Team TTO | Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee | teamtto.org

Last Thursday at the 17th Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Annual Awards held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, the keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Mr Justice Ivor Archie. The theme was embracing values. Under the distinguished Patronage of their Excellencies Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Jean Ramjohn- Richards and with the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh, the Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar was among the prominent public figures in the audience. Chief Justice Archie delivered one of the most insightful and compelling speeches ever heard at a TTOC Annual Awards function. His knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the vision, mission, philosophy, of Olympism and its relevance to modern day T&T society was sincere, powerful and profound. Justice Archie championed the legitimacy and validity of Olympism and its founding principles, values and goal of using sport to educate the youth of the world by blending sport, education and culture.

That the third highest office holder in the Republic of T&T can embrace, discern and with clarity of thought articulate on the role that sport can play in social, educational, economic and personal development is significant. Olympism has its roots in ancient Greece where people were encouraged to develop their physical, moral, intellectual, cultural and artistic qualities. This philosophy was celebrated through the Olympic Games by blending sport with culture and education. Promoting a way of life based on the joy found in effort and the balanced development of people as an essential step to building a peaceful society that places a high value on human dignity, within the founding principles of Olympism can be found the promotion of social responsibility and good citizenship.To reduce Olympism and sport to a mere event, to see Olympism as nothing more than records and medals at the Olympic Games reflects a lack of perspective and a distorted view of the philosophy of Olympism and its goal of working towards building a better and more peaceful society. Successive policymakers have failed to incorporate sport in a more meaningful way as one of the national strategic priorities and policy initiatives.

It’s unfortunate that those who talk the most understand the least. This misplaced focus says a lot about how disconnected those who can solve the problems are from the true value and role of sport. In an Olympic Year the message, purpose and value of Olympism are more pronounced but even so can be lost in the hype that surrounds the world’s greatest show and the race for medals. On the 29th of December every year the T&T Olympic movement gather to promote what is important to the Olympic movement and celebrate excellence by embracing values that are cherished and a strong sense of community toward  building a better future by drawing on strengths and values that have served well. The empowering message of hope, encouragement and understanding delivered by Chief Justice Ivor Archie will be an invaluable reference point and source of influence, empowerment, encouragement, inspiration and motivation to those who feel a sense of hopelessness and frustration at the lip service and empty talk that surrounds local sport.
The Olympic heritage, commitment, way of life and aspirations for the future cannot be diminished nor marginalised. The Olympic values have served well in the past and will do so in the future. The activity of the Olympic Movement, symbolised by the five interlaced rings, is universal and permanent.

-Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

TRINIDAD is not piña colada territory. That’s part of its allure: Unlike virtually every other Caribbean island, the oil-rich country seven miles off Venezuela is not driven by tourism — which means that in lieu of sunbathing hordes and “Yah, Mon” T-shirts, you’ll find miles of unspoiled beaches and waterfalls visited by locals; a Creole culture with roots in Africa, India, Europe and China; and a bustling capital city offering some of the Caribbean’s most electrifying night life. Partying, after all, is a national tradition in Trinidad, home to an annual Carnival that is the region’s biggest and, lately, most star-studded (last year, the actors Idris Elba and Malik Yoba showed up). That, along with recent restaurant and hotel openings and trendy Trini ambassadors — from the rappers Nicki Minaj and Theophilus London to the “Project Runway” winner Anya Ayoung Chee — might just turn Trinidad into the next “it” island.

Friday
3 p.m.
1. URBAN TROPICS

Caribbean islands aren’t usually celebrated for their capital cities, but Port of Spain is a gem worth exploring on foot. Here you can shop for locally mixed reggae and soca CDs in busy Independence Square, gaze at the ornate Victorian-style houses known as the Magnificent Seven alongside the Queen’s Park Savannah — Trinidad’s version of Central Park, with coconut water vendors in lieu of hot-dog carts — and stroll around the posh-yet-funky Woodbrook neighborhood. There, you can glimpse a burgeoning visual and performance art scene at Alice Yard (80 Roberts Street; aliceyard.blogspot.com), a historic house turned gallery and creative hub, and shop for Caribbean couture, including avant-garde carnival costumes, at Satchel’s House (6 Carlos Street; 868-627-8640; meilinginc.com), the charming new boutique owned by the local designer Meiling.
8 p.m.

2. LIMING ON THE AVENUE

“Liming” — hanging out, usually with alcohol — is a rigorous sport in Trinidad. Its hub is the night-life strip Ariapita Avenue in the Woodbrook section, known as the Avenue. Bars, lounges and public bacchanal (as Trinidadians put it) abound. At the indoor-outdoor bar Stumblin (42 Ariapita Avenue; 868-223-5017; stumblintt.com), patrons usually consume enough Johnny Walker and Angostura rum — 1919 is widely considered the best grade — to live up to the bar’s name. For something more upscale, nearby More Sushi (23 O’Connor Street; 868-622-8466) serves up scrumptious rolls: the one called Iron Chef features crab salad wrapped in salmon (88 Trinidad and Tobago dollars, or $14 at 6.15 Trinidad and Tobago dollars to the U.S. dollar); the Suzie Veggie (68 dollars) is made from plantain and pineapple salsa; the Juju (88 dollars) has salmon and tuna with a dollop of curried mayo.

11 p.m.
3. TRIPSTER CENTRAL

Opened last year in Woodbrook, Drink! Wine Bar (63 Rosalino Street; 868-622-2895) is a lounge and outdoor hangout catering to a budding clientele of “Tripsters” — Trinidadian hipsters (same skinny jeans, different accent). The wine list is extensive and the soundtrack as eclectic as the crowd, veering from homegrown soca, which is the frenetic music of Carnival, to house music, rock and salsa.
Saturday

10 a.m.
4. GET YOUR TOURIST ON

Maracas Beach, a 45-minute drive north of Port of Spain, is as close as Trinidad gets to a commercial beach. Never mind the water, though; head straight to the humble food stalls and taste what folks flock for: bake-and-shark — a hunk of fried, breaded shark tucked inside a doughnut-like bun, dripping with mouthwatering condiments. Then keep moving, 14 miles north to Blanchisseuse, where a stunning stretch of oft-deserted beach is calmer and quieter, and Marianne Bay offers respite from the heat. Still feeling outdoorsy? Take a 30-minute hike along the Marianne River, through lush greenery and dramatic bamboo forests, and cool down in beautiful Avocat Falls.

6 p.m.
5. BRAZIL, TRINI-STYLE

The romantic setting — a handsomely restored Creole house — is classically Trini, but the food is a continent away: newly opened Ipanema (12 Victoria Avenue; 868-625-0711) offers churrasco-style dining, allowing carnivores to indulge in beef, pork, chicken, lamb and sausage (650 dollars, plus tax and tip). There are seafood and vegetarian options, too, not to mention the vital ingredient that gives the cuisine away as local: homemade pepper sauces and piquant chadon beni, a ubiquitous relish.

8 p.m.
6. STEEL AND GLASS

Trinidad invented the steel pan, said to be one of the few instruments born in the 20th century. Take in a concert at the gleaming National Academy for the Performing Arts (Frederick Street and Queen’s Park East; 868-625-8519; Port of Spain). Opened in 2009, it features a 1,219-seat performance hall, steel pan classrooms and a diverse performance schedule.

11 p.m.
7. V.V.I.P.

Trini revelers love their V.I.P. sections — not to mention their V.V.I.P. and, yes, V.V.V.I.P. sections. See how high up Port of Spain’s V.I.P. ladder you can climb by negotiating past those velvet ropes at the popular 51 Degrees nightclub (51 Cipriani Boulevard; 868-627-0051; 51degrees.biz). Soca music and live performances by Caribbean stars keep patrons moving until dawn. During Carnival season, which runs roughly from just after Christmas into February, you’ll find the place crammed with revelers representing the Carnival band they’ll parade with on the big day (this year, Feb. 21). Most popular of these all-inclusive bands — and responsible for plenty of all-you-can-drink extravaganzas during the season — are Island People (islandpeoplemas.com) and Tribe (carnivaltribe.com), whose costumes have been known to sell out within minutes of going on sale.

