Carib Scope

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  • UTT Patriots into FISU America Football World Cup qualifiers

    UTT Patriots into FISU America Football World Cup qualifiers

    The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Patriots men’s football team has achieved a spectacular double victory, culminating their outstanding Tertiary Sport Association of TT (TSATT) season with both league and knockout titles. On November 24, the Clayton Morris-coached squad delivered a commanding 5-1 performance against USC Hummers at the UTT O’Meara Campus to claim the TSATT knockout championship.

    This decisive victory secured the team’s qualification for the prestigious International University Sports Federation (FISU) America Football World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for July 2026 in Peru. The Patriots will join their female counterparts, who also earned qualification, representing UTT on the international stage.

    The path to the final showcased the team’s resilience when they overcame UWI in a dramatic penalty shootout on November 20. After battling to a 1-1 draw in regulation time, UTT emerged victorious with a 4-2 penalty triumph. The final match saw the team operating at peak performance, with Andre Alfred delivering an exceptional hat-trick and Tyrone Rago contributing a brace to secure the comprehensive victory.

    This marks the second appearance for the UTT men’s team in the FISU America qualifiers, following their participation in the 2022 edition hosted in Mexico. Meanwhile, the women’s team prepares for their third qualification campaign, having previously competed in both the 2022 and 2024 tournaments.

    In an official statement, UTT expressed pride in their athletes’ accomplishments: “UTT is proud to celebrate the achievements of its men’s football team and wishes them continued success in upcoming endeavours.” The university community now looks forward to supporting both teams as they prepare to represent Trinidad and Tobago in international competition.

  • Cycling clubs request High Court intervention

    Cycling clubs request High Court intervention

    Two prominent Trinidad and Tobago cycling clubs have initiated urgent legal proceedings against the national cycling federation regarding athlete selection protocols for the upcoming 2026 Pan American Track Cycling Championships. The JLD Cycling Academy and Heatwave Cycling Club, represented by sports attorney Dr. Emir Crowne, filed a comprehensive 198-page legal submission to the High Court on December 1 seeking immediate intervention.

    The core dispute centers on the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation’s (TTCF) decision to conduct mandatory selection trials on January 17, 2026—just four weeks before the February championships in Chile. The clubs contend this scheduling directly violates the federation’s established selection policy, which explicitly requires trials to be held at least twelve weeks prior to international competitions.

    According to the legal filing, the clubs allege multiple procedural violations by the TTCF leadership. The federation executive reportedly ratified the January trial date during an emergency council meeting without following proper governance procedures, which the plaintiffs characterize as an abuse of power. The clubs further argue that the TTCF had been aware since June 2025 of the Pan Am Championships’ rescheduling to February yet failed to adjust the domestic racing calendar accordingly.

    The controversial trial timing poses particular concern for internationally ranked athletes like world number 23 Alexi Costa-Ramirez, who formally expressed concerns to the TTCF that the schedule disruption could jeopardize preparation cycles and competitive performance. Costa-Ramirez and other elite riders advocate for discretionary selection based on objective criteria including world rankings and recent competitive results rather than what they term ‘impromptu trials.’

    The TTCF has mounted a robust defense against these allegations. The federation maintains that the January trial date received unanimous approval during a September 2025 planning meeting attended by all member clubs, including the claimants. This decision was subsequently confirmed during a November emergency meeting where all clubs exercised voting rights. The federation’s legal representative, attorney Zelica Haynes-Soo Hon, emphasizes that trials remain mandatory unless a National Championship has occurred within three months of the international event, with discretionary selection only permissible when no rider qualifies through formal trials.

    With both parties at an impasse, the High Court now faces the task of determining whether the federation violated its own regulations and the legitimate expectations of its member clubs and athletes.

  • Soca Sliders slide to silver in Park City

    Soca Sliders slide to silver in Park City

    Trinidad and Tobago’s bobsleigh program achieved a significant milestone on December 1 as the two-man team of Axel Brown and De Aundre John captured silver at the North American Cup’s Park City leg in Utah. The Caribbean athletes demonstrated exceptional consistency across both heats, posting times of 48.89 and 48.99 seconds respectively, culminating in a combined finish of 1:37.88 minutes.

    In a remarkable development for Caribbean bobsleigh, Jamaica’s pairing of Shane Pitter and Joel Fearon claimed gold with a time of 1:37.74, marking the first time two Caribbean nations secured the top two positions in a major international bobsleigh competition. The Canadian team of Jay Dearborn and Shane Ohrt recorded an identical time to Trinidad and Tobago, resulting in an unprecedented tie for second place.

    This silver medal performance represents Trinidad and Tobago’s first podium finish of the current season, building upon their recent fourth and fifth place finishes in the four-man bobsleigh event at Whistler, Canada in late November. Those performances had earned the team extended podium recognition, demonstrating their growing consistency in international competition.

