REGGAE LEGEND BOB MARLEY WITH SOCCER LEGEND PELÉ

Did you know Bob Marley’s life story is as powerful and inspiring as his music? Raised in the poverty-stricken slums of Kingston, Jamaica, Marley faced discrimination and hardship—but he used music as a weapon for change. His blend of reggae, soul, and revolutionary lyrics made him an international icon, but here’s something even more jaw-dropping: Bob Marley’s hit *No Woman, No Cry* was actually inspired by the struggles of his own childhood in Trenchtown, where he watched his mother raise him through poverty. 

Bob didn’t just change music—he changed the world. His fusion of Rastafarian spirituality, social justice, and cultural pride made him a voice for the oppressed. Songs like *Redemption Song* and *Get Up, Stand Up* weren’t just about revolution—they were anthems of hope, resilience, and human rights. And get this—despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1977, Marley continued to tour and perform with relentless energy until his death in 1981 at just **36 years old**.

Even after his passing, Bob Marley’s influence only grew. He became not just a musical legend, but a symbol of unity, peace, and love. To this day, his music continues to inspire millions around the globe, reminding us to *stand up for our rights* and *love one another*. 🌍✌️🎶

PAKISTANI SPINNER NORMAN ALI TAKES HISTORIC TEST HAT-TRICK AS WINDIES COLLAPSE

Veteran Pakistan tweaker Noman Ali became the fifth male bowler from his country to take a Test hat-trick and the first male spinner of his nationality to do so in a destruction of the West Indies on Saturday.

The West Indies' tail-enders wagged in Multan to propel the touring side to 163 in the second match of the two-Test series, but at one stage the visitors were reeling at 7-38 and in danger of being skittled for their lowest total in Test history, which remains the 47 they were rolled for by England in Kingston in 2004.

Ali, a left-arm orthodox bowler featuring in his 19th Test at the age of 38, snared the first wicket of his hat-trick when he drew Justin Greaves forward and had him caught at second slip, removing him for 1.

The finger spinner took the second wicket of his hat-trick when he lulled Tevin Imlach into sweeping and trapped him lbw. The Pakistanis screamed at Australian umpire Paul Reiffel for a long time, but his finger eventually went up.

And Ali completed his hat-trick when he claimed the wicket of Kevin Sinclair, who perished in similar fashion to Greaves.

The hat-trick hero broke into a celebratory sprint with his hands thrust above his head as his teammates swamped him at Multan Cricket Stadium.

The only other Pakistani men who've taken a Test hat-trick are Wasim Akram (the legendary left-armer did so twice), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami and Naseem Shah.

Shaiza Khan, a Pakistani leg-spinner in women's cricket in the 1990s and 2000s, also took a Test hat-trick.

The previous man of any nationality to take a Test hat-trick was England quick Gus Atkinson, who stunned New Zealand in Wellington in December.

In Multan on Saturday, the West Indies' No.9, No.10 and No.11 made the visitors' highest scores of the innings, with Gudakesh Motie chalking up 55, Kemar Roach 25 and Jomel Warrican an unbeaten 36.

The only other West Indies batter who reached double digits was No.4 Kavem Hodge, who lost his wicket for 21.

The West Indies collapsed from 2-32 to 7-38, then were bowled out for 163 in the 42nd over.

Ali finished with the figures of 6-41, but the best Test innings figures of his career remain the 8-46 he took against England at the same ground in October.

- Zachary Gates

SPRINT QUEENS TOBI AMUSAN AND SHERICKA JACKSON WILL FACE OFF FOR TBE FIRST TIME IN THE 60M EVENT AT RENOWNED MEET IN JAMAICA

Nigerian hurdling sensation Tobi Amusan is scheduled for her first race of the 2025 season against a formidable force in Shericka Jackson at the Queen’s / Grace Jackson Meet in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday.

The reigning women's 100mH world record holder who made a coaching switch in September 2024 to join the tutelage of renowned coach Glen Mills in Jamaica, will compete in the 60m to officially kick off her season.

Amusan last competed in the 60m in 2019 during her college days, when she ran a personal best of 7.41s. In Jamaica, the talented speedster will aim to lower her time and perhaps upset homegirl Jackson to a win, which will be a confidence boost for the rest of the year after a heartbreaking end to the 2024 season.

