Jamaica's favourite sports are soccer and cricket. Introduced by the British in the 19th century, cricket quickly rose in popularity. Many captains of the West Indies cricket team have come from Jamaica. In the mid-1990s, however, Jamaica's national soccer team, the Reggae Boyz, became the first team from an English-speaking Caribbean nation to qualify for the World Cup finals. This achievement has made the sport's popularity rival cricket's. Another popular sport is horseracing, which employs a lot of Jamaicans.
Enthusiastic athletes, Jamaicans have also made significant achievements in boxing, cycling, weightlifting, track and field, and football (soccer). The women's netball and field hockey teams have consistently ranked among the world's top teams. Jamaica even managed to send a bobsled team to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics; the team has performed increasingly well in the Olympics since then. In particular, Jamaican athletes have excelled at track and field. Sprinters Arthur Wint and Herb McKinley won three medals at the 1948 Olympics, the first year Jamaica entered the games. Since then, Jamaica's Olympic success in track has been added to by many other athletes, including Merlene Ottey and Don Quarrie.

Relaxation in Jamaica comes in many forms, from a day at the beach or a walk through the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Children enjoy watching television, playing electronic games and basketball. Adults like listening to sports broadcasts, music and watching television, and younger Jamaicans especially love dancing. A favourite game among men is dominoes, played with passion in rum bars and cafés. Jamaicans often visit public libraries and museums. Reading is a popular pastime, especially books by Jamaican and West Indian authors.

Sports Best Facilities

Tennis

Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club (Montego Bay; tel. 876/953-2211): This is Jamaica's best tennis-13 state-of-the-art courts, 7 of which are lit for night games.

Wyndham Rose Hall Golf & Beach Resort (Montego Bay; tel. 876/953-2650): This resort has six hard-surface courts, all lit at night. Hotel guests play free.

Tryall Club Jamaica (Montego Bay; tel. 876/956-5660): Tryall has nine superb hard-surface courts, three of which are lit for night play.

Grand Sport Villa Golf Resort & Spa (Ocho Rios; tel. 876/974-1027): This resort offers three clay and three hard-surface courts, all lit at night. Twice-a-day clinics are offered for beginners as well as advanced players.

Water Sport

North Coast Marine Sports (Montego Bay; tel. 876/953-2211): Offering the best scuba diving in Montego Bay, this staff of instructors knows some great spots to dive among coral reefs.

Golf Courses

White Witch of Rose Hall Golf Course (Montego Bay; (tel. 876/953-2204): This is the newest Jamaican golf course and one of the most spectacular, set on 80 hectares (200 acres) of lush greenery.

Wyndham Rose Hall Golf & Beach Resort (Montego Bay; tel. 876/953-2650): This has been called one of the top courses in the world. It's a challenging seaside and mountain course. The 14th hole passes a waterfall.

Tryall Club Jamaica (Montego Bay; tel. 876/956-5660): Jamaica's finest course, this is the site of the annual Johnnie Walker World Championship. Wind direction can change suddenly, making the course even harder.

Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club (Montego Bay; 876/953-2211): A top island course, Half Moon features well-manicured and interestingly shaped greens, but it's not as challenging as the one at Tryall.

Sandals Golf & Country Club (Ocho Rios; tel. 876/975-0119): This course is known for panoramic vistas, rolling terrain, and lush vegetation. Sandals guests play for free.

Links & Sources

• Frommers
• Jamaica Sport
• Sports Jamaica