REPUBLIC BANK CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES CONFIRMED

The schedule for the highly anticipated 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been officially confirmed. This year’s tournament will take place from Thursday 14 August to Sunday 21 September, bringing top-tier T20 cricket action to six host nations: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

A total of 34 matches will be played, with each of the six teams competing in 10 group-stage fixtures. The knockout rounds will be held at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, promising an electrifying conclusion to the competition. All six teams will host home matches, ensuring fans across the region can experience the excitement firsthand.

Michael Hall, Tournament Operations Director for the Republic Bank CPL, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season:

“We are thrilled to once again deliver a world-class tournament that brings together passionate cricket fans from across the Caribbean and beyond. The 2024 edition exceeded all expectations, and we are confident that the 2025 tournament will build on that success, providing unforgettable moments for players and spectators alike.”

Men’s Caribbean Premier League 2025 Fixtures

Date and timeTeamsVenue
Thurs 14 August, 7pmSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsAntigua & Barbuda FalconsWarner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts
Fri 15 August, 7pmSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsGuyana Amazon WarriorsWarner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts
Sat 16 August, 7pmAntigua & Barbuda FalconsBarbados RoyalsSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Sun 17 August, 11amSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsTrinbago Knight RidersWarner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts
Sun 17 August, 7pmAntigua & Barbuda FalconsSaint Lucia KingsSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Tues 19 August, 7pmSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsSaint Lucia KingsWarner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts
Wed 20 August, 7pmAntigua & Barbuda FalconsTrinbago Knight RidersSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Thurs 21 August, 7pmSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsBarbados RoyalsWarner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts
Fri 22 August, 7pmAntigua & Barbuda FalconsGuyana Amazon WarriorsSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Sat 23 August, 7pmSaint Lucia KingsTrinbago Knight RidersDaren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Sun 24 August, 11amAntigua & Barbuda FalconsSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Sun 24 August, 7pmSaint Lucia KingsBarbados RoyalsDaren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Tues 26 August, 7pmSaint Lucia KingsGuyana Amazon WarriorsDaren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Wed 27 August, 7pmTrinbago Knight RidersAntigua & Barbuda FalconsTrinidad
Thurs 28 August, 7pmSaint Lucia KingsSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsDaren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Fri 29 August, 7pmTrinbago Knight RidersBarbados RoyalsTrinidad
Sat 30 August, 7pmTrinbago Knight RidersGuyana Amazon WarriorsTrinidad
Sun 31 August, 11amSaint Lucia KingsAntigua & Barbuda FalconsDaren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Mon 1 September, 11amTrinbago Knight RidersSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsTrinidad
Wed 3 September, 7pmTrinbago Knight RidersSaint Lucia KingsTrinidad
Thurs 4 September, 7pmBarbados RoyalsGuyana Amazon WarriorsKensington Oval, Barbados
Fri 5 September, 7pmBarbados RoyalsAntigua & Barbuda FalconsKensington Oval, Barbados
Sat 6 September, 7pmGuyana Amazon WarriorsTrinbago Knight RidersGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Sun 7 September, 11amBarbados RoyalsSaint Lucia KingsKensington Oval, Barbados
Sun 7 September, 7pmGuyana Amazon WarriorsSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Wed 10 September, 7pmGuyana Amazon WarriorsAntigua & Barbuda FalconsGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Thurs 11 September, 7pmBarbados RoyalsSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsKensington Oval, Barbados
Fri 12 September, 7pmBarbados RoyalsTrinbago Knight RidersKensington Oval, Barbados
Sat 13 September, 11amGuyana Amazon WarriorsSaint Lucia KingsGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Sun 14 September, 7pmGuyana Amazon WarriorsBarbados RoyalsGuyana National Stadium, Providence
 
Tues 16 September, 8pmEliminator – 3rd place vs 4th placeGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Wed 17 September, 8pmQualifier 1 – 1st place vs 2nd placeGuyana National Stadium, Providence
Fri 19 September, 8pmQualifier 2 – Winner of Eliminator  vs Loser Qualifier 1Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Sun 21 September, 8pmFinal – Winner Qualifier 1 vs Winner Qualifier 2Guyana National Stadium, Providence

Congrats, WLI Honourees

At the Women’s Day celebration of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, founded 21 years ago by Ambassador Sue Cobb, keynote speaker Senator Dana Morris Dixon noted that there was an increasing number of women representatives in our Houses of Parliament.

