TRINIDAD and Tobago’s ace volleyball hitter Kelly-Ann Billingy has been offered a US$30,000 per year scholarship at the Siena University, Albany, New York.
The offer came from the university’s coach Garvey Pierre following another impressive performance by the Holy Name Convent student, when a Trinidad and Tobago team completed a 3-0 victory over SU in their opening match of a goodwill tour at the UWI Sports and Physical Education Centre yesterday. Billingy, voted “Most Valuable Player” at the recently-concluded Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Junior Championships in Martinique, led the national team to a 25-22, 25-20 and 25-17 victory.
Following her showing Pierre said: “I am impressed with the kid (Billingy) and would like to offer her a full scholarship which is for four years. “It will cost about US$30,000 per year and includes everything, tuition, books, living accommodation, volleyball training and playing for the university in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One competitions. “But she must first of all meet the academic admission requirements and she must like the place and want to join us.“ It’s a very good offer but everything is up to her and her family,” stressed the Haitian-born coach, who is commmissioned to recommend four persons to the university’s academic board.
Pierre said Siena is based about two hours away from Manhattan and caters for high academic excellence as well good opportunities for players to improve their skills and reach the highest level. But Billingy has several other scholarship offers from American universities under consideration, including USC, North Alabama and Austin, Texas. And she plans to visit all campuses before making a final decision on where she will pursue her academic and volleyball career. Meanwhile, the Seina University teams will take on the national juniors again at SPEC, UWI, from 9 am and the No 3 club team Challengers at the St Paul’s Street Multi-Purpose Complex from 7 pm. Tomorrow, the visitors will tackle Apex at the St Paul’s Street facility from 9 am and then travel to Point Fortin to play Point Fortin Slammers.
Two bandits armed with guns stormed into the Mon Plasir Road, Cunupia home of fish exporter Ramkhelawan Charan, ordered his maid at gunpoint to lead them to the living room where her employer was checking money and robbed the businessman of a quantity of cash. As they were leaving, the bandits fired two shots, which caught Charan in the chest. They then fled, boarded a B-15 car and escaped.
Police investigators believe that the getaway car used by the killers is the same vehicle which was taken away at gunpoint from Member of Parliament for Tunapuna Eddie Hart on Tuesday. Later, the car was discovered abandoned at Warren Road, Bejucal, bearing a false number plate. Fingerprint experts were called in and the car was checked for prints. Charan, 59, who was dressed in a short khaki pants and multi-coloured jersey, slumped to the ground and died almost immediately on being shot. His murder is the 145th for the year so far. Newsday learned that Charan was in the habit of checking his money every morning. The cash would then be placed into bags and taken to a bank in Chaguanas to be deposited. Investigators feel that the persons who shot and killed Charan knew about this routine.
A party of officers led by Snr Supt Philip Carmona along with District Medical Officer Dr Vishnu Geelal went to the scene. The maid was interviewed by Homicide officers and a statement was secured. Relatives of the dead man told Newsday that Charan, who was also known as “Sagar,” had been involved in fish farming and export for more than 30 years. Charan was the father of three and was separated from his wife who lived in a house built for her next door to his home. They claimed that he exported exotic fishes to several parts of the world, and was a community-oriented person. He employed several persons who provided him with local fishes.
Villagers of Mon Plasir Road expressed shock over the shooting death and police investigators believe that the robbery and shooting death were premeditated. Residents of the area claimed that on Wednesday, they saw a car with three strange men passing close to Charan’s home, but they did not become too suspicious because the area is often frequented by strange persons. Police investigators told Newsday that the two bandits were not masked and a police sketch artist was called in. Police say arrests are imminent.
0GEORGETOWN: Trinidad and Tobago cricketers, led by an eighth-wicket partnership of 73 in 65 minutes between Jonathan Augustus and Ravi Rampaul, registered a hard-fought first innings lead against Jamaica on the second day of their final preliminary round match at the LBI ground yesterday.
Going at the Jamaicans’ total of 188, Trinidad and Tobago were in dire straits on 115 for seven, before Augustus and Rampaul featured in their rescue mission. Augustus struck a determined 67 and Rampaul a quickfire 42, as the Trinidadians were dismissed for 225. Leg-spinner Garvin Wallace, with three for 86, was the top bowler. He was well supported by pacer Borris Hutchinson with two for 21 and leg-spinner Howard Powell two for 60. Jamaica, in arrears by 37 runs, ended on 20 for one. It was Augustus’ maiden half-century at this level. His innings lasted 165 minutes and 148 balls and contained six fours. Rampaul’s breezy knock came in 65 minutes from 66 balls and included five fours.
