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Almost shut out of TCI representation in 2019; two years later Tajhari Williams makes Swim History for Turks and Caicos winning a Medal in Opening Event of CCCAN

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#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2021 – A couple of years ago, Tajhari Williams was almost shut out of attending the Swim Carifta Games staged in Nassau; thought to not be ready for the major meet because his times were not as fast as others.  But as one of the few Turks and Caicos Islands youngsters trying to master the sport of swimming, it was thought that young Williams should be on the team, must be on the team.

Complaints were filed, letters were written and the Turks and Caicos Sports Commission intervened; ruling in agreement that as a Turks and Caicos Islands hopeful, Williams should go, if only for the experience he would gain in the meet.

Tajhari, at the age of 11 years old attended his first regional swim competition; his events were the 50m backstroke; 100m backstroke; 100m free; the 50m freestyle and the mixed 11-12 year olds 4x100m freestyle relay.  Truth be told, his times and finishes were less than impressive but his coach confidently point out, it is a matter of perspective because even then, Tajhari managed to improve on his best times, significantly.

The rally to get Tajhari to the CARIFTA Swim meet had done what his supporters had argued and had done what the sports director, Mr. Jarrett Forbes believed; the exposure to racing at the regional level woke up a beast in the boy. 

Now, that very same boy, who was almost counted out of national representation, is a part of Turks and Caicos swim history.

Thirteen year old Tajhari Williams left Providenciales on Sunday, with his eyes set on swim hardware at the highest level of swim competition for the Caribbean and The Americas; and on Wednesday June 23, after swimming the best 30-laps of his young life, he got it!

A bronze medal for Williams in the boys 13-14 1500m freestyle race.  Young Williams, a student of Louise Garland-Thomas High School in Long Bay, is one of five boys who make up the national team.  Three of his team mates – Jayden Davis, Mateo Gardiner and Lenin Hamilton Jr – are from his home club, TCI Aquatics Swim Club. 

Almost daily training with his coach, Lenin Hamilton of TCI Aquatics, has birthed a highly competitive contender in the pool despite the myriad of dynamics, which saw the Club struggle to stay afloat.  With no public facility for swimming, thriving on the grace of individuals like Amy Schwartz of Banyan Beach Club the boys did not stop and did not settle.

With an ease on restrictions for competitive athletes amidst the pandemic; the boys practiced their drills.  Drills were repeated in the pool when they could, but for months in the rough surf of the waters off Ricky’s Flamingo Café.

On the beach is where they did land exercises to build strength and agility whenever the waves were too fierce and it is where they swam pier to pier; commanded to keep technique as they built endurance and speed.

In February 2021; Williams, Gardiner, Hamilton and Davis travelled to Nassau, Bahamas.  There they dominated, Young Williams was named best in his age group, capturing the prize and logging numerous personal bests.

By May 2021, the group returned to Nassau Bahamas – a bit crest fallen about the second-year cancellation of the CARIFTA AQUATICS MEET which was to be held in Barbados.  Covid-19 struck again, but the boys led by their “Coach” did not quit and during the Mako Aquatics Swim Meet, they clocked another string of best performances.

The performances not only proved the caliber of coaching and athleticism in the swimmers, but exposed that the need for competition level swim facilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Tajhari Williams was an underdog when pit against the swimmers of 2019.  Those swimmers who were touted to be better and more deserving of opportunities are, for reasons unknown, no longer competing. 

But a son of the Turks and Caicos – Tajhari Williams – has used his moment of struggle to eke out a dominant existence as a fierce competitor, record setter, strong student and trailblazer; now to be remembered not as the one who almost did not go, but as the one who went and the very first Turks and Caicos Islander to win a medal at the prestigious, Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships, CCCAN.

Bahamas News

Work of NAECOB critical in ensuring high standards in education, says Minister Hanna-Martin

