SPORTS SECTION E
Friday, January 30, 2026
RUGBY UNION - Page E7
‘Jamaal was a perfectionist and a tenacious competitor’ By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Volleyball Federation is mourning the sudden passing of veteran player Jamaal Ferguson, who played a key role on the men’s national team at the Caribbean Volleyball Championships here in August. The 38-year-old outstanding libero player, one who serves as a defensive player wearing a contrasting jersey as he focuses on passing and digging in the back court, was found with stab wounds to his upper body at his residence on Daffodil Avenue on Wednesday. Yesterday, the BVF and some of its members expressed their condolences to his family. "Jamaal was a perfectionist and a tenacious competitor whose commitment to excellence set him apart both on and off the court," said BVF’s president Kurkwood Greene. "As a libero, he brought discipline, resilience, and an unmatched work ethic to the national programme, consistently raising the standard of play for those around him. His passion for the game and his willingness to share his knowledge made him an invaluable mentor, and, unfortunately, he will no longer have the opportunity to pass on his experience to younger national team players." Ferguson, who was honoured during the awards presentation for his longevity in the CVC Championships, played a pivotal role in Team Bahamas’ runners-up position behind champions Curacao. The performances of Team Bahamas positioned the team for potential qualification to the Continental Championship in September 2026. "This loss profoundly saddens the volleyball community. On behalf of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation executives and membership, we extend our deepest condolences to Jamaal’s family, friends,
Bahamas Volleyball Federation mourning sudden passing of veteran player Ferguson
VETERAN national volleyball team player Jamaal Ferguson shares a special moment with CAZOVA president Mushtaque Mohammed. teammates, and all who were touched by his life and career," Greene stressed. Glen Rolle, who served as the head coach for Team Bahamas, noted that his relationship with Ferguson stemmed from his introduction to the sport of volleyball as a junior competitor coming out of the CI Gibson High School back in the 1980s. "We came into volleyball around the same time, although I was about a year or two ahead of him," Rolle said. "Before I actually
became a coach, we played together and he looked up to me as his senior." Rolle said if there was one thing that stood out about Ferguson, it would have been his jovial attitude. Rolle noted that he never saw a player who had an infectious smile that lit up the gymnasium whenever he stepped in it. "And no matter what team he played on, he always gave it his best shot to win," Rolle said. "He was dedicated to the sport and he was always
trying to find a way to improve his skills. His heart and soul was in volleyball." While Ferguson came into the sport as a junior and, after two years, he emerged at the senior level in 2008 in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) where he played on several teams including the Kalik Gold, the Intruders, the Technicians and the Defenders where he played until his retirement. Veteran player turned coach Jason Saunders
remembered how he was able to help Ferguson develop his skills when he came into the sport. "He had some bad habits with bending his elbows. “And so what I used to do was I bought some sticks and taped it to his hands and elbows so they could stretch out," Saunders said. Eventually, Saunders and Ferguson became teammates as they played in the Baptist Sports Council for the Macedonia Baptist Church Warriors, winning
several championship titles. "He was a very confident player and he worked very hard on his craft," Saunders recalled. "We saw it in his improvement in his jumping ability,” he added. After returning from college, Ferguson played in the NPVA and at one point he ventured into the professional ranks, but fell short of securing a deal. Ferguson eventually started his own business after working for a while at Baha Mar.
‘Jay Shred’ Johnson qualifies for IFBB World Championships again By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FOR the second time in his illustrious career, Jason “Jay Shred” Johnson will be taking his talent to the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) Men and Women's World Championships. Johnson, ranked at number three in the points standings, earned the right to compete in the event, scheduled for September 30 to October 5 in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, (UAE) after defending his title in the IFBB Pro Mr Mexico Show in October and placing in the top five in the other three shows he competed in last year. This year's appearance comes after Johnson made his debut in 2024 via an invitation. This time around, Johnson said he intends to avoid the mistake he made the first time around by going to UAE at least a week ahead of the
competition to get acclimated to the time zone, which is six hours difference from The Bahamas. Johnson, the only Bahamian to obtain a pro card in both the IFBB and the World Bodybuilding Fitness Federation, said he's delighted to represent The Bahamas again in the prestigious championships. "I'm pleased to know that all of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication that I put into the sport is paying off," Johnson said. "They are recognising me around the world. So it's a good feeling to be putting The Bahamas on top of the chart." As he prepares for the competition this year, Johnson said he's looking to compete in at least two shows before the championships and hopefully he will have another one after. "I'm just going to continue to develop my physique and focus more on my upper chest, which the judges told me I need to improve on," said Johnson,
JASON ‘JAY SHRED’ JOHNSON
‘who will work towards competing for the first time in June this year. "My upper chest is the only lagging part of my body that I have to improve on. “That's pretty much it. I just need to keep my waist small, continue to keep my shoulders pumped and round and full and just maintain the rest of my body." As the only Bahamian to qualify for the championships, Johnson said it's a proud moment for him to enjoy. "I'm always inspired to be the Joel Stubbs of this era in bodybuilding," said Johnson of his Bahamian idol, who went as far as to compete at Mr Olympia. I'm a proud protégé of Mr Joel Stubbs." Johnson has represented The Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean Championships before he earned his pro card. And he said he would like to one day qualify for
The Olympia but, in order to do that, he will have to switch over to the WBFF. Dekel “Bowflex Barbie” Quant has earned her berth to compete in the 2026 Olympia after winning the women's figure competition at the Ben Weider Naturals Pro/Am held in Alexandria, Virginia, in November. For Johnson, in order to earn a trip to The Olympia, he will have to earn his pro card and win a professional qualifier. But he said while it's possible to do it, he's not quite prepared to make the transition. In the meantime, Johnson expressed his gratitude to Stubbs, Leonardo 'Nardo' Dean, Wellington 'Cat' Sears and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for their support. As a personal trainer, Johnson said persons interested in a trainer can reach out to him at 432-5165. He said he can also be contacted by anyone who is willing to assist him financially in his journey.