Life
The greatest factor in having life insurance is providing for those you leave behind. It goes without saying that this is extremely important if we have loved ones who depend on our income to survive.

Experts suggest that a reasonable life insurance policy should cover roughly ten times your yearly income.

If you’re young, you may not think too much about life insurance, but you should at least have some. Of course, the older you get, the more important life insurance is—it’ll make things much easier on the ones you leave behind.

Ultimately, none of us can predict the out turn of our lives and it’s important to protect the wellbeing of those who we care about most.

Health

Our health is perhaps our most valuable personal resource.

Having appropriate health insurance therefore, plays a key role in the event that we’re confronted with some major health care issue.

Quality health insurance will make sure you’re able to see a doctor when you’re sick, get a routine checkup, purchase prescription medication, or seek medical care in the case of an unexpected illness or an accident.

Fortunately, a number of employers offer Group health insurance plans that if available, an employee will do well to take part in

While having healthcare insurance can be expensive, not having it can be even more expensive.

Property

You never know when a disaster will strike and you’ll need good coverage.

Insuring our property is a smart way to protect an asset that many of us work hard to acquire: a home.

Having some kind of property insurance  that protects your belongings in the event of a fire, burglary, weather event, or some other manmade or natural disaster is therefore critical.

Thus, making sure that you’re covered against the risk in your area, and that you’re not under-insured is vital.

Always consider the alternative

While purchasing insurance is important, and can certainly take a chunk out of your budget, being without it could lead to financial ruin.

Having the right type of coverage in the important areas of our life can create a wonderful safety net to ensure we live well beyond payday.

ANDRE WORRELL

Azim Bassarath, president of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) has made a stirring and passionate appeal for unity in the local cricket fraternity.

He did so on Saturday at the annual TTCB awards function which was staged for team champions and “Cricketers of the Year” who participated in the 2017 season.

The event was held in the auditorium of the Brian Lara Stadium at Tarouba and attracted a large cross-section of the local cricket community.

The TTCB, led by Bassarath, has been taken to court by a group of officials of the National League who are challenging the ruling body’s constitution.

But on Saturday, Bassarath said cricket is not being best served by litigation and called on all parties to bury the hatchet and work together for the benefit of cricket.

He started his speech by pointing out that this evening marks an historic occasion, as it marks the time that an annual cricket function is taking place at the new Brian Lara Cricket Stadium. He said, “We have no hesitation in stating our satisfaction in having the impressive cricket facility opened to the public of Trinidad and Tobago.

The TTCB was more than happy to have played its part in helping to secure certification from the regional authorities, which allows the venue to host regional and international matches.

History will record that the T&T CB has championed the cause, on behalf of cricketers and fans, to have the stadium opened and put an end to the controversy that has dogged it for more than a decade.

“In many ways the BLCA epitomises the struggle that the TTCB has waged for 37 years since the administration of the sport was legally handed over to the people of this nation. Since that momentous day in 1980, successive cricket administrations have made it a priority to put the game and those who play it, at the forefront of its development plan. Observers of the sport will note its progress over the years where we have moved from ground zero to establishing the Red Force as one of the hottest cricket brands in world cricket.

Everyone involved in the sport, especially parents, teachers, coaches and administrators, will attest to the sacrifices that have to be made in this remarkable journey,” he said to the gathering.

Bassarath said, “Yet it gives us great joy and pride when our sportsmen and women achieve their fullest potential and provide so much pride and joy to their families, friends, communities and our nation.
But one year on from our last Awards Function, cricket is precariously placed on an entirely different landscape.

We are facing some of the biggest ever threats to the growth and development of the game, which, if not handled well can have wide and far-reaching consequences. At the top of the list is the dwindling availability of funds which has reached an alarming stage, despite the best efforts of the TTCB.”

October marked the second year that the sport’s annual general meeting (AGM) had to be postponed because of a legal challenge, in which Bassarath addressed. He said, “So, while the sturdy structure of local cricket remains tall and strong, able to withstand unjustified attacks on its integrity, there is a much more sinister assault for the soul of national cricket. This fight has reached the court of law and has had a very negative and debilitating effect on the sport, tarnishing the efforts of its hardworking administrators, and placing the future of our young cricketers in jeopardy.”

Still in his three-year term as president he pointed out to the sport’s stakeholders that were present reminding them that, “I want to impress upon you here that as the Chief Servant of the TTCB, I am extending an olive branch to all those who are contributing to the quagmire that we find ourselves in.” He said, “Friends, a house divided cannot stand and will fall apart as soon as the first hard breeze blows. We have come too far to let personal opinions and personalities get in the way of progress and development. We need to be unified in the best interest of cricket, pooling our resources to create a better future.”

LINCOLN, New Zealand—West Indies were in an excellent position to push for a win in today’s final day after their bowlers earned them a healthy first innings lead on the second day of their three-day match against New Zealand A.

Off-spinner Roston Chase (2-7) and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (2-27) both finished with two wickets apiece while the pace attack put in a solid shift, as New Zealand A were turned over for 237 in their first innings.

Todd Astle, batting at number eight, stroked an aggressive top score of 68 while Tim Bruce gathered 46, Beil Broom, 27, and captain Tom Latham, 24.

In their second turn at the crease, West Indies were 53 for two—an overall lead of 267 runs—with opener Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 33.

Following the visitors’ declaration at their overnight 451 for nine, Test batsman Jeet Raval perished cheaply in the fourth over of the morning—edging seamer Kemar Roach to captain Jason Holder at third slip for one to leave the hosts on seven for one

Captain Tom Latham also failed to secure time at the crease ahead of the opening Test, falling for 24 off 55 deliveries after pulling seamer Holder to Shimron Hetmyer at square leg.

