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CHARLOTTE KNAGGS, the Caribbean Under-17 squash champion, copped the Ryan Abraham Scholar-Athlete Squash Challenge Trophy, which was awarded by top national player Ryan Abraham.

This is the second year that Knaggs has received the trophy, as she was the inaugural title-holder in 2008. Mandela Patrick was given that distinction in 2009 while Jessica Scott got the award a year later.

Knaggs’ major success during the past 12 months was victory in the regional Under-17 event, defeating top-seeded Victoria Arjoon of Guyana to extend her winning streak in the Caribbean junior circuit to four years.

According to Abraham, “in 2008, I started my own Scholar-Athlete challenge trophy for the junior squash players in Trinidad and Tobago. I have been awarding the trophy to the most successful, balanced and diligent squash player each year, based on performances both academically and on the squash court.”

In 2008, Knaggs claimed the award after placing 39th overall in the 2007 SEA exams. Currently a Form Five student of St Joseph Convent, Port of Spain, she was able to maintain an overall A grade average during her Form Four year (2010-2011) while sustaining a competitive training and tournament schedule.

Due to a lack of local junior contests, Knaggs participated in a few Canadian events, placing fifth in the Under-15 category in the Ontario Dunlop Gold Number Two last November, and, a month later, she earned a quarter-final place in the Under-15 section in the Canadian Junior Open.

In 2011, and participating in the Under-17 age group, she was fifth in the Ontario Dunlop Gold Number Four (in March) and reached the quarter- finals of the Ontario Junior Open (in April).

Locally, she had a triumphant time on the courts, claiming the National Under-19 title in May and finishing as the runner-up to the veteran Rhea Khan at the National Senior Championships.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

The Wushu Association of Trinidad and Tobago conducted a free training session for members of the general public at The Hollows, Queen’s Park Savannah, on Sunday.

This Association is the national body of Chinese martial arts, Kung Fu, Wushu, Tai Chi and Chinese Kick-boxing. Wushu is suitable for everyone since it includes self defence, internal breathing exercises, stretching, blocks, punching and kicking skills, meditation, history and philosophy. It is especially designed to balance the person’s mind, body and spirit.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

LOCAL squash player, Colin Ramasra has jumped a significant 14 places up the international Professional Squash Association’s (PSA) rankings.

After representing Trinidad and Tobago at two regional tournaments recently, the multiple national champion is now at 306th on the world professional circuit, from his previous 320th spot. Ramasra was pleased with the elevation of his international player status and admitted that he was motivated by increased ranking.

“I’ve already moved up 14 places and have only contested in two professional tournaments. It takes about ten competitions to seal an overall position on the professional circuit. Once I’m selected for other tournaments, I intend to go all the way and continue enhancing my international player status,” stated Ramasra.

He was determined to progress further up the international rankings and hoped to be selected for forthcoming competitions. The 27-year-old admitted that getting into more professional meets would be a bit difficult due to his current ranking. His recent performances at the two regional tournaments (El Salvador and Costa Rica) saw him get eliminated in the second round and first round of qualifying matches respectively.

“My performance in Costa Rica was slightly off simply because I didn’t play in a competition for about three months. But when I got to El Salvador I was more confident and settled and managed to get into the second round. In that second round El Salvador open match, I almost beat the guy but proudly went down to a very high-ranked player,” continued Ramasra.

In October of last year, the local player was in top form and was ranked at 192nd on the international circuit, and was previously ranked at 138th. Ramasra revealed that he wanted to be back at that position but it all depended on him being selected to play by the PSA.

“We have to sign up for competitions online. It’s a bit harder when you’re ranked lower down the charts because there are so many players ahead of you who also want to be chosen. But once I am selected I intend to play my heart out because it’s the only way professional players can climb the global ranking ladder,” he mentioned. Ramasra has already resumed training and hopes to be called for top tournaments from November.

“I prefer to play in tournaments in and around the Americas. I may have to go to Europe before year’s end but if this is what I have to do to enhance my overall ranking, I will. These are the sacrifices that athletes in all sporting disciplines have to make to ensure that they stay ahead of their game,” he added.

Additionally, the experienced squash player acknowledged the Ministry of Sport and his corporate sponsors who have financially assisted him in getting to tournaments. He hailed all the supporters of local and international squash and urged young enthusiasts to get more involved in the sport. All with the intention of raising the awareness of squash on a local, regional and international scale.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

By Jonathan Ramnanansingh

National women’s team volleyballer, Darlene Ramdin, led the St John’s University Red Storm with 12 kills and three blocks but it still fell to Big East Conference foe Marquette, 25-17, 25-19, 25-23 on Sunday afternoon at Carnesecca Arena, Queens, New York. In addition to pacing the Red Storm in kills and hitting percentage, Ramdin, the team’s co-captain and senior middle hitter also tied for a team-high with three kills. St John’s has a week off until its next match when it makes the trip to Tampa, Florida, to take on University of South Florida on Sunday.

