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

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Jehue Gordon was named both Senior and Junior Male Athlete of the Year at the National Amateur Athletic Association’s (NAAA) awards ceremony at Crown Plaza on Saturday. Cleopatra Borel-Brown who had her best year ever, was the senior Female Athlete of the Year while Kais Selvon took the junior prize.

Nineteen-year-old Gordon won this country’s sixth world junior gold medal when he took the 400m hurdles in IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada in July and set new records in the 110 metres and 400m hurdles at the Carifta Games.  He also clocked the fifth fastest junior time ever of 48.47 seconds in Ponce, Puerto in May 8.

Shot putter Borel Brown had throws over 19 metres three times during the year,  each time with a new national record, eventually stopping at 19.30 metres. The 31-year-old became this country’s most successful female athlete at the Commonwealth Games where she copped silver in her pet event with 19.03 metres to add to the bronze she won in Melbourne Australia in 2006.

List of Awardees

– Senior Female Athlete -  Cleopatra Borel Brown
– Senior Male Athlete -  Jehue Gordon
– Junior Female Athlete - Kais Selvon (4th – women’s 200 at World Junior Champs)
– Junior Male - JehueGordon

Outstanding performances
– Kelly Ann Baptiste-(10.84 second -3rd best time for the year)
– Jehue Gordon-(48.47 seconds-world leading junior and fifth fastest junior performance/13.41-national junior record)
(Jamol James, Sabian Cox, Moriba Morain, Kevin Haynes, Shermund Allsop-World Junior -4x100 team )-39.72 secs.-3rd World Junior Champs)
(Rondel Sorillo, Mark Burns, Emmanuel Callender, Keston Bledman-CAC 4x100 team)-38.24 sec (games record)-1st  CAC Games
Rhonda Watkins-6.67m (CAC Games women’s long jump record)
Cleopatra Borel-Brown-19.30 metres (National women’s outdoor shot put record)
Hezekeil Romeo (17.46-National/CAC Junior Champs under 17 boy under 17 record).
Kenejah Williams- (14 year old. Medalled at Carifta Games)
Tonya Nero-(33 min 32 seconds-National women’s 10,000 metres record)
PilarMc Shine- (4 min 14.23 seconds-National women’s 1500m record)

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Source: www.reuters.com

Fifa President Sepp Blatter criticised the IOC on Friday while defending his own organisation against corruption allegations, saying that the Olympic body handles its finances "like a housewife."

Blatter, who has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1999, said Fifa was more transparent than the IOC, and he also backtracked on plans to create a new anti-corruption commission.

“Our accounts are open to everyone. ... We’ve (done) it since I’m the president. It wasn’t done before,”
Blatter said in Qatar, where he is attending the Asian Cup. “The IOC does it like a housewife. She receives some money and she spends some money.”
Blatter also said the IOC “has no transparency,” and that any transparency was left to the Olympic-sanctioned sports themselves.

“In the 115 members of the IOC, only 45 are directly linked to sport,” the Fifa president said. “All the others, the 70 members are individually appointed members. If you need to know where in the world you still have princes, princesses and kings, then you go the list of members of the IOC. You will find a lot of them.”

Reminded that Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein was elected as a Fifa vice president on Thursday, Blatter joked that “we can afford one.”

Blatter also described the IOC as “a club.”

In a statement to The Associated Press, the IOC responded to Blatter’s comments by saying its finances “are sound, professionally managed and transparent.”

The IOC said it has followed international financial reporting standards since 1998 and provided detailed statements to members - including Blatter — as well as a public report every two years.

“It is worth noting that more than 90% of the income received by the IOC is redistributed to the organising committees of the Olympic Games, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees,” the statement said.

Blatter’s criticism of the IOC is not likely to go down well, especially at a time when football’s governing body faces an IOC probe.

The IOC ethics commission is studying evidence provided by the BBC after it broadcast allegations that Fifa officials — some with Olympic connections — took kickbacks from the football body’s former marketing partner in the 1990s.

