Over the last few months, a lot has been written about the impact of the new taxation regime on the gaming houses in Trinidad and Tobago. Essentially, the argument being put forward by those opposed to the tax is that it will cause a significant loss of employment within the sector itself. The irony of these arguments is that little regard has been placed on the impact of these gaming outlets on employment in other sectors in general and the horse-racing community in particular.

While some argue that the slowdown in the local economy has been the main cause of the decline of the horse racing industry, there is considerable evidence to suggest that this is not entirely the case. While there is no denying that the sector has a number of self-inflicted wounds, it has also been dealt some deadly blows by the rise of illegal gaming activities in T&T.

Horse racing at Santa Rosa Park with bets placed at the track or its dwindling (Off Track Betting) OTB outlets is the only avenue through which the government can be assured that they compute accurately and have due for collection all of the taxes due to the state.

The horse-racing industry, through the many service providers be them the trainers, grooms, feed handlers, jockeys, direct employees of the track and various regulatory bodies employ at least as much as the various gaming locations and considerably more than most of the illegal gaming outlets.

If one accepts the numbers quoted by the Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, who should be in a position to know, the turnover on betting in the gaming sector is three or four times greater than the turnover on betting placed through the Arima Race Track (ARC) and its OTB outlets. The ability of these gaming outlets to operate on the fringe or other side of legality also enable it to out-perform the local racing industry when it comes to payouts and facilities provided.

These outlets are also not subject to the restrictions imposed on the horse-racing industry when it comes to days or times of operations. And we need to understand that gaming operations are not just the private member clubs and/or casinos, gaming outlets include any shop or grocery with an electronic gaming machine. The very same machines that the Minister of Finance have now brought within the tax net.

The local horse-racing industry cannot compete with this unfair competition. The betting pools cannot compete with this unfair competition and as such, it is no surprise to see gaming machines popping up at some of those establishments as well.

While the tax on the machines/tables represent an attempt to generate some revenue for the State, it is really a plaster over the problem. There is no country in the world that allows gaming to take place in such an unfettered manner, wherein anyone who wants to install and electronic gaming machine or roulette table or some other betting medium can do so with impunity. The costs to a country of such is just too great and it is more than the tax revenue forgone.

There is loss of employment in other gaming sectors, there is loss of productivity generally due to time spent, there is increased random crime as criminals target these outlets for robbery given the knowledge of the amount of cash generated by these activities, there is moral decay and family issues occasioned by the wastage of money.

In T&T, our gaming outlets also undermine the stability and smooth operating of the foreign exchange market. The foreign exchange market!

One does not need to be omnipresent to know that many of the gaming outlets in this country, legal and illegal, are major purchasers of any USD that someone would like to dispose of and they are willing and able to offer rates higher than those available through the authorised channels.

Unless they are prevented from doing so, the gaming sector will undermine any exchange rate for the TTD because they MUST get the foreign exchange, either to repatriate to their foreign owners or for their own purposes.

Official channels are not as readily accessible by this sector, so they have created their own channel, which has made the black market even darker. Taxation of the sector does little to restrain this activity.

The only effective solution is for the proper authorities to clamp down on the number of gaming outlets in this country. With an unemployment rate of less than five per cent and numerous retailers advertising for workers, any workers displaced would not remain displaced for long if they are willing to work.

This clamp down—to be achieved through closure of illegal operations—will redirect betting to official and regulated channels, reduce the pressure on the foreign exchange, reduce some of the random robberies and improve overall productivity in the society. #reininillegalgaming

Time to get tough, not only talk tough!

Coming off a successful brace of matches against Jamaica, Head Coach of the Women’s National Program Jamaal Shabazz and his staff have taken advantage of the Thanksgiving school break in the USA to assemble a team that includes eight foreign based players for the local live in camp. Shabazz told Guardian Media Sports, “This is an extremely important week towards our preparations for the Concacaf U20 Qualifiers, when you have so many foreign based players, the team has to be built in parts and opportunities like these are welcomed, this week we are going to work, work and work to lay the tactical foundation of the team.”

Shabazz who spent his first week with the U20s Women prior to the Jamaica friendlies says he was encouraged by the talent pool available.

“ We must get them fitter and focussed. Once that happens this crop of players will make T&T proud in the short and long term, we inherited a group of players who had previous international exposure under some good coaches like Rajesh Latchoo, Marlon Charles, Jason Spence and Ken Elie, and they have reignited my passion for the football of the field and as a staff we are just as excited as the players,” revealed Shabazz.

The foreign based contingent includes Amaya Ellis, Renah Campbell, Kenedie St Mary, Lauren Duffy, Sydney Boiselle, Rebecca Almandoz , Asha James, Shadi Cecily Stoute, Alexis Fortune and Megan Rampersad.

Speaking about the sessions Shabazz pointed to the sacrifice made by the players.

“We have locally based players training with us in the mornings then going to school and returning for the late evening sessions.

“Its important for us to keep it real and not lose sight of the fact that they are student athletes.

Ranae Ward, Brittney Williams, Klil Keshwar ( Bishop Anstey High School) Jaasiel Forde (UWI) Malika Dedier ( Bishop’s East ) Chelcy Ralph and Kadie Johnson ( St Augustine Senior) are some of the players still in school.

The staff has been joined by Saron Joseph who was been drafted from the men’s senior team as a Trainer.

Camp goes until the weekend ending with a game versus the National U15 Boys team.

On Thursday, November 9, at just 24 years, Ayana Shallima Garcia, the youngest in her class, Ayana graduated with her Master of Arts in Carnival Studies Degree. Definitely neither nerd or bookworm, Garcia is more aptly defined as an allrounder; a Jenny of all trades. She is also a crackshot pan musician who is also an avid photographer, producer, writer and composer.

Born one month before time on September 19, 1993, Ayana displayed her love for music and the culture of T&T as a toddler. The fact that her parents own a business next to Kitchener’s Revue tent on Wrightson Road exposed her to many calypsonians.

Said Allima Garcia, Ayana’s mother: “When Ayana was born I wasn’t sure how Saieed, her elder brother, would react having heard so many stories of siblings fighting. But Saieed lived up to his role as big brother, always protecting her and looking after her. In fact, he is the reason she started school at two-and-a-half years.”

Ayana’s love affair with the steelpan is one that transcends her relatively young age. From as early as the age of three, she was taught the rudiments of the steelpan by none other than her godfather, arranger and composer Robert Greenidge. She had to stand on a box to reach the pan but she persevered. This relationship played a significant role in her future career plans.

