Fresh off their triumphant victory at the RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament on November 9, Fatima College is poised to defend their titles as the TT Schools Basketball Association (TTSBA) annual 3×3 basketball tournament kicks off on November 14. The competition will commence at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua before moving to the Maloney Indoor Sporting Arena on November 15. This year marks the debut of the boys’ under-15 division, adding a new layer of excitement to the event. Fatima College, the reigning champions in both the under-17 and under-20 divisions, will face stiff competition from over 15 teams in each category. Notable participants include Arima North Secondary, Hillview College, Queen’s Royal College, and St Benedict’s College. In the girls’ open division, Holy Name Convent Port of Spain, the defending champions, will face a determined Bishop Anstey High School, alongside other contenders like East Mucurapo Secondary and St Francois Girls’ College. Last year’s finals saw Fatima narrowly defeat Trinity College East 14-12 in the under-17 category and Hillview 13-11 in the under-20 division. Holy Name Convent secured the girls’ title in a thrilling best-of-three series against Bishop Anstey. The tournament promises to be a showcase of young talent and fierce competition.
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Molino: Hurricane trauma will spur on Jamaica
Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team captain, Kevin Molino, is acutely aware of the heightened stakes as his team prepares to face Jamaica in a pivotal Concacaf Group B FIFA World Cup qualifier on November 13. The match, set to take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo at 8 pm, carries significant implications for both teams. A victory would bring either side closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, the encounter is more than just a football match for Jamaica, as the nation seeks to uplift its citizens following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa two weeks ago. The Category 5 storm left widespread destruction, including damaged homes, downed electricity poles, and a shortage of clean water. Molino acknowledged Jamaica’s added motivation, stating, “They have a chip on their shoulder, coming here to fight and also put a smile on the Jamaicans’ faces.” He emphasized the need for Trinidad and Tobago to improve their performance in the final third of the pitch to secure a favorable outcome. Molino also addressed the absence of key players Rio Cardines and Molik Khan due to injuries, highlighting the importance of a collective effort. “It’s going to take a whole group, not just one or two players,” he said, expressing confidence in the team’s depth and preparation under the guidance of coach Dwight Yorke and assistant coach Russell Latapy. Currently, Trinidad and Tobago sit third in Group B with five points, while Jamaica leads with nine points and Curacao follows closely with eight. The group winner will secure direct qualification to the World Cup, with the runner-up advancing to the intercontinental playoffs for another shot at qualification.
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World champs medallist Baptiste throws support behind juniors
Two-time World Championship bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste delivered a powerful message of empowerment and perseverance at the National Association of Athletics Administrations’ (NAAA) annual women’s seminar-workshop, Accelerate-Her. Held on November 8 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the event aimed to inspire young female athletes to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. Baptiste, a celebrated sprinter, shared her personal journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame to achieve success in her sport. The workshop attracted over 60 in-person participants and 143 virtual attendees, fostering an inclusive environment focused on self-esteem, motivation, and personal growth. A creative vision board activity allowed participants to visually map their goals, reinforcing the importance of focus and visualization. Attendees praised the event as transformative, offering practical tools for success both on and off the track. NAAA president Ephraim Serrette reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting female athletes, addressing attrition rates and ensuring their continued engagement in athletics. The event also featured a dynamic session by sport psychologist Amanda Johnson, who emphasized confidence, self-esteem, and motivation. The NAAA expressed gratitude to sponsors and volunteers for their support in making Accelerate-Her a resounding success.
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Bmobile, TTFA team up for business end of W/Cup qualifiers
In a significant move for Trinidad and Tobago’s football aspirations, telecommunications giant Bmobile has renewed its sponsorship of the national men’s football team for the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The announcement, made on November 11, marks the revival of a historic partnership that previously supported the team during their 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany—the country’s only senior World Cup appearance to date. The sponsorship comes just ahead of crucial matches against Jamaica on November 13 and Bermuda on November 18 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. TSTT’s acting CEO, Keino Cox, emphasized the company’s commitment to national pride and unity, stating, ‘This is more than sponsorship; it is patriotism, unity, and belief in our people.’ TTFA president Kieron Edwards highlighted the importance of corporate support, noting that Bmobile’s involvement reflects confidence in the FA’s direction and efforts to revamp both on-field performance and organizational image. Bmobile’s longstanding dedication to local football includes initiatives like the National Super League title sponsorship, youth programs such as the ‘Kick It With Karyn’ tournament, and the 2018 launch of the TEGO streaming app for live World Cup matches. Currently, Trinidad and Tobago sit third in Group B of Concacaf’s final qualifying round with five points, trailing Jamaica and Curacao. The top three group winners will advance to the 2026 World Cup, with the two best second-placed teams entering FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs. This sponsorship follows a recent $100,000 contribution from Prestige Holdings Limited’s KFC brand to support the team’s preparations.
