News Americas, New York, NY, Thurs. Feb. 1, 2024: Caribbean football fans are in for an exciting Super Bowl showdown as Trinidad & Tobago-born Javon Kinlaw, an immigrant from the Caribbean, is set to take center stage in the Super Bowl LVIII.

Kinlaw is set to represent the San Francisco 49ers as they face off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11th – (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS). He is the only Caribbean born immigrants set to play in Super Bowl LVIII.

Trinidad-born Caribbean immigrant Javon Kinlaw #99 of the San Francisco 49ers is set to play in Super Bowl LVIII. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old defensive tackle, known by his jersey number #99, began his football journey in college at South Carolina before being drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kinlaw’s remarkable story began in Port of Spain, Trinidad’s capital, where he was born. His early life took a challenging turn when he and his mother and brother relocated to Washington, D.C., and faced homelessness. For a significant period, Javon lived in an apartment in the D.C. region, sharing the space with his mother and older brother, Shaquille, until they were forced to move due to a change in their landlord’s circumstances.

Javon Kinlaw #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. He is set to be the only Caribbean immigrant player in the 2024 Super Bowl. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Their new residence quickly deteriorated, culminating in the roof collapsing, and they had to move once more when Kinlaw was around 9 or 10 years old. During these difficult times, basic amenities like electricity and running water were often unavailable, and they relied on a neighbor’s hose for water collection and makeshift cooking arrangements.

Kinlaw’s wardrobe was minimal, with new clothes acquired only at the start of the school year. He had to make his clothing last, rotating between a single pair of jeans, a few shorts, a hoodie, and some shirts. Despite these hardships, Kinlaw refrained from complaining or asking for more because he understood the family’s financial constraints.

Growing up in adversity, Kinlaw adapted to their circumstances and didn’t view them as overly distressing. To him, it was a way of life, and he believed they still had good days amidst the challenges. However, as he entered his teenage years, Kinlaw started facing challenges, developing negative habits and occasionally getting into trouble.

In his ninth-grade year, Kinlaw relocated to South Carolina to live with his father, George, seeking an escape from the difficult environment in Northeast Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the move presented its own set of challenges, including reports of his father’s alcoholism and occasional physical abuse, as well as his father’s girlfriend’s reluctance to have Kinlaw around.

During his senior year in South Carolina, Kinlaw found himself residing with a fellow teammate due to these circumstances. At school, he encountered bullying from older students due to his size, weighing 280 pounds, and his clothing choices. Teachers held doubts about his potential for success, and many people around him were skeptical about his future.

Despite these obstacles, Kinlaw’s journey into football began during his sophomore year at Goose Creek High School in South Carolina as a means to keep himself occupied without getting into trouble. Although he wasn’t initially considered a highly talented player, his size attracted attention from college scouts, ultimately leading to a scholarship offer from the University of South Carolina.

Kinlaw’s struggles extended beyond the football field, with difficulties in academics, effort, and disciplinary issues. Despite these challenges, his coaches recognized that football provided stability in his life and refused to remove him from the team.

Kinlaw’s upbringing had made him naturally defensive and cautious about trusting others, and frequent relocations had hindered his ability to form lasting friendships. However, as he transitioned to Jones College in Mississippi, he began to trust people, especially coaches, marking the start of his transformation and personal growth.

This journey was not without setbacks, but Kinlaw, with guidance from his mentors, formulated a plan to leave Goose Creek and enrolled at Jones College. There, he pursued his GED and earned an associate’s degree, gaining valuable life skills and structure.

Upon leaving Jones, Kinlaw had undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming more disciplined, trusting of others, and committed to his performance on the football field. He also experienced physical growth, allowing him to eat without constraints and further excel in football.

Despite facing adversity and trauma from his early years, Kinlaw’s dedication to self-improvement and his passion for football have led him to the pinnacle of the sport. His performance as a pivotal player for the 49ers this season has been instrumental in their success, and his contributions will be critical as they strive to secure the Lombardi Trophy in the upcoming Super Bowl clash against the Chiefs.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Jan. 30, 2024: Guyana-born, West Indies’ rising fast bowler, Shamar Joseph, has been signed by Peshawar Zalmi for the upcoming Pakistan Super League, (PSL), scheduled for later this month.