The BBC alleged that secret payments were received by three long-standing members of Fifa’s ruling committee, including African confederation president Issa Hayatou in 1995. Hayatou, from Cameroon, became an IOC member in 2001.

The program also alleged that kickbacks were paid to former Fifa President Joao Havelange. The 94-year-old Brazilian is the IOC’s longest-serving member with 47 years in the movement.

Blatter, however, said Fifa’s procedures for eradicating wrongdoing within the organisation “work well.”

He backtracked from the anti-corruption commission plan he floated just a few days ago, which he told a Swiss newspaper would improve Fifa’s credibility. Instead, he said the committee made up of “high level personalities in culture, economics and sport” would play more of an advisory role and would not replace the current ethics committee, which was created in 2006.

“The controversy started yesterday in the newspapers ... concerning an anti-corruption group is absolutely untrue,” Blatter said. “This has nothing to do with a new anti-corruption unit. We have an anti-corruption unit. This is the ethics committee of Fifa. This unit works well. Even we haven’t had any evidence of corruption but we have had evidence of noncompliance with the code of ethics. This has been the cases you know.”

Fifa has come under fire after several officials were accused of bribe-taking and vote-trading before the World Cup host elections last month. Russia was awarded the 2018 tournament and Qatar was given 2022.

Fifa’s ethics panel investigated and barred two of the 24-member executive committee members, Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii of Tahiti, from voting based on evidence provided from an undercover sting by British newspaper The Sunday Times.

Adamu became the first Fifa official suspended for bribery and is serving a three-year ban from duty. Temarii, a Fifa vice president, was given a one-year ban for breaching rules on confidentiality and loyalty.

Both men have said they will appeal their sentences.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Two schools in Trinidad and Tobago have been selected to take part in an exciting project with the BBC and British Council, in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Maraval RC Primary School and Belmont Boys’ RC Secondary have been chosen to take part in the World Olympic Dreams project, because one of their former pupils is Olympic hopeful, 400 metres hurdler, Jehue Gordon – whose story about his journey to the 2012 Games is being told by the BBC.

The BBC is featuring the stories of 26 Olympic hopefuls worldwide and 19 year old Jehue is the only athlete from Trinidad and Tobago to be featured.

The two local schools will be twinned with schools in the UK. Their twin schools will be selected from hundreds of schools in the UK that entered a national competition - the ‘Olympic Dreams School Search’ – to win a link with an aspiring Olympian’s school. Schools in 22 countries are involved in the project.

The twinned schools will be able to share and compare ideas and experiences online and, on occasion, in the BBC’s World Olympic Dreams broadcasts. The British Council – which connects classrooms around the world - will support them to work together and develop their partnerships throughout the lifetime of the project, through creative work inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Amanda Farnsworth, BBC London 2012 Project Executive said: “We want to put young people right at the heart of our coverage of London 2012 and this is a great way for schools to get involved and make an inspirational connection to other schools around the world.”

Olga Stanojlovic, Head of Schools at the British Council said: “Through this project we hope to inspire schools around the world to make valuable connections with one another – international partnerships that have the Olympic and Paralympic Values at their heart and give young people opportunities to develop the skills and inter-cultural understanding they need to live and work as global citizens.”

All the athletes featured can be found on the World Olympic Dreams website: www.bbc.co.uk/2012 and the schools they attended here: www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/WOD2.shtml . Audiences around the world can also follow the project on the BBC World Service and BBC World News.
Other schools in Trinidad and Tobago will be able to follow the progress of the project online. They can also find their own partner schools in the UK by signing up to Global Gateway www.globalgateway.org or by contacting the local Global School Partnerships Manager at kent.jardine@britishcouncil.org.tt.

The legendary Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” Last Wednesday at the T&T Olympic Committee’s Annual Awards Function, Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs gave the keynote address. His message was a profound one as he was open and honest about the role sport had played in his life. Mr Gibbs described himself as academically deficient and noted that he got into fights in the school yard before sport gave him a sense of purpose and positive focus.

