As Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, prepare for their decisive World Cup qualifier against Curaçao, the nation stands on the brink of history. A victory would mark Jamaica’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998, reigniting memories of their historic qualification nearly three decades ago. Deon Burton, a key figure in that 1997 campaign, expressed confidence in the current squad, drawing parallels to the pressure and pride of his own era. Burton, who scored four goals in five matches during the 1997 qualifiers, was named Jamaica’s Sportsman of the Year and remains a symbol of the nation’s footballing legacy.
分类： sports
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Second loss for Dominica in Concacaf series
In a thrilling encounter during the Concacaf Series in St. Kitts, Dominica’s senior men’s national football team faced a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat against Sint Maarten. Despite a stellar performance by Travist Joseph, who scored twice, defensive vulnerabilities proved costly for Dominica, as reported by the Dominica Football Association. The match began with Dominica displaying vigor and intent, but Sint Maarten seized an early lead against the run of play. Joseph’s first goal, assisted by Troy Jules, leveled the score before halftime. The second half saw Dominica push for dominance, but Sint Maarten struck again, taking a 2-1 lead. Joseph’s second goal, a header, brought the teams level once more. However, a defensive error led to a penalty, which Sint Maarten converted to secure the win. This loss marks Dominica’s second consecutive defeat in the tournament. The Concacaf Series will resume in March 2026, with Dominica set to face St. Kitts and Belize.
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Let the Parks fly!
The 2025 OECS Swimming Championships saw Saint Lucia narrowly miss the team title, edged out once again by Grenada. However, the spotlight firmly belonged to four Saint Lucian swimmers who claimed high point trophies in their respective divisions. Among them, Sapphire Parks emerged as a standout performer, competing for the fourth time and making her debut in the Under-13 category. Parks, a Form 1 student at St Joseph’s Convent and an alumna of The Montessori Centre, dominated the competition at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre in St Vincent and the Grenadines on November 9. She secured an impressive haul of ten gold medals and one silver, amassing 97 points. Belle Adams of SVG, with Saint Lucian heritage, trailed in second place, 33 points behind. Parks’ stellar performance included setting two new OECS records in the 50m and 100m backstroke, shaving more than a second off the previous best time in the latter. With ten OECS records to her name, including seven in the 9–10 division, Parks is poised for even greater dominance in the coming years. Her progression is no surprise, given her earlier achievements at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, where she was the youngest member of Team Saint Lucia. At Trinidad and Tobago’s National Aquatics Centre in Couva, she clinched four gold medals and eight overall, earning the high point trophy for her division. Parks’ journey from finishing second in the Under-9 class in 2022 to becoming a three-time OECS champion and first-time CARIFTA champion is a testament to her dedication and talent. Beyond swimming, Parks is a well-rounded individual, excelling in academics and track athletics. She placed third in District 1 and fifth overall in Saint Lucia for her CPEA exams. Her ambition extends to representing Saint Lucia at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of notable athletes like Julien Alfred, Danielle Beaubrun, and Mikaili Charlemagne. Parks, a member of the Sea Jays Legends Swim Club, aims to further her swimming career overseas, with her mother exploring prep school options to elevate her training and competition. For this young star, the future is brimming with potential and promise.
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Local golfers raise $120K for Jamaica hurricane relief
In a remarkable display of solidarity, the Saint Lucia Golf Association (SLGA) successfully organized the Hurricane Melissa Relief Tournament, raising an impressive $120,000 for the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA). The event, held on November 8 at the Cap Estate Golf and Country Club, saw 48 golfers compete in a relaxed better-ball format, showcasing both skill and camaraderie. The tournament was a direct response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck western Jamaica just 11 days prior, claiming at least 45 lives and causing an estimated $6 billion in damages. The Jamaican golf community, including players, caddies, and facilities, suffered significant losses, making the SLGA’s initiative all the more impactful. Key figures like Dwayne King and Andre Dhanpaul spearheaded the effort, with over 80 sponsors, including Xhale Luxury Villa and Jade Mountain, lending their support. Sandals Saint Lucia hosted the event, which also featured a silent auction offering prizes such as dinners, day passes, and rafting experiences. The winning team of Anselm Mathurin and Simone Skinner shot an impressive 12-under 59. Jodi Mun-Barrow, president of the JGA, expressed profound gratitude, emphasizing the emotional and financial relief provided by the SLGA’s generosity. The tournament not only highlighted the resilience of the golfing community but also underscored the power of collective action in times of crisis.
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Will Windies deliver a Christmas Test series miracle? ‘Reds’ weighs in
As the West Indies prepare to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting December 1, veteran cricket commentator Joseph Reds Perreira has pinpointed the Caribbean team’s batting as the decisive factor in their quest for victory. Historically, the Windies have struggled in New Zealand, securing only four Test wins away from home, with their last triumph dating back to 1995. Despite these challenges, Perreira remains cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the importance of consistent batting performance. He noted that while the bowling attack could be competitive if executed correctly, the batting lineup will ultimately determine the series outcome. The West Indies and New Zealand have clashed 49 times in Tests since 1951, with New Zealand holding a slight edge with 17 wins to the Windies’ 13. However, New Zealand’s home advantage has often been a significant factor in their success. Perreira also highlighted a potential setback for the West Indies: the likely absence of star allrounder Jason Holder, who is reportedly unavailable due to commitments in a T10 competition in Dubai. Holder’s absence could disrupt the team’s balance, as he has been a pivotal player with 3,073 runs and 157 wickets in 69 Tests. Perreira expressed concern over the team’s preparation, suggesting that a pre-series camp in New Zealand would have been beneficial but was hindered by financial constraints. He also emphasized the need for wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach to acclimatize early to the swing-friendly conditions. Despite these hurdles, Perreira remains hopeful for a festive miracle, urging fans to wait for the official squad announcement and favorable weather conditions. The series promises to be a stern test for the West Indies, who aim to deliver a Christmas present to their fans by the end of December.
