Zebapique Productions band leader Andrew Alleng believes sports and culture are the things to change the country's crime situation, as they bring communities together in a competitive and fun way.

He said while it may be too late for some adults of TT, these fields could break down borders and have a positive effect on children.

For the past 20 years, Zebapique Productions has been doing just that, bringing 24 communities of Laventille and East Port of Spain together.

And this year, the children's band will do it again with its presentation, Yuh Ever See.

Speaking at this year's meet and greet at the Zebapique Mas Camp on Jurawan Terrace, Petit Valley on January 11, US Ambassador to TT Candace Bond told the children they were each ambassadors of their communities.

Noting it was the last event of her term in Trinidad, she said culture was important because it was the beating heart of the country, so by their participation, they were keeping the country alive.

The Prime Minister's wife Sharon Clark-Rowley, patron to the event, wished the Zebapique team and the children the best for Carnival 2025. She thanked all involved in the project, including the children and their parents without whom, she said, there would be no band.

She declined to speak about her husband's decision to resign as Prime Minister and not put himself up for re-election as MP for Diego Martin West, when asked by the media.

When announcing his retirement on January 3, Dr Rowley said, "Before the end of the legal limits of this term, I will resign this office and go off to my family.'

He had previously hinted about his retirement on several occasions, one time saying Clark-Rowley retired at the end of 2023, and he was being pressured to go home and spend time with his family.

Snr Supt Dave Spence, head of the Inter-Agency Task Force, which was involved through its Hearts and Minds community initiative, said he was happy to support the band as it was building costumes and dismantling borders in Port of Spain. He added that he would commit the full support of the agency to the project.

Alleng thanked all those who supported over the years, including its patrons Rowley and Justice of Appeal Malcolm Holdip, Bond, Magic Mist Co Ltd, Republic Bank and the Ministry of National Security.

Also giving brief remarks were Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore, Republic Bank president Nigel Baptiste, general manager of enterprise risk at Republic Bank Karen Tomyew and Magic Mist group executive vice-president Wayne Herbert.

Yuh Ever See has 16 sections including Pan in Space, Carnival of the Sea Pearls; De Flaming Limbo; Bucco Reef and Aunty Beverley got Hummingbird Gold.

Speaking to the media after the launch, Alleng said Republic Bank paid for the costumes of 300 children, and the ministry paid for 100. The money was used to buy materials and the Zebapique team, parents and the children volunteered to make the costumes.

'What is so amazing too, there are people who will not play with the band because the band is