NAIROBI: Trinidad and Tobago footballers are likely to face chilly conditions when they take on Kenya in their international friendly in Nairobi tomorrow. But the national team has been coping well with the chilly conditions and had another intense two training sessions on yesterday’s second day ahead of game.
A crowd of approximately 35,000 fans are expected to be at the 60,000-capacity Moi International Sport complex, according to Simon Wiseman of Sportwise Management, organisers of the Trinidasd and Tobago team’s visit. Coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier will put his squad through one more session today and the team will later pay a visit to an elephant park in Nairobi, not too far from their hotel. Yesterday’s second day of this historic tour of Africa brought a unique occurrence at the Utalii Hotel, here. Members of the national team met face to face with FIFA vice-president and TTFF special advisor Jack Austin Warner for discussions on the state of the team and their journey forward.
The meeting took place half-an-hour before yesterday’s training session shortly aftrer Warner’s arrival from London. At the meeting, Warner, accompanied by TTFF secretary Richard Groden assured the players and technical staff that the necessary support would be given to them from now onwards, as the team continue their preparations for their 2006 World Cup campaign. The players were also allowed to voice their individual opinions and later skipper Reynold Carrington and his squad expressed satisfaction with current conditions, and indicated their focus to get on with the football. Midfielder Travis Mulraine, an ex-captain told Warner that the current players union was in no way formed to oppose the TTFF. “I think the meeting was a very productive one from the standpoint that Mr Warner gave his full support to the national team and, for the first time we are really seeing a coach who is trying to bridge the gap between the federation and the players, trying to melt us together,” Mulraine said after a session at the Tuska Brewery ground.
ST GEORGE’S: The Australian cricket team has called for a thorough police investigation after being robbed of their cricketing gear at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad. And Alloy Lequay, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) blames national air carrier BWIA for the mix-up.
According to the evergreen administrator, “the plane couldn’t hold all the baggage and, when their bags go through the holding bay, there’s where the equipment were lost.” Forty-two of 87 items were stolen as the team checked in on Monday for their flight to Grenada. It was the second time on the current tour that the Australian team had been robbed at the Trinidad airport — their gear had been burgled after last month’s second Test as well. Lequay added that the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) will make a claim for compensation for the lost items while he has written the National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan for full reports on the matter.
“There’s been an issue at Trinidad airport for a number of seasons, where past touring sides have suffered from pilfering of cricket gear from team bags,” Steve Bernard, the Australian team manager, said. “We feel that because it’s a repeat — of a repeat of a repeat of a repeat — it’s vital the police are involved and it’s a thorough investigation. That would be my hope, but I’m not a decision-maker here.” Among the items stolen were bats, shirts, shoes, sunglasses, pads and gloves. Matthew Hayden, Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel all lost their bats, with Bichel losing the willow which brought him spectacular success at the World Cup.
Australia are not the first team to suffer this fate in the West Indies — Indian and South African teams have also been robbed on earlier tours to the Caribbean. With the West Indies scheduled to host the 2007 World Cup, the authorities have plenty of work to do to ensure a trouble-free tournament.
THE day finally came with the efforts of all winners in the 13th edition of the CariFin Cross Country four-part Fitness Series.
In his feature address, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Shelton Nicholls, outlined the benefits of interaction between health and the financial sector. Stating that a healthy well-educated labour force was essential to enhance the performance of said institutions, CariFin, Nicholls continued was one of the most important items on the financial calendar having participated in the Savannah Walk and CariFin Cross Country event.
The event Nicholls said served three functions; development of social capital such as social networking, competition and fun and family bonding, and he went on to congratulate all winners and extended wishes for more participation among the country’s financial institutions in physical activity. First Citizens Bank gave a good showing at the function with Joel Bharath winning the male run category and Uchenna Ogbue of RBTT won the female category; the two teams were neck and neck but FCB were able to take the male team trophy and RBTT the female crown. The FCB team will keep the trophy having dominated the competition, winning three times in the last three years.
