分类： sports

The opening round of the CG United Super50 Cup faced significant disruptions due to heavy rainfall in north Trinidad on November 19, 2023. Two out of the three scheduled matches were abandoned without a result, leaving teams and fans disappointed. At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Grounds in St Augustine, the clash between TT Red Force and Barbados Royals was delayed multiple times due to a wet outfield. The match eventually commenced as a 20-over contest, but rain intervened again after just 5.1 overs, forcing a no-result. Similarly, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Guyana Harpy Eagles posted a strong total of 287/6 against Jamaica Scorpions, but persistent rain prevented any further play. Cricket West Indies confirmed that all teams involved in the abandoned matches would receive two points, along with any bonus points earned. Meanwhile, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Leeward Islands Hurricanes set a formidable target of 324 against Windward Islands Volcanoes, with Kofi James scoring a century. The second round of matches is set to begin on November 21, with teams hoping for better weather conditions.

The Just Living Daily (JLD) Cycling Academy and Heatwave Cycling Club have jointly issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF), demanding the cancellation of trials scheduled for January 17, 2026, for the Pan American Track Cycling Championships. Represented by attorney Dr. Emir Crowne, the clubs argue that the trials violate the federation’s own selection policy, which mandates that trials must be held no later than 12 weeks before an international event. The championships are set to take place from February 16 to 22 in Santiago, Chile, making November 24 the latest permissible date for trials. The TTCF, however, announced on November 10 that it would proceed with trials on January 17, a decision approved during an emergency council meeting on November 17. The clubs contend that this decision disrupts athletes’ training cycles, particularly for those based abroad, and lacks procedural fairness. They also criticized the federation for proposing a 4km individual pursuit test for rider Alexi Costa-Ramirez, calling it arbitrary and biased. The letter accuses the TTCF of negligence, breach of agreement, and abuse of power, threatening legal action if the trials are not canceled and selections made in accordance with policy. The federation has until 9 am on November 21 to respond, failing which the clubs will seek an emergency injunction from the High Court of Justice.

Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team concluded their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-2 draw against Bermuda at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on November 18. The match, which was meant to be a celebratory farewell for veterans Marvin Phillip and captain Kevin Molino, turned into a tense battle as Bermuda scored twice in five minutes to take a surprising 2-1 lead. Nathaniel James equalized for the hosts in the 66th minute, but the team’s inability to secure a win left coach Dwight Yorke lamenting their lack of finishing prowess. Trinidad and Tobago finished third in Group B of the Concacaf final round with seven points, having drawn four of their six matches. Yorke acknowledged the team’s effort throughout the campaign but expressed disappointment with their final performance, calling it their worst under his leadership. The match was also marred by confusion over the scoreline, with many fans and online platforms initially believing Bermuda’s second goal had been disallowed. Despite the setbacks, Yorke remains optimistic about the team’s future, highlighting the potential of players like Levi Garcia and the benefits of recent international experience. He emphasized the need for improved preparation and a more ruthless approach in future campaigns.

While the national men’s football team captured the spotlight on November 18, the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) showcased the future stars of the sport in a series of intense matches. The First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ championship division playoffs and zonal intercol games provided thrilling action, with young athletes demonstrating their skills and determination. In the Big 5 tournament, Speyside Secondary secured their first win with a 2-1 victory over Palo Seco Secondary. Despite trailing after a goal from Kashaun Phillip, Speyside turned the game around with late strikes from Ajani Stewart and Shaquan Charles. This win propelled Speyside to third place in the standings, with Hillview College leading the pack with a perfect record and Mucurapo West Secondary in second. Speyside still has two matches remaining, facing Mucurapo and Presentation College Chaguanas, with the top three teams earning promotion to the premier division. Meanwhile, in a rescheduled premier division match, Trinity College Moka and Scarborough Secondary played to a 2-2 draw, leaving Scarborough fighting to avoid relegation. The league’s disciplinary committee is set to address St Augustine Secondary’s no-show against Signal Hill Secondary, which could impact their premier division status. In zonal intercol action, Chaguanas North Secondary avenged their earlier loss to Presentation with a 3-0 victory, while Carapichaima East Secondary advanced to the final with a 1-0 win over Carapichaima West Secondary.

Steve McClaren, the former England manager, has stepped down as head coach of Jamaica’s national football team following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Curaçao, which dashed their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, held in Kingston on November 18, saw Curaçao secure the top spot in Group B of the Concacaf zone, marking their historic first-ever World Cup qualification as the smallest nation by population to achieve this feat. Panama and Haiti also advanced from the Concacaf region. Despite finishing second in their group, Jamaica still has a chance to qualify through the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March in Mexico, where they will compete against teams from Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. McClaren announced his resignation immediately after the match, stating that his decision was “in the best interests of the team.” Reflecting on his 18-month tenure, he described leading the “Reggae Boyz” as one of the greatest honors of his career. McClaren, who previously served as an assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, emphasized the need for a fresh perspective to propel the team forward. The 64-year-old coach has a storied career, having managed clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Newcastle, QPR, Wolfsburg, and Twente Enschede.