Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Waterhouse upset Mt Pleasant, leaders Montego Bay beat Chapelton in JPL

    Waterhouse upset Mt Pleasant, leaders Montego Bay beat Chapelton in JPL

    In a stunning Sunday showdown that reshaped the Jamaica Premier League landscape, Waterhouse FC delivered a monumental 1-0 upset against reigning Caribbean Cup champions Mount Pleasant FA at Drax Hall. The victory marked Waterhouse’s first consecutive wins this season while handing the St. Ann titans their second defeat of the campaign.

    The match’s decisive moment arrived in the 25th minute when Nerron Barrow unleashed an extraordinary looping left-footed strike from the right flank of Mount Pleasant’s 18-yard box. The ball arced magnificently into the top left corner of the net, securing Waterhouse’s first triumph over their opponents since the 2022-23 season.

    League leaders Montego Bay United fortified their position with a 2-0 victory against Chapelton Maroons at Jarrett Park, extending their advantage to seven points. Nashordo Gibbs initiated the scoring in the third minute, while Jourdain Fletcher sealed the win with his league-leading 12th goal in the 77th minute.

    In a dramatic reversal at Stadium East, Tivoli Gardens overcame defending champions Cavalier with a 2-1 comeback victory. Cavalier initially led due to an 82nd-minute own goal from goalkeeper Nathaniel Francis, but Nickalia Fuller responded immediately with a breathtaking 23-yard free kick that curled into the top corner. Substitute Dayne Ewen completed the turnaround with a close-range finish during stoppage time.

    Dunbeholden FC ended their four-game winless streak with an explosive 4-2 performance against Harbour View, who conceded four goals for the second consecutive match. Damion Binns scored twice for Dunbeholden, who established a commanding 3-0 halftime lead through additional goals from Odean Pennycooke and Fabion McCarthy.

    Other fixtures saw Racing United and Portmore United draw 1-1 in a clash between second-place contenders, while Treasure Beach and Arnett Gardens settled at 1-1. Molynes United missed a crucial opportunity to advance in the standings after being held 1-1 by bottom-placed Spanish Town Police FC.

  • Belize Hosts Tri‑Nation Youth Baseball Tournament

    Belize Hosts Tri‑Nation Youth Baseball Tournament

    Belize is poised to make sporting history this weekend as it hosts its first-ever international youth baseball championship. The Initiatory Babe Ruth National Baseball Tournament, organized by the Baseball Federation of Belize, will showcase emerging talent from three Central American nations on Saturday, January 24th.

    The tournament will commence at 9:00 AM at Sandhill Field along the Philip Goldson Highway, featuring competitive matchups between teams from Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. This groundbreaking event represents a significant milestone for baseball development in the region, marking Belize’s inaugural hosting of such an international competition.

    Sasha Eiley, Public Relations Director for the Belize Baseball Federation, emphasized the historical significance of the event. “This is a huge deal for Belize,” Eiley stated. “It’s the first time a tournament like this is being played in Belize, and it’s baseball. Many of us grew up watching Chicago baseball on television, so this brings back nostalgic memories.”

    The Belizean contingent will be represented by two domestic teams: the Young Legends, recent softball league champions transitioning to baseball, and the Black Viper squad from Saint John’s College. They will face international opponents from Mexico and Guatemala in what promises to be a display of regional baseball talent.

    Young athlete Kobe Castellanos, pitcher for the Vipers team, expressed confidence in his team’s preparation. “We could expect just good competition, good gameplay, good pitching, everything,” Castellanos remarked when questioned about the upcoming matches. The team conducted final practice sessions in anticipation of the international competition.

    Organizers position the tournament as a strategic initiative to develop youth athletic talent while providing valuable international exposure for local players. The event also aims to revitalize baseball culture in Belize, where the sport has historical roots but limited recent organized competition at this level.

  • PE teachers key to cricket development

    PE teachers key to cricket development

    Saint Lucia’s cricket development landscape has received a significant boost following the successful completion of an intensive coaching certification program. The recently concluded training initiative, organized through a collaborative effort between the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association and Cricket West Indies (CWI), has equipped over 40 physical education instructors and players from the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre with advanced coaching methodologies.

