Basketball Fiesta concludes seventh edition in Sangre Grande

Basketball Fiesta’s seventh edition brought 208 young athletes, 38 teams and 10 clubs to Sangre Grande for four days of competition, reinforcing the tournament’s place on Trinidad and Tobago’s youth basketball calendar.

The 2026 event at the Northeastern Multipurpose Sporting Complex featured seven categories: Under-11 and Under-13 co-ed, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 boys, and Under-17 and Under-23 females. The tournament began in 2017 at the Champs Pierre Complex and later moved through venues including the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva and the Woodbrook Youth Facility. It missed two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Spartans TT dominated the boys’ divisions, completing a sweep of the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 titles. The club defeated NCA and Maloney Pacers Basketball in the Under-15 final. Royalty Basketball Academy finished second in the Under-17 and Under-19 divisions, while Maloney Pacers took third in the Under-17 competition and Basic Basketball Academy placed third in the Under-19 division.

The other winners were NCA in Under-11 co-ed, Royalty Basketball Academy in Under-13 co-ed, Enterprise in Under-17 females and Maloney Pacers Basketball in Under-23 females. Matthew Pierre Basketball Academy, Spartans TT, NCA, Balance Foundation and Enterprise also placed among the top three in their respective categories.

Organisers honoured Sangre Grande native Richard Mungo for his long contribution to basketball and community work through Grande Youngsters. The Under-15 boys’ Most Valuable Player also received a signed Milwaukee Bucks jersey from Trinidad and Tobago player Malique Lewis, presented by Lewis’ manager, Jonathan Weekes. Republic Bank Limited, the main sponsor through its Power to Make a Difference programme, was also acknowledged, alongside clubs, officials, volunteers, coaches, parents and supporters. Organisers said they are now looking toward the eighth edition in 2027.