Vladimir Henderson-Suite scored the only goal of the match to secure defending champion Queen’s Park Cricket Club its first win of the Northern Football Association (NFA) Premier Division season, by means of a 1-0 win over FC1, over the weekend.

The second match day in the top flight was completed as well as in the First Division.

The season began a week prior with the Parkites dropping valuable points after a 1-1 draw with Maple.

Meanwhile, reigning FA Cup winner Police FC, moved clear at the top of the standings with a 2-1 win over CMFA. Last week the club defeated FC1 3-2.

In the First Division, Saddle Hill Hotspur continued its fine start with a 6-0 win over Malvern FC.

Weekend results

Premier Division

St Francois 2 v Maple 2

QPCC 1 v FC-1 0

Football Factory 2 v RSSR 0

Petit Valley United 3 v New Millennium 1

Police FC 2 v CMFA 1

First Division

Port Celtic FC 4 v Paragon

Barataria Warriors 3 v Morvant Elements 2

Cosmos Eagles SC 3 v Harvard FC 0

Saddle Hill Hotspurs 6 v Malvern FC 0

​

The final three teams to advance to the knockout round of the Republic Bank National Youth League will be determined today when the Tobago Zone starts and completes its round-robin fixtures in the Under-10, U-12 and U-14 divisions.

All three divisions will kick off at 9 am, at Canaan Recreation Ground, Bon Accord, before action concludes at approximately 2 pm.

St Clair Coaching School, 1976 FC Phoenix, Speyside Football Academy, Stokely Vale and Bethel United will be represented in the U-10 and U-12 divisions, while the same teams except for Bethel United will compete in the U-14 division.

Last weekend, action round-robin matches concluded in the South and Central Zones.

Marabella Family Crisis Centre advanced to the national quarter-final stage in the U-12 and U-14 divisions. There was no U-10 division in the South Zone. 

And, in the Central Zone, Cap Off Youths sealed all three wins to move into the national semi-finals in the U-10 division. In the U-12 and U-14 divisions, BLAST and Point Fortin Civic also moved forward into the national quarterfinals after topping their groups.

Blast won its three matches, while Point Fortin, a guest in the Central Zone, won two and drew one match.

The quarter-finals in the U-12 and U-14 divisions are scheduled for Saturday. The semi-finals and finals in all divisions will be played on August 23. 

The U-10 round-robin winners will advance directly into the national semi-finals.

weekend results

Central

Under-10

Cap Off Youths 2 (Omari Charles 15th, Jerron Pascall 23rd) v San Fernando Sports 1 (Nkosi Sampson 28th)

Point Fortin Civic 2 (Sebastien Manning 15th, Luke Ascivero 21st) v Edinburgh 500 1 (Ethan Trotman 28th)

San Fernando Sports 4 (Jeremiah Ottway 12th, 26th, Nkosi Sampson 18th, Tyrique Lee 23rd) v Edinburgh 500 0

Cap Off Youths 3 (Jahseem Sailey 10th, 14th, 25th) v Point Fortin Civic 0

Cap Off Youths 7 (Jaron Pascall 2rd, 14th, Jaseem Dailey 5th, 19th, Jevon Bailey 8th, Tyreke Harding 10th, 23rd) v Edinburgh 500 0

San Fernando Sports 2 (Danytaye Gilbert 18th, Nkosi Sampson 25th) v Point Fortin Civic 0

Under-12

Cap Off Youths 4 (Malik Taitte 6th, Kern Cedeno 8th, Jkwan Bailey 14th, Rondell Mascal 23rd) v Edinburgh 500 0

BLAST 4 (Jerry Morris 13th, 17th, 28th, Rashaun Bernard 21st) v Crown Trace FC 0

BLAST 4 (Nickell Alexander 11th, 21st, Jerry Morris 14th, 31st) v Cap Off Youths 1 (Amani Cox 17th)

Crown Trace FC 3 (Nickel Lucas 7th, Keilon Burnett 12th, Malik Robinson 18th)

Crown Trace FC 3 (Malik Robinson 7th, 25th, Dejaen Windson 12th) v Cap Off Youths 0

BLAST 8 (og, Jerry Morris 1st, 14th, Terrell Willey 6th, Nickell Alexander 13th, Joshua Antoine 18th, Trent Weekes 21st, Kaleem Trotman 23rd)

Under-14

Cap Off Youth 4 (Christian Randome 8th, 13th, 29th, Tyrique Muhammed 41st) v Todd’s Road United 0

Crown Trace 0 v Point Fortin 0

Crown Trace FC 7 (Akeem McCarthy 13th, 20th, 35th, 46th, Kesean David 18th, Juan Lee 23rd, Johnathan Richards 31st) v Todd’s Road United 0

Point Fortin Civic 2 (Kevon Griffith 11th, Stephan Joseph 38th) v Cap Off Youths 1 (Tyrike Andrews 20th)

Cap Off YOuths 2 (Jevon Humphrey 18th, Tyrike Andrews 33rd) v Crown Trace FC 0

Point Fortin Civic 1 (Ezikel Kesar 24th) v Todd’s Road United 0

South Zone

Under-12

Marabella Family CC 2 (Nasean Duncan 15th, Steve Thomas 20th) v Ste Madeline Strikers 0