She was quoted in a Jamaica Observer report saying, “It means that the voices of Jamaican women are resonating louder than ever in the halls of power. Young girls can finally see more women — more people who look like them — contributing to national debates. Laws and policies are being shaped by more diverse perspectives, including those of mothers and daughters who intimately understand the issues families face from our perspective.”

Congratulations to the five women honoured at the event: Dr Marlene Street-Forrest, managing director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange; the Rt Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, bishop of Dover; Andrea Cowan, CEO of Lillan Limited; Caron Chung, executive director of American Friends of Jamaica; and Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang, communications expert.

Messi Euphoria

Jean Lowrie – Chin

Lionel Messi

When we first heard the news, we only half-believed that the great Messi, my husband’s pick as best in football, was coming to Jamaica. It was a chance we could not miss and we booked our tickets while he was pondering which Messi shirt he would be wearing on the big night. We had journeyed to the Barça Camp in Barcelona with hopes of catching sight of the legend, so, yes, he decided on the Messi-Rakuten T-shirt he had bought there. Of course, I would be in my black, green, and gold, no question about that. Messi-mania became apparent on Thursday morning when there were traffic snarls all over Kingston. The entire Jamaica was descending on Kingston — teams from clubs and schools as well as “diehearted” fans.

The traffic to the stadium seemed interminable, but as we opted for special tickets, parking was well organised. This was not the case in the designated area, however. The bracelets we wore were no guarantee for seats and where we saw vendors comfortably ensconced. There was not an usher in sight to assist us, so we had to find separate seats.

However, once Messi arrived on the field for his warm-up, all was forgotten, as we were on our feet chanting his name. The goal from the greatest of all time (GOAT) had us enthralled — we had actually seen a Messi goal right here in Jamaica!The social media posts have been funny and feverish right up to Friday with the hashtag #Messiinjamaica going viral. One suggested that none of our Caribbean neighbours could come close to Jamaica, as our bragging rights had reached new heights.

We saw a video of the fan who got Messi’s shirt and his friends taking turns to pose with it. We saw a security guard who got a clap from Messi almost brought to his knees with joy.The only stadium event in Jamaica which exceeded this was the 1998 World Cup qualifying match. That day, on our way home from the match, elderly folks were at their gates waving the Jamaican flag and cheering. If we had social media then, we would have broken the Internet.

A big thank you to all the organisations which made this event possible, bringing high occupancy to our Kingston hotels and Airbnb locations. Thank you also to Inter Miami CF for embracing Jamaica and flying our flag on its social media posts.

Messi was quoted as saying that he loves Jamaica and, yes, indeed, we love him back!

Source: Jamaica Observer

Audrey Marks Appointed to the Senate of Jamaica

Jean Lowrie- Chin

Audrey Marks

First, let me reflect on last Friday’s swearing in of Audrey Marks as a Government senator at Gordon House. Our friend for decades has just ended her tour of duty — nine brilliant years — as Jamaica’s first woman ambassador to the US.

She is succeeded by another excellent Jamaican, former commissioner of police and former chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force Major General Antony Anderson, who has been appointed as Jamaica’s ambassador-designate to the US.

One thing is sure, whether she continues as a Government or Opposition senator, Senator Marks will make her mark. Those ubiquitous Paymaster outlets, now owned by Digicel, were the brainchild of Marks. She created Paymaster two years before Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, and Luke Nosek created PayPal, but as a then fledgling entrepreneur, she did not patent her technical breakthrough. So efficient was her system that in about two years billions of dollars were being processed by Paymaster for leading corporations.As US Ambassador, Senator Marks forged strong links with members of the Jamaican Diaspora and celebrated their achievements. Her ‘Jamaica Connect’ series featured celebrated Jamaican Americans who were giving back to their homeland. The embassy shared Jamaican cultural events and worthy fund-raisers, widening the Diaspora network.

She has been a passionate advocate for investment in Jamaica, hosting events where successful investors in Jamaica could share their experiences with prospective US corporations. One memorable occasion was her introduction of a senior executive of Marriott Corporation to then Digicel Chair Denis O’Brien. Within a few years, two Marriott hotels were built in Kingston, Jamaica, and one in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.Marks has served as president of the Jamaican American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and continues to mentor young entrepreneurs. I remember her encouraging others to do likewise, saying, “Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats.” In acknowledgement of her invaluable support of her country, she was conferred with the Order of Jamaica last year.

