ZURICH—The Fifa election is won and done. Sepp Blatter's problems, however, are far from over.

The prize for the 79-year-old president of soccer's governing body is four more years in office and some big issues ahead. American and Swiss federal investigations, which rocked Fifa this week, could yet creep closer to Blatter's door.

Blatter, who defeated Prince Ali bin al-Hussein yesterday in the Fifa presidential election, is also set for open conflict with UEFA and its president, former protege Michel Platini.

“At the end of my term I will give this Fifa to my successor in a very, very strong position, a robust position,” Blatter said in his acceptance speech.

Here are some questions and answers about Blatter and Fifa:

Q: What next for Blatter?

A: Carry on regardless, is one answer. And keep fighting UEFA.

Blatter was defiant this week in shifting blame for the American corruption case on the actions of individuals out of his control. His candidate speech to voters Friday simply offered more of the same leadership style.

“You know who you are dealing with,” he said. “What football needs right now is a strong leader, an experienced leader, a leader who knows all the ins and outs of the situation.”

Blatter offered no big ideas in his campaign—he did not even bother with a manifesto—but offered one pledge in his acceptance speech. He put Europe on notice by promising a “better representation of the confederations” on his executive committee, where UEFA has eight of 25 voting members.

Translation: Dilute UEFA's influence after it supported Prince Ali and two other election candidates from Europe who withdrew last week.

The Fifa vs UEFA fight resumes this morning when Blatter chairs a meeting of his 27-member executive committee. It must decide how to allocate qualifying slots for the 2018 World Cup. Europe's 13 places—not including host Russia—should be safe.

For now.

Q: When will Blatter finally answer questions about the election and the federal investigations?

A: Fifa has called a news conference for 11.30 am (0930 GMT; 5.30 am EDT) on Saturday after the executive committee session. It will be Blatter's first formal meeting with international media in 15 days.

The Fifa president will want to talk about his election victory. But he will also be quizzed on the American case which left two of his vice presidents and a newly elected member of his executive committee in Zurich prison cells during Friday's election.

They are among seven soccer officials fighting extradition to the U.S. after being arrested at a luxury downtown hotel early Wednesday.

The key question for Blatter? How and why was $10 million paid from a FIFA account as apparent bribes in the 2010 World Cup hosting contest.

The money ended up with Blatter's longtime executive committee colleagues Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago and Chuck Blazer of the United States to vote for South Africa's successful bid.

Q: What about the American and Swiss 

corruption investigations?

A: They are a rare part of the Fifa game that Blatter cannot control.

A 164-page US indictment detailed racketeering, money-laundering and wire fraud charges involving 14 soccer and marketing officials. Four more, including Blazer, were named as having made guilty pleas.

The case involves widespread bribery in the award of hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial deals for tournaments in North and South America.

Blatter was not named in the indictment, nor were there many links directly to Fifa.

Still, US federal authorities have promised it is just the beginning of their case. More ties to Fifa could be revealed when questioning—and plea bargaining—begins of indicted officials facing 20-year prison sentences.

Fifa itself provoked the Swiss investigation by filing a criminal complaint to the attorney general's office about potential wrongdoing in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting contests won by Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Swiss authorities began questioning 10 Fifa voters on Thursday.

Though FIFA invited the case, they may come to regret where it leads. Any serious findings will revive pressure for a World Cup re-vote—though the sporting and legal implications would be immense.

Q: What do Blatter's critics inside FIFA do now?

A: For Prince Ali, his spell on the Blatter-chaired Fifa executive committee is over.

He was maneuvered out of his Fifa vice presidency by Asian Football Confederation leaders, and then focused only on his FIFA presidential run.

The prince remains president of Jordan's soccer federation, and is next due at a Fifa meeting when the annual congress is held in Mexico City next May.

Over to you, Europe.

“Enough is enough,” Platini said Thursday, after asking Blatter to resign. “People no longer want him anymore and I don't want him anymore either.”

The rift with Blatter won't end soon and could be widened next Friday. Platini has called his member federations to discuss their tactics in Berlin ahead of the Champions League final on June 6.

The high-stakes options are pulling out from Fifa or boycotting the 2018 World Cup.

Platini does not want that, but said all options are open for his members to discuss and decide.

A unique element of the NASCAR racing season is that its marquee event, the Daytona 500, comes and goes on opening weekend. A few laps around the ovals, and just like that, some driver has the signature win of his or her life. 

The World Series of Poker is following that model with its opening-weekend “Colossus” event, which is sure to make all sorts of crazy poker history. 

In 45 years of WSOP tournament offerings, there never has been a lower buy-in ($565) promising a larger guaranteed prize pool ($5 million). Officials are expecting a record turnout, with two separate starting flights (10 am and 6 pm) on May 29-30. Unlike your typical freeze-out tournament, players who bust out in an earlier session will be allowed entry into a later session. 

You have to do what it takes to generate a $5 million guarantee, and for thousands of players, this probably will be the one and only buy-in bullet they fire throughout the six-week, 68-tournament schedule, which runs through July 7. 

“If it is not, by a large margin, the largest event in the history of poker, it will be a disappointment,” WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart said via conference call. 

Here are some tips for navigating the madness.

Plan ahead: Players were allowed to pre-register for the Colossus online, and Stewart said they have done so in record numbers, but that window is now closed and you must sign up in person at the Rio. 

The good news is that there probably will be a seat available the day of the event; the bad news is that the closer you get to each starting flight, the more enormous the line you may have to suffer waiting in. Once you get into Las Vegas, your priority should be to secure entry. 

Structure: Each player begins with stacks of $5,000, and Day 1 play will consist of ten, 40-minute levels. Blinds will start at $25-$50, and after the fourth level, $25 antes will kick in along with the $100-$200 blinds. 

What to expect: There is a reality of the WSOP that is an eye-opener for first-timers: You are less likely to be surrounded by seasoned professionals than you are completely clueless competition. I don’t know if it is the nerves that kick in or the fact that some people seem to have a lot of money to spend casually, but some of the worst poker you ever will see in your life is contained within the walls of the Rio. 

If you play a tight, conservative game while the structure offers little damage to your starting chip stack, you are likely to catch somebody doing something really foolish that you can exploit for profit. 

Bonus tip: Since players can rebuy into a later flight, the play is very likely to be more chaotic and reckless in the 10 a.m. Friday session than it will be in the 6 pm Saturday final start. 

Find the bathrooms: When the tournament goes on break, the Rio turns into a free-for-all, and the panicked rush to the restrooms is comparable to that of a crowd trying to escape a building on fire. But the Rio is a big place, and the odds are good that there is a restroom located nearby that is a little more hidden than others. Once you find it, keep it a secret. 

Or, if your stack can afford a missed blind or two, leave before the tournament goes on its official break.

Relax: Every poker player gets a slight lump in his or her gut when the tournament begins, but take comfort in the fact that you are about to embark on a journey for life-changing money without much risk to your bank account. If you aren’t having fun, then poker probably isn’t your game. 

Got a poker question or have a comment? Email Chuck at cblount@express-news.net.

