分类： sports

Reggae Girlz looking to deliver strong performance against Antigua

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the countdown to Friday’s CONCACAF W Championship qualifier ticks down, the head coach of Jamaica’s senior women’s national football team, the Reggae Girlz, Hubert Busby, has made clear that his side is laser-focused on securing a commanding performance against Antigua and Barbuda at the iconic National Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:00 pm local time.

Speaking to reporters at a pre-match media briefing held Thursday, Busby emphasized what a meaningful moment this is for the entire squad, marking their first return to compete on home turf after a lengthy stretch of matches and training away from Jamaica. “It’s an incredible feeling to be back together on Jamaican soil,” Busby told the assembled press. “Our players have waited far too long for this opportunity to play in front of our own fans. Competing at home means everything to us, so we’re not just here to get the win — we’re here to put on a performance our supporters can be proud of.”

As the fixture forms part of the qualification pathway for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the CONCACAF confederation, Busby stressed that every single remaining group stage match carries non-negotiable stakes for his side. “At the end of the day, every point matters in World Cup qualifying. Everyone in this group understands exactly what’s on the line, and we know we have to get the job done tomorrow,” he said. Busby added that the team is sticking to its proven game plan of focusing on one match at a time: “We’re locked in on Antigua and Barbuda first, and once that’s over, we’ll shift our full attention to our next fixture against Guyana.”

While Antigua and Barbuda has already been officially eliminated from contention for a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, Busby warned against underestimating the Caribbean side. With qualification pressure lifted entirely, he noted that Antigua and Barbuda will be able to play with unfiltered freedom, creating an unexpected challenge for the Reggae Girlz. “They’ve got nothing to lose right now, so they can go out and play without any of the stress we’re carrying. That makes them dangerous, and we’ve prepared specifically for that brand of play,” he explained.

Busby also touched on the growing depth of his squad, pointing out that a handful of injury absences in the lead-up to the match have created unexpected opportunities for up-and-coming players to prove themselves at the international level. “We’ve built a really deep roster of talented players across the board, so I have zero doubt that the players stepping into these gaps will rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances in this qualifying camp,” he said.

Looking ahead to the later stages of the qualification process, Busby emphasized that steady improvement and consistent focus are more important than chasing perfection in every early fixture. “This isn’t about being flawless from the first minute. We’re here to build momentum, get better with every match, and stay focused on the task in front of us right now,” he said.

Fans in attendance can expect the Reggae Girlz to come out swinging with an aggressive, high-energy attacking style, as the side looks to leverage its home-field advantage to pick up three points and carry positive momentum into their upcoming qualifier against Guyana. Busby closed his remarks with an open call for Jamaican football supporters to turn out in force: “I’m urging everyone who can make it to come out to the stadium. These women are an incredible asset to this country, and they deserve all the support we can give them. Come cheer us on tomorrow.”

The ongoing CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers will ultimately decide which confederation teams advance to compete in the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship tournament, scheduled to take place in November 2026.

9 4 月, 2026
Antigua Racing Cup: A New Regatta with a Big Antiguan Welcome

The highly anticipated first edition of the Antigua Racing Cup officially opened registrations on Wednesday morning, drawing international sailing teams from more than 15 countries to compete across four days of racing hosted at the iconic, UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua’s English Harbour. Competition is set to kick off on Thursday, April 9, with a lineup of up to three races planned on Antigua’s globally renowned sailing waters, where ideal sailing conditions have already aligned for the event.

Forecasters predict consistent seasonal trade winds, with an easterly gradient breeze of 10 to 15 knots expected, paired with occasional fresh gusts reaching up to 20 knots that are set to add excitement and challenge to the race course. Warm tropical conditions will greet all participants, with both air and sea temperatures hovering around 28°C (82°F), making lightweight rash vests and shorts the ideal attire for racing through the refreshing Caribbean spray.

Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s only active Georgian dockyard and a protected World Heritage Site, serves as the central hub for all off-water activities for the regatta. Ahead of the first race, Racing Manager Jaime Torres led the mandatory Skippers’ Briefing at the historic Copper & Lumber Store Hotel, after which competitors moved to the Event Lawn for the official Regatta Opening Party. There, guests enjoyed complimentary Amstel Beer and local English Harbour Rum, embodying the warm, welcoming hospitality Antigua is known for.

