Pollard, Pooran among new T&T sport ambassadors

Wed, Sep 24, '25

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) will receive this country’s second-highest national award, Chaconia Gold, after winning the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title, on September 21, with a victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the announcement at the Diplomatic Centre, on September 23, after meeting with TKR players and staff. Also meeting with Persad-Bissessar were World Championship medallists Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards. Walcott copped gold in the men’s javelin and Richards took silver in the men’s 400-metre event.

“I don’t want to admit it, but I am not a great cricket fan, but because of you guys I try not to miss a game,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Persad-Bissessar said she does not always watch the games live, but she would rewind her TV. Speaking to all the national athletes, she said, “You have made us so proud. We want to thank you very much and you have done it at a time when we celebrate Republic Day tomorrow...sport unites a nation.”

Persad-Bissessar said it was not an easy decision in choosing how to recognise the cricketers.

“How do we honour you? Because it is not one of you, it is so many of you...I am glad you won the watch in Guyana. After Cabinet discussions earlier today, many things came about, so to honour you as a team, we have proposed that you will be given the Chaconia Gold medal tomorrow at the Republic Day awards ceremony.”