Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Rico Henry travels with Reggae Boyz squad to T&T ahead of World Cup qualifier

    Rico Henry travels with Reggae Boyz squad to T&T ahead of World Cup qualifier

    Rico Henry, the newly recruited defender for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, has traveled with the 26-man squad to Port of Spain, Trinidad, ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday. The 28-year-old Brentford player’s inclusion remains provisional, pending final clearance from the England Football Association (EFA).

    Head coach Steve McClaren confirmed that Henry arrived in Jamaica earlier this week to complete necessary documentation with the Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency before joining the team. The EFA’s decision on his eligibility to represent Jamaica is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

    Henry, who plays for English Premier League club Brentford, is one of two defenders from the team selected for the Reggae Boyz squad, the other being Ethan Pinnock. His potential addition to the squad could bolster Jamaica’s defensive lineup as they aim for a strong performance in the qualifier.

    The match against Trinidad and Tobago is a pivotal moment for Jamaica’s World Cup aspirations, and Henry’s participation could play a significant role in their campaign. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the EFA’s decision, which will determine whether the defender can officially don the Jamaican colors in this high-stakes encounter.

  • THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

    THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

    The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) is working diligently to restart the Manning and DaCosta Cups, two of Jamaica’s premier high school football competitions, by the end of November. The tournaments were abruptly halted at the round-of-16 stage on October 24 due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that severely affected southern and western Jamaica. Schools in these regions, along with their surrounding parishes, are still grappling with the aftermath, complicating efforts to resume the competitions.

    ISSA’s executive body has held multiple meetings with stakeholders, including school officials, sponsors, and government representatives, to assess the feasibility of restarting the tournaments. While no definitive decision has been made, ISSA Competitions Officer Ewan Scott indicated that late November is the target timeframe. ‘We’re exploring all possibilities and aiming for a consensus,’ Scott stated. ‘The hope is to complete both the Manning and DaCosta Cups before the year ends.’

    However, challenges remain. Some schools, such as Maldon High in St. James and Maggotty High in St. Elizabeth, have expressed concerns about player safety and readiness. Additionally, sponsors are hesitant to commit to immediate resumption, given the ongoing recovery efforts across the island. Many schools, including those participating in the DaCosta Cup, have yet to reopen for regular classes.

    ISSA is also considering separate timelines for other competitions. The Under-14 and Under-16 tournaments, originally scheduled for late October, are likely to be postponed to January. Similarly, the Champions Cup, an all-island knockout competition, may also be pushed to early next year. The fate of the Walker Cup and Ben Francis Cup, urban and rural knockout tournaments, remains uncertain.

    Despite these hurdles, ISSA remains optimistic. Scott emphasized that the organization is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants while striving to complete the competitions. ‘We’re looking at late November thereabouts,’ he said, ‘but we’ll continue to consult with all stakeholders to make the best decision.’

  • Samuda confident of regional paralympic growth due to new Puma deal

    Samuda confident of regional paralympic growth due to new Puma deal

    Jamaica’s para-athletes are poised to experience significant advancements in their sporting careers following a landmark sponsorship agreement between German sportswear giant Puma and the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC). This development comes shortly after Christopher Samuda, President of the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA), was elected as vice-president of the AmPC, marking a pivotal moment for para-sports in the region. The partnership will see Puma providing both financial and technical support to enhance para-sports initiatives across the Caribbean, North America, and South America. Samuda emphasized that the collaboration transcends commercial interests, focusing instead on the aspirations and achievements of para-athletes who continue to inspire humanity with their remarkable feats. Carlos Laje, General Manager of Puma Latin America, highlighted the sponsorship’s critical role in elevating the paralympic movement. Puma will also serve as the primary sponsor for the Para Panamerican Games, set to take place in Lima, Peru, in 2027, where several Jamaican athletes are expected to compete. Samuda, who also heads the Jamaica Olympic Association, reiterated his commitment to prioritizing athletes’ welfare and interests in his new role. Earlier this year, the JPA, under Samuda’s leadership, partnered with the AmPC and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean to establish a high-performance paralympic academy in Jamaica, the first of its kind in the region. Additionally, the JPA recently hosted its inaugural Grassroots Para Sport Festival, showcasing the talents of Jamaican para-athletes in various disciplines. Samuda expressed optimism for increased private and public investment in para-sports, urging stakeholders to view their contributions as long-term partnerships rather than mere financial transactions. He emphasized the importance of integrating innovative ideas to further amplify the impact of para-sports in Jamaica and beyond.

