Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has praised Jamaica’s recent achievements in football, highlighting the success of both the senior men’s and women’s national teams as evidence that the island’s football is in a strong position.

Montagliani, who is currently on a visit to the island, along with Bermuda and St Lucia Football Association presidents Mark Wade and Lyndon Cooper, expressed optimism about Jamaica's football future, particularly with the announcement of much-anticipated upgrades to the National Stadium.

The Reggae Boyz are set to contest the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against United States in November and are pushing to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Reggae Girlz made history with back-to-back appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, reaching the knockout stage last year, a feat that solidified their standing as one of the top teams in the region.

These accomplishments, Montagliani believes, are key indicators of the country’s footballing growth.

“Obviously, I am very excited to be back in Jamaica; we know the success that's been happening on the field, starting with your two senior teams. Obviously, the men who've now qualified for the Nation's League quarterfinal in November and obviously your women's team that has qualified for the last two Women's World Cups is obviously favoured to qualify for the next one with arguably the best player in the world [Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw] playing for them,” Montagliani said during a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani accepts a specially designed jersey from JFF president Michael Ricketts.

“So things are looking really good in that gold and green jersey that's being worn in our region. Even your youth teams have been very successful, U-20 and U-17, and obviously the talent has always been here since, I think the momentum of the 98 (1998 World Cup accomplishment) in terms of how things were being done. I think in the last few years, with the opportunities that the players are having through our Concacaf competitions, you're seeing things now come to fruition here in Jamaica in terms of the success both on the women's side and on the men's side,” he added.

In addition to commending the on-field success, Montagliani expressed delight at the news that Jamaica's National Stadium is set for much-needed upgrades. He hinted that the improvements could open the door for future Concacaf tournaments to be hosted on the island, a move that would further cement Jamaica’s position as a football hub in the Caribbean.

The renovation project, to be done in phases, will see the capacity of the National Stadium increase from 28,500 to 35,000. 

“It was announced publicly yesterday (Tuesday) in terms of the major renovations that are going into your National Stadium; that put a smile on my face because, as you know, we brought for the first time ever into really the Caribbean and really outside of North America; we brought a Gold Cup game here in Jamaica in 2019 with tremendous success. But the reality is now the standards of international competitions, and when I say international competitions, I don't mean just at the FIFA level. I mean even at the Concacaf level.

“The standards are getting higher and higher with respect to what is expected by audiences both at the stadium and also those watching on TV and ultimately the players that are playing in it. So now that there's major renovations to bring the National Stadium to an international level bodes well for the future of both the JFF and Jamaica itself as a country, to bring events here,” Montagliani reasoned.

(from left) JFF president Michael Ricketts; Concacaf president Victor Montagliani; Lyndon Cooper, St Lucia FA president; Bermuda FA president Mark Wade, and JFF general secretary Dennis Chung share a photo opportunity.

“Whether it be regional events or even at the ultimate international level, and so we look forward to it. We told the minister [Olivia Grange] that we're here to help them in any technical way we can when they're going through the processes of design and all that. Because that's part of our job to make sure that if they're going to do it, they build it the right way. And so very excited about that,” he shared.

The president also reaffirmed Concacaf’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s footballing infrastructure and working closely with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to help develop the sport at all levels.

“Any decision that is made is always done for the good of the game, with the good of the game being first and foremost the players and obviously everything else that surrounds the players, coaches, administrators, and referees. After seeing the facility in Mona, I see that that spirit lives well here in Jamaica, which puts a smile on my face,” Montagliani said.

He continued: “Obviously Concacaf is here to support football. The JFF is obviously an important part of our family, and I'm also very pleased that we were joined today by two other presidents from Bermuda and St. Lucia.

“As you see by our logo, we changed it because it was very important for us to start not only talking but walking and sounding like a family. And that circle of 41 member associations represented by 41 diamonds is illustrated in this collaborative day. I'm very proud to be here, and we will continue to support the JFF and Jamaica to reach the heights that they deserve to reach.”

CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees) President Keith Joseph has praised the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands for its strong commitment to using sport as a key pillar of the nation’s development strategy. Joseph's remarks came after a productive meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in Providenciales, signaling the start of CANOC’s week of activities in the country.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services; Permanent Secretary Chery-Ann Jones; Director of Sports Keisha Taylor; Deputy Director of Sports Amin McCartney; Deputy Permanent Secretary Jarrett Forbes; and Alvin Parker, Deputy Director of the TCI Sports Commission. CANOC representatives at the meeting included General Secretary Brian Lewis and Second Vice President John Abramson Jr.

