Daley Jr shines at Karting Carnival

The internationally recognised Caribbean Karting Carnival 2009 proved once again that motor sports in Jamaica are not only exciting, but competitive, with Jamaica coming out on top in nearly all racing categories.

Jamaican favourite and Red Bull Athlete, Colin Daley Jr, showed his superb driving talent once again against competitors from the United States, Canada, Trinidad, Barbados, Aruba, Guyana and the Dominica Republic, as well as his local contemporaries.

Driving a 2009 Birel C28CJ, in the Rotax Junior Class, which is usually for drivers upwards of 13 years, 12-year-old Daley proved fierce competition for Miami-based Jesus Rios. On day one of the two-day race meet, Daley placed second in the pre-final and pulled out all the stops, flying through the finish line in first place in the final. Daley went on to finish second in the reverse grid, which is a race that allows slower racers to start first, with faster racers at the rear.

Having stood high on the podium on day one of the event, Daley was eager to defend his standing on the second day, coming second in the pre-final and finals. In the reverse grid, Daley was side-swiped by Rios in a hairpin corner, which resulted in one of his tyres being sliced and the side pad of the kart being torn away, causing him to go into the pit.

With the attitude of a true sportsman, Daley went on to congratulate Rios and other drivers and said: "This weekend was really great and I enjoyed racing with the best in the Caribbean and karters from other regions. I can't wait until the next international meet, which will most likely be in Florida, to race against these guys again."

Daley was recently named the first Red Bull athlete in the English-speaking Caribbean, one of only 500 Red Bull Athletes worldwide.

Insports Summer Camp

Hundreds of children ages six-15 converged on the National Stadium complex yesterday, signalling the start of the 2009 Insports Summer Camp.

The camp, which is in its second staging, runs for the entire month, with participating youngsters engaged in six sporting disciplines.

Over the period, each weekday, children will be exposed to the rudiments of football, basketball, netball, volleyball, cricket and athletics during workshops run by some of the country's most established coaches employed to the government-run Institute of Sports.

Ian Andrews, administrative director at Insports, says the camp is one of its kind.

"It is the first and only sports camp of its kind, and at no cost to the participants. That's why it's so unique," said Andrews, after scores of youngsters assembled inside the National Arena.

The camp, which was a success last year, emphasises holistic development through sports, and is seen as a method that assists in stemming the rise in obesity and diabetes, primarily in children.

Several volunteers have signed up to offer their services in different capacities, which will see them earning certificates of volunteerism from Insports.

Claro Under-15

Meadhaven United thrashed Waterhouse 4-1 in the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA)/Claro Under-15 competition last Saturday.

Kashief Mighty, 28th, Keimo Herron - 35th, Almando Douglas -36th and Courtney Henry - 59th scored the goals for Meadhaven United. Brian Grason scored the consolation goal for Waterhouse in the 45th.

In other games, Boys' Town, led by a hat-trick from Javonnie Mitchell, defeated Constant Spring 5-3. Mitchell scored his goals in the 20th, 45th and 66th minutes. Kristoff Grant, 8th, and Keemo Tingle, 33rd, scored the goals for the winners. Darshan James 63rd and 66th, and Dovev Williams were the scorers for Constant Spring. Harbour View beat Real Mona 1-0. Sadeki Street scored the lone goal for winners in the eighth minute.