On any given afternoon or weekend, groups of children, men and women, the young and the young at heart gather to play the beautiful game – from sweat matches to five-a-side tourneys, Intercol football, the annual BagoSports Beach Soccer Championship, amateur leagues like the Central Bank league, zonal leagues, the Super League and finally the pinnacle of the local game, the TT Pro League.

Since its introduction in 2002, professional football in Trinidad and Tobago has gone through its fair share of upheaval but recent indicators point to long-awaited revival and steady progress in the right direction.

Over the weekend, hundreds of football fans in San Fernando and Barataria were able to enjoy a series of matches when Club Sando was victorious over Police and W Connection triumphed over Caledonia Morvant, while San Juan Jabloteh drew with St Ann’s Rangers at their respective home grounds of Naparima College and Barataria Recreation Ground. Recently over 3,000 people came out to watch the first official community football game at the newly renovated Morvant Recreation Ground. Also, tomorrow, San Juan Jabloteh will be playing for the first time at the Brian Lara Recreation ground in Santa Cruz.

This level of support for the local game comes as no surprise to those of us who have been involved in football administration since its inception.

At the Pro League, we have long said that as long as the teams are provided with the opportunity to have secure home fields in their respective communities, where they can collect gate receipts, and provide fans with a quality experience that includes modern, up to standard facilities, the Government will eventually not have to pay a subvention to the League or clubs.

As football in Trinidad and Tobago returns to its community roots, clubs will now be able to increase their fan bases, monetise their assets and utilise these to earn and develop revenue streams. It goes without saying that revenue generating initiatives such as merchandising are critical to the sustainability and viability of football as a sporting product.

The reality of sport in Trinidad and Tobago, like any other business has always been that without a product and brand to market and promote, success will always remain a far off dream. I am confident that as we expand football into communities across the country, we are developing a brand and a product that will position the League to take advantage of sports unique opportunities.

The league would not have been able to take this first step without the support of Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and his staff, the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Blake and David John Williams. I would also like to thank Jamaal Shabazz, Ricarda Nelson, Morvant Caledonia United and all the clubs (Police FC, W Connection, Defence Force, coaches and players, who have met us half way by playing on surfaces which can sometimes be described as challenging, and finally our fans.

Fans are the lifeblood of any sport and you have been coming out in your numbers every weekend. On behalf of the players and the League, I thank you. As we celebrate recent successes, there is much to look forward to as we seek to use this momentum to build the market for local sport and form partnerships across our communities. These partnerships have the potential to not only improve our bottom line, but positively impact our communities and in turn our nation.

Since coming into office in September 2015m Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith has been trying to “clean up” sport in TT and the creation of the National Sport Policy should help identify key issues in sport.

At City Hall members of National Governing Bodies were part of the first public consultation session.

Some of the issues idenitified as causing problems in local sport are lack of role clarity organisational responsibilities and functions, poor corporate governance, poor financial management, lack of research and development, lack of proper asset management, under-development of the sport tourism and business sectors and a lack of training facilities.

T here will be six age groups contested during the tournament.

The boys will compete in the Under- 8, U-10, U-12 and U-14 divisions, while there will only be two age groups for the girls, the U-15 and U-17.

Registration is $50 per team and $100 for three teams. For more information on the tournament contact 707-8232 or 481-1299 or email theattinjohnsoninitiative@ gmail.com.

Coming up for hearing before Justice Frank Seepersad in the San Fernando High Court was a Garnishee application in which the TT FF is named as judgment debtor for $1.2 million. In the application, Warner’s former personal assistant Imammuddin Baksh is asking the Court to freeze the TT FF’s bank account at First Citizens, so as to recover the sum on a judgment he had obtained last year which was delivered by the judge.

Yesterday, Justice Seepersad urged the parties to settle before the Court moves to freeze the First Citizens account.

It was in April 2015 when Justice Seepersad had delivered a ruling in which he found the TT FF and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, liable to Baksh on behalf of the latter’s company – Graphix Advantage Limited (GAL), for the sum of $1,262,413.19. Baksh is GAL’s managing director and had sued TT FF, Warner and LOC South Africa 2010 Limited, for the monies.

Baksh had contended that the monies were owing to his company for advertising goods and services he provided for the staging of the World Cup event.

Justice Seepersad conducted a trial in which Warner had given evidence and the judge, in a written ruling, found the TT FF and LOC South Africa 2010 Limited liable to pay the monies to GAL.

The judge, however, ruled that Warner, who was special adviser to the TT FF and chairman of LOC South Africa 2010 Limited, was not personally liable to pay the monies.

Since Justice Seepersad’s judgment on April 30 2015, the monies have not been paid to GAL.

And, on November 1, attorneys for Baksh filed a Garnishee application to freeze one of the bank accounts of the TT FF and LOC South Africa 2010 Limited, at First Citizens.

A Garnishee application is a drastic measure that is taken in order to collect a debt, in which the applicant applies to a judge to make an Order to take the property of the one who is owing a debt on a judgment.

