N Touch

Flames burn Powerplay in Savannah cricket

FLAMES roasted Powerplay in the Caribbean Glass-sponsored Savannah Boys Windball Cricket League to move one step closer to the finals. After posting a total of 134 for three wickets, with Hospedales Singh hitting 52 and Suren Sagewan, 45, Powerplay were routed for a paltry 38, falling nine runs short of becoming the first team in the league to score 1,000 runs. Vinoo Maharaj captured two wickets for three runs, Fareed Karim got two for nine and Verendra Maharaj had two for ten in the rout. Also at the weekend, Group leaders Dundee United stumbled to the lowest total in the league when they were bowled out for a meagre 35 runs, as Paradigm who totalled 92 for nine wickets, won by 57 runs.

But Anthrax climbed to the top of Group Four with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Hott 93 Slammers. The “Radio Boys” managed 128 for eight in their knock, led by Martin Ramkissoon 26 and V Ramcharan 28 not out. But in their turn Shazam Hosein continued his assault on all bowlers, slamming an unbeaten 88 as Anthrax reached 132 for four.

Summarised scores:
STAG RENEGADES 149/7 – Albert Gopen 48, Robert Self 29, Osmond Borrock 2/2, Rajiv Ramnaris 2/38 vs UNITED PROGRESSORS 106/7 – R Ramnaris 21, Desmond Patrick 28, Vishnu Chaitan 2/16.
EVERGREEN 149/7 – Gregory Webb 28, Kenny Joseph 2/22, Veran Sookdeo 2/35 vs AS BRYDEN 82/8 – V Sookdeo 20, Sheldon Ali 28, L. Sookrah 2/2, Junior Walcott 2/11, Richard Loobie 2/24.
AWESOME 143/7- Sheldon Balkroop 27, Derick de Leon 25, Michael Solozano 38, Joel Poliah 2/17, Roshan Ramcharan 2/33 vs SPRANGERS 78/7 Manos Sirju 29, Romeo Alexander 3/15.
BUSTIN LOOSE 58/2 – Grayson Balkaran 12 not out vs VILLIANS 56 – Nasif Rampersad 17, Kumar Daniel 4/10, R Samuel 2/7.
PARADIGM 92/9 V S DUNDEE UNITED 35 – d. JAMES 2/9, ADAMS 2/7.
ANTHRAX 132/4 – |S Hosein 88 not out, Nigel Bishop 2/27 vs HOTT 93 SLAMMERS 128/8 M Ramkissoon 26, V Ramcharan 28 not out, Kemal Mohammed 2/11, Shazid Ali 2/38.
FLAMES 134/3 – H Singh 52, S Sagewan 45 vs POWERPLAY 38 – Verendra Maharaj 2/10, F Karim 21/9, Vinoo Maharaj 2/3.

Maloney woman b-baller sweeps community awards

Unit Trust Maloney Pacers were presented with the spoils of their efforts as the inaugural season of the Eastern Community Basketball League came to an official close. Pacers collected the Women’s League Trophy and the First and Second Divisions League and Knock-out titles. And their player Melissa Guerero swept the “Top Scorer,” “Most Steals,” “Most Rebounds” and MVP awards. Both Jeffrey Bourne and Jason Cobbler nabbed the “Most Steals” accolade in the First and Second Divisions and coach Christopher Jackson Charles was appropriately named “Most Disciplined Coach of the Year” for his leadership.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes presented Charles with his award. The Eastern Community Basketball League Under-21 Ambassadors who recently were runners-up in a tournament in Venezuela were also presented to those in attendance at the ceremony held at the Maloney indoor facility on Saturday. The teams who participated were Maloney Pacers, Marabella Raptors, Grande All Stars, Edinburgh 500 Hawks, Brain Chase Academy, Caledonia Clippers, Colours, Malick Tigers, Police, Chaguanas Hackers, Maloney Old School, TSTT, Valencia Heat, Macoya Forum, Prisons, Park Royals, Grande Young Stars, CLICO Pioneers, Tacarigua Ball Players and UWI.
Honour Roll