On Saturday, Ramdin also had 13 kills but was topped by in-state rival Syracuse, 20-25, 22-25, 22-25, in its Big East home opener and fourth annual Dig For The Cure match. On the opening weekend of Big East play, Ramdin and her St John’s volleyball team suffered two straight defeats against Cincinnati and Louisville. Against Cincinnati, Ramdin got nine kills and three blocks as St John’s went under  15-25, 23-25, 21-25 while she had five kills and fours blocks in the loss versus Louisville 19-25, 14-25, 23-25.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

In the face of a myriad of views, opinions, judgements and an abundance of talk from arm chair, self-proclaimed and acclaimed experts, T&T sport appears to be stagnating from too many questions and not enough answers. In the face of all the noise, we do not starve for a lack of problem identification. Those who clamour and advocate for something to be done cannot provide clear and concrete ideas and actions only lots and lots of talk and opinions. Patience! Forbearance! But Oh! My gosh! We do need genuine analysis and discussion instead of energy and spirit sapping gossip, rumours, hearsay and vengefulness. We live in a modern world where the best sporting nations are open and willing to share science and research based information, experience and knowledge. Last week the US Olympic Committee (USOC) held a communications and public relations workshop for its Olympic governing bodies in Colorado Springs.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), through its Olympic Solidarity programme identified 13 National Olympic Committees from around the world who they believed would benefit from attending the three-day workshop, the TTOC was one of the lucky group. The workshop addressed media, public relations and communication planning for London 2012. The degree and depth of planning, preparation, thought, action and vision should not be a surprise. The level of detail is such that one year out, the USOC has a plan for managing victory, dates and times for the events and medal ceremonies, pre, during and post event activities and interviews. The determination of both the USOC and IOC to be inclusive in their capacity building shames those who prefer to be selfish. In Colorado Springs last week it was obvious that there is a reason why the US remains at the forefront of Olympic success.

Their philosophy is doing whatever is best for the team. Question how you can improve, often and with intensity. If it is good for the team, do it. If it isn’t, don’t. Surround your athletes with people who embrace challenges, who love to win, positive role models who inspire people to follow their example and can marshal the troops. People who can think beyond the moment. Keep everyone focused on the task at hand, create the environment of really high standards, and get people used to doing the right thing. At the highest level of sport, victory is measured in inches and seconds. To make your mark you have to take your opportunities. You may not have much of an opportunity, but once you get it, take it. When you narrow it down, the USOC’s philosophy can be described as “from small acorns do great oaks grow. Small victories blossom into massive success.”

If we want to be consistently on the world stage, we must lift our vision and thinking. Doubters and talkers will not stay silent because that is what they do best—doubt and talk. They have one objective; that is to drive the willing and able into decline and submission. It matters not selfish protagonists that they are that local sport will be the worse off in the medium to long term. Do what the talkers and doubters will not do, go where they will not go. Think and take ethical and legal actions. Average thinking and actions will only bring mediocre results. In closing, this column extends sincerest condolences to the family and friends of former Olympian and CAC medallist Ali St Louis. His commitment and dedication to national duty and service, his family, community and the sport of track and field were exemplary. St Louis choose the road less travelled. His faith in the goodness of human kind should serve as an inspiration and motivation to those who prefer to doubt and talk.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Brian Lewis

OLYMPIC BRONZE medallist, George Bovell III revealed that he is finally back on track and has already resumed his intense training schedule for the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.

The TT swimmer stated that he was relieved after acquiring positive results from his final Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT) scan last week. “It’s good to be back. The results from the CAT scan showed that my brain is back to normal and I can resume my Olympic training. I am so thankful that I received the all clear to go ahead with my swimming. It’s great to be back in action,” said Bovell III.

The Olympic swimmer is eager to get back to his best but declared that it would be a gradual process. He revealed that training has been going great thus far and his strength and overall physical progress is significantly improving. However, Bovell III hinted that he may return to his full potential in the next seven to ten days.

“I have to go according to how my body feels. And I must say I feel great but I won’t be able to go all the way as yet. It’s a gradual process that my body will have to go through but probably in a week or so and I’ll really be back to animal mode,” Bovell III said.

He continued, “I’m currently training everyday and pushing my body. I’ve been doing a lot of gym work to ensure that my physical ability stays at its best.” He explained that his training schedule will intensify within the coming week. Bovell III currently swims everyday and is hoping to increase the workload.

“I’m training everyday. One swim session per day so far, but I’m making sure that I capitalise on getting involved in other sports to have an all-round enhancement. From next week, I intend to do two swim sessions to get back into my beast mode,” continued Bovell III.

The 2003 Pan American Games double gold medallist divulged that he has been doing a lot of weight and track training, but admitted that he just wanted his body at full strength and is confident that everything would fall into place.

