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International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset outlined the IRB's strategic vision to boost participation and elite competition in Women's Rugby to delegates attending the 5th IOC World Conference on Women and Sport in Los Angeles, USA.

Under the central theme of ‘Together Stronger: The Future of Sport’, Lapasset highlighted the strategies the IRB and its Member Unions are delivering to further the role and influence of women in Rugby worldwide as preparation for Rugby Sevens’ inclusion in the Olympic Games 2016 gathers pace.

The IOC Conference was attended by over 800 delegates from 135 countries with Rugby presenting as one of the two newest members of the Olympic Family. Both Rugby Sevens and Golf will start their involvement in the Olympic Games with equal participation of male and female athletes.

Women's Rugby is one of the fastest-growing forms of the Game with over 200,000 registered women actively competing in Fifteens and Sevens and 800,000 women and girls participating in leisure Rugby in all its forms around the world.

Speaking under the heading 'Getting it Right from the Start', Lapasset, accompanied by IRB Women's Development Manager Susan Carty, presented on the significant progress made in Women's Rugby over the past five years, the development and implementation of the IRB Women's Rugby Plan and harnessing the Olympic opportunity.

“The IRB is committed to the ongoing development of Women's Rugby. These are exciting times and the sport has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years and the IOC's decision to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympic programme has significantly boosted participation and interest worldwide.”

“We are always striving to better our processes, structures and competitions to ensure that our female athletes have the same opportunities as men and boys. In that regard we have developed the IRB Women's Rugby Plan which is providing the blueprint for growth, increased competition and high performance structures as we count down to Rio 2016.”

“The opportunity to be able to present at this key forum was a really strong endorsement of the IRB's policies, programmes and commitment to furthering the Women's Game worldwide. It was fascinating to see what other sports are doing and collectively discuss the opportunities and challenges that face all sports.”

Following extensive consultation with Member Unions last year, the IRB set out a clear vision for growing the Women’s Game in the IRB Women’s Rugby Plan launched in December 2011. The goals set out in the Plan are to increase participation globally, deliver an excellent Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 and to deliver a world-class event at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 by focussing resources on competition, high performance and participation.

“We are already working closely with the IOC, ASOIF and others to collaborate, learn and share best practice with our colleagues in other International Federations to try and maximise the benefit of the decision for all,” said Carty.

“We are determined to get it right from the start and following the IOC’s decision in 2009 began a seven-year countdown to Rio. When the first Olympic Games Rugby Sevens tournament kicks off, we want to be sure that we have made the right decisions and followed the right path to get Women’s Rugby Sevens to where it deserves to be and contribute to what promises to be a fantastic Olympic Games.”

“A key focus for us is developing a global competition framework so the best players face each other in regular elite competition and we are striving to establish further opportunities for this using our existing Sevens competition structure.”

Rugby was again represented at the last plenary session of the Conference, ‘Growing up in a Gender-Balanced Sporting Society’. Ten Young Ambassadors and Young Reporters for the Youth Olympic Games shared their views and opinions on the future of women in sport from a youth perspective. Kwanieze John, an IOC Youth Ambassador and Rugby player from Trinidad and Tobago, was one of the 10.

Source: www.irb.com

History was made on January 23rd as Trinidad and Tobago hosted  the strategic  marketing module of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Masters in Sport Organization Management (MEMOS). It is was the  first time that Trinidad and Tobago or any other Caribbean Olympic Committee  had been given the responsibility by the IOC to be one of the venues for the prestigious post graduate course .

Recognized around the world especially in Europe, MEMOS is endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Solidarity, European Olympic Committees and a network of MEMOS Graduates. A post graduate degree offered by the University of Poitiers, France, it comprises of three one week residential modules, each lasting six days.  A fourth module is also conducted and includes the defence and public presentation of a personal project and the awarding of degrees. The first and fourth modules always take place in Lausanne, Switzerland while the second and third modules take place in different parts of the world.

“The TTOC is very proud to have  hosted the  Marketing module of MEMOS. It is an honour to be considered as one of the host nations especially since we have Trinidad and Tobago nationals who are graduates of the program. The course is relevant and produces critical thinkers and thought leaders for the Olympic movement.” said  Larry Romany, TTOC President. Romany , a graduate of MEMOS along with  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Ashwin Creed.
The T&T MEMOS module was held January 23rd to 29th at the BpTT Hospitality Suite  at the Queens Park Oval.
Romany also expressed  appreciation and gratitude to Bp TT for their support for the landmark event.

" It would not have been possible without the partnership of Bp TT. The Ministry of National Security, Chief Immigration Officer, The Airport Authority and the Ministry of Sport  were also excellent . It was a collective effort that really placed T&T in a positive light between the lecturers and students we had over fifty  visitors. The technology support  and logistics had to be of the highest standard. It also showed the potential for T&T hosting similar type events." added Romany

The TTOC head also revealed that the feedback  from the IOC, Olympic Solidarity and the lecturers and students were "overwhelmingly' positive.
The patron of the TTOC His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards , TC,CMT,Ph.d and Dr. Jean Ramjohn- Richards hosted a reception on Monday 23rd January for the MEMOS participants.

The seal of success was stamped on the second workshop of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) which ran from January 17th to 20th 2011 in the Victoria district of Trinidad and Tobago. As anticipated it was indeed well attended by the target group of 130 principals and 90 teachers from Southern schools.  Intrinsically, a “teach the teacher workshop”, the knowledge shared by facilitator and Canadian Curriculum specialist, Dr. Deanna Binder was an enlightening experience as OVEP candidates got the golden opportunity to learn versatile processes of educating students on Olympic values.

Fundamental in the Olympic philosophy is the values of joy of effort, fair play, respect for others and international understanding, pursuit of excellence and balance between body, will and mind. Therefore a programme such as OVEP which promotes these values in schools will definitely be an asset to the children of Trinidad and Tobago. Jacques Rogge, IOC President declares, in the foreword of the official OVEP toolkit written by Dr. Binder Teaching Values- An Olympic Toolkit, - “Sport brings hope, pride, a sense of identity and health, thus shaping the body and the mind. This is precisely what the International Olympic Committee with the support of ISM Company, is striving to encourage and promote through its Olympic Vales Education: using Olympic sport traditions and values as the context for teaching life values and skills.”

