Category Archives: Bahamas

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemdedia.net

Although they have yet to finalise the team, head coach Chris DeMarco said the Bahamas coaching staff will select a solid 12-man roster coming out of this weeks training camp to play against Venezuela at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Thursday night.

The Bahamas Basketball Federation held a press conference yesterday in the foyer of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium for the first game of the fourth window of the FIBA Americas Cup Qualifier.

DeMarco, an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, along with Grand Bahamian Chavano Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers and Mychel Thompson Jr, participated in the meeting that included Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Bahamas Olympic Committee president Rommel Knowles and Kenny Mackey, the chief marketing manager of the I-Cares Foundation, the gold sponsors for the team.

Bowleg, the immediate past president of the federation and former mens national team coach, said they had anticipated Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns joining Hield and Kai Jones of the Charlotte Hornets on this team.

But Bowleg noted that while he is aware that Ayton is in town, he hasnt spoken to him, and he couldnt give any reason as to why he chose not to play for the team.

Having started coaching the team in 2019, DeMarco said hes been pleased with the process they are making. And now with Hield and Jones joining the team, he said they are taking the next step to getting to the next level on the global stage.

Its going to be very difficult, said DeMarco of the Bahamas journey through a six-game series that includes Venezuela (August 25 and February 23), Argentina (August 29), Panama (November 10 and February 27).

DeMarco, however, said all of the players are making the sacrifice to prepare themselves to represent the country and he was proud of the efforts of Hield, Jones, Mychel Thompson Jr, Jaraun Keno Burrows and Rashad Mackey, just to name a few.

He noted that they have assembled a training camp in which there are over 20 players vying for the final 12 spots on the team. He noted that the team will be selected in short order and then announced to the public.

Bowleg, congratulating the team on their success so far, said if they can qualify for the World Cup in 2023, it would go well with the countrys celebrations of its 50th anniversary of Independence.

I think this is timely that we have our top players here in Buddy and Kai playing with us, he said. So, were asking all Bahamians to come out and cheer this team on.

He assured the public that the airconditioning is working very well and hes looking forward to them enjoying the amenities that will be offered in the stadium, thanks to the generosity of their corporate sponsors, including the I-Cares Foundation.

Hield, who played in the last window when the Bahamas beat the Virgin Islands 97-80 to advance out of the third window, only to lose 88-80 to the Dominican Republic at the Baha Mar resort, said they are looking for the Bahamian public support again in this last window of games to qualify for the World Cup.

We didnt get the win in the last game we played here, but we still got to advance, so were looking forward to that same type of support for this game, Hield said.

It means a lot to the players.

Hield also expressed his thanks to all of the players who made the commitment to come home from their various professional leagues around the world to be a part of the team. He also said when the team is finally selected, it will be a solid one representing the country.

For Thompson Jr, he was just delighted to carry on the legacy of his father, Mychal Sweet Bells Thompson, the first Bahamian to play in the NBA and who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the first foreign-born player to be drafted no.1 in 1978 before he went on to win back-to-back titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988.

Every time I put on this jersey, it means a lot because my father never got to play, so Im very proud to be able to play, he said.

Im just excited for this game on Thursday.

Mackey, presenting a cheque of $15,000 for their sponsorship of the game, said it is an honour to be a part of a major event and to help the countrys basketball team.

In a desire to win, there should be no fear of losing, Mackey said. When I look around the room, I dont see no fear.

Mackey said when they got the call from Bowleg, they jumped at the opportunity to assist the federation.

He said they are hoping that their assistance will go a long way in helping to put on a world-class event on Thursday night.

And Knowles, who surprised the federation in announcing that they will double their financial commitment, said this is a step in the right direction to the Bahamas qualifying its first team sport at the Olympic Games.

Far too often, our team sports are placed in the zone in the Americas, which often times includes the United States, Canada and Mexico, he said, all of whom have far greater population and resources than the Bahamas.

Knowles said those countries also have the luxury of recruiting athletes, who offer them citizenship to compete, whether or not they have lineage to those countries.

Sports is big business and everyone expects the Bahamas to win, he stated. The pressure of team sport is phenomenal.

Not only must we compete with countries with a million times our size, but we must also compete against athletes who have dual citizenship.

With the mounting challenges that exist in team sports, Knowles said hes appreciative of players like Hield who have answered the call to represent the country.

And Minister Bowleg commended the federation for the strides they are making to qualify for the World Cup.

Jurelle Nairn-Mullings, the secretary of the federation, expressed their gratitude on behalf of President Eugene Horton to their many sponsors, including The Oak Tree Medical, I-Cares Foundation, Bahamas Olympic Committee, the National Sports Authority, Breezes Resorts, Baha Mar, Cable Bahamas, AquaPure, Thompson Trading, Sun Oil Limited and the Bamboo Shack.

