St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrated its 45th Independence anniversary with a powerful acknowledgement of national pride, honouring a select group of athletes as sporting ambassadors. Among these, middle-distance runner Shafiqua Maloney received special recognition from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who announced her appointment during his Independence Day speech at Victoria Park on Sunday evening.
Prime Minister Gonsalves praised Maloney, who recently represented her country with distinction by finishing fourth in the women’s 800m final at the Paris Olympic Games. The prime minister described her as an “amazing athlete of exemplary excellence,” applauding her achievements and the pride she brings to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In response, Maloney shared her gratitude on social media, thanking the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the honour. “An honour to be named a Sports Ambassador for my country,” Maloney wrote. “To the Hon @comraderalph and the people of SVG, thank you for entrusting me with such a prestigious title. I will continue to represent you with pride and dignity.”
Alongside Maloney, other athletes were appointed as sports ambassadors, including West Indies test cricketer Jomel Warrican, former national footballer and coach Fitzgerald “John Hinds” King, and national footballer Oalex Anderson. The appointments highlight the country’s commitment to supporting its athletes, who represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the international stage.
This move is part of a broader celebration of national achievements as St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to honour individuals who embody resilience, excellence, and a strong sense of national pride.
Barbados Pride open Super50 campaign with 24-run DLS win over Jamaica Scorpions; Hurricanes thrash Windies Academy
Barbados Pride opened their CG United Super50 campaign on a strong note as they topped Jamaica Scorpions by 24 runs via the DLS method at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.
Both teams entered the contest with hopes of securing early momentum in the tournament, but Barbados, on the back of a commanding 134-run partnership between Zachary McCaskie (63) and Leniko Boucher (73), posted a competitive 260-8 from their allotment.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican then grabbed 4-25 in eight overs, including a maiden, and Dominic Drakes (3-34) to dismiss the Scorpions for 199 in 35 overs.
Scores: Barbados Pride 260-8 (50 overs); Jamaica Scorpions 199 (35 overs)
Very little went the Scorpions way after they won the toss and opted to bowl first. Despite removing Kadeem Alleyne (16), they were made to toil as McCaskie and Boucher’s second-wicket stand provided a solid foundation for the Pride to build on.
McCaskie’s careful 91-ball knock, which included eight boundaries, was complemented by Boucher’s dynamic shot-making, as his 90-ball innings included nine boundaries and a solitary six. Together, they controlled the pace, accumulating runs while ensuring the Scorpions bowlers remained on the defensive, before both fell two runs apart.
McCaskie went first caught by Odean Smith off Brad Barnes, while Jeavor Royal, who earlier removed Alleyne, accounted for Boucher in the following over.
However, their efforts were backed up by a brisk 41 from captain Kyle Mayers, who was the aggressor in a 64-run fifth-wicket stand with Raymond Reifer (26). Mayers struck four boundaries and two maximums in his 30-ball knock as the Pride’s innings picked up further momentum, ensuring they reached a challenging total.
Marquino Mindley (3-43) was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers, with Royal (2-43) and Brad Barnes (2-46) also contributing.
With pressure on their batting line up to deliver, the Scorpions never really got going in their chase, as they lost Odain McCatty (one), captain John Campbell (26), Kirk McKenzie (12), and Carlos Brown (eight) in that order for just 58 runs.
In the face of this collapse, Jermaine Blackwood (40) and Brad Barnes (22) mounted a recovery, stabilizing the Scorpions’ innings with a gritty 58-run stand before rain halted their progress.
Blackwood, known for his powerful stroke play, brought experience to the fore, hitting two boundaries in a fairly patient 60-ball knock, while Barnes displayed poise in his 41-ball innings, working to rebuild under challenging conditions.
However, both fell shortly after the resumption of play and started another collapse. Only Odean Smith, with an aggressive 27-ball 45 including five sixes and two fours, offered some resistance at the backend, but the Scorpions ultimately fell short.
The win saw Barbados Pride into second position, joining leaders Leeward Islands Hurricanes, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the win column.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes defeated West Indies Academy by 142 runs in a game reduced to 47 overs per side at Queen's Park Oval.
