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OARSOME

Bahamas’ largest ever junior team at Fairfax regatta

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE largest ever contingent of junior rowers from the Bahamas competed at the Occoquan Chase Regatta in Fairfax, Virginia over the weekend. The event featured 46 clubs and more than 1200 athletes competing across high schools, collegiate, and master’s levels on the same course, making it one of the most premier regattas in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Bahamian delegation included 23 rowers, six from Nassau Rowing Club, eight from the Windsor school, and nine from King’s College school. Their participation drew widespread attention from local teams.

John Simbulan, Assistant Coach at Nassau Rowing Club, who previously coached at Capitol Rowing

TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER MINISTER DR NORMAN GAY

72 TOP AMATEURS AT WHITE SANDS

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Tourism has announced that 72 of the world’s top amateur golfers will compete in the White Sands Bahamas Men’s Invitational, taking place December 13-16, at the iconic Ocean Club Golf Course at the Atlantis Paradise Island. The tournament continues The Bahamas’ long-standing tradition of hosting world-class golf events, joining a legacy that includes the PGA Tour, LPGA, and celebrity tournaments. The international aims to showcase the next generation of elite golfers while further establishing The Bahamas as one of the premier destinations for golf worldwide. Among the notable early commitments are the US Junior Ryder Cup standouts Miles Russell and Luke Colton, 2025 European Amateur Champion Filip Jakubic, Walker Cup member Tommy Morrison, All-American Connor Williams, US Junior National Team member Kihei Akina, and 2025 Southern Amateur winner John

Daly II. Additionally, top players are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The champion will receive a sponsor exemption into a full-field PGA Tour event, either the 2026 Puerto Rico Open (March 5-8) or the 2026 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic (May 4-10). The runner-up will earn an exemption into the 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, while all participants will be awarded World Amateur Gold Rankings (WAGR) points. The White Sands Bahamas Men’s Invitational will be managed by SPORTFIVE, the same organisation behind the Puerto Rico

The

UB drops

2-1 nailbiter to MAU

THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team controlled most of the game but was unable to get the win as they lost a nailbiter to Millennia Atlantic University 2-1 at the Doral Meadow Football Fields in Florida yesterday.

Captain and midfielder

Ronaldo Green scored the lone goal for UB.

UB’s head coach, Alex Thompson, said he was happy about certain things that he was happy about.

“We worked a lot on our

transition from defence to attack leading up to this game. It created a lot of opportunities for us. We had about 14 good chances, but we were not able to execute in front of goal.”

UB was aggressive in the attacking third early on but were unable to get the goal.

The 15th minute saw MAU scoring on a penalty-kick.

UB kept attacking MAU goal but kept coming up short until Green dribbled his way and beat the goalkeeper with a right-foot

shot in the 43rd minute. The score remained 1-1 at the halftime whistle.

Ten minutes into the second half, MAU capitalised on a UB defensive mistake in the 55th minute with a goal to go up 2-1.

UB had MAU on their back feet for the rest of the game, but MAU thwarted their attempts as the game ended 2-1.

UB returns to action against Albizu University at the Ives Estate Park Saturday, October 18.

Occoquan trip hailed as ‘incredible experience’

ROWING

“The trip was an incredible experience for both the kids and parents,” said Pineda. “Seeing the regatta and rowing culture in the US firsthand was truly inspiring, and it gave us all a clearer vision of how much potential there is for rowing training and competition in Nassau.”

While in Washington, the team paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Wendall Jones and staff at the Embassy of The Bahamas to the United States. Ambassador Jones praised the team for representing the country on an international stage

and encouraged the team to continue to strive for excellence both as athletes and global citizens.

The rowers also had an opportunity to meet Aquil Abdullah OLY, the first African American male rower to represent the United States at the Olympics and the only black rower to win the Diamond Challenge Sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta. Abdullah commended the team, saying, “As someone whose own journey in rowing has taken me around the world, it is moving to see Bahamian youth stepping into this shared tradition. Rowing connects us, not only across the water but

across cultures, generations, and dreams.”

During their stay, the Bahamian team practiced on the Coast River with members of the Capital Rowing Club developing skills and building camaraderie with their American counterparts. They later faced off in various races, displaying strong, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Rowing Bahamas president Kyle Chea applauded the achievement, calling it a milestone moment for the sport locally. “It is an incredible achievement for students, parents, and coaches to come together not only to showcase the development and strength of the rowing community

in The Bahamas, but also to be amazing ambassadors for our country and sport on and off the water,” said Chea.

“We look forward to seeing these athletes gain confidence and speed and seeing more American rowers and clubs visit the race in Lake Cunningham.”

The team had many commendable performances at the Regatta.

High school women’s juniors Lilly placed 6th and Olivia placed 8th out of 13 scullers. Both are from Windsor School.

High school women’s novice Alice, Aliyah, Maia (Kings School), Luna (Windsor), and four rowers from Capital RC finished 4th of nine crews.

FIFA ANNOUNCES OVER 1 MILLION TICKETS SOLD FOR 2026 WORLD CUP IN NORTH AMERICA

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer

MORE than one million tickets have already been sold for next year’s World Cup, FIFA said Thursday in its first update on numbers since the official start of sales began earlier this month.

The highest demand, as would be expected, were from buyers in the US, Canada and Mexico — the three nations that will play host to the tournament. FIFA said people from 212 different countries and territories have already purchased, even though only 28 of the 48 spots in the field have been filled.

