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$100M ARREARS PUT BPL IN ‘DIRE STRAITS’ Company finances hit as customers continue to leave bills unsettled By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power & Light CEO Whitney Heastie revealed yesterday more than $100m in unpaid bills is owed to the company which is in “dire straits financially.” Mr Heastie stressed that BPL has reverted to its 50 percent policy, meaning when people are disconnected, there is a six-month window to repay the remainder of what is owed. At the height of the pandemic, the company revised this policy to a repayment plan of 25
percent with a 12-month payment window. However, Mr Heastie said this policy had made little difference. His comments came during a press conference yesterday in which Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears unveiled the new BPL board. “BPL has had a longstanding payment plan,” Mr Heastie told reporters. “The payment plan was if you were disconnected you had to pay 50 percent of the arrears and then the other 50 percent would have to be paid over six months.”
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NINETY-TWO percent of the people who died or were admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for COVID-19 in October were unvaccinated, according to the Public Hospitals Authority. Among those who died, two were partially vaccinated, two were fully vaccinated and 45 were
unvaccinated. Among those admitted to hospital, six were partially vaccinated, eight were fully vaccinated and 167 were unvaccinated. Those admitted to the hospital included seven children between the ages of zero and nine and 12 people older than 80. The latest numbers are in line with previous statistics which show COVID-19 continues to have a far greater impact SEE PAGE FOUR
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
NIB CHIEF’S THREE-YEAR DEAL WAS STANDARD LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Public Service Minister Brensil Rolle has insisted the Minnis administration did nothing untoward when it executed a three-year contract of employment with National Insurance Board director James Moss. His appointment followed the exit of Dr Nicolla Virgill-Rolle, the former NIB director. SEE PAGE TWO
SEE PAGE FIVE
UNVACCINATED STILL DOMINATE NUMBERS
FACE TO FACE: A FIGHTER FROM HER FIRST BREATH
HOTELS HIT 90% ROOM OCCUPANCY
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
‘WE’RE BACK’
A VENDOR at the Straw Market yesterday, which reopened after 22 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemiuc. See PAGE THREE for the full story. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
CRUISE LINE PI DEAL COULD RUN 150 YEARS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Minnis administration has effectively given Royal Caribbean a minimum 150-year lease over seven Crown Land acres on Paradise Island for its multi-million dollar Beach Club project. The lease, which has been obtained by Tribune Business, gives the cruise giant an initial 25-year lease then a 25-year extension, plus
AN ARTIST’s impression of the development. “no less than four additional options”. All these “options” are 25 years in length, meaning that when they are added to the first 25-year lease, Royal Caribbean can exercise its rights to potentially
occupy that land for oneand-a-half centuries. The agreement, which was executed on May 25, 2021, also commits Royal Caribbean to paying an annual $140,000 rent to the Government for use of land that it holds in trust for the benefit of the Bahamian people. Over a 25-year lease, this amounts to $3.5m in total rental income with VAT at 10 percent contributing a further $350,000 to the Public Treasury. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
MAJOR Bahamian resorts are set to enjoy occupancies “in excess of 90 percent” over the Thanksgiving holiday, said Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association president Robert Sands yesterday, adding: “We’re not looking back.” Mr Sands said based on advanced bookings the Christmas/New Year festive period is likely to start “earlier than normal” and last longer. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PETER YOUNG: DE KLERK A HERO OR VILLAIN IN ENDING OF APARTHEID?
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
NIB CHIEF’S THREE-YEAR DEAL WAS STANDARD from page one
Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Rolle said the agreement between Mr Moss and NIB was similar to previous contracts signed by the three former directors. The only difference, he said, was the change in
salary and name. He was contacted after a local daily reported on Monday that the Davis administration was locked into a three-year contract with Mr Moss after the Minnis administration said in March 2021 that his contract had no out clause. Asked about the matter
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yesterday, Mr Rolle was unable to say if the contract had an out clause or not. All he would say is that he knew nothing about it. He told The Tribune: “The fact is the director of NIB has been given the same contract as the last three directors of NIB. The only change in the contract has been the salary and the name of the person.” “That happens all the time. It happened with Mrs Rolle and the same contract Mrs Rolle had he has and Mrs Rolle left in February of this year. The director left and all we did is visit a new contract for the director and exchanged the name and I believe he may have gotten a $5,000 grant increase. I’m not even sure what it is.” He also said: “I don’t know about (the contract having no out clause). All I know is the same contract that was given to all the directors of NIB before Mr Moss, there was an identical contract. There was a contract given by the PLP to a deputy director for five years without no clause.” Mr Moss was appointed to the post in February after Dr Virgill-Rolle’s resignation was confirmed last November. She had served as the NIB director for more than two years. At the time Mr Rolle, who was then NIB minister, admitted he did not take Mrs Virgill-Rolle seriously when she first revealed she was considering resigning. Once her decision was made official in writing,
BRENSIL Rolle pictured in September outside Cabinet. Mr Rolle said the board sought to dissuade her, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Mr Moss previously held management positions at Deltec Fund
Services Limited, Deltec Securities Limited, Deltec Bank & Trust Limited, Texaco Bahamas Limited, Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants, Price Waterhouse Chartered
Accountants (North York, Canada). He served on the boards of Bahamas Power and Light and Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited.
MAN ‘STABBED WAITER IN THE HEAD’ AT BAR By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A WAITER was left bleeding after a man struck him in the head with a pocket knife at his place of employment, a court was told. Police accused Deno Gilbert of assaulting another man with the small blade while they were at an Arawak Cay bar on October 11. Gilbert denied the allegations when he first appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, and his case was adjourned to trial. When the police reserve
officer who investigated the complaint gave evidence, he said he was conducting traffic duties in the Arawak Cay area when he was approached by a man who told him he had been struck in the head by the accused while at work. The officer said after he noticed blood coming from the man’s head, he followed the man to Sky Juice bar where he pointed out Gilbert as the man who assaulted him with a knife. The court was told that the officer then informed the accused of
the complaint made against him and told him that he was being placed under arrest. He said after he cautioned Gilbert, he noticed a knife five to six feet from where the accused was sitting, resting on the ledge of a window. “I retrieved the knife and headed back to the Arawak Cay police station with Mr Gilbert and the complainant,” the officer testified. “I then handed him over to the police station orderly with the pocket knife”. The matter continues December 3.
SHOOTING VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL A SHOOTING victim died in hospital on Thursday night, police said. Shortly after 11pm, police received a report about a
shooting on Nassau Street near the Shoal Restaurant. Officers discovered a man who was shot in his upper body.
The victim was taken to hospital, however he later died of his injuries. A homicide investigation is ongoing.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 3
Straw Market reopens LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AFTER nearly two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nassau Straw Market was officially reopened yesterday in a move hailed by vendors as “long overdue”. Public Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears highlighted the move as part of the Davis administration’s efforts to further re-open the Bahamian economy and get more people back to work. Mr Sears said for far too long, straw vendors have suffered, adding that with the market’s return, workers will now be able to have their lives returned to some normalcy and meet their financial needs. During a press conference to mark the opening, he said: “For 22 months, these entrepreneurs have been closed and therefore, it was a matter of priority that we open the markets of our country because the money that they make, those profits are not repatriated to another country. That money is spent right here educating their children and spending it on their mortgages, spending it supporting their families and so on…and this is the measure on the re-opening of the economy.” “We want to make the markets the centre of our tourism product in our country. Yes, the hotels, the wonderful cruise ships and the amenities but we want the markets of our country to be the platform to display and to sell the creative products of the Bahamian creative imagination and these people for generation and generation have kept this tradition going and the government will make and continue to invest in our markets so that they are the centre, not the periphery, not on the side, but at the very centre of the attractions that are offered to our visitors in this country.” The downtown site was among the final categories of businesses to reopen since being ordered closed last March. Former Works Minister Desmond Bannister, who had responsibility for the straw market, attributed
MINISTER of Works Alfred Sears touring the Straw Market yesterday.
CELESTINE ENEAS, the president of the Straw Vendors Advancement Association, pictured yesterday. low vaccination numbers safety protocols, Mr Sears among vendors as one of told reporters it was the reasons for the market’s expected some 180 vendors continued closure. will work daily on a rotation Although Mr Sears was basis in keeping with social unable to say how many distancing guidelines. workers have been inocuThis means employees lated against the virus to will work staggered days. date, he insisted the numVendors also will be bers were “significant”. required to undergo weekly Meanwhile, speaking gen- COVID-19 testing among erally about the market’s other things.
He told reporters: “We need to make sure that all of our markets provide everybody who comes in with the assurance and we have a programme of encouraging vaccination and also there will be weekly antigen testing. “As you see entering, we have put safeguards so that temperature could be taken and sanitising will be a part of the culture throughout the market, not only at entrance and exit but throughout the market and the bathrooms as well as other locations within the market. (There will be) sanitisation stations so that there could be the highest possible precaution to avoid any spread of COVID.” However, the protocols are fluid and subject to change following consultation with health officials and relevant stakeholders. Asked how the government planned to address money owed by vendors for rent, Mr Sears said: “There has been a moratorium
Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff because the government recognises that if your business is closed and you have to have this is what we call not just a grace period but a moratorium on the payment and there would obviously be extraordinary situations where a myriad of personal challenges, you would have a case by case examination where there are exceptional challenges. The purpose is to get everyone mobilised so they can get back to work running their business”. Yesterday, Straw Vendors Advancement Association president Celestine Eneas thanked the government for keeping their commitment to vendors and putting them as a top “priority”. “I am proud to work along with the minister and his team because they put us as priority. They didn’t leave us out in the cold where they pushed things down our throats... and I am pleased to say after all this time, we could come to a place where we call home,” she said.
“We sent our children off to college. We sent them to private school and we don’t want to be no burden on the government so that is why we work so we can do for ourselves and so it’s a pleasure and privilege that we come this far by faith and looking forward to more bigger and better things.” Another vendor, Lisa Rolle, echoed similar sentiments saying she felt great to be back to work. However, Ms Rolle said she only had one issue of concern. She said there was only one main entrance for tourists to enter, despite there being several entry ways for the market. She believes more than one door should be opened for access to allow better flow of tourists. According to Ms Eneas, more than 300 vendors have stalls at the downtown site. However, she said, some of those workers have no plans to return to the market, while some 30 have died since the pandemic.
MITCHELL SAYS MINNIS SHOULD ‘GO QUIETLY’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell said former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis should “go quietly into the good night” after declaring his reasons for calling an early election. On Sunday, the Killarney MP told those attending a Free National Movement Church service that he made the decision to call an early election recognising that tough times were coming for the country and his administration needed the mandate to make difficult decisions. Dr Minnis said: “Many still ask the question why was the election called. We have some headwinds that are coming... In order to manage those headwinds that we see coming, it was essential to have a new mandate because very, very difficult decisions have to be made.
“We were determined to obtain that mandate so that we could make those difficult decisions and build a better country together.” Contacted for comment, Mr Mitchell said this was not a matter for the Progressive Liberal Party to comment on, but Dr Minnis would have to live with knowing he is recorded in history as the only Prime Minister that did not last one full term in office. “He sat in the chair and the Constitution gave him the authority,” Mr Mitchell said. “It turns out for him to have been a foolish decision because he goes down in history as the only prime minister and government that could not last one full term.” “We are only now discovering the extent of the disaster Hubert Minnis and his colleagues were. The boasts of solving the problem of the pandemic were idle and a total failure. His was a classic case of
LEADER of the Opposition Dr Hubert Minnis
Nero fiddling while Rome burned. We say too bad, too sad. His loss is a better future, a new day of opportunities for the Bahamian people. Dr Minnis should
go quietly into the good night.” The September election dealt a devastating blow to the FNM as the party only secured seven seats in
Parliament, handing a landslide victory to the PLP. After voting in the Killarney constituency, Dr Minnis responded to criticism that the early election
was ill-timed as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. “I would only say when is the best time?” Dr Minnis previously said.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
UNVACCINATED STILL DOMINATE NUMBERS from page one
on unvaccinated rather than fully vaccinated people. The newly released data comes as health officials weigh giving a booster shot
to residents who are immunocompromised and/or over 60 years old. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week it is now authorising booster shots for all adults over 18.
The CDC announced that Americans over 50 as well as those 18 and older who live in long-term care facilities “should” get booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. The CDC said all adults over 18
“may” get booster doses. Recipients of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine were already cleared to get a booster at least two months after their initial shot. Officials in the United Kingdom have also cleared
the AstraZeneca vaccine as a booster shot. COVID-19 cases have plummeted in The Bahamas recently. Just four cases were confirmed on November 21 and hospitalisations are now down to 18, with five people
in the intensive care unit. Officials, however, have linked the drop in cases to declining vaccination rates, a concern as cases in the United States and Europe have once again begun to soar.
