The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) and the Sports Company of TT (SporTT) recently convened a landmark workshop aimed at propelling sports development in Trinidad and Tobago. Held on November 1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the event brought together representatives from 53 National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs) to engage in direct dialogue about their challenges and chart a forward path for the sector. Key themes included financial literacy, accountability, and compliance with organizational reporting standards. The workshop also featured newly-appointed sports ambassadors Keshorn Walcott, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, and Kieron Pollard, who shared their experiences as elite athletes representing TT and the West Indies globally. Walcott, a javelin gold medalist at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, and the trio of Pooran, Pollard, and Bravo, who led the Trinbago Knight Riders to victory in the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, highlighted the importance of perseverance and teamwork. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, SporTT Chairman Kester Lendore, and other officials emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering a robust sports ecosystem. Attendees included prominent NGBs such as the TT Cycling Federation, the National Association of Athletics Administrations, and the TT Cricket Board, underscoring the event’s significance for the nation’s sporting future.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
-
Hope: Windies riding wave of momentum into Auckland
West Indies captain Shai Hope is brimming with confidence as his team prepares to face New Zealand in a five-match T20 series, set to commence on November 5 at Eden Park, Auckland. Fresh off a commanding 3-0 sweep against Bangladesh, Hope believes the series is a crucial opportunity to test the team’s adaptability and build momentum ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup.
-
Prisons spank Phoenix, move to TTPFL summit
Prisons FC surged to the top of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings with a commanding 4-0 triumph over 1976 FC Phoenix at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on November 2. The match, initially a stalemate in the first half, saw Prisons FC unleash their full potential in the second half, securing a decisive victory. The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when Kevon Williams converted a penalty, followed by Kevin Seales’ header in the 68th minute. Jeremiah Vidale added a third in the 71st minute, and substitute Christon Phillip sealed the win with a late goal in stoppage time. Prisons FC now shares the top spot with Miscellaneous Police, both with six points and a +5 goal difference, but Prisons leads due to a higher total of goals scored. In the second game of the double-header, Point Fortin Civic clinched their first win of the season, defeating Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 2-1. Despite ending the game with ten men after goalkeeper Terrence Lewis was sent off, Civic secured the victory, moving to fifth place in the 12-team league.
-
A migrant exodus
The ongoing Venezuelan crisis continues to cast a shadow over the Caribbean, with Trinidad and Tobago’s migrant policies drawing significant criticism. Under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration, the nation has adopted a ‘TT First’ doctrine, which has led to the dismantling of previous initiatives aimed at assisting Venezuelan migrants. This approach has resulted in the removal of supervision orders for refugees and asylum seekers, with government officials openly discussing ‘mass deportations’ and equating migrants with violent criminals. The administration’s stance was previewed at the UN General Assembly, where Persad-Bissessar argued that illegal immigration poses a threat to small nations like Trinidad and Tobago, leading to long-term disorder, poverty, and cultural antagonism. However, critics argue that the government’s narrative is xenophobic and lacks evidence, as police statistics show that Venezuelans arrested for criminal offenses are minimal compared to the number of legal refugees and asylum seekers. The policy risks damaging the economy, as Venezuelan migrants have been willing to take on jobs that locals often avoid, and threatens social cohesiveness by severing cultural ties with Venezuela. As the world watches, the administration’s actions raise questions about the nation’s commitment to its own history of migration and the pursuit of dreams.
-
Rambaran, Cooper score centuries in Red Force practice match
In a thrilling warm-up match ahead of the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup, the TT Red Force A team emerged victorious against their counterparts, TT Red Force B, thanks to stellar centuries by Shatrughan Rambaran and Cephas Cooper. The match, held at the iconic Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Trinidad, showcased exceptional batting performances and competitive bowling displays.
-
Port of Spain Corporation thanks Melissa relief donors, urges for more
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, the Port of Spain City Corporation has launched a disaster relief initiative to support affected communities. The hurricane, which struck on October 28 with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, caused widespread destruction and claimed 28 lives, marking it as one of the most powerful storms in Jamaica’s history. The Port of Spain City Corporation has expressed profound gratitude to donors who have contributed non-perishable food items and clothing, while urging others to join the effort. An official emphasized the importance of compassion during such tragedies, stating, “We remain deeply grateful to those who have given and those who will give.” The corporation is also collaborating with local businesses, some of which are organizing their own donation drives. During a visit to the collection site at City Hall on November 4, workers were seen diligently recording and storing donated items. Craig Magloire, an employee of the corporation, highlighted the impact of even small contributions, saying, “One tin can make a difference in someone’s life.” Jamaican music icon Sean Paul, who pledged $50,000 to match donations to Food For The Poor Jamaica, described the devastation as “overwhelming” and shared his concern for children traumatized by the storm. He also visited St Mary, a less affected area, where residents remain without electricity and unaware of the full extent of the destruction elsewhere.
-
Playwright Jeandon Bartholomew debuts play at Monthly Readers Theatre Series
Playwrights Workshop Trinbago (PWT) is set to host its Monthly Readers Theatre Series (MRTS) on November 5, featuring a cold reading of *Trigger Warning: Someone Dies*, a debut play by Jeandon Bartholomew. The event will take place at 7 pm at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, located at 6 Newbold Street, St Clair. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate in the post-reading discussion to provide valuable feedback for the playwright.
