A small crowd showed up at the Oval to witness the first One Day International between West Indies and India. Most of the crowd present sat in the popular Carib Beer Stand.

The lack of spectators is a worrying trend for regional cricket with a less than capacity crowd showing up for three Twenty20s vs Pakistan recently.

Mani Bhimull from Penal believes a lack of aggressive advertising contributed to the low turnout yesterday, but said the main reason there is dismal support is because of the performance of the team. He also believes India losing in the Champions Trophy final last weekend was a factor.

Bhimull said, “The advertising was very low key, a lot of people are not even aware that this Indian team flew straight from England to come here. Smart people on the other hand, they don’t support losers. India is a loser and West Indies are very poor. It is pathetic to think about where they have reached in world cricket. It is a combination of things that are responsible for the poor turnout.” Asked if Cricket West Indies is to blame for the lack of interest in West Indies cricket, Bhimull said, “West Indian cricket is at one of its lowest for a variety of reasons; more political than anything else.

But more than that, the fellas are poor performers.” Several leading West Indies players have clashed with Cricket West Indies (formerly West Indies Cricket Board) for a variety of reasons in the recent past. One of the players who has been out of West Indies colours of late is Darren Bravo, after his controversial tweet where he called Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron a “big idiot.” “A team has to be a concerted group of people, jelling together, but you have people here with different agendas,” Bhimull lamented.

Alicia Small from Gasparillo believes the heavy rainfall recently deterred patrons from attending the match. Small, who was at the Oval with a youth cricket team, added though that the young cricketers were disappointed that the Bravo brothers (Dwayne and Darren) were not playing. “Our kids were here and the first question they ask is ‘where Bravo?’” Tabaquite resident Kenny Woods is also not satisfied with the regional board. “The only thing that brings the West Indies together as a people is cricket, but the way those fellas running things I don’t think the people are happy. This did not happen overnight. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and this (lack of support) is the end result.” Woods says a lot of people look forward to T20 cricket and that format is keeping West Indies afloat. “People tend to look forward to the T20 because it suits our temperament. T20 have us clinging on. We have a world-beating team,” he said.

In a telephone interview on Thursday, Daly said, “When you look at the media release there are three sentences that cannot be interpreted than anything other than the language of a decision having been made.” He was referring to a letter an attorney representing the CJ wrote to former attorney general Anand Ramlogan,SC, in which he said “no such decision was made” at a meeting of stakeholders on May 24.

Ramlogan on June 12 wrote to attorney Ian Roach, who represents Archie, seeking answers on the consensus arrived at a meeting of stakeholders on May 24, when it was reported these stakeholders agreed to have all 53 cases restarted de novo (new trial). However, in his letter to Ramlogan dated June 20, Roach said, “Your letter proceeds on a wholly erroneous premise. My instructions are that no such decision was made in your letter.” On May 25, a release by the Judiciary’s Court Protocol and Information Manager Alicia Carter- Fisher, announced that a decision was made at the stakeholders meeting of May 24. In the release, Carter-Fisher said, “consensus was reached and the meeting agreed to have all 53 matters restarted de novo.” It was also announced that Ag Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle Caddle would preside over all indictable cases, while all summary matters would be taken over by an assigned magistrate at the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court. All other Eighth Court matters which were not started will be managed by the acting deputy chief magistrate, the statement further noted.

Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, Daly pointed to the key sentences of the release sent by the Judiciary on May 25, which he (Daly) said it were obvious consequences of a decision having been arrived at when the parties met with the CJ.

“It is not conceivable that it is a question of interpretation or misinterpretation as the Chief Justice’s attorney is now saying,” Daly said.

“It (the wording of the Judiciary’s media release) is entirely consistent with an administrative decision having been taken,” he said.

In his letter to Ramlogan, Roach also indicated that “no further directives were issued to any judicial officer as to how they should deal with the matters which may come before them.” He also told Ramlogan that “no person or persons arrogated unto themselves the power to determine the future conduct” of his client’s case.

“Your client’s legal representative is free to make any representations or submissions he considers appropriate before the presiding magistrate and have same dealt with at that time. That is the protection of the law and the right to a fair hearing that the Constitution guarantees to your client,” Roach further advised Ramlogan. Several of the affected part-heard cases are expected to be called next Tuesday.

He said the regional corporations, through the Ministry of Rural Development, have already been assigned the task to assist in removing the flood damaged items, and he added that the Ministry of Works will also do its part in assisting the regional corporations.

He said in some instances, some people may be anxious to have the items removed but he asked for some patience and advised persons to desist from dumping the items in water courses or in forested areas.

He said that to do so in the rainy season would result in water courses being blocked and people suffering the same consequences of widespread flooding while the fridges could collect water and become a breeding ground for some insects such as mosquitoes.

