分类： sports

The Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) has solidified its continued commitment to youth empowerment in Trinidad and Tobago through the renewal of its strategic partnership with San Juan Jabloteh Sports Club. This collaboration represents a comprehensive approach to developing young athletes beyond their sporting capabilities, integrating financial literacy education with athletic training and character development.

During a formal ceremony marking the partnership extension, UTC was represented by executive director Nigel Edwards, chief sales and marketing officer Deyson Scott, and head of marketing Hema Ramkissoon. The San Juan Jabloteh delegation included club chairman Nirad Tewarie and general manager Phillip Fraser.

Edwards emphasized the strategic nature of the initiative, stating: “Our objective extends beyond athletic development to encompass financial empowerment. We aim to provide these young sportspeople with the essential knowledge to transform their on-field achievements into lifelong financial security, thereby building stable futures for themselves and their communities.”

The partnership features an innovative mentorship program that connects aspiring athletes with UTC professionals across various departments including finance, technology, and customer service. This exposure to real-world professional environments complements their academic pursuits and athletic training, preparing them for multifaceted success.

San Juan Jabloteh, renowned for its youth development infrastructure, offers extensive training and guidance programs that channel young talent toward positive engagement opportunities. Chairman Tewarie acknowledged the significance of UTC’s support, particularly following the club’s hiatus from the TT Professional Football League.

“UTC’s commitment provides crucial stability for our athletic development programs while strengthening community connections,” Tewarie noted. “The financial literacy workshops represent the most valuable component of this holistic model, ensuring our members emerge as well-prepared adults equipped with tools for long-term stability.”

The renewed collaboration will maintain financial education sessions for athletes and their families, synchronizing UTC’s wealth creation mission with Jabloteh’s objective of cultivating capable, well-rounded individuals. This initiative aligns with UTC’s broader financial literacy campaign that has reached approximately 2,000 citizens through 80 workshops across public and private sectors this year, including partnerships with Trinbago Knight Riders, Nicky P Batting Academy, and SporTT’s elite athlete program.

In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting landscape, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts convened a strategic meeting with national women’s cricket team captain Karishma Ramharack on December 11. The high-level discussion, attended by the ministry’s permanent secretary Penelope Bradshaw-Niles and Ramharack’s sister Mariah (a prominent broadcaster), focused on comprehensive plans to advance women’s cricket infrastructure and opportunities across the nation.

The 30-year-old cricket standout, recently honored as TTCB’s Female International Cricketer of the Year in October, brings impressive credentials to the conversation. Ramharack led Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s squad to a silver-medal performance at the recent Bolivarian Games in Peru, where the team dominated the round-robin stage with four consecutive victories before falling to Jamaica in the December 7 championship match.

According to official communications from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the dialogue centered on creating sustainable pathways for emerging female athletes, strengthening support systems, and expanding national representation opportunities. The ministry’s social media channels characterized the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to ‘elevate women’s cricket in TT’ through structural enhancements and developmental initiatives.

Ramharack responded to the ministerial engagement through her social media platform with a succinct yet powerful statement: ‘No words…just actions. Pleasure to meet the Minister of Sports!’ This encounter marks a notable collaboration between athletic leadership and government officials aimed at transforming the future of women’s cricket in the Caribbean nation.

The Caribbean sports world is grieving the passing of golf icon Peter “Scorpion” Lutchmansingh, whose remarkable six-decade career profoundly shaped Trinidad and Tobago’s golf landscape. The legendary professional, celebrated for his extraordinary talent and mentorship, passed away on December 12 after an extended period of illness.

Lutchmansingh’s incredible journey began in 1955 as a young caddy, eventually propelling him to become one of the Caribbean’s top three golfers during his competitive prime. His career reached international prominence when he competed alongside golfing royalty Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, cementing his status as a regional sporting great.

The St Andrew’s Golf Club, where Lutchmansingh nurtured generations of golfers, commemorated his extraordinary contributions. His legendary status was built not only on tournament successes but on breathtaking creativity that became his trademark. The iconic moment that earned him the “Scorpion” nickname occurred during the 1960s Jamaica Open, where he executed an impossible chip shot by strategically banking the ball off a wall directly into the hole from an severely constrained position.

Beyond his competitive brilliance, Lutchmansingh was recognized for his highly unorthodox yet devastatingly effective putting technique—consistently striking with the putter’s heel while elevating the toe. This unconventional method, combined with his precision and composure under pressure, made him a formidable opponent on any green.

In his later years, Lutchmansingh extended his influence to Tobago, dedicating himself to “Let’s Learn to Golf Tobago,” a nonprofit organization established in 2021. Founder Arifa Bansal remembered him as “more than a coach—he was a mentor, friend, and guiding light whose kindness, patience, and dedication touched every life he encountered.”

Lutchmansingh’s legacy encompasses extraordinary talent, profound humility, and lifelong dedication to nurturing future generations of golfers, leaving an indelible mark on Caribbean sports history.

