SPORTS SECTION E
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025
Swimming, Page 2
Celebrating World Volleyball Day BVF officially launches campaign for hosting of CAZOVA Caribbean Volleyball Championships By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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s they set and bump the ball to commemorate World Volleyball Day, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation officially launched its campaign for the hosting of the CAZOVA Caribbean Volleyball Championships. With members of both the men’s and ladies national teams joining officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the BVF unveiled the plans for the CVC Championships, scheduled for August 14-23 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Federation president Kurkwood Greene revealed that The Bahamas is expected to host eight male teams from Aruba, Barbados, Curacao,
RED-LINE ATHLETICS AT AAU TRACK MEET – PAGE 3
TEAM Bahamas members with Bahamas Volleyball Federation president Kurkwood Greene, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Acting Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills and BOC President Romell Knowles. Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and the US Virgin Islands and six women teams from the matching men, with the exception of Aruba and Curacao. Kelsie Johnson, the acting director of sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said as a former national women’s volleyball team member, she’s proud to know that The Bahamas is going to host the CVC, which she would have played in. She said it’s even more special that the majority of the people who were in attendance at yesterday’s press conference in the foyer of the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium would have played volleyball. So as they unite to celebrate the sport they love, they join the rest of the
world in observing World Volleyball Day. According to Greene, this is the first World Volleyball Day, which is a global initiative by FIVB, which is the governing body for volleyball in the world. “It is designed to bring together volleyball fans from every corner of the world to celebrate the sport that we love,” Greene said. “In the audience today, we are honoured to be joined by both past and present players, coaches and supporters all gathered to reconnect, reminisce and reflect on our shared love for volleyball.” Greene said the federation is now committed to making July 7 a community celebration for volleyball every year throughout the islands of The Bahamas. As they celebrate the historic
event, Greene said the federation was also pleased to announce that, along with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, they will host the CAZOVA Caribbean Volleyball Championships, which will attract more than 300 delegates from the teams coming in to participate. “We are excited, we are ready and we are committed to putting on an unforgettable tournament,” said Greene, who thanked Minister of Sports Mario Bowleg, Johnson-Sills and the team of the Ministry, who have provided support and the resources necessary for this event to be possible. “As a federation, we are focused on building meaningful programmes and sustainable systems to create opportunities for our athletes,” Greene said.
He publicly thanked the Department of Sports, the Bahamas Olympic Committee, the Bahamas Basketball Federation, represented by Eugene Horton and the Bahamas Football Association, for partnering with the BVF in this venture. “These partners have helped us and have played a vital role in supporting us in both our indoor and outdoor volleyball efforts,” Greene stated. To the local organising committee, headed by Romell Knowles, Greene said they extend their gratitude to each of the members for their steadfast dedication and countless hours of work. “We are here today because of your efforts and commitment. We are especially excited to welcome
volunteers to be a part of this journey,” he said. While they are still in the planning stages, Greene said they will advise the public how they can get involved in this year’s event. “For those of us who’ve been around sports for a while, we know that we have all made sacrifices to individual sports, but regardless, we realise that serving our country through sports is indeed an honour and a privilege,” he added. Knowles, who doubles as the president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, said as a former national team player, he’s delighted to serve as the chairman of the LOC (Local Organising Committee). “This event will showcase not only world-class
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FIRST-EVER YOUTH Bahamas 2nd behind PICKLEBALL CLUB Grenada at NACAC Age LAUNCHED Group Championships By Jonathan Burrows
IN a landmark step for youth sports development, the Bahamas Pickleball Federation, in partnership with the Bahamas Youth Sports and Culture Department, launched its first-ever youth pickleball club yesterday at the Baillou Hill Road Sporting Complex. The programme, designed for children aged five to 16 years, will run for four weeks, every Monday and Friday from 9am to
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas placed second behind Grenada at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Age Group Championships held over the weekend in Managua, Nicaragua. While Grenada topped the list of 20 participating countries with an accumulated total of 27,993, The Bahamas secured 27,972, followed by Barbados with 27,716. Individually, The Bahamas struck for a silver medal from Mikyla Sears in the girls’ under-13 pentathlon, a tied silver from Justin Shepherd in the boys’ under-15 heptathlon and a bronze from Jazae Johnson in the under-25 girls’ heptathlon. And as a team, the combination of Shepherd, Johnson, Symiah Strachan and Emmile Higgins won the under-15 mixed 4 x 100m relay in a record-setting performance. “We came up short against a very strong Grenada team, finishing second by 21 points, but we walked away proud
1pm, providing structured training and mentorship in the fastest-growing sport in the world. The inaugural session drew dozens of eager young athletes, many experiencing the sport for the first time. Guided by coach Anwar Smith, a physical education teacher at Blairwood Academy and avid pickleball player, and Jack Bowles, a 16-year-old Bahamian tennis athlete currently
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THE SPORTS CALENDAR TEAM Bahamas at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Age Group Championships in Managua, Nicaragua. because our athletes showed incredible commitment and fought right to the very end,” said Bahamas’ head coach Neketa Sears-Knowles. “Even with a few setbacks along the way they never folded. Instead, they dug deep, stayed focused, and gave everything they had.” In the girls’ under-13 division for the pentathlon, the team of Kian Duncombe and Mikyla Sears
finished third with 5,246 points. Jamaica won with 5,343 and Grenada was second with 5,246. Sears captured the silver medal overall with 2,733 points and Duncombe was ninth with 2,512. Jenoi Daley of Jamaica won the gold with 2,735. The under-13 boys’ team of Aiden Knowles and Antonio Hanna got sixth with 5,344 in their pentathlon.
Barbados won with 6,408, Grenada was second with 6,171 and the British Virgin Islands was third with 5,755. Knowles finished 13th with 2,710 and Hanna was 14th with 2,634. The Bahamas had its best showing in the girls’ under-15 divisional heptathlon with Symiah Strachan and Jazae Johnson combining for the win
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SUMMER FEST TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma. The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and Rubis, will feature a men’s 2-on-2
July
and women’s 3-on-3 format. Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded for the winners and $500 for the runners-up in both divisions. Interested teams are urged to call 422-4550 or 801-3131 for more details. GOLF CHALLENGE THE Strikers’ Three Club Challenge is slated
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