During the discussions, Minister Taylor and her team outlined various initiatives aimed at integrating sports into the nation’s overall development framework. Topics included government support for national sports federations, the importance of sports in schools, coaching development, and the potential for sport tourism to boost the economy. The conversation also touched on gender equality in sport, a global issue that remains relevant to local development efforts.

Joseph commended the government’s efforts, noting the key role sport can play in youth development. "We are very pleased with the Turks and Caicos’ proactive approach in using sport as a tool for addressing some of the challenges facing today’s youth. It’s encouraging to see a comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on competitive success but on using sport as a means to build character and develop the nation’s children into well-rounded individuals."

Minister Taylor highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives to engage youth in sports, emphasizing their broader goal of fostering commitment to the well-being of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sport is seen not only as a path to healthier lifestyles but as a vehicle for national pride and community development.

The Turks and Caicos Islands also aim to capitalize on their natural beauty and strategic location to enhance sport tourism, a growing sector within the region. The government's vision includes developing policies and programs that position the islands as a premier destination for sporting events, training camps, and international conferences.

CANOC expressed its appreciation to the government for their continued support of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially for hosting the meetings of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the CANOC Annual Workshop and General Assembly, and the first-ever CANOC Caribbean Sports Awards Gala.

Joseph reaffirmed CANOC’s commitment to working closely with the Turks and Caicos Islands to further enhance sport development in the region, underscoring the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices across Caribbean nations.

With the government’s strong backing and CANOC’s ongoing support, the Turks and Caicos Islands are poised to make significant strides in both national development through sport and sport tourism in the coming years.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced new media rights agreements that will extend the reach of West Indies cricket across Pakistan, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and South-East Asia (SEA) regions. These strategic partnerships will ensure exclusive broadcast and digital access for millions of fans, covering upcoming international fixtures and regional tournaments.

CWI has entered into a partnership with Tapmad for the Pakistan market, granting exclusive digital rights. Alongside this, Ten Sports will sublicense the linear TV rights, ensuring extensive coverage of West Indies home internationals, including Pakistan’s tours of the Caribbean in 2025 for T20Is and ODIs, and in 2026 for Test matches.

In the MENA region, CWI has secured an agreement with Cricbuzz, owned by Times Internet, to broadcast West Indies cricket matches via CricbuzzTV channels. This deal will bring the excitement of West Indies cricket to one of the sport’s most vibrant markets, while also providing coverage in South-East Asia, where cricket enjoys a growing fan base. Cricbuzz will offer live streaming and coverage of all West Indies international and regional games to fans in these regions.

CWI’s Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave expressed his excitement over the new deals, emphasizing their importance in expanding West Indies cricket’s global presence. "These new media rights agreements for Pakistan, MENA, and SEA are a vital step in ensuring that West Indies cricket continues to grow its global fan base," Grave said. "By partnering with Tapmad and Cricbuzz, we are securing broad coverage across critical markets, allowing fans in these regions to access top-tier cricket content on both linear and digital channels. Our goal is to make West Indies cricket more accessible to the world, striving to maximize and balance reach and revenue, and these deals are another significant step in that strategic direction."

The agreements, brokered by CWI’s media consultants Pitch International, reflect CWI’s commitment to enhancing the global visibility of West Indies cricket. These partnerships not only bolster fan engagement across key markets but also strengthen the global appeal of the West Indies cricket brand.

Fans across Pakistan, MENA, and South-East Asia can now look forward to uninterrupted access to all West Indies home internationals and regional tournaments, as CWI continues to grow its international footprint and bring its electrifying style of cricket to new audiences worldwide.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will face a tough challenge as they go up against the United States in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with the first leg set for November 14. This highly anticipated showdown comes after Jamaica topped Group B of League A, setting up a clash with the third-ranked USA, who are one of the pre-seeded teams based on the Concacaf Rankings.

