分类: sports

  • SQUAD GOALS

    SQUAD GOALS

    Jamaica’s national senior men’s football team, the Reggae Boyz, are on the brink of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a series of impressive performances in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. Head Coach Steve McClaren expressed his confidence in the squad, which he believes has finally come together as a cohesive unit. The team currently leads Group B after a commanding 4-0 victory over Bermuda and a favorable 1-1 draw between Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago. This puts Jamaica in a strong position with nine points, ahead of Curacao with eight, Trinidad with five, and Bermuda at the bottom with zero points. McClaren highlighted the impact of key players such as Bobby Reid, Shamar Nicholson, and Dujuan Richards, who all contributed to the win against Bermuda. The return of midfielders Isaac Hayden and Kasey Palmer, who missed the previous game due to suspension, was also pivotal. McClaren praised their performances, particularly Palmer’s work rate and Hayden’s stability in the midfield. Since taking charge in July 2024, McClaren has made several adjustments to the squad, with 11 new players compared to the team from a year ago. He emphasized the importance of trust and competition within the squad, which has seen significant improvement over the past year. With two crucial matches remaining—against Trinidad on November 13 and Curacao on November 18—McClaren remains cautious but optimistic. He stressed the need for players to stay fit and healthy, as the team aims to secure their place in the World Cup. The overseas contingent of the Reggae Boyz and technical staff departed Jamaica on Wednesday and are expected to return to Kingston on November 10, ready for the final push towards qualification.

  • Strong currents stop John Procope from completing 100K swim around Tobago

    Strong currents stop John Procope from completing 100K swim around Tobago

    John Procope’s ambitious attempt to swim 100 kilometers around Tobago was halted due to relentless ocean currents, forcing him to abandon the challenge after 33 grueling hours. The swimmer began his journey on the morning of October 13 at Crown Point, supported by a team that included a small boat stocked with supplies and a kayak for companionship. Swimmers Jacob Cox and William Carr also joined him for part of the route. Despite completing approximately 68% of the distance, Procope and his team were compelled to cease their efforts near Speyside due to the overwhelming strength of the currents. Upon returning to shore on the evening of October 14, Procope’s Facebook page confirmed the decision, emphasizing that safety was the top priority. ‘Couldn’t beat very strong current just past Speyside…took over an hour and still in pretty much the same place. Fatigued. Had to abort,’ the post read. In a follow-up video, Procope expressed gratitude to his supporters. The first half of the swim, in the calmer Caribbean Sea, went smoothly, but the Atlantic Ocean’s unpredictable currents proved insurmountable. This marks another chapter in Procope’s history of endurance swimming, following his successful 25-hour swim from Tobago to Trinidad in October 2024.

  • Boyd and Aidonia added to Bell/Zaide football festival

    Boyd and Aidonia added to Bell/Zaide football festival

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The 40th edition of the Bell/Zaide Memorial Football Festival is set to take place on Heroes Day, Monday, October 20, at Winchester Park. This year’s event will feature notable participants, including former national football player Walter Boyd and renowned entertainer Aidonia. Both confirmed their involvement after being approached by organizer Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell during the Reggae Boyz match against Bermuda. The festival, which supports various charitable causes, may mark its final iteration due to rising venue and security costs. Campbell expressed his intention to collaborate with the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) to preserve the legacy of the event and its honourees. He emphasized his commitment to aiding basic schools, stating, ‘In life, everybody needs help sometimes.’ The festival commemorates Jackie Bell and Dennis Ziadie, two Jamaican football legends who tragically passed away during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. This year’s honourees include Douglas Bell, Andrew Price, Neville Granville, Karl Tyrell, and Ronald Watson. Four teams will compete: Masters and Celebrities, Christian Ambassadors, St George’s Old Boys, and Referees XI. The Masters and Celebrities team will feature Laa Lee, Jahshii, Nesbeth, Boyd, and Aidonia, while the Referees XI will include Karl Tyrell, Oshane Nation, Carvel Banton, Alexi Perry, and Jassett Kerr.

