St Michael School showcased an exceptional all-round performance to emerge as the undisputed champion at the Southern Zone Cross Country Championships held on Tuesday at Princess Margaret Secondary School in Six Roads, St Philip. The event, part of the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championship (BSSAC), saw St Michael School dominate across multiple age categories, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in school athletics.
分类： sports
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Hosein wants top order batsmen to come good in decisive ODI
West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein has emphasized the critical need for the team’s top-order batsmen to deliver in the third and decisive One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on Thursday. The regional side narrowly clinched victory in the second ODI on Tuesday, relying on a Super Over to secure a one-run win and level the three-match series at 1-1. However, the Windies’ batting collapses in both matches have raised concerns. In the first ODI, chasing 208, they crumbled from 79 for one to 133 all out, losing by 74 runs. Similarly, in the second ODI, they slumped from 82 for two to 133 for seven before a late resurgence led by Shai Hope’s unbeaten half-century, Justin Greaves’ 26, and Hosein’s 16 forced a Super Over. Hosein, who joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Jediah Blades, stressed that the team cannot continue to depend on the lower order for runs. He highlighted the challenges of facing skilled spinners with a worn ball and urged the top half to exhibit better batsmanship. Hosein acknowledged the team’s resilience in the Super Over but warned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of execution in the decisive match. He also praised the team’s spin-heavy strategy, noting that bowling 50 consecutive overs of spin against Bangladesh was a historic first for the West Indies in ODIs. Hosein expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn from past mistakes and secure a series victory.
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Column: Natio Uma volledig getransformeerd
The Suriname women’s football team, known as Natio Uma, is gearing up for their World Cup qualifying matches, marking a significant step in their journey to potentially compete on the global stage for the first time. Historically, neither the men’s nor women’s teams from Suriname have qualified for the World Cup, but recent transformations within the women’s squad offer renewed hope. The Surinamese Football Association has invested heavily in professional coaching and recruited players who compete at elite clubs, elevating the team’s overall quality and positioning them as serious contenders for a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. However, challenges remain due to Suriname’s low FIFA ranking and the Concacaf qualification system, which pairs the highest-ranked teams against the lowest-ranked ones, creating tough matchups. Suriname is placed in Group D alongside Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Anguilla. While the team’s strengthened lineup suggests potential to top the group, the coach’s ability to unify the squad will be critical. Their first match is scheduled for November 28, 2025, against Anguilla. Despite early introductions of new players to the public, concerns linger over the absence of key team members, including the goalkeeper, and the lack of a warm-up match for the players to connect with fans. Additionally, the team’s preparation has been complicated by training in Europe rather than the tropical conditions they will face in the region. The management is urged to ensure the team arrives early to acclimatize. While the squad includes many debutants, some players have prior experience representing Natio Uma, albeit without success. This time, the team is expected to benefit from a fully professional setup and lessons learned from past mistakes, with hopes that organizational improvements will allow the players to focus solely on their sporting goals. The ultimate aim is to make women’s football in Suriname a compelling spectacle for fans, though expectations must remain tempered for a team still in its developmental phase.
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Eerste officiële Martial Arts-trainers ontvangen diploma in Suriname
In a landmark achievement for Suriname’s sports sector, nine individuals have become the first graduates of the country’s inaugural Martial Arts Instructor and Fitness Trainer-A program. This pioneering initiative was organized by the KIBO Sport & Health Education Foundation in collaboration with the Suriname Karate-do Association (SKA) and the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The program, which spanned eleven intensive months, combined theoretical knowledge with practical training, covering essential areas such as first aid, injury prevention, and teaching methodologies. It is the first formal training in Suriname to align martial arts instruction with internationally recognized standards, culminating in the award of the officially accredited Fitness Trainer-A diploma (NL Actief, Level 3). The graduation ceremony was attended by key figures, including Minister of Home Affairs Marinus Bee, Director of Sports Enrique Ralim, and SKA Chairman Kenneth Sijp, who lauded the initiative as a significant step toward professionalizing the sports industry. Former Dutch examiner Iwan Pengel, a special guest, presented the diploma to the top-performing graduate, Urvien Elliot. KIBO Foundation has announced plans to launch a second cohort soon, aiming to establish a sustainable and professional foundation for martial arts education in Suriname.
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Reds Perreira calls for early preparation ahead of West Indies tour to New Zealand
The West Indies men’s cricket team is gearing up for a challenging Test series against New Zealand next month, following a disappointing sweep by India in the subcontinent. With little time to regroup, the Men in Maroon must quickly address their preparation and strategy to avoid another setback. Legendary West Indian cricket commentator Dr. Joseph Reds Perreira has emphasized the critical need for thorough preparation ahead of the series, particularly given New Zealand’s formidable position as fifth in the World Test Championship standings. Perreira stressed the importance of acclimatizing to New Zealand’s unique playing conditions, including green pitches and seaming balls, and suggested sending Test players ahead for at least a week of practice at a local academy. He also highlighted the urgency of immediate planning to avoid the short preparation time that plagued the team during the India series. Regarding the squad composition, Perreira advocated for the inclusion of Jason Holder and Jommel Warrican, despite the latter’s limited success as a spinner in New Zealand. Additionally, concerns were raised about the fitness and availability of key fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzzari Joseph, whose participation could significantly impact the team’s performance. As the series approaches, the West Indies’ ability to manage injuries, plan effectively, and arrive well-prepared will be pivotal in determining whether they can deliver a competitive showing or face another disappointment. For a team striving to rebuild its reputation in Test cricket, meticulous preparation may be the cornerstone of progress.