 Jamaica, coming off an unbeaten group stage campaign, will be looking to build on their strong performances, which included victories over Nicaragua and Honduras, as well as draws against 10-man Cuba and Honduras. The Reggae Boyz will face the USA in a home-and-away series, with the second leg scheduled for November 18. The winner on aggregate will not only advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals, set for March 2025 at Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but also secure a spot in next summer’s Gold Cup.

In another exciting quarterfinal, Honduras will take on top-seeded Mexico. Honduras, who finished as runners-up in Group B behind Jamaica, will be aiming to upset a formidable Mexican side that is ranked first in the region. The two-legged tie begins on November 15, with the return leg on November 19.

The third quarterfinal features second-ranked Canada going up against Suriname. Canada, who pre-qualified based on their Concacaf ranking, will face a determined Suriname team that finished second in Group A behind Costa Rica. The first leg of their matchup will be played on November 15, with the second leg scheduled for November 19.

Quarterfinal Matchups:

United States vs Jamaica (November 14, November 18)

Mexico vs Honduras (November 15, November 19)

Canada vs Suriname (November 15, November 19)

Panama vs Costa Rica (November 14, November 18)

The quarterfinal winners will move on to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals, where they will compete for the championship. Additionally, the victors will automatically qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup, while the quarterfinal losers will have a second chance through the Gold Cup Prelims.

St. Kitts and Nevis have secured their place at the top of Group C in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League, following a 1-1 draw against the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night at Warner Park in Basseterre. This result allowed the Sugar Boyz to finish their campaign unbeaten and claim promotion to League B.

The match saw both teams fighting hard for their positions, with Zachary Scott of the Cayman Islands opening the scoring in the 61st minute. Scott found the net with a powerful left-footed shot, assisted by Wesley Robinson, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. However, St. Kitts and Nevis responded dramatically in the dying moments of the match when an own goal by Cayman Islands defender Joshwa Campbell in the 99th minute leveled the score, allowing the home side to remain undefeated in the group.

With the draw, St. Kitts and Nevis finished the group stage with three wins and one draw (3-1-0), cementing their first-place finish and promotion to League B.

The Cayman Islands also earned a reward for their impressive campaign, despite the draw. With a 2-1-1 record, the Cayman Islands finished as the best second-placed team across all groups in League C, securing their promotion to League B and a spot in the Concacaf Nations League Play-In.

In Group A, Barbados completed a flawless campaign with a resounding 6-2 victory over the Bahamas at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Bridgetown. Despite an early scare when Brandon Adderley put the Bahamas in front in the 6th minute, Barbados quickly responded through Andre Applewhaite, who equalized just two minutes later.

The Bajans took control of the match soon after, with Niall Reid-Stephen converting a penalty in the 14th minute to give Barbados the lead. Further goals from Sheran Hoyte (26'), Omani Leacock (47'), and Applewhaite again in the 52nd minute secured a commanding lead. Hoyte added his second of the night in the 64th minute to cap off the scoring for Barbados, ensuring they finished top of Group A with a perfect 4-0-0 record and promotion to League B.

The Bahamas managed a second goal through an own goal by Nicoli Brathwaite just before halftime, but it was not enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat. The Bahamas finished the group stage with a 1-1-2 record, falling short of the CNL Play-In.

Belize also wrapped up a successful group stage campaign in Group B, defeating Turks and Caicos Islands 3-0 at FFB Stadium in Belmopan. Jordy Polanco headed in a corner in the 28th minute to open the scoring, followed by a volley from Moisés Hernández in the 40th minute to double Belize’s lead.

Krisean López completed the scoring in the 57th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box to secure Belize’s fourth consecutive win, sealing first place in Group B and earning promotion to League B. Belize’s defense was impenetrable throughout the group stage, with goalkeeper Charles Tillett recording four clean sheets as his side went undefeated without conceding a goal.

The Turks and Caicos Islands finished third in Group B, narrowly missing out on second place due to goal difference, while Anguilla claimed the runner-up spot in the group.

With these results, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Belize join the list of teams promoted to League B for the next edition of the Concacaf Nations League, highlighting the region's competitive and exciting football scene.

Antigua and West Indies cricket legend Sir Curtly Ambrose has been honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, in recognition of his immense contributions to the sport and the cultural fabric of the Caribbean. This prestigious accolade has drawn widespread praise, including from Cricket West Indies (CWI) President, Dr. Kishore Shallow, who congratulated the former fast bowling great for his achievements on and off the field.

