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

In front of one of the largest crowds seen at a local rugby game in recent memory, defending champions Caribs rugby football club retained the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Toyota Championship Division League title with a courageous and emotional come-from-behind 13-10 win over arch rivals Stag Trinidad Northern, at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, on Sunday. The victory also earned Caribs the coveted Bruno Browne Cup.

Local rugby's long-standing derby lived up to its history and tradition.

Heavy showers a few hours before kick-off made ground conditions testing for the two teams, and referee Paul Mowser was kept very busy in a match that kept the large crowd in the Carib Beer stand on the edges of their seats.

There was a lot at stake for the Beer Boys as they went into the match on 39 points, one behind Harvard Club. Caribs, therefore, needed a win or a draw to retain their Toyota Championship Division League title.

Before the game kicked off, one minute's silence was observed by players and spectators for deceased Caribs player Kendall Mootoo. A number of spectators wore red tee shirts with the number 13 (Mootoo's playing number).

It was Stag Trinidad Northern, however, that drew first blood, with a penalty conversion by Justin Mc Clean. By halftime, though, Caribs were level at three-all.

Northern, the Bruno Browne Cup holders, regained the advantage five minutes after the resumption with a Gordon Dagliesh-converted try. 10-3.

Caribs, with both their Toyota title hopes and the Bruno Browne Cup slipping away, raised the tempo of their game, and were rewarded with a Jason Clark-converted try. 10-10.

With about 10 minutes to go, Northern infringed, and Mowser had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, which Caribs successfully converted to edge ahead 13-10.

In the dying seconds of the game, it was high drama and tension as Northern had an opportunity to snatch victory. But Caribs would not be denied.

At the end of the game, the Caribs team went towards the group of supporters wearing the red number 13 jerseys, and acknowledged their fallen comrade. Twenty-one-year-old Mootoo died last week Monday and was buried on Friday.

BARBADOS has a tough assignment if they are to make it out of their pool when the Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) host the 2011 DHL North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Rugby Sevens Championships at the Historic Garrison Savannah in Barbados on November 12-13.

With 16 teams in the men’s division, there are four teams in each of the four Pools and Barbados is in Pool B with last year’s runners up Jamaica and another strong team in Martinique.

Though the final squad has not been selected as yet, President of the BRFU George Nicholson said that they are looking to the future of the sport and Barbados rising to the top in the next 10 years. It is because of this that the final team selected from the 18-member training squad at the moment will be a young one as they also are looking to tap into the Under-19 team that played recently this year.

The BRFU announced the launch of the tournament yesterday at the Barbados Olympic Association and with 27 teams from 16 territories scheduled to participate, this event will be the largest ever 7-a-side tournament in NACRA history.

It is costing the local organisation in the region of $56 000 to host this tournament which Barbados highest placing has been ninth.
The winner gets an invitation to the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series in Las Vegas.

The defending champions is Guyana who are the reigning champions in both the men’s and women’s division. Guyana’s men’s team have won the tournament for the last five years and will be hard to beat once again.

Last year perennial winners Trinidad and Tobago was upset by Guyana in the final and they will be looking to return to the top once again. This is sure to be a battle to watch as the women’s side of the tournament progress.

Only the top two teams advance to the quarter finals while the bottom two move on to play in the plate rounds.
DHL was the title sponsor of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, so the profile of the NACRA 7s will receive a major boost from their involvement.

This ground-breaking sporting event will be streamed live on the Internet on both days of the tournament, and will feature professional commentary by Nick Jordan, who is a specialist international Sevens Rugby reporter. The website for anyone wishing to view the tournament is www.dhlnacrasevens.com and will be hosted by Jordan who will be in Barbados as a guest of the BTA and the TDC and will also be producing general interest segments on Barbados and its attractions as part of his reporting on the event.
With 25 visiting teams comprising, on average, 15 people each, it also means 375 sports tourism visitors in Barbados, plus an unknown number of spouses, friends and spectators, for this action-packed weekend.
By leveraging the available technology to provide live streaming, the BRFU is maximising Barbados’ international exposure and helping to promote the island and its attractions in a very tangible way. Local tourism stakeholders are already booking commercials to advertise their product, as we expect to have thousands of overseas viewers avidly following the action at Barbados’ premier World Heritage Site.
There is no admission for spectators and there will be two pitches for the matches which are slated to kick off at 8:20 a.m. with the final game on the day slated to start at 5:20 p.m.
The final is slated for Sunday, with the women’s taking place at 4:20 p.m. and the men’s at 4:50 p.m.
Sponsors for the tournament are: Title Sponsor: DHL International; Lead sponsors: Banks Breweries Limited, Barbados Tourism Authority, Barbados Olympic Association, and Tourism Development Corporation; Sponsors: JADA Builders Limited, TeleBarbados Inc., Trident Insurance Company, and ELLCO Rentals.

