分类： sports

In a dramatic showcase of horseracing excellence, the 2025 local racing season approached its conclusion with the Stewards Cup at Santa Rosa Park in Arima on December 6. The grade one feature event, contested on a wet but rapid main track, unfolded as a captivating battle among five elite thoroughbreds racing over 1,200 meters.

The competition, open to West Indian-bred three-year-olds and above plus imported two-year-olds and older horses, began with an even break when starter Wayne Campbell dispatched the field at 3:57 PM. Early positioning saw Hello World and stablemate Headliner establishing dominance at the 1,100-meter mark, with Hello World securing a slight advantage by the 800-meter pole.

The race dynamics shifted dramatically as filly Sneaky Cheeky mounted a formidable challenge from fourth position, systematically overtaking competitors approaching the 600-meter marker. By the 400-meter point, Sneaky Cheeky had captured second place, though favorite Hello World had simultaneously extended his lead to two lengths.

As the field turned toward the final stretch, Hello World maintained a commanding advantage while the battle for second intensified dramatically. In a stunning development, Headliner discovered extraordinary late-race speed, reclaiming second position with just 200 meters remaining and launching a serious challenge against his stablemate for the lead.

Champion jockey Dillon Khelawan, recognizing the imminent threat, expertly urged Hello World to produce one final burst of effort, securing both the victory and the $42,435 prize. The win highlighted an exceptional day for Khelawan, who achieved four victories, while jockey Andrew Poon recorded a double. Champion trainer John O’Brien dominated the training ranks with three winners, with trainers Ramesh Ramroop, Glenn Mendez, and Johnathan Lyder each saddling one victorious horse.

Racing action will continue on December 26 with the prestigious Gold Cup as the centerpiece event, contested over 2,000 meters on the main track. The co-feature will be the Juvenile Championship, a grade-two race covering 1,200 meters on the same course.

Trinidad and Tobago’s distance running sensation Nicholas Romany achieved an extraordinary sporting milestone at the 2025 Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend, securing his third consecutive double victory in both the Casuahina 10K Run and PWC Fun Mile events. The spectacular performances unfolded on December 6th in Barbados, where Romany demonstrated world-class endurance and strategic brilliance.

Romany’s 10K triumph came in a blistering 31 minutes and 20 seconds, narrowly defeating four-time Run Barbados marathon champion Alex Ekesa (31:22), the Kenyan runner based in Trinidad and Tobago. Colombian athlete Sergio Lopez completed the podium with a time of 32:27.

In a post-race analysis, Romany revealed his winning strategy: ‘The competition unfolded exactly as anticipated—extremely challenging due to the caliber of athletes. While this year’s course was flatter, the headwinds presented significant difficulties. I maintained pace with Alex throughout the race and deployed my finishing speed in the final stretch to secure victory.’

The champion emphasized the psychological aspect of his performance, noting: ‘Mental resilience and determination were crucial in pushing through to the finish. I’m particularly grateful for the tremendous support from my teammates and compatriots.’

Romany praised the event organization, highlighting the exceptional international camaraderie and vibrant atmosphere that characterizes the Run Barbados experience.

Looking forward, the champion plans brief recovery before resuming training with ambitions to achieve Commonwealth Games qualification standards in the 1500-meter event.

Other notable performances included Colombian Palmenia Berrio’s gold medal in the women’s 10K (37:02), while Trinidad and Tobago’s Christopher Mitchell dominated the Sleeping Giant men’s 5K event with an impressive 15:28 finish. The Trinidadian contingent demonstrated remarkable depth with multiple podium finishes across various events, including April John’s bronze in the women’s 5K and a complete sweep of the top four positions in the PWC Fun Mile event.

The 2025 edition solidified Run Barbados’s status as a premier international running festival, attracting elite athletes from across the Americas and showcasing the growing dominance of Caribbean distance runners.

In a significant development for Caribbean cricket governance, Dr. Kishore Shallow has officially declared his intention to maintain his presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI) while simultaneously serving as Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The 41-year-old administrator, who secured his parliamentary seat on November 27 and assumed ministerial duties on December 3, addressed mounting speculation regarding potential resignation from his cricket leadership role.