Veteran first class batsman Neil Broom chipped in with 27 off 46 balls in a 34-run, fourth wicket stand with Bruce but was one of three quick wickets to fall for 25 runs as the hosts slipped to 114 for six.

Astle and Bruce came to their side’s rescue, however, putting on 64 for the seventh wicket to prop up the innings.

The right-handed Astle stroked 10 fours and a six in an 81-ball knock while Bruce faced 71 balls and counted seven fours.

When Bruce fell to speedster Shannon Gabriel, Astle added a further 46 for the eighth wicket with Logan van Beek (21) before Chase wiped out the tail quickly

Scoreboard

New Zealand A vs West Indies
2nd day, tour match
WEST INDIES 1st Innings 451-9 decl.
NEW ZEALAND A 1st Innings
J Raval c Holder b Roach 1
T Latham c Hetmyer b Holder 24
G Worker c Roach b Cummins 8
N Broom b Reifer 27
T Bruce c Ambris b Gabriel 46
T Blundell c Holder b Joseph 19
J Neesham lbw b Reifer 0
T Astle st Ambris b Chase 68
L van Beek b Bishoo 21
L Ferguson not out 4
H Bennett b Chase 0
Extras (b1, lb3, nb14, w1) 19
TOTAL (all out, 61.4 overs) 237
Fall of wickets: 1-7,
2-37, 3-55, 4-89,
5-113, 6-114,
7-178, 8-224,
9-237, 10-237.
Bowling: Gabriel 10-1-50-1,
Roach 10-4-27-1,
Cummins 10-3-33-1,
Holder 5-3-4-1,
Reifer 7-0-27-2,
Joseph 7-2-38-1,
Bishoo 10-1-47-1,
Chase 2.4-0-7-2.
WEST INDIES 2nd Innings
K Brathwaite not out 33
K Powell b Ferguson 4
S Hetmyer b van Beek 10
R Chase not out 4
Extras (w1, nb1) 2
TOTAL (2 wkts, 18 overs) 53
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-43.
Bowling: Ferguson 4-0-7-1,
Bennett 4-0-28-0,
van Beek 5-0-11-1,
Astle 5-0-7-0.
Position: West Indies lead by 267 runs.
Toss: West Indies.
Players: 15 (11 batting, fielding).
Umpires: S Haig, W Knights. (CMC)

LINCOLN, New Zealand—Assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes West Indies fast bowlers will have a critical role to play if the Caribbean side are to make an impact in the two-Test series against the Black Caps starting next month.

Coming off the recent Zimbabwe tour where spinners were vital because of the slow, turning tracks, Estwick said the conditions in New Zealand provided the opportunity for the Windies attack to show their quality.

“Obviously the spinners played a bigger role in Zimbabwe because the pitches were low and slow and the ball spun quite a bit,” Estwick said following Sunday’s second day of the three-day tour match against New Zealand A.

“Here in New Zealand the ball bounces a lot more and carries through a lot more to the keeper, so you expect your fast bowlers to really do the bulk of the bowling.

“It was a good that the fast bowlers got a run out [on Sunday]. You’re trying to cover all your bases depending on which pitch turns up in the first Test match.”

Frontline pacers Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and captain Jason Holder all turned in solid shifts while Miguel Cummins and the uncapped Raymon Reifer also impressed, as the hosts were dismissed for 231 in their first innings at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

West Indies had declared at their overnight 451 for nine.

Estwick said it was important for the pace attack to use the outing to familiarise themselves with conditions, ahead of the Test series.

“The pitches are completely different to what we encountered in Zimbabwe so all in all it was a very good day.”

West Indies arrived here last week on a quest to win their first series on New Zealand soil in 22 years. They beat minnows Zimbabwe, 1-0, in a two-Test series in Bulawayo last month, to win their third Test in eight outings this year.

Estwick said the Windies’ performances had been improving steadily, and this had been in part owed to the outstanding work from the seamers.

“The fast bowlers have gone well for the last year. During that time you would realise we’ve won a Test match in every series so the fast bowlers have been doing a decent job,” he contended.

“What we have to try and do now is look to do even better in this series, so the fast bowlers are going to be very, very important. The thing about it is to get some miles in their legs, make sure they’re up and ready to go at New Zealand from ball one.”

The first Test gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on December 1. (CMC)

‘Raven’ to swoop and plunder

It never rains but it pours’ is an old phrase which came to mind yesterday when, not surprisingly, Ayr racecourse announced a jumping fixture scheduled for today has been abandoned; this beleaguered Scottish venue has been plagued with problems during 2017 and setbacks must be costing fortunes.

What sort of insurance premiums will now be needed is another thought?

No chance of extra prize-money, eh?

Ayr lost its ‘flagship’ meeting, all three-days of the September ‘Gold’ was lost and, as ever, any racing has been staged on a desperate surface; mine is to lay all first and second favourites during their NH season and so I’m particularly disappointed at losing out revenue potential.

In the meantime action is guaranteed this afternoon at ‘good to soft’ right-handed tracks, Ludlow and Kempton, where Mister Malarkey wont be a surprise if he causes one in the opening Novices’ Hurdle over two miles of a pristine surface which will be lost forever when the Kew course closes within three years.

Cool Macavity carries top-weight in the concluding Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles but is clear ‘best-in’ and worth a punt; so is Robin The Raven in the eight-runner Novices’ Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles of the popular Shropshire course.

Mullins’ Total Recall on course for Newbury

Willie Mullins is looking forward to running ante-post favourite Total Recall in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on weekend.

