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Saint Lucian forward Donavan Gusto Phillip has emerged as a standout star in collegiate soccer, securing prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) accolades on Wednesday. The North Carolina State University (NC State) junior was named to the All-Conference Team and crowned Offensive Player of the Year, capping off an exceptional season. Phillip, hailing from Marchand, Saint Lucia, is poised to transition to professional soccer in 2026, having signed with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. He also aspires to represent the Saint Lucia national team on the international stage. In his final collegiate campaign, Phillip dominated the ACC with impressive statistics, leading in shots (62), points (31), and goals (15), among other metrics. His contributions were instrumental in NC State’s success this season. Joining Phillip in the ACC honors were sophomore center-back Nikola Markovic, named Defensive Player of the Year, and senior goalkeeper Logan Erb, who claimed Goalkeeper of the Year. Senior midfielder Taig Healy, the conference leader in assists, also earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team. This collective achievement marks a historic moment for NC State, as it is the first time since 1984 that the program has placed four players on the All-ACC First Team, a feat achieved only twice in its history.

In a significant move to celebrate national sporting excellence, Trinidad and Tobago officially appointed cricket legends Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard as National Sports Ambassadors on Wednesday. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs headquarters in St Clair, was presided over by Minister Dr. Sean Sobers. This appointment underscores the government’s dedication to recognizing athletes whose global achievements inspire citizens and enhance the nation’s international reputation. The initiative was first proposed in early September by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, following a Cabinet meeting. Bravo’s recent success as coach of the Trinbago Knight Riders, who clinched the Caribbean Premier League title on September 21, further validated the decision. The victory ignited nationwide celebrations, culminating in a reception hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on September 23. During the event, the Prime Minister announced that the TKR team would receive the Chaconia Gold medal and named TKR captain Nicholas Pooran, Pollard, and javelin champion Keshorn Walcott as Sports Ambassadors. While the official appointments for Pooran and Walcott are pending, the government expressed enthusiasm for its new partnership with Bravo and Pollard. The Ministry stated, “We look forward to collaborating with Mr. Bravo and Mr. Pollard as they champion excellence, teamwork, and national pride, while promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s global brand.”

Kimani Melius, the former West Indies Under-19 captain, has made a triumphant return to the regional cricket scene, securing a spot in the Windward Islands squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament. This marks his first appearance in List A cricket after a two-year hiatus. The 24-year-old right-handed batter from Boguis, Saint Lucia, is one of four Saint Lucians selected for the five-match series, which commences on Wednesday, November 19, in Trinidad and Tobago. The Windward Islands Cricket Board unveiled a 14-member squad for the tournament, aiming to add to their four 50-over titles since the competition’s inception in 1972. Melius joins allrounder Shadrack Descarte and fast bowlers Keon Gaston and McKenny Clarke in the final lineup. Wicketkeeper Noelle Leo and fast bowler Dillan John also participated in early October training sessions. Melius, who debuted for West Indies B in 2018, has played 23 List A matches, amassing 397 runs at an average of 17.26. His best performance came in his debut year, averaging 21.60 in five fixtures. Descarte, known for his T20 prowess, brings experience from the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory with Saint Lucia Kings. Gaston, despite limited regional experience, played a pivotal role in Saint Lucia’s Windwards title win this year. Clarke, a former West Indies Under-19 player, contributed to the Trinbago Knight Riders’ 2025 CPL triumph. The Windwards will kick off their campaign against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

The West Indies’ T20 International series against New Zealand concluded on a disappointing note on Thursday, as the hosts delivered their weakest performance in the decisive fifth match, suffering an eight-wicket defeat that handed the series to the Black Caps. This loss highlighted the persistent issues that have troubled the Caribbean team throughout the contest, particularly a top-order batting collapse that proved fatal. Captain Shai Hope identified the team’s inability to adapt as the primary reason for their downfall. ‘The power play has been our Achilles heel for this series,’ Hope remarked. ‘As batters, we failed to assess and adapt quickly enough.’ Despite the setbacks, Hope praised the lower-order batsmen for their resilience, acknowledging their efforts to salvage the innings. He emphasized the need for smarter, more assertive batting to disrupt the opposition’s bowlers. ‘We need to be more precise with our stroke play and prevent good bowlers from settling,’ he explained. Hope also highlighted the importance of applying counter-pressure, a skill the team has lacked. Amid the criticism, he lauded all-rounder Romario Shepherd for his consistent performance and work ethic. ‘Sheppy has been a hard worker, and his success is becoming more consistent,’ Hope said, noting Shepherd’s crucial contributions with the ball. As the team shifts focus to the upcoming ODI series, Hope stressed that immediate improvements are essential to turn their fortunes around.