分类： sports

LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool Football Club has officially confirmed that iconic forward Mohamed Salah will depart the club upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 Premier League season, marking the end of an extraordinary nine-year era at Anfield. The announcement, made through the club’s official channels on Tuesday, signals the departure of one of the most prolific scorers in the club’s storied history.

The Egyptian international, who joined the Reds from AS Roma in 2017 for what was then a club-record transfer fee, has established himself as a modern Liverpool legend. During his tenure, the 33-year-old has made 435 appearances across all competitions while netting an astonishing 255 goals – a tally that places him among the club’s all-time greats.

Club management emphasized that the decision was reached through mutual agreement between Salah and the organization. In an unusual display of transparency toward the fanbase, Salah specifically requested early disclosure of his departure plans out of profound respect for the supporters who have championed his career on Merseyside.

Salah’s legacy includes helping secure Liverpool’s first Premier League title in 30 years during the 2019-20 campaign, along with Champions League glory in 2019. His individual accolades include multiple Golden Boot awards and PFA Player of the Year honors, cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s most dominant attacking forces of the modern era.

The coming months will represent a final chapter for the Egyptian king at Anfield, with supporters anticipated to give him a fitting farewell following his immense contributions to the club’s recent renaissance.

In an unprecedented development for Jamaican scholastic sports, Hillel Academy has shattered its athletic tradition by qualifying its first competitor for the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The institution, historically celebrated for academic distinction, now enters the competitive arena through 13-year-old sprint sensation Damian Jongwe.

Jongwe embodies global citizenship—born in France, recently relocated from Bangkok, Thailand, with prior residency in Kenya and Zimbabwean heritage through his father. His arrival in Jamaica just last August marked the beginning of this remarkable athletic journey. Despite minimal prior knowledge of Jamaica’s premier track event, Jongwe recognized the nation’s formidable reputation in track and field culture, which influenced his family’s decision to settle there.

Coach Devon Grant, who concurrently heads Papine High’s track program and previously guided Mavis Bank High, has achieved what he describes as a breakthrough after unsuccessful attempts with other athletes in prior seasons. “This represents a wonderful opportunity to establish Hillel’s presence at Champs,” Grant stated, emphasizing the significance of Jongwe’s qualification for the 2026 championships.

The young athlete will contest the Class 3 Boys’ sprint double, competing in both the 100m and 200m events. While Grant maintains realistic expectations for Jongwe’s inaugural championship appearance, he projects potential advancement to the 200m finals, acknowledging the 100m presents greater challenges. More importantly, Grant identifies this milestone as catalyzing broader athletic development at Hillel, noting two additional students have already joined training sessions.

Jongwe approaches his historic participation with emotional complexity—describing himself as simultaneously nervous, excited, and prepared. “This experience pushes me to achieve my best,” he reflected. “I believe I belong alongside these competitors and anticipate this will be a foundational experience for future success.” His championship campaign commences Tuesday afternoon with the 100m heats, followed by Thursday morning’s 200m competition.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The preliminary round of the girls’ open javelin event at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships concluded Tuesday at the National Stadium, setting the stage for a highly competitive final. Defending champion Zoelle Jamel from Immaculate Conception secured her spot in the medal round with a throw of 43.24 meters, while Vere Technical’s Ramona Freemantle, another previous medalist, advanced with a distance of 39.15 meters.

In a surprising development, Holmwood Technical’s Shamanda Wilmott emerged as the top qualifier with an impressive throw of 44.65 meters, marking a significant improvement from her 17th-place finish in last year’s championships. The field of finalists also includes Edwin Allen High’s Angel Robinson and Immaculate Conception’s Dacia McDonald, both of whom competed in last year’s championship round.

Adding to the competitive lineup, the St. Jago High duo of Kris-Ann-Tai Byfield and Rihanna Anderson successfully qualified for the final, ensuring broad representation from Jamaica’s top athletic programs. The qualification results suggest an intensely competitive final as defending champions, improving athletes, and new contenders prepare to compete for the title.

