Despite enduring a failed Copa America campaign, England-born winger Demarai Gray believes Jamaica's senior Reggae Boyz displayed some semblance of improvement in the tournament, which has left him excited at the prospects to come in their push for a 2026 FIFA World Cup berth.
Though they lost 0-1 to Mexico, 1-3 to Ecuador, and 0-3 to Venezuela -in what turned out to be Heimir Hallgrimsson's last assignment in charge -Gray pointed to the positives and the lessons learnt, which he is optimistic they will apply under the new Head coach for the remainder of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
"I think it (Copa America) has shown us that there is more quality out there at international level and no matter the team, there are quality players and quality competition. That goes for us as well. We have quality players; it’s just about putting it together and developing. I’ve said it many times, I think we’re a work in progress. The improvement has been there and I think there’s a lot of improvement to come. Personally, I’m excited," Gray said in a sit down with FIFA.
The Boyz have already registered 1-0 and 3-2 victories over Dominican Republic and Dominica in their two qualifying fixtures to date, with British Virgin Islands and Guatemala next in their line of sight.
However, with the qualifiers on pause until next year, Gray explained that the Concacaf Nations League, which begins in September, and possible friendly encounters will serve in fine tuning their technical and tactical efficiency, as their main target is to secure one of three automatic berths to the global showpiece.
"There’s no better start than two wins and I feel like we just have to continue that in the rest of qualifying. The World Cup is something that we’re eager to reach, so it’s a great start and now we just have to maintain that level of performance," Gray said.
"There are a lot of different games that we have to play, Nations League, friendlies. The World Cup qualifying games are obviously very exciting because we want to get over the line as quickly as possible. But when you play for Jamaica, the fixture or whatever competition you’re playing in, it’s just exciting to be part of the team. At the end of the day, the goal is to win every game we play, so we’ll just take that mentality into each game. When the World Cup qualifiers come around, it will be very exciting for us," he added.
Gray, who joined Jamaica's set up in 2023, has no doubt that the current crop of Reggae Boyz possess enough quality to replicate the country's 1998 qualifying feat.
In fact, the 28-year-old was quick to point out that the Theodore Whitmore-led team that graced the global stage in France back then, has fuelled their aspirations to rise to the occasion.
"It (France 1998 team) is a special team. Sometimes in meetings we’ll watch clips and stuff of that team and now we’re trying to re-create those memories. As I’ve said, it's exciting to be part of that process, and I’m confident that we will be there with the players that we have here now," Gray said with an air of confidence.
"It is a dream for me. To participate in a World Cup, a competition you watch as a kid, I just think that for the boys and the nation it would be massive. I think we deserve it and we are going to work our hardest to get there," he declared.
With five goals and four assists in 14 games so far, Gray, who possesses speed and flair has become an indispensable asset in the Reggae Boyz team along with other heritage players, Michail Antonio, and Bobby Reid, just to name a few.
While speculations are rife that Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson could soon add to the country's bevy of dynamic attacking players, the reality remains that games are played on the pitch and not on paper, something Gray is well aware of.
"There’s always talk of guys potentially joining Jamaica, but what we have in this group is good, too. We have good togetherness here within the group, so whatever players we choose or call up is down to the federation. But what we’ve got in the squad now, I’m happy with it and it’s a great environment to come to work in," Gray noted, as he urged fans and neutrals alike to stick with the team.
"We just ask for their full support, as they’ve always given the team, given to myself. I’m grateful for it. We just ask that they stay behind us and there are a lot of exciting times ahead," he ended.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men's Under-19 Championship, initially set to commence on July 2, with a three-day competition preceding a 50-over tournament, has undergone significant changes due to Hurricane Beryl's passage earlier this week.
The hurricane affected regions including host country St. Vincent and the Grenadines, necessitating a delay and a subsequent alteration in the tournament's format.
The tournament will now begin on July 11 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The updated format will feature four rounds of two-day matches and five rounds of 50-over matches.
Despite these modifications, the tournament will still conclude on July 31 as initially planned, ensuring teams have a balance of match time to develop their skills and adequate time for recovery between matches.
Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, stated, "Following an assessment by our Cricket Department, I am pleased to confirm that the pitches and outfields are in excellent condition. Additionally, electricity and water services have been fully restored at all venues and accommodation facilities."
The Barbados, Leeward Islands, Jamaica, and Guyana teams are scheduled to arrive today Monday, July 8. The Trinidad and Tobago team will arrive on Wednesday, July 10. The Windward Islands team is already present in St. Vincent.
Bascombe also commended all stakeholders for their effort in reorganizing and readying the tournament under challenging circumstances. "I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the quick and efficient reorganization of the championship. Your dedication has ensured we can proceed as planned. I also commend the players for their patience and understanding during this period.” Bascombe said.
Jamaican hammer thrower Erica Belvit has expressed her deep disappointment at not making the Jamaican team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite winning at the national championships just over a week ago. Belvit’s winning throw of 68.28m defeated Nayoka Clunis (66.63m) and Marie Forbes (63.14m), who finished second and third, respectively.
However, Clunis, having thrown a season’s best of 71.83m that exceeded the World Athletics 'B' standard of 70.00m, and who is ranked 25th in the world, has been selected for the Olympic team. Belvit, on the other hand, did not meet the B standard and is ranked 57th, rendering her ineligible for selection.
Taking to Instagram, Belvit shared her emotional journey and the challenges she faced this season.
“I don’t really have many words to describe this season other than ‘I tried my best’. Because I did,” Belvit wrote. “I came out of this season a National Champion, but I unfortunately could not put it together to qualify for the Olympics this year.”
The distraught hammer thrower revealed that her season was marred by a car accident just before it began, which resulted in her wearing a neck brace for nearly a month due to nerve issues in her neck and shoulders. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, balancing rest and training in an effort to reach her peak performance. However, time was not on her side.
“I tried so hard to allow my body the rest I could afford while continuing my training to the best of my ability. But the clock was running out and it became clear that my ‘best’ just wasn’t going to be good enough,” she lamented.
Belvit’s emotional struggle was palpable as she described the toll it took on her mental health. “I’ve never really thought of myself as a crier; this season broke that (and me) down for sure. I cried for and grieved this season for weeks; every single day. Woke up, crying. Falling asleep, crying. Before, during, and after trainings, crying. In airports, on planes, crying. Because I love to throw, and I couldn’t fathom that the dream I had to make it to this Olympic Games was dying right in front of me.”
The heartbreak was compounded by her exclusion from Jamaica’s team for the World Championships in Budapest last year, making the missed Olympic opportunity even more painful. “I felt like I needed to get there, especially after not being selected to go to Worlds last year,” she added.
Despite the setback, Belvit expressed gratitude to those who supported her throughout her journey. “Thank you to everyone who has shown support and love throughout this season and my entire career. Thank you to @wilfredo_dejesus for sticking with me through this season. Thank you to @rskim7296 at @reformpt_natick for your amazing work - I couldn’t have gotten back into competition shape this quickly without you. To the special few who spoke life into me and picked me up when I didn’t have strength, I love you.”
Looking ahead, Belvit remains uncertain about her future but is determined to take time to recover mentally. “I’m not really sure where I go from here; I definitely need some time to get my mental together. Only God knows what’s next,” she concluded.
Standout fitness athlete Kristen McGregor faced unexpected challenges leading up to the Mr. Big Evolution Olympia Qualifier held in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Competing in the Open Figure Category, she aimed to defend her title from the previous year but ultimately secured a top-five finish out of 24 competitors.
This year’s preparation was a stark contrast to her usual routine. McGregor, who typically trained in Jamaica, found herself in the unfamiliar territory of the United Kingdom. “This competition prep was done in the UK, where this was my first time visiting,” McGregor said. “There was limited access to my resources. I believe now that this may have contributed to my performance or conditioning for the show, meaning my recovery was not the same where I would have gotten my continuous massages and muscle recovery sessions. This was not my usual climate, and my atmosphere was way much different. Nevertheless, I made the best out of my situation.”
