Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Ambrose, Fenton and Daley Named to Antigua and Barbuda Team for World U20 Championships

    Ambrose, Fenton and Daley Named to Antigua and Barbuda Team for World U20 Championships

    A new generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s track and field talent is set to compete on a global stage, with three rising young athletes earning a spot on the national roster for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships, hosted in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association formally announced the official team this week, confirming that Kettia Ambrose, Tyra Fenton and Kasiya Daley will carry the nation’s flag at the biennial event, which is scheduled to run from August 5 to 9 at the University of Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field, a venue long renowned for hosting elite international track and field competitions.

    Each athlete has been assigned their specific events for the upcoming championships. Ambrose, one of the nation’s most promising young female sprinters, will line up in both the women’s 200-metre and 400-metre races. Fenton will also compete in the women’s 200-metre event, bringing her own specialized speed and training to the starting line. On the men’s side, Daley will compete across two short-distance sprint events, the 100-metre and 200-metre races, aiming to post strong times against the world’s best under-20 competitors.

    The young delegation will not travel without support: experienced coach Teddy Daley and team leader Jo-Ann Small will accompany the trio throughout the trip, providing on-the-ground training guidance, logistical support and strategic advice ahead of their races. As one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings for emerging track and field talent, the 2026 championships will draw hundreds of top junior athletes from every corner of the globe, giving young competitors a critical opportunity to gain international competition experience and showcase their skills ahead of potential senior-level careers.

    In a statement marking the team announcement, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association extended well wishes to the entire national delegation, wishing all three athletes strong performances, a safe journey to Oregon, and success as they step onto the international championship stage to represent their small Caribbean nation.

  • George makes world history for SVG in squash

    George makes world history for SVG in squash

    For the small Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a new chapter in national sports history has been written by 18-year-old squash player Jayden George, who has become the first athlete from the country to earn a spot at the World Squash Junior U19 Championships.

    Organized by World Squash, the governing body for the sport officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, this annual tournament brings together the most talented young squash players from across the globe. Notably, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will mark squash’s long-awaited debut as an official Olympic medal sport, adding extra significance to this year’s junior championship as a launchpad for future Olympic stars.

    In an interview on the sidelines of the tournament, George shared that competing on this global stage carries a meaning that goes far beyond personal achievement. “Coming from a small Caribbean island, this is an incredible milestone for me. To be the first player from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to step onto this court and compete alongside the best young players in the world is an honor I can barely put into words,” he said.

    Describing the atmosphere at the championships as electric, George noted that the depth of talent on display pushes him to grow as an athlete. “This is a life-changing opportunity. Getting to share the court with players like men’s top seed and defending champion Mohamad Zakaria, who currently ranks 7th on the global professional tour, and women’s number one seed Anahat Singh, is surreal. Watching their technique and competitive energy is just inspiring beyond belief,” he added, saying he is ecstatic just to have the chance to learn from the sport’s best rising stars.

    George’s journey to the junior world championships has been 11 years in the making. He first picked up a squash racket at age 6, after his mother searched for a sport that would fit his energetic personality. He tried a range of popular activities including football, tennis and swimming before discovering that squash was where his passion lay. Since then, he has stuck to a rigorous training routine, putting in hours of practice six days a week, with only Sundays reserved for rest. “All the early mornings, long training sessions and sacrifices to get here added up, but every bit of it was worth it,” George said.

    Beyond his own personal ambition to one day compete full-time on the professional squash tour, George has his sights set on growing the sport back in his home country. “My biggest hope is that this breakthrough will shine a brighter spotlight on squash in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Right now, we need more funding to develop young talent and build better facilities, and I want this moment to open more people’s eyes to how exciting and accessible this sport can be,” he explained.

    He also noted that momentum for squash has already been building at home: his sister has been creating vlog content about the sport, which has already drawn new audiences and interest in the Caribbean nation. With his historic appearance at the junior world championships, that momentum is only expected to grow in the coming years.

  • Barthley Named Young Benna Boys Captain for Concacaf U-20 Championship

    Barthley Named Young Benna Boys Captain for Concacaf U-20 Championship

    As the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Championship prepares to kick off in Mexico this summer, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has announced its leadership group for the national under-20 squad, the Young Benna Boys. The official announcement, made Wednesday, confirmed that 18-year-old midfielder Dajari Barthley will take on the role of team captain, with Purdue University Fort Wayne goalkeeper Tegan Gumbs stepping in as vice captain.

