THE British Petroleum  (bpTT)-sponsored four-day self enhancement programme entered its second day yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad, and West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine is already deeming it a success.

This four-day Self-Enhancement series is geared to help the regional international cricketers to develop themselves in an all-round holistic manner away from the playing fields. The programme is designed to be staged over a one-year period and will be conducted on a quarterly basis at various regional locations. All Test, first class and under-19 players will benefit from these workshops. The programme will deal with finance and business planning, health care, communications and inter-personal skills among the major components of the intensive sessions which are conducted by experienced specialists.

Speaking to Newsday Ramnarine said: “So far the sessions have been very useful and this will go a long way to improving the life of the West Indian cricketer. Players today can consider themselves lucky to be able to enter such sessions. In the past the former West Indian cricketers were not as lucky.” “Our hope is that at the end of the sessions players can begin development to a greater self and they can improve their already improving standards.” Jamaican openers Christopher Gayle and Wavell Hinds who missed the opening day on Friday, joined the group of Test players at the Hilton yesterday. West Indies captain Brian Lara who attended the opening day’s session, flew out to New York yesterday evening, but will take sessions at the next quarterly programme.

NERI JOSEPH notched a hat-trick scoring  in the 44th, 82nd and 87th minutes, as Police opened the inaugural All Sport National Super League with a 6-1 drubbing of WASA Clean & White at the WASA Ground, St Joseph yesterday.

The captain was supported by Curt Danclair who scored a double, with Dwight Elliott adding the other for the Southern Football Association (SFA) giants. Skipper Kien Hernandez got the lone goal for the reigning Eastern Football Association (EFA) league champs. Temperamental but prolific striker and captain Warren Butler scored the decider as Crab Connection edged St Clair Coaching School 1-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. But the other Tobago Football Association (TFA) outfit Bi Water Stokely Vale scored three goals within the final five minutes of play to defeat Club Sando 3-1 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Defence Force strolled past Tamana United 4-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Maraval Youth Academy whipped Mayaro Spurs 2-1 at the Mayaro Recreation Ground while Caroni FC blanked fellow Central Football Association (CFA) club TCL Samba Boys 3-0 at Gilbert Park, Couva. Second round action will take place on Wednesday.

NATIONAL Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) president Ken Doldron and other countries in the North American, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) want the “one false start” rule reviewed.

Doldron and others are seeking to have the IAAF revert to the previous rule, allowing  an athlete to enjoy one false start and still have the opportunity to compete in any race. From January this year, the International Athletics Associations Federation (IAAF) instituted the new rule disqualifying athletes immediately on “breaking the gun,” This ruling has not found favour with athletics officials and coaches but more importantly, athletes who have suffered under the new one and done rule. Doldron disclosed that at the NACAC convention in Grenada on July 6, during the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) senior championships, a resolution was passed to ask the IAAF at the World Congress in Paris to review the one false start rule. He also accused the IAAF of attempting to ostracise small countries from the relays at Olympics Games. He said: “The IAAF wants to eliminate the less established athletics nations from giving their athletes greater exposure at  the highest level by introducing a new system to allow the top 16 teams in the relays to qualify for the 2003 Athens Olympics. “By doing this there will be no qualifying heats but two straight semi-finals.

The thinking is that with the possibility of poor baton exchange or even dropping the implement or running out of lanes during the transition phase or round the bends will allow other teams to capitalise and get to the medal rounds.” The proposed opposition to the “Elite 16,” which will create a disadvantage for other nations, was moved by Barbadian Steve Stoute and seconded by Doldron. The resolution was eventually passed and Doldron and his NACAC colleagues will be drumming up support for their position from delegates of  the expected 210 countries to be represented at the World Congress, which starts tomorrow and ends on Friday. Doldron heads the TT delegation which includes senior vice-president George Commissiong, team manager, and Dr Ian Hypolite, coach. At the congress, the NAAA boss will also be seeking further financial help from the IAAF to ensure Trinidad and Tobago athletes get the opportunity to compete at all major regional and international championships. Doldron said that the NAAA plan hosting two important development seminars for next year. And in their effort to facilitate all officials to get an equal opportunity of enhancing and upgrading their knowledge and expertise in athletics, both programmes will be conducted in sister-island Tobago. The Technical Officiating Educational Certification System (TOECS) seminar is scheduled for February, while the IAAF Level I Coaching Certificate programme seminar will be staged during the months of July and August.

