Trinidad and Tobago have been rewarded with four picks on the President’s XI team to oppose the visiting Sri Lankans in their final warm-up match in St Vincent.

This was revealed by a source close to the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga will skipper the team that will include his fellow countrymen Dave Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo and Aniel Kanhai. Ganga made headlines against Australia with back-to-back Test centuries in the first and second Cable and Wireless Tests against Australia.After being omitted against the Australians for the one day series the selectors have decided to give him a chance of getting in some much needed batting practice ahead of the First Test against the Sri Lankans that gets underway on June 20 in St Lucia. Mohammed who tasted one Day action with the West Indies team on tour of Kenya in 2001 gets a chance to show his wares as a candidate for the spin bowling department.

Anguillan Omari Banks was the first choice spinner used against the Australians and turned heads in his direction after his fine all-round displays. He got 46 not out in the world record score of 418 for seven that gave the West Indies their lone victory in the Test series. Mohammed will have to bowl exceptionally well to dislodge Banks. Dwayne Bravo, the talented Queen’s Park batsman enjoyed a good Carib Beer regional competition and runs against the visitors will keep the selectors looking in his direction. Bravo has developed into an all rounder in the last couple of seasons and will be looked upon to perform both roles if chosen for the regional side.

Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys middle order batsman Aniel Kanhai earns his pick after a very successful Carib Beer series playing for the West Indies “B” team. Kanhai scored a double century against his home country and got another later in the season. The left-hander is a no-nonsense type of batsman and will be eager to taste international action. The four players will immediately start training in preparation for the match before they leave for  St Vincent.

Man of Class, who has raced consistently hard over sprint distances this season and has earned upkeep in most of his race, is set to make another appearance.

He will be in action on the Arima Race Club Day 17 card at Santa Rosa Park on Saturday. The Son of Bandsman, who was denied a hatrick of victories recently by Sugar Mike when stepping up against handicap company, steps back down to the allowance ranks to contest the feature on the 10-race card. The five-year-old gelding will tote the top impost of 56.5 kilos against six rivals in 1,750 metres event. Last Year’s Royal Oak Derby winner Millennium Reign is also pencilled in to contest the staying event, made of four imports and three locally bred animals. The John O’Brien inmate, who rocketed to stardom when he added  the Champion Stakes at the back end of last season, is nicely weighed with 48.5 kilos for the event. Mandela is the other creole listed to match strides with the elite group eyeing the $23,000 at stake in the contest.

Beautiful Mind, who won many admirers when he ran away from a quality field of juveniles in  the Nursery Stakes is down to make his three-year-old bow on the same card. The Glenn Mendez inmate, a nominee for the champion two-year-old colt award at last year’s  Jetsam Award function will face off against six opponents of his age in a 1,200 metres event for West Indian bred runners yet to win two races. Full Of Promise, who raced on a tight hold for the major part of the Gleneagle Stakes before his stamina limitation was exposed and Affirm Decision, defeated in his most recent outing by a neck after giving away ground at the start are among the opposition expected to make the race fiery from the start. Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card.

RACE 1: (12.30pm) W.I BRED 3 Y.O MADENS (CONDITIOONAL) – PURSE – $13,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. Fresh Mandate – 56.5 – N.Abrego, 2. Winning Trick – 54.5 – R.Mangalee, 3. Mary Magdalene – 54.5 – W.Galviz, 4. Running Trick – 56.5 – J.Arneaud, 5. Milford – 56.5 – D.Gaff, 6. Guacho – 54.5 – F.Razack, 7. Principle – 54.5 – K.Bissoon.

RACE 2: (1.05pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) – PURSE $15,000 – 1150 METRES.
1. Not To Worrie – 53.5 – G.Laban, 2. Living In Hope – 54.5 – S.Rodrigo, 3. Touch Wood – 52.5 – R.Rajkumar, 4. Hundred Percent – 51.5 – K.Bissoon, 5. Rhythm Divine – 51.5 – L.Munoz, 6. Redoubled – 51.5 – R.Jadoo.

RACE 3: (1.40pm) HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES IN CAREER – PURSE $14,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. Full Of Promises – 53.5 – R.Mangalee, 2. Affirm Decision – 53 – R.Jadoo, 3. Sweet Laura Lee – 49.5 – R.Rajkumar, 4. Wild Life – 52.5 – G.Laban, 5. Beautiful Mind – 56.5 – N.Samaroo, 6. Hyarima – 53.5 – W.Galviz, 7. Naturelly Classy – 54.5 – S.Rodrigo.