The opening ceremony kicked off with a moving performance of Antigua’s National Anthem by a solo pannist from Princess Margaret School’s Steel Band, setting a celebratory tone for the event. Distinguished guests in attendance included Sean Cenac, Permanent Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism, St Pauls Member of Parliament Minister Greene, and Parks Commissioner Ann Marie Martin. Bobby Reis, Vice Chairman of the Antigua & Barbuda Yachting & Marine Association, served as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion.

In his opening remarks, Cenac extended a warm welcome to all sailors, crew members, event partners and supporters traveling from across the globe for the landmark event. He described the Antigua Racing Cup as a proud new addition to the country’s national sporting calendar, highlighting that the event brings together top-tier international competition, world-famous Caribbean hospitality, rich local culture and an unrivaled historic setting. Cenac emphasized that holding the regatta at Nelson’s Dockyard was a deliberate choice, as the site stands as a powerful testament to Antigua and Barbuda’s deep maritime heritage and longstanding connection to the ocean.

“The Antigua Racing Cup was created not just to deliver thrilling, high-caliber sailing competition, but also to shine a spotlight on our beautiful destination, boost engagement with local communities and deliver long-lasting economic and social benefits for our country,” Cenac explained. “It is incredible to see such a diverse, international fleet gather for this first edition, which lays a strong foundation for what we are confident will become a signature annual event for Antigua and Barbuda. To every competitor here: thank you for joining us at this starting point. You are the first to write the story of the Antigua Racing Cup, and that makes this moment very special. We wish all of you fair winds, tight competitive racing, and an unforgettable experience both on and off the water.”

Minister Greene echoed Cenac’s remarks, noting that the new regatta is an exciting expansion of Antigua and Barbuda’s growing sailing calendar, and reflects the nation’s ongoing commitment to building on its reputation as the undisputed sailing capital of the Caribbean. Greene highlighted that the event brings fresh energy to the start of the sailing season, giving international teams another compelling reason to extend their stay, compete, and explore everything the twin-island nation has to offer. He closed by wishing all participants an outstanding week of racing and hospitality in Antigua.

9 4 月, 2026
Easter Grassroots Youth Football Festival kicks off in Portsmouth

A landmark new initiative for youth football in the Caribbean is set to launch this week, as three local sports organizations team up to host the first-ever Easter Grassroots Youth Football Festival in Portsmouth, Dominica on April 9, 2026.
Organized through a partnership between Portsmouth Football Academy, Bombers Football Club and Sport Aid Dominica, the one-day competitive gathering will be hosted at Portsmouth’s iconic Benjamin Park, with play running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, according to an official statement from Bombers Football Club.
Unlike standard regional tournaments, the festival is purpose-built to shine a spotlight on emerging young talent across two age divisions: Under-11 and Under-13. Four squads have already confirmed their participation, drawing competitors from across the region: the host Portsmouth Football Academy, Dominica’s own National Football Academy, Newtown Juvenile Football Academy, and an incoming guest team from neighboring Guadeloupe, Club Sport Guadeloupe. Beyond the excitement of on-pitch competition, the event centers core developmental priorities: honing technical football skills, fostering collaborative teamwork, and upholding the values of respectful sportsmanship among the next generation of players.
The festival has secured wide-ranging institutional and corporate backing to bring the project to life. Hon. Fenella Wenham Shepherd is the event’s lead political supporter, with additional key partnership support from the Dominica Football Association, the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA), and local beverage brand Trois Pitons Water. The release emphasizes that this cross-sector collaboration reinforces ongoing momentum for expanding youth-focused and community-rooted sports programs across the island.
What makes the festival stand out is its dual purpose: while it celebrates youth football, it also serves as a core pillar of a broader strategy to grow Dominica’s sports tourism sector. Event organizers are working to cement both Portsmouth and the wider nation as a growing hub for youth football development and cross-regional sporting cooperation. By including a visiting team from Guadeloupe, the event is already taking a critical first step to establish Dominica as a go-to destination for organized, high-quality youth sporting competitions across the Caribbean.
“This festival is about more than football—it is about creating opportunities, building discipline, and opening pathways for our young players,” event organizers shared in comments included in the release. “It is also a step toward developing sports tourism in the north of the island.”
Organizers have already announced long-term plans for the festival, with the goal of turning the one-off inaugural event into a recurring annual staple of the regional youth football calendar. Future iterations are set to expand participation, with invitations open to additional local academies, as well as more teams from across the Caribbean and beyond the region. Local community members are encouraged to attend the event at Benjamin Park to cheer on the young competing athletes.