Sunday
7 a.m.
8. DOUBLES FEAST

What could possibly justify such an early wake-up call? One word: doubles. The breakfast street staple (fried Indian-style bara filled with curried chickpea and spicy pepper sauce) can be found all over the island, but those who take their doubles seriously (that is, all Trinidadians) head to the town of Curepe in central Trinidad. Devotees can go right to the little-known source: the Doubles Factory in El Socorro, which supplies island vendors.

9 a.m.
9. LITTLE INDIA

Once you’re in central Trinidad, you might start wondering what country you’re in: the region is the historic hub of Trinidad’s East Indian community, which has roots in the 19th century, when indentured servants were brought to the island from Asia. In Chagaunas, about 11 miles south of Port of Spain, shop for spices and silk flowers in cluttered shops and markets, then pay homage to the Nobel laureate V. S. Naipaul at the trapezoid-shaped Lion House, immortalized in his 1961 novel, “A House for Mr. Biswas.” Pose alongside a flamboyant 85-foot statue of the Hindu god Hanuman, rising above the humble village of Carapichaima like a surreal piece of Las Vegas in Trinidad. Nearby, the majestic Temple by the Sea at Waterloo is sure to generate meditative moods. A postwar-era reconstruction of a Hindu temple, it was erected in water so as not to take up profitable sugar cane land.

2 p.m.
10. BUFFET, WITH MUSIC

If you don’t leave Trinidad with your belly bursting, you haven’t really been to Trinidad. The Sunday brunch buffet (300 dollars) at the newly opened Chaud Creole in the tony, suburban St. Ann’s section of Port of Spain (6 Nook Avenue; 868-621-2002; chaudcreole.com) can prevent such a tragedy. All the local favorites are on full display at this chic respite from the hustle-and-bustle, from souse (spicy pickled pig or chicken feet) to flour dumplings boiled in coconut milk, handmade rotis and curries galore. Added attraction: live classical guitar entertainment.
IF YOU GO
The Hyatt Regency Trinidad (1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain; 868-623-2222; trinidad.hyatt.com) is the island’s biggest hotel, with 418 rooms and 10 suites. It has all the makings of a flawless stay: central downtown location, an infinity pool with stunning views of the Gulf of Paria, stellar service and a breakfast buffet of local favorites. Doubles from $144.
The Carlton Savannah (2-4 Coblentz Avenue; 868-621-5000; thecarltonsavannah.com), opened in 2009, brings SoHo to the southern Caribbean. The minimalist 155-room hotel, in the quiet Cascade area, just off the Savannah, is all sleek lines and funky décor. Doubles from $159.
For a cozier option, check in at the Coblentz Inn (44 Coblentz Avenue, Cascade; 868-621-0541), a boutique hotel in Port of Spain’s serene Cascade section. Ten of its 17 rooms, all with kitchenettes, have themes related to well-known Trinidadian locals: “The Oval,” for instance, celebrates Trinidad’s cricket culture and features a mural of the famous batsman Brian Lara. There’s also the room no one wants to admit to wanting to spend more than a few nights in — “The Rum Shop.” Doubles from $125.

By Baz Dreisinger

Source: www.nytimes.com

Young cycling talent Quincy Alexander might have expected to pick up the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Junior Sportsman of the Year award at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Thursday night.

But Alexander B Chapman awardee Edwin Skinner, a former T&T Olympic medallist and veteran track and field coach, had no clue he would be selected for his outstanding contributions to sport and Olympism.

In fact, ahead of the awards, the TTOC interviewed Skinner during a training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Even then, the former quarter-miler had not considered that it might have been to honour him.

And after the gathering had viewed the video presentation, the 71-year-old strode slowly to the stage.

"I'm totally surprised and aghast that I received such an award," Skinner told host Anthony Harford after he had been presented with it by President George Maxwell Richards in the company of Chapman.

"So you didn't suspect (you might receive an award) when they were doing the feature (interview)?" Harford asked.

"No I did not," Skinner replied, almost bashfully, to the amusement of the crowd.

"You thought they were doing a feature on Ed Skinner?" Harford further probed.

"No, I thought they were doing a feature on our young Olympians," Skinner divulged humbly, with the broadest of smiles, that prompted further laughter.

It is those same unassuming qualities that made a "deeply honoured" Skinner easily recognisable as portraying the ideals of Olympism.

"It just gives me more inspiration to continue doing what I am doing," he told the media afterward.

"One of my big goals in life is for Trinidad and Tobago to bring more Olympic medals (home) in the next few years. That's my big goal in life."

Skinner does not see himself giving up his current vocation anytime soon. He thinks he still has a contribution to make to, not just young athletes, but his community as well.

"The feedback that (some) kids give, saying that 'Mr Skinner, you have done so much for my life', it just gives you that good feeling, that encouragement to keep on going."

His other driving force is the promise young T&T athletes have to offer going into an Olympic year.

"We are in very exciting times," Skinner reasoned, "because we have some young athletes that have performed quite well and if they continue to do what is required to be a champion, I expect us to do quite well at the (London) Olympics in 2012.

"How many medals I'm not going to make predictions, but I expect very good performances."

By: Kern De Freitas

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

GOVERNMENT through its Ministry of Sport will be spared the burden of huge financial assistance to sporting organisations this year.

When national swimmer Shanntol Ince represents Trinidad and Tobago at this year's Paralympic Games in London, England, she will have little to prove.

That's because Shanntol has already won the hearts of her people.

Citizens showed their love and appreciation of the teenager's achievements by helping to vote her the Express Individual of the Year 2011.

Readers were allowed to help chose the winner. Voting took place via text messaging and the final selection was made by a panel of judges.

Shanntol's competitors for this year's award were sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste who was named Best Female Athlete of the Year at the Ministry of Sport Spirit of Sports awards and reigning Soca Monarch and Road March King Machel Montano.

Last year's winner was Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Shanntol, 17, created history by becoming the country's first Paralympic athlete to compete at last year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India and is looking forward to representing the country again at the games in August. She captured bronze medals at the Parapan Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico in November of last year, in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle.

When told of her achievement yesterday by the Sunday Express, Shanntol shouted with joy.

She said she was honoured to have been chosen and she thanked all those who supported her, including her parents St Paul Ince and Tracy James-Ince.

"I am very excited really. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the church, to all my aunts and uncles and to the whole of Trinidad and Tobago for giving me the opportunity to become Express Individual of the Year.'

"My mom supports me very much. She carries me to training every day and I know it is a bit difficult with her hectic schedule and dad, he is always giving me speeches and stuff."

Shanntol, who was born with her right leg significantly shorter than her left, said her disability never discouraged her from doing what she wanted to do.

She was introduced to swimming at the age of four while attending kindergarten and she never stopped practising.

The fifth form pupil of the Gasparillo Secondary School thanked her first coach Neil Daniel and her current coach Ralph Linky.

Her father said, "When everyone was looking at her disability, he (Daniel) believed in her and told her 'I could teach a fish to swim'. He took her under his care and taught her for a while and then he introduced her to another swimming club."

On Friday, when the Sunday Express visited her home at Claxton Bay, Shanntol was just returning from a swimming session with the Petrotrin Barracudas Swim Club.

Shanntol trains for two hours, six days a week, yet still finds time to study for her upcoming CXC examinations next year.

She also never misses a youth group meeting held on Fridays at the Claxton Bay Open Bible Church.

