分类： sports

The 2026 Keshorn Walcott Golden League Athletics series commenced with spectacular performances at Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua on January 4, where Cougars Track and Field established an early championship pedigree by securing eleven victories across multiple age categories.

Cougars’ supremacy manifested most prominently in sprint and middle-distance disciplines. Azailya Waldron ignited the club’s success with a blistering 9.11-second finish in the U11 girls 60m, leading a podium sweep that saw teammates Amirah Greene (9.31s) and Sarah Llewellyn (9.52s) capturing second and fourth places respectively. Joel Diaz replicated this dominance in the boys’ equivalent, storming to victory in 8.95 seconds.

The club’s middle-distance prowess shone through Arthur Caleb and Gill Liam’s commanding one-two finish in the U13 boys 800m (2:45.47 and 3:07.53), while Seth Sylvester added another title in the U15 boys 800m (2:32.67). Nyla Kerr demonstrated exceptional form in the U17 girls 800m (2:25.61), and Charis McKie concluded Cougars’ stellar day with a dominant 2:31.98 performance in the U20 girls 800m.

Memphis Pioneers emerged as formidable challengers, with Eden Chee Wah delivering a spectacular double victory in the U17 girls’ 60m (7.87s) and 200m (25.36s). Imani Mills edged a competitive U20 girls’ 60m field in 7.67s, while Josiah Kaiten achieved sprint double glory in the U15 category (60m in 7.62s, 200m in 23.56s).

Pace and Performance completed the top three teams, highlighted by Keanna Cummings’ U15 girls 60m triumph (8.35s), Aaliyah Griffith’s 800m victory (2:44.21), and Renaldo Le Gendre’s impressive U17 boys 800m win (2:12.03).

The athletic spectacle now progresses to subsequent rounds at Shaw Park, Tobago (January 18), Toco Secondary Grounds (January 31), Mahaica Sporting Complex (February 14), culminating at Diego Martin Sporting Complex on March 14 for the championship finale.

A pointed critique has emerged regarding the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) recent failure to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under head coach Dwight Yorke. The commentary, presented in a letter to the editor, calls for a fundamental strategic shift in the national team’s development philosophy.

The core argument posits that the future of Trinidad and Tobago football hinges on constructing a squad primarily composed of young, home-based players. The author contends that foreign-based professionals often approach domestic matches with a lack of competitive seriousness, treating them as ‘fete matches’ where the outcome is secondary to the experience. This mentality, it is argued, is detrimental to building a cohesive and results-oriented national team.

In a staunch defense of the current leadership, the letter concludes with a firm endorsement to ‘Keep Yorke,’ suggesting that the project requires time and a renewed focus on local talent. The message is underscored by a stark competitive ultimatum: ‘Winning is not everything. It is the only thing.’ This perspective advocates for a long-term rebuilding strategy centered on domestic leagues, with the aim of developing experience and cohesion for future World Cup campaigns, specifically looking ahead to 2030.

In a pivotal rescheduled fixture of the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL), reigning champions Defence Force stand poised to claim the top position in the 2025/26 standings. On January 7th, the unbeaten military outfit will confront eighth-placed Caledonia AIA at St James Police Barracks in an 8 pm kickoff.

Under the guidance of coach Devorn Jorsling, Defence Force has demonstrated remarkable consistency with seven victories and two draws from nine matches. With 23 points currently, a triumph would propel them past both Miscellaneous Police FC (25 points) and Club Sando (24 points), establishing a one-point advantage despite having two games in hand.

The team’s momentum surged recently with a 3-1 victory over San Juan Jabloteh on January 3rd, featuring goals from Kaihim Thomas, Isaiah Garcia, and returning captain Kevin Molino. This match carried added narrative weight as former Defence Force standout Isaiah ‘Bongo’ Leacock scored on his Jabloteh debut before celebrating provocatively toward his former coach.

