Hosein was one of the three religious leaders asked to offer an opening prayer at the start of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union 80 anniversary celebration yesterday. Before starting his prayer, however, Hosein commented on international relations. “That country (US) was built on slave labour, of not only Muslims, but on our African brothers and sisters. They were okay with people coming to their country when it was to take advantage of them, because that is how the world works.

Now they want to ban people from coming to their country.

Well I do not want to go to the US, Trinidad is too nice for me.

I implore Muslims not to go to that place.” Hosein criticised the US for its 120 day ban on refugees entering the country. “If we go back 20 years ago, there were no muslim refugees. But wars over the years have made the countries difficult to live in. Historically, there have always been refugees and people have accepted that, but now the US is saying otherwise.

The ban is unfair, but it is irrelevant to me. The US is not as glorious a place as people make it out to be.” Hosein went on to pray for the OWTU on its anniversary and praised it as the “benchmark for all other unions in the country.”

Rock Hard, which entered the local market recently, is TCL’s first competitor in over three decades and sells at $46 per bag.

TCL usually sells at $55 per bag but has a “Carnival sale” ongoing, with prices reduced to $48 until February 11.

The company recently issued advisories warning against the use of “old cement” that is allegedly being imported and sold locally.

In the advisories, the company said imported cement over 120 days old is currently being retailed in the market, which goes against established standards.

It said best practices recommend that cement over 90 days old should not be used.

TCL said according to European standards, cement begins to lose strength after four to six weeks of storage under normal conditions while under American standards, packaged cement stored for more than three months must be sampled and tested to ensure quality and rejected if it fails to meet the requirements.

It said it had a duty to advise customers to only purchase cement and other building materials that meet reputable global standards to ensure that homes and other structures are not compromised by poor quality cement.

TCL on Friday issued another “public alert” warning purchasers to check the date of manufacture printed on cement bags before buying.

The company has also ramped up its advertising in recent days, urging buyers to “keep it fresh” and “keep it local”.

Rock Hard responded in a full page advertisement in the print media yesterday, urging buyers to not be alarmed by false public alerts that are “disruptive and misleading”.

The company said its cement meets and exceeds standards and it follows all requirements for testing at the required time intervals.

Rock Hard suggested that “other brands” are worried about the competition.

TCL is the only other brand in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Other brands have been contradicting themselves each time they create false alerts to the public as they seem threatened by competition and are losing credibility.

“Other brands seem intent on misleading the public with false information rather than to focus on servicing the public with a good, consistent quality cement.” The company apologised to customers who it said continue to be faced with threats and allegations for choosing to purchase Rock Hard cement.

Rock Hard made it clear it was unfazed by the statements by TCL and declared that it was here to stay.

However the AG said the PH question is “not impossible” to solve, citing lessons from recent talks with Uber which globally operates by a “shared ride policy”. He said, “In the ‘Shared Ride Policy” you have the possibility to have underwriting, and what Uber told TT is that they actually have an insurance product to underwrite their position in TT.” He said local laws still require a car be registered for hire.

“But it is food for thought, to promote a system where you can actually have a registration of persons, certificates of character, you know who the persons engaged are, you can have GPS tracking by the use of technology.

“Importantly, once there is an underwritten insurance aspect then you can deal with special registration.

“So it’s not quite an impossible task.

It’s something that requires a stretch of consideration, and there is certainly possibility.” Saying police must enforce traffic laws, he said legislation will soon free up policemen from long hours in court prosecuting 23,000 traffic cases yearly, to be available for the beat.

The 22-year-old Suriname forward was named the Wendy’s Player of the Month for December, a status achieved by his Connection teammate Andre Toussaint for October.

Defence Force forward Devorn Jorsling, a name synonymous with personal awards, nabbed the Wendy’s Player of the Month for November.

Apai was selected after inspiring the Savonetta Boys’ attack with four goals from four games in December.

The diminutive forward said he is committed to performing for his club.

Toussaint, a veteran playmaker with arguably the best ball control around, was brilliant for Connection by leading the Savonetta Boys out of the trenches earlier this season.

Jorsling, a former TT Pro League Player of the Year and multiple-time Golden Boot winner, was instrumental in guiding his team from the play-offs all the way to the final of the First Citizens Cup which they eventually won by edging Ma Pau Stars 1-0 in December.

And to add yet another Player of the Month to his wonderful career, the Defence Force forward was proud as can be. He however credited his performances to the support of his teammates.

Jorsling, the Pro League all-time top scorer, boasting one of the most deadly left foot in the league, scored an astounding nine goals from six games in all competitions during November, seven of them scored in the First Citizens Cup which also won him the Player of the Tournament.

The sessions are carded for Tuesdays and Thursdays starting tomorrow at Hardial Park, Pasea Extension Road, Tunapuna, opposite the Coca Cola Bottling Works Plant on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway from 4 pm. All cricketers desirous to staking their claim for selection on either team must be within the specific age groups before September 30 2017 to qualify. Kazim Mohammed, secretary of the East Zonal Council, said that all clubs in the zone must also endeavour to send their players in both categories so they can be screened as well.

He said the Shell Inter Zone Under- 17 competition starts on February 25 and the Under-19s will get into action shortly after, hence the reason why the East Zone is screening both groups simultaneously.

Further information can be obtained by calling 354-4688 or 379- 4589.

National cyclists and casual cyclists are constantly in a battle to remain safe, while sharing the road with cars on a daily basis. Gabriel, who is a popular cyclist among Port of Spain residents, says cyclists must be alert to potential danger.

Most recently, national women’s cyclist Keiana Lester was involved in an accident with a car while training with her club Rigtech Sonics in December.

While training in South Trinidad between Buenos Ayres and Erin, Lester was going around a corner when a car coming from the opposite direction struck Lester and the cyclist was thrown off her bike. Lester, 19, received bruises to her face, neck and legs and had to undergo surgery for a dislocated hip.

Gabriel, 62, who has been using a bicycle as his only form of transport for the past 20 years, says cyclists must keep their eyes open.

Gabriel said, “I try to be observant to everything.

My eyes are up and down and all around.

You as a cyclist have to be observant because cars going about their life. You can’t take your eyes of the road.” Gabriel, who used to ride motorbikes, pleaded with people not to drink and drive.

“Don’t drink and drive. That is another basic law, because if you are not 100 percent mental and your mind is in some kind of fog (it will impede your judgement).

Don’t drink and drive because alcohol is a drug.

“Cell phones are a major problem. You as a rider have to be real observant in what you doing and be conscious.

After so much years you gain experience.” Gabriel, who is a former body builder and personal trainer, explained that a car does not necessarily have to be driving fast to injure you.

“I believe cars around Port of Spain don’t travel that fast, but if a car hits you at 20 or 30 miles an hour it could seriously injure you and mash up your bike because it is momentum and weight and speed.” Gabriel believes cars don’t try to intentionally damage cyclists, but a car is more powerful than a bicycle and can do serious damage.

Resuming the final day’s play on 42 for one chasing 184 for victory, Central Sports could only muster 156 all out to hand Clarke Road a 27-run round one win.

Spin bowler Sirju was the chief destroyer snatching 4/29, while national four-day captain Yannick Ottley (2/19) and Ahkeel Mollon (2/47) both grabbed two wickets.

Shazan Babwah battled hard for Central Sports scoring 69, while Kamil Pooran pitched in with 32.

At the Barrackpore West Secondary Ground, defending champions Queen’s Park had to settle for a draw against Victoria, while Alescon Comets defeated Tableland by 139 runs at the Pierre Road Ground in Charlieville.

On Saturday, Merry Boys wrapped up a convincing 10-wicket win over Powergen, in a battle of two powerhouse teams in local cricket at the Brian Lara Recreation Ground in Santa Cruz.

SUMMARISED SCORES – CLARKE RO AD 127 (Kerry Holness 42; Kissoondath Magram 3/13, Steven Shaddick 3/26) and 215 (K Holness 87, Yannick Ottley 61; Kissoondath Magram 4/43, S Shaddick 3/41) vs CENTRAL SPORTS 159 and 156 (Shazan Babwah 69, Kamil Pooran 32; Kerwin Sirju 4/29, Y Ottley 2/19, Ahkeel Mollon 2/47). Clarke Road won by 27 runs.

ALESCON COMETS 284 (Kieron Joseph 106, Kirk Edwards 53, Kenroy Williams 42; Al Small 3/29, Brian Pegus 3/61) and 225/9 declared (Bryan Charles 66, K Williams 39, K Edwards 36; B Pegus 4/44) vs TABLELAND 226 (Tariq Abdool 69, A Small 45, Brent Harriot 33; Bryan Charles 5/60, K Williams 2/36) and 144 (A Small 83; Emile Rajah 5/12, Kashtri Singh 4/15). Comets won by 139 runs.

POWERGEN 208 (Jeron Maniram 37, Cephas Cooper 35, Bidesh Sookhai 33; Aneil Kanhai 5/64, Ricky Jaipaul 2/45, Amir Khan 2/43) and 125 (C Cooper 39; R Jaipaul 3/38, Rishard Harris 2/30, Keon Isaac 2/41) vs MERRY BOYS 286 (Marlon Richards 68, Mario Belcon 57, Ranga Latchana 53; Ancil Bhagan 6/87) and 49/0 (Aaron Alfred 26 not out, M Belcon 23 not out). Merry Boys won by 10 wickets.