GEORGETOWN: Guyanese fast bowler Reon King is anxious to return to the senior West Indies team after two years in the wilderness.

In an exclusive interview from Newcastle, England, where he represents South Northumberland in the North East Premier League, King said he learnt a lot since being dropped and as a result is a much better player with plenty to offer the regional team. “I did a lot of work on my cricket, especially fielding. I refined my bowling action and worked on getting fitter and stronger, and as a result I am now injury free, my confidence is back and my fitness level is high.” During this time he also completed a Level Two Coaching Course as well as read numerous books on psychology. With a beautiful run up and nice high action, King was touted as the natural successor to greats Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, before injury and loss of form resulted in him being omitted from the regional team after the second one-day international in Kenya in 2001.

Now, he explains that his mechanics are a lot better and  “when bowling the ball is coming out very well.” “I’ve also found back my off-cutter, which was my main wicket-taking ball, and which I lost during the period leading up to my dropping. “However, during the Carib Beer competition, and over here in England, I have been able to bowl that delivery again.” The lanky pacer said his plans to get back into the West Indies team suffered a big blow when he was left out of  the Guyana team for the Carib Beer semi-final against Jamaica. Although keen to represent the West Indies, King may have ruled himself out of the team’s year-end engagements after accepting an offer to play first class cricket for Northerns Cricket Union in South Africa. The season runs from October to March, which means that King would miss the Red Stripe Bowl and Carib Beer competitions in which he must appear to be available for selection.

NATIONAL striker Hector Sam scored the lone goal for Wrexham to defeat Notts County 1-0 in the English Second Division yesterday.

With countrymen Dennis Lawrence and Carlos Edwards in the starting lineup for the newly-promoted team at Meadow Lane, Sam replaced Chris Armstrong nine minutes into the second half, and the ex-QRC star found the back of the net in the 66th. Edwards blew past Kevin Nicholson on the right flank and sent a centre to Sam, who smashed his shot past goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall. Also tasting success yesterday was national captain Marvin “Dog” Andrews who, despite rumours of a move to Dundee United, was among the starters as Livingston edged Motherwell 1-0 at home. Falkirk were also in action, in the Scottish First Division, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ayr at Somerset Park. Midfielder Russell Latapy also featured for the entire 90 minutes but fellow TT playmaker Brent Rahim was replaced by Eddie May in the 66th.

TT goalkeeper Clayton Ince kept a clean sheet in the English First Division, as his club Crewe Alexandra squeezed past Ipswich 1-0. Another national goalkeeper Shaka Hislop made his return to the English Premier League for Portsmouth at home to Aston Villa at Fratton Park. Hislop could do nothing to stop a Gareth Batty penalty in the 84th minute,  but Portsmouth prevailed 2-1 with goals from captain Teddy Sheringham and Patrick Berger. Fellow TT striker Stern John was a 68th minute substitute for Geoff Horsfield as Birmingham defeated visitors Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at St Andrew’s Stadium. But 21-year-old forward Collin Samuel  had a miserable time for his club Dundee United, who suffered a humiliating 5-0 whipping away to Celtic at Celtic Park.

NINETEEN Under-15 cricketers were urged to aim for the top in their sport. This advice came from  West Indies Cricket Board, chief cricket development officer Dr. Michael Seepersad.

The youngsters from throughout the Caribbean were receiving  certificates of participation at the end of a two-week camp at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, Balmain, Couva, on Friday. Dr Seepersad told the young cricketers “take your cricket seriously and aim for the top to represent the West Indies some time in the future.” Described as the best Under-15 cricketers in the West Indies today, by Dr Seepersad, the trainees were exposed to batting, bowling and fielding skills, as well as mental, social and emotional preparedness.

He said the exercise was to  “help shape outstanding players to represent  their countries at the level of Test Cricket. “You are the best possible group of youngsters that we have put together for this training and we hope that what you have learnt here will serve you, your country and the entire Caribbean region in the best possible manner so that at some point in time we could regain our position as the No 1 cricket team at the internationl level,” Dr Seepersad said. He noted with pleasure that Tishan Maraj, captain of the 2000 Under-15 team that won the Costcutter World Tournament in the United Kingdom, and who is now a member of the Under-19s in Guyana, was successful in the Advanced Level examination, gaining four A’s , and has been accepted to pursue his studies at Oxford University, England.. “Obviously then it is well worth emphasising that sports and education do mix well, so as youngsters you must complete your education while taking your cricket seriously,” Dr. Seepersad advised.

He asked, “If we can do so well at the Under 15 and Under 19 Level, why are we so lowly placed at the International level?” Dr Seepersad then explained, “That is why we have organised this Camp so that you can be exposed to the science of the game from an early age and go on to condition and equip yourself in such a manner that you would be left with no alternative but to strive for excellence.” Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board president Alloy Lequay said they were creating facilities in the country that would produce cricketers of a high standard. Lequay pledged support for West Indies cricket and hoped that the National Cricket Centre at Balmain, Couva, would assist the  regional team  to regain past international glory. Top local coach Bachan Boochoon headed the panel of facilitators, with assistance WICB training development officer in Trinidad and Tobago Kumar Rampat and 17 other lecturers. The youngsters came from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, St. Vincent,  Antigua, and Bermuda.

THE old “Iron Horse” Chanticleer, is among 13 horses for which subscriptions have been paid for this year’s Arima Race Club Diamond Stakes Handicap.

The 1,350 metres event will see the grey speedster Napoleon making a return to action after a long lay-off because of injury. In what is sure to be a very competitive event to be run off on Royal Oak Derby Day, September 24, the outstanding Sugar Mike, winner of the President’s Cup recently and runner-up Phantom Bidder, Movietowenmagic, Fortunate Flag, Invincibility and Smooth Operator hold the engagement. Meanwhile, there are 30 horses left in the Royal Oak Derby, headed by Top Of  The Class, who will be seeking to accomplish the Triple Crown. Two Barbadian and a Jamaican-bred three-year-old are listed among the field to challenge Top Of The Class. The two Bajans are Ginger Bay and Sweet Dreams, while the lone Jamaican is Royal Red. Also in the Derby field are recent winners Undisputed and My Aphrodite,  along with the highly thought of Celebration Time, Due Dilligence and Isle Be There. But before these “big events” comes the Arima Race Club Independence Cup  over 1,850 metres on the turf course on Independence Day, September 1. Phantom Bidder, Sugar Mike, while triple crown winner Carnival Messiah and Bajan trio Hard Dancer, Feet On Flames and Lion Country have all had subscriptions paid. Final subscriptions of $300 for this race is due on Monday.

Here are the runners in the ARC Independence Cup: Canaima; Carnival Messiah; Dottie’s Way; Feet On Flames; Golden Shufleur; Hard Dancer; Invincibility; Lion Country; Morgan Heritage; Outswinger; Phantom Bidder; Smooth Operator; Sugar Mike.
Those in the Derby are: Adffirm Decision; Baggy Green; Beautiful Mind; Bound To Dot Com; Celebration Time; Cornerstone; Due Dilligence; Firestorm; Fortaleza; Fresh Mandate; Full Of Promises; Ginger Bay; Golden Honour; Hannibal’s Will; Isle Be There; Joan Of Arc; Loud Music; My Aphrodite; Naturelly Classy; Renaissance Man; Royal Flush; Royal Red; Sir Vidia; Super Grey; Sweet Dreams; Sweet Tempo; Time To Fly; Top Of The Class; Undisputed; Van Nistelrooy. And the runners for the ARC Diamond Stakes are: Chanticleer; Fortunate Flag; Gold Conveyor; Invincibility; Lovely Honoree; Man Of Class; Miss Lover Lover; Moviietownemagic; Napoleon; Outswinger; Phantom Bidder; Smooth Operator; Sugar Mike.

IN 1952 he brought fame and glory to Trinidad and Tobago when he earned a weight-lifting bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympics, but now Lennox Kilgour is not happy with the way he is being treated as a former sporting hero by authorities at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. A close friend of the 75-year-old, speaking to Newsday said: ”Lennox made Trinidad and Tobago proud in 1952 and recently he was treated very badly at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.”