The Jamaicans resumed on 158 for seven and were eventually dismissed for 188. Wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton struck an unbeaten 55, while Rampaul captured his second five-wicket haul in the series. He ended with figures of five for 44. Trinidad and Tobago who lead the standings with 24 points following outright wins against the Windward Islands and the Rest of Americas will top Group B, whatever the outcome. Defending champions Barbados defeated the Leeward Islands by an innings and four runs in their final preliminary match also yesterday, to book a place in the semi-finals. Resuming on 116 for three wickets overnight, the Barbadians extended their total to 207 and then bowled the Leewards out for 120 in their second innings, a showing that was not much better than their first innings 83.
Summarised scores:
(GROUP A) – At Demerara – LEEWARD ISLANDS 83 and 120 – Javier Liburd 28, Larry Joseph 19, Jamal Smith 6/35 vs BARBADOS 207 – J Smith 82, Ruel Brathwaite 30, L Joseph 5/62.
At Bourda (at tea) – CANADA 116 – Trevin Bastiampillai 36, Zaheer Mohammed 4/33, Davendra Mishoo 3/17 vs GUYANA 312/9 dec – Assad Fudadin 127, Zamal Khan 64, Z Mohammed 48, Karum Jheti 3/86, Jasjit Mangat 2/29.
GROUP B: At Everest (at tea) – REST OF AMERICAS 107 – Stephen Outerbridge 27; Liam Sebastien 5/24 and 87/8 – Mervin Matthews 4/10, Jean Paul 2/16 vs WINDWARD ISLANDS 242 – M Matthews 78 not out, Denroy Charles 45, Craig Emmanuel 34, L Sebastien 33; Omari Bryan 5/78. (CMC).
TRINIDAD and Tobago Under-23 footballers were beaten 3-0 by Costa Rica in their warm match up at the Stadium Eladio Rosabal Cordero, Heredia, on Wednesday night.
Conditions were made very heavy by persistent showers on Wednesday night, and only approximately 1,000 fans who braved the weather to attend saw Costa Rica take a 2-0 half-time lead in the match which served as the Trinidadians’ final international warm up ahead of next month’s 2004 Olympic Games qualifier against the Bahamas. Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, though disappointed with the result, preferred to take the lessons from the game.
TIAHCO STINGRAYS, Jane Public and Petrotrin all recorded huge victories as the 2003 season in the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Football Association (TTWFA) continue, on Wednes-day.
Stingrays retained their position atop the standings with 15 points after a 10-0 blowout of Pro Sports Central United at Enterprise. National midfielder and 2002 Player of the Year Tasha St Louis picked up where she left off on Saturday last, with another hat-trick for Stingrays to carry her season’s tally to 16. Sidonia Agard and Natalie Noel slammed two goals each while Jill Timothy, Rosanna Hospedales and a penalty from captain Kamara Charles completed the rout for Stingrays. Veteran midfielder Kathy-Ann Nixon also found the back of the net three times as Jane Public inflicted a 6-1 beating on Arima Ball Masters at the Larry Gomes Enclosure, Arima. Nixon’s national team-mate Leslie-Ann James hit a double while Janelle Nedd notched the other for Jane Public, who climbed to third on the table with nine points. Keshon Tempo got the lone item for the Arimians.
Petrotrin moved to second spot following a 5-0 triumph over Diego Martin Copius at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. Prolific goal-getter Natalie Des Vignes scored twice for the Southerners, pushing her tally to 12 in three matches, with national player Terri-Lisa Abdul, Stacy King and Roxanne Paul chipping in with one apiece. Real Dimension were also in winners’ row on Wednesday, defeating the cellar-placed Cruz International 3-0 with goals from Afiya Castle, Chantal Regis and national midfielder Nadia James. The scheduled clash between St David’s United (Toco) and Port of Spain Net Shakers (Police), at the Anglail Road Recreation Ground, Cumana was postponed until September 20 as the Port-of-Spain lasses were unable to field a full eleven starting players.
STARTER Lennox Con-liffe will press the button for the off at races at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, for the last time at tomorrow’s programme.
Conliffe resigned his post as starter earlier this month but held his ground until a suitable person could be groomed as a replacement. The ex-jockey, who had adverse comments made against him both in the press and by some owners and trainers, was not saddened by his decision to quit and said he wished racing and all his critics well. Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira confirmed Conliffe’s resignation was accepted by his management committee at their monthly meeting on Wednesday. Ferreira said he remembers Conliffe as being strong willed, and felt disappointed by his decision. “He was an honest individual who stood up for the things that were right, and for his stance was criticised by some in the industry whom he denied favours.”
