分类: sports

  • U-17 WC Morocco 2026 Qualifications : Our Grenadières humiliated by the United States [0-9] (video)

    U-17 WC Morocco 2026 Qualifications : Our Grenadières humiliated by the United States [0-9] (video)

    In a stunning display of football dominance, the United States U-17 Women’s National Team delivered a devastating 9-0 victory against Haiti during the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The match, played on March 19, 2026, at the Costa Rican Football Federation Stadium, showcased the overwhelming gap between the two squads as the Americans systematically dismantled their Caribbean opponents.

    The match began ominously for Haiti when defender Kaylee Mallebranche scored an own goal in the 5th minute, setting the tone for what would become a relentless American offensive. The US team’s attacking prowess was on full display as Giselle Aguilar recorded a remarkable hat-trick (25′, 45+1′, 52′), while teammates Grace Murra, Mak Whitham, Loradana Paletta, and Deus Stanislaus (who scored twice) completed the scoring rout. Jordyn Heathcock provided multiple assists, demonstrating exceptional playmaking ability throughout the match.

    Haitian coach Marc-Ogil Frenoy Baptiste attempted to shift momentum with strategic substitutions, including bringing in Krystel Châtelain for Mallebranche in the 17th minute and Samira Ductan for Laetitia Decombe at halftime. However, these changes proved insufficient against the American onslaught.

    The result leaves Haiti at the bottom of Group B with zero points from two matches, having conceded 12 goals while scoring only one. The United States and Puerto Rico lead the group with perfect records, though the Americans boast a staggering +28 goal difference. Haiti’s final opportunity for redemption comes against Bermuda on March 22, though World Cup qualification is now mathematically impossible.

    This performance underscores the developmental challenges facing Caribbean football programs against well-established soccer nations like the United States, which continues to demonstrate its depth of talent in women’s youth football.

  • Goddard-McCarthy selected by IOC to cover Youth Olympics

    Goddard-McCarthy selected by IOC to cover Youth Olympics

    Nathan Goddard-McCarthy, a 23-year-old sports journalist from Barbados, has achieved international recognition by securing a coveted spot in the International Olympic Committee’s Young Reporters Programme. He stands among only 15 young media professionals globally chosen for this prestigious initiative from an initial pool of 271 applicants aged 18-24 worldwide.

    The programme will see Goddard-McCarthy covering the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled from October 31 to November 13. His selection marks a significant milestone as he becomes the sole Caribbean representative in this year’s cohort, particularly notable given Barbados’ population of approximately 280,000 people.

    Goddard-McCarthy, a former athlete and Combermere School alumnus, has built a substantial following through his digital platform ‘Natesportstalk’ on Instagram. What began as a spontaneous passion project during a beach outing with his camera has evolved into a respected hub for Caribbean sports journalism, particularly focused on track and field coverage.

    The application process required candidates to submit comprehensive portfolios including written articles, photography, and videography samples, along with essays detailing their career aspirations and vision for impacting the media landscape. The programme offers specialized training in photography, broadcasting, and journalism techniques.

    Reflecting on his achievement, Goddard-McCarthy described the moment as “surreal,” emphasizing the honor of representing both Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. His primary objective for the Dakar Olympics involves showcasing Caribbean athletic talent and demonstrating that smaller nations can achieve global sporting prominence.

    The young journalist follows in the footsteps of fellow Barbadian Anmar Goodridge-Boyce, who participated in the same programme in 2018. Goddard-McCarthy attributes his success to resilience and patience, having pursued Sports Education at the University of the West Indies while exploring various sports-related disciplines before finding his calling in sports media.

    Looking beyond the Olympics, Goddard-McCarthy plans to expand into podcast production, aiming to document stories of Barbadian athletes both past and present. He acknowledges the support of his family, girlfriend, and mentors Terry Finisterre and Taahir Bulbulia, along with his growing audience who have supported his digital journey.

  • Dominica bets on Thea LaFond-Gadson for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026

    Dominica bets on Thea LaFond-Gadson for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026

    The small Caribbean nation of Dominica will be represented by its most decorated athlete at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, with Olympic and World Indoor champion Thea LaFond-Gadson leading the charge in the triple jump competition.

    Scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 2:38 PM local time, LaFond-Gadson’s participation marks a significant moment for Dominican athletics as she faces elite global competitors in one of track and field’s most prestigious indoor events. The championship, organized by World Athletics, brings together over 150 nations for what promises to be a showcase of world-class athletic excellence.

