He warned the country would lose if this happened.

He said the OWTU wants “experienced and competent management” being put at the helm of Petrotrin to rid the company of the “poor leadership and poor management” which has plagued it for years. Roget told reporters the OWTU is calling for the removal of some “top management personnel” at Petrotrin who it believes has contributed to the poor state of affairs at the company.

While the union was informed that Cabinet has taken no decision about Petrotrin’s future, Roget said, “Lots of bad decisions were made for and on behalf of Petrotrin.” He told reporters those decisions were not made “by the workers.” Roget said some of these decisions were taken under the former People’s Partnership government while others were taken before.

According to Roget, Petrotrin’s workers were not responsible for “giving out contracts to friends and families” or “gas to liquids decisions.” He also said unqualified people were placed in top positions.

“Positions were created for persons at the top, at the expense of filling of vacancies at the lower levels.” Against this background, Roget said the OWTU told Khan it wants to be privy to any decision which Cabinet will take about restructuring Petrotrin, before that decision is made public. He said Khan told him yesterday’s meeting was about getting more information from the union which he would take to Cabinet at its regular weekly meeting at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Thursday.

Last week, Cabinet held a special meeting about Petrotrin but no decisions were made. Roget said Khan gave no indication as to when a decision would be taken.

He reiterated the OWTU will oppose any decision which results in sending workers home. Roget reminded reporters that in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015, the OWTU was very vocal about poor performance at Petrotrin.

A media release issued by Michael L Joseph, public relations officer of governing body Pan Trinbago yesterday, led to harsh words from chairman of the International Steelband Foundation (ISF) Michael Marcano.

Joseph said that listening to comments by some detractors of the steelpan fraternity, following a successful show staged by five of the leading large Steelbands in TT, one could believe there is some new development in the steelpan world that makes Pan Trinbago irrelevant.

“Most of these neophytes, who have gained some verbal strength by suckling on the breast of Pan Trinbago, would not recall that over the years Pan Trinbago has been advocating that steelbands, individually or collectively, wean themselves by promoting shows and organising programmes to enhance their image, especially events that would sustain them financially outside of the Carnival season,” Joseph said.

Joseph expressed delight and support of the ISF-initiative which was the staging of the big 5 concert. He congratulated members of the big 5 committee and said he looks forward to more steelband leaders coming together for similar events.

PAN TRINBAGO’S WORK However he said: “Pan Trinbago could never be affronted by these kinds of initiatives, for over the years, the executive has introduced countless events of a similar nature outside of Panorama.

One can look at the National Steelband music festivals right up to 1973, which after a seven year pause, was revived in 1980.” Joseph then listed a number of achievements of Pan Trinbago over the years including the first School Steelband Music Festival in 1981, Pan Trinbago’s introduction of Pan in d 21st century and Pan Down Memory Lane in 1998, its mass Choirs and Steel bands concert in 2000 and Panyard Sensation, also in 2000.

He also spoke of other Pan Trinbago initiatives such as the World Steel band Music festival held at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2005, its Honouring the Pan Guards programme, a new version of Champs In Concert – Crème De La Crème in 2008, Panazz – the Pan Jazz Experience, Steel Fest in 2013 and the National Youth Steel Orchestra.

“Just to remind those who tend to forget and those too young to remember that Pan Trinbago is the Vanguard of Steelband development.” Joseph stated Pan Trinbago will continue to encourage and support its members to become self sufficient in whatever lawful form or fashion they may choose and urge their detractors to stop the shameful display of seeing ghosts and demons at every turn of events.

BLOWS FOR PARADE To the Pan Trinbago’s detractors, he said, “Your showing at the Emancipation Day Parade was in very poor taste and disrespectful to say the least. Somehow, you all believe it was a J’Ouvert prance, so you came out playing clowns, failing to understand the true meaning of Emancipation…

so sad!” In an immediate reaction, Marcano, after acknowledging Joseph’s support of the ISF Big 5 initiative, noted that the President of Pan Trinbago Keith Diaz’s initial denial of knowing of their existence and his subsequent denouncing of the ISF’s effort.

And on the parade he said: “As a member of the Concerned Individuals for Pan, the group that staged the Emancipation Day rally at which I was present, I will say that the executive of Pan Trinbago should first look in the mirror before referring to anybody as, ‘clowns’.

To begin with, the countless events introduced by Pan Trinbago over the years, were initiatives of previous administrations all of which this current executive has the dubious record of crashing.

PAN TRINBAGO’S SHAME “The 2017 Panorama is the most recent example for had it not been for the efforts of the NCC (National Carnival Commission), we may have had no Panorama this year and and it is very possible that we may have none in 2018, as long as the current executive continues in office.

