分类： sports

Racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as Santa Rosa Park in Arima gears up for an action-packed six-race card on October 25. The highlight of the day will be the penultimate race, a 1,100-meter turf event featuring a competitive field of five runners. Among the contenders, Sneaky Cheeky, ridden by Barbados’ leading apprentice jockey Raheem Thorpe, is tipped as the pre-race favorite. Thorpe, who has been brought in by trainer Ramesh Ramroop, will also ride Dreamcatcher, Uncle Rog, and Free Pass across the day’s events. The race card also includes the first two-year-old race of the 2025 season, with Dream Maker and Sweet Bird, trained by John O’Brien, set to compete. Post time for the races is scheduled for 12:45 pm, promising an exciting day for punters and racing fans alike.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has unveiled a 24-member squad for the upcoming friendly match against Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This encounter serves as a vital preparatory step for the 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, which kick off next month. Trinidad and Tobago, placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, will begin their qualifying campaign against Barbados on November 30. The squad, announced on October 24, features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, including overseas-based players Kedie Johnson and Maria-Frances Serrant. Notable inclusions are forward Kennya Cordner, defenders Karyn Forbes and Victoria Swift, and the dynamic Naomie Guerra. The team also boasts emerging stars like Kaitlyn Darwent and Nikita Gosine, alongside the attacking trio of Alexcia Ali, Afiyah Cornwall, and Aaliyah Prince. Goalkeeping duties will be contested by Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, and Tenesha Palmer. The team’s preparation has been marred by challenges, including the sudden resignation of former head coach Angus Eve just three weeks after his September 30 appointment. His departure, confirmed by a TTFA official on October 21, has left the team under the interim guidance of coaches Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald. Briggs emphasized the team’s focus on rebuilding and fostering unity, stating, ‘We are in a rebuild stage with a blend of experienced and young players. Our immediate goal is the Jamaica friendly, after which we’ll reflect and improve for the qualifiers.’ The match against Jamaica, coached by Hubert Busby, will be a significant test for the TT women, who have recently played practice games against local youth teams, including a dominant 7-1 victory over St Mary’s College Under-14s. As the team gears up for the Concacaf qualifiers, questions remain about potential additional friendlies before their November 30 clash with Barbados. The qualifiers will culminate in the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, which serves as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Presentation College Chaguanas has officially been crowned the champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship division for the 2025 season. This victory was solidified after the league’s appeals committee upheld a prior decision to award the school all three points for a match against Chaguanas North Secondary that was abandoned on September 22. The disciplinary committee had initially ruled in favor of Presentation on October 13, granting them a 3-0 win due to Chaguanas North’s failure to adequately prepare the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground venue. Chaguanas North contested this decision, arguing that they had made every effort to meet the required standards before the scheduled kickoff. However, on October 22, the appeals committee, comprising Forbes Persaud, Rudolph Hope, and chairman Derek West, reviewed the case virtually and unanimously supported the disciplinary committee’s ruling. The final verdict was delivered on October 24, confirming Presentation’s victory. Chaguanas North officials had claimed that the referee overstepped his authority in abandoning the game and cited a precedent from the previous season where a match involving Presentation was rescheduled due to field issues. Nonetheless, the appeals committee emphasized the referee’s ultimate authority under Law 1 of the game, which governs the field of play. Following this decision, Presentation went on to defeat Chaguanas North 3-1 in their reverse fixture on October 14, finishing the central zone with 27 points from ten games. Chaguanas North secured second place with 22 points. With the matter resolved, Presentation now sets its sights on the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ campaign, aiming for promotion to the premier division. They will begin their campaign on November 1 against Speyside Secondary, the Tobago championship division winners. Hillview College (east) and Mucurapo West Secondary (north) have also secured their spots in the Big 5, with the top three teams earning promotion for the 2026 premier division season.

Clarke Road United, a prominent cricket club in Trinidad and Tobago, has secured a significant sponsorship deal with KFC TT, marking a pivotal moment ahead of the 2025 Premiership season. The fast-food giant has committed $650,000 over the next two years, rebranding the team as KFC Clarke Road United. The partnership was officially announced at KFC’s Gulf View branch in La Romaine, with key figures like club president Baldath Mahabir and KFC TT vice-president Roger Rambharose in attendance. Rambharose emphasized the collaboration as an investment in community development and the future of West Indies cricket. He highlighted the club’s legacy of nurturing talent, including international stars like Nicholas Pooran, and expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to inspire young cricketers. The deal, initially set for two years, could extend further, reflecting KFC’s commitment to holistic cricket development. Rambharose also noted KFC’s broader involvement in cricket, including support for the Trinbago Knight Riders and local academies. Mahabir celebrated the partnership as a milestone in the club’s 40-year history, recalling its humble beginnings in Penal and its role in fostering regional cricket talent. The club’s community spirit was further underscored by Penal Debe Regional Corporation chairman Gowtam Maharaj, who shared a story of players halting a match to help extinguish a nearby house fire. This act of selflessness, he said, epitomizes the values of Clarke Road United, a club that excels both on and off the field.

Trinidadian left-arm spinner Khary Pierre has been added to the West Indies squad for their upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, scheduled from October 27 to 31. The 34-year-old, who recently participated in the One-day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, will replace the injured Shamar Joseph. Pierre, who played all three ODIs and claimed one wicket, will now team up with fellow left-arm spinners Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie in the 15-man T20 squad. Shamar Joseph, a promising fast bowler, has been sidelined due to a persistent shoulder injury, which also caused him to miss the Test series against India earlier this month. Cricket West Indies announced on October 20 that Joseph has been advised to consult a specialist in England for rehabilitation. Pierre, who last played a T20 for West Indies in 2020 against Ireland, has taken seven wickets in ten T20 matches with an economy rate of 9.60. The series will kick off in Chittagong on October 27, followed by matches on October 29 and 31. Pierre’s inclusion comes after an impressive 2025 First-Class season with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, which earned him his first Test cap during the recent series against India. The West Indies T20 squad, led by Shai Hope, includes notable players such as Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Romario Shepherd.

On October 17, British High Commissioner Jon Dean hosted a significant reception at his official residence in Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago, to commemorate the handover of rugby equipment to the TT Schools’ Rugby Union. This event highlighted the British High Commission’s dedication to fostering youth development through sports in the region. The donation, facilitated by the UK-based charity SOS Kit Aid, included essential gear such as hoodies, polos, shorts, socks, tops, tracksuits, tackle shields, and kit bags. These items will be distributed to schools across Trinidad and Tobago, with particular emphasis on rural communities and Tobago, where rugby teams are emerging. During the event, Dean emphasized the unifying power of sports, stating, ‘Rugby has a rich tradition in the United Kingdom, and we are thrilled to see it growing here in TT. This donation will ensure the kit reaches the schools and students who need it most.’ Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, David Nakhid, also attended, delivering remarks on behalf of Minister Phillip Watts, who was absent due to parliamentary duties. Watts praised the initiative, noting, ‘Through sport, we are shaping character, building discipline, and creating new opportunities for young people across TT, especially in areas where access and resources are often limited.’ The event brought together local professional rugby players and aspiring young athletes from various schools, showcasing a collaborative effort between the British High Commission and local partners to enhance youth engagement through sports.