Ayana’s first school experience was at a kindergarten school in the East before moving to Trinity Junior School. Her mother reminisced: “I remember there were tears everyday from Ayana to go to school. When Saieed went off to secondary school she insisted in dropping him off to school first before she went to her school. Then, when he entered university he would have to go with their dad (Cleveland Garcia) to drop Ayana off to secondary school before dropping off at the university even though it was walking distance. Saieed is a part of the reason Ayana switched programmes and did music instead of Animation which she signed up for but it was at John D and he was moving to O’Meara.”

Whilst at Trinity Junior School, Ayana made arrangements with her computer lessons teacher to have her session early so that she could also attend music classes. After two months her music teacher, Ava Hutchinson-Agard (Aunty Ava) approached her mother for the outstanding music fees. Her secret was out; Ayana was doing two classes at the same time and excelling in both.

Having started school at three, Ayana wrote her SEA Exams at age ten passing for her first choice Bishop Anstey High School.

Having successfully completed her CSEC studies at the tender age of 15, Ayana entered the University of T&T (UTT) in 2009 to pursue the certificate in Pan and Music Literacy Programme. She being the youngest person to attend UTT; through tenacity and hard work she persevered, completing a two-year course in one year and emerging successful. Ayana enrolled in UTT’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programme in Music and has had the pleasure of being tutored by Desmond Waithe, who taught her the art of playing classical music on the steelpan and improving her technique in many ways.

Ayana has represented UTT by performing at various functions. She has played for the President of UTT, the Prime Minister and the President of Nigeria, just to name a few. In addition to these performances, Ayana has performed for various events in her community through the Woodbrook Community Association and at a church in Chaguanas. She has played for bands such as Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Phase II Pan Groove and the stage side of PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra. Her love and dedication to the steelpan has led her to achieving much recognition from the UTT.

Ayana has also had the unique opportunity to play the Pan app on the iPad alongside two musical geniuses, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Ken “Professor” Philmore. She has also performed with her mentor Robert Greenidge at the opening ceremony for the Dimanche Gras. In 2015, Ayana graduated from the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music and was employed by Louis and Daren Lee Sing at Triniscene.com where she currently holds the position Production Manager.

Triniscene.com is a 16-year-old digital media entertainment brand that is evolving into the country’s premier live online television News, Current Affairs, Features, Sport and Entertainment entity.

Ayana handles the coordination of photography, videography and social media and produces a series of short shows for the company. Her love of culture certainly came in handy at Triniscene.com and inspired her to further her studies.

In 2016, Ayana enrolled in the Master of Arts in Carnival Studies at the UTT’s Academy of Arts, Letters and Public Affairs led by Dr Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust). The programme consists of a wide range of cultural and historical studies with courses such as Panyard Studies, History of Calypso, Calypso Composition, Ethnomusicology, Caribbean Culture and Carnival and Exploratory Research in the Social Sciences to name a few.

Many who know Ayana to be an ace pan musician were caught by surprise when she wrote and performed a calypso entitled The Pet Shop for her final exam in Calypso Composition. The hook line of the song “They want to buy meh cat” tickled the fancy of all who heard it.

Ayana continued to excel in her courses and presented her final thesis supervised by Dr Kim Johnson and Desmond Waithe. Her topic, Steelband Management, focussed on Silver Stars Steel Orchestra which she defined as a family-run style of management.

At the ripe and wizened age of 24, the sky is the limit for Ayana. She said: “My goal in life is to contribute to culture, especially steelband; to take steelband in Trinidad to another level and influence young people to appreciate our national instrument more.

“I wants to impart my knowledge and use what I learned through my time in the media industry and steelpan fraternity to share our local culture worldwide.

“Not forgetting my love for performing, currently I am working on her first steelpan album. I plan to continue my educational journey by pursuing my PhD.”

Said mummy Allima: “Both my children are partners in crime indeed; making mischief together always; cooking at 2 or 3 am. Both Ayana’s dad and I are so proud of the both of them. They always express content and are still appreciative of us; the Garcia foursome.”

(Reporting by Peter Ray Blood – peter.blood@guardian.co.tt)

I read the Facebook post on Natasha Navas on the prompting of my girlfriend out in Barbados who sounded so distressed.

Spiritual head of the Swaha Gyaan Jyoti Mandali, Jaidath Maharaj did his civic duty asking for assistance for Navas on social media. A few people objected to the forum, but overall the comments represented an outpouring of concern and overwhelming ‘bush’ diagnoses.

Few offered any solutions and that was most concerning. Again, the questions: Where do we go when we have a friend, a co-worker, a partner, a child, a parent, a sibling in crisis? How do communities—family, village, church and religious organisations—respond to such an emergency?

Navas according to the Pundit, “walked into the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali in Madras with all her belonging (sic).” She had been at the temple for three days and his plea was to have some intervention from relatives or friends “to make arrangements to collect her as the Temple is not equipped to handle living as well as person (sic) in that state of mind.”

He said, “She is of course not in her right senses,” she having indicated on arrival three days before that she was “waiting for someone to pick her up.”

My heart goes out to Pundit Maharaj and his members and to Navas’s relatives. As with so many situations before hers, there are very few options for treating with acute situations.

Worse yet, is that having been directed to the post, very quickly my tears were replaced by the vexing reality that many people here disregard the illnesses of the mind and the particular care required for healing and stabilising people. In their loud, uninformed opinions mental illnesses are “demonic forces” and “only the blood of Jesus 100 per cent” could heal the situation.

There was “a visionary, seeing this woman’s brain as being fried...the left brain is not sending messages to the right brain and vice versa. There is a complete disconnect and she needs to be hospitalised for the rest of her life.”

Then there was the other “visionary” who “don’t think any spiritual help can bring this woman back.” She opined “I have a feeling someone wanted her to ‘pull a string’ for her to get them a millionaire dollar project while being Mayor, and when she refused, they either spiked her drink, or injected her with a brain-damaging drug.”

Then there was this, “Many may disagree few will understand but this is a spiritual war that is being fought. A war of good vs bad. I am sorry what has happened to Natasha. Her family maybe distraught but at least they should keep her locked up home...sought (sic) help but keep it private.

Then the kicker, “There is a woman in Rosillac (sic) that does excellent work… maybe the family can look for that woman she maybe (sic) able to help.”

I do not know anyone who does not go the doctor when they are acutely ill. When it comes to mental illnesses though, it is always an issue of a spirit lash, karma, bad mind and bad blood that “only the blood of Jesus Christ”, and “the lady behind the bridge in Tacarigua” and the “Kali Temple” can fix.

So many people are ignorant and dangerously outspoken without understanding that we should not treat the illnesses of the mind any different from physical illnesses and many times in addition to the value of prayer, it is the doctor who brings a healing intervention. That’s why God conceived doctors.

I long for this place to produce more than such bigoted, judgmental, pious, uninformed offerings.

Hopefully, by this time, Navas would have had an appropriate intervention that involved a doctor and professional treatment or a referral to determine a diagnosis and appropriate action.

