Gomez told JSC members that an equally robust system is used to check ammunition used by TTDF personnel. He said that in the event of any breach, the TTDF’s systems allow it to regulate any such event very quickly. Gomez and TT Fire Service representative Robert Williams outlined to committee members the process whereby vehicles in their respective organisations are acquired, maintained and disposed of.

When committee member, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat asked about the fate of a fire truck which fell down a precipice in Blanchisseuse in 2013 and was removed at a cost of $6.8 million, Williams said that truck, “is now at the Chaguanas Fire Station.” He said it is not in use and has not been disposed of. Williams was unable to explain why this was the case.

Rambharat, who recused himself earlier in the proceedings when the JSC met with representatives from his ministry, said he took a decision on assuming office in September 2015, to dispose of a Porsche Cayenne vehicle purchased for the use of his predecessor Vasant Bharath.

Agriculture Ministry officials said that vehicle was auctioned last year.

Rambharat explained he directed the Porsche Cayenne be disposed of “because of the signal it sent” and not because of the cost.

The minister also expressed aggravation over the acquisition of a particular fire engine with chrome wheels and paintings on its exterior as well a report which spoke about the acquisition of cars by the Fire Service. JSC chairman and Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette-George, directed National Security Ministry Permanent Secretary Lydia Jacobs to provide additional information to the committee, in writing, by February 3.

The Ministry also warned that heavy equipment will be used to clear and collect unwanted waste within the municipality of San Juan/Laventille including Belmont, Laventille, Morvant, Barataria, San Juan, Santa Cruz Old Road, Santa Cruz, Maracas, La Fillette, Mt Hope, Cascade, St Ann’s, Aranjuez, Beetham and El Socorro. As such, caution is advised when motorists and pedestrians are these areas.

The ministry release apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Telfer showered praises on all involved, stating she is “eternally grateful to the club’s coaching staff (and) the exceptional support received from the parents of the athletes.” She also lauded the club’s choreographer Deborah Knowles-Garcia, for her “excellent work-ethic, time and patience and most notably her vision” in composing the show.

“High 5” featured approximately 200 performers who were on constant rotation throughout the evening synchronising their moves with the accompanying music and utilising props for a truly magical experience.

On Friday night, the mothers of the athletes hosted a charity event in which underprivileged children and athletes from all the gymnastics clubs throughout Trinidad and Tobago were invited to attend. Though elite local gymnast Thema Williams did not perform on the night, she made a guest appearance which resulted in an eruption of screams by her young adoring fans.

Queen’s Hall was filled to capacity the following two days, with additional seating required for the grand finale on Sunday.

Among the audience on Saturday were Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and her daughter Tonya Rowley- Cuffie as well as Sports Minister Darryl Smith.

The transition of practising on the club’s small Dundonald Street stage to the grand Queen’s Hall stage, was one of the major challenges the youngsters encountered, but Telfer was beaming with pride as she recalled how seamlessly the performers made the switch to the larger venue and executed their routines.

The club recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and will now focus on hosting a competition from March 24-25 at the Woodbrook Youth Facility.

This was announced at the league’s 2016 presentation of awards recently.

Samaroo had an aggregate of 376 runs and averaged 62.55 with a highest score of 91.

He also claimed 15 wickets with best bowling figures being four wickets for 20 runs.

But the best batsman of the division was Rickey Sieuchand of MR & HT Limers who rattled up 567 runs with a highest score of 107.

Bowling honours in the division went to Dianand Mahabir of Cavaliers who captured 21 wickets at an average of 9.80 with best figures of five for 24.

HYO batsman Ravindra Rampersad was named Cricketer of the Year in the Championship Division after scoring 858 runs at an average of 107.25 with a highest score of 133. He hit three centuries and six 50s.

Young Starz bowler Kylash Sahadeo was also singled out for honours after claiming 28 wickets at a cost of 11.03 runs with best figures of 6/32.

Meanwhile, league president Krishna Bedassie commended the high level of discipline by clubs and players.

He appealed for support from corporate sponsors for what he described as the biggest community-based cricket league in the country.

Bedassie noted that 90 teams competed in the 2016 season and this will be increased by 10 more to reach 100.

The 2017 season is scheduled to bowl off on February 5 and registration deadline is February 3.

Winners of the Premier Division will get $40,000 with $30,000 going to the Championship Division winners, while the Intermediate Division champs get $20,000 and another $20,000 goes to The Saturday .

T20 winners.

