Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Saint Lucia win gold and Barbados bronze in CARIFTA Games

    Saint Lucia win gold and Barbados bronze in CARIFTA Games

    The 2024 CARIFTA Games officially launched into competition on Saturday morning at Grenada’s iconic Kirani James Athletic Stadium, with the first gold medal of the regional track and field showcase going to Saint Lucia’s rising star Destinee Cenac. Cenac delivered a standout performance in the women’s high jump event, clearing a winning best height of 1.72 meters to claim the top spot on the podium. Jamaica’s Stefvanco Henry and Barbados’ Shania Mottley both matched a height of 1.69 meters, with Henry taking silver and Mottley securing bronze for Barbados to open the medal count.

    Across the opening day’s semifinal action on the track, Caribbean athletes faced a mixed set of outcomes in their quests to advance to final rounds. In the Under 17 Girls’ 400-meter competition, Barbados’ Jahzara Inniss crossed the line in fourth place with a time of 57.79 seconds in the first semifinal, a result that saw her eliminated from contention. Her compatriot Savannah Thorne matched that fourth-place finish in the second semifinal, but her faster time of 57.20 seconds earned her a spot in the day’s later final.

    For the Under 17 Boys’ 400-meter semis, Barbados’ Taje Coward also picked up a fourth-place finish in the opening heat with a time of 49.58 seconds, which was fast enough to secure his place in the final. His teammate Jalino Hamlett, however, saw his competition end before it truly began after a false start resulted in an immediate disqualification. In the Under 20 women’s 400-meter semis, Barbadian athlete Krystal Bentham was a late scratch from the event, unable to start her race. Kadia Rock put on a confident performance for Barbados in the second semifinal, taking second place with a time of 54.85 seconds to punch her ticket to the final.

    In the Under 20 men’s 400-meter competition, Barbados’ Shamari Greenige-Lewis clocked a solid time of 46.49 seconds to take second in the first semifinal, earning him the fourth-fastest overall qualifying time for the final. Aidan Moore took third in the second semifinal with 47.27 seconds, but that mark was not enough to advance. Saint Lucia’s Joaqwan Alexander finished fifth in the first semifinal with 47.94 seconds and also missed out on a final spot.

    In additional field event action, Barbados’ Jahzaria Ward placed 12th in the Under 17 Girls’ Shot Put with a top throw of 10.84 meters, while compatriot Ajalah Cumberbatch earned an eighth-place finish in the Under 17 Boys’ Javelin with a best throw of 45.11 meters. Saint Lucia’s Naya Jules turned in a strong fifth-place performance in the Under 20 Girls’ Javelin, recording a top throw of 41.59 meters.

    Sprinters also took to the track for 100-meter semifinals, with more mixed results for the Barbados delegation. In the Under 17 Boys’ 100-meter, Josiah Gill clocked 10.68 seconds to secure his spot in the final, while his teammate Asher Branford finished with 11.14 seconds and was eliminated. Neither of Barbados’ Under 17 Girls’ sprinters advanced, with Gia Greenidge recording 12.24 seconds and Taylor-Rai Wiggins finishing at 12.33 seconds.

    For the Under 20 Women’s 100-meter semis, Barbados earned two spots in the final: Aniya Nurse qualified as the second-fastest overall athlete with a time of 11.42 seconds, while her teammate Semara Olton secured the final qualifying spot with a time of 11.86 seconds. It was a different outcome for the Under 20 men’s sprinters, as Dahrion Belgrave (10.56 seconds) and Shamri Addison (10.57 seconds) both missed the cut to advance.

  • Jim Brown Wins 96th Cross Country Cycling Classic Back-to-Back

    Jim Brown Wins 96th Cross Country Cycling Classic Back-to-Back

    On April 4, 2026, one of the Western Hemisphere’s most enduring cycling competitions wrapped up with a familiar name standing atop the podium: British rider Jim Brown of the Miami Blazers successfully defended his 2025 title to secure back-to-back victories at the 96th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, Belize’s marquee cycling event.

