A dramatic shift occurred at the summit of the Barbados Football Association’s Division One competition following the conclusion of the fifth round of fixtures. Empire FC catapulted to the number one position after delivering a commanding 6-1 demolition of Fitts Village at their Bank Hall home ground. This offensive masterclass proved sufficient to unseat previous leaders Technique FC, who themselves registered a victory with a 2-1 triumph over Barbados Soccer Academy. The evening also saw Pro Shottas solidify their standing within the top three by securing a 2-0 win against Greens FC. In the remaining fixture of the round, Deacons and White Hall FC concluded a tightly contested match with a 1-1 draw. The table now shows Empire and Technique locked on an identical 12 points, with Empire’s superior goal difference breaking the tie. A significant strategic advantage remains with both Technique and third-placed Pro Shottas, who have accrued 10 points, as each holds a game in hand over the new leaders, setting the stage for a compelling title race.
分类： sports
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Abinader inaugurates sports complex and launches Women’s Games 2026
SANTO DOMINGO – President Luis Abinader has officially opened a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary sports complex in Ciudad Juan Bosch, marking a significant infrastructure milestone for the growing community. The inauguration ceremony also served as the launch platform for the revived Women’s Games 2026, an event returning after a ten-year hiatus.
The expansive facility, representing a government investment exceeding RD$517 million, is engineered to promote athletic inclusion and community development. It features specialized courts for basketball, volleyball, and futsal, a dedicated boxing gym, gymnastics apparatus, a minor league baseball stadium with a seating capacity for more than 1,000 spectators, designated exercise zones, and extensive green areas.
President Abinader contextualized the project within a broader urban development strategy, noting that the residential population in Ciudad Juan Bosch has tripled from 5,000 families in 2020 to approximately 15,000 today. He emphasized that such infrastructure is pivotal for enhancing the quality of life and providing constructive outlets for the youth.
The relaunch of the Women’s Games was a central theme, with government officials heralding it as a crucial initiative for gender equality in sports. Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz announced plans to institutionalize the games as an annual event. Gloria Reyes, Minister of Women’s Affairs, articulated the broader societal impact, stating that sports participation is a proven mechanism for fostering personal well-being, building self-esteem, and preventing violence.
This year’s games will see participation from approximately 680 athletes competing across various disciplines, with the inclusion of international delegations set to elevate the competitive standard. The organizing committee is chaired by Olympic gold medalist Marileidy Paulino. In a tribute to longstanding social advocacy, the 2026 edition is dedicated to Melba Segura de Grullón in recognition of her profound contributions to national social development.
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McIntyre, Simmons set track ablaze at BSSAC
The opening day of the Frank Blackman and Sada Williams Zone at the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championships (BSSAC) was electrified by historic performances from two CARIFTA Games-bound athletes. Laila McIntyre and Ashlyn Simmons each shattered long-standing records in their respective middle-distance events, signaling their formidable form ahead of regional competition.
In the Under-17 girls’ 1500m, first-year competitor Laila McIntyre executed a dominant race strategy, establishing an early lead with a pace that proved insurmountable for her rivals. She surged across the finish line to clock an unprecedented 4:45.15, eclipsing the previous BSSAC record of 4:45.68 set by Janelle Inniss back in 1994—a mark that had stood unchallenged for 32 years. Inniss, a Parkinson Memorial alumna, had capitalized on her 1994 victory to claim CARIFTA gold in both the 800m and 1500m events that same year.
Following her record-shattering run, an elated McIntyre shared her exhilaration with media, noting her personal best had been approximately 15 seconds slower entering the competition. The multi-talented athlete, who has also medaled in CARIFTA triathlon and swimming, expressed particular pride in achieving this goal a year ahead of schedule. This triumph serves as a significant confidence booster as she prepares for her specialty event, the 3000m. McIntyre is poised to make her CARIFTA Games debut this year, representing Barbados alongside her brother, Luke McIntyre, in both the 1500m and 3000m distances.
Not to be outdone, Ashlyn Simmons delivered a spectacular performance in the Under-20 girls’ 1500m. The experienced competitor demolished the previous record of 4:46.73, established by Sonia Gaskin in 2012, by posting an extraordinary time of 4:40.66. Simmons, who is concluding her final year in the division, revealed her determined mindset going into the race: to run each lap aggressively, accelerate on the final circuit, and finish with maximum power.
