Honourable Major Edmund Dillon,

On behalf of Soy Venezuela, the independent and plural political alliance of our country, we take the liberty to address you, in order to respectfully express our greatest concern for the situation that affects dozens of Venezuelans refugees who have been arbitrarily returned to Venezuela by the authorities of Trinidad and Tobago, disregarding the international norms that regulate the institution of refugees.

The three signatories of this letter are all former ambassadors to the United Nations. We are even more concerned that those Venezuelans have been arrested, ill-treated and returned to their country, without due administrative procedure and without consideration of their human rights, especially the right of every person to seek asylum when their life and physical integrity is in danger, as established in the declarations on Human Rights, in the Refugee Statute of 1950 and in the Geneva Protocol of 1967, a term that is later specified, in 1984, in the Declaration of Cartagena de Indias.

Amnesty International has already expressed similar concerns.

We are sure that you are aware that the Cartagena Declaration of November 22, 1984 states that “the definition or concept of a refugee recommended for use in the region is one that, in addition to containing the elements of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, considers also as refugees those people who have fled their countries because their lives, security or freedom have been threatened by widespread violence, foreign aggression, internal conflicts, massive violation of human rights or other circumstances that have seriously disrupted the public order”.

Mr Minister, it is public knowledge that those realities are applicable without any doubt to our country that has morphed into a narco state.

It is important to stress that Venezuela was always a territory of asylum, receiving and providing for years, the protection due to massive flows of people fleeing the dictatorships of the Southern Cone and the violence and armed conflicts in the region and even in Europe.

We have received, in previous decades, nationals of many countries of our region, including from of Trinidad and Tobago in particular, displaced by economic reasons.

We understand the impact that such displacements can have, especially in more vulnerable countries that must face their insertion in the social and economic life of their communities, as part of the protection that should be provided to them; but this should be considered in a balanced way between the interests of the host country and the full respect for the international protection standards established in the international instruments to which your country is a party.

Venezuela was always a country of immigrants, not emigrants. Our people loved to live in our country. The situation of Venezuelans requesting protection in these cases is very different from the one that arises in relation to migrations and other displacements of people. Those are very different spaces, regulated by equally different rules and principles. These are people who flee to safeguard their lives, physical integrity, security; who escape from state violence and persecution of a regime that has shown to be harsh to their own people.

The situation of our compatriots fleeing the country requires separating then, for the causes that cause it, the migration issue, the issue of refugees. Those people flee to save their lives and not to improve their economic conditions.

The right to request asylum is an unquestionable human right, recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. The States have the obligation to consider it properly and to adopt the most convenient decisions, based on national and international standards, in full respect of the human rights of asylum seekers who have been, unfortunately, subjected to degrading treatment, contrary to all international standards.

We are confident that your government will review this serious situation that only the rescue of our freedom will be able to solve.

Milos Alcalay,
Diego Arria,
Víctor Rodríguez Cedeño
Alianza parp La Republica soy Venezuela
www.soy-venezuela.com

The recent incident which occurred in La Brea seemed to have sent shivers through parents, players, spectators and even the citizens who do not even go to football. I have often tried to separate the various acts of crime in our country in order to reduce the fear which our people are experiencing throughout the country.

However, how does one explain last week’s incident which was done to the referee, Michael London, whose desire to serve the country’s sport has led him towards a near-death situation while attempting to do his best. This is not the first time and we must bear this in mind.

Our administrators in every league or association, under the umbrella Association, have failed to understand the importance of having security around the playing fields, especially the open community fields where the crowds line the sidelines as close as being able to touch the players at times. Funnily enough, this may well be a shocking example of our behaviour when we compare the supporters in the fifties, sixties, onward to seventies who turned up in thousands to attend a football match in the grand (Queen’s Park) savannah, or the Arima Velodrome, or the popular community fields or anywhere for that matter. I have not have the misfortune of seeing any kind of violence regardless of the sometimes flaring of tempers for short periods during a match.

What we are experiencing is a serious situation which could be good reasons for fans to decide against going to see football. Parents who follow the performances of their children and grandchildren, have already been drawing the attention of the coaches to the horrible behaviour coming from fans and players as well. Some have actually stopped their kids from playing in competitions at school level and even community levels.

I understand the abnormal faculties which cause players to be temporarily angry over what they may have experienced by a tough/rough tackle but the treasures of give-and-take in the process of sport are the ingredients which make sportsmen and women. It would be fair to blame the managers and coaches of these teams. It may also cause the young players to act irresponsibly on varying issues in life, which take that type of behaviour into every aspect of their lives. The corrective process is complicated, regardless of whether we point fingers at parents, players or even school teachers.

However, in sport, especially football, the T&T Football Association (TTFA) must accept the responsibility for putting a machinery into place so that the players can feel safe, the referees as well and most of all, any improvement of this behaviour will increase the attendance of spectators around the playing fields. I wish to suggest that if any club official, coach or manager find themselves in these situations, (yes there are bad eggs at that level sometimes), the lessons for the affiliated clubs, schools, or even community leagues will be, to refuse to take the field unless a security officer is around.