9 4 月, 2026
Matthew Welcomes Home Team Antigua and Barbuda After Strong CARIFTA Aquatics Performance

After delivering an outstanding showing at the 39th CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, Antigua and Barbuda’s national swimming squad has returned to a hero’s welcome in St. John’s, with the nation’s Sports Minister Daryll Matthew hailing the team’s efforts as a landmark moment for the country’s aquatic sports development.

In an official statement released following the team’s arrival, Matthew shared that he felt profound excitement to greet the young athletes back on home soil after their run at one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious regional age-group swimming competitions. Throughout the five-day meet, Matthew noted, every member of the delegation brought unwavering consistency and a high level of competitive excellence to every race they entered, exceeding pre-event expectations.

Leading the team’s historic medal haul was 16-year-old swimmer Anya DeGannes, who earned special recognition from the minister for her multi-gold performance and a series of new age-group records set at the championships. DeGannes was not the only standout, however: Madison MacMillan and Ellie Shaw also stepped onto the top of the podium, with MacMillan claiming gold and Shaw taking silver in their competitive divisions, both turning in personal best times to secure their places among the region’s top young swimmers.

Two male competitors, Jamie Tranter and Alessandro Bazzoni, also earned public praise from Matthew for climbing onto the podium and setting new national and age-group records during their events. The minister did not limit his commendations to medal-winners alone, highlighting the grit, dedication, and team-first spirit of Kaylee Warner, Alyssa Watkins, Christopher Walter, and Selah Wiltshire, whose consistent strong performances contributed directly to the squad’s overall successful showing.

Beyond the impressive collection of medals, Matthew emphasized that the team’s achievements extended to a range of other milestones. Multiple new national and age-group records were broken over the course of the competition, and nearly every swimmer representing Antigua and Barbuda walked away with a new personal best time, a result that underscores the steady growth of the sport across the country.

The minister also stressed that the team’s success would not have been possible without the hard work of the national coaching staff. He pointed to the staff’s months of rigorous preparation and long-term commitment to athlete development as core factors that allowed the young swimmers to perform at their best when it mattered most on the regional stage.

Looking ahead, Matthew framed the team’s performance at the 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships as clear evidence that swimming in Antigua and Barbuda is moving in the right direction, with a new generation of talented young athletes proving they can compete with the best in the Caribbean. The result, he said, offers exciting promise for the future of the sport and the nation’s upcoming competitors in regional and international events.

9 4 月, 2026
Dion Kiethly Massiah Wins Jermaine Kentish Birthday Shootout for Third Straight Year

In an extraordinary display of consistent dominance in competitive shooting, Dion Kiethly Massiah has etched his name into the history books of the Jermaine Kentish Birthday Shootout, securing the tournament title for the third year running. The annual competition, organized to mark the birthday of the sport’s beloved community figure Jermaine Kentish, has grown into one of the most anticipated local shooting tournaments of the year, drawing dozens of top competitors from across the region each December.

This year’s event, held at the host shooting range over the weekend, saw Massiah outperform a field of 42 skilled sharpshooters through a series of grueling elimination rounds. From the opening qualifying stages, Massiah established his edge, posting the highest aggregate score across the first three rounds to secure the top seed heading into the knockout bracket. He maintained this momentum through each subsequent match, delivering near-flawless performances in pressure situations that pushed several of his opponents to their limits.

In the final head-to-head showdown, Massiah faced off against rising young shooter Marcus Green, who had pulled off two major upsets to reach the championship round. Despite a strong challenge from Green, who narrowed the score gap to just two points in the final five shots, Massiah held his nerve, sinking three consecutive bullseyes to seal the win with a final score of 147 out of a possible 160. Speaking after the victory, Massiah credited his consistent training routine and the supportive community around the Jermaine Kentish Shootout for his three-peat success.

Tournament organizers noted that the event has grown significantly since its founding, both in participation numbers and community engagement, with proceeds from this year’s competition going toward supporting youth shooting sports programs in the area. Jermaine Kentish, the namesake of the tournament, praised Massiah’s achievement, calling his three consecutive wins a testament to his skill, discipline, and love for the sport.

9 4 月, 2026
Column: Sportpaspoort affaire

In the lead-up to a critical World Cup qualifying play-off against Bolivia, a heated public and institutional campaign has erupted in the Netherlands targeting Dutch-born footballers who represent Suriname in international competition. What began as an isolated eligibility dispute raised by an Eredivisie club over a player’s purported naturalization as an Indonesian citizen quickly spilled over to the entire group of Suriname national team players, who were already in Mexico preparing for their do-or-die qualification match for this year’s World Cup.

As media coverage of the eligibility debate intensified, the Suriname technical staff initially dismissed the controversy as unfounded noise, choosing to downplay the issue to protect their players’ focus ahead of the high-stakes fixture. But after Suriname dropped the match on Mexican soil, criticism and regulatory action accelerated rapidly. When the players returned to their club duties across Europe, a raft of punitive measures followed: some were dropped from club selection, while others faced demands questioning their retention of Dutch nationality. Even in Belgium, player Gyrano Kerk was sidelined and barred from training with his club as collateral damage from the broader dispute.

The situation quickly devolved into confusion, with inconsistent application of measures across leagues and clubs. For some players, eligibility issues were resolved quickly after they secured official work permits, allowing them to return to competitive action, while others remained in limbo.

Officials from the Suriname Football Association (SVB) have pushed back against the eligibility claims, emphasizing that the special sports pass used to allow Dutch-born players to represent Suriname holds no legal standing for nationality claims. In contrast, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has warned all domestic clubs to only field players that can prove full eligibility, and has joined a number of clubs in demanding work permits from players that have represented Suriname.

A close look at Suriname’s existing nationality law makes clear that the eligibility claims against the players lack legal foundation. Article 8 of Suriname’s Law on Nationality and Residency explicitly outlines requirements for obtaining Surinamese nationality, mandating both a clear legal basis for naturalization and five consecutive years of primary residency in Suriname ahead of any application. Even the exception for naturalization granted for state interests, laid out in Article 9, requires formal legislative action to take effect. According to public records, none of the players in question have completed the mandatory steps to obtain Surinamese citizenship.

Without completed legal naturalization, none of the players hold Surinamese nationality. That means calls to strip them of Dutch nationality and treat them as foreign non-citizens carry severe unintended consequences: if the players are not Dutch and not Surinamese, they would effectively be rendered stateless. Legal observers note that the current actions by the KNVB and several European clubs appear to contradict the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, an international treaty designed to prevent exactly this outcome. To date, there is no evidence that Suriname has enacted any legal change that would grant these players formal nationality. The core purpose of the Suriname sports pass, officials confirm, is only to establish eligibility for international football representation, not to grant citizenship or change the players’ existing legal nationality status.

9 4 月, 2026
Kleurrijke start 61e Avondvierdaagse: bijna 5.000 deelnemers op pad

One of Suriname’s most beloved annual community walking events, the 61st edition of the Avondvierdaagse (AVD), officially launched on Wednesday, bringing together thousands of participants in a vibrant celebration of movement, community and local culture.

The multi-day walking marathon opened with a festive, energetic atmosphere, where participants showcased elaborate, finely detailed costumes paired with creative, handcrafted accessories that turned the route into a moving display of local creativity. A standout feature of this year’s edition is the unprecedentedly large contingent of individual participants: more than 1,900 solo walkers have registered to take part in the four-day event.