    The race, which has held a cherished spot in Belize’s annual Easter calendar since its founding in 1928, follows a traditional route that tests riders’ endurance and skill across more than 100 miles of Belizean terrain. Starting promptly at 6 a.m. from Digi Park in central Belize City, competitors traveled northwest along the scenic George Price Highway to the western town of San Ignacio before turning back to complete the full circuit and finish back in Belize City.

    Now recognized officially as the longest-running cycling race in the Western Hemisphere, the 2026 edition drew a deep international field that drew top amateur and semi-professional riders from across North and Central America, including local Belizean athletes alongside competitors from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. In total, more than 70 elite riders lined up at the starting line to compete for a substantial prize pool that included over $27,000 in cash awards for top finishers, plus more than 100 additional spot prizes combining cash and in-kind donations from local and regional sponsors.

    Brown, who crossed the finish line ahead of the entire competitive pack to reclaim the winner’s coveted ceremonial garland, first claimed the title in 2025 with a finishing time of 5 hours, 45 minutes and 40 seconds. His repeat win cements his status as one of the event’s most successful recent international competitors.

    Beyond the competition, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic remains a core community tradition in Belize, drawing tens of thousands of spectators each year to line the route, cheer on riders, and gather for Easter celebrations with friends and family. The event is organized by the Cycling Federation of Belize, which gained official recognition from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) after its formal registration in 2014, and holds a national license from Belize’s National Sports Council to govern competitive cycling across the country.

  • CPL return to Jamaica to boost sports tourism and economic activity– Bartlett

    CPL return to Jamaica to boost sports tourism and economic activity– Bartlett

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s official return to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 cricket tournament is set to unlock transformative growth for the nation’s sports tourism sector and stimulate broad-based economic activity across the country, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, Bartlett framed the renewed partnership as a landmark achievement for cricket development across Jamaica and the entire Caribbean region, emphasizing that the sport extends far beyond athletic competition to play a foundational role in the country’s progress.

  • JTTA set to shine at Caribbean and Central American Championships

    JTTA set to shine at Caribbean and Central American Championships

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s table tennis program is entering a pivotal new phase of growth, with the Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) organizing a landmark three-week stretch of international competition running from April 4 to April 25, cementing the sport’s expanding regional footprint on the island.

    Over the course of the three-week series, Jamaican competitors will compete across two major competition tiers. Senior national squad members will take part in the Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Table Tennis Championships, while the nation’s most promising up-and-coming youth talent will contest the Under-19 and Under-15 age-group divisions, all hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

    By combining senior elite competition and junior developmental events into a single continuous schedule, the JTTA has signaled a deliberate, forward-thinking strategy designed to strengthen athlete development and expand access to high-level competitive experience for all tiers of the national program. This integrated structure is designed to build continuity between youth development and senior elite competition, creating a clear pathway for rising talent to progress to the top of the sport nationally.

    The ambitious initiative has drawn widespread cross-sector support from key Jamaican sports institutions, with backing from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), the Ministry of Sports, and IPL. Strategic coordination and logistical support is also provided by AUBYN Sports Management (ASM), which has worked to structure the program and ensure all athletes compete within a professional, organized framework that prioritizes performance.

    To date, organizers have secured approximately US$20,000 in funding to launch the program, laying a solid financial foundation for the national effort to expand table tennis competition opportunities. The total projected investment for the full initiative stands at roughly US$45,000, a figure that underscores both the scale of the JTTA’s ambition and the importance of the project to advancing table tennis across Jamaica. An additional US$25,000 will cover full accommodation and operational costs for all travelling teams across the three-week competition period, ensuring no logistical barriers stand in the way of athlete performance.

    This full funding commitment guarantees that athletes will train and compete in a structured, performance-focused, professional environment for the entire duration of the competition series, removing off-court stress that could hinder on-table results.