San Fernando 3 (Jeremiah Ottway 9th, Malique Joseph 13th, Jabari Lee 24th) v Moruga FC 0

San Fernando 3 (Jabari Lee 7th, 24th, og) v Ste Madeline Strikers 1 (Khalil Agard 18th)

Marabella Family CC 2 (Nasean Duncan 18th, Noah Simmons 23rd) v San Fernando 0

Ste Madeline Strikers 2 (Kaliel Agard 6th, Josiah Peters 21st) v Moruga FC 1 (Nkosi Gibbs16th)

Under-14

Marabella Family CC 9 (Nikel Rawlins 3rd, 4th, 10th, 39th, Shoaib Khan 22nd, Akim Low Hoy 30th, Kevon Small 36th, Jaden Joseph 48th, Dillon Yearwood 50th) v Ste Madeline Strikers 0

Moruga FC 5 (Isiah McKenzie 15th, 29th, Kevin Steeling 18th, Tishawn Ragoo 28th, Akeem Joefield 34th) v Tiny Mites 0

Moruga FC 1 (Andre Wallace 35th) v Ste Madeline Strikers 0

Marabella Family CC 10 (Jamal Lee 11th, Dillon Yearwood 13th, Shoaib Khan 15th, 36th, Andrew Baptiste 20th, Jaden Joseph 23th, 34th, Jabari George 29th, 48th Andrew Baptiste 41st, Kevon Small 48th) v Tiny Mites 0

Ste Madeline Strikers 3 (og, og, Akel Hernandez 45th) v Tiny Mites 1 (Mickail Jackson 38th)

Marabella Family CC 4 (Jamal Lee 17th, 23rd, 49th, Akim Low Hoy 42nd) v Moruga FC 0

West Indies Women’s cricketer Stafanie Taylor showed her class, stroking an unbeaten 101 to guide defending champions Jamaica to a 66-run win over T&T in the semifinals of the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Women’s Super50 competition in a rain affected match at Windsor Park, Dominica.

Taylor was in a destructive mood for Jamaica batting first in a 31-over match due to a rain delay. Taylor took Jamaica to a massive 214/2 with Chinelle Henry pitching in with a valuable unbeaten 55. 

T&T lost the match in the last five overs of the first innings. Jamaica slammed 75 runs in the last five overs to take the score from 139/2 to 214/2 at the close of the innings.

In reply T&T was dismissed for 148 in 30.4 overs. Britney Cooper tried her best to rescue T&T hitting 57 but it was not enough. Cooper made a match winning 155 not out on Sunday against Dominica.

SCORES

​

At Windsor Park: Jamaica 214/2 (31 overs) (Stafanie Taylor 101 not out, Henry 55 not out) vs T&T 148 (30.4 overs) (Britney Cooper 57). Jamaica won by 66 runs.

In the other semifinal up to press time, Guyana was 59/5 chasing 89 to win against Barbados in the other semifinal. 

The final and the third place playoff will be contested today from 9.30 am.

GEORGETOWN—Newly appointed chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, wants to see an improvement in batting from the West Indies team, and believes this can only be achieved by players bringing a more studied approach to the game.

The outstanding former West Indies captain said while there was an abundance of talent in the region, he was concerned by the lack of application and thought which often typified West Indies cricket. “We need to be more consistent in our play. We have some good bowlers around the place but our batting is the thing that has not been up to par,” the 69-year-old Guyanese said.

“But we have some good cricketers here and it is just a matter of getting people who want to bat for long periods. As I’ve said before, I want to see players bat ugly. There’s not every day you’re going to be able to drive it around, you’re going to have to battle your way out of situations.”

“We should not be bowled out in two sessions in any Test match; we should not be beaten in two-and-a-half days in any Test match. I think we’re much better than that. It’s the consistency and what we need to inject into our young players is that it’s a long game especially in the Test matches.”

Lloyd was announced last Saturday as the new head of selectors, replacing fellow Guyanese Clyde Butts. He will be joined by fast bowling legend and former Windies captain, Courtney Walsh, along with ex-West Indies players Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne. Credited with moulding the successful West Indies side of the late 1970s and 1980s, Lloyd brings a long resume to his new post, having also served as team manager, coach and West Indies Cricket Board director, since his retirement from the game. (CMC)

Faced with a virtual final as they enter into their first play-off of the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament today, the T&T Red Steel has adopted the mentality of not being ready to go home.

As the CPLT20 tournament enters its final stages, it is sure going to live up to the expectations as the ‘greatest show in sport’ and the men from the fun loving twin Republic of T&T, definitely want to be part of that action. As is the norm, once a team loses in the knockout phase they jump on the next flight and head home. However, manager of the Red Steel, Colin Borde says that his boys have decided that they are not ready to go home and instead, will be looking to send home the Jamaica Tallawahs today, when they clash at 4 pm at the Warner Park in St Kitts.

Both teams are yet to win a match in St Kitts, with the Red Steel going under to Barbados Tridents and Antigua Hawksbills and the Tallawahs falling to Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Zouks. The winner of this match has a date with the Guyana Amazon Warriors tomorrow night at 8 pm at the same venue.

