Greatest sporting moments for 2017

2017 has been one of the most difficult years for managing sport in this country’s history. Almost weekly, a different National Sporting Organisation (NSO) is expressing money woes and appealing to the Government and corporate sponsors for support. The downturn in the economy has been felt by all, but amidst the gloom, there were several bright spots for 2017. Despite the financial constraints, this country’s sportsmen and women continue to excel and give the nation something to be proud of. Here are the greatest sporting moments for 2017:

1) World Championship relay gold

The quartet of Jereem Richards, Lalonde Gordon, Machel Cedenio and Jarrin Solomon created history in London by winning this country’s first ever 4x400m gold medal at a major international meet.

TT have always produced quality quarter-mile runners, but gold has been elusive till August 13, 2017.

Jereem announced his name on the world stage with a bronze medal showing in the Men’s 200m event, displaying a breathtaking late burst of speed at just 23 years old.

Glory beckoned for TT in the 4x400m final with the management team tinkering with the line-up for the final, replacing Renny Quow with Jereem.

Favoured for the gold – and understandably so – were USA who had won this event at the ‘Worlds’ since 2005.. Solomon got TT off to a decent start before passing the baton to Jereem who pushed TT into second spot with a strong surge in the final 200m of his leg, with USA in first place.

Machel Cedenio, who placed fourth in the 400m final at the 2016 Olympics and is the national record holder, ran an excellent leg as well, handing Gordon the stick just a couple strides behind USA’s Fred Kerley.

The Tobagonian stalked the American for the majority of the race, before making his move with about 50m to go.

Kerley had no answer for Gordon’s attack as TT stunned the world to clinch gold in a national record and world leading time of 2:58.12. USA took silver in 2:58.61, with Great Britain third in 2:59.00.

TT’s stunning performance was recognised at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Awards in November, with the TT men winning the award for Best Male Athletes of the Americas.

2) Intercol redemption for Shiva Boys

Few school teams have had to endure the highs and lows that Shiva Boys did in 2017.

The 2016 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division champs came in as favourites to repeat but were banned from their home ground in Penal due to security/safety issues. What followed was the derailment of a title campaign. The improper registration of two players saw them lose 17 points and slip into the relegation zone and eventually demoted.

There was no time to sulk for Shiva Boys who quickly dusted themselves off and went on a mission to win the Intercol crown.

The South Zone Intercol title was snapped up and from there, Shiva Boys were two victories from glory.

Playing Carapichaima in the National Intercol semis, Shiva Boys found it tough and were indebted to their goalie Denzil Smith who made three saves in a penalty shoot-out to book their place in the final against 2016 winners San Juan North.

Few could argue with the final outcome – 2-0 to Shiva Boys – as the South team were superior throughout the match.

Tyrell Emmanuel was the hero with a brace but Shiva Boys proved the most balanced and exciting team with captain Judah Garcia and Quinn Rodney showing their class as well. Few teams have captured the hearts of fans and earned the respect of their peers like Shiva Boys.

3) Ghost of 1989 rests

A failed 2018 World Cup campaign which saw three coaches in charge of Trinidad and Tobago was fizzling to an end when the unexpected happened on October 10. With nothing to play for except pride, USA taunted TT’s third-world status with a shot at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Heavy rainfall for a few days left certain parts of the Couva venue under water as USA arrived to train. Star players taking piggybacks to cross the flooded terrain soon made its way on social media as foreign media mocked their hosts. A victory or draw for the USA against the rock-bottom TT seemed a foregone conclusion but TT tore up that script.

An own goal in the 17th minute by USA defender Omar Gonzales put TT in front, then the unbelievable happened. National right-back Alvin Jones on a marauding run into the opposition half, found himself in acres of space and unleashed a ferocious strike from close to 40 yards out that left his boot like a tracer bullet before flying past the outstretched hands of goalie Tim Howard and bulging the net. Suddenly, the realisation of defeat hit the visitors but by that time they were 2-0 down at the half. USA star midfielder Christian Pulisic pulled a goal back in the 47th minute but TT goalie Adrian Foncette had an inspirational performance in goal to help TT hold off the desperate Americans. And with results in Panama (Panama 2, Costa Rica 1) and Honduras (Honduras 3, Mexico 2) not in favour of USA, the Americans slipped into fifth place and were out of the World Cup. Tears flowed on the field as cameras focused on glum faces on their fans in the stands. USA got their own taste of 1989. For TT, fans hoped the victory would be a stepping stone to build on by coach Dennis Lawrence. It is yet to be seen whether the national team is heading in the right direction, but TT fans will always remember exacting sweet revenge on their haughty American rivals. Making it sweeter was Alvin Jones, the son of Strike Squad player Kelvin Jones, scoring the winner nonetheless.

4) Stickmen in Berlin

This country’s men’s hockey team showed great fighting spirit to emerge victorious at the Pan Am Indoor Hockey Cup in Guyana. Not only did the national team play unbeaten, but their mettle was tested after losing their head coach Raphael Govia early in the tournament. Govia was forced to return to Trinidad to be with his ailing father Winston who passed away during the tournament.

A close-knit unit rallied under assistant coach Darren Cowie to stay focused and win it for their mourning coach. TT trounced Argentina 7-0 in the final to book their ticket to the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Germany which flicks off from February 7-11. Akim Toussaint was TT’s top scorer with 11 goals.

5) Historic women volleyballers

Sinead ‘Jackhammer’ Jack leapt into the air for a spike against Costa Rica in Pool C action at the World Championship NORCECA Qualifiers at the National Cycling Centre, Couva. Her towering figure hovered over the net for a second and there was only going to be one result, Jack’s shattering strike down the centre ended Costa Rica’s resistance, losing to their hosts 25-19, 25-16, 25-22. The victory set-up a final showdown against Mexico, but more importantly, ensured TT finished in the top two and subsequently qualify for the 2018 World Championship in Japan. Jack led TT with 15 points (12 spikes, two blocks), while national captain Krystle Esdelle had 13 points (12 spikes).

After the victory, an overjoyed Esdelle recalled four years ago TT were close to qualification but eventually failed. Esdelle and coach Francisco Cruz lamented the lack of resources and other challenges the team had faced but still persevered. The job was not done, though, and a grudge match against Mexico in the final awaited. TT might have not come down from cloud nine, though, and found themselves in an 0-2 hole, after losing the first two sets 25-21, 25-22. But TT came roaring back to level the match with victories 23-25, 22-25. But TT faded badly in the decided as Mexico held on 15-9 to win the title. The defeat did little to tarnish the euphoria of TT who will be heading to Japan next year.

6) A ‘Champion’ CPL performance

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final featured world stars such as Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine and Carlos Brathwaite but it was Kevon Cooper who stole the headlines with a ‘Super Cooper’ performance to win it for the Trinbago Knight Riders. Cooper’s 29 not out from 14 balls (two fours, two sixes), swung a tense match into the Knight Riders’ favour after the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots had silence the partisan crowd at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba. Cooper’s career had been at crossroads after being called numerous time for a suspect bowling action. While his bowling has been under scrutiny, his batting had suffered as well. But with his team reduced to 90 for seven in pursuit of 136, Cooper came good and repaid the trust of his captain Dwayne Bravo. He could not contain his emotion after he and Denesh Ramdin took TKR across the line, falling to his knees as tears streamed down his face. Cooper had been super.