Despite these obstacles, McGregor maintained her focus and determination. She entered the competition without specific expectations about her competitors, aiming instead to give her best performance. “The intensity was not much different from last year, to be honest. I had no expectations of who would be there, so I didn’t find nor did I see anyone as most dangerous to my objective. My objective was to retain my title.”
Finishing in the top five left McGregor with mixed emotions. “To be honest, it just means that I finished fifth in the competition. This placement wasn’t expected, but at the end of the day, I would always say the sport is very subjective. You do the best you can do in preparing for it, and yet you go without expectation. At the end, you are left without disappointment knowing that you have done your best and it’s the physique that is displayed.”
Despite not reclaiming her title, McGregor remains grateful for the opportunity to compete. “It doesn’t justify me putting in the work that I have done. However, I am always grateful for the experience to be on stage.”
LA Galaxy maintained the pace at the top of MLS' Western Conference as Gabriel Pec's double earned a 2-1 win over Minnesota United.
Having opened the scoring in the 25th minute, Pec was on hand to tuck home the winner from close range in the 90th minute.
Teemu Pukki had come off the bench to restore parity for Minnesota, who looked set to snap a five-game losing streak.
But it was not to be for the Loons, as Pec's late show ensured the Galaxy returned to winning ways on the back of their defeat to Los Angeles FC in El Trafico.
The Galaxy are level on 43 points with LAFC and Real Salt Lake at the top of the West, while Minnesota are 10th.
Data Debrief: Loons' losing run rolls on
It is now six successive MLS defeats for Minnesota, which marks their worst-ever run in the competition since they joined the league in 2017.
Pec, meanwhile, continues to steal the show for the Galaxy. His two goals came from four shots, three of which he got on target, while the winger also completed six of his seven dribble attempts.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has unveiled its formidable team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The team, comprising over 60 athletes, is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Leading the charge is sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will make her fifth Olympic appearance after debuting in Beijing in 2008. Joining her is newcomer Kishane Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, who headlines a strong contingent of sprinters that includes Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake. Jamaica's men's 100m team is eager to reclaim Olympic glory after missing out on medals in Tokyo 2020.
The women's sprint squad also features exciting new talent, with Tia Clayton, Lanae-Tava Thomas, and Niesha Burgher making their Olympic debuts. Janeek Brown and Ackera Nugent, both newcomers, are set to compete in the hurdles, adding depth to Jamaica's lineup along with two-time world champion Danielle Williams.
Shericka Jackson, aiming for her individual first Olympic gold, seeks redemption after a missed opportunity in Tokyo. Jackson, along with Thomas, who has shown impressive form this season, and Niesha Burgher will bolster Jamaica's medal prospects in the 200m. Andrew Hudson and Bryan Levell will take on the men's half-lap sprint.
In the field events, NCAA National Division One high jump champion Romaine Beckford makes his Olympic debut. Beckford, who won the NCAA title in June with a season-best 2.27m, hopes to translate his collegiate success to the Olympic stage.
Lamara Distin will join Beckford in the high jump, representing the women's team.
The team also includes several standout athletes in various disciplines.
In the 400m, Junelle Bromfield, Stacey Ann Williams, and newly minted national record holder Nickisha Pryce will represent the women, with Stephenie Ann McPherson as a reserve. The men's team features Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, and Jevaughn Powell, with Rusheen McDonald serving as a reserve.
In middle-distance events, Natoya Goule-Toppin and Adelle Tracey will compete in the 800m, with Tracey also taking on the 1500m. On the men's side, Navasky Anderson will represent Jamaica in the 800m.
The hurdles events will see Janeek Brown, new national record holder Ackera Nugent, and Danielle Williams competing in the women's 100m hurdles, with Megan Tapper as a reserve. The men's 110m hurdles team includes Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, and Hansle Parchment, with Tyler Mason as a reserve.
For the 400m hurdles, Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, and Janieve Russell will compete for the women, with Andrenette Knight as a reserve. The men's team includes Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, and Malik James-King, with Assinie Wilson as a reserve.