The police have a responsibility to protect and serve the people of this country. No one said that it must be on a busy day, a huge entertainment show, or a day on the beach. I have always been told by my elders, that to correct a serious problem in life, is to correct it immediately and without any form of temporary or gradual transition.

It was a sad day for football in La Brea and I humbly apologise to referee London for the injuries inflicted on him. However, forgive them

“Let your lights shine bright!” This was the message sent to the top student-athletes from across Tobago taking part in the Awards and Incentives Ceremony of the Tobago Secondary Schools’ Netball League hosted at the Canaan/Bon Accord Multipurpose Centre, Tobago on April 17.

It was delivered by Joel Primus, Community Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations Advisor, BPTT, speaking on behalf of the energy company which has supported the league for the past 24 years, leading to its title as the ‘BP Tobago Zone’ of the T&T Secondary Schools’ Netball Competition.

“Don’t be afraid to let your lights shine bright for all of T&T to see and have that light reflected in the pride we hold for all of you. I want to commend everyone for their role in making this competition the success it is, especially the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the Tobago Zone executive, principals, teachers, parents, and most importantly, the student athletes that make this competition so great,” Primus urged the young athletes.

“BPTT is proud to partner in making this league the best and you, the students, are showing the nation that the future is in capable hands. As you collect the impressive collection of trophies and medals, just remember that you are also creating golden memories and forging a gilded future for Tobago and our nation as a whole.”

Revived in 1991, the league is supported by the THA with sponsorship from energy company BP TT. Tobago has established an intimidating reputation in national netball and some 350 students take part in the Tobago leg of the national competition annually.

Theophilus Trim, chairman of the Tobago Zone executive, spoke glowingly on Tobago’s accomplishments over the years.

He said, “Tobago represents the best organised and managed league nationally and has 90 percent participation from our schools. Our girls dominate the national schools’ competition, and every year, we field players who feature in the junior and senior national netball teams.

“This year is an especially proud one as we boast six players on the national under-16 team, including the captain. These young women carry our brand so proudly that it is no surprise that we are so well supported by the THA and BPTT.”

Delivering the feature address and inspiring the students to even greater glory was Assemblyman Marisha Osmond, assistant secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly.

“I remember my days playing netball in school and I can testify that success takes practice, discipline and commitment. You all embody these qualities and have brought prestige, not only to yourselves, but to your parents, schools, Tobago and our nation as a whole. The synergy required to bring this level of success shows that we are all working together towards creating a better T&T,” Osmond said.

“In support of a greater vision for Tobago, the THA is committed to providing opportunities for young people and this is demonstrated in the high levels of collaboration across Divisions. In fact, the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy is joining forces with the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs in sending coaches to primary schools to find and enhance our prodigious talent at a young age.”

Due to scheduling conflicts there was no award ceremony last year and therefore, with this function encompassing both the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. The lion’s share of the awards was split between the highly competitive Bishop’s High School and Scarborough Secondary School but players from all eight participating schools were rewarded for their excellence.

Also delivering remarks at the celebratory event were Lynette Duncan, Public Relations Officer, T&T Netball Association; Lawrence Lewis, chairman, Tobago District, T&T Unified Teachers Association; and School Supervisor III, Sherry-Anne Rollocks-Hackett.

As part of its extended support for the Tobago Zone, BPTT established a Bursary Award System in 2007 to further the development of netballers who excel in both academics and athletics. Bursaries are given to students in various age categories from the entire player participation in the competition.

Receiving the bursary awards in the Under-14 and U-15 categories of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons, respectively, was Bishop’s High School student and national U-16 netball player, Kelelicia George, who also copped a throve of individual awards.

“This is a special honour and I really worked very hard to achieve this success. My success is also a tribute to all the people who help me to succeed including my teammates and classmates, my mom, coaches, principal, teachers, friends and family. I believe in balancing athletics and academics and we are always encouraged to do so,” said George.

“I’m proud to receive this bursary from BPTT and the overall support from the THA, BPTT and the Tobago Zone Executive will go a long way in helping me to achieve my dreams of playing netball internationally, becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and having a career as a kinesiologist.”

Summer Shenelle Arjoon will be aiming to come good once again for T&T senior women’s team when it faces Grenada today in its second match in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva from 6.30 pm.

This after Arjoon netted a pair of goals in the fifth and 46th minutes to lead T&T to a convincing 7-0 victory over Suriname on Wednesday night at the same venue.

T&T rushed into a 6-0 lead prior to half time as the Dutch-speaking nation struggled to deal with their more experienced and technically better opponents in the second outing of the evening.

Guyana and Grenada had earlier played to a scoreless draw as Group C opened at the TTFA Home of Football.

