Allum will look to defend his crown in the light middleweight up to 80kg category at the National Championships at Cascadia Hotel in St Ann’s which flexes off at 7 pm on Saturday.

The 28 year old said every year there are new faces at the tournament and as a contender you have to be at the top of your game.

“You have to keep telling yourself somebody out there training harder than you and eating better than you. You have to keep training, even when you are doing your best you have to keep telling yourself somebody doing better than you and that is your ultimate motivation for the competition. It is kind of a surprise when you reach there Friday night (for the weigh-in) and see who are your competitors,” he said.

Allum, who hails from San Fernando, said after getting married in April, he has had a solid training regimen since May 1.

The father of one said he has to make a lot of sacrifices, and he often makes his own lunch when he leaves home. “What I do is I pack my own food. Even to the movies I hide and pack my own food. It is a lot of sacrifice and a lot of discipline.

In a lot of family events also, you have to be disciplined when it comes to your diet because any changes in your meal will affect your body.” Allum, who has been competing since 2008, got involved in the sport as a teenager because of his father. Talking about his diet, Allum said, “It is basically about dieting.

A lot of chicken breast, a lot of vegetables, mainly broccoli and natural brown rice. That is basically my meals during the day. For breakfast I have seven egg whites, one yellow and a cup of oats and at night time I have tilapia and broccoli.

It is basically seven meals for the day.” Allum has aspirations of competing abroad in competitions such as the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Arnold Classic, but sponsorship is key because maintaining a specific diet is costly.

This leads me to ask: Was the request for the resignation of the Chief Justice based on an error of judgment on his part? If so, what is the position of the attorneys in situations where judgments of the Appeal Court are overturned by the Privy Council or other courts of higher jurisdiction based on errors of judgment? What is hoped to be achieved by the resignations of the members of the JLSC? Would this result in a resolution of the current impasse surrounding the 53 part-heard matters? Or is it punishment or atonement for errors of judgment on the part of the JLSC? I await enlightenment of these matters.

ALLAN HOWARD Tunapuna

The Ministry was responding to media reports of an incident in which Webster-Roy was searched immediately prior to boarding an international flight on Friday last.

The reports allege that the search was conducted by Jamaican immigration authorities notwithstanding their having been aware of the Minister’s official status.

Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, in speaking on the matter said, “Our initial enquiries indicate that a search took place, but that it was conducted by a private security company retained by the international airline on which the Minister and her delegation were travelling.

Furthermore, we are advised that such searches are generally undertaken by the airline under international conventions, and are based on random computer selection for additional security screening.” The Minister continued, “While we regret the Minister’s distress, our enquiries so far reveal that Diplomats and Ministers of other countries, as well as current and former Ministers of Jamaica across political administrations, have in fact undergone this additional screening process, notwithstanding their status.” She said “The Government is however taking the matter seriously.

Even as we await a promised formal letter from my counterpart in Trinidad and Tobago, we are making further enquiries regarding the legal framework supporting such searches, as well as the specific circumstances of last Friday’s incident.

We will write to the airline to make a formal request in this regard.” Minister Johnson Smith assured the public that the Jamaican Government wants all visitors to Jamaica, including colleague dignitaries from foreign and CARICOM countries, to be comfortable in their travel to and from Jamaica, notwithstanding any security protocols.

She also stated that it was important to highlight that even at this stage of enquiries, it was quite clear that the search was in no way related to the issue of free movement under the CSME, nor was it related to the Minister’s nationality. In closing, Minister Johnson Smith said she has informally asked, through the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, that her personal empathy be conveyed to Minister Webster-Roy, for any distress caused by the airline’s security screening process.

The story revolves around characters Frank and Boxo who have been enemies for decades owing to an old misunderstanding over a woman. When they die without resolving the issue and meet outside the Pearly Gates, they are forced to return to earth to perform a good deed to absolve their bad behaviour. They must help Ella, a young, Carnival designer struggling to make ends meet for the sake of her special-needs daughter Jada. Framed in the chaos of Carnival and the rum shop humour of TT , their story is one of brotherly love – lost and found.

A scene from the film was first performed as a stage play at the New Play Festival at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in 2016. This expanded version is Dumas’ first full-length narrative comedy screenplay, said a media release.

Dumas is also a performer, writer, teacher and arts development consultant.

Her films include the documentary Julia and Joyce: Two Stories of Two Dance Pioneers, the African Movie Academy award-nominated Tickle Me Rich and the experimental dance film Agua Water L’Eau. She has been featured on BBC Outlook for her work in dance and was described in 2016 as a Caribbean pioneer by the Huffington Post.

