West Indies batsman Kyle Mayers has been appointed Barbados Pride captain for the 2024 Super50 Cup.

Mayers replaces Shai Hope, who misses out due to international commitments, as Pride skipper.

Also out of the team from the 2023 squad are Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamar Brooks, Roston Chase, Akeem Jordan, Jair McAllister, Roshon Primus, and Kemar Smith.

Jordan has been listed as a reserve for the tournament.

The 2024 Super Cup will be staged in Trinidad from 29 October to 23 November.

Barbados has won the tournament six times with their last title coming in 2017.

They got to the semi-finals of last year's edition.

Full squad: Kyle Mayers (captain), Zachary McCaskie, Leniko Boucher, Kadeem Alleyne, Kevin Wickham, Raymon Reifer, Nyeem Young, Dominic Drakes, Chemar Holder, Kemar Smith, Jomel Warrican, Matthew Jones, Javed Leacock, Demetrius Richards

Reserves: Jonathan Drakes, Akeem Jordan, Tevyn Walcott, Hakeem Perryman, Nathan Sealy, Keon Harding, Amari Goodridge.

Concacaf has conducted the official draw for the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Men’s Qualifiers. The region’s FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying competition will take place from February 7-16, 2025, across six venues and include the participation of 35 Concacaf Member Associations. 

The new Concacaf U-17 Men’s Qualifiers consist of a single round, in which the participating Member Associations are split into eight groups. After round-robin play, where each team will play against each team in its group once, the eight group winners qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.   

The eight groups are as follows: 

Group A: Canada, Bermuda, Curacao, Anguilla, and Turks and Caicos Islands 

Group B: Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, British Virgin Islands, and Sint Maarten 

Group C: Mexico, Nicaragua, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica 

Group D: Honduras, Puerto Rico, Bonaire and Saint Martin 

Group E: Haiti, Guatemala, Antigua & Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 

Group F: United States, Cuba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and US Virgin Islands 

Group G: Panama, Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Grenada 

Group H: Jamaica, El Salvador, Cayman Islands, and Saint Lucia  

Matches will be divided across six venues: Bermuda will host Group A, Costa Rica Group B and F, Mexico Group C, Honduras Group D, Guatemala Groups E and H, and Panama Group G. 

It is as you were between Jamaica's Cavalier FC and Dominican Republic's Moca FC in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final tie, after they played out a scoreless stalemate in first leg action at Estadio Moca 85 on Thursday.

The result means that both teams will still have all to play for in next Wednesday's second leg at the National Stadium to secure a spot in the final and, by extension, in next year's Concacaf Champions Cup.

Cavalier was the more dominant outfit throughout, as they bossed possession and created the best of chances to break the deadlock. Jerome McLeary got the first look at goal in the 26th minute, but he dragged his effort just wide of the target.

Dwayne 'Busy' Atkinson proved his usual menacing self and also went close in the 31st, but Moca's custodian Miguel Baez proved equal to the task.

Moca tried to play their game and had their best effort on goal courtesy of Clifford Thomas, whose 51st minute shot from just outside the 18-yard box did little to bother Vino Barclett in goal for Cavalier.

In the 55th minute, Atkinson worked his way into the danger area and pulled the trigger from close range, but Báez again came up big to deny him.

The nippy former Kingston College standout again showed his class to open space for a 65th-minute effort but put too much force behind his attempt, which sailed over the crossbar.

With Moca's defence struggling to contain him, Atkinson again found himself in a sweet spot with Baez at his mercy. However, it was not to be, as his strike from deep inside the box veered just wide of the right upright on the stroke of full time.

The Pocket Rocket Foundation is set to host its 9th annual Six-A-Side ‘Peace Through Sports’ Football Competition, kicking off on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Red Stripe Sports Complex, 214 Spanish Town Road in Kingston.

The event will begin with an Opening Ceremony and Dress Parade. Over the course of five weeks, 20 teams will compete every Saturday and Sunday, culminating in a grand finale on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Entry is free to the public.

Founder Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce spoke about the competition’s mission, saying, “This is about more than just football. It’s an opportunity to bring people from rival communities together and use sport as a way to build unity, trust, and discipline. We want the players from these communities to not only enjoy the game but also take away valuable life lessons.”

Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, Executive Director of the Pocket Rocket Foundation, added, “The foundation is excited to facilitate this competition once again. It remains a powerful way to promote unity within communities and provide a platform for men with a passion for football to participate and compete for prizes. We are also grateful for the continued support from the Hunts Bay Police for their support in ensuring a safe environment, allowing players to focus on the competition and the camaraderie it fosters.”

Teams will be divided into five zones, competing in a round-robin format. The top team from each zone, along with the three best second-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals. Prizes include cash awards, trophies, and individual accolades such as Most Valuable Player, Leading Goal Scorer, Best Defender, and Most Disciplined Team.

This year’s competition is made possible by sponsors NIKE, AFIMI, GraceKennedy’s 876 Water and Lucozade, FESGas, Rymax Lubricants, and Sanmerna Paper Products Limited.

After Sunday's Opening Ceremony and Dress Parade, six matches will be played from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

At 3, Real City will take on Red Stripe while Asoka Road face Dream Team. At 4, Fes Gas will take on Youths while Basement faces Friends For Real before at 5, Boom Riddim faces Legacy and Ball Spot takes on Basic 1.

Following an internal investigation by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), significant gaps in training have been identified, leading to stewarding practices at Caymanas Park falling short of international standards. As a result, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe has called for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to address these issues and ensure the future integrity of horse racing in Jamaica.

The investigation was prompted after the Heroes’ Day race meet at Caymanas Park was abandoned on Monday, October 21, 2024. A group of punters reacted violently to the stewards’ decision in Race 2, leading to the event’s cancellation for safety reasons. Sharpe stressed that the current state of officiating is not up to par for a racing jurisdiction aspiring to world-class status.

“Our internal investigation has identified significant training gaps that have resulted in local stewarding practices falling short of international standards,” Sharpe said. He explained that while SVREL provides the facilities for racing, the stewards' oversight falls under the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), a government-appointed body. Sharpe believes this disparity between local and international standards must be addressed immediately.

In his statement, Sharpe emphasized that improving stewarding standards is critical for the growth of horse racing in Jamaica. He called for the implementation of mandatory certification programs for stewards, ensuring that they are properly trained to handle the complexities of modern racing. He also advocated for regular assessments and retraining of officials to maintain a high level of competence and consistency in their decision-making.

Sharpe further stressed the need for clear accountability frameworks to be established, so that all decisions made by stewards are transparent and based on consistent, well-defined criteria. This, he believes, would help avoid situations like the one on Heroes’ Day, where the lack of clarity led to confusion and frustration among punters. Moreover, Sharpe called for the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism that would allow for the review of stewarding decisions, ensuring fairness and trust in the system.

Sharpe explained that these reforms are essential to creating a level playing field and restoring confidence in the integrity of horse racing at Caymanas Park. He expressed frustration that despite previous discussions with the JRC about the need for improved officiating, little progress has been made.

The incident on Heroes’ Day, which caused significant financial losses estimated at over JMD$70 million, underscored the importance of addressing these issues urgently. While Sharpe acknowledged the passion of racing fans, he firmly condemned the violent behaviour that followed the stewards' decision, stating that it endangered lives and tarnished the reputation of the sport. "While we value our patrons' enthusiasm, any expression of discontent must remain within acceptable bounds of sporting behaviour,” he asserted.

Sharpe also expressed disappointment with the lack of response from industry stakeholders following the incident. He pointed out that many who are typically vocal about SVREL’s operations have remained silent on this serious breach of sporting conduct. He called on all stakeholders to take equal responsibility for the sport’s integrity and to advocate for improvements in officiating and the overall management of races.

“The growth and sustainability of horse racing in Jamaica require more than just infrastructure investment and promotional efforts,” Sharpe said. “It demands the consistent application of international best practices across all aspects of racing.”

SVREL remains committed to modernizing Caymanas Park and advancing Jamaican horse racing. However, Sharpe made it clear that this vision can only be achieved through collective responsibility, with all stakeholders playing an active role in improving the industry’s standards and holding each other accountable.

“The time has come for all stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to the industry's growth not merely through words, but through actions, consistent engagement, and a willingness to address difficult issues head-on,” Sharpe concluded.

John Campbell has been named to lead the Jamaica Scorpions franchise in the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup scheduled to be played in Trinidad and Tobago from October 29 to November 23.

