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West Indies cricket legends Samuel Badree and Jason Mohammed have transformed their sporting success into a heartwarming community initiative, bringing festive cheer to children in their hometown of Barrackpore. The former international cricketers organized a mobile toy drive on December 22nd, distributing gifts to nearly 1,000 children throughout the southern Trinidad community.

Badree, a two-time T20 World Cup champion renowned for his spin bowling, partnered with Mohammed, the region’s record-breaking Super50 Cup batsman, to create the ‘BASE with JASE’ annual charity event. Using a specially designated truck, the duo navigated through Barrackpore and surrounding areas, delivering toys and holiday hampers to deserving children.

The initiative, now in its third consecutive year, originated from the athletes’ desire to give back to the community that supported their cricketing journeys from grassroots to international acclaim. Stacy Badree, wife of the West Indies star, expressed profound gratitude via social media to the numerous contributors who made the event possible.

“What began as a simple idea three years ago has evolved into a cherished annual tradition,” she noted in a Facebook post. “The continuous growth of this initiative reflects both athletes’ deep appreciation for their roots and their commitment to nurturing the next generation through acts of kindness and community spirit.”

The event has gained increasing support each year from friends, family, and local supporters who contribute resources to ensure the drive’s success. The cricketers’ personal involvement in distributing gifts underscores their hands-on approach to community engagement, demonstrating that their leadership extends far beyond the cricket pitch.

Under the tactical guidance of coach Todd Ryan, Miscellaneous Police FC has emerged as the surprise package of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season, combining physical enforcement with attacking flair to claim top position in the standings. The lawmen’s squad currently holds a two-point advantage over defending champions Defence Force, having scored a league-equaling high of 21 goals alongside Club Sando through nine matches.

The team’s transformation stems from a strategic offseason that blended veteran international experience with youthful exuberance. Ryan’s recruitment of emerging talents including midfielder Isaiah Hudson (25), right back Jardel John (23), winger Kelon Williams (20), and goalkeeper Raheem Lee (25) has injected fresh energy and competitive intensity into the roster. “We wanted to balance international experience with young players who could learn yet still bring energy and pace,” Ryan explained to Newsday.

Police’s offensive success has been a collective effort, with scoring distributed across multiple attackers. Flanker Kadeem Hutchinson leads with five goals, while forwards Kwesi ‘Jep’ Allen and Mickaeel Jem Gordon have contributed four each. Veteran playmaker Joevin Jones has added crucial goals, including a dramatic last-minute winner against Caledonia AIA on December 14.

Ryan emphasizes that no attacking player has a guaranteed starting position, maintaining competitive pressure through performance-based selection. Defensively, the team relies on experienced campaigners like Elijah Belgrave, Kaydon Gabriel, Martieon Watson, and Mekeil Williams, with Lee capably filling in for injured veteran goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.

The team faces a critical Boxing Day test against fourth-placed Prisons FC, who started the season with five consecutive wins before encountering recent difficulties. Ryan acknowledges the threat posed by Prisons’ quality striker Ricardo John and their overall fitness, vowing not to take the challenge lightly.

Beyond immediate results, Ryan identifies securing a top-two finish and Concacaf Caribbean Cup qualification as the primary season objectives, while acknowledging the squad’s ambition to finally capture silverware after several seasons among the league’s elite.

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, Spartans TT Basketball Club has extended its impact beyond the court by distributing 25 comprehensive Christmas hampers to families in the Clarke Rochard area. This philanthropic endeavor provided essential sustenance and household necessities to alleviate financial pressures during the festive season, embodying the organization’s core philosophy of athletic excellence coupled with social responsibility.

The hamper distribution initiative represents a strategic component of Spartans’ multifaceted community development program, demonstrating how sports organizations can serve as catalysts for positive social change. Through the collaborative efforts of players, parents, and club supporters, the project successfully mobilized resources to assist vulnerable families during the holiday period.