The federation presented a cheque of $2,000 to Steven Dean, the director of the Urban Renewal Band, for their assistance for the game on Thursday night.

Tickets are still available at BBFbasketball.com and on site on game day on Thursday.

The tickets are priced at $40 for general admission, $80 for VIP and courtside for $150.

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'Buddy' and Bahamas ready to face Venezuela - Bahamas Tribune

BAHAMAS womens relay team of, from left to right, Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Tynia Gaither and Devynne Charlton.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), was extremely pleased with Team Bahamas performance at the NACAC Open Championships in Grand Bahama.

Among those highlighted was Grand Bahamas very own Tynia Gaither, who won the silver medal in the womens 200-metre final, clocking a time of 22.35 seconds.

And, Donald Thomas captured the bronze in the mens high jump. Also, the gold medal win by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who set a new NACAC record in the womens final of the 400m.

I am happy, I have seen improvements across the entire spectrum of our programme at every international event we have gone to and we have been increasing the medal count, Archer said on the final day of competition at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Sunday.

Today, we had Tynia, in addition to Donald Thomas - the ageless wonder - getting a bronze medal in the high jump. Then, we had Devynne Charlton placing second in the 100 metres hurdles and we also had the incredible Shaunae Miller-Uibo winning a gold medal, and then we came back with Tynia Gaither running a personal best of 22.35 and getting the silver medal - you couldnt ask for more than that with Team Bahamas.

I think the championships went pretty well when you look at the quality of performances and the quality of athletes that have participated at these games, he said. I dont know if we could have expected more.

GB is elated. This is really a stimulus for them in terms of track and field, but also an economic boom, Archer added. Archer stated that they are happy about having the event in Grand Bahama. I think by all accounts everybody seems very satisfied, he said.

The event attracted 400 athletes from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He thanked Mike Sands, president of the NACAC, for bringing the event to the Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama.

Sands took ill while attending the event and is under observation.

President Sands is convalescing. He is under observance, Archer said.

I have spoken with him. He is in great spirits, and he says he feels great.

Conditions were very hot over the three days of competition.

It was incredibly hot, and I think it took its toll on many athletes, Archer said. But, it cooled down on the final day of competition and you could not complain anymore about the heat.

When organising the schedule, he explained that the technical director would have considered the question of light conditions in time for the event.

And out of an abundance of caution, we decided in the event that lamps were not installed at the time of the event, then at least, we would have full daylight for the event.

Well, we got full light and a wonderful facility for nighttime competition. Unfortunately, it was too late to change the schedule, he stated.

Archer is confident that other events would be held in Grand Bahama.

He noted that whether government or privately funded, they will push and continue to market the Bahamas as a track and field and tourist destination. Our push and mandate is to create more content for track and field in the Bahamas, both in GB and NP, Archer said.

He thanked the entire organising committee for doing such a huge job in executing and pulling off the event and delivering a world-class competition.

I want to say a special thanks to Chevonia McBride and Perez Cooper who were co-chair persons for the event, and Norris Bain, deputy managing director, and others, including Deon Britton (hotel accommodations); Dr Cecil Thompson (transportation); Sophia Higgs (volunteer section); Laura Pratt Charlton, (competition manager) supported by her husband David Charlton (the competition director). General-Secretary Keith Joseph and Mabelene Miller CEO for BAAA (responsibility for accreditation), Archer summed up.

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BAAA president Archer pleased with Team Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

Four games, four blowout wins for the Kentucky Wildcats in the Bahamas. It started with a 52-point victory over the Dominican Republic Select National Team, followed by back-to-back 62-point wins over Tec de Monterrey and Carleton University, respectively. Then to close things out, a 24-point win over the Bahamas National Select Team, giving UK a 50-point average margin of victory on the week.

One week later, what did we learn about John Caliparis 2022-23 roster? What were the top takeaways from the teams foreign exhibition tour? KSR breaks it all down from top to bottom.

Replacing the likes of TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz, Kentucky needed to find immediate scoring production in the transfer portal this offseason. Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves a 20 point-per-game scorer emerged as a clear option, but how would he adjust from the Missouri Valley to the SEC? Could he be relied on as a go-to scorer on the wing?

The 6-foot-6 guard out of Chicago put all of those worries to rest in his MVP performance in the Bahamas last week, finishing as the teams leading scorer at 17.0 points per game on 52.4% from the field, 51.9% from three and 100% from the line. Reeves was nothing short of sensational, breaking down defenders, knocking down shots and getting to the charity stripe (10-10 FT) with ease. Hes still coming along defensively, but in terms of scoring, you really couldnt ask for more in the Illinois State transfers debut as a Wildcat.

Happy to see Antonio do what we know hes capable of, for you all to finally get a chance to see it, Orlando Antigua said to close out the trip.

Some people are wired to score. Antonio Reeves is one of those people.

