There are serious issues that I would have wanted to discuss today. However, it’s Carnival Monday as I write and Things That Matter for today’s (Carnival Tuesday) publication.

In a few minutes I head to Belmont to meet up with the fancy sailor band Belmont Exotic Stylish Sailors (D’ Bess). It’s in full-on carnival mode.

Carnival is what it is: an intrusion into carefully planned sport schedules. It’s just a fact of Trinidad and Tobago life. It’s part of T&T culture. Carnival, like our sport, speaks to who we are as a people, a society, a nation.

Even as we live Carnival 2026. People involved in sport made the headlines for two different reasons—one was T&T track and field athlete and this country’s first Olympic gold medallist, Hasely Crawford, who raised noise pollution and nuisance concerns about a fete hosted at St Mary’s College Grounds, which is just metres away from his St Clair home.

There were some people who had a negative view about the sports legend speaking out about the issue. However, at the end of the day, Mr Crawford has a right to express his feelings. The question is, what is the way forward? And are his concerns valid and legitimate?

The deeper question is how do we adapt our carnival ecosystem to be fit for purpose for a modern world. This will always be an important consideration given that there can be no conversation without recognising that our carnival infrastructure and facility intersect with those of sports. They go hand in hand.

In the contemporary world, facilities are multipurpose and multiuse. And it’s in this context that Mr Crawford’s concern ought to be addressed. It’s not black or white but colours. Different shades.

The other sportsperson—or it may be accurate to say former, but in any event, this young lady at one time played volleyball at a high level, even travelling to Cuba as part of a national volleyball team. How did she end up a headline story as a gun violence victim? It’s sad, very sad.

Every time I read or hear about a young adult who played sport and ends up a victim or a person known to police. I ask myself, where did sport fail? I know there are those who believe sport is not a cure-all and cannot save anyone from a life of at-risk behaviour. But call me delusional.

I believe differently. Sport matters and can make a significant difference and contribution.

So in the case of Amelia Hernandez, I can’t help but ask the question. How and why? Is there anything that could have been done?

Regardless, the question should be asked, even though there are those who will say with confidence the answer is a big fat No!!

The backstory re Hernandez based on media reports: Couple gunned down in Couva—mom ran to save infant child at play park as shots were fired, children scampered for safety. Carnival Friday afternoon (February 13th, 2026) at Jade Court, Couva, turned into a scene of terror and bloodshed when gunmen opened fire, killing two people and sending children scrambling for their lives.

Hernandez ran toward the field to rescue her child. In the chaos, she reportedly tripped and fell. A gunman ran up to her and continued firing.

She was taken to the Couva District Hospital by police, where she was declared dead. Did it have to end like this?