02162026 SPORTS

SPORTS

‘VJ’ earns MVP honours

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports

Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

VALDEZ

“VJ” Edgecombe had the kind of All-Star Weekend breakthrough every young player dreams about. Playing for Vince Carter’s squad in the four-team Castrol Rising Stars tournament at the Intuit Dome, Edgecombe delivered two late-game winners that secured Team Vince the Rising Stars title and earned him tournament MVP honors.

The Rising Stars format this year used a short-tournament setup with four teams (three NBA teams and a G-League selection team), two semifinal games played to 40 points and a championship game played to 25. Each team was coached by an NBA veteran featuring Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Austin Rivers and with that structure it produced condensed, hightempo games. In the semifinal, Edgecombe and Team Vince faced Team T-Mac. Edgecombe poured in 17 points

(shooting an efficient 6-8) in that game and was the closer. After trailing, he scored the final 10 points for team Vince and hit the go-ahead bucket that sealed the game. Team Vince won that semifinal 41-36, with Edgecombe’s surge turning a tight finish into a comfortable advance.

The championship was a one-possession affair against Team Melo, staying low-scoring and physical throughout. Edgecombe contributed six points in the final and, in the last minute after an offensive rebound and a foul, calmly sank two free throws to put Team Vince ahead 25-24 and ultimately clinch the title.

Post-game Edgecombe said: “Vince was telling us, ‘Just go! Just go! Keep playing hard!’” crediting his coach Vince Carter’s push.

“I just wanted to win. To be honest, I told Vince that we were going to win it,” said Edgecombe.

Other rookies who drew notice across the night included fellow Rookie of the Year candidates Kon Knueppel, and Derik Queen, plus several G-League callups who

showed flashes in short minutes. But Edgecombe’s late runs and the free-throw finish in the final were the

defining moments of the tournament, and the league recognised that with the MVP award. Two clutch

finishes, a semifinal where he scored the last 10 points, a championship clincher from the line, and the MVP

Judoka Xavion Johnson brings home bronze

JUDOKA Xavion Johnson opened his 2026 judokan season over the weekend with a bronze medal performance at the Tunisia African Cup in Tunisia, North

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

XAVION Johnson opened his 2026 judokan season over the weekend with a bronze medal performance at the Tunisia African Cup in Tunisia, North Africa.

The top Bahamian junior competitor moved up to the -73 kilogram class in his first competition in seven months.

He shared third place with Ilias Jacobs of Morocco.

Youssel Elkassar of Egypt won the gold, while Myhsmmadin Loiqov of Tunisia got the silver.

In brushing off the cobwebs, Johnson won his debut at the tournament in the heavier weight class with a win over a hometown competitor from Tunisia.

Johnson went on to win his next match against a competitor from Morocco to move into the bronze medal round.

He suffered his first loss to an Egyptian and ended up pulling off his final

match against Morocco to clinch the bronze.

"My performance wasn’t the best but I’m fighting to be proud of myself," saiid Johnson, who was accompanied in Tunisia by his coach, two-time Olympian Nicholas Tritton of Tritton Performance.

In critiquing his performance, Johnson admitted that there's still more work to be done.

"Although I medalled, I know I didn't fight my absolute best," Johnson pointed out. "So I need to focus on closing that gap with my coaching team."

Up next for Johnson will be the Central American and Caribbean Games qualifiers in Panama March 22-28. And the CAC Games are set for July 28 to August 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Hopefully at this meet, Johnson will improve on his performance.

"I am grateful but still unsatisfied," Johnson stressed. "My goal is always gold, to hear our national anthem play with me on the podium."

Johnson, 19, currently trains out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is under the supervision of Tritton, Sasa Mehmedovic and Joshua White where he hopes for a brighter future. As he prepares for participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, Johnson said his wish is for "continued growth and success in my judo career, especially as I transition into my new weight class." Johnson previously competed in the -66kg class, in which he was ranked at number 20 with 145 points in the world, at the end of 2025 with the highlight of his season coming in August when he captured the bronze at the Junior Panamerican Games in Asunción, Paraguay. He also placed fifth in both the Birmingham Junior European Cup in July in Birmingham, Great Britain.