Buoyed by the encouraging public response to the Barrack Yard Tent Experience (BYTE) during this year’s Carnival, organizers will stage another production at its location in the car park of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on upper Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 4. 

It is titled The Arts of War, and will feature another aspect of “barrack yard life,” using calypso and other traditional cultural expressions of Trinidad and Tobago in the telling of the tale. 

The BYTE is the brainchild of The Last Badjohn of Calypso (Kurt Allen) and Black Stalin (Dr Leroy Calliste), and is jointly produced by The House of Badjohns and The Office of The Calypso Monarch in dedication to Stalin who is recovering from a stroke.

“It is a war against all the negative elements in the society,” said Allen, of the production. “The story centers around a conflict among children in the community, and the efforts of the elders to resolve it before it escalates into violence. What patrons will see is how our cultural expressions can be used to bring peace and understanding among ourselves.”

The BYTE setting is a barrack yard community, reminiscent of the mid 1900s where the calypso art form was spawned, in which, he said, socially conscious lyrics, melodies, vibrant rhythms, creative medleys, Caribbean fashion, interactive set designs, drama, dance choreographies, and ‘feel good’ music can be found.

The interactive nature of the set design allows for the yard’s occupants, ‘jamettes and saga boys,’ to co-mingle with audience members during the presentation of performances, which in this instance, will include calypso, humour, parang, chutney, spoken word, extempo, steelpan, and limbo, among others.

The BYTE is produced as both a domestic and export product, offering a high level of quality, innovation, vibrancy, heightened sense of expectation, and respectability for which the calypso tent was once known. 

“The BYTE intends to be financially profitable and we’re thinking of self-sustenance in a few years, said Allen. “And it is possible based on the model we’ve designed. I also wish to record our appreciation for the support this venture has received from the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism. Our intention is to use this space to stage a production every month, in which our patrons will receive something of value.” 

So what exactly is different about The BYTE? It is more of a Broadway-styled production that highlights the creative expressions of T&T, he said, and makes a strong statement that “the arts are not seasonal.”

As we celebrate Indian Arrival Day, we look at someone who came from India and made T&T their home. In a modern story of arrival, Shereen Ali speaks with fashion designer Charu Lochan Dass who came to Trinidad from India as a child.  

Charu Lochan Dass has no regrets whatsoever that she left behind a conventional career in business administration to follow the fashion muse. In fact, for her, the two merged quite seamlessly. A clothes retailer and fashion designer, Dass launched her brand CLD in 2013 after years of working in the fashion business—she opened her first clothing store in Princes Town in 2002. Born in India, she left at the age of six to live in Trinidad. And today, for Indian Arrival Day, Dass readily shared some memories from India, and talked about her own sense of heritage, and how she got started along the path to a career that’s both expressive and practical.

“I remember distinctly the warmth and love of being part of a close-knit, devoted family—my aunts, my uncles and cousins,” said Dass, recalling her early childhood in India. 

“My mother had five sisters (now four) and two brothers; a huge family, and often there were family festivities. At age six, what really stands out is always being surrounded by loved ones….”

That strong sense of kinship and belonging always remained with her, despite separations in time and geography. Dass was speaking in an interview from Tobago, where she was holidaying with family—including a few who came to visit T&T from India for the first time.

Among these family members is an inspirational Indian auntie who helped whet her appetite for designing clothes many years ago, and who made possible her first unexpected apprenticeship.

“As a teenager in Trinidad, I was obsessed with fashion, with a special passion for sketching and art,” recalled Dass.

“My mother had this exquisite table runner from India: it was hand-woven with stunning embroidery and mirror details. It inspired my creative juices and before you knew it…it was incorporated into an outfit—a waistcoat, actually. That’s really how it all started, my first design, at age 14.” 

To Delhi…

As a young adult, Dass decided to study for a Bachelor of Business Administration, and went to India to do it—her first trip back in 13 years since leaving there as a child. After living in T&T for so long, she admitted that India came as a bit of a culture shock for her.

“I returned to Delhi, and did experience culture shock. Everything was very different. Delhi was now a fast growing, modernised city with advanced infrastructure and technology,” she recalled.

“But some things remained the same, especially culturally; they were still very orthodox in their practices, whereas Trinidadian ‘Indians’ were more open-minded—I guess, more influenced by the Western world, especially with attire.”

“In India, my maternal aunt had a boutique with custom designed pieces. It’s there I had the opportunity to merge my two passions—art and fashion. I was able to put my artistic skills to the drawing board, and designed a few outfits. When those designs were transformed into the final product, the outfits were stunning and impressive,” she said.

A cousin there encouraged her to pursue this passion, and she enrolled in her first fashion course. Her path became clear.

...and London

In 2011, this adopted T&T “island girl” then journeyed to the UK, to study Fashion Design and Marketing at the London College of Fashion. It was an experience that broadened her perspectives, she said, especially the intangible value of meeting fashion students from all over the world, and having the chance to learn about their different cultures.

That these encounters happened in London was a bonus: “British fashion, particularly in London, has always been very cutting edge, and typically set the trends for the world. What was showcased on the runways there, only became popular in Trinidad several seasons later,” Dass said, commenting: “Even the street fashion was distinctive, and I was amazed at the way they synchronised various styles, pulling it all together.”

The necklace of connections she found between island and continents – from T&T to India to Europe – melded, eventually, into her own unique clothing expressions, which in November 2013 emerged as her first CLD-branded collection: Ready to Wear 2014. It had a decidedly international, sexy, sophisticated aesthetic, rather than, say, Caribbean or Indian.

CLD’s latest: 

The Lalla Collection

Not afraid to celebrate the sensuality of women, the fashions designed by Charu Lochan Dass reflect her attention to detail as much as they explore contrasts in form and texture. One outfit may be a trim, almost minimalist affair with subtle but exquisite detailing, while another may suggest voluptuous luxury with billowing yards of fabric and risqué yet classy peek-a-boo elements. 

Her most recent resort line, The Lalla Collection, combines glamour with simplicity in comfortable ready-to-wear holiday clothing.

“When I go to my drawing board, essentially I’m inspired by emotion, whatever enthralls my soul, from a material, to a fashion icon or even a client,” explained Dass about her design process. “But I find I’m always drawn to the 1960s. It was a revolutionary time for fashion that broke many typical traditions. Icons like Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn brought to life timeless statement pieces that showed off their sophistication and elegance. This was partly the inspiration for my first collection.”

Two of her collections were showcased at New York Fashion Week (2013 and 2014). As for her next collection, which will be her seventh, it will be showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Amsterdam.

Despite such exposure, Dass remains down to earth about running a business: “Taking time to develop genuine relationships with customers is the basis of any good business. I feel a connection to every customer,” she said, noting this has helped build the business.

“A favourite quote of mine is, ‘If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.’ 

My vision for CLD is to be a global name,” said Dass, “…and just like I’ve seen women of T&T rock the CLD designs, my dream is to have women all over the world feeling confident, chic and sophisticated in a CLD piece! And that is being realised this year, this month in fact; pieces from the CLD 2014 Boho-Glam Collection are now available at BoutiKm5 in Ibiza, Spain. So it’s just a matter of time!”

