The Belize Volleyball Association remains in limbo as it awaits a response from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and other governing bodies regarding a formal complaint filed against Head Referee Tatiana Villalobos. The controversy stems from the men’s bronze medal match at the Central American Games, where Villalobos, a Costa Rican official, awarded a decisive point to Panama in the fifth set despite clear evidence that the ball had gone out of bounds. Her decision, coupled with her dismissive attitude toward objections from Belizean players and her own side judge, sparked emotional outbursts and ultimately handed Panama the victory. Allan Sharp, President of the Belize Volleyball Association, has expressed profound frustration, labeling the incident as a grave injustice to both Team Belize and the integrity of volleyball. Sharp has called for a thorough investigation and disciplinary action against Villalobos, emphasizing that such errors undermine the sport’s credibility. He highlighted the momentum Belize had built during the match, describing it as a thrilling contest until the referee’s controversial calls altered the outcome. The Belize Volleyball Association has formally requested the FIVB to review the incident and ensure accountability to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
分类： sports
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CCSS crash schools’ basketball final four
The semifinals of the Under-19 Boys’ Schools Basketball Tournament, held at the Beausejour Gymnasium on October 30, feature a mix of familiar faces and new contenders. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, with support from the Ministry of Education and the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation, the tournament has reached its critical stage. Defending champions Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) advanced by default after Micoud Secondary School failed to appear. Joining them are three-time losing finalists Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS) and last year’s fourth-placed team, St Mary’s College (SMC).
Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) emerged as a new force, replacing 2024 bronze medallists Patricia D James Secondary School. CCSS secured their semifinal spot by winning three of their five preliminary games and defeating Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS) 64-38 in the quarterfinals. Meshach Du Boulay was instrumental in CCSS’s victory, scoring 24 points, including three three-pointers, and adding 10 rebounds, seven steals, and seven assists. David Chandler contributed 19 points and nine rebounds.
For VFCSS, Josan Henry led with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six steals, while Chris Cyrilon added 10 points and 14 rebounds. CCSS’s physical education teacher, Brandon Clauzel, highlighted the team’s strategy, emphasizing the addition of Meshach Du Boulay and the coaching assistance of Simeon Hippolyte.
In the semifinals, CCSS will face SCSS on November 4. SCSS advanced by defeating Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School 48-38, with Curden Jones leading the charge with 26 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Meanwhile, SMC secured their semifinal spot by overcoming Corinth Secondary Schools 46-37, with Neezan Lewis delivering a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. The semifinals will take place at the Beausejour Gymnasium, promising thrilling matchups as teams vie for a place in the finals.
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Saint Lucia, SVG tie tapeball series
The highly anticipated final of the Bilateral Tapeball series between St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Saint Lucia concluded in a dramatic fashion on October 29 at the South Rivers playing field. Persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned, leaving the series honors evenly shared. Earlier in the competition, Saint Lucia claimed victory in the opening match on October 24, while SVG responded with a commanding win on October 25. In the finale, Saint Lucia won the toss and opted to field. Merville Samuel made an immediate impact, dismissing Romano Pierre with the first ball, marking his fifth wicket of the series. SVG struggled at 95-6 in 11.2 overs before rain intervened. The series showcased standout performances, with Murgaran Shoulette named the Most Valuable Player. Garette Alphonse led all batsmen with 235 runs, including three half-centuries, while Samuel and Kesron Daniel each claimed five wickets. Jamian Thomas was recognized as the Most Outstanding Wicketkeeper. Earlier matches saw Saint Lucia triumph by six wickets, chasing down SVG’s 251-5, thanks to contributions from Alphonse, Shoulette, and Jason Simon. SVG retaliated with a 74-run victory on October 25, posting 288-6 and restricting Saint Lucia to 214-9. The tour also featured an Adventist Premier League (APL) component, with SVG and Saint Lucia APL teams trading victories before the hosts clinched the decider in a nail-biting finish.
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Saint Lucia’s Ackeem Auguste shines with maiden T20I 50 as WI sweep Bangladesh
The West Indies men’s cricket team concluded their Dutch Bangla T20 International series with a resounding victory, defeating Bangladesh by five wickets on October 31. This win marked a clean sweep for the West Indies, showcasing their dominance throughout the series. The match featured several strategic changes to the team lineup, including the debut of Ackeem Auguste, a promising Saint Lucian batsman known for his top-order prowess.
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Arsenal cruise against Burnley as Forest hold Man Utd
In a thrilling weekend of Premier League action, Arsenal solidified their position at the top of the table with a commanding 2-0 victory over Burnley. The Gunners, now seven points clear, showcased their dominance with goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice, both coming from set-piece situations. Mikel Arteta’s side has now won five consecutive league matches, positioning themselves as strong contenders to end their 20-year title drought. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s momentum was halted as they were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Nottingham Forest. Despite taking an early lead through Casemiro, United conceded twice in quick succession before Amad Diallo’s late volley salvaged a point. Chelsea continued their impressive form with a 1-0 win over Tottenham, courtesy of Joao Pedro’s goal, moving them into fourth place. Elsewhere, Liverpool prepared to face Aston Villa, hoping to end a four-match losing streak that has derailed their title defense. The weekend also saw Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Fulham secure crucial victories, while Wolves’ woes deepened with a 3-0 defeat at Fulham, leaving them eight points adrift of safety.
