It aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being of people with disabilities.

It seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of people with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

The theme for 2016 is “Achieving 17 goals for the future we want”.

One of the goals is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Another is to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

Some main facts about people with disabilities: * One million people on this planet have some form of disability, ten percent of whom are children.

* Eighty percent of people with disabilities live in the developing world.

* People with disabilities are all too often left outside the workplace.

* Children with disabilities are four times more likely to be the victims of violence than other children. Bullying is rampant.

* People with disabilities are among the world’s poorest people.

* Fifty percent of the people with disabilities do not have access to healthcare and their right to live is not assured.

More definitive action is vital in TT .

People with disabilities can lead full lives in the community.

Let no one be left behind.

AV RAMPERSAD Princes Town

The hope of getting rid of these leeches fades with each election.

At least Basdeo Panday had the grace and good conscience to surrender the leadership when he realised he could not cope with the backstabbing and duplicity.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima

The second is one year and she has a newborn baby.

I don’t mean to take away from the issue with the newborn’s broken collarbone, but how does this happen? We are failing our children.

ARLENE STEPHEN via email

Jagpersad took last year’s crown at the Jethro John Shooting Range in Grand Couva with a score of 184.79 to finish ahead of Ken Williams (190.21) and Andre Lashley (191.93). He also copped the High Civilian and Most Accurate Shooter awards.

This year Jagpersad will be going for third overall Top Gun trophy after first tasting success in 2010.

He will have to beat 24 other shooters for the top prize.

Former champions Anthony Bailey (2014) and Devanand Bhagwansingh (2003) are among the list of contenders looking to take the title away from Jagpersad. Last year’s runner-up Williams and fourth placed Marlon Moses will also vying for gold.

In all, seven of the top 10 finishers from 2015 are listed to be back in action all aiming for the top spot. Winner of last weekend’s national Centre Fire and Standard Pistol titles, Olympic shooter Roger Daniel may also be among the starters. However, his participation is not yet confirmed.

Runners-up behind Daniel, Kelston Anderson (Standard Pistol) and Nigel Marchand (Center Five), will be hoping to improve to the top of the podium today. Tobagonians Brian Armstrong and Walt Reid are also in the field.

The competitors will be representing the Trinidad Rifle Association, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Trinidad and Tobago Police Force, South Trinidad Rifle Club (STRA), Tobago Rifle Club (TRC) and International Defensive Pistol Association of Trinidad (IDPA Trinidad).

The top shooters were selected from a total of six competitions held by clubs and associations during a 10-month period. Points are awarded to each competitor and ranked to select the top 25 competitors with five reserves. The marksmen will battle over 10 stages. Prizes will be awarded for the top 10 places overall and the top three of each stage.

Special prizes will also be presented for the winner of Senior Category (50 years and over), Military (TTDF), Law Enforcement (Police, Customs and Excise), Security Officer and Most Accurate Shooter.

In the relatively short space of time, the club, after being installed in the Northern Football Association (NFA) of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), finished second in the First Division League competition and have been promoted to the Premier Division for next season.

The club, which is overseen and coached by Cedric Hazelwood, has found a generous partner in the Miscellaneous Group – which is associated with organising football and beach soccer competitions in Miami as well on local soil, being a previous sponsor for the national beach soccer team for a CONCACAF qualifier in 2013.

“So far since we have started, very good things have occurred with some quick achievements.

We have players and supporters from different parts of Laventille, zones which were once warring with each other coming together to support the team. They come from areas such as Beverly Hill, St Paul Street, John John, Snake Valley, Mentor Alley, Block 22, Higher and Lower Picton, Soogrim Trace, Despers Centre and other areas. This for us is a significant achievement,” Hazelwood said.

“The sponsor Sham Mohammed and his company Miscellaneous have been supporting us greatly. He purchased boots for every player as well as uniforms and supports us in whatever little areas we need to go forward. This has made everyone happy, especially the players, to see there is some level of backing from someone.

“And we have been working hard at our training sessions at Soogrim Trace which saw us finished second in the First Division, losing just one game.

We got knocked out in the quarter finals of the FA Trophy and now we are preparing for the Savannah League (soon) and the Premier Division next year.” The team lost to veteran club and current NFA Premier Division champions Maple United 2-0 in the FA Trophy quarter-finals last week. “We have a lot of players now wanting to join the team. It is a big hit for Laventille,” he added.

Prolific goalscorer Pavel Warrick sent the men from Speyside on their way with a 23rd minute goal on the second game of a double- header at River Bank.

But they had to wait until the 68th minute for a goal by Reaneil Strewart to wrap up the three points. With challengers Leeds being held to a 1-1 draw by Roxborough Lakers in the earlier game, it means Sidey’s (37 points) now hold a four-point advantage.

Gereeb Louis scored in the 28th minute to give Leeds (33 points) the lead, but Affina McKenna grabbed the equaliser in the 68th.

At Signal Hill Ground, Georgia FC drubbed Black Rock 5-0 on goals by Jabari Mitchell getting a double, Chris Lewis and Khalil Thomas getting one each along with an own goal.

In Championship Division action, leaders Signal Hill United dumped bottom-of-the-table Carnbee/ Mt Pleasant 5-0.

Other results: Championship Division – EARLBRO KES won by default over LAMBEAU.

(Thursday): BETHEL (1) – Adrian Morris vs LAMBEAU (0); CHARLOTT EVILLE UNIFIERS (6) – Trevis Wright 2, Dwayne Jack, Jermaine Gray, Sahaffie McKenzie, Lyndon Johnson vs EARLBRO KES (2) – Deon Thomas, Toukoma Charles; SIGNAL HILL UNITED (3) vs GOO DWOO D (2).

SquashTT has set as its primary focus the construction of public squash courts and will work closely with its members and supporters, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago and corporate T&T to realise this dream.

SquashTT is also planning a major expansion of its outreach programme to make squash a sport played throughout the length and breadth of the country, so that the benefits of this dynamic sport can be enjoyed by many.

The new executive and directors of SquashTT who were voted into office earlier this week, at the annual general meeting, held at the Queen’s Park Oval, are – Diane Julien (president), Hayden Poon (vice-president), Victor Thong (treasurer), Bridget Poon (secretary), David Scott, Wayne Caddle, Drue De Verteuil and Julian Henry (directors).

Williams, who held two terms as president between 2010 and 2014, will challenge the incumbent Farrier who has been the president since 2014. This time around the winner will be in charge of cycling for the next four years.

Yesterday both Williams and Farrier were upbeat ahead of today’s elections. Farrier stated, “based on what I have been told by my people on the ground they are very pleased with the work that has been done by me and my administration and they will be very willing to continue working with us for the next four years to continue developing the sport of cycling.” Williams simply said, “Yes (I am confident), you can’t go in negatively.” Williams had many accomplishments when she was at the helm previously. Williams said she made the TT CF more financially stable explaining that when she came into power the Federation was in financial debt.

The former president said construction of the National Cycling Centre began under her leadership and they were recognised as a top federation.

Williams stated, “I was in the initial discussions with the development of the new cycling velodrome, I would have been there when the whole construction started. In my period we would have won two years straight (2012, 2013) the Jeffrey Stollmeyer Award for best administration.” Farrier proclaimed that the TT CF, under his leadership, has achieved a lot. “(We have had) numerous achievements. In terms of racing we had the Easter Grand Prix being UCI (International Cycling Union) approved both in 2015 and 2016. We had National Championships UCI approved, we had the first ever Junior Pan American Track Championships in the English speaking Eastern Caribbean held here.” Farrier added that the TT CF constitution was revised and approved, the federation has audited financial statements up to September 30 2016 and many courses were held over the last two years to help educate members of the local cycling fraternity.

Looking ahead both Farrier and Williams have plans to improve the running of cycling in TT . Farrier and his team wants to revise their strategic plan and plan to partner with the University of Trinidad and Tobago to develop the 18-21 age group. Farrier added he wants to improve communication within the TT CF.

Williams says their are core areas she wants to look at. Among them are increasing participation among women in cycling, developing the sport at the grassroot level and focusing on income generation and marketing.

The other positions that will be contested today are vice president of racing, treasurer, assistant racing secretary and assistant general secretary.

The event, which saw a line up of 13 poets, the drama group D-MAD Company and a number of musical acts, was co-hosted and co-ordinated by former journalist Afiya Ray and the San Fernando Arts Council at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando last Monday.

Youth and experience met on the stage with poets from across the country, including students of Pleasantville Secondary, Cowen Hamilton Secondary of Moruga, San Fernando Central Secondary and Montrose Government Primary School. There were also artistes representing The Roots Foundation and The Circle of Poets at the event.

The passionate presentations resonated with the audience as young people shared their perspectives about current issues.

“The event was co-ordinated to give young people an avenue to speak out honestly on issues impacting society, and to do so in a way that is not destructive, while also providing them with some income,” Ray said in a media release.

Through her company Oyez Media Ltd, Ray will continue with a literacy project targeting young people in schools across the country in 2017. This project has been approved by the Ministry of Education, the release said. The company also proposes to use drama and spoken word to connect with the youth.

“We believe that it is better to work with young people and to get them to write and speak out on issues than to leave them to fight and hurt themselves,” said Ray, who is also a mother of three boys.

“It is our hope that we get the support of the public in this venture.” Senior Sanfest will have its grand finale tomorrow.

Supported by friends, family and industry associates, the event was well-attended and featured a host of live performances, as well as readings of pieces featured in the book, gift giveaways and touching testimonies by Borel and others.

Borel will host a special book signing event tomorrow at Charran’s Book Store in Trincity Mall, where the book is on sale.