The VIP Lounge at the Piarco International Airport included members of the media, local athletics personnel, Government officials and a few of the athlete’s close friends and family members.

However, from interacting with the athlete, one cannot help but realise that Richards is only at the start of his path to greatness.

Richards, who is only 23 years of age, studies at the University of Alabama in the United States, and the last of three children who were raised at New Village, Point Fortin by their mother Yvette Wilson.

During his speech, which also showcased his charismatic qualities, Richards emotionally highlighted the hardships that he and his family had to face leading up to the Championships.

“All year this year I was thinking about my mother because I know it’s hard. Me being in college and having my good apartment there and just knowing sometimes the struggles my mom had to go through and the struggles she went through for me to go to practice when I was in Trinidad, doing everything for me and, this year, even before I left, I told my mother that I wanted to dedicate this year to her. And I am just thankful to God that I can actually do that.” The sprinter also stated that his mother is his number one supporter.

“She even watches all of my races a million times and sometimes my sister gets mad because she always watches the races over and over again.” Hearing Richards speak about his family, especially his mother, gives one a sense of where his positive and humble personality originated. He is heavily supported by those closest to him and this has played a major role in his current success as an athlete.

He also expressed the immense love he has for his family saying he cried after reading news articles about his mother watching him run on television.

“The undying support I have from them is unreal,” said Richards.

“Reading the articles I saw my mom said ‘run baby run!’ and just picturing my mom saying that brought tears to my eyes because I know how emotional she could get. She calls me her baby and I am a baby because I am a last child. So I just want to say thank you to her and my family for all their support.” Wilson also expressed how proud she was about her son’s achievements at the Championships.

She said, “I am really, really proud of him and we just want to enjoy this moment with him and spend as much time as we can with him while he is here.”

The charges read to the trio alleged that on Monday, they had in their possession a protected animal namely the Scarlet Ibis. They have also been charged with entering the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, a prohibited area, without acquiring permission. The men pleaded not guilty. They were charged under the Wild Life Conservation Act of 1958. It is alleged they were caught with bird parts in a boat near the bird sanctuary by a team of game wardens.

The wardens said they were conducting surveillance in the area when they spotted the men.

They attempted to escape in a boat but were held shortly after.

The men were granted bail and the case was adjourned to September 5.

With this in mind, maintaining health, and the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases of the population remain critical.

Therefore, you should note that the incorporation of nutritious foods for the preparation of balanced meals and healthy snacks consistently in your meal plan add benefits, and are included in the plan of adopting a heathy lifestyle.

Nutrition plays a major role global health and development. According to the Global Nutrition Report (2015, 2014) good nutrition is critical to sustainable development and can make a significant impact during one’s lifespan, leading to improvement in cognitive skills, and better-nourished mothers giving birth to better-nourished children, boost immunity, adults being productive and able to earn better wages, as well as prevent or lower their potential risk for diseases. You can conclude that good nutrition is essential throughout the life cycle, simply meaning prior to and during pregnancy, infancy, school-aged children and adolescents, and in adulthood.

This aid physical growth, cognitive development and can assist in improving and/or maintaining the nutritional status of persons.

For, the improvement of nutritional status may probably be beneficial in breaking intergenerational cycle of poverty, generates broad-based economic growth, and great health benefits for individuals, households, communities, and countries. Today’s article will focus on diabetes mellitus nutrition management and some barriers to compliance.

People can still enjoy life even though diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

They should follow the advice of their medical doctor and be compliant with the prescribed diet and medications; as these are essential components of the plan.

Diabetes mellitus (or sometimes referred to as sugar) can be characterised by increase blood sugar levels (high blood glucose concentrations) that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.

You should note that abnormalities in the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and fat are present.

Those individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus may not produce or respond to insulin. This causes sugar to build up in the blood. Insulin, a hormone is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas (simply put the pancreas is an organ that lies near the stomach and makes several hormones, one of which is insulin). The role of insulin is to help the body use the glucose produced from the food that you consume.

Also, keep in mind that with diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, foot problems, and loss of limbs through amputation (Mahan and Escott- Stump, 2008; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For the diabetic diet schedule a visit with your registered dietitian or nutritionist, also refer to Special diets – benefits you can’t deny, August 9, Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, pp. B2, B23.

In addition, self-management tips and support are always helpful to a client. According to the American Diabetes Association, Standards for Diabetes Care (2017); these include the following: (a) adopting a healthy lifestyle, the client should make wise choices such as choosing nutritious foods (adding more of the non-starchy vegetables to your plate and limit the starchy vegetables e.g. carrots, pumpkin, beetroot; add only two fruits daily to your meal plan; eat a balanced diet); omit sugary drinks and processed foods, add fresh local seasonings to your food during meal preparation; participate in physical activity – note, first check with your medical doctor; manage your weight; tobacco cessation; and develop effective strategies for stress management; (b) monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure levels; (c) prevent diabetic complications; and (d) identify any problems that might occur with self-management, work together with healthcare professionals to get them resolve.

Though, the primary goals are to manage blood sugar and blood pressure levels and prevent diabetic complications; there are some barriers to compliance

The partnership aims at creating and offering more job opportunities for young people ages 16- 29, developing and mobilising individuals through career counselling and implementing and strengthening apprenticeship, internship and traineeship programmes.

At the signing on July 27 at Nestlé’s Valsayn compound, Human Resource manager, Kristin Ramlogan stated, “We look forward to developing our TT youths by helping them to understand the working world and making them more employable.

Through this alliance, we will provide our youth with readiness to work support such as resume writing coaching, interview preparation training and career development workshops.” Nestlé Needs YOUth has reached over 5,000 young people in TT through hiring, internships and career guidance programmes, since its inception in 2014.

Wicket-keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin blazed an unbeaten 59 as TKR defeated St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by four wickets. It was the most thrilling end of the five matches played at the venue over the past eight days.

The victory was the Knight Riders fourth win in five matches played at the Oval. After the win, Ramdin said it was a great run at home and felt the defeat against Jamaica Tallawahs on August 9 was a wake-up call.

“It is fantastic (to play well at home). As I told the boys we needed to lose one and I felt that losing one early on brought us back down to earth so we know where we need to improve as a team. Hopefully that was our only loss and we could go all the way,” Ramdin said.

The victory sealed qualification into the knock-out phase of the tournament for TKR.

In front a near capacity crowd, Ramdin’s 35-ball knock (two fours and four sixes) got TKR over line which seemed improbable with six overs remaining.

In chase of 159 TKR were 89 for five, needing a further 70 runs from 36 deliveries. Ramdin found an able partner in captain Dwayne Bravo and the pair gave the home team a lift with a quick-fire partnership.

Ramdin began the onslaught as he struck left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for two sixes in the 16-run 15th over.

Bravo also delivered with two fours off pacer Carlos Brathwaite to push the total to 121/5 after 17 overs. After pulling pace bowler Hasan Ali for six, the game took another turn as Bravo was run out for 20 by Ali going for a quick single.

The loss of Bravo did not affect Ramdin, as he struck Ali for a six over backward point after being joined by Javon Searles.

Needing 22 from the last 12 deliveries, Searles took little time to settle hitting Brathwaite for a straight four followed by a clean hit for six over long on. TKR were now in the driver’s seat with 10 required from eight balls. It was only fitting that Man of the Match Ramdin finished off the match for TKR.

A six over midwicket by Ramdin off a Brathwaite full toss also brought up his half century, with Ramdin even pointing his bat in the direction he struck the ball.

And a straight four by Ramdin off Ali ended the match.

Searles finished unbeaten on 12, while Colin Munro scored 36 earlier in the innings.

Off-spinner Mohammed Nabi grabbed two for 12 off three overs for the Patriots, while leg-spinner Samuel Badree took 2/14 in two overs.

Earlier the Patriots got solid scores from Shamarh Brooks (37) and Jonathan Carter (31) as they posted 158/7 in 20 overs. Patriots captain Chris Gayle could not fire contributing only four, while in form opener Evin Lewis was out of the line up due to an unconfirmed illness. Cameos from Brathwaite (19) and Nabi (17) helped Patriots to a competitive total. Sunil Narine was the top bowler for TKR taking 2/26 in four overs.