Playing behind Keion Brooks Jr. his first two years at Kentucky, Jacob Toppin showed flashes of brilliance, but never consistent stretches of real production. He was a gadget athlete capable of making a defensive stop or throwing down a big dunk, not a go-to contributor.

Thats no longer the case, as Toppin is now the top option at the starting four spot going into his senior season in Lexington. And in his first stint in an expanded role, he clearly looked the part, averaging 16.8 points on 56.5% shooting and 53.3% from three to go with 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.75 blocks per game. He did so averaging a team-leading 24.5 minutes per contest.

He found himself in a few hot streaks from three, but also knocked down pull-up jumpers inside the arc, scored on turnarounds and fadeaways out of the high post while also finishing strong around the basket. Thats on top of the freakish athletic plays he continues to convert how about that 360 slam in transition?

Im proud of him. He stepped up, made some plays, Antigua said of Toppin. The stuff hes worked on all spring and summer has translated to competitive games. Playing lower, playing through contact, playing through the first initial physical bump against the defense. Being able to make shots in transition when hes open, his post-up game, high post turnaround jump shots, all of the things hes been working on with his game.

To see him do it against other competition in a competitive atmosphere, thats what you want. Now hes got to continue working to get ready for the season.

The skill is finally catching up with the length and athleticism.

Is it possible for a Bob Cousy Award finalist to be underrated going into his senior season? That seems to be the case with Sahvir Wheeler, who quietly put together a terrific week in the Bahamas, averaging 14.5 points per game on 61.1% shooting and 93.3% from the line. He also had a 24-6 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for 6.1 assists and 1.5 turnovers per game, along with securing 1.75 steals per contest.

His 3-point shot didnt fall (0-9 on the week), but Wheeler missed just five shots inside the arc across four games, good for 81.5% from two. The veteran point guard struggled in game one (six points, 2-6 FG, four assists, two turnovers), but was nothing short of sensational in games two through four.

Hes very underrated. He is really a great passer and he is all about winning, KT Turner said of Wheeler. One thing he does as a point guard is he knows who is on and where to get them shots. Hell find you and he gets his teammates a lot of open shots.

He keeps up with the game, notices what happens. He knows whos hot but he also knows who has not had a shot in a while.

The 5-foot-9 point guard is who he is at this point and thats a good thing. At his best, hes an elite playmaker and crafty finisher with the ability to push the pace and be a disruptor defensively. As shooting improves around him the way it did in the Bahamas 38.1% from three on 26.3 attempts per game, including five scholarship players shooting at least 40% from deep the better he looks.

11.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 23.5 minutes per game for college basketballs reigning National Player of the Year. Oscar Tshiebwe was efficient as a scorer and free-throw shooter (55.6% FG, 75.0% FT), rebounded well and fought defensively. John Calipari praised his improvements with mobility and lateral quickness, working to become a more well-rounded and versatile player.

Even still, Tshiebwes on-court play was hardly discussed, with the spotlight shining brightest on his teammates in paradise. And thats the beauty of Kentuckys deep and talented roster, knowing you have a safety net anchoring the post, one capable of taking over games if necessary.

Everyone knows what Tshiebwe can do. This trip was about figuring out what the rest of the roster is capable of and establishing roles elsewhere. Mission accomplished on those fronts all while the 6-foot-9, 260-pound star is averaging a double-double.

Thats whats going to make us hard to deal with, Sahvir Wheeler told KSR. You watch film and youre thinking, Man, Jacob, Man, Chris (Livingston), Cason (Wallace), others. But youve got the National Player of the Year back. How are you going to guard him? Are you going to double him and let CJ (Fredrick) and everybody shoot? Or are you going to play him one-on-one? Come on, we saw that last year.

Its crazy and hes getting better.

A career 47% 3-point shooter, its no secret CJ Fredrick can let it fly from deep. Its his best trait, the greatest value he brings to the floor at the collegiate level.

But its not the only value he brings.

Fredrick opened his trip to the Bahamas with a zero-point, one-attempt performance, his first game action since his time at Iowa during the 2020-21 season. Just looking at the box score, youd assume it was nothing more than an opportunity to get back to game speed and dip his toes in the water of competitive basketball again. After watching film, though, John Calipari singled out Fredrick as one of the games top performers for everything he did outside of shooting and scoring. The redshirt senior even got his own individual highlight segment breaking down all of the ways he impacted the game.

I may be on your ass, and then next day, I was wrong. I watched the tape and you were right. You were better than I thought,' Calipari told the team in a private meeting. Well, CJ, I watched him I mean, come on.

We showed you guys the star and you could see it on film, Chin Coleman added. 6.7 (points allowed per 40 minutes). Theres a reason why he is what he is, and he guarded their best player.

He did good, Calipari said. His first time out, too. I said, Wow. He was hungry.

