Cavalier Head Coach Rudolph Speid says the 2-0 win over Mount Pleasant FA to kick off their 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup campaign provides a solid platform to build on in their charge to achieve long-term goals this season.
Christopher Ainsworth (ninth) and Shaquille Stein (25th) got the job done for Cavalier in a keenly contest encounter at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
“The win is very important, because when teams are in your zone and they’re from the same country or same city, it’s really a derby. It doesn’t matter how strong each team is, it’s a derby, and derby games are the most difficult games you’ll come up against, so getting the first win is always important,” Speid said in a post-game interview.
Cavalier, the reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions and runners-up in the 2023 edition of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, were more purposeful at the start, and they were duly rewarded when Ainsworth converted from the 12-yard spot after Stein was felled inside the red zone by Jamoi Topey.
Mount Pleasant created a few half chances in their press for the equaliser, but they found Cavalier’s defenders and goalkeeper Jeadine White in defiant mode.
Stein later doubled Cavalier’s lead when he expertly headed home from Jalmaro Calvin’s weighted cross.
Try as they did, Mount Pleasant’s attackers couldn’t find a way past White, who ended the contest with six crucial saves, including a last-minute reflex stop diving low at his near post to deny Rayonne Mbougain in time added.
Cavalier also had their fair share of chances to add to their tally, the best of which fell to Kaile Auvray in the 49th minute, but Mount Pleasant’s custodian Tafari Chambers came up big to stop the close-range effort.
Speid lauded his team for a solid defensive effort, which ensured they sit atop Group A on three points heading into the second round of games on August 29.
Then, Cavalier will host Trinidad and Tobago outfit Police FC in Kingston, while Mount Pleasant FA will look to rebound against CFU Club Shield winners, Arnett Gardens FC, on August 27 at Sabina Park.
“We did not know what Mount Pleasant was going to do. We decided we were going to be tough on defence. The defence, including the goalkeeper, stood out. It is not easy to keep a clean sheet against those players from Mount Pleasant, as they can turn a game on its head,” Speid reasoned.
“So our concentration was spot on from minute one. Although we defended stoutly, we were positive all the time. We attacked when the occasion aroused, and we didn’t hesitate. We could have even scored two more,” he noted.
His counterpart Harold Thomas, who took over from Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore in June, believes his side lacked the hunger and conviction of their opponents.
“One of the things we have to do is look at the players who are hungry for it. You hear Cavalier’s approach to the game, they have a group of youngsters that don’t have the kind of reputation that our players have, but they’re hungry. They want to make a name for themselves,” Thomas stated.
“We need to find players who want to make a name for themselves or even those who have a name to improve their credibility. We know the quality of the players. There are some things we have to change, but the quality is there. The motivation will be a great factor because what we saw today (Tuesday) wasn’t a team as hungry as they should have been,” he added.
Racing United FC, the newly promoted team to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), is gearing up for their inaugural season in Jamaica's top-flight football competition. With the 2024 JPL season set to kick off on September 15, the team is working tirelessly to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level, despite facing significant financial challenges.
Managed by Nigel Walker and coached by Anthony Patrick, Racing United has been in training since early July, focusing on getting their squad in peak condition ahead of the season opener. "The season is starting early this year on September 15, and we are pushing for full readiness. I can say right now we are at about 80 per cent readiness," Walker told Sportsmax.TV as he reflected on the team's commitment to being fully prepared.
Racing United secured their spot in the JPL by defeating Westmoreland-based Reno FC 2-1 on aggregate in the promotion playoffs, marking a significant achievement for the club. However, the transition from amateur to professional football has brought with it the need for greater financial resources. Walker highlighted that while the team is prepared on the field, securing the necessary funding for a more demanding and extended season remains a pressing concern.
"Our biggest challenge so far has been financial, as we are no longer an amateur team. Now in the premier league, it requires financial resources, and with this season being longer with three rounds, we need more support," Walker explained. The club is currently in discussions with potential sponsors, and Walker is optimistic about finalizing these talks soon.
