The “Redd Swagg” brand is something you might want to get familiar with. Not only does it carry an assortment of condiments and dried foods, but it’s all 100 per cent locally made by the hands of Candace Boissiere.

The 39-year-old estate constable was first introduced to the home-made craft by her grandmother who would turn her kitchen upside down each Christmas, making condiments for friends, neighbours, and family.

Boissiere’s first try at it came when she was 13 years old, but she only became inclined to continue the tradition after her grandmother passed in 2013.

“I started making sauces on my own in 2014 for family and friends until I sold them for Christmas in 2015. I have been selling ever since,” she says.

The Redd Swagg line includes pepper sauces, green seasonings, pureed garlic, ginger, pimiento, and chandon beni. If you’re a fan of some good “Trini” ‘mudd n law,” Redd Swagg makes that too, along with pepper nuts, fruit and nut, and minced saffron. All products come in litre and gallon-size, the latter specifically made for restaurants.

But we had to ask, “What’s up with the name “Redd Swagg?” Sort of odd for a food product line, don’t you think?

The story behind it is quite simple actually, as Boissiere says, “The name Redd Swagg is a combination of my favourite colour and the extra love and spices I add to create that special flavour you will experience in every product.”

Speaking of red, this “red-skinned” woman, originally from Maraval, now residing in Chaguanas, obtains all produce to make her products from her uncles who are farmers in her native residence.

In her very own kitchen it takes Boissiere, her eldest son, and fiance, a full 24 hours to prepare a batch of anyone of the products.

The work includes washing, peeling, prepping, mincing, heating, bottling, and labelling.

“Many times we are up all night peeling garlic,” she says through a chuckle.

The condiment business is no “side hustle” for Boissiere as she takes it very seriously and plans to expand the brand in the future.

But she explained to the Sunday Guardian that there are some challenges as a “newcomer” on the market that can make someone who does not have a strong sense of self and the courage of conviction, to give up.

After throwing sou-sous and subsequently receiving $6,000 in financial assistance from Nedco, Boissiere said there was little or next to no support from supermarkets when she took her products to their establishments.

“Most supermarkets told us they are not accepting new items because they’re overstocked.

“Some took the samples and the price list and never called,” she recalls.

With a vision on the horizon and the will to keep going, amidst the disappointment, for many days Boissiere would pound the pavements, walking all over Port-of-Spain and Ariapita Avenue, going from food place to food place giving out samples and contact information in the hope someone would call with an order.

One day she walked into Scotiabank in San Juan and asked the manager if she could be permitted to sell her products in front the car park area of the bank on Saturdays.

The manager gave her blessing and Boissiere began to operate her business each Saturday for five months and could have gone longer if she was not stopped by the bank security one Saturday morning as she was about to routinely set up.

“The security guard came out and told me I could not sell there. I told him I got permission from the manager but he said that manager resigned last week and the new manager said I could not sell there.”

With goods on her hand and not knowing where to turn, Boissiere had to think fast. She took out her phone and posted to her Facebook page, “free delivery today for all the customers who have pick-up orders,” and immediately customers kept messaging her.

As fate would have had it, she sold out all her products that day.

Needless to say, delivery is now a part of her service and she delivers to her customers anywhere in Trinidad.

Boissiere said being an entrepreneur was most times a labour of love as there is more input than output and it really takes drive and confidence in your product or business, whatever it is, to keep trying until a breakthrough occurs.

She called on those who have the power to help entrepreneurs to be a bit more encouraging and helpful so that a constructive society can be rebuilt in T&T.

She leaves a few words of advice for young entrepreneurs who might be feeling the pinch of “sweet humility” before their success.

“Follow your dreams, advertise and market your product wisely, promote great customer service, and be ready to take good advice.

“Keep in mind customers are who make you and your business becomes, so regardless of what they spend, show them appreciation and love.

“Be very proud of your product and remember to add some love and ‘swagg’ in everything.”

More info

For more information on the Redd Swagg brand visit Facebook @ Boissiere redd swagg pepper sauce and seasonings. You can also email: candaceboissiere@gmail.com

In our last article we started to discuss travel phobia in dogs and looked at the reasons why dogs may develop this fear.

Today we will talk abouthumanely introducing your  pet to the car to prevent and overcome this problem behaviour.