“I’m doing a lot of physical training. It’s where I’m putting all my focus on for now. I’m actually playing basketball right now (Saturday). I have to make sure that my body keeps pumping and in-action.”

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

By Jonathan Ramnanansingh

The T&T teams of David Thomas and Fabien Whitfield, Elki Phillip and Ayana Dyette once again struggled when the 2011 Norceca Beach Volleyball Circuit eight stop at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. On Friday, Canadians’ Christian Redmann and Benjamin Saxton first defeated Whitfield and David Thomas 21-11, 21-13, while the latter was also beaten by Puerto Rico’s Roberto Rodriguez and Christopher Underwood, 21-14, 21-15 at the Pan American Stadium. In their third and final pool match on Friday, Whitfield and Thomas were edged out by Mexicans Galindo-Revuelta 18-21, 21-8, 16-14.

In yesterday’s semifinal, the home team of Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen came up against Puerto Ricans Roberto Rodriguez and Christopher Underwood while Christian Redman and Benjamin Saxton faced Guatemala’s Andy Blanco and Erick Garrido. In the women’s competition, the home team of Mayra Garcia and Bibiana Candelas won against  Dyette and Phillip 21-8, 21-10 and the T&T piar alos lost to Canada’s Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney 21-9, 21-8.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Stag Trinidad Northern advanced to the final of the T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Marcus Minshall Cup after defeating Harvard 27-26 in a tight encounter on Saturday. In the other semi-final, Caribs had a comfotable 47-20 win over Royalians. Both matches were played simultaneously at the Queens Park Savannah. Northern were ahead within 10 minutes through Michael Augustus’ try. Harvard responded through Carlton St Clair whose try was converted by Jerome O’Brien for a 7-5 lead which they extended when O’Brien craftily chipped the ball over a Northern player and scored himself. He then  converted. Brad Soulette slipped through Harvard’s defence to score in the 22nd minute and Northern took the lead when Ryan Fredericks scored a try.

Just when Harvard regained the lead from an Aaron Rocke try, Ronald Mayers scored and his effort  was subsequently converted to make it 22-19 in favour of Northern at the half. The second half was much tighter with neither team finding a breakthrough as easily as in the first half. However, with 20 minutes left, Tariq Cheekes left out the Northern defence to score between the posts. His try was converted by O’Brien. In the closing minutes both teams enjoyed the lead but Northern managed to push over until the ball was beyond the line, giving the team the one point lead at 27-26.  James Phillip scored two tries while Kelson Figaro and Felician Guerra one each for Royalians.

Results
Northern 27 vs Harvard 26
Caribs 46 vs Royalians 20

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Andrew Gioannetti

Most of my college graduates who studied athletic training with me, were former athletes or athletic in some form or fashion. I was no exception to this profile and continue to challenge myself athletically. I decided this year, already in my 30s and after experiencing child birth, to pursue my desire to learn two new sports—parkour and surfing—and although I may never become the most impressive athlete in these sports to witness, the challenge both psychologically and physically have played a tremendous part in building confidence in myself, personally and professionally. The experience of learning something new is always a humbling one, especially as an adult. Despite being in a position of authority in your chosen field, once you step into unfamiliar territory, you become the student again, subject to the bumps and bruises of being a novice. Reaching small milestones to mark improvement are fervently celebrated with a sort of candid pride. Such sentiments keep a person in touch with their inner youth while, relative to this case, appreciating the beauty and discipline of athleticism. I wonder sometimes, if some individuals working in the sports industry (not including the athletes, obviously), would benefit from retreats of this nature.

Perhaps once a year, executive management can go through a “Hell Week” to remind them of the physical and mental grind that is involved with achieving athletic excellence. It seems priorities become skewed over time and it is eventually forgotten that the athlete is the main stakeholder when it comes to sports. The athlete’s body is the greatest asset of all assets in the sports industry and before all else, this asset should be properly tended to. Clearly, in T&T, this is not the case when national teams are still travelling to participate in tournaments without medical support and athletes are part of training programs that are grossly imbalance, causing injuries and burnout—just two very common representations of bogus management and woolgathering (a.k.a. BMW) that litter the local sports industry. Yet, we remain heartbroken and devastated when our athletes do not come up trumps in international competition.
Emily Dickinson claimed, “If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves. You can gain more control over your life by paying closer attention to the little things.”

This philosophy can extend beyond the personal into the business realm, including that of sports. I understand the dynamics of the sports industry as a business and how other industries become tied in, that make it the hugely profitable and exciting industry that it is—corporate sponsorship, the media and marketing, etc. In T&T, however, such concerns are on a small scale keeping the supporting complexities at a manageable level. My point here is, without the wins a sport becomes not much more than a past-time or hobby and there is no money to be made at that level. Fewer wins mean less hype, fewer fans and less revenue. So while we operate on such a small and simple scale, why not keep it simple and focus on providing the little things such as health care and training needs. There consistently remains one grossly neglected area of local sport and athletics that must be better and more consistently highlighted and that is the psychological part of it. A game loss for an athlete is as devastating as a bad call on the stock market for a trader. Injuries for an athlete are in essence, the threat of being fired from your job.