QUEEN’S PARK 350/8 declared (Jeremy Solozano 79, Marlon Barclay 65 not out, Darren Bravo 55; Garey Mathurin 4/97) and 35/1 (Yannic Cariah 15 not out) vs VICTOR IA 312 (Keddy Lesporis 93, Sherwin Ganga 72; M Barclay 3/36, Tion Webster 3/71, Y Cariah 3/74).

Match Drawn.

A 40th minute header by Rundell Winchester, off a Darren Mitchell cross, gave Central FC the narrow victory. The victory meant Central finished on 47 points, one point ahead of W Connection.

W Connection played simultaneously against Ma Pau Stars, but a 2-0 win at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella for W Connection was only good enough for second place. Getting the goals for W Connection were Jamal Charles and Hughtun Hector.

After the match Central FC coach Dale Saunders said he always knew his team could clinch the title. Saunders said, “No concern, I always believed. Great effort from the staff, I want to give God all the glory because without God it would not be possible.

The staff, fantastic job, my back room staff, it was a tremendous effort from everyone. The players knew how important today was and they got the job done, we showed why we are a champion team.” Central FC had to endure some pressure from San Juan Jabloteh in the final 10 minutes of the match. Saunders said, “It is what it is, that is how football is, but at the end of the day we have what it takes to win it.” Jabloteh got the first decent chance on goal, but a header from a corner kick went wide, failing to test Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the eighth minute.

Minutes later Central FC got their first solid chance on goal, but Leston Paul volleyed wide from the top of the 18-yard box.

After a cagey opening 15 minutes, Central FC started to control the flow of the match but failed to create many chances on goal as the final pass let down Central FC on a couple occasions.

Jabloteh was happy to hit Central FC on the counter attack, but just before halftime the “Couva Sharks” found the breakthrough.

Mitchell, who troubled the Jabloteh defenders all afternoon, found the diving Winchester who headed home from close range from a left side cross.

It was a balanced contest in the second half with Jabloteh’s Tyrone Charles getting one of the best chances.

After receiving a through ball, Charles could not hit the target midway through the second half. Central FC started to live dangerously as a freekick from Charles went across the face of the goal but no Jabloteh player could capitalise.

As time started to expire the pressure on the Central goal started to increase with Jamal Gay among the players battling for an equaliser.

With minutes left Central FC seemed contented for the 1-0 win as they tried to take precious time of the clock. An injury to Paul in the dying moments ran some more time of the clock and the final whistle sounded to hand Central the victory.

After the win Williams said the three titles were all significant, but this title was a great feeling because Central FC had to endure many obstacles during the season.

Williams said, “All were very important, but I think this one is extra special because of the amount of adversity we had to face throughout the season. We lost players, we got new players, we had issues with staff, we had issues within the team itself.

This shows the strength of the organisation, the strength of the management team, the strength of the coach and the strength of the players.”

Currently there is already a senior and Under-20 player pool in existence but Morace and her assistants are hoping to expand the list of players for training. And she commenced the hunt for new talent with yesterday’s session.

The former Italian and Canadian coach said she saw potential from the group but pointed out there was need for more work on the fitness level of the players.

“Many players showed up which is good because it shows there is a lot of interest in women’s football and wanting to represent the country,” Morace said in an interview on the TTFA website.

“The players have to work on their fitness level. If you want as a player to show your ability then you need to be fit. The technique alone is not enough. We have to also work with the local coaches in order to improve these things. Sometimes it is just a little suggestion that makes a huge difference,” she said.

“The message that we want to send is the national team is open to everybody. But to reach the national team you have to have something more than a normal player.

It’s about sacrifice and understand what is needed. There is a lot of potential here and we have to be able keep the potential and improve on it,” Morace added.

Assistant Coach, English-born Nicola Williams, who is the coach of the Women’s Under-20 team was also impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the players in her group.

“It was really positive and a good start for us. There were over 50 players that came out today from all over Trinidad and Tobago and some from overseas. To add that to the current pool means that we have a good group of Under-20s for the next selection.”

Both teams squared off on January 27, at the aforementioned venue, with Trinidad and Tobago registering a two-wicket win, courtesy of useful contributions by batsmen Jason Mohammed (80), Evin Lewis (64) and pacer Ravi Rampaul (4/43).

Currently, the Red Force are second in Group A with 13 points, trailing hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes who have 19, with Kent Spitfires (nine), Windward Islands Hurricanes (eight) and West Indies Under- 19s (four) completing the five-team group.

Also on today’s agenda will be the Hurricanes against the West Indies Under-19s at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua from 9 am.