In a significant homecoming appointment, Andrew Price has been named Technical Director of St George’s College, tasked with revitalizing the school’s football program. The former defensive stalwart, who anchored the team that secured the prestigious triple crown (Manning Cup, Walker Cup, and Olivier Shield) in 1983, expressed profound honor at returning to his alma mater after 42 years.

Price’s appointment follows the December 2025 resignation of long-time coach Neville Bell and comes amid a prolonged trophy drought for the ‘Knights,’ who haven’t claimed the Manning Cup since 2012. The newly appointed director brings extensive coaching credentials from Boys’ Town, Humble Lion, Calabar High, UWI Women, Mico University College, and served as assistant coach for the Reggae Girlz during their historic 2019 World Cup qualification.

In his first statements, Price emphasized creating a cultural transformation focused on developing student-athletes holistically. ‘I want to create a culture and paradigm shift where student athletes participate with pride,’ Price told journalists. ‘The main emphasis is on the students—they must work both on and off the field. I measure success through holistic player development.’

His technical mandate includes overseeing all academy teams (U-14, U-16, and U-19) while implementing a unified football philosophy centered on attacking possession play with disciplined defense. Price stressed the importance of establishing consistent playing styles across all teams and maintaining academic priorities, noting that athletes are ‘students first.’

Regarding staffing, Price expressed openness to collaborating with long-time assistant coach Marcel Gayle, who was previously considered a potential successor to Bell. ‘I am open, but it depends on if he wants to continue,’ Price stated.

The appointment signals a strategic move by St George’s College to leverage Price’s deep institutional knowledge and professional experience to restore its football legacy while developing well-rounded citizens, with professional opportunities available for the most talented graduates.

Against a backdrop of unprecedented natural disaster, western Jamaica’s athletic community demonstrates extraordinary resilience as the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships commence today at Kingston’s National Stadium. The five-day championship, known locally as ‘Champs,’ features numerous athletes from hurricane-ravaged regions who have overcome immense personal and infrastructural challenges to compete at Jamaica’s premier high school athletic event.

Coaches and athletes from western Jamaica describe their participation as miraculous given that Hurricane Melissa devastated the region just five months earlier in October 2025. The catastrophic storm ripped roofs from homes, schools, and businesses, with some communities completely flattened and isolated. In the immediate aftermath, survival took absolute priority over athletic preparation.

Despite these overwhelming obstacles, western Jamaica fields several standout contenders including Shanoya Douglas of Holland High, alongside William Knibb Memorial’s Sanjay Seymore and Jabari Matheson. Green Island High’s Head Coach and Vice-Principal Michael McIntosh characterizes the regional participation as the ultimate testament to resilience, noting that the collective effort reflects the dedication of coaches, school administrations, and students themselves.

Coaching staff acknowledge ongoing challenges, with William Knibb’s Rodrick Myles noting persistent disparities between affected and unaffected schools. Yet athletes from severely damaged institutions like Sydney Pagon High School in St. Elizabeth—which still lacks full electrical restoration—have demonstrated remarkable perseverance. Coach Kirk Beckford highlighted emerging talents Kamoya Graham, Alexia Palmer, and Annataseca Blackwood as examples of athletes whose dedication is yielding competitive results.

The athletic competition serves as both personal catharsis and regional inspiration, with coaches managing expectations while celebrating the mere presence of their athletes as victory enough. While top-five finishes may remain elusive, western Jamaica’s athletes are poised to deliver moments of brilliance throughout the championship, transforming personal adversity into athletic achievement.

MUNRO, St Elizabeth — Falmouth United secured a decisive 4-2 victory against St Bess United in a Zone B clash at Munro College this Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive triumph in the Jamaica Football Championship. This impressive performance signals a remarkable turnaround for a squad that began the season with a sluggish start, managing only a single point from their initial three matches.