-Corey Greaves

Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com

It never ceases to amaze the level of hypocrisy that runs rampant here in T&T. Two years ago Anya Ayoung -Chee was the subject of merciless negativity, were it not for the unconditional love of her parents, brothers and probably a handfull of close friends and her very own indomitable will and spirit the very same persons tripping over themselves to anoint would all still be washing their mouth on the young woman. Typical isn’t it. We have been down this road many times before. We love you, we hate you, we love you, and we hate you.

This is not the first time nor will it be the last time one of our many talented sons or daughters of the soil will have flown the flag with immense glory, pride and passion. It happens in sport, culture, arts and entertainment almost on a daily basis but yet still. No respect or sincerity only convenient, rhetoric and lip service. Our achievers are punished for being themselves for daring to stand out and be different. Mistakes and necessary failures (learning opportunities) are not tolerated. As Anya was wowing the fashion world on the project runaway show above sea level in Guadalajara , Mexico, four talented and dedicated Trinbagonians won medals for T&T.

The truth cannot be denied. We have seen it in sport over the years. It’s a discussion no one wants to have. How do we as a nation develop the culture and environment where following your passion and dream, doing what you love and taking that passion, talent and ability to the ultimate limit is welcomed and nurtured? It cannot continue to be the case where its only when our citizens achieve that we rush to wallow in the afterglow of their success. It’s like wanting to get to the front of the line without getting in line. Or put another way we have too many people who want to eat from the pie but not enough bakers.

There are structural issues and attitudes including politics, classism, racism and elitism that we must address as a society and nation otherwise the stop and start journey that we have been on since independence will continue. The success that this nation has garnered in sport, art, culture, fashion and entertainment should make many confront the truth. The truth cannot be denied.  We haven't begun to scratch the surface of our true potential. The young man or woman you judge and condemn is a shining star and fine example waiting to be discovered.

The sad reality is that for everyone that survives the lack of support, understanding and unconditional love.  Many more are dying far too soon either at the hands of each other, themselves, drugs, and HIV aids or at the hands and minds of heartless adults. T&T is a country blessed with abundant talent. Something therefore has to be wrong as too many of our young people are crying out for help, guidance and direction their sprit and dreams broken.

Sport can make a positive difference and as such local sport should have a sense of urgency as neither the truth or the role of sport in moving our society forward can be denied. Sports are no longer just a game. It affects the lives of people. Politicians in the developed and developing world understand the power of sport and what it can achieve for the country and people. Dare to be different and be yourself. Dare to follow your dreams even if doing so will earn you more “frenemies” than enemies. Sport or fashion follow your dreams; listen to the siren song of your heart. Don’t give up. Stay strong. It is always darkest just before daylight. Don’t give up. Wake up T&T! Wake Up! Even as you celebrate many more are missing.

-Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Trinidad and Tobago's 2011 Pan American Games campaign ended on a high note at the Pan American Hockey Stadium, in Guadalajara, Mexico, yesterday.

The men's hockey team hammered Barbados 9-1 to capture seventh spot.

Akim Toussaint led the charge for T&T with five goals, including the opener in the eighth minute and the closing item one minute from the end. Christopher Scipio was on target three times, while the other goal was scored by veteran Kwandwane Browne, from a penalty corner.

T&T led 4-0 at the half-time interval and went further ahead in the 39th minute. Six minutes later, Jemar Small scored for Barbados to make it 5-1. But there were four more goals from T&T, Toussaint finishing off what he had started in the opening period of play.

T&T scored a total of 20 goals against Barbados in the men's hockey tournament. In a Group A showdown, last weekend, T&T whipped the Bajans 11-1.

Late on Friday, at the Telmex Athletics Stadium, Keshorn Walcott smashed his own national junior (under-20) record in finishing seventh in the men's javelin.

Walcott hurled the spear 75.77 metres, a big improvement on the previous T&T junior standard of 72.04, a record he had set in April this year at the Carifta Games in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

That throw--a new Carifta record--earned him gold in the boys' under-20 javelin for the second successive year.
At two meets in June, Walcott bettered 72.04m. On June 12, the Toco athlete threw 72.50m at the warm-up facility of the Hasely Crawford Stadium to win the national junior title. And 13 days later, he produced a 72.87m effort at a twilight meet, at the same venue.

However, since the throwing area at the facility is a makeshift one, neither throw was recognised by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) as a national junior record.

On Friday, Walcott opened the Pan Am Games competition with a new T&T under-20 standard, the 18-year-old landing the javelin 72.92m.

In the third round, Walcott improved on his new record, the 75.77m effort earning him seventh spot in a strong field of 15.

Cuba's Guillermo Martinez was on fire, striking gold with an 87.20m heave--a new Games record. With that monster throw, Martinez jumped from 12th to fourth on the 2011 world performance list.

American Cyrus Hostetler (82.24m) snapped up silver, while the other 18-year-old in the competition, Argentina's Braian Toledo (79.53m), picked up bronze.

T&T earned four medals at the 2011 Pan American Games.

Cleopatra Borel (women's shot put) and shooter Roger Daniel (men's 10m air pistol) secured silver, while bronze was bagged by Emmanuel Callender (men's 100m dash) and cyclist Njisane Phillip (men's sprint).

