Sports in brief

Digicel grass-roots football

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in association with telecommunication company Digicel, steps up its grassroots programme with the start of year two of the programme tomorrow at the Yallahs Pavillion in St Thomas.

Year one of the programme which covered the period May 2012 to April 2013 saw 2,000 kids, ages 6-12 being introduced to the sport through grass-roots festivals.

The festivals are broken down into small sided games through which some fundamentals of the sport are introduced. Guided by the principle that the more children play is the more they learn, and the more they learn is the more they play, the programme was hailed by JFF parish presidents as 'a remarkable success.'

T&T call up George

ATLANTA, CMC:

Columbus Crew midfielder Kevan George has been called up ahead of Trinidad and Tobago's CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final against Mexico at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta tomorrow.

George, a Tobago-born player who lined up for T&T during the final round of the Olympic qualifiers in Los Angeles last year, was expected to join the team camp at the Westin Plaza on Wednesday.

T&T are without the services of midfielder Khaleem Hyland, who returned to Belgium on Tuesday on a request from the club, while midfielder Kevin Molino is suspended on two yellow cards.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte is also sidelined with a groin injury, and will not be ready for another five days.

Special place for O'Brien

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC:

An Irishman who launched his international career in the Caribbean says he is relishing a return to the region where it all started for him.

All-rounder Kevin O'Brien, 29, who burst on to the international scene in the Caribbean at the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, says the region has a special place in the hearts of those involved in Irish cricket.

Ireland tied with Zimbabwe and beat Pakistan in Jamaica to make the Super Sixes in 2007 before recording another win against Bangladesh in Barbados.

"It is always fun to go back to the West Indies. St Patrick's Day 2007 was where it all started for myself and Irish cricket with that famous win over Pakistan," said O' Brien.