This move comes just two days after Joseph’s standout performance in the second Test match in Brisbane on January 27th, which helped the Windies men to victory.

Shamar Joseph of West Indies reacts after he was gifted a shift by Pat Cummins of Australia during day four of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba on January 28, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The 24-year-old, who recently made his debut in Adelaide, was initially brought in as a replacement for England fast bowler Gus Atkinson. Peshawar Zalmi had initially named Atkinson as a replacement for Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad. However, since Atkinson is currently on England’s tour of India, Joseph was chosen as the stand-in.

Peshawar Zalmi confirmed Joseph’s inclusion in their squad on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “Fans asked, we delivered. Welcome to the Zalmi family Shamar Joseph.”

Although Joseph was initially signed as a replacement, ESPNCricinfo reported that he is expected to stay with the team for the entire tournament, which runs from February 17 to March 24.

If this arrangement holds, it means that Joseph, who has limited experience with only seven first-class matches, will be available for only the last two rounds of the Cricket West Indies four-day championship, commencing on February 7.

Joseph will find familiar faces at Peshawar Zalmi, including West Indies’ white-ball head coach, Darren Sammy, who will serve as Zalmi’s head coach for the upcoming season. Additionally, Twenty20 captain Rovman Powell is expected to feature for the team.

Joseph made headlines with his performance during the West Indies’ two-Test tour of Australia. He secured a five-wicket haul on his debut in the Adelaide Test, despite the team losing by ten wickets. Joseph continued to impress by taking an astounding seven for 68 in the second Test, leading West Indies to an unexpected eight-run victory at the Gabba.

The under-strength West Indies had initially lost the opening game in Adelaide by 10 wickets but hit back strongly to win the second Test by eight runs in Brisbane, to force a 1-1 draw in the series.

The series result halted a worrisome run of nine consecutive series defeats, with the Brisbane victory marking West Indies’ first in Tests Down Under for 27 years.

Although Joseph has limited experience in T20 cricket, having played just two matches for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2023 Caribbean Premier League, his remarkable talent has earned him a spot in the Peshawar Zalmi squad for the PSL.

Joseph was born in Baracara, a small community in East Berbice-Corentyne, Guyana, about 225 km up the Canje River, and two days by boat from the port city of New Amsterdam. Joseph was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series for his shattering wicket-taking at the Gabba.

Cricket Windies

Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies, remarked “This victory is a testament to the indomitable spirit of West Indies cricket. It demonstrates our ability to rise above adversity and justly be among the world’s cricketing elite. “

President Shallow continued, “Captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s exemplary leadership has been instrumental in guiding our team through challenges and victories alike. His resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to the cause have inspired this young team and every member of our cricketing fraternity.”

Sir Curtly’s Advice

Meanwhile, renowned former fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose has advised Joseph, to concentrate on the longer format of the game to refine his skills.

Following Joseph’s impressive performance in the second Test against Australia in Brisbane, Sir Curtly emphasized the importance of establishing a strong foundation in red-ball cricket before venturing into shorter formats.

Speaking on the matter, Sir Curtly stated, “I believe that he loves cricket in general and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Test, ODI, or T20 cricket. I believe he is just passionate  about cricket.”

He continued, “But for me, I would love to see him continue playing red-ball cricket for a while so that he can develop his skills. Because we know sometimes as a young player as you gain success you are wanted in the T20 franchise cricket around the world.”

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Jan. 26, 2024: In a highly anticipated draw held at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Concacaf has unveiled the groups for the second round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jamaica, currently ranked as the number one team in the Caribbean Football Union, will take center stage in Group E.

FLASHBACK: Damion Lowe (L) and Dexter Lembikisa (C) of Jamaica fight for the ball with Orbelin Pineda (R) of Mexico during the match between Mexico and Jamaica as part of the CONCACAF Nations League at Azteca on March 26, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Jamaica will face formidable opponents in Group E, including Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Dominica, and the winner of the first-round clash between the British Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands, set to unfold in March 2024.

