Deyalsingh was responding to a question by Oropouche West MP Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh about the closure of the department.

He said heavy rains from Tropical Storm Bret caused damage to the roof and the department had to be closed. He said repairs have been done and the final cleaning was carried out yesterday so the department could be opened today.

Several outpatient clinics that had to close due to the department being shut will reopen as early as tomorrow, Deyalsingh said.

This will be followed by the Arima group’s meeting on July 8 at the Arima Town Hall, Sorzano Street, from 10am – 1pm.

The Tobago meeting at the Division of Health and Services Senior Activity Centre, 47 Rockley Vale Road, Scarborough, takes place from 4 to 6pm on July 11.

The San Fernando group will meet on July 29 at the RC Church Community Hall, Harris Promenade, from 2 – 4pm.

The monthly meetings are published at the end of each month. AzATT ’s new board is led by Ann Smith, president; Dr Lorraine Patience, secretary; and Joanne Shurland, treasurer.

Nevertheless, TT’s athletes have remained focused and motivated to compete, saying the delayed recognition has not affected them.

Walcott won this country’s only medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when he earned bronze in the men’s javelin last August. In September, Stewart and Cain both got on the podium at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Stewart won gold and broke the world record in the F44 men’s javelin event and copped silver in the F44 men’s discus. Cain earned bronze in the T43/T44 women’s 100m event.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has rewarded the trio with medal bonuses after their achievements last year.

Stewart earned US$10,000 for his gold medal and US$8,000 for his silver. Cain and Walcott both got US$5,000 each for their bronze medals.

Immediately following the team’s return home from Brazil, Sports Minister Darryl Smith had said formulating a policy where rewards are fixed is high on the agenda.

In a recent interview, Smith said the draft for the new sport policy is complete and Cabinet has to approve it. “I have the draft and we are going through it now. I am going to take it to Cabinet soon, Cabinet will approve it and we are going to have a fantastic launch,” Smith told Newsday last week.

The Sports Minister said the new sport policy will include an athlete reward plan which will give details on how athletes will be rewarded for achievements.

“All that (fixed athlete rewards) is part of the new sports policy. We never had a policy on that, so the new policy that we just did includes all of that,” he said. The last sports policy in Trinidad and Tobago was established in 2002.

Sean Roach, manager of Keshorn Walcott, said yesterday his client is not affected by not receiving anything yet from the Government for his Olympic bronze medal. After winning the Olympic gold in London on 2012, former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar greeted Keshorn at the Piarco International Airport, outlining a number of rewards he would receive.

Roach indicated, though, that he is in support of the new policy.

“I think that it is important because it is all about setting goals as an athlete. Having rewards and having set rewards where they will know if I achieve this goal, this is what I will get, is very important for the athlete because it gives them something to work towards.” Roach said sport is now a business and some athletes depend solely on their athletic careers to earn a living. He said athletes should be rewarded for their efforts, as a lot of money is spent to prepare for meets including travelling, medical care, training and nutrition.

Roach denied being disappointed with Keshorn having to wait for a reward, noting that patience is needed.

“I would not say I am disappointed as yet. We have had negotiations with the Ministry outlining some little things that we would have liked to have seen with Keshorn.

As far as I am told, things are on stream. I know these things take time. Even when the then Prime Minister (Kamla Persad-Bissessar) announced the different rewards for Keshorn it did not manifest immediately, it took some time,” he explained.

Cain, who will compete in the 100m, 200m and long jump events at the World Para Championships in London from July 14 to 23, said she has not been affected by the lack of rewards from the Government.

“No, I won’t say it has affected me in any way, because I know sometimes the Government feel athletes always on a ‘gimme gimme’ kind of thing. I have not really allowed that to hamper me. I have remained focused nevertheless.” However, Cain says a concrete athlete reward policy is something she would support. Cain said, “To me it is a good thing. Sometimes, not all the time we will need money.

There are certain things that athletes could probably gain from the Government instead of always receiving money. Sometimes athletes need accommodation, a better home for their family and stuff like that.” Stewart, who will compete in the javelin, shot put and discus events at the Para World Championships said he is still motivated.

“I am self motivated, so things like that don’t really demotivate me. My main goal is to enjoy track and field and try to empower other athletes and just have fun,” he declared.

The accused man, said to be a doubles vendor was not called upon to plead as the matter is indictable. Through his attorney Darril Giles, the accused enquired of the court as to the whereabouts of several pieces of gold jewelry which included a gold chain, gold watch, a gold bera, three gold rings and a pair of gold earrings, as well as his cellphone.

The magistrate told the accused man’s father who was in court, to go to the police station to make enquiries about the valuables.

The accused was the driver of a getaway car in which two other occupants, one of whom had fired the fatal shots at Ramlogan, escaped after the shooting at the victim’s auto electrical shop. The case was adjourned to July 25.