T&T’s other goals came from Tasha St Louis (11th), Patrice Superville (30th), Karyn Forbes (36th), Mariah Shade (41st) and Jonelle Cato, wife of national senior player Cordell Cato, in the 52nd minute of play.

“All in all I was pleased with the effort and the fact that we scored seven goals but I do not think it was a very strong Suriname team tonight,” head coach Jamaal Shabazz said after the win.

He did however, express concerns about the team’s drop in performance after changes were made in the second half.

“I thought they gave a lot of room on the sides of the field and we made use of it early in the game. But the worrisome thing is when we took out three of the veteran players, Tasha St Louis, Karyn Forbes and Ayanna Russell, I think we lost our way a bit and this is worrying when you look at the depth we are trying to create in the team. All in all, I am pleased that we scored seven goals today, but far from making cartwheels and jumping for joy,” Shabazz added.

In today’s other match, Guyana meets Suriname from 4pm.

On May 6, Charlene “Charli” Griffith embarks on her first solo tour—This is Me—which places the spotlight on her compositions and arrangements to music that influenced her style. Griffith was a well-known name in the T&T music circuit in the early 90s.

Under her performance name Charli Griffith, she was part of the sister duet 2Ntrigue, the young, hot R&B singers who created a signature sound fusing soca with their R&B soul. Charli was also a frontline singer with the soca band Traffik Plus and has also represented T&T in the US, France, Spain and Cuba.

“It’s something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I decided to go full speed ahead and just do it,” she said. “It’s a bit scary because I am the one producing the show but at the same time, it’s exciting because I am finally giving my dream life.”

One of the highlights in the first stop of her tour, at Central Bank Auditorium, is the launch of her first composition Blind Faith. The song relates to Griffith’s inner strength to overcome a traumatic period in her life.

The music video, produced by Digital Film Institute will be premiered at the concert.

“Blind Faith is so different from the other songs I have sung. But it’s a chapter in my life that needed to be written and at the same time, needs to be heard. It was an opportunity to create that peaceful space,” said Griffith.

Guest performers for This Is Me include Jamelody and upcoming artiste Donovan Withfield. Tickets are currently available at 212 - West Mall, Westmoorings and its downtown location at Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.

Champion in the spotlight

Thousands of pan lovers converged on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, last Sunday for the premiere of the Live Music District, produced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Music TT, in conjunction with the Port-of-Spain City Corporation.

Also in attendance were Trade and Industry Minister Senator Paula Gopee-Scoon; Port-of-Spain Mayor Alderman Joel Martinez and his wife, Marcelle; San Fernando Mayor Alderman Junia Regrello and his wife, Kamla; Senate VP Senator Nigel DeFreitas; manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, bpTT Gerard Jackson; and, Port-of-Spain City Corporation Councillor Stephen Harper.

The evening’s programme hosted Gerelle Forbes, headline act was 2018 National Panorama (Large) champion bpTT Renegades and the 70-year-old Charlotte Street steel orchestra showed why it is one of the best steelbands on the planet by offering a repertoire of varied music selections. 

As part of the MusicTT vision to empower musicians and artistes nationwide, the audience was also treated to performances by a number of young artistes, including Chenko, Xone, Neal & Joel and Sherisse Collymore, plus former Byron Lee & The Dragonaires vocalist Oscar B.

Oscar B, accompanied by Renegades, helped spice up proceedings with his performance of Lord Nelson’s One Family. He even got Minister Gopee-Scoon and other dignitaries to join him centre stage.

Special mention was made of pan pioneer Anthony Williams who at one time during Renegades’ performance, stood from his wheelchair to dance to the infectious music of the steelband.

Woodbrook, a community that is legendary for producing excellent sports personalities, must have felt like a return to home base on Sunday to former football stars as several of the past greats were seen, like New York-domiciled Hugh Mulzac, Baby Headley, Gerry Brown, Rolph Clarke, Brian Rigsby and Ulric Boxhill.

Renegades, under the direction of arranger Duvonne Stewart and led by Candice Andrews-Brumant, really brought its A-game to the event as its repertoire included timeless classics of various genres as well as new hits from the just-passed Carnival including Blaxx’s Hulk, Kees’ Hello and its winning Panorama selection Voice’s Year for Love. Other well loved selections in the band’s two sets Let it be, Besame Mucho, Maria Maria, Be Strong, Kingston Town, Now that we’ve found love and a Black Stalin medley.

Organisers are well advised to establish this type of family, outdoor activity as a regular event. Also, to further empower residents of the communities in which the Live Music District is staged, they ought to be encouraged to sell home-made snack and delicacies, perhaps even partnered with a mini Namdevco green market at which fresh produce can be on sale.

The potential of this initiative is immense and augurs for even stronger ties between community, central and local government and community poliicing.

