Joel Andrews scored the most points on the weekend in the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) Combined Events Championships, to emerge the champion of the Boys Under-20 Decathlon.

The D’Abadie Progressive athlete tallied 5,959 points to win the 10-discipline event at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo against initially eight competitors.

After day one of competition on Saturday, Andrews led with 3,199 points against initially eight competitors but went down to seven with the exit of Morvant Jets’ Kyle Phillips following the second discipline.

Then Andrews placed fourth in the 100 metres in 11.54 seconds to earn 744 points and fifth in the long jump with a 5.90m-leap (565). He went on to score 591 in placing first in the shot put (11.74m), 585 for fourth place in the high jump (1.75m) and 714, placing second in the 400m (52.25 seconds).

On the second day, Andrews was best in the discus with 36.41m (592), the pole vault with 3.20m (406), third in javelin with 40.94m (456) and second in the 1,500m in 5:05.17 (530).

Anson Mason of Tobago Falcons was Andrews closest challenger tallying 5,567 and third was Aaron Caesar (Unattached) with 5,540. Franklyn Stanisclaus (Kaizen Panthers) was fourth with 5,505 and Shaquille Benjamin (Zenith) fifth with 5,122.

The men’s version of the event was a two-man competition between Kerlon Ashby (Kaizen Panthers) and Omari Benoit of Tobago Falcons after Jameel Joseph made an early exit. Ashby won gold with 5,622 with Benoit copping silver with 5,327.

In the Girls U-20 Heptathlon, Safiya John of Kaizen Panthers prevailed with a 4,551-point effort, finishing ahead of Antonia Sealy (Unattached), who mustered 4,185 and Aquilla St Louis (D’Abadie Progressive) with 4,072.

John came from behind to win gold after St Louis had ended the first day with 2,743 points from the opening four disciplines including 110m hurdles in 14.87 (859), high jump with 1.54m (666), shot put with 8.00m (399) and 200m in 25.75 (819). In comparison, John was a close second with 2,709 with respective results of 15.53m (773), 1.57m (701), 9.44m (493) and 26.64 (742), in the first four disciplines.

She rebounded on day two winning the long jump with 5.57m (720), and 800m in 2:38.32 (592) and placed second in the javelin with a 32.79m-throw for 530 points.

Sealy elevated her performance on the second day as well to sneak into silver medal spot. Her results read: 16.54m (649), 1.39m (502), 10.67m (573), 26.98 seconds (713), 5.06m (576), 36.42m (599) and 2:40.02, respectively.

OTHER RESULTS

Decathlon
Boys U-17: 1 Nathaniel Mathura (D’Abadie Progressive) 4,854; 2 Justin Guy (Kaizen Panthers) 4,836; 3 Che Saunders (Kaizen Panthers) 4,022; 4 Anthony Diaz (La Brea Athletics) 3,701; 5 Dimitri Francis (Morvant Jets) 3,462
Boys U-15 NACAC: 1 Keone John (Memphis Pioneers) 4,253; 2 Dorian Charles (La Brea Athletics) 4,030; 3 Aaron Antoine (Neon Wolves) 3,954; 4 Wayne Edwards (Memphis Pioneers) 3,896; 5 Le Bron James (Tobago Falcons) 3,670
Heptathlon
Girls U-17: 1 Malika Coutain (PFNJ) 3,754; 2 Sanaah Richards (Oasics) 1,566; 3 Jade Lawrence (Newton) 1,396; 4 Jenique Lewis (Oasics) 1,078
Girls U-15 NACAC: 1 Natasha Fox (PFNJ) 3,801; 2 Kayla Caesar (Memphis Pioneers) 2,938; 3 Aalisha Jones (Oasics) 2,664; 4 Salisha Marshall (D’Abadie Progressive) 2,578; 5 Kevisjah Figaro (Unattached) 2,240
Pentathlon NACAC
Boys U-13: 1 Jaidi James (Tobago Falcons) 2,634; 2 Jahaziel David (Tobago Jaguars) 2,531; 3 Andre Joseph (Unattached) 2437; 4 Maurice Guevara (ZC Athletics) 2,290; 5 Mahkaya Mahon (Oasics) 2,251
Girls U-13: 1 Gianna Paul (D’Abadie Progressive) 2,491; 2 Kernesha Shelborne (Oasics) 2,403; 3 Rhianna Jackson (Air Bon Sonics) 2,300; 4 Janae Thomas (PFNJ) 2,067; 5 Chloe James (Mercury) 2,032
Tetrathlon
Boys U-11: 1 Tyrique Vincent (ZC Athletics) 2,019; 2 Darius Marcus (Tobago Falcons) 1,668; 3 Jaleel Eugene (Memphis Pioneers) 1,602; 4 Kai James (Tobago Jaguars) 1,588; 5 Roshan Jackson (Air Bon Sonics) 1,575
Girls U-11: 1 Tenique Vincent (ZC Athletics) 1,570; 2 Nailah Isles (ZC Athletics) 1,497; 3 McKailah Warde (ZC Athletics) 1,401; 4 Teshawna Pope (Memphis Pioneers) 1,352; 5 Andreen Sylvester (Morvant Jets) 1,286
Triathlon
Boys U-9: 1 Amarley Henry (Tobago Jaguars) 1,131; 2 Malik Charles (PFNJ) 1,020; 3 Michael Paul (D’Abadie Progressive) 966; 4 Kristian Thomas (Concorde) 938; 5 Niam Sealy (Unattached) 862
Girls U-9: 1 Kiwanna Simmons (Laura Pierre Eagles) 585; 2 Kyann Nicholson (Air Bon Sonics) 524; 3 Ella-Marie Young (Concorde) 522; 4 Jadel Joseph (PFNJ) 520; 5 Jade Ramsaran (La Brea Athletic) 518

San Juan Jabloteh and long-time rivals W Connection will clash in two Flow Youth Pro League (FYPL) Cup finals on Sunday at a venue to be determined after the San Juan Kings continued stretched their youth powerhouse status into the inaugural knockout competition by reaching the final in all three divisions.

