Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy “Falcons” basketball team present award to Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.
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Darville Extends Best
wishes to basketball players
FREEPORT,
Grand Bahama -- Minister for Grand
Bahama The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville encouraged basketball players
participating in the Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy 16th Thanksgiving
Basketball Tournament to exhibit their talents in a true spirit of
sportsmanship. He was delivering welcoming
remarks during the opening ceremony for the classic, held at Tabernacle school
grounds on Wednesday morning.
Prime
Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie was in Grand Bahama to
officially open the classic. Also
participating in the opening ceremony were Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obadiah
Wilchcombe and Minister of State for Finance the Hon. Michael Halkitis.
The
tourney features U.S. based squads out of Tennessee and Georgia and local squads,
including the C.I. Gibson Rattlers out of New Providence.
Since
its inception the ‘Thanksgiving Basketball Classic’ has brought over 6,000
persons to the Island of Grand Bahama. Many of those who visited Grand Bahama
for the tournament have come back for a honeymoon or a vacation.
When
teams arrive they are treated to a cultural show and Bahamian food tasting.
They are essentially given a Bahamian welcome.
“As
Minister for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for Pineridge, it is my
distinct pleasure to be a part of the opening ceremony for Tabernacle Baptist
Christian Academy’s 16th Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament,” the
Minister said.
“I
congratulate its pioneer, Mr. Norris Bain, for paving the way for an event of
this magnitude to be held on Grand Bahama Island.
“Firstly,
I would like to openly commend Mr. Bain for his contribution to the youth of
Grand Bahama Island through academics and sports.
“Since
its inception, this tournament has grown by leaps and bounds and has been
utilized for a medium to assist numerous Grand Bahamians, who probably would
not have the opportunity otherwise, to be showcased nationally and
internationally,” he pointed out.
Prime Minister Christie and “Falcons” fans.
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He welcomed
coaches, players and well-wishers of the competitors who traveled from The
United States and those from New Providence.
“I
invite you to partake in all that Grand Bahama Island has to offer and I trust
that you will enjoy our hospitality, cuisine and culture. Finally, to those young Bahamians who are
participating in this tournament, I encourage you to play your best as you are
being observed by some of the best coaches in the business. The game that you play today may determine
your future. In addition, I want to remind you all of the importance of
academics, as your grades will also help to determine the possibilities for
scholarships,” he said.
The
Minister commended Tabernacle on their success in the recent BGCSE examinations,
and he wished each player the best as they exhibit their talent in the spirit
of true sportsmanship.
The teams
participating in the 2014 tournament are:
USA/Tennessee
-- Jefferson County High School, Science Hill High School; and from Georgia -- Columbia
High School, Southwest DeKalb High School, and Tucker High School.
The
Bahamas – C.I. Gibson (Nassau), Jack Hayward High School (GB), St. Georges High
School (GB), Sunland Baptist Academy (GB), Eight Mile Rock High School (GB) and
Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy.