Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Jamaica announces first-ever team for eFIBA World Championship

    Jamaica announces first-ever team for eFIBA World Championship

    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.

  • Saint Lucia win at last for 3rd place in Windward women’s cricket

    Saint Lucia win at last for 3rd place in Windward women’s cricket

    Saint Lucia concluded their Windward Islands Women’s T20 Championship campaign with a triumphant 17-run victory against Dominica, securing third place in the tournament. The match, held on Friday, January 9th at Kingstown’s Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, showcased remarkable individual performances that overturned early adversity.

    After electing to bat first, Saint Lucia faced immediate disaster as their top order collapsed to 15-4 within the opening overs, eventually stumbling to 35-5. Dominica’s Abini St Jean spearheaded the assault with impressive bowling figures of 3-10 from her four-over spell.

    The recovery began with captain Zaida James anchoring the innings with a resilient 67 runs from 54 deliveries, including six boundaries and two sixes. Her partnership with Krishna Joseph, who contributed a brisk 21 from 15 balls, proved crucial. A particularly productive 16th over yielding 26 runs significantly boosted their total, eventually posting 122 all out – their highest team score of the competition.

    Dominica’s response appeared promising initially, reaching 43-2 after the powerplay and 80-3 at the midway point. However, left-arm pacer Nerissa Crafton dramatically shifted momentum with a devastating two-wicket maiden over in the 12th. Her exceptional bowling performance culminated with 4-2 from her allotted overs, including the key dismissal of Earnisha Fontaine for 31 runs. Fifteen-year-old debutant Gilia McLaurent also claimed a wicket in supporting role.

    Despite early promise, Dominica ultimately fell short at 105-9, handing Saint Lucia their first victory of the championship. The outstanding performances from senior players now positions them as strong contenders for selection in the upcoming Wind Indies T20 Blaze tournament.

  • Johan-Remaldo Smythe ready to put Holland High on the map

    Johan-Remaldo Smythe ready to put Holland High on the map

    Johan-Ramaldo Smythe delivered an extraordinary performance at the Purewater/RDanny Williams/JC Development Meet this weekend, announcing his arrival as a formidable track and field contender for the season. The young sprinter demolished the Class One 100m record with a blistering time of 10.47 seconds (+0.5 mps wind assistance), demonstrating exceptional early-season form.

    Having recently transferred from Muschett High to Holland High alongside his father and coach Garth Smythe, the athlete’s debut for his new institution proved immediately impactful. The previous day, Smythe had dominated his Class One 200m heat with an impressive 21.10-second finish (-0.3mps), substantially outpacing Ian Barker of St Catherine High who recorded 21.54 seconds in his heat. Raheen Collins from St George’s College completed the top three performances with 21.99 seconds, making them the only three athletes to break the 22-second barrier.

    This strong start represents a significant redemption arc for Smythe, who failed to qualify for last year’s Class One final at the prestigious Champs championships after placing third in his semi-final with 21.27 seconds. His current performance trajectory suggests substantial improvement and positions him as a serious threat for the upcoming April championships.

    The record-breaking 100m time marks considerable progress from his sixth-place finish at last year’s Champs final where he clocked 10.57 seconds. Smythe’s transfer brings unprecedented athletic prowess to Holland High, an institution not traditionally recognized for track and field achievements. Alongside World Under-20 200m bronze medalist Shanoya Douglas, who also transitioned from Muschett High, Smythe is poised to secure the school’s first-ever points qualification at the championship level.

  • Amara excelling from classroom to crease – Nine-year-old balances cricket, school and big dreams

    Amara excelling from classroom to crease – Nine-year-old balances cricket, school and big dreams

    In Trinidad and Tobago, where cricket reigns as a national passion, nine-year-old Amara Jasmin Gopichandsingh is redefining what it means to be a young athlete. The Tabaquite Presbyterian School student demonstrates extraordinary balance between academic rigor and athletic pursuit, maintaining straight-A grades while developing into a promising cricket talent under professional guidance.

