Playing at the North Oropouche Recreation Ground, Dream Team could have went ahead courtesy two early chances. Jade Allmon fired a warning shot overbar from distance and Andre Jordan missed a sitter soon after when he completely miscued his shot from close range after he was found unmarked at the far post from a low right-sided cross.

But against the run of play, Dream Team found themselves trailing through a wonderful strike from North Oropouche’s Leon Timothy.

The winger did well to chest a long pass in traffic and took one look up before firing a left-footed volley that looped over the Dream Team goalie and into the net.

The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Dream Team and Timothy almost hit them another sucker punch, collecting a pass on the right flank and quickly shifting the ball onto this left before curling a left-footer that landed on the roof of the net.

Dream Team’s Jameel Sempele looked to take matters into his hands, making a surging run from halfline before dragging his shot just wide of the right post.

His busy approach paid off soon after, running onto a whipped in cross from the right and side-footing first-time to the far post to square the match just before the half.

Dream Team went ahead soon after the break albeit fortuitously, Allmon, looking to whip in a cross into the box on the right, saw his shot sail over the ‘keeper’s head and into the net. And it was 3-1 a couple minutes later, central defender Keryl “Gino” Garcia’s long diagonal pass found Tavarous Boiselle ghosting in behind the defence to head past the onrushing goalie and into the net.

But just when it seemed the floodgates would open, North Oropouche hit back spectacularly through the diminutive Ravi Gayasingh.

On the receiving end of some rough treatment throughout the evening, Gayasingh was set free on a counter at the halfway line and drifted past four Dream Team defenders from left to right before poking the ball past the ‘keeper to make it 3-2.

All thought of a comeback were ended via a stunning 25-yard free-kick from “Gino”.

The defender, known for his powerful shots, unleashed a rocket that fizzed over the wall and into the top left hand corner past the diving goalie. And it was soon 5-2, substitute Akeem Dandrade feeding Andron Cassanova to the centre of the box for a simple tap-in after taking on two defenders.

In other results recently, El Carmen 45 beat Alliance 3-0; Manzan beat G Madrid 4-0; Dragon beat Fishing Pond Youths 2-0; Gremio beat Take That and Cool It 6-3; Dream Team beat Alescon FC 3-0; Express beat Take That and Cool It 3-1; North Oropouche beat El Carmen 45 2-1; Manzan FC beat Boys Town 1-0; Gremio beat Alliance 3-0; SP Boys beat Dragon 3-0 by default; G Madrid beat Take That and Cool It 2-1; Dream Team beat Fishing Pond Youths 6-1; Dream Team beat Gremio 3-2.

Particularly through basketball, bmobile and Spartans TT have masterfully merged their ideas to facilitate the proper training of interested children at the Home for a period of one year. Since its inception in October 2016, the two organisations have hosted weekly basketball programmes (Saturdays 4-6pm) at the institution, in an effort to create an additional path of success for the young men who reside there. This initiative is the brainchild of both club and company and is aimed at nurturing the boys into a more positive mindset; preparing them to set out on a path leading to success, through sport.

Vice President of Marketing at TSTT , Camille Campbell, held this programme in high regard and applauded the commitment shown by both entities.

“At the bmobile Foundation, we pride ourselves in giving all youth an opportunity to excel, no matter what their circumstances,” stated Campbell.

“Sponsoring the Joshua Boys’ Home with basketball training courtesy Spartans TT , is one way of giving back to those who face challenges at a tender age.

Sport plays an integral role in the achievement of one of the Foundation’s direct objectives, and we will continuously involve ourselves in initiatives such as these because it augurs well for our youth and the future of our country.” In December of last year, Spartans TT and bmobile started a holistic basketball tutoring project with the Home. Before year’s end, they equipped the institution with a basketball ring to raise the enthusiasm among the youngsters. With the assistance of club president/technical director Garvin Warwick and coach ‘Axe’, twohour training sessions jumped off on Saturday evenings with kids ranging from age five to 18 showing great interest.

Since then, the number of participating children has grown immensely within the Home and several promising talents have emerged.

“We have seen tremendous progress with the kids and they have something to look forward to in terms of playing sport. Five or six students coming out of that academy can possibly make it at any level of basketball across Trinidad and Tobago. And that’s the opportunity we want to create for these kids who have already had to deal with a lot,” explained Warwick.

“The intention is to take some of the kids and get them to qualify for the National Under- 14 and Under-15 teams. Once they have those opportunities and motivators such as these, they will focus on their school work more and you will see them doing a lot better.

