TO thunderous applause from the large contingent of fans at Guaracara Park on Saturday night, defending champions Red Devils ran away NSL champions by four runs to nab the $30,000 first prize.
Needing 208 for victory in 30 overs, Ghandi United who were also beaten in last year’s finals, just failed by four runs. Batting first on winning the toss Red Devils got off to an excellent start reaching 61 before losing their first wicket. The other batsmen followed the good work and all chipped in as the Tableland side reached 207/8 off their allotted 30 overs. The best of the batsmen was former South East star Lee Phoolchan who got 30 with five boundaries. Former national and Wanderers all-rounder Richard Sieuchan chipped with a quick fire 16 that included a mighty six.
Spinner Boodram Sonny kept Red Devils in check with a miserly spell of 3/13 of six impressive overs. Brothers Vishnu and Krishna Narine then took on the Red Devils bowlers and carried their team to within four runs of a win. The duo added 103 runs for the fourth wicket and took the score to 48/3 to 151 before being separated. Vishnu made 67 with the help of eight fours, while Krishna got 48 with three hits to the rope. Alex Sookhan took 2/25 from his five overs to take his team to a nervous victory. President of the NSL, Lincoln Persad speaking after the finals said: “I would like to congratulate Red Devils and say better luck next time to Ghandi United. We had a very successful series yet again and we are very happy with the way things went all season. For this I would like to thank the NSL hard ball committee headed by Naz Mohammed.”
Final scores: RED DEVILS 207/8 (30 overs) – Lee Phoolchan 30, B Vincent 27 not out, R Singh 23, O Mohammed 19, R Sieuchan 16, B Sonny 3/13, V Narine 3/30 vs GHANDI UNITED 203/8 (30 overs) – Vishnu Narine 67, Krishna Narine 48, I Khan 13, A Sookhan 2/25, K Sim 2/47.
IN what was described by organizers as a Chaguanas derby Edinburgh 500 Hawks left Cunupia Hackers in their wake as they surged to a 83-72 victory as the Eastern Community Basketball League continued.
Led by 22 points, nine rebounds and three steals from Mervyn Springer and 17 points from Marvin Celestine, Hawks were able to withstand the advances of Hackers’ Alan Pierre who returned a game high 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals and Kendall Phillip’s 17 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists for the well fought win on Tuesday. In the first encounter the cellar positioned UWI team were hapless against mid table TSTT in their division two encounter and despite the efforts of Mark Adams who scored a game high 24 points TSTT still managed a 65-57 win. Andy Trouchen scored 13 to lead all TSTT scorers and Moshe Shabazz scored 11 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and added fiveassists and two steals. Action in the league continued last night.
LED by 13 goals from 23 attempts from goal-shoot Stacy-Ann Gill, Arima Ball Masters inflicted a 25-8 beating on Netaces in an Phyllis Pierre-Walker Intermediate Division 2 game as the Port of Spain Netball League continued at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex, Mucurapo.
Cherelle Archie netted seven from 11 and starting goal-attack Candice Castillo added six from 11 for Ball Masters in Tuesday’s game, while Aliah Phillip shot five from eight and Kamaria Jack three from eight for Netaces. And Uppers withstood a late surge from SWWTU Malvern to prevail 14-13 in another encounter on the evening. Kim George had a miserable time on the court, shooting eight from 23, while goal-attack Ivy Davis added six from 17. Malvern, who trailed 11-7 entering the final quarter, relied on seven from 16 from Margaret George, five from eight by Nigella Bishop and a perfect one from one by Diana Felix. Five games were played at the Jean Pierre Courts on Tuesday, with Soul City having a walkover victory over Arima United, who failed to turn up for their scheduled encounter.
Other results: Phyllis Pierre-Walker Intermediate Division 2 – SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (24) Kimberly Charles 15, Semo Davis 9 vs CIL SPARKLES (16) Onika Felix 14, Germaine Charles 1, Malana Edwards 1; MUCURAPO JUNIOR SECONDARY (29) – Afeisha Noel 20, Nariba Grant 9 vs HARLEM (21) Paula Collins 13, Giselle Moore 5, Afiya Jack 3; CHIPS (31) Lee Ann O’Brien 18, Rhonique Williams 13 vs MALTA CARIB SENATORS (23) Chrisarlene Murrell 15. Kamaria James 8.
