Three Group B teams hunt one play-off spot in U-20 Champs

CATHERINE HALL, St James — Today’s final day of group play in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships at the Montego Bay Sports Complex could be the most dramatic with three teams from Group B still in with a shot at the one remaining play-off spot, and a chance at World Cup qualification.

Two-time defending champions Mexico have already secured the group honours with 12 points from four straight wins and secured a 14th spot in the World Cup to be held May-June in New Zealand, as well as qualified for Saturday’s final.

Honduras on seven points are also sure of a place in the play-offs regardless of their result today.

Mexico, who are seeking a 16th straight win in CONCACAF championships, will complete their fixtures against out-of- contention Haiti in the final game of the triple-header this evening.

Honduras are in second place on seven points followed by El Salvador on five, Cuba on four, Canada on three and Haiti on two.

Before that game, however, three nations — El Salvador, Cuba and Canada –will come into the day with varying degrees of hope of advancing.

El Salvador could hold the key, however, as a win over Cuba in the first game would also see them and Honduras advancing before they kick off against Canada in the 5:30 pm game.

Cuba have earned all four points from their last two games — a 2-2 draw against Haiti and an upset 2-1 win over Canada two days ago. A win for Cuba would see them qualifying for the play-offs at the expense of El Salvador.

Frank Lopez got a brace against Canada and the Cubans will hope he and Eddy Luis Saname can continue producing goals.

Cuba had lost their first two games by a combined 12-1 margin, but their defence has improved considerably since then, giving up only three goals in their following two games.

El Salvador are, however, confident they will qualify for a second World Cup, and despite a 3-1 loss to Mexico Monday, should be good enough to get by Cuba.

Jose Villavicencio has been El Salvador’s talisman in the tournament with three of their eight goals. With him teaming up with Juan Barahona and Bryan Perez, the Central Americans could prove too strong for the Cubans.

Canada will be hoping for a draw in their hopes of getting past the group stages.

They have lost three straight games after beating Haiti in the first match and have not lived up to pre-tournament expectations.

Their big guns have not fired; Jordan Hamilton, has scored twice in the first half against Haiti, but he has not found the back of the net since. Cyle Larin, the number one pick in the MLS Super Draft, has fired blanks so far.

Michael Petrasso and Marco Busco, from whom much was expected, have also failed to deliver.

Honduras, meanwhile, could rest top players for the play-offs on Saturday as they have very little to gain from risking the likes of Alberth Elis and Bryan Rochez in this game.

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Three Group B teams hunt one play-off spot in U-20 Champs

Murray sets up semis clash with Nadal at Mubadala Champs

ABU DHABI, Dubai (AFP) — Andy Murray set up a Mubadala World Tennis Championship semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal when he battled to a hard-earned 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-4 win over Spain’s Feliciano Lopez yesterday.

Murray, 27, needed five match points before he secured victory and will next look to clinch a double over Nadal in the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament having defeated the Spanish great in the final in 2009.

“It was really good,” Murray told the www.national.ae.

“We played two-and-a-half hours, and it was a fairly high-quality match. There were some periods in the match, a couple of games, where the level dropped a bit, but there were some good rallies.

“Lopez is a different opponent to most of the players you play on the tour these days, so it was a good test for me, and I am happy I got two-and-a-half hours of good, competitive tennis to start the year.”

Murray said he was looking forward to facing Nadal as the world’s top players use the three-day exhibition tournament for crucial practice ahead of the new ATP season, which gets underway this weekend.

“When you have not played a match after a while, normally you can wake up a bit stiff the next day, a bit sore,” added Murray.

“So I will see how I wake up on Friday, but it is good for me to be able to test myself against Rafa and I will keep trying to improve.

“I am now guaranteed another two matches here, which is perfect and exactly what the players want.”

In yesterday’s late match, Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka eased past Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-2.

Wawrinka will next face world number one Novak Djokovic in today’s semi-finals.

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Murray sets up semis clash with Nadal at Mubadala Champs

Jamaica seek boys' 100 metre title at World Junior Champs

Jamaica will be seeking to return to the top of the medal podium in the boys’ sprints at the World Junior Athletics Championships, July 22-27 in Eugene, Oregon in the USA.

But the island’s two fastest junior sprinters are unsure which events they will line up in Eugene.   