RACE 4: (2.15pm) W.I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $20,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. Dare To Dream – 55.5 – J.Arneaud, 2. Ruby Scores – 45.5 – R.Chadee, 3. Creme Caramel – 45.5 – G.Laban, 4. My Aphrodite – 52.5 – S.Rodrigo, 5. Never Ever Worrie – 53.5 – R.Freeman, 6. Bound To Dot Com – 56.5 – N.Abrego, 7. Baggy Green – 55.5 – N.Samaroo, 8. Tea Time Doc – 54.5 – R.Rajkumar.

RACE 5: (2.50pm)3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($6,000 – $5,000) – PURSE $11,000 – 1100 METRES (TURF).
1. Restless Renegade – 55.5 – R.Rajkumar, 2. Stormy Season – 51.5 – F.Razack, 3. Cash Reward – 54.5 – R.Jadoo, 4. Justice – 52.5 – H.Emamalie, 5. Jena’s Delight – 46.5 – R.Chadee, 6. Cat Woman – 47.5 – R.Ragoonath, 7. Brandy – 47.5 – W.Bharath, 8. Estilon – 49.5 – R.Freeman.

RACE 6: (3.25pm) HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O – OVER NON-WINNERS OF FOUR RACES IN CAREER – PURSE $17,000 – 1200 METRES. 
1. Toronto Star – 54.5 – H.Emamalie, 2. Indian Decision – 53 – R.Rajkumar, 3. Anatevka – 53 – L.Munoz, 4. Supreme Dancer – 55 – R.Jadoo, 5. Ruby Rich – 56.5 – S.Rodrigo, 6. Richie Rich – 50 – W.Bharath, 7. Bajan Connection – 53 – W.Galviz.

RACE 7: (4.00pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($14,000 – $11,000) – PURSE $16,000 – 1600 METRES (TURF).
1. Magen – 52.5 – R.Thomas, 2. Kent’s Delight (T.O) – 49.5 – G.Laban, 3. Joint Venture – 46.5 – W.Galviz, 4. Guardian Angel – 48.5 – R.Mangalee, 5. Politics – 50.5 – R.Jadoo, 6. Fresh Honey – 50.5 – N.Abrego, 7. Life In Russia – 49.5 – F.Razack, 8. City Of Lights – 51.5 – S.Rodrigo.

RACE 8: (4.35pm) RESTRICTED HANDICAP – PURSE $18,000 – 1250 METRES.
1. Emelda M – 44.5 – G.Laban, 2. New Star – 47 – R.Jadoo, 3. Maid Of Honour – 54.5 – W.Galviz, 4. Splitting Image – 55 – S.Rodrigo, 5. Bon Voyage – 54.5 – R.Rajkumar, 6. Red Hill – 56.5 – N.Abrego, 7. Piece Of Cake – 52.5 – K.Bissoon.

RACE 9: (5.10pm) ALLOWANCE – 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $23,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. Man Of Class – 56.5 – R.Rajkumar, 2. Kalyan – 42.5 – R.Thomas, 3. Morgan Heritage – 54.5 – S.Rodrigo, 4. Millenium Reign – 48.5 – W.Galviz, 5. Maracas Bay – 42.5 – G.Laban, 6. Ring Dang Do – 46.5 – R.Freeman, 7. Mandela – 51.5 – N.Samaroo.

RACE 10: (5.40pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($7,500 – $6,500) – PURSE $14,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. Kay Gee Bee – 47.5 – F.Razack, 2. If Only – 51.5 – R.Ragoonath, 3. Erin Dancer – 50.5 – R.Jadoo, 4. Vaqueiro – 51.5 – K.Jadoo, 5. Alibi Iki – 55.5 – R.Mangalee, 6. I’M No Hunter – 45.5 – W.Galviz, 7. Once In A Lifetime – 49.5 – L.Munoz, 8. Yankee Eagle – 55.5 – N.Abrego, 9. Special Gem – 52.5 – R.Rajkumar, 10. Daurian – 49.5 – J.Arneaud.