The film breakdown highlighted Fredricks emphasis on making the extra pass, taking care of the ball and being a disruptor on defense. Thats on top of being a coin-flip 3-point shooter.

There wasnt a bigger highlight-maker in the Bahamas than Daimion Collins, easily leading the team in posters per game including two non-human throwdowns to open the event.

Daimion Collins, phew. That boy is crazy, Oscar Tshiebwe told KSR. We see it in practice, that boy is working. Hes Superman, he flies. Every time I see him in the air, I just say, Go ahead man, Im not going up there. Youre too high.'

Overall, Collins averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per contest, shooting 60.7% from the field and 85.7% from the line. Take away his five misses from three (0-5), he shot 74% from the field overall (17-23). He was efficient and scored in a variety of ways outside of dunks and easy lay-in opportunities though his presence as a serious lob threat and rim-runner was felt.

Maybe the most positive development? His ability to finish through contact, an area of his game he struggled with as a freshman due to his slight frame. Now listed at 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, hes visibly bulked up, and that translated to production on the floor in Kentuckys four-game exhibition tour. Now hes got two-plus months to add even more muscle before the real games begin.

Chris Livingston? 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. Cason Wallace? 6-foot-4, 193 pounds. Adou Thiero? 6-foot-6, 200 pounds.

This isnt your typical crop of college freshmen. These three are grown men and they may not be done growing.

Theyve got some size with them, Wheeler added. Cason is not a small dude. Hes 6-4, athletic, can jump and hes built. Chris has shoulders like Chin (Coleman). Hes got big shoulders, and for him to be able to move around and shoot like that, its crazy. And Adou, everyone says hes growing to me, he aint getting no taller (from where I stand) [laughs]. But hes stupid athletic, can jump off either leg and competes at a high level. Those dudes are fitting right in.

(The freshmen are) coming in ready to go, Tshiebwe told KSR. Like, they have no fear.

Wallace led the freshmen with 10.5 points per game, good for fifth on the team. He shot 48.6% from the field and 40% from three while adding 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in 22.3 minutes per contest. Livingston was just shy of the double-digit mark, averaging 9.8 points on a terrific 65.2% shooting and 60% from three (6-10) to go with 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. And then the big surprise, Thiero, who averaged 6.3 points on 58.8% shooting and 50% from three along with 3.0 rebounds, 1.75 assists, 1.75 steals and 1.25 blocks in 14.3 minutes per game.

Wallace and Livingston were seen as college-ready pieces when they signed with Kentucky, and they clearly looked the part in their unofficial debuts. Thiero was seen as the long-term, wait-and-see project when he joined the fold late. He, too, produced when his number was called.

Obviously we were excited about the impact that Adou had in the minutes that he played, Antigua said.

66 free throws drawn, 56 makes, good for a conversion rate of 84.8% on the week. Kentuckys primary backcourt pieces of Wheeler (14-15, 93.3%), Wallace (2-2, 100%), Reeves (10-10, 100%), Livingston (3-4, 75%), Fredrick (1-2, 50%) and Thiero (2-3, 67%) combined for 32-36 overall, good for 88.9%. No player missed more than two free throws the entire week, with Toppin (7-9, 77.8%) and Tshiebwe (6-8, 75%) each missing a pair.

It wasnt just a strong shooting week from the line, it was an extraordinary week across the board. The Wildcats not only drew fouls 16.5 free throws per game they knocked them down with efficiency.

Kentucky finished the 2021-22 season shooting 72.6% from the line, an average of 12.8 makes on 17.6 attempts per game. Of the players with at least one attempt from the line per contest, none shot above 78.3% on the year.

Only a four-game sample size, sure, but the Cats got the job done at the line.

John Calipari was blown away by Kentuckys event-opening win against the Dominican Republic National Select Team, singling out the teams ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio in its first unofficial game as a unit.

That wasnt like a high school JV team, that was a mid-major team, Calipari told his team during film review. 28 assists, five turnovers woo-hoo. Its August 10, are you s****ing me?

The Wildcats ball security held strong the rest of the week, finishing with just 42 turnovers compared to 92 assists, good for a smooth 2.19 AST/TO as a team. Individually, no player averaged over 1.75 turnovers per contest, while five players averaged at least two assists per game. Antonio Reeves was the only scholarship player with a negative AST/TO on the week (six assists, seven turnovers).

Playmaking was strong, ball security was stronger.

29 blocks on the week, good for 7.25 per game. Toppin and Collins averaged two swats per contest, with Thiero adding five blocks overall, as well. Tshiebwe was only credited with one block in four games, but his physical presence inside was a factor, while Wallace and Livingston both made plays at the rim.

Overall, Kentuckys size and length overwhelmed the competition all week long, with teams second-guessing essentially every shot attempt around the rim. In transition, opponents could only pray Toppin wasnt trailing to pin their shot on the backboard. Collins had a few ridiculous swats on perimeter close-outs himself.