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Jordan Vieira lights up national indoor hockey tourney for Parkites
The Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board’s National Indoor tournament continued to captivate fans at the Woodbrook Youth Facility over the weekend, showcasing a series of exhilarating matches. Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) and Police emerged as standout performers, registering impressive victories across various divisions. In the men’s open category, QPCC dominated with a resounding 19-0 win against Fatima Hockey Club on November 8, followed by a 7-2 triumph over Police the next day. National players Jordan Vieira and Nicholas Siu Butt were instrumental, with Vieira scoring six goals against Fatima and a beaver-trick against Police. Siu Butt also shone, contributing significantly to both victories. In the mixed vets division, Police avenged their earlier loss to QPCC with an emphatic 8-1 win, led by Kiel Murray’s hat-trick and additional goals from Akim Toussaint, Dwain Quan Chan, and others. Meanwhile, Fatima secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over Notre Dame, with Colin Young scoring the decisive goal. The men’s Trinity division saw QPCC continue their dominance, defeating Fatima 8-1 and UWI 3-1, while SHAPE also impressed with a 7-3 win over Fatima. In the women’s Trinity division, Magnolias maintained their lead with a 6-1 win over Paragon, thanks to Samantha Olton’s hat-trick, and a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Police. The tournament is set to conclude on November 22, promising more high-stakes action.
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Quarry operators meet ministry officials through third party
The Trinidad and Tobago Aggregate Producers Alliance (TTAPA) has announced the reopening of the quarrying industry following constructive discussions with the Ministry of Energy. Nigel Tenia, president of TTAPA, revealed that the alliance has reached a “level of comfort” after indirect communications facilitated by a third party. While Tenia refrained from disclosing specific details or the identities of ministry officials involved, he emphasized that the licensing process for sand and gravel extraction is now imminent. This development marks a significant step forward for the construction and quarrying sectors, which had faced severe disruptions due to the industry’s shutdown. Tenia highlighted that the decision to resume operations was made in good faith, based on recent assurances from the ministry. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the inconsistent licensing system, which often left operators navigating a bureaucratic maze. The reopening is expected to alleviate the economic strain on approximately 3,000 to 5,000 jobs and stabilize the rising costs of aggregate materials. TTAPA, representing 24 quarry operators, also plans to expand its membership to include other legitimate businesses seeking regularization. The alliance aims to collaborate with the government to streamline licensing processes and promote industry compliance. However, Tenia clarified that the current assurances apply only to existing TTAPA members. The announcement follows a peaceful demonstration by TTAPA on November 6, where the alliance demanded government action to address long-standing regulatory issues. Despite the progress, Tenia noted that formal approvals have yet to be issued, and the ministry was not notified of the announcement beforehand. The Ministry of Homeland Security has not commented on whether the police are involved in ongoing discussions with TTAPA.
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News report: Maduro planning guerilla response if US invades
Venezuela is bracing for a potential confrontation with the United States as the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s advanced aircraft carrier, arrived in the southern Caribbean Sea on November 11. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the military to prepare for guerilla-style resistance, deploying decades-old Russian-made weapons and planning sabotage operations at over 280 locations. The strategy, termed ‘prolonged resistance,’ also includes ‘anarchisation,’ a tactic aimed at creating chaos in Caracas to make the country ungovernable for foreign forces.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced a ‘massive mobilisation’ of military personnel and equipment, with land, air, naval, and reserve forces conducting exercises through November 13. López described the deployment as a response to the ‘imperialist threat’ posed by the US military presence.
