Cricket West Indies (CWI) is currently navigating its most severe financial crisis, even as the West Indies cricket team demonstrates resilience during their tour of India. The situation has sparked widespread concern among Caribbean cricket enthusiasts, particularly regarding the immense pressure placed on former West Indies player and current coach, Daren Sammy. Sammy has been tasked with coaching across all three formats of the game—Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20—despite limited resources and support. This has led to questions about the fairness and feasibility of such a demanding role. Comparisons have been drawn to Brendon McCullum, who holds a similar position with the England Test and County Board. However, McCullum benefits from substantial financial backing, robust infrastructure, and access to a wealth of former England players, advantages that Sammy lacks. To alleviate the burden on Sammy, it has been suggested that CWI narrow his focus to white-ball cricket and reinstate Andre Coley, a former West Indies Test coach, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Coley’s previous successes in Pakistan and Australia, coupled with his ability to assemble a dedicated coaching team, make him a strong candidate for this role. Additionally, the inclusion of former West Indies players like Gus Logie as batting coach and the potential appointment of Brian Lara as chairperson of the CWI Cricket Committee could further strengthen the team’s leadership. The reinstatement of Test Selectors, with input from both Sammy and Coley, is also being considered to streamline decision-making. Amid these strategic adjustments, the financial strain on CWI remains a critical issue. Appeals have been made to prominent Caribbean leaders and corporate entities, such as Republic Bank Ltd and ExxonMobil, to sponsor the CWI Cricket Academy Squad and support the development of young players. These efforts aim to secure the future of West Indies cricket by nurturing talent and ensuring the team’s competitiveness on the global stage.
分类： sports
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Boogschutters richten pijlen op de toekomst
Archery, often considered a niche sport in Suriname, is steadily gaining recognition thanks to a recent open day event organized by TNF Archery, DWL Archery Club Suriname, and KFC Suriname. Held at the Witte Lotus, the event aimed to introduce the public to the basics of archery, including fundamental techniques, different types of bows, and the sheer joy of hitting a target. Participants, ranging from curious beginners to potential enthusiasts, were guided through the process with instructions like “Elbow up for more power. Pull. Aim. Hold. Release!” The targets were set at a modest five meters to ensure accessibility and encourage participation. One young participant, visibly thrilled after hitting the bullseye, celebrated with a spontaneous dance, exclaiming, “Right in the center!” Niradj Hanuman of TNF Archery emphasized the event’s goal: “We want to raise awareness about archery. It’s still a niche sport here, but we hope to change that by showing people how fun and rewarding it can be.” Hanuman also highlighted the sport’s global significance, noting that target archery is an Olympic discipline, while hunting archery remains popular in certain regions. Currently, TNF and DWL are the only archery clubs in Suriname, but efforts are underway to establish a national federation in collaboration with the Surinamese Olympic Committee to further develop the sport.
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Clarke bowls brilliantly, but Blitz prevail in Canada Super 60
In a thrilling encounter at the Canada Super 60 cricket tournament, Brampton Blitz emerged victorious against the Vancouver Kings, thanks to a stellar all-round performance by David Wiese. Despite an exceptional bowling spell from McKenny Clarke, who claimed 3 wickets for just 7 runs, the Kings fell short of defending their total of 111-8. Clarke, the 22-year-old fast bowler from Saint Lucia, dismantled the Blitz’s top order, leaving them reeling at 30-4. However, Wiese, the Blitz captain, turned the tide with an unbeaten 62 off 27 balls, steering his team to a six-wicket win with just two balls to spare. Wiese had earlier contributed with the ball, taking 3-7 to restrict the Kings. Yuvraj Samra also played a crucial role, scoring 19 not out off 10 balls. Clarke’s efforts were not in vain, as he now leads the economy table with an impressive 5.20 runs per over. The Kings, despite the loss, have qualified for the playoffs and will face the Montreal Tigers in their next match.
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Grenada secures back-to-back victories in international friendlies
The Grenada Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) showcased exceptional form during the FIFA October window, securing back-to-back victories against the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Cuba at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium. The team’s impressive performances extended their winning streak to five consecutive matches, solidifying their growing reputation in international football.
Grenada kicked off the window with a dominant 4–1 triumph over BVI on October 8. Myles Hippolyte set the tone with a first-half brace, scoring in the 10th and 39th minutes. Despite a brief response from BVI in the second half, Deanroy Phillip came off the bench to deliver a stellar performance, netting two goals in the 76th minute and stoppage time (90+3′) to seal the victory.
On October 11, the SMNT faced Cuba in a more tactical encounter. Grenada’s disciplined approach and cohesive teamwork paid off, with D’Margio Wright-Phillips opening the scoring and Captain Shavon John-Brown adding a second goal before halftime. The team’s defensive resilience and controlled midfield play effectively neutralized Cuba’s attacking threats, resulting in a confident 2-0 win.
Head Coach Anthony Nixon Modeste praised the team’s progress, stating, ‘These results reflect the hard work being done behind the scenes and the players’ commitment to representing Grenada with pride and purpose. We are seeing a team that is growing in confidence, depth, and cohesion.’
The matches also highlighted the Grenada Football Association’s (GFA) strategic focus on youth development and talent integration. Two standout players from the U17 national program, Raheem Raeburn and Josh Thomas, were called up to the senior squad, showcasing the GFA’s commitment to bridging youth development with senior-level opportunities. Additionally, A J Paterson made a notable return to the national team after a three-year hiatus, bringing experience and stability to the midfield.
GFA President Marlon Glean emphasized the broader vision, saying, ‘We are proud of the progress being made, not just in results but in the culture we are building within the national team. Our mission is to create a sustainable football program that allows players, from grassroots to elite, to grow, compete, and thrive at every level.’
