Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Saint Lucia downed by Grenada in CFU opener

    Saint Lucia downed by Grenada in CFU opener

    The Caribbean Football Union Boys Under-14 Challenge Series kicked off on Sunday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, delivering a dramatic opening matchup in Tier II Group D that ended with a heart-stopping 3-2 victory for Grenada over a young, resilient Saint Lucia side known as the Piton Boyz.

    Played at the modern Cap Cana Sports City venue, the contest lived up to pre-tournament excitement as a five-goal thriller that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final seconds. Grenada got off to a blistering start that put Saint Lucia on the back foot early, but the Piton Boyz fought back admirably to level the scoreline, only for a late stoppage-time goal to split the two sides after a full 90 minutes of play.

    Grenada’s opening goal came in the 14th minute from striker Romario Phillip, who broke the deadlock with a clinical finish. Just 60 seconds later, midfielder Adon Bishop doubled Grenada’s advantage, leaving Saint Lucia facing a 2-0 deficit inside the opening 15 minutes of the tournament. Undeterred by the early setback, Saint Lucia clawed their way back into the game: forward Jalen McDonald cut the deficit to one goal in the 30th minute, before winger Lyin Griffith found the back of the net to equalize just eight minutes later, sending the two sides into halftime level at 2-2.

    The second half unfolded as a tense tactical battle, with both defenses stepping up to block repeated attacking pushes. As the clock ticked down, it looked increasingly likely that the fixture would end in a 2-2 draw, mirroring the result of the two teams’ last meeting in this very competition two years prior. But in the final minutes of stoppage time, attacker Jaywani Noel slotted home the decisive winner for Grenada, securing all three points for his side in their opening group stage game.

    The tournament structure leaves no room for error for either side moving forward. Only the top team from Tier II Group D will advance to the tournament semifinals, scheduled to take place next Friday. Saint Lucia will look to bounce back from their narrow opening loss when they face the United States Virgin Islands on Monday. The US Virgin Islands also suffered a heavy defeat in their opening fixture, falling 8-0 to Suriname on Sunday. Saint Lucia will then go head-to-head with Suriname in their final group stage match on Wednesday.

  • Glanvilles FC Celebrates Top Players at 2026 Awards Ceremony

    Glanvilles FC Celebrates Top Players at 2026 Awards Ceremony

    On a memorable Saturday gathering at the Glanvilles Community Centre, Glanvilles Football Club brought its 2025-26 competitive campaign to a close with a celebratory annual awards ceremony, honoring standout performers and marking decades of the club’s deep roots in the local community.

    The evening’s top honors went to Rodney George, who took home the coveted Most Valuable Player award for his consistent, game-changing contributions across the entire season. Rashaun Martin claimed the Golden Boot award after finishing as the club’s highest goalscorer, a testament to his sharp finishing and offensive prowess. Avondre Johnson earned the Fair Play Award for his exemplary sportsmanship both on and off the pitch, while Tyjorne Simon was recognized as the Most Improved Player, capping a season of remarkable growth in his performance. The shared Leadership Award went to Khadeem “Dan One” St. Jean and Roshane “Vinny” Burton, who were acknowledged for guiding the squad through the season with steady direction and team-first commitment. In a fun addition to the formal awards, Johnson and Simon also took home honors as the club’s best-dressed players, selected by Zita Edwards, a standing member of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association.

    Opening the formal proceedings, club president Vernon “Cactus” Spencer extended gratitude to every group that helped make the season a success, from the club’s executive board and players to local sponsors and community partners who have backed the team year-round. As a gesture of appreciation for every member of the squad, every player in attendance received a custom commemorative medal and a curated gift bag from the executive committee.

    Beyond awards, the ceremony wove in opportunities to reflect on the club’s long-standing legacy in the region. Whitfield “Hashie” Joshua delivered a special presentation tracing the storied history of Glanvilles FC, highlighting the generations of players that have built the club’s reputation. Former club midfielder Pastor Randolph Hazelwood followed with a motivational address, encouraging current players to carry forward the club’s values of community and dedication. Attendees also paused to honor the memory of Adrian “Abassa” Adams, a recently passed sportsman from the local SeaGlans community, with a solemn moment of silence.

    Representatives from regional sporting bodies joined the event to support the celebrations: Karen Joseph, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Netball Association, and Zita Edwards assisted with presenting awards to the winning players. The evening also included a special recognition segment for the club’s sponsors and community stakeholders, including Stingray City Antigua, Muffy’s Eastside Grocery and Service Station, and the Teacher Audrey Scholarship Foundation, whose financial and in-kind support made the season and the ceremony possible.