Oh yeah, and Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso previously high school basketballs top shot-blocker in 2023 just reclassified and enrolled at UK for the upcoming season. Hes now on campus and available to help if necessary.

Kentucky has the tools to be an elite defensive team this winter.

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10 things we learned about Kentucky on the court in the Bahamas - KSR

ATHLETES work out at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex a day before the start of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is expected to feature more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba.Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunedia.net

Coach Lonnie Greene said although his first priority is on high hurdles national record holder Devynne Charlton, he is just delighted to be able to assist any Bahamian athlete who needs his help.

Greene, the head coach at the University of Kentucky, is in Grand Bahama for the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is featuring more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba.

Although hes not a part of the Bahamian coaching staff, Greene said wherever there is a need for his service, he is willing to assist Team Bahamas 11 women and 17 men who will compete in the NACAC Championships that will be held in memory of the late former athlete/ coach/executive/administrator Anita Doherty from today through Sunday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

After the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, we have to do everything we can as a nation to try and generate commerce, the interest of sports tourism, to help Grand Bahama get back to normal, Greene said.

I dont think people take into consideration what it takes to bounce back from a hurricane. It could be earthquakes, it could be a tornado, whatever. Bouncing back isnt easy and being able to generate heads in beds and getting dollars into local companies is vital.

So, when it was announced that NACAC would take the championships to Grand Bahama, Greene pegged it on his schedule for him and Charlton to attend. Charlton, a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky, opened the season by winning the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships, placed seventh at the World Championships in Birmingham, England after her national record of 12.40 in the semifinals before she picked up another silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Shes having a phenomenal year, Greene pointed out. At the end of the day, her performances have all been legal. People could question windy performances if they want to, but I always tell people, if the wind is at your back, you run faster, but the wheels still have to turn. A person could run fast and break the world record in windy conditions, but the wheel still has to turn for them to run that fast. Devynne has run 12.40s and I always thought she had that in her and possibly she can run 12.30s by the time we get to the Grand Prix Finals.

Greene, who first recruited Charlton to run for him as the head coach at Purdue University where she had a stellar collegiate career with the Boilermakers, said the goal is to get her to finish off the year strong, get some rest and do it all over again next year. But he said theres nothing like competing at home. The people in the stands will be cheering for her, he pointed out. Ninety percent of the crowd will be pulling for the 242. Its like Team USA. When they came out to the World Championships in Eugene, the crowd went crazy.

In this great nation of us called the Bahamas, were home in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The way they look at it, its the Bahamas versus the rest of the world. Thats how they will compete. Their national pride is going to come forth. Bahamians are proud people. They will be there to cheer on the Bahamians.

While the lineup is expected to be a pretty good one for the womens 100m hurdles, Greene said the goal is to get Charlton back on the podium and hopefully this time it will be on the top as the gold medallist.

Although he only had a short time, Greene said he was also glad to give some pointers to Shakeem Smith, who will be representing the Bahamas in the mens 400m hurdles at the championships.

Smith is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and is now venturing onto the pro circuit.

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Team Bahamas gets set to take on rest of world - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Owner of the New Duff Kendrick Delaney says that he hopes to make the popular Bahamian treat as well-known globally as the croissant and cinnamon roll, with the company having emerged as the winner of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) National Finals.

Delaney gave a presentation on the company and its vision last Friday and on Tuesday was announced as the winner of the EWC National Finals. The companys pitch was to raise close to $750,000 to begin the process of preparing the New Duff for franchising, and complete two new stores in Nassau, one in Miami, and an overseas manufacturing plant. Delaney said the company is hoping to attract large-scale equity investors to help propel it to becoming a global brand.

Delaney will now move on to the EWC Global Finals where top entrepreneurs from some 200 countries around the world will compete. This year, the global finals are being held in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Of course, we sell guava duff but what we are looking to really do is be an international billboard with food from The Bahamas, Delaney told Eyewitness News.

He added: I started out making guava duff really as a love letter to all the grandmothers out there because I had so many warm and nostalgic memories around guava duff.

The company has grown from a bicycle cart to a food trailer and a storefront bakery over the past few years.

Delaney said: Its incredible that we were chosen as the national winner for the EWC. We have grown a lot as a company as there is still so much more growth ahead for us. Our vision is to make guava duff an international dessert and for people to think about The Bahamas every time they indulge in this decadent treat.

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GOING GLOBAL: The New Duff moves on to Entrepreneurship World Cup global finals - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Creating an innovative and modern agricultural sector and attracting investments to the agri-business sector will top discussions at the second CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo taking place in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 18 21 August.

In the margins, there will be a meeting of the Lead Heads of the Caribbean community to discuss Haiti.