...audience inspired

On Sunday, April 15, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music therapist Martina Chow launched her debut EP album, Inspire, at Kaiso Blues Café, Newtown. The venue was filled to capacity as Chow shared her hope and positive message for our society and its people through her music.

With an angelic voice and emotion-filled performance she captivated all in attendance. Chow had her audience singing along to her pop songs Fly and Resilient, with their motivational words and easy melodies.

She also showcased her expert skill on the flute, at the beginning of another single titled Keep on Keeping on.

Chow’s well-rehearsed band included Mark Brewster, Michael Chang Wai, Tamo Harewood, Shaquille Noel, Stephen John and Gerelle Forbes.

A very touching video produced and directed by Richard ‘Charsu’ Ahong, the single Fly was premiered at the end of the event.

The multi-talented Chow is certainly shining a light in these dark times with her inspiring music.

To purchase her EP Album visit www.martinachow.com/music For bookings: martinachow.music@gmail.com Follow her on Facebook and Instagram: @martinachowmusic

T&T’s Strings to headline 2018 Dominica Jazz

Trinidadian string sensation Xavier Strings and Dominica’s Princess of song Michele Henderson will headline what is being billed by organisers as one of the best ever Dominica Jazz ‘n Creole, the 2018 edition, in May, at the historic Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth on Dominica’s north-west coast.

Patrons can expect a real treat at this year’s main stage event in the Jazz ‘n Creole programme which also features several fringe events at venues across the island and in particular, the north.

Dominica’s Jazz ‘n Creole has become a staple on the entertainment calendar held on Pentecost Sunday (May 20)and features a family event, providing relaxing jazz music and activities for children. Patrons can therefore anticipate stirring Caribbean rhythms on violins played by the Xavier sisters ( Janine and Janelle) as well as the melodious harmony of Henderson’s voice.

Attendees are encouraged to display their patriotism by incorporating some aspect of Creole in their outfits for Jazz ‘n Creole 2018. In doing so, a lucky individual will have the opportunity to a win a ticket for this year’s World Creole Music Festival carded for October 26 – 28.

The ninth edition of Dominica’s Jazz ‘n Creole is presented by the government of Dominica through its Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Discover Dominica Authority alongside headline sponsor Range Developments. Range Developments are developers of the Cabrits Resort Kempinski which will be opened in 2019.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The printer’s devil was at work last Friday. Guy Beckles was reported being killed during the Black Power era, instead of Guy HAREWOOD.

Apologies to Guy Beckles and family. He is alive and well in the US.

Pan lovers turned out in their thousands in Siparia last Saturday for Pan on the Move, hosted hosted along the streets of the townby the Diantoic Pan Institute (DPI), under the direction of former Pan Trinbago vice-president Keith Byer.

The April 21 edition was the eighth staged and 11 Single Pan steelbands faced the adjudicators, performing the music of veteran calypsonian Johnny King, religious items as well as being judged for having the best flagwaver.

Heading the dignitaries present were Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly who presented King with a plaque in appreciation of volume of songs produced through the years.

Bands competing and providing the large audience with some beautiful arrangements were T&T Fire Services, La Brea Blanker 47, Harlem Syncopators, Uni Stars, Trinidad East Side, San Juan All Stars, Gonzales Sheikers, Scrunters Pan Groove, Arima All Stars, Polyphonics and Nu Pioneers.

Calypsonians who have been previously honoured by DPI with steelbands being required to perform selections from their discography have included Calypso Rose, Black Stalin, Lord Nelson and Baron.

PAN ON THE MOVE RESULTS

Religious Song/Hymn
1. Gonzales Sheikers
2. T&T Fire Services
3. Trinidad East Side
Johnny King Calypso
1. La Brea Blanker 47
2. T&T Fire Services
3. Polyphonics
Best Repertoire
1. T&T Fire Services
2. East Side Symphony
3. La Brea Blanker 27
Best Flagwaver
1. Winston Hope (Scrunters Pan Groove)
2. T&T Fire Services
3. La Brea Blanker 47

KEITH “KEITHOS” ANDERSON
 

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan yesterday defended himself against claims by Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal that he (Sinanan) acted “improperly and unethically” by travelling from Miami to the Piarco International Airport with a radar system for the limping T&T Spirit.

During yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, where a motion of no-confidence was raised against Sinanan, Moonilal read out a letter dated April 1, 2018 from the Port Authority of T&T (PATT) to the comptroller of Customs and Excise at the Piarco International Airport, advising that Sinanan would be travelling with “a radar system for the T&T Spirit” vessel on Caribbean Airlines flight BW 483, which was scheduled to land on April 1. The letter requested permission for Customs and Excise to clear the part.

PATT asked the comptroller to “transact this matter” on its behalf. PATT also said in the letter that the equipment was a critical replacement for the vessel to resume operations on the inter-island sea bridge.

“Now how you reach there? You bringing back a rear view mirror for your car? You bringing back a radar system and the Minister of Works is bringing in a radar system into T&T?”