TRINIDAD and Tobago-born certified NBA agent Nixon Dyal has begun a drive to take basketball in this country to the next level with the inception of the Trinidad and Tobago Basketball Association (TTBA) “We have to view sport as a business rather than just recreational therapy” Dyal says, and it is with this in mind that he outlined his idea for the TTBA, a league supported by the business sector, featuring the country’s best talent alongside that of foreign countries.
To achieve these goals the former Division One college-level player sees the need for improvement of the facilities which are currently available and hopes that government will lend a hand to that end. Dyal also revealed plans for NBA coaches and players to visit the country and share their expertise with local teams and to increase interest in the league on a national scale. Already the proposal has been presented to Minister of Sport Roger Boynes, who will present it to the corporate community today at the VIP Lounge at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in an effort to involve local industry in the project. Dyal has already recieved offers from foreign companies but has expressed an interest in more local businesses taking hold of the league to make this a totally local venture.
On the business side the league proves to be a very good investment to both player and team. There is a $252,000 salary cap per team with exceptions for one foreign player and two franchise players. Team sponsors will benefit from free in-arena advertising and supplemented revenues from radio and television rights, concessions, promotion, game-day proceeds and league marketing. The sponsors will be on a three-year $3.6 million or a yearly $1.2 million contract with the league, and will have a hand in team and coach selection, form part of an owners association and in charge of their individual marketing campaigns to capture target audiences.
Beside being a social and economical tool, the TTBA will be an avenue to implementing similar programs in other Caribbean islands and will open more tourism opportunities for the region as a result, enhancing the micro business sector and aiding the ambitions of achieving developed country status. Having played for Lower Merion High in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Venezuela, the 6’ 8” visionary who now operates NDS Sport Management, agents for Ben Wallace, the Detroit Pistons NBA “Defensive Player of the Year 2003,” can by his resume, be trusted to take Trinidad and Tobago basketball to the next level. Basketball enthusiasts needing more information can contact Dyal at 754-1459 or Omingston Rodriguez at 752-4824.
$5,000 will be up for grabs when the Laventille Youth Development Organisation (LYDO) host a Windball Cricket Tournament at Point Pleasant Park.
The action is scheduled to begin tomorrow and continue until June 22, and there is a stipulation that all players must live in the area. Winners will receive $1,500, with runners-up collecting $1,000. Third gets $700 and fourth $500. Each team will also get trophies. Apart from this, there will be cash incentives of $200 each for the most wickets both men and women and also $200 each for scoring most runs. And the best disciplined team will collect a prize of $500 and a trophy. Competition will feature representative teams from St. Barbs, Laventille Road, Picton Road, Canada/Beverly Hills, Eastern Quarry, John John, Point Pleasant Park and Sogren Trace. The tournament is described as “an expression of peace and love for community” and will be officially launched at the Exchange of Peace monument. Those interested can contact Carlton Neptune Jr at 771-9944/ 675-3663, Rodney Stowe at 678-1154 or Mtima Solwazi at 679-6920.
THE CONCACAF four-day senior administrators workshop ends today at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence.
This workshop was geared toward information sharing between the English FA and Confederation officials. In his feature address at the opening ceremony on Tue-sday CONCACAF director of development Richard Brath-waite expressed delight at the response of officials attending — presidents, vice-presidents and general secretaries, including the secretary of the Mexican Football Associa-tion. Brathwaite was duly pleased with the high-powered panel and thankful for the FA’s support with experts including FA Director of Football Administration Gra-ham Noakes, and Man-chester United director Maurice Watkins, who provided useful insight into key administrative issues.
Noakes in his address expressed an interest in not only teaching but also learning from the participants and went on to state, “I am very impressed with the enthusiasm of the officials and it shows you are all eager to learn and to improve the level of football administration in your countries.” The workshop is part of the ongoing CONCACAF Dev-elopment Programme which is focussed on growth in the region’s football and is the third such workshop at the Centre of Excellence this year.