Home is family

With her mixed homelands, where does Dass truly feel at home? She said: “Home is where my parents, my family and friends are, which at present, is Trinidad.” Her family relationships are her anchor. She then shared:

“Recently, I came across this fascinating book, Callaloo or Tossed Salad? East Indians and the Cultural Politics of Identity in Trinidad (published 2001), by Viranjini Munasinghe… and I’ll borrow the interesting description from her book. She opted to use the metaphor of ‘tossed salad’—an image which signified diversity, but unlike ‘callaloo,’ each diverse ingredient maintains its originally distinct and unique identity. This is how I view my ethnic heritage: very revered, and distinctly ingrained within me.”

We are a meat-loving nation; every meal is built around a succulent and tasty meat dish. Chicken is the nation’s favourite meat with “common fowl” or “yard fowl” enjoying increased popularity. But be aware, some of the so-called “common fowls” are imported roosters, so ensure when you do purchase one it is really home grown. 

Beef comes in a close second to chicken and one of the most popular cuts is oxtail. Creole-styled stewed oxtail and oxtail soup are two popular dishes here. Duck and goat are also favourites, particularly cooked in curry dishes. 

Lamb has increased in popularity, but more people buy it at restaurants and eateries. A lot of people still aren’t convinced about lamb, so they don’t cook it as much at home. Rabbit which is delicious and healthy was becoming quite popularity a few years ago, but then simply slipped off the shelves. You can find rabbit at some of the farmers markets and from some niche producers.

Meat is a good source of protein but too much of it—particularly red meat—can be unhealthy, so enjoy in moderation. Of course, variety is the spice of life, so vary your meats and find different ways to enjoy it. 

STEWED OXTAIL

2 lbs oxtail, sliced into 3/4 inch pieces

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp minced chives

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp chopped celery

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 large sprig French thyme

1 pimento pepper, seeded and chopped

1/4 tsp allspice powder

1 large onion chopped

4 cloves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Trim meat of fat, season with garlic, chives, vinegar and celery. Set aside for one hour.

Heat oil in a sauté pan, add sugar and caramelise to a dark brown colour.

Add oxtail slices turning quickly to ensure even browning of all pieces.

Add thyme, pimento and onions, stir and fry well.

Add allspice and cloves, salt and black pepper.

Cook for a few minutes then turn heat to low and cover, let cook until tender, about 40 minutes, basting occasionally and adding water only if needed to prevent sticking.

Serve.

BBQ CHICKEN

1 4 lb chicken cut into 8 pieces

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tbsp fresh French thyme

2 tbsp minced chives

1 tbsp frsh rosemary (optional)

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1/2-cup olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 cup Bar B Que sauce

METHOD

Wash chicken and dry.

Combine garlic, thyme, chives, rosemary, vinegar, black pepper and olive oil.

Rub chicken inside and out with marinade, getting under the skin if possible.

Cover and refrigerate overnight or for two hours.

Preheat bbq to medium setting. Add salt to chicken.

Grease grills and place chicken on.

Turn chicken frequently, putting out any flare-ups with a spray bottle filled with water.

Cook for about 30 minutes in total, brush on sauce turn once again and remove.

Serves four

National endurance rider Varun Maharajh won his third medal at the Caribbean Track Cycling Championships in Cuba, when he won gold in the men’s omnium, on Friday. Another T&T cyclist Akil Campbell, snatched bronze in the event. Campbell and Maharajh, both Rigtech Sonics riders, battled in numerous events at the recently concluded National Track Championships at the Arima Velodrome.

Earlier in the meet Maharajh won silver alongside Campbell, James Hadeed and Gavyn Nero in the men’s team pursuit, and claimed bronze in the men’s scratch race. T&T now has ten medals at the Championships, which includes three gold, three silver and four bronze medals. 

 rest of the T&T team includes Jude Codrington, Justin Roberts, Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Aziza Browne and Jodi Goodridge.

World class certified karate instructor Michael James is on a mission to develop individuals in the armed forces in T&T by providing training throughout the country. James trains persons in shotokan karate, special force street fighting, combat special force training and special force military training among others. James, who has been working with the T&T Police Service as physical instructor for the past seven years, also trains members of the Army, the T&T Air Guard, Fire Services and Prisons.

James said: “So far my classes are improving, I have classes in different police stations. Policemen must only use these techniques for self defence, it is not for domestic violence. It is used for self defence to defend their country. The training cannot be exposed to the public. Due to the crime situation and violence in the country, the training is only open to the armed forces.” James does morning and afternoon sessions from Monday to Thursday.

The world class certified instructor, who is recognized under the Japan Karate Association and the International Shotokan Karate Federation has a wealth of experience. James was a member of the T&T Regiment (Special Forces, 1983-1992), T&T Coast Guard (Special Naval Unit, 1977-1983) and the Trinidad Rifle Association (1985-1989). He is currently a certified swim instructor with the T&T Coast Guard and a certified drill instructor with the T&T Regiment. All interested persons can contact James at 498-8527 or 339-5895.

The speedy Criminal Intent made every inch of the running in the 63rd Carib Brewery Mid-Summer Classic to win the Grade One event by an impressive 3 1/4 length under Dillon Khelawan in Arima, yesterday. The win gave champion trainer John O’Brien his fourth consecutive success in the event and his sixth success in his career.

However, owners Kidz Too celebrated their second victory in the event after 20 years, with their first success coming in 1995 with Speed Merchant. Criminal Intent ended the “Triple Crown” aspiration of stablemate War Maker which was sent off as the 2-5 favourite in the eight-horse field. Owner Baskaran Bassawh looked certain be the toast of Santa Rosa Park, but had to style for Half and Half in the feature events.

War Maker was the overwhelming favourites to win the second leg of local racing’s “Triple Crown” the Midsummer Classic over 1,800 metres but he failed to quicken from 500 metres out a trailed in a disappointing fourth. From the off, Dillon Khelawan sent the 20/1 shot into the lead and he was tracked by Legal Adviser, War Maker and Cloud Nine. 

These were followed by Roots of Jesse, Risky Trial and Royal Pioneer as Serengeti, who broke slowly began to tail herself off. Going down the back, Criminal Intent was closely attended by War Maker which was traveling well for Nobel Abrego and Cloud Nine kept pace as Legal Adviser dropped back a place.

At the far turn, the order remained unchanged and just when the race fans and turfites alike thought that War Maker would pounce that did not materialise. At the corner, Khelawan asked the son of Performing Magic/Miss Jay to quicken and he did to the cheers of the large crowd at hand at the centralized venue.

In the final 400 metres, the first prize cheque of $270,000 was signed and sent to the owners Kidz Too. Cloud Nine stayed on resolutely for second while Legal Adviser got his second wind and passed a tired War Maker which clearly was not his true running. Criminal Intent recorded a slow time of 2:04 for the trip which was the slowest in the history of the event. 