And the PanAmerican and Oceania Championships in April in Lima, Peru.

‘This facility will match international standards’

By ANDREW COAKLEY Bahamas Information Services

FREEPORT, Grand

Bahama, The Bahamas --

“When our Grand Bahama swimmers brought home victory after victory at CARIFTA: when they stood on those podiums and carried the Bahamian Flag high, I made a promise. I told them that your efforts, your early mornings and your sacrifices deserve a home that matches your ambition,” said Prime Minister Philip Davis.

That promise, made years ago, brought Prime Minister Davis to Grand Bahama for a groundbreaking ceremony for a world-class Aquatics Center, at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

“This facility will match international standards, it will be capable of hosting major regional and international meets and it will give Bahamian swimmers a chance to train at home in a pool that will prepare them to compete in the fastest lanes in the world,” he said during his address at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I know that to get to this day has taken time, and I want to thank you for your patience. There were surveys and soil tests, there were discussions with planning departments, with engineers and architects.

“We had to secure the land, design the facility to ensure that what we build here stands strong, serve long and meet the expectations of both athletes and the wider community.”

Prime Minister Davis said the proposed Aquatics Center will not be constructed for a small circle of competitive swimmers, but also for children who will learn to swim at the centre, for grandparents who will use the waters for therapy, for the teachers and instructors who will conduct “learn to swim” programmes and for training of life guards.

Davis, who himself was a regular swimmer and even taught swimming, noted how important it was for all Bahamian children to learn how to swim. Simply because The Bahamas is “an ocean state”, the islands are surrounded with some of the most beautiful waters on earth.

PRIME Minister Philip Davis (centre) stands next to Karon Pinder-Johnson, executive director of the YMCA, surrounded by young Grand Bahama swimmers, following the official groundbreaking ceremony. (Photos/Andrew Miller/BIS)

Yet, he pointed out that too many Bahamians do not know how to swim.He recalled when Scottish actor Sean Connery created a foundation of which part of the proceeds were to provide university scholarships for Bahamian and Scottish students in the discipline of marine sciences.

Prime Minister Davis said that recently he was advised by Mr. Connery’s son that they had taken a group of 30 Bahamian students to

Scotland for a semester of studies in marine science.

Because of the number of them who could not swim, said PM Davis,  the foundation fully supports the government’s learn to swim programme.

“As an adjunct to that programme, we started a programme called ‘pools and schools’, where we’re putting swimming pools in some of the public schools in New Providence.  And there is no reason why we

can’t start that same programme here in Grand Bahama.“

A country built on the sea should never be a place where fear of the water holds anyone back. This centre will help to change that story. Here in Grand Bahama young people will gain a skill that can save their lives, open doors to scholarships and lead them to represent The Bahamas on the regional and global stage.”

The Prime Minister spoke directly to the swimmers who were present at the groundbreaking, encouraging them to continue the disciplines of training persistently, day after day, even when tired.

He said the new Aquatics Centre is being built with those swimmers in mind.

“One day you will walk into this Aquatics centre for an early morning practice, the sun will just be rising, the water will be still and waiting and you will know that your country believed in you enough to build this place.

“When you travel to race abroad, you would know that you’ve trained in a facility that matches the pools overseas.

“And when you come home with medals, records and personal best, you will know that your success grew from the work you did here.”

Prime Minister Davis thanked all of the partners who played a role in helping to bring the project thus far, including the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which transferred the land to the government for the facility.

Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic starts today

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER forfeiting the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association's title on Friday, coach Lamont “Red-Head” Armaly said his RM Bailey Pacers will be back to win the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic.

The 42nd version of the tournament, featuring 24 of the top senior boys teams in the country, is set to start today at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

The four pools of six teams each will run though Monday, February 23, when the champion will be crowned. The Tabernacle Baptist Falcons out of Grand Bahama are

the defending champions, having knocked off the CI Gibson Rattlers in last year's final.