CHAMPIONS Defence Force continued their resurgence in the Premier Division of the Royal Extra North Zone Basketball League, with a crushing 85-48 victory over TSTT as second round action got underway at the St Paul Street Multi-Purpose Facility.
And the women of the Defence Force made it a double on Wednesday night, when they overran Malick Tigers 51-37 to continue their challenge to defending queens Horizon. The Army-Coast Guard men never trailed and led 28-10 at the end of the first quarter. They picked up the pace in the second session, outscoring the telecommunications men 24-16 for a 52-26 half-time lead. And with Steven Lewis firing away for 23 points and ripping down 10 rebounds and added three assists along with Wilt Vincent’s 15 points and 10 rtebounds and four assists, they continued to dominate the game leading 69-342 at the end of the third stanza.
Mark Joseph scored a game-high 24 points and pulled down four boards, while Kirt Sinnette, better known in the boxing ring, had 10 points and hauled in eight rebounds for TSTT. Crystal George led the scoring for the Army-Coast Guard women with 16 points and 19 boards, while Macathy Hazard sored 12 points and had 15 rebounds and Makeba Pierre 10 points and five rebounds. Crystal Kirton had 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds and Corisa Blugh 10 points and six boards for the Tigers.
THE Iron Horse, Chanticleer, is back under saddle. This 10-year-old gelding, winner of 25 races in 62 starts, was seen galloping at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday, and looked quite good in a handy spin over 600 metres completed in 42.5 seconds.
A one-time champion sprinter-stayer who has had a very long lay-off from racing could well be seen out on the Arima Race Club 10-race Labour Day (June 20) programmne. Best gallops yesterday were turned in by Sea Spider and Smooth Operator who both recorded 1:06.7 seconds for a 1000 metres spin. Another good run came from maiden Streetwise who flashed some speed in clocking 25.9 seconds for a 400 metres gallop. And the speedy Tactical Bid showed she was rounding into her best form with a splendid gallop over 600 metres in 35.1 seconds. Mir On Fire showed some spark in an 800 metres gallop timed in 49.5 seconds. Also showing much sparkle was Cheerleader who had a 600 metres spin completed in 37.9 seconds.
Here are gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES — Beautiful Mind — 29.9; Full of Promises — 29.9; Game High — 29.9; Isle Be There —29.9; Isle Be True Paced — 28.8; Firestorm -29.9; Never Ever Worrie – 29.7; Outrageous Victory – 29.7; Outswinger — 29.9; Tricky Guy Paced — 29.1; Street Wise — 25.9; Sugar Mike — 29.9.
600 METRES — Chanticleer — 42.5; Cheerleader — 37.9; Finest Gem — 44.7; Guatama — 44.9; Miss Laura Lee — 44.8; Paula’s First — 41.8; Invincibility — 44.9; Seductive — 44.6; Tactical Bid — 35.1.
800 METRES — Hannibal’s Will — 53.7; Mir on Fire — 49.5; Sir Vidia — 49.5; Squee Zintru — 51.4.
1000 METRES — Entertainer — 1:13.0; Fortunate Flag — 1:14.0; Sea Spider – 1:06.7; Smooth Operator – 1:06.7.
1200 METRES — Carnival Messiah — 1:17.5; Classy Kim — 1:22.2.
In the first six months of this year, 29 people — 2 women and 27 men — have been executed, mainly in Laventille, in what police have reported to be gang warfare.
But questions are being raised about whether some of the deaths are being carried out by either a police death squad or a private one, as alleged in the Senate Tuesday evening by UNC Senate leader, Wade Mark. On Tuesday Mark said: “I would like to ask the Minister of National Security whether there is an official death squad in the Police Service? I want him to answer that. I also want him to tell the national population whether there is a privately organised death squad in this country? I see outside the Police Service, a private death squad has emerged killing people at will and no-one has arrested these people. We want the Government to tell us whether there is a privately organised and run death squad supported by the Government in this country?” He said Trinidad and Tobago had now reached the stage of Grenada under the Mongoose Gang, Guyana under the House of Israel, and Haiti under the Tonton Macoutes, concluding: “This is frightening.”
