NASSAU, Bahamas –Prime Minister Philip E. Davis said Bahamas Aquatics can be assured of the Bahamas Government’s support as they continue to excel in the Goodwill Games as they have done in CARIFTA Swimming, The Tribune reported on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in an article written by Senior Sports Reporter Brent Stubbs.
Davis’ comments came yesterday as he and other government officials welcomed home the 40-member team that won the Goodwill Games for the first time over the weekend in Kingston, Jamaica, following on the heels of the oisland nation’s fifth straight title at CARIFTA in April in Curacao. Team Bahamas, which made the trip on a chartered Bahamasair flight, collected a total of 129 medals, including 55 gold, 45 silver and 29 bronze, well ahead of Barbados, who was second with 23 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze for 57 medals.
Trinidad & Tobago followed with 21 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze for 58 medals.
The Bahamas, which produced over 20 records, also accumulated the total amount of points with 1,418.50. Jamaica was second with 1,143.50 and Trinidad & Tobago came in third with 970.50.
The welcome home ceremony was held in the VIP Lounge of the Lynden Pindling International Airport and was hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. There was also a junkanoo rush-out for the swimmers as they greeted their family members, who were not on the flight that carried almost 200 persons to Jamaica.
“I’m so proud and I could not let this moment pass without coming to greet you on your arrival for your accomplishment each of you received,” said Davis, who remembered being a parent and now a grandparent of the sport and a former vice president of the federation.
He noted that in the former years, the federation never really embraced the Goodwill Games, but it was a few parents who took the interest in getting some exposure for their children.
“So, I’m so happy and elated to see that the federation is now fully behind these games and fully behind the participation of our swimmers, particularly recognizing that CARIFTA is 12 and above and these games go from seven and above. It gives those younger athletes what it is to compete in international competition.”
While the federation is going after its sixth straight title next year here in the Bahamas at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, Davis said he’s looking for the Bahamas to continue to excel as champions at the Goodwill Games.
Zane Lightbourne, the Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in the absence of Mario Bowleg, said the trip to Jamaica was a microcosm of what our country is all about.
“The community coming together to build something nice and to achieve greatness,” he said. “I think that because of our parents, the government support and these students with their coaches, who are supported to do and to push them to where they can reach their full potential, that’s the formula for success for our country.”
Lightbourne, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, said as the country celebrates its 50th anniversary, the team brought home the gold and he noted that the Olympic gold medal is on the way.
Bahamas Aquatics’ president Algernon Cargill thanked team manager Rochelle Butler and her assistants Yvette Ferguson and Patrick Ferguson, head coach Dellan Brown and his assistants Kadesha Culmer, Dwayne Davis and Davis Del Cueto and the medical team of Dr William Hamilton, Jenna Gibson and Jade McCartney.
Cargill also expressed his gratitude to Philice Davis-Albury, who headed the fund-raising team, which secured the sponsorship from KRC, RBC, Atlantis, Baha Mar Resorts Foundation, Titan Hospitality, Auto Mall, Lyford Cay Club and the Public Hospitals Authority.
“We’ve earned our first Goodwill title and now that number one is in the bag, there is no longer coming second, third or fourth,” said Cargill, as he also lauded the parents, who were apart of the contingent that traveled to Jamaica.
“Your parents and your federation will extend this level of support with our Bahamas Government partners and Corporate Bahamas. This is step one sand we will carry you to the end of your journey.”
See article in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/aug/22/warm-welcome-home-swimmers-bring-home-129-medals-5/
