CLUB SANDO, who staged a 3-0 upset of the previously-unbeaten Maraval Youth Academy last Wednesday, will look to thwart the title aspirations of WASA Clean and White in today’s round of matches in the All Sport National Super League.
WASA have a one-point lead over the Maraval squad, who have a match in hand, and need a win in their final group clash at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, from 6 pm to remain with an outstanding chance of pocketing the $25,000 bounty. The Maraval outfit can do themselves a world of good if they can defeat Caroni at Gilbert Park, Couva, from 4 pm, with the knowledge that another loss can virtually eliminate them from contention for the top prize. Another team in the hunt, Police, can stay within touching distance with full points against the wretched Tamana United Skinner Park, San Fernando from 6 pm while, at 4 pm, the resurgent Crab Connection will oppose the cellar-placed TCL Samba Boys at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. The day’s other fixture will be staged at Shaw Park, Scarborough, with Bi Water Stokely Vale welcoming Mayaro Spurs at 7 pm.
Current Standings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
WASA C & W |
9 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
27 |
21 |
18 |
Maraval Y/Aca |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
11 |
17 |
Police |
8 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
31 |
10 |
16 |
Crab Connection |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
30 |
13 |
16 |
Club Sando |
8 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
10 |
15 |
Stokely Vale |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
16 |
9 |
14 |
Defence Force |
8 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
19 |
18 |
9 |
Caroni |
7 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
19 |
23 |
9 |
Mayaro Spurs |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
8 |
27 |
3 |
Tamana United |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
22 |
0 |
TCL Samba Boys |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
21 |
0 |
LEAGUE leaders TIAHCO Stingrays will seek their 10th win in a row as the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Football Asso-ciation (TTWFA) 2003 season continues.
Stingrays have been inactive for the past two weeks, as Arima Ball Masters and St David’s United defaulted their scheduled encounters against the table-toppers. The Cocorite-based team will travel to the Southern coastline to meet Moruga at Otis Memorial Park, Grand Chemin and, with victory today, can extend their lead over Jane Public to nine points. Pro Sports Central United have not been at their best this season, but they can jump to fifth on the table with full points against the struggling St David’s at Enterprise. Two matches are billed to take place tomorrow, with Petrotrin hosting Real Dimension at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre while Memphis oppose Port-of-Spain Net Shakers at the Arima Municipal Stadium. All matches kick off at 3.30 pm. And, in related news, Ball Masters got their first points of the season with a 3-0 default victory over Diego Martin Copius. Both teams were expected to meet at Arima today but, with Diego Martin withdrawing from the league, Ball Masters and Jane Public, who each had outstanding matches against Copius, will each pick up three points.
MUMBAI: The number of teams taking part in the next Cricket World Cup in 2007 is to be increased to 16.
The International Cricket Council have decided to add two extra teams but will cut the overall length of the tournament by almost two weeks. There will be four first round groups, with the top two from each progressing to a new “Super 8” second round format. The next World Cup is due to be staged in the West Indies, although some matches could take place in the USA. The proposal was agreed by the ICC Cricket Committee-Manage-ment at a meeting in India and will now be forwarded to the Executive Board for final approval. Explaining the increased number of teams, president Ehsan Mani said: “It’s a globalisation of the sport. Despite the addition of two teams, the tournament will only last 40 days — reducing it by 13 days “An impressive performance by associate members has prompted us to include more teams. “This will not dilute the competitive edge as is being feared. In the last World Cup, teams like Kenya, Canada and Namibia put up good displays,”
The ICC is also considering the introduction of a biennial Super Series which would involve the top ranked Test and one-day teams. It would feature one five-day match three One-Day Internationals against a Rest of the World XI. If it took place now, Australia would be involved in every match as they are the top ranked Test and one-day team. But an ICC statement said 2005 was the earliest date for the inaugural matches, with South Africa the most likely hosts. The ICC already stage the Champions Trophy one-day tournament on a biennial basis, the next in England next summer. And fitting in a Super Series when there are already concerns about the amount of international cricket might prove difficult. “There remains much work to be done to see if this idea can become a reality,” said chief executive Malcolm Speed. “At this stage we are continuing to look at the considerable financial, planning and logistical issues that go along with such an event to see if is practical.” Rest of the World sides played Tests in England and Australia in the early 1970s and took part in a Princess Diana memorial match at Lord’s five years ago.
