Addressing the Chamber’s annual Christmas dinner at Achievors banquet hall, Duncan Village, San Fernando recently Chamber president Shiva Roopnarine pointed out that members were being placed on a lengthy waiting list for US currency due to the current shortage despite the, “controlled release of US dollars to the banks, even after the one billion US dollars oversubscribed loan secured by the minister of Finance.” “Members have issues accessing foreign exchange and if they do, the waiting time could be weeks,” Roopnarine said, adding, “we need foreign exchange in an equitable manner, just like any other business community in Trinidad and Tobago from the local commercial banks.” He said the Central Bank governor had to respond to the call from the business community and monitor the allocation of US Dollars to these institutions and wondered whether the country would be “able to hold the TT dollar at its present value to the US dollar considering the high demand.” “Will we now be able to know who is using the majority of the US dollars or will this lead to the loss of another Central Bank Governor,” he said, asking, “where the US money gone?” He said the shortage was forcing businesses to incur additional expenses which included using credit cards to purchase goods and services which attract credit card fees.

“Suppliers are not willing to absorb the three to five percent charged to them by the credit card companies and members feel exploited by the commercial banks since the cannot get US for cash or wire transfers but have little problems paying their US credit card bills,” he said, adding, “we call on the banking sector to immediately correct this dilemma, assist us in conducting our business and end this banking monopoly. You need our business as much as we require your services.” He noted that fear continued to, “permeate” the country as crime and security continued unabated and once again called for “a concerted effort in prosecuting criminals and a reduction in legal red tapes bugging the judicial system. The policy makers must set this right and afford us the right to live in the absence of fear,” he said, and reiterated the need for CCTV cameras throughput the Penal Debe area.

In a wide ranging address, Roopnarine also noted that agriculture had be given greater priority as the national food import bill “continue to be higher than desired” and called for lands once owned by Caroni Limited to be allocated to farming.

He also congratulated Chamber members on their decision to “bite the bullet, work more efficiently and effectively, and keeping workers employed in this trying and difficult economic period.” “On behalf of the hundreds of families depending on you, the chamber says Thank You. This is indeed a difficult period for business and we hope that things will get better soon,” he said.

At the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Police got the better of the struggling Morvant Caledonia United while Club Sando prevailed over St Ann’s Rangers at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

In front of a sprinkling of supporters, Police and Caledonia struggled to make any impact until the 33rd minute.

Out of the blue, a penalty was awarded by referee Nikoli Nyron after Elijah Belgrave’s goal-bound shot struck the arm of defender Seon Thomas.

And the rugged Police captain Todd Ryan blasted the penalty to the top right corner, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

In a rare Caledonia attack, right-back Ordell Flemming was given acres of space and unleashed a longrange drive, which narrowly missed the target. But, on the stroke of half-time, Nyron awarded a debatable freekick after Belgrave appeared to win the ball from Caledonia’s attacker Lester Joseph.

And former national captain Densill Theobald, from 20 metres out, placed his freekick to the bottom left-hand corner, with goalie Adrian Foncette frozen to the spot.

Caledonia had a perfect opportunity to go ahead in the 47th minute, after a penalty was given when captain Akim Amstrong was bundled over by defender Ryan O’Neil.

However, striker Sheldon Holder slipped after his right-footed shot went sky-high.

And Police made Caledonia pay for that error with a pair of goals, in the space of four minutes.

In the 62nd, rightback Jibri McDavid played a magnificent diagonal ball to Belgrave, in the penalty box, and the utility player chested the ball and drilled a low angled left-footer to the left of Phillip.

And, in the 66th, substitute Kaaron Foster played a through ball to striker Keion Wilson who got around the advancing Phillip and slotted his right-footer into the open net.

Club Sando moved up to fifth on the standings after earning their fourth win of the League season.

Jomoul Francois broke the deadlock with an eighth minute strike for Rangers, but Club Sando responded with a double from Akeem Roach (26th and 69th) and one from Keron Cornwall (47th).

Robin Brereton, Wendell Williams and Mickey Ruben are attending the Level V Jumps courses while Peter Campbell and Michelle Alleyne Pennie are attending the Youth Development seminars.

Continued coaching development scholarships were offered to Brereton and Pennie, through the Regional Development Centre (RDC), while the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, National Association of Athletics Administration and National Gas Company (NGC) assisted Williams.

The other two coaches made personal applications.

Kerron Browne was also recommended by the NAAA and accepted by the RDC to participate in a Level II IAAF Throws Programme currently being held in El Salvador.

Mohammed and Samlal were in an aggressive mood slamming 35 and 31 respectively to guide D Boss Team to a massive 105 for six batting first against All Star XI.

All Star XI could only muster 64 all out as Barry Martin (2/1), Stephon Basdue (2/6) and Dylan Ravello (2/8) all snatched two wickets for D Boss Team.