The Reggae Boyz, under the guidance of Brazilian coach René Simões, have set their sights on a return to the World Cup stage. Their last appearance was in 1998 when they achieved a commendable third-place finish in the first-round group, competing against the likes of Argentina and Croatia.

With a talent pool that includes players from the English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and the United Soccer League in the United States, the Jamaican team aims to end their World Cup qualification drought.

In other groupings, Trinidad & Tobago, the only other English-speaking CFU team to have participated in the World Cup, will feature in Group B alongside Costa Rica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, and the Bahamas.

The qualification journey continues for teams in Group A, featuring Honduras, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Cuba. Meanwhile, Group C will showcase CFU No. 2 Haiti, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, and St Lucia.

Guyana, which recently secured promotion to the top tier of the Concacaf Nations League, joins Group D, where they will compete against Panama, Belize, Montserrat, and Nicaragua. Group F brings together El Salvador, Puerto Rico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and the victor of the first-round match-up between Turks & Caicos Islands and Anguilla.

It’s important to note that Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as joint hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have automatic qualification, exempting them from the Concacaf qualifiers. The remaining 30 teams within the confederation will fiercely contend in the second round of qualifiers.

The initial round of World Cup qualification for Concacaf teams is scheduled for March of this year, involving the four lowest-ranked teams: BVI, USVI, TCI, and Anguilla. In the second round, teams will engage in single round-robin matches, with six group winners and six group runners-up advancing to the 12-team third round of qualification.

The second round of qualifiers will take place over two match days in June of this year, followed by another two match days in June of the subsequent year, setting the stage for an intense battle for World Cup qualification in the region.

News Americas, HARTFORD, CT, Mon. Jan. 8, 2023: Hartford Athletic has officially announced the signing of Jamaican Reggae Boyz defender Jordan Scarlett for the upcoming 2024 United Soccer League Championship, commencing March 9 in the United States. The 28-year-old defender is set to join the Connecticut-based club, subject to approval from the league and federation. His move follows a stint with Louisville City FC in 2023, which was prematurely ended by a knee injury after just three appearances.

Scarlett is the third Jamaican player Hartford Athletic has acquired this year, following the signings of Deshane Beckford and Romario Williams from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. These new additions, including Scarlett, enhance the club’s Caribbean presence, joining compatriot Andre Lewis and Trinidad & Tobago’s Tristan Hodge.

Expressing his enthusiasm on the club’s website, Scarlett mentioned, “I am genuinely appreciative to be back playing the game that holds my heart.” Having grown up in New York, he views signing with Hartford as a homecoming and is excited to play in front of Hartford’s passionate fan base. He looks forward to contributing to the talented and exciting team at Hartford Athletic.

Scarlett, a native of Jamaica who grew up in the Bronx, attended Iona University and was selected by the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. He played his first three professional seasons with the New York Red Bulls II from 2017 to 2019. His USL Championship career is notable, with 157 appearances including time with the Red Bulls and Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he was a defensive leader and helped them reach the Eastern Conference final in each of his three seasons from 2020 to 2022.

Hartford’s head coach and general manager, Brendan Burke, praised Scarlett on the club’s website, highlighting his aggressive defending, aerial prowess, and valuable postseason experience. Burke expressed excitement about Scarlett driving the core group of defenders in the upcoming season.

Scarlett debuted internationally in June 2022 in a match against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League, representing the Reggae Boyz.

News Americas, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Weds. Dec. 20, 2023: It’s D-Day tomorrow for the West Indies and England as the two sides clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Reece Topley of England shakes hands with Gudakesh Motie of West Indies after the 4th T20 International match between West Indies and England at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 19, 2023 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

England on Tuesday night leveled the series after the Windies men had held a 2-0 lead. Once again, England’s opening batsman, Phil Salt, delivered a remarkable performance in the fourth T20 International at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday night, contributing significantly to the visitors’ victory. Pursuing a challenging target of 268, Salt, displaying his right-handed prowess, produced an astonishing innings of 119 runs off just 57 balls.

Phil Salt of England plays an attacking shot into the on-side as Nicholas Pooran of West Indies looks on during the 4th T20 International match between West Indies and England at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 19, 2023 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

The West Indies, in response, fell short and were dismissed for a total of 192 in the 16th over.

England secured a convincing 75-run win, leveling the series at 2-2. As a result, the fifth and final match on Thursday, to be held at the same venue, will serve as the series decider, with the victor claiming the trophy. The first ball is scheduled for 4 p.m. (3 pm Jamaica Time).

Nicholas Pooran of the West Indies walks off the field dismissed by Sam Curran of England during the 4th T20I between the West Indies and England at Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, on December 19, 2023. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

England’s innings got off to a flying start Tuesday as Salt hammered seven fours and ten sixes, laying the foundation for their record-breaking total of 267-3. He formed a formidable opening partnership of 117 runs with captain Jos Buttler, who contributed 55 runs off 29 balls, including six fours and three sixes. This partnership marked their second consecutive century stand.

Salt continued to shine, adding 56 runs for the second wicket with Will Jacks (24) and then 73 runs for the third wicket with Liam Livingstone. Livingstone remained unbeaten on 54 runs, which came off just 21 balls and featured four fours and four sixes.

When it was West Indies’ turn to bat, Nicholas Pooran scored 39 runs, and Sherfane Rutherford contributed 36, displaying explosive hitting but failing to carry on. In the latter stages of the innings, the experienced all-rounder, Andre Russell, made a quickfire 51 runs off 25 balls, including five towering sixes.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell acknowledged the exceptional performance of Salt and Buttler, stating, “Credit has to be given where credit is due. I think Phil Salt and Jos (Buttler) batted really well upfront. Having said that, we didn’t hit our plans but those things do happen. Thursday gives us an opportunity to come and do better. The boys like a final, it seems. We’ll come Thursday with brand-new ideas, brand-new plans, and see how best we can entertain our fans at home.”

Nicholas Pooran of West Indies batting during the 4th T20 International match between West Indies and England at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 19, 2023 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

HISTORIC SERIES

Meanwhile, the ongoing T20 International Series between West Indies and England has evolved into a spectacular showcase of six-hitting prowess, captivating cricket enthusiasts worldwide. In the four completed matches thus far, both teams have unleashed a barrage of sixes, tallying an astounding 108 sixes in total. This remarkable feat sets a new record for the highest number of sixes in any bilateral series between two full-member nations, surpassing the previous record of 96.

Within this series, West Indies have thundered their way to 57 sixes, while England has launched an impressive 51 sixes—mind you, with one match still to be played! It promises to be a breathtaking spectacle as we eagerly anticipate how many more sixes will soar into the stands at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, and perhaps even breach the confines of the stadium during the grand finale on Thursday evening.

The explosive six-hitting extravaganza commenced with West Indies hitting 14 sixes in their opening victory at Kensington Oval in Barbados while chasing down a target of 171, securing a thrilling four-wicket win. This display of power hitting continued in the second match at Grenada National Stadium, where they recorded another 13 sixes on their way to a 10-run victory.

The third match, also in Grenada, witnessed the home team unleashing a staggering 16 maximums, despite narrowly losing in a cliffhanger. Then, in the fourth match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday, West Indies hammered another 14 sixes, even though they ended up on the losing side.

But there’s more to the story of six-hitting prowess. This year alone, West Indies have launched an impressive 150 sixes in 12 completed matches. Their most prolific performance came when they scored a remarkable 258-5 against South Africa at Centurion in March, amassing a colossal 22 sixes. During that epic showdown, Johnson Charles stole the spotlight with 11 sixes while top-scoring with 118 runs off just 46 balls.

With an average of 12.5 sixes per match, West Indies leads the charge, boasting the highest average of any full-member nation in any year. To put it into perspective, the next highest average is Australia, with 9.4 sixes per match. The West Indies’ remarkable six-hitting prowess is setting new standards and thrilling fans with each boundary-clearing strike.