The team’s offensive prowess was on full display with goals from Kayvon Donaldson, Phelan Christie, Mark Lewis, and Jordan Brown. Despite a spirited effort from the hosts, Rajay Wright and Jayquan Mitchell found the net for St Bess United but were ultimately unable to stem the tide.

In other Zone B action, the league standings continue to tighten. Humble Lion FC maintains its top position with 16 points, despite having a bye this weekend. Hot on their heels, Roaring River FC kept pressure on the leaders by securing a 2-1 win over Holland PYC. Kajaye Williams and O’Shawn Neil provided the goals for Roaring River, while a late consolation from Valentine Thompson did little to alter the outcome for Holland PYC, who suffered their fourth seasonal defeat.

Further drama unfolded as Duncans United mounted a comeback to defeat Petersfield FC 2-1. After conceding an early goal to Shamali Burley, Duncans rallied with Kamari Gordon equalizing before Kevone Jones netted a dramatic 72nd-minute winner.

Zone A witnessed its own share of excitement. Sakka Club Browns Town leads the table with 16 points, narrowly ahead of Tru-Juice FC, which squandered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw against a resilient Baptist Alliance. Meanwhile, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) climbed to third place on 13 points following a commanding 2-0 victory over WiFi United, with late goals from Devontae Francis and Tevin Cheese.

The weekend was not without disruption; the fixture between Lime Hall and Meadforest FC was abandoned after 26 minutes due to a catastrophic failure of the lighting system at Drax Hall, with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

Concluding the weekend’s fixtures, Reno FC edged STETHS Elite FA 2-1 on Sunday, powered by a two-goal performance from Lennox Wright.

The National Junior Chess Championship 2026 concluded with reigning champions FM Jaden Shaw and Amy Stephenson successfully defending their titles in a display of strategic mastery. The tournament, held from March 14 to 22, brought together 40 of the island’s most promising young chess talents across two competitive sections.

In her final appearance at the Under-20 National Junior Chess Championship, Amy Stephenson secured an impressive third consecutive female title with a remarkable score of seven victories, one draw, and a single loss. Her triumphant performance placed her ahead of WCM Kaia Gayle and Kaity Gayle, who claimed second and third positions respectively after tiebreak calculations. The top five was completed by Emilia-Rose Leake in fourth place and Victoria Aung in fifth.

The Absolute Championship witnessed FM Jaden Shaw achieving an extraordinary fourth consecutive title with an almost flawless record of eight wins and one draw. Jaden Foreshaw captured the runner-up position, while Rushawn Robinson secured third place on tiebreak ahead of WCM Gabriella Watson in fourth. CM Nathaniel Hope rounded out the elite group of top performers.

Tournament chair FM Warren Elliott praised the event’s organization and competitive spirit, noting that the Absolute section featured 24 contenders while 16 participants competed in the female category. The nine-round championship provided a rigorous testing ground for the nation’s emerging chess prodigies, demonstrating the growing strength and depth of junior chess talent on the island.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium witnessed a compelling display of athletic prowess in the Class 2 girls long jump qualifiers. Zavien Bernard of Hydel High, the event’s reigning silver medallist, immediately stamped her authority on the competition. Despite an initial setback with a fouled first attempt, Bernard responded with a commanding leap of 5.64 meters, achieved with a wind assistance of 1.3 meters per second. This mark not only secured her top position in the qualifying round but also comfortably exceeded the automatic qualifying standard of 5.55 meters.

Hot on her heels was Campion College’s Stefvanco Henry, who posted a strong jump of 5.59m with identical wind conditions, positioning herself as a formidable contender for the finals. The competition further intensified with impressive performances from Karee Tape of Edwin Allen High, who recorded a jump of 5.51m, and Rajana Price from Convent of Mercy Alpha Academy, who reached 5.47m.