Marks noted at her swearing-in ceremony that, like many of us, her heart leapt as her flight gave a view of our lush island, knowing that she would once more have her feet on Jamaican soil while working for the country’s advancement. She was warmly welcomed by all, including Senate Speaker Tom Tavares-Finson, senators Kamina Johnson Smith, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, Aubyn Hill, Kavan Gayle, and Opposition Senator Peter Bunting.

Keep rising Senator Marks, you will be an activist for your people because you have never stopped believing in our promise.

CCRP pledges to collaborate for improved fire safety among seniors

A firefighter boards a service vehicle to respond to a fire. (File photo)

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) is saddened on hearing of the tragic death of 94-year-old Olganese Taylor of Spanish Town, St. Catherine, who perished in a fire on Saturday, March 8. This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to protect our senior citizens. In light of this, CCRP’s Parish Representatives will be working closely with other advocacy groups, including the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), the Ministers’ Fraternal, and Neighbourhood Watch, to develop and implement comprehensive safety initiatives for the elderly.
CCRP acknowledges the valuable role that churches play in regularly checking on
infirmaries and senior shut-ins. Together we will collaborate with The Jamaica Fire
Brigade to conduct routine inspections of seniors’ residences to ensure that fire safety
standards are in place. The CCRP remains committed to advocating for the welfare and safety of senior citizens and will continue to address the critical issues affecting this vulnerable group in our Jamaican society.

Source: LOOP News

Digicel Foundation opens St Elizabeth’s first smart lab

Deputy head boy of Santa Cruz Primary School Kemar Smith (right) explores the possibilities of the new smart lab, a cutting-edge space designed to enhance digital literacy as his teacher Kamala McKnight guides him.

THE Digicel Foundation has officially opened a state-of-the-art smart lab at Santa Cruz Primary School in St Elizabeth.

This innovative learning space is designed to bridge the digital divide and expose students to 21st-century skills and job opportunities.Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, shared that while Santa Cruz Primary is the first school in St Elizabeth to receive a smart lab, it will not be the last.

“In a few days from now we will be right down the road at the Black River Primary School opening another smart lab and ensuring that even more students in St Elizabeth have access to cutting-edge technology and digital learning tools,” said Daniels.She shared that the lab will also serve as a hub for the foundation’s recently launched Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme, which aims to promote online safety and digital citizenship.

“As we introduce advanced digital technology in schools, it’s essential that we also educate our youths on how to use it safely and responsibly. That’s why we’ve proudly launched our SIT programme, a year-long initiative which will empower students, parents, and educators to navigate the online world confidently,” added Daniels.Senior education officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information’s Region 5, Nevadeene Gallimore Miller, urged parents to continue learning beyond the smart lab.

“We want parents to assist us in ensuring that ICT [information and communication technology] penetration does not stop at the school gate. We want when your children come home with the information and the ideas that they would have been engaged in at school, that you support them,” said Gallimore Miller.

By the end of March 2025 there will be 21 smart labs established by Digicel Foundation.

Each lab costs approximately US$70,000 and is equipped with 12 laptops, 12 tablets, a printer, a smart door lock, and an interactive mimio-compatible smart board.

Since inception, Digicel Foundation has spent over US$2.5 million on projects in St Elizabeth. In 2023 the foundation opened the Santa Cruz Special Education Centre, a space dedicated to providing quality education and support for students with special needs in the parish.

Deborah Broomfield, construction project manager at the Digicel
Foundation, engages with students at Santa Cruz Primary School
inside their newly opened smart lab, which is set to transform
learning experiences, equipping students with essential digital skills
for the future.