The application filed by Baksh’s attorney Hendrickson Seunath SC, stated that pursuant to Justice Seepersad’s judgment in April, the judgment creditor (GAL), had obtained judgment against the judgment debtor, Austin Jack Warner and LOC South Africa 2010 Limited.

In Justice Seepersad’s judgment, however, though he held that Warner was responsible for giving out the contract to GAL on behalf of the TT FF and LOC, Warner was not personally liable to pay the monies and therefore there was no judgment against him.

Baksh who signed the Garnishee application on his company’s behalf, stated that he is also seeking $122,120.66 in legal cost which had not been paid since the judgment was delivered.

He stated that TT FF and LOC maintain a bank account at the Park and Henry Streets, Port of Spain branch of First Citizens, where a chequing account is held.

The application came up for hearing in the San Fernando High Court yesterday before Justice Seepersad where attorneys for the TT FF and First Citizens told the judge that they needed an opportunity to hold discussions with Baksh’s attorneys. Attorneys for the bank indicated that they would comply with any order the cout makes.

The judge urged the parties to discuss the matter and arrive at a settlement by January 12 2017

Carapichaima East and Signal Hill were scheduled to clash tomorrow in both the boys and girls National Intercol quarterfinals but will face off on Wednesday at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

In the girls quarterfinal Signal Hill will play Carapichaima East from 1.30 pm followed by the boys quarterfinal between the same teams from 3.30 pm.

The North Zone boys finals carded for tomorrow will take place as scheduled between Trinity College (Moka) and St Anthony’s.

The teams will square off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 4.15 pm.

The winner of the North Zone final will face off against San Juan North in the Intercol semifinals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 4.15 pm on Wednesday, while Presentation College San Fernando will play the winner of the Signal Hill-Carapichaima East match in the other semfinal on December 2 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium at 3.30 pm. The National Intercol Final will take place on December 6.

The TT squad chosen is the same team that played in round two against the Barbados Pride.

Led by captain Yannick Ottley, TT will aim to bounce back in the third round when they face the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair.

The Red Force lost by 292 runs to the Barbados Pride in round two at the Queen’s Park Oval after opening with a nine-wicket win over the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the same venue.

In other round three matches Jamaica Scorpions will play Barbados at Sabina Park in Jamaica and Windward Islands will face Guyana Jaguars at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia. The Guyana-Windward Islands match will be a day/ night match starting at 3 pm everyday, while the other matches will be day matches starting at 10 am local time.

TT SQUAD: Yannick Ottley (captain), Kyle Hope, Imran Khan, Yannic Cariah, Jyd Goolie, Steven Katwaroo, Roshon Primus, Marlon Richards, Jon Russ Jagessar, Sheldon Cottrell, Jeremy Solozano, Khary Pierre, Isaiah Rajah.

St Agnes of Port of Spain and Sangre Grande both needed penalties to win their respective categories, while Bon Accord of Tobago were the only team to capitalise on their chances during regulation time to come out victorious in front a lively crowd.

Among those in attendance were President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona, wife of the President Reema Carmona, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, and Atlantic Sport Brand Ambassadors Richard Thompson and Andrew Lewis.

In the final match of the day St Agnes prevailed 2-1 on penalty kicks over Whim Anglican of Tobago in the boys Under-12 final after the 30-minute contest ended in a 0-0 stalemate. The match began at an energetic pace with St Agnes enjoying the better exchanges early on. Jardell Graham, who was one of the standout players for St Agnes, created a good chance on goal but his right-footed shot flew over the bar.

With the tempo of the match slowing down, some excellent passing between Dahvid Lawrence and Graham almost led to a goal but Lawrence’s attempt on goal did not have enough to beat the Whim goalkeeper.

Whim got a couple chances before halftime but the half ended 0-0.

The second half lacked the pace the match showed in the first half as the lunchtime sun seemed to be affecting the players.

The boys from Tobago showed more purpose in the second half but both teams failed to break the deadlock.

In the best out of three penalty shootout both teams scored one and missed one after two attempts. St Agnes goalkeeper Kareem Emannuel saved Whim’s third attempt as diminutive Theo Crovador stepped up to take the last penalty.

He did not disappoint, finding the back of the net as St Agnes won 2-1 on penalties.

Prior to the boys U-12 final it was East Trinidad against Tobago for top honours in the 40-minute girls U-15 final with Sangre Grande Government facing Bon Accord Government of the sister isle. Bon Accord had a solid performance during the match but had nothing to show for it as the match ended 0-0. Unfortunatey for Bon Accord, Sangre Grande was more clinical from the penalty spot winning 2-1.

Tobago did not go home without a title.

In the first match goals from Kyron Melville and Nigel Bernett gave Bon Accord a 2-0 victory over Enterprise Government of the Caroni Education District in the boys U-15 final.

