Apart from being denied the NOC, a letter from the WICB to Pollard explained that a charge equivalent to 20 percent of the player fee will now be implemented before granting a NOC.

When the Newsday contacted Pollard yesterday, the allrounder did not want to comment in detail as the matter may go down the legal route. Pollard said, “If this needs to go legal and stuff like that, I don’t want to say anything just yet to jeopardise anything else. What I will say is that I have been refused the NOC at this point in time and I was supposed to be flying (to South Africa) this afternoon.” Pollard was dropped by the West Indies selectors for the tri-nation series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe starting November 14. The WICB stance is also particularly surprising as Pollard is also not contracted to the WICB.

The letter to Pollard signed by WICB Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead, stated, “The Board of Directors of WICB, has taken a policy decision on the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC’s) and has communicated its stance to all ICC Full Members CEO’s and Presidents. The WICB will levy a charge for the granting of an NOC for West Indian Cricketers seeking a release to participate in Leagues outside the jurisdiction of the West Indies. This will be an amount equivalent to 20% of the player fee (as defined in the player contract) that is actually paid to the relevant player.

All NOCs will be subject to West Indies International commitments and, in respect of centrally contracted players, official domestic cricket matches in the West Indies.” The letter added, “The influx of various domestic T20 tournaments raises an interesting opportunity for a player to significantly maximise his earnings.

WICB however, having invested in developing a player’s talent, is not able to realize a return on its investment if the player is not available to play in local tournaments, which would allow lesser experienced players the opportunity to face more experienced and skilled opposition, thereby improving on the standard and competitiveness of the domestic tournament.

“In addition, the player is unavailable to mentor and develop younger players and to otherwise contribute to the overall growth of the game and its development infrastructure. It has become a system that disadvantages nations like the WICB, who have traditionally developed players who are particularly skilled in the shortest format of the game.

In the end, it compromises the standard of the WICB’s international team and that team’s performance internationally. The primacy of international cricket is threatened (Article 32A, ICC Regulations).

“While we do not wish to act in restraint of trade, we must seek a balance to ensure that there is fair and adequate compensation for the investment made in the players.

What WICB seeks is some compensation to recognize the investment made into players, an investment from which another Full Member is benefiting.

WICB understands that this policy decision may result in reciprocal agreements from other Full Member boards for obtaining NOC’s for their players, but we view this approach as necessary to preserve the best interests of West Indies cricket at both domestic and international level. It is our expectation too, that the accumulation of these fees will facilitate the offer of contracts to players participating only in the short format of the game.” The letter closed by saying, “As we are in the process of discussions with the various Full Members as to their acceptance of our position, we are not able to agree to your request until we receive feedback from the various affected member boards. We thank you for your patience and we expect to be able to communicate with you soon on your request for an NOC.”

The tournament also features the national men’s team competing for the regional title as 68 matches are carded over the course of the tournament and is set to provide for an action- packed weekend.

In an interview with Newsday during the team’s training session at the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday, head coach of the women’s team, Carlton Felix, expressed his satisfaction with the progression his team.

He stated, “They have been training every week since the start of September and they are gelling together nicely.

The aim this year is to actually win the regional title and there is an added incentive as we can secure direct qualification to the 2017 Hong Kong Sevens Tournament.” Elaborating on the team’s recent performances, Felix said he is pleased to see the growth of his players and their ability to close the gap on their international competitors.

“The last meeting against Mexico was tight as well as we managed wins against Jamaica in recent matches and this indicates the work-rate of these ladies to compete at the international level, along with closing the gap on top form opponents.” He went on to explain how these results increased the confidence of his camp and acknowledged playing at home is an advantage as it acts as extra motivation for the team to deliver.

Alesha Bruce, captain of ‘The Scarletts’, conveyed her emotions as she was feeling both nervous and excited for the upcoming weekend.

“The team have been training really hard and we were exposed to a number of tournaments throughout the year as well as training with our respective clubs.

We have the potential to win and they are a very dependable group of girls and I believe we can get the job done,” she declared.

In the first match Princes Town West trounced Vessigny 10-0.

In the North Zone quarterfinals the matches were also one-sided as Trinity defeated Tranquillity 6-0 at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo, while East Mucurapo crushed Diego Martin North 8-0 at St Anthony’s Ground in Westmoorings.

Today in the East Zone Trinity East will face Five Rivers at the El Dorado Secondary Ground at 3.30 pm, while St Augustine Secondary will battle Toco at Trinity College East at 3.30 pm.

In Tobago, Speyside comes up against Pentecostal L&L at Mt Pleasant at 3 pm and Signal Hill will battle Roxborough at the same venue from 5 pm.

