Lawrence has selected a provisional squad that includes only three overseas-based players in Aubrey David (Finland) and USbased duo of Cordell Cato and Mekeil Williams. Whitmore also has a squad comprising of mainly Jamaican-based players with at least five of those players being part of the squad which came second at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Some of the home-based players now coming into he setup for TT include Kevon Villaroel of North East Stars, Julio Noel of San Juan Jabloteh, Neil Benjamin jr of W Connection, Shane Sandy of MIC IT St Ann’s Rangers, Jared London of Club Sando and Taryk Sampson and Nathaniel Garcia of Central FC, along with more seasonal national team players such as Hughtun Hector, Nathan Lewis, Marvin Phillip, Alvin Jones and Curtis Gonzales. Whitmore expects his bunch to give a strong account of themselves in the Caribbean derby as they are all pressing for regular selection.

“It does not really matter whether it is a FIFA date, this is something we want for the local national players to have enough games for them to expose themselves, for them to expose themselves in environment like this,” Whitmore said.

“Against quality opponents like a Trinidad and Tobago, who are preparing for two World Cup qualifying games, it gives us a chance to look at other players.

We need more games like these for our local players. This is our base,” he added.

Lawrence has a similar feeling.

He said: “The local-based players have come in and done very well.

They have applied themselves well and of course with proper international matches like the Ecuador game and now Jamaica helps to bring them up to a level so that in a situation where we need them to step to the call when we have World Cup qualifiers with the full roster available, then it will not be a culture shock or something totally new to some of these guys.” “Matches like this one on Thursday are vital for our development and getting the younger players exposed to the real challenges of international football.

This then gives myself and the rest of the coaching unit that opportunity to make a proper assessment of what is available to us in terms of selection and ensuring we have the best possible team together for the qualifiers and other big international assignments ahead of us,” Lawrence added.

The team continues preparation on Monday at the Larry Gomes Stadium.

Tickets for TT vs Jamaica are available at all NLCB Lotto Locations at $100 (covered) and $50 (uncovered) Early bird ticket purchases for the TT versus Honduras World Cup qualifier will access the Jamaica friendly free of charge. Those tickets cost $300 (covered) and $150 (uncovered) up until August 24. TT will face Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium at 8pm on Friday September 1.

Haleema, who suffers from a blood condition, had been rejected by the administrators of the Children’s Life Fund. The officials questioned the basis for the diagnosis of the child as well as her eligibility, stating beta thalassemia major was not life-threatening.

In this space a few days ago, we called for better systems to be put in place to screen applications for assistance from the Children’s Life Fund. In Haleema’s case, the matter went all the way to the board of management of the fund where it was given careful consideration.

If it was clear the child could not qualify under the law because of the nature of her condition, the issue should never have taken so long to be resolved.

The case also raised disturbing claims – reportedly made by a High Court judge presiding over a lawsuit filed on behalf of Haleema’s family – who accused the fund administrators’ of acting callously.

They have not responded.

Be that as it may, the question that arises from this case relates to matters beyond the remit of the board of management.

As a matter of policy, the State should determine whether only the most critical cases should merit assistance.

The aim of the Children’s Life Fund is to provide funding in cases where a child faces death, where treatment is not available locally and where affected families are unable to pursue the necessary treatment abroad due to financial limitations.

Often, serious conditions require treatment in order to preserve the patient’s quality or life or prevent more serious conditions from developing. Why should children suffering from these diseases be denied simply because they are not yet at death’s door? It is for Parliament to determine the scope of the State aid provided in these cases. Cases like Haleema’s demonstrate the need for a review of the Children Life Fund law.

There is also a need to bolster medical expertise locally. If the State has trouble doing the latter, then it definitely must do the former.

And what of the Couva Children’s Hospital? Could this facility play a role in handling cases, whether serious or life-threatening? It is wonderful to see how many private entities have come forward to donate funds to Haleema’s family to facilitate her treatment.

It is not often appreciated how much big business contributes to society. This ranges from large multi-national firms such as BP to small, family businesses that operate within local communities.

There are also countless NGOs to which citizens, daily, turn in the face of appalling gaps within the public sector.

At a time when the State is strapped for resources, it is particularly heartening to know that the private sector can be counted on to offer help when help is needed.

This does not absolve the State of its duty to fulfill the social contract.

Rather, it is complementary to it. Civil society has a role to play in helping our State achieve its fullest goals.

The various companies that have come together to assist Haleema show us the potential for something more long-term.

Pending any review by Parliament of the current arrangements, perhaps the time has come for a charitable organisation to be formed to cover cases that do not fall under the Children’s Life Fund? For now, we congratulate those who have lent a helping hand to Haleema and wish her all the best.

The HSU recently initiated a student Health & Wellness Programme to complement the range of medical and mental health services available to the students, staff and faculty. All our services are free to students at UWI.

The Health and Wellness Programme is an initiative to promote the holistic health of the campus community. According to the research data, the presence of plants in the home and workplace significantly contributes to overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

In fact, multiple studies have reported stress reduction as a perceived benefit of contact with nature. It is clear that contact with nature has been shown to have a profound positive effect on various aspects of physical and mental health. Some researchers have identified specific relationships between contact with nature to decrease anxiety and alleviate depression.

At HSU, we are interested in fostering a healthier clinical environment by creating a healing garden with an assortment of herbs, medicinal plants and flowers, in front of the medical clinic. In July 2016, the HSU Therapeutic Garden Project received the support and commitment from Wilma Charles, president, Eastern Horticultural Club and its membership to “grow a healing garden at HSU”.

A healing garden is an age-old practice that promotes the purposeful interaction between people and the use of plants to improve social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being.

The term healing gardens is most often applied to green spaces in healthcare settings that are designed specifically to improve health outcomes.

What makes a garden therapeutic? Whereas a therapeutic garden is a plant-dominated environment designed for specific groups with special needs to facilitate interaction with the healing properties of nature. A healing garden is specifically designed to address the diversity of applications, and population with multiple needs within healthcare facilities.

Basically, a healing garden will incorporate features which include a sensory-oriented plant selection focused on colour, texture, fragrance, sound and will be accessible for everyone. The HSU healing garden will promote: • Stress reduction • Improved moods • An overall sense of wellbeing • Healthy lifestyles by shaping diet and exercise preferences The goal of the Healing Garden Project is to create a place of refuge and promote a sense of wellbeing among the UWI campus community.

The garden will be an open and welcoming space that encourages students to enjoy the restorative power of nature while studying on the planned picnic tables and benches. The HSU has involved a few student groups in the planting phase of the garden and its maintenance.

By utilizing the expertise and technical support from the Eastern Horticulture Club membership, HSU will be creating an outdoor space where students will take part in organic growing, learn about environmental sustainability, and create a stronger connection to the soil and soul of gardening.

As the Healing Garden Project moves forward into the final phase, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support and donations received from several sponsors including:
• Coastal Dynamics Limited

• Republic Bank Ltd.

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries(Horticultural Services Division)

• Penta Paints Caribbean Limited • Lionel Seucharan, Tropi Mulch Ltd.

• Francis Jones, Outdoor Concepts – Decorative Pots
• Plants Phase 1&2 – members of the Eastern Horticultural Club
• Charmaine O’Brien – Delpesh
• Dr Hollis Charles
• Prof Emeritus Clement Imbert
• Dr Trevor Townsend
• Thomas Wallace – Wooden Bench
• Kerwyn’s Exotic Plants & Landscaping
• Kevon & Lisa – Livon’s Plant Shop
Please help us grow our HSU Healing Garden and contact the Eastern Horticulture Club to make a donation.

For further information contact the Eastern horticultural Club at 357-5033, 764-9125 or 720-2698 or easternhorticulturalclub@ hotmail.com. The club meets on the first Saturday of every month (except public holidays) at 3 pm at Moreton Hall, Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Cochrane Street, Tunapuna.

The child is warded at the Intensive Care Unit of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital, Mt Hope. On Friday, she underwent emergency surgery however due to complications she did not respond well. Yesterday, relatives kept vigil at her bedside hoping for a miracle.

Police probing the incident said they are yet to interview a woman about how the girl suffered the extensive injuries. The woman, a nurse, had asked police to give her time to seek legal counsel before making herself available for the interview.

Several people have already been questioned including the girl’s parents. The girl lives with her father.

Two Saturdays ago, the girl’s father left her in the care of the woman.

When he returned he noticed bruising on his daughter’s head and the woman told him the child fell down.

However, by early Sunday morning, the girl became gravely ill and she was taken to the hospital. On examination, doctors believed the girl sustained injuries from a beating and this prompted a police investigation.

The Children’s Authority in a statement yesterday reported they are working with the police in the investigation.

The authority said the matter was brought to their attention when the child was admitted to hospital.

“The authority is horrified and strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the brutal abuse of the child. The organisation is once again reminding the public that preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility.

“In fact, if you see, hear or are suspicious about the treatment of a child in your family or neighbourhood you should immediately make a report to the police or the Children’s Authority,” is said in the release.

The authority is calling on anyone with information about this incident to make a report to the Police at 999 or to the Children’s Authority Hotline at 996 or 800-2014.

All relevant agencies and officials must immediately respond as they will soon be confronted with a real, undeniable, inexplicable and most intolerable example as occurred on July 21. Urgent redress is demanded. Be hereby warned.

COURTNEY BURNETT Sangre Grande

Dead is Junior Pena, 71, of La Pastora Street, Siparia.

A friend went to check on Pena at about 10.30 am yesterday. The friend contacted the Siparia police when Pena did not answer when he called out his name.

Police said Pena’s body was in an advanced state of decomposition.

Pena’s nephew Kevon King identified him. An autopsy is expected to be conducted tomorrow at the San Fernando Mortuary.

Sgt Ali is investigating.

That often seems to be the story of race relations, or more precisely, of racial perceptions in this rather small, multi-racial country. When you think we improving, we slide back.

From food connoisseur Anthony Bourdain’s interview with Mario Aboud-Sabga’s “one per cent” boast and his apology; the battling crosstalk by Israel Rajah-Khan SC, Lloyd Ragoo, Karan Mahabirsingh, Prof Theodore Lewis, Dr Kamal Persad, Capil Bissoon and Trevor Sudama; Gary and Gregory Aboud, with fiery reaction by unionists Ancel Roget and Vincent Cabrera and Steve Smith; with Prof Selwyn Cudjoe and Dr Winford James “defending” Roget; then the “seeking to calm” comments by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

And quite familiar with the “greasy-pole effect,” the inevitable newspaper editorials calling for peace. Regular contributors, Steve Alvarez and Dr Errol Benjamin, made touch-and-go comments.

Perhaps frustrated by now, my friend Reginald Dumas, like other notables, stayed out the greasy-pole phenomenon this time.

This panoramic name-calling is respectfully used to show how important and widespread this subject of race relations is to this society in its up-and-down struggle to achieve just one inch of its national anthem.

Opposing Roget’s one per cent boycott, Lloyd Ragoo, self-described “dougla,” stated: “It’s almost laughable when you say we (workers) must be prepared to take control.

We (workers) are already in control of all the wine and jam chutney/ soca bacchanal, already in control of all the river and beach limes that are saturated with alcohol, already in control of all CEPEP and other government ‘wuk.’ The Syrian/Lebanese community has been one of the major suppliers/contributors of our Christmas traditional needs,” (Express, August 17).

Citing several supporting texts, Prof Cudjoe sought to clarify: “The 23 unions that marched through Port of Spain on August 4 want to play a significant role in solving our economic problems.” In two commentaries, Dr James, too, examined the contributions by labour in the face of self-serving capitalism. He wrote: “Neither man (Ragoo and Gary Aboud) can see workers in a productive light. It is as if the mass of workers are on welfare doled out by the Syrian/Lebanese businesses.”( Express, August 17).

To which J Hadeed, giving a pro-business response, said: “Mr Roget should spend his time urging his membership to be hard working, productive, earn an honest day‘s pay, report environmental risks, and emulate the Syrian community for its family unity, its thrift, sacrifice and investment. My father came to this country when he was 17 years old without a cent in his pocket and worked 12 hours a day until he was 70.” The far distance between perceptions defies attempts to prove who is right or wrong. Steve Alvarez gave a more “easy to say than achieve” view: “In this land of wonderful people of many races, different faces and a callaloo of cultures, we have no choice to work together if we wish to overcome the global economic, social and political challenges that confront us.” (Newsday, August 17). But alas, every time you think there is improved harmony between the ambiguously defined races here, everything slides back – the greasy-pole effect. July and early August have been very hot with race relations here. But this is not the first time. Neither will it be the last – too much psychological resistance.

