In a crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match, the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) men’s football team managed a 1-1 draw against Curacao on October 14 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad. Despite a spirited performance, the result left TT in third place in Group B with just two matches remaining, while Curacao moved to second. Jamaica, with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bermuda, reclaimed the group’s top spot.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Strengthening industrial resilience
As Trinidad and Tobago (TT) marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, the nation confronts a pivotal juncture in safeguarding its industrial and energy sectors. These sectors, the backbone of TT’s economy, are grappling with aging infrastructure, climate vulnerabilities, and inadequate emergency response capabilities. While natural disasters like hurricanes and floods often dominate risk discussions, the threat of industrial disasters looms equally large. TT’s reliance on oil and gas—spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream operations—has left it exposed to systemic risks as critical assets, including pipelines, tanks, and flare systems, operate beyond their intended lifespans. Without sustained reinvestment, these once-cutting-edge systems have become national liabilities. Industrial emergencies, such as the 2013 oil spill and the 2024 barge disaster off Tobago’s coast, underscore the cascading impacts of such incidents, which disrupt livelihoods, ecosystems, and economic stability. The region’s history of pipeline failures, chemical spills, and oil leaks highlights the urgent need for robust emergency preparedness. However, TT faces significant gaps in both equipment and responder competency. Outdated fire suppression systems, gas detectors, and spill containment gear, coupled with insufficient training, hinder effective crisis management. To address these challenges, TT must elevate its standards, ensuring that emergency responders meet internationally recognized benchmarks. Certifications aligned with global best practices, modern technologies, and methodologies are essential to fostering credibility, confidence, and international collaboration. Industrial resilience is not merely a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for sustaining foreign investment, infrastructure development, and economic diversification. As climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters triggering industrial failures, TT must prioritize a culture of competence, transparency, and accountability. The nation’s ability to thrive in a new energy era hinges on its capacity to manage industrial risks effectively. Investments in training, certification, and equipment are investments in resilience, safeguarding people, communities, and economic continuity. TT stands at a crossroads: it can either react to disasters or build a system capable of preventing them. The choice will shape the nation’s safety, reputation, and prosperity for generations to come.
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Allow children to be children
In a compelling letter to the editor, Kelli Coombs highlights the pervasive influence of gang leaders on youth and the urgent need for government intervention to address this societal crisis. Coombs reflects on her 2016 article, ‘Gold, girls and guns,’ where a 13-year-old boy aspired to become a gang leader, citing the allure of wealth, power, and societal validation. This aspiration, she argues, is fueled by the legitimization of gang leaders through government contracts, which sends a dangerous message to impressionable children.
Coombs recounts numerous interactions with young individuals who committed crimes under duress from gang leaders, often referred to as ‘the boss.’ These leaders, she notes, wield immense power in their communities, acting as law enforcers, judges, and executioners. One harrowing account involves a young man forced to kill his best friend after a gang leader threatened his mother’s life.
The author criticizes the government’s historical practice of awarding contracts to gang leaders, which perpetuates a cycle of violence and criminality. She calls for immediate action, including audits of HDC apartments to remove unauthorized residents, frequent roadblocks in gang-prone areas, and bolder measures from the Homeland Security Ministry. Coombs emphasizes the importance of protecting children and ensuring they can grow up free from the influence of gang culture.
Her letter concludes with a plea for the government to leverage its authority to dismantle gang networks and create safer communities for future generations.
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Trinidad and Tobago U-17 women to face Curacao, El Salvador in 2026 Concacaf qualifiers
Trinidad and Tobago’s under-17 women’s football team is gearing up for a challenging journey in the first round of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. The qualifiers, scheduled from January 24 to February 2, 2026, will see TT face off against Curacao, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, and Barbados in Group F. All Group F matches will be hosted in Willemstad, Curacao, with other host nations including Aruba, Bermuda, and Nicaragua. TT will kick off their campaign against Curacao on January 24, followed by matches against Guadeloupe (January 26), Barbados (January 28), and El Salvador (February 1). The team will play four intense games within nine days. The first round features 30 teams divided into six groups of five. The top six group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the final round, where they will join Concacaf’s top-ranked teams: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. TT, ranked 11th in the Concacaf Under-17 women’s rankings as of April 2025, were placed in Pot Two alongside Bermuda, Cuba, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. This comes after a disappointing performance in the 2025 qualifiers, where TT finished at the bottom of their group, which included El Salvador, Honduras, and the US, and suffered a 4-0 defeat to El Salvador in April. Further details on the final round of qualifying are yet to be announced.