We are moving in the direction of forward-looking greenhouse technologies and climate-smart agriculture, with the built-in advantage of being sustainable and carbon negative, said Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

Cooper will represent the prime minister and lead a delegation including H.E. Winston Pinnock, Bahamas Ambassador to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to the two-day conference under the theme, Transforming Agriculture through Innovation and Investment.

Our particular focus is on our islands of Andros, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera where the bulk of arable land is available for agricultural development, said Cooper, who will also serve as acting Minister of Agriculture.

In underscoring the Governments intent to bolster food security, Cooper added that one of the goals is to develop a chemical-free $430 million AGRIHAVEN in Grand Bahama with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to become a major wholesale food producer for the region.

Currently, The Bahamas imports over 90 percent of its food, which translates into approximately $1 billion in spending.

The CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo was established as a hub for Caribbean member states to network with stakeholders and investors. The inaugural expo took place in Guyana in May of this year. This second installment is focused on food and nutrition, agriculture, finance and marketing, trade and investment, and innovation and technology. The forum is strategically designed to facilitate CARICOM member states in achieving the 25 percent by 2025 vision of reducing regional food imports by increasing targeted investments in the agricultural sector regionally.

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Cooper leads delegation to CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo II - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The National Insurance Board (NIB) and Public Managers Union (PMU) signed off on a five-year industrial agreement yesterday which addressed issues such as promotions, salary increases, performance evaluation, and training.

Public Managers Union president F Cassandra Cartwright-Lewis said yesterday that it was a long, tumultuous and at times very daunting task to reach the finalization of the agreement.

We have come a long way, said Cartwright-Lewis.

I do hope that moving forward our industrial agreements will not take as long as it has and I do anticipate that in the future, all parties would recognize that without the employees of the National Insurance Board the Board is unable to provide the necessary services. It is important we ensure that people are properly compensated for the services that they provide, she added.

Cartwright-Lewis said that the union recognizes the challenges that the Board is confronted with. We must be mindful that in order for this to work there has to be a partnership as we look to improve the services of NIB and address other challenges NIB faces. It has to be a partnership with staff members, executives, and the Board.

NIB Chairman Philip McKenzie said: It is safe to say that neither party got all that they asked for but equally safe to say that the interests of the employees of the Board and the delivery of services to the public were paramount considerations to both sides.

Myles Laroda, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for NIB said that the agreement was a major feat considering that the initial process commenced in June of 2020 amidst challenges and the impact of a global pandemic.

Official negotiations commenced on January 18, 2021. The agreement is for five years commencing January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2024 and addresses some 14 financial articles, including promotions, salary increases, performance evaluations, training as well as health and safety.

Excerpt from:

AT LAST: NIB and Public Managers Union sign off on five year industrial agreement - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The process to kick-start the redevelopment of the North Eleuthera airport is expected to commence in the coming months, it was noted yesterday.

During an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) virtual procurement fair yesterday, Charlene Collie, project coordinator of the airport infrastructure program said: We have two processes upcoming in the next six months, with expected contract signature dates of August 2023 for an estimated budget of $35 million. Associated with the north Eleuthera international airport landside works we will be seeking prequalification of contractors. The scope of works includes the construction of a new air terminal building and combined services building with associated civil works.

Collie noted that also being advertised in the month of September is the airside works at the North Eleuthera Airport with an expected contract signing in September 2023. The part of the project has an estimated budget of $30 million and will include the construction of a new parallel runway, apron, and refurbishment of the existing runway to be used as a taxiway. We are excited about these upcoming processes as we look to begin work on the North Eleuthera airport.

Collie also noted that under the airport infrastructure program work is ongoing on the Exuma International Airport, with minor work being carried out at the Marsh Harbor and Treasure Cay airports.

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North Eleuthera Airport redevelopment process to kick-start in the coming months - EyeWitness News

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Select any one of our 16 islands and start exploring. Let the adventure begin.

Click to select the island you would like to explore in The Bahamas

Experience the boating capital of The Bahamas in the one-of-a-kind island chain known as The Abacos. Sailing, fishing, award-winning golf, and quaint colonial island towns are all waiting to be discovered in this sun-drenched destination in the northern Bahamas.

TCB | Treasure Cay International Airport

MHH | Leonard M. Thompson Airport

YAS | Sandy Point Airport

Acklins and Crooked Island offer a stunningly secluded getaway by a shimmering lagoon. From bonefishing and birdwatching to exploring the serene island town of Long Cay, this destination is a hallmark of undisturbed Out Islands charm.

AXP | Spring Point Airport

PWN | Pitts Town Point Airport

CRI | Crooked Hill Airport

Journey to the largest island in the Bahamas and explore natural wonders like no other. Left virtually untouched, Andros is home to breathtaking blue holes, coral reefs, underwater wrecks, national forests, and more.

