分类： sports

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership is reaching a pivotal stage as the top four teams gear up for their round 11 matches on October 18, each aiming to secure three crucial points in their quest for the 2025 title. League leaders Naparima College, boasting an unbeaten record with 24 points, face a challenging encounter against fifth-placed Queen’s Royal College (QRC) at QRC’s home ground. Naparima, fresh off a dominant 4-1 victory over reigning champions Fatima College, are determined to maintain their flawless run and continue their defensive prowess, having conceded only two goals this season. Meanwhile, QRC, with 16 points, has struggled recently, suffering back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Fatima and Trinity Moka, and will need to regroup to challenge the league leaders. Second-placed Fatima College (22 points) seeks to rebound from their mid-week loss as they host Signal Hill Secondary, while third-ranked Presentation College San Fernando (21 points) faces a tough test against St Anthony’s College. Fourth-placed St Benedict’s College (18 points) also has a challenging fixture against San Juan North, who are coming off a 4-0 victory. Other matches in round 11 include St Mary’s College versus Trinity Moka, St Augustine Secondary against Scarborough Secondary, and Malick’s clash with Arima North. With the standings tightly contested, every match could prove decisive in the race for the championship.

The West Indies men’s Under-19 cricket team is set to clash with their English counterparts in a high-stakes seven-match Youth One-Day International (ODI) series from November 16 to December 1 at the Grenada National Stadium in St George’s. This announcement, made by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on October 16, comes on the back of the Windies’ thrilling 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team last month. The series is a pivotal part of the West Indies’ preparation for the International Cricket Council Men’s Under-19 World Cup, scheduled for January 2026. Originally planned for St Vincent and the Grenadines, the venue was shifted to Grenada due to scheduling conflicts with the National Sports Council. CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized the importance of the series, stating that it aligns with the regional body’s strategy to expose young players to high-quality competition. ‘The recent win against Sri Lanka has already boosted the team’s confidence, and this series against England will further hone their skills and match awareness,’ Bascombe remarked. Both teams will arrive in Grenada on November 8, with three days of training and a warm-up match against a Grenada Under-25 select XI on November 12. All matches will commence at 9 am.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy and ODI captain Shai Hope are confident as they prepare to face Bangladesh in the first of a three-match ODI series at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on October 18. Despite Bangladesh’s recent struggles in ODI cricket, including a 2-1 loss to Sri Lanka in June and a 3-0 defeat against Afghanistan last week, Sammy and Hope emphasized that past results will have little bearing on the upcoming matches. West Indies, on the other hand, have had a mixed year, with a 1-1 series tie against Ireland in May, a 3-0 loss to England in June, and a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in August. The last encounter between the two teams in December 2024 saw West Indies sweep Bangladesh 3-0 at home. Sammy warned that Bangladesh remains a formidable opponent in their home conditions, urging his team to play exceptionally well to secure a win. The series is crucial for West Indies as they aim to accumulate points for automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa. Hope highlighted the importance of adapting to the subcontinental conditions, noting that the pitch could be tricky. Despite some concerns, Sammy expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparation, which included a high-performance camp in Chennai. Hope assured that senior players would guide the younger ones through the challenging conditions, emphasizing the need to focus on the present rather than past results.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has passionately defended the legacy and identity of West Indies cricket, asserting that its historical significance and influence remain undiminished despite recent on-field struggles. Speaking ahead of the first One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on October 18, Sammy addressed concerns about the fading relevance of the ‘idea of West Indies’ among younger generations. He emphasized that the West Indies brand is one of the most successful and respected in cricket history, recalling its era of dominance that inspired fans worldwide. Sammy, a former captain who led the team to two ICC T20 World Cup titles, acknowledged the team’s current challenges but framed them as part of the natural cycles experienced by all cricketing nations. He pointed to recent setbacks, including a 2-0 Test series loss to India and a surprising T20 series defeat to Nepal, as part of this transitional phase. Despite these difficulties, Sammy expressed confidence in the next generation of players and administrators working to restore the region’s cricketing pride. He highlighted the team’s historical impact, noting how West Indies cricket has inspired aspiring players globally, including in Bangladesh. Sammy concluded by reaffirming his belief in the enduring legacy of the maroon, stating that the West Indies brand remains a source of pride and inspiration, far from being a ‘failing’ one.

In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Bangladesh secured a decisive 74-run victory over the West Indies in the opening match of their three-match ODI series on October 18 in Mirpur. Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Bangladesh faced early setbacks as their openers, Soumya Sarkar and Said Hosein, fell cheaply within the first three overs. However, resilient performances from Towhid Hridoy (51), Mahidul Islam Ankon (46), and Najmul Hossain Shanto (32) steadied the innings, with late contributions from Rishad Hossain (26) and skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz (17) pushing the total to 207. The West Indies’ bowling attack, led by Jayden Seales (3/48), Justin Greaves (2/32), and Roston Chase (2/30), showed promise but couldn’t contain the hosts. Chasing 208, the West Indies began strongly with openers Brandon King (44) and Alick Athanaze (27) laying a solid foundation. However, the middle and lower order crumbled under pressure, with Rishad Hossain’s exceptional 6/35 dismantling the visitors. The West Indies were eventually bowled out for a mere 133 in 39 overs. The second ODI is scheduled for October 21, with Bangladesh looking to extend their lead in the series.

The Cascade Community Centre is set to host a thrilling judo tournament on October 18, marking the first event of its kind in six years organized by the Queen’s Park Judo Club (QPJC). This eagerly anticipated competition coincides with the club’s upcoming 30th anniversary in 2026, making it a significant milestone for the judo community. Approximately 40 judokas will take to the mat, demonstrating their strength, skill, and sportsmanship in a celebration of the martial art. The tournament will feature both traditional judo matches and submission grappling, reflecting the growing interest in grappling disciplines nationwide. In a nod to judo’s roots, the event will revive traditional contest rules, including leg-grabs as practiced by the Kodokan in Japan, offering a refreshing alternative to the Olympic-style format. Highlighting the event, former Olympian Christopher George, the first judoka from the country to compete in the 2016 Olympics, will face off against Xavier Jones, a former world-ranked cadet judoka. Additionally, young talents Adam Laing and Ky-Lynn Smith, both 13, will showcase their skills, promising an exciting display of judo’s future. The tournament begins at 10 am, with registration closing at 6 pm on October 17. Established on November 7, 1996, QPJC continues to foster judo excellence and community engagement.