    In preparation for the competition, LaFond-Gadson expressed both confidence and gratitude: ‘I’m coming into this part of the season feeling powerful and eager to bring back some hardware for Team Dominica! Most importantly, I’m grateful to be feeling healthy and pain free.’

    The Dominica Athletics Association emphasized the importance of this event for the nation’s international sporting presence, noting that officials and supporters across the island will be rallying behind their star athlete as she continues to elevate Dominica’s profile on the global athletics stage. The association’s statement highlighted how LaFond-Gadson’s continued success represents growing opportunities for Caribbean nations to compete at the highest levels of international sport.

  • First track titles decided at Island Champs

    First track titles decided at Island Champs

    The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground erupted in excitement on Wednesday, March 18th, as the 2026 Island Champs commenced with a spectacular display of youthful athletic prowess. The event witnessed the crowning of its first champions in a series of gripping middle-distance finals, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend of sprint showdowns.

    Neah Mortley of Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS) seized the spotlight in the Under-14 girls’ 1000m, delivering a strategic performance to clinch gold with a time of 3:37.8, narrowly outpacing Hailey Charles from Vieux Fort Comprehensive. Not to be outdone, Aiden Biscette of the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) dominated the boys’ 1200m, securing victory in 4:01.6 ahead of Railey Thomas of Corinth Secondary.

    The 1500m events proved equally thrilling across multiple divisions. St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) celebrated a double victory as Aniyah George triumphed in the Under-16 category (5:46.8) and Leneese Robinson claimed the Under-18 title (6:00.2). McKayla Olivier of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) topped the Under-20 women’s podium with a 5:54.6 finish. In boys’ competition, Jaelen McDonald of St. Mary’s College (SMC) won the Under-16 race in 4:53.7, while Soufriere Comprehensive’s undefeated sensation Chaz Alexander blazed through his division with an impressive 4:40.4. SALCC’s Omarion Edwin rounded out the distance events by capturing the Under-20 boys’ crown in 4:44.6.

    With middle-distance finals concluded, attention now turns to Sunday’s highly anticipated sprint finals following compelling semifinal performances. An epic Under-18 girls’ 100m confrontation is brewing between Barbara-Marie Maximin of Beanefield Comprehensive (12.4s) and SJC’s Destinee Cenac. Micoud Secondary’s Mylee Chaddie emerged as the athlete to beat in Under-16 girls, posting leading times in both the 100m (12.5s) and 200m (26.8s).

    Boys’ sprint events promise equal excitement. Jermario Actille of Beanefield won his heats in the Under-18 100m and 200m, though Curtis Auguste of Anse Ger TVET Institute posted the overall fastest times (10.8s and 22.7s). The Under-16 division features a quartet of contenders—Renard Bernard, Randall Monroe, Armani Phillips, and Leonel Mathurin—who dominated their respective events. Monroe particularly impressed by adding top 400m (52.8s) and 200m (23.50s) times to his previously won long jump and high jump titles.

    Defending team champions St. Mary’s College (boys) and St. Joseph’s Convent (girls) enter Sunday’s finals positioned strongly, though they face formidable challenges from Vieux Fort Comprehensive, Soufriere Comprehensive, and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy in what promises to be a climactic conclusion to the championship meet.

  • Rogers, Actille hit CARIFTA marks

    Rogers, Actille hit CARIFTA marks

    Despite challenging weather conditions characterized by relentless rain and powerful gusts, Saint Lucia’s premier young athletes demonstrated exceptional resilience during the National Junior Championships and CARIFTA Trials hosted by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association last weekend. The event, serving as the critical qualifying platform for the upcoming regional track and field championships in Grenada during Easter weekend, witnessed numerous athletes achieving remarkable performances.

    Syesha Rogers of Morne Stars Athletics Club emerged as a standout performer in the Under-20 girls’ long jump category. Battling against swirling winds that disrupted many attempts, Rogers fouled what appeared to be a massive jump before registering two exceptional legal jumps of 5.75m and 5.70m. These distances not only represented personal career milestones but also secured her qualification for the CARIFTA Games alongside teammate Destinee Cenac, both meeting the rigorous standards set by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association.

