T&T-born Rajesh Latchoo has made a call for coaches in this country to keep their country’s interest at heart but use ways and means of developing their trade even if it means having to take up opportunities outside of the country.

Latchoo is current the head coach of the Dominica men’s national team and is charged with leading the country’s football development after taking up the position eight months ago.

He worked in Trinidad for a few years well, as a coaching instructor with the T&T Football Association (TTFA) as well as women’s national Under-15 head coach, senior women’s assistant coach, head coach for Caledonia AIA, serving also at Barrackpore United as technical director.

He believes that T&T has coaches with the necessary experience and expertise to work at the helm in other countries in the region.

“We have coaches who are here and very capable of leading in other countries.

I took a decision to leave Trinidad and gain the experience outside because I think I can make a valuable contribution in Dominica and I am developing more every day,” he said.

“God has placed me in a good environment with good people. I feel at home in Dominica as my staff and the Dominica FA has given me the necessary support.

“As I look back I am grateful for the opportunity to observe and work with some of the best coaches and football personalities in Trinidad with people such as Anton Corneal, Jamaal Shabazz, Muhammad Isa, Marlon Charles, Keith Look Loy, Sam Phillip, Ricarda Nelson, Jerry Moe, Derick King, Ralph Nelson, Mike McCommie, Keith Jeffrey, Joseph Romero and Lincoln Phillips. These are just some of the people that God has blessed me with the opportunity to work with and help bring me to what I am today.”

Couva loss still affecting Twellman, US

Former United States player and ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman has been passionate in his words about the United States’ failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and the massive impact T&T’s 2-1 victory at the home of football in Couva in October, has had.

Twellman’s rant on camera went viral and this week the former New England Revolution explained clearly that he has not gotten over the loss and that the US will have a very tough time coming to terms with what happened.

“I had about 7-8 TVs on Bristol’s (ESPN) campus, and I was sitting with our leading research guy, Paul Carr. We had all the games on. It was very comfortable. Trinidad scored the second goal, and it made us say, ‘Wait a minute, this is interesting’. But there was still a part of me that said, ‘There are 27 scenarios for tonight’s games, 26 of them have the United States qualifying for at least the playoff’,” Twellman said.

“One out of 27, so why would I prepare for that scenario? I had no idea what I was going to say until about three minutes before we went on air, and Max Bretos and I looked and what we did live is not what we said we were going to do three minutes before coming on air.

“It was less about me, and more about the moment that the United States – with all the money and all those resources – can’t qualify for the World Cup. It still begs many questions, what are we doing? There’s that GIF of ‘What are we doing?’ that goes around but the reality is I still ask that question eight weeks later? What are we doing?”

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.

It’s do or die for both FC Santa Rosa and Hydro Tech Guaya United on the final day of League One play in the T&T Super League competition today.

Both can claim the title but the ‘Big Cannons’ of Santa Rosa have the upper hand with 50 points in the lead, needing to win to retain the crown it won last year when its faces the University of T&T from 3.30 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima.

Santa Rosa coach Keith Look Loy has already made it clear his team will be pursuing a win to not only win the title, but write its name into the history book as the first team to win the title back-to-back.

His team would feel it has the measure of UTT having defeated them 2-0 when the teams last met during the season, but he told Guardian Media Sports he is expecting a difficult match.

Guaya on the other hand, in second position on 49 points, faces Defence Force at its Guayaguayare Recreation Ground home from 3:30pm needing to win.

Guaya also needs UTT to beat or draw with Santa Rosa for a realistic chance at copping the title.

Guaya’s smooth run was stopped by 1976 Phoenix on Thursday at Bon Accord, Tobago, a defeat that ensured Santa Rosa remain in front in the penultimate round of matches in the League. Guaya will be coming off a triumph in the League Cup, as well as consecutive wins over the Army Coast-Guard Combination when the teams square-off later today.

MATCHES

Hydro Tech Guaya United vs Defence Force, 2.30 pm at Guayaguayare Recreation Ground
FC Santa Rosa vs UTT, 3.30 pm at Larry Gomes Stadium
Siparia Spurs vs 1976 Phoenix, 3.30 pm at Palo Seco
QPCC vs Cunupia FC, 4pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium
Police FC vs WASA FC, 4 pm at St James Barracks
Bethel United vs Club Sando, 6 pm at Montgomery Recreation Ground, Tobago

Standings

Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 FC Santa Rosa 21 15 2 3 52 15 37 50
2 Guaya United 21 15 4 2 61 24 37 49
3 Cunupia FC 21 13 3 5 45 29 16 42
4 1976 Phoenix FC 21 10 4 7 40 33 7 34
5 UTT 21 10 3 8 40 37 3 33
6 Defence Force FC 21 9 4 8 42 35 7 31
7 QPCC 21 9 4 8 33 32 1 31
8 Wasa FC 21 7 6 8 33 37 -4 27
9 Police FC 21 5 5 11 25 43 -18 20
10 Club Sando Moruga 21 5 4 12 43 50 -7 19
11 Bethel United 21 2 4 15 19 58 -39 10
12 Siparia Spurs 21 1 4 16 20 60 -40 9

WALTER ALIBEY
 

From “short-changing” the maxi taxi driver or the doubles vendor to companies not paying taxes to politicians using public office for private gain, there is the perception that dishonesty and corruption is a way of life in T&T.

In an almost movie-like jail break, high profile jail convict Vicky Boodram was able to flee prison only to be found in South Trinidad.

While this case provided comic relief throughout the country, it highlighted the darker issue of corruption in T&T.