Rounding out the top-10 countries in terms of tickets purchased already: England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France, in order, FIFA said. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19.

“As national teams across the globe compete for a place at the historic FIFA World Cup 26, I am thrilled so many football-loving fans also want to be part of this watershed event in North America,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a release.

He added, “It’s an incredible response, and a wonderful sign that the biggest, most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history is capturing the imagination of supporters everywhere.”

FIFA also announced that its resale site has opened — and tickets for the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were available there at prices ranging from $9,538 to $57,500 per seat as of Thursday afternoon.

FIFA did not reveal any specific figures about how many tickets have been sold for certain matches or offer

any breakdowns by host site. It also has not issued a grid of list prices for tickets, as it has for each previous World Cup since at least 1990.

FIFA’s announcement came after President Donald Trump said earlier this week he may consider relocating World Cup matches set to be played in suburban Boston and other locations his administration deems unsafe.

The start of ticket sales doesn’t take away from how there are unique questions for consumers heading into the tournament, particularly about how they’ll get visas, if necessary, to visit the U.S. as the country cracks down on immigration. An international friendly match between defending World Cup champion Argentina — featuring Lionel Messi — and Puerto Rico was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, because of lagging ticket sales that some believe were in response to the immigration crackdown.

The buyers who purchased the tickets in this first round of availability were selected out of 4.5 million applicants in a lottery that took place last month. The entry period for the next draw will open to fans on October 27, FIFA said, noting that single-match tickets to all 104 games, along with venue- and team-specific tickets, will be released.

Based on the listed stadium attendance figures, there are roughly 7.1 million seats to fill for the 104 matches for the tournament around 16 North American venues. It is unknown how many of those seats will be available for sale to the public.

Ticket data has shown that the lowest-priced seats — set at $60 — were available for at least 40 matches. Almost all seats for the vast majority

of matches were set at a much higher price. The opening match for the U.S., to be played at Inglewood, California, had prices ranging from $560 to $2,735 when sales opened. On the resale site, at least one ticket for that opening U.S. match on June 12 was listed for $61,642 on Thursday.

Fans with the option to purchase could choose seats in one of four categories; Category 1 is what FIFA officials call the best seats, Category 4 is somewhere around the tops of stadiums. Ticket costs are expected to fluctuate as soccer’s biggest event utilises dynamic pricing for the first time.

Winners in the second phase of the ticket draw will be able to purchase from mid-November to early December. A third phase, termed a random selection draw, will start after the final draw of teams on Dec. 5 determines the World Cup schedule.

FIFA has said tickets also will be available closer to the tournament “on a first-come, first-served basis”.

Los Angeles Lakers guard — and Real Madrid fan — Luka Doncic was announced Thursday as the latest ambassador for the World Cup matches that will be played in Southern California next year.

Doncic speaks four languages, making the native of Slovenia wellsuited to be part of the official group that will welcome the soccer world to the Los Angeles area.

“I’ve always been a football fan,” Doncic said. “Los Angeles is a great city full of amazing people who love to play and watch every sport. I can’t wait for the World Cup and it’s an honor to help bring people together through a sport that connects so many cultures around the globe.”

High school men’s novice Alexander, Daniel, Harrison, Nathaniel, Thomas (Kings), Michael (Nassau Rowing Club), and two Capital Rowing Club rowers finished 6th out of nine crews.

High school men’s junior 4x Camani, Louis, Troy (NRC), and one Capital Rowing Club rower finished 6th of 9 crews.

High school men’s junior 2x Jabari and Max from Windsor School finished third and Jai and Cooper also from Windsor School placed fourth of four crews. High school women’s junior 2x Sasha and Lauren of Nassau Rowing Club placed fifth of five crews.

ATLANTIS ‘PROUD TO BE GOLF HOST’

from page one

The Bahamas. It draws elite athletes to our shores, engages new audiences, and showcases our island’s unmatched beauty to the world. Beyond competition, events like this contribute to our communities, inspire our youth, and strengthen our reputation as a premier host for international tournaments.”

Audrey Oswell, president and managing director of Atlantis Paradise Island, echoed this sentiment, noting the resort’s pride in hosting such a prestigious event. “We are proud to serve as host to this outstanding golf tournament at

the Ocean Club golf course, bringing together incredible talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit in a way that truly inspires us all,” Oswell said.

Competitors will face the Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Course, which measures 7,159 yards and plays a par 72. The 54-hole stroke play tournament begins Monday, December 15, with 36 holes, followed by the final round on Tuesday, December 16. The week’s schedule will also feature a beachside welcome reception, practice rounds, and an Am-Am competition, giving players and guests an immersive “golf on paradise” experience.

VOLLEYBALL SEASON GETS UNDER WAY

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association (BSAA) officially opened its 2025-2025 Volleyball season on Wednesday at the Tom “The Bird” Grant Park. In the junior fields division, San Pedro International School defeated Akhepran International Academy, winning in straight sets 15-5, and 15-9. Genesis Academy also started its season string with a win over Nassau Christian School 15-12, 15-9 in another competitive matchup.

The senior boys’ division featured an intense three-set battle between

Akhapran International Academy and Genesis Academy. Akhapren won the first set 19-11, but Genesis fought back to take the second set 19-17 and sealed the match with a dominant 15-9 third set. Genesis won two sets to one.

The BSAA described the season opener as an “incredible day of teamwork, determination, and excitement”.