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

By Kwame Laurence

As part of the 2011-2012 budget, the Ministry of Sport has received a total of $415 million in funding from the government for the fiscal year. Of that sum, $28.3 million has been allocated for the development of the island’s sporting facilities which seek to facilitate community participation.

This will include: The completion of Shaw Park Recreational Ground and Cultural Complex. The upgrade of the pavilion and playing field at Roxborough Sporting and Cultural Complex. The renovation of Belle Garden Rural Training Centre including redesign of the bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and classrooms. The commencement of construction of the Bacolet Aquatic Centre. The reconstruction of the pavilion and construction of fencing at Plymouth/Bethesda Sport and Recreational Complex. The establishment of utility roads, drainage works and design for the construction of a new pavilion at Shaw Park Sporting Complex. The refurbishment and upgrade of Hardcourt Facilities and Recreation grounds throughout the island.The Ministry also intends to construct three state of the art mega facilities for the sports of tennis, swimming and cycling, 64 community recreation facilities and 16 community sport centres.

The Ministry will also begin its “Life Sport Programme”, a two-component sport training programme developed to engage troubled young males in positive activity, and revise its Elite Athlete Assistance Policy guidelines to consider team and non-Olympic sports.

It will seek to implement a policy of honouring and rewarding outstanding performances as well as establish a T&T Anti-Doping Organisation to administer and enforce anti-doping rules as outlined by the world anti-doping code.

Its proposed legislative agenda will include the establishment of a sports dispute resolution centre and the revision of the Boxing Board of Control Act 1934.

The research agenda will address the issues of sport participation in T&T as well as framework for advancing sport.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Two weeks after becoming T&T’s first ever Pan American medallist in the sport of shooting, First Citizens Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year  Roger Daniel, is setting his sights on climbing the podium at the Olympics Games in London next year. The Defence Force corporal has enjoyed the form of his life in recent times, claiming a silver and bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, a gold and bronze at the 2010 CAC Games in Puerto Rico, two golds at the Hell Open in Norway in January and two golds at the Canadian Air Gun Grand Prix in February. His latest accomplishment, a silver in the Men’s Air Pistol 10m at the ongoing Pan Ams in Mexico, has motivated him to continue striving. “A lot of work and sacrifice went into this and it’s paid off… It’s a historic moment for the sport in T&T,” he told the Guardian recently. “The feedback has been tremendous. You could see the expression on people’s faces when I came back with the medal. It was so uplifting. The soldiers would come up to me and say that I had made them proud to be a soldier. I never thought that this could have such an effect on people.”

With just nine months left to go until the London Games, Daniel feels that his lifelong dreams are finally within his grasp. “It’s getting closer and closer to the Olympics and I’m getting better and better. It is my time and I know I can medal. I’ve done it in events around the world and this is the ultimate one that I want to go for… It’s not just the Olympics but the journey towards the Olympics,” he said, adding, “Some of my Pan Am opponents were world champions that I will be meeting in London and I’m confident I can go there and beat them again.” Daniel, 41, has already been to the quadrennial Games twice, placing 27th in the Air Pistol 60m in Athens in 2004 and 36th in the same event in Beijing in 2008. “I have a greater understanding of what is needed at that level now. That’s why I feel that I will do greater.

Having those past two experiences, I got to see what it was like. The second time I felt like I could have done it, but I just did not have enough experience at that level. Now I have the confidence and the knowledge to do it.” In order to compete against the best in the world, he says he will have to prepare himself by training abroad since the facilities in T&T are yet to come up to an international standard. “The Olympics uses an electronic system. We can’t be using paper targets here and having to walk down the range to pick them up and then walk back. These are things of the past and its time that we get electronic systems in place.”

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Defending Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Toyota Championship Division champions Caribs RFC will try for two titles in one when they meet arch-rivals Stag Trinidad Northern from 4 p.m. today at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain.

This contest is not only a decisive second round league clash between the two longest standing rugby clubs in T&T history as the winners will also take home the prestigious Bruno Browne Cup.

Northern and Caribs will also lock horns for the Raffie Hosein Cup as the top two competitors in the Second Division at the same venue, starting at 2 p.m.

In the Championship Division fixture, Caribs find themselves needing to win the match to keep their stranglehold on the league and they will be aware that Northern are the only team that have beaten them to the title in two decades.

The returning champs are favoured for the title, though, having lost only one match of the season against current leaders, Harvard.

Harvard lost two matches against both the teams in today's fixtures, but lead the standings with 40 points, having secured more bonus points than any other team.

Caribs (39 points) are one point behind in second, while Northern are back in third on 34 points. Caribs must therefore win to retain their title.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Kershorn Walcott smashed his national junior javelin record yet again throwing 75.77 metres in finishing seventh at the 16th Pan American Games at the Telmax Athletic Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico on Friday. The reigning 2010/2011 Carifta Boys Under-20 champion opened up with 72.92m to improved on the 72.87m he set on June 25. The 18-year-old then fouled his second throw before unleashing a big 75.77m finish in the top eight. The Toco Secondary student shared that he was happy with getting a personal best. “I am thanking God for today (yesterday) although I placed seventh, I came out with a personal best of  75.77.”  

