We need a cricket coach who is willing to spend the majority of his time working on the West Indian cricketers’ mental strength and getting the players to perform at a much higher level.

We need to hire a coach that has a proven track record of being able to turn losers into winners.

This is something that will be truly remarkable to witness.

This is what truly great leaders do. Like General Patton of World War II who transformed his army divisions into effective fighting forces.

Leaders who make remarkable things happen without the long list of excuses explaining why it could not be achieved.

We need a coach who we can trust with taking full control of the team, increasing the amount of time spent on the training field and who understands the importance of playing veterans over rookies.

Our next coach must be dedicated to the sport of cricket, hard work, and possess a clear vision of what he wants to achieve in a short space of time and is a mastermind at turning losers into winners.

Leaders who turn their teams into winners are not always popular.

They are changing the status quo and people like where they are even if they are not living up to their potential.

We are sick and tired of leaders who are more willing to go with the flow rather than make the necessary changes for the better.

Cricket West Indies must give our next coach plenty of authority to make the necessary changes to make us into a force to be reckoned with. People like the coach we need are special leaders.

They have a very dedicated and loyal staff that enables their leader’s strengths beyond what could normally be done. That same staff helps improve any leadership weaknesses.

An experienced, tough, no-nonsense coach is key to the West Indies team’s success, much like Patton’s chief of staff who drove them to meet Patton’s tough will.

We need an innovator of cricket tactics and a motivator of cricket players. Like the conquering generals of ancient history, we need someone who is best at winning with mediocre teams and limited resources.

SIMON WRIGHT Chaguanas

Pierre’s gown, titled Enigma, was a tribute to the wire and steel benders in Laventille and was created by Kareem Henry and Sharon Phillips. The beautiful gown was reminiscent of the blossoming youths of Laventille as she moved gracefully across the stage.

On Saturday, the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain was filled to capacity as patrons were eager to see which of the 16 queens would walk away with the title at the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition Finals hosted by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. Competitors donned spectacular gowns created by some of the best local designers.

Using materials such as black eyes peas and dhal to represent racial integration, to gowns that glowed in the dark with shells, sand, seaweed and embellished mesh, the queens spared nothing in their attempt to wow the judges..

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said, “The spirit of community arts is alive and well. Through the years this competition has seen the passion and unwavering commitment of communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago and I say thank you for your dedication, passion and diligence.” In an interview with Newsday on her victory, Pierre said, “In the moment I was overwhelmed because a lot of work and planning went into this, but at the same time I was filled with gratitude.” Pierre is a full-time student pursuing a degree in Theatre Arts and Carnival Studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

“Although I live in El Dorado, I do a lot of work with the North West Laventille Cultural Movement.

As Miss La Reine Rive 2017, I hope the Ministry uses me to inspire young people in any way possible.” In second place was Cavel Gordon from Tobago who took first place in the categories of Best Talent and Self-Expression.

Rhesa Chan from Victoria West came in third with Cherisse Ealie of St George West in fourth place. Ealie was also the winner of the Best Evening Gown prize.

Fifth and sixth place respectively went to Nadiola Shadia Brasnell of Tobago and Kadine Edwards of St George East.

The cheques were cleared and drawn on the account of the Arima Borough Corporation.

The 37-year-old businessman, who owns a construction firm in Chaguanas, was arrested at the same bank in Montrose, Chaguanas last week when he went to make an additional withdrawal.

The businessman from Francis Lalla Street in Chaguanas was arrested after investigations by Fraud Squad officers headed by Snr. Supt. Totaram Dookie

Gopeesingh contrasted this state of affairs with the ministry under his tenure when the staffing of the Student Support Services Division was increased from 250 to 700 employees.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia told Newsday most such contracts had ended and some staff will be re-hired.

“We are in the process to renew the contracts of those whose performance has been satisfactory,” Garcia said.

“We took the note to Cabinet which approved it.” He could not say how many staff will be rehired and how many let go, but said this is a function of the ministry’s human resource department and will depend on employees’ individual performance appraisals.

Gopeesingh also queried recent statements by Garcia that all schools will be re-opened on time for the new school year. He alleged Garcia said the same thing last year but that shortly after schools had re-opened many were immediately shut again for repairs.