    Barthley, an emerging talent with deep roots in Antigua and Barbuda’s football ecosystem, brings a unique mix of domestic and international training experience to the captaincy. A former student at Antigua’s Baptist Academy, he currently continues his athletic and academic development at Bede’s Senior School in the United Kingdom. His consistent standout performance in recent years has already earned him national recognition: he was nominated for the prestigious Antigua and Barbuda Junior Sportsman of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025, and he has already logged training time with the country’s senior men’s national team, giving him valuable exposure to high-level competitive play.

    Young Benna Boys head coach Shyan explained that the selection process for captain was far from straightforward, with the technical management team evaluating multiple candidates through a series of practice matches. Every contender got the chance to lead the squad in these test fixtures, allowing the coaching staff to closely monitor their on-pitch communication, decision-making under pressure, and ability to unify the team. After extensive observations and one-on-one conversations with each candidate, the management group landed on Barthley. “The final choice was not an easy one,” Shyan noted. “We had different guys captain the practice games, we monitored them and spoke to them. In the end, the management group was impressed with how Dajari handled the responsibilities. He is well respected by his teammates.”

    As vice captain, Gumbs brings a stellar track record of performance from the qualifying stage to the squad. Born in Chicago, the goalkeeper was instrumental in securing Antigua and Barbuda’s spot in the final 12-team championship, notching four consecutive clean sheets across four qualifying wins held in Costa Rica. His defensive reliability will be a critical asset for the Young Benna Boys as they face off against some of North and Central America’s top under-20 talent.

    For Antigua and Barbuda, the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Championship carries extra regional significance: it is the only nation from the Eastern Caribbean to qualify for the final tournament. The team will get its campaign underway on July 24, when it faces tournament hosts Mexico at Puebla’s iconic Estadio Cuauhtémoc. Following the opening match, the Young Benna Boys will return to the pitch to take on Guatemala on July 27, before wrapping up their group stage play against Costa Rica on July 30.

  • Bishop earns maiden call up

    Bishop earns maiden call up

    West Indies Cricket has shaken up its Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, with uncapped Barbadian left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop earning his first ever international call-up as one of two key adjustments to the roster. The series is scheduled to get underway on July 25 at Trinidad and Tobago’s newly upgraded Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a venue that will mark its own place in regional cricket history when it hosts its first ever Test match, becoming the 13th Test venue across the Caribbean.

    Bishop’s promotion to the senior Test squad comes after three consecutive seasons of dominant, consistent performances in the West Indies’ regional first-class competition. Representing both Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy over that stretch, the young spinner has claimed an impressive 91 wickets, earning him selection based on sustained domestic form.

    Joining Bishop as a new addition to the squad is top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie, who returns to the West Indies Test set-up after a two-year absence. The Jamaica Scorpions batter has been in red-hot form in the 2024 truncated West Indies Championship, notching 323 runs across six innings at an outstanding average of 64.60, earning him a recall to the national side.

    The two new inclusions come at the expense of two established players, who will miss the series due to different setbacks. Star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for selection for personal reasons, while opening batsman John Campbell will continue his recovery from a left hamstring strain. Campbell picked up the injury during the recently completed One-Day International series against New Zealand, ruling him out of the red-ball leg of the home summer.

    Despite the two changes, the core of the West Indies squad that secured a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month has been retained. This includes veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach, who made history in the Sri Lanka series by becoming just the fifth West Indies bowler of all time to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Roach’s experience and recent form make him a key leader for the side heading into the Pakistan series.

    The full 15-man West Indies squad for the Pakistan series is as follows: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.

  • GSL final proceeds dedicated to ferry disaster survivors, families

    GSL final proceeds dedicated to ferry disaster survivors, families

    A devastating maritime disaster off the coast of Guyana has drawn a compassionate response from two of the country’s leading cricket organizations, who are turning their flagship annual event into an opportunity to support affected communities. The Guyana Amazon Warriors and the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) have announced a landmark commitment: 100% of all ticket revenue generated from the 2026 GSL final will be directed toward educational programs and humanitarian aid for families and individuals impacted by the sinking of the MV Barima.

    The tragedy unfolded on the night of July 18, 2026, when the MV Barima, an aging 87-year-old state-owned passenger and cargo ferry, departed the capital city of Georgetown. Roughly two hours after midnight, the vessel capsized and sank in open waters between 7 and 9 miles off Essequibo coast, close to the small coastal outpost of Iron Punt. Accounts from survivors confirm the ship began listing severely several hours before it went down, with large, rough swells accelerating the influx of water that ultimately sealed the vessel’s fate. As of the latest official updates, 65 people have been confirmed dead in the disaster, leaving dozens of families grieving and facing immense uncertainty.