Walcott has improved the national junior mark no lesser than five times for the season and broke the 24-year-old Carifta record in capturing his second Carifta title in Jamaica in April. The tall thrower will be going for a third Carifta crown in Bermuda next year and will be aiming to medal at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain from July 10-15. His older brother Elton captured his third Carifta boys U-20 triple jump gold as well at the Pan American Junior Championships title earlier this year. Keshorn missed the junior event because of visa problems.

T&T’s Ayanna Alexander came away the fifth best among the women in the triple jump event. Her best effort was 13.54m. The winner was Colombian Catherine Ibarguen, who set a new Pan Am record of 14.92m in her final attempt. Yesterday, midfielder Akim Toussaint unleashed five goals to see T&T hockey men whip Barbados, 9-1 and earn the seventh spot. His goals came in the eighth, 20th, 52nd, 67th and 69th minutes. Christopher Scipio netted three for T&T in the 13th, 39th and the 68th. Kwadnwane Browne was the only other player to get his name on the scoresheet with a goal in the 16th minute.

Jemar Small produced the Barbadians lone item in the 45th minute. At the end of the Games, T&T emerged with four medals two silver and two bronze. Cleopatra Borel, got silver in the Women’s Shot Put; and Shooter Roger Daniel earned a silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol while Emmanuel Callender won bronze in the Men’s 100m final in 10.16 seconds; and cyclist Phillip, bronze in the Match Sprint event.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

October 27 - With just a over a fortnight to go until the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) decide whether it will be London or Doha hosting the 2017 World Athletics Championships, Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson (pictured left) has admitted that England's disastrous campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup has taught him to take nothing for granted.

Robertson admitted earlier this month that England's humiliating defeat at the hands of Russia - when they received only two votes - was "the biggest single failure" of his reign.

But failure to beat Doha and bring the World Championships to Britain for the first time in the event's history would surely run it pretty close.

Britain has a proud athletics heritage and its bid for 2017 is being led by Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012 who is a double Olympic 1500 metres champion and vice-president of the IAAF.

It is also able to offer a new state-of-the-art Olympic Stadium to host the Championships and London officials have promised that it will be full to its 60,000 capacity for every session of the event.

But Robertson conceded that experience of England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup was a reminder of the political considerations that go into making up the minds of those who will be deciding London's fate at the IAAF Council meeting in Monaco on November 11.

They are also up against a formidable opponent in Qatar, who have already shown their ability to upset the odds when they were awarded the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

"It's a simple question of 28 people [on the IAAF Council] with a vote, and we have to get 14 of them," Robertson told insidethegames.

"Experience of international bidding competitions, and particularly 2018, shows that these things don't always go on the strength of the bid because there is quite a lot that swells around in the background with any international sporting bid."

Robertson was speaking at the London Hockey Centre, which in itself was a stark reminder that even though Britain can now boast some of the best facilities in the world it is no guarantee of success when it comes to bidding.

London had last year surprisingly lost a bid to host the 2014 hockey World Championships at Lee Valley Hockey Centre, the sport's legacy facility from the 2012 Olympic Games, to the Hague in the Netherlands.

Robertson nevertheless is confident that London's bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championships is the best one on the table.

"We have put together a really first class bid for athletics," Robertson told insidethegames.

"We had the [IAAF] Evaluation Commission here three weeks ago, you take these people into that stadium and show them a 60,000-seater legacy [venue].

"They know there is demand in this country and they know they will have a brand spanking new stadium with the best facilities they can get anywhere in the world.

"It's there in front of them, they can touch it, they can feel it.

"They know they can fill it up, the commercial offer...has never been in doubt, we can do it at the right time of the year for them, I could go on and on.

"It's a very strong technical bid and I hope we can convince them."

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By David Gold

October 27 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory in Rio de Janeiro is facing an investigation after it falsely reported that Brazilian beach volleyball player Pedro Solberg (pictured) tested positive for doping.

The facility in Rio, headed by Professor Francisco, is Brazil's only WADA-accredited laboratory and therefore expected to play a major role in testing samples from athletes at both the FIFA 2014 World Cup and also the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.

However, the future of the laboratory has now been thrown into question after Solberg gave WADA an out-of-competition sample in May this year that the researchers at the facility in Rio said contained testosterone.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) provisionally suspended Solberg but lifted the sanction against the 25-year-old from Rio just one month later when the Brazilian laboratory delayed analysing the B-sample.

FIVB's experts questioned the Brazilian paperwork when the B-test confirmed the presence of banned drugs and ordered retests from the leading WADA laboratory in Cologne in Germany, which showed that the sample was in fact clean with no traces of testosterone.

"In this important battle against doping, we cannot afford to be losing confidence in the analytical results of WADA-accredited laboratories," said FIVB President Jizhong Wei (pictured) said in a statement.

