In a landmark move to blend education with sports, St Mary’s College has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cricket library at its Serpentine Road campus in St Clair. The facility, housed within the college’s Cricket Indoor Nets, aims to foster a deeper understanding of cricket’s rich history and techniques among aspiring players. The opening ceremony saw the presence of notable figures, including West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva, current St Mary’s cricketers Dariel Deonarine and Ryan Yearwood, and cricket coach Aaron Kurbanali. Also in attendance were former teacher Rudy Balwant, Bevon Julien, son of the late West Indies legend Bernard Julien, and Reshawn Guevara, Bernard’s nephew. The library was made possible through the generous donation of over 150 books and magazines by alumnus and cricketer Nasser Khan. Coach Kurbanali emphasized the library’s role in educating young cricketers about the golden era of West Indian cricket and its heroes. As part of their training, students will engage in research assignments utilizing resources such as coaching manuals by cricketing greats like Garfield Sobers, Malcolm Marshall, and Bryan Davis, ensuring their holistic development in the sport.
分类： sports
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Chloe Fraser impresses despite World Table Tennis Youth Contender exit
Trinidad and Tobago’s rising table tennis star, Chloe Fraser, showcased her talent and determination at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender in Podgorica, Montenegro, before bowing out on October 16. Fraser’s journey in the Under-17 girls’ singles division came to an end in the round of 16 on October 14, followed by her elimination in the Under-19 singles round of 32. Despite her early exits, Fraser’s performances were commendable against some of the world’s most promising young players. Competing at the Verde Complex, Fraser began her campaign with a dominant 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Montenegro’s Katarina Franeta in Group Nine. She continued her strong form by defeating India’s Naisha Rewaskar 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 13-11) in her final group match. In the round of 32, Fraser displayed resilience with an 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 win over Israel’s Polina Ternovykh. However, her run was halted by Japan’s Yumiko Katori, who secured a straight-sets victory (11-6, 11-5, 11-6) in the round of 16. Undeterred, Fraser transitioned to the more challenging Under-19 singles division, where she secured one win out of three matches. After a tough opening loss to Japan’s Aoba Takahashi (7-11, 4-11, 7-11), Fraser bounced back with a commanding 11-3, 11-4, 11-1 win over Serbia’s Isra Milosavljevic. In the round of 32, Fraser started strong with an 11-5 first-set win against Spain’s Martina Sans, but Sans rallied to claim the match 11-4, 11-8, 11-4. Fraser’s participation in the tournament highlighted her potential and fighting spirit on the international stage.
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Makaira Wallace is TT’s first female sprinter to seal Track Worlds debut
Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging sprint cyclist, Makaira Wallace, is set to make history as the first female sprint cyclist from her nation to compete at the 2025 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, Chile, from October 22–26. Wallace, a product of the JLD Cycling Academy, has already broken barriers by becoming the first female sprint cyclist from Trinidad and Tobago to participate in a UCI Track World Cup earlier this year. At the Peñalolén Velodrome, she will compete in the sprint, keirin, and kilo time trial events, marking a significant milestone for women’s cycling in her country. Wallace described her qualification as surreal and expressed her excitement and determination to perform at her best. She has been intensively training in Canada, focusing on improving her speed and endurance. Wallace’s mother, Cori, has been a pillar of support, closely monitoring her progress and rankings. Wallace secured her spot through the UCI women elite sprint nation ranking system, finishing among the top 30 sprint nations globally, with Trinidad and Tobago ranked 21st. Joining her in Chile is her coach and former Olympian Njisane Phillip, who has come out of retirement to compete in the sprint and keirin events. Phillip, currently ranked 22nd in the UCI men’s elite sprint ranking, praised Wallace’s achievement as a breakthrough for women’s cycling in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the untapped potential within the local cycling system. Both athletes expressed gratitude to their sponsors, Pharmaco, for their support in their World Championships campaign.
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Carter looks to build on backstroke bronze from first leg of Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, is set to continue his impressive run at the second leg of the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Westmont, Illinois, USA, from October 17-19. Fresh off a commendable performance in the first leg held in Carmel, Indiana, Carter is determined to build on his momentum. In Carmel, he secured a bronze medal in the men’s 50-meter backstroke and finished fourth and fifth in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly finals, respectively. Carter’s journey in Westmont begins with the 50m freestyle heats on October 17, where he will compete in lane four of heat six, aiming to qualify for the final scheduled later that evening. In Carmel, Carter clocked 21.42 seconds in the 50m freestyle heats, improving to 21.12 seconds in the final, narrowly missing a podium finish. The event was dominated by American swimmers Chris Juliano (20.83) and Jack Alexy (20.88), with Canada’s Ilya Kharun (20.89) taking bronze. Carter will face stiff competition in Westmont, including Kharun and Bahamian Lamar Taylor, who recently claimed silver at the Junior Pan American Games. Additionally, Carter is slated to compete in the 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 50m butterfly heats over the next two days. The third leg of the Swimming World Cup will take place in Ontario, Canada, from October 23-25.
