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Volume: 121 No.19, December 15, 2023

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‘NO ONE TOLD US MY SISTER DIED’ Family ‘not notified’ as Sandilands patient fell ill and died at PMH

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A FAMILY claims Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre failed to tell them about their loved one’s deteriorating health and admittance to Princess Margaret Hospital, where the woman died on December 5 without the comfort or awareness of her relatives.

Public Hospitals Authority managing director Aubynette Rolle said last night she would liaise with PMH and Sandilands to understand what happened before the woman died and “engage personally with the next of kin” if required.

“Praying for family during this difficult time,” she said.

Her comment to The SEE PAGE FIVE

‘FIFTY PERCENT OF CARS IN ACCIDENTS ARE UNINSURED’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE top traffic cop said it may be time to change laws so authorities can seize uninsured cars after finding that fifty percent of vehicles in accidents this year were uninsured.

Chief Superintendent of Police David Lockhart,

‘It’s unreal’ says woman after fire destroys home

head of the traffic division, said the penalty for driving without insurance needs to be increased.

He said some 6,300 of the 8,000 traffic accidents this year happened in New Providence.

He said some people have been getting temporary cover notes to license their SEE PAGE FOUR

CAROLYN Lewis vieweing what is left of her home on Kiskadee Dr yesterday. The structure was severely damaged by fire on Sunday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@ tribunemedia.netw CAROLYN Lewis and her family lost their home of 30-plus years in an inferno just two weeks before Christmas, leaving them

vulnerable, emotional and uncertain about the future.

The fire consumed the second floor of the two-storey structure on December 10. The building suffered significant smoke and water damage.

“Oh God, my whole world, I was just, it’s like

I was in a dream per se,” Mrs Lewis told The Tribune yesterday after a blaze destroyed her residence on West Bay Street, which housed 10 people. “I literally was in a daze, and it was just so unreal to see.”

SEE PAGE THREE

$98M TO REPAIR MORE THAN 50 MILES OF ROADS

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net A $98M ROAD paving programme will start next month to repair more than 50 miles of roads in New Providence in the first phase.

Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, said Bahamix will be the main contractor for the $98,210,000 programme,

MINISTER Sweeting.

of

Works

Clay

which aims to improve the porosity of 55 community

ISLAND GAME CHIEF LINKED TO AIR FREIGHT DEVELOPMENT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

and arterial roads in New Providence and the Family Islands.

The New Providence portion of the programme will cost $91,207,000.68 and work is scheduled to happen within two and a half years. Sidewalk construction costs $3m and drainage works $4m.

Some $2m has also

THE company charged with the $25m transformation of the Government’s air freight terminal has links to a web shop principal, Tribune Business can reveal.

Registration documents for JDL’s website, which have been seen by this newspaper, name the registrant as Pete Deveaux, The Island Game chief.

SEE PAGE FOUR

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘It’s unreal’ says woman after fire destroys home THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 3

CAROLYN Lewis and her family lost their home of 30-plus years in an inferno just two weeks before Christmas, leaving them vulnerable, emotional and uncertain about the future.

Photos: Dante Carrer

from page one “I’ve been living here, like I said, over 30 years, and my whole life up to this point is just gone.

“It’s like it’s unreal.”

Mrs Lewis, a wife and mother, said after receiving the call about the fire, she dropped everything and rushed home.

“By the time I got here, I couldn’t come down the

hill because of the fire engine,” she said.

“There were like three of them here, and they were fighting the fire.

There was a lot of smoke and I could see the flames coming from my room.

“For some reason, even though they contained it to those two rooms on that end, it was hard to put out, so it really took them hours.”

Mrs Lewis showed The Tribune what was left of the residence during a tour yesterday.

The damaged roof smelt smoky. The walls, floors and furniture were discoloured.

Two of the four bedrooms were reduced to ashes.

Mrs Lewis said electrical issues from a wall outlet started the fire.

She, her husband, and two daughters, ages 16 and 12, are temporarily staying in a one-bedroom apartment until next week, thanks to a family friend.

Ms Lewis said her 70-year-old mother, who recently celebrated her birthday, is distraught.

“I am thankful that everybody is okay and every now and then I burst out in tears because I just

think of some people that don’t have a positive outcome as to say, well, somebody died in the fire, and we don’t have to say that we lost somebody, so that alone is just keeping my spirits up to know that nobody was harmed and that everybody has their lives,” she said.

She said Sandy’s Limited helped the children with uniforms, along with her

church family and various donors. However, she is appealing for donations for building repairs.

“We would be needing a lot of building materials,” she said. “The whole roof has to come off. That section of the house has to be completely broken down because of the walls. They cracked in the fire.”

She can be reached at 1-(242)-434-8855.

Police reward girl who broke-up fight between two school girls

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AN eleventh-grade CI Gibson Senior High School student said she broke up a fight that went viral last week because it was the right thing to do despite risks to her well-being.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Chaswell Hanna presented Rye-Aah Canter with a student commendation certificate at her high school for showing bravery yesterday after she de-escalated a fight involving her peers off campus last week.

Canter, an aspiring nurse and lawyer, urged students facing similar situations not to be afraid to make the right choice.

“Me risking my life to go inside that fight, I could’ve been the one that got (stabbed), but I just was like, this is the right time, do this and then it was the right time because I didn’t get hurt in the process,” she said.

ACP Hanna noted that several fights involving students have resulted in injuries in recent weeks.

“We know we have school resource officers in all of the junior and senior high schools who have been working hard

to improve school safety, but you know they cannot do it alone,” he said.

“And on one particular incident on one of the videos, we have a student who was instrumental in breaking up a fight and preventing two students from seriously injuring themselves.”

ACP Hanna said since police have returned to the campuses, officials have seen a reduction in violent acts on campus.

“The only trend we’ve noticed this semester is dealing with parents,” he said.

“We have a number of parents who feel as though they can come on school campuses and get into altercations with teachers and school administrators, some of it dealing with the grades their children may have had, and we want to remind parents if you have to speak to a school administrator, there is a way to do that.”

He said police would protect students and faculty.

“We have charged parents and placed them before the court for assaulting persons in the school environment, and we want to let members of the public know that we want to do things the right way,” he said.

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Chaswell Hanna presented Rye-Aah Canter with a student commendation certificate (photo on right) at her high school for showing bravery yesterday after she de-escalated a fight (photo on left) involving her peers off campus last week.

Photo: Leandra Rolle

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

$98m to repair 50 miles of roads in New Providence PAGE 4, Friday, December 15, 2023

from page one been budgeted to address flooding issues in the Dowdeswell and Bay Street areas.

“The ministry recognises that asphalt surfaces degrade over time due to weather, heavy traffic, ageing leading to cracks, potholes and safety risks,” Mr Sweeting said yesterday during an Office of the Prime Minister press briefing. “To address this, it proposes an asphalt milling and paving programme to replace old asphalt with new durable material.”

“Eventually, if you don’t fix the road, then you have to not just mill it but rebuild it. So even though this might seem a hefty price tag, if we do it now, it will save the government in the long run because we wouldn’t have to rebuild the roads from scratch.

Mr Sweeting said the ministry will focus particularly on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, Joe Farrington Road, sections of Blue Hill Road, sections of East Bay Street and West Bay Street, DowdeswelDowdeswell l Street, Montrose Avenue, Mount Royal Avenue, Cowpen Road, Windsor Field Road, Eastern Road, Soldier

Road, East Street and Kemp Road in the first quarter of 2024.

The project will include Cat Island, Long Island, Eleuthera, ongoing works in Exuma, and Abaco in the Family Islands.

Senior civil engineer Francis Clarke said the project will be different from the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP), which started on November 2, 2009, took three years to complete and saw its initial $60m budget double. The project angered residents.

Unlike that programme, the upcoming project is not concerned with road reconstruction.

“The NRIP was total reconstruction of a road that included infrastructure, underground utilities and sidewalks,” Mr Clarke said. “What we are doing in this programme is resurfacing and repaving, taking off the old asphalt and milling it.”

Mr Francis said disruption for residents will not be as intrusive as it was during the NRIP. “There will be private contractors, along with the Ministry of Works inhouse paving arm, that will put traffic management in place to minimise any type of disruption,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

MINISTER of Works Clay Sweeting aid Bahama Hot Mix will be the main contractor for the $98,210,000 programme, which aims to improve the porosity of 55 community and arterial roads in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Photo: OPM

‘FiFty percent oF cars in accidents are uninsured’ from page one vehicles without completing the insurance process.

“Once the vehicle is licenced, they don’t renew it and continue to pay for the policy to last for one year and then they get into traffic crashes after the temporary cover has not expired,” he said.

“In order to curtail that, the law would have to change to make it mandatory that you have insurance for one year.”

“Maybe we need to move like our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and the government to seize vehicles that are on the road that’s not insured because we’ve had traffic crashes this year involving fatal accidents where the person who was at fault for taking someone’s life had no insurance and there was no kind of compensation that could be recovered.”

CSP Lockhart said small, imported vehicles make up many uninsured cars.

He said police issued over 12,000 fixed penalty notices this year for offences.

“We’ve seen persons reported three, four times in one year for the same offences,” he said, “so the law has to be more stringent now to make the penalties more severe to curtail the offences.”

Forty-eight people have been killed in traffic accidents this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

THE top traffic cop said it may be time to change laws so authorities can seize uninsured cars after finding that fifty percent of vehicles in accidents this year were uninsured.

Man pleads guilty to stealing $1,200 in Junkanoo tickets, gets six Months Jail

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday after admitting to stealing $1,200 worth of Junkanoo tickets earlier this week.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Gladstone Green, 50, with stealing and receiving.

Green stole 12 Junkanoo tickets valued at $1,200 from Bristol Wines and Spirits on December 11.

After he pleaded guilty to the offence, the magistrate

asked why he did it. He said he “thought they were for the taking.”

He also told the court he has a serious drinking problem.

Magistrate Serville sentenced him to six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

‘No one told us my sister died’

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 5

CHARLOTTE WILSON from page one Tribune came after Zelma Wilson said her sister, Charlotte Wilson, 45, was a resident of Sandilands since 2014 and suffered from schizophrenia.

She said when a friend went to see Charlotte on December 5 as part

of a standard visit, the friend was told authorities had been trying to reach the woman’s family.

She claimed the friend was given a piece of paper with a number for the family to call.

She said before Charlotte’s elderly mother could even come to terms

with knowing that her daughter had been in the hospital since November 22, she learned Charlotte was, in fact, dead after relatives called the number on the paper and spoke to a doctor.

“No mother, no family, should endure the unfathomable pain of being

Royal Caribbean donates turkeys to Bahamas Feeding Network

BAHAMAS Feeding Network staff receiving turkey donation from RCI execs. L-R: Russell Benford, Olivier Colimon, Wendy McDonald, Felix Stubbs, Nicolette Archer, Philip Simon Photos: Moise Amisial THE Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) received a donation of 25,000 pounds of turkey from Royal Caribbean International on Wednesday.

The cruise line’s commitment to BFN began in 2019, with an initial donation of $25,000. To date, with its overall contribution of more than $500,000 in donations, Royal Caribbean International has remained the feeding network’s largest corporate donor.

On its fourth consecutive year of providing significant food donations, the

company is supporting the food supply for hundreds of ministries and feeding centres.

Turkeys will be distributed to more than 120 ministries and feeding centres ranging from small entities with a dozen members to large ones like Great Commission Ministries.