To strengthen their squad, Racing United has been active in the transfer market, bringing in 10 new players with Premier League experience. Although the names of these players have not been officially released, as final details are still being worked out, Walker emphasized the importance of these signings. He credited Coach Patrick for his role in selecting players who will bring valuable experience and skill to the team.
Recognizing how critically important it has become for local footballers to excel beyond just technical skills on the field of play, Malta, in partnership with Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), hosted the “Malta Holistic Workshop” on Saturday, August 17, at The Summit in Kingston.
With a focus on enhancing physical fitness, proper nutrition, and fostering mental resilience, the brand’s initiative under the Malta Sparks campaign addressed key areas like balancing academics with athletics, conflict resolution, self-marketing, branding, and media management offering a well-rounded strategy for athletic growth.
“This workshop has provided me with valuable strategies to better support my son on his athletic journey, especially in managing stress and time—challenges he often encounters. I know a lot of other young athletes struggle with many of the focus areas today and so, I am truly inspired as a parent by this initiative,” said Sherridean Orridge, the mother of Romane Foster who plays for Jamaica Premier League club Portmore United.
“I know there was a nutrition session hosted about a month ago so I commend Malta and PFJL, for their exceptional work with our footballers, and I sincerely hope to see more initiatives like this in the future.”
The educational sessions engaged participants from four Premier League Clubs: Mount Pleasant Academy, Waterhouse FC, Portmore United, and Harbour View FC. The workshop featured session leaders, including veteran coach and Malta Brand Ambassador Neville Bell, Sports Teacher and Lifestyle Coach Krisneve Palmer, Sports Marketing Consultant Tanya Lee Perkins, Communications Expert Stacy-Ann Smith, and Sports Psychologist Dr. Olivia Rose.
“It was commendable to see both guardians and footballers participating in the workshop. This experience has provided athletes with a broader perspective on how to represent themselves, an aspect that is often overshadowed by the focus on athletic performance,” Owen Hill, CEO of Professional Football Jamaica Limited remarked.
“By investing in their holistic development, we are preparing our local football stars to excel not only on the national stage but also to present themselves as the best version of who they can be.”
Contributed:
Chief Executive Officer of Professional Football Jamaica Limited, Owen Hill, delivered a pep talk to Mount Pleasant Football Club footballers during the lunch break of the Malta Holistic Workshop, held at The Summit.
Kick-starting the event, Bell emphasized in his speech that discipline is the greatest asset a footballer can possess. The veteran coach highlighted that “discipline not only paves the way to success but also that—to be a great footballer, one must have the right attitude and a strong sense of self-worth”.
Adding to the discussion, Dr. Rose advised parents to create a safe environment and maintain open communication with coaches, noting that athletes thrive when they see the rewards of their hard work, which boosts their confidence.
Media Communication Consultant Stacy-Ann Smith helped the players improve on their communication skills through mock media-interview exercises and public speaking activities. This was complemented by Sports Marketing Consultant Tanya Lee Perkins, who offered tips on self-marketing and encouraged active social media engagement to build a solid personal brand.
The workshop concluded with Lifestyle Coach Palmer, who provided guidance on balancing academics and football and highlighted that education offers diverse career opportunities beyond sports.
"With this holistic workshop, we aimed to provide both guardians and athletes with an experience that offers practical ways to best care for their social and mental well-being, targeting multiple layers of growth and development. We must commend the guardians and coaches for being a part of this experience and for their continuous support,” said Malta Junior Brand Manager Cavell Robinson.
“As part of the Malta Sparks campaign, we plan to conceptualize more initiatives like this in the future. With this it is our hope that these young talents will blossom and develop in ways that will make us all proud."
West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales continued his ascension on the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings as he moved up to a career-best 13th position after finishing as the most successful bowler in the second Test against South Africa in Guyana.