"As much as we need to identify and sanction those who cheat, we must ensure that no athlete is faced with a false positive."

FIVB have asked WADA to investigate why the Cologne laboratory findings contradicted those of the laboratory in Rio to ensure that such an error does not occur again.

"We trust that WADA will carefully look into this regrettable incident and will succeed in further harmonising the analytical procedures used by the laboratories," said Roald Bahr, President of the FIVB Medical Commission.

WADA has a total of 36 accredited laboratories spread across the world, but three of the facilities have been sanctioned since June 2010.

The accredited laboratory in Ankara, Turkey, had its license revoked earlier this year after falsely accusing basketball player Diana Taurasi of doping with a stimulant, while WADA accredited laboratories in Malaysia and Tunisia were suspended for unspecified failings.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun

Any team that has ever had the opportunity to work with an athletic trainer for a season, not a physiotherapist, not a person who has some first aid training, but a certified athletic trainer, would have to admit to the obvious difference in proficiency and efficiency in the way an athletic trainer attends to and deals with his/her athletes. Athletic trainers are groomed to deal with the specific challenges that accompany working with a team. Everything from assessing an injury on the field/court in full view of the viewing audience, to rehabilitating them to full return to play; from gathering their medical background to having all insurance information on hand in the event of an emergency situation; from identifying the psychological challenges of being injured to communicating with coaches about their management in the best interest of the athlete. Athletic trainers receive the most extensive training to meet the specific demands of athletes. Pre-game preparation usually entails some sort of strapping or taping to help injured athletes to stay in the game while coping with an injury.

Athletic trainers must be proficient in taping techniques to be able to support the joint or muscle properly; to understand what type of tape is most suitable to do the job; to apply the angle of tension to avoid unnatural torque that would cause further damage to the body rather than prevent it, etc. When an athlete goes down on the field, the assessment process starts immediately, recapping what happened just before the athlete went down and then observing the reaction of the athlete to the mechanism of injury—all this while running to the aid of the athlete. Each sport has its own rules with reference to when the first responder is allowed to come onto the playing field/court to attend to the athlete but once there, resuming play as quickly as possible is the priority. Thus, assessing the athlete to determine whether participation can continue or not, or whether the athlete requires medical assistance to be safely removed or not are high priority. Serious injuries like ligament ruptures, spinal injuries and concussions must be managed carefully to avoid further injury to the athlete.

Splinting and spine boarding to immobilize the injured area prior to transporting to the hospital are skills athletic trainers execute adeptly in order to provide the best care to the athlete. Immediately recognizing and assessing an athlete for a concussion and managing him/her thereafter can extend for weeks stressing the importance of understanding such injuries. Sports like rugby that are very high contact in nature, should always insist on having medical personnel present or readily accessible to execute these skills proficiently. The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) in the USA mandates that athletic trainers renew their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification annually as well as ensure that immunizations such as the hepatitis B virus (HPV) are kept current due to the first responder role inherited with the profession. Team medical coverage is something that administrators continue to see as optional in Trinidad and Tobago. Athletes are expected to push their bodies to the limit with little to no provisions in place to address their medical needs in the event of an injury.

Such practice is allowed to prosper because (1) athletes do not unite to insist on better for themselves from their club/association and (2) the love of athletes for the game overrides all the substandard conditions within which they are expected to train and compete. So, in the meantime, I have seen athletes sustain concussions and return to play prior to proper medical release. I have also seen athletes train on misdiagnosed ACL ruptures only to eventually realize the seriousness of their injury and that it might warrant surgery. In both instances, athletes are not inclined to the most favorable outcome. Rather the risk for further injury is heightened and their athletic career possibly shortened. Athletes notice when their club/organization takes an interest in their well-being and it really adds to team morale.

That sense of support and appreciation bridges communication between the two entities (athlete and administration) and can only extend towards positive outcomes. However, putting the systems in place to facilitate athletes in this way requires pre-planning. During the off-season, the sports medicine team should be identified and protocols created and ready for execution when pre-season starts. Rather than assume that hiring the proper professionals will be too costly, make it a priority and find creative ways to access the funds to afford it while negotiating rates or conditions with the service provider. If even complete coverage cannot be provided, identify the most important areas of concern and start to provide that. Our athletes have gone with so little in the realm of proper medical care that even a small step in the right direction will have a positive impact.

By Asha DeFreitas-Moseley

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

PAN AMERICAN cycling bronze medallist, Njisane Phillip yesterday expressed his disappointment with the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF).

The multiple record-breaking cyclist accused the federation of inefficiency which he said is hurting his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games in London next year.

“I would like my cycling federation to step up because they are really slacking off. My manager and I have to do everything. I must say that they are very laid back and they always waiting last minute to do things,” said a frustrated Phillip from Mexico.

Trinidad and Tobago’s top cyclist will have to gain invaluable World Cup points to book a place at the Olympic Games.

Astana will host the first International Cycling Union (UCI) World Cup with 500 cyclists competing for points to qualify for the London Olympics.