Meanwhile, the evening’s opening encounter at 6 pm features a resurgent Eagles FC against bottom-dwelling Terminix La Horquetta Rangers. Eagles ride a three-match winning streak against 1976 FC Phoenix, Jabloteh, and Caledonia, seeking to continue their ascent from ninth position. The Rangers struggle profoundly with merely one victory this season, creating a compelling contrast of fortunes.

Current TTPFL Tier One Standings (selected):
1. Police FC – 25 pts (11 matches)
2. Club Sando – 24 pts (11 matches)
3. Defence Force – 23 pts (9 matches)
4. Prisons FC – 22 pts (11 matches)
8. Caledonia AIA – 10 pts (9 matches)
9. Eagles FC – 10 pts (10 matches)
12. La Horquetta Rangers – 5 pts (10 matches)

Amidst the rising popularity of shorter cricket formats, Test cricket continues to demonstrate its unparalleled strategic depth and enduring appeal. Unlike limited-overs variations, the traditional five-day format presents a complex battle of wits between bowler and batsman, where field placement ingenuity and pitch characteristics create a dynamic sporting theater that purists consider cricket’s ultimate expression.

The essence of Test cricket lies in its unrestricted tactical freedom. Captains enjoy complete autonomy in field positioning (with the singular exception of limiting two fielders behind square leg), enabling sophisticated traps designed to induce batting errors. This strategic dimension transforms each delivery into a psychological duel where bowlers deploy deceptive variations while batsmen must constantly assess defensive and offensive options.

Recent Australia-England Test matches highlighted how pitch preparation dramatically influences outcomes. The Melbourne Test witnessed an astonishing 36 wickets falling within 142 overs, leaving groundsmen and players astonished. Curator Matt Page acknowledged that leaving 10mm of grass proved excessive, demonstrating how human judgment in pitch preparation becomes an integral game element.

Pitch conditions interact profoundly with weather patterns—sunny humidity versus cloud cover affects moisture retention and grass characteristics, requiring careful water management to maintain playing quality across five days. These variables demand batsmen develop technical adaptability while offering bowlers constantly evolving advantages based on surface conditions.

The format’s popularity remains robust, evidenced by Melbourne’s record-breaking attendance exceeding 97,000 spectators across two days during recent Tests. This sustained enthusiasm contrasts with T20’s constraints, where bowlers face four-over limitations and field placements are standardized, reducing strategic complexity.

Test cricket’s enduring appeal resides in its nuanced drama, technical variety, and uncompromising examination of skill—qualities that continue to captivate players and spectators despite evolving sporting preferences.

Shiva Boys’ Hindu College is poised to compete in Trinidad and Tobago’s elite secondary school cricket circuit as they enter the 2026 PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) premier I division. Their promotion follows a triumphant 2025 season where they clinched the south championship division title.

Team manager Shane Lutchman confirmed the squad has undergone intensive training since September in preparation for the upcoming 50-over competition. “We have been putting in the work. Now it is approaching the season, so we are hoping for the best,” Lutchman stated, acknowledging the challenge ahead.

The premier I division features eight teams this year—down from ten—due to financial and logistical considerations. This condensed format also accommodates students’ academic commitments during CSEC and CAPE mock examinations. Shiva Boys will compete against established cricketing institutions including Queen’s Royal College, Presentation College Chaguanas, Presentation College San Fernando, Hillview College, Naparima College, St Mary’s College, and Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College.

Lutchman emphasized the importance of mental acuity alongside technical skills: “Players must consistently outthink their opponents. We’ve built a versatile squad where every member can contribute with the bat, supported by a diverse bowling attack featuring pacers and specialized spinners.”

Key players include medium-pacers Jaden Seurattan and Justin Hamid, complemented by left-arm spinners Sajiv and Adam Ghuran. Mickhel Sookdeo, another left-arm spinner, returns after an impressive 2025 season. The team retains most of its championship-winning roster, with Kiran Singh and Antonio Bachoo also expected to provide leadership.

