分类： sports

A dramatic, rain-interrupted Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash in Gros Islet delivered one of the tournament’s most nail-biting conclusions, as St Lucia Kings escaped with a last-gasp three-wicket DLS method victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, falling just two deliveries short of a stunning upset from the underdogs.

The match’s fate was reshaped twice by inclement weather before the decisive final overs. When rain cut short the Falcons’ batting innings after 19 overs, the side had posted 98 runs for the loss of nine wickets. This initially set the Kings a revised target of 84 runs from 15 overs to claim the win. However, a second rain interruption just eight balls into St Lucia’s chase forced another target adjustment, slashing the required total to 52 runs from just eight overs.

Defending this low, condensed target, the Falcons’ bowlers delivered a devastating performance that put them on the brink of a historic win. By the end of the fifth over, the Falcons had torn through the Kings’ top and middle order, reducing the table-topping contenders to a precarious 21 for six. Shamar Springer led the Falcons’ bowling charge, picking up three key wickets for only 13 runs, while Joshua James supported with two wickets for the same 13-run tally.

It looked like the Falcons would close out the win when St Lucia slipped further to 33 for seven, still 19 runs short of the required target. But Matthew Forde, who had already dominated with the ball earlier in the match (taking four wickets for 29 runs, including consecutive strikes on Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson in the second over, plus the dismissal of Antigua’s top-scorer Rahkeem Cornwall who made 26), shifted the match momentum with a quick-fire cameo. The batter hit Springer for one four and one six, adding 11 vital runs before being bowled on the very next delivery.

With the match hanging in the balance, Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkwyk held their nerve to finish the job for the Kings. Bishop remained unbeaten on 12 runs, while van Schalkwyk hit eight not out from just three deliveries, guiding St Lucia to 54 runs for seven wickets with two whole balls still left in the final over. The narrow win sees St Lucia Kings climb to the number one position in the 2026 CPL standings.

For the Falcons, who fell just short of a shocking upset, solid batting contributions came from Amir Jangoo (23 runs) and Alzarri Joseph, whose aggressive unbeaten 16 runs from the number 10 batting position pushed the Falcons to a total that almost proved enough to claim victory. St Lucia’s bowlers also delivered strong performances: Roston Chase finished with two wickets for just seven runs across four overs, while Bishop picked up two wickets for 16 runs to complement his later winning batting innings.

Two of Antigua and Barbuda’s most prominent international track and field athletes, Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones, have received formal recognition and heartfelt tributes from their national governing body, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), for their ongoing work flying the country’s flag on the global sports stage. In two separate public statements released by the association, both athletes were celebrated for the core personal traits that have defined their athletic careers: unwavering dedication, relentless perseverance, and deep commitment to their respective disciplines. For veteran sprinter Cejhae Greene, the ABAA’s praise highlighted a career-long track record of competing with immense national pride and exceptional athletic excellence. “Over the course of your career, your commitment to the sport, your ability to bounce back from every obstacle you have faced, and your consistent drive to compete against the best athletes in the world have cemented your status as one of the most important figures in the history of Antigua and Barbuda athletics,” the association shared in its statement. The ABAA emphasized that Greene’s athletic journey serves as a powerful case study for emerging young athletes across the twin-island nation, illustrating the transformative impact of discipline, persistence, and wholehearted dedication to one’s goals. “As you continue forward in your athletic path, we encourage you to keep chasing your ambitions with the same fire and determination that have made your career what it is today,” the statement added. The association also extended recognition to Soniya Jones, marking another successful season of international competition where she represented Antigua and Barbuda. Jones was commended for her steady determination, consistent performance at the global level, and incredible physical and mental strength, with the ABAA noting that her regular participation in top international competitions has been a key driver of her ongoing growth as an athlete. “Season after season, you have continued to sharpen your skills, deliver stronger results, and represent our nation with pride and outstanding distinction,” the association said of Jones. Looking ahead to her future competitions, the ABAA added that “there are still new heights to reach, and more unforgettable achievements to create in the years ahead.” Closing out the tributes, the governing body extended its well wishes to both athletes: it expressed hope that Greene will go on to achieve even more excellence and hit meaningful new career milestones in upcoming competitive seasons, while it encouraged Jones to keep building on her progress, deliver breakthrough performances, and secure greater athletic success in her future competitions.

Antigua and Barbuda’s only purpose-built track and field venue has suffered a major setback, as the YASCO Sports Complex has been stripped of its World Athletics Class 2 certification amid ongoing efforts to replace its aging, deteriorating running surface.

Shawnor Charles Joseph, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association, confirmed that global track manufacturer Mondo has already finalized processing for the order of the new surface. However, the company has yet to share a definitive timeline for when the materials will be shipped to the Caribbean nation, leaving the renovation project in limbo.

In preparation for the main resurfacing work, local authorities have been developing a separate temporary warm-up track, a mandatory prerequisite before construction can begin on the primary facility. As of the latest update, that auxiliary track is roughly 80% finished, marking partial progress toward kicking off the core project. Once the new surface materials arrive at the complex, industry projections estimate that the full replacement work will take approximately two months to complete.

Originally awarded its Class 2 World Athletics certification back in 2021, YASCO Sports Complex has served as the only dedicated track and field training and competition hub for the islands’ athletes. The loss of certification means the venue can no longer host officially sanctioned World Athletics events, creating a significant gap for local and regional athletic competitions in the region until renovations are finished and certification can be reinstated.

A cohort of promising young soccer players from The Soccer Academy based in Antigua is preparing to embark on a transformative seven-day journey to the United Kingdom, where they will access elite-level coaching, targeted skill development, and invaluable international exposure in the global football landscape.

Organized to nurture emerging football talent from the Caribbean nation, the trip packs a range of high-impact experiences designed to push the young athletes outside their familiar training environments. One of the most anticipated moments on the itinerary is a chance to watch a high-profile professional matchup between English EFL Championship side Coventry City and French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco, giving the prospects a first-hand look at the pace, physicality, and tactical nuance of top-tier European football.

Beyond the matchday experience, the core of the trip centers on intensive training sessions led by seasoned European coaches in a highly competitive training ecosystem. This opportunity marks another key milestone in ongoing efforts to connect young Antiguan footballers with global football pathways, opening doors for skill growth, scouting exposure, and long-term career development that would not be accessible through local training alone.

For many of the young athletes, the trip represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience how professional football operates at the highest level, build connections with industry stakeholders, and measure their abilities against international peers. Development officials from The Soccer Academy note that these international immersion experiences are critical to closing the gap between regional youth football and the global professional game, empowering talented young Caribbean players to pursue their dreams of competing at the top of the sport.