Omar Khan, PowerGen’s Corporate Communications Manager has been chosen to manage the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team at this year’s Red Stripe Bowl regional limited overs cricket tournament.
This was disclosed by a source close to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) yesterday. “Khan is the overwhelming choice as manager of the TT team. The players felt very comfortable with him during the Carib Beer series and an assessment of his performance gave the Board no choice but to return him as manager,” the source said. Khan was first appointed manager of the team for the Carib Beer regional tournament and although the team failed to lift the title that has eluded them since 1986, he was able to instill in the players a work ethic that has already started bearing fruit.
The TTCB are still to decide on a coach as former Test player Phil Simmons who handled the duties during the Carib Beer series is still to make himself available for the position. The TTCB are awaiting word from Simmons before they make a decision. Last year Ian Bishop was coach while manager was former TT and West Indies player Dudnath Ramkeesoon. TT will begin their challenge for the regional limited overs title in October in Jamaica and the trial squad will be chosen one month before the series starts. The national selectors will be awaiting the end of the TCL Group Regional Under-19 tournament before calling players to
trials.
In related news, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) are likely to name a regional Under-19 team for the Red Stripe Bowl, following in the footsteps of the Under-23 development team that played in the Carib Beer series. This team will be named after the U-19 series in Guyana has ended. The reasoning behind the decision is that the Board will like to give the youngsters much needed practise ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 series next year.
GRENADIAN Vonne Frances and Trinidad and Tobago’s Candice Carr walked away with the overall men’s and women’s crowns at the second Eastern Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships on Saturday night.
Fans at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya were given a classy display of muscular strength and power by Frances, who was the overwhelming favourite in the men’s heavyweight category. The second entrant on stage in the Over-80 kilogramme division, Frances’ physique alone got the crowd on their feet and he sealed the title on the basis of his subsequent two-minute performance. Frances left Trinidadian Richard Jakie, St Vincent’s Garwin Phillips and the Antiguan pair of Steve Williams and Frankie Brown battling for the minor spots. Shurlan Thorne of Barbados, who preceded Frances on stage and delighted the crowd with his “‘show-man” style, was the runner-up with Williams, Phillips, Brown and Jakie following. The consistent Carr was unchallenged in the women’s open contest, with Antiguan Beverley Percival and Vincentian Stacy Patterson taking silver and bronze respectively.
National Junior champ Damien George was an easy winner in the men’s middleweight category, for competitors between 70-80 kilos. The stocky George whipped the field, which included silver medallist Orson Martin of Antigua, bronze medallist TT’s Peter Fraser, Alfrado Allen of Antigua, Barbadian Andre Miller and Anguillan Verdine Connor. Darren Gumbs of Anguilla copped the Men’s lightweight (up to 70 kilos), with 56-year-old James Daley of Antigua second and Trinidadian Allan Checkley third. Trinidadians dominated the women’s events, with veteran Diane Malchan easily defeating Jillian De Freitas to win the Women’s Fitness Tall Class category while Karen George was the lone competitor in the Women’s Fitness Short Class. And De Freitas was again beaten into second place by Jacqueline Cabie in the Body Fitness division. Besides the frame of Frances and the energy of Malchan, the crowd witnessed dynamic displays of power and agility from guests — world ranked bodybuilder Darrem Charles, Lawrence “The Beast” Marshall and Karen Walcott.
Charles, who resides in the United States, was smooth on stage and showed that he is a cut above the rest in the Caribbean. The 10th ranked professional in the world was given a standing ovation by his adoring fans and, during his encore performance, was joined by Marshall and the duo went on a friendly “showdown”, which sent the crowd in a frenzy. Walcott, who won the Monica Brant Fitness Classic competition in Fairfax, Virginia, also had the crowd screaming with her flexibility and grace. Meanwhile, a five-member national team will leave today for Miami Beach, Florida to participate in the week-long World Sportaerobic Championhips. The squad, who will return home on August 5, includes Cabie, Malchan, De Freitas, Trishanti Rocke and Rachel Williams.
