THE EDITOR: Since the middle of June, residents of Chaguanas and environs have been experiencing water problems. The supply is regularly locked off during the day. Perhaps WASA desires to conserve water throughout the nation. Water rationing will not be as effective as anticipated because many households are fitted with tanks and electrical water pumps.
The rainy season is upon us. The clouds are saturated with moisture — the rain is pouring. The environment is wet and soggy. Drains and rivers are racing to the sea. This makes for an ironic situation in that at times no water flows from our taps, and many people — who demand water during the day time — are deprived. Most times, there is water everywhere — except in the taps of customers in Chaguanas. The problem is that there is a heavy flow during the night up to six in the morning. Then there is a slump for the rest of the day. Housewives who fail to get up early and collect their day’s supply will run the risk of doing without the precious liquid for most of the day.
It is not prudent to bring suffering upon us. This practice is questionable given the fact that Trinidad is not a desert country and, on occasion, we even have rain during the dry season. The country has more than adequate resources to keep water for years without running dry. We have dams for water storage. We must not forget our desalination plant which is all ready to purify seawater and make it suitable for household use. Although this is an exhaustible source of hygienic water, it will remain a great asset for a long period. We must remember that if we wish to truly aspire to a developed nation status, a dependable water supply for all citizens is a basic necessity. Let us get serious, our potential is immeasurable.
SALER AMEERALI
Chaguanas
THE EDITOR: I write not to engage Lloyd Best in debate, but to help clear some of the misconceptions he may have cultivated in the minds of many in our society. I speak specifically with respect to comments he made about the weekly column the School of Education has been producing in one of our daily newspapers.
Mr. Best to my mind, because of his philosophical mindset, sees the world in a particular mould. For him our society is in need of radical change through draconian strategies. I certainly cannot disagree with such a focus. What concerns me, however, is his attempt to pass judgment on issues in a domain in which he is not necessarily versed. In our society, it is believed that anybody can teach or make pronouncements on education. This is why many may hold on to comments on education by Lloyd Best on Republic Day.
I submit that Mr. Best may be right if he is suggesting that our educators are not reading the implications of the turbulence in the global and local environment. However, I cannot condone his argument that articles of the School of Education are mediocre — especially when he may not be aware of the objectives of these articles. The main objective of the articles is to stimulate debate on educational issues among educators and responsible citizens like Lloyd Best. Indeed, Mr. Best has responded, but not in the way I consider desirable. Under no circumstances was the column intended to be revolutionary or earth shattering. I have good reason to believe that the column has been realising the objectives established by the School of Education. It is unfortunate that a man with the stature of Lloyd Best has failed to recognise this achievement.
RAYMOND S HACKETT
Curepe
CASTRIES: Chris Dehring, the man in charge of putting all plans in place for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies has a very stern warning for Caribbean countries that plan to bid to host the cricket matches: There are serious consequences for contractual failures.
“I don’t want to frighten people, but you need to understand what you are getting into. This is big business. There are very serious contractual arrangements and if you fall down on them, we fall down on them, the ICC falls down on them and the world of cricket could be in serious jeopardy,” Dehring declared at a Venue Summit in St Lucia. Dehring said the consequences for failing to meet contractual requirements could range from heavy lawsuits, massive financial losses and embarrassment to the region. According to the Barbados Nation, Dehring’s warning was spelled out to approximately 170 delegates from around the Caribbean who have assembled for a summit dealing with the competitive tendering process for venue selection.
While countries stood to profit from economic benefits and international exposure and governments could gain big political mileage, they needed to be careful when submitting bids to host matches and other events, Dehring explained. “The reality is that if you mess up, there are serious consequences to pay, financially, in terms of the exposure your country will get and the liability that you create,” Dehring said. Using the abandoned Test match in Jamaica five years ago as an example, Dehring warned: “That’s not going to happen in the World Cup. You have a situation where there is a bad pitch and there is a host of contractual obligations which are not being met, there will be a host of lawsuits that could seriously jeopardise the economic viability of countries.”
NORTH EAST STARS ended CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s 20-match unbeaten run yesterday, defeating the 2002 TT Pro League champs 2-0 at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground.
