up through a little corner off East Street in the heart of the inner city called Lucky Heart Corner. As a young teenager, he spent time “on the blocks” with his friends. He had an uncle who was a police officer, but his uncle seemed to look at him just like the rest of the boys on the blocks. When his uncle saw him training at the police college, he smiled and told the young Douglas: “Each generation has got to police their own.” At the time, he did not comprehend that statement, but as Douglas was educated at home and abroad by the RBPF, and as he made many accomplishments, it became clear. Police partnerships are formed and bonded by the people they know. In a small population like The Bahamas, this presents an opportunity for officers to be empowered by the information the community can provide to help stop crime. When young officers graduate from the college, they often spend years downtown, working ‘the Beat’
DOUGLAS HANNA SR, above, and pictured left in uniform. before they are filtered to various areas of the RBPF. “That may be a mistake,” he said. “These officers, young and eager to police the streets, may be better utilised by being involved in community policing, gaining intelligence from the people they know. Together, the police and the public can work to effectively stop crime before it happens.” Douglas had to be brave in the profession he chose to dedicate his life to. There were times when his life was in danger; but he persevered. In 1984, a street gang was formed with the objective to “eliminate Babylon” (kill as many police officers as they could). They shot four police officers, killing two of them. They also shot a prison officer and committed many armed robberies, shooting several people in the process. Douglas led a team of officers to find the leaders. When the alleged leader was tracked down, he was armed with a .357 handgun and was fatally shot while firing on Douglas and his team. In 1992, armed robbers held up a food store. They were found at a local motel by a police officer, whom they shot and killed. Douglas was in charge of the Sweep Unit that night. Former National Security Minister Marvin Dames was the second in command. The main suspect was tracked down to a building where Douglas and his team entered and confronted the armed suspect. After an exchange of gunfire, the suspect was fatally wounded, and Douglas received graze burns across the face from the suspect’s bullet. On another occasion, an armed suspect was on the run after robbing several people. He was spotted in a densely populated area of New Providence. Several police officers were in pursuit and bullets appeared to be firing at will. In an effort not to shoot any innocent bystander, Douglas was unprepared when he came face to face with the armed suspect. He pointed the gun at Douglas’ head and pulled the trigger, but the gun misfired, fuelling Douglas’ faith in God. After a brief struggle, the suspect was disarmed and arrested. From 1984 to 1986, Commissioner Gerald Bartlett assigned Douglas as Inspector in charge of the Abaco Division. The former Commissioner’s charge to him was to “stop the drug traders from taking over Abaco and change the view of the people that the police are corrupt”. “This was another very challenging period with drug dealers trying to land planes in the cane field, on the deserted roads and at sea,” Douglas shared. “Because of the consistent and random monitoring of the mainland and cays to prevent drug dealing and apprehend drug dealers, this was another period of an average of four hours sleep every 24 hours for two years. There were also subtle
attempts to bribe police officers. But the drug dealers did not take over, and Abaco residents knew the police were not corrupt.” Douglas served as the Assistant Superintendent in charge of CID from 1986 to 1992. During this time, he formed the homicide squad. He led the investigations teams in most of the major criminal investigations. He formed the first Scenes of Crime Unit outside of the Criminal Records Office. He also formed and led the Voluntary Bill of Indictment Unit, which resulted in some of the major criminal cases going straight to the Supreme Court. As a detective, Douglas has worked on and helped to solve countless cases, including notable ones. They include: the murder of Cabinet Minister Charles Virgil; the mass murder of the Hannah family in Danottage Estates; the murders of two tourists on Paradise Island during the construction of Atlantis Phase Two; the murder of Catholic nun Sister Claire Haas; and the case of Emerson Thurston who was charged with the “murder of an unknown human being after faking his own death”. Douglas also helped to solve a series of murders related to the drug trade. One of the accused was believed to be responsible for the death of Police Detective Mark Clarke. From 1992 to 1999, Douglas served as Superintendent in Charge of CID. From 1999 to 2002, he was assigned to the Uniform District as Superintendent in Charge of New Providence and the Southern Bahamas Divisions. This was another challenging period. Douglas led a crime fighting unit known as the ‘November Unit’. This unit was mandated to stem the increase in crime and it was highly effective. Douglas performed District Headquarters operational and administration duties during the day and led street operations at night. He retired from the RBPF in 2002 after 32 years of unbroken service. He went on to serve as chairman of the New Providence Junkanoo Parade Committee. He also served as a member of the Police Inspectorate along with Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson and Mr Elliot Lockhart. Douglas served with retired Justice Emmanual Osedabay and Reverend Pinder on the Committee to review conditions at and incidents at the Immigrant Detention Centre. He was on the Board of Directors at the Airport Authority and NAD. He also served on the Government House Review Committee along with former Commissioner Reginald Ferguson, former Commodore of Defence Force Roderick Bowe and Attorney Keith Jones. Through it all, Douglas managed to give such selfless service thanks to his wife Monique, children, family friends and colleagues. They all gathered with him at the Sapodilla Restaurant on Friday, July 22, to celebrate his 70th birthday. The event was hosted by Vaughn Albury and blessed by Dean Harry Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, which is Douglas and his family’s home church. A strong contingent of the RBPF attended, including current Commissioner Clayton Fernander. Douglas, who was born in Spring Point, Acklins, to Gladys Naomi Hanna, gave his all, in pursuit of a safe and peaceful nation. Today, he is still giving back as a mentor to many. His sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. He holds a 2021 National Heroes Award Distinguished Service Medal. He has a Police Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, and another for Meritorious Service. He also received the Queen’s Police Medal, and the Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award. Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of his seven children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 9 FIREWORKS go off during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England, last Thursday. Photo: David Davies/PA via AP
THE Commonwealth Games are a unique event. They are based on the strength of the Commonwealth itself and are underpinned by the common core values of equality and mutual respect of this 56-member voluntary association and the support and assistance it provides. As a wonderful festival of sport, the Games unite the Commonwealth family and are a manifestation of what it is all about – a joint history and shared values together with practical co-operation and mutual support that benefits all its member countries, binding together some 2.5 billion people. Traditionally, the Games are contested in a fine spirit of brotherhood and fair play, to the extent that they are often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’. Like the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games are held every four years in different countries. The 2022 Games are taking place from July 29 to August 8 in England’s second largest city of Birmingham in the country’s Midlands. This is Britain’s biggest multi-sport event since the London Olympics in 2012 and it is the third time England itself has hosted them. The first time was in
London 1934 as the Empire Games; and, more recently, they were held in Manchester in 2002, while, in the UK as a whole, Glasgow in Scotland laid on what were described at the time as the ‘best ever’ Games in 2014. This year, teams from 72 countries and territories – with, for example, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and certain dependent territories competing individually – comprising a total of some 5,000 athletes, both able bodied and with disabilities, are involved in 19 different sports and 280 medal events - with a billion watching the action at home and around the world. Last Friday, there was a spectacular opening ceremony, including a flypast by the famous Red Arrows air display team, which was notable for its exuberance and ingenuity in promoting unity. Even though it was also criticised for an over emphasis on diversity and inclusiveness, it was designed to honour the host city of Birmingham and its history and industrial achievements - which included its traditional motor industry with such vehicles as the Aston Martin and Land Rover - and to celebrate everything it stood
FOR many years, the issue of Taiwan has been at the centre of the US bilateral relationship with China. Some say it is the single biggest flash-point between the two countries and tensions seem now to be at a new high. China claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan – previously called Formosa and some 100 miles off the coast of China with a population of 23 million - is part of China while the US supports it with the supply of substantial military aid and weaponry. The cause of this latest rise in tension has been the leaked plans about a visit by Nancy Pelosi to the island as part of a high profile tour of several countries in South East Asia. As Speaker of the US House of Representatives, she is the third highest-ranking politician in Washington. A US Congressional delegation visited Taiwan last April, but China has protested vigorously against a trip by Ms Pelosi because it maintains Taiwan has no right to conduct foreign relations and firmly opposes any external interference in the island, especially at such a high level. What is more, according to reports, she is regarded by the Chinese as a long-standing critic who is anyway hardly welcome. China has threatened unspecified action if her visit goes ahead and has said that the US should ‘bear all the consequences’. At the weekend, its navy conducted live-fire military exercises in the waters around Taiwan and warned ships to avoid the area, and this appeared to be a show of force to try to prevent the visit. In an atmosphere of heightened tension, last week President Biden had an unusually long telephone call with President Xi Jinping who, reportedly, warned against playing with fire for fear of getting burnt. Apparently, it was unclear whether this referred specifically to the Pelosi visit. But all this should surely be seen against the background of effective US diplomacy in keeping a lid on the Taiwan issue. It is said to have pursued a