    The unexpected tragedy has resonated across Guyana and the wider regional cricket community, bringing people together in a show of collective grief and support. “The MV Barima tragedy has deeply affected all of us here in Guyana, as well as the players and support staff visiting Guyana for the League,” said GSL Chairman Sir Clive Lloyd. “Our prayers continue to go out to those grieving profound loss and those brave responders whose work continues. We have decided to dedicate proceeds from the Final to support the affected families and survivors. We thank Guyana Amazon Warriors for leading this initiative.”

    The 2026 GSL championship final is scheduled to take place on August 1 at Guyana’s National Stadium, with all ticket sales proceeds now earmarked for immediate relief and long-term support for those impacted by one of the country’s worst maritime disasters in recent decades.

  • Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    The CARIFTA Chess Championships, a landmark hybrid chess tournament bringing together nearly 500 young and senior competitors from 114 nations, concluded on July 12 with Barbados delivering a standout performance across age-group and open divisions, claiming multiple podium positions ahead of the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games.

    Leading Barbados’ medal haul was FIDE Master Hannah Wilson, who turned in a dominant two-part performance across the youth and open adult sections. Competing in the Under-18 girls’ draw, Wilson outperformed a competitive field of 35 players, racking up seven points across nine matches to claim the division’s gold medal. She then returned to compete in the women’s open section, where she finished tied on seven points with fellow Barbadian Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle. Only a narrow tie-break separated the two compatriots, with Wilson claiming second place and Reifer-Belle taking third in the final standings.

    In other youth divisions, Charis Stuart turned in an impressive runner-up finish in the Under-14 Open. Facing 65 other competitors across nine rounds of play, Stuart posted seven and a half points to secure his spot on the podium. In the Under-12 Open, Jeremiah Farley joined a five-way tie for first place, but was bumped to second overall after tie-breaking calculations were applied. Young competitor Raef Clarke also claimed a podium position in the Under-8 Open, scoring six points to finish third. Nia-Snow Clarke rounded out Barbados’ youth results, taking fifth place in the Under-10 girls’ division with a total of five points.

    In the senior open division, Emar Edwards represented Barbados as the country’s sole entry, finishing 20th overall out of 101 competing players in the large open draw.

    This year’s CARIFTA Chess Championships ran in a hybrid format, with all competitors competing online from monitored national host sites overseen by official tournament arbiters, allowing broad global participation despite logistical challenges. Tournament organizers have called the 2024 event a complete success, citing high participation levels and smooth competition management.

    Looking ahead, Wilson and Reifer-Belle are already scheduled to compete next, representing Barbados at the Central American and Caribbean Games set to run from July 25 to 28 in the Dominican Republic, where they will look to carry their strong CARIFTA form into the next regional competition.

  • Dominica sends 74-member team to 2026 Windward Islands School Games in St. Lucia

    Dominica sends 74-member team to 2026 Windward Islands School Games in St. Lucia

    One of the Caribbean’s longest-running regional youth sporting events is set to kick off next week, and the Commonwealth of Dominica has finalized its contingent for the 2026 edition of the Windward Islands School Games, an annual competition with a documented history stretching back more than a century.

    Dominica’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, via its dedicated Sports Division, officially confirmed the details of the delegation and the upcoming event in a recent public announcement. This year’s 104-year-old tournament will be hosted by the government and people of neighboring St. Lucia, running from July 25 through August 1, 2026. To prepare for timely arrival at the host venues, Team Dominica will split its departure schedule, with the first group leaving Dominica on July 23 and the second following the next day on July 24.

    In total, the Dominican delegation counts 74 people, with 62 spots filled by talented student-athletes. Of these competitors, 34 are young male athletes and 28 are young female athletes, who will go head-to-head against top youth talent from across the Windward Islands region. The contingent also includes 12 experienced coaches and support officials to guide the team throughout the tournament.

