分类： sports

Jamaica’s athletics future appears exceptionally bright following the conclusion of the Carifta Games Trials, an event hailed as ‘superb’ by Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle. The trials, held at the National Stadium, produced several world-leading performances that suggest Jamaica will maintain its decades-long dominance at the upcoming regional championships in Grenada.

Gayle expressed particular pride in the country’s coaching system, stating, ‘Our coaches continue to excel and demonstrate they rank among the world’s finest. The JAAA is profoundly grateful for their dedication in preparing these exceptional athletes.’

The standout performance came from 18-year-old Shanoya Douglas of Holland High, who delivered eye-opening sprints in both the Under-20 Girls’ 100m and 200m events. Her 100m time of 11.06 seconds currently leads the global senior rankings, while her 200m clocking of 22.58 seconds ranks fifth worldwide among seniors and first in her age category.

Equally impressive were the male sprinters, with Excelsior High’s Requilme Reid clocking 10.16 seconds in the Under-20 Boys’ 100m, placing him second globally in his age group behind Australia’s Gout Gout (10.00). Sanjay Seymore followed closely with a personal best of 10.20 seconds before claiming victory in the 200m.

Field events demonstrated equal excellence, with Jamaica College’s Michael-Andre Edwards achieving a double victory in the long jump (7.36m) and triple jump (15.78m). His triple jump performance places him joint-ninth globally, though his season’s best of 15.86m (achieved February 21) ranks sixth worldwide.

The technical events also shone brightly, exemplified by St. Jago High’s Ramario Jibbison and Marquies Page securing a one-two finish in the Under-20 Boys’ 110m hurdles with times of 13.37 and 13.60 seconds respectively.

With such comprehensive success across track and field events, Jamaica anticipates extending its remarkable streak as Carifta Games medal table leaders—a position maintained every year since 1985, interrupted only five times throughout the championship’s 52-year history. The team now looks to surpass last year’s haul of 78 medals (30 gold, 27 silver, 21 bronze) at the Grenada championships.

A significant visa controversy has emerged just ahead of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Jamaican club Mount Pleasant FA and MLS side LA Galaxy. The Caribbean team arrived in Los Angeles with a severely weakened squad after ten players, including seven Haitian nationals, were denied entry to the United States due to immigration restrictions.

The situation stems from President Donald Trump’s immigration policies that include blanket bans on entry from 19 countries, Haiti among them. This development has sparked concerns about potential impacts on international sporting events, including the upcoming World Cup.

CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, issued a statement indicating that Mount Pleasant FA had sufficient time to complete visa applications following December 2025’s official draw. The organization emphasized that participating clubs are responsible for submitting visa applications within required timeframes and may register up to 35 players according to competition regulations.

Despite the roster challenges, CONCACAF confirmed the match would proceed as scheduled on Wednesday. Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore addressed the situation at a pre-match press conference, acknowledging the significance of having a complete squad while expressing confidence in his available players’ determination to overcome the adversity and focus on the competition.

The incident highlights the complex intersection of international sports and immigration policy, raising questions about how geopolitical factors might affect future international tournaments and athlete participation.

Veteran trainer Adrian Prince maintained his impressive winning streak in the 2026 racing season as his 11-year-old bay gelding, Storm, delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, March 7th. The seasoned racehorse captured Prince’s fifth victory of the year in a display of tactical excellence and determination.

The competition featured an Optional Claiming event ($700,000-$600,000) for three-year-olds and upward, encompassing native-bred five-year-olds alongside imported six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four), plus imported five-year-olds (non-winners of three). The challenging 7½ furlong (1,500m) course tested both speed and stamina.

Guided by two-time defending champion jockey Raddesh Roman, Storm dominated the field with a decisive 2¼ length margin. The victory saw him outpace rivals The Soul Warrior (ridden by Tajay Suckoo) and Tigeramedat (piloted by Demar Williams), clocking an impressive final time of 1:37.1 (24.1 x 47.4 x 1:15.1 x 1:29.4).

Storm demonstrated perfect racing strategy from the starting gates, immediately securing second position behind early leader Uncle Peck (Dane Dawkins) after passing the seven-furlong marker. Maintaining a consistent pace down the backstretch, jockey Roman made his decisive move approaching the half-mile (800m) mark, urging Storm to overtake the frontrunner.

The far-striding gelding established a comfortable lead navigating the final turn, only to face a serious challenge from The Soul Warrior upon entering the final two furlongs (400m). In a remarkable display of veteran experience and competitive spirit, Storm found another gear when challenged, powerfully extending his advantage to claim victory.

Bred by Natural Selection and sired by Alisios out of the mare All for Pleasure, Storm has now accumulated 17 career victories from 62 starts, cementing his status as a remarkably consistent performer despite his advanced racing age.

