Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Nunes’ strong hand: Fearless Force and Linguist lead pack in St Elizabeth Distaff

    Nunes’ strong hand: Fearless Force and Linguist lead pack in St Elizabeth Distaff

    Trainer Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes is emerging as a formidable force in the upcoming $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distaff, scheduled for Sunday. With his top two runners, Fearless Force and Linguist, Nunes has a strong chance to clinch the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-old fillies and mares over one mile (1,600m). Here’s an analysis of the runners and their prospects:

    1. **Pretty Perfect**: The Winston ‘Fanna’ Griffiths Classic winner faces a daunting challenge against a highly competitive field, making her likely to be outclassed.

    2. **Burning Hedge**: This year’s 1000 Guineas champion has shown remarkable consistency but will face stiff competition from Fearless Force and stablemate Linguist.

    3. **Sistren Treasure (USA)**: Struggling in recent performances, this filly is unlikely to make a significant impact in this race.

    4. **Immeasurable Joy**: Given the strength of the competition, this contender has little chance of securing a win.

    5. **Main Mistress (USA)**: A recent winner on October 25, she is expected to perform well but is unlikely to take the top spot.

    6. **Fearless Force (USA)**: Unbeatable on paper, Fearless Force has trained exceptionally well and is stepping down in class, making her the top contender to lead the pack and claim the trophy.

    7. **Linguist**: The Jamaica Oaks winner has excelled in her two starts at this level and could challenge Fearless Force for top honors, positioning her as a strong contender for an upset.

    — Ruddy Allen

  • ISSA sets netball deadline for resumption

    ISSA sets netball deadline for resumption

    Schools in Jamaica have until 2:00 PM on Friday to confirm their participation in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Rural Area schoolgirls’ netball competition, which was disrupted by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, led to the suspension of various sports, including netball, football, and basketball. Despite efforts to restart the netball competition, 38 out of 57 participating schools had not confirmed their willingness to resume by Thursday afternoon. ISSA, the governing body for high school sports, issued a memo on Thursday listing schools from at least seven parishes that had yet to respond. Notably, most of the unresponsive schools are from western Jamaica, an area severely impacted by the hurricane. In contrast, the schoolboys’ football competitions, the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup, are set to resume later this month after consultations with stakeholders. These football competitions, which began in early September, had progressed to the round of 16, with participating schools expressing readiness to continue. The netball competition, divided into under-16 and under-19 age groups, faces uncertainty as schools from parishes such as St James, Hanover, Trelawny, St Elizabeth, Manchester, St Ann, St Mary, St Catherine, and Portland remain undecided.

  • U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.

  • Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser

    Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser

    The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.

  • West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1

    West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1

    New Zealand clinched a decisive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the final T20 international on November 12, securing a series win in front of a lively crowd at the University Oval in Dunedin. Unlike the closely contested earlier matches in the five-game series, this encounter was one-sided, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a fiercely competitive battle between the two teams. The West Indies, needing a win to level the series after a rain-affected fourth game, struggled from the outset. They lost four wickets during the powerplay and were reeling at 48-5 before Roston Chase and Jason Holder staged a brief recovery with a 42-run partnership. However, their efforts were insufficient as the team was eventually bowled out for 140, thanks to a late flourish from Romario Shepherd, who scored 36 off 22 balls. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4-35. In response, the Black Caps chased down the target with ease, powered by Devon Conway’s 47 and Tim Robinson’s 45, sealing the win in just 16 overs. West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay, but praised the lower-order resilience. He emphasized the need for better mental preparation ahead of the upcoming One Day International series, which begins on Saturday.

  • Captain looks to end series on high note

    Captain looks to end series on high note

    As the West Indies prepare to face New Zealand in the decisive fifth T20I on Thursday, captain Shai Hope has emphasized the need for a comprehensive team performance to secure a series draw. The Caribbean side began the series on a high note, clinching the opener by seven runs. However, narrow defeats in the subsequent two matches—by three and nine runs, respectively—left them trailing 2-1. The fourth T20I was abandoned due to rain, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all finale.

  • CAS-tribunaal doet binnenkort uitspraak over Danilho Doekhi en Natio

    CAS-tribunaal doet binnenkort uitspraak over Danilho Doekhi en Natio

    As the Surinamese national football team gears up for crucial World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Guatemala, the Surinamese Football Association (SVB) is embroiled in a legal battle with FIFA. The dispute centers on the eligibility of Danilho Doekhi, a 27-year-old center-back for Union Berlin, to represent Suriname. The case, which has been ongoing for over a year, was recently brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent tribunal that resolves international sports disputes. A ruling is expected next week.

    Doekhi’s request to play for Suriname was initially submitted to FIFA in mid-2022 but has been repeatedly denied. The defender, who recently scored twice in Union Berlin’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, ending the latter’s unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, could significantly bolster Suriname’s squad. However, FIFA’s approval is required due to Doekhi’s prior appearances for the Dutch youth team, Jong Oranje.