Campbell, who has played 20 Test matches for the West Indies, had been banned for four years by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in late 2022 for failing to provide a testing sample to doping control officers in April of that year.

The ban was later reduced by two years and two months after he brought his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Discarded West Indies batsman Kirk McKenzie has been named vice-captain in the 14-man Scorpions squad, which includes 18-year-old West Indies and Jamaica U-19 leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood.

Also included in the squad are former captain Jermaine Blackwood and West Indies T20 player Odean Smith.

West Indies Under-19 batsman Jordan Johnson has been named among four reserves.

The Scorpions open their tournament against the Barbados Pride at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on October 30.

Jamaica failed to record a win at last year's Suner50 Cup, recording six losses and one no result in their seven games.

Full Squad: John Campbell (captain), Kirk McKenzie (vice-captain), Odane McCatty, Carlos Brown, Jermaine Blackwood, Javelle Glenn, Romaine Morris (wicketkeeper), Brad Barnes, Odean Smith, Jeavor Royal, Tamarie Redwood, Ojay Shields, Gordon Bryan, Marquino Mindley

Reserves: Jordan Johnson, Peat Salmon, Daniel Beckford (wicketkeeper), Andre A. McCarthy

The Boys Town football community is mourning the loss of Donald Walters Jr who was shot and killed on North Street in Kingston on Tuesday.

Walters was walking to work alongside his friend Michael Mitchell at about 7:30 am before they were pounced upon by unknown assailants armed with guns.

The gunmen opened fire at the men before making their escape. The injured men were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Walters Jr was a member of the Boys Town team that won the KSAFA Championship earlier this year.

Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC drew first blood in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final tie as they clipped Haiti’s Real Hope FA 3-2 in first leg action in Santiago de los Caballeros on Wednesday.

Jean Lopez (fourth), Juan Diaz (49th) and Rivaldo Correa (90+1) did the damage for Cibao FC, while Angelo Exilus (11th and 83rd) grabbed a brace for Real Hope.

With the win, Cibao have placed one foot in the Caribbean Cup final, but will have to complete the job in next Thursday’s second leg in order to book a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

It was a frantic start for Cibao FC, as they broke the deadlock inside five minutes when Lopez expertly headed home from a weighted corner kick.

However, Real Hope pulled level seven minutes later through Exilus, who converted from the penalty spot.

Both teams continued to show life in the attacking third and had a few half chances to cause some problems, but failed to make them count in a bid to add to their respective tallies, as the score went unchanged at the break.

Cibao FC, like they did at the start, were quick out the blocks and again took the lead four minutes into the resumption courtesy of Diaz’s well-struck effort from a distance.

But, Exilus again popped up to keep Real Hope in the contest as he headed home from Steeve Mondestin’s perfectly weighted cross seven minutes from time.

With the scores leveled and time winding down, it seemed as if both teams would share the spoils. However, Huguens Michel took out an attacker in the danger area and was sent for an early shower, leaving Real Hope a man short.

To make matters worse, Correa stepped up and converted the 12-yard kick to put Cibao FC 3-2 up in added time, which meant there was no coming back for Real Hope on this occasion.

Correa improved his tally to four goals and now enters the race for the coveted Golden Boot. That race is currently being led by Exilus, whose brace took his tally to five goals in the tournament.

Reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions Cavalier FC will take their rich vein of form into the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final clash against Dominican Republic’s Moca FC as the two continue their hunt for a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

Though they will be away at Estadio Moca 85 for Thursday’s first-leg clash, Cavalier, who are currently on a five-match unbeaten run in the JPL, will start as slight favourites, as they were 3-0 winners when the two teams last met at Sabina Park.

However, Moca FC are no flukes and will enter the encounter on the back of an unbeaten run of their own after they registered three wins and a draw in the group stages of this tournament. In fact, they were only edged by their compatriots Cibao FC on goal difference for the top spot and, as such, will have Cavalier to contend with.

Cavalier FC topped Group A with three wins and a loss, but were still the most lethal attacking team in the group stages with 11 goals to their credit.

Dwayne Atkinson, with four goals and two assists, and Shaquille Stein, with four goals and an assist, head the race for the coveted golden boot, and both are expected to prove problematic for Moca FC’s defensive unit.

