A 29-year-old man who was wanted for shooting a Freeport man on August 9 walked into the Chaguanas Police Station yesterday and surrendered to police officers.
The man, who is the relative of a senior police officer, was interviewed and later charged with attempted murder. Reports revealed that on August 9, Devanand Sookdeo, 35, was at Derrick Road, Chase Village, when he was called out of an apartment by a man known to him. Reports revealed that an argument ensued and Sookdeo was shot three times about the body. He was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated and warded. A warrant was issued for the suspect but despite several attempts by the police to arrest him, they were unsuccessful. The charge against the man was laid by PC Figaro.
KENNETH Cuffy, 32, appeared before a San Fernando magistrate on Wednesday on six firearm-related charges.
The six charges include possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of ammunition to endanger life, possession of a firearm to endanger life and two counts of shooting at two police officers with intent to endanger their lives. The indictable charges were allegedly committed during an incident at St John’s, South Oropouche on Monday when a car crashed into a house, following which, police reportedly engaged a group of men in a gun-battle. Cuffy, who recieved a gunshot wound, appeared before Magistrate Sonia Aleong, who transferred the case to the Siparia Magistrates’ Court. The case was adjourned to Monday.
NEW YORK: A stylist whose clients included Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Tyra Banks and Queen Latifah, was sentenced to three years in prison for pawning more than $1 million in jewelry he borrowed from Harry Winston, Piaget and other stores.
Derek Khan, 45, was sentenced on Wednesday by Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Micki Scherer on his guilty plea to scheme to defraud. When arrested on March 5, Khan was charged with first-degree grand larceny and faced up to 25 years in prison. Khan was arrested after he failed to return jewelry worth “in excess of $1 million” that he had borrowed from last November through February “for exhibition, advertisement and marketing purposes,” a felony complaint said. Khan’s lawyer, Martin Schmukler, said the borrowed pieces included watches, rings, pendants and necklaces. Schmukler said Khan was paid “in the low six figures” when he hocked the jewelry. The lawyer said Khan had helped police get some of the pieces back. Khan, a native of Trinidad, had nothing to say when the judge gave him a chance to speak, but outside court before sentencing he said: “The worst part is disappointing people who have trusted me.” Besides Combs, Banks and Latifah, Khan said, his clients included Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Carlos Santana and Aretha Franklin. He will be eligible for parole after 18 months.
THE SPECTACLE of primary and secondary schools reopening after the long vacation without students having the prescribed text books is a most unsatisfactory one. On the face of it, it seems to indicate a lack of proper planning and sense of urgency since there was more than ample time to order the books from the publishers and have them delivered here before the beginning of the school term. This apparently was not done and we now have a confusing situation where some schools have received books for some subjects while many others have begun the new term without the necessary texts.
The books which are to be used in the areas of reading, mathematics, language arts and science are yet to be delivered to schools, principals reported. Checks by Newsday yesterday confirmed that primary schools in Port-of-Spain and along the East-West Corridor have not yet received their books, although the Principal of Curepe Presbyterian Samuel Bejai said, “we are not making that a problem.” In our view, however, it is a problem since many schools will be taking a much longer time to settle down and get started on the curriculum. Also, we find excuses given for this delay in providing the books unacceptable. An official at the Ministry told Newsday that the ship bringing in the science books for standard one and infants was “a little late,” but that the vessel should be here in time to permit delivery by the end of this week. Also, communications specialist at the Education Ministry Mervyn Critchlow explained that the Ministry was not the one responsible for delivering the books to primary schools — that was the duty of publishers and booksellers. But this excuse appears to be an attempt to shift the blame since the responsibility of providing the books to the schools is the Ministry’s and there should have been a more effective collaboration between the two parties.
One bookseller, contracted to provide the science textbook, admitted that the books were not available in time for the opening because of “late ordering” but assured that they would be in the country by yesterday. Late ordering? Why? Didn’t they know when the new term was due to begin? We appreciate that the Ministry is undertaking a new system of providing books for pupils and students of primary and secondary schools with the aim of relieving parents of that burden which, at the higher level, could be quite expensive. But this has not been a hastily devised plan, it was worked out in detail after it was decided to change the $1,000 book grant cheque to an ABM card which would ensure that parents use the money to obtain the necessary books rather than spend it on other things. The card is to be given to parents of students in forms three, four and lower six; a textbook loan programme has been organised to assist students in forms one and two while textbooks would be provided for all pupils in primary schools. As far as the cards are concerned, we understand one of the problems has been caused by parents who have not applied for them. Why this level of non-compliance? When cheques were being given in the previous year, the big concern among parents was when would they be collecting the money. Cards? Well… How well these three textbook support programmes will work is left to be seen; we can only hope they would be more successful than the effort to get them in place on time.
