分类： sports

Jamaica’s iconic ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, commonly known as ‘Champs,’ is set to return to the National Stadium from March 24-28 with enhanced technical protocols following last year’s disruption by numerous false starts. The 115th edition will feature approximately 2,000 athletes representing 107 boys’ teams and 100 girls’ teams competing across 88 events over five days.

Meet Director Anthony Davis has confirmed comprehensive measures have been implemented to prevent a recurrence of the technical issues that plagued the 2025 championships, where nearly 70 false starts—particularly in sprint events—frustrated participants and raised questions about equipment reliability and officiating competence.

“We have done everything possible to ensure we don’t have a repeat,” Davis told media. “Whatever loopholes there may have been, we have taken steps to plug them. Our officials are prepared, we’ve had meetings since December, and the preparation has been good.”

Despite a slight reduction in participating schools, organizers note the significant participation of nearly 30 schools from Western Jamaica that are still recovering from October’s Hurricane Melissa. In a show of solidarity, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) will donate proceeds from bleacher ticket sales during Day Two’s 100m finals—potentially reaching JMD $1 million—to support hurricane-affected western schools.

ISSA President Keith Wellington emphasized the event’s broader significance: “This year’s championship will be of far greater importance than usual as the country recovers. We’re particularly happy that severely impacted schools have made sacrifices to ensure their student-athletes can participate.”

The government has reinforced its support through the Sports Development Foundation’s JMD $4.7 million in grants. Sports Minister Olivia Grange affirmed the administration’s commitment: “Government has a responsibility to support our young people and sporting bodies. Seeing nearly 3,000 athletes participating displays remarkable courage and determination.”

Amidst the intense anticipation for the 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, a singular narrative of resilience emerges from Cumberland High School. Dushawn Daley stands as the institution’s sole qualifier, carrying not just his athletic ambitions but the collective hopes of his community to the national stage in Kingston from March 24-28.

Daley’s journey to ‘Champs’ embodies a triumph over profound personal and physical challenges. Having endured the loss of both his mother and brother, the athlete has transformed his grief into competitive fuel. “I use those traumas and setbacks as motivation,” Daley revealed to the Jamaica Observer. “Most people would have just stopped but for me, I am a fighter.”

His path nearly derailed completely when a hamstring injury compromised his performance at the Central Championships. Through dedicated rehabilitation under coach Mr. Dawson at Racers Club, Daley has returned to peak condition. “I am in good nick at the moment,” he confirmed. “Right now I am mentally ready for Champs.”

The young multi-event athlete will test his skills in the 100m, 200m, and surprisingly, the javelin throw—a relatively new discipline for him. Under the tutelage of coach Morris Edwards, training has progressed exceptionally well despite the logistical challenges of commuting from Kingston to Portmore while managing his academic responsibilities.

Beyond the track, Daley demonstrates equal dedication to his studies. Currently undertaking four subjects in Grade 11, he aims to expand his curriculum to five, targeting academic scholarships to pursue interests in mechanical engineering or massage therapy. His previous achievement of a grade three in agricultural science demonstrates his scholarly capabilities.

The emotional backbone of Daley’s campaign comes from his support network. His partially blind stepfather, Kinsley Elliott, provides unwavering encouragement. “From the beginning I knew that he would be here,” Elliott shared, recalling how Daley’s natural speed manifested even in childhood. “I have a lot of confidence in him to do good at Champs. I told him to believe in God and everything will work out.”

This championship represents more than athletic competition for Daley—it symbolizes redemption, academic opportunity, and the fulfillment of a promise made to himself and those who believed in him against all odds.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a sobering assessment of his team’s Premier League title prospects, declaring their championship challenge “will be over” if they fail to secure victory against West Ham United this weekend.

The reigning champions face a potentially significant points deficit heading into Saturday’s encounter at London Stadium. Should league leaders Arsenal triumph against Everton in the day’s earlier fixture, City would commence their match trailing by a formidable 10 points, albeit with a crucial game in hand.

This critical Premier League fixture arrives just days after City’s devastating 3-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, a result that severely jeopardizes their European aspirations. Guardiola now demands an immediate response from his squad as they seek to maintain pressure on Arsenal in the domestic title race.

Reflecting on the Premier League’s competitive nature, Guardiola emphasized: “The league was the most difficult title. The Premier League always, I believe, is the most difficult one, and still we are there, knowing that if we drop points, it’ll be over.” Despite the challenges, the manager expressed appreciation for being in contention at this stage of the season, contrasting it with last campaign’s disappointing third-place finish.

The Spanish tactician, who has secured six Premier League titles during his nine-season tenure in England, acknowledged the unique pressure of the season’s final stretch: “Always I said when I arrived in the last 10 games every team plays for something — for relegation, for Europa League, for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions. So it’s normal. Now it is no second chances.”

West Ham presents a formidable challenge despite their league position. The Hammers have shown remarkable improvement under David Moyes, losing only twice in their previous eleven matches across all competitions. Their recent resurgence has lifted them to within one point of safety while simultaneously securing an FA Cup quarter-final berth, making them dangerous opponents for the title-chasing Citizens.

Jamaican athletes delivered a spectacular performance during Friday’s preliminary rounds at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships, with several competitors establishing themselves as frontrunners for national titles at the University of Arkansas’ Tyson Sports Complex.

Shenese Walker of Florida State University emerged as the standout performer, clocking a personal best and NCAA season-leading time of 7.07 seconds in the women’s 60-meter dash. The remarkable sprint not only shattered her previous Florida State program record of 7.09 seconds but positioned her as the athlete to beat in Saturday’s final.

In middle-distance events, Tyrice Taylor from the host University of Arkansas demonstrated exceptional form by topping the men’s 800-meter qualifiers with a time of 1:46.16 seconds. Taylor will be joined in the final by teammate Rivaldo Marshall, who secured the third qualifying position with 1:46.55 seconds.

The women’s sprint events featured additional Jamaican talent as University of Florida’s Gabrielle Matthews achieved a personal best of 22.71 seconds in the 200-meter qualifiers, earning the fourth-fastest time. Meanwhile, Georgia teammates Shaquena Foote and Dejanea Oakley demonstrated remarkable synchronization by both recording identical times of 51.43 seconds in the women’s 400-meter preliminaries.

Hurdles events saw mixed results for Jamaican competitors. Baylor University’s Demario Prince advanced to the next round with the seventh-best time (7.49 seconds) in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, narrowly edging out Arkansas’ Cashaun Vascianna (7.54 seconds). However, Arkansas’ Jerome Campbell missed qualification by two positions with his 10th-place finish (7.56 seconds).

In women’s hurdles, Clemson’s Oneka Wilson secured her place in the final with a time of 8.07 seconds, while Auburn’s Danae Nembhard fell just short of advancement despite a strong 8.09-second effort.

Field events featured Jordan Turner of Louisiana State University claiming sixth position in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.97 meters, though Texas A&M’s Machaeda Linton faced disappointment with fouled attempts in the women’s long jump competition.

Simultaneously, at the NCAA Division 2 championships in Virginia Beach, Tusculum University’s Lansford Cunningham represented Jamaica with a sixth-place finish in the men’s long jump, recording a distance of 7.36 meters.