DEFENCE FORCE closed the gap on the top two — CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection— in yesterday’s 12th round action of the T&T Pro League.
With Jabloteh and Connection’s top-of-the-table postponed, and both teams preparing for Wednesday’s FCB Cup final, the Army-Coast Guard combination staged a come-from-behind 5-1 triumph over South West Institute of Football (SWIF) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. South Starworld Strikers are fourth on the table after a narrow 1-0 win over Arima Fire at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella while Carey Harris was on target for North East Stars, who edged Joe Public 1-0 at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground. And the “Stallions” Caledonia AIA held a halftime 1-0 lead over Tobago United in last night’s encounter at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet. At Mucurapo, Peter Prosper gave the SWIF fans something to shout about in the 17th minute. After receiving a through ball from playmaker Marlon Minguel, Prosper withstood a weak challenge from defender Kelshall Alexander and sent a low right-footer past goalkeeper Selwyn George. But Defence Force levelled the scores three minutes later, with national defender Anton Pierre rifling a 25-metre freekick past the outstretched hands of goalie Andy Dean.
The Teteron lads never looked threatening in attack, but the SWIF defence were guilty of a series of stray passes, which resulted in D/Force’s second goal. After Prosper failed to collect a pass from captain Jace Peters, defender Corey Rivers sent Russell Pope clear and, with Dean committing himself, Pope calmly rolled the ball into the open net. Five minutes after the restart, a right-side centre from Kevin Williams found Pope and, in a tangle between himself, Peters and defender Kelvin Hernandez, Owen Matthews tapped the loose ball home. Peters was sent off by referee Bevon Spencer – his only caution of the game — after he pulled down a goal-bound Kevon Carter in the 67th. Rivers saw his subsequent free-kick saved but Balondemu Julius slotted home the rebound. And the rout was completed in the 88th — a Williams centre was missed by Julius, as well as Dean, and Matthews was on spot to net his second.
Under-20 Results: DEFENCE FORCE (3) — Keron Edwards 37th, Marvin Jones 79th, Clevon George 83rd vs SWIF (1) – William Garcia 45th; STARWORLD STRIKERS (1) vs ARIMA FIRE (0); CALEDONIA AIA (3) vs TOBAGO UNITED (2); NORTH EAST STARS (3) vs JOE PUBLIC (2).
West Indies fast bowling all-rounder Vasbert Drakes is set to replace Virender Sehwag at Leicestershire for the remainder of the English County season, according to a BBC report.
Drakes, who has previously played for Sussex, Notting-hamshire and War-wickshire, is expected to sign a contract with the Leicestershire Foxes “within the next 24 hours.” Drakes’ move to Leicestershire for the rest of this season is not expected to clash with his participation in the Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean, which begins in the first week of October. Leicestershire plays its last game this year on September 20.
The 33-year-old Drakes, a relative newcomer to Test cricket, is a seasoned campaigner on the first class circuit. In addition to playing for three English Counties, he has also been a bigtime contributor for South Africa’s Border Bears. In 151 First Class games, Drakes has scored 4,429 runs (avg 21.29) with a top score of 180. He counts 580 wickets (avg 25.56) with a best haul of 8-59. He has played seven Tests and 30 ODIs for the senior West Indies side and is expected to be among a select group to be contracted to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Those contracts are expected to take effect from October 1.
TRINIDAD and Tobago wonderboy runner Darrel Brown opened his European campaign yesterday in a blaze of glory in Patras, Greece.
The 18-year-old Arima lad, the world junior sprint king, beat experienced American Brian Lewis in the feature 100 metres, clocking 10.20 seconds. Runner-up Lewis was timed in 10.42 with a Greek runner filling third place. Brown’s Trinidad and Tobago compatriot and close friend Marc Brown also made a winning start, capturing the “B” Class 100 metres in 10.38 seconds.