Scores: Leeward Islands Hurricanes 236-7 (47 overs) - Justin Greaves 111 not out; West Indies Academy 94 (27.5 overs) -Rahkeem Cornwall 3-27, Daniel Doram 3-34
Julien Alfred named Best Female Athlete of Paris 2024 by ANOC
St Lucia’s sprint sensation Julien Alfred has been awarded the prestigious Best Female Athlete of the Paris 2024 Olympics by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). Alfred, who dominated the 100m event with a lifetime-best 10.72 seconds, was present to receive the accolade at a grand ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, honoring standout athletes from the 2024 Olympic Games.
Alfred, 23, delivered a spectacular performance at the Paris Games, capturing gold in the women’s 100m final and securing a silver in the 200m with a time of 22.08 seconds. Her 100m victory, marked by a personal best, cemented her place as one of the fastest women in the world and brought home an Olympic gold medal for St. Lucia, a historic achievement for the Caribbean nation.
The St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) congratulated Alfred on her win, expressing pride in her accomplishments and the impact she continues to have on young athletes across the island. “We extend heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Julien Alfred on being awarded this remarkable accolade. We hope her continued successes inspire present and future athletes,” the SLOC stated, emphasizing Alfred’s role in representing St. Lucia on the global stage.
With this award, Alfred joins an elite group of Olympic athletes celebrated for their dedication and excellence, marking a significant moment for her career and St. Lucian sports. Her achievements in Paris underscore her status as one of the brightest stars in athletics, inspiring fans worldwide and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Games.
Jamaica track and field coaches to be issued two-year licenses starting January 2025
Beginning January 1, 2025, track and field coaches in Jamaica will need a two-year renewable license to continue practicing, as per the new regulations set by the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). This licensing shift aligns with changes by World Athletics, which now requires coaches' certification to be renewed every two years based on evidence of continued education.
The new regulations were outlined at a recent JATAFCA meeting, where Ralph Mouchbahani from the World Athletics Coaching Education Department explained the changes in the Coaches Education and Certification System. Mouchbahani clarified that all World Athletics certifications, previously valid indefinitely, will now expire after two years. “All certifications of World Athletics are not valid for a lifetime anymore. They will need to be renewed after two years to maintain their validity,” he said.
Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, welcomed the updates and expressed strong support for this structured approach to coaching. Speaking at the meeting, Gayle confirmed that the JAAA and JATAFCA have agreed to give the Coaches Association administrative responsibility for the Coaches Education Program. “The new program is about making you better individuals to produce top-class athletes, for which Jamaica is well known worldwide,” Gayle stated, noting that the shift aims to further professionalize coaching in Jamaica.
As part of the new system, previously certified coaches must complete the World Athletics Safeguarding course and pay a license fee to transition into the updated program. Meanwhile, new coaches will need to complete one of the various World Athletics courses to qualify for initial certification. All coaches, regardless of experience, will have to participate in Continuous Education (CE) to earn credits that will be required for license renewal.
To accumulate these CE credits, coaches can attend workshops, seminars, and courses hosted by a variety of recognized organizations, including World Athletics, JAAA, JATAFCA, Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine, JADCO, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Sports, INSPORTS, and other Member Federations. Beginning in January 2026, coaches will also be required to submit a police record to renew their licenses.
David Riley, President of JATAFCA, alongside veteran instructor Roy Thomas, who both recently completed the World Athletics Level 2 Lecturers Course, will oversee the rollout of the new Coaching Education Content for Jumps, Throws, Sprints, and Hurdles. Riley provided insight into the new system’s structure, which allows coaches to achieve World Athletics certification at three levels:
Level 1: Youth Coach (U16)
Level 2: Junior Coach (U20)
Level 3: Senior Coach (20+)
Level 1 certification can be achieved by completing an online self-driven course, which will serve as the prerequisite for an initial license upon completion of an in-person assessment by JATAFCA. The next assessment is scheduled for November 15 in Kingston, providing a final opportunity for coaches to gain initial licensing compliance before the new regulations take effect in January.
Through these changes, Jamaica’s coaching landscape is set to see significant professional development, ensuring that track and field coaches across the island meet rigorous international standards.
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