The US has been increasing its military assets in the Caribbean since August, citing the need to combat narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, particularly from Venezuela. Since September 2, the US has conducted 19 airstrikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 75 deaths. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, which includes over 4,000 sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft, is the latest addition to the region.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth redirected the carrier strike group from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean on October 24, in line with President Trump’s directive to dismantle transnational criminal organizations. Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized that the enhanced force presence would bolster efforts to disrupt narcotics trafficking and dismantle criminal networks.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has endorsed the US military actions, dismissing the Caribbean’s ‘zone of peace’ concept as ineffective. However, a recent peace vigil in Port of Spain, attended by 200 people, was labeled a ‘dismal failure’ by Persad-Bissessar. Attempts to reach her and Defense Minister Wayne Sturge for comments on the USS Gerald R. Ford’s arrival were unsuccessful.
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Rescued Venezuelan teen gives info – 4 human-trafficking suspects held
In a significant breakthrough against human trafficking, a 14-year-old Venezuelan girl played a pivotal role in the arrest of four suspected traffickers in Penal, Trinidad and Tobago. Despite the trauma of her ordeal, the teenager displayed remarkable composure and provided critical information to National Security agents, leading to the successful operation. The Ministry of Homeland Security confirmed the arrests in a statement, highlighting the coordinated efforts of the Counter-Trafficking Unit (CTU), the army, and the police. The pre-dawn raid, codenamed Operation Ironheart, targeted multiple locations linked to a suspected trafficking network and resulted in the detention of two Trinidadian nationals and two Venezuelan men on human-trafficking charges. Three other Venezuelans were held for immigration violations. The rescued girl is now under the care of the Children’s Authority. Deputy Director of the CTU, Dane-Marie Marshall, praised the teen’s bravery, stating that her evidence was instrumental in the arrests. Marshall expressed confidence in the strength of the case, emphasizing the CTU’s commitment to prosecuting offenders. She also highlighted the vulnerability of Venezuelan nationals due to geopolitical and economic challenges in their home country. The operation is part of a broader national strategy to dismantle organized trafficking networks. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander commended the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved, reaffirming the government’s resolve to combat human trafficking. According to the US Department of State’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons report, Trinidad and Tobago maintains a Tier 2 ranking, indicating significant efforts to address the issue despite not fully meeting minimum standards. CTU Director Allan Meiguel noted that since the unit’s inception in 2013, 80 individuals have been charged, resulting in two convictions. He urged the public to utilize the CTU’s 24-hour hotline to report potential trafficking cases.
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Child’s rights activist: Transfer system could lead to lawsuits
Trinidad and Tobago’s bureaucratic school transfer system is under scrutiny, with legal and educational experts warning of potential State liability for failing to uphold children’s right to education. Attorney and child rights activist Denelle Singh has called on parents and guardians to explore legal avenues when confronted with systemic delays. Her comments follow a case reported by Newsday, where an Arima teenager has been out of school for two years due to transfer inefficiencies. Singh emphasized that the Education Act mandates full-time schooling for children aged 5-16, with parents facing prosecution and fines for non-compliance under Section 77. However, she stressed that the Ministry of Education bears a legal duty to provide adequate public school placements and ensure enrollment for all children within this age range. Singh highlighted the plight of vulnerable children, including those in State care, who face additional hardships due to the slow transfer process. She also criticized the broader failures of the education system, noting that children with special needs and migrant children are often overlooked, despite public outcries. Singh questioned whether education in Trinidad and Tobago is truly free, given the disparities in access and quality. She pointed out the lack of specialized schools and trained teachers for children with special needs, forcing many parents to seek costly private education or quit their jobs to homeschool their children. Walter Stewart, president of the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations, urged parents to keep their children in school during transfer delays and follow the proper channels to escalate unresolved issues. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the system’s chain of command to achieve resolution.
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Bodoe: Include wellness in HSE framework
In a compelling address at the American Chamber of Commerce’s TT (Amcham TT) 15th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards ceremony, Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister, Dr. Lackram Bodoe, emphasized the urgent need to evolve the traditional Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) framework into a more comprehensive model that includes wellness. The event, held on November 10 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the critical role of HSE in safeguarding both human lives and economic productivity.