Sir Curtly Ambrose, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, was known for his towering presence and unmatched skill, taking over 400 Test wickets during an illustrious career that spanned more than a decade. His impact on West Indies cricket and the global game is indisputable, and this latest honour from UWI further cements his legacy as a pillar of sporting excellence in the Caribbean.

CWI President Dr. Shallow commended Sir Curtly’s influence, stating, "On behalf of the entire West Indies cricket family, I extend our warmest congratulations to Sir Curtly Ambrose on this remarkable achievement. This Honorary Doctorate of Laws is a fitting tribute to his outstanding career and his broader contributions to society. Sir Curtly has been an ambassador for our region, both on the global stage of cricket and in his personal endeavours, demonstrating the best of West Indian pride, discipline, and passion."

The honorary doctorate also serves as recognition of the significant role sports, and cricket in particular, play in shaping the social and cultural identity of the Caribbean. Sir Curtly’s rise from a young Antiguan cricketer to a global sporting icon is a testament to the region’s commitment to nurturing excellence and overcoming boundaries.

Dr. Shallow added, "Sir Curtly Ambrose continues to be an inspiration not only to aspiring cricketers but to all of us across the Caribbean. We celebrate this well-deserved honour and remain forever grateful for his indelible contributions to West Indies cricket and our region’s heritage."

Cricket West Indies, along with fans and well-wishers throughout the Caribbean, celebrated Sir Curtly’s latest achievement and reaffirmed their admiration for his influence, which extends far beyond the pitch. Sir Curtly remains a guiding force and mentor for the next generation of cricketers and a symbol of Caribbean excellence in the global sporting arena.

Jamaica's premier horse racing venue is poised for significant growth and more international recognition, thanks to a strategic partnership with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). This collaboration, ignited by the improvement being done at the park by operators Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) over the past seven, potentially marks a turning point for the Jamaican horse racing industry.

In a major boost to the Caymanas Park's profile, NYRA and FOX Sports have committed to a two-year agreement to broadcast the prestigious Mouttet Mile Invitational live in the USA. This partnership renewal comes after the resounding success of the 2023 Mouttet Mile Invitational which was televised live for the first time on FOX Sports.

SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed his joy with the development. “Since SVREL has been at the helm of operations at Caymanas Park, we’ve made US multi-million-dollar investments into the product and the infrastructure as we strongly believe in the value of horseracing as an industry. We are very excited to have NYRA see the gem that Caymanas Park is and for them to step up and commit to investing in the product to help bring the sport to international racing fans. By all accounts, last year’s broadcast on FOX Sports was a hit. Racing fans from NY to California fell in love with the energy of racing at Caymanas Park and so we’re very pleased to have FOX and NYRA back on board for not just this year but also the 2025 Mouttet Mile. The potential for the growth of the local industry with the exposure and support from NYRA and FOX is limitless.”

Sharpe has consistently shared his vision for the facility to become the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Caribbean.

In addition to broadcasting the next two editions of the Mouttet Mile, FOX Sports also stated that the extended coverage will showcase not only the world-class racing at Caymanas Park but also the venue's unique and electric atmosphere brought by the passionate racing fans. The partnership will also officially make the linkage between sports and tourism by including Jamaica’s natural beauty and historical sites in the broadcast partnership. They will also be showcasing not only the racing but the passion of the fans at Caymanas Park who add to the unique energy at the iconic venue.

Overseas punters are not to be left out as NYRA will offer a special Pick 5 wager that includes not only two graded stakes at Caymanas Park, including the Mouttet Mile but also the prestigious Cigar Mile at Aqueduct—a Grade 1 race with a purse of US$750,000.

"NYRA is looking to host an inter tote wagering double race with the Mouttet Mile and the Cigar Mile. Interest in the Mouttet Mile and by extension, Caymanas Park, has spread from coast to coast in the USA. Making betting on the Mouttet Mile accessible in the USA is a great achievement and it takes us closer to realising the ultimate goal of having the race included in the World Pool,” said Sharpe.

He also hinted at a possible purse increase for next year's Mouttet Mile.
The Mouttet Mile Invitational is a Grade One event for three-year-olds and upward going over a mile (1,600m) and in successive years has set the record for the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean. The 2024 purse is set at a historic US $250,000. The 3rd Running of the Mouttet Mile is scheduled for December 7.