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley in August said if he were to leave his job now, he would point to corruption as the most pressing problem that the country is facing.

Yesterday the United Nations marked World Anti-Corruption Day.

According to the UN, every year US $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption—a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The UN said corruption is one of the biggest impediments to its Sustainable Development Goals.

Several local anti-corruption activists spoke to Sunday Business on this issue.

Beyond legislation to implementation

Afra Raymond, immediate past president, Joint Consultative Council (JCC) believes more can be done to deal with cases of corruption in the country.

“A lot more needs to be done in terms of transparency and accountability.”

Raymond said that the authorities need to move more quickly to proclaim the Public Procurement Act.

“We have been advocating for that. The law has been passed. It is a very, very good law. It now needs to be implemented. The President of the Republic has to appoint the Board of the Procurement Regulation Office after consultation with the Office of the Prime Minister and the opposition leader.”

In November, Finance Minster Colm Imbert said that the implementation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act is contingent on the Office of the President completing the appointment of a procurement regulator and the procurement board.

Imbert said he has taken note of repeated calls on the Government from various quarters to immediately implement the legislation.

“It is worth repeating that the Public Procurement Act cannot be implemented until the Office of Procurement Regulation is fully established.”

Raymond spoke about the court case that he has been involved in since 2012 trying to get published details of the CL financial bailout.

He said the Finance Minister estimated $27.7 billion has been spent.
“I have gone to court to see who got that money. That is our money. The previous PP Government fought me in court and I won the case. The current Dr. Keith Rowley’s Government has continued in the court against me. I want to see a change to that and details of payments. It is nothing less than a first class scandal.”
Gillian Wall, President, Powerful Ladies of Trinidad and Tobago (PLOTT) told Sunday Business that it not necessarily that corruption is getting worse, but it could be that what has already existed is now being unearthed.
“We are seeing levels of corruption being constantly revealed, both in the public and private sector and it continues to negatively impact trust and confidence in leadership. We are becoming more aware of the instances of corruption but we are not seeing the consequences.”
Kirk Waithe, Director, Fixin’ T&T said that all of T&T’s social problems are a product of corruption which leads to poor economic circumstances.
“We are one of the richest countries in the Western Hemisphere, we are too rich to be so poor.”
He blamed the present and past Governments for not doing enough to deal with corruption and said that is it not in their best interests to deal with corruption in a serious way.
Waithe believes that if not seriously dealt with, corruption can possibly destroy a society.
“Corruption destroys homes, it destroys communities and it destroys economies.”
Sunday Business reached out to local watch-dog T&T Transparency Institute but no responses were available up to press time.
T&T slipped four points on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), from a score of 39 in 2015 to 35 in 2016, according to the Corruption Index launched in January of this year at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business.
This country’s position is now 101 compared to 72 in 2015. In 2013 and 2014, T&T had scored 38 and in 2012 the score was 39 on the CPI.

1 How many years have you been in business?

I have been in the business of fashion for 40 years.

In 1977 I opened my first shop named “No Problem Boutique” selling imported clothing. In 1978 I started introducing locally made pieces and made the switch to 100% local production by 1979 when the company was re-branded under the name Claudia Pegus Designs Limited.

2 What has been your biggest success?

Being able to sustain the Claudia Pegus brand with locally produced clothing that stands for quality at an internationally acceptable standard as well as receiving a UNESCO award for my work with West Indian Sea Island Cotton, an indigenous product grown in the Caribbean which happens to be the finest and one of the most expensive cottons in the world.

3 Have you ever failed at any endeavour?

I won’t define failure but setbacks. The path to success is littered with obstacles, slips and slides, hills and valleys. Success cannot be achieved without the ability to learn from and master failure.
It is still my hope and dream that the Heads of Caricom would come together and realise the potential that is and can be derived from the investment in West Indian Sea Island Cotton.

4 What makes you decide whether you want to enter a new venture?

Market shifts/trends to a large extent dictate direction. In the late 70’s I shifted from imported to locally produced clothing because there was a demand for a Caribbean silhouette. In the 80’s I entered the ready-to-wear market and positioned the Claudia Pegus brand as a Caribbean landmark on Frederick Street. Then came the separation of stores, location and merchandise. My latest venture is focused on broadening the product range.

5 Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Yes You Can” once you have a vision and the belief in your ability to realise it.

6 Have you ever felt like you could lose it all?

I came into this world with nothing, I cannot leave with anything. Therefore permanence is an illusion.

7 What drives you?
My passion for excellence, at an individual and at a national level. The euphoria of bettering each achievement along the way.
8 When did you recognise that you’d “made it”?
When I realised the quality of clients that were engaging my services.
9 What do most people think about you that may or may not be true?
That the price of my work is unaffordable. Over the years I have seen and heard the horror stories of ‘bargain purchases’. The investment in quality as a first option is more cost-effective in the long term. It’s the secret of the brand’s sustainability.
10 What do you believe are the key factors
to succeed in business?
(a) Have a vision.
(b) Have a plan for developing the vision.
(c) Have an exit strategy for that plan:
have a back-up plan or two.
(d) Get a mentor to guide you.
(e) Listen and learn from others.
(f) Have regular conversations with self.
(g) The final decision should always be your

With recent failure of the Anti-Gang Bill, acting Prisons Commissioner Gerald Wilson is instituting a new prison unit to offer incarcerated gang members alternatives and directions away from gangs.

Speaking to T&T Guardian during yesterday’s Police Service Christmas children’s party, Wilson said: “What happened with the Anti-Gang bill was astonishing. I watched last week’s Parliament debate. It was unfortunate they couldn’t come to agreement,”

“But I can’t sit and wait for people to agree on things. I have an institution to run and must try to help and find creative ways to deal with challenges,” he said.