Between 2007 and 2010, Jamaica held the distinction of having the gold medal in the World Youth and World Junior Boys’ 100 metres. Dexter Lee became the first Jamaican to win the World Youth 100m title before going on to win back to back titles in the same event at the 2008 and 2010 World Junior Championships.

Jamaica lost the crown in 2012 when Odean Skeen took the bronze in the event in Barcelona, Spain.

Once again it will be difficult task for Jamaica to regain the 100m World Junior title. The American Trayvon Bromelll has already run a world junior record 9.97 this season.  But in Jevauhgn Minzie and Michael O’Hara,  the country has two very capable junior sprinters.

Minzie has a personal  best of 10.16 while O’Hara  has posted a PB of 10.19. Minzie, who lost to O’Hara at the National Junior Championships last month, says he is back to where he was at Boys’ Championships.

In fact he says his aim for the 100 metres is a sub-10 second clocking in Eugene.  The 100 and 200 metre double is always a tough challenge at the World Juniors. But 18 year old Minzie, who ran a personal best 20.37 for the 200 metres at Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, says he is ready for the double. While Minzie is ready for the 100 and 200 metre work load at his 2nd World Junior Champs,  O’Hara is uncertain.

Although he beat Minzie over both distances at the National Junior Trials, O’Hara is eyeing just one flat event in Eugene. And that is the 200 meters, for which he is the World Youth Champion. 

But, the big question is, is the 17 year old ready for the pressure of the World Junior Championships?

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Jamaica seek boys" 100 metre title at World Junior Champs

STETHS hold slim lead at Western Champs

Friday, February 14, 2014 | 3:28 PM    

HANOVER, Jamaica — Defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) hold a slender 21 points lead after 16 completed finals in the County of Cornwall Athletics Association’s (COCAA) Gatorade/Hanover Co-operative Credit Union’s Girls Western Championships after Thursday’s eliminations held at the Colin Miller Sports Complex in Lucea.

STETHS trailed hosts Rusea’s earlier but accumulated valuable points from finals that were completed late on the day to take the lead going into Saturday’s combined finals at the Montego Bay Sports Complex starting at 10:00am.

Six records were broken at both eliminations, at the boys on Tuesday at Munro College and the girls on Thursday. Grange Hill’s Felecia Street was a double-winner on Thursday, breaking the Class 1 discus throw record, with a 45.25m effort, then added the Shot put Class 1 later in the day.

Girls points after 16 completed finals:

STETHS-111.5, Rusea’s High-90.5, Herbert Morrison-72, Grange Hill-47, Hampton-32, Petersfield -29, Spot Vlley-26.5, Frome-24, Mt Alvernia-24, Mannings-23, Lacovia-19, Montego Bay High-14.5, BB Coke-14, Green Island-12, Lewisville-11, William Knibb-11, Green Pond-3, Balaclava-3, Rhodes Hall-3, Maud McLeod-2, Muschett-1

Boys points after 13 finals:

Munro College-135, Petersfield High-99, STETHS-68, Herbert Morrison-51, Cornwall College-45, Lacovia-18, Cedric Titus- 12.5, Rusea’s High-11.5, Godfrey Stewart-10, Green Island-7, Grange Hill and Mannings-6, Green Pond and Muschett-4 each, Maggotty-3, and Balaclava-1.

Paul Reid

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STETHS hold slim lead at Western Champs

Junior squash champs Morrison, Mahfood win CAC, Commonwealth Games qualifier

JUNIOR Squash champions Julian Morrison and Jake Mahfood stormed back from early-round losses to take the top two positions, respectively, in the first round of qualification for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was contested on the weekend at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

