While Bahamian youth, junior and collegiate athletes continue to shine each week, there has been flashes of brilliance on the senior side among some of the country's elite athletes.

After the Grenada Invitational was canceled, multi-events athletes Kendrick Thompson and Ken Mullings, who have been rewriting history in the men's decathlon for The Bahamas, were forced to take their talents to Central Europe, taking part in the Hypomeeting Götzis at Mösle-Stadium, in Götzis, Austria, over the weekend.

Both Thompson and Mullings turned in career-best performances, finishing ninth and tied for 15th, respectively. Thompson became the first Bahamian to score over 8,000 points in the men's decathlon, piling up 8.015 points at his previous meet - the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, in. April. This time, Thompson improved the Bahamian national record to 8,182 points, inching closer and closer to the world championships qualifying mark of 8,460 points.

In achieving the lifetime best of 8,182 points, Thompson had personal best times and marks in the 100 meters (m), 110m hurdles, long jump and discus events. Additionally, he had season's best marks in the 400m, 1,500m and high jump events. He matched his season and personal best performance in the pole vault, and was just off his season and personal best performance in the javelin. The shot put was the only event in which he was significantly below par, about a meter and a half below season and personal best performance.

Thompson ran 10.28 seconds in the 100m, 14.40 seconds in the 110m hurdles, 47.22 seconds in the 400m and 4:56.44 in the 1,500m. He leapt 7.48m (24' 6-1/2") in the long jump, 2m (6' 6-3/4") in the high jump and 4.50m (14' 9-1/4") in the pole vault. He had throws of 41.99m (137' 9") in the discus, 13.48m (44' 2-3/4") in the shot put and 64.63m (212') in the javelin.

Mullings was also in action at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Meet in Götzis, and also performed well, scoring 7.983 points - just shy of the 8,000-point plateau. Mullings turned in a personal best time in the 110m hurdles (13.71 seconds), and matched a personal best mark in the pole vault competition. He soared 4.60m (15' 1").

Mullings ran 10.60 seconds in the 100m, 49.84 seconds in the 400m and 5:17.38 in the 1,500m. He leaped 7.26m (23' 10") in the long jump and 2.06m (6' 9") in the high jump. Additionally, Mullings had throws of 43.64m (143' 2") in the discus, 14.87m (48' 9-1/2") in the shot put and 56.59m (185' 8") in the javelin.

Just his time in the 1,500m was significantly his personal best time - almost half of a minute slower.

The Bahamas' decathlete duo have been back and forth in the men's decathlon over the last four years - taking their turns at the national record.

Mullings first took down a 30-year mark in April of 2019, scoring 7,427 points at the University of Miami (UM) Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida. Since then, the national record has been broken seven times - twice by Mullings and five times by Thompson, with the new record standing at 8,182 points, accomplished by Thompson in Götzis, Austria, over the weekend.

Over at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat, Morocco, a couple of Bahamians were in action.

Anthonique Strachan, now 29, is quietly turning in the best season of her life. She ran a personal best time of 22.15 seconds in the 200m at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, finishing second to Jamaican World Champion in that event Shericka Jackson.

Jackson ran a meet record and season's best time of 21.98 seconds for the win. Strachan was second in 22.15, shaving almost two tenths of a second off her previous personal best time of 22.32 seconds that was ran 10 years ago. American Tamari Davis finished third, crossing the line in 22.30 seconds.

Strachan has qualified for the world championships this summer in both short sprints.

In the men's 400m, Olympic and former World Champion Steven Gardiner was in action, continuing his return from a heel injury that forced him to miss seven months of the 2022 season, including his title defense at the 18th World Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, last July.

On Sunday, running out of lane eight, Gardiner won in 44.70 seconds. American Vernon Norwood finished second in 45.11 seconds and Jamaican national record holder Rusheen McDonald rounded out the top three in 45.55 seconds.

The next Diamond League meet on the calendar is the Golden Gala set for the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, this coming Friday.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture will host its annual Summer Youth Employment Programme in New Providence and Grand Bahama, to run from Monday, 3rd July to Friday, 28th July, 2023. Young persons will be employed by the Division of Youth, the Department of Sports and the Division of Cultural Affairs in a wide variety of areas and disciplines including, Camp Aides (ages 15-17), Youth and Culture Apprenticeships (ages 15 to 25) and summer students in our Corporate Placement and Internship programmes (ages 15 to 25).

The New Providence programme is accepting online and physical applications as indicated on the flyers, whereas the Grand Bahama programme will utilize paper application forms.

All forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications open today, Tuesday, 23rd May and closes as follows: Monday June 5th (Culture) Wednesday, June 7th (Youth) and Friday June 9th (Sports), or before, if programme is fully subscribed.

The following required supporting documents must be uploaded/submitted with the application form: 1. Current passport-sized Photograph; 2. Current Police Certificate (18 years and over); 3. Copy of National Insurance Card; 4. Copy of data pages of a valid Passport, Birth Certificate or Registered Affidavit; 5. Copy of College/University Identification Card (if applicable); 6. Copies of all education certifications and documents (listed in Section 2); 7. Personal banking information (bank name, branch, account number). Please note that it is extremely important that bank information cards are submitted, otherwise application will not be accepted. Bank account holder must be in the name of the applicant. *A resume must also be submitted for the Corporate Placement and Internship Programmes.