ASD | Andros Town International Airport

SAQ | San Andros Airport

TZN | South Andros

Bordered by the Tongue of the Ocean, The Berry Islands are home to some of the most diverse and abundant sea life in The Bahamas. This unique marine destination comprises nearly 30 idyllic cays, most of which are uninhabited.

GHC | Great Harbour Cay Airport

CCZ | Chub Cay International Airport

World-class fishing, thrilling dives, and island adventure await on the storied island of Bimini. From diving with sharks and visiting shipwrecks to pursuing the prized blue marlin at sea, Bimini offers memorable experiences for intrepid travellers.

BIM | South Bimini Airport

NSB | North Bimini Airport

Surfing, kiteboarding, hikes through tropical landscapes to the highest point in The Bahamasyou might be surprised at what you find in quiet Cat Island. From historical sites to watersports and beachside bars, theres no shortage of things to do and see along the pink sands.

Discover colourful New England-style architecture, astounding natural beauty, and pristine clusters of sandbars and cays on these two picturesque Bahamas hideawayseach is unique and not to be missed.

GHB | Governors Harbour Airport

ELH | North Eleuthera Airport

From untouched beaches and breathtaking resorts to the famous swimming pigs, The Exumas is where the beauty of the Bahamas meets unforgettable adventure. Make memories like no other among crystal clear waters and four-legged friends.

GGT | Exuma International Airport

TYM|Staniel Cay Airport

Freeport Grand Bahama Island is a bustling paradise of island activities and fun in the sun. Experience the thrill of kayaking through mangroves, exploring underwater caves, off-roading through pine forests, and much more.

FPO | Grand Bahama International Airport

Those with a passion for birdwatching look no further than the island of Inagua. Situated in the southernmost part of The Bahamas, Inagua is home to three national parks serving as habitats for over 80,000 flamingos and 140 other species of birds.

IGA | Inagua International Airport

The shores of Long Island boast world-class bonefishing, thrilling encounters with marine life and thriving reefs, and the worlds second deepest blue hole. While adventure fills the waters, on land, life is tranquil and serene.

SML | Stella Maris Airport

LGI | Deadmans Cay Airport

An isolated and secluded escape, Mayaguana is an outdoor-lovers destination. Whether its a footprint-free beach or a far-off fishing spot, the island is the perfect blend of solitude and charm.

No other capital city boasts paradise as its neighbor. While Nassau promises big city thrills, nearby Paradise Island offers miles of natural wonder. Immerse yourself in an island experience that delivers the best of both worlds.

NAS | Lynden Pindling International Airport

Beyond the shorelines of Ragged Island, anglers will find remarkable deep-sea fishing. Bonefish, barracuda, tuna, and kingfish are just a few of the more common catches around the island, while the quaint settlement of Duncan Town is a quintessential island escape.

DCT | Duncan Town Airport

This hidden treasure of a destination boasts ancient Lucayan art, sprawling white sand beaches, thrilling dive siteseven a secret surf spot. A short boat ride away, Conception Island is perhaps one of the most well-preserved areas in The Bahamas.

RCY | Port Nelson Airport

San Salvador may be one of the smallest islands in The Bahamas, but it stands out amongst the larger destinations. Historic monuments, scenic lakes, tranquil beaches, and natural parks abound.

ZSA | San Salvador Airport

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The Bahamas Islands - Discover 16 Unique Island Destinations

With its turquoise waters, pillowy sand beaches and laid-back island attitude, everything really does seem better in The Bahamas.

With 16 major islands and 100,000 sq mi of some of the worlds clearest water, theres no shortage of island adventuring to be had whether its hitting the waves for a snorkeling expedition or unwinding with a frosty rum-laden beverage in hand.

If youre a water sports enthusiast, The Bahamas is a great destination for indulging in your passion. Snorkeling and scuba diving adventures await, with deserted islands and intimate coves providing an undisturbed peek at the marine life enjoying the warm, clear waters that surround the islands.

But if youd prefer to keep your itinerary close to shore, theres plenty to explore there as well. Need proof? Heres a list of the top things to do while in The Bahamas.

The 40-acre Lucayan National Park is one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world, two of which are open to the public for swimming and exploration. Located east of Freeport over on Grand Bahama Island, Lucayan is an ecological treasure, playing host to all six of Bahamas vegetation zones.

Before cooling off in the caves waters, walk or ride a horse along one of the park's paved paths and experience its mangrove swamps, rocky coppice landscape and singular hardwood forest.

Sharpen your negotiating skills and snag a few locally-made souvenirs at Nassaus frenzied Straw Market, located next to the tony boutique shops on Bay Street. Youll find vendors with individual stalls hawking all manner of wares, from straw purses and wood carvings, to touristy tees and hats.

Haggling isnt just acceptable in this open-air market, its encouraged. The Straw Market is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.

