CHIEF Meteorologist at the Meteorological Office in Piarco, Emmanuel Moolchan, yesterday said there was no reason for the public to panic as regards the weather patterns we have been experiencing over the last couple of days. Moolchan explained to Newsday that the light Easterly flow allows a Westerly flow from the Gulf of Paria to develop, and where the two air masses meet, thunderclouds will develop. As a result, heavy rainfall and thunder showers will occur. This weather pattern is local and can be expected on days of light winds and very warm morning temperatures. Showers and thundershowers caused by these conditions will almost always favour Western portions of Trinidad.
Revealing that the temperature recorded at Piarco yesterday was 34 degrees, Moolchan said the Met Office registered a rainfall deficit for the month of September, as they only recorded 83 percent of the long-term average anticipated for the month. Questioned as to whether they had received any reports of flooding, he said one caller from the Diego Martin area had reported torrential rainfall, measuring over 58 mm of rainfall in the area. However, he pointed out that the Met Office always issued warnings that street or flash flooding can occur in areas of heavy rainfall. For the month of September, the Met Office registered a total of 167.7 mm of rainfall. Persons can look forward to more of this kind of weather, as late September early October is a prime time for these kinds of conditions, added Moolchan. He concluded by assuring persons that this weather pattern usually began around midday, but that it dissipated by late evening, giving way to a fair night.
SHAKTI Pooran, 19, son of businessman Gopaul Pooran, was dropped off by his kidnappers at a bus-shed in Oropouche early yesterday morning, after a ransom, which police believe to be $40,000, was paid by his relatives. However, while the Pooran family were yesterday rejoicing and thanking the Almighty for their relative’s safe return, there was no such luck for the Chattoo family of Penal, whose relative has gone into hiding after being abducted and badly beaten. In the Pooran incident, according to police reports, Shakti was dropped off at a bus-shed near Mosquito Creek around 6 am. After his release, Pooran made his way to the Oropouche Police Station where officers telephoned his relatives. Gopaul Pooran arrived at the police station sometime later to pick up his son.
However, there was sadness at the home, because Pooran’s grandmother died before she was told of his release. Newsday was informed that members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) were supposed to have visited Pooran yesterday to get a statement from him. The 19-year-old who lives at Aripero Village, San Fernando, was kidnapped about a week ago. His kidnappers contacted Gopaul Pooran who owns Pooran’s Glass Supplies, demanding $200,000 for his release. No arrests have been made as yet. Meanwhile, the Chattoo family are keeping their hopes up regarding the disappearance of their relative Visham Chattoo.
The missing 21-year-old man of Medford Flat, Charlo Village, Penal was reportedly abducted on Monday around 11.15 pm. Chattoo and his friend Andy Ramsingh, of Syne Village, Penal were walking along High Street, Siparia, when they were approached by two men in a car. They were both beaten and robbed. Chattoo was later forced into the car which sped off. He was reportedly dropped off elsewhere, and has since gone into hiding. Chattoo’s mother, Rawtee Chattoo said there still had not been any word on the whereabouts of her son. The worried woman is again appealing to her son to return home, or contact the Siparia police.
A LA ROMAINE couple was terrorised, beaten and then shot at, in the presence of their two-year-old child, during a robbery at their home early yesterday morning. One of the gunshots fired by the bandits, grazed Sherwin Andrews, 27, on his head, causing him to seek medical treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital. Andrews told police at around 3.30 am, he was asleep with his 20-year-old common-law-wife Shelly Ann Smart and their son at his Ethel Street, La Romaine home when he was awakened by a loud noise. Three gunmen stormed into the house and entered the bedroom, demanding to know from the frightened occupants, “where the money and gold is.” Andrews said the bandits beat him and his wife about their bodies and repeatedly asked for money and gold. They then ransacked the house and took $600 cash and $7,000 in jewelry. Before leaving, the gunmen opened fire at the couple, with one of the bullets grazing Andrews on his head. Officers of the San Fernando CID visited the scene and are continuing investigations.
OPPOSITION Leader Basdeo Panday yesterday slammed Monday’s security lockdown of Port-of-Spain and ac-cused the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) of being incapable of doing anything “without confusion.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning has asked National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee for a report on the lockdown, reportedly put in place due to a matter in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court involving Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr. Speaking with reporters at his Port-of-Spain office, Panday declared: “It was atrocious. Our members were late because they told them to park somewhere and when they went to park there, police said they can’t park there. So there was absolute confusion. The PNM can’t open a parliamentary session without confusion, much more run the Parliament.”
