分类： sports

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.

Trinidad and Tobago’s chess prodigy Ty Humphrey emerged as the undisputed champion in the Under-10 Absolute category at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival held in Puerto Rico from December 15-20. The young master achieved a perfect unbeaten record throughout the tournament, conceding only a single draw against Jamaica’s Rajvir Shergil during his dominant performance.

Humphrey’s gold medal accomplishment builds upon his previous success at last year’s Youth Chess Festival in El Salvador where he secured a silver medal. His victory established a strong foundation for Trinidad and Tobago’s 19-member delegation that competed across multiple age categories from under-8 to under-18.

The tournament featured intense competition with over 200 participants representing 22 national federations. St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shetty Vedant captured second position in the Under-10 Absolute category, while Panama’s Jarrin Zhang Dominick Young Hen completed the podium in third place.

Trinidad and Tobago’s contingent demonstrated considerable depth across various competitions. Catherine Ali delivered an impressive performance in the girls’ under-10 category, finishing fourth on tie-breaks with four victories and four draws. In the Under-16 Absolute category, Candidate Master Kael Samuel Bisnath secured seventh position with 5.5 points.

The Blitz Chess Championship on December 19 saw additional strong showings from the Trinidad and Tobago team. Ilyas Hosein claimed bronze in the Under-8 Absolute category, while multiple athletes including Humphrey, Ali, and Naomi Clement achieved fourth-place finishes in their respective divisions.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) provided comprehensive support through coaching staff including Fide Master Joshua Johnson and Candidate Master Dev Soondarsingh. TTCA president Sandy Razark contributed to the event’s organizing committee, while third vice president Sadiqah Razark—recently elevated as Trinidad and Tobago’s sole female arbiter—served on the arbiter team.

The TTCA officially congratulated all players, coaches, and parents for their commendable international performance and acknowledged sponsor C3 Centre for continued support in developing youth chess programs.

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, Spartans TT Basketball Club has extended its impact beyond the court by distributing 25 comprehensive Christmas hampers to families in the Clarke Rochard area. This philanthropic endeavor provided essential sustenance and household necessities to alleviate financial pressures during the festive season, embodying the organization’s core philosophy of athletic excellence coupled with social responsibility.

The hamper distribution initiative represents a strategic component of Spartans’ multifaceted community development program, demonstrating how sports organizations can serve as catalysts for positive social change. Through the collaborative efforts of players, parents, and club supporters, the project successfully mobilized resources to assist vulnerable families during the holiday period.

Garvin Warwick, President of Spartans TT, articulated the club’s community-centered ethos: ‘Our identity extends far beyond basketball competitions. This hamper drive exemplifies our fundamental belief that sports should serve as a vehicle for inspiration and tangible community support. We’re profoundly grateful to all contributors who enabled us to touch 25 families this Christmas.’

The club’s approach emphasizes holistic athlete development, cultivating not only sporting proficiency but also nurturing compassionate leadership qualities among its members. This initiative reinforces Spartans TT’s commitment to creating well-rounded individuals who recognize their capacity to effect meaningful change in society.

As the club concludes one of its most transformative years both competitively and communally, such outreach programs underscore Spartans TT’s enduring dedication to strengthening community bonds and improving lives throughout Trinidad and Tobago through the powerful medium of sports.

Under the tactical guidance of coach Todd Ryan, Miscellaneous Police FC has emerged as the surprise package of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season, combining physical enforcement with attacking flair to claim top position in the standings. The lawmen’s squad currently holds a two-point advantage over defending champions Defence Force, having scored a league-equaling high of 21 goals alongside Club Sando through nine matches.

The team’s transformation stems from a strategic offseason that blended veteran international experience with youthful exuberance. Ryan’s recruitment of emerging talents including midfielder Isaiah Hudson (25), right back Jardel John (23), winger Kelon Williams (20), and goalkeeper Raheem Lee (25) has injected fresh energy and competitive intensity into the roster. “We wanted to balance international experience with young players who could learn yet still bring energy and pace,” Ryan explained to Newsday.

Police’s offensive success has been a collective effort, with scoring distributed across multiple attackers. Flanker Kadeem Hutchinson leads with five goals, while forwards Kwesi ‘Jep’ Allen and Mickaeel Jem Gordon have contributed four each. Veteran playmaker Joevin Jones has added crucial goals, including a dramatic last-minute winner against Caledonia AIA on December 14.