The SSCL has restructured its format, renaming the championship division as premier II with north and south subdivisions. Winners from each will earn promotion to the 2027 premier I competition.

Shiva Boys’ last participated in the top division in 2022. Their return begins later this month as they face Trinidad’s most formidable school cricket programs.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force head coach Rayad Emrit has issued a clarion call to domestic cricketers, emphasizing that exceptional performances in the upcoming local club season could secure coveted spots on the national squad for the West Indies Four-Day Championships commencing in April. With the regional tournament undergoing a shortened format and a later start this year, Emrit underscored a critical window of opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim.

Despite finishing third in the 2025 championship behind champions Guyana Harpy Eagles and runners-up Barbados Pride, the Red Force management is not complacent. Emrit highlighted the importance of building a deep, competitive squad where reserve players exert significant pressure on the starting XI. ‘It is very important that your backup players are as good as your players on the field,’ Emrit stated. ‘If your reserves are very strong, then it puts a lot of pressure on the playing XI. It is good to have that headache.’

Emrit explicitly warned against mediocrity, setting a high performance threshold for national selection. He asserted that averaging below 30 in club cricket is insufficient for regional success, signaling a shift towards a meritocracy based on tangible results. ‘We are not going to settle for mediocrity… We are not going to pick guys who are averaging 20 and 25 in club cricket to represent the national team. It is not going to work like that,’ he declared.

Identifying specific talent, Emrit named several promising players on the selection radar, including Shatrughan Rambaran, Abdul-Raheem Toppin, Aadian Racha (currently with the West Indies Under-19 team), and Brendan Boodoo, another West Indies Under-19 alumnus. Their inclusion, however, is contingent upon consistent high-level performances in the National League competition set to begin in the coming weeks.

Preparations for the regional campaign are set to intensify, with training sessions scheduled to commence on January 8. The initial phase will concentrate on elevating fitness, strength, conditioning, and mental fortitude—an area Emrit believes requires significant enhancement. Reflecting on the previous season, he conceded that the Guyana Harpy Eagles possessed a superior fitness level, a competitive edge the Red Force aims to develop. Following this conditioning period, the squad will engage in net sessions and trial matches to finalize team selection.

As the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas intensify preparations for back-to-back regional cricket tournaments, head coach Merissa Aguilleira has identified mental complacency as the primary obstacle her squad must overcome. The team is currently in final training camp ahead of the Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze competition, scheduled for January 13-24 at Arnos Vale Playing Field in St Vincent, which will be immediately followed by the condensed CG United Women’s Super50 Cup from January 27-31.

The TT squad, which captured last year’s Super50 title with a decisive seven-wicket victory over Barbados, finished a disappointing fifth in the 2025 T20 Blaze. This inconsistency has prompted strategic adjustments to both training methods and mental approach under Aguilleira’s leadership.

‘Players aren’t lacking in technical preparation—they’ve been executing superbly in both formats, demonstrating powerful hitting and intelligent running between wickets,’ Aguilleira stated in a January 6 interview. ‘The critical challenge is maintaining consistency and avoiding complacency during high-pressure situations.’

The 14-member squad boasts considerable experience with captain Karishma Ramharack—named TTCB’s 2025 Female International Cricketer of the Year—leading a group that includes legendary off-spinner Anisa Mohammed alongside veterans Britney Cooper and Lee Ann Kirby. The team also features promising young talent with 18-year-old Samara Ramnath and 15-year-old leg-spin prodigy Shriya Jairam.

Significant tactical changes have been implemented following post-season evaluation, particularly in batting strategy. The recruitment of renowned Caribbean batting coach Robert Samuels in September has already yielded measurable improvements according to the coaching staff.

Recognizing fitness as another crucial component, the management arranged multiple two-day matches in late December to enhance endurance and wicket preservation—essential for the condensed tournament schedule. Additional preparation included night games under lights to simulate match conditions and a final 50-over practice match against male opponents.