She said there were many sacrifices she had to make but one of her main goals was practising for next year's competition in London.

She hopes to get distinctions in her CXC examinations and is looking forward to continuing her studies.

About his eldest daughter, Ince said: "She is very humble. She likes to stay in the background and be happy for everybody. I try to teach her good morals and to be consistent and to keep pressing forward."

He said sometimes he felt discouraged but he never gave up on her.

Ince, a fabricator and builder, said it was tough providing for his family and especially Shanntol financially but he was proud of her achievements and hoped that she can be more successful than she already is.

Shanntol is the eldest of five children.

Obadyah, 11; Yehezke, eight; and twins Sarai and Shalom, two, all look up to her and want to be like her, said Ince .

Shanntol said, "It gives me great responsibility and it pushes me a bit harder. I have to raise the bar so they could have greater things than I can."

Ince said he was happy that she was finally being recognised for her achievements.

"Even though she was excelling she was not being recognised. And she has been competing against some of the top swimmers. It is only last year that that people are getting to know about her and we are happy because of that."

Earlier this year, Shanntol was chosen along with five other people to be ambassadors in the Ministry of the People and Social Development Disability Programme.

Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, Social Development Minister, said the individuals chosen will act as spokespersons for people with disabilities.

Shanntol is studying sciences because she loves to help people especially those who are disabled like herself, she said.

She hopes to one day become an orthopaedic surgeon or a practitioner of occupational therapy.

Her new year's resolutions are to study and train more.

"I have to make an official time table and follow through with it. I also have to train smarter. I have to think about what could improve, how I could improve techniques and do what the coach says."

She advises others, "Don't give up on anything that you are doing. In life there will be different struggles and they will not last forever. You just need to keep trying to better yourself and trust in God."

By Sue-Ann Wayow

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

The Honourable The Chief Justice  and President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago  Mr Justice Ivor Archie in his key note address  last evening  at the  Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee  17th Annual Awards  ceremony at the National Academy For the Performing Arts(Theatre 2)  said the Olympic values and ideals should be embraced by Trinidad and Tobago.
The listening audience included  their Excellencies Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Jean Ramjohn- Richards,four time Olympic medal winner Ato Boldon, the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh, Minister of Education and the Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Ashwin Creed and Senator Elton Prescott .
Justice Archie a founding member of Tobago United Sports Foundation, a non profit foundation with a mission to develop leadership and life skills among youth in Tobago gave an insightful and thought provoking message that reflected on the history of the Olympic movement and the philosophy of Olympism. He also noted that excellence in the context of Olympic sports rested on the holistic development of the human being rather than a narrow focus on winning medals.

-Brian Lewis

Roger Daniel and Kelly Ann Baptiste are the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) 2011 Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year. Last evening  The TTOC  hosted its  17th Annual Awards  ceremony at the National Academy For the Performing Arts(Theatre 2) .  Under the distinguished Patronage of their Excellencies Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Jean Ramjohn- Richards. The key note speech was delivered by the Honourable The Chief Justice  and President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago  Mr Justice Ivor Archie.
Michelle Lee Ahye, Pan Am Junior 100 m gold medalist was announced as the Junior Sportswoman of the  year  while talented young cyclist Quincy Alexander the reigning Pan Am Junior Match sprint champion is the TTOC's Junior Sportsman of the year.Njisane Phillip won the Sport Personality of the  Year and 1964 Olympic bronze medalist Edwin Skinner won the Alexander B Chapman award for his long service to Olympism and the Olympic ideals,spirit and values.
Four time Olympic medal winner Ato Boldon, the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh, the Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Ashwin Creed attended the event.

-Brian Lewis

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) recognised the efforts of the National Under-17 Women’s team and the National Under-23 Men’s Olympic team, which inspired in their respective qualifiers in the past year,  by hosting an end of year celebratory luncheon hosted by All Sport Promotions. The function took place at the Century Ballroom, at the Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road, yesterday. Director of All Sport Promotions Anthony Harford, also announced that T&T senior team will face European minnows Finland in a two-leg friendly match on January 22 and 25, next year. Many stakeholders in local football, including assistant national coach Anton Corneal, were in attendance, along with most players from both the under-23 men’s team and the under-17 women’s team. Even highly travelled, former Academy Manager of Liverpool Football Club John Owens was present to witness the celebration of a successful year from the two teams.

All Sport Promotions, which is responsible for the marketing and event management of the TTFF, was represented by Harford, who congratulated the two teams. Harford opened the function insisting that from his experience with the TTFF through his company All Sport Promotions, the federation is “represented by a group of people who are deeply and honestly committed to the good of the game.”  Harford said that it would be foolish of himself to say that mistakes were not made.  He added that despite lack of funding for the federation, “the books are in order,” and that future corporate sponsorship looks promising as a result of the recent successes of the Under-23 and the Under-17 teams. TTFF vice-president Rudolph Thomas, speaking on behalf of the president of the TTFF Lennox Watson, who was absent, referred to the senior national footballers’ CFU World Cup Qualifying first round exit, when he said that the past year saw T&T hit with “harsh reality”. “What has transpired can almost be referred to as an end of an era,” he continued.

Thomas added that the departure of officials of the TTFF “who have given yeoman service to our football,” has the federation still coming to terms with the loss. He implied, however, that  (yesterday’s) gathering of the teams and administrators signifies that not all is lost. The T&T National Under-17 girls team won all three of its Caribbean Football Union (CFU) final round matches, which saw them top the group and advance to the final round, which will be played in Guatemala in May. With hefty 8-0, 3-0 and 1-0 wins against Guyana, the Bahamas and Jamaica, respectively, T&T joined the United States, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Panama and hosts Guatemala into the final phase of qualifying for next year’s FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in Azerbaijan from September 22 to October 13. The team consisted of Anique Walker (captain), Sheniece David, Shantel Christian, Marlique Asson, Adeka Spence, Abigail Jacob, Corinna Sequea, Tonietta Phillip, Olivia Jaggernauth, Victoria Swift, Khadidra Debesette, Marie Guisseppi, Shenice Garcia, Darian Diaz, Naomie Guerra, Diarra Simmons, Khadisha De Freitas, Zoe Swift, Shenice Harding, Donicia Prince.

The technical staff included: Even Pellerud (Technical Director), Stephan De Four (coach), Peter Pierre (assistant coach), Terry Johnson (equipment manager), Judy Harewood (physio), Clint Mc Kenzie (trainer), Steve Frederick (goalkeeper coach) and Lyndell Hoyte-Williams (manager). Each player present was awarded with a framed photograph  of the team during the competition in St Kitts. The successful national Under-23 team, which won two and lost one match in November’s CFU Olympic qualifiers in St Kitts, advanced to the CONCACAF Final Round of Olympic qualification, which takes place in California, USA, in March.

The team included: Andre Marchan, Glenroy Samuel, Joevin Jones, Mekeil Williams, Sheldon Bateau, Leslie Russell, Kareem Moses, Aquil Selby, Nuru Muhammad, Micah Lewis, Jayson Joseph, Jeromie Williams, Jean Luc Rochford, Sean De Silva, Kevin Molino, Jomal Williams, Shahdon Winchester, Jamal Gay, Trevin Caesar and Jerrel Britto

The technical staff included: Angus Eve (coach), Clint Marcelle (assistant coach), Derek King (assistant coach), Norris Ferguson (manager), Frank Rodriguez (assistant manager), Earl Joseph (physiotherapist), Gilbert Bateau (trainer), James Mathlin (equipment manager).

By Andrew Gioannetti

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Female cricketer Anisa Mohammed bowled over the Ministry of Sport's Spirit of Sport Awards (SOSA) on Monday night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel ballroom in Port of Spain, grabbing three awards out of six nominations.