Yesterday, the T&T Red Steel boys under the watchful eyes of the head coach Simon Helmot were busy working on their game in the blazing sun. They know that one slip and they are out and according to Borde: “The boys have said they are not ready to go home as yet and they are fiercely focused on the job before them. They know the situation that we have found ourselves in and they know that the only way out is winning now. We need to win three matches on the trot to lift and title and the boys are fully aware of the maximum effort that is needed at this time.

“Everyone in the squad is fit and raring to go and they are confident that we can pull a win over the Tallawahs just as we did in Trinidad. That confidence will help spur them on because since arriving here they are yet to win.

“Tonight we will have a long detailed team meeting and then a position will be taken as to whether or not the team will remain the same or their will be a change.”

One of the likely changes to the team is the return of Jason Mohammed for the all rounder Javon Searles. Searles has not been bowling well and the option of getting Mohammed in, who can also bowl off-spin is a tempting one. Mohammed was up front and centre in training yesterday which suggests that their might be a role for him against the Tallawahs.

Red Steel will be wary of the destructive Jamaican captain Chris Gayle, who has been promising to explore in St. Kitts. The big left hander could be murderous at the small Warner Park facility but the scores of T&T fans who have been filling Liat planes over the last two days—trying to get into St. Kitts would hope for a failure from him.

scores

Team M W L D N/R Pts RR

1 Tridents 9 6 3 0 0 12 +0.675

2 Warriors 9 6 3 0 0 12 +0.414

3 Red Steel 9 6 3 0 0 12 +0.317

4 Tallawahs 9 6 3 0 0 12 +0.071

5 Zouks 9 2 7 0 0 4 -0.790

6 Hawksbills 9 1 8 0 0 2 -0.820

TEAMS

T&T Red Steel: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Ross Taylor, Darren Bravo, Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Kevon Cooper, Nasir Jamshed,

Kevin O’Brien, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Shannon Gabriel, Fidel Edwards, Jason Mohammed, Kenar Lewis.

Jamaica Tallawahs: Chris Gayle (captain), Fabien Allen, Carlton Baugh, Jermaine Blackwood, David Bernard Jnr, Nkrumar Bonner, Odean Browne, Nikita Miller, Andrew Richardson, Andre Russell, Owais Shah, Jerome Taylor, Rusty Theron, Daniel Vettori, Adam Voges, Chadwick Walton.

AMMON: BARBARA 'Babsie' on Saturday 9th August, 2014. Widow of Myson. Mother of Jennifer (dec), Stephen and Wendy. Grandmother of Jonathan and Jade Ammon. Mother-in-law of Deborah. Relative of the Lee and Li families. Funeral at 9.30am on Friday 15th August, 2014 at St Crispin's Anglican Church, Alberto Street Woodbrook thence to the Crematorium, Long Circular Road, St James for 12 noon. No flowers by request. A collection will be taken up for the St Crispin's Home for the Aged. For enquiries, call C&B 625-1170

BEST: ESTHER MARY also known as (Mom) of Mary Street, St. Clair passed away peacefully at St. Clair Medical Sun 10th Aug, 2014 at age 77 years. Wife of James (Jim) Mother of Ricardo, Anthony, Suzanne, Nigel and Marlon. Mother-in-law of Asa, Sharon and Lizz. Grandmother of Sherica, Chelsea and James- Michael. Sister of Phyllis and Elaine. Funeral at 9:00 am Thursday 14th August, 2014 at Sacred Heart R. C. Church, Richmond and Sackville Streets, Port of Spain. Cremation to follow at the Crematorium, Long Circular road, St. James for 12noon. No flowers by request. For enquiries, call C&B 625-1170

LALLA: ANGELLA died on 12th August 2014. Wife of Stephen Lalla (deceased). Mother of Colin, Ian, Terrence and Carlyle. Daughter of the Budhoo Seetahal and Muliah Seetahal (deceased). Sister of Jassodra, Shanti, Anjanie, Dhanmati, Rani, Nindra and the late Chrisendath Budhoo. Grandmother of Vaughn, Sarah, Daniel, Keivan, Jason, Alan,Christopher, Samuel, Kale and James. Great- grandmother of Aarya. Mother-in-law of Nadine, Meda, Jean and Linda. Sisters-in-law of Peter, Donald, Siew, Rampiari,the late Ralph Bridgemohan, Wilson, David, Grace, Virginia, Lynette, Lovinia, Joyce, Gloria and the late Franklyn and Rosalind. Aunt of many. Friend of Mrs. V. Najab and many others. Retired Infant School Teacher at the Rio Claro, Navet and Ecclesville Presbyterian Schools. The funeral of the late Angella Lalla will be held on Thursday 14th August at the Rio Claro Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm followed by interment at the Rio Claro Lapeyrouse Cemetery.