Seales, who finished with nine wickets in a 40-run loss that helped South Africa win the ICC World Test Championship series 1-0, achieved the milestone move, which now makes him the top-ranked Test bowler from the West Indies.
The 22-year-old Trinidadian, who has enjoyed fairly good form since his return from injury, surpassed Barbadian seamer Kemar Roach, who slipped one place down to 18th, as his journey to fitness continues.
Spinners Jomel Warrican (52nd) and Gudakesh Motie (64th), both moved two spots up, while fast bowler Shamar Joseph also progressed 11 spots to 54th in other significant movements for the West Indies players in the bowling rankings.
South Africa’s Player of the Match Wiaan Mulder advanced 27 places to 65th position after finishing with six wickets, while off-spinner Dane Piedt is up nine places to 66th after claiming two West Indies wickets in the second innings of the match.
In the Test batting rankings, former West Indies captain Jason Holder is up seven places to 60th position following his unbeaten knock of 54 in the first innings. He is also up two places to fifth in the list of all-rounders.
South Africa opener Aiden Markram and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne have gained after notching half-centuries in the second innings. Markram inched up two places to 21st, while Verreynne has progressed from 62nd to 46th.
In the ICC World Test Championship, West Indies are last in the nine-team championship with 18.52 after nine matches, while South Africa are in fifth place with 38.89 percentage points after six matches.
India lead the table with 68.52 percentage points after nine matches, with Australia in second on 62.50 after 12 outings. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are the other teams ahead of South Africa.
Meanwhile, in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, Scott Edwards of the Netherlands has moved up six places to 26th position after scores of 72 and 65 against Canada and the United States, respectively, in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
Aaron Jones of the United States (up 11 places to 56th) and Vikramjit Singh of the Netherlands (up nine places to 79th) are others to move up the batting rankings, while Aryan Dutt of the Netherlands is up five places to 33rd.
Multiple Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown, through her Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB) Foundation, hosted a highly successful Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event at her alma mater, Vere Technical High School, on Saturday, August 17. The event, held in partnership with Jamaica's Ministry of Health, saw hundreds of community members receiving essential health services ahead of the new school year.
The health fair provided a wide range of medical services, with professionals conducting 115 medical exams, 95 immunizations, 50 cholesterol checks, and 42 HIV tests. Students also received back-to-school supplies. The comprehensive nature of the event underscored the foundation’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community, particularly for students preparing to return to school.
In a statement from the VCB Foundation, organizers expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed to the event’s success: "A huge thank you to our incredible partners, volunteers, and everyone who made our Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event a success. Over 200 people served and 440-plus services offered. Together, we are building a healthier and stronger community! We are looking forward to next year!"
The non-profit organization, which is dedicated to empowering the next generation by providing educational resources and mentorship to high school students in need, continues to make a significant impact through initiatives like the health fair. Campbell-Brown, who is a two-time Olympic 200m gold medalist, and her husband Omar were actively involved as volunteers, offering support and spreading joy among the several hundred patrons in attendance. The event also featured entertainment, adding to the positive atmosphere and making it a memorable occasion for all involved.
Reflecting on the event, Campbell-Brown expressed her gratitude and ambition for future editions. "I am grateful for the support of the VCB Foundation. Let us make the event even more impactful next year," she said.
The success of the health fair was made possible by the generous support of several organizations, including Adidas, Juici Patties, Miss Birdie Jamaica, Grace Foods, and New Fortress Energy, among others. Their contributions helped ensure that the event could offer a wide range of services to the community.
As a past student of Vere Technical High School, which dominated the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships during her time, Campbell-Brown’s commitment to giving back to her community through her foundation continues to leave a lasting legacy. The Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event is just one of many initiatives through which the VCB Foundation is making a positive difference in the lives of young Jamaicans.
Former Jamaica 400m hurdler Kemar Mowatt, who has overseen the development of four NCAA champions and eight Olympians, was hired by Boston University as the assistant coach for track & field, director of track & field and cross-country Grant Cartwright announced Tuesday.