The association extended its thanks to all participating schools, coaches, referees, and supporters for their contributions to a successful kickoff.

As the season progresses, the BSAA encourages the public to continue to support the student-athletes as they compete across and against various schools in the weeks ahead.

Daily resolve over annual resolutions

THE GROWING THREAT OF OVERUSE INJURIES IN BAHAMIAN YOUNG ATHLETES

Overcoming performance anxiety: Techniques for staying calm under pressure

INJURY in youth sport is often imagined as a dramatic moment — a fall, a twist, a collision on the eld.

But some of the most common injuries facing young Bahamian athletes today emerge not from trauma, but from accumulation.

AS we begin a new year, it’s a tradition for many to embark on a journey of self-improvement through the ritual of New Year’s resolutions. We enthusiastically declare our intentions to shed those extra pounds, hit the gym religiously, or nally conquer our fitness goals. We herald the arrival of January 1st as if it possesses magical powers to transform us into the best versions of ourselves.

Repeated microtrauma to immature bones and soft tissues — often unrecognised and poorly managed — has given rise to a surge in overuse injuries among adolescent athletes, threatening both long-term participation and physical development.

IN THE world of sports, the pressure to perform at one’s best can be intense. Whether it’s the final moments of a crucial game, a career-defining match, or even just the daily grind of practice, athletes are constantly battling the mental and emotional strains that come with the territory. Performance anxiety, the fear or apprehension that can accompany high-stakes situations, is a formidable opponent in itself. But, like any challenge in sports, it can be managed and overcome with the right strategies.

Understanding performance anxiety

Yet, as we know all too well, the enthusiasm that ignites our resolutions fizzles out as quickly as a rework on New Year’s Eve. Studies have shown that a mere eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. It’s a sobering statistic that highlights the futility of relying on annual resolutions to drive lasting change.

This growing concern is not unique to The Bahamas, but it has become increasingly visible within local clinics and training environments.

Performance anxiety manifests in various forms: a racing heart, sweaty palms, a feeling of dread, or an overwhelming sense of self-doubt. It’s the body’s natural response to perceived pressure, rooted in the fight-or-flight mechanism. While this response can be useful in certain situations, in the context of sports, it can be debilitating, leading to poor performance, mistakes, or even injury.

THE RESOLUTION

Athletes between the ages of 10 and 16 are presenting with apophyseal in ammation, tendinopathy, and early-stage stress injuries, many of which were initially dismissed as benign “growing pains” or typical post-exercise soreness.

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF OVERUSE INJURIES

Breathing exercises: The foundation of calm

My journey through life has taught me that meaningful transformation doesn’t occur because we declare it on January 1st. It happens through daily resolve and unwavering commitment to self-improvement. Let’s explore this concept together, drawing insights from the world of sports, where daily discipline reigns supreme.

Overuse injuries occur when repetitive stress is

THE ILLUSION OF

applied to the body without adequate time for rest, adaptation, or repair. In the context of youth athletes, these injuries are particularly concerning due to the presence of open growth plates (physes) and developing musculoskeletal structures.

One of the most effective tools in combating performance anxiety is controlled breathing. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps to regulate the nervous system, lowering the heart rate and promoting a sense of calm.

The allure of New Year’s resolutions lies in the promise of a fresh start, a clean slate to leave behind our old habits and embrace new ones. It’s akin to starting a marathon at the sound of the starting gun, only to realise that true endurance is built not in a sprint but in the daily, consistent strides we take.

Box Breathing is a popular technique that athletes can use before, during, and after competition. To practice box breathing, follow these steps: Inhale deeply through the nose for four seconds.

Unlike acute injuries, which are often easy to identify and treat, overuse injuries may develop insidiously. Pain increases gradually over days or weeks, often beginning

THE SCIENCE OF CONSISTENCY

CRIMESTOPPERS,

reducing anxiety.

upon movement.

create some separation with an unanswered 11-0 run with less than five minutes to go in the third quarter. They had the upperhand 65-53. The team went on to close out the third quarter up by 16 (70-54).

The fourth quarter is where things got interesting.

Hold the breath for four seconds.

Exhale slowly through the mouth for four seconds. Hold the breath again for four seconds.

Repeat the cycle four to five times.

only after training sessions and eventually appearing during warm-ups or daily activity. Unfortunately, many athletes, parents, and even coaches fail to recognise this gradual onset as a warning sign.

Common diagnoses seen in clinical practice include:

Lerecus Armbrister had it going for the Bamboo Shack Patrollers. He splashed a big three with 1:54 on the clock to put his team within 6 (88-82).

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

The Patrollers got the lead down to as little as 3 (88-85) but Abel Joseph hit some timely shots down the stretch to put the game away.

This method not only helps to calm the mind but also keeps the athlete focused on the present moment, preventing intrusive thoughts from disrupting their concentration.

national-level sprinter presented with persistent “hamstring tightness” and was being stretched multiple times daily by her coach. Ultrasound imaging later revealed a partial apophyseal strain at the ischial tuberosity.

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Traction apophysitis at the tibial tuberosity, often seen in adolescent runners, jumpers, and footballers.

from page 11

In the realm of sports and fitness, champions aren’t forged in the crucible of annual resolutions but in the daily grind of training and discipline. Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology underscores the importance of consistent, small actions in achieving long-term goals. Athletes understand that success isn’t the result of one monumental effort but the cumulative effect of countless small victories.