    The Soca Sliders’ four-man squad, featuring Brown, Xaverri Williams, Shakeel John, and Micah Moore, remained in competition preparation at Utah Olympic Park as of December 3, with two additional events scheduled. This continued presence at elite-level competition signals Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging status as a serious contender in international bobsleigh, traditionally dominated by colder climate nations.

  • St Anthony’s dethrone Fatima as Intercol north zone champs

    St Anthony’s dethrone Fatima as Intercol north zone champs

    In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, St Anthony’s College claimed the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Coca-Cola boys’ north zone intercol championship with a breathtaking 4-2 victory over defending champions Fatima College. The electrifying final, staged at Hasely Crawford Stadium on December 3, saw both teams reduced to ten men in a match that delivered non-stop excitement from opening whistle to final moment.

    The contest took an immediate shocking turn when Fatima’s star attacker Phillip Nelson received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident merely two minutes into play. This early dismissal visibly rattled the defending champions, who found themselves trailing 2-0 by the 27th minute. Kanye Glasgow, later named Man of the Match, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a clever near-post finish after deftly maneuvering past a defender. Kymani Thomas doubled the advantage when goalkeeper Jadon Pollard failed to properly clear Jaeden Bobb’s attempt, allowing Thomas to capitalize from close range.

    Fatima emerged from halftime transformed, staging a remarkable comeback that leveled the score at 2-2 within just four minutes of the second half. Dynamic midfielder Seth Hadeed became the catalyst for the resurgence, scoring his first goal 22 seconds after restart following a fortunate deflection from Necose Moore’s save. Hadeed completed his brace from the penalty spot three minutes later after Malique Marshall’s reckless challenge on substitute Jeremai Nanton earned both a penalty and a straight red card for the St Anthony’s defender.

    The Tigers responded to this adversity with renewed determination, reclaiming the lead in the 66th minute through a beautifully crafted team goal. Adriel Faure initiated the play with a penetrating run down the left flank before delivering a precise switch to captain Mordecai Ford on the opposite side. Rather than shooting, Ford drilled a low cross across the penalty area for Faure to sweep home at the far post.

    Despite several opportunities from Nanton and Hadeed to equalize again—including a spectacular long-range effort that Moore tipped wide in the 74th minute—Fatima couldn’t find another breakthrough. Glasgow sealed the victory in the 87th minute with a exquisite curling finish from the edge of the area after being set up by Ford, completing his brace and cementing the Tigers’ championship claim.

    St Anthony’s now advances to the national intercol semifinals where they will face Tobago champions Signal Hill Secondary, who themselves staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Speyside High School 4-3 in their zonal final despite playing most of their match with ten men.

  • Iberostar Hotels & Resorts reopens its Rose Hall hotel complex

    Iberostar Hotels & Resorts reopens its Rose Hall hotel complex

    JAMAICA’S TOURISM SECTOR RECEIVES MAJOR BOOST AS IBEROSTAR COMPLETES POST-HURRICANE RECOVERY

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a significant development for Jamaica’s hospitality industry, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has successfully restored operations at its three-property Rose Hall complex following extensive recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. The reopening represents a critical milestone in the island’s broader tourism resurgence and economic stabilization.

    The Spanish hotel chain emphasized that the accelerated restoration was achieved through exceptional teamwork and robust partnerships with local Jamaican stakeholders. Company executives confirmed that all essential services have been fully reinstated across the resort properties, ensuring seamless guest experiences.

    Demonstrating profound corporate responsibility, Iberostar implemented comprehensive support measures for its workforce during the crisis. The company provided emergency accommodation for displaced employees and their families while addressing both immediate physical needs and longer-term financial and emotional wellbeing concerns.

    A structured relief program now benefits all 1,700 Jamaican employees, featuring financial assistance through special relief bonuses, essential supply care packages, and dedicated support for home reconstruction efforts. The initiative extends beyond staff members to include neighboring communities severely affected by the natural disaster.

    Notably, the hotel group has partnered with the Grange Pen Fishers Association, whose members sustained substantial losses from the hurricane. Many local residents maintain historical ties with the resort properties, making community support an integral component of Iberostar’s operational philosophy.

    The company’s leadership emphasizes that tourism represents Jamaica’s most viable path to economic recovery, with visitor spending directly contributing to job preservation and accelerated normalcy restoration across the island nation.

  • Opposition demands stronger oversight of Govt’s Hurricane relief distribution

    Opposition demands stronger oversight of Govt’s Hurricane relief distribution

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s political landscape faces renewed tension as the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) challenges the government’s hurricane relief distribution methods following Hurricane Melissa. While acknowledging the government’s announced plans for implementing a monitoring system, the PNP contends that Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon’s statement inadequately addresses mounting public anxiety over alleged politically motivated handling of emergency supplies.

