The 2025 Special Olympics Beach Games, held on November 8 at Maracas Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, was a vibrant celebration of athleticism, teamwork, and social inclusion. Supported by the Digicel Foundation, the event brought together 125 athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the nation to compete in a variety of sports, including football, volleyball, and bocce. The games, a highlight of Special Olympics TT’s (SOTT) annual program, aimed to promote physical fitness and foster a sense of community among participants. The event was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Phillip Watts, while SOTT chairman Major Benjamin led the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Torch, symbolizing the spirit of unity and perseverance. Georgina Peterkin, a board director of SOTT, expressed her satisfaction with the day’s proceedings, emphasizing the event’s role in showcasing the limitless potential of athletes with disabilities. The Digicel Foundation, a long-standing partner of SOTT, continues to advocate for opportunities that allow individuals with disabilities to excel and inspire others. The Beach Games not only provided a platform for competition but also highlighted the joy and camaraderie that come with inclusive sports, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated and witnessed the event.
分类： sports
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bpTT-All Mayaro Sports Foundation football league kicks off on November 14
The bpTT-All Mayaro Sports Foundation (AMSF) Football League 2025 commenced with a thrilling exhibition match on November 8, where the Mayaro Under-23 men’s XI secured a 2-0 victory against the women’s senior national football team. The match, held at the Mayaro Resource Centre, showcased the young talents of Mayaro, with 18-year-old Kylon Mitchell scoring a stunning goal in the first half and 16-year-old Ezekiel Morris sealing the win in the final minutes. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, the national women’s team was unable to convert their chances, including a missed penalty. The event marked the beginning of a 27-year-old tradition, sponsored by bpTT and organized by AMSF, which has become a cornerstone of Mayaro’s sporting calendar. This year’s league features an open-competition format, with eight regional teams participating in the Razack Jan Memorial League and the Leston Paul Knockout Cup. Additionally, the bpTT-AMSF Youth Football Festival will highlight U17 male and female players, alongside initiatives to raise breast cancer awareness. Matthew Pierre, bpTT’s community liaison coordinator, emphasized the community’s rich football legacy, while Jameson Rigues, TTFA vice-president and AMSF chairman, praised bpTT’s continued investment in youth development and world-class facilities.
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Special Olympics Jamaica targets podium finish at historic regional basketball tournament
The Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) basketball team is poised to make history as they prepare to compete in the inaugural Special Olympics 3×3 unified basketball tournament in Guadeloupe, scheduled for November 14-15. Head coach Elfema Williams expressed confidence in her team’s ability to secure a podium finish, citing their strong preparation and unity.
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Point to prove
In a tense and challenging World Cup Qualifier match held on Thursday night, Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, managed to secure a valuable point against Trinidad and Tobago. The game, played in a hostile environment, tested the team’s resilience and determination. Despite their recent unconvincing performances, the Reggae Boyz now face a critical showdown on Tuesday against Curacao, who remain unbeaten in the tournament. The upcoming match, set to take place at Jamaica’s National Stadium in St Andrew, is a must-win for the team to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting this high-stakes encounter, which could define Jamaica’s journey in the qualifiers. For a detailed match report, readers can refer to Pages 34 & 35.
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RACING BACK ON TRACK
Live racing is poised to make a triumphant return to Caymanas Park this Saturday, November 15, following a three-week suspension caused by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on western Jamaica. The event, eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, marks the first race meeting since October 25. Solomon Sharpe, Executive Chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), expressed his enthusiasm for the revival, highlighting the sport’s vital role in supporting the local community, including trainers, jockeys, and thousands of others dependent on it for their livelihoods. The resumption of live racing is expected to fill a significant void and provide a much-needed economic boost. Despite structural damage to five stables and the replacement of damaged rails, repairs are well underway. Over 300 horses have consistently completed their workouts, signaling readiness for the event. However, the financial toll has been severe, with estimated losses of $100 million due to the suspension of live racing and simulcast services. The hurricane also disrupted operations at over 100 Offtrack Betting Parlours (OTBs), with 40% temporarily out of service. SVREL is committed to aiding national recovery efforts by revitalizing Caymanas Park and stimulating business across Jamaica. The racing community has responded positively, with 103 horses nominated for nine races on Saturday and over 100 horses entered in 10 races on Sunday, including the prestigious Grade One Jamaica Cup and Port Royal Sprint, whose winners will qualify for the Mouttet Mile in December.
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U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.
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Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser
The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.
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West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1
New Zealand clinched a decisive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the final T20 international on November 12, securing a series win in front of a lively crowd at the University Oval in Dunedin. Unlike the closely contested earlier matches in the five-game series, this encounter was one-sided, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a fiercely competitive battle between the two teams. The West Indies, needing a win to level the series after a rain-affected fourth game, struggled from the outset. They lost four wickets during the powerplay and were reeling at 48-5 before Roston Chase and Jason Holder staged a brief recovery with a 42-run partnership. However, their efforts were insufficient as the team was eventually bowled out for 140, thanks to a late flourish from Romario Shepherd, who scored 36 off 22 balls. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4-35. In response, the Black Caps chased down the target with ease, powered by Devon Conway’s 47 and Tim Robinson’s 45, sealing the win in just 16 overs. West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay, but praised the lower-order resilience. He emphasized the need for better mental preparation ahead of the upcoming One Day International series, which begins on Saturday.
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Captain looks to end series on high note
As the West Indies prepare to face New Zealand in the decisive fifth T20I on Thursday, captain Shai Hope has emphasized the need for a comprehensive team performance to secure a series draw. The Caribbean side began the series on a high note, clinching the opener by seven runs. However, narrow defeats in the subsequent two matches—by three and nine runs, respectively—left them trailing 2-1. The fourth T20I was abandoned due to rain, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all finale.
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CAS-tribunaal doet binnenkort uitspraak over Danilho Doekhi en Natio
As the Surinamese national football team gears up for crucial World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Guatemala, the Surinamese Football Association (SVB) is embroiled in a legal battle with FIFA. The dispute centers on the eligibility of Danilho Doekhi, a 27-year-old center-back for Union Berlin, to represent Suriname. The case, which has been ongoing for over a year, was recently brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent tribunal that resolves international sports disputes. A ruling is expected next week.
Doekhi’s request to play for Suriname was initially submitted to FIFA in mid-2022 but has been repeatedly denied. The defender, who recently scored twice in Union Berlin’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, ending the latter’s unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, could significantly bolster Suriname’s squad. However, FIFA’s approval is required due to Doekhi’s prior appearances for the Dutch youth team, Jong Oranje.
Brian Tevreden, General Manager of Suriname’s national teams, expressed optimism about the CAS ruling, citing a precedent involving Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who was granted permission to play for Indonesia. Tevreden criticized the prolonged delay in Doekhi’s case, stating, ‘It’s incomprehensible… It shows that Suriname is not taken seriously as a footballing nation.’
If the CAS rules in favor of the SVB, Doekhi will join the national team after the upcoming qualifiers. He has already expressed his willingness to play for Suriname, potentially participating in the World Cup finals or the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2024 in Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their spots in the playoffs, with other possible opponents including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and Cameroon.