In view of the local leg of OVEP, Dr. Binder was impressed by the response she received from the Trinidadian audience. “The Ministry of Education and the TTOC must be commended for collaborating on such a project. OVEP equips teachers and educators with the teaching values and methodology required to stimulate positive values and behaviour in kids,” states Dr. Binder. She further endorsed the view of Rogge pinpointing sport and physical activity as the vehicle to promote positive life values for children and OVEP as the fuel for this initiative. “For a child to learn values he or she must be involved in activities which enable the practice of these values. It is important therefore that the child’s mind be stimulated. For this to occur three techniques must be considered. Firstly the imagination must be stimulated through stories, narrative and music, secondly because some children must be moving in order to learn, participation in sport and physical activity is important and lastly, teachers must create the environment where caring and compassionate behaviour and relationships can be fostered,” suggests Dr. Binder.

Hinged onto the OVEP rationale is also the belief that participation in sport and physical activity not only stimulates physical values but moral and intellectual as well. “The OVEP Programme will provide educators of T&T with the tools to shape a positive pathway for the youth in T&T. It is indeed the right direction for our nation’s children and I believe that it will be effective in transforming the fabric of our society,” avowed TTOC President, Larry Romany.  

In essence, as the curtain closes on yet another OVEP workshop (the first one was held in August 2011), teachers and principals in other parts of Trinidad and Tobago eagerly await a workshop in their area as the TTOC hopes to extend the programme’s reach to all regions nationwide.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) now has a fresh issue to deal with: the reported disappearance of Haiti Aid funds.

On the weekend, the UK Sunday Times reported that former FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF ex-president Jack Warner received money destined for the impoverished nation to assist its football after Haiti suffered a massive, deadly earthquake in 2010.

The British newspaper stated that FIFA aid to the tune of US$250,000, plus a further US$500,000 from South Korea businessman Chung Mong-Joon—a total of US$750,000 (TT 4.76 million)—was wired to the TTFF on Haiti's behalf, but only US $60,000 (TT $381,000) reached the French-speaking nation.

And the Wired868 website reported that FIFA not only confirmed that the Federation has not accounted for the money, but that the global football body has stopped all FIFA payments to the TTFF, as sanction over the matter.

The TTFF is due in court this morning for the ongoing case involving 13 of the 2006 "Soca Warriors", who sued the Federation over World Cup bonuses they claimed were promised by Warner.

Justice Devindra Rampersad has since ordered Warner to produce accounts related to the LOC accounts for the 2006 World Cup, but the Minister of Works missed last Friday's deadline.

The Express was unable to reach TTFF acting president Lennox Watson to comment on the matter, but vice-president Rudolph Thomas said that he only yesterday learned of the reports, and had not yet met with the Federation's executive members to discuss the issue.

"I'm not aware of (the facts of this matter)," Thomas told the Express yesterday.

"I heard (the reports) this morning, and I wasn't able to reach my general secretary (Richard Groden) by telephone for the day. I have sent him an email and I haven't received a response yet. I'm still in the dark about it."

The TTFF has already been hit by numerous scandals, starting with last year's alleged cash-for-votes fiasco involving Warner, former FIFA vice-president and ex-presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam and Caribbean Football Union (CFU) representatives who met in Trinidad in May last year.

Warner was forced to retire from all football related activities due to the threat of a FIFA investigation into allegations of financial impropriety on his part, while former president Oliver Camps resigned with an investigation into him pending. Groden was given a warning.

The TTFF has also been ordered by Justice Rampersad to pay the players two sums totalling close to $12 million.

Last week, the Federation was levied upon by the players, who seized all their assets at the Federation's Port of Spain headquarters.

Thomas said the Federation will now have "look at our situation and strategise" following the latest development.

"We were concentrating on the case tomorrow to see what transpired in that situation, but it looks like we have a lot more on the plate to consider," he said.

Right now, though, Thomas wants to ensure that football continues to be played regardless of what is happening off the field.

"I want to make sure whatever happens, footballers get to play their football," Thomas stated.

"I want to get straight on (finding out the reports of FIFA sanctions). I don't have the information; this is why I sought (Groden's) guidance on it. I want to know exactly what is happening."

Source: Kern Defreitas

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

February 13 - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (pictured left) has praised London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe (right) as a fantastic Organising Committee leader but admitted that it is beyond his capacity to make the double 1500 metres Olympic champion an IOC member.

Britain currently has four IOC members iwith Executive Board member Sir Craig Reedie, Athletes' Commission member Adam Pengilly, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven and the Princess Royal all currently serving.

The large British contingent means that Coe's most likely route into the organisation is to be elected President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) – a role that brings with it automatic IOC membership.

"The rules of the IOC to become a member are quite complicated," Rogge told insidethegames.

"For Sebastian Coe to become a member, he would need to become the President of the IAAF.

"That question though, is a bit hypothetical.

"I think that Sebastian Coe was a great athlete and that he is a great ambassador for sport.

"I also think that he is a fantastic President [sic] of the London 2012 Organising Committee.

"But what will happen in the future [with regard to Coe becoming an IOC member] is beyond my capacity."

Current IAAF President Lamine Diack (pictured right) is currently serving his last four-year term in the role and Coe, along with Ukraine's 1988 Olympic pole vault champion Sergey Bubka, are tipped as the two most likely candidates to replace the Senegalese when he steps down in 2015 as both are currently vice-presidents at the IAAF.

Should Coe become IAAF President in 2015, he would become an IOC member under a new President as Rogge will step down in the summer of 2013 when he completes his final term in the role.

