Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
“[…] Well, the story behind (my name, Ability) is that I was a gift from God because my mom was going through a lot when she was pregnant with me. I was born a few months after my sister (Anisha Simon) passed.
“[…] I got introduced to football through older siblings playing the sport. My brother, Kwame Hazel, also played in the SSFL for Arima North…”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Versatile Arima North Secondary defender Ability Hazel has been an ever-present for the “Dial Dynamos” since the returned to the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division in 2023. In both seasons, Arima had the second or third stingiest defence with 10 goals conceded in 2023 and 11 in 2024
Hazel, the Arima North co-captain this season, spoke one-on-one with Wired868 intern Germaine Jones-Palmer:
What is your date of birth?
4th February 2006.
What is your hometown?
Wallerfield.
How would you describe yourself as a person?
I’m a passionate person, especially when it comes to football.
Your name is unique. Do you know the history behind it?
Well, the story behind it is that I was a gift from God because my mom was going through a lot when she was pregnant with me. I was born a few months after my sister passed. (Ability’s elder sister, Anisha Simon, was killed by a stray bullet during steelpan practice in Pinto.)
Any nicknames?
People call me Billy.
Photo: Arima Araucans Academy
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I really keep to myself. People might think that I’m not approachable but I’m cool.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy conversating with people. I prefer to talk with people older than me, you can learn a lot from them.
How were you introduced to football?
I got introduced through older siblings playing the sport. My brother, Kwame Hazel, also played in the SSFL for Arima North.
Photo: Arima Araucans Academy
Are there any other sports that you’re interested in or play?
Yeah, I can play a variety of sports. I can play table tennis, cricket… In my previous school, Arima Central, I played those competitively—but now I only play football.
Who has impacted you most in this journey, do you have a mentor?
I’d say Andre Morales. He was my first coach. He thought me the game itself. He coached me while I was in Arima Semi Pro.
Who is your favourite local player?
Trinidad and Tobago attacker Nathaniel James—he is such a versatile player.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Who is your favorite foreign player?
I’d say Cole Palmer. He is my favorite because he has a high level of composure and he has clinical technique.
What is your favorite team?
Chelsea.
How many times per week do you train?
Every day, once we don’t have a game.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
What position do you play?
Defence.
What makes you stand out as a player?
On the spot thinking and my problem-solving ability.
What was your best moment in football so far?
I’ll say winning East Zone Intercol last year. (Smiles) It felt like the first big step in the right direction.
(Ability Hazel is second from right in the second row.)
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
What was your most challenging moment in your football journey so far?
My most challenging moment so far was missing out on the chance to help Arima North win the National Intercol title for the first time. I’m just hoping to contest for it again in the 2025 season.
What is your ambition in the game? How far do you hope to go?
I see myself, if the opportunity presents itself, playing pro. I see the possibility for it to turn out into a career.
If you had to choose another career, what would it be?
I would like to do physiotherapy because it will provide me with the opportunity to still associate myself with sports. So, I will be still doing something I love.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Arima Araucans Academy
What pushes you to succeed and motivates you to go further?
Poverty—and to make my mom (Marlene Hazel) proud. My mom and siblings attend my games.
What do you enjoy about the SSFL competition?
It is a platform to showcase your talent. For persons who are seeking scholarships, it’s a good opportunity to put your name out there.
What, if anything, would you like to see improve about the SSFL competition?
The referees… There are a lot who are error prone. I think the competition could be lengthier—if it was lengthier the games could have been spaced out more.
Stapleton scored a hattrick in a 8-1 win for Arima North.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
What advice would you give someone who is aspiring, just like you are?
Focus on your school work. It always comes in handy. You can pursue your dream but you always have to have something to fall back on.
“[…] I think my creativity as well as my goal scoring ability makes me standout. It gives me something unique, Read more
“[…] I can speak German. I’m a German citizen through my mom, Stephanie Taylor… We go over there every summer Read more
Standing at six-foot-one, St Mary’s College attacker Tyrese Spicer can be likened to a gentle giant. In 2018, St Mary’s Read more
“[…] I want to be a professional footballer, but my first goal is to be better than my father (former Read more
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. So Read more
“[…] To be honest, what really motivates me is that my uncle, Aalon Ashing, passed away on my birthday and Read more
Germaine Jones-Palmer works in the public sector and is a student at COSTAATT pursuing her BA in Mass Communication. She is presently an intern at Wired868. Germaine is passionate about encouraging others to live purposefully.
Great interview Intern GJP, with Ability Hazel. I pray God’s blessings with you both in all your endeavors in the Name of Jesus. God’s grace is sufficient.