Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Reggae Boyz regain World Cup qualifying group lead

    Reggae Boyz regain World Cup qualifying group lead

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Jamaica reclaimed the top spot in Group B of the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers with a resounding 4-0 victory over Bermuda. The match, held at the National Stadium in Kingston on Tuesday, showcased Jamaica’s ability to bounce back after a previous setback against Curacao.

    Jamaica’s triumph was marked by a dominant first half, where they netted three goals within an 11-minute span. The scoring spree began with an own goal by Bermuda’s Dante Leverock in the 24th minute, followed by goals from Bobby Fray in the 26th minute and Shamar Nicholson. Leverock’s unfortunate header past his own goalkeeper set the tone, while Renaldo Cephas played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for his teammates.

    The second half saw Dujuan Richards, who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, add a fourth goal in the 76th minute. Richards, who replaced the injured Demarai Gray, showcased his agility and determination by dribbling through Bermuda’s defense and scoring despite being challenged by three defenders.

    This victory propelled Jamaica to nine points, one ahead of Curacao, while Trinidad and Tobago remained in third place with five points. Bermuda, yet to secure a point, were officially eliminated from contention. Earlier in the day, Trinidad and Tobago managed a 1-1 draw against Curacao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad.

    Jamaica’s performance was a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess, setting a strong foundation for their continued campaign in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.

  • Clarendon, Dinthill meet in the ‘Lenworth Hyde derby’

    Clarendon, Dinthill meet in the ‘Lenworth Hyde derby’

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Lenworth Hyde, a legendary figure in Jamaican school football, is set to face his former team, Clarendon College, in a highly anticipated ISSA DaCosta Cup Round of 32 match. Hyde, who has been associated with Clarendon College since the mid-1970s and led them to multiple DaCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, and Olivier Shield titles, is now in his first season as head coach of Dinthill Technical. Despite his deep ties to Clarendon College, Hyde insists that Wednesday’s game is purely about football. ‘We are going there to win a football game, as we are hoping to go far into this competition,’ Hyde told Observer Online on Monday. Historically, matches between these two schools have drawn thousands of spectators and significant media attention, thanks to the high-caliber players on both sides. Between 1977 and 1981, the two schools combined for four DaCosta Cup wins, with two each. Both teams secured victories in their opening Round of 32 games on Saturday, with Dinthill Technical edging Port Antonio High 1-0 and Clarendon College dominating York Castle High 3-0. Hyde, who played for Clarendon College between 1975 and 1977, recalled intense battles against Dinthill Technical during his playing days, noting, ‘We always won that game,’ but acknowledged it was always a tough contest.

  • Reggae Girl Taylor Hinds turns back on Jamaica

    Reggae Girl Taylor Hinds turns back on Jamaica

    In a significant development in international football, Taylor Hinds, the 26-year-old defender, has decided to represent England in upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Australia, marking a shift from her previous commitment to Jamaica. Born in England, Hinds had previously played for Jamaica in a friendly match against France last year, having also represented England at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels. Her eligibility to switch national teams stems from her not having played a competitive match for Jamaica, thus not being bound by FIFA’s nationality rules. Hinds, who recently transferred from Liverpool to Arsenal, expressed her dual pride in her heritage and her excitement about the new opportunity with England. She emphasized her respect and gratitude towards Jamaica for their support and understanding. However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans criticizing her for switching allegiances. Jamaica’s head coach, Hubert Busby, has yet to comment publicly, stating he will address the matter at an upcoming press conference.

  • South, Central zones heat up in SSFL championship division

    South, Central zones heat up in SSFL championship division

    The 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Championship division is heating up as teams across five zones battle for supremacy and a spot in the prestigious ‘Big 5′ tournament, which serves as the gateway to premier division promotion. With Round One completed and the second round underway, the competition is intensifying, promising thrilling matchups on October 14. In the South Zone, Pleasantville Secondary leads with 14 points, closely followed by Palo Seco Secondary and Siparia West Secondary, both on 12 points. Pleasantville faces a stern test against Palo Seco, while Siparia West takes on Point Fortin East Secondary. The North Zone sees a tight race between Mucurapo West Secondary (17 points) and East Mucurapo Secondary (14 points), with their recent 2-2 draw adding to the drama. Mucurapo West will face Tranquillity Secondary, while East Mucurapo takes on St Francis Boys’ College. In the Central Zone, Chaguanas North Secondary (16 points) leads after a 3-0 victory over Couva West Secondary (15 points). They will face Presentation Chaguanas in a top-two clash, while Couva West aims to bounce back against Cunupia Secondary. Tobago Zone leaders Speyside Secondary (18 points) remain favorites despite a recent loss, as they face Roxborough Secondary. Meanwhile, Goodwood Secondary and Mason Hall Secondary clash in a bid to close the gap. In the East Zone, Hillview College (18 points) continues their dominant run, aiming to extend their perfect record against Holy Cross College. El Dorado East Secondary and St George’s College also face off in a crucial match. With high stakes and fierce rivalries, the SSFL Championship division promises excitement and drama as teams vie for glory.