The eight-year-old was last seen landing a monster gamble in the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick.

Having his first start for Mullins on the retirement of Sandra Hughes, he was sent off the 2-1 favourite in the 16-runner field and there was never any real question who was going to win.

Ruby Walsh briefly shook him up after the last and he sprinted clear to win in fine style, scoring by seven lengths. Sky Bet rate Total Recall as the 11/2 favourite for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Newbury next Saturday.

Sidey’s FC posted a come-from-behind 3-2 defeat of Georgia FC to boost its claims of taking second spot in the Tobago Football Association Premier Division on Wednesday night.

Georgia took the lead in the 26th minute through Warren Phillips, but Pavel Warrick hit back for Sidey’s five minutes later for a 1-1 half-time score.

Nine minutes into the second-half Warrick netted his second for a 2-1 Sidey’s lead only for Darrell Springer to get Georgia back on level terms in the 66th before Brandon Benjamin’s 87th winner for Sidey’s to move to 44 points from 23 matches, 17 behind already crowned champions Stokely Vale FC while Signal Hill is third with 41 points from 21 matches.

In the Championship Division, champions FC Goodwood FC with 59 points from 25 was joined as qualifiers to next year’s Premier Division by Moriah Youths.

TFA results

Premier Division
November 14
Black Rock 3 (Adrian Morris 7th, 81st, Akeil Alleyne 55th) vs Goal City FC 0
Bethel United 3 (Keston Duncan 45th, Akeel Scott 55th, Lawrence Grimshaw 91st) vs Signal Hill 2 (own goal 15th, Omale Jackson 42nd)
Stokely Vale 3 (Lashawn Roberts 10th, 20th, Omar Roberts 68th pen) vs Golden Lane 0
Roxborough Lakers 2 (Keston Hamilton 35th, Kirn Harris 91st) vs Georgia United 2 (Kerron Phillips 56th, Kenean Lovelace 89th)
Leeds United 2 (Kaylon Morris 24th, Karyque Joseph 94th) vs Sidey’s FC 0
November 19
Georgia FC 2 (Kaisya Thomas 20th, Kerron Phillips 82nd) vs Bethel United 0
Signal Hill 1 (Omale Jackson 51st) vs Leeds United 1 (Kelvon Morris 62nd)
Stokely Vale 1 (Shallum Bobb 93rd) vs Black Rock 0
Sidey’s FC 2 (Brandon Benjamin 10th, Garrion Bishop 91st) vs Golden Lane 1 (Jerome Quashie 55th)
November 22
Sidey’s FC 3 (Pavel Warrick 31st, 62nd, Brandon Benjamin 87th) vs Georgia FC 2 (Warren Phillips 26th, Darrell Springer 66th)
Leeds United 1 (Korean London 38th) vs Goal City 0
Roxborough 1 (Ikechukwu Warner 80th) vs Golden Lane 0
Stokely Vale 4 (Lashawn Roberts 17th, 29th, Krishown Joseph 20th, Kwame Mc Dougall) vs Bethel United 0
Championship Division
November 17
St Clair CS 3 (Stefan Byng 37th, Jamal Charles 38th, Jarrell Mc Millan 87th) vs Hills United 2 (Patrick Winchester 13th, Hakein Vincent 46th)
FC Goodwood 3 (Christien Yorke 4th, 17th, Keiroy Murray 13th) vs Lambeau United 1 (Kevon Kent 87th)
Calder Hall 1 (Kareem Tobias 45th) vs HV Milan 1 (Curtis Springer 80th)
November 22
Carnbee/Mt Pleasant 7 (Dominique Roberts 11th, 33rd, 46th, Navelle Roach 37th, 65th, Gabriel Baynes 85th, 90th) vs FC Goodwood 0
Belle Garden FC 4 (Chrislan Job 25th, Lindsay Clarke 30th, Mandella Mc Kenna 55th, Renaldo Thomas 60th) vs Lambeau Utd 1 (Derreon Moses 54th)
St Clair CS 3 (Stefan Byng 9th, 60th, Adrian Duncan 63rd) vs Earlbrokes 3 (Deon Thomas 21st, Nolan Orr 51st, Dillon Villafana 72nd)

TFA STANDINGS

Premier Division
Teams P W D L F A Pts
1. Stokely Vale 23 21 1 1 68 11 64
2. Sidey’s FC 23 13 5 5 49 28 44
3. Signal Hill 21 12 5 4 43 32 41
4. Goal City 21 11 4 6 47 32 37
5. Golden Lane 23 8 5 10 40 44 29
6. Black Rock 22 7 5 10 33 34 26
7. Roxborough 21 6 4 11 20 35 22
8. Leeds Utd 23 5 6 12 31 48 21
9. Georgia 22 5 4 13 27 48 19
10. Bethel 23 3 1 19 19 65 10
Second Division
1. Goodwood 25 19 2 4 77 37 59
2. Moriah Youths 26 17 7 2 87 34 58
3. Carnbee/Mt Pleasant 26 19 1 6 75 36 58
4. Mason Hall PYC 24 15 5 4 81 44 50
5. Belle Garden 25 11 8 6 48 32 41
6. Lambeau 26 13 1 12 52 49 40
7. Calder Hall 26 11 5 10 58 52 38
8. Mt Grace 26 11 5 10 38 43 38
9. Earlbrokes 25 10 5 10 53 59 35
10. St Clair CS 25 7 6 12 47 60 27
11. Hills United 26 8 3 15 39 61 27
12. HV Milan 26 4 8 14 33 50 20
13. Northside 26 4 3 19 18 64 15
14. Youth Stars 26 0 1 25 7 92 1

The family have been shown to have strong influence on youth participation in sport and physical activity. Hennessy et al (2010) argued that supportive parenting styles were linked to higher levels of child physical activity. They found that the children of accommodating parents had more time of moderate vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than children whose parents were uninvolved.

