SPORTS SECTION E
Friday, November 21, 2025
LET’S SWIM - PAGE 8
Minister opens 50-metre swimming pool at Champion Spirit Country Club By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THEY didn't make a splash in it, but Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg opened the newest 50-metre swimming pool at the Champion Spirit Country Club. The brief opening ceremony was held yesterday at the resort that Bowleg called a "one stop shop" that features a series of world-class facilities designed by founder Abdoulaye Fadiga and operated by Bahamian Olympian Andretti Bain. Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis was expected to attend but didn't make it due to a prior engagement. But Bowleg, in his remarks, said he's finally glad to open the second 50-metre pool in The Bahamas. Bowleg noted that the pool comes at a time when the country is still celebrating the seventh straight victory by Team Bahamas at the 2025 CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Trinidad & Tabago over the Easter holiday weekend. He noted that the facility will
only encourage more young swimmers to get involved in the sport and compete at the next level like some of the former swimmers who were in attendance, including Nikia Deveaux-Christie, who made it to the Olympics. Bowleg also revealed that when the men's national basketball team assembles next week for the FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Canada, he intends to invite them out to train in the facility, which caters to a number of sporting disciplines in a world-class setting. Fadiga, a former Thai boxing world champion, said he was delighted to finally get the pool completed up to 90 per cent. He said the other 10 per cent should be done by January when the pool will be in full operation. "It's a good feeling to know that it is finally completed," said Fadiga, who is now residing in The Bahamas. "We hope to ensure that we can provide a truly world-class experience for everybody who attends the facility." He noted that the facility is a dream come true and
GRAND OPENING: Shown, from left to right, Julien Bethel, Anthia Butler, Minister Mario Bowleg, Olympian Nikia Deveaux-Christie and Ashley Butler. he's just excited to see it come to a reality. Bain thanked Fadiga for coming up with the initiative to provide the facility that they hope to make accessible to as any Bahamians as possible. He said he was hoping that Fadiga would have taken the first dip into the pool. Once
he does, he said he will follow him. Deveaux-Christie said looking at the pool brought back so many memories and she's considering whether or not she will contemplate making a comeback, but she seriously doubts it. "I'm really excited that we have another 50 (metre)
pool in the country and I hope that it is opened to the younger swimmers in the country," she said. "Our swimmers are doing extremely well and hopefully this will encourage more of them to attain the highest level of competition at the Olympics." Having been there and
done it, Deveaux-Christie said she was pleased to see the Bahamas Government recognise her for her achievement by placing her as one of the last five persons who had their images placed on the Walk of Fame on the outside of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium earlier this month. "It's a great feeling especially knowing that after all these years to be recognised," Deveaux-Christie aaid. "It brings the feeling back all over again and it's even encouraging to my son who didn't think that was a great athlete." As one of the youngest competitors in attendance, Menzies said the pool will enable more of the younger swimmers, especially on the national team, in the country to train in a new facility. "I think it will be good for the national team to have another 50m pool to train in because it's so much different from a 25m pool," Menzies said. "So it's good to see this pool in this world-class facility." The brief ceremony concluded with a junkanoo rush-out.
Rhema and Denika making their presence felt at FIU By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamian connection of Rhema Collins and Denika Lightbourne are making their presence felt for the Florida International University Panthers ladies’ basketball team. The Lady Panthers, coached by Jesyka BurksWiley, are off to a 1-2 win-loss record, having lost their latest game to the University of Central Florida 79-61 as Collins was FIU's second leading scorer with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Lightbourne had a rebound and an assist. In their three games combined, Collins is currently sixth in scoring in CUSA (15.5 ppg), eighth in both rebounding (8.5 rpg), and FG% (47.6%) and fifth in blocks (1.5 bpg). Lightbourne, a transfer from Dayton, had a best showing as a Panther with 21 points in their season opening 81-56 loss to the University of South Florida on Monday, November 3, in Tampa, Florida.
When contacted, Collins said she's just thrilled to be on the court. She transferred from Ole Miss where she played sparingly under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin in her first two collegiate seasons. "Overall, it felt great to be on the floor," said Collins, who is in the Panthers' starting line-up. "I'm very proud of my teammates and how we are coming together as a team." Collins said it's just great to be able to contribute to the team's performance. "Things are going great. We're continuously learning, growing and always learning new things about each other on and off the court." And from one Bahamian connection with her and McPhee-McCuin at Ole Miss to her and Lightbourne at FIU, Collins said she is very content with her new environment. "No complaints from me. Denika is a great teammate," Collins stressed. "As expected, when you see one, you see the other. She's a joy to be around."
BAHAMIAN CONNECTION: Rhema Collins, far right, and Denika Lightbourne in action for the Florida International University Panthers ladies’ basketball team. FIU is slated to be back in action on Saturday when they head to Jacksonville, Florida, to play Jacksonville at 2pm on
ESPN. "The expectation is obviously to win, but also to learn," Collins summed up. "Definitely, we have a lot of things to work on.
“I don't think anytime soon I'll be satisfied with my game." Next week, the Panthers are scheduled to be at the
Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, Florida, where they will play in their FIU Thanksgiving Classic November 28-30.
Former athletes, coaches and referees honoured at Sandals By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture hosted a formal induction ceremony yesterday at the Sandals resort ballroom to honour 14 former athletes, coaches and referees named to the Bahamas 2025 National Sports Hall of Fame. The hall-of-fame jackets and plaques were presented to the honourees by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. The 2025 class included the following: Arnold Bain - longtime athletics official and starter who served the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, remembered locally for decades
of service to track and field events. Ernest (Ernie) Barr - a prominent Bahamian professional/light-heavyweight boxer from the 1970s who fought internationally and remains a noted name in Bahamian boxing history. Rex Burnside - influential in strength sports and powerlifting administration in The Bahamas and recognised in cycling/powerlifting circles for long service to those federations. Don Cornish - sport administrator and former president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation with long involvement in sports governance and cultural institutions. Foster Dorsett long-serving athletics administrator who has held leadership roles with
various Bahamian athletics organisations. Norbert Elliott - former Bahamian Olympic triple-jumper who went on to a successful coaching career in the US collegiate system. Rev Philip McPhee - noted for using sport in community and faithbased youth development, involved with the Bahamas Baptist sports initiatives. Steven (Steve) Pinder - a respected basketball coach and mentor in Bain and Grants Town whose long coaching career has shaped generations of players. Alvin Sargent - internationally certified amateur boxing referee and longtime official who has represented The Bahamas on the global ringside stage. Sydney Sinclair - represented The Bahamas in
volleyball programmes and played collegiately, contributed to development pathways for Bahamian players. Laverne Nancy Symonette - recognised for her excellence and contributions to volleyball. Kim Thompson - celebrated locally for excellence in cycling/drumming/arts in the sporting-culture space. Marcian Peters (Father Marcian Peters) - founder of the Father Marcian Peters Invitational basketball tournament, an institution that has developed Bahamian youth basketball for decades. Joseph “Joe Billy” Rolle longstanding contributor to Bahamian sport as a player/ coach/administrator, widely recognised in local sports circles.