The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

IN celebration of its silver jubilee, the West Grand Bahama Youth Development Association announced plans for a Cultural Festival and Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Sunset Village grounds in Eight Mile Rock.

Fred Delancey and Lindy Russell, WGBYDA founders, said proceeds raised from the event will aid all the schools in West Grand Bahama that are still facing difficulties with repairs following Hurricane Matthew.

“After Matthew, everybody thought government fixed the schools up, but the government did as much as they could do. But for the most part, schools were facing a lot of difficulties, and we want to use this opportunity so the schools can fix themselves up,” said Mr Delancey.

The festival begins at 10 am with the Oral ‘Big O’ Basketball Tournament, with some ten school teams competing.

The festival will also feature Bahamian culture, including a coconut bark, conch cracking, and bush tea demonstrations and a Junior Junkanoo parade. There will be events for small children.

Also planned are a cultural show, featuring rake and scrape bands, as well as performances by various schools in West Grand Bahama.

“The whole objective is to showcase of Bahamian culture…we want to showcase the artistic abilities of the students into this area,” Mr Delancey said.

Mr Delancy said the area schools are selling $1 tickets for the event that will go towards the schools to help with repairs. He said ticket holders can redeem their tickets for a free prize at Ruthnell’s in Hawksbill.

“We asked the schools to sell tickets because we want to make sure all the schools participate because whatever funds they raise they keep for themselves,” he said.

The association initially started celebrating its silver jubilee early in the year with a church service at Mount Zion Baptist Church; then a library dedication and naming in honouring of late Pastor Wilbur Outten in February; and a recognition awards luncheon.

The association mentors young people and provides spiritual, cultural, sporting, social and community programmes.

The WGBYDA has recognised individuals in the West Grand Bahama community who have gone on to achieve great things, including Eight Mile Rock resident Henry Rolle, a Bahamian who is now assistant head coach at Auburn University.

Mr Rolle, who is in his 16th season with The Plains, works with Auburn’s women’s sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers. In 2012, he coached a double medalist in the world junior games as well as a NCAA runner-up and nine Olympians all while serving as relays coordinator for Bahamians.

Bahamian sprinter Anthonique Strachan placed first in both the 100 (11.20) and 200 metres (22.53) at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain, while training with Mr Rolle.

When asked about the outstanding achievement by West Grand Bahama resident Pakesia Parker Edgecombe, who was elected MP for West Grand Bahama, Mr Russell said he was very excited about it.

“I know her commitment and dedication to this area, it was amazing. I was disappointed they did not put her in Central Grand Bahama which I thought was a safe seat, but she was determined and did not want to go there, she was wanted to go West Grand Bahama. She was very successful, and she will do well in (in the constituency) and I look forward to next weeks and months and years working with her in this area,” he said.

Mr Russell congratulated Mrs Edgecombe on her victory and commended the Free National Movement on its election win.