He spoke from his heart and it was refreshing to see a Commissioner of Police come across as a human being who had to face his own struggles. It would be interesting to see what impact the depth of his feeling for sport and the role sport can play will have on the Police Sports Club and the Police youth groups. The use of those two arms of the Police Service as a means of community interaction could very well have a positive impact.

President of the Republic of T&T Professor George Maxwell Richards, patron of the TTOC, presented the Alexander B Chapman Award given to the person or organisation that has made significant contribution in the use of sport for social good. Rudolph Jack of Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club was the recipient of the award for his use of sport for good in the community of Train Line, Marabella. All present would have heard of the reality of the huge role that sport plays in teaching important life skills in a community facing daily challenges. It may be considered trivia but of the six awards presented by the TTOC, five went to individuals from South Trinidad. Of these five, three recipients hailed from the same club - St Michael’s Stingray Swimming Club.

Sportswoman of the Year Cleopatra Borrel Brown is from Mayaro, while Jack, Junior Sportsman of the Year Christian Homer, Junior Sportswoman of the Year Cherelle Thompson and Sports Personality of the Year Shanntol Ince are all from the South land. For many years South Trinidad has laboured in the vineyard of sport overshadowed by North Trinidad. It most certainly would not have been a criterion and is coincidental, but it is a fact that ought not to go unmentioned. There is a lot of great work taking place in San Fernando and South Trinidad. However, most of the National Sport Organisations (NSOs) find themselves stretched to the limit to allocate adequate resources to the efforts taking place in the area.
Congratulations to South Trinidad on taking home the lion’s share of the TTOC Awards. The New Year will present significant challenges for NSOs and many will have to make tough decisions.

A number of them are committed to bringing in foreign intellect and experience to build their high performance and national team programmes but the continuation of those initiatives is under threat.
There are a number of views but few sports in T&T have a track record of world class. The perspectives that inform decision making can sometimes be insular and short sighted. One thing that can be said is that those NSOs that are not clear about their vision, mission and purpose will spend the entire year in crisis management. NSOs should spend the first month of the New Year doing some urgent strategic rethinking. Times have changed and money is a scarce resource, as is the out of the box thinking that is required to navigate these treacherous waters.

Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the T&T Olympic Committee-www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

Jamaica hopes that it will be more than just Usain Bolt who strikes gold at London 2012 by launching a special programme which it thinks will boost trade between the Caribbean island and Britain in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) have partnered on the scheme - called Meet Jamaica in London 2012 - aimed at increasing the trade of Jamaican goods and services in the UK and wider European markets.

The new initiative, which has the backing of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, will feature a promotional programme of investment and trade missions, as well as consumer-oriented events that organisers hope will connect Jamaica and the UK.

The missions and events are scheduled to take place in London - home to the largest concentration of members of the Jamaican Disapora in the world - Coventry and Birmingham, the host city for the Jamaican Olympic team in the run-up to 2012.

Together, the three cities are home to over 65 per cent of the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK.

Six Jamaican firms either have bases in the UK or do substantial business in that country - the mobile-service providers, LIME and Digicel; the coffee producers, Jablum; the beer company, Red Stripe; the bakers, National Continental; the financial services group, Jamaica National Building Society.

Jamaica's athletes are among the best known in the world, particularly since Bolt's record-breaking runs in the 100 and 200 metres at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and last year's World Championships in Berlin.

Jamaican politicians have since then talked about translating the strong sporting brand to other enterprises, which is the basis of this project.

London offers a nostalgic platform from which to launch the venture - the island's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain and the city where Arthur Wint won the 400m at the 1948 Olympics to herald Jamaica's beginning as a global athletic power.

"We interpret this event of 2012 as a game changer," said Karl Samuda, Jamaica's Commerce and Investment Minister.

"This is the time for Jamaica to unleash all that we have been talking about all these years."

Jancia Bennett Templer, the President of JAMPRO, said: "The main objective of this national promotion is to leverage Brand Jamaica against the background of the country's participation in the Olympic Games in 2012."