Jabloteh and Connection will battle for the Under-14 and 18 Cup titles, separated by the San Juan Kings’ title clash against Club Sando in the Under-16 category.

Jabloteh Under-18s completed the semifinal round trifecta when they kayoed their North East Stars counterparts 4-3 on penalties following a late 1-1 draw at Larry Gomes Stadium in one of three semis that were determined via the spot while Connection U18s edged Police FC 3-2 at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium training field.

The result in Malabar was a slap in the face for the Stars which had only weeks ago sacked their U18 coach Kevin Jeffrey after the arrival of new club coach Zoran Vranes who had recruited then Jabloteh U18 coach, Gilbert Bateau. Jeffrey had since joined Jabloteh to fill the vacant post.

Jabloteh Under-14s were also made to advance from the spot, defeating Defence Force FC 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Malabar venue to advance to the title-match into the final against W Connection who defeated Point Fortin Civic 2-0 in their semi-final clash at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium training field.

Club Sando also needed spot-kicks at the Marabella venue to dispatch Police FC 6-5 in the Under-16 division after allowing a 3-0 first-half lead to slip. Justin Araujo-Wilson scored twice before teammate Caleb Straker added a third to send Sando in at the break with the healthy cushion, but a double from Jesus Delicia after Jordel John had reduced the deficit saw the Blues manage a 3-3 regular-time score.

Simultaneously at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Jabloteh were comfortable 5-1 winners over Point Fortin Civic in their U16 clash with Jerry Morris and Malachai Daniel each scoring twice and Terrell Wiley converting a first-half penalty.

SEMIFINAL RESULTS

Under-14 Division
• San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nkosi Ambrose 22’) vs Defence Force FC 1 (Jean-Pierre Reyes 67), 10 am Larry Gomes Stadium,
Jabloteh won 4-3 on penalties;
• Point Fortin Civic 0 vs W Connection 2 (Molik Khan 68’, Dantaye Gilbert 70’+), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium training field 1.
Under-16 Division
• San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Jerry Morris 4’, 73’, Terrell Wiley 14’ pen., Malachai Daniel 16’, 80’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Mordecai Brown 73’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
• Club Sando 3 (Justin Araujo-Wilson 14’, 23’, Caleb Straker 42’) vs Police FC 3 (Jardel John 47’, Jesus Delecia 58’, 78’), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium training field 1.
Sando won 6-5 on penalties.
Under-18 Division
• San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Kesean St. Rose 78’) vs North East Stars 1 (Ackeem Mason 90’ pen.), at Larry Gomes Stadium,
Jabloteh won 4-3 on penalties;
• Police FC 2 (Kai Phillip 31’, 61’) vs W Connection 3 (Andre Raymond 59’, 76’, Tyrike Andrews 70’ pen.), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium training field 1.

As a big, well-organised lime, Hadco Phase II Groove’s Pan, Brass and Soca: Jam Down all-inclusive last Saturday can be categorised as a huge success for a worthy cause – the establishment of a youth arm for the band.

The food was good, the bar was manned by helpful, competent servers, venue support was superb and 2018 National Panorama champion Angostura Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony welcoming patrons at the entrance was a nice touch. Hadco really rolled out the red carpet.

But, as a musical event, however, the multiple Panorama champ and its distinguished collaborators did not quite deliver the goods.

Save for some redemptive moments from Etienne Charles and Friends and the ace trumpeter’s cameo during a 3Canal set, this was mostly drab, uninspiring fare; occasioned in part by some appalling sound engineering that did Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Phase II no good when they came onstage to shut things down.

By that time, the shuttle service was already taking some people back to their cars parked at two remote venues as a trickle emerged through the exit gates.

It might be that Etienne and his accomplished band, together with Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Angela Hunte and vocalists Roger George, Lima Calbio and Keith “Designer” Prescott, were guilty of overthinking the eclectic tastes of a polite, knowledgeable and mature crowd.

For sure, on the latter point, smartphones remained largely pocketed – save for a few stage shots and selfies – and so did the many hands that did not reach, on command, for the air. It was that kind of crowd, after all.

Remarkable, seeing that Leston Paul, composer/arranger/producer of some of this country’s greatest party songs of all time was onstage – albeit in his typically low-profile style.

In the end, it was Etienne who seemed to catch the drift of the crowd best and whether unrehearsed or not, his scintillating re-appearance onstage for 3Canal came as a breath of fresh air. Even the most prolific and popular have their off nights.

A grand time was indeed had by all, barring those whose appetites demanded more from the stage and less from the scattered, well-stocked tents around the Woodbrook panyard.

As a big, well-organised lime, Hadco Phase II Groove’s Pan, Brass and Soca: Jam Down all-inclusive last Saturday can be categorised as a huge success for a worthy cause – the establishment of a youth arm for the band.

The food was good, the bar was manned by helpful, competent servers, venue support was superb and 2018 National Panorama champion Angostura Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony welcoming patrons at the entrance was a nice touch. Hadco really rolled out the red carpet.

But, as a musical event, however, the multiple Panorama champ and its distinguished collaborators did not quite deliver the goods.

Save for some redemptive moments from Etienne Charles and Friends and the ace trumpeter’s cameo during a 3Canal set, this was mostly drab, uninspiring fare; occasioned in part by some appalling sound engineering that did Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Phase II no good when they came onstage to shut things down.

