分类： sports

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.

1976 FC Phoenix, under the guidance of new head coach Delroy Patterson, is gearing up for a transformative season in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier One. The Tobago-based team, which finished ninth last season, is optimistic that the return of home games to their schedule will provide the momentum needed to climb the league standings. This season, Phoenix is set to play up to six home matches at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, a significant improvement from the previous campaign where they had no home fixtures. Their season opener on October 24 will see them face Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in a double-header event, following a match between Miscellaneous Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh. Patterson, who led Whim Leeds United to the Tobago FA Cup title last year, has set a top-four finish as the team’s primary goal. However, he acknowledges the competitive nature of the league and emphasizes a game-by-game approach. ‘Realistically, we have a lot to put in if we want to finish in the top four because there are a lot of other good clubs out there,’ Patterson told Newsday. ‘If we finish in the top six again, I’d take that any day.’ The team has undergone significant changes in the off-season, with the departure of key players like Kassidy Davidson and Jariel Arthur. However, Patterson is confident in the abilities of players such as Deleon Beckles, Trevin Caesar, Kerri McDonald, Che Richards, and captain Duvaughn Daniel to step up. With the TTPFL introducing a new promotion and relegation structure, Patterson is determined to keep Phoenix in the top flight. ‘The guys are upbeat, and we want to continue playing in Tier One and not get demoted,’ he said. The team’s schedule includes challenging home fixtures against last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot, holders Defence Force, and Police FC. Patterson believes the support of the Tobago faithful will be crucial in inspiring the team to success. ‘It’s a morale boost for the guys, and knowing they have the fans behind them will give them more energy,’ he added.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), recently unveiled his latest literary work, *Cricket’s First Revolutionary – Frank Worrell’s Political War Against Colonialism in the West Indies*, at the UWI St Augustine Campus on October 21. The book delves into the life and legacy of Sir Frank Worrell, a cricketing legend whose impact transcended the sport. While Worrell’s Test batting average of nearly 50 runs is widely celebrated, his true significance lies in his relentless advocacy for equality and better treatment of West Indies cricketers during the colonial era. Born in Barbados, Worrell became the first captain of African descent for the West Indies team in the 1950s, breaking racial barriers that predecessors like Learie Constantine and George Headley could not. Worrell’s activism extended beyond cricket; he served as a Senator in Jamaica and formed the Starvation XI, a club for underprivileged boys in Barbados. Beckles’ book, completed in just five months, highlights Worrell’s journey from star cricketer to revolutionary leader, emphasizing his role in dismantling colonial structures within West Indies cricket. The launch event featured insights from prominent figures, including Dr. Indira Rampersad, Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, and historian Selwyn Cudjoe. Beckles, inspired by his childhood admiration for Worrell and guided by Trinidadian scholar CLR James, aims to preserve Worrell’s legacy as a symbol of resilience and progress in the face of systemic oppression.

The TT Volleyball Federation’s National Under-21 Championships concluded with thrilling victories for West Side Stars and Zenith Volleyball Club. Held at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua on October 20, the event showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition. In the women’s under-21 division, West Side Stars continued their winning streak, securing the title with a commanding 25-13, 25-14 victory over JMVP. This triumph followed their earlier success in the under-19 division, where they defeated SUVA on October 3. On the men’s side, Zenith Volleyball Club demonstrated their dominance, overcoming Big SEPos in straight sets (25-17, 25-21) to claim the under-21 championship. Zenith’s journey to the final was marked by a flawless performance, including a semifinal victory against New Arising Sporting Company (NASC) on October 17. Meanwhile, NASC secured the bronze medal by defeating JMVP 25-21, 25-16. The championships also highlighted the leadership of Deon Hutchinson (West Side) and Curtis Burkett (Zenith), who will now guide Trinidad and Tobago’s under-21 teams in upcoming regional and international competitions.

Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, has secured his spot in the men’s 50-meter backstroke final at the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup. The third leg of the competition, held in Toronto, Canada, saw Carter deliver a strong performance during the morning session on October 24. Swimming in heat five, Carter clocked an impressive 23.15 seconds, earning him second place. Hungary’s Hubert Kos claimed the top spot in the heat with a time of 22.90 seconds, while American swimmer Jack Alexy finished third in 23.38 seconds. All three athletes will now compete in the final, scheduled for 6:33 PM on the same day, with Carter positioned in lane six. Kos enters the final as the fastest qualifier from the preliminary rounds, followed by Kacper Stokowski, who won heat four with a time of 23.02 seconds. Carter, whose time ranked fourth in the prelims, aims to improve his performance and secure his third medal of the competition. Earlier in the tournament, Carter clinched bronze in the 50m backstroke during the first leg in Indiana, where Kos took gold with a time of 22.65 seconds. Kos also dominated the second leg in Illinois, winning gold in 22.91 seconds, while Carter finished joint-fifth in 23.17 seconds. Beyond his backstroke success, Carter also earned a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle final during the second leg of this year’s Swimming World Cup.