The West Indies cricket team has introduced fresh talent to its 15-member Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, commencing next month. Ojay Shields, a promising Jamaican fast bowler, has received his maiden call-up, stepping in to fill the void left by injured frontline pacers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph. Shields, who has claimed 34 wickets in 16 first-class matches, will join seasoned campaigner Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales to form a relatively inexperienced pace attack. Additionally, middle-order batsman Kavem Hodge has been recalled to the squad, bringing his experience of 11 Tests and 556 runs to the table. The team, which assembled in New Zealand on November 20, will benefit from a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln, Christchurch, to acclimatize to local conditions. Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized the meticulous preparation undertaken for this challenging tour, including a high-performance camp in Antigua designed to simulate New Zealand’s pace-friendly pitches. The series, part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, marks the West Indies’ final fixture for 2025. The squad, led by Roston Chase, is supported by a comprehensive team management unit, including head coach Daren Sammy and a host of specialized coaches and support staff. The tour schedule includes warm-up matches and three Tests across Christchurch, Wellington, and Mount Maunganui, promising an exciting contest between the two cricketing nations.
分类： sports
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Didier, Marcel to represent Saint Lucia at World Boxing Champs in Dubai
Saint Lucia’s elite boxers, John Didier and Kyle Marcel, have been selected to represent their nation at the 2025 International Boxing Association (IBA) Men’s World Boxing Championships. The prestigious event, scheduled for December 2-13 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will feature a staggering total prize pool of USD$8.32 million, with winners earning $300,000 and fifth-place finishers taking home $10,000. The announcement was made by the Saint Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA), which hailed this as a landmark achievement for the country, placing it on one of the most celebrated stages in global boxing. The championships will be held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium and are part of the inaugural IBA ‘Festival of Boxing,’ a 12-day celebration of the sport. The SLBA attributed this opportunity to Saint Lucia’s unwavering loyalty to the IBA and its active role in promoting boxing across the Caribbean and within the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC). Despite the IBA’s controversial status—having been stripped of recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 2023 due to corruption and financial transparency issues—Saint Lucia has remained a committed member. In contrast, nations like Barbados and Grenada have shifted allegiance to the rival World Boxing organization to secure Olympic pathways for their athletes. The SLBA emphasized that the inclusion of Didier and Marcel underscores the benefits of consistent support, strategic development, and international collaboration. Both athletes recently showcased their prowess at the Open International Boxing Tournament in Guadeloupe, with Didier securing gold and Marcel earning silver. The 2025 championships are anticipated to draw top-tier boxers and global audiences, providing Didier and Marcel with a unique platform to demonstrate their skills and proudly represent Saint Lucia.
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And that’s a wrap! Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ 2025 ignites Guyana with thrilling finale
The National Gymnasium in Georgetown witnessed an electrifying conclusion to the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket Programme on November 15, 2025, as St Lawrence Primary from Essequibo emerged victorious in a fiercely contested national championship. The indoor venue, necessitated by unseasonal rains, failed to dampen the spirits as young athletes delivered a spectacular display of skill and sportsmanship.
This grassroots initiative, now in its third year of operation in Guyana, has evolved into a significant developmental platform for youth cricket. The 2025 edition engaged 75 primary schools across all three counties—Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo—providing hundreds of children with exposure to cricket fundamentals through an inclusive, fast-paced format emphasizing participation and enjoyment.
The championship finale featured round-robin competition between county champions: St Lawrence Primary (Essequibo), Massiah Primary (Berbice), and Supply Primary (Demerara). After intense competition, St Lawrence prevailed over a determined Massiah Primary team to claim the national title.
Tournament accolades were distributed among standout performers: Tianna Steele of St Lawrence secured both Best Batter and Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Susanie Turnail (Massiah Primary) received Best Bowler recognition, while Avidesh Pitam (Massiah Primary) earned Best Fielder distinction. The Spirit of the Game award was presented to Massiah Primary for exemplary sportsmanship.
Senior officials highlighted the program’s significance in national sports development. Ronald Williams, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, emphasized the partnership between Cricket West Indies and Republic Bank creates “a pathway for young cricketers to develop skills progressively from tender ages through structured cricket programs.”
Marti De Souza, Deputy Chief Education Officer, connected the tournament to President Ali’s vision for holistic student development, noting the alignment with goals for creating “well-rounded pupils who are healthy and active.”
The Honourable Steven Jacobs, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, challenged organizers to expand the program’s reach, urging expansion “into the hinterland to discover talented athletes” and increase participation beyond the current 75 schools.