  • Hope pleased with Windies determination in New Zealand

    Hope pleased with Windies determination in New Zealand

    NELSON, New Zealand (CMC) — Shai Hope, the West Indies’ white-ball captain, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s recent performances in the T20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand, highlighting their resilience and progress. His remarks followed the fourth T20I, which was abandoned due to rain after only 6.3 overs of play. The West Indies now face a decisive fifth match in Dunedin on Thursday, aiming to level the five-match series. Currently trailing 2-1, Hope emphasized the team’s determination and competitive spirit throughout the series. The West Indies arrived in New Zealand buoyed by a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in their previous T20I series. Despite narrow losses in the second and third matches by three and nine runs respectively, Hope remains optimistic. He praised the team’s fighting spirit and progress, stating, ‘I think the guys have been playing really good cricket. It’s just about us trying to progress as a team, and it’s great to see the fight that we’ve been showing.’ Hope also acknowledged the missed opportunity in the rain-affected fourth match but reiterated the team’s focus on leveling the series in the final game. The West Indies’ captain’s confidence reflects a positive outlook as they prepare for the crucial encounter in Dunedin.

  • De Boulet, Metha crowned mixed doubles badminton champs

    De Boulet, Metha crowned mixed doubles badminton champs

    The TT International 2025 Badminton Tournament concluded on November 9 at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, delivering a series of intense matches and crowning champions across multiple categories. In the mixed doubles final, the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) duo of Chequeda De Boulet and Parth Mehta emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle against the Barbadian pair of Sabrina Scott and Shae Martin. The TT champions secured their title with a narrow 21-19, 21-19 win, showcasing their resilience and skill. Earlier in the semifinals, De Boulet and Mehta had defeated the Jamaican team of Kenneth Anglin and Tahlia Richardson with scores of 21-18, 21-17. Meanwhile, TT’s Aditya Maharaj and Samiya Karim claimed the bronze medal after falling to Scott and Martin in the semis. The women’s doubles final saw TT’s Nekeisha Blake partnering with Sabrina Scott, but they were outplayed by the Jamaican duo of Breanna Bisnott and Tahlia Richardson, who clinched the title with a 21-13, 21-17 victory. Two TT sister pairs, Danyelle and T’Shelle Barnes and Aliyah and Amara Urquhart, shared the bronze medal after semifinal losses. In the men’s singles final, Swiss players Julien Scheiwiller and Nicolas Mueller faced off, with second-seeded Scheiwiller prevailing 21-19, 21-18 over fourth-ranked Mueller. Parth Mehta tied for third place after a semifinal defeat to Mueller. The women’s singles final was dominated by Italy’s Gianna Stiglich, who overpowered Argentina’s Iona Gualdi with a commanding 21-8, 21-8 win. The men’s doubles title went to Slovakia’s Simeon and Andrej Suchy, who justified their top seeding with a 21-13, 21-12 victory over India’s Achutaditya Doddavarapu and Pochana Reddy. TT’s Kaveer Ramoutar and Verone Salick secured a joint third-place finish in the men’s doubles after their semifinal loss to the Indian pair.

  • Prisons march on with 3rd win, keep TTFPL lead

    Prisons march on with 3rd win, keep TTFPL lead

    In a week marked by uncertainty and dramatic reversals, Prisons FC has solidified its position at the top of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings. After initially threatening to withdraw from the season, the team reversed its decision following discussions with the TT Football Association (TTFA). Prisons FC continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Club Sando at the Mahaica Sporting Complex on November 9. The decisive moment came in the 71st minute when substitute Jeremiah Vidale capitalized on a well-executed play, slotting a close-range shot past Club Sando’s goalkeeper Teshorne Ragoo. This marked Vidale’s third goal in as many matches, further cementing his impact as a key player for the team. Prisons FC now leads the 12-team league with nine points, remaining undefeated alongside reigning champions Defence Force. Club Sando, despite the loss, holds third place with six points. In other matches, Point Fortin Civic and San Juan Jabloteh played to a 1-1 draw, while Defence Force secured their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Police FC. Caledonia AIA and AC Port of Spain also celebrated their first wins of the campaign, adding to the competitive dynamics of the league. The TTPFL action resumes on November 15, with La Horquetta Rangers set to face 1976 FC Phoenix in a rescheduled match.