This year’s staging is already shaping up to be an exciting affair with early interest from 7 prominent overseas-based horses and two local horses already earning their automatic spots in an exciting Win and You’re In promotion by copping wins in The Jamaica Derby (Gr. 1) and the Philip Feanny OD Gold Cup (Gr. 1). The final Win & You’re In instalments are The Jamaica Cup (Gr. 1) and Port Royal Sprint (Gr. 3) scheduled for November 9.

The collaboration between Caymanas Park and NYRA represents a significant milestone for Jamaica's horse racing industry.
Sharpe concluded “Over the past few years we’ve been able to attract some local corporate sponsors which we see as an endorsement of SVREL’s efforts to elevate horseracing and create a thriving ecosystem around it. This endorsement by an organization like NYRA bodes well for the future of racing and we can’t wait to welcome even more international partners on board as we grow a sustainable product. All of this happening in Caymanas Park’s 65th anniversary year makes it extra special.”

Building on the solid groundwork laid by SVREL's investments and innovations, this partnership with NYRA is expected to bring new opportunities, increased investment, and a higher international profile to Jamaican horse racing.

Former champions Charlie Smith High strengthened their chances of progressing to the second round of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Manning Cup as they blanked Tarrant High 4-0 in their Zone B contest at the former’s Ninth Street base on Tuesday.

The win by Charlie Smith consolidated their hold on second position on 18 points and a healthy goal difference ahead of third-placed Jonathan Grant (15 points), who will be in action against fourth-placed Waterford (10 points) on Wednesday.

Reigning champions Mona High heads the Zone on 22 points, with Tarrant in fifth on six points, while Gaynstead High remain pointless.

Elsewhere, Zone D leaders St Andrew Technical (STATHS) hammered Kingston Technical 18-1 as they continue to hold Calabar at bay in the race for the top spot. Calabar defeated Vauxhall 4-1 at their Red Hills Road base.

Both teams moved to 22 points each, with STATHS holding a four-goal advantage over Calabar, while Haile Selassie (12 points), who lost 0-2 to Camperdown (11 points), remain third. Kingston Technical is still yet to gain a point.

Tuesday’s results

STATHS 18, Kingston Technical 1

Calabar 4, Vauxhall 1

Charlie Smith 4, Tarrant 0

Ascot High 4, Pembroke Hall 2

Haile Selassie 0, Camperdown 4

Dinthill Technical and Port Antonio High opened the second round of the 2024 ISSA/Wata DaCosta Cup with a goalless draw at Carder Park on Tuesday.

For Dinthill, who finished second in Zone J of the first round on goal difference behind McGrath High, this was their second straight disappointing performance after a 1-2 loss to Charlemont High on Friday.

For Port Antonio, who comfortably won Zone M to advance to the second round, this is their second consecutive draw after eight consecutive wins to start the season.

Central High and Yallahs will face off tomorrow at Foga Road in the other Group 6 game.

Other games set for Wednesday include:

(Group 8) Christiana High vs Garvey Maceo High @Brooks Park

(Group 5) Happy Grove High vs Holmwood Tech @Carder Park

(Group 2) Ocho Rios High vs Black River High @Drax Hall

(Group 8) McGrath High vs St. Mary High @Ewarton Sports Complex

(Group 7) Glenmuir High vs Clarendon College @Glenmuir High

(Group 4) Maldon High vs Brown’s Town High @Jarrett Park

(Group 1) Cornwall College vs Kemps Hill High @Jarrett Park

(Group 3) Manning’s School vs Manchester High @Llandilo Community Centre

(Group 5) Belair High vs Denbigh High @Manchester High

(Group 4) Munro College vs Alphansus Davis High @Munro College

(Group 3) STETHS vs William Knibb Memorial @STETHS

(Group 1) Spot Valley High vs Rusea’s High @Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium

(Group 7) Paul Bogle High vs Titchfield High @York Oval

The redevelopment of the place that has played host to so many of Jamaica’s track and field heroes, the National Stadium, is close to beginning as Jamaica’s Ministry of Sport has accepted a joint proposal from UK based entities Ryder Architecture and CAA Icon to oversee the project.

Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon. Olivia Grange made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday providing updates on the redevelopment project.