By that time, the shuttle service was already taking some people back to their cars parked at two remote venues as a trickle emerged through the exit gates.

It might be that Etienne and his accomplished band, together with Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Angela Hunte and vocalists Roger George, Lima Calbio and Keith “Designer” Prescott, were guilty of overthinking the eclectic tastes of a polite, knowledgeable and mature crowd.

For sure, on the latter point, smartphones remained largely pocketed – save for a few stage shots and selfies – and so did the many hands that did not reach, on command, for the air. It was that kind of crowd, after all.

Remarkable, seeing that Leston Paul, composer/arranger/producer of some of this country’s greatest party songs of all time was onstage – albeit in his typically low-profile style.

In the end, it was Etienne who seemed to catch the drift of the crowd best and whether unrehearsed or not, his scintillating re-appearance onstage for 3Canal came as a breath of fresh air. Even the most prolific and popular have their off nights.

A grand time was indeed had by all, barring those whose appetites demanded more from the stage and less from the scattered, well-stocked tents around the Woodbrook panyard.

I have learned the reason people respond differently to any situation. “Psychologists will categorise our range of reactions, including emotions, by several theories,” says Psychology Today.

These theories suggest that human responses are governed by emotions which can cloud our logic, stimulus, learning, upbringing and the environment, and much more.

All of these impact my response, but accepting who I am has caused me to carve a different response to matters that previously got the wrong rise out of me. That learning of the past 20 years about mental ill health and the fact that it should not be regarded with the suspicions and spiteful responses, which the world chooses, have changed everything I have ever learned.

As I appreciate me, especially my shortcomings, the grace and compassion I need, the understanding I covet from others, and the unending “blighs” I require because I constantly make mistakes, my response keeps changing. My thinking has taken greater shape in the more recent years, chalked up to maturity and to empathy.

I remember the days when my first response was to blame the police and call them names—I still do from time to time from pure force of habit. Now, the other part of me desires better for those who give themselves in service. I’m not speaking of the rotting ones we always see in the news feeds, but those whose accepted nobility of the profession is masked by the blurring of the lines by some.

I am not unaware of the misgivings of our society in the judgment of whether the police can police. I have little confidence for example that they would ever discover which of my relatives/neighbours in my community broke into my home.

Would they ever find my water pump? Can they return my new expensive circular saw?

My all-time favourite interaction with the police was when my nine-year-old cousin allegedly stole an important item from me and the police asked me, “Did you see her steal it?” To which I responded, “No officer, but she has stolen from my bathroom and living room before and she was the only one in my home for the past three days.”

Then, “What kind of question is that? If I saw her I would take it from her. I won’t be here. And officer, you really think that people steal while the owners are looking? But I am hoping you can police the situation and speak sense into her giving it back to me.” After which the officer never looked at me again for the next 20 minute duration of the “conversation.”

All of my reservations though, are much like that of the populace, based on the annual statistics of major crimes that remain unsolved.

Still, what I have learned is that the job police do—whether we think they do it bad or good—is a stressful one. I have also learned that not much is on offer, as should be, to treat with the continuous “policing” of the mental well-being of officers. Yet, somehow, we expect there would be a better response to any crime or policing here.

The global research statistic for people reporting to work ill is approximately 18 per cent. This means that one-sixth or more of the police workforce is bringing us suboptimal output.

In my volunteer work this week, I asked a group of about 100 fourth-formers , “Who in this room has mental health?” and, way below my expectation, there was a showing of two hands and one tentative finger.

This is a usual circumstance.

Everywhere I go teaching, training, mentoring, or talking, I always ask this question because I genuinely want to know what people know about mental health. Often, people respond to what I am not asking, which is, “Who has mental ill health?”

I used the time to explain that everyone has mental health suggesting that if mental health is the health of the mind and each of us has a mind then we each have mental health. Some people may have good mental health and enjoy good well-being. Others may have mental health issues, conditions, disorders or illnesses and are therefore at times, not enjoying good well-being.

Still, there are those who have no diagnosable illnesses and suffer poor well-being; and finally those who have mental ill health and experience good wellbeing.

We embrace the issues and challenges of physical health visiting the doctor, taking our medication or following all the instructions for our physical well-being. The same should apply to our mental health and well-being. But unfortunately we are trying to erase centuries of prejudice, stigma and bigotry that make the entire subject taboo.

Got a brain? Then you got mental health! Deal with mental health as if your brain matters.

Caroline C Ravello is a strategic communications and media professional and a public health practitioner.

She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

Following sold-out shows in Trinidad, internationally acclaimed cultural chorale Signal Hill Alumni Choir (SHAC) goes to Tobago for a presentation of Socalypso Chronicles at Shaw Park Complex in Scarborough on Sunday May 27, from 6 pm.

Socalypso Chronicles is a choir presentation of some of the calypsoes and soca music that we have enjoyed, danced to, promoted, partied with, and continue to sing on a daily basis. In addition to the chorale, the evening will feature special performances by Lord Nelson (Robert Nelson), Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra and Oscar B (Oscar Benjamin).

“You would love the 2018 medley of soca,” said John Arnold, show producer and artistic director of the choir. “The need to curate our indigenous music in choral form is a key objective of preparing these shows for patrons. Significantly, creating export goods for streaming and other digital platforms is critical at this junction of our choir’s journey. This choir loves to perform and that energy is felt every time it hits a stage.

“The rich pulsating, sound and movement brought from the land of Africa through our ancestors, infused in the rhythmic work of Lord Kitchener, Mighty Shadow, Kerwin Du Bois, Shurwayne Winchester, Bunji Garlin and Voice is expressed through the choir’s uniquely captivating point of view.”

