Boca Secondary School Combined tops Island Showdown in Trinidad

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, July 11, 2026 - Grenada's Boca Secondary School Combined emerged as the top-performing school at the Island Showdown Track and Field Championships, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago from July 7-8.

Represented by a team of just 19 athletes, Boca amassed 289 points to claim the overall title ahead of President's College of Guyana (220 points) and Bishop Anstey High School of Trinidad and Tobago (207 points).

The Grenadian combined school also finished atop the medal standings with an impressive haul of 19 medals - 10 gold, two silver, and seven bronze. Christianburg Wismar Secondary School of Guyana followed with 13 medals, while Queen's Royal College of Trinidad and Tobago secured 10.

Jamol Neckles was among Boca's standout performers, winning the Boys' High Jump with a clearance of 1.95 metres. Mickella Patrick captured the Girls' High Jump title after clearing a new personal best of 1.65 metres, while Naomi Phillip struck gold in the Girls' Discus Throw with a best effort of 30.93 metres.

Annalisa Brown continued her strong middle-distance season by taking the Girls' 800 metres, adding another gold medal to Boca's tally.

The school's relay teams also made a significant contribution, winning the Girls' Under-17 4x400 metres relay, the Boys' 17 and Over 4x400 metres relay, and the Boys' 4x100 metres relay.

Korey Benjamin added a silver medal in the Boys' Under-17 Discus Throw with a throw of 31.50 metres and a bronze in the Shot Put.

Boca's girls finished second in their division with 162 points behind Bishop Anstey High School, which scored 207 points, while the boys placed fifth with 127 points. The combined performances were enough to secure the overall championship honours.

The two-day meet attracted competitors from 72 schools representing Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and host nation Trinidad and Tobago.

CREDITS: Photo & Video courtesy of Nazim Benjamin (Party Grenada)

Boldon hails Stephen Francis as a Global Giant of Track and Field

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 10, 2026 - Olympic medallist, NBC commentator, and coach Ato Boldon has described the late Jamaican sprint coach Stephen Francis as "a great period," saying his death represents one of the most significant losses the global track and field community has experienced in decades.

Francis, who died on July 4 at the age of 62, was widely regarded as one of the greatest sprint coaches in history. As co-founder of the MVP (Maximising Velocity & Power) Track Club in 1999, he transformed Jamaica into a sprinting powerhouse, guiding stars such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Asafa Powell, and Shericka Jackson to multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

Speaking with Jamaican sports broadcaster Leighton Levy, Boldon said Francis' impact extended far beyond Jamaica's shores.

"I think no matter where your passport or your allegiance, you realise that Stephen Francis was a great. He wasn't a great Jamaican. He was a great, period," Boldon said.

While acknowledging that Jamaica would feel the loss most deeply, Boldon stressed that Francis' influence reshaped the global athletics landscape.

He recalled that when Francis and his colleagues established the MVP Track Club, many questioned the wisdom of keeping Jamaica's elite athletes at home instead of sending them through the traditional United States collegiate system.

"I remember some of the pushback," Boldon said. "People forget very quickly."

For decades, many of Jamaica's greatest sprinters—including Merlene Ottey, Don Quarrie, Ray Stewart, Michael Green, and later Asafa Powell developed through the American collegiate system before representing Jamaica internationally.

Francis challenged that long-established model.

"He and the people who were integral in starting MVP said, 'Wait a minute, why are we sending our athletes to the NCAA to get run into the ground for four or five years, and then they come back and give Jamaica what's left? Let's change the thinking.'"

According to Boldon, the proposal was initially met with considerable resistance.

"A lot of Jamaicans were like, 'We don't like that. Let's do it the way it has always been."

Francis, however, remained steadfast in his convictions.

"My first memory when I heard that Franno had passed was that this was a man who stuck to his guns when literally an entire population was asking, 'What makes you think this is somewhere we all want to go?'"

Today, Boldon noted, the success of the MVP model has made that debate virtually obsolete.

"Of course, that's not even a thought now."

He said Francis' vision fundamentally changed how athletes around the world viewed their development options.

"It changed the thinking globally. Athletes still have the option to go through the NCAA system, which is a great system, but they also have other options. They can stay at home, develop locally, and still become world-class athletes."

Beyond his coaching achievements, Boldon remembered Francis as someone whose personality often surprised those meeting him for the first time.

"If you see a picture of him, you think, 'That's a serious man.' But you talk to him for 15 minutes, and you realise he's a comedian."

Boldon said Francis' passing marks the loss of one of athletics' true innovators.

"I think this is one of the biggest losses we've had in this sport since I've been alive. A lot of the other great coaches are still around—Bob Kersee and others. So this is monumental."

CARICOM cannot afford to keep Sport on the sidelines

by Michael Bascombe

As Caribbean Heads of Government meet in St Lucia for the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, they do so at a moment when the world is once again witnessing the extraordinary power of sport.

The FIFA World Cup has captured the imagination of millions, including throughout the Caribbean. Beyond the excitement of goals, flags and national pride, the tournament reminds us of the enormous social, cultural and economic value of sport. It drives tourism, media, business, employment, national branding and youth aspiration. The Caribbean may not be in a position to stage an event of that scale, but we should not miss the larger lesson: sport is not merely entertainment. It is development.

That is why sport, in general and not just cricket, should have a meaningful place on the CARICOM agenda.

The qualification of Haiti and Curaçao among the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup should be a powerful signal to the region. Haiti’s presence, despite the country’s immense national challenges, is a reminder of the hope, resilience and pride that sport can generate. Curaçao’s historic achievement shows that small Caribbean nations, when properly organised and supported, can compete successfully on the world stage.

