Beleaguered captain Jason Holder was choking for words at the post-match conference as he called for “more belief.” As the plane landed in England for this three-Test series, Holder would have known that the last time West Indies won a Test match in England was in 2000 and the last time we won a Test series in England was in 1988.

Out of this squad of 15, only three players had played Test cricket in England.

To add insult to injury, the West Indian batsmen were facing a pink ball in this day/night encounter — the first ever Test match of this type in England.

The cluster of inexperienced West Indian batsmen had no answer to the high-class pace and swing bowling of England’s Stuart Broad and James Anderson with a combined Test tally of close to 900 Test wickets.

Our senior and experienced players, for one reason or the other, continue to sit on the sidelines.

No longer is there the thrill of victory but the constant agony of defeat — West Indies has lost its last six Test series.

I am appealing to Dave Cameron, the current president of the newly-formed Cricket West Indies, to speedily get back the senior and experienced players on board or else the slaughter of the lambs in the lion’s den, barring a miracle, would continue unabashedly.

REZA ABASALI El Socorro

Dead is Fyzool Walters also called Roland of Lower Hilltop Road, off Mt Pleasant Road in Springvale.

Police said, shortly before 5 pm they went to Walters’ home in search of illegal weapons.

They said on arrival they saw Walters with a gun outside the house.

On seeing them, Walters allegedly ran to the back of the house and began shooting in their direction.

They returned fire and later found the teenager with gunshot wounds nearby in some bushes.

Police said they retrieved an automatic gun with ammunition nearby.

Walters was taken to the Couva District Health Facility where he died shortly after arrival.

ASP Smith, Insp Bhagwandeen, Sgt Ali and other officers from the Central Division met relatives after the shooting.

An autopsy was expected to be done yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Only hours earlier on Sunday, Moruga police shot and killed Kevin Stafford of Tarodale, St Madeleine who, they said, shot and wounded 29-yearold Kevon Charles of Bois Jean Jean, Moruga.

Police said Stafford and Charles had an altercation at Basseterre Village, Moruga at about 7 am during which Stafford shot Charles in his leg.

Police, who were nearby, responded and chased Stafford.

However, they said Stafford stopped and pointed a gun at them causing a policeman to shoot him dead.

The Trinidad and Tobago Astro Club hosted the public to its solar eclipse viewing session at the Hill from 2 pm to 5 pm yesterday.

President of the club, Khyle Ramnath said, “We had a huge turnout, there was much more people than we expected, a lot of Astro events are held up North so, we decided to bring this event to south Trinidad, this eclipse is a spectacular event to witness.” Park officials estimated the crowd to be over 1,200 strong and many were unable to find parking and had to walk up the hill through the scorching sun just to be a part of this event.

According to NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) website, sometimes when the moon orbits Earth, it moves between the sun and Earth. When this happens, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching Earth and this causes an eclipse of the sun, or solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse the actually moon casts two shadows on Earth. The first shadow is called the umbra. This shadow gets smaller as it reaches Earth. It is the dark centre of the moon’s shadow.

The second shadow is called the penumbra. The penumbra gets larger as it reaches Earth. People standing in the penumbra will see a partial eclipse. People standing in the umbra will see a total eclipse.

Trinidad and Tobago is located in the penumbra so only 62 per cent coverage of the moon was seen.

On the Hill, spectators gave their take on what the eclipse meant to them. Allison Shepard, lecturer at University of West Indies (UWI) said, “I am fascinated with astronomy, I did an astronomy course at UWI so I could not miss this.” Dennis Karamath a physics teacher said, “I came for the experience.

The last time I saw a solar eclipse was in the 90s when I was marking CXC papers.” Cherry Ann Felix, a medical doctor said, “It is a shared experience across the globe, we can all come together and take part in this.” Gerry Barrow, founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Astro club said “This is a relatively rare event that stirred some sort of interest. I am totally overwhelmed ”. He also said, “there is alot of nonsense about omens and darkness concerning an eclipse and this foolishness has to stop.” Popular psychic, Yesenia Gonzalez on her Facebook page stated the eclipse was an ominous sign, “the diamond ring effect, a negative effect is a bad sign, bad time , there is a big warning something big will happen after the solar eclipse.” Meanwhile, the Caribbean Institute of Astronomy’s (CARINA) viewing event hosted yesterday at the Queen’s Park Savannah to observe the partial solar eclipse was marked with disappointing cloud coverage.