Mowatt, who will oversee the sprints and hurdles for the BU Terriers, joins the staff there after serving as the volunteer assistant track & field coach at the University of Arkansas where the women were crowned the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field champions.
Since starting in the role in 2022, Mowatt was responsible for the sprints and hurdles for the women's program and served as the recruiting coordinator.
While there, he coached four NCAA individual champions in Rachel Glenn, Nickisha Pryce, Amber Anning and Phillip Lemonious. He also helped multiple athletes become SEC champions and coached his athletes to four school record performances.
"I am very excited to welcome Kemar to our program and Boston University," Cartwright told Goterriers.com.
"We cannot wait to see the impact he will have on our student-athletes in the classroom and on the track."
Simultaneously, Mowatt was an assistant track & field coach at Hurdle Mechanic Track Club where he started in 2023.
He coached all sprints and hurdles athletes and was one of two coaches accountable for qualifying five athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Prior to coaching in Arkansas, Mowatt was the volunteer assistant coach for track & field at Clemson where he oversaw the development of both the men's and women's sprints and hurdles squads and assisted in the team's marketing efforts. His athletes achieved three school records.
"I am extremely excited and deeply honored to take on this position as men's and women's assistant sprints/hurdles coach," said Mowatt.
"I want to express my sincere thanks to director Grant Cartwright and the entire Boston University administration for their unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience for student-athletes. I am eager to collaborate with exceptional coaches and support staff and the academic community to help develop the next generation of Terriers."
Mowatt ran professionally with Adidas Running from 2019 to 2023. He was a semi-finalist in the 400m hurdles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
In addition to being a two-time Jamaican National Champion and 2017 World Championships finalist in the 400m hurdles, Mowatt won bronze in the event at the 2019 Pan American Games, was a semifinalist at the 2022 World Athletic Championships and was a 2022 Commonwealth Games Finalist.
As a student-athlete at Arkansas, Mowatt was a nine-time USTFCCCA All-American and a two-time SEC Outdoor Champion in the 400m hurdles. Mowatt earned All-American status throughout his tenure in the 400m hurdles, the 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz and Bermuda extended their unbeaten runs in their respective Tiers of the 2024 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ U-14 Challenge Series on Monday.
The Jamaicans, through goals from Davion Clarke (28th) and Corlando Morris (37th), blanked host Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a crucial Tier I Group A clash at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
It was the third win on the trot for the young Reggae Boyz, who sit atop the group on a maximum nine points, three ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (six points), while St. Kitts and Aruba are on one point each in the development tournament, which sees games played over 70 minutes.
The young Reggae Boyz dominated proceedings from the off as they bossed possession and were more threatening in open play. They inevitably broke the deadlock when a Kyle Hussey pass found Clarke, who drove past Christian Tefler in goal for Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda versus St. Lucia.
Though they continued to create chances, the Jamaicans had to wait until the 37th to add to their tally as Morris capitalized on a defensive error and slotted home early on the resumption.
Trinidad and Tobago’s first real opportunity came in the 61st minute when Lucas Shaw's long-range cross forced Jamaica's Marcodean Spence into a save. Still, Jamaica continued to dominate and should have won by a wider margin but failed to make the most of their chances.
With 10 goals to their tally so far, the Jamaicans, who have yet to concede, will be aiming to keep their perfect record intact heading into the next round, when they face Aruba in the final group game on Tuesday at 5:30pm Jamaica time at the same venue. Trinidad and Tobago will face St. Kitts and Nevis.
Guyana versus St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Meanwhile, Bermuda completed their Tier II Group C play with a 1-0 win over St. Lucia at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The win, a fourth for the Bermudans in as many games, puts them atop the group on 12 points.
It was a game of many chances, the best of which fell to Bermuda as they applied consistent pressure to their St. Lucian counterparts but couldn’t beat the glove of goalkeeper Brial Nelson for most of the way.
Bermuda eventually found the go-ahead goal in the 63rd through captain Z-ani Jennings, who dismissed two defenders to make space for a delightful strike from about 25 yards out.