Republic Bank representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative. Jonelle Dummett, Manager of Marketing and Communications, stated: “Our goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence and develop skills that can turn today’s young enthusiasts into tomorrow’s cricket legends.”
KJ Singh, Cricket West Indies Senior Project Officer, confirmed the organization’s dedication to working with stakeholders to “expand our reach to more communities and schools annually” as the program looks toward the 2026 season.
Guyana’s finale marked the conclusion of the 2025 ‘Five for Fun’ Programme across the Caribbean, following successful tournaments in St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago.
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Change of route for Run Barbados Race events
The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the organizing body behind the highly anticipated 2025 Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend, has unveiled significant changes to the race routes for the event scheduled from December 5 to 7. Due to ongoing road construction along the Ermie Bourne Highway, the starting points for the 5K Run & Walk, 10K Run, Half Marathon, and Marathon have been relocated from Barclays Park to the Bay Street Esplanade in St. Michael. The popular Fun Mile, however, will remain unaffected and will continue to be held at the Garrison Savannah as originally planned. Kamal Springer, Manager of Sports at BTMI, emphasized that the decision to alter the routes was made after thorough consideration of the logistical challenges posed by the roadworks and extensive consultations with relevant authorities. Springer assured participants and stakeholders that the event would still deliver an exceptional experience, stating, ‘Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend remains committed to providing a memorable experience for all involved. While this change may require some adjustment, it ensures the event’s smooth execution and maintains the high quality of the experience for participants, volunteers, and spectators.’ The Run Barbados series, which initially featured only the Bridgetown 10K and the Marathon, has a long-standing tradition of starting and finishing the 10K race at the scenic Bay Street Esplanade. BTMI encourages all runners and spectators to join in what promises to be a remarkable weekend of fitness and wellness.
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Voetbal wordt leermiddel: Football for Schools van start
FIFA’s global Football for Schools initiative has officially expanded to Suriname, aiming to harness the power of football to foster not only athletic development but also essential social and life skills among young people. The program seeks to support schools in systematically integrating sports to promote personal growth, healthy behaviors, and active citizenship. By teaching students skills such as self-confidence, critical thinking, decision-making, teamwork, and respect, the initiative aligns with the goals of Suriname’s Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS), which views sports as a vital tool for comprehensive youth development. Jason Menso, Deputy Director of Training, Information, and Sports Development at JOS, emphasized the strategic potential of football in education. ‘Football is accessible and immensely popular. It can be strategically used to empower young people, which is precisely what Football for Schools aims to achieve: developing life experiences and competencies through sport,’ he stated. The program focuses on equal opportunities for all youth, including girls, and encourages talent development and societal participation. It also contributes to social cohesion and healthier lifestyles within communities. ‘By placing schools at the center, this program makes sports widely accessible and leverages them as a powerful tool for positive youth development,’ Menso added. A two-day training session for physical education teachers recently commenced at the Owru Cul Sports Complex, preparing them to implement Football for Schools in various schools across Suriname. The training familiarizes teachers with the program’s methodology, practical approaches, and underlying values, enabling them to effectively guide students. According to FIFA, international research demonstrates that Football for Schools helps countries address social and economic challenges through sport, in alignment with sustainable development goals. In Suriname, the program is being executed by the Surinamese Football Association (SVB) in collaboration with FIFA and UNICEF.
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Cricket West Indies announces team for test series against New Zealand
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to take place from December 1 to December 21 across Christchurch, Wellington, and Mount Maunganui. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship for 2025-2027 and marks the West Indies’ final fixture of the year.
Due to injuries sustained earlier this year, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph will be unavailable for the tour. In their absence, experienced fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled to bolster the squad’s pace attack, which also includes newcomer Ojay Shields, receiving his first national call-up. The team recently completed a two-week high-performance camp in Antigua, focusing on preparing for the pace-friendly conditions expected in New Zealand.
Kavem Hodge has been included in the squad following impressive performances against fast bowling, while Khary Pierre has been omitted as spin bowling is not anticipated to play a significant role in the series.
Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized the importance of targeted preparation for the tour. He highlighted the efforts made to replicate New Zealand’s conditions during the high-performance camp in Antigua. Bascombe noted that several squad members are already in New Zealand for the white-ball portion of the tour, giving them valuable time to acclimate.
The Caribbean-based players joined the rest of the squad in New Zealand on November 20, allowing them time to adjust and participate in a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln, Christchurch.