Among the proposals are a Jamaican theme park that will be established in Birmingham, where Bolt and his team-mates will be based before heading to London for the Games.

"The international attention focused on Jamaica because of the outstanding performances of our sportsmen and sportswomen at the Beijing Olympics provides us with the captive audience which will be yearning to eat, drink and wear anything Jamaican," said Joseph Matalon, President of the PSOJ.

He said: "The Olympics 2012 presents a great nexus between sports, culture, business and our great Jamaican brands."

Companies with strategic interests in the UK and European markets have committed to work with JAMPRO, the PSOJ, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, and the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), to achieve the objectives of the Meet Jamaica in London 2012 initiative.

The launch event also included a video documentary in which JAAA President, Howard Aris, explored the country's Olympic achievements from London in 1948 through to the Beijing Games, with a look ahead to London 2012.

"All of us at the JAAA are committed to rally behind Brand Jamaica in all its forms, as we invite the rest of the world to meet Jamaica in London," said Aris.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange has endorsed the promotion in a video message.

"In 2012, Jamaica will also celebrate 50 years of independence," she said.

"And we intend to paint Kingston, London and the rest of the world in black, green and gold, as we showcase our culture and heritage and invite the world to the Great Jamaican homecoming."

Michael Romany, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has extended his organization’s condolences to the family and friends of Sir Ellis Clarke, the first President of Trinidad and Tobago. Sir Ellis, who was one of the main architects of the 1962 Independence Constitution served as President from 1976 – 1987.  He was appointed Governor General by Her Majesty in 1972 and assumed duties in 1973. Upon proclamation of the Republican status on September, 1976, the post of Governor General became obsolete. Sir Ellis became the first President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

As Governor General and President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago he served as the patron of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee. Romany said that the passing of Sir Ellis is the end of an era.
“Sir Ellis made a significant contribution to Trinidad and Tobago. His integrity and deep love and commitment for his country stood out, he will always remain an iconic role model for all who considered themselves patriots. His passing is a sad loss to the country. His legacy will endure the passage of time. He was also very supportive of sport. On behalf of the TTOC I extend deepest condolences to his family.”

Michael Larry Romany
President, TTOC

On Wednesday night the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee held its 17th Annual Awards Function at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port of Spain. The gala event under the Patronage of His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards TC, CMT, Ph.D. and Dr. Jean RamJohn Richards honoured the outstanding achievers in Olympic Sports and Olympism for the year 2010.

The first Annual Awards Ceremony was held at the Crown Life Building on St. Vincent Street in 1994. The event has grown in stature and prestige over the years. This would not have been possible without the support of all our stakeholders. The TTOC is deeply appreciative and acknowledges this support.

The TTOC takes this opportunity to extend thanks to the media for their presence at the Annual Awards Ceremony and their support during the year 2010. The media plays an invaluable role in the success of the TTOCs Programmes and initiatives.

On behalf of the Executive Committee and Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, I extend congratulations and best wishes to the recipients of the 2010 Annual Awards. I also take this opportunity to wish Trinidad and Tobago a Happy New Year.

Michael Larry Romany
President

Ms. Cherelle Thompson – Aquatics
TTOC Junior Sportswoman of the Year for outstanding achievement in competition during the year by an individual under the age of twenty (20) years.

Mr. Christian Homer – Aquatics
Sportsman of the Year for outstanding achievement in competition during the year by an individual under the age of twenty (20) years.

Ms. Shanntol Ince - Aquatics
TTOC Sports Personality of the Year for an individual (Coach, player or administrator) whose contribution during the year pivotal to the outstanding sporting achievements of an affiliate.

Mrs. Cleopatra Borel Brown – Track and Field
TTOC Sportswoman of the Year for outstanding achievements in competition during the year.

Mr. Roger Daniel – Shooting
TTOC Sportsman of the Year for outstanding achievements in competition during the year.

Mr. Rudolph Jack
The Alexander B. Chapman Award for an outstanding contribution to Sport and Olympism, particularly in the promotion of Olympic ideals.