Moonilal said, adding this should have been the job of a public servant and not Sinanan.

Moonilal said Sinanan, who holds a diplomatic passport, would have certain immunities according to the Geneva Convention and would not have been searched at the point of entry and exit.

Moonilal questioned who bought the radar system.

“How was it purchased? Did the minister buy it with money from his pocket? A minister ought not to be involved in that way, in purchasing goods and services for a State-enterprise … and a minister that carries a diplomatic passport, it has other implications for going through airports.”

Moonilal said it was “highly improper” and “unethical” for Sinanan to travel with the equipment.

“A minister cannot be dragging bags across airports. You are not a porter. If a ticket holder carries a diplomatic passport, they (immigration) cannot search nothing. You cannot verify what you bring in. This speaks to a minister’s overreach and interference and personal and intimate dealings with a State enterprise.”

In defence, Sinanan later admitted to the T&T Guardian that the PATT had purchased the part in Miami and needed it immediately for the vessel.

At that time, Sinanan said he was in Miami and opted to travel with the part, which would have taken a week to get to Trinidad if sent through a courier service. He said PATT was willing to send someone to collect the part, but in the interest of time he did the needful.

“I wanted to see the boat back up and running so the company, they (PATT) purchased the part from there, they delivered it to me and I brought in.”

He said the T&T Spirit was out of commission for several hours due to the unavailability of the radar system. PATT would have footed the bill for the part, Sinanan said.

“I see nothing improper about it. I did noting untoward.”

Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez yesterday apologised to members of the Charlotte Street Vendors Association for making a decision to move them to George Street without first consulting them. However, the decision still stands.

On Wednesday, Martinez announced the relocation of the vendors as part of an initiative to launch the Central Business District Revitalisation Programme in the city. He said the vendors are to be relocated to the old Angostura Bond property between George and Nelson Streets.

But after the move was severely criticised by the vendors, Martinez called a meeting at City Hall yesterday to try to smooth things out.

Martinez firstly apologised to the vendors, admitting he did not consult with them after the decision was taken by the corporation to relocate them.

“I am truthful to the fact that I didn’t consult with the vendors at the end when the decision was taken and the first people that I met with when I became Mayor of Port-of-Spain was the members of the administrative team of the Vendors’ Association and we were discussing the chaos on Charlotte Street and the vendors knew what the city had to do. Let us first apologise to the Vendors’ Association for not consulting them when we decided to take the decision at the end to relocate them to George Street,” he said.

However, when it was time to voice their concerns, the majority of the vendors did not specifically address the issue of the George Street move, but focused on the breakdown of the programme that had been set up to facilitate their operation on Charlotte Street.

Vendor Crystal Daniel complained that Port-of-Spain City Corporation councillors were not seen walking on Charlotte Street and such drastic measures should not have been taken by the corporation. She accused the councillors of being absent on the streets and taking in air-condition while working between 8 am to 4 pm.

“Things cannot get out of hand overnight. It takes a process and now we let it get out of hand? Everybody playing the blame game,” she said.

Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, who was also present, said she was born in east Port-of-Spain and assisted the vendors even when she was in Opposition. However, she said two people were being paid by the corporation specifically to assist the vendors. But she said from the comments she heard, the councillors were not walking the streets, there was a communication breakdown and illegal vending was a major problem.

“Two people were hired to take care of the vendors to supervise and walk the street ensuring things go right, that there was not suppose to be a breakdown. I want to state that a Cabinet note cannot circumvent the laws of the land. You have to take it to Parliament and amend it in order to arrive at what you want.”

An irate Juliet Davy attempted to interrupt McDonald, but later said it was she and Melba Boxhill who were the ones hired to assist the programme. But Davy said they were “running the programme” without assistance and resources from the corporation.

“We running this programme assistance and resources from the corporation and we managed to keep it going. We live in a society where thanks is out the window. I am hurt to tears,” she said emotionally.

One vendor admitted they were vending illegally, but in a reference to the recent ruling against two clauses of the buggery law, pointed out there were other things which were previously illegal which were now being made legal.

The meeting was also attended by Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, acting fire chief Roosevelt Bruce, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management head Neville Wint and Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke. Bruce and Wint said they agreed with the mayor’s initiative as there were safety and emergency issues which were an issue on Charlotte Street due to the activity on the vendors. Bruce gave an example of an ambulance with a sick patient being unable to make its way down the street.

The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) is expected to meet with newly appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe to discuss being sidelined by SPORTT when it comes to assisting local cricket clubs.

The T&TCB wrote to the minister this week asking for her intervention after it learnt that SporTT funding was going to be given directly to cricket clubs and not through the central body which is the T&TCB.

In a release, the T&TCB alleged that $.6 millon is to be distributed to 38 National League clubs, in the Premiership, and Championship Divisions, the two highest levels of local cricket.