In the supporting $150,000, Carib Arima Race Club Cup, two-time Horse of The Year, Bigman In Town, had to battle all the way for his success, though registering an record equalling performance when winning by 1/2 a length from Transpire. Crime of Passion finished third. Sheldon Rodrigo sent Transpire into the lead from Eye See You and Bigman In Town with Momentum close up. These were followed by Thisoneisforron, Bergeron Rodeo, Crime of Passion with Buffalo Soldier contented to view from the rear.

At the far turn, Transpire still held sway from Bigman  and Crime of Passion as they separated themselves from the rest of the field. At the corner, Transpire still held a slight advantage as Abrego asked the Harriram Gobin trained horse to go win the race. Bigman in Town soon took up the running but Transpire would not go away and battle all the way to the wire, forcing the top equine hero to pull out all the stops. Bigman In Twon registered the time of 1:51.00 for the 1,800 metres trip.

Riding honours for the day fell to Wilmer Galviz, who rode three winners in Thays, Goliath’s Boy and Wild Excitement. Training honours for the day was shared between Shaffique Khan and Harriram Gobin, who each saddled two winners. Racing continues on Saturday.

ARC CARIB DAY 18 RESULTS

R1: IMPORTED 3 YO & OVER MAIDENS WI BRED 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 75-50 - 1,600 (TURF)—$48,500
1    (7)    Thays    W Galviz    51    
2    (4)    The Tactician    B Boodramsing    57    
3    (6)    Cat’s Heir    N Samaroo    56.5    
4    (5)    Dandridge    J Boodramsing    51    
5    (3)    Bandwagon    R Hernandez    53.5    
TIME: 1:38.0 DISTANCES: 1 1/2, 3 1/2, Neck, 1 1/2.
$1PARI: (7) $3.60; $1.60 (4) $1.45 
$1EXACTA: $6.50
TRIFECTA: $17.70
SUPERFECTA: $81.10
WINNER: 4 y.o. CH gelding – Freud/Tweedy (Roy)
OWNER: Dave Chadee  TRAINER: H Chadee
BREEDER: Haras Santa Ines (Argentina)
ALSO RAN: 6. Blue Mountain Rose R Angnoo 48.
NON-RUNNER: Soca Rhapsody.

R2: GUINNESS 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 25-0 - 1,100 (TURF)—$29,000
1    (4)    Lady Marisa    N Mohammed    55.5    
2    (10)    Something Black    R Ali    57.0    
3    (1)    Insidious    D Khelawan    53.5    
4    (2)    Fire N’ Faith    P Badrie    56.5    
TIME: 1:05.3   DISTANCES: 1 1/4, Head, Neck, Head.
$1PARI: (4) $15.15; $2.25; (10)$1.55; (1) $1.85
$1EXACTA: $91.90
TRIFECTA: $320.00
HI-5:$3,173.70
WINNER: 7 y.o.B mare – War Marshall/Lady Pakeezah (Restless Thief)
OWNER: Michelle Bernard-Roberts  TRAINER: C Roberts
BREEDER: Henry W. Jaghai O.D.J.P (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. On My Own N Flavenney 54.5; 6. Upset D Dance J Boodramsing 52.5; 7. Mary’s Girl Chile J Stephen 57; 8. Star Dreamer W Galviz 57; 9. Ready And Alert D Blackman 54; 10. Space Girl R Jadoo 52.5.
  
R3: MALTA 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 70-55 - 1,350—$43,000
1    (4)    Goliath’s Boy    W Galviz    57.0    
2    (8)    Precise Moment    N Flavenney    54.0    
3    (3)    Quick City    N Patrick    54.5    
4    (1)    Glorious Country    R Ali    55.0    
5    (5)    Officer Ike    R Angnoo    52.0    
TIME: 1:22.3   DISTANCES: 2 1/4, Head, 1 3/4, Neck.
$1PARI: (4) $3.70; $1.45 (8) $2.25 (3) $2.60
$1EXACTA: $54.40
TRIFECTA: $929.80
SUPERFECTA: $1,248.10
WINNER: 4 y.o. CH gelding – Parading/Eastern Star (Star De Naskra)
OWNER: Shivam Maharaj   TRAINER: H Gobin
BREEDER: Belvedre Farm Inc. (New York, U.S.A)
ALSO RAN: 6. Raeven Renae B Boodramsing 55; 7. Indy Anna Baby S Rodrigo 57.
NON-RUNNER: Missile Assault.

R4: STAG 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 40-0 - 1,100 (TURF)—$33,000   
1    (10)    Pearl Secret    D Khelawan    55.5
2    (12)    Treasure Queen    N Flavenney    57
3    (4)    Victoryinthevalley    S Rodrigo    55.0
4    (14)    Spectacular Return    R Ali    56.5    
TIME: 1:04.3   DISTANCES: 1/2, 1 1/2, 3/4, 1.
$1PARI: (10) $7.50; $ 2.20 (12) $3.80 (4) $4.40
$1EXACTA: $153.80
TRIFECTA: $1,633.40
HI-5: $11,318.80
WINNER: 5 y.o. mare – Precise Sweep/Priceless Fame (Private Bank)
OWNER: Sean Ramdoomr   TRAINER: M Carew Jnr
BREEDER: Andre & Nigel Baptiste 
ALSO RAN: 5. Double Roses R Jadoo 55; 6. My Giselle N Mohammed 54.5; 7. Who Is The Problem D Blackman 53.5; 8. Fleet Admiral J Boodramsing 53; 9. Copa Glory L C Seecharan 51; 10. Caipirinha J Reyes 54; 11. Caipirinha J Reyes 54.
NON-RUNNERS: Precious Lilly, Gold Coin, Queen Esther, Super Easy, Roxanne.

R5: 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 100-70 - 1,250 —$60,000 
1    (4)    Wild Excitement     W Galviz    56.0    
2    (6)    Holy Man    J Boodramsing    54.0    
3    (2)    Slewjero    B Boodramsing    50    
4    (3)    Sacred Trust    R Angnoo    52.5    
5    (1)    Control Unit    L A Seecharan    46    
TIME: 1:14.2  DISTANCES: Neck, 5 3/4, Sh Head, 1/2.
$1PARI: (4) $5.45; $2.40; (6)$1.50
$1EXACTA: $16.80
TRIFECTA: $61.70
SUPERFECTA: $72.90
WINNER: 5 y.o. CH horse – Wildcat Heir/Grandma Grace (Rahy)
OWNER: Russell Ramsammy  TRAINER: G Mendez
BREEDER: Joanne Patten & Julie Rini (Pennsylvania, U.S.A)
NON-RUNNER: Clermont County.