LOS ANGELES: Fernando Vargas was dominant from the beginning before stopping Trinidad and Tobago’s Fitz Vanderpool at 2:36 of the sixth round of their junior middleweight bout on Saturday night.
There were no knockdowns, although Vanderpool hit the canvas four times on what were ruled slips. The final two came in the sixth round before Vargas cornered Vanderpool and was punching his defenseless opponent at will before referee Marty Denken stopped the fight. Vargas was the clear winner of every round, leading on the judges’ scorecards by 50-45, 50-45 and 50-44 in the first five rounds of the bout, scheduled for 10 rounds. The Associated Press had Vargas leading 50-45. Vanderpool threw 316 punches, but landed only 44, and none appeared to do more than minimal damage. Vargas threw 243 punches, landing 125 —- many of which were solid blows. Shortly after Denken stopped the bout and with the capacity crowd of 6,700 at the Grand Olympic Auditorium roaring their approval, Vargas stood on the ring ropes pointing to the fans and yelling, “I love you guys.” “It was hard to hold back in front of the crowd,” Vargas said. “I needed to work on what I’ve been working on in the gym —- the body.
“I’m 25, what’s the rush? I need to be a better fighter, I need to be a hungrier fighter. I’m my own worst critic —- I’ll go home and look at the tape. There was a little rust.” Vargas was fighting for the first time since being stopped in the 11th round of his grudge match against Oscar De La Hoya last September in Las Vegas with the WBC, WBA and IBF junior middleweight championship belts at stake. Vargas later tested positive for steroids and received a nine-month suspension and US $100,000 fine. He has maintained his innocence, saying he thought he was taking nutritional supplements. It was also the first fight in Southern California for Vargas since he made his professional debut in his hometown of Oxnard five and a half years ago. Vargas is rated as the No 3 challenger to De La Hoya by the WBC —- behind Vanderpool and Shane Mosley. Both Vanderpool and his trainer, Jimmy Montoya, thought the bout was stopped too soon. “I thought I was wearing him down, closing the gap,” Vanderpool said. “But I’m not going to give any excuses.” Vanderpool, who was born in Trinidad and moved to Canada at age four, was fighting his first big-name opponent. He entered the ring ranked as the No 1 WBC junior middleweight contender while Vargas was ranked third. But Vargas was a prohibitive favourite, and clearly the superior fighter on this night. De La Hoya and Mosley will fight Sepember 13 in Las Vegas. If all goes according to plan, Vargas hopes to challenge De La Hoya again next spring and become a world champion for the third time.
The 35-year-old Vanderpool entered having lost just once in his previous 17 fights while Vargas had been beaten in two of his last four —- by Felix Trinidad and De La Hoya. Vargas weighed 156 pounds (70.2 kilogrammes), and Vander-pool the junior middleweight maximum of 154 pounds ( 69.3 kilogrammes). The contract called for the fighters to come in at a maximum of 157. Vargas entered the ring to a standing ovation while Vanderpool was booed during pre-fight introductions. Earlier in the program, Manny Pacquio of The Philippines retained his IBF junior featherweight championship by stopping Emanuel Lucero of Mexico City at 48 seconds of the third round. Pacquio landed a right-left combination that left Lucero staggering and out on his feet. Referee Jose Cobain quickly stepped in and stopped the bout, scheduled for 12 rounds. Pacquio, 121.25 pounds ( 54.5625 kilogrammes), raised his record to 37-3-1 with 29 knockouts. Lucero, 120 pounds ( 54 kilogrammes), dropped to 21-1-1 with 12 knockouts.
CENTRAL Football Association (CFA) have marked the historic completion of a coaching course which it is hoped will fill a long neglected aspect of the game.