It beats me that after so many years of handing out National Awards on Independence Day we still have the spectacle of our Presidents fumbling embarrassingly to pin a ribbon/medal on the recipients.
It was a task in the days of Sir Ellis Clarke who, over the years developed his own deft way of doing the job. It was equally awkward for President Noor Hassanali who tried to be as calm as possible, and to keep his hand steady and not too close for comfort. It was a real disaster for President Raymond Robinson with his sight problems. He struggled as the audience watched, silently willing him to get on with it. Now I have never attended one of these ceremonies in the grand and gloriously decorated ballroom of President’s House. I watch it on television so I see very close up what is taking place and I keep wishing it could be better. At last Sunday’s ceremony I thought things would be different with the new President Max Richards, who as far as I am aware has no eye problems and whose carnival background gives him the facility of easy movement. Yet the fumbling continued. Why? Is it that the pins on the medal ribbons are so dull that they can’t penetrate the fabric people wear? This may in some cases be true and on Sunday it was particularly the case with the heavy brocade or some such fabric that bedecked Ms Joy Caesar when she went up to receive the Chaconia Medal Gold. But President Richards also had difficulty inserting the medal in the button hole of jackets worn by men.
In this day and age has no one at President’s House heard of velcro? Why do they not use it? In a flash it could be attached to the recipient’s clothing and we would be spared (especially television viewers) watching our President fumbling to pin a medal on someone particularly when care has to be exercised not to “stick” a busty lady. Let’s move on and do something practical for heaven’s sake. And while on the topic when will the Aide-de-Camp learn to pronounce the word “sphere?” Everyone receiving an award gets it in the “sphere” of one endeavour or service to country. But over and over again we heard the announcement that Mr and Ms So and So was honoured for service in the “spear” of community service, sport or gallantry. Well, a recipient might have had to use a spear to rescue someone but that is certainly not the intention of the award and I do not recall reading of anyone who ever used a spear to save someone from drowning or rescue someone from a fire. Perhaps Undine Giuseppi could explain the pronunciation of “sphere” and “spear.” From my school days I distinctly remember that in pronouncing sphere you had to pronounce the “h”. In short, the “h” was far from silent. Incidentally talking about “spheres” — this time the sphere of influence — something is going on, the significance of which escapes me. Over the Independence weekend Dr Ralph Gonzalves, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines was in Trinidad — again. Now he is a jolly, likeable fellow but is he not spending more time here than in St Vincent? Every time you turn around his picture is either in the newspapers or his face is beaming at you from the television screen lecturing to all sorts of people on all sorts of occasions and about all sorts of subjects. Is it my imagination? Is Mr Manning paying attention? Is Dr Gonzalves applying for TT citizenship? What’s up Ralphie?
jstarr@newsday.co.tt
The inaugural Angostura limited-overs cricket classic will be staged this weekend at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Village, Couva.
It is a series of three one-day matches between North and South teams involving 35 players called to trials for the upcoming regional Red Stripe Bowl competition. This was revealed yesterday by Alloy Lequay, president and chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB). The teams will be vying for a trophy in addition to prize money. The organisers hope that the one-dayers will assume the importance given to the Pizza Hut Gerry Gomez Classic , the annual curtain-raiser of the new cricket season. The first two 50-over matches in the Angostura series will be played this weekend at the NCC, to be followed by the third and final next Saturday. Giselle Laronde-West and Brenda Awai, representing the sponsors Angostura will meet the players before the start of the match on Saturday. The matches are all carded to get on the way at 9.30 am. Meanwhile Lequay, second vice-president of the TTCB, Dudnath Ramkeesoon, national coaching director Baldath Mahabir and senior team manager Omar Khan were to meet last night at the NCC to finalise details of the tournament. The national selectors comprising Anthony Gray, Ian Bishop, Roland Sampath and Ramkeessoon will release the teams soon.