Kilgour damaged his left instep a couple of weeks ago and was taken to the public facility. After staying there a few days,  his condition allegedly worsened and “he was at the point of no-return” his friend commented. “When I visited him at the hospital he was really in a bad state and it was sad to see because this guy was a former national hero. This in not the way to treat our heroes, they must be recognised and treated with dignity.” With assistance from his close friend, Kilgour was taken to the Seventh Day Adventist Community Hospital where he has received a skin graft on the  injured instep and is now recovering at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital. According to his friend: “After he fell down and injured his instep, it became  infected as he is diabetic. “Now he is seeing some progress and with God’s help he will be back out and comfortable to move around. At present he cannot walk but hopefully he will be able to move around soon. “The hospital is private where he is staying at the moment and he needs assistance to pay his bills. We got in contact with the WITCO Sports Foundation and they helped us out but we still need funds to pay for the rest of his stay.” Contacted, officials at WITCO confirmed that they had indeed assisted  the ailing hero.  Kilgour lives alone at Powder Magazine, Cocorite, after his home in St James was gutted by fire several years ago,  but friends who visit him regularly.

 Saturday: Another amusing morning watching the West Indies Cricket Board nominees flailing around outside the doors of several regional Boards. Haven’t  laughed this much since . . . well, the last time I saw big men reduced  to mice to win a seat to be honest. You lot from Jamaica are even worse  than those from Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and in all of  this, nobody cares that we are still losing.  Later I stayed up all night  to watch Jamaica lose to Trinidad and Tobago at football. You see, in this part of the world, it is worth missing a couple of hours sleep to see the national team take part in a sporting event.

Sunday: Mixed day. Deryck Murray  looked a bit useful. I think the Jamaicans were surprised to be facing a Trini who understands that you can improve  your voting figures by aiming at the stumps dead on and speaking the  truth. Apart from that, all of us West Indians were delighted to see a certain Jamaican  in the canvassing room. It should cement his place in  the losing team. Good news for the Bajans. Now if we could only come up with a way of getting rid of Ricky Skerrit  and getting Clive Lloyd  recalled . . .

Monday: A ripper of a day as our boys get ahead as the voting gets heated for the Presidency. In the Red Stripe Bowl cricket between the Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, it was particularly satisfying to see a young umpire, my fellow Trini umpire, getting a win over the Barbados team on  his senior debut. That puts him in a very exclusive club (759 members  and counting). I had coached him intensively before the match: “If it’s  Wallace,” I advised, “give him out.”

Tuesday: Had to chuckle at the newspapers, which had the headline Rabbit Stew above a mock picture of Richard De Souza, Val Banks and Stephen Alleyne looking like bunnies. Had to explain the joke to my kids, though. Myxomatosis has got a lot to answer for.

Wednesday: It’s been a bit dull having to wait around for the next dinner meeting of the various two parties vying for the Presidency of the WICB, the Jamaicans are eating lobster on the current WICB account, while the Bajans are having a roti and Solo on the account of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control. With all of this I popped down to the nets to watch the Trinidad and Tobago team preparing for their crucial match against a Select X11 . Roland Sampath  had them out practising  their fielding and they dropped more balls than a classroom of pubescent schoolboys. Roll on Guyana.

Thursday: Compulsory net practice before start of play for all tail-end batsmen on  the Trinidad and Tobago  team — from No 3 downwards. Darren Ganga was  given 12 pegs to practice with and Marlon Black  got his net up second. Mervyn Dillon  beat Black by 43 seconds, but they left Ravi Rampaul wondering why he had four pegs left over.

Friday: I had a clear view of the Michael Holding run-out vote from the boundary where I was signing autographs for Dancing Brave fans and adjusting my  sunglasses. He was definitely out on a limb for his Jamaican  counterparts by a good three inches. Actually, Tony Cozier also must take some blame in the showroom afterwards for being behind the voting patterns of Holding and thereby obstructing the camera’s view of the entire situation given his increasing weight growth. He’s been told that  if he gets in the proper position again he will be sent to the Courtney Walsh School of fielding.

Saturday: What a proud day for us all. Trinidad and Tobago  lost by less than 100 runs and our last five wickets put on an incredible 38 runs. It was tough out there, but we deserved our moment of glory and the lap of  honour was one of those spontaneous gestures all sportsmen do when  things have gone their way. It is a pity all of the administrators were busy lobbying votes, that there was no one present to do any  presentations.

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