The last minute notification of not being able to attend a tournament, regardless of the reason, is the equivalent to investing millions in a failed venture. For the young athlete in particular, when the fight to stay focused on training goes up against the tempting nature of care-free adolescence, the disappointments due to BMWs hit just as hard if not harder due to the fragile mental state of a child. Mistakes will happen in the sports industry, just as they do in any other industry but perhaps a better attempt can be made to minimise these errors. So, as I said, maybe a “Hell Week” ran by athletes once a year, when executive management step into the shoes of athletes will help identify what the small things are so that the bigger things can better take care of themselves.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Asha De Freitas-Moseley

T&T’s Sandhya Moll and Adelle Stollymeyer placed third in the T&T leg of the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s (CEA) junior show jumping competition, hosted by the T&T Equestrian Association (T&TEA) on the weekend at the Hidden Valley Stable, Santa Cruz. Visiting countries included Jamaica, Barbados and the Cayman Islands. Each country competed in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories. The event consisted of four jumping rounds over the two days and each rider competed on four different horses to further test their abilities. Moll and Stollmeyer both got tough starts on Saturday with each being eliminated from a jumping round.

However, both redeemed themselves on the second day when they posted two clear rounds each to snatch third place from the visiting Jamaican team of Kelly Nunes and Sara Misir. Cayman Islands proved difficult to beat with Polly Serpell and Thea Millward winning the event with just eight faults. Paige Tryhane and Allanah Wilkie from Barbados ended second with 19 faults. Millward was the only rider to have all clear rounds with her horses never dropping any rails over the two days. Present to hand over the trophies at the prize-giving ceremony was Dave Bobb, acting director of Physical Education & Sport in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs. The fourth and final leg of the competition will be held in Jamaica in November, and Moll and Stollmeyer will represent T&T.

STANDINGS

1st    Cayman Islands (8 faults)
2nd    Barbados (19 faults)
3rd    T&T (64 faults)
4th    Jamaica (66 faults)

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T’s highest ranking gymnast, Thema Williams, will make history as the only female gymnast to represent the country in a world championship next week. Williams left T&T last night for New York and is expected to arrive in Tokyo, Japan, this afternoon to participate in the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships which begins next Friday. At a press conference on Wednesday, held at ToTs and Tumblers Gymnastics Club, Williams put on her final routine performance, giving her club-mates, family, sponsors and well-wishers an idea of some of the moves which she will be performing in Japan. Tots & Tumblers coach Clifton Mc Dowell was present along with  coach Deborah Garcia, who will both be accompanying Williams.  Director of Sport at the Ministry of Sport, Dave Bobb was also on hand to offer support for Williams. “We have here, a gymnast who will make us proud. T&T will be seen through the eyes of gymnastics.”

Describing Williams’ travels as a “wonderful occasion”, Bobb added that the Ministry will continue to support Williams in her upcoming ventures. The Ministry has assisted Williams since 2008.  American Airlines has also donated two return tickets from New York to Japan. In Japan, Williams will have to complete four routines: the vault, bars, beam and floor, in order to have a realistic chance of placing. Her results will determine whether she becomes the first  female gymnast from T&T to qualify for a Summer Olympic Games, the next of which will be held in London, England, next year. Williams, who was previously nominated for Sportswoman of the year, has many personal credits to her name, including an AA Gold in a Friendship Classic in Pennsylvania, USA, in 2008.

More recently, Williams participated in the Senior Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Mexico last year, where she placed 34th in All Around Competitive out of 76 gymnasts. She  took first place in "Single Athlete Countries". Williams has trained with Tots & Tumblers since 2000, a year after they were established. The gym now trains over 90 competitive athletes. She has trained with her current coaches, Mc Dowell and Garcia since she was six years old. Mc Dowell has accompanied Williams in her travels across the western hemisphere to nations including Peru, Mexico, Jamaica and the USA, all of which she has competed in tournaments.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Andrew Gioannetti

September 28 - Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, was among those honoured at a special ceremony here today attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge to celebrate an occasion that, he claimed, marked the start of the modern era for the Movement.

The 1981 Congress in the picturesque German spa town, overseen by then newly-elected IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, saw the beginning of the end for the Olympic amateur rule, the installation of the IOC Athletes' Commission, an increased fight against doping, the first signs of commercialism and the first election of women into the IOC.

"In many ways, those five days in Baden-Baden ushered in the Olympic Movement's modern era," Rogge said at a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the Congress.