Having completed all of their group stage matches, Bermuda awaits their opponents in Friday’s semi-finals. St. Lucia play their final group match against Grenada on Tuesday.
Monday’s Results
Tier I Group A
Jamaica 2, Trinidad and Tobago 0
St Kitts and Nevis 2, Aruba 2
Tier I Group B
St. Martin 0, French Guiana 5
Puerto Rico 0, Curaçao 0
Tier II Group A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Guyana 1
Antigua & Barbuda 3, Cayman Islands 3
Tier II Group B
British Virgin Islands 3, US Virgin Islands 1
Dominica 0, Anguilla 0
Tier II Group C
Bermuda 1, St Lucia 0
Grenada 1, St. Maarten 1
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates.
The event, scheduled to take place from October 3–20, will now be staged in Dubai and Sharjah.
The venue was changed following the countrywide anti-government agitations in Bangladesh through July and early August, which ended when Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister, resigned and fled to India. An interim government has been put in place by the army since, but widespread incidents of vandalism and looting, as well as acts of violence, have been reported from Bangladesh.
As a result, Australia, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (England and Scotland) had issued travel advisories to their citizens to not travel to Bangladesh.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed the move in a press release on Tuesday.
“It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event. I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn’t feasible. However, they will retain hosting rights," Allardice said.
"We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future. I’d also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host on behalf of the BCB and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support, and we look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026," he added.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022.
Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by August 27, 2024, and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on December 1, 2024.
The Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will be releasing a new documentary on the cricketing journey of Hayley Matthews, the number one ranked T20 all-rounder.
The ‘Life Stories’ film follows Matthews from her childhood in Barbados to winning the T20 World Cup and claiming the WCPL title. As a cricketer who is a regular in both the international and global franchise game, her story as a superb athlete in multiple disciplines to the top of world cricket is brilliantly told by Director, Paul Pritchett-Brown and Director of Photography, Arjun Choudary.
The film will be broadcast on Willow in the USA, TNT Sport in the UK, TV6 in Trinidad, Fancode in India, Fox Sports in Australia and SportsMax in the Caribbean. The film will also be available to watch on the Caribbean Premier League’s YouTube channel.
The film’s Director, Paul Pritchett-Brown, said: “It was a real pleasure to work with Hayley and her family to produce this film. The final product is a testament to their commitment to helping us tell this story. Hayley is one of the most impressive athletes the Caribbean has produced, and it was an honour to be able to make this film about her journey.”
Pete Russell, CEO of the CPL and Executive Producer of this film, said: “It is so important that we take the time to tell the stories of the wonderful cricketers that bring our tournaments to life, and this film is a beautiful example of what can be done when given this level of access. I would like to thank Hayley and her family for their commitment to the project and I am looking forward to the cricketing world enjoying this brilliantly put together film.”
Hayley Matthews said: “It was a fantastic experience to work with the CPL team to put together this documentary on my journey into cricket and myself and my family are really excited for the world to see it. My story has many more chapters left to be told but it is great to able to showcase how I got to where I am today.”
Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake produced two stunning saves to assist Philadelphia Union to a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Liga MX side Mazatlan in the 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
Blake’s heroics were required after Mikael Uhre’s late first-half goal was cancelled out by Alonso Escoboza just shy of the hour mark, as the teams played out a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra-time.
The 33-year-old Blake, who won the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup Golden Glove, showed his class with two diving saves in the shootout to send Philadelphia Union to the semi-finals.
Interestingly, the other semi-finalists—Columbus Crew, Los Angeles FC, and Colorado Rapids—are also Major League Soccer (MLS) outfits, and with the top three Leagues Cup finishers guaranteed a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, it means that all three qualifiers will be United States-based MLS teams.
Columbus Crew, a 2024 Champions Cup finalist, moved closer to a Champions Cup return as they too registered a close 4-3 penalty shootout win over New York City FC.