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From content to commerce
In the evolving landscape of modern business, attention has become the new currency. However, mere attention is no longer sufficient to sustain success. The year 2025 marks a pivotal shift where every scroll, like, and comment represents a micro-transaction in culture. Creators, once content with being digital celebrities, are now transforming into founders, curators, and architects of immersive, creator-led experiences. These businesses bring digital storytelling to life through cafes, tours, events, and tangible products, fostering a sense of belonging among consumers. The future of business lies at the intersection of content and community, where storytelling extends beyond the digital realm into real-world spaces that make people feel part of a narrative. This global phenomenon is not confined to major markets; it is also gaining momentum in the Caribbean. Creators like Jamel ‘Certified Sampson’ Sampson, Kyle Boss, and Gervail ‘Jr Lee’ Lee are turning digital influence into thriving physical businesses, from ice cream shops to comedy tours. The data underscores this trend, with Goldman Sachs projecting the global creator economy to reach US$480 billion by 2027. However, scaling this movement requires a supportive ecosystem, including stronger digital infrastructure, investment in innovation, and government recognition of creators as cultural exporters. As Caribbean entrepreneurs embrace this shift, the focus is on building creator-led experiences that will define the next decade of business. To aid this transition, digital strategist Keron Rose is hosting a workshop titled the Digital Revenue Roadmap, offering insights on monetizing digital presence and creating sustainable income ecosystems. The time has come for Caribbean entrepreneurs to move beyond products and craft experiences that resonate globally.
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Indian High Commissioner urges citizens to remember the importance of unity
Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, the Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, expressed his profound appreciation for the enduring preservation of Indian traditions and culture during the Divali Nagar celebrations in Chaguanas. Speaking at the Diplomats’ Night on October 14, Rajpurohit highlighted the significance of the event, which marks 180 years since the arrival of Indentured Indians to the Caribbean nation. He credited the ancestors for their resilience in maintaining Indian philosophy and values, known as Sanskars, despite the challenges of their journey. Rajpurohit shared his personal connection to the festival, recalling his departure from India during Divali two years ago and his joy in being able to celebrate it in Trinidad and Tobago, home to one of the largest Divali celebrations outside of India. He praised the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for its 38 years of dedication to showcasing Indian traditions, arts, and cuisine. Rajpurohit also extended condolences for the passing of former NCIC presidents and emphasized the festival’s theme of Loka Sangraha, which promotes global welfare and unity. Additionally, he encouraged the diaspora to apply for the Overseas Citizenship of India card and highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties through initiatives like the provision of prosthetic limbs to Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced plans to establish an artificial foot center in the country, benefiting both locals and the wider Caricom region.
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Fatima, ‘Pres’ land contrasting wins in RBC Royal Slam basketball
Fatima College continued their impressive run in the RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament with a commanding 92-36 victory over St Francis Boys’ College on October 12 at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. This win marked their second consecutive triumph, solidifying their position at the top of Group A with six points from two games. The standout performer of the match was twelve-year-old guard Jakeem King, who delivered a remarkable double-double with 17 points and ten steals, complemented by six assists. His exceptional play was pivotal in Fatima’s dominant performance. Meanwhile, in Group B, Presentation College (San Fernando) secured a hard-fought 94-80 win over St Anthony’s College on October 11, thanks to a stellar showing by Michael McCarthy. McCarthy, who had previously scored 42 points in a loss to St Mary’s College, proved his mettle once again with an astonishing 46 points and 29 rebounds, along with three blocks, four assists, and four steals. St Anthony’s College, led by Amir Balgobin and Jahiem McLeod, who scored 28 and 17 points respectively, couldn’t contain McCarthy’s brilliance. In another match on October 11, Queen’s Royal College handed St Francis their first loss in two days with an 82-56 victory. Talib Daniel’s 24 points and six rebounds, combined with Kevani Boatswain’s double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), were instrumental in QRC’s success. The tournament will resume on October 25, with Holy Cross College facing QRC at 4 pm and St Anthony’s taking on St Mary’s at 6 pm. On October 26, St Francis will clash with Holy Cross, while QRC will challenge the northern powerhouse, Fatima College.
