Jim Buss Dies at Age 80

Legendary Los Angeles Lakers owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, dies at the age of 80 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said Bob Steiner, his assistant. Buss had been hospitalized for cancer, but the immediate cause of death was kidney failure, Steiner said.

Under Buss' ownership, the Lakers won NBA titles in 1980, '82, '85, '87, '88, 2000, '01, '02, '09 and '10. Among the all-time greats who played for the Lakers during Buss' tenure were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Buss bought the Lakers -- along with the Los Angeles Kings, the Forum and real estate in central California, from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 for $67.5 million. Forbes magazine now estimates the Lakers are worth $1 billion, second to the New York Knicks among NBA franchises.

'Showtime' was a Jerry Buss creation and he transformed LA to become a Laker town taking all of the magic away from the Dodgers who ruled LA.  No owner had racked up more titles than Dr. Buss and though Im a Celtic you must respect a winner.

Scotiabank Defenders Win 3rd Straight Championship Title

Scotiabank Defenders Win 3rd Straight NPVA Title (2012/13)

In the 5th and deciding game of the New Providence Volleyball Association's men's championship and 2012/2013 season, the Technicians were off to a good start leading the Scotiabank Defenders in the first set 7-2.  

However, the Defenders would not give up and rebounded to take the first set 25-19. In the second set, being down again, the Defenders fought their way to win a crucial set 25-23 and in the third set after leading comfortably by 5 points, the Technician would eventually tie the score at 11-11 before taking a 13-11 lead behind Renaldo Knowles' 4 consecutive kills. Trading points, the Defenders would take advantage of the Technicians mental errors and win the 3rd and deciding set 25-22. 

Ian "Wire" Pinder once again led the Defenders with 9 kills and a block. Both Shedrick Forbes and Lahaundro Thompson had  4 blocks and an ace respectively. Jamaal Ferguson finished with 6 digs and 7 receptions to compliment Tony Simon's 30 assists. 

For the Technicians, Renaldo Knowles led all scorers with 18 kills and 10 receptions. Eric Johnson had 3 blocks, Adalbert Ingraham 4 digs and Audril Farquharson 2 aces and 27 assists.

Congratulations to the Scotiabank Defenders who rallied from a 0 - 2 championship deficit, to regroup and sweep the next 3 games to secure their 3rd straight championship.

SPECIAL NOTE:  I found this video online of one of the players Shedrick Forbes in international play.  Check out this bad boy.

Shedrick Forbes #17 (OH/RS) from Prince Wilson on Vimeo.

Athletics Community Mourns The Passing of Neville “Teddy” McCook

Neville McCook (Gettys Image)

Neville “Teddy” McCook, President of the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Area Association (NACAC) died early this afternoon in hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.McCook had been ill for a while and was being treated for prostate cancer.  

“Teddy”, as he was affectionately called served in the IAAF as the Area Representative for NACAC from 1999 and became President and Area Representative in 2007.

“The broad smile and immense energy of my close friend and colleague Teddy McCook will be greatly missed by all who had the fortune to make his acquaintance,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack.

McCook served as President of the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) for many years. He was extremely proud of his school Kingston College.  He was the organizer of the popular Gibson Relays in Kingston, which Bahamians had competed in for many years.


Mr. McCook visited the Bahamas on numerous occasions, first as a pharmaceutical representative many years ago, then as a Track & Field official in the last thirty-five years or so. 

One of his hobbies was attending football games, both American and European.  He was an ardent fan of the Miami Dolphins and found time to attend as many games as possible.

“The broad smile and immense energy of my close friend and colleague Teddy McCook will be greatly missed by all who had the fortune to make his acquaintance,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack.

Bahamas To Host Tottenham Hotspur vs. Jamaican National Team Exhibition Football Match in May

Its official yawl we are beginning to take sports a bit seriously and have finally begun to see the dollar value of hosting events here in the country.

As apart of our 40th Independance Anniversary, The Bahamas will host its first ever football exhibition match between the Tottenham Hotspur and the Jamaican National Team at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium.  Take a look at the Ministry of Tourism's recent press release.

The Bahamas will make history on May 23, 2013 as its new $30 million Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium will serve as host to an exhibition match between Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the Jamaican national football team on Nassau Paradise Island.