  • Three gold, two silver for Trinidad and Tobago water polo teams

    Three gold, two silver for Trinidad and Tobago water polo teams

    The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) water polo teams showcased their exceptional talent and skill at the Carifta Water Polo Championships 2025, held from November 7 to 9 at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in Florida. Despite the event being hosted in Florida, TT was the official host country. The national contingent, comprising five teams, competed against regional teams from the Caribbean and US club teams, securing an impressive haul of five medals. The Under-16 girls, Under-16 boys, and Under-19 boys teams clinched gold medals, while the Under-14 coed team and Under-19 girls earned silver medals. Other participating teams included Bahamas, Bonaire, Curacao, and Cayman Islands. The TT teams returned home on November 10, celebrating their remarkable achievements and solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in Caribbean water polo.

  • ‘Naps’ edge St Mary’s 1-0, regain control in SSFL title race

    ‘Naps’ edge St Mary’s 1-0, regain control in SSFL title race

    In a tightly contested match on November 10, Naparima College secured a crucial 1-0 victory over St Mary’s College on Serpentine Road, St Clair, reclaiming the top spot in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division. With this win, Naparima now holds 34 points, narrowly surpassing St Benedict’s College, who trail by a single point. The decisive moment came in the 40th minute when national under-17 wing back Jayden Caprietta headed in from a right-side corner, marking the only goal of the game. Despite a lackluster performance, Naparima managed to control the match, fending off St Mary’s sporadic attempts, including a close-range shot by Jaylon Roberts in the 80th minute that narrowly missed the target. The victory positions Naparima favorably with just one game remaining in the season. Meanwhile, Signal Hill Secondary, currently sixth with 22 points, remains a dark horse with five games left, including a pivotal clash against Naparima later this month. In other matches, Arima North Secondary climbed to seventh place after a dominant 3-0 win over Carapichaima East, while St Augustine Secondary moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory against St Anthony’s. The SSFL season is nearing its climax, with the top five teams separated by just five points and the relegation battle intensifying.

  • More first-class cricket necessary

    More first-class cricket necessary

    The West Indies cricket team’s recent performance in the T20 series against New Zealand has brought to light significant challenges in their batting strategy. Despite moments of brilliance, such as Romario Shepherd’s commendable bowling efforts, the team’s inability to build a solid foundation has been a recurring issue. Shepherd, reflecting on the second T20 match, acknowledged the need for better planning and execution in setting up the innings. He emphasized the importance of being alert on every ball, given the small boundaries and high-scoring nature of modern T20 cricket. However, the third game saw the West Indies fall short by nine runs, with New Zealand taking a 2-1 lead in the series. This loss underscored the team’s over-reliance on the lower order to post competitive totals. The root of this problem lies in the lack of first-class cricket and two-inning matches in the West Indies, which are crucial for developing batsmen capable of excelling in all formats. The financial responsibility for organizing such tournaments falls on Cricket West Indies (CWI), highlighting the need for structural reforms to nurture future talent.

  • Trinidad and Tobago’s Kobi Henry: We must set tone vs Reggae Boyz

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Kobi Henry: We must set tone vs Reggae Boyz

    Trinidad and Tobago’s central defender Kobi Henry has called on his teammates to adopt an aggressive approach from the outset in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jamaica. The crucial match is scheduled for November 13 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. Henry emphasized the importance of setting the tone early rather than waiting to fall behind, a pattern that has plagued TT in previous games. With TT needing two consecutive victories against Jamaica and Bermuda to keep their World Cup hopes alive, the stakes are incredibly high. Currently, TT sits third in Concacaf Group B with five points, trailing Jamaica (nine points) and Curacao (eight points). Only the group winner secures direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, while the runner-up enters the intercontinental playoffs. Head coach Dwight Yorke announced a 26-man squad on November 10, including newcomer Roald Mitchell, a striker who has impressed in the US league. Henry highlighted the significance of home support, urging fans to rally behind the team. Despite the absence of injured regular starter Rio Cardines, utility player Noah Powder expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and determination. The team remains optimistic, with Henry noting high morale and a collective focus on seizing this historic opportunity.