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.
分类： sports
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dominican Republic’s president vows history-making Central American and Caribbean Games 2026
The Dominican Republic is set to host the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games in 2026, marking what is anticipated to be the largest edition of this prestigious regional multi-sport event. President Luis Abinader has declared that the nation will make history through its hosting of the Games, which will bring together over 6,000 athletes competing for a record-breaking 3,244 medals. The government has already allocated RD$315 million to the Dominican Olympic Committee to support athlete training, coaching, and preparatory camps, with high-performance athletes receiving a 100% increase in funding. The event will feature 40 sports, 57 disciplines, and 63 modalities, with 483 events held across eight venues, including the National District, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Bonao, Punta Cana, Cabarete, Baní, and Juan Dolio. Approximately 90% of the venues are expected to be completed by December 2025, with significant investments in facilities such as the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center and Parque del Este. A lasting legacy of the Games will be the ‘Villa Centroamericana y del Caribe,’ a complex of 150 low-cost housing units that will be converted into affordable homes for Dominican families post-event. President Abinader emphasized that the Games will promote inclusion, national unity, and partnerships across various sectors, while also enhancing the Dominican Republic’s identity and regional reputation. This initiative underscores the government’s strategy to leverage major sporting events for urban development, housing solutions, and national branding.
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Three Saint Lucians named to FIFA Committees
In a groundbreaking development this week, three distinguished Saint Lucians have been appointed to key standing committees of FIFA, the global governing body for football, for the 2025-2029 term. This historic decision was finalized during the FIFA Council Meeting held on October 2 in Zurich, Switzerland, following extensive consultations with FIFA member associations and regional confederations. The appointments mark a significant recognition of Saint Lucia’s contributions to the sport on both local and global stages. Lyndon Cooper, President of the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), has been named Deputy Chair of the FIFA Development Committee. Examin Philbert, President of the Vieux Fort Football League, has secured a seat on the FIFA Women’s National Team Competitions Committee, while Dr. Natasha Innocent has been appointed to the FIFA Medical Committee. Cooper, who also serves as President of the Caribbean Football Union, emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating, ‘This recognition at the highest level of football underscores the progress we are making in developing the sport locally and regionally.’ FIFA has expressed its satisfaction with the appointments, acknowledging the ongoing commitment of Saint Lucians to advancing football globally. The standing committees, which report directly to the FIFA Council, play a crucial role in advising and assisting the Council in their respective areas of expertise. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the broader implications of these appointments, noting, ‘The new Standing Committees will enhance the involvement of member associations, increase female representation, and bring focused technical expertise to various aspects of football, ensuring FIFA is better prepared for future challenges.’