Following on from the Juvenile and Junior Championships held earlier this month, NACAC represents the last chance for youngsters to hold the spotlight before next week’s finale in the form of the NGC Sagicor NAATT Senior Open Championships.

NACAC brings to local shores athletes from throughout the western hemisphere. The international event caters for athletes competing in the heptathlon infantile A ages 13-14 category, and the pentathlon infantile B ages 11-12 category. NACAC includes over 20 member nations from Anguilla to USA. Each nation is allowed a maximum of eight athletes.

The host nation is led by Shaniqua Bascombe, fresh off doing the Under-16 sprint double at last weekend’s NGC NAATT Junior Championships.

Bascombe, who is 13 years old, is no stranger to success having regularly been featured in winner’s row throughout her young athletic career for both club (Cougars) and school (Maraval RC).

She will be hoping to add the title of NACAC girls 13-14 heptathlon title to her honours list.

Also representing TT will be Shakeem McCay in the boys equivalent. Primarily a sprinter, McKay will be using those strengths to propel him to success in his age group. Other TT hopefuls include Janae De Gannes, Malika Coutain and Anthony Diaz. Entry to this weekend’s event is free.

Magistrate Kerianne Byer made the comments to handyman Jason Lee Choon, 26, who pleaded guilty to possession of 1.6 grammes of marijuana. Police arrested him on Wednesday at Tarouba Road, Marabella, with the illegal narcotic. Choon’s attorney Ainsley Lucky noted that police arrested his client the day before the holiday (Corpus Christi).

The attorney added that Choon, of Marabella, had the marijuana because he wanted to “blow off steam by getting high.” Choon’s criminal records tracings showed he spent time in police custody as a minor. Scolding Choon, Magistrate Byer said she had to stop him from, “Using the court as a revolving door,” and warned him about risking his liberty by breaking the law.

In response, attorney Lucky told the magistrate his client had done some soul-searching and would not appear in a court of law again. The magistrate fined Choon $3,500, to be paid within six weeks, failing which he will serve six months’ hard labour in jail.

The theatrical spectacle will feature three stories: The Boy and his Dog- about the adventures of a boy and his magical dog; the 4 Kings and the Last Deer in the World which is about four ethnic kings on a royal hunt which will feature animated recreations of the creation stories from China, Africa, India, Europe and Native America. The third is an audience favourite –Anansi and the 10 Dragons featuring new dragons and stagings.

On the Eid Holiday, June 26, showtime for the gala opening is 7pm.

On June 27 there will be three shows: a school matinee at 9-11am; a charity show at noon – 2pm and a regular adult night show from 7– 9pm.

Wire Bend Folklore Theatre is a theatrical troupe that pushes the boundaries of family entertainment by combining dazzling costuming created by some of the best master-artisans from our national festivals along with interactive, cutting-edge animated characters created by some of our top young animators, said a media release. “The aim is to combine the ancient and the super-modern, to compete with Disney, Nickelodeon and Hollywood blockbusters.

To captivate audiences with local stories, local heroes, and local storytelling…” says director Rubadiri Victor.

“My dad used to tell us this story of a boy who lived with his grandmother in a village.

One day the boy helped an old man who gave him the gift of a dog. The dog turned out to be a magic dog.

Whenever the boy was in trouble a bucket of water would turn to blood, and the dog would know the boy was in trouble, and then race to protect him. The story is about their adventures… “There also is a witch who eats children. It’s one of the most fascinating stories I’ve ever heard. It has patois songs and everything, and I’ve never seen it recorded anywhere. I’ve always said I would love to produce the story one day. That day is now.

My dad is 89-years-old now and has Alzheimer’s.

I want to put on this production in tribute to him and the gift of this story, so he can see it…” Interested schools, corporate bodies and the public can contact Wire Bend at 797-0949, Arlette at 716-6010, or email rubadiri@yahoo.

com. For more info: Wire Bend Folklore Theatre’s Facebook page or #wirebend #mythsforanewtime #anansihasarrived.

The two qualifiers and the eliminator will be played from September 5-7, before the final is contested on September 9 .

The news was announced yesterday by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, who mentioned in May this year that the facility was being considered as a potential venue .

At the opening of the venue last month, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley indicated that the facility was part of the country’s renewed drive at sport tourism .