Paralympic swimmer: I can achieve anything

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

By Keino Swamber South Bureau

PAUL Ince and his wife, Tracey James-Ince, were devastated when, 15 years ago, she gave birth to a child whose right leg was shorter than the left.

In fact, so distraught was Ince when he first saw his daughter that he cursed the doctors and even cursed God. He could not fathom the thought of his daughter, whom they named Shanntol, facing a life of ridicule.

However, it did not take the Inces very long to realise they were blessed with a gem.

Today, Shanntol is a national swimmer who, on Wednesday, was named Sports Personality of the Year by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.

Shanntol created history by becoming this country's first Paralympic athlete to compete at a Commonwealth Games.

While dad has only travelled as far as Tobago, daughter travelled all the way to New Delhi, India, in October, finishing fifth in the Para Sport 50 metres freestyle and sixth in both the Para Sport 100 metres freestyle and the Para Sport 100 metres butterfly.

About her daughter's achievements to date, James-Ince yesterday told the Express she feels great.

"I always told Shanntol not to see her situation as a disability but as an ability," James-Ince said.

"It never kept her back from anything. We took it hard at first. We didn't exactly know how to get through having a baby born with a disability. We were frightened and there were people who would tell us don't allow her to do certain things or don't allow her to go to certain places. We started going to church and after that, it was easy."

The first of five children, Shanntol started swimming at the age of four while at kindergarten.

"We had people telling us don't let her to swim because people will watch her foot. But we couldn't see what other sport she could have gotten involved in at that point. She started and the instructor realised that she was doing well and he suggested that she get started in competitive swimming."

Shanntol, a Form Four pupil, attends the Gasparillo Secondary School.

"I feel really blessed to know I have achieved so much," Shanntol said yesterday.

"I know I could not have done it without my faith in God, the T&T Olympic Committee, the T&T Paralympic Committee, my club Petrotrin Barracudas, my coach Ralph Yearwood, friends, family and church."

Shanntol said she was determined to prove to others that people with disabilities could achieve anything they set their minds to and be the best at what they do. Her career goal is to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

"I found an interest in bones and the way they develop. Not only because of my leg, but just to try and help other people as well. As for swimming, I am concentrating right now on getting to the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and even winning a medal."

Her advice to other young people facing similar challenges is to put God first in everything they do.

"Don't think of your situation as a setback or something bad. Think of it as a challenge to get to somewhere greater than where you are right now."

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Written by Nicholas Clarke

T&T Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year Roger Daniel has dedicated his award to his late mentor and former T&T Rifle Association Public Relations Officer Lloyd Henry, who passed away this month at the age of 77.  Daniel, who was presented with the honour at the committee’s annual award ceremony at the National Academy for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, credited Henry with introducing him to shooting and being instrumental in his success. “The news of his passing really hurt,” he said. “He was a father figure and mentor to a lot of us in the sport. He was the one who was pushing us all the time. This is the first time that shooting has won this award and we owe it to him.”  “Mr Henry was the first person I met the first time I went to the [Robert Johnson] shooting range in Chaguaramas in 2001. There was a competition going on that day and he told me what to do, how to hold the pistol, and I ended up winning.”

Daniel’s achievements in 2010 included winning silver (Individual Contest) and bronze (50m Standard Pistol Pairs) medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in October, a gold (25m Standard Pistol) and bronze (50m Air Pistol) at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico in July and a bronze (25m Standard Pistol) at the Championship of the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November. The T&T Defence Force corporal added that it had been a difficult task to balance his workload but that the rewards were well worth it. “It felt great to be given this honour after all the work I put in this year. It was a challenge to blend sport and promotions classes at the same time and having to take time off to compete at international events but all of those moments really lifted me. It was a great year for our sport.”