Cavalier’s Head coach, Rudolph Speid, is confident about his team’s chances in the two-leg tie.

“We will give a good account of ourselves. We are really going there to get a positive result, not going there to try and draw and come back to win at home.

“We are the only team from Jamaica left in the competition, and we really need to do something special this year so that Jamaica can feel proud.

“We are very comfortable playing home or away. I don’t think that will be affecting us. And we have prepared properly,” he said.

Still, Moca possesses enough quality in that regard, as their backline is marshalled by the ever-reliable Guillermo de Pena. De Peña was one of the top defensive players of the group stage with six steals, one goal, and seven shots.

Beyond him, Moca will also have the likes of midfielder Clifford Thomas and striker Gustavo Ascona, who were both named to the group stage Best XI, along with de Pena, giving the Dominican Republic side a top player in the tournament across each line.

Thomas provided one goal and one assist, along with nine steals and two clearances, while Argentine-born Ascona added three goals and one assist.

Ryan Gauld scored a hat-trick to help Vancouver Whitecaps thrash Portland Timbers 5-0 in the Western Conference Wild Card match.

Brian White and Stuart Armstrong also got in on the goals as the Whitecaps set up a meeting with top seed Los Angeles FC in the Best-of-3 First Round.

Most of the damage was done by three goals in 11 first-half minutes, with Gauld opening the scoring by capitalising on a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.

Mathias Loborda created the second with a lovely bit of skill, setting up White for a first-time finish, before Gauld scored a sumptuous volley, giving James Pantemis no chance.

While Portland offered some fight at the end of the first half, they could not keep their momentum in the second, with Armstrong’s diving header just six minutes after the restart putting Vancouver out of reach.

Gauld then wrapped up his hat-trick just before the hour mark, peeling off the back of the Timbers’ backline to slot his low finish past Pantemis from a tight angle.

Data Debrief: Five-star Whitecaps back on track

Vancouver booked their playoff spot early, but slumped over the line at the end of the season, going winless in their last seven outings in the regular season and losing the last four.

Vanni Sartini could not have asked his players to rekindle their form at a better time though, getting the better of their Cascadia Cup rivals for the first time since March.

Despite losing their home advantage due to scheduling clashes, Vancouver looked at home at Providence Park. They matched Portland's 12 shots, but got eight on target and accumulated 2.38 expected goals (xG).

Gauld was responsible for four of those efforts, hitting the target with each one. He also had the most touches in the opposition box (eight) and made the most passes in the final third (17) among his team-mates.

Jamaica's bodybuilders made their mark at the 51st Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Georgetown, Guyana, held from October 19-20, bringing home five medals in a competitive field that featured over 200 athletes from more than 20 countries. While the host nation dominated the event with 25 medals, Jamaica held their own with two gold and three silver medals.

 Leading the charge for Jamaica were Rayon Henry and Sean Taylor, who both captured gold in their respective categories. Henry, fresh off winning a national title, triumphed in the Medium Class (176 cm), showcasing his refined physique and superior form. Taylor, competing in the Short Class (170 cm), delivered a standout performance after a challenging year, rebounding from earlier fourth-place finishes in the Muscular Men’s Physique and Men’s Physique Short Class to claim the top spot.

 Nicolas Wilson also impressed on his international debut, taking home a silver medal in the highly competitive Bodybuilding Middleweight category (80 kg). Wilson's disciplined preparation paid off, as he made a strong impression against seasoned competitors, proving that he's a rising talent in the sport.

 On the women’s side, Jamaica’s national champion Dianne Brown captured a silver medal in the Bikini Fitness Tall Class (169 cm). A former pageant expert, Brown dazzled both the audience and the judges with her flawless physique and commanding stage presence, solidifying her place among the top contenders in the region. Shana Davis Roman added another silver to Jamaica's medal tally in the Fitness Challenge, displaying exceptional athleticism and versatility in the demanding category.

 Natasha Gordon also delivered commendable performances, placing fourth in both the Bikini Fitness Open and Masters divisions, contributing to the overall success of Jamaica’s six-member team, which was led by former JABBFA and CAC President, Lt. Col. Bruce Bartley.

 Despite competing against a large field of athletes, Jamaica’s bodybuilders proved they could hold their own on the international stage, bringing home valuable hardware from the prestigious event.