The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the Bahamas getting ready to host the biggest sporting event ever in just one week, Rommel Knowles, managing director of the CYG Association, said they are busy putting on the final touches for their guests.

"Plans are progressing," said Knowles, who also serves as the secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. "All of them will be completed or have their final touches done by Wednesday or Thursday. "Some of the officials and teams are expected to start arriving as early as Tuesday (today) where they will be staying at four different Games Villages."

Around 1,300 athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 will be in the Bahamas to participate in the games in nine different disciplines that will be held at three locations with the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre as the main hub of activities.

• Tennis will be staged at the National Tennis Centre

• Rugby seven-a-side will be at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Athletics or track and field will be at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23.

• Aquatics or swimming will be at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex from Wednesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 22.

• Beach volleyball will be staged at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility for women and men from Tuesday, July 18 to Saturday, July 22.

• Beach soccer for boys and girls will be at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility from Wednesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 22.

• Boxing will take place at the Kendal Issacs Gymnasium from Monday, July 17 to Sunday, July 23.

• Cycling at the Clifton Heritage Park on Wednesday, July 19 and Sunday, July 23.

• Judo will take place at the Kendal Isaacs Gym from Monday, July 17 to Wednesday, July 19.

• Rugby Seven-A-Side will be staged at the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium from Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21.

• Tennis will be staged at the National Tennis Centre from Wednesday, July 19 to Sunday, July 23.

Beach soccer and volleyball as well as judo are three new sports being introduced to the games this year. They have replaced archery, lawn bowls, weightlifting and squash, which have been dropped. Cycling will be making a return to the games this year.

Although some of the athletes have been named already, Knowles said the LOC plans to officially name the athletes selected to represent the Bahamas on Wednesday. He indicated that based on the list they have receivedit should be a very competitive team. Derron Donaldson, a first vice president of the BOC, will serve as Team Bahamas' Chef de Mission.

The games, which got started in 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland with 15 countries in eight sports and 7,673 athletes participating, was awarded to the Bahamas in 2016 after St Lucia withdrew in 2015, citing financial difficulties.

A colourful opening ceremony is being planned for Tuesday, July 18. The closing ceremony is set for Sunday, July 23. Both ceremonies will take place at the new Thomas A Robinson Stadium. Tickets will be available online at http://www.bahamas2017cyg.org/ and onsite provided by "ETix."

"All Day Passes" gives access to all of the events purchased on a given day and come at a price of $35 with gold seating where seating is available at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium and Beach Soccer Facility.

General admission for boxing, judo, tennis come at a cost of $15 while swimming is priced at $20 and rugby is free of charge.

Access to all venues will also be free to every student under age 18.

The "Season Pass" of $100 comes with access to all sporting events every day over the course of the six-day event.

Senior citizens package receive a 50 per cent discount on season passes and come at a price of $50.

"All Day Passes" gives access to all of the events purchased on a given day and come at a price of $35 with gold seating where seating is available at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium and Beach Soccer Facility.

General admission for boxing, judo, tennis come at a cost of $15 while swimming is priced at $20 and rugby is free of charge.

Access to all venues will also be free to every student under age 18.

Corporate "Season Pass" packages are also available at various intervals. Companies featuring 10-20 employees can receive passes at $90 per employee; 21-50 employees at $80 per employee and 51+ employees at $70 per employee.