The TT team will face off with the Jamaica Reggae Boyz in an international friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on August 24 as a build-up for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier versus Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on September 1.

And the FA has agreed that patrons who purchase their early bird tickets for the qualifier against Honduras which are priced at $150 (uncovered section) and $300 (covered) from today until August 24, will receive their ticket for the Jamaica friendly at no additional cost.

Tickets for the qualifier versus Honduras (only) will, from August 25, raise to $200 (uncovered) and $350 (covered). Limited Early Bird tickets will be on sale for the Honduras match so fans are being encouraged to purchase only in order to benefit from the deal package.

TT will face Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8 pm on August 24. Regular priced tickets for that encounter only cost $100 (covered) and $50 (uncovered).

Roget made that call during last Friday’s trade union march in Port-of-Spain. He also gave what appeared to be a hint of some of the businesses in that category that JTUM wants its members to boycott.

Speaking with reporters outside Tower C of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre, after a meeting with Energy Minister Franklin Khan, Roget remarked, “They are entitled to their own opinion.” Roget also said JTUM is entitled to, “direct our members as to where to spend their money to get the most amount of benefit.” He reiterated a list of the one percent of businesses in TT to be boycotted will be made public soon. He also said a separate list of the 99 per cent of businesses in the country which should be supported will also be made public.

“It is time that we start to focus on buying doubles, pelau, roti, bake and shark.” In supporting businesses in the 99 per cent category, Roget remarked, “Let us do it on any day, not just Tuesdays and Fridays. Let us not have a ritual in doing it.” When a reporter told him boycotting businesses would affect the people employed by those businesses, Roget countered, “They are sending them home in any case.” He said JTUM would welcome these people, “being absorbed into businesses that really will boom as a result of the 99 per cent taking charge.”

Kern Lewis, of Quarry Village, appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates Court before Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine who read several charges to him, the first of which alleges that on July 9, he robbed the cashier at Pleasantville Pharmacy of $5,000. The second alleges he robbed her of a Samsung Galaxy S6 and a Samsung Galaxy S5, both valued $13,000.

The other charge alleges that on the same day, he robbed a customer at the plaza of an iPhone valued $5,000. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges which were laid by PC Lee-Lum of the San Fernando CID.

Attorney Chantal Paul pleaded for bail for Lewis and told Antoine whilst the defendant had previous convictions, they were not similar in nature to current charges. The magistrate was told Lewis was convicted of driving without a permit, two counts of possession of marijuana and larceny. Prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan objected to bail on the ground that Lewis had a conviction for trafficking marijuana.

However, Paul reiterated her client did not have any pending charges and the magistrate has a discretion under the Bail Act to grant bail in those circumstances.

Antoine refused bail and remanded Lewis into custody, but told him he has the right to petition a judge in chambers for bail.

He will return to court on September 5.

The Caparo Filling Station which at one time was the hub of activity in this part of central Trinidad, has become a nest for corbeaux and other animals of destruction.

The Caparo Filling Station had raised the social and economic profile of this community which has a population of over 3,000, but with the economic decadence in Trinidad and Tobago, it has also brought disaster to the community.

The Filling Station is in total state of disrepair, and until recently there were armed guards, probably guarding the litter of stray dogs who now inhabit the surroundings.

I appeal to Minister Franklin Khan to look into this matter.

Re-equipping the Caparo Filling Station could be a project for the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, after all, the Caparo community is a rural one, but with the growth of several business entities, it is moving up to town status.

Vehicle owners have to drive to either Chaguanas or Flanagin Town to fill up their tanks every day, notwithstanding the perilous and time-consuming traffic chaos.

The community can wait no longer for reactivating the Caparo NP Filling Station, as it could become a sensitive issue in the next general election. I hope this request meets the eye, ears and nose of the authority whose portfolio is to manage National Petroleum in meeting the needs of the people overall.

Paras Ramoutar CAPARO

Frylinck spoke to Newsday at Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair yesterday, where a number of TKR players played cricket with members of various special needs organisations.