CCRP Promotes Early Retirement Planning at STATIN Wellness Fair

CATCHING UP! Angela Patterson, CCRP Development Consultant (left) greeting CCRP member Roy Higgins at the Wellness Fair hosted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) on Friday, February 28, 2025 in Kingston. (Photo: Contributed)

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) underscored the importance of early retirement planning at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) Wellness Fair on Friday, February 28. Held on the grounds of the Institute in Kingston, the event aimed to promote health and well-being among approximately 200 employees.
While the Wellness Fair primarily focused on physical, mental, financial and nutritional
health, CCRP highlighted the significance of social engagement after retirement.
Employees were encouraged to join the organization, which was initially developed for
seniors but has since lowered its membership age requirement to 40, allowing more
individuals to access its wide range of benefits.
As a leading advocate for senior citizens, CCRP continues to champion early retirement
preparation. By introducing its offerings to STATIN employees, the organization
reinforced its commitment to empowering individuals to plan for a fulfilling post-
retirement life.
Senior Information and Research Officer at STATIN, Sasha-Gaye Fraser, emphasized
the strategic importance of CCRP’s participation in the event. “Having CCRP at the
launch of our Wellness Fair was a strategic decision for STATIN because we want all
members of staff to learn about available support, social opportunities and lifestyle
changes to adapt to prepare effectively for retirement,” she stated.
CCRP provides members with opportunities for social interaction, educational
discussions, and activities that foster community engagement. The organization
remains dedicated to ensuring that Jamaican seniors enjoy a high quality of life through
continuous support and advocacy.

Source: Our Today

IGT hosts 4th Coding and Robotics Rock! camp

Students from Mustard Seed Communities Mary’s Child (in white) learn about the fundamentals of robots in a coding session with Darren Fletcher, Technical Project Coordinator at Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) while Luke Buchanan (left), MGI Executive Director, Debbie Green (centre), IGT General Manager and Kevin Johnson (right), MGI Software Developer watch attentively. This year’s staging of the Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp is hosted by IGT in collaboration with MGI. The virtual camp ran from July 15 – 26 with 72 participants from five Caribbean countries: Jamaica, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten. This is the fourth edition of the annual camp. (Photo: Contributed)

International Game Technology (IGT), a global leader in gaming technology and innovation, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its fourth annual IGT Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp for Caribbean youth, held July 15-26.

IGT partnered with the Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) to host the virtual camp, under the theme “Climate Action.”

The camp serves as an extension of IGT’s global After School Advantage programme.

Debbie Green, general manager of IGT Jamaica, delivered remarks at the start of the camp, underscoring IGT’s commitment to digital learning and community empowerment.

“As part of IGT’s Sustainable Play programme, our After School Advantage initiative is devoted to providing youth with access to technology and promoting digital learning opportunities in the communities where IGToperates. This camp is a shining example of our commitment to these goals,” said Green.

Since its inception in 2021, this regional tech learning camp has seen remarkable growth. What began as a pilot programme for 36 participants across five countries has flourished into a signature IGT ASA project, significantly impacting our communities.

In 2022, the camp expanded to include a Level II component, increasing the cohort to 72 students at both the Introductory (Level I) and Intermediate (Level II) levels. Hundreds of Caribbean youth have gained valuable knowledge in coding and robotics through this camp. 

This year, students participated from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and St.Maarten.

Jamaican participants hailed from Mustard Seed Communities – Matthew 25:40, Mary’s Child, and Jerusalem; Spring Village Development Foundation; and the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation in Mandeville and Savanna-la-mar. Barbados participants were from The Learning Centre and the Rupert I. Maynard Youth Community Centre;  St. Maarten –  St. Maarten Youth Council; Trinidad and Tobago – Sophia House, Cotton Tree Foundation, Amica House and Credo Boys; and St Kitts and Nevis – Maude Crosse Preparatory School. 

This young man shared his progress from the day’s coding and robotics activity with Hilary Nembhard of SOS Children’s Village Jamaica’s Stony Hill location during the 2023 Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp. (Photo: Contributed)

The Level I course introduced students to the fascinating world of computer science, providing a foundational understanding of coding and computing, exploring careers in the industry, and developing essential skills such as website development and robotics.

Specifically, the Level I course aimed to:

  • Build awareness of coding and its applications.
  • Inform about potential careers for developers.
  • Develop basic computing and development literacy.
  • Teach the basics of computer programming.
  • Introduce website development.
  • Explore robotics.
  • Enhance problem-solving skills

For returning students in Level II, this year’s programme built upon the knowledge gained last summer, with afocus on more complex web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and an introduction to artificial intelligence.

The Level II course aimed to:

  • Provide a refresher on last year’s content.
  • Improve website development skills with advanced techniques.
  • Introduce the principles of artificial intelligence.
  • Further develop problem-solving skills.