In the long jump, Chanice Porter and Ackelia Smith will represent the women, while Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, and Wayne Pinnock will compete for the men.
The triple jump team includes Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams, and Ackelia Smith for the women, and Jaydon Hibbert and Jordan Scott for the men.
In the discus throw, Samantha Hall will compete for the women, while Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings, and Traves Smikle will represent the men's team, with Fedrick Dacres as a reserve.
In the shot put, Lloydricia Cameron and Danniel Thomas-Dodd will compete for the women, with Rajindra Campbell representing the men. Nayoka Clunis will compete in the hammer throw for the women.
The relay teams feature a strong mix of talent. The women's 4x100m relay team includes Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, with Alana Reid as a reserve. The men's 4x100m relay team consists of Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville, and Kishane Thompson, with Jelani Walker as a reserve.
For the women's 4x400m relay, Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce, and Stacey Ann Williams will compete, with Ashley Williams as a reserve. The mixed 4x400m relay team includes Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young, Zandrian Barnes, and Raheem Hayles, with Stephenie Ann McPherson and Kimar Farquharson as reserves.
The selection of relay teams will be at the discretion of the Technical Leader and his team. With a mix of experienced athletes and emerging stars, Jamaica's team is set to make a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Romaine Beckford, the NCAA National Division One high jump champion, is nervously awaiting the announcement of Jamaica's team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, set to be revealed on Monday. Despite finishing fourth at the national championships last week, Beckford remains the highest-ranked Jamaican high jumper this season, courtesy of his impressive 2.27m clearance at last month's NCAA Division One Championsips.
With the Olympic standard for the high jump being 2.33m and the quota set at 32 for the event, Beckford’s 2.27m has him ranked 32nd in the world.
Beckford's season has been noteworthy, marked by a standout performance in June when he cleared 2.27m to win the NCAA National Division 1 title. In May, he also won the SEC title for the University of Arkansas with a 2.22m jump. However, at the Jamaican national championships, things did not go as planned. He finished behind newly crowned champion Lushane Wilson (2.25m), Christoff Bryan (2.25m), and Raymond Richard (2.20m), managing only to clear 2.20m.
Reflecting on his performance, Beckford said, "Everything felt good until the 2.25m bar. I prayed before the competition. I cannot complain. I pretty much had, I wouldn’t say a perfect season but a great season before coming to this meet. I can't doubt myself, I can't beat myself up. I wanted to defend my title or jump better than what I did. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I can't stay on this. I have to move forward and, hopefully, Jamaica will take me to the Olympics."
With Jamaica expected to name more than 60 athletes for the Paris Olympics, Beckford is keeping his fingers crossed. Despite his national championship setback, his season-best 2.27m places him right on the bubble in the World Athletics global rankings, making him a candidate for Olympic selection.
Beckford attributes some of his recent struggles to technical issues in his approach. "The approach is the main thing that we need to work on, and that was one of the factors that was giving me problems at 2.25m because the bounce and strength and everything was there; it’s just a little technical issue," he explained.
However, Beckford remains optimistic even if he is more than a bit nervous. "But it's nothing to worry about, Jermaine Beckford will always find a way, and it’s just for me to go back to the drawing board, remain focused and stay calm," he said confidently.
Last Sunday at the Jamaica National Championships, Stacey-Ann Williams secured her spot as the runner-up in the 400m, earning her place on the Jamaican Olympic team for the first time as an individual competitor. After missing out for three consecutive years, Williams expressed immense joy and relief at finally achieving this milestone.
Reflecting on her journey, Williams shared, "This is my first individual Olympic team. I’ve been in fourth position for like three years. Last year I had an injury, so I’m happy and excited." Her perseverance and dedication have paid off, and she is now set to represent Jamaica on the grand stage of the Paris Olympics.