The programme ran from July 21 to 24 and was supervised by Glenford Thomas at the CFA’s headquarters at Woodford Lodge in Chaguanas. The 14 successful participants were presented with their certificates on Thursday in a short ceremony attended by CFA officials Bryan Layne, president; Ustace Joseph, general-secretary; Thomas, a biology teacher at Presentation College, Chaguanas; Ainsworth Martinez, representing Super Industrial Services Limited (SIS), sponsors of the CFA League; and Trevor Bridglalsingh, Youth Development Officer. President Layne said it was probably the first time that a regional league had conducted their own in-house coaching programme. He said the commendable effort was initiated after it was discovered that Central Trinidad lacked qualified coaches which was a serious impediment to the development of the game. “We found that there are only three registered coaches in this part of the country. It was then decided to build on this and hopefully in time we will lead the country with the most qualified,” Layne said. Youth Development Officer Bridglalsingh said the respondents to the course, which was conducted free of charge, reflected a good mix of the age groups with young, middle-age and elder participants including a lone female member.
Bridglalsingh expressed his appreciation to SIS who he described as a partner in the development of central football. He also announced that Junior Sammy Group of Companies will also sponsor a Youth Development Programme. Also Ramsingh’s Sport World have agreed to sponsor a competition for the Under-11 and Under-13 footballers. “We are very happy for this because traditionally this important group has been neglected,” said Bridglalsingh. Thomas,who has embraced central football with a passion, said he was especially proud to be associated with the historic coaching programme and pledged his continued commitment to the development of the sport. “I have always wanted to make a contribution for the benefit of the footballers in central and the CFA can count on my assistance in future,” said Thomas who was an assistant coach of the national Under-17 team for the World Championships staged in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001. General Secretary Joseph stated that the big problem has been the absence of meaningful sponsorship to take the sport to a higher level over the years. “Without sponsorship it would not be possible to develop the game. Now we can tap our great human resource and get things moving along to become a leading player among the different regions. It is a start of great things to come,” said Joseph. Martinez, whose company SIS is the prime sponsor of the 2003 league competition, also handed over $3,000 in cash prizes two Sundays ago in the opening knock-out tournament at Woodford Lodge won by Falcons Football Club. He said SIS will continue to provide incentives and looked forward to an improved standard of play and sportsmanlike behaviour throughout the season.
Participants in the coaching course were: Edsel Caskie, Eddison Baker, Gairy John, Nigel Foster, Mark Keith, Sheldon Santana, Oswald Myers, Ronald Shade, Errol Anthony, Adesh Alves, Rawtie Gopie-Keith, Maxton Keith, John Henry and Kevon Agostini.
TRIPLE CROWN winner Carnival Messiah is ready for all comers on Emancipation Day, Friday. The Glenn Mendez-trained five-year-old who landed the triple two years ago, showed he was in good heart as he hustled through a 1000 metres gallop at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning in the excellent time of 1:02.0 seconds on the track made firm by overnight rain.
Also showing good form on the gallops was Squeezed Moment from the same barn. This filly, full sister to The Messiah and also owned by Wilma Primus, had The Chairman for company and they scooted along the track over 600 metres in 36 seconds flat. Fantastic Lad, a three-year-old maiden owned and trained by Harold Chadee also lit up the gallop, posting a flat 36 seconds for his 600 metres outing. Another to show tremendous speed was Cold Risk who went over 400 metres in 23.6 seconds. Dutchess Trembley also caught the eye yesterday morning, stepping 600 metres in 36.2 seconds. A trio of Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj two-year-olds, Laura’s Boy, Music Man and Salsa Moves showed blinding speed in clocking 25.6 seconds over 400 metres. But the vastly improved Lady Honoree who disappointed last time out, had the best gallop over 600 metres yesterday, stopping the clock at 35.6 seconds and Chadee’s American-bred speedster must be noted in her engagement Friday. Maid Of Honour looked quite sharp in a 400 metres spin completed in 23.9 seconds, as did Justice who clocked 23.6. Another to show good gallop form was three-year-old Hatrick, a surprise winner last time out, who covered 400 metres in 24.4 seconds, while the year older Female Bandit, quick-stepped the same trip in 24.8 seconds. There were also good gallops coming from Ballybunion who went over 400 metres in 25.9 seconds and Estilon who did 600 metres in a good 36.8 seconds.