• Caroline C Ravello is a strategic communication and media professional and a public health practitioner. She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (The UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

I read the Facebook post on Natasha Navas on the prompting of my girlfriend out in Barbados who sounded so distressed.

Spiritual head of the Swaha Gyaan Jyoti Mandali, Jaidath Maharaj did his civic duty asking for assistance for Navas on social media. A few people objected to the forum, but overall the comments represented an outpouring of concern and overwhelming ‘bush’ diagnoses.

Few offered any solutions and that was most concerning. Again, the questions: Where do we go when we have a friend, a co-worker, a partner, a child, a parent, a sibling in crisis? How do communities—family, village, church and religious organisations—respond to such an emergency?

Navas according to the Pundit, “walked into the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali in Madras with all her belonging (sic).” She had been at the temple for three days and his plea was to have some intervention from relatives or friends “to make arrangements to collect her as the Temple is not equipped to handle living as well as person (sic) in that state of mind.”

He said, “She is of course not in her right senses,” she having indicated on arrival three days before that she was “waiting for someone to pick her up.”

My heart goes out to Pundit Maharaj and his members and to Navas’s relatives. As with so many situations before hers, there are very few options for treating with acute situations.

Worse yet, is that having been directed to the post, very quickly my tears were replaced by the vexing reality that many people here disregard the illnesses of the mind and the particular care required for healing and stabilising people. In their loud, uninformed opinions mental illnesses are “demonic forces” and “only the blood of Jesus 100 per cent” could heal the situation.

There was “a visionary, seeing this woman’s brain as being fried...the left brain is not sending messages to the right brain and vice versa. There is a complete disconnect and she needs to be hospitalised for the rest of her life.”

Then there was the other “visionary” who “don’t think any spiritual help can bring this woman back.” She opined “I have a feeling someone wanted her to ‘pull a string’ for her to get them a millionaire dollar project while being Mayor, and when she refused, they either spiked her drink, or injected her with a brain-damaging drug.”

Then there was this, “Many may disagree few will understand but this is a spiritual war that is being fought. A war of good vs bad. I am sorry what has happened to Natasha. Her family maybe distraught but at least they should keep her locked up home...sought (sic) help but keep it private.

Then the kicker, “There is a woman in Rosillac (sic) that does excellent work… maybe the family can look for that woman she maybe (sic) able to help.”

I do not know anyone who does not go the doctor when they are acutely ill. When it comes to mental illnesses though, it is always an issue of a spirit lash, karma, bad mind and bad blood that “only the blood of Jesus Christ”, and “the lady behind the bridge in Tacarigua” and the “Kali Temple” can fix.

So many people are ignorant and dangerously outspoken without understanding that we should not treat the illnesses of the mind any different from physical illnesses and many times in addition to the value of prayer, it is the doctor who brings a healing intervention. That’s why God conceived doctors.

I long for this place to produce more than such bigoted, judgmental, pious, uninformed offerings.

Hopefully, by this time, Navas would have had an appropriate intervention that involved a doctor and professional treatment or a referral to determine a diagnosis and appropriate action.

• Caroline C Ravello is a strategic communication and media professional and a public health practitioner. She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (The UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

A well-known radio personality is taking the bull by the horn next year. Not in the literal sense, but do know that there’ll be no playing around when it comes to his delivery ahead of the 2018 Carnival season.

Smooth is back this year, after essentially wetting his feet in the business of soca three years ago. He’d been following up pretty well, but in 2018, the young professional who’s probably best known for causing a stir with the hit urban radio talk show Make Up Or Break Up says he’s about to pounce into the spotlight.

Smooth has never failed at anything he’s challenged himself to. In fact, more than anything else, Randy Mansoor, the young personality most now call Smooth, considers himself a true entrepreneur. From building a brand that’s among the strongest on the FM dial, to cementing himself in the advertising business and further to that, securing a top tier horse in the sport of horse racing, Smooth understands the importance of sticking to what his heart desires and consistently delivering his very best.

Ahead of Carnival 2018, the young entertainer has teamed up with Kerry John and, with a well penned single that’s now making inroads across the airwaves, the road to success in the music business is being carefully manoeuvred.

“I plan on giving this the attention it deserves, setting myself apart from everyone else and carving a niche soca product that’s not only great on the ear, but visibly attractive,” said Smooth. He believes in the power of marketing and already, he’s employed several strong digital media tactics, inclusive of social media takeovers, that have proven effective.

“We live in a digital world. Radio has the power to reach a mass audience; That can’t be denied, but when it comes to the online world, there’s no denying the power of social media, YouTube, email marketing and other similar avenues,” he said.

The new single, Self, is already working its way into the hearts of J’Ouvert lovers. The song was produced by young producer Yung Seeche and mastered by Andrew Denny. “This song is all about relying on ‘self’ for a good time in Carnival,” he explained, adding, “We’re leaving all the negative vibes at home when we decide to step out next year. If a friend or a partner cancels on you, still head out the door, party by yourself and have a great time, because all you need is ‘yuhself’,” said Smooth. He’s very serious about it too.

A a firm believer in self-reliance, Smooth explains that he himself is a loner most of the time. “I have no problem heading out to any event by myself. In fact, I enjoy my own company,” said the new artiste.

Smooth has another single set for release pretty soon. “I’m coming hard. I have no intention of stopping on this journey. It’s something new for me but I believe I have what it takes to enjoy success in this arena too,” he said with a smile.

For the latest on what’s happening with Smooth, connect with him on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @trinimrsmooth and on Facebook @Randy Anim Mansoor.

Inspiring! This was the word most commonly used to describe the exhilarating and enriching experience enjoyed by more than 200 young male students who participated in the 2017 Junior Achievement Annual Student Conference held at the Central Bank Auditorium on November 14.

Drawn from secondary schools across Trinidad, the young men listened in awe, and consternation at times, as they were afforded rare, insightful glimpses into the personal lives of a five-member panel who recounted how they triumphed over tremendous adversities, including tragedy, to lead successful and worthwhile lives.

The ambience of the Central Bank Auditorium provided the perfect setting for compelling ‘testimonials’ from the panellists comprising Gayelle the Caribbean CEO Errol Fabien, Commonwealth Youth Council vice-chair Policy, Advocacy and Projects Nikoli Edwards, Caribbean Union Conference field secretary Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Pastor Clive Dottin, Life Coach Anderson Williams, entrepreneur Noel Jacob and recipient of the 2017 Makandal Daaga Scholarship (Law) Kareem Marcelle.

