Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Government’s commitment to CARIFTA team is an investment says Social Services Minister
Cayman Islands, April 23, 2019 – The commitment by The Bahamas Government to the Carifta team is an investment and not a sacrifice said the Hon. Frankie Campbell, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, as he addressed the 50 member team at the 2019 CARIFTA in the Cayman Islands.
Minister Campbell, who substituted for the Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, (MYSC) gave the athletes a pep talk affirming the government’s support for them.
He said, “The other forms of support given to you is not regarded as a sacrifice but an investment in your future, an investment for which you and all other athletes have given immeasurable returns because no amount of advertising dollars could match what you do for our country when you step out on the track wearing your aquamarine, black and gold.”
Minister Campbell led the Bahamian delegation to the CARIFTA games at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex from April 20th to 22nd in George Town, accompanied by Rhoda Jackson, Permanent Secretary; Oria Woods-Knowles, Senior Sports Officer; Terez Nixon, Cultural Affairs Officer and Quinton Brennen, General Manager, National Sports Authority.
At the end of the Games, The Bahamas placed second overall.
In motivating Team Bahamas, Minister Campbell commended Drumeco Archer, President, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and his officials, team managers, coaches, chaperones and all the persons who worked behind the scenes to prepare the athletes for the competition.
He extended special recognition to parents and guardians who are often not mentioned in the victory but, who would have been instrumental in the preparation of the athletes.
He also congratulated the athletes and told them they were all winners as he was reliably informed that the selection criteria for 2019 CARIFTA was based on the international qualifying standards.
“I am aware that you are already familiar with athletes from the other CARIFTA teams. I urge you to nurture those relationships because just as you are the future of The Bahamas, not just in athletics, but you are the future leaders in The Bahamas, those athletes are the future leaders of their respective countries,” he told them.
“In five or 10 years you will be able to say you are familiar with the Minister of ‘so and so’ or, you are familiar with the secretary in this or that country. In about 10 years you will say that you are familiar or have a personal relationship with the Prime Minister because one of those young persons will assume those positions as we expect you to assume those positions in The Bahamas. That will give you the kind of global networking power that is necessary to take The Bahamas to the next level.”
Minister Campbell informed Team Bahamas that their flag is “respected” and they were expected to uphold the long-standing legacy.
Minister Campbell shared his prediction that Team Bahamas would leave the Cayman Islands with many medals.
Lynn Terez Nixon, also known as the comedienne Dynamite Daisy, did her part to give a ‘winning talk’ to the athletes.
“You look very ordinary, you don’t look like a winner because of the outside, but when you have something on the inside of you especially the power of God, you are a winner whether they realize it or not,” said Mrs. Nixon.
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Pep talk scenes at CARIFTA 2019. In the end, The Bahamas won 26 medals for second place.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