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Jamaican Jordanio James breaking barriers at UCI Cyclo-cross training camp in Switzerland
Jordanio James, a trailblazing Jamaican cyclist, is making waves at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Cyclo-cross Training Camp in Aigle, Switzerland. As the only Jamaican and the sole black athlete among the 30 elite riders selected globally, James is carving out a unique space in the demanding world of cyclo-cross. The camp, hosted at the UCI headquarters from November 10 to 17, 2025, is renowned as one of the most prestigious technical development programs in international cycling.
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Malabar Youngstars, Athletic Utd clash for EFA title
The stage is set for an electrifying finale in the 2025 Eastern Football Association (EFA) tournament as defending champions Malabar Youngstars FC and Athletic United FC prepare to clash on November 16 at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation grounds. The two teams secured their spots in the championship match following contrasting semifinal victories on November 9. Athletic United edged past FC Maloney with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of Terron Miller’s decisive 27th-minute strike. Meanwhile, Malabar Youngstars delivered a dominant performance, cruising to a 3-0 victory over CPC Athletic International Academy. Ronaldo Boyce opened the scoring in the 37th minute, followed by an own goal from CPC’s Khaden Caraby in the 61st minute. Substitute Shandon Llanos sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal. Malabar aims to secure back-to-back EFA titles after their 2-1 triumph over CG Poseidon last year, while Athletic United will look to thwart their ambitions. Earlier in the day, CPC Athletic International Academy and FC Maloney will compete in the third-place playoff for a $5,000 prize, with the tournament winners and runners-up set to receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.
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Haaland’s Norway thump sorry Italy to reach first World Cup since 1998
In a stunning display of football prowess, Norway clinched their first World Cup berth since 1998 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Italy at the rain-soaked San Siro on Sunday. The triumph sealed their spot in next summer’s finals, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker hailed as a ‘goal machine,’ was the star of the match, scoring a decisive brace within seconds in the 78th and 79th minutes. His contributions were pivotal in Norway’s flawless qualifying campaign, which saw them amass a perfect 24 points from eight matches in Group I. Italy, despite an early lead from Pio Esposito, crumbled under Norway’s relentless pressure, with Antonio Nusa and Jorgen Strand Larsen adding to the scoreline. The defeat left Italy six points adrift of Norway, forcing them into the play-offs for a chance at World Cup qualification. Coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed concern over his team’s second-half collapse, while Norway’s Stale Solbakken remained cautiously optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming tournament. Haaland’s remarkable form, with 16 goals in qualifying, has positioned him as one of the players to watch in North America. Italy, meanwhile, continues to grapple with inconsistency, having missed the last two World Cups despite their 2021 European Championship triumph.
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Martinez, Pantin, Walker notch double-wins on opening night of Short Course Champs
The National Open Short Course Championship kicked off with a series of impressive performances on November 14 at the Aquatic Centre in Balmain. Marena Martinez of Marlins, Serenity Pantin of Bluefins, and Ornella Walker of Aqua Warriors each secured multiple victories, showcasing their dominance in the pool. Martinez, aged 13, clinched the women’s 11 and over 1500m freestyle with a time of 18:26.45, outpacing Ava Charles and Zahara Anthony. She later triumphed in the 200m individual medley, clocking 2:34.39. Pantin, competing in the U10 girls category, dominated the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:31.73, nearly six minutes ahead of her closest competitor. She also secured victory in the 50m backstroke with a time of 34.27s. Walker, in the girls 11 and over division, won the 100m freestyle in 59.38s and the 50m backstroke in 29.57s. Olympian Dylan Carter also made headlines, winning the boys 11 and over 50m backstroke in 23.07s. The night concluded with Marlins and RWB Aquatics winning the U10 mixed 400m freestyle and 11 and over mixed 400m freestyle relays, respectively. The competition continued on November 15.
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TOUGH TASK
As schoolboy football resumes in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, coaches Devon Anderson of Clarendon College and Jermaine Thomas of McGrath High are placing greater emphasis on the emotional and psychological recovery of their students rather than the sport itself. The ISSA daCosta Cup and Manning Cup competitions, paused since late October due to the Category 5 hurricane, are set to restart on November 29 for rural areas and a day earlier for urban zones. However, the return to the field has been overshadowed by the profound personal losses and trauma experienced by players and their families. Anderson, whose relative in western Jamaica suffered significant losses, has been supporting his team through grief and displacement. Similarly, Thomas, though grateful that McGrath High was relatively spared, acknowledges the challenges of motivating players who faced prolonged power outages and property damage. Both coaches have been working tirelessly to uplift their teams, with Anderson describing this period as one of the most difficult in his coaching career. ISSA’s efforts to ensure schools were adequately supported before resuming play have been praised, but the focus remains on helping students regain a sense of normalcy. While Clarendon College and McGrath High aim for success in the ongoing competitions, Anderson emphasizes that the current training sessions are more about enjoyment and emotional recovery than pressuring the players. The teams are taking it week by week, hoping to rebuild their rhythm and resilience in the wake of the hurricane’s impact.