However, yesterday police sources strongly denied Mark’s allegations. Deputy Police Commissioner Trevor Paul yesterday called on Mark to provide evidence of a death squad operating within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. “Mr Mark may have to tell me more about the death squad because I am not aware there is one. He will have to give me information. He probably has information that is unknown to me,” Paul said. He appealed to Mark to come forward and provide information so the police service could deal with the death squad. “We are always anxious to get information on police officers,” he added. Paul said he could not give an exact reason for the gang-related murders, but other senior officers said it’s a fight for turf relating to the NHA, URP and CEPEP programmes. However, Paul admits to being concerned about the gang-related murders. “They are senseless and we have stated from time-to-time that it concerns us,” Paul said. Moreover, Paul said the police are even more concerned with the number of guns used in crimes. He said they will relentlessly try to get the guns off the street.
President of the Second Division Association, acting Insp Christopher Holder, was amazed at Mark’s death squad statement. He said the association is becoming wary of politicians who use the police service as footballs and scapegoats. “It is the same service that will have to come to their rescue,” Holder said. Reiterating the point that there is no death squad in the police service, Holder said officers operate within the laws and police can only use lethal force in protecting their lives and those of other citizens. Holder advised Mark not to use parliamentary priviledges to make “bogus claims.” Senior police officers said that the ongoing fights among the gangs are related to the spoils of money emanating from the Government’s unemployment relief programmes. They said some gangs feel cheated and as a result resort to killing each other so that no one ends up with the money. Newsday also understands that there is a kidnap link to the gang-related murders, where some kidnapping groups are upset that others have gotten larger amounts of ransom money.
Police also said there appears to be a social link to the murders in the country, particularly in Laventille and surrounding environs. Senior officers stated that most of the women in those areas are unemployed and as a result depend on their siblings to provide for them. This, they said is evident when the dependents of these women end up dead. Most of the women say they were unaware that the deceased were involved in criminal activities. “Check their statements. All of them deny knowledge that their son, brother, father were involved in wrongdoings,” a senior officer said. Paul, as well as other senior officers appealed to members of the public to assist in the fight against crime by contacting the Crime Stoppers. They said that their identities would be protected. Few of these crimes have been solved.
Residents referred to the superstitious folklore about the evil that lurks under silk cotton trees yesterday in Laventille after Don “Saya” George, a 27-year-old Laventille man, was shot seven times while he was standing at the side of Picton Road, Laventille and his body fell about ten feet down a precipice and landed under a silk cotton tree. His death brings the murder rate to 106 persons killed for the year so far.
Minutes after the shooting, a National Security helicopter hovered over the scene in search of suspects, while a large contingent of heavily armed police and army officers flocked to the area and took control of the situation. Residents claimed they heard seven shots and on checking saw the body of George down the precipice. An eyewitness told police at around 2 pm yesterday George was standing on the road opposite the silk cotton tree when a gunman came out of a car and shot him in the head. He was also shot in the chest, shoulders and a second time in the head.
George slumped over a concrete railing, falling about ten feet down the precipice in front of the silk cotton tree. He died almost immediately. George’s sister, Julia, said her brother did not live at her home and she had not seen him for months. She said she had no idea why her brother was killed and was in a state of shock. Residents said George, the father of a baby boy, was friendly and troubled no one. They said although he was no longer living in Laventille, he regularly visited a friend who lived close to the silk cotton tree.
They said he appeared to have been hiding out in the area in recent days and was seldom seen venturing out of the house. Police told Newsday George was a suspect in several of the gang related murders in Laventille and was also wanted for several robberies and shootings. Senior officers on the scene claimed they had several warrants for him. The body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre and an autopsy will be carried out today. ACP Crime Oswyn Allard, Supt Denoon, ASP Sealey, Inspector Breaton and others visited the scene.