Both teams played out a 1-1 stalemate as Alonso Martinez gave New York FC a first minute lead, which was cancelled out by Cucho Hernandez. Like Blake, Columbus Crew’s custodian Patrick Schulte also produced a stop in the shootout to help secure his team’s passage.
Elsewhere, 2020 and 2023 Champions Cup finalists Los Angeles FC powered their way into the final four with a commanding 3-0 victory over the 2022 Champions Cup winners Seattle Sounders. Ryan Hollingshead and Kei Kamara logged first-half goals, before Denis Bouanga completed the win with an early second-half strike.
Meanwhile, there were plenty of thrills in the final match of the evening as Colorado Rapids slipped past seven-time Concacaf champions Club America of Mexico 9-8 on sudden-death penalties after they battled out a scoreless encounter.
The Liga MX giants were poised to win the shootout on their fifth kick, but Rapids’ goaltender Zack Steffen denied Igor Lichnovsky. The two teams then converted their next four kicks each, before Steffen scored his kick from the 12-yard spot, while his counterpart Luis Malagon hit wide and handed Colorado Rapids the victory.
If the words of former FIFA vice president Austin “Jack” Warner are anything to go by, then Trinidad and Tobago is basically grasping at straws where qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is concerned.
In fact, Warner, known for his blunt personality, is of the view that the Twin Island Republic will not make another appearance at the global showpiece anytime soon, as it lacks a proper football structure and, by extension, competence from a coaching perspective.
Even with the increased opportunity opened up by United States, Canada, and Mexico securing automatic berths as hosts, Warner believes this offers very little hope for the Soca Warriors chances. Three teams will qualify directly to join the hosts as Concacaf’s representatives at the World Cup, while another two will have a second chance at qualification through an inter-confederation playoff.
Trinidad and Tobago’s lone FIFA World Cup appearance to date was in Germany in 2006.
“Let me tell you this, and who is vex well, vex. We will not see a World Cup final in football in our collective lifetime, not even for the one coming up (2026), and remember, I have told you so,” Warner told Andre Errol Baptiste on the ISports radio program last Friday.
“We have gotten more chances and more slots to qualify, but our chances will not be better but worse. First of all, we don’t have the talent at the top, and in terms of coaching, we don’t have that will to allow our football players to succeed. We don’t have the competition at the bottom. Ask the average Trinidad and Tobago footballer to name five footballers in the country. He can’t. The average Trini cannot, and something is wrong,” he added.
Former Soca Warriors Angus Eve (left), then assistant Derek King (centre), and goalkeeper coach Clayton Ince.
The recent sacking of Angus Eve and the hiring of his assistant Derek King on an interim basis, Warner said, doesn't help the situation.
“I know Derek King very well; he used to coach my club called Joe Public. I know him very well, but Derek King is out of his league. Derek King does not understand the nuances of coaching at the World Cup level, and that is the difference I am talking about. Derek King is not in Leo Beenhakker’s class, so to speak, and England got rid of Gareth Southgate, so what are we doing in terms of this?” Warner questioned.
Though it is argued that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) lacks the adequate finances to compensate a high-calibre coach, Warner, a former Minister of National Security, alluded to the possibility of the current government shifting funds around to provide more support for sports.
“If you get the money to pay a top-class coach, you will spend less money in the judiciary and less money in national security. The money that you will save from national security, you can pump back into sports. It follows that you have to prioritise and see what is important to you, and if sport is the vehicle for national unity and development and for people’s pride, put the money where it is,” Warner argued.
“I recall where sportsmen and sportswomen had to spend their own money attending to injuries. It does not help until we get serious about sports. Nothing from nothing will leave nothing,” he noted.
While taking a swipe at corporate companies in Trinidad and Tobago that refuse to render assistance until after the fact, Warner used the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) hiring of Englishman Steve McClaren to drive home his point about national pride.
“They will not get corporate support. They (corporate TT) only come at the end. They come at the end, not at the beginning, where they are badly needed,” Warner stated.