“We cannot thank Royal Caribbean International enough for its ongoing commitment to feeding the hungry and helping the Bahamas Feeding Network win the battle against hunger that plagues far too many in The Bahamas,”

said Bahamas Feeding Network Chairman, Felix Stubbs. “Hunger is a terrible thing to see any time of year, but especially sad around the holidays when everything around the one who is suffering is festive and all they can think of is how am I going to put food on the table? Thank you, again, Royal Caribbean International, for helping us answer that question.”

Russell Benford, VP Government Relations, the Americas, Royal Caribbean Group, who serves on the board of BFN, was in Nassau for the distribution.

OLIVIER Colimon of Royal Caribbean International Bahamas, gives a turkey to Fox Hill community member as RCI executives look on.

robbed and unjustly denied the fundamental right to be with their loved one during moments of distress and in their final breaths,” Ms Wilson said.

She said the family was notified of the death in an unprofessional and insensitive way.

She said the facility gave a “feeble” explanation of what happened, adding that officials had outdated contact information.

PMH medical records they obtained showed Charlotte’s blood sugar was low.

“They said that when she was admitted, it was because she was having seizures,” Ms Wilson said.

“And my sister doesn’t have

a history of seizures, and then they said her blood sugar level was extremely low.”

“Only diabetics normally really have low blood sugar levels to that point. They said you would have to not eat for like days and days to achieve that level of low blood sugar level.”

Ms Wilson said Charlotte’s heart rate was also low, and she had signs of pneumonia.

She said PMH medical records showed Charlotte entered that facility in a critical state. The family now demands her medical records from Sandilands, which they have yet to see.

Ms Wilson said emails have been sent to the

Ministry of Health and the PHA. She reached out to the press after failing to get a response to various letters from health officials.

“The family asserts that the current state of affairs not only falls far below the threshold of acceptability but also contradicts the core values that should govern the PHA and the organisations under their management, resulting in a severe lack of accountability and public trust,” she said. “As they navigate the holiday season, this grieving family urges the authorities to restore faith in the healthcare system and ensure that no other family experiences the profound pain they are enduring.”

PAGE 6, Friday, December 15, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited

PICTURE OF THE DAY

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Experts at odds over Dubai talks THE climate negotiations that just finished in Dubai hit upon the essence of compromise, finding common language that nearly 200 countries accepted, at times grudgingly.

For the first time in nearly three decades of such talks, the final agreement mentioned fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas — as the cause of climate change and said the world needs to be “transitioning away” from them. But it did not use the words “phase out”, sought by advocates and more than 100 countries who argued it would provide sharper direction for the world to move quickly toward renewable energies that don’t produce the greenhouse gas emissions that heat the planet.

For an agreement so steeped in compromise, what experts thought of it, including what impact it could have in the years to come, was as polarizing as can be.

The Associated Press asked 23 different delegates, analysts, scientists and activists where they would rank COP28 among all climate conferences. More than half said COP28 was the most significant climate talks ever.

Yet a smaller but still large chunk dismissed it as awful. Even some who deemed it the most significant also highlighted what they characterised as big problems.

Thirteen of the 23 said they’d rank what COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber calls the UAE Consensus in the top five of negotiations and deals. Several called it the most significant since the 2015 Paris talks, which set specific goals to limit temperature increases and was the nearly unanimous choice for the most meaningful climate meeting.

The two weeks of negotiations at COP28 also put into effect a new compensation fund for nations hit hard by the impacts of climate change, like cyclones, floods and drought.

Called loss and damage, the fund drew nearly $800 million in pledges during the talks.

Nations also agreed to triple the use of renewable fuel, double energy efficiency and adopted stronger language and commitments to help poorer nations adapt to worsening extreme weather from climate change.

Leaders, mostly non-scientists, said Dubai kept alive the world’s slim and fading hopes to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures, the goal adopted in Paris. The world has already warmed 1.2 degrees (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Many scientific calculations that look at policies and pledges project at least 2.5 to nearly 3 degrees of warming (4.3 to nearly 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit), which could lead to more extremes and make it harder for humans to adapt.

Negotiators, who spent late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning in special closed-door meetings with al-Jaber before the agreement was reached, were especially proud, using the word historic frequently in public pronouncements. When asked where COP28 fit in that history, they stayed on message.

“I think it ranks very high,” said Zambia Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu, who headed his nation’s delegation. “Loss and damages is there. GGA (the adaptation agreement) is there. We talked about fossil fuels, as well. So I think we’re going somewhere.”

German climate special envoy Jennifer Morgan, who has attended all these talks either as an analyst, environmental activist and now negotiator, said it “is very significant” and not just for the list of actions agreed to.

“It shows that multilateralism works in a world where we are having trouble cooperating in a number of different areas,” Morgan told the AP hours after the agreement was gaveled through.

Former US special climate envoy Todd Stern, who helped craft the Paris deal, put the UAE agreement

as number five in his list of significant climate meetings, with Paris first.

Stern’s colleague at the RMI thinktank, CEO Jon Creyts, put this year’s deal second only to Paris “precisely because the message is comprehensive, economywide”.

He added: “It also engaged the private sector and local communities at a scale that is unprecedented. The US and China were once again united in leadership mode while voices of the most vulnerable were heard.”

Power Shift Africa’s Mohamed Adow also thought it ranked second only to Paris: “This COP saw the loss and damage fund established, it finally named the cause of the climate crisis — fossil fuels — for the first time and it committed the world to transition away from them, with action required in this decade. That is a lot more than we get from most COPs.” Johan Rockstrom, a scientist who heads the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, praised what happened, but like so many others who ranked it high, also saw problems.

“Finally, we have a plan the world can work with towards a phase-out of oil, coal and gas. It is not perfect, by far, and not entirely aligned with science, but it is something we can work with,” Rockstrom said in an email. “Will it deliver 1.5°C (even if implemented)? The answer is no.”

The problem is the agreement has too many loopholes that allow countries to continue producing and even expand use of fossil fuels, said Center for Biological Diversity’s Jean Su. She also cited a portion of the text that allows for “transitional” fuels — a term the industry often uses for natural gas that isn’t as polluting as coal but still contributes to warming.

“Politically it broke a major barrier, but it also contained poison pills that could lead to the expansion of fossil fuels and climate injustice,” she said.

Joanna Depledge, a climate negotiations historian at Cambridge University in England, said the idea that the weak language is “somehow seen as a triumph” shows the world is in trouble, Depledge said.

“The yawning chasm between science and policy, between intention and action, barely shifted in Dubai,” she added.

Scientists were among those who ranked the UAE deal low.

“In the context of these previous, truly significant COPs, Dubai is a pipsqueak,” said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, who is also a professor of international affairs.

The agreement language was “like promising your doctor that you will ‘transition away from doughnuts’ after being diagnosed with diabetes,” said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. “The lack of an agreement to phase out fossil fuels was devastating.”

Mann, like former US Vice President Al Gore, called for a dramatic reform of the COP process. For his part, Gore said it’s too early to judge this COP’s significance, but he’s unhappy with the slow progress.

“It’s been 31 years since Rio, and eight since the Paris Agreement,” Gore said. “Only now are we even summoning the political will to name the core problem, which has otherwise been blocked by fossil fuel companies and petrostates.”

Gore and others still have hope, though.

“I think 1.5 is achievable,” said Thibyan Ibrahim, who led negotiations on adaptation on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.

“You need to ensure that people are going to do the things that they have said they’ll do, that the pledges will be actually reached and that commitments will be followed through.”

By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer

ISRAELIS rush to a shelter as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, last Friday.

Photo: Leo Correa/AP

You inspire me EDITOR, The Tribune.

WE ALL have people who inspire us. From family members to teachers, spiritual leaders, famous historians, and, yes, some politicians there are those who inspire us and make us want to do more.

Minister Jomo Campbell, representative for the Centreville constituency, is such a person.

With Christmas being the festive season businesses, politicians and many others are using this time to mark their brand.

Not so with Minister Campbell. At all times you can see him executing his duties to the constituents of Centreville.

Even though I’m close friends with his uncles, Johnny Moon and Sammy, I just met the Minister about six years ago and I have been following him ever since.

So I speak with authority when I say that even before he was elected to the House of Assembly he has been a beacon of hope for many of the challenged youth in the country.

As a lawyer he not only stands up in court for those who can’t afford council. l. He checks up on them regularly to keep them out of the Fowler’s snare. Many days you can see him in the parks lecturing young men.

If there was an award for Politician of the Year Jomo Campbell would be my number one choice.

I would be amiss if I failed to recognize the work these two ladies are doing in their respective constituencies.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net The Honourable Speaker of the house Madam Patricia Deveaux might not be in the limelight as much as others, but she is getting the job done in Bamboo Town.

Areas in Bamboo used to be garbage dumping grounds, the streets were always filled with litter and potholes.

All of that is being rectified.

The Hon Leslia Brice the representative for the Sea Breeze constituency.

When Ms Brice first came into Sea Breeze she was faced with many challenges.

The flooding in some areas was a major problem it was as bad as or worse than Pinewood.

Lights on the park were not working. Ms Brice has since put drains in place so there is no more flooding.

The park is lighted up to the max. She has the tractors clearing down bushes in the back of people’s yards.

While I could give two cents about politics there comes a time when one should speak up.

As noted earlier Christmas is a time when we give love by opening our hands and our hearts, not only to family and friends, but to those less fortunate.

Yes, this is a time when groups, civic organisations, politicians, etc, and even some churches, are crowding the airwaves making speeches about their annual free Christmas luncheon

and this is wonderful, but after that lunch what?

Do we have to wait until next year for another one of those delicious meals from you? Don’t get us wrong because a decent meal is always a blessing.

We are just praying it does not take so long before we see you again.

And that is the reason why churches are always being slammed for not doing enough.

The reality of it all is most churches do not herald everything they do.

Brother Bishop Walter Hanchel, CEO, and founder of Great Commission located on Wulff Road.

With the help of volunteers feeds hundreds of residents in the Inner city of Nassau almost every day.

I know of a church that serves approximately 300400 hot meals four days a week, rain or shine.

We don’t know how they do it, but they do it all the same. You will never see them in front of the camera.

According to Christianity the proclamation of Christ signifies not only giving love every day, but looking for opportunities to give love as often as possible.

We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.

Oh, there’s a choice we’re making. We’re saving our own lives.

It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me.

God bless The Bahamas ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, December 13, 2023.

Playing dirty EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM sceptical about the global climate issue as I follow our Prime Minister and his international counterparts crusade around the world while travelling in one of the worst climate change guilty parties - the airplane.

This makes the subject of climate change look like a scam, because on the one hand – they are contributing to the climate change of which they talk - by

flying here, there and everywhere; then they gather in person often in some country on the planet to tell us that action is needed now to reverse the unwelcome trend of climate change.

Why do the leaders of the world love to fly so much to various conferences around the globe when technology has advanced to the point where they can comfortably sit their backsides in their respective offices, and spill their guts on any issue of global concern with each

IN The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they thought that Junkanoo had outgrown Bay Street and should move to another location.

other?

I suspect the answer to that is that all of them just simply love flying, and are arrogant enough to tell us, ‘Don’t do what we do – but what we say, do.’

It must be a dirty flying joke coming from a gang of climate change hypocrites who cannot stop flying around the globe on the world’s polluting jets.

