Trinidad and Tobago’s under-17 men’s and women’s football teams are set to embark on their respective journeys toward the 2026 Concacaf Under-17 World Cup qualifiers, with both teams placed in pot two for the upcoming draws. The women’s draw is scheduled for October 15, followed by the men’s draw on October 21, marking the beginning of their campaigns early next year. The women’s qualifiers will kick off on January 24, 2026, with 30 Concacaf member associations divided into six groups for round-robin matches. The top six group winners and two best second-placed teams will advance to the final round, joining the top-ranked teams: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Matches will be hosted across Aruba, Bermuda, Curacao, and Nicaragua. Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s team, placed in pot two alongside Bermuda, Cuba, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Nicaragua, aim for a favorable draw to secure a spot in the youth World Cup in Morocco. Their previous campaign in the 2025 qualifiers saw them finish at the bottom of their group, which included El Salvador, Honduras, and the US. On the men’s side, the qualifiers will adopt a new format, with 34 teams split into eight groups for a single round of matches from February 3-12, 2026. The eight group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s team, placed in pot two with Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico, will look to improve on their previous performance, where they narrowly missed qualification after a loss to Costa Rica in the final group match. The qualifiers will be held in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Five overnight murders take weekly toll to 17
Trinidad has been gripped by a wave of violent crimes, with five murders recorded overnight, including a double homicide in Valencia. This alarming spike in violence has pushed the monthly murder toll to 20, surpassing the 16 recorded during the same period last year. The annual count now stands at 292, compared to 490 in the previous year. The recent incidents have left communities in shock and raised concerns about public safety. The double murder in Valencia occurred at a bar along Valencia Old Road shortly after 1 am. Two men, Derrick Rowley, 26, and Shane Fulchan, 42, were shot dead by gunmen who stormed the establishment. Two others were injured but are reportedly in stable condition. In a separate incident, 73-year-old Stephen Lewis was fatally stabbed near the office of Arima MP Pennelope Beckles. Witnesses reported seeing an unidentified man and woman leaving Lewis’ home before he collapsed in a supermarket parking lot. Around the same time, 32-year-old Aledo Roberts was shot dead at his home in Wallerfield by a masked assailant. Earlier in the evening, 42-year-old Kurleigh Simon was gunned down in Maloney while walking with a relative and her 12-year-old son. The relative sustained a gunshot wound to her calf but survived. These tragic events highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community intervention to curb the rising tide of violence.
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Illegal quarry ‘boss’ falls ill, taken to private hospital
In a significant crackdown on illegal quarrying operations, Gregory Mc Burnie, identified by police as the ‘main boss’ of a multi-million dollar illegal quarrying empire, fell ill shortly after his arrest on October 9. Mc Burnie, along with 18 others, was apprehended during a raid by heavily armed police on an illegal quarrying plant in the forests of Manuel Congo, Guanapo. Following his arrest, Mc Burnie was permitted to seek medical treatment at a private hospital in north Trinidad, accompanied by a police escort, at his own expense. Police sources indicated that the illnesses were not serious, and Mc Burnie was discharged by 11 am on October 10. The arrests were part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies, with charges expected to be filed this weekend. At least three suspects are likely to face charges under section 45 of the Minerals Act, which prohibits the unlicensed processing of minerals. The penalties for such offenses include a $500,000 fine and five years imprisonment for first-time offenders, escalating to a $700,000 fine and seven years imprisonment for subsequent convictions. Additionally, individuals and companies involved in trading illegally obtained minerals are barred from bidding on government-funded construction projects. Police are expected to remain at the quarry site as they lack facilities to store the equipment and vehicles, which may serve as crucial evidence in the prosecution of the suspects.