    The Opposition has leveled serious accusations against governing party affiliates, asserting that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) operatives, former candidates, and unauthorized political figures have engaged in distributing state resources without proper mandate. The PNP emphasizes that only elected Members of Parliament for affected constituencies and officially designated ministry personnel should oversee relief operations, characterizing current practices as fundamental violations of governance standards that erode public trust during national crisis.

    In their formal statement, the PNP outlined comprehensive requirements for any credible tracking system, demanding detailed documentation including: identities of distribution personnel, precise timestamps of dispatch and delivery, recipient information spanning shelters, community organizations, religious institutions, and individual households, and verified confirmation that sitting constituency representatives were properly notified. The party emphasized that state resources must never be distributed by political actors without transparent coordination with elected officials.

    ‘Vague governmental assurances cannot suffice during national emergencies,’ the Opposition declared, rejecting retrospective reporting or selective transparency that might conceal potential political exploitation of disaster resources. They affirmed that hurricane relief constitutes national property belonging to all Jamaican citizens rather than any political organization or its representatives.

    The PNP maintains that properly implemented with comprehensive data collection, a verification system could address persistent public skepticism and restore confidence in emergency distribution processes, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive impartial support without political interference.

  • PNM warns Kamla to ‘cool it’ on rhetoric or face legal action

    PNM warns Kamla to ‘cool it’ on rhetoric or face legal action

    Trinidad and Tobago’s political climate has reached a boiling point as the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to cease what they characterize as inflammatory rhetoric. The confrontation emerged following the Prime Minister’s social media statements and subsequent press release alleging PNM connections to narcotics trafficking networks and pedophilia rings.

    Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, addressing journalists on December 3, denounced the allegations as baseless distractions from government shortcomings. ‘These are exceptionally serious claims that demand substantiation,’ Beckles stated. ‘I am formally exploring all legal avenues, including defamation proceedings, should these accusations persist without evidence.’

    The political leader refuted suggestions of anti-American sentiment within the PNM, highlighting instead the United National Congress’s historical opposition to critical crime legislation. ‘Records show the UNC repeatedly blocked anti-money laundering measures, Proceeds of Crime Act enhancements, mutual legal assistance frameworks, bail reform, and specialized court establishments,’ Beckles noted.

    Opposition Senator Dr. Amery Browne characterized the Prime Minister’s approach as ‘intellectual laziness’ with dangerous real-world consequences. Browne revealed that following previous criticisms of the administration, he and his family received direct death threats from UNC supporters. A 48-year-old Diego Martin man now faces multiple criminal charges related to these threats.

    ‘We are witnessing the emergence of politics fueled by hatred and division,’ Browne expressed. ‘When leadership employs reckless language without factual foundation, it inevitably influences impressionable supporters toward potentially harmful actions.’

    Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert joined the call for moderated discourse, referencing the Prime Minister’s previous parliamentary threat to ‘cuff him down’ and recent claims by Attorney General John Jeremie regarding opposition firearms. ‘The overwhelming majority of PNM parliamentarians do not possess firearms,’ Imbert countered. ‘Such statements unnecessarily endanger public figures and should be immediately retracted.’

    The opposition collectively urged governmental focus on substantive crime prevention rather than what they deem unsubstantiated character attacks, signaling escalating tensions in Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape.

  • Jimmy Cliff among the ‘very last’ of major figures who made reggae global – Steffens

    Jimmy Cliff among the ‘very last’ of major figures who made reggae global – Steffens

    The profound cultural impact of reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who passed away in November at age 81, is powerfully illustrated through the transformative experience of American veteran Roger Steffens. A new tribute series, ‘Jimmy Cliff: Stories Of A Bongo Man,’ highlights this remarkable connection in its third installment.

    In the summer of 1973, Steffens—a Vietnam War veteran—entered a Los Angeles cinema and encountered Cliff’s groundbreaking film ‘The Harder They Come.’ The raw depiction of Jamaican urban life and Cliff’s compelling portrayal of the character Ivan proved immediately overwhelming. Steffens, then residing in Berkeley, had serendipitously encountered a Rolling Stone article by Michael Thomas that introduced reggae and Rastafarian culture to American audiences just days before. He subsequently purchased The Wailers’ seminal ‘Catch A Fire’ album before attending the screening.

    Steffens recalled the immersive theater experience in a 2017 interview: ‘During the chalice scene, everyone in the hall lit up and the screen became obscured by the giant cloud of spliff smoke.’ The immediate purchase of the film’s soundtrack at Tower Records marked what he described as a permanent life transformation.

