Jamaica basketball manager urges fan support on historic night
Dominic Delgado, manager of Jamaica’s national senior men’s basketball team, is calling on Jamaicans to rally behind the squad as they prepare to face The Bahamas Thursday evening at the National Arena, hoping to continue their push toward the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“We need the support,” he declared. “We need the energy in the arena, it’s not a big arena so come out and support the team. We don’t just have a team, we have a very good world-class team.”
Tonight’s matchup will mark the first time fans will see Jamaica’s senior men’s team compete on home soil. Buoyed by two historic wins in Puerto Rico late last year, expectations are high that the Jamaicans will match The Bahamas. Delgado, however, noted that Canada could present an even sterner test.
“We are in the second round of World Cup qualifying. We have never been this far. Bahamas and Canada are two world-class teams; in fact, Canada is top five in the world so having the magnitude of those games here in Jamaica is historic.”
With the possibility of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history, Delgado also highlighted the financial strain that has accompanied the team’s progress.
“We don’t get a single penny and that’s not a complaint,” he expressed. “We really want to grow the sport in the country and we genuinely feel that with this team we can help support the women’s team, the youth teams and also the local high school teams.”
“We have a severe lack of funding, but thankfully, we have gotten some support from various branches of the government. One major sponsor is the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation and Cedella (Marley) herself. It started with Cedella last year and we wouldn’t be here without the foundation’s support.”
Delgado added that the team has since secured additional sponsorship from National Bakery and Rainforest but remains in need of further backing as it continues its campaign through 2026.
Tip-off against The Bahamas is scheduled for 6:00 pm, with dancehall artiste Aidonia set to entertain fans at halftime.