    Gopichandsingh’s cricketing journey began in early childhood as the youngest of five children in a family deeply immersed in the sport. ‘When I was really small growing up, and I went cricket with my dad, the guys on the team would always bowl the ball to me,’ she recalled. ‘There, I realized the love and passion I had for the game.’ Her family’s legacy includes two older brothers who played with South East Trinidad Zone Cricket and represented Powergen at the Under-19 level, plus parents who competed successfully in both windball and hardball leagues nationwide.

    The young athlete initially faced challenges entering a male-dominated sport. ‘I felt nervous and shy when I first started training because I was placed in a group with only boys…I would always be the last one to be chosen,’ she confessed. Through determination and skill development, she reversed this dynamic: ‘Until I started to play even better than them, and now, I’m up the line when it’s time to choose.’

    Since 2023, Gopichandsingh has trained at the Samuel Badree Cricket Academy at the University of TT Campus in Tarouba, supplementing Saturday sessions with three weekly practices with her father. Former West Indies cricketer Samuel Badree, who oversees her development, praised her attitude: ‘I would describe Amara’s attitude as one of eagerness. She is very enthusiastic, and she comes to every session with a lot of alacrity.’ He highlighted her receptiveness to coaching feedback and willingness to try new techniques as exceptional traits for a young athlete.

    Badree’s academy employs a structured development pathway, and Gopichandsingh has progressed from beginner to intermediate levels where she now practices advanced skills and drills. The program ultimately leads to hardball cricket and high-performance training for exceptional talents.

    Academic excellence remains equally prioritized through careful scheduling managed by her mother, Ameela Hosein. ‘She manages school and cricket by following her schedule and always being focused,’ Hosein noted. ‘She is not an average nine-year-old — she knows her goals, and she is determined to push herself to one day achieve all of them.’

    Beyond cricket, Gopichandsingh enjoys reading, family time, and creative writing, excelling particularly in Mathematics and English. Her aspirations include attending Naparima Girls’ College, representing Trinidad and Tobago nationally, and eventually playing for the West Indies women’s team. She also envisions becoming a teacher to share knowledge with future generations.

    To other girls considering cricket, she offers simple advice: ‘Always believe in yourselves, be confident and do not be afraid to try.’

  • Grange mourns passing of pioneering women’s cricketer, Dorothy Hobson

    Grange mourns passing of pioneering women’s cricketer, Dorothy Hobson

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican sporting community mourns the loss of Dorothy Hobson, a transformative figure in women’s athletics whose multidimensional career spanned over four decades. Sports Minister Olivia Grange issued an official statement extending profound condolences to Hobson’s family, friends, and the extensive network of athletes she influenced nationwide.

    Hobson’s legacy is marked by groundbreaking achievements across multiple roles in cricket. She earned historic distinction as an inaugural member of the first West Indies women’s cricket team, competing in the landmark 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Her career evolved from elite athlete to captain, coach, selector, and administrator, creating an enduring impact on sports development throughout the Caribbean and internationally.

    In 2013, Hobson shattered gender barriers by becoming the first female coach at Melbourne Cricket Club’s Camp—a significant milestone in a traditionally male-dominated institution. This appointment established her as a pioneering force for women in coaching and sports leadership.

    Beyond cricket, Hobson contributed substantially to netball and community sports initiatives, designing programs that enhanced female participation and leadership development. She later served as coach of the West Indies women’s team during the 1993 World Cup and ascended to chief selector, influencing regional talent development strategies.

    Her enduring legacy includes the critical revitalization of the Jamaica Women’s Cricket League in 2015, where she spearheaded efforts to resurrect the competition after years of inactivity. Minister Grange emphasized that Hobson’s lifelong dedication fundamentally shaped generations of women athletes and administrators, establishing foundational systems that continue to support women’s sports advancement across the Caribbean.

  • Shanoya Douglas tastes rare defeat at hand of Trinidadian Alexxe Henry

    Shanoya Douglas tastes rare defeat at hand of Trinidadian Alexxe Henry

    In a dramatic upset at the PureWater/R. Danny Williams/JC development meet in Kingston on Saturday, Trinidad and Tobago’s Alexxe Henry delivered a stunning defeat to Jamaica’s highly-touted sprint prodigy Shanoya Douglas. Representing Edwin Allen High, Henry shattered expectations by clocking a meet record of 11.34 seconds (+0.8 mps) in the Class One 100m final.