Similarly, Dukes and Coakley (2002) concluded that parental involvement and commitment play a critical role in children’s participation in sport and physical activity. They noted the importance of parental involvement increased with organised youth sport. In their study, parent’s commitment towards swimming increased when it was believed to have a positive impact on child’s development. At the same time, they warned that over commitment toward competitiveness may be deleterious as it may result in overtraining and burnout of the youth.

Kremer-Sadlik and Kim (2007) stated that parents influence on children’s participation in sport and physical activity extend beyond organised sport. They claimed that other sporting contexts such as an informal setting where back-yard activities take place and passive participation in sport activities such as engaging in conversations during televised games are important in the overall socialisation of children toward sport and physical activity. Additionally, they noted parents must demonstrate positive character building and leadership qualities which children can incorporate in every aspect of their daily lives.

Although recognising the importance of social class, Kremer-Sadlik and Kim (2007) further argued that family culture is critical to children having a predisposition toward participation in sport and physical activity. They concluded that if participation in sport and physical activity was not encouraged in childhood any attempt to increase participation in adulthood will be challenging.

It is evident from the aforementioned studies that family engagement and influence is important for youth early involvement in sport and physical activity as well as staying involved in post-adolescence. Local research is required to fully comprehend the influence of the family on participation on sport and physical activity. The research findings will be very useful for the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) in conjunction with other stakeholders such as schools to foster stronger family involvement in the sporting life of their children.

Anand Rampersad (PhD)

Pastiche6@gmail.com

DISTANCE runners Curtis Cox repeated as champion of the 10K in the Guardian Group SHINE Charity Run/Walk event on Saturday evening while Samantha Shukla did the same in the women’s category in the 5k.

The action in the third edition of the event unfolded at the Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, where the races started and ended.

Cox continues his amazing career adding another title, winning in a time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds, ahead of inaugural winner T&T-based Guyanese Kelvin Johnson, who was second in 35.28. Third was Ted John in 37.35.

Winning the women’s race was Celine Lestrade in 44.04. Chantel Le Maitre was second in 46.25 and Gina Hart (47.50) was third. Last year’s winner Tonya Nero did not compete.

Matthew Hagley, who was runner-up in the 10K last year, clocked 15.50 to win the 5K beating George Smith (16.23) and Lionel D’andrade (16.47) into second and third, respectively.

Shukla regained her women’s 5k after crossing in 18.34. She beat Nicol Khelawan (20.52) and Rachel Grosberg (21.40), to the line.

The event, which is called SHINE, an acronym for “Securing Hope for Those In Need” is geared towards raising funds to secure hope for those in need. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards different charities.

The charities to benefit from this year’s race proceeds are: in Trinidad, Just Because Foundation, Rainbow Rescue, Jaya Lakshmi, Mayor’s Children Fund, Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery, Express Children’s Fund, PlayAble Caribbean and Bridge of Hope and in Tobago, Healing with Horses and Sylphil House of Love. The event had some 5,000 participants that took part in running and walking for a good cause for the festive season. — Reporting Rachael King

More info 

10K
Men: 1 Curtis Cox 35.18; 2 Kelvin Johnson 35.28; 3 Ted John- 37.35; 4 Brian Maynard 39.13; 5 Nigel Simon 39.19
Women: 1 Celine Lestrade 44.04; 2 Chantel Le Maitre 46.25; 3 Gina Hart 47.50; 4 Kathryn Bernard 48.04; 5 Fatima Estrada 48.09
AGE-GROUP WINNERS
U-20
Men: 1 Christian Bahadur 40.57; 2 Gregg Hackett 43.39; 3 Sergio Des Vignes 43.56
Women: 1 Kiszel Joseph 1:51.48
20-29
Men: 1 Omesh Persaud 42.27; 2 Kendall Romany 43.05; 3 Christian Hall 43.35
Women: 1 Genevieve Mummery 50.16; 2 Zara Suite-Stewart 51.29; 3 Darcel Aguillera 56.15
30-39
Men: 1 Simon Francois 42.12; 2 Kris Deonanan 42.25; 3 Kern Roberts 44.33
Women: 1 Cherise Robinson 48.52; 2 Shayna Serrette-Pilgrim 50.23; 3 Alexia Jacques 51.30
40-49
Men: 1 Brian Maynard 39.13; 2 Nigel Simon 39.19; 3 Kerwyn Mahabir 40.41
Women: 1 Kathryn Bernard 48.04; 2 Fatima Estrada 48.09; 3 Janelle Noel 53.30
50-59
Men: 1 Hayden Kurban 43.20; 2 Robert Sharpe 45.46; 3 Sherwin George 48.45
Women: 1 Wendy Shallow 56.43; 2 Noelyn Davis 59.40; 3 Anna Pounder 1:00.09
60-plus
Men: 1 Nimchan Ramsaroop 48.39; 2 Wayne Solomon 48.40; 3 Winston Stewart 51.30
Women: 1 Joy Ryan 1:00.00; 2 Susannah Joefield 1:00.52; 3 Marguerite Aanensen 1:03.58
Overall
Men: 1 Matthew Hagley 15.50; 2 George Smith 16.23; 3 Lionel D’andrade 16.47; 4 Jameel Cupidore 17.12; 5 Jamal Wilson 17.42
Women: 1 Samantha Shukla 18.34; 2 Nicol Khelawan 20.52; 3 Rachel Grosberg 21:40; 4 Rosemond Edwards 21.58; 5 Brineal Paponette 24.02
AGE-GROUP WINNERS
U-20
Men: 1 Genesis Joseph 17.43; 2 Myles Jackson 17.53; 3 Sebastian Rudden 18.30
Women: 1 Imani Bishop 26.10; 2 Okia Bratwaite 26.14; 3 Kimberly Eastman 26.22
20-29
Men: 1 Rommel Bahadur 18.09; 2 Jamal Joseph 18:28; 3 Ryan Dick 19.06
Women: 1 Shawn Lee Lum 26.06; 2 Brittney Johson 26.22; 3 Nikita Findlay 26.40
30-39
Men: 1 Kingsley Benjamin 19.36; 2 Raymond Cadiz 21.17; 3 Anthony Lakhan 21.43
Women: 1 Jenna Gomes 24.48; 2 Roxanne Mc Kenna 25.13; 3 Theresa Calliste 26.45
40-49
Men: 1 Oneal Paponette 21.32; 2 Allister Livingston 21.39; 3 Kevin Snaggs 22.04
Women: 1 Nicola Boucaud-Pierre 24.33; 2 Robetha Baptiste 27.24; 3 3 Deborah Phipps 27.24
50-59
Men: 1 Curtis Brereton 19.45; 2 Dexter Serrette 20.24; 3 Anderson Alder 21.23
Women: 1 Charmaine Superville 27.37; 2 Suzan Garcia 28.22; 3 Yvonne Arthur 28.54
60-plus
Men: 1 David Isaac 23:33; 2 Mervyn Coutain 25.563 Errol Harripersad 29.50
Women: 1 Cheryl Cruickshank 1951 29.50; 2 Roberta Henry 30.03; 3 Rosemarie Joseph 33.47.