The Anti-Gang Bill to criminalise gang activity and aid crime suppression was defeated due to lack of Opposition support.

Wilson said bill’s passage would have impacted on the prison system—already overcrowded—regarding places to keep persons held under that law. Wilson recalled experiences the system endured during the 2011 State of Emergency when hundreds were detained under anti-gang law.

“But wherever the Prison Service can undertake measures to assist gang members to move out of that lifestyle—and avoid returning to jail—we intend to try,” he added.

“I’m launching this Suppression and Management Unit particularly to aid management of gangs in prison. While people usually insist they’re not a in gang when they’re free, once ‘inside’ they seek protection by gravitating to gangs,”

“This unit will offer alternatives— whether education, training, other programmes—to show them a different way of life.

“We aim to change the prison’s image as a ‘finishing school’ on crime for inmates. We’ must try to give them a way out or they’ll return to crime,”

He said two gangs dominated the prison population—Rasta City and Muslims—with the latter group larger sometimes. But inmates gravitated between both.

“There’s no true loyalty. They do what’s necessary for survival,” he said.

Wilson whose career has spanned Remand Yard, said: “We’d ask people how they became gang members. People often came from sub-cultures, a ‘we-against-you’ attitude concerning the status quo. They ‘d feel some people have and they don’t and they try however way, to put food on the table.”

“The situation isn’t an easy fix. But it starts with trying to understand how people think. Some people call officers “Fadder.” I see that for example indication of the absent father/ role models they didn’t have.” he noted.

Wilson said the new unit would not mean officers would be befriending inmates.

“You can be professional and still enquire on someone’s welfare. I’ve also told officers we have to examine and fix ourselves inside before we fix the service’s image outside because sometimes public criticism outside results from what people say inside,” he said.

“Officers should seek to be respected not feared. You’re only feared in jail. You’re not feared outside. If you’re respected inside, you’ll be respected outside. But at the same time, I don’t see why removing an inmate’s cellphone should cause a death threat.”

The Ministry of Education is investigating a video posted on social media which has gone viral involving several students bullying another student at a prestige school in Diego Martin.

In two of the videos posted on social media, the student is seen shielding himself while several boys physically assault him.

In the second video, the same boy is heard screaming before he is taken and thrown into the school’s swimming pool.

No teachers were seen in the video.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Lovell Francis said the ministry was adopting zero tolerance to indiscipline in schools.

“We are very much against this kind of indiscipline and violence in the school. We are having a zero tolerance towards this and we would have it investigated,” he said.

Founder of Stop the Bullying, a page dedicated to eradicating bullying in schools on Facebook, Lana Maharaj-Boodoo, said the police needed to be active in engaging students at school.

“It (school indiscipline) is getting out of hand and suspension and expelling is not going to solve this problem.

“The Government needs to have a programme to deal with these children psychologically. They (bullies) need to stop beating people children. They are not punching bags,” she said.

Maharaj-Boodoo said she was very concerned since the student could have drowned.

“Just now we have to go to schools with a hearse. They did not know if he could swim. Suppose he drowned? The school thinking about their reputation but you have to think of the victim. You can’t just want to let your school have a good name and parents need to wake,” she said.

She said if children did not listen to their parents they should take them to the police.

“If you leave them they will become a problem for society. The ministry needs to get the police or army to visits schools once a month. To get some personnel to visit talk to them and educate them and find out what is their problem. Sometimes nobody knows not even the parent,” she said.

Attempts made to contact president of the T&T Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) Lynsley Doodhai proved futile.

Three more suspects wanted in connection with last Wednesday's airport robbery were held by the police on Friday, They are being detained at the Maraval Police Station.

Last Wednesday, armed bandits escaped with an estimated $5 million in cash from the cargo cart at the tarmac of Piarco International Airport.

Police said a man and two women were being questioned up to late yesterday evening.

Officers said the man showed up at the station to "sign in the book" and was accompanied by two women in an SUV.

They were then taken into custody for questioning.

Last week, seven people were questioned soon after the incident.

The vehicle used in the robbery was later found at found abandoned in Oropune Gardens.

On Friday, officers held an exercise in the Central Division and man and a woman were arrested with $250,000.00 fifty dollar bills TT currency.

That couple was not charged up tol late yesterday.

Statements were taken from the suspects and police officers are expected to hold discussions with the Director of Public Prosecution for today.

ACP Anti-Crime Operations Irwin Hackshaw said there has been a number of people taken into custody for questioning and the police did not want to divulge a lot of information on the subject.

A Diego Martin man will appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today charged with breaching a protection order of his two children.

Police said the suspect’s former common-law wife took out the protection order for the children after complaints were made from the school and the children against him.

The man is currently out on bail after breaching another protection order that the common-law took out for herself.

The man was held in an exercise and was being held in police custody at the West End Police Station.

Police said the exercise was spearheaded by Supt Peter Dominique of Western Division. Officers said the suspect breached the protection against the woman and when he got bail she took out another protection order.

Several witnesses stepped forward after the suspect allegedly showed up at the children’s school where he reportedly threatened a number of individuals.

Last month, in an interview at a police town meeting, the mother commended the efforts of the police because of their hard work. During that town meeting, which was held at the Diego Martin Central Community Centre, the mother said she had been threatened by the man.

Senior officers said since the town meeting several attempts were being made to address the concerns raised by the Diego Martin community.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is hoping to address a backlog of some 250 patients who are on a waiting list to have surgery for hernias on Surgical Sundays.