    Douglas, the reigning Carifta Games Under-20 champion who recently transferred to Holland High from Muschette High, secured second place with a time of 11.50 seconds. Shemonique Hazle of Hydel High finished a distant third in 12.01 seconds.

    The victory becomes particularly significant given Douglas’s exceptional track record. The Jamaican sensation, who captured the Class Two sprint double at last year’s Championships and earned bronze at the 2024 Under-20 World Championships in Peru as a 16-year-old, is competing in her inaugural Class One season.

    This upset arrives at a pivotal moment in Jamaican track and field. With 2025 Class One champion Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High turning professional in October, Douglas had been widely anticipated to dominate the sprint scene. Henry’s commanding performance signals the emergence of a formidable rival.

    Contextual factors suggest Douglas may have been compromised by prior exertions. Just hours before the 100m final, she delivered an impressive 400m victory in 54.30 seconds—the day’s fastest time and notably quicker than current Class One champion Kerryann Carr’s relaxed 56.22-second effort.

    Henry brings her own credentials to the rivalry with a personal best of 11.29 seconds, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season of head-to-head competition between these two exceptional Caribbean talents.

  • Barca edge Real Madrid in thrilling Spanish Super Cup final

    Barca edge Real Madrid in thrilling Spanish Super Cup final

    In a dramatic Spanish Super Cup final staged in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-2 win against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday. The electrifying Clásico clash saw Barça secure a record-extending 16th title in the competition, delivering a significant early trophy to manager Hansi Flick’s tenure.

    The match narrative was defined by Brazilian winger Raphinha’s exceptional performance, netting two crucial goals including the decisive 73rd-minute winner which deflected past Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski contributed with an exquisite first-half chip, demonstrating clinical finishing when it mattered most.

    Real Madrid’s response came through Vinícius Júnior, who ended his personal scoring drought with a magnificent individual effort, nutmegging defender Jules Kounde before finishing calmly. The first-half scoring frenzy concluded with Gonzalo García’s equalizer deep into stoppage time, creating a 2-2 deadlock at halftime.

    The second half developed into a more tactical battle until Raphinha’s deflected strike ultimately decided the contest. Madrid’s late introduction of Kylian Mbappé, limited to a substitute appearance due to a knee sprain, failed to produce the desired impact despite Frenkie de Jong’s dismissal for a dangerous challenge on the French superstar.

    This victory marks Barcelona’s fourth trophy under Flick’s leadership and extends their recent dominance in Clásico encounters, having won all four meetings against Madrid last season. For Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, the defeat represents a setback in his early tenure as he continues seeking his first silverware since arriving in June.

  • Man United knocked out of FA Cup by Brighton, Martinelli hits hat-trick for Arsenal

    Man United knocked out of FA Cup by Brighton, Martinelli hits hat-trick for Arsenal

    A dramatic weekend of FA Cup action delivered contrasting fortunes for two English football giants, with Manchester United’s season descending further into crisis while Arsenal showcased their title-winning credentials.

    At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a demoralizing 2-1 defeat to Brighton, effectively ending their final hope for silverware this season. The loss sparked visible discontent among supporters, with persistent chants directed at the club’s ownership—the Glazer family—and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. Interim manager Darren Fletcher watched helplessly as his team’s fragile performance likely dashed his prospects of securing the managerial role permanently.

    The match narrative unfolded with United failing to capitalize on an initially positive start before Brighton’s Brajan Gruda opened the scoring in the 12th minute. The situation worsened when former United striker Danny Welbeck lashed a spectacular finish into the top corner. Despite a late consolation header from Benjamin Sesko and a grandstand finish, United’s misery was compounded by a stoppage-time red card for teenager Shea Lacey for dissent.

    Meanwhile, at Fratton Park, Gabriel Martinelli delivered a spectacular response to recent controversy by scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 4-1 comeback victory against Portsmouth. The Brazilian forward, who had faced criticism for an incident with Liverpool’s injured defender Conor Bradley, let his performance do the talking after apologizing for the previous clash.

