分类： sports

The Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board’s National Indoor tournament continued to captivate fans at the Woodbrook Youth Facility over the weekend, showcasing a series of exhilarating matches. Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) and Police emerged as standout performers, registering impressive victories across various divisions. In the men’s open category, QPCC dominated with a resounding 19-0 win against Fatima Hockey Club on November 8, followed by a 7-2 triumph over Police the next day. National players Jordan Vieira and Nicholas Siu Butt were instrumental, with Vieira scoring six goals against Fatima and a beaver-trick against Police. Siu Butt also shone, contributing significantly to both victories. In the mixed vets division, Police avenged their earlier loss to QPCC with an emphatic 8-1 win, led by Kiel Murray’s hat-trick and additional goals from Akim Toussaint, Dwain Quan Chan, and others. Meanwhile, Fatima secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over Notre Dame, with Colin Young scoring the decisive goal. The men’s Trinity division saw QPCC continue their dominance, defeating Fatima 8-1 and UWI 3-1, while SHAPE also impressed with a 7-3 win over Fatima. In the women’s Trinity division, Magnolias maintained their lead with a 6-1 win over Paragon, thanks to Samantha Olton’s hat-trick, and a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Police. The tournament is set to conclude on November 22, promising more high-stakes action.

In a significant move for Trinidad and Tobago’s football aspirations, telecommunications giant Bmobile has renewed its sponsorship of the national men’s football team for the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The announcement, made on November 11, marks the revival of a historic partnership that previously supported the team during their 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany—the country’s only senior World Cup appearance to date. The sponsorship comes just ahead of crucial matches against Jamaica on November 13 and Bermuda on November 18 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. TSTT’s acting CEO, Keino Cox, emphasized the company’s commitment to national pride and unity, stating, ‘This is more than sponsorship; it is patriotism, unity, and belief in our people.’ TTFA president Kieron Edwards highlighted the importance of corporate support, noting that Bmobile’s involvement reflects confidence in the FA’s direction and efforts to revamp both on-field performance and organizational image. Bmobile’s longstanding dedication to local football includes initiatives like the National Super League title sponsorship, youth programs such as the ‘Kick It With Karyn’ tournament, and the 2018 launch of the TEGO streaming app for live World Cup matches. Currently, Trinidad and Tobago sit third in Group B of Concacaf’s final qualifying round with five points, trailing Jamaica and Curacao. The top three group winners will advance to the 2026 World Cup, with the two best second-placed teams entering FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs. This sponsorship follows a recent $100,000 contribution from Prestige Holdings Limited’s KFC brand to support the team’s preparations.

Two-time World Championship bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste delivered a powerful message of empowerment and perseverance at the National Association of Athletics Administrations’ (NAAA) annual women’s seminar-workshop, Accelerate-Her. Held on November 8 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the event aimed to inspire young female athletes to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. Baptiste, a celebrated sprinter, shared her personal journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame to achieve success in her sport. The workshop attracted over 60 in-person participants and 143 virtual attendees, fostering an inclusive environment focused on self-esteem, motivation, and personal growth. A creative vision board activity allowed participants to visually map their goals, reinforcing the importance of focus and visualization. Attendees praised the event as transformative, offering practical tools for success both on and off the track. NAAA president Ephraim Serrette reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting female athletes, addressing attrition rates and ensuring their continued engagement in athletics. The event also featured a dynamic session by sport psychologist Amanda Johnson, who emphasized confidence, self-esteem, and motivation. The NAAA expressed gratitude to sponsors and volunteers for their support in making Accelerate-Her a resounding success.

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team captain, Kevin Molino, is acutely aware of the heightened stakes as his team prepares to face Jamaica in a pivotal Concacaf Group B FIFA World Cup qualifier on November 13. The match, set to take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo at 8 pm, carries significant implications for both teams. A victory would bring either side closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, the encounter is more than just a football match for Jamaica, as the nation seeks to uplift its citizens following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa two weeks ago. The Category 5 storm left widespread destruction, including damaged homes, downed electricity poles, and a shortage of clean water. Molino acknowledged Jamaica’s added motivation, stating, “They have a chip on their shoulder, coming here to fight and also put a smile on the Jamaicans’ faces.” He emphasized the need for Trinidad and Tobago to improve their performance in the final third of the pitch to secure a favorable outcome. Molino also addressed the absence of key players Rio Cardines and Molik Khan due to injuries, highlighting the importance of a collective effort. “It’s going to take a whole group, not just one or two players,” he said, expressing confidence in the team’s depth and preparation under the guidance of coach Dwight Yorke and assistant coach Russell Latapy. Currently, Trinidad and Tobago sit third in Group B with five points, while Jamaica leads with nine points and Curacao follows closely with eight. The group winner will secure direct qualification to the World Cup, with the runner-up advancing to the intercontinental playoffs for another shot at qualification.

Fresh off their triumphant victory at the RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament on November 9, Fatima College is poised to defend their titles as the TT Schools Basketball Association (TTSBA) annual 3×3 basketball tournament kicks off on November 14. The competition will commence at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua before moving to the Maloney Indoor Sporting Arena on November 15. This year marks the debut of the boys’ under-15 division, adding a new layer of excitement to the event. Fatima College, the reigning champions in both the under-17 and under-20 divisions, will face stiff competition from over 15 teams in each category. Notable participants include Arima North Secondary, Hillview College, Queen’s Royal College, and St Benedict’s College. In the girls’ open division, Holy Name Convent Port of Spain, the defending champions, will face a determined Bishop Anstey High School, alongside other contenders like East Mucurapo Secondary and St Francois Girls’ College. Last year’s finals saw Fatima narrowly defeat Trinity College East 14-12 in the under-17 category and Hillview 13-11 in the under-20 division. Holy Name Convent secured the girls’ title in a thrilling best-of-three series against Bishop Anstey. The tournament promises to be a showcase of young talent and fierce competition.