Organizers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 are on the verge of pulling off what is expected to be one of the biggest tournaments ever hosted in The Bahamas, but not without the help of many Bahamians who are giving of their time and expertise. There are over 200 Bahamian volunteers involved with the staging of the tournament and many of them brand their work as national service.
The mega International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) tournament runs from April 27 to May 7 at The Bahamas' National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park. It will feature 16 of the best beach soccer teams in the world.
Denzil Sturrup, 42, said he has been volunteering for years as a means to give back to the country.
"It's a great experience because you get to showcase the Bahamian people and our hospitality, so it's not just about the country but the people itself," said Sturrup. "For those who haven't heard much about us, we are more than sun, sand and sea. We're about our people and our culture, so we get to share this with an international audience. Basically I'm a goodwill ambassador. I have been volunteering for so many different events over the past few years. I just did IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations World Relays) this past weekend. I've been doing it because it's great for the country, especially a tourism country."
Sturrup has been assigned to the VIP area. He considers it an honor to serve.
Stanley Forbes, 35, said he's been volunteering at multiple sporting events since he was a boy but has yet to conquer such a huge tournament.
"Beach soccer was another sport on my list," he said. "This event will bring more tourists to The Bahamas and we get more exposure to the world."
Fans will get to see teams from The Bahamas, Switzerland, Ecuador, Senegal, Nigeria, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Panama, Brazil, Tahiti, Poland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and Japan over the course of the next 10 days.
College student Megan Smith, 18, said the tournament comes at the perfect time when she's on a break from school. She said she volunteered because of the opportunities it offers.
"This gives me the opportunity to work with people around the world and expose me to soccer, which is big in The Bahamas now," Smith said.
Referring to the impact the tournament will have on the country, Smith added: "It puts The Bahamas on the map in many countries. It could potentially help to increase our tourism numbers and it can help to boost our economy."
Janell Braynen, 42, who has also worked multiple major events, said, rather than putting The Bahamas on the map, the tournament will keep the country on the map.
"It will also allow other countries to recognize the potential that we hold and the things that we can offer as a country," Braynen said.
She said she offered herself as a volunteer to give back to the country. Braynen said she has been volunteering at sports and social events for three years.
"For me, I find that it's just fun just to volunteer and give of yourself to The Bahamas. It is a community event. It's just fun. I love doing it," she said.
Braynen is assigned to transportation and accreditation.
VIP tickets are still available for purchase. General admission is free. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. for the group phase of the tournament. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. The first match of the tournament will pit Mexico going up against Iran.
Team Bahamas plays tonight against Switzerland, Saturday against Senegal, and Monday against Ecuador, at 8 p.m. each night.

Since I was a teenager, I wondered why a man would get down on his knees to ask a woman to marry him. From day one I thought it was weird and unnecessary. However, for many, it is thought of as enthralling. Some women look forward to the day when Prince Charming kneels before her with ring in hand and asks her to marry him. Forty-two years ago I did not get on my knees and I had no engagement ring, and we are still in love.
Is it important for a husband-to-be to get down on his knees with the expected or unexpected proposal with a ring in his hands? It is absolutely not. It is only a tradition. This tradition has nothing to do with the quality of the relationship before or after marriage. In fact, I've noticed over my 43 years of professional life that many men, standing before their brides-to-be with ring in hand, were egotistical. It was only a show that made his heart swell with pride. Even the "tears of joy" by the surprised future bride could not prevent the "tears of misery" in the marriage.
Based on my research, the origin of this tradition is uncertain. One writer states: "The idea of kneeling on one knee as essential to the standard proposal is not enshrined in history; it appears to be a largely modern invention, but it's not clear how it originated."
Hannah Crites writes in the online blog, "Why should men propose on one knee?...The action itself has been around for centuries. Catholics bend on one knee as a sign of respect toward the tabernacle before taking their seats for the mass. Knights bend down on one knee before the king when being knighted and when presenting themselves in a show of honor to royalty. In war, the losing party would kneel in front of the army who won the battle in surrender. In religion, kneeling is appropriate during prayers and other religious ceremonies, including wedding vows for some faiths. Kneeling is also done to genuflect when entering a church or temple. When proposing, kneeling can have the same spiritual connotation and can be a sign of respect."

Respect, honor, surrender, humility
As I read further into the article and many others on the topic, it became clear that there are three words of importance regarding kneeling: respect, honor and surrender. Research indicates that kneeling in general in European history has been a sign of supplication, humility and servitude. Humility? Wow! Kneeling in all the above settings suggests giving up power, a willingness to let someone share power with you, admitting you are weaker than the other, or acknowledging an equal or greater power before you.
If we apply these ideas to the marriage proposal on bended knee, then the future husband needs to stay on his knees all his life, because that symbolism of surrender, respect, honor and humility, dissipates quickly in the marriage. The whole idea of 'we will share power', or 'I will listen to you', or 'I need you by my side' or 'I acknowledge the greatness in you' truly falls through the cracks of male chauvinistic ideology, traditionalism and a painful and coercive view of "headship" in marriage. Some husbands need to get back down on their knees and stay there for a while until the unavoidable pain of tradition penetrates through the patella and transmits through the nerves, reaching the hardened hearts of stubbornness, pride and selfishness. If bending the knee is a symbol of respect, honor, humility and surrender, shouldn't both the man and woman bow before each other when there is a marriage proposal?