Frylinck, who was called in as a replacement for his injured countryman Hashim Amla for the CPL, said, “Everyone goes through troubles in life and difficulties in life.

I have got a tattoo on my arm when I went through some of my tough times.

“The tattoo reads ‘No one said it will be easy,’ so it is always a bit of motivation for me if I am ever in a bit of struggle. I will read my tattoo and it picks me up and I get going again.” He encouraged the special needs athletes to maintain a positive attitude and to remember there are others in the world who have challenges. “All I could say to the kids is keep going.

“There is always someone worse off than you are and just make sure you are enjoying yourself. If you got a smile on your face and you are having fun it is all you can ask for.” Frylinck said it is always great to give back and he was impressed with the talent of the youngsters.

“The kids out here are so passionate. Obviously they are not as fortunate as some of the other people, but you can’t see the difference. The guys and girls are playing some fantastic cricket. It is awesome to be able to give back as one of the main teams in Trinbago.” Some of the other TKR members that joined Frylinck were players Khary Pierre and Javon Searles, coach Simon Katich and assistant coach Imran Jan.

The session yesterday was the second phase of this initiative, the first of which took place at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain recently.

At the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, the Super League will be hosting its inaugural elections, of the members of the Board of Directors.

Look Loy, the interim president of the League, leads Slate A, which comprises Jameson Rigues (first vice-president), Eddison Dean (second vice-president), George Joseph, Clayton Morris and Colin Murray (ordinary members), while Ottley, the interim vice-president, will lead Slate B, which will include Marvin Wilson (second vice-president), Stephanie Guevara and Michael De Four (ordinary members).

Ottley, who works as a Staff Officer, Chief Finance, at the Defence Force headquarters noted in a recent interview, “the main reason that I would have decided to finally put my hat in the race (is) because I was being asked by members of the League to contest the seat for president.

“I asked them what was the reason that they would have come to me and ask me to run.

They indicated to me that they were uncomfortable with some of the things that the current interim (were) doing,” he continued.

“I indicated to them that I don’t want to run for no office if it’s a one-man show. If we really want change, we must operate as a team.” Ottley added, “more than a half that called and asked me to run against it. In that regard I agreed that I would be the person to represent their views.” If elected today, Ottley noted, “one of the things that our committee will attempt to do differently is that we’ll use business principles and apply it to a footballing arena. So the structures, the policies and guideline systems that the League made for transparency and accountability will be our very first approach into bringing this League into a sustainable (one).”

He is however yet to surrender to the police.

On Sunday, police recorded statements from Kareem Ellis and Keane Marcano, victims of a brutal chopping incident which occurred at the bar one week ago and which went viral on social media over the weekend.

Ellis and Marcano, both of Manahambre Road, Princes Town, are resting comfortably at home after their discharge on Thursday from the San Fernando General Hospital. The incident occurred on July 30 and the men underwent surgery the following day.

Meanwhile a close relative of one of the victims told Newsday he was unable to watch the video footage of the men being chopped. “It was clearly the man’s intention to kill, and for what? Over a woman,” asked the relative who requested anonymity.

“What’s even worse, they all know each other.

There is no relationship between them and the woman but he became annoyed when he saw one of them speaking to her.” A police report stated that an argument ensued.

At about 2.30 am, the suspect entered the bar with a cutlass and began chopping Ellis.

It was reported Marcano intervened and he too was chopped on the back of his legs and hands.

Ellis received chops to the face, chest and neck. They were taken to the hospital. Video footage was captured by CCTV cameras installed at the establishment.

There was outrage from members of the public who viewed it. Sgt Richardson of the Princes Town Police Station is investigating.

com will join fellow Harvard Business school mates Gervase Warner, Massy President and Group CEO and Kristine Gibbon- Thompson, owner, Chuck E. Cheese’s, on stage at the HYATT on September 12, 2017 for Soar Above the Recession: A Leaders Conference.

The event, hosted by Imagine Media International in collaboration with the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Fatima Old Boy’s Association, climaxes Cycle I of the Lisa Wickham MasterClass Series. Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee- Scoon, will deliver the opening remarks at the conference.

