Bahamas News
Sailing to become the NEW National Sport of The Bahamas, Resolution gets Bi-Partisan nod
By Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, April 17, 2023 – At the House of Assembly on April 12th, 2023, the Honourable Clay Sweeting, Member of Parliament for South Eleuthera and Minister with Responsibility for Agriculture, Marine Resources, Cooperatives and Local Government, ahead of the Exuma Regatta, announced a resolution for making Sailing the National Sport of The Bahamas; It is supported by the Opposition and the Government.
A section of the Resolution spoke to approving Sailing as a National Sport of The Bahamas, ‘where the people of The Bahamas are known for their unique wooden vessels known as Sloops,’ used for decades throughout The Bahamian cultural and sporting events known as Regattas and whereas the participation of The Bahamas in the sport of sailing is recognized by the winning of bronze and gold medals in the Olympic competitions in 1956 and 1964 respectively.’
It would mean that the sport of Cricket would no longer hold the title.
Making Sailing the National Sport has been desired by Bahamians as stated by Sweeting. He said, “sailing has been a long awaited announcement by Bahamians. Sailing has been and always will be a part of who we are as Bahamians.”
Considering this, Sweeting spoke to the long history of sailing in the Bahamas, highlighting that Bahamians have been referred to as “masters of the sea” for hundreds of years dating back to the Lucayans and Arawaks.
He further mentioned that sailing has evolved to play an integral part of Bahamian culture, evident in the Regatta competitions first held in Exuma in 1943 which later became more organized, comprehensive and technical in the late 1950s.
He referred to Regatta as a “formidable economic driver for the family islands.”
As expressed by Sweeting, Regattas are crucial to the Social, Economic and Cultural development of The Bahamas. They encourage sustainable domestic tourism.
Evidently, each island where Regattas are held, benefit from significant economic boost.
Regattas has also made a name for itself in the international community hence the once creation of a yachting community formed fund called [Out Island Squadron] for Regattas.
The involvement of the late Duke of Edinburgh as not only a patron, but also a participant in a Regatta in 1959 in George Town, also contributed to the popularity of the sports today.
The Honourable Micheal Pintard, Member of Parliament for Marco City, who is the opposition’s leader and former minister with responsibility for marine resources, expressed support for the resolution in a detailed speech following Sweeting’s address. 
He said making Sailing the National Sport has been a long aspiration of both the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement.
He highlighted that the resolution is an opportunity to aid on the homogenization of the ministries, making sure that the right departments fit within the context of the appropriate ministry the way Sailing does. This is under the issue of disconnection in the public eye when it comes to the relationship between departments and their ministries.
He further spoke to the fact that discussions have been had off the record to make Sailing the National Sport of The Bahamas under previous Government’s, indicating that the desire to make the sport official has existed.
In reference to this, he spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper who stated in an article in 2020 in the Nassau Guardian, that he would second a bill to make Sailing as National Sport.
Another reference that he spoke to was V. Alfred Gray, former Minister, in a letter, congratulated the advancement and said that when he was in office they attempted to make it the National Sport but wasn’t given the opportunity before they were out of office.
Sweeting expressed hope that Sailing is approved as the National Sport of The Bahamas.
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.
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