BOMBAY: The International Cricket Council (ICC) have decided to shorten their review process for suspect bowling action, the world body an-nounced yesterday.
Currently, any player reported for “chucking” is put through two stages of corrective steps. The first involves working with his national board and, if the problem persists, with a bowling review group of the ICC.
But chief executive Malcolm Speed said the ICC planned to do away with the first stage to simplify the process following a suggestion by India’s Sunil Gavaskar, who heads their playing committee. “We can then take action as soon as possible and also the players can go back to play early,” he said. A final decision is expected at a meeting of the playing committee next year.
“It is a complex issue, made more complex by the advent of sport science and the fact that we have very high quality slow-motion replays of bowlers’ actions,” he told reporters. “The committee felt the interests of players, both bowlers and batsmen, are a bit strained by the two-stage process.” The subject came under the spotlight again in May after West Indian Jermaine Lawson was reported for a suspect bowling action. Australian Brett Lee and Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar are other leading fast bowlers to have their actions queried since the throwing controversy was revived in 1995 with the no-balling of Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
ERIC MURPHY of the United States used his speed to take the individual time trial yesterday and, with it, the overall lead in the Tobago Cycling Classic.
But yesterday’s proceedings were cut short when organisers were forced to abandon the third stage, which was sponsored by Beacon Insurance, due to heavy traffic conditions in downtown Scarborough. After seven out of 20 laps were completed in the 140-kilometre race, which revolved around the Scarborough and Milford districts, the stage was declared null and void as the congestion along Milford and Wilson Roads posed a danger for the pedallists. The time trial, sponsored by Newsday, went without a hitch yesterday morning with Murphy finishing the course, which began at John Dial Hill, continuing on the Claude Noel Highway, Shirvan Road, Buccoo and ending at Mt Irvine, in 22 minutes 1.99 seconds. Murphy’s compatriot Hugh Morgan, who is also wearing the colours of Team Toshiba, followed in 22 minutes 19.02 seconds, ahead of team-mates Jason Sager 22 minutes 22.68 seconds, Emile Abraham — vying for his third straight title — 22 minutes 30.89 seconds and Willem Verhaert of Belgium 22 minutes 40.63 seconds.
Murphy hold a slim lead in the overall standings — three hours 32 minutes 58.88 seconds to Morgan’s three hours 33 minutes 15.91 seconds, with Joe Giuliano of Canadian team Midweek Cycle Club third in 3:33.20.28. Austrian Harald Berger is a minute behind (3:34.20.02) while overnight leader Frank Travieso of Toshiba fifth, 20 seconds adrift. Abraham have a lot of ground to catch up, as he will begin today’s fourth stage in ninth spot with an overall clocking of 3 hours 35 minutes 51.50 seconds, with countryman Stephan Mangroo 11th (3:37.30.19) and Guy Costa 18th (3:40.11.63). Today’s stage, sponsored by Vita Malt, will call for endurance over the hills with seven laps from Crown Point to Bacolet and back, covering 150 kilometres. Starting time is 8 am.
Results: Time Trial — 1. Eric Murphy 22 mins 1.99 sec; 2. Hugh Morgan 22 mins 19.02 sec; 3. Jason Sager 22 mins 22.68 sec; 4. Emile Abraham 22 mins 30.89 sec; 5. Willem Verhaert 22 mins 40.63 sec; Overall — 1. Murphy 3 hrs 32 mins 58.88 sec; 2. Morgan 3 hrs 33 mins 15.91 sec; 3. Joe Giuliano 3 hrs 33 mins 20.28 sec; 4. Harald Berger 3 hrs 34 mins 20.02 sec; 5. Frank Travieso 3 hrs 34 min 23.2 sec.
Santo domingo: World number two the United States of America and arch-rivals Cuba have booked their places in the FIVB World Volleyball Champion-ships to be held in Japan from November 1 to 15.
The perennial battlers for the region’s top prize are at it again following their semi-final victories on Thursday night at the Pabellon de Voleibol, Olympic Park, Santo Domingo. The Americans are the defending champions and they hold three NORCECA senior women’s titles (1981, 1983 and 2001) while the Cubans reigned supreme on 12 occasions since the competition started 34 years ago. Mexico is the only other team to have had the honour of lifting the coveted trophy. They did it back to back in 1969 and 1971 while the Americans, although with three liens, have proven their top standing with nine runners-up position to the Cubans.
The volleyball powerhouses will be engaged in a torrid showdown for bragging rights and should treat the ardent Dominican Republic fans with the highest level of attacking play in the grand finale. The Americans displayed their awesome powers and were led by their star player Logan Tom as they dispatched their northerly neighbours Canada in comfortable fashion, winning in three straight sets in their semi-final encounter 25-16, 25-19, 25-16. The Cubans gave everything to finally overpower the hosts and reigning Pan-American champions Domi-nican Republic.
The Cubans won 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 20-25,15-11 memorable victory, which not only guaranteed them a place in the gold medal match but also one of the two qualifying berths to the World’s Women Volleyball Championships in Japan. Aisha Sealy and her youthful Trinidad and Tobago team finished seventh in their first outing at the NORCECA senior level. With nine players who are members of the victorious Junior Championship team, Sealy and her girls would be strengthened by the exposure against the best seniors in the Western Hemisphere. Next year, they will be vying for top honours in the NORCECA Juniors, which is scheduled for July in Montreal, Canada.
ANGOSTURA completed a second half revival with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over CLICO at Squadron Grounds, Arouca, when the 2003 CL Financial Football League continued.
The Laventille boys trailed 2-0 at the half, but dug deep in their reserves, rallying for the win which propelled them to the top of the table. A defensive error gifted CLICO their first goal after a minute of play, converted by Ryan Subrath while Michael Patron doubled the lead for the insurance squad. The Angostura team benefitted from a goalkeeping lapse to narrow the deficit, with the ball rolling under the body of Kerry Monroe leaving Luke Alexander with the simple task of tapping into the open net. Angostura’s hopes of victory improved with three minutes remaining when Garnet Glasgow sped past three defenders and shot home past ’keeper Monroe. And their win was sealed in the dying stages when Stefan Monteil powered a 30-yard shot past the despairing dive of Monroe.
THE KIDNAPPERS of businesswoman Tricia Suryadevera have refused to lower their $2 million ransom demand despite sorrowful pleas by her father.
Police sources said businessman Teeluck Shirkissoon spoke with the kidnappers who called on Thursday night, to enquire about the ransom. However, Shirkissoon told them he was not able to raise the money and begged them to lower the amount. But they refused. Sources said the kidnappers then hung up. Shirkissoon was not allowed to speak with 26-year-old Suryadevera who had been dragged out of her businessplace by three gunmen and bundled into a car. The car then sped off. The incident occurred around 9 am on Monday morning at Trinket Ltd, High Street, Princes Town. The kidnappers had called once on Monday and called again on Thursday night. Relatives have not been allowed to speak with the young woman since she was abducted. Concerned relatives and friends gather at Shirkissoon’s home everyday to lend support to the family, and pray for her safe return. ASP Henry Millington of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad is spearheading investigations.
Four days after Chief Justice Sat Sharma called for better terms and conditions for state attorneys and likened them to that of a batsman using coconut bats to play on a Lord’s wicket, State Prosecutors staged a sickout yesterday.
Their action brought a halt to proceedings in the Criminal Courts at the Port-of-Spain Hall of Justice. The only criminal court functioning was the Second Court where Dhanraj Singh’s murder trial was taking place. The action was a move by prosecutors to highlight afresh the unacceptable conditions under which they work. They received the support of the Council of the Law Association who also issued a statement yesterday. The Law Association statement was signed by its President Karl Hudson-Phillip QC who referred to the recent improvement in the terms and conditions of employment of public sector doctors which sought to bring their salaries in line with private doctors. The Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson yesterday was not in a position to comment on his staff’s action.
On Monday, when court resumes, it is not certain whether attorneys will continue with their sickout. The attorneys are protesting the poor remuneration, terms and condition of their employment. They are also calling for remuneration commensurate with the jobs they do so as to curtail the exodus of prosecutors and retain those who wish to make the DPP’s department their career. The protesting attorneys explained that the DPP’s department is operated by 34 attorneys who prosecute daily in over 40 Magistrates’ Court and as many as nine High Courts and two Courts of Appeal. During the 2003-2004 Law Term, nine High Court prosecutors are expected to deal with over 300 pending matters in the Assizes.
Despite this onerous workload, attorneys in the DPP’s office said they have been performing their duties with courage, dedication and skill. “Experience shows that experience alone does not achieve desired results. Rather, State attorneys have demonstrated competence, preparedness and acuteness in meeting every legal challenge.” In a statement, attorneys pointed out that in their department, there is a bottleneck at the lower ranks and vacancies at the top. This is so, they said, because many attorneys do not have the requisite number of years’ service to be promoted although they may do the work of persons in those positions. It added that senior practitioners in private practice are not applying for those vacant positions because of the poor remuneration, terms and conditions of employment
Further, attorneys expressed the view that Cabinet appears to be in no haste to increase the number of substantive posts. They also argued that given the increase in crime and the growing sophistication of criminal activity, “We call for adequate resources to be allocated to this department to enhance our role.” They said they support the plans to establish specialised units, such as a financial investigation unit, and to staff the Magistrates’ Court with State attorneys to replace police prosecutors so as to keep the investigative and prosecutorial arms separate. “In that light, it becomes even more urgent for the office of the DPP to be given the respect and the resources it deserves.”
WHETHER the Chief Justice interfaces with the Attorney General or the Prime Minister, some interfacing with “politicians” is unavoidable.
According to Karl Hudson-Phillip QC, President of the Law Association, there is the need to have persons of integrity, balance and fairness holding the relevant offices. The association issued a statement yesterday following a meeting of the Council on Wednesday to discuss the address of Chief Justice Sat Sharma at the ceremonial opening of the 2003-2004 law term earlier this week. Hudson-Phillip said the Council took note of the comments of the Chief Justice concerning the relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive. “It continues to endorse the absolute requirement for total independence in the discharge of its role as the arbiter between citizens and citizens and between citizens and the State.” Hudson-Phillip, who is an ICC judge, said the Council has been aware for some time of the possibility of Government denying funds to a Judiciary with the intention of making the judges more pliant to the will of the Executive. He assured the Chief Justice that if ever such a situation arose, the association would be most vocal in support of the independence of the Judiciary.
Hudson-Phillip pointed out that in the past three years, two eminent jurists — Lord Mac Kay and Justice Telford George — expressed differing views as to how the administrative arrangements between the Judiciary and the Executive should be structured. The association’s president noted that the relationship with the Executive and the Judiciary was arranged in different ways in different countries. In some countries, the appointment of judges is subject to either direct election or parliamentary approval. He said that in Trinidad and Tobago, judges are appointed by an independent commission while the Attorney General “argues” the case of the Judiciary in Cabinet and answers questions on its behalf in Parliament. “The Council regrets any impression that because an Attorney General is a political appointee, for that reason he or she is incapable in some way of faithfully representing the views of the Judiciary to the Cabinet.”
On the issue of the appointment of Senior Counsel or “silk,” Hudson-Phillip feels that the association must have greater involvement in the process and regretted the statement that the conferring of Senior Counsel status was “a licence to print money.” The association’s president hopes that the Attorney General will continue to consult with the Chief Justice, and through him, all the judges. He also hopes that the Attorney General will consult with the association and that the independence of the legal profession will be respected and maintained. Hudson-Phillip said Wednesday’s meeting endorsed all initiatives by the Chief Justice to strengthen the administration of justice and in particular, the administration of criminal justice.