    Closing out the event, club vice president Jessica Matthew delivered a formal vote of thanks to all attendees and supporters. The ceremony wrapped up with group photographs, catered refreshments, and informal socializing, giving players, officials, and community members a chance to connect and celebrate their shared love for the club ahead of the next competitive season.

  • Julio Espínola and Eduardo Lomba win top honors at Adoexpo Golf Tournament

    Julio Espínola and Eduardo Lomba win top honors at Adoexpo Golf Tournament

    The 21st annual Dominican Association of Exporters (Adoexpo) Golf Tournament wrapped up at Punta Cana’s scenic Corales Golf Course this week, drawing 108 competitors from across the Dominican Republic’s thriving export industry. Julio Espínola and Eduardo Lomba secured the tournament’s top overall gross title, capping off a day of competitive play and strategic networking that has become a hallmark of the flagship industry event.

    Organized to bring together export sector stakeholders outside of traditional boardrooms, the tournament welcomed business leaders, C-suite executives, and company representatives from across the country. Opening the event, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Daniel Peña completed the honorary ceremonial first tee shot, underscoring the government’s recognition of the tournament’s importance to the national export community. Adoexpo president Karel Castillo opened the day’s remarks by emphasizing the event’s core purpose: fostering tighter, more collaborative relationships between businesses operating within the country’s export ecosystem.

    Played as a two-player scramble format, the tournament split competitors into three distinct skill-based divisions to ensure fair and engaging competition across all levels. In Category A, Nicolás Quintero and José Said Mella delivered a consistent round to claim the division’s first-place finish. Joaquín Montero and Ygnacio Pérez took the top spot in Category B, while Wilson Ramírez and Edwin Ramírez secured first place honors in Category C.

    Beyond the on-course competition, the event offered a full schedule of off-green activities designed to encourage connection and highlight key segments of the export community. Attendees kicked off the day with a welcome cocktail, and a dedicated hospitality area offered cutting-edge virtual reality experiences for guests between rounds. The tournament also hosted the third edition of Shotgun Mujeres, a special initiative focused on elevating women exporters and showcasing women-led export brands across the Dominican Republic.

    Adoexpo representatives reaffirmed that the annual golf tournament remains one of the association’s most important business networking gatherings. By merging recreational sport, industry connection, and targeted programming to support the growth of the national export sector, the event continues to deliver long-term value for participating businesses and the Dominican export economy as a whole.

  • Swimmers hoping to make big splash at Goodwill Championships

    Swimmers hoping to make big splash at Goodwill Championships

    A 37-strong delegation of young swimmers from Barbados has touched down in Trinidad, gearing up to compete at the 30th annual Goodwill Swimming Championships, a three-day regional aquatic competition scheduled to take place from August 14 to 16.

    Stacy Blunt, the team’s manager, shared that the roster brings together athletes across multiple age divisions, starting from competitors under the age of 8 all the way up to swimmers in the 15 to 17 age bracket. Over the preceding months, every member of the squad has put in consistent, rigorous work to get ready for the regional meet, Blunt noted. She highlighted the extraordinary level of dedication the team has displayed in their training sessions, saying the group is fully prepared to embrace the upcoming challenge while carrying national pride with them. Blunt also took the moment to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes contributions of the team’s supporting management staff, an unsung group that she says lays the groundwork for the athletes’ success.

    This year, Jefferson Greenwich steps into the role of head coach for the Barbados team, with support from two of the country’s most accomplished female swimming coaches, Aquila Lashley and Tamara Patrick. Leading the squad as team captains are Walon Yarborough and Amaya Harrison, and Blunt expressed full confidence that the pair will execute their leadership responsibilities effectively.

    For a large number of the young athletes participating, the Goodwill Championships marks their first chance to compete against top talent from across the Caribbean region. Beyond the competition itself, Blunt emphasized that the event offers valuable opportunities for the swimmers to build cross-border friendships, boost their self-confidence, and create lasting personal memories that will stay with them throughout their athletic careers.

    While winning medals and setting new personal best times remain key goals for the delegation, Blunt underlined that the team wants its young competitors to recognize that earning the chance to represent Barbados on a regional stage is already a meaningful achievement and a unique honor. “We are here to push our limits and improve our times, but above all, we want every swimmer to savor the entire experience,” Blunt added.