Titled Maximising Manhood, Exploring Opportunity for Growth and Empowerment, the inter-active session was held in collaboration with RBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago. In attendance were JA directors Michael Callendar and Nigel Scott, a release said.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this conference for male students. The speakers were very inspirational, especially as each one spoke about their personal lives and how they were able to rise above their problems and become successful individuals. The lesson I learnt is that no matter how bad things are, you can rise above it if you put your heart into it,” said Jarrel Calliste, Form 4 student of Success/Laventille Secondary School.

For Ajay Parag, Form 5 student of St Joseph College, the experience was “learning about life”. “What I really take away from this conference is that success doesn’t come easy. Some people may have it easy but the majority face real problems in their lives. All the speakers demonstrated they had the will to overcome their problems. Their stories have inspired me to become the best I can be,” said a thoughtful Parag.

Servol tutor Selwyn Frederick, who accompanied his students to the conference, said the session was a “real eye-opener”, as the panellists were very open and forthright about their personal lives and how they were able to overcome their adversities. “The young men here today will do well to learn from these individuals and take them as role models for their own personal journeys,” said Frederick.

JA executive director, J Errol Lewis, said the overriding objective of the annual conference “is to prepare our young people to succeed in a global economy by providing them with knowledge, skills and meaningful exposure to mentors who will serve to ignite their desire to lead productive and worthwhile lives.

“Our panel includes professionals and successful individuals who will encourage students, young men in particular, to make changes in life that will cause them to hunger for success,” Lewis pointed out.

Fabien, moderator of the proceedings, told the audience that he reached the depths of despair as a drug addict, even sleeping on a piece of cardboard on the pavement before taking stock of himself. He entered a drug rehabilitation centre and kicked the habit, eventually charting a path as a successful businessman, entertainer and motivational speaker.

In a soul-searching contribution, scholarship winner Marcelle explained how he was able to overcome the stigma of living in Beetham Gardens. “My journey has been one of the hardest anyone has had to go through. When I was in Standard 5, my father abandoned the family and left for the United States. I was in a state of depression. My two elder brothers had to drop out of school to help out. There was not one single person in my extended family that I could look up to. Sometimes when we do not have a role model figure at home, we look for it in a gang leader,” Marcelle explained.

Driven by his ambition to rise above his surroundings, Marcelle said that being a student of Trinity College proved to be the catalyst in his life. “Moka was an upscale community and I wanted to reflect that environment. Then, my father, who had married in the US, killed his wife. That affected me badly. I felt that if my father was a criminal, maybe I was destined to be one, too. It affected my grades at school but I eventually came out of it. You, too, can overcome your adversities,” the scholarship winner assured the youths. Now an activist in community work and youth development, Marcelle organises an annual Christmas party for 500 children in Beetham Gardens.

Nikoli Edwards spoke of having to face personal challenges as a young man when his father was killed in a failed prison break at the Royal Gaol in Port-of-Spain two years ago. “I faced a lot of criticism from people who were attacking me, saying that I was nothing more than the son of a criminal. The amount of criticism and negativity I received would send you in a dark place. In less than two years, I was able to stand in the Parliament of T&T as a senator to speak on legislation on prison reform in the country,”

Noting that he has been criticised about his appearance and hairstyle, Edwards advised the youths: “Once you do something with a good heart and you believe in it, no amount of criticism will stop you from achieving your goal. Don’t be fearful of criticism, use it constructively.”

Life coach Williams cautioned the young men on their use of the internet and social media. “The internet has allowed humanity to operate on one dynamic base. Heightened predatory instincts have become the norm. People are trolling the internet to prey on the vulnerable. Those with low self-esteem are most vulnerable to those who seek to exploit the weakest. We have to be vigilant. We have to be deliberate and consistent in making correct choices in life. “We have to be clear about our own sense of self, know who we are and must have faith in the power that transcends all of us,” Williams urged the youths.

Businessman Noel “Scrapes” Jacob told the students that they must have dreams and ideas to pursue. “Do not keep them to yourselves because you feel people may laugh at you. There will be people who will put obstacles in your way and try to stop you. Anything you choose to do, do it with a passion,” urged Jacob, who started a car care business 26 years ago, noting that people would say that only “pipers” washed cars for a living. Today, he operates at four locations with 21 employees. His goal is to own 20 branches in 20 years time.

In his rousing, evangelical style, Pastor Dottin had his young audience eating out of his hands as he recounted his tribulations as a child growing up in a single room, single-parent home in Belmont. A champion against the drug trade, he cautioned the youths to stay clear from all forms of drugs. A kidnap victim in May 2016, Dottin said he founded a group dedicated to rescuing persons who are in the clutches of criminal gangs.

The term “corporate social responsibility” (CSR), has been part of the business lexicon for over half a century. It first appeared in Howard Bowen’s landmark book Social Responsibilities of the Businessman (1953). Bowen defined CSR as: “the obligations of businessmen to pursue those policies, to make those decisions, or to follow those lines of action which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society.”

More recently, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a global, CEO-led organisation of leading businesses working to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world, defined CSR as: “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the local community and society at large.”

While the substance of these definitions hasn’t changed very much, ways in which companies integrate CSR into their organisations have evolved significantly.

A large number of companies have abandoned the term CSR altogether, opting for more relevant and holistic concepts such as corporate sustainability, responsible business, conscious capitalism or creating shared value.

These represent more than just a name change. At their heart, they signal fundamental shifts in the perceived role of business in society, how businesses create and measure value, and attitudes to stakeholder engagement.

They are not about trade-offs or doing charitable works (though the latter remains important). They are about identifying opportunities to help solve social and environmental challenges while simultaneously creating business value.

The problem with CSR

Around the world, CSR programmes have often equated to philanthropy and thus been dominated by financial and in-kind donations, sponsorships (which are marketing not CSR), and non-skills-based employee volunteering. A relatively small number of companies seek out opportunities to contribute their people’s professional skills to worthy causes.

In many cases, these CSR programmes focus on issues and groups that are not directly related to the company’s core business and purpose.

As a result, CSR has tended to be a siloed activity with little or no linkage to business strategy or internal processes. It is fair to say that this depiction of CSR applies in T&T today.

How CSR is being integrated into leading businesses has evolved significantly.

For example, a purely philanthropic view of CSR is no longer considered best practice.

While philanthropic programmes are important and do create benefits for beneficiaries, these are often narrowly focused, short-lived and poorly aligned to the activity of the business (thus resulting in a low social return on investment). The benefits to the business are also limited or ignored altogether (a low financial return on investment).

What this means is traditional CSR programmes only scratch the surface of social and business value creation. No wonder CSR budgets are usually small, under constant pressure and among the first to be cut in difficult times.

What does good look like?

• Strategic and material: A CSR strategy is in place that contributes to the overall business purpose and strategy.

This CSR strategy should focus on the stakeholders and issues most material to the business. This will help maximise the positive impacts created.

