分类： sports

Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 women’s football team claimed their inaugural victory in the DecembHER Football – Jewels of the Caribbean tournament with a decisive 2-0 triumph over TT Women’s League Football (WoLF) United XI on December 18 at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The week-long competition showcases both Under-17 and Under-20 divisions, featuring national teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and US-based club Indy Premier SC across both age categories. Additional participants include the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Future Stars XI in the Under-17 bracket and the WoLF XI in the Under-20 group.

Following challenging opening matches that saw TT’s Under-17 squad suffer consecutive defeats against Indy Premier (4-0) and Jamaica (2-1), and the Under-20 team fall 2-0 to Indy Premier on December 16, the national program finally celebrated success two days later.

Flanking sensation Sonia Lamarre emerged as the match’s definitive hero, netting both goals in a performance that demonstrated exceptional technical quality. The dynamic winger broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion during the 24th minute, cutting inward from the right flank before unleashing a perfectly curved left-footed strike from approximately 25 yards that found the upper corner.

Despite numerous additional opportunities, including a narrowly missed long-range free kick from Madison Campbell just before halftime, the score remained 1-0 deep into the second half. TT coach Damian Briggs’s strategic substitution of attacking midfielder Orielle Martin nearly produced a second goal in the 76th minute, but WoLF goalkeeper Akilah George made a crucial save.

The WoLF XI nearly equalized during a frantic goalmouth scramble in the 86th minute that saw the ball strike the crossbar, with attackers J’Eleisha Alexander and Onika Denoon unable to provide the finishing touch. Lamarre ultimately secured the victory in stoppage time, heading home from close range after defender Kaitlyn Darwent delivered an accurate corner from the right side.

The result positions Trinidad and Tobago (three points) just one point behind group leaders Jamaica and Indy Premier (both four points), who played to a 2-2 draw in the day’s earlier match. The tournament continues with critical matches at Sangre Grande Recreation Ground on December 20, culminating in championship finals at Hasely Crawford Stadium on December 21.

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, the TT Schools’ Rugby Union partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Guard and Emergency Branch to distribute Christmas hampers at Success Laventille Secondary School on December 17. The initiative, now in its third consecutive year, brought together sports officials, law enforcement officers, and student athletes to spread festive cheer throughout the Success Village community.

Patrice Des Vignes, President of the Schools’ Rugby Union, personally presented the charitable donations to acting principal Stacey Lezama. The event saw significant participation from police officers who double as rugby advocates—including Success Laventille coach Joseph Quashie and Schools’ Rugby Union Vice-President Emmanuel Joseph. Young athletes Ky-mani Charles and Tariq Osborne actively assisted in the hamper distribution, embodying the program’s spirit of youth engagement and social responsibility.

According to an official release, the initiative transcended mere material support by delivering ‘hope, joy and reassurance to families in need.’ The collaboration between sporting organizations and protective services highlighted rugby’s capacity to foster character development, unity, and civic duty beyond athletic competition. The program demonstrates how sports can serve as a catalyst for social development and community upliftment.

The release extended gratitude to Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and TTPS leadership for facilitating officer participation in this meaningful venture. Their institutional support proved instrumental in strengthening community-police relations while spreading seasonal goodwill. This ongoing partnership continues to show that combining sportsmanship with public service creates lasting impacts, particularly during the holiday season of giving.

The Trinidad and Tobago sporting community is in mourning following the passing of Sudhir Ramessar, the long-serving president of the TT Paralympic Committee (TTPC), who died on December 19. Ramessar’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from national sporting organizations celebrating his transformative impact on para-sports advocacy.

Beyond his presidential role with TTPC, Ramessar served as director of the Consortium of Disability Organizations, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving conditions for differently-abled individuals both in athletic competition and daily life. His advocacy work created substantial opportunities for para-athletes through persistent lobbying efforts and strategic development initiatives.

The Trinidad Olympic Committee (TTOC) formally acknowledged Ramessar’s contributions via social media, stating: “We honor his unwavering dedication, leadership and lifelong service to para-sport and athlete advocacy in Trinidad and Tobago. His contribution to sport, inclusion and the Paralympic movement has left an indelible mark that will continue to inspire generations.”