Founded in 1984, SHAC is now deemed a cultural institution and icon of T&T. It evolved from the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School Folk Choir, which dominated the Folk Category of the T&T Music Festival in 1982 and emerged as undisputed National Junior Folk Champions. In 1984 SHAC continued the styles and standards set by the school’s Folk Choir and captured the National Folk Championship Award at the T&T Music Festival. It dominated the Festival during the eighties, and retired from that competition in 1990 after winning the Calypso Chorale, a new class that was introduced.

Over the years SHAC has become a buzz word, not only in T&T, but also in the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Latin America. It has performed before many world dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, as well as at many international festivals in the Caribbean, Latin America, North America and Europe.

(David Cuffy
cuffydavid@gmail.com)

So far, seven champions have been crowned in pre-activities for the 2018 comPANions Steelband Festival & Family Day, which will climax on the Arrival Day holiday (May 30), at Constantine Park, Macoya, from 11 am.

Now traditional, the fun day does not have a traditional march past however the theme for this year’s Fun Past parade is D’80’s. Participants are required to portray an event or calypso from the 80s.

On Sunday last, a fun time was had by all at Shell Invaders panyard where pannists displayed their vocal talents by participating in a karaoke burnout. Pan players and supporters of Massy Trinidad All Stars, including composer/musician Clive Telemaque, turned out in their numbers to cheer on their singers.

On Friday night, three elimination competitions will be held at Trinidad All Stars panyard on Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, at 8 pm. They are the finals of the Dominoes and All Fours Big 8 Knockouts, and Best of D’Rest All Fours.

Republic Bank Exodus pan amphitheatre is the venue for Saturday’s events, inclusive of the 6-A-Side Cricket: Big 8 Knockout (finals) and the All Fours Pairs Competition. The entry fee for the latter is a bottle of White Oak Rum. Competition begins at 5 pm.

The annual walkathon around the Queen’s Park Savannah will be on Sunday at 6.30 am. Participants will do a one lap around the Savannah, then down Charlotte Street, around Piccadilly Street, west on Duke Street to Trinidad All Stars panyard. There, a Cool Down and Creole Breakfast will be held. Steelbands are requested to wear their respective band t-shirts.
comPANions 2018 champions crowned thus far are:

1. Scrabble : Republic Bank Exodus - Malcolm Campbell (Defending Champion)

2. Draughts: Desperadoes - Michael “Boogie” Duncan

3. Table Tennis: Gonzales Sheikers - Mark Pierre (Defending Champion)

5. 7-A-Side Netball: Republic Bank Exodus

6. Over-40 Football: Hadco Phase II Pan Groove

7. 5-A-Side Football: Belmont 5th Dimension

Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre continued their celebration of local art and culture with the hosting of the exhibition, Arrival, on May 17. The event was held in hotel’s lobby.

The exhibition, launched during Indian Heritage Month, featured the work of artists Shalini Seereeram; Shastri Maharaj; Tessa Alexander; Shinhuey Ho; Glenn Roopchand; Vishni Gopwani; Danielle Boodoo-Fortune; and Hummingbird Medal recipients Parmanand and Prabhu Singh.

Among the evening’s specially invited guests were Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez and India High Commissioner Bishwadip Dey, both of whom met with the artists as they viewed the many exquisite pieces.

Hilton Trinidad and Horizon’s Art Gallery have partnered to showcase the many gifted local artists, both established and aspiring through the series Art at Hilton. The Arrival exhibition ended on Monday.

A 28-year-old nurse is now said to be suffering from serious and consistent headaches accompanied by nausea after suffering a concussion when part of the ceiling fell on her while in a staff washroom at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital last week.

The woman is now awaiting a neurological examination, which is the assessment of sensory neuron and motor responses, especially reflexes, to determine whether her nervous system is impaired.

Speaking with Guardian Media under strict anonymity, a nurse said the injured nurse, who is a junior, was on the night shift around 11.30 last Thursday when she went to one of the staff washrooms. The nurse said there was no toilet paper and when she decided to go in search of some the ceiling came crashing down on the junior nurse.

“She was struck on the head by a piece of iron or something metal. So it wasn’t just a ceiling tile made of soft and fibre materials. She was struck by something hard on the head,” the woman said.

The junior nurse also had to wait for one hour before seeing the lone female doctor on the shift that night. But between Friday to Tuesday, the nurse has been taken to the emergency department for more treatment and her pain medication has also been increased to a stronger dose. She has also had two CT scans and an X-ray to determine the root of her injury, and after dialogue with the head nurse, arrangements are now being made to have a neurological examination done.

This incident has raised serious concerns among staff, who have now asked the management of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) to carry out extensive infrastructural checks not only in the area where it happened but to the entire Mount Hope Women’s Hospital.

“We have a lot of babies here and people, including over 25 members of staff, including doctors and consultants passing through.”

Photographs of the scene were sent to Guardian Media showing the collapsed ceiling and hanging pieces of metal. There was also a piece of metal and tile pieces on the ground.

The matter was raised by Public Services Association president Watson Duke when a group of trade unions appeared before a Joint Select Committee yesterday. (See page A10)

Contacted on the matter, NCRHA’s manager corporate communications Peter Neptune said, “The investigation is still proceeding so I don’t have a report I can cite for a comment.”

However, an NCRHA official said yesterday that since the incident they had heard various versions about what happened and added that as far as they were aware, “it was just a foam tile that hit the nurse.”

Kunti Deopersad’s husband Tilkee Gopaul has fallen into depression and relatives now fear for his safety after a recent incident.

In fact, distraught relatives are now calling on the National Family Services Division to provide counselling for Deopersad, Gopaul and their seven children, two of whom are still in school.

During an exclusive interview yesterday, Gopaul said he will always have a place in his life for his wife although she walked out on their marriage after faking her own kidnapping two months ago.