“More than 25 schools then remained closed for a significant time, some exceeding one term.

So Minister Garcia’s statement must be taken with a pinch of salt.” Querying whether repairs are underway, Gopeesingh added, “Given the amount of contractors who remain unpaid, it will be interesting to see who they get to do the work.” He said $1.2 billion is still owed. He lamented that out of the school construction begun under his tenure, the Government had left 78 schools unfinished, many now in decay and ruins.

Garcia in reply told Newsday that he was standing by remarks made last Friday. “The EFCL’s (Educational Facilities Company Limited’s) Ricardo Valdez’s view was that all is on stream for all schools to be re-open on time.”

If a female, all the better.

Women seem to get more done.

China has bridges that are over 100 miles long, with 26 miles being over water. Louisiana in the US also has one about the same length over water.

Tobago is just 19 miles off the northeast coast of Trinidad. We can ask China to build a bridge for us and charge us a toll for about 50 years.

That’s a short time in the life of a country. Or we can pay for the bridge with half of what we are being charged for the two ferry boats.

China can also put a fast train alongside the bridge to carry heavy goods as well as people.

Our problems would be over — no more boats and no more corruption with that sea bridge.

Which reminds me that the Cabo Star is like a slow boat to China.

GARY DE FREITAS via email

The question of the audit into Pan Trinbago in particular, came after there was much upheaval within the movement when panmen marched to its head office for non payment of money owed to them from the 2016 Carnival season.

The association eventually handed out $1,000 cheques but those bounced at the banks leaving panmen furious with the body and its president Keith Diaz.

Panmen also wanted answers concerning alleged questionable financial transactions by Pan Trinbago heads.

Under pressure, the National Carnival Commission (NCC) stepped in and stated it will take control of income from the gates of all national 2017 Carnival shows, but the groups will be allowed to manage their shows. However that was met with disdain by the groups.

TUCO president Lutalo Masimba said his organisation was not happy with the NCC’s approach while Pan Trinbago labeled the move as a hostile takeover. However Gadsby-Dolly denied the accusation back then.

Pan Trinbago in turn demanded a NCC probe and even threatened to take NCC to court. But in recent developments, the Pan Trinbago president has claimed NCC hasn’t given his organisation any money from gate receipts from the 2017 panorama competitions and thus couldn’t pay staff, nor has the players’ remittances been paid for 2017. But via a subsequent newspaper advertisement earlier this month, the NCC stated: “Although the full 2016 Government allocation of monies for pan was paid to Pan Trinbago, which included the players’ stipend for 2016, Pan Trinbago failed to pay the stipend to the steelband players.

Pan Trinbago subsequently informed NCC that it had no funds from which to settle the stipends.

Notwithstanding, in order to ensure that steelband players received their monies, the NCC agreed to advance $3.9 million to Pan Trinbago, on condition that these monies would be deducted from the revenue from 2017 ticket sales and their 2017 Government allocation.” The NCC also agreed to and has advanced money to Pan Trinbago to make its necessary payments but on the condition that the money would be deducted from the 2017 revenue. And regarding the players’ stipends for 2017, that money will be disbursed at the end of August.

We are often told of the great benefits of regular exercise on physical health and as part of a weight loss plan, and according to the National Health Service (NHS) it’s medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
• up to a 35 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• up to a 50 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• up to a 50 per cent lower risk of colon cancer
• up to a 20 per cent lower risk of breast cancer
• a 30 per cent lower risk of early death
• up to an 83 per cent lower risk of osteoarthritis
• up to a 68 per cent lower risk of hip fracture
• a 30 per cent lower risk of falls (among older adults)
• up to a 30 per cent lower risk of depression
• up to a 30 per cent lower risk of dementia
But not enough is said about its mental health benefits. We are increasingly having to cope with stressful situations and circumstances that affect social and psychological wellness such as exams, work place dynamics, relationship breakdowns, unrealistic targets and deadlines, financial worries, and the list goes on and on. So, given the amount of stressors in life, it is well worth reiterating that physical activities can positively impact on emotional and mental health and should therefore be embraced as part of overall health and wellbeing plan.