    In the Under-17 boys’ division, Jermario Actille demonstrated his sprinting prowess in the 100m events. The Beanefield Comprehensive student, competing unattached, posted impressive times throughout the competition rounds. He clocked 10.96 seconds in Heat 4 with a 2.7 m/s tailwind, followed by 11.02 seconds in the semifinals with a 1.4 m/s tailwind, and culminated his performance with a blistering 10.69 seconds in the final, though significantly aided by a substantial 5.7 m/s tailwind.

    Additional notable qualifications included Barbara-Marie Maximin of Abilene, who once again met the CARIFTA standard in the Under-17 girls’ long jump with a winning leap of 5.39m, surpassing her closest competitor by nearly a full meter.

    The championships showcased depth across multiple age categories and disciplines. Joshua Matthews of Sprint Tech dominated the Under-17 boys’ track with victories in both the 200m (22.98s) and 400m (53.1s). Distance events saw Chaz Alexander of Soufriere claim top honors in the 800m (2:09.96) and 1500m (4:32.80), while Jemal Cadette maintained Sulphur City’s presence in the 3000m (11:13.68). Field events witnessed Aj Joseph (Sprint Tech) leading the long jump (5.74m) and Carrick Edward (Morne Stars) excelling in triple jump (11.30m).

    Under-20 competition featured Ryan Simeon of Nightriders achieving fast times in the 200m (21.47s) and 100m (10.66s), though both performances were wind-assisted. Joaqwan Alexander (Soufriere) impressed in the 400m with 48.79s, while Darvin Forde (Sprint Tech) demonstrated versatility with wins in both long jump (6.69m) and triple jump (13.97m).

    The women’s categories produced equally impressive results. Destinee Cenac (Morne Stars) secured the Under-17 girls’ 100m title in 12.27s, while Shaimaelle Durand (Pacesetters) took second before claiming victory in the 200m (25.90s). Sierratina Hilaire (Morne Stars) won the Under-20 girls’ 100m in 12.21s, and Nyella Cox (Survivors) dominated the 200m with 25.3s.

    Juvenile athletes also showcased their emerging talents, with Danielle Alphonse (Pacesetters) winning the Under-14 girls’ 50m in 20.54s and Hadassah Jules (Soufriere) claiming the 300m in 46.22s. The mixed relay events concluded the competition, with Sprint Tech winning the 4x100m (55.27s) and Morne Stars capturing the 4x300m (3:14.88s).

  • Three Jamaican men advance to 60m semis at World Indoors

    Three Jamaican men advance to 60m semis at World Indoors

    The World Athletics Indoor Championships commenced with electrifying speed on Friday at Poland’s Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Toruń, where Jamaica’s sprint contingent delivered a commanding performance in the men’s 60-meter dash. All three Jamaican entrants successfully secured their places in the semi-finals following impressive victories in their preliminary heats.

    Bryan Levell, Kishane Thompson, and Ackeem Blake—the latter being the reigning World Indoor Tour series champion—each demonstrated exceptional form by winning their respective races. Their advancement sets the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final round scheduled for the same evening’s session.

    Levell posted a blistering time of 6.53 seconds, tying with Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten for the third-fastest time overall in the qualifying rounds. Thompson followed closely with a strong run of 6.56 seconds. Blake, the bronze medalist from the 2022 championships in Glasgow, secured his progression with a time of 6.59 seconds, edging out a narrow victory over Claude Itoungue Bogognie of Cameroon in a tightly contested heat.

    The overall qualifying leader was American sprinter Trevon Bromell, who topped the timesheets with a swift 6.52 seconds, positioning himself as a formidable contender as the competition progresses.

  • Distin finishes10th in women’s high jump at World Indoors

    Distin finishes10th in women’s high jump at World Indoors

    Jamaican high jumper Lamara Distin concluded her inaugural appearance at the World Athletics Indoor Championships with a tenth-place finish in the women’s high jump event. The competition commenced on Friday morning at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Toruń, Poland.

    Distin, who entered the championships with a season’s best mark of 1.96 meters, faced an unexpected challenge. She successfully cleared the initial height of 1.85m but was unable to advance beyond the subsequent bar set at 1.93m, resulting in her elimination from the contest.

    The athlete, a distinguished three-time NCAA champion during her tenure at Texas A&M University, was making her debut at the World Indoor Championships. This appearance follows her previous experience as a finalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Budapest.