“Well I am supposed to leave for Astana on Saturday (tomorrow) and they (TTCF) have not bought my ticket yet.

“They know how important the points are and they (are) slacking off,” said Phillip. He added, “ If no one buys the ticket, my stepfather has to buy it. Then when I do good on the circuit, they are quick to say congratulations to me. If it’s anything for them to look good, they would do it.”

The Beacon rider felt that all his focus should be on training and cycling but is constantly distracted with administrative matters.

“I sometimes feel like they (TTCF) don’t care about me. They are always waiting last minute and wasting the government’s money! If it was the Easter Grand Prix, they would be on top of everything,” said an irate Phillip.

But in response to Phillip’s comments,TTCF president Rowena Williams denied her organisation is inefficient. She admitted that the TTCF has been slow in dealing with matters concerning finance.

However, she assured Phillip that he will get the funding necessary to compete at various World Cup tournaments.

By Jonathan Ramnanansingh

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

OLIVER CAMPS, yesterday, brought to an end his 19-year term as Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) president.

He cited “the current climate created by the FIFA” as the reason behind his decision to step down.

Camps’ resignation came just a day following FIFA’s revelation that they would be investigating ten Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials including the TTFF boss.

The investigations stem from a controversial May 10 meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, here, involving former Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam who was accused by FIFA of giving cash “gifts” to several CFU officials.

A defiant Camps defended his attendance at the meeting, stating the convening of CFU leaders to discuss the FIFA presidency was justified.

“In no way am I disappointed that I was a part of the Caribbean Football Union meeting which met to determine the path to choose a leader for the FIFA.

“The current situation facing the CFU now has made it very clear to me that our choice in meeting to discuss whether Sepp Blatter would be the preferred option was the right one.

“History will not judge me for being part of that meeting neither will it condemn me based on association,” he added.

Also a former national team manager, Camps believes FIFA are applying “different rules to the same situations depending on who the players are” and says it has left him feeling bitterness and pain.

Camps said he enjoyed his tenure as head of local football but was forced to rethink his position as the TTFF president.

“I have truly enjoyed working with the football fraternity and enjoyed and appreciated the opportunities which have been given to me through football, but when the price one has to pay includes the sullying of one’s name and the denigration of one’s character without a justifiable reason, then I must confess that this is not the place that I want to be,” he explained.

Camps’ highlight at the helm of local football is undoubtedly the “Soca Warriors” qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It was the national football team’s first time gracing football’s biggest stage and they went on to claim their first World Cup point in their opening game in a 0-0 draw with Sweden.

Camps wished to be remembered for this achievement and says he has many fond memories in his lengthy career.

“The good memories of having led my country into the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. I will never forget the opportunities I have had as host of two FIFA World Cup Finals in 2001 and 2010.

“I will always remember that under my watch, TT qualified for four World Cup finals and if success as a leader has to be measured in football it is against this background that I will be judged...history will judge me as the most successful football president in Trinidad and Tobago,” he declared.

Camps thanked TTFF former Special Advisor Jack Warner for his support over the years and praised him as a true champion and Caribbean man.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

October 26 - Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva today resigned from his post following the serious corruption allegations that emerged against him earlier this month.

The allegations came from influential Brazilian magazine Veja who claimed that he aimed to embezzle around $23 million (£15 million/€17 million) for himself and his Communist party over eight years by awarding fraudulent Government contracts for a number of projects, including one that promotes sport for poor children.

The Sports Minister had rushed back to Brazil from the Pan American Games here last week to defend himself against the claims but he has now decided to step down from his high-ranking job although he maintains his innocence.

"I submitted my resignation," said Silva following a meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

"I decided to leave the Government so that I can defend my honour."

Silva's resignation comes less than 24 hours after the country's Supreme Federal Court confirmed that it has opened a formal investigation into the allegations which effectively made his position untenable.

A spokesperson from the office of the President said: "After that Supreme Court decision, Orlando was a Minister who was already on his way out."

The saga is the latest corruption scandal in Rousseff's short reign as President because since she came to power in January this year, four senior Ministers have resigned or been sacked after being accused of illegal activity.

Silvia, who has been relentlessly hounded by the Brazilian media since the accusations emerged, is now the fifth Minister to be added to the list.

But he is arguably the most high profile due to the fact that he is the Government lead on both the FIFA 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will be the two biggest international sporting events in the history of the continent.

Silva has been involved in both global sporting events since their infancy after being named Sports Minister by popular former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva back in 2006.

He was also the only Minister from Brazil's Communist Party to maintain his position when Rousseff's Coalition Party came to power at the beginning of the year largely due to his heavy involvement and knowledge of the 2014 and 2016 projects.

Silva's resignation could have catastrophic repercussions for the two events, particularly the 2014 World Cup which has already been heavily criticised by FIFA for being well behind schedule.

Rousseff is now expected to allow the Communist Party to nominate a replacement for Silva from its own ranks.

Government sources suggest the most likely nominee is Senator Aldo Rebelo, a former Minister of Institutional Relations, who has been a vocal critic of corruption in Brazilian football

However, Rousseff may appoint a substitute on an interim basis before deciding on a permanent replacement.