The Trinidad and Tobago junior golf team selected for the upcoming Caribbean Championships has been described as the strongest ever. Robert Costelloe, chairman of the Golf Association’s Junior Golf Committee, said yesterday that the 13-member team, which will be led by Simon Merry, is a credit to all who have contributed to their development.

Occasion was a media conference to announce the national representatives for the annual regional championships which will be staged this year in Freeport, Bahamas from July 6 to 11.In attendance at Republic Bank’s head office on Park Street, Port-of-Spain were Costelloe, Anna-Maria Garcia-Brooks, Manager Group Corporate Com-munications, Republic Bank; Ian de Souza, General Manager Designate, Republic Bank Limted Risk Management; Basil Gonsalves, Selector/Junior Co-ordinator, Golf Association Junior Golf; and Sandra Montano, head Junior Golf Programme, Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Course. The team selected is (Boys) Under-18 —- Simon Merry (captain), Jordan Delaney, Shane Costelloe; Under-15 —- Ben Martin, Robert Llanos, Dahomey Kadera; Under-12 —- Glen Charlett, Joshua Galt; (Girls) Under-18 —- Diana Torry, Reva Persaud; Under-15 —-Tracey Clarke, Victoria Seenath; Under-12 —- Catherine Clarke, Anneke Ward.

Costelloe, a former junior player who was among the first to be involved in the local programme to develop the sport at that level more than 23 years ago said golf was the perfect conduit through which young people could channel their talent and energies into becoming wholesome adults.He praised Republic Bank for their foresight going back four years ago to get involved in the junior golf programme which has already produced two regional championships (2000 and 2001) and a runner’s up spot last year in the Cayman Islands. Costelloe said in the coming weeks the players will concentrate on their mental game and are to be sch-ooled in the techniques of handling the pressures of the game with emphasis on the short game and course management. Garcia-Brooks also announced that Republic Bank will host a workshop next week for the young golf envoys when they will benefit from motivational sessions and exposed to aspects of team building which is a necessary component of success. She expressed confidence that the young golf stars will excel in the Caribbean Championships and was proud that Republic Bank would have a hand in their expected exemplary accomplishments.

Ian De Souza said the continuing challenge is to ensure that diverse opportunities abound for promoting self-development among the youngsters since the goal is to provide a core foundation that will allow them to reach their full potential. “Whether it is golf, football, netball, our Youth Apprentice Programme or our Pan Minors Scholarship Programme, we would like our young people to learn that self-development begins with commitment and a healthy dose of integrity,” De Souza said. He said Republic Bank view the upcoming Caribbean Championships not just as a competition for the young golfers to shine but as an opportunity for them to grow. In her turn, Sandra Montano traced the development of the sport at the junior level observing its growth from exclusively St Andrew’s Golf Club at Moka to Tobago, Brechin Castle, St Madeleine, Chaguaramas, Point-a-Pierre and now at a girl’s college in San Fernando. “You could say that junior golf is on the move and this is due in a large part to the involvement, support and friendship of the Republic Bank,” Montano said

CHRISTO CAVE exacted a measure of revenge on Trinidad and Tobago champion and FIDE Master Ryan Harper in sixth round action at the New India Assurance National Chess Championship.

Competition takes place in the Conference Room, Student Activity Centre, UWI St Augustine Campus last weekend.Cave, who copped the Prime Minister Challenge Trophy a record 11 times during his impressive career, remains on course to retain his title, which he surrendered last year at the end of the 11-round round-robin style tournament On Saturday, Harper opened up the match with a closed variation of the Sicilian defence, which backfired when he was forced to retreat his knight when Cave expanded on the D5 square. In deep trouble, Harper took half an hour to contemplate his next move and, when he retreated, Cave launched a queen-side attack and forced victory when Harper’s time ran out.In the Women’s Open contest, Sinead Furlong was successful in her two matches to date while India-born Malini Srinivasan, Kenyan Margarette Thairu, Aditi Soondarsingh and Arlene Blackman, principal of the Blackman’s Private Primary School, have one win apiece.

