The programme, which was launched yesterday at the South East Port of Spain Boxing Gym on Picadilly Street in Port of Spain, will have its first fight card on July 1 at the Cosmic Boxing Gym in Marabella.

Stewart says he is here to bring boxing back to life in TT .

“We are trying to revive boxing once again in Trinidad and Tobago at the professional level. It has been lacking over the years.

Since my return here to Trinidad and Tobago, I have seen some fighters who have the ability and the talent, they just need a little more developing and a little bit of experience.” Stewart was this country’s second ever world boxing champion after Claude Noel.

Stewart won the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight crown in 1987, defeating Marvin Johnson of USA at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

Stewart believes this country has the talent to develop another world champion.

Stewart said, “I would like to develop the fighters and help them be a part of their growth as professionals. Trinidad and Tobago has a lot of talent that can be developed into strong professionals. They could compete internationally and maybe one day again we can produce a world champion in WBA, WBC (World Boxing Association) or IBF (International Boxing Federation).

My role will be as a coach to help and assist in any way possible.” Shanda Deo-Bickaroo of the Cosmic Boxing Gym is hoping that boxers in TT can make a living from boxing. “Our first step is to get the athletes working on a regular basis every month.

This would give them a regular pay day, allowing them to have some assistance to aid in their preparation for other fights.” President of the TT BA Cecil Forde, says local boxers must progress to the professional level.

Forde said, “We at the Trinidad and Tobago Association consider ourselves the nursery of boxing in the country. The young boxers develop their skills through the amateur boxing association.

However, at a certain time there must a vibrant professional boxing league.”

He will be sentenced on June 13. Melville was represented by attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar, Larry Williams and Radeyah Ali.

Anju Bhola prosecuted.

It was Melville’s second trial. He was first convicted in March 2004 and sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for his role in Cox’s kidnapping and attempted murder.

He successfully challenged this conviction in the appeal court and a retrial was ordered.

Another man, Hilton Winchester was also convicted in 2004 and was jailed for ten years.

He lost his appeal. The State’s case was that Melville Jason Holder, Ainsley “Beetle” Alleyne and Winchester, to kill Cox on June 28, 2001, after he found out she had reported him to police after he cashed in two insurance policies on behalf of a client and failed to pay the money to that client.

Melville hired the hitmen at a cost of $40,000 and told them it had to be a ‘skilful operation’ and that Cox must not, “Rise back up again.” This was part of the testimony of one of the three men whose evidence was read to the jury at the trial which took place in the Port of Spain Fourth Criminal Court.

During her testimony, Cox said the men took her up to Fort George and then up to Cumberland hill and one of them said he was paid $1,000 to kill her. She offered to pay him $20,000 to spare her life.

Realising she was going to be killed, Cox flung herself off the steep hillside and down a precipice. She was eventually held and bought back partially up the hill where Holder squeezed her neck until she became unconscious.

When she revived, Cox begged her kidnappers to spare her life and eventually managed to escape by jumping off precipice a second time

Carmona was speaking at an installation ceremony of the executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic (TTO C) Committee at the Office of the President in St Ann’s, yesterday. The re-elected members of the TTO C were president Brian Lewis, Dr Terry Ali, Diane Henderson, Annette Knott, Dave Williams and Wendell Constantine. Former 1986 Miss World Giselle La Ronde- West, Curtis Nero, Nadine Khan, Racquel Moses, Ephraim Serrette and Reyah Richardson were among the newcomers installed. The executive will serve till 2020.

Carmona said this country’s athletes are not being given the support they deserve, saying a nation’s athletes are an important asset to any country. He used the example of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt who he believes is doing more for tourism in Jamaica than their tourism board.

“Quietly I have listened to the pains, the hurts and the afflictions of many of our elite athletes,” Carmona said.

“I can speak of one instant of a young man who has done us proud, who is suffering injury. He returns home for treatment, he has to stay in a hotel, he has no access to any kind of housing. On that particular note it appears to be a common denominator of complaint that our athletes are not given the privilege and the honour of being provided with adequate housing. So I hope in fact that the authorities do listen, because their worth could never be quantified in dollars and cents.” Carmona said the nation should not wait until victorious athletes come home with medals to give them support.

“We love to go up to the airport and wave flags, but we are not interested in the road to success. It is so important to support our athletes on that road to success – in good times and in bad times.” Earlier in the ceremony, Lewis challenged his team and himself to step up to the challenge of their roles. Lewis said, “We, each of you who have today taken an oath of office, I commend you for accepting the responsibility. But I caution you that it is not a responsibility, a duty and an obligation to take lightly.” Lewis said the young people are depending on those who have a position of leadership in TT . “Our country and our youth and our children, are crying out for a sense of hope and a feeling that those in leadership have the commitment and the dedication to put self interest and egos aside for the better good, the greater good. We have a responsibility to create a sustainable future for the Olympic movement in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Carter last participated in CCCAN in 2011 after skipping 2013 and 2015. In 2013 he was preparing for the World Junior Championships where he earned silver that year, and missed 2015 due to academic commitments.

