Island Relays Bahamas Set for GB March 15-19

By Fred Sturrup | GB News Editor | [email protected]

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama–The Island Relays Bahamas (March 15-19) extravaganza is expected to highlight the sports calendar in Grand Bahama. The relays which will attract track and field athletes from seven universities, is the first collegiate event of its kind hosted in the country.

With the University of The Bahamas (UB) as the country’s standard bearer, slated incoming teams are from such noted tertiary institutions as Prairie View University, University of Oklahoma, University of Arizona, Texas A&M University, University of South Carolina, and Vanderbilt University.

The relays are being organized by Joyce Johnson Enterprises, which is operating from a backdrop of high track and field popularity in Grand Bahama. The island’s track and field fans, long ago, cemented the brand as the most dynamic and productive host island in the nation, for the sport.

National track and field meets are often sparsely attended in the capital island of New Providence. However, hundreds of fans religiously make their way to the Grand Bahama Sports Complex when track and field is on the agenda.

Other than the high sporting presence, the Island Relays Bahamas will serve to give Grand Bahama’s flagging economy a much-needed bounce, as several hundreds, perhaps as many as 300 visitors, foreign and domestic anticipate converging on what was once the most magical social/sporting area in the region.

The hospitality industry will benefit abundantly according to marketing representative Ray Harris.

As for UB, the opportunity will be ideal to showcase its track and field dimension. “Previously UB has been mostly associated with team sports, the likes of basketball, softball and soccer,” said Harris.

Government officials, especially those from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, inclusive of the Minister, Hon. Mario Bowleg; sporting fans; and the general public are encouraged to make the relays a priority on their schedules.

Attachments

Bahamas Boxing Commission Praises Promoter

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

The Bahamas Boxing Commission (BBC) on Wednesday, announced that after working diligently with Bahamian entertainment promoter Whitney Ferguson for three years a blockbuster of an event is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023, for the new Thomas Robinson Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

According to BBC Chairman Fred Sturrup, “This is the finest indication of a revival of the sport we love so dearly, in the last decade.”

“I wish to heap praises on Promoter Whitney Ferguson. He has demonstrated perseverance at the highest level. The calls made to me over the last three years and to BBC Secretary Calvin Greene have been quite a number. There were disappointing occasions when it seemed he would not be able to put a show together, but Ferguson pressed on.

“He networked through the commission with Hon. Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture; US boxing affiliates; and this chairman (who is also a representative of the Commonwealth Boxing Council) to get to this point.

“Now a super boxing show, inclusive of participating Bahamian boxers (a matter being negotiated) is planned. The commission has endorsed the process and confirmed as much with Minister Bowleg. The show has been sanctioned by the Government of The Bahamas through its commission, and hopefully everything will work out,” said Chairman Sturrup.

The show, dubbed “The Return of Drama In Paradise”, will be headlined by a 10-round match featuring lightweights Xolosani Ndongeni and Ladarius Miller. Other bouts scheduled, are: welterweight-Layla McCarter (USA) vs Claudia Andrea Lopez (Argentina), 10 rounds; heavyweight-Justin Jones (USA) vs Saul Farah (Bolivia), 10 rounds; heavyweight-Richard Lamontage (USA) vs Esteban Hillman (Bolivia), 8/10 rounds; super featherweight-Alexander Casares (Mexico) vs Kevin Lionel Acevado (Argentina), 10 rounds; bantamweight-Abdulazeez Alamoodi (Dubai) vs Jose Garcia Sifuentes (Mexico), 8 rounds; super lightweight-Eduardo Javier Abreu (Argentina) vs Jose de Leon Jasso (Mexico), 6/8 rounds; flyweight- Marlen Avila (USA) vs Haiulie Villalobos Martinez (Mexico), 4 rounds; lightweight- Ashton Barreras (USA) vs Reymundo Gutierrez (Mexico), 4 rounds; heavyweight-Anonia Zepeda (USA) vs Skylar Lacy (USA), 6 rounds; super lightweight-Keith Hunter vs TBA (to be announced).

The commission in its press release, appealed to government agencies, in particular, the Ministry of Tourism, Immigration and Customs Departments, to accommodate Promoter Ferguson as he seeks to present a major event in our 50th Independence Anniversary year.

(A Bahamas Boxing Commission Press Release)

Women’s Basketball Team to Spend Thanksgiving Week at the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship

(Rebels to Face off against Dayton and Utah in the Bahamas)

NASSAU, Bahamas – Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is set to take her Rebels back to her native Bahamas, as Ole Miss will take on Dayton and Utah in the 2022 Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championships, Nov. 21 and 23.

“With so many new faces on our team, playing in the Bahamas against strong NCAA tournament tested programs like Dayton and Utah will be invaluable for our team as we prepare for Southeastern Conference play,” said McPhee-McCuin. “One of the hallmarks of our program is providing great experiences for our student-athletes and having the opportunity to take a trip like this is going to make for lasting memories for our program and fans.”