The West Indies off-spinner—who went toe to toe with the night's other big winner, sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste, in five categories—ran away with the Breakthrough Athlete, Record Breaking Performance and Most Consistent Performer accolades in front of a packed audience at the Hyatt, as well as television viewers.

Baptiste also took home three awards from her six nominations, including Best Team—shared with her Trinidad and Tobago 4x100-metre relay teammates for their fourth place finish in the 2011 World Championships in South Korea—and the most coveted Sport Performance of the Year category, along with the Best Female Athlete prize.

Cricket was another big winner on the night.

Apart from Mohammed, T&T and West Indies batsman Darren Bravo picked up the Male Athlete of the Year award for his impressive showing in Tests, while fellow West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons got the nod for Comeback Performance of the Year.

West Indies women's cricket manager and T&T women's coach Marjorie Thomas was chosen as Best Coach/Manager.

And Brian Lara edged out ex-T&T cricket captain Daren Ganga and footballer Kenwyne Jones as Athlete Philantropist of the Year.

The public went with St Anthony's College's football team for their record-breaking, perfect 2011 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season in the Sport Personality of the Year (People's Choice) award, ahead of Baptiste, Mohammed and blind powerlifter, Carlos Greene.

However, Greene returned to lift the award for Best Athlete with a Disability (Physical), while the Best Athlete with a Disability (Intellectual) was equestrian's Shaddai Simon, T&T's first ever Special Olympics gold medallist.

Atlantic edged out two other heavyweights, Republic Bank and First Citizens, for top Corporate Champion.

The SOSA officials also took time to acknowledge the contributions of former weightlifter Rodney Wilkes—T&T's first Olympic medallist—with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Ultimate Fan award went posthumously to renowned broadcaster Allyson Hennessy, who  led by example with her unwavering enthusiasm for local sport and culture.

Lara, also a close friend of Hennessy's—he presented the award to her sister Rosemary Hezekiah—also paid tribute to the former Community Dateline host with a chant of "Bravo Allyson", which was enthusiastically echoed by the crowd.

The award will be renamed for Hennessy in subsequent SOSA editions.

Roxborough Police Youth Club (Best Community Group), Waterloo Institute of Soccer Players (Best Community Programme) and Allan Ramjass (Community Champion) all earned plaques for contributions to their respective communities.

Among the media, CCN captured both Best Journalist awards, with TV6's Paul Montano (electronic) and Express assistant editor Kwame Laurence (print) receiving the honours.

The Best Sport Photograph was shot by Trinidad Guardian's Anthony Harris, his winning shot entitled "Going for Goal".

2011 SOSA Honour Roll

Breakthrough Athlete - Anisa Mohammed (Cricket)

Record Breaking Performance - Anisa Mohammed (Cricket)

Comeback Performance - Lendl Simmons (Cricket)

Corporate Champion - Atlantic

Best Athlete with a Disability (Physical) - Carlos Greene (Powerlifting)

Best Athlete with a Disability (Intellectual) - Shaddai Simon (Equestrian)

Athlete Philanthropist - Brian Lara

Best Community Group - Roxborough Police Youth Club

Best Community Programme - Waterloo Institute of Soccer Players

Team - 4x100m Women's relay team

Male Athlete - Darren Bravo (Cricket)

Female Athlete - Kelly Ann Baptiste (Athletics)

Fan of the Year - Allyson Hennessy

Sport Personality (People's Choice) - St. Anthony's College football team

Lifetime Achievement - Rodney Wilkes

Sport Performance of the Year - Kelly Ann Baptiste

Community Champion - Allan Ramjass (Carapichaima)

Best Journalist (Print) - Kwame Laurence (Trinidad Express)

Best Journalist (Electronic) - Paul Montano (CCN TV6)

Best Sport Photograph - Anthony Harris ("Going for Goal"—Trinidad Guardian)

Best Coach/Manager - Marjorie Thomas (Cricket)

Most Consistent Performer - Anisa Mohammed (Cricket)

By Kern De Freitas

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Rivas, Perozzi fight for WBA middleweight title

Teresa Perozzi has a birthday wish, but Lorissa Rivas wants to give her a birthday beating.

Bermudian resident Perozzi turns 39 tomorrow and will be hoping for an early birthday gift when she takes on Rivas, a 29-year-old Las Vegas-born fighter with Trinidad and Tobago roots, in the feature fight of tonight's Tobago Dark Warriors card, which takes place from 7 p.m. at the Woodbrook Youth Facility.

As with many of the heavier weight classes in women's boxing, the middleweight division is very weak. Rivas and Perozzi will fight for the vacant WBA world title. The fight is also an elimination bout for a later shot at the WBC middleweight world title, which was won by American Tori Nelson (5-0) who beat Rivas for it on July 29 at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain.

It will be the second visit to T&T for Perozzi, who beat up on Scroller Carrington in 2005 for the nondescript WIBC middleweight title. Rivas has contested her last four bouts in Trinidad.

Tonight's action will see an additional four professional fights, while USA-born amateur and T&T Olympic hopeful Lawrence Singh will be officially introduced to the Trinidad and Tobago public.

In July, Washington-based light-flyweight Singh lost his final chance to make the USA Olympic team when easily eliminated 28-12 by Erros Correa of San Jose, California at the semi-final stage of the Last Chance Qualifier tournament.

Sixteen-year-old Singh is an honour roll student and has a Trinidadian mother and Guyanese father. He fights 18-year-old Guyana amateur sensation Imran "Magic" Khan, who recently collected a bronze medal at a Venezuelan tournament. It should be a very good fight.

Also on the card is big Tobago heavyweight Kertson Manswell (22-3), who unfortunately faces another "soft" opponent. Manswell will be looking for his second win over Mitchell Rogers (6-3), having knocked out the 31-year-old Guyanese in one round six years ago.

Unbeaten T&T welterweight Kevon Diaz (3-0) also has a rematch against Barbados' John Henry (2-1-1).

Diaz was making his debut two years ago when stopping Henry in four rounds, but the Bajan is since unbeaten in three fights.

Lightweight Prince-Lee Isidore (T&T) (3-1-1) should continue his progress against Guyanese Shawn Pile (3-5), while there is another very interesting women's fight between two-time former Pan Am amateur bronze medallist Jamilla Jones and Tiana Sosa-Saney, a former Caribbean amateur champ.

The latter is further along in her career, having won all her three pro fights, but Jones, who recently won her debut bout, is expected to be a very formidable opponent.

Tobago Dark Warriors Boxing Card

Today–Fight time: 7 p.m.

Venue–Woodbrook Youth Facility

Admission--$60

Title fights

WBA middleweight world title/WBC silver elimination fight

Lorissa Rivas (T&T/USA) (4-2-0) vs Teresa Perrozzi (BERMUDA/USA) (7-4-1)

Non-title fights

Heavyweight--Kertson Manswell (T&T) (22-3) vs Mitchell Rogers (Guy) (6-3)

Lightweight--Prince-Lee Isidore (T&T) (3-1-1) vs Shawn Pile (Guy) (3-5)

Welterweight--Kevon Diaz (T&T) (3-0) vs Johnny Henry (Bar) (2-1-1)

Bantamweight--Jamilla Jones (1-0) vs Tiana Sosa Saney (3-0)

Amateurs

Light flyweight (108 lbs)--Lawrence Singh (USA/T&T) vs Amir Khan (Guyana).

By Ian Prescott

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Kelly Ann Baptiste, Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago most celebrated female sprinter received a cheque for $80,000 from the Tobago House of Assembly.

The cheque was collected by Baptiste's mother Hazel Taylor at a ceremony hosted at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, Lowlands on December 4. Baptiste was unavailable and could not attend the ceremony.