    Guided by JTTA President Ingrid Graham and chief strategy and development officer Aubyn Henry, the program reflects a disciplined, intentional approach to long-term growth for Jamaican table tennis. The association’s core priorities remain building consistent competitive continuity, raising national performance standards, and creating durable, meaningful opportunities for Jamaican athletes to compete regularly at the regional level.

    Graham emphasized the transformative nature of the initiative in a statement, noting: “This represents a significant step forward for Jamaican table tennis. We are proud of the foundation that has been laid, the partnerships that have been forged, and the talent that will now take the regional stage. What comes next is the continued realisation of a vision where Jamaica competes with professionalism, pride, and purpose at every level.”

    JTTA General Secretary Sean Wallace drew a connection between the current initiative and the association’s years of steady growth, calling the competition series a defining milestone for the organization. “It reflects the intentional work being carried out behind the scenes to build a sustainable, high-performance programme that fully integrates senior and junior athletes into one unified pathway. The level of collaboration, investment, and strategic alignment supporting the initiative signals a clear shift in direction. An environment is being established where athletes are not only prepared to compete, but positioned to perform consistently at the regional level. This is the standard the association is committed to sustaining as Jamaican table tennis continues to rise,” Wallace explained.

    Henry expanded on the long-term vision guiding the project, noting that the initiative’s goals extend far beyond simply competing in the upcoming events. “The focus extends beyond participation toward long-term positioning. A more structured and professional environment is being established, one where preparation, execution, and support systems are aligned. Emphasis is being placed on consistency in performance, operations, and development, ensuring that what is being built now continues to carry forward and strengthen the future of Jamaican table tennis,” Henry said.

  • Leeds beat West Ham in shoot-out to reach FA Cup semis for first time in 39 years

    Leeds beat West Ham in shoot-out to reach FA Cup semis for first time in 39 years

    After nearly four decades of waiting, Leeds United have booked their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals, pulling off a tense penalty shootout victory over West Ham United that capped a chaotic, rollercoaster quarter-final clash at the London Stadium on Sunday.

    Daniel Farke’s side looked destined for a straightforward win for much of the 90 minutes. Japan international Ao Tanaka broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, twisting cleverly to create space inside the West Ham penalty area before his deflected effort bounced off the crossbar and past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Leeds doubled their advantage in the 75th minute, when referee Craig Pawson overturned his initial non-penalty call following a VAR review after Max Kilman brought down Brenden Aaronson in the box. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the spot-kick with calm confidence, sending Areola the wrong way before celebrating in front of 9,000 travelling Leeds fans.

    With just minutes remaining on the clock, Leeds held a comfortable two-goal lead, but a late stoppage-time rally from West Ham turned the tie on its head. In the third minute of added time, West Ham got on the scoresheet when Jarrod Bowen’s strike hit the post, and Mateus Fernandes tapped home the loose rebound to cut the deficit. Three minutes later, with 11 minutes of stoppage time announced, Adama Traore delivered a sharp inswinging cross into the six-yard box, and former Chelsea defender Axel Disasi volleyed home with an outstretched foot to level the score, forcing the tie into extra time.

    The dramatic late equaliser stunned Leeds, who were unable to retake the lead in the additional 30 minutes. With the score still locked at 2-2 after extra time, the fixture went to penalties to decide who would advance to Wembley.

    The shootout delivered more twists and turns. Joel Piroe missed Leeds’ first penalty, saved by 20-year-old reserve goalkeeper Finlay Herrick, who had been thrown into his senior debut after Areola suffered a late injury in extra time. Herrick, who spent the first half of the season on loan at non-league side Boreham Wood, could not inspire a fairytale comeback for West Ham, however. Leeds converted their next four penalties through Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and Pascal Struijk. Leeds keeper Lucas Perri emerged as the shootout hero, saving West Ham’s opening penalty from Bowen and a second spot-kick from Pablo Fornals, securing a 4-2 penalty win for Leeds.