Two-time Olympian Mc Lean also missed the 2015 event in Barbados, but signalled her intent to return to compete in front her home crowd to provide added firepower to the 18 and over age group. Jeron Thompson, Jada Chatoor, Jada Chai, Kael Yorke, Kadon Williams. Amira Pilgrim, Gabriella Donahue and Jahmia Harley all won individual gold medals at CARIFTA and have successfully made the CCCAN team. Abraham Mc Leod, who is a 2015 CCCAN gold medallist and record holder, will also be in TT ’s line-up. Cherelle Thompson, Kristin Julien and Joshua Romany also have come back to reinforce the team’s strength.

The team is expected to have its first training session at the National Aquatic Centre on Saturday.

At the 2015 CCCAN in Barbados, TT placed 5th in the point standings but topped the medal table with 26 gold medals.

TT swim team: 11 – 12 GIRLS – Arielle Dickson, Gabrielle Vickles, Isabella Edwards, Neishelah Caseman, Savannah Chee-wah, Zoe Anthony. Reserves – Caitlyn Look Fong, Soriyah Alfonso.

11 – 12 BOYS – Jonathan Andre, Nikoli Blackman, Kadon Williams, Kyle West, Riquelio Joseph, Zarek Wilson.

13 – 14 GIRLS – Adrianna Gooding, Brianna Bocage, DeNicha Lewis, Gabriela Donahue, Jada Chatoor, Jahmia Harley, Regan Allen.

13 – 14 BOYS – Aqeel Joseph, Christopher Dieffenthaller, Delroy Tyrell, Jonathan Constantine, Malik Nelson.

Reserve – Jae-Hwa Lee Wing.

15 – 17 GIRLS – Amira Pilgrim, Danielle Willaims, Deshor Edwards, Jada Chai, Ileana Bocage, Ornella Walker, Racine Ross, Sabrina David, Vrisnelit Faure. Reserves – Courtney Lawrence, Teresa Otero.

15 – 17 BOYS – Emil Goin, Gabriel Bynoe, Graham Chatoor, Jeron Thompson, Josiah Parag, Justin Samlalsingh, Kael Yorke, Kegan Ford, Luke Gillette, Obadayah Ince.

18 & Over GIRLS – Ariel Cape, Cherelle Thompson, Colleen Parag, Daniel Mc Kenzie, Johnnya Ferdinand, Kira Goin, Kristin Julien, Megan Charles, Melina Marcano, Sharntelle Mc Lean, Theana Hay.

Reserves – Shantol Ince, Zahra Padia.

18 & Over BOYS – Aaron Acres, Abraham Mc Leod, Bradley Thomas, Christian Awah, Dylan Carter, Jabari Baptiste, Jonathan Farah, Joshua Romany, Sachin Sankar, Tariq Lashley. Reserves – Aleem Mohammed, Mosi Denoon.

Commenting on the ruling made by Justice Frank Seepersad in the San Fernando High Court on Wednesday, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Stuart Young said this injunction was not in place when Seepersad made his first ruling on May 19 to stop the implementation of the tax.

In a statement on May 24, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said legal counsel advised that no injunction was in place at that time to prevent property owners from submitting valuation forms on a voluntary basis.

Imbert has repeatedly said the current exercise is an information gathering one and is not the tax’s implementation.

Young confirmed to reporters at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s that, “the matter is going to be appealed.” He said the State’s attorneys would file the notices of appeal either yesterday or today.

Young also reminded reporters that the Court of Appeal will hear the State’s appeal of Seepersad’s May 19 ruling when it sits at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.

He underscored that, “this Government has always said it will abide by the legal process.”

He called for the LED lighting to be reduced, particularly on the emergency vehicles of the police service.

While trying to improve illumination on emergency vehicles or to make emergency vehicles more conspicuous, he said, “We are also contributing to damage on the roadways.” In his contribution to the continuing debate yesterday in the Senate on the bill to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Shrikissoon asked rhetorically, “Have you ever tried to drive behind a police vehicle flashing in front of you and you are afraid to overtake it no matter how slow they are driving because you could be ticketed?” He continued, “It is either you slow down and let the police vehicle go ahead, or you follow close behind and take the blinding lights.” He quoted an American Public University Systems writer who said that research shows a potential for LED lighting to be a distraction specifically as a result of the highly focused and intense light it produces.

Drivers, he said, are distracted by things outside of their vehicles.

He also quoted serving police officers in the United Kingdom who said that new strobe sirens fitted to police cars are so bright, they are blinding motorists and causing accidents.

In terms of digital billboards, Shrikissoon said evidence points to them being distractions on roadways.

They catch the eye and can heighten road safety risks in heavy traffic and in other traffic conditions, he said. Latest research on billboards, particularly digital billboards, and their impact on road safety, he said, shows that drivers tend to take their eyes off the road “for dangerously long gazes” especially when the display changes messages every six to eight seconds.

When driving from north Trinidad to the south, he said, he finds it very distracting when on approaching Chaguanas there is a big digital billboard flashing against a background that is “white light.” These types of billboards, he said, seem to be increasing in popularity as they seem to be profitable. Questioning whether or not they are regulated, he asked Government to look at it.