    Brian Tevreden, General Manager of Suriname’s national teams, expressed optimism about the CAS ruling, citing a precedent involving Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who was granted permission to play for Indonesia. Tevreden criticized the prolonged delay in Doekhi’s case, stating, ‘It’s incomprehensible… It shows that Suriname is not taken seriously as a footballing nation.’

    If the CAS rules in favor of the SVB, Doekhi will join the national team after the upcoming qualifiers. He has already expressed his willingness to play for Suriname, potentially participating in the World Cup finals or the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2024 in Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their spots in the playoffs, with other possible opponents including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

  • Seaforth Wins IFBB Masters World Title in Malta

    Seaforth Wins IFBB Masters World Title in Malta

    Melissa Seaforth, a celebrated IFBB Pro Bikini Fitness athlete and ambassador from Antigua, has triumphed at the IFBB Pro Masters World Championships in Malta, clinching the Masters Bikini title. This victory marks a significant addition to her already impressive 2025 season. Seaforth, who recently garnered gold in the Bikini Pro Masters Division and silver in the Bikini Pro Open Division at the IFBB Pro Grand Gala in Italy, described the win as an emotional and career-defining moment. “Winning a World Championship title at the Masters level is a tremendous honor,” she remarked. “It’s not only a historic achievement for Antigua and Barbuda but also a pivotal milestone in my professional bodybuilding journey.” Seaforth outperformed competitors from Russia, Spain, and Poland, securing her place at the top. Her next challenge will be at the IFBB Pro Bikini Fitness World Championships in Spain, where she will make her sixth consecutive appearance. With a bronze medal from the IFBB Grand Prix PEPA PRO in the Czech Republic on October 25, Seaforth is also a strong contender for Antigua and Barbuda’s Sportswoman of the Year.

  • ‘Take care of business!’

    ‘Take care of business!’

    PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Former national defender Tyrone Marshall has expressed optimism about Jamaica’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign but emphasized the need for unwavering focus as the Reggae Boyz approach their decisive final matches. The team is set to face Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in their penultimate qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium today at 7:00 pm Jamaica time. Marshall, renowned for his spectacular long-range goal in a 1-0 victory over T&T during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, shared his insights following Jamaica’s inconsistent performance in recent matches. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, Marshall highlighted the significance of this week’s games, stating, ‘It’s a big week for the Reggae Boyz.’ Jamaica’s campaign began strongly in September with a 4-0 win against Bermuda and a 2-0 victory over T&T. However, their momentum faltered in October with a 2-0 loss to Curaçao, though they rebounded with another 4-0 triumph over Bermuda in Kingston. Marshall praised the team’s overall progress but critiqued their approach in the Curaçao match, describing it as a missed opportunity. ‘The one hiccup I would say is the Curaçao game. I didn’t think the approach was, ‘Let’s go and take care of business there,’’ he remarked. Currently, Jamaica leads Group B with nine points after four games, one point ahead of Curaçao and four ahead of T&T, while Bermuda remains at the bottom with no points. A win against T&T, coupled with a Curaçao loss to Bermuda, would secure Jamaica’s automatic qualification. However, if both Jamaica and Curaçao win tonight, their fate will be determined in their final match in Kingston on Tuesday. Marshall stressed the importance of urgency and a determined mindset, urging the team to treat the T&T game as a ‘do-or-die’ scenario. He also noted the emotional significance of the campaign, particularly in light of Hurricane Melissa’s recent devastation, which has united the nation and could serve as a motivational force for the team. Marshall expressed confidence in Jamaica’s qualification, drawing parallels to their historic 1997 qualification. ‘I have no doubt that Jamaica should qualify and will qualify,’ he declared, eagerly anticipating the upcoming games and the chance to celebrate with his Jamaica jersey on.

  • Burris defends $2m Døds Diving Championships

    Burris defends $2m Døds Diving Championships

    The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) invested over $2 million in hosting the Døds Diving World Championships in Charlotteville on August 9, a decision that has sparked discussions about the allocation of resources for sports tourism. Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation Tashia Burris revealed the financial details during a plenary session in the Assembly Legislature on November 12, responding to inquiries from Minority councillor Petal Daniel-Benoit. The event, a collaboration between Døds Federation International, the THA, and the Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago, attracted 50 divers from across the globe, who showcased their skills from a 10-meter platform. Burris emphasized the event’s potential for financial sustainability, noting that the THA will receive 50% of local advertising revenue for the 2026 edition, with four major advertisers already expressing interest. She contrasted this with the Tobago International Cycling Classic, which relies heavily on THA sponsorship and has struggled to attract international participants. Burris highlighted the Døds Diving event’s global exposure, with online viewership reaching 50 million and international broadcast deals secured for 2025-2027. In contrast, the Cycling Classic, which lacks UCI sanctioning and offers low prize money, has seen limited participation and international appeal. Burris concluded that the Døds Diving model represents a sustainable partnership for high-level sports tourism, while the Cycling Classic requires significant reforms to remain viable.