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Written by Nicholas Clarke

Shot putter Cleopatra Borrel Brown was thrilled to be named Sportswoman of the Year by the T&T Olympic Committee for the third time in five years at its Annual Award Ceremony at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday night. Borrel Brown, also a recipient in 2006 and 2007, became the first local woman to medal twice at the Commonwealth Games when she copped a silver at the event in India in October. She also broke the national record three times and won the gold at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico in July. Speaking to the media after the ceremony, the 31-year-old said that considering the achievements of others such as Kelly Ann Baptiste and Annie Alexander, it was an honour to be chosen for the award.

“There were a lot of great performances by our athletes this year and I feel blessed and humbled to have won this award. It was awesome to be recognised. When you’re out there actually putting in the work, sometimes it’s a little lonely and you wonder if you should be spending you’re life doing this. So it will definitely give me a boost going into the next year.” Borrel Browne added that the past 12 months had been a period of growth and that she was looking forward to continuing her development in 2011. “I’ve put in a lot of work this year and restructured my training and it really paid off. I became more of an independent athlete, training on my own a lot more than I used to.

“I’m still advised by my coach but I’ve mostly taken my training it into my own hands. I kind of just do what I want. Based on this year, I can really work on the things that I’ve learned and try to get better at doing the things that I do well. I am having fun and I want to keep going.” The Mayaro native was also given the equivalent award by the First Citizens Sports Foundation in 2002 and 2007 and is a leading contender for the 2010 honour which will be announced at the same venue on February 9. Meanwhile Sports Personality of the Year Shanntol Ince, who became the first paralympic athlete from T&T to compete at a Commonwealth Games this year, said that she hoped her success in 2010 to be a platform for further things. “It felt really great to know that all my hard work had paid off,” she said. “2011 will be preparation for 2012; training, working hard, eating right, and doing well at various competitions.”

...Borel-Brown just wants to have fun

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

By Kern De Freitas

Having shot his way to the Sportsman of the Year title for 2010 at Wednesday night's Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) awards, T&T Defence Force marksman Roger Daniel has already set his sights on Olympic qualification in 2011.

Daniel, the all-round sportsman who has had his hands in everything from badminton to hockey, feels he is on target to secure early qualification.

"In terms of training I would say (I am) roughly 80-85 per cent (ready for the qualifiers), almost there," Daniel told the media after receiving the TTOC award. "We don't want to peak, we just want to go and qualify and get the work done."

He is targeting the World Games, which will mean automatic qualification for the 2012 London Olympics.

"They deemed it open, so once you get in there and qualify it's straight into the Olympics," the shooter explained.

"We also have Pan American Games, that's the qualifier for us, so we're looking to make our mark and go out and represent (T&T)."

Daniel said he was "honoured" to pick up the TTOC award for all his "hard work".

The experience, he hopes, will serve him well in the coming months.

"This year was actually like an evaluation to let you know where you're at and how much work you need to do. So I'm using it as an evaluation for myself and see where I need added growth to go and work on it."

The night's other big winner, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Cleopatra Borel-Brown, feels "blessed" to have picked up the Sportswoman of the Year prize.

"There were lots of great performances by a lot of (other) athletes this year, so I'm really humbled and happy to have won this award," Borel-Brown said.

The award was a big "boost" to the world-class shot putter.

"It was really awesome to be recognised," Borel-Brown related. "I mean when you're out there putting in the work, sometimes it feels a little lonely, sometimes you wonder if people realise that I'm out here doing this so to get a boost to go into next year, it's nice to be recognised at the end this year. "

At 31, Borel-Brown has little thought of retiring from the sport.

"Not right now. I'm having fun, I'm doing well, so I want to keep going."

Although her performance at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year was hardly inspiring, Borel-Brown more than made up for it at the Commonwealth Games in India.

"The Commonwealth Games was a highlight performance because I represented Trinidad and Tobago there. Things really started changing at the CAC Games, so that was a highlight, and then I went to London and threw 19 metres, so that was really cool."

Borel-Brown explained that she is now much more of an "independent athlete" as she trains mostly on her own in Baltimore, Maryland, with some advice from her coach. Her aim is to just keep on improving.