Medical centre plan for Eight Mile Rock By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
DOCTOR’S Hospital has announced plans to open its Kavala Medical Centre in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, by early next year. The centre, located in Hanna Hill, will provide critically needed health care services to residents, including primary care, family medicine, and full outpatient chemo-dialysis treatment. At the unveiling ceremony yesterday, Doctor’s Hospital chief financial officer Dennis Deveaux said they are pleased to be building on the legacy of Dr M R Kavala’s 40 years of general practice in the EMR community, and The Bahamas. “We salute Dr Kavala and his wife,” Mr Deveaux said. “We thank you for entrusting this esteemed legacy with Doctor’s Hospital. We commit to you and your family that we will not fail your legacy.” Social Services and Urban Renewal Minister Obie Wilchcombe, MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini; and Senator Kirkland Russell were present and brought brief remarks. Dr Kavala and his wife, Nalini, and their daughters, Gita and Latha, and their families, were also present for the momentous occasion. The Kavala Medical Centre is expected to open in February 2022. Services will include traditional primary care and family medicine, full outpatient chemo-dialysis treatment, with five chairs to accommodate as many as 30 patients who require traditional outpatient services. There also will be a laboratory, pharmacy, and urgent care services. Additionally, DHHS will also look at establishing an infusion centre and the potential delivery of chemotherapy. They also intend to provide concierge transportation services at no charge.
THE UNVEILING ceremony for the Kavala Medical Centre in Eight Mile Rock yesterday, attended by Social Services and Urban Renewal Minister Obie Wilchcombe. Mr Deveaux said the acquisition of the general practice clinic in EMR is an important undertaking for Doctor’s Hospital. “We believe that the first step prior to the establishment of a hospital in Freeport is to immerse ourselves in the local community and fill in gaps in the public health care system,” he said. He explained that DHHS will execute a comprehensive four-core strategy. Firstly, to bring the very best of Doctor’s Hospital quality. Secondly, to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible. Thirdly, to deliver state-of-the-art primary care and outpatient dialysis services. And fourthly,
to continue the legacy of Dr Kavala by providing care to his patients. Mr Deveaux noted that its strategy for Grand Bahama began with providing COVID-19 testing in Freeport. “We intend to move part of that operation here – a strategy that will be preceded by the opening of a flagship facility on the Mall Drive, in Freeport,” he said. Mr Wilchcombe said the unveiling of the centre is very significant for the people of West Grand Bahama. “This is a big day for West Grand Bahama,” he said. “It is a very important day for us in the West who have from time to time complained of the
lack of service or inadequate service, and for the fact that our journey is so long when we have to travel to Freeport,” he said. “So today you will appreciate my exuberance by the fact that I am so overjoyed by this relationship.” He thanked Doctor’s Hospital for setting an example for the private sector to reach out to the west. “A large population is in the west,” he said. “Often things have been concentrated only in Freeport and have to travel the distance. But we must cause for the transformation of this area by allowing the private sector to come in.” The minister also
commended Doctor’s Hospital for assembling an outstanding team of Bahamians. Senator Kirkland Russell said the legacy of a valuable community service established by Dr Kavala in EMR 25 years ago will live on through the acquisition of his clinic by Doctor’s Hospital. “Dr Kavala, we sincerely thank you and your family for the many years of service to the people of the Bahamas, especially those of your beloved EMR,” he said. In 1982, Dr Kavala was recruited as a general practitioner in a government clinic in Andros. He moved to Grand Bahama in 1984, stationed at Eight Mile
Rock. After completing his stint with the government, he opened his private medical practice in the Hanna Hill community, where he served almost 40 years. For the first 15 years, he was the only physician in EMR. Dr Kaval and his family have also hosted annual luncheons for senior citizens in Grand Bahama. An emotional Dr Kavala, 75, thanked Doctor’s Hospital for taking over the general practice facility and for the decision to name it after him. “My family considers this the honour of a lifetime,” he said. “I am confident that the community of EMR and West Grand Bahama will be well served for decades to come.”
ADVICE FOR THOSE TRAVELLING TO BLACK FRIDAY SALES By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH experts are advising persons considering travel to the US for Black Friday sales to ensure they practice COVID-19 preventative measures. Dr Nikkiah Forbes is the Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Bahamas Ministry of Health said yesterday Bahamians should weigh
the need for travel. “We have to remember the overall context which is that that travel is a risk for getting COVID and spreading COVID,” Dr Forbes said. “It absolutely is and so first and foremost the advice would be to weigh the need for travel and if you decide that you are going to travel and as the holiday season approached and if you are going to travel there are certain things you could do to make yourself safer while traveling. “Some of those things are
wearing a mask, you want a well-fitting mask. If it’s a woven mask that’s going to be worn properly over your nose and mouth so proper mask wearing can cut the incidents of COVID by 53 percent. That’s by itself and then the other part is health precautions. “You are going to try to avoid crowds, especially crowds where there’s a mix of persons that may be vaccinated and not vaccinated and also all the other general health precautions. If you
are feeling unwell, if you’re feeling sick don’t travel and of course hand washing and not touching your face.” She also said: “Then there are things that you can do to make yourself safer. For example, getting vaccinated - fully vaccinated. That is going to help tremendously to reduce the risk of getting COVID.” Consultant Physicians Staff Association president Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler added that it would be better for shoppers to support local
small businesses or shop online to prevent contracting the disease. She said: “We want to re-stress the importance of paying attention to those preventative measures as much as possible for persons who will be travelling and who will be shopping.” “We have to talk about whether a person should travel or not certainly because we know that there are always increased risks. We will always want people not to have too much
travelling. So, if online shopping is something that’s available and I think it has been available to most of us that will be perhaps be encouraged more or shopping more at home locally. “We know that we’ve been trying to get our economy back in line, so support local businesses. A lot of those places have also instituted some online practices and delivery practices… those places I’ve seen a lot of flyers with Black Friday bargains as well.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 5
$100m arrears put BPL in ‘dire straits’ from page one
“During the pandemic we extended that, that you had to pay 25 percent of what was outstanding and the remaining 75 percent would be paid over the remaining 12 months. What we found was those who were disconnected, whether it be the payment plan for 50 percent down and six months or 25 percent down and 12 months to pay, it made little difference. “The pattern of individuals who were disconnected initially remained the
same. It was not long after that they were put back on the grid even with 12 months to pay, they found themselves disconnected again. “Let me just make it clear, BPL is in dire straits financially and therefore we have reverted to our 50 percent policy. If you are disconnected, you have six months to pay. What we found too is people will pay their cell phone bill because they want data but they really didn’t care about paying the electricity. Sadly, enough that’s the truth. The outstanding
receivables for BPL is over $100m.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, BPL was prohibited from disconnecting electricity supplies for three months. That policy ended in June 2020. “Since June of last year, once the three-month ban ended, disconnections resumed,” Mr Heastie said. “Typically, it has been anything over $300 but there have been so many customers it has been anyone (in arrears of) over $500 for three months that we have targeted for disconnections.”
WHITNEY HEASTIE, CEO of Bahamas Power and Light.
Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
MINISTER of Works Alfred Sears with the new BPL board of directors yesterday.
SEARS: SHELL IS WILLING TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
WORKS and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears said Shell North America is willing to work with the Davis administration as it finalises its energy policies and priorities for Bahamas Power & Light. The Minnis administration signed an MoU with Shell NA in November 2018. The proposed project includes the development of a gas-fired 220-plus megawatt power plant; marine infrastructure to receive liquified natural gas; a gas pipeline to bring gas to share and
an onshore LNG regasification terminal. The future of the Shell project has been unclear since the Progressive Liberal Party won the general election. The comments came during a press conference to name BPL’s board of directors. “There was a meeting between the Prime Minister and executives of Shell and I also had a meeting with them,” Mr Sears said yesterday. “I participated in both meetings and the conversation. Shell is available and has expressed its willingness as the government recalibrates to work and facilitate and is willing to
partner with the government. That in a nutshell is the outcome of the conversation.” The deal with Shell has been closely connected to BPL’s long-standing plan to issue a rate reduction bond which would remove BPL’s legacy debt off the company’s balance sheet and pave the way for necessary investments. However, Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis recently said it is reasonable to conclude the Davis administration will not issue the bond any more. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said issuing the bond now would increase electricity
costs by as much as 20 percent. Mr Sears announced Bahamas Power & Light’s new board of directors during yesterday’s press conference. He said the board will examine how to deal with BPL’s debt issues and investment needs. He expressed confidence the board will help the company meet an ambitious target: having 30 percent of the power it supplies to customers by renewable energy. He noted the chairman of the board, Pedro Rolle, has several decades of experience in the financial services sector and is the current president
Marsh Harbour
of Exuma’s Chamber of Commerce. Danny Ferguson is the deputy chairman of the board. Other members include Errol Davis, Anthony Farrington, Reneika Knowles, Dirk Simons, Cheryl Simms and Nadia Storr. Mr Sears said: “The board that the Cabinet has selected will achieve – I’m standing here in front of the press and the social streaming to say – that I am confident that this board will achieve and get us as close as possible and possibly even beyond 30 percent of renewable. We have no shortage of renewable energy in The Bahamas. I
mean we can look right out and see it. The sun, how do we harness this energy so that we reduce the cost of electricity? How can we ensure that the over $1bn we spend every year on fossil fuel is reduced? And how do we ensure that we have a more reliable and robust distribution and transmission?” Outgoing board chairman Dr Donovan Moxey attended yesterday’s event. “This occasion is an expression of the democratic process,” Mr Sears said. “We exercise this democratic process with maturity and respect because we’re all building a nation-state.”
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THE TRIBUNE
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Pennies for Paradise Island deal AT last, the details of the lease granted to Royal Caribbean for Crown Land on Paradise Island have been revealed – and what a bargain it is for the company. Not so much, perhaps, for the nation’s Treasury. Royal Caribbean has effectively been given a lease for a minimum of 150 years – and at a rent of just $140,000 a year. Over the first 25-year lease before extensions, that’s just $3.5m in rental income for The Bahamas, with an extra $350,000 in VAT on top. How does that compare with the money Royal Caribbean will generate? Well, the company estimates an extra $26m in extra visitor spending a year from the Royal Beach Club, rising to $650m over the initial 25-year lease. That $650m dwarfs the $3.5m rental sum. That $140,000 rent a year looks even more of a bargain if you compare it with the annual rent being spent on rental for the Post Office at the Town Centre Mall, with $820,000 being spent there annually. As for who gets to determine whether the lease will continue, that appears to be in the hands of Royal Caribbean, not the government. The company needs only to give notice of its intent to renew three months prior to the existing lease’s expiry. That’s quite a deal! That $140,000 annual rent could be earned in a day, or two at the most given the company’s predictions. That would also see visitors being diverted away from such locations as Downtown Nassau and to the company’s own resort instead. That’s money that won’t go into store checkouts, but will rather go to Royal Caribbean’s own purse. The lease was signed by former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis – with current Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis now having to deal with the ongoing row that sees a neighbouring entrepreneur, Toby Smith, want answers and a resolution to the court case he has brought against the government after he says he too was promised Crown Land to lease for his Lighthouse and Beach Club project. That has brought him into conflict with Royal Caribbean over whether the neighbouring projects can co-exist. The confusion over the two projects
aside, it is difficult to see how this deal is of major benefit to the country. The rent is minimal, and it will likely take money away from other locations rather than generating more for its neighbours. Beyond that, it will bring jobs, true, but how many of those jobs will be lost elsewhere as cruise ship passengers stop using bars, restaurants and stores in Downtown? This is not the last we’ll hear of this matter, we are sure. Between Mr Smith’s ongoing court dispute, and reported confusion with eight different site plans and uncertainty over which is the correct one, clearly there is more to resolve. But as the person who put his signature to the lease, Dr Minnis could do with answering too what the major benefit of this deal is for the country. We want to encourage enterprise and business, and we want new developments for our country – but is this really the best deal we could get?
BPL debts Speaking of money to pay the bills, it appears that Bahamas Power & Light is suffering from customers not paying theirs. More than $100m is owed to BPL in unpaid bills, said CEO Whitney Heastie yesterday. BPL has its problems, of course, with power outages still not a thing of the past. But it cannot solve those problems without the money to do so – and people who owe the money ought to pay up if they can. Mr Heastie said the company is in “dire straits” financially, and said the company has found people pay their cellphone bill to have data, but put off the BPL bill to provide light. BPL cannot provide the power for free, so people should not expect to be able to go on without paying. It’s sad, but true. Of course, there remain many struggling financially from the effects of the pandemic – but that’s not everyone, and some of those who don’t pay are able to do so. It’s time for those who can do so to hold up their end of the deal. The last thing we need is our power company running out of money – that will affect
Bahamas morning EDITOR, The Tribune. THE long nightmare which Bahamians endured for a little over four years is, mercifully, at an end with the election of the Davis administration two months ago. The draconian responses to the arrival of the pandemic and reaction to the devastation of Dorian pushed Minnis and his people them straight over the cliff, even if they gratuitously carried thousands of the unwashed masses with them. Countless Bahamians have gone bankrupt even if not in the formal sense. Many more are out of their homes and apartments due to inability to pay mortgages or rent. Children had to be pulled out of private schools here at home and abroad due to lack of funds by parents and guardians. I don’t believe that a single sensible Bahamian would dare to blame Minnis and crew for all that has gone wrong, but he was the Competent Authority and the so-called “man with the plan”’. It follows, therefore, that if the plan did not work or it simply puttered out, the good and the bad goes hand in hand with the ugly. Have you ever had a nightmare or a bad dream and had difficulty in awakening
oneself? That is the feeling inflicted, intentionally or otherwise by Minnis and his people. The current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance is an enlightened individual in more ways than one. He has a feel for issues and people that reminds me of the late great and deeply lamented former Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling. Brave, I submit, is the real natural successor to Pindling. Hubert Alexander Ingraham has leaderships traits akin to Pindling but he appeared to be consumed with the ethics and exercise of pure power and tolerated few who would have opposed him. Of course, he accomplished much and his legacy is secured. The Rt Hon Perry Gladstone Christie, God bless him, was an unadulterated show boat in my considered opinion. His sole legacy is that: he entered politics; he saw opportunities but, alas, he squandered whatever goodwill that had accrued to him by dilly-dallying; preening and talking shaving cream too often. It would appear that his political words were written on water. Minnis, was in a class all to himself, apparently sitting on a tall stool in the class
room trying, in vain, to grasp that he was in fact, Prime Minister. He had a basically competent and hard working cabinet but he appeared to be intolerant of many of them and seemed to micro managed their assigned portfolios. He even went so far as to self declare himself as the Most Honourable and the Competent Authority. He had to remind himself, often, that he was the big honcho on the block and that it was his way or the high way. What sealed his defeat in September, 2021 was that his personality and facial demeanor did not lend themselves to softening his public persona and reception by the unwashed masses. Long before September a vast majority of Bahamians had decided that he and his crew simply had to go if The Bahamas were to awaken from the Minnis inflicted nightmare. Now, it is morning in The Bahamas again. The birds are bow singing melody songs again: the sky is bluer than ever before; the fresh breeze is blowing again and for sure there is optimism in the air amongst our people. What a wonderful morning! ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, November 18, 2021.