Rebelo's appointment could raise tensions over the World Cup organisation because he has strongly criticised the head of Brazil's football confederation Ricardo Teixeira, who is being currently being investigated by Federal Police over another series of corruption allegations.

The controversial Teixeira also leads the Brazilian Organising Committee for the 2014 World Cup and is a member of FIFA's ruling Executive Committee.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun

October 26 - Revenues from the commercial programme of the 2011 Rugby World Cup will deliver an estimated £80 million ($128 million/€92 million) net surplus boost to the game, according to the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The competition reached its conclusion on Sunday (October 23)  New Zealand, with hosts the All Blacks lifting the trophy after beating France 8-7 in a tense final.

The tournament accounts for 95 per cent of IRB revenues, with the governing body investing £150 million ($241 million/€173 million) over the 2009-12 investment cycle to develop the game around the world.

Bernard Lapasset, Rugby World Cup Limited chairman, hailed the competition as an "exceptional rugby World Cup", saying it had positioned New Zealand as "a major event host, a superb tourism destination and a great country".

"It has also taken our sport to new audiences and has set the bar for future hosts," he added.

A study commissioned by MasterCard during the tournament has indicated that the event is due to deliver NZ$750 million ($598 million/£373 million) in direct economic benefits for New Zealand and over NZ$2 billion ($1.6 billion/£994 million) in long-term benefits.

Rugby is preparing to return to the Olympic Games, with the sport's seven-a-side format to be included in the programme at Rio 2016.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By David Owen

T&T’s  Emmanuel Mayers booked a spot in tonight’s final of Men’s 400m Hurdles after a second placed finish in his semifinal heat at the 16th Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico at the Telmex Athletics Stadium, yesterday. The 22-year-old Mayers, running out of lane four in the first of three semifinals completed the one-lap event in 49.86 seconds to grab the second automatic qualifying spot behind Jamaican winner, Isa Phillips (49.62). Brazil’s Mahau Suguimati (50.20) and Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez (50.22) were the automatic qualifiers from heat three while Cuban, Cesar Cisneros (48.99 Season Best) and Dominican Republic’s Winder Perez (50.12) qualified from heat three.

T&T’s Moriba Morain, 19, was eighth in the  first of three Men’s 200m semifinal in 20.91. He placed second in the third of five heats in 20.90 seconds. The winner was Ecuador’s Alex Leonardo Quinonez, who won in a personal best of 20.73. Venezuelan Jose Acevedo (20.93) and Mexico’s Juan Jose Reyes (21.54) were third and fourth, respectively, to reach the semifinal ahead of tonight’s final. On Tuesday night, T&T sprinter Emmanuel Callender won this country’s third medal and second bronze after he placed third in the Men’s 100m final in 10.16 seconds to trail Jamaican Lerone Clarke, who won in a personal best of 10.01 and St Kitts/Nevis veteran, Kim Collins (10.04).

T&T’s other medal winners so far are, a silver by shooter, Roger Daniel in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol, and bronze by cyclist Njisane Phillip in the Match Sprint event. Running out of lane four, Callender crossed the finish line in 10.16 seconds. First home was Commonwealth Games champion, Jamaican Lerone Clarke clocked a personal best 10.01 seconds running from lane five to win gold while Kim Collins, of St Kitts/Nevis got silver (10.04), running out of lane five. The other finishers were Dominican Republic’s Carlos Rafael (10.26), Brazil’s Nilson Andre (10.26), USA’s Albert Newman (10.31), Colombian, Jose Gomez (10.33) and Cuban, David Lescay (10.39). Last night  at the Pan American Hockey Stadium, the national women’s team met Cuba in a fifth to eight semifinal clash with the winner meeting Mexico which whipped Barbados 3-1 in the other match.

In the main draw semifinal, Pool A winner Argentina trounced  Pool B runner-up, Chile 4-0 in its semifinal and will meet the USA for the gold medal after the Americans beat Canada 4-2. At the Nissa Gymnastics Complex, Thema Williams was 20th in the Women’s Individual All-Round event with a combined score of 47.050 points. This after scores of 12.900 (horse), 11.550 (uneven bars), 10.925 (beam) and 11.675 (floor exercise). Today will be a busy day for the T&T track and field athletes.

The men’s 4 x 100m relay team (Emmanuel Callender, Darrel Brown, Joel Dillon, Jamol James and Moriba Morain) compete in the second semifinal from 3.45pm against Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Ecuador, Cuba, and Chile. Bahamas, Puerto Rico,USA, Brazil, St Kitts/Nevis, Belize and Colombia are in semifinal one. Cleopatra Borel goes after gold in the women’s Shot Put final from 4.50pm; James lines up in the men’s 800m semifinal at 5.45pm; Pillar Mc Shine faces the starter in the women’s 1,500m final at 6.05 pm.