Mindfulness techniques: Staying present Mindfulness, the practice of staying fully present in the moment, is essential for athletes who want to keep anxiety at bay. Mindfulness teaches athletes to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing them to stay focused on the task at hand rather than getting lost in worries about the outcome.

Visualisation: Rehearsing success Visualisation, or mental imagery, is another powerful tool for managing performance anxiety. By mentally rehearsing successful outcomes, athletes can build confidence and reduce the uncertainty that often fuels anxiety.

• Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis): A common cause of heel pain in growing children, particularly those involved in court sports or long-distance running.

• Ischial Apophysitis and Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: Often misattributed to muscle tightness or poor stretching technique, these conditions can lead to prolonged time loss if not properly diagnosed.

THE POWER OF DAILY HABITS

CLINICAL EXAMPLES FROM LOCAL CONTEXT

Mental Rehearsal involves vividly imagining the execution of skills, movements, or plays. For instance, a sprinter might visualize each phase of their race, from the starting block to crossing the finish line, focusing on the feeling of power and speed. This mental practice primes the brain and body for the actual event, making the athlete feel more prepared and

doesn’t train solely on January 1st, we shouldn’t expect our resolutions to materialise without daily effort.

EMBRACING DAILY RESOLVE

In another case, a 12-year-old basketball player endured six weeks of worsening heel pain, treated with ice and overthe-counter analgesics. He was later diagnosed with calcaneal apophysitis, made worse by repetitive jumping, poor footwear, and lack of scheduled recovery periods.

various cognitive-behavioral techniques designed to strengthen an athlete’s mental resilience.

• Localised tenderness over growth plates.

• Morning stiffness or pain during simple tasks.

‘Whether it’s nutrition, training, or recovery, it’s the daily routines and choices that shape an athlete’s journey. In the same vein, replacing a bad habit with a good one requires a daily commitment. Just as an athlete doesn’t train solely on January 1st, we shouldn’t expect our resolutions to materialise without daily effort.’

Positive Self-Talk is one such technique. It involves replacing negative, anxiety-inducing thoughts with positive, empowering statements. Instead of thinking, “I can’t mess this up,” an athlete might say, “I’ve trained for this; I’m ready.” Over time, this shift in internal dialogue can help reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

• Subtle changes in gait or movement mechanics during sport.

In recent months at Empire Sports Medicine, we have seen a marked increase in youth presentations with preventable overuse pathology.

A 13-year-old

As a sports medicine professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of daily habits on an athlete’s performance. Whether it’s nutrition, training, or recovery, it’s the daily routines and choices that shape an athlete’s journey. In the same vein, replacing a bad habit with a good one requires a daily com-

These cases highlight a pattern: persistent pain in youth athletes is too often minimised or attributed solely to growth. In reality, it may signal a physiological imbalance between training load and tissue capacity.

Instead of pinning our hopes on the fleeting inspira on of a new year, I urge you to embrace daily resolve. Treat each day as an opportunity for selfimprovement, a chance to make choices that align with your long-term goals. It’s not about grand declarations but about the unwavering determination to make better choices every day.

Mindful Meditation can be incorporated into an athlete’s routine to enhance focus and reduce stress. A simple practice involves sitting quietly for five to ten minutes, focusing on the breath, and gently bringing the mind back to the present whenever it wanders. Over time, this practice helps athletes develop a heightened awareness of their thoughts and emotions, giving them greater control over their mental state during competition.

IDENTIFYING THE WARNING SIGNS

Clinicians, parents, and coaches should be alert to key red flags that suggest early overuse injury:

THE JOURNEY OF SELFIMPROVEMENT

In such cases, early evaluation — including functional movement assessment and, when indicated, musculoskeletal imaging — can make the difference between a short rehabilitation period and a season-ending complication.

challenges. It’s about getting knocked down and summoning the strength to rise again, day after day. The journey is not always glamorous, but it’s in the daily struggle that we and our true resolve.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is another technique that can be useful in managing anxiety. PMR involves tensing and then slowly relaxing different muscle groups in the body, helping athletes become more aware of physical tension and how to release it. This practice can be particularly effective when incorporated into a pre-competition routine.

CONCLUSION: A DAILY COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

PREVENTION THROUGH MONITORING AND EDUCATION

Preventing overuse injuries requires more than occasional rest days or passive stretching. It involves structured monitoring of training volume, periodisation of activity, and regular screening for neuromuscular imbalances.

The importance of preparation

• Pain that develops gradually and worsens with repeated activity.

• Pain that resolves with rest but returns consistently

Mental conditioning: Building resilience Mental conditioning involves training the mind to respond positively to pressure. This can be achieved through

Much like an athlete’s journey to excellence, the path of self-improvement

Evidence supports the use of workload monitoring tools, jump-load tracking, and strength testing to reduce injury incidence.

At Empire Sports Medicine, we incorporate functional movement screening, force

Perhaps the most fundamental strategy for overcoming performance anxiety is thorough preparation. Anxiety often stems from a fear of the unknown or a lack of confidence in one’s abilities.

As we bid farewell to one year and welcome another, let us engrave this truth in our hearts: Resolutions are transient, but resolve — the unwavering, daily commitment to self- improvement — is enduring. It’s the small, consistent choices that accumulate into significant life changes. Whether you’re an athlete striving for excellence or someone on a quest for better health, remember that meaningful transformation occurs not on January 1st but in the

plate testing, and hamstring pro ling to identify athletes at higher risk and implement corrective strategies before injury occurs. Equally important is the promotion of multi-sport participation during early adolescence. Early sport specialisation — training one discipline exclusively year-round — has been strongly correlated with increased injury risk and psychological burnout.