March Past Parade: 1.Grande All Stars, 2.Grande Young Stars , 3.Chaguanas Hackers.
League Results
Women: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Malick Tigers, 3.Brian Chase Academy.
Top Scorer, Most Steals, Most Rebounds and MVP: Melissa Guerero (UTC Maloney Pacers).
Division Two: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Caledonia Clippers, Brian Chase Academy Veterans.
Top Scorer: Derrick James (Veterans)
Most Steals and MVP: Jeffrey Bourne (Pacers)
Most Rebounds: Keegan Garcia (Heat)
Division One: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Marabella Raptors, 3.Grande All Stars.
Top Scorer: 1.Ako Pascal (Raptors)
Most Steals: Jason Cobbler (Pacers)
Most Rebounds: Damian Caton (Raptors)
MVP: Miguel Williams
Knock-Out Results
Women: 1.Brian Chase Academy, 2.Police.
Division Two: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Brian Chase Academy. Veterans.
Division One: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Marabella Raptors.
Champion of Champions
Division Two: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Brian Chase Academy Veterans, 3.Caledonia Clippers, 4.Colours.
Division One: 1.Unit Trust Maloney Pacers, 2.Marabella Raptors, 3.Grande All Stars, 4.Edinburgh 500 Hawks.
Honourees: Richard Mungo and Trevor Reid.
Special Award: Ian Gomes.

Connection out Fire to stay in title chase

W CONNECTION reduced CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s lead atop the standings in the TT Pro League to eight points after a 3-0 triumph over the struggling Arima Fire at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima yesterday. Both teams were expected to face off on August 13 but the match was postponed due to an absence of match officials. Fire failed to muster any realistic challenge on the star-studded Connection lineup yesterday, who remain second on the ten-team table on 28 points with a game in hand. Right-winger Ronaldo Viana opened the scoring after 62 minutes with fellow Brazilian, playmaker Gefferson Goulart, doubling the lead in the 75th.

The hosts tried valiantly to save face against the Connection onslaught, but the Savonetta lads sealed victory in injury time through St Lucian forward Earl Jean. In the first match of the double-header, Connection tore the Fire defence to shreads in their Under-20 battle, coming away with a 9-2 win in front of a sparse crowd. Dreadlocked striker Jason Marcano slammed five goals with Akil Pierre, Kyle Cupid, Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley and Roderick Anthony scoring one apiece for Connection, while Darryl Toussaint netted a double for the battered hosts. And, in another rescheduled Under-20 match yesterday, Jabloteh widened their lead on the standings to five points over South Starworld Strikers after beating Defence Force 3-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Among the scorers for Jabloteh were national youth striker Jerol Forbes, captain Ricardo Bennett and an own goal from Joel James while Kerry Joseph found the back of the net for the Army-Coast Guard combination. A full slate of matches will be held on Sunday.

Scott aims for best mark

The much-improved Trinidadian “ironwoman” Candice Scott faces her biggest test for the year in the women’s hammer final today at the 9th IAAF World Outdoor Championships at the Stade de France, Paris. Having collected the bronze at the Pan-American Championships in the Dominican Republic on August 5 with a throw of 69.06m, the 22-year-old Scott who placed fifth overall among the twelve finalists will be giving everything to upset her more established rivals. Being the third best in the Western Hemisphere behind Cuba’s global leader Yipsi Moreno (Pan-Am gold medallist) with 75.14m and her compatriot Yunaika Crawford (Pan-Am silver medallist, 69.58), the 22-year-old US-based athlete has shown strength and excellent technique to rank among the top-throwers worldwide.

She swung the 4 kg implement to 67.27 m in the first attempt of her Group “A” semi-final contest among 22 competitors. Scott followed with 65.86 and 63.10 in the other rounds. Her group leader was France’s Manuela Montebrun whose first throw yielded 71.36m and ended up atop the 12 finalists. The French 23-year-old champion missed her other two throws. But she is a gutsy performer with her best effort this year being 74.50 registered on June 15 at Villeneuve-d’Asog. And with eight other top marks among the first twenty for the season and the number one ranking on the newly-published IAAF List of Top performers, Montebrun will be striving to give her adoring fans something special to celebrate. Russian Olga Kuzenkova, arrived at the Championships with the season’s second best mark of 74.98m, and finished just ahead of TT’s Scott. The 33-year-old missed in the first round but recovered to chalk up 67.89 and 69.53 in the other two rounds.