Both teams accepted an invitation from the Government of The Bahamas, which set the stage for the first match featuring a Premier League Club in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The match will also mark one of the major events in the new 15,000-seat stadium as well as in the year-long celebration of The Bahamas' 40^th anniversary of independence. The stadium and the country hosting two world-class soccer teams in this international event is another indication of The Bahamas' growth in prominence over the past four decades. 

While The Bahamas is best known to consumers as an easily accessible tropical getaway, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is also hoping to stake a claim as a destination for sports tourism by making investments in the industry and establishing partnerships that promote the islands as a location for both sports participation and spectating.

"We are delighted at the opportunity to host this first-rate event, which will mark a new and exciting thrust in our efforts to support and encourage global sporting events at all levels" said Mr. David Johnson, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

He continued: "This event will serve to further validate our decision to focus on the development of sports tourism and will showcase the excellent facilities at the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium for world-class sporting events. Finally, it's an event that will be among the highlights of the 40^th anniversary of Bahamian independence celebrations."

In the run-up to the match, Tottenham Hotspur will work with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to help promote The Bahamas as a world-leading destination for tourism, while working with the National Sports Authority to help position the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium as a hub for major international sporting events.

The stadium is part of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, an ongoing redevelopment plan on its 450 acres that will eventually include an athletes' village, new baseball and softball fields and stadiums, and a new indoor multiplex.

Anton Sealy, President of the Bahamas Football Association, said: "The Bahamas Football Association is delighted to welcome Tottenham Hotspur and the Jamaican national team to The Bahamas. We will be working closely with Tottenham Hotspur ahead of this match to help us develop football across the islands. We're confident that the Club will enjoy its experience here and in turn attract other Premier League Clubs who seek a warm and friendly place to train and prepare their squads."

Leroy Archer, Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Bahamas, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Bahamians to see world-class football on home soil. Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most famous Clubs in world football with a rich tradition, while Jamaica's Reggae Boyz is the standard of Caribbean football with a huge following of colorful fans."

Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy, said: "We are delighted to accept an invitation from the Government of The Bahamas to take part in the country's 40^th anniversary celebrations. This match will see the Club support the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, as it looks to build its profile across key markets around the world as a leading destination for tourism."

In the build-up to Jamaica's qualifying round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this fixture provides the Jamaican team with ideal preparation ahead of its all-important match against Mexico the following week.

Captain Horace Burrell, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, said: "The Jamaica Football Federation is pleased to be invited to participate in the historic occasion of the 40^th anniversary of Bahamian independence celebrations. We are delighted to play against one of the world's most famous football teams Tottenham Hotspur to commemorate this special occasion.

"The Jamaican team will be at full strength with all our European and American-based Players. The game will be very exciting, highly competitive and played in the true Caribbean spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has always existed between the two countries. Looking forward to a great game."

For those interested in watching Tottenham Hotspur take on the Jamaican national team, tickets for the match are available now and can be purchased online at www.nsa-bahamas.com.

They can also be purchased directly from the box office at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or by calling 242-325-0376 or toll-free 888-718-4253. 

About Tottenham Hotspur:

Founded in 1882, Tottenham Hotspur is one of the world's leading football clubs and is a founder member of the Barclays Premier League.  For more information on the Club, visit www.tottenhamhotspur.com  

CARIFTA Commitee Boasts Potential Opportunities

BTC Carifta 2013

Opportunities Galore!

It is now just forty-five days before the competition starts in the BTC Carifta 2013.


As the time gets closer it makes us think of various areas of the Games that need to be focused on.
We thought today of the numerous opportunities these Games provide. Hopefully, after you have finished reading this column, you will go to the site www.carifta2013.com and purchase your tickets.


Bringing Bahamians Together


There are few things that can bring people together more than sports. Most people can remember what they were doing when the Golden Girls captured the Gold in the 4x400m relay in Sydney and captured the imagination and adoration of the whole wide world in the process.

The same can be remembered on August 10th last year when the Golden Knights, our 4x400m relay team of Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu, and Ramon Miller, was victorious in the London.

It may be a little more difficult for people to remember the victory of the Bahamas in the 1980 Carifta Games, or the nail biter when The Bahamas won Carifta at home in 1981 in the last event, the girls 4x400m relay, which is usually run before the boys’ 4x400m. The team in 1981 included Stephanie Farrington, Whelma Colebrooke, Debbie Greene, and MaryAnn Higgs.