The pools have been divided as follows:

Pool One - St George's High, Charles W Saunders, Greenville Preparatory Academy, ISBET, CR Walker and Jordan Prince Williams High.

Pool Two - CI Gibson, Tabernacle Baptist Academy, Teleos Christian School, Balzer Elite Sports Academy, Patrick J Bethel and CV Bethel.

Pool Three - St John's College, Agape Christian School, Gateway Christian Academy Anatol Rodger, Eight Mile Rock and CC Sweeting, Pool Four - RM Bailey, Sunland Baptist Academy, Queen's College,

Westminster, Jack Hayward and Government High School.

Having played in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association's bestof-three championships that they forfeited to CI Gibson due to suspended players, the top ranked RM Bailey Pacers have issued a statement to the rest of the tournaments coming.

With only eight players to work with all season because of a ruling that didn't allow his transferred students to play, Pacers' coach Lamont 'Red-Head' Armaly said all of his players will be eligible to participate in the tournament.

"I'm going to make the prediction that RM Bailey will win the tournament," Armaly said. "We only

GSSSA Basketball: Senior Boys Game 3 called off

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE much anticipated game three of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association's senior boys basketball championship series was not played on Friday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

The game, which was scheduled to start around 5pm, was delayed a few times before it was finally called shortly after 6pm after the RM Bailey Pacers refused to play against the CI Gibson Rattlers.

RM Bailey's coach Lamont 'Red-Head' Armaly adamantly argued that they were not going to play CI Gibson, coached by Kevin 'KJ' Johnson, if the Rattlers' suspended players were allowed to play.

Stemming from game one on Tuesday, a fight broke out on the court and one player from each team was ejected. The Rattlers went on to win the game.

But before game two, a ruling was handed down from the Ministry of Education in consultation with the principal association that some additional players would be suspended for their involvement in the marlee.

Those players sat out the game as the Pacers rallied back to win to even the series at 1-1, forcing the third and deciding game on Friday.

That would have completed the GSSSA championship series after the junior boys and girls and senior girls were completed in two game sweeps on Thursday. However, before game three of the senior boys' series, another ruling was handed down. It was alleged that permission was given for the CI Gibson players to be inserted back into their line-up, a decision that didn't sit well with RM

Bailey, the top ranked team in the league.

After lengthy discussions and a series of delays, the game was to begin, but this time, Armaly and his Pacers walked out of the gymnasium, leaving the Rattlers on the floor.

GSSSA president Vandyke Bethel declined to give any comments.

Having been awarded the game, but no awards presented as was done after the other three champions in the GSSSA were crowned on Thursday night, coach Johnson said he was highly disappointed that the Pacers took the stance that they did.

"My principal wrote an appeal because we have a right to appeal the decision to suspend my boys," coach Johnson said. "Only one player from RM Bailey was suspended.

"But if you saw the video, clearly those two boys didn't deserve to be suspended and they were talking about five games. It was ridiculous. At the end of the day, my principal made the appeal."

If they had not made the appeal and got a decision, Johnson said if his principal had advised him not to play his boys who were suspended, he would not have played them.

"I don't care who was mad or upset with the decision that was made," Johnson stated. "Win or lose, there's life after basketball and coaches make a decision for them."

However, Armaly said they pulled the team after he received a call from the principal of RM Bailey not to play the game because of a letter they received indicating that his player could not play.

"Why would I play my player if I got a letter stating that my player could not play," Armaly said. "We didn't start the fight. CI Gibson attacked my player.

"My player got suspended for his reaction and his reaction was to defy

himself. Like I told him, since you defended yourself, you got suspended and the letter stated that you have to sit out three games."

Based on the letter he received, Armaly said it was noted that five players from CI Gibson were suspended. Only one player was involved in the fight. So why did the other four players get suspended? Their players got suspended because of their reaction."

Armaly, however, said CI Gibson played game two without the five suspended players and lost the game. But they decided to have the decision reversed and play their players.