In Group B, Germany’s Betty Heider was second with 67.46. She missed with her other throws while reigning world champion and record holder Mihaela Melinte placed third with 67.23, 65.39 and 67.27 metres. She qualified in sixth spot behind Scott but she has such a superior world’s best of 76.07. However, Scott whose personal best is 69.79 achieved on June 14 at Sacramento is capable of bettering that performance and enter her name and country into the record books. Despite her inexperience, the University of Florida student, who got involved in throwing the hammer in less than two years, should not be fazed by the big names and reputations or record achievements of her more experienced rivals.

Six Bajans in Arima fray

Six Barbadian-owned horses are set to test the quality of runners at home in three races on the Arima Race Club Day 27 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Monday, Indpenedence Day. Lion Country, Hard Dancer and Feet On Flames will contest the Sagicor Independence Cup, the main event on the ten-race card. The Grade One event framed over 1850 metres on the Turf has 13 runners vying for the six purses worth $200,000. Royal Oak Derby hopefuls Sweet Dreams and Royal Red have taken different routes to next month’s September 24 classic. Sweet Dreams will use the Sagicor Endowment Restricted Handicap to the Blue Riband, while Royal Red will have his first taste of competition in the Sagicor Life Saver 11 Handicap before his attempt over 2000 metres in the most prestigious race on the local calendar.

Both preps are over 1750 metres on the main course. Notanothernoble was among the invading contingent to have arrived and will make his local bow in the Restricted Handicap. The American bred three-year-old, bracketed “E2”, will continue his career at Santa Rosa Park under leading trainer Glen Mendez. With the exception of Sweet Dreams, all the other Bajan runners will be partnered by Barbadian jockeys, who flew in yesterday for their assignments. Mendez, seeking his first trainer’s Championship, will saddle 11 of the total of 111 runners on the holiday programme.

Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for Monday’s card.
RACE 1: 12.30 pm) SAGICOR RETIREMENT W I BRED 2 Y.O MAIDENS AND W I BRED 2 Y.O WINNERS OF ONE RACE – PURSE $22,000 – 1100 METRES.


1. SOU SOU MONI – 50 – R.FREEMAN, 2. JAVA TAKEOVER – 49 – R.RAJKUMAR, 3. RETIRED BANKER – 50 – R.THOMAS, 4. JAY-LOW – 50 – W.GALVIZ, 5. J D’S EXPRESS – 50 – G.LABAN, 6. JAVA IN STYLE – 55 – R.SINGH, 7. SUNDAY JEWEL – 53 – N.SAMAROO.


RACE 2: (1.05pm) SAGICOR GENERAL W I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $22,000 – 1750 METRES.


1. RUBY SCORES – 45.5 – R.RAMIRAZ, 2. NEVER EVER WORRIE – 54.5 – S.ELLIS, 3. UNDERINFLUENCE – 53.5 – B.HARDING, 4. YAA ASANTEWAA – 50.5 – R.THOMAS, 5. CREME CARAMEL – 54.5 – W.GALVIZ, 6. SERAH’S TRICK – 45.5 – L.NICHOLLS, 7. COPY CAT – 47.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 8. CHEERLEADER – 45.5 – L.KEIZER.


RACE 3: (1.40 pm) SAGICOR CORPORATE LIFE SAVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($6,000 – $5,000) W I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER MAIDENS, W I BRED 5 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES AND W I BRED 6 Y.O & OVER NON-WNNERS OF THREE RACES – PURSE $14,000 – 1350 METRES.


1. SPIN N’SQUEEZE – 49.5 – F.RAZACK, 2. ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 50.5 – R.BADAL, 3. INDIAN GAME – 54.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 4. REGENT BOY – 43.5 – S.RODRIGO, 5. SHEZABUTE – 49.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 6. KAY GEE BEE – 43.5 – L.KEIZER, 7. CASH REWARD – 52.5 – R.JADOO, 8. MYSTILE – 51.5 – K.BISSOON, 9. TOUR D’ARGENT – 48.5 – R.THOMAS, 10. UNCLE JOE – 49,.5 – W.GALVIZ. 
RACE 4: (2.15pm) SAGICOR ENDOWMENT RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $21,000 – 1750 METRES.