Williams clocked a season-best time of 50.56 seconds at the championships, inching closer to breaking the coveted 50-second barrier. She remains optimistic about her chances, stating, "I feel like it’s 100 percent possible. The aim was to make top three and, honestly, once it was top three that’s all that matters, for now." With her sights set on further improvement, Williams is determined to get even faster in time for Paris.
In addition to her individual ambitions, Williams is excited about Jamaica’s prospects in the 4x400m relay. She believes that the team, comprising herself, national champion Nickisha Pryce (50.01), and third-place finisher Junelle Bromfield (51.24), has a bright future ahead. "The future is very bright for the quarter-milers, finally. I am excited to be on the 4x400m with these ladies. It’s just exciting overall," she shared enthusiastically.
When asked about the possibility of winning medals in both her individual event and the relay, Williams responded, "I am, but I feel like for the 4x400m, we don’t know what colour yet. I think we will have to wait until Paris to know what colour it is." Her confidence in the relay team's potential is palpable, and she remains hopeful that they will be among the medals in Paris this summer.
In a thrilling encounter at John Cain Arena, the West Coast Fever edged out the Melbourne Vixens with a 68-67 victory, setting up a three-way tie atop the Suncorp Super Netball. This dramatic win, spearheaded by Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, has the Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Melbourne Vixens all tied in the standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Fowler-Nembhard, the highest-rated player on the court, was exceptional, scoring 60 of her 61 attempts and keeping her cool in the dying moments to secure the victory. "My team came out here with one goal in mind and that was to fight really hard. Super proud of how we played in defence through to attack,” she said. “We want a top-two finish because we’ve been fighting so hard throughout the season. It would mean a lot for us. That’s what we’re gunning for.”
The Fever were impressive in their efficiency, making 74 shots from 76 feeds. Alice Teague-Neeld was outstanding with 25 goal assists and 29 feeds, combining strongly with centre Jess Anstiss, whose defensive efforts were crucial. Wing defence Sunday Aryang also stood out with a match-high three intercepts, matching the total intercepts of the entire Vixens side.
Despite several late super shot attempts by the Vixens, the Fever's solid defence, particularly from Fran Williams and Kadie-Ann Dehaney, proved too much. The Vixens' shooting pair, Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin, struggled under the pressure, committing five turnovers each, leading to a second straight defeat for the Vixens against top contenders.
Meanwhile, the Adelaide Thunderbirds secured a decisive 60-48 victory over the NSW Swifts in Sydney, propelling them to the top of the Super Netball ladder. The Swifts, who have now lost seven consecutive matches, put up a strong fight but could not overcome the Thunderbirds' relentless defence.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, named MVP, was a defensive powerhouse, blocking multiple attempts and restricting the Swifts to just 62 per cent shooting accuracy early on. Despite some strong individual performances, including Romelda Aiken-George’s 43/46 scoring, the Swifts could not match the Thunderbirds' intensity.
Looking ahead, the final round of the regular season promises high stakes as teams jostle for the top two spots, which guarantees a crucial finals double chance. The Vixens will face the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane, while the Fever will host the Melbourne Mavericks. All eyes will then turn to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who will take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning at home, to determine the final ladder positions.
FC Cincinnati made a statement of intent as they hammered Inter Miami 6-1 to take the lead in MLS' Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati, the reigning Supporters' Shield champions, ended Miami's fine run of form in sensational style on Saturday.
Five different scorers netted for the home side, who are now a point clear of Miami in the standings, with Yuya Kubo helping himself to a double.
Serhii Kryvtsov got the Herons' only goal of the match, cancelling out Kubo's opener.
However, quickfire efforts from Luciano Acosta, Pavel Bucha and Yamil Asad put Cincinnati in complete control by the interval.
And an emphatic victory was wrapped up when Kubo added his second before youngster Gerardo Valenzuela got in on the act with his first senior goal.
A dismal night for Miami was capped off when Sergio Busquets saw red after picking up two quick yellows for dissent, and Gerardo Martino's team – who are still without star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – will have to swiftly bounce back.
Data Debrief: Double-double
Kubo took centre stage with his brace, but Acosta, last season's MVP, was again integral for Cincinnati.