"The Baden-Baden Congress came a year after more than 60 National Olympic Committees were forced to join a politically inspired boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games, and three years before a retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

"Our Movement's financial foundation was weak, and many cities were reluctant to take on the expense of hosting the Games.

"Los Angeles was the only serious bidder for the 1984 Games.

"The gap between National Olympic Committees from the industrialised nations and the developing world was all too apparent.

"Athletes - the heart of Movement - had no real voice in sports governance or administrative matters.

"Doping had emerged as the single most serious threat to the integrity of sport.

"In many ways, those five days in Baden-Baden ushered in the Olympic Movement's modern era.

"The 1981 Congress marked the start of a revolution - the Samaranch Revolution.

"Juan Antonio Samaranch had been elected IOC President at the Moscow Games, so Baden-Baden was his first real opportunity to exert his leadership."

Rogge singled out Germany's Thomas Bach and Coe, who then as Olympic champion fencer and the world's best middle-distance runner, adressed the Congress to support the Athletes' Commission.

"It was obvious even then that Seb Coe and Thomas Bach were destined for leading roles in the Olympic Movement," said Rogge.

Bach, the host of this anniversary celebration, recalled that he was motivated partly by being denied the opportunity to take part in the previous year's Olympics because West Germany boycotted the Games over the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

"Nothing less than the future of the Olympic Games and the Olympic idea that was at stake," said Bach, who is now the vice-president of the IOC and President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).

"And, as you will recall, there were quite a few people who painted it in the gloomiest of colours.

"Only one year after the partial boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow, the Olympic family found itself confronted by an extremely difficult situation and the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles were also already under political pressure.

"As then chairman of the German Athletes Commission I, together with many fellow athletes, fought against boycotting the 1980 Olympic Games, because any boycott contradicts the Olympic idea and because - dubious - political intentions were shifted onto the backs of the athletes.

"We found this absolutely unacceptable at the time, and we still do so today.

"So it was a truly painful defeat for us to learn that we were unable to prevent the erroneous decision that was taken by our National Olympic Committee.

"Of course for us the painful experience of 1980 was not a reason for despair, but instead motivated us even more to bring the athletes' legitimate interests adequately to bear."

Bach had particular praise for Coe the two-time Olympic 1500 metres champion, who got "to the heart of the matter by stating: I believe that by taking part in the Congress, and the tenacity we have shown in the way we approached our tasks, will clear up once and for all the widespread misconception that athletes are just robots incapable of thinking."

As well as Rogge, the 300 prestigious guests comprised many several other leading IOC members, including Hungarian President, Pal Schmitt, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Britain's Sir Craig Reedie and Ireland's Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees.

Frankie Fredericks, the current chairman of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Nadia Comaneci, Romania's five-time Olympic gymnastics champion, and Kip Keino, Kenya's two-time Olympic gold medallist, joined the celebrations.

Finland's five-time Olympian Peter Tallberg (pictured), who had been asked by Samaranch to oversee he first discussions among athletes and to lead the first IOC Athletes' Commission, also recalled the Congress.

"His decision to invite 38 active medal-winning athletes, of whom eight were women, to Baden-Baden was significant, and it was right – and this was repeatedly stated in the course of the Congress," said Tallberg.

"It was considered to be a signal and an obligation of the IOC, the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and IFs (international federations) to finally include athletes in the Olympic family as full members.

"The athletes who had been invited to Baden-Baden understood the importance of their role and immediately realized that this was THE moment for them to show what an important, new and vital partner of the Congress they represented."

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay in Baden-Baden

National road king Emile Abraham had to settle for third place yesterday in the opening race of the 2011 Tobago International Cycling Classic.

Having finished a close second in the Newsday Classic in Trinidad on Saturday, Abraham found himself trailing two riders on home soil yesterday.

In the first of four stages of the Division One competition--the 110 kilometre, 10-lap Carnbee circuit which finished at Coral Gardens on Shirvan Road--Ricardo Zoidl of Team Austria took the honours, launching a successful breakaway on the final climb to leave behind Abraham and Newsday Classic winner Euris Vidale of the Dominican Republic. The three riders had broken from the main bunch with about three laps to go.

In a fast race in which cyclists covered the circuit at 15 minutes per lap, Vidale again got the better of Abraham in the sprint, while Zoidl headed them by eight seconds.

This year a points system will determine the division winners. Zoidl collected 25 points for his victory yesterday. A record 90 riders began the Division One race.

Today, stage two features a 117km circuit race in Les Coteaux over four laps for Division One riders, while in Division Two, the cyclists will do two laps (60km).

In yesterday's opening Division Two race (60km), Jamal Eastmond of Barbados took the leader's orange jersey after beating Barry Luces of Rigtech Sonics and Ross Callender of Barbadian outfit G4 Swift.

Wearing the sprint champion's green jersey this morning is yesterday's top sprinter Vidale.

Selected results

Div 1.