1. HYARIMA – 54 – N.ABREGO, 2. JOAN OF ARC – 56 – S.RODRIGO, 3. FIRST TIME – 48.5 – K/NICHOLLS, 4. GETTESBURGH – 56.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 5. CLASSY KIM – 53.5 – R.THOMAS, 6. FANTASTIC LAD – 56.5 – B.HARDING, 7. FINEST GEM – 48.5 – R.RAMIREZ, 8. RETURN TO GLORY – 49 – W.BHARATH, 9. SWEET LAURA LEE – 50.5 – L.KEIZER.


RACE 5: (2.50pm) SAGICOR ENDOWMENT RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER –  PURSE $21,000 – 1750 METRES.


1. KALYAN – 49 – B.HARDING, 2. MANDELA – 56.5 – R.SINGH, 3. CITY OF LIGHTS – 44.5 – K.NICHOLLS, 4. LIFE IN RUSSIA – 48.5 – F.RAZACK, 5. SWEET DREAMS – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 6. NOTANOTHERNOBLE – 53.5 – S.ELLIS, 7. GAZA STRIP – 54 – R.JADOO, 8. SQUEE ZINTRU – 52 – G.LABAN, 9. SWEET TEMPO – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 10. PIECE OF CAKE – 51.5 – HEMAMALIE, 11. RING DANG DO – 47 – W.BHARATH.


RACE 6: (3.27 pm) SAGICOR PENSION SAVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($7,500 – $6,500) W I BRED 4 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES, W I BRED 5 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES, AND W I BRED 6 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF FOUR RACES – PURSE $17,000 – 1150 METRES.


1. SMALL AXE – 48.5 – K.JADOO, 2. CONFIRMED – 43.5 – N.SAMAROO, 3. EL PRESIDENTE – 44.5 – R.RAMIRAZ, 4. COTONOU – 50.5 – G.LABAN, 5. HILLSIDE SYMPHONY – 54.5 – R.JADOO, 6. BALLYBUNION – 52.5 – B.HARDING, 7. BRANDY – 44.5 – W.BHARATH, 8. DURABILITY – 43.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 9. ALIBI IKI – 53.5 – W.GALVIZ, 10. POETRY – 50.5 – S.RODRIGO, 11. SCANDAL SHEET – 52.5 – D.GAFF, 12. I’M NO HUNTER – 46.5 – F.RAZACK.  


RACE 7: (4.03pm) SAGICOR LIFE SAVER 11 HANDICAP W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS AND W I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES – PURSE $21,000 – 1750 METRES.


1. AFFIRM DECISION – 50 – C.MARQUEZ, 2. VAN NISTELROOY – 47 – S.RODRIGO, 3. SUPER GREY – 52.5 – W.BHARATH, 4. BEAUTIFUL MIND – 55.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 5. SIR VIDIA – 48.5 – W.GALVIZ, 6. LOUD MUSIC – 52.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 7. MY APHRODITE – 47 – G.LABAN, 8. UNDISPUTED – 54.5 – N.ABREGO, 9. ROYUAL RED – 53.5 – S.ELLIS, 10. CELEBRATION TIME – 56.5 – H.EMAMALIE.


RACE 8: (4.40 pm) SAGICOR LIFE SAVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) W I BRED 4 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES IN CAREER, W I BRED 5 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF FOUR RACES AND W I BRED 6 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF FIVE RACES IN CAREER – PURSE $18,000 – 1350 METRES.