International Bazaar is an embarrassment EDITOR, The Tribune.
FIREFIGHTERS of the Grand Bahama Fire Services, the Grand Bahama Shipyard and Buckeye Bahamas averted an unmitigated disaster by quickly outing the fire blaze at the once popular International Bazaar. For that, Grand Bahamians are grateful. However, many residents in Grand Bahama wouldn’t mind Freeport stakeholders making the decision to completely demolish the deteriorating edifice, which has become an embarrassing eyesore since 2004, the year the island was hit by Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne. Next to the International Bazaar are the dilapidated Royal Oasis buildings, which are also in urgent need of being demolished. Indeed, Freeport is inundated with old, dilapidated buildings that have been abandoned by their delinquent owners. I went on TripAdvisor and read several unflattering reviews by American visitors of the International Bazaar, just to highlight how embarrassing the situation is for Freeport residents. The following are three of them: “I don’t recommend tourists visiting the International Bazaar as it is run down and seedy. There’s very little there.” “This is so sad. Last time we were there, we had so much fun shopping and visiting the people. This time the Bazaar is all but closed
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net down. The hurricanes have decimated this area, there is hardly anything open now. There is damage to almost all of the stores. I’m not sure it will recover. Very sad.” I took the bus from Lighthouse Pointe for $1.50. That was the best part of the visit. It was pretty much deserted. I was the only one there besides the 5 or so vendors so I felt very uncomfortable although the vendors were very friendly.” The aforementioned reviews were written by guests from South Carolina, Ohio and Massachusetts. Despite being the industrial capital of The Bahamas, Grand Bahama still needs tourism to reach its full potential, like New Providence. Unfortunately, Buckeye Bahamas, Polymers International, Grand Bahama Shipyard, PharmaChem, Equinor South Riding Point, Freeport Container Port, Bradford Marine and Bahama Rock cannot absorb the estimated thousands of unemployed Bahamians on the island – many of whom once worked in the underwhelming tourism sector. In all things considered, the current dilapidated state of the International Bazaar is a symbolic representation of the state of
tourism in Grand Bahama in general and Freeport in particular. Until tourism is fixed in Freeport, the unemployment rate will always be in the high double digits. This dire situation in Grand Bahama has led to a massive exodus of Grand Bahamians to other Family Islands and Nassau, and even the United States, Canada and the Turks and Caicos, in search of work. One of the above American reviewers expressed his misgivings about the International Bazaar being restored. Nearly two decades since Francis and Jeanne, Grand Bahamians do not believe that the Royal Oasis or the Bazaar will be restored. I am often left with the belief that the reluctance of stakeholders to demolish the property is owing to them holding out hope that a breakthrough investment will materialise, restoring the property to its glory days. However, some 16 years after the hurricanes, that now seems like a pipe dream. Whatever restoration the International Bazaar would’ve undergone should’ve happened 14 or 15 years ago. The time has come for stakeholders to come to grips with reality and demolish the International Bazaar, which is one of the biggest eyesores in Freeport. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama. November 22, 2021.
Rights in Zimbabwe EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS beyond belief that the Zimbabwean government is failing to respect disabled people and empower them so that they can have decent standards of living. These people are living in unacceptable conditions. They are not able to invade foreign countries in search of better living standards like the six million Zimbabweans who swamped South Africa in search of better living conditions.
It hurts deeply that people living with disabilities are often excluded from freedom of choice, health, education, social support services, opportunities to engage and participate fully in areas of their life and society and are more vulnerable to violence and abuse. They face continuous discrimination, stigmatisations and lack adequate protection from their vulnerabilities. There are no plans and commitment by the careless and clueless government of
Emmerson Mnangagwa to address the issues faced by disabled people. Some disabled people have no access to wheelchairs and the government is not doing anything to show strong leadership. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed disabled people in Zimbabwe and he is therefore not able to lead Zimbabwe and should step down. BEVERLEY MUTANDIRO Middlesex, England November 16, 2021.
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THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 7
COMMODORE MEETS ACADEMY STUDENTS
Repeat offender admits taking off ankle bracelet By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King yesterday enlightened students of Bahamas Elite Sports Academy about the diversity and rewards of a career with the RBDF. As part of the school’s literacy week, Commodore King was invited among a spectrum of speakers to impart knowledge to the students on different aspects of their careers including the advantages and disadvantages of these careers.
The purpose of this was to introduce a variety of professions to the students and encourage them to remain focused, leading them to become productive and positive contributors to the Bahamian society. When asked about a key factor in joining the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Commodore King referred to joining the military as an honour that is given to those that aspire to serve and put God and country above themselves.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN HELPS SEND STUDENTS TO SUMMER CAMP A $450,000 GRANT from Royal Caribbean Group is enabling 300 inner-city Bahamian students ages five to 16 years old to head to summer camp to soak up skills and training to help create a more sustainable world. The grant is the result of a recently signed agreement between Pan American Development Foundation and the Royal Caribbean Group. The students from will take part in Oceans Camps designed to buoy the increasingly popular education foundation known as STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM teaches a projectbased approach to finding solutions that improve the planet. STEM campers will use underwater rovers to explore sea grass, learn about mega- and miniature fauna of the sea, and create solutions for the preservation of habitats. The $450,000 grant also provides funds and equipment to train 20 local teachers whose qualifications are reviewed prior to the application process through a network of local partners. Global
Conversations Development Centre and Project Limestone will work with PADF on the application process and will leverage their network of schools and teachers to promote broad community participation. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Royal Caribbean Group and delighted to create new opportunities for youth in The Bahamas to engage in STEM education,” said PADF Executive Director Katie Taylor. “These STEM camps will provide an interactive and hands-on STEM educational experience that ensures students, especially girls, gain curiosity, knowledge and practical skills for the 21st century. The challenge – and the opportunity ─ both groups agree is attracting more girls to science, engineering and math. “STEM focuses on skills that are both cognitive and non-cognitive, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, communication skills and conflict resolution,” added Taylor, making it an important
factor in future workforce development, according to the concept paper that led to the agreement between the foundation and the Royal Caribbean Group. “Giving a group of students a project to work on that requires critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork sets them on a special course in life and could lead to all sorts of career directions and promising opportunities in the public or private sector,” said the Royal Caribbean Group Vice President of Government Relations for the Americas Russell Benford. PADF called STEM activities tailored to the specific environment in which they are taught a key driver of economic sustainability. “Our innovative STEM for Oceans program, for instance, teaches students how to use robotic kits to build underwater drones to help us better understand the ocean’s characteristics, such as levels of salinity, temperature, and direction of currents. This type of STEM exploration is perfectly suited for The Bahamas,” said Taylor.
SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 32-YEAR-OLD man was in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with murder. Andrew Knowles appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with the death of Denis Cash on November 11. He is also accused of attempting to rob Mr Cash with a gun that same day. According to initial police reports, sometime after 11pm police received information about a
shooting incident on Nassau Street, in the vicinity of the Shoal Restaurant. When they arrived, they discovered a male who appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds about his upper body. Officers said the victim was taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries. Due to the nature of the offence, Knowles was not required to enter a plea. He returns to court next year to be served with a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). In the interim, he was denied bail and remanded into custody. He has a right
to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Meanwhile, prosecutors allege that Moesha Barr, 24, aided and abetted the attempted murder of Gary Adams on November 11. During her arraignment before Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt, Barr was not required to enter a plea and her matter was also adjourned to 2022 for service of a VBI. Like Knowles, Barr was denied bail and remanded into custody until that time. She also has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
MAN ACCUSED OF SEX WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 41-YEAR-OLD man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with unlawful sexual intercourse with two 15-year-old girls. Prosecutors allege Devon Culmer had sex with a
15-year-old girl on two separate occasions in August and October. They further alleged he engaged in sexual intercourse with another 15-year-old girl sometime in September. During his arraignment before Magistrate Kendra Kelly, he was not required
to enter a plea and his case was adjourned to February 2022 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. In the meantime, Culmer was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
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A REPEAT offender who removed his ankle bracelet was once again sentenced to time on remand yesterday after admitting he broke into a man’s home to steal last week. Gregory Davis, Jr, 29, was arrested after he went into Thorn Curry’s First Street home and stole $2,810 worth of the man’s personal belongings on November 18. Yesterday, he was also charged with violating the conditions of the bail he received from the Supreme Court for another stealing offence and causing $1,652 worth of damage to a Migrafill Security electronic GPS tracking unit between September and November.
The prosecution said a Migrafill manager told police Davis Jr, who was a participant of their monitoring programme, had a device that their system was reading as “inoperable for some period”. The court was told that the security company sent a communication to the defendant asking him to report to his nearest police station; however, when he did not, they requested police action. When Davis Jr was arrested, officers discovered the monitoring device that had been attached to his leg was no longer there. During his interview with officers, he admitted removing the ankle bracelet. When he was questioned in police custody, he also owned up to breaking into Mr Curry’s home and
stealing an assortment of items, including Nike and Clarkes shoes, two watches and a 10-karat Cuban link chain. When he appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday, Davis Jr admitted to all the offences. He was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison for housebreaking and ordered to compensate Mr Curry and Migrafill Security for their missing items. Magistrate McKinney said if he didn’t, Davis Jr could risk spending an additional month behind bars. Yesterday, the defendant was also fined $1,500 for violating the conditions of his bail. If he fails to pay the fine, he will be sentenced to an additional six months in custody.
BAIL GRANTED IN $10,000 THEFT TRIAL FOR CASHIER By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A CASHIER who denied stealing more than $10,000 from her place of employment was yesterday granted bail ahead of her trial. Police accused Pamela Cartwright, 37, of stealing $10,700.50 from Chances Games on August 22. They also accused her of making a false entry into
Chances Games’ point of sale system purporting to show the $10,000 figure was deposited to a woman’s account while knowing the funds were never received. Prosecutors allege Cartwright also dealt with the $10,700.50, which in part represented the proceeds of criminal conduct. She denied the allegations when she appeared before Magistrate Kendra
Kelly and her case was adjourned to February 7 for trial. In the meantime, Cartwright was granted $10,000 bail. As part of the conditions of her release, she must sign into the Carmichael Road police station monthly leading up to her court date. If she fails to comply, she could risk having her bail revoked and being remanded until that time.
Farewell Service For
Yvonne Cecile Isaacs, 77
#3 Twynam Close, Winton Heights will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, 10am at Evangelistic Temple, Collins Avenue. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum, JFK Drive and Gladstone Road. She is pre-deceased by the father of her five children, Wynton A Isaacs Sr. and her only daughter, Danielle Y. Isaacs-McQueen.