He said he visited Mayaro two days before Bret dumped a lot of rain in the country and checked water courses to ascertain what was needed to clear them.

He said once the flood water recedes, the Ministry of Works will be doing some dredging and removal of silt from water courses as well as debris.

Sinanan said he had visited some areas in Sangre Grande, St Helena and the Debe/Penal districts to see for himself what is needed in those areas and he said that work has already started with respect to the removal of debris from some water courses.

He said URP workers already started assisting in the clean-up in areas where people were affected by widespread flooding and he urged people to allow the URP workers to assist them in the cleanup exercise.

The Minister said he also visited the Barataria area and he has intentions to clear water courses in that area, including in Aranjuez where farmers experienced flooding and a lot of crops were destroyed.

Asked by Newsday if the relevant bodies are ready to deal with a hurricane or another storm the Minister said “we are ready as we can be.”

Residents and workers in the Forestry Divison, under the supervision of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA), were up to press time yesterday clearing the debris from the massive mango tree which fell.

Residents said while they are still trying to find out the total estimation of the damage that was incurred, they are thankful that no one died in the accident.

“Things could have been much worse,” said residents yesterday, “We are just thanking God that everyone was alive. I am not sure if they will, but I hope that the NWRHA or someone could compensate us for the damage.” Velma Pierre, one of the residents in the yard, told Newsday that the family was preparing the area where the tree fell for the wake of another relative who died recently.

Minutes before the tree fell, they were called by a member of staff from the St Ann’s hospital, and told that they heard one of the trees cracking.

At about 8.30 pm on Thursday, the tree fell across the wall and into the neighbouring yard, bringing down the wall and power lines along with it. The tree damaged the roof of the house, as well as three vehicles parked in the roadway.

Two people sustained minor injuries as the tree came down.

Newsday was told that one of the injured was trapped between the fallen tree and a light pole. Emergency services were called and employees of TTEC cleared the debris and the pole to free the person.

The two people were both examined by medical personnel at the St Ann’s Hospital and transferred to the Port of Spain General Hospital. Both suffered minor injuries.

Officials at the NWRHA believe the tree, along with others on the compound, had been compromised since the passing of Tropical Storm Bret.

According to a release sent to the media yesterday, all potentially hazardous trees will be removed. It is not known if the NWRHA would compensate residents for the damage which occured

Police say the man, only hours before, had beaten a woman at the house where he was arrested.

Late Wednesday night they responded to a report of a domestic violence situation at Golconda Settlement but when they arrived, they found a woman who was badly beaten but the alleged perpetrator had left the house.

A team comprising Sgt Sankar, PC Boodram and PCs Figaro and Sankar returned to the area at about 5.30 am on Thursday on surveillance.

While waiting, the police saw a 37-year-old construction worker enter the yard of the house.

He was arrested as he was about to enter the house. Upon searching him, police found the gun, the ammunition and the ski mask.

He was taken into custody and several charges are expected to be laid against him .

Head of the Southern Division Snr Supt. Zamsheed Mohammed praised the officers for their dedication to duty in preventing a possible crime.

Within one day of the flood waters barely receding a few inches, out steps the former prime minister and her used to be BFF and favourite minister of national security, praising themselves all over social media for past services rendered.

I read former Capt Gary Griffith’s letter with both disgust and pity.

Disgust that a Sandhurst- trained officer could stoop to self-praise for performing national duty and pity that he does not yet comprehend that he is no longer national security minister.

It is unfortunate that he describes the present-day hard working and dedicated public officers as ignorant (not sure which university Gary attended).

He moaned at great length that his baby, the National Operations Centre is no longer in proper use.

The captain forgets that he was around when SAUTT was disbanded and the much needed OPVs were written out of the crime plan of another minister of national security. Those were good ideas flushed down the drain. Your turn to weep today, Griffith.

I am disappointed that Persad- Bissessar and the UNC Opposition have found it necessary to play politics with the tragedy that has struck some families.

The UNC said the Prime Minister “was slow in response.” Did it expect him to be personally handing out mattresses and bottled water? The tone of the politics will inevitably descend further into the mud and flood waters when comparisons are made as to how much more money each person got from which government.

Perhaps Griffith has a telephone number for members of the public to call regarding how long it took for help to reach them because he was not personally there to direct operations.

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin

Greene prevailed in heat nine in 10.08, .04 seconds faster than Emmanuel Callender, who won heat five, while Moriba Morain won heat six in 10.13 seconds.

There were little surprises in the other heats, as Mikel Thomas took heat one in 10.40, Rondell Sorrillo won heat two in 10.26, Kyle Greaux heat three in 10.30, Marcus Duncan heat four in 10.24, Dan-Neil Telesford heat seven in 10.39 and Chavaughn Walsh of Antigua/Barbuda heat eight in 10.27.