"Myself, nor Kevin Johnson, was in the meeting when the decision was made," Armaly said. "My principal wasn't in that meeting. The executives from the GSSSA and the Ministry of Education made that decision after watching the video and they gave out the penalty.

"That had nothing to do with the school. The Ministry made the ruling. So why do you want to change it on the day that we are about to play? That is not fair."

As the new president of the GSSSA, taking over from Varel Davis, Armaly said Bethel and his executives made a ruling that no transferred players would be allowed to play during the season.

"That affected me because I only ended up with eight players who were eligible to play all season," Armaly said. "He told me they could not play.

"I appealed it because I had players who came from private schools. Mr Bethel and the Ministry sent me a letter thanking me for the appeal, but indicated that my transfer players could not play. I followed the rules."

Once he got the directive from his principal, Armaly said he had no other choice but to take his team off the court and subsequently forfeit the game.

played with eight players all season long and we were the number one team in the GSSSA.

"We will have all 15 of our players available for Hugh Campbell so we are going there to win it."

However, tournament director Paul Adderley said they expect all teams to abide by the rules of the GSSSA.

Adderley said while the tournament will kick off today, they expect the teams from Grand Bahama, one from Abaco and the other from Bimini, to intensify the competition for the rest of the week.

Adderley said they are in contact with the teams in Grand Bahama, Bimini and Abaco and if there are any issues with their teams, they will have to consider it.

Armaly said he visited Grand Bahama and he got a chance to view the teams in action and he's confident that the way his team is playing and with the added players, there's "no team out there who can beat us.

We are going to win this year's Hugh Campbell." Sunland Baptist and Sir Jack Hayward played in the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Sports Association best-of-three championship series. Meanwhile St John's emerged as the champions of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, having knocked off Charles W Saunders in the third and deciding game.

"We are expecting the competition to be very intense," Adderley said. "We watched the private

schools, the GSSSA and the Grand Bahama schools and so we're looking to see how the champions and the runners up pan out," Adderley said.

"We are looking to see if any of them make it to the championship."

• Here's a look at the schedule of games on tap for today's opening of the tournament:

MONDAY, February 16

4pm - Greenville vs CR Walker

5pm - Jordan Prince Williams

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SPRINTER Lamarr

Williams got a NCCAA indoor track record and jumper Sabriya Farquharson had a field day to lead a list of Bahamians competing this weekend in various track and field meets in the United States.

Among the others who shined in their respective events were sprinter Demetrius Rolle and Andrew Styles, Olympic hurdler Charisma Taylor and quarter-milers Javonya Valcourt and Lacarthea Cooper.

Williams, in posting the fastest qualifying time in the preliminaries of the men's 60 metres at the National Christian College Athletic Association Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships in Cedarville University in Ohio, broke a 12-year-old NCCAA record.

The Bethel University sophomore from Moores Island, Abaco, ran 6.77 seconds to erase Kirk Wilson of Shorter University's record that he held from 2014.

Williams, however, came up short in the final as he ended second in 6.85 behind Phil Stupka, a junior

at Malone, who took the tape at the line in 6.82. "Breaking the record wasn’t something that I had in mind. I did not know the record before the race," Williams said. I just went out there and competed and I was able to execute.

"That race felt very comfortable. It means a lot to me that I am also able to achieve this record."

In the 200m, Williams came in third in 22.08 as Stupka once again took the victory in 22.00. Malachi Weatherly, a junior at Southwestern, got second in 22.02.

"Overall I would say that I was grateful to go out there and compete for my school," Williams added. "It was a great experience but I actually expected a bit more out of myself but no matter what, I remain grateful for what I accomplished."Williams is now preparing to compete at conference championships and the NAIA Nationals where his goal is to "continue to keep trust in God, stay healthy and for the rest of the season to continue to improve on my personal bests."

Farquharson double victory

Competing for Saint Benedict at the CSB/SJU Valentine's Day Open

at the Donald McNeely Spectrum in Collegeville, Minnesota, Farquharson clinched the victory in the women's long and triple jumps.

