分类： society

The Trinidad and Tobago football community is confronting a devastating crisis as multiple young football talents have fallen victim to gun violence, prompting urgent calls for systemic reform. Within the past year alone, several promising players have been killed, including 27-year-old former national under-17 footballer Tekay Hoyce, 17-year-old Arima North Secondary player Zwade Alleyne, and 19-year-old Caledonia footballer Jayden Moore among others.

TT Football Association president Kieron Edwards has identified inadequate career pathways and insufficient salaries as fundamental contributors to this tragedy. Edwards emphasizes that current compensation in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) fails to provide a viable livelihood, with many players earning wages that cannot support basic living expenses. “When you look at some of the salaries these young men are working for, they can’t look at it as a career,” Edwards stated in a January 11 interview.

The association is now pursuing comprehensive restructuring to establish clear professional pathways, collaborating with international bodies for investment and engaging with government authorities. Edwards highlighted the timing is particularly appropriate as a Joint Select Committee prepares to examine the social impact of sports programs on youth delinquency and crime reduction on January 21.

Former national women’s coach Jamaal Shabazz offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that professional football represents “a very narrow path” that requires individual assessment of financial viability. Shabazz noted that some TTPFL players earn between $5,500 and $9,000, comparable to many factory workers’ take-home pay of $4,000-$4,500 after taxes.

Both leaders agree that addressing the crisis requires multifaceted solutions beyond football. Shabazz emphasized that criminal activity affects all societal sectors and called for politicians to ensure equitable distribution of state resources, stating that unequal allocation makes them “criminals too” in their own right. He advocated for strategic discussions with those involved in criminal activities to better understand root causes.

The football community now seeks sustained investment in sports infrastructure, particularly in high-risk areas like La Horquetta where the establishment of La Horquetta Rangers and facility improvements have already demonstrated positive impact. Edwards stressed that investment must be continuous rather than limited to World Cup years, describing sports as “a vehicle to not only inspire the country but to save lives.”

A remarkable 2,300-mile peace pilgrimage from Texas to Washington DC is underway, led by 24 Buddhist monks accompanied by their rescued canine companion, Aloka. The journey, which commenced on October 26 with an anticipated February arrival, represents a powerful spiritual mission advocating for global compassion and non-violence.

The monks’ adopted dog, Aloka—a Sanskrit name meaning ‘light’ or ‘radiance’—has become an unexpected symbol of their message. Originally a stray from India, this ordinary-looking dog now embodies the extraordinary capacity for compassion that defines their mission. His presence alongside the orange-robed monks has created touching moments that resonate deeply with those following their journey.

The pilgrimage took a dramatic turn on November 19 when a pickup truck collided with the monks’ escort vehicle, resulting in life-altering injuries to Venerable Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan. The accident necessitated the amputation of one of his legs. Remarkably, Phommasan responded with immediate forgiveness and compassion toward the driver, inspiring medical staff and fellow pilgrims alike.

Paradoxically, this tragedy brought unprecedented attention to their cause. Phommasan noted that before the accident, their peace movement received little recognition. Now,沿途 communities are gathering to offer gifts and emotional support, many moved to tears by the monks’ dedication in a world increasingly characterized by division and conflict.

The article draws parallels to local infrastructure challenges in Trinidad and Tobago, noting the dangerous conditions for pedestrians on poorly lit roads without adequate sidewalks. The commentary argues that true compassion must extend to urban planning, creating safe spaces for vulnerable road users before organizing symbolic peace walks.

While celebrating the monks’ inspirational journey, the piece concludes with a pragmatic call to action: communities must first ensure basic safety for pedestrians before embarking on symbolic peace marches, emphasizing that practical compassion begins with protecting citizens from becoming road fatality statistics.

After 32 years of operation and a remarkable journey from startup to market leader, Newsday newspaper has announced its permanent closure. The publication, which began in 1993 and achieved the status of Trinidad and Tobago’s highest-selling newspaper within two decades, succumbed to what management describes as ‘a perfect storm’ of industry challenges.

The closure represents more than just the failure of a single publication—it symbolizes the severe pressures facing traditional print media globally. Unlike larger media conglomerates that can absorb losses across diversified portfolios, Newsday operated as a standalone entity with no corporate safety net to cushion year-on-year financial declines that have become endemic throughout the industry.

Multiple converging factors contributed to the newspaper’s demise. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a significant blow as nationwide shutdowns caused advertising revenue to plummet dramatically. However, management emphasizes that the pandemic was merely one element in a complex crisis that developed over more than a decade.

Financial pressures mounted from multiple directions: raw material costs, particularly newsprint—the company’s largest expense—skyrocketed over the past ten years. Maintenance expenses for specialized printing equipment also increased substantially as manufacturers of crucial components went out of business due to industry contraction.

The company also faced substantial legal challenges, emerging victorious from a prolonged court battle that reached the Privy Council level but left the organization over $3 million out of pocket. Despite winning costs at every judicial level, the slow pace of assessment procedures meant the company could not collect awarded funds while continuing to bear operational expenses.

Consumer behavior shifts proved equally damaging. When Newsday increased its cover price from $2 to $3—still less than the cost of a local doubles snack—40% of readers abandoned the publication. This rejection came despite the hundreds of staff working around the clock to deliver news coverage.

Most devastating has been the advertising collapse: print advertising revenue declined by 75% over the past decade, creating an unsustainable financial model when combined with rising production costs.

In its farewell message, Newsday expressed pride in its legacy of ‘unwavering independence’ in serving the public and gratitude to loyal readers and dedicated staff who worked tirelessly for over two decades. The publication concluded with a warning about democracy itself being under threat when media organizations face existential crises, encouraging continued support for journalists and media colleagues throughout Trinidad and Tobago.