He continued: “There is no local coach that can take Trinidad and Tobago to the World Cup at this time, and I mean that sincerely, and that is not a criticism. That is a realistic statement; we don’t have it; we just don’t have it.
“Jamaica is looking for a top-class coach; they have never considered Dwight Yorke. Look where Jamaica has gone. They don’t have the energy and oil we have, but they have the pride. We don’t have that, and that is the difference.”
On another note, the former Concacaf boss expressed optimism that his legal battles regarding a 2015 indictment for corruption, will be behind him soon.
“The matter will be thrown out, but it takes time in Trinidad and Tobago. All the colleagues that have been arrested and imprisoned in the United States have since appealed based on the Supreme Court statement and judgment (that prosecutors in the US overreached their boundaries when they applied laws of the United States to groups of people, many of whom are foreign nationals).
“I am now waiting to see what will come out of these appeals, and I will take it from there, but I don’t want to say too much on that at this stage, except to say, I am very optimistic,” Warner ended.
The 2024 staging of the highly anticipated Mouttet Mile Invitational is already shaping up to be an exciting affair with early interest from six prominent overseas-based horses. Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited, operators of Caymanas Park, are pleased to announce that Sheer Delight, Pack Plays, Barnaby, Legacy Isle, Commandant & Real Macho are set to bring international competition to the December 7 race day.
Sheer Delight, a three-year-old colt owned by Jeremy Rachpaul, has already made a name for himself with impressive earnings of over USD$30,000. Trained by Donovan Hutchison, Sheer Delight has recently arrived in Jamaica and is gearing up for the big race. Mr. Rachpaul expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm: "It is with excitement and joy that our team has a chance to enter the Mouttet Mile 2024 with Sheer Delight. On behalf of myself, my family, and our team, I would like to say thank you to Caymanas and the horse racing family in Jamaica. We look forward to growing our stable, racing in Jamaica, and competing in the Mouttet Mile 2024 with God's grace and blessings."
Another strong contender for the 2024 Mouttet Mile is Pack Play, owned by Diley Dakins. Dakins shared his insights on Pack Plays' capabilities stating, "Pack Plays has been preparing for the Mouttet Mile for a while and has shown tremendous speed and agility in most of his races. I know he will get the distance. Pack Plays will undoubtedly make the Mouttet Mile competition more interesting." Pack Play is currently being conditioned by trainer, Rowan Mathie.
Trainer of the 2023 winner – Rough Entry – Rohan Crichton, has returned for the 2024 staging with three entries: Legacy Isle, Commandant and Real Macho. For the current year, Commandant has had 3 wins with earnings of US$88,060, Legacy Isle has had one win, eaning US$47,480; and Real Macho has secured two wins with an earning total of US$124,020.
“Our horses are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on September 18. The plan is to follow the same pattern as Rough Entry, ease them into their training regimen after quarantine and gradually build from there," he said. "The Mouttet Mile is an amazing event that showcases Jamaican racing, we are proud to participate and doing our best to make it two in a row.”
Local champion trainer, Anthony Nunes, has also opted to submit an international entry in runner – Barnaby. He shares: “Barnaby is a 3-year-old bay colt. He's a son of Tapiture out of the Giants Causeway mare, Giants Diva. He has a racing record of three wins and two thirds from six starts, and earnings of (US)$89,510.00 or (JMD)$14,000,000.00. Barnaby arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, and will be in quarantine for two weeks. We look forward to having him in our barn, at which time he will start the process of getting acclimatized to his new surroundings. We look forward, shortly thereafter, to getting him on the track in preparation for the Mouttet Mile in December,” Nunes said.
Commenting on the early interest, Christopher Wills, VP Operations at SVREL, said, "We are excited to see the early enthusiasm and commitment from international owners and trainers for the 2024 Mouttet Mile. The inclusion of top-tier horses, from the North American circuit, enhances the prestige of the event and promises thrilling competition for all horse racing fans."