By: Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegamez.biz

Officials of the Guyana Football Association are probably breathing a little easier, following news that Jamal Shabazz worked out a deal with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation that allows him to remain their national team coach. The T&T-born Shabazz guided the Guyanese to the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil last year – but concern arose after his temporary stint with the team came to an end. Reports from Port-of-Spain indicated that several people in T&T were quite upset that Shabazz had trained the Amazon Conquerors to the minute to conquer his own national team – and he had come under some intense scrutiny. “I will continue to work in the coaches’ education development programme to benefit the local coaching syndicate for the T&TFF,” said Shabazz in an interview with the local daily T&T Newsday on Sunday. “While still working with the T&TFF in this capacity, I am looking forward to continuing my tenure as the head coach of Guyana for the next stage of World Cup 2014 qualifying.”

World Cup qualifying resumes in the Central American and Caribbean region on June 8 this year, and the Guyanese have been drawn in Group-B of the semifinal round alongside CONCACAF giants Mexico and Costa Rica, as well as El Salvador. Shabazz said his position with Guyana also ruled him out of the job of T&T technical director, which was recently handed to Anton Corneal. “Corneal’s appointment does come at a critical juncture, but he is an ideal appointment,” said Shabazz. “He is embedded in developmental techniques and that’s the strong point to take us forward. “Look at the job he did with getting our past Under-20 boys to the World Cup in Egypt and now watching over their progress as U-23s. Even at the U-17 level, these boys were playing World-class teams and tournaments under Corneal’s eye.”

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

The end does not justify the means. It may be seen as the easy way and the quickest way but it is certainly not the correct way to go about solving the problem of poor governance in sport. That Guyana’s Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, can adopt the attitude that he will not back down even as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has made it abundantly clear that they will not abide with the government interference in the administration of cricket in Guyana, reeks of the kind of distorted perception that has brought Caribbean societies to its knees. International sport governing bodies will not countenance government interference. It’s a no no. Government interference is usually based on a notion that government and politicians possess the moral authority, all-knowing wisdom and insight to be exemplary models of good and ethical governance. But why should Government interfere in the running of sport? Why is it that the primary stakeholders aren’t the ones taking decisive action to correct poor governance? Wherever you find poor governance, bad administration and management in sport organisations, it is because primary stakeholders like it so. Truth be told, full responsibility must be placed on primary stakeholders. It is they who must have the courage to stand up for good governance.

If stakeholders want to change, they must make the effort, but in doing so there must be respect for the process, procedures, bye laws, rules and regulations. I know of no situation in the Caribbean where it is impossible to change or vote out a bad group of sport administrators. Why should Caribbean governments compete with national sport organisations? Isn’t it far more productive for the relationship to be a facilitative one? There will only be one loser in Minister Frank’s battle with the ICC and that will be the cricketers of Guyana. Here in the Caribbean, we seem hell bent on destruction. We live in an age where rage and angry outbursts are so much part of our lives that we expect them. Hate is in our faces every day on TV and radio. Heated arguments and insults. At every turn there is anger. There is need for calm in the face of rage. Caribbean sport needs leaders who in the face of negativity and disagreement, can continue to conduct business with respectful communication and thoughtful actions—individuals who will stand firm on grounds of good character, integrity, incorruptibility and behaviour. The proponents, advocates and supporters of government interference are reflecting a personal ideology and view of things as the effectiveness of direct government interference in sport is a matter of conjecture.

Sport federations, governing bodies and organisations have no choice. They must remain unwavering in preserving their autonomy and fearless in resisting all pressures of any kind that may prevent them from complying with their rules and regulations. If Caribbean politicians really want to help sport, they should resist the temptation to interfere or compete with sport. Let the conversation be about facilitating and capacity building. Focus on progressive and conciliatory measures. Eschew heavy handed and agenda based interventions that do more harm than good and that will not be sustainable. Why worsen the problem? There is no international governing body in world sport that will back down on the issue of direct or perceived government interference. It is far better to be guided by the knowledge that the best example of good, ethical, transparent and accountable governance are deeds rather than words—a clear pattern of behaviour that shows that good governance is both a belief and guiding principle. Maybe if those who advocate and support direct government interference in the running of sport first remove the plank from their own eyes we will see clearly to remove the speck of poor governance from all our eyes. Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.

-Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Spaniard banned for two years and loses two titles after being found guilty of doping by CAS

Five hundred and sixty five days after he tested positive for a minute quantity of the banned substance clenbuterol, road cycling's top star, Alberto Contador, has finally received the maximum ban possible from the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a first doping offence – two years – and has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro d'Italia titles.

Contador's ban is retroactive, starting on 5 August 2010, and as a result the 29-year-old Spaniard can return to racing later this season. However, he will miss this year's Tour de France, as well as the Olympics, which will indirectly favour the chances of British contender Bradley Wiggins in both events.

Arguably the most controversial and high-profile of all the doping cases to batter the sport in recent years, Contador had argued that the clenbuterol – present in his body at a level far lower than the minimum required to be reported by an anti-doping laboratory – had shown up because he had eaten contaminated beef during the 2010 Tour. Contador was cleared by his federation in February 2011, but an interminably lengthy appeal by both the World Anti-Doping Agency and the UCI, cycling's governing body, to CAS has finally seen him banned.

The retroactive nature of the verdict means that, following Floyd Landis's positive test in the 2006 Tour de France, the winner of cycling's flagship event has been stripped of his title because of a doping affair for the second time in five years. On a third occasion, in 2007, Contador himself claimed the first of his Grand Tour victories after the Dane Michael Rasmussen was expelled amid doping accusations. For cycling, the two-year ban was taken in some quarters as a knockout blow, while others believed it proved just how hard a line on cycling takes on doping.

The five-times Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx said: "It is catastrophic for cycling and for Contador. If he had been a football player, he would never have tested positive. Only cycling goes so far [in searching for banned drugs]. When you go down to such a low percentage, you always find something."

The former world road race champion, Thor Hushovd, said: "It took too long a time to sort out, but it shows that we are really tough on banned drugs."

As a result of the ban, Andy Schleck will inherit the 2010 Tour title, while Michele Scarponi will now be declared the winner of the Giro. Schleck has already said he always considered Contador to be innocent and that if he won this summer, he would consider it his first Tour de France victory.