The excitement captures the spirit of Bahamians in and out of the stadium, Bahamians at home and abroad, making us feel proud to be Bahamians.


Bringing Other Nationals Together

2011 IAAF World Youth Champion,
Shaunae Miller at Lille, France

Not only does the Carifta Games bring Bahamians together. It also brings foreign nationals residing in The Bahamas together. The most obvious of this is the show of Jamaican nationals at the Games.


Jamaica has lost the Games only five of the forty-two times. Jamaica, who won its first Olympic Gold medals 1948 supports its teams wherever they are. If you don’t believe me just spend an afternoon at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. Coach Fritz Grant renamed the relay carnival the “Jamaican Penn Relays”.


It is one of the wonders in the world of Track & Field. More than half of the spectators in Franklyn Field are Jamaicans. Most of them wave their flags as the Jamaican schools win one after the other school relays.


When superstar Usain Bolt is in the competition the crowd explodes.
Some Bahamians fear that more Jamaicans than Bahamians will be in the stands at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium this Easter for BTC Carifta 2013.

Jamaican gold medal winner in Boys
Discus, Fedrick Dacres @ IAAF World
Youth Championships

We understand that Jamaica will charter a flight filled with fans from Kingston to The Bahamas.


Carifta gives Jamaicans at home and in The Bahamas an opportunity for them to be proud.


It is difficult to guess the number of people from the Republic of Haiti residing in The Bahamas but it is certain that that country will have quite a large amount of fans.


What about the Basians? Their community in The Bahamas also will have reason to be proud. Their teams have been doing extremely well in Carifta and the local Basian community will be out in full force. We need to note that the Carifta Games had its beginning in Barbados in 1972.


Trinidad & Tobago has done quite well in the Games and the local residents from Trinidad & Tobago community will converge on the stadium to show their support.

Kadecia Baird of Guyana @ women's
400m Finals of 14th IAAF World 

We also understand that both Bermuda and the Cayman Islands have charters to Nassau in support of their teams. Other than The Bahamas, Bermuda was the only country to defeat Jamaica. They did that in 1975 when the Games were held in Bermuda.


Then there are a number of additional countries from the region like Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis whose nationals will show up in support of their countrymen.
We understand that most of these countries will have their special food at the Games, which will make the teams feel at home.


As the theme of the BTC Carifta 2013 is “A Celebration of Caribbean Unity” we anticipate that the spirit coming out of these Games will be just that, “Al Celebration of Caribbean Unity” especially in our beloved sport of Track & Field where we did extremely well at the London Games.


Corporate Bahamas
Corporate Bahamas has a definite opportunity to benefit from the BTC Carifta 2013. BTC itself will benefit tremendously from their partnership with the Local Organizing Committee. No resident will be able to escape the BTC branding in the Games, before and after the event.
Other corporate citizens have taken advantage of the partnership opportunities provided by the Local Organizing Committee. Those announced so far are Super Value with the Adopt a School Initiative, Caribbean Bottling, and Bahamian Brewery. More are lined up to be announced soon.
We understand that the sponsorship of specific events in the competition is going quite well. If you, as a corporate citizen, a church, a civic organization, or an individual wish to sponsor an event please contact the Carifta Secretariat at 325 4738. The event will bear the name The Company X Boys Under-20 100m, or the Mary Rolle Girls Under-17 High Jump, etc.
One unusual way that corporate citizens may take advantage of the opportunities provided by BTC Carifta 2013 is the Employer Employee initiative where an employer pays fifty percent of the tickets for deserving employees, showing appreciation. If your company has not mentioned this to you please ask them!


Sports Tourism
The BTC Carifta 2013 will be held over the Easter weekend. Hotel rooms are usually full.  With the BTC Carifta 2013 hotels will be jammed pack!
This means that our tourism industry will benefit even more at that time.
Little of the money coming in, except for stadium tickets and a nominal amount for the participants, will go to the Local Organizing Committee. Much will go to the hotels, merchants, and even persons who will rent out their homes during the period.
Sports Tourism will be the order of the day!