“We met with representatives from both Ryder Architecture and CAA Icon and they submitted a joint proposal to us for the renovation and redevelopment of facilities at Independence Park, particularly the National Stadium,” the Minister said on Tuesday.

She continued: “The document, in essence, proposes to, not only address the shortcomings of the existing stadium, but to identify, through qualitative and quantitative assessment, the full potential for this iconic stadium with enhancement as a major tournament venue, training centre and visitor attraction to promote Jamaica and Jamaican sport talent.”

Ryder Architecture and CAA Icon have worked together many times and have been involved in stadiums around the world such as Wembley, the Emirates Stadium, the 02 Arena, Stadio Olimpico and the San Siro.

“My Ministry, through its oversight committee and the executing agency, Independence Park Limited, is of the view that Ryder Architecture and CAA Icon can deliver on the proposal given the entities’ years in the business of building and redeveloping sports facilities worldwide,” Grange said.

The project will see the capacity of the National Stadium increase from 28,500 to 35,000 and will make the country able to bid to host major global events like the World Athletics Championships.

Dispensing with the bleachers, establishing modern facilities for anti-doping, new facilities for media, the establishment of a modern and iconic sports museum, new modern lighting, new seating options, new conference and meeting facilities, premium suites and lounges and new concession facilities among other upgrades were discussed by Grange’s team and the entities.

The next step in the re-development project of the National Stadium is a stadium assessment and feasibility study.

“The study includes a thorough economic and feasibility analysis to identify local and international market demand to ensure that use, and therefore design proposals are aligned to economic demand,” Grange said before stating that these studies will commence in a few weeks and be completed within eight months.

The results of those studies will inform phase two which is the project initiation, concept design and approval stage.

Phase three will involve the detailed design and appointment of a contractor in which a groundbreaking date of August 2025 is being targeted.

Phase four will involve construction and phase five is the operational readiness and handover.

Grange anticipates that the whole project will last about 30 months or two and a half years.

The football field and running track will be unaffected during the construction process according to Independence Park Limited General Manager, Major Desmon Brown, who noted that the only inconvenience caused will be a limited capacity of seats for the duration of the process.

The funding for this project came from a government to government framework for co-operation agreement signed by Jamaica’s Finance Minister, the Hon. Nigel Clarke, and CEO of UK Export Finance, Tim Reid earlier this year.

Clarke, as well as UK Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Baroness Jennifer Chapman, were both in attendance on Tuesday.

“UK Export Finance are delighted that this agreement will enable them to support Jamaica’s game changing national priority projects and is proud to back the implementation of high-quality UK solutions and innovations alongside UK Government funding,” said Chapman.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get this deal over the finish line before the departure of Mr. Clarke for his next role at the IMF,” she added.

“When I met the head of the UK Export Finance at a function at the UK High Commission, light bulbs began to go off because there he was in Jamaica looking for business and engagement and I know have projects that we want to develop but where the technical capacity is not abundantly available in Jamaica, for obvious reasons,” Clarke said.

“Sparks began to fly about how we could use the format of a government to government co-operation with the UK Export entity to provide the framework through which the feasibility could be delivered and the construction to follow for the stadium,” he added.

Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews guided the West Indies into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with an emphatic six-wicket victory over England.

Both openers hit rapid half-centuries, with Joseph finishing on 52 and Matthews on 50, as the 2016 champions easily reached their target of 142 with two overs to spare and knocked England out in the process.

Nat Sciver-Brunt hit an unbeaten 57 to help set the West Indies 141 to win, but it was not enough in the face of a dazzling batting performance from Matthews and Joseph.

The West Indies progress from Group B alongside South Africa courtesy of both sides boasting superior net run rates than England, with all three teams finishing on six points.

With the win, West Indies topped the group and will play New Zealand on Friday while Australia take on South Africa in the first semifinal on Thursday.

England felt their way into the innings, but openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge soon found an early groove, with a boundary apiece in the opening four overs.

Scores: England 141-7 (20 overs); West Indies 142-4 (18 overs)

But the West Indies quickly brought that nascent partnership to an end as Deandra Dottin took a superb catch off Hayley Matthews’ bowling to dismiss Wyatt-Hodge for 16.

The West Indies kept up the pressure with the wicket of Alice Capsey (1) just five balls later thanks to more impressive fielding from Dottin.

This time she produced a terrific throw directly into Shemaine Campbelle as England tried a quick single to secure a run out with Capsey well out of her ground.