The grant was the fulfillment of a promise made to Baptiste by the Chief Secretary Orville London when she paid a courtesy call on him at the Calder Hall Office in the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall on October 14.

The grant will assist Baptiste in her preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London, England, where she is expected to be a serious medal contender because of her outstanding performances in 2011.

The Zenith athlete had a very successful year in 2011, the highlight of which was her bronze medal performance in the 100m at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

The third place finish was even more significant because it saved face for the overall Trinidad and Tobago contingent as she was the only medallist.

Source: www.thetobagonews.com

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany has expressed his gratitude to all the athletes,coaches and sport administrators who devoted  tireless effort in 2011 to keep the wheels of  local sport T&T  turning in what he described as a challenging and difficult economic environment.
In looking ahead to 2012, an Olympic year, Romany is confident that T&T  athletes will rise to the occasion in London.
He however called on corporate T&T to get more involved in community and club sport in a meaningful way.
" While the focus will be on the Olympic Games and other high profile international events. We must address the lack of resources available to grassroots,club  and community sports."
Romany has also extended to the wider national community best wishes for a happy ,safe and prosperous New Year.
" There are social issues including crime that as a society that we must alleviate. The TTOC in keeping with its Olympism mandate stands ready and willing to do its part ."

-Brian Lewis

Darren Bravo, right, accepts the Male Athlete of the Year award from TC Callender at the inaugural Spirit of Sport Awards at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Wednesday night. Photo: Abraham Diaz
Darren Bravo, right, accepts the Male Athlete of the Year award from TC Callender at the inaugural Spirit of Sport Awards at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Wednesday night. Photo: Abraham Diaz
T&T’s leading female sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste and women’s cricketer Anisa Mohammed each walked away with three awards at the inaugural Spirit of Sport Awards at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road on Wednesday night. Baptiste bagged awards for “Best Sport Performance” and “Best Female Athlete” and was a member of the 4x100m women's relay team whose performance at  the World Championships, was voted the top team performance. Record breaking West Indies women’s cricketer Mohammed, took home the “Best Breakthrough Performance,” “Most Consistent Performer”, and “Record Breaking Performance of the Year.” The lavish awards ceremony, separated by a pre-broadcast and a live-broadcast programme, was held in front of a 350-person capacity crowd and saw West Indies’ batting sensation Darren Bravo and teammate Lendl Simmons being recognised as “Best Male Athlete” and “Best Comeback Performance of the Year”, respectively.

The event was hosted by the Sport Company of T&T in a collaborated effort with the Ministry of Sport, which used the opportunity to recognize track and field stars Baptiste, Josanne Lucas and Rennie Quow with cheques valued at $150,000 to assist in their endeavours in 2012. Many house-hold names in local sport were on hand to read the nominations and present awards, such as co-host- former Olympian Ato Boldon, former national footballer Brent Sancho, and Brian Lara, who himself was recognised for “Athlete Philanthropist”. Several other stars who have represented T&T on the international stage such as Machel Montano and televisions’ Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee also presented the nominations.
Like Baptiste and Mohammed, the top athletes, and sporting icons, were nominated by their respective National Sporting Organizations. Baptiste, who earned a bronze medal in the 100m at the World Championships, which were held in Daegu, South Korea in September, was nominated in a total of five categories, while Mohammed was nominated in six categories. Several recipients expressed surprise at their awards. Nigel Grovsenor, coach of the St Anthony’s College football team which won the National InterCol title, while going through the entire 19-match season unbeaten, expressed surprise but deep gratitude, when his team was awarded the “Personality of the Year” award. It came as no surprise, however, when Carlos Greene took the “Best Athlete with a Disability (Physical)” award for Powerlifting and Track & Field (Shot Put), or when Atlantic acquired the award for “Best Corporate Champion”.
T&T’s first ever Olympic Medalist Rodney Wilkes was also recognized for his contribution through Sport Minister Anil Roberts, and was given the “Lifetime Achievement” award, although he was unable to be present to receive the award due to illness. In a very emotional part of the ceremony, the late Allyson Hennessey, who passed away in May, was acknowledged posthumously for her contribution. Her sister Roses Hezekiah was handed the “Fan of the year” award on her behalf, which came with a standing ovation from all present. Hezekiah was presented the award by Hennessey’s favourite sporting hero, Brian Lara, who in a very emotion charge tribute, acknowledged Hennessey’s love for anything from T&T. The Guardian’s Anthony Harris was also recognised for “Best Sport Photograph” while there were awards for Allan Ramjass “Best Community Champion”, Kwame Lawrence (Trinidad Express) “Best Sport Journalist (Print)”, Paul Montano (TV6) “Best Sport Journalist (Electronic Media) and Marjorie Thomas (T&T Women’s Cricket Association) “Best Coach/Manager”.
AWARDS
Pre-Show
Sport Photograph—Anthony Harris, Guardian (Going for Goal)
Journalist (Print)—Kwame Laurence, Express
Journalist (Electronic)—Paul Montano, TV6
Coach/Manager - Marjorie Thomas, Cricket
Consistent Performer—Anisa Mohammed, Cricket
Community Champion—Allan Ramjass, Carapichaima

Main Show
Breakthrough Athlete—Anisa Mohammed, Cricket
Record Breaking Performance—Anisa Mohammed, Cricket
Comeback Performance—Lendl Simmons, Cricket
Corporate Champion—Atlantic LNG
Athlete with a Disability (Physical)—Carlos Greene, Powerlifting
Athlete with a Disability (Intellectual)—Shaddai Simon, Equestrian
Athlete Philanthropist—Brian Lara
Community Group—Roxborough Police Youth Club
Community Programme—Waterloo Institute of Soccer Players
Team—4x100m Women's Relay Team, 2010 World Championships
Male Athlete—Daren Bravo, Cricket
Female Athlete—Kelly Ann Baptiste, Athletics
Fan of the Year—Allyson Hennessey (award to be named after her henceforth)
Sport Personality (People's Choice)—St Anthony's College football team
Lifetime Achievement—Rodney Wilkes
Sport Performance of the Year—Kelly Ann Baptiste, Athletics

-Brian Lewis

NATIONAL cyclist Christopher Sellier believes he can still qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in London, England.

At a recent press conference at the Levels Restaurant and Bar, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, Sellier said although his season had been hampered by the flu and his inability to source funding to go abroad for training, he can still qualify for the Olympic Games by just winning at the forthcoming World Championship scheduled for April 4-8 in Melbourne, Australia.

“Mathematically, qualifying for the Olympic is as simple as winning the World Championship. But the problem is determining if that is practically possible and the answer to that is no” Sellier said.

He told the media gathering “I can go to the championship and ride but it is not as if the other cyclists will allow me to win easily. They have all invested time and money and will be hoping to qualify for the Olympics or warm-up with the best in the world.” He called on the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) to put their house in order if they want to ensure that local cyclists perform credibly at the international level.

Sellier who failed to show in what was expected to be a showdown between himself and cycling ace Njisane Phillip in the match-sprint at the National Championship at Arima Velodrome a few months ago, told the federation that they cannot expect a rider to perform at the top level at facilities like the Velodrome and others we have in TT. He made it clear, “We cannot expect to train in old facilities and expect the best from riders. It just does not and cannot work that way.”

Sellier, who was ranked number #1 in the Pan American region in the Kilometre Time Trial, expressed dissatisfaction with his inability to gain funding and reminded the federation that the country is blessed with a lot of natural talent and a proper structure will ensure that there will be more cyclists qualifying for the Olympics and doing well on the international stage.