New Providence applicants can access the online application forms via https://bit.ly/453ROoe, http://bitly.ws/F9G7, and http://bitly.ws/F9FU, our Ministry’s Facebook or by using the QR codes on the attached flyers. Please note that submission of application does not guarantee employment.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture will host its annual Summer Youth Employment Programme in New Providence and Grand Bahama, to run from Monday, 3rd July to Friday, 28th July, 2023. Young persons will be employed by the Division of Youth, the Department of Sports and the Division of Cultural Affairs in a wide variety of areas and disciplines including, Camp Aides (ages 15-17), Youth and Culture Apprenticeships (ages 15 to 25) and summer students in our Corporate Placement and Internship programmes (ages 15 to 25). The New Providence programme is accepting online and physical applications as indicated on the flyers, whereas the Grand Bahama programme will utilize paper application forms. All forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications open today, Tuesday, 23rd May and closes as follows: Monday June 5th (Culture) Wednesday, June 7th (Youth) and Friday June 9th (Sports), or before, if programme is fully subscribed. The following required supporting documents must be uploaded/submitted with the application form: 1. Current passport-sized Photograph; 2. Current Police Certificate (18 years and over); 3. Copy of National Insurance Card; 4. Copy of data pages of a valid Passport, Birth Certificate or Registered Affidavit; 5. Copy of College/University Identification Card (if applicable); 6. Copies of all education certifications and documents (listed in Section 2); 7. Personal banking information (bank name, branch, account number). Please note that it is extremely important that bank information cards are submitted, otherwise application will not be accepted. Bank account holder must be in the name of the applicant. *A resume must also be submitted for the Corporate Placement and Internship Programmes. New Providence applicants can access the online application forms via https://bit.ly/453ROoe, http://bitly.ws/F9G7, and http://bitly.ws/F9FU, our Ministry’s Facebook or by using the QR codes on the attached flyers. Please note that submission of application does not guarantee employment.

Holding true to its commitment to supporting truly Bahamian culture, Sands Beer has come on board to sponsor the 54th Annual Long Island Regatta, set for May 31 to June 3 in Salt Pond, Long Island. 

This will be Long Island’s first regatta since sloop sailing became the country’s national sport back in April and is expected to be the island’s biggest regatta yet. 

Sands, Sr. Brand Manager Joel Smith said the sponsorship is a testament to the company’s dedication to supporting truly Bahamian events, as Long Island's regatta is considered one of the country's biggest and most competitive regattas on the calendar. 

“It's always a pleasure to sponsor Long Island Regatta, as we do so every year,” Smith says. “But this one is special, seeing that sailing is now the national sport of the country. Anything to help make the event a huge success, Sands will support. Long Island Regatta is a truly Bahamian event, so why not have the backing of the truly Bahamian beer company.” 

Henderson Burrows, Director of the Long Islanders Association, received the check donation of $5,850 on behalf of the organizing committee and expressed gratitude for the continuous support from Sands Beer. “Your donation enables the Long Islanders’ Association and Long Island Sailing Club to put on a regatta that will be successful and exciting and motivates the boat owners to participate as it adds another cup race for the trophies and monetary prizes that we offer,” Burrows said. 

“People should attend our regatta because aside from the great racing, Long Island has a lot of sights and interesting places to visit and explore. Of course, we also have some of the most friendly people you will find. Bahamian Brewery and Sands Beer has been a major sponsor of our regatta for many years, and it is because of companies and sponsors like them that we are confident each year that we can depend on them to come forward and help us put on an amazing regatta. Regattas in the Family Islands are a major boost economically for the islands as people book rooms, spend money at restaurants and visit places. So, it's a boost when companies like Sands come on board and help us facilitate putting on an event like this.”

Long Island regatta is a staple event on The Bahamas’ cultural and sailing calendar, bringing together thousands of Bahamians for good down-home Bahamian fun. The regatta sees some 40 to 50 sailing sloops from throughout The Bahamas compete in three categories for trophies and cash prizes. On the shore, rake ‘n’ scrape music and other activities make for a truly Bahamian festival. 