Acosta has now provided 15 assists in MLS this season (more than any other player) after he teed up Bucha's goal from a corner, while he has also scored 10 times himself.
He had 101 touches and played six key passes in this game, as Cincinnati proved they are still the team to beat in the East.
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago both secured victories in round two of the 2024 CWI Women’s Rising Stars Under-19 T20 Tournament in Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday.
At the Diego Martin Sporting Complex, leaders Guyana secured a dominant 81-run win over Jamaica.
Guyana made 133-7 from their 20 overs after winning the toss. Naomi Barkoye led the way with 46 off 34 balls while captain Realeanna Grimmond made 31 off 30 balls in support.
Abigail Bryce took 3-22 from four overs for Jamaica.
Danielle Manns then starred with 4-15 from her four overs to help bundle out the Jamaicans for a paltry 52 in just 15.2 overs.
Nyia Latchman took 2-8 from 3.2 overs while Trisha Hardat took 2-11 from two overs.
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine, hosts Trinidad & Tobago defeated the Leeward Islands by four wickets.
The Leewards, after winning the toss, were restricted to just 82-8 from their 20 overs.
Captain Jahzara Claxton made a patient 42* off 64 balls to lead the Leewards effort against 2-15 off four overs from Kenika Cassar.
T&T then made a meal of the chase, needing 19.4 overs to reach 83-6. Captain Samara Ramnath led the way with 35 against 2-19 from four overs from Kimberley Anthony.
The match between Barbados and the Windward Islands at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ended in a no result.
Frank Klopas has no intentions of ever giving up on Chicago Fire's MLS playoff hopes ahead of their road trip to struggling San Jose Earthquakes.
The Fire fought back from two goals down to snatch a 4-3 thriller against Philadelphia Union last time out, climbing up to 13th in the Eastern Conference.
That win was the second time the Fire triumphed despite trailing by two goals in the last 10 minutes this season (also against CF Montreal in March), as they became the first team to achieve this multiple times in MLS history.
Chicago head coach Klopas lauded his side's battling but urged the Fire to improve and group together when they head to PayPal Park.
"It's great when it goes your way, but I'm not sure if we can keep doing this," Klopas said. "We had some really good chances to put the game away but we didn't do that.
"Everything is one game at a time, at some points it looked bleak. Never give up on this team, the character is strong and I believe in this group.
"It's all about the team, we have to reach our goals as a group, not as individuals."
San Jose are bottom of the Western Conference and unlikely to escape that position if their season is anything to go by.
The Earthquakes were defeated 2-0 by fellow strugglers St. Louis City in their last outing and are the second team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) with 16 losses in their first 21 matches of a season (Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Amahl Pellegrino
San Jose have had little to celebrate throughout a challenging season, and their hopes may rely on Amahi Pellegrino once again.
The Earthquakes man leads the club scoring charts this season, albeit with only five goals in MLS in 2024.
Chicago Fire – Maren Haile-Selassie
Maren Haile-Selassie has scored in four straight regular-season matches, the second Fire player to do so this year (Hugo Cuypers).
The only players with a longer streak in club history are Robert Beric (five straight in 2020) and David Accam (also five straight in 2017).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
The Earthquakes may be on torrid form in MLS this year but their strong head-to-head record in this fixture suggests the draw as the most likely result.
San Jose have won three straight matches against the Fire, equalling the longest winning streak by either team in the history of the series (all competitions).
Chicago's last win over the Earthquakes was a 2-1 home victory in June 2018, though the Fire may be quietly confident due to San Jose's struggles.
The Earthquakes have lost six consecutive matches for the fourth time in club history and the third since the start of the 2018 season.
San Jose have never lost seven league games in a row, however.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes win – 36.3%
Draw – 26.2%
Chicago Fire win – 37.6%
Cricket West Indies (CWI) honoured two of its longstanding board directors for their exemplary service at a prestigious reception held in Barbados recently.
The ceremony celebrated the remarkable contributions of CWI Directors, Enoch Lewis, President of Leeward Island Cricket Board, and Conde Riley, President of Barbados Cricket Association.