    This is Leeds’ second penalty shootout victory in this season’s FA Cup, following their fourth-round win over Birmingham City. When they take the pitch at Wembley in April, they will face Chelsea in the semi-final, marking their first appearance in the last four of the competition since 1987, when they fell to eventual winners Coventry City at Hillsborough.

    After the final whistle, Farke praised his side’s mental strength to pull through the dramatic late collapse. “We always do it the tough way, never the easy way. We could have made our lives easier,” Farke told reporters. “We had a late sucker punch when the whole stadium was buzzing. To keep the nerves and win the penalty shoot-out shows great mentality and character. This is a chapter of Leeds history. It will be a big night for us at Wembley. It’s a great step for this club and a great reward for everyone.”

    For both clubs, the FA Cup run comes amid a tense fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League. West Ham sit third from bottom, one point adrift of 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur with just seven matches remaining in the league season. Leeds sit four points above West Ham, and the two sides will meet again at the London Stadium on the final day of the league campaign in what could prove to be a decisive relegation showdown. Sunday’s win offers a much-needed confidence boost for Leeds as they shift their focus back to league survival.

    Leeds’ history at Wembley has been underwhelming in recent decades: the club have lost their three previous trips to the national stadium, in the 2024 Championship play-off final, 2008 League One play-off final and 1996 League Cup final. Leeds’ only FA Cup title came in 1972, and their last win at Wembley was a 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the 1992 Charity Shield. For a generation of Leeds fans, a semi-final appearance at Wembley is the reward for a decades-long wait, and a rare bright spot amid a tough relegation battle this season.

  • World Cup Final Ticket Now Costs as Much as a Used Car

    World Cup Final Ticket Now Costs as Much as a Used Car

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is at the center of growing controversy just months before it kicks off, after new ticket price increases pushed the cost of premium final seats to levels comparable to the price of an affordable used vehicle.

    When FIFA opened its third public ticket sales window on Wednesday, fans and analysts quickly noticed that prices for 40 out of the tournament’s total 104 matches had been lifted from the levels set in earlier sales phases. The most dramatic increase was recorded for the tournament’s decisive final match, hosted at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The most expensive premium seats for the final now list at $10,990 USD, marking a 26% jump from the $8,700 USD price tag earlier this year, and a staggering 72% increase from the $6,370 USD price when sales first launched in 2025.

    Price increases are not limited to the final alone. High-demand matches featuring fan-favorite national sides including Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, and co-host Mexico have also seen notable markup. For example, Mexico’s opening group stage match against South Africa now carries a top ticket price of $2,985 USD, up from $2,355 USD in the previous sales round and $1,825 USD when sales launched last year.

    FIFA has implemented this tiered, demand-aligned pricing strategy known as dynamic pricing, a model already widely used by commercial airlines, ride-hailing platforms, and live event promoters that adjusts ticket costs in real time based on consumer demand.

    The steep price hikes have triggered intense backlash from fans and policymakers across North America and Europe. A pan-European fan advocacy group has officially submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission, labeling the new prices as “exorbitant” and out of reach for ordinary supporters. In the U.S., a group of Democratic lawmakers has publicly condemned FIFA, accusing the governing body of “price gouging at the expense of the people who make the World Cup the most-watched sporting event in the world.”

    As of Thursday, FIFA had not issued any public response to questions about the latest round of price increases. However, in prior statements defending its pricing structure, the organization has argued that the dynamic model is necessary to adapt to market conditions in the three North American host countries, pointing to overwhelming global demand for tickets as justification for the adjustments. FIFA has also repeatedly stated that the vast majority of revenue generated from ticket sales is reinvested into developing soccer infrastructure and programs at the grassroots level across the globe.

