Digicel Foundation
Digicel Foundation recognized Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) for their exceptional performance at the recent 2022 USA Games and Unified Cup recently at the SOJ Multipurpose Sports Complex in Kingston. Recognition plaques were awarded to over 45 SOJ members, which included athletes and support staff.
Jamaica’s team returned with 12 medals from the games held in Orlando, Florida from June 5 – 12. The team participated in swimming, bocce and athletics. Meanwhile, the SOJ football team, who did not concede a goal all tournament, went on to win the Unified Cup after beating Paraguay 2-0 in the division-one final at Keyworth Stadium in Michigan on Saturday, August 6.
Digicel Foundation Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin lauded the team for their recent victories overseas noting that their “talents were still bright despite the two years absence from competitions as a result of the COVID pandemic.”
Mrs Lowrie-Chin also regarded the SOJ athletes as Jamaica’s heroes. “We congratulate the Special Olympics leaders, coaches, team leaders, parents and most of all the athletes for bringing glory to our country Jamaica land we love. With Heroes Day coming up, let me say to you, you are our heroes.”
Chairman of SOJ, Aldrick McNab commended Digicel for “delivering so much love and support for Special Olympics Jamaica”. He added, “Digicel knows how to treat a family well as it was their idea to show appreciation for the recent achievements of two of our teams that represented Jamaica so well in the international arena.”
Noting the importance of partnership to SOJ’s success, the Executive Director of SOJ, Coleridge ‘Roy’ Howell, also thanked Digicel for their continuous support of the SOJ. Mr Howell highlighted Digicel’s support to SOJ during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “We had setbacks during the pandemic as there were shutdowns and lockdowns. However, with Digicel’s help, we were able to maintain constant communication with our athletes and offer virtual training that focused on keeping our athletes in shape and movement.”
Mr Howell declared that the team is now preparing to give their all at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, scheduled for Berlin, Germany in 2023 adding that SOJ is “very excited to showcase to the world once again the many talents of our athletes.”
The presentation of the plaques to the SOJ is one of Digicel Foundation’s month-long activities to celebrate Special Needs Awareness this October. Other activities include virtual lunch-hour sign language classes and free Deaf Can coffee for all Digicel employees at the Digicel Headquarters in Kingston.
Manning Cup hero Morris Cyrus champions wellness and legacy at St Andrew Technical, supporting new Medical and Counseling Centre initiative
Morris Cyrus, a hero of St Andrew Technical High School's (STATHS) legendary 1987 season, is lending his support to an initiative aimed at constructing a Medical Counseling and Wellness Centre at his alma mater. Cyrus, along with other STATHS sporting legends, will be featured in a special webathon on November 2, hosted by STATHS78 and Friends Incorporated, with the aim of raising funds for this critical project.
Led by sports agent Claude Bryan, who chairs the initiative, the project seeks to modernize STATHS’ outdated sick bay and establish a facility that offers health and counseling services for students. For Cyrus, being a part of this effort is both a privilege and a responsibility.
To kick off their fundraising efforts, there will be a three-hour webathon on Saturday from 6-9 pm. The event will highlight the lives and achievements of 16 sporting legends who attended STATHS. Among these legends are the late Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Richard "Danny Germs" Austin, Olympian Mike Fray, Reggae Boy Jeadine White and, of course, Cyrus.
"It's an honour but one I share with the entire squad," said Cyrus, now an IT director, acknowledging the collective spirit that fueled their memorable 1987 triumph. "I know I always get the limelight, but it was a group effort. It’s always a pleasure to give back to St Andrew Technical, and after speaking with [Claude] Bryan a couple of years ago, I was excited to support such a meaningful cause. To represent the ‘87 team in this effort is truly an honour.”
The 1987 STATHS team, under Cyrus’s leadership, etched its name in Jamaican high school football lore by winning the Manning Cup in grand style, defeating favorites Excelsior High 6-1 in the final. Their distinctive 2-6-2 formation gave STATHS freedom to attack, with wingbacks leveling a four-man midfield that kept Excelsior on the back foot. Cyrus scored an hat-trick in the encounter, setting the tone for the historic victory, as Chris Davis, Andrew Hart, and Dennis Brown added to the tally.
Following the Manning Cup, STATHS faced the unbeaten Rusea’s High School in the Olivier Shield, where Cyrus’s goal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a team featuring future Reggae Boyz talents like Michael Graham and Aaron Lawrence. The 1987 team’s success, which also saw four members selected to the All Manning Cup team, was, according to Cyrus, a result of their bond, discipline, and focus.