President of the T&TCB, Azim Bassarath said on Thursday that Minister Cudjoe must enquire into why other deserving clubs were being neglected.

He also wants to know why the national governing body for cricket has been sidelined in the process of the disbursement of the funds.

The local cricket chief said that in the past, it was the norm for SPORTT to work through national sports organisations like the T&TCB, but in this instance, for an undisclosed reason the tried and proven process is being rejected.

Bassarath recalled a couple years ago, after representation was made by the T&TCB to then Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, funds were made available through the T&TCB to help every club.

"This also involved clubs in Tobago, which under the present system have nothing to benefit, and the sport minister made it his business to visit the zones and present the cheques to the club officials," said Bassarath.

"We are calling on minister Cudjoe to prevent this travesty that is taking place at SPORTT where the state agency's recent involvement in cricket seems to be designed to adversely affect the legitimate administration of the sport."

Ramnarine, and Daren Ganga, two former national cricketers have been involved in a protracted battle to unseat the administration of Bassarath, which has even reached the High Court.

Bassarath said that Minister Cudjoe must immediately call in the SPORTT Board and request answers for their actions which set a precedent likely to make the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs vulnerable to litigation by aggrieved national sports organisations.

A hat-trick from substitute Aaliyah Prince and double strikes from Natasha St Louis, who also came on as a substitute, and Karyn Forbes, guided T&T's Women to an 8-1 victory over Grenada last night in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva.

The visitors were lucky not to concede a dozen more goals as the St Louis siblings, Natasha and skipper Tasha, along with Shinelle Arjoon were guilty of missing many clear chances. Following on an impressive 7-0 win over Suriname in their first game on Wednesday night, T&T women could have taken the advantage as early as the 10th minute when defender Forbes was picked out by St Louis (Tasha) and cannoned her shot against the crossbar.

But Forbes got the opener two minutes later, when she curled the ball past goalkeeper Connie John from a left side corner.

Four minutes later, Kristal Julien levelled the scores from a defensive blunder. Ayanna Russell pass was intercepted and Julien skilfully chipped the loose ball inside the net in the 16th. The teams when into the break evenly matched.

T&T exploded in the second half with St Louis heading in a cross from Arjoon in the 46th, and Liana Hinds galloping onto a through ball beat the goalie in the 63rd minute.

Two minutes later, Prince got her first goal, weaving her way through the defence to beat the Grenadian goalie with a shot at the bottom left corner.

Soon after St Louis added another, heading in Arjoon's left side cross in the 69th. Prince added two other goals in the 79th and 84th minutes, both using her speed to get clear of her challengers.

Forbes caught the goalie napping with a long-range shot from the left that went through her grasp to complete the rout.

In the first match, Guyana and Suriname played to a 2-2 draw.

T&T Sambo fighters will attempt to fly the red, white and black national team colours with pride when the Caribbean International Invitational Sambo Championship takes place at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain Couva this morniong and later in the evening.

Fighters Gershom Griffith, Kerron Bourne, and Joash Walkins will be among a large T&T team that will pursue precious silverware from the preliminaries this morning from 10 am and the finals later this evening from 7:30 pm.

The tournament, being held here for the first time, will feature world renown former mixed martial arts expert now turn official Herb Dean of the USA, who arrived on Thursday with a large contingent of international officials that include Sergey Tabakov, the Russian Sambo Federation representative, Robert Alexander, international announcer.

Dean promised he will share his knowledge and experience with the panel of officials who will be led by Warren Gill of Gracie Juditshu Club.

Dean told the audience at the Piarco International Airport on Thursday that he is expecting a high quality of fights, having seen the quality of the T&T fighters.

Tabakov also echoed similar sentiments, saying the T&T fighters have performed with credit on the international stage and have been a huge promotion for the twin island republic. Strangely, Griffith, Bourne, Walkins, and company have won silverware at nearly every international tournament they have contested and will use this championship as preparation for the World Championship's, President's Cup and other future tournaments.

Family, fun, and of course football are the central pillars for total inclusion that is the basis of CNC3's Fete Five Football skills and drills competition, which resumes with its second preliminary matchday at the M.L Ball Park, Macoya - formerly known as Marvin Lee Stadium - from 10 am today.

Seven teams will vie to join Dream Team United and Ronco FC in the semifinal round of the event that takes place on May 19.

Among them will be Def Starz, a team consisting entirely of

hearing- impaired players as well as management and volunteers from Focus Football Coaching Academy, which encourages participation from differently abled players.

In a recent interview with CNC3 and through a sign language interpreter, captain of Def Starz, Valdano Tobias said: "Since 2010 this team has been in competition but it has always been among the deaf. We want to get involved in this competition to show the skill that deaf people have. We are excited."

Founder of Focus Football Coaching Academy, Amiel Mohammed, expressed a similar sentiment.

"Fete Five Football is really a novel, bold and new, creative idea by the respective parties at Guardian Media and we felt that it was a perfect opportunity. Really and truly it is just a matter of participation and playing for inclusion. Its something fun, something different and that's what we're craving for."

The competition tests the skill set of entrants in the form of a five-a-side challenge with a series of customized football drills - normally associated with organised football training - fused with fun and novel elements, making it more suited to the target audience of "fete match" or amateur teams and players.

An audience consisting mostly of supporters of each contingent witnessed Dream Team, which calls Diego Martin its base, emerge as the first winners of CNC3's event, which kicked off on April 7. Ronco F.C, hailing from Barrackpore finished the first preliminary event as runner-up, pipping Grande Stars in the final of the opening event three weekends ago.

An even greater turnout is expected for today's event at which Champion Boys, Fortaleza, Olympus FC, Panna Kings SC and Vega New Drinkers will also contend for one of two more spots in the semi-final.

The third and fourth preliminary matchdays will be held on May 5 and May 12 while the final of the event will be held on May 26.

There is a division on the Police Service Commission’s process to select a Commissioner of Police.

Government members of a Parliamentary committee examining the PSC’s process to select a CoP and deputy CoP say the process was defective and they want a review of that order.

But Opposition members on the committee say the PSC acted in good faith and restarting the selection process would be a “colossal waste of money.”

Members of the Special Select Committee mandated earlier this year to examine the issue were divided yesterday on the PSC’s process, after chairman Fitzgerald Hinds laid the team’s report in Parliament. Government has three other MPs on the team.

Opposition members on the team, MPs Ganga Singh and Roodal Moonilal, who said they hadn’t seen the finished report, submitted a minority report.

The team was mandated by Parliament in February to examine the PSC’s selection process after DCPs Deodat Dulalchan and Harold Phillips were named for the top spots of CoP and DCP and nominees’ names were seen by the President’s office to Parliament for examination.

However, both Government and Opposition expressed concerns about PSC’s selection process and the committee was instructed to review it.

The report from the four Government majority members of the committee states they believed the direct involvement of PSC members in the assessment stage of the process wasn’t what was contemplated in the order (on the issue) made under the Constitution.

“Additionally, having regard to observations and findings, the committee considers that in many respects the manner in which the entire process was conducted by the PSC was defective and unreliable and may expose the PSC to allegations of arbitrariness and lack of transparency.”

They, however, admitted recognising that there wasn’t full consensus on their conclusions, “... as a minority of members believe there was no fundamental breach of the law beginning with an open tender and ending with a strategy that allowed for a unanimous method of selection, and that the flaws in the process weren’t fundamental so as to that rendered it unfair and arbitrary.”

The majority of members recommended “that the order made pursuant to Section 123 (2) of the Constitution should be subject to urgent review with the view to the establishment of well-defined guidelines for the selection of a CoP and DCoP.”

After Hinds submitted the report to Parliament, UNC’s Singh said the Opposition members on the committee hadn’t seen it.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she’d never heard of this happening.

Although Singh persisted, House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George said MPs would have an opportunity to speak on the report when it is debated.

The Opposition’s minority report states there is “presumption of regularity in the conduct of public bodies unless mala fides - bad faith - can be proven.”

“Therefore, in the absence of such findings the PSC acted in good faith. At all times the PSC sought and obtained legal advice on their role, involvement and boundaries,” the Opposition report said.

“It was commendable they depended on legal advice throughout this process. We agreed with the Director of Personnel Administration that the PSC did the best they could in the new circumstances - indeed the PSC charted new ground. If there were shortcomings in the use of human resource management or recruitment strategies adopted, these were not fatal and cannot nullify the outcome.”

The Opposition report added, “Given the resources, time, frustrations and clear impairment of having our law enforcement sector properly established , it would be a colossal waste of money and time to embark on this process again. Given this, we’re of the view that the notifications from the President (on the selection issue) should be affirmed by the House of Representatives.”

The Opposition also felt the PSC didn’t breach the legal notice on the selection issues or the Constitution and had acted within a High Court judgement concerning the selection process also.

Singh and Moonilal also stated they disagreed with several findings of the majority Government team. But they added that they also agreed with some of the observations.

Their report stated they’d requested more time to seek clarification on several issues in doubt in the majority report, but this wasn’t successful.

An offer of counselling by the Children’s Authority to the 15-year-old boy recently arrested for the alleged chopping attack on his mother was rejected by his father, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon told UNC MP Dr Lackram Bodoe in Parliament yesterday.

The boy was arrested for allegedly almost chopping off his mother’s right hand and chopping her on the head and back during the attack.

South doctors reportedly spent 10 hours reattaching the hand. The student was, however, ordered released pending further investigations. The father supported the son throughout arrest.

Dillon yesterday said the CA had reached out to the father to offer counselling to the boy but the father said he’d “call” the CA, since the family “wasn’t ready” to talk to anyone.

The Children’s Authority will continue outreach, he added. Dillon couldn’t say if the mother received counselling.

