From March 17, Licensing Authority will only be licensing vehicles if their tyres have been cleared by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), the bureau announced yesterday. The move is part of a plan by the TTBS to ensure that tyres on new and foreign used vehicles conform to existing national compulsory standards before they are licensed. The TTBS will be having two meetings tomorrow at its headquarters at Macoya to discuss the new requirements. The first one at 10 am will be for importers of foreign used vehicles and another at 1 pm for importers of new vehicles.
The Tourism Action Committee met Monday and discussed among other things, the “Tobago Product” to market the island as a tourism destination, distinct from the marketing of Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who chaired the meeting, said that a document was presented for all tourism stakeholders to consider. He did not go into details of the document, but said that the committee would meet again in two weeks to discuss it. He said that Monday’s meeting was also updated on the fixed airfare of $200 between Trinidad and Tobago. He said that the airfare was working effectively for travellers. He said that they also discussed the Government’s foreign missions to address the reports of terrorism in Trinidad and Tobago, and that no evidence was found to show that Tobago was adversely affected by the reports. Manning added that there were some problems with the start-up of the $75 million upgrade for the Crown Point Airport, but he said that the Government would address them. He said he did not wish to go into the details, but that they were hoping to have the airport upgraded by the time Virgin Airlines begins flying to Tobago on May 5.
GOVERNMENT expects to earn $320 million from the divestment of National Enterprises Limited (NEL) and Trinidad and Tobago Forest Products Limited, Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill said yesterday. However, he declined to say more on those divestments, explaining that negotiations are still in progress in the case of one of those enterprises and “further details may compromise the process”. In response to questions raised by Senate Opposition Leader Wade Mark about Government’s divestment strategy, Enill told the Upper House that the State enterprise sector would continue to be examined and rationalised “with a view to boosting economic efficiency and competitiveness. “The Government recognises that the most critical role of the State in economic life is to support the vitality of the private sector and the small business sector,” he said.
KIMBERLEY, South Africa: Kenya’s shock win over Sri Lanka has set the scene for a thrilling end to the preliminary phase of the World Cup, with five of seven Group B teams still in contention.
Just four points separate Kenya, Sri Lanka, West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa, with two matches each left to play and eight points available for each team. The pool is so tight that each of the five teams could potentially win the group — or miss out altogether. Only three teams go through to the next round. The permutations are endless. Teams can go through by winning one of their two remaining matches but can also miss out even if they win both if other results go against them. Bizarrely, it is even possible that a team could finish equal first on points and still miss out on a place in the Super Six if, as is possible, four teams finish level on points.
It is also possible that a team could finish third but carry more points through to the next stage than teams finishing ahead of them. Teams keep four points for wins over fellow-qualifiers and one point for wins over eliminated teams. The only thing that seems certain is that run-rates will probably be needed to split the teams. “We got the calculators out after the Kenya game but it’s still too early to work out yet,” New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. “There’s a lot to go yet and I think there might be a few more twists to come.” While things have mostly gone according to script in the other half of the draw, Group B — supposedly the easier pool — has been full of surprises from the moment West Indies upset South Africa in the first game of the tournament.
South Africa, one of the cup favourites, seemed to be out of the running when they lost a second match to New Zealand. But West Indies then lost two certain points when their match against Bangladesh was rained off, while the New Zealanders gave up four points by forfeiting their match in Kenya because of security concerns. South Africa’s fate is now in their own hands again but they still need to win their final two matches against Canada and Sri Lanka to make the next round. Sri Lanka were cruising towards the Super Sixes before their shock loss to Kenya on Monday turned the group upside down.
They must win one of their remaining two games — against West Indies and South Africa. Kenya were never considered as contenders for the next stage but find themselves leading the group after the forfeit-victory over New Zealand and wins over Sri Lanka and Canada. They have Bangladesh and West Indies to play. West Indies’ moment of truth comes against Sri Lanka in Cape Town on Saturday. A win and they will probably top the group. A defeat and they they will almost certainly miss out. New Zealand have only lost one match, to Sri Lanka, but their refusal to fly to Kenya could prove dear. They have two ‘easy’ games against Bangladesh and Canada but could still miss out with two wins. “Like the other teams, all we can really do is look after our games,” Fleming said. “We have to win them and win them well to boost our run-rates but, apart from that, we’re just passengers.
PAARL: Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq experienced contrasting fortunes as Pakistan cruised to a 97-run victory over the Netherlands in Cricket World Cup Group “A” yesterday.
Wasim became the first player in history to take 500 One-Day International wickets, but Inzamam’s miserable World Cup continued when he was out for a second-ball duck. Pakistan, desperate for a good performance after their crushing upset defeat by England, produced another unconvincing batting display in a total of 253 for nine, but their bowlers were more impressive as they routed the Dutch for 156 to keep their hopes of reaching the Super Sixes alive.
It was Wasim’s day, the 36-year-old left-arm fast bowler reached his milestone when he forced Netherlands opener Nick Statham to play a typically venomous inswinger on to his stumps. He later had Klaas Jan van Noortwijk caught by wicketkeeper Rashid Latif and finished the match by trapping Jeroen Smits leg before wicket to complete figures of three for 24. “I’m very excited but in the end what matters is that Pakistan should qualify,” Wasim said. “I think we are going in the right direction. I would like to dedicate this to all the people who have supported me in the last 18 years.” Asked which players had helped him most in his career, Wasim mentioned two former Pakistan captains. “Imran (Khan) was the main man who helped me, and Javed Miandad,” Wasim said. Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq were also among the wickets as the Dutchmen struggled, Daan van Bunge top-scoring with 31 including a six and three fours. There were also 40 extras.
Earlier, Yousuf Youhana top-scored for Pakistan with a run-a-ball 58, Taufeeq Umar made 48 and Abdul Razzaq 47, but Inzamam’s wretched tournament continued. The fourth most prolific run-scorer in One-Day International history lasted one ball longer than he did against England on Saturday before being trapped leg before wicket by Dutch medium-pacer Tim de Leede. Inzamam’s tally for the tournament remained at 10 runs from four innings.
LONDON: Ronaldinho has admitted his 35-metre wonder-goal that embarrassed England goalkeeper David Seaman at last year’s World Cup football tournament was a fluke, according to one of the Brazilian’s team mates.
Seaman was heavily criticised for misjudging the looping free kick which gave Brazil a 2-1 quarter-final victory in the Japanese city of Shizuoka on June 21, and the Arsenal goalkeeper finished the match in tears.
But Brazil squad member Juninho, who plays for English club Middlesbrough, said in an interview with The Independent newspaper yesterday that Ronaldinho had revealed in the dressing room after the match that he mishit the shot. “He said he tried to put the ball in the opposite angle to where it went, the other corner,” Juninho was quoted as saying. “He mishit it. In the end it was lucky. In football you have to be lucky sometimes.” Brazil went on to win the World Cup for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2-0 in the final.
KIMBERLEY: After nine days of inactivity apart from a scuffle outside a nightclub, Stephen Fleming’s New Zealanders go for a third victory in a row when they meet Bangladesh at the Cricket World Cup today.
The Black Caps’ progress to the Super Six phase is largely in their own hands, with almost certain victories if such things are possible in cricket against the Bangladeshis, who have been woeful, and the Canadians, who have been mercurial but easily beatable by any of the test-playing nations. Beaten by Sri Lanka first time out, Fleming’s team also “lost” to Kenya after refusing to play there on safety grounds.
Two wins will put them on the requisite number of points to go through. But net run rates will be vital in determining whether they do, in fact, get to play for the big prize.
So the approach will have to be all-out attack. Dismiss the opposition cheaply, and score the runs fast. And no one knows that better than team captain Fleming. “The only thing we can control is the run rate we achieve in the next two matches,” he said. “And, without being disrespectful to the opposition, that puts an enormous onus on us in terms of the method of trying to win.” He added that New Zealand would not be underestimating the Bangladeshis. On the other hand, the Bangladeshis looked thoroughly demoralised when they were crushed by South Africa during the weekend, and captain Khaled Mashud admitted that morale was low in the team after that defeat.
However, in a practice at the De Beers Diamond Oval yesterday, they appeared to have regained their relish for the game, and threw themselves wholeheartedly into their routines. “We know New Zealand will be under pressure to go through to the Super Sixes, but we need to play well in our final two matches, and especially against New Zealand,” said Mashud.
ADAM ALEXANDER won two out of four races at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Balmain, Couva as the warm-up events for the Beacon Cycling Challenge continued over the weekend.
The Warriors wheelsman sped past the finishing line in the One Lap Win and Out, ahead of Gustavo Jacob of Southclaine, Winzie Mohammed of Madonna Wheelers and Darren Reid of Australia. Alexander also copped the Juniors 4-laps contest on Saturday, with Jacob, Jonathan Rawlins of Sonics and Brendon Phillip of Southclaine trailing. Sonics’ Simon Spicer claimed the Masters three-lap race, with Courtney Mark as the runner-up and Imtiaz Ali of Nepuyo third. And Shannon Metivier won the final race of the morning —- the 30 minute point a lap —- ahead of Reid, Guy Costa of Heatwave, Sheldon Ramjit of Humming Birds and Joe Johnson of Sonics. The warm-up races will end on Saturday, also at the Ato Boldon Stadium. The Beacon West Indies versus The World Cycling Series pedals off in April with events in Barbados, Trinidad and sister isle Tobago.
Overall Results –
One Lap Win & Out: 1.Adam Alexander 15 pts; 2.Winzey Mohammed 6 pts; 3.Sheldon Ramjit, Shannon Metivier, Gustavo Jacob 3 pts.
Masters 4 Laps: 1.Gregory Dandrade 10 pts; 2.Simon Spicer 8 pts; 3.M Ali, Courtney Mark 5 pts; 5.Peter Hernandez 1 pt.
Juniors 4 Laps: 1.Adam Alexander 15 pts; 2.Brendon Phillip 5 pts; 3.Barry Luces 2 pts; 4.Stephen Rambarran 1 pt.
30 Minute Point A Lap: 1.Shannon Metivier 13 pts; 2.Winzey Mohammed 7 pts; 3.Darren Reid 5 pts; 4.Joshua Alexander 3 pts; 5.Sheldon Ramjit, Adam Alexander 2 pts; 7.Ray Phillips 1 pt.
GOVERNMENT has announced several bold initiatives to boost the development of golf in Trinidad and Tobago.
This comes on the heels of the biggest tornament in the region, the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships to be staged at the Plantations Beach and Golf Resort, Tobago from August 3 to 10. Yesterday, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes made the commitment to the organisers of the tournament at the launch of the championships in the Flamingo Room of the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain. Present were president of the Trinidad amd Tobago Golf Association Clarence Wilcox, Bernard Pantin of the Sponsorship Committee, Tournament Director Bill Agard and former top player Robert Charlett representing Tobago Plantations.
Minister Boynes said apart from making a financial contribution towards the staging of the $1.5 million competition, Government will soon provide the services of two qualified coaches to assist in the overall development plans for the game. He said he was impresssed with the Golf Association’s programmes which turn out at least 45 juniors every four months who benefit from learning the basics of the game. “It appears that golf is now in the hands of the youth,” said Boynes. It is also planned that golf, previously seen as a hobby for well-established retirees, will play a key role at the recently opened and highly touted Academy of Sports at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus.
Boynes also revealed that a new golf course will also be constructed in east Trinidad by Home Contruction Limited and the Trinity Millennium Housing Project. Also, the sport is set to occupy pride of place in a major thrust to promote Trinidad and Tobago as a leading sport/tourism destination in the Caribbean in a soon to be announced mega-project under the auspices of the Government. Boynes also confirmed that the only public golf course in the Caribbean at Chaguaramas will be upgraded to 18 holes which he assured will raise further interest in the game and expand the possibilities taking into consideration TT’s penchant for producing elite athletes.
Among them are Stephen Ames, world ranked professional golfer; Ato Boldon, world champion runner; Jean Pierre, international netball star now deceased; Brian Lara, world batting double-record holder and Hasely Crawford, this country’s first and only Olympic gold medallist; and world boxing title-holders Claude Noel and Leslie “Tiger” Stewart. Wilcox said the tournament, popularly known as the Hoerman Cup, but actually comprises four championship division — which will be extended by one more this year — will attract at least 120 golfers from 10 countries.
The last time TT staged the tournament was ten years ago when the hosts made a clean sweep of the honours at St Andrew’s Golf Club at Moka, Maraval. He said apart from the impact the tournament will have for the game locally, there are also significant benefits to be derived from the tourism aspect since the teams will be accompanied by scores of supporters. Wilcox stressed that the young upcoming golfers need incentives to aspire to the highest standards similar to what are afforded by the Caribbean Championships and their development can be hastened by the availability of coaching facilities. “Only then can they be expected to take their place on the trail currently being blazed by Stephen Ames,” said Wilcox.
FOREIGN athletes are clamouring to compete at this year’s 29th edition of the Hampton International Games.
The Games are scheduled to take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on May 3 and 4. Requests have come from ex-England and Commonwealth javelin queen Tesas Sanderson, now operating a sports management company together with Leonard Lothian, and they are offering 12 young athletes to compete at the Games. But contacted yesterday, Games chairman Rawle Raphael said he has received no reply to a letter sent to Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Roger Boynes and other government ministers.
Raphael wrote Minister Boynes and other ministers seeking a meeting to discuss his committee’s request of a $10 million grant/soft loan, in a drive to see the Games achieve Grand Prix status from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The Games chairman said his committee promised to repay the grant/soft loan within two-years after gaining Grand Prix status. Raphael recieved communication from Lothian yesterday indicating that Briton Shani Andertson, Jamaicans Danny McFarlane, Jermaine Gonzales and Kerron Stewart, Sri Lankan Damayanthi Darsha are among the 12 athletes likely to come to Trinidad and Tobago.
McFarlane was a finalist in the 2000 Olympic Games 400 metres, Gonzales got bronze in last year’s World Junior Championships over 400 metres and Stewart was a relay 100 metres gold medallist and fourth placed in the individual event at last year’s World Junior Championships.
Darsha is current Asian Games woman gold medallist over 400 metres with a personal best of 51.05 seconds and Sanderson has clocked 11.34 seconds for the 100 metres and is current British national champion and Commonwealth Games finalist over 100 and 200 metres.
Meanwhile, Raphael has called a technical meeting at which athletic organisations have been asked to send two representatives each. This meeting is to take place at the audio visual room, Hasely Crawford Stadium, from 5 pm on March 10.
At the meeting, items to be discussed will be seating of athletes in the athletes lounge, games rules and admission tickets for athletes and clubs or schools. Hampton International Games will be officially launched two days prior to the meeting however, with a fun run-walk around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain starting opposite the Botanic Gardens. All local athletes, soca artistes and calypsonians are invited, with the first 100 finishers — 50 men and 50 women — receiving tickets valued $120 to the main stand for the games.
Other finishers will get one ticket each valued $40 for admittance to the Concrete Stand. Registration for the fun run-walk cost $10 per athlete and athletes have until 3 pm on race day to register.