Morrison, the All-Jamaica Under-19 boys’ champion, proved indefatigable as he battled through several hard matches to win the three-day tournament. After being highly favoured to skate into the final he suffered an upset at the hands of veteran Bruce Levy, who beat him 10/12, 10/12, 11/8, 11/9, 11/5 in the last stage of the round-robin segment of the tournament on Saturday night.The loss meant that Morrison had to face tournament favourite, Caribbean Under-19 champion Ashante Smith, in the semi-finals on Sunday morning rather than in the final, as had been widely predicted. Morrison rose to the occasion, toppling Smith 11/7, 6/11, 11/7, 11/6 to make it to the final.All-Jamaica Under-17 boys’ champion Jake Mahfood also proved his mettle by rebounding from an opening- round loss to Smith. The fiery teenager came back to beat veteran Joey Levy 11/8, 12/10, 11/6 and then followed it up with an 11/2, 6/11, 11/8, 11/5 win over Bruce Levy.In the final, Mahfood took a commanding lead by winning the first two games; but then Morrison roared back to answer his junior national teammate shot-for-shot and eventually sealed the victory 6/11, 8/11, 11/8, 11/5, 11/7.Bruce Levy took third place after Smith conceded due to injury. The players were tied at 10-10 in the third game with Smith up 11/5, 11/3 when the Under-19 Caribbean champion suffered a dramatic mishap and had to withdraw from the match.In the ladies draw, squash queen Karen Anderson beat All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-15 girls champion and reigning All Jamaica Ladies Champion Alyssa Mullings in the final. In a highly anticipated match, Anderson, the 12-time All Jamaica Ladies Champion, proved she still had the goods by dismissing the rising star 11/9, 11/8, 11/9. In addition, former senior national team player Tracy Binnie beat Melissa Lue-Yen 11/9, 11/2, 12/10.“It was great to see the junior players stepping up and the youngsters did well to make it through the first stage of qualification,” Gill Binnie, Secretary of the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA), explained.“The next stage will be even more challenging, but they have served notice to the senior players that they are prepared to fight for a place on the national team,” she added.Morrison and Mahfood as well as Anderson, Mullings, Lue-Yen and Binnie will go on to compete in the final-round of qualification for the CAC and Commonwealth Games which will be held in April 2014. All-Jamaica Under-17 squash champion Jake Mahfood (tight) accepts his trophy from First Vice- President of the Jamaica Squash Association Chris Hinds, after placing second in the first-round qualifier for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.All Jamaica Under-19 squash champion Julian Morrison (right) receives his trophy from First Vice-President of the Jamaica Squash Association, Chris Hinds, after winning the first round qualifier for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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Junior squash champs Morrison, Mahfood win CAC, Commonwealth Games qualifier

Jamaica lose to Mexico 89-100 in FIBA Champs

CARACAS, Venezuela — Jamaica, playing without key member Samardo Samuels, were defeated 89-100 by Central Americans giants Mexico in Saturday’s FIBA Americas Championship second round clash at the Poliedro de Caracas.

The Sam Vincent-coached players, who are virtually eliminated from the tournament, close their second round campaign against  hosts Venezuela on Sunday.The four semi-finalists at the FIBA Americas Championship automatically advance to the 2014 basketball World Cup in Spain.The JamrockerZ, who created history in a beating of champions Argentina on Friday, matched the Mexicans for most of the game, but could not sustain the challenge in the fourth quarter.Jamaica’s centre Jerome Jordan was impressive while scoring 24 points and hauling down six rebounds. Hector Hernandez starred for Mexico with 25 points. With the one point awarded for a loss, Jamaica, joined Argentina on seven points. After the two points obtained for the victory, Mexico provisionally moved into top position with 10 points, while Puerto Rico follow on nine.Canada, Dominican Republic and Venezuela are all locked on eight. Uruguay are in last place with six points. With three matches still to be played today, the standings will change based on the final results. Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Jamaica lose to Mexico 89-100 in FIBA Champs