But the argument extends well beyond football. Caribbean athletes continue to distinguish themselves in international track and field, while encouraging progress is being made in cycling, swimming, boxing, netball, basketball, volleyball and other disciplines. Too often, these successes are achieved despite weak systems, limited funding, irregular competition, and insufficient athlete support.

Governments across the region have invested in stadiums, tracks, courts and other facilities. That investment is important. However, infrastructure alone cannot transform sport. Facilities must be supported by clear policies, school and community programmes, coaching development, sports science, athlete welfare, regional competitions, private-sector partnerships and stronger use of the Caribbean diaspora.

Sport can help reduce youth vulnerability, improve public health, strengthen national identity, expand economic opportunity and deepen regional integration. It deserves to be treated as a serious pillar of development.

CARICOM must therefore move sport from the margins to the centre of regional planning. The Caribbean has the talent, the passion, the history and the global presence. What is now required is political will, coordinated policy and sustained investment. 

Bruno-Victor calls for greater investment in regional sport as OECS Championships return

by Michael Bascombe

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, July 4, 2026 - Vice-President of PanAm Sports, Veda Bruno-Victor, has urged Caribbean governments and regional leaders to prioritise sport on the development agenda, warning that the high cost of regional travel continues to limit opportunities for athletes across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Speaking during Saturday's opening ceremony of the revived Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES) OECS Track and Field Championships in St Kitts and Nevis, Bruno-Victor said expensive inter-island travel remains one of the greatest barriers to athlete development and regional competition.

She explained that the issue emerged repeatedly during discussions with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the Caribbean at the start of the current Olympic quadrennial in 2025.

"One issue was consistently raised by the members of the OECS National Olympic Committees - the lack of regular regional competition across many sports," she said.

According to Bruno-Victor, the financial burden associated with international competition prevents many athletes from competing regularly, gaining valuable experience, and improving their international rankings.

"The high cost of international participation often limits our athletes' opportunities to compete, gain valuable experience and improve their international rankings," she said. "Without these opportunities, many talented athletes are placed at a disadvantage when preparing for major international competitions."

She noted that discussions among the NOCs also highlighted the important role that former regional competitions played in developing sporting excellence while strengthening relationships among the islands.

"It was recognised that the OECS once hosted regional competitions that played a significant role in developing sporting excellence and strengthening the bonds among our islands," Bruno-Victor said. "The members expressed a strong desire to see these Games revived, and PanAm Sports was proud to support that vision."

She described the return of the championships as the revival of an important sporting tradition that has inspired generations of Caribbean athletes.

"These Games have inspired generations, showcased extraordinary talent, and united a Caribbean family through the power of sport," she said.

While celebrating the return of the championships, Bruno-Victor urged regional policymakers not to overlook the logistical challenges that continue to hinder sporting development.

"Limited inter-island transportation, lengthy travel times and the high cost of regional travel remain significant obstacles to athlete development and regional competition," she said.

She appealed to governments throughout the OECS to recognise sport as a strategic investment rather than simply a recreational activity.

"Investment in sport is not simply an investment in competition," Bruno-Victor told the ceremony. "It is an investment in our youth, our health, our economies and our future. Sport promotes tourism, creates opportunities, builds national pride and strengthens regional integration in ways few other sectors can achieve."

Bruno-Victor reaffirmed PanAm Sports' commitment to supporting the continued growth of sport throughout the Caribbean and the OECS, expressing hope that the return of regular regional competition will provide athletes with greater opportunities to develop and succeed on the international stage.

Red Walters calls for safer roads and dedicated cycling facilities to develop the sport

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, July 4, 2026 - Grenadian professional cyclist Red Walters believes improving road safety and developing dedicated cycling facilities are important if cycling is to flourish in Grenada and across the Caribbean.

Speaking on the TalkSports programme, Walters said the region's greatest challenge is not necessarily the lack of athletes, but the absence of infrastructure that allows cyclists to train and compete safely.

He identified greater awareness among motorists as the most immediate and cost-effective step that could make a significant difference.

"I think number one is probably awareness from the drivers," Walters said.

He suggested installing warning signs at major intersections reminding motorists to be mindful of cyclists, particularly in Grenada where bicycles are not commonly seen on the roads.

"If you put signs up at every junction saying, 'Beware of cyclists' or something similar, then it's in the drivers' minds, and hopefully they'll give cyclists a little more space."

Walters also proposed designating sections of roadway exclusively for cyclists on specific days each week, allowing both experienced riders and newcomers to enjoy the sport in a safer environment.

"It would be nice if there was an area that could be closed one day a week for cycling. I think that's something that has worked in other places and would be a great way to encourage more people to get involved."

Despite Grenada's scenic landscape and favourable climate, Walters believes current road conditions make the island less attractive as a cycling destination for overseas athletes.

He explained that while early morning training rides can still be manageable, increasing traffic has become a growing concern.

"A couple of years ago, if I went out at five or six in the morning to do loops along the Maurice Bishop Highway, it wasn't too bad," he said. "The roads are a little bumpy, but they're manageable. The biggest issue is the traffic."

According to Walters, congestion increases significantly as commuters head toward St George's during the morning rush, making training increasingly difficult.

"When I come home for the National Championships and need to get my training rides in, that's the hardest part."

While acknowledging that velodromes are important for track cycling, Walters believes the Caribbean should prioritise a more versatile facility that can benefit multiple sports and encourage broader community participation.

He pointed to the experience of Barbados, where a velodrome was eventually demolished after it was no longer being used regularly.

"I'd hate to see something like that get built and then not be used," he said.

Instead, Walters proposed the development of a dedicated cycling circuit that could accommodate both cyclists and runners, creating a multi-purpose sporting facility removed from vehicular traffic.

"My dream would be a cycle circuit with a running path alongside it," he said. "Then it's used by cyclists and runners, and it's completely away from the cars. I think that would be the best solution."