Bahamas News
Ministers declare 2022 NACAC Championships in GB a success
By ANDREW COAKLEY
Bahamas Information Services
#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, August 24, 2022 – “We did it Grand Bahama!”
Those were the sentiments of Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, during the closing ceremonies of the Anita Doherty North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Open Track and Field Championships, on Sunday night at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.
“Thank you so much for being a part of history and we’ve proven that if the opportunity presents itself again, we will be able to pull it off again,” Minister Moxey said, as fireworks erupted into the night sky, signaling the end of the three-day international meet.
What was meant to be the official closing out ceremony easily turned into a celebration, with athletes and fans alike enjoying the fireworks and Junkanoo rushout, featuring an impromptu performance by both Youth, Sports and Culture Minister, the Hon. Mario Bowleg and Minister Moxey.
Asked how she would describe the end of the three-day meet, Minister Moxey simply called it “a success!” She said it was an amazing feeling to see Grand Bahama successfully pull off an international meet at the magnitude of NACAC.
“It feels like Grand Bahama is on the right track,” Minister Moxey said, while dancing with the Junkanoo music. “It feels like it is a new day for Grand Bahama with events and entertainment, which we have outlined in our Blueprint for Change, which talked about what we envisioned Grand Bahama could become. So I am excited about today because it’s only the beginning and it will only get better.
“I never doubted that we could pull this off. I know the potential for Grand Bahama Island. I know what we can do. I know that events and the orange economy is something where all Bahamians can benefit. So, it doesn’t matter how much money you have and it doesn’t matter the level of your resources, because anyone can make money in the orange economy when it comes to events and entertainment. So, I just wanted to focus on that for our people, to give everyone a chance of survival.”
Minister Moxey said the successful hosting of the fourth edition of NACAC speaks to what Grand Bahama could do once given the opportunity. She pointed out the economic benefit of the meet, noting that Grand Bahamians across the board were able to benefit financially. From the hotels to taxi cab drivers, tour operators, straw vendors, restaurants and food vendors – all had an opportunity to make money from the three-day event.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg noted that the success of the 2022 NACAC was something officials had anticipated when the decision was made to host the meet on Grand Bahama.
“There were a few hiccups, but that’s life. We always have troubles and trials in life, but it’s what you do when you
fall. You get back up and keep moving,” said Minister Bowleg. “At the end of the day, the main success was that we brought the economic boost that we felt Grand Bahama needed. The injection in the arm to get this island back up and running and bring the magic back to the Magic City.
“That’s what it’s all about. This administration wants to spread the wealth and make sure that the events we have in The Bahamas go to the Family Islands that can host them – and Grand Bahama is one of them. Grand Bahama is one island that we must get back up and running.”
The Youth, Sports and Culture Minister said that the 2022 NACAC is just the beginning for Grand Bahama. He said that there are a lot of things in the pipeline that the Government has on the horizon and Grand Bahama will be a part of those opportunities.
“This is the most medals we would have won at this level, so we want to enjoy this moment and celebrate Team Bahamas and if we get the opportunity to do it again, we will do it again in Grand Bahama,” said Minister Bowleg
“We don’t want hosting this kind of sporting event to be a one-time thing for Grand Bahama. We have so much more sporting events like this for Grand Bahama. In fact I have a surprise for Grand Bahama in March of next year. We have another big sporting event coming. Stay tuned.”
BIS Photos/Andrew Miller
Photo Caption:
Header: Minister for Grand Bahama, theHon. Ginger Moxey (second from left) celebrates during a race at the Anita Doherty North American, Central American and Caribbean Association (NACAC) Open Track and Field Championships on Sunday, August 21, 2022. Standing with Minister Moxey enjoying the Meet were Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg (left); President of NACAC, Mike Sands (third from left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Grand Bahama, Mr. Melvin Seymour (right)
1st insert: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey poses for a photo with Silver medalist in the women’s 100m, Tynia Gaitor, who also ran the anchor leg for Team Bahamas in the women’s 4 x 100m.
2nd insert: Silver ladies
3rd insert: The Bahamian team won silver in the women’s 4 x 100m relay on the final day of competition of the Anita Doherty NACAC Open Track and Field Championships at the GB Sports Complex. Making up the team were (from left) Devynne Charlton, Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan and Tynia Gaither.
4th insert: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg and Minister for Grand Bahama, Hon. Ginger Moxey poses for a photo with Jamaican track star Shericka Jackson, who won the gold medal in the women’s 100m.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