Holding true to its commitment to supporting truly Bahamian culture, Sands Beer has come on board to sponsor the 54th Annual Long Island Regatta, set for May 31 to June 3 in Salt Pond, Long Island.  This will be Long Island’s first regatta since sloop sailing became the country’s national sport back in April and is expected to be the island’s biggest regatta yet.  Sands, Sr. Brand Manager Joel Smith said the sponsorship is a testament to the company’s dedication to supporting truly Bahamian events, as Long Island's regatta is considered one of the country's biggest and most competitive regattas on the calendar.  “It's always a pleasure to sponsor Long Island Regatta, as we do so every year,” Smith says. “But this one is special, seeing that sailing is now the national sport of the country. Anything to help make the event a huge success, Sands will support. Long Island Regatta is a truly Bahamian event, so why not have the backing of the truly Bahamian beer company.”  Henderson Burrows, Director of the Long Islanders Association, received the check donation of $5,850 on behalf of the organizing committee and expressed gratitude for the continuous support from Sands Beer. “Your donation enables the Long Islanders’ Association and Long Island Sailing Club to put on a regatta that will be successful and exciting and motivates the boat owners to participate as it adds another cup race for the trophies and monetary prizes that we offer,” Burrows said.  “People should attend our regatta because aside from the great racing, Long Island has a lot of sights and interesting places to visit and explore. Of course, we also have some of the most friendly people you will find. Bahamian Brewery and Sands Beer has been a major sponsor of our regatta for many years, and it is because of companies and sponsors like them that we are confident each year that we can depend on them to come forward and help us put on an amazing regatta. Regattas in the Family Islands are a major boost economically for the islands as people book rooms, spend money at restaurants and visit places. So, it's a boost when companies like Sands come on board and help us facilitate putting on an event like this.” Long Island regatta is a staple event on The Bahamas’ cultural and sailing calendar, bringing together thousands of Bahamians for good down-home Bahamian fun. The regatta sees some 40 to 50 sailing sloops from throughout The Bahamas compete in three categories for trophies and cash prizes. On the shore, rake ‘n’ scrape music and other activities make for a truly Bahamian festival. 

 

Team Bahamas was on the cusp of qualifying for the Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, but a goal by Mexico with 54 seconds left in regulation broke the hearts of the hosts and their fans on Saturday. Mexico won the match 3-2 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Beach Soccer Championships to punch the second ticket to the 2023 FIFA (International Football Federation) Beach Soccer World Cup, set for November 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Bahamas settled for fourth place after falling to El Salvador 3-2 last night. The tournament wrapped up last night, but Team Bahamas and their fans will not forget the semi-final match against Mexico.

The Bahamas' head coach, Alexandre Soares said that the Mexico game was a good and competitive match against the third ranked team in CONCACAF.

"We need to play more and get more experience, but we were amazing in the tournament. We played at a high level. We had a possibility to win against Mexico, but they scored three times," Soares said.

The Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Stadium in Nassau, New Providence, was loud on Saturday as Bahamians came out in full support for their team. The Bahamas had the momentum in the third period which they started down 2-1. They kept attacking the Mexican's goal looking for the equalizer and possibly more. The Bahamas eventually got the ball past Mexican goalkeeper Gabriel Macías on a header from Wood Julmis for the 2-2 scoreline at the 6:45 mark. Julmis was on the back post to get the header on a Lesly St. Fleur shot.

The game appeared to be going into extra time and possibly penalty shoot-out as either team could not score. Macías saw an opening in The Bahamas' wall after he and his defenders tried to find scoring options under the minute mark. Macías got a well-placed kick that went to the bottom right corner of the goal and past Bahamian goalkeeper Michael Butler to put them up 3-2.

"Macías is one of the best goalkeepers in the region. He did not have a shot in the second period and the one time we gave him the space. He punished us for it," Butler said.

The Bahamas tried to find another equalizer, but they were unfortunate in their endeavors as their World Cup dreams were put on hold for another two years. The Bahamas' captain, Christie said that it was a very somber locker room after the game.

"The team was very prepared and wanted to win but, unfortunately, we lost the game in the final minute. ... It is heartbreaking because we worked so hard for so many months preparing and training and take time off from work and be so close just 54 seconds left before going into overtime with the momentum in our favor. Unfortunately, one silly mistake and the game is over," Christie said.

Christie was happy with the fans' support and looking forward to the fans coming out and supporting them in the future.

It was a rough start for The Bahamas in the semi-final matchup against Mexico. Jean 'Sunny' scored an own goal at the 8:18 mark to put Mexico up 1-0 in the first period. At the 2:39 mark in that same period Edgar Portilla put Mexico up 2-0 at the 2:18 mark on a free kick.

Butler scored a goal of his own in the second period at the 1:17 mark for the Bahamas' first goal of the game to cut into the deficit 2-1.

"It was an emotional goal," Butler said. "I wanted the fan to get behind us and it always starts with me. I'm starting to realize that I am one of the core members of the team so that goal was huge."

It was the second time the two teams faced each other. Mexico won the first meeting in the group stage 5-4.

The Bahamas made history on Friday past when it became the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to make the semi-final in the history of the tournament. They upset defending champions Panama 4-2 to set up the semi-final matchup with Mexico.

Christie liked that the younger guys like James Thompson and the Julmis brothers Evelt and Wood stepped up in the tournament.

"It is about the younger generation and the new guys coming up. I tip my hat off to them," Christie said. We have three of four guys that are 21- and 22-year-old players that are playing at a high level against experienced teams and players. It shows we have a very bright future in beach soccer. The team is improving. We no longer go to tournaments to compete, but we go to win. We are now considered one of the top teams and threats in CONCACAF. It shows the growth in the sport and team. We want to be a powerhouse in the region."

The United States of America won the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Mexico in the final last night.

This is the third time in 10 years The Bahamas hosted the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships.