The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MIAMI, Florida - Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Baha Mar, six residents of the Ranfurly Home for Children got a rare opportunity to watch a live National Basketball Association (NBA) game this week.

The group, accompanied by administrator Alexander Roberts and a chaperone, had a chance to watch the Miami Heat pull off a 104-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Arena in what was dubbed ‘Bahamas Night.’

Prior to the game, the children were able to go onto the court, where they mingled with some of the players and got a chance to sit in the front row to watch them practice. However, they sat much further up in the stands when the game took place.

“This was an amazing opportunity,” Roberts said. “For two of the girls, this was the first time that they have ever travellled outside the Bahamas and so certainly for them to come here and to watch their first professional basketball game - or any sporting event - was just amazing for them.

“We had one of our boys, who feels he is NBA-bound, taking it all in. He told us that one day we are going to come to the game to watch him play. I think if he can achieve anything close to this, it will be quite an amazing feat for him. But we are just elated that they have gotten this opportunity to be here tonight.”

The two-day trip for the group began on Wednesday with a visit to Bahamas Consul General for Miami, Ricardo Treco. During the courtesy call, which lasted for a couple of hours, Roberts said the group had a chance to share their lifetime experiences, their goals and their aspirations.

In turn, Roberts said the youngsters got the opportunity to learn about the work of Treco and his staff as they represent the Bahamas government.

“It’s always nice to have the children come into our mission,” said Treco, a former basketball player. “I try to make sure that they take advantage of all of the opportunities that they have and so it’s just great to host the children from the Ranfurly Home because they don’t always get an opportunity like this to be at a NBA game.”

Treco took the time to thank both the Ministry of Tourism and Baha Mar for making it possible for the children.

It was the second time he has been to a Bahamas Night at the AAA and he was delighted to share in the experience that was promoted by the two entities as they take advantage of the gateway to the Caribbean from the United States.

“They gave us a lot of exposure and I think this is something that we can use to continue to market the Bahamas as the premier destination in the world,” he said. “I think our government is doing a great job partnering with teams like the Miami Heat and the Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins, so we’re looking forward to great things.”

“I am entirely indebted to the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Consular and the Miami Heat for getting us here,” Roberts said. “When I got the call on February 17, we got the clearance and got everything in motion and here we are enjoying the game.”

One of the unidentified youngsters who had indicated that he’s going to be a superstar himself, said he was glad to watch the Heat, led by Dwayne Wade, pull off a 104-98 victory over the Nets. Wade finished with 28 points and added nine assists, Andersen - taking suspended centre Hassan Whiteside’s spot in the lineup - tied a career high with 18 points and set a season high with 14 rebounds.

The Heat, in the process, kept their hopes alive for the eighth and final spot in the eastern division for the NBA playoffs.

The group was scheduled to complete their trip by going on a shopping spree before they returned home.