1. Ricardo Zoidl (Team, Austria) 25pts 2. Euris Vidale (Dominican Republic) 23 pts (Team Foundation) 3. Emile Abraham (Team Vitamalt) 21 pts 4. Werner Riebenbauer (Team Austria) 19pts.

Doiv 2:

1. Jamal Eastmond (Barbados) 15pts, 2. Barry Luces (Rightech Sonics) 13pts, 3. Ross Callender (G4 Swift, Barbados) 11 pts.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

September 27 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to start monitoring nicotine in order to detect potential patterns of abuse.

The Montreal-based body is adding the substance to its 2012 Monitoring Program.

It emphasised, however, that it was not its intention to target smokers.

Rather it wants to monitor the effects nicotine can have on performance when taken in oral tobacco products.

The move came as WADA published its list of prohibited substances and methods for 2012, a Summer Olympic year.

The list comes into force on January 1.

As already announced, one significant change is the removal of formoterol from section 3 'Beta-2 Agonists' of the list, when taken by inhalation at therapeutic dosages (a maximum of 36 micrograms over 24 hours).

Nicotine is one of several stimulants added to the monitoring programme.

Others include the narcotics hydrocone and tramadol.

Out-of-competition use of glucocorticosteroids has also been included.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA is mandated to establish a monitoring programme regarding substances that are not on the prohibited list but which the agency wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse.

Meanwhile, six sports, including some big Olympic draws, have been removed from the list of those in which beta-blockers are prohibited.

These are: bobsleigh and skeleton, curling, modern pentathlon, motorcycling, sailing and wrestling.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By David Owen

Over 175 local and international cyclists will assemble in Tobago for the 25th annual Tobago International Cycling Classic, which begins today with a 120km road race through Shirvan, Carnbee and Buccoo. Comprising of five events, the Classic will conclude on Sunday with a UCI-sanctioned Tour of Tobago (112km) which will take the riders throughout the island. It will mark the first time a race in T&T has been recognised by the UCI with the first eight finishers earning points to go towards their internationals, including 40 for the winner, 30 for second place and 16 to third. Prize money, 3100 euros, will also be on offer for the top 20 places.

Among the leading locals signed up are Emile Abraham (Team Vita Malt), Adam Alexander (Team Foundation), Guy Costa (Rafmon Mecalfab), Joshua Alexander (Rafmon Mecalfab) and Colin Wilson (Team Trek). They will be coming up against a field of over 60 foreigners including Canadian Michael Larsen, France’s Aurelian Passeron, Austrian Ricardo Zoidl, Cuban Maikel Matos, the Czech Republic’s David Cueli and German Timo Scholtz. A one-hour special on the Classic will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN International later this year.

TEAMS

TEAM VITA MALT: Emile Abraham (Trinidad and Tobago), Diego Garavito (Colombia), Serghei Tvetcov (Russia), Sebastian Cancio (Argentina), Daniel Asconeguy (Uruguay), Cesar Grajales    (Columbia), Pete Williams (United Kingdom), Kristian House (United Kingdom)

TEAM RIO GRANDE (USA): Dylan E. Jones (USA), Chris Hillier (United Kingdom), John Gregory Phillips (USA), Scott Tietzel (USA), Trevor Connor (Canada), Adam Carr (USA), Spencer Smitherman (USA), Mathew O’Hagan (USA)

BQ CYCLING TEAM (GERMANY): Benjamin Joerges (Germany), Andreas Henig (Germany), Frank Udo Scherzinger (Germany), Felix Doring (Germany), Denis Bojarkin (Germany), Lukas Arnold Altenkamp (Germany), David Arno Bartel (Germany), Andreas Michael Feistel (Germany), Benjamin Stauder (Germany).

TEAM JANATEC (GERMANY): Timo Scholtz (Germany), Rick Ampler (Germany), Constantin Liebenow (Germany), Manuel Reich (Germany), Dirk Feist, Antti Sziko (Finland), Kristjan Beekmann (Finland)

TEAM 1% (CANADA): Jean-Michel Lachance (Canada), Etienne Samson (Canada), Louis Charles Lacroix (Canada), Jean-François Racine (Canada), Nils Penton (Sweden)

RC-GOURMETFEIN WELS (AUSTRIA): Werner “Ribi” Riebenbauer (Austria), Andreas “Prince” Graf (Austria), Riccardo “Bath-Keeper” Zoidl (Austria), Stefan Rabitsch (Austria), Jörg Thallhammer (Austria), Georg Tazreiter (Austria), Patrick “Koni” Konrad (Austria)

TEAM EXUSTAR: Michael Smith Larsen (Denmark), Nichlas Eberhardt Sorensen (Denmark), Henner Rodel (Germany), Tim Ottens (Netherlands), Atze Dijkhuis (Netherlands), Lang Reynolds (USA), Jonathan Teeter (USA), James Stout (United Kingdom)