I recall sociologist Philip Mason’s early words: “As the Caribbean eased out of colonialism, Trinidad and Tobago remained muddled by tensions over colour, class and race and the hypocrisies that inevitably help to smoothen relationships and decorate the tourist brochures.” In his 1972 book, Aftermath of Sovereignty, David Lowenthal added: “The rosy image of multi-racial harmony, however, grossly distorts both the actual facts and the way they are locally seen.” Perhaps, Mr Bourdain’s interview–45 years later– confirms that.

The greasy-pole effect will be soon illustrated with “all ah we is one” speeches at Independence Day celebrations. In any pluralistic democracy, you expect contestations over space and opportunity.

But I ask two questions: (1) Do we go too far? (2) When will race relations and equity improve so as to achieve effective national mobilisation for social and e c o n o m i c progress of all? Or do we remain stuck with the greasy-pole effect?

Mehedi Hasan was recalled by the Bangladesh Cricket Board ahead of the home Test series against Australia so was not available for this year’s Hero CPL.

Barbados-born Nurse is an off-spin bowler who has played 18 ODIs and four T20 internationals for the West Indies and has played for the Barbados Tridents in previous editions of the Hero CPL.

He will join the squad in St Kitts for the match against St Kitts and Nevis Patroits at Warner Park on Wednesday.

Speaking of Nurse’s selection for the rest of the tournament Simon Katich, Head Coach of the Knight Riders, said: “Ashley gives us another spin option. He has been playing some league cricket in England so he comes fresh to us from there.

“Dwayne Bravo was very keen to get him into the squad given that we have still got some big games coming up against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jamaica Tallawahs and Barbados Tridents. He will have a big role to play giving us another spin option.”

From the face of it, these simultaneous investigations will result in a bungling mess at the Port Authority (PATT ), which will produce little or no results, and will further exacerbate the hardships being experienced by the people as a result of the ferry fiasco.

One could well imagine the scenario at the port as these bodies begin to trip over each other in their probes — evidence being lost or contaminated and guilty parties slipping through the cracks that are bound to appear.

While it is important to know what has transpired in what appears to be a bogus deal, what happens in the meantime with the ferry service that is absolutely critical to daily life in Tobago? Do we wait on the completion of these probes before we proceed to find relief to the situation? Who is going to find us a suitable ferry to support the ailing T&T Express and the not so wholesome Cabo Star? Can we rely on the present board of the PATT to rectify these issues in spite of the current fiasco? In my humble opinion, this situation constitutes a national emergency. There is no telling when the PATT could resume its search for suitable vessels nor can the present configuration be relied upon for a service that will be obviously hampered by these investigations.

Heads will roll surely, as information comes to light. People will be sent on leave and management will be in shambles.

It will become difficult to focus clearly on two separate issues — the problems plaguing the port and the crucial ferry service — as well as the misdeeds and the machinations arising out of a deal gone bad.

One must remember, also, that the issues with the port do not start and end with the ferry service between Tobago and Trinidad. We also have a multitude of problems with the handling of containers and the possible seepage of contraband through the port, with the admitted inability to treat with, or the well organised mismanagement of, container cargo coming into the country.

Surely there must be investigations to address these concerns.

Seems to me the port is in serious trouble and all-embracing, remedial action is necessary to put things right.

Perhaps these four probes can be rolled into one massive forensic audit, conducted by an independent, competent international body. For now, however, some interim management system must be implemented to avoid a very bad situation getting worse.

Perhaps it might be necessary to call in the army to take control of the port. Not impossible, since such expertise must reside within this institution, trained to manage emergencies.

GARVIN COLE Tobago

Civilians were also question by the team under the supervision of Fraud Squad Head Snr Supt Totaram Dookhie.

ASP Ghisyawan and Sgts Thomas and Samuel are also assisting as the interviews are expected to continue today.

Sources said Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard is due to be consulted today for directions in the case.

The inspector, who has more than 25 years service, and his wife were detained on Thursday afternoon. They remained in custody and were expected to retain legal counsel. Sunday Newsday understands the inspector has been co-operating with investigators.

The 46-year-old officer has been under investigation for about 18 months, and was placed under surveillance in recent weeks.

Dookhie and his team executed a search warrant at the inspector’s office at Piarco. They went to his home in Princes Town where a millions of dollars worth of jewellery and nine macaws were seized and arrested his wife. The macaws were handed over to game wardens from the Forestry Division. Police also seized two vehicles worth $600,000.

ACP Irwin Hackshaw confirmed the arrests and commended the Fraud Squad for excellent work.