分类： sports

LOS ANGELES, United States — As LeBron James gears up for his unprecedented 23rd season in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers icon remains undecided about his retirement timeline. Speaking at a media day event, the 41-year-old basketball legend expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, emphasizing his enduring love for the game and his commitment to excellence. James, who averaged 24.4 points per game last season, highlighted his excitement about playing alongside Luka Doncic and a strengthened Lakers roster, which now includes veteran guard Marcus Smart and center DeAndre Ayton. ‘I’m excited about today, I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season,’ James told reporters. ‘Whatever the journey lays out this year, I’m super-invested because I don’t know when the end is. It’s a lot sooner than later.’ James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, acknowledged the rarity of his longevity in the league, stating, ‘Age is kind of just a number. Not many guys at my age, especially going to year 23, is able to play a level like that. I try not to take it for granted.’ He also shared his anticipation for a full training camp with Doncic, which he believes will enhance their on-court chemistry and elevate the team’s performance. Doncic, who joined the Lakers mid-season last year, echoed James’ optimism, noting that a complete pre-season together will help the team achieve greater consistency and success. ‘When you get to a new team in the middle of season, it’s kind of hard to get everything together,’ Doncic said. ‘But pre-season is going to help a lot with leadership, getting to know the guys. I’m very excited — I think we can do big, big things.’ As James continues to defy age and expectations, his unwavering passion for basketball and his relentless pursuit of greatness remain the driving forces behind his historic career.

In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Nepal triumphed over the West Indies by a commanding 90 runs in the second T20I of the Unity Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Nepal posted a formidable total of 173-6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to standout performances from Asif Sheikh, who remained unbeaten with 68 runs, and Sundeep Jora, who contributed a solid 63. The West Indies’ bowling attack, led by Akeal Hosein (2-21) and Kyle Mayers (2-26), struggled to contain Nepal’s aggressive batting. In response, the West Indies faltered, managing only 83 runs in 17.1 overs. Jason Holder top-scored with 21, but the team was dismantled by Nepal’s bowlers, particularly Mohammad Aadil Alam, who claimed 4-24, and Kushal Bhurtel, who took 3-16. With this victory, Nepal now leads the 3-match series 2-0, showcasing their growing strength in international cricket.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) is set to kick off its 2025 Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops on Wednesday, October 1, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston. The event, themed ‘Empowering Young Champions,’ will run from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and is the first of four regional sessions aimed at educating young athletes and their support teams about the principles of fair play, the importance of clean competition, and the health risks associated with doping.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — In a landmark achievement for Nepali cricket, the national team secured their first-ever victory against a Test-playing nation by defeating the West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20 international of a three-match series in Sharjah on Saturday. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Nepal, a rising force in the cricketing world, as they overcame the two-time T20 World Cup champions. The win has been hailed as historic by Chatur Bahadur Chand, President of the Cricket Association of Nepal, who emphasized its importance in elevating the players’ standing globally. The Nepali middle-order set a competitive target of 148-8, followed by a disciplined bowling performance that restricted the West Indies. Fans, clad in replica team jerseys, celebrated enthusiastically, waving the national flag both in the stadium and at home. Pujan Thapa, a 27-year-old spectator from Kathmandu, shared his unexpected joy, saying, ‘We stood up and danced.’ The victory comes as Nepal recovers from recent anti-corruption protests that resulted in significant casualties and political upheaval. Team captain Rohit Paudel dedicated the win to the ‘martyrs’ of the protests, hoping it would bring some happiness to the nation. Cricket, though not as dominant in mountainous Nepal as in other South Asian countries, has been gaining popularity since Nepal was granted one-day international status by the ICC in 2018. Former chief selector Dipendra Chaudhary attributed the win to the team’s hard work, predicting it would inspire future generations of cricketers. Social media platforms were abuzz with congratulatory messages for the players, reflecting the nation’s pride and joy.