So far 31 members of the public who needed surgery for hernias have benefited from the programme and an additional 20 persons were scheduled for surgery yesterday.

The initiative, which started on November 12, will utilise four operating theatres by four teams of surgeons at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex every other Sunday to address the backlog of urgent surgeries.

At a press conference yesterday at the EWMSC, Deyalsingh met with four patients who had the surgery.

Dr Malachy Ojuro, acting Medical Chief of Staff at the EWMSC, said the new initiative called Surgical Sundays, would be performed every two weeks on Sundays when the operation theatres are free.

“The surgical team will initially focus on hernia surgeries, but other types of procedures will be considered over time as we move to reduce the backlog of cases to more manageable levels,” he said.

Ojuro said the initiative resulted in 18 surgeries being conducted on 16 patients a month ago and another 15 patients benefited two weeks later on Sunday November 25. All the procedures were successfully performed by the all-local medical teams at the EWMSC.

“The procedures were completed using the model developed by the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) in the recently concluded Operation Walk project in October, where more than 50 surgical procedures were performed in just three days,” he said.

Deyalsingh said such initiatives were important because it addressed many challenges facing the healthcare system and across the world by empowering the RHAs to deliver more for our citizens from the resources we have available.

“This project will expand the number of tertiary level services offered to citizens and has positioned the NCRHA and the EWMSC as the leading centre for specialised medical solutions in T&T. The success rate of this surgery team also reflects the growing confidence of our medical professionals and their competence to meet and surpass international standards,” he said.

Davlin Thomas, acting chief executive officer at the NCRHA, said the project which will be conducted every two weeks, is part of a plan to institutionalise and further expand the number and types of surgeries being performed by the EWMSC.

“When we bring down the backlog for hernias to more manageable levels, we will look at other procedures with extended waiting lists. Additionally, the NCRHA will be doing its part to continually improve our system so we can accommodate important projects such as Surgical Sundays that provide opportunities for our doctors to make a tangible difference in the lives of our patients,” he said.

radhicasookraj@gmail.com

Former Independent Senator and Presbyterian Minister Reverend Daniel Teelucksingh says T&T’s denial of basic human rights is alarming.

His comments came as the world celebrated the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, following the Second World War.

“As the world joins in the observance of the United Nations’ International Human Rights’ Day, the spirit of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains relevant and significant,” Teelucksingh said.

However, he said T&T is in breach of several articles of the Human Rights Charter.

“Our denial of basic human rights is alarming,” Teelucksingh said, adding that too many children are being denied their basic rights.

He made reference to the recent report of the Children’s Authority where almost 6,000 cases of child abuse including sexual offences, physical injuries, neglected children and abandoned babies were reported in 2017.

“In our society, this may be the tip of the iceberg as several cases may go unreported,” Teelucksingh said.

He questioned: “Do shoppers and merchants have rights since both suffer through regular robberies at grocery stores and malls? Limers and party-goers are sometimes denied the right to recreation by criminal invasions; What of the rights of senior citizens? Violence and sexual offences against girls and women- what of their rights and freedoms which are denied regularly.”

He also added: “Impassable roadways, water shortages, denial of basic social services are sometimes noticed only when logs or tyres are ignited. It is endemic. It may not be condoned. But, basic rights are denied, and voices are ignored.”

The former Senator said a campaign to promote human rights in T&T can be energised at the level of “I- You” relationships.

“That interpersonal encounter can establish the basis in recognition of the other person’s humanity and the awakening of mutual respect. The home, school and neighbourhood constitute the essential matrix in fostering the principles and promotion of human rights,” he explained.

He noted that the “essence of the Christmas story is in the humanity of Jesus Christ in which the value and the nobility of the human person is given its highest honour.”

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Housing Minister Randall Mitchell is calling on all Housing Development Corporation tenants to continue to report illegal activities in their communities.

This as criminals continue to terrorise bonafide HDC tenants in areas such as Clifton Towers, Orchid Gardens, Pleasantville and at Tarodale in Ste Madeleine.

Speaking at a key distribution function held at Omardeen’s auditorium in San Fernando on Saturday, Mitchell said HDC’s security unit will continue to conduct audits on the reports and direct them to the police.

Mitchell also said that gangs are continuing to terrorise HDC tenants saying if the UNC had supported the Anti-Gang legislation last Wednesday, the police would have been able to charge the gang members with more substantial offences. He noted that residents of Clifton Towers are continuing to face terror at the hands of gangs.

“We are also seeing a new practice where the criminal gang element is entering these developments and chasing out bonafide tenants using tactics of intimidation and violence.

“In the case of Clifton Towers the joint police and army effort would have evicted the illegal occupiers at least three occasions and they continue to return, which itself is indicative of a break down of law and order,” Mitchell said.

He added: “The HDC will continue to play its part in engaging the law enforcement agencies to ensure that this type of terror discontinues.

“I also call on all law-abiding citizens to report any possible illegal activity that you observe in your community so that action can be taken in a timely manner,” Mitchell said.

He also revealed that when the Government took office in September 2015 there were 1,200 vacant HDC units but by October 2017, the number had dropped to 200. Saying those units will be distributed by the end of the year, Mitchell said: “Vacant, unoccupied and vandalised units are very expensive liabilities on the books of the HDC.”

He also said that some HDC tenants are sub-letting their housing units, earning huge profits at the expense of persons desperately in need of affordable housing.

“This contravenes of our housing policy and directly breaches the terms and conditions of your Agreements.