Ace striker Randolph Jerome and Kayode McKinnon were on target for the hosts, who inflicted on Jabloteh their first loss of the season.With Jabloteh’s setback, W Connection trimmed the lead to nine points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by South Starworld Strikers at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. National Under-23 captain Silvio Spann gave Connection a 36th minute lead before midfielder Marc Borde levelled the scores in the 69th.
Another shock result came at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima, with the “Stallions” Caledonia AIA breezing past Defence Force 3-1. On the stroke of halftime, Ryan Stewart gave the Stallions the lead, with forward Nigel Hart doubling the advantage in the 72nd. Abdullah Phillip put the match beyond the reach of the Army-Coast Guard combination in the 77th, even though captain Kurt Williams successfully converted a penalty for the Teteron lads five minutes from time. And Arima Fire also found themselves on the losing end, going under 2-1 to the “Eastern Lions” Joe Public at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. In front of a sprinkling of supporters, Fire’s striker Akiel Guevara saw his 40th minute rightfooter crash off the uprights, with Joe Public’s goalkeeper Kevin Graham scrambling to recover the ball before it crossed the line.
Joe Public’s midfielder Garvin McKenna was sent off by referee Ramesh Ramdhan in the 45th for a foul on Anthony Haynes. But the Lions struck first in the 56th, with a Seon Power penalty sending goalie Peter Ramon-Fortune the wrong way after Sean Christmas was brought down by Darryl James. Guevara netted Fire’s equaliser eight minutes later, powering his left-footed volley, from a Brent Antoine centre, past Graham, but Joe Public got the winner courtesy Andre Toussaint in the 74th, tapping home from six yards out after Ramon-Fortune failed to hold a right side centre from Sterling O’Brien.
Under-20 Results: SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (4) – Jerol Forbes 3, Wendell Joseph vs NORTH EAST STARS (0); ARIMA FIRE (3) – Darril Toussaint 3 vs JOE PUBLIC (2) – Odelle Armstrong, Ochieng Abosi; CALEDONIA AIA (5) – Ellis Dyette 2, Hyron Browne-Baptiste 2, Sterling Arjoon vs DEFENCE FORCE (4) – Keston Greene 2, Jhamal Simmons, Shanton Ollivierre; W CONNECTION (2) – Akil Pierre, Kyle Cupid vs STARWORLD STRIKERS (1).
EMILE ABRAHAM continued his solo act in local road cycling yesterday with another impressive ride to capture the first annual Mecalfab/Classic Caterers sponsored 80km race organised by Phillips Promotions.
The Angostura Trinbago Wheelers ace grabbed the $400 first prize with a sizzling burst of speed at the finish on the Foreshore, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain leaving second placed Guy Costa of Heatwave in hot pursuit. In third spot was David Als of Warriors followed to the line by Shane Ferreira and his Heatwave teammate Ako Kellar in fourth and fifth respectively. Gustavo Jacob of Southclaine emerged the winner of the Junior Category getting the better of Dariel Perreira of Mercury Rising who placed second and the fast improving Haseem McLean of Southlaine.
Champion veteran yesterday was Richard Ramchan of Warriors who held off Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna), second ahead of his clubmate Gregory D’Andrade. The event which started on the Foreshore and took the pack up to Waller field and back was contested in rainy weather which tested the abilities of the competitors on the slick asphalt. All eyes were on Abraham, recent winner of the gruelling Tobago International Classic stage race in mid September; and the Newsday Republic Day Challenge circuit event last Wednesday around King George V Park in Port-of Spain. However it was former national champion Clinton Grant and Darren Reid, an Australian riding for Heatwave who stole the early thunder dominating their rivals for close to 45 kilometres before being caught by Abraham, Costa, Als and company on the way back at D’Abadie.
Making an early impression was former national track champion Michael Phillips who captured the first prime as he withstood a strong challenge from Ferreira and Andrew Bally of Heatwave. Then Grant showed he is still a force to be reckoned with as he outsprinted the bunch to three primes, worth $200 each. Aussie Reid, whose wife works at the German Embassy in Port-of-Spain, also helped himself to a prime prize. At Morvant Flyover, heading into Port-of-Spain Abraham made his move flashing past his challengers to a prime award, on his way to another well-deserved victory.