The event gave the public the opportunity to witness the solar eclipse, a phenomenon that owing to the small path of eclipses, will not be viewed from Trinidad and Tobago until 2045. However, clouds blocked the eclipse from view for long periods at a time and onlookers could only manage brief glimpses through protective glasses provided free of charge by CARINA.

The public, however, came out in their numbers, with many expressing their eagerness to see the eclipse.

President of CARINA, Graham Rostant said the turnout was more than they anticipated and because of this there were not enough filtered glasses for everyone. This did not stop people from viewing the eclipse though as many resorted to taking turns sharing pairs and some even used their creativity to fashion pinhole cameras out of cardboard and cereal boxes in an attempt to see the solar eclipse.

Lynly was diagnosed with the mental illness more than 20 years ago after the tragic death of his girlfriend and Patrong, who is a pensioner, has had the responsibility of caring for her son all by herself. Lynly has been an outpatient of the St Ann’s Medical Hospital for many years.

Patrong previously had her son in a home because she believed he would be able to receive the proper care and attention that he required.

After some time, the owner and caregiver of the home told the woman she would no longer be able care for Lynly because the disability cheques she was collecting from Government for him were not enough and Patrong had to take her son home and care for him.

Lynly was a patient at the hospital up two weeks but, according to his mother, one morning she returned home from an errand and found her son liming on the corner of their street with some men known to him.

She said Lynly told her a hospital’s van dropped him off with discharge papers stating the need for the prescribed medication dogmatil. She later went to the hospital and asked a medical officer if she would be able to get the prescription so she would be able to get it at a clinic.

The doctor told her he could not give her one but instead gave her a day’s worth of tablets. Patrong said that without his medication, her son is very difficult to deal with.

Patrong is now asking for help in any way possible but, most importantly, she would like to be able to access his medication.

Kernesha Baird, who resides in Brampton, Canada made an emotional appeal last evening as the search ended for a second consecutive day.

“Please find my father,” she cried. “I want to sincerely thank all of you who are risking life and limb and I want you to know that my family deeply appreciates all your efforts.

But please don’t give up. We are counting on you to bring him home.” She said prayers are being offered up every day for her father.

Admitting she feels helpless being so far away, she said she feels in her heart her father is alive but requires urgent medical attention and may have fallen in his attempt to return to the trail.

Kernesha described her father, a computer technician at Petrotrin in Pointe-a-Pierre, as a strong-willed person who in the face of an ordeal will try to fight to be reunited with his family. Baird, 56, of Rousillac was returning from the hike with 59 others. He is believed to have fallen and injured himself.

According to reports, at about 5.45 am, Baird and the others left Mt Poui Road, Aripo to trek five miles into the forest to spend the day at the picturesque waterfall.

The hikers were organised into nine groups and Baird, an experienced hiker was placed in the last group to journey from the waterfall back to Mt Poui Road. It was not until about 5.30 pm that the hikers realised Baird was not with them. The search is expected to continue this morning.

This year’s competition took place from Friday until Sunday at the National Aquatic Centre, Guyana, and featured the usual participants – TT , Suriname, Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana, as well as Grenada and the Bahamas.

In the points standings, TT finished with 1,322, followed by Suriname (1,289), Guyana (868.5), Bahamas (805), Barbados (445), St Lucia (314.5) and Grenada (20).

Coach of the 40-member team was ex-national swimmer Sharntelle McLean, who highlighted the depth and the quality of the 2017 squad.

“The other countries are getting stronger,” said McLean yesterday, upon the team’s return home at the Piarco International Airport.

“So every time we go, and every time we win, (we) become the target and they’re coming after us, and each time we get more competition.

“But the swimmers that we have, the quality and the depth that we have, I think we’ll come out on top.

Everyone got a medal.” Continuing on her point about the depth in the TT team, McLean noted, “It continues the streak that we’ve had from since CARIFTA, coming down to CCCAN and the Commonwealth Youth Games, and now Goodwill. We are definitely a force.” The Goodwill Swim Meet features competitors all under the age of 18, and is used as a developmental event for some of the region’s aspiring swimmers.

“The Goodwill Swim Meet is a great experience for the younger ones,” said McLean. “And that shows that we have the pool of talent, the pool of swimmers, to come up (and excel).” Reflecting on the experience in Guyana, the former Olympian (2004 and 2008 Games in Athens, Greece and Beijing, China respectively) stated, “It’s definitely a great achievement.” McLean pointed out that the humid conditions in Guyana was a factor, but, “The management team we had, we were really supportive.