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CWI Thanks West Indies Legends For Supporting “Mission India” Corporate Engagement Tour
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has extended its heartfelt gratitude to the iconic West Indies cricket legends for their unwavering support during the recently concluded ‘Mission India’ Corporate Engagement Tour. This initiative, aimed at strengthening ties between West Indies cricket and Indian corporate entities, saw the participation of several legendary cricketers who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Their involvement not only added prestige to the tour but also played a pivotal role in fostering deeper collaborations and mutual understanding between the cricketing communities of the Caribbean and India. The tour, which spanned several key Indian cities, included a series of high-profile corporate meetings, networking events, and interactive sessions designed to explore new avenues for partnership and investment in West Indies cricket. CWI President, Ricky Skerritt, expressed his appreciation, stating, ‘The dedication and enthusiasm of our legends have been instrumental in the success of this mission. Their contributions have significantly enhanced our efforts to build a sustainable future for West Indies cricket.’ The ‘Mission India’ tour is part of CWI’s broader strategy to secure long-term financial stability and growth for cricket in the region, leveraging the immense popularity and commercial potential of the sport in India.
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‘Men vs boys,’ Army thumped by Mt Pleasant in 1s leg of Caribbean Cup semis
In a stunning display of football prowess, Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy delivered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinals on October 22. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, showcased Mount Pleasant’s dominance from the opening whistle, leaving the home team reeling. Despite entering the game with a perfect group stage record, Defence Force was outclassed in every aspect of the game. Mount Pleasant’s relentless pace and tactical precision proved too much for the Trinidadian side, who struggled to contain their opponents. Interim coach Devorn Jorsling admitted his team was outplayed, describing the match as ‘men versus boys.’ Mount Pleasant’s Warner Brown opened the scoring in the fifth minute, setting the tone for a match that saw Raheem Edwards and substitute Shaqueil Bradford adding to the tally. Defence Force managed a consolation goal in stoppage time, but the result leaves them with a monumental task in the second leg. Jorsling remains focused on securing a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, emphasizing the need for improvement and resilience.
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WHEN IN ROME
Jamaican winger Leon Bailey made his much-anticipated AS Roma debut in Serie A, coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan. Despite the defeat, Bailey’s brief appearance has already sparked optimism about his potential to elevate Roma’s performance this season. The 28-year-old, who joined Roma on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, became only the third Jamaican-born player to feature in Serie A, following in the footsteps of Luther Blissett (1983) and Trivante Stewart (2023).
Bailey’s journey to this moment has been fraught with challenges. After falling out of favor at Aston Villa under manager Unai Emery, he sought a fresh start in Italy. However, his transition was delayed by a leg injury sustained during his first training session, which sidelined him for eight matches and prevented him from participating in Jamaica’s Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers in September and October.
Despite the setback, Bailey remains optimistic. ‘I’m not happy with the result, but I’m glad to be back on the pitch,’ he said. ‘I hope to help the team and fit in as soon as possible. We have to stay positive and move in the right direction.’ His performance caught the attention of legendary Italian sporting director Walter Sabatani, who praised Bailey’s potential to revitalize Roma’s attack. ‘He has the right quality to make an impact,’ Sabatani remarked.
Italian journalist Daniele Aloisi also highlighted Bailey’s dribbling skills and explosiveness, suggesting he could be the missing piece in manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s offensive strategy. ‘Bailey’s elegance and explosiveness are exactly what Roma needs,’ Aloisi noted. ‘He’s not yet at 100%, but his desire to succeed is evident.’
Bailey is expected to make his first start for Roma in the UEFA Europa League against Viktoria Plzen and could rejoin Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz for their final World Cup Qualifiers next month. His journey in Serie A is just beginning, but the early signs suggest he could become a key figure for both club and country.
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Dylan Carter misses out on 50m free final at Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, narrowly missed securing a spot in the men’s 50-metre freestyle final during the third leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Toronto, Canada, on October 23. Competing in lane five of the sixth and final heat, Carter clocked in at 21.36 seconds, finishing fourth, just 0.11 seconds behind Canada’s Ruslan Gaziev (21.25). The heat was dominated by American swimmer Jack Alexy, who secured first place with a time of 20.92 seconds, followed by Estonia’s Ralf Tribuntsov at 21.22 seconds. Overall, Carter ranked ninth out of 51 participants, narrowly missing the eighth and final qualifying spot for the final, which went to New Zealand’s Cameron Gray with a time of 21.30 seconds. Alexy, who recorded the second-fastest time in the prelims, will advance to the final alongside USA’s Chris Guliano (21.02) and Canada’s Josh Liendo, who topped heat four with a blistering 20.87 seconds. Carter’s journey in the World Cup has been a mix of highs and lows. In the first leg in Indiana, he finished fourth in the 50m freestyle final, while in the second leg in Illinois, he clinched bronze. Additionally, he secured a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke during the opening leg on October 11. Despite this setback, Carter remains a formidable contender in the swimming world.
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‘Natty’ James scores double in historic Portland win
In a spectacular display of skill and teamwork, Portland Hearts of Pine delivered a resounding 6-1 victory over Spokane Velocity in their USL League One match on October 21. The star of the match was Trinidad and Tobago striker Nathaniel “Natty” James, who scored two stunning goals to set the tone for his team’s dominant performance. The match, held at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, drew a record-breaking crowd of 6,440 spectators, who witnessed Portland’s relentless attack and clinical finishing. James opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a precise left-footed shot into the top corner, following a brilliant assist from Jay Tee Kamara. Ollie Wright extended the lead with a penalty in the 35th minute, but Spokane managed to pull one back in the 41st minute. James quickly restored Portland’s two-goal advantage with another left-footed strike from outside the box. Nathan Messer and Titus Washington added to the tally, while Kamara capped off the scoring with a stylish finish in the 67th minute. This historic win keeps Portland in playoff contention with one game left in the season.