policy of deliberate ‘strategic ambiguity’ -- adopted since the US recognised the communist People’s Republic of China in 1979 – which has meant acknowledging Beijing’s ‘One China’ policy without endorsing it. But, while making it clear that the US strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, it has intentionally remained vague about how it would come to the aid of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. At the time of writing, it is still not clear whether Nancy Pelosi will go to Taiwan. In response to the controversy, Biden has said that the Pentagon thought the visit was ‘not a good idea’ but, publicly at least, he has stopped short of forcing her to cancel it because, it is said, as leader of a co-equal branch of government she has the right to go where she chooses. To some foreign observers, in the circumstances this seems barely credible. The US President surely has the last word in preventing possible damage to the government’s carefully crafted diplomatic stance. However, it seems the Taiwan issue is unlikely to come to a head any time soon. Although President Jinping spoke of a ‘historic mission and unshakeable commitment’ when talking about unification with Taiwan at the 100th anniversary last year of China’s Communist Party, commentators consider that nothing will happen - if at all - until at least well after the Party congress in the autumn when Xi is expected to strengthen further his grip on the leadership. Moreover, most analysts believe China is wary of risking an open military conflict with the US with its existing military bases around the region. But why, they ask, should Washington risk confrontation with the Chinese over a visit which seems unlikely to produce any real discernible gain to the US – apart, perhaps, from boosting Nancy Pelosi’s vanity before she soon steps down from politics altogether.
AS L SI LI A FI I ’LL BE HARD TO PUT OUT?
THE GAMES DELIVER ON CHERISHED FRIENDSHIPS The Peter Young column for as a pioneering city that was now hosting the Commonwealth Games. There was a cast of thousands performing alongside giant puppets and amid an array of pyrotechnics - and the consensus seems to be the opening ceremony got the Games off to a flying start. The organisers in
Birmingham claim their city is now one of the most exciting places in the country. Perhaps their enthusiasm is justified given the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation was quoted as saying ‘this event will be one of the greatest and most important editions of the Commonwealth Games in our 92-year history. Our 72 nations and territories are all here and Birmingham looks magnificent – the perfect stage for our athletes to compete’. All that paints an impressive picture but what a billing it is to live up to! In the absence of The Queen, who as head of the Commonwealth has always been present at the opening ceremony of the Games over so many years but now has mobility issues, Prince Charles read out her inspiring message. Stressing that they were the ‘Friendly Games’, she spoke of the coming together of so much shared experience and long standing relationships together with the creation of new rivalries so that people
LA ’S LI MEMBERS of the triumphant English women’s football team (known as soccer in America) said it all at yesterday’s celebrations with thousands of fans in Trafalgar Square in the heart of London – ‘we play hard and we party harder’. On Sunday, this team created history in winning football’s Women’s European Championship by beating Germany, their old rivals and eight-time champions, in the final at Wembley. Called the Lionesses, these new sports stars have become the pride of England as they clinched victory to become champions in front of a crowd of nearly 90,000 – including Prince William as President of the Football Association and large numbers of people watching around the country, with an estimated TV audience of a record 17.4 million. This was the first such victory for the Lionesses and the first major international football tournament that England has won for 56, since the men’s team triumphed in the 1966
succeeded in connecting with one another, wherever they might be in the world, as part of the Commonwealth family of nations. So far, so good, one might say – and many now fervently hope that the Games live up to their promise. The athletics standards on display at this event have always been top class but, according to press reports I have seen, some superstar athletes will not be competing at Birmingham because of scheduling problems after the recent world track and field championships in Oregon. If that turns out to be the case, doubtless the enforced absence of some of them will be a disappointment not only to the organisers but also the spectators. As these Commonwealth Games have got under way, the only jarring note that I have spotted has been an ill-informed BBC report commenting on what it called the need for ‘togetherness for a group of nations whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain’. It
SS S
ENGLAND’S CHLOE KELLY, centre, celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal during the Women’s Euro 2022 final soccer match between England and Germany. Photo: Rui Vieira/AP World Cup - also against Germany and also at Wembley! So this historic win can surely be celebrated as a hugely significant moment for British sport. Already, the euphoria is boundless as people up and down the country celebrate with a mixture of joy and relief after years of disappointment. The Queen has paid
then goes on to mention that Barbados has replaced The Queen as head of state and Jamaica has said it intends to ‘move on’. This refers to the recent decision by Barbados to become a republic and Jamaica’s announcement that it may also change its existing status as a realm. To my eye, this report by the BBC shows a misunderstanding of the position of realms and misrepresents the situation. If any other realms - of which there are now 15 including The Bahamas and Britain itself - wish to become republics, such a change is a matter for them to determine. Should they take this path, it would not mean that they would also have to leave the Commonwealth unless they expressly decided to do so. The majority of Commonwealth countries are already republics - and to suggest that the future of the association is now somehow uncertain because of Barbados’ action and Jamaica’s attitude is simply incorrect.
A
tribute to the Lionesses calling them inspirational, and there has been a flood of congratulatory messages. It is already being said that this outstanding achievement and happy event for the whole nation will stimulate greater interest in women’s football and change it for the good. It will inspire young people to become involved and doubtless lead to further welcome recognition and funding. Having watched the match myself, I think it is clear that these are not only skilled footballers but they have also shown resilience and courage together with a strong will to win. These players and all those involved in the women’s game deserve the extraordinary plaudits they are receiving for their wonderfully successful efforts on Sunday, and all will now surely hope that they receive every possible support in the future – for they have, indeed, done their country proud.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Bin Laden’s deputy killed in US strike WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden expressed hope yesterday that the killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri brings “one more measure of closure” to families of the victims of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Biden made the comments as he confirmed that a US drone strike in Afghanistan this weekend killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri. “He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and we’re going to make sure that nothing else happens,” Biden said in an address from the White House formally announcing the operation. “This terrorist leader is no more,” Biden said. He said US intelligence officials tracked al-Zawahri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family. The president approved the operation last week and it was carried out on Sunday. The strike, carried out by the Central Intelligence
Agency, was confirmed by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Al-Zawahri’s loss eliminates the figure who more than anyone shaped alQaida, first as Osama bin Laden’s deputy since 1998, then as his successor. Together, he and bin Laden turned the jihadi movement’s guns to target the United States, carrying out the deadliest attack ever on American soil — the Sept 11, 2001, suicide hijackings. Current and former officials began hearing Sunday afternoon that al-Zawahri had been killed in a drone strike, but the administration delayed releasing the information until his death could be confirmed, according to one person. White House officials declined to confirm alZawahri was killed but noted in a statement that the United States conducted a “successful” counterterrorism operation against a significant al-Qaida target, adding that “there were no civilian casualties”. The house Al-Zawahri was in when he was killed was owned by a top aide to
senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to a senior intelligence official. The official also added that a CIA ground team and aerial reconnaissance conducted after the drone strike confirmed al-Zawahri’s death. Planning for the operation began six months ago, but intensified in the last two months, the official said. Over the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the US targeted and splintered alQaida, sending leaders into hiding. But America’s exit from Afghanistan last September gave the extremist group the opportunity to rebuild. US military officials, including Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have said that al-Qaida was trying to reconstitute in Afghanistan, where it faced limited threats from the now-ruling Taliban. Military leaders have warned that the group still aspired to attack the US. The 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon made bin Laden America’s Enemy No 1. But he likely could never have carried it out without his deputy.