Here are the gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES – BALLYBUNION – 25.9; COLD RISK – 23.6; COPY CAT – 28.1; FEMALE BANDIT- 24.8; HATRICK – 24.4; JAVA IN STYLE – 29.7; JUSTICE – 23.6; LAURA’S BOY, SALSA MOVES, MUSIC MAN 25.6; MAID OF HONOUR – 23.9; NEW STAR – 28.9; SILK RUNNER – 26.3; SUNNY – 27.0; SURE WAGER – 24.6; ULA – 29.9.
600 METRES – ALIBI IKI – 43.0; BAJAN CONNECTION – 38.2; BEAUTIFUL MIND – 41.6; BON VOYAGE – 41.2; BONUS POINT – 42.3; BOUND TO FLY – 39.9; CHAMPAGNE WAGER – 38.3; CHIEF OF STAFF – 40.9; CRIMSON TOWER – 36.0; DUTCHESS TREMBLEY – 36.2; ESTILON – 36.8; FANTASTIC LAD – 36.0; FINEST GEM – 36.0; FORTALEZA – 36.2; GAZA STRIP – 38.2; HANNIBAL’S WILL – 39.0; HOLLYWOOD STAR – 41.4; HONEY BELLE – 36.0; JUANISTHEMAN -38.1; KAY-GEE-BEE – 44.3; LOUD MUSIC – 44.9; LOVELY HONOREE – 35.6; MILLENIUM DANCER – 39.6; PHANTOM BIDDER – 40.2; RUNNING TRICK – 40.3; SPEEDFUHSO – 40.9; SQUEE ZINTRU -37.3; SQUEEZED MOMENT – 36.0; SUPER GREY – 42.4; SWEET TEMPO – 37.0; TACTICAL BID – 42.9; THE CHAIRMAN – 36.0; TRIBAL PLACE – 39.9; X TO BOARD – 43.7.
800 METRES – BAGGY GREEN – 59.9; CHANTICLEER Paced 4F in 51.9 Handy CHEERLEADER – 53.7 Handy CORNERSTONE – 50.6; FULL OF PROMISES – 51.8; GAUTAMA – 50.7; GOLD CONVEYOR – 53.4; INDIAN TAKE ALL 59.9; ISLE BE THERE – 53.0; DOTTIE’S WAY – 48.8; DUE DILLIGENCE – 53.0; EL PRESIDENTE – 51.6; LAZAR WOLF – 55.4; LIFE IN RUSSIA – 49.3; LOVELY PEARL – 55.8; MILLENIUM REIGN – 48.6; ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 53.5; PILE OF CASH – 50.4; RING DANG DO – 54.3; RUBY SCORES – 51.6; SIR VIDIA – 49.3.
1000 METRES – BITE DE BULLET – 1:06.8; BOUND TO DOT COM – 1:09.6; CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 1:02.0; FRESH MANDATE – 1:09.6; JENA’S DELIGHT – 1:07.7; KENT’S DELIGHT – 1:08.2; REDOUBLED Breezed – 1:02.3.
THE EDITOR: On July 12, 2003 I attended a boxing contest at the new Chaguanas Sporting Complex, where there were men and women boxing. The turnout was a little above the usual attendance. The announcer announced that members of the Boxing Board were present and at least seven of them were there. The other three which included the chairman were absent.
The absence of the chairman at the boxing contest was surprising since about three years there was no boxing there, and now for the first time in three years there is a boxing contest and the chairman is absent. What I heard is that the chairman had to attend a wedding. What wedding? Is the wedding and chairman bigger than boxing? The answer is ‘no.’ At least the chairman could have put in an appearance for about half an hour. That’s not good enough Mr Chairman, you have started out on the wrong foot. At this juncture, I would like to congratulate Molly Boxhill for the efficiency and hard work that she demonstrated at the boxing contest. What I am surprised about is my friend whom I went to the boxing with, told me that the chairman did not pick Molly Boxhill to work or do anything at the boxing contest. When Molly Boxhill enquired from him if she is not doing anything on the night of the boxing contest, he told her bluntly ‘no.’ Molly Boxhill said to him, if I don’t have anything to do, then I will not be going to boxing, and he said to her — “No big thing if yuh eh come.” My friend said the other members then stepped in and defended her and they all begged her to attend the boxing.