First Citizens Bank Clarke Road United Cricket Club completed a competitive tour of Canada last week winning their six matches.
The Carib Sunday League champions started off with a victory against Overseas by seven wickets on their arrival. Overseas, batting first made 164 all out in 45 overs. Captain of the team, Canadian opener Ishwar Maraj, who ironically played with Clarke Road as a youngster, scored 51. The best of the Clarke Road bowlers were Mahadeo Moonesar (three for 24) and Mukesh Persad (two for 24). Clarke Road made light work of the target, getting there in just 28 overs. Leading the way was Trinidad and Tobago middle order batsman Gregory Mahabir with 37. Kenton Thompson scored an unbeaten 32 and was named “Man of the Match.”
In their second encounter, against Malton Cricket Club, Clarke Road registered a another seven-wicket win. Malton took first strike and made 154 all out in 37 overs. Persad was the top bowler with four for 12. Clarke Road then led by Mahabir’s unbeaten 67 and 41 from Ryerson Bhagoo got home at 156 for three wickets in 25 overs. The “Greenbacks” did even better in their third fixture, winning by eight wickets with Mahabir again getting the top-score of 52 before retiring. Bhagoo again contributed a useful 48, as Clarke Road made 172 for two wickets in reply to Toronto Cricket Club’s 170 all out. Match number four against Ajax was again dominated by the Trinidadians, as they won by seven wickets. Ajax batting first got 191 for eight in 40 overs with Thompson taking four for 43. Alan Mahabir, with an unbeaten 64, and Thompson (41) then took their team home at 192 for three in 34 overs.
In their penultimate match against Cavaliers, Clarke Road had to fight for their win eventually winning by 56 runs. Cavaliers made 205 for nine in 45 overs with Guyanese Damodar Dasrath getting 61. Gregory Mahabir was again among the runs with 39. Cavaliers spurred by Fazil Sattaur (55) reached 153 all out. Alan Mahabir, bowling off-spin, took three for 11. Their final match against Vampire Ontario was dominated by Thompson who scored 59 to lead Clarke Road to a four-wicket win. Thompson finished the tour with 174 runs and 11 wickets, while Gregory Mahabir scored the most runs — 199. Mukesh Persad finished with 11 wickets. President of the club Baldath Mahabir said he was very pleased with the results. “We are very happy with the performance of the team in Canada. The boys did very well and I think it was great for their development. Being away from home the boys would have bonded more and this would help with their team spirit in their future matches. “The opposition was not completely competitive. On average there were about five good players in each team.”
Paradigm Cricket Club defeated Runnin Rebels by eight wickets in the latest round of matches in the Sunshine Frosted Flakes/NSL windball cricket league last weekend.
Runnin Rebels were restricted to a score of 69 from their allotted 25 overs and Paradigm of St James then raced to victory at 71 for two — winning the clash by eight wickets. In a major upset, last year’s champions San Juan Sports were sent packing at the quarter-final stage of the premier league, by Flames of Piarco. San Juan Sports were routed for 58 with only skipper Dave Baboolal (12) getting into double figures. Flames then scraped home at 59 for eight to clinch victory. In the eastern derby, Furniture Boys were humbled for just 33 runs and close rivals Blockmasters got victory at 39 without loss.
SUNSHINE FROSTED FLAKES WINDBALL CRICKET SCORES
San Juan Sports 58 lost to Flames 59/8 (A Dattoo) — By 2 wkts.
Grand Slam 84/9 (H Ganga 21n.o.) lost to Ramsingh Savi 85/7 — By 3 wkts.
Avenue Boys 54/9 (G Pascal 3/29) lost to Anything Goes 55/6 (C Williams 3/22) — By 4 wkts.
Furniture Boys 33 (C Charles 3/7) lost to Blockmasters 39/0 — By 10 wkts.
Scrapers 63 (N Krishna 18, K Daniel 3/15) def Bustin Loose 66/3 (S Edmond 24 n.o.) — By 7 wkts.
Runnin Rebels 69 (P Pedro 19, K Ramdhanie 4/8) lost to Paradigm 71/2 (F Hosein 21 n.o.) — By 8 wkts.
New Recruits 53/8 lost to Ramsingh Savi 54/0 – By 10 wkts.
Grand Slam 173/9 (H Ganga 39) def Retrench Utd 117 — By 56 runs.
New Generation 50 lost to Ramsingh Savi 51/3 — By 7 wkts.
Old Road Sports 89/9 (A Marcus 22, D Choon 3/11) def Ramsingh Savi 39 — By 51 runs.
Ladies
Flames 46 (S Ramlogan 16 n.o.) lost to Slammers 47/4 (P Collymore 15 n.o., Shakila Ramlogan 4/16) —- By 6 wkts.
Rebirth 60 (J Alfred 18) def Burning Flames 51 — By 9 runs.
Juniors 119/9 (Cheryl Balkaran 36) def Flames 114/8 (Shakila Ramlogan 29) —- By 5 runs.
Trinidad and Tobago Project Strong, a rehabilitation programme which seeks to empower young felons to make positive life changes through sport will be launched on Monday at Petrotrin’s Conference Centre in Point-a-Pierre.
The project has been initiated as a means of dealing with the increasing rate of criminal activity among young people in Trinidad and Tobago. The strategy is to focus on and proactively deal with issues affecting the country’s youngsters. The programme will be officially launched next Friday from 5 pm. Programme co-ordinator is Thao Nguyen and expected at the opening are the target group of youngsters, their parents, sponsors, stakeholders in the effort and representatives of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs. Project Strong is a partnership between the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education and the Probation Department of Trinidad and Tobago.
World junior champion and record holder Darrel Brown has been forced to abort part of his programme towards preparing for the 2004 Olympics 100-metre showdown in Athens.
His absence because of injury from the international track will also cost him close to a million dollars in appearance fees and prize money. The 18-year-old Trinidadian established himself as the second fastest man on the planet by virtue of his silver medal performance at the just-concluded World Track and Field Championships held at the Stade de France, Paris. Brown earned silver in the short sprint, fractionally edged out by Kittitian Commonwealth champion Kim Collins who clocked 10.07. Brown was timed at 10.08. However, Brown clocked the fastest time among all the senior world-rated sprinters when he won his quarterfinal race in 10.01 secs which gave him the new world record among all-time junior sprinters. During the showpiece 100-metre final, (August 25), he experienced a severe twinge in the upper right thigh muscle but still pushed through to place second among the world’s elite senior sprinters.
Not one to bask too much in the glory of these achievements, Brown accepted his place among the world’s best but cannot now continue racing until he fully recovers from this latest setback. He returned home on Monday evening and was greeted by the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes, Trinidad and Tobago Olympics Committee vice-president Larry Romany and Treasurer Brian Lewis. David Prime, his former El Dorado Senior Comprehensive coach, and his wife as well as Chevon Simpson, a member of the 2002 Carifta Games and Pan-Am Juniors relay teams, were also at the airport to offer their congratulations. During the welcome reception hosted at the Millennium Airport’s VIP Lounge, Brown disclosed that he would not be racing for the rest of the year. “I told my agent that I am finished for the year. I will not be competing at any of the international races for the rest of the season,” Brown said. He explained that the injury was sustained mid-way during the 100-metre final but continued racing beyond the finish line. “Halfway during the final, I felt the twinge in the thigh muscle, the upper part. But I could not stop there. I had to finish the race,” he said.
In Paris, Brown received acupuncture treatment and was due to travel to Germany for further medical assistance. But after discussion with his parents, Winston Brown (father and manager) and Marilyn Jack Brown (mother) who were in Paris, it was agreed that he return home. His silver medal was left with his parents who are due to return shortly. Because of his injury, TT’s 4X100 metre relay team’s chances of getting another medal vanished as the quartet of Marc Burns, Ato Boldon, Jacy Harper and Nicconor Alexander was eliminated at the quarterfinal stages. With Brown as the main anchor at the World Championships in Edmonton in 2001 and the 2003 Pan-American Games, TT collected bronze in Canada and silver in the Dominican Republic. Brown, who attends the Southern Junior College at Auburn University, is expected to resume classes in another three weeks after getting the required treatment to his affected hamstring muscle. The new world junior record-holder misses out competing at top athletics meets in Europe. And because of his current position as the world’s senior silver-medallist, he would have earned beyond US $20,000 in appearance fees only at each meet.