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ACTOR Nichelle Nichols pictured in 2014. Nichols, who gained fame as Lt Ntoya Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, died on Saturday. Photo: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP
NICHELLE NICHOLS, STAR ’S L A IS NICHELLE Nichols, who broke barriers for black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt Uhura on the original Star Trek television series, has died at the age of 89. Her son Kyle Johnson said Nichols died on Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico. “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration,” Johnson wrote on her official Facebook page on Sunday. “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.” Her role in the 1966-69 series earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with the series’ rabid fans, known as Trekkers and Trekkies. It also earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes that had limited black women to acting roles as servants and included an interracial on-screen kiss with co-star William Shatner
that was unheard of at the time. Shatner tweeted on Sunday: “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world.” George Takei, who shared the bridge of the USS Enterprise with her as Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series, called her trailblazing and incomparable. “For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend,” he tweeted. Nichols’ impact was felt far beyond her immediate co-stars, and many others in the “Star Trek” world also tweeted their condolences. Celia Rose Gooding, who currently plays Uhura in “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” tweeted that Nichols “made room for so many of us. She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Forget shaking the table, she
built it.” “Star Trek: Voyager” alum Kate Mulgrew tweeted, “Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.” Nichols also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping bring minorities and women into the astronaut corps. Nichols often recalled how Martin Luther King Jr. was a fan of the show and praised her role. She met him at a civil rights gathering in 1967, at a time when she had decided not to return for the show’s second season. “When I told him I was going to miss my costars and I was leaving the show, he became very serious and said, ‘You cannot do that,’” she told The Tulsa (Okla.) World in a 2008 interview. “‘You’ve changed the face of television forever, and therefore, you’ve changed the minds of people,’” she said the civil rights leader told her. “That foresight Dr King had was a lightning bolt in my life,” Nichols said.
TWO FOUND DEAD IN BURNED VEHICLE DURING WILDFIRE YREKA, California Associated Press TWO BODIES were found inside a charred vehicle in a driveway in the wildfire zone of a raging California blaze that was among several menacing thousands of homes yesterday in the western US, officials said. Hot and gusty weather and lightning storms threatened to boost the danger that the fires will keep growing, The McKinney Fire in Northern California near the state line with Oregon exploded in size to nearly 87 square miles after erupting on Friday in the Klamath National Forest, firefighting officials said. It is California’s largest wildfire of the
year so far and officials have not determined the cause. The vehicle and the bodies were found on Sunday morning in the driveway of a residence near the remote community of Klamath River, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Nearly 5,000 Northern California homes and other structures were threatened and an unknown number of buildings have burned, said Adrienne Freeman, of the US Forest Service. The smoky blaze cast an eerie, orange-brown hue in one neighbourhood where a brick chimney stood surrounded by rubble and scorched vehicles on Sunday.
BIDEN TESTS POSITIVE AGAIN WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden tested positive for COVID19 for the second straight day, in what appears to be a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug. In a letter noting the positive test, Dr Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said on Sunday that the president “continues to feel well” and will keep on working from the executive residence
while he isolates. Biden tested positive on Saturday, requiring him to cancel travel and in-person events as he isolates for at least five days in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. After initially testing positive on July 21, Biden, 79, was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid. He tested negative for the virus this past Tuesday and Wednesday, clearing him to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors.
SPORTS PAGE 15
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022
Andrews breaks national record in 110m hurdles By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
T
eam Bahamas began competition yesterday at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, and produced a new national record on day one. Antoine Andrews highlighted the performances for Team Bahamas with a new national record in the 110m hurdles yesterday at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium. Andrews won heat three in the new record setting time of 13.36 seconds. His time surpassed the mark of 13.38 set by Shamar Sands in 2009 and the junior national record of 13.67 set by Sands in 2002. Christos PanagiotisRoumtsios of Greece finished second to Andrews in heat three in 13.82 and Malik Mixon
of the United States was third in 14.10. Andrews enters today’s semi-final as the second fastest qualifier in the 12-man field, just behind Matthew Sophia of the Netherlands who won heat one in a world leading U20 time of 13.10. The semi-finals take place this afternoon at 4:10pm local time. In his last appearance at the World U20 Championships in 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya, Andrews ran 14.08 to finish no.23 overall in the field. Also on the track, Wanya McCoy and Zachary Evans failed to advance out of the opening round of the men’s 100 metres. Evans finished fourth in heat four in a time of 10.63. Sadray Davidson of Jamaica took first in 10.25, Hiroto Fujiwara of Japan was second in 10.41 as automatic qualifiers and Carlos Angulo of Colombia advanced as one of the next fastest qualifiers in
ANTOINE Andrews yesterday set a new national record in the 110 metre hurdles at the World Athletics’ U20 Championships at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium in Cali, Colombia. 10.45. McCoy ran 10.67 to finish sixth in heat two. The top three finishers in the heat - Benjamin Richardson of South Africa (10.33), Reynaldo
Espinosa of Cuba (10.41), and Nazzio John of Grenada (10.47) eventually advanced to the semifinal. Letsile Tebogo advanced as the fastest qualifier in
the field with a time of 10.00, followed by Mud Azeem Fahmi of Malaysia in a new U20 National Record time of 10.09, and Puripol Boonson of Thailand finished in 10.20. Competition continues today with Javonya Valcourt in the women’s 400 metres and the duo of Paige Archer and Shatalya Dorsett in the 100 metres. Corrington Maycock is the head coach of the 11-member team that competes through August 6. “We have a strong team with very disciplined athletes,” Maycock said when the team was named. “My hopes is that each and every athlete participates for personal records. “They all competed at a high level all season, now it’s time to execute. Approximately 141 countries are competing, featuring 1,517 athletes in 24 modalities for men, 24 for women and one mixed the 4 x 400 metre relay.
