TRINIDAD and Tobago under-16 rugby lads returned home last night with the Caribbean Rugby Championship title. The youngsters won the West Indies Rugby Union crown on their fourth attempt at the championships contested in neighbouring, Goergetown, Guyana. First the Trinidadian lads blanked Jamaica 29-0, then whipped Barbados 22-5 but were held 12-12 by hosts Guyana. The national squad was coached by Sean O’Farrell, while Karl Machette was the manager.
DESMOND MOHAMMED topped off a great season with St Mary’s Superstars Cricket Club in the South East Zone, by being named Cricketer of the Year at his team’s prize distribution ceremony at Moruga. Mohammed scored 530 runs and took 47 wickets during the 2003 season received the top award on Saturday last. He was the only player to score a century for his club, during the season getting 105 against Blended. Other Cricketers of the Year were captain Zahid Bassarath, Rasheed Mohammed, Randy Singh and Seukumar Seepersad. Mohammed (R) had the best batting average of 33.80 runs per innings, while Seepersad was the top bowler with 34 wickets at 11.90 apiece.
Youth Cricketers of the Year were Andel Chance, Jessie Lendore, Devon Boyce, Ricky Ramlakhan and Kevan Branker. Local cricket commentator Fazeer Mohammed delivered the feature address and called on the youths of the Moruga area to get involved in the club and other community programmes, and keep away from the negatives in life. He pointed out discipline is the key to success and anyone really taking a liking to the game should give it their best shot and be disciplined in their pursuit. St Mary’s Superstars finished third in the league but were joint champions in the Mid-week series.
Honour roll: Cricketer of the Year: Desmond Mohammed
Five Cricketers of the Year: Desmond Mohammed, Randy Singh, Zahid Bassarath, Suekumar Seepersad and Rasheed Mohammed.
Five Youth Cricketers of the Year: Andel Chance, Jessie Lendore, Devon Boyce, Ricky Ramlakhan and Kevan Branker.
Honourees: Mathew Placide, Ivan Saunders.
Club Member of the Year: Indar Mootoo.
ACTION in this year’s Mayaro Football League will kick off today at the Mayaro Recreation ground. Only Substitutes will take on Illusion in today’s opening fixture timed to start at 4 pm. Organisers said this year’s MFL will be contestred over one round only, so the action should be fast and furious from day one. Natty Construction clash with Mafeking at the same venue tomorrow, while WASA will have “home” advantage over Mayaro Spurs when they meet on Wednesday. And IPU & Friends will make their seasonal debut against Veterans at Mayaro Recreation on Thurs-day.
THREE Great Race pioneers were acknowledged for making the annual powerboat event the success it has become at the prize distribution ceremony of this year’s race at Cascadia Hotel Ballroom, Cascade. Those receiving awards for their service to the Carib Great Race on Saturday night last were the man who hatched the idea Kenneth Gordon, Steven de Gannes and Great Race multi-winner Ken Charles. Taking a trip down memory lane Gordon painted a picture of how the event came into being and how it survived over the years, and told of his experiences and challenges that were overcome during the early days.
He said the performance required by a competition like the Great Race really “determines and separates the boys from the men.” Mr Solo Too, with Hayden Charles taking over from dad Ken for the first time, won the Great for an unprecedented fifth time in a row on August 16. Trinidad and Tobago Power Boat Association Garth Marshall and Carib Brewery CEO Andrew Sabga congratulated all the winners of the 35th edition of the annual powerboat race from Port-of- Spain to sister-island Tobago. Since its inception, several local boats travelled abroad and competed on the international scene with great success in Puerto Rico, Miami and Antigua. Trophies were handed out to the winners in the various categories — Pirogue Class; Production I Class; Production II Class; A Class; B Class; C Class; M Class; Sport 1 Class; Sport 2 Class; and overall.
TRAINER John O’Brien has managed to supply the winner of the Sagicor Independence Cup on three occasions in the last four years and Phantom Bidder can boost his record by taking the latest edition at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. “The Phantom” has played bridesmaid to Millenium Reign and Sugar Mike in his last two starts, but the improving sort is now better off at the weights with the latter, expected to be installed favourite. And the American-bred three-year-old looks as good a bet as any and better than many in this competitive 1850 turf event, flavoured with Barbadian invaders Lion Country, Feet On Flames and Hard Dancer.
The “foreigners” have not done anything exciting on the gallops since their arrival here a week ago to warrant serious consideration. Added to which, like in the past, the time frame for their preparation and adaptation to the anti-clockwise course has proven insufficient for such a tough assignment as today’s staying event which carries a purse of $200,00. Phantom Bidder has become the standard bearer in graded events over both courses for the champion trainer. The son of Indian Charlie ran a sound race when in receipt of 1.5 kilos from Sugar Mike in the President’s Cup and was only tapped for toes in the latter part of the 1900 metres contest. He has been doing well up on the gallops since and has shown a likeness for the grass in his first try, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to winning ways here.
Topweight Sugar Mike is a class act and will be the target for all in the 13-horse field. The Bertwin Samlalsingh-owned four-year-old colt won with a ton in hand last time to register his fourth victory this term from five starts. That sequence was broken on the grass, where he managed fourth behind Out-swinger, Dottie’s Way and Invincibility, a trio he again has to contend with and that is cause for concern. While it may be said that he was not fully wound up on that occasion and was giving lumps of weight all around, statistics cannot be discarded. Sugar Mike goes into today’s event in immaculate condition from preparations done mostly on the sand and if the Grant Lourenco-trained colt adapts to the change in underfoot conditions he will take some beating. The threesome to have finished ahead of him have all won on grass and at age three can still improve further and could again finish among the six prizes in the Grade One event, the penultimate on today’s ten-race programme.
NATIONAL footballers playing in the English and Scottish football leagues had a relatively ineffective day yesterday. Only Birmingham City striker Stern John and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop had any sort of impact for their respective teams while, on the losing end, were Crewe Alexandra (Clayton Ince), Brentford (Anthony Rougier), Wrexham (Carlos Edwards, Hector Sam and Dennis Lawrence) and Livingston (Marvin Andrews). John, on the receiving end of two chances created by recent acquisition Damien Duff, missed both in their English Premier League clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
But Duff converted a 64th minute penalty to give Birmingham full points while John was replaced by Geoff Horsfield seven minutes later. Hislop was called to make a number of saves but his team were held to a goalless draw by fellow Premiership newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fellow national goalie Ince could do nothing to prevent Burnley’s Richard Chaplow from notching the winner in the 52nd minute in their First Division fixture while, in the Second Division, Rougier played the full 90 minutes but his Brentford club went under 1-0 to Port Vale. Also in the Second Division, Edwards had the best performance for Wrexham but Bournemouth prevailed 1-0 while Celtic thrashed Livingston 5-1 in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). Ex-Trinidad and Tobago striker Dwight Yorke did not make the final 16 for Blackburn Rovers’ visit to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with both teams battling to a 2-2 draw.
W CONNECTION completed their remarkable run in the Under-15 and U-17 divisions of the T&T Pro League with victories in yesterday’s knockout finals at Gilbert Park, Couva. The lads from Savonnetta edged a pesky Joe Public outfit 2-1 in the U-15 decider and, in the other match of the doubleheader, Connection rolled past Arima Fire 3-0; adding the knockout crowns to their league titles. Silas Spann, brother of national U-23 captain Silvio Spann and son of Connection’s senior team coach Leroy Spann, gave the hosts the lead after 20 minutes in their U-15 confrontation. But the “Eastern Lions” equalised after the halftime interval — the match comprised of 40 minutes per half — to put the pressure back on the rampaging Connection.
With seconds ticking in regulation time Aaron Downing, the division’s most prolific scorer, found the back of the net to secure another piece of silverware for the Southerners. In the U-17 matchup, Arima Fire held firm until the 37th minute when Devon Drayton put Connection in front. Despite the expulsion of defender Ancil Farrier in the 66th for his second bookable offence, Fire showed no urgency in their play, and their lethargy was fully exploited by the Connection strike pair of Drayton and Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley. The visitors fell further behind in the 74th; a left-side corner by Kerron Neptune was held behind the goalline by keeper David Nicholas and assistant referee John Clarke signalled the goal, to the dismay of the Fire squad and coaching staff. And Connection delivered the knockout punch in the 85th with Highley, the national U-17 striker and one of the most gifted in the youth circuit, collecting a through ball from Dorian Daniel at the half-line, twisting and turning past Fire defender Matthew Cupid and tapping home past a beleagured Nicholas. Cupid’s misery was compounded with double cautions, and an automatic sending-off, in the 90th by referee Phillip Jordan.
FOR THREE NIGHTS 40-year-old Samdaye Basdeo dreamt that someone in her family was going to die. As fate would have it, it turned out to be her eldest child and only son, 22-year-old Aknath Basdeo, an employee with General Earth Movers, and his relative, 24-year-old Sally Kistow, a mother of two. both died in a three car smash-up while on their way to the Mayaro beach on Saturday. The accident occurred at Manzanilla. Ten persons were injured in the crash. Basdeo’s wife, Rafeena Basdeo, 18, whom he had married four months ago, is in a critical condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. kistow’s common-law-husband, Kumar Maharaj, 26, escaped with cuts and bruises to his head and face. When Newsday visited Basdeo’s relatives yesterday at their Second Branch Road, Tableland home, relatives were very emotional. His mother, Samdaye Basdeo, was too distraught too speak with the media.
However, his father, Deochan, recalled that the three nights before his son’s death they got “bad dreams” which led them to believe that a family member was going to die. “We had a lot of signs but we could not unfold it. My wife could not sleep, her skin only scratching and she only dreaming dead bodies.” Deochan said his wife had dreamt that Rafeena, who sustained head injuries in the crash and underwent emergency surgery, had shaved her head. “And imagine they (doctors) had to shave her head for the surgery,” he added. The father of four, who broke down in tears frequently during the interview, said Basdeo had planned to spend the day with his sister but was coaxed into going on the beach lime. Describing his son as “ten sons in one,” the distraught father said his son who was married on Easter Sunday, was looking forward to settling down and having lots of children. With tears streaming down his face, Deochan sobbed: “He (Basdeo) wanted to be a good boy and wanted to take care of his parents and sisters. He now start life.”
Since the accident, Deochan said his daughter-in-law Rafena, has been unconscious and have not yet been told of Basdeo’s death. The father said tentative funeral arrangements have been made for Wednesday. At Kistow’s Warrel Road home yesterday her relatives were still trying to come to terms with the tragedy. Kistow had shared a common-law-relationship with Basdeo’s uncle, Kumar Maharaj, for the past six years. The couple has a four-year-old son Ajay. Kistow also has another child, Kevin, six, from a previous relationship but the child stays with his grand parents in Sangre Grande. Kistow’s sister-in-law, Sandra Patraj, recalled that the woman had planed to go shopping for school books and did not want to go on the beach lime, but had changed her mind after relatives begged her to go. She said Kistow was planning to get married soon but had decided to “hold a prayers in October first.” She said Kistow’s son, Ajay was told of his mother’s death but “he lying on her bed and asking for her. He asking us to bring back a mummy for him.” Patraj said Kistow’s husband, who had several bandages on his face and head, was still in shock and did not want to speak with the media. Relatives are yet to decide on funeral arrangements.
FOR the first time since 1969, the National Awards ceremony which took place at President’s House started at 6.14 pm yesterday—14 minutes late. While no explanation was given, guests who had been arriving since 5 pm thought the function would start when they heard strains of the National Anthem. However, this turned out to be a comic moment, evoking chuckles when they realised it was false start as the music was the introduction to Natasha Wilson’s calypso “Sweet TT.” Thirty-six people received National Awards yesterday for their outstanding contribution in the fields of sport, culture and service to community and country in a 40 minute ceremony. The lion’s share of the awards—11, went to recipients for works in the Public Service, seven for community service and four for sport.
Two awards were presented for gallantry—to Basmath Indra Gopie, a patient care assistant and Heeralal Ramkisson, a fire fighter. Gopie was beaming with pride after receiving the award for her daring rescue of 14-year-old Megan Lord on July 7 while on an outing to Grand Riviere with colleagues. What was supposed to be a “stress free day” changed when Gopie responded to the cries of a young man bathing at the beach whose sister was drowning. While she could not swim, Gopie was able to pull Lord towards the surface and along with her friends revive her. Ramkisson, who received burns to 15 percent of his body after rescuing an elderly man whose house was on fire paid tribute to all firefighters and Chief Fire Officer Lennox Alfred for his support after the incident.
PRESIDENT George Maxwell Richards has gone to the High Court to acquire the estate of a woman who died four years ago at the age of 89. The application was filed in the Probate Section of the Port-of-Spain High Court on August 8. In the application, President Richards is asking for the grant of the letters of administration for the estate of Naomi Martin, a retired clerk, who died at 15 Vistabella Road, San Fernando, on June 27, 1999, a spinster without a child. At the date of her death, Martin left her only surviving relative, her sister Henrietta Odessa Richards as the only person lawfully entitled to her estate. But Henrietta Richards died three months later — September 15, 1999 without having taken upon herself the letters of administration of Martin’s estate.
Henrietta left a will with President Richards as her personal legal representative. A grant of probate of Henrietta’s will was granted to the President by the High Court on January 21, 2000. At that time, Richards was attached to the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, as a professor. With President Richards the legal representative for Henrietta, he has applied for Martin’s estate which include two parcels of land at 15 and 17 Vistabella Road, San Fernando. Both parcels of land are valued at $60,000 according to the High Court documents. Martin left no cash in hand or in the bank, furniture, stocks and shares, mortgage debts, policies of insurance or any other property, according to the application. President Richards listed the Martin’s family tree. He said Martin’s parents John and Florence were married at the St Paul’s Anglican Church, San Fernando on December 14, 1892. Although the marriage date is known, Richards said efforts were unsuccessful in trying to obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificate from the Registrar General’s Office.
The Martins had 12 children, the first was born on September 1, 1888 and the last on October 6, 1914. Henrietta, whose last will was dated December 11, 1992, was born on October 9, 1907. Since then, both parents and all of the 12 children have died. According to the President, “I have been informed by other family members and verily believe that shortly after the death of the deceased (Martin), a diligent search was made among her papers and effects and also in the depository of wills for living persons in the Registry of the Supreme Court for a will or other documents of a testamentary character of the deceased (Martin) and found none and I verily believe that she died intestate.” The President said from the search in the Registry of the High Court, it appears that no application had been made for Martin’s estate. As Henrietta’s legal representative, the President promised to “faithfully administer” Martin’s estate, as required by law. He said the delay in filing this application stemmed from the fact that the assets of Martin’s estate had to be determined.