Dogs who are not accustomed to car travel will understandably be nervous the first time they are popped into a car in adulthood.

It is important that puppies are introduced to car travel from the time they are acquired by new owners.

The first trip is usually additionally traumatic because they may have just been taken from their mum and siblings and find themselves alone for the first time in something that moves and tosses them around.

Once your new puppy has settled into your home and started to bond with you, show your dog that being in the car is a good thing. Start with the car off and the doors closed and walk him around it. Open the doors and feed him treats in the car, play games in and around the car, leave his toys lying around inside of the car but never force him into the car. Sit in the car and allow him the freedom to make the choice of being in the car with you.

After a few days of doing this, once the dog is able to relax in the car, switch on the car but do not drive anywhere. This stage is to allow him to get comfortable with the running engine, the air condition and the radio.

Repeat the playing of games, feeding of treats and sitting with him—all inside of the turned-on, stationary car.

Once your dog is comfortable, start taking short drives, gradually increasing the distance you go.

Make sure that the drives all end in positive experiences such as to the park for a walk, to a friend’s house for a play session with another puppy, or back home for some treats.

Many dogs dislike the car because they are only taken to the veterinarian for a painful or unpleasant procedure, so they form a negative association with the car.

Arrange sessions with your veterinarian where you take the dog in for the staff to play with him and feed him tasty titbits but for nothing negative to be done to the dog.

Not only will this make car travel easier for you and your dog, it will help your dog to bond with his vet and make any handling more comfortable.

This can save you thousands on your vet bill because if your dog is accustomed to being touched and held by his vet then he will be more compliant during a physical examination and will not need to be anaesthetised for every vet visit because you cannot control your dog.

If your dog suffers from motion sickness, talk to your veterinarian about prescription or overthe- counter medication.

Remember, never give your dog any drugs without first consulting your veterinarian.

As always, safety comes first. Never leave your dog alone in the car, and you should invest in a safety harness and seatbelt for your dog.

Copyright © Kristel-Marie Ramnath 2018

Michael Bradshaw, past president of Arima Rotary Club says people in T&T should give back to their communities according to their wishes and abilities.

“We should go back because the need in our communities is real and it is growing,” he said.

He urged citizens to give back because “this widening gap—the gap between what is needed and what can be provided—threatens the most vulnerable among us.

And we should give back, because this gap threatens one of the most cherished values as Trinbagonians, the equality of opportunity.”

Bradshaw was speaking at Arima Rotary Club 40th Anniversary held at Tennis Court, Arima, last weekend.

He said apart from the Rotary Club of Arima’s dedication to service, Rotary has also been an important venue for sharing new ideas and initiatives, and a forum for building the necessary momentum for social and economic change.

Past presidents of the Arima Rotary Club were honoured for their service at the event, while members of Arima business community received certificate for their support over the years.

The 2018 graduating class of the Sangre Grande Hindu School has been advised by the principal Sharmain Maharaj to remain focused as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Maharaj, delivering an address at the school on June 8, told them they are going to be confronted by numerous and varied challenges, but reminded them to apply the positives that they have learnt.

She said today we live in an era of technology which is impacting significantly on their lives and which can be used to support their studies.

However, she said in today’s society especially among teenagers it is being abused.

Maharaj cautioned students to be wary about what they post on social media, it cannot be erased.

“Every word, every photo, every video can be assessed across the world.” She told them obscenities and negative postings can scar them.

Educator Dr Danielle Elliott and writer Lisa Allen-Agostini are on a mission to help teens be better writers.

The pair are leading The Writing Intervention, a series of two-week English language and writing workshops for teens aged 14 and up. The workshops, the only of their kind in T&T, will take place at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, Newbold Street, St Clair, over the July/ August holidays.

Elliott is an independent cultural studies scholar who has taught Caribbean and African American literatures, particularly poetry. She holds a doctorate in English literature from Princeton University and bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. She has taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Smith College, among other institutions.

When Elliott met fellow Bishop Anstey High School alumna Lisa Allen-Agostini, they conceived of The Writing Intervention based on their conversations as teachers.

Allen-Agostini, though best known as an author and journalist, has taught English at tertiary level at the T&T Hospitality and Tourism Institute and COSTAATT.

“Talking with current and past principals, vice principals, teachers, and a few parents, I hear just what we thought when we initially came up with the idea of the Writing Intervention,” Elliott said.

