分类： sports

Steve McClaren, the former England manager, has stepped down as head coach of Jamaica’s national football team following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Curaçao, which dashed their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, held in Kingston on November 18, saw Curaçao secure the top spot in Group B of the Concacaf zone, marking their historic first-ever World Cup qualification as the smallest nation by population to achieve this feat. Panama and Haiti also advanced from the Concacaf region. Despite finishing second in their group, Jamaica still has a chance to qualify through the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March in Mexico, where they will compete against teams from Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. McClaren announced his resignation immediately after the match, stating that his decision was “in the best interests of the team.” Reflecting on his 18-month tenure, he described leading the “Reggae Boyz” as one of the greatest honors of his career. McClaren, who previously served as an assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, emphasized the need for a fresh perspective to propel the team forward. The 64-year-old coach has a storied career, having managed clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Newcastle, QPR, Wolfsburg, and Twente Enschede.

Veteran Barbadian fast bowler Kemar Roach has been reinstated into the West Indies squad for their upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, scheduled from December 1 to 21. The 15-member team, announced by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on November 20, also includes uncapped Jamaican pacer Ojay Shields, who has 34 wickets from 16 First-Class matches. The squad faces challenges with the absence of injured fast bowlers Alzarri and Shamar Joseph, who are sidelined for the remainder of the year due to injuries sustained earlier in 2025. Roach, 37, with 284 wickets in 85 Tests, last played for the Windies in January during their tour of Pakistan. The team also welcomes back middle-order batsman Kavem Hodge, 32, who returns based on his previous success against pace bowling. Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre has been omitted, as spin is not expected to play a significant role in the series. The squad features vice-captain Jomel Warrican as the lone specialist spinner, with skipper Roston Chase providing additional off-spin options. Other notable players include white-ball captain Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, and opening batsmen John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul. CWI’s director of cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the team’s rigorous preparation to tackle New Zealand’s challenging conditions, including a high-performance camp in Antigua designed to simulate pace-friendly surfaces. The West Indies are currently trailing 2-0 in the One-day International series against New Zealand, with the final match set for November 21. The team will play a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch from November 25-26 before the first Test begins on December 1.

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team captain, Kevin Molino, has officially concluded his international career after a 2-2 draw against Bermuda in their final FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier on November 18. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Port of Spain, marked the end of a remarkable journey for the 35-year-old playmaker, affectionately known as ‘Nash.’ Molino, who initially retired from international football in September 2023, made a brief return last October to participate in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite the team’s inability to secure a victory in his farewell match, Molino expressed profound gratitude for his 15-plus years representing Trinidad and Tobago. Over his career, he earned over 70 caps and scored 27 goals, leaving an indelible mark on the national team. Molino and veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, 41, were honored by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs for their contributions. In a heartfelt social media post, Molino thanked his teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support, stating, ‘Playing for TT has been one of my greatest blessings – an honor and privilege that I will forever be proud of.’ Molino’s career highlights include two appearances at youth World Cups and a pivotal role in leading the Defence Force team to the TT Premier Football League title in the 2024/25 season. As he closes this chapter, Molino reflected on the highs, lows, and lessons of his journey, expressing pride in representing his country with ‘heart, respect, and fire.’

Former national cyclist Ian Atherly is set to reignite the thrill of night cycling at Skinner Park in San Fernando with the upcoming Ian Atherly Cycling Meet on November 30. This event, originally scheduled for September 7 as part of Ian Atherly Day, has been rescheduled to align with the San Fernando City Week celebrations. Atherly, a Commonwealth bronze medalist in 1974 and the first Trinidad and Tobago (TT) national to achieve such a feat in cycling, aims to use this event as a catalyst to promote cycling in the southern region. The meet will feature participation from several national cyclists and is designed to attract a broad audience, with free admission to encourage widespread attendance. The event will commence at 4 pm, allowing families and children to enjoy the action and return home in time for school the following day. Atherly, who also served as Mayor of San Fernando from 2003 to 2005, continues to be a pivotal figure in the local cycling community. His efforts come 40 years after his historic medal win, with TT’s next cycling medal at the Commonwealth Games achieved by Nicolas Paul in 2022.

The DNA East/West Corridor Football League has been officially launched as a groundbreaking nationwide grassroots football initiative, supported by government ministries, corporate sponsors, and state broadcaster TTT. Conceptualized by Senator David Nakhid and businessman John Aboud, the league aims to reconnect football with local communities, create development pathways for young players, and offer substantial prize money at the grassroots level. Scheduled to begin on December 6, the league anticipates participation from over 48 teams, with top prizes of $120,000, $75,000, and $50,000 for the top three teams. Post-tournament, an all-star team will be selected for an international exposure trip to Spain. Nakhid described the league as a modern evolution of the historic Eddie Hart League, which began in 1967. The initiative has garnered immediate support from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and features experienced personnel such as former national player Travis Mulraine as director of operations and entertainment producer Randy Glasgow. The league also serves as a crime prevention program, fostering community engagement and reducing crime through sports. Primary sponsor John Aboud emphasized the role of sports in uniting communities and pledged organizational and financial support. The league’s medical team will provide health screenings for players, addressing physical and mental health needs. Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge highlighted the league’s potential to combat gang recruitment by restoring a sense of belonging among young men. TTT, the official broadcast partner, aims to showcase untapped talent and promote community development. Organizers expect full registration by the end of the week and believe the league will serve as a model for reviving national community football.

The opening round of the CG United Super50 Cup faced significant disruptions due to heavy rainfall in north Trinidad on November 19, 2023. Two out of the three scheduled matches were abandoned without a result, leaving teams and fans disappointed. At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Grounds in St Augustine, the clash between TT Red Force and Barbados Royals was delayed multiple times due to a wet outfield. The match eventually commenced as a 20-over contest, but rain intervened again after just 5.1 overs, forcing a no-result. Similarly, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Guyana Harpy Eagles posted a strong total of 287/6 against Jamaica Scorpions, but persistent rain prevented any further play. Cricket West Indies confirmed that all teams involved in the abandoned matches would receive two points, along with any bonus points earned. Meanwhile, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Leeward Islands Hurricanes set a formidable target of 324 against Windward Islands Volcanoes, with Kofi James scoring a century. The second round of matches is set to begin on November 21, with teams hoping for better weather conditions.

The Just Living Daily (JLD) Cycling Academy and Heatwave Cycling Club have jointly issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF), demanding the cancellation of trials scheduled for January 17, 2026, for the Pan American Track Cycling Championships. Represented by attorney Dr. Emir Crowne, the clubs argue that the trials violate the federation’s own selection policy, which mandates that trials must be held no later than 12 weeks before an international event. The championships are set to take place from February 16 to 22 in Santiago, Chile, making November 24 the latest permissible date for trials. The TTCF, however, announced on November 10 that it would proceed with trials on January 17, a decision approved during an emergency council meeting on November 17. The clubs contend that this decision disrupts athletes’ training cycles, particularly for those based abroad, and lacks procedural fairness. They also criticized the federation for proposing a 4km individual pursuit test for rider Alexi Costa-Ramirez, calling it arbitrary and biased. The letter accuses the TTCF of negligence, breach of agreement, and abuse of power, threatening legal action if the trials are not canceled and selections made in accordance with policy. The federation has until 9 am on November 21 to respond, failing which the clubs will seek an emergency injunction from the High Court of Justice.