This is Ole Miss’ first trip to the Bahamas since the 2006 Junkanoo Jam, where the Rebels split their two contests going 1-1 on the island. For the second time in program history, the Rebels match up with the Dayton Flyers after last meeting in 1994 with a victory over UD. A tough test follows in Utah, as the Utes are coming off of a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels hold the all-time advantage in the series 3-0, with the squads last meeting in 2014 at the Nugget Classic.

Both games will be broadcast on FloHoops with times for each contest from the Baha Mar Convention Center to be announced at a later date.

A native of Freeport and the first Bahamian woman to sign a Division I letter of intent as a player and the first Bahamian woman to coach at a Division I school, McPhee-McCuin relishes the opportunity to bring her team back to her home country.

“I’ve always wanted to bring my team home to the Bahamas. I love my country and I think it’s great that many will be able to enjoy the beautiful island! It is my hope that my fellow Bahamians come out and not only support Ole Miss but all of the teams in this event.”

OLE MISS SPORTS NEWS – June 30, 2022

GBPA Chairman Sarah St. George Lauds Freetown Housing Initiative

By Fred Sturrup | GB News Editor | [email protected]

A “truly magnificent initiative” was how Grand Bahama Port Authority Chairman Sarah St. George described the $50,000 housing ministry project highlighted during a ceremony Sunday, March 13 in Freetown, Grand Bahama. The venerable patriarch of Freetown, Rev. Rufus Cooper and his wife were presented with the new home. On the invitation of St. Cleveland Baptist Church’s Pastor Preston Cooper, St. George was among the dignitaries and christian leaders in attendance. 
“This initiative will continue. I know Pastor Cooper will see to that. This is just wonderful, and may I call you Uncle, Rev. Rufus? I am very happy for you and your lovely wife, Uncle Rufus. I applaud this housing ministry established by St. Cleveland Church. These are the sorts of efforts that restore communities devastated by natural disasters” said St. George.
She spoke passionately to the residents in Freetown, about the pleasure she felt, being among them. “There is the commitment that I adhere fully to, doing more of this, moving through the communities, interacting with really fine people like yourselves. Congratulations to the Coopers and best wishes to you all,” she concluded her remarks.
Housing Ministry head, Pastor Preston Cooper said the residence handed over, was simply the “beginning”. “We are not going to wait for any government administration or any NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Our Housing Ministry will move forward, reaching out for assistance to relocate residents who lost their homes during Hurricane Dorian, to get back to Freetown,” said the St. Cleveland pastor.
Also present were: East Grand Bahama Member of Parliament, Kwasi Thompson; Grand Bahama Christian Council President, Rev. Ken Lewis; Administrator, Gregory Knowles; Chief Councillor, Rev. Marcus Cooper; and Pastor Edwin Pinder. The event was moderated by Ms. Vivian McIntosh.

Sports Minister Bowleg Urges Boxing Revival

Fred Sturrup | GB News Editor | [email protected]

A few weeks ago, Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Hon. Mario Bowleg, met with Bahamas Boxing Commission Chairman Fred Sturrup and other commissioners for the first time.  The minister made it quite clear that he plans to fortify the commission, the government’s arm for the control of professional boxing, as best as is possible with the main objective being the full revival of the sport.  He requested that Sturrup lead an initiative that links all of the boxing programs in the collective interest of boosting the sport.  To that end, the commission has engaged with Vincent Strachan of the Bahamas Boxing Federation (Amateur arm of the sport); Meacher Major, the national director for the Pan American Caribbean Boxing Organization, which is headquartered in the Bahamas; and Patrick Strachan who just recently registered a veteran boxing body.  A conclave is scheduled for April in Grand Bahama, a day after the scheduled Boxing Reconstruction Invitational which is set to take place at the Castaways Hotel in conjunction with the YMCA of Grand Bahama.  The sport is on the move for sure. There is a great chance that this first joint effort by all of the leadership of boxing will bring about a revival nationally and bring back memories of the ring greats who once had boxing solidified as the most popular sport in the country.  The names Gomeo Brennan, Yama Bahama, Elisha Obed, Baby Boy Rolle, Sugar Cliff, Battling Douglas, Ray Minus Sr., Ray Minus Jr., Cassius Moss, Quincy “Thriller” Pratt, Ernie Barr, Freeman Barr, Nat Knowles, Gary Davis, Taureano Johnson, Jermain Mackey, Carl Hield, Wendell Newton, Rene Pinder, Boston Blackie, Tidal Wave Duncanson, Vogal Reckley, Roy Armbrister, Sammie Isaacs, and many others were once noted in households around the country.   It is the intent of the commission to coordinate and spearhead clinics throughout the land, the capital island of New Providence and the inhabited Family Islands.  The entire plan is to connect the country to boxing like never before and spawn champions and great athletes akin to the aforementioned.
No doubt, boxing development is a top agenda item for Minister Bowleg. The fistic fraternity is appreciative.