Left to mourn are her four sons and spouses, Wynton Jr., Deron (Ida), Harold “Dale” (Dellarese), and the son who held her as she took her final breath, Daryle (Dr. Dellareece); grandchildren, Joi, Tyson (Tamarind), Taiisha (Ernest Forbes),Vincent Sr., Ghandhi, Whitney, Winter, Skyy, Theodosia, Tanya, Patricia (Quincy Lockhart Sr.), Ossha (Christopher Cleare), Alyssandra, Alexis, Daren, Destiny, Savvy, Dyvine, Deven and Destyn Isaacs, Rayne and Christielle McQueen, Dante Fowler, Whitley Cargill, Darian, and Daryle Isaacs II; great grandchildren, Haileigh and Kaileigh Stubbs, Vincent Isaacs Jr., Arianna Goulbourne, Kwady Jr., Ashton and Collin Gibson, Quincy Lockhart Jr., Camani and Camryn Cleare, McKayla, Danielle Kemp and Brayden Lockhart; sisters and their spouses, Paulette (Wellington) Rolle (Freeport), Kaye (Don) Aranha, Teddie Woods, and Harolene Walker. (Annette Campbell, Judy Major, Daphne Major – deceased); brothers and their spouses, Philip (deceased) (Christine) Major, Rex, Marcian “Chuck” and Allan “Pablo” (Carnetta) Major; nieces, Tanya Sands, Michelle Jones, Alicia Evans, Charlene and Allyson Major (Freeport), Shalon Albury (Freeport), Phylicia Hanna, O’Keaver Rolle, Tamarah Adderley, and Leanne Major; nephews, Delano Aranha, Cardello and Jamaal Major, Antoine (Freeport) and Antonio Rolle, Dion James, and Romel Humes, Mark Campbell and family, Atura Campbell; special family and friends include adopted daughter, Patrice Huyler, Delarese Bowe, Christine Major, Brenda Major, Stephanie Major, Venecia, Earl Jr., Marici and Jacinta Thompson, Donelle Humes and the Chippingham Crew and their families, Jacqueline Carroll and family including Danielle’s spa, Michelle, Edgar, Gloren, Paulette Walker and their families, H.O. and Christine Nash and their family, Dedrie and Bursel Woods and family, Rev. Dr. Roland Hamilton, Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey, Nurse Jenniemae Stuart, Sister Kaylor Douglas (NO II), Natasha Nouguez, Godfrey Arthur, Dwayne Pratt Sr., Benedict College Crew, Sheila and Dwayne and the Bain Town Crew, Franco Brown, Gloria Dixon-Rivers (New York), Pastor Vaughn and Sister Cash, and members of Evangelistic Temple; special thanks to: the Elizabeth Estates Police Station, especially Corporal Brown, Traffic Police Station on Independence Drive, and Wulff Road Police Station. She was treated with the utmost kindness and respect when she insisted on being free. Please know that any omission of names was not intentional. Please forgive us!
PAGE 8, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
A fighter from her first breath Diamond strives to succeed Face to Face
THE new year tends to bring high hopes and new possibilities, not only for the months ahead but for life in general. For Crystal Moss-Rolle, it was 2001, the new year had just rolled in and she was filled with anticipation for the birth of By FELICITY DARVILLE a baby girl. By January 3, Dia- travelled with her in the mond Traci Pearson was helicopter while his brother born. However, Crystal’s and I flew over to meet high spirits would soon them. We spent the next be dampened by the news six weeks in Miami conthat her newborn baby was stantly at Diamond’s side. having complications. At For the doctors to release one-day-old, doctors dis- her, she had to be placed covered she had a blood on an apnea monitor in clot on her brain along with the event that she stopped hydrocephalus, which is a breathing. It was a terrifybuild-up of fluid in the cavi- ing experience.” Miraculously, Diamond ties deep within the brain. The excess fluid increases pulled through. She beat the size of the ventricles all of the odds stacked up and puts pressure on the against her from her very first brain. day of Little life and Diamond came out was very on top. ill and Today, as in need Diamond of brain is about surgery. to turn It was 21, she is deterstill beatmined ing odds that if and sucsurgery ceeding was perbeyond formed her paron her ents’ brain, wildest there was imaginaa slim tions. chance DiaDIAMOND PEARSON, Shaw University she mond is graduate. would a 2018 survive honours graduate and Saluand if she did, she would tatorian of St Anne’s High most likely be severely School and a 2021 honour mentally challenged. graduate of Shaw Univer“It was terrifying watch- sity. She has proven to be ing her languish in Doctor’s among the brightest and Hospital Intensive Care the best of her Shaw peers, Unit for the first ten days of as she was able to complete her life,” Crystal said. her four-year degree in just “She coded several three years. times and was resuscitated. Diamond is now pursuThanks to great insurance, ing her Master’s degree she was airlifted to Miami at North Carolina CenChildren’s Hospital. Her tral University, where she father (Tracy Pearson) intends to attain her degree
in Speech Pathology and eventually become an Audiologist. “Not only did I survive, but I thrived,” Diamond said. “I have been an honour roll student at St Annes School, home of the Mighty Blue Waves, every semester. I have won numerous proficiency awards, meaning I came in the top three of my class.” While at St Anne’s, Diamond busied herself with a myriad of activities, including: Treasurer, then Vice President of the Modern Languages Club; member of school soccer team; member of Junior Achievement, her company sponsored by Bahamas First Insurance; member of “It’s Academic”; Inter-House Spelling Bee finalist; member of the Anchor Club; homeroom Captain (grades 9 and 11); Inter-house shot put finalist; Royal Schools of Music recipient; and official organizer of Homeroom Assembly (grades 10 - 12). In addition to her school responsibilities, Diamond was busy with her church’s Godly Girls Liturgical Dance Troupe, Church Youth Choir and Band, and she volunteered for the soup kitchen (Mount Olive Baptist Church pastored by Rev CB Moss). She even was a volunteer for her church’s Summer School Programme as a teacher. This well rounded young lady still found time to be an active member of the Crusader’s Brass Band and the Saxon’s Junkanoo Organization. She also participated in the Bahamas Debutante Programme. When she graduated from St Anne’s Diamond had already proven herself to be a walking miracle, and she had done much to make her parents proud. But that was just the closing of the chapter of her younger life and the beginning of her adult years. “My family has always
stressed the need to balance good grades with a good attitude.” Diamond said. “I am a happy, wellrounded individual. At first glance, I may appear to be just another student, but once you look a little closer, you will realize that I am no ordinary young lady. Doctors gave me a 50/50 chance of survival, and if I did survive, they were certain I would have mental disabilities. But today I am a testimony to God’s grace and mercy. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,’’ declares the Lord, ‘“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Although it still hasn’t resonated yet, I am proud to announce that I have completed my first degree programme and graduated with my Bachelor’s in a pandemic... in three years! This journey has taught me so many things about myself and my capabilities.” Before she chose Shaw University, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Diamond had 13 universities recruiting her and offering her scholarships, including the University of Houston, University of Toronto, Bethune Cookman
DIAMOND, third from right, stands next to her grandfather, Rev CB Moss, on the occasion of him receiving the Golden Heart Award from the Sassoon Heart Foundation. Also pictured are Mrs Francisca Moss (nee Johnson), and their daughters: Carla F Moss-Fitzgerald; Crystal J Rolle; and Carolyn L Moss. Their sons Carlton and D’Angelo are missing from the photo.
University, and Florida Institute of Technology. She had done her part and had excelled academically, having attained eight Bahamas Junior Certificates (BJCs) and seven Bahamas General Certificates for Secondary Education (BGCSEs) in the Accelerated Programme. I have also received numerous Pitman certificates in French, Computer and Typewriting. She chose Shaw University and there, she shined. In three years, she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She was a Presidential Scholar, earning her a full ride, or fully paid scholarship. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, having been on the President’s List with a 4.0 Cumulative GPA in 2018 and 2019. She made the Dean’s List in 2020 and 2021. She was also a Mack Foundation Scholarship recipient. She played for the Platinum Sound Marching Band from 2018 to 2020, and in the spring of this year, she was proud to have been inducted into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. “My collegiate journey consisted of peaks and
DIAMOND, a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha inductee, and, left, fighting for her life, just days old at Doctor’s Hospital. valleys but my strength, persistence and determination blossomed and conquered nonetheless,” Diamond said. “There were many stressful nights, tears, several overloads and sacrifices to get to where I am today. At the age of 20, this is my greatest achievement thus far. Although my degree has my name on it, I share this accomplishment with my supportive family members, friends, special loved ones and anyone else instrumental in my life.” In addition to her parents, Diamond is thankful for the support of her grandparents, Rev CB Moss and Francisca Moss, and her older brother, Christian Saunders. “My undergraduate experience has expired, but I will be taking its lessons and teachings with me to yet another reputable HBCU,” she said. “Grad School... I’m coming for you! Signed, a melanated, educated, grad-uated island girl.” In addition to her many accomplishments, Diamond enjoys reading, writing poetry, playing with her baby brother and lis-tening to music. She aspires to be a paediatric audiolo-gist. Her wish is to be able to help one day young chil-dren, the way doctors were able to help her. “We are extremely proud of Diamond’s many accomplishments,” Crystal said. “She is a living testimony of the power of prayer. Her village supported her, loved her and prayed for her.”
DEBUTANTE winner Diamond is now pursuing her master’s degree at another HBCU.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 9
Here or villain in the ending of apartheid? EARLIER this month, the last President of South Africa under apartheid, F W de Klerk, recorded an extraordinary video which was apparently intended to establish his legacy. He had been suffering from cancer and died soon afterwards at the age of 85. The video was released posthumously. In what he called his last message, he said that on many occasions he had apologised for the pain of the indignity that apartheid – also known as separate development –had brought to people of colour, and now he wanted to repeat that. He said that without qualification he apologised for “the pain and the hurt and the indignity and damage apartheid has done to black, brown and Indians in South Africa”. Historians remain divided on the issue of de Klerk’s legacy which they maintain was uneven. For some people, the former President was a great statesman who abolished the iniquitous system of apartheid based on colour and race, and for this achievement he won a Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Nelson Mandela who became President of South Africa as a new democracy in 1994. Others, however, considered that, since he had been on the inside track for a long time as a senior member of the ruling National Party responsible for imposing and enforcing apartheid and had benefited FROM all the evidence, what is happening in Britain at present in relation to public protests is not only puzzling millions of people but also infuriating them. Since September, a group that calls itself Insulate Britain has been protesting in London and other cities by blocking highways. Large numbers of people have been sitting down on roads - and sometimes gluing themselves down - in full view of the police who, reportedly, look on without taking any real action apart from pulling a few of them away and arresting small numbers. The result has been massive traffic chaos. The group claims its purpose is to publicise its demand that the government should pay for all homes in the country to be insulated by 2030 and that it will continue its protests until action is taken on this. I wrote about the matter briefly at the beginning
The Peter Young column from it, he deserved to have been prosecuted for what have been described as crimes against humanity. The truth about de Klerk probably lies somewhere between these two extremes. But, notwithstanding the division of opinion, there can be no doubt he was the key figure in the dismantling of apartheid – and his critics may temper their views as a result of his posthumous apology. Apartheid is today largely an issue of the past. But, from its introduction in 1948 by a National Party government until the turn of the century it remained near the top of the international agenda. In the context of accountability and reconciliation, which I
CLIMATE PROTESTORS DEFY THE LAW
of October when it was still a relatively new phenomenon and return to it today more fully because, even though a few of those involved have been jailed, the protesters are indeed not letting up and the police are still adopting a handsoff approach despite the adverse publicity they have received. Some observers view all this as a fine instance of tolerance and respect for individual rights in the ancient democracy of Britain which in the past has been an exemplar for other countries. On the other side of the argument, critics regard the disruption as a grotesque surrender to an irresponsible minority who have precipitated an absurd situation which no other country would tolerate.
IS AMERICA ON THE BRINK OF FURTHER VIOLENT RIOTING?
HOW depressing it was to watch the reaction by no less a figure than the US President to last week’s acquittal of the 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse on murder charges following his shooting of three white people, two of whom died, during violent Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the summer of 2020. To many, Joe Biden’s remarks to the press about being angered by this result were both wrong and irresponsible, even though he also said the jury’s decision should be supported. It beggars belief that a head of state in a democracy where the rule of law is paramount should publicly express anger about a court’s verdict, particularly in such a controversial case. Moreover, Biden is also under fire for describing Rittenhouse as a white supremacist during last year’s US presidential election race. Such words may only encourage violence by those already displaying banners saying “no justice, no peace” and with some protesters claiming that the not guilty verdict was a “blow to the entire nation”. It is surely a sad sign of widespread disrespect for the law in a divided nation that so many seek to voice judgments about this case when only the court - and
THEN South African President FW de Klerk, left, with the future president Nelson Mandela in 1990. wrote about in this column was no longer sustainable – in 1990; and, for this, he last month, de Klerk’s apol- and, in his own words, his incurred the wrath of some ogy is significant because attitude changed com- in the Afrikaner comsome still believe the vio- pletely. He described this as munity who saw him as a lence perpetrated against a “conversion”. Those who traitor and coward for sellblack South Africans condemn him as a diehard ing them out. Some say his actions were should not remain unpun- Afrikaner responsible for ished – despite creation of the horrors of apartheid based on pragmatism and the Truth and Reconcilia- may be unaware of the were a political priority for tion Commission in 1996 reform moves which went him rather than a moral and the determination of back to the 1970s under the imperative, and that he only Nelson Mandela and the Vorster government and pursued such fundamental then recently retired Arch- took hold in the following change because he saw the bishop of Cape Town, decade when the National writing on the wall in the Desmond Tutu, not to allow Party split politically, with face of increasing internacrimes and human rights de Klerk firmly in the tional pressure to abolish abuses to affect the future camp of the “enlightened apartheid. Certainly, such of a new democratic South group” – known as verligtes pressure was relentless. I – who favoured reform. know from personal experiAfrica. But he also realised ence that during the height The former President was born into a line of that, rather than reform- of apartheid one of the Afrikaner National Party ing apartheid, its whole main tasks of British dippoliticians. After a series structure had to be swept lomats in South Africa was of ministerial posts took away entirely. So, when to convince political leaders him to leadership of the he became President, he and others that it had to be Party, he became President started to tear it down and brought to an end. But critin 1989. Conservative by lifted the ban on the Afri- ics nonetheless questioned nature, at the beginning he can National Congress his motives, including Manbelieved in apartheid but, while freeing political pris- dela himself who reportedly reportedly, he soon came to oners from jail including, did not regard him as a realise a segregated nation most importantly, Mandela “great emancipator” and
most importantly the jury - had the full facts available to them. Questions have been raised about the shooter being on the scene armed with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, presumably to become involved in some sort of vigilante justice. But it must be a matter for the jury alone to decide whether he acted in selfdefence in shooting three people – and its verdict must be respected if the rule of law is to prevail. Some now say America is a tinderbox about to explode if one more match is lit. At the time of writing, there have been marches in a number of places by people outraged by the Rittenhouse verdict, with protests in Portland being declared a riot. Furthermore, this week the culmination of another controversial murder trial is looming – this time of three white men accused of chasing down and shooting a black man out jogging in Georgia. The trial has been described as one of the “most politically and socially consequential trials in recent times in Georgia”. Its outcome could ignite further violent demonstrations and be that one more match that sets off - in a repeat of the widespread riots of 2020 - the chaos and mayhem that so many now fear.