Farquharson, now in her junior year, won the triple jump after clearing 37-feet, 1-inch or 11.30m. Her teammate Hannah Scharnberg was her nearest rival with 33-3 (10.13m). In the women's long jump, Farquharson also won with her leap of 17-11 3/4 (5.48m). Versatile Zaria Stapleton, a sophomore at St Cloud State, was fifth with 17-0 1/2 (5.19m).

Stapleton also got a third place finish in the women's 60m in 7.91. Michelle Marquard, a sophomore at Southwest Minnesota State, won in 7.79.

Stapleton had the fastest qualifying time of 7.82.

Rolle triumph in Chicago

On Senior Night at the fourth annual Blue Demon Alumni Classic at DePaul University in Chicago, DePaul's Demetrius Rolle won the men's 60m in a lifetime best of 6.74m.

Rolle also had the fastest qualifying time of 6.69 in the preliminaries.

Styles won in Ohio

Akron's junior Andrew Styles ran a personal best of 47.36 to win the men's 400m at the Youngstown

State University's Last Chance Meet at the Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown, Ohio.

Styles, a native of Grand Bahama, also placed second in the men's 200m in 21.20.

Taylor third/fourth in Arkansas

Getting back to her versatility at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Taylor finished third in the women's 60 metres hurdles in a time of 8.05 seconds. Myreanna Bebe, a senior at Tennessee, won the race in 7.98.

Taylor, preparing for her second consecutive appearance at the World Indoor Championships next month, had the fastest qualifying time of 7.99 in the preliminaries.

Taylor, 26, also got back in the pit, competing in the women' triple jump where she was fourth with her best leap of 45-feet, 10 1/2-inches or 13.98m. Davisleydi Velazco of Adidas won with 47-7 (14.50m).

A pair of Bahamians competed in the women's 400m with Valcourt taking third in 51.92. Quincy Penn, a junior at Florida, was sixth in 52.45. Rachel Joseph, a senior at Iowa State, won in 51.53.

"I feel really good about my latest performance. It wasn’t the time I really

Sports Calendar

TRACK NPA TRACK CLASSIC

THE Noble Preparatory Academy Spartans’ third annual Track and Field Classic is scheduled for Saturday at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The event will begin at 10am and will feature competition on the track and the field in all age groups from under-7 to open.

The registration deadline is Tuesday. The contact is info@npabahamas.com

SANDS ON TALKSPORTS

BAHAMIAN legend

Mike Sands, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC), will be the special guest of TalkSports, a radio show that covers the Caribbean. Sands will speak on the show on Saturday, February 21, at noon and will be live on all social media as he addresses NACAC, the governing body for track and field in the region.

CYCLING KING OF THE HILL

THE New Province Cycling Association has announced that its King of the Hill 2026 will take place on Sunday, February 22, at Fort Charlotte Hill, starting at 8am. It’s the association’s first race for the year and challenges the competitors to get ready to conquer the hill. Forms are available at the Cycles Bike Store, or call 432-5568 or email

president Barron ‘Turbo’ Musgrove at bammus1967@ gmail.com.

“Only the toughest riders will rise to the top,” according to the association. “Test your endurance. Dominate the climb. Claim the crown. Will you be the king?”

EDRON KNOWLES

TOURNEY

THE National Sports Authority will pay special tribute to the late Edron ‘Ed’ Knowles with a Home Run Hitting Showcase at

wanted or expected, and I still have a lot of things to work on," said Valcourt, whose aim this year is to dip under the 50-second barrier. "I also don’t think I executed the race competitively the way I normally would not really having anyone in the race to push me made a difference."

Valcourt, who is preparing to run some 4x400m relays for the Lady Vols in two weeks, said while she didn't race in the same heat as Penn, she was still pleased to see another Bahamian 400m runner competing as well.

Penn had a double dose of action. She placed 10th in the women's 200m in 23.36 with Esther Joseph, a sophomore at Tennessee, winning in 22.94.