“This injustice must stop and I will continue to work to ensure that this practice does stop under my tenure as Minister,” Mitchell warned.

He added the HDC will continue to stamp out illegal occupancy of houses.

“The occupation of vacant housing units without the permission of the HDC is unlawful and there is very little by way of mitigating circumstances that can justify such unlawful behaviour to the disadvantage of law-abiding citizens on the application list.

“The State cannot and will not encourage the reward or allow persons to benefit from illegal and unlawful behaviour. To do otherwise, the State would be contributing to the lawlessness we see in society today,” Mitchell explained.

He also said that the HDC will be cracking down on delinquent tenants saying: “The HDC can no longer afford to tolerate persons who are habitually delinquent with their financial obligations.”

On Friday, HDC residents of Orchid Gardens said they were terrified about ongoing criminal activities which led to the murder of 45-year-old Robert Carter of Arima who was gunned down outside Building C Tarodale residents have also complained of criminal activities in their communities.

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

With the defeat of the Anti-Gang legislation in Parliament last Wednesday, political leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah says both the Government and the Opposition have failed the people of T&T.

Speaking at a press conference in San Fernando yesterday, Abdulah said it was time for citizens to speak out about the human rights violations which exist in T&T.

Announcing the resumption of the MSJ’s Citizen Intervention forum from January, Abdulah said this will provide a platform for citizens across the political and ethnic divide to express views ideas and analysis about the problems in T&T.

“The first issue to be dealt with is crime and violence. We will examine the Anti-Gang legislation and why have we gotten to the stage of 480 murders for this year. Why have we gotten to stage where young men and women feel alienated and feel the need to join a gang,” Abdulah said.

He added, “We want everyone to take part in this discussion as we deal with the state of the economy, health sector, education, land, housing and wealth inequality.”

Abdulah also said there were too many violations of basic human rights in T&T.

“Across the board whether it is a denial of rights to our children, elderly, differently able and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,” he noted.

“The issue of women’s rights and sexual harassment in the workplace has to be addressed,” Abdulah said, noting that many women are denied maternity leave and are being made to work long hours with no over time.

Saying many citizens were badly affected by the crime wave, Abdulah contended that both the UNC and PNM failed in their responsibilities as legislators and members of Parliament by the failure to pass the Anti Gang legislation.

“They failed the people of T&T and what we have seen is the unseemly disgusting tirades in and out of Parliament as they use the issue of crime in general and the Anti-Gang legislation as a political weapon with which to attack the other,” Abdulah contended.

He added, “Crime must not be used as a political football in T&T because crime affects all of us, regardless of party affiliation communities in which we live, gender age, demographics. It affects all of us and it should not be used as a political football, so we condemn both political parties for the way we address the issue.

A member of a Palestinian delegation en route from St Vincent to Panama was detained at Piarco on Saturday night, and his passport seized. But he was allowed to leave early yesterday morning.

Eight other members of the Palestinian delegation— whose passage through T&T had also been in doubt—were being allowed to pass through Trinidad yesterday evening.

This was confirmed by Hafeez Khan, of the Muslim Roundtable . He said he was contacted on the matter last Saturday by Palestine ‘s Ambassador to Venezuela and St Vincent. Khan notified National Security Minister Edmund Dillon of the situation.

Dillon told the T&T Guardian yesterday the matter was being handled by Foreign Affairs. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moses didn’t respond to calls or text yesterday.

Khan, who was kept in the loop on the matter by Palestine’s Ambassador, said the high powered Palestinian delegation was in St Vincent at the invitation of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

The ambassador and her husband —both based in Venezuela— also went to St Vincent, but returned to Venezuela by private plane, he added.

The delegation had come from Germany and passed through Panama and T&T en route to St Vincent last week, Khan said. He confirmed they’d had some “issues” when they passed through T&T then, but were allowed through.

“However, the delegation member who was seeking to pass through Trinidad last Saturday night to return to Panama was held. We’re told other international persons were also involved in speaking to him,” Khan said.

“However, the Vincentian Prime Minister said he spoke to (T&T’s ) Foreign Affairs Minister and it was advised all was well for the members to use Piarco to connect to their flight to Panama.”

Khan said the Palestine’s Ambassador was particularly concerned since eight other delegation members were scheduled to to pass through Piarco yesterday evening en route to Panama, “And there’d been word that T&T authorities had written St Vincent on Sunday morning— after the first member arrived— advising them not to allow any more members pass through T&T,”

“But the ambassador advised me that Prime Minister Gonsalves spoke to T&T Foreign Affairs and it was agreed to allow the eight to pass through T&T yesterday. They arrived and were being processed,” Khan said at 4. 44 pm yesterday.

Khan said the Palestinian Ambassador was very upset at the development, and he also felt disappointed. He said the situation has prompted the need for T&T to take a position on Palestine’s status.

“What happened was unfortunate as the Palestine issue is known internationally— they’re the victims of occupation by Israel. From what occurred in the current matter, it seems T&T authorities are toeing the US line and reacting to the US Trump administration’s moving of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. But the United Nations hasn’t done this,”

“The Muslim community here would therefore like to meet Foreign Affairs Minister to understand what problems there may be and what requirements are necessary if Palestinians have to pass through T&T,” Khan added.

HAMILTON, New Zealand—West Indies’ batting crumbled meekly on day two of the second Test against New Zealand yesterday, leaving the Caribbean side needing a Herculean effort to stay alive in the contest at Seddon Park.

Replying to the hosts’ 373, the Windies started badly and never really recovered, finishing the day on 215 for eight in their first innings – still 158 runs adrift of the lead.