Ja out of FIBA Champs

Coach Vincent demands final push against hosts today

CARACAS, Venezuela — By the time Jamaica face hosts Venezuela in the FIBA Americas Championship game at 7:00 pm (Jamaica time), they will be eliminated from semi-final contention here.The JamRockerZ’ 89-100 loss to Central American giants Mexico in their penultimate game of the second round, inside the Poliedro de Caracas yesterday, was the final nail in the coffin for a team that has fought admirably.Sam Vincent’s team has lost two matches to go with a lone victory — against champions Argentina — so far in the second round. They also recorded only one win, albeit against the mighty Brazil, during the preliminary round.Head coach Vincent is calling for a final push from his players as they close out a historic campaign at the Championship.“For the Venezuela game we got to come out and make one more hard push. Beating Brazil and Argentina was more than anyone expected from Jamaica in this tournament. But now we need to finish on a very high note,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.The Jamaicans, competing at the FIBA Americas level for the first time, created further history by defeating Brazil and Argentina, but though matching the Mexicans for most of game, they just could not contain their opponents’ fantastic shooting in the fourth quarter.Jamaica led 20-19 and 46-44, respectively, at the end of the opening two quarters, but Mexico, who shot an outstanding 15/26 from beyond the three-point arc throughout the game, rallied in the third and led 69-68 heading into the final period.Jamaica’s centre Jerome Jordan, who lit up proceedings with several thumping slam dunks, was impressive while scoring 24 points from 8/9 shooting. He also hauled down six rebounds.Patrick Ewing Jr scored all of his 17 points, including a buzzer beating jump shot at the midway interval, in the first half before his nagging right shoulder injury was aggravated in the third quarter. Point guard Akeem Scott also had 17 points.Hector Hernandez starred for Mexico with 25 points.Vincent cited the absence of Milan-bound Samardo Samuels, who watched the game from the stands, and the injury to Ewing as crucial factors.“The Mexico team is a very good team. I thought the guys played really hard, but from a personnel standpoint — the fact that Samardo was out — we were really short and then with Patrick at half [his potential]. In the fourth quarter their [Mexico"s] experience and their talent took over,” Vincent said.With the one point given for a loss, Jamaica joined Uruguay on seven points, while the two awarded to Mexico provisionally moved them into top position on 10.Puerto Rico and Argentina follow with nine points each, while Canada, Dominican Republic and Venezuela are all locked on eight.Up to press time, Dominican Republic were set to face Canada, and Venezuela were scheduled to entertain Puerto Rico, which means the standings will change based on those final results.The four semi-finalists at the FIBA Americas Championship automatically advance to the 2014 basketball World Cup in Spain.Jamaica’s centre Jerome Jordan (left) takes a rebound ahead of Mexico’s Gustavo Ayon during the FIBA Americas Championship second round match at the Poliedro de Caracas yesterday. Jordan scored 24 points but Jamaica lost 89-100. (PHOTO: FIBAAMERICAS.COM)

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Ja out of FIBA Champs

Samuels out of FIBA Champs by mutual consent, says JaBA

Sport

By Sanjay MyersSaturday, September 07, 2013

CARACAS, Venezuela — Samardo Samuels’ absence from the victory over Argentina is to give the basketball player the opportunity to prepare for his upcoming move to Milan in Italy, according to the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA).Yesterday, Samuels did not travel in the team bus for the short trip from the hotel to the match venue and the official word is that by mutual consent, he is being allowed to prepare and focus for a debut season with Milan.Despite the missing team captain, the JamRockerZ fought gallantly and famously defeated the title-holders 81-75 in the FIBA Americas Championship second-round clash at the Poliedro de Caracas.The Jamaica Observer understands that Samuels is not expected to play any further part in the tournament.A statement from JaBA President Ajani Williams said:“Jamaica Basketball Association thanks Samardo for his tireless and selfless service to his country. Without him Jamaica basketball wouldn’t be here. It’s unfortunate his hamstring issues frustrated him and had him not at his full physical capacity and as such we have mutually decided that it’s best he shuts down his play and prepare for his professional job in Italy.“We are confident, as is evident, that our team is strong enough and resilient to continue making history. We wish him a successful year.”Samuels averaged 28 minutes, 15.4 points-per-game and 5.4 rebounds-per-game in five outings at this championship. He had 24 points in an 82-88 loss to Puerto Rico, and a game-high 21 in the historic 78-76 victory against Brazil. Samuels’ points average was easily the highest in the squad ahead of the Argentina game.During Jamaica’s insipid performance in the opening second-round loss to Dominican Republic on Thursday, a frustrated Samuels, who had nine points and four rebounds in a sub-par game, was hit with a technical foul after shouting at one of the officials.Following that, an obviously disappointed head coach Sam Vincent had insisted that his players should show more discipline during games and called on the entire contingent to be better systematically and mentally prepared ahead of matches.The veteran coach had also assured that a team meeting arranged for Thursday night was set to iron out the kinks.The Jamaicans, who face Mexico at 10:30 am today, are aiming to be among the semi-finalists at this Championship. That quartet automatically qualifies to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

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Samuels out of FIBA Champs by mutual consent, says JaBA

