N Touch

UNC: 1,000 cops not for ‘political harassment’

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) yesterday warned that the additional 1,000 police officers being deployed as part Govern-ment’s new anti-crime intiative must not be used to politically harrass UNC members, or anyone opposed to the ruling People’s National Move-ment (PNM).

Addressing a news conference at Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday’s Port-of-Spain office, UNC chairman Wade Mark said the UNC strongly condemned what it viewed as “the political harassment” of Opposition Senator Arnim Smith by a police officer at a roadblock in Curepe on Friday night. According to police, Smith was stopped when he refused to slow down his vehicle at the roadblock. Smith told officers he had a licensed 9 mm handgun in his glove compartment. He was asked to produce the necessary licence. He produced it and the gun was handed back to him.  “The decision to increase the number of policemen on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago while laudable, is widely viewed by members of the public as a very limited response to the escalating crime wave in TT. This effort should be aimed at confronting the criminal elements and not to be used as an instrument of political harassment and intimidation of law-abiding citizens who are merely going about their business on a daily basis,” Mark declared. He stressed that while the UNC fully supports “herculean efforts” of the police and army to fight crime “with antiquated equipment and technology,” the Opposition sees Friday’s incident as “tantamount to political harassment.”

Mark described the officer in question as “a political PNM policeman” who makes a mockery of the Police Service’s oath “to protect and serve”. “The police service is a non-political service established to protect and serve the people of TT, and at the service of any government be it UNC, PNM or NAR. The police is there to serve any government that has won (general elections) fairly, squarely and democratically,” he said. The UNC chairman called upon Na-tional Security Minister Howard Chin Lee and Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs “to thoroughly and comprehensively conduct an inquiry into this incident.” Mark added that the UNC was also keeping all of its legal options open at this time. He also lashed out at what the UNC claims is “the use of the police service by certain known PNM supporters to intimidate, harass and publicly compromise the personal security of any citizen of this Republic.”

President Richards to attend Chutney Foundation show

His Excellency President George Maxwell Richards is expected to attend the National Chutney Foundation of TT’s  (NCFTT) Chutney competition on August 2 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

The show, carded to start at 8.30 pm, will feature the talent of 15 of the top chutney artistes of TT. Those who will be competing for NCFTT’s top prize of $100,000 are Adesh Samaroo, Vedesh Sookoo, Sarah Ramcallie, Drupatie Ramgoonai, Budram Holass, Ralphy Sookoo, Krishendath Singh, Lynn Khan, Rakesh Yankaran, Savitri Rampersad, Roger Law, Krishendath Singh, Hemlata Dindial, Divandra Ramnath and Heeralal Rampartap. According to the chairman of NCFTT, Dr Vijay Ramlal, the US-based television station, MTV, will be taping the competition for wordwide viewing at a later date. This is the first time in local history that a programme of this sort is being taped by MTV. 

Another twist to the programme will be the appearance of India’s actress and singer, Bindu. She is expected to do a special performance on the chutney stage. She will be joined by Artical Dan of the US and the Ghungaroo Dancers coming out of New York. Top local artistes including members of Dil-E-Nadan as well as members of the orchestra, SSL Melobugs, will be performing at the show. The Ma Pau’s Vikash Dancers will also take to the stage as part of the local act. For more information call 628-2174 or 624-1024.

5 HOMELESS AFTER FIRE

Five people were left homeless after a weekend fire destroyed their house at 58F, Flanders Village, Fyzabad.

According to reports, the fire started around 9 pm on Saturday. A team of five fire officers from the Siparia Fire Station responded to the call and by 9.25 pm, they arrived on the scene. They were led by Ag Fire Sub Station Officer Pustam. Even though a short time had elapsed before they arrived, 95 percent of the house was destroyed. The owner of the house, known only as Mr Jaggernauth, lived there  with his wife and three children. None of the occupants was home at the time of the blaze. Damage to concrete structure is estimated at $60,000. Investigators are working on the theory that the blaze started as a result of an electrical problem. Investigations are continuing.

New Mayors in Chaguanas, Sando and Point

Despite facing a criminal charge: Atherley is new Sando Mayor


By RICHARDSON DHALAI


DESPITE facing a criminal charge of ballot-box tampering, which arose in the aftermath of the 2002 General Elections, Ian Atherley, former campaign manager for San Fernando West MP Diane Seukeran, was sworn in yesterday morning as the new Mayor of San Fernando. In a simple swearing-in ceremony at San Fernando City Hall at 10 am yesterday, Atherley, who succeeded outgoing Mayor Gerard Ferreira, was given the ceremonial mayoral chains to wear, signifying his new political post.