Two of Kenwyne Jones’ 2006 World Cup team-mates have paid glowing tribute to the former National Team captain following the announcement of his retirement from playing on Thursday.

Stern John, T&T’s most prolific striker to date, and a former national team captain Densill Theobald both spent a significant part of their international careers alongside Jones. John started alongside Jones in several matches but among those which stood out would be T&T’s 1-0 win over Bahrain to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and the 2-0 loss to England in Germany. And history would show that Jones went on to become this country’s top man up front after John, an former Birmingham City standout, left the international stage in 2011.

As for Theobald, Jones would go on to take over as team captain from him during the 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup and wore the armband well into the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I think Kenwyne’s had an amazing career,” John said. “He played in one of the biggest Leagues in the world with top clubs and also played in a World Cup. It’s not easy playing at a top level for so many years and not a lot of players can say that they’ve done that consistently,” John explained.

He added, “Not much players can say they had John Terry in their pocket for 90 minutes and that’s how good Kenwyne was on his day. He was big, powerful and unplayable. It was a pleasure playing with him and also working with him as a coach this year. We always had that respect for each other even when he was one of the younger players in the side”

John did say though that he felt Jones still had something to offer as a player. “I know he’s had a problem with his knee but I just think he’s leaving the game too early. He has a lot to offer the game still,” John pointed out.

Meanwhile, Theobald recalled how Jones was fondly known as “Dada” in the national team circles because of his leadership ability and the fact that he was able to have a close knit relationship with so many of his teammates.

“I’m really sad about Kenwyne quitting the game. In my last conversation with him a few weeks ago he said to me ‘Bleeder, I’m thinking about parking up because I think that’s it for me.”

Theobald, a former Caledonia AIA and current North East Stars player explained, “Of course I was trying to sway him away from that decision because I think he still has a lot to offer this younger generation. He said to me that he just didn’t have it anymore and that he may have to do surgery at the end of this season and that contributed to his decision. It was sad for me to lose a brother in football. We started at the national team at a young age and we cared for each other and always wanted the best for each other and for the country. We shared great moments and sad moments in the national team.

It was always important for him that his fellow soldiers. The players and the national team came out on top or with something to show for all their efforts.”

•EDITOR’S NOTE
Shaun Fuentes served as an appointed FIFA Media Officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals and is also a CONCACAF Champions League and tournament’s press officer.

Signal Hill Secondary advanced to the Coca-Cola National InterCol semi-finals yesterday, following a 1 nil victory over St Mary’s College (C.I.C) at the Plymouth Recreational Ground in Plymouth, Tobago.

A lone item from Jelanie James in the late stages of the second half proved the difference on the day, as it assured the Tobago Zone InterCol winner passage into Thursday’s semifinal against San Juan North Secondary.

It was as lacklustre a quarterfinal match-up as a football fan could imagine in recent years, as neither team registered a noteworthy opportunity on goal until the late stages of the second half.

However, in the 82nd minute, Jelanie James played hero for a second consecutive week to give the Tobago team a 1 nil lead.

The ball fell kindly to James, who headed into an open net, after Jabari Francis’ shot was spilled by “Saints” goalkeeper Regaleo Holder.

Signal Hill comfortably held on to the lead for the rest of proceedings as C.I.C failed to muster a single opportunity on goal.

The team was in high spirits after the match, and head coach Nigel de Souza believes his team has what it takes to win the title.

“We got demoted, but at the same time we have our spirits up and we are trying to bring home the title,” the Signal Hill coach stated after the conclusion of the game.

As for C.I.C, they can take solace in what was a successful season as the team placed 6th in the Premier Division standings and captured the North Zone InterCol for the first time in ten years, upsetting St.

Anthony’s College in the final.

“Difficult one to take, but I think the boys gave all that they had, Signal Hill settled better, and had the edge on us today,” C.I.C’s head coach Ryan Shim uttered at the end of the match.

Signal Hill will play San Juan North, who were East Zone InterCol champion, at 3:30 pm in the first National InterCol semi-final at 3:30 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

The later match of the round will see South Zone winner’s Shiva Boys Hindu College take on Carapichaima East at 5:30pm at the same venue.

JONATHON MATOUK
 

CHITTAGONG—West Indies batsmen Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran produced cracking half-centuries to spearhead wins for their respective franchises in the Bangladesh Premier League yesterday.

Playing in the opening match of the doubleheader at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Lewis belted an astonishing 75 off 31 deliveries as Dhaka Dynamites chased down 188 to beat Chittagong Vikings by seven wickets with seven balls to spare, and storm to the top of the standings.

Pooran took the spotlight in the night’s finale, carving out a handsome 57 off 26 balls as Khulna Titans crushed Darren Sammy’s Rajshahi Kings by 68 runs.

Titans are top with 13 points, two clear of Dynamites, with Comilla Victorians third on 10 points.

Kings lie sixth in the seven-team standings on six points with Vikings rock bottom on five.

Faced with a daunting run chase, Dynamites were given a flying start by Lewis who blasted three fours and nine amazing sixes in a whirlwind innings.

The left-hander lost opening partner Shahid Afridi without scoring to the third ball of the innings with a single run on the board, but added 118 for the second wicket with England’s Joe Denly (44) to put the innings back on track.

Lewis eventually fell in the 12th over, caught at deep cover off fellow seamer and fellow Trinidadian Rayad Emrit (1-24) and Denly followed in the next over after striking five fours and a six.

But South African Cameron Delport stroked an unbeaten 43 and Shakib-al-Hasan, 22 not out, the pair sharing an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 67, to see their side home.

Trinidad and West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine had earlier grabbed one for 11 in four miserly overs to combat half-centuries from Anamul Haque (73) and Luke Ronchi (59), as Vikings reached 187 for five off their 20 overs.

In the other match, meanwhile, Titans flexed their muscle to pile up 213 for five off their 20 overs.

The left-handed Pooran led the assault in an innings with half-dozen fours and three sixes, while Afif Hossain hit 54 not out and Nazmul Hossain, 49.

West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite came at the end to lash a 14-ball 34 which included three fours and three sixes.

In reply, Sammy was dismissed perished for just one as Kings were dismissed for 145, with seamer Shafiul Islam claiming five for 26.
(CMC)

Local boy Joash “The Honey Badger” Walkins was outstanding from a field of 20 mixed martial arts (MMA) at the Cascadia Hotel in St Ann’s on Friday night when “CUFF 13”, the Caribbean Ultimate Fist Fighting Tournament took place.

The event attracted 13 local and seven foreign fighters with Walkins, and Don Magboo of Canada, both of whom defeated Canadian Mike McAloon, and Mike Olaya of Colombia, respectively.

The Honey Badger, who moved up in weight class from Bantamweight (135lbs) to Featherweight (145lbs) to fight McAloo, dispatched his challenger by unanimous decision in the second round of the three-round battle.The fighter out of Arima utilised his devastating ground game to great effect during the bout, mounting the foreigner early in the second round, and pounding him multiple times to the head, before referee, Tommy Santana called an end to the fight.

The win moved Walkins to 12-1 in his MMA career and gifted him bragging rights as the local “man to beat” moving forward.

In the only professional title fight of the night, Don Magboo, of Canada, defeated Mike Olaya, of Colombia, in the first round via submission by armbar to win the CUFF Lightweight (155lbs) title.
The other noteworthy amateur fights on the card saw local fighters Kadaine Hope, and Jeffrey Ranghill capture the Bantamweight and Middleweight (180lbs) CUFF titles, defeating Luke Hogg and Keeno

Carrabon by knock-out (KO) and Submission, respectively.
Unfortunately, local hopeful Anthony Joseph, fell to Stefano Hosko of Canada via submission by triangle choke-hold in the Lightweight (155lbs) title match.
MMA has seen a steady rise in popularity in T&T and CUFF has awarded both local and international fighters a fantastic opportunity to show case their talents and promote themselves to international MMA organizations.
Guardian Media Sport spoke with the founder and event organiser of CUFF, Adam Chin Leung Kam, about the steady rise in popularity of the sport in the Caribbean and he proclaimed: “I think we (CUFF) have done a good job in the last few years because people tend to describe us as the number one organization in the Caribbean for MMA.
“MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and we (CUFF) are just following the path of some of the great organizations that have gone before, like the UFC and so forth, and we are doing our part to keep the sport alive in the Caribbean,” he added.

Results 

(TRI) Michael Cumberbatch def (TRI) Ayodelle Vialva - (Amateur) 145lbs
(TRI) Kristen Charles def (TRI) Ryan Thomas - (Amateur) 140lbs
(TRI) Robert Beeray def (TRI) Camron Sandy - (Amateur) 145lbs
(TRI) Kareem Hope def (TRI) Andell Lakhan - (Amateur) 140lbs
(CAN) Stash Caper def (GUY) Corwin D’Anjou - (Amateur) 155lbs
(TRI) Kadaine Hope def (CAN) Luke Hoggg - (Amateur title fight) 135lbs
(CAN) Stefano Hosko def (TRI) Anthony Joseph - (Amateur title fight) 155lbs
(TRI) Jefferey Ranghill def (TRI) Keeno Carabon - (Amateur title fight) 180lbs
(TRI) Joash Walkins def (CAN) Mike MacAloon - (Professional) 145lbs
(CAN) Don Magboo def (COL) Mike Olaya - (Professional title fight) 155lbs

JONATHON MATOUK
 

The Beetham Gardens community took centre stage last week as residents blocked the roadway, threw missiles at motorists causing panic along the Beetham Highway.

Lawlessness! Gridlock Terror! Screamed the headlines as Trinidad and Tobago descended into an intense hyperactive cauldron of facts, rumour and fake news.

The rush to slam the behaviour of a minority of Beetham residents cast condemnation on an entire community.

North Trinidad and Tobago encountered, not for the first time in our nations history a snap shot of social disturbance as motorists evacuated the capital city for fear of what may come if the situation wasn’t calmed down.

Residents claimed the protest was a plea for jobs in the area and not to protest the arrests of two members of the Beetham community, Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams responded, “there is no justification for criminality”.

Members of the business community expressed grave concerns as did other law abiding citizens, but who is seeking the best interest of the traumatised law abiding residents of Beetham Gardens, and other hot spots and at risk communities. Who is crying for Beetham Gardens?

As allegations of endemic corruption and wasteful spending of the country’s oil and gas windfall overwhelm the public domain and deliver economic hardship to the country on a whole.

Who will reach out and understand the long suffering quagmire of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in Trinidad and Tobago?

Who will seek to understand the frustration and hopelessness of feeling left behind with no tangible benefit from the oil and gas windfall?

Economic and income inequality and perception of social injustice is not a figment of imagination for many citizens here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Solving social issues and problems is no easy task. Erasing Beetham Gardens from the landscape as some have called for...locking up and throwing away the keys is not the solution.

Hotspot communities are as much part and parcel of Trinidad and Tobago as the affluent enclaves and gated communities.

Beetham Gardens and other hotspots communities believe they have gotten the short end of the stick and their resent and anger is real.

The root cause of the problem must be addressed.

Community trouble spots need love , attention and respect. Many nationals who have achieved excellence in sport, music, art, drama, academia, legit business and entrepreneurship call these communities,

home.

•EDITOR’S NOTE
Brian Lewis is the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and T&T Commonwealth Games Association. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC and TTCGA.

Hundreds of outdoor hockey players, men and women, did not get the opportunity to play in the T&T Hockey Board’s (TTHB) annual league season this year, and they are likely to have a barren season again, come next year as they await the purchase of an Astro Turf mat to replace the existing one at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua.

Patrice Charles, new Director of Sport at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, revealed yesterday that the Ministry through the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT), is in the process of sourcing additional funds to complete the purchase of the turf. It is costing government $1,356,000 for the mat from German supplier Polytan, as well as to have it relaid.

Charles confirmed that more than half that amount was paid but is unsure when the remaining amount will be received to complete payment, owing to the current economic climate.

“Once we’ve receive releases, we will make payment on the turf which was part of our arrangement with the company. We are still awaiting the rest of the funds to complete the payment. The Sport company has been dealing with it,” Charles said.

In the meantime all activities at the 10-year old turf facility at Tacarigua have grinded to a halt. In addition to a reluctance to use the facility as the TTHB awaits the new surface, Guardian Media Sports has learned that the mat has been overgrown by moss which can be particularly harmful to players.

According to a source at the TTHB, an electrical problem has also left the entire Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena, which includes the nearby basketball, netball and indoor facility, without an electricity supply for the past three weeks.

According to the TTHB member, it was considered to be more financially prudent to await the new surface and not clean the turf because of the huge cost involved.

Charles said during a check of the facility, they discovered an electrical concern that could lead to mass damages if left undone.

He said, “We decided to shutdown the electricity supply at the entire facility for work to be done soon. It had nothing to do with the contractor who did the work but rather decay that may have happened over time. The good thing is that we have received assistance from the Ministry of Works so the problem should be rectified soon.”

More than 40 teams from some 20 clubs, featuring approximately 200 players were affected by the recent development.

The current hockey format comprises of over 20 teams in the Open Men and Women divisions, all fielding teams in the other divisions such as the Under-19s, Trinity or Second division and the Veteran division.
The TTHB official said her members have been urging government to expedite the process to prevent another season of no outdoor hockey.

Brian Garcia, former national player and coach said he has never experienced a shutdown of outdoor hockey in his time playing and coaching the sport but has confirmed that a lot of players were affected by it.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

T&T’s senior men’s team led by Joseph Quashie qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) Games following this weekend’s intense competition in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Tournament held over the weekend at Fronton Campo Mart in Mexico City, Mexico.

The local team placed fourth to take the final automatic spot as the top four teams in the men’s competition advanced while the top three in the women’s qualify. This means despite some impressive play by Juliana Straker, Ornella George, and Fayola Jack over the two days, the T&T women’s team, who also placed fourth, did not progress.

Jamaica men and Mexico women won to book their ticket to next year’s Rugby World Cup in San Francisco. Runner-up French Guiana and third-placed Jamaica women will also attend. Mexico women also earned a spot in Hong Kong Sevens, while Jamaica men will head to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, also set for next year.

At the event, the 10 men’s teams were split into three pools. T&T, hosts Mexico, Curacao and British Virgin Islands (BVI) played in Pool C while Jamaica, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic are in Pool B and in Pool A, Guyana met Barbados and the Cayman Islands.

On the opening day, T&T was in second place holding opponents to zero tries. It improved upon their first match against British Virgin Islands (38-0) by scoring 70 points against Curacao. Leon Pantor once again controlled the game with his kicking at the restart and distribution in midfield. Nigel Ballington also let the team with several tries. However in its lone match in the afternoon session, T&T fell to the Mexicans narrowly, 19-7.