  • Football gods against TT: Yorke rues chance to get crucial W/Cup qualifying win

    Football gods against TT: Yorke rues chance to get crucial W/Cup qualifying win

    In a crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match, the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) men’s football team managed a 1-1 draw against Curacao on October 14 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad. Despite a spirited performance, the result left TT in third place in Group B with just two matches remaining, while Curacao moved to second. Jamaica, with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bermuda, reclaimed the group’s top spot.

  • Trinidad and Tobago U-17 women to face Curacao, El Salvador in 2026 Concacaf qualifiers

    Trinidad and Tobago U-17 women to face Curacao, El Salvador in 2026 Concacaf qualifiers

    Trinidad and Tobago’s under-17 women’s football team is gearing up for a challenging journey in the first round of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. The qualifiers, scheduled from January 24 to February 2, 2026, will see TT face off against Curacao, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, and Barbados in Group F. All Group F matches will be hosted in Willemstad, Curacao, with other host nations including Aruba, Bermuda, and Nicaragua. TT will kick off their campaign against Curacao on January 24, followed by matches against Guadeloupe (January 26), Barbados (January 28), and El Salvador (February 1). The team will play four intense games within nine days. The first round features 30 teams divided into six groups of five. The top six group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the final round, where they will join Concacaf’s top-ranked teams: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. TT, ranked 11th in the Concacaf Under-17 women’s rankings as of April 2025, were placed in Pot Two alongside Bermuda, Cuba, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. This comes after a disappointing performance in the 2025 qualifiers, where TT finished at the bottom of their group, which included El Salvador, Honduras, and the US, and suffered a 4-0 defeat to El Salvador in April. Further details on the final round of qualifying are yet to be announced.

  • International football scouts head to Jamaica for Rough Treasure Youth Festival

    International football scouts head to Jamaica for Rough Treasure Youth Festival

    Jamaica’s budding football talent is poised to captivate the global stage this December as the Rough Treasure Youth Football Showcase and Festival kicks off. The two-day event, set for December 13–14, will take place in Treasure Beach and Munro College, St Elizabeth, drawing attention to 120 young players aged 16 to 23. These athletes, selected from prestigious local competitions such as the DaCosta Cup, Manning Cup, Ballaz Academy, and Jamaica Premier League clubs, will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of scouts, coaches, and sporting directors from renowned international clubs including Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and S C Braga.

  • Fatima, ‘Pres’ land contrasting wins in RBC Royal Slam basketball

    Fatima, ‘Pres’ land contrasting wins in RBC Royal Slam basketball

    Fatima College continued their impressive run in the RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament with a commanding 92-36 victory over St Francis Boys’ College on October 12 at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. This win marked their second consecutive triumph, solidifying their position at the top of Group A with six points from two games. The standout performer of the match was twelve-year-old guard Jakeem King, who delivered a remarkable double-double with 17 points and ten steals, complemented by six assists. His exceptional play was pivotal in Fatima’s dominant performance. Meanwhile, in Group B, Presentation College (San Fernando) secured a hard-fought 94-80 win over St Anthony’s College on October 11, thanks to a stellar showing by Michael McCarthy. McCarthy, who had previously scored 42 points in a loss to St Mary’s College, proved his mettle once again with an astonishing 46 points and 29 rebounds, along with three blocks, four assists, and four steals. St Anthony’s College, led by Amir Balgobin and Jahiem McLeod, who scored 28 and 17 points respectively, couldn’t contain McCarthy’s brilliance. In another match on October 11, Queen’s Royal College handed St Francis their first loss in two days with an 82-56 victory. Talib Daniel’s 24 points and six rebounds, combined with Kevani Boatswain’s double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), were instrumental in QRC’s success. The tournament will resume on October 25, with Holy Cross College facing QRC at 4 pm and St Anthony’s taking on St Mary’s at 6 pm. On October 26, St Francis will clash with Holy Cross, while QRC will challenge the northern powerhouse, Fatima College.