Source: www.guardain.co.tt

Angus Eve, coach of the T&T Under-22 team men’s team which exited the 16th Pan American Games football tournament with three group draws said he was satisfied with the performance of the team. The young Soca Warriors went into their final group match at the Omnilife Stadium, Guadalajara, Mexico, on Tuesday needing a win over Uruguay to qualify for the semifinals. W Connection striker Shahdon Winchester gave T&T a tenth minute lead but Uruguay struck back with an equalizing goal in the 17th minute through Nicolas Abero. The draw followed similar results against host Mexico (1-1) and Ecuador (1-1) in their other group matches to finish on three points, one behind Uruguay while Mexico topped the table with seven points. Ecuador occupied cellar-spot with one point.

Speaking after the match Eve, a former national midfielder and captain said,”Overall we came out of this tournament with a lot of positives. Obviously the guys are disappointed with the result today because we really felt like the opportunity was there for us to go through to the semi-finals.” “We went into this game knowing that a victory had to be on the cards for us to advance. We got a good start with the go-ahead goal but we did not hold on to the lead and  then the goal to take us ahead just did not come. But I am pleased with the efforts of the guys. We can take a lot of positives from this tournament . We got valuable match practice against three teams that are all rated above us and it will serve us well going into the next stage of the Caribbean Football Union London Olympic qualification in November,”  Eve added.

T&T’s participation at the Games was due to a late invitation after Guatemala pulled out and Panama and Honduras, which finished ahead of T&T at the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in April declined invitations to fill the vacancy. Defender and captain Sheldon Bateau  echoed similar sentiments, saying: “We played three tough matches and we never gave up. There were moments in this tournament where we looked really good as a team and it’s a positive sign for us. We still have some work to do but we have shown a lot of potential and hopefully now we can take this forward with us.” Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino and Jamal Gay were  also pleased with the team’s overall display in the three matches. “We won some admirers here and for me, as one of the foreign-based players in the team, it was a good feeling to see the boys lift their game and stand up to the opponents. We heard the fans here cheering us on which meant we were doing something good.

“As one of the more experienced players in the team I know I had to try and lift our game and I saw the team play some really good football. “Now we have to work on trying to playing like that for longer periods and be able to finish off the matches better which would allow us to win the matches. I think we are heading in the right direction and now we are looking forward to the remainder of the Olympic qualifiers,” Molino said.
Gay added: “We played with a lot of heart but maybe we could have played with more confidence at the start of our matches. This is a really good experience for us. “We realised that once we put our heads down and play the game then we are in with a good chance of beating these teams. But we have to go all out from the start and once we get our chances then goals will come. We defended well also because we conceded only one goal in each game.” T&T will compete in the CFU 2012 Olympic qualifying final round in St Kitts/Nevis along with the host Cuba and Suriname from November 24 to 28.

T&T Pan Am squad
Andre Marchan, Zane Coker, Sheldon Bateau, Mekeil Williams, Joevin Jones, Shahdon Winchester, Trevin Caesar, Aquil Selby, Leslie Joel Russell, Jamal Gay, Jayson Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Kevin Molino, Jeromie Williams, Kareem Moses, Kaydion Gabriel, Micah Lewis, Cameron Roget

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Even though cyclist, Njisane Phillip shattered the Men’s 200metre sprint record (9.997 seconds) and received a bronze medal in the 200m fly at this year’s Pan American Games, he had mixed feelings about his performance.

Phillip was elated with his record-breaking ride but expressed his displeasure with the third placed finish.

“You lose gold and you receive silver or bronze. In my case it was bronze and I’m not satisfied. People say it’s good because I just came off a knee injury but if I’m good enough to race, I’m good enough to win, no excuses,” said Phillip.

The 2011 US Sprint Colorado Springs winner admitted that the Pan American Games was a learning experience and is confident of developing into a better cyclist.

“I’m happy for the record though, 9.977. It was a learning experience. The bronze was God telling me I need to work harder and that I’m not ready,” Phillip continued.

Phillip acknowledged that Olympic qualification will be a difficult task and will have to be exceptional at various World Cup tournaments.

“It will be hard. I have six more events to go, four World Cups, Continental Championships and the World Championships. My first World Cup campaign begins next weekend (November, 2011 - 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics) in Astana, Kazakhstan. Then in December, it’s Colombia,” added Phillip.

Trinidad and Tobago’s top cyclist reiterated the importance of maintaining his form and peaking at the right moment.

“My approach is that I will be risking it all in these coming races. I have to make it to London; I can’t wait another four years. Everyone is counting on me to just make it. This would be one of my biggest accomplishments and probably the highlight of my career,” stated Phillip.

A fully focused Phillip revealed that he was humbled to know how much support he received from Trinidad and Tobago.

“I really would to thank the people of Trinidad and Tobago for the support, especially the people from my hometown, Siparia. My team and main sponsor Team Cocos, The Beacon Insurance, Oakley and Felt Bicycles. I want to let all my supporters know that I will continue working hard, keep faith in God and everything is possible,” added Phillip.

By Jonathan Ramnansingh

Source: www.newsday.co.tt