Dumas will also lead the discussion of this month’s theme which is on Rewriting.

The PWT, which aims to foster the development of original storytelling through drama and playmaking, reads new stage plays and screenplays by TT playwrights and screenwriters on the first Wednesday of every month.

The workshop begins at 7pm at Jerningham Avenue and Norfolk Street, Belmont.

For more info: 351-6293 or Playwrights Workshop Trinbago on Facebook.

The tournament took the ‘Two Balls Better Ball, Stable Ford 3/4 Handicap’ format where the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Carmona, was the feature speaker at the prize giving ceremony as the charity event was named under his patronage.

Forty teams participated in this year’s event as the majority of golfers stemmed from the prestigious colleges in San Fernando, most from the Naparima and Presentation Alumni, as the competition heated up from the longstanding rivalry.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Carmona said, “There is a very special relationship between both these colleges and by extension their neighbouring sister schools within San Fernando.

There consists a level of mutual respect, and a battle of well-grounded but decent banter amongst those who attended any of these schools.” He stressed the need to support good things and good people in the country and went on to give some of the positive effects from the relationships.

“At the end of the day, it is engaging to know there are people who are prepared to come forward to support, assist and invest into the future of our young people, even if they are from your rival school. This common brotherhood and kinship should spread throughout the country as this is what it means to be a better human being. These schools are always willing to extend a helping hand of support to one another.” The 18-year-old Naguar was the youngest golfer on the greens and defeated his father, by a single point, as he claimed the weekend stay for two at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Tobago. Richard Nagaur, a Physical Educator at Naparima College, placed second on the overall standings on 42 points with his partner Dr Daryl Dvlan, and was delighted with the performances from both his son and himself.

The runners-up received mobile devices from Bmobile while the third-placed pair of Mike Charles and Sandra Montano received a SEIKI 32” HDTV.

As all proceeds from the day’s competition will be utilised for the enhancement of the college classrooms, principal of Presentation San Fernando Dexter Mitchell, expressed his gratitude towards his school’s Parents Council Association (PCA) and a special thanks to the PCA’s president, Antonia Walcott, for taking up the initiative of organising the event.

Mitchell stated, “Charity is where the heart belongs and the recipe for a successful school includes a strong parent-teacher bond, proper investments into the student’s future for the comfort of learning along with the support from the alumni as well as operating in a competitive educational environment.” Mitchell gave an insight to the next step in enhancing the school’s classroom infrastructure by equipping them with smart boards, multimedia displays and mentioned all classrooms thus far are fully air conditioned. He noted that the Government alone cannot fund these accessories for the students and some of the costs need to be absorbed by the Alumni, Parents Council and the business community to support their future.

Also present at the prize giving ceremony was former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday.

And coach Dennis Lawrence had his first training session yesterday with a full complement of 24 players ahead of Thursday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round qualifier against the United States at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park from 8 pm (TT time).

George, who has been a regular member of the Jacksonville Armada team in recent weeks, said the USA clash has been on his mind well in advance of his arrival in Colorado.

“I completely forgot everything about my club on the weekend as soon as our game ended and my energies were geared towards preparing for this game against the US,” George said. “When we get to Costa Rica, we’ll think about them but my sole focus has been the US and how we can exploit them.

“I’ve played here in Colorado before with Columbus Crew so I kind of know what to expect in terms of the conditions but you never really know until you go out there on the day. We are all professionals so we have to simply get on with it,” George added.

“We have to be disciplined and not get caught up in the magnitude of the game. We all know there are points on the line but if we can stay disciplined and carry out the instructions to coach has been giving us then I think we will be fine,” stated the 27-yearold.

“Everything about this game has been at the back of my mind since I was at my club. I feel good and physically ready and just looking forward to executing on Thursday.” Meantime, W Connection defender Alvin Jones acknowledged, “I feel great to have made the final cut. Finally I have achieved this and now I will try to make the team for the game itself.

“Everyday myself and (brother) Joevin have been speaking and he’s been asking about how things (had) been going in training,” Jones said.

“It’s an honour to be in the World Cup squad with him and I feel good that the coach has given me this look after putting in all the effort in the camp here in Colorado. N ow it’s just about settling down even more and getting things right between now and Thursday’s match,” he ended.

MoneyGram is a leading provider of money transfers. The company provides a reliable financial connection for customers at approximately 350,000 locations, in about 200 countries and territories around the world.

Welcoming the announcement, Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of the Hero CPL said, “It is a pleasure to welcome MoneyGram as a new Hero CPL partner. Both MoneyGram and Hero CPL share a common goal of seeking to unite and connect people across borders and geographies.

“This agreement will help Hero CPL reach out to diaspora communities around the world and we look forward to announcing some exciting initiatives which will celebrate those connections.” “Cricket touches many lives and it’s truly exciting to be a part of this sport and to witness its potential to inspire and transform lives firsthand,” said Ivy Wisco, MoneyGram’s Head of Integrated Consumer Marketing.

“At the end of the day, MoneyGram brings people closer just as the sport brings people closer across geographies.” MoneyGram has a long history of supporting cricket and its fans. In 2016, the company extended its five year sponsorship agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an additional eight years in an agreement that will see the global provider of money transfer and payment services sponsor all tournaments sanctioned by cricket’s governing body and other associated events until the end of 2023.

The CFTL will give $200,000 to the League Cup starting in September, which will involve all 20 teams in the Super League. A further $350,000 will be handed over to the Power Eight tournament kicking off in January 2018, a post-season tournament featuring the top eight teams in the Super League First Division.

Speaking at a media conference at the former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo yesterday, Anderson said his passion for TT football has not wavered and he wants to help with the growth of the sport.

“As a former Trinidad and Tobago player, my passion is always for Trinidad and Tobago football,” stated Anderson. “For the past 15 to 20 years I have seen our football decline in a way where it is totally dilapidated. “When I saw Mr Look Loy, with the passion and the commitment to implement such an independent operation, I felt it was my duty to intervene and I made the first call to him and offered my assistance.” Anderson said the agreement between the CFTL and the TTS L can be the start of a long relationship between the two organisations.

“This is the beginning.

I anticipate that we will venture into greater things as we go along. I could see our company committing to bigger cash amounts to help elevate this Super League to the next level which I envision.” Keith Look Loy, interim president of the TTS L, was elated with the new partnership. Look Loy said, “We are very, very happy that Caribbean Football Trust has come on board. This is not only a vote of confidence, but it gives incentives to the clubs and to the players.

There is prize money to be played for, and it gives us creditability that an international sponsor recognises what we are trying to do.” Look Loy says the gap between the TT Pro League and the TTS L is small, and believes the Power Eight tournament will be of a high standard.

“This is going to be a good tournament. The top eight clubs in the Super League, it is going to be a high level tournament.

“The gap that is supposed to exist between Pro League clubs as the top tier of local football and Super League clubs as the second tier of local football is increasingly becoming imaginary. I believe that the top clubs in the Super League could match any club in the TT Pro League,” Look Loy ended.

Over the years our foundation has raised funding for over 100 surgeries and treatment for children thus giving them a chance at renewed life. The foundation began in 2006 specifically to address the needs of desperate families with sick children seeking help. Its mission is also to financially assist the children to access medical treatment and/or surgery locally or abroad and to return health and quality of life to them and peace of mind to their families.

The foundation said the economic downturn has severely affected donations and increased reliance has had to be placed upon corporate sponsors who have assisted in the past, said a media release.

The foundation has already raised funds for surgeries, most of which were done through an alliance with the Jackson Memorial Hospital at the Holtz Children Hospital in Miami and also the Institute of Cardiology – Colombia, the release said.

“Many medical surgeries/ treatment that have been performed, the positive recommendations and testimonies that we receive, and the many requests for help that continue to come to the foundation,” the release said.

The foundation’s board is asking the public and supporters to “once again join hands to make this event successful.” The board comprises Cindy Schutters- Achim, president; Dianny Hernandez, vice president; Alma R Supersad, treasurer; and Beatriz Ramoutarsingh,secretary/ PRO.

The Country Night, Trini Style party offers an all-inclusive dinner and premium bar at the Country Club, 137 Long Circular Rd, Maraval, from 7pm to 12am. All proceeds go to the children’s health programme.

For more info: www.hopeofamiracle.com or 637-6852.

Garcia said this in response to heavy criticism from Gopeesingh over alleged discrepancies at the Education Facilities Company Ltd (EFCL) culminating in Gopeesingh’s call for Garcia to resign.

On June 2, Arnold Piggott tendered his resignation as EFCL chairman. This as both Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi confirmed that an investigations has been launched into claims of wrongdoing at the EFCL. Following Piggott’s resignation, Gopeesingh called for the entire EFCL board to quit.