According to Imagine Media President & CEO, Lisa Wickham, “there are a number of business owners and executives who are struggling with the notion of the ‘Disruptors’ that are currently changing the way in which business needs to be conducted.

New business models are rendering the ‘norm’ obsolete and shifting the economic balance in several markets including locally.

Businesses are closing, owners are… seeing their colleagues fold, some are straddled with cashflow and foreign currency issues, huge client cancellations and a continuously shifting digital landscape…this can be very disconcerting and overwhelming and these concerns are affecting both large and small businesses.

In speaking with my colleagues, I believed it fitting to end the MasterClass Series with an event that drew on the vast experiences of successful business persons who by their track record could provide inspiration as well as real nuggets to move your company or situation forward.” Wickham, Warner and Gibbon-Thompson all attended the prestigious Harvard Business School and are successful business pioneers who have influenced and shaped business and government policy decision making in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and across the globe.

Soar Above the Recession: A Leaders Conference is expected to attract over 300 executives, business owners, government officials and business students and is aimed at providing participants with nuggets to propel their organisations forward in the current economic climate and facilitate personal growth and inspiration. It will also provide insight into opportunities for shaping the future direction of the country

Al-Zubaidy assumed office on Monday.

Al Zubaidy, a chartered engineer and chartered environmentalist, is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK, the largest and most prestigious international learned mechanical engineering societies in the world.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Engineers Australia.

As an educational innovator and experienced administrator, Al-Zubaidy has taken the leadership position at UTT on the retirement of Professor Dyer Narinesingh, becoming the university’s third full president over the past 13 years. Narinesingh, the release said, served the university well throughout the last four years as president and acting provost for the last 18 months.

The UTT acknowledged Narinesingh’s contribution and thanked him for all that he has done to move the university forward and for providing a solid foundation for Al-Zubaidy. Professor Al-Zubaidy will continue the work Narinesingh has championed, ensuring stability for the university during a time of economic constraints and organisational transition, building closer relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally, ensuring that UTT’s programmes remain relevant to the needs of Trinidad and Tobago.

A Mechanical Engineer with over three decades of experience at both senior academic and administrative levels within international higher education institutions, Al-Zubaidy is widely published in leading peer-reviewed, high-impact factor journals and international conferences.

He was awarded the Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in 2015 for a “sustained, effective record of strategic impact at the institutional, national and international level for his commitment to wider strategic leadership in teaching and enhancing the student learning experience.” He is familiar with the Caribbean, having worked in Jamaica for a few years.

The game, which was basically the battle for second spot after Canada played unbeaten in Group B, started slowly as both teams were cautious in their approach .

The best opportunity of the opening quarter fell to TT ’s Shaquille Daniel who had a glorious chance to take the lead with virtually the last shot of the quarter but he slapped it over the uprights .

Goalkeepers Rodrigo Faustino (Brazil) and TT ’s Andrey Rocke made excellent saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 .

The second period began scrappy as both teams struggled to string passes together especially in the attacking end. TT then pressed higher up the pitch and were rewarded almost immediately when Marcus Pascal won the ball in the penalty area and guided it home in the 26th minute to give the “Calypso Stickmen” a 1-nil lead .

TT looked more assured in the third quarter as they dominated the early stages with the most capped TT player ever Kwandwane Browne still showing his worth on the team by controlling the game from defence to attack .

Then, in the 41st minute, Brazil were given a penalty corner in which Bruno Sousa scored to level the game at 1-1. At that point in time shouts of “Don’t lose your focus guys” were heard from coach Glen Francis .

The 17-year-old Teague Marcano tapped in the winner from close range in the 47th minute to send the Caribbean side in the semi-final round against world number one ranked Argentina tomorrow from 5 pm .

Marcano said after the match, “It was a hard-fought win, we have been preparing for games like this. We stuck to tactics and kept pushing together.” Commenting on what it means to be on the national team he said, “I have a lot of family members who were on the national team so I have to continue to legacy to represent TT