Other winners are: Walk (male): 1.Mark Thomas (RBTT) $300, 2.Michael Vargas (F.C.B.) $200, 3.Michael Luces (Central Bank) $100, 4.Bertrand Smith (RBTT) $75, 5.A.Wallace (RHAND) $50, 6.Terrance Worrel (Republic) $50, 7.Varum Maharaj (Intercommercial) $50, 8.Desmond Christian (Cental Bank) $50, 9.Rommel Pierre (UTC) $50 and Raymond Mc Auly (Republic) $50.
Female: 1.Shanawaz Munesess (CLICO) $300, 2.Lorna Martin (Scotia) $200, 3.Sharon Allen (RBTT) $100, 4.Ryth Mayers (Scotia) $75, 5.Susan Codallo (Maritime) $50, 6.Chandra Sawh (Scotia) $50, 7.Monica Andrews (Maritime) $50, 8.Evelyn Rigsby (Republic) $50, 9.Vilma Hart (ECU) $50 and 10.Theresa James (RHAND) $50.
Fun Run (Male): 1.Bernard Raeburn (Republic), 2.Glen Sharpe (F.C.B.), 3.Ricky Stewart (F.C.B.), 4.Stanley Butcher (F.C.B.), 5.Varun Maharaj (Intercommercial), 6.Wendell Bradshaw (Scotia), 7.Shastri Girwar (Republic), 8.Nirmal Ramsamooj (Republic), 9.Kevin Sebro (Republic) and 10.Dion Steele.
Female: 1.Rhonda J. Walters (Republic), 2.Andrea Kanneh (CLICO), 3.Tracey-Ann Dash (Scotia), 4.Rupa Beharry (Central Bank), 5.Ruth Mayers (Scotia), 6.Victoria Bridgelal (Republic), 7.Sigela Rocke (Republic), 8.Coreen Baker (F.C.B.), 9.MAyon Dragon (Central Bank) and Patricia Bancroft (Republic).
Male Age Group: Under-20: 1.Chester Andrews (F.C.B) $150.
21-30: 1. Anthony Wilson (Maritime) $150, 2.Russell Dhill (F.C.B) $100 and 3.Kerrin Samuel (Republic) $75.
31-40: 1.Brennan Conelly (Republic) $150, 2.Bisson Sibransingh (CLICO) $100 and Joseph Timothy (Central Bank) $75
41-50: 1.Mark Lee Lum (F.C.B) $150 and 2.Paul Telfar (RBTT) $100
Over 50: 1.Clem Jubransingh (RBTT) $150, 2.Raymond Mc Auly (Republic) and 3.Juan Hospedales (F.C.B) $75.
Female Age Group:
Under-20: 1.Melissa David (Scotia) $150 and 2.Necory Marcano (F.C.B) $100.
21-30: 1.Krystal Awong (UTC) $150, 2.Vanessa De Four (Scotia) $100 and 3.Laura Jack (UTC) $75.31-40: 1.KAthleen Remy (CLICO) $150 and 2.Denyse Nagee (Scotia) $100.
RESIDENTS of Bon Air Gardens, Arouca, will awake on Indian Arrival Day to the second annual Bon Air 10k Road Race.
The race sponsored by Second Crossing Hardware is timed to start at 6.30 am and is being put on by the Bon Air Gardens Community Council as part of their sports day. Over $3,000 will be at stake in male and female categories in the 19 and under, 20-39 and 40 and over age groups. This year, the hardware firm donated the men’s prizes with $500 to the winner of the 10k. The 10k race will take runners to the Eastern Main Road, then to Dinsley Main Road, Trincity Boulevard and back to Bon Air Gardens.
BARRY “SHOULDERS” SANDY sunk five three-point bombs in his 27 points to lead Royal Extra Lions to a 107-72 blow out of TSTT as action in this year’s Royal Extra North Zone Basketball League Premier Division continued at the St Paul Street Multi-Purpose Facility.
The Lions roared into a 35-13 lead at the end of the first quarter of Wednesday night’s game, and never let up, to be ahead 57-29 at the half and 79-52 at the three-quarter stage. David Burton also had five three-points in his 24 points, Ronald Hernandez contributed 128 and Kendell Hagley 11 for the Lions, while Frank Watson led TSTT witjh 23 points, Philbert Nicholls had 22 and Sheldon Laidlow 11. Also on Wednesday night, National Flour Mills led by Kerry Joseph’s 21 points whipped Off Limits 104-56. Keston King added 15 points, Kerry Westfield 14 including four from three-popint range, and Andy Best 12 for NFM. Shorwell Ramsey had 27 points including five three-pointsrs and Preston Collingwood 15 for Off Limits.
LOCAL netball queens Defence Force blasted San Juan Jabloteh 61-22 in action as the Pearl Francis Premier Division continued in the Port of Spain Netball League at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex.
The Army-Coast Guard girls were in cruise control throughout Wednesday’s game and led 13-8; 25-14; 44-16 at the quarter stages. National goal-shoot Anastasia Wilson was in accurate form, scoring 50 goals from her 54 attempts, while Stacey Sparks had 11 goals from 18 attempts for Defence Force. Gillian Williams 16, Julia Britto five and Hillary Noel one got goals for Jabloteh. Mucurapo Ex-Pupils scored a thrilling 61-57 vicxtory over Arima United in another game, with national Simone Morgan scoring 54 goals from 67 attempts and Donna Thomas seven from 15. The Ex-Pupils led 29-17 at the end of the opening quarter, but Arima United took over and were ahead 33-32 at the half-time interval and held that lead at the end of the three-quarter period 49-40, but were outscored 21-8 in the final stanza.
National skipper Janelle Barker had a good afternoon netting 36 goals from 39 attempts and Merlicia Lovell 21 of 22 for Arima United. And Police crushed Chips 50-28 in the third game of the afternoon. Beverly Hernandez scored 39 goals, Patrtice Goring six and Peggy-Ann Browne five for the Police women, while Denise Rose got 25 and Sharon O’Brien three for Chips. Sparkles whipped Horison 44-25 in an Angela “Pinky” Drayton-Thomas A1 Division game, with Jeanel Hutchinson scoring 28 goals and Sarah Hutchinson 16. Cherry-Ann George 16 and Susan Squires nine scored for the losers.
LOCAL junior golfers will swing their clubs with an eye on a place in the national team for the Caribbean Junior Championships in Freeport, Bahamas in July from today.
The Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago Junior Golf Trials action will take place at the St Andrew’s Golf Club, Moka, Maraval, and not in Tobago by any other sponsor. Young golfers will continue to seek places in the 14-member team tomorrow and Sunday. Following action on the final day, the Trinidad and Tobago team will be selected. But the 14-member team will not be announced until Wednesday at a news conference at Republic Bank, Park Street. The Caribbean championships will be held between July 6 and 11.
SUGAR MIKE looks a star in the making and can continue his meteoric rise up the ranks by landing the Indian Arrival Day Turf Handicap feature on the Arima Race Club Day 16 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today.
The son of Ponche/No Sugar who started his career at Calder Park in the United States, came to the fore in his very first local appearance at the back end of last season, finishing less than two lengths behind Cash Wager and Napoleon in the Stewards Cup, the premier sprint event on the racing calendar. He returned two weeks later to again mix it up with the top bracket in the Gold Cup. Tackling 2000 metres for the first time he showed good stamina with a stout display behind “Horse of the Year”Adawar. . Given some time off to acclimatise, the four-year-old wasted no time in turning the corner by scoring his maiden success in eye-catching fashion over allowance company. The Grant Lourenco inmate was then pitched further up to Handicap grouping in his next start. And Sugar Mike did not dissapoint, flying past the opposition to win under the hands and heels of champion jockey Rajpaul Rajkumar, after sitting in the shade of the early pace makers.