Despite the loss Patriots are second on the table with six points after three wins and a loss in the competition.

TKR will face Guyana Amazon Warriors on Saturday at Providence, Guyana.

According to Haddaway, her husband was first arrested following a raid on their home in March 2013 and in spite of paying the required immigration bond, he was held in custody for another 16 months without explanation. After his release in July 2014, Haddaway tried to get her husband regularised, writing to then Minister of National Security, Gary Griffith and meeting with Junior Minister, Embau Moheni who promised to look into her problem with no apparent follow through.

After his release into his wife’s custody, Kings was in and out of the hospital for head injuries sustained following an alleged beating by six officers with batons while held at the Immigration Detention Centre.

As a result of these hospital visits, Kings was forced to miss a few of his weekly supervision appointments and though his wife presented a doctor’s letter, he was branded a fugitive in December 2014. Kings surrendered wilfully with the presence of a lawyer and has been in custody ever since. Since then, Haddaway said she has consistently pleaded to various outlets inclusive of the media and the previous and current government to no avail and has only received empty, unfulfilled promises.

It was a greeting which began with a formal presentation of the sprinter to the media at the airport’s VIP Lounge followed by an open meeting with the public which produced a Carnival-like atmosphere for the athlete.

It was a joyous and emotional occasion, for not only Richards and his family, but also the numerous Government officials, fans and well-wishers in attendance.

Richards, from New Village in Point Fortin, was welcomed by his mother Yvette Wilson and sister Brittney Richards at the VIP Lounge.

“I wanted to dedicate this year to her in track and field and bring back this medal for her,” said the 23-year-old of his mother.

Also greeting Richards were Minister of Sport Daryll Smith, Point Fortin’s Member of Parliament (MP) and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, TTOC (Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee) president Brian Lewis and chairman of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) Dinanath Ramnarine.

Richards was full of gratitude, thanking his family and, by extension, Trinidad and Tobago, for their undying support. He is also hopeful for a continued support of track and field.

“We have a lot of good athletes coming up and we really need and deserve the support of Trinidad and Tobago, not just when we get to major championships but in the stadiums for senior champs and the track meets,” he said.

Richards expressed his views on his World Championships performance saying, “ I would say that my World Championship experience was a great one. I’ve been having a really good year. God has really blessed me this year and my prayers and my family’s prayers have been answered because I worked so hard last year after the Olympics. And, to achieve so much this year, it’s overwhelming but at the same time to know that I prayed for something and it actually came through you know that God is real and He works in mysterious ways.”

Richards also extended his appreciation towards the medical staff, the team staff and the coaches who played a vital part in his success in the Championships.

Lewis lauded the efforts of every single athlete at the Games. “We undervalue and under-appreciate how much effort it takes to stand at the top of that podium.”

He noted the great demands and expectations now set for the athletes and encouraged them to use their experiences at London to motivate them onwards to greater success.

Minister Smith emphasised the importance of acknowledging the progress made, as at the last World Championships in 2015, in Beijing, China, “we had four people in the final, and now, we have five.”

He asked for the patience and support of Trinidad and Tobago. “We need this kind of positivity in the country, especially among our young people,” Smith said.

And the Sports Minister also took the time to thank non-Governmental organisations for the role they play in supporting local sport.

“I think it is an expression that the labour movement feels excluded from the political processes,” Panday said. “But the answer is, and it is more deeper than boycott, they must get political power.

He was speaking with reporters after the installation of a new executive of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe on Wednesday last week.

Panday recalled it was during his 1995- 2001 term in office he had introduced a concept known as “tripartitism” in which members of labour, business and government would sit on state boards and solve any problems which may hinder the efficient operations of the various enterprises.

“And the new government took it over but they don’t understand it. They think businessmen and labour and government should sit down around a table and talk…no, no, no, it is not that at all.