    The student-athletes will compete across five distinct sports, spanning seven separate competitive categories: track and field, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, boys’ volleyball, girls’ volleyball, open men’s football, and women’s netball. The full list of support staff includes team manager Yehudi John, technical director Don Leogal, head coaches for each sport — Nabi Wallace for athletics, David Toussaint for volleyball, Ellington Sabin for football, Yannik Regis for basketball, and Jennifer Nanton for netball — plus assistant coaches Reginald Thomas (athletics and volleyball) and Adenuar Douglas (basketball). The delegation also includes a safeguarding officer Melissa Alfred, team medic Clevon Vidal, and media officer and chaperone Judy Larocque to oversee all off-field needs.

    In its official statement, the Ministry emphasized that consistent participation in the Windward Islands School Games plays a foundational role in the long-term athletic and personal development of Dominica’s emerging young sports talent. Beyond the pursuit of medals and competitive victory, the Ministry noted that the multi-nation event creates valuable space for young athletes to build cross-border friendships with peers from neighboring island states, while fostering core life values such as self-discipline, collaborative teamwork, and strong national pride.

    For local sports fans eager to follow the team’s progress throughout the week of competition, the Ministry is encouraging members of the Dominican public to follow its official social media channels, which will post regular updates, live highlights, and full competition results during the tournament.

  • Concacaf U-20 Championship Preview: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica

    Concacaf U-20 Championship Preview: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica

    As the 2026 Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship approaches, Caribbean football pride is stepping into the spotlight, with four regional national teams finalizing their preparations to compete for the prestigious North, Central America and Caribbean continental title. The 2026 tournament marks the ninth edition of the elite youth competition, which brings together 12 of the region’s top under-20 sides to compete for regional supremacy. This year, four Caribbean nations earned their spots in the final group stage, each bringing unique history, momentum, and ambition to the contest.

    Antigua and Barbuda is making its sixth appearance at the Concacaf U-20 Championship, and its first since the 2022 iteration of the tournament. Nicknamed the Benna Boys, the side made history during the 2026 qualification process, sweeping all four of their Group C matches to top the group and secure their place in the final draw—an unprecedented achievement for the nation’s under-20 program. Drawn into Group B, Antigua and Barbuda will face off against Costa Rica, Guatemala, and tournament hosts Mexico, with the squad targeting a historic first-ever berth in the competition’s knockout round.

    Cuba secured an automatic spot in the 2026 tournament courtesy of its position among the top six teams in the official Concacaf U-20 rankings. This entry marks the Caribbean nation’s 16th appearance at the continental championship, a testament to the longstanding consistency of its youth football program. Known as Los Leones del Caribe, Cuba is still chasing its first regional title, having come closest back in the 1970 and 1974 tournaments when it finished as runner-up on both occasions. Cuba will kick off its 2026 campaign in Group A, where it will share the pitch with El Salvador, fellow Caribbean side Haiti, and tournament favorite the United States.

    Haiti earned its place in the 2026 championship by dominating Group D during qualification, finishing with a flawless 4-win, 0-loss record to claim the top spot in the group. This tournament will mark the 12th time Haiti has competed at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. One of the side’s players to watch this year is attacking talent Miguel Joseph, who notched one goal and one assist during the qualifying run and is expected to be a key playmaker for Les Grenadiers. Like Cuba, Haiti was drawn into Group A, where it will meet the United States, El Salvador, and Cuba in opening round play.

    Rounding out the Caribbean contingent is Jamaica, which is making its 23rd appearance at the Concacaf U-20 Championship—more than any other Caribbean side in this year’s field. The Reggae Boyz are aiming to match or exceed their best-ever performance at the tournament, a third-place finish they achieved all the way back in 1970. Jamaica turned in an utterly dominant performance during qualification, sweeping all five of their Group B matches to finish with 15 points and the top spot in the group. Forward Jahmarie Nolan led the team’s offensive charge during qualifying, finding the back of the net five times to emerge as the side’s main goal threat. Drawn into Group C, Jamaica will open its campaign against Canada, Honduras, and Panama.

  • Dominican Police to deploy more than 500 officers for Santo Domingo 2026 Games

    Dominican Police to deploy more than 500 officers for Santo Domingo 2026 Games

    Preparations for the 2026 XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo are entering a critical new phase, with Dominican security officials announcing a large-scale security deployment led by the national police force. As a core component of a comprehensive national security strategy coordinated by the country’s Ministry of Defense, more than 500 trained police officers will be positioned across key locations to safeguard the region’s premier upcoming multi-sport event.

