The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THEY are a group of talented basketball players but they are all deaf.

Members of the Bahamas Deaf Sports Association, whose president is Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Farquharson, are preparing to travel to the United States to participate in the SEAAD Regional Basketball Tournament in Roanoke, Virginia, March 5-7 and they are appealing to the public for financial support to help cover their expenses.

Lathen Ferguson, the head coach for the team, said when he was contacted by Farquharson to coach their team about three years ago, he got involved and last year, he took them to participate in the tournament for the first time.

“We played in the elimination round against a United States team and another team from Jacksonville,” Ferguson said. “There was about 50 teams in the tournament, all of which players are deaf. It was very costly on us and we were not able to take all of the players.

“So this year, we want to involve more of the deaf and give them more exposure because some of them feel left out. We practice about twice a month with our physical fitness. But night now, our practices (on Christie Park) are geared towards going through our plays that we hope to execute when we go to the tournament.”

Although they didn’t win any games, Ferguson said they gained some valuable experience, which they hope to put to good use when they return this year. In two years, Ferguson said the association intends to travel to Puerto Rico to compete over there as well.

But he said they are also looking at attracting some of the teams to come to the Bahamas to participate.

“Last year when we went to the tournament, we had some players who have never heard about the Bahamas and they didn’t even know where the Bahamas is located,” Ferguson said. “But every month, a lot of these players have been coming here and they have been getting in touch with Ricky. They had about 400 deaf people who came here on a cruise ship. So we are getting some exposure.”

Players expected to travel on the team are Robert Albert, Jamaal Henfield, Gerald Perittier, Ricky Farquharson, Kenny Gentle, Kamaria Johnson, Dwane Knowles, Elvis Woodside, Johnathan Cooper, Linc Winston, Ralph Gray Jr., Roland Noel, Rayon Nelson, Dwayne Duncombe, Tyrone Babbs, Desmond Coleby, Maya Sands and Anton Brown.

Two coaches and nine aids are also expected to travel to assist the players.

It’s estimated that it will cost the association around $29,187.90 to cover their expenses, inclusive of airfare tickets, hotel, transportation, meals and uniforms.

Interested persons wishing to make a contribution can make a deposit in their bank account: Bahamas Deaf Sport Association, RBC - Palmdale Branch 05745, account number 7318850, contact coach Ferguson at 436-0694 or email their association at bahamas_deafbasketball@hotmail.com

Their mission: To seek to bring a clear voice to their brothers and sisters with hearing disabilities. Their aim is to increase the self esteem and self worth of those who sometimes have challenges communicating with their hearing brothers and sisters.

Their vision: To spread the word in the Bahamas through meetings, community outreach and fund-raising activities to create awareness. They want to fulfil their hopes and dreams of being positive contributors to society.