The event created partnerships with the Miss Antigua and Barbuda 2017 delegates, all of whom were present at the O2N Antigua and shared their individual personal development platforms with the much stylised audience.

Vanda Neale-Gardner, chairperson of the Miss Antigua committee, commented on the impact of the event, stating that the development of strategic and regional partnerships was of paramount importance in the development not only of the pageant, but more so of the development of the Caribbean brand Host Richard Young guided the audience through each of the presenter’s journeys, then created the “ties that bind”, through the unique similarities of each of the experiences, said a media release.

Young said: “The shared experiences of these women can be echoed across the region.

These are the experiences that colour who we are as Caribbean people, thereby furthering the development of the Caribbean aesthetic.” The O2N event which was held on June 22 saw heartfelt and powerful presentations by Sen Aziza Lake; motivational speaker Paula Jacobs; jewelry artisan Miranda Askie; former senator and rights activist Malaka Parker; artist and carnival producer Heather Doram; and former Miss Antigua and Barbuda Kai Davis.

The event was coursed by Young who is international creative director and O2N co-producer.

Oxygen with Nicole’s founder Nicole Dyer-Griffith closed the session with a plea to continue to find and develop ways to encourage regionalism.

She stated that the O2N events have become larger than her and Young, and have provided more than a safe space for the sharing of stories and experiences, but “more of a regional platform to celebrate our journeys”.

Dyer-Griffith and Young thanked the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, The Miss Antigua Pageant Committee and delegates, the Blue Waters Resort and Spa, ABS TV/Radio Antigua, and the many who worked behind the scenes to ensure a successful event.

Oxygen with Nicole is a motivational event for women, where a safe space is created to encourage the sharing of experiences and stories for the benefit of others.

The event has been hosted on Trinidad, Guyana and Antigua and has reached more than 1,000 women.

Gajadhar and the TT U-15s will compete at the 2017 Regional Under-15 Championships which takes place next month in Barbados The 14 year old is a top-order batsman and an off-spinner, and will feature for the national team during their defence of the regional title.

“It’s a great honour and a privilege to be selected as the vice-captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 team,” Gajadhar said.

“I hope to excel with both bat and ball and, with my additional responsibility of being a vice-captain, I would encourage greater team spirit and togetherness and, hopefully ensure that Trinidad and Tobago retain the Regional Under-15 title.” He added, “I want to encourage many of you to come over and support us.” Gajadhar expressed his gratitude to a number of persons who contributed to his development as a cricketer thus far, including his parents Annette and Ashworth, as well as his sister Ornella.

Delivering the feature address was Daren Ganga, former TT captain and West Indies batsman, and current commentator, who gave Gajadhar some advice.

“You need to develop the right work ethic if you are to be successful in cricket. Success is an attitude.

The same sort of sacrifices you make for the game of cricket and for you achieving success, has to roll over to every aspect of your life,” he said.

Ganga also touched on the state of cricket in TT and, by extension the West Indies, at the grassroots/ developmental level.

“The ones who are interested in the game, we’re not developing them. Then we’re not putting focus on attracting young kids to the game of cricket,” he said.

Ganga pointed out, “I want you, the Aranguez Sports Club, to know that you may be a beacon of hope in Trinidad and Tobago and for you to continue to be an example in this community.” Prominent cricket commentator and TV host, Fazeer Mohammed, also spoke at the function and encouraged Gajadhar to continue striving for excellence.

“What you are seeing here is how much your achievements mean to (the Aranguez residents).

We appreciate how far you have reached but this is just one step.

“We want you to achieve your fullest potential, for yourself, for our community, for Trinidad and Tobago, for the West Indies hopefully.” Also in attendance at the event were master of ceremonies Forbes Persaud, ex-president of the Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL); Kelvin Williams, TT Under- 15 assistant team coach; Dinanath Ramnarine, ex-national and West Indies leg-spinner and current chairman of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago and Tony Harford, businessman and former media practitioner.

All five enterprises have also been awarded spots in PitchIT Caribbean business accelerators across the region.

After two rigorous days of pitching to two different panels of judges and an audience of regional and global investors, SENSI (Grenada), Nestd (Trinidad and Tobago), Kraasimages (Jamaica), Isle&Dine (Barbados) and The LocaL App (Antigua & Barbuda) were chosen from 25 tech teams representing seven Caribbean territories.

PitchIt’s Chief Coach Sergiu Escobar, Managing Director of Canada’s Founders Institute, also presented three finalists, Kraasimages of Jamaica, nDuna and LoanFren from Trinidad and Tobago with US$300 worth of Budgeto Access, the institute’s online platform that helps entrepreneurs with budgeting.