    The comprehensive hands-on sessions conducted at Mindoo Phillip Park represent a strategic implementation of CWI’s broader vision to revitalize cricket at the foundational level. Brendan Ramlal, CWI Project Officer and Coach Developer, emphasized the program’s far-reaching implications, noting that thousands of children across Saint Lucia will now benefit from improved technical instruction in cricket fundamentals.

    “This initiative forms a crucial component of Cricket West Indies’ strategic blueprint to reintegrate cricket into educational institutions and community settings,” Ramlal explained. “Our physical education teachers represent invaluable assets—they maintain direct access to student populations and possess the capacity to identify emerging talent during formative development stages.”

    The curriculum emphasized player-centered coaching approaches, prioritizing implicit enjoyment and engagement while teaching technical fundamentals. Participants gained expertise in introducing cricket basics through activities designed to maximize participation and skill acquisition for both male and female prospects.

    The timing of this training aligns strategically with Saint Lucia’s expanding youth cricket infrastructure. The upcoming national inter-district Under-13 tournament scheduled for 2025, coupled with the established Republic Bank Five For Fun program, provides immediate implementation opportunities for the newly certified coaches.

    Craig Emmanuel, Chairman of the SLCHPC Board of Directors, highlighted the complementary nature of integrating active players into developmental pathways. While acknowledging differences between foundation courses and high-performance clinics, Emmanuel stressed the importance of creating cohesive progression routes for athletes aspiring to competitive excellence.

    Through support from National Lotteries and the Ministry of Youth Development and Sport, the High Performance Centre aims to systematically strengthen Saint Lucia’s cricket pipeline by enhancing coaching resources and creating sustainable talent identification mechanisms.

  • Windies Under-19s to play Ireland in Super Sixes on January 24

    Windies Under-19s to play Ireland in Super Sixes on January 24

    The West Indies Under-19 cricket team is poised to commence their Super Six stage campaign at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 with a critical match against Ireland in Windhoek, Namibia. Scheduled for January 25 at 3:30 AM Trinidad and Tobago time, this encounter marks the first of two decisive Super Six fixtures for the Caribbean squad.

    Having secured their advancement through a impressive 55-run victory over South Africa on January 22, the West Indies finished second in their preliminary group with four points from two victories and one defeat. Their group stage performance included triumphs against Tanzania and South Africa, with their sole loss coming against Afghanistan.

    The Super Six phase features twelve qualifying teams: West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. Notably, all points, wins, and net run-rate statistics from the group matches carry forward into this decisive stage.

    Ireland’s path to the Super Six saw mixed results, with a victory against Japan offset by losses to Australia and Sri Lanka during the group phase. The West Indies must overcome the Irish challenge and deliver an exceptional performance against defending champions Australia on January 28 to secure a coveted semi-final berth.

    Historical context adds significance to the upcoming matches: the West Indies claimed the U-19 World Cup title in 2016, while Australia boasts four championships (1988, 2002, 2010, and 2024), establishing them as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

  • Umpire Ayanna McLean set for 2026 Hockey World Cup

    Umpire Ayanna McLean set for 2026 Hockey World Cup

    Trinidad and Tobago’s accomplished hockey official Ayanna McClean has earned selection as one of the premier umpires for the upcoming 2026 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World Cup. The global tournament will be hosted across Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15-30, 2026, bringing together the world’s elite hockey nations.

    The FIH unveiled its complete roster of officiating personnel on January 20 following rigorous evaluation by its technical officials and umpiring committees. These selection panels were led respectively by Sheila Brown and Peter Elders, who identified the most qualified international officials for the prestigious event.

    McClean’s appointment marks her third consecutive World Cup assignment, building upon her previous officiating roles at the 2018 London edition and the 2022 tournament jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands. Among the 52 primary officials and 10 reserve umpires named, McClean stands as one of just 32 selected field umpires who will oversee the tournament’s matches.

    The officiating contingent represents remarkable international diversity, with professionals from 22 different nations scheduled to work across the championship venues in Wavre, Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

    In recognition of her achievement, the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board issued an official commendation through social media channels on January 21. The organization highlighted McClean’s consistent excellence and professional representation of Trinidad and Tobago on the international stage, noting her demonstrated “excellence, professionalism and pride” throughout her World Cup appearances since 2018.

