THE NCAA has given the Bahamas exempt status, clearing the way for the island nation to host a new holiday tournament that organisers hope will become the East Coast version of the Maui Invitational.

The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors approved the Bahamas' proposal without discussion over the weekend and the legislation goes into effect on August 1. Organisers already have preliminary plans in place to hold an eight-team tournament of Division I schools over Thanksgiving weekend.

"We, of course, are very delighted the vote went in favour of the Bahamas," said George Markantonis, president and managing director of Kerzner International Bahamas, which spearheaded the tournamen ...

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