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Isabella Ramdeen cops AIB Ladies’ Golf title
In a display of resilience and skill, Trinidad and Tobago’s Isabella Ramdeen emerged victorious at the 2025 Ladies Golf Invitational, held at the St Andrews Golf Club on October 11-12. Despite relentless rainfall that plagued the Moka course over the two-day event, Ramdeen maintained her composure to secure the first flight title with a 15-over-par score across 27 holes, finishing four shots ahead of runner-up Elise Laborde. The tournament, sponsored by Agostini Insurance Brokers (AIB) Ltd, also saw Hailey Layne claim top honours in the net division, while Kahlan Francis delivered a commendable performance among the prize winners. Veteran golfer Joanne Bryden made a triumphant return to competitive play by winning the second flight, with Gail Rajack and Juliana Jodhan-Boodram securing second and third places, respectively. In the third flight, Symoniez Clouston edged out Brenda Clarke by three points under the Stableford format, while Ann Marie Forde of the Tobago Ladies clinched the newly introduced fourth flight. Despite the challenging weather, which forced early halts and shortened rounds, all four divisions successfully crowned champions. Now in its 30th year, the Ladies Golf Invitational remains a cornerstone of women’s golf in Trinidad and Tobago, showcasing inclusivity with expanded handicap ranges and tailored formats for players of all skill levels. St Andrews ladies’ captain Nicole Lawrence lauded the growing network of women’s golf groups for fostering participation and camaraderie, while AIB executive director Mark Henderson joined players in celebrating the event’s success. “The weather may have been wet, but the enthusiasm and friendship on display made for a truly memorable weekend,” Lawrence remarked.
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Grassroots cricket takes centre stage — First-ever U13 tournament launched
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA), in collaboration with the Laborie Credit Union, has unveiled a pioneering initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of cricketers. The SLNCA/Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament, a first-of-its-kind event, will bring together young athletes from 16 districts across the island for weekend softball cricket matches. This program emphasizes inclusivity, featuring both boys and girls, and aims to foster a robust cricket culture from the ground up. The tournament officially launched on October 14, with senior district teams providing mentorship and support to the young participants. Nerville Florence, SLNCA’s second vice president and head of youth cricket, highlighted that grassroots development remains the association’s top priority. He emphasized the extensive planning and dedication behind the initiative, calling it the ‘baby of the SLNCA.’ SLNCA President Wayne Auguste, who conceptualized the tournament, shared his personal connection to grassroots cricket, citing its transformative impact on his life and that of his son, Ackeem Auguste, a recent West Indies senior team selection. Auguste stressed the importance of engaging young talent early, stating that a strong grassroots system is vital for the sport’s future. The Laborie Cooperative Credit Union, the tournament’s title sponsor, reaffirmed its commitment to cricket development and community unity. President Augustin Dominique expressed pride in supporting a program that not only develops athletic talent but also strengthens communal bonds. The tournament is set to commence on October 18, with communities encouraged to rally behind their budding cricket stars.
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West Indies show grit in defeat, says Captain Chase
West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has lauded his team for their valiant effort in the second Test against India, even though they suffered a defeat and lost the two-match series. The regional team managed to extend the game into the fifth day before India secured a seven-wicket victory on Tuesday, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Despite a dismal first innings that forced the West Indies to follow on, opener John Campbell notched his maiden Test century, and Shai Hope ended an eight-year wait for a Test hundred, propelling the team to a commendable 390 in their second innings. Although this marked the Windies’ sixth loss in seven Test matches this year, Chase expressed optimism about the team’s fighting spirit, especially after their innings and 140-run defeat in the first Test. ‘This is the kind of fight I wanted to see from us. It’s a stepping stone and a building block for us to improve as a Test-playing nation,’ Chase stated during a post-match press conference. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this positive momentum, even in defeat, to extract valuable lessons from each game. However, Chase acknowledged that the team’s batting remains a critical area for improvement. ‘Our batting has let us down in the last two series. We have a strong bowling attack despite injuries, but we need to post better first-innings totals to compete in the Test Championship,’ he added. Looking ahead, Chase believes that facing top-tier teams like Australia and India provides essential preparation for upcoming series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2026. ‘These tough matches are part of our growth. If we learn from these experiences, we can be more competitive against teams closer to our ranking,’ he concluded.
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Column: Plaatsing nog mogelijk!
