分类： sports

The 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ tournament has reached a pivotal stage with the confirmation of the five teams competing for promotion to the premier division. Palo Seco Secondary emerged victorious in the south championship division, securing their win with 22 points, just two points ahead of Pleasantville Secondary. The top four teams in this fiercely competitive zone were separated by a mere seven points, highlighting the intensity of the matches. Palo Seco’s final zonal match against Point Fortin East Secondary ended in a 1-1 draw at the Guapo Recreation Ground on October 24, a rescheduled fixture after their previous encounter was abandoned due to a bee invasion. Earlier, Palo Seco was awarded three points for an abandoned match against Rio Cloo West Secondary on September 26, following a ruling on October 22 that found Rio Claro West guilty of fielding an underprepared pitch. Similarly, Chaguanas North Secondary faced a setback when their match against Presentation College Chaguanas was abandoned due to unsuitable field markings, resulting in a 3-0 win for Presentation College. Joining Palo Seco and Presentation Chaguanas in the ‘Big 5’ tournament are Hillview College (east), Mucurapo West Secondary (north), and Speyside Secondary (Tobago). The tournament kicks off on October 29, with Mucurapo West hosting Hillview and Palo Seco facing Speyside, while Presentation College enjoys a bye on the first match day. The top three teams from the ‘Big 5’ will secure their spots in the Premier Division for the 2026 season.

In an intense trial match at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad, the Vikash Mohan XI edged out the Terrance Hinds XI by two wickets, showcasing a thrilling contest ahead of the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament. The match, held on October 24, featured standout performances from several players, including Trinidad and Tobago Red Force batsman Cephas Cooper and National Cricketer of the Year Jason Mohammed. Batting first, the Hinds XI posted a competitive total of 242 in 46.1 overs, thanks to Cooper’s 73 off 84 balls and Mohammed’s 68 off 75. However, their efforts fell short as the Mohan XI chased down the target with 244 for eight in 43.5 overs. Shatrughan Rambaran’s aggressive 66 off 58 and Navin Bidaisee’s composed 54 not out off 76 were pivotal in the victory. Despite losing wickets steadily, Bidaisee and Andrew Rambaran’s 20-run partnership ensured a smooth finish. Earlier, Shaaron Lewis’s three-wicket haul and Mikkel Govia’s two scalps kept the Hinds XI in check. The next trial matches are set for October 26 and 27 at the same venue.

The 2205 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division witnessed a series of intense matches on October 25, with significant implications for the title race. St Benedict’s College, the reigning Coca-Cola national intercol champions, secured a crucial 1-0 victory over St Anthony’s College at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin. The win propelled them from third to second place in the standings, just one point behind leaders Naparima College. The match was delayed due to a waterlogged pitch, but St Benedict’s made the most of their opportunity with an early goal from Elijah David, reigniting their title aspirations.

Elsewhere, Naparima College, sitting atop the table with 28 points, were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by San Juan North Secondary. Meanwhile, defending champions Fatima College (26 points) slipped to third place after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Presentation College San Fernando (25 points). The match at Fatima Grounds saw both teams create numerous chances, with Isaiah Jacob of Presentation scoring his 14th goal of the season, while Jonathan Mason equalized for Fatima with a stunning long-range strike.

The results have tightened the race at the top, with the top four teams now separated by just three points. In other matches, Arima North Secondary climbed to seventh place with a 4-2 victory over Trinity College East, thanks to a brace from Darren De Four. The SSFL premier division continues to deliver thrilling encounters as the season approaches its climax.

Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling sensation, Nicholas Paul, is set to continue his quest for a medal at the 2025 Tissot UCI Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile. The 27-year-old sprinter will compete in the men’s sprint semifinals on October 26, the final day of the event. However, Paul faces a formidable opponent in Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen, a 19-time world champion who has already secured the men’s keirin and 1K time trial titles at this championship. The semifinal showdown between Paul and Lavreysen is scheduled for approximately 10 am (TT time), while world record holder Matthew Richardson of Great Britain and Australia’s Leigh Hoffman will clash in the first semifinal.