The GFA also expressed gratitude to fans, supporters, sponsors, and match officials for creating an electric atmosphere at both fixtures, which played a crucial role in motivating the players. With these victories, Grenada’s SMNT now turns its focus to upcoming competitive fixtures on the international calendar, aiming to build on their recent success.
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Tancoo: Sport, tourism to go hand-in-hand
In a landmark announcement during the 2025/26 national budget presentation at the Red House on October 13, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo revealed the government’s comprehensive plan to bolster sports infrastructure and tourism through strategic investments. Central to this initiative is the establishment of ten new fully accessible community centres slated for completion in fiscal 2026. These centres aim to foster unity and national pride by providing state-of-the-art facilities for athletes and communities alike.
Tancoo emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing existing sports infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of pools in Biche, Maloney, Morvant, Rio Claro, and Tunapuna, alongside upgrades to national stadia. While specific stadia were not named, the minister highlighted the broader goal of enhancing sports tourism, a sector he described as ‘hybrid’ and ripe for development. Plans include the creation of new products in medical, sport, and cultural tourism, as well as the completion of hotel projects to support this growth.
Tobago is also set to benefit from these initiatives, with the Tobago House of Assembly establishing a dedicated sport tourism unit. The island will focus on skilled development, vocational training, and creating pathways from amateur to professional sports, alongside youth internship programmes. These efforts aim to monetize sports and outdoor recreation while catalyzing investment in sports infrastructure.
Tancoo also addressed the challenges facing the Sport and Culture Fund, which has suffered due to the unprofitability of the instant lottery system. To address this, the minister announced that deposits into the fund would no longer rely solely on lottery surpluses but would be set and approved by the finance minister. This change, coupled with stricter financial management, aims to ensure the fund’s sustainability.
In addition, Tancoo pledged a crackdown on illegal lotteries, which reportedly generate $9 billion annually, significantly impacting the National Lotteries Control Board’s $3 billion annual earnings. Harsher penalties for illegal gaming houses were promised as part of this effort.
The minister also took a moment to extend his best wishes to Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Curacao on October 14, underscoring the government’s support for national sports.
Further details on the sports budget allocation and specific plans under the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs are expected to be revealed during the budget debate on October 17.
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South Africa beat Rwanda to qualify for 2026 World Cup
In a decisive match on Tuesday, South Africa triumphed over Rwanda with a commanding 3-0 victory in Mbombela, securing their place in the 2026 World Cup. Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis delivered first-half goals, while Evidence Makgopa sealed the win with a second-half strike. This victory ensured South Africa topped Group C with 18 points, narrowly edging out Nigeria, who defeated Benin 4-0 in a concurrent match.
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Yorke unfazed by Curacao’s artificial pitch for World Cup qualifier
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) senior men’s football team is gearing up for a pivotal World Cup qualifier against Curacao on October 14 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium. With the match set to kick off at 7 pm, TT head coach Dwight Yorke emphasized the importance of securing victories in challenging away conditions to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Currently third in Group B with four points, TT trails Curacao, who lead the group with seven points following their recent upset against Jamaica. Jamaica sits in second place with six points.
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John Procope starts journey to swim around Tobago
Endurance swimmer John Procope embarked on a monumental challenge on October 13, aiming to swim around the island of Tobago within 48 hours. The grueling endeavor began at Pigeon Point, where Procope was met by a group of supporters, including Wane Clarke, the Secretary of Community Development for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). A support vessel equipped with essential supplies like food and water will accompany him throughout the journey. Additionally, two fellow swimmers, Jacob Cox and William Carr, will join Procope for portions of the swim to provide moral and physical support. Procope’s ambitious goal is to complete the circumnavigation by 9 a.m. on October 15. This is not the first time Procope has taken on such a daunting task. In October 2024, he successfully swam from Tobago to Trinidad in approximately 25 hours, showcasing his exceptional endurance and determination. This latest challenge further cements his reputation as a pioneer in the world of extreme swimming.
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Cristiano Ronaldo becomes all-time top World Cup qualifying scorer
LISBON, Portugal — In a historic moment for football, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has cemented his legacy by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history. At the age of 40, Ronaldo achieved this milestone during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Tuesday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner netted his 40th and 41st qualifying goals, surpassing the previous record of 39 goals held by retired Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz, who set the mark between 1998 and 2016. Ronaldo opened his account in the 22nd minute, skillfully finishing a cross from Nelson Semedo to level the score. He struck again before halftime, capitalizing on a setup by Nuno Mendes to give Portugal a 2-1 lead. This victory could secure Portugal’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Ronaldo, who already holds the record for the most international goals with 143, is now eyeing a sixth World Cup appearance, further solidifying his status as one of football’s greatest legends.
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TTCB election of candidates
Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) President Azim Bassarath has emphasized the critical role of cricket clubs in revitalizing the national team’s performance. Speaking at the TTCB premiership awards ceremony, Bassarath highlighted that the future success of Trinidad and Tobago cricket hinges on the ability of clubs to become well-organized, accountable, and sustainable. He stressed that strong clubs foster competitive environments, which in turn build robust national teams. However, achieving this vision is no simple task, requiring meticulous planning and structural reforms. Bassarath acknowledged the challenges, particularly financial constraints, that have hindered clubs from reaching their full potential. He also took accountability for the national team’s prolonged underperformance, noting that Trinidad and Tobago has not won the regional first-class competition since 2006. With six West Indies territories competing annually, Bassarath argued that Trinidad and Tobago should, at minimum, secure victory once every six years. He called for a renewed commitment from club administrators and board members to implement effective strategies and ensure the national team’s success. The upcoming TTCB meeting on October 25 is expected to address these pressing issues and chart a path forward for Trinidad and Tobago cricket.