It is essential, of course, in a democracy to allow non-violent peaceful protests to take place. That is a basic element of this form of governance. But, as in most things, balance and proportionality are needed. Judging from the outpouring of comments in the UK press which can be found online, huge numbers of the public are genuinely mystified why a relatively small number of people are allowed by the police to block the “Queen’s highway” when that must surely already be a criminal offence. They are even more mystified that it is necessary for the authorities concerned to seek High Court injunctions to stop this, a number of which have been issued but widely ignored by the protesters.
One result of doing so is that so far nine protesters have received jail terms for contempt of court – ranging from four to six months – and will spend Christmas behind bars. Others, who have also defied one or more such injunctions, are facing similar charges. So it appears they are not being prosecuted for obstructing the highway. In these cases, the judges concerned have remarked that the defendants seem to want to be martyrs for their cause but we (the judges) “must act dispassionately and proportionately”. Another judge added ordinary members of the public “have rights too” and went on to say “the public’s toleration of peaceful protest depends on an
understanding that, in a society subject to the rule of law, there has to be a balance between the right to protest and the right of members of the public to use the highways ... and that should be according to the law and not the say-so of the protesters.” Most reasonable people would surely agree with that and they condemn the police’s softly, softly approach. It appears that many do not necessarily quarrel with the group’s aims but object to having their own right to freedom of movement curtailed illegally by protesters. Furthermore, comparisons are now being made with the strong-arm tactics last weekend of police in Rotterdam and Brussels in response to
said in his book ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ that de Klerk made reforms not with the intention of putting himself out of power but “for precisely the opposite reason: to ensure power for the Afrikaner in a new disposition”. It seems to me, however, from reading de Klerk’s autobiography published in 1998, that his so-called conversion was more genuine than not. It was clear he accepted that (in the words on the coversheet of his book) the system by which white South Africans had tried to entrench their right to ethnic self-determination in an overwhelmingly black continent could no longer continue – and it may be significant that he described Mandela on the latter’s death as a “great unifier and very special man” whose emphasis on reconciliation was “his greatest legacy”. Whatever his motives, de Klerk was the driving force in South Africa’s relatively peaceful transition from a racist state to a full-blown representative democracy. It was his courage and determination that changed the course of the nation’s history. An unstoppable tide may have eventually brought about the end of apartheid. But, clearly, he accelerated the pace of change and made it happen - and his role in this ensures his positive place in the history books of the 20th century. riots about COVID restrictions and vaccinations, though the use of water cannon has always been considered to be off limits in Britain. In my view, it is incomprehensible that in a developed and well organised country like Britain this damaging activity is being allowed to take place to the clear detriment of a majority of people whose lives are being adversely affected by the selfish actions of a few, including blocking ambulances on emergency calls. Moreover, the protesters themselves must realise that it makes no sense to alienate everybody, not least at the time of COP26 when the government is already playing a demonstrably active and effective role in trying to control global warming. Sad to say, all this is a poor example to other countries and one can only hope the situation improves before long.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
POLICE tape cordons off a street in Waukesha, Wisconsin, after an SUV plowed into a Christmas parade hitting multiple people on Sunday.
Photo: Jeffrey Phelps/AP
Five dead and 48 hurt as car plows through parade WAUKESHA, Wisconsin Associated Press THE SUV driver who plowed into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, killing at least five people and injuring 48, was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier, Waukesha’s police chief said yesterday. Police Chief Dan Thompson said that there was no evidence the bloodshed Sunday was a terrorist attack or that the suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr, knew anyone in the parade. Brooks acted alone, the chief said. Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee, had left the site of the domestic disturbance before officers arrived, and was not being chased by police at the time of the crash, according to the chief, who gave no further details on the dispute. Police said they were drawing up five charges of intentional homicide against Brooks. He has been charged with crimes 16 times since 1999 and had two outstanding cases against him at the time of the parade disaster — including one in which he was accused of
DARRELL BROOKS deliberately running down a woman with his vehicle. A joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and waving pompoms gave way in an instant Sunday to screams and the sight of crumpled bodies as the SUV sped through barricades and struck dancers, musicians and others in the community of 72,000. Members of a Dancing Grannies club were among those killed, as was a bank employee. The dead were identified as four women ages 52 to 79 and an 81-year-old man. Mayor Shawn Reilly described the event as a
“Norman Rockwell-type of Christmas parade” that “became a nightmare”. “It looked like dummies being thrown in the air,” said Nicole Schneiter, who was there with her children and grandchildren. “It took a second to register, like, ‘Is that what we really just saw?’ And then you looked in the road and there were just people laying in road.” At least nine patients — most of them children — were listed in critical condition two hospitals, and seven others were reported in serious condition. The chief said that while police were not pursuing Brooks before he entered the parade route, an officer did fire a shot to try to stop him but ceased shooting because of the danger to others. Brooks was not injured. Brooks has two open criminal cases in Milwaukee County. In one case, filed November 5, he is charged with resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery. Records show his $1,000 cash bond was posted on Friday. In that case, a woman told police that Brooks deliberately ran her over
with his vehicle in a gas station parking lot after a fight. She was hospitalized for her injuries. In the other case, filed in July 2020, Brooks is charged with reckless endangering and illegal possession of a firearm. His attorney in those cases, Joseph Domask, said he was not representing him in the parade crash. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors’ $1,000 bail recommendation for Brooks was “inappropriately low” given the charges he faced. The DA’s office said it is investigating the matter. Brooks is an aspiring rapper. On a YouTube page, a video that has since been removed showed him rapping in front a red Ford SUV resembling the one at the parade. The rapper uses the name MathBoi Fly on his Twitter and other social media accounts. The horror of the crash was recorded by the city’s livestream and onlookers’ cellphones. One video shows the moment the SUV broke through the barricades and includes the apparent sound of gunfire. “It was like a war scene
walking through there,” said Ken Walter, who had been riding in the parade in a hot air balloon basket along with his wife and youngest son. “There were these piles of blankets with cops standing over them that you just knew were bodies.” Walter said he saw a red SUV careen into view and watched it hit a member of his real estate-agency parade contingent, then barrel straight into members of the Waukesha South High School marching band. The SUV continued down the parade route. Behind it, people were screaming, running, searching for family and friends and unsure whether they were still in danger, he recalled. Schneiter said that after sheltering in a store, she emerged to see bodies in the street, along with strollers, chairs, candy and shoes. Police identified those killed as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81. The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies posted on its Facebook page that its members were “doing what
they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade, putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness.” Eighteen children ages three to 16 were brought to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, including three sets of siblings, said Dr. Amy Drendel, medical director of the emergency department. They suffered injuries ranging from scrapes on their faces to broken bones and serious head injuries, she said. Six were listed in critical condition. The Waukesha school district canceled classes Monday and Tuesday and said extra counselors would be on hand for students and staff. The parade’s lineup included cheer, dance and band entries associated with district schools. The parade, held each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. This year’s parade was the 59th one. Waukesha is about 55 miles from Kenosha, where Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted Friday of all charges in the shooting deaths of two men and the wounding of a third during unrest there in 2020.
HOW COVID SHOTS FOR KIDS HELP PREVENT DANGEROUS NEW VARIANTS LOUISVILLE, Kentucky Associated Press
CADELL Walker rushed to get her nine-year-old daughter Solome vaccinated against COVID-19 — not just to protect her but to help stop the coronavirus from spreading and spawning even more dangerous variants. “Love thy neighbor is something that we really do believe, and we want to be good community members and want to model that thinking for our daughter,” said the 40-year-old Louisville mom, who recently took Solome to a local middle school for her shot. “The only way to really beat COVID is for all of us collectively to work together for the greater good.” Scientists agree. Each infection — whether in an adult in Yemen or a kid in Kentucky — gives the virus another opportunity to mutate. Protecting a new, large chunk of the population anywhere in the world limits those opportunities. That effort got a lift with 28 million US kids 5 to 11 years old now eligible for child-sized doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Moves elsewhere, like Austria’s recent decision to require all adults to be vaccinated and even the US authorising booster shots for all adults on Friday, help by further reducing the chances of new infection. Vaccinating kids also means reducing silent spread, since most
have no or mild symptoms when they contract the virus. When the virus spreads unseen, scientists say, it also goes unabated. And as more people contract it, the odds of new variants rise. David O’Connor, a virology expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, likens infections to “lottery tickets that we’re giving the virus”. The jackpot? A variant even more dangerous than the contagious delta currently circulating. “The fewer people who are infected, the less lottery tickets it has and the better off we’re all going to be in terms of generating the variants,” he said, adding that variants are even more likely to emerge in people with weakened immune systems who harbor the virus for a long time. Researchers disagree on how much kids have influenced the course of the pandemic. Early research suggested they didn’t contribute much to viral spread. But some experts say children played a significant role this year spreading contagious variants such as alpha and delta. Getting kids vaccinated could make a real difference going forward, according to estimates by the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub, a collection of university and medical research organizations that consolidates models of how the pandemic may unfold. The hub’s latest estimates show that for this November through March 12, 2022, vaccinating 5- to
11-year-olds would avert about 430,000 COVID cases in the overall US population if no new variant arose. If a variant 50 percent more transmissible than delta showed up in late fall, 860,000 cases would be averted, “a big impact,” said project co-leader Katriona Shea, of Pennsylvania State University. Delta remains dominant for now, accounting for more than 99 percent of analysed coronavirus specimens in the United States. Scientists aren’t sure exactly why. Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University, said it may be intrinsically more infectious, or it may be evading at least in part the protection people get from vaccines or having been infected before. “It’s probably a combination of those things,” he said. “But there’s also very good and growing evidence that delta is simply more fit, meaning that it’s able to grow to higher levels faster than other variants that are studied. So when people get delta, they become infectious sooner.” Ray said delta is “a big family” of viruses, and the world is now swimming in a sort of “delta soup.” “We have many lineages of delta that are circulating in many places with no clear winners,” Ray said, adding that it’s hard to know from genetic features which might have an edge, or which non-delta variants might dethrone delta.