Ferreira said Conliffe, who replaced Robert “Sack” Foster as official starter last year, made a number of mistakes during the period he was in charge at the gates, and a lot of complaints were received from both jockeys and trainers. “But during all his troubles we stood by him,” said Ferreira. “Because all of the problems were not entirely his. “Schooling of horses was at a low and that was a problem to be ironed out. “Another starter was brought in to assist and that might have brought about a misconception when the responsibility of starting races was rotated. “Having resigned he opened himself to criticism for errors in the past,” said Ferreira.
Contacted at the Arima raceourse yesterday morning, shortly after conducting a schooling session, Conliffe said he would not mind being relieved of his duties tomorrow but would continue to perform for one more day in his life if it is afforded. Conliffe said most of the criticism heaped on him were not entirely his, and accepted the blame for only one error, when he started a race with a runner declared as a non-runner. He recalled the incident and said it was a decision he had to make. “After the declared non-runner was loaded a few of the official runners became fractious in their gates and instead of any injuring themselves I was forced to send the field flying.”
W CONNECTION wasted little time with North East Stars in their Under-15 and Under-17 quarter-finals of the TT Pro League.
In a double-header at Gilbert Park, Couva, on Wednesday afternoon, Connection who won the league crowns in both divisions, hammered the Sangre Grande outfit 4-0 in the U-15 Division, then overran the North East Stars 16-0 in the U-17 age group to book a place in tomorrow’s semi-finals. National U-17 striker Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley netted a hat-trick for the Savonetta-based lads while Michael Bedassie, Aaron Downing, Kennedy Hinkson and Devon Drayton scored two apiece in the rout. Also progressing to both semis were Arima Fire, who edged Defence Force 2-1 in the U-15 group at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima.
Keron Ross and Uriah Bentick scored for the hosts while Keston George got a consolation for the Army-Coast Guard boys. The Fire U-17 squad had little trouble in eliminating CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh 6-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo with Asil Guerra and Keshon Hunte both scoring hat-tricks. But Jabloteh’s U-15s advanced to the semi-final round with a 2-0 win over South West Institute of Football (SWIF), also at the Mucurapo venue, with Dennis Williams netting a double. One U-17 semi was contested yesterday, with South Starworld Strikers edging Defence Force 1-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. The other U-15 semi-finalist is Joe Public who squeezed past Starworld 2-1 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. However, the “Eastern Lions” U-17 squad surrendered a 2-1 lead and were held to a 2-2 draw and then beaten 3-2 by SWIF in a penalty shootout. Adisa Alexander and Kern Peters scored a goal each for SWIF, while Delandro Subero and captain Kern Gardiner netted for Joe Public.
While many students who wrote this year’s CXC exams were probably hoping for Grade I’s, a breakdown and analysis of the grades and consequent percentage pass mark reveals that the majority of persons achieved Grade III’s in 33 subject areas.
While 25,272 persons wrote the Mathematics exam, only 10.1 percent achieved Grade I, while 14.3 percent and 25.9 percent achieved Grades II’s and III’s, respectively. The overall percentage pass mark for Maths was 50.3 percent. In English Language, 24,858 students wrote the exam, only 13.8 percent were able to realise their dream of obtaining Grade I. The percentage of persons obtaining Grade III’s led this category at 25.5 percent, while 16.1 percent received Grade II. The overall percentage that passed English Language was 55.4 percent. In response, the Ministry of Education would once again like to stress that the baseline mark of a Grade II at CXC is equivalent to the baseline mark in the new Grade III. Grades I, II and III being awarded in the new CXC six-point grading scheme are now recognised for entry to post-secondary and tertiary institutes, the ministry stated. It is also acceptable for entry into the Public Service as well as the Teaching Service at primary level and for entry into the Government training institutions. Clothing and Textiles recorded the highest overall percentage pass mark out of all 33 subjects, as a whopping 95.2 percent of the 273 students who wrote this subject passed. However, the majority of persons achieved a Grade II, while only 10.6 percent obtained Grade I’s.
In the areas of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, the overall percentage pass marks revealed that a fair number of persons writing these exams were successful, with marks of 64.2 percent, 68.6 percent and 73.6 percent, respectively. The number of students taking subjects such as Principles of Accounts (POA) and Principles of Business (POB) totalled 18,993. However, the majority of students in both subject areas received Grade III’s while only 19.5 percent and 10.2 percent got Grade I’s in POA and POB, respectively. While 3,462 persons took Caribbean History, only 12.4 percent of them got Grade I’s. The only subject area which led with Grade I’s was English Literature as 31.8 percent obtained the required marks, while 24.9 got Grade II’s and 15.2 percent got Grade III’s. The overall percentage pass mark for French was 86.7 which led the languages category. In Spanish, 66 percent of 4,376 persons passed. The newest subject area to be introduced to the curriculum was Theatre Arts, with only 30 students writing the exam, and 70 percent of them were able to obtain the overall percentage pass mark.
