The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE focus next week will be on the Sir Durward Knowles 100 Regatta in Montagu Bay.

It's anticipated that more than 100 boats competing in the sloop sailing and Olympic-style competition will be in action from Thursday to Saturday.

The regatta, under the banner of 'One Bahamas,' is being held as a part of the celebrations to commemorate Sir Durward's 100th birthday on November 2.

As a centenarian, Sir Durward is the oldest living Olympic gold medallist, having teamed up with the late Cecil Cooke to accomplish the feat in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan.

Knowles, by the way, has also teamed up with the late Sloane Farrington in capturing the bronze medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

The regatta is one of the ways in which the public will get a chance to show their appreciation to Sir Durward, who has helped to bring the country together with the formation of the 'One Bahamas' organisation.

Two days after his celebrated birthday on Thursday, November 2, the "One Bahamas" committee will hold a Unity Walk from Arawak Cay to Goodman's Bay and back to Arawak Cay.

The event, which starts at 6:30am, will provide an opportunity for all sporting organisations in the country to not only patronise the race, but they will be able to generate some funding to their own efforts.

While there is an entry fee of $15, which will include a tote bag with a t-shirt, wrist band, bumper sticker and a Bahamian flag, all organisations and clubs will be given a $5 discount that will go towards their organisation.

It's a "One Bahamas" celebration so this is a good way for the country to come together and show their appreciation to one of the greatest Bahamian sporting icons.

Sir Durward has given much to the country, not just through his participation in sports, but also through his philanthropy practice. This is a good time for the country to say thank you to Sir Durward Knowles. He has made his contribution and has been an icon that we have all come to love and respect. He deserves every accolade and more that he will receive on this special birthday celebration.

WBSC Hall of Fame

At the recent World Baseball Softball Confederation's Extra Ordinary Congress in Gaborone, Botswana, it was announced that long time executive Burkett Dorsett and national coach Godfrey 'Gully' Burnside will become the 17th and 18th Bahamians inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The duo followed on the heels of the enshrinement of Oria Wood-Knowles and Rommel 'Fish' Knowles in the class of 2015.

The Bahamas has had a history of luminaries inducted, starting with the late Leon 'Apache' Knowles in 1987.

He was followed by Neko Grant, Sidney 'Baylor' Fernander, Candice Culmer-Clarke, Austin 'King Snake' Knowles, the late Arthur 'Old Art' Thompson, Churchill Tener-Knowles, Douglas 'Douggie' Smith, Richard 'the Lion-Heart Johnson, Naomi Ellis, Alfred 'Ail' Culmer, Linda Ford, Greg Christie and Godfrey 'Gully' Pinder.

When you look at the landscape of the sport, there is no better recipient than Dorsett and Burnside. In their own rights, they both have made some valuable contributions as did those listed above.

From the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association to the New Providence Softball Association and then the Bahamas Softball Federation, Dorsett has served with distinction as president.

He has now ascended to the ranks of president of the ECAST, a newly formed body that deals with the English-speaking countries in the region.

Burnside, on the other hand, has been the manager of the T-Bird Flyers, one of the top men's teams in the NPSA for a number of years. He went on to serve as the manager of the men's national team as well.

From the field, Burnside stepped into the office as the president of the NPSA, holding that position up until Henry Dean took over.

As a tribute to him for his efforts, the NPSA named their championships that are being concluded this week in honour of Burnside. Hopefully, some type of recognition will be given to Dorsett for his accomplishments.