The inaugural RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament officially launched last weekend with a dynamic opening ceremony at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. This landmark event represents a significant investment in youth sports and education across the region, aiming to elevate school basketball and nurture athletic talent. Organized in collaboration with Next Level Performance (NLP) and the TT Schools Basketball Association (TTSBA), the tournament features seven top college basketball programs competing over four weekends. Key stakeholders, including Garvin Warwick of NLP, Allison Bastian of TTSBA, and Marc Jardine of RBC, attended the ceremony. Jardine emphasized RBC’s commitment to fostering excellence and community development through sports, stating, ‘This tournament is a direct investment in the future leaders and athletes of TT.’ Warwick highlighted the event’s broader mission to showcase top talent and provide collegiate pathways for athletes. The opening day saw thrilling matchups, with St Mary’s College narrowly defeating Presentation 94-91, led by Nkobi Ince’s 33 points, and Fatima College dominating Holy Cross College 118-72, powered by Idriis Martin’s 26 points. The tournament continues with doubleheaders on October 11 and 12.
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Jade Monkey Carnival Project riddim features 4 Tobago artistes
Boston-based music producer Diamond Dale has joined forces with Tobago’s renowned entertainment hub, Jade Monkey, to create the vibrant riddim titled *Jade Monkey Carnival Project*. Featuring four talented Tobagonian artists—Mikie Tower, Verse, J-Kez, and Shurwayne Winchester—the project blends the traditional soca sound with the trending Bouyon genre, offering a fresh musical experience for carnival enthusiasts. Initially conceived ahead of the 2025 Carnival season, the project faced delays due to the artists’ busy schedules. Winchester, the first to contribute, later encouraged Dale to share the riddim with other Tobago-based artists, leading to a full collaboration. Dale expressed his excitement about the all-Tobagonian lineup, emphasizing its significance in showcasing the island’s artistic talent. With the support of Dominican producer Dada, the riddim was finalized, with each artist crafting their unique track. Dale hopes this initiative will boost confidence in Tobago’s artists and encourage more collaborations. He also extended gratitude to Shurwayne Winchester and Jade Monkey for their unwavering support, calling the project a dream come true and a testament to Tobago’s rich cultural heritage.
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Manuel Congo illegal quarrying – Cycle of raid, rebuild, resume ended
A recent exposé by Sunday Newsday has brought to light the alarming environmental and infrastructural impacts of illegal quarrying operations in Trinidad. The story, initially published on June 29, 2025, revealed how an illegal quarrying site in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, was wreaking havoc on the region’s water supply and natural ecosystems. Following the report, newly-appointed Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro visited the site in July, leading to a temporary shutdown of the operation. However, in a shocking turn of events, Guevarro returned to the same location on October 9, this time shutting down a multimillion-dollar illegal quarrying outfit equipped with advanced machinery that had devastated acres of virgin forests, hills, and rivers. The operation, which had been converting tonnes of earth and rock into valuable aggregate, had been polluting the Guanapo River and threatening the Caroni Water Treatment Plant, which supplies potable water to hundreds of thousands of people. The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) had earlier issued warnings about the pollution, but enforcement actions were delayed until the media spotlight forced authorities to act. Investigations revealed that the quarry operator, based in Sangre Grande, had illegally excavated over five hectares of state land and was linked to similar activities in other regions. Despite political connections and profits funding legitimate businesses, the operator was arrested in the October 9 raid, along with 18 others. The case highlights systemic failures in environmental regulation and enforcement, raising questions about the future of Trinidad’s natural resources.
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Ding Dong releases 2 songs ahead of Tobago carnival
Soca artiste Ding Dong, born Andre Houlder, is making waves ahead of the Tobago Carnival and the upcoming Trinidad Carnival in 2026. Known for his dynamic performances and innovative sound, Ding Dong has already released two singles, signaling his commitment to delivering a diverse musical experience for fans of all demographics and tastes.
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Chairman of selectors : Red Force can win Super50 Cup
Rajendra Mangalie, the newly appointed chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s national selectors, has expressed confidence in the TT Red Force’s ability to clinch the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG United Super50 Cup title. The tournament is set to commence in Trinidad this November, and Mangalie, a former opening batsman for Trinidad and Tobago, is optimistic about the team’s chances, particularly given their home advantage. Mangalie, who is joined on the selection committee by Frank Simmons, David Mohammed, Ricardo Paty, and head coach Rayad Emrit, emphasized the importance of assembling a balanced team to continue their proud record in the competition. The Red Force are the defending champions, having won the title in 2023 after a controversial finish last year saw the final forfeited by both Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions. Mangalie highlighted the strong performances in the ongoing trial matches, noting the impressive contributions from players like Abdul-Raheem Toppin, Shaaron Lewis, and Tion Webster, who have already made their mark. He also praised the mix of youth and experience in the squad, which he believes will be crucial in maintaining their dominance in the limited-overs format. Despite the abundance of talent, Mangalie acknowledged the challenges of selecting the final squad but remains focused on giving Trinidad and Tobago the best chance to lift the trophy once more.
