Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup dream takes a hit after 1-1 draw vs Curacao

    Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup dream takes a hit after 1-1 draw vs Curacao

    Trinidad and Tobago’s aspirations to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a significant setback following a 1-1 draw against Curacao in their latest Concacaf final-round qualifying match. The game, held at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao on October 14, saw both teams fiercely contesting for dominance, but ultimately, neither could clinch a decisive victory.

    With this result, Trinidad and Tobago now have five points from four matches, placing them third in Group B. Curacao, on the other hand, have accumulated eight points, while Jamaica were poised to extend their lead to nine points as they led 3-0 against Bermuda at halftime.

    The match began with high intensity, with Trinidad and Tobago controlling much of the possession but struggling to convert their dominance into clear scoring opportunities. Curacao’s defense remained resolute, thwarting several attempts by the visitors. In the 14th minute, a free kick by Trinidad and Tobago’s Rio Cardines found Kobi Henry, whose header narrowly missed the target.

    Curacao seized the initiative in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Trinidad and Tobago. Kenji Gorre capitalized on a poorly cleared cross, curling a right-footed shot into the top corner to give Curacao a 1-0 lead. The first half saw several close calls, including a powerful header by Trinidad and Tobago that narrowly missed the net, allowing Curacao to maintain their lead at halftime.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s coach, Dwight Yorke, made strategic substitutions at halftime, introducing veteran Kevin Molino and Deron Payne. The changes paid off in the 57th minute when Molino’s clever play set up Spicer, who unleashed a thunderous shot to equalize. The goal rejuvenated Curacao, who began to create more chances, but neither side could find a winning goal.

    Despite multiple opportunities, particularly from set pieces, Trinidad and Tobago were unable to break the deadlock. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, leaving Trinidad and Tobago with a challenging path to World Cup qualification. Their campaign will resume next month with crucial matches against Jamaica and Bermuda.

  • South, Central zones heat up in SSFL championship division

    South, Central zones heat up in SSFL championship division

    The 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Championship division is heating up as teams across five zones battle for supremacy and a spot in the prestigious ‘Big 5′ tournament, which serves as the gateway to premier division promotion. With Round One completed and the second round underway, the competition is intensifying, promising thrilling matchups on October 14. In the South Zone, Pleasantville Secondary leads with 14 points, closely followed by Palo Seco Secondary and Siparia West Secondary, both on 12 points. Pleasantville faces a stern test against Palo Seco, while Siparia West takes on Point Fortin East Secondary. The North Zone sees a tight race between Mucurapo West Secondary (17 points) and East Mucurapo Secondary (14 points), with their recent 2-2 draw adding to the drama. Mucurapo West will face Tranquillity Secondary, while East Mucurapo takes on St Francis Boys’ College. In the Central Zone, Chaguanas North Secondary (16 points) leads after a 3-0 victory over Couva West Secondary (15 points). They will face Presentation Chaguanas in a top-two clash, while Couva West aims to bounce back against Cunupia Secondary. Tobago Zone leaders Speyside Secondary (18 points) remain favorites despite a recent loss, as they face Roxborough Secondary. Meanwhile, Goodwood Secondary and Mason Hall Secondary clash in a bid to close the gap. In the East Zone, Hillview College (18 points) continues their dominant run, aiming to extend their perfect record against Holy Cross College. El Dorado East Secondary and St George’s College also face off in a crucial match. With high stakes and fierce rivalries, the SSFL Championship division promises excitement and drama as teams vie for glory.