SCHEDULE

Today
Opening Ceremony, Crown Point Hotel, 10 am
Race 1 (120km), Shirvan/Carnbee/Buccoo, 1.30 pm
Tomorrow
Race 2 (117km), Les Coteaux/Arnos Vale/Mt Marie; 7.30 am
Friday
Race 3 (50 Laps), Plymouth, 1 pm
Saturday
Race 4 (Criterium Race, 60 Laps) Market Square, Scarborough, 8.30 am
Sunday
Tour of Tobago (UCI 1.2 International Road Race); 9 am
Prize Presentation & Classic Grand Finale, Scarborough Espionade, 11.30 pm

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

National draughts champion Omatie Mahabir edged Cisley Foster by one point to walk away with this year’s T&T Women’s Draughts Championship title in a successful defence of the title she won in 2010. Many spectators came out to witness the highly anticipated final at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima which started from 11am. All eyes were focused on the board one where defending champion Mahabir, and top challenger Cisley Foster, were trying to put each other into a position that can capture loose pieces or make combination to gain a strong position. Women Warriors’ Foster, playing with the black pieces, captured the middle just after move 15 and kept her pieces stationed there for the duration of the game.

Mahabir had to fight to come out with pieces on the flanks and made some crucial exchange to stop Foster from advancing. Had Mahabir played badly, she would have lost the game. But, after one hour and 50 minutes Foster made a last minute effort to crown a king only to sacrifice it later but, that was all done in vain as she could not find any combination to win, leaving the game to end in a draw. Spectators from as far as Penal came to the stadium to witness the intense mind sport. The stadium was so packed that there were only standing spaces left, as all the room was filled with relatives who came out to see there loved one become the 2011 national women’s draughts champion. It was Mahabir’s total of nine points that gained her the championship title, having won four games and drawn one. Foster (eight points) had to settle for second with three wins and two draws. Third was taken by former under-19 national champion and Tailors member, Anita Ramsundar, who lost her first game to Treasure Haynes.

In fourth was fellow Tailors team mate Emily Jagessar followed by Aleyah Ali of St Finbars PRC School in fifth. Ali, only 11 years old, commanded the board despite stiff competition from Haynes. Ali is also one of the top contenders attending for the primary school championship, which will also be held at the Larry Gomes Stadium from October 8 at 10 am. The competition is for primary school boys and girls across T&T and promises to be another great mind battle.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

The local track and field fraternity is in mourning, following the death of Ali St Louis, on Sunday night. The former Olympian was killed in a vehicular accident, at the corner of Mausica Road and the Priority Bus Route, in D'Abadie. He was 52.

National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette described St Louis' death as "a great loss".

St Louis was one of Trinidad and Tobago's top quarter-milers in the 1980s, representing Palo Seco Sporting Club and Defence Force. At the 1984 Olympic Games, in Los Angeles, USA, he competed in the men's 400 metres event. Twice, St Louis earned precious metal at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. In 1982, in Havana, Cuba, he earned bronze as part of T&T's 4x400m relay team, and followed up four years later with mile relay silver, in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

St Louis was a livewire in local track and field. The retired soldier served the sport as a coach at the D'Abadie Progressive Athletic Club, a committee member on the NAAA executive, and a starter at local meets. St Louis was head coach of the T&T teams that competed at the 2011 Carifta Games in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the 2011 Pan American Junior Championships, in Florida, USA.

"A great one is gone," a sombre Serrette told the Express, yesterday. "As a coach and official, he was giving back to the sport...always willing to go that extra mile to make things happen, even influencing his children."

St Louis' five daughters—Brittany, Candace, Shade, Alisha and Aquilla—are all athletes. His son, AJ, was also in Sunday's accident, and was taken to Accident and Emergency, at the Mt Hope Hospital.

St Louis, who was married to Portia St Louis, was well-loved by the athletes he coached.

"He had a very good relationship with them," Serrette explained. "As a former athlete, he was able to help motivate them, and calm some of them."

-Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

TRINIDAD AND Tobago swimmer George Bovell III, has expressed confidence and positivity en route to his recovery from recent injuries sustained in a vehicular accident.

“I’m just doing some maintenance work right now as I gear to pick back up my training fully and in a more intense fashion, hopefully by next week,” said the Olympic bronze medallist yesterday.

Bovell III reiterated his stance on upping his fitness levels as he rebuilds for rigorous training and pool regime.

“I have a cat-scan tomorrow but with no headaches, fatigue and numbness experienced recently, I expect the results to be good. I’m doing some light training currently as I want to keep my fitness levels intact. Pretty soon, I’ll have to raise the intensity once more. I’ve also been doing some light running but the stepping up of my training is essential.”

Bovell III also admitted that he feels the improvement in his body and reassured that he is close to returning to the swimmer he was prior to his layoff.