The Trinidad Rifle Association commemorated Ramessar as “a visionary leader, tireless advocate, and true champion for persons with disabilities in sport” in their Facebook tribute. They emphasized how his leadership “profoundly transformed the sporting landscape, creating opportunities, dignity and hope for countless athletes.”

Ramessar is remembered not merely as a sports administrator but as a genuine humanitarian whose integrity, passion for service, and commitment to inclusion reshaped Trinidad and Tobago’s approach to Paralympic sports. The national sporting fraternity recognizes his legacy as one that will continue to influence future generations of athletes and advocates alike.

Cricket West Indies (CWI), the historic governing body of Caribbean cricket, is confronting severe allegations of deteriorating governance standards that critics describe as an “incestuous oligarchy.” The organization, once celebrated for its cricketing excellence, now faces mounting scrutiny over its executive dysfunction and problematic power distribution structures.

The core issues stem from CWI’s convoluted governance framework, which appears heavily influenced by political connections, competing obligations, and a conspicuous absence of accountability. This complex web of public funding, political ties, and administrative loyalties has created an environment where genuine oversight is notably lacking. The deteriorating situation has triggered eroding confidence among key stakeholders: fans report feeling increasingly alienated, sponsors express uncertainty about their investments, and regional governments demonstrate visible frustration.

Despite repeated calls for enhanced conflict-of-interest policies, minimal substantive changes have materialized. Insiders acknowledge difficulty locating properly articulated safeguards within CWI’s constitutional documents or legal frameworks. Current leadership maintains that their internal controls have “matured” and that governance standards rival global sports organizations, but these assertions contrast sharply with ongoing controversies and diminishing public trust.

An important structural nuance often overlooked in the debate is the CWI president’s role as a non-executive position. Daily operations theoretically fall under the CEO and management team’s jurisdiction, not subject to presidential “whims and fancies.” Financial and strategic committees were specifically designed to distribute authority appropriately. However, the perceived overlap of responsibilities—particularly the president chairing key committees—continues to blur lines between diligent oversight and disproportionate dominance.

While defenders attribute concerns to misconceptions, governance experts emphasize that perception frequently carries equal weight to reality in institutional trust. The apparent existence of competing loyalties, especially involving political figures or public officials, fundamentally undermines confidence in impartial decision-making. The principle that the president “must act solely in the interests of West Indies cricket” becomes challenging to reconcile with external national or political obligations.

The organization now faces a critical juncture as the current president announces his decision not to seek re-election. The board must determine whether to accept this stance quietly or demand a more definitive separation. Should this leadership vacuum become a breeding ground for speculation, both structural and reputational damage may intensify.

West Indies cricket requires governance that inspires stability rather than suspicion—modern stewardship guided by transparency, competence, and collective vision rather than insularity or political influences. Until substantive reforms occur, the echoes of institutional decline threaten to overwhelm the legendary roar of Caribbean cricket.

In a significant scheduling shift, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the postponement of the 2026 edition of the West Indies T20 Breakout League, despite previous commitments from Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath that the tournament would proceed in January-February at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

The decision follows a comprehensive collaborative review between CWI and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which determined the originally planned window would conflict with an exceptionally congested international and domestic cricket schedule. The upcoming calendar features two major global events: the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup (January 15-February 6) immediately followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (February 7-March 8).

CWI CEO Chris Dehring emphasized that while the developmental league remains integral to long-term planning, the pause allows for strategic reassessment during a fiscally constrained period. ‘With our under-19 and senior men’s teams focused on upcoming World Cups, this is an especially demanding period for our players,’ Dehring stated. He confirmed both organizations agree the tournament requires adequate space to achieve its developmental objectives and fan engagement goals.

The inaugural Breakout League, held April 25-May 10 this year, proved successful with Trinidad and Tobago Legions claiming victory over Leeward Islands Thunder by 17 runs in the final. The tournament served as a crucial platform for emerging talent, with several participants already advancing to international representation.

Dehring indicated the hiatus would enable authorities to evaluate the league’s structural framework and positioning within the World Cup cycle to optimize developmental outcomes. He highlighted the need for enhanced scouting mechanisms and improved data collection to strengthen alignment between the Breakout League and high-performance systems.

CPL CEO Pete Russell reinforced his organization’s continued support for the league’s mission, stating the postponement period would allow for refinement of format, timing, and supporting structures to ensure the tournament fulfills its intended role within Caribbean cricket’s development ecosystem.