We checked for the swimmers and made sure that they were well hydrated so they can perform.

“It was our target, to make sure that they were well taken care of, in order to perform the duties at hand.” On her new role as a coach, the 33-year-old said, “It’s definitely a difference, and I give all my previous coaches kudos for what they have done.

In fact I know I wasn’t a difficult athlete but, at the same time, it’s a pool of swimmers and a pool of personalities you’re dealing with.” One of Trinidad and Tobago’s top participants at the three-day event was Joy Blackett, who returned home with 11 medals – two gold, six silver and three bronze.

According to the 11-year-old, who trains with Tidal Wave Aquatics Swim Club, “It feels good. It was very difficult. I said ‘if we really want to win, just push harder so that Trinidad (and Tobago) will win’. And we did.” Asked about the experience in Guyana, Blackett, who will be entering Form One at Miracle Ministries in Couva, replied, “It was good. It was my second time so I knew I was going to do well.”

In particular, praise must be showered upon our 400M men’s relay team for ensuring that for yet another time our flag can be flown on the world stage with pride and joy.

Our athletes deserve every bit of accolade and praise for their achievements, for we all know these could only have come through dedication, sacrifice, perseverance and sweat.

These would be the values instilled in those athletes from a tender age when they were identified by their teachers at their respective schools.

During the celebrations it would be nice to spare a thought for those teachers who labour with our young talent from primary through secondary school, giving them the support and encouragement to seek out a career in sport.

While sport is supposed to be an integral part of the school curriculum, the resources required to commit to its pursuit is lacking.

Schools and teachers are forced to painstakingly raise funds in many instances to prepare athletes to participate in zonal and national games.

Teachers work well beyond school hours to ensure that students give of their best at these meets. In most instances facilities to prepare students are lacking or at best woefully inadequate. Yet despite these challenges, teachers go well beyond the call of duty to give their charges an opportunity to shine and achieve glory for self and country.

Sadly, many of our promising talent, having been unearthed by our teachers, will not be able to realise their maximum potential because of their socioeconomic backgrounds. This is indeed sad.

Despite all the talk by the national community and the magnificent sporting facilities our country possesses, the process of capturing and nurturing the young raw talent leaves a lot to be desired.

Very often the onus is on parents to ensure that the young boy or girl pursues a future in sport.

This is a very expensive proposition.

Many fall by the wayside simply because of lack of funding for training and gears.

Every two years, TTUTA and the Caribbean Union of Teachers host the only under-15 age group track and field championship in the region. This event, organised by teachers in the region, very often provides the first opportunity for the stars of the future to engage in international competition.

Unfortunately, funding for teams to take part in these championships has and continues to be an exercise in perseverance and determination by teachers. Corporate sponsorship is almost impossible to come by.

Many of the students who took part in these championships over the years went on to win world and Olympic glory, despite the unwillingness of the corporate community to invest in their early development.

So while the corporate community jumps aboard the celebration bandwagon of our 400M men’s relay team’s golden victory, it is an opportune time for us to reflect as a society on how our young talent is identified and nurtured to the point where they can shine on the global stage for us all to feel that sense of pride.

Just think about how many more victories like these we could be celebrating as a society if only we were to engage in a calculated programme of talent identification and development through a coordinated effort between the State and the corporate sector.

Sport not only provides a platform for citizens to attain international glory, it has the potential to reduce our troubling crime rates by giving many young people a sense of hope.

West Indies got off to a poor start on tour of England, losing by an innings and 209 runs in the first Test match which ended in three days on Saturday. Gayle last played an ODI for West Indies in March 2015, while Samuels last played in October 2016 as both players had conflicts with Cricket West Indies.

Ganga said experience is currently needed in the West Indies team, which is currently being led by 25 year old Jason Holder in the threematch Test series against England.

“Right now if you compare our West Indies team against the current England Test team, you would see that the team fails in comparison to the experience on that England side,” Ganga said.

“Any amount of leadership and experience would obviously be an added boost for our current West Indies team. It is refreshing news for both Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels. I am sure it will make our ODI team a little more competitive than it has been. Hopefully these guys can lead the West Indies team to some victories in the ODI series.” West Indies were poor in last month’s ODI series against India in the Caribbean, losing the five-match series 3-1 with rain washing out one of the matches.

Holder has come in for serious criticism for his captaincy but Ganga said he has a difficult task with such an inexperienced team.