The other award winners include Intermediate Division Cricketer of the Year Surindra Dookie (Tarouba Sports); Kyle Gookool (Borde Narve) was best batsman while best bowler was Aalon Mahabir (Tarouba Sports).

The top man in the Saturday T20 league was Scott Ragbir (Cavaliers), while Andre Browne (All Apaches) was best batsman and Shivanand Mahabir (Cavaliers) was best bowler.

Elie, was head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 team in 2000, during the early stages of the preparations of the team for the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Cup staged in TT . He also took on the head coach role of the most recent TT U-17 men’s team last year before Russell Latapy took over the reign ahead of the Caribbean Football Union leg of the U-17 World Cup qualifiers.

Elie said he is anticipating the new challenge with the Laventille United team which entered the Northern Football Association competitions last year and earned promotion to the Premier Division for 2017.

“Taking up the post with Laventille United presents a valuable opportunity and a patriotic one for me to serve the young people of a historically vibrant community in sport and culture, a community that has given and produced so much but has received little in comparison,” Elie said last Saturday.

“Being in this position now as technical director is my way of respecting all of Laventille and serving and contributing to their development. I am looking forward to long and professional relationship with the club management which is led by a committed individual in Sham Mohammed and the Miscellaneous Grup,” Elie added.

Elie is also known for working with other local teams such as St Anthony’s College, Essex, WASA FC – which he helped attain national FA Cup success, and the St Dominic’s Children’s Home in the Atlantic LNG/Real Madrid programme.

Elie will also serve as assistant coach to the Laventille first team under head coach Cedric Hazelwood but will oversee the technical development of the club which also comprises youth teams in different age groups.

Mohammed and his establishment, the Miscellaneous Group have been the financiers of the Laventille United club and will handle Elie’s operations with the club.

“W Connection won’t have a chance unless we decide to give up with bad results,” Mitchell said. “It’s all in our hands and the only team that can beat Central FC, are Central FC.” Central recorded their 13th league win of the truncated season with a 2-1 come-from-behind result over Defence Force on Tuesday after losing winger Rundell Winchester to a direct red card, and Mitchell admitted the Couva Sharks needed to dig deep against the Army/Coast Guard combination.

“We knew we needed to win,” said the Couva Sharks’ Tobago-born midfielder. “Because of the trouble we were in (based on points), it was all about fighting for the victory and we got the three points. It was a bit tough playing with a man less but we dug deep as a team.” “It’s now about concentration,” added the Central captain, whose side will clash with St Ann’s Rangers from 3:30pm on Saturday at the Larry Gomes Stadium before meeting San Juan Jabloteh a week later in their final league game. “We can’t give it up now,” continued Mitchell.

“We are one point ahead with two games left.” Connection meanwhile, will return to action today against third-positioned Jabloteh from 8pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium and will look to pile the pressure on Central before facing Ma Pau Stars a week later in their final league game.

Connection are currently on a six-game winning streak and according to head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, his side won’t give up the chase.

“We always try to win every competition; it’s the norm with us,” said the Connection coach during an interview earlier this month. “Our objective is to be competitive and try to win games and competitions. We only have control over our games so we must remain focused.”

The day/night match is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm local time with the Red Force playing their first match in Group A while the Windwards are already off to a winning start.

TT won the title last year with considerable help from Darren Bravo but the Red Force will have to do without last year’s top scorer who is embroiled in a matter with the West Indies Cricket Board. The lefthander scored 274 runs in three matches including 97 runs in the final last year and captain Denesh Ramdin will be hoping his other batsmen step up and contribute to the cause.

The Windward Islands are looking to build on their last win against the West Indies U-19 on Wednesday and are oozing confidence.

The Windwards boast Darren Sammy, Andre Fletcher and Shane Shillingford who are all familiar with the opposing TT players and keen on derailing the defending champions’ campaign from the start.

TT Squad: Denesh Ramdin (captain/wicketkeeper), Nicholas Alexis, Sheldon Cottrell, Rayad Emrit, Shannon Gabriel, Kyle Hope, Jon- Russ Jaggesar, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Roshon Primus and Ravi Rampaul.

Windwards Squad: Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris (wicketkeeper), Audley Alexander, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Kavem Hodge, Delorn Johnson, Mervin Matthew, Kyle Mayers, Darren Sammy, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile and Kesrick Williams

Under head coach, American-born Benny Astorga, the team will be joined by several world-rated Beach Soccer players during the Tobago training camp.

The TT team will also enter a residential training camp in Barbados and Guadeloupe before arriving in the Bahamas for the competition.

Astorga was in high spirits ahead of the team’s upcoming programme.