What is beyond all doubt is the damage caused to a sport's image while doping appeal cases grind through the courts, not to mention the often absurd reshuffling of results if the athletes are declared guilty. It highlights what many feel is an excessive time lapse between a positive drugs test being announced, and its final resolution.

However, the exceptionally complicated nature of the Contador case, makes it difficult to see how proceedings could have been shortened.

The precedents on clenbuterol positives are radically contradictory. Wada itself had cleared 109 footballers who tested positive in Mexico for quantities of clenbuterol as minute as Contador's 50 picograms after eating contaminated meat during an Under-17s World Championships in 2011. Another case, involving a top German table tennis player, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, who had tested positive for the same drug was also thrown out on appeal.

CAS pointed out that Spain had not had a history of clenbuterol contamination in meat, and said the positive was most likely to have been caused by a contaminated food supplement.

The secretary general of CAS, Matthieu Reeb, said: "There was no reason to exonerate the athlete, so the sanction is two years."

Contador will have to decide in the next 30 days if he will appeal against the decision in the Swiss civil courts, and he will find out, in a further CAS verdict, whether he has pay the UCI a fine of $3.25m (£2m). He could return as early as the Vuelta a Espana, which starts on 18 August. His brother and agent, Fran, said yesterday: "Contador will come back to racing."

www.independent.co.uk

India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States, his physiotherapist Jatin Chaudhary has confirmed.

In 2011 the 30-year-old was diagnosed with a non-malignant tumour of the lungs but further tests revealed cancer and he is now undergoing chemotherapy.

Chaudhary said the cancer is at a dangerous place but is curable.

"It is a rare tumour and is cancerous but it has been detected in stage one itself," Chaudhary said.

The left-hander, who played county cricket for Yorkshire, posted on his Twitter account last month that he would seek inspiration from Lance Armstrong,  the cyclist who won multiple Tour de France titles after being treated for testicular cancer.

"Reading Lance Armstrong's book, it's not about the bike! I'm sure it will motivate me and pull me through this time! Livestrong Yuvstrong!," he wrote on the social networking site.

Yuvraj's health first deteriorated during the World Cup last year, in which he was the man of the tournament, helping his country win the trophy for the first time since 1983.

He missed the tour of West Indies last year but featured against England at Trent Bridge before flying home with a broken finger.

He played in the two Tests of their home series against West Indies in November before being dropped for the third Test.

Chaudhary added: "Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy. Since parts of the tumour are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger it could burst if he did any running. But it is 100% curable.

"The doctors decided that he will have to undergo chemotherapy and he travelled to the US on 26 January. At the end of March, he will undergo a CT scan and should have recovered by then.

"After that it is just some rehabilitation in April before he is fit to be back on the field in May.

"Thankfully no surgery is required, he is already a lot better than what he was and can't wait to be back on the cricket field."

Chaudhary also said the delay in treatment was due to a wrong diagnosis by a hospital last year.

"His first biopsy report was stolen from his car and the second from a hospital. I don't want to name [anyone involved] but they did not give the correct diagnosis," he said.

"It was a Russian doctor who detected the cancer and, after consultations with doctors in the US, it was decided Yuvraj would undergo chemotherapy."

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

February 5 - Canada is planning to launch a bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has already been approached by a number of cities interested in being the candidate, it has been revealed by Brian MacPherson, the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Canada.

Canada has a long and proud history at the competition as they are one of only six countries to have competed in every single Commonwealth Games along with Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.

They have hosted the competition on four occasions, including in Hamilton in 1930, the first time the event was staged when it was called the British Empire Games.

It hosted the Games again Vancouver in 1954, Edmonton in 1978 and Victoria in 1994 and MacPherson admitted that the country is hoping to bring the event to the country for a fifth time in 2022.

"I can confirm that we are intending to bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and we have had already had a number of expressions of interests from cities wanting to be put forward for the event," he told insidethegames.

"The great thing from our point of view is that a lot of the cities that want to bid have come directly to us as oppose to us going to them and asking if they are interested.

"I have also been very pleased with the geographical spread of those who have expressed an interest in being the Canadian candidate because it gives us a lot of options with regard to what kind bid we want to make for the event.

"It is still early stages where we are gaging support both domestically and internationally for a bid and where we are accessing the winability of a Canada bid.

"But we have a number of interested parties so going forward, we are going to start narrowing them down before settling on a final bid to put forward."

MacPherson (pictured) was in attendance at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis last November when Gold Coast in Australia defeated Hambantota of Sri Lanka by 43 votes to 27 to win the right to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

He admitted that the Gold Coast victory will play a key part in how Canada bid.

"Obviously is Hambantota had won, our approach and our entire strategy would be different than it will be now that the Gold Coast has won," said McPherson.

"Our real aim is to put forward the best possible bid we can."

Hambantota could come back for another attempt while Christchurch in New Zealand and an unnamed South African city could also be candidates.

"We know that there are other potential bidders out there but that doesn't make any real difference to us as we are focused simply on putting forward a bid with the right amount of winnability," said MacPherson.

Toronto is considered a potential candidate as the city will host the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games and therefore have a lot of existing sporting infrastructure in place a future Commonwealth Games.

"I can't say right now which cities have expressed an interest but we certainly feel like there are some very exciting options for us to consider at this early stage," said MacPherson.

Canada's last bid for the Commonwealth Games ended in embarrassment when Halifax was forced to withdraw from the race to host the 2014 event after the Provincial and Regional Governments wthdrew their support following a review which criticised the budget and overall plan.

The Games were eventually awarded to Glasgow, who beat the Nigerian capital Abuja by 47 votes to 24.

But Canada has the advantage of Bruce Robertson, the influential vice-president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), and MacPherson believes he can play a crucial role.

"Canada has a history of holding important international positions like with Bruce and I think that shows that we are respected internationally," he said.

"That is clearly very important because it is the international members of the Commonwealth who will vote the hosts of the 2022 event.

