GRAND BAHAMA SERVES UP SPORTS FOR THANKSGIVING

This Thanksgiving season, the Ministry of Tourism will be serving up lots of sporting action at the 18th Annual Tabernacle Falcons Thanksgiving Basketball Classic, scheduled for November 23rd – 26th, 2016 at the St. Georges Gymnasium on Grand Bahama Island.

Under the theme Promoting Tourism Through Sports, the event has remained a significant pull factor for sports tourism on the island, bringing together high school athletes from throughout the Bahamas and the United States for a time of competition.

During a press conference held on November 15th, Norris Bain, Sports Administrator for the Northern Bahamas, Ministry of Education, said, “The tournament is expected to bring in well over 200 people to the island of Grand Bahama, who will all be staying at Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan.”

Jay Philippe, Assistant Manager for Sports Tourism, said, “With this event attracting some 200 visitors to our shores, this is an opportunity for the island’s economy to be stimulated as hotels, restaurants and tour operators can all benefit.”

Philippe added that “This is also an opportunity to showcase the destination and to ensure that visitors will have a grand time while on island.” 

Being mindful of the state of the island, as residents continue to regroup from the impact of Hurricane Matthew, he expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, and other sponsors, for the support that was given in ensuring that the event comes off.

Bain added that the players, who are well aware of the state of the island, have been asking what they could do to lend assistance to the people of Grand Bahama.

He said that “On Saturday the 26th, at the Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy grounds, there will be a giveaway where blankets, school supplies and other items will be distributed to the community.”

Competing in this year’s tournament will be five schools from Grand Bahama and three schools out of Tennessee.

The teams will be divided into two pools: Pool A- Tabernacle Baptist Academy, BAH; Christian Academy, TN; Eight Mile Rock and Sir Jack Hayward Secondary School, BAH.

Pool B- Science Hill, TN; South Green, TN; Sunland Academy, BAH and St. Georges High School, BAH.

All tournament games will take place at the St. Georges High School Gymnasium beginning at 4:00pm, Wednesday– Friday, and on Saturday at 10:00am, breaking in the early afternoon and resuming at 3:30pm.

The Championship game will take place on Saturday, November 26th at 7:30pm.