SWEET 16: ‘I feel pretty good racing against these world-class swimmers’ SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD RHANISHKA GIBBS, of The Bahamas, prepares to compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle heat on Saturday during the swimming segment at the Commonwealth Games in Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham, England. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 20 (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Bill Russell, NBA star and civil rights pioneer, dies at 88 By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Bill Russell redefined how basketball is played, and then he changed the way sports are viewed in a racially divided country. The most prolific winner in NBA history, Russell marched with Martin Luther King Jr, stood with Muhammad Ali and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The centrepiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years, Russell earned his last two NBA titles as a player-coach — the first Black coach in any major US sport. Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, his family said in a statement posted on social media. No cause of death was
Jonquel, Page 17
FORMER NBA great Bill Russell speaks during a news conference at the NBA All-Star basketball weekend, February 14, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) immediately available; Russell, who had been living in the Seattle area, was not well enough to present the NBA Finals MVP trophy in June due to a long illness. “We hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and
always constructive commitment to principle,” the family said. “That would be one last, and lasting, win for our beloved #6.” A Hall of Famer, fivetime Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star, Russell in 1980 was voted the greatest player in the NBA history by basketball writers. He remains the sport’s most decorated champion — he also won two college titles and an Olympic gold medal — and an archetype of selflessness who won with defence and rebounding while others racked up gaudy scoring totals. Often, that meant Wilt Chamberlain, the only worthy rival of Russell’s era and his prime competition for rebounds, MVP trophies and barroom arguments about who was better. Chamberlain, who died in 1999 at 63, had twice
SEE PAGE 16
WOMEN’S NATIONAL TENNIS TEAM 6TH OVERALL IN BILLIE JEAN KING CUP THE women’s national tennis team returned from the Dominican Republic over the weekend with a sixth place finish in the Billie Jean King Cup. After completing Group A in second place with a 2-1 win-loss record, the team of player/captain Simone Pratt, Sydney Clarke, Elana Mackey and Sierra Rodgers advanced to the playoffs where they lost 3-0 to Puerto Rico. The team had strong performances in the tournament which featured 17 nations in the Americas Group II. At the tournament’s end, Bolivia and Peru were promoted to Group II with wins over the Dominican Republic and Uruguay respectively. On Saturday, Team Bahamas played in the positional rounds against Puerto Rico. In the opening match, Mackey, the number two seeded player for the Bahamas, ended her tournament with a huge victory in straight sets over Julienne Bou of Puerto Rico 7-6 (4), 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes. Mackey, who turns 20 on August 14, recorded three out of four singles match wins in the Billie Jean King Cup tournament. Clarke, the No.1 seeded player at 20, played a competitive three-setter match against Isabel Snyder of Puerto Rico, but came up short 2-6, 7-6 (1), 3-6 in a marathon match that lasted two hours and 18 minutes. With the matches split 1-1, it came down to doubles as Clarke and Mackey teamed up to face Puerto Rico’s Daniella O’Neil and Julieanna Bou. It took one hour and 30 minutes for Bou and O’Neil to beat Clarke and Mackey in another hard-fought match that finished around 9pm. The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulated the team as president Perry Newton thanked Pratt, Clarke, Mackey and Rodgers for their performances in representing the nation.
SEE PAGE 16
PAGE 16, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Track and field team ready to do big things in England By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — With some changes made to the original list of athletes named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee, head coach Bernard Rolle said he’s looking forward to some good performances from the athletes here for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The track and field competition will get underway today at 10am at the Alexander Stadium where the official opening ceremonies took place on Thursday night. Here representing the Bahamas in track and field are 100m hurdler Devynne Charlton, triple jumper Kaiwan Culmer, sprinters Tynia Gaither and Denisha Cartwright, long jumper LaQuan Nairn, high jumpers Donald Thomas and Shawn Miller Jr, 110m hurler Jahmial Wilson, decathlete Kendrick Thompson and quartermiler Alonzo Russell. All members of the team, managed by Rudolph Ferguson, are in the Games Village at the University of Birmingham, according to Rolle, who will be assisted
BILL
FROM PAGE 15 as many points, four MVP trophies of his own and is the only person in league history to grab more rebounds than Russell — 23,924 to 21,620. But Russell dominated in the only stat he cared about: 11 championships to two. “Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. More importantly, he added: “Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league.” In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden praised Russell for his lifelong work in civil rights as well as in sports, and called him “a towering champion for freedom, equality, and justice.” “Bill Russell is one of the greatest athletes in our history - an all-time champion of champions, and a good man and great American who did everything he could to deliver the promise of America for all Americans,” Biden said. Reaction poured in Sunday, from Obama to Michael Jordan, from Magic Johnson to Boston’s Mayor, Michelle Wu. “Today, we lost a giant,” Obama said. “As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher — both as a player and as a person. Perhaps more than anyone else, Bill knew what it took
by Ravanno Ferguson and Peter Pratt. “I expect the team to do very well,” Rolle said. “We have experience to go along with some athletes who are here for the first time, so it’s a good mix. So I expect them to do their best. I’m looking for some good results. I’m not sure what we will get out of it, but we expect some good things from this team.” As the action gets underway today in track and field, Wilson will be competing in the preliminaries of the men’s 110m hurdles, along with the qualifying round of the men’s high jump with both Thomas and Miller Jr in addition to the qualifying round of the men’s long jump with Nairn. Later in the day, both Gaither and Cartwright will get their first taste of action to win and what it took to lead.” A Louisiana native, Russell also left a lasting mark as a Black athlete in a city — and country — where race is often a flash point. He was at the March on Washington in 1963, when King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, and he backed Ali when the boxer was pilloried for refusing induction into the military draft. In 2011, Obama awarded Russell the Medal of Freedom alongside Congressman John Lewis, billionaire investor Warren Buffett, then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and baseball great Stan Musial. “To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionise the way the game is played, and to be a societal leader all at once seems unthinkable,” the Celtics said on Sunday. “But that is who Bill Russell was.” Russell said that when he was growing up in the segregated South and later California his parents instilled in him the calm confidence that allowed him to brush off racist taunts. “Years later, people asked me what I had to go through,” Russell said in 2008. “Unfortunately, or fortunately, I’ve never been through anything. From my first moment of being alive was the notion that my mother and father loved me.” It was Russell’s mother who would tell him to disregard comments from those who might see him playing in the yard.
SHOWN are sprinter Denisha Cartwright, above, triple jumper Kaiwan Culmer, top, Coach Ravanno Ferguson and Jahmial Wilson, above right, decathlete Kendrick Thompson and high jumper Donald Thomas, right, get ready for competition in Birmingham. as they compete in the heats of the women’s 100m. According to Rolle, all of the athletes are in good shape and are eagerly awaiting the start of the competition. Track and field will be the fourth discipline that the Bahamas will be competing in at the games.
Already completing competition is Armando Moss in the triathlon and boxers Carl Hield and Rashield Williams. The swimmers will wrap up competition today, while wrestling, judo and cycling are still waiting to start their competitions before the games are done on Sunday.
TENNIS
FROM PAGE 12
BILL Russell of the Boston Celtics is shown in 1968. Russell has died at age 88. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. (AP Photo) “Whatever they say, good or bad, they don’t know you,” he recalled her saying. “They’re wrestling with their own demons.” But it was Jackie Robinson who gave Russell a road map for dealing with racism in his sport: “Jackie was a hero to us. He always conducted himself as a man. He showed me the way to be a man in professional sports.” The feeling was mutual, Russell learned, when Robinson’s widow, Rachel, called and asked him to be a pallbearer at her husband’s funeral in 1972. “She hung the phone up and I asked myself, ‘How do you get to be a hero to
Jackie Robinson?’” Russell said. “I was so flattered.” William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. He was a child when his family moved to the West Coast, and he went to high school in Oakland, California, and then the University of San Francisco. He led the Dons to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and won a gold medal in 1956 at the Melbourne Olympics in Australia. Celtics coach and general manager Red Auerbach so coveted Russell that he worked out a trade with the St Louis Hawks for the second pick in the draft. He promised the Rochester Royals, who owned the No. 1 pick, a lucrative visit by the Ice Capades, which were also run by Celtics owner Walter Brown. Still, Russell arrived in Boston to complaints that he wasn’t that good. “People said it was a wasted draft choice, wasted money,” he recalled. “They said, ‘He’s no good. All he can do is block shots and rebound.’ And Red said, ‘That’s enough.’” The Celtics also picked up Tommy Heinsohn and K.C. Jones, Russell’s college teammate, in the same draft. Although Russell joined the team late because he was leading the US to the Olympic gold, Boston finished the regular season with the league’s best record. The Celtics won the NBA championship — their first of 17 — in a doubleovertime seventh game against Bob Pettit’s St Louis Hawks. Russell won his first MVP award the next
season, but the Hawks won the title in a finals rematch. The Celtics won it all again in 1959, starting an unprecedented string of eight consecutive NBA crowns. A 6-foot-10 centre, Russell never averaged more than 18.9 points during his 13 seasons, each year producing more rebounds than points. For 10 seasons he averaged more than 20 rebounds. He once had 51 rebounds in a game; Chamberlain holds the record with 55. Auerbach retired after winning the 1966 title, and Russell became the playercoach — the first Black head coach in NBA history, and almost a decade before Frank Robinson took over Cleveland in baseball’s American League. Boston’s title streak ended with a loss to Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Division finals. Russell led the Celtics back to titles in 1968 and ‘69, each time winning seven-game playoff series against Chamberlain. Russell retired after the ‘69 finals, returning for a relatively successful — but unfulfilling — four-year stint as coach and GM of the Seattle SuperSonics and a less fruitful half season as coach of the Sacramento Kings. Russell’s No. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1972. He earned spots on the NBA’s 25th anniversary all-time team in 1970, 35th anniversary team in 1980 and 75th anniversary team. In 1996, he was hailed as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players. In 2009, the MVP trophy of the NBA Finals was
“This team had many firsts with Sierra Rodgers getting her first BJK team nomination and debut on the BJK court, Elana Mackey got her first BJK singles win, Sydney Clarke also got her first number one representation and Simone Pratt got her first BJK team captain position,” Newton said. “We thank God for their successful top six finish among 17 nations in the Americas. The team has returned safely home today. We also thank our BJK sponsor, Fidelity Bank and Trust Bahamas Limited. The team had a rewarding time at the 2022 BJK Cup.”