Is there power in the ring?
How could a simple act of kneeling before your future bride become so misleading? It is only an act -- nothing more. It guarantees nothing. Sometimes I wonder if it is the ring itself when I notice the responses on the future brides' faces. They scream, shout, jump, dance and cry after noticing the ring.
Is she happy for receiving the ring because of what it means -- she's getting married? Is she happy because she can tell it is expensive?
Is she happy because she can now show off that she officially has a man in her life?
Is she happy because she feels equally honored to give him a ring as well?
In the Online Sun Magazine, writer Harley Richardson states: "In the 1930s, De Beers launched an incredibly successful 'Diamonds Are Forever' advertising campaign in America, insisting the stones were rare and precious -- and the only way to propose marriage." The advertising did a lot for this merchandiser but not for the hearts of those getting married. These diamonds have done nothing. Men, get down on your knees and stay there.
That brings me to my next point: Why don't men wear engagement rings? The reason goes back to ancient times and even during the Victorian age when women were considered property. The ring was a symbol of ownership. He owned her and therefore she had to stay put. He was free to roam the country and have as many women as he wanted without consequences. When my son got engaged, he sought, and could not find, an engagement ring for himself, so he bought a male wedding band instead. I was proud of him. It is my view that both should wear it. However, never forget, a ring, no matter how valuable, worn by just the woman or both the woman and the man, does nothing to guarantee there will be no marital discord or breakup. There are many still wearing their wedding bands while receiving their divorce decrees absolute.
Women can propose too
Do you realize that believing that only men can propose in marriage is false? It is a clear outgrowth of a belief system that men are overall leaders of the home, marriage, church and society. Hence, it teaches that he leads his wife to the altar instead of both meeting there. Therefore, as a marriage officer, I avoid asking in a marriage ceremony, "Who gives this woman to marry this man?" Why isn't there the question, "Who gives this man to marry this woman?" According to theologian John Temple Bristow, the tradition goes back to ancient times when daughters were the property of their fathers who had authority over them. In an ancient marriage ceremony, the fathers gave the daughters to the husbands who then had authority over them. Understanding equality in marriage, this practice is irrelevant. It is not just the woman marrying the man, but the man marrying the woman also, and neither of them is the property of the other.
It is now time for women to wake up and know that they have a voice in the direction of a marriage relationship and even a proposal. The truth is that there are many who are happily married who have never had a formal proposal. No one got down on bended knees. No one asked the question, "Will you marry me?" They simply together agreed to get married and jointly made plans to do so.
What makes marriage last is the commitment to the task, the actions on making it work, and the humility to listen to each other. It is certainly not asking to marry on bended knee with a diamond ring in hand. Some men need to get back down on their knees and stay there until they get the message.

o Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and family therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist. Send your questions or comments to barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box CB-13019, Nassau, The Bahamas, or visit www.soencouragement.org or call 242-327-1980 or 242-477-4002.

Organizers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 are on the verge of pulling off the biggest tournament ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, but not without the help of many Bahamians who are giving of their time and expertise.

There are well over 200 Bahamian volunteers and many of them brand their charity as a national service.

The mega tournament runs from April 27 to May 7 at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park. It will feature 16 of the best beach soccer teams in the world.

Forty-two-year-old Denzil Sturrup said he has been volunteering for years as a means to give back to the country.

“It’s a great experience because you get to showcase the Bahamian people, and our hospitality,” Sturrup said. “So it’s not just about the county but the people itself.

For those who haven’t heard much about us, we are more than sun, sand and see. We’re about our people and our culture. So, we get to share this with an international audience. 

“Basically I’m a good will ambassador. I have been volunteering for so many different events over the past few years. I just did IAAF this past weekend. I’ve been doing it because it’s great for the country, especially a tourism country.”

Sturrup has been assigned to the VIP area. He considers it an honor to serve.

Stanley Forbes, 35, said he’s been volunteering at multiple sporting events since he was a boy but has yet to conquer such a huge tournament.

“So beach soccer was another sport on my list,” he said. “This event will bring more tourists to The Bahamas and we get more exposure to the world.”

Fans will get to see teams from The Bahamas; Switzerland; Ecuador; Senegal; Nigeria; Italy; Mexico; Paraguay; Portugal; Panama; Brazil; Tahiti; Poland; United Arab Emirates; Iran and Japan over the course of 10 days.

College student Megan Smith, 18, said the tournament comes at the perfect time when she’s on a break from school. She said she volunteered because of the opportunities it offers.

“This gives me the opportunity to work with people around the world and expose me to soccer, which is big in The Bahamas now,” Smith said.

Referring to the impact the tournament will have on the country, Smith added, “It puts The Bahamas on the map in many countries. It could potentially help to increase our tourism numbers and it can help to boost our economy.”

Janell Braynen, 42, who has also worked multiple major events said, rather than putting The Bahamas on the map, the tournament will keep the country on the map.

“It will also allow other countries to recognize the potential that we hold and the things that we can offer as a country,” Braynen said.

She said she offered herself as a volunteer to give back to the country. Braynen said she has been volunteering for three years..

“For me, I find that it’s just fun just to volunteer and give of yourself to the Bahamas. It is a community event. It’s just fun. I love doing it,” she said.

Braynen is assigned to transportation and accreditation.

VIP tickets are still available for purchase. General Admission is Free. Gates open at 2:30am for the group phase of the tournament. Kick-off is at 3:30pm.

Team Bahamas plays on Thursday, April 27, Saturday, April 29, and Monday, May 1 at 8:00pm.

Nikia Deveaux

Senior Manager Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

 

POLICE shot and killed a car robbery suspect and critically injured another alleged thief during a high-speed chase in western New Providence yesterday afternoon. The drama unfolded shortly after noon on Carmichael Road and ended after the suspects crashed their vehicle into a wall in Pride Estates...

POLICE shot and killed a car robbery suspect and critically injured another alleged thief during a high-speed chase in western New Providence yesterday afternoon.

The drama unfolded shortly after noon on Carmichael Road and ended after the suspects crashed their vehicle into a wall in Pride Estates...