So, as the reworks light up the sky, heralding the arrival of a new year, let them serve as a reminder the resolve that burns within you. Embrace the daily journey of selfimprovement, for that, my friends, is the true path to lasting change and the pursuit of your best self.

By meticulously preparing both mentally and physically, athletes can enter competitions with a sense of assurance that reduces the likelihood of anxiety taking hold. This preparation goes beyond physical training; it includes developing a precompetition routine that incorporates the strategies discussed above, ensuring that the athlete is mentally primed for success.

CONCLUSION

Dr Kent Bazard is a Bahamian Sports Medicine Physician, Sports Performance Coach, Sports Nutrition Specialist, and Founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and

Conclusion: The calm amidst the storm Performance anxiety is a common challenge in the world of sports, but it doesn’t have to be a hindrance. With the right techniques—breathing exercises, visualization, mindfulness, and mental conditioning—athletes can learn to stay calm under pressure and perform at their best when it counts the most.

As with any aspect of sports, overcoming performance anxiety requires practice and persistence. But by building these skills into their routine, athletes can not only manage anxiety but also harness it as a tool for peak performance, transforming pressure into power.

Overuse injuries in youth athletes represent a growing but often invisible burden on sport performance and health outcomes. As Bahamian sport continues to grow in competitiveness, it is imperative that athletes, families, and support personnel recognize the importance of recovery, diversity in movement, and early clinical intervention. Pain that lingers is not a sign of toughness — it is a warning. With proper screening, education, and collaboration between coaches and clinicians, we can identify these injuries early and ensure our athletes continue to develop safely, both on and off the field.

announced on Dec. 29 he had extended his contract with Madrid until The contract of Brazil’s interim coach Fernando Diniz ends days before this year’s Copa America, which will be played in therently splits his national team job with being coach of Copa Libertadores Rodrigues’ term in office runs through 2026. He is yet another CBF president to face legal problems, though he is not involved in corruption cases like predecessors

HANDBALL FEDERATION BACK IN ACTION

SCORE VS. SAFE: TWO COMPETING BILLS IN CONGRESS SEEK TO PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS AND ITS ATHLETES

clinic for them. They loved it. They are very optimistic about getting into their school programme.”

comes to the athletes.

Do the bills have any similarities?

Handball, played on a similar court as basketball, is a combination of football, basketball and netball. The game is contested by two teams of seven players and involves one team invading another team’s territory with the aim of throwing a ball into their opponent’s goals.

Joseph finished the game with 23 points, 8 boards. 2 steals and 2 assists.

Lamont McPhee led the Ballers with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Armbrister scored a game-high 33 points in the loss to go with 4 rebounds. He also connected on six threes. The BGDBA semifinals continue tonight with the Patrollers and Ballers taking the court first at 7:30pm. The Police Crimestoppers and Bain & Grants Town Cybots will play in the following game.

EFFORTS to reform college sports remain uncertain as falls arrives, with the two most-thorough attempts each struggling to find enough backing in Congress due to their different priorities. The SCORE Act, introduced in July with a hint of bipartisanship, would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption — targeted to shield the nation’s largest overseer of college sports from potential lawsuits against eligibility rules — and would bar athletes from becoming employees of their schools.

The SAFE Act, introduced by Democratic lawmakers last month, focuses on allowing conferences to pool their broadcast rights. Proponents say the move could bring extra billions to an industry that needs cash to finance a new era in which schools can pay players.

The most significant similarity is that both bills would preempt state laws regarding name, image and likeness payments that have been allowed since July 2021. States have different laws regarding NIL, which can put teams in the same conference under different rules. Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey called the “state preemption” provision a common-sense solution that allows athletes to “know that the opponent is playing by the same rules” no matter what state they play in.

Played at a very fast, skilful and competitive pace, the game requires a range of physical attributes in defence and attack, generating scores of up to 35 goals each in two halves of 30-minute each with a 10-15 break.

Unlike basketball, handball allows each player to make at least three steps before they can pass the ball off with seven of their 12-member team on the court at all times.

Miller said it’s an interesting and exciting game, which is now a part of the Olympic Games and it’s hoped that by 2032, the Bahamas will be able to field a team qualified to compete in the biggest sporting extravaganza, held every four years.

Both bills also call for schools to offer medical insurance to athletes after they leave school; the SCORE Act would extend this for three years and the SAFE Act for five.

A vast majority of Democrats oppose stripping athletes of their rights, either to sue the NCAA or to potentially form unions that could lead to them becoming employees. An NCAA executive has called the idea of athletes becoming employees the “budget-buster of the century,” and cited surveys saying most athletes don’t support it anyway.

Miller said after watching the men’s national basketball team make it to the final of Olympic Qualifying Tournament, only to fall short of getting into the Olympics in Paris, France in July, they wanted to start preparing players for an alternative for team sports.

The NCAA argues it wants the limited anti-trust protection to prevent situations like the one it is in now, with more than a dozen lawsuits in different courts, most of them about eligibility rules that have traditionally given athletes five years to complete four seasons of eligibility.