SUPREME Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has unveiled a transformative overhaul of the qualification protocol for the Caribbean’s premier horse racing event, the Mouttet Mile Invitational. The 2026 edition will abandon the straightforward ‘Win and You’re In’ format in favor of a sophisticated, season-long points-based structure.

This strategic pivot is engineered to cultivate a more dynamic and meritocratic pathway to the coveted starting gates at Caymanas Park. The newly instituted system aims to incentivize sustained excellence across the entire racing season rather than rewarding a single peak performance. SVREL’s executive leadership asserts that this evolution will amplify competitive intensity, acknowledge consistent high-caliber performance, and sustain spectator engagement throughout the qualification cycle.

The previous ‘Win and You’re In’ mechanism, operational since the event’s second iteration in 2023, granted immediate entry to winners of designated lead-up races. While effective in elevating those specific contests, SVREL concluded that a broader evaluative framework would more accurately represent the comprehensive talent pool within the region’s thoroughbred circuit.

A specially appointed committee has been tasked with architecting the nuanced points matrix. The panel brings together diverse expertise from SVREL’s executive leadership, including Chairman Solomon Sharpe, Racing Secretary Denzil Miller, and Brand Optimisation Manager Arielle Beckles. Further perspective is provided by seasoned racing journalists and analysts Ian Burnett and Ainsley Walters, ensuring the system balances commercial objectives with sporting integrity.

Solomon Sharpe emphasized the event’s stature, stating, ‘As the pinnacle of racing in the English-speaking Caribbean, our mission is to perpetually enhance the Mouttet Mile’s prestige and competitiveness. This revised qualification strategy will rigorously identify the most deserving contenders while maintaining fan investment from the season’s commencement. We anticipate enthusiastic endorsement from all stakeholders within the racing community.’

The complete details of the points allocation methodology and the designated qualifying races will be formally disclosed at the Mouttet Mile Press Launch on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrated a significant milestone for her Pocket Rocket Foundation as she announced the selection of 13 players and two coaches to represent Jamaica in an upcoming international football tournament in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The announcement followed the foundation’s tenth annual Six-A-Side football competition, where Legend emerged victorious over Melody Mixers with a 2-1 scoreline in the championship match at Red Stripe Oval.

The Jamaican sprint legend expressed profound satisfaction in creating opportunities for youth development through sports. “These are the moments we dream of – providing exposure and visibility for these young athletes,” Fraser-Pryce stated during the presentation ceremony. The tournament specifically targets communities along the Spanish Town Road industrial corridor in St Andrew, including Waterhouse, the neighborhood where Fraser-Pryce herself developed into a world-class athlete.

A decade of corporate sponsorship has been instrumental in the foundation’s success. Fraser-Pryce extended gratitude to title sponsor Rymax Lubricants, Main Event Entertainment Group, Sanmerna Paper Products, and several other supporting organizations. “For ten years, these sponsors have contributed to developing these young men. Their social responsibility initiatives make this possible,” she emphasized, highlighting the program’s role in steering youth away from crime and violence through structured sports engagement.

Solomon Sharpe, CEO of Main Event Group and former footballer, reinforced his commitment to the foundation’s mission. Having previously worked with Red Stripe, Sharpe maintains deep connections to the community development goals. Additional support comes from major brands including Gatorade, Tank-Weld, Digicel, Nike, GraceKennedy, KFC through Restaurants of Jamaica, and Fesgas.

Tournament standout Jahiem Dorman from Legend FC secured top scorer honors with nine goals, earning him one of five spots on the All-Star team from his championship squad. The selection ceremony received celebrity endorsement from dancehall icon Beenie Man, who delivered a spontaneous performance in celebration.

The international invitation came from former St Vincent and the Grenadines national player Renson Haynes, who praised Fraser-Pryce’s immediate positive response to the tournament proposal. Haynes humorously noted, “We can’t wait to host you but we can’t let you beat us,” acknowledging the competitive spirit awaiting the Jamaican contingent during their April 8-13 visit, which will feature two competitive matches.

In a dramatic Monday night fixture at Drewsland Stadium, Waterhouse FC secured a remarkable 1-0 victory against Jamaica Premier League frontrunners Montego Bay United, achieving this critical win despite being reduced to ten men for nearly half the match. The match’s sole goal materialized in the 37th minute when Neron Barrow calmly converted a penalty kick, cementing his team’s hard-fought triumph.

The game’s dynamics shifted drastically in the 53rd minute following the dismissal of Waterhouse’s Kvist Paul, who received a red card. Despite this significant disadvantage, Waterhouse’s defense demonstrated exceptional resilience, successfully containing Montego Bay’s attacks to preserve their narrow lead and extend their impressive unbeaten streak to eight consecutive matches.

