Sports

PM Emphasises Sportsmanship & Opportunity With The Prime Minister Cup

The Prime Minister’s Cup was officially launched at Friendship Ground, Hothersal Turning, St. Michael, earlier this week, with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley emphasizing its potential to foster not only athletic excellence but also social and economic opportunities for the community.

Delivering an inspiring speech in front of hundreds of fans, she encouraged participating teams to seize the moment.

Ms. Mottley told players in the first match between Deacons Football Club and Parish Land: “You have the opportunity to prove yourselves as credible football players. This field is more than just a place for sport; it’s a platform for creating opportunities whether it’s for yourselves, the vendors supporting their families, or the broader community.”

Emphasis on teamwork

Highlighting the multifaceted benefits of the tournament, Prime Minister Mottley underscored the importance of teamwork and financial responsibility. “By working together as a team, you set a goal and work towards it. This tournament isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about making you stronger, better citizens of Barbados. Those who are untrained or unemployed let us help you find a path forward to provide for yourselves and your families,” she stated.

She also stressed the importance of setting and achieving goals, both on and off the field. “If you’re scoring goals here, you better understand when I say it’s about setting a goal and having a plan to achieve it. The financial literacy and other programmess we’ve implemented are designed to elevate you to victory, both individually and as a team,” noted PM Mottley.

Acknowledging that the tournament sets the tone for sportsmanship and community spirit, she reminded the participants: “We will enjoy good sportsmanship, but we will not tolerate any foolishness. If issues arise, we will address them immediately.”

The Prime Minister’s Cup is part of a broader initiative to create opportunities for Barbadians across various sports, including road tennis, cricket, netball, and motorsports. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Mottley said, “after three years of shutdown, the time has come for us to lift the game and create opportunities for ourselves.”

Tournament to be used to empower and create opportunities

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the tournament would not only uplift the community but also empower participants to explore opportunities beyond Barbados. “I hope and pray that some of you will start to support your families through this tournament. The world is your oyster, and it’s not only about what you can achieve here, but also about empowering people to see possibilities for you elsewhere in the world,” she emphasised.

In closing, she announced plans for a Master’s game at the end of the tournament, aimed at providing additional training and growth opportunities for the players. “Set the goal, meet the goal, and let us be successful in the Prime Minister’s Cup,” she urged, expressing her anticipation for the tournament and the grand finale on November 30.

The Prime Minister’s Cup has a top prize of $100,000 and other prizes. It is aimed at exposing players to financial literacy and other skills to elevate them.

Eighty-nine matches will be played by 24 teams, across the island.

The tournament continues tonight with Wotton vs Paradise and Pride of Gall Hill vs Whitehall Titans, at Gall Hill, St, John. (PR/GIS)

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.