  • Presentation College, Chaguanas robotics team heads to Panama

    Presentation College, Chaguanas robotics team heads to Panama

    For the fifth consecutive year, Trinidad and Tobago will be represented at the prestigious First Global Robotics Challenge. The Presentation College Chaguanas Robotics Team, comprising five students and two teachers, is set to compete in Panama City, Panama, from October 29 to November 1, 2025. This marks their fourth participation in the event, following their virtual debut in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition, which draws nearly 200 countries, challenges young innovators to design and program robots addressing real-world issues, with this year’s theme centered on ‘Eco Equilibrium.’ The team has already garnered accolades, including the Video and Storytelling Award, Helping Hands Award, Social Media Award, and a third-place finish in the joint alliance at the 2024 event in Athens, Greece. Teacher and adviser Tricia Singh revealed that the team has been tirelessly refining their robot, which simulates sustainable energy production and management, aligning with the competition’s focus on renewable solutions. For the first time, Presentation College has collaborated with St. Augustine Girls’ High School, supported by a network of local mentors, engineers, government officials, and educators. Singh emphasized that the project transcends competition, fostering collaboration and community spirit. As the team prepares for Panama, national pride is building, with supporters planning to watch the event live on the First Global YouTube channel. Regardless of the outcome, Trinidad and Tobago’s participation is celebrated as a significant step in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) enthusiasm nationwide.

  • Tancoo: Sport, tourism to go hand-in-hand

    Tancoo: Sport, tourism to go hand-in-hand

    In a landmark announcement during the 2025/26 national budget presentation at the Red House on October 13, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo revealed the government’s comprehensive plan to bolster sports infrastructure and tourism through strategic investments. Central to this initiative is the establishment of ten new fully accessible community centres slated for completion in fiscal 2026. These centres aim to foster unity and national pride by providing state-of-the-art facilities for athletes and communities alike.

    Tancoo emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing existing sports infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of pools in Biche, Maloney, Morvant, Rio Claro, and Tunapuna, alongside upgrades to national stadia. While specific stadia were not named, the minister highlighted the broader goal of enhancing sports tourism, a sector he described as ‘hybrid’ and ripe for development. Plans include the creation of new products in medical, sport, and cultural tourism, as well as the completion of hotel projects to support this growth.

    Tobago is also set to benefit from these initiatives, with the Tobago House of Assembly establishing a dedicated sport tourism unit. The island will focus on skilled development, vocational training, and creating pathways from amateur to professional sports, alongside youth internship programmes. These efforts aim to monetize sports and outdoor recreation while catalyzing investment in sports infrastructure.

    Tancoo also addressed the challenges facing the Sport and Culture Fund, which has suffered due to the unprofitability of the instant lottery system. To address this, the minister announced that deposits into the fund would no longer rely solely on lottery surpluses but would be set and approved by the finance minister. This change, coupled with stricter financial management, aims to ensure the fund’s sustainability.

    In addition, Tancoo pledged a crackdown on illegal lotteries, which reportedly generate $9 billion annually, significantly impacting the National Lotteries Control Board’s $3 billion annual earnings. Harsher penalties for illegal gaming houses were promised as part of this effort.

    The minister also took a moment to extend his best wishes to Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Curacao on October 14, underscoring the government’s support for national sports.

    Further details on the sports budget allocation and specific plans under the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs are expected to be revealed during the budget debate on October 17.

  • Mental Health Awareness Month: No one is exempt from mental health issues

    Mental Health Awareness Month: No one is exempt from mental health issues

    October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to fostering understanding and support for mental health issues. Clinical and organisational psychologist Kelly Mc Farlane underscores the significance of this observance, noting that mental health challenges can affect anyone, whether through stress, loss, or anxiety. These issues impact individuals, families, workplaces, and communities in both positive and negative ways. Mc Farlane emphasizes that understanding mental health is the first step toward protecting it, and global observances like World Mental Health Day on October 10 provide opportunities for collective reflection and practical change. This year’s theme, ‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,’ is particularly relevant in the Caribbean, where natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have left lasting emotional scars. Mc Farlane highlights the need for increased awareness of available mental health resources, including public sector clinics and hospital mental health departments. She acknowledges that while stigma around mental health is decreasing, it remains a significant barrier to care. Social support, she notes, plays a crucial role in recovery, and she advocates for more campaigns and education to reduce stigma. Mc Farlane also points to encouraging trends, such as increased openness to mental health conversations among younger people and men. For those hesitant to seek help, she advises starting the conversation with someone they trust or a mental health professional. Dietitian Dana Chong adds that nutrition plays a vital role in mental health, with foods like green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and walnuts boosting brain health. She warns against the negative effects of poor nutrition and processed foods, recommending a balanced diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics. Chong also stresses the importance of hydration and cautions against excessive caffeine and sugar intake. As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, both Mc Farlane and Chong urge individuals to prioritize their mental and physical well-being.