    Scheduled to run from June to July 2026, this iteration of the World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history, expanding from 32 to 48 competing nations and bringing matches to 16 host cities spread across the three North American co-host countries.

  • Alfred, Jefferson-Wooden to clash in Rome

    Alfred, Jefferson-Wooden to clash in Rome

    One of the most anticipated sprint showdowns in recent track and field history is officially locked in, as two of the world’s fastest women will finally share the 200m starting line this summer. Olympic 100m gold medalist Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States will face off for the first time since the 2025 Tokyo event at Rome’s Golden Gala Diamond League on June 4, 2026.

    The Wanda Diamond League confirmed the star-studded field for the fifth stop of its 2026 circuit in an official announcement dated April 2, revealing that the meet will kick off at Rome’s iconic Olympic Stadium, just one week ahead of Alfred’s 25th birthday.

    Alfred, 24, has cemented her status as one of the most dominant sprinters of her generation, even overcoming significant physical adversity to claim top honors at the highest levels of competition. Despite competing through a nagging hamstring injury at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, she still walked away with a bronze medal in the 100m. At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Alfred delivered a career-defining performance, taking home 100m gold and 200m silver; she currently holds the 10th-fastest 200m time in women’s track and field history. As the reigning Diamond League 100m champion, she has defended her title in both 2024 and 2025, with her only recent 100m loss coming to Jefferson-Wooden at the Prefontaine Classic. She also took top spot in the 200m at the London Diamond League meet last July.

    For her part, Jefferson-Wooden enters the clash as one of the most decorated sprinters in the sport right now. The 25-year-old American swept both the 100m and 200m titles at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, and her personal best in the 200m ranks as the eighth-fastest ever recorded by a female sprinter. Notably, this will mark the first time the two elite competitors have gone head-to-head in the 200m distance.

    British sprinter Amy Hunt, a World Championships silver medalist, has also been confirmed as part of the competitive 200m field in Rome. Interestingly, Hunt was among a group of high-profile athletes that included Jefferson-Wooden who vacationed in Alfred’s home country of Saint Lucia in late 2025, adding an off-track layer of connection between the competitors.

    For fans eager for more matchups between the two sprint stars, the Rome clash won’t be their only 2026 showdown. The pair is already scheduled to face off again in the women’s 100m at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Silesia this coming August 23, giving track and field fans two chances to watch the sport’s top two sprinters battle for bragging rights this summer.

  • St Mary police, JDA stage exciting Draughts-64 championships

    St Mary police, JDA stage exciting Draughts-64 championships

    The normally tranquil coastal town of Port Maria in Jamaica’s St Mary parish became a hub of focused energy and friendly rivalry last week, when the fourth iteration of the Jamaica Draughts-64 Community Outreach Open Championships touched down at the local Port Maria Police Station. Hosted as a key highlight of the St Mary Police Welfare and Sports Club’s much-awaited annual cookout and post-tournament after party, the competition turned the ordinary police facility into a dynamic arena where sharp strategy, unwavering focus, and honed skill took center stage.

    This year’s tournament reinforced draughts’ standing as one of Jamaica’s most engaging and fast-growing mind sports, attracting a diverse field of top competitors from across the island. Co-hosted by the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) and the St Mary Police Division, the bi-annual event was split into three distinct skill divisions to ensure fair competition: Top Masters (Class 1), Masters (Class 2), and open entry Class 3. For days, competitors hailing from seven different parishes tested their tactical wits against one another, competing both for individual acclaim and the overall parish championship title.

    The standout story of the tournament came from the Top Masters division, where Jermaine Delattibudiere – a deputy superintendent of police with the St Mary Police Division and one of the country’s most experienced draughts players – delivered a career-defining performance to reclaim his Top Masters championship crown. Delattibudiere showcased extraordinary tactical foresight, steady patience, and pinpoint move precision throughout every round, finishing the tournament with an 83% win rate to secure the gold medal and reaffirm his status among Jamaica’s elite draughts competitors. Round after round, he outmaneuvered challengers with calm composure and brilliant strategic calls, earning roars of approval from the home crowd and widespread respect from fellow competitors across all divisions.