Not for the first time in recent history, opener Kraigg Brathwaite was the only shining light, leading by example in his first match as skipper with a top-score of 66.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich made a dashing 35, Shimron Hetmyer got 28 while debutant Raymon Reifer was propped up the innings deep in the final session with an unbeaten 22.

But opener Kieran Powell failed to score, Shai Hope and Roston Chase were left still looking for a significant score in the series while rookie Sunil Ambris trod on his stumps for the second time in three innings, to continue his bizarre start to his Test career.

New Zealand’s bowlers were steady without ever being spectacular, with the seam quartet of Tim Southee (2-34), Colin de Grandhomme (2-40), Trent Boult (2-67) and Neil Wagner (2-73) each picking up two wickets.

West Indies had earlier endured frustration as New Zealand converted their overnight 286 for seven into a competitive first innings.

They did well to remove the overnight pair of Tom Blundell (28) and Neil Wagner (1) cheaply for the addition of just 26 runs but were then held up by a last-wicket stand of 61 between Boult and Southee.

Boult played with gay abandon in a 27-ball knock that included five fours and two sixes and Southee joined with a four and a pair of sixes, in an entertaining 39-ball innings.

Seamer Kemar Roach finally ended the innings 45 minutes before lunch when he took a low caught and bowled chance to his right, to remove Southee.

Speedster Shannon Gabriel finished with four 119 and Roach, three for 58, while Miguel Cummins ended with two for 57.

Left with a tricky period to navigate, the Windies’ misery increased when Powell sparred at the sixth ball of the innings from Southee and was caught at the wicket with five runs on the board.

On 24 for one at lunch, West Indies benefitted from two small partnerships afterwards, Brathwaite adding 41 for the second wicket with Hetmyer and a further 44 for the third wicket with Hope who made 15.

Only 55 minutes play were possible in the second session because of rain, in which time Hetmyer showed flashes of his usual aggression before playing too early at one from Boult and watching as the left-armer pulled off a brilliant one-handed return catch diving to his left.

The 20-year-old left-hander struck four fours and a six – a top-edged hook to fine leg off Boult.

When the rains arrived, the Windies were 87 for two with Brathwaite and Hope together, and when they returned 20 minutes after the scheduled tea interval, the slump ensued. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand vs West Indies
2nd day, 2nd Test
NEW ZEALAND 1st Innings
(overnight 286 for seven)
J Raval c wkp Dowrich b Gabriel 84
T Latham c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 22
K Williamson c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 43
R Taylor c wkp Dowrich b Roach 16
H Nicholls lbw Reifer 13
M Santner b Gabriel 24
C de Grandhomme b Gabriel 58
T Blundell b Gabriel 28
N Wagner c Hope b Roach 1
T Southee c and b Roach 31
T Boult not out 37
Extras (lb1, w3, nb12) 16
TOTAL (all out; 102.2 overs) 373
Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-154, 3-159, 4-186, 5-189, 6-265, 7-275, 8-286, 9-312, 10-373.
Bowling: Gabriel 25-4-119-4 (w1, nb7), Roach 23.2-8-58-3 (nb1), Cummins 20-4-57-2 (w2, nb4), Chase 13-1-90-0, Reifer 17-8-36-1, Brathwaite 4-0-12-0.
WEST INDIES 2nd Innings
K Brathwaite c Southee b de Grandhomme 66
K Powell c wkp Blundell b Southee 0
S Hetmyer c and b Boult 28
S Hope c Taylor b Southee 15
R Chase b de Grandhomme 12
S Ambris hit wkt b Boult 2
S Dowrich c & b Wagner 35
R Reifer not out 22
K Roach c Boult b Wagner 17
M Cummins not out 10
Extras (b1, w7) 8
TOTAL (8 wkts, 64 overs) 215
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-46, 3-90, 4-112, 5-117, 6-135, 7-169,8-204.
To bat: S. Gabriel
Bowling: Southee 18-8-34-2 (w1), Boult 19-5-67-2 (w2), de Grandhomme 12-1-40-2, Wagner 15-2-73-2.
Position: West Indies trail by 158 runs with two wickets intact.
Toss: West Indies
Umpires: Rod Tucker, Bruce Oxenford; TV – Ian Gould.

Skipper Denesh Ramdin and rain came to the assistance of the T&T Red Force yesterday, as their their sixth round Digicel CWI PCL clash against the Jamaica Scorpions ended in a draw at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Starting the final day on 21/1 trailing the home team by 271 runs, the T&T Red Force lost quick wickets and it took a rearguard 40-run partnership between Ramdin and all rounder Imran Khan to take the team to 162/6 at tea. After the tea break just one run was added and rain came down to wash out the final session to give T&T a draw, with defeat staring them earlier on.

Ramdin was unbeaten on 52 when the rain came, while Khan was on 17. the man doing the damage for the Jamaicans was Reynard Leveridge who grabbed three wickets for 23 runs.

Red Force started the day on 21/1 and immediately lost a wicket, when Yannic Carriah had his stumps uprooted by the pacy Leveridge for a ‘duck’. His dismissal came at a crucial time and the Scorpions had their tails up. Ewart Nicholson who got a half century in the first innings was in next and played confidently in striking 17 with the help of two fours and a six. However, his adventurous innings ended with the score 47/3 putting T&T into further trouble.