R6: HEINEKEN WI BRED 3 YO MAIDENS - 1,350 M—$44,000 
1    (1)    Bergeron Boy    P Badrie    52.0     
2    (6)    It’s An Icon    B Boodramsing    57.0    
3    (14)    US Marshall    S Rodrigo    57.0    
4    (10)    War Council    R Angnoo    55.0    
TIME: 1:23.1   DISTANCES: 2 1/2, 4, 1/2, 7 3/4.
$1PARI: (1) $3.50; $1.20;  (6)$1.25
$1EXACTA: $9.50
TRIFECTA: $29.50
HI-5: $148.00
WINNER: 3 y.o. DK B colt– Settle Up/Angelsaver (Siphon)
OWNER: Mr Pius  TRAINER: S Khan
ALSO RAN: 5. War Jet J Boodramsing 54; 6. Aim For The Stars L Keizer 51; 7. Princess Britney D Boodram 54; 8. Morning Calm R Jadoo 52.5; 9. Kentucky Woman L C Seecharan 45; 10. Little John J Arneaud 55.5; 11. I’mmissinghighbury T Phillips 52; 12. Positive Note A Poon 50.5.
NON-RUNNERS: Theradioannouncers, Fire Goddess, Man To Come.

R7: CARIB BREWERY MID-SUMMER CLASSIC (GR IR) WI BRED 3 YO—1,900 - $450,000    
1    (2)    Criminal Intent    D Khelawan    57    
2    (8)    Cloud Nine    S Ellis    54    
3    (3)    Legal Adviser    N Mohammed    57    
4    (6)    War Maker    N Abrego    57    
5    (7)    Risky Trial    R Ali    57    
TIME: 2:04.0  DISTANCES: 3 1/4, 1/2, 1 1/2, 7 1/2.
$1PARI: (2) $21.95 ; (3) $3.55; (1) $ 2.45
EXACTA: $2.05
TRIFECTA: $1,748.80
SUPERFECTA: $2,175.50
WINNER: 3 y.o DK B colt – Performing Magic/Miss Jady (Vanadium)
OWNER: Kidz Too  TRAINER: J O’Brien
BREEDER: Everglades Farm Limited Limited (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 6. Royal Pioneer P Badrie 57; 7. Root Of Jesse S Rodrigo 57; 8. Serengeti B Boodramsing 54.
 
R8: GINSENG 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 55-40 - 1,150—$37,400
1    (5)    My Ari    R Ali    55.5    
2    (1)    Swept Away    W Galviz    54.5    
3    (12)    Delightful    L A Seecharan    47.5    
4    (4)    Amritsar    P Badrie    54    
5    (3)    A Great Millennium    N Mohammed    54    
TIME: 1:10.0  DISTANCES: 3 1/2, 1/2, 3/4, 1 1/4.
$1PARI: (5) $18.50; $3.40; (1) $1.85 (12) $2.90
EXACTA: $18.50
TRIFECTA: $955.10
HI-5:$17,157.00
WINNER: 6 y.o CH mare -Royal Minister/Fullyloaded (The Medic)
OWNER: Zephyrino-Derek Stables  TRAINER: F De Freitas
BREEDER: Derrick Brandt (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 6. Loan Shark N Flavenney 54; 7. Soursop N Patrick 57; 8. Mike’s Sugarr J Boodramsing 52.5; 9. Tanganyika R Angnoo 55; 10. Faith N’ Fortune L Keizer 53.5; 11. Just Honest S Rodrigo 55; 12. Potiphar’s Wife R Hernandez 52.5
NON-RUNNERS: Star Sapphire, Farad, Princess Warrior.
 
R9: CARIB ARIMA RACE CLUB CUP (GRII) OPEN TO ALL HORSES 3 YO & OVER—1,800M—$150,000
1    (9)    Bigman In Town    N Abrego    57    
2    (3)    Transpire    R Ali    53    
3    (7)    Crime Of Passion    J Stephen    55    
4    (2)    Bergeron Rodeo    W Galviz    53    
5    (6)    Momentum    P Badrie    50.5    
TIME: 1:51.0  DISTANCES: 1/2, 6 1/2, 4 1/4, Sh.Head.
$1PARI: (9) $1.45; $1.15; (3) $1.30 (7) $1.70
EXACTA: $5.10
TRIFECTA: $71.20
SUPERFECTA: $389.90
WINNER: 5 y.o CH horse- Cowtown Cat/My Morning Prayer (Buddha)
OWNER: Baskaran Bassawh  TRAINER: H Gobin
BREEDER: H.A.M Stables Limited (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 6. Thisonesforron B Boodramsing 55; 7. Eye See You R Angnoo 46.5; 8. Buffalo Soldier D Khelawan 53.
NON-RUNNER: Secret American.
 
R10: MACKESON 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 45-0—1,350—$34,500
1    (8)    Osceola Parkway    N Flavenney    57.0    
2    (2)    Perfect Moment    R Ali    55.5    
3    (13)    Tan Tan    T Phillips    51.0    
4    (7)    Al Kahina    J Stephen    53.5    
5    (4)    Stormy Frontier    J Boodramsing    54    
TIME: 2:04.0    DISTANCES: 5, 3 3/4, Sh.Head, 1 3/4.
$1PARI: (8) $2.75; $1.65 (2) $1.45 (13) $3.60  
$1EXACTA: $13.30
TRIFECTA: $191.30
HI-5: $11,829.00
WINNER: 3 y.o. B filly – Babel/Stormy Frontera (Storm Boot)
OWNER: Aga Stables  TRAINER: S Khan
ALSO RAN: 6. Chelsi Magic R Angnoo 53.5; 7. Lady Sage L C Seecharan 52.5; 8. She’s Royal S Rodrigo 57; 9. Super Sonic B Boodramsing 56.5; 10. Amber Sky N Mohammed 55.5; 11. Half Price L A Seecharan 52.5; 12. Wainapanapa J Arneaud 57.
NON-RUNNERS: Brilliance, Red Cloud.
 

That headline was paraphrased from a United States Marines Corp recruiting advertisement in which a magnificently fit Master Sergeant suggests: “In the Marines, we do not worry about what we do not have. We focus on what we do have to get the job done!”

So it must be with West Indies cricket team to play against Australia later this week, with the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul after over 21 years of incumbency. All good things too must come to an end.

So let it be with Shiv! But, judging from that last Test against England last month which showed that with tenacity, determination and guts, any cricket team, including WI, lowly rated as they are, could beat any other team; and recently concluded WICB President’s XI drawn game against the Aussie tourists, who exactly does WI Test team have for the upcoming two Tests against the Aussies?

While the resurrection of the President’s XI has been lauded, one of the primary reasons for its past existence was to highlight up-and-coming peripheral players who could, in the not-too-distant future, become viable place-holders in WI Test teams proper. When fast bowlers Joel Garner, Norbert Philip and Colin Croft were selected for President’s XI against Pakistan in 1976/77, none of us thought that we had any chance whatsoever of playing Test cricket that year.

Just before that tour, in 1976, Michael Holding, Wayne Daniel and Andy Roberts, ably abetted by Bernard Julien, Vanburn Holder and Collis King, had terrorized England almost to death after its captain, Tony Greig, had suggested that “he and England would make West Indies grovel!”

Ironically, by the time Pakistan arrived in the Caribbean in 1976/77, Holding and Daniel were injured.  After President’s XI had beaten Pakistan in St. Lucia, with Joel and me getting most of the wickets, we were selected, out of the blue, to play in that historic 1st Test in Barbados; our first. We did not do too badly and the rest is now history but it also showed that anything can happen!