I am a regular boxing fan and anybody who has been going to boxing over the years, would tell you that, whenever there is boxing the only person you see around the ring is Molly Boxhill. The thing that impresses me is that the goodly lady knows what has to be done at a boxing contest. At the card in Chaguanas some members were sitting at ringside, like they didn’t know what was to be done, but it was Molly Boxhill who saved the night. She had everything under control, including the women boxers in the ring. I ask the question, how could this chairman see Molly Boxhill not attending the Boxing as ‘No big thing,’ when there are women boxers and certain duties which provides for women, have to be performed on them before they fight. I am saying, if the chairman could not have attended the boxing for about half an hour, he does not care a ‘hoot’ about the sport and he does not know what he is doing. I say again he has started on the wrong foot. I encourage Molly Boxhill to keep the good work going and show these men the strength of a strong woman. Also, hats off to you for your loyalty and dedication in the sport of boxing.
PRISCILLA LUCIEN
Curepe
THE EDITOR: Kindly allow me a space in your paper to sensitise others and to challenge the powers that be to make good their promise to provide (and I quote) “proper, adequate and better quality housing for the citizens of this country.”
I sat and I listened carefully to the Hon Prime Minister, Mr Keith Rowley, Mr Martin Joseph and others as they reiterated on channel six (20/07/03) after 7.30 pm their housing plan. But more than that, I went and looked and I saw and somehow what I saw and what I heard were not in synch. Many things were said, those close to memory are: 1) they will ‘satisfy the needs of the citizens’
2) ‘proper’ provision of housing will be provided
3) houses will be ‘built to standard’ 4) ‘contractors must comply to the highest standard’ that is, substandard work will not be accepted 5) ‘houses worthy’ of first world status 6) people will be ‘adequately housed’ 7) people would be provided with ‘better’ quality housing 8) housing policy is a policy that ‘takes every body into account’ (Does that include singles?) 9) rental will facilitate people with small and larger earnings.
I took it upon myself to visit the NHA housing site under construction in the Pleasantville area. Work is in progress and some units are almost completed minus their roofs, plumbing and electrical. That’s the good part. What was not at all satisfactory is the size of the rooms. I wondered, “Is it sardines they are canning or is it people they are housing?” Don’t take my word but go and see for one self. The bedrooms cannot hold a queen size bed, if this does fit, nothing can hold. The space allocated for living, dining and kitchen can by discarding half of your household effects accommodate the living room. I can go on, but won’t. The reason I’m so appalled is that we are talking first world or developed country status by 2020 but we are building dwelling structures that reflect third world thinking. It is true that some home-owners are from the low income bracket but does that mean that they have no possessions and they will be moving into their new homes with only their clothes on their backs. If that is the case, then they still need room to store their clothes. What I see happening is over-crowding and over-populating. Too many persons placed in too small an area with too little space for comfortable habitation, virtually no room for expansion. This closeness in proximity with one’s neighbour encourages one’s neighbour to be “up in one’s business all the time.” This is a recipe for chaos and potential criminal activity.
The powers that be need to go back to the drawing board and truthfully assess whether these houses are of better quality than those built previously, whether they can adequately house families today in a manner that can be termed “proper,” whether they are built to first world standard, whether their housing policy takes everybody into account (inclusive singles). Bearing in mind one significant point, people have worked hard and saved their hard earned money to invest in a home for their loved ones. After having done this, there is usually no money left. They therefore hope that they will be comfortable at least for some years to come. They have placed their trust and future in the hands of the government to help them. Are they getting a raw ‘deal,’ is this trust misplaced? They expect you (the Government) to deliver because you said you cared.
ERICA P GEORGE
San Fernando