In the lone match in the North Zone Malick will face Maple Leaf International at Queen’s Royal College Ground at 3.30 pm.

At that time, 70 odd years ago, there was not widespread education on this disease which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.

Over one-third of all people currently living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will develop some form of damage to their eyes that can lead to blindness.

These complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as close to normal as possible. Empowering and educating yourself with the knowledge and skills to manage your condition is the key to managing your disease and decreasing the risk of complications. A wise man once said; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela.

World Diabetes Day (WDD), created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes, is celebrated annually on November 14. Also promoting awareness in TT is Anica Sanoir, chief executive officer/lead educator of the Caribbean Lifestyle Diabetes Centre, located at Old Southern Main Road in Chaguanas.

Sanoir, a registered nurse, completed the educator’s examination through the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, in 2012, and was the first of two Caribbean certificated diabetes educators in the country. In 2013 she obtained a postgraduate diploma in diabetes from the University of Glamorgan, England; and then a MSc in Diabetes in 2014. Sanoir takes her specialty very seriously to the extent that she wears her long hair blue in November – Diabetes Awareness Month – and blue is the colour.

The theme of World Diabetes Day (WDD)ON Monday November 14, is “Eyes on diabetes”. The key messages guiding the campaign are: •Screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications.

•Screening for diabetes complications is an essential part of managing all types of diabetes The country report 2015 from the IDF for Trinidad and Tobago states: •one in seven adults has diabetes •28.1 per cent of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed •diabetes cases (20 – 79 years) 140,300 adults •Number of people with undiagnosed diabetes (20-79) 39,400 adults •Diabetes related deaths 1,600 adults •Diabetes related expenditure US $1,263.2 USD per adult person with diabetes In its commitment to improving the quality of life of people with and without diabetes, through raising public awareness and prevention of diabetes mellitus in making people more aware, empowered and educated about diabetes, CLDC has embarked on a Diabetes Awareness Campaign 2016 “Tomorrow’s Prevention, Today” for the entire month. The mission is “to empower people with diabetes and their families to become efficient at self-management through education which would lead to optimal health and improved quality of life.” The campaign will involve various health fairs throughout the country focusing on screening of eyes, blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

CLDC has also partnered with The Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago and will make the formation of the Human Blue Circle as a symbolic representation of the international symbol for diabetes in five divisions, and publish a diabetes magazine focused on reshaping diabetes health care management for this growing population, free of charge to the public.

Sanoir is asking: “In recognising November as diabetes awareness month, join the campaign to raise awareness by wearing blue each Friday in November. Encourage your family and friends to do the same to help bring diabetes to the forefront of everyone’s mind this November. Think blue. Wear blue for diabetes awareness.”

Remember, the adrenal glands are part of the endocrine/hormonal system that can either promote or interfere with your normal hair cycle. There are three parts to the adrenal glands. However, the cortex and the medulla are two of the main parts, though having separate roles.

The cortex is responsible for the production of corticosteroids (especially cortisol), mineral corticosteroids (especially aldosterone) and the sex hormones (especially dehydroepiandrosterone – DHEA).

These hormones control metabolism, blood pressure, and body features such as hair growth.

The medulla, on the other hand, manages your responses to sudden stress known as the fight or flight response, which was discussed in part last week.

When it comes to hair growth, it is the adrenal cortex that plays an active role through its hormone, DHEA.

DHEA is precursor for testosterone (male hormone) and oestrogen (female hormone). But it is the androgen that is responsible for the development of facial and body hairs.

Contrary to popular belief, both males and females carry varying levels of testosterone and oestrogen. Testosterone defines a man’s masculinity while oestrogen defines the femininity in women.

If there is something wrong with your adrenal cortex, the levels of these respective hormones may be out of balance. Your testosterone level can cause overstimulation of the hair follicles. Meaning, there will be increased hair growth on your body. This condition is called hirsutism.

A sustained increase of testosterone can also reverse hirsutism, but in a more complicated sense. This time, though, it will lead to the secretion of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hair follicle’s number one enemy.

Think of it as a wildfire, destroying all vegetation in the forest. It takes many extreme measures, for long periods of time, to recover from such a disaster. Similarly, high levels of DHT will cause the miniaturisation of the hair follicles, leading to hair loss, and extreme steps, for an extended period of time, must be taken to regrow the hair.

Aside from your adrenal cortex, your adrenal medulla can influence your hair growth through stress.

Yes, that word again. As I explained earlier, your body can only cope with it for a short time. If you are constantly stressed out, your adrenal medulla will be exhausted, too. Why? Because it will continuously activate its stress ports, draining its capacity to normalise the other adrenal hormones.