“So far preparations have been nothing short of amazing. We have received everything we requested from the TT FA to ensure that the team has the best possible preparations,” Astorga told TT FA Media.

“We are really looking forward to this training camp in Tobago because it will afford us the opportunity to play some games against some of the top beach soccer players in the world today and also they will be passing on their knowledge to us during this period.

“We have been together training for a lengthy period and now this next couple of weeks will be used to put the finishing touches on our team and getting ready for the qualifiers. We have a lot of experienced players who have been to the qualifiers in previous years and who have gained a lot of experience in foreign leagues,” Astorga added.

Among the European players who will be engaged in the training camp in Tobago include Ramiro Figueiras Amarillo who is the captain of the FC Barcelona Beach Soccer team and a FIFA Beach Soccer instructor, Spain Beach Soccer player Llorenc Gomez Leon and Italian Beach Soccer international Dario Ramacciotti.

Boxing promoter Boxu Potts yesterday thanked Ma Pau for their generosity in donating $10,000 to the card.

“Ma Pau is here to assist in the sporting development initiative throughout the Caribbean region and by extension the world,” Potts said.

The colourful boxing figure promised that amateur pugilists in this country will now have something to look forward to after years of “neglect”.

He declared: “The WBC is dedicated to the growth and development of the sport in the region and this project has received the support of its president Mauricio Sulaiman who is based in Mexico City, Mexico. The WBC created a platform for all disenfranchised boxers to come and box as this allows boxing fans who were starved of top class action in the ring, to now have a regular calendar of events to keep them entertained.” The former advisor to the local Boxing Board of Control is hoping that from the series of promotion leading up to this event, outstanding fighters will graduate into the WBC ranks and be eligible to participate in the planned Muhammad Ali International Cup. Potts added: “The WBC recognises that sport is one of the vehicles that can deter crime in and around society. As the world struggles with delinquent youths, we are the ones to fashion their thoughts into the right direction and their mind positively. This will be the biggest event in youth and amateur boxing in the world and it will rival the Olympic boxing competition.” The amateurs will be bidding for trophies and medals along with the opportunity to impress coaches with an eye for talent, in the WBC Youth and Amateur Programme.

Saturday night’s under- card includes seven fights along with two MMA bouts and the highly anticipated main event of Sheldon Lawrence vs Nigel Edwards.

The TT men were later upgraded to silver as American Tyson Gay was eventually found to have used a banned substance and USA were stripped of their medals.

It is deja vu for the TT men who are likely to be handed 2008 Olympic relay gold after Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter’s B-sample tested positive for the illegal stimulant methylhexaneamine.

Carter’s doping violation not only erases Jamaica’s then world record time of 37.10 but also leaves sprint legend and his compatriot Usain Bolt with a triple- double instead of the perfect triple-triple (gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Games).

In a Facebook post yesterday speaking on behalf of his teammates, Thompson expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of love shown to us today on hearing the fortunate news that T&T has been upgraded from Silver to Gold.” He reminded everyone though that the life of an athlete is hard and they are forced to sacrifice their livelihoods to represent TT .

He revealed promises were made to financially reward the 2012 national relay men retroactively which have been unfulfilled.

“In 2016 we returned our Bronze and were given our silver medals. There was a function held for us by the President, which we so greatly appreciated, there was a big buzz from the T&T people and media, then there was a follow up convo that we had with Minister Smith regarding retroactive financial compensation as well. “We were promised in July that something would be done to assure that we were rewarded for our efforts and representing T&T with integrity.

There were media releases and pictures taken….and then nothing! We were forgotten about and disappeared to them like magic,” Thompson lamented.

He noted that the athletes spent considerable amounts of money to prepare for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro without being reimbursed.

“To make matters worse, in trying to prepare for the Rio Olympics, we endured an immense struggle to receive elite funding, which was intended to assist us with our Olympic preparation. To this date, I still have not received funding despite several attempts to coordinate with the minister, his assistant and the ministry officials.

I spent over $150,000 of my own money, and so did the other members of the 4×1 team to prepare for Rio, which included Coaching fees, massages, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, supplements, meals, transportation and flights to competitions.

I am now being told that I will be unable to receive any reimbursement.” Thompson said he is keen to meet Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Sports Minister Darryl Smith to chart a way forward.

After the 2016 Olympics, Minister Smith had indicated that his Government was pressing ahead to formulate an athlete reward policy so that local athletes do not have to “beg” when they achieve glory on the world stage.

Efforts to contact him yesterday evening to ascertain what stage formulating that policy was at proved futile up to press time.