A dramatic eligibility dispute has erupted hours before the 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division championship decider, casting a shadow over the highly anticipated title clash. Two mysterious letters, allegedly originating from St Benedict’s College acting principal Gregory Quan Kep, questioned the registration status of three Naparima College players through communications dated November 5 and November 26.
The correspondence, disseminated to media outlets during late-night and early-morning hours on November 26-27, raised concerns about player eligibility mere hours before Naparima’s crucial match against Signal Hill Secondary. In one document, queries were raised about a Naparima player who participated in the November 3 encounter against Benedict’s, while the other letter highlighted registration matters involving two additional Naparima squad members.
Multiple attempts to verify the letters’ authenticity proved unsuccessful, with Quan Kep remaining unresponsive to calls and WhatsApp messages. SSFL president Merere Gonzales and first vice-president were similarly unreachable. Adding to the mystery, Benedict’s manager Ravi Ramgoolam claimed no knowledge of the correspondence when contacted on November 27. SSFL assistant secretary of operations Gerald Elliot also stated he was unaware of any eligibility inquiries from the Benedict’s camp.
The controversy emerges amid a tense championship scenario where league leaders Naparima and second-placed Signal Hill (both at 34 points) face off at Lewis Street, San Fernando. The victor will claim the premier division title, while third-placed Benedict’s (33 points) maintains mathematical possibility of securing the trophy should they defeat Trinity College East and the top-two teams draw their decisive match.
This incident evokes memories of Benedict’s own eligibility controversy from the previous season, when the school was stripped of premier division honors after utilizing ineligible player Derrel “Zum Zum” Garcia in four matches. The infraction resulted in a devastating 12-point deduction, though Garcia still captured the 2024 Player of the Year award and guided his team to national intercol glory against eventual league champions Fatima College.
As of publication time, Naparima officials confirmed they had received no formal communication from the SSFL regarding player protests or eligibility investigations involving their squad members.