The other teams advancing to the quarterfinal round were Outkast, New Recruits, Wreckin Crew, Mischief Makers, Invaders United, Sample Six and Home Boys.

SUMMARISED SCOR ES: D Boss Team 105/6 (Imtiaz Mohammed 35, Kris Samlal 31) vs All Star XI 64 (Dinesh Seegobin 13, Barry Martin 2/1, Stephon Basdue 2/6, Dylan Ravello 2/8) D Boss Team won by 41 runs.

Fire Blazers 60/7 (Shiva Roopchand 15, Varune Jaggernauth 2/8, Ashmeed Khan 2/13) vs Outkast 61/6 (9 overs) Dylan Rajkumar 26 not out, Varune Jaggernauth 14, Christopher Gaitan 2/9) Outkast won by four wickets.

Dark Horse 44/8 (Hanuman Moonsammy 19, Alex Fredricks 2/10) vs New Recruits 50/8 (9.1 overs) (Chris Pattia 13, Shane Sookdeo 2/3, Nicholas Goberdhan 2/8, Joram Hardial 2/10) New Recruits won by two wickets.

Spartanz 44/7 (Juan Carlos Narine 24 not out, Robert Madray 3/4, Wasim Juman 2/3) vs Wreckin Crew 46/2 (7.1 overs) (Reyaz Ali Khan 20 not out, Varune Ramnarine 10) Wreckin Crew won by eight wickets.

Autorama Gunners 42/9 (Raj Persad 2/5, Jibran Jahoor 2/14) vs Mischief Makers 44/0 (5.4 overs) (Riaff Ali 26 not out, Rishi Mannah 12 not out) Mischief Makers won by 10 wickets.

Invaders United 84/7 (Viraaj Singh 29, Nicholas Jaikaran 16, Mark Cumberbatch 12 not out, Anil Dattoo 3/5) vs Team Sport 78/5 (Anand Ramkay 12) Invaders United won by six runs.

Sample Six 41/7 (James Sooknarine 3/10) vs Kamachi Kitchen Krew 41/8 (James Sooknarine 12, Ronald Ramcharan 2/5, Ryan Persad 2/8) Match Tied – Sample Six advanced (lost less wickets).

Home Boys def Big Show Allstars by default.

Over 300 athletes participated in the Cross Country Championships in different categories, which varied in distance, according to the athletes’ ages and gender. Some of these categories included Kids Under 12 2K (both male and female), Girls and Boys 12-15 4K, Girls Under 18 and 20 6K, Boys Under 18 and 20 8K, Women’s 8K and the Men’s 10K. The largest number of participants came from the lower age groups as they registered 87 participants in the Kids U-12 category and 99 participants in the 12-15 age group.

Commenting on the level of participation in the Cross Country event, Voisin stated: “The turnout, especially in regards to the Juveniles and Juniors category, was commendable and basically we hope that the athletes use this as part of their preparation to enhance their performances in the 2017 track phase.” He went on to give an insight as to what the NAAA has in store for 2017, explaining: “There would be track meets during whole month of January and we would be heading to Tobago next week as well as the 14th of January for the developmental meets. We (NAAA) were definitely encouraged by yesterday’s (Sunday) event and we are really looking forward to the 2017 phase.” Ben Bannister, Abigail Burton, Matthew Pulchand, Joanna Rogers, Aliyah Mitchell, Donicia Antoine, Jadiael Walters, Joshua James, Samantha Shukla and Matthew Hagley all won their respective categories on the day.

2016 NGC/NAAA Cross Country Championship Results:
Male U-12 2Km 1st – Ben Bannister (Mason Hall) 2nd – Jahfa Woodley (Memphis Pioneers) 3rd – Jarell Blaise (Titans)

Female U-12 2Km 1st – Abigail Burton (Cougars) 2nd – Akeera Charles (Cougars) 3rd – Leesan Hodge (Memphis Pioneers)

Boys 12-15 4Km 1st – Matthew Pulchand (Palo Seco) 2nd – Genesis Joseph (Belmont Boys) 3rd – Ethan Forde (Cougars)

Girls 12-15 4Km 1st – Joanna Rogers (Cougars) 2nd – Rae Anne Serville (Memphis Pioneers) 3rd – Janel Bailey (Memphis Pioneers)

Girls U-18 6Km 1st – Aliyah Mitchell (Abilene) 2nd – Blossom Swift (Cougars) 3rd – Silini Agosta

Girls U-20 6Km 1st – Donicia Antoine (Titans) 2nd – Je-Risa James (Memphis Pioneers) 3rd – Anisa Samuel (Abilene)

Boys U-18 8Km 1st – Jadiael Walters (Kaizem) 2nd – Ricardo Prescott (Cougars) 3rd – Kyron Valentine (Silver Bullets)