• Effectively governed: A member of leadership is accountable for CSR performance and sufficient resources are allocated for day-to-day management of the programme. An advisory board or committee may oversee the programme and make key decisions.

• Holistic: CSR is not just philanthropy. It covers areas such as corporate governance, business ethics, stakeholder engagement, responsible procurement; diversity and inclusion; health, safety and security; employee wellbeing, training and development, reducing environmental impacts across the value chain, and creating more inclusive business models.

• Resource efficient and effective: Interventions go beyond financial contributions, in-kind donations and unskilled volunteering to identify which of the organisation’s resources can efficiently make the greatest positive impact.

Resources include money, time, technology; facilities and equipment; products and services; employees’ skills and experience; networks and relationships, and influence.

• Measurable: Includes targets and commitments supported by quantitative and qualitative performance metrics.

As Guyana’s second largest bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Ltd (GBTI) experienced challenges in 2016, but still managed to record a higher profit. Its parent company is Secure International Finance Company Inc., which owns 61 per cent of the bank and is part of the Beharry Group of companies.

Let us now review GBTI’s results to December 31, 2016.

Changes in financial position

Total assets rose by 2.3 per cent from G$96.16 billion to G$96.37 billion (about TT$3.14 billion). Almost G$23 billion of its total assets are held in foreign currency, mainly the US dollar. Net loans and advances declined to G$45 billion from G$48 million. At the gross level, its exposure to households increased to G$13.5 billion from G$12.7 billion. Its gross exposures to all other sectors declined.

Services and distribution ended at G$24.5 billion from G$25.7 billion while agriculture closed at G$5.8 billion from G$6.4 billion. Loans to manufacturing ended at G$3.8 billion from G$4.4 billion and mining and quarrying dropped to G$1.22 billion from G$1.97 billion. Impairment allowances increased to G$3.4 billion from G$2.9 billion.

Investments increased from almost G$20 billion to G$22.2 billion. Within the available-for-sale category, Guyana treasury bills rose from G$5.6 billion to G$7.4 billion and corporate bonds advanced to G$8.04 billion from G$6.1 billion.

In contrast, foreign government securities fell to G$6.1 billion from G$7.7 billion. Under the held-to-maturity category, unlisted investments declined to G$298.7 million from G$249.1 million.

Property and equipment edged up to G$7.07 billion from G$6.99 billion; within this grouping, only capital work in progress increased to G$366 million from G$127 million.

Helped by increased liquidity in the banking system, cash resources increased to G$21.7 billion from G$18.6 billion. Excess reserves with the Guyana Central Bank climbed to G$2.58 billion from G$1.09 billion.

The required reserves ended at G$9.75 billion from G$9.49 billion. However, cash in hand declined to G$1.9 billion from G$2.5 billion.

Total liabilities edged up to G$83.9 billion from G$82.99 billion. About G$5.6 billion of its liabilities are denominated in foreign currency, primarily the US dollar.

Customers’ deposits inched up to G$82.9 billion from G$82.3 billion. Both demand and savings deposits registered increases; the former closed at G$20.5 billion from G$19.1 billion while the latter ended at G$45 billion from G$43 billion. Term deposits fell to G$17.4 billion from G$20.1 billion.

Other liabilities advanced to G$1.05 billion from G$690 million. The largest increase was shown under “others”, which closed at G$558.4 million from a negative G$51 million in 2015. Accrued interest on deposits increased to G$150 million from G$136 million. Taxation declined to zero from G$104 million while unpresented drafts fell to G$26 million from G$248.5 million.

Equity growth

Total shareholders’ equity grew to G$14.42 billion from G$13.16 billion.

Retained earnings advanced to G$12.9 billion from G$10.9 billion. The net profit of G$2.03 billion along with a transfer of G$685.5 million from the general banking risk reserve enhanced the brought forward

balance while dividends of G$680 million lowered the closing figure.

The share capital was stable at G$800 million for both periods. The issued and weighted average number of shares outstanding was unchanged at 40,000,000; therefore, the book value of each share improved to G$360.61 from December 2015’s G$329.01.

Revenues, profit

Total revenue expanded by 21.2 per cent from G$6.1 billion to G$7.4 billion (about TT$241 million).

Net interest income improved by almost 7 per cent to G$5.05 billion from G$4.72 billion. The interest income component rose to G$5.96 billion from G$5.63 billion. Here, interest on loans and advances was stable at G$4.5 billion for both periods. However, interest on investment securities advanced to G$1.41 billion from G$988 million while other interest income fell to G$66 million from G$136 million.

Interest expense was marginally higher at G$912.3 million from G$906.1 million.

Other income climbed by almost 70 per cent to G$2.35 billion from G$1.38 billion. Commissions rose to G$513 million from G$455 million while exchange trading and revaluation gains fell to G$613 million from G$918 million. However, rental and other income soared from G$10.6 million to G$1.23 billion; this mainly reflected its new gold trading operations.

Operating expenses rose by 37 per cent to G$3.97 billion from G$2.89 billion. The largest component, other operating expenses, tripled to G$1.65 billion from G$544 million; this mainly mirrored increased trading activity at its subsidiary, GBTI Property Holdings Inc., which is active in real estate management and gold trading. Most other components were within range of the previous year.

Net loans provisioning increased by 45 per cent to G$899 million from G$621 million; this reflected higher provisions particularly for loans outstanding beyond 360 days, which rose to G$8.8 billion from G$7.1 billion.

The results from its associated company, Guyana Americas Merchant Bank Inc., improved from a loss of G$3.5 million to record a small profit of G$143,000.

These changes saw pre-tax profit register at G$2.53 billion from 2015’s G$2.59 billion. Despite a statutory tax rate of 40 per cent, the effective tax rate declined to 19.7 per cent from 26 per cent while the applicable tax fell to G$500 million from G$674 million. This reduction was helped by greater amounts of tax exempt income and a prior year’s credit.

Consequently, the net profit ended at G$2.03 billion from G$1.91 billion. That result translated to EPS of G$50.81 compared with G$47.82 for 2015.

Divisional highlights

The banking segment suffered from higher expenses, including loan provisioning. After allocating G$900 million to loan impairment expenses, its net interest income registered at G$2.63 billion. In addition, other income mostly reflected commissions.

No expenses are allocated to the treasury function, which benefitted from higher income on available for-sale securities. The other income component mainly comprised exchange trading and revaluation gains.

There appears to have been some reallocations between the two major segments from the 2015 presentation.

The start-up of gold trading was accompanied by higher expenditure, which restricted its profit contribution.

HY results to June 2017

GBTI was able to resume significant correspondent banking relationships, which relieved the pressure on the delivery of foreign exchange supplies.

