分类： sports

In a thrilling display of athletic prowess, CTS College’s Darius Harding and Tableland Secondary’s Mariah Charles emerged as the champions of the Secondary Schools Track and Field (SSTF) National 5K race, held at North Eastern College, Sangre Grande on November 13. The event, which saw participation from over 650 student-athletes, was a testament to the young talents’ endurance and determination.

Harding, the standout performer in the boys’ category, clocked an impressive 16 minutes and 49 seconds, making him the only competitor to finish under 17 minutes. Queen’s Royal College’s Isaiah Alder secured second place with a time of 17:33, while Toco Secondary’s Darreon Thom took third in 17:48. Notably, El Dorado East Secondary’s Brion Scott, who won gold in the boys’ under-17 800-metre event at the Carifta Athletics Games earlier this year, finished fourth overall but topped his age group with a time of 17:55.

On the girls’ side, Charles was the undisputed star, not only winning the under-15 age group but also claiming the overall female title with a time of 23:03. St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain’s Zahzara Williams came in second among the girls with a time of 23:26, followed by her schoolmate Arya Siewrattan in third place with 24:11. The Bishop Anstey High School under-15 duo of Aaliyah Griffith (24:23) and Keanna Cummings (24:42) completed the top five.

The event also highlighted the depth of talent across various age groups. Arima Central Secondary’s Mikael Serrette (18:02) finished fifth overall and topped the under-17 category, while North Eastern’s Raymond Lewis placed ninth overall and won the under-15 category with a time of 19:24. Other notable performers included Presentation College San Fernando’s Shane Bissoon (18:05), Presentation College Chaguanas’ Christopher Radhay (18:47), Trinity College Moka’s Asayeis Leith (19:20), and Toco’s Shaquan Olton (19:29).

The SSTF National 5K race not only showcased the athletic excellence of these young competitors but also underscored the importance of fostering talent at the grassroots level. The event was a celebration of sportsmanship, perseverance, and the spirit of competition, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team has faced significant criticism following their underwhelming performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Former FIFA vice-president Dr. Jack Warner, speaking to Newsday after receiving his doctorate from the University of Trinidad and Tobago on November 18, expressed his belief that the team did not deserve to advance to the World Cup. Warner highlighted the team’s inability to secure victories against Jamaica and Curaçao, stating, ‘If a team can only beat Bermuda in a group of four and can’t beat Jamaica and Curaçao, they don’t deserve to be in a World Cup.’ He emphasized that the nation should be relieved to avoid further embarrassment on the global stage. Despite his disappointment, Warner, who played a pivotal role in TT’s historic 2006 World Cup qualification, offered his assistance to help rebuild the team, stating, ‘Whenever they ask me, I am here. I have no bitterness.’ TT finished third in Group B with six points, securing only one win against Bermuda. Head coach Dwight Yorke has taken full responsibility for the failed campaign, acknowledging that he could have made different decisions but praised the players’ efforts. As TT concludes their qualifiers against Bermuda, Jamaica and Curaçao vie for the group’s automatic World Cup spot, with Curaçao poised to make history as the smallest nation to qualify.

The much-anticipated CG United Super50 Cup 2025 commenced on November 19, with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force facing off against last year’s finalists, Barbados Royals, at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine. Simultaneously, Jamaica Scorpions clashed with Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, while Windward Islands Volcanoes took on Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. The Red Force, defending champions since their 2023 victory, entered the tournament with a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers. Despite missing key players like Akeal Hosein and Jayden Seales due to West Indies commitments, the team, led by captain Joshua Da Silva, showcased a blend of experience and youthful energy. The squad includes five debutants—Shatrughan Rambaran, Ricky Naipaul, Abdul Raheem Toppin, Cephas Cooper, and Navin Bidaisee—who impressed during trials and practice matches. Head coach Rayad Emrit and skipper Da Silva lauded their dedication and performance. The tournament’s opening day also saw a repeat of last year’s dramatic final, where heavy rain led to a double forfeit between the Royals and Scorpions, leaving no champion crowned. With high stakes and competitive spirit, the Super50 Cup promises thrilling cricketing action as teams vie for regional supremacy.

Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team concluded their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-2 draw against Bermuda at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 18, 2025. Despite high hopes, the team, led by coach Dwight Yorke, finished third in Group B of the Concacaf final qualifying round, behind Curacao and Jamaica. The match, played on a rainy night in Mucurapo, Port of Spain, saw TT take an early lead through a header by defender Kobi Henry. However, Bermuda fought back with goals from Tucker and Dante Leverock, putting them ahead. Nathaniel James equalized for TT in the 66th minute, but despite numerous chances, including a late effort by substitute Wayne Frederick II, the hosts couldn’t secure a win. TT’s campaign ended with seven points from six matches, including four draws. With Yorke’s contract set to expire in six months, the future of the national team remains uncertain.

In a thrilling encounter at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers clinched their first victory of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season with a dramatic 2-1 win over 1976 FC Phoenix on November 15. The match, a rescheduled fixture, saw the two bottom-placed teams in the 12-team league battling for crucial points. The game’s decisive moment came in stoppage time when Rangers’ striker Kesean St Rose netted the winning goal, ensuring his team’s triumphant return to Trinidad. Phoenix had initially taken the lead in the 25th minute through Teejay Cadiz, who capitalized on a precise cross from Kerri McDonald. However, Rangers equalized in the 51st minute with Leroy Whyle tapping in from a crowded penalty area after a defensive error by Phoenix goalkeeper Duvaughn Daniel. Despite several close chances for Phoenix, including a looping header from Che Richards and a threatening cross from Cadiz, Rangers held firm. St Rose, a second-half substitute, emerged as the hero with his late strike. Looking ahead, Rangers aim to continue their momentum when they face third-placed Club Sando on November 19, while Phoenix will seek their first points against San Juan Jabloteh. The TTPFL standings remain tightly contested, with Prisons FC leading the pack with nine points.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) has reaffirmed its decision to proceed with trials for the 2026 Pan American Track Cycling Championships on January 17, 2026, at the National Cycling Velodrome in Balmain, Couva. This announcement follows an emergency general council meeting held on November 17, convened to address concerns raised by two prominent cycling clubs, JLD Cycling Academy and Heatwave Cycling. The clubs, represented by attorney Emir Crowne, argued that the January 17 date violates the federation’s selection policy, which mandates trials to be held at least 12 weeks before international events. With the Pan American Championships scheduled for February 16-22 in Santiago, Chile, the latest permissible trial date would have been November 24. Despite these objections, TTCF president Rowena Williams confirmed the council’s decision to maintain the January 17 trials, emphasizing fairness to all cyclists. The clubs had proposed alternative selection methods, such as using objective and recent results, citing potential disruptions to international riders’ training schedules. Crowne highlighted the caliber of affected cyclists, including world-ranked athletes like Njisane Phillip, Alexi Ramirez, and Makaira Wallace, urging the federation to prioritize their preparation and satisfaction. While the TTCF acknowledged the concerns, it ultimately voted to proceed with the trials, inviting all cyclists to participate for national team selection.