Come on Boyz!

At least from a sporting perspective, 2012 has not been a bad year.

Chris Gayle finally returned to the West Indies (hooray) and the team actually won two series (double hooray). We dominated the sprints and the headlines at the London Olympics and just our presence in the country (shelling down clubs and all) was also stuff to cheer. And even though they didn't win medals, Alia Atkinson (swimming), Samantha Albert (equestrian) and Kenneth Edwards (tae kwon do), they all made us proud. But alas, the Olympics are done, and the Diamond League series in which our athletes are still doing well, won't last much longer. So we kind of need something to keep the winning momentum going. Right now, Jamaica really needs the Reggae Boyz.

Okay, okay. Get off the floor and stop laughing. I'm serious. The upcoming back-to-back World Cup qualifying games against the United States (US) are crucial. Not just because we are not certain to advance to the next round, but also from a psyche perspective. We've showed the world we can sprint, but overcoming the US team, who we've never beaten at the senior level in football, would be the breadfruit to our ackee and salt fish. That would wrap up the Jamaica 50 fun quite nicely.

On paper, there is no reason we shouldn't get something out of both games. I'm not asking us to win in the US, but we should at least be able to do that here. It won't be easy, it never is. But I believe half the time we've lost to the US is due to fear. If enough people actually show up at the stadium on Friday, we might see history. Come on Boyz! And no, I'm not looking for any free tickets from Jamaica Football Federation boss Captain Horace Burrell (although if mi get one, I wouldn't complain, yuh see mi?)

Speaking of the US, it's election fever and last week, Ann Romney gave her husband, Mitt, officially now the Republican candidate for November's elections, a glowing review at the party's national convention.

I've always wondered why spouses say anything. It's not like they're going to tell you anything bad. Imagine if she goes up there and says he doesn't help with the dishes, or he leaves his clothes lying around the house. Or worse, that he drinks too much and smacks her around like a tennis ball. You're just not going to get that. Would make great sound bites and no doubt the other candidate would be (off camera) doing the Hustle, Running Man or any other dance, believing the race was now very much in his favour.

As for the presidential race, whether Barack repeats like Bolt or Romney pulls it off, one thing remains sure: Jamaica will still owe the IMF. Later

Feedback: daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com