  • Tancoo announces judicial reforms, constitutional right to timely justice

    Tancoo announces judicial reforms, constitutional right to timely justice

    In a landmark announcement during the 2026 national budget presentation, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at revitalizing the nation’s judiciary. The reforms, designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, include the creation of a new Judiciary Chancellor role to oversee case management, thereby allowing the Chief Justice to focus on jurisprudence. Tancoo emphasized that these measures are critical to addressing case backlogs and strengthening the leadership of the justice system.

    Central to the reforms is the expansion of court facilities and the constitutional enshrinement of the right to a timely trial, which Tancoo described as a ‘cornerstone of democratic justice.’ Additionally, victim support services will be significantly expanded to include restitution programs, job placement assistance, and housing opportunities for crime victims. Increased funding and staffing for the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Public Defenders’ offices were also announced to ensure better access to legal representation.

    Tancoo underscored the urgency of these reforms, stating, ‘For the first time, the administration of justice will be given the priority it so desperately needs but was so desperately lacking.’

    The proposal has sparked discussions within the judiciary. Chief Justice Ivor Archie, while cautious, acknowledged the potential benefits of the reforms. In his address for the new law term, Archie noted that the judiciary already operates with a ‘silent chancellor’ in the form of a court administrator who handles day-to-day operations. He stressed the need for a concrete proposal that clearly defines the role, appointment process, and accountability of the proposed Judiciary Chancellor.

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who first floated the idea in July, explained that the Judiciary Chancellor would focus on court administration, freeing the Chief Justice to concentrate on legal cases and judicial officers. Archie emphasized the importance of understanding the proposal within Trinidad and Tobago’s constitutional framework, noting that the role of a chancellor in other countries, such as England, differs significantly due to varying constitutional arrangements.

    Archie concluded by highlighting the shared goal of improving the administration of justice and fostering collaboration between the executive and judicial branches. ‘What is important is an informed discussion where all views are given a respectful hearing,’ he said, expressing optimism about achieving a consensus on the reforms.

  • PSA ready to talk to CPO after 10% wage hike promise

    PSA ready to talk to CPO after 10% wage hike promise

    In a significant development following the October 13 budget presentation, the Public Services Association (PSA) has expressed readiness to commence immediate negotiations with the government. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced a revised ten per cent wage offer aimed at resolving long-standing public sector wage disputes, which have persisted for nearly a decade. PSA President Felisha Thomas emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that the union has already proposed dates for talks as early as October 16. ‘Our membership has waited long enough,’ Thomas remarked, underscoring the need for swift action. This marks Thomas’s first budget as PSA president, having been elected in March 2025. Tancoo described the government’s move as a ‘bold and historic step’ to address years of stagnation and restore dignity to public sector workers. He also revealed plans to ratify collective agreements with various public sector bodies, including the Teaching Service and the Defence Force, at an estimated annual cost of $214 million, with arrears totaling $730 million by December 2025. Additionally, Tancoo announced reforms to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), including a gradual increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65 by 2036 and phased contribution hikes starting in January 2026. While Thomas acknowledged mixed reactions to the NIS changes, she reiterated the PSA’s commitment to prioritizing wage negotiations. ‘Now is the time to get the job done,’ she concluded.

  • Tancoo unveils NIS overhaul: higher rates, later retirement age

    Tancoo unveils NIS overhaul: higher rates, later retirement age

    In a landmark announcement during the 2026 national budget presentation on October 13, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo unveiled sweeping reforms for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Without immediate action, Tancoo warned, the fund could face collapse within the next decade, leaving hundreds of thousands of retirees without income protection. The proposed measures include a phased increase in contribution rates and a gradual rise in the retirement age from 60 to 65 over the next ten years. Effective January 5, 2026, contribution rates will rise by three per cent, with another three per cent increase scheduled for January 4, 2027. Starting in January 2028, the retirement age for full NIS pensions will incrementally increase by one year every two years, reaching 65 by 2036. Tancoo assured that those retiring before January 1, 2028, and all existing pensioners will remain unaffected. Early retirees will still qualify for reduced pensions, with a minimum of $3,000. The Finance Minister emphasized the urgency of these reforms, citing years of inaction under the previous administration that allowed the NIS’s financial challenges to deepen. Annual benefit payments now exceed $6 billion, a 65 per cent increase over two decades, while payouts have consistently outpaced contributions since 2020, forcing the National Insurance Board (NIB) to liquidate assets. The 11th Actuarial Review projected fund depletion by 2033 or 2034 without intervention. Tancoo criticized the former PNM government for ignoring repeated warnings and delaying necessary reforms. He pledged that under his administration, the NIS would not be allowed to fail, ensuring protection for over 200,000 vulnerable citizens. Additionally, private pensions will be exempt from income tax starting January 1, as previously promised.

  • TTCB election of candidates

    TTCB election of candidates

    Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) President Azim Bassarath has emphasized the critical role of cricket clubs in revitalizing the national team’s performance. Speaking at the TTCB premiership awards ceremony, Bassarath highlighted that the future success of Trinidad and Tobago cricket hinges on the ability of clubs to become well-organized, accountable, and sustainable. He stressed that strong clubs foster competitive environments, which in turn build robust national teams. However, achieving this vision is no simple task, requiring meticulous planning and structural reforms. Bassarath acknowledged the challenges, particularly financial constraints, that have hindered clubs from reaching their full potential. He also took accountability for the national team’s prolonged underperformance, noting that Trinidad and Tobago has not won the regional first-class competition since 2006. With six West Indies territories competing annually, Bassarath argued that Trinidad and Tobago should, at minimum, secure victory once every six years. He called for a renewed commitment from club administrators and board members to implement effective strategies and ensure the national team’s success. The upcoming TTCB meeting on October 25 is expected to address these pressing issues and chart a path forward for Trinidad and Tobago cricket.

  • Drivers delighted with ‘ease up’ on super gasoline

    Drivers delighted with ‘ease up’ on super gasoline

    In a significant move during the 2025/2026 budget presentation on October 13, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced an immediate reduction of $1 per litre in the price of super gasoline. This decision, mandated by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, aims to provide financial relief to citizens by reversing part of the previous administration’s phased removal of fuel subsidies, which had led to consistent price hikes over the past decade. Drivers expressed their delight at the news, with one stating, ‘Yuh can’t go wrong. Is ah ease up; ah dollar could help a lot.’ Another driver highlighted the potential savings, saying, ‘That supposed to help we. That’s a plus. More gas, less money.’ However, not all reactions were positive. Some drivers were disappointed that the price reduction did not take immediate effect at the pumps, as promised. ‘If they say immediately, they supposed to remove it immediately,’ one driver remarked. Additionally, users of premium gasoline and diesel expressed frustration that the price cut was limited to super gasoline, with one driver noting, ‘It’s only for super, it doesn’t do anything for people using premium.’ A diesel user added, ‘If the consideration was made for one type of fuel, it should have been made across the board.’ While the announcement was generally welcomed, many drivers remain cautious, hoping for broader economic improvements in the budget.