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Young: Moonilal has not seen OFAC licence
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Stuart Young has publicly criticized Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal for his apparent lack of understanding regarding the Dragon gas project negotiations with Venezuela. Young revealed that Moonilal confirmed his unfamiliarity with the details of a six-month provisional licence issued by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) during a statement on October 10. This licence is crucial for initiating discussions with Venezuela on the project. Young further emphasized that Moonilal’s ignorance was evident in his comments about ministry documentation being in Spanish, as well as his unawareness of the previous OFAC licences issued last December under the People’s National Movement (PNM) administration. Young clarified that OFAC licences are issued in English and that the National Gas Company (NGC) and its legal team had access to translated documents. He accused Moonilal of incompetence, stating that the minister’s lack of knowledge highlights the government’s inability to manage complex energy negotiations. Young also defended former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who Moonilal had criticized earlier, by clarifying that Rowley’s statements were not based on official Energy Ministry documents. Additionally, Young pointed out that the recent transfer of former ministry permanent secretary Pennelope Bradshaw-Niles has left Moonilal without access to critical institutional knowledge. Young concluded that Moonilal’s exclusion from key energy negotiations is a direct result of his incompetence.
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India in full control after day two of 2nd Test vs Windies
India continued their formidable performance in the second Test against the West Indies, establishing a commanding 378-run lead by the end of the second day at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Resuming their innings at 318 for two, India faced an early setback as opener Yashavi Jaiswal (175) was run out after adding just two runs to his overnight score. However, captain Shubman Gill (129 not out) anchored the innings with crucial partnerships, first with Nitish Reddy (43) and then with wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel (44 not out). Gill’s innings, adorned with 16 boundaries and two sixes, propelled India to a formidable total of 518 for five before declaring. The West Indies struggled to counter India’s dominance, ending the day at 140 for four. Ravindra Jadeja (three for 37) was instrumental in dismantling the visitors’ top order, while Shai Hope (31 not out) and Tevin Imlach (14 not out) provided some resistance. The Windies face an uphill battle to avoid the follow-on and stay competitive in the match. Day three begins on October 12, with India firmly in control.
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National powerlifting team picked for North American Regional Bench Press Champs
The Trinidad and Tobago Powerlifting Federation (TTPF) has unveiled a formidable ten-member squad to compete at the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Regional Bench Press Championships in Panama City, Panama, from October 22-25. The team, announced via an Instagram post on October 7, features a mix of seasoned athletes and rising stars, all poised to make their mark on the international stage. Among the standout competitors are Deresay Alleyne and Kezia Hunte, both of whom have already proven their mettle at the NAPF/Pan Am Regional Championships held in the Cayman Islands earlier this year. Hunte clinched gold in the 76kg open category, while Alleyne secured silver in the 84kg open division. Alleyne further cemented her reputation by claiming the overall female title at the National Bench Press Championships in June. The team also includes Rondel Hunte, the overall male winner at the national championships, alongside a diverse group of athletes such as Sabir Abdul-Malick, Shay Grant, and Shaquille Nelson. Rounding out the squad are masters competitors Dale Hosten and Orion Williams, as well as junior athlete Keshav Maharaj. Leading the team as coach is Marlon Belfon, a veteran of the masters category, with Gabre McTair joining as a referee. The team’s participation follows a recent triumph by national champion Joseph McDonald, who set a new world junior record in the bench press category at the International Powerlifting Federation World Classic Junior Powerlifting Championships in September.
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Gymnasts compete for national spots at trials
Trinidad and Tobago’s top gymnasts are gearing up for a high-stakes competition as the TT Gymnastics Federation organizes the Carifta 2025 TT team trials. Scheduled for October 11 and 12 at the National Cycling Centre in Couva, the event will serve as a critical selection process for the national team. Action kicks off at 9 am on October 11 and resumes at 10 am on October 12. The trials are particularly significant as they will be held at the same venue that will host the 2025 Carifta Gymnastics Championships in December, providing athletes with a valuable rehearsal opportunity. The championships will see regional competitors vying for supremacy against TT’s finest. The TT team is looking to replicate their stellar performance from the inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Championships in 2024, where they dominated with an impressive haul of 80 gold, 57 silver, and 26 bronze medals, securing the overall title. The first edition of the games was held in Kingston, Jamaica, last year. Prominent clubs such as Tots and Tumblers, Thema Williams Athletic Academy, Olympia Gymnastics Club, and Lee’s Gymnastics Club are expected to field athletes in the trials, showcasing the depth of talent in the nation’s gymnastics community.