1. GROOMSMAN – 55.5 – N.ABREGO, 2. HUNDRED PERCENT – 53.5 – N.SAMAROO, 3. FEMALE BANDIT – 50.5 – R.BADAL, 4. STORMING WIND – 52.5 – R.JADOO, 5. GOLDEN BOY – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 6. BONUS POINT – 56.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 7. FRUITION – 50.5 – R.THOMAS, 8. ULA – 50.5 – L.KEIZER, 9. ACTUAL LADY – 50.5 – R.CUMBERBATCH, 10. MIR ON FIRE – 51.5 – F.RAZACK, 11. V FOR VICTORY – 56.5 – B.HARDING, 12. SOCA TEMPO – 49.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 13. BOLD FAPP – 53.5 – W.BHARATH, 14. KENT’S DELIGHT – 49.5 – K.NICHOLLS, 15. YANKEE EAGLE – 51.5 – R.RAMIREZ, 16. MAGEN (R-1) – 51.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 17. LIVING IN HOPE – 54.5 – H.EMAMALIE.
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RACE 9: (5.17pm) SAGICOR INDEPENDENCE CUP (GRADE 1) OPEN 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $200,000 – 1850 METRES (TURF).


1. OUTSWINGER – 51.5 – R..JADOO, 2. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 53.5 – G.LABAN, 3. INVINCIBILITY – 51.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 4. SMOOTH OPERATOR – 53.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 5. MORGAN HERITAGE – 56.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 6. CANAIMA – 54.5 – N.ABREGO, 7. FEET ON FLAMES – 56.5 – J.MAUGHN, 8. LION COUNTRY – 51.5 – R.CUMBERBATCH, 9. PHANTOM MENACE – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 10. DOTTIE’S WAY – 49.5 – R.THOMAS, 11. HARD DANCER – 56.5 – A.THORNTON, 12. SUGAR MIKE – 56.5 – B.HARDING, 13. GOLDEN SHUFLEUR – 56.5 – R.RAMIREZ.


RACE 10: (5.50 pm) SAGICOR LIFE PROTECTOR OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($14,000 – $11,000) W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $19,000 – 1100 METRES.


1. BADPAYJAMESEE – 49.5 – L.KEIZER, 2. PEACE CONSORT – 53.5 – S.ELLIS, 3. REDOUBLED – 51.5 – W.BHARATH, 4. COLD RISK – 50.5 – F.RAZACK, 5. OUTBURST – 49.5 – N.SAMAROO, 6. TRICKY GUY – 51.5 – C.MARQUEZ, 7. FOUCAULT PENDULUM – 55.5 – R.SINGH, 8. LOVELY PEARL – 51.5 – R.RAMIRAZ, 9. WHAT LEFT – 50.5 – W.GALVIZ, 10. NOT TO WORRIE – 47.5 – R.JADOO, 11. A FIRM RELIEF – 54.5 – S.RODRIGO, 12. POLITICS – 53.5 – G.LABAN, 13. RICHIE RICH – 50.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 14. RHYTHM DIVINE – 51.5 – J.ARNEAUD.

Protest at Cunupia

IT IS UNFAIR, we think, for the Ministry of Education to keep parents of the 600-plus children attending the Cunupia Government School in a state of uninformed anxiety over the completion of renovation work to the school. Schools in the country are due to reopen next Tuesday but up to now parents have not been informed whether Cunupia Government will be ready to admit their children who have been sharing, with great inconvenience, the facilities of Enterprise Government on a shift system since September 2001. On Monday, the pupils of Cunupia Government together with their parents staged a protest demonstration to express their “utter disgust” at having to continue their primary education on a shift system at another school located about a mile away.

Parents told Newsday that they were demonstrating in order to “alert the Ministry of Education that we will be boycotting school from the beginning of next term unless some official from the Ministry comes up with a reasonable explanation to let us know what is really happening.” Ministry officials must be aware of the grossly unsatisfactory situation that exists for the children attending both these schools. The pupils were placed on a shift system with Enterprise Government taking up the afternoon session, on the understanding that renovation of the old Cunupia Government School would be completed by the March term in 2003. But this date has come and gone and, with the opening of the new term, parents are still wondering when their children will return to the full-time school of their district. President of the school’s PTA Desiree Villafana told Newsday that it was a financial burden for parents to be sending their children to Enterprise, especially since the “sugar industry is no longer offering us a livelihood.” In addition, having to  supervise the children at home during the afternoon session is a continuing problem to parents when, in fact, the youngsters should be attending their own full-time school. “Imagine,” she observed, “school is to be reopened during the first week in September and so far we have heard nothing from the Ministry of Education. Not even a single word from the Ministry to explain what is happening.”

The Ministry’s attitude to this unhappy situation is inexplicably insensitive especially since the parents of Cunupia have been bearing patiently with this inconvenience and disruption of their children’s primary education for two whole years, plus the fact that the promise to have the school ready for the March term has not been fulfilled. Also, the temporary shift arrangement cannot be fair to the pupils of Enterprise Government who have been denied the full use of their school over the last two years. Schools operating in such makeshift circumstances can hardly give of their best and the Ministry must be aware of the urgent need to finish the renovations at Cunupia Government and the concern of parents at the failure to complete the work after two years. What really is the problem? This newspaper has sought so far without success to obtain from the Ministry information about the reopening of schools, how many will be ready and how many not. We appeal to Education Minister Manning to be more forthcoming about this situation. At the very least, we believe she should want to allay the concerns of Cunupia parents by telling them exactly what the situation is and precisely when the school in their district will be ready for readmission. She should also be aware of how easily this matter can become another political football.

BLOWS IN THE SCHOOL


LICKS and blows, blows. Take datYuh too bad! This is not a take off or take down of show-stealing comedy farce stolen by local comedians from the movie Matrix off-load or down load or just a whole lot of load.

This is just an introspective look at the real life scenario being enacted in the debate and debunking related to beat or not to beat schoolchildren as a measure of discipline. Pro-beaters, all presumably adults, are adamant and convinced that a good cut-tail is necessary to curb the vicious and annoying tendencies of the little brats. The anti-flogging advocates view beatings as another form of violence being inflicted on youths in an already overburdened violent community. They preach love and understanding as alternative methods and antidotes especially by doting parents and guardians.  A loosely self-righteous stance is used to show that a little flogging was not really bad and boasts, “Look what it did for me.” They totally ignore that beatings did not change the still existent societal village-ram syndrome (not even tempered by death-dealing AIDS) that has spawned absentee fathers and single mothers with multiple-sired children.

It was a free-for-all when it came to licks in the good old bad days. Uncle, nennen, godparents even the neighborhood loafer had free rein to administer a clout or two ostensibly to put erring youngsters back in line. It was a near-fatal mistake to complain to your parents as you were subjected to a fresh bout of blows alias body music. This probably fitted in with the concept it takes a village to raise a child. Does it follow that while it will take a village or community to rear a child that they must also beat up on his rear. This communal spirit advocated in specific environments  also invoked that it takes a village or posse of missile-throwing  folks to stone errant inhabitants to death. Barbarism to the bone. So if flogging in schools is again to be implemented who is to administer the the beating known as corporal punishment? Should a  medical file be kept on and regularly updated to determine whether the student is fit enough to be beaten? Should there be a designated whipper assigned to the school. Why teachers? They have their hands filled trying to open up and train the minds of the youngsters. Chalk and other teaching tools should be their weapons to motivate, not whips for flogging. Since it is corporal punishment it might well be carried out by the Police or members of the Defence Force who are trained to inflict pain even in self defence. Police personnel are in tune and up-to-date in administering body blows on unarmed disabled citizens who dared to protest, seeking jobs and amenities.  

Indiscipline in school is wide ranging and often involves teacher/student confrontation. So beating by teachers may be interpreted as vengeance and setting up the teachers to be seen by students as enemies and villains. Violent episodes in schools have taken a frightening turn from  the era of fist fights over marbles and games to gunplay linked to in-house drug dealing and sexual partnerships. Infrequent pen knife and razor blade woundings of the past have catapulted to firearms, mace and cutlass action. Teachers are now in a combative zone charging parents/guardians  with non-cooperation and lack of response in dealing with bad behaviour and sub-standard academic work. Parents strike back blaming teachers for neglecting students through frequent absenteeism, intolerance and non-exemplary  behaviour. Sociological changes in the school and family life practices have presented a completely new environment in the educational system. Teaching has become a high-risk occupation under siege by bad boys and rude girls and warlike parents. It is a tough stressful job to carry out their regular tasks in schools resembling fortresses loosely protected by non-alert security guards. So sensibly, teachers should not be burdened further to deliver blows in the name of discipline. Teachers are term arrangers and trainers not TERMINATORS.