West Indies Test Squad for New Zealand:
– Roston Chase (Captain)
– Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain)
– Alick Athanaze
– John Campbell
– Tagenarine Chanderpaul
– Justin Greaves
– Kavem Hodge
– Shai Hope
– Tevin Imlach
– Brandon King
– Johann Layne
– Anderson Phillip
– Kemar Roach
– Jayden Seales
– Ojay ShieldsTeam Management:
– Head Coach: Daren Sammy
– Manager: Rawl Lewis
– Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
– Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
– Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
– Physiotherapist: Dr. Denis Byam
– Mental Skills/Performance Coach: Krisnan Hurdle
– Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne
– Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
– Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
– Content & Media Officer: Jerome FosterTour Schedule (Caribbean Time):
– Warm-Up Match: November 25-26, Lincoln, Christchurch
– 1st Test: December 1-5, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, at 6 pm AST / 5 pm Jamaica time
– 2nd Test: December 9-13, Basin Reserve, Wellington, at 6 pm AST / 5 pm Jamaica time
– 3rd Test: December 17-21, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, at 6 pm AST / 5 pm Jamaica time -
Roach returns
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The West Indies cricket team has unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to commence next month. Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach, a stalwart of West Indies cricket, has been included in the lineup, a decision that aligns with expectations following his participation in a high-performance preparation camp organized by Cricket West Indies (CWI) earlier this month. Roach, the fifth-highest wicket-taker in West Indies Test history with 285 scalps, will spearhead the pace attack alongside Jayden Seales. The squad, however, will be without the injured Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who are sidelined for the remainder of the year. The series, part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, marks the West Indies’ final fixture for 2025. CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the meticulous preparation undertaken to ensure the team is well-equipped for the challenging conditions in New Zealand. “New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side, which is why strong emphasis has been placed on targeted preparation,” Bascombe stated. The squad, which includes debutant Ojay Shields and recalled middle-order batsman Kavem Hodge, arrived in New Zealand on November 20, allowing ample time for acclimatization and a warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch.
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Speid appointed Reggae Boyz interim coach, Coley in talks for assistant role
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has announced the appointment of Rudolph Speid as the interim head coach of the Reggae Boyz, following the resignation of Steve McClaren on Tuesday. Speid, who has been serving as the technical advisor for the national senior men’s team for the past four months, will officially assume the role on December 15, 2025, and continue until March 31, 2026. The decision was made during an emergency meeting at the JFF on Friday, where Speid was one of two candidates interviewed for the position. The other candidate, Miguel Coley, a former assistant coach of the Reggae Boyz currently based in Iraq, is in discussions to serve as the assistant coach. Speid, who has led Cavalier FC to three Jamaica Premier League titles in the last four years and won the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, will now guide the team through their final push for World Cup qualification at the Inter-Confederation Playoffs in March. The Reggae Boyz will face New Caledonia in the semi-finals, with a potential final against DR Congo for a spot in next year’s tournament.
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SECOND BITE OF THE CHERRY
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts remains cautiously optimistic as the Reggae Boyz prepare for their FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off campaign. Following a 0-0 draw with Curaçao, which resulted in Jamaica missing automatic qualification and the resignation of Head Coach Steve McClaren, Ricketts emphasized the need for collective effort and strategic planning. The JFF is set to appoint a new head coach, with an announcement expected after a meeting with the executive committee.
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Ricketts shocked at damage to Montego Bay Sports Complex
The Montego Bay Sports Complex, a key venue for Jamaica Premier League matches, has suffered extensive damage due to Hurricane Melissa, leaving officials scrambling to address the aftermath. Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts expressed deep concern after inspecting the facility alongside FIFA representative Malaika Church. The playing surface was submerged under inches of mud following days of torrential rainfall, rendering it unusable for the foreseeable future. Ricketts remarked, ‘I never thought it was that bad,’ highlighting the severity of the situation. The Category 5 hurricane caused the Barnett and Pye rivers to overflow, flooding the complex and leaving water marks up to five feet high in some areas. Montego Bay United (MBU) Chairman Yoni Epstein estimated repair costs at approximately $300 million and stated that the team would be unable to host home games at the venue for several months. MBU has temporarily relocated its local players to Kingston, where they played a 2-2 draw against Portmore United in a friendly match. However, Epstein emphasized that the club remains committed to playing in Montego Bay, with plans to finalize alternative arrangements soon. Initial cleanup efforts have focused on removing thick clay soil from the running track, but restoring the pitch will require delicate handling to avoid damaging the turf and underground sprinkler system. The electrical system, including floodlights, has also been compromised, with some bulbs blown out of alignment. Ricketts noted that FIFA has recommended seeking a memorandum of understanding with the St James Municipal Council to expedite repairs, as neither JFF nor MBU owns the facility. A detailed inspection revealed structural damage, further complicating restoration efforts. The JFF is now working to fast-track repairs to ensure the venue can host matches as soon as possible.