SOLOME WALKER, nine, looks down at her bandage after getting her first Pfizer COVID-19 shot at a vaccination clinic for young students at Ramsey Middle School on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Laura Ungar/AP
SPORTS PAGE 11
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021
Gamecocks win first Battle 4 Atlantis title By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
T
he No.1 team in NCAA basketball lived up to that top billing and dominated the competition en route to the inaugural Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Women’s Tournament title. The South Carolina Gamecocks’ defensive effort powered a 73-57 win over the No.2 UConn Huskies yesterday in the championship game at the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena. The Gamecocks went into the fourth quarter with a slim 57-54 lead, but limited the Huskies to just three points in the period, including a scoreless fiveminute stretch to conclude the game. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley said it was an honour just to participate in the first edition of the event which she considers a milestone in the development of women’s basketball. “This was great. The atmosphere was great. The Battle 4 Atlantis is run by a woman - Lea MillerTooley, this is the first time they are having a women’s tournament and it’s great,” she said. “We’ve missed out on 10 years on this type of atmosphere. So I hope moving forward great teams will come down here and play.” South Carolina improved to 6-0 on the young season and recorded two wins against ranked teams at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Connecticut suffered their first loss of the
season and fell to 3-1. “It is a challenge. You are going to play great competition and you are going to measure yourself against the best,” Staley said. “But the sun is out every morning, every day you get a beautiful sunrise, you get to wear shorts, I brought my [dog] Champ down here to meet paradise and it was a great experience.” Aliyah Boston led South Carolina with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Zia Cooke finished with 17 and Destini Henderson scored 15. Reigning national Player of the Year Paige Bueckers led the Huskies with 19 points, but was limited to just six in the second half. The Huskies also got 14 points from Evina Westbrook and Chrystin Williams scored 10. “Our players are determined. They are resilient. We knew exactly what we had to do,” Staley said. Monday’s title game marked the 61st meeting between teams ranked No.1 and No.2 in the AP poll. With the Gamecocks’ win, the top team holds a 38-23 advantage in the matchup. With the possibilities of the top-tiered matchup affecting the polls, the AP delayed the release of this week’s poll from its traditional release on Monday to yesterday. The same teams met last year in a February matchup. UConn was the No. 2 team in that game as well and won 63-59 in overtime. “We didn’t really talk about last year’s game too
SEE PAGE 14
By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
SEE PAGE 14
FIFA PUBLISHES SHORTLISTS FOR ANNUAL BEST PLAYER AWARDS
SOUTH Carolina guard Destanni Henderson goes to the basket as UConn forward Olivia NelsonOdoda (20) defends during yesterday’s NCAA women’s college basketball - Battle 4 Atlantis title game - against UConn at Paradise Island, Bahamas. SEE STORY & PHOTOS ON PAGE 15 (Donald Knowles/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)
Bahamas suffers loss in pivotal tie, misses out on spot in semifinals Kaylah Fox got the team off to a promising start in singles play with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Costa Rica’s Isabella Montero. Costa Rica came back to even the series when Valentina Obregon defeated Tatyana Madu 6-0, 6-0. They went on to win the tie
PRINCE STRACHAN AND RAMS ADVANCE TO REGIONAL FINAL PRINCE Strachan and his John Carroll Catholic Golden Rams continue their run in the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs and are headed to the regional final - second consecutive upset - with a win. The No.5 seed Rams defeated another higher ranked opponent with a dominant 35-0 shutout over the No.1 seed Avant Garde Academy Sharks in the Class 2A, Region 4, playoffs. On a rainy night in Hollywood, Florida, the Rams improved to 7-2 behind a stout defence and handed the previously unbeaten Sharks their only loss of the season (8-1). Strachan’s night was highlighted by a 55-yard reception with the Rams offence backed up to their own five-yard line on a third-and-five play in the second quarter. They went
SHOWN, from left to right, are Isabella Montero and Valentina Obregon of Costa Rica, Kaylah Fox and Tatyana Madu, of the Bahamas yesterday at the ITF/COTECC 12U Team Finals in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.
TEAM Bahamas lost a pivotal tie at the ITF/ COTECC 12U Team Finals and missed out on a spot in the semifinals. The team lost 2-1 to Costa Rica yesterday as Pool A play continued in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.
NFL, Pg 14
and advance to the semifinals when Obregon and Montero defeated Fox and Madu in doubles 6-0, 6-1. They are scheduled to compete against El Salvador in the 5th-8th place classification round tomorrow. Go Team Bahamas.
ZURICH (AP) — Chelsea won the Champions League and England reached the European Championship final, but no Englishmen are on the nomination lists for FIFA’s annual awards published yesterday. Jorginho, a double European champion with Chelsea and Italy, was joined by club teammate N’Golo Kanté among 11 candidates to be voted FIFA’s best player in the 2020-21 season. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo took their usual places on the list with last year’s winner, Robert Lewandowski. The winner of the women’s award last year, England defender Lucy Bronze, is nominated again and the 13 candidates include her national and Manchester City teammate Ellen White. Olympic gold medal-winning Canada has just one candidate, veteran forward
SEE PAGE 13
PAGE 12, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Champions League: Carrick thrust into limelight at Manchester United (AP) — SOME talking points in the Champions League heading into the fifth round of group games: CARRICK IN CHARGE One of English soccer’s best and possibly most underappreciated midfielders in recent years, Michael Carrick was known for his calmness, quiet authority and vision on the field. He’ll need all of those attributes now he has been thrust into one of the world’s biggest coaching jobs pretty much from out of nowhere. Carrick, who only started his coaching career in 2018 and has never held a senior position, was named as United’s caretaker manager following the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday. In place until United finds another coach for the rest of the season, Carrick starts his new role with a crucial match away to Villarreal today as the teams look to seal qualification to the knockout stage. They are both on seven points in Group F, two points clear of Atalanta with two games left. Carrick will need to pick up a beleaguered United team that lost 4-1 at Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, the latest in a string of dreadful results that ultimately cost Solskjaer his job. XAVI BOOST Barcelona enters its crucial home match in Group E against Benfica today boosted by the arrival of
former great Xavi Hernández as its new coach. It will be his second match in charge after a league win in the Barcelona derby against Espanyol on Saturday, a result that ended a four-game winless streak in the league. The Catalan club started its Champions League campaign with consecutive 3-0 losses to Bayern Munich and Benfica, but a win against the Portuguese side will allow it to clinch a spot in the knockout stage and avoid its first elimination in the group stage in nearly two decades. HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE A win for Paris SaintGermain in its heavyweight meeting at Manchester City on Wednesday would secure the French team a place in the last 16. Its away form has been concerning, though. In contrast to winning every game at its Parc des Princes home this season, PSG has drawn away to Club Brugge and Leipzig in the Champions League and lost at Rennes in the French league. With Lionel Messi fit, PSG will always have a great chance of victory and the Argentina star will be boosted by scoring his first goal in Ligue 1 in the win over Nantes on Saturday. Messi already has three goals in the Champions League — including one in the home win over City. City is on nine points, one more than PSG, in Group A.
MANCHESTER United’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road, Watford, England, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Third-place Brugge is a further four points back. QUARANTINED STARS Bayern Munich is already through to the next round with a perfect four wins from four games. So it’s likely coach Julian Nagelsmann would have opted to give some key players a rest at Dynamo Kyiv today for their penultimate game in Group E. Kyiv, bottom of
the group with one point, needs a win and favour from Benfica against Barcelona to stay in contention. Bayern’s buildup has been overshadowed by the coronavirus with five reportedly unvaccinated players – Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Michael Cuisance – all in quarantine after coming into contact with
someone who has COVID19. Niklas Süle and Josip Stanišic are also in isolation after testing positive for the disease. ATALANTA RISING A six-match unbeaten run in Serie A. A five-goal outburst at the weekend. Atalanta is on the upswing entering a potentially decisive visit to last-place Young Boys in Group F today.
“We’re experiencing a good moment,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said after a 5-2 win over Spezia on Saturday that included two goals from Mario Pasalic. “The team is improving. It has desire and is determined.” Atalanta is third in its group, two points behind Villarreal and Manchester United.
A YEAR TO GO, QATAR WORLD CUP STILL FEELS HEAT OF SCRUTINY By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer THE eight stadiums — all within a 30-mile radius of Doha — are now largely complete. The 2022 World Cup has been preserved after fending off hostility from neighbours, corruption investigations and concerns about worker abuses. And a clock on the Corniche waterfront in the Qatari capital was unveiled on Sunday to count down one year until kickoff. Expect another 12 months of pressure from rights groups — fuelled by player protests — and indignation from some World Cup organisers. “Qatar has been unfairly treated and scrutinised for a number of years,” organising committee CEO Nasser Al Khater said Saturday. That scrutiny, though, has produced improvements to labour laws under the weight of criticism of working conditions since a reported $200 billion of upgrades to the country’s infrastructure began after the FIFA vote in December 2010. “You take it into context of the region,” Al Khater told reporters.
“I think Qatar is a trailblazer right now with all the reform that it’s done, whether it’s on worker standards, accommodation standards, the introduction of minimum wage.” In some cases it was the World Cup organising committee introducing changes before the country as a whole, but the enforcement of laws and conditions facing workers — particularly in the fierce summer heat — remains a source of concern for groups. Qatar has not provided full details and data on the deaths of the migrant workers, particularly from South Asia, who are relied on to build the infrastructure across the country. Amnesty International has highlighted the need for deeper investigations into the cause of deaths, the lack of a right to form unions and the need for all companies to comply with newer laws saying workers should be allowed to leave jobs without permission of the employer. “There’s criticism,” Al Khater said. “There’s work that needs to be done. There is, however, a lot of progress but unfortunately that has not been captured
in reports such as Amnesty, Human Rights Watch.” Twelve countries, as well as Qatar as host, have so far secured qualification for the 32-team event. Denmark has said its training kit in Qatar will feature critical human rights messages, ensuring the tournament will feature player activism. The building work is starting to wind down. “All eight stadiums for the World Cup are complete,” Al Khater said. Seven venues are now ready to stage matches, with Stadium 974 built using that number of shipping containers to be inaugurated later this month at the FIFA Arab Cup that is serving as a test event for the World Cup. A 40-minute drive north takes fans to the 80,000-capacity Losail Stadium that will stage the final on December 18, 2022 but is not ready for games. Nearby is also the Losail International Circuit where Formula One defending world champion Lewis Hamilton said ahead of Sunday’s inaugural Qatar Grand Prix that the country still has a “long way to go” on ensuring equality.
Hamilton is wearing a rainbow-coloured helmet in Qatar to draw attention to the anti-LGBTQ+ laws that World Cup organisers effectively suggest won’t be enforced during the tournament. “Everybody is welcome to come to Qatar and have an enjoyable time at the World Cup,” Al Khater said. “They can come and enjoy their time here without fear of any sort of repercussions, it makes no difference to people’s (sexual) orientation, religion, creed, race whatsoever.” Al Khater said any couple could share a hotel room. “I don’t know if this is a misconception,” he said. “I don’t know where you know, where you get this from. I mean, anybody is free to stay in a hotel, whether with their friend, with their partner.” The challenge for supporters could still be affording the trip. Even though it’s a World Cup requiring no flights between games, demand for accommodation could be stretched in the tiny Gulf nation. What helps fans is being able to stay
in neighbouring countries, including the United Arab Emirates, after they lifted an economic, diplomatic and travel boycott of Qatar this year that had been running since 2017. “The ultimate goal is to have a successful World Cup and you can only have a successful World Cup when you have fans attending,” Al Khater said. “So this has been taken into consideration to make sure that there’s plentiful accommodation and there’s accommodation available for all budgets.” Fans will be travelling months later than usual for the World Cup. Opening on November 21, 2022, with the final on December 18, remains contentious as the major European leagues finalise the starting dates for a season so significantly disrupted for the first time by the World Cup. Qatar bid for the World Cup under FIFA’s terms for the usual June-July slot, with the schedule change only decided after the vote. The now largely discredited committee of FIFA executives that voted by a majority for Qatar overlooked concerns about
the heat. That vote has remained under the cloud of corruption. A FIFA-commissioned probe highlighted the unease of investigators looking into Qatar’s methods to win the vote but concluded there was no “evidence of any improper activity by the bid team.” American attorney Michael Garcia did, however, find that some of Qatar’s conduct “may not have met the standards” required by FIFA. Fresh allegations of wrongdoing surfaced last year when American prosecutors revealed new details of alleged bribes paid by Qatar for votes. An indictment said Nicolás Leoz, then president of the South American governing body CONMEBOL, and former Brazil federation president Ricardo Teixeira received bribes to vote for Qatar. “All of these investigations have shown us that Qatar has been vindicated of all the allegations made against it,” Al Khater said when asked about the claims that emerged in the US District Court in Brooklyn. “So whatever you’re referring to, I deny categorically.”
Spurs rally for 1st EPL win under Conte, stroll for Manchester City By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer THE boos rang out as Tottenham’s players left the field after going a sixth straight half of play in the Premier League without a shot on target. His team trailing 1-0 and being outplayed at home by an injury-hit Leeds, it likely dawned on Antonio Conte that he had a bigger job on his hands at Tottenham than he might have imagined. The Italian’s halftime team talk made all the difference. Tottenham came out with much more intensity and delivered a second-half performance more in its new manager’s image as goals by two unlikely sources — Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Sergio Reguilon — secured a 2-1 win on Sunday.
In the earlier game, Manchester City swept past Everton 3-0 to move back to second place, three points behind Chelsea. It was a first league win under Conte since the Italian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as Tottenham manager before the international break. His renowned passion was evident in the final minutes as he whirred his arms, urging fans to get behind the players to see out victory. They did, and Spurs climbed to seventh place — above Manchester United, which plunged even lower in the standings on the day it fired manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a string of humiliating results. Conte was once linked with potentially replacing Solskjaer at United but he has ended up at Tottenham
and has yet to lose, having started with a win in the Europa Conference League and a 0-0 draw at Everton in the Premier League. “At halftime, the players showed me they could win this game,” Conte said. “In the second half I corrected the situation ... I look at the stats and Leeds are the best in the league for running and the intensity. In the second half we changed something tactically and in the intensity we beat them.” CREATIVE CANCELO Man City’s main creative threat this season is coming from a defender. Portugal full back Joao Cancelo set up five goals in two games for City before the most recent international break and he was at it again against Everton, providing a sumptuous
outside-of-the-boot pass for the 44th-minute goal by Raheem Sterling that set up a routine win at Etihad Stadium. If that got City fans excited, Rodri’s thunderbolt from 30 metres (yards) in the 55th was another moment to get them off their seats. Bernardo Silva added a third goal in the 86th. It was a solid response by City to big wins by title rivals Chelsea (3-0 at Leicester) and Liverpool (4-0 at home to Arsenal) on Saturday and achieved without key players like Ruben Dias, who was rested, and Kevin De Bruyne, who is isolating after contracting the coronavirus. LEEDS’ CONCERNS Leeds was a revelation in its first season back in
the Premier League with its high-energy approach and penchant for scoring and conceding lots of goals under Marcelo Bielsa. The second season is proving much harder. After 12 games, Leeds is one place above the relegation zone after just two wins so far and the list of absentees in Bielsa’s thin squad is a huge concern. Star striker Patrick Bamford and long-serving defender Luke Ayling have been missing for a couple of months, while Bielsa was also without Brazil winger Raphinha and Spain striker Rodrigo against Tottenham because of illness and injury, respectively. Leeds still managed to stop Tottenham having a shot on target in the first half by keeping possession well, and pinched a goal on
MANCHESTER City’s head coach Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jon Super) the break before halftime through Daniel James. However, Hojbjerg’s scruffy equaliser in the 58th was followed by a closerange finish in the 69th from Reguilon, who followed up Eric Dier’s deflected free kick that came back off the post.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 13
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL: INAUGURAL BAHA MAR HOOPS
Toledo Rockets tip off ‘Nassau Championship’ with victory By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Toledo Rockets opened a week of NCAA basketball at the inaugural Baha Mar Hoops with the first win in the series of tournaments. The Rockets tipped off the “Nassau Championship” with a 98-86 win over the Charlotte 49ers yesterday at the Baha Mar Convention Centre. Setric Milner Jr scored a game high 27, Ryan Rollins scored 22 and RayJ Dennis scored 21 to lead the Rockets to a 3-1 record and hand Charlotte their first loss of the season.