DENNIS DAMES Nassau, December 12, 2023.

The majority of those voting – 56 percent - said they did indeed think that Junkanoo should move. Forty-four percent were against the idea.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 7

Reassessing needs is cause of delay of Social Services food vouchers

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net RECIPIENTS of Department of Social Services food vouchers will get them in time for the Christmas season despite delays, government officials said yesterday.

Some people have complained that their food assistance has stopped.

State Minister for Social Services Myles Laroda said yesterday that reassessing the needs of those being helped caused delays.

He noted that people usually receive vouchers covering November and December at the same time, but this did not happen for everyone this year, with some missing December payments.

Mr Laroda acknowledged the government has an antiquated way of addressing such reassessment issues.

“Just like vetting at

National Insurance, individuals have to be reassessed in terms of need,” he said. “As with all systems, there are some hiccups, but we’re trying to smooth those out. The ministry in no way would want a needy person to go hungry this Christmas season so we are actively working to resolve that.”

Mr Laroda said over $100,000 in food assistance is issued monthly, though he could not say how many were affected by the delays.

Acting press secretary Keishla Adderley addressed the matter during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

“I know there were some persons who presented to officers this week, looking to get their hands on those vouchers, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” she said. “The Ministry of Social Services wants everyone who fits into that category to know

that those vouchers will be made available.

“On a broader note, the social services department is working overtime. They have extended hours to ensure that those vouchers are distributed. There is also a move to hire about 25 new social services officers.

The demand on the office is great. The department is looking to make those new hires. They are being vetted now so that the department can produce a more efficient system.

“There is also a review and reassessment going on to make sure that the people who need those vouchers the most have access to those vouchers.”

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education security officers have been awaiting overtime payment this holiday season.

Acting Education Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister told reporters yesterday the officers will

GB DAYCARE WHERE ONE-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS BITTEN BY DOG CLOSED AS MOE INVESTIGATES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net EDUCATION Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister said the Pre-school and Daycare Council is investigating a Grand Bahama daycare

where a one-year-old boy was bitten and injured by two dogs.

She said the business is currently closed.

Lavano Cooper, the toddler’s father, told The Tribune on Wednesday that doctors considered, but ultimately declined,

to perform surgery on his son’s injured leg because of his age.

The Pre-school and Daycare Council is responsible for private pre-school facilities and daycares.

Police said the boy was bitten after dogs entered the daycare facility.

CARIBBEAN BOTTLING PROVIDING PRIZES FOR THE VICTOR OF BEST OF THE BEST REGATTA

NEW limited edition Bahamas Goombay Punch Regatta cans - L-R: Ants Nest II – Ragged Island, Barbarian - Acklins, Cobra - Mayaguana, Eudeva – Crooked Island, Lonesome Dove - Abaco, and Susan Chase – Long Island. The victor, who will be announced upon the completion of the Long Island Regatta in June, will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a $8,000 stipend towards advancing the national sport for their island’s junior sailing club, and exclusive congratulatory cans from September 2024 until January 2025.

CARIBBEAN Bottling Company (CBC) launched its second annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup at the Best of The Best Regatta recently held at Montagu shores. The competition, which is open to all B-Class vessels this year, is determined by cumulative points totaled from three major Regatta events (Best of the Best, National Family Island and Long Island Regatta).

The victor, who will be announced upon the completion of the Long Island Regatta in June, will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a $8,000 stipend towards advancing the national sport for their island’s junior sailing club, and

exclusive congratulatory cans from September 2024 until January 2025. In addition to the competition, six limited edition Bahamas Goombay Punch cans are now available throughout The Bahamas featuring distinctive designs of select B-Class Regatta sloops (Ants Nest II, Barbarian, Cobra, Eudeva, Lonesome Dove, and Susan Chase).

“Bahamas Goombay Punch, a Coca-Cola heritage brand, is synonymous with Bahamian culture.

During our last campaign, which was open to A-Class vessels, we were pleased share with both visitors and locals alike, ice cold complimentary samples of Bahamas Goombay Punch

and various promotional items, further adding to the cultural excitement as they cheered on their favorite sloops.” said CBC’s marketing director, Jonathan Thronebury. “Since celebrating the New Legend, winners of the inaugural Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, we were determined to keep the energy going and decided to relaunch the competition to B-Class vessels this Regatta season.”

He added: “These are the things, that we as Bahamians, hold dear and are wanting to showcase to the world. Our culture is an expression of our people and something all Bahamians should be proud of.”

STATE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES MYLES LARODA be paid during the midterm budget in January.

“The Ministry of Education has an overtime

budget, and three-quarters of that budget has been paid to security officers,” she said. “They are entitled

to what they have worked for. It’s just a matter of additional funding being required.”

PAGE 8, Friday, December 15, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

CHARGED WIH ATTEMPTED MURDER Downtown store that showcased MAN OF ANOTHER MAN AT DOCK IN ELEUTHERA Bahamian-made products closing

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he allegedly attempted to kill another man at a dock in Eleuthera last weekend.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Janald Farrington, 34, with attempted murder.

Farrington was also charged with possession

of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Farrington is accused of attempting to shoot Shervin Emmanuel with a black coloured .38 special revolver at a dock in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera around 1pm on December 10. During this altercation, Mr Emmanuel reportedly disarmed his assailant.

Farrington was later

arrested for alleged possession of a fireman and two rounds of .38 ammunition.

The accused was told his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Farrington will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail.

His VBI is set for service on April 18, 2024.

TWO MEN CHARGED WITH SPREE OF ARMED ROBBERIES COLLECTIVELY STEALING $2,000 CASH

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis shakes hands with Keva Carey - co-owner of Down Home Bahamas as he visited the store in September of 2022.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A DOWNTOWN business that showcased Bahamian products is closing.

Owners of Down Home Bahamas, located on Parliament Street, said the store will close on December 24 after less than two years of opening.

Keva Carey, co-owner of the store, told The Tribune the business is closing on a “positive note” for “personal” reasons.

The business was created to support the local small business community, especially products that needed a retail showcase

to reach local and tourist consumers.

“Over the course of two years, we’ve helped scale 60-plus Bahamian-owned businesses, promoted many more, and most importantly, supported the small business community of The Bahamas,” the company said in a statement.

“We are humbled by the success we achieved in a short period of time and look forward to the bright future of many of our members. We will remain relentless in the mission to shop down home, support local, and shine light on Bahamian-owned businesses.”

In an interview with a Bahamian news outlet last

year, co-owner Natalie Carey said the company carried over 40 Bahamianowned and made products.

“We exclusively sell Bahamian-owned products, so when you come in, we are right on Parliament Street in a very highly trafficked area,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure we are up front and centre and not limit our small business community to the backstreets or to pop-ups. We’re open all year round.”

“Sales are going fantastic. It’s been a blessing to say that all of our brands have been extremely successful in the store, and that’s why we have been able to expand the way we have.”

TWO men were sent to prison after they were accused of being involved in a spree of armed store robberies last month.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Shemar Bennet, 22, and Ashtino Douglas, 25, with two counts of armed robbery.

Bennet alone faced two additional counts of armed robbery.

The pair, while armed with a handgun, were accused of robbing cashier Peaches Leger of $40 cash belonging to 4G’s variety store on Cowpen Road on November 16.

On the same day, the pair also allegedly robbed cashier Olivia Joseph at gunpoint of $1,300 cash from Faith Variety Store on Lobster Avenue.

Then, on November 24, while armed with a silver coloured handgun, Bennet allegedly robbed cashiers Sandra Rahming

and Jameliah Ferguson of $1,643.27 from the Family Market Food Store on Marigold Road.

The accused were informed that their matter would be moved to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). They will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants bail.

The VBIs in this case are set for service on April 11, 2024.

WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HAVING LARGE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA COOKIES IN HER HOME FINED $3,500

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN was fined $3,500 after admitting to having 51 marijuanainfused cookies in her house this week.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney initially charged Nathasha Blaise, 27, and Christopher Victor, 20, with

possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

The pair were arrested in Fox Hill after a police search of a residence recovered 51 marijuana-infused cookies on December 12.

Ms Blaise pleaded guilty to the offence, while her coaccused pleaded not guilty.

Following this, her charge was reduced to simple possession of

dangerous drugs and the charge against Victor was dropped.

Magistrate McKinney then ordered that Blaise pay a fine of $3,500 or risk six months in prison.

She was further placed on an 18-month probation period, for which being found in default would carry a six-month prison term.

PREPARATIONS TO DEPLOY KENYAN POLICE TO HAITI RAMP UP, DESPITE LEGAL HURDLES

JAPHET Koome with the Director General of the Haitian National Police, Frantz Elbe at the National Police Service HQ, Nairobi.

Associated Press THE head of Haiti’s national police visited Kenya Thursday, as local authorities prepare for the deployment of Kenyan police to the Caribbean nation plagued by gang violence.

Kenyan authorities said Thursday that Frantz Elbe, on a fact-finding mission, met Kenyan police chief Japhet Koome Thursday.

Elbe “is on a three-day official visit to Kenya for bilateral security discussions between the two law enforcement agencies,” a statement from Koome’s office said. No more details were given.

In October, the U.N. Security Council approved

the deployment of a Kenyan-led foreign armed force to Haiti to help bring gang violence under control.

More than 1,230 killings and 701 kidnappings were reported across Haiti from July 1 to Sept. 30, more than double the figure reported during the same period last year, according to the U.N. Elbe’s visit comes days after a Kenyan team flew to Haiti for discussions with authorities there.

Kenyan police would lead a U.N.-backed multinational force to Haiti, but the proposed deployment has proved controversial as it faces a legal hurdle at home.

Kenyan officials told the AP that the first group of about 300 officers is

expected to be deployed by February, with authorities still awaiting the verdict in a case that seeks to block the deployment. A decision is expected in January.

The planned deployment was first blocked by the High Court in Nairobi in October. The court’s decision came hours after Kenya’s parliament passed a motion allowing the deployment of the security officers.

The total deployment would eventually rise to 1,000 officers as part of a multinational force of 3,000 sent to Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda are among the countries pledging to contribute troops.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 9

The lessons my father taught me TODAY is December 14.

You’d think I would be used to it by now. But I am not.

Every year, the date catches me and twists my insides around like a pretzel with a stomachache. It is the anniversary of my father’s death, December 14, 1966, 67 years ago.

I remember the phone call as if it were yesterday.

My then husband and I were living in Louisville, Ky. where he was wrapping up a six-month contract to build a large steel industrial plant. That night I was packing my suitcase, flying back to Boca Raton, Florida the next day to see my father who had been alone and not doing well since my mother’s death the year before. My husband would follow a week or so later. I was going back to help him celebrate his birthday, December 25.

He would have turned 59 on Christmas Day. It was the call I will never forget and to this day, I cannot remember who broke the news, I just remember the chill that came over me, the piece of clothing I had been packing suspended in air as if it had frozen solid when I heard the words, “I am sorry to inform you your father died a short while ago.

He choked on a steak in a restaurant…”

They called it a café coronary. Death by sirloin or filet or whatever it was.

Dragged off to a men’s room to die so as not to embarrass the guests who were dining oblivious to the man who at one time would have commanded the attention of everyone in that place with his largerthan-life personality or because he was who he was.

