分类： sports

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force captain Joshua Da Silva is set to lead his team in the 2025 CG United Super50 Cup, which kicks off on November 19 in Trinidad. The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) confirmed Da Silva’s appointment on November 1, alongside the announcement of the 14-member squad. The team will face Barbados Royals in their opening match at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine.

The squad features a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, with five newcomers making their debut in the Super50 Cup. Among them are all-rounders Shatrughan Rambaran and Ricky Naipaul, fast bowler Abdul Raheem Toppin, batsman Cephas Cooper, and leg-spinner Navin Bidaisee. While Bidaisee and Cooper have previously represented Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies Championship, Rambaran has prior experience in the Super50 Cup with Combined Campuses and College.

Despite the absence of key players like Akeal Hosein, Anderson Phillip, Amir Jangoo, Jayden Seales, and Khary Pierre—who are on international duty with the West Indies—head coach Rayad Emrit remains optimistic. He emphasized the importance of blending youth with experience, viewing the tournament as an opportunity to integrate emerging talent into the squad.

Emrit praised Da Silva’s leadership, noting his ability to lead by example and his growing experience in high-pressure situations. The coach highlighted the team’s focus on playing positive, engaging cricket while fostering a strong team culture. Emrit also acknowledged the challenge posed by Barbados, a formidable opponent with a strong white-ball record.

The Red Force’s campaign begins on November 19, with their match against Barbados Royals set to be a crucial early test. The tournament’s opening day will also feature clashes between Jamaica Scorpions and Guyana Harpy Eagles, as well as Windward Islands Volcano and Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Endurance athlete Dexter Ali is set to undertake one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most demanding solo runs, the ‘Sea-to-Sea’ challenge, starting from the Sea Wall in Galeota and concluding at Teteron Barracks in Chaguaramas. The 55-year-old businessman and multi-sport competitor will cover approximately 80 miles (130km) — equivalent to more than three marathon distances — in a test of physical and mental stamina. The run, which began on November 1, is expected to conclude the following day. Ali’s coach, Derrick Simon, described the endeavor as a ‘personal challenge’ inspired by Ali’s recent birthday. Ali, who trains with Simon’s Pace Performance Factory, has spent months preparing for this grueling feat. His training regimen included multiple long-distance runs around the Queen’s Park Savannah, sometimes completing 24 laps (57.2 miles) in a single session. Simon, a national middle- and long-distance coach, noted that Ali’s training plan required innovative thinking due to its unique demands. The preparation also focused on hydration, fatigue management, and sleep deprivation, with Ali often running double sessions to simulate the challenges of the event. To ensure success, Simon and Ali drove the entire route to strategize terrain navigation. While Ali will run solo, he will receive intermittent support from fellow runners, a vehicle crew, family members, and a police escort. Simon emphasized that Ali’s safety remains a priority, and the attempt will be halted if his well-being is compromised. This monumental effort is not only a personal achievement for Ali but also a significant milestone for Caribbean endurance sports.