Suriname has emerged as a strong contender in the latest FIFA window, securing two draws and now sharing the top spot with Panama due to a superior goal difference. Despite Natio’s commendable performances, the team managed to secure only two points from these matches. While Suriname can take pride in these results, especially considering the numerous opportunities their opponents had in the away game, it is evident that the attack line requires reinforcement. Had Natio capitalized on their chances in the home game, they could have clinched a victory. The match against Panama was a different story, where Suriname could have easily faced defeat if their opponents had converted their opportunities. This underscores the urgent need for the management to recruit prolific strikers to ensure that created chances are effectively converted into goals. It is rare for teams to capitalize on every opportunity, but it is equally uncommon to squander as many chances as Suriname did. While preventing the opponent from scoring is not always possible, it is crucial to ensure that more goals are scored when opportunities arise. This is the key to securing three points, which is ultimately what matters. Unfortunately, goal-scoring remains a challenge even for professional teams. If Suriname aims to qualify for the World Cup, the attack line must perform better, as no matter how cohesive the teamwork is, without goals, victories cannot be achieved. With two matches remaining, Suriname still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup. However, converting these matches into wins and scoring more goals is crucial, especially since Panama has the same number of points, and goal difference could be decisive. In top-tier sports, there is no room for complacency or what is locally referred to as ‘tjepotie.’ Players are recruited to perform specific roles, and if they repeatedly fail to deliver, they must make way for others who are in better form. Natio is now stronger than ever, and opponents are aware of this, as evidenced by the tactics employed to negatively impact the team’s performance, such as loud music played near the hotel at night or discriminatory actions. It is high time that Natio’s growth is reflected in the final standings, as the points are essential for qualification. Lessons must be learned from the mistakes made in the last two matches without assigning blame. The limited points earned are a collective responsibility and must be addressed as such. Playing World Cup qualifiers is a new experience for all involved, and mistakes are inevitable. The key is to learn from these mistakes and find solutions collectively. In the final phase of the group matches, Natio can no longer afford any missteps. The focus must remain unwavering: World Cup participation. Qualification is still within reach!
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GFA President appointed to FIFA Technical Development Committee
Marlon Glean, President of the Grenada Football Association (GFA), has been appointed to the FIFA Technical Development Committee for the 2025–2029 term. This decision, ratified by the FIFA Council in October 2025, underscores Glean’s exceptional contributions to international football governance and highlights Grenada’s growing prominence in the global football arena. The appointment aligns with FIFA’s statutes and governance regulations, further solidifying Glean’s role as a leading advocate for football reform, innovation, and equitable development, particularly in resource-limited yet talent-rich regions like the Caribbean. Glean also serves on Concacaf’s Football Development Committee, where he influences regional strategies for advancing the sport across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In a statement, Glean expressed his honor in assuming this responsibility, emphasizing the committee’s pivotal role in shaping global football development strategies. He pledged to ensure that the perspectives and aspirations of smaller nations, including Grenada, are prominently represented in these discussions.
Glean’s appointment is a significant milestone for Grenada and the Caribbean region. The FIFA Technical Development Committee plays a crucial role in guiding the evolution of football through training methodologies, grassroots initiatives, elite youth development, and coaching education. Glean’s involvement will create a direct link between Grenada’s football ecosystem and FIFA’s strategic frameworks, ensuring the nation’s visibility and influence in global technical development decisions.
This development not only elevates Grenada’s credibility on the international football stage but also aligns with the GFA’s broader objectives. These include expanding grassroots programs, accelerating the growth of women’s football, enhancing technical capacity in coaching and officiating, and unlocking investments in local infrastructure and talent.
Glean’s appointment coincides with his increasing presence on the global football development circuit. He has recently participated in the World Football Summit in Hong Kong and is scheduled to speak at Soccerex Miami, the Africa Football Business Summit in Kenya, and the Sports Investment Forum in Saudi Arabia in May 2026. These engagements position Grenada as a thought leader in advocating for resilience, equity, and innovation in football’s future.
Glean, a former national team player, legal professional, and international development executive, brings over two decades of expertise in sports law, compliance, and governance to the committee. Prior to his GFA presidency, he served as FIFA’s Regional Development Manager for the Caribbean, overseeing football development in 22 nations.
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Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ highest-paid footballers list again
PARIS, France (AFP)—Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has once again claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid footballers for the 2025-26 season. This marks the sixth time in the past decade that Ronaldo has led the rankings, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most lucrative figures. The announcement follows closely on the heels of Bloomberg’s revelation that the 40-year-old has become football’s first billionaire. Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, is estimated to earn a staggering $280 million, combining both on-field and off-field earnings. This figure more than doubles that of his closest rival, Lionel Messi, who is projected to earn $130 million, primarily from off-field ventures rather than his on-field contributions to Inter Miami in the United States. The list also features French football icon Karim Benzema, who earns $104 million annually with Saudi club Al Ittihad, and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, Ronaldo’s teammate at Al Nassr, who takes the eighth spot with an estimated $54 million. Notably, the number of Saudi-based players in the top 10 has decreased by one compared to the previous year, following Brazilian star Neymar’s departure from Al Hilal to return to his childhood club, Santos in Sao Paulo. Neymar, who was third on the list last season with $110 million, now earns a modest $38 million, largely from off-field contracts. Despite the financial might of the English Premier League, which spent a record £2.6 billion ($3.5 billion) on transfers during the summer window, only two players from the league feature in the top 10: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in fifth place and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in seventh. Spain’s La Liga, however, boasts the most representatives in the top 10, including three Real Madrid players—Kylian Mbappe (fourth), Vinicius Jr (sixth), and Jude Bellingham (ninth)—alongside Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who rounds out the list in tenth place with $43 million. Forbes highlighted that the combined earnings of the world’s ten highest-paid footballers for the 2025-26 season are estimated at a whopping $945 million.