"I think based on this year," Borel-Brown declared, "I can really build on the things that I learnt and try to get better at doing the things that I do well, and just keep having fun for next year."

Source : www.trinidadexpress.com

By Kern De Freitas

A steady 2010 and strong Commonwealth Games India helped Defence Force marksman Roger Daniel and shot putter Cleopatra Borel-Brown to the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee's (T&TOC) Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards, respectively.

The National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) at Queen's Park West, Port of Spain, was the venue for the TTOC's end-of-year awards ceremony, themed "Celebrating Success".

And there was a lot to celebrate. Daniel, T&T's top pistol and rifle shooter for a number of years, bagged bronze in the men's 50-metre team rifle competition and then silver in the 50-metre pistol event.

He also added Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games 25m standard pistol gold and 50m pistol silver to his trophy shelf.

Borel-Brown started off the year slowly, but sprung to life with CAC Games gold and threw the iron ball more than 19 metres at both the Aviva London Grand Prix in London and the Weltklasse Zurich competition in Switzerland.

She ended a "good year", said Borel-Brown, with Commonwealth Games shot put silver.

Christian Homer, who had a great year in swimming that culminated with Youth Olympic Games gold in Singapore, was the TTOC Junior Sportsman of the Year, while Junior Sportswoman of the Year was Cherelle Thompson, who reached the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games, finals of the CAC Games and competed at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Dubai earlier this month.

The Sport Personality of the Year award went to young Shanntol Ince, the first Paralympic athlete to represent T&T at the Commonwealth Games, while the Alexander B Chapman Award for outstanding contribution to Sport and Olympism was presented to Rudolph Jack, founder and president of Marabella-based Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club.

During his feature speech, Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs related his experiences as a young man, stating that sport played a big part in him becoming who he is today.

"Without these sporting moments," Gibbs recalled, "my path may have been very different. Although I came from a nurturing and caring family, as a child I was constantly involved in fights, wasn't very interest in school."

Gibbs, an avid triathlete, said sport allowed him to "positively harness my energies and direct them into opportunities that propelled me to greater heights".

He added that this gave him a sense of purpose, self-worth and self-esteem.

It also allowed him to make friends with like-minded youngsters.

"When we saw what we could do, it inspired us," he said. Gibbs added that the T&T Police Service is trying to engage young people, especially in the high-risk crime areas, to develop more positive pursuits, using sport as one of the tools to offer them an alternative to a life of crime.

Also addressing the athletes on the night was Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts, who lauded the winners for their contributions to T&T sport in 2010. Coincidentally, Roberts said, he had a hand in training swimmers Homer, Thompson and Ince.

He painted a picture of driven professionals who prepared well and put their best into the sport, for which they were now reaping rewards.

He also singled out George Bovell III for honourable mention, praising him for choosing to "localise it" by returning home to train in T&T.

Roberts said although he was not satisfied with fourth place in the 100-metre individual medley at the World Short Course Championships, it was Bovell's business-like approach that got him ready for the event in four short months of training.

The Minister of Sport, in his trademark, voluble style, even offered to fire himself "for free" as coach—to much laughter--if Bovell's results in the water did not improve.

He also added that unlike NAPA, which was a world-class facility with little functional use, the Government will build venues that will benefit youth, sport and culture in the long run.

Before Gibbs and Roberts took to the podium, T&T Olympic Committee president Larry Romany advised young athletes how important a balance of education and sport was.

Education, Romany pointed out, helped open opportunities to the youth, while sport created that balance.

Those involved in sport, Romany said, tended to be more well-rounded individuals and performed better in their all-round lives.

The Alexander B Chapman award is given to an individual or organization who made a significant impact in people lives through sport.This concept is in accord with the fundamental principles of Olympism and the Olympic movement.
Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union(TTRFU) president Leslie Figaro believes that the Alexander B Chapman Award given to Rudolph Jack, founder and president of Rainbow Sport and Cultural Club should be an inspiration to other rugby playing  clubs  to adopt a more community oriented approach.
 