  • Prow heads strong Barbadian squash team

    Prow heads strong Barbadian squash team

    Barbados is set to make a strong push at the 27th Pan American Senior Squash Championships, which will kick off on August 15 and run through August 22 in Asunción, Paraguay. Leading the nation’s contingent is double Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games gold medalist Margot Prow, one of the most decorated squash players in the country’s recent history. The full Barbadian delegation departed the island nation on Thursday ahead of the tournament.

    Joining Prow on the women’s side is a roster of accomplished, battle-tested players. Meagan Best, who claimed one gold and one silver medal at the recent CAC Games, brings consistent competitive experience to the squad. She is joined by Eboni Atherley, a multiple-time former Caribbean junior champion who has risen through the regional ranks to earn her spot on the senior national team, and veteran campaigner Rae “Muffin” Stollmeyer, whose on-court leadership will be a key asset for the younger squad members.

    On the men’s side, Barbados’s lineup includes three CAC Games bronze medalists: Khamal Cumberbatch, Darien Benn and Shawn Simpson. They will compete alongside rising talent Alex Stewart, who will look to make his mark on the continental stage.

    More than 20 national squads from across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean are gathering in Asunción for the championship, which doubles as a qualification event for the 2027 Pan American Games scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru. A total of 11 qualification slots are up for grabs at this tournament, making every match high-stakes for competing nations.

    In an interview ahead of the team’s departure, Barbados team manager Don Benn laid out the squad’s clear goals for the competition. First, the team aims to build on the standout performance that Barbadian squash players delivered at the recent CAC Games, carrying that momentum into continental competition. Second, the national program is prioritizing securing qualification spots for both the men’s and women’s squads at the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.

    Benn also shared details on the tournament seeding, noting that both Prow and Best have earned 5/8 seedings in the women’s singles draw. That puts them on track to reach at least the quarterfinals of the singles competition, a baseline the program expects the pair to hit. The women’s draw is headlined by two top-ranked American players: Amanda Sobhy, currently the world’s 10th-ranked women’s singles player, and Marina Stefanoni, who sits at 14th in the global rankings.

    For the men’s singles draw, no Barbadian players earned a top 16 seeding. The men’s competition will be led by host nation star Diego Elias of Peru, who is currently ranked third in the world, and Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas, the 14th-ranked men’s player globally. As the tournament gets underway, all eyes will be on the Barbadian squad to see if they can deliver on their qualification goals and upset higher-seeded competitors on the continental stage.

  • Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    A respected Mumbai-based FIDE-certified trainer and arbiter, Praful Jhaveri, has secured a major new appointment: he will serve as both head coach and team captain for the St Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation at the upcoming 46th edition of the global Chess Olympiad, the sport’s most prestigious international team competition. The 2025 Olympiad is scheduled to run from September 15 to 28 this year, hosted across multiple venues in Uzbekistan.

    Jhaveri’s path to this role opened through a strong professional recommendation from International Master Abhilash Kelkar, who previously led the same St Kitts and Nevis national squad at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. Kelkar, who had built a positive working relationship with the federation during his tenure, shared Jhaveri’s instructional chess publications with association leadership, a move that directly paved the way for Jhaveri’s selection.

    Since the appointment was finalized, Jhaveri has already begun full training work with the Caribbean nation’s young squad. In a public statement following the announcement, he noted that the team brings abundant energy and passion to the competition, while the program remains grounded in realistic expectations for the high-stakes global event. “We have already started working together, and what stands out most is the hunger these young players bring to every session,” Jhaveri said. “We are realistic about the challenge ahead of us against some of the world’s top-ranked chess nations, but our entire team is committed to putting forward a strong, respectable performance. For me, the most meaningful outcome would be seeing our unregistered players earn their first official FIDE ratings through their performance here — that would mark a major win for the growth of chess in St Kitts and Nevis.”

    The appointment marks a rare cross-regional collaboration in international competitive chess, where small island nations often partner with experienced international coaches to build their national programs and support emerging local players ahead of the biennial Olympiad.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    A dramatic, rain-interrupted Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash in Gros Islet delivered one of the tournament’s most nail-biting conclusions, as St Lucia Kings escaped with a last-gasp three-wicket DLS method victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, falling just two deliveries short of a stunning upset from the underdogs.

    The match’s fate was reshaped twice by inclement weather before the decisive final overs. When rain cut short the Falcons’ batting innings after 19 overs, the side had posted 98 runs for the loss of nine wickets. This initially set the Kings a revised target of 84 runs from 15 overs to claim the win. However, a second rain interruption just eight balls into St Lucia’s chase forced another target adjustment, slashing the required total to 52 runs from just eight overs.