named in his honour. (Russell never won the honour, because it was awarded for the first time in 1969.) He presented his namesake trophy for many years, the last in 2019 to Kawhi Leonard; Russell was not there in 2020 because of the NBA bubble nor in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. In 2013, a statue was unveiled on Boston’s City Hall Plaza of Russell surrounded by blocks of granite with quotes on leadership and character. Russell was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 but did not attend the ceremony, saying he should not have been the first African American elected. (Chuck Cooper, the NBA’s first Black player, was his choice.) In 2019, Russell accepted his Hall of Fame ring in a private gathering. “I felt others before me should have had that honour,” he tweeted. “Good to see progress.” But to Jordan, Russell stood alone. “Bill Russell was a pioneer — as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first Black head coach and as an activist,” the former Chicago Bulls star and current Charlotte Hornets majority owner said. “He paved the way and set an example for every Black player who came into the league after him, including me. The world has lost a legend.” Russell’s family said arrangements for the memorial service will be announced in the coming days.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 17
Raw Talent Elite wins Summer of Thunder opener By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder returned to the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in thrilling fashion with a local team scoring the first win in the series. Raw Talent Elite got a trio of clutch free throws down the stretch from Domnick Bridgewater to seal a 66-64 win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on July 31. Tied at 63 with 30 seconds left to play, Bridgewater made the go-ahead free throw, and added a pair on the following possession for a three-point lead. The Jaguars’ Isiah Moore made a pair of free throws of his own to pull within one, but Zane Knowles blocked his attempt at a late game winner on the game’s final possession.
Knowles led Raw Talent Elite with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Kenny Isnord and Bridgewater each finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Jonathan AugustinFairell finished with seven points and seven rebounds, Jackson Jacob scored seven and Bradley Branton also chipped in with seven. Moore led the Jaguars with 14 points and seven assists, Owen White had 11 points and six steals, both Kevin Samuel and Marshall Kearing had eight points and 11 rebounds while Julian Margrave scored eight. Raw Talent was coached by Kino Burrows, a former national team standout and veteran pro player currently based in France. Jaguars head coach Richie Riley said the opportunity to compete on a foreign tour will provide several further opportunities for success. “Being able to play this summer on a
WIN COLUMN: Raw Talent Elite got a trio of clutch free throws down the stretch from Domnick Bridgewater to seal a 66-64 win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on July 31. foreign tour is big for our programme. “I did a study on teams playing on foreign tours and most teams that played in them had a high percentage of success the following season. “You only get to do these trips once in four years and the last one I took a team on we ended up winning the regular season title at Nicholls. This trip will help us get better for the upcoming season,” he said. “Going out of the country is
big for a couple of reasons, it helps us with team building because we will have a lot of time to be around each other to build chemistry and obviously you want to win.” The Summer of Thunder schedule includes several NCAA Division I programmes and foreign national teams competing at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena on Paradise Island and the Baha Mar Grand Ballroom.
NCAA programmes expected to compete over the course of the week will include Eastern Kentucky, New Mexico State and Ole Miss. Local teams in action this week will include the Caro Contractors Pirates, Discount Distributor Rockets and Bahamas Select team. The Summer of Thunder was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic, but returns this year with several new ventures.
On Friday August 5, Ballin By Da Beach, the BBF and She Hoops Elite will begin their partnership with several visiting programmes to host a camp for young student athletes. She Hoops Elite will also face the NPWBA All-Stars and Eastern Kentucky. On Saturday, August 6, the venue shifts to the Atlantis resort where Ohio State will face the Egyptian national team and Manhattan College will take on the Abaco Squad.
ENGLAND BEATS GERMANY IN EXTRA TIME TO WIN EURO 2022 LONDON (AP) — Just when it seemed England might again be weighed down by expectations and history, Chloe Kelly made the breakthrough. Kelly’s goal in the second half of extra time — the first time she had ever scored in a competitive international game — propelled England to its first major women’s soccer title on Sunday, beating Germany 2-1. By the time Kelly scored, England looked to be tiring, even with the boost of the home crowd, and struggling to deal with Germany’s fresh substitute players. The game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes at Wembley Stadium with Lina Magull for Germany canceling out Ella Toone’s goal for England. Then Kelly prodded in a loose ball at the second attempt in the 110th minute after Germany failed to clear a corner. Cue the celebrations, chants on Trafalgar Square, and congratulations from the queen. “I always believed I’d be here, but to be here and score the winner, wow. These girls are amazing,” said Kelly, who returned from a serious knee injury
in April. “This is amazing, I just want to celebrate now.” Kelly took her shirt off to celebrate her goal, earning a yellow card but also a shoutout from Brandi Chastain, who celebrated in similar style when her penalty kick won the World Cup for the US in 1999. “Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!” Chastain wrote on Twitter. After the final whistle, the England players danced and the crowd sang their anthem “Sweet Caroline.” The good-natured atmosphere inside the stadium Sunday drew contrasts with the violent scenes when the England men’s team lost its European Championship final to Italy at the same stadium a year ago. The tournament-record crowd of more than 87,000 underlined the growth of women’s soccer in Europe since the last time England and Germany played for a continental title 13 years ago. On that occasion, Germany surged to a 6-2 win over an England team which still relied on part-time players. Two years later, England launched its
Women’s Super League, which has professionalised the game and grown into one of the main competitions worldwide. That has meant increasing competition for Germany, which was a pioneering nation in European women’s soccer and increasingly faces well-funded rivals like England, Spain and France. England’s title comes 56 years after the nation’s only major men’s title which was also an extra-time win at Wembley over Germany at the 1966 World Cup. Queen Elizabeth II’s congratulatory message called the England team an “inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.” The players, too, are conscious of how their success has important consequences. “We talked and talked and finally we did it,” England captain Leah Williamson said. “It’s the proudest moment of my life so I’m going to lap it up and take every single second in. The legacy of this tournament and this team is a change in society. We’ve brought everyone together.”