Garvin Warwick, President of Spartans TT, articulated the club’s community-centered ethos: ‘Our identity extends far beyond basketball competitions. This hamper drive exemplifies our fundamental belief that sports should serve as a vehicle for inspiration and tangible community support. We’re profoundly grateful to all contributors who enabled us to touch 25 families this Christmas.’

The club’s approach emphasizes holistic athlete development, cultivating not only sporting proficiency but also nurturing compassionate leadership qualities among its members. This initiative reinforces Spartans TT’s commitment to creating well-rounded individuals who recognize their capacity to effect meaningful change in society.

As the club concludes one of its most transformative years both competitively and communally, such outreach programs underscore Spartans TT’s enduring dedication to strengthening community bonds and improving lives throughout Trinidad and Tobago through the powerful medium of sports.

Trinidad and Tobago’s chess prodigy Ty Humphrey emerged as the undisputed champion in the Under-10 Absolute category at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival held in Puerto Rico from December 15-20. The young master achieved a perfect unbeaten record throughout the tournament, conceding only a single draw against Jamaica’s Rajvir Shergil during his dominant performance.

Humphrey’s gold medal accomplishment builds upon his previous success at last year’s Youth Chess Festival in El Salvador where he secured a silver medal. His victory established a strong foundation for Trinidad and Tobago’s 19-member delegation that competed across multiple age categories from under-8 to under-18.

The tournament featured intense competition with over 200 participants representing 22 national federations. St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shetty Vedant captured second position in the Under-10 Absolute category, while Panama’s Jarrin Zhang Dominick Young Hen completed the podium in third place.

Trinidad and Tobago’s contingent demonstrated considerable depth across various competitions. Catherine Ali delivered an impressive performance in the girls’ under-10 category, finishing fourth on tie-breaks with four victories and four draws. In the Under-16 Absolute category, Candidate Master Kael Samuel Bisnath secured seventh position with 5.5 points.

The Blitz Chess Championship on December 19 saw additional strong showings from the Trinidad and Tobago team. Ilyas Hosein claimed bronze in the Under-8 Absolute category, while multiple athletes including Humphrey, Ali, and Naomi Clement achieved fourth-place finishes in their respective divisions.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) provided comprehensive support through coaching staff including Fide Master Joshua Johnson and Candidate Master Dev Soondarsingh. TTCA president Sandy Razark contributed to the event’s organizing committee, while third vice president Sadiqah Razark—recently elevated as Trinidad and Tobago’s sole female arbiter—served on the arbiter team.

The TTCA officially congratulated all players, coaches, and parents for their commendable international performance and acknowledged sponsor C3 Centre for continued support in developing youth chess programs.

The Promenade Chess Club is preparing to conclude its competitive season with a prestigious Grand Tour finale at Valpark Plaza in Valsayn on December 28. This culminating event will feature multiple competitive divisions with significant financial incentives and recognition awards for top performers.

In the open category, players will compete for substantial monetary rewards, including a $1,200 top prize for the champion, $800 for the runner-up, and $500 for third place. The tournament will also recognize exceptional talent within the Promenade Chess Club itself, awarding $300 to the club’s top performer, $400 to the best junior member, and $300 to the leading women’s competitor.

Youth participants will receive special recognition through trophies and medals. The Under-12 division will award trophies to the top three finishers, while the Under-8 category will distribute medals to its leading contenders. Additionally, the first 100 registered participants will receive complimentary pizza and ice cream.

Registration fees are set at $120 for senior players and $110 for junior competitors. Participants can process payments through organizer Hayden Lee’s chequing account (340045180501) or obtain additional information via email at haydenlee21@yahoo.com or telephone at 780-2437.

The tournament enjoys support from several corporate sponsors including Radica Trading, Basic Transport, Marios, Galactica, KFC, and TYCO Farms, ensuring a well-supported and professionally organized competitive event.