分类： sports

MIC Central FC Reboot began their 2025-2026 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) premier division campaign on a high note, clinching a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Point Fortin Civic in their opening match at the Arima Velodrome on October 26. Daniel David opened the scoring for Central FC in the 28th minute, giving his team a slim lead at halftime. The second half saw a flurry of action, with Junior Asson of Central FC and Nathaniel Garcia of Point Fortin both finding the net in the 55th minute, ensuring Central FC maintained their one-goal advantage until the final whistle. In other matches, Club Sando narrowly defeated FC Eagles 1-0, thanks to a 47th-minute goal by Marc Wharfe. Meanwhile, Prison Service FC overcame a late scare to secure a 3-2 win against Caledonia AIA, with Jeremiah Vidale scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute. Defending champions Defence Force were held to a goalless draw by Athletic Club Port of Spain, while Miscellaneous Police FC dominated San Juan Jabloteh with a 4-0 victory. The match between Terminix La Horquetta Rangers and FC Phoenix was postponed due to logistical issues. The league action continues on October 31 with Police C facing Central FC and AC PoS taking on Jabloteh.

The 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division witnessed a thrilling twist on October 28, as Naparima College, the southern powerhouse, suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat against St Anthony’s College in Westmoorings. This loss marked Naparima’s second defeat in three games, significantly altering the league standings. Despite entering the match with a narrow one-point lead over St Benedict’s College, Naparima’s inability to maintain a two-goal second-half advantage cost them dearly. St Anthony’s captain Mordecai Ford emerged as the hero, delivering a sensational hat-trick to secure the victory. Meanwhile, St Benedict’s capitalized on Naparima’s stumble, ascending to the top of the league with a 3-1 win over Malick, amassing 30 points from 12 games. Defending champions Fatima College also made strides, moving to second place after an emphatic 11-0 victory over Carapichaima East Secondary, fueled by Jonathan Mason’s hat-trick. Presentation College San Fernando, now in fourth place, kept their title hopes alive with an 8-0 thrashing of St Augustine Secondary, thanks to Isaiah Jacob’s hat-trick, which took his goal tally to 17. With three games remaining for St Benedict’s and Naparima, and two for Fatima and Presentation, the league is poised for a nail-biting finish. The upcoming clash between Naparima and St Benedict’s on November 3 promises to be a pivotal encounter in the title race. In Westmoorings, Naparima initially dominated, leading 1-0 at halftime after Riquelme Phillips capitalized on a defensive error. However, St Anthony’s goalkeeper Necose Moore’s heroics and Naparima’s missed opportunities kept the game alive. Ford’s second-half brilliance, including a stunning free-kick and a match-winning set-piece, sealed the dramatic comeback. St Anthony’s jubilant celebrations at the final whistle reflected the magnitude of their victory. Elsewhere in the league, St Mary’s College and Trinity College Moka secured crucial wins, while Signal Hill Secondary triumphed in the Tobago derby. The SSFL premier division standings now set the stage for an intense conclusion to the season.

In a significant legal ruling, High Court Judge Justice Nadia Kangaloo has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by former West Indies cricketer and ex-president of the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), Dinanath Ramnarine, against Manohar Ramsaran, a former Sport Minister under the UNC administration. The case, initiated in December 2019, stemmed from a series of published articles that criticized Ramnarine’s leadership at the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), his role in the decline of West Indies cricket, and his suitability for administrative roles in sports. Ramnarine sought exemplary and aggravated damages for reputational harm. Ramsaran, however, defended his statements, asserting they were made during official TTCB board meetings, where media coverage was authorized by the board secretary. He argued that his comments were necessary and truthful, addressing governance and leadership issues. Justice Kangaloo ruled in Ramsaran’s favor, stating the statements were evaluative opinions rather than defamatory facts. The judge emphasized that public figures must endure scrutiny and criticism, and found no evidence of malice or recklessness in Ramsaran’s remarks. Consequently, Ramnarine’s claim was dismissed, and he was ordered to cover Ramsaran’s legal costs, to be determined later. Ramsaran was represented by Navindra Ramnanan, while Ramnarine’s legal team was led by Kiel Taklalsingh.

West Indies batsman Rovman Powell delivered a match-winning performance in the first T20 against Bangladesh on October 27, earning the Player of the Match award. Powell’s strategic approach to pacing his innings proved pivotal as he unleashed a barrage of boundaries in the final overs, guiding West Indies to a commanding total of 165/3. His explosive batting, particularly in the last two overs, saw him smash three consecutive sixes off Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, propelling the team past the 150-run mark. Powell’s unbeaten 44 off 28 balls, including one four and four sixes, was instrumental in securing a 16-run victory for the West Indies. Reflecting on his performance, Powell credited his success to a batting template he has honed over the past two years, emphasizing the importance of a steady start followed by aggressive hitting in the final overs. The victory was also a milestone for Powell, who celebrated his 100th T20 International match with this standout performance. He acknowledged the support of his family, friends, and teammates, as well as the crucial role played by the West Indies bowlers in restricting Bangladesh to 149 all out. The second match of the three-game series is scheduled for October 29.

The West Indies cricket team has experienced both remarkable victories and significant challenges in recent years, with the spotlight often falling on their coaching and leadership. One of the most memorable moments came in January 2024 during the Australia/West Indies Test series. Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph delivered an extraordinary performance, taking seven wickets for 68 runs in the second innings to secure a narrow eight-run victory for the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane. This win marked the team’s first triumph over Australia in two decades and helped them draw the series after losing the first Test. Joseph’s heroics, especially as a debutant in Test cricket, were a testament to his talent and resilience. Similarly, in January 2025, the West Indies managed to draw a Test series against Pakistan in challenging conditions on under-prepared pitches in Mirpur, despite losing the first Test. These achievements highlighted the team’s ability to bounce back under pressure. However, the narrative took a turn with the appointment of Darren Sammy as head coach. Sammy, a former player, has faced criticism for his lack of strategic acumen and inability to inspire the team. His frequent gesticulations from beyond the boundary have been described as more confusing than helpful. During a recent tour of Bangladesh, Sammy’s comments about not underestimating the opposition were seen as unnecessary, given the inherent competitiveness of international cricket. His failure to motivate players and instill confidence has raised concerns about his suitability for the role. In contrast, Bangladesh’s West Indian coach, Phil Simmons, has been praised for his effective leadership. The disparity in coaching styles underscores the importance of having a knowledgeable and inspiring figure at the helm to guide players through the rigors of international cricket.

In a thrilling turn of events in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division, St Benedict’s College, currently in second place, is set to face Malick Secondary in a crucial match on October 28. The game, scheduled for 3:30 PM at Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, could potentially propel St Benedict’s to the top of the league table. Known as the La Romaine Lions, St Benedict’s has been in impressive form, accumulating 27 points, just one point behind the leaders, Naparima College. A victory against 12th-placed Malick, coupled with a stumble by Naparima, would see St Benedict’s take the lead. Naparima, who started the season with nine consecutive wins, have recently faltered with a 1-0 loss to Presentation College San Fernando and a 1-1 draw with San Juan North Secondary, leaving the title race wide open. The top four teams are now separated by just three points, with Fatima College in third place on 26 points and Presentation College still in contention with 25 points. As the season enters its final stages, Naparima and St Benedict’s each have four matches remaining, while Fatima and Presentation have three games left. In other key fixtures, Naparima will face fifth-placed St Anthony’s College, Fatima will take on bottom-placed Carapichaima East Secondary, and Presentation will meet 14th-placed St Augustine Secondary. The outcome of these matches could significantly impact the final standings, making the remaining games crucial for all teams involved.