The clinic was conducted by the TTFA zonal coaches and overseen by TTFA technical director Muhammad Isa.

Paul Decle, one of the coaches who participated in the TTFA Grassroots coaching course conducted by Anton Corneal recently, was present and involved in Saturday’s session. Decle is also the founder of Pro Series Events.

“I was really impressed with the level of participation and players coming from all over Trinidad to be part of the Grassroots festival,” Decle said. “Despite the hot weather, the children had great fun, learning news skills and getting a chance to play matches. It was a great event with an excellent group of coaches and a pleasure to be a part of.” At Saturday’s session, the participants included youngsters came from the Glencoe Football Academy and Petit Valley United.

Cocorite Government Primary, Dunross Primary and other areas such as La Puerta, Sagangar Trace, Cocorite, Diego Martin and Carenage.

Visiting coach Jamie Harris, who is the Under-11 coach at English club AFC Bournemouth, was also in attendance as an observer at Saturday’s session This Saturday, the Festival rolls into Moruga with another session starting from 9 am at the Grand Chemin Ground.

So far the year the TTFA Grassroots Festival has also been staged in La Brea, Chaguanas, Blanchisseuse and Palo Seco.

The clinics cater for boys and girls between the ages of six and 11. The kids are taught the basics of the game with an emphasis on player participation and enjoyment as coaches, who have all been trained by the TTFA coaching instructors and been part of the recent TTFA/CONCACAF Grassroots coaching course, are utilised to guide the youngsters during the sessions.

One of the places this tree is found is in the Third Company Cemetery, opposite Perry Young Road, Indian Walk. Many people seek its shelter on the occasion of funerals.

Unfortunately, that tree is covered with the epiphytic pine. Those pines act as containers/ reservoirs for water whenever it rains. That is additional weight the long, near horizontal branches must carry.

That is a potential hazard to life and limb since branches could come crashing down.

An example of this possible catastrophe was seen three weeks ago and was well reported in the dailies after a milkwood tree fell across the road, disrupting electricity, telephone and cable services. Houses and vehicles were also damaged. I call on the relevant authority to be proactive and clear the saaman tree of its unsightly parasite and please do not wait on some disaster to occur.

Ironically, all the agencies that the owner of the milkwood tree repeatedly asked for help, to no avail, were most present when the tree came crash. Let not that scenario play out again.

SAHADEO RAGOONANAN via email

While sharing her accomplishment with her friends and family at her school located at the Aranguez Main Road, San Juan, Mahabir said she never thought her name would have been called.

She said she put in a lot of hard work and long hours of studying up to the last day for the exam and did not expect to score high enough to be placed second.

“I am speechless,” she said “Everything happened so fast.

When I heard my name, I just stood there in shock. I felt so happy and nervous at the same time. It is a feeling that I will never forget.” When asked about her career plans, Mahabir said she wants to follow in the footsteps of her cousins as doctors.

“I want to be a gynaecologist. I hear about some of the struggles women face in my country and I want to be able to contribute to my country in this field.

She said St Augustine Girls High School was her first choice and she cannot wait to attend the school in the new school term.

Her mother Charmaine Mahabir, a single parent and a proprietor, said her daughter made her extremely proud yesterday

He revealed the purchase at yesterday’s sitting of the Public Administrations and Appropriations Committee chaired by Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George at Tower D, Port-of-Spain that met Education Ministry staff led by permanent secretary (PS) Angela Sinawasee-Gervais.

Rambharat asked Sinawasee- Gervais to account for the purchase but she said it happened before her tenure and she could only speculate a reply.

She suggested that it was at a time when funding was available and her predecessor might have reckoned it to be economical to buy two vehicles for $400,000 rather than just one for $240,000.

“I can’t say what was in the PS’s mind,” she said, but added that the decision might have been influenced by factors such as whether other vehicles were down at that ministry at that time.

Replying to a query from Annisette-George as to whether it might have been as a result of the need to spend available funds by a September 30 spending deadline, Sinawasee-Gervais opined that this was not likely the reason.

The vehicles were to be used to deliver mail with the X Trail recommended as having more trunk space although one committee member queried if this really was a valid criterion.

Some people might choose this period to complete short courses, online degree programs, or projects around the home.

Whatever goals people may have in mind or how they choose to spend their time, the focus should be to improve the quality of life.

Therefore, be determined to adopt a healthier lifestyle, relieve stress, and enjoy family and friends, as well as children. For this cause adolescents, parents/guardians and community volunteers can come together to participate in food and nutrition activities. Such planned programmes can be probably conducted at the local, regional, and international levels engaging businesses, faith-based organisations, and communities. Today’s article will focus on interactive food and nutrition activities that can probably contribute to preventing disease, and promoting health and wellness among children and their families.

Healthy habits Helping children and adolescents to maintain their health is essential; this of course should include bringing together parents, caregivers, members of the extended family, and community residents.

You will find that they form the supportive network to assist the children and teens in not only making wise food choices, but also in promoting and developing healthy habits to last a lifetime, such as choosing nutritious foods and beverages to enhance growth and development, and regular participation in physical activity.

Moreover, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports this view; they documented in their position statement the significance in maintaining the health of children. For example good eating habits in children within the age group two to 11 years as well as their engaging frequently in physical activity can be beneficial in achieving optimal physical health and good cognitive development and function, maintaining healthy weights, enjoying food, and lowering the potential risk for developing chronic diseases.

Some challenges Although, it is critical to implement the healthy practices, however, according to studies conducted, there might be some challenges. These can include, but should not be limited to lack of income, food availability and access, long working hours of parents/guardians perhaps contributing to greater consumption of meals and snacks prepared outside of the home, or more convenience foods. Add to that list, increase portion sizes, preference for foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, lack of basic cooking skills, food and nutrition knowledge deficit, and the availability of cooking and storage equipment – all of which may tend to negatively impact health.

Children and teens who prefer to remain indoors and play video games, along with environmental concerns such as a safe place for play, violence in communities – such factors, may more than likely have a negative effect on physical activity level.

Simple practical approach Teaching children and their parents/ guardians how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks can be beneficial. For example, the registered dietitian and public health nutritionist can plan interactive food and nutrition activities focusing on the following themes; keeping food safe and basic sanitation principles, the nutritive value of foods, the Caribbean Food Groups, basic functions of nutrients and good sources, which foods to limit or omit containing high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt, benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to the diet, omitting sugary beverages – choose water instead, healthy fats, the importance of breakfast and examples of nutritious food choices, the food label, healthy cooking – working with recipes using local produce, planning a balanced meal and healthy snacks, and how to prepare, store, and package food.

This, of course, can be a collaborative approach involving food demonstrators; the caterers or chefs/cooks for school meals programme, cafeteria operators, and community residents or church associates responsible for planning pot luck dinners can also be invited to participate.

Also, to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that children should be encouraged to enjoy play; physical activities selected should be age-appropriate and enjoyable. The recommendation is that children and adolescents should do one hour or more of physical activity each day. Furthermore, ensure children and adolescents participate in the three types of physical activity: aerobic activity should make up most of the one hour of physical activity daily, example moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking, and vigorous-intensity activity for example running (at least three days per week); muscle strengthening such as gymnastics or push-ups, three days per week, and bone strengthening such as jumping rope or running, three days per week, to be included as part of the one hour.

Nutrition message: participation in food and nutrition activities can benefit children and their families.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

In a video that was posted online by another patron, Olivia could be seen lying on his back before Destra told him, “If you’s a bad boy I will treat you bad.

Treat him bad allyuh?” before dropping herself onto his pelvis.

Olivia was then seen getting up from the floor of the stage but did not appear to be in any immediate discomfort.

Sources however revealed that once off the stage, he complained of a pain in his midsection and had to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Tests at the hospital revealed that Olivia had suffered a ruptured bladder from the impact.

Justice Courtney Able delivered his ruling after Olivia’s lawyers argued that Destra’s move on stage was less like a soca dance and more like a wrestling move.

The court granted a default judgement against Garcia as she did not enter a defence and lawyers confirmed that they are currently in talks with local attorneys to have the order enforced in this jurisdiction.

Newsday spoke to attorney Christophe Rodriguez who, along with Shane Kingston, will act for the Belizean national locally to enforce the order.

Rodriguez, whose law partner Steve Perera handled the case in Belize, explained the first course of action he intends to follow is to approach the High Court to have the judgement recognised. “We will be asking the court to have her pay the amount of damages (compensation) ordered by the Belizean court.

We will be approaching the court within the next two weeks.” Attempts to contact Garcia or her publicist were unsuccessful.

Newsday understands that she left the country for Miami earlier yesterday.

Thong was ruthless during the tournament, not dropping a set on his way to the title. In the final, Thong defeated Guyanese Mohryan Baksh 11-0, 11-2, 11-9.

After earning a first round bye, Thong defeated American Jaydon Williams 11-2, 11-1, 11-2 in the quarter-finals, before outlasting Barbadian Zishan Motara in the semi-finals 11-6, 11-6, 11-4.

Christopher Anthony earned silver for TT in the boys Under-15 category. Guyanese Shomari Wiltshire got past Anthony 11-1, 9-11, 11-1, 11-2 in the final.

Anthony was resilient throughout the tournament coming from behind in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. He came from two sets down to win in five sets in the quarter-finals, then bounced back from 1-2 to win 3-2 in the semi-finals.

Joshua Poon also represented TT in the boys Under-15 category but lost in the first round.

In the boys Under-17 category, Seth Figueria lost in round one while Kobie Khan advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated.

Nicholas Caddle, Nicholas Shaw and Jonathan Blanc represented TT in the boys Under-19 category. Shaw and Blanc were eliminated in round one, while Caddle progressed to the quarter- finals before being defeated.

Among the girls, TT were guaranteed a medal in the girls Under- 19 category as Alexandria Yearwood and Marie Claire Barcant squared off in the third place playoff. However, up to press time it was uncertain who copped the bronze medal. In the first round (quarter-finals), Barcant defeated Emma Turnbull of Cayman Islands 11-4, 11-8, 11-6, while Yearwood got past Guyanese Rebecca Low 11-4, 11-1, 11-3.

In the semi-finals Barcant lost in four sets, while Yearwood lost in five.

In the girls Under-17 category, Jinan Al Rawi lost in round one while Chelsea Lequay lost in the quarter-finals after getting a first round bye. Chloe Walcott and Aimee de Verteuil lost in round one of the girls Under-15 category, while Sigourney Williams also could not past round one in the girls Under-13 category.

Today would mark one week since he was murdered.

His principal at the Learning Living Institute at Arima Old Road, Arima, Shariffa Ward, said he had passed for the Arima Secondary School afer writing the Secondary Entrance Assessment exam in May. He would never get that chance to attend.

Vedesh and his neighbour Hafeeza Rose Mohammed were found with their throats slit last week Wednesday.

According to Ward, Vedesh had stayed away from school that day because he had an ear infection.

He was taking information technology classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays but he could not attend school on the Wednesday.

His life was snuffed out and he would never fulfill his dream of becoming a famous basketball star or musician.

His father Lennon Subar said his son loved sports, especially basketball and cricket. But his real dream was to become a deejay.

“I told him he could be anything he wanted to be, but if he wanted to be a deejay, he had to be an educated deejay,” he said.

“He had to make sure that he went to school. We supported what he wanted to do. After 13 years me and my wife (Veena) had him, he was our only child.

“After going through primary he was never given the opportunity of going further to make his dreams come true. I have no words, I am lost. People are saying that this was life and all kinds of things, but I don’t believe in those things.” Subar said Vedesh was given everything that he needed for him to be successful “I am not saying this in a boastful way. He had guitar, cuatro, tassa drum, dholak, you name it, he had it . All sports and music, he had it.

“If you saw the crowd at the cremation site, that alone would have told you how people felt about him. He entered all the talent shows we had and he always came out on top. The only reason I am talking to you is because it is something the world should really know. He stayed with her (Mohammed) since he was a baby,” Subar said.

Ward described the teenager as “helpful, hilarious and active”.

She started the school after she began home schooling her own two children and Vedesh had been attending for the past five years.

“We will miss that. He was like our shadow. We are a very family- oriented school. He was always helpful and volunteer to get me something to eat at the next door cafeteria…and he would ‘bouff ’me if I got a Coke because he would say it was not good for me,” Ward said.

Vedesh’s primary school only consisted of 83 students, but they were a tight knit community. He was only one of three students who wrote the SE A exam. But, Ward said it did not matter what the age group, Vedesh interacted with everyone. But, she also did not forget Mohammed.

People think we are not mourning her death, but we will miss Mama Rose, that is waht she was called. We would miss her honking her van horn in the morning and dropping off the children.

She also baby sat four other children,” Ward said.

The 25-year-old man of Libertville, Rio Claro, is expected to appear before a San Fernando magistrate this morning to answer a charge of sending a message on a cell phone which is grossly offensive. The charge was laid by Cpl Badree.

A team of police including Snr. Supt Totaram Dookie, ASP Ken Ghisyawan and Cpl Bassarath conducted investigations and arrested the man on Saturday after his comment was posted on Facebook last week.

It read: “Someone should find Rowley daughter and wife and slit their throats n rape them (sic).” In a subsequent facebook post, the man apologised for his comment.

His son Simeon,18, and nephew Daniel Ramcharan, 14, were also in danger of drowning during a family excursion to Mermaid Pool in Matura on Sunday but were rescued by a group of bikers.

A relative told Newsday both boys were coming to terms with Seegobin’s death and were expected to recover in time for the funeral.

Seegobin was accompanied by members of a Gasparillo- based motorcycle club on the excursion.

Newsday spoke to a member of the club who said contrary to earlier statements reported in the media, members did not need prodding to attempt to save Seegobin’s life.

“I was just about to put my helmet back on when I heard one of the other guys tell me that he was splashing around in the water. I turned around just in time to see David’s head slip beneath the water. I ran out into the pool to try and save him but it was already too late.” The member said Seegobin was an integral part of the club’s operations which has been actively engaged in charitable work and outreach programmes throughout the country. He said the other members were left deeply shaken by his death and he will be missed.

“Each year we would volunteer on Christmas day to ride out on our bikes and distribute toys and hampers to families all over and David would always volunteer to be Santa with his daughter right by his side all the way.

He was a big part of our family and we’re sad to see that this happened.”