Panday called for the immediate appointment of a permanent Police Commissioner and believed that Acting CoP Everald Snaggs “is less likely to feel confident in dealing with crime” because of his current status. The UNC leader blamed the Government for the current state of affairs in the Police Service. Turning to crime, Panday said local businessmen are very concerned with levels of crime in the country and an exodus of businesspeople and capital flight from Trinidad and Tobago is taking place. However, St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran said the UNC had “no official figures” to back up any claims of capital flight. Asked if he expected greater allocation of funds in the 2003/2004 Budget to deal with crime, Panday replied: “I don’t know what to expect from the Government.” He did not rule out the possibility that “miracles can happen” and was waiting “with baited anticipation” for Monday’s Budget presentation. He hailed a plan by Princes Town businessmen to shut down their operations on Monday in protest of crime in TT and predicted that the population would “close the whole country down” unless Government deals with crime and dissociates itself from the criminal elements.
Panday also said businessmen were concerned about corruption (particularly in the Public Service), the slow rate of business growth in TT, and being omitted from discussions involving the Free Trade Areas of the Americas. He said the Opposition could only make meaningful Budget proposals to the Government under a new constitution. Panday said there has been no attempt by Government to meet with the Opposition regarding the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and appeared unfazed by the High Court’s dismissal of a case filed by Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma on the CCJ. Panday also lamented the freezing of Carlisle Tyre Limited’s assets. Head of the Foreign Used Vehicles Industry (FUVI) Inshan Ishmael claimed that Government has not acted on the group’s recommendations to deal with crime in TT, especially kidnapping. Ishmael claimed that “imported knockdown” cars are the vehicles of choice for kidnappers and the FUVI has written to Transport Minister Franklyn Khan, suggesting that chassis numbers be placed on licence plates as a means of tracking kidnappers. Ishmael also alleged that there were huge discrepancies in tax collection in the Customs and Licensing departments and wants both departments to be merged to deal with this problem.
KINGSTON: Zone “A” of the Red Stripe Bowl got off to a damp start with Trinidad and Tobago winning by 13 runs via the Duckworth Lewis system over the Leewards XI at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval on the University of West Indies Campus, Mona, yesterday. Chasing the Leewards XI’s 203 for six from 50 overs, TT got up to 102 for three from 25 overs when rain halted play for the day. With the necessary 25 overs bowled to constitute a match, Trinidad and Tobago were 12 ahead of the 90 runs they needed to secure the victory based on the Duckworth Lewis calculations. At the end, captain Daren Ganga steered his team along with a solid and composed unbeaten 49 as the Leewards bowlers made a fight of the game after their team were restricted to a total of just over 200.
Ganga hit four boundaries and put on 48 with Dwayne Bravo who was the other not out batsman on 17 when rain intervened at 3:22 pm and persisted for an hour and a half when umpires Eddie Nichols and Dalton Holder decided that no more play was possible. TT, after having lost two early wickets, were made to work hard for their runs by the inexperienced but spirited Leewards attack. Fastbowler Elsroy Powell struck in his first two overs for the Leewards XI taking the wickets of openers Imran Jan (1) in the first over and Andy Jackson (10) in the third. He was the only wicket-taker for the Leeward Islanders, finishing with two for 26 from five overs. After the unsteady start, TT’s two Test batsmen, Ganga and West Indies captain Brian Lara put on 43 runs to blunt the Leewards. Lara was needlessly run out for 17, in the 11th over with the score on 54, when Ganga called him for a single and then turned him back. Thereafter Ganga and Bravo worked the ball around to ensure that TT remained above the required run rate at all times while keeping wickets in hand with the rain threatening.
When the Leewards batted after winning the toss, they were given a bustling start by openers Alex Adams and Shane Jeffers, but then the Trinidad and Tobago spinners were brought into the attack to keep a tight rein and restrict them to their final total. With the exception of their captain Stuart Williams and Tonito Willet all the batsmen got decent starts but were unable to go on to huge totals. Carl Tuckett made the best effort with 43 from 67 balls. He worked the ball around to accumulate his runs, striking only one four during his 76-minute stay at the crease. Adams slammed four boundaries in his 32 but spent 78 balls compiling his runs while West Indies all rounder Omari Banks ended unbeaten on 26 with one four. Jeffers’ contribution was a hurried 28, which included four cracking fours. Left arm spinner Dave Mohamed, who was Trinidad’s most impressive bowler took three wickets for 31 runs from his full 10-over spell. West Indies leg spinner Dinanath Ramnarine gave steady support with two for 38 from his 10.
The only other wicket taker was Dwayne Bravo who opened the bowling alongside Merv Dillon and ended with one for 45 from nine overs. Canada take on the Windward Islands at the Jamalco ground in match two today.
ST. JOHN’S: The highly-talented Trinidad and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons cracked a brilliant century but it proved not to be enough as the West Indies Under-19s went under by 14 runs to Guyana in the opening Zone “B” match of the Red Stripe Bowl regional limited overs competition at the Antigua Recreation Ground yesterday. Simmons, the right-handed top order batsman, scored exactly 100 and almost single-handedly took the young Windies to their target, but after he was dismissed, they fell short at 238 for eight off their 50 overs.
Earlier, West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul top scored with 66 in the Guyana innings and there were useful contributions from Ryan Ramdass (63), Narsingh Deonarine (39) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (34) as the Guyanese posted 252 for six off 50 overs. Simmons, the nephew of former West Indies player, Phil Simmons, scored his runs from 113 balls and his knock contained nine fours and two sixes. Simmons looked well set for a bigger score but in attempting to play the reverse sweep, he lobbed a gentle catch to short fine-leg off the bowling of leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo who finished with four for 50 from his 10 overs. Simmons, striking the ball with power and accuracy to all parts of the ground, shared in a third wicket stand of 146 with Assad Fudadin (29) after they come together at 11 for two before the latter was dismissed with the score on 140.
When Simmons went at 157 for four, the Under 19s were lifted by a late flourish by fast bowling all-rounder Ravi Rampaul, who made 21 after taking two for 27 in the Guyana innings.
Fast bowler Rayon Griffith captured the first two wickets, which rocked the U19s innings and he finished with two for 32 from 10 overs. Chanderpaul, the Guyana captain, revived his side’s fortunes after they were in danger on 135 for four in the 30th over. Chanderpaul and Deonarine performed the rescue act in a partnership of 80 off 65 balls and carried their team to 205 when the fifth wicket fell. Rampaul, who started impressively along with new-ball partner Mervin Matthews in restricting the openers, came back to claim the wickets of Chanderpaul and Deonarine. But despite Simmons’ heroics, the Under-19s slumped to defeat as the other batsmen were unable to match his effort. Zone “B” competition continues today with defending champions Barbados against the University of the West Indies.
THE “Dial Dynamos” Arima and Naparima maintained their positions atop the East and South Zones of the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) after yesterday’s round of matches. Arima blanked the “Blue Thunder” El Dorado 3-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima, while Naparima eased past the sliding Pleasantville 2-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. But the inclement weather forced the cancellation of two matches, including the North Zone matchup between the “Tigers” St Anthony’s and Malick at the St Anthony’s Grounds, Westmoorings. The other fixture called off because of a waterlogged field was the top-of-the-table clash in the Central Division between Carapichaima and Presentation Chaguanas at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Balmain, Couva.
In fact, all matches in the Central Zone were called off, as no officials turned up at the Tabaquite Grounds for the Tabaquite-Union Claxton Bay battle. Arima held a 2-0 halftime lead courtesy strikes from midfielder Jevon Crichlow in the 12th and striker Dorian Daniel in the 37th before Cordell Samuels reduced the deficit early in the second half. Dion Peters failed in his bid to level the scores, as he saw his penalty saved by Arima goalkeeper Ryan Ajim. And that error will return to haunt the struggling El Do, as national youth team striker Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley sealed full points for Arima with an 81st item. St Augustine remained two points adrift of Arima after an own goal in the second half gave the “Green Machine” a 1-0 win at home against cellar-placed San Juan, their sixth win on a trot. Barataria moved to third on the table after whipping neighbours St George’s 2-0 at the Barataria Grounds with strikes from Jonathan Romain and Dion Charles while Hillview battled to a 2-2 draw versus Toco at the Sangre Grande Recreation Grounds.
Naps extended their lead in the South to six points following their win in Marabella with goals from Lyndel Pompey in the third minute and Andrew Bailey in the 25th. Second-placed St Benedict’s suffered a major setback when they went under 2-1 away to Mayaro while Fyzabad edged reigning zonal champs Princes Town 1-0 at the Fyzabad Grounds. And, in the clash of the bottom-two teams, Vessigny trounced Presentation San Fernando 4-1 with Timmy Hernandez and Hughton Hector each scoring a double while Devaughn Jones got the lone strike for Presentation. With the “Tigers” inactive, QRC regained the lead in the North following a 3-1 victory over traditional rivals St Mary’s at the QRC Grounds, St Clair. Mucurapo recorded their third successive win, a 6-2 demolition of cellar-placed Diego Martin at the Fatima Grounds, a result which saw Mucurapo jump to third on the standings. In the Zone’s other fixture, the inconsistent Fatima were held to a goalless draw by Morvant/Laventille at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Action continues in the sister isle Tobago today with Roxborough hosting defending zonal princes Scarborough at 4 pm.
President of Central Falcons Football Club, Samuel Saunders, is taking the Central Football Association (CFA) to court. This development comes after Falcons were deemed to be a non-member of the CFA. “I received a letter from the Central Football Association (CFA) signed by the president, which seems to suggest that my club is no longer a member of the CFA because the constitution does not cater for non-playing clubs,” said Saunders, a well-known Chaguanas attorney. He charged that another club, W Connection are also non-playing but have not had their membership revoked by the CFA.
After seven matches in the CFA league, Falcons withdrew from the tournament, alleging that they were being treated unfairly. They claimed CFA president Brian Layne has written a letter to the club stating that they are no longer members of the association. When contacted yesterday, Layne confirmed he had written a letter to Saunders stating that Central Falcons were no longer members of the Central Football Association (CFA) in accordance with the association’s constitution. Layne also defended the inclusion of W Connection on the CFA membership roll. “In order for W Connection to play in the T&T Pro League they had to be registered with an association and hence the reason they were brought in as non-playing members. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) would not have allowed the central-based club to play in the Pro League if they were not registered with the association,” Layne said.
Saunders his club withdrew from the CFA competition in protest of “unfair treatment.” ”A player from Central Falcons was denied a transfer to play for another club but went ahead and played anyway in the Central Football Association competition. When I protested, the association told me that they would set up a hearing for the matter and up until today they haven’t done so. “Every time a matter involving Central Falcons comes up, the association do not take us on but matters involving other teams are treated hastily,” said the former outstanding Presentation College, Chaguanas goalkeeper. Layne yesterday insisted that it was no fault of the CFA that the Falcons matter has not been heard. ”The executive made numerous attempts to card a hearing but had difficulty in getting the parties together. I clearly remember on one occasion Mr. Saunders couldn’t attend,” he said. “There are three guys on the committee and the matter involves one of them so he cannot sit on it. The other two are businessmen and it is difficult to get them together. Remember this is a voluntary thing and we cannot just force people to attend. What we can do is get other people in the positions but this can only be done at our annual general meeting,” Layne said. “We sought advice from the TTFF and they told us to set up a body to deal with the matter. Saunders objected to this and said it was unconstitutional and all this has hindered us,” the CFA official said. Saunders was adamant that only when his club were involved in a matter the association found it difficult to schedule a meeting.
KC Strikers have emerged champs of the Tyro Sports Club 19 and Under Football League which ended recently. The team also took the lion’s share of prizes at the awards ceremony. Custodian Ronald Griffith was named “Best Goalkeeper”; Ricardo Bennett was named “Best Midfielder”; Ron Griffith was presented with the award for “Most Goals”; Jevon Haylor was dubbed “MVP” and Don Lynch was named “Best Manager”. For their first place finish Strikers received $500, along with the Clark and Battoo Challenge Shield and replica. Second placed San Juan Senior Comprehensive took home $300. plus a trophy and awards for being the “Most Disciplined Team” and for having the “Best Uniform.” RSSR Coaching School was third and Kendell Lewis who played for hosts Tyro Sports Club was named “Best Defender.”
In the 13 and Under League competition, Cruz International, RSSR and Don Brathwaite Coaching School were the season’s top performers, Cruz taking four awards, RSSR secured three and Don Brathwaite took two. The league’s top three finishers—- Cruz at the top took the Jennifer Guerra Trophy and $500; RSSR in second received $300 and a Trophy; and Don Brathwaite was third and also received the “Best Uniform” award. The best midfielder and defender, Jason Cader and Jeremiah Goddard respectively, came from RSSR but Cruz was safe at both ends with the “Best Goalkeeper” Carlos Lennard and the “MVP” Anthony Guppy who also was awarded for the “Most Goals.” Tyro Sports Club’s Under-13 team manager Ann Marie Dyer was presented with the “Best Manager” award for her work with the youngsters and LA Canoa Youths were named the “Most Disciplined Team.” The league competition was played at the Tyro Sports Ground, Bourg Malatresse.
MALICK girls swept prizes in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League Girls Under-19 Championship Division. The Malick girls, led by Tanekar Alexander with 16 goals in their five matches, completed their schedule unbeaten with only a single goal being registered against them. First they edged Diego Martin Secondary 1-0 on Alexander’s goal, then drubbed St Joseph’s Convent 6-0 with Alexander, Afiya Castle anmd Nadia James scoring two goals each. Malick romped to a 13-0 victory over Mucurapo in their third outing, with Alexander hitting the nets on eight occasions, while Castle had two, Niasha Reyes, James and Asha scoring one each. They followed up by shutting out Corpus Christi 5-0, with Alexander scoring twice and James, La Toya Castillo and Castle getting the other goals. And in their final fixture, Malick dumped Providence 8-0 on a hat-trick by Alexander, two goals from Castle and one each from James, Reyes and Asha. Apart from Alexander’s goal bundle, Castle scored seven times, James five, while Reyes and Asha got two apiece and Castillo, one.