Perhaps they should tell the nation what initiatives they have introduced to raise funds to complete the edifice off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway that stands as a national disgrace,” Marcano said.

Marcano said it is the Pan Trinbago executive that is being disrespectful when they are still owing steel bands half of their prize money for the 2015 International Panorama, the 2016 Junior panorama prize money, salaries to workers for the 2016 Panorama but yet found money to pay hefty honorariums in 2016.

“Instead of publishing insulting remarks about the efforts of pan folks in their legitimate claim to be paid after they have played, the executive of Pan Trinbago should tell the country what has happened to the BMW X5, as this has brought that entire organisation into disrepute.” He ended by saying: “Emancipation is about struggle and the parade was in my opinion a fitting platform to highlight the fact that pan folks are still in bondage.

The gross mismanagement; misuse of funds; refusal to account to the National Convention (the highest authority in the organisation) under the dubious excuse that lawyers have advised against this…all of this is sad and disrespectful to say the least.”

Hackett was third in heat seven in 23.50 seconds to earn qualification.

Winning the heat was German Rebekka Haase in 22.99, while Brazilian Rosangela Santos was second in 23.34. The top three in each of the seven heats qualified for the semi-finals, along with the next three fastest athletes. Ahye was scheduled to run in heat five, but could not compete due to illness. Kayelle Clarke ran for TT in heat four, but finished sixth in 23.75 and failed to advance.

Sparkle McKnight did not advance to the women’s 400m hurdles finals, after finishing eighth in heat one of the semis in 56.59.

Today, the TT duo of Jereem Richards and Kyle Greaux will compete in the men’s 200m semi-finals. Greaux will run in heat one and Richards in heat two.

He is however yet to surrender to the police.

On Sunday, police recorded statements from Kareem Ellis and Keane Marcano, victims of a brutal chopping incident which occurred at the bar one week ago and which went viral on social media over the weekend.

Ellis and Marcano, both of Manahambre Road, Princes Town, are resting comfortably at home after their discharge on Thursday from the San Fernando General Hospital. The incident occurred on July 30 and the men underwent surgery the following day.

Meanwhile a close relative of one of the victims told Newsday he was unable to watch the video footage of the men being chopped. “It was clearly the man’s intention to kill, and for what? Over a woman,” asked the relative who requested anonymity.

“What’s even worse, they all know each other.

There is no relationship between them and the woman but he became annoyed when he saw one of them speaking to her.” A police report stated that an argument ensued.

At about 2.30 am, the suspect entered the bar with a cutlass and began chopping Ellis.

It was reported Marcano intervened and he too was chopped on the back of his legs and hands.

Ellis received chops to the face, chest and neck. They were taken to the hospital. Video footage was captured by CCTV cameras installed at the establishment.

There was outrage from members of the public who viewed it. Sgt Richardson of the Princes Town Police Station is investigating.

The counsellors are different from the Guidance Officers although they carry out the same duties and according to some of the disgruntled contract workers the permanent guidance officers will now have to pick up the slack and service the entire school population which will be a big task. Counsellors work twice per week at 454 primary schools and 124 secondary schools both in Trinidad and Tobago. It remained unclear yesterday how the Ministry of Education would restructure the programme to ensure that the services of Guidance Officers be available to all schools throughout the country.

Efforts to reach Minister of Education, Anthony Garcia on the matter proved futile.

The three-day basketball clinic was facilitated by NBA coaches, Troy Justice and Ed Pinckney along with current Utah Jazz player, Raul Neto. Over the three-day period, 40 male and 20 female local basketballers, between the ages of 14-16, benefitted from an intense clinic learning the skills, techniques and other tips of the sport of basketball.

Also attending the clinics were coaches from the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT ) who profitted from the expertise of the NBA professionals.

Yesterday’s closing ceremony involved a five-on-five championships among the boys and girls, followed by some insightful tips from the hosts and finally an award ceremony for the players.

The major highlight of the ceremony was some of the tips shared by Neto who, when questioned by Ed Pinckney, commented on and demonstrated his various in-game shooting techniques, how he creates space during on-court action, his ball-handling skills, his routine before a game and how he practices during the off-season.

The clinic did not only provide the opportunity for the players to learn new skills and tricks but they were also spurred on with some motivation quotes by the facilitators.

For instance, as a group, the observation was made that height is not the most important thing in basketball, but more importantly a person’s skill, attitude and discipline.

The local coaches were also praised for their hard work throughout the three-day period and were also given some words of encouragement by Justice who stated, “You can change lives as a coach, a coach touches more lives than most people in a lifetime.” When asked about what he taught about this year’s clinic, local coach Stephen Leonce said, “It was a very good programme but more is still needed. If we start developing these types of programmes at an earlier stage, the players would be in a better position.”