Since its 2022 debut, the Mouttet Mile Invitational has developed a reputation for attracting top-tier international talent. Last year’s Mouttet Mile was won by Rough Entry, an overseas entrant ridden by Canadian jockey Julien Leparoux. The inclusion of Sheer Delight and Pack Plays in the 2024 Mouttet Mile Invitational will further cement Caymanas Park’s marquee race day as the premier event in the horse racing calendar.
Cavalier SC and Mount Pleasant Academy both expressed optimism ahead of their clash to open the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday.
The two teams most recently met in a thrilling final of the Jamaica Premier League in May which Cavalier won 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.
Head Coach of Cavalier, Rudolph Speid, doesn't expect that result to give his side a mental edge going into Tuesday's clash.
"The phenomenon of this clash is that every time we meet, Mount Pleasant has a new team and we have a lot of changes. It's a new game all over and we just expect to win this particular game," he said in a pre-match press conference on Monday.
The teams will compete in Group A of the ten-team tournament alongside fellow JPL outfit Arnett Gardens FC, Real Hope FC out of Haiti and Police FC out of Trinidad & Tobago.
Cavalier were runners-up in last year’s inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, losing the two-legged final by a combined score of 3-0 to Surinamese outfit Robinhood FC.
Something synonymous with Cavalier over the years is their willingness to use young players and Head Coach Rudolph Speid says this will continue to be the team’s policy going forward.
“We don’t have much new faces. Some of the younger players from our youth teams are the ones that have stepped up. That has been our policy and our motto. Every single year, Cavalier will field young players who came through our ranks.”
Despite this inexperience, Speid expects good things from his players when the time comes.
“They know what to expect. Some of them have pretty big shoes to fill and I’m confident that they will do well,” he said.
Trinidadian attacker Kaile Auvray, who joined Cavalier from Mount Pleasant recently, is hopeful that his insight on his former team will give them an added advantage tomorrow.
“Obviously being a former Mount Pleasant player, I know my former teammates very well so I’ll be sure to communicate things that can help us be successful,” he said.
On the other hand, this will be Mount Pleasant Academy’s first time competing in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, an achievement that is not lost on Head Coach Harold Thomas.
“It’s been a long-awaited arrival for Mount Pleasant at this level. Our preparation has been relatively smooth. Short period of time but we were able to implement all the things we wanted to. We’re happy with where we are,” he said.
“We are all excited as a club,” said Mount Pleasant skipper Sue-Lae McCalla about playing in their first CONCACAF Caribbean Cup.
“It’s a good feeling. For a new club, the first time so it’s a lot of excitement for us,” he added.
Normally, playing in a tournament of this magnitude for the first time would have a team feeling some pressure.
For Coach Thomas, however, this is not the case.
“Absolutely not,” was his response to questions about whether or not his team is feeling the pressure ahead of tomorrow’s game.
“This is what we live for. For us, it’s just a matter of getting all things right,” he said.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) will hold elections for the office of the Vice President on September 20, 2024.
On Thursday, August 8, 2024, at a Board of Directors meeting, in consideration of the recent judicial pronouncement from the High Court of Guyana concerning the challenge to the Vice President's election initiated by the Guyana Cricket Board, the decision was made to have the re-elections as soon as possible.
This decision means that Mr. Azim Bassarath has vacated the office of Vice President for CWI.
Commenting on the Board's position, CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow said, "This situation presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI Memorandum and Articles of Association. Over time, policies and frameworks will always be tested. As a Board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to such fact," said Dr Shallow. The CWI President continued, "I am particularly grateful for the level of cooperation and professionalism in which Mr. Bassarath has handled this matter, and therefore extend my gratitude to him for such."
Pursuant to the CWI Articles of Association, a Special Meeting of Members will be convened on September 20, 2024, for the sole purpose of electing a new Vice President.
CWI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to democratic principles and transparency. The forthcoming election will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and in alignment with CWI's core values.
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