"The CGF obviously want as many bidders as possible so we think we have a lot of support from all the right areas and it is now just about narrowing it down and finding a candidate that we think can host a great competition in 2022."

-By Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

... Grieving goalie considers international retirement

Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams is considering retiring from international duty at the age of 27; stung by what he perceives as insensitivity by the local football body, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), to his tragic personal circumstances.

Williams, who is the captain of Pro League leaders W Connection and played professionally in Belgium and Hungary, has spent much of the past two weeks at the bedside of his 28-year-old fiancée, Candice Worrell, who was brutally assaulted outside her Montrose, Chaguanas work place on January 20.

Worrell, who is a health and safety officer at Jenexcon Engineering and represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2009 Miss Tourism Queen International, was found unconscious with her jaw broken in two places. She remains in a coma at the St Clair Medical Centre, Port of Spain.

Her cellular phone and wallet were missing while, although medical examination confirmed that she was not sexually assaulted, her pants were pulled off her waist.

Jan-Michael Williams poses with fiancée Candice Worrell and daughter Nevaeh during happier times

Williams and Worrell have a 10-month-old daughter named Nevaeh—heaven spelt backwards.

Williams was pleasantly surprised by the gestures of goodwill from not only his own employers, W Connection, but also fellow Pro League team, DirecTV North East Stars.

Past and present international players such as Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, ESPN commentator Shaka Hislop, former TTFF technical director Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips, North East Stars CEO Brent Sancho and the UK-based quartet of Kelvin Jack, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews and Carlos Edwards also phoned to offer emotional support.

NE Stars players Anthony Wolfe (left) and Charles Pollard (centre) express their solidarity with Williams at a Pro League game

"It was surprising to me and really nice to get calls from Shaka (Hislop) and Kelvin (Jack)," said Williams, the only goalkeeper to ever be adjudged Pro League MVP. "Kenwyne (Jones) and Carlos (Edwards) called me too but then I played with them before so I kind of expected it. But I was surprised for Shaka to call and we spoke for quite some time too.

"Lincoln Phillips calls me almost every day to give me support and find out what is going on and Marvin (Andrews) and Dennis (Lawrence) have been in touch too."

But the talented goalkeeper is less impressed by the attitude of his other employer, the TTFF, while he also revealed that he tried without success to reach Sport Minister Anil Roberts.

Sport Minister Anil Roberts (left) shares a warm moment with ex-TTFF President Oliver Camps

"Whereas people calling me from the US and Europe and so on, you have people right here in Trinidad who would not even take up the phone or send me a text," said Williams, who made his international senior team debut as an 18-year-old in 2003. "It kind of leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because I have represented Trinidad and Tobago football for the last nine years straight.

"I thought it insensitive that no one from the (TTFF) technical office or even one of their secretaries called me. I'm seriously considering my position as a national player because I felt it was a matter of courtesy."

The TTFF followed up on wired868.com's initial report on the tragedy with an expression of solidarity on its website. But Technical Director Anton Corneal, Acting President Lennox Watson, General Secretary Richard Groden and other official representatives never bothered to contact the young goalkeeper personally.

Wired868.com was unable to reach TTFF Press Officer Shaun Fuentes for comment yesterday evening.

Williams has started in 34 international senior team games for his country; one less than his goalkeeping rival, Marvin Phillip, who represents T&TEC. Williams and Phillip were both members of Trinidad and Tobago's 2001 Under-17 World Cup team.

The Connection goalkeeper started the 2010 Caribbean Cup tournament as first choice but it seems unlikely that he will appear in this year's edition.

He admitted the fragile condition of his fiancée meant that he was uncertain to participate even if selected for an international tournament. But he insisted that it was a matter of principle.

Williams said he would discuss his international future with club owner David John Williams (no relation) and coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier before making a final decision. But he wouldn't be surprised if the TTFF decides to blacklist him for making his displeasure public.

"The people on the top (of the TTFF) are very sensitive and they might see what I'm saying as disrespect," he said. "But if they don't think I deserve it and they don't have the decency and courtesy to call and say they heard what happened to my girlfriend and they wish me all the best; then maybe I shouldn't bother.

"How can I allow myself to take that kind of treatment?"

Williams was disappointed that he could not reach the Sport Minister either despite leaving several messages on his cellular phone and with his staff since last week. He is desperate for help for his fiancée and hoped Roberts might have assisted.

"I called the Minister of Sport repeatedly and left messages but he never got back to me," he said. "I know for a fact that he is aware of the situation but I guess there is more pressing stuff going on for him right now. So I just have to take that one with a pinch of salt and focus on doing my part for Candice."

A mutual friend put Williams on to ex-South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) CEO and Health Ministry's advisor, Paula Chester-Cumberbatch, and, although the two never met in person, her advice and support continues to be a great reassurance too.

Worrell has stayed at St Clair's ICU since January 22 and the Health Ministry has helped with the bills. But, when she moves to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) tonight, the State funding stops and the cost of her future health care is daunting.

The former beauty queen is now able to breathe on her own but she has not regained consciousness and requires specialist treatment around the clock.

Former beauty queen, Candice Worrell, represents Trinidad and Tobago at Miss Tourism Queen International in China

"(St Clair's medical staff) did an analysis on her and found no brain damage," Williams told wired868.com on Saturday. "So, they don't know why she hasn't woken up. They feel that she put her mind in a safe pace because she was critically traumatised.

"It is up to her if she wants to come out; and when. All I can do is keep praying and hoping."

Williams refuses to contemplate anything but a full recovery for his fiancée. But he knows that life will never be the same.

His international career may also have been irreparably damaged.

"My heart will always be with the national team but maybe I should take a rest," said Williams.

The TTFF's response to this sensitive situation might determine whether his break is temporary or permanent.

By Lasana Liburd

Source: www.wired868.com

THE MALE and Female Personalities will be announced today as the 2011 First Citizens Sports Foundation Youth Awards takes place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain.

The ceremony will begin at 6 pm with Sports Minister Anil Roberts expected to feature in the second Youth Awards.