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By KATHRYN CAMPBELLBahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas, March 29, 2023 – Over 100 schools in New Providence, public and private, and some 30 plus schools in Freeport have been inspected by The National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB) to ensure high quality standards for the delivery of education.
“We will cover every island, every cay in this country to make certain that the facilities that we send our children to are adequate, conducive for learning, safe and sound for education,” said Thelma Grimes, chairperson, NAECOB.
“We are going to head to Cat Island and all the others before June.This is our announced visit. They [schools] have a chance to get things fixed that are not finished and [afterwards] we will have the unannounced.”
The Council informed the media of its progress during a briefing Monday, March 20, 2023 at its headquarters, Tonique Williams-Darling Highway.
Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member explained that the council’s seven inspectors are tasked with visiting every site or virtual space operating the following: primary/secondary schools, private/secondary, post-secondary, recognized, training, allied health and business institutions among others.
 Mr. Newbold said inspections include an examination of:
 -Safety and security standards-Human security which begins at the entrance to the property’-Physical security: safety mechanisms including smoke detectors, fire alarms and extinguishers (service date verification, and evacuation plan)-Primary grounds, playground equipment, swing sets and slides-Curriculum-Information management system (student records, staff schedules, registration certificate with NAECOB, business license, photos of the national leaders etc.)
The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Institute thanked NAECOB for their efforts. She described their work as “critical” and a part of an overall national thrust to ensure that the quality of education in the country is at a high standard.“We’re the Ministry of Education and they’re our schools. We are accountable to NAECOB. They ensure that what is happening on the campuses throughout the nation meets the physical standards and the qualitative standards of education. You would have heard classroom size and teacher/student ratio. We may have challenges, and we do at the Ministry of Education but when these issues are brought to our attention we are obliged and compelled to seek resolution to ensure that the standards are met.
“This is a quality assurance measure for the Ministry itself and our schools to ensure that public and private and public schools meet these standards. We value that. Because the objective of the Ministry is to ensure that we meet the standards so that our young people who enter these institutions are afforded the best opportunity possible.
 “Education is a cultural value; a norm. We submit ourselves to the work of NAECOB to ensuring what happens is done at least to make the acceptable standards of the delivery of education in our schools,” she said.
Cassia Minnis, registration officer, said “registration” certifies that a local educational institution/provider has met the criteria to offer an educational service in The Bahamas as outlined in the Education Act. She said it is mandatory that all educational institutions/provider offering/proposing to offer an educational service in the Bahamas must be registered according to the NAECOB Act and the Education Act.
 She said NAECOB is aware of “small” schools operating within residential homes and warned that this is in contravention of the law.
She encouraged the public to view listings of all registered institutions on the website at naecob.org
NAECOB is responsible for registering and accrediting primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools, and any institution that offers training in The Bahamas.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS

BIS Photos/Mark Ford

Header: Seated at the table, from left: – Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin; Dominique McCartney Russell, Acting Director; Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer; Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson; Howard Newbold, Inspector, Council Member; Shena Williams, Council and Inspector; Dorothy Anderson, Inspector; T. Nicola McKay, Deputy Chairperson;  (seated behind) Willard Barr, Council and Inspector.

1st insert: Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson

2nd insert: Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member

3rd insert: The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training

4th insert: Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer

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Bahamas News

Bahamas Golden Jubilee Events Announced, Celebrations Across 33 Islands & Cays

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#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – As the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence approaches, Bahamians everywhere are teeming with excitement and expectancy around the year-long celebrations set by The National Independence Secretariat.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister joined H.E Leslia Miller Brice, Chair of The National Independence Secretariat to unveil the Calendar of Events for the 50th Independence celebrations.

The calendar comprises a host of events, initiatives and recommendations for celebrations throughout all 33 islands of The Bahamas.

At this jubilant occasion the PM stated, “Celebrating independence is about acknowledging the greatness around us, the greatness within us, and the greatness ahead of us.

We are Bahamians. That identity is special.”

View the newly released calendar of events here:

https://celebrate-bahamas.com/calendar-of-events/…

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Bahamas News

Soca Warriors crush  Bahamas at home

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By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

 

#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors dominated the Bahamas at home, at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, for the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League on Friday, with a 3-0 victory.

The Soca Warriors struck their first blow within the first 5 minutes of the game, with Kareem Moses making the first shot in the top left corner of the net giving T&T one to the Bahamas’ zero (1-0).

Soon after, in about 26 minutes, they made another shot giving them 2-0 away from home; the scorer Joevin Jones. By the 34th minute mark, the winning goal was made by Ryan Telfer, T&T now at three.

Neither team scored any additional goals as the match progressed despite attempts made by various players.

Trinidad’s win gives them 12 points through five matches.  Next match for the Soca Warriors is against  Nicaragua; that clash is set for Monday March 27 (at home in Tobago at the Dwight Yorke Stadium), in a tussle of winner-take-all on the final match day.  The victor takes home a promotion to League A and a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Angus Eve, T&T’s head coach expressed that the job is only half done, keeping aware that more challenges are coming their way, one of which is the nearing match against Nicaragua who is one point ahead of the Warriors.

Meanwhile, The Bahamas will journey to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with hopes of emerging victorious there.

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