Boys U-20 8Km 1st – Joshua James (Cougars) 2nd – Anthony Phillip (RJR) 3rd- Kriston Yahkarhim (Palo Seco)

Women 8Km 1st – Samantha Shukla (RJR) 2nd – April Francis (Abilene) 3rd – Michaellene Williams (UTT )

Men 10Km 1st – Matthew Hagley (TT DF) 2nd- Shirvan Baboolal (RJR) 3rd – Colin Pereira

Forbes signed with Paraguay champions, Limpe?o Sportivo, in November and played in the final three matches with clean sheets and secured the number one spot in the 2016 Paraguay Women’s League; the victory also qualifies them for the Copa Libertadores in 2017.

Limpe?o are in Group A with Universario Deportes (Peru), Col?n FC (Uruguay) and Deportivo UAI Urquiza (Argentina).

Their first match kicks off against Peruvian outfit, Universario Deportes and Forbes is very excited about the opportunity and knows she has a lot on her shoulders for the upcoming matches in the Tournament. Forbes is the first and only international player that Limpe?o has ever signed and she hopes that this will open up many opportunities for her teammates and other Caribbean players as there will soon be a Women’s Professional League in Colombia starting in 2017

This game was contested at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.

With the result, Santa Rosa’s lead over second-placed Defence Force has been trimmed to four points, with two days of action remaining.

However Defence Force, the 2015-2016 champions, dropped crucial points on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Petrotrin Palo Seco at the Palo Seco Velodrome.

Santa Rosa top the standings with 48 points, followed by Defence Force on 44 and Club Sando Moruga on 39.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium, Matura raced to a three-goal lead with goals from Shervin Charles (32nd minute), Joel Hoyte (36th) and Vincent (49th).

Santa Rosa offered a mini-rally, with Rashad Griffith (57th) and Keston Henry (61st) reducing the deficit to 3-2. But Santa Rosa were unable to get the game-leveller, as Vincent got his second, and his team’s fourth, in the 82nd.

At Palo Seco, the Army-Coast Guard combination went two goals up with items from Stephan Antoine (23rd) and Akil Morris (35th). Tigana Sparks pulled one back in the 80th before Brent Garcia proved to be the hero for the hosts when he netted in the 82nd.

In the day’s most lop-sided return, WASA trounced Bethel United 6-0 at the WASA Ground in St Joseph.

After an own goal broke the deadlock in the 18th, WASA took advantage of their struggling opponents, with items from Nathan Julien (40th), Kirth Hutchinson (42nd), former national striker Gary Glasgow (52nd), Dwight Crichlow (65th) and Glen Walker (90th).

Fourth-placed Guaya United earned a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Siparia Spurs at the New Lands Ground in Guayaguayare.

Andy London netted for Siparia in the 21st before Jody Allsop equalised in the 39th.

Kevin Jagdeosingh put the game beyond reach of Siparia, with strikes in the 45th and 78th.

Also registering a crucial victory were Queen’s Park, who moved up one spot to 12th after a 2-0 win over the table-proppers Marabella Family Crisis Centre at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Jared Bennett (19th) and Kevaughn John (76th) were on target for the visitors.

Former TT midfielder Marvin Oliver struck in the 58th as Real Maracas edged Police 1-0 at the Maracas Valley Recreation Ground in St Joseph.

There was a dramatic ending to the Club Sando Moruga-1976 FC Phoenix encounter at the Grand Chemin Recreation Ground in Moruga, as the hosts got two goals in second half stoppage to earn a share of the points.

Phoenix’s veteran striker Dominique Kerr put Phoenix 2-0 ahead with strikes in the second and 75th but Moruga did not lie down and die. Kyle Morgan pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time and Nigel John got the game-leveller, two minutes later.

RSSR , based in John John, is an acronym for four ex-national stars – the late Russell Tesheira, Selris Figaro, Sammy Llewellyn and Reynold George.

Finding the back of the net for the Belmont-based St Francois Nationals were Rondell John (16th minute), Kester Hewitt (25th), Raheem Borde (61st) and Akyl Griffith (68th).

Two matches were staged on Sunday – both ending with 3-2 scorelines, as Laventille United shocked Queen’s Park and Alcons edging Clint Marcelle Academy.

Action continues today with a double-header at the Dibe Recreation Ground in St James. At 6 pm, Cultural Roots will meet Morvant Elements and, two hours later, Football Factory will tackle Cosmos.

The preliminary round stage will conclude on Thursday, with Morvant Elements hosting Maple at Morvant – a game which was originally carded to take place on Saturday at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain but was rescheduled due to a breakdown in communication between the teams and match officials

In the Shell/First Citizens Girls Intercol Final, St Augustine Secondary of the East will tackle southerners Fyzabad Secondary from 1.30 pm.