Imagine your adrenal cortex and medulla as yin and yang. They complement each other.

But in order for them to work perfectly, there must be some balance.

Damage on one part will prompt the other part to overwork, causing further imbalance.

Maintaining your health is basically your best defence from any illness. However, if you are experiencing severe hair loss or shedding, consult your trichologist immediately for your hair loss and/or an endocrinologist to assist in correcting the hormonal issues, that may be causing the issue of hair loss.

You should always be alert when it comes to hair loss, as in most cases, hair loss is a side effect of an underlying problem.

Germaine Williams Beckles is a doctor of trichology (DT TECT) and a nutrition consultant (NC), Rayogee Wellness Lifestyle, Woodbrook; geesexclusive.

com. Email your questions to queries@ geesexclusive.com or 627-4659.

THOUGH it is a regular complaint and/or concern from some of our clients at the International Women’s Resource Network, many of us have been administered with varying doses of embarrassment, some through our own actions or by others who felt it necessary to inflict such pain towards us at that given moment. In my recent features, I have shared the severity of the impact of negatives emotions, and embarrassment falls into that group.

Research studies have shown, that embarrassing experiences put into perspective, one’s failure to conform according to particular social standards and expectations, and therefore, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of the cultural norms and values of communities and other social spaces, as embarrassment usually occurs in relation to other individuals.

In most instances, embarrassment emanates from fortuitous behaviours with the potential to cause someone to feel negative about themselves. Because of negative connotations, one has to be careful in attempting to embarrass another, as depending on the severity, can trigger further negative reactions from the victims.

For example, if a child is embarrassed by either an adult or even another child, that child immediately removes itself from public spaces and immediately hibernates until some time has passed, or if possible, may avoid contact with the person who created the embarrassing moment? I have always stated in previous pieces, that no individual is perfect.

Mistakes will be made; therefore, creating a mindset to effectively manage embarrassing situations, requires individuals to begin developing standards and expectations that are realistic and achievable.

This immediately removes the fear of embarrassment.

One also has to be cognisant of the fact, that the selfgrowth acquired from failures and mistakes, make a huge difference in the way we think and co-exist, leaving little or no room for embarrassment.

Understand that you are your biggest critic.

Despite the fact that others will criticise you and perhaps judge you, it is critically important for you to continuously introspect and identify the elements in your action which need to be fixed.

Remember, though others may be empathetic towards you, they themselves are caught up in their own situations, and would be unable to provide their undivided attention Because of the fluidity of life, embarrassment is considered to be inevitable, so start creating your anti-embarrassment mechanisms which would be extremely useful as you navigate through the seas of life.

Begin by minimising your expectations, meaning that there would be some room for mistakes.

I would again repeat that your expectations must be pegged to your own value system and not to someone else’s; your affirmation should be, “it’s perfectly okay to fail, as long I grow and learn from this experience.” Embarrassment is characterised by the fear of uncertainty and criticism, and so, it’s important to learn and develop coping strategies to handle such situations with the potential to embarrass you.

Work on strengthening your self-confidence as the greater your confidence levels, the less likely you are to feel embarrassed, and you would also be in a better position to treat with such issues.

The more knowledge you acquire, the more confidence you gain.

When faced with embarrassing situations, do not respond defensively, as emotional outbursts only fuel more negativity. Instead, manage and control your emotions, be open to criticisms and possibilities, and keep a cool mind.

Keep in mind that embarrassing moments will come and so they will go. Avoid dwelling on what happened; instead identify lessons learnt, move on and continue to grow and succeed! To obtain a copy of the book With Women in Mind call 283-0318 or 795-9531.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gm

Statistics (2014) show that in the USA 27.6 million adults were diagnosed with heart disease which is 11.5 percent of the population.

In Trinidad and Tobago there are no recent statistics to be had for this disease Causes of heart disease are: Lack of exercise Too much fatty foods and cholesterol in the blood Overweight and obesity High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes.

Blood vessel inflammation Smoking, including second-hand smoking Who is at risk for heart disease? It can be hereditary: Those people whose families have a history of heart disease.

People with diabetes.

Those on birth control pills and others who are going through menopause.

People with high blood pressure over a protracted period, without being treated are also at risk.

Now that you have been presented with the causative factors, you are aware of those who are at risk, and what preventative measures to take.

Therefore it is recommended that you have an annual check-up.

Remember a healthy heart is vital to having a good life.