“It is really unfortunate for him to be placed in a situation where he has got a bunch of inexperienced players. I saw a little bit of the first Test match against England…but everyone before the start of this series knew it would be an uphill battle for a young, inexperienced West Indies team. They had a very good start to the Test match with Kemar Roach leading with the ball, but losing 19 wickets in day three it was not expected. It would have been far-fetched to think that West Indies would have been competitive against England in English conditions.” Ganga, who praised Jermaine Blackwood for his unbeaten 79 in the first innings, thought West Indies should have included spinner Devendra Bishoo and said the bowlers must keep a consistent line and length. The former West Indies opener said for batsmen to be successful in England, they must apply themselves and be disciplines, rather than counting on talent.

Holder was lambasted in some quarters after bowling coach Roddy Estwick revealed he forgot to take the new ball when it was due during the England innings.

Ganga, now a cricket commentator, said taking the new ball might have helped, but said the outcome would have been the same.

He said the Port Authority is now “working overtime” to acquire the services of another passenger ferry before the TT Express goes on dry dock. Expressing confidence that more vessels would be available during the upcoming winter period, Rowley said the Authority will broaden its search to all parts of the spectrum to find an appropriate passenger vessel for the seabridge.

He reminded reporters that Cabinet has already agreed to put out a tender for a new cargo vessel built to Government’s specifications.

Rowley said this arrangement could result in a two to three year contract being signed for that vessel’s usage. He said once the Spirit and the Express have undergone their long overdue maintenance, they should be able to service the seabridge for at least another two years.

Rowley disclosed stakeholders agreed to a proposal to appoint two more Tobagonians to the Port Authority’s board of directors to ensure there is no repeat of the problems now facing the seabridge. He also announced that a committee comprising representatives from Government, the Tobago House of Assembly and the private sector will be established to deal with operational issues on the seabridge.

He rejected claims by some that yesterday’s meeting was “a waste of time.” Rowley said contrary to those claims, the discussions were fruitful.

Asked if he felt something was crooked in the procurement of the Ocean Flower II, Rowley replied, “Yes. My yes means a lot to me.” On whether the Port Authority ignored reports which suggested something went wrong in the vessel’s procurement, Rowley said, “I don’t have that information and I don’t think I can come to that conclusion.” However he added, “I am sure that the appropriate investigation or investigations can clarify those for us.” Last Thursday, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said the Authority is not conducting any probe into the Ocean Flower II’s procurement.

Rowley welcomed a JSC probing this matter because, “It will involve persons providing answers in full public view and explaining themselves at the level of the Parliament.” He promised Government will, “cooperate with it (JSC) fully.” Rowley also expected the Port and all other interested parties to fully cooperate with the JSC. The JSC is scheduled to hold its hearing at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre on September 4 at 1 pm. Rowley welcomed the Commission’s probe “for whatever purpose and benefit” it could have.

Saying he awaited Mouttet’s report, Rowley slammed attempts by the Opposition and other people to “demonise” Mouttet.

He countered all this would achieve is that if a citizen is asked in the future to either serve on the board of any State agency or conduct any investigation on the State’s behalf, “they will think twice before they serve.” Rowley added, “That is what some people want to achieve.” He said whatever Mouttet’s findings are “in no way influences or affects what others can do in their investigations.” Saying it is the business community that has complained the loudest about problems on the seabridge, Rowley said Mouttet is “a highly respected member” of that community.

Rowley said he had no problem, “asking a member of the business community to look at the State’s operations to see what is going on there.” He said a three-member committee appointed recently by Cabinet is looking at operational issues at the port. He said even with a separate company running the ferry service, there were numerous operational problems, including the scheduled drydocking of vessels. Rowley also said Government was aware of problems facing the airbridge and these will be addressed. He said Government is still looking at pursuing legal action against the owners of the Super Fast Galicia for breach of contract.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar was unconvinced by Rowley’s statements. In a release hours after the news conference, she reiterated her call for the dismissals of Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and the Port Authority’s board.

She condemned Rowley’s pronouncements as, “an unabashed attempt to divert attention from the allegations of corruption” the procurement of the Ocean Flower II. She said the public deserves transparency and accountability on this issue. “There should be no contamination nor compromising of evidence in the interim,” Persad-Bissessar said.

See Page 8A

Forget the holiday and house and flag-waving thing. Give them a million dollars each in Unit Trust units.

Just my opinion.

SALLY KENT Diego Martin