    Defending this low, condensed target, the Falcons’ bowlers delivered a devastating performance that put them on the brink of a historic win. By the end of the fifth over, the Falcons had torn through the Kings’ top and middle order, reducing the table-topping contenders to a precarious 21 for six. Shamar Springer led the Falcons’ bowling charge, picking up three key wickets for only 13 runs, while Joshua James supported with two wickets for the same 13-run tally.

    It looked like the Falcons would close out the win when St Lucia slipped further to 33 for seven, still 19 runs short of the required target. But Matthew Forde, who had already dominated with the ball earlier in the match (taking four wickets for 29 runs, including consecutive strikes on Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson in the second over, plus the dismissal of Antigua’s top-scorer Rahkeem Cornwall who made 26), shifted the match momentum with a quick-fire cameo. The batter hit Springer for one four and one six, adding 11 vital runs before being bowled on the very next delivery.

    With the match hanging in the balance, Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkwyk held their nerve to finish the job for the Kings. Bishop remained unbeaten on 12 runs, while van Schalkwyk hit eight not out from just three deliveries, guiding St Lucia to 54 runs for seven wickets with two whole balls still left in the final over. The narrow win sees St Lucia Kings climb to the number one position in the 2026 CPL standings.

    For the Falcons, who fell just short of a shocking upset, solid batting contributions came from Amir Jangoo (23 runs) and Alzarri Joseph, whose aggressive unbeaten 16 runs from the number 10 batting position pushed the Falcons to a total that almost proved enough to claim victory. St Lucia’s bowlers also delivered strong performances: Roston Chase finished with two wickets for just seven runs across four overs, while Bishop picked up two wickets for 16 runs to complement his later winning batting innings.

  • Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Two of Antigua and Barbuda’s most prominent international track and field athletes, Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones, have received formal recognition and heartfelt tributes from their national governing body, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), for their ongoing work flying the country’s flag on the global sports stage. In two separate public statements released by the association, both athletes were celebrated for the core personal traits that have defined their athletic careers: unwavering dedication, relentless perseverance, and deep commitment to their respective disciplines. For veteran sprinter Cejhae Greene, the ABAA’s praise highlighted a career-long track record of competing with immense national pride and exceptional athletic excellence. “Over the course of your career, your commitment to the sport, your ability to bounce back from every obstacle you have faced, and your consistent drive to compete against the best athletes in the world have cemented your status as one of the most important figures in the history of Antigua and Barbuda athletics,” the association shared in its statement. The ABAA emphasized that Greene’s athletic journey serves as a powerful case study for emerging young athletes across the twin-island nation, illustrating the transformative impact of discipline, persistence, and wholehearted dedication to one’s goals. “As you continue forward in your athletic path, we encourage you to keep chasing your ambitions with the same fire and determination that have made your career what it is today,” the statement added. The association also extended recognition to Soniya Jones, marking another successful season of international competition where she represented Antigua and Barbuda. Jones was commended for her steady determination, consistent performance at the global level, and incredible physical and mental strength, with the ABAA noting that her regular participation in top international competitions has been a key driver of her ongoing growth as an athlete. “Season after season, you have continued to sharpen your skills, deliver stronger results, and represent our nation with pride and outstanding distinction,” the association said of Jones. Looking ahead to her future competitions, the ABAA added that “there are still new heights to reach, and more unforgettable achievements to create in the years ahead.” Closing out the tributes, the governing body extended its well wishes to both athletes: it expressed hope that Greene will go on to achieve even more excellence and hit meaningful new career milestones in upcoming competitive seasons, while it encouraged Jones to keep building on her progress, deliver breakthrough performances, and secure greater athletic success in her future competitions.

  • Upgrade of Sports Facilities Well Underway

    Upgrade of Sports Facilities Well Underway

    Across Belize, a government-led initiative to modernize the country’s aging public sports infrastructure is moving forward, with multiple upgrade projects hitting early milestones, even as questions remain about the delivery schedule for one of the most anticipated high-impact developments.

    The national upgrade programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports, has already wrapped up construction on several community and regional venues, with additional projects on track for completion in the coming months. During a public sports consultation held in Belize City on Thursday, local sports stakeholders pressed for clarity on the timeline for full upgrades at Rogers Stadium, noting that local Belize City teams are facing unexpected financial burdens due to being forced to host and play matches at far-flung venues while their home facility is out of commission.