Another useful aspect of President’s XI’s in years gone by was to give actual, regular Test players, those who were somewhat rusty or not fully on the ball, a chance to get themselves settled and into proper rhythm to get many wickets or gazillions of runs, at least to get some sort of form.

Alvin Kallicharran, an absolutely integral part of WI’s batting line-up in 1976/77, was WICB’s President XI’s captain v Pakistan. He was selected to get quick form, and to lead a young team, perhaps with future situations in mind. He got runs in President’s XI and then in the Tests too.

So, WICB’s present selectors, while praised for foresight of reintroducing the obvious importance of the President’s XI, erred somewhat with their selections for that game last week v Australia. Especially Kemar Roach should have been given a chance for long spells at the Aussies before Test No. 1 starts in Dominica on Wednesday, as he looked badly out of shape and out of pace against England. In two Tests, he had only five wickets, each costing 53.00 runs, from 78 overs.

Opener Shai Hope too should have been allowed to play against the Aussies last week. If he is to make runs, he must face them eventually. There is nothing like confidence that comes with runs and WI badly needs another regular opening batsman to go with Kraigg Brathwaite. Now that yet another opener, Rajindra Chandrika, has made 74 v the Aussies, and pugnacious wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich also made two half-centuries; 78 and 53 not out; in that game, do not be surprised if one of these, or both, are included in WI’s squad for Test No. 1.

Faster bowler Carlos Brathwaite too, with 50 and three wickets against the Aussies, could also be in for a wonderful surprise. He is improving with every delivery, his body seemingly becoming better attuned to being a good all-rounder. He certainly could put pressures on Roach’s place. Shannon Gabriel did not look too badly against England, but he, like Roach, needs much work too. Batsmen worth their salt know that bowlers cannot simply bowl only a few overs fast. Fast bowlers are exactly that, expected to bowl quickly, even if it is in the final session of Day 5!

Jerome Taylor leads the fast bowling pack and looked good, if not fast, against England, while towering Jason Holder, that tremendously talented bowling all-rounder, seems to be understanding his roll more precisely as every day of his budding international career occurs. Only one of orthodox leg-spinner Veerasammy Permaul or right-arm leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo would probably play in Test No. 1, but would that not be special if WI selectors allow both to operate in tandem?  

Between them, they could guarantee fifty runs per innings at the crease and six wickets per innings with the ball too, so why not! Captain and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, improving Jermaine Blackwood, veteran Marlon Samuels and still unfulfilled Darren Bravo must certainly play, expecting to do even better against the vaunted Aussies.  Simply, WI must focus on what we have!  Enjoy!

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has began with success a programme to bring the players closer to the administration. This according to WICB director Azim Bassarath, who attended a retreat last weekend at the Accra Beach Hotel and Resort in Barbados. Bassarath was one of the directors along with his colleagues from the across the region and the president of the WICB, Dave Cameron who took part in the retreat that was called WI TEAM UP.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian exclusively he said: “It was an enjoyable experience where we got the chance to know and appreciate each other a lot more. The focus of our WI TEAM UP weekend centred around how must we team up to create a successful future for WI cricket?”  Last Saturday the programme got under way and the participants which also included the West Indies player who were in a training camp in Barbados, explored the potential of West Indies cricket as a tool for social and economic transformation in the region.

On Sunday they dealt with exploring a vision of possibilities for WI cricket. They were then briefed on their clear roles and responsibilities as they all committed to the way forward for West Indies cricket. The programme was facilitated by Barbadian Marguerite Orane with assistance from Ulla Wyckoff Tomlinson.

Bassarath, also president of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), added: “I think that Dave Cameron must be very highly commended for organising this retreat. What he has done is to show the regional boards the way forward in getting a closer working relationships will all stakeholders in cricket, especially the players.

“We at the TTCB and also the WICB value the players and we see them as the major stakeholder in the sport. As such we intend to continue the process of making them feel included and part of the set up going forward. I intend to also replicate this move in Trinidad very soon and have the players and administrators attend a retreat session. The problems of the past must be left in the past and not repeated and we all need to work closely together to take our cricket back to the top.”

ROSEAU—Uncapped Shane Dowrich and Rajindra Chandrika were poised for Test debuts after they were named yesterday in a 14-man West Indies squad to face Australia in the opening Test of the two-match series starting next week. Both batsmen shone during the recent three-day game against the Aussies which finished Friday, gathering half-centuries for the West Indies President’s XI at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.

The 23-year-old Barbadian Dowrich, a wicketkeeper/ batsman was most impressive with two half-centuries in the contest. He had a breakthrough year in the WICB Professional Cricket League, chalking up 615 runs at an average of 46, with two centuries. Chandrika, meanwhile, gathered 74 in the first innings for President’s XI, one of five half-centuries, with Roston Chase, Jason Mohammed and Carlos Brathwaite also getting among the runs.

The right-handed Chandrika, 25, was a member of the Guyana Jaguars squad which captured the WICB PCL crown, scoring 525 runs at an average of 35. An opener, Chandrika could be used to partner Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order. West Indies face Australia in the opening Test at Windsor Park starting Wednesday, with the second Test set for Sabina Park in Jamaica on June 11.

CMC

Sports Minister Brent Sancho says he was unaware that a concert booking accepted by the facilities management unit at the Hasely Crawford Stadium (HCS) in Woodbrook forced officials of the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) to reschedule its calendar of championship events originally scheduled to start last weekend.

Redemption II was the name of the concert held at the popular sporting facility which reportedly scuppered pre-planned activities by the national sporting body.

The NGC/NAAA Junior Championships was advertised to take place on May 30.

Sancho told the T&T Guardian he was unaware of any such development and expressed surprise, citing that the NAAA executive didn’t not contact him, at least, in an effort to intervene.

The NAAA issued a media release on May 18, which stated the HCS Grounds was no longer available for its planned meet last Saturday.

A social media firestorm consequently erupted with opponents for and against the staging of the concert. Many wanted to know if the HCS was a dedicated sporting facility or a concert hall.

This, citing that national track and field meets were taking place in preparation for international event such as the Pan Am Games, World Championships scheduled to take place over the next two months. 

Track and field events affected owing to the concert booking included the NGC/NAAA Junior Championships; NGC/NAAA Juvenile Championships and the NGC/NAAA Combined Events Championships, together with the Falcons Invitational. All were reportedly pushed back by one week.

These events will take place this June along with the Sagicor/NGC Open Championships on the weekend of 26-28.

 Contacted, Ephraim Serrette, president of the NAAA said this was not the first time the NAAA calendar of events was overlooked by the Stadium management for a non-sport related activity.

“Last year, we used the football tunnel as the call room and warm up centre for the athletes. Track and field is an event that takes place inside and outside. Somehow, someone of the Stadium management team does not recognise that. It’s a little difficult for the athletes because of that. We appreciate that we do not have to pay for use of the Stadium and these events (concerts) are the events that people pay for use of the Stadium,” he said.