    The hockey board’s statement further emphasized their pride in McClean’s continued contributions to the sport’s global development, celebrating her prestigious appointment as evidence of Trinidad and Tobago’s growing influence in international hockey officiating.

  • Central Sports begin league hat-trick hunt as local cricket season bowls off

    Central Sports begin league hat-trick hunt as local cricket season bowls off

    The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Premiership I League kicks off its 2026 campaign with defending champions Central Sports beginning their pursuit of a historic third consecutive title. The opening round features Central Sports facing Prisons at Invaders Recreation Ground in Felicity on January 24.

    Central Sports enter the season with dominant momentum, having secured back-to-back championships in the two-day format competition. However, the reigning champions will commence their title defense without key contributor Kamil Pooran, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force opening batsman who has transferred to last season’s runners-up, Bess Motors Marchin Patriots. Pooran’s departure represents a significant roster change for the defending champions.

    The league’s opening fixtures present several compelling matchups: Marchin Patriots debut their new signing against Yorkshire at Cunjal Recreation Grounds, while Queen’s Park Cricket Club confront Merryboys at Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Southern teams Victoria Sport and Clarke Road clash in Barrackpore, and Preysal hosts PowerGen in another premier division contest.

    Adding innovation to the 2026 season, the TTCB has introduced a new mid-week 30-over competition scheduled to commence on February 3, providing additional competitive opportunities for participating teams across both Premiership divisions.

    The complete opening round fixture list includes matches across Premiership I and II divisions, with North and South sections of Premiership II featuring contests including QPCC II versus Police at Queen’s Park Oval, Endeavour against Cosmos at Endeavour grounds, and several other regional rivalries.

  • Jonielle Smith wins women’s 60m in Germany

    Jonielle Smith wins women’s 60m in Germany

    Jamaican track sensation Jonielle Smith continued her dominant European indoor campaign with a decisive victory in the women’s 60-meter final at Saturday’s ISTAF Indoor meet in Dusseldorf, Germany. The triumph comes just 48 hours after her impressive performance at the BAUHAUS Gala Indoor in Sweden, demonstrating remarkable consistency and recovery ability.

    Smith clocked 7.15 seconds to claim the top podium position, displaying significantly less resistance than during her previous outing against the Clayton twins. German athlete Jolina Ernst captured silver with a time of 7.30 seconds, while Switzerland’s Geraldine Di Tizio Frey secured bronze in 7.31 seconds, creating a tightly contested finish for the minor medals.

    In parallel field events, world-leading shot putter Danniel Thomas-Dodd of Jamaica experienced a rare defeat, settling for second place with a throw of 18.71 meters. The victory went to Germany’s Yemisi Ogunyele, who outperformed the favorite with a winning mark of 18.78 meters. Sweden’s Fanny Roos completed the podium with a third-place effort of 18.52 meters.

    Jamaican representation continued with Nishon Ebanks in the men’s sprint events, though he could only manage a sixth-place finish in the highly competitive 60-meter dash, crossing the line in 6.72 seconds.

  • ‘UNLUCKY’

    ‘UNLUCKY’

    Italian football insiders have come to the defense of Jamaican international Leon Bailey, characterizing his disappointing loan spell at AS Roma as a case of profound misfortune rather than a reflection of his abilities. Despite the winger’s premature return to Aston Villa after a failed stint in Serie A, prominent journalists Filippo Biafora and Annalisa Ferrante maintain that his struggles should not tarnish the reputation of Jamaican players in Italian football.

    Bailey’s Italian adventure unraveled due to persistent injury problems that plagued his time in Rome. The 28-year-old managed just eleven appearances across all competitions without scoring, though he did contribute two assists. His campaign was effectively derailed from the outset when he suffered an injury during his very first training session, sidelining him for two months according to Biafora, a reporter for Rome-based newspaper Il Tempo.

    Ferrante, a senior editor at LaRoma24 and TeleRadioStereo, provided additional context: “He often appeared peripheral to matches and found it challenging to integrate into Roma’s attacking patterns. This wasn’t a question of effort but rather difficulties adapting to the tactical system and the tempo of Serie A.”

    The situation reached its conclusion following Roma’s December defeat to Juventus, where Bailey entered as a substitute only to be withdrawn twenty minutes later due to another injury. This incident reportedly frustrated manager Gian Piero Gasperini and accelerated discussions about terminating the loan arrangement.