Two quick wickets rapidly swung the momentum towards the West Indies, and the dismissal of Bouchier (14) only continued that trend as England were reduced to 34 for three after the opener looped one to extra cover off Afy Fletcher.

But England were able to steady the ship through the experienced pair of Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight, who stymied the West Indies attack while keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely.

Knight led from the front with 21 off just 13 balls but was then retired hurt in the 13th over.
Replacement Amy Jones looked to continue where Knight left off but was dismissed for seven when she found the hands of Dottin at backward point with a sliced shot off Fletcher.

It was almost two wickets in two balls, but new batter Charlie Dean was put down Chedean Nation. Dean was caught just under two overs later for five runs having helped guide England past the 100-mark, as Fletcher took her third wicket of the match thanks to captain Matthews pouching a comfortable catch at cover.

All the while, Sciver-Brunt kept England quietly ticking over and brought up her half-century with two boundaries in an over.

Dani Gibson and Sophie Ecclestone both added seven each before falling late on, with Ecclestone hitting a six in the final over to help England push to a final total of 141.

The West Indies made a lightning-fast start in response, with Matthews hitting 14 from the first over, including a six from just the second ball of the innings.
Her opening partner Qiana Joseph began in similarly emphatic fashion with a four from her first ball as the West Indies powered to 44 from the first four overs.

England were not without their wicket chances despite West Indies’ rapid scoring, with Capsey dropping Joseph on 31 as West Indies brought up 50 in 27 balls.

The partnership of Matthews and Joseph continued to keep up their heavy scoring and took full advantage of any mistakes in the field, with Joseph hitting another six through the hands of Bouchier.

Joseph then brought up her first international T20 fifty and then took the West Indies past 100 before finally falling for 52 from 38 balls as she was caught by Wyatt-Hodge on the boundary off of Sciver-Brunt just one ball after surviving another catch chance.

Captain Matthews then brought up her half-century and then fell to Sarah Glenn just two balls later on 50 from 38.

The pair of quick wickets proved to slow down the West Indies attack, but Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle were able to keep their side moving towards the target.

Campbelle was run out for five as West Indies closed in on victory before Dottin was bowled by Ecclestone two balls later, but her quickfire 27 left her side needing just six runs to win.

Aaliyah Alleyne got four of those from the first ball she faced before she finished off the chase with 12 balls to spare to cap a remarkable victory for West Indies.

The West Indies and South Africa have also confirmed their places at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, along with hosts England, thanks to their top three finish in the group stage, while Australia, New Zealand, and India made it from Group A.

Apart from the top six teams in this tournament, the next two highest-ranked teams in the Women’s T20I rankings as of October 21, 2024, will also qualify. The remaining four teams will qualify through a global 10-team qualifier.

It may not have been the most polished performance by the Reggae Boyz in their goalless Concacaf Nations League Group B stalemate against Honduras, but Reggae Boyz Head coach Steve McClaren and midfielder Joel Latibeaudiere were still full of praise for his team.

For McClaren, the result—though a disappointing one for many of the fans that turned out at the National Stadium on Monday night—held immense significance as it not only secured Jamaica’s place in the quarterfinals of the tournament but also guaranteed them a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The Boyz, who entered the contest needing only a point to progress, topped the League A group with eight points, with second-placed Honduras (seven points) also progressing.

Still, the Englishman, while praising his team’s determination, acknowledged that the performance wasn’t without its challenges.

“The vision was to finish top; we had a bad start to the group, and so I have to give credit to the team for the way they recovered with away wins at Honduras and Nicaragua. Everybody knew there were three teams going for the two top spots, and I think you could see that there was a little nervousness and a lack of willingness to really take the game to Honduras,” McClaren said in a post-game press conference.

“When you need a draw, the mentality can get in the way, and I think that did. But we said at half-time, we have to be resilient; we have to make sure that we get the result, and the key thing is the result. The key thing is we're top of the league because after the first game against Cuba, we were under pressure in Honduras and Nicaragua, and the Boyz delivered,” he added.

McClaren, who took over the reins of the team earlier this year, emphasized that while the Reggae Boyz didn’t light up the field with attacking flair and creativity, their resilience and discipline were commendable.