The official opening ceremony was led by two top government officials: Nalini Gopal, Minister of Sport, and André Misiekaba, Minister of Public Health. Joined by Lakshmi Vishnudatt, chair of the BVSS — the organizing body behind the event — the trio took the official first steps to mark the start of the 61st AVD, kicking off four days of scheduled walking for participants across all age groups.

As of the opening day, event organizers have counted a total of 4,900 registered participants. The field breaks down into 9 junior groups, 38 senior groups, and the 1,900+ individual walkers. Cultural participating groups drew attention from onlookers kilometers away thanks to their bright, eye-catching costumes and group singing that brought a joyful soundtrack to the walking route.

Across all organized participating groups, the National Democratic Party (NDP) remains the largest contingent by a significant margin, a consistent trend in past editions of the event. On the opening day of the 2026 AVD, participants completed an 11.3-kilometer route, with organizers already releasing the route details for the second day of the multi-day walking event. The four-day event is expected to draw ongoing community attention as participants complete each day’s route ahead of the closing ceremony.

9 4 月, 2026
CARIFTA Games 2026

The 2026 edition of the CARIFTA Games, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious youth athletic competitions, broke with tradition this year by spreading its two core disciplines across two separate island host locations. From April 4 to 8, the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships welcomed over 500 regional swimmers to the Le Lamentin facility in Martinique, a French overseas department, while track and field events unfolded between April 4 and 6 at Grenada’s iconic Kirani James Stadium.\n\nFor Team Haiti, the 2026 Games will go down in history as a breakthrough performance, with the nation securing a total of six medals: two gold, two silver, and two bronze across swimming and athletics. The highlight of Haiti’s campaign came in the pool, where a small three-person delegation delivered the country’s best ever swimming results at the regional competition.\ Seventeen-year-old Christian Jérome emerged as Haiti’s undisputed star of the Games, claiming two gold medals and one silver in butterfly events. Jérome clocked 55.23 seconds to take top honors in the men’s 100m butterfly, followed by a winning time of 2:07.75 in the 200m butterfly. He added a silver medal in the 50m butterfly with a finish of 24.9 seconds, and further cemented his status as a rising Haitian swimming star by breaking his own country’s national record in the 50m backstroke, posting a new benchmark time of 28.97 seconds. Jérome’s two teammates, Jude Jérome and Mayah Chouloute, also turned in strong performances, both hitting new personal best times over the course of the aquatics competition.\n\nOn the track in Grenada, Haiti’s seven-member all-female athletics delegation exceeded pre-Games expectations by meeting the Haitian Athletics Federation’s explicit target of at least three podium finishes, adding one silver and two bronze medals to the country’s overall count. In the under-17 women’s 400m hurdles, Hope Edwards claimed silver with a time of 1:02.48. Breanne Barnett took bronze in the under-20 women’s 200m sprint with a 23.49-second finish, while Aisha Wajid rounded out the athletics medal haul with bronze in the under-17 women’s 800m, clocking 2:14.96.\n\nThe historic six-medal performance marks a new milestone for Haitian youth sports, highlighting the emergence of talented young athletes across both swimming and track disciplines at one of the Caribbean’s most competitive regional youth sporting events.

9 4 月, 2026
Over 520 million gourdes for the Grenadiers (video)

Haiti’s national football team, the Grenadiers, has received landmark financial backing from the country’s government to fuel their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with a total of more than 520 million Haitian gourdes committed in a formal ceremony held Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The event took place at Port-au-Prince’s Villa d’Accueil, under the official patronage of Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who presided over the presentation of two separate 264 million gourde checks—equaling just over 2 million USD combined—to the Normalization Committee of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF).

The two tranches of funding serve distinct, critical purposes for the historic World Cup run. The first check is designated as a qualification bonus for the players, rewarding their achievement of earning a spot in the world’s most-watched sporting tournament. The second allocation is earmarked exclusively for pre-tournament preparation, designed to give the squad access to top-tier training resources, logistics, and support to compete at their best on the global stage. This dual investment reflects the Haitian government’s structured, ambitious commitment to elevating the national team’s performance this summer.