    Arsenal’s triumph wasn’t without early concern as League One side Portsmouth took a shocking lead through Colby Bishop within three minutes. However, Mikel Arteta’s squad demonstrated resilience with Andre Dozzell’s own goal leveling the score before Martinelli’s trio of finishes sealed the comprehensive victory. Arteta praised his player’s mental fortitude, emphasizing that “to play for a big club you need a big personality.”

    In other FA Cup developments, West Ham secured a much-needed 2-1 extra-time victory against QPR thanks to new signing Taty Castellanos’s decisive header. Leeds United staged a second-half comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1, while League One side Mansfield produced the shock of the round by eliminating Sheffield United with a 4-3 victory at Bramall Lane. Norwich, Hull, and West Brom also secured their places in the fourth round draw.

  • Croney hails emerging talent in West Indies U19 squad

    Croney hails emerging talent in West Indies U19 squad

    Grenadian cricket authority Raphael Croney has expressed strong confidence in the West Indies Under-19 team’s capabilities as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Croney, who serves as second vice president of the Grenada Cricket Association and an active coach, recently provided commentary during the youth One Day International series between the West Indies and England teams.

    The West Indies Under-19 squad demonstrated their competitive edge during a seven-match ODI series against England Under-19s held at Grenada National Stadium in St. George’s from November 16 to December 1, 2025. The Caribbean team emerged victorious with a convincing 5-2 series win, showcasing exceptional talent that has drawn significant attention from cricket experts.

    In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times sports contributor Joseph Reds Perierra, Croney highlighted several promising players who displayed outstanding performance throughout the series. He particularly emphasized Vitel Lawes, the Jamaican leg-spinner who brings unusual bowling variety to the West Indies lineup with his ability to deliver both chinaman and googly techniques.

    Croney also praised team captain Joshua Dorne for his remarkable batting achievements, including scoring a century, multiple 90s, and consistent 80-plus scores that played a critical role in the team’s success. The coach noted the exceptional partnership between Dorne and Jonathan Van Lange, whose collaborative batting efforts repeatedly rescued the West Indies from challenging situations during crucial matches.

    Additionally, Croney identified emerging left-arm pace bowler Jakeem Pollard as another standout talent due to his ability to move the ball effectively in both directions. The cricket administrator emphasized the importance of recognizing these exceptionally talented players and ensuring they receive proper preparation for advancement to higher competitive levels.

  • Local basketball coaches complete FIBA training course

    Local basketball coaches complete FIBA training course

    A cohort of basketball coaches from Saint Lucia has successfully concluded an advanced, six-day certification program conducted by renowned FIBA instructor Nelson Isley. The intensive training, which also included participants from Dominica and Guyana, took place at the Beausejour Gymnasium in December and represents a significant shift in how the International Basketball Federation qualifies its coaches worldwide.

    Mr. Isley, a former NBA draftee from 1971, detailed the comprehensive overhaul of FIBA’s certification methodology. Developed in partnership with the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), the new system moves beyond theoretical knowledge to prioritize hands-on, practical coaching demonstration. This paradigm shift ensures that certified coaches possess verifiable skills to effectively teach and lead players.

    The rigorous program requires candidates to undergo written examinations and, most critically, to demonstrate their instructional capabilities on the court. Coaches are assigned fundamental topics such as passing or dribbling and are evaluated against a strict set of criteria based on their teaching performance. Upon completion, participants are designated as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent,’ with successful coaches earning official FIBA WABC Level One certification and inclusion in the global database maintained in Geneva.

    Isley expressed considerable optimism regarding the participants’ performance, noting he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the high caliber of coaching talent. He emphasized the program’s vital role in elevating basketball’s standing within the Caribbean sporting landscape, where cricket, football, and track and field traditionally dominate. By raising the standard of coaching, FIBA aims to directly improve player development from the grassroots level, particularly focusing on youth aged 9-12, thereby fostering both athletic proficiency and personal growth.