National Championship Results
Round 5 (Friday) – Christo Cave def Cecil Lee; John Raphael def Andrew Bowles; Jerome Joseph draw with Frank Yee; Mario Merritt def Joffery Marcelle;  Lenard Duncan def Kirby Hope; Ryan Harper def Ravishen Singh.
Round 6 (Saturday) – Christo Cave def Ryan Harper; Ravishen Singh def Kirby Hope; Lenard Duncan def Joffery Marcelle; Frank Yee draw with Mario Merritt; Jerome Joseph def Andrew Bowles; Cecil Lee draw with John Raphael.
Round 7 (Sunday) – Christo Cave def John Raphael; Ryan Harper def Kirby Hope; Frank Yee draw with Lenard Duncan; Andrew Bowles def Mario Merritt; Jerome Joseph draw with Cecil Lee; Ravishen Singh draw with Joffery Marcelle.

ROBIN JOHN emerged as the overall winner when the National Scrabble Association staged a day-long tournament at the Point Fortin Regional Complex recently.

In the senior’s category, John won all his six matches and had a total of 500 points-difference (pd), with Crompton Welch taking second spot with four wins and a 283 pd followed by Leslie Charles four wins and a 223 pd. John will fly the nation’s flag later this year when he competes in the World Championships in Malaysia. In the intermediate division, Daniel Gay, Mark Rougier and Clara Murray each recorded four victories on the scrabble boards, but Gay prevailed with a pd of 580, with Rougier a distant second with 192 pd and Murray, a 187 pd. And K Gabriel was unstoppable among the juniors, sweeping to victory with 10 wins and a pd of 777, ahead of C Bain’s eight wins and 677 pd and R Jones’ six wins and 370 pd. The Scrabble Association are opening their doors for persons interested in joining the group. For further information call Kathleen Stephen at 759-9614.

W CONNECTION is proving to be the team to beat in three out of four divisions at the 2003 TT Pro League.

The Southerners are atop the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 standings while, among the seniors, Connection lie second behind defending champs CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh. On Saturday last, Connection widened their lead to three points in the Under-15s with a 2-1 triumph over Joe Public at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. In the other match of the morning’s double-header, Connection leap-frogged the “Eastern Lions” at the top of the Under-17 standings with a narrow 1-0 triumph. The Connection lads maintained their prolific scoring in the Under-20 department with a 6-1 battering of Joe Public on Sunday but their senior unit slipped to second spot following a 2-2 draw against their Macoya-based opponents. Jabloteh lead the senior division with 13 points, two ahead of Connection while South Starworld Strikers, under new technical director Everard “Gally” Cummings, are third on 10. Under-15 and Under-17 sixth round fixtures will be contested on Saturday while action in the seniors and Under-20s will resume on June 15.

OTHER RESULTS –
Seniors:
W CONNECTION 2 – Arnold Dwarika 42nd; George Isaac 70th vs JOE PUBLIC 2 – Andre Toussaint 47th; Devon Caseman 85th.
DEFENCE FORCE 1 – Russell Pope 84th vs NORTH EAST STARS 0.
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH 1 – Ian Gray 2nd vs CALEDONIA AIA 0.
ARIMA FIRE 1 – Handel Manswell 33rd vs SWIF 1 – Jace Peters 77th.
STARWORLD STRIKERS 3 – Kester Cornwall 9th; Jahvon Neptune 20th; Errol Charles 87th vs TOBAGO UNITED 0.

Under-20:
W CONNECTION 6 – Kenwyne Jones 10th; Brenton De Leon 29th; Christopher Durity 43rd; Jason Marcano 50th, 73rd, 83rd vs JOE PUBLIC 1 – Dwight Scott 45th.
DEFENCE FORCE 4 – Kerry Joseph 9th; Keron Edwards 44th; Clevon George 76th; Emmanuel Noel 85th vs NORTH EAST STARS 3 – Irvin Reyes 3rd, 5th; Matthew Durham 74th.
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH 2 – Rennie Bristol 58th; Marvin Joseph 65th vs CALEDONIA AIA 1 – Seon Jack 14th.
ARIMA FIRE 2 – Clyde Leon 33rd; Akeil Guevarra 76th vs SWIF 0.
STARWORLD STRIKERS 5 – Donrick Mascall 20th, 30th; Kenwyn Richard 43rd; Damian La Fortune; Anthony Noreiga vs TOBAGO UNITED 2 – Elroy Phillips; Dyke Reid.

Under-17 –
ARIMA FIRE 3 vs SWIF 0.

Under-15 –
ARIMA FIRE 2 vs SWIF 2.