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Three players hit fifites, but rain spoils party in Super50 trials
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force hopefuls faced a setback in their preparations for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament as rain disrupted the National Senior 50-Overs Cup matches on October 8. At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, the Scarlet Blazers were in a strong position against the Cocrico Warriors, posting 271 for five in 43.3 overs before the weather intervened. Key contributions came from Jeremy Solozano, who scored a solid 76 off 81 balls, and captain Joshua Da Silva, who retired hurt after a brisk 57 off 46 deliveries. Vikash Mohan also impressed with a half-century, scoring 51 off 50 balls. However, the Blazers’ innings was cut short, leaving their momentum incomplete. Meanwhile, at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, the match between the Soca Strikers and Steelpan Titans was entirely washed out. Both teams had previously secured victories on the opening day of the tournament on October 4. The final preliminary round matches are now scheduled for October 15, with the Titans set to face the Warriors at the NCC and the Blazers taking on the Strikers at the BLCA. These matches serve as crucial preparation for players aiming to secure spots in the Red Force squad for the upcoming Super50 tournament.
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Malabar Youngstars, Maloney maintain unbeaten records in EFA
The Eastern Football Association (EFA) 2025 season continues to showcase thrilling performances, with Malabar Youngstars leading the charge. On October 5, the defending champions delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Heatwave FC at the Arima Velodrome, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches. Midfielder Abraham Martin starred with a brace, supported by goals from Kendell Borneo, Jeromy Joseph, and veteran striker Ricardo John. Youngstars now sit comfortably atop Group A with 19 points, four points clear of CPC Athletic International Academy, who made a statement of their own with a 7-0 thrashing of SKHY FC. Malachi Woodley’s hat-trick led CPC’s dominant display, complemented by Isaiah Isaac’s brace and contributions from Koby Morin and Damon Sankar. Meanwhile, Athletic United secured a 6-1 win over La Horquetta XF, with Jeneke Danzell netting a hat-trick. In Group B, FC Maloney maintained their perfect record with a narrow win over Wallerfield United, while Eastern Connect FC stumbled with a 2-2 draw against Trincity Nationals. FC Porto Arima and CG Poseidon also secured victories, setting the stage for the upcoming “Big 8” knockout stage starting October 26. The EFA final on November 9 will crown the champions, who will take home a $15,000 prize.
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Bruised baby dies at health facility, toddler dies at home
In a heartbreaking series of events, two infants lost their lives under tragic circumstances in Trinidad and Tobago, prompting police investigations. On Tuesday evening, a 47-day-old baby boy was pronounced dead at the Chaguanas Health Facility. Authorities were alerted to the sudden death around 5 pm, where they discovered the infant’s body lying on a bed with visible bruises. An autopsy has been ordered, and the body has been transferred to a funeral home for safekeeping. Earlier that same day, a 20-month-old girl was found unresponsive at her home in Lowkey Trace, Penal. The child’s grandmother recounted that her daughter had left her three children in her care over the weekend. On October 6, the toddler developed a slight fever, and despite attempts to feed her baby formula at 11:30 pm, she refused to drink and fell asleep. The grandmother placed the child on her stomach on a living room mattress before retiring to bed. Upon checking at 3 am, she found the girl unresponsive. Emergency health personnel were unable to revive her, and she was pronounced dead by a district medical officer. An autopsy has also been ordered in this case, with no visible signs of violence reported. Police are actively investigating both incidents to determine the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths.
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3 sex charges against man, 23, dismissed
In a significant legal development, a 23-year-old man facing three sexual offence charges saw his case dismissed by Master Adia Mohammed in the High Court’s Criminal Division on October 9. The accused, a labourer, had been charged with sexual touching of a child, sexual penetration, and exposing a minor to pornography. These charges stemmed from an alleged incident on May 3, where the accused and the 12-year-old victim reportedly consumed alcohol together. The case was revisited during a sufficiency hearing, where the court was expected to receive a professional assessment of the minor’s mental capacity to provide a credible statement. Despite the State’s request for additional time to secure this evaluation, Master Mohammed dismissed the charges. The accused, who was initially granted bail earlier this year, had been required to report weekly to the Princes Town Police Station as part of his bail conditions. Attorney Kiran Panday represented the accused throughout the proceedings.
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PM: Lee remains Housing Minister
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reaffirmed her decision to retain Caroni Central MP David Lee as Minister of Housing, despite ongoing legal challenges. In a WhatsApp message to Newsday on October 10, Persad-Bissessar stated, ‘Yes, he remains Minister of Housing. There will be no change to that.’ This declaration underscores her unwavering support for Lee, even as he faces renewed legal scrutiny. The Prime Minister emphasized her government’s commitment to the rule of law, asserting that the judicial process must proceed unimpeded. On October 9, opposition chief whip Marvin Gonzales argued that Lee should step down from his ministerial role while his case is before the courts, though he acknowledged Lee’s right to retain his parliamentary seat. Lee, along with businessman Hugh Leong Poi, was re-arrested on October 7 on charges related to the misuse of a vehicle tax exemption granted to MPs. Initially dismissed on April 7 by Chief Magistrate Christine Charles due to insufficient evidence, the charges were reinstated by Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC. Lee was released on $1 million bail on October 8. Persad-Bissessar expressed confidence in the judiciary, stating, ‘We have respect for the courts of the land. Minister Lee was acquitted of these allegations before. Now that the charges have been re-laid, we have confidence in the courts to deliver a just result.’