Soon after T&T slipped to 62 for four, as the patient Jeremy Solozano was dismissed for 23 off 85 balls with three fours. All rounder Tion Webster came in and blasted the ball to all parts of the ground but his contribution of 30 took the score only to 120 before he fell. His 30, came off 44 balls with three fours and a six and he was able to add 58 runs with Ramdin for the fifth wicket. Roshan Primus came and went without scoring, until Ramdin found an able ally in Khan, to frustrate the Jamaicans until the heavens opened. The wicketkeeper/batsman scored his unbeaten 52 off 167 balls with three fours. Khan negotiated 80 balls for his 17.

T&T’s next match will be against the Barbados Pride at the Brian Lara Academy from Thursday.

SCOREBOARD

Red Force vs Scorpions
Red Force 1st inns 243 all out
Scorpions 1st inns 535 all out
Red Force 2nd inns
(overnight 21/1)
A Jangoo c Smith b Leveridge 9
J Solozano c&b Campbell 23
Y Carriah b Leveridge 0
E Nicholson c Griffith b Smith 17
D Ramdin not out 52
T Webster st Thomas b Jacobs 30
R Primus b Leveridge 0
I Khan not out 17
Extras 14
Total for 6 wkts 163
Fall of wkts: 21, 21, 47, 62, 120, 123.
Bowling: D Green 15-5-30-0, R Leveridge 11-5-23-3, O Smith 8-2-14-1, D Jacobs 23-10-43-1, J Campbell 11-2-36-1, F Allen 6-2-4-0, P Palmer 1-0-2-0.
Result: Match drawn
Points: Scorpions 12.6, Red Force 5.8
Player-of-the-Match: John Campbell (Scorpions)
Umpires: J Williams, G Brathwaite (Barbados)
Match referee: D Hayles
Reserve umpire: R Samuels

Sporting Kansas City has traded midfielder Kevin Oliveira and defender Tyler Pasher to Atlanta United FC for forward Kenwyne Jones and goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis.

Sporting KC also sent its second-round pick in next year’s draft to Atlanta while getting back that club’s fourth-round selection in the 2021 draft.

The deal was struck Sunday during Major League Soccer’s half-day trade window.

The 21-year-old Oliveira and the 25-year-old Pasher were developmental players who spent most of last season with Swope Park Rangers, the USL affiliate of Sporting KC. Jones is a longtime Trinidad and Tobago national team member while Tambakis was the first signing in Atlanta United history.

FC Dallas traded 24-year-old defender Walker Zimmerman to Major League Soccer expansion club Los Angeles Football Club in exchange for $500,000 in allocation money and the No. 1 position in the MLS Allocation Ranking.

Zimmerman appeared in 52 games over the past two seasons, scoring five goals. He was Dallas’ leader in minutes on the 2016 team that won the Supporters’ Shield.

Zimmerman debuted with the U.S. national team earlier this year.

LAFC also received FC Dallas’ No. 11 ranking in the MLS Allocation Ranking. And in another deal, it acquired an international player slot for next season from Atlanta United for a fourth-round draft pick.

Archie Stevens landed this column a resounding 22/1 success in an ‘aged’ handicap over five furlongs of Southwell fibresand seven days ago; Clare Ellam’s charge, again ridden by 5lbs apprentice, Patrick Pilley, returns to course and distance today for a similar assignment, front-running tactics are certain to be on the agenda.

They worked superbly for this seven-year-old Pastoral Pursuits gelding, a proven track specialist, but with his 7lbs penalty we wont be trying to supplement considerable gains; both Ballesteros and Racing Angel are likely ‘to have his number!’

The fascination of sprinting on the best ‘dash’ on this planet is immense; this time last week one was buoyant when a ‘eureka’ moment came about from fastidious analysis but following up is often difficult with penalties, and a much classier rival to overcome. Multi-raced Ballesteros is totally ‘different gravy’ and Racing Angel, a close fifth to Archie Stevens last week, is certain to be ‘on the premises’ as an eleven- strong field storms down the snow-covered straight; that’s right a ‘white carpet’ was laid yesterday morning!

Ballesteros is selected despite top-weight and I’ll be playing Racing Angel, (strong-finishing fifth to ‘Archie’ last Monday!) as an each-way saver; others will struggle to get among three placings unless unexpected improvement is forthcoming.

Anyone who watched another course and distance winner, On The Warpath, score unchallenged in the ‘deep stuff’ thirteen days ago wont be keen to oppose this Sir Mark Prescott-trained juvenile in the Novice Stakes over seven furlongs, but he’ll be prohibitively-priced and there is an alternative!

On the same card onceraced Magnetic Boundary and Fran Berry finished only a length behind odds-on winner Tallow with the rest nine lengths and upwards in arrears; the time-handicap mark indicates a serious rival to On The Warpath, a guaranteed placing!

‘Always be ready’ has always been my motto, I’ll have a serious punt on Magnetic Boundary for sure.

A smashing seven-race programme kicks-off with fourteen runners in the Nursery Handicap over a mile, recent unlucky Newcastle runner-up, Mr Carbonater, beaten a short-head over a similar distance at Newcastle, will be mount of Joe Gormley, a cracking 5lbs apprentice, destined for top grade in years to come.

That allowance sways me firmly in favour of Mr Carbonater, only the surface can beat him!

“Come on man get that bat coming down straight!” A familiar sound that pierces the silence of the night, if you are in the vicinity of the K Rampat Cricket Academy in California, Central Trinidad.

It’s the voice of Kumar Rampat, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Territorial development officer, into his element at his wonderfully appointed coaching academy. The stocky Rampat was born to coach and even during his playing days at Clarke Road, he was drawn to coaching. Sometimes he would bowl his left arm orthodox spinners and see a horrible shot by and the batsman and be tempted to go down the track to help him sort out the shot. Such was his passion for coaching and today he is using that same passion to help hundreds of cricketers from the very top level right down to the beginner.

