分类： sports

In an inspiring sports narrative, Trinidad and Tobago cricketer Ricky Jaipaul has dramatically reignited his national team prospects after nearly a decade in international wilderness. The left-arm orthodox spinner, now representing Marchin Patriots, has forced his way back into selection contention following an impressive performance in the 2025 CG United Super50 Cup tournament.

Jaipaul’s return to the Red Force setup marks his first national appearance since 2017, when a split webbing injury prematurely ended his tournament participation against Barbados. His recent campaign saw him emerge as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker with six dismissals across three completed matches, while recording the tournament’s fifth-best economy rate at 3.48 runs per over.

The 31-year-old’s journey back to elite cricket represents a testament to perseverance amid professional adversity. His original exit from the national team coincided with the emergence of fellow left-arm spinners Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre, both of whom advanced to West Indies selection during Jaipaul’s absence.

Rather than abandoning his ambitions, the Chaguanas-born athlete maintained his competitive edge through local club cricket with Merry Boys and Central Sports. During this period, he achieved the extraordinary feat of capturing all ten wickets in a single innings—a rare accomplishment in cricket history.

Jaipaul’s resilience stems from challenging life circumstances that saw him leave his family home at age 15. Forced to mature rapidly, he balanced landscaping work with cricket development, eventually establishing his own landscaping business, RL Landscaping, which he continues to operate alongside his sporting career.

The spinner’s motivation was further tested in 2023 when he suffered a severe compound thumb fracture during a championship final. Medical professionals warned he might never regain full finger mobility, making his subsequent return to competitive bowling particularly remarkable.

His national recall came via a phone call from selector Rajindra Mangalie, which reduced the cricketer to tears of fulfillment. “It was my dream to actually play cricket for TT,” Jaipaul reflected. “It was the happiest moment of my cricketing career.”

Despite his successful return, Jaipaul remains focused on continuous improvement, targeting selection for Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 first-class campaign. His philosophy—”Even if you think it’s over, it never is until you give up”—encapsulates the determination that has defined his extraordinary comeback journey.

Santa Rosa Park in Arima prepares for a monumental conclusion to Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 racing season with a high-stakes Boxing Day card that blends local prestige with Caribbean racing excellence. The spotlight shines brightest on the $110,000 Gold Cup (Grade I), where the phenomenal five-year-old Hello World attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the 2,000-meter endurance test – a feat unmatched since the legendary Airofaith accomplished the triple crown in 1958.

Trained by dominant conditioner John O’Brien, Hello World carries the top weight of 57.0kg under jockey Dillon Khelawan as he seeks to cement his legacy alongside racing immortals. The Poon Tip Stud Farm-owned champion brings a remarkable 12-race winning streak into the competition, though he faces formidable challenges from within his own stable and beyond.

O’Brien fields a powerful trio including the promising US import The Goddess Nike, who at 54.0kg presents a significant threat with her weight advantage under rider Ridge Balgobin. The American-bred filly could exploit her lighter assignment in the demanding stretch run. Further competition emerges from trainer Jonathan Lyder’s El Chico Malo, piloted by Jovika Boodram at equal weight to the favorite.

The seven-horse field promises strategic complexity, with pace scenarios potentially favoring US-bred contenders Sneaky Cheeky and Striking Chrome if early fractions prove conservative.

Beyond the headline event, the card features distinctive Caribbean flavor with the simulcast of Jamaica’s prestigious 113th Wayne DaCosta OD for two-year-olds. This historic 1,600-meter juvenile contest honors the 18-time champion trainer and showcases Jamaica’s emerging talent, including top mounts ridden by renowned jockeys Dane Nelson and Shane Ellis.

Local racing’s future likewise takes center stage with the Grade II Juvenile Championships at 2:00 PM, featuring six promising contenders including O’Brien’s Sweet Bird and the Dillon Khelawan-mounted Dream Maker. The racing program commences at 12:30 PM, offering enthusiasts a full day of world-class thoroughbred competition.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has successfully secured renewed sponsorship for its youth development programs heading into 2026, marking a significant recovery from the complete loss of youth tournament funding experienced in 2024. This announcement was made by TTCB President Azim Bassarath during the board’s annual end-of-year luncheon at the National Cricket Centre in Couva on December 17.

The sponsorship package will comprehensively cover the Under-13 and Under-15 inter-zone tournaments, North/South Classics, along with four-team competitions at both Under-17 and Under-19 levels. Bassarath characterized this development as a strong vote of confidence in the organization’s restructured governance and enhanced focus on grassroots cricket development.

This financial backing arrives as the TTCB intensifies its youth cricket initiatives following a challenging period in early 2024. The previous sponsorship withdrawal stemmed from administrative disputes involving former treasurer Kiswah Chaitoo and a police investigation into financial mismanagement by another ex-employee. Despite these setbacks, the board successfully completed all inter-zone tournaments throughout 2025, culminating in Trinidad and Tobago’s championship victory in the West Indies Rising Stars Under-17 50-over tournament hosted domestically.

Notable among 2025’s achievements was the innovative Under-23 Cup, which strategically featured an Under-19 team competing against older opponents to accelerate player development through exposure to advanced physical, mental, and tactical challenges. The board also completed level one coaching certification programs across most zones, with plans to extend coverage to remaining areas.

The 2026 competition calendar will commence with the Under-15 inter-zone tournament on January 28, followed by Under-19 competitions starting February 20. The Under-17 tournament begins April 1, with Under-13 matches commencing April 23. Significantly, the TTCB has committed to maintaining its local Under-17 tournament despite the absence of regional competition at this level, emphasizing the importance of continuous development for this age group.

