Top 5 — Jamaica Unveils New Track During Messi Debut
PLUS: the business of Champs, tennis' last frontier, and more
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s get into the top stories of the week:
⭐️ FEATURE STORY
Jamaica Unveils New Track During Messi Debut
Jamaican fans were delighted to see Lionel Messi play in their country for the first time.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came off the bench and scored as Inter Miami eased into the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup with a 2-0 win over Jamaica’s Cavaliers.
The sold-out event also marked the debut of the newly resurfaced track at Kingston National Stadium.
The track now features Jamaica’s national colors instead of the familiar blue, which was used for the past 15 years.
Despite the tight timeline, the track resurfacing was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
Bottom Line - While Inter Miami left with the win, the event was a victory for Jamaican football and the country’s global brand, which had the rare opportunity to host the sport’s greatest player.
Read more
🇯🇲 Jamaica
The Business of Champs
Since becoming the title sponsor of Champs in 2007, GraceKennedy has played an instrumental role in the evolution of the prestigious high school track and field competition.
For Champs 2025, the company has committed over $1 million in sponsorship.
And this year, Caribbean Airlines has been named the meet’s official airline partner.
The agreement includes special discounted fares for Champs travelers and branding presence throughout the National Stadium.
Each year, Champs attracts thousands of international spectators, from college scouts to former athletes. With increased flights to Kingston and Montego Bay, Caribbean Airlines is the perfect partner to accommodate this influx of visitors.
With a record-breaking 230 schools set to participate, Champs 2025 promises to be another thrilling showcase of Jamaica’s young athletic talent.
Bottom Line - The 115th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships will take place March 25-29 at the National Stadium in Kingston. With Grand Slam Track kicking off on April 4, both events will share infrastructure and technology to ensure smooth operations.
Read more
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
The Caribbean is Tennis’ Last Frontier
After just sixty days and a $3 million investment, the Dominican Republic became home to a state-of-the-art tennis complex.
The facility in Cap Cana, an area known for its beachfront all-inclusive resorts and luxurious golf courses, hosted last week’s Cap Cana Cup.
The tournament marked a milestone in the country’s history as the largest professional tennis event ever organized on Dominican soil.
Bottom Line - The international tennis circuit appears to be making a significant step in conquering one of its last frontiers. Cap Cana Cup organizers are pushing not only to bring more tennis events to the Dominican Republic, but also to the entire Caribbean region.
Read more
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Enters Cricket with $500M Investment
A new global Twenty20 cricket league, backed by Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments, could mark one of the most significant developments to the sport in decades.
The proposed eight-team league is inspired by tennis’ Grand Slams, with matches set to be played in four different locations worldwide each year.
Saudi Arabia is set to inject $500 million into the project, making it the league’s largest financial backer.
Unlike traditional cricket funding models, where revenues heavily favor India, Australia, and England, this league is designed to distribute earnings more evenly.
The final would be held in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a major cricket destination.
Bottom Line - This T20 league adds to the growing sports portfolio of the Saudi government, which also includes LIV Golf, Formula 1, and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup. Along with fielding a team to participate, Cricket West Indies should push to host one of the Grand Slams to bring a new wave of fans to the region.
Read more
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies Breakout League to Launch in April
Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are jointly launching the inaugural West Indies Breakout League, a new cricket tournament designed to spotlight emerging talent across the region.
The competition is scheduled to take place from April 25-May 10, featuring six teams and 17 matches.
All the games will take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
The league will feature teams representing the six territorial boards that comprise Cricket West Indies:
Barbados Pelicans
Guyana Rainforest Rangers
Jamaica Titans
Leeward Islands Thunder
Trinidad & Tobago Legions
Windward Islands Infernos.
Players eligible to participate must be under 30 years old with limited professional experience.
Bottom Line - The tournament will provide a crucial platform for the next generation of T20 stars. Each team is closely affiliated with a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, providing players with an opportunity to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
Read more
Until next time ✌🏾
Are you interested in partnering with BACKCOURT? Click below to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.