Following extensive deliberation, Shallow communicated his definitive decision through radio station Isports95.5FM on December 4, later elaborating on December 7 that he had contemplated the matter thoroughly. “My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion,” Shallow stated, confirming he would complete his current three-year term but would not seek reelection.

The CWI president acknowledged the unusual nature of holding both positions concurrently within the Caribbean context but emphasized precedent within international cricket governance. He revealed that several colleagues at the International Cricket Council (ICC) currently or previously held governmental or parliamentary positions, normalizing such dual responsibilities in sports administration.

Addressing potential concerns, Shallow detailed that CWI conducted comprehensive due diligence to ensure full compliance with legal and ethical standards. While acknowledging no conflict of interest exists, he confronted the practical question of effective portfolio management. “Having consulted widely with our board and leadership, I can assure you that I can and will,” he asserted.

Shallow positioned his unique situation as potentially beneficial for regional collaboration, noting: “Governments in our region have been calling for greater engagement with CWI. This very well may be an avenue for collaboration without being invasive.” He further clarified that his presidential role is strategic rather than administrative, emphasizing that operational control rests with CEO Chris Dehring and over 50 full-time staff based in Antigua.

The unpaid nature of the CWI presidency distinguishes it from traditional employment, allowing Shallow to focus on chairing the board while ministerial duties occupy his professional focus. He stressed that decision-making at CWI remains collective, asserting: “West Indies Cricket has never been a one-man operation, and it should never be.”

Looking forward, Shallow committed to completing his administration’s reform agenda and implementing the organization’s Strategic Plan through 2027. He issued a call for unity, warning against divisive voices during this critical period for regional cricket.

Earlier in his address, Shallow congratulated the West Indies team for their fighting draw in the first Test against New Zealand, specifically praising Justin Greaves’ double century and Kemar Roach’s determination. While commending Shai Hope’s pivotal 140-run innings, he expressed overall dissatisfaction with team performance and reiterated the need for financial restructuring within CWI.

In a groundbreaking moment for continental sports, cricket made its historic debut at the Bolivarian Games in Peru, culminating in dramatic finals that saw both Trinidad and Tobago teams securing silver medals after hard-fought battles against Caribbean rivals.

The men’s team endured a heartbreaking 11-run defeat against Barbados in a tension-filled championship match at Lima Polo Club. Barbados set a competitive target of 138 runs, anchored by Shian Brathwaite’s pivotal 55-run innings and supported by Tennyson Roach’s aggressive 42 off 33 deliveries. Despite early breakthroughs from TT skipper Vikash Mohan and Mikkel Govia, Barbados built momentum through a damaging 65-run partnership.

TT’s chase began cautiously but soon stumbled to 47 for four within nine overs. A mid-innings resurgence emerged through Crystian Thurton’s promising 31 and Teshawn Castro’s explosive late cameo of 22 runs. The match reached its climax with TT requiring 50 runs from the final 4.4 overs. Castro’s two massive sixes and Damion Joachim’s boundary brought the equation down to 12 needed from two deliveries. However, Castro’s dismissal by Shaquille Cberbatch sealed Barbados’ victory, leaving TT with silver.

The women’s final witnessed Jamaica’s clinical six-wicket triumph chasing TT’s modest total of 94 for eight. Veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed provided the most resistance with a gritty 24 off 22 balls, but TT’s batting lineup failed to convert starts into substantial contributions. Jamaica’s bowling attack, led by Kate Wilmott’s impressive three for 14 and Chedean Nation’s two for 21, effectively contained the TT batters.

Defending their total, TT’s experienced bowling duo of Mohammed and Karishma Ramharack initially maintained pressure, but Jamaica’s Chadean Nation delivered a match-winning unbeaten 35 off 44 balls, guiding her team to victory with 18 overs completed. Nation’s composed innings earned Jamaica the historic gold in cricket’s Bolivarian Games debut.

This tournament marked cricket’s inaugural appearance in the 87-year history of the Bolivarian Games, signaling the sport’s growing prominence in multisport events. The success in Peru sets the stage for cricket’s upcoming debut at the 2027 Pan American Games and its highly anticipated return to the Olympic program at Los Angeles 2028, marking its first Olympic appearance since 1900.