分类： sports

In a display of relentless determination, Trinidad and Tobago’s national men’s basketball team concluded their FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup campaign in León, Mexico, over the weekend with two narrow defeats that eliminated them from knockout stage contention. The four-man squad, featuring Chike Augustine, Tyrik Singh, and the Boyd brothers—Akheel ‘Smally’ Boyd and Ahkeem ‘Fato’ Boyd—fought vigorously in Pool C but ultimately fell short against formidable North and South American opponents.

The team’s opening match on November 28 saw a hard-fought 21-16 loss to Canada, followed by an equally intense 21-17 defeat against Argentina later that same day. Ahkeem Boyd emerged as a standout performer against Argentina, delivering a game-high ten points with remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, sinking four of six two-point attempts. His offensive prowess kept Trinidad and Tobago competitive throughout the contest, while brother Akheel contributed six points despite struggling from perimeter range.

Facing elimination, Trinidad and Tobago opened strong against Argentina, establishing an early 4-0 lead within the first ninety seconds courtesy of baskets from Ahkeem Boyd and Augustine. The team continued to maintain momentum, reaching ten points first and extending their advantage to 12-7 when Ahkeem connected on his third two-pointer. However, Argentina’s balanced attack—led by Juan Fernandez (7 points), Alejo Maggi (6 points), and Martin Molina (5 points)—methodically closed the gap, tying the game at 12-12 before eventually seizing control in the final minutes.

With the score knotted at 17-17 and under two minutes remaining, Argentina executed a decisive finish. Molina converted two critical free throws to establish a 19-17 lead, before Santino Mazzucchelli sealed the victory with consecutive baskets, ending Trinidad and Tobago’s tournament hopes.

Canada and Argentina advanced from Pool C, with Canada ultimately progressing to the semifinals. Argentina was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the United States, who claimed both the men’s and women’s championships with a dominant 21-14 victory.

In a significant development for Caribbean boxing, Trinidad and Tobago’s Anthony Joseph launched his professional career with a hard-fought victory over Venezuelan opponent Angel Hernandez. The six-round bout, which captivated spectators at the Simeon Road Basketball Court in Petit Valley on November 29, culminated in a points decision favoring the 30-year-old Trinidadian boxer.

The event, organized by Golden Fist Promotions as their second Fight Night installment, represented more than just a single victory. It signaled a potential renaissance for professional boxing in the twin-island nation, with newly appointed Trinidad Boxing Board of Control (TBBC) chairman Kirt Sinnette hailing the occasion as a watershed moment.

Sinnette, a former Olympian who assumed leadership on November 5, characterized the event as “the rebirth of professional boxing in TT” and emphasized its symbolic importance following his recent appointment. Through an official release dated December 1, the chairman extended congratulations to promoters for delivering what he described as an “exceptional Pro-Am event.”

The fight card featured nine additional bouts beyond Joseph’s professional debut, showcasing emerging talent from across the region. Trinidadian boxers Eyed George and Jeremiah Thomas secured victories against Barbadian opponents Kemara Stewart and Charles Cox respectively, highlighting the event’s regional appeal. Other triumphant fighters included Joshua James, Jeromy Rodolfo (both HIIT FITT), Jahem Alexander, Joshua De Silver (Golden Fist), Aiden Rampaul (Edson Breedy Athletics), Mark Ramsingh (Fight Factory), and Abdul Taylor (Biomel).

The TBBC expressed commitment to developing strategic partnerships with gyms, promoters, and regional federations, outlining an ambitious vision to establish Trinidad and Tobago as the Caribbean’s premier professional boxing destination. This roadmap includes creating an athlete-centered professional ecosystem, boosting sport tourism through internationally recognized events, and generating sustainable opportunities for athletes and stakeholders.

Veteran cricketer Jason Mohammed concluded his distinguished career with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force under emotionally challenging circumstances this past weekend. The 39-year-old batsman, who holds the record as the leading run-scorer in Super50 Cup history, managed only 12 runs in his final appearance before suffering a soft dismissal. His departure coincided with a devastating nine-wicket loss against Barbados Pride at Brian Lara Stadium, marking an unfortunate conclusion to an otherwise remarkable career.