Following the Girls final, Presentation College San Fernando will square up against San Juan North from 3.30 pm in the Coca Cola boys final.

Speaking ahead of today’s final, San Juan North coach Jerry Moe and Presentation coach Sean Cooper both gave their thoughts on the match. Moe said his team is upbeat ahead of the clash, saying, “We feeling well, we are in good spirits right now. We have worked hard for where we are, nobody give us any favours, because of that we feeling good and we feeling quite confident in terms of how we prepare going into the game tomorrow (today).” Cooper said his message to his players is to enjoy the experience as opportunities like these are special. Cooper said, “(I will tell them) just concentrate on their game, enjoy the moment because it does not come often. For some of them, this will be their first and last time to play in a National Intercol final so they have to enjoy the moment.” Both coaches know what happened earlier in the season is no indication of how today’s match will unfold. Presentation were title contenders for the entire Premier League competition earlier this season, while San Juan languished in the bottom half of the table for most of the season.

When the teams met in the Premier League, Presentation edged San Juan North 1-0.

Moe said San Juan North are contented to play the underdog role. “We quite happy to be the underdog, we think ‘Pres’ is a good team but we are not going to have any fear for them but we are going to have respect for them. I think it is going to be a good game.” Cooper said Presentation’s success earlier in the season has nothing to do with today. “That was in the league and that was a couple months ago so we are going into the game not dwelling on the past but the present. Tomorrow (today) have nothing to do with when we played them a couple months ago. We will be very much aware of complacency, the staff.” San Juan North, playing with 10 men for more than 50 minutes, defeated Trinity College (Moka) in the semifinals 4-1 thanks to a beaver-trick from Renaldo Boyce.

Cooper said his team will be concentrating on their game rather than focusing on Boyce.

“We have a plan for our game, we will be concentrating on our game. What they bring to the table we will deal with it but we are more concerned about perfecting our patterns of play.

Sometimes when you look at players you tend to try to change your system, the way how you play, and then you foul up your whole preparation.” Moe said the scoreline will determine his team’s strategy rather than the play of Boyce. “We always have a Plan A and a Plan B but whatever plan they have, we have our game plan that is not going to be determined based on what they do. The score in the game determines our approach to the game. Whether they come with a plan for Boyce or not I think we are going to put in the work and hopefully that will be enough to get us through on the day.”

Essentially, hair for women symbolises beauty and femininity. This has a great influence on every woman’s self-esteem, since it is something that the public can see and talk about. That is why it is very difficult for all women who experience hair thinning or hair loss.

One of the most familiar type of hair loss among women is androgenetic alopecia which is acquired genetically. It usually begins after puberty and before the menopausal age which is around the 40 to 50-age range.

Unlike men whose alopecia begins with thinning on both sides of the head, then extends to the middle, the balding in women starts with a diffuse hair loss, especially at the part line at the top of the head. The pattern of baldness in women is measured through the Ludwig Scale.

So how does androgenetic alopecia occur in women? As I have explained in previous articles, women also have a certain level of testosterone.

Due to genetic predisposition, an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase alters the normal hormonal activity, especially with the androgen. The testosterone is supposed to retain its natural state, but under these circumstances, the 5 alpha-reductase converts testosterone into a very irritating derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Due to DHT’s very potent nature, it shrinks the hair follicles by sending signals to the androgen receptors within the follicles to inhibit hair growth.

This is the reason why the hair cycle is shortened and the hair keeps getting thinner and more brittle. With the passing of time, this can lead to total balding, if this condition is left untreated.

Aside from genetics, hair loss can also be caused by other factors such as hormone imbalances or stress. This is the reason why I always emphasise the importance of early detection so that you can manage or prevent further thinning of your hair. When you notice significant clumps of hair on your hair brush, you must visit your doctor and trichologist immediately.

In as much as proper treatment is important to address this genetic problem, I would say this again: early management is still the key for better hair and scalp health. If this condition goes within your bloodline, then you should start taking care of your scalp, even if there are no signs. This means that by the time you start noticing some shedding, it will be easier to manage.

The treatment for androgenetic alopecia depends on the degree of balding. But it does not necessarily mean that your doctors would have to wait for balding before prescribing treatment. Aside from medications and therapies, there are also a lot of home remedies and routines that are available to manage the thinning. In addition, you may also opt to test the science of cosmetology, through the use of wigs and turbans.

We will discuss these camouflage techniques in my next article. Until then, stay robust and healthy.

Germaine Williams Beckles is a doctor of trichology (DT, NC) and nutrition consultant (NC), http://germainewilliamsbeckles.

com, http://www.geesexclusive.

com, 627-4659. Email us your questions at info@drgees.com