The accomplished athlete described the satisfaction of leaving her mark on BSSAC history during her final appearance. As a three-time CARIFTA medalist—including gold in the Under-17 1500m and silver in the 800m in 2023, plus bronze in the Under-20 4x400m relay last year—Simmons now sets her sights on achieving new personal bests and adding to her medal collection in the upcoming regional games.
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![U-17 WC Morocco 2026 Qualifications : Our Grenadières humiliated by the United States [0-9] (video)](https://wp.caribscopeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/647e1b4c401566e1d67346a3a977009f.jpg)
U-17 WC Morocco 2026 Qualifications : Our Grenadières humiliated by the United States [0-9] (video)
In a stunning display of football dominance, the United States U-17 Women’s National Team delivered a devastating 9-0 victory against Haiti during the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The match, played on March 19, 2026, at the Costa Rican Football Federation Stadium, showcased the overwhelming gap between the two squads as the Americans systematically dismantled their Caribbean opponents.
The match began ominously for Haiti when defender Kaylee Mallebranche scored an own goal in the 5th minute, setting the tone for what would become a relentless American offensive. The US team’s attacking prowess was on full display as Giselle Aguilar recorded a remarkable hat-trick (25′, 45+1′, 52′), while teammates Grace Murra, Mak Whitham, Loradana Paletta, and Deus Stanislaus (who scored twice) completed the scoring rout. Jordyn Heathcock provided multiple assists, demonstrating exceptional playmaking ability throughout the match.
Haitian coach Marc-Ogil Frenoy Baptiste attempted to shift momentum with strategic substitutions, including bringing in Krystel Châtelain for Mallebranche in the 17th minute and Samira Ductan for Laetitia Decombe at halftime. However, these changes proved insufficient against the American onslaught.
The result leaves Haiti at the bottom of Group B with zero points from two matches, having conceded 12 goals while scoring only one. The United States and Puerto Rico lead the group with perfect records, though the Americans boast a staggering +28 goal difference. Haiti’s final opportunity for redemption comes against Bermuda on March 22, though World Cup qualification is now mathematically impossible.
This performance underscores the developmental challenges facing Caribbean football programs against well-established soccer nations like the United States, which continues to demonstrate its depth of talent in women’s youth football.
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Goddard-McCarthy selected by IOC to cover Youth Olympics
Nathan Goddard-McCarthy, a 23-year-old sports journalist from Barbados, has achieved international recognition by securing a coveted spot in the International Olympic Committee’s Young Reporters Programme. He stands among only 15 young media professionals globally chosen for this prestigious initiative from an initial pool of 271 applicants aged 18-24 worldwide.
The programme will see Goddard-McCarthy covering the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled from October 31 to November 13. His selection marks a significant milestone as he becomes the sole Caribbean representative in this year’s cohort, particularly notable given Barbados’ population of approximately 280,000 people.
Goddard-McCarthy, a former athlete and Combermere School alumnus, has built a substantial following through his digital platform ‘Natesportstalk’ on Instagram. What began as a spontaneous passion project during a beach outing with his camera has evolved into a respected hub for Caribbean sports journalism, particularly focused on track and field coverage.
The application process required candidates to submit comprehensive portfolios including written articles, photography, and videography samples, along with essays detailing their career aspirations and vision for impacting the media landscape. The programme offers specialized training in photography, broadcasting, and journalism techniques.
Reflecting on his achievement, Goddard-McCarthy described the moment as “surreal,” emphasizing the honor of representing both Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. His primary objective for the Dakar Olympics involves showcasing Caribbean athletic talent and demonstrating that smaller nations can achieve global sporting prominence.
The young journalist follows in the footsteps of fellow Barbadian Anmar Goodridge-Boyce, who participated in the same programme in 2018. Goddard-McCarthy attributes his success to resilience and patience, having pursued Sports Education at the University of the West Indies while exploring various sports-related disciplines before finding his calling in sports media.
Looking beyond the Olympics, Goddard-McCarthy plans to expand into podcast production, aiming to document stories of Barbadian athletes both past and present. He acknowledges the support of his family, girlfriend, and mentors Terry Finisterre and Taahir Bulbulia, along with his growing audience who have supported his digital journey.
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Dominica bets on Thea LaFond-Gadson for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026
The small Caribbean nation of Dominica will be represented by its most decorated athlete at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, with Olympic and World Indoor champion Thea LaFond-Gadson leading the charge in the triple jump competition.
Scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 2:38 PM local time, LaFond-Gadson’s participation marks a significant moment for Dominican athletics as she faces elite global competitors in one of track and field’s most prestigious indoor events. The championship, organized by World Athletics, brings together over 150 nations for what promises to be a showcase of world-class athletic excellence.
In preparation for the competition, LaFond-Gadson expressed both confidence and gratitude: ‘I’m coming into this part of the season feeling powerful and eager to bring back some hardware for Team Dominica! Most importantly, I’m grateful to be feeling healthy and pain free.’
The Dominica Athletics Association emphasized the importance of this event for the nation’s international sporting presence, noting that officials and supporters across the island will be rallying behind their star athlete as she continues to elevate Dominica’s profile on the global athletics stage. The association’s statement highlighted how LaFond-Gadson’s continued success represents growing opportunities for Caribbean nations to compete at the highest levels of international sport.
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First track titles decided at Island Champs
The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground erupted in excitement on Wednesday, March 18th, as the 2026 Island Champs commenced with a spectacular display of youthful athletic prowess. The event witnessed the crowning of its first champions in a series of gripping middle-distance finals, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend of sprint showdowns.
Neah Mortley of Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS) seized the spotlight in the Under-14 girls’ 1000m, delivering a strategic performance to clinch gold with a time of 3:37.8, narrowly outpacing Hailey Charles from Vieux Fort Comprehensive. Not to be outdone, Aiden Biscette of the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) dominated the boys’ 1200m, securing victory in 4:01.6 ahead of Railey Thomas of Corinth Secondary.
The 1500m events proved equally thrilling across multiple divisions. St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) celebrated a double victory as Aniyah George triumphed in the Under-16 category (5:46.8) and Leneese Robinson claimed the Under-18 title (6:00.2). McKayla Olivier of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) topped the Under-20 women’s podium with a 5:54.6 finish. In boys’ competition, Jaelen McDonald of St. Mary’s College (SMC) won the Under-16 race in 4:53.7, while Soufriere Comprehensive’s undefeated sensation Chaz Alexander blazed through his division with an impressive 4:40.4. SALCC’s Omarion Edwin rounded out the distance events by capturing the Under-20 boys’ crown in 4:44.6.
With middle-distance finals concluded, attention now turns to Sunday’s highly anticipated sprint finals following compelling semifinal performances. An epic Under-18 girls’ 100m confrontation is brewing between Barbara-Marie Maximin of Beanefield Comprehensive (12.4s) and SJC’s Destinee Cenac. Micoud Secondary’s Mylee Chaddie emerged as the athlete to beat in Under-16 girls, posting leading times in both the 100m (12.5s) and 200m (26.8s).
Boys’ sprint events promise equal excitement. Jermario Actille of Beanefield won his heats in the Under-18 100m and 200m, though Curtis Auguste of Anse Ger TVET Institute posted the overall fastest times (10.8s and 22.7s). The Under-16 division features a quartet of contenders—Renard Bernard, Randall Monroe, Armani Phillips, and Leonel Mathurin—who dominated their respective events. Monroe particularly impressed by adding top 400m (52.8s) and 200m (23.50s) times to his previously won long jump and high jump titles.
Defending team champions St. Mary’s College (boys) and St. Joseph’s Convent (girls) enter Sunday’s finals positioned strongly, though they face formidable challenges from Vieux Fort Comprehensive, Soufriere Comprehensive, and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy in what promises to be a climactic conclusion to the championship meet.
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Rogers, Actille hit CARIFTA marks
Despite challenging weather conditions characterized by relentless rain and powerful gusts, Saint Lucia’s premier young athletes demonstrated exceptional resilience during the National Junior Championships and CARIFTA Trials hosted by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association last weekend. The event, serving as the critical qualifying platform for the upcoming regional track and field championships in Grenada during Easter weekend, witnessed numerous athletes achieving remarkable performances.
Syesha Rogers of Morne Stars Athletics Club emerged as a standout performer in the Under-20 girls’ long jump category. Battling against swirling winds that disrupted many attempts, Rogers fouled what appeared to be a massive jump before registering two exceptional legal jumps of 5.75m and 5.70m. These distances not only represented personal career milestones but also secured her qualification for the CARIFTA Games alongside teammate Destinee Cenac, both meeting the rigorous standards set by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association.