The first Youth Awards last year were held as part of the overall Sports Awards at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), with swimmers Christian Homer and Cherelle Thompson emerging victorious.

There are 36 nominees for the respective Male and Female awards, including Commonwealth Youth Games bronze medallist Hezekiel Romeo (track and field), Pan Am Jr gold medallist Quincy Alexander (cycling) and Monifa Sealy who was instrumental in Trinidad and Tobago women’s team success at the Caribbean Golf Championships in Trinidad.

Other contenders include national youth team women footballer Khadidra Debesette, gymnast Thema Williams, paralympic swimmer Shanntol Ince, swimmers Kimberlee John-Williams and Joshua Romany, and tennis player Breana Stampfli.

Nominees: Hezekiel Romeo (track and field); Reba Fleary, Leon Cassie (badminton); Della-Marie Walcott, Joshua Johnson (chess); Jovan Ali (cricket); Jody Greenidge, Quincy Alexander (cycling); Sandhya Moll (equestrian); Khadidra Debesette (football); Monifa Sealy, Andrei Collins (golf); Thema Williams (gymnastics); Shaquille Edwards (hockey); Sherise Jones, Marc Victor (judo); Simone Gordon, Joash Webb (karate); Bridget Singh, Kristian Boodoosingh (karting); Kalifa Mc Collin (netball); Shanntol Ince (paralympic - swimming); Timothy Sookraj (power-lifting); Abigail Afoo (sailing); Kimberlee John-Williams, Joshua Romany (swimming); Brittany Faith Joseph, Aaron Wilson (table-tennis); Jovan Persad, Jason Tannis (taekwondo); Breana Marie Stampfli, Elan Murray Mendes (tennis); Chelsea Mohammed, Aleem Mohammed (triathlon); Channon Thompson, Brandon Legall (volleyball).

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

“We don’t need your kind here so go back before we do something to you.” That has been some of the racial abuse suffered by national footballer Lester Peltier since moving to Slovakia to play for AS Trencin 19 months ago to pursue his career.

Speaking to Newsday via the telephone yesterday, Peltier painted a gloomy picture of the life of a black professional footballer in Slovakia.

On Tuesday, the 23-year-old expressed his frustration via the social networking site Twitter stating “I can’t take the racist abuse”.

When contacted, Peltier described some of the taunts he has had to endure.

“It doesn’t have much black people here. Even though I’m doing good with the football team, there are one or two problems with people who are not accustomed seeing black people here. It had one incident where I went out with a colleague of mine from Senegal and people were saying ‘go back to Africa’. They don’t care (about us), they just say what’s on their mind,” he said.

Peltier revealed that he was even threatened by a man once and pointed out that life outside of football is a mental challenge.

He noted that racism does not rear its ugly head in the city or at stadiums and revealed his teammates also expressed outrage about the he has been treated.

“In the city it’s no problem and it’s not in the stadiums because I get a lot of respect from fans. When I’m substituted I get a standing ovation,” he explained. With high profile incidents of racism in the past and even currently involving players such as Eto’o, Luis Suarez, Patrice Evra and England captain John Terry, Peltier never believed it could happen to him. “I know the history of these places but I never had a racial comment directed at me before. So to hear someone call me the ‘N’ word was different. You just have to smile and know what you are about,” he explained.

Commenting on life on the field-of-play, Peltier expressed delight with what he has been able to achieve so far.

“I’m one of the top players in the league. So far it’s good . I’m happy with the club and I’ve never had any complaint football-wise,” he pointed out. Although noting that it was difficult to acclimatise at first, Peltier is overjoyed he is fulfilling his dream and is even enjoying the frigid weather conditions.

“This is my first winter and oh my God it is so cold. We don’t train on certain days because Slovakia is colder than England and Belgium. It’s good training the snow, though, it’s fun,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the former Jabloteh player, expressed disappointment in the “Soca Warriors” failed campaign for the 2014 World Cup. Peltier provided a glimmer of hope for the future, however, bagging four goals including a hat-trick against Barbados. “I was really happy finishing with the most goals but disappointed that it didn’t really count for anything,” he said.

Asked what TT need to do to rebuild and regain their place as one of the top football countries in CONCACAF, the AS Trencin forward was adamant that investing in the youths is the key.

“TT need to invest in young players and the Pro League to get more opportunities to go outside. Even the Under-23s are doing good. We have to focus on our future,” he concluded.

By Stephon Nicholas

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

The role of society must be to observe and pay particular attention to its surroundings. Now, the majority of times, life itself shows glaring photos of what is taking place but somehow, we, the general public, take it for granted. A concern that has been troubling me for some time is the little or no attention paid to the disaster preparedness for the two major programmes of the Carnival season—the Panorama semi finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, and the Calypso Monarch semi finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando. For quite sometime the question has been asked: How would elderly and/or disabled people fare in the event a disaster should occur? No response seems forthcoming. Well, I am prepared to take the matter further. What about so-called normal or able-bodied people? Would they fare any better? It is necessary to delve into the possibilities of any type of disaster taking place at these two facilities.

Take necessary precautions
One of the most important things that must be considered is the fact that these two shows account for the largest number of people gathered together in one place at the same time in T&T. It is therefore very important to have all relevant factors pertaining to disaster preparedness for any eventuality. It is a known fact that disasters occur in varied forms and as a result the necessary precautions must be in place or readily available. The question that must be answered is—are there any?
The old people have some sayings that always provoke thoughts that stimulate concern. For example, ‘don’t lose something in the day and wait till night to use candles to look for it;’ ‘prevention is better than cure’, and ‘don’t see snake and say is worm’, to name a few.

Everyone on board
This is a very serious topic that needs urgent attention. The relevant bodies or authorities must treat this recommendation with utmost concern. I have personally contacted both Pan Trinbago and the National Carnival Commission about the importance of having a disaster preparedness plan as it pertains to evacuation of people who are elderly/disabled. If for some odd reason, a disaster strikes, be it fire, hurricane, earthquake or even violence, are there structures in place? The elderly and disabled will surely perish. On observation at these shows, one could barely see the fire ambulance, Red Cross, army, muster points, and exit signs in the event of a disaster. People from all over the world attend these shows, and it is important that the elderly and/or disabled be dealt with in a manner that is conducive to international standards. Let’s not divide or separate the responsibilities. The pain of these statements, “if we had known” or “we should have known better” could be dealt with in a manner that must not hurt because of stupidity. Put things in place so post-examination could be aligned with preparedness.

