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• Opinion: Time for a change in the criteria for the RJRGleaner Sports Awards

  The announcement of the 2024 nominees for the RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards has reignited the long-standing debate about the fairness of the nomination criteria. These awards, while prestigious, have been heavily skewed in favor of track and field athletes for decades, leaving world-class performers from other sports marginalized.

  It was refreshing to hear Gary Allen, Chairman of the RJR Sports Foundation, acknowledge this issue during the announcement of nominees on Wednesday.  He stated that the Foundation’s board would review the criteria for eligibility after questions were raised about the glaring omissions of netballers and footballers, as well as athletes from other disciplines such as mixed martial arts.

   

  

  Among those omitted this year was Tyrese ‘Tank’ Thompson, who made history by winning the heavyweight division at the Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Championships in Mexico in September. Despite his extraordinary achievement in a highly competitive field, Thompson didn’t even receive a nomination.

  Netball Dominance Overlooked

  In netball, Jamaican players continue to excel on the world stage. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who plays for the West Coast Fever, has been the leading scorer in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League for the last five seasons. Fowler’s consistent dominance in the world’s premier netball league is unparalleled, yet she was left out of the list of nominees again this year.

  Romelda Aiken-George, who in 2024 was named MVP of the Suncorp Super Netball finals after leading the Adelaide Thunderbirds to victory, has also been overlooked. Her achievement, combined with her two previous league titles with the Queensland Firebirds, highlights her place among the sport’s elite.

  Additionally, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson have been instrumental in back-to-back Suncorp titles for the Thunderbirds in 2023 and 2024, further solidifying the influence of Jamaican netballers in the world’s top league. Yet, their names remain absent from the nominees list.

  

  The Case for Football

  Football also offers a glaring example of exclusion. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who has established herself as one of the best strikers in the world, plays for Manchester City Women and has been a Ballon d’Or nominee twice. Her incredible performances in the Women’s Super League and UEFA Champions League have placed her among the global elite, yet she wasn’t considered for a nomination.

  The current criteria suggest that Shaw’s club-level achievements are somehow less significant because they weren’t earned while representing Jamaica. This is a flawed perspective that undermines the value of world-class performances at the club level.

  

  A Flawed Framework

  The awards currently hinge on performances for Jamaica at the global, continental, regional, and domestic levels, which effectively excludes many athletes excelling in professional leagues or international competitions outside national representation.

   Take the hypothetical example of Leon Bailey. If he were to score 40 goals and provide 15 assists for Aston Villa, leading them to an English Premier League title, would he not deserve a nomination for Sportsman of the Year? According to the current criteria, he wouldn’t, unless he replicated that performance in a World Cup for Jamaica.

  Closer to home, consider a player who has an outstanding season in the Jamaica Premier League, leading their team to a championship. Why should their achievement be any less worthy of recognition?

  A Need for Inclusivity

  The exclusion of athletes like Thompson, Shaw, Fowler-Nembhard, Aiken-George, and others highlights the need for a more inclusive approach. These individuals are not just representing Jamaica—they are excelling on the global stage, often against the best in their respective fields. Their performances inspire pride and admiration, just as much as any Olympic or World Championship medal.

  Moving Forward

  The RJRGleaner Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards should reflect the diversity of Jamaican sporting excellence, not just its dominance in track and field. Recognizing achievements across disciplines would validate the efforts of athletes in non-traditional sports, providing the motivation, respect, and recognition they deserve.

  I applaud the RJR Sports Foundation for committing to a review of the criteria. Jamaica is more than just a track and field nation; it is a nation rich with talent across countless sports. From the netball courts of Australia to the octagons of Mexico and the football pitches of Europe, Jamaican athletes are making their mark.

  The awards should evolve to celebrate this broader spectrum of achievement, ensuring that every Jamaican athlete, regardless of their sport, has a fair chance to be honoured. It’s time to rewrite the criteria and make these awards truly representative of Jamaica’s sporting legacy.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Olympic medalists Stona and Ricketts head nominees for RJR Sports Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year

  Olympic gold medalist Roje Stona and trailblazing triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts lead the charge as nominees for the prestigious RJR Sports Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards for 2024. The announcement was made during a televised ceremony at the studios of Television Jamaica on Wednesday, unveiling a star-studded lineup of athletes who shone on the global stage.

   Stona, who made history by clinching Jamaica’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s discus at the Paris 2024 Olympics, headlines the list of eight male nominees. The field is dominated by track and field stars, all of whom delivered remarkable performances throughout the year: Akeem Blake, bronze medalist in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow; Rasheed Broadbell, 110m hurdles bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics; Rajindra Campbell, shot put bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics; Rusheen McDonald, 400m bronze medalist at the World Indoor Championships; Carey McLeod, long jump bronze medalist at the World Indoor Championships; Wayne Pinnock, Olympic silver medalist in the long jump; and Kishane Thompson, 100m silver medalist at the Paris Olympics.

