The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

WITH the sixth edition of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games set to take place in less than three weeks, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) released the schedule for the sport this past weekend.

The games will feature two pools ( A and B) and continue from July 11 to July 15. The games will be played by the 10 men’s basketball teams and the six women’s teams at both the DW Davis Gymnasium and Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

Eugene Horton, president of the BBF, talked about the excitement surrounding the return of The Bahamas Games for the 50th year of Independence.

“I am excited to see the Bahamas Games returning as a former participant I experienced good, friendly competition and camaraderie I am sure this year’s will not disappoint,” Horton said.

With the last Bahamas Games taking place in 2001, nearly 22 years ago, the Olympic-style competition will have some surprise elements for the basketball sporting discipline starting 9am on Tuesday, July 11.

Bahamians were able to get a sneak peek of the competition-level of the Family Island teams at the round robin tournament in April.

“If the round robin in April was any indication the Bahamian public is in for a treat as the competition is expected to be better…. we will have the opportunities to see the ladies in action which we didn’t get to see,” Horton said.

The BBF president added that the women’s games will be highly competitive as they will feature a good mix of veteran players, current national team players along with current and upcoming national standouts.

The teams expected to battle on the court are the Abaco Survivors, Andros Chiccharnies, Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins, Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador), Eleuthera Adventurers, Exuma and Ragged Island Navigators, Grand Bahama Lucayans, Long Island Sheep Runners, MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay) Flamingoes and the New Providence Buccaneers.

With the countdown for the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games drawing closer to July 7-15 for the 16 sporting disciplines, the BBF is trying to stay ahead of the game for basketball.

“After speaking with the coaches and island associations preparations are going very well we are on target, schedule is completed, and Freddie Brown and team are starting initial dialogue with teams on rules and what is expected,” Horton said.

The basketball games will be played for five consecutive days leading up to a championship game for both the men and women on July 15 at the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium.

The BBF are anticipating high crowd turnouts for the games and for individuals unable to attend in-person due to time conflicts the games can be followed online at https://bbfbasketball.com/.

The Bahamas Games were established in 1989 by Peter J Bethell and previously took place in 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2001. This year’s return coincides with the celebration of the 50th year of independence with the slogan ‘Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games’. The sixth edition of the Olympic-style event will showcase 16 sporting disciplines at 16 different locations July 7-15