The following is a list of the different subject areas and percentage attaining passes:-
* Agricultural Science (CS) – 84.1 percent
* Agricultural Science (DA) – 75.1 percent
* Visual Arts – 57. 5 percent
* Biology – 74.6 percent
* Building Tech. Const. – 69. 7 percent
* Caribbean History – 73.2 percent
* Chemistry – 68.6 percent
* Clothing and Textiles – 95.2 percent
* Elec. And Electronic Tech. – 73 percent
* English A – 55. 4 percent
* English B – 71.9 percent
* Food and Nutrition – 86.2 percent
* French – 86. 7 percent
* Geography – 71. 2 percent
* Home Econ. Management – 84.6 percent
* Information Technology (Technical) – 70.3 percent
* Information Technology (General) – 95 percent
* Integrated Science SA – 81.5 percent
* Mathematics – 50.3 percent
* Mech. Eng. Technology – 73.8 percent
* Office Procedures – 82.1 percent
* Physics – 64.2 percent
* Principles of Accounts – 75 percent
* Principles of Business – 77.7 percent
* Shorthand – 14.5 percent
* Social Studies – 80.8 percent
* Spanish – 66 percent
* Technical Drawing – 60.3 percent
* Typewriting – 53.8 percent
* Building Tech. Woods – 81.2 percent
* Agricultural Science (AS) – 82.4 percent
* Music – 48 percent
* Theatre Arts – 70 percent
The mother of a 16-year-old boy, charged with manslaughter of his friend, wept uncontrollably when the teen appeared in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Riaz Mohammed, student, of Rosewood Avenue, Coconut Drive, Morvant, was arrested after he allegedly shot Gideon George on Monday morning. George, 16, of Never Dirty, Morvant, was reportedly shot by accident in the stomach while the two teens were in possession of a homemade shotgun at Mohammed’s home. The manslaughter charge was laid indictably by PC Patrick Thomas following consultation with Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Carla Browne-Antoine. Mohammed’s mother wept as she and his father were instructed to stand by his side in the prisoners’ dock. The emotional woman had to be cautioned by a police officer when she began fidgeting and wiping her eyes with a towel while before the magistrate.
Defence Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips made an application for bail before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Melvin Daniel. “When I was young, it was a treat for my mother to go into Scarborough and return with a ‘cap gun’ for me to play with. Over the years, a gun has become a novelty for young men and just as young ladies play with dolls, boys are taught to play with guns. This novelty has come to haunt us,” declared Godson-Phillips. The attorney then informed the magistrate that his client had one previous matter before the Court and was currently serving a bond for the offence. He asked for bail to be set considering the fact that the boy will be entering a senior comprehensive school in September. Magistrate Daniel stood down the matter to 1.15 pm saying that he needed time to think about the circumstances. When the matter was called, Ag Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington presided.
Godson-Phillips told Wellington that due to the fact that the previous matter was of a different nature, the bond could not be considered when setting bail. Wellington exclaimed, “Whilst on a bond, you get arrested for manslaughter and you are telling me that the Court cannot consider the bond!” After brief deliberation, Godson-Phillips asked for the boy to be placed in the care of his parents. “That cannot be a serious argument Mr Phillips, 16 now is not the 16 of your or my time. I will fix bail but that application cannot be considered,” said Wellington. The teen was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and the matter was adjourned to September 2.
A 15-YEAR-OLD student of Belmont Junior Secondary school was yesterday granted bail with a surety in the sum of $20,000 by a San Fernando magistrate before whom she appeared, charged with larceny of personal items from a citizen of the United States.
The charge was laid indictably and the youthful defendant was not called upon to enter a plea, when she appeared before Magistrate Sonia Aleong in the San Fernando First Court. The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Wednesday at Hi-Lo Supermarket, Pointe-a-Pierre. The defendant is charged with unlawfully taking a bag belonging to American citizen Debra Reguardt, which contained US$60, TT$309, a purse valued at US$15, a wallet worth US$15, a US$7 cheque, a Texas State driver’s permit and a PriceSmart membership card. The alleged incident is said to have happened while the American was shopping at the supermarket.
The teen was subsequently held by a security guard at the supermarket and handed over to PC Hosein of the Marabella police station, who preferred the charge. The defendant’s attorney, Frank Arthur Seepersad, informed Magistrate Aleong that his client was a first-time offender. Court prosecutor Cpl Wendell Fernando did not object to bail being granted to the accused teenager and Magistrate Aleong obliged. On being questioned by Magistrate Aleong, the teen denied ever being kept at the St Jude’s Home for Girls.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday.
