Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh yesterday reserved his ruling on a libel counter-claim filed by Community- based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme Company (Cepep) against Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, who first sued the state agency for defamation.

Boodoosingh is expected to, on January 18, give his decision on an application by Moonilal’s attorneys to have Cepep’s counter-claim struck out.

Moonilal’s attorney Larry Lalla in his submissions argued that Cepep was not a trading company and had failed to show how its reputation required protection, when it received an annual allocation from the government in the national budget and did not earn revenue or compete with any entity on the open market.

Lalla said the company, which was established by the Cabinet to carry out a government programme, cannot have a long standing reputation, as argued by its lawyer, led by Elton Prescott SC.

He said Cepep’s reputation changes with each elected government in office.

“What products does Cepep sell requiring protection of its good reputation?” Lalla asked, adding that it cannot be in the public’s interest for a company which received over $500 million in the national budget, to sue for defamation and fetter a citizen’s freedom of speech.

Moonilal’s claim for defamation was filed after the Cepep company issued a full-page statement in the press, on August 24, in which it alleged misappropriation of $39.6 million in funds on construction projects in his Oropouche East constituency.

In its own defamation counterclaim, the Cepep Company has sought an injunction to restrain Moonilal from making further statements relating to its operations, but was withdrawn on the same day the judge was expected to deliver his ruling on whether it should be granted.

Also appearing for the Cepep Company are Phillip Lamont and Farai Hove Masaisai while Jagdeo Singh, Kiel Tacklalsingh and Vivek Lakhan-Joseph also represent Moonilal

Coppin told them, “When I was asked to say a few words today, what came to mind was a few words from The Mighty Sparrow who spoke about, and allow me to paraphrase, education, education gives you the right foundation “Our rising population needs sound education/ To be recognised anywhere you go/you must have your certificate to show…/There is simply no room in this whole wide world for an uneducated little boy or girl.” I think we can all agree that the problem of youth delinquency and youths not having a clear purpose in life, perhaps being the fundamental problem…” Coppin also commended the Esimaje Foundation on its efforts to assist the youth of the nation, saying that their philosophy is in line with the philosophy of the current Government’s, which is, involving volunteer organisations like Esimaje to help address the social problems afflicting the State.

He reminded attendees of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s statement that the people of Trinidad and Tobago have to get rid of the “dependency syndrome,” that the State must always provide, and said that what he believed the PM meant to say that there should be a joint effort between the state and volunteer organisations to efficiently address the social ills facing the nation.

The programme in question aims to identify schools in high need communities, in order to improve existing educational resources

Jorsling, rolled back the years, netting a beaver-trick in a 4-2 quarter-final win over St Ann’s Rangers and all goals in a 3-0 win over Morvant Caledonia United in the semi-finals, but promises a team effort from Defence Force against Ma Pau Stars.

Defence Force, champions in 2002 and 2009, are after a third First Citizens Cup crowning in the 17-year history of the tournament, but first under coach Marvin Gordon, who like many of his players are against close friend and former head coach, Ross Russell, who heads Ma Pau.

Last season, Gordon celebrated his first title in charge of the soldiers by winning the 2016 season-ending Digicel Pro Bowl title.

Defence Force had also won the Pro Bowl in 2012 under Russell, who also guided the Army/ Coast Guard combination to the Digicel Pro League crown in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and before that he had ended an eight-year drought by leading the team to the 2009 First Citizens Cup in his debut season as head coach of the top-flight team.

“It is important for me and current teammates who were part of the team in 2009 to go all the way in winning the trophy again,” Jorsling told www.ttproleague.

com.

“It (First Citizens Cup) means a lot to us.

It was the first trophy Defence Force won after a long time. It was also special being the first year that Ross Russell took charge of us back in 2009.

“Also, things aren’t the way we would like it to be in the league, so this is a great opportunity for us to win silverware this season – not that we are not giving it our best in the league.” On his goal-scoring exploits, the 32-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago international said he is always confident in his goal-scoring ability.

Jorsling must now face in-form goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel, who has been brilliant throughout the 2016 First Citizens Cup for Ma Pau Stars.

Both players squared off once before this season with Jorsling’s second half strike earning Defence Force a 1-0 win against Russell’s men in the league on November 19.

But the former TT Under-17 and Under-20 Youth World Cup goalie’s heroics proved crucial in helping Ma Pau overcome San Juan Jabloteh, seven-time champions W Connection and Police FC, all on kicks from the penalty mark to reach the final.

Ma Pau Stars have never won the First Citizens Cup, although reaching the title match in 2006 and 2014 under past coaches and their previous name, North East Stars.

They will look to a change in fortune under Russell and his experienced side that includes former Soca Warriors and 2006 World Cup members Carlos Edwards and Jason Scotland, former TT youth standout Jerrel Britto, and former TT internationals Kerry Baptiste, Hayden Tinto and Glenton Wolffe.

Central FC and San Juan Jabloteh will provide the appetiser to the final today when they battle from 6pm in a league fixture at the Port-of-Spain venue.

According to a media release, the postponement of the elections which was due to take place tomorrow was done by incumbent TT VF president Daymian Stewart.

The TT VF boss, in the media release, noted that NOR CECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) president Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, “committed to ensure that the proceedings are all above board and the results and processes are all authentic by being present at the elections.

“This resulted as the continental body would have received complaints from different quarters in Trinidad and Tobago and Marte Hoffiz, like us, would not like TT volleyball to fall,” the media release continued.

However, due to a family emergency, Marte Hoffiz and Stewart agreed to push back the elections to January 14.

“The TT VF, as observed in its constitution and regulations, will follow strictly all the continental bodies’ elections procedures.

The auditors are closing up on delivering the TT VF Accounts and Stewart is preparing to report on his stewardship.” Stewart has come under fire for focusing on the growth and development of national teams instead of community activities.

But the TT VF president “admits that the focus on national teams was part of a strategic objective set back in 2005.

The TT VF, with diminishing resources, cut its community programme in its attempt to qualify its female team for a world event.” Stewart said this objective was part of the plan to bring awareness to the sport and also create opportunities that would make volleyball and beach volleyball more attractive when it is taken back to the communities.

The event, which was launched on Wednesday at UWI SP EC, will see the victorious team collect $35,000 and the champion’s trophy.

Club Crusoe of Tobago are expected to be back to attempt to defend their title while Demerara Cricket Club of Guyana are slated to make their debut in this event.

Other competing teams are Merry Boys, Munroe Road, TT Police, TT Defence Force, Moosai Sports, Central Sports, Cane Farm, Duncan-Buggy Haynes United, Queen’s Park Cricket Club, and UWI.

Former TT and West Indies wicketkeeper and vice-captain, as well as current Queen’s Park Cricket Club president Deryck Murray, is the patron for the 2017 competition.

As is customary, The UWI T20 tournament will feature several professional players, many of whom represent their national teams and/ or play at West Indies level, including Kevon Cooper, Lendl Simmons, Rayad Emrit, Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran. Cooper, Emrit, Lewis and Pooran are all in Bangladesh competing in their T20 league.

Season tickets are available for purchase at The UWI SP EC, the Campus Bookstore, and the Student Guild office. Further inquiries can be directed to The UWI Campus Registrar’s Office (662-2002 ext.82000) or to the Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Trevor Alleyne (trevor.alleyne@sta.uwi.edu/662 9294 or 645-3232 ext. 4642).

On Wednesday, UTT crushed fourth-placed Saddle Hill Hotspur 8-3 in a rescheduled contest at the UTT Ground in O’Meara, Arima.

It was the most goals they have scored against any team this season.

Ex-national defender/ midfielder Kevaughn Connell (eighth, 32nd and 55th minutes) and Dillon Bartholomew (17th, 37th and 73rd) each registered hattricks for the hosts, while Theon James (23rd) and Shaquille Smith (84th) got the others.

A pair of former national ace strikers, Stern John (58th) and Hector Sam (82nd), as well as Andre Rampersad (80th) replied for Saddle Hill. However, an e-mail which was issued to members of the media as well as officials in the local football fraternity by a sender named ‘Dennis Sookraj’ questioned the result.

Cunupia FC have completed all their games and have a total of 29 points from 15 games, while UTT are next with 26 points from 14 games.

However, UTT have a goal difference of plus 16 compared to Cunupia’s 13, which means that UTT have to win their last league game tomorrow against Youth Stars, at the Cyd Gray Ground in Roxborough, to leapfrog Cunupia and cop the title.

Anthony Harford, director of the All Sports Promotions Limited – the organising body for the National Super League – rubbished claims that teams are not playing to their potential in order to decide results. “I don’t know who (Dennis Sookraj) is,” said Harford. “I am not aware of any reports of anyone suggesting that there is any sort of matchfixing or so on.” He continued, “the minute I start hearing about those things, I will call everybody into a meeting and say ‘you all are going down the wrong street’. I’ve heard people say they’ve suffered as a result of bad refereeing.

“But, out of the 14 years I’ve been in the Super League, I’ve never once heard an iota of discussion about matchfixing.” And a representative from UTT emphasised the fact that they have a solid team, both in terms of players and technical staff.

“The teams we’re meeting don’t have the physicality to keep up for 90 minutes,” the UTT representative said. “The score would look like it was bought out but Saddle Hill hadn’t trained since their last game, according to their coach.” The UTT representative stressed that their players are well-trained and taken care of and were able to nullify Saddle Hill’s game plan, which was “just to get the ball to Stern and Sam.” A member of the Cunupia FC team, who was in attendance at Wednesday’s match, said he was stunned by the magnitude of Saddle Hill’s defeat but said he would never accuse anyone of anything sinister.

He too did not know any ‘Dennis Sookraj’.

The biennial production will offer a medley of classical ballet, modern contemporary, tap, folk, limbo and hip hop movement featuring choreography by Henderson-Gordon, Arlene Frank, Candice Ellis, Gregoire Breedy, Takyha Springer, Makeba Gabriel, Michael Mortley and Matthew “UGK Matt” McClean.

Directed by Henderson- Gordon, the show runs tomorrow at 7 pm and Sunday at 6 pm at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Henderson-Gordon is committed to inspiring young dancers to pursue their passion. As one of TT ’s most accomplished dancers and choreographers, she has dedicated her life to shaping the lives of youth so that dance may be a viable option as a profession.

Part of the proceeds from “Stars” will be donated to the LDC’s building fund to facilitate renovations, upgrades and ongoing maintenance to the existing dance studio.

Aside from Henderson- Gordon’s work to encourage choreographic development, she has created a performance and rehearsal space, LDC – The Place, for members of TT ’s performing arts community.

This studio provides an affordable and easily accessible space that is actively utilised by arts practitioners including the Coco Dance Festival, students of the UTT dance programme as well as other local dance and theatrical companies and schools.

Tickets cost $100 for children and $150 for adults and are available at the Queen’s Hall box office and Crosby’s Music Centre.

For more info: connect with LDC on FB at www.

facebook.com/ LaDanseCaraibe or on Twitter @LaDanseCaraibe.

The event is in honour of the late parang greats, Willie and Tito Lara and is a project of Errol Mohammed of the National Parang Association.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts is also lending support to the event.

All participating bands will be required to perform one of the Lara Brothers’ songs.

Bands listed to perform are Flores de San Jose, Los Allegres Sindoda, San Jose Serenaders, Los Amigos de Cantadores, Amantes de Parranda, Alma Carrabino de Valencia and Ernesto Parranderos de Caracas.

Special presentations will be made to the wives of Willie and Tito Lara while their children will read short bios of the two paranderos.

Advanced tickets cost $80 but patrons can also pay at the door for $100.

A wide assortment of wild meat and Christmas delicacies like pastelle, paime and empanada will be on sale.

There will also be hamper giveaways sponsored by Carib Brewery and Arima Discount Mart.

Showtime is from 3 pm to 11 pm.

Put on to raise funds to ease the transition from the Small Band category to Medium Band for Panorama 2017, the concert attracted a good turnout with over 200 attending.

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and joy as Pan-Demonium brought out the Christmas spirit in everyone with a number of holiday classics such as “Carol of the Bells”, “Paramin” and “Drink Ah Rum” just to name a few.

The band had patrons on their feet for the majority of the evening with a high-energy performance, and showed its versatility with groovy, gospel and pop hits such as “Te Amo”, “Just the Two of Us” and “Because of Who You Are”. There was also a mannequin challenge done by the group which created quite a stir.

In true festive mode, there was also a guest performance by parang group Amantes de Paranda which was well received.

Koreece Graham, captain of Pan-Demonium, was pleased with the concert and believes all attendees had a great time.

Graham, well respected in the local fraternity, thanked the people of Belmont for supporting the venture and believes the band’s move into the Medium Band category will attract even more fans to the organisation.

He hailed the members of the band for their sacrifice, dedication and effort leading up to the show to ensure it was a success.

A Diego Martin businessman complained to police that he was approached last Sunday by the three SRPs who told him he had to pay them $4,500 every Monday for a month or else he would be detained and handed over to Immigration Department for harbouring illegal Venezuelans at a house in Diego Martin. The businessman liaised with PSB detectives and on Monday last, made arrangements with the three SRPs to meet at a specific area in West Trinidad to pay the first tranche of $4,500.

However, the SRPs did not go to the area and instead, the female Western Union employee was sent to collect the money. She was arrested.

On receiving certain information, PSB officers went to the Morvant home of the SRP based at the Financial Investigations Bureau and arrested him. Further information led the PSB officers to a police station in Western Division where the other two SRPs were detained on Wednesday. Their lockers at the police station were also searched.

The three officers were placed in cells at the Belmont, Woodbrook and Central Police station, while the female civilian was taken to a location within the Port-of-Spain Division. Newsday understands that Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC, will be consulted after a file is presented to him, for directions in the matter.

In an unrelated incident, officers of the PSB have arrested a Police Constable assigned to a police station in Port-of-Spain Division and a professional footballer who plays for a popular local club in connection with the recent robbery of $400,000 from a Chinese businessman.

The two were detained on Wednesday. Two other police officers are currently before the courts charged with robbery of the said businessman.

Also, a Police Constable is being sought by PSB in connection with the larceny of $100 from the son of a magistrate. Newsday was told the man went to a police station on Tuesday to secure a Certificate of Good Character. He was told by the constable that the price of such a certificate had increased from $50 to 100. On passing over $100 to the officer, the man was told to return the following day for the certificate.

When he returned to the police station, the civilian was told that no record was made of his application for the certificate nor was there any record of him being fingerprinted.

Officers informed the man that the price for a certificate was not $100 but $50. A report was made to the PSB and the officer in question is now being sought.