    A unique format of the indoor championships dictates that all field events proceed directly to finals, eliminating preliminary rounds and placing immediate pressure on athletes to perform at their peak from the first attempt.

  • World Indoors: Reheem Hayles advances to 400m semis

    World Indoors: Reheem Hayles advances to 400m semis

    On the inaugural morning of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, British sprinter Reheem Hayles clinched a coveted semi-final position in the men’s 400m event. The intense opening round, held at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena this Friday, saw Hayles deliver a formidable performance, clocking in at 46.66 seconds. This impressive time earned him a second-place finish in his heat, trailing closely behind American athlete Chris Robinson, who seized victory with a swift 46.34 seconds. Both frontrunners secured automatic qualification for the semi-finals scheduled later that day.

    The race was not without its dramatic turns. Jamaica’s Delano Kennedy, despite achieving a personal lifetime indoor best of 47.02 seconds, was unable to advance beyond the initial round after placing third. The outcome of his heat was further altered by a significant post-race decision. France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta, who had initially crossed the finish line first, was subsequently disqualified due to a lane violation. This ruling reshuffled the final standings but ultimately did not grant Kennedy a progressing slot, underscoring the high-stakes and stringent regulations of international competition.

  • Goule-Toppin into semis of women’s 800m at World Athletics Indoor Championships

    Goule-Toppin into semis of women’s 800m at World Athletics Indoor Championships

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican middle-distance runner Natoya Goule-Toppin secured her position in the semi-finals of the women’s 800m event during the World Athletics Indoor Championships on Friday. Competing at Toruń’s Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Poland, the seasoned athlete completed her initial heat with a time of 2:01.32, earning second place and demonstrating strategic racing prowess.

    Goule-Toppin, who previously reached the finals in the 2022 championship held in Serbia, dominated much of the race before being overtaken near the finish by Norway’s Pernille Karlsen Antonsen. Antonsen achieved a national record with her winning time of 2:00.77, showcasing the high level of competition in the event.

    In contrast, Jamaica’s other representative, Kelly-Ann Beckford, saw her championship hopes conclude in the opening round. Beckford finished fifth in her respective heat with a time of 2:04.09, which was insufficient to advance to the next stage of the competition.

    The semi-finals will determine which athletes qualify for the championship final, with Goule-Toppin positioned to continue Jamaica’s representation in the later stages of the tournament.

  • Speid announces Reggae Boyz squad for World Cup playoffs

    Speid announces Reggae Boyz squad for World Cup playoffs

    Jamaica’s national football team has unveiled a significantly reshaped 28-player roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs in Mexico, featuring three English-born talents receiving their first senior call-ups. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) confirmed the selection at a Friday press conference, with interim coach Rudolph Speid making several bold personnel decisions ahead of the crucial matches.

    The new additions include Coventry City’s prolific attacker Ephron Mason-Clark, who has delivered an impressive seven goals and seven assists this season, helping propel his club to the top of the English Championship table. He is joined by Sheffield United winger Andre Brooks and 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tyrese Hall, currently developing on loan at Notts County, both enjoying strong domestic campaigns.

    In a major boost to the squad, Aston Villa’s dynamic winger Leon Bailey returns to international duty after an eight-month absence recovering from injury. The selection also maintains experienced leadership with captain Andre Blake and vice-captain Damion Lowe, alongside established Premier League talents including Bobby Reid, Demarai Gray, and Ethan Pinnock.

    However, the revised squad notably excludes several high-profile players previously associated with the Reggae Boyz. As initially reported by the Jamaica Observer, striker Shamar Nicholson, emerging talent Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, and Kaheim Dixon were among the omissions. Also absent are English-based professionals Mason Holgate, Rico Henry, and Rumarn Burrell, signaling a strategic shift in team composition under interim leadership.

    The complete squad features three goalkeepers: Andre Blake (captain), Jahmali Waite, and Amal Knight. Defensive options include Ronaldo Webster, Amari’I Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Damion Lowe, Kyle Ming, and Ian Fray. The midfield comprises Isaac Hayden, Bobby Reid, Andre Brooks, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer, Leon Bailey, Kevon Lambert, Dwight Merrick, and Tyrese Hall. Forward positions will be filled by Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Demarai Gray, Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell, Norman Campbell, Jamal Lowe, and Ephron Mason-Clark.