Reflecting on the needs of STATHS beyond athletics, Cyrus highlighted the importance of academic excellence and well-rounded development for students. "Over the years, I’ve seen publications showing how high schools perform academically in Jamaica, and I’m not too pleased with what I’m seeing out of St Andrew Technical,” he said. “We need to shift the emphasis toward improving the school's performance academically. Sports are a subset, but we’re raising kids to become productive contributors to society."
Cyrus’s commitment to supporting STATHS extends beyond the webathon. He believes the school’s needs range from educational resources and beautification to nutrition and wellness initiatives, emphasizing that strengthening its academic performance will empower future generations.
“They’ll bear witness to a slaughter”- Blake promises dominant display in RFL Ocho main event on Saturday
Rough Fight League (RFL) Amateur Lightweight Champion Shiaeine ‘Da Great’ Blake says fans can expect him to make quick work of opponent Daron ‘Avatar’ Weir when the two lock horns in the main event of RFL Ocho at Funland in Hope Gardens in Kingston on Saturday.
‘Da Great,’ who has held the number one spot across three weight classes in the Caribbean, will be making his professional debut against Weir, an accomplished boxer, who is now stepping into the professional MMA scene after taking this fight on short notice.
“I envision him laying on the canvas within eight minutes looking up at me and wondering what went wrong,” Blake told Sportsmax.tv on Tuesday.
“Fans are coming out expecting a fight but they’ll bear witness to a slaughter,” added Blake.
Knowing that Weir is coming from a strictly boxing background and this being an MMA fight, one would think that the obvious play for Blake is to lean into a wrestling-heavy style on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has other ideas, however, noting that his ego has got the best of him ahead of their bout.
“Knowing that Daron’s style is boxing heavy, I’ve allowed my ego to get a hold of me and challenged myself to beat him primarily with boxing,” Blake said.
“I’ve prepared to beat him where he’s best at. Boxing is his hope, but there cannot be despair without hope so I’ll beat him where he’s best and watch him crumble,” he added.
Blake last fought at the IMMAF Pan American Championships in Monterrey in September, losing via kneebar submission to Mexico’s Diego Rangel in round two of their three-round fight.
That fight is in the past and Blake says he’s going into Saturday’s fight with a clear mind.
“The loss hasn’t really affected me mentally of physically. You win and you lose in sports. That’s given, analyze it, learn from it and move onward,” he said.
Rough Fight League 'Ocho' set to ignite Kingston with explosive MMA and Kickboxing showdowns at Hope Gardens
The Rough Fight League (RFL) Ocho is set to take place this Saturday, October 26, at Funland in Hope Gardens, Kingston, promising an action-packed night of mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing. The event, which starts at 8 pm, will feature eight thrilling bouts, including two high-profile main events that fans won’t want to miss.
Headlining the card, Shiaeinie ‘Da Great’ Blake, a dominant figure in Caribbean MMA, will make his professional debut against Daron ‘Avatar’ Weir. Blake, who has held the number one spot across three weight classes in the Caribbean, will be tested by Weir, an accomplished boxer now stepping into the professional MMA scene. “We expect fireworks from that,” said event organizer Kyle Chin. Weir’s transition to MMA promises an explosive bout, as both fighters bring top-tier experience in their respective disciplines.
In another main event, Theron ‘The Iron Prince’ Rose Green will take on Jaheem ‘Imru Makonnen’ Morrison in an amateur welterweight championship fight. Rose Green, an emerging MMA star who has already made waves with wins in Trinidad and Jamaica, will face Morrison, a skilled kickboxer building a strong reputation in the sport. “It’s a classic wrestler versus striker match-up,” Chin explained, noting Rose Green’s well-rounded skill set, honed through international competition in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, beach wrestling, and MMA.
'Tank' Thompson
Adding to the excitement is Tyrece ‘Tank’ Thompson, the 2024 Pan American Super Heavyweight International Mixed Martial Arts Champion, who will be competing against Samuel Campbell. Thompson, fresh off his Pan Am gold, will look to continue his dominance in the super heavyweight division.
The event will also see the pro debut of Demar ‘Force’ Haslam, RFL’s 145-pound amateur champion, who will face Nakia Anderson in what promises to be another intense match. “It’s going to be an exciting night,” Chin said, emphasizing that the card will feature a mix of MMA and kickboxing fights, showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
This is the first major RFL event of the year, following the pandemic-induced hiatus. “We did have a level of consistency with seven events, but we are trying to return to that now,” Chin said, adding that the sport continues to grow in Jamaica. “Jamaica has always been known as a strong striking country. We have good boxing, karate, kickboxing, and now we are seeing an evolution in our game.”
With a new venue, a stacked fight card, and the return of some of Jamaica’s top combat athletes, Rough Fight League Ocho is set to be an unforgettable night for MMA and kickboxing fans.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Jacana New Kingston, Jangas Soundbar, The Life Store and Jacana Manor Park.
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