NASSAU, BAHAMAS

Baha Mar Signs On As Exclusive Title Sponsor of National Men’s Team

Nassau, Bahamas (November 20, 2017) – Baha Mar and The Bahamas Basketball Federation announce today an exclusive sponsorship deal naming Baha Mar the title sponsor of the Bahamas National Basketball Team. The three-year sponsorship will allow the Bahamas National Team to compete in the qualifying rounds of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which begin this month, and lead to the qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Fédération Internationale de Basket (FIBA), also known as the International Basketball Federation, is an association of national organizations responsible for governing international competition in basketball.

The exclusive sponsorship of $ 250,000 is part of Baha Mar’s commitment and investment in the future of The Bahamas and the Bahamian people. This year, The Bahamas National Basketball Team qualified to participate in the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in recent years. The Bahamas last won gold at the 2014 FIBA CBC Championships.

“Baha Mar is committed to being a good corporate citizen and supporting our athletes” said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. “We are proud and honored to offer our full support behind our national team, and to see them work their way towards the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.” NASSAU, BAHAMAS

As part of title sponsorship privileges, Baha Mar will participate in team promotion, events and activities including uniform design, home court branding and outfitting, press conferences, and serving as host of the Summer Thunder Tournament over the next three years.

In order to select the final team of 12 players, The Bahamas National Team is hosting practice sessions at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium for 24 top players in the nation, including 18 Bahamians who are currently playing internationally and have committed to returning home to compete for a spot. Of the 18 players currently abroad, many are returning to the Bahamas from professional teams in Ireland, Mexico, Peru and Switzerland.

The current team roster is comprised of players including Mark Saint Fort, Abel Joseph, David Nesbitt, Eugene Bain, Jonathan Augustin-Fairell, Livingstone Munnings, Michael Bain, Juraun Kino Burrows, Michael Carey, Torrington Cox, Robert Nortman, Darshtyn Baker, Craig Smith Jr, Jackson Jacob, Lynden Rose Jr, Shaquille Cleare and Shavaro Cooper.

The Bahamas has been placed in Division A, Group B of the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, playing against fellow Group B competitors: Canada, The Dominican Republic and The Virgin Islands. The Bahamas National Team will head to Canada to compete in the first game of the series on November 24, followed by the first home game on November 27 against the Virgin Islands.

16 teams from group A will be competing in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers and only seven teams will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th annual tournament for the men’s national basketball teams and will be held in China. The seven top contenders from the FIBA Basketball World Cup will qualify directly for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Qualifications are based on geographic principals. Each continent will be represented so that the competition is comprised of two teams from the Americas and Europe and the top teams from Africa, Asia and Oceania. As the host nation, Japan will be the eighth qualifying team. NASSAU, BAHAMAS

Join Baha Mar in supporting the Bahamas National Basketball Team on their journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup by attending the team’s first home game at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Monday, November 27 against the Virgin Islands.

About Baha Mar

Baha Mar is a master planned $4.2 billion integrated resort development being purchased by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE). The beachfront destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – with over 2,300 rooms. Additional amenities include 40 restaurants and lounges, the largest casino in the with over 100,000 sq. ft. of gaming space, 200,000 sq. ft. convention center, 18-hole Championship Jack Nicklaus Golf Couse and Golf Club, first ESPA flagship spa in the Caribbean, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking beach destination with dynamic programming, activities and guest offerings located in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information visit www.bahamar.com.