NASSAU: Trinidad and Tobago were winners of two categories at the 2003 Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CACBBFF) competition on Saturday night.
Karen Walcott, third last year in the Medium Class, stepped up two places for gold, and Gillian Defreitas won the Tall Class after finishing second last year. The Bahamas secured eight championship titles en route to the overall crown. The Bahamas thrilled their home crowd at the Wyndham Nassau Resort as they ended with 188 points, to top former champions Barbados (129). Last year’s winners Venezuela placed third with 88 points, and Jamaica (49) finished fourth. Men’s heavyweight champion Joel Stubbs and Venezuela’s Yusmary Sosa snatched the overall titles to secure professional qualification.
Masters champions Ray Tucker (men) and Charmaine McNabb (women), the husband and wife team of Michelle Green and Aaron Green, Michelle Green in the women’s lightweight, men’s lightweight Brock Bridgewater, middleweight Jaye Darling, and light heavyweight Aaron Green, joined Stubbs as gold medallists for the Bahamians, who regained the title they lost last year to the Venezuelans. Barbados got titles through women’s middleweight Vicki Borman, and men’s welterweight Hoskin Worrell. Jamaica’s Valerie Bennett captured the Fitness Routine title. Venezuela’s Rosa Martinez won in the Short Class. Guyana’s Sylvan Gardner repeated as men’s bantamweight winner, while Venezuela’s Rixio Tapia retained the men’s light middleweight crown, and Marvin Nagelboem, of the Netherlands Antilles, won the men’s junior category.
KESEON THEODORE fired his 71st minute shot into the back of the net at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Tunapuna, yesterday.
And with it, Joe Public edged TSTT 1-0 to become the new holders of the Eastern Football Association FA Trophy. They captured the Lucky’s Bakery $10,000 prizemoney and 25 gold medals along with it.
VENTURES will oppose Malvern in a women’s fixture as the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) National Indoor tournament flicks off from 6.30 pm.
Defending men’s champions Paragon, featuring national players Wayne Legerton and Dillet Gilkes, will oppose Carib in the evening’s other encounter. The event, which is sponsored by Toyota, will comprise matches in the men’s, women’s and schools’ divisions at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Port-of-Spain. And matches will be contested every day from 6.30-11 pm on weekdays and from 4 pm on weekends. There will be no competition on Thursdays. Schools matches are being staged at 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays.
SPEEDY fillies Dottie’s Way and Dutchess Trembley torched Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning as trainers sharpened up their charges for Saturday’s Arima Race Club Day 30 nine-race programme.
This Kenny de Silva Jr-trained pair had early morning clockers looking at each other in disbelief as they zipped through 1000 metres, stopping the clock at 59.89 seconds. With this gallop under their girth, turfites are forewarned to keep them on right side. The roan grey Dutchess Trembley was a comfortable winner of a maiden event over 1350 metres last time out, and has gone on the right way. Unraced Rocket Booster showed some speed over 600 metres, completing the trip in 36.52 seconds, fastest for the morning. Red Hill was a shade slower over the same distance in 37.53 seconds, while Ruby Rich and Richie Rich stepped the trip in 37.96 seconds. The old Iron Horse, Chanticleer still seeking to achieve the $1 million mark, had an easy run over 400 metres clocked in 27.70 seconds. Millenium Reign and Fabulous Risk had the best gallop over 800 metres in a good 48.87 seconds. And Canaima and Golden Shufleur looked very lively over 1000 metres in 1:02.90 seconds. The Emperor, as Napoleon is called, was seen ambling over 1200 metres in 1:20.69 seconds.
Gallops recorded yesterday:
400 METRES – ALAMANAMOU – 26.21; CHANTICLEER – 27.70; CHIEF COMMANDER, JAVA TAKEOVER – 26.02; GETTESBURG 28.93; LITTLE MANIRAM – 24.29; SEAHAM HARBOUR, SOUL ASYLUM – 29.80; STORMING WIND – 25.67; UPSET ALL – 26.95; WINNING TRICK – 29.98; ULA – 29.21; ATICA – 29.91.
600 METRES – ANGELENO, RUNAWAY ROCKET, PRIVILEGE – 42.36; BANK ACCOUNT – 43.21; BONUS POINT – 42.10; FORTUNATE FLAG, FULL OF PROMISES – 36.31; FROMNOWUNTIL – 42.35; FINAL SET, HEARTS ON FIRE – 44.99; ISLE BE TRUE – 40.25; JOINT VENTURE – 42.73; KASER’S GOLD 41.50; YAA ASANTEWAA, ZALYAN 36.2; MILLENIUM DANCER – 35.80; RED HILL – 37.53; RUBY RICH, RICHIE RICH 37.96; ROCKET BOOSTER – 36.52; SEA SPIDER – 38.92; SUNSHINE BUNNY – 43.25; TORA BORA – 41.66; TWICE THE JET – 44.90; UNDERDINFLUENCE – 38.46; DANCES WITH CLAN – 40.52.
800 METRES – ATLANTIC BREEZE – 57.28; BLONDIE – 49.4; CLASSY KIM – 58.70; FIRST TIME -53.41; HATRICK – 55.41; LIVING IN HOPE – 55.10; MILLENIUM REIGN, FABULOUS RISK – 48.87; MUCHO TEMPO – 49.42; OUTSWINGER 51.80; PHANTOM MENACE – 59.90; PYRITE TALE – 51.32; RING DANG DO – 50.02; SURE HONEY – 58.63; TRIBAL PLACE – 51.67; SMART AND LUCKY 54.40
1000 METRES – BOUND TO DOT COM, FRESH MANDATE – 1:05.95; CANAIMA, GOLDEN SHUFLEUR – 1:02.90; CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 1:12.72; COLD RISK – 1:06.60; DOTTIE’S WAY, DUTCHESS TREMBLEY – 59.8; FINEST GEM – 1:05.41; MIR ON FIRE – 1:08.29; SHEAR MAGIC – 1:07.87; SPLITTING IMAGE – 1:06.06;
1200 METRES – NAPOLEON – 1:20.69;
1400 METRES – FRUITION – 1:42.99.
Nadiege Honore of Starlings has scored big to place third among the leading blockers at the just-concluded NORCECA Women Championships in the Dominican Republic.
Honore was following up on her outstanding performances for TT’s junior team, who retained the CAZOVA Junior title in Martinique. In her first senior outing, the 17-year-old Honore proved to be a tower of strength in the frontline as she effected six blocks and 13 rebounds out of 26 attempts. This gave her an overall 0.67 percentage, which was third to United States captain Danielle Scott with an overall average of 0.79; and Dominican Republic’s star Annerys Valdez Vargas who had an overall 0.68. Scott, 31, who has made 253 international appearances for the four-time NORCECA champions team (USA) had 11 blocks and 23 rebounds from 56 attempts while Vargas stopped 13 shots and 27 rebounds off 59 attempts.
Honore also produced better overall results than America’s two power blockers Prikeba Phipps (97 national senior outings) and Logan Tom (103 national appearances). The 34-year-old Phipps registered eight blocks and ten rebounds off 28 attempts for an average of 0.57; while 22-year-old Logan pushed down seven blocks and 13 rebounds off 24 attempts for an average of 0.50. Phipps and Scott also excelled as spikers and finished one-two among the leading hitters. TT’s captain Aisha Sealy finished fourth among the leading setters. She had only ten faults out of 187 attempts and made 32 running sets plus 145 still sets for an overall 3.56 average per set. Among the libero players, TT’s Jenna Ferguson was sixth with 11 successful digs and 11 good receptions from 42 attempts for an overall 1.33 per set.
America’s Amy Tutt who finished fifth, but shared the same 1.33 overall average with TT’s Ferguson was voted “Best Digger.” However, the tournament’s “Most Valuable Player” award went to Cuba’s Yumillka Luaces Ruiz who placed third overall among the leading scorers with 63 points (52 spikes, seven blocks, four service aces). TT’s KellyAnn Billingy placed 18th overall on the points list with 41 (39 spikes, two blocks) while Honore was 44th with 10 points (Two spikes, six blocks, two aces) and Karina Moore 48th with six points (four spikes, one block, one ace). The USA team retained the team’s gold medal by defeating Cuba in the final by a 3-0 margin. TT, the late replacement for CAZOVA’s champion Barbados, with their youthful team made a good impression but had to settle for seventh position.