    Their paths converged physically three years later when Steffens first visited Jamaica during a declared State of Emergency. Despite an initial pickpocket attempt in Kingston, a stranger’s intervention led to an extraordinary invitation to Cliff’s home. There, Steffens and his wife spent an afternoon with reggae royalty including Joe Higgs, Ernest Ranglin, and Chinna Smith.

    This encounter blossomed into a professional relationship, with Steffens conducting multiple interviews with Cliff for radio and television, plus emceeing his performances at events like Reggae On The River. Originally a rock music enthusiast from Brooklyn, Steffens evolved into one of reggae’s foremost archivists, amassing an extensive collection of memorabilia at his Los Angeles residence. His expertise expanded to include authored books and recorded interviews with iconic figures like Bob Marley, whom he met during the artist’s 1979 California tour.

    Steffens remembers Cliff as ‘one of the very last major figures who introduced reggae to the world,’ characterizing him as ‘always a gentleman, a deep thinker, a writer of anthems, a fine actor, and a constant seeker of enlightenment.’ The indelible impression Cliff made—both through cinematic artistry and personal interaction—cements his legacy as one of Jah Music’s most influential exponents.

  • Kingston College and Mona crash out of Manning Cup

    Kingston College and Mona crash out of Manning Cup

    In a dramatic evening of high school football, the last two Manning Cup champions suffered shocking eliminations during Wednesday’s quarterfinal matches at Stadium East. Both Kingston College (KC), the 2024 titleholders, and 2023 champions Mona High saw their campaigns end after playing to identical 2-2 draws against Calabar High and Jamaica College respectively.

    The evening’s opening match witnessed Mona High facing a formidable Jamaica College (JC) side that established early dominance. Keshaun-Lee Chin opened the scoring in the 19th minute after connecting with Jabari Howell’s precision pass, marking his 11th season goal. Jamone Lyle doubled JC’s advantage just before halftime with a clinical finish from inside the penalty area.

    Mona mounted a spectacular second-half resurgence with Sean Leighton, the competition’s leading scorer, reducing the deficit in the 52nd minute. Savi-K Morton completed the comeback just four minutes later with an emphatic equalizer. Despite intense pressure seeking a decisive third goal, Mona ultimately fell short of advancement.

    In the simultaneous fixture, KC seized an early advantage through Shareef Ricketts’ 7th-minute strike, his 18th goal of the season coming from a Deshawn Byfield assist. Calabar responded with a rapid brace from Franchesco Reid within a three-minute span. Byfield himself leveled the score before halftime with his 19th seasonal goal, but neither side could find a winner in the second period.

    The results finalized Group 4 standings with Eltham High claiming top position with seven points after defeating St Jago 3-2. Jamaica College secured second place with five points, while Mona finished third on four points, and St Jago remained at the bottom.

    JC coach Raymond Watson acknowledged his team’s fluctuating performance: ‘The first half we were brilliant… we totally went to sleep in the second half.’ Mona’s head coach Donovan Duckie attributed his team’s slow start to psychological factors: ‘It was more mental for us. We had to win, they wanted a draw.’

    Calabar’s resilience earned them their first quarterfinal berth in many years, emerging as group winners to join Zone B alongside Eltham, STATHS and Vauxhall High. The competing Zone A comprises Hydel, Excelsior, JC and Charlie Smith.

  • Chinese businesswoman injured in St Andrew home invasion, security officer shot

    Chinese businesswoman injured in St Andrew home invasion, security officer shot

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – A violent home invasion targeting a Chinese businesswoman on Haining Road in St Andrew escalated into an armed confrontation on Wednesday morning, leaving both the victim and a responding security officer injured.

    According to police reports, the incident occurred at approximately 9:00 AM when three armed assailants forced entry into the woman’s residence shortly after she arrived home. The perpetrators confronted the businesswoman, striking her in the head with a firearm while demanding money.

    Hawkeye Security personnel responded to a distress signal activated from the premises. Upon arrival, the security team encountered intense gunfire from the suspects, triggering an exchange of shots. During the confrontation, one Hawkeye officer sustained a leg injury from a grazing bullet and was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

    The assailants fled the scene using multiple escape routes—two suspects on foot while the third commandeered the victim’s Toyota Hiace vehicle. The stolen vehicle was subsequently discovered abandoned after colliding with a utility pole along Oxford Road, where the final suspect made his escape on foot.

    Law enforcement authorities indicated that preliminary investigations suggest robbery as the primary motive behind the attack. The investigation remains ongoing to determine whether additional valuables were stolen beyond the vehicle.

    Both victims received medical attention for their injuries, with the businesswoman treated for head trauma resulting from the firearm assault. Police continue to pursue active leads in the case.