  • High interest ahead of 62nd Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament

    High interest ahead of 62nd Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament

    The Sir Henry Morgan Anglers Association has officially launched the 62nd Annual Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament, setting the stage for one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated sportfishing events. The tournament, scheduled to take place from October 22 to 25, 2025, at the Ole’ Marina in Port Antonio, Portland, promises four days of world-class fishing, community engagement, and camaraderie. The launch event, held on October 9 at 100 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica, was marked by reflections on last year’s success and optimism for the upcoming competition. Chairman Maxim Rochester highlighted the impressive catch of 26 marlin in 2024, averaging nearly two per participating boat, and expressed confidence that this year’s event, timed with the moon phase, could yield even greater results. Sterling Asset Management Ltd., the title sponsor, reaffirmed its decade-long commitment to the tournament, emphasizing its alignment with values of sportsmanship, community, and environmental respect. A unique feature of the event is the Canoe Tournament, which provides a platform for traditional fishermen to showcase their skills, fostering local participation and inclusivity. Rochester also emphasized the association’s focus on generational transition, aiming to attract younger members and more women to leadership roles. With promising weather forecasts and growing excitement, the 62nd edition of the tournament is poised to deliver thrilling competition and strengthen the bonds between professional anglers, local fishermen, sponsors, and the community.

  • Eastern Connect out Maloney’s perfect run in EFA

    Eastern Connect out Maloney’s perfect run in EFA

    In a dramatic showdown on October 12, Eastern Connect FC (16 points) ended FC Maloney’s (18 points) six-game winning streak in the 2025 Eastern Football Association (EFA) season with a 4-3 victory at Clayton Ince recreation grounds. The match, brimming with intensity, saw Eastern Connect take an early lead with first-half goals from Cadeem Jackie and Corie Dhanoolal, who scored twice. Despite Maloney’s valiant efforts to level the score, Sean Labadie delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time, securing the win for Eastern Connect. Meanwhile, Wallerfield United (13 points) solidified their third-place position in Group B with a commanding 4-0 victory over USC Hummers, fueled by Revaldo Patrick’s double and contributions from Emmanuel Phillip and Kevin Thornhill. FC Porto Arima (12 points) climbed to fourth place after defeating Trincity Nationals 3-1, with Wesley Lewis, Rivaldo Patron, and Mikheil Peters on the scoresheet. Maracas United (11 points) fell out of the top four following a goalless draw with CG Poseidon. In Group A, Heatwave FC (11 points) clinched fourth place with a 2-1 win over Malabar FC, overtaking La Horquetta XF. The stage is now set for the ‘Big 8’ knockout phase, commencing October 26, with the EFA champions set to earn $15,000.

  • Trinidad and Tobago golfers putt three gold, two bronze Four Ball Champs

    Trinidad and Tobago golfers putt three gold, two bronze Four Ball Champs

    Trinidad and Tobago’s golf team delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Caribbean Golf Association Four Ball Championships in Jamaica, securing three gold and two bronze medals. Despite narrowly missing the overall title by a single point to Jamaica, the team showcased exceptional skill across various categories. In the women’s 25 and over division, Victoria Seenath and Tori De Freitas-Baptiste defended their title with a dominant display. Gabriel Vanososte and Ryan Gomez clinched gold in the mid-amateur men’s 35 and over category, while Wayne Baptiste and Richard “Pecos” Camacho triumphed in the super senior men’s division. The women’s 45 and over team of Ingrid Seeberan and Emilie Ramsahai earned bronze, as did Clint Alfred and John Rampersad in the senior men’s category. Despite facing stiff competition in the men’s 70 and over division, the team’s overall performance was celebrated by the TT Golf Association, which praised their resilience and reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s standing as a powerhouse in Caribbean golf. The association also extended gratitude to sponsors and government bodies for their support.