Jackson also targets a comeback year to prove and reclaim her status as one of the world's best sprinters. An injury-plagued 2024 season stopped her Olympic ambitions, so hopefully the woes are behind, and making a statement in her season's debut against Amusan will set her goals for the year rolling ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo in the summer.

Also listed to run the women’s 60m are former world junior champion Anthonique Strachan, and Jonielle Smith. Other stars expected to compete are Zharnel Hughes, Tyquendo Tracy, and Brendon Rodney.

NOTE: The meet is non-World Athletics certified so will not count for qualification purposes.

 - Funmilayo Fameso 

GAEL MONFILS BREAKS ROGER FEDERER'S RECORD AFTER VICTORY IN AUCKLAND

France's Gael Monfils celebrates with the trophy after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland. AP

Gael Monfils became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title after defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the final in Auckland on Saturday

Gael Monfils broke Roger Federer’s record to become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title after winning the ASB Classic in Auckland on Saturday. The French veteran achieved the feat after defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in Auckland, claiming his 13th tour title – 20 years after winning his first – at the age of 38 years and 132 days.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, was 38 years and 74 days old when he won the Swiss Indoor title in Basel in 2019, the final tour title of his iconic career.

Monfils currently is ranked 52 and is the oldest player in the history of the ATP Tour to be ranked in the top 100.

Pancho Gonzalez was 44 years, 7 months and 4 days old when he won a Kingston, Jamaica singles title in 1972, prior to the formation of the ATP Tour in 1990.

The Auckland final was delayed on Saturday by a medical emergency in the crowd but Monfils showed the same mixture of aggression and tenacious defense to claim his first title since the Stockholm Open in 2023.

Prior to the start of the Auckland tournament, Monfils spoke about how his love of tennis kept him going.

“I love tennis. I love what I’m doing so of course all the sacrifices you do, they are a little bit easier. When you love something, it’s easier to keep pushing," he said.

“I’ve been enjoying myself since the first day I played tennis and (at) 60 years old I will still have this joy. Practice, it’s easy. It’s in the DNA. Stay in shape, it’s easy. It’s more the travel.”

After collecting the Auckland trophy, Monfils headed straight to the airport for a flight to Melbourne where he will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open.

With AP inputs

- FP Sports

"IT'S A WONDERFUL FEELING' - USAIN BOLT'S 22 YEAR WORLD RECORD BROKEN BY JAMAICAN 16-YEAR-OLD NICKECOY BRAMWELL

A Jamaican teenager has made history by breaking Usian Bolt's world record in the Under-17 400m event.

Nickecoy Bramwell has shattered the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's time by 0.07 seconds.

Bolt set a time of 47.33 seconds in the event 22-years ago, which had stood as the record - until now.

At just 16-years old, Bramwell is the new U17 record holder having come home in 47.26 seconds.

It was at the 51st Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium in Grenada that the teenager etched his name into the history books.

Bramwell had come into the race with a number of concerns around his fitness.

But he put them all to bed when he beat his nearest opponent by an impressive 0.7 seconds.

Reflecting on his outstanding achievement, Bramwell said: "It's a wonderful feeling to break the record.

Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record.

So it's a great feeling I could come out here and get it.

"I just took my mind off it and focused on the record."

Bramwell, who is still a student at Calabar High in Kingston, looks set to follow in the steps of greatness after breaking one of Bolt's records.

In addition to Bolt's Olympic medals, he holds 11 World Championship titles and remains a world-record holder in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay.

Bolt is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all-time and the 400m distance was never his true speciality beyond youth level.

The 37-year-old, who retired in 2017, now spends most of his time with family and often appears in charitable events such as Soccer Aid.

 "He is also keen to help develop the next generation of athletes. Speaking last year, Bolt said: "I spend my time doing a lot of family things, when it comes to track and field, not as much as I would want to but I still try and stay in touch with what is going on.

"I'm still waiting on a position from (World Athletics), I've reached out to them and let them know I would love to make a bigger impact in sports, as long as they want me to.

"We've been in talks but we'll have to wait and see what comes around."

Bolt added: "After me, it kind of went down because of who I was as a person, and how big my personality was.

"But I think over time it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport, hopefully in the upcoming years it will change."

"Hopefully I can play a part and help the sport to grow."

If Bramwell's career turns out to be anything like Bolt's, then the world of athletics could be in for a treat.

- Uma Guray, talkSPORT