Lewis has dedicated over 18 years to CWI, while Riley has committed more than 15 years to the organization. Both men have played pivotal roles in the development and success of West Indies cricket. The awards were presented by CWI president Dr. Kishore Shallow and vice president Azim Bassarath.
Shallow was full of praise for the awardees.
"Mr. Lewis and Mr. Riley have shown unwavering dedication and leadership within Cricket West Indies. Their contributions have been instrumental across regional cricket from junior to senior levels, and we are honored to recognize their service,” Shallow said.
“The task of service in public life is not an easy one; it requires immense commitment, sacrifices, integrity, and a passion for making a difference. Directors Lewis and Riley have embodied these qualities throughout their tenure,” he added.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Gaston Browne, and Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Greg Barclay, Chairman of the International Cricket Council, was also in attendance.
Reggae Girl and Real Betis striker Tiffany Cameron is known for facing daunting challenges on the football field. However, it is off the field that the Canada-born player recently faced a challenge of a different kind – a cyberattack that compromised her Instagram account.
Now, Cameron is turning her ordeal into a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of cyberattacks and the importance of online security.
Cameron, discovered her Instagram account had been hacked when she began receiving messages from friends and followers about suspicious activity, as the culprits posted fraudulent content in an attempt to scam her followers.
As such, she quickly took steps to regain control of her account, but the experience left her shaken and determined to prevent others from falling victim to similar attacks.
Cameron in action with Liga F outfit Real Betis.
“My Instagram is not just a social media account; it's a platform where I connect with fans, share my journey, and inspire others. To see it used for malicious purposes was devastating,” Cameron said.
“This experience has been inconvenient because Instagram and Meta haven’t done anything yet to investigate. Some of my followers who know me well, realized my Instagram page got hacked, so they have been reporting it. However, a lot of my followers are fans who don’t have a personal relationship with me so they could easily get fooled if they see that a public figure like me ‘messaging them,’ and posting about trading and making money,” she told SportsMax.TV.
As the hackers used Cameron’s account to send direct messages to her followers, promising monetary rewards, while also requesting personal information or financial contributions, the experience is a stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes with a digital presence.
With the increasing reliance on social media for personal and professional engagement, Cameron believes securing these platforms has never been more crucial, as cyberattacks can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and a breach of personal privacy.
“I want to create awareness and protect all of my followers on my previous page from potentially getting scammed. I was told that the hacker was posting on my Instagram profile and story about trading and the money they gained from it, direct messaging my followers to try and persuade them to join their trade, asking my followers for their WhatsApp numbers, and using my likeness for their personal gain,” Cameron shared.
Cameron in action at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup against Brazil.
She continued: “Stealing a person’s identity and also using it for financial gain is a crime. It’s not something anyone should take lightly. I am a public figure and I have accomplished a lot of things to be proud of throughout my career. I don’t want people to be misled by those hackers thinking that they are talking to me.
“That page I worked so hard to build up was hacked on June 17th, 2024 so if anyone has messaged that account since then, they could have potentially been scammed. If anyone has given out any financial information or personal contact information, they need to change their passwords and also go to the police to report what happened.”
To help raise awareness, Cameron posted a video on her new Instagram account, where she explained the situation and discussed topics such as creating strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts.
Cameron’s message is clear that vigilance, education, and community support are essential in combating cyber threats, as she not only wants to protect her followers, but also contribute to a safer online environment for all.
“I believe in strength in numbers. If more people are aware of this cyberattack, the more people can report the page and eventually it will get shut down. It’s unfortunate because all of my memories are on that page, but the beautiful thing is that everyone knows what I’ve been able to accomplish so starting fresh on my new page could also be a good thing,” Cameron noted.
“Education is also key, so I’ve uploaded a video on my new page @tiffanydcameron_ informing the public what happened. It’s important that they report, block and unfollow my former page tiffany_cameron11. The person who hacked me needs to be stopped. What they are doing is illegal, unacceptable and a scam,” she ended.
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