SKY SCORE FINAL NINE POINTS, BEAT SUN 95-92 IN OVERTIME UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Kahleah Copper scored 27 points, Allie Quigley hit two big shots in overtime and the Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 95-92 in a matchup between two of the top teams on Sunday. Connecticut (20-10) led 92-86 after Jonquel Jones sank 1 of 2 free throws with 2:02 remaining in overtime. Quigley answered with a 3-pointer and Courtney Vandersloot hit two foul shots to get Chicago (23-7) within 92-91 with 90 seconds left. Following a Sun turnover, Emma Meesseman made a go-ahead layup with 47.3 seconds to go and Quigley scored down low with 8.1 left to cap the scoring and a 9-0 game-ending run. Vandersloot scored 16 with 12 assists for the Sky. She passed Lindsay Whalen to move into third on the WNBA’s career assist lead. The Chicago guard has 2,350 in her career now. Quigley had 13 points and five assists, while Azura Stevens scored 12 with 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Meesseman added 10 points and five assists as all five starters scored in
CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) puts up a shot between Chicago Sky forwards Emma Meesseman (33) and Azurá Stevens (30) in overtime of a WNBA basketball game on Sunday, July 31, 2022, in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Sean D Elliot/The Day via AP) double figures. DeWanna Bonner topped the Sun with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas scored 22 with eight assists and five steals.
Courtney Williams had 16 points and eight boards and her basket with 15.2 seconds left sent the game to overtime tied at 84 points each.
On Sunday, Germany was without captain Alexandra Popp — the team’s leading scorer with six goals — after she reported a muscle problem in the warmup. She was replaced in the lineup by Schüller while Svenja Huth took over as captain. The game was goalless after a physical first half in which Ellen White shot narrowly over the bar for England, while Marina Hegering nearly forced the ball in for Germany at a corner before Williamson and Earps intervened. Either team could have had a penalty in the opening half, first when the ball seemed to touch Williamson’s arm as she cleared, and later when Hegering dived to clear the ball and collided with Lucy Bronze. Ella Toone latched onto a long pass from Keira Walsh to get in behind the German defence in the 62nd minute and cleverly sent a lobbed shot over goalkeeper Merle Frohms and into the net for the opening goal. Toone’s goal, six minutes after she entered the game from the bench, sparked celebrations as England manager Sarina Wiegman — the winning
coach with the Netherlands in 2017 — raised both arms in joy. Facing its first defeat in nine European finals, Germany came close when Lea Schüller hit the post and then levelled the score in the 79th when Lina Magull knocked a low cross past England goalkeeper Mary Earps, taking the game to extra time. When the game went to extra time there were echoes of another European Championship final at the same venue the year before, when the England men’s team had a 1-0 lead but lost on penalties to Italy, but Kelly’s goal changed all that. England took control of the game in the final minutes, denying Germany chances for a second equaliser. After the final whistle, Popp joined her teammates on the field and, with midfielder Lena Oberdorf, was comforted by England’s Georgia Stanway. England’s jubilant players entered Wiegman’s postmatch news conference singing “It’s Coming Home” as they celebrated their dramatic win. Wiegman was in the middle of the news
conference when her squad burst into the room, singing and dancing around the top table. Goalkeeper Earps even climbed on top of the table to continue dancing as the celebrations looked set to continue late into the evening. Wiegman remains unbeaten in 12 games as coach at the European Championships after winning the tournament first with the Netherlands and now with England. One of her first moves after England won was to share a hug with 35-year-old midfielder Jill Scott, the only remaining player on either team from England’s 2009 loss to Germany. The game was refereed by Ukrainian Kateryna Monzul, who fled her home country after Russia invaded. One of Europe’s leading referees, Monzul left her home in Kharkiv -a major city which has been heavily bombarded by Russian forces -- and spent five days living in a basement at her parents’ house before leaving the country and eventually living and working in Italy.
PAGE 18, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE BAHAMIAN boxer Carl Hield takes photos with some of the youngsters after losing his fight at the Commonwealth Games.
Africans too much to handle for boxers Hield and Williams By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — On top of what they both encountered at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, neither Carl Hield or Rashield Williams was able to handle their African opponents in their boxing matches at the NEC Hall. While Carl Hield got stopped in the first round on Saturday, Rashield Williams went the distance on Sunday, but at the expense of having to shed 11 pounds in three days to make the light welterweight division, rather than the welterweight he usually fights in. Williams, a 32-year-old professional boxer who was allowed to compete with the amateurs, eventually lost a 5-0 decision to Jonas Jonas of Namibia on Sunday at the NEC Hall. Hield’s opening match on Saturday didn’t last the first round after he got knocked out by Nigeria’s 26-yearold Abdul-Afeez Osoba in the first round in their light middleweight bout at 67-71 kilograms. It was Hield’s fifth appearance at the second largest multi-sporting event behind the Olympic Games, but it was his first stoppage for the 35-year-old in his long amateur career that started from the age of 14. His bid to improve on his bronze medal win in 2010 in Delhi, India, was thwarted by a right shot from Osoba to the head of a dazed Hield, prompting the referee to halt the fight before the ring doctor was called to check on him. Collectively, a decision was made to halt the fight and just like that, Hield was done. However, Hield woke up on Sunday in pain and noticed his left ankle was swollen from the slip in the ring. He was treated at the polyclinic at the games village at the Hilton Hotel where his ankle was placed in a wrap. He’s expected to continue to receive treatment at the clinic until he departs this weekend. “The doctor told me that I had a fractured bone in the joint of my ankle, fluid in the back part and sore tissues on the bottom of my foot,” he said. “The doctor said if I had turned it a little more, it could have been worse. “I know I slipped, but I didn’t know it was that bad. But when Rashield asked me to go with him to check his weight, I tried to put my
foot down and I couldn’t walk. I almost fell. So when I looked at my leg, I noticed the ankle was swollen.” Things, according to Hield, happen for a reason, but he never expected to be injured. Even now, still looking back at his performance, he said he was quite disappointed in the outcome. “The fight was alright at the beginning. I was landing more punches. You could see that he was missing. If he hit, he was hitting my hand,” said Hield of what transpired. “The first hit I got, when I dropped, he came off the rope and hit me and the referee told me to stop turning around.” Again Osoba continued the assault as he went after Hield. When he got him for the second time, Hield turned and his feet got caught on the ropes. As he regained his footing, Osoba again kept the pressure on. This time, after he got hit from Hield, Osoba countered with a right to Hield’s face that dazed him as the referee stepped in. The ring doctor was called and the fight was subsequently stopped, much to the displeasure of Hield. “I should have gotten a caution first and then an eight count,” Hield stated. “It wasn’t like I was on the ground and out of it or I was wobbling all over the place. They just stopped the fight. I’m just disappointed. If you look at the fight, I was winning the fight.” Hield, who resides in Cuba with his wife and children, but whose training camp is based in the United States, said it’s disappointing to see all his hard work go down the drain just like that. “It was a bad referee decision,” lamented Hield, who indicated that he intends to stick around competing until he’s 40. “I will go back to the drawing board and get ready for next year for the Pan Am Games and the World Championships.” Strachan allowed two Trinidad and Tobago coaches to work in the
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corner with him for Hield’s bout. He said while it was a disappointing loss, he noted that Osoba was just that much better on the day. “Carl was in good shape. He was training for the past three months in the United States,” Strachan said. “But in boxing, one clean shot could end your night and that was what was Carl’s situation, one shot. “I’ve seen the best get stopped in one round. It doesn’t mean that it’s the end of your career. There’s always an opponent to come back. He didn’t win the fight and he didn’t go the distance, but I still salute him for what he did out there today.” For Williams, having to overwork himself to shed 11 pounds to make the weight, he said he wanted to give it his best shot and not allow the scale to rob him of an opportunity to compete for the Bahamas. He gave it his best shot, but after enduring the pain going the distance, he was shutout 5-0 on the scorecard to Jonas. “It was a good fight. He was a tough guy. He was the former champion. He did his part and I did my part,” said Williams, who had to fight back in the last two rounds after losing the first of the three-minute, three round bout. “Although I had to lose the weight because I was put in the wrong weight class, I did my best. I’m proud of myself.” The 32-year-old Williams said he spent the past three days starving himself from eating food and drinking water, while dehydrating himself using the sauna and running as much as he could. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old Jonas was much better prepared. “I didn’t want to just make this a vacation trip, so I had to go out there and do my best,” Williams said. “I’m okay now because I can eat. I’m satisfied with my performance. I’m glad I came out healthy and no damage was done to my body.” Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation president Vincent Strachan, who served as the coach and was responsible for the error in the weight class for Williams, said he felt he conducted himself very well. “The problem we are faced in the Bahamas is that you have to be sharp or on the cutting edge when it comes to these competitions,” Strachan said. “The guys who came here from the World Games have fought at least five to six times. “Carl and Rashield haven’t fought in almost a year, so it puts them at a
CARL Hield speaks to the media after his loss.