Ryan emphasizes that no attacking player has a guaranteed starting position, maintaining competitive pressure through performance-based selection. Defensively, the team relies on experienced campaigners like Elijah Belgrave, Kaydon Gabriel, Martieon Watson, and Mekeil Williams, with Lee capably filling in for injured veteran goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.

The team faces a critical Boxing Day test against fourth-placed Prisons FC, who started the season with five consecutive wins before encountering recent difficulties. Ryan acknowledges the threat posed by Prisons’ quality striker Ricardo John and their overall fitness, vowing not to take the challenge lightly.

Beyond immediate results, Ryan identifies securing a top-two finish and Concacaf Caribbean Cup qualification as the primary season objectives, while acknowledging the squad’s ambition to finally capture silverware after several seasons among the league’s elite.

Union Hall United Football Academy emerged as the dominant force at the Next Level Consulting Limited (NLCL) Nations Cup International Holiday Fun Festival, securing dual championship titles in a spectacular display of youth football excellence. The three-day tournament, held from December 19-21 at Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, showcased emerging talent across multiple age divisions.

In the Under-15 category final, Union Hall faced a formidable challenge from Cox Coaching Academy, resulting in a tense goalless draw after regulation time. The championship was ultimately decided through a penalty shootout, with Union Hall demonstrating remarkable composure to claim a 3-2 victory from the spot. Their triumph was further highlighted by individual accolades, with Sherkeem Campbell recognized as best defender, while Samuel Hosein achieved the rare double distinction of most valuable player and top goalkeeper awards. Head coach Dexter Cyrus received the division’s top coaching honor.

Union Hall continued their winning streak in the Under-13 division, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Point Fortin Youth FA in the championship match. Judah De Four’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him MVP honors, while teammate Kesion Agard received best striker recognition. Coach Trevlon Abner was celebrated as top coach for his leadership. Point Fortin Youth FA nonetheless saw individual excellence recognized through Zachary Smart (best defender) and Micah Mentor (top goalkeeper).

The tournament’s younger divisions produced equally compelling narratives. Cox Coaching Academy claimed the Under-11 title with a narrow 1-0 victory over City FC, highlighted by Ival Weston’s exceptional tournament performance that earned him both MVP and best defender awards. The Under-9 division delivered particular excitement as Creek Sports secured victory via penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, simultaneously earning the team spirit award for their sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The event recognized both competitive excellence and character, with additional awards presented for most disciplined team and team spirit across all age categories, emphasizing the tournament’s commitment to developing both athletic prowess and sportsmanship among young footballers.

The Bon Air Basketball Court in Arouca will transform into a hub of festive athleticism on December 26 as Basketball Fan TT presents the 2025 3×3 Christmas Cup competition. Scheduled for a 4 pm tip-off on Boxing Day, this community-centered event aims to surpass last year’s participation numbers by attracting double-digit teams to the court.

Beyond mere competition, the tournament embodies a deeper mission of social cohesion and seasonal generosity. According to organizers, the event represents “a powerful expression of togetherness, generosity and hope” that utilizes basketball as a vehicle for community upliftment during the holiday period. The initiative seamlessly merges competitive sport with festive celebration while generating meaningful community impact.

Basketball Fan TT, an NGO dedicated to advancing 3×3 basketball throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the broader region, designed the Christmas Cup to reflect its core mission of making basketball accessible, inclusive, and transformative. The organization emphasizes creating safe environments for youth development, positive social interaction, and community empowerment through athletic engagement.

The defending champions Three Wise Men—featuring local standouts Jason Friday, Tyrik Singh, and Jelani Valley—will face new challengers in this year’s edition. However, according to national player and Basketball Fan TT president Moriba De Freitas, victory represents only one aspect of the tournament’s broader purpose.

“This event is about more than wins and losses,” De Freitas stated. “Christmas Cup is about giving back, inspiring belief and reminding our communities of the power of unity. Basketball is the spark, but community is the flame.”

The 2025 iteration will additionally serve as a collaborative platform for corporate partners, community organizations, and volunteers to spread holiday cheer through activations and on-site engagement. The organizers are welcoming charitable donations, positioning the Christmas Cup as a demonstration of what becomes achievable when athleticism, community service, and passion converge.