Inspired by the Cuban sound of music, which blends African beats with Spanish-flavoured rhythms and melodies, “Timba” featured an assortment of colourful outfits designed to make the wearers “stand out in a crowd”. A huge crowd of male and female fashion-lovers assembled to bear witness to the new collection, but had to be prompted by MC Ken Simmons to share their feelings on the various designs as they were revealed.

“Do y’all see those pants?” He asked rhetorically. “Years ago, the length of those pants would mean that something was wrong… And those shoes? You will notice – they are to be worn without socks!” Instructions and advice on the latest fashion trends continued to be shared throughout the night, as a number of celebrities began appearing on the runway clad in the latest new garbs The grand “reveal” of the new collection began around 7.30 pm and lasted just over an hour as tardy patrons continued to crowd the stairs in search of vantage points to see the collection.

Cuban Ambassador, Guillermo Vazquez Moreno was in attendance, along with Senators Paul Richards and Khadijah Ameen.

“It was a great feeling to see the collection come alive,” said Elie afterward, “and I’m thankful and humbled by all the support I’ve received. These designs will soon be in stores everywhere and I’m looking forward to seeing them utilised during the Christmas and Carnival seasons that are fast approaching…” Ecliff Elie designs are also readily available at outlets at Rosalino Street in Woodbrook; AKIMBO in Arima; The Normandie, St Ann’s; Marigot in St Lucia and Kimya Glasgow Boutique in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

One landmark on the bay is the statue of the patron Saint Cion. However, the place is now abandoned, but at one time there was a fishing dockyard, a wooden house, and a flourishing cocoa estate.

Positioned opposite to the beach is Saut D’eau Island uninhabited and used as a bird sanctuary for the breeding of pelicans and other rare species. Its jagged cliffs make access difficult and to visit requires a permit from the Forestry Department. Saut D’eau is a French word that means, “jumping water, “ and at the bay, there is a picturesque waterfall, which drops 30 feet into the sea.

It is a thrill to walk through the evergreen village of Paramin admiring its fascinating landscape. It is a pleasurable and memorable experience to meet and greet the friendly Paraminians. The trek through the village is a test of one’s fitness and although challenging the ambiance of the place makes it enjoyable.

The journey begins at the Morne Coco Road Gas Station, and along the way, there is always something to catch one’s attention. To the east are fantastic views of Moka Golf Course, Maracas North Coast Road, Paragrant and Maraval Valley and to the west are panoramas of Saut D’eau Island, Cameron, and Petit Valley. The source of the Blue Basin River originates from Paramin in a place referred to as Mia. A notable attribute is the richness of the hills, with lush vegetable gardens of chive, pimento, thyme, pepper, tomato and cabbage.

Visitors are amazed by the crops cultivated on the steep slopes and often wonder how difficult a task this must be. The cool mountain breeze at an altitude of 550 metres (1,800 feet) feels healthy and invigorating.

Paraminians are descendants of French and Spanish heritage.

Some of the elders still speak patois, and the streets in Paramin have French-Creole names such as La Finette Road, Bella Montage Road, Lale Road, Beau Pres Road and Morne Espoire Barre Bette Rouge.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, and a place of interest is the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe Bien Vini where on Carnival Sunday, there is the traditional patois mass.

Paramin has a reputation for making the country’s best seasoning and during Christmas season the culture of the community comes alive with the Parang festivals.

The expedition starts with a walk through the village to the top of the mountain called Barre La Vigie meaning “ lookout point or crow’s nest.” This first part of the journey will take between one to one-and-a half hours depending on one’s fitness. The descent to the coast from the mountain crest is a further 2.6 km along a winding dirt path. The inviting water of the beach is a must to refresh oneself.

A hidden gem is to explore the stream where there are to discover are waterfalls and basins waiting to be discovered.

The return climb to the summit creates anxiety and is a real test of one’s fitness. This is the final hike for the year and Fitness Walkers thanks all for their support.

Fitness Walkers trek to Saut D’eau Beach Assembly: 6 am at the Morne Coco Road Gas Station Time: 7 am Rating: 6 strenuous Average hiking time one-way: 2 – 3 hours or depending on one’s fitness To see a video of Saut D’eau Beach and waterfalls: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZEqLIRbxQk0 For more info: www.

islandhikers.com

Winners from the North, East, South/Central and Tobago make up 11 finalists who will challenge reigning champion Moricia Cagan.

They will vie for a first prize of $20,000, second of $10,000 and a third of $5,000. There will also be special prizes and giveaways.

Competitors can sing any form of kaiso be it social commentary, party, humour, groovy or power soca, parang soca, ragga soca, chutney soca and gospelypso.

The line up for the final round includes Allison Charles, Franklyn Garcia, Keston Campbell, Leno Ford, Lornetta Nedd, Mark Eastman, Miguella Simon, Shay John, Stephan Walker , Takeisha Melville , Vernell Wilson and Cagan.

The second Tuco Karaoke is sponsored by Western United Credit Union.