    Both journalists noted that while Bailey was accepted by teammates in the dressing room, he failed to win over the Roma supporters due to his inconsistent availability and performances. Biafora suggested there might have been “a lack of commitment to the daily work” required under Gasperini’s demanding training methods.

    Despite this setback being the second unsuccessful Italian stint for a Jamaican player in three years following Trivante Stewart’s brief time at Salernitana, both Italian experts believe Serie A clubs will continue to evaluate Jamaican players on individual merit rather than nationality.

    Meanwhile, Bailey has returned to Aston Villa where manager Unai Emery has immediately reintegrated him into squad considerations for their upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle, citing the player’s existing familiarity with the club.

  • Bishop Anstey, QRC get tight wins to start water polo season

    Bishop Anstey, QRC get tight wins to start water polo season

    The 2026 Republic Bank Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) National Secondary Schools Water Polo League commenced with spectacular matches at two national venues, showcasing emerging aquatic talent across multiple age divisions.

    Opening day at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva on January 17 featured nail-biting finishes in both girls’ and boys’ open categories. Bishop Anstey High School narrowly defeated Holy Name Convent 15-14 in a girls’ matchup that saw Abiah Halls deliver a spectacular fourth-quarter performance, scoring five of her six total goals to overcome an 11-8 deficit. Despite Mia Thomas’ impressive eight-goal contribution, Holy Name fell just short in the closing moments.

    The boys’ open division witnessed Queen’s Royal College withstand a late rally from St Mary’s College to secure an 18-15 victory. QRC established dominance through middle quarters, building a 17-12 advantage powered by Javier Jordan’s seven goals and Aaron Villafana’s six goals. Though St Mary’s mounted a final-quarter comeback, QRC maintained their lead for the win.

    Action shifted to Diego Martin Community Pool on January 18 for Form One competitions, where multiple schools demonstrated their developing talent. Diego Martin Central edged Bishop Anstey 8-7 despite Gia-Marie Plaza’s six-goal effort for BAHS, with Taleyah Baker’s hat-trick proving decisive.

    Diego Martin continued their strong showing with a 15-5 victory over St Mary’s in boys’ Form One play, fueled by Keston Brisaan’s remarkable nine-goal performance supplemented by Andriel Williams’ four goals. Fatima College delivered the most dominant performance of the day, overwhelming Trinity College Moka 20-5 behind Taylon Diaz’s 11-goal explosion and Bradley Alexander’s five goals.

    Additional Form One results saw Holy Name defeat Providence Girls’ Catholic School 11-4 with Ariya Bolai De Matas scoring seven goals, while St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain shut out Corpus Christi College 10-0 with Cacique Darbeau (4 goals) and Alyx Campbell (3 goals) leading the offense.

  • Cooper, Ramharack shine in third-place match at T20 Blaze … Positive end for Divas

    Cooper, Ramharack shine in third-place match at T20 Blaze … Positive end for Divas

    In a dramatic conclusion to their Women’s T20 Blaze campaign, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas clinched third place with a hard-fought seven-run victory against Guyana on January 23 in St Vincent. The match showcased exceptional bowling performances and strategic gameplay that kept spectators on edge until the final delivery.

    Batting first, TT posted a competitive 104/7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks primarily to Britney Cooper’s impressive 46-run contribution. Supporting acts came from Djenaba Joseph (15) and Karishma Ramharack (13), who helped build a defendable total against Guyana’s bowling attack led by Ashmini Munisar’s dominant 4/15 spell.

    Guyana’s chase began promisingly but faltered against TT’s spin-dominated counterattack. Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack emerged as the bowling protagonist with remarkable figures of 3/13, receiving substantial support from Lee-Ann Kirby (2/10), Shalini Samaroo (2/16), and veteran spinner Anisa Mohammed (2/17). Despite Shabika Gajnabi’s resilient 32-run effort, Guyana fell short at 97 all out in 19.4 overs.

    In the day’s other fixture, Jamaica concluded their tournament in fifth position with a commanding ten-wicket triumph over Windward Islands Women. Jamaica’s bowlers restricted Windwards to 62/9 in 20 overs before achieving the target in just 3.4 overs without losing a wicket, demonstrating complete dominance in their final appearance.