On day two, T&T got the better of Bermuda (22-19) but suffered a 14-7 loss to Guyana before the men’s pool contenders faced off against one another to determine the first through sixth place rankings. Then T&T match-up against Mexico in the third and fourth place playoff and went under 14-22.

In the seven-team round-robin women’s tournament, T&T’s steady dominance saw them open on Saturday with a 24-point shutout of Bermuda. Straker, George and Jack caused headaches with their strength and opened doors for the rest of the team. The local team followed up with wins over Guyana (12-5) and French Guiana (24-14) to close day one.

Results

Men’s
Pool matches
T&T 38 vs BVI 0
T&T 70 vs Curacao 0
T&T 7 vs Mexico 19
Second round
T&T 22 vs Bermuda 19
T&T 7 vs Guyana 14
Playoffs
Third/fourth place: T&T 14 vs Mexico 22
Fifth/sixth place: Bermuda 14 vs Cayman Islands 21
Final:
Guyana 24 vs Jamaica 28
WOMEN
Saturday
T&T 24 vs Bermuda 0
T&T 12 vs Guyana 5
T&T 24 vs French Guiana 14
Sunday
T&T 5 vs Jamaica 29
T&T 21 vs Dominican Republic 5
T&T 0 vs Mexico 5
Women’s team
Nicolette Pantor (captain), Juliana Straker, Ornella George, Fayola Jack, Blossom Stewart, Kathleen Stephen, Maria Thomas, Kanisha Vincent, Pateia Paul, Marika Mendez, Dalia Jordan-Brown, Victoria Carliste.
Officials: Carlton Felix (coach), Kelson Figaro (assistant coach), Jenilee Limada (manager), Derek Ashby-Williams (physiotherapist)
Men’s Team
Johnathan Appleby, Nigel Ballington, Shakeel Dyte, Keston Earle, Shakir Flemming, Wayne Kelly, Leon Pantor, James Phillip, Joseph Quashie (captain), Jesse Richards, Agboola Silverthorn, Keishon Walker
Officials: Larry Mendez (coach), Felician Guerra (assistant coach), Curtis Nero (manager), Daniel Forde (physiotherapist)

On November 17 and 18, two distinct and very different groups met to listen to learned thinking on the subject of fake news specifically and the parlous state of the news business generally.

Vivian Schiller was on her second visit to T&T, again a guest of the Unit Trust Corporation, but the room seemed colder this time around.

A year ago, a large group of journalists and media managers turned up to listen to Schiller at UTC’s Port-of-Spain Head Office. This time around the turnout was smaller, with significantly diminished numbers of both practitioners and their leadership despite the lure of Jaffa’s cuisine.

The audience this time around favoured digital natives and for them, this was a sermon that demanded more depth.

Schiller prefaced her talk by mentioning that she had no numbers for the Caribbean, which was unfortunate, because her presentation would have been infinitely stronger and more relevant had her conclusions been drawn from more than readily available first world statistics.

Headline topics for Schiller included the current amplification of fretting about the psychological impact of social media, the concerns about how conversations and perceptions have been manipulated by programmed posts driven by data insights and robot likes.

Of global concern is the dominance of just three digital businesses, Facebook, Google and Badu and the oversized influence they have on what Internet users read, view and hear.

The numbers presented by Schiller are deeply troubling for those invested in traditional news production, with 51 per cent overall across all demographics reporting a preference for these information aggregators as news sources.

That number rises sharply to 64 per cent for the 18-24 age group.

News organisations are present on all digital platforms, according to a chart she offered in her slide deck and have a pervasive presence, but Schiller noted, “all the stories look alike and they are flattened as brands.”

“Half of all readers could not remember the name of the news brand they read on a digital platform,” she said, “but two-thirds can remember the platform as the source.”

Regarding the phenomenon of fake news, Schiller lamented “the deligitimisation of facts.

“We are losing agreement on basic facts.” 

On November 17 and 18, two distinct and very different groups met to listen to learned thinking on the subject of fake news specifically and the parlous state of the news business generally.

Vivian Schiller was on her second visit to T&T, again a guest of the Unit Trust Corporation, but the room seemed colder this time around.

A year ago, a large group of journalists and media managers turned up to listen to Schiller at UTC’s Port-of-Spain Head Office. This time around the turnout was smaller, with significantly diminished numbers of both practitioners and their leadership despite the lure of Jaffa’s cuisine.

The audience this time around favoured digital natives and for them, this was a sermon that demanded more depth.

Schiller prefaced her talk by mentioning that she had no numbers for the Caribbean, which was unfortunate, because her presentation would have been infinitely stronger and more relevant had her conclusions been drawn from more than readily available first world statistics.

Headline topics for Schiller included the current amplification of fretting about the psychological impact of social media, the concerns about how conversations and perceptions have been manipulated by programmed posts driven by data insights and robot likes.

Of global concern is the dominance of just three digital businesses, Facebook, Google and Badu and the oversized influence they have on what Internet users read, view and hear.

The numbers presented by Schiller are deeply troubling for those invested in traditional news production, with 51 per cent overall across all demographics reporting a preference for these information aggregators as news sources.

That number rises sharply to 64 per cent for the 18-24 age group.

News organisations are present on all digital platforms, according to a chart she offered in her slide deck and have a pervasive presence, but Schiller noted, “all the stories look alike and they are flattened as brands.”

“Half of all readers could not remember the name of the news brand they read on a digital platform,” she said, “but two-thirds can remember the platform as the source.”

Regarding the phenomenon of fake news, Schiller lamented “the deligitimisation of facts.

“We are losing agreement on basic facts.”