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Nothing changes: Yorke preaches focus ahead of Curacao clash
Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Bermuda in their Concacaf World Cup qualifying match on October 10, marking their first win in the final round of qualifiers. The triumph, achieved at the Bermuda National Stadium, propelled TT to third place in Group B with four points. Coach Dwight Yorke lauded his team’s mentality and attitude, emphasizing the need to maintain the same focus in their upcoming clash against group leaders Curacao on October 14. Curacao, fresh off a 2-0 win over Jamaica, currently tops the group with seven points, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter in Willemstad. A victory for TT would intensify the race for the group’s automatic World Cup qualification spot. Yorke highlighted the importance of consistency, stating, ‘Our mindset and goal remain the same. We need to be at our best.’ The match against Bermuda saw standout performances from Dante Sealy and Tyrese Spicer, who scored in the first half, while Kobi Henry sealed the win with his first international goal in the 49th minute. Yorke praised Henry’s leadership and composure, noting his seamless integration into the team. Despite the win, Yorke identified areas for improvement, particularly in finishing. He also commended debutants Molik Khan and Deron Payne for their contributions, stressing the importance of building a competitive squad. With the Curacao match looming, Yorke urged his team to refocus and continue their quest for World Cup qualification.
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Dennise Demming celebrates 70 with 7K event
While many individuals approaching their 70th birthday might choose to celebrate with a family gathering, an international trip, or an elaborate dinner, Dennise Demming has opted for a unique and inspiring way to mark this milestone. An enthusiastic runner for several decades, Demming will host a 7K race on November 16 at 6 am, starting at The Harvard Club near Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair. The route will encompass the Queen’s Park Savannah and Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook before returning to the starting point. Demming, a dedicated member of the TT Road Runners for over 20 years, has garnered significant support for the event, including from her son, Dr. Keita Demming, who is traveling from Canada to participate. The primary objective of the race is to encourage individuals to prioritize their health. Demming highlighted the concerning prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Trinidad, emphasizing the societal impact of poor physical fitness. She expressed her concern over the rising number of illnesses and deaths linked to lifestyle choices, which motivated her to organize this event. Demming also stressed that people often delay taking their health seriously, and she hopes to inspire at least 200 participants to join the race. The event is open to everyone, not just her family and friends. Reflecting on her own journey, Demming shared that at age 40, she realized her health was deteriorating and decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which led her to complete ten marathons over the years. She has also participated in marathons in Cuba and Canada. To make the event inclusive, Demming has arranged virtual races for friends in England, Canada, and Barbados, allowing them to participate simultaneously in their respective countries. Those interested in supporting Demming’s initiative can register at www.raceroster.com.
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12 people murdered – A week of bloodshed
Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has been plunged into a state of terror as a surge in violent crimes claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals over five days, from October 6 to October 10. The nation, already under a state of emergency, witnessed a series of brutal incidents, including home invasions, street shootings, and stabbings, leaving communities in shock and the murder toll rising sharply from 276 to 288. The most recent tragedy occurred in the early hours of October 10 in Friendship Village, San Fernando, where gunmen attacked a sleeping family. Gracelyn Ramberan, 48, her husband Vijai Rampersad, 58, and their son Randy Rampersad, 25, were all fatally shot. Randy’s wife, Kimberly Rampersad, sustained critical injuries and remained hospitalized. Earlier in the week, on October 7, multiple killings unfolded across the country. Darren Mohamdally, 50, a construction company manager, was ambushed and shot dead in his van near his home in Chaguanas. That same day, Andrew Morales, 37, was gunned down in Cunupia following a dispute involving his girlfriend and another man. Isaiah Akeem Richards, 27, was also shot dead in Malick, while brothers Jovel Paul, 15, and Rodney Slater, 23, were ambushed and killed in San Juan. A street dweller in Woodbrook was fatally chopped in a separate incident. On October 6, three more lives were lost in unrelated attacks. James Marine, 61, and Kevin Bocage, 36, were shot dead in San Juan, while Ikeisha “Freeda” Wildman, 43, was stabbed to death in her Marabella home. Her nine-year-old son narrowly escaped unharmed. The escalating violence has left the nation reeling, with authorities struggling to contain the crisis.