By Walter Alibey

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

Its now a well established tradition that on the  evening of the 29th of December ,the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC)  will host its  Annual Awards ceremony  . This year is no exception  and on Thursday( 29 December) the 17th Annual Awards  ceremony will  be held at the National Academy For the Performing Arts(Theatre 2) at 6pm.  Under the distinguished Patronage of their Excellencies Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Jean Ramjohn- Richards. The key note speech will be delivered by The Honourable The Chief Justice  and President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago  Mr Justice Ivor Archie. The Honourable  Minister of Sport Anil Roberts and TTOC president Larry Romany will also address the gathering.
The TTOC will present its Sportsman and Sports woman of the year Awards. Sports Personality of the Year,Junior Sportsmand and Sportswoman of the year and the Alexander B Chapman award will also be presented.

-Brian Lewis

Shooter Roger Daniel and sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste walked away with the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards during the Guardian Sports Desk’s Annual Awards Ceremony at the home of  Brian Lara, Lady Chancellor Hill, last night. Other accolades went to 22-year-old West Indies batsman Darren Bravo (Emerging Sportsman of the Year) and veteran administrator John Antoine, who was recognised for his contributions to local basketball and tennis over the years. Daniel, 41, was also honoured by the Sports Desk in 2010 along with the T&T Olympic Committee and First Citizens Sports Foundation. In January, he won gold medals in the 10m Pistol and Championship events at the Hell Open Air Championships in Trondheim, Norway, becoming the first shooter from outside Europe or Asia to win the overall title at the meet.

Later that month, he shot his way to two more gold medals and the top shooter prize at the Canadian Airgun Grand Prix in Toronto, Canada. His haul included the Men’s Open Air Pistol and Masters 60-Shot Air Pistol, a feat he had also achieved in 2005. His defining moment came at the Pan Am Games in Jalisco, Mexico, in October when he won a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. He was one of four medallists at the Games for T&T, joining shot putter Cleopatra Borel Browne, sprinter Emmanuel Callender and cyclist Njisane Phillip. He also placed 11th in the Men’s 50m Air Pistol. Baptiste had another stellar year in 2011, having become T&T’s first female sprinter to win a global title (100m) during the IAAF Continental Cup in September, 2010. In May, 2011, she won silver in the Women’s 100m at the Jamaican International Invitational in Kingston in 10.94 seconds, trailing the USA’s Carmelita Jeter (10.86). At the Samsung Diamond League’s Paris Leg in July, she upset three time Olympic Gold medallist Veronika Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and her comrade Kerron Stewart to win the 100m in 10.91. She followed that in August with a silver medal finish (10.97) in the same event when the Diamond League stopped in London.
On August 29 in Daegu, South Korea, Baptiste won T&T’s only medal of the 13th IAAF World Championships when she placed third (10.98) in the Women’s 100m, finishing behind Jeter (10.90) and Campbell-Brown (10.97).

A week later, she joined Semoy Hackett, Michelle Lee Ahye and Kai Selvon to set a new national record (42.50) during the Women’s 4x100m heats. The quartet later went on to place fourth in the final in 43.25. Baptiste continued her good form in September, winning the 100m at the ISTAF Athletics Meet in Berlin in 11.15. A few days later, she sped to a season best time of 10.90 at the Belacom Memorial Van Damme meet in Bruxelles, Belgium, placing third . She was edged again by Jeter (10.78) and Campbell-Browne (10.85). Bravo established himself as one of international cricket’s top young batsmen in 2011, managing 949 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 49.94. He scored three hundreds in his last four Tests including his maiden century against Bangladesh (195) in Dhaka and 136 and 166 against India in Kolkatta and Mumbai respectively. He is currently ranked 20th among Test batsmen in the ICC Rankings and is the youngest player in the top 25. Also earning recognition during the evening’s function were reporters Rachael King and Nigel Simon. King was named the Sports Desk “Employee of the Year,” while Simon walked away with the “Sportswriter of The Year.” The Sports Desk also honoured librarian Wayne Headley for his 45 years of service to the company.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

December 21 - Mo Farah (pictured) described today how winning the world title he had always coveted in September prompted him to use the accomplishment to help starving people back in his homeland of Somalia.

The athlete who was born in Mogadishu and moved to England from the war-torn nation when he was eight was speaking today in Twickenham, where he officially launched the Mo Farah Foundation he has set up with his wife Tania, to help combat the famine in the horn of Africa.

Farah's intentions became a reality after he had spent a fortnight visiting Somalia after competing at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, where he won silver in the 10,000 metres and gold in the 5000m – achievements which have seen him nominated as one of the 10 shortlisted sportsmen for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award tomorrow night.

"Seeing the situation touched me," said Farah of his recent visit to the land of his birth.

"I wanted to do something.

"When I became a world champion I thought I could do something.

"There are 3.2 million people there starving.

"A lot of people associate me with Somalia and I just want to do something.

"Four thousands pounds ($6,270/€4,805) is enough to build a well to support a village, we aim to build at least 10 of those wells in the next 12 months alone.

"We aim to provide enough food to feed at least 2,000 kids for a month.

"That's just a starting point for us."

Farah is third favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year behind cyclist Mark Cavendish and golfer Darren Clarke after his exploits in Daegu.

"I hope to do well, but 10 class people have been nominated, it depends on what the public say," he said.

"I've had a great year and I'll try to enjoy tomorrow night, I've had one of the best years in my life.

"As an athlete to finish sixth or seventh but to keep coming back and finally win a gold medal and come second, is something I'd never thought possible.

"I would have been happy just to win, but breaking the British and European records have made it a great year."

On Friday morning Farah will head to Kenya for a four-week training camp before returning to the UK to compete in the 1,500m in Glasgow.

Reflecting on his athletics career, Farah – who has already been named as European Athlete of the Year and today heard he was the British Olympic Association's athlete of the year for his sport – said:

"I've already put this year behind me.

"I'm a world champion and no-one can take that away from me, but I don't walk around thinking I'm world champion so I can eat chips or a burger. You have to stay disciplined.

"Hopefully I'll just keep on improving, it's not just about times - it's about medals, in your career you want to collect as many as you can.

"I'm really excited about the Olympics, now all I can think about is London 2012.

"I want to keep pushing myself and hopefully I'll keep going up."

By Mike Rowbottom

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

Nicholas Bovell's backstroke record stood for ten years until Dylan Carter broke it on Saturday evening at the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago's (ASATT) Invitational swim meeting.

The four-day international meet ended last night place at Marlins pool in Westmoorings. The meet attracted swimmers from Barbados, Grenada, Venezuela and hosts Trinidad and Tobago, who had the biggest contingent consisting of national and club swimmers.

Olympian Nicholas Bovell, younger brother of 2004 Athens Olympic 200-metre individual medley bronze medallist George Bovell 111, had set the 13-14 200m backstroke record of 2:10.70 in 2001 and it stood until Carter convincingly shattered it with a 2:10:36 clocking.

Carter also excelled later on Saturday night, winning the 13-14 200m freestyle gold in 1:57.19 and the 100m butterfly in 58.41 seconds.

Also among the record-breakers was Tyla Martin, who broke Ayeisha Collymore's long-standing record in the 13-14 girls long course 400 metres individial medley.

Martin swam the distance in 5:13.69, convincingly bettering Collymore's 2001 effort of 5:21.47.

She also received a silver medal for her performance in the 200m freestyle event, finishing in a time of 2:10.96.

This was Martin's second consecutive year for breaking records. At last year's Invitational she set a new national record of 1:07.46 in the girls 11-12 100m butterfly.

Swimmers from Barbados broke records as well. Luis-Sebastien Weekes, swimming for Pirates, registered a new record in a time of 32.94 on the first day of the meet in the 9-10 boys 50m butterfly event, as well as in the 200m butterfly event, where he bettered compatriot Damon St Prix's previous time of 2:46.83, bringing it down to 2:44.11.