In game two, the Tulane Green Wave scored a 90-87 overtime win over the Drexel Dragons. Jaylen Forbes led Tulane with 30 points and 11 rebounds while Kevin Cross scored 21. Melik Martin led Drexel with 27 points and Xavier Bell scored 20. The seven-team “Nassau Championship” includes mid-major NCAA Division I programmes. Formally known as the Islands of The Bahamas Showcase, the field is headlined by Bahamian Ahmard Harvey and his Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The remainder of the field also includes Jacksonville State and Valparaiso. All “Nassau Championship will be broadcast on FloHoops.”
On today’s schedule, Charlotte and Drexel tipoff at noon followed by Tulane and Toledo at 2:30pm. Harvey and the Chanticleers will face the winner of the Valparaiso and Jacksonville State game tonight at 8pm. Coastal Carolina was originally scheduled to open play against Valparaiso but a change in the schedule pushed CCU back to a Tuesday start against the winner of Jacksonville State and Valparaiso. The game was once again pushed back after a heavy rain storm moved through the area and the roof started leaking over the playing facility. The “Bahamas Championship” will feature four elite programmes
played November 25-27 and led by the Maryland Terrapins, Richmond Spiders, Mississippi State and the Louisville Cardinals. The “Pink Flamingo Championship” will also be played November 25-27 and will feature several elite women’s programmes led by the defending NCAA National Champion - Stanford Cardinal. Six of the seven participating teams have played in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Other teams include Maryland, North Carolina State, Indiana, Washington State, Miami and South Florida. All seven games of the Pink Flamingo Championship will be broadcast on FloHoops.
Ayton and Suns extend winning streak to 13, beat Spurs 115-111 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Devin Booker had 23 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their 13th straight, rolling past the San Antonio Spurs 115-111 last night. Cameron Payne added 20 points off the bench for Phoenix, which had six players finish in double figures. Phoenix finished with 25 assists and went 45 for 87 (51.1 percent) from the field. San Antonio point guard Dejounte Murray had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his 7th career triple-double. But the Spurs have now lost five straight and eight of 10 for their second-worst start in franchise history. CELTICS 108, ROCKETS 90 BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 30 points, Jaylen Brown had 19 in his return from missing eight games with an injury and Boston coasted by Houston, sending the Rockets to their 15th straight loss. Dennis Schroder added 18 points for Boston, which has won three straight and eight of 11. Al Horford had 11 points and 11 rebounds. It was Tatum’s fourth straight game with 30 or more points. Armoni Brooks had 17 points for Houston (1-16). No starter reached doubledigit scoring. BUCKS 123, MAGIC 92 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jrue Holiday scored 18 points and Milwaukee opened the biggest halftime lead in franchise history on its way to a blowout of Orlando. Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton scored 17 and
shot 5 of 7 from 3-point range as the Bucks won their fourth straight. Bobby Portis had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 12 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in only 24 minutes. Moritz Wagner led Orlando with 18 points. The Magic also got 14 from R.J. Hampton, 13 each from Robin Lopez and Mychal Mulder and 12 from Chuma Okeke. PACERS 109, BULLS 77 CHICAGO (AP) — Domantas Sabonis scored 21 points, Malcolm Brogdon added 16 more, and Indiana routed Chicago. Myles Turner also scored 12 points and hauled in 10 rebounds in Indiana’s second straight win. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 18 points, while Zach LaVine scored 17 — just the second time this season he was held to fewer than 20 points. NETS 117, CAVALIERS 112 CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Durant returned to Brooklyn’s lineup and scored 27 points, James Harden added 14 points and a season-high 14 assists, and the Nets beat Cleveland. LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Nets, who won for the sixth time in seven games. Darius Garland scored 24 and Jared Allen had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen added 22 points in his first game since November 1 for the still short-handed Cavs, who had chances down the stretch but missed some shots and made critical mistakes.
PHOENIX Suns’ Chris Paul, right front, drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson, right rear, as Suns’ Deandre Ayton (22) looks on during the first half last night in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) HORNETS 109, and had a season-high 18 WIZARDS 103 rebounds for the Wizards, WASHINGTON (AP) while Kentavious Cald— Terry Rozier scored a well-Pope had 17 points, season-high 32 points and Bradley Beal scored 18 and hit his eighth 3-pointer of Kyle Kuzma had 11 points the game with 12.9 sec- and 13 rebounds. onds left as Charlotte beat HAWKS 113, Washington. THUNDER 101 LaMelo Ball had 28 ATLANTA (AP) — points and 13 rebounds to Trae Young scored 21 of help Charlotte to its second his 30 points in the second win over Washington in half, Clint Capela finthe last week. Montrezl ished with 10 points and Harrell scored 24 points 15 rebounds, and Atlanta
closed a perfect five-game homestand with a win over Oklahoma City. Thunder rookie Josh Giddey, a 19-year old guard from Australia, had with 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Luguentz Dort added 15 points. Oklahoma City was without leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed his first game of the season with a sprained right ankle. One game after making 51.6 percent of their shots from the field Saturday against the Hornets, the Hawks shot 54.2 percent Monday night in the first half and 48.3 percent overall. TIMBERWOLVES 110, PELICANS 96 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Minnesota extended its winning streak to four with a victory New Orleans. Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 18 points in the 2nd half and Jarred Vanderbilt, who came in averaging five points per game, matched his season high with 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The Timberwolves dominated the hustle categories, too, converting 23 New Orleans turnovers into 28 points and 21 offensive rebounds into 26 secondchance points. Willie Hernangomez had 19 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 14. But the Pelicans did not get their usual production from Brandon Ingram, who shot 2 of 13, including 1 of 7 from deep, and finished with nine points and six turnovers.
Clarke scores career high, Bastian and McCoy post double doubles By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net GARVIN Clarke posted a career-high scoring night in NCAA Division I and a pair of Bahamians posted double doubles in Division II basketball. Clarke was one of five Akron Zips players to reach double figures with 12 points in a 99-38 win over the Wheeling Cardinals in Akron, Ohio. The freshman guard shot a perfect 5-5 from the field, including 2-2 from three point range with four rebounds in a career high 20 minutes. Clarke’s previous high was 10 points last season in a March 2 matchup against the Buffalo Braves. He played in 22 games and totalled 52 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists. Clarke recently made
GARVIN Clarke
MALACHI McCoy
LATHANIEL Bastian
his senior men’s national team debut at the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers last July in El Salvador and scored 18 points in a pivotal win against the host country. Akron had a quick turnaround and fell to 2-2 with a 63-43 loss to the Fordham Rams last night in the Gulf Coast Showcase.
In NCAA Division II, Malachi McCoy and Lathaniel Bastian both recorded double doubles in lopsided wins for their respective programmes. McCoy posted a career high 17 points and 10 rebounds in his Benedict College Tigers’ 102-80 exhibition win over Clinton College Saturday
afternoon. The junior forward is averaging 6.3 points, two blocked shots and a team-leading 10 rebounds per game. Benedict had a 44-40 lead at the half before taking advantage of their size height and attacking the basket in the second half. Benedict scored 54 of their points in the paint
and scored 22 secondchance points. The Tigers will return to action today, travelling to take on Augusta University at 7:30pm. Bastian posted his first double double as a member of the Rams and continues to be a force on both ends of the floor in his first year with the programme. He finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 110-55 win over Dallas Christian on the final day of the Javelina Classic on Saturday afternoon. Bastian is averaging 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and the Rams lead the Lone Star Conference at 4-0. The Rams are scheduled to play their home opener next weekend as they host the Ed Messbarger Classic at the Junell Center beginning on Friday, November 26.
AUSTRIA’S LOCKDOWN AFFECTS RETURN OF DAVIS CUP FINALS By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer TURIN, Italy (AP) — No Davis Cup tennis fans will be allowed in Innsbruck as Austria goes back into lockdown. Capacity will be at 60 percent in Turin, where Italian children will be occupying vast portions of the stands amid slow ticket sales. Attendance in Madrid will be at a maximum of 75 percent. This isn’t likely what organisers had in mind for the return of the Davis Cup Finals amid yet another format change after last year’s edition was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic. After the debut of the 18-team event was held entirely in Madrid over seven days in 2019, the main criticisms from players centered on late-night matches played before mostly empty arenas and not enough rest between matches. So organisers decided to spread this year’s tournament, which starts on Thursday, over three different cities and 11 days. But with coronavirus cases rising again in Europe, that has become more complicated for tennis’ oldest team competition. “Davis Cup was a competition where we could play in front of incredible crowds,” French doubles specialist Pierre-Hughes Herbert said. “In Madrid, we didn’t play in front of a full stadium. It was almost (like) closed doors.” France is in a group with Britain and the Czech Republic in Innsbruck, where it will be behind closed doors. “I’m sad for Austria, they have so many (coronavirus) cases. I’m sad for the competition that it cannot be a full party,” added Herbert, who teamed with French partner Nicolas Mahut to win the doubles title at the ATP Finals on Sunday.
FIFA
FROM PAGE 11 Christine Sinclair, 19 years after she was first voted into the top 10. No player was nominated from the United States team which took bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. A men’s list dominated by forwards was completed by Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Karim Benzema and Neymar in the nominations by a FIFAappointed panel. There are no defenders or goalkeepers in contention for the main FIFA award, though goalkeepers have their own separate award. Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was named player of the tournament at Euro 2020, is among the five goalkeeping candidates. Robert Mancini, who led Italy to the European title, is among seven candidates for the men’s coaching award that include Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni, whose Argentina team won the Copa America. Two men and three women are in contention to be the best coach in women’s football. They include Bev Priestman of Canada, Lluís Cortés of European champion Barcelona, and Emma Hayes of runner-up Chelsea. Votes in all categories from national team captains and coaches, fans and media worldwide will be collected through December 10. A virtual ceremony will be held on Jan. 17 remotely, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, from FIFA headquarters in Zurich. Ahead of the awards, three-candidate shortlists will be announced for each award, FIFA said.
PAGE 14, Tuesday, November 23, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Tom Brady tosses two TDs, Buccaneers beat Giants 30-10 By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Tom Brady threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New York Giants 30-10 last night. The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers (7-3) snapped a two-game losing streak as Brady avoided dropping three in a row for the first time since 2002. Daniel Jones threw a TD pass to left tackle Andrew Thomas and the Giants (3-7) stayed close for one half before unraveling. Down 17-10, the Giants drove to the Buccaneers 25 on the opening drive of the third quarter before Jones, under pressure from Devin White, threw incomplete on fourth-and-1 after rushing to the line to beat the play clock. Brady then connected with Mike Evans on a 5-yard TD pass to extend the lead to 24-10. Evans set a franchise record with his 72nd touchdown, passing Mike Alstott. He made sure to keep the ball after giving away Brady’s 600th TD pass to
TAMPA Bay’s quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass against the Giants in the first half last night. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio) a fan earlier in the season. Brady finished 30 of 46 Tampa’s lineup after missJones threw an intercep- with one interception. He ing five of the previous six tion to 310-pound nose improved to 6-1 against the games. Brady targeted his tackle Steve McLendon on Giants in the regular season buddy eight times, conNew York’s next posses- but has lost two Super necting on six passes for 71 sion, but Tampa settled for Bowls to New York, includ- yards. Star running back Ryan Succop’s 40-yard field ing one that prevented New Saquon Barkley returned goal despite starting at the England from a perfect for the Giants after missing Giants 37. It was McLen- season. four games with a sprained don’s first career pick in 12 The seven-time Super ankle but only had 25 yards seasons. Bowl champion leads the rushing on six carries. Jones Jones was picked by NFL with 29 TD passes and was sacked twice by a feroMike Edwards in the is second in yards passing cious defence that was fourth quarter and Succop with 3,172. Four-time missing defensive tackle hit a 30-yarder to cap the All-Pro tight end Rob Vita Vea due to a knee scoring. Gronkowski was back in injury.
Brady came out firing, completing his first five passes, including a 13-yard TD toss to Chris Godwin. Godwin and Evans each ran the ball on an end-around during that drive. For Evans, it was his first career carry in eight seasons. Brady started 10 for 10 before misfiring on a deep ball to Evans. On the next play, the 44-year-old scrambled 10 yards on third-and-4 to extend Tampa’s drive that ended with Succop kicking a 25-yard field goal that made it 10-3. Brady showed nifty mobility on the run before sliding into a defender. He came up fired up, signaling first down and screaming. The Giants tied it at 10-10 after Evans let a pass bounce off his hands and right to Adoree Jackson, who returned the pick 5 yards to the Buccaneers 10. Jones lofted a 2-yard TD pass to Thomas, who had to jump as he was backing up to haul it in. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Thomas, wearing a brace on his right arm, was back after missing four games. He celebrated his first career reception with the
rest of the offensive line circling around him. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS The Giants have lost 10 straight games in prime time, including contests at Washington and Kansas City this season. RAZZLE-DAZZLE After using an offensive lineman as a receiver, the Giants had rookie receiver Kardarius Toney throw a deep pass to Darius Slayton that fell incomplete. Cornerback Sean MurphyBunting was initially called for pass interference on the play, but the flag was picked up. INJURIES Giants: Toney suffered a quad bruise in the fourth quarter. ... FS Logan Ryan was out because of COVID19 protocols. ... TE Kyle Rudolph left with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Buccaneers: LG Ali Marpet left in the second quarter with an oblique strain. UP NEXT Giants: Host the Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) on Sunday. Buccaneers: Visit the Indianapolis Colts (6-5) on Sunday.
Pinzan, No. 23 Bulls top No. 9 Ducks 71-62 at Atlantis By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Jose Fernandez got the finish he wanted from 23rd-ranked South Florida at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Kelly Graves couldn’t say the same for ninth-ranked Oregon. Elisa Pinzan had a career-high 26 points to go with 10 assists while the Bulls scored 28 points off turnovers to beat the Ducks 71-62 in yesterday’s third-place game in the inaugural women’s tournament at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. It came after a week that saw the Bulls (4-2) squander an end-of-thirdquarter lead at No. 16 Tennessee, and then fail to hold a lead late in the third against No. 2 UConn in the Atlantis semifinals. This time, they stretched out a 46-39 lead entering the fourth to 17, then showed composure at the line to close it out after the Ducks (3-2) made a late run. “We finished off the game,” Fernandez said, adding: “We learned from (the losses). And that’s what you need to do throughout the season.” Sydni Harvey added 22 points and Dulcy Mendjiadeu Fankam had 17 off the bench for the Bulls, who repeatedly got their hands in passing lanes for deflections to interrupt Oregon’s attempts to find rhythm. Sydney Parrish and Ahlise Hurst each scored 15 points for Oregon, which committed a season-high 25 turnovers in a mistake-filled performance that helped South Florida get 16 more shots for the game. “We just have to make better decisions,” Graves said. “I think that’s it. Play harder, play tougher, be more physical. I mean, I sound down. I am right now. But I think we’re fixable.” The turnovers came from everywhere. Point guard Maddie Scherr had seven and was benched at one
SOUTH Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, left, gestures during yesterday’s NCAA women’s college basketball - Battle 4 Atlantis title game - against UConn at Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Donald Knowles/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)
BATTLE
FROM PAGE 11 much,” Boston said. “We have new players so we were kind of just thinking about what we were going to do in this game.” Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said his team struggled to support Bueckers offensively. “She just didn’t get enough help today,” he said. “You’re really good when the other players around you are really good and today, I don’t think we were at all.” The No.23 ranked South Florida Bulls pulled off the upset in the third place game with a 71-62 win over the No.9 Oregon Ducks.
The men’s tournament, also presented by Bad Boy Mowers, will move into its 10th edition, this week from November 24-26 and will feature several returning programmes. The UConn Huskies (American Athletic Conference) will make their third tournament appearance while the Syracuse Orange (ACC), Michigan State Spartans (BIG 10), and Virginia Commonwealth Rams (A10) will make their second appearance. The remainder of the field includes the Baylor Bears (Big 12), Arizona State Sun Devils (PAC 12), Auburn Tigers (SEC) and Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (Missouri Valley Conference) making their B4A debut in the 2021 field.
OREGON forward Chanaya Pinto (10), rear, is defended by South Florida guard Maria Alvarez (1) during an NCAA college basketball game at Paradise Island yesterday. (Craig Lenihan/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) point in the third after a run of three straight. Four other players had at least three each. “There were several turnovers where it was like, ‘Really?
That’s how we’re going to turn the ball over?’” Graves said. “So I’ve just got to do a better job of coaching them up.”
PAKISTAN SEALS T20 SWEEP OVER BANGLADESH IN DHAKA THRILLER DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Pakistan completed a clean sweep over Bangladesh in their Twenty20 series, winning the third and final game by five wickets after a thrilling last over yesterday. Bangladesh totalled a mediocre 124-7 on a twopaced wicket that had variable bounce, but a slow approach meant Pakistan needed eight runs off the final six balls. Captain Mahmudullah came on to bowl his only over of the day and dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali in consecutive deliveries before
Iftikhar Ahmed smashed a huge six off the fourth ball, denying him a hat-trick. With two runs needed off two balls, Iftikhar went for glory but ended up being caught for six at backward point. New batsman Mohammad Nawaz then hit a four through extra cover to take Pakistan home. Mahmudullah finished with 3-10 from his solitary over. “The pitch was a tricky one,” player of the series Mohammad Rizwan said. “Whenever you play away, you get on different kinds of pitches. But we try
to stick to our process,” he said. Earlier, Haider and Rizwan had put on 51 for the second wicket for Pakistan. Paceman Shohidul Islam, making his debut, picked up his first wicket by removing Rizwan for 40. But Haider appeared to be in full control, hitting 45 in 38 balls with three fours and two sixes before falling. Mahmudullah had opted to bat first but debut paceman Shahnawaz Dhani, leg-spinner Usman Qadir and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim claimed two
wickets apiece to restrict Bangladesh to its low score. Dhani took a wicket in his first over by removing Najmul Hossain Shanto for five. Mohammad Naim ended up as the top-scorer for the home team with 47 off 50 balls. “Batters from both sides struggled,” Mahmudullah said. “You need to spend time at the crease before you can capitalise. Naim batted well.” Pakistan won the first game by four wickets and the second by eight wickets.
PRINCE STRACHAN in action.
STRACHAN FROM PAGE 11
on to score a touchdown on the drive and take a 14-0 lead. The Rams will advance to face the Champagnat Catholic Lions, the two-time defending 2A champions, November 26 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The winner will advance to face the winner of the First Baptist Academy
versus Northside Christian matchup to advance to the state semifinal. After a bye in the opening round, the Lions defeated Glades Day 35-7 in round two. The Rams opened the playoffs with a 41-20 win over the No.4 seed True North Classical Academy Titans. Last season, the Rams were eliminated in the Class 3A regional final and finished the season 9-2.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021, PAGE 15
GAMECOCKS ARE INAUGURAL BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS CHAMPIONS
IN this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, the South Carolina women’s team poses with the trophy after defeating UConn 73-57 to win the championship game at the Battle 4 Atlantis NCAA college basketball game at Paradise Island, Bahamas, yesterday. Standing at front left is head coach Dawn Staley. (Donald Knowles/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)
No. 1 SC women beat No. 2 UConn 73-57 to solidify top spot By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Dawn Staley’s top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks turned up their defence in the fourth quarter to turn away UConn. Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 15 rebounds and the Gamecocks held the No. 2 Huskies to three points in the final 10 minutes of a 73-57 victory in the championship game of the inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. “Our players are determined. They are resilient,” said Staley, South Carolina’s Hall of Fame coach. “We knew exactly what we had to do especially on the defensive side of the ball. We had to disrupt. UConn’s a team that’s a well-oiled machine. If you allow them to run their stuff, they’ve made teams look stupid. We had the personnel to disrupt and force them into contested shots.” This was the 61st meeting between the top two teams in The Associated Press
women’s college basketball poll and the sixth time it has happened in November. The No. 1 team holds a 38-23 advantage. The last meeting of the top two teams before yesterday was between these same squads back in February. UConn was the No. 2 team and won 63-59 in overtime. The Gamecocks (6-0) wouldn’t let the Huskies (3-1) beat them in the Bahamas, outscoring them 16-3 in the final quarter, setting off a postgame celebration that had South Carolina swaying alongside a Bahamian dance group. Trailing 52-50 late in the third quarter, South Carolina cranked up its defence, holding UConn without a field goal for 7:38 spanning the final two periods. By the time Evina Westbrook hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 5 minutes left — UConn’s only points of the fourth — the Huskies trailed 63-57. They got no closer. Destiny Littleton quickly answered with a 3 on the other end to restore the comfortable margin.
SOUTH Carolina forward Aliyah Boston (4) in action against UConn yesterday. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) She had hit a 3-pointer late in the third period to give the Gamecocks a 57-54 advantage heading into the fourth. “Our defence did a superb job for 40 minutes,” Staley said. “You didn’t see the impact in the first half. It’s in the third and fourth quarters when you start feeling what our defence does to teams.”
Paige Bueckers, UConn’s sophomore sensation, had 19 points to lead the Huskies, who had won nine of the 10 previous meetings between the schools. With the championship game taking place around the same time the poll is released each Monday, the AP decided to delay the poll for a day so it would reflect the outcome – the second time since the poll began in 1976 that it has been delayed. The only other time also involved UConn. The second-ranked Huskies were playing No. 1 Tennessee on January 16, 1995, in the first meeting of their storied rivalry. The Huskies pulled off the upset victory and moved to No. 1 for the first time in school history. UConn couldn’t do it again yesterday. “I liked 30 minutes of what we did; it was great,” said Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, also a Hall of Famer. “We got tired; our transition game was great in the first half.” It was an entertaining first half played at the Atlantis Resort inside a
Staley’s ‘Champ’ by her side for No. 1 Gamecocks at Atlantis By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Dawn Staley brought more than her top-ranked South Carolina team to the inaugural women’s Battle 4 Atlantis. Her best pal — 4-year-old dog Champ — is alongside her as she walks the resort with fans recognising him by name, in the locker room and even at news conferences. The only place Champ hasn’t joined Staley is on the sidelines during the tournament, where the Gamecocks won the title by beating No. 2 Connecticut 73-57 yesterday. “On the road I have a certain routine, and it’s a routine that doesn’t involve Champ because he really doesn’t come on the road,” Staley told The Associated Press with Champ sitting on her lap. “So my routine changed a little bit, but I welcome it because he’s just such a great boy.
SOUTH Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and her dog Champ pose for a photo on Sunday. (AP Photo/Aaron Beard) “He’s patient. I mean, he’s easy, he’s easy to get along with. And he’s always by my side.” Champ — who has his own Twitter account and
is named after the Gamecocks’ 2017 NCAA title run — joined them for last March’s Southeastern Conference Tournament in their home state but had
never flown nor ventured outside the US. He remains in the locker room during games and has attended two news conferences, sitting attentively on a front-row chair with assistant coach Lisa Boyer after Saturday’s Buffalo win. “After (that game) and all those turnovers we had, it’s good to go back to the room and just have somebody to comfort you, because that wasn’t how we wanted to play,” Staley said. Staley brought Champ because her usual dogsitters were attending the tournament. Event founder and director Lea Miller-Tooley, who brought her own English cream golden retriever Hudson, helped work through the Bahamian Ministry of Agriculture for approval. “It’s Dawn’s baby. I understand how important that dog is,” Miller-Tooley said. “So there was no way I was not going to have that dog travel down here.”
converted ballroom that had a spirited crowd supporting both teams. South Carolina jumped out to a 6-0 lead before UConn went on a 20-2 run sparked by senior centre Olivia Nelson-Ododa. She had two blocks and drew an offensive foul in the span of a minute during the burst. The Huskies, who once were up by 13, led only 20-14 after one quarter. The defensive intensity continued in the second quarter as the Gamecocks were able to whittle down their deficit to 36-33 at the half. They continued to chip away in the third quarter before the big run that gave them control of the game. This was the first of two meetings this season between these teams. The Huskies will visit South Carolina on January 27. Both teams expect to be much improved by the second matchup. In “the next four months, the team you saw today could be a completely different team. That’s every coach’s hope and prayer,” Auriemma said. “Our team
can keep changing every week. Use every experience to build on. ... This team, this team’s got some work to do if that’s going to happen. We’re going to have to work really, really hard for that to happen.” BOARD DOMINANCE South Carolina outrebounded UConn 42-25, including grabbing 19 offensive boards. BIG PICTURE South Carolina: This was the third win over a top-10 team for the Gamecocks this season. They’ve already beat No. 5 North Carolina State and ninth-ranked Oregon. UConn: The Huskies fell short because they couldn’t get enough offence to help Bueckers. BY THE NUMBERS UConn has been involved in 26 of the 1-vs-2 games and has gone 22-4 in those contests, winning the previous nine before yesterday’s loss. UP NEXT South Carolina: Hosts Elon on Friday. UConn: Visits Seton Hall on December 3.