This victory represents Waterhouse’s second defeat of Montego Bay this season, having previously edged them out at Jarrett Park in late December. The result propels Waterhouse into fifth place in the league standings with 40 points, surpassing defending champions Cavalier SC. Meanwhile, Montego Bay United experiences their third consecutive winless game, yet maintains their top position with 51 points.

In related league action, Racing United delivered a commanding 3-0 performance against Harbour View in a match marred by disciplinary issues. Giovanni Cunningham opened the scoring in the 28th minute, followed by Tajay Grant’s 53rd-minute goal. Dean Andre Thomas sealed the victory with an 80th-minute strike. The physical encounter saw three ejections total, with both teams finishing with reduced squads.

Jamaican athletics has announced its 32-member national team roster for the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships scheduled for March 20-22 in Poland. The selection features a compelling blend of established international competitors and emerging domestic talent, headlined by 18-year-old prodigy Shanoya Douglas from Holland High School.

Douglas secured her position following extraordinary performances at the recent Carifta Trials held at Kingston’s National Stadium. The teenage sprinter achieved a personal best and world-leading Under-20 time of 11.06 seconds (with 1.5m/s wind assistance) in the 100-meter dash on Friday, followed by a dominant 22.58-second finish (1.7m/s wind) in the Under-20 200-meter event on Sunday. Her selection marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first high school female athlete named to Jamaica’s World Indoor Championships team since 2003, when Holmwood Technical’s Sheryl Morgan and Anniesha McLaughlin earned similar honors for the Birmingham competition. Douglas has been included in the women’s 4×400-meter relay pool.

The Jamaican selection committee also incorporated five athletes currently competing within the United States collegiate system. The team features several medal contenders including Ackeem Blake (bronze medalist in men’s 60m) and Carey McLeod (bronze in men’s long jump) from the 2024 Glasgow competition, alongside Jordan Scott, who reached the men’s triple jump finals at last year’s championships in Nanjing, China.

The complete squad showcases Jamaica’s depth across multiple disciplines:

Women’s Team: Jonielle Smith, Briana Lyston, and Tina Clayton (reserve) in 60m; Megan Simmonds-Tapper and Oneka Wilson in 60m hurdles; Nickisha Pryce in 400m; Natoya Goule-Toppin and Kelly Ann Beckford in 800m; Lamara Distin in high jump; Nia Robinson in long jump; Shantae Foreman in triple jump; and the 4x400m relay pool featuring Pryce, Shana Kaye Anderson, Leah Anderson, Beckford, Goule-Toppin, and Douglas.

Men’s Team: Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, Bryan Levell, and Kadrian Goldson (reserve) in 60m; Demario Prince, Jerome Campbell, and Vashaun Vascianna (reserve) in 60m hurdles; Delano Kennedy and Reheem Hayles in 400m; Navasky Anderson and Rivaldo Marshall in 800m; Carey McLeod, Tajay Gayle, and Jordan Turner (reserve) in long jump; Jordan Scott in triple jump; and the 4x400m relay team comprising Kennedy, Hayles, Kimar Farquharson, Tyrice Taylor, Marshall, and Demar Francis.

LONDON, United Kingdom — West Ham United secured a dramatic passage into the FA Cup quarter-finals following a tense 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday. The match concluded 2-2 after extra time, with the decisive moment arriving when Brentford’s Dango Ouattara failed spectacularly with a chipped ‘Panenka’ penalty that landed directly into the arms of West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The encounter was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring two lead changes during regular play. Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring for the Hammers in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a headed assist from Tomáš Souček. Brentford’s response came just nine minutes later through an equalizer from Igor Thiago. Bowen then restored West Ham’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after a lengthy VAR review overturned an initial non-call. However, Thiago struck again for Brentford from another penalty in the 81st minute, forcing the game into extra time.

The subsequent penalty shootout saw flawless execution from West Ham’s takers: Jarrod Bowen, Valentín Castellanos, Callum Wilson, Tomáš Souček, and Konstantinos Mavropanos all converted their attempts. Ouattara’s critical miss for Brentford proved the difference, handing the initiative to the hosts.

This victory marks a significant milestone for West Ham, representing their first appearance in the FA Cup’s last eight in a decade. The result offers a bright spot in an otherwise challenging Premier League season, where the club currently sits in the relegation zone. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo praised the team’s resilience and the unwavering support from fans, stating, ‘The fans deserve this moment of joy for the way they support the team through bad times.’

For Brentford, who sit seventh in the league, the defeat was a missed opportunity to reach their first quarter-final since 1989. Manager Keith Andrews defended Ouattara, emphasizing support for the player despite the costly error: ‘When you miss a penalty it is a tough moment… He practises that technique a lot and will have the utmost support from me.’

West Ham now prepares to host Leeds United in April for a chance to advance to the semi-finals at Wembley.