CARL Hield and coach Vincent Strachan talking with Bahamas team doctor Ricky Davis.
BOXER Carl Hield and coach Vincent Strachan, right.
RASHIELD WILLIAMS, left, and Carl Hield with the Commonwealth Games mascot in Birmingham. disadvantage. At the end of the day, the sharper fighter always comes out on top, not so much the more skilled fighter. Until we could do better in assisting our boxers, they will continue to have problems when they compete at these games.” Strachan said the lack of resources and competition prevented both Hield and Williams from performing at their best.
But he said they both should be commended for going out there and performing to the best of their abilities. “We’re not getting the funding that we need and it’s hurting our athletes. They need to be looked at in a more serious way and not taken for granted like they are. There are some things that need to be done and we hope it will be done in short order for them.”
With his third appearance at the games over, Williams will now switch his attention to his pro career. He’s going back to Florida to resume his training in preparation for his next scheduled fight on September 17. “I have enough time to build my strength back up and put the weight back on,” Williams said. “I’m confident that I will be ready to compete then.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, PAGE 19
TRIATHLETE ARMANDO MOSS CELEBRATES 30TH BIRTHDAY AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — Despite the fact that he didn’t perform as well as he had anticipated, former swimmer turned triathlete Armando Moss would not have preferred to celebrate his 30th birthday anywhere else than at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. As the first of the Bahamian 28-member team here to compete in a final on day one of the 11-day multisporting competition on Friday, Moss ended up with a 38th place finish in the men’s individual sprint distance final of the triathlon at Sutton Park. Moss’ time of one hour, seven minutes and 26 seconds saw him behind Jamaica’s Phillip McCatty, who did 1:06.43, but he edged out Mark Ofosu of Ghana, who did 1:09.31 in a field of 44 competitors, who completed the gruelling course. There was no comparison atop the standings as the podium winners were too far ahead with Alex Yee taking the gold for England in 50.34, while Hayden Wilde of New Zealand had to settle for the silver in 50.47 and Australia’s Matthew Hauser claimed the bronze in 50.50. In Moss’ case, he completed the 750-metre swim in 38th place in 11.10, was 37th through the transition on the bike, but dropped back to 38th as he came back in the completion of the four laps on the 20-kilometre bike in 32.34 and he finished off the two-lap 5K run in 21.43. Competing in his first global competition, Moss said it wasn’t what he had anticipated, but it sure beat sitting behind the desk at Price Waterhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio where he would have been performing his duties as an advisory manager specialising in financial due diligence. “The first one at this level was a bit shocking, but also exciting at the same time,” Moss said. “I was surprised how aggressive the guys were in the water. They were all punching and kicking in the water. I wasn’t expecting that. “I also wasn’t expecting it to be that fast because with swimming being my forte, I honestly was taken aback how fast the guys went out. But I messed up my strategy a bit. I went out a little faster than I should have in the water and my legs got cramped up.” After composing himself coming out of the water, Moss said he regained his composure and tried to make up the difference on the bike, but even his best effort wasn’t enough to get up higher in the pack. “If I could go back in time, I would definitely have done about 100 triathlons before coming to this one, but it is what it is,” Moss said. “I’m happy and appreciative of this opportunity and I hope that the Bahamas is able to compete in more opportunities like this by being given slots in these big events.” This was actually the third opportunity for a Bahamian to compete in the triathlon at the games. Cameron Roach was the last to contest the event in the Gold Coast, Australia in 2018 with a 33rd out of 38 competitors, while Grand Bahamian David Bell made history when he represented the Bahamas in 2002 in Manchester, England with a 22nd finish out of a field of 34 competitors. Roach, who returned to the games to serve as the coach for Moss, said it was an amazing day for the former swimmer who only started competing in the sport for about a year anda-half and earned the rights to represent the Bahamas by winning the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Championship title at Jaws Beach in May. “It was am amazing day for Armando,” Roach said. “I think he did a very good job. He was racing against some of the best triathletes in the world and I think he did a very good job for his first time competing at this level.”
TRIATHLETE Armando Moss. As he looks back at the experience, Moss admitted that there’s a lot for him to digest and hopefully he could absorb it all and put it to greater use in the future. “I will take away some pain, but I learned a lot, all of the technical things. I’m raw, but I have a lot of power and speed,” he noted. “There’s just a lot of technical things to learn like these turns. You don’t know how difficult they are until you go through them trying to go through them with speed and trying to avoid people. “The turn at the beginning in the transition was 120 degrees. That’s a very difficult turn to do with speed and trying to get out. You have to get out of your saddle, jump up and try to take away.” While he chalked this one up as a learning experience, Moss said he intends to be back. “This is just my third race. In a month from today, I will be doing three triathlons in one weekend in Chicago,” Moss said. “I’m trying to get the experience so that I’m not thinking about the little things that make so much of a difference at this level. “If I don’t have to be thinking about when I get out of the water if I should put on my helmet first, put my shades on in the right order or don’t jump on my bike before I pass the line. All these things I’m having to focus so much brain power on, but with experience, it would be second nature.” It’s like driving a car, Moss noted. He said there are certain things to do to get going. It’s the same philosophy that he has to create and develop when he competes in another major international competition for the Bahamas. Roach, whose brother Dorian heads the BTA, said they will continue to support Moss in his venture to continue to compete in the sport. “After talking to him, being a former swimmer, he was disappointed in the swim, which I believe he had a decent swim, but in his mind he wanted to be a little faster,” Roach reflected. “He came out of the water in a position to work with a few cyclists. “He worked with them but in the last two laps, they pulled ahead of him as they were transitioning to the run. Overall, he did a great job. He represented his country well. He put in the hard work into it. He did everything once he landed in London to be able to compete here.” Moss’ appearance here, according to Roach, bodes well for the future. “We will continue to train all of the Bahamian triathletes and hopefully we can get more than just one qualifier in four years,” Roach said. “Ideally, we would like to get two males and two females to compete for the Bahamas. “In doing so, we can also add a relay team to that list. That would be a first time opportunity to compete for the Bahamas.” Having completed the course, Moss said he was just looking forward to spending the rest of his birthday with his family and friends, who journeyed from the Bahamas and the United States to cheer him on, including his son, Armando Moss Jr, his mother Pamela Moss, Denez Moss, Sarah Brown, Levar Peterson and Felicia Alphonso. “I haven’t seen my son since I left the US on Monday to come here,” Moss said. “I saw them out there when I was riding,
so that helped me to push a little bit. I’m hoping to spend some time with family, hopefully drink some beer. I heard Guinness over here tastes better than in Nassau.