Serrette added, “We plan very early. We always do. We want to work with everyone, but they have to understand that track and field is inside and outside the Stadium. We book it (the Stadium) at the end of September early October every year. Track and field doesn’t win administration of the year by guess. Track and field didn’t get $12 million from a sponsor (NGC) for three years, by guess.”

TTOC president Brian Lewis has called into question the willingness and commitment of the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) to validate legitimate efforts by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) and its corporate partners to promote the growth and sustainability of track and field in T&T. 

Speaking at Wednesday’s launch of the NAAAs Championship Month held at the Radisson Hotel on Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain, Lewis underscored the power of track and field to continue making positive differences in T&T and wondered why the ministry and SporTT officials were usually absent when listed on the programme to speak. “Given the importance of track and field to sport in T&T, I always find it a bit disquieting that on a number of occasions when I come to speak at this all important launch, I always end up speaking last when on the programme, I see SporTT and the Ministry of Sports is supposed to speak after the president of the TTOC. But that invariably doesn’t happen. And I think it would be remiss of me not to make the observation, in a very constructive way. Given the importance of track and field and the national senior championships and the events that track and field and the NAAA and their sponsors and partners would put on during the month of June, I think that it would have been most apt to have a representative here from SporTT and the Ministry of Sport,” Lewis said.

He added, “I know that we are all exceedingly busy, but if we are involved in sport, we must give the respect and the acknowledgement that is due, not only to NAAA, not only to the athletes of track and field, but also and most importantly to the sponsors and partners who have given a commitment to support sport through track and field. I think it is important that we all work together in sport, to develop sport and to put a positive image on sport and we need to encourage the sponsors. This is a very important event and it needs the support of key stakeholders such as the TTOC, the Ministry and SporTT.” State owned National Gas Company (NGC), its subsidiary Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited, insurer Sagicor and Blue Waters have partnered with the NAAA for the NGC/NAAA Junior Championships (June 6-7); NGC/NAAA Juvenile Championships (13-14); NGC/NAAA Combined Events Championships (20-21) NGC/ Sagicor Open Championships (26-28). The Hasely Crawford Stadium in Woodbrook is the venue for all the events listed.

Stocking and Atletico are strongly-fancied to give trainer, Roger Varian, and in-form jockey, William Buick, an across the card double today on Lingfield polytrack and ‘good to firm’ Windsor, respectively; both have plenty in hand on the time-handicap.

Varian has been slow to surface but he’s a patient chap, like his mentor, Michael Jarvis, who died a couple of years ago; such a sad loss, a truly wonderful trainer who conditioned horses superbly with that lovely approach of kindness, and all things good, to aid thousands of thoroughbreds progress naturally.

Patience was his virtue and Varian has wisely heeded the experience of working with Jarvis, he has few runners before June, what’s the point?

This year, especially, weather conditions have been diabolical and May, which finished yesterday, was surely the coldest and most unpleasant on record; the flowers illustrated that fact, conclusively.

It’s cold and raining, as this is being ‘penned’, but Roger obviously realises he can’t wait forever; we’re nigh on a third of the way through this 2015 turf flat-racing scene and the Epsom Derby will be staged next Saturday!

It was originally decreed for ‘the first Wednesday in June’ but that wonderful tradition was scrapped by ‘know-alls’ who have proved, lamentably, they ‘know’ sod all and have done irreparable damage to the ‘Sport Of Kings’ by interfering.

Those wonderful grade one, three-day(s) weekday fixtures have gone, mixed in with ‘all things Saturday’, racecourses are over-watered and over-used, resulting in inconsistency, and the volume of dross racing has made for tremendous pressure coping on a day-to-day basis. Without my garden I’d be in a madhouse!

Varian has a stable worth following and another patient trainer is Marcus Tregoning whose Diamond Blaise wont be a surprise if he causes one in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over six furlongs of polytrack.

Guyana club, Georgetown CC,  widened its lead at the top of the table in the T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division after picking seven points from a possible nine in three matches contested at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, over the weekend.

Yesterday, Georgetown made it two wins from three matches when they blanked cellar-placed Ventures 2-0 with goals from Sonia Jardine in the 38th minute and Trisha Woodroffe ten minutes later.

With the win, GCC carried its tally to 20 points, seven more than Shandy Carib Magnolias, and a further point ahead of defending champions Paragon.

On Saturday morning in its first match, GCC also shut out Harvard Checkers 2-0, led by a pair of goals from Princessa Wilkes in the 28th and 59th minutes.

GCC then returned to the Tacarigua venue a few hours later and battled to a 2-2 draw with former champions Courts Malvern.

Malvern took an early lead through national forward Krizia Layne as early as the fourth minute, but within four minutes Gabriella Xavier got GCC on level terms.

The visitors then took the lead in the 28th minute via a Sonia Jardine field goal, but Layne salvaged a point for the Malvernites with a 52nd minute equaliser.

Magnolias kept its title dreams alive after hammering Malvern 5-0 on Friday night with ex-national captain Stacey Siu Butt following up her beaver-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Ventures last weekend, with a brace in the 19th minute, a penalty and a 34th-minute field goal.

The national women’s team trio of Amie Olton (14th), Brittany Hingh (27th) and Savannah De Freitas (32nd) added one each for Magnolias.

It was a weekend to forget for Malvern as they also fell to Fatima 2-0 in the Men’s Championship Division, with Jordan Vieira scoring a brace for the winners, in the 17th and 37th minutes.

Results

Saturday 

Women’s Championship 

Yesterday 

• Georgetown CC 2 (Sonia Jardine 38th, Trisha Woodroffe 48th) vs Ventures 0.

Friday 

Women’s Championship 

• SC Magnolias 5 (Stacey Siu Butt 19th pen, 34th, Amie Olton 14th, Brittany Hingh 27th, Savannah De Freitas 32nd) vs Courts Malvern 0.

Men’s Championship 

• Fatima 2 (Jordan Vieira 17th, 37th) vs Courts Malvern 0.

Saturday 

Women’s Championship 

• Georgetown CC 2 (Princessa Wilkes 28th, 59th) vs Harvard Checkers 0.
• Georgetown CC 2 (Gabriella Xavier 8th, Sonia Jardine 24th) vs Courts Malvern 2 (Krizia Layne 4th, 52nd).

Mega and small scale sport tourism has the potential to contribute to the social, cultural, economic and infrastructural development of the host country or city. Sport tourism involves the travel of persons for non-business reasons to participate and or observe sporting activities (Hall, 1992). 

Mega sporting events include the hosting of World Cups for such sports such as football, cricket, and rugby. Small scale sporting events include triathlons, marathons and a leg of the formula one grand prix. 

According to Zauhar (2003) sport tourism involves a number of activities. In addition to either participating and or observing sporting events, persons who travel for sport tourism may also have a vested interest in visiting state of the art sporting facilities such as stadiums. These may include for example, Lords cricket ground in England, Roland Garros in Paris, Maracana Stadium in Brazil and the Millennium rugby stadium in Wales. In addition to the iconic sporting stadiums appeal, sport tourists may also show an interest in sporting hall of fames and sport museums such as the Legends of Barbados cricket museum. 