Atherley is facing a charge of ballot-box tampering, allegedly committed during voting of Special Electors on October 4, last year at the Fire Services’ South Divisional Headquarters, Mon Repos, San Fernando. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing tomorrow. Atherley is being represented by attorney Theodore Guerra, SC. However, it was a beaming Atherley who, in his first address as Mayor, pledged to “serve all the people of San Fernando” by transforming the southern city into the “envy of the Caribbean.” In an address that echoed promises made on the campaign trail during the Local Government Election campaign, the former national cyclist also pledged to transform the Skinner Park facilities into the “mecca” of sporting events in the Southland. He revealed that contrary to “propaganda” by the Opposition UNC, the Council was not embarking in “house padding” by acquiring a vacant property at Todd’s Street, but was looking at expanding the adjoining Skinner Park’s recreational facilities through acquisition of the property. In a telephone interview with Newsday, Carol Cuffy-Dowlat said she was not pleased that of the 11 committees and sub-committees Mayor Atherley appointed to look into several community projects in the areas of culture, youth development and sporting facilities, she was not appointed to any.




New Pt Fortin Mayor blanks media after swearing-in


IN HIS first official act as the new Mayor of Pt Fortin, former Petrotrin Manager, St Clair Natha, yesterday bluntly refused to speak to the media moments after his swearing-in at the Pt Fortin Borough Corporation’s Chamber.

Natha — whose appointment as Mayor was in danger of being derailed by irate members of the Point Fortin community, who last week journeyed to Balisier House, Port-of-Spain armed with petitions to protest his nomination — said he would hold a press briefing “at the appropriate time.” However, in his inaugural address, which lasted all of five minutes, Natha said it was not without “humility and not a little bit of trepidation” that he had accepted the position of Mayor. He pointed out that “nothing will be accomplished” without the assistance of everyone in the Borough Corporation. Also taking the oath of office was councillor Marlon Richardson who was sworn-in as Deputy Mayor. Attending the ceremony was Point Fortin MP Larry Achong. Natha replaces outgoing Mayor Francis Bertrand, who served for eight years.




Former diplomat now new Chaguanas Mayor — Suruj Rambachan


By HERMAN ROOP DASS


THE CHAGUANAS Borough, like our country, requires men of courage and determination who are fearless and strong to deliver quality service to the people whom we represent, says the borough’s  new Mayor, Surujrattan Rambachan, former UWI Lecturer in Management, who was elected yesterday.

He told councillors and others present  “I hope to use the vehicle of this borough to create an opportunity for leaders to emerge to take responsibility for the nation.” “We need leaders at all levels in our society, and we should be reminded of the biblical saying which stresses that if you wish to be a leader, you must first be a servant.” The swearing-in ceremony of the new Mayor, Rambachan, and Deputy Mayor, Orlando Nagessar (the outgoing Mayor), took place on the compound of the Corporation and was supervised by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, William Mark.

It was witnessed by a large gathering including Dr Hamza Rafeeq (UNC MP for Caroni Central), Senator Wade Mark, Senator Arnim Smith and Senator Satish Ramroop, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, as well as members of the Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The borough is now represented by five councillors from the UNC: Orlando Nagessar, (Felicity/Endeavour), Felicia Isahak (Charlieville); Narsingh Rambarran (Cunupia), Joey Samuel (Munroe Road/Caroni Savannah Road) and Gopaul Boodhan (Montrose) and, three Councillors representing the PNM: Ronald Heera (Enterprise South), Bernard Bailey (Edinburgh/Longdenville) and Patricia Baptiste (Enterprise North). The two aldermen are Surujrattan Rambachan and Naidu Powdhar.

TT volleyball girls keep CZAOVA crown

TRINIDAD and Tobago captain Aisha Sealy and her jubilant team-mates celebrated an historic and hard-fought victory over arch-rivals Netherland Antilles, as they successfully retained the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior Women crown in Martinique on Sunday night.

It was TT’s third lien on the coveted trophy and the Macsood Ali-coached team created history by becoming the first team to record back-to-back tournament triumphs, after their 2001 victory in Suriname. It took the combined set times of exactly 120 minutes for TT’s nerve-wracking come-from-behind 25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-9 victory and maintained their unbeaten record for two consecutive championships. The Trinidadians won the first set after 28 minutes of  exciting action as the Dutch girls stifled the attacking thrust by star player KellyAnn Billingy. Having successfully nullified Billingy’s firepower at the net, Netherlands took control and won the next two sets after 23 and 30 minutes of  riveting and compelling volleyball skills and strategy by both teams.

