Girlz to arrive today after delay

The Jamaican-based contingent the Reggae Girlz, who were delayed yesterday, are expected to arrive today from their Women's World Cup campaign after runway issues at the Sangester International Airport in Montego Bay prevented them from arriving.

The runway was closed for a few hours yesterday because of ongoing construction work on the runway.

The Girlz were travelling in three separate groups from Newark, New Jersey and Houston, Texas, but the flights were cancelled because of the issues being experienced at the Sangester International Airport.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange confirmed the delays on her Instagram page, saying that not only had the airlines rebooked them for today, but that they had been accommodated at hotels at the various locations.

"The airline has already rebooked them to travel tomorrow (today) and, in the meantime, is providing accommodation (Hyatt, Hilton, and Radisson) and meals befitting their business class status," Grange said in the post.

The contingent that will arrive in Jamaica consists of Deneisha Blackwood. Konya Plummer, Trudi Carter, Khadija Shaw, and Jodi Brown along with the technical staff.

Additionally, Grange said that their equipment had been collected and taken directly to Jamaica via air cargo, with the staff and players only responsible for their personal luggage. Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts said yesterday that plans are being put together to celebrate the team's achievement in Australia next month as the team prepares for the first leg of their Olympic qualifying playoff tie against Canada on September 22 at the National Stadium.

The Reggae Girlz became the first Caribbean team to qualify for the Women's World Cup round of 16 after advancing second in Group F with five points, drawing with France, defeating Panama, and drawing with Brazil, sending the latter home in the process. The Girlz were beaten by Colombia in their round-of-16 clash on Tuesday.