Psychological pressures inherent in retirement matches significantly impacted Mohammed’s performance. The emotional weight of his final inter-territorial game created heightened anxiety, disrupting the mental equilibrium essential for elite athletic performance. This psychological interference often manifests in uncharacteristic strokes and diminished concentration, precisely what occurred during Mohammed’s farewell innings.

Despite the disappointing conclusion, Mohammed’s legacy remains untarnished. His career featured captaincy of the West Indies white-ball team and consistent performance as both a reliable batsman and valuable off-spinner. Alongside contemporaries Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo—two other exceptionally talented batsmen identified as future stars during their under-19 days—Mohammed represented the Caribbean’s cricketing promise, though all three arguably underachieved relative to their potential.

The match itself demonstrated Barbados Pride’s tactical superiority. After winning the toss, Barbados capitalized on a challenging pitch characterized by variable bounce, significant turn for spinners, and seam movement for pacers. Bowlers Joshua Bishop and Dominic Drakes excelled with nagging lengths that stifled Red Force’s scoring opportunities, while Trinidad’s bowlers failed to adapt their tactics to the improving batting conditions, ultimately bowling with insufficient accuracy and strategic variation.

In a commanding display of football prowess, Club Sando ascended to the top of the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings with a decisive 3-0 triumph over San Juan Jabloteh at Mahaica Sporting Complex on November 30. Under the strategic guidance of coach Angus Eve, Sando delivered their fifth victory in six seasonal outings, demonstrating both offensive flair and defensive solidity.

The match unfolded with Sando establishing early dominance, particularly through the dynamic wing play of Real Gill, who consistently dismantled Jabloteh’s defensive structure. After creating several promising opportunities, Sando broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when striker Tarik Lee clinically finished from close range—marking his seventh goal of the campaign—following exquisite combination play between Gill and midfielder Keron Cornwall.

Gill continued to orchestrate Sando’s attacking maneuvers, nearly doubling the advantage moments later with a perfectly weighted pass to captain Shervohnez Hamilton, only to be denied by an exceptional point-blank save from Jabloteh goalkeeper Justin Dos Santos. Sando’s first-half pressure yielded additional near-misses, including Gill’s curling strike that rattled the crossbar at the half-hour mark.

Despite brief second-half resistance from Jabloteh—including threatening attempts from winger Andell Fraser and center forward Malachi Webb—Sando maintained control. The victory was sealed through two late goals from Luke Phillips, who first headed home from Gill’s precision free-kick delivery in the 79th minute before completing his brace five minutes later with a low left-footed finish after Gill dispossessed Jadon McShine.

The result propelled Sando to first place with 15 points, tied with Prisons but superior in goal difference (+16 versus +7). In the evening’s secondary fixture, Police FC secured a 2-0 victory over Point Fortin Civic through goals from Mickaeel Gordon and Isaiah Hudson, consolidating their third-place position with 13 points.

In a compelling display of pace bowling under overcast conditions, the West Indies cricket team seized control on a rain-interrupted first day of the opening Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on December 2, 2025. The visitors’ decision to bowl first proved immediately rewarding as veteran pacer Kemar Roach struck in the very first over, dismissing Devon Conway for a duck with a catch at second slip.

The New Zealand innings struggled to gain momentum throughout the day, eventually stuttering to 231 for nine at stumps. Captain Kane Williamson provided the most substantial resistance with a composed 52, while Michael Bracewell contributed a valuable 47. Their efforts, however, were consistently undermined by a disciplined West Indian bowling attack that capitalized on favorable swinging conditions.

Jamaican debutant Ojay Shields emerged as a standout performer, claiming two crucial wickets for 34 runs in an impressive introduction to Test cricket. His first Test wicket came when he clean-bowled Tom Blundell for 29, this time avoiding the no-ball that had earlier denied him Williamson’s wicket. All-rounder Justin Greaves provided excellent support with two wickets for 35 runs, including the prized scalp of Williamson shortly after he reached his half-century.

The day’s proceedings concluded dramatically when last man Jacob Duffy was struck on the helmet by a Roach bouncer, prompting the umpires to suspend play due to deteriorating light conditions. With Shields, Greaves, and Roach leading the attack, the West Indies will resume day two in a commanding position, needing just one wicket to conclude the New Zealand innings.