Sealy, the team’s setter, was superb with her distribution while Marina Camps was absolutely brilliant with her passes. Libero Jenna Ferguson never faltered in the backcourt as Trinidad and Tobago fought bravely and regained control as Billingy pounded the opposition with rapier-like smashes. Danya Augustus and Nadiege Honore provided solid blocking support at the net as TT drew level with a 25-22 fourth set win after 24 absorbing minutes. Tension was high in the fifth and decisive set. But the athletic Trinidadians showed they were fitter for the battle and Billingy unloaded six kills, which allowed the delighted Trinis to celebrate victory. They won the fifth set after 15 minutes. For her overall outstanding play, Billingy copped the 2003 CAZOVA Junior Championships “Most Valuable Female Player” and the “Best Female Hitter” awards, while Glamorgan Club teammates Jenna Ferguson and Marisa Camps collected the “Best Female Libero” and “Best Female Receiver’ awards respectively.

Murray not interested in WICB top job

EX-WEST INDIES wicketkeeper Deryck Murray has not given any thought to assuming the position of president of the West Indies Cricket Board.

And he said he was “flattered at remarks made by former Sports Minister Manohar Ramsaran, with respect to my eligibility to become the president of the West Indies Cricket Board.” “To say the least I was also amused, as I have not yet considered the possibility of filling that position as it is far removed  from my mind.” Murray was responding  to Ramsaran’s  comments made last week during an interview with the MEDI and he noted,  “When I saw the interview on television I began to laugh as I do not think that at the present moment that is on my agenda. “Maybe that will be my focus at some point down the road but not at the moment,” he said.

Murray said  he played cricket at international level for West Indies and he enjoyed what he did on and off the field as a player. But he said: “To head the WICB at this time is not on my books.” Murray said his major concern at the present time was the fact that Trinidad and Tobago should be rebuilding their cricket to get back at the top in regional cricket, and “that was my major aim in accepting the position of Director of Cricket Development for the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, at Balmain, Couva. He said he was impressed with Powergen’s involvement in sponsoring the cricket academy for 18 young players who graduated last month after being exposed to mental and physical preparedness for a one-year period. Murray expressed the  hope that the young players who took the course would be better equipped to play a major role in helping the country get back to the top rung of  the region’s cricket ladder in a short space of time.

Sancho to join Dundee

NATIONAL defender Brent Sancho will be wearing the colours of Dundee in the Scottish Premier League for the 2003-04 season. The 26-year-old dreadlocked Sancho will be officially announced as a new signing today,  after he was granted his work permit at yesterday’s appeal hearing in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The six-man committee which decided Sancho’s fate comprised former Liverpool player Peter Cormack, ex-Hibernian representative Pat Stanton, ex-Rangers’ Willie McLean, and a representative each from the Scottish Premier League, the Professional Football Association and the Scottish Football Association. Sancho, who was formerly contracted with American A-League club Portland Timbers, said yesterday, “I was still feeling some shock even though the wait has been a long one. “I just left everything in God’s hands and things worked out well for me in the end. “I want to thank, obviously,  my family and my girlfriend for their support as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for their assistance.” The ex-Joe Public and CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh stopper did not feature in the required  number of international matches and seemed unlikely to be granted a work permit. Sancho was the first national player to play professionally in Finland with Tevarit FC.

Logie: Media WI players’ friend

WEST INDIES cricket coach Augustine Logie tells his players they must consider the media their friend and not their enemy.

Speaking from his Rousillac home yesterday, Logie said: “The time we have had to work with the players so far has been very short so we have not been able to work on media relations. “However we have told them that they must consider the media their friend and not their enemy. “Even beyond the media you have ex-players and supporters who might say things that are not to their liking but they must take it in stride. They must however be forceful enough to respond to their critics. “The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) noted to us that they are going to set up programmes for the players to learn to deal with the media and all of this is about to be put in place. “The players at the end of the day must be able to have greater self-confidence to deal with the media and this would translate into their play.”

Logie who was appointed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as coach of the senior team a week ago, said he is most likely to meet with the West Indies players at the end of next month in order to start preparations for the twin tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Since taking up his position, Logie has won rave reviews across the Caribbean for leading the West Indies to their series victory over Sri Lanka and the record victory against Australia in the final Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground. West Indies also won three successive one-day matches against the Aussies although losing the series 4-3, and this helped their world ranking. They moved from seventh on the International Cricket Council (ICC) one day international ratings to fourth behind the Australians, South Africa and England.