    Orane Thompson of Trelawny put on an equally impressive showing, fighting through every match to take home the silver medal with a solid 79% win rate. International Master Courtney Thompson of Westmoreland rounded out the Top Masters podium, claiming bronze after a series of grueling back-and-forth matches with a 77% win rate.

    The intermediate Masters Division brought its own share of thrilling upsets and standout performances. Adrian Reid, a fan-favorite player from Trelawny known by his competitor nickname “Most Wanted”, dominated a stacked field of contenders to claim the division’s gold medal, following up on his 2025 championship win with a display of growing tactical maturity and consistent performance. Westmoreland’s Orane Pearce took home silver, while Trelawny’s Rodane Brown secured bronze after multiple nail-biting, closely contested final rounds.

    The open-entry Class 3 Division also delivered no shortage of memorable moments and breakthrough success for local players. Dennis Brown of Westmoreland claimed the top spot and gold medal in the division, while Trelawny’s Winston Wright earned silver. For the home crowd, the biggest moment of the entire tournament came when St Mary’s own Anthony Graham captured the bronze medal – marking the first time a competitor from St Mary has ever won a medal in the Class 3 category of the national championships. Graham’s historic win was met with thunderous applause from local spectators and stands as a key milestone for the growth of draughts competition within the parish.

    After all rounds were completed, the overall parish title was awarded based on cumulative points earned by all competitors from each parish across all divisions. When the final scores were tallied, Westmoreland narrowly outscored Trelawny to claim the overall parish championship honors.

  • Reno seek revenge over Humble Lion in JFF Championships

    Reno seek revenge over Humble Lion in JFF Championships

    This Saturday, the Jamaica Football Championship serves up a slate of high-stakes zone play matchups, with multiple teams chasing redemption from earlier-season losses and valuable points that could shift the standings ahead of the semi-final round. The headline game of the weekend is a top-of-the-table Zone B clash at Llandilo Sports Complex, kicking off at 3:30 pm local time, where Reno FC will look to turn the tables on Humble Lion FC, who dominated the first round meeting with a lopsided 5-0 win at Effortville Community Centre.

    Humble Lion currently sits atop the Zone B table with 20 points, holding a three-point advantage over second-place Reno FC. The Clarendon-based side is targeting promotion back to the Jamaica Premier League for the upcoming season, and has turned in a dominant campaign through the first half of the schedule, having notched 21 goals across all matches. Most recently, Humble Lion was held to a 1-1 draw by Duncans United — the second drawn result between the two sides this term — leaving the club hungry for a full three points to lock in their lead. For Reno, the team heads into the matchup on a three-game unbeaten streak, eager to erase the embarrassment of their first-round blowout and close the gap on the league leader.

    The matchup also has implications for the race for second place in Zone B. Third-place Roaring River enters the weekend just one point behind Reno, with 16 total points. If Roaring River can pick up a win on the road against St Bess United at the STETHS Sports Complex, and Reno drops points to Humble Lion, the side will jump over Reno into second place, moving to 19 points just one behind Humble Lion at the top of the zone.

    Across Zone A, the fight for the top spot also takes center stage, as second-place Sakka Club Brown’s Town has a chance to overtake current leader Tru-Juice when they face bottom-of-the-table Baptist Alliance at the York Sports Complex. Sakka holds a 19-point total, one point behind Tru-Juice, and already claimed a 2-0 win over Baptist Alliance in their first round meeting. With form on their side, the club is heavily favored to pick up three points and retake the top spot in the zone standings.