Beyond competitive events, the TTCB will collaborate with SporTT to conduct club development seminars nationwide, focusing on governance, administration, and organizational sustainability. Additionally, a coaching caravan will visit underserved communities including Toco, Blanchisseuse, Mayaro and Point Fortin, targeting both male and female players under 20 years old.

TTCB General Secretary Henry Chase affirmed that the sponsorship return indicates restored confidence in the board’s leadership after what he described as a ‘turbulent 2025’ period.

Indianapolis-based football academy Indy Premier SC achieved a spectacular double triumph at the Jewels of the Caribbean invitational tournament in Trinidad, showcasing a revolutionary approach to player development that prioritizes cognitive skills over traditional positional coaching.

The academy’s Under-17 squad delivered a breathtaking performance, securing victory in all matches while scoring 20 goals and maintaining a perfect defensive record without conceding any. Their Under-20 team mirrored this success, netting 12 goals while allowing only two across four matches to complete the championship sweep.

Trinidad-born head coach Kenrick Ramirez, who leads the program alongside Indiana Coaching Hall of Fame inductee Russell Gee and U20 defender Aubrey Robertson, attributes their success to a philosophy that emphasizes game intelligence, decision-making, and positional fluidity over rigid tactical systems. “We don’t teach positions,” Ramirez explained. “When you teach positions, decision-making becomes an issue. We have players who excel in multiple roles because they understand the game fundamentally.”

The academy’s preparation involved sophisticated data-driven analysis and GPS monitoring to manage player workload throughout the seven-day tournament. Despite rotating squad members constantly to maintain fitness levels, the team’s performance remained consistently dominant, including decisive victories against Trinidad and Tobago’s national team (4-0) and Jamaica’s national squad (5-0 and 3-0).

Ramirez’s strategic focus centered on three critical aspects: decision-making in the attacking third, transition to attack, and transition to defense. “We implemented an aggressive forward-passing game,” he noted. “When possession was lost, we immediately pressed because we identified defensive transition as a vulnerability in our opponents.”

Beyond the tactical achievements, the academy overcame significant logistical challenges, arriving in Trinidad with only 11 Under-20 players and supplementing their roster with U-17 athletes. Ramirez praised the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association for their exceptional organization and hospitality, which helped mitigate these complications.

The cultural experience formed an integral part of the journey, with players enjoying traditional ‘bake-and-shark’ at Maracas Beach and observing local league matches. The trip even included humorous superstitions, as two players took extended “bush-baths” after learning about the practice for eliminating bad luck—both subsequently broke scoring droughts and earned tournament honors.

Ramirez’s coaching journey emerged from personal adversity after a serious accident ended his promising playing career. His relocation to Columbus, Indiana, revealed the untapped potential for structured football development in a basketball-dominated region. At just 26, he became Indiana’s youngest club director and has since developed a proven framework that produces scholarship athletes and national team players.

Now as sporting director at Indy Premier, Ramirez oversees a nonprofit organization that has experienced substantial growth through unified leadership and a clear developmental vision. His ultimate measure of success extends beyond trophies: “We aim to develop responsible, well-rounded human beings who become good stewards of society. Winning naturally follows proper development.”

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging cycling star Makaira Wallace has ascended to 23rd position in the prestigious International Cycling Union (UCI) women’s sprint rankings after merely one year competing at the senior level. Her extraordinary debut season has positioned her as the Caribbean nation’s most promising track cycling talent.

Wallace’s transition from junior to elite competition in early 2025 immediately yielded historic results. During March’s UCI Nations Cup in Turkey, the prodigious cyclist established a new national record by completing the flying 200m event in an impressive 10.784 seconds. This performance signaled the beginning of an exceptional competitive year that would see her dominate both regional and international events.

The young athlete demonstrated remarkable versatility by capturing three bronze medals at August’s Junior Pan American Games while maintaining eligibility for junior competition. Wallace collaborated with teammates Kyra Williams and Phoebe Sandy to secure third place in the team sprint before individually earning bronze in both sprint and keirin disciplines.

Her consistent excellence throughout 2025 culminated in a groundbreaking qualification for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, Chile, making Wallace the first female sprinter from Trinidad and Tobago to achieve this distinction. Although eliminated in the 1/16 final by eventual gold medalist Mina Sato of Japan, Wallace established another national record by completing the 500m time trial in 1:09.822 seconds.

The cycling prodigy concluded her spectacular year with additional podium finishes at November/December’s Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, securing silver in sprint and bronze in keirin events. Earlier domestic success had already seen her claim the national women’s U23/elite keirin championship title.

With her sights now firmly set on Olympic glory, Wallace has begun preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where she aims to represent Trinidad and Tobago on cycling’s grandest stage.

The Promenade Chess Club is preparing to conclude its competitive season with a prestigious Grand Tour finale at Valpark Plaza in Valsayn on December 28. This culminating event will feature multiple competitive divisions with significant financial incentives and recognition awards for top performers.

In the open category, players will compete for substantial monetary rewards, including a $1,200 top prize for the champion, $800 for the runner-up, and $500 for third place. The tournament will also recognize exceptional talent within the Promenade Chess Club itself, awarding $300 to the club’s top performer, $400 to the best junior member, and $300 to the leading women’s competitor.

Youth participants will receive special recognition through trophies and medals. The Under-12 division will award trophies to the top three finishers, while the Under-8 category will distribute medals to its leading contenders. Additionally, the first 100 registered participants will receive complimentary pizza and ice cream.

Registration fees are set at $120 for senior players and $110 for junior competitors. Participants can process payments through organizer Hayden Lee’s chequing account (340045180501) or obtain additional information via email at haydenlee21@yahoo.com or telephone at 780-2437.

The tournament enjoys support from several corporate sponsors including Radica Trading, Basic Transport, Marios, Galactica, KFC, and TYCO Farms, ensuring a well-supported and professionally organized competitive event.