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New faces for Red Force as Da Silva resumes captaincy for Super50 Cup
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force captain Joshua Da Silva is set to lead his team in the 2025 CG United Super50 Cup, which kicks off on November 19 in Trinidad. The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) confirmed Da Silva’s appointment on November 1, alongside the announcement of the 14-member squad. The team will face Barbados Royals in their opening match at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine.
The squad features a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, with five newcomers making their debut in the Super50 Cup. Among them are all-rounders Shatrughan Rambaran and Ricky Naipaul, fast bowler Abdul Raheem Toppin, batsman Cephas Cooper, and leg-spinner Navin Bidaisee. While Bidaisee and Cooper have previously represented Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies Championship, Rambaran has prior experience in the Super50 Cup with Combined Campuses and College.
Despite the absence of key players like Akeal Hosein, Anderson Phillip, Amir Jangoo, Jayden Seales, and Khary Pierre—who are on international duty with the West Indies—head coach Rayad Emrit remains optimistic. He emphasized the importance of blending youth with experience, viewing the tournament as an opportunity to integrate emerging talent into the squad.
Emrit praised Da Silva’s leadership, noting his ability to lead by example and his growing experience in high-pressure situations. The coach highlighted the team’s focus on playing positive, engaging cricket while fostering a strong team culture. Emrit also acknowledged the challenge posed by Barbados, a formidable opponent with a strong white-ball record.
The Red Force’s campaign begins on November 19, with their match against Barbados Royals set to be a crucial early test. The tournament’s opening day will also feature clashes between Jamaica Scorpions and Guyana Harpy Eagles, as well as Windward Islands Volcano and Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
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Dexter Ali takes on 80-mile sea-to-sea run across Trinidad
Endurance athlete Dexter Ali is set to undertake one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most demanding solo runs, the ‘Sea-to-Sea’ challenge, starting from the Sea Wall in Galeota and concluding at Teteron Barracks in Chaguaramas. The 55-year-old businessman and multi-sport competitor will cover approximately 80 miles (130km) — equivalent to more than three marathon distances — in a test of physical and mental stamina. The run, which began on November 1, is expected to conclude the following day. Ali’s coach, Derrick Simon, described the endeavor as a ‘personal challenge’ inspired by Ali’s recent birthday. Ali, who trains with Simon’s Pace Performance Factory, has spent months preparing for this grueling feat. His training regimen included multiple long-distance runs around the Queen’s Park Savannah, sometimes completing 24 laps (57.2 miles) in a single session. Simon, a national middle- and long-distance coach, noted that Ali’s training plan required innovative thinking due to its unique demands. The preparation also focused on hydration, fatigue management, and sleep deprivation, with Ali often running double sessions to simulate the challenges of the event. To ensure success, Simon and Ali drove the entire route to strategize terrain navigation. While Ali will run solo, he will receive intermittent support from fellow runners, a vehicle crew, family members, and a police escort. Simon emphasized that Ali’s safety remains a priority, and the attempt will be halted if his well-being is compromised. This monumental effort is not only a personal achievement for Ali but also a significant milestone for Caribbean endurance sports.
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ONE LOVE!
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, the global sports community has rallied to support the island’s recovery efforts. The hurricane, which caused extensive damage to rural areas, particularly in parishes like St Elizabeth, St James, and Clarendon, has prompted an outpouring of aid from athletes, teams, and sports organizations worldwide.
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REVERSE SWEEP!
The West Indies concluded their T20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh with a commanding performance, securing a 3-0 series sweep. In the final match held at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, the Windies triumphed by five wickets, showcasing their depth and resilience. Stand-in captain Roston Chase and Ackeem Auguste both scored half-centuries, forming a crucial 93-run partnership that steered the team to victory. Romario Shepherd etched his name in history by becoming only the second West Indian to claim a T20I hat-trick, playing a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh to 151 runs. Despite a valiant 89 from Tanzid Hasan, Bangladesh’s batting lineup faltered, losing their last eight wickets for just 44 runs. Shepherd’s 3-36, supported by Khary Pierre (2-23) and Jason Holder (2-32), ensured the Windies’ dominance. Chase and Auguste’s aggressive batting, combined with Shepherd’s heroics, underscored the team’s all-round strength. The Windies’ comprehensive victory highlighted their tactical prowess and ability to perform under pressure, cementing their status as a formidable force in T20 cricket.
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Vinicius Junior in the clear over Clasico outburst
MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid’s star forward Vinicius Junior will not face any disciplinary measures following his emotional reaction to being substituted during last weekend’s high-stakes Clasico match against Barcelona. The 25-year-old Brazilian was visibly upset when he was replaced in the 72nd minute of the tense 2-1 victory, storming off the pitch and down the tunnel. While Vinicius later issued a public apology to fans, teammates, and club president Florentino Perez, he notably did not extend the same to head coach Xabi Alonso. However, Alonso confirmed on Friday that the matter has been resolved. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga clash with Valencia, Alonso revealed that Vinicius delivered a heartfelt and sincere speech during a team meeting, effectively closing the chapter on the incident. Alonso emphasized unity within the squad, stating, “We are all in the same boat and rowing in the same direction.” He also highlighted the competitive spirit of the players as a positive force. The incident occurred amid ongoing contract negotiations for Vinicius, whose current deal runs until 2027. Despite contributing five goals this season, Vinicius has been overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe’s stellar performance, with the Frenchman netting 16 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions. Real Madrid currently leads La Liga with 27 points, five ahead of Barcelona, and will face Valencia on Saturday.