By NAN Sports Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 19, 2017: Here are the stories making headlines in sports from the Caribbean and its Diaspora for this week ending May 19, 2017.
Clash Of The Titans In Jamaica This Weekend
The titans of global athletics will clash in Jamaica this Saturday, May 20th for this year’s Jamaica International Invitational IWC Meet.
The line-up includes Canadian 200m Olympic silver medalist, Trinidadian roots, Andre De Grasse; Jamaica’s own Asafa Powell, Elaine Thompson, Javon Francis and Stephenie Ann McPherson and the US’ Allyson Felix, Kendra Harrison, Devon Allen, Shericka Jackson, LaShawn Merritt and Mike Rodgers.
Powell will clash with the likes of Mike Rodgers of the USA in the 100-m while De Grasse will take on world 400-m silver medalist LaShawn Merritt over half a lap of the track. Thompson will face off with Felix in the women’s 200-m.
For tickets see here.
Cricket
Fresh from their loss to Pakistan in the Caribbean, the West Indies cricket team will have to soon face another cricket giant. The Windies men are set to face India this June and July in the Caribbean. The Indian cricket team will travel to the region after the ICC Champions Trophy in the UK, for five ODIs and one Twenty20 international.
British Olympian To Be Laid To Rest
British Olympic silver medalist, Jamaican Germaine Mason, is set to be laid to rest this weekend in Jamaica. Mason died tragically on April 20th after he lost control of his motorcycle while trying to swerve to avoid oncoming traffic in Kingston. Mason, 34, won a silver medal for high jump at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and has been pals with Usain Bolt since 2002.
A recent video emerged showing Bolt digging the grave of tragic that will soon hold the last remains of Mason. He was reportedly first on the scene after the accident last month and has been distraught over his friend’s death. Some reports even claimed that Mason was leading a convoy of riders who included Bolt and Michael Frater, when he lost control.
Haitian-Born NBA Star To Host Camp In Haiti
Haitian-born NFL rookie, Skal Labissiere, is set to host a basketball camp in his native country this July. The Sacramento Kings rookie hasn’t been home to Haiti since coming over to the United States seven years ago but announced this week that he will host 50 of the top high school basketball players and coaches in his native Port-Au-Prince for his first Camp S.K.A.L. basketball clinic from July 19-21.
Labissiere is partnering with Reach Your Dream, a non-profit organization promoting spiritual awareness, self confidence, and innovative thinking for future generations in communities throughout the world. Reach Your Dream first helped Labissiere relocate to the United States before high school to pursue his educational and basketball goals.