Patrols protocol for schools coming

Following the rape of a female student at a public secondary school, all schools must develop a strategic patrol roster to apply before during and after classes, acting Education Minister Camille Robinson-Regis told UNC MP Ramona Ramdial yesterday.

She said critical measures must be implemented and monitored in all schools immediately. The roster includes patrols by principals, vice principals, deans, department heads, school safety officers and MTS security.

Patrols apply during roll calls, into the first period, after breaks, lunch and last period and at least half hour after dismissal. Patrols must also be done at 10-minute intervals by MTS security after 3 pm until students leave, plus periodic patrols during class time.

Students must be supervised at all times - never left unsupervised - with priority on students displaying disruptive behaviours and classes with discipline issues, she added. —Gail Alexander

Two Opposition MPs who sat as members of a Special Select Committee (SSC) to obtain information utilised by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in the selection of candidates for the positions of commissioner of police and deputy police commissioner claimed they were “ambushed,” after Government committee members yesterday laid a final report in Parliament which they did not see.

Instead, MPs Ganga Singh and Dr Roodal Moonilal opted to compile an eight page-minority report dated April 27, which they submitted to the House.

As a result of not being privy to the report, Moonilal and Singh intend to write House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and the Clerk of the House about the issue.

During a press conference yesterday, however, SSC chairman Fitzgerald Hinds raised questions about both MPs not affixing their signatures to the 41-page report but handing over a minority report which would have divergent views to the final report.

“As a committee, we were quite shocked and in my case I was horrified because of all of my noble and approaches to accommodate all views and not having heard one word from my two colleagues about a minority report, we were all shocked and I am personally horrified and affronted at the fact that they ran sheepishly and worst, behind our backs and submitted a minority report.”

Hinds said Singh and Moonilal had breached all ethics and showed no loyalty.

SSC members Randall Mitchell and Nicole Olivierre also expressed similar sentiments to Hinds, saying they too were taken by surprise at Moonilal and Singh’s actions, as there were no major disagreements on both sides, they having worked late on Thursday night to get the report prepared.

“It leaves me to wonder if they are politicising this very important and serious work of the committee in a matter before us with the appointment of a commissioner…a very serious issue in T&T, recognising the role of the commissioner of police in law enforcement and maintaining law and order in the land,” Olivierre said.

But Singh said according to Standing Orders 114, members ought to have sight of a report before the committee makes a conclusion.

“It’s is clear that it was an attempt to ambush the Opposition members of the committee,” Singh said.

Throughout meetings, Singh said Hinds had indicated that if they did not agree on matters they could compile a minority report, which was what they did. The minority report indicates their thoughts on the selection process of the PSC.

“Where ever you saw there was disagreement, we thought we owed it as a duty to the country to tell them our sentiments and not be circumscribed in any way,” Singh said.

Moonilal said it was unheard of that you can lay a report in Parliament and members of the committee not see its content.

“I was in shock when Minister Hinds got up to lay this report today in the House. I thought it was another report. We see this as a wider undermining of the Parliament,” Moonilal said.

Executive director of the National Insurance Board (NIB) Niala Persad-Poliah yesterday warned that the country’s ageing population will have a negative effect on the national insurance system

“Over the course of a 50-year horizon, we anticipate that the number of persons of working age in our society will more than double, while the number of working age persons will decline by almost a quarter—this will give rise to a dependency ratio of 1.6, that is, we can expect at that time to have just about two persons of working age supporting the pension of one person in retirement,” she said.

Persad-Poliah spoke about the sustainability of the national insurance system at the seminar at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

She said the NIB, T&T’s sole provider of social insurance coverage, currently manages about $26.61 billion worth of assets.

For the 2017 financial year, the NIB collected contributions from 479,036 workers about 78 per cent of all the people with jobs in the country.

Total expenditure on benefits for the same period was $4.75 billion, with approximately $4 billion spent on retirement benefits alone, both pensions and grants.

As a result, Persad-Poliah said the increasing number of long- term NIS benefit recipients “has gone hand in hand with increasing—and I may add—spiralling benefit payments under the system.”

She said there is a need to develop strategies to address barriers which exclude older people from participation in the labour market.

“Formulation of policies that address reform and adjustments to the retirement age are critical and perhaps even contentious matters that require national dialogue to determine the way forward,”Persad-Poliah said.

She added that one of the key recommendations coming out of the Ninth Actuarial Review of the NIS was to increase the qualifying age for an unreduced National Insurance pension from 60 to 65 years over a 36-year period starting in 2025 and ending in 2060. That works out to an increase of one year every seven years over a 36-year period.

“I want to emphasise that the recommendation is not to increase the compulsory retirement age to 65 years. Rather it is to increase the age for receiving an unreduced pension—that is, people will still have the option of retiring at age 60, however we are proposing that they be paid an actuarially reduced pension in such an instance,” she said.