The team’s psychological preparation received equal attention, with a specialized sports psychology session conducted by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago on January 6. This mental conditioning comes despite the squad’s recent near-miss at the Bolivarian Games in Peru, where Aguilleira noted significant progress despite falling short of gold.

‘Our performances in Peru demonstrated we’re operating at an elevated level compared to regional counterparts,’ Aguilleira observed. ‘Maintaining composure under pressure remains our final piece of the puzzle.’

The coach acknowledged Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional status as a target for regional rivals, embracing the competitive pressure that comes with their championship pedigree. The squad departs for St Vincent on January 10, fully aware that defending their Super50 title while improving T20 performance will require both physical excellence and mental resilience.

Following Trinidad and Tobago’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under head coach Dwight Yorke, a passionate public appeal has emerged calling for strategic overhaul of the national football program.

The critique, published in Newsday’s Letters to the Editor section by Princes Town resident AV Rampersad, argues for fundamental changes in team composition and philosophy. The central recommendation advocates for building the senior squad around young, home-based talent rather than relying on foreign-based professionals, who are perceived to approach domestic matches with insufficient competitive intensity.

The letter characterizes international friendlies and home matches involving overseas players as ‘fete matches’ where the outcome becomes secondary to entertainment and celebration. This approach, the author contends, undermines serious competitive development when ‘winning is not everything—it is the only thing.’

Despite the disappointing qualification campaign, the commentary expresses support for retaining Yorke as technical director while completely reimagining player selection criteria. The argument emphasizes that experience will naturally develop through sustained international exposure for domestic league players, creating a more dedicated and affordable national pool.

The analysis concludes with forward-looking perspective, suggesting the federation should immediately begin constructing a youth-oriented squad capable of mounting a serious qualification bid for the 2030 World Cup cycle through sustained development rather than short-term solutions.

Former Trinidad and Tobago Red Force wicketkeeper-batsman Steven Katwaroo has emerged as a transformative figure in American cricket development since relocating to New Jersey in 2021. The 32-year-old now serves as head coach at Falcons Junior Sports Club in Edison, where he has engineered a comprehensive restructuring of the club’s developmental framework.

Upon arriving in the United States with foundational coaching credentials, Katwaroo immediately recognized the need for enhanced qualifications. He progressed through the coaching ranks to achieve level four specialist certification, the highest coaching designation. This educational advancement facilitated his implementation of a long-term development strategy that has dramatically elevated the club’s competitive standing.

The Falcons program has witnessed remarkable transformation under Katwaroo’s leadership. Teams that previously languished at the bottom of league standings have evolved into formidable competitors across multiple age divisions. During the 2024-2025 season, the club secured fourth position in the U13 competition and dominated the U15 preliminary rounds before advancing to the semifinals.

Katwaroo’s coaching influence now extends beyond the Falcons organization, with private online sessions servicing players across Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. His developmental roster exceeds 50 athletes, many of whom are being groomed for zonal, national, and international selection. A notable success story includes Kriti Dayalu, who progressed from complete novice to U15 national team selection within his program.

The former Red Force player’s technical expertise has attracted collaborations with international cricketers including West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and USA national player Jesse Singh. Katwaroo personally designs individualized improvement plans for each athlete while managing the entire coaching staff.

Despite his substantial workload, which includes evaluating over 150 players as a selector for the US youth development pathway and introducing cricket to approximately 600 students during International Sports Week, Katwaroo remains driven by his profound connection to the sport. “Everything I learnt and achieved in life was through cricket,” he reflects. “I owe my life to the game.”

Looking forward, Katwaroo plans to refine technical and mental training components during winter months, organize competitive tours, and provide clear pathways toward regional conference selections and national team placements. While focused on American cricket development, he remains open to future opportunities with Trinidad and Tobago or West Indies cricket organizations.