Dear Editor: Arima Municipal Police disrespected Malabar’s young footballers and the Borough

“[…] The evident disrespect of the Arima Municipal Police was one for the books last Thursday as they came with a mission to clearly obstruct young men with talent, living in communities with no respect for the police. 

“What do we expect after such incidents? […]”

The following slightly edited Letter to the Editor on the intervention by the Arima Municipal Police, who prematurely ended a NLCL U-19 Community Cup fixture at the Arima Velodrome on Thursday 5 May, was submitted by D Daniel of Malabar:

Photo: Malabar Young Stars forward Jorel Grant leads the charge for his team during NLCL U-19 Community Cup action against Soccer Made Simple at the Arima Velodrome on 5 May 2022.
Grant scored twice on the night but his double was overshadowed by the Arima Municipal Police.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

I happened to be present at that unfortunate incident at the Arima Velodrome last Thursday night, when the police decided to end a football match prematurely. The Arima Municipal Police (AMP) disrespected the Chief Executive Officer and Council by taking instructions from a ‘junior’ senior administrator at the Corporation without consulting the heads.

The move seemed like the emotional foray of a jilted lover—either the police or the ill-fated Admin—who would take their marbles if they couldn’t have their way or come to an amicable decision.

The evident disrespect of the AMP was one for the books last Thursday as they came with a mission to clearly obstruct young men with talent, living in communities with no respect for the police. What do we expect after such incidents? Would young men in Malabar continue to treat the AMP with the respect it deserves?

It is my understanding that the Council tried its very best to facilitate the tournament and this premature climax has really thrown a cold blanket on the sport of football at the Velodrome. Only the people of Arima and environs will suffer.

Photo: Malabar Young Stars coach Yunus Abdullah (left, crouching) talks to his players during the halftime interval of an NLCL U-19 Community Cup fixture against Trendsetter Hawks at the Eddie Hart Ground in Tacarigua on 1 May 2022.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

Sport is as ticklish as politics is. Even the article published by this news site spoke about the Member of Parliament for D’Abadie/O’Meara, the Honourable Lisa Morris-Julian, writing to the CEO of the Corporation. This is probably a sticky note or love letter because the MP surely won’t be taken seriously without passing through whoever leads the Council now. She ought to know better!

In closing, the Arima Borough Council and all stakeholders need to come together for the future and benefit of the people of the Borough of Arima. The Velodrome is only one of a few gems left for use by the people of Arima as everything else has taken flight from Arima, including basic services.

More from Wired868
Dear Editor: Did TTFA breach own safeguarding rules with U-15 Boys troubling travel ordeal?

“[…] Safeguarding in youth sports does not simply mean preventing abuse; it encompasses a proactive commitment to avoid all unnecessary Read more

Dear Editor: National U-15 Boys deserve better than TTFA’s vay ki vay management

“[…] This is not merely an issue of late bookings. It reflects a pattern of dysfunction and a laissez-faire—or as we say Read more

Dear Editor: What every parent, coach, and young athlete should know about OSD

“[…] Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) is an overuse injury that affects the tibial tuberosity, which is the small bump just below Read more

Dear Editor: Withdrawal of T&T hockey teams, after standoff between TTHB and SporTT, ‘risks discouraging entire generation of athletes’

“[…] My deepest concern is for the athletes. These young men and women trained for months, in some cases years, Read more

Justice for Shem: Supporters of extradited T&T sport administrator claim legal double standards

“[…] Shem Alexander, who remains in pre-trial detention in Florida, was arrested in Jamaica and extradited in November 2024—despite being Read more

Dear Editor: West Indies Cricket is dead—even with Shai in squad, this is Hopeless

“[…] Being humiliated is nothing new to West Indians born mid-1980s and later. But this 27 all out feels different—this Read more

Check Also

Dear Editor: All at SEA—changes needed in T&T’s education system

“[…] T&T’s education system thus faces two challenges—decades old, but now more pressing in the …

One comment

  1. Rightfully True. Politics has no place in sport.
    Clearly the ABC is looking to play the blame game. This issue stems from the September 2021 issue where Councillor Brennon Patterson, our goodly selected Mayor and other members of council sat in caucus and decided to bully the Malabar Young Stars organization, destroying a structure without consultation because of Mr Patterson’s inflated ego and his need to manipulate situations.
    Ultimately Malabar Young Stars FC will continue to showcase the sporting talent within our community while these petty individuals try to satisfy their ego.
    Patriotism over pettiness.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.