Adding depth to the field of qualifiers, Malia Housen of Mt Alvernia High, celebrated for her triple gold triumph at the COCAA Western Champs, advanced with a solid jump of 5.28m. She will be joined in the next round by Ashley Barrett of Immaculate Conception and the Vere Technical duo of Xiah Tobias and Jenoya Mesquito, setting the stage for a highly competitive final.

Jamaica’s premier high school athletics event, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, commences today amidst intense anticipation and fierce competition. Defending champions Kingston College and Hydel High Girls face formidable challenges in their quest to retain titles, setting the stage for what many anticipate to be the most closely contested championship in recent history.

Kingston College pursues an extraordinary fifth consecutive victory and a record-extending 37th claim on the prestigious Mortimer Geddes trophy. However, Jamaica College emerges as a serious threat to disrupt their dominance. Similarly, Hydel High Girls’ aspiration for a third consecutive title faces determined opposition from Edwin Allen High.

Months of rigorous preparation through developmental meets have culminated in this ultimate test of athletic excellence. Kingston College, under the guidance of new Head Coach Richard Smith, exhibits unwavering confidence despite recognizing the formidable competition. Last year’s remarkable performance saw them accumulate 293 points, significantly ahead of second-place Calabar High (229.25 points) and third-place Jamaica College (207 points).

Coach Smith emphasized: “Our preparation has been focused, disciplined, and purposeful. While confidence remains high, we maintain respect for the competition. Championships are earned through execution on track and field, not theoretical calculations.”

Jamaica College’s campaign, led by Head Coach Duane Johnson, aims to overcome last year’s 86-point deficit and secure their first title since 2021. Despite recent setbacks against Kingston College at the ISSA Corporate Area Championships, Johnson expresses quiet confidence in his team’s preparedness.

“We recognize the quality of competition and understand that victory must be earned through performance,” Johnson stated. “Our athletes are physically prepared, mentally composed, and fully aware of their responsibilities within the team framework.”

The championship represents not merely athletic competition but a cultural phenomenon in Jamaican sports, showcasing emerging talent and school pride at the highest level of junior athletics.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium witnessed a stunning display of youthful sprinting talent, with Lacovia High School athletes seizing the spotlight. Nicholas Jones and Darren Francis emerged as the standout performers in their respective divisions, setting the stage for an intensely competitive week of track and field.

Nicholas Jones blazed through the Class 2 400m qualifying round with a commanding time of 48.83 seconds, establishing himself as the athlete to beat in Wednesday’s semi-finals. He outpaced a formidable field that included Calabar High’s Rajeve Allison (49.21 seconds) and Diwayne Sharpe (49.49 seconds). Additional qualifiers advancing to the next round included Rusea’s High’s Tiene Barrett (49.56 seconds), Excelsior High’s Jaeden Campbell (49.66 seconds), and Kingston College duo Jason Pitter (49.86 seconds) and Rishane Howard (49.99 seconds).

In the Class 3 category, Darren Francis demonstrated exceptional poise and speed, clocking 51.12 seconds to lead all qualifiers. He will be joined in subsequent rounds by Kingston College’s Taariq Gordon (51.34 seconds) and Jamaica College’s Tariq Creary (51.81 seconds). The qualifying group expanded to include Titchfield High’s Rhomarni Bennett (52.41 seconds), Tarrant High’s Janhard Taylor (52.42 seconds), and STETHS’s Olando Headley (52.57 seconds).

The Class 1 boys event promises to deliver spectacular drama as Titchfield High’s Nishawn Walker posted a personal best to lead qualifying. Jamaica College’s Makaelan Woods followed with 47.60 seconds, while William Knibb Memorial’s Jabari Matheson—who infamously missed last year’s final despite leading the semi-finals—recorded 47.68 seconds. Event favorite Junior Gallimore advanced comfortably with 47.77 seconds, alongside Kingston College’s Jabulani McLeod and Jordan Rehedul, plus last year’s finalist Paul Henry of Foga Road, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the week’s premier sprint event.