The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Bahamas, Wellington Miller said he’s pleased with the four-member team that has been selected to represent the Bahamas at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Miller, who also serves as the president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, has ratified a team comprising of veteran Carl Hield, Kieshno Major, Godfrey Strachan and Rasheed Williams. The head coach is Andre Seymour, assisted by his cousin, Floyd ‘Pretty Boy’ Seymour.

“This is a very good team,” Miller said. “These boxers are our elite boxers and so I expect them to perform just like the judo, the wrestling, the cycling, the swimming and the track and field teams. We are expecting a lot from the athletes and we are expecting that the team will continue the tradition of winning medals at these games. So I expect for the boxers to do their part and win some medals.”

Major, who will be participating in the super heavyweight division, said he’s blessed to be a part of the team.

“I’m thankful that I’m able to participate in this calibre of tournament,” Major said. “I put in a lot of work, training hard, so I feel confident going into this tournament.”

Whenever he gets in the ring, Major said he intends to go out there and put his best foot forward. “I hope I can remember everything that I learnt in the gym,” he said. “Sometimes you forget those things, but I want to go there and make my country proud.”

Looking at his team-mates, Major said they have a very solid team and he’s confident that they will all compete very well.

Strachan, competing in the middleweight division, said the team is definitely a very strong one.

“Everybody should be in shape. Our confidence level is up and they are all comfortable in weight class, so we should do good,” he said. “I know I’m looking forward to performing extremely well and bring back home the gold.”

As the seasoned member of the team, having represented the Bahamas in more competitions than all three other members, Hield said he has to go out and lead by example.

“At my first Commonwealth Games, I got a bronze medal, so with God’s blessing, with the training that I’ve been doing, I want to go there and get the gold medal,” he said. “I’m just waiting on time to go there and compete.”

To his team-mates, who are entering virgin territory, Hield said they have a lot of experience competing in other international meets.

“This is a big one for them because this is next to the Olympics,” he said. “If you can get a medal at this one, it’s just like getting a medal at the Olympic Games. I just wish that God can bless us and keep the team strong and give us all the strength so that we can come out with four medals and make history.”

Williams, 24, was not available for comments.

While the team left town yesterday, they will be in Glasgow in time for the opening ceremonies on Wednesday. The boxing competition is due to start on July 26.

“Scotland will know that the Bahamas is at the games,” Miller said. “That’s how much confidence I have in the team, not just the boxers, but all of the other sports.”