He wasn’t easy but he was something else. A man who never finished high school but became president of the Philadelphia Businessman’s Society and raised funds with celebrities for worthwhile causes, a mover and shaker who loved nothing more than the art of the deal, a good card game and a day with family. He was the least handy man I ever

By Diane Phillips met but one of the smartest I have ever known. He never bothered to learn the difference between a flat and Phillips head screwdriver or how to start a lawn mower. I never saw him change a light bult, but he could start a business, grow it, sell it and try something new. Find the right partners, grow the next business, stay with it until it bored him and sell it. From car lots to an amusement park, from a movie theatre to becoming the first major developer of Boca Raton, Florida, he was never afraid of failure though the only time I recall his failing was a decision to buy an Edsel dealership. It nearly did him in.

In Florida, before we moved there full-time when I was nine, my father and I walked every night after dinner. It was the time he could smoke his cigar, away from the house, and he would buy me an ice cream cone and tell me all sorts of stories and lessons. Holding his hand, I thought even if I were gawky and wore glasses, I was the luckiest young girl alive.

To this day, I live by many of the lessons he taught me.

He taught me that when you love something, don’t hold back. Love it as fully as you can.

He taught me when you see something wrong and you don’t do anything about it, you are as wrong as the person who committed the wrongdoing.

He taught me that we are responsible for what happens around us and to us and to those we love.

He showed me that when an old man is crossing the street in a blizzard, you may not be able to stop the wind from blowing, but you can

take the man’s hand and help him cross so the wind does not blow him over. I remember that lesson well because as we crossed a street in downtown Philadelphia one frightening, wind-whipped day with a sky nearly black from the bitter storm, my father took my hand and pulled me back with him to grab the hand of an old man struggling to cross the busy avenue, stooped low against the punishing wind and as we took him by the arm frail inside his winter coat, we were nearly hit by a car.

He taught me when you need something done, go to the top. There is a reason why the president or CEO or chairman is the president or CEO or chairman.

They are not afraid to make a decision. It is a piece of advice I have used time and again, like when the same model washing machine/ dryer failed three times in a little over a year and I could not get any satisfaction from the local supplier so I wrote to the chairman of GE. The next thing I knew I had a call from his office. They were FedExing me a washer/dryer.

Mind you, I did not just write any ordinary letter. I quoted the chairman’s words back to him as quite by accident, I had heard him deliver a virtual talk not long before and had taken notes about customer service. And, yes, I included documents showing the history of the failures.

My father was not a perfect man. He drank too much from time to time.

Sometimes he would get on a plane and go to Vegas to gamble and disappear for days at a time. But he worshipped the ground my mother walked on and taught me that even when someone does not always

‘My father... would buy Me an ice creaM cone and tell Me all sorts of stories and lessons.’

- diane PhilliPs show love, it can live and burn quietly on the inside where those who have it know it.

So I approach the holiday season, the Chanukkah and Christmas and New Year, with the tears I shed for my father every year and with the wish he could

see his grandchildren and greatgrandchild and know that the lessons he taught me I try to teach them in the hopes that one day they will bring to the world the strength and sense of responsibility for caring for others that he did, that we are that old man’s keeper,

and what we do matters.

He died too young, but he left lessons in his footprint, in his higher moral ground that was the better part of a flawed man. It will not be the flaws that I recall on this day of the 67th anniversary of his death but the lessons my father taught me.

Saudi registrants for COP28 included fifteen undeclared oil company employees, nonprofit says Associated Press AT LEAST 15 people who registered for Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai appear to be undeclared employees of the Saudi state oil company, according to research by an environmental nonprofit.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-biggest oil producer, was one of the main countries opposing an aggressive commitment to phase out fossil fuels at the United Nations-led summit. Saudi Arabia and other large oilproducing nations have traditionally held sway in nixing potential agreements on reducing oil, gas and coal, which when burned cause climate change.

This year, however, negotiators went into extra time before approving an agreement that calls for a transition away from fossil fuels for the first time, though critics say it is filled with loopholes.

New rules for this year’s talks required registrants to disclose their affiliation, a move aimed at improving transparency. Activists have long questioned the presence of fossil fuel producers at the talks, although the companies and many experts have said it makes sense for them to participate given their role in the emissions that cause climate change.

Global Witness reported that at least 14 members

of the Saudi delegation had names that matched employees of the state oil company, Saudi Aramco.

The Associated Press independently verified the nonprofit’s work. Two more registrants declared elsewhere -- but not in their conference registration -an affiliation to Aramco.

One of those was a board member.

AP earlier reported that at least 1,300 employees of organizations representing fossil fuel interests registered to attend this year’s talks.

Aramco had not declared any delegates to this year’s conference, according to the AP research.

Aramco declined comment to AP. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oversees the conference, did not respond to a request for comment.

Aramco gets some 99% of its revenues from fossil fuels, according to research by the nonprofit Urgewald.

It’s not clear what role the apparent Aramco employees would have played within the Saudi delegation.

The UNFCCC secretariat asked delegates this year to declare their employer, as well as their relationship to the delegation they are guests of. It said participants could opt out of declaring the relationship but made no mention of opting out of declaring an affiliation.

The Global Witness count would make Aramco one of the larger fossil fuel companies to have registered attendance. Russian state-owned Gazprom, the world’s second-leading producer of oil and gas, declared at least 16 employees as attendees at this year’s climate conference.

Aramco employees on the Global Witness list included CEO Amin Nasser, senior vice president Fahad AlDhubaib and director of international affairs Nesa Subrahmaniyan.

“The world’s largest oil company snuck executives into COP28 without disclosing their interest,” Jonathan Noronha-Gant, senior campaigner at Global Witness, said. “We need to rid COPs of oil industry influence.”

Global Witness said it reviewed the 136 Saudi registrants who said they were affiliated to the country’s Ministry of Energy, to look for names of people employed by Aramco.

Saudi Arabia’s total delegation has 478 people; the nonprofit did not review the entire delegation.

COP24, held in 2018, was the last year Aramco disclosed in the UN attendance rolls that it had sent staff.

Saudi Arabia hailed the deal announced Wednesday as a success. The country did not respond to requests for a comment.

SAUDI Aramco engineers walk in front of a gas turbine generator at Khurais oil field during a tour for journalists, outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 28, 2021.

Photo: Amr Nabil/AP

Denalee E. Penn Mackey | Terrance Mackey CEO & President

Manager & Funeral Director

Death Notice for Orett Oneil Stewart of Hanna Road, died on Saturday, December 9th, 2023.

He is survived by his, Wife: Lenice Stewart; Daughter: Orielle Stewart; Parents: Babet Adderley & Trevor Stewart; Brothers: Gary & Steve Stewart; and a host of other relatives and friends who will be listed at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Evergreen Mortuary, Village and Parkgate Roads. #4 Village & Parkgate Road, Nassau, Bahamas Marsh Harbour, Abaco, S. C. Bootle Highway | Exuma, Bahamas, Hooper’s Bay

0ďDF PS t .PCJMF Email: evergreenmortuary@gmail.com

PAGE 10, Friday, December 15, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

CANCER SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS The Golf Committee and presenting sponsors, Colina Insurance and Odyssey Aviation, are excited to hold the Annual Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled for Wednesday, January 10.

Held at the scenic Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar Resort, this fun-filled event raises funds for the expansion of our Cancer Caring Centre, which provides free accommodations to Family Islanders undergoing cancer treatment in Nassau.

Shotgun starts at 9am, and registration begins at 8am. For more information, call us at (242) 323-4441 or (242) 323-4482.

On Sunday, January 14, at 6am, Sunshine Insurance will hold its 12th Annual Marathon Bahamas event at the idyllic Arawak Cay and Western Esplanade, bringing scores of residents together to support those with cancer.

A family-oriented community event, Marathon Bahamas will include a marathon, a half-marathon, a relay, and the Pink Run 5k, which raises funds for the Cancer Society.

Sign up for Marathon Bahamas on their website below to help us give hope and comfort to those with cancer!

Stride For Life Fun Run Walk, an annual event that raises funds for the Cancer Society, will take place on Saturday February 24, at 6am.

Take advantage of the early bird specail with registration fee of $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 years and under. This special ends on January 31.

Starting February 1 up to race day, registration will be $30 for adults and $20 for children.

Register at https://cancersocietybahamas.org/ stride-for-life-2024/ Held in November 2022, the Movember Cup Golf Tournament was a successful event, raising $106,125.35 for the Cancer Society’s Cancer Caring Centre Expansion Project, which will break ground in 2024.

Special thanks to organisers and players Keno Turnquest, Mark Knowles and Brian Simms, who presented the proceeds from the tournament to Mrs. Susan Robers (Founder of the Cancer Society) and Ms. Rochelle Wilkinson (President of the Cancer Society).

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL On Saturday, December 9, the Kiwanis Club

THE ZONTA Club of New Providence completed its 16 Days of Activism by tying bows and putting up signs opposing violence. of Over-The-Hill gave away 497 pairs of slippers, an assortment of bed sheets & pillowcases as part of a charitable event organised by Teen Challenge on Malcolm Park. We were pleased with the number of persons we were able to assist with our donations, as we continue to render community service under our theme “Service with Passion & Strength”.

Also on Saturday, December 9, the club continued its tradition of assisting the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, with ringing the bells at Super Value Food Store Winton. As we have partnered with the Salvation Army in Bain Town during our annual Majority Rule breakfast, we were pleased to continue our partnership this Christmas, under our theme “Service with Passion & Strength.”

KIWANIS CLUB OF NASSAU

ZONTA CLUB OF NEW PROVIDENCE The club ended its 16 Days of Activism by tying bows in the South Beach constituency in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for that area, Bacchus Rolle, and his wife who joined club members for the bow tying. Club members also posted Say No to Violence lawn signs in various areas around the island.

Say No to Violence lawn signs were also placed at the following roundabouts and intersections: Pinewood Gardens; Independence; Six Legged; Coral Harbour; Intersection near University of The Bahamas.

SCENES from the Kiwanis Club of Nassau 2023-2024 Community Health and Wellness Fair.

KIWANIS Club of Over-The-Hill chairman Tino Cash, chairman Tristen Lewis and president Dominique Gaitor supporting the Salvation Army.

KIWANIS Club of Over-The-Hill immediate past president Juan Gibson, past president Gregory Butler, secretary Kenny Carroll, president Dominique Gaitor and public relations chair Kaleel Solomon.

ON the 61st anniversary of Kiwanis Club of Nassau, December 13, 50 mothers received tokens from the club, but more importantly, the mother of the first boy and first girl of both hospitals got a healthy baby basket for her and her newborn. All mothers were grateful.

TO FEATURE ON OUR CLUBS AND SOCIETIES PAGE, SUBMIT YOUR REPORT TO CLUBS@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET, WITH “CLUBS PAGE” WRITTEN IN THE SUBJECT LINE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAGE, CONTACT STEPHEN HUNT ON 826-2242.

SPORTS PAGE 11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Golfers brave the rain

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ON FIRST DAY OF NATIONAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

t was a major adjustment for many of the Bahamas’ professional golfers as they had to fight through the wind and the rain more so than they did their rivals on the Ocean Golf Club course yesterday.

It was the first day of the four days of competition in the Bahamas Professional Golf Association’s celebrations of the nation’s 50th anniversary with the return of the National Golf Championships on Paradise Island.

The adverse weather conditions forced officials, at that point, to suspend play because of the heavy rain. When they resumed, some of the foursomes managed to complete their first 32 holes of play.

For those who didn’t, they will have to pick up where they left off at 9am today before the second round begins at 11am. At stake at the end of the first 72 holes will be a spot for the winner in the Korn Ferry Golf Tour in Exuma in January.

The final 72 holes, expected to be played on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, will

be for the final spot on the Korn Ferry Tour for Abaco.

But much more than that, players are also playing for cash prizes and the bragging rights as the national champion of the overall championship trophy for the Leroy ‘Roy’ Bowe Cup, the Donald ‘Nine’ Rolle Cup for the regular men, the Jim Duncombe Cup for the super men and the Francis Dunn Cup for the ladies’ champion.

BPGA president Glen Pratt, who is competing in the senior division, said the players got a chance to play despite the inclement weather and that was the most significant thing of the day.

“I think it went extremely well, the camaraderie was extremely strong. We had the coming together of the organisations with the president of the Bahamas Golf Federation Lynford Miller, played by former president Agatha Delancy, who hosted the registration and also gave some words of encouragement about inclusion with all of the

I

AS the announcer proclaimed quiet for “Mr Starter,” Arnold Brando Bain would get ready to crank up his gun to get the athletes in motion for the start of their track races at the Thomas A Robinson stadiums - old and new.

When the athletes prepare for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ 2024 season, starting hopefully on Saturday, December 21 with the Odd Distance Track Meet, they won’t see that familiar face at the starting line anymore.

Bain, one of the longtime members of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, who worked primarily with the starting crew, passed away on Monday at the age of 56. The Water and Sewerage supervisor and veteran

member of the One Family junkanoo group leaves behind his parents Arnold and Fiordelisa Bain, children Brendia and Brando Bain, brother Clint Bain and a host of relatives and friends, including his beloved BACO family.

His days as a member of BACO began when he was a student at St Augustine’s College under principal Leviticus ‘Uncle Lou’ Adderley, who served as one of the founders of the group of officials, who officiated at local and international track and field events.

“He was one of the longest serving members of BACO. He came in as a junior official under Lou Adderley,” said Val Kemp, the current president of BACO. “We could depend on him. He was a very proud member of BACO. “It’s very heartbreaking to see him go. You never expect these things,

RAINY DAY: Chris Lewis in action yesterday - the first day of the National Golf Championships at Ocean Golf Club.

Photo: Dante Carrer golf communities,” Archer that the Bahamas secured recognises it and honours said. I think that went very at the Caribbean Golf you for that contribution,” well.”

Championships in 1978 he said. “It always makes This year’s honour for and 1980. you feel good and I can the nationals is Vernon “Lockhart, who also say that the Bahamas ProLockhart, who serves as participated in the senior fessional Golf Association the chairman of the com- division, said he is thrilled decided to do that this year petition committee. He to be honoured this year. and I’m really excited and is being honoured for the “It’s always good when honoured to be recognised. role he played as the cap- you’ve made a contributain for the two victories tion and someone else SEE PAGE 12

ARNOLD BAIN but we know that these too will pass. We just buried another long serving member in Grand Bahama, Marge Morris, who was there from the 1970s. She was just as active as Arnold.”

While Bain worked with the throwing competition, he eventually gained a lot of attention serving as a starter. In fact, it was Barry Saunders, the head official for the starters, who discovered that Bain had

SPORTS CALENDAR HOLIDAY ROAD RACE THE Junkanoo Jingle to Bay 5K Santa Holiday Race will be held on Saturday, starting at 6am from Arawak Cay (Western Esplanade) to Bay Street (turnaround at Rubis).

Hundreds of Santas will be running, walking, rolling and rushing from Arawak Cay down historic Bay Street in festive holiday fashion with a Junkanoo rush out in between.

The signature holiday race in New Providence, Junkanoo Jingle to Bay 5K (JJtoBay5K) increases health and fitness, builds community and fosters cultural pride. For more information, contact Marcel Major – 804-8595 or Kandice Weech-Eldon 424-8887.

TENNIS AWARDS The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association will hold its awards presentation for 2023 on Saturday at the National Tennis

Page 15

NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY TO STAGE ‘A BASEBALL CHRISTMAS’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Arnold Brando Bain dies at age 56

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Ohtani,

Dec 2023

Centre, starting at 5pm. The event will provide the BLTA to recognise its outstanding players for the year. They will also be making a presentation to its coaches, executives, sponsors and the media.

The event comes just before the BLTA holds its annual Giorgio Baldacci National Open Tennis Tournament that will be held next week at the centre. The top players in he country are expected to participate as they also vie for spots on the Bahamas team for 2024 for the prestigious Davis Cup for men and the Billie Jean King Cup for women.

The entry fee for the public is $15 per person.

BAAA MEET POSTPONED The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track

SEE PAGE 14

taken ill when he made inquiries to get their guns licenced for the new year.

Saunders remembered when he joined BACO in 1984, Bain was also serving as a junior official and after a short period of time, he was promoted to the ranks of a senior official and eventually as a starter.

“He was one of those starters that I can say I learn from because he was there before me,” Saunders said. “Even when I left to go to school in Jamaica for 10 years and I came back, Arnold was still there as a starter.

“When I went through my refresher course as a starter, I had to go through Arnold. He was always willing to learn and to teach. What stands out most about Arnold was the fact that he was always willing to lend a helping hand, no matter who the person was that needed the assistance.

“I think the hardest thing for us was the fact that even when Arnold was having his challenges, he would still show up if you call him and say ‘hi, we need a starter.’ He would always be there. He still made an effort to come and give it his best.”

Whether it was a big meet or a small meet, a local meet or an international meet, as a starter, Bain carried his duties in the same manner, according to Saunders. He was consistent.

“That’s all that mattered.

That’s where I learned that consistency, from Arnold.

He treated all of the meets the same way. He never looked at favouring one meet over the other. He always wanted to give the athletes the best.

“These athletes spend a lot of hours disciplining themselves, so we can only

SEE PAGE 12

IN anticipation of what is expected to be a hectic season in 2024, the National Sports Authority is giving the general public a prelude with the staging of ‘A Baseball Christmas.”

The newly opened Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium will host a series of events on Friday, December 22, starting with the youth baseball game at noon and culminating with a home run derby featuring all of the power hitters in the country, be they professionals or amateurs.

“We want to have a soft invite to the Bahamian public to come out to the park,” said Martin “Pork” Burrows, the NSA’s general manager of the ARBS. “We want to have a grand time as we go into Christmas and prepare for the new year in

SEE PAGE 12

COACHES READY FOR HOOPFEST IN PARADISE

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net A NUMBER of the top high school teams from the United States of America (USA) made their arrival yesterday for the second Hoopfest in Paradise High School Basketball Tournament.

Ten teams, including six of the top boys’ teams and four of the top girls’ teams, are set to compete from December 15-16 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

Additionally, two local teams from New Providence will have a chance to showcase their talents for NBA Scouts and college coaches. High school team coaches from Mater Dei, Faith Family Academy and Desoto High School got a

SEE PAGE 12

CUTTING-EDGE STRATEGIES FOR ATHLETIC RECOVERY IN the dynamic world of sports, where the pursuit of excellence pushes athletes to their limits, the art of recovery has become as crucial as the game itself. Join us as we take a deep dive into the latest advancements in sports medicine, uncovering innovative strategies and technologies designed to propel athletes toward faster and more effective recovery from intense training and competitions.

The Science of Recovery: Beyond Ice Baths and Rest Gone are the days when recovery meant a simple ice bath and some rest.

Sports medicine has evolved, embracing a multi-dimensional approach to optimise recovery. Scientific studies, including research in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,

DR KENT BAZARD underscore the significance of tailored recovery plans.

We now delve into the realms of personalised protocols designed to address

each athlete’s unique physiological needs.

Cryotherapy: Chilling Out for Performance Gains One standout in the realm of recovery is cryotherapy, a technique that involves exposing the body to extremely low temperatures. Our investigation explores the science behind cryotherapy, its impact on inflammation reduction, and how athletes are incorporating it into their recovery routines. Interviews with sports medicine specialists shed light on its application and efficacy.

Biometric Monitoring: Precision in Recovery Tracking The era of guesswork in recovery is waning, thanks to biometric monitoring. We examine the role

SEE PAGE 13

PAGE 12, Friday, December 15, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Grand Bahama missing from Hoopfest in Paradise

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE 2023 Hoopfest in Paradise High School Basketball Tournament is all set to be one for the books with 10 teams scheduled to compete at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday. The home teams are two squads from the New Providence private and public schools, leaving Grand Bahama on the outside looking in.

The Grand Bahama AllStar team, who competed at last year’s inaugural Hoopfest in Paradise, were notified on Tuesday that they would not be included in the second edition of the basketball tourney.

Despite practicing for as long as two weeks in preparation for the tournament, the team’s coach Jay Phillipe had the difficult job of

HOOPFEST FROM PAGE 11

chance to speak with reporters ahead of this weekend’s highly-anticipated basketball tourney.

On Friday, the girls of Lake Highland Preparatory School take on Etiwanda High School at 2pm.

The game will be followed by a matchup between Desoto High School and Long Island Lutheran High School at 3:30pm.

Andrea Robinson, head coach of Desoto High School, is ready to take on the competition at the second Hoopfest in Paradise basketball tourney.

“This would be our first time here so one of our goals is just to come out to

ARNOLD BAIN FROM PAGE 11

expect to give them the best. That is what I learnt from him.

Regardless of what meet, when and where, we need to treat all the same and give them the best professional start we can.”

Bain, according to Saunders, also willingly served in other disciplines like the throwing events and even the pole vault. Whenever he was needed, he was sure to lend his assistance. He was well versed in all areas of officiating.

As a senior starter, Bain served as the chief or starter referee for a number of local and

GOLFERS FROM PAGE 11

“I’m humbled by the gesture. So it feels good.” As for his performance on day one, Lockhart called it a “baptism by rain” because he never saw a golf course play so difficult, not only with the rain, but with the wind.

“It was almost impossible out there and I really

informing players and their parents that they would not be playing this time around. “I was notified that Team Grand Bahama will not be competing at the upcoming High School basketball showcase this weekend. This was a decision beyond my control.

I feel as though we were ready and quite capable of competing at that level to represent Grand Bahama,” Phillipe said.

The head coach was informed by an official of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture that funding played a role in the team being dropped from the end of year tournament.

Kelsie Johnson-Sills, acting director of sports, defended the MOYSC and stated that a miscommunication between involved parties resulted in this decision.

this beautiful country and be able to experience some of the best high school basketball in the country.

“We are matched up against the number one and two teams in the country so we have our work cut out but we are expecting some really good matchups versus some of the best teams in the country,” Robinson said.

With it being the first appearance of Desoto High School in the tournament, the head coach talked about how it felt to be in The Bahamas.

“It is amazing for high school basketball, for these young ladies to get the opportunity to play internationally at their age is great so we are extremely excited about them being afforded the opportunity and experience,” she said.

Faith Family Academy, who currently has a

“The Ministry is in a financial position to support any venture, especially the development of our young men and women in any sport, not only basketball.

“We were ready to move forward with bringing the team down, unfortunately there was a miscommunication between the ministry and the coordinators so this is the end result,” she said.

Glenn Smith, the event’s organiser, said he expected the team from Grand Bahama to compete but, upon his arrival on Tuesday, he was told that the team would not be participating.

Among the teams expected to take the floor at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday are Faith Family Academy, Riviera Preparatory Schools, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Etiwanda High School, Desoto High School, Link Academy, Dynamic Preparatory, Mater Dei and Long Island Lutheran High School.

Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, who grew up in Bimini, is currently a fivestar prospect and will play with the Lutheran High School on Friday and Saturday. Phillipe said being dropped from the

tournament was disappointing because they were looking forward to playing against Edgecombe.

“It was disappointing because we really wanted to come there to compete, especially because VJ Edgecombe, who is from Bimini, is playing for New York and got his opportunity by playing in this same showcase before.

We think it is unfair that two Nassau teams, private and public, have a chance to play rather than having one Grand Bahama team or even have two Nassau teams but give Grand Bahama a chance to showcase their talent,” he said.

The public and private New Providence teams will be coached by Kevin “KJ” Johnson and Dario Burrows respectively.

The top basketball tourney will get underway today at 12:30pm.

5-6 win/loss record, will square off against the boys of Riviera Preparatory School and the Long Island Lutheran High School on Friday and Saturday.

Brandon Thomas, head coach of the Eagles, said a tourney such as Hoopfest in Paradise is very important for the high school players.

“Playing in events like this at the Hoopfest in Paradise and in Dallas these are all the type of events that we want our kids to participate in because it gives them an opportunity to play against top notch competition not just good players but very well ran programmes like Mater Dei and Long Island Lutheran,” “Your preparation has to go into overtime because these teams are really good. They are gonna know who you are and you

are gonna know who they are most importantly it is a platform for these kids,” he said.

Coach Thomas is also looking forward to seeing his team put on a good showing in The Bahamas.

“We are excited to give our kids new experiences most of our kids are travelling out of the country for the first time just going through Customs getting their passports stamped, it’s an experience that you would like to think will maybe motivate them in some other area of life to travel and see the world,” he said.

He added that the team will look to rebound after a rough start in their first 11 games.

Gary McKnight, head coach of Mater Dei High School boys team, acknowledged that his team has their work cut

out for them against Lutheran High School, which features top Bahamian prospect Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, on Friday at 8pm.

“They are extremely talented and ranked number one in the country so it will be a really tough game.

They have a lot of weapons so it is not like you can concentrate on one guy, you are going to have to be very balanced,” McKnight said.

He added that the tourney experience in The Bahamas is great for the team as it will help them to bond together before the real season begins.

The New Providence All-Star private and public school teams go head to head at 6:30pm on Friday.

Tip-off starts at 12:30pm for day one of the Hoopfest in Paradise at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

international meets held in the Bahamas, including the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Nationals, the CARIFTA Games and the World Athletics’ World Relays.

“We are really going to miss him. I can’t tell you it would be easy. It is reminiscent of the late Roosevelt Thompson, another starter, who devoted his life to BACO,” Saunders said.

“These are the things that are very valuable to us. We hope that that other officials will be so inclined to give their best to officiating at all meets in the country.”

As a chaplain at PMH, Saunders said when he tried to inquire about Bain’s condition on Monday, he was told that he had passed away.

He and Kemp both expressed condolences on behalf of BACO to the

family of Saunders. It will be hard not to see him at the starting line when the

announcer states: “Mr Starter.” May his soul rest in peace.

didn’t know the weather was going to be this bad, but I tried on every shot.

“It is what it is. I’m not finished yet, but at the beginning of the event, I didn’t have any expectations.

“It was all about being here to support president Glen in getting the association back on its feet. It’s all about the younger players coming up.”

With this being the 50th celebrations of the country’s capital, Pratt said they are disappointed that golf was not a part of the activities, although it was back in 1977 when Michael Rolle won the Mid-Atlantic Championships in Bermuda.

“We had Greg Maycock, who still had that fire in his belly, coming out to compete, as well Racquel

Riley, who became in from Abaco,” Pratt said.

“We had a good combination of the old, the women and the youth in Devaughn Robinson and Cameron Riley.

“Those are the things that are very encouraging for this event. Everybody was very happy and pleased with what happened today, despite the weather. We had the assistance of

Arthur Johnson, who came out and helped out as well.

So it was like a community outing today.”

Based on the weather, Pratt said if the weather does not allow them to play all of the rounds, they have negotiated with the Ocean Club to play 36 holes on Sunday, starting at 8am with 54 holes completed, followed by the awards presentation.

ARNOLD BAIN, centre back, is surrounded by members of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials starting crew.

XAVI UNDER PRESSURE AS BARCELONA VISITS VALENCIA

By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Another poor performance by Barcelona in a defeat at modest Antwerp has increased the pressure on Xavi Hernández to turn things around.

The 3-2 loss in Belgium on Wednesday didn’t mean much in practical terms.

The final group game of the Champions League came with Barcelona already assured of a spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in three seasons.

However, Xavi could surely have used a good result because his star-filled side had just been outplayed by Spanish league leader Girona 4-2 last weekend, a setback that dealt a blow to its domestic title defense.

After falling at Antwerp, which finished the group in last place, the Barcelonabased sports papers opened fire on their team. “No Forgiveness” was Mundo Deportivo’s headline, while Sport went with “Enough Is Enough!”

“The defeat that really hurt was the one against Girona,” Xavi said this week after trying to find the bright side of his side’s stumble against Antwerp that also cost the club a couple of million euros (dollars) in potential prize money.

Xavi is calling Barcelona’s Spanish league game at Valencia on Saturday “a final” while insisting that he has the backing of the club and his teammates.

The loss at home to regional rival Girona left Barcelona in fourth place at seven points adrift of the surprising leader. Real Madrid is in second place, five points clear of Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid is level on points with Barcelona in third place but has an extra game to play.

The good news for Barcelona is Valencia has troubles of its own. Rubén Baraja’s team is winless in its last four league games and has lost its last five meetings with Barcelona since a draw in December 2020.

Xavi’s status has also been damaged by speculation in Spain’s sports media regarding the squad list he gave for the Antwerp visit.

The list initially did not include team heavyweights Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan, but they were both then included and played.

Xavi said the decision to later add the two stars was reached in consensus with sports director Deco and other club officials, while Deco said it was the coach’s alone.

“You (the press) are generating a controversy where there is none,” Xavi said.

“I have the complete backing of (club) president (Joan Laporta) and Deco.”

TO REBOUND Real Madrid hosts Villarreal on Sunday with a chance to move one point ahead of Girona.

Madrid meets the “Yellow Submarine” after fighting back for a 3-2 win at Union Berlin on Tuesday.

NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY TO STAGE ‘A BASEBALL CHRISTMAS’ FROM PAGE 11 2024.” Burrows noted that the NSA will showcase the hotly contested 10-andunder and 12-and-under divisions in two games as they adjust the field for their youth baseball competition.

“They are the players who will bring the fans in because whenever they play, their parents and family members come out and support them,” Burrows said. “So we want to give them a chance to play in the big stadium and at the same time, allow their family members to come out and watch them perform.”

As the NSA looks forward to the return of a senior baseball league next year, Burrows said they will follow the two youth games with an exhibition 25-andover division around 5 pm.

“This is an eye opener for us to see how many players are interested in playing,” he said.

“Everybody is nagging us about playing senior league baseball again, so we’re giving them an opportunity to come out.”

Practice sessions are currently being held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm at the stadium for all players interested in participating in the senior league next year.

“With this game, we will have some of the college guys back, so it’s going to be a mixture of the local guys and the college guys playing with and against each other,” Burows projected.

“We’ve always had the college guys come home for Christmas and they don’t have any league or game to play in and we have the local guys who always wanted to get a chance to p[lay against the college guys, so this is their chance to come out.”

Following all of these games, Burrows said it will be “showtime” when all of the players, who didn’t get a chance to participate in the Don’t Blink Home Run

Derby in Paradise, will get a chance to display their power hitting at 7pm.

Burrows said an invitation is extended to all of the players, who participated in the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise, including the newly crowned king Breyias Dean. He could not confirm who all will participate.

The champion of the NSA Home Run Derby will collect a cash prize, the amount not yet determined, but Burrows lamented that it would be a good Christmas gift.

“So you get to see guys like Sherman Ferguson, who like to hit the ball out of any park he plays in,

along with Alcott Forbes, Richard Bain, Martin Burrows Jr,” Burrows said.

“This is their time to come out and show what they can do.

“It’s going to be an open home run derby for Bahamians. Once you are a Bahamian, whether you are a pro, collegian or local player, you are eligible to participate.”

Burrows said the whole day is designed to allow Bahamians, who have not had an opportunity as yet to play in or sit in and watch, to come out and be a part of the activities.

“We are trying to reach out to every aspect of baseball in the country,”

Burrows said. “We have the youth, the big boys who missed about 15-20 years of not playing senior league baseball and the power hitters.

“This is their opportunity for all of them to come out and stop all the talking and put the talking into action on the field. We are looking forward to having a grand event on Friday, December 22-23 at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium You don’t want to miss it.”

Tickets are priced at $5 per person and suites in the upper deck are available.

For those interested in the latter, they can contact Burrows at the NSA for more details.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 13

RAIDERS SET FRANCHISE SCORING RECORD, TOP CHARGERS 63-21

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer

UB midfielder Peter Julmis plays the ball against an Inter-Nassau FC- UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas midfielder Peter Julmis is fouled by an Inter-Nassau FC-17 player 17 player during their recent Bahamas Football Association match. during their recent Bahamas Football Association match. Julmis scored a goal for The Mingoes Julmis scored a goal for The Mingoes en route to the 4-0 win. enroute to the 4-0 win.

Photos: UB ATHLETICS

Mingoes start slow against Inter-Nassau, pull off 4-0 victory THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team started slow against Inter-Nassau FC – 17 in their Bahamas Football Association match.

But when The Mingoes started scoring, the celebrations didn’t stop in the 4-0 win.

The match Sunday night at The Roscow A.L. Davies Field started off very physical with four yellow cards in the first half and was lacklustre in terms of scoring. The match went into halftime tied at 0 The second half though was something to celebrate for The Mingoes and celebrate they did.

Mingoes midfielder Peter Julmis in the 78th minute controlled the ball in the box and was able to find the net. The team celebrated that goal with an almost iconic reenactment of a world cup celebration.

That goal put The Mingoes up 1-0.

In the 84th minute, Mingoes winger Stanley Grand Pierre controlled the ball way outside of the box and fired a shot for the 2-0 lead for The Mingoes.

After that goal, the team celebrated on the sidelines by taking pictures on the sideline.

Grand Pierre wasn’t done yet. Taking the ball deep in the box, Grand Pierre was able to find Mingoes striker Morgan Wood for the goal in the 87th minutes.

The Mingoes go up 3-0 and again celebrated near the sideline.

One more celebration for the team was on the way. Mingoes winger Obryan Hinds had a few misses earlier in the half but was not going to be left out.

In the 80th minute, on the assist from Grand Pierre and Wood, Hinds finds the net for the 4-0 lead and the final Mingoes

BAZARD

timing, where specific nutrients are strategically consumed to maximize recovery. We dissect the latest research on the ideal timing and composition of post-exercise meals to replenish glycogen stores and support muscle repair.

Regenerative Therapies: Accelerating Healing from the Inside Out Regenerative therapies, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments, are changing the game in sports medicine.