LoanFren also received 6-12 months of individual coaching by Escobar and coach Damion Daley, a Jamaican software architect and Tamu Petra Browne (Trinidad and Tobago).

Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts, Shawn Richards pledged the continued support of his government in promoting entrepreneurship in St Kitts as an effort to lower unemployment in the country. “A carpenter becomes a builder and grows a large building company,” he said, alluding to how acquired skills can help develop a nation.

St Kitts & Nevis has already invested $8 million through the Caribbean Development Bank in several different technical vocational education and training projects designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills beginning at the secondary school level.

A total of 25 tech entrepreneurs from nine countries across the Caribbean participated in the competition, which aims to highlight and support the growth of the region’s top talent in tech app development.

Finalists by country were: The LocaL App of Antigua &Barbuda, Isle&Dine, Podium & Pocket Shop of Barbados, Oruh, Tect, Lynck & CariFind of Dominica, SENSI of Grenada, Munchies of Guyana, Link Your Purpose, Kraasimages, My Lending Angel, App@round, OneShapp & ResearchAid+ of Jamaica, Pazport of St. Lucia, MyStudyLibrary of St Vincent & the Grenadines, GrocerY, WEV, Parlay T&T, Nestd, LoanFren Limited, nDuna & Trust PIN of Trinidad and Tobago.

PitchIT Caribbean is a program aimed at enhancing the mobile app development ecosystem across CARICOM.

It is designed to accelerate mobile app entrepreneurs through the startup life cycle, which runs from ideation to pitch, from pitch to market and from market to maturity.

It currently supports four hubs, one each in Barbados, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

PitchIT Caribbean is the central operation of the Caribbean Mobile Innovation Project, which is part of the Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC), an initiative funded by the government of Canada and executed by infoDev/ World Bank Group, through a threeparty Caribbean consortium, led by UWI Consulting Inc., working along with Mona School of Business and Management, and Mona Business Support Services.

The tournament is hosted by the French-speaking islands, namely Guadeloupe, Martinique, Cayenne and St Maarten. Tyrone Thomas (81kg), Nickell Joseph (75kg) and Justin Parris (56kg) will represent TT, while Reynold Cox and Rawlson Dopwell will serve as the team’s coaches at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The boxers will get their final warm-up when a boxing card is held at the Cosmic Boxing Gym in Marabella on Saturday from 6 pm.

In other boxing news, the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association continues to qualify officials at the highest level. Referee/judge Codrington Joefield has acquired his Star One AIBA Badge after sitting examinations in Barbados at the last Caribbean Championships in December 2016. He has now qualified to referee and judge at regional and confederation tournaments.

In order to move up to Star Two and Three qualification, Joefield must have 12 of those tournaments under his belt.

At the recently concluded Continental Championship in Honduras, Floyd Trumpet successfully obtained his Cutman Badge.

This is a new initiative by AIBA and soon at all AIBA Championships and Games all corners must have a qualified cutman.

A cutman is a person responsible for preventing and treating physical damage to a fighter between rounds.

Trumpet was the only person from the English-speaking Caribbean to obtain his badge, and would find himself in great demand throughout the region, not only in the ring corner but to also conduct classes

The facility was built and commissioned by the National Energy Corporation under former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine to encourage economic development and sustainability in the coastal community, but it remained unused by fisherfolk who felt the facility lacked crucial features.

Fisherfolk continued to operate out of their stalls until the facility was given a longer jetty, better parking, cold storage facilities and ice-makers.

However, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat yesterday said even if fishermen did like the facility five years ago, it could not have been officially used until it was handed over to the Ministry. “None of their (fisherfolk) demands have been met yet,” said Rambharat, “because the facility has only now been handed over. Nothing could have been done until the facility was handed over to us.

We can now get the engineering expertise to give consideration to what could be done.” As it currently exists, the facility supports net and boat repairs and is equipped with fuel, water, ice and cold storage as well as 25 lockers, washrooms and parking space.

When last I checked, the Music Festival and SanFest were major planks in the education process, which are crying out for greater government involvement. We cannot abandon the festival and SanFest. No siree.

While SanFest is chugging along, my fear is that the Music Festival is heading in the direction of Lapeyrouse or Mucurapo Cemetery.

The last festival, a scaled-down version, was saved by a government donation. What a shame.

Pretty soon the voluntary organisers will have to come to grips with the future of the festival, and it will be a shame if such a great institution is closed down, while millions of dollars continue to be pumped into Soca Monarch, Chutney Monarch, Best Village, Panorama and calypso.

Now I am reading about one million US smackers placed on the table for the Caribbean Premier League and the Music Festival is treated like a vagrant. Are we serious? Really, the question can be asked: who cares about the Music Festival? Maybe, just maybe, the Ministers of Culture and Education can show some empathy.

KEITH ANDERSON via email