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• Significant progress: Ricketts says JFF has cleared up over JA$300 million in debt owed to Jamaican Government since 2017

  President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, says the body has cleared over JA$300 million in debt they owed to the Jamaican Government since he took office for the first time seven years ago.

  Ricketts had defeated Stewart Stephenson to complete the JFF’s 2015-19 term after the death of then-president Captain Horace Burrell in 2017 before being re-elected for his first full term in 2019.

  “We have made significant progress as it relates to our fiscal management. So far, we are in a far better position now than when we were when we got into office,” Ricketts told Sportsmax.tv last week at the unveiling of the Reggae Boyz squad for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Nicaragua and Honduras.

  “When we got into office I think we were indebted to the Government to the tune of over $400 million. When we took over, we we’re very intent on getting that figure down. We have cut that to $90 million and certainly, we are on track to make that $0 by the end of the year,” he added.

  Ricketts also noted that, for the first time in over a decade, the JFF has been issued a tax compliance certificate.

  When asked about the steps taken to achieve this fiscal improvement, Ricketts gave credit to the federations finance committee as well as General Secretary, Dennis Chung and Technical Committee Chairman, Rudolph Speid.

  “I must commend our finance committee. They’ve been very strong. We’ve gotten support, of course, from our parent organizations, more so FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU. We’ve had sponsors on board like Adidas who have given us major support both financially and from an equipment standpoint,” he said.

  “We have been doing very well. We have a Gen Sec in Dennis Chung who is an accountant. Rudolph Speid, our Technical Committee Chairman, is an accountant so these gentlemen have been very integral in the process of our fiscal management,” Ricketts added.

   

• Jamaican-born Olympian Linford Christie honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by Sporting Equals

  Legendary sprinter Linford Christie OBE was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Sporting Equals on Saturday, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the world of sport and society. Christie, one of Britain's most decorated athletes, has left an indelible mark on athletics, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

  The award, presented by Sporting Equals—a charity dedicated to promoting equality in sports for ethnically diverse communities—celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact on sport and society. Christie’s accomplishments on the track, coupled with his dedication to coaching and supporting athletes, made him a fitting recipient of the honour.

  Born on April 2, 1960, in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Christie’s journey to athletic greatness began when he moved to Acton, London, at the age of seven to join his parents, who had emigrated to the United Kingdom five years earlier. Although he excelled in physical education at Henry Compton Secondary School in Fulham, it wasn’t until he was 18 that he took up athletics seriously.

  Christie's rise to prominence culminated in his gold medal triumph in the 100m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, following his silver medal performance in the same event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His illustrious career also saw him win World, European, and Commonwealth titles, making him the first man in history to hold all four titles in the 100m simultaneously in 1993. Christie's longstanding British 100m record of 9.87 seconds stood for nearly 30 years before being broken in 2023, cementing his place as one of the fastest men in the world.

  After hanging up his spikes, Christie transitioned into coaching, where he has continued to make significant contributions to the sport. As a speed coach, he has mentored a new generation of British sprinters, including Bianca Williams, Ama Pipi, and recent England champion Darcey Kuypers. His expertise and guidance have helped shape the future of British athletics, ensuring that his impact on the sport extends far beyond his competitive years.

  Sporting Equals, which was established in 1998 in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality and Sport England, plays a vital role in promoting race equality in sport and fostering community cohesion. The organization became fully independent in 2005 and has been at the forefront of efforts to eradicate racism in sport. Co-founded by Lorraine Deschamps MBE, Angela Francis, and Beverley Mason FRSA, Sporting Equals achieved charitable status in 2007 and continues to honor individuals like Christie who have made significant contributions to both sport and society.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Kane fit to play for England in Nations League

  Bayern Munich confirmed Harry Kane did not suffer a serious injury against Eintracht Frankfurt and will be available for England in the international break.

  Kane, who has already netted 10 goals in nine appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season, was substituted in the 72nd minute of their 3-3 draw with a suspected thigh injury.

  The England captain was assessed by the Football Association's (FA) doctors on Monday, with the German side announcing no "structural injury" was found.

  Kane, who made his 100th appearance for England during their last match against Finland, will be available for the return leg in Helsinki, and their match against Greece at Wembley prior to that.

  While the striker has been given the all-clear for international action, Dayot Upamecano and Mathys Tel have both withdrawn from their respective France squads.

  Upamecano scored against Frankfurt but was subsequently taken off in the second half after also sustaining a thigh problem, while Tel is suffering with a shoulder injury.