In his keynote remarks at the ceremony, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé extended warm congratulations to the Grenadiers for their historic qualification, noting that this milestone is more than a sporting win—it is a powerful representation of the courage and resilience that defines the Haitian nation. This appearance will mark only the second time Haiti has qualified for the FIFA World Cup in the country’s entire history, making the achievement all the more meaningful for fans across the nation. The Prime Minister emphasized that the public funding represents the government and the Haitian people’s unwavering confidence in both the national team and the broader cohort of young Haitian athletes. To ensure every Haitian can share in the excitement of the tournament, Fils-Aimé also announced plans to install public viewing screens across all regions of the country, giving all segments of the population access to watch the Grenadiers compete.

Monique André, president of the FHF Normalization Committee, delivered remarks on behalf of the federation, expressing profound gratitude to the Haitian government for the critical investment. André noted that the funding fills key gaps in the team’s preparation budget, removing financial barriers that would otherwise hinder the squad’s ability to train and compete at the highest level. As a gesture of appreciation, André officially presented the Prime Minister with the official game jersey the Grenadiers will wear during their 2026 World Cup matches, capping the celebratory ceremony.

9 4 月, 2026
Kickstart move up with win over Ellerton

The 2024 Barbados Football Association Premier League continues to deliver high-stakes, tightly contested action this season, with two crucial midweek matches shaking up the league table on Tuesday. In the headline fixture of the week’s matchday, Kickstart Rush secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ellerton that lifted them into the second spot in the overall standings, tightening the race for the league title. It did not take long for the first breakthrough to come, with forward Azarel Croney finding the back of the net in the 30th minute to put Kickstart Rush ahead early in the second half of the campaign. Ellerton responded quickly after the break, with Anson Barrow leveling the score in the 55th minute to set up a tense final 35 minutes of play. The match-winning goal came courtesy of 17-year-old national team prospect Jamarco Johnson, who netted in the 71st minute to seal all three points for Kickstart Rush. With the result, Kickstart Rush now sits on 23 points, just a single point adrift of current league leaders Paradise. For Ellerton, the defeat drops the side to fifth place in the table with 20 points, leaving them just narrowly outside the top contention group in what is being called the most competitive Premier League campaign in recent memory. The night’s second fixture, played at the BFA Technical Centre in Wildey, pitted two newly promoted sides against each other in a battle that could have major implications for relegation survival at the end of the season. Bagatelle claimed a dominant 4-1 win over St Andrew Lions, with forward Torian Joseph delivering a standout performance that included a match-winning hat-trick. Joseph opened the scoring for Bagatelle in the 19th minute, but St Andrew Lions managed to pull level just before halftime, with Zeco Graves finding the net in the 44th minute. Bagatelle reclaimed the lead just two minutes later, with Tyreese King putting the newly promoted side back ahead before the break. Joseph put the result beyond doubt after halftime, scoring his second of the game in the 46th minute before sealing his hat-trick in the 86th minute to lock in the three points. The win moves Bagatelle up to sixth place in the league standings with 14 points, pulling the side clear of the bottom half of the table and leapfrogging UWI, who now sit one spot below on 12 points. For St Andrew Lions, the loss leaves the club stuck in ninth place on just six points, occupying one of the two relegation spots in the league. They share the relegation zone with winless bottom side Wotton, who have yet to pick up a single point this season. St Andrew Lions now sit five points adrift of eighth-placed Eyre’s Meat Shop Pride of Gall Hill, leaving them with a steep climb to avoid dropping back down to the lower division at the end of the campaign. The action will continue this coming Sunday, with a full slate of matches that could see league leaders Paradise extend their advantage at the top of the table. Paradise will kick off Sunday’s matchday against Bagatelle, and a win would push their lead over second-placed Kickstart Rush out to four points. Ellerton, fresh off Tuesday’s defeat, will face a challenging test against UWI Blackbirds, while defending champions Weymouth Wales will close out the night against St Andrew Lions. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting during the first half of the season, setting up another competitive encounter for the reigning title holders.

9 4 月, 2026