“So I hope to kick back a little before I get back into training and into reality because I also have a full-time and demanding job working at Price Waterhouse Coopers. It’s tough. My partners in our company are amazed at how I train at this level given the demands of the job. “They are all baffled, but I’m happy that I can impress them. But it’s not anything that is easy. “It’s a lot of sacrifices and giving up on social events and not going to some events and giving up six hours on a Sunday or Saturday to get in the training and the recovery.”
LUKE-KENNEDY THOMPSON MAKES A SPLASH IN 50-METRE BREASTSTROKE LUKE-KENNEDY THOMPSON, of the Bahamas, swims in his men’s 50m breaststroke heat during the swimming segment at the Commonwealth Games in the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham, England, yesterday. He touched the wall first in his heat, turning it on in the final 10-15m to get the win, but he ended up 24th overall. SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 20 (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
PAGE 20, Tuesday, August 2, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
LILLY HIGGS BACK FOR SECOND SEMIS By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — Back for her second semi-final swim at the Sandwell Aquatic Center at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Lilly Higgs moved up to a 15th place finish after she got another eighth place in her heat of the women’s 100 metre breaststroke last night. “It was pretty good,” said Higgs after her clocking of one minute and 12.97 seconds. “Sometimes the night swim hurts more and sometimes it’s a lot better, so I was right around the time I was this morning, so that was the goal. “I would have liked to be a little faster, but just getting out there and swimming and having the feeling of being in a semifinal, I’m pretty satisfied with it. It’s been a great meet. I really didn’t know what to expect coming in here after competing at the World Championships and the Nationals, so I’m really happy with everything.” The 21-year-old Higgs, who was the co-national flag carrier with Izaak Bastian during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night, earned the rights to get in
the evening swim after she finished 16th overall in the heats in 1:12.67 during the morning session. She swum in the same heat in lane two with fellow Bahamian Rhanishka Gibbs in lane one. “I guess 16 is my number in this meet,” said Higgs, who also finished as the 16th and final qualifier for the 50m breaststroke on day one of the swim competition on Friday. “It was good to have another swim. “It’s amazing swimming against these elite athletes and world record holders and Olympic and World Championship medallists. It’s kind of funny just being in the call room and you realise in chatting with them that you are all the same. So it’s been a great meet making my second semi-finals.”
SWIMMERS, from left to right, Luke-Kennedy Thompson, Izaak Bastian, Rhanishka Gibbs and Lilly Higgs.
SWIMMERS, from left to right, Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, Katelyn Cabral, Davante Carey and Lamar Taylor. Higgs was even more honoured to share the same heat with Gibbs, who had to settle for 43rd in 1:01.74. “She just got back from doing the 100m and now we have the 100m breast, so my advice to her was to just go out there and have some fun and enjoy the experience,”
Higgs said. “I think it’s really important for her to get some racing under her belt. It’s been a great meet for her, so just wanted to show her the ropes.” For Gibbs, she’s just elated to be competing in her first global competition. “It wasn’t the time I
expected, but I’m still happy that I got to compete. I know what I have to work on and what I have to improve on,” said Gibbs, the youngest member of the Bahamas swim team at age 16. The Queen’s College 12th grader said she was also thrilled to have the opportunity to race with and against Higgs, one of her mentors. “I’ve always really looked up to her. I always wanted to race against her because I never got the chance at home. I really got it here, so it was really good,” Gibbs added. “It was a good opportunity and I really enjoyed it.” Not only did Gibbs get to compete against Higgs, but she noted that she got to get prepared to face a lot of the top competitors in the world, which has certainly boosted her confidence here. She competed earlier in the day in the 100m freestyle where she was sixth in her heat in 1:01.74 for 43rd place. “My race was pretty good. I executed the race very well and it was a good swim,” she said. “I feel pretty good getting up and racing against these world class swimmers at my age. I think this meet will help to prepare for my future meets. I hope to be back at the next competition to represent the Bahamas.” Gibbs also had some consolation with her parents, Tonya and Randy Gibbs, in the stands. She noted that it’s the kind of support that every swimmer needs, especially when they are making their first international competition like she did. Also competing in that event was 18-year-old Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, who got fourth in her heat in 1:00.60 for 34th overall. “It was alright. It wasn’t my best time, but I’m just happy that I was able to compete in this meet,” she said. “I think I gained a lot of exposure competing against all of these topnotch competitors, so I’m going to go back to training and hopefully will be ready when the next international competition comes around.” Thompson’s brother Luke-Kennedy Thompson also got some extra spotlight when he touched the wall first in his heat of the men’s 50m breaststroke in 29.30. He turned it on in the final 10-15m to get the win, but he ended up 24th overall. “It was a good comeback. It wasn’t my best time, but I gave it my best effort,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here and to have this opportunity to swim at this level of competition. It was just awesome.” Thompson noted that he got best times in both the 200 and 400m freestyles and so he felt he made his family, including his little sister, Zaylie-Elizabeth, and the Bahamian public very proud of his efforts. The event also featured Izaak Bastian, the conational flag carrier during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night. He followed Thompson in heat four with a fifth place in 28.74 and 24th overall. “It wasn’t great, but you learn from every swim, good or bad,” Bastian said. “I learned a little today. I was definitely disappointed, but it is the nature of sports.
It wasn’t my best meet, but I tried my best. I tried to show my team-mates how things are done, although I didn’t perform at my best.” As this was his final individual event for the meet, Bastian thanked his parents Rochelle and Darren Bastian, as well as his brother, Drew, who made the trip to England to support him and the rest of Team Bahamas. Bastian, who has completed his collegiate eligibility at Florida State University, said they have always been there supporting him and so he expected the same courtesy here in Birmingham. Davante Carey, coming off his national record breaking performance in the men’s 50m on Sunday, had to settle for third place in his heat of the 100m butterfly in 56.58 for 25th place overall. “Obviously it feels good emotionally to get the national record, but on the physical side, you have to do so much to recover to come back and compete so early in the morning,” Carey said. “I haven’t been training for any fly events, so it wasn’t in my spectrum, but I don’t want to use any excuses.” Carey, preparing for his senior year at McKendree University, will close out his individual appearance here at the games when he competes in the heats of the 200m backstroke. And Katelyn Cabral, in getting things started for Team Bahamas during the morning session, was sixth in her heat of the women’s 200m backstroke in 2:33.19 for 12th place overall. “It felt pretty good. I actually put all I had into it and I definitely don’t have anything left,” Cabral said. “The goal for me in this meet was to get top 12 for the Bahamas. I gave it all I could.” It was mission accomplished for Cabral. Bahamas’ performances on day four yesterday: - Katelyn Cabral, 12th in the women’s 200m backstroke in 2:33.19.. - Izaak Bastian, 20th in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 28.74. - Luke-Kennedy Thompson, 24th in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 29.30. Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, 34th in the women’s 100m freestyle in 1:00.60. Rhanishka Gibbs, 43rd in the women’s 100m freestyle in 1:01.74. Davante Carey, 25th in the men’s 100m butterfly in 56.58. Lilly Higgs, 16th in the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:12.67 to qualify for the semi-finals. Rhanishka Gibbs, 23rd in the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:18.44. Lilly Higgs, 16th in the women’s 100m breaststroke semi-final in 1:12.97. Left to compete today as the swimming competition is completed are the following: – Davante Carey in the heats of the men’s 200m backstroke. – Lamar Taylor in the heats of the men’s 50m freestyle. – Katelyn Cabral in the heats of the women’s 50m backstroke. – Mixed 4 x 100m medley relay team.