Paul’s journey to the semifinals has been marked by impressive performances. On October 25, he triumphed over Israel’s Mikhail Yakolev in the quarterfinals, winning both races in their best-of-three matchup. Despite Yakolev’s aggressive start in the first race, Paul showcased his resilience and tactical prowess to secure victory. In the second race, Paul executed a decisive early move to edge out his opponent and advance to the semifinals.

Paul’s motivation is further fueled by his desire to avenge his runner-up finish against Lavreysen in the 2023 world championships sprint finale. The 2025 final is set to take place at 12:44 pm on October 26.

In other quarterfinal matches, Lavreysen defeated France’s Rayan Helal, Richardson overcame Japan’s Kaiya Ota, and Hoffman staged a remarkable comeback to beat Netherlands’ Jeffrey Hoogland. Earlier in the day, Paul demonstrated his sprinting prowess by cruising through the qualifying, 1/16, and 1/8 finals. He clocked the sixth-fastest time in the qualifying round at 9.475 seconds, while Richardson set the fastest time at 9.210 seconds.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Makaira Wallace finished 22nd in the women’s 1K time trial, and Teniel Campbell placed 19th in the women’s individual pursuit. In the men’s omnium, Akil Campbell found himself at the back of the 24-man field after the initial races on October 25.

The 2025 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier I kicked off with a commanding performance by Miscellaneous Police, who secured a resounding 4-0 victory over San Juan Jabloteh at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago. Kwesi Allen was the star of the match, scoring two first-half goals to set the tone for his team. Allen opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a swift strike, followed by a stunning finish in the 35th minute to complete his brace. Jem Gordon added a third goal just before halftime in the 43rd minute, while former national team captain Joevin Jones sealed the win with a goal in the 69th minute. The match showcased Miscellaneous Police’s dominance, particularly against a youthful Jabloteh side. Meanwhile, the second match of the doubleheader between Terminix La Horquetta Rangers and FC Phoenix was postponed due to flight disruptions caused by unexpected airspace restrictions. TT Football Association executive secretary Yale Antoine described the situation as a ‘force majeure’ event, praising the professionalism of all teams involved despite the challenges.

Seasoned runner April Francis clinched her fifth Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5K title on October 25, but it was her act of generosity after the race that captured hearts. After crossing the finish line with a winning time of 22 minutes and 37.41 seconds, Francis handed her trophy to nine-year-old Adrianna Garcia, a young runner who had been leading the race but was forced to slow down due to an injury. Competing under her sponsorship team Extra Mile, Francis navigated the course around Queen’s Park Savannah in St Clair with determination. Reflecting on her decision, Francis shared that she and Garcia had shared an emotional moment during the race. ‘I saw Adrianna, who I’m familiar with, under a lot of pressure and in pain. I decided to stick with her, motivate her, and pull her along,’ Francis explained. Despite Garcia’s setback, Francis felt the young runner deserved recognition for her effort and perseverance. ‘I wasn’t really thinking about myself; I was more thinking about her. She was fighting really hard for it, and I felt like she deserved it,’ Francis added. Garcia, competing in the one to 19 age group, was later adjudged the overall winner in her category with a time of 24:43.40. Francis’s gesture resonated deeply with onlookers, embodying the spirit of the event. The race also saw Raheem Modeste as the first male finisher in 18:23.91, marking the third consecutive year men were allowed to participate. Other notable winners included Britney Choon-Ramsoondar (20-29), Alissa Ali (30-39), Claire Fortune (40-49), Kim Gomez (50-59), and Christine Regis (60+). The event, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was hailed by Scotiabank’s managing director Gayle Pazos as a testament to the courage of breast cancer survivors and the collective effort to combat the disease.