Sport tourists may not always be interested in traditional competitive sports and may find adventurous activities far more inviting and appealing to their leisure taste. Some of these adventurous activities may include bungee jumping stations, zip line canopy tours, hiking trails, water adventures such snorkeling and golf. 

Sport tourism offers several economic benefits to local communities, the region and or the country. An estimated 680 000 persons from overseas attended the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. These visitors generated enormous economic activity through different forms of expenditure on sporting and non-sporting activities. There was an increase demand for various forms of accommodation-hotels and guest houses. Similarly there was an increase in demand for sporting paraphernalia such replica tee shirts, sneakers etc. Non-sporting products expenditure included food, beverages, phones, cameras, and other electronic accessories that are associated with travelers. According to Hassen (2003) the 2003 Cricket World generated 1.3 billion Rands for the South African economy. 

Sport tourism provides the host country with high media coverage. This coverage will cover not only the sporting event but also provide important information about the country’s cultural and entertainment locations as well as an overall country profile. Such information would have been provided when the Caribbean played host to two cricket world cups in 2007 and 2010 respectively. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago would have benefitted from the media coverage when it hosted the 2001 FIFA U17 World Cup for boys and the 2010 FIFA World Cup for girls. 

Mega and small sporting events not only offer athletes and officials opportunities to establish strong social bonds but also allow sport tourists the opportunity to forge long lasting social connections with persons from host cities and countries. These bonds have the potential to result in future travels between countries and so deepening the benefits of tourism.

According to Morrison (2005) mega sporting events provide a platform to incorporate social and cultural features of the host community/city/country into the overall tourist experience. These events are good occasions to showcase the cultural heritage of the country such as its history, historical sites, food, music, art, architecture, and overall what makes the host unique and interesting to want to return in the immediate future.

Sport tourism do not only result from the visiting and expenditure from tourists but also involves the development of local infrastructure such as stadia, hotels, transportation networks, roads, telecommunication, airports and other infrastructure. Such developments will provide long term benefits to communities where they have been established.

The potential benefits of sports tourism can only be realized if several challenges are overcome especially in the developing world. In countries where crime and matters of security are a major concern persons considering to travel to these destination maybe discouraged to engage in any form of sport tourism. Additionally, the allegations of corruption and financial scandals may also serve as a discouragement.

The overall success of any sporting tourism event is dependent upon management. Poor management due to financial impropriety, poor planning, lack of efficient customer service, and a host of other management’s drawbacks may serve as a major Achilles heel for the success of any sport tourism event. 

According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2011) sport tourism has the potential to being powerful tool for development and progress. However, for this to be accomplished to reap the benefits of sports tourism proper planning and management of events have to be undertaken.

Steven Edwards, founder and director of Steven Edwards Productions (SEP), sold his car and pawned all of his gold—including his wedding band—just to complete a theatre production titled For Better or For Worst. But those sacrifices were not at all in vain, as the production recently got accepted into the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival, Toronto’s largest theatre and performance festival. 

The company headquartered in Arima is also making history as its acceptance into the prestigious event has officially made it the first theatre production company in the Caribbean to get accepted into the festival. 

The opportunity Edwards said, could not have come by luck and chance as the theatre companies which entered the festival were chosen based on a random raffle draw. And out of 13 international theatre companies, SEP was chosen in two draws to showcase its theatrical production.

“I believe this was fate,” he told the T&T Guardian.

This is all good news for Edwards who is quite elated, but all of this excitement and happiness can quickly turn to gloom if he does not find the money to actually go to the festival.

Edwards and his 27 cast and crew, are expected to leave on June 28, but so far this looks grim as they have not been able to secure funding or sponsorship, despite the fact, sponsors would be getting a $150 tax rebate, as the company is registered with the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism.

“We have been knocking on every door possible since last year in November, but to date we have had no favourable responses from anyone, not even the Tourism Development Company (TDC).

“It is really important for us to utilise this opportunity, not because we want to shine or just be the first theatre production company in the Caribbean to be there. But because a lot of hard work went into this. The entire cast and crew were so dedicated and sacrificed a lot. That is why it is so important to me to do this production,” said Edwards.

He continued, “My wife and I had comfortable jobs and when I left my job at TSTT to pursue this dream I had no money. This play came from a real place. There was a time I had no job. And because I did not want my wife who was pregnant at the time to panic, I told her I had a job and I would just drive to the airport everyday and sit at Royal Castle there and write this play. And today here I am, so I have to get this.”

For Better or For Worst is written and directed by Edwards who also plays the lead. The piece is about a married couple set in Trinidad in the 1980s post the oil boom and the depression which followed after. It takes place in one day where this married couple is on the brink of divorce because their marriage has been severely burdened by financial challenges, conflict, lost opportunities and a myriad of crashed dreams.

Can they make it? Well Steven says one has to see the actual production to find that out.

“I will say this much, the production is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and love again.”

SEP is not just theatre 

The 32-year-old father of two said it was always in him to do theatre. He recalls as a young man in church, he would lead the youth group in theatrical plays. But Edwards was not just about putting on skits for mere pleasure. He usually used hard hitting and thought provoking themes that spoke directly to social ills in the country and community in which he lived. 

He also used theatre to draw young people to church who otherwise just would not show up. His life took a turning point when one of the young men whom he mentored was murdered at age 17. It was a difficult time for Edwards and out of his grief, he decided to create a programme called Transformation Through Theatre and Technology. The programme was going to be an initiative to save youths who were at risk of falling into the drug trafficking, illegal arms, and commercial sex trade.

Utilising the power of theatre and technology, SEP has supported the personal growth of youth as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The opportunities that SEP provide have allowed talented and dedicated performers develop communication and life skills, resulting in the passion to pursue careers in the creative arts, an increased appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to excellence and heightened cultural awareness. With an emphasis on core values such as love, support, non-discrimination, respect, and acceptance.

First operating out of his home in Arima and then using the facility of his old school at Hillview College for practice and rehearsal sessions. The programme he said, started to attract people from all walks of life.

"I realised people were not just coming for the theater alone, they were coming for motivation, counseling, inspiration and most of all a family environment.

"One of the key things about SEP is that it is home to people of all races, backgrounds, religions and walks of life venturing into one common space and finding love and a sense of belonging," he boasted.

Steven added what keeps the programme and the very life of SEP alive is prayer.

"When we gather, we pray before and after every session and I believe this is what has kept our family going."

The playwright who was also a finalist for the Caribbean Region Award of Commonwealth Youth Worker of the Year, is also in the process of writing his first book which he wants to title, One In A Million: Triumphant in Trinidad. 

But before that happens, his immediate goal is to secure the funds he needs to attend the festival so that he can prove to the very said young people he mentors, that through theatre, their lives can actually be changed.

For anyone wishing to assist Steven Edwards Productions please call 304-9159 or send emails to: rayvenbusinesses@gmail.com

bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt