The decision by the Minister of Trade and Industry to revise the foreign used car policy speaks to the fact that the People’s National Movement (PNM) endorses and devises policies that are aligned with the interests of the minority upper class in society. 

With these revisions in place, it will now become increasingly difficult for the lower and middle class population to purchase and own vehicles given the restrictions and the evident price increases that will follow. 

I believe it is unfair that the current administration chooses to apply restrictions to the importation of foreign used cars whilst the local industry has full sovereignty on the number of cars that can be sold. 

One must question, is the PNM merely moving to the beat of its wealthy financiers? Or is there some genuine belief that the revised policy will function in the best interest of the country, in which case one must further question in whose best interest? 

Vijaiya Ramkissoon, 

Hardbargain

After looking and listening to the Soca Monarch semi finals on TV recently, I have to voice my opinion on this shameful scenario. 

Almost all of the “songs” (if we can be so bold as to refer to them as this) lacked not only lyrical substance but musical structure as well. 

It seems to me that it is mostly about shouting, jumping, waving with the dancers doing their thing, as they say. In brief, it pains me to think that there were other artistes who took part in the preliminary round and did not “qualify” because they were worse than those who made it to this level. 

You mean to tell me they had worse than that? Lord help us! 

W Dopson,

Woodbrook 

Former president of the T&T Football Federation (TTFF), Oliver Camps, will know today whether his properties will be seized, due to his inability to honour a commitment to pay salaries to former national coach Wim Rijsbergen in 2006/2007. 

The Guardian understands that lawyers will be seeking a second extension after a previous 21-day stay was given on November 16, last year. 

However, Rijsbergen’s fees of approximately $3.8 million were not met. 

Dutchman Rijsbergen, who took over the Soca Warriors team from his countryman Leo Beenhakker, is said to be reluctant to seek any compromise with the T&T Football Association (TTFA), the current governing body for football here in T&T.

Camps’ daughter, Sandra, told the Guardian she is reluctant to seek an extension as she feels her plight will be ignored, since she does not have a good reason to convince the prosecuting lawyer. 

“We will just have to wait and see how it goes today. I have been praying everyday and hoping someone can come to my assistance,” she said. 

Camps is being represented by Attorney Russell Huggins while her father is being represented by Robin Montano. 

Al Roberts and Company, through its representative Shastri Roberts, have been fighting Rijsbergen’s case. 

The move to save Camps’ properties took a new twist on Tuesday after president of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Azim Bassarath revealed he was mobilising the public into contributing to a fund to help the former national football team manager, commonly referred to as ‘Red Eric’. 

The local cricket boss explained he will use his resources at the board to obtain $1,000 from at least 4,000 persons, corporate entities and business organisations to cover the court judgement. 

Bassarath is also suggesting that additional funds accumulated from the campaign be given to the former football president to cover medical bills. 

Sandra said her father’s health was heading downwards, particularly due to the court order. 

Camps’ friend and football colleague Jack Warner, who was special adviser of the football federation at the time, has promised to help. 

Camps’ dilemma followed a decision to register the TTFA in his name as the sole proprietor, and followed promises from then Prime Minister Patrick Manning to pay salaries to the national coach, which never materialised.

Neither the Ministry of Sport, nor the governing T&TFA, have offered to help, although sports minister Darryl Smith, has agreed to pay salaries to Russell Latapy who enjoyed a stint as coach without much success.

Windward Islands, once whipping boys of West Indies cricket, will be looking to take care of Barbados Pride in the semi-finals of the 2016 Nagico Super50 cricket series at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, today.

The Windwards topped Group B with four wins and speaking to the media yesterday, captain Liam Sebastien said his players could have done better. “We could have been better especially in the batting. The bowlers did well and we are happy that we topped the group but there is a lot of room for improvement.

“We are looking forward to the semis and as usual it will be a tough game. It’s a win or go home, have your best day, or best game and if not you are out. We are hoping that after six games, the batsmen come into their own. When I say batsmen, I am not speaking only of the top four but the entire playing 11. We all need to contribute so we could get a good score and we back the bowlers to come good.”

The Windwards had some close encounters in the preliminary round but Sebastien thinks it would serve his team well.

He said: “Too close for comfort, but it put us in a position to deal with pressure situations. Now we know how to adapt, so it was a win-win situation with the pressure on the game.”

With Barbados having played their matches at the Oval, Sebastien acknowledged that they would have an advantage. 

“We are in a situation where we will have to read it on the day. More than likely it would be different to what we had in St Kitts, we just have to come out from ball one, back our skills and play each ball well from ball one,” he said.

His opposite number Jason Holder believes it will be a good match. 

“We have been here for a while, so we are accustomed to the conditions but the teams are evenly matched. We have been playing good cricket. At full strength, we are balanced but the bowling is ahead with the guys in there. We have depth and balance in the bowling and we bat deep as well,” said Holder. 

“Their bowling is disciplined and they have some explosive batters like Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher. They are heavily dependent on their batting and we are aware of that situation.

“However, I think we have the edge because of the conditions.”

TEAMS

Barbados Pride: Jason Holder (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kevin Stoute, Shamarh Brooks, Dwayne Smith, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Brathwaite, Sulieman Benn, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican and Miguel Cummins.

Windwards Volcanoes: Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris, Miles Bascombe, Johnson Charles, Keron Cottoy, Andre Fletcher, Kaveem Hodge, Delorn Johnson, Vincent Lewis, Mervin Mathew, Kyle Mayers, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile.

Left handed batsman Darren Bravo stroked an imperious 95 to lead T&T Red Force to a competitive score of 259 for nine in 50 overs, against Guyana in their Nagico Super50 clash at the Queen’s Park Oval, yesterday.

Bravo shared in two partnerships to give backbone to the Red Force innings. Firstly, he added 85 with Kjorn Ottley (33) for the third wicket after T&T had openers Evin Lewis (20) and Kyle Hope (15) to off spinner Steven Jacobs with only 44 runs on the board.

Ottley faced 62 balls and struck three fours before being dismissed with the score at 129. Bravo was joined by Denesh Ramdin (43), and the two senior West Indies players, featured in a partnership of 90 runs for the fourth wicket to set up the Red Force total. Ramdin struck five fours in his 44-ball innings before trying to up the scoring rate, he was caught on the long on boundary to leave T&T 219 for four.

Bravo followed seven runs later in similar fashion, trying to clear the long on boundary. He faced 108 balls and struck four fours and five sixes, and once he was at the crease the Red Force looked assurred of a big score. However, his dismissal saw six wickets tumbling for the addition of 34 runs, as Red Force slipped from 219/3 to 253 for nine.

Earlier, Guyana won the toss and sent T&T in to bat. Lewis and Hope found the going tough but posted 39 for the first wicket of eight overs. Hope was first to go for 15 and he was followed by Lewis who scored 20 off 34 balls. Both men fell to the spin of Jacobs, who left the field with a side strain after taking 2/12 from six overs. Up to press time, Guyana was replying, needing 5.20 runs per over to claim a place in Saturday’s finals.

SCOREBOARD

​E Lewis c Bramble b Jacobs 20

K Hope c Johnson b Jacobs 15

K Ottley c Johnson b Moti 33

D Bravo c Reifer b Permaul 95

D Ramdin c Wintz b Reifer 43

J Mohammed c Bramble b Wintz 3

N Deonarine c Johnson b Wintz 7

A Hosein c Reifer b Permaul 3

M Richards not out 16

R Emrit c Barnwell b Permaul 4

J Jaggessar not out 0

Extras (b1, lb4, w15) 20

Total (for 9 wkts - 50ovs) 259

Fall of wkts: 39, 44, 129, 219. 227, 236, 236, 242, 253. Bowling: P Wintz 10-0-67-2, S Jacobs 6-1-12-2, R Reifer 10-1-39-1, C Barnwell 6-0-27-0, V Permaul 10-0-56-3, L Johnson 3-0-19-0, G Moti 5-0-34-1.

Embattled West Indies and Queen’s Park off-spinner Sunil Narine will play in the 2016 domestic cricket tournament in Trinidad.

An executive member of the TTCB, said yesterday that Narine’s ban by the ICC was brought up at the last executive meeting of the board, but there was never any intention to ban him from domestic tournament. 

“Narine is from Trinidad and Tobago and falls under the umbrella of the TTCB. We just could not bury our heads and not discuss the matter concerning Narine. It was brought up as a matter of interest.”

Narine was reported to be in danger of being banned at home, since the matter was up for discussion at the TTCB’s executive meeting on Tuesday night. 

“We saw the story and it is total rubbish, it is just misleading and mischievous. The matter was brought up, because the ICC has indicated that the call to allow Narine to play or not has to come from the respective boards. The matter has been referred to the National League Committee and it is just a discussion that will take place between the committee and officials of Queen’s Park Cricket Club.”

The domestic tournament gets going on January 30 and Narine is expected to line-up with the Parkites.

Phantom Flipper ticks enough boxes to justify serious support in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack tonight and it will be a massive disappointment if Richard Hannon’s charge doesn’t make it tenth time lucky under stable jockey Kieren O’Neill.

On this occasion Phantom Flipper will be blinkered for the first time, which is somewhat surprising given this Bahamian Bounty colt achieved a ‘career-best’ twelve days ago when a close fourth, beaten less than two lengths by The Commendatore, over a similar distance of Lingfield “poly.”

O’Neill has ridden Phantom Flipper the last twice and is enjoying a successful spell which wont be lost on the 2014 champion trainer during the coming months.

Our old “pal” Burmese Whisper has also proved vexing, no wins from nine outings to date; he’ll be “on the premises” but my time-handicap suggests this Approve colt will be hard-pressed to cope with our confident nap selection, Phantom Flipper.

Ertidaad comes out clear “best-in” for the five-runner 3-y-o handicap over six furlongs of Southwell fibresand; just a question of whether this Kodiac colt, trained by Emma Owen, will cope with the notorious ‘deep stuff!’

This has to be mentioned because several trainers/jockeys stated it was “riding deep” earlier this week due to being rolled as against harrowed; realistically this unique surface is a law unto itself but, hopefully, we can guess right and watch Ertidaad gain an elusive victory at the eleventh attempt. 

One to follow whatever transpires under Tom Queally.

Kelvin Hall is one of ten “decs” for the 3-y-o Maiden Stakes over a mile; should win, by default but, again, “if” is at issue! 

SELECTIONS

8.40 Ertidaad

10.20 Kelvin Hall

2.40 Phantom Flipper 

Former national team winger Leonson Lewis has given credit to the Secondary Schools Football League for helping shape his career from his early teenage days as a player.

Lewis was a standout with Naparima College and San Fernando Technical Institute but recalls how he first entered St Benedict’s College before transferring to “Naps”. At that time in the early 80s he played for the “Naps team that was managed by David John-Williams, the current President of the TTFA. Lewis was among players honoured by the League last Saturday as one of the top players of the 1990s alongside the likes of Russell Latapy, Shaka Hislop, Dwight Yorke, Marvin Faustin, Hutson Charles, Anthony Sherwood, Shawn Boney, Marvin Oliver, Wesley Webb, Angus Eve, David Nakhid, Garth Pollonais, Timothy Haynes, Clint Marcelle and Neil Williams

“It means a lot for me to be recognised because I came from an era where there a lot of great players. Not everyone could be chosen but it had players like Todd Willis, Andrew Ali as a goalkeeper, Russell Sutton and so many others. There were so many good players, so that to recognized as one of the best players is a huge honour.

“I think it would be with San Fernando Tech where I had my best memories because we won everything that year. We only draw one game with Shaka Hislop and the St Mary’s College and they got on like they had won the World Cup,” Lewis laughed.

“For Naparima College, it was the time that really built me as a player. I remember one game when we had beaten ‘Tech’ with all their stars as one of the top moments. This period in Secondary Schools really shaped my career. This was where it all started. I had a lot of friends in St Benedict’s before I transferred but then I had a lot of fans when I went to Naps. At Naps is when I made up my mind that I wanted to be a professional footballer,” Lewis added.

“David John Williams was my manager when I was at Naparima College. He did whatever we needed in the team and it’s funny that now he is the President of the TTFA. I know he will focus a lot on youth development and he means well for the development of the game locally.”

Hislop expects John Williams led TTFA to deliver

Former National Team goalkeeper and current ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop is placing faith in President David John-Williams and his executive at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association to build on a framework to take the local game forward.

Hislop spoke on the weekend about his hopes for the new administration, expressing confidence in its ability to govern the game as it should be.

“I’ve known President John-Williams for some time and have had the opportunity to work with him on a number of football related activities in the past, so maybe I’m biased,” Hislop said.

“I have a lot of respect for the President and his administration, as I did with Mr (Raymond) Tim Kee. I feel that with the right people in place, and the right support our football will continue to move forward.

“A lot of the heavy digging that was needed to get us out of the hole that our football had found itself in was done by the last administration under Mr Tim Kee, the challenge now build a framework that will continue to take our game forward,” Hislop stated.

Hislop was honoured as one of the best goalkeepers of the Secondary Schools Football League over its 50 years of existence.

“I maintain, I have never enjoyed my football as much as playing for St Mary’s College in the SSFL. I look back on those days with fondness, as the time where I truly fell in love with all the game has to offer. To this day I remain as huge fan of CIC and an advocate of the SSFL. As a result, being honored as one of the all time great goalkeepers means more than the most can imagine. Being recognized for doing something that means as much to me as SSFL does is humbling,” said the former Newcastle and West Ham United custodian.

Hector playing again

National team midfielder Hughtun Hector is back on the playing field. The former DirecTV W Connection player has resumed full training and has taken part in preseason matches with Vietnam top tier team Hanoi T&T

Hector ruptured an Achilles tendon in 2015 which required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the year. It also ruled him out of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“I’ve resumed full training and I’ve already played in a few training matches. The season starts in a week,” Hector said.

“The most important thing for me is to regain full fitness and to be at my bet again. It has been a frustrating period but I’ve come back stronger mentally and now I’m looking to resume playing again.

“I’m really anxious to be back. My aim is to get back on the national team and be part of the effort to qualify for the 2018 World Cup,” Hector added.

Hector will no doubt be keeping a close eye on T&T’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against St Vincent/Grenadines on March 25th and 29th. Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino is also back in training and is currently with the club for its preseason campaign.

De Leon ready to play for T&T

American-born DC United midfielder Nick DeLeon is ready to play for Trinidad and Tobago if the call comes, according to his father Leroy De Leon. Currently efforts are being made to obtain his Trinidad and Tobago passport.

“Definitely he’s ready to play. He really wants to come here. He feels slighted because his younger sister has played for the Women’s youth team. He’s a hard working guy and I think he will be a good addition to the team. I don’t know what Mr Hart is looking for but I think he will be a good help in a lot of ways. Right now we are trying to secure his passport,” De Leon, the former T&T great said.

The 25-year-old De Leon is also eligible to play for the United States. During the MLS media day this week, the player said he would make a decision soon.

n EDITOR’S NOTE: Shaun Fuentes is the Director of Communications of the TTFA. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com

Former national stand-out Leroy De Leon was named the Player of the Past Half Century in the sport of football by the Secondary Schools Football League during its 2015 awards ceremony which took place at Naparima College, Auditorium, San Fernando. 

De Leon, a former St Benedict’s College star player was joined in the spotlight by Everard “Gally” Cummings of Fatima College fame and former coach of the T&T Strike Squad, Jan Steadman (St Benedict’s) Warren Archibald (St Benedict’s) Steve David, Bobby Sookram and Wilfred Cave (ST Benedict’s College), Dr Alvin Henderson and Ian Bain (CIC) together with Roger Duprey (Fatima) and Ellis Sadaphal and Rolph Clarke of QRC were honoured for period reviewed in the SSFL’s history.

In his acceptance remarks, De Leon said, “It is with great humility that I accept this award. It was a hard road. My dad never wanted me to play sports. He wanted me to be like a doctor, whatever. That wasn’t in my DNA at all. There was an old movie, The Sound of Music and there was a line by Julie Andrews which went like this: For somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good.”

The event was to mark the SSFL 50th anniversary and De Leon used the opportunity to urge the nation’s young athletes to allow their pursuits of higher education and excellence in sport be the match made in heaven.

“Please fulfill your dreams academically. You have to marry the two: books and sports. It will never leave you. Dedication, respect for yourself, respect others and most of all enjoy what the heck you do.”

Former national skipper and ex-Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke was honour for his sterling contribution to the league in the 80s, alongside former national coach Russell Latapy, as well as retired national players Leonson Lewis, Hutson Charles and Marvin Faustin.

Clayton Morris, another former national captain was the toast for his contribution to the SSFL during the 70s under the John Donaldson Technical Institute banner, while ex-Malick Secondary Comprehensive’s Arnold Dwarika was reward as one of the star’s during the 90s. 

SSFL 50th ANNIVERSARY AWARDS

Female Players from 2000 to 2014

Kerdie Johnson (St. Aug), Kayla Taylor (Debe), Maria Shade (Debe) Karyn Forbes (Signal H), Avanell Isaac (St. Aug), Nadia James, (Malick) Anastasia Prescott, (Malick) Maylee Attin Johnson, (D/Martin C) Allana Burgen, (Malick) Ayans Ruussell, (El Do E) Dernell Mascall (Moruga) Cecile Hinds (P/ville), Stephinie Beam (Debe), Ahkeela Mollon, (UCB) Analise Cummings (ST. Aug), Naomi Guerra (ST. Aug), Patrice Superville (P/ville), Patrice Campbell (Eldo), Kennya Cordener (Signal Hill)

Goalkeepers—Linfah Jones (Debe), Candice Edwards, (Signal Hill) Kimika Forbes (Scarborough),

BOY COACHES OF THE 50 YEAR PERIOD

Bertile St. Clair Signal Hill Secondary—14 titles

Nigel Grosvenor St. Anthony’s College—12 titles

Muhammad Isa San Fernando Technical Institute—9 titles

Kenneth Franco Malick Secondary 9 titles

Kenny Thomas St Augustine 6 titles

Leonard Curtain Queen’s Royal College 5 titles

Michael Grayson St. Augustine 5 titles

GIRL COACHES OF THE 30 YEAR PERIOD

Stephen Smart Malick Secondary 15 titles

Arnold Murphy Debe Secondary 12 titles

Desiree Sargeant St. Augustine 6 titles

Six Pioneer Schools who started the Colleges League which became the Secondary Schools Football League in 1976 are:

North South

St. Mary’s College St. Benedict’s College

Queen’s Royal College Naparima College

Fatima College Presentation College

SSFL NATIONAL OFFICERS LONG SERVICE AWARDS

Roy Jagroopsingh—President, & Vice President —eight years (posthumous)

Ormond Gabriel—General Secretary Treasurer —20 years (posthumous)

Ewing Davis—President—17)years (longest serving president)

Azaad Mohammed Khan—General Secretary Treasurer twenty 23 years

Anthony Creed—President & Vice President—19 years

1960s: Leroy De Leon (St. Ben), Warren Archibald (St. Ben), Steve David (St Ben),Bobby Sookram (St. Ben), Wilfred Cave (St. Ben) Dr. Alvin Henderson (CIC), Ian Bain (CIC), Everard Cummings (Fat), Roger Duprey (Fat Col), Ellis Sadaphal (QRC), Jan Steadman (ST. Ben) Rolph Clarke (QRC)

1970s: Richard Chinapoo (Trin Col), Wayne Lewis (Belmont BS), Ron La Forest (Belmont BS), Garnet Craig (Fat Col), Leroy Spann (Sando Tech), Vernon Skinner (Trin Col), Ian Clauzel (E. Mucurapo S), Luciano Woodley (CIC), Clayton Morris ( John Don Inst), Peter Mitchell (Sando Tech) Neil Williams (CIC).

1980s: Russell Latapy (Tranquility Government/ San Fernando Tech), Garth Pollonais (St. Aug S), Dwight Yorke (Signal Hill S), Timothy Haynes (Arima Sec), David Nakid (CIC), Angus Eve (E Muc Sec), Clint Marcelle (E Muc Sec), Hutson Charles (E Muc Sec), Marvin Faustin (San Fern Tech), Leonson lewis 

(San Fern Tech),

1990s: Arnold Dwarika (Malick S), Mickey Trotman (Arima S), Carlos Edwards (St. Anth), Anthony Sherwood (Pres S/F), Wesley Webb (St Ben), Shawn David (Malick), Jeron Nixon (St Aug), Ivan Sampson (St Ben), Shaun Boney (El Do E), Marvin Oliver (San Juan N), Cornell Glenn (E Muc), Gary Glasgow (Malick) Kerwyn Jermott (Malick) Stern John (El Do E) 

2000s: Ataullah Guerra (E Muc), Shahdon Winchester (Naparima Coll), Devorn Jorsling (Malick Secondary), Kenwyn Jones (St Anth), Nkosi Blackman (St Benedict’s), Jerol Forbes (Naparima College), Kevin Molino (East Mucurapo Secondary), Elijah Manners (San Juan North), Jamal Gay (El Dorado East), Elton John (St Augustine), Kevon Neaves 

(St Anthony’s)

It was a memorable year for eight-year-old chess player Rayden Rampersad. 

The Under-8 national champion added lustre to his name not only by the breadth of his participation in the sport but, more impressively, by the records that he has set at his level of the game. 

To begin with, Rayden emerged the Under-8 absolute National Junior Champion and, in doing so, he earned a FIDE rating of 1448, becoming the youngest player in the country with such a distinction.

In August he set another indelible record in the Under-8 section of the CAC Youth Chess Festival held in Trinidad, gaining the title of Candidate Master, the youngest ever T&T chessist to gain such status. 

At the same time he won a silver medal for placing second overall on the tie-break. 

For his age, young Rampersad has shown an enormous appetite for the royal game, playing in tournaments at home and abroad. 

The reason for this, no doubt, is the coaching and competitive spirit he has experienced as a member of the GMPS Chess Club run by David Martin, former President of the T&T Chess Association.

At the Caribbean Chess Carnival held at the Queen’s Park Oval, Rayden again distinguished himself placing second in the Under 10 category. 

He was also able to hold his own in the rapid-play arena, taking seventh place in the Under 12 section of the AIB tournament, sixth spot in the same category of the Indian Arrival Day One-Day contest, sixth again in the First Flight Air Ambulance Invitational One Day Rapid Play and fifth in the Central Vikings One Day event. 

In most of these contests he played in categories higher than his own and had to meet a number of stronger players. He was back in winner’s row in the Paladins Primary School Individual Competition, playing in the Under 10 group. 

In his sojourns abroad, representing T&T, Rayden also enjoyed good results. 

He placed 15th among 52 players in the Under 8 class of the Pan Am Youth Tournament and seventh overall among the Under 8s in the Carifta Youth Contest. Although the youngster failed to get the Player of the Year nomination from a selection committee appointed by the T&TCA, Rayden should be pleased with his performance at home and abroad. 

He has set records in the sport that will remain on the history books forever, records that should mark not only his youthful talent but also as a future national champion of T&T. However, David Martin, coach of the GMPS Chess Club, admits frankly that he lacks the expertise to take his charges beyond the 1600 level and certainly not in the IM class. 

“The sport as a whole is stifled by the lack of higher level training,” he noted. 

“That is the reason why our outstanding players prefer to pursue higher level education than continue their chess careers.”

Most likely that is the course that Rayden would take, he added. Now, however, the youngster is a model member of the GMPS club even assisting him in teaching newcomers in the fundamentals of the game. 

“Chess is Rayden’s first love,” says Martin. 

“He has an enormous potential for the sport with a bright future in it, but I think he will eventually have to follow the pattern set by other outstanding players.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s National Futsal team will kick off their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying campaign against Antigua/Barbuda at the Sala Polivalente Kid Chocolate in Cuba today at 5.30 pm (4.30 pm Cuban time).

T&T will need to top the group to automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Finals which will be held in Costa Rica in May. T&T, coached by Clayton Morris, faces Guyana in their second outing on Saturday and Curacao a day later.

T&T head coach Clayton Morris said his team which includes the likes of experienced Futsal players Jerwyn Balthazar of the Defence Force and goalkeeper Kevin Graham, will be aiming to stamp their authority on the tournament from early.

“We are looking to win all three games and get into the CONCACAF round without having to depend on any other results,” Morris said.

“Our team is well balanced and the players are committed to getting a job done in Cuba. We may not have played much international games with this new bunch but there are players who have played at this level before since we last won the Caribbean title in 2008. And therefore I believe we’ll be on solid ground.”

T&T’s second opponent, Guyana will be under the guidance of Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director, Claude Bolton and their team includes the likes of Konata Mannings, Eusi Phillips, Daniel Favourite, Solomon Austin, Jerome Richardson, Travis Grant, Daniel Wilson, Sherwin Skeete and Richard Reynolds.

Jamaica meantime, which is in the other group with Cuba, is by former Reggae Boyz senior team head coach Theodore Whitmore, Guadeloupe and St Maarten are the other teams in the group.

The top two teams at the CFU Futsal Championship will advance to the CONCACAF stage with the third placed team meeting the third placed team from Central America, for the third spot.

Between 10 September and 1 October this year, Colombia is set to host the eighth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, where a total of 24 national teams will be competing for the title currently held by Brazil—who at Thailand 2012 claimed the crown for the fifth time.

The final four spots at the Futsal World Cup will be decided at the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, taking place in San Jose, Costa Rica, between 8 and 15 May.

To date, only holders Mexico and hosts Costa Rica have their involvement confirmed, with the other six competing nations to emerge from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying championship (22-26 January, Cuba, 2.5 places available); the North American Football Union play-off (United States and Canada will play off over 5 and 6 May); and the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) qualifying championship (21-31 January in Guatemala; 2.5 places). The play-off tie between the third-placed finishers in the CFU and UNCAF championships will be held over 5 and 6 May.

WALTER ALIBEY 

Disappointed over government’s refusal to pay the salaries of ex Soca Warriors coach Dutchman Wim Rijsbergen, Oliver Camps, the former president of the T&T Football Federation has agreed to sell a property to clear the debt. His decision comes on the day that the court was expected to rule on whether his properties should be sold to clear a debt of approximately $3.8 million. 

Lennox Sankarsingh, legal representative for the T&T Cricket Board, was expected to lobby for an extension on the payment of the funds to Rijsbergen. Attorney Russell Huggins, who represented Camps’ daughter Sandra, presented a promise that something would be sold to erase the debt. She said her father believes it is wrong for the public to pay the debt. 

The Camps are hoping that the sale of a property will cover the amount ordered by the court, but Sandra added if the sale did not reach the required amount, they will decide what they should do then. Sandra explained that close to $1 million of the debt owing to Rijsbergen was accumulated through taxes and she is hoping that government can waive this. 

“From the total that we were given to pay, about $1 million was accumulated through tax, so I am now hoping government can waive the tax so that we can pay off the bill.” 

She recently approached sports minister Darryl Smith who could not provide assistance and will be seeking an audience with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to advance her father’s concerns. She explained that her father expressed his disappointment in the government’s reluctance to clear a bill that they promised to pay. 

In 2006/2007, a verbal agreement was made by then Prime Minister Patrick Manning to pay the salaries for the Dutch coach, which was why Camps took the initiative of hiring Rijsbergen. Because of legal complications, the TTFA was registered as a sole proprietor under Camps’ name.
In an effort to assist the former football administrator, president of the T&T Cricket Board Azim Bassarath, on Monday offered to raise close to $400,000 to help pay the bill.

Camps did not want to comment this.  

Sandra took a swipe at critics who have been saying that her father benefitted financially from the football federation.  “My father did not benefit financially from the TTFF. He went abroad on official business for the federation and he may have allowed people to do things that they should not have done, but my father is an honest man and if I knew that he had benefitted from the TTFF, then I would be the first to say that he should accept the consequences,” she ended. 

Classy West Indies and T&T Red Force batsman Darren Bravo will be in the local team when it faces Barbados Pride in the Nagico Super50 final at the Queen’s Park Oval, tomorrow.

Bravo, whose 95 was the foundation for the Red Force’s 54-run victory over the Guyana Jaguars in the first semifinal on Wednesday, suffered a thigh strain during the innings and did not take the field when the Guyanese chased down T&T’s eventual 259/9.

However, Bravo confirmed yesterday he will be ready. “When I was on 52, I turned for a second run but felt a slight strain. But once I put some ice on it and have the phsyio take a look, I should be ready,” he said.

The Red Force made light work of the Guyana Jaguars to land their third successive Nagico Super50 finals and will be looking to repeat as champions of the three-year old tournament in tomorrow’s final. 

 Bravo’s  95, along with 43 from West Indies teammate Denesh Ramdin and 33 from Kjorn Ottley were backed up by a sound bowling performance that scuttled the visitors for 205 from 48.3 overs.

Off-spinner Jon Russ Jagessar underlined his growing reputation with 3/36, while Narsingh Deonarine (2-35) and Akeem Hosein (2-42), proved a handful.

 Guyana lost their top three batsmen for 42 runs with Deonarine sending back opener Assad Fudadin (9) and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul (6) before skipper Jason Mohammed accounted for Vishaul Singh (20).

The Guyanese middle showed some fight through a partnership of 65 between skipper Leon Johnson (20) and Anthony Bramble (51). But once Johnson became the first of Jagessar’s victims, and Bramble, the first for Hosein, Guyana never recovered, with wickets falling regularly.

Earlier, Bravo needed 108 balls and struck four fours and five sixes en route to his top score, while Ramdin, with whom he added 90 for the fourth wicket struck five fours and faced 44 balls for his 43. Bravo’s partnership with Ottley was worth 85 for the third wicket with Ottley needing 62 balls. he struck three fours.

Skipper Mohammed paid tribute to his team, describing the effort as satisfying. “It’s wonderful to see how the senior players have adapted and are making a difference. Bravo’s innings was important but so too, were Ramdin’s and Ottley’s. I think our bowlers hit the right areas. I was a bit disappointed with the number of catches we dropped but hopefully we can correct this in the final.”

Bravo called on the public to come out and support the team. “It’s going to be a good match and we want the fans to come out and support us.”

SCOREBOARD

T&T Inns
E Lewis c Bramble b Jacobs    20
K Hope c Johnson b Jacobs    15
K Ottley c Johnson b Motie    33
D Bravo c Reifer b Permaul    95
D Ramdin c Wintz b Reifer    43
J Mohammed c Bramble b Wintz    3
N Deonarine c Johnson b Wintz    7
A Hosein c Reifer b Permaul    3
M Richards not out    16
R Emrit c Barnwell b Permaul    4
J Jaggessar not out    0
Extras (b1, lb4, w15)    20
Total (for 9 wkts 50ovs)    259
Fall of wkts: 39, 44, 129, 219. 227, 236, 236, 242, 253. 
Bowling: P Wintz 10-0-67-2, S Jacobs 6-1-12-2, R Reifer 10-1-39-1, C Barnwell 6-0-27-0, V Permaul 10-0-56-3,  L Johnson 3-0-19-0, G Motie 5-0-34-1.   

Guyana Inns
V Singh st Ramdin b Mohammed    20
A Fudadin  lbw Deonarine    9
S Chanderpaul  b Deonarine    2
L Johnson lbw Jaggessar    20
A Bramble st Ramdin b Hosein    19
R Reifer b Jaggessar    12
C Barnwell b Emrit    22
V Permaul c Ramdin b Hosein    6
P Wintz  c Hope b Jaggessar    26
G Motie not out    17
J Jacobs injured
Extras (10w, 6lb)    16
Total (for 9 wkts -48.3)    205.
Fall of wkts: 26, 38, 42, 107, 119, 141, 154, 165, 205.    
Bowling:  R Emrit 9-1-36-1, Jaggessar 10-2-36-3, Narsingh 9-1-35-2, Richards 7-0-25-0, Mohammed 4-0-25-1, Hosein 10-0-42-2.
Result: T&T won by 54 runs.
Man of the match: Darren Bravo.

Last season’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 champions T&T Red Steel will be known as the T&T Knight Riders for this year’s edition of the tournament, which bowls off in June.

CPL insiders revealed that the owners of the T&T Red Steel franchise, who also own the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier league (IPL), have requested a name change for the T&T franchise.

Last year, the T&T Red Steel was bought by Red Chillies Entertainment which is owned by Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, as well as Jay Mehta. 

The team won the title in front of home supporters at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, and fans were looking ahead to another successful season for the Red Steel.

The nucleus of the new T&T Knight Riders is expected to remain and Dwayne Bravo will be at the helm. However, the team’s marquee foreign player would be the New Zealand Brendan McCullum, who plays for the KKR in the IPL. McCullum was one of the standout players in last year’s World Cup where he led New Zealand to the final.

The draft for the tournament is scheduled for February 11 at the Hilton Barbados and the six teams will finalise their roster for the tournament. It is understood that some of the Bollywood stars involved in the set-up would be present at the draft.

This CPL will be making significant strides this year, as matches are carded for outside of the Caribbean. There is a block of matches at the end of July which is scheduled to take place at the Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, which is the only International Cricket Council (ICC) recognised venue in the United States.

Slaughter of the innocents. That was how Laventille residents yesterday described the double murder of two schoolboys, who were dragged from a taxi and shot dead while on their way home at Upper Picton Road.

The victims have been identified as Success Laventille Secondary School students Denelson Smith, 17, and Mark Richards, 16, by residents of Upper Picton Road, Laventille. 

Mark Thomas, a member of Project Reason, who lives in the community, told the T&T Guardian that the killing of the two was a slaughter. 

“If I could speak to the gangsters and them I will tell them that in all wars there are rules of engagement, please excuse the non-combatants. If you know there are people who not in this war, I can’t even call this a war that what happened was slaughter. They picking out the best fruits,” Thomas said.

He said Smith was an aspiring pilot, and had been attending aviation classes every July-August vacation. Thomas said crime was a disease and it should be treated as such, adding that one cure was for the people to unite against the wrongdoers and co-operate with the police.

“Maybe we could stop a retaliation, we as the people have the power but we keeping silent. We have to come together and take away the power from them (killers),” he added. 

Police said the teens, both Form Four students, were on their way home with two other classmates when gunmen stopped the car they were in, ordered all the children out and shot the two teens.

Smith collapsed and died near Fatima Trace while Richards died a short distance away. The teens lived not from where they died. Smith lived at Mulrain Trace, Picton, and Richards at Sogren Trace. The killing police said happened around 3.15 pm.

At the murder scene yesterday Smith’s brother, Devin, called for a ceasefire among warring gangs.

He said his brother was always indoors and only ventured outside when it was time for school or when he was going out to lime with friends out of the area. He said his brother was a good person who got along well with all.

“I hear people laughing up the road, saying they get two and they laughing,” Devin said. 

Smith’s mother screamed that her son’s death will become just another statistic and that no justice wil come out of her son’s killing. Overcome with grief she could not be interviewed when approached at the scene. 

Both police and residents were wrestling with a plausible motive for the shooting as neither teens were said to be involved in anything illegal. 

A woman, who lives not too far from where the boys were killed, said she has lived in the area for most of her 60-plus years and described the tragedy as “heart-rending.” The woman said the presence of police officers in the area could not be a deterrent until the minds of mankind change.

Her neighbour said he was just entering his home when he heard the gunshots and later saw Smith’s body a short distance from his car which was parked along Picton Road. 

“I accustomed to this but this is the first time that it was so close. I living here all my life, 54 years, and we tired of this shooting,” he said, suggesting a police post in the area may be a deterrent. 

Cops concerned over murder rate

In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday head of the Homicide Bureau, Snr Supt Oswald Cudjoe, said the police would work to solve the murders as soon as possible, given that from all initial information the teens were not involved in anything illegal. 

In an interview before the murders yesterday, Cudjoe said the hierarchy of the Police Service was concerned with the murder rate and have been trying to combat it but was being starved of vital information that the public could offer.

 He said while the police were doing what they could, without the public’s assistance it was a major stumbling block.

Cudjoe added that of the 33 murders for the year two have been solved with a teenager and a 53-year-old man before the court charged with murder. 

He added: “Between December and January that is normally a high period and we are conscious of that and have put things in place like increased patrols to help stem the tides. 

“But there are sporadic murders and murders happening out of the hot spots. I believe we have capacity and ability to arrest the thing. People want the murders solved but they don’t want to come forward. 

“We cannot do it alone, we need the assistance. The solve rate will increase. We will bring it down to an acceptable level but as I read, man heart is evil.

“No one knows when a man is going to kill someone. What we will tackle are gang violence and organised crimes. We have to focus on that,” Cudjoe added.  ​

There will be a probe—Garcia 

Education Minister Anthony Garcia reacted with horror and anger yesterday after being informed about the double murder of two students.

A statement from the Education Ministry last night said Garcia, who is attending a University of the West Indies meeting in Jamaica, stated that officials of the Student Support Services would visit the Success Laventille Secondary School today to provide grief counselling to both classmates and staff.

“I am disturbed by the fact that our students are not safe while using public transport and what is even more disturbing is that they were killed while in school uniform. I will be calling for a full investigation into this matter as incidents such as this should not be allowed to occur,” the release quoted the minister as saying.

Police have identified the students as Mark Richards, of Sogren Trace, Picton Road, and Denelson Smith, of Mulrain Trace, Laventille. The release said both the police and MTS security at the school have confirmed that Richards was a student of the school but did not attend classes yesterday morning. 

According to police they were passengers in a taxi when gunmen pulled up and opened fire on them. They were killed instantly. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is currently acting as the Minister of Education. 

The tiny village of Parlatuvier, Tobago, reacted in shock yesterday after two villagers — a husband and wife — were killed after their pickup van plunged off a precipice on the winding North Side Road, near Castara.

The couple was identified as Maurice “Brown Boy” Lewis, 65, and his wife, Verna, of Rock Top, Parlatuvier.

According to reports the accident occurred around noon when Maurice lost control of his Toyota Hilux pickup van. Eyewitnesses said the vehicle struck a lamp post, ran off the road and plunged down a precipice and landed in a ravine.

Police say Maurice was pinned behind the steering wheel and rescuers had to use hydraulic cutting tools to free his body. He died on the scene. His wife, Verna, who was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was taken to hospital by an ambulance. However, she succumbed to her injuries while undergoing emergency surgery at hospital.

Maurice was a retiree from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA while Verna was employed as a checker with the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities.

Acting Sergeant Baird of the Scarborough Traffic Branch is spearheading investigations.

In a statement issued hours after the double fatality, the Police Service noted the sharp increase in the road death toll which now stands at 13, ten more than last year’s comparable figure.

The Police Service said many of the fatal accidents could have been prevented and urged motorists to be responsible on the roads.

“With Carnival less than three weeks away, we appeal to drivers to manage their time when heading to events to reduce the chance of speeding. 

“Traffic injury research has shown a causative relationship between driving speeds and occupant injuries, so that in a vehicular crash with an impact speed of 80 km/h, the likelihood of death of the vehicle’s occupants is 20 times what it would have been at an impact speed of 30 km/h,” the statement added.

It advised fatigued drivers to stop at a safe, secure location to rest, such as a mall car park or close to a police or fire station and rest.

It cited research by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which stated that a fatigued or sleepy driver was even more dangerous than a drunk driver.

Evidence suggests that a 20-minute nap is the most effective counter-measure against fatigue related collisions, the statement said.

The Police Service noted that on Saturday 18 drivers were arrested and charged for drunk driving offences by the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch DUI Task Force. Sixteen of those drivers pleaded guilty and are to re-appear before Magistrate Ali in the Port of Spain Sixth Court for sentencing. Two of them pleaded not guilty and have their cases fixed for trial.

DANIEL: Gemma Geraldine nee Legall age 64yrs, former employee of Guardian Life Ltd died on Sunday 17th January, 2016. Daughter of Carlton and Geraldine Legall (both deceased). Mother of Sheldon Daniel and Sheron Legall-Dixon. Sister of Jenny Ford, Carlie, Roger (dec), Ronnie and Gerard Legall. Grandmother of Annika.

Mother in Law of Krista. Aunt of Giselle Legall-Christie, Crystal, Clint, Chardae & Collin Legall, Jason & Chad Ford and Jenna Poyer. Sister in Law of Shirley & Betty Legall and Carl Ford (dec). Niece of Monica Davis, Vinola Wilson, Erwin & Don Boissiere, Merle Chambers, Shirley King, Jean De Freitas and Selwyn Legall.

Funeral service for the late Gemma Geraldine Daniel takes place at 9:00am on Saturday 23rd January, 2016 at the All Saints Anglican Church, Marli Street, Port-of Spain thence to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery, POS. Enquiries, Lee s Funeral Directors, 50 EMR, St.Augustine, 663-1010.  

CHAN POON: GUY died peacefully at home on Monday January 18th, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Uckleen. Devoted father of Mark. Brother of Georgiana (Yuklan), Agatha (Yukmoy) deceased, Joan (Yuksin) Acanne. Uncle of Richard (Sharon), Frances, Alan and Therese Acanne. Brother in law of Maurice Acanne, Kemlin Laurence (deceased), Kemoy Niamath, Kemlan Yaw Ching, Shirley Foon, Bernadette Nathaniel, Ganying, Anthony and Annette Ching.

Funeral service for the late Guy Chan Poon takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday January 22nd at St. Anthony s R.C. Church, Petit Valley. Interment at Mucurapo Cemetery. A collection will be taken up for the St. Mary s College Past Students Union. For enquiries call R. M. de Souza Memorial Chapel Limited 223- 2007/637-2009.