The TT team will face off with the Jamaica Reggae Boyz in an international friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on August 24 as a build-up for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier versus Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on September 1.

And the FA has agreed that patrons who purchase their early bird tickets for the qualifier against Honduras which are priced at $150 (uncovered section) and $300 (covered) from today until August 24, will receive their ticket for the Jamaica friendly at no additional cost.

Tickets for the qualifier versus Honduras (only) will, from August 25, raise to $200 (uncovered) and $350 (covered). Limited Early Bird tickets will be on sale for the Honduras match so fans are being encouraged to purchase only in order to benefit from the deal package.

TT will face Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8 pm on August 24. Regular priced tickets for that encounter only cost $100 (covered) and $50 (uncovered).

Al-Zubaidy assumed office on Monday.

Al Zubaidy, a chartered engineer and chartered environmentalist, is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK, the largest and most prestigious international learned mechanical engineering societies in the world.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Engineers Australia.

As an educational innovator and experienced administrator, Al-Zubaidy has taken the leadership position at UTT on the retirement of Professor Dyer Narinesingh, becoming the university’s third full president over the past 13 years. Narinesingh, the release said, served the university well throughout the last four years as president and acting provost for the last 18 months.

The UTT acknowledged Narinesingh’s contribution and thanked him for all that he has done to move the university forward and for providing a solid foundation for Al-Zubaidy. Professor Al-Zubaidy will continue the work Narinesingh has championed, ensuring stability for the university during a time of economic constraints and organisational transition, building closer relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally, ensuring that UTT’s programmes remain relevant to the needs of Trinidad and Tobago.

A Mechanical Engineer with over three decades of experience at both senior academic and administrative levels within international higher education institutions, Al-Zubaidy is widely published in leading peer-reviewed, high-impact factor journals and international conferences.

He was awarded the Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in 2015 for a “sustained, effective record of strategic impact at the institutional, national and international level for his commitment to wider strategic leadership in teaching and enhancing the student learning experience.” He is familiar with the Caribbean, having worked in Jamaica for a few years.

The game, which was basically the battle for second spot after Canada played unbeaten in Group B, started slowly as both teams were cautious in their approach .

The best opportunity of the opening quarter fell to TT ’s Shaquille Daniel who had a glorious chance to take the lead with virtually the last shot of the quarter but he slapped it over the uprights .

Goalkeepers Rodrigo Faustino (Brazil) and TT ’s Andrey Rocke made excellent saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 .

The second period began scrappy as both teams struggled to string passes together especially in the attacking end. TT then pressed higher up the pitch and were rewarded almost immediately when Marcus Pascal won the ball in the penalty area and guided it home in the 26th minute to give the “Calypso Stickmen” a 1-nil lead .

TT looked more assured in the third quarter as they dominated the early stages with the most capped TT player ever Kwandwane Browne still showing his worth on the team by controlling the game from defence to attack .

Then, in the 41st minute, Brazil were given a penalty corner in which Bruno Sousa scored to level the game at 1-1. At that point in time shouts of “Don’t lose your focus guys” were heard from coach Glen Francis .

The 17-year-old Teague Marcano tapped in the winner from close range in the 47th minute to send the Caribbean side in the semi-final round against world number one ranked Argentina tomorrow from 5 pm .

Marcano said after the match, “It was a hard-fought win, we have been preparing for games like this. We stuck to tactics and kept pushing together.” Commenting on what it means to be on the national team he said, “I have a lot of family members who were on the national team so I have to continue to legacy to represent TT

Frylinck spoke to Newsday at Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair yesterday, where a number of TKR players played cricket with members of various special needs organisations.

Frylinck, who was called in as a replacement for his injured countryman Hashim Amla for the CPL, said, “Everyone goes through troubles in life and difficulties in life.

I have got a tattoo on my arm when I went through some of my tough times.

“The tattoo reads ‘No one said it will be easy,’ so it is always a bit of motivation for me if I am ever in a bit of struggle. I will read my tattoo and it picks me up and I get going again.” He encouraged the special needs athletes to maintain a positive attitude and to remember there are others in the world who have challenges. “All I could say to the kids is keep going.

“There is always someone worse off than you are and just make sure you are enjoying yourself. If you got a smile on your face and you are having fun it is all you can ask for.” Frylinck said it is always great to give back and he was impressed with the talent of the youngsters.

“The kids out here are so passionate. Obviously they are not as fortunate as some of the other people, but you can’t see the difference. The guys and girls are playing some fantastic cricket. It is awesome to be able to give back as one of the main teams in Trinbago.” Some of the other TKR members that joined Frylinck were players Khary Pierre and Javon Searles, coach Simon Katich and assistant coach Imran Jan.

The session yesterday was the second phase of this initiative, the first of which took place at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain recently.