Jamaica Sports Roundup: JPL Kickoff, Pan Am Medals, and Fraser-Pryce’s Farewell

Date: 2025-08-24 | Location: | Category: Sport

Jamaica’s sporting landscape is alive with excitement as the 2025–26 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) kicks off this Sunday, August 24. Football fans across the island are eager to see how new signings and fresh talent will shape the season. Defending champions Cavalier SC have added Surinamese midfielder Zerguinho Deira to their roster, while Mount Pleasant Academy has strengthened their squad with Haitian imports Raphael Intervil and Daniel St. Fleur, promising a season filled with energy and Caribbean flair.

Off the field, a heated debate has emerged within local football. Veteran coach Bradley Stewart has voiced his frustration with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which has barred him from coaching from the bench without a B license and a local A-license in progress. Despite holding FIFA instructor credentials and international coaching certification from the English FA, Stewart argues that his qualifications should be recognized. He has expressed willingness to take the required local courses but insists the JFF must clearly define how his international certifications fit into Jamaica’s coaching framework.

Meanwhile, Jamaica celebrated a proud moment on the regional stage at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, which ran from August 9–23. The nation’s 115 athletes competed across 12 sports, bringing home an impressive 15 medals: four gold, five silver, and six bronze. Among the standout performances was Racquil Broaderick’s golden throw in the men’s discus, underscoring Jamaica’s growing reputation beyond track and field dominance.

And speaking of track, the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce continues to inspire as she embarks on her farewell season. At 38, the sprint queen is preparing for her final competitive appearance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. More than just a farewell lap, this moment represents her balancing act as an athlete, mother, and philanthropist. Through her Pocket Rocket Foundation, Fraser-Pryce has already awarded nearly 100 scholarships to young Jamaicans, ensuring her legacy extends far beyond the track. Even in her final lap, she remains a force to be reckoned with, clocking an impressive 11.05 seconds in the 100m at the Wanda Diamond League.

From the football pitch to the international athletics stage, Jamaica’s athletes continue to make headlines proving once again that the island’s sporting spirit is as vibrant as ever.