RAMKISSOON: LOORKHOOR aka Kissoon and Joe of # 2 Graham Street, Battoo Avenue, Marabella died on 11th August. Husband of Citalbassiah (Dec.) Father of Harold, Siewlal, Balo (Dec.), Gulzin, Thackoor, Sumnitra, Ranie, Sonnylal, Balkaran, Jaikaran and Doyl. Father-inlaw of Tara, Alma, Lyris (Dec.), Nolan, Petty, Ramdeo (Dec.), Sankar, Radica, Jasso, Vidya and Sherry Brother of Dhanwantie, Balliram (Dec.), Bhagwantiah, Rajwantia (Dec.), Bhagmaniah (Dec.), Baban, Roopan (Dec.), Rambachan (Dec.) Polly (Dec.) and Bhactraj. Relative of the Loorkhoors', Baboolals', Seepersads', Bholas', Bachoos', Baijous', Ramsubhags', Roopnarines', and Sooknanans. Grandfather of 30. Great grandfather of 26. Great Great Grandfather of 1. Funeral takes place on Thursday 14th August, 2014 at 9:00 am from House of Mourning and then to the Shore of Peace for Cremation according to Hindu Rites.

The Central Bank is in advanced negotiations with a major United States money-centre bank to increase the supply of US dollar currency in the local banking system, as the institution moves to respond to complaints from customers of commercial bank about shortages in foreign cash.

In an interview on the Morning Edition television programme on Monday, Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran said that in discussions with the Bankers Association, the Central Bank found that the cash limits for banks selling US currency were “pretty low” relative to the needs of the walk-in customers.

He said in discussions with the association last week, the Central Bank said it was time to look at raising the US dollar cash limits based on the banks’ knowledge of their customers’ needs.

“Raising those limits now means that we now have to ensure that the system has adequate US dollar cash. Given what has been happening with the anti-money laundering and terrorism financing concerns, the banking system’s supply of US currency now comes from one institution: the Bank of America.”

He said that at one time T&T commercial banks had foreign currency supplies coming from two or three other US banks, but there is now a “heavy dependence” on Bank of America. This means, he said, that each local commercial bank has to satisfy more requirements in terms of anti-money laundering concerns.

Entrepreneurship has no age limit, says Ty Richardson, chief executive officer, YoPro Global. YoPro Global is a social community for graduates and young professionals to have a forum to explore career interests, interact with experienced professionals and find resources. 

There are established YoPro Global communities in countries like Dublin. But Richardson, 35, has decided to expand that community. His target: 75 countries—including T&T— and with a deadline for completion of 78 weeks, Richardson plans to launch this two-year campaign to build the world’s first global offline social network. And he intends to start in T&T first. 

A Trinidadian by birth, Richardson said it would cost approximately US$,3900 to build the T&T network but this cost would increase depending on the size of country in which the launch is taking place.

“Here we have put in place a committee that will monitor its growth. Because the events are ticketed, all of the costs are deferred in the revenue that is brought in. We make revenue at the end of the day, then we give a percentage back to the committee.

He added that the committee is offered stock in the global company after five years. 

Speaking to the Business Guardian last Wednesday, Richardson said entrepreneurship requires a deep desire to want to start a business, adding that the effort to build a country’s economy through entrepreneurship must come from the people and cannot come from the public sector alone.

Richardson describes himself as an “evolving” entrepreneur. 

“Entrepreneurship is important for a society because it fuels and fosters competition. It also fosters creativity and innovation. When you have that fostered, the consumer wins. More competition means better prices, better productivity, greater efficiency.”

With the growing social media networks, Richardson said competition is stiff. While the traditional LinkedIn and Facebook are its competition, YoPro Global is competing with every other Web site available to the user. In other words, any network that people believe they can build a community around.

“We absolutely have competitors. Even though our model is different, we are competing for eyeballs. We are competing for the attention span of that individual who will jump, jump, jump (from Web site to Web site). What we have to do is deliver a model that is efficient, effective, fast and gives value right away.”

In today’s fast-growing and ever-shrinking world, business partnerships are increasingly being handled online. How would you recommend dealing with partners when you no longer have the luxury of constant, in-person meetings?

 - Andres Jaramillo

These days it’s possible to deliver a presentation to a client in South Africa in the morning, sell a product to a customer in Australia in the afternoon and end the day with some fish and chips on the British seaside—all thanks to innovative global technologies that allow businesses to be run from any place with an Internet connection.

For me, making business decisions from Necker Island, a relatively remote location in the Caribbean, has meant embracing different ways of communicating. Today, any successful company must do the same.

Personally, I still prefer having meetings in person. You can learn so much from eye contact, body language and conversational tone (the appropriate tone, after all, doesn’t always come across in virtual conversations). When it comes to business partnerships, if you have the opportunity to first establish a personal, face-to-face connection, go for it. Then when you follow up online, you’ll have a foundation for a good relationship.

Using different platforms for communicating is important for fostering modern business alliances, as is the ability to have an open mind in order to welcome new ideas. It’s important to remember that learning from different cultures and regions can give your business a huge advantage; the more varied the environment, the more good ideas your team is likely to come up with, which can mean more options for your customers. At Virgin, for example, we’re always using different means of communicating in order to encourage team members around the world to collaborate and innovate.

One way we do this is by using Google Hangouts. This popular online video platform makes it possible to see and hear who is talking in a group, and it allows for a wide on-screen display, which is tough to do on the screen of a smartphone, and impossible to do with email. The platform is particularly good for sharing ideas.

For instance, each month or so, our nonprofit foundation, Virgin Unite, asks entrepreneurs from around the globe - including those from the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean and Virgin StartUp in England; to discuss innovative business topics on Google Hangouts. It’s a fantastic, real-time way for our team at Virgin and various entrepreneurs to learn from each other. We also hold internal Hangouts so that staff from different Virgin companies can share their experiences and work more closely.

In 1989, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Single Market and Economy (CSME) was announced as an initiative “to deepen the integration movement and to better respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation.” In the proceeding years, both the challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean have increased. As the potential of globalisation evolved into a new global reality, Caribbean economies and Caribbean society have undergone unprecedented transformation. Today, the question of deeper regional integration is not just an ideal, it is an imperative for the region’s survival.

Rationale for space 

The Single Market and Economy was envisioned to provide for the free movement of capital, skilled labour, and the freedom to establish business enterprises anywhere within Caricom. It was intended to foster greater economic cooperation and greater social cohesion among participating member states. Telecommunications has always been foundational to the twin ambitions of economic and social development. 

Advances in information and communications technology have radically altered the options and operations of business and governments. 

In particular, the Internet, mobile computing and the proliferation of web and mobile applications has permanently transformed how we interact and transact. It is perfectly reasonable, therefore, that any movement toward national development or regional integration must, of necessity, incorporate strategic appropriation of information and communications technology.

At just 29 feet, the Deep V Sheriff Logo will be the smallest boat in the 95 mph D Class of this year’s Carib Great Race, but driver Justin Lennard says that will not be discouraging his team. 

Coming up against Rush and Chris Gone Wilder, Lennard and throttleman Shameel Mohammed will be banking on smooth conditions to maximise their chances of winning the group.

“We’re the smallest boat and it’s only a single engine,” he said. “Rough waters will hamper us and give the other boats an advantage. It will be a lot more work for us to try to keep up but we’re not letting that discourage us.”

The team came together in 2012 after Mohammed purchased the vessel, previously Intense Too, and installed a new V8 single inboard engine which upgraded it from the 80mph class. While its first campaign ended in disappointment, it returned last year to place third in its class and ninth overall. Lennard said it had been a satisfying experience upon which he was looking to improve.

“The Great Race is something you prepare for from the beginning of year,” he said. “We’ve all been very busy, juggling the boat with everyday life. It takes a lot of work but you have to find the time because the race is coming regardless of if you’re ready or not. You have to make the necessary sacrifices.”

He added that things could get especially dramatic during the race when the larger, faster boats made their way past.

“That ten seconds or so is the hardest part mentally,” he said. “It’s more a mind thing to ensure that you don’t get mixed up with the big boats when they pass. It’s a bit of extra work to stay out of their way and keep your position.”

That aside, Lennard said he was looking forward to having a good time.

“We’re the fastest boat to 95 mph in the whole Power Boat Association,” he said. “The pure adrenaline of the experience is great.”

Contenders 

Carib Great Race 2014 

A Class (130 mph)

Monster, Mr Solo, Paramount

B Class (120 mph)

Fire One, Stampede

C Class (110 mph)

Global Warmer

D Class (95 mph)

Sheriff Lobo, Rush, Chris Gone Wilder

E Class (80 mph)

Hero III, White Heat, Elixir, Energiza

F Class (70 mph)

Rite Formulal, Energiza, Extreme Measures, Cynisca

G Class (60 mph)

Matrix Reloaded, Chris Gone Wild, Infusion IV, Wethead, Outcast 

Reece Marcano and Travis Sinanan won gold for T&T, capturing the boys doubles Under-11 round robin title at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation Championships (Carebaco) in Kingston, Jamaica, yesterday.

Marcano and Sinanan defeated Russell Butcher and Avyai Kini of Barbados 21-10, 21-8 to clinch the crown. On Tuesday the T&T pair got past Jamaicans Matthew Robinson and Jordan Turner in straight sets. In the open category, Kerwyn Pantin and Keston Friday both won their round two singles matches for T&T. 

Pantin defeated Jamaican Kemar Valentine 21-14, 23-25 and 21-17. Friday was a comfortable winner over Delond Miller of Jamaica, winning 21-12, 21-19. Anil Seepaul could not follow his countrymen, going down to Jamaican Jonathan-David Smith 22-20, 7-21, 19-21.

results

YESTERDAY

Boys Doubles U-11 Round Robin

Reece Marcano/Travis Sinanan (T&T) def Russell Butcher/Avyai Kini (BAR) 21-10, 21-8

Girls Under-17 Singles Quarterfinals

Jada Renales (T&T) def Alana Bailey (JAM) 19-21, 22-20, 21-19

Shantae Smith (JAM) def Brittney Mohammed (T&T) 21-15, 8-21, 21-11

Mixed Doubles U-17 Round One

Brittney Mohammed/Renaldo Sinanan (T&T) def Christina Hastings/Alante Daley (JAM) 21-12, 13-21, 21-17

Mixed Doubles U-15 Quarterfinals

Taina Daley/Joel Angus (JAM) def Ananda Ramsingh/Brandon Khillawan (T&T) 21-9, 21-14

Mixed Doubles U-17 Quarterfinals

Esther Reynolds/Dejon Wright (JAM) def Ralista Wong/Joshua Smith (T&T) 21-9, 21-13

Amanda Haywood/Shae Martin (BAR) def Brittney Mohammed/Renaldo Sinanan (T&T) 21-12, 21-11

Shantae Smith/Shamar Hunter (JAM) def Jada Renales/Jerome Charles (T&T) 21-15, 14-21, 21-18

TUESDAY

Boys Singles U-19 Quarterfinals

Will Lee (T&T) def Adrian Nicholson (T&T) 21-16, 21-19

Naim Mohammed (T&T) def Kenneth Anglin (JAM) 21-19, 20-22, 21-12

Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals

Mikaylia Haldene/Geordine Henry (JAM) def Jade Joseph/Avril Plaza-Marcelle (T&T) 21-11, 21-9

Men's Singles Round Two

Keston Friday (T&T) def Delond Miller (JAM) 21-12, 21-19

Jonathan-David Smith (JAM) def Anil Seepaul (T&T) 20-22, 21-7, 21-19

Kerwyn Pantin (T&T) def Kemar Valentine (JAM) 21-14, 23-25, 21-17

Carl Jacobs

​
A few years ago, ex-world champion Garry Kasparov wrote a fascinating book entitled ‘How Life Imitates Chess.’

When she addressed youngsters engaged in the Caribbean Chess Carnival in Port-of-Spain last week, business executive Gillian Benjamin added an insightful “chapter” to Kasparov’s thesis, although she may not have read or even heard about the former champion’s thought-provoking tome.

Benjamin, Strategic Marketing and Sales Manager of First Citizens Asset Management Ltd, advised the 75 participating youngsters to “soak it all in, keeping in mind the values and principles that chess teaches.” Every Chess Carnival, she noted, brings its share of surprises, lessons learnt, opportunities and disappointments.

“I’ve seen chess players sit there calmly thinking about whether their next move is the right one or whether there are better moves to be made. Isn’t that a real parallel to the nature of life, making the best choice in executing the next move...

“Like chess, making an investment involves the ability to decide among investment opportunities. Our team at First Citizens Asset Management continually look at the whole board or, in our case, the investment landscape. We carefully assess the economic circumstances, stability of return, risk and correlation with the rest of the investments within the portfolio. 

“Yes, all these factors must be taken into consideration when deciding on an investment move, as decisions made with too narrow a focus can often be bad ones. I was once told that chess reveals who you are and that you bring to the game facets of your personality. If this is true, and chess is indeed a gentleman’s and gentlewoman’s sport, I am assured there won’t be any Luis Suarez biting stories similar to the one seen at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”

Benjamin said First Citizens Asset Management was again proud to partner the T&T Chess Foundation in hosting the Chess Carnival, an event which provides enthusiasts of the sport an opportunity “to hone their skills, make new friends and meet old acquaintances.” She also thanked the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism for its assistance in hosting the tournament.

In his address, Foundation president Edison Raphael said while the Chess Carnival had grown over the years, its impact is “the success we experience through our players.” Chess, he noted, is a competitive activity through which the country’s youth can “enhance their critical and analytical skills which are fundamental to development of an innovative society.”

Raphael urged the players to continue using chess as a vehicle for their personal development.

Darryl Smith, Chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, thanked the Foundation for its outreach programme among the young people of his region. He disclosed that 40 youngsters had benefited from the chess course administered by the T&TCF in Carenage where a chess club is in the process of being formed.

Dr Amery Browne, Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central, recalled his career as a young player and the lasting benefits he derived from chess which, he added, “is so much more than a game.”

Samantha Seecharan, former ranking junior, in delivering the closing address, said that chess reminded her of the great Thomas Edison who discovered ten thousand ways an electric light bulb would not work, but eventually figured out what he was doing incorrectly. Excelling at anything, she said, “requires focus, patience, practice and the ability to always keep trying.”

A 18-member T&T contingent will leave Trinidad tomorrow to compete at the Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships at the Barbados Squash Club, Christ Church, Barbados. 

Some of the best squash players in the Caribbean will be competing in the week-long tournament from Saturday until August 23 to determine who are the best individual players and national teams in the region.

Similar to the Junior CASA, players will begin with an individual tournament, followed by the team event with countries including home team Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Some of T&T’s top players include Kale Wilson, Colin Ramasra and Nku Patrick. This will be the first senior team experience for junior players Faith Gellizeau, Alexandria Yearwood and MarieClaire Barcant. The trio performed well at the T&T National Senior Squash Championships in June. Charlotte Knaggs and Kerrie Sample are unable to represent T&T due to school and work commitments respectively. Also, Nku’s brother Mandela Patrick will be leaving Trinidad on the weekend to prepare for school at Harvard University in America.

Squad

Colin Ramasra, Kale Wilson, Paul De Verteuil, Don Lee, Nku Patrick, Chayse Mc Quan, John Holley, Peter Piteesingh, Glen Massy, Nakita Poon Kong, Faith Gillezeau, Alexandria Yearwood, Marie Claire Barcant, Joanna Agustus, Cathy Martin, Dianne Julien, Ryan Jagessar (manager), Roger Salandy (coach)

After a week break, racing resumes on Saturday with an eight race card. 

The Arima Race Club (ARC) will host a competitive eight race card with the feature event being the third event on the programme for three-year-old horses rated 80-50 racing over 1,400 metres when Derby favourite and the unbeaten Momentum will take on eight rivals on the turf over 1,400 metres. 

This will be the first time that the John O’Brien trained colt will be racing on the turf and if he translates his form from the main track to the turf, this event will be a foregone conclusion. 

Brian Boodramsing rides the Momentum and he looks set to continue his winning ways.

Post time for the first event 12.45pm.

ARC DAY 30 ENTRIES

R1: 12.45 PM - OPTIONAL CLAIMING $18,000 - $16,000 – 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 45-0 – 1100M (TURF) - $33,000.
Bonnie B Boodramsing 57.0; Brash N Willing R Angnoo 55.5; Stairway To Heaven D Butcher 57.0; Queen Esther D Gopie 56.0; Bas Choice A Findley 55.5; Princess Warrior B Pahal 57.0; Zipitup B Boodramsing 56.0; Hesuntouchabull  J Reyes 55.5; Champagne On Ice S Chadee 55.5.

R2: 1.25 PM - OPTIONAL CLAIMING $15,000-$13,000 – 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 40-0 – 1100M (TURF) - $32,000.
Cordell Walker K Razack 54.5; Justmyluck B Boodramsing 56.0; Imagine K Razack 57.0; Two Gold N Abrego 57.0; Mawiyya R Hernandez 57.0; Peppermint S Samuel 57.0; Buss The Mark L Keizer 53.0; Flight On Time J Millien 56.0; Consideritdone R Ali 51.0; Rosie Dream R Hasranah 55.5; My Giselle J Arneaud 56.0; Gold Coin D Butcher 57.0.

R3: 2.04 PM - 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 80-50 – 1400M (TURF) - $48,500.
Diplomatic Cat D Khelawan 57.0; Wild Shuffle D Butcher 57.0; Black Genius B Boodramsing 54.5; Gold Rush R Ali 54.5; Bandwagon K Khelawan 55.5; Momentum B Boodramsing 57.0; Away Johannesburg R Thomas 55.5; Urban Knight W Galviz 57.0.

R4: 2.46 PM - W I BRED 4 Y O AND OVER MAIDENS – 1000M (TURF) - $32,000
Set Me Free R Angnoo 55.5; Fancy Moves D Boodram 55.0; Super Six D Gopie 52.0; Stroke Of Love C Malcolm 40.0; Victoryinthevalley J Stephen 50.5; Lola B Pahal 55.0; Roxanne K Razack 52.0; Sparkling Silver L Keizer 40.0; Pure Happiness R Hasranah 40.0; Strike Gold R Hernandez 51.0; Speedilee J Reyes 57.0.
R5: 3.24 PM - 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 70-55 – 1750M - $43,000.
Magic Rust Seal J Stephen 56.01; High Octane B Boodramsing 53.0; Golden Enchantment R Jadoo 54.0; Onetokeep N Abrego 57.0; Cramers Rule K Khelawan 55.5; Red Howler D Khelawan 50.5; Justcallmebas W Galviz 54.0.

R6: 4.06 PM - OPTIONAL CLAIMEING $12,000-$10,000 – 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 30-0 – 1300M - $30,000
Best Defence S Chadee 53.0; Waka Waka R Ali 54.5; Advantage Them R Hasranah 54.5; Nature’s Reality K Razack 57.0; Precious Diamond R Thomas 56.0; Danzig’s Day D Boodram 56.0; Unguarded Moment J Reyes 56.0; The Conqueror D Gopie 56.0; Always Ready K Khelawan 55.0; Super Easy J Stephen 56.0; Really Classy D Butcher 53.5.

R7: 4.48 PM - IMPORTED 3 Y O AND OVER MAIDENS AND W I BRED HORSES RATED 75-50 – 1200M - $48,500
Nettoueer N Flavenney 54.5; Reselador J Reyes 54.0; Enzo B Boodramsing 54.0; Rush Street N Abrego 54.0; Soca Rhapsody K Khelawan 49.5; Hyat Princess R Angnoo 50.5; Slippery Sam S Chadee 55.5; One Fortheroad D Gopie 57.0; Cat’s Heir W Galviz 54.0.

R8: 5.30 PM - OPTIONAL CLAIMING $24,000-$22,000 – 3 Y O AND OVER HORSES RATED 55-40 – 1350M -  $36,400
Little Otis B Boodramsing 54.5; Afterthebooks D Gopie 54.5; Jacob’s Dream D Khelawan 53.5; Mike’s Sugar R Ali 53.5; Red Cloud D Blackman 53.5; Big Profit N Flavenney 56.0; All For The Haul K Khelawan 57.0; Soca Train W Galviz 55.5; Zorro R Angnoo 55.0; Nawab S Samuel 54.5; Raise your Glass N Abrego 55.0; Sweet Genius N Flavenney 54.0; Freedomfighter D Butcher 55.0.​

Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie has signaled his intention to vote in favour of the controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 when it goes to the Senate for debate. This, even though his fellow COP members in the Lower House were divided on the proposed bill when they voted on it on Tuesday morning at the close of the parliamentary debate. “I think it is a good bill. I think it has been unnecessarily caught up in controversy,” Tewarie said on Wednesday night. 

He is one of two Congress of the People (COP) members in the Senate, the other member is Environment Minister Ganga Singh. The bill will be brought to the Upper House on Tuesday and debated on August 26. It seeks to provide fixed terms of office for a prime minister, right of recall and a runoff vote to ensure MPs receive more than 50 per cent of the votes cast before becoming a member of the House of Representatives.

Tewarie, speaking with reporters at the end of the public presentation of the draft integrated feasibility study on the San Fernando Redevelopment Project at San Fernando City Hall on Wednesday night, said he had no difficulties with the legislation. He said the entire controversy surrounding the bill “has been about the process and misunderstanding of one of the provisions, the runoff election and that was unfortunate.” He said the controversy “took away from the substance of the provision.” When asked if he would vote in favour of the bill, Tewarie said: “I am comfortable with the bill. I really do not have a problem.” 

Tewarie expressed disappointment over the way the bill was handled in the House of Representatives by his COP colleagues. “I am not happy that you had a difference of opinion of that kind,” he added. He said the government MPs should have been united on the bill and “it would have been better if we had a little more time to resolve the issues internally and perhaps have a common front on it because as I said there is nothing wrong with the provision.” Tewarie, who had a long career in education, said he believed Government should have launched a public education campaign on the contentious legislation before taking it to Parliament.
 
He said it was always better for people to understand what the government was doing. “Perhaps if we had gone to the population and explained the whole picture of how we were planning to do this coming with the bills that require simple majority first and coming with the bills that require larger majority after, the population may have been more receptive to what we are doing,” he said. The minister explained that other provisions, such as proportional representation and the option of a referendum, are due to come in other bills and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill was part of that package of legislation. “I think there was also a misinterpretation which made its way into the public that the runoff provision was hostile to the proportional representation idea and that is not true because you can have both,” he said. 

The minister hoped the division in Tuesday’s vote between the COP members did not adversely affect the party nor the Government.

Congress of the People (COP) chairman Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan says the Senate debate on the contentious Constitution (Amendment) Bill should be deferred and further public consultations should be held. Her statement comes days before the bill is due to be laid in the Upper House on Tuesday and debate scheduled for August 26 sitting of the Senate. Seepersad-Bachan, in an interview with the T&T Guardian on Wednesday night, maintained her reservations about the bill, which seeks to amend the Constitution to allow for the recall of MPs, a two-term limit for prime ministers, fixed election dates and, the controversial runoff poll for MPs who did not win their seats by majority of over 50 per cent of votes cast. 

On Tuesday, when the bill was debated in the House of Representatives Seepersad-Bachan and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran voted against it, while fellow COP member Rodger Samuel abstained. COP leader Prakash Ramadhar and member Dr Lincoln Douglas voted with government MPs for the bill even though the party’s National Council had decided on Sunday to defer voting on the bill for at least one month. The bill was passed after 23 MPs voted for it, 14 against and Samuel abstained. 

Seepersad-Bachan, speaking with the T&T Guardian after officially turning on the lights at the Gulf View Recreation Ground, Gulf View, La Romain, said public debate on the bill should be restarted. While she acknowledged that only Persad-Bissessar could make the decision to defer the Senate debate, the San Fernando West MP is firmly of the belief that the bill is too important not to allow citizens to voice their opinion. “This matter needs wider consultation and we need to go back to the public. “I think the Constitution Reform Commission should be allowed to go back to the public for a second phase of discussions to allow for consultation on all the mechanisms that have been proposed,” she said. While she agreed there should be a right of recall, she has difficulty with the runoff mechanism being proposed.

She also does not think the mechanism being proposed for recall is the most effective. “And therefore, should we go back and explain to the people how it will work, (find out) what are their views? “It is the bedrock principle of the COP that if you are going to reform the Constitution of T&T, then it must emerge from the people, not from the politicians, and not from the parliamentarians,” she added. Seepersad-Bachan said a runoff was not the only option and there were others that should be explored. “When we make amendments to the Constitution, it is not about preserving any political party, whether it is COP, UNC, PNM. “This is not why you amend the Constitution. When you amend the Constitution it is for the future of T&T, the electorate,” she contended.

She said the two-candidate runoff system would eliminate third parties and they would become no longer relevant. Seepersad-Bachan said any amendments to the Constitution “must always represent the judgment and the will of the people. “In this particular case we are not seeing that because it could not have possibly brought a bill on one Monday, lay it on the Parliament on Monday and expect to debate that bill seven days after,” she added. She said the runoff provision was new to citizens and it was clear “the people do not understand it... they do not like it.” 

Bill against COP principles
Seepersad-Bachan, who said she stood by her vote on Tuesday, said the Constitution (Amendment) Bill “goes against everything we represent at the COP.” She said she could not vote for a bill that would entrench the two party-system and marginalise the third constituency. The COP’s philosophy, she said, had always been to promote a voice for the third constituency and “this provision is going to impact negatively on that and we cannot stand by and say yes. “We are supporting a provision, we are voting for a provision in a bill that will actually go against what the party has stood for,” she added. 

She said she disagreed with the reasoning that Ramadhar, as the chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission, had to support the bill. However, she said in a coalition government it must be expected that partners would have differing views. She said the COP’s national council was up in arms over the legislation and passed a resolution to have Tuesday’s debate postponed and if that failed then MPs should vote using their conscience. She said no internal action would be taken against Ramadhar for his vote on Tuesday. He did not hold the view, she said, that the runoff system would negatively affect the multi-party system.