THIS weekend is a sports lover’s dream.

Outside of the West Indies playing Australia in the final of their two-Test series at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica’s senior national football team, the Reggae Boyz, bow into action in the Copa América in Chile this afternoon, making history in the process as the first Caribbean nation to compete in that tournament.

The Jamaicans will face Uruguay in what is likely to be a baptism of fire, given the South Americans’ record in the sport.

For readers who don’t know, Uruguay have won the Copa América a record 15 times, the most recent victory being in 2011. They have also won football’s most prestigious trophy — the World Cup — twice; first in 1930 when they hosted the inaugural tournament and beat Argentina 4-2 in the final, and second in 1950, upsetting hosts Brazil 2-1 in the final game.

The Uruguayans have more titles under their belt and, as we said, will likely give the Reggae Boyz a very hard match. As such, we wish the Jamaican lads well and hope that their participation in this tournament will redound to their benefit as they prepare for the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifications.

The Sport of Kings will today see the 95th running of the Jamaica Derby, sponsored by Cal’s Manufacturing Ltd, at Caymanas Park in St Catherine.

As was reported in yesterday’s edition of the Jamaica Observer’s Complete Racing Guide, 15 of the best three-year-old thoroughbreds will compete for the second jewel of the Jamaica Triple Crown and $3.7 million from the whopping $7-million purse.

Cal’s has put a lot into today’s event, which will no doubt live up to its reputation for excitement and at which two of Jamaica’s finest members of the horse racing fraternity — Messrs Philip Feanny and Winston Griffiths — will be honoured.

Then, later today double Olympic champion and world record holder in both sprints, Mr Usain Bolt, will compete in the 200m at the Diamond League Grand Prix at Randall’s Island, New York.

Ardent track and field fans will remember that it was at this meet that Mr Bolt first broke the world 100m record in 2008 with a time of 9.72 seconds.

Mr Bolt himself has admitted that he is not now in the best form, however, we hope that today’s event will greatly enhance his return to competition as he prepares for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing this August.

Capping today’s delightful menu of sports will be the featherweight contest between Jamaica’s Nicholas ‘Axe Man’ Walters and Colombian Miguel ‘Scorpion’ Marriaga at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Boxing analysts have told us that this will be a thrilling bout, and if the pre-fight talk by both undefeated pugilists is anything to go by, the predictions are correct.

The boxing press have reported that Mr Walters has said that he doesn’t recall losing to Mr Marriaga as an amateur.

“Marriaga may have beaten me in the amateurs, but I do not remember it. Besides, those fights are four rounds. On Saturday we will be fighting 12 rounds,” Mr Walters is quoted by Boxing News 24.

“He may be bringing his ‘A game’ but I am bringing my ‘A-plus game’. I have trained for a knockout victory. I am going to destroy him,” he added.

Mr Marriaga, of course, hit back, saying that Mr Walters doesn’t remember being beaten because he lost. “He’s not going to remember this Saturday for the same reason… I have the strength and the intelligence to beat him, and I will use my strength and intelligence,” the Colombian said.

What a feast awaits us.