TRINIDAD and Tobago, who won both men’s and women’s hockey gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games last year, will face tough opposition when they appear at the 2003 Pan American Games this summer. Their opponents in the men’s draw include defending champions Canada and Cuba, while world number one Argentina and the improving Chile are among their rivals in the women’s draw for the August 2-13 hockey tournament at this year’s Pan Am Games in the Dominican Republic. In men’s play, while Argentina, Chile, the United States and hosts Dominican Republic are in Pool “A”, TT will tackle Canada, Cuba, and Barbados in Pool “B”.
Barbados were runners-up to TT at last November’s CAC Games, which had its hockey competition in Puerto Rico. “It’s a tough pool for us, we have the 1999 first place finishers (Canada), and Cuba, who are very strong,” Trinidad and Tobago’s Hockey Board president Maureen Craig-Rousseau told CMC Sport yesterday. Mexico and Peru have been named as reserve teams for the men’s championship. Trinidad and Tobago’s women challenge powerhouse Argentina, Chile, and the Dominican Republic in Pool “A”. “Argentina are the best in the world right now, they are so many steps ahead of, not only us in the Caribbean, but everyone else,” Rousseau said. “The Chileans have improved quite a bit, with coaching assistance from Argentina, and we will have to work hard to come through this group,” she added. The women’s Pool “B” has Canada, Uruguay, USA, and CAC runners-up Jamaica. Cuba and Barbados are the reserve teams named for the women’s competition.
PETROTRIN Palo Seco International Games will be bigger and better next year. This was the promise of Games chairman George Commissiong at the conclusion of this year’s action after a four-year lapse. Commissiong currently acting as Petrotrin’s corporate communications manager and his committee members did a marvellous job in successfully staging the Games at the Palo Seco Velodrome on Sunday last. He said planning and organising this year’s edition was done in less than one month, and the 6,000-odd spectators who made the trek to the southland enjoyed an exciting games, one of the better-organised athletics and cycle meet of the year.
Commissiong was very happy with the response to the Games and pledged, “next year will be bigger and better”. He said: “We started very late in trying to re-organise the Games. But I am very happy and pleased that the Caribbean athletes and cyclists along with American Joshua Weir were able to compete. Trinidad and Tobago athletes Simon Pierre, Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Jules LaRode and US-based cyclist Roger Farrell evoked much pride when they won their events. But it was Guyana sprinter Andre Blackman who romped to a thrilling 100 metres win and American cyclist Joshua Weir who won the feature match sprint and Elimination races that showed superior class among their rivals.
Blackman clocked 10.68 seconds as he outsprinted Zenith’s Melvin Nero (10.86) and PAP’s Carlton Elwin (11.34) to take the blue riband event. He had to settle for the silver behind a fast-finishing Simon Pierre who clocked 21.56 in winning the 200 metres, however. Blackman’s time was 21.82 secs. Pierre made it a personal double by winning the men open 400 metres in 48.66 secs ahead of his Memphis Pioneers club mate Bedawi Gomez (48.97) and Concorde’s Edwin Hill (49.10).
Zenith’s Baptiste completed the women sprint double by taking the 100 metres in 11.71 seconds ahead of Carifta Games bronze medallist Wanda Hutson (11.94) and the 200 metres in 24.26 secs from Dianne Cooks (25.21). Guyana’s Tai Payne (1 min: 56.04 secs) and PAP’s Paul Beckett (1:58.24) created a mild upset when they held off Palo Seco’s Jules LaRode (1:59.72) in the 800 metres open an invitational race. Earlier, in a tight finish, La Rode edged out TT Carifta Games Under-20 gold medallist Carlan Arthur in the 1500 metres, in a time of 4:08.27 while the promising runner-up returned 4:08.29.
DETOUR Shaq Attack led all the way in taming Royal Extra Lions 70-59 in their Premier Division match in the Royal Extra North Zone Basketball Championships. Led by Anthony Turner’s 14 points and 11 rebounds, Shaq Attack led 24-20, 37-35 and 57-46 at the quarter stages of Wednesday night’s action at St Paul Street Multi-Purpose Facility. Dexter Lewis added 11 points and Kelvin Blugh 10 for the winners, while David Burton led all scorers with 20 points and Kewasi Alleyne and Kerwin Lares poured in 11 each for the Lions.
Republic Bank Arrows shot down Off Limits 76-44 in another game in the same category. The Arrows, behind some balanced scoring in which four players reached double figures, led comfortably throughout, with the first quarter ending 27-15. The half-time score read 38-28, and at the end of three quarters, the score was 64-36. Orlando Mappo led the Arrows with 18 points, Michael Serrette had 12, Kurt Christian 11 and Kenneth Roberts 10. Christian added four rebounds, while Serrette and Roberts pulled down three boards each and Mapp with two. Shornell Pompey scored 14 points for Off Limits and cleared 11 boards, while Dillon Duke had nine points and nine rebounds.
WE WOULD like to believe that the kidnappers of ailing 21-year-old Kerri Greaves and six-year-old Mark Prescott are not totally devoid of human compassion and empathy and, on that basis, we dare to hope that they would respond to the desperate appeals being made to free their two young victims. Seven days after he was snatched outside the San Fernando Boys RC School, Prescott may have already suffered a mental anguish beyond repair. The terrifying ordeal at the hands of his abductors may well scar the little boy psychologically for the rest of his life.
At the innocent age of six, children are blithe and trusting spirits who feel that the world is a pleasant and friendly place, holding no real dangers for them. Plucked out of that comfortable normalcy, Prescott may now be experiencing a trauma that could damage him mentally for a long, long time. If his kidnappers have any feeling of sympathy left in them, and we expect that they do, the harm they are inflicting on their young and blameless victim should be something for them to think about. We also appeal to those holding Mark captive, to please set him free.
On the same basis, but even more urgently, we appeal not only for the release but also for the life of Kerri Greaves whose physical condition is deteriorating in the confinement of her abductors. Kerri suffers from a defective kidney and acute allergies and, deprived of her medication, she now requires urgent medical attention. Every hour the 21-year-old is kept captive, increases the danger to her life. We refuse to believe that her kidnappers can be so callous or cold-blooded that they would care nothing for the suffering of their innocent victim whose very life now lies in their hands.
Newsday shares the agony of Kerri’s mother, Debra Ravello-Greaves, who is employed as a senior reporter on our paper, and we join in her desperate appeal to the kidnappers to set her critically ailing daughter free. It is clear that the abductors are fully aware of Kerri’s serious condition as they themselves pointed out their victim was bloated and very ill when they contacted her father, Neal Greaves, on Monday night to renew their demand for a $500,000 ransom. Greaves said when he told the kidnappers that his family was poor and could not meet their demand, they told him, “Find the money.”
The families of both these kidnap victims apparently do not have the financial resources to pay the ransom demand. It seems then that the situation in both cases has resolved itself into a kind of stalemate. Where and how will it end? If we are to take the comments of Neale Greaves seriously, the abduction of his daughter is not a simple or straightforward kidnapping. Based on the information he has received, Greaves observed there are “long, long connections and high people involved.” Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, he added, are making inroads in their investigations, but continue to meet stumbling blocks. What really is this all about, and who are the “high people” involved in holding his church-going daughter for ransom?
The fact that the AKS appears to be making no headway in their effort to solve these two kidnappings will only serve to generate greater apprehension within our society, particularly now that little children have joined the list of victims. Kidnappings take a horrible toll on both victims and their families. In these two cases, the situation is exceedingly bad and it now seems our best bet is to rely on whatever humanitarian feeling may exist among the abductors, joining the appeal to set their victims free.
On The day after World Biodiversity day “Those were the days” recalls the days when Point Lisas and Westmoorings were still under construction with who knows now how many organisms, creatures unknown to science being crushed by concrete even as I wrote . . . “Scarcely a day goes by without some quotes in Press from Parliamentarians — of both persuasions — on this country’s crying need for housing and jobs. Thanks to OPEC Government has more than enough money to pay for industrial growth and housing, The private sector is building houses apace for those who can afford them (and for some who can’t) between bidding for slices of the official building boom cake. We are making hay while the oil boom lasts. It might not be as much hay as we need, but it’s hay, nevertheless. And it can only be good — can’t it?
Perhaps. Much depends on how we are making our hay because there’s a right way and a wrong way of haymaking. Do the right thing in the wrong way and we could end up worse off — that in future we’ll be paying dearly for developments today. Prophets of doom and gloom point out that there are no standards and only a few out-dated regulations to control and direct industrial growth and housing developments. They agree that growth is good — but only provided there is proper planning to protect our health and preserve the natural environment.
Most of us reckon the natural environment will last our lifetime. If and when the worst happens, we won’t be around to suffer — so why worry? However, Nature has a nasty habit of catching up with us sooner than we think. For the past 10-15 years we were warned of the dangers of uncontrolled development on hillsides, yet we thought the cutting and quarrying and burning wouldn’t affect us. Last year’s (1979) disastrous floods proved us wrong. Those with liking for local seafood are already reaping the first fruits of industrial growth and housing developments and consequent pollution in the fragile waters of the Gulf of Paria. Our Gulf coast isn’t a tourist trap, there are no white sand beaches with waving coconut palms leaning out over crystal clear blue waters, no coral reefs.
Instead, it is a coast of mud and mangrove, flat, dull and apparently useless. Yet life abounds in the mud and the mangrove, in fact far more life than can be found on any tourist beach because mangroves are the natural nursery for that high-protein food, fish. What safer place is there for a fish to go through its larval stages than the sheltered waters of a mangrove swamp where dead leaves rot, biodegrade to make food for microscopic organisms that, in turn, are food for larger organisms that feed oysters, crabs, mussels, juvenile shrimp and young fish? We complain about the rising cost of seafood — yet make no protest when developers destroy the swamps (2003: some did when the Invaders’ Bay mangrove was destroyed to make way for PriceSmart, MovieTowne — and now — is it a Hyatt Hotel?).
Maybe we let it happen because we don’t care for seafood. How many of us realise that mangroves force rivers to drop the silt and soil washed down from the hills and by so doing, reclaim land from the sea the natural way? Or that mangrove swamps are also a natural water purification system? So, in ignorance, we destroy the swamps — and the untold numbers of creatures in them — in the name of Progress (Point Lisas) and housing (Westmoorings). And we do more than that. Through living — and eating — in polluted waters both finned and shellfish often become unfit for human consumption. They may look good to eat, even taste good, but. We know all about oil pollution; most know nothing of thermal (heat) pollution that kills fish; pollution by industrial wastes, by agricultural pesticides, by housing developments with malfunctioning sewerage — all four threaten our Gulf.
It’s estimated that every day ISCOTT (2003 the — then — new steel plant) will empty 2,000 cubic metres of water cooled to 43 degrees Celsius into the Gulf that has an average temperature around 27 degrees Celsius. Fertrin (a fertiliser plant) will add another 7,000 gallons a minute at 40 degrees, the liquid natural gas plant expects to be pumping out a next 20 million gallons an hour at 42 degrees. Estimates for Fedchem (a chemical plant), the new smelter and other heavy industries aren’t available, but all seem to point at inescapable thermal pollution. Brechin Castle wastes have killed life in the Couva River that (like all rivers in our small island) carry the deadly, dumped wastes down to the sea. Our farmers spray crops with cocktails of pesticides long outlawed in developed countries (perhaps not so much in 2003 as in 1980?).
Those long-lasting poisons wash down to the Caroni and Oropouche swamps to threaten all life there. Heavy metals (copper, lead and mercury) are already known to be present in the waters off Point Lisas. Housing developments and the silt brought down from burned hillsides have destroyed all life in the Diego Martin River and the waters off Point Cumana. This forces our fishermen to go further and further out to sea (and at greater expense) for their catch. What should be cheap, nourishing seafood becomes an expensive luxury.
The poor hold their heads and bawl; the rich complain of the cost of seafood. If the pollution continues and the threat of heavy metal poisoning spreads the oyster sellers may be out of work; there will be no crab for the Sunday callaloo.We ignore pollution — and the threat to our health — at our peril.” Checks on the Internet reveal the theme of World Biodiversity Day 2003 to be the threat to biodiversity from alien species like Acacia Mangium, the Australian tree that survives the worst dry seasons on our quarry lands — and thrives on burning. See Sunday’s Environment Watch Column for more info.
THE EDITOR: The following letter is to the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police, Police Administration Building, Corner Sackville and Edward Streets, Port-of-Spain.
Dear Mr Guy,
On Friday May 2, 2003 I parked my car in front of Royal Bank, Arima and proceeded to use their facilities. Sir, my reason for parking there is due to the fact that I am disabled and must use crutches to get around, and policemen on duty in that area usually accommodate me and for this I am grateful to them for protecting and serving. However, on the day in question, a Police Sergeant (name and number supplied) told me that I had parked in a No-Parking area and requested my Driver’s Permit and Insurance. When he looked at my Driver’s Permit his comments were “So you is one ah Manning boy, eh,” and from his tone of voice and facial expression I knew he was preparing himself to give me a hard time. When he looked at my insurance he realised it had expired six days ago (hence my reason for withdrawing money from the bank). He then told me that the car had to be impounded at the Arima Police Station.
Sir, I know I was guilty of driving without insurance and I was prepared to face the penalties of the law but I was not prepared for what followed next. Choosing to ignore the sickly occupant in my car, this policeman impounded my car and when I politely asked about alternative means of transport for me and the other occupant, I was met with another snide comment, “If she can’t travel lock her up in the car too.” To avoid this inconvenience and embarrassment again, I asked him as to where I can park in the future if I have to access the services of Royal Bank, Arima and his answer was “That is not my job, ask the Mayor”.
Mr Guy, I know I was guilty of unlawful parking and driving without insurance and I was prepared to pay a fine or worse, have my licence confiscated because that is the job of the police service at large. What I am grieved about is the Sergeant’s behaviour about my supposed PNM affiliation and his insensitive, biased remarks to me, in the presence of my mother-in-law. With all due respect, Sir, sixmonths’ training at the Police Training College is not enough for these guardians of law and order. Behavioural science, anger management, dispute resolution and stress balance courses should be among their training. Also, they should be advised to keep their political persuasions at bay when attired in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s uniform, or even if they’re in plain clothes and on duty. Thank you, Mr Guy.
GERARD ASYN
Civilian
Laventille
THE EDITOR: I have read and listened with much interest at some of the discussions surrounding the initiative the Advocates for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSHR) took on May 7 2003 at the Woodbrook Government Secondary School. Many persons have articulated, including the President of TTUTA (whom I had much respect for until his utterances), that giving young persons condoms is a barbaric act as it is encouraging them to be sexually active.
If I am to believe this, it means that our society is really in shambles. It suggests to me that parents, religious bodies, communities, the education system, etc have no control or effect on our young people. It indicates to me that our young people are fickle- minded and easily swayed. Our adults and institutions have therefore failed them terribly. If as a society we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, then we have nothing to worry about. It would mean that our young people are grounded in morality, spirituality and values, and therefore would not be persuaded to engage in sexual activity simply because condoms are given to them.
In the 21st century, we are still saying that if young persons are exposed to correct information and education, they would be encouraged to be sexually active? What folly! Research has shown that exposure to correct information would delay and perhaps prevent sexual activity. There are many persons including the head of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) who are saying that education on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health should be the responsibility of the parents. I fully endorse this but don’t you think that a wider perspective can only redound to the benefit of the young person? In addition to this, many parents are not taking up this responsibility, while others do not know how to impart this knowledge to their charges. Let us stop looking for a scapegoat to blame for our ills. Let’s all stop pretending to not know what is going on with our nation’s youth. For those who really don’t know, it is really bad. The public debate has opened the proverbial “can of worms” for all of us to see. Come Trinidad and Tobago, let’s preserve our nation’s future, our youth!
G STEPHEN
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: Why is it that Trinidadians drive so fast on the roads? I get into my car, I put on my seatbelt and I drive out of my driveway and that is when the madness begins. First of all, I go over the humps in my community very slowly as that is what humps are there for, and I get the motorist behind me right on my backside … Then I follow the rule of the road which says please stay within the speed limit and I get the fella with his hand hanging out of his window trying to pass me fast, fast and ‘ah gettin’ one set of cut eye, blowing horn, and flashing lights because I drivin’ too slow.
Yuh see me, I ent’ taking’ dem on? Do they have on they seatbelts? I have observed that nine out of ten drivers on the road do not wear their seatbelts. Also, are they obeying the speed limit? It is time for law-abiding citizens to say enough is enough and we are not going to take it any longer .
B SANDY
Maraval
THE EDITOR: I wish to state at the outset that I have been a firm supporter of the national airline, BWIA, over the years. I have always used this airline in preference to all others, as long as it was going to where I wanted to go. Over my many years of travelling with this airline it has given me many hours of pleasure. It has also disappointed me and given me hours of frustration on other occasions, but I have always resisted the desire to complain about the airline, at least publicly.
Well this has changed because of a situation which happened on Friday May 16 on the flight BW 427 travelling from New York (JFK), to Port-of-Spain via Barbados. Well, things were going fine on this flight, until some distance out of JFK, we the passengers, realised that only two of the three bathrooms on board were functional. The flight was full, which was quite a different situation from what it had been for BWIA at many points during last year. Yes, It was a full flight and only two working bathrooms; one in first class and the other at the back of the plane. At just about any hour during the flight there was a long line of about 8-10 persons waiting to use the bathroom.
At one point, the line was so long and the wait so long, that I drew it to the attention of one flight attendant that some people were being inconvenienced. I did this because I had heard some women grumbling. I suggested that she should allow some of us to use the bathroom at the front end of the plane, the “first class facility.” She declined to accommodate the suggestion. Matters really came to a head as we approached Barbados, at least ten persons were waiting to use the bathroom. Some of them, perhaps out of dire need or “whatever” were taking inordinately long periods of time to use and exit the facility. The line-up time for those who were able to successfully use the system was for some as long as fifteen minutes.
Well lucky for them, because at least they were able to use the bathroom. As we approached Barbados, others who had been waiting for ten or more minutes, while the “top” bathroom was empty, were suddenly told to return to their seats, unspent and unfulfilled. One lady began to complain about how long she had had to wait, but was ordered back to her seat. I am well aware that it is not safe for the passengers to be out of their seats during landing and take off, but the situation could have been better managed. There were just too many passengers on board for the two bathrooms.
Passengers, females and males were inconvenienced, having to “hold” more than they were comfortable to do, for longer than it was comfortable, because of the thoughtlessness of some of those serving on board. Even these little things do matter when we come to the competition. Can BWIA afford to lose passengers unnecessarily? I do not think so.
Joan Rawlins
Maraval
THE EDITOR: Keep up the good work! Recently, I took a group of visitors from abroad on a trip to Toco. Of course, who could resist the natural beauty of Toco? After a long drive, we had a nice dip in the ocean, then we went up the hill to the Lighthouse. Anyone who has ever been on the rocks around this lighthouse, would know that here is one of the most breathtaking sights on our island. If you go to Toco, it is a must-see.
On reaching the entrance to the lighthouse, someone in our group said, “It sure needs a coat of paint”!” and this is exactly the point I am trying to make … would the authority in charge please paint the lighthouse in Toco!! This Eden is also one of our natural resources; it is not only about oil, gas or sugar cane … TIDCO please!?! And old Jewish saying, “There is no investment like a can of paint” … it raises the value of property and it enhances the surroundings. Let us brighten our environment. A clean environment illuminates our lives.
JEFFREY CARMINO
Eastern Main Rd
Sangre Grande