Field of challenge for teachers embraces reading, writing, counting, spelling and biology not wielding canes and straps on anatomies. There should be no beating around the bush. But that is exactly the stance adopted by the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) or at least that of president Trevor  Oliver. Oliver is reported as saying: “We are not either corporal or non-corporal and I do not want to get into a controversy about the issue.” He added: “We are not pro or anti corporal punishment. We are humanistic, rehabilitative and holistic.” This ambivalence can create problems and uneasiness for TTUTA if flogging is reintroduced in the school system.  Who would be qualified to inflict beatings on a structured basis? Will the beating strategy be reinforced by proper training of principals, deans of disciplines and potential beaters among teachers? TTUTA may well be forced to negotiate a special compensation package for designated whippers. Will ability and willingness to flog be included in the job specification for teachers? This raises another issue on whether or not a teacher can be or should be disciplined for refusing to administer blows on a student.  Trying to work out the genesis for violent behaviour in educational institutions and schools? They should look back to the Black Power days of the 1970s when rebellious Trinidad and Caribbean students went on a rampage at the Sir George William University in Canada. Several of  the rebels entered the local teaching service and should be able to give an insight into the problem from a personal point of view. Sparing  the rod may not guarantee to spoil the child. What is certain is that with or without licks indiscipline has become rife in schools. So spare the teachers from using the rod.

Scott fights for hammer medal

Trinidad and Tobago’s Pan-American Games bronze-medallist Candice Scott hurled the hammer (4kg) 67.27 metres yesterday and put herself in a strong position for a medal at the 9th IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

Competing among the first set of qualifiers, 22-year-old Scott finished third among the seven qualifiers from her group who advanced to tomorrow’s final which will be contested at the Stade de France, Paris. French hometown favourite Manuela Montebrun led her group and the qualifiers with a throw of 71.36 while Russian Olga Kuzenkova was second with 69.53 metres. Scott was third with 67.27 but was fifth overall because Cuban 2003 Pan-Am Games gold-medallist Yipsi Moreno with a throw of 70.91 topped the other group, which produced five competitors for the final. Scott’s 67.27 was fifth overall as Germany’s Betty Heider produced a throw of 67.46 to be fourth while the Romanian world record holder Mihaela Melinte (76.07 metres) was third in Group “B” but sixth overall. The IAAF qualifying standard for the final is 68.50 metres or at least the twelve best throwers. From yesterday’s two rounds, only Montebrun, Moreno and Kuzenkova achieved the mark to advance while the others made it by virtue of finishing among the top performers. Scott created history and produced a throw of 69.06 at the Pan-American Games in the Dominican Republic two weeks ago to cop the bronze medal and became the first Trinidadian woman athlete to achieve the distinction at any major competition. Today, she would need to better that and get beyond the 70 metres mark for one of the prized medals.

New junior 100-metre record holder and senior silver medallist Darrel Brown’s inspirational performance on Monday should help Scott to get the extra drive and motivation to conquer the world’s best women throwers. She entered the World Championships as the 20th leading thrower for this year. And after the first round yesterday, she finished in fifth position. Scott is set to create another historic moment for TT and the Caribbean in Paris. Moreno is the world leader with 75.14 and she smashed the Pan-Am record with four consecutive throws of 73.75, 73.05, 74.35 and 73.89 and she should be favoured for the gold but Montebrun have also produced remarkable consistency with 74.50, 74.43, 73.74, 73.31, 73.21 and 73.11 to have seven of the top sixteen marks for the year. Moreno has the other nine and the battle for the gold will be between them. Cuba’s Yunaika Crawford who edged out Scott for the Pan-Am silver did not qualify as she placed ninth (64.59) in the same group with the Trinidadian strongwoman who has already made a big impression on the world stage.