“If we don’t have players who can make it in basketball, they can make it in handball,” Miller said. “If they can’t make it in track and field, swimming or boxing, they can try

What are the biggest differences? The two measures are particularly divisive when it

Meanwhile, the SEC and Big 12 are on record as saying the key proposal of the SAFE act, pooling TV rights, is no guarantee of bigger money down the road. A proponent of that measure, Texas Tech head of regents Cody Campbell,

is running TV ads saying such an arrangement could net between $4 billion and $7 billion more. Neither side has offered specifics about how they reached their conclusions.

handball.

Media deals from the Big Ten are worth a reported $8 billion and the SEC, which operates in smaller markets, are worth $3 billion. Those leagues might not see a path toward bigger riches by teaming up.

“You can play handball and become a star. So we will be having a very heavy recruiting programme to get some of our players involved. We want to get some basketball players to be a part of the programme as well.”

Could the Olympics offer a chance for compromise?

Interested persons can contact Sean Bastian, the vice president of the federation, who serves as the assistant Sports Director at the University of the Bahamas.

Politicians love to wrap themselves in the American flag, and the consequences for the Olympics could be a place to find common ground.

Dawn Knowles, a long-time advocate for primary schools sports in the Bahamas, is also a vice president. As they move forward, Miller said they will add more people to complete their executive team.

to this reality, though in different ways. SCORE would establish a minimum numbers of sports that schools of a certain size must offer (most already do). SAFE proposes that increased proceeds from theoretical new TV deals be used to keep participation of women’s and Olympic sports at 2023-24 levels. If signs ever surface that the Olympic pipeline is in true jeopardy, that might lend a sense of urgency for compromise. Some programs around the country have been cut, but the NCAA argues scholarship dollars and participation levels are at record levels in the wake of the House settlement.

of the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees college sports, Cruz figures to have a big impact on anything that gets to the Senate floor, where it would then need 60 votes.

The SCORE Act looked like it was headed for a vote in the House, but there were too many Republican doubters to gurantee its passage. The NCAA and conferences have been subtly pushing to rebuild momentum lately, but few think college sports is high on the priority list given the government shutdown.

“It’s also fair to say that there’s a lot going right,” NCAA vice president Tim Buckley said.

But in the meantime, he said they want Bahamians to get ready for another sport to try and qualify to compete in at the Olympic Games once they are fully in operation at their home site at the DW Davis Gym.

There is general agreement that football and basketball need to succeed at a high level in college because they ultimately bring in the money that funds the “non-revenue” sports that feed the pipeline for Team USA. Both SCORE and SAFE have language that speaks

Is there any chance either of these bills pass? Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, spoke out against the SAFE Act almost as soon as it was proposed. As the chair

Should House Republicans coalesce around the SCORE Act, there is a chance they could attach it to a piece of “must-pass” legislation and send it to the Senate, which would give Democrats the difficult choice of rejecting a bill they otherwise support because of college sports. As long as enough Senate Democrats see athletes’ rights being trampled by SCORE, it won’t pass

Western Conference teams dominate NBA championship betting with season on horizon

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer

THE Western Conference is so loaded that its championship might be the real NBA Finals, at least if all the betting money pouring in on those teams is any indication.

Of the top seven potential NBA champions that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the lone Eastern Conference team that the book would not be pleased see hold up the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

“Seemingly, we’re just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East,” said Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading strategy manager.

Western Conference teams have won three of the past four championships, with Boston in 2024 the exception.

The top two favorites at BetMGM are defending champion Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.

“Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows,” Egeland said. “But as of now, they’re actually one of our best results. Like always, we’re expecting the Lakers to be a big liability. We’re expecting the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a lot of Nuggets money. We’re live in Colorado, and personally, I think they’re going to be a very good team as well.”

Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that same kind of trends.

“The Nuggets, obviously with their offseason, they took some heavy action early,” said David Lieberman, Caesars’ NBA sports lead. “The Warriors and Lakers are pretty always two of our biggest liabilities. Just popular teams for people to bet on.”

CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he expects this NBA season to end like last season.

“I think Oklahoma City’s

clearly the team to beat,” Marshall said. “They’ve got good depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can get over them. They’re wearing a bigger target this year. I think they’re going to be much the same as a year ago.”

THREE-MAN MVP RACE

The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to capture the award again.

But, he has company.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic are next at each 3-1. Jokic is a three-time MVP. Doncic has never received the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA’s offense, especially with LeBron James missing the first part of the season because of sciatica.

Voters tend to prefer to give the benefit of the doubt on close races to those who haven’t won the award recently or at all.

“That’s always the thing with awards,” Egeland said. “It doesn’t necessarily go to who had the best season. You have to price it as if you’re going for who’s going to be voting. That’s why I like Jokic. I think he should’ve won last year.”

Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.

“I personally think Jokic should be the favorite,” Lieberman said. “I think there’s an argument he probably should’ve won last year, but I do think SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good year, I had no issue with him winning, but I think there’s kind of a prevailing thought that he won because the team’s record was so good.”

HANDICAPPING THE WIN TOTALS

Marshall said he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to go over the win totals.

The Magic were particularly intriguing to him.

“I think this is the team that might be ready to take

off,” Marshall said. “They had a lot of injury problems last year. ... They still made the playoffs.” He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), expecting those team to go under. Marshall said health concerns were an issue for all three clubs.

DISTRACTED IN LA

The Lakers are 16-1 to win the championship and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1. Both teams face their share of questions.

For the Lakers, it James’ health as well as whether this will be his final season. The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers violated the salary cap regarding an endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.

“I think the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi,” Marshall said. “His availability, you never know about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi’s contract, will that be a distraction? I don’t know.

“The Lakers, you can sense change coming. I’m almost convinced this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, but that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) last year. They just out-athleted them everywhere.”

CAPTURING THE FLAGG

Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, the top pick in this year’s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even lists him in minus territory at -225.

The closest are Utah’s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia’s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.

While acknowledging Flagg deserves to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.

“I’m not really sure how much of an impact Flagg is really going to make,” Marshall said. “I think Dallas is not a threat this year. I just don’t see it with them, and I don’t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody thinks.”

The greatest women’s college basketball players: Who made

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

FOR many college basketball experts, selecting the greatest players of the women’s poll era sounds easy — until they try it.

Of course, USC’s Cheryl Miller and Diana Taurasi of UConn are relatively easy choices. But narrowing the list from there gets tricky, inevitably leaving out talented players, including those who sharpened their skills during later professional careers.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the women’s basketball poll, The Associated Press assembled a list of the greatest players since the first poll in 1976. And in the spirit of the Top 25 rankings, the choices are certain to spark a debate and prompt plenty of handwringing among those who were in a position to vote.

“Nearly impossible,”

Rebecca Lobo, a former UConn standout and NCAA champion, said of the assignment. “As I’m looking down the list, I’m

the list?

like no-brainer, no-brainer, no-brainer. But then I’m like wait, there’s too many no-brainers and not enough slots.”

Lobo was one of 13 members of a panel of former players and AP sportswriters who voted on the greatest players. They were instructed to consider only the athletes’ college careers. Other factors, however, were up to their discretion, including championship pedigree, record-breaking statistics or simply their ability to will their teams to victory.

“It was extraordinarily difficult especially to try to hone in on a players’ college career and eliminate their pro career from your brain,” Lobo added. “There are going to be players who are Hall of Fame caliber players who aren’t on the list.”

Joining Miller in the frontcourt on the first team are Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker. Caitlin Clark joins Taurasi as the guards. Taurasi helped UConn

win three national championships, including carrying the Huskies to the last two basically on her own during her junior and senior season.

“What an accomplishment and what an honor,” Taurasi said. “To think about the history of the game and where it’s gone. You always have to look at the past to go into the future. There’s so many great women who paved the way.”

Clark led Iowa to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances while setting the career scoring record for any Division I women’s or men’s basketball player.

Her play on the court, including her logo 3-point shots, helped lift women’s basketball to unprecedented levels of attention and energy during her last two seasons.

“Being named an AP All-American is one of the most storied honors in college sports,” Clark said. “It means a lot to be named to this all-time list alongside

players I looked up to. It’s fun to think about what it would have been like if we all played together.”

The frontcourt of Miller, Stewart and Parker dominated the game during their eras.

Stewart won four NCAA championships at UConn and earned

Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four all four years. Parker led Tennessee to back-to-back titles in 2007-08. Miller, one of the original NCAA greats, starred for USC and led the Trojans to consecutive championships in 1983-84.

“I grew up watching Cheryl Miller play,” Parker said. “She’d be No 1. My dad was like ‘This is who we wanted you to be.’ I’m honored to be on this list with her.”

The second team’s backcourt is UConn’s Sue Bird and Virginia’s Dawn Staley. The former Cavaliers guard and current South Carolina coach is the only women’s player to win the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four on a losing team when her Cavaliers fell to Tennessee. Bird helped UConn win championships in 2000 and 2002. The Lady Vols’ Chamique Holdsclaw, UConn’s Maya Moore and Lusia Harris of Delta State are on the second team frontcourt. Holdsclaw was a three-time NCAA champion and twice earned the tournament’s MOP honor. Moore was part of the Huskies’ dynasty that won a then-record 89 consecutive games. She helped the Huskies to consecutive titles in 2009-10. Harris led Delta State to three AIAW titles in the mid-1970s and was the tournament’s MVP each year. “I’d watch these two

teams play and I’m not sure who would win,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of the first and second teams selected by the panel. Auriemma has four former players on the first two teams, but would enjoy looking to the bench at a group of reserves that includes:

UCLA’s Ann Meyers Drysdale, Kansas’ Lynette Woodard and Texas Tech’s Sheryl Swoopes in the backcourt. For the frontcourt, there is USC’s Lisa Leslie, Baylor’s Brittney Griner and South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson.

“I am always asked if players today could play back in the ‘70s or ‘80s or vice versa. When you’re great in one generation, you’re going to be great in any generation,” said Meyers Drysdale, who also was a member of the voting panel. “I don’t think there’s any name that is wrong or there’s any name that is right. There’s so many great players that are going to be left off.”

The voting panel included former players

former

Dodgers near repeat World Series trip, beat Brewers 3-1 behind Glasnow, Edman for 3-0 NLCS lead

By BETH HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

THE Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to become the first defending champion to reach the World Series in 16 years.

Tommy Edman hit a tiebreaking single off hardthrowing rookie Jacob Misiorowski in a two-run sixth inning, and the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Thursday to take a 3-0 lead in their bestof-seven NL Championship Series.

A team that needed to win a Wild Card Series at the start of the playoffs is 8-1 in the postseason behind outstanding starting pitching, an improved bullpen and just enough offense.

“We’re just excited,” said Edman, the 2024 NLCS MVP. “We didn’t play great during the regular season and we’re getting hot at the right time.”

No defending champion has reached the World Series since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. No team has won consecutive titles since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees took three in a row.

“You got to treat it like it’s a do-or-die game,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. “You can’t look ahead, and I think that’s something a lot of teams struggle with.”

Game 4 is Friday. The only one of the 41 teams that overcame a 3-0 postseason deficit was the 2004 Boston Red Sox against the Yankees, sparked by current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

“We’re up, but like Kobe (Bryant) said, ‘The job’s not done,’” Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts said. “We got to keep going and just keep applying pressure. We got to keep in mind we’re five wins away from what we really want.”

Shohei Ohtani tripled off Andy Ashby to start the bottom of the first and scored on Betts’ double to put the Dodgers ahead, but Jake Bauers tied the score with an RBI single in the second.

That was the only run allowed by Tyler Glasnow, who has combined with Ohtani, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to give Dodgers starters a 1.54 postseason ERA.

Misiorowski replaced

Ashby with two on and one out in the first, and struck out Edman and Teoscar Hernández. The 23-year-old right-hander topped 100 mph with 17 pitches and struck out a Brewers postseason rookie record nine, but his fastball velocity dropped to 98-99 mph slightly in the sixth.

Will Smith singled with one out on a slider in the middle of the strike zone and Freddie Freeman walked after falling behind 1-2 in the count. Edman, who had struck out twice against Misiorowski, lined a low slider into center on Misiorowski’s 73rd and final pitch. Smith scored for a 2-1 lead as Sal Frelick made a weak throw.

“Misiorowski was nasty today. He’s got unbelievable stuff,” Edman said.

“Will did a good job of capitalizing on a mistake and hitting one in the gap. He gave me one I could hit and fortunately, we were able to scrape one across and let our pitching do the rest.”

Abner Uribe relieved and struck out Hernández, then made a wild pickoff throw past first as Freeman scored, the second straight game with an error by the Brewers closer.

“I was really surprised,” Edman said. “I’m glad it happened. It gave us that insurance run.”

Glasnow allowed three hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight, leaving to a standing ovation from the crowd of 51,251. Alex Vesia followed Glasnow and got two outs for his second win of the

playoffs.

Rookie Roki Sasaki pitched a perfect ninth, finishing a four-hitter. Dodgers relievers allowed one hit in 3 1/3 innings. A rookie moved to the bullpen when he returned from a fourmonth injury layoff in the season’s final week, Sasaki became the first pitcher since saves became an official statistic in 1969 to earn each of his first three career saves in the postseason.

Eleven of 19 batters struck out in the middle innings as shadows crept across home plate and made it difficult for hitters.

“Take nothing away from Glasnow, who pitched great,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “Take nothing away from Miz, who pitched great, but it was a really tough visual for both teams. Nobody

can think of a hard-hit ball hit during that time. That’s very unusual in a game.” Smith agreed, saying, “That was not fun. Even catching, I know it’s coming, it’s still hard to catch. The at-bats are even harder. That’s just kind of one of those games within the game and it’s who can kind of handle it better.”

Milwaukee, which swept the Dodgers 6-0 during the regular season, has lost its last 10 postseason road games dating to 2018. The Brewers have three runs and nine hits in the series, and dating to the Division Series finale the Dodgers became the first team to allow no runs or one run and four hits or fewer in four straight postseason games. “It’s going to be tough no matter what we do, and

you’re facing the Dodgers,” Misiorowski said.

“I think we got this. Stay positive with the boys, and I think just put a few hits together and we’ll be fine.”

Up next Ohtani, 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in the postseason, makes his second postseason start after the right-hander struck out nine over six innings against Philadelphia in the NL Division Series. The two-way star was 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and is hitting .158 (6 for 38) with one homer and six RBIs in nine postseason games.

“I expect him to be good tomorrow,” Roberts said, “be focused and put forth a good effort at the bat, too.” Milwaukee has not announced a starter.

Katerina makes history at FEI event in Bahamas

KATERINA Coello rode into the history books – and straight to the top of the standings – as she competed for The Bahamas in Category C of the 2025 FEI Jumping World Challenge, the first FEI-recognised event to be held in The Bahamas.

Competitions 1 and 2 of the three-part Challenge were held this weekend at Moonstone Stables. Each competition consisted of two grueling rounds with 10-13 obstacles, at fence heights ranging from 1.0-1.10m.

The courses were designed by FEI course designers Marina Azevedo of Brazil, Cristina Larangeiro of Portugal, and Erica Sportiello of Brazil.

Coello, 17, piloted Nadim Nsouli’s Whiterock Duggie in a near-perfect performance, riding four clear rounds with no jumping faults and no time faults, and clocking 57.40 seconds and 59.18 seconds in the speed rounds of each competition, well under the 69 seconds time allowed.

As a result, the pair not only made history for The

Bahamas but also took the lead in the Category C Zone 10 standing of the 2025 FEI World Challenge, displacing Abby Bardgett of Bermuda who previously held the top score.

Led by Heidi Mello (BER), president of the Ground Jury, the team of FEI officials congratulated Coello for her achievement and praised Equestrian Bahamas Federation for the accomplishment of staging the FEI Jumping World Challenge.

The aim of the FEI World Challenge series is to offer athletes who, under normal circumstances, cannot take part in international competitions due to various factors such as travel costs and distances.

The Challenge series gives local riders the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country. Individual and team rankings for the FEI World Challenges are posted at the end of the calendar year. Competition 3 will take place on December 6.