Also at the meet, Wanya McCoy, a senior at Florida, posted a season's best of 6.64 for fifth in the final of the men's university 60m. Jamarion Stubbs, a senior at Arkansas, won in 6.58.

McCoy had the sixth fastest time coming out of the preliminaries in 6.68.

Jamiah Nabbie, in her freshman year at Texas, had to settle for 11th place in the preliminaries of the women's 60m in a personal best of 7.38.

And in the men's university 60m hurdles, Otto

Jumper Sabriya has a field day, Sprinter Lamarr breaks 12-year-old NCCAA indoor track record Local

the Bankers Field on February 20. The top 20 home run hitters in the country will compete for $500 cash plus five cases of beers for first place, $300 and three cases of beers for second and $200 and two cases of beers for third. The event is being sponsored by GBall and A Sure Win.

ATLANTIS

COLLEGIATE

BASEBALL

ATLANTIS will be branching out its athletic programme by introducing its Collegiate Baseball Series at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium from February 27 to March 1. The series will be played between Indiana State Sycamores and the Penn State Nittany Lions, two National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One programmes. Tickets are currently on sale and will be 50% off for local residents using the code 242baseball at AtlantsBaseball.com. Kids 12-and-under will be admitted free.

TRACK RED-LINE

FIELD AND RELAY

CARNIVAL

THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club, coming off its successful hosting of the Sonja Knowles Track Classic, will now prepare for their third annual Field Events and Relay Carnival at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The Carnival is scheduled for February 28 from 10am to 6pm with the long jump, triple jump, pole vault, discus, javelin and shot put and on March 1 from 1-6pm with the 4 x 100, 4 x 200, 4 x 400, 4 x 800 metres and both the sprint and distance medley relays. The event is open to competitors from the under-7 to the open divisions.

BBSF FAMILY FUN

RUN/WALK THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its Family Fun Run/Walk Race on Saturday, February 28, beginning at 6am at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street. The walk will leave Jean Street and head north to Bernard Road, turn onto Bernard Road and head west to Soldier Road, turn onto Soldier Road and head south to Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive and head east to Jean Street, turn onto Jean Street and back to the Bahamas Baptist College. The run will leave Jean Street and head

Laing, a junior at UCLA, came through in 7.91 for 11th overall in the preliminaries.

Cooper fourth at Don Kirby

At the 2026 Don Kirby Elite Indoor at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lacarthea Cooper of Texas A&M clocked 52.94 for fourth place in the women's 400m.

The event was won by Rebecca Grieve of New Mexico in 51.71.

And in the women' 200m, Shatalya Dorsett of Georgia Southern came in 13th in the preliminaries of the women's 60m in 7.41.

Hutchinson fourth at YSU

At the YSU Last Chance Meet, Brandon Hutchinson, a senior at Youngstown State, picked up a fourth place finish in the men's 60m hurdles in 7.99. His teammate Micah Mitchell, a junior, won in 7.84. Hutchinson advanced from the preliminaries with the seventh fastest time of 8.14.

south to Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive and head east to Fox Hill Road, turn left onto Fox Hill Road and head south to Berard Road, turn onto Bernard Road and head west on Bernard Road and to Jean Street, turn left onto Jean Street and back to the Bahamas Baptist College. The categories in both events are the under15, under-20, under-40, under-60, 60-and-over and 70-and-over for men and ladies. There will also be a category for Pastors/Ministers combined. The cost is $10 per person. Trophies will be presented to the overall winners and medals distributed to the first three finishers in each category. There will also be a trophy for the church or organisation that brings the most participants.

A free health screening will take place as well as there will be a special appearance by fitness guru Natasha ‘Downtown’ Brown and souse will also be on sale at a cost of $10 each.

GOLF SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Bahamas Golf Federation will hold its School Golf Championships March 2-6 at the Nine-Hole Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The registration starts at 8am and the fee is $15 per golfer. Interested persons can log onto www.bahamasgolffederation.com for more information.

TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Bahamas Triathlon Association, which postponed its National Championships on February 1 due to the inclement weather, will host its new date on Sunday, March 15 at Jaws Beach, starting at 7am.

The competition will have the Olympic competition including a 1.5 kilometre swim, 40K bike ride and 10k run, a sprint (750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run) and relay for teams of 2-3 people for all ages.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AWARENESS

WALK SAVE the date of Saturday, March 28, for the Special Olympics Bahamas Awareness Walk. It’s scheduled to start at 9am from the Western Esplanade and end at the Legends Walk of Fame outside of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Inaugural Pickleball After Dark tournament has successful debut

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE inaugural Pickleball After Dark tournament, hosted by the Bahamas Pickleball Federation and Baha Mar, held over the weekend featured more than 50 pickleball players at the Baha Mar John McEnroe Tennis Center, marking a successful debut for the evening competition and social event.

Players of all levels competed throughout the night in a series of matches that featured both experienced and emerging talent. The event combined structured competition with a relaxed atmosphere, including beverages and light refreshments.

Executives from the Pickleball Federation were in attendance, led by Kelly Anne Meade, president of the Bahamas Pickleball Federation.

Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson Sills was also in attendance and delivered brief remarks and ceremonially struck the first ball to open the event. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s support for the Federation and its commitment to growing the sport of pickleball throughout The Bahamas.

In the inaugural final, Enea Gervasini and Peter Azar won the title with a 21-9 victory over Koby Roberts and Jill Schoenhoffer.

The event also attracted international participation, including players travelling from Jamaica, reflecting the sport’s expanding regional reach.

Baha Mar’s director of Racquets, Derron Donaldson, called the event “a tremendous success” and thanked the Federation for selecting Baha Mar as the host venue.

He confirmed that additional installments of the series are planned and said events like this provide “an exceptional platform for community engagement, competitive play, and enhanced experiences for visiting resort guests.”

Baha Mar racquet professional Marion Bain conducted an introductory clinic for beginners, focusing on fundamentals and helping new players get started.

Organisers are preparing for the March edition of Pickleball After Dark as the series looks to build on its opening turnout.

Arsenal routs Wigan 4-0 on no-surprise Sunday as Premier League teams advance to 5th round

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal enjoyed a 4-0 rout of Wigan as five Premier League teams avoided upsets to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup yesterday.

Third-tier struggler Wigan was overwhelmed against the Premier League leader in front of a 60,000 crowd at Emirates Stadium, with all the goals coming in the first half.

Forwards Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were on the scoresheet along with Jack Hunt's own-goal as he tried to cut out a cross from Bukayo Saka.

Big-money summer signing Eberechi Eze set up two goals for Arsenal, which won the last of its record 14 FA Cups in 2020. Wigan won the FA Cup for the first and only time in 2013, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final, but was relegated from the Premier League in the same season.

Premier League teams Fulham, Leeds, Sunderland and Wolverhampton joined the Gunners in the last 16. Fulham rallied to win 2-1 at second-tier Stoke, with Harrison Reed slotting in a late winner after intercepting Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin’s misjudged

pass. Brazilian winger Kevin equalised for Fulham early in the second half after South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho's early goal for Stoke.

Midfielder Habib Diarra's penalty earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at second-tier struggler Oxford, and midfielder Santiago Bueno's goal gave Wolves a 1-0 victory at fourth-tier Grimsby at a soggy and rain-soaked Blundell Park. Leeds needed penalty kicks to win at second-tier Birmingham after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time.

German forward Lukas Nmecha put Leeds ahead early in the second half after being set up by Noah Okafor, but Patrick Roberts equalised in the 89th minute with a powerful shot.

In the shootout, Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri denied Tommy Doyle before Roberts blazed over, leaving Sean Longstaff to score and send Daniel Farke's side through 4-2. Cup upsets

On Saturday, third-tier Mansfield pulled off an upset by knocking out Premier League Burnley to heap more pressure on coach Scott Parker.

THE WEATHER REPORT