    The deployment plan maps coverage to all high-priority sites tied to the games, including the iconic Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, the purpose-built Central American Village for participating delegations, Parque del Este, and every other official sports competition venue. Beyond the event grounds, law enforcement will also boost proactive patrols and surveillance in popular tourist zones and densely populated, high-traffic urban areas across the capital. This expanded coverage is designed to protect not only the competing athletes and official delegations but also the thousands of domestic and international spectators expected to attend, as well as local residents living and working near event locations.

    To maximize operational effectiveness, the security initiative brings together multiple specialized law enforcement agencies under a unified interagency command structure. Participating units include the Dominican Preventive Police, Digesett (the national traffic safety and highway enforcement agency), Politur (the tourist police division), Dicrim (the national criminal investigations directorate), and dedicated intelligence units. To streamline response and public support, dedicated on-site command centers and mobile service posts will be established at every major event venue. These hubs will enable rapid coordination to respond to medical emergencies, locate missing persons, and resolve any other unexpected incidents that may arise during the competition.

    Security authorities confirmed that the full deployment will remain active for the entire duration of the games, with built-in flexibility to scale up personnel and resources if emerging needs require additional support. The 2026 event is projected to draw more than 6,000 competing athletes and team officials, alongside tens of thousands of spectators, making this coordinated security operation a key priority for Dominican officials to deliver a safe, successful competition.

  • Santo Domingo 2026 opening ceremony to feature 1,100 drones and 500 lasers

    Santo Domingo 2026 opening ceremony to feature 1,100 drones and 500 lasers

    Santo Domingo is gearing up to host what organizers call one of the most technologically ambitious large-scale events in the Dominican Republic’s history: the opening ceremony of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, set to launch the 2026 regional sporting competition.

    Held at the iconic Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the opening ceremony will officially kick off the Games, which will bring together over 6,000 elite athletes from 30+ countries and territories across the Central American and Caribbean region through August 8. This year’s edition carries a deeply meaningful theme: “100 Years of Union, One Region, One Heart,” chosen to mark the centennial founding of the Games while celebrating the vibrant, distinct culture of the Dominican Republic and the enduring unity of the broader Caribbean community.

    Alberto Zayas, the opening ceremony’s general producer and head of AZ Films, notes that the landmark production is intentionally crafted to showcase the Dominican Republic’s growing capacity to host world-class, global-scale events, cementing the nation’s reputation as a regional leader in large-scale sports and cultural productions.

    The centerpiece of the evening’s spectacle is a cutting-edge synchronized drone show featuring 1,100 individual drones, 100 of which are equipped with integrated pyrotechnics for an extra layer of dramatic visual flair. This display will be paired with more than 500 precision-programmed lasers, and 30,000 synchronized LED wristbands distributed to every spectator in attendance to turn the entire stadium into a shared, interactive immersive experience that blends performance and audience participation.

    Before the official opening ceremony begins, attendees will be treated to a 90-minute pre-show hosted by well-known Dominican media personalities Miralba Ruiz and Nelfa Núñez. The pre-show lineup includes performances from more than 200 trained dancers, a high-energy fashion presentation, and live musical sets from popular regional artists Maffio and Ilegales. Renowned conductor Maestro José Antonio Molina will lead the Dominican National Symphony Orchestra and Dominican National Choir for the formal segment of the ceremony, blending classical orchestral sound with contemporary Caribbean musical influences.

    An all-star team of Dominican creative talent has been assembled to bring the production to life: Waddys Jáquez and Chiqui Haddad serve as artistic directors, Pablo Pérez leads choreography, Antonio González and Maffio handle original music production, Juan Manuel Tejeda drafted the ceremony’s narrative script, Omar Martí designed the expansive stage set, and Mariano Pichardo and Tuto Guerrero lead the audiovisual production team.

    The 2026 opening ceremony also carries historical significance for the Dominican Republic, as the nation prepares to commemorate its legacy as a repeat host of the regional Games – the country previously welcomed athletes for the 1974 edition in Santo Domingo and the 1986 Games in Santiago.

    Event organizers have issued practical guidance for attendees planning to attend the ceremony, urging guests to arrive early to accommodate planned traffic restrictions, increased security checkpoints, and road closures surrounding the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center complex. Gates are scheduled to open at 4:00 p.m., with the pre-show kicking off at 6:00 p.m. and the official opening ceremony getting underway at 8:00 p.m.

    As the host nation’s delegation parades into the stadium, it will be led by two of the country’s most decorated Olympic athletes: sprinting Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and Olympic boxing medalist Cristian Pinales, who have the honor of carrying the Dominican national flag during the opening parade of nations.