There is an abundance of research on physical activities and its impact on mental health, and many show that exercise as a behavioural intervention can be as effective as other forms of treatment in addressing the symptoms of depression.

Those who live with depression know that it can cause general malaise and a sense of despondency, low mood and isolation, which makes it even more difficult to motivate oneself to do any physical activity.

Police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death believe that his murder stemmed from a domestic dispute over land.

According to reports, the male relative arrived at the house which he shared with his stepfather Fitzgerald Basant and called out to him. When he got no response, the man pried open a door to a bedroom and saw Basant in a pool of blood.

The male relative called police and members of the Matelot Police Station along with Region 2 Homicide officers went to the scene with DMO Dr Bridgelal who ordered that the body be taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for an autopsy.

Newsday was told Basant was originally from St Vincent but has been living in Matelot for over 20 years.

Up until yesterday the murder toll for the year stood at 302 with 22 murders committed in the month of August.

Investigators said Stafford pulled out a gun, shot at Charles and attempted to run. Police, who were nearby, responded and chased Stafford who continued to run. Police say he was shot after he pointed a gun at them. He died on the spot.

When Newsday visited Moruga, villagers were in high praise of the police.

“You came to a party with a gun, that means you looking for trouble,” said one resident. She thanked the police for their quick response. “I am not sorry to say this, but this is one less criminal off the streets.

What if he had killed that man? This man came looking for trouble.” She said too many criminals kill and hurt innocent people and get away with their crimes. “So many mothers are left crying and with no justice.

My point is what are you doing with a gun in a party?” The resident said minutes before he was killed, Stafford was overheard saying, “I eh fraid no police.” “He tried to run.

But the police got him and all you hear was bow bow, then next thing you see his body on the ground.” Charles’ relatives told Newsday he left home to attend the party and then they later received news that he was shot. The relatives said they are still trying to find out why Charles was shot but are thankful he is alive and recovering.

Addressing a news conference at his party’s San Fernando headquarters yesterday, Abdulah took issue with the appointment of businessman Christian Mouttet by the prime minister to investigate the ferry fiasco.

He described the appointment as “spectacular failure.” “He (Mouttet) has absolutely no power to investigate anything,” Abdulah said. “He has no legal authority to summon anybody as a witness, to get any documents, to go into any office and take away computers, to access email information.” He told reporters commissions of inquiry over the years have failed to bring perpetrators to justice.

“So that it is clear to see nobody does the time in Trinidad and Tobago,” Abdullah said, adding that when a commission of inquiry is appointed it takes weeks and months to be completed in addition to the enormous costs to the taxpayers.

He said the only people who benefit from this are the lawyers who are hired to investigate these matters.

Abdulah said it makes no sense reporting matters to the police since they have a track record of zero per cent of success with respect to investigating white collar crime.

He cited the 2015 matter in which former attorney general Anand Ramlogan is being investigated for witness tampering with regard to Police Complaints Authority director David West and, two years later, the police were only now seeking to question Ramlogan.

He listed “prisongate” and “emailgate” as issues which had been dragging on in the public domain with no end in sight.

Abdulah also cited the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) which makes reports of suspicious transactions amounting to billions of dollars in corruption and money laundering and so on.

“Not a single person has been reported as a result of the FIU reports,” he said, adding that this unit provided information to the police service and they had not been able to bring prosecution or closure to any of these matters.

In light of the failure of these institutions, Abdulah is proposing that Government establish special prosecutors who would have sole responsibility for managing the gathering of evidence with respect to white-collar crime and corruption.

A special prosecutors office, according to Abdulah, should be equipped with well-trained police officers and be given a budget to hire international forensic investigators or auditors who knew how to “follow the money” across Trinidad and Tobago or wherever the money might end up.

He recalled that this method was not new to this country saying the late Desmond Allum was appointed as a special prosecutor and he had made headway with regard to the Scott drug inquiry where charges were brought against former commissioner of police Randolph Boroughs.

He also said that another special prosecutor was Karl Hudson Phillips who dealt with the Piarco Airport project and this led to people in the US being arrested and made to serve time. In this case, money was recovered and returned to T&T because of this special prosecutor.