Logie said the team’s success was based on a lot of  things that were implemented, one of them being zero tolerance on indiscipline. “There is now a shift in the attitude of the players, as they now accept their roles fully. “Skipper Brian Lara has been an inspiration to the team and they have responded to his leadership. We have taught the players the value of  helping one another in this team sport and there has also been a marked increase in their general performances.” The WICB are yet to name an assistant to Logie but is expected to fill this void soon. Logie refused to be drawn into comment on his possible assistant saying it  was a matter for the regional Board.

WI not yet back to glory days

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Jeff Dujon said there is evidence that West Indies cricket is improving but it may be too premature to conclude that the regional team has returned to the “glory days”.

Dujon, a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) coach, said the recent performances by the West Indies team have rekindled hopes of a full revival. “I like the attitude of the selectors, their initiative in investing in our young players,” he told reporters last Friday. “There has been a measure of success especially with the young players and I would like to see some of them touring South Africa later this year,” said the former Wisden cricketer of 1989. Dujon and Kenny Benjamin, another WICB coach and former fastbowler, began a specialist camp on Thursday for young cricketers in the Windward Islands, in preparation for the West Indies Under-19 Tournament in Guyana next month. However, Benjamin expressed disappointment that only two fastbowlers were available for the start of the training session. “The Windwards have always had a bunch of fastbowlers and I was disappointed that only two were available. “I’m told that the rest (bowlers) are in Barbados participating in the Sir Garfield Sobers Schools’ Cricket Tournament, but there must be a priority. You have to consider your country before school and this is an important aspect of their development,” Benjamin said.

Territorial Development Officer for the Windward Islands, Alfred Bynoe said the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control sought assistance from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Dujon and Benjamin were sent to co-ordinate the programme. “We have also included two players over the age of 19 for special attention in bowling — Troy George of Grenada and Calvert Hooper of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Bynoe told GrenadaSports. He said that Ronald Rogers, the West Indies fitness trainer, is also expected to begin a two-day Fitness Battery/Injury Prevention Workshop for promising cricketers, coaches and trainers. Following the completion of the specialist camp, the Windwards’ squad will undergo a normal camp before departing for Guyana to participate in Zone B along with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.


Squad
Liam Sebastien (capt), Jean Paul, Asa Edwards, Ron Edwards, Craig Emmanuel, Earven Frederick, Miles Bascombe, Marvin Noel, Glenroy Charles, Nelon Pascal, Ronald Ettienne, Lindon James, Luke Browne, Lemron George; Irwin Warrican (coach), and Emmanuel Nanthan (manager).

Veterans rally into Eastern b-ball final

WITH a style and grace unseen in the modern game the Brian Chase Academy Veterans displayed confidence, patience and an iron grit to advance to the Division Two final of the Eastern Community Basketball League, recording a 70-65 victory over Caledonia Clippers.

And Unit Trust Maloney Pacers continued to show up in the finals when they beat Sangre Grande All Stars 73-65 on Thursday last, despite Grande’s David Langton and Noel Roshford both scoring 19 points.  The Vets will meet Pacers in the best-of-three final at the Maloney Indoor Sporting Arena from tonight, starting 7.30 pm. Having brought themselves level with a 85-70 win over Veterans in Game Two of the best-of-three Big Four series on Thursday, Clippers came to the Arena with a place in the final as their evident ambition. Clippers led from the tip-off in Saturday’s Game Three with the first quarter ending 17-13. They led 36-24 at the half-time interval, and at the end of the third were comfortably placed 58-40. But the spirit of the Veterans would be revived and in the first two minutes of the deciding fourth period, Ian “Poison” Gomes, Dereck “Corn-bread” James and Trevor Reid combined for 10 points to start a determined rally by the Vets.

The Vets rally began with Clippers leading 60-50, a process which  included a Barry “Shoulders” Stewart steal followed by a Steve “Chase It” Edwards crowd pleasing three-pointer, and they captured the lead for good. And with determined defensive play, the Veterans limped into the final weary but battle ready. The Veterans’ were led by “Corn-bread” James’ game-high 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Gomes scored 15 points and snatched nine rebounds and Trevor Reid contributed 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. For Clippers, Edward Francis had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Wilt Vincent 14 with 13 rebounds, two assists and four steals, while Dexter Edwards had 11 and Kerwin Lares scored 10.