Speaking at his Oropouche South Trace, Barrackpore home yesterday, Gopaul, 60, said he has been unable to work or sleep since Mother’s Day, after he and Deopersad had a physical altercation. Gopaul said he could not fathom the treatment he got from Deopersad, whom he lived with for 23 years and in frustration he lashed out. Remorse later set in and he attempted something he now regrets.

“I was not thinking straight. I had a piece of poui and I give her a lash. Why is she treating me so? I never do nobody nothing. We used to live good. I struggle and build my house, I worked hard to provide for my family and last year I retired from the corporation. I used to still go out and work, cutting people grass and planting garden. She never want for anything, why she do this to me?” Gopaul said with sad eyes.

He said the shame of her betrayal had trapped him inside his own head and his own home. Saying he did not know where he went wrong, Gopaul said now that he was in the latter stages of his life he wanted to have peace.

“I can’t leave here to go anywhere, not even to walk down the road. My daughter had to leave her job in Princes Town because people were talking about Kunti. The children missing her. If I have to go anywhere, someone will drop me. It is not nice what we going through,” Gopaul said.

Recalling his latest ordeal, Gopaul said his son-in-law and one of his daughters prevented him from doing himself severe harm.

Gopaul said he last saw Deopersad in Princes Town on Tuesday.

“I didn’t see her but she called me out. I asked her when she coming back home and she said she will come back after she cools her head,” Gopaul said.

He added that his two younger daughters were facing ridicule in school and he was worried.

“One of them wrote exams yesterday and I could see the sadness on their faces. It not easy watching them grieve. I am glad I did not die because of them. I am sorry for what I did and I won’t do it again,” Gopaul said.

However, his 18-year-old daughter Radha said she was worried about Gopaul. She said she wanted both her parents to get counselling from the National Family Services Division. She too said she was confused by her mother’s behaviour, adding that her father was a good man who always provided for them.

But the man with whom Deopersad is now living with said yesterday that there were many issues which the public did not know, but said it was not his place to tell her story. He said Deopersad has been receiving counselling.

Several attempts were made to contact National Family Services at their hotline, but both numbers were not in service.

Attempts to reach Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn were also unsuccessful as she did not answer her cellular phone.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar is urging the board of Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College to reconsider their decision to deny OJT Nafisah Nakhid the opportunity to train there and she is also calling on the Education Minister and Attorney General to move swiftly to have this matter resolved.

Persad-Bissessar said yesterday that the matter is “not a political one” but rather was one of “natural justice, equality and fairness”.

Responding to public concerns about the decision by the Maha Sahba to prevent Nakhid from taking up a job because she was wearing a hijab, Persad-Bissessar said while she agrees that a dress code is appropriate at schools, “the reality is a hijab cannot be classed in the same category as hats, capes, sleeveless dress or see-through mini-skirts”. (See letters on Pages A20 & A21)

A hijab, she said, is “sacred wear for Muslim women and they should be free to wear such without let or hinder.”

She said the “hurt that Ms Nakhid and her family must feel is understandable. Equally hurtful would be if a Hindu person were to be barred from wearing a Raksha or a Christian person barred from wearing a cross.”

Persad-Bissessar said what is “highly commendable” is that Nakhid had chosen to follow a God-fearing and diligent path in life, which she shows by her commitment to wearing her hijab.

This, she said, “is especially important, as today in our country we see widespread crimes being committed by people who seem to have no care for the rule of law or love of God and fellow men.”

She said as a woman leader, it was her “responsibility to seek especially the interest of women and girls and to do my duty without fear or favour and with love regardless of ethnicity, religion or social status.”

The Organisation Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago also stood by Nakhid for showing religious maturity and that Muslims can integrate successfully in any school or society.

PRO Imtiaz Mohammed issued a statement saying, “The wearing of the hijab is compulsory for all female Muslims once they attain puberty as stated in the Quran.”

He said it was “unfortunate that this specific school board chose to exercise religious intolerance resulting in religious discrimination, clearly violating our Constitution.”

He said they strongly condemned the action of the school board and statements by Maha Sabha secretary general Sat Maharaj that Islamic schools deny Hindu children their religious right to wear the ticker on their foreheads or the Raksha on their wrist. Those statements, he said, are “misleading.”

Despite heavy criticism from several quarters, Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) secretary general Sat Maharaj is standing his ground on its decision to deny On-the-Job Trainee Nafisah Nakhid entry to the Lakshmi Girls’ High School with her hijab on Monday. He said yesterday that they have a right to enjoyment of property under the Constitution and as a result also a right to determine how people dress when they go onto the compound.

But not so says attorney Fareed Scoon, who is advising Nakhid.

“A school is not a sacred space, but national space and you cannot impose your system or values on somebody who is utilising together with you what non-sacred space is,” Scoon said in response to Maharaj’s suggestion.

Both men have been speaking out on the issue involving Nakhid, who was given a choice when he turned up at the school on Monday morning dressed in a hijab. She was told at a meeting with the school’s principal, vice principal and dean, whom she said is also a Muslim, that she could stay but would need to remove the hijab, or she could leave. She chose the latter option, saying it was possibly the “worst experience” in her 23 years.

The action comes 23 years after Justice Margot Warner delivered a historic judgment 1995 ruling in favour of Summayah Mohammed, a Muslim schoolgirl who was banned from attending Holy Name Convent in Port-of-Spain wearing a hijab. Warner ruled then that Mohammed was entitled to attend a Catholic school wearing the hijab and she was eventually allowed to attend classes. That decision, which was not appealed, allowed Muslim girls to attend private and public schools without discrimination.

In his defence yesterday, Maharaj said, “The girl is not attached to the teaching staff, she came to learn to teach, but she wants to teach us how to dress, we said we have a dress code.”

Nakhid, who graduated with Honours from the University of the West Indies in the field of Mechanical Engineering, was sent to the school to work alongside a teacher.

There is nothing in the Concordat entered into with denominational schools in 1960 which speaks to a dress code. But Maharaj said it was the teachers of the school, which includes Muslims, Presbyterians and Afro-Trinidadians, “who put together the dress code and we approved it.”

The Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago sets out fundamentals rights and freedoms of citizens, with sections 4 and 5 speaking to rights which exist without discrimination by reason of race, origin, colour, religion or sex. It also speaks to the right of an individual to among other things enjoyment of property and the right not to be deprived of these except by the due process of law.

But Scoon said although Lakshmi Girls share a compound with the SDMS, “it is a public institution. It is funded with public funds, its teachers are paid by the public and it cannot legally or morally debar someone wearing a hijab.” He advised Maharaj to review the policies of the school, saying “they are inconsistent with the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago and from what I understand with true Hinduism.”

Maharaj reiterated that Lakshmi Girls was “doing a favour by saying come and we will teach you how to teach”.

But Scoon countered, “I don’t think it is a one-sided bargain. The school benefits from her experience, she is a graduate who went to give a service, not to be trained, but she is delivering deliverables that the school requires.”

Nakhid said the school requested someone with a science background and the OJT officer with whom she had the interview “called the principal and said I have a background in mechanical engineering and the principal said send her.” She said although the principal was told her name she never asked any questions about whether she wore a hijab. She said the principal admitted in their conversation on Monday that although she was given her name, she could not tell what religion Nakhid was from her name.

Nakhid said she was “traumatised” by the incident.

“I was so shocked. How can you ask a practising Muslim to remove a hijab for a job? Would you ask a nun to remove a habit for a job?” she asked.

Scoon said the Maha Sabha should do the proper thing and “apologise.

“If they do not apologise they probably will be visited with some kind of sanction by the Equal Opportunities Commission, which is the authority to deal with this on the basis of race discrimination religion or otherwise,” Scoon said.

St John’s, ANTIGUA – T&T Cricket Board has drafted two newcomers in Odean Smith and Joshua Da Silva when the draw for the 2018-2019 Professional Cricket League (PCL) was made yesterday at the Cricket West Indies Headquarters in Antigua. The proceedings took place under the guidance of Auditing Firm, KPMG when the pair was selected alongside Jeremy Solozano, Marlon Richards and Isaiah Rajah.

T&T Red Force head coach Kelvin Williams, whose team placed at the bottom of the pack in the Four-day regional tournament earlier this year said he's optimistic that the team will improve its chances with the “mix of experience and youth in the team. We think we have a rounded team and with the addition of a fast bowler, we think we will be competitive.”

Fast-bowler Smith of Jamaica who made his international debut in the historic T20 series against Pakistan earlier this year, and of and former T&T Under-19 player Da Silva of Queen's Park were outstanding in the T&TCB's Zonal 50-Over tournament.

Meanwhile, defending the Four-day champion team, Guyana Jaguars have assembled a strong team.

The Jaguars, having won four four-day titles back to back will be on the hunt for their 5th title, but won’t be complacent in their approach for the upcoming season. President, Anand Sanasie thinks “the continued investment we have made in youth to develop along the current system on a pathway to West Indies, continues to be the approach we will take. That has worked for us so far. We, however, expect the teams to be even more competitive this season and we think the mix of youth and experience will serve us well.”

The Barbados Pride which was second place in both the 4-Day and 50-overs formats has added what they call “an experienced fast bowler who we think will support the cast of the younger bowlers in the team. We think the draft went well for us,” according to Chairman of Selectors, Hendy Wallace.

Chairman of Selectors, Leeward Islands, Stuart Williams is also happy with the picks and thinks “the addition of the two fast bowlers and the younger players will create the balance needed for the team to improve its standings.”

Head Coach, Jamaica Scorpions, Robert Samuels thinks his squad is balanced, but he is more fascinated that “there are five other Jamaicans being picked up by other franchises.”

President and CEO of the Windward Islands Volcanoes, Gregory Shillingford, says “The players selected to form part of an overall programme which is developing, and they are confident in the process which has so far helped them to the win in the 50-overs format.”

CWI Professional Cricket League

SQUADS

GUYANA JAGUARS – Veerasammy Permaul, Leon Johnson, Vishual Singh, Chandrapul Hemraj, Gudakesh Motie, Tagenrine Chanderpaul, Keon Joseph, Anthony Bramble. Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.

Draft picks – Ramaal Lewis, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Ashaya Persaud, Javier Spencer.

BARBADOS PRIDE – Anthony Alleyne, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Dominic Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Shayne Moseley, Shamar Springer, Haydn Walsh Jr.

Draft picks – Marquino Mindley, Kevin Stoute, Aaron Jones, Tevyn Walcott, Mario Rampersaud.

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES – Rahkeem Cornwall, Montcin Hodge, Jahmar Hamilton, Keacy Carty, Jeremiah Louis, Devon Thomas, Terrance Warde, Sheeno Berridge, Akeem Saunders, Ross Powell.

Draft picks – Damion Jacobs, Sheldon Cotterell, Oralndo Peters, Nelson Bolan, Jason Peters.

JAMAICA SCORPIONS – Nikita Miller, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Chadwick Walton, John Campbell, Brandon King, Paul Palmer Jr, Aldaine Thomas, Andre McCarthy, Fabian Allen.

Draft picks – Oshane Thomas, Reynard Leveridge, Kenroy Williams, Denis Bulli, Steven Taylor

WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES – Devon Smith, Shane Shillingford, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Tyron Theophile, Roland Cato, Audy Alexander, Shermon Lewis, Delorn Johnson, Alick Athanaze.

Draft picks – Kirk Edwards, Ray Jordon, Tarryck Gabriel, Denis Smith, Josh Thomas

T&T RED FORCE – Kyle Hope, Tion Webster, Yannic Cariah, Amir Jangoo, Denesh Ramdin, Imran Khan, Daniel St Clair, Bryan Charles, Khary Pierre, Jason Mohammed.

Draft picks – Odean Smith, Jeremy Solozano, Marlon Richards, Isaiah Rajah, Joshua Da Silva.

(CMC)

Hat-tricks from Cloey Uddenberg and Brittaney Lawrence guided St Kitts/Nevis to a convincing 10-0 victory over Grenada yesterday in the Concacaf Caribbean Women's Qualifiers at the A to Boldon Stadium in Balmain Couva.

The win took St Kitts/Nevis to six points in the group and level with T&T, but the host still has the lead by a superior goal difference. T&T has scored 13 goals and St Kitts & Nevis 11.

Only Monday T&T coach Jamaal Shabazz said St Kitts/Nevis would be his hardest test in the tournament, and yesterday the team showed why it should not be taken for granted after a superb display of organized attacking football that left fans curious of what the scoreline would be at the end.

Uddenberg began the goal fest, shooting past an almost non-existent Grenada goalkeeper in the sixth-minutes. And four minutes later Phoenetia Browne got her first of a double for St Kitts/Nevis captain.

Uddenberg got her second and her team's third when Lavern Francis stormed down the right side and centred for her unmarked in the box in the 19th before Lawrence completed a 4-0 half-time score with a thunderous drive that flew past the goalie and into the roof of the net.

Shabazz immediately began taking notes, but it appeared too much as St Kitts/Nevis women were even more aggressive after the break.

Browne got her second in the 52nd minute when she was put through an open defence and skilfully chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

And later she turned provider when again racing clear down the right side and with the goal at her mercy, she instead unselfishly centred for the onrushing Uddenberg to complete her hat-trick in the 71st.

Lawrence then scored back to back goals in the 71st and 81st minutes for her hat-trick. And Lyania Bailey Williams and Leranja Wilkinson completed the rout with goals in the 82nd and 88th minutes respectively.

St Kitts/Nevis and T&T will clash tomorrow to determine the top team in the group after three matches each. Only the top in the group will advance to the next round of the qualifiers.

The T&T Volleyball Federation (TTVF) is taking a new approach to fundraising amidst the current economic challenges and lack of funding for its sport.

Tomorrow, the Federation’s senior men’s and women’s teams will host a cooler boat ride party to raise money for their upcoming competition season. The event takes place on the Harbour Master and boarding time is 7:00 p.m. at C3 Marina

Both the Federation’s senior men’s and women’s teams have a hectic calendar of events for 2018. The women are scheduled to compete in five tournaments from May to October including the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Women's World Championship which takes place in Japan.

Meanwhile, the men are looking forward to competing in four tournaments, starting in June in Cuba, then in Suriname, followed by tournaments in Colombia and Mexico. The anticipated proceeds from the boat ride are needed to help cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, uniforms, medical supplies, registration fees and other competition expenses.

The estimated budget for the competition season for both teams is in excess of TT$2.5 million dollars.

According to coach of the senior men’s team, Sean Morrison, “We appreciate that it’s a tough economic climate right now, and while we hope to continue to get support at the state level and some from private sponsorships, we need to do everything possible to try to help ourselves if we are to continue to advance in the sport on the international stage. We’re trying something new with this boat ride and hope that our friends, family and well-wishers together with supporters of the volleyball fraternity we would get the support and have a good time while at it.”

The qualification for the upcoming tournaments is due to the success of both teams. The men are currently ranked 50th in the world, while the women are ranked 34th. However, the progress comes at a high cost. The Federation is calling on other sporting organisations and members of the public to come out support our fundraising project. Tickets are $200 dollars and interested persons can contact anyone within the Federation, message its Facebook page or call 721-8361 for tickets or information.

Industrial Court president Debra Thomas-Felix yesterday urged Government to establish legislation to define sexual harassment and introduce policies in the workplace to deal with inappropriate behaviour.

Such a move, she said would offer support to victims of sexual harassment.

Thomas-Felix put forward the suggestion while addressing a Sexual Harassment in the World of Work symposium hosted by the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s.

Stating that sexual harassment in the workplace has been a relevant and critical topic, Thomas-Felix acknowledged that subtle sexual innuendoes had become part of our natural conversation.

Even our songs, she said, have been riddled with sexual innuendos, as she drew reference to the punchline of three calypsoes—Woman doh like soft man; I want to wine on something; and A deputy is essential to keep your living vital,” to emphasise her point.

When behaviour is driven by culture, Thomas-Felix said it is difficult for some to discern boundaries and have a calm discourse on the issue.

However, she stated that T&T continues to remain a conservative society when addressing any issue that pivots on sex and gender.

While our ability to respond to sexual harassment in the workplace was stymied by the lack of coherent workplace policy guidelines, Thomas-Felix recommended that such guidelines be crafted with input from all partners at work and supported by a range of administrative mechanisms and relevant legislative instruments.

“One of the challenges, inherent of treating with sexual harassment in the workplace has been to adequately define it. To date, there exists no single universally agreed upon definition of what constitutes inappropriate and prohibited behaviour.”

She said Barbados had recently enacted the Employment Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act of 2017 which defined inappropriate conduct in the workplace and provided that each employer has a clear written policy statement against sexual harassment.

“As you are aware there is no legislation in T&T which addresses the issue…and therefore there is no legal definition to guide employers and the workforce in this country on what conduct is acceptable.”

Notwithstanding, Thomas-Felix said sexual harassment causes harm to the victim and may constitute a health and safety problem.

“This is a highly-complex issue that has proven elusive for policy makers to come to grips with because it occupies the thorny intersection between sex, gender and power.”

As managers, employers and legislators, she said, we are not sure what inappropriate conduct is, its indicators, and what guidelines should be developed to deter sexual harassment.

“In my view, central to tackling the issue is accepting that sexual harassment in the workplace is inextricably linked to the balance of power, where that power resides and the abuse of that power,” she said.

Thomas-Felix said while the victim feels powerless, isolated and afraid to speak out when faced with the risk of losing her/his job, the impact extends beyond the workplace.

Ste Madeleine residents gathered anxiously at the Usine Pond to see if the horrible story of a baby being dumped in the water was true yesterday, but after two hours of searching Coast Guard divers found nothing.

Southern Division police said the search was called off after the pond and its bank yielded no signs of a body. However, Ste Madeleine officers are expected to keep an eye out in the coming days for any signs of a body.

From early yesterday, labourers were cutting the grass at the banks of the pond to assist in the search while officers scoured the bank. They told the T&T Guardian they were not sure whether a baby was thrown into the pond, but had no choice but to check it out. By midday, the Coast Guard divers joined the search, reaching greater depths than on Tuesday night

Initial reports on Tuesday night stated a woman was seen walking into the dirt road alongside the pond with a baby in her arms. Minutes later, she returned to the Manahambre Road without the baby and left in a gold Nissan Almera.

However, councillor for Corinth/Cedar Hill, Shawn Premchand, said he contacted the police after hearing a baby’s cry. Premchand and members of the Corinth/Cedar Hill Coordinating Committee were planting jhandis along the wall of the pond in preparation for their Indian Arrival Day celebrations next Wednesday. He said they heard a woman scream and shortly after, saw an Afro-Trinidadian woman in a black dress walk to the roadside and leave in a car heading toward San Fernando. He said around 7.30 pm, after the woman left, they heard a child crying and went in search. However, when no child was found they contacted the police, who responded along with divers from the Fire Service.

He lamented that the picturesque pond that one supplied the now-defunct Ste Madeleine Sugar Factory was now a disposal site for murder victims. Last April, the decomposing corpse of David Conlisse, of Sangre Grande, was found wrapped in linoleum. In January, PH taxi driver Richard Beharry, 24, was shot and killed and his body left in the backseat of a white Nissan AD Wagon that was partially submerged in the pond.

Last December, Canadian citizen Vishnu Narine was shot dead and dumped at the side of the pond.

The thought of entering secondary school can be daunting for some children. Adjustments have to made to a new environment, marking an entirely fresh chapter in their lives. The journey through secondary school will, in some instances, be bumpy, filled with trials and tribulations. And at times they will be faced with negative factors including peer pressure and bullying.

With the stressful Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) finally over for some 19,000 pupils, secondary school however, is just around the corner. To equip them to properly handle life stresses, family theatre producer/director and veteran actor Fareid Carvalho showcased his hit play The Spectacular Zico, on Tuesday at Queen’s Hall, Port-of- Spain.

Scores of excited students who attended described it as “fantastic,” “entertaining,” and “a good guide not only to secondary school but life generally.”

Joanne Romany, teacher at Briggs Pre School, urged that the show is “a must.”

She noted: “It’s one with sound family and educational values. It teaches about being kind, having respect for each other and for animals and the value of true friendship.”

One primary school pupil, who gave her name as Sarah, said the characters transported her into a magical world.

“During my preparation for SEA I hardly got any time to relax. It was all about work and sacrifice.

“After seeing the play I felt inspired because I am into chorale speaking and I would like to pursue drama in secondary school. I think drama has a whole world of opportunities which are not explored,” she added.

Aaron Huggins, of the San Juan South Secondary, shared sillier sentiments, urging that pupils ought to be exposed to the arts from an early age.

“The play is about having good manners and respecting your elders. Drama can be used to teach subjects and get children more involved in their school work.

“Sometimes school life can become tedious like maths which can become difficult. Drama is a good means to get children involved in subjects like English,” Huggins said.

Zico Returns, chronicles difficult decisions that most children encounter in growing up. It deals with family life and the struggles of a single-parent home facing adversity. It also focuses on the power of love and friendship and respecting both humans and animals.

The initial play, Zico was shown a couple of weeks before the SEA exam on May 4.

Not wanting those pupils to miss out, Carvalho held another showing, hence Zico Returns.

“My first show was two weeks before SEA and I knew those preparing could not attend. Since then I have been bombarded by principals to bring back the play,” Carvalho said.

But moreso he believes that drama is a medium which needs to be properly tapped into.

“The theatre industry is dynamic and its a pity many fail to recognise that. We need to expose the younger generation to the theatre world and all the endless possibility it holds,” Carvalho urged.

For the past 17 years Carvalho’s plays have been much sought after by schools.

“Sacred Heart Girls’ bought 800 tickets for the last showing.

In each of the plays I incorporate values and morals and it’s done in a setting where children can relate.

“If a teacher says, ‘Stay in school or do your home work’, students don’t really take them on but if a magical character says the same thing including not to join a gang, they listen,” Carvalho said.

He bemoaned the fact that space was a problem in hosting large productions. If this can be addressed it will be a boost for the theatre industry.

He has also worked with private and Government agencies in raising awareness regarding issues affecting children and was the figure behind producing the Ministry’s of Health “Fight the Fat Campaign.”

Zico Returns runs until today, May 24, at Queen’s Hall with 9.30 am and 1 pm shows.