The K Rampat Cricket Academy began in an official capacity in 2012 but it is a culmination of the work of Rampat which began a long time before.

In 2008, Kumar took a group of boys, rented the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre and began coaching on Monday evenings from 7 to 10 pm. Parents contributed to the paying for the Centre and the coaching was done on terms of gratis. This programme continued for the next three to four years and when his second son, Krishan Vasudev Rampat had to complete a Business Plan to complete his degree at UTT, the model was already there to follow.

Krishan drafted his business in which inductees and trainees would pay a small fee, coaches hired and paid, and a coach-player ratio kept at a minimum for effective teaching and coaching. Krishan tested his plan around July/ August 2012 and it was a successful enterprise.

In 2012, the K Rampat Cricket Academy was formally begun. However, it must be remembered that in actual terms it was effectively a continuation of the work started in 2008.

For the next two years several venues were utilised, some of which were Carapichaima East Secondary, Bamboo Government Primary, Beaucarro Recreation, Youngsters Ground in Felicity. No ground could have been reliably secured and the numbers were now swelling to two scores and ten and thereabouts.

There were now five of six coaches who displayed high coaching standards and personal values. Kumar had carefully hand-picked these guys from several coaching workshops he had conducted from previous years in Coaching Education. No coach had more than ten children.

He also contended that by that time they had the best coaching staff at any school at any one time in the country. The staff included three level III’s, three level II’s and a level 1 and a Foundation Coach. Kumar had personally hand picked these guys.

They were dedicated, industrious, had a fair amount of coaching knowledge, possessed a good sense of humour and best of all they were willing to learn.

With regards to roving from venue to venue due to several mitigating factors, and with the attendance growing, it became clear that KRCA needed a home.

Kumar consulted with his brother Krishna Rampat who occupied their parented home in California and soon construction of the indoor nets commenced. It took more than a year to complete but the premises now boasts two nets, one with a fast bowling run up of 21 yards, an office area, gents and ladies toilets and bath, a gym area, an incomplete dormitory area and an area identified for a home-work centre.

Kumar intimated that he has been involved in development and enhancement work, since he started teaching at nineteen years old. Helping children develop a strong mind, a healthy body, and high personal standards and values is what his life has spoken to over these years.

The K Rampat Cricket Academy is now an attractive haven for beginners to experts. A sizeable contingent of national senior team players now visit their indoor nets on a regular basis. Other parents and children who visit from time to time are extremely happy with the quality of coaching administered. Among them are the likes of Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley, Steven Katwaroo, Brian Charles and Anderson Philip.

Kumar attributes the success of his academy to work hard and long hours. “I take personal interest in every child who comes to my academy, however young or inexperienced. I try to light the fire of success in his belly. There are no compromises. I sit with the parent and outline objectives and plan of action. The parents know what I am about and how I am going to achieve my goals. One day a week is not enough so I give homework-small tasks that the child can work on and simple enough for the parents to understand and supervise or administer as the case may be.

W Connection head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier expressed delight at his team’s triumph in Friday night’s TTFA FA Trophy Final to cap off the 2017 season at the Home of Football, Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Police FC.

“The objective was to finish the season on a high. We won the First Citizens’s Cup but we were not able to win the League this year so we really wanted to cap off our season with a victory in the FA Cup. And this year we were able to bring silverware to the club and also qualify for the Caribbean Club championship with the aim of qualifying Concacaf Champions League,” Charles-Fevrier told TTFA Media moments after the win.

“Tonight’s game was about making sure we won this trophy.

We played about six games in ten days and we hardly had time to train, with time for just recovering and playing. I knew it would be difficult for the players to give everything in terms of their physical abilities so I just spoke to them saying to play intelligently and manage the game. Scoring the two goals in the first half really set the platform in the second half to do exactly that which was to manage the game and get the result that would give us the trophy,” the St Lucian-born explaine W Connection captain Hughtun Hector was named “Most Valuable Player” and fittingly so as his double strike on the night propelled his team to the title. Surinamese Dimitri Apai continued his impressive run by giving the pre-game favourites the go ahead goal in the 32nd minute when he turned in a Marcus Joseph corner from close range. And W Connection double the lead on 45 minutes when Hector slid home from close up from another Joseph delivery.

Police, coached by Richard Hood, forced their way back into the contest when Jameel Perry drilled a left footed shot home in the 67th minute and Police would later have a couple close tries at levelling the scores as the clocked ticked.

W Connection sealed the deal on a counter when Neil Benjamin jnr raced down the right flank and played one over for Hector to head home for a 3-1 scoreline in added on time.

W Connection players were full of joy at the end as TTFA President David John-Williams presented the Trophy to captain Hector as their fans applauded from the stands.

The turn out included an enthusiastic crowd which were treated to a half-time performance by Soca artiste Preddy as well a many giveaways on the night. The T&T Senior Women defeated the U-20 Women 2-0 in the evening double- header programme.

Since the start of the tournament in 1927 there have been 35 different trophy winners with Malvern United and Maple Club claiming the most titles with seven each. The same FA Trophy has been used since the inception of the tournament.

Eight clubs have won consecutive FA Trophies: Everton (1929–32), Colts (1944–45), United British Oilfields Trinidad (1950– 51), Malvern United (1960–61), Maple Club (1970–72), ASL Sports Club (1982–83), W Connection (1999–2000), and Caledonia AIA (2012–13). However, there has not been any clubs to win consecutive FA Trophies on more than one occasion.