Bahamian Organization Skills
Throughout the entire process The Bahamas will demonstrate its ability to organize an event of this stature.
The Bahamas has hosted six Carifta Games, two Central American and Caribbean Jr. Championships, two Central American and Caribbean Senior Championships, three Central American and Caribbean Age Group Championships, one Pan American Jr. Track & Field Championships, and several independent One-Day International Track & Field competitions.


Small Country, Great Athletes
Not much has been said about the possibility of The Bahamas winning this BTC Carifta 2013. With the momentum started several years ago, The Bahamas with its forty medal performance at the Games in Bermuda last year has an opportunity to close that gap significantly.
In writing about the chances of The Bahamas capturing the Games in Bermuda some thirty-two years ago this writer indicated that it would have taken a “minor miracle” to win. And win we did!


Purchase Your Tickets Now!
You have an opportunity to purchase your tickets now! We are sure you wish to have the best seating options. People from abroad and the Bahamas can now log on to www.carifta2013.com to secure their tickets.
This is an opportunity you just should not miss!
Alpheus Finlayson

Did Kobe Officially Kill The D12 Experiement?

Kobe 'bean' Bryant is a competitor, one of the greatest in NBA history and probably go down in NBA annals as one the greatest of all times but unfortunately he is a pain in the butt of his teammates and Dwight Howard is no exception.

Hovering in 10th place in the western conference and just 4 games back from the 8th seeded Houston Rockets, Kobe is facing playoff pressure, that is the pressure of not making it.  With Pau Gasol going down with a foot injury and the team facing another major piece being out for at least 6 weeks, Kobe is placing the pressure in Dwight Howard to play through his shoulder injury and get back into the game.

On Wednesday, Kobe said (as per ESPN): “We don't have time for (Howard's shoulder) to heal. We need some urgency… We don't have three years. We've got this year.  ..."(Howard) has never been in a position where someone is driving him as hard as I am, as hard as this organization is. It's win a championship or everything is a complete failure. That's just how (the Lakers) do it. And that's foreign to him."

Howard, today, responded to Bryant's comments, and he didn't seem all to thrilled.

"I want to play," Howard said. "I mean, why wouldn't I want to play? But, at the same time, this is my career, this is my future, this is my life. I can't leave that up to anybody else because nobody else is going to take care of me. So, if people are pissed off that I don't play or if I do play, whatever it may be, so what? This is my career. If I go down, then what? Everybody's life is going to go on. I don't want to have another summer where I'm rehabbing and trying to get healthy again. I want to come back and have another great year. That's what I want to do." 

Did Kobe cross the line and push Dwight, in effect, out of the door?  Does it even matter to Laker fans if he leaves considering that he has struggled this year health wise but has still performed around his career average 17 points, 13 boards a game?   You Tell Me.

The Saga Continues...

47 Days Left 'til CARIFTA

Star Performers Classic Provides Hopefuls Opportunities

To Tune Up for Carifta 2013

Star Trackers Relay Team @ Star Performers Classic

The 10th Star Performers Track Classic was held on Saturday, February 2nd with some encouraging results.

The meet has had athletes from the USA and the Caribbean for some time, giving it an international feel, which is so important to Bahamian Carifta hopefuls. They can compete with some of their eventual Carifta competitors early in the season, giving them an opportunity to experience international competition.

Athletes from over 40 clubs and schools hailed from Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mainland USA, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Moore’s Island, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, and Andros.
The meet announcer was Michael Jules from Barbados who is one of the best in the region. He definitely excites the crowd.
This was the eighth consecutive year that Mr. J.R. McDonald, through his companies Baker Concrete International, and Greyco Limited, are sponsoring the meet. Kudos to Mr. McDonald.

Carifta Qualifiers:
Girls U-20 100m Hurdles- Q-14.42sec
Devynne Charlton   3rd 14.33sec
Boys U-20 110m Hurdles- Q-14.22sec
Kirk Lewis  1st- 14.12sec
Girls U-17 100m    Q-12.06sec
Jenae Ambrose   1st 12.03sec
Girls U-20 100m    Q- 11.90sec
Carmiesha Cox  11.86sec
Kienna Albury  2nd  11.88sec
Boys U-17 400m  Q-49.80sec
Henri Delauze 1st 49.41sec
Girls U-17 High Jump  Q-1.60m
Bria Sands   1st  1.60m
Boys U-17 HJ     Q- 1.83m
Ken Mullings  1st  1.95m
Boys U-20 HJ   Q-2.00m
LaQuan Nairn- 1st  2.05m
Girls U-17 LJ      Q- 5.42m
Andira Ferguson  1st  5.42m
Girls U-17 SP     Q-12.00m
Brashae Wood   1st  12.96m

In the Girls U-20 100m Hurdles St. Jago out of Jamaica had Chrisdale McCarthy run 13.83sec and Francis Shenell run 14.12sec.

USA College Coach Recruit
Coach Devin West of Florida State University was in the stadium recruiting talent.
After the meet Mr. J.R. McDonald said” I believe we had a very successful meet! I applaud the National Sports Authority for allowing us to use the facilities.”
“It is a world class facility and the kids had a phenomenal time”.
“To have twelve Carifta qualifiers is great. It was a very successful meet and it went off well. There was a good turnout with great entertainment and great fun. I hope the community gets behind the kids and buy tickets. There are great opportunities for the kinds and I am very pleased.”

Coming Together
If you were in the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday you would certainly get the feeling that you would not want to miss Carifta 2013.
The organization of the meet, which is normally top class, seemed to move up another notch.
It gives us the feeling that come March 30th when the Carifta 2013 competition will begin The Bahamas will have a superb team!
Coach Patrick Adderley of The Valley Boys assembled “The Junkanoo Congos”, group that made some feel as if the Games were actually going on. They stayed in the stands and did not have costumes but sounded quite good.

Sponsorships
The Games cannot be successful without the financial support of corporate Bahamas. On Friday it was announced that Caribbean Bottling Limited, Bahamian Brewery, Super Value and The Rotary Clubs of Nassau.
More significant partnerships are expected to be announced in the next week.
The Bahamas Government is a significant partner donating a cash infusion as well as much value in kind.

Carifta Talent Search
The BAAA Talent Search Committee headed by Keith Parker and Harrison Petty were pleased to have the generous contribution of the Star Trackers Club, organizers of the meet, which had its tenth anniversary, to provide a generous contribution of airfare and hotel accommodation for the following athletes from some of the Family Islands. The athletes were identified by their Physical Education teachers.

One of the principles of the Talent Search Program is to find athletes from other sports and introduce them to Track and Field.
The following athletes were:

Harbour Island All Age School
Roderick Bullard- 100m, 200m, LJ & TJ
Dillon Cash- 800m, 1500m
Again Imalach- 200m, 400m, TJ
Eddira Johnson- 100m, 200m, 400m, LJ
All these athletes were competing in Track & Field in the capital for the very first time!
The Physical Education Teacher is Sharon Cox.

Preston Albury High
Juan Armbrister- High Jump- Jumped 6’3”
Physical Education Teacher- Janie Williams

North Eleuthera High
Aaron Cox- First time in competition, 100m, 200m,400m, TJ
Deshawn Seymour- competed in 2012 Colina Carifta Trials-LJ, TJ
Coach- Dominic Hall, Math Teacher

Mangrove Cay
Keith Robinson- 200m, LJ
Cameron Parker- 800m, 1500m
Physical Education Teacher- Asleine Alce

Throws
You would notice that none of the above athletes participated in any of the throws.

One of the principles of the Talent Search Program is to look for athletes who participate in softball or baseball and are able to throw.

Lavern Eve who holds the Bahamian Javelin record and was a finalist in the Olympic Games and World Championships has joined the Search team and assisted in the search two weeks ago. About twenty-two athletes threw the softball. Eve is impressed with the turnout and their talent. She intends to provide them with some tips and training up to the Carifta Trials.

This coming weekend Eve will travel to Grand Bahama to search for throwing talent.

Ronald Cartwright will travel to the North Andros High School Invitation to do the same thing.

By the time of the Trials the weekend of March 15th& 16th, most of the Family Islands will have been visited.

Optimism
We are quite happy of where we are right now in terms of organizational, financial, and team preparation for Carifta 2013.
All we need now is for you to get involved by purchasing your tickets early. We feel that we will have an overflowing Thomas A Robinson National Stadium for Carifta 2013 with fans coming from The United States, The Caribbean, and of course, our Family Islands.
For your ticket and other relevant Carifta 2013 information check out www.carifta2013.com.

3rd February 2013
Alpheus Finlayson