Trinidad / Sport

By Stephen Thorpe

The vast majority of Trinis have more than a passing interest in sport - in its truest sense that is, be it physical competition or ball games between individuals or teams - and women are just as determined participants as any man, even in the traditional male domains of football and cricket. Cricket has been the main passion, nay a religious obsession, at least for spectating (see Cricket in Trinidad section). The Queen’s Park Oval is a wonderful arena, with an excellent museum and pub, and well worth viewing even on non match days.

Conversely football has acquired massive popular appeal, mirroring its global expansion through satellite television, and the team’s success in reaching the World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006 as the smallest ever nation to do so reinforced the ‘Soca Warriors' and the game firmly in the nation’s consciousness. The National Stadium on Wrightson Road hosts the big matches.

Other major land based sports are cycling which is now attracting overseas interest with the Beacon Series and West Indies v Rest of the World the main events of the calendar held at the Arima Velodrome - Ivan Charles, a cycling tour guide, takes biking to new heights, literally, from gentle road trips to serious mountain biking to waterfalls and caves. Basketball has a huge following - while Hashing tends to be a weekend diversion, a peculiar phenomenon where dozens of people set out on strenuous cross country runs interspersed with various drinks stops - as much a lime as a serious sporting activity but a nice way to mix the two if you’re so inclined. Tennis is increasing in popularity especially at youth level which is no bad thing, with courts rented by the hour at the Country Club and hotels like the Hilton. Reservations needed at public courts in King George V Park in St Clair, Port of Spain.

Please see sections for Golf, Hiking & Walking, Scuba Diving and Watersports

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

Trinidad & Tobago Cycling Federation, t 624 0384, www.facebook.com/TTCyclingFederation

National Basketball Federation of Trinidad & Tobago, t 627 9950 or 753 0304, f 646 1663

The Port of Spain Hash Harriers, http://poshashhouse.tripod.com/

Trinidad & Tobago Tennis Association, t 625 3030, www.tennistt.com