The vibrant combat sports scene in Trinidad and Tobago is set to ignite as RABZ Fight Promotions presents its annual Christmas Fight Night on December 13th. The Sound Forge venue in Mucurapo will transform into an arena of athletic excellence from 7 PM to 1 AM, featuring an electrifying combination of kickboxing and mixed martial arts competitions.

This year’s event showcases three championship-caliber bouts following six preliminary matches that will set the stage for the evening’s main attractions. The fight card promises to deliver both technical mastery and raw power, highlighted by a historic trilogy fight that has captured local martial arts enthusiasts’ attention.

The heavyweight division will witness a compelling international clash as Trinidad and Tobago’s own Liam Chin Choy prepares to face Cuba’s formidable Yuray Preval in the 200+ weight class championship. Meanwhile, newly-crowned featherweight champion Zachary Gonsalves returns to defend his title against determined local challenger Damani Adams in the 145-pound division.

The most anticipated matchup of the evening features Le Shaun Moreno and Joshua James settling their rivalry in a decisive MMA welterweight trilogy bout. After splitting victories in their previous encounters, this final meeting at 170 pounds promises to deliver a conclusive chapter to their competitive saga.

The preliminary card features six exciting matchups: Varenyam Maharaj vs Levi Salloum (165lbs), Samuel Negrin vs Emmanuel Jugmohan (190lbs), Alexi Mc Deigan vs Aaimar John (145lbs), Micah Espinet vs Tyle Neptune (130lbs), Olujimi Bradshaw vs Joshua Besson (130lbs), and Nevin Byer vs Aiden Rampaul (145lbs).

RABZ Fight Promotions emphasizes that this event represents the pinnacle of Caribbean combat sports, bringing together elite athletes from multiple disciplines for a night of championship-level competition during the holiday season.

MACQUERIPE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – American collegiate scouts from Butler Community College and Murray State College have commenced a rigorous talent evaluation process at the TTDF Reserve Grounds, where numerous secondary school football prospects demonstrated their capabilities during the inaugural day of the Football Combine and Showcase on December 12.

The event, a strategic collaboration between the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) and Next Level Performance TT (NLP), featured approximately 30 female athletes in morning sessions followed by intense male competitions in the afternoon. Notable attendees included SSFL president Merere Gonzales and Trinidad and Tobago women’s national team coach Damian Briggs.

Junior Galvan, assistant coach of Butler Community College’s women’s football program, emphasized seeking “difference-makers” who demonstrate tactical intelligence and aggressive play. “I’ve seen aggressiveness, which is something that you always want to find,” Galvan told Newsday. “There’s been some really, really good ideas on and off the ball.”

Standout performers included versatile defender Kaitlyn Darwent and technical midfielder Orielle Martin, both recently featured in Trinidad and Tobago’s 5-0 Concacaf W Qualifiers victory against Barbados. Galvan specifically noted Martin’s technical excellence and Darwent’s defensive patience and reading of the game.

Murray State College’s assistant coach Grace Houchin, who oversees both men’s and women’s programs, emphasized evaluating intangible qualities beyond physical skills. “I want to see how they act when they lose the ball,” Houchin explained. “How do they talk to their teammates? I more look for things that we shouldn’t have to coach at college level.”

Houchin, who previously recruited Fatima College’s Elijah Camacho, expressed particular interest in Darwent and additionally identified promising talents including Scarlett Cole, Kimora Mitchell, and Daneelyah Salandy. The combine continues through December 14, with scouts anticipating potential recruitment agreements as early as next year.

WELLINGTON – New Zealand secured a commanding nine-wicket triumph against the West Indies within three days at Basin Reserve on December 12, propelled by fast bowler Jacob Duffy’s spectacular second consecutive five-wicket haul. The visitors’ batting lineup crumbled under pressure, dismissed for a meager 128 runs in their second innings—marking their sixth-lowest Test score against New Zealand.

The West Indies, resuming Day 3 at 32/2, initially showed resilience with overnight batters Brandon King and Kavem Hodge building a steady partnership. However, a disastrous run-out of King triggered a catastrophic collapse. Hodge’s indecision led to King being caught short of his crease by a precise throw from Michael Bracewell, swiftly followed by Shai Hope’s dismissal off Michael Rae’s simple return catch.

Duffy’s relentless attack dismantled the middle order, including skipper Roston Chase, who fell for just 2 runs. Hodge’s top-score of 35 ended abruptly with a stunning catch by substitute fielder Will Young. Despite a brief resistance from Justin Greaves (25) and Tevin Imlach, Duffy’s post-lunch breakthroughs sealed the Windies’ fate. Rae complemented Duffy’s 5/38 with 3/45, wrapping up the innings swiftly.

Chasing a trivial target of 56, New Zealand lost Tom Latham early but effortlessly reached 57/1 in just ten overs. Devon Conway’s explosive 28* (22 balls) and Kane Williamson’s composed 16* secured an unassailable 1-0 series lead, with the first Test having ended in a draw.

**Summarized Scores**:
West Indies: 205 & 128 (Hodge 35; Duffy 5/38, Rae 3/45)
New Zealand: 278/9 decl. & 57/1 (Conway 28*, Williamson 16*; Phillip 1/17)
*Result: New Zealand won by 9 wickets*