   On the women’s side, Shanieka Ricketts, who became the first Jamaican woman to medal in the triple jump at the Olympics, is joined by a stellar group of nominees: Rushell Clayton, national 400m hurdles champion and finalist at the Paris Olympics; Ackera Nugent, record-breaking hurdler with a new national and world-leading time of 12.24 seconds in the 100m hurdles; Nickisha Pryce, the first Jamaican woman to break the 49-second barrier in the 400m; and Llori Sharpe, cyclist and gold medalist in the Women’s Road Race at the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships in Guyana, breaking the track and field dominance among nominees.

   The ceremony also revealed six nominees for The People’s Choice Performance of the Year, recognizing standout moments that captured the imagination of sports fans: Rasheed Broadbell for his bronze medal-winning run in the 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympics; Ackera Nugent for her world-leading 12.24-second run in the Diamond League; Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw for a spectacular goal against Liverpool in the Women’s Super League; Roje Stona for his historic gold-medal throw in the men’s discus at the Olympics; Kishane Thompson for his 100m silver-medal sprint at the Paris Olympics; and Chavany Willis for his stunning goal for Arnett Gardens against Portmore United in the Jamaica Premier League.

   The winners will be announced at the RJR Gleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards Gala on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. This prestigious event will celebrate the exceptional achievements of Jamaica’s athletes, recognizing those who have left an indelible mark on the nation’s sporting legacy in 2024.

• Jamaica's Cavalier FC make History with Concacaf Caribbean Cup triumph

  Cavalier FC etched their name in Caribbean football history on Tuesday, becoming the first Jamaican club to claim the Concacaf Caribbean Cup since 2019 and only the third overall, following in the footsteps of Harbour View and Portmore United.

  Despite a 2-1 defeat in the decisive second leg against the Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC at the Estadio Cibao FC, Cavalier secured the championship on the away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate tie.

  The Jamaican side entered the second leg with a slim 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Shaquille Stein’s goal in the first match in Kingston. However, Cibao FC, unbeaten through the semifinals, made an explosive start to the second leg in front of their fervent home crowd.

  The hosts leveled the aggregate score in the 27th minute when Juan Díaz calmly converted a penalty, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

  Seconds later, Cibao seized the lead on aggregate as their leading scorer, Rivaldo Correa, nodded home a pinpoint cross from Ernesto Trinidad to make it 2-0 on the night.

  Cavalier, however, refused to be rattled. In the 54th minute, Dwayne Atkinson, named Player of the Tournament, responded with a crucial strike, rifling the ball into the net to make it 2-2 on aggregate.

  With that goal, Cavalier regained control of the series via the away goals rule, but from there, the contest became a test of their defensive mettle.

  Cibao mounted relentless pressure, with José Barreto attempting a speculative long-range effort in the 70th minute, only for Cavalier’s goalkeeper Vino Barclett—later awarded Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament—to acrobatically tip the ball over the crossbar.

  Orlando Russell came close to sealing the series for Cavalier in the 84th minute but narrowly missed the target.

  Moments later, Cibao’s Eddipo Rodríguez unleashed a powerful shot from distance, forcing another crucial save from Barclett.

  The drama intensified in the dying moments as Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin found himself unmarked inside the penalty area but was denied by the right post.

  Cibao’s final flurry in stoppage time was neutralized by Barclett, who made his third save of the night, clutching the ball to signal the end of the contest and spark jubilant celebrations for Cavalier.

  Cavalier’s triumph marked the culmination of a remarkable campaign in which they showcased resilience, tactical acumen, and individual brilliance. In fact, it was no surprise that the Rudolph Speid-coached team swept the tournament’s individual awards.

  This, as Jalmaro Calvin won the Youth Revelation Award; Vino Barclett copped the Best Goalkeeper Award; Shaquille Stein won the Golden Boot; and Dwayne Atkinson was named Player of the Tournament. The Cavalier also took home the Fair Play Award.

  Having finished runners-up in 2023, Atkinson pointed out that Cavalier’s journey to the 2024 title was a story of redemption as the team demonstrated their growth and maturity by handling the pressure of playing in hostile territory and prevailing on the grand stage.

  “We kept our composure. They were leading us two-love, but we knew we needed only one (goal), and we came back and got the job done, and we kept a clean sheet in the second half,” Atkinson said.

  “The most difficult moment was when they led us 2-0; our heads were down, but we came back in the second half and regrouped and kept fighting, and we give God thanks. The goal gave us the momentum to keep fighting, and we came out victorious. This is one of my biggest dreams in my career. It’s a very proud moment for me, my coach, and all the fans from Jamaica. So we will give God thanks and celebrate,” he added.

  With this victory, Cavalier secured a coveted spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, entering the tournament in the Round of 16. Their achievement also signals a resurgence of Jamaican football at the regional level after Harbour View’s triumphs in 2004 and 2007, and Portmore United’s 2005 and 2019 wins.