分类： sports

In a landmark achievement for Caribbean football, Jamaica’s Under-17 national squad, the Reggae Boyz, clinched a coveted spot in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup with a decisive 3-1 victory over Canada. The crucial qualifying match, held in Costa Rica on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, marks a historic moment for the nation’s sporting landscape.

This triumph is multifaceted in its significance. The team has not only ended a 15-year drought for Jamaica in the U-17 World Cup, last achieved in 2011, but they have also etched their names in history as the first Jamaican national team across all age groups to secure qualification for three separate World Cup tournaments. Furthermore, this victory breaks a prolonged dry spell, representing the first time any Jamaican men’s national team has qualified for a FIFA World Cup in a decade and a half.

The upcoming global youth championship is scheduled to be hosted in Qatar this coming November. The official draw for the tournament, which will determine the group stage fixtures for all qualified teams, is anticipated to be conducted in May, setting the stage for the young Reggae Boyz to test their skills against the world’s best.

Indonesian Super League club Dewa United FC has secured the signature of Jamaican national team vice-captain Damion Lowe, adding significant international experience to their defensive lineup. The 32-year-old center-back joins after establishing himself as one of Jamaica’s most traveled football professionals, having competed across four continents throughout his career.

Lowe brings an impressive international pedigree to his new club, having earned 79 senior caps for the Jamaican national team. His professional journey includes notable spells with Major League Soccer clubs Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union in the United States, followed by engagements in Norway with IK Start, plus top-flight competitions in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The defender emphasized the diverse qualities he intends to contribute to his new team: “I’m bringing a winning mentality, discipline and accountability. My time in the United States instilled professional standards and structural understanding, while representing Jamaica developed my resilience and national pride. International football requires intense focus under pressure, which has become integral to my approach in every match.”

Lowe’s move to Indonesia represents both personal and professional growth opportunities. He expressed enthusiasm about adapting to a new cultural and competitive environment: “I’m extremely motivated by this challenge. A new country, different culture, and unfamiliar league genuinely excite me. True development occurs outside comfort zones, and I view this transition as a chance to enhance both my capabilities and the team’s performance.”

Dewa United finished as runners-up in last season’s Super League and currently maintains involvement in the prestigious Asian Champions League. Lowe outlined his ambitions with the club: “My primary objective involves establishing a robust foundation that enables the team to consistently challenge for championships.”

The acquisition signals Dewa United’s serious ambitions for the current season, leveraging Lowe’s leadership qualities and defensive expertise to strengthen their title aspirations.

Kingston College (KC), Jamaica College (JC), and Calabar High are locked in a fierce rivalry as they prepare for the upcoming Corporate Area Championships, a critical preparatory event for the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) in April. The two-day championship is scheduled for February 20-21 at the Ashenheim Stadium on the Jamaica College campus, following its official launch at the NHT Sports Club.

Defending champion KC, under the guidance of new head coach Richard Smith, is determined to retain the trophy named after their principal, Dave Myrie. Last year, KC dominated with a commanding 50-point lead over runners-up JC, while Calabar secured a distant third place. Coach Smith emphasized the event’s dual role as both a performance benchmark and a crucial confidence-builder for his squad, known as the Famed Purples.

Meanwhile, JC’s head coach Duane Johnson, whose team is favored to win both the Corporate Area title and the upcoming Champs, highlighted the meet’s predictive power. Noting a strong correlation between Corporate Area results and Champs victories over the past six to seven years, Johnson views the event as an essential diagnostic tool to fine-tune his team’s strategy one month before the main competition.

The competition has already commenced with three finals concluded at the Youngster Goldsmith Classic last Saturday. JC currently leads the standings with 29 points from steeplechase and pole vault events, followed by KC with 14 points. Excelsior High and Calabar High trail with eight and six points respectively.

For Julian Robinson, newly appointed head coach of Calabar High, the championship represents an opportunity to claim his first title while testing various team combinations and providing valuable early exposure to championship conditions for novice athletes.

PARIS, France — In a significant career development, English international footballer Raheem Sterling has finalized a transfer to Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord, committing until the conclusion of the current season. The announcement was formally made by the Rotterdam-based team on Thursday.

The 31-year-old winger, who boasts an impressive 82 caps for the England national team, became a free agent after his contract with Premier League side Chelsea was terminated in January. Following his release, Sterling engaged in extensive deliberations regarding his next career move, holding discussions with multiple clubs across various leagues.

Sterling expressed measured optimism about his new chapter, stating on the club’s official platform: ‘After careful consideration, I am confident that Feyenoord represents an environment where I can thrive and establish myself as a valued team member. This transition to international football presents an entirely fresh challenge that I am fully prepared to embrace.’

The transfer sees Sterling joining a club currently positioned second in the Dutch top flight, though facing a substantial 17-point deficit behind dominant league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Sterling’s career trajectory has seen notable fluctuations since his high-profile £47 million (approximately $64 million) transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2022. Previously regarded as one of England’s most dynamic wingers and a four-time Premier League champion, the player struggled to replicate his prior performance levels in West London.

During the recent transfer window, speculation linked Sterling with several European clubs including Italian giants Juventus, German champions Bayer Leverkusen, and London-based Fulham. However, none of these potential moves materialized before the Feyenoord agreement was reached.

Jamaica stands at the precipice of football history as a high-level FIFA delegation concludes its critical inspection tour of the island’s sporting infrastructure. The evaluation, which commenced Wednesday in Kingston, represents the final procedural hurdle before the global governing body determines whether Jamaica will co-host the unprecedented four-nation 2031 Women’s World Cup alongside the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts maintains measured optimism despite acknowledging that stadium redevelopment remains in preliminary stages. The inspection team assessed Jamaica’s premier sporting venues including the National Stadium and Sabina Park, alongside training facilities at the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence and accommodation options throughout the Corporate Area.

A six-member JFF delegation led by Operations Manager Omar McFarlane accompanied FIFA officials throughout the assessment process. The comprehensive review will culminate in a decisive report to be presented at FIFA’s congress in late April, determining Jamaica’s suitability as host nation.

Ricketts revealed the bidding process originated through strategic discussions with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, subsequently gaining enthusiastic endorsement from Sports Minister Olivia Grange. While the National Stadium requires significant redevelopment to meet international standards—with renovations scheduled for next year—Ricketts believes FIFA will consider future improvement plans in their assessment.

Jamaica’s previous success hosting the 2019 Gold Cup matches, becoming the first Caribbean nation to stage the tournament, establishes precedent for major football events. Ricketts anticipates even greater impact from the expanded 48-team World Cup, emphasizing both sporting and economic benefits.

“The opportunity to inspire young athletes, particularly girls, by seeing the Reggae Girlz compete on home soil is immeasurable,” Ricketts stated. He further highlighted automatic qualification as hosts and substantial commercial advantages for local vendors, hotels, and tourism sectors.

The final decision awaits FIFA’s formal announcement in April, potentially positioning Jamaica as the first Caribbean host of women’s football’s premier global tournament.