World Championships Hammer Finalists
1.Manuela Montebrun (France)- 71.36 (Q); 2. Yipsi Moreno (Cuba)- 70.91 (Q); 3. Olga Kuzenkova (Russia)- 69.53; 4. Betty Heider (Germany)- 67.46; 5. Candice Scott (TT)- 67.35; 6. Mihaela Melinte (Romania)- 67.27; 7. Anna Mohan (USA)- 67.67.25; 8. Kamila Skolimowska (Poland)- 66.38; 9. Susanne Keil (Germany)- 66.30; 10. Melissa Price (USA)- 66.13; 11. Lorraine Shaw (Great Britain)- 66.10; 12. Yuan Gu (China)- 66.02.

Kantasingh bowls U-19s into regional final

GEORGETOWN: Kavesh Kantasingh took four wickets for 23 runs to bowl Trinidad and Tobago into the final of  the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 final.

Trinidad and Tobago dismissed Barbados for 103 in their second innings for a comprehensive 118-run victory at Wales yesterday. The TT lads resumed on yesterday’s final day on 127 for eight wickets, 205 runs ahead and added a further 16 runs to set the Bajans a target of 222 to win. But Barbardos never threatened and were wrapped up eight minutes after the tea interval. Ravi Rampaul took two wickets for 28 runs and Rishi Bachan, two for 30, in the TT victory, which put them on course for the double, having won the limited-overs title played prior to the three-day series. And at Enmore, Windward Islands completed an exciting three-wicket win over hosts Guyana. After bowling out the Guyanese youngsters for 172 runs in their second innings, the Windwards reached  the victory target of 129 runs for the loss of seven wickets 37 minutes after the tea break, despite defiant half century knocks from Zaheer Mohammed who made 59 and Zaheer Saffie who got 57. As in the first innings, Liam Sebastien was the main destroyer capturing six wickets for 47 runs for match figures of nine for 69. Sebastien also contributed 32 runs to the Windwards’ second innings total. Trinidad and Tobago take on Windwards in the final which begins tomorrow.

Summarised scores:
At Wales: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 172 and 143 – Denesh Ramdin 36, R Rampaul 28, R Bachan 25, Jamal Smith 5/31, Ruel Brathwaite 4/29 vs BARBADOS 94 and 103 – Kirk Edwards 23,  K Kantasingh 4/23, R Rampaul 2/28, R Bachan 2/30.
At Enmore: GUYANA 96 and 172 – Z Mohammed 59, Z Saffie 57,  L Sebastien 6/47 vs WINDWARDS 140 129/7 – Craig Emanuel 36, L Sebastien 32, Davendra Bishu 4/18, Assad Fudadin 2/4).

Olympic squad plays Bajans in warm-up

W CONNECTION midfielder Silvio Spann is expected to be among the starters for today’s warm-up encounter between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados Under-23 squads at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

Spann, along with fellow Connection team-mates — goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and defender Kenwyne Jones were due to return home last night from a two-week trail stint in England. But Williams and Jones, who sustained an injury during the trials, are not among the 19 players called up by national coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier for today’s match, which will kick off at 6 pm. Spann, as well as Joe Public centre-backs Julius James and Devin Jordan, are among the newcomers drafted into the line-up, which features TT senior representatives —- San Juan Jabloteh left-back Nigel Daniel, Jabloteh striker Devon Mitchell, Connection striker Kendall Davis and 2002 T&T Pro League MVP Andre Toussaint of Joe Public. Trinidad and Tobago, who were trounced 3-0 against Costa Rica in their previous warm-up on August 20, are preparing for their 2004 Athens Olympics qualifiers against the Bahamas, in Nassau, on September 5 and 7.

Trinidad and Tobago team:
Goalkeepers – Daurance Williams (Jabloteh), Kevin Graham (Joe Public); Defenders – Ronald Primus, Nigel Daniel (Jabloteh), Julius James, Devin Jordan (Joe Public), Lyndon Diaz (SWIF), Corey Rivers (Defence Force); Midfielders – Josh Johnson, Michael Celestine (Jabloteh), Devon Caseman (Joe Public), Kevon Clement, Nicholson Thomas (SWIF), Glenton Wolfe (North East Stars), Ryan Stewart (Caledonia AIA), Silvio Spann (W Connection); Strikers – Devon Mitchell (Jabloteh), Kendall Davis (W Connection), Andre Toussaint (Joe Public).