*Trigger Warning: Someone Dies* follows the story of Adewale and Adebimpe, two engaged detectives who, on their way to a Sunday dinner, are tasked with unraveling the mystery behind their aunt’s sudden death. Set against the backdrop of Port of Spain’s vibrant yet shadowy streets, the play explores themes of family, duty, and love as the couple navigates a web of secrets and suspects.
Jeandon Bartholomew, the playwright, is a multifaceted creative force with a master’s degree in human and social psychology. Beyond his writing, Bartholomew is an adult literacy teacher, a tenor in the Marionettes Chorale, and a former restaurant manager. With extensive experience in HR, customer service, and addiction therapy, he brings a unique perspective to his work. As secretary of the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT), Bartholomew is a passionate advocate for the arts and community development.
The MRTS serves as a critical platform for emerging playwrights, offering them an opportunity to refine their scripts through live readings and audience feedback. PWT invites actors, directors, producers, and the general public to attend and engage in the creative process. Attendees may even be called upon to participate as readers, making the event an interactive and collaborative experience.
For more information about PWT, script submissions, or upcoming events, contact playwrightsworkshoptt@gmail.com, call or WhatsApp 351-6293, or visit their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram: @playwrightsworkshoptt.
-
Williamsville fire leaves 10, including children, homeless
A devastating fire erupted on November 4 at a two-storey residence on Pooran Street in Williamsville, leaving ten individuals, including three children, without a home. The blaze originated on the first floor, which contained two bedrooms, and rapidly consumed the upper level. Fortunately, all family members were on the ground floor preparing lunch when they heard a loud explosion-like noise, prompting them to evacuate immediately. ‘We are grateful that no one was injured or killed,’ said Rasheana Ali, a resident of the home. The family, which includes Ali’s husband, their son, her parents, two sisters, their spouses, and an unmarried sister, lost all their belongings in the fire. Ali’s mother, Elaine Mohammed, who is battling cancer, experienced a panic attack during the incident and required medical attention due to elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Firefighters responded within 20 minutes and managed to contain the fire, though the ground floor sustained water damage and structural weakening. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with initial speculation pointing to a flammable substance such as perfume. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Dr. Aiyna Ali and Councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the site and pledged support for the family. The disaster management unit provided three mattresses, but the family’s long-term housing arrangements are still undetermined. Raghoo has urged the public to assist in rebuilding efforts. The financial impact of the damage is yet to be assessed.
-
PM wrong – cross-border gas critical
The recent suspension of the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has sparked significant concern among citizens and energy experts alike. This agreement, which facilitated the development of shared and cross-border gas fields, was a cornerstone of TT’s energy strategy and economic stability. However, the Prime Minister’s dismissive statement that ‘Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t need Venezuelan gas and never did’ has raised eyebrows and deepened anxieties about the nation’s energy future. TT’s gas production has been in decline since 2011, with current output averaging 2.6 billion standard cubic feet (scf) per day—far below the four billion scf needed to meet industrial and export demands. Projects like Mento, Matapal, and Cypre have provided some relief, but they are insufficient to bridge the gap. Cross-border fields such as Manatee, Dragon, and Manakin-Cocuina were expected to restore production levels by 2028, but their suspension now leaves TT without a viable ‘Plan B.’ The economic implications are dire: without these resources, downstream industries will suffer, government revenues will shrink, and foreign reserves will dwindle. Companies like Nutrien have already halted operations due to gas shortages, and others may follow. While diversification into non-energy sectors is essential, it cannot replace the foreign exchange earnings, tax revenue, and employment that the energy sector provides. The Prime Minister’s cavalier attitude toward this crisis, coupled with deteriorating diplomatic relations with Venezuela, threatens to undo decades of careful diplomacy and economic planning. TT’s short-, medium-, and long-term prosperity remains deeply tied to energy, and ignoring this reality could have catastrophic consequences for the nation’s economy and its people.
-
Witco profit falls 46% as demand shifts to lower-priced brands
The West Indian Tobacco Company Ltd (Witco) has reported a significant decline in its financial performance for the nine months ending September 30. The company’s profit before tax plummeted by 46% to $82.9 million, a stark drop from the $153 million recorded in the same period last year. Similarly, profit after tax fell to $66.9 million, down $47.7 million from 2024. Revenue also saw a 13% year-on-year decrease, dropping to $332 million from $382.9 million in the previous year. Witco attributed these declines to shifting consumer preferences towards lower-priced products and the persistent impact of illicit trade. Chairman Ingrid Lashley highlighted the company’s strategic adjustments, including the reintroduction of Du Maurier and the refresh of Rothman’s Classics, which have shown positive market responses. Despite these efforts, operating profit for the period stood at $81.4 million, compared to $150.6 million the year before. The company also announced an interim dividend of ten cents per ordinary share, payable on November 28. Lashley emphasized Witco’s commitment to long-term shareholder value, focusing on agility, cost discipline, and brand portfolio strengthening. However, the company continues to face challenges from illicit trade and macroeconomic pressures, with earnings per share dropping to $0.27 from $0.43 in 2024. Additionally, recent government measures imposing higher excise duties on tobacco products may further impact the company’s financial outlook.