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Aquaholics, Bluebloods make splash at Dragon Boat Festival
The Chinese Arrival Dragon Boat Festival, held at the Chaguaramas Boardwalk on October 11 and 12, witnessed thrilling performances from teams Aquaholics and Bluebloods. Over the two-day event, numerous races were conducted across various distances, including 200m, 500m, and 1,000m, alongside traditional dragon dances. Aquaholics showcased their prowess by securing victories in the premier open 200m, premier mixed 200m, and premier women’s 200m events. In the premier open race, they narrowly edged out Bluebloods with a time of 53.35 seconds, while Bluebloods clocked 55.57 seconds. Bluebloods, however, excelled in the Under-16 open standard race and the Under-16 200m small event. Both teams also triumphed in the 1,000m events. Aquaholics led the premium mixed race with a time of 7:01.04, while Bluebloods dominated the Under-21 open category, finishing in 6:00.48. Other notable winners included St Joseph’s Convent’s Blue Dragons in the Under-21 women’s race and Sea Serpents in the 500m Under-21 women’s event. The festival also featured an exhibition race for beginners and non-competitive athletes, where Chinese Exhibition emerged victorious.
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Strong currents stop John Procope from completing 100K swim around Tobago
John Procope’s ambitious attempt to swim 100 kilometers around Tobago was halted due to relentless ocean currents, forcing him to abandon the challenge after 33 grueling hours. The swimmer began his journey on the morning of October 13 at Crown Point, supported by a team that included a small boat stocked with supplies and a kayak for companionship. Swimmers Jacob Cox and William Carr also joined him for part of the route. Despite completing approximately 68% of the distance, Procope and his team were compelled to cease their efforts near Speyside due to the overwhelming strength of the currents. Upon returning to shore on the evening of October 14, Procope’s Facebook page confirmed the decision, emphasizing that safety was the top priority. ‘Couldn’t beat very strong current just past Speyside…took over an hour and still in pretty much the same place. Fatigued. Had to abort,’ the post read. In a follow-up video, Procope expressed gratitude to his supporters. The first half of the swim, in the calmer Caribbean Sea, went smoothly, but the Atlantic Ocean’s unpredictable currents proved insurmountable. This marks another chapter in Procope’s history of endurance swimming, following his successful 25-hour swim from Tobago to Trinidad in October 2024.
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Eastern Connect out Maloney’s perfect run in EFA
In a dramatic showdown on October 12, Eastern Connect FC (16 points) ended FC Maloney’s (18 points) six-game winning streak in the 2025 Eastern Football Association (EFA) season with a 4-3 victory at Clayton Ince recreation grounds. The match, brimming with intensity, saw Eastern Connect take an early lead with first-half goals from Cadeem Jackie and Corie Dhanoolal, who scored twice. Despite Maloney’s valiant efforts to level the score, Sean Labadie delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time, securing the win for Eastern Connect. Meanwhile, Wallerfield United (13 points) solidified their third-place position in Group B with a commanding 4-0 victory over USC Hummers, fueled by Revaldo Patrick’s double and contributions from Emmanuel Phillip and Kevin Thornhill. FC Porto Arima (12 points) climbed to fourth place after defeating Trincity Nationals 3-1, with Wesley Lewis, Rivaldo Patron, and Mikheil Peters on the scoresheet. Maracas United (11 points) fell out of the top four following a goalless draw with CG Poseidon. In Group A, Heatwave FC (11 points) clinched fourth place with a 2-1 win over Malabar FC, overtaking La Horquetta XF. The stage is now set for the ‘Big 8’ knockout phase, commencing October 26, with the EFA champions set to earn $15,000.