“We have smart students with good ideas who are having difficulty expressing those good ideas when they’re asked to do so in writing.”

This difficulty affects performance in English language and all subjects that require writing. Even a chemistry teacher told Elliott she struggles to get students to effectively summarise material and write long answers.

As a journalist, Allen-Agostini wrote a weekly column in Trinidad Creole and she’s been able to use that familiarity with Creole in her teaching.

“We attach so much shame to our English Creole,” Allen-Agostini said. “Students often don’t know that it’s not ‘broken English’ but a language with its own grammatical rules.

Learning that difference can be crucial to becoming comfortable with Standard English, our official language for business and education.”

She added, “Feeling you’re bad at English can put so much pressure on you.

This camp will incorporate holistic activities, like improv and yogic stretching, to help develop student self-expression and alleviate that stress while teaching and reinforcing writing skills.”

Allen-Agostini’s new young adult novel, Home Home, was awarded a prize in the 2017 CODE Burt Awards for Caribbean Literature. The book was published in June 2018, adding to the growing list of regional books for young readers. But through her experience as a teacher, she said, she knows sometimes weak readers and writers are left behind.

“Our teachers are doing the best they can, an amazing job, really,” said Elliott. “But I know what it’s like as an educator.

You have a large class, a full curriculum, and in this case, a structured exam looming at the end of the year. So there’s little time to accommodate students who might be at different levels and allow time to focus on their written expression.”

Elliott added, “I’d like young people to realise that strong skills in written communication are an essential aspect of a good education and invaluable asset in life. Period. A facility with language, or ability to summarise and analyse a piece of writing, can set you apart regardless of your field.

It’s about being able to be an effective communicator and translator of your world.”

More info 

The Writing Intervention dates are July 9-20; July 23- August 3; August 6-17; and August 20-30; camp activities run from 9 am – 4 pm. Spaces are limited and early registration is encouraged.

For more information about The Writing Intervention, go to its Facebook page or contact the team via WhatsApp at 646-505-7872 or 753-6220.

HARES, JAMES “EDDIE” passed away peacefully on Wednesday 13th June, 2018. Son of the late James and Dorothy Hares. Father of Carolyn, Allan, Kathleen-Ann, Debbie, Damian and Rudy “Harry”. Loved by his grand-children. Brother of Kathleen. Beloved

The Windies bowlers with the exception of Shannon Gabriel lost the plot on day four of the second Sandals Test at the Darren Sammy Cricket ground in St. Lucia yesterday and they have now found themselves in a spot of bother going into the final day today.

Ahead in this Test match for the first three and a half days, two poor sessions could cost the Windies dearly, as only Gabriel with 11 wickets in the match answered the call.

Sri Lanka after making 253 in their first innings closed the day on 334/8 in reply to the Windies 300 in their first effort. It means that they start today’s play with a lead of 287 runs with two wickets in hand.

It sets up a thrilling final day. But, the way play started yesterday, today may not have been a reality. Sri Lanka was reduced to 48 for four, half hour into the day’s play, as Gabriel grabbed two early wickets to add to the one he had on day three and Kemar Roach also accounted for one.

After that, it was all Sri Lanka, as little Kusal Mendis slammed a brilliant 87 to take the game away from the locals. When he was finally dismissed for 87 off 117 balls with eight fours and two sixes, Sri Lanka was already coming out of the forest. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal was the first man to help him, as he scored 39 runs.

With Mendis’ departure the score read 199 for six, Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella got together to further punish the hosts and added 99 more runs for the seventh wicket. However, in a final burst, West Indies captain Jason Holder took the new ball and Gabriel responded by removing Silva for 48 and Dickwella for 62, both of whom featured in a 99-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Gabriel became the first West Indian to take a 10-wicket haul against the Sri Lankans.

Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed on the bedtime position of 34 for one and the Windies immediately struck by sending back nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha for a duck. Gabriel had him leg before.

The big T&T pacer followed up with the scalp of Dhananjaya de Silva for three. He played at a fast delivery down the corridor of uncertainty and edged to Devon Smith at clip.

Pace partner Kemar Roach then got into the act and sent back debutant Michael Udawatte for 19. He played an uppish drive to Devendra Bishoo at mid-off and was on his way. At 43/4 the Sri Lankans were under heavy pressure.

Mendis came in to take the pressure off by counterattacking. He battled bravely against the pacers and was happy to sweep the spinners, as he gathered runs at will. He brought up a half-century in no time and this allowed Chandimal to settle. He was dropped off a no-ball when on 17 and made the Windies pay.

When their partnership reached 79, they created a new record for Sri Lanka for the fifth wicket in the Caribbean.

Lunch was taken at 136 for four with Sri Lanka fighting their way back after a two and a half hour morning session. After the break, Roach got Chandimal playing a loose shot outside the off stump for 39 to get the Windies back on track. He faced 112 balls and struck one four.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings 253 all out
Windies 1st innings 300 all out
Sri Lanka 2nd innings
(overnight 34/2)
K Perera c Dowrich b Gabriel...........20
M Udawatte c Bishoo b Roach.........19
K Rajitha lbw Gabriel........................... 0
D de Silva c Smith b Gabriel............... 3
K Mendis b Gabriel.............................87
D Chandimal c Dowrich b Roach....39
R Silva c Dowrich b Gabriel..............48
N Dickwella c Powell b Gabriel........62
A Dhananjaya not out.......................16
S Lakmal not out................................... 7
Extras 10nb, 12b, 8lb, 3w..................33
Total for 8 wkts..................... 334
Fall of wkts: 32, 34, 44, 48, 165,
199, 298, 307.
Bowling: K Roach 20-3-75-2, S
Gabriel 19-5-57-6, J Holder 15-5-38-
0, M Cummins 13-1-44-0, D Bishoo
11-1-58-0, R Chase 10-0-38-0, K
Brathwaite 1-0-4-0.

National goal-shoot Samantha Wallace as at her near best in claiming the Nissan Most Valauble Player of the match award as New South Wales Swifts held off Sunshine Coast Lightning 59-56 in the Suncorp Super Netball League, yesterday.

A first-quarter NSW Swifts demolition job led by the Toco-born Wallace and a determined final quarter were enough for them to secure a vital win against the Sunshine Coast Lightning and maintain their position inside the top four.

The visiting Lightning were pummelled 19-9 in the first quarter by a willing Swifts outfit with Wallace scoring 13 of 14 attempts, but any thought of the defending champions raising the white flag was quickly erased.

The cool hand of Swifts shooter and Nissan MVP Wallace (43/45) guided the Swifts home.

It was a crucial clash for both sides, which came into this match occupying third and fourth places on the Rebel Sport ladder and looking to consolidate their place in the top four.

In the end the 24-year-old Wallace, ended with 43 goals from 45 attempts while English international Helen Hosuby added 16 from 19 for Swifts who won the first and last quarter to pick up six points while Australian standout Caitlin Bassestt had 34 from 36 attempts for Lightning, and Stephanie Wood, 22 of 25.

T&T cruised past hosts, Jamaica on Saturday night in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze Tournament at Sabina Park, Jamaica, to set up a must-win final today.

Having lost to T&T, Jamaica is second on the points table with nine points, while Barbados sits atop the points table with 12 points as they remain unbeaten.

However, if two teams are to tied on points, as will be the case if Jamaica beats Barbados today, Jamaica will win based on a head to head as outlined by the playing conditions of the tournament. 

However, if Barbados win, that team will be declared winners by having the most points at the end of the competition.

On Saturday, Jamaican captain, Stafanie Taylor won the toss and sent T&T in to bat, but it proved to be disastrous for her side. T&T lost the in-form Britney Cooper, who was pulled out of the match at the last minute after pulling a groin muscle during the warm-up. But it was Jamaica who suffered the bigger loss when Taylor picked up an injury while fielding a ball in the 4th over. It meant that the hosts were without their leading bowler and batswoman early on.

T&T did not seem phased by the loss of Cooper though, and batted in high contrast to their previous outings, showing greater aggression throughout their innings.

Lee-Ann Kirby was given the task of opening the batting with Reniece Boyce—T&T’s fourth change to their opening pair in as many matches. Boyce and Kirby got T&T off to a flyer, taking eight runs off the first over bowled by Karla Cohen and 10 off the second by Chinelle Henry. Boyce has trapped LBW for 11 in the third over and Kirby caught at mid-off two overs later for 16, leaving T&T at 40/2 in 4.5 overs.

Stacy-Ann King and Rachel Vincent then paired up to take T&T to their highest total of the tournament thus far , 135 for the loss of five wickets. Vincent contributed a quickfire 35 off 30 balls that included three fours and a six, while King top scored with 39.

In reply, Jamaica struggled from the get-go without their skipper, with stand-in opener, Rashada Williams contributing a slow 31 off 49 balls before she was run out.

Henry, who had her first batting outing for the tournament was the second highest scorer, getting to 24. But they never got anywhere near the target and eventually succumbed to T&T to lose by 43 runs and severely dent their run rate ahead of their final match against Barbados today. Anisa Mohammed was the pick of the T&T bowlers, grabbing three for 17 in her four overs.

T&T meet Windward Islands today from 6:30 pm, Jamaica time, at Sabina Park. They have no chance of defending their title, having already lost two matches, but will hope to record a victory none-the-less to finish at least third. If Jamaica loses to Barbados they will finish second.

In other matches played on Saturday, Windward Islands recorded their second win of the tournament, getting the better of Leeward Islands by 62 runs. LI won the toss and opted to field first and WI wasted no time in piling on the runs. Openers Juliana Nero and Rachel Cyrus had 44 and 30 respectively to take WI to 143 for six at the end of their 20 overs. In reply, LI only managed 81/8 in their 20 overs.

Barbados beat Guyana by 27 runs in the second match played on Saturday. Batting first, Barbados got to 134, thanks to an aggressive knock by Hayley Matthews who raced to 61 off 36 balls before she was out caught. Despite leaving her team on a solid foundation of 99/2 in 11.2 overs, however, the remaining batters struggled and contributed just 35 more runs in the remaining 52 balls.

Guyana lost their skipper, Shemaine Campbell, early. Campbelle has led her team with the bat each time they won, but she only managed 11 on Saturday.

Akaze Thompson (47) and Shabika Gajnabi combined in an attempt to steady the innings and see their team home, but tight bowling from Barbados prevented it. Both were not out at the end of Guyana’s 20 overs in which they lost three wickets. Guyana faces the Leeward Islands this morning from 9:30 am.

Nero, who played 76 ODIs, 45 T20s Internationals and one Test for the Windies between 2003 and 2013, is now among the leading run-scorers and could be in line for a recall for the Women’s T20 World Cup to be hosted in the Caribbean from November 9-24. The tournament concludes today.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Coverage is provided by courtesy Caribbean Women Entertainment Sport Network (CWESN)—a nonprofit organization dedicated to covering women in sport. Follow them on FB and Twitter @CWESN, IG @cwesportsnet or visit their website www.cwesn.com for women’s sport coverage.

W Connection took command of Abercrombie Group in the 2018 First Citizens Cup on Saturday evening with six points after recording a 2-0 win on Match Day Two over North East Stars, a side the Savonetta Boys had humiliated 7-1 a fortnight ago in the season-opening Charity Shield.

Kennedy Hinkson fired the eight-time champions and current holders in front in the first half with his first W Connection goal on his domestic debut. Team-mate Marcus ‘Lobo’ Joseph struck his sixth goal in three games in all competitions so far this season with a sublime chip seven minutes from the end to complete the 2-0 win in the first game of a doubleheader at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

However, it was an improved result after needing to come from behind for a 3-2 win over Point Fortin Civic who had led with two early goals two Friday’s ago on Match Day One.

Civic, in the second game of the night’s double-header rebounded with a 2-1 win over Morvant Caledonia United to go level on three points with Police FC which sat out on a bye and will resume play against W Connection in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday.

Judah Garcia, 18, scored only his second top-flight goal for Civic in the second half and 20-year-old playmaker Justin Sadoo capped off arguably his best performance to date for the Point Fortin outfit with his first professional goal to cushion coach Reynold Carrington’s side before substitute Kareem Joseph pulled back a goal for Morvant Caledonia from the spot in injury time.

Jabari Mitchell had the bulk of Civic’s chances—at least five of them in the first half—before turning provider in the 66th minute when he controlled Sadoo’s lofted pass in the area, skipped a couple challenges and rolled a feed across the box for Garcia (J) to drive home Civic’s go-ahead goal past new Morvant Caledonia goalkeeper Terrence Lewis.

Sadoo then unleashed a cracker from just inside the box which clipped the underside of the bar before finding the back of Lewis’ net in the 75th minute to cushion Civic 2-0 after weaving past two defenders.

Morvant Caledonia, a side coached by returning head coach Jerry More and technical director Jamaal Shabazz and on their first competitive outing of the year, found their consolation item deep in injury time when Joseph beat goalkeeper Miles Goodman from the spot after referee Rodphin Harris ruled a handball against Civic.

Earlier on the day, Hinkson, who joined W Connection from Jabloteh at the beginning of the year and featured for the Savonetta Boys in the 2018 Caribbean Club Championship, blasted coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s men in front on 25 minutes after goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel had made a superb double-save. Samuel had first kept out a laser from Marcus Joseph and reacted elastically on the rebound effort from Hinkson, who finally punished the hapless North East Stars goalie on his second bite from close range.

But North East Stars, a virtually new side from the team that won last season’s Pro League championship, proved that they are an improving bunch despite opening humiliations when they faced Connection (1-7 in the Charity Shield) and Police FC (1-5 in their opening First Citizens Cup match).

Head coach Zoran Vranes handed top-flight debuts to Raheim Jawahir, Rakim Cabie and 17-year-old former San Juan Jabloteh youth prodigy Rivaldo Coryat who produced a solid performance in the role of holding midfielder with his accuracy in passing and movement off the ball.

Cabie, meanwhile, had kept North East Stars clean on 15 minutes when he made a stop on the line to deny an acrobatic attempt on goal by Connection’s Adan Noel, who, like Hinkson, had started in place of injured attackers Dimitrie Apai and Daniel Diaz.

However, the connection did found the second item in the 83rd minute through Joseph who lifted the ball over an advancing Samuel to hit the back of the North East Stars’ net after a Kadeem Corbin pass broke the backline.

Samuel, though, was determined to deny Connection a third and two minutes later produced a diving save to blank Corbin.

Competition will continue this afternoon with an Immortelle Group double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium with Defence Force FC taking on MIC-IT St. Ann’s Rangers from 6:30 pm and Club Sando against San Juan Jabloteh from 8:30 pm.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

• W Connection 2 (Kennedy Hinkson 25’, Marcus Joseph 83’) v North East Stars 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
• Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Kareem Joseph 90’+3 pen.) v Point Fortin Civic 2 (Judah Garcia 66’, Justin Sadoo 75’), 6 pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
TODAY’S MATCH DAY TWO FIXTURES
• Defence Force FC v MIC-IT St. Ann’s Rangers, 6:30pmat Ato Boldon Stadium;
• Club Sando v San Juan Jabloteh, 8:30pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) global action plan to promote physical activity aims to reduce physical inactivity by 2030. The WHO believes that investment in policies and programmes to promote overall physical activity among the population by the government, the private sector, the health sector along with civil society can go a long way toward complementing and achieving many of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDS). These SDGs include:

• SDG2- ending all forms of malnutrition
• SDG3- good health and well-being
• SDG4- quality education
• SDG5-gender equality
• SDG8-decent work and economic growth

According to the WHO, 23 per cent of adults and 81 per cent of adolescents (aged 11-17), fall short of the WHO global standard for physical activity. It is noted that as society has changed due to increased use of technology, urbanisation and patterns of transportation, levels of physical inactivity is as high as 70 per cent in some countries.

The WHO states that improving physical activity can prevent and treat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity while at the same time impacting positively on the mental and the social well-being of the population.

The WHO action plan consists of four wstrategic objectives and 20 policy actions:

(1) Creating an active society (attitude and social norms)

(2) Creating active environments (spaces and safety)

(3) Creating active lives (opportunities and programmes)

(4) Creating active systems (research, governance and policy enablers)

The action plan 2018-2030 complements the overall findings of the IDB report on sport and physical activity for the Latin America and the Caribbean. The burning question is whether the findings and recommendations of these reports would receive serious action beyond verbal acknowledge.

A positive response by the government through its various ministries in conjunction with national governing bodies (NGBS), civil society and the private sector is required to ensure that the goals and objectives of developing a physically active society are achieved. The benefits that will be derived will not only be a healthier society but a reduction in the costs of healthcare both to the state and the wider society.

“I don’t feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning.” Michel Foucault

Shaquille Daniel netted a pair of goals as T&T senior men’s hockey team continued their build-up to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games with a 5-2 whipping of Guyana at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua to complete a 3-0 series yesterday.

Kristien Emmanuel opened the scoring for the Glen “Fido” Francois coached T&T men in the seventh minute before Joel Daniel doubled the lead in the tenth.

Guyana managed to cut the lead in the 21st minute through Robert France, but Danielle (38th) and Marcus James (43rd) then found the back of the net to restore the local hockey superiority.

Guyana did not drop their heads and got the second item in the 45th minute through, Aroydy Brandford, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly squashed when Danielle got his second in the 46th minute to seal a 5-2 triumph and 3-0 series triumph.

On Friday, Akim Toussiant and Michael O’Connor II got the goals for T&T hockey men in the eight and ninth minute respectively.

A day later, Daniel Byer (28th), Kristien Emmanuel (30th), Dylan Francis (52nd) and England-based Tariq Marcano (60th) were all on the scoresheet in the lopsided victory.

At the (CAC) Games from July 20 to August 3, 2018, in Barranquilla, Colombia, T&T men will face Cuba, Barbados and Colombia in Pool A while Jamaica, Mexico, Guyana and the Dominican Republic are in Pool B. T&T women will also participate in Colombia against Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica in Pool B while Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Cuba are in Pool A.

Her face is still on billboards listed as a missing person of T&T  but it's been more than a week since 12-year-old Hailey Kinsale came back home. 

The man with whom she was staying is now being interrogated by the police.

Police said Kinsale has not spoken much about her disappearance while both her mother Alicia Alexander and grandmother Samdayah Singh called on the authorities to assist her with counseling.

In an interview Monday, Alexander said she was happy that her daughter was safe. 

"I am looking forward to going with her to collect her SEA results. It has been many sleepless nights and we are just thankful and happy that she is safe," Alexander said in a telephone interview. 

Saying she did not want to put her daughter through emotional stress, Alexander said she could not disclose where her daughter was staying.

"All I can say is that she was safe and she was not harmed. She was found a week ago," Alexander revealed.

She noted that her daughter has been in a happy mood since she came home but has not answered many questions.

"We are still to discover what went wrong. It is a work in progress but we want her to get professional help. She is not telling us why she left home," Alexander said.

Meanwhile, Singh said she was hurt by the actions of her granddaughter.

"I am very happy she is home, now I can sleep. Right now she is with her mother but I  feel she need some counseling in her life," Singh said. She also said the child had given no explanations.

"She gets everything she needs not everything she wants but everything she needs we give it to her..I don’t know the reasons but I feel very hurt. I am displeased but I am thankful to God that she is safe. It could have been the other way around. I know that people have sent out blessings and prayers and I appreciate that," Singh said. 

She added that Kinsale was "never on lockdown" but was allowed to go to the cinema and other places.

"When she wants to go places, we take her. We take her to the cinema. When her father gets pay she gets her allowances and she has money to spend. I give her support. This was upsetting and painful to us," Singh added. She said she wanted the National Family Services to contact them and offer professional help to the girl.

Kinsale, a standard-five student of the Marabella Anglican Primary School went missing on May 24. She was last seen playing with her friends at a basketball court near the family Roy Joseph Street, San Fernando, apartment. 

Police who checked Kinsale's laptop said she had been staying at a house in Sangre Grande. A 25-year-old man is now in police custody and is assisting with investigations.

A retired school teacher and her family are now homeless after a fire destroyed their three-story home at Syne Village, Penal Monday.

No one was at home when the fire started after midday but by mid-afternoon, the entire structure had burnt to the ground. 

The flames were first spotted in the area of the kitchen but by the time firefighters arrived, it had spread to the entire upper floor.

Amilcar Franklyn said the house was occupied by his mother Marlene Turner-Franklyn and his sister Nathifa Franklyn. 

"I was at work in Freeport when I got the call that the house was on fire. 

When I got here they were still trying to douse the flames. 

It is traumatic because this is the house I grew up in. It has all our memories of childhood here," Franklyn said. 

Asked where the family will be spending the night, Franklyn said, "I don't know. 

But we have many family and friends who will assist."

Around 3 pm, Marlene and her daughter arrived. 

They walked down the pathway leading to the house where firefighters had gathered under a shed.  Marlene started to walk to the back of the burning house but the firemen cautioned her to stay away. 

Part of the house crumbled afterward and everyone was ordered to evacuate the danger zone.

A neighbour said he saw the smoke coming from the building and alerted the fire officers but the flames spread quickly. 

Fire Prevention Officers are expected to visit the scene today to search for the clues into the cause of the blaze. 

Penal Police are continuing investigations.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt (Radhica De 

Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy John McIntyre believes legislative changes must be made if T&T and the rest of the Caribbean region have to successfully combat counter-terrorism and recruitment of ISIS foreign terrorist fighters.

Responding to questions from the media after donating two shallow search and rescue watercraft to the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation yesterday, McIntyre said counterterrorism was discussed at a meeting of all US ambassadors recently.

Saying he was very impressed with the full review that was done on regional counter-terrorism, McIntyre explained, "A lot of people were able to comment on it but the basis right now, the foundation is not up to the current situation and that’s why I think the laws have to change." 

Asked whether any agency has been partnering with the US Government to stop ISIS recruiting of foreign terrorist fighters, McIntyre said a full inter-agency approach was being undertaken to tackle this problem.

"I know there is a debate coming up, the ATA, the Anti-Terrorism Amendment, that was also a top topic for all of us but with respect to Trinidad and Tobago, this is an island and a country of law and the solution to these problems is a legal solution. I think the government, as well as the Opposition, has agreed that the current legal structure is not sufficient," he said.

He further explained, "When it comes to our efforts on counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism, we have been working with the government, the Opposition and the civil society and more, for quite a long time. It’s a full inter-agency approach, its always been that way but we can always do more and we will continue to do more on that front."

Asked whether the talks were successful, McIntyre said yes.

"I think the response to the Carnival threat is a great example of the responsiveness as we noted in our press releases along with three other governments we were very pleased with the work the government did to disrupt that threat."

With regard to the passage of the Anti-gang legislation, McIntyre said this was commendable.

"I think any time you change the legal structure to allow the authorities to have more tools at their disposal to deal with the issue, that great, as well as ensuring there’s civil society protection for those that are accused. That’s very very crucial but we understand, just like we in America, that crime can be a devastating effect on all, on a personal level, on an economic level and so I think that anytime you provide the authorities with tools, legal tools to do more, its critical and very beneficial," he added.

He refused to say whether he was concerned about the tension between warring Rasta City and Muslim gangs in T&T saying he did not want to comment on domestic security matters.

However, McIntyre described the partnership with the US Government, government, Opposition and civil society as one of the best.

"You all have to realize we consider T&T a regional leader, it’s why we have to put so much effort in. It’s why we are here today on disaster response. We are your best long-term partner, we are here for the long haul, we are a partner, we are not trying to take stuff from you, we are your partner," he added.

The John Leotaud trained Jamaican bred three-year-old colt General JN will attempt to win the second leg of local racing’s “Triple Crown’ today—Labour Day in front of an expected large holiday crowd at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

He will attempt to follow in the footsteps of the American Triple Crown Champion.

The Jerry Narace owned horse will be a very short-priced favourite for the First Citizens Midsummer Classic over 1,900 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Last time out General JR won the Guineas most impressively and it will take a super effort by one of his rivals to stop him from entering the winner’s enclosure. He fairly beat the opposition out of sight last time out and this should be no exception.

Based on the form book, it looks like General JR will repeat. Kerron Khelawan will again have the leg up.

He will have to fend off the challenges of the Glenn Mendez trained Streaking Far which continues to improve and stablemate Dancin Deputy which will only improve.

In the co-feature, First Citizens Santa Rosa Dash over 1,200 metres, Thrice Horse of the Year Bigman In Town will return action as he seeks to win this event for the fourth time. Should Bigman In Town be back to his best then Khelawan will have a good day at the centralised venue. The Chester Roberts trained gelding is getting long in the tooth but has undoubted class. However, he will have to be at his best to stop the Mendez trained pair of Control Unit and Whisper Light which have both been getting back to peak form. Ricky Jadoo will have the leg up on Whisper Light while Dillon Khelawan will be aboard Control Unit for SIR Stables.

With First Citizens Bank sponsoring the day’s ten race card today, which had a record entry of 138 horses, Santa Rosa Park will be the place to be today.

Post time for the first event is 12 noon.