By Anton La Fond

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Reigning World Junior 400m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon got his 2012 season off with victories in the men’s 100m hurdles and 800 events at the Second Meet of National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) Development Series at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima on Saturday. Gordon (Memphis) captured the sprint hurdles in 14.51 and then took the two-lap race in 1 min 58.37 seconds to finish ahead of Jameel Joseph (Abilene Wildcats) 2:03:48 and Nathaniel Niles (Cougars) 2:05:39. Gordon is one of several national athletes who have attained the qualifying standard of this year’s Olympics Games in London, England set to begin on July 27. The Addidas sponsored runner bettered the 49.50 standard on numerous occasions in 2011.  The second year UWI Sports Management student copped the 2010 World Junior 400m hurdles gold in Monton, Canada. Neon Tracker’s Jeanea Spinks raced to another double in the girls under 13 100 (13.52) and 200 (27.35) dashes to add to the 60 and 150m triumphs at the NAAA’s First Development Meet on January 14 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.  Kashief King (Pt. Fortin New Jets) and Ayanna Glasgow (Toco TAFAC) also copped two titles.  King collected the boys under 15 100(12.20) and 200 (24.26) while Glasgow was victorious in the girls under 17 100m hurdles (16.36) and high jump (1.50m).

RESULTS
G U9
60m Sara Mc Knight DPAC 10.60
B U9
60m Keon John Memphis 9.80
G U11
100m Rae-Ann Serville Memphis 14.85
4X100 Memphis 1:01:34
B U11
100 Jamali Lynch Memphis 14.60
4X100 Hampton 1:06:03
G U13
100 Jeanea Spinks Neon Trackers 13.52
200 Jeanea Spinks Neon Trackers 27.35
High Jump Brittany Thomas DPAC 1.25m
4X100 Memphis 1:02:16
B U13
100m Jadon Bristol Palo Seco 13.74
200- Adel Colthrust Southern Athletics 24.93
4X100 Hampton 59:12
G U15
100m Reumone Philbert PFNJ 13.61
100m hurdles Lisane Douglas Mustangs 21.92
400m Renee Staddard Neon Trackers 1:02:70
200 Alisha St. Louis DPAC 27.73,
High Jump Rain Harper Memphis 1.35m
4X100 Memphis 52:07
B U15
100 Kashief King PFNJ 12.20
100m hurdles Jude Atwell Southern Athletics 7.04
400 Jacob St. Clair Abilene Wildcats 54.84
200 Kashief King PFNJ 24.26
High Jump Javon Watson DPAC 1.45m
4X100 Memphis 51:41
G U17
100 Asia Ifill Memphis 13.16
100m hurdles Ayana Glasgow Toco TAFAC 16.36
400 Ishawn Francis Burnley 1:02:97
300 Hurdles Jewel Andrews DPAC 55:93
20o Astrid Casimire Memphis 26.86
High Jump Ayanna Glasgow Toco TAFAC 1.50
B U17
100 Jervais Ford Abilene Wildcats 11.36
110m hurdles Tauren George PFNJ 15.89
400 Nathan Jarinha AbileneWildcats 52.12
200 Josiah Patrice Oasics 23.60
High Jump-Denzil Wilson (Neon Trackers) 1.45m
G U20
100m hurdles Shenelle Francois Cougars 18.68
High Jump Kerchell Douglas Toco TAFAC 1.35
B U20
110m hurdles Reuben Walters Memphis 14.61
High Jump Kevin Roberts PFNJ 1.65m
Women
100 Kamaria Durant Simplex 12.16
400 Ayoka Cummings Neon Trackers 1:00:03
200 Ramona Modeste Neon Trackers 24.88
800 Zara Suite-Stewart Memphis 2:34:80
3000 Candace Bekaroo Masters 14:29:86
4X100 Memphis 52:07
Men
100 Shawn Stewart Rebirth 10.82
110m hurdles Jehue Gordon Memphis 14.51
400 Asa Guevera Abilene Wildcats 48.71
400m hurdles Brandon Benjamin Memphis 57.37
200 Breon Mullings Memphis 22.23
800 Jehue Gordon Memphis 1:58:37
1500m Jamal Wilson Air Bon Sonics 4:24:68
3000 Brian Maynard UWI 10:04:40
High Jump Rodney Liverpool TTDF 1.80
4X100 Abilene Wildcats 42:12
4X800 TTDF 8:16:93
Masters Women
60m Joan Hospedales Masters 8.28
Masters Men
60m Albert St. Louis TTDF 6.85

By Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Former Fifa vice-president Lennart Johansson has called for the current president Sepp Blatter to step down.

Johansson lost the 1998 presidential election to Blatter, who has stayed in power since and was unopposed in securing a fourth term last year  .

"It cannot be that only one man should be dictating and taking all the decisions about world football," Johansson told BBC World Service.

"There is not much more to do than to get rid of the man in question."

The Swede added that former France captain Michel Platini, who succeeded him as head of Uefa in 2007,  would be an ideal replacement for Blatter at the Fifa helm.

"He is to me closer to what I was looking for," Johansson explained. "He has tried to be fair, he's open-minded, he allows discussions and he obeys decisions made by the majority".

Asked for his opinion of 75-year-old Blatter, Johansson, who was Uefa president from 1990 until 2007, said: "I don't love him, we don't do Christmas together but I respect his knowledge.

"I just don't like his dictatorship. Some will respect him but the majority will say he's not good. It is not very easy to admire or respect him."

You can listen to the full interview by downloading the BBC World Service's World Football Podcast.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

February 2 - Sean Horan (pictured) has been appointed to the newly created role of head coach of the New Zealand women's sevens team as the Black Ferns step up their quest to secure Olympic gold when the sport features at the Rio 2016 Games.