“It was more like we wanted to control the game, and so we didn't go forward with any tempo, any pace, and there was no speed in the game. But whatever the game was today (Monday), they delivered, and the result was probably more important than the actual performance,” McClaren declared.

“But we can play better. We made too many mistakes, but without the ball, the recovery and determination to keep a clean sheet was good. So credit to everybody for that. Eleven defend, eleven attack…they all did that. We got the result, we topped the league, and we look forward to the draw,” he noted.

McClaren was quick to underline the importance of this achievement, particularly as the team continues to develop under his leadership.

His team and Honduras now join Concacaf’s top-ranked teams, United States, Panama, Mexico, and Canada, in the knockout round, with the top two finishers in Group A—to be decided on Tuesday—set to meet them there.

“I wanted desperately to get into the knockout stage, so we've done it. Credit to the players, we've achieved that, and now we really look forward to the draw and who we get,” the tactician declared.

He continued: “But I'm just learning so much, and don't get me wrong, I'm making mistakes as well, but I'm learning and the more mistakes I make, the quicker I will learn and I believe we'll get better because we've got good players.

“Like everything, you're always aiming for consistency, so for me, I'm so pleased about that the players understand what we are trying to implement. We're not doing it fluidly at the present moment, but they understand it. But if you want to get to the World Cup, you're going to have to be able to want the ball, deal with the ball, and be brave on the ball, and that is the mentality that we're looking for."

Meanwhile, Latibeaudiere expressed cautious optimism about Jamaica’s potential in the competition, as he too stressed that there’s still work to be done.

The Boyz ended third in the last Concacaf Nations League edition after losing their semi-final contest to United States.

“I think we should be very confident going into the (quarterfinal) games. As a football player, these are the games that you want to play in; you want to play against the top dogs, you want to go and have that challenge and prove yourself, especially from last time. We were so unlucky not to get to the final, and it just shows what we can do as a group, so we should be very confident going into it,” Latibeaudiere reasoned.

“We need to go back to our clubs now. We need to stay fit and when we come back, we need to come with an open mind and we learn from these camps and we go into that one with that mentality that we're going to go and put our best foot forward. We deserve to be top of the group and so we now have to go over that mentality,” he noted.

Alphansus Davis High and Cedric Titus High both confirmed their spots in the Round of 32 of the ISSA/Wata DaCosta Cup as the first round of competition ended on Monday.

Alphansus Davis High made it past the first round for the first time since 2018 when they were still named Spalding High after they held on for a 2-2 draw against Bellefield High, completing their Zone G playoff game that had started last week. They finished with 16 points in the first round.

At the same time, Cedric Titus High took the lone ‘wild card’ spot available to the best third-place team.

They joined the 30 schools that had already booked their places up to Saturday for the Round of 32, which is set to get underway on Tuesday with one game, Port Antonio High against Dinthill Technical at Carder Park.

Christiana High won Zone G with 28 points, and Holmwood Technical won second with 22 points.

For their efforts, Alphansus Davis will play in Group 4 of the Round of 32 alongside Munro College, Maldon High, and Brown’s Town High,

Cedric Titus High was third in Zone D, behind Spot Valley High and William Knibb, and edged out Green Pond High for the best third-place team on goal difference after both had accumulated 19 points from 10 games.

Cedric Titus had a goal difference of 27 to Green Pond High’s five.

Also on Monday, Central High topped the Zone H table after playing out a 0-0 draw with defending champions Clarendon College.

Central finished with 20 points and will play in Group 6 in the second round while Clarendon College took second place with 19 points, edging Denbigh High, who beat Lennon High 4-1, on goal difference.

Clarendon College will play in Group 7, where they will meet Glenmuir High in a repeat of last season’s final, Paul Bogle High, and Titchfield High.

Denbigh High will contest Group 5 along with Belair High, Happy Grove High and Holmwood Technical.

Frome Technical topped Zone B with 26 points after a 4-0 win over Green Island thanks to a second consecutive hat trick from Stevaughn Spence.

The other goal came from Dwyane Watt for Frome Technical who will now take on Ocho Rios High, Black River High, and Cedric Titus in Group 2.

Rusea’s High took the runner-up spot after beating Knockalva Technical 5-1 in Lucea, with Michael Foga scoring a hat trick, and will play out of Group 1 against Cornwall College, Spot Valley High, and Kemps Hill High.