Barbadian teammate Jack Kirby broke his national record in the Boys 9-10 100m freestyle when he clocked 1:05.44, replacing his countryman Nicholas Mayers' time of 1:06.23 recorded in 1994.

There were many other gold and silver medal performances for Trinidad and Tobago swimmers on Saturday's third day of competition.

Shania David of Tidal Wave Aquatics (TWA) and Sajni Maharaj of Stingray received gold and silver, respectively, in the girls 11-12 400m individual medley.

David's teammate Gwillym Watkins added to his cache by bagging gold in 5:37.04 in the boys 11-12 400m individual medley, with Aaron Acres of Titans getting silver with a time of 5:51.58, followed by Grenada's Kerry Ollivierre in 6:19.92.

This event also saw noteworthy performances from Jabari Baptiste of Marlins, who won gold in the 13-14 age group ahead of two swimmers from Venezuela.

The sprints and individual events were followed by the relay events which saw the local clubs dominate.

In the points standings, Marlins Swim Club remained on top, followed by Titans and Tidal Wave Aquatics.

Swimmers from Blue Dolphins, UTT, UWI and Venezuela's Emile Friedman also earned points for their teams in the relays.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Notre Dame’s Kwandwane Browne and Kristin Thompson of Paragon will represent the T&T Hockey Board at the 2011 First Citizens Sports Foundation awards. This after the duo were named as the T&THB’s top players of the year at its annual end of season awards function held at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, on Sunday. The England-based Browne, who was voted to the Pan American Elite Team last month for a third straight time after an outstanding campaign, beat out competition from the four other “Top Five” players in Aidan De Gannes (Notre Dame), last year’s winner Darren Cowie (QPCC), Akim Toussaint (Paragon) and Dwain Quan Chan (Petrotrin). While Browne, who plies his trade in England with Canterbury Hockey Club, was a shoe-in for the men’s top award, Thompson as the choice for the women’s Player of the Year came as a surprise to many. A joint top-scorer in the National Indoor and Super Indoor competitions, Thompson, a regular on the national women’s squad, got the nod ahead of Shandy Carib Magnolias trio Kelli O’Brien, Michelle Leotaud and Stacey Siu Butt as well as national goalkeeper Petal Derry of Harvard Maritime Checkers.

However, the talk of the afternoon was the snubbing of Notre Dame national duo and cousins, Curlyne Wynn and Belgium-based Blair Wynne for at least a “Top Five” consideration after helping their clubs to three domestic titles while enjoying a good year in national colours. There was more surprises to come on the night when Petrotrin (men) and Malvern (women) walked away with the Team of the Year accolades ahead of Queen’s Park and Notre Dame respectively. In addition to the individual awards, the top five players in both the men and women category will be honoured while Queen’s Park CC (men) and Notre Dame (women) are front runners for the Club of the Year accolade.

Honour roll
Players of the Year & First Citizens Sports Foundation nominess:
Men: Kwandwane Browne (Notre Dame/Canterbury (UK)
Women: Kristin Thompson (Paragon)

Top Five Players of the Year:
Men: Aidan De Gannes (Notre Dame), Darren Cowie (QPCC), Kwandwane Browne (Notre Dame/Canterbury), Akim Toussaint (Paragon), Dwain Quan Chan (Petrotrin)
Women: Kelli O’Brien (SC Magnolias), Petal Derry (HM Checkers), Michelle Leotaud (SC Magnolias), Kristin Thompson (Paragon), Stacey Siu Butt (SC Magnolias)

Opening Day Tournament:
Men: Corona Fatima
Women: Paragon

Outdoor League winners:
Men’s Championship Div: 1. Petrotrin; 2. Paragon; 3. Defence Force
Most Goals: Aidan De Gannes (Notre Dame), Akim Toussaint (Paragon), Wayne Legerton (Petrotrin), Dominic Young (QPCC)
Women’s Championship Div: 1. Malvern; 2. SC Magnolias; 3. Paragon
Most Goals: Stacey Siu Butt (SC Magnolias), 23 goals

Trinity Men: 1. QPCC; 2. Notre Dame; 3. Paragon
Most Goals: Dominic Young (QPCC) - 10 goals
Trinity Women: 1. SC Magnolias; 2. Ventures; 3. Malvern
Most Goals: Gayle Ann Nieves (SC Magnolias), 13 goals

Under-19 Men: 1. Corona Fatima; 2. Shape; 3. Notre Dame
Most Goals: Andrew Vieira (Corona Fatima), 23 goals
Under-19 Women: 1. SC Magnolias; 2. Notre Dame; 2. Paragon.
Most Goals: Brianna Govia (SC Magnolias), 17 goals

Mixed Veterans: 1. QPCC; 2 Malvern; 3. Carib
Most Goals: Gary Griffith (QPCC), 15 goals
Indoor:
Men: 1. QPCC; 2. Petrotrin; 3. Notre Dame; 4. Paragon
Most Goals: Atiba Whittington (Petrotrin), 15 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Reiza Hosein (QPCC)
Most Valuable Player: Jerry Bell (QPCC)
Women: 1. Notre Dame; 2. Maritime Harvard Checkers; 3. Paragon; 4. Ventures.
Most Goals: Kristin Thompson (Paragon) - 10 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Sarayah-U Plaza (Ventures)
Most Valuable Player: Cuelyne Wynn (Notre Dame)
Veterans: 1. QPCC; 2. Notre Dame; 3. Carib
Most Goals: Raphael Govia (QPCC)
Best Goalkeeper: Hayden Francois
Most Valuable Player: Raphael Govia (QPCC)

Under-21 Division:
Girls: 1. SC Magnolias; 2. Notre Dame; 3. Paragon
Most Goals: Brianna Govia (SC Magnolias)/Elise Olton (SC Magnolias)
Boys: 1. QPCC; 2. Notre Dame; 3. Malvern
Most Goals: Danil Trancoso (Notre Dame)/Evan-Piers Farrell (QPCC)

Super Indoor:
Men: 1. QPCC; 2. Petrotrin; 3. Paragon; 4. Notre Dame
Most Goals: Shawn Lee Quay (QPCC)/Dominic Young (QPCC) & Cogie Butler (Paragon)/Akim Toussaint (Paragon)
Best Goalkeeper: Reiza Hosein (QPCC)
Most Valuable Player: Jerry Bell (QPCC)
Women: 1. Notre Dame; 2. Paragon; 3. Ventures; 4. Harvard Maritime Checkers
Most Goals: Kristin Thompson (Paragon)/Blair Wynne (Notre Dame) - 5
Most Valuable Player: Curlyne Wynn (Notre Dame)
Best Goalkeeper: Sarayah-U Plaza (Ventures)

Team of the Year:
Men: Petrotrin
Women: Malvern

Special awards: Best Media Coverage , Nigel Simon (Guardian Media Limited)

By Nigel Simon

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

World Championships women’s 100m bronze medallist Kelly Ann Baptiste ended the year as this country’s highest ranked athlete on the latest World Rankings for 2011. Baptiste, who sped to bronze at the World Champs in Daegu, South Korea on August 29, is fifth in the women’s dash with a season’s best of 10.90 seconds.  The 25-year-old set the time in finishing third at the Brussel Diamond League on September 9.
The time is the second best for the Plymouth sprint queen with only her national record of 10.84 quicker.  On the rankings World Champion Carmelita Jeter of the USA (10.70),Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown (10.76), Marshavet Myers (USA) and Kerron Stewart (Jamaica) are ahead of the former Bethesda Government Primary student. At the Worlds Champs only Jeter and Campbell-Brown were able to get to the line ahead of her with Jeter grabbing the gold (10.90) and Campbell-Brown narrowly getting the runner up spot ahead of Baptiste (10.97 to 10.98).  Stewart was sixth and Myers eighth.