While the legislature was trying to improve road safety, he said, it also has to create an enabling environment to do so.

Discussions on the acquisition of fixed scanners were also underway with the port authority, he said.

As soon as the legal issues are cleared up, Dillon said, the mobile scanners will be put to use at the Port of Port of Spain, Point Lisas and other ports.

In response to a question during yesterday’s sitting of the Senate on measures being taken to improve the monitoring of containers being brought into the country, and in view of a recent find of a quantity of arms and ammunition at a courier company in El Socorro, Dillon said the Ministry of National Security will continue to work with the Customs and Excise Divisions of the Ministry of Finance with respect to security at the ports. He expressed appreciation to the national security agencies that worked together with Customs and Excise and made the discovery of the weapons in El Socorro.

He was advised by the Comptroller of Customs, he said, that the Customs and Excise Division was using its canine outfit and guards of the preventative branch to carry out its monitoring and security duties. They would be enhanced when the scanners are put into use, he said.

As to whether any arms and ammunition would have slipped into the country through the ports, Dillon said, these matters were being thoroughly investigated by the police and other security agencies.

Additionally, to enhance port and national security, Dillon said,recently, the Comptroller of Customs was included as part of the Government’s strategic operations team. The team includes the Commissioner of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and Director of Strategic Services Agency. The team meets weekly.

Coming out of the strategic operations team’s joint border protection study, he said, there is a recommendation to establish a joint border protection task force. This is being considered.

Prosecutor Cleydon Seedan told the court that at about 8. 25 am on Wednesday, at Pointe-a-Pierre Road in San Fernando, the woman was seated in a taxi. Skerrit opened the rear right door leaned into the car and pulled a gold chain from the woman’s neck causing it to burst. He then snatched her purse and walked off with her in pursuit.

The purse which was valued $150, contained $150 as well as other items. The woman saw a police vehicle proceeding along Upper High Street and told officers she had just been robbed.

Skerrit was held near La Pique Plaza. Yesterday, Skerrit said the incident was a “domestic situation that got out of hand.” He added that in November the woman moved out of his parent’s home, where they were living. However, he claimed they had been “in communication” for the past six months.

Sixteen year old TJ Donahue and Alyssa Ramlakhan, 11, will debut for TT at CCCAN. Donahue is the brother of TT swimmers Gabriella and Alexandria Donahue and is based in the United States.

Ramlakhan returned to TT from England and has been training at the National Aquatic Centre.

She did a diving exhibition at the official opening of the Centre in October 2016. The team will be coached by Hannah Talbot and managed by Dr. Alicia Ramtahal.

Here’s my list: 1. Legalise marijuana: Let me start big. I’m not even going to argue for decriminalisation. Government needs to capitalise on the marijuana business. Look abroad for models because marijuana is a legal, money-making giant in many countries. Look into having medical marijuana. Have stores like I’ve seen in Seattle that sell everything from marijuana candy to marijuana drinks.

Think of legalised marijuana as the next step up from Play Whe.

Government would not only make money, it would save money. We wouldn’t be choking the courts with young people in possession of a joint. We wouldn’t be overcrowding our prison system with marijuana cases. Above all, police could do real work like solving murders and finding more guns instead of spending time on petty marijuana charges.

The time has come to legalise marijuana.

2. Fine speeding motorists: I have seen newspapers reports about motorists arrested for speeding, but I have never seen a single motorist stopped by the police. On the highways, cars whirr past me like airplanes. Where are the traffic police? Last week, on a tip to and from Caroni, I counted 109 cars breaking the speed limit to pass me. If those motorists were fined $1,000 each for breaking the law, that would be $109,000 the Government could have made in one hour.

Of course motorists will eventually get the picture and comply with the rules. When that happens we will all be safer.

3. Give hefty tickets for flagrant traffic violations: The wrecker is an inefficient way to deal with motorists. Instead, fine people for parking violations. And be consistent.

Sometimes I’m driving home in bumper-to-bumper traffic because motorists have decided to park in a traffic lane to take wedding pictures in front of President’s House. Sometimes motorists park on the Queen’s Park Savannah grounds, or the Savannah walkway.

People are too complacent about following the rules of the road. They need to learn a lesson, and apparently they need to pay to learn that lesson. These fines would go a long way to reducing the feeling of entitlement that we have in this country.

4. Beef up the Treasury with more entrepreneurial opportunities: I would like to see small, air conditioned restaurants inside the Port of Port of Spain and the Scarborough Port where people wait for hours on an inefficient ferry service. Government could be making a pile of money off these captive citizens. Why not give young people studying culinary arts or young people just interested in culinary arts a chance to have a restaurant in a strategic place like the port? Government could collect a hefty rent every month. When people are waiting two to six hours for a ferry there’s nothing really to do but eat so why not capitalise on this? 5. Cut back on government costs: Start with all the dead weight you have in the Public Service. Make people do their jobs or fire them.

And why do some ministries have more than one building? Downsize.

Save some money.

There are many ways for Government to make money. It takes a creative imagination and the determination to be consistent, but there are innovative ways to create revenue without taxing overtaxed people more. Just the thought of paying more taxes is quite taxing.