Sports

Sada Williams honoured at GAIA

Sada Williams continues to be a rising star in the world of athletics, particularly in the 400-meter race. Her speed and skill on the track has captured the attention of the World and at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Wednesday the Government of Barbados, recognized her outstanding achievements and dedication to her sport.

On Wednesday morning, an event was held to celebrate Sada’s success as a billboard to recognize her accomplishments was unveiled in the arrival hall of the Airport and a cheque for $150 000 to help pay for her preparations towards the Olympic Games next year was presented to Sada.

Sada captured the bronze medal for the second consecutive time at the IAAF World Athletic Championships (2022 and 2023) and is also a Commonwealth gold medalist (2022). She also made it to the Semi finals of the Tokyo Olympics with the fastest ever non-qualifying time for the finals.

The Minister of Sport, Charles Griffith, expressed his gratitude to the team for organizing the event and extended special thanks to Coach Francis from the MVP track club in Jamaica for nurturing Sada’s talent and helping her reach incredible heights in her athletic career.

Minister Griffith acknowledged the importance of recognizing excellence in sports and expressed his appreciation for Sada’s consistent performance at the international level. He emphasized that the government, in its own small way, wanted to honor Sada’s efforts and dedication. The Minister also spoke about Sada’s goal of competing at the upcoming Olympics and standing on the podium, highlighting her determination and desire for more success.

The year was declared the year of youth, and the Minister of Sports, Youth, and Culture, Charles Griffith, said that every effort would be made to shine a strong and bright light on the accomplishments of young people like Sada. He congratulated Sada for her achievements so far and expressed the belief that she would become an inspiration for other young individuals. The Minister hoped that Sada’s success would motivate other youngsters to work hard and reach the same level of accomplishment.

Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Santia Bradshaw, joined the celebration and expressed her pride and joy for Sada’s achievements. She thanked Sada for making her nation proud and applauded her for always displaying grace and humility. The Deputy Prime Minister addressed Sada’s roots in St. Michael South and welcomed her officially as one of its products. She also acknowledged Coach Francis, who had made a significant contribution to Sada’s development and had played a pivotal role in positioning Barbados as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

Deputy PM Bradshaw spoke about the importance of strategic partnerships between Barbados and Jamaica in sports and highlighted Sada’s success as a prime example of the need to accelerate discussions and asolid framework for such partnerships. She expressed her confidence in Sada’s potential for global stardom with Coach Francis’s guidance.

The government’s commitment to elevating sports as a pillar of national identity was expressed by the Deputy Prime Minister stating that events like this celebration were envisioned to recognize the invaluable contributions of athletes in unifying the people and providing a source of inspiration. Sada, with her achievements, had become a favorite of Barbadians, who followed her every competition with great enthusiasm.

In conclusion, Sada Williams was celebrated for her outstanding accomplishments and dedication to her sport. Her success had made her a role model for young people, and her achievements had brought pride to the nation of Barbados. With her eyes set on the upcoming Olympics, Sada continues to inspire athletes and all Barbadians to strive for excellence and reach for the stars.

Sports

FINAL T20I WASHED OUT

Article by David Harris

Rain washed out the fifth and final T20I match between the West Indies and England at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Sunday evening.

Only five overs were possible before the heavens opened up forcing the players to leave the field, and eventually play was called off a few hours later.

During the five overs, the West Indies raced to 44 for no wickets as openers Evin Lewis (29) and Shai Hope (17) continued from where they had left in the fourth T20 I on Saturday night.

Chasing 219 for victory, the West Indies scored 221 for five wickets in 19 overs, Lewis (68) and Hope (54) shared an opening stand of 136 runs in 9.1 overs that laid the foundation for the Caribbean side consolation win in the series.

England had already won the series after defeating their hosts by three wickets in the third T20 I at the same venue.

The West Indies international season continue with two Tests, three One Day Internationals, and two T20Is against Bangladesh.

The Test series starts at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on November 22.

Sports

A CLOSE WIN FOR ENGLAND AGAINST THE WEST INDIES

Article by David Harris

England won the T20I against the West Indies after defeating the regional team by three wickets in a close match at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Thursday night.

Set a target of 146 for victory England scored 149 runs in 19.2 overs. The visitors losing the wickets of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell for 43 runs at the end of the Power Play.

Opener Will Jacks (32) and Sam Curran (41) steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 38 runs. Jacks faced 33 balls and counted three fours, after Jacks’ dismissal, Curran and Liam Livingstone (39) added 39 vital runs for the fifth wicket.

Livingstone received three chances during his stay at the crease. Wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran dropped him on six, off fast bowler Alzarri Joseph returning from his two-match suspension.

His second chance came when he was dropped by Pooran off left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie on eight, and Shimron Hetmeyer failed to clasp a low chance at midwicket off Motie when Livington had scored 21.

Livingstone made the most of his reprieves, he struck Joseph for 16 runs in the 18^th over before being caught at long-off by Ramario Sheperd off Motie, by then England was within sight of victory. Motie was the most successful bowler for the West Indies with four wickets for 27 runs.

Earlier England won the toss for the third consecutive time and opted to field; the West Indies innings began disastrously losing five wickets for 37 runs in the sixth over, Rovman Powell (50) and Shepherd repaired the damage with 73 runs for the sixth wicket that took the score to 110 runs in the 16^th over.

The West Indies looked set to make a big score when fast bowler Jamie Overton trapped Shepherd lbw and picked up the wickets of Powell and Motie.

Joseph 21 not out and Akeal Hosein who was unbeaten on eight added 23 runs in the final two overs to take the score to 145 for eight wickets.

Man of the Match pacer Saqib Mahmood who took the early wickets at the start of the West Indies innings captured for 17 runs, and Overton picked up three wickets for 20 runs.

Sports

ENGLAND LEADS WEST INDIES 2-0

Article by David Harris

England took a 2-0 lead over the West Indies with an emphatic seven wicket victory at Kensington Oval on Sunday night.

Chasing 159 runs for victory captain Jos Buttler smashed a 45-ball 83 which included eight fours and six sixes to guide England to victory in 14.5 overs; Will Jacks contributed 38, and Liam Livingstone made an unbeaten 23 runs.

England had an early setback in the chase when opener Phil Salt who made a century in the first match was dismissed by left –arm spinner Akeal Hosein for a golden duck; but Buttler and Jacks shared a massive second partnership of 129 runs that placed the visitors on the road to victory.

Buttler and Jacks were dismissed by medium pacer Romario Shepherd in the 13^th over with the score on 130 by then England needed 29 runs to win the match, and Livingstone blasted three fours and a six to take the Englishmen over the line in the 15^th over. Shepherd took two wickets for 42 runs from 3. 5 expensive overs.

Earlier, the West Indies scored 158 for eight wickets after England won the toss and decided to field. Even though England bowlers were wayward with their lines they picked up the early wickets of Brandon King, Evin Lewis and Roston Chase to leave the West Indies wobbling at 35 for three wickets in the fourth over.

Captain Rovman Powell made 43 and Shepherd got 22 but their score 158 was insufficient to prevent the West Indies suffering a second consecutive defeat by England in two days.

Pacer Saqib Mahmood took two wickets 20 runs, Liam Livingstone captured two wickets for 16 runs with a mixture of off-breaks and leg-breaks, and off-spinner Dan Mousley picked two wickets for 29 runs.