“In the State corporations, we would appoint a businessman, we’ll appoint a government representative and we’ll appoint labour. So when there is a problem in the business, they are not coming to the government, they are there to solve the problem themselves,” he said, adding, “The PNM does not understand the concept of tripartitism and that’s why they are in trouble with the labour movement.” Meanwhile, in a hard-hitting maiden address, incoming Chamber president Rampersad Sieuraj said the chamber could not sit idly by and allow the nation to become a failed state and called on members to send their proposals for the 2017/2018 budget so they could be included in their proposals to the minister of finance.

“Can anyone say with confidence that they have confidence in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago?” he asked.

He said the Chamber would raise such issues as crime and its consequential cost to businesses as well as the inability to access foreign exchange by small and medium sized businesses while large businesses seemed to have no such problem in accessing forex.

He said such projects such as the UWI Debe campus, the Penal fire station and the Shiva Boys and Parvati Girls Hindi Colleges had to be completed as this would stimulate growth in the region.

Cricketers in recent times, including a number of West Indies players, have been bringing their personalities to cricket which has resulted in some colourful bats.

In this year’s Caribbean Premier League, Brathwaite’s red bat has gotten attention from spectators. The bat is an example of the colour which Brathwaite, the current WI T20 captain, is bringing to the game through his brand Trident Sports.

During an interview at the Hilton Hotel, St Ann’s yesterday, Brathwaite said, “The Caribbean is always denoted with flair and the outside-the-box fan. Cricket for the past 100 years have only used the willow bats. Chris (Gayle) had a gold bat, (Andre) Russell had a black bat.

From time to time we just go with a colour that matches the team.

It just brings a different element to the cricket and that is what Trident Sports wants to bring.” Brathwaite said having a unique style helped him develop the idea. “Trident Sports started in 2009 while I was in Ireland.

I wanted some custom equipment for myself while being a professional in the Irish League. I was always the type of person that liked my own look and my stuff custom.” Brathwaite said one of his Indian teammates in Ireland introduced him to a manufacturer in India, and Trident Sports was created. Trident Sports also has cricket apparel such as gloves and pads.

Brathwaite recalled that he would experiment with his own equipment, which also helped him come up with the idea of Trident Sports.

“I had a bat that my dad bought, and as the stickers came off and it became worn I had it cleaned up and then I started to draw on it and that was my brand.

So I ran with the idea and Trident Sports was born. In 2014 we rebranded and we took the brand to new heights.” A number of West Indies cricketers have used Trident Sports equipment including Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Alzarri Joseph, Sunil Ambris, Anderson Phillip and Raymon Reifer.

Trident Sports has given back to charitable organisations in Barbados, and Brathwaite says the rest of the Caribbean will benefit as Trident Sports is a Caribbean brand. “We want to be seen internationally as a Caribbean brand, and in that regard we need to have the support of the Caribbean basically. We intend to continue to give back. We have done so in Barbados from inception really. Loads of charitable organisations we have donated to.” The Barbados Pride and Brathwaite’s former primary school in Barbados have benefitted from Trident Sports sponsorship.

Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz expressed hope the event would promote appreciation for the national instrument and knowledge about its past. When asked about the choice of location, he said, “We realise every person passing by stops to watch…women, children, those on their way to work.” The exhibition showcased the craftsmanship of pans made here from the early 1950s to present. Previously, the country imported drums but the exhibition highlighted a new variety of patented pans specially made here which Diaz described as “our inventions, made from scratch”. He also explained there is a great difference between regular drums and the new pans which are louder, more powerful and more durable because of the difference in steel used. He gave the example that that the 27-inch drum has the volume of three pans.

He hinted of other differences but said, “We can’t reveal all the secrets. Experimentation is going on in T&T right now but there is more to come in the pan world”.

The exhibition was a journey through pan history with special established boards displaying designs by pioneers such as Anthony Williams, Ellie Mannette and Bertie Marshall straight up to present innovators like inventor of the G-Pan, Dr Brian Copeland.

Diaz said, “The history should be taught in a great and more effective way in this country.

People outside want this (steel pan) more than us.” The exhibition is hosted annually during Pan Month in August and two more events are scheduled for Friday at Harris Promenade, San Fernando and August 25 in Arima.