Montego Bay United delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over newly promoted Spanish Town Police at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. This triumph propelled them back to the summit of the Jamaica Premier League standings with 13 points, two ahead of Racing United, who were held to a goalless draw against Tivoli Gardens for the second consecutive match. Portmore United and Chapelton Maroons trail closely, both tied on 10 points but having played one fewer game than the league leaders. The match was marred by disciplinary issues for Spanish Town Police, as two of their players received red cards. Anil Ferguson was sent off in the 88th minute, while Shevan James, already substituted, was dismissed from the bench. Montego Bay United showcased their attacking prowess, with three of their four scorers netting their first goals of the season. Josiah Trimmingham opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a header from a corner, followed by Timar Lewis doubling the lead in the 28th minute with another header. Deonjay Brown, a second-half substitute, capitalized on a swift counterattack in the 74th minute, and Jahmari Clarke, returning from injury, sealed the victory with his third goal of the season in the 85th minute.

Jamaica’s Under-21 netball team concluded their 2025 World Netball Youth Cup campaign with a commendable fifth-place finish, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Head Coach Annett Daley expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly after their 53-44 victory over Scotland in the consolation group final at the Europa Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The match, held on Sunday, showcased the young Sunshine Girls’ resilience and determination.

Daley highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and improve despite limited practice opportunities. ‘The girls stuck to the task and they delivered,’ she remarked, emphasizing the squad’s grit and execution. She also praised the defensive unit for their exceptional performance, noting their ability to recover from errors and maintain focus under pressure.

Reflecting on the broader implications of the tournament, Daley acknowledged the growing competitiveness in international netball, driven by increased investments from various countries. She stressed the importance of retaining and developing Jamaica’s young talent to ensure future success. ‘There’s a lot we can take away from this match,’ she said. ‘The girls are really in a position to make adjustments as they get more experience.’

However, Daley expressed concern about the Caribbean region’s standing in global netball, urging greater attention to development and investment. ‘If we are not careful in the Caribbean, we could be in problems,’ she warned.

The tournament saw Australia clinch the title with a 63-48 victory over New Zealand, while England secured third place with a 55-35 win against South Africa. Despite falling to Australia in the quarter-finals and England in the group stage, Jamaica’s performance against these top-tier teams was a source of pride for Daley and her squad. ‘The two teams that beat us, one came first and one came third,’ she noted. ‘We are feeling proud of ourselves.’

As the team looks ahead, the focus remains on building a cohesive unit and leveraging the lessons learned from this experience to achieve greater heights in the future.

The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has announced plans to honour sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in recognition of her extraordinary athletic achievements and significant social contributions. Fraser-Pryce, who recently concluded her 18-year senior career at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, leaves behind a legacy that has inspired both locally and globally.

Manchester City delivered a commanding performance in the Women’s Super League (WSL) on Sunday, securing a 4-1 victory against the London City Lionesses. Jamaican international Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was the standout player, netting two crucial goals from the penalty spot in the second half. This win propelled Manchester City to third place in the league standings, with nine points from four games, trailing behind Manchester United and Chelsea, who have 10 and 12 points, respectively. Shaw’s brace brought her season tally to three goals, placing her among the top three goal scorers in the WSL. The match began with Manchester City taking an early lead, as Vivianne Miedema headed in a cross from Kerstin Casparij in the 11th minute. Laura Blindkilde Brown extended the lead just three minutes later with a precise low shot through a crowded box. London City managed to pull one back in the 19th minute, thanks to a clinical finish by Nikita Parris following a defensive lapse. However, Shaw’s composure from the penalty spot in the 69th and 89th minutes, following fouls by Saki Kumagai and Wassa Sangare, sealed the victory for Manchester City.

The highly anticipated fourth edition of the Youth Football League’s (YFL) Junior Cup is set to commence on October 4 at the Constant Spring field, with subsequent matches moving to Kirkvine, Manchester, on October 11. The all-island final will return to Constant Spring on October 18, where the top six teams will compete for the championship title. Hillel Prep, the defending champions, will aim to retain their crown in this prestigious tournament.