JamrockerZ go down 60-78 to DomRep in FIBA Champs

Sport

Thursday, September 05, 2013 | 5:04 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela — Jamaica succumbed to a 60-78 defeat against Dominican Republic in the opening second round game at the FIBA Americas Championship in the Poliedro de Caracas here on Thursday.The Jamaicans trailed 11-17, 29-42 and 45-57 at the end of each of the first three periods and despite gutsy play throughout, they were unable to contain the better organised Dominicana team.Jamaica’s all-action point guard Akeem Scott used his electric pace to beat opponents en route to easy lay ups and also hammered in several long range jumpers. He had 21 points, while Feldeine James led Dominican Republic with 22.The JamrockerZ, who historically eliminated Brazil two days ago, continue the hectic series of second round games with Friday’s 10:30 am (Jamaica time) clash against 2011 Americas winners Argentina, before facing Mexico on Saturday and the hosts Venezuela a day later.Based on the FIBA points system which awards one point for a loss and two for a victory, Jamaica, who took a bonus three from the first round, now have four.Dominican Republic entered the second round with four points and move up to six. The Puerto Rico team, which had a perfect win record in the first round, began this stage with six points — the most of any of the teams.The four semi-finalists at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship automatically advance to the basketball World Cup next year in Spain.–Sanjay Myers

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JamrockerZ go down 60-78 to DomRep in FIBA Champs

Bronze for young Sunshine Girls at World Youth Netball Champs

Sport

Saturday, August 31, 2013 | 10:36 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The young Sunshine Girls won the bronze medal at the World Youth Netball Championships today, beating England 52-33.The Jamaicans played superb as they got out to an early lead taking the first quarter 14-11.In the second quarter Jamaica began to stamp their authority over the English to take a commanding 25-18 lead at half-time.In the third quarter Jamaica further pulled away from England outscoring them 15-5 to go into the final quarter leading, 40-23.In the final quarter England tried to fight back but the young Sunshine Girls were merciless yet again outscoring them, taking the match 52-33.New Zealand and Australia play in the gold medal match later.

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Bronze for young Sunshine Girls at World Youth Netball Champs

Bronze for young Sunshine Girls at World Youth Netball Champs

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Saturday, August 31, 2013 | 10:36 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The young Sunshine Girls won the bronze medal at the World Youth Netball Championships today, beating England 52-33.The Jamaicans played superb as they got out to an early lead taking the first quarter 14-11.In the second quarter Jamaica began to stamp their authority over the English to take a commanding 25-18 lead at half-time.In the third quarter Jamaica further pulled away from England outscoring them 15-5 to go into the final quarter leading, 40-23.In the final quarter England tried to fight back but the young Sunshine Girls were merciless yet again outscoring them, taking the match 52-33.New Zealand and Australia play in the gold medal match later.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

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5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

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Bronze for young Sunshine Girls at World Youth Netball Champs

Jamaica lose 66-68 to Uruguay in FIBA Americas Champs

Sport

BY SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter myerss@jamaicaobserver.com Saturday, August 31, 2013 | 1:56 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela — Jamaica put in a battling display on Saturday but mistakes at critical moments against Group A opponents Uruguay saw them losing 66-68 in the dying seconds of the FIBA Americas Championship game at the Poliedro de Caracas.Forward Samardo Samuels led Jamaica with 19 points from 6/13 shooting along with six rebounds. The lively point guard Akeem Scott, who played over 36 minutes, was 4/7 from three-point range to end with 18 points. He also had four steals and two assists.Uruguay’s centre Esteban Batista led all scorers with 22 points. After defeat to Canada on Friday, the Jamaicans now have a 0-2 record from their opening two matches. The Jamrockerz have a break on Sunday before clashing with Puerto Rico Monday at 1:00 pm Jamaica time. On Tuesday, Jamaica will close out the preliminary phase with a 7:00 pm clash with Brazil. The top four countries in each of the two groups advance to the second round. The four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

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Jamaica lose 66-68 to Uruguay in FIBA Americas Champs

Jamaica blow away Cayman 98-2 at World Netball Champs

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Jamaica blow away Cayman 98-2 at World Netball Champs

Sunshine Girls whip Scotland 65-30 at World Youth Netball Champs

Jamaica’s Under-21 netballers made it two from two with a comfortable 65-30 win over host Scotland in Group C action at the World Youth Netball Championship in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday.