Michelle-Lee Ahye was the fastest among the women in the 100m heats, as she stopped the clock in 11.15 seconds in heat two.

National Under-20 champ Khalifa St Fort prevailed in heat one in 11.53, while Tameka Williams of St Kitts/Nevis won heat three in 11.25.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste won heat four in 11.51 while Reyare Thomas crossed the line first in heat five in 11.31.

Jarrin Solomon emerged as the fastest runner in the men’s 400m heats, as he won heat one in 46.5.

Veteran Renny Quow won heat two in 46.98, while Tacuma Sterling took heat three in 48.42, Lalonde Gordon heat four in 47.73 and Machel Cedenio heat five in 47.01.

In the women’s 400m, Domonique Williams took heat one in 52.76, while Rae-Anne Serville claimed heat two in 56.85 and Chelsi Charles heat three in 56.08.

The semi-finals and finals of the men’s and women’s 100 metres will take place today, as well as the men’s and women’s 400m finals, and men’s 110m hurdles final.

Also on today’s agenda will be the men’s shot put, women’s high jump, women’s 100m hurdles, women’s javelin, men’s and women’s 1,500m, men’s long jump, men’s 400m hurdles (heats), men’s 5,000m, women’s discus, women’s triple, as well as the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon. Ryan Samuel of Eastonians was the lone competitor in the men’s hammer, and his best effort was 19.35 metres. In the women’s hammer throw, Sherselle Murray of Toco Tafac took gold with a best of 28.84m, ahead of Angel Coombs of Striders (28.50m) and Gwendolyn Smith of Palo Seco (25.18m). Action continues today from 3 pm.

Delivering the eulogy, the boy’s godmother said while only her godson knew the reason for taking his own life, she believed he was searching for his father’s love. The boy’s parents were separated and the mother has since re-married.

He also had two younger brothers.

“He was an intelligent young man, a star in his own right. He loved to go to church.

He had told his mother that he wanted to get baptised and he was baptised in this very same church.

“But he was a troubled child searching for something. He loved his father and was trying to gain that love. Parenting does not come with a manual, so there is no such thing as the perfect parent, and he was not the perfect child,” she said.

She said the boy suffered because of the negative relationship his parents had.

“Fathers, do not neglect your children because of the relationship you have with the mother. Do not make them suffer for that love.” The woman said the young man could do anything he set his mind to because he was very strong-minded.

She thanked the Children’s Authority which, she said, did everything to help the boy who was much loved by his mother and aunts.

“In his mind he felt he was doing something to end his troubles.

We have to ensure that this does not happen to another child. When he wanted to do something he would do it no matter what you said or did.” NB: For anyone who may consider harming themselves can reach Lifeline at 800-5588, 231-2824 and 220- 3636.

Hearing of Jones’ constitutional claim came up before Justice Devindra Rampersad in the Port of Spain High Court yesterday, when it was also indicated that the Trinidad and Tobago Council of Evangelical Churches will reconsider its position on wanting to intervene in the claim. The matter has been adjourned to July 25.

Jones’ constitutional claim challenges Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act, which criminalises buggery and serious indecency even between consenting adults.

“The very existence of these sections continuously and directly affects the claimant’s private life by forcing him to either respect the law and refrain from engaging – even in private with consenting male partners – in prohibited sexual acts to which he is disposed by reason of his homosexual orientation, or to commit the prohibited acts and thereby become liable to criminal prosecution,” Jones’ fixed date claim form states. Jones is also claiming that the long-standing legislation contravenes his constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of thought and expression in addition to being in direct contradiction to this country’s international human rights obligation.

His lawyers are also contending that the legislation opens his client to public prejudice and ridicule as it labels him and other homosexuals as criminals.

“He is accordingly the subject of extensive societal prejudice, persecution, marginalisation, a lifelong entrenched stigma that he is an unapprehended criminal by virtue of being homosexual and he experiences the lifelong fear of being punished for expressing his sexuality through consensual conduct with another adult,” the lawsuit adds.

He is being represented by Richard Drabble, QC, Rishi Dass and Antonio Emmanuel. Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein is appearing for the Attorney General.

Jones’ lawyers will also argue that since the controversial legislation amended in 1986 and 2000 repealed and replaced pre-Independence sexual offences legislation, covered by the savings clause, it is open to review.

There are a number of trappy races on the eight-race programme starting with the opener at noon.

The day’s “big race” is the seventh, for horses rated 90- 70 over 1500 metres scheduled for the turf course.

But this event as all others listed for the turf looks in danger of being switched to the main track which with the continuous showers wll be sloppy again as on Labour Day, last Monday.

The obvious choice tyo win this race which will be run over 1350 metres if taken off the turf, will be Howsweetitis who will be going after a hat-trick.

Turfites will be lured to the single winner bonus on the Superfecta which stands at $14,269.15