Horan has vast experience in the sport, having coached the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the ITM Cup for the past three seasons following a spell as assistant coach with the Chiefs' development team.

He has also had resource coaching jobs with the Black Ferns but will now play a central role as they target the Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow in 2013 before setting their sights on the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"We are starting this programme with a blank canvas which will be incredibly exciting and challenging at the same time," said Horan.

"The Black Ferns have proven that this country produces world-class women's Rugby players and I am excited about the prospect of identifying talented female athletes and developing potential Olympians."

Since it was announced in October 2009 that Rugby Sevens would be an Olympic Sport in 2016, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has been working on Olympic campaign plans for both the men's and women's games with an aim to win gold medals.

Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) investment has allowed the creation of the full time women's sevens head coach position that Horan has taken up as well as 14 regional sevens resource coaches to assist in the implementation of the women's Olympic campaign.

NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Horan had the right mix of skills to develop the women's sevens game in the country.

"Sean had a great season with the Steamers last year, seeing them finish a credible fourth in a very tight ITM Cup Premiership, and has proven he is a quality coach," he said.

"His aim now is to build an identification and development programme for women's sevens in New Zealand and this will be a great chance for him, a young coach, to really get stuck in and make his mark in what is an exciting time for sevens rugby."

As part of the national women's sevens development programme, NZRU high performance staff will travel to 14 Provincial Unions in 2012 looking for talented female athletes who want the chance to be a part of the programme.

By Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

February 2 - Michael Lynch (pictured), the Visa head of global sponsorship marketing, has resigned following a successful 16-year career with the American multinational financial services corporation.

Lynch joined Visa in 1995, after serving as vice-president of events for Radio City Music Hall Productions in New York City.

During his time in the role, Lynch led Visa's global sponsorship management strategy and execution.

This included managing global programmes in support of the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and the National Football League.

He is set to step down from the role at the end of next month but at present, no replacement has been named.

"We appreciate Michael's contributions and commitment to helping Visa build a comprehensive and unmatched sponsorship portfolio," said Kevin Burke, Visa's head of global marketing strategy and marketing Americas.

"We are fortunate to have an experienced sponsorship management team that will continue to manage and extend our portfolio to the benefit of our brand, clients and partners."

During Lynch's tenure, Visa was recognised by Event Marketer magazine as the only financial services company among 'The 25 Best Sponsors in America' as well as 'The Most Well-rounded Sponsor Around'.

Lynch has also been named as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports by The Sporting News and is widely considered to be one of the most influential voices in the sports sponsorship industry.

He also serves on the board of directors for Athletes for Hope and the advisory board of the World Congress of Sports.

He has a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Marketing from Cornell University.

He lives in California with his wife Susan and their two daughters.

By Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

BRIDGETOWN— Cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, has condemned the Guyana government’s takeover of cricket in that country and has re-emphasised its stance against political interference in the running of the sport. Coming out of its two-day Board meeting in Dubai which ended Wednesday, the ICC also said it was “concerned” by the current impasse and threw its support behind the West Indies Cricket Board, which has continued to back the Guyana Cricket Board.
Guyana’s government assumed control of cricket administration there through an Interim Management Committee last year, after the GCB had its legitimacy challenged in the High Court and was declared a legal non-entity.

“The ICC Board reiterates the principle of non-interference in the sport by Governments and were concerned to learn of the developments in Guyana where the Government has dissolved the Guyana Cricket Board and replaced it with an Interim Management Committee,” an ICC statement said Wednesday. “In condemning this government intervention in the strongest possible terms, the ICC Board reaffirmed the principle of non-interference and that the only legitimate cricketing authority is that recognised by the West Indies Cricket Board.” Only last year, the ICC mandated that its member associations should be free from government interference in elections and other administrative affairs. The latest ICC statement is a big fillip for the WICB which has come under fire from regional players’ union WIPA for their stance.

Following a meeting of its own last weekend, the WICB said it supported the IMC as an “advisory body” but would not “recognise or approve any entity other than the GCB” to govern cricket affairs in Guyana. It subsequently pulled Guyana’s first four matches of the Regional Four-Day Championship from the government-owned National Stadium at Providence and said it would also make an announcement shortly on the third Test between West Indies and Australia which was scheduled for the same venue. WIPA criticised the WICB earlier this week over its support for the GCB, querying why it would continue to support a body that was unincorporated. (CMC)

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

T&T Amateur Boxing Association (TTABA) officially launched this year’s National Boxing Championships at the audio visual room at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, yesterday. Speaking at the launch, president of the TTABA Cecil Forde indicated that it is a very important year for boxing due to the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London, England.
The championships will begin on February 9 at the Cosmic Boxing Gym, Marabella, which will host the preliminary and semifinal rounds at a venue in Arima and finals at the Hasley Crawford Stadium beginning at 7 pm. The amateur association is expecting some 110 boxers with 25 female boxers included. The weighing and draw for the upcoming bouts will take place on Saturday at the Cosmic Boxing Gym. Forde also noted that this year’s championship will see foreign boxers with Trinidadian heritage along with local boxers, competing for a place in the T&T Olympic team.

Leroy Bates of Canada, Carlos Suarez and Lawrence Singh of the USA, are among the few named. Public Relationships Officer (PRO) of the TTABA, Willy Williams said, “I have not seen all of the entries so far but I have seen some and from what I have seen, it promises to be one of the best championships we have seen for a long time in terms of quality, not so much quantity with the inclusions of the foreign-based fighters, who will be participating in this tournament with a view of being selected on the national team for the 2012 Olympics.” “The Criteria for selection will be based on a national championship “box out” where we will select our best boxers for each division, some boxers may have five fights or 10 fights. They may have to fight every night until the final where the best two in each weight division will compete. The winner will then be assessed by the boxing association together with the technical staff and a  team will be selected,” explained Gordon Hoyte,  vice president of the TTABA.

-Liam Gordon

www.guardian.co.tt