We investigate how these therapies harness the body’s natural healing mechanisms to accelerate tissue repair, offering athletes a novel approach

FROM PAGE 11

of wearable devices and advanced monitoring systems in providing real-time data on an athlete’s physiological markers. From heart rate variability to sleep patterns, these technologies empower athletes and their support teams to make data-driven decisions for optimal recovery.

Nutrient Timing: The Power of Precision Nutrition Nutrition is no longer just about pre-game meals and post-training shakes.

Our exploration uncovers the science of nutrient

THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team celebrate a goal against Inter-Nassau FC-17 player during their recent Bahamas Football Association match. The Mingoes recreated the iconic celebration from The South African Soccer team during the opening match of World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The Mingoes won the match 4-0. celebration. “We came out here to show that we are the best team in the league,” Wood said. “We planned to be dominant even when the competition

isn’t what me may think is on our level.

“We played hard right up to the end of the match and the score showed that today.”

Mingoes sport a 3-0-2 record in the BFA. They are scheduled to play Dynamos 3:30pm January 21 at The Roscow A.L. Davies Field.

to recovery and injury prevention.

Virtual Reality and Mind-Body Techniques: Recovering the Mind for Optimal Performance Recovery extends beyond the physical realm to encompass mental well-being. Our report delves into the use of virtual reality and mindbody techniques in sports recovery. We explore how mental relaxation and visualization exercises are becoming integral components of recovery programs, enhancing overall performance.

Conclusion: Redefining the Recovery Game In the evolving terrain of athletic recovery,

a revolution is underway.

Athletes, armed with cutting-edge strategies and technologies, navigate a landscape where precision meets performance. From the cryotherapy chamber to regenerative therapies, the journey towards optimal recovery is now finely calibrated.

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UÊ ÀÊ i ÌÊ >â>À`Ê ÃÊ >Ê Bahamian sports medicine physician, sports performance coach, sports nutrition specialist and founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Four days after losing 3-0, the Las Vegas Raiders scored 42 points by halftime, didn’t let the Los Angeles Chargers cross midfield until the third quarter and rolled to a record-setting 63-21 victory last night.

The Raiders set a franchise scoring record, topping the team’s 59-14 victory at Denver on Oct. 24, 2010. It was the most points allowed by the Chargers, who previously gave up 57 to the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 1, 2000.

The Raiders led 42-0 at halftime, just three points shy of the NFL record for halftime margin that was set in 2009 when New England led Tennessee 45-0. The 42-point margin has been matched two other times —

by Green Bay over Chicago in 2014 and the Packers over Tampa Bay in 1983.

Las Vegas also tied the franchise record for points in a half, set in 1969 against Buffalo.

The halftime deficit was the biggest in Chargers history. They trailed the Patriots 31-0 in 1997.

It was a stunning turnaround for the Raiders (6-8), who gave up only a field goal Sunday against Minnesota but still lost, amassing 202 yards. Las Vegas had 283 yards by halftime against the Chargers (5-9).

The Raiders led 63-7 before two late touchdowns for LA. Aidan O’Connell threw all four of his touchdown passes in the first half, and he finished with 248 yards passing. Davante Adams caught eight passes for 101 yards a TD, his first 100yard game since Week 3 against Pittsburgh.

Las Vegas’ defence scored second-half touchdowns on a fumble recovery and interception, the first time the Raiders scored two defensive TDs since 2006 against the Steelers.

Los Angeles quarterback Easton Stick, making his first start in place of the injured Justin Herbert, completed 23 of 32 passes for 257 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

The heat figures to be turned up on Chargers coach Brandon Staley after his team got blown out by a team that was on a threegame losing streak. Los Angeles has lost five of six games.

The Chargers were sloppy, turning the ball over three times in the first half. Each led to a Raiders touchdown.

“Just wasn’t good enough,” Staley said in a televised halftime interview.

“That wasn’t us out there.”

HODGSON, 76, FALLING OUT OF LOVE WITH SOCCER AS CRYSTAL PALACE PLUMMETS IN EPL

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer IF this is to be Roy Hodgson’s final stint in his long, itinerant coaching career, then the oldest manager in the English Premier League is going out swinging.

As Crystal Palace plummets in the standings, the 76-year-old Hodgson is losing his temper — and maybe his love for the game.

Having to visit Manchester City, the English and European champion, on Saturday with a heavily depleted team has hardly improved his mood, either.

“We’re going through a bad spell,” Hodgson says, “and it looks like the bad spell will continue … it’s not going to be a good time for us.”

Hodgson’s mood hasn’t just darkened because

Palace has lost six of its last nine league games, winning just once in that streak.

Though that clearly hasn’t helped either.

After a miserable home loss to Bournemouth by 2-0 last week, a Palace fan threw a small missile at Hodgson as the former England coach walked off the pitch to jeers.

Hodgson later said Palace supporters had been “spoilt” in recent years, a comment he said a few days later that he bitterly regretted and had left him “distressed.”

His most recent setback was losing to Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday, when Palace took the lead, saw Jordan Ayew sent off for two contentious yellow cards, conceded a deflected equalizer and then a winning goal in stoppage time.

CRYSTAL Palace’s head coach Roy Hodgson smiles ahead the Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Selhurst Park, in London, England, on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Hodgson raged, saying he in the technical area. He was “sick” of a whole range added he is “not a great of aspects of the game such lover of VAR,” either. as handball interpreta“I’ve been in football a tions, the clampdown on long time,” said Hodgson, time-wasting and what he whose first managerial role perceived to be the pet- was in Sweden in 1976, “and tiness of fourth officials games like today make me

realize that when the day comes to leave it behind, I won’t be missing anything.”

When might that day come?

Palace is in 13th place and seven points above the relegation zone, pretty much the ballpark area in which the team typically finishes the season. The last eight end-of-campaign finishes? 15th, 14th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 14th, 12th and, last season, 11th.

It’s why the “spoilt” comment rubbed some of the team’s supporters up the wrong way, though for a club like Palace to survive fairly comfortably each season without ever spending anywhere near as much as the top teams in the league is quite commendable.

It seems, however, that the club’s leadership wants

more.

And Hodgson doesn’t sound too confident he can deliver anything better without heavier investment.

“I’ve got no doubts in my mind whatsoever that the group of players we have here … will keep this club in the Premier League,” Hodgson said. “But if you want to keep raising the bar and say that’s not good enough, that you’ve got be in the top 10, then that’ll be difficult for us. “With the players we’ve got at the moment, I don’t know that’s going to be possible.”

Hodgson ended his first spell as Palace manager in June 2021 and was enticed back into coaching for a short but troubled stint at Watford in the final months of the 2021-22 season, when he failed to keep the team in the Premier League.

PAGE 14, Friday, December 15, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

DJOKOVIC, Tatum scores 27 to keep SABALENKA WIN ITF Celtics unbeaten at home WORLD CHAMPION with 116-107 win over Cavs AWARDS FOR 2023 BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Jaylen Brown had 22 and the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-107 last night to improve to 12-0 at home.

Facing the Cavaliers for the second consecutive game at TD Garden after a victory on Tuesday, Boston won for the sixth time in seven games overall.

Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points, Jrue Holiday had 15 and Derrick White 14 for the Celtics, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Tatum added 11 rebounds, and all five starters scored in double figures.

Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 31 points, Caris LeVert finished with 26 and Darius Garland had 19.

BULLS 124, HEAT 116 MIAMI (AP) — Coby White scored 26 points, Ayo Dosunmu scored 24 off the bench and Chicago ran out to a huge lead before hanging on to beat Miami.

Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for the Bulls, while DeMar DeRozan scored 23 for Chicago.

The Bulls started the game on a 33-8 run and never trailed.

Chicago’s 25-point lead in the opening quarter was the second-largest such edge in the NBA

BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half of an NBA basketball game yesterday in Boston.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) this season — Boston led first half, Karl-Anthony missing three of the previ- bolstered by the return of Washington by 26 — and Towns had 21 points and a ous five games with a right Jamal Murray, who missed the Bulls’ biggest edge in season-high 17 rebounds, hip pointer. Averaging 24.4 Tuesday’s game at Chithe opening period of a and Minnesota shook off points coming in, he scored cago with ankle soreness. game since they led Golden an early 15-point deficit to nine.

He scored 16 points, and State 35-8 on a jumper by beat Dallas.

NUGGETS 124, Peyton Watson added 18 Michael Jordan on Jan. 31, The Wolves avoided NETS 101 for the defending cham1997. their first losing streak of DENVER (AP) — pion Nuggets.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored the season and matched Nikola Jokic became the Nets were led by Spen22 for Miami. Jimmy Butler Boston for the NBA’s best first NBA player with at cer Dinwiddie’s 17 points, scored 20, Kyle Lowry and record. least 10 triple-doubles in with Cam Thomas with 13.

Caleb Martin each had 17, Luka Doncic had 39 seven straight seasons as Up by 13 at halftime, the and Kevin Love had 16 for points and 13 rebounds Denver beat Brooklyn for Nuggets broke loose for 38 the Heat. for the Mavericks, whose their third consecutive win. points in the third quarter TIMBERWOLVES 119, four-game winning streak Jokic had 26 points, 15 with Jokic putting the finMAVERICKS 101 ended. rebounds and 10 assists ishing touches on the surge DALLAS (AP) — Naz Anthony Edwards, the in his 115th career triple- by driving for a layup in Reid scored 19 of his sea- Wolves’ leading scorer, double during the regular the waning seconds of the son-high 27 points in the returned to the lineup after season. Denver also was period.

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were honoured as the International Tennis Federation’s 2023 ITF World Champions yesterday after being the only singles players to reach at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season.

Djokovic, who finished at No. 1 in the ATP rankings for a record-extending eighth time, won the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to raise his major trophy total to a men’s-leading 24 and was the runner-up at Wimbledon. He went 56-7 and led the men’s tour with seven titles.

This is his eighth ITF World Champion award, also a record.

Sabalenka received the honour for the first time after winning the Australian Open for her first Grand Slam title, finishing as the runner-up at the U.S. Open and making it to the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Sabalenka made her debut at No. 1 in the WTA rankings in September, before finishing the year at No. 2 behind Iga Swiatek, the WTA Player of the Year.

ITF World Champion selections place extra emphasis on Grand Slam events and ITF international team competitions.

Warriors stand by Draymond Green, say he’ll get help during his indefinite suspension

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Golden State Warriors believe Draymond Green needs help to curb his long history of rough play, and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is hopeful an indefinite suspension provides enough time for their star forward to make real progress.

Dunleavy said yesterday that the team is satisfied with the NBA’s latest punishment for Green, the four-time NBA champion who was indefinitely banned Wednesday after hitting Phoenix centre Jusuf Nurkic in the face. The suspension was the sixth of Green’s career and his fourth in 2023.

“I think this is something that a lot of people may see as a problem, but we’re looking to turn it into a positive,” Dunleavy said on the UCLA campus during the Warriors’ morning shootaround before their game against the Clippers. “(Green is at) a point in his career and his life where we want to get some things straightened out, and maybe sometimes you need a jolt like that. But I think it’s been very positive, very open, and (we’re) extremely optimistic that we can get to where we need to go.”

Dunleavy repeatedly said the Warriors will “help” Green during his absence, but didn’t specify the nature of that aid. Green will be around the Warriors extensively during his suspension, although he can’t be with the team on game nights.

“The thought process is there’s a lot of ways you can go about this, but for now, we think the healthiest thing is for him to be around,” Dunleavy said. “It may not be every single day, but we’re not jettisoning the guy off somewhere.”

Dunleavy also unambiguously confirmed the Warriors are committed to

the 33-year-old Green, who is in the first season of a four-year, $100 million contract extension. Although Dunleavy pointedly said Golden State’s starting lineup hasn’t played well enough during the team’s 10-13 start, he praised the play of Stephen Curry and Green.

“He’s been here for a long time,” Dunleavy said of Green. “He’s hung a ton of banners and means so much to this organisation.

I think this is about turning this thing into a positive and getting better. I think that happens, and we feel really good. Like I said, his play has been terrific.

It’s just his lack of availability that’s not been great, and we want to make that better.”

Dunleavy said Green and the Warriors had discussions with the NBA about the nature of the suspension before it was announced this week, and all parties agreed on a truly indefinite suspension. Dunleavy said there are no guaranteed parameters on the ban’s length.

Dunleavy also said he thinks it’s reasonable to hold Green to a higher standard after his history of misbehaviour, including the bizarre headlock he placed on Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert during a skirmish last month, leading to a five-game ban.

“I hope Draymond gets the help he needs,” said Kevin Durant, the Phoenix star and Green’s former Golden State teammate, after the suspension was handed down Wednesday.

“I know Draymond. He hasn’t been that way when I was around him and coming into the league.

“Hopefully he gets the help he needs and gets back on the court and puts all this stuff behind him.”

The Warriors have lost 11 of 15 heading into their meeting with the surging Clippers, and Dunleavy indicated that the team’s next 15 to 20 games will

WARRIORS forward Draymond Green (23) holds the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the first half on Friday, December 8, in Oklahoma City.

(AP Photo/Nate Billings) play a major role in deciding whether Golden State needs to make big roster moves.

Entering Thursday, not only would Golden State — a winner of four NBA titles in the last nine years and a team that was widely expected to contend for one this season — not be in the playoffs, but the Warriors wouldn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.

“We’re going to try to fill that gap up until he returns,” said Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, whose minutes are likely to rise in Green’s absence.

“But throughout this time, we’re all supporting Draymond. We’re all communicating. We’re all helping him. We’re just going through this moment.

Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, but we’re always going to stay professional and just try our best to help our team win in the meantime waiting for Draymond to be back.”

Green’s absence comes with the Warriors already

in a spot of early-season trouble.

They’ve blown a series of fourth-quarter leads, and they haven’t won a game by double figures in well over a month while needing nine starting lineups to get through the season’s first 23 games.

Klay Thompson has struggled offensively after failing to agree on an extension last summer, and then he was benched toward the end of Tuesday’s game in Phoenix.

Andrew Wiggins’ numbers are also well off his career norms and last season’s standard.

Now they’ll be without Green, their top defensive player and a versatile leader.

Missing games will also come at a sizable financial cost to Green. The first five-game suspension this season forced him to forfeit $769,704, and this suspension will cost him roughly $150,000 per game if it is less than 20 games, going up to about $200,000 per game after that.

The Warriors also figure to save at least $500,000 per game on their luxury tax bill for each game he misses.

CALENDAR FROM PAGE 11

Meet, which was scheduled for Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, has been postponed until Saturday, December 22-23.

The event will begin at 1pm on the new date and will feature competition for athletes in events covering shorter or longer distances on the track, such as the 75, 150, 300, 600 and 1,200 metres.

On the field, athletes will throw the shot, discus and javelin from shorter approaches while the long, triple and high jumps will be contested from fewer steps. The event will serve as a prelude to the start of the BAAA 2024 calendar of events. The public is invited to come out and cheer on the athletes from

Compounding Green’s woes, the suspension almost certainly means he won’t play in the 65 games that, in most cases, will be required for a player to be eligible for the postseason awards under the NBA’s new participation policies, which means his annual spot on the all-defensive team now seems to be in serious jeopardy.

And it will surely be part of what USA Basketball takes into consideration when deciding whether Green, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, deserves a spot on the team that will go to next year’s Paris Games.

Golden State’s Steve Kerr will coach that Olympic team, and Green has indicated he would like to play. Speaking in his role as a TNT analyst earlier this week, Grant Hill — USA Basketball’s managing director — said Green striking Jurkic was “disappointing.”

“He’s got to use better judgment in that situation,” Hill said. all of the local clubs who will be competing.

FAMILY FUN WALK THE Men’s Department of Macedonia Baptist Church is scheduled to hold a Family Fun Walk Race to kick off the new year and the beginning of its Men’s Anniversary at 6am Saturday, January 6 with a Family Fun Walk Race. The event will honour the late Minister Charles Albury.

The fun walk starts at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, and heads west on Bernard Road to the Village Road round-a-bout and returns on Bernard Road to the church. Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each category for men and women. The registration fee is $20.

Contact Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or stubbobs@ gmail.com for further information.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 15, 2023, PAGE 15

RELOADED BASEBALL KIDS PERFECT GAME 2023 SERIES TEXAS CHALLENGE

Little people with ‘Big League Dreams’

TRE’nardo Hart

DEMETRIOS Cleare

TYLER Culmer

CALEB Davis

AAMIR Rahming

D’mari Ferguson

LESLIE Sands

EUGENE Pratt

JOSIAH Filterman

MANDELLA Curry

SION Duncombe

ETHAN Burnside

REID Ingraham

JEREMIAH Filterman

KYRIE Campbell

MORE RELOADED PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN PERFECT GAME SERIES TEXAS CHALLENGE THE Reloaded Baseball executive team, in a press release yesterday, announced the invite and pre-approved selection of more Reloaded players to participate in the Perfect Game (PG) 2023 Series Texas Challenge at Big League Dreams, League City, Texas December 27-31.

Ethan Burnside, Aamir Rahming, Waiden Bain,

Rhamon Bethel, Kyrie Campbell, D’mari Ferguson, Jayce Devaux, Tyler Smith, Alexander McPhee, Reid Ingraham, Sion Duncombe, Jeremiah Filterman, Josiah Filterman, Mandella Curry, Eugene Pratt, Leslie Sands, Archie Michelmore, Caleb Davis, Tre’nardo Hart, Demetrios Cleare, Tyler Culmer, Isaac Richardson, Rhamon Bethel and Geralle ‘GJ’ Gabriel

have all been preselected and approved to take part, which is a great opportunity for exposure for each of them, said the release.

“We are proud to see how the programme is fullfilling its mandate to develop our kids to international standards.

“We have only been in existence in a little over a year and we have achieved milestones in regards to the

development of the kids in the programme. We wish all of them the best and they have the full support of the Reloaded team as they go off to participate at this event.

“They are not only representing Reloaded and themselves but also bringing awareness so that other Bahamian kids can be recognised from a much younger age and also prove

to the international baseball world that we also do have the same skillsets and talent levels of our international counterparts.

According to the press release, Reloaded has sparked a lot of international interests since the travel ball trip to the Perfect Game tournament this past summer.

“And we intend to tap into all of these resources in

the pursuit of development to international standards for our Reloaded kids. We will not be deterred in this pursuit as good is never enough as we are developing tomorrow’s leaders.

“In preparation for the Texas Challenge we will be training the kids selected in the various baseball skillsets that they will be tested on leading up to their departure.”

OHTANI DODGES QUESTIONS ON TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani opened his first news conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers by dodging questions about whether he had a second Tommy John surgery.

“At the time of the announcement, we didn’t know which way we were going to go. That’s why I never said what type of procedure was going to be done,” Ohtani said yesterday at a news conference to discuss his record $700 million, 10-year contract.

It was Ohtani’s first time speaking with the media since August 9, two weeks before a pitching injury that required surgery with Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on September 19 and will keep him off the mound until 2025. Ohtani had Tommy John surgery with ElAttrache on October 1, 2018.

“I’m not obviously an expert in the medical field, but it was a procedure,” Ohtani said. “I’m not sure what it’s called, I know it was completely different from my first time, so I don’t know what you want to call it. You could probably talk to my doctor about that.”

Ohtani refused to say what other teams he negotiated with before the agreement last weekend.

“Free agency is still going on and I don’t really want to mess with their plans and I don’t want to say anything wrong, so I don’t want to really talk about what I had talks with other organisations,” he said through translator Ippei Mizuhara.

Ohtani did, however, reveal the name of his dog, seen on his lap when he appeared on the MLB Network for the announcement of his second MVP award on November 16.

The dog has the American name “Decoy” and a Japanese name, “Dekopin” or “Decopin” depending on the transliteration.

He wore a navy business suit with a white shirt and blue tie, took off the jacket and put on a Dodgers home jersey with No. 17 and then the blue cap with the interlocking L&A. He took off the cap before speaking.

“One thing that really stands out in my head,” he said, “when I had the meeting with the Dodgers, the ownership group, they said when they looked back at the last 10 years, even though they made the playoffs every single year, won one World Series ring, they considered that a failure.

LOS Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani shows his number during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium yesterday.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) And when I heard that, I knew they were all about winning, and that’s exactly how I feel.”

Ohtani never reached the playoffs in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

An electronic sign flashed “Welcome to the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani” in English and Japanese above the stage. Ohtani thanked controlling owner Mark Walter, team president Stan Kasten, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes and manager Dave Roberts.

The Dodgers had attempted to sign Ohtani out of high school before he joined the Nippon Ham Fighters.

“Shohei is arguably the most-talented player who has ever played this game,” Friedman said, flanked by Ohtani and Walter. “One of our goals is to have baseball fans in Japan convert to Dodger blue.”

A unique two-way star as both a hitter and pitcher, the 29-year-old Japanese sensation left the Angels as a free agent after six years. He’s moving 30

miles up Interstate 5 after the Dodgers won out over the competition in a deal announced Monday. He said he made his decision Friday night, on the eve of his announcement.

Ohtani also thanked the Angels during a news conference started shortly after 3pm (8am on Friday in Japan).

“It was a fun ride, a great ride for the last six years. ... I’ll never forget all the memories I have,” he said.

“There’s always sadness leaving teams. Last time it was the Fighters and in this case it was the Angels.”

The two-time AL MVP has a .274 batting average with 171 homers, 437 RBIs and 86 stolen bases along with a 39-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings.

Ohtani has 34.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), per Baseball Reference.

Ohtani’s unusual contract calls for annual salaries of $70 million and of each year’s salary, $68 million is deferred with no interest, payable in equal installments each July 1 from 2034-43. Kasten said Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, proposed the deferred money last Friday, when there were false reports of a possible deal with Toronto.

“Once Shohei had finished meeting with everyone, they said: Here’s what it would take. What do you think?” Kasten said.

Deferred money lowered the annual charge to the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll to about $46 million, lowering their competitive balance tax.

“I figured if I can defer as much money as I can, if that’s going to help the CBT and that’s going help the Dodgers be able to sign better players and make a better team, I felt like that was worth it,” he said.

Ohtani can opt out of the deal if either Walter or Friedman no longer is with the team, a person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced.

“Everybody has to be on the same page in order to have a winning organisation,” Ohtani said.

“I feel like those two are at the top of it and they’re in control of everything.

And I feel almost like I’m having a contract with those two guys. And I feel like if one of them are gone ... things might get a little out of control so I just wanted a safety net.”

Said Friedman: “Obviously, it’s really flattering but also it’s a non-factor for me.”