Tall and powerful, Ahamad Charles was the ideal sportsman, the kind youngsters hero worship and imitate. Born in Siparia, he hardly ever departed from that small town image and was a genuine South hero in the 1930's and 1940's.

Charles had allround talent to burn. Although he made his mark at cycling and football, he was also quite competent at cricket and hockey. But for all his skill at games, Charles had a somewhat short period in the spotlight. At school he gave indications of great things in the future and he didn't disappoint his teachers. His school performances grew into top class displays when he went to work at Forest Reserve.

When he began as a cyclist, Laurie Rogers was king of the track. But in a few years time, as Rogers began to back pedal, Charles assumed the position of champion cyclist of Trinidad and the Caribbean. It was a period when the great Jamaicans, Hailes and Robb were considered the best wheelmen in the Caribbean. But at a meeting in Jamaica, Charles set out to prove otherwise. running a hot fever, he decided to stay out of a big race but was encouraged by his manager to make an effort. That day he beat the mighty Hailes in a grand stand finish and had to be taken away sick and weak after his victory. That was one of two major cycling displays in Charles' career.

The other was in a terrific finish with Rogers at Queen's Park Oval. As Charles drew alongside Rogers with 200 yards to go, his foot slipped off the pedal. Yet, with grit and determination, he fought to get his foot back on the pedal and with almost one leg pumping, rode to victory. At football, Charles was an elegant centre-half, considered by many to be among the three best players in that position ever to represent Trinidad. He was a fixture in the South teams of the 1930's and early 1940's and made centre-half virtually his own when the national team was chosen in those years. He also represented South at cricket and hockey with much distinction.
(T&T Sports Hall of Fame bio)