The young Sunshine Girls are atop the group with maximum points following their opening 64-20 win over Samoa, on Friday.Jamaica will be in action again today at 6: 45 am when they take on a Cayman Island outfit which was trounced 21-73 by Scotland on Friday.Head coach Oberon Pitterson-Nattie was pleased with the performance towards the end in a game they led from start to finish.Jamaica took a 10-point first-quarter lead, 24-14, and increased that to 16 points at the half-time break leading 33-17. By the time the end of the third quarter was complete, Jamaica had opened up a massive 27-point gap, leading 50-23. They outscored Scotland 15-7 in the fourth quarter for the comfortable win.“It didn’t start that well as we wanted to… a little shaky, some unforced errors, but I thought they collected themselves and did what they normally do,” said Pitterson-Nattie, in a post-match interview posted on the official website of the championships.“Playing a team like New Zealand or Australia, we definitely want to start strong so that we don’t make too many errors.”“We stuck together as a team and teamwork was the key today and we all played our part,” said captain Vangelee Williams.With two games left of the group stages, Williams was confident in her expectations.“We’re very much confident. We’e pretty sure we’ll win.”Jamaica, the bronze medallist from the last championship, are drawn in Pool C alongside Scotland, Cayman Islands, Wales and Samoa.The 20 competing countries are Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, England, Fiji, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Ireland, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Wales.The World Youth Netball Championships will comprise 70 games, held over a 10-day period. Every team will be guaranteed to play seven games, and every team will be awarded a placing from first to 20th as a result.In the preliminary games, the 20 teams will be divided into four pools of five teams and will play a single round robin, until the semi-finals and final games to determine a winner.Meanwhile, defending champions Australia got off to a flying start demolishing newcomer Israel 123-6 on Friday, while England trounced Republic of Ireland 108-9, and followed that up with an 82-27 win over Singapore yesterday.New Zealand flogged Bermuda 107-16 on Friday and returned yesterday with a 94-6 mauling of Malta. Trinidad and Tobago won the clash of the Caribbean teams, beating Bermuda 47-31. Barbados whipped the Republic of Ireland 84-5; Wales got the better of Samoa 65-31, and South Africa beat Fiji 64-32, also yesterday.— Howard WalkerJamaica’s goal shooter Shantal Slater (right) collects the ball ahead of Shaunagh McCuaig of Scotland during their Group C preliminary round game yesterday. (PHOTO: COLLIN REID COURTESY OF SUPREME VENTURES, COURTS, SCOTIABANK)

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Sunshine Girls whip Scotland 65-30 at World Youth Netball Champs

Jamaica finish third at Caribbean Squash Champs

Sport

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Jamaica were third overall at the 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Senior Championships following a third place finish by the men in the team competition.The Jamaican men took the bronze after losing 4-1 to tournament favourites, Guyana last night.The team fought bravely but couldn’t get past the regional kingpins who were buoyed by a vibrant home crowd.After Julian Morrison lost 11/8, 11/9, 11/7 to Jamaal Callender and Bruce Levy was beaten 11/5, 11/5, 11/9 by Jason Khalil, the pressure was on Caribbean Champion, Chris Binnie to keep Jamaica’s hopes alive.Binnie delivered by beating Sunil Seth 9/11, 11/6, 11/1, 11/6; but then Dane Schwier lost 3/11, 11/7, 11/5, 11/6 to Alex Arjoon and Bruce Burrowes lost 11/3, 11/9, 9/11, 11/2 to Richard Chin.The loss to Guyana took Jamaica out of contention for first place and then, following the round robin tally, the team placed third, losing the second spot to Cayman by one game.However, the third place finish marks an improvement over last year when the men were fifth. Also, on Friday, Jamaica finished third in the ladies competition which helped to push the team into the bronze medal position overall.In addition, Chris Binnie finished the competition with a perfect slate for the second consecutive year. Playing 10 matches in seven days, the four-time All Jamaica and Caribbean Men’s Champion remained undefeated.

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Jamaica finish third at Caribbean Squash Champs

Merrit echoes lack of spectator support at World Champs

MOSCOW, Aug 11, 2013 (AFP) – Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Aries Merritt echoed many athletes disappointment at the lack of spectators at the world athletics championships today at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The 28-year-old American – who is also the world record holder in the event – won his first round heat in Moscow earlier today in front of a sparsely populated crowd, which followed on from a disappointing attendance on the opening day on Saturday.Organisers have claimed 80 per cent of tickets have been sold for the nine day championships, and will be hoping for a full house later on Sunday for the men’s 100m semi-finals and final, with the biggest drawcard in the sport Usain Bolt appearing.The average price for tickets is 1000 rubles ($30) which is regarded as affordable for ordinary Muscovites.“Obviously I’m not happy to run at an almost empty arena,” said Merritt, who has had an injury-affected season.“I’d like the venue to be fuller so I can feed off the the crowd’s energy.“In London (at last year’s Olympics) it was very important to feel that the crowd is with you. To feel the energy the crowd gives you.“It’s exciting and you’re happy to be at the stadium.“But I guess it’s too early and I will give the crowd a ’bye’ this time.“I just hope the venue will be packed for the final on Monday.”British star Mo Farah had said that the contrast between his emotional victory in the Olympic 10,000m final and his win in Saturday’s world final was stark in terms of the crowd but added he just got on with it.“It’s hard work,” said the 31-year-old, who will bid to repeat his Olympic double gold in the 5000m later in the week.“Sometimes it’s just easier to go out in the race and do it like my 1500m race in Monaco where I just went out there and ended up running a personal best,” he added.Slovenia’s 2008 Olympic men’s hammer champion Primoz Kozmus was bitterly disappointed by the turnout on Saturday.“The arena and sector are great. I just hope there will be more of a crowd during Monday’s final,” said the 33-year-old, who is bidding to regain his world title.The sparse attendance was even picked up by Brett Gosper, chief executive of the International Rugby Board, who put on the World Cup sevens in the same venue in June, attracting very disappointing crowds after initial claims they had sold 104,000 tickets proved to be far from the case.“Athletics World Champs demonstrating again after Rugby World Cup Sevens that Moscow sporting crowds are not so easy to gather,” the Australian tweeted.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Merrit echoes lack of spectator support at World Champs

Parchment falls, out of World Champs

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Monday, August 12, 2013 | 10:09 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hansle Parchment crumbled at hurdle 9 putting an end to his 2013 World championship campaign as American Jason Richardson (13.34)won the first sprint hurdle  semi-final in Moscow Russia Tuesday morning.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Parchment falls, out of World Champs

Shelly Ann regains World Champs 100m title

Sport

Monday, August 12, 2013 | 12:58 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce reclaimed the 100 metre World Championship title in Russia Monday outclassing the field in a world leading 10.71.The threat from Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare never materialised as Fraser Pryce ran Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast (10.93) into second and defending champion Carmelita Jeter(10.94) into third American English Gardner was fourth in 10.97 seconds, followed by Jamaican Kerron Stewart who ran 10.97.

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Shelly Ann regains World Champs 100m title

PHOTOS: Moscow World Champs Day 1

Sport

Sunday, August 11, 2013 | 1:15 AM

JAMAICA Observer photographer Garfield Robinson continues to shadow Jamaica’s athletes at the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia. Here are scenes of the nation’s track and field stars at yesterday’s session inside the games venue, the Luzhniki stadium.See full gallery here: 

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PHOTOS: Moscow World Champs Day 1

Dwight Thomas pulls out of World Champs

Sport

PAUL A REID Observer WriterSunday, August 11, 2013 | 1:54 AM

MOSCOW, Russia — A recurring knee issue has forced Jamaican sprint hurdler Dwight Thomas to withdraw from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.Thomas made the announcement on his Face Book page early Sunday morning Moscow time, hours before the start of the first round of the 110m hurdles on the second day of the championships.He was to have run in the third heat after Hansle Parchment and ahead of national champion Andrew Riley.In his statement, Thomas said “Due to aggravating an old knee injury. I decided to withdraw from the World Champs on my Team Doctor an Russian Medical Staff advice. Thanks everyone for your support an Jamaica. I will support my teammates here in Russia an come back stronger. Thanks to our Team Doctor Dr McDowell for helping me through this whole process.”Meanwhile Parchment who injured his left ankle at the National Trials was also seen wearing a heavy bandage as he warmed up for the first heat.

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Dwight Thomas pulls out of World Champs