  • India beat Windies by seven wickets to win Test series 2-0

    India beat Windies by seven wickets to win Test series 2-0

    India secured a commanding 2-0 Test series victory over the West Indies with a seven-wicket win in the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 14. The hosts wrapped up the match in just over 17 overs on the fifth day, showcasing their dominance throughout the series. The West Indies, despite a valiant effort on day four with centuries from John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103), were unable to defend their total of 390 after being asked to follow-on. India, set a modest target of 121, cruised to victory with KL Rahul (58 not out) and Sai Sudharsan (39) leading the charge. Roston Chase (2/36) provided some resistance for the visitors, but it was insufficient to halt India’s march to victory. The Indian team celebrated their triumph with the trophy, marking another milestone in their cricketing journey. Meanwhile, the West Indies, under coach Daren Sammy, now turn their attention to a challenging ODI and T20 series against Bangladesh, set to begin on October 18 in Dhaka.

  • Tancoo: Sport, tourism to go hand-in-hand

    Tancoo: Sport, tourism to go hand-in-hand

    In a landmark announcement during the 2025/26 national budget presentation at the Red House on October 13, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo revealed the government’s comprehensive plan to bolster sports infrastructure and tourism through strategic investments. Central to this initiative is the establishment of ten new fully accessible community centres slated for completion in fiscal 2026. These centres aim to foster unity and national pride by providing state-of-the-art facilities for athletes and communities alike.

    Tancoo emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing existing sports infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of pools in Biche, Maloney, Morvant, Rio Claro, and Tunapuna, alongside upgrades to national stadia. While specific stadia were not named, the minister highlighted the broader goal of enhancing sports tourism, a sector he described as ‘hybrid’ and ripe for development. Plans include the creation of new products in medical, sport, and cultural tourism, as well as the completion of hotel projects to support this growth.

    Tobago is also set to benefit from these initiatives, with the Tobago House of Assembly establishing a dedicated sport tourism unit. The island will focus on skilled development, vocational training, and creating pathways from amateur to professional sports, alongside youth internship programmes. These efforts aim to monetize sports and outdoor recreation while catalyzing investment in sports infrastructure.

    Tancoo also addressed the challenges facing the Sport and Culture Fund, which has suffered due to the unprofitability of the instant lottery system. To address this, the minister announced that deposits into the fund would no longer rely solely on lottery surpluses but would be set and approved by the finance minister. This change, coupled with stricter financial management, aims to ensure the fund’s sustainability.

    In addition, Tancoo pledged a crackdown on illegal lotteries, which reportedly generate $9 billion annually, significantly impacting the National Lotteries Control Board’s $3 billion annual earnings. Harsher penalties for illegal gaming houses were promised as part of this effort.

    The minister also took a moment to extend his best wishes to Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Curacao on October 14, underscoring the government’s support for national sports.

    Further details on the sports budget allocation and specific plans under the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs are expected to be revealed during the budget debate on October 17.

  • South Africa beat Rwanda to qualify for 2026 World Cup

    South Africa beat Rwanda to qualify for 2026 World Cup

    In a decisive match on Tuesday, South Africa triumphed over Rwanda with a commanding 3-0 victory in Mbombela, securing their place in the 2026 World Cup. Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis delivered first-half goals, while Evidence Makgopa sealed the win with a second-half strike. This victory ensured South Africa topped Group C with 18 points, narrowly edging out Nigeria, who defeated Benin 4-0 in a concurrent match.

  • Grassroots basketball gets a boost at Vigie Coaching Clinic

    Grassroots basketball gets a boost at Vigie Coaching Clinic

    The NetBlazers Basketball Club has taken a significant step in advancing basketball development across Saint Lucia with its recent two-day coaching clinic. Held at the Vigie Sports Complex on October 11 and 12, the event provided coaches with a free opportunity to enhance their skills through hands-on training and tactical insights. The clinic was led by Gaelen Sydney, a seasoned basketball coach from Titan Athletics in Toronto, Canada, who has a strong background in collegiate basketball in the United States. Sydney, returning to Saint Lucia for the second time in three months, emphasized the importance of certifying coaches to improve youth engagement and elevate the sport’s standards. In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, Sydney shared his vision of creating robust basketball programs that not only develop players but also foster a competitive environment across the Caribbean. Coaches, including Hillian Gabriel from Micoud Secondary School and Ansel Edole of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Basketball Team, praised the clinic for its innovative approach and practical lessons. Gabriel highlighted the shift from traditional drills to more engaging, game-based methods, while Edole noted the eye-opening experience and new fundamentals he plans to implement. Garrick George, a coach with NetBlazers and Entrepot Secondary School, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of making training sessions enjoyable for young players. Organizers believe this event marks the beginning of a collaborative effort among coaches to elevate basketball culture on the island to new heights.

  • Seajays surge to victory as national swim champs

    Seajays surge to victory as national swim champs

    The 13th Annual CapriSun Swim Meet, held at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, witnessed an intense showdown between the island’s top swimming clubs, with Seajays emerging as the champions after two days of thrilling competition. Over 190 swimmers from six clubs participated in the national championships and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Trials, showcasing their skills under brilliant sunshine. Seajays secured victory with a total of 1,284 points, narrowly edging out their closest rivals, Sharks, who scored 1,219 points. The triumph was largely driven by the exceptional performance of Seajays’ boys’ team, which amassed 867 points, 292 points ahead of Sharks. However, Sharks dominated the girls’ category with 644 points compared to Seajays’ 417. Lightning Aquatics claimed third place overall, while Southern Flying Fish, RR Aquatic, and RHAC Swim Club also competed fiercely. CARIFTA Aquatics medallist Sapphire Parks shone brightly, winning seven gold medals in the 11-12 category, including the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley. Kenya Andrew also made significant contributions, securing gold in multiple events for the Under-9 category. Miles Andrew led the charge for Seajays’ boys, sweeping nine gold medals in the 9-10 rankings. Nathan Lewis and Noah Dorville further solidified Seajays’ dominance with their stellar performances in the 11-12 and 13-14 boys’ categories, respectively. The event concluded with heartfelt gratitude from Seajays’ president Denise Parks and head coach Brian Charles, who praised the swimmers’ dedication and teamwork. The club also extended thanks to CapriSun, the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation, sponsors, volunteers, officials, and parents for their unwavering support in making the meet a resounding success.

  • Julien Alfred’s track spikes auctioned for US$75k

    Julien Alfred’s track spikes auctioned for US$75k

    In a remarkable display of philanthropy and sportsmanship, Olympic champion Julien Alfred’s custom PUMA Nitro sprint spikes were auctioned for $75,000 at a fundraising event hosted by BodyHoliday. The event, titled ‘Power and Grace: An Evening in Honour of Julien Alfred,’ raised over $100,000 on October 11 to support the development of the next generation of Saint Lucian athletes. The winning bidder, American basketball coach and businessman Kevin Graves, now owns a piece of sporting history while contributing to a noble cause. Graves, who mentors NBA star Bam Adebayo, emphasized the importance of supporting charitable organizations like the Alfred Foundation. The spikes, molded to Alfred’s feet and mounted on a rubberized track featuring Saint Lucia’s area code, started bidding at $1,500. Other auctioned items included Alfred’s PUMA jersey and bib from Tokyo 2025, which fetched $1,900 from former basketball player and political candidate Marcellus Bax Stiede. The event also saw significant donations, including $25,000 from an anonymous donor, $5,000 from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, $10,000 from Sunswept Resorts/BodyHoliday CEO Andrew Barnard, and $5,000 from Bay Gardens. The Daren Sammy Foundation contributed EC$10,000, with a video message from the West Indies head coach expressing support for Alfred. The evening featured an intimate interview with Alfred, who shared her ambitions to break the World Record in the 60m event and compete for gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Entertainment was provided by soca stars Sly and Shemmy J, accompanied by a gourmet three-course meal.