Who says careening down waterslides at breakneck speeds and giddily screaming the whole way through is strictly for kids? The Aquaventure attraction at Atlantis Paradise Island offers 141 acres of high speed water slides, winding lazy rivers and 11 swimming pools set amongst the ruins of Atlantis. Access to Atlantis is free for overnight guests of the resort, but you can pick up a day pass if youre staying elsewhere.

Atlantis isnt the only attraction on Paradise Island walk around to the east side of the island and youll discover the public entrance to Cabbage Beach, a two-mile stretch of pristine sand framed by swaying palm trees.

If the waters are a bit choppy, seek out one of the beachside huts where youll find a masseuse waiting to administer a muscle-melting massage set to the crashing waves of the ocean beyond.

Top 14 beaches The Bahamas

No, your eyes havent been taken over by an Instagram filter the sand on Pink Sands Beach in Harbour Island is indeed pink. The rosy pink hue is courtesy of microscopic coral insects with bright pink and red shells.

In a slightly grim twist, the waves crush their shells and mix the remains with the sand and coral on shore, creating the soft pink hue. The sand here is almost always cool, making the three-mile stretch of beach perfect for daytime strolls or sunbathing.

If you havent guzzled a daiquiri or three, did you really visit The Bahamas? Avoid falling victim to that question and get yourself to the Daiquiri (Daq) Shack, an open-air wooden hut known for its boozy blended concoctions using fresh tropical fruits and healthy pours of rum.

The island has many pretenders to the throne, but the original is located on Cable Beach. Look for the one with all of the visitor photos and business cards stapled to the walls and then after tipping your bartender, add one of your own.

When is the best time to go to The Bahamas

A former pirate hangout and playground for the rich and (in)famous, the luxuriously ornate grounds of the Graycliff Hotel have courted all manner of interesting characters for nearly 300 years.

While best known for their cigars, the mansion also houses one of the worlds largest wine cellars, and yes, a five-star restaurant. Think: high-end takes on traditional Bahamian cuisine. But make sure to call ahead for reservations the restaurant tends to be fully booked weeks in advance.

After youve checked the daiquiri off your Bahamas bingo card, your next stop is conch. Fried or fresh, the most popular spot to grab the islands unofficial dish is at the Fish Fry in Nassau. The collection of wooden shacks house individual vendors hawking fried and fresh conch along with Bahamian staples like plantains and rice.

The Fish Fry is open seven days a week, but its Friday and Saturday nights that invite a party-like atmosphere fueled by rum-spiked drinks and music.

The Cricket Club is where British ex-pats get their fill of Premier League Football, pints of Guinness and plates of Yorkshire pudding (along with a legit bangers and mash). Post up at one of the tables on the upper-level balcony and watch a cricket match on the pitch below. The balmy Caribbean breezes and ice-cold beer are just the things to take the edge off a sizzling tropical day.

Whats a visit to a Caribbean island without a bit of rum? John Watlings Distillery has been producing the sugar cane molasses-based liquor since 2003. The distillery uses coconuts to filter their juice, which might seem tropically gimmicky on the outset, but actually does the job.

Situated on the lush two-acre Buena Vista Estate, the distillery is open seven days a week for tours and tastings dont forget to pick up a half gallon of one of their estate cocktails to go.

Do you need a visa to go to The Bahamas?

While The Bahamas has plenty of natural beauty to keep you entertained, the island archipelago also has a decidedly glitzy side, and its on full display at the Baha Mar complex in Nassau.

Comprising the SLS, Grand Hyatt, and Rosewood resorts, the Baha Mar Casino ties all the properties together and can add largest casino in the Caribbean to its resume. Join the well-heeled crowd with a good-luck cocktail before hitting up one of the 119 live table games, 1,000 slot machines or placing a bet on a televised live sports game.

Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system best known for its star-turn in a James Bond movie. Located just west of Staniel Cay, the craggy aquamarine pool is perfect for a day of diving, swimming and snorkeling while channeling your inner international spy even if for just a few minutes.

Only a short 30-minute boat ride from Nassau, Rose Island is home to Sandy Toes, the quintessential Bahamian beach bar. Located on the shores of a secluded tropical island, you can opt to spend the day snorkeling in the surrounding crystal clear waters or romping around with the islands nine resident pigs (if thats something that interests you).

Afterwards, grab a frozen daiquiri from the bar and kick back in one of the islands rope hammocks.

Time to put your mask and fins to good use the barrier reef on Andros Island is the third-largest on the planet and offers a one-of-kind peek at the colorful array of marine life that inhabits the Caribbean waters. Known as the Big Yard, Andros is largely unpopulated, allowing much of the natural Bahamian terrain to remain wild and undisturbed.

But its the 190-mile barrier reef that steals the show, with its submerged shipwrecks, underwater blue holes, and schools of parrotfish, speckled scorpionfish, and blue tangs.

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The 14 Best Things to do in The Bahamas - Lonely Planet