Describing the academy as a showpiece for cricket, Rowley fully endorsed the promotion of the business of sport through tourism that would bring events and visitors to our shores and with them valuable foreign exchange .

Meanwhile, Smith expressed his satisfaction that the academy was selected for the fifth season finale of the exciting regional tournament saying, “What better tribute could we ask for the academy’s namesake and the cricket loving citizens of Trinidad and Tobago? “The CPL has become a true spectacle for the game and is enjoyed by cricket lovers across the Caribbean and the world .

When the CPL officials visited last month and discussions began, I was quietly confident. We will ensure that it will be one of the best finals in the tournament’s history.” The last time TT hosted the final was in 2015 at the Queen’s Park Oval at a cost of US $3.5 million, equivalent to TT $24.5m to taxpayers. Smith worked closely with Sports Ambassador Brian Lara to negotiate the US $1 million bid and thanked him for his assistance .

Apart from saving our country US $2.5 million (TT $17.5 million), the US $1 million will actually be paid in TT dollars, the equivalent being TT $6.7 million which saves on the country’s limited foreign exchange .

The icing on the cake is that 50 percent (TT $3.35 million) will be paid in kind, including a waiver on the cost of the rental of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, ground transport from PTS C, Police, Fire and hotel accommodation .

The other half will be paid in cash .

The Trinbago Knight Riders will be immensely pleased with the news, and will remember winning the tournament the last time it was hosted here while they competed as Red Steel .

“We reached out to the Ministry of Agriculture and other businesses to invest in us but no one was interested,” said the project manager and secretary of the association.

Kudos to the association for its passion and dedication. Kudos to Digicel for spotting a good thing and coming to the rescue. The Ministry of Agriculture? Are we producing institutions in this nation that are turning into pink elephants with attractive names but not serving their designated purposes? I will definitely be checking for my “honey seco” when next I travel to Port of Spain.

VON DUFONT Maracas Bay

At the same time, our generosity must be coupled with responsibility.

A clear legal framework to govern this process (complete with laws and regulations) should be put in place to ensure the system is fair and rational and to protect our national security interests.

It is not surprising there has been an increase in the number of refugees, as recently stated by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees protection officer Rubén Barbado. Turmoil in Venezuela and the crisis in war-ravaged Syria have understandably sent individuals from those countries to these shores.

Venezuela is our closest neighbour and has long-standing economic and social ties to this country.

Syria may be far away, but there are clearly Trinidad and Tobago citizens who are of Syrian ancestry and who may still maintain ties with that country. But the large number of refugees from Cuba is a less obvious matter, especially in a time when the trend had been to reverse US restrictions on that island given its human rights abuses. However, US President Donald Trump’s racist attitude to members of the Latin American community — as well as his rolling back of some of Barack Obama’s relaxing of rules in relation to Cuba – have probably triggered a mass exodus.

Whatever the causes of the influx, we have a moral responsibility to the global community. We cannot simply stand by as fellow human beings and leave other people to suffer no matter their race or nationality. If individuals can be accommodated here, we must do as much as is humanly possible.

Indeed, our history as a destination for individuals from all continents of the world dictates that we should lend a compassionate hand.

Migrants have come here from Europe and Asia seeking better lives.

Slaves were brought here against their will from Africa, but thereafter obtained freedom and remained here to build better lives.

If we were to have a closeddoor policy not only would this be wrong, but it would be inimical to our interests in the long run. For there might come a day when we, too, might need to call upon the international community for help — be it asylum status or otherwise.

In fact, cynics might state our current state of affairs, with high crime levels, a stressed healthcare system, low levels of affordable housing and outdated infrastructure, might soon merit a mass exodus.

Yet, while we are a developing country and have the problems associated with that status, there is much here to celebrate. Our standard of living, though it could be better, is still relatively high, and we remain a free society. Which is why many foreigners might be enticed to choose this country over others.

There being a clear justification for an open-door policy, it falls to the State to properly regulate that policy.

We do not know if there is a vital need for legislation on refugees, but Barbado certainly implies this is the case. Indeed, it would be best if the entire process is subject to clear rules and procedures that are widely known. A formal process that is placed under the jurisdiction of appropriate governmental and inter- governmental bodies capable of managing it is desirable. Such a framework, manned by such bodies, would be in a better position to examine each applicant and conduct the necessary checks. At the end of the day a more regulated system can offer scrutiny and thereby safeguard our security. So while we should have an open door, there must be a clear path to the entryway. Refugees are welcome, but border control should be bolstered to ensure the country they so desire to live in remains a desirable refuge.