    Other Zone A matchups bring their own stakes: Lime Hall Academy will look to secure a second win of the season against Progressive FC at Drax Hall, having crushed the club 6-1 in their first round matchup. At Constant Spring, a KSAFA derby between Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Meadforest FC will see the fourth-place JDF side seek revenge for a 1-0 first-round loss. Though JDF hold a five-point advantage over Meadforest, last season’s semi-finalists, Meadforest has struggled to find consistent form through the current campaign.

    In another redemption story, Falmouth United will look to bounce back from a first-round loss to Petersfield FC when they host the matchup at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Falmouth recently saw their four-game winning streak snapped with a loss to STETHS Elite, and have dropped three straight matches since the first round win, conceding eight goals over that stretch. Meanwhile, Duncans United will carry confidence into their home matchup against Holland PYC, after picking up a hard-fought away draw against Humble Lion that avenged their 1-0 first-round loss to the table topper.

    The full slate of weekend matchups is as follows: Lime Hall Academy vs Progressive FC at Drax Hall; Jamaica Defence Force vs Meadforest FC at Constant Spring; Baptist Alliance vs Sakka Club Brown’s Town at York Complex; WiFi United vs Grays Inn SC at Carder Park; Duncans United vs Holland PYC at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium; Falmouth United vs Petersfield FC at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium; Reno FC vs Humble Lion FC at Llandilo Sports Complex; and St Bess United vs Roaring River at STETHS Complex.

  • Kishane Thompson, Tina Clayton and Shericka Jackson for Florida meet

    Kishane Thompson, Tina Clayton and Shericka Jackson for Florida meet

    South Florida’s Ansin Sports Complex in Hollywood is gearing up to host an exciting day of elite track and field action this Saturday, as the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level Miramar Invitational draws a huge contingent of top Jamaican sprint talent to compete in a program that mixes fan-favorite distance events with rarely staged competitions.

    Leading the charge of Jamaican stars are two decorated World Athletics Championships medalists, Kishane Thompson and Tina Clayton, who have been confirmed to take on the unusual 150m distance, an event that is seldom featured on major professional meet schedules. Thompson, who claimed the men’s 60m silver medal at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships held earlier this year in Poland, will headline the men’s 150m field, where he will face off against fellow Jamaican competitors Gary Card, Adrian Kerr and Javari Thomas.

    In the women’s 150m race, Tina Clayton will not be alone: she will line up alongside her twin sister Tia Clayton, plus fellow Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams, to contest the rarely run sprint distance.

    The invitational will also feature deep Jamaican representation across the sport’s marquee 100m distance, with multiple top young talents set to compete. Ackeem Blake, who advanced to the men’s 60m semi-finals at this year’s World Indoor Championships, leads a seven-strong Jamaican contingent in the men’s 100m, which will follow a two-round format. After an opening preliminary heat, the eight fastest athletes overall will advance to the event’s final. Joining Blake in the field are Nishion Ebanks, Ryiem Forde, Rasheed Foster, Rohan Watson, Michael Campbell and Andre Edwards.

    On the women’s side of the 100m, World Athletics Under-20 gold medalist Alana Reid tops the entry list, joined by a stacked field of compatriots including Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison, Serena Cole, Lavanya Williams and Yanique Dale.

    Longer sprint distances will also feature Jamaican star power. Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Shericka Jackson is scheduled to race the women’s 300m, where she will compete against fellow Jamaicans Joanne Reid and Shanna Kaye Anderson, while Zandrion Barnes will represent Jamaica in the men’s 300m race.

    Hurdle events will also see top young Jamaican talent take to the track. Two-time World Under-20 gold medalist Kerrica Hill and Demisha Roswell will compete in the women’s 100m hurdles, while De’jour Russell and Lafrantz Campbell are set for the men’s 110m hurdles.

    In total, close to 30 Jamaican athletes will travel to Florida for the meet, marking one of the largest overseas contingents for the Continental Tour Silver-level event, giving sprint fans a chance to see many of the world’s top emerging and established Jamaican talents months before the year’s major global track and field competitions.