In the Under-17 boys’ division, Jermario Actille demonstrated his sprinting prowess in the 100m events. The Beanefield Comprehensive student, competing unattached, posted impressive times throughout the competition rounds. He clocked 10.96 seconds in Heat 4 with a 2.7 m/s tailwind, followed by 11.02 seconds in the semifinals with a 1.4 m/s tailwind, and culminated his performance with a blistering 10.69 seconds in the final, though significantly aided by a substantial 5.7 m/s tailwind.
Additional notable qualifications included Barbara-Marie Maximin of Abilene, who once again met the CARIFTA standard in the Under-17 girls’ long jump with a winning leap of 5.39m, surpassing her closest competitor by nearly a full meter.
The championships showcased depth across multiple age categories and disciplines. Joshua Matthews of Sprint Tech dominated the Under-17 boys’ track with victories in both the 200m (22.98s) and 400m (53.1s). Distance events saw Chaz Alexander of Soufriere claim top honors in the 800m (2:09.96) and 1500m (4:32.80), while Jemal Cadette maintained Sulphur City’s presence in the 3000m (11:13.68). Field events witnessed Aj Joseph (Sprint Tech) leading the long jump (5.74m) and Carrick Edward (Morne Stars) excelling in triple jump (11.30m).
Under-20 competition featured Ryan Simeon of Nightriders achieving fast times in the 200m (21.47s) and 100m (10.66s), though both performances were wind-assisted. Joaqwan Alexander (Soufriere) impressed in the 400m with 48.79s, while Darvin Forde (Sprint Tech) demonstrated versatility with wins in both long jump (6.69m) and triple jump (13.97m).
The women’s categories produced equally impressive results. Destinee Cenac (Morne Stars) secured the Under-17 girls’ 100m title in 12.27s, while Shaimaelle Durand (Pacesetters) took second before claiming victory in the 200m (25.90s). Sierratina Hilaire (Morne Stars) won the Under-20 girls’ 100m in 12.21s, and Nyella Cox (Survivors) dominated the 200m with 25.3s.
Juvenile athletes also showcased their emerging talents, with Danielle Alphonse (Pacesetters) winning the Under-14 girls’ 50m in 20.54s and Hadassah Jules (Soufriere) claiming the 300m in 46.22s. The mixed relay events concluded the competition, with Sprint Tech winning the 4x100m (55.27s) and Morne Stars capturing the 4x300m (3:14.88s).
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Three Jamaican men advance to 60m semis at World Indoors
The World Athletics Indoor Championships commenced with electrifying speed on Friday at Poland’s Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Toruń, where Jamaica’s sprint contingent delivered a commanding performance in the men’s 60-meter dash. All three Jamaican entrants successfully secured their places in the semi-finals following impressive victories in their preliminary heats.
Bryan Levell, Kishane Thompson, and Ackeem Blake—the latter being the reigning World Indoor Tour series champion—each demonstrated exceptional form by winning their respective races. Their advancement sets the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final round scheduled for the same evening’s session.
Levell posted a blistering time of 6.53 seconds, tying with Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten for the third-fastest time overall in the qualifying rounds. Thompson followed closely with a strong run of 6.56 seconds. Blake, the bronze medalist from the 2022 championships in Glasgow, secured his progression with a time of 6.59 seconds, edging out a narrow victory over Claude Itoungue Bogognie of Cameroon in a tightly contested heat.
The overall qualifying leader was American sprinter Trevon Bromell, who topped the timesheets with a swift 6.52 seconds, positioning himself as a formidable contender as the competition progresses.
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Distin finishes10th in women’s high jump at World Indoors
Jamaican high jumper Lamara Distin concluded her inaugural appearance at the World Athletics Indoor Championships with a tenth-place finish in the women’s high jump event. The competition commenced on Friday morning at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Toruń, Poland.
Distin, who entered the championships with a season’s best mark of 1.96 meters, faced an unexpected challenge. She successfully cleared the initial height of 1.85m but was unable to advance beyond the subsequent bar set at 1.93m, resulting in her elimination from the contest.
The athlete, a distinguished three-time NCAA champion during her tenure at Texas A&M University, was making her debut at the World Indoor Championships. This appearance follows her previous experience as a finalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Budapest.
A unique format of the indoor championships dictates that all field events proceed directly to finals, eliminating preliminary rounds and placing immediate pressure on athletes to perform at their peak from the first attempt.