分类： sports

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A formidable quartet of Jamaican cyclists is set to embark on a journey to Belize next week, representing the nation at the 2025 Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championships, scheduled from October 9th to 13th. The team, led by seasoned coach Carlton Simmonds, includes accomplished riders Andrey Ramsay and Jaequan Dixon, alongside rising stars Melvin McFarlane and Llori Sharpe. This prestigious event will see athletes from 15 Caribbean nations vying for qualification to the 2026 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games, slated to take place in Santo Domingo from July 24th to August 8th. Ramsay, a former national champion with extensive experience in regional competitions, is poised to deliver a strong performance. McFarlane, who recently clinched the national title in July, will make his elite debut, while Dixon competes in the U23 category. Sharpe, recovering from a recent injury caused by a motorist collision, is determined to defend her championship title and secure a spot for the CAC Games. Coach Simmonds expressed confidence in the team’s rigorous preparation, both physically and mentally, as they aim to secure top positions in Belize.

Jamaica’s para-athletes, brimming with untapped potential, are set to take center stage this week as the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) launches a groundbreaking initiative to elevate para-sports in the country. On Saturday, the JPA will host the Grassroots Para Sport Festival at Liberty Academy in St. Andrew, featuring competitions in track and field, powerlifting, archery, and fencing. This event is a cornerstone of the JPA’s I Am Phenomenal campaign, aimed at fostering public awareness and education about para-sports. JPA President Christopher Samuda emphasized the festival’s role in reshaping public perception of the paralympic movement, highlighting the athletes’ resilience and determination to transcend challenges and achieve excellence. Samuda also called for increased corporate involvement, urging private sector stakeholders to become long-term partners in the movement. The festival, supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee, the Latin American Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank, is expected to serve as a model for future para-sport development both nationally and regionally. By showcasing the athletes’ skills and inspiring stories, the JPA hopes to ignite a lasting transformation in how para-sports are perceived and supported in Jamaica.

The Young Sunshine Girls, Jamaica’s national youth netball team, are returning home after a commendable performance at the World Netball Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar. Despite falling short of their goal to secure a top-four finish, the team’s resilience and growth throughout the tournament have earned them widespread praise. Head Coach Annett Daley expressed immense pride in her squad, highlighting their potential and the valuable experience gained from competing against more seasoned teams. The tournament, held from September 23 to 28, saw the Young Sunshine Girls finish in fifth place after a series of spirited matches. Their journey began with a dominant 66-43 victory over Tonga, followed by a default win against Sri Lanka, who withdrew from the competition. They continued their strong form with a 61-43 triumph over Wales. However, their momentum was halted by a tough 33-64 loss to England in the group stage. Despite the setback, the team regrouped but faced another challenge in the quarter-finals, losing 33-85 to eventual champions Australia. The Young Sunshine Girls bounced back in the consolation rounds, defeating Cook Islands 57-47 and Scotland 53-44 to secure fifth place. Australia claimed the title with a 63-48 victory over New Zealand, while England took third place. Reflecting on the tournament, Daley emphasized the need for strategic changes before future competitions to enhance the team’s performance. She also praised Gibraltar’s welcoming atmosphere and weather, drawing parallels to Jamaica’s midland regions. The Young Sunshine Girls’ journey, marked by determination and improvement, has laid a strong foundation for their future in international netball.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mt Pleasant FA has secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup after a commanding 2-0 victory over Universidad O&M FC at the National Stadium in Kingston. The triumph ensured their top position in Group A with a perfect record of 12 points from four matches. Under the guidance of coach Theodore Whitmore, the team showcased a stellar defensive performance, not conceding a single goal throughout the group stage while netting seven times. Their opponents, O&M FC from the Dominican Republic, finished second in the group with six points, followed by SV Robinhood of Suriname and Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago, both with four points. Moca FC languished at the bottom of the table with just three points. The decisive goals came from Gadail Irving and Ranaldo Biggs. Irving’s expertly executed free kick in the 36th minute left O&M FC’s goalkeeper Iraitz Gelbentzu helpless, while Biggs sealed the win in the 63rd minute, courtesy of a precise assist from Raheem Edwards. This marks a historic achievement for Mt Pleasant FA, as they progress beyond the first round for the first time in the competition.

In a night filled with nostalgia and emotion, Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, only to leave disappointed as his Benfica side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Portuguese manager, who enjoyed two successful spells with Chelsea, was warmly welcomed by the home fans, who chanted his name throughout the match. However, the 62-year-old was left frustrated as Benfica failed to capitalize on a solid performance, with Richard Rios’s 18th-minute own goal proving decisive. This marked Benfica’s first loss under Mourinho’s leadership in four matches. Mourinho, the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history with seven major trophies, including three Premier League titles, acknowledged the fans’ affection but emphasized that he values victories over memories. “I don’t feed myself with these memories,” he said. “I feed myself with victories.” Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca faced further disciplinary issues as substitute Joao Pedro was sent off in stoppage time, bringing Chelsea’s tally to three red cards in four games. Despite the setback, Maresca praised his team’s resilience, calling it a crucial win after a slow start to the season. “We needed the win,” he said. “Sometimes you need to learn to win in an ugly way.”