Take responsibility for your well being and as the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Life is precious, the onus is on you to ensure that you cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

Felicia Dyer Francis was seated in the driver’s seat of her white Nissan Tiida car outside the South-East PoS Seventh Day Adventist Church on Piccadilly Street, Port-of-Spain where she had been praying moments earlier, when she was shot four times.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of crime, Irvin Hackshaw, said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is providing all of the necessary support to PC Dyer and his family, in the form of counselling. He also confirmed tha the officer and his family are now in protective custody while the Homicide Bureau continues to work around the clock to bring closure to this murder investigation involving the senseless murder of PC Dyer’s mother.

Newsday understands that PC Dyer was recently placed in a unit based at the Besson Street Police Station, PoS – the Firearm Interdiction Team (FIT). This unit was mandated to recover illegal arms and ammunition throughout the country.

According to reports, last Tuesday (November 1), PC Dyer and other members of FIT, acting on information, went to a house in the Caroni area where they detained a 29-year-old businessman and seized a nine mm gun, 14 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana.

Newsday also understands that shortly before midnight last Thursday, PC Dyer received a telephone call from someone who advised him that attempts would be made to kill him, his mother and his sister. PC Dyer reported the matter to officers at the Besson Street Police Station.

Hours later, his mother was killed. Yesterday, homicide sources told Newsday that the Cyber Crime Unit of the TTPS, as well as other units, are working closely the Homicide Bureau to deal swiftly with this investigation, so that the perpetrator/ s of the murder of PC Dyer’s mother could be apprehended and brought to justice. Newsday also spoke with a senior officer of the JPU, who said PC Dyer has been barred from speaking with the press because the investigation is at a sensitive stage.

Following the murder of Dyer’s mother, police obtained CCTV footage of the murder scene, which was reviewed over the weekend. Yesterday, the officer’s colleagues at Besson Street Police Station told Newsday they were deeply troubled by the murder of Dyer’s mother and that they were praying for PC Dyer and his family to get through their troubles at this time.

Officers also said they would continue to ‘give their all’ to recover illegal arms and ammunition from the hands of the criminal element.

PC Dyer’s brother and sister, who both live abroad, were expected to arrive in the country yesterday. Newsday understands that they too will be given full police protection while they are here. Although funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised, it is expected that PC Dyer and members of his family will be given a ‘full escort’ to the service by heavily-armed police officers.

In response to the information being circulated, Snr Supt Mc Donald Jacob said he asked his officers to verify if it was true and after it was declared to be a hoax, officers were sent out into the La Horquetta community to inform persons that they need not panic.

According to Sr Supt Jacob, what was done by some malicious person or persons was an attempt to create mischief and to cause persons to panic, not only in the La Horquetta community, but the entire country and to create a feeling that the Northern Division had become like the Wild Wild West.

He said that this would not be tolerated and pleaded with members of the public to desist from such mischief.

He added that effective next Thursday, officers in the Northern dDvision would be holding community meetings in a bid to foster closer relationships with the public. He said this was an attempt to get the public to partner with the police so that vital information could be shared and acted upon.

According to Snr Supt Jacob, the public knows who are the gun runners, who are the persons selling drugs, and who are involved in criminal activities.

He said if this information was shared with the police then it could be acted upon and those persons could be rounded up and brought to justice.

He said the time has come for the public to send a clear message to those persons intent on a life of crime that they would be found, flushed out from their hiding places and prosecuted.

With respect to Saturday’s triple murders in the D’Abadie area, he said police were waiting on several bits of information which would be shared with the Homicide Bureau in a bid to bring closure to that probe.

Among them is the Persad family of Manuel Congo in Guanapo, Arima. Mrs Persad, who declined to give her first name, told Newsday that after seeing firsthand how badly they’d been affected, MP and Communications Minister, Maxie Cuffie, said “plans were being put in place” for her, her husband and their 11-yearold son to move into the emergency housing from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

“Minister Cuffie indicated that definitely, a house is needed as soon as possible. This area not really safe to stay in right now – the water has subsided enough that cars could pass on the bridge but it could rain again later today (Sunday), so we using the time now to finish packing up.” Mrs Persad said apart from their home, another seven houses in “Manuel Congo, Train Line and at the end of Tumpuna Road South” had been flooded, even though they were all raised off the ground following previous incidents of flooding.

“We were up in Toco when a friend called us just before midnight on Saturday night, saying ‘Come now!’ By the time we got home; after 2 am, the place was already flooded. Neighbours were trying to see what they could (salvage).

These houses not on the riverbank. They were built on parcels of land which people paid money for; the lowest amount was $150,000.

They have deeds and everything. They call it the San Carlos Estate.” Mrs Persad, who is about 5’3” tall, told Newsday the water “reached my calves this time”, which meant it was high enough to damage her bedroom furniture, one of her husband’s week wackers, which he uses in his job, his work overalls, work boots, all of their son’s school clothes except for one clean pair that was in another part of the house, and her work clothes.