In the championship division final, Achievers and UWI will face off from 10am. Technocrats and Preysal Phoenix face off at 2pm in the premiership final.

All the teams will be hoping for clear skies as there has been persistent rain over the last few days.

Earlier this season, Preysal Phoenix won the 50-over premiership league title.

Monte Carlo is reflective of the Circuit de Monaco which is synonymous with prestige, royalty, luxury and the international crossroads of style.

This collection attempts to highlight these features through fusing quintessential fashion elements reflected in elegant, trendsetting designs and creating a fantasy.

The selection of fabrics that include Chantilly lace, stretch mesh, silk organza, twill and reflective fibreglass organza and silk chiffon are rich in texture, soft and easy to wear.

Samuels has shown collections at Brooklyn Fashion Week, Caribbean Fashion Week, Jamaica, St Lucia, Tobago Fashion Coda, Miami Fashion Focus, St Kitts, St Lucia and Barbados.

Tickets are available at Queen’s Hall box ffice.

“Our main purpose is governed by the borders of a law, the National Insurance Act,” said Ag Corporate Communications Manager Ryan Isava in a response to Newsday’s queries. “In that Act, the Invalidity Benefit is paid to an individual upon confirmation that he or she is incapable of employment in any capacity for which remuneration is or would be ordinarily be payable.” According to the NIB’s records as read to the Newsday yesterday in a telephone interview with Isava, Auguste applied for the invalidity benefit in January 2010.

The NIB’s process for investigating the validity of his claim, however, was only completed in August of 2010. Auguste was then given a lump sum payment of $18,000 on October 21, 2010 for the backdated period of September 2009 to October 2010, after which he received the monthly benefit.

But Auguste, as money given to him by his former company Transocean Ltd stopped coming in 2009, said he had no choice but to work in order to provide for his family.

He worked for two months of a threemonth probationary period with Pricesmart in La Romaine before leaving due to the discomfort with his amputated leg.

According to the NIB, this was the decision that, six years after, sealed Auguste’s fate.

“Upon review of the claim in 2016, it was recognised that Mr Auguste would have returned to insurable employment subsequent to the date that he was certified to be an invalid. As a result, the insured’s payment of invalidity benefit has therefore been suspended in accordance with the National Insurance (Benefits) Regulations 25A as amended, which states: The Board may suspend or cease payment to a person in receipt of invalid benefit where he/she – (b) works in employment for which remuneration is or would ordinarily be payable.” Based on the information provided, Newsday pointed out that there was an inefficiency in a system which doles out an invalidity benefit to an unemployable person 10 months after they applied for it.

“That is something we have to apologise for because it puts a person in an uncomfortable position,” said Isava. “But the law does not tell us what to do in these situations.” Confident that the NIB acted within the boundaries of the law, Isava suggested that Auguste appeal the NIB’s decision. “There is an appeal box in every service centre. You fill out a form, you lodge the appeal together with all of the documentation on the matter. It then goes before an independent tribunal and the NIB will have to follow whatever the tribunal decides, whether it is to stand by its decision to have him repay, to strike the funds off, or to continue paying him the invalidity benefit.” Isava said the NIB would conduct a full investigation to ensure the best delivery of their services to Auguste and their other customers.

Newsday could not reach Auguste yesterday for comment, but Auguste, a father of three, has been engaging with the Social Welfare Division of the Ministry of Social Development in the hopes of securing a public assistance grant.

Nisha Bachan, 37, of Lightbourne Trace, Gasparillo, appeared in the Second Court before Magistrate Natalie Diop. It is alleged that on Wednesday at Harris Promenade, San Fernando, Bachan stole the money which belonged to Deokie Rambaran.

PC Ramdass of the Southern Division laid the charge.

Bachan, who works at the food court at Edan Centre, was not called upon to plead as the charge was laid indictably.

Unrepresented by an attorney, she told the magistrate she had never previously been before the court on any other charge.

Diop granted her $50,000 surety bail with a cash alternative of $30,000 and adjourned the matter to June 30.