The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has announced the awarding of Olympic scholarships to six national athletes as they gear up for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. These scholarships, funded by the International Olympic Committee through its Olympic Solidarity program, aim to support athletes with high potential to qualify and compete at the highest level. Among the recipients are five seasoned Olympians—cyclists Nicholas Paul and Teneil Campbell, track athletes Jereem Richards and Leah Bertrand, and swimmer Dylan Carter—all of whom have represented Trinidad and Tobago in previous Olympic Games. Notably, two of these athletes are first-time beneficiaries of the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship. The sixth recipient is emerging cycling star Makaira Wallace, who is transitioning from junior to senior competition. Established in 1992, the Olympic Solidarity program provides financial assistance for world-class coaching, competition exposure, elite training environments, travel to qualification events, and access to medical and sport science services. TTOC president Diane Henderson emphasized the committee’s commitment to supporting athletes holistically, both on and off the field, to ensure they excel at the highest levels. Leah Bertrand, a first-time scholarship recipient, expressed her gratitude, highlighting the financial and motivational benefits of the award. Over the years, the program has supported numerous Trinidad and Tobago athletes who have gone on to achieve global success. The TTOC congratulated all six recipients and wished them continued success on their journey to the 2028 Olympics.
分类: sports
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NYC-based road runner Fevrier aims to make history for Saint Lucia
The New York City Marathon, one of the world’s premier running events, continues to draw athletes from across the globe, including a growing contingent from Saint Lucia. Among them is Ava Fevrier, a 41-year-old social work supervisor and mother, who has emerged as a trailblazer for her nation. Fevrier, who set a Saint Lucian national record earlier this year, is now on the verge of earning the prestigious Six Star Medal, awarded to runners who complete all six World Marathon Majors. Alongside her compatriot Che Odlum-de Vivenot, Fevrier is inspiring a new generation of Saint Lucian athletes.
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International coaches back Ackeem Auguste for big things
At just 22 years old, Ackeem Auguste, a promising left-handed batsman from Saint Lucia, is making waves in international cricket. Despite having only a few senior international matches under his belt, Auguste has already showcased his potential with an impressive T20 International average of 41. He made his T20I debut in September against Nepal, a series the West Indies unfortunately lost. However, he quickly bounced back, scoring his first fifty in One Day Internationals against Bangladesh. Although the West Indies lost the ODI series, they dominated the T20I contests, sweeping all three matches. Auguste, an alumnus of St. Mary’s College, is the fourth West Indies men’s player from Saint Lucia and the 104th to represent the team in T20s. Reflecting on his journey, Auguste expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to transition from Under-19 to senior cricket, calling it an honor to represent the West Indies. His childhood dream of playing for the West Indies has now become a reality, and he is determined to make a lasting impact. Auguste’s rise has not gone unnoticed. Former West Indies Under-19 captain and current West Indies Academy coach Ramesh Subasinghe praised his relentless work ethic and mindset, predicting a bright future for the young cricketer. Similarly, Toby Radford, former director of the West Indies High Performance Centre, commended Auguste’s coachability and technical improvements, attributing his success to a combination of talent and hard work. Auguste’s recent confirmation to join the MI Emirates for the 2025 DP World ILT20 further underscores his growing reputation in the cricketing world. As he prepares to take on new challenges, Auguste remains focused on honing his skills and achieving greatness on the international stage.
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Call for stronger coaching, more participation in school sports
The first term of school sports in St. Lucia is nearing its conclusion, with competitions wrapping up in team sports by the second week of November, well ahead of end-of-term exams. However, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (MYDS) is grappling with challenges in raising participation levels, coaching consistency, and overall standards. Despite these hurdles, school sports coordinator Isabel Alexander-Marquis expressed satisfaction with the term’s activities, particularly highlighting the smooth scheduling of basketball and netball tournaments at the Beausejour Indoor Facility, which remained unaffected by adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, participation rates have been a persistent issue, with only about half of the island’s 24 secondary schools involved in netball and basketball. Football, on the other hand, has seen stronger engagement, with 19 teams in the Under-16 boys’ competition and 21 in the Under-19 boys’ tournament. Alexander-Marquis attributed the low participation to staffing gaps, including a lack of dedicated coaches and limited teacher availability. She also noted that some educators may lack confidence in coaching sports, while physical education teachers often juggle multiple responsibilities. Netball coordinator Shem Maxwell echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for more schools to participate and for additional coaching support. Financial constraints and waning volunteerism have further exacerbated the staffing shortage, particularly with rising temperatures discouraging outdoor activities. Despite these challenges, both Maxwell and Alexander-Marquis observed improvements in the quality of play this year, with more competitive games and consistent progression from younger age groups to varsity levels. Alexander-Marquis urged schools to establish alumni organizations and seek support from graduates to enhance coaching, transportation, and nutrition, which could significantly boost the success of school-level and national sports programmes.
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Fatima take RBC Royal Slam basketball crown
Fatima College emerged victorious at the first-ever RBC Royal Slam College’s Basketball Tournament, held on November 9 at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. In a high-energy championship final, Fatima dominated St Mary’s College with a decisive 122-84 victory, showcasing exceptional teamwork and defensive prowess. The team’s ‘Big Three’—William Francis, Zachary Julien, and Idriis Martin—led the charge, delivering standout performances that left fans in awe. Francis achieved a remarkable triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 12 steals, seven assists, and three blocks, while Julien topped the scoring charts with 32 points. Martin also shone brightly, contributing 24 points and seven steals. Despite a valiant effort from St Mary’s Nkobi Ince, who scored 32 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, his team fell short. In the third-place playoff, Presentation College San Fernando secured a hard-fought 85-77 win over Queen’s Royal College, thanks to Michael McCarthy’s dominant double-double of 28 points and 24 rebounds. McCarthy’s stellar performance earned him the Tournament MVP award, while Francis was named Finals MVP. The event also featured electrifying halftime performances by the Studio 7 Spartans cheerleaders, adding to the festive atmosphere. The tournament concluded with a celebration of individual excellence, as players like Julien, Martin, Ince, and McCarthy were honored in the All-Star 5 lineup, alongside awards for best defensive player, most promising player, and more.
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Windies, New Zealand fourth T20 ends in no result
The highly anticipated fourth T20 match between West Indies and New Zealand was abandoned due to persistent rain on November 10 at Saxton Oval in Nelson, New Zealand. The match was called off after two rain interruptions, leaving West Indies at 38/1 after 6.3 overs. The first stoppage occurred when West Indies were 30/0 after five overs. Alick Athanaze top-scored with 21 runs, while Amir Jangoo (12 not out) and Shai Hope (3 not out) remained unbeaten at the crease. New Zealand currently lead the five-match T20 series 2-1. The final match of the series is set to take place on November 12 at University Oval in Dunedin at 8.15 pm TT time. Following the T20 series, the teams will compete in a three-match One-Day International series and a three-match Test series, promising more thrilling cricketing action.