    Minister of State for Sports Devin Daly shared a detailed progress update with attendees, outlining the wins the programme has delivered to date. “The playing pitch and underlying sub-base at Isidoro Beaton Stadium have already been fully replaced,” Daly explained. “Work on the synthetic multi-use pitch at Farber’s Road, built for both five-a-side and seven-a-side matches, is on track to be finished before the end of August. Berger Field has also received a full pitch replacement, which was needed after years of heavy overuse and weather damage that left the surface unplayable.”

    Daly added that construction crews will next move to upgrade facilities in the Orange Walk district following the wrap-up of current projects in Belize District, though a final schedule for the next site has not been locked in. Pre-fabricated materials for new basketball courts across the country are scheduled to arrive in the country in September, and renovation work on the Mexico Center roof has already been completed. The venue has been fully resealed to fix persistent leaking issues, and the interior space has been refurbished and prepped to accommodate the new courts once they arrive.

    “Overall, this is an exciting period for grassroots and elite sports across Belize,” Daly said. “We haven’t finished all the work we set out to do, but it’s important to recognize the early progress we’ve made to give athletes better, safer spaces to play.”

    When it comes to the much-discussed Rogers Stadium upgrades, however, Daly confirmed that only preliminary work is currently underway. “Crews are currently installing the new inner perimeter fence at Rogers Stadium, and work on the outer fence will get underway soon,” he noted. “As for the next phases, including reconfiguring the field layout and completing interior landscaping work, we don’t have a confirmed start date to share at this time.”

    This report is adapted from a transcript of an original evening television newscast, with all Creole-language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system per the original outlet’s practice.

  • Pro Shottas in pole position for BFA Division One title

    Pro Shottas in pole position for BFA Division One title

    Barbadian football side Pro Shottas have booked their place in the Barbados Football Association’s top-tier Premier League for the upcoming season, and remain firmly in the driver’s seat to claim the Division One crown as the regular season enters its final stretch. The club’s promotion was officially secured ahead of their 4-1 victory over Technique this past Wednesday, a result that preserved their position at the summit of the Division One league table with just two fixtures left to play.

    In an interview after the win, Pro Shottas manager Paul Croney described the promotion as a just reward for the relentless effort his squad has put in since pre-season training kicked off last November. “It’s just an incredible feeling. The lads have put in shift after shift in training ever since last November, so every single member of this team deserves full credit for what we’ve achieved,” Croney said. He added that the team’s success this season can be traced to two key factors: unwavering consistency in training, and the impact of three high-impact new signings that strengthened the squad’s spine.

    Croney was quick to highlight the transformative influence of centre back Rommel Burgess, one of the club’s key off-season additions. A experienced veteran with both senior national team caps and experience playing club football overseas, Burgess has emerged as a locker room leader and a defensive anchor for Pro Shottas. “We don’t want to overlook the work every player has put in, but this group of new signings has made an enormous difference to our season. Rommel has been phenomenal – he works as hard as anyone and lifts up all the players around him,” Croney explained.

    The club also boosted their attacking firepower by bringing in forwards Xavier Webster and Teondre Hinkson ahead of the campaign, a move that has paid major dividends. The pair now rank among the top goal scorers in Division One: Hinkson has found the back of the net 13 times, while Webster has notched 12 goals for the league leaders.

    Heading into the final two matches, Pro Shottas hold a narrow two-point lead at the top of the standings with 52 points, compared to 50 points for second-placed Parish Land. Both Empire and Pinelands are still in contention for the title as well, as the two sides can reach the 50-point mark if they pick up maximum points from their remaining fixtures, leaving the title race wide open heading into the final week.

    Croney’s side will face Barbados Soccer Academy in their penultimate match before closing out the regular season against Empire, and the manager said his squad is fully prepared to chase the title. “We’re not going into these games taking anything for granted. We know Empire will come out fighting just like they did in the first round, and our guys are ready to compete hard to get the results we need,” he said.

    Once the Division One season concludes, Pro Shottas will shift their focus to the Prime Minister’s Cup, a prestigious knockout competition set to kick off in September that awards a $100,000 grand prize to the tournament winner. Croney is hopeful his team can build on their current momentum to deliver a better performance than they managed in last year’s edition of the cup, where they were eliminated in the first round. “Last year’s result wasn’t what we wanted at all – we didn’t make it past the first stage. But with the momentum and confidence this group has right now, I fully expect we’ll do great things in this year’s competition,” Croney added.