Sporting Links

C.L.R. James, the renowned Trinidadian cricket writer and political historian, once argued that sport was as high an art form as painting or theatre. Surely, then, Sir Garry Sobers, Ato Boldon, and Brian Lara must be among our greatest artists. Here are some sites that celebrate the Caribbean genius for artful athletics and the visitors who share that passion.

Ato Boldon 2000

(atoboldon.com/home.asp) 

The fastest Caribbean man in the world has a very personal website. In spite of its outstanding design — including some awesome Shockwave multimedia — there’s nothing slick or corporate here (aside from one of Ato’s latest commercials), just a lot of information about the level-headed Trinidadian track star. Are you dying to ask Ato a question? Go ahead! You’re guaranteed to get an answer from the man himself (and not some hiree)! You’ll also find some very straight talk from Ato about his woeful 2002 season, and his plans to recharge his batteries back home in Trinidad.

 

The Merlene Ottey Tribute

(www.merlene.subnet.dk/ottey.htm) 

Ms Ottey is one of the greatest female sprinters in history. Born in Jamaica (but currently a naturalised citizen of Slovenia), she was the first woman to run the indoor 60 metres in seven seconds, and  the indoor 200 metres in 22 seconds — and has eight Olympic medals to her credit. This official fan site includes a great selection of feature articles and news items, wonderful image galleries, and a detailed account of the unfortunate incident several years ago in which Ottey was first accused, and then totally exonerated, of illegal drug use.

 

Arthur Wint — A Jamaican Hero

(www.wintworks.com/) 

“He only had to come onto a track and there was some sort of gathering of electricity.” That’s how former Jamaica PM Michael Manley described legendary athlete Arthur Wint. Born in Plowden, Jamaica, in 1920, Wint won the 400 metres 28 years later at the 1948 London Olympics, to become Jamaica’s first Olympic gold medallist. But that was just the beginning. In addition to his athletic prowess, Wint flew for the RAF during World War II, then studied medicine, became a doctor, and eventually served as Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Great Britain from 1973 to 1978. For more details on an incredible career in sports, medicine, and statesmanship, pay this inspiring site a visit.

 

West Indies Cricket Board

(www.windiescricket.com/) 

Cricket fanatics should plan on spending at least half an hour exploring this encyclopedic site before they’ve learned their way around. There’s a profile of every player currently on the field, a definitive listing of up-to-the-minute news bulletins, endless statistics, an online store, live audio commentaries, fast links to the scorecard/report of your choice from previous West Indies tours, and a variety of links, sections, and features designed to help you “connect every way you can” with the West Indies team.

 

SOCAWarriors Online

(www.socawarriors.net/) 

Looking for T&T football information? You can’t do better than this definitive site. You’ll be able to read football news and view photos from T&T and the Caribbean, keep track of all the goal scorers for T&T’s senior and junior team from 2000 to the present, view some of T&T’s greatest players, chat with other fans, and lots more.

 

The ReggaeBoyz

(www.thereggaeboyz.com/) 

Football was introduced in Jamaica towards the end of the 19th century, and 1893 is listed as the year Jamaica formed its first football club. Just a bit over 100 years later (1998), the ReggaeBoyz made history by becoming the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the World Cup finals! This multicultural site celebrates roots, reggae and “kulcha”, as well as the team itself, and the manly art of football. It includes an extensive listing of current soccer news (both local and international), a mass of statistics, a great set of photos, and a bunch of collectible jerseys, shorts, mouse pads and coffee cups.

 

Caribbean Sports Tours

(www.caribbeansportstours.com) 

There are hundreds of sports clubs in Trinidad & Tobago, including rugby, cricket, football and hockey. If your home team wants to take any of them on, Baxter’s Professional Sports Tour Management can make it happen. The company has been handling visiting sports teams on an unofficial basis for many years, but in 2000 it began to concentrate on sports tourism full-time. Owner Brian Stollmeyer, a long-time rugby player himself, invites you to check the site for a full list of facilities and accommodations. Matches can easily be arranged against opposition of whatever standard is required — from First Class to Beach Class.

 

CMC Sports

(www.cananews.com/sports.htm) 

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) claims to be the premier provider of news and information from the English-speaking Caribbean. Among other things, its Sports Update covers cricket, football, track, golf and basketball, and, as its name implies, it’s updated daily. If you like, you can sign up for CMC Sports On-Demand, a new e-mail sports-news service which sends you personalised sports bulletins via the Internet.

Funding provided by the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme Direct Support Grants Programme.
The views expressed on this website are those of the the authors and do not reflect those of the Direct Support Grants Programme.

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