An exciting new feature of this year’s camp was the provision for the intermediate robotics class to develop hands-on robot creation.

Green encouraged students to embrace this learning adventure with enthusiasm and curiosity.

“The skills you acquire here will not only open doors to exciting career opportunities but also equip you to become innovators and problem-solvers in our ever-evolving digital world,” she said.

Green also extended heartfelt thanks to partners at MGI and the UWI team for their unwavering support and collaboration in making this camp a success.

“Your dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering technological skills is truly commendable,” she added.

Source: Our Today

Prof Louis Grant: A hero for health

Jean Lowrie- Chin

Professor Louis Grant

Last Friday we gathered at the former Foundation for International Self-Help Jamaica Limited (FISH) Clinic to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the renamed Louis Grant Medical Centre in honour of its founder, Professor Grant. The beloved professor created the clinic in 1975 at 19 Gordon Town Road, near Papine, to serve less fortunate Jamaicans.

In her tribute at the event, his daughter, Bette Grant Otunla, traced the humble beginnings of this son of Mitchell Town, Clarendon, whose love of learning gained him the Vere Trust Scholarship to Jamaica College at a time when the College was a school for the privileged. The outstanding student was recommended by his headmaster, William Cowper, to take up a position at the government laboratory. This involved working visits to the Kingston Public Hospital where young Grant became interested in medicine, and with his savings and assistance from his family, enrolled at University of Edinburgh.

“He graduated in 1939 with his medical degree, three months before World War II started, and returned to the government laboratory in Jamaica,” shared his daughter. Soon after “he was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship to do a master’s in public health at the University of Michigan in the USA, which then had one of the best public health programmes in the world … [He] set up an excellent system of laboratory services in Jamaica on his return,” she said. This continues to be a linchpin of Jamaica’s health system.

Professor Grant was one of the first members of staff at the newly established The University College of the West Indies (UCWI) and was awarded a scholarship to study bacteriology at London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Thus armed, he set up the Department of Bacteriology at The UCWI. His research on tropical diseases led him to appeal to the World Health Organization and UNICEF to provide vaccines for an islandwide immunisation operation. We can thank the goodly professor for the eradication of tuberculosis in Jamaica.

Further, he noted the suffering of patients with leptospirosis and embarked on a public education campaign so Jamaicans would learn to protect themselves from rats, which carried this often-fatal disease. When equine encephalitis became widespread among horses, Professor Grant set up an area for animals near the Mona Post Office where he could test and treat them.

The professor used his knowledge to help protect Jamaica’s livestock. One of his colleagues at the Department of Bacteriology, Dr Owen James, recalled, “Outside of the department in nearby communities like August Town or further afield in St Thomas, chickens or goats or horses or other animals would be kept in certain areas and checked from time to time. This could signal a warning of an imminent outbreak of a particular disease, based on the findings from these ‘Sentinel stations’.”

Source: Jamaica Observer

Commissioner Blake’s Response

All well-thinking Jamaicans welcomed the creation of Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which ensures that the security forces remain professional and ethical. In every organisation you will find the few who ‘let down the side’, and it is important that they be brought to justice.

I must, therefore, quote at length Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake’s response as shared by Jamaica Observer Editor-at-Large Arthur Hall in a report headlined ‘No Apology — Police commissioner slams JFJ; says criminals to be blamed for 50 fatal shootings in 50 days by security forces’.

Commissioner Blake is reported to have said that “….while he supports the view that the number of fatal shootings by the security forces is too high, the focus should be on the criminals who make the decision to challenge members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF], ‘which is a far more superior force’.”

Hall reported: “He charged that a call for the JCF to be held more accountable is a slap in the face of Indecom, which has a single most important mandate of investigating actions against civilians by members of the security forces.”

Here are excerpts from the commissioner’s response, as quoted by Hall:

“And so, let me encourage Jamaicans for Justice to be more responsible in their public pronouncements, especially when the nation is aware of its members’ proven ability to comprehend the most basic and fundamental principles of security.

“To suggest that fatal shootings numbers can be reduced by anything other than the unwillingness of persons being apprehended to engage in deadly confrontations with members of the security forces is irresponsible, or at best advocating for us to relent in our pursuit,” added Blake.

“He declared that criminals who are intent on killing and maiming will not be left free to hold communities at ransom and in constant fear,” wrote Hall.