“I’m doing light pool training and working on my techniques to remain at a high level. Base-level fitness is a key factor right now despite not being able to conduct any heavy sprints or intense sessions. I’ve been also focussing on some long-ocean sprints as I build back up to raise my training scheme.”

With his impending return to gearing up for the 2012 London Olympics, Bovell III admitted, “I feel like my old self again. I feel much better. Once I restart my usual regime, by next week, I’ll be on my way to the top again.”

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

By Renaldo Matadeen

T&T women’s team volleyball player Darlene Ramdin had a team high 27 kills in a losing effort to Columbia University in the Columbia Invitational in New York. Columbia topped the St John’s Red Storm 25-18, 25-27, 21-25, 23-25, in the nightcap. After picking up a pair of wins, including the program’s 350th, on the opening day of the Columbia Invitational Friday, the St John’s volleyball team returned to action Saturday, but lost matchups against Iowa and Columbia to place third at the event. Iowa, who finished first at the tournament, defeated St John’s, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 18-25 and finished out its regular season tournament schedule with an 8-6 mark. Paulina Piegza added 24 kills for the Red Storm.

Forde double-double inspires FIU
Meanwhile, Junior Jovana Bjelica and redshirt junior Renele Forde of T&T each recorded double-doubles to lead Florida International University to a 25-10, 25-23, 26-24 victory over Florida A&M at US Century Bank Arena. It was the first double-double of the season for Forde, with a team-high 20 assists and ten digs on the day. Forde and her Panthers team then followed up with back-to-back wins over Jacksonville and University of Central Florida. The Panthers defeated Jacksonville 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 at the Towne Place Suites/UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida. with Forde registering 31 assists for a team-high. Against UCF, four Panthers reached the double-digit kill plateau as they bounced back from a 0-2 deficit to post a 23-25, 25-27, 26-24, 25-21, 17-15 win.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

September 23 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are set to look into the serious allegations made by BBC Newsnight that Azerbaijan has paid millions of dollars to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for two boxing gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

The accusations suggest that Ivan Khodabakhsh, the chief operating officer of the AIBA-owed competition Word Series Boxing (WSB), facilitated the payment from an individual in Azerbaijan of $9 million (£6 million/€7.5 million) to his organisation in exchange for the London 2012 gold medals.

AIBA President CK Wu had described the allegations are "totally untrue and ludicrous" but said that AIBA has a zero tolerance policy on corruption and that his organisation will conduct an immediate investigation into the allegations.

The move has been welcomed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who said they will be closely monitoring the situation.

"We welcome AIBA's announcement of an immediate enquiry into these claims and we await the outcome of their investigation," said the IOC Director of Communications Mark Adams.

"For its part the IOC takes all allegations of corruption very seriously and we would urge the BBC to make any evidence they have available to AIBA and to our Ethics Commission which will then determine if further action is necessary.

"We would also note that the judging process in boxing as in other sports at the Games are transparent and open to public scrutiny and a number of sports including boxing have made significant changes to their procedures in recent years to deal with any potential issues."

The allegations are a serious blow to Wu (pictured with Khodabakhsh), who is himself a senior IOC member with ambitions of succeeding current IOC President Jacques Rogge.

The Taiwanese was re-elected for a second-term as AIBA President in November last year and has been at pains to show that he has spent the last four years helping to clean up the sport following the controversial rule of former President Anwar Chowdhry of Pakistan.

Chowdhry was President of the AIBA from 1986 to 2006 before he was finally dethroned by Wu but he was plagued by after allegations of corruption throughout his time in charge and was banned for life by the organisation in 2008 shortly before he died of illness in 2010.

"I want you to know how much effort I put in to clean the house," Wu said.

"Four vice-presidents, a secretary general, six members of the executive committee, all expelled because of wrongdoing.

"Any corruption or manipulation is totally unacceptable.

"We have been cleaning the house for the last four years.

"I can guarantee you AIBA, like the other international federations, is fighting corruption."

A spokesperson for the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE), which is affiliated to AIBA, said: "We are surprised by the allegations.

"We support AIBA's zero tolerance position on corruption and its decision to hold an investigation."

The move also comes at the worst possible time for AIBA with the 2011 World Championships – the biggest competition in the sport outside the Olympics – set to take place here next week in the Azerbaijani capital.

The competition is a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games but the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) which manages the elite GB Boxing programme for the Olympic Games, said the allegations will have no bearing of the British fighters competing in Baku.

"Our boxers and coaches are focused solely on competing at the World Championships and will not allow this issue to distract their preparations," said a BABA spokesperson.

"The squad has performed very well in competitions in 2011 and aims to continue its excellent run."

Before the Championships begins next week, AIBA will host a scheduled an Extraordinary Congress ahead of the competition here tomorrow (September 24) which is now certaim to be dominated by these allegations.

The allegations are also set to overshadow Baku's bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun in Baku