Dominica has made history by hosting its first-ever Caribbean Athlete Retreat from October 3 to October 5, 2025. The event, themed ‘Embracing the Comeback-Mindset of a Champion,’ brought together sports enthusiasts from across the Caribbean, including Dominica and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Organized by Pelago and supported by regional and international partners, the retreat aimed to foster collaboration, resilience, and personal growth among athletes. The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by Dominica’s Olympic gold medalist and Ambassador, Thea Lafond-Gadson. Lafond-Gadson highlighted the retreat’s broader purpose, emphasizing its role in providing elite resources and promoting regional solidarity. ‘The Caribbean is only growing stronger, and we only become stronger when we work together,’ she stated. Lafond-Gadson also shared her personal journey through the challenges of elite sport, offering encouragement to attendees. ‘If this weekend lights a fire of hope, persistence, and allows you to rest on each other’s shoulders while connecting, it has done its job,’ she said. The retreat concluded on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in Caribbean athletic collaboration and development.
分类: sports
-

Ethan Mbappe returns to haunt PSG as Lille force draw with Ligue 1 leaders
In a dramatic Ligue 1 showdown on Sunday, Ethan Mbappe, younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, emerged as the hero for Lille by scoring a late equalizer against his former club Paris Saint-Germain. The 1-1 draw at Stade Pierre-Mauroy allowed injury-plagued PSG to maintain a one-point lead at the top of the league, but the spotlight was firmly on the 18-year-old substitute. PSG had taken the lead through a stunning free-kick by Nuno Mendes in the second half, but Ethan Mbappe’s composed finish in the 85th minute ensured the spoils were shared. PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted fatigue played a role, saying, ‘We prioritized the players’ health after a tough week.’ Meanwhile, Lyon suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat at home to Toulouse, with new signing Emersonn scoring a brace, including a dramatic 96th-minute winner. The result saw Lyon drop to fourth in the table. Elsewhere, Monaco and Nice played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Strasbourg climbed to third with a dominant 5-0 victory over Angers.
-

Manchester High break D’Cup first round goals record with a game to spare
In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Manchester High has rewritten the history books of the ISSA daCosta Cup. On Saturday, the team delivered a crushing 10-0 victory over deCarteret College, propelling their total goals in Zone F to an unprecedented 69 across nine matches. This remarkable feat eclipses the previous record of 68 goals, jointly held by the 2015 Manchester High squad under coach Donovan Duckie and Rusea’s High’s 2011 team. With one game remaining against Mt St Joseph Catholic on Wednesday, Manchester High is poised to further extend their record-breaking tally. The team, which boasts a flawless record alongside Cedric Titus High and Mannings School, has consistently demonstrated offensive dominance. Earlier this season, they achieved a 19-0 triumph over Cross Keys High on September 25, marking their second double-digit victory this season. Additionally, they have scored at least eight goals in three other matches. The 2015 Manchester High team also recorded a double-digit win, defeating Winston Jones High 20-0 in a return round game after an 8-0 victory in the first round. Meanwhile, Rusea’s High’s 2011 team, which scored 68 goals in the first round, remains one of the most prolific teams of the past decade. That season saw six teams scoring at least 43 goals in the first round, with St Elizabeth Technical leading with 64 goals, followed by Clarendon College (55), Frome Technical (47), Denbigh High (44), and Lennon High (43).
-

Jonielle’s journey
Jonielle Smith, the Jamaican sprinter who once contemplated retirement, has emerged stronger than ever, anchoring her team to a silver medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This achievement marks a significant comeback for Smith, who had been grappling with injuries and underwhelming performances since her gold medal win at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.
-

Donacien re-signs with English League Two side
Saint Lucia international Janoi Donacien is set to make his comeback after a year-long hiatus, primarily due to injury. The 31-year-old defender, who has previously played for Aston Villa and Ipswich Town, has re-signed with Chesterfield on a contract that extends through the end of the English football season. Born in Choiseul, Donacien joined Chesterfield in January on a short-term deal, making eight appearances before a hamstring injury in March prematurely ended his campaign. Over the summer, he returned to the League Two club to complete his rehabilitation. Donacien expressed his enthusiasm about the new contract, stating, ‘I’m delighted to have signed my new contract and I’m thankful to the club for their faith in me. I can’t wait to get back on the grass, get back in front of our supporters and show what I can do.’ With over 300 career appearances across various English clubs, Donacien is a seasoned player. He made his national team debut in 2023 and last played for Saint Lucia during the Concacaf Nations League in Grenada, where he started in central midfield in a notable victory over Curaçao. Donacien could also feature in the upcoming Concacaf Friendly Series. For Chesterfield, he may return to action as soon as this weekend, following a reserves game against Grimsby Town, where he played for over an hour. Chesterfield’s first team is scheduled to play away at Colchester United on Saturday.
-

Bailey expected to remain sidelined until after international break – reports
Jamaican winger Leon Bailey, who sustained an injury shortly after joining Serie A club AS Roma in August, is set to remain out of action until after the upcoming international break, as reported by Italian media. This setback means the 28-year-old is likely to miss Jamaica’s pivotal World Cup qualifying matches against Curaçao on October 10 and Bermuda on October 14. Head coach Steve McClaren is expected to announce the squad for these games on Saturday morning. Jamaica currently leads Group B with six points, holding a two-point advantage over second-placed Curaçao. Trinidad and Tobago trail in third with one point, while Bermuda remains at the bottom with no points. Bailey, who joined Roma on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, has yet to make an impact due to his prolonged recovery from an undisclosed injury, leaving fans disappointed.
-

‘SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY’
Despite the absence of major international athletics championships in 2026, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda has called on the nation’s top athletes to embrace the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games and the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. The year 2026 marks a unique gap in the athletics calendar, following consecutive years of high-profile events such as the Olympic Games in 2021 and 2024 and the World Athletics Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025. While some view this as a year for rest and recovery, Samuda emphasizes the importance of these regional competitions for athlete development and national pride. The Commonwealth Games will be held in Scotland from July 22 to August 2, while the CAC Games will take place in the Dominican Republic from July 24 to August 8. Although these events are not considered major championships, Jamaica has a strong history of participation, having secured 13 medals, including six gold, at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and seven medals, including one gold, at the 2023 CAC Games. Samuda stresses that athletes should seize every opportunity to represent their country, given the unpredictable nature of their careers. He highlights the value of national pride and the role of sport in showcasing Jamaica’s talent on regional and international stages. The JOA will oversee Jamaica’s delegations to both events, ensuring equal policy objectives and encouraging athletes to prioritize these opportunities as part of their self-development.
-

Cash-strapped CWI scales back development programmes
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced significant changes to its regional competitions for the upcoming year, citing severe financial constraints as the primary reason. The governing body revealed on Wednesday that several tournaments, including the Under-17 competition, will be scrapped, while others, such as the women’s tournaments, will be merged. Additionally, the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and the West Indies Academy have been removed from the men’s tournaments. These decisions were disclosed during CWI’s quarterly press conference by CEO Chris Dehring and Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, who both acknowledged that 2026 will be a particularly challenging year for the organization due to a projected revenue decline. Dehring explained that the financial model of the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not favor the West Indies when hosting tours from countries like Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan, which are scheduled for next year. He emphasized that the profits from co-hosting the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup have already been depleted, necessitating tough decisions to ensure the organization’s sustainability. Dehring outlined a four-pronged strategy to address the financial issues, including lobbying the ICC for a revised financial model, restructuring domestic tournaments, collaborating with Caricom, and seeking increased financial support from Caribbean companies. Bascombe noted that while the changes are significant, they have been designed to ensure that players still have ample opportunities to showcase their skills and compete for spots in the West Indies teams. Despite the cutbacks, the organization remains committed to maintaining a robust player pool and fostering talent development across the region.
-

Maresca denies Chelsea ‘discipline problem’ after spate of red cards
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has firmly denied that his team is grappling with a discipline crisis, despite a recent surge in red cards. The Blues have been reduced to 10 men in three of their last four matches, including defeats against Manchester United and Brighton. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and defender Trevoh Chalobah were both sent off in those games, while forward Joao Pedro received a red card in Chelsea’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica. Maresca emphasized the need to evaluate each incident individually, stating that not all red cards stem from poor discipline. He highlighted the split-second decisions players must make during high-pressure moments, which can lead to unfortunate outcomes. Despite these setbacks, Maresca remains optimistic about Chelsea’s trajectory, attributing their struggles to a combination of red cards and injuries, with eight players currently sidelined. Looking ahead to their Premier League clash with Liverpool, Maresca dismissed suggestions that the Reds are vulnerable following consecutive defeats. He praised Liverpool’s resilience in the wake of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, calling their season performance ‘fantastic.’ Maresca is confident that Chelsea will regain their form and continue to progress.
-

West Indies bowling coach laments ‘tough day’ as India remain in control
In a commanding display of batting prowess, India seized control of the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, establishing a formidable lead of 286 runs by the end of day two. Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars of the show, both scoring centuries in a marathon partnership of 206 runs. Jurel, a second-choice wicketkeeper playing in place of the injured Rishabh Pant, celebrated his maiden Test century with a boundary off West Indies captain Roston Chase, followed by a symbolic army-like tribute. Jadeja, meanwhile, notched his sixth Test hundred, marked by his signature sword celebration. KL Rahul also contributed significantly, scoring his 11th Test century before being dismissed shortly after lunch. India ended the day at 448-5 in response to the West Indies’ first-innings total of 162. The visitors, missing key bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph due to injury, struggled to contain India’s relentless batting attack. With India now in a dominant position, they are strong favorites to secure a 2-0 series victory against a West Indies team that has significantly declined from its former glory.