Today’s race over 1725 metres on the Turf will be another test for this strapping individual, having raced exclusively on the sand. But the Bertwin Samlalsingh-owned colt exudes so much class that he is expected to pass today’s test with flying colours. Adawar had an outstanding 2002 season. The Roland Khan-owned six-year-old, who has an outstanding record on the turf was laid up with problems after lifting the Gold Cup. He made a belated first appearance in the Champion Stakes in April, but did not show the dominant qualities he is known for and was beaten by Invincibility. The run was a clear indication that he has not recovered fully and it may pay to overlook him and side with the other Irish import in this staying contest. Canaima is of unknown quality but the manner in which he went through his paces leading up to today’s event shows clearly that he has some tactical speed and staying powers, the ingredients necessary for such a tough race. Invincibility and Outswinger have shown a likeness for the grass and are expected to prove best of the rest in the seven-horse race worth $75,000. Golden Honour has confirmed she is among the leading contenders for classic honours this season. The champion two-year-old filly of last year was not disgraced behind top colts Top Of The Class and Royal Flush in the Easter Guineas and is given a confident vote against the nine fillies in the Gleneagle Stakes. Cornerstone who raced with an injury in the Guineas has not shown the same fire since. But the daughter of Freshly Squeezed has a proven record and should fight out the minor purse in this 1800 metres co-feature on the 10-race programme with Fir-estorm, My Aphrodite and Sweet Tempo.
TOP national junior tennis players, Olivia Bennett and Michael Clarke, are the top Boys and Girls seeds in the Under-16 category as the Sagicor Annual Junior Tennis Tournament serves off at the St Augustine Tennis Courts today.
Sagicor, a merger of insurance companies, Life of Barbados and The Mutual, are sponsoring the event for the third time, and first under their new name, with Assistant Vice-President Robert Trestrail serving the first ball at 9 am. Players will take part in three age groups — Under-12, 12-14 and 15-16 — with Lendl Smith, the number one ranked boys U-14 player. Seve Day and Nicolette Leacock are the top ranked Boys and Girls U-12 players. Play continues until Sunday on the St Augustine courts.
For further information call Jackie Bennett at 678-4405 or Anabel Wharton-Lake at 628-2652 ext 316.
CHRISTO CAVE whipped both Andrew Bowles and Ravishen Singh to keep in line for the Prime Minister’s Trophy, as the New India Assurance National Chess Championships continued at the Conference Room, Student Activity Centre, UWI St Augustine.
Cave, a national Master who copped the title a record 11 times, used his favourite French Defence style to defeat Bowles in third-round action on Saturday and Singh in a fourth-round contest on Sunday. Singh, a silver medallist at the 2002 World Olympiad in Slovenia, used the Sicilian Defence with a d6/e5 variation but Cave exchanged his bishop for a knight, which allowed him to cement his knight on d5. Singh, under pressure, went into a complicated counter-attack, losing a piece which left Cave with no problem in finishing off his opponent. Defending national chess king, FIDE Master Ryan Harper, is joint-second on the standings, alongside Cecil Lee and Joffery Marcelle, after defeating Mario Merritt and Lenard Duncan over the weekend. Desire Derrick retained her national women’s title after sweeping past Aditi Soondarsingh and Sinead Furlong in her last two matches, with Soondarsingh finishing as the runner-up and Furlong third.
Men’s Results:
Round 3 – Christo Cave def Andrew Bowles; Cecil Lee def Frank Yee; Joffery Marcelle def John Raphael; Jerome Joseph def Kirby Hope; Ryan Harper def Mario Merritt; Ravishen Singh def Lenard Duncan.
Round 4 – Cave def Singh; Harper def Duncan; Merritt def Hope; Marcelle def Joseph; Yee def Raphael; Bowles def Lee.
Weekend’s Schedule –
Friday – Lee vs Cave; Raphael vs Bowles; Joseph vs Yee; Merritt vs Marcelle; Duncan vs Hope; Singh vs Harper.
Saturday – Cave vs Harper; Hope vs Singh; Marcelle vs Duncan; Yee vs Merritt; Bowles vs Joseph; Lee vs Raphael.
Sunday – Raphael vs Cave; Joseph vs Lee; Merritt vs Bowles; Duncan vs Yee; Singh vs Marcelle; Harper vs Hope.
Current standings: |
|
|
|
|
|
Men |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
Christo Cave |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Ryan Harper |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
Cecil Lee |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
Joffery Marcelle |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
Ravishen Singh |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Mario Merritt |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Frank Yee |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Jerome Joseph |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
Lenard Duncan |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
Andrew Bowles |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
John Raphael |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Kirby Hope |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Women |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
Desire Derrick |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Aditi Soondarsingh |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1.5 |
Sinead Furlong |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.5 |
Camille Chung |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0.5 |