Baptiste is also behind the top two in the number of sub-eleven clocking for 2011.  The double national record holder run five times under 11 seconds (10.90-Sep 16, 10.91-July 8, 10.94-May 7 and 10.98-August 29) with Jeter and Campbell-Brown each posting seven such clockings. Four other local sprint lasses are also listed on the rankings: Semoy Hackett is at 32nd with 11.17 and Michelle Le-Ahye (46th-11.20), Ayanna Hutchinson (98th-11.36) and Kai Selvon (142nd -11.43). Baptiste teamed up with Hackett, Lee-Ahye and Selvon to set a new national women’s 4x100 record  of 42.50 in the heats of the events at the World Championships. The time is the third quickest for the season with only World Championships gold medallist  USA (41.56) and runners-up Jamaica (41.70) ahead. In the finals the quartet narrowly missed out a medal finishing fourth in 42.58. Double Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson is the next highest T&T athlete on the performance list. Thompson is fifth in the men’s 100m dash following his national record run of 9.85 seconds in taking a third straight national century crown at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on August 13.

Cleopatra Borel, and Rondel Sorillo are also in the top ten in their respective events with Keston Bledman, Jehue Gordon and Renny Quow in the top twenty. Thompson, Bledman were part of the national men’s 4x100 outfit (Marc Burns and Aaron Armstrong ) which clocked the third fastest time of the year of 37.91 in the heats in Daegu.  The team finished sixth in the finals (39.01). Borel is ninth in the women’s shot put with her national outdoor performance of 19.42m in finishing fourth at the Paris Diamond League on July 8.
The reigning Commonwealth/Pan American Games silver medallist had a wonderful year  qualifying for her first ever outdoor World Championships finals, throwing over the 19 metre barrier on four occasions and capturing the CAC Championships title in August. Sorillo lies at number 10 in the men’s 200m performance list after he blazed to 20.16 in taking the national title on August 14. The La Brea runner when on to finish seventh in the finals half lap event at the World Championships in South Korea. Bledman is at 12th in the men’s 100m he sped to 9.93 seconds in winning in Clearmont, Florida (USA) on June 4. Reigning World Junior champion is next at 13th in the men’s 400m hurdles with 48.66 which he establishing in winning the  event in Berlin, Germany on September 11 while former World Junior champion Renny Quow  is 14th in the men’s 400m, running 44.84 in the heats of the last August’s World Championships.

T&T ATHLETES ON THE IAAF WORLD PERFORMANCE LIST FOR 2011

100m
Women
Rank    Name    Performance    Place    Date
5    Kelly Ann Baptiste    10.90/+0.4    Brussels, Belg    Sep 16
32    Semoy Hackett    11.17/-0.1    Athens, USA    May 14
46    Michelle Lee Ahye    11.20/+1.0    Daegu, SKorea    Aug 28
98    Ayanna Hutchinson    11.36/nwi    Couva, T&T    July 10
142    Kai Selvon    11.43/-0.1    PoS, T&T    Aug  13
Men
6    Richard Thompson    9.85/+1.0    PoS, T&T    Aug 13
12    Keston Bledman    9.93/+1.0    Florida, USA    June 6
31    Aaron Armstrong    10.07/+1.0    PoS, T&T    Aug 13
34    Marc Burns    10.09/+1.0    PoS, T&T    Aug 13
41    Emmanuel Calender    10.12/+1.0     PoS, T&T    Aug 13
42    Darrel Brown    10.13/+1.0     PoS, T&T    Aug 13
62    Rondel Sorillo    10.17/+1.0     PoS, T&T    Aug 13

200m
Women
44    Semoy Hackett    22.87/+1.5    Iowa,USA    June 11
47    Kai Selvon    22.89/+0.3    Daegu, South Korea    Sep 1
141    Reyare Thomas    23.37/+1.8    Kansas, USA    May 12
Men
10    Rondel Sorillo    20.16/+1.6    PoS, T&T    Aug 14
115    Emmanuel Callender    20.67/+1.1    Oregon, USA    June 4
115    Lalonde Gordon    20.67/    1.6    New York,USA    July 9
175    Moriba Morain    20.80/+1.6    PoS, T&T    Aug 14
210    Richard Thompson    20.85/-1.2    Stockholm, Sweden    July 29

400m Hurdles
Women
31    Janiel Bellille    55.80    Texas, USA    April 2
70    Josanne Lucas    56.86    Rehlingen, Germany    June 13
136    Sparkle McKnight    57.88    Texas, USA    April 23
Men
13    Jehue Gordon    48.66    Berlin, Germany    Sep 11
60    Emmanuel Mayers    49.86    Guadalajara, Mexico    Oct 26

100 hurdles
Women
59    Josanne Lucas    13.03/+0.1    Alabama, USA    April 16
139    Aleesha Barber    13.29/+0.9    Mayaguez, P Rico    July 17

110m Hurdles
Men
85    Mikel Thomas    13.63/-0.7    Tennessee, USA    April 15

Triple Jump
Women
61    Ayanna Alexander    13.98/+0.8    PoS, T&T    July 24
Men
104    Elton Walcott    16.43/+1.3    Florida, USA    July 23

4X100
Women
3    National team    42.50    Daegu, South Korea    Sep 4
Men
3    National team    39.91    Daegu, South Korea    Sep 4

4X400
Women
24    National team    3:34:84    Mayaguez, P Rico    July 17
Men
17    National team    3:02:65    Mayaguez, P Rico    July 17

Shot Put
Women
9    Cleopatra Borel    19.42    Paris, France    July 8
33    Annie Alexander    17.66    Iowa, USA    June 11
119    Hilenn James    16.14    Florida, USA    April 2

Discus
Women
61    Annie Alexander    58.58    Indiana, USA    May 28

400m
Men
14    Renny Quow    44.84    Daegu, S Korea    Aug 28
48    Lalonde Gordon    45.51    Rabat, Morocco     June 5
48    Zwede Hewitt    45.51    Iowa,     June 8

Javelin
Men
131    Kershorn Walcott    75.77    Guadalajara, Mexico    Oct 28

By Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Former technical director of T&T Football Lincoln Phillips has joined forces with the T&T Pro League to begin a series of initiatives designed to provide opportunities for Pro League players and clubs to be seen by international scouts.

The initiative will also serve to benefit youth players seeking to play for United States collegiate programs. Phillips will accompany coaches from the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer for a showcase event featuring invited domestic players from January 2-4, 2012. In addition, plans are under way to announce a co-operative agreement with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to have a college showcase event in T&T in April  for the purpose of providing a platform for US- based men’s and women’s collegiate program coaches to evaluate and hopefully provide scholarship opportunities to young T&T footballers.

The widely followed web site, socawarriors.net, will assist in the co-ordination and registration of players participating in the showcase events. Phillips, who served as the technical director from 2004 to May 2011, points to the T&T Pro League as the major source of football development in T&T. “If we are to have a strong, viable national programme, our professional leagues must be the focal point of any development effort because it is through our domestic clubs that our youth and senior players receive the bulk of their training and development.”

He further noted, “Trinidad and Tobago should be a destination point to attract international coaches, scouts, and even teams.” “Though I no longer act in an official capacity for the TTFF, I will always reach out to serve my country and help in its overall football development”. W Connection Football Club owner, David John Williams was among the first to pledge support of the initiatives. John Williams said his club was happy to be a part of the venture especially as its squad this year  averages 21 years old.

“This will also give young players from other pro league clubs the opportunity to showcase their talents with the hope of attracting overseas offers.” In a letter of support to The Sports Company of T&T, T&T Pro League CEO, Dexter Skeene, stated: “I fully support initiatives to host coaches and scouts from Major League Soccer and other international professional clubs in order to showcase our Pro League players”. Preliminary plans are to hold the events at various locations in central.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt