JAMAICA ENTERS VIRTUAL ARENA WITH INAUGURAL E-NATIONAL SQUAD
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark move for Caribbean sports, the Jamaica Basketball Association has officially announced its first-ever national esports basketball team. This pioneering squad will represent the nation in the prestigious FIBA World Championship (eFIBA), marking Jamaica’s formal debut in competitive digital basketball.
The selected athletes, comprising six elite gamers, will compete on the NBA 2K26 platform using PlayStation consoles. Team captain Haughton Richards will lead the roster alongside Cristian Benjamin, Curt Daley, Jonathan Lee, Derek Walcott, and Shemar Williams. D’Andre Forbes has been appointed as team manager to oversee strategic operations.
COMPETITION ROADMAP AND FORMAT
The qualification journey commences on January 23, 2026, with pre-qualifier matches that will divide eight national teams into two groups. Jamaica finds itself in Group B alongside regional opponents Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. The top three teams from each group will progress to regional qualifiers scheduled for February 28.
The competitive structure will then transition to a double-elimination format during the regional finals on March 1, 2026. This phase will grant the top four teams two opportunities to secure advancement to the championship finals.
SIGNIFICANCE AND BROADER IMPLICATIONS
This initiative represents a significant convergence of traditional sports governance with emerging digital competitions. FIBA’s endorsement of esports through its official eFIBA tournament signals growing institutional recognition of competitive gaming as a legitimate sporting discipline.
The Jamaican team’s participation not only expands the country’s sporting representation internationally but also creates new pathways for athlete development in the digital sports domain. This move acknowledges the evolving landscape of international competition where virtual and physical athletics increasingly coexist.