Total assets to June 2017 closed at G$100.3 billion from G$98.4 billion as at December 2016. Total income for the period declined to G$3.55 billion from G$3.99 billion while the after-tax result ended at G$603 million from G$962 million; that result translated to EPS of G$15.07 versus G$24.04. The bank declared an interim dividend of G$4.00 (2016: G$6.00).

The major contributor to the lower profit was the full provision for the fraud committed against the bank earlier in 2017. Between March 21 and 22, 2017, Saddiqi Rafeek Mohamed Rasul, a gold dealer, fleeced the Bartica branch of GBTI of G$964 million (about TT$31.4 million) by fraudulently cashing six cheques drawn against his account at Citizens Bank.

After it was discovered that a senior manager at the Bartica Branch had authorised the transactions, she was sent home. Following the receipt of the funds from GBTI, Rasul’s account at Citizens Bank was closed. This matter continues to occupy the attention of the Guyanese police and other officials and GBTI is hopeful that the matter can be concluded by the end of 2017.

Dividends share price

The dividends for both 2015 and 2016 fiscal periods amounted to G$17.00 per share.

GBTI’s share price closed at G$470.00 on December 31, 2015 and ended at G$448.00 as at last December, reflecting a one-year decline of 4.7 per cent. On November 13, 2017, the price closed at G$450.

At that price and based on a trailing dividend of G$15.00 (G$11.00 final plus G$4.00 interim), the yield is 3.33 per cent. Based on trailing EPS of G$41.84, that price reflects a P/E multiple of 10.76 and a premium of almost 25 per cent to its year-end book value of G$360.61.

In the next article, we will turn the spotlight on St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Trading and DevelopmentCompany Ltd (TDC).

Actor Makesi Algernon’scommercial theatre debut as Alan Strang in the Mervyn de Goeasdirected production of Peter Shaffer’s Equus has drawn critical acclaim. Algernon said the process of building the character was a difficult and scary one, but he was grateful for the opportunity to understand and bring to life such a nuanced and emotionally complex character.

Equus tells the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who blinds six horses because of his pathological religious fascination with them. 

Algernon described Strang as a boy “whose only experience of the real world is a horse ride he had at the age of six, and as he grows up he confuses the passion he felt with his sexuality and loses his mind in the journey. It ends sadly in that Alan is no longer able to be who he is. The play touches a lot on that whole idea of losing self in order for society to accept you and not teaching you properly what it means to grow up.”

Algernon has experienced many tragedies in his 28 years, including the loss of several family members, including his mother, to various illnesses and gun violence, between 2015 and 2017.

He said he was able to access the grief he felt over these events in order to portray the character.

“It was frustrating to let go of the character, because that’s where your true pain sets in and also to remember that this is not you, this is him. It was more or less like doing method and Meisner type work and using what is yours to bring out the character and that’s a very dangerous path to walk on.”

Algernon, also an animator and director, has had a varied career in the Arts and possesses a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (Theatre Arts) from UTT as well as a Diploma in Digital Media (Animation), as well as working on the TV series In Plain Sight.

He said he lives his life by following suggestions that people make to him, which resulted in his going from Form Six at Woodbrook Secondary School to doing Animation to Theatre to attending several international programmes in the UK and Brazil to Acting to the formation of two animation companies, Coded Arts and ICE Studios.

He said one suggestion which led to a life-changing experience for him came following a talk with 3Canal frontman Wendell Manwarren.

The conversation led to him attending the WYSE International Leadership Programme in Brazil earlier this year. Algernon said his experiences there jolted him out of the depression he had fallen into.

“It armed me enough to continue moving forward with a brighter outlook in life, even after my brother was killed earlier this year. My story is one of survival, that no matter what life throws at you, you have to keep your head above water.

“My family died but not in vain, and I have to find a way to live my life and not accept the pain and still look forward and smile.”

Algernon grew up in Gonzales, Belmont and said he didn’t perceive the area as violent until he moved away. “Children now don’t even realise options outside of war, gang-related violence, they don’t think they have a chance. Being from that area hasn’t stopped me, the grief hasn’t stopped me, nothing is going to stop me sharing what I have with the world. I have to be a culture warrior, I have to be a success story.”

Algernon said his next step in theatre will be to continue acting and move into directing, as he feels more comfortable creating and shaping work on stage.

As an experimental artist by nature, he said he’s fascinated with fusing video games with T&T culture to tell our stories.

“I’m focused on using indie culture games for culture preservation and the art of storytelling. Games are the new media, gaming is the future, but I want to incorporate theatre into that, because theatre is the portrayal of life. We recreate the best and worst parts of life and make it happen on stage. Theatre is life.”

More info

For more information about the Players Workshop email theplayersworkshop84@ gmail.com, or find The Players’ Workshop on Facebook.

Green Screen, the Environmental Film Festival, came in for praise from international movie makers who attended this year’s event, the seventh annual edition. Visiting filmmakers from the Dominican Republic, the USA and the UK showed their films and interacted with local audiences at Green Screen events, affirming the power of film as a means of raising awareness on environmental issues.

The festival ran from November 2 - 10 and featured over 50 environmental movies, panel discussions, school screenings and special events, with four international filmmakers as guests, a release said.

Director Jake Kheel introduced his film Death by a Thousand Cuts on opening night at IMAX, and took questions from the audience. The film, which shed light on illegal coal production on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, caused a national reckoning which led to the resignation of the Minister for the Environment and new, ongoing talks between the two countries. Kheel said afterward: “Green Screen is an excellent festival that gives filmmakers an opportunity to interact with festival participants and share experiences.

“It’s an international film festival with the intimacy of a local festival. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the turnout for the opening.”

Speaking on the power of the medium of film to spark change, he said: “We have received massive positive feedback from people expressing the impact the film has had on them, but even better, we are seeing how these voices are joining the debate and the dialog for genuine solutions.”

He was the guest speaker at Green Screen’s school screening the following day, addressing hundreds of secondary school students who got to see Jago, a Life Underwater.

Later that night, at 6 Scott Street, Green Screen collaborated with the Canadian High Commission for a reception and screening of Hadwin’s Judgement by British filmmaker Sasha Snow.

After his film there was another lively Q&A, with the audience asking several probing questions

Snow thoroughly enjoyed his engagement at the festival, commenting afterward that Green Screen “will go down as one of the best” he has been to, adding that the level of commitment displayed by the small festival team “gave me new impetus to keep up the good fight.”

Maria Victoria Abreu, Programming Director of the Dominican Environmental Film Festival (Dreff), also attended Green Screen, and participated in panel discussions at Medulla Art Gallery on November 5, interacting with fellow female environmental activists during a collaboration with Women.Everywhere.

She praised the festival organisers:“Sustain T&T did an amazing job with Green Screen. It was a great opportunity to enjoy interesting environmental films and network with locals as well as with international experts and filmmakers.”

She looked forward to continuing the relationship: “We at Dreff are honoured to be partners and friends of Green Screen.”

“Making films about how we interact with animals helps us better understand the challenges we face in the continuing climate crisis.

“A greater understanding of...the ecosystems we all share gives us a stronger platform from which to solve problems.“

Green Screen founder and director Carver Bacchus also reaffirmed the festival’s commitment to inspire people through films, while helping to support local cinema: “Movies can open our minds, and often our hearts,” which he said is key to encouraging action and activism.

“We see the festival as playing a part in developing our film industry, providing a platform for local filmmakers to show their work. Documentary filmmaking is a great opportunity, even with limited resources, to create meaningful films that can also educate, entertain and inspire.”

He thanked Green Screen sponsors and partners including Sagicor General, Atlantic, Culturego, the Canadian High Commission, 6 Scott Street, Medulla Art Gallery and Guardian Media Limited.

Today Alta continues with the Year in Review which was first presented to members of Alta at the annual general meeting earlier this month.

Last week, the column looked at strategies implemented to increase awareness of the programme and remain relevant—this included the launch of a new logo and a significant boost in both online and offline presence. With a clear strategic plan, this will continue into 2018.

Every year, Alta conducts two campaigns; student recruitment and tutor recruitment.

In order to stay relevant and minimise cost, this year Alta took the decision to focus communication messages on radio and social media and didn’t have print ads.

This resulted in successful and cost effective Tutor Recruitment and Student Registration campaigns in the past year.

The Student Registration campaign themed Live Your Best Life with Alta, used radio scripts from 2016 (funded by CSP) as well as Alta ambassador John Bascombe, an Alta graduate who is currently enrolled in law school.

Preliminary figures for this academic year indicate that 1,451 students are attending classes, 641 of whom are new students. This figure exceeds the 1,179 as of this period last year and 1,142 of 2015.

Alta continues to accept students into classes with available space, via phone or walk-ins. This shows that as much as Alta continues to battle stigma, the number of students making the decision to come to the community classes is still growing.

The continued support of the 50 Alta classes around the country comes from Alta’s class sponsors for 2016/17 – Republic Bank, United Way of T&T, The National Gas Company of T&T, Price Philanthropies Foundation, Phoenix Park Gas Processors, First Caribbean International Bank, Kapok and Hamilton Padmore.

Unfortunately this year Alta’s Cascade class was discontinued because of the repeated small student numbers. In 1994, the St Ann’s/Cascade Motivational Programme became the second venue to host an Alta class.

Alta thanks Noreen De La Rosa, board member of this centre, for not only providing this venue for 20 plus years but for also teaching and coordinating this class. Aside from community classes where students focus on their literacy, Alta also provides a Spelling Programme for students who wish to focus on this aspect of their literacy growth. This programme continues its steady growth for yet another year with the Port-of-Spain venue having the largest number with well over 40 students. The demand was so great that past tutors had to be called back to active duty.

Last year, Alta was able to successfully restart the programme in Grenada.

Fortunately classes continue there with students completing their first academic year in early December followed by the recruitment of new students by the end of the year. Their new academic year will thus begin in January 2018.

More info 

Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor-a-student. Call 624-2582 or email Altapos.tt@gmail.com for more info. Keep up to date with Alta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: Alta TT

Fame—Foundation for Fashion Apparel Manufacturing Entrepreneurship will rock the fashion world on Saturday 25th November 2017, at 7 pm at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa). Crafted in a theatrical production, Fame will showcase Caribbean fashion talent for the world to appreciate.

A release said Fame Caribbean is the brainchild of Andrew Ramroop, a Trinidad-born master artist tailor of Savile Row. He founded the prestigious Savile Row Academy of tailoring in London, and after 50 years of expert craftsmanship, elite training and identifying the excellence in Caribbean style, “he has returned to nudge the region onto the New World fashion trade.” Richard Young, creative director of Fame will harness signature brands and incorporate them into the inaugural showcase. Young says the “objective is to ensure the presence of trademark style arbiters in this compendium, to express the multifaceted and outstanding nature and the compelling brand identity of the Caribbean aesthetic.”

The dynamic of the event is to infuse sustainable development action, by promoting the non-traditional creative industries, in a substantive way so as to engage economic diversification mandates. A fundamental focus of Fame Caribbean 2017 is to give back to socio-economic development and address youth empowerment so as ensure more holistic life chance for future generations. Against this backdrop, part proceeds would be allocated to the Hibiscus Foundation, to support pediatric HIV/Aids care. The presentation will showcase thirty designer capsule presentations coursed with suitable talent highlights to effect a winning Creative Arts spectacular to kick off the Fame initiative. Tickets are available at Napa box office and Chaud Cafe.

T&T-born musician, composer and producer Etienne Charles may be among the recipients of an NAACP Image Award when the awards are presented on January 15, 2018. Charles served as an associate producer on Somi Kakoma’s Petite Afrique (Sony Music/OKeh) which has been nominated in the Outstanding Jazz Album category. A release said Charles co-wrote five songs (the Gentry, Black Enough, Let Me, Midnight Angels and They’re like Ghosts) as well as arranged strings, horns and played percussion and trumpet on the album.

Somi’s sophomore project on the Sony Music/OKeh label, the album is an homage to her New York City upper Manhattan neighbourhood, and one of the Meccas of the African diaspora. Somi is an American singer of Rwandan and Ugandan descent.

Populated predominantly by a Francophone, West African and Muslim community, this is a strip of Harlem that locals call “Little Africa” or “Petite Afrique:” Many of these working class residents—immigrants-cum-citizens—are now taxi drivers zipping other New Yorkers through the city they’ve called home since the 1980s.

“I first worked with Somi on her album, Lagos Music Salon, doing a horn arrangement for Akobi,” said Charles. “She then reached out to me about writing some songs, arrangements (horns and strings), co-producing and playing on her follow up album, Petite Afrique, an album about African immigrants in Harlem. The writing sessions were smooth and the recording session was a blast. This record is special because of its depth in message. I’m honoured to be a part of the creative team on it and stoked that the album has been nominated for this award.”

Speaking about working with Charles, Somi said she wanted the legacy of jazz on the album since it was about Harlem.

“Etienne has a more straight ahead approach to jazz but he also really privileges so much of the Afro Caribbean heritage and really has an understanding of the Disaporic expression of ourselves and black people of the world,” she said. The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of colour in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honours individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavours.

NAACP members vote to select NAACP Image Awards winners from nominees in television, music literature, and film. The nominations for the 2018 awards were announced on November 21.

Charles, Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Michigan State University, has racked up a number of awards and accolades during his prolific career.

In 2006, he won first place in the National Trumpet Competition Jazz Division in Fairfax, Virginia. In 2012 he was written into the US Congressional Record for his musical contributions to Trinidad and Tobago and the World and in 2013 he was awarded the Caribbean Heritage Trailblazer Award, by the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Washington, DC. In 2015, he was named a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow in the Creative Arts and earlier this year was featured as a panellist and performer at the White House Briefing on Caribbean American Heritage in Washington DC and received the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Centre Millennial Swing Award. Charles holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a Master’s degree from the prestigious Juilliard University.

He has produced seven albums and tours the world with his band Creole Soul. He has performed to sold-out audiences in T&T and on January 14, 2018 Charles will return to the Queen’s Hall with the second part of his Carnival album, which will be released worldwide in June 2018. He will then return to the road on Carnival Monday with his band Street Party.

Police have put a stop to a protest being staged by Beetham residents on the Priority Bus Route and Beetham Highway, in what residents have described as a demand for jobs.

Around 10 am as commuters made their way into the capital city, residents dragged debris, wooden doors, tyres and other items onto the PBR and the highway, trapping commuters.

As of 1 pm, while the highway heading west was traffic-free, there were traffic gridlocks reported on the Eastern Main Road, the Priority Bus Route and the Beetham Highway heading east, the main exits from the capital city.

The police have turned the single lane on the PBR heading east into two lanes in an attempt to assist the traffic. 

The protest followed a police exercise in the community early this morning, which saw two community leaders taken into custody.

But residents said this had nothing to do with their protests.

During protests, the residents alleged that Government had treated them with scant courtesy and had neglected them.

 They claimed they wanted jobs to clean drains around the community and that they were best equipped to do with it.

There were also reports that people were being robbed on the highway. Several people reported that the windows of their vehicles had been damaged during these incidents. There were also reports of delivery trucks being looted.

CHRISTCHURCH—Captain Jason Holder says West Indies are under no illusions about the massive threat posed by the powerful Black Caps side but stressed the Caribbean side would be looking to execute their game plan clinically, in the two-Test series starting next month.

West Indies arrived here Tuesday to begin preparation for the rubber which sees them chasing their first series win on New Zealand soil in 22 years.

And faced with a strong home side packed with the likes of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Trent Boult, Holder said the Windies were very cognizant of the hosts’ strength.

“Those guys bring a wealth of experience. Kane has been one of the leading batsmen in Test cricket for a while and Ross similarly,” Holder told reporters here.

“So I think they will rely heavily on Ross and Kane, and obviously Tom Latham will come to the fore—he has been doing pretty well for them and obviously their bowling attack will be led by Boult and (Tim) Southee.

“Not missing out a guy like Neil Wagner, I think he brings a lot of quality to their side, a lot of variation as well being left-handed, and different dimensions in terms of shorter-pitched bowling.

“It’s going to be a good test, they’ve got some good players, some key players and we’ve got the same.”

West Indies are coming off a 1-0 win over minnows Zimbabwe in a two-Test series in Bulawayo earlier this month—their first series win in three years.

However, they acquitted themselves well against Pakistan in the Caribbean this year despite a 2-1 defeat in a three-Test series, and also managed to take a win off England in an identical series there during the summer.

Holder said the challenge before his side in the upcoming series would be to continue the development which had been taking place.

“I’m just asking the guys to remain focussed on the process, that’s all I zone in on basically—everybody knowing their role and executing,” the all-rounder explained.

“I don’t want to get too caught up with the MEDIAconditions. Obviously [it is] a big factor but we’ve still got cricket to play and cricket is played on the field. I think if we back our skills and we prepare well, we put ourselves in a very good place to win this Test series.”

West Indies have become a settled squad in recent months, with an unchanged unit from the England tour heading to Zimbabwe. Selectors made just one change for the current series, axing out-of-form Kyle Hope for prolific West Indies A right-hander Sunil Ambris.

Holder, who has led the side for two years now, said resisting the urge to chop and change had paid dividends.

“It’s a team we’ve had now for probably the last year and a half—familiar faces. We’ve been trying to give guys the opportunity and an extended run,” he pointed out.

“That’s worked out pretty well for us in the last year. We’ve been seeing some positive results and I think if we keep together for another year-and-a-half [to two years] … we will be in a good stead for the next few years.”

West Indies face New Zealand A in a three-day tour match starting Saturday in Lincoln before taking on the senior side in the opening Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from December 1-5, and in the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton from December 9-13. (CMC)

Isaiah Mc Intosh netted a double to lead Giants FC to an entertaining 4-2 defeat of defending champions Pitchmen FC in the Third Round of the Southern Football Association Premier Division ‘Big-Six’ competition on Wednesday night.

In addition to Mc Intosh, who scored a hat-trick in his team’s opening round 3-1 defeat of Serial Strikers, Jeremy Primus and Jamal Dubaray were also on target for Giants FC, who led 1-0 at the half-time interval and 4-0 at one time in the contest at La Brea.

Elijah Alleyne and Seon Shipley got two late consolation items for Pitchmen FC in the loss at La Brea.

With the win, Giants climbed to the top of the six-team table with seven points from three matches, the same as Erin FC while Pitchmen remained on four points and slipped to fourth, level with Barrackpore United.

Both Giants and Erin FC also have the same goal-difference of plus-five, however, Giants have score more goals, seven to its rivals, six.

Erin FC won for the second time in three matches, 3-0 over #9 United at Erin with a double from Darren Alexis, and the other by Akinola Williams.

Down at Barrackpore, the host got two goals each from Trevon James and Angus John into a 6-0 trashing of cellar-placed Serial Strikers after leading 3-0 at the break.

The fourth round of matches takes place on Sunday with Giants FC hosting #9 United FC at St Margaret’s from 3.30 pm.

Erin FC at home to Serial Strikers in a 5 pm kickoff while Barrackpore United entertains Pitchmen FC from 5 pm.

Results

SFA Premier Division Big Six
Wednesday November 22
Giants FC 4 (Isaiah Mc Intosh 2, Jeremy Primus, Jamal Dubaray) vs Pitchmen FC 2 (Elijah Alleyne, Seon Shipley)
Erin FC 3 (Darren Alexis 2, Akinola Williams) vs #9 United FC 0
Barrackpore United 6 (Trevon James 2, Angus John 2, Ivan Williams, Jesse Downing) vs Serial Strikers 0
Current SFA Big Six standings
Remaining SFA Big-Six fixtures
Sunday November 26
Giants FC vs #9 United FC, St Margaret’s, 3.30 pm
Erin FC vs Serial Strikers, Erin, 5 pm
Barrackpore United vs Pitchmen FC, Barrackpore, 5 pm
Sunday December 2
Giants FC vs Erin FC, St Margaret’s, 3 pm
Serial Strikers vs Pitchmen FC, Penal, 3 pm
#9 United FC vs Barrackpore United, #9 Road,
3 pm.