There are a couple kids who love the programme and we have to work with them.

They also see this as an avenue to progress,” he added.

Caregiver at the Joshua Boys’ Home, Anthony Maloney, shared similar sentiments and admitted that he has directly witnessed a positive change in the attitude and aura of several members of the programme. He also credited the creative actions of both bmobile and Spartans TT for paving a new way forward in the lives of these young men.

“Since Spartans set up a basketball ring for us at the Home, it has brought out many inspirational traits from some of the boys.

About eight kids of the 14 have already learnt the fundamental skills such as dribbling, pivoting and movement.

We look forward to the continued support from bmobile because they help us influence a brighter outlook on the kids for them to be rewarded in the future,” revealed Maloney.

With the annual training programme scheduled to be completed this month, Maloney remains hopeful that both bmobile and Spartans TT extend their partnership.

The phenomenon of natural disaster demonstrates no affinity for discrimination, whilst impacting upon all walks of life, and territory.

The outcome has seen devastation ranging from loss of human life in St Maarten, Cuba, Barbuda and other areas, to 95 per cent infrastructural damage in Barbuda, to untold destruction in many other areas. The impact of these natural disasters is made more challenging as there seems to be no ‘let up’ considering they present one immediately following the next.

This series of disastrous events naturally leads to the outpouring of support and relief efforts aimed at alleviating the hurt, trauma and suffering. The issue remains, as is heard on a number of occasions, people are not clear as to the measures that can be taken to become part of the process to assist. And as a direct result of this, many ‘not for profit’ organisations pop up, that may be utilising the resources collected on administrative and other expenses, with limited getting into the hands that require the support.

The thing is, the majority of people are intrinsically good, and will want to become part of a process to aid their fellow man, particularly in times of great despair.

However, there are those who are intrinsically bad, and may utilise the despair of others toward their own end. As a result, I strongly recommend the compilation of a resource listing that can be tapped into for the consistent co-ordination and channelling of resources for these purposes.

Once the organisation which you will be using to channel your relief has accepted same, it is always useful to be appraised of the distribution channels, and end result of such relief – in other words, how many people were actually reached.

I recall recently, when we in Trinidad and Tobago experienced severe flooding, particularly in the Central district, a particular non-governmental organisation (NGO) called SEWA TT, began a food drive in collaboration with a particular restaurant, and what was particularly noteworthy, is that this organisation reported almost on a daily basis on the number of people who were reached and who received a meal. This measure of accountability is exactly what must be encouraged.

There are many similar distribution organisations operating in Trinidad and Tobago including, the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL), Living Water Community, Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC), Network of NGOs among others, as well as hundreds of smaller NGOs that also operate with the best interest of assisting and supporting others in utilising the distribution model. The point is, that giving to and supporting others in their time of need should also be part of a moral mandate measured only by one’s ability and conscience.

I say this as there are those who choose to give with the expectation of getting something in return at some future point.

The protocol of giving includes the measure of being selfless, and not anticipating any favours in return. It also includes a measure of humility in positioning. Another very important factor of giving is doing so without judgement of others. In other words, if you choose to give to a cause, do just that – give. Do not give to be thanked, or recognised, or promoted, or publicised, or favoured. Do not give and then judge what others may have given – you never know the circumstance of others.

“A social media strategy must always tie back to your business objectives — is it an increase in sales or awareness? In a recession, for example, clients are looking for a return on investment, and often that means returns in sales of their products and services,” advertising executive Douglas Ames said.

Ames, managing director of digital marketing firm WebFX spoke to Business Day last Monday about how clients can leverage the current technological environment and local digital trends to craft a digital marketing strategy that helps their brand make the desired impact.

The first step is to figure out what that impact is. The second, is to be willing to take risks to achieve that.

“Brands need to move away from safe zones. Media is fragmented and social media platforms have now allowed everyone to have a voice — that can either be frightening or beneficial,” Ames said.

Brands need to find what is their tone of voice on social media; communication on social media is fragmented and playing it safe won’t make a brand stand out. That doesn’t mean a brand should focus on controversial issues, but it does suggest a willingness to do things that the organisation’s culture may not have permitted it to try before.

The People’s Beer

Ames and his WebFX team manage the digital and social media presence for Carib Beer, including its wildly popular Facebook and Instagram pages. One of the reasons for Carib’s massive success on social media is the brand’s almost immediate reaction to trending topics with relevant and humorous memes that, in essence, capture a virtual sense of “rumshop talk.”

Carib is willing to inject itself into the national conversation, Ames said, and its strategy is a reflection of what its drinkers are talking about.

Some of the brand’s notable jibes have been on the Property Tax; the recent violin “plagiarism” scandal; Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin’s Carnival collaboration (teaming up with Stag for some sibling rivalry); and the driver’s licence hummingbird fiasco.

“Carib’s brand pillars are friendship, funship and national pride. It’s also an alcoholic beverage. When you think about what you discuss over a drink it’s politics, the economy, sports, your job, your relationship — so in coming up with a strategy to differentiate Carib from the competition we felt that Carib being a national beer should inject itself into the national conversation by paying attention to what’s trending on social media,” Ames said.

And it appears to be working. The brand’s online image, at least on social media, reflects a Trinidadian ideal — lots of liming, good vibes and national pride — with a healthy dose of “picong.” In fact, the brand’s memes, perfectly timed at nearly the peak of a story’s cultural saturation, almost become trending topics themselves.

Ames and his team also eschewing traditional marketing strategies when crafting a voice for a brand like Carib.

“Now, brands can take an opinion — something once unheard of in any marketing class. The reason for this change is because in a competitive landscape, everyone has the same price, the same ambience (a bar), and even the same type of product (beer). You need to differentiate your product, and you do that through your core brand values,” Ames said.

Taking an opinion can be controversial, Ames acknowledges, and there is the real risk of it backfiring, but at least the customer knows where the brand stands on certain issues.

“More and more Trinidad marketers are willing to take risks — it doesn’t have to be controversial but in the context of Carib, for example, and Trinidad and Tobago, we have a lot of bacchanal to work with it,” he said.

Client versus consumer

Ames readily acknowledges that striking the right balance between tone and message can be hit or miss, but it helps if the client is understanding and willing to try new concepts.

“Once I can justify it, they are willing to go for it. I admit there are times when I was concerned about going too far with a concept, but once I justify the positioning they go for it,” he said.

It can be difficult taking a risk depending on the client, he admits, and company culture is important.

“Some companies reward innovation but in innovating you also have to accept mistakes. You can’t expect a company to progress and not make mistakes. And when they make a mistake you have to be able to forgive it. Now if you keep making mistakes then you have a problem,” he said.

Consumer reaction is important too.

“A brand can either emulate the values of a society and mirror them. In the case of a brand you have to walk a fine line between what your consumers will enjoy and appreciate and what you want them to aspire to, adding quality and raising the standards of the conversation,” Ames said.

He points to the trend of “opinion-based news” versus purely factual reporting — and the need to take charge of a conversation; and if you do take charge, you should try to life it.

“We do look at the negative comments and engagement rates, and do use that feedback to influence our strategy provided that strategy doesn’t contradict the brand values. I will admit that sometimes you will get more negative than positive reactions and if you feel that you have steered away from the brand values then you recalibrate,” he said.

The Digital Marketing Umbrella

Social media, while important, does not exist in a vacuum; instead, it falls under the umbrella of digital marketing.

“Digital marketing is about leveraging anything that is digital, mostly residing online — whether it is website development, social media marketing, or mobile app development to achieve your organisation’s objectives,” Ames said.

Over the last 18-24 months in particular, he notes, digital media has taken off in Trinidad & Tobago, for three reasons:

• Better, faster more reliable technology offered from Internet and Mobile Service Providers, and the subsequent competition in the market reducing prices.

• More reliable service means consumers are able to use their smartphones in ways they haven’t been able to before. This has resulted in changing trends in how media is consumed locally, with a shift away from newspapers and television, to online platforms.

• In the ongoing economic recession, most firms tend to cut advertising and marketing budgets first, and digital has an advantage because it is often cheaper and easier to maintain.

Then there’s social media’s trump card — the ability to measure reach and impact more easily than traditional forms of media.

“Everything can be tracked. I can tell who looked at what, how long they looked at it, if they shared it, commented, etc. Digital media gives me a tremendous amount of data.

If something flops or is doing well you know right away,” Ames said.

Social media and Digital Strategy isn’t just for engagement and awareness, but also for customer service. Courts, another one of WebFX’s clients, has customer service as a key element of its digital strategy, aiming to reduce complaints and increase resolutions for its customers.

Caribbean Airlines, another client, tracks several key performance indicators through different online platforms, monitoring click through rates taking a potential back to the main website, and sales conversions across its online presence, not just social media.

For Carib, it’s harder to track the conversion rate from engagement to sales, but the strategy is to encourage awareness of the brand that will translate to more tangible metrics.

“Social media is just one channel. It’s important but it can’t be in isolation. You need a full digital strategy to complete the experience, for example, a website, that allows you to follow through with a process. If there is the disconnect then the strategy on a whole will fail,” Ames said.

At the very least, though, he suggests, brands should be on Facebook, the number one website in Trinidad and Tobago.

Gosine is responding well to medication and has regained consciousness after being placed in a medically induced coma as part of efforts by doctors to stabilise him and stop major internal bleeding near to where he was shot. “I think he would be back with us soon. He is a fighter,” said a relative.

Although the grocery remains opened, Gosine’s relatives said they were living in fear, not knowing if the bandits who attacked Gosine would attempt to rob the supermarket again or if they would come to exact revenge for their accomplice Allen Walker, who was killed during a shootout with Gosine during the robbery.

On Monday at 7.15 am, Gosine was at the front of the grocery preparing to open his gate, when he was ambushed by four men dressed in CEPEP uniforms, one of whom brandished a gun.

Gosine pulled out his licensed firearm and engaged the bandits, shooting Walker dead while the oRELATIVES of Mahadeo Gosine, the 65-year-old grocer who was shot while protecting his Sixth Street, Barataria businessplace, yesterday said he was making good progress as he remains in hospital.
Gosine is responding well to medication and has regained consciousness after being placed in a medically induced coma as part of efforts by doctors to stabilise him and stop major internal bleeding near to where he was shot. “I think he would be back with us soon. He is a fighter,” said a relative.
Although the grocery remains opened, Gosine’s relatives said they were living in fear, not knowing if the bandits who attacked Gosine would attempt to rob the supermarket again or if they would come to exact revenge for their accomplice Allen Walker, who was killed during a shootout with Gosine during the robbery.
On Monday at 7.15 am, Gosine was at the front of the grocery preparing to open his gate, when he was ambushed by four men dressed in CEPEP uniforms, one of whom brandished a gun.
Gosine pulled out his licensed firearm and engaged the bandits, shooting Walker dead while the others ran off. Gosine was shot in his stomach. Investigators were yesterday still viewing CCTV footage of the incident hoping to identify the three suspects who remained at large.

thers ran off. Gosine was shot in his stomach. Investigators were yesterday still viewing CCTV footage of the incident hoping to identify the three suspects

He also denied reports that the meeting had to be called off because of the protests, adding that the meeting began at 6 pm and ended at 8.45 pm, with 62 percent of all bands registered with Pan Trinbago having a representative at the meeting. Gregory Lindsay, speaking on behalf of Concerned Individuals for Pan (CIP) challenged the legality of the Diaz’s meeting.

But contacted for comment yesterday, Diaz thundered: “According to the constitution I have a right as president to call a meeting at short notice. So I don’t know who is advising them or which lawyer is telling them things. The meeting was to brief members and they (CIP) were not there when I started it (the meeting). The circular was to deal with Panorama and no other business. It was very straightforward.” Diaz claimed that five people, “who never even played pan before” turned up and disrupted the meeting. “They are not panmen.

I don’t know which band they claim to represent. People bring them out to talk and say no Panorama, just to disrupt a meeting! Ninety percent of the members want Panorama.

“But three bands say they don’t want Panorama and they hired some fellas to hold placards and make noise,” Diaz claimed.

He reiterated that Pan Trinbago does not pay Panorama performance fees (remittances) to panmen but instead negotiates with the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and the Community Development, Culture and Arts Ministry.

Diaz said he told the members that they have to wait on the Budget to know what is the allocation for steelbands for 2018.

He indicated that Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly asked the NCC to ensure all interest groups find a new way forward for Carnival and as Pan Trinbago president he conveyed this to his members at the meeting on Tuesday.

Coming out of that meeting, was a plan to carry small bands semi-finals for Panorama to Chaguanas where each band will be required to play a Chutney song in addition to the usual Panorama tune while the medium and large band semis will be in Port of Spain as usual, but with a change of format.

Diaz indicated that Pan Trinbago is considering mixing the medium with large bands in that after each medium band plays, a large band will follow. That format will continue into final night for the medium and large bands in Port of Spain, while the small bands final will be held in San Fernando. All prelims will be held at various panyards starting January 4.

Police investigators were able to determine that Rodriguez worked at a guest house in Chaguanas and was a frequent visitor to the suspect’s home. Police are working on information that Rodriguez arranged to meet with the suspect at the walkover on Monday night and was robbed of cash.

Police also received a video footage of the suspect and another man walking away from the walkover on Monday with one of the men being in possession of the woman’s handbag. The suspect allegedly told police he and the woman were attacked by two men and Rodriguez robbed of her handbag. Asked why he did not report the matter when the stabbing took place, the man said he became frightened and went to a friend’s home because he was in a confused state. Investigators said yesterday that Rodriguez may have entered this country a few months ago and had overstayed her time.

Yesterday efforts were being made by police to contact her relatives so arrangements could be made for her body to be returned to that country for final rites.

This victory, at the Speyside High Ground, was Shiva Boys’ second win in succession and pushed them to the top of the 16-team standings.

Carapichaima East moved to number two on the standings after a 3-1 victory away to St Anthony’s at Westmoorings while Fyzabad – like Shiva Boys and Carapichaima East – also registered their third straight win, by a 1-0 margin over Fatima at the Fyzabad Ground.

Presentation San Fernando registered their first win of the season, with a 2-0 result over fellow South-based team St Benedict’s, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Naparima, the 2016 Big 4 title-holders, earned their first points for the season as they breezed past Trinity East 2-0 at Lewis Street, San Fernando while QRC also got off the ground with a 3-1 win over Trinity Moka, at the QRC Ground in St Clair.

St Augustine’s first scheduled match, on Saturday last, against St Mary’s was abandoned due to a waterlogged field. However, they got their campaign underway with a slim 1-0 win away to Signal Hill.

In the day’s other contest, San Juan North and St Mary’s played to an entertaining 3-3 draw at the San Juan North Ground, Bourg Mulatresse. Kyle Thomas broke the deadlock for the hosts after two minutes, with a left-footed shot after a lay-off from Ronaldo Boyce.

But the lead lasted only a minute as Devon Charles capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to fire home a left-footed shot, from close range.

Captain Brandon Semper restored San Juan’s lead in the 13th, with a shot from approximately 10 metres out, but St Mary’s responded with two goals, early in the second half. Gabriel Nanton unleashed a 25-metre left-footed bullet, to make it 2-2 while Charles got his second goal after horrible goalkeeping effort.

But Semper would have the final say in the 65th, with a curling left-footed freekick from the edge of the penalty box.

Third Round action will be contested on Saturday.

Eve’s award comes as no surprise with his Club Sando side currently tied on 17 points with W Connection and North East Stars at the top of the 2017 standings and on a seven- game unbeaten stretch in pursuit of the Pro League crown.

“It’s fantastic what The Fan Club is doing,” said Eve, who was honoured at The Fan Club’s Movie Towne outlet at Invaders Bay in Port of Spain on September 1.

The 45-year-old former national captain and midfielder, who still holds the record as the most capped TT international, praised the sport merchandise and apparel store’s involvement in the development of the Pro League.

“A lot of people cry that we are in an economic downturn, but the banks are still making profits and a lot of big construction continue around the country. It’s just unfortunate for the Pro League and all sports in general, that when people say the country is in a recession, the first thing to be affected is sport.

“But sport is the only thing that really unifies this country. It keeps guys off the street, away from crime and towards improving their lives.

We have guys at Club Sando who are making a living for themselves through sport, some even focused on having their own homes.” After opening losses to Morvant Caledonia United (2-1) and W Connection (3-1) this season, Sando have been steadily on the rise since holding Point Fortin Civic to a 1-1 draw on June 30.

Eve’s side went on to defeat St Ann’s Rangers (2-0), Police FC (4-0) and Jabloteh (2-1), and held Central (1-1), all in the month of July before Defence Force (2-1) and Morvant Caledonia (1-0) became Sando’s latest victims in August.

A goal from Marvin Harper was enough for St James Division as they prevailed 1-0 over City Hall in the final.

It was a bit of revenge for St James Division after finishing second behind City Hall in the league competition earlier this season.

A number of individual and team awards were distributed to the eight teams that competed in the tournament.

HONOUR ROLL: Most Disciplined Team – Central Market Best Uniformed Team – St James Division Best Goalkeeper – Hillan Morean, Corey Boucher Most Goals – N’kosi Raphael Best Goal – Marvin Joseph Best Defender – Nkosi Telemaque, Ronald Primus Manager of the Year – Deoraj Ramtahal Most Valuable Player – N’kosi Raphael Knockout Runner Up – City Hall Knockout Champion – St James Division League Third Place – Transport and Cleansing League Second Place – St James Division League Champion – City Hall