The Marabella based organization participates in both the TTRFU championship and senior division league competitions .On Wednesday night at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) Annual Awards function held at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain Jack was named as this year's Alexander B Chapman winner.
 
The Award is for outstanding contribution to Sport and Olympism, particularly in the promotion  of the Olympic  ideals. It recognizes achievements and a long period or a lifetime of service to sport.
 
'"Rudolph and his organization has  made a significant contribution to the Train Line ,Marabella community. His use of sports such as rugby, basketball and football is well documented. It is a 25 year effort aimed at  making a positive impact on the lives of the children and youth living on the Train Line. His integration of  sport and culture as a means of building positive community interaction assume greater significance when one considers the challenges of crime and at risk behaviour. I extend to Rudolph my sincerest congratulations." said Figaro.
 

Rudolph Jack,founder and president of  Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club received  the Alexander B Chapman Award  from his Excellency, Professor George Maxwell Richards,President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) Annual Award function held  at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port- of- Spain last night. A large gathering of local sports personalities,Government Ministers,Diplomats and dignitaries attended the gala event.
 
The attendees included,Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts , Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh , Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadar,Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Orville London , Independent Senator Elton Prescott, Secretary General of the St Vincent and Grenadines National Olympic Committee and Hasely Crawford 1976 Olympic 100 m gold medalist.Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs gave the feature address.The event was broadcast live on CNC 3 TV and radio i95.5 FM.
 
Speaking to the TTOC website an emotional Jack said that he was surprised by the announcement but humbly accepted it on behalf of  Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club and the community known as the Train line in Marabella.
 
"The award is recognition for the message that sport can make a difference . The effort to keep the youth of the community away from the ills of crime and the hopelessness of  a hungry belly has been at times a depressing and  frustrating experience. I don't want on this special  occasion to sound bitter and resentful. It is an honour  to receive the award and be congratulated personally by the President of my country words cannot express how I feel.The recognition  is one of the highpoints of my life.For two decades and a half we have tried to make a difference. The daily struggle for survival at times compromised our positive message. We survive on our creativity and self belief that what we are doing is right.But Jah knows it  not  easy. While others battle for medals and glory.Ours is a  life and death one  failure has consequences for a young man  or girl, a family ,a community  and society." said Jack
 
The Tobago born 56 year old Rastafarian came to Trinidad at age 4 years and lived at Battoo Boulevard,Marabella with his single mother  and siblings.He attended Marabella Boys Anglican but left school at age 14 years after failing Common Entrance .
 
" My father died when I  was one year old. My mother had it real real hard. We moved to  the Train Line when I was  9 years. From the age of 16 years I hustled a living on the streets.I  was no saint  when you are young and running with the gang you allow resentment ,anger and hate to fill your mind and heart. My wake up call happened in 1988  when I avoided an attempted murder charge . I made a vow to almighty Jah that I would devote my energies to shepherding the youth of the Train Line away from a life of crime. "
 
For Jack  sport remained a mainstay. As a young man he  participated in Village Sports and started playing rugby at age 22  with All Blacks in Marabella.He Founded Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club in 1985. and is employed  at  WASA as a handy man.
 
"The work we [Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club] do  is real.Giving up is easy.  I may not drive a Mercedes Benz or live in a palace. Some people see my hairstyle ,rough manner and  my address .They judge and condem on that basis.Others remain prisoners of my past. Listen,I have ten children-five boys and five girls- and  value their safety and quality of life  like any other parent. I hurt when I see,smell and hear  every day  the pain of poverty and badness. But let me say this. While it is easy  for the haves to point at the  youth man with a gun and anger in his heart. The real perpetrators in collar and tie with  their brief cases and pen operate with impunity and respectability.They are more dangerous  for they kill with the stroke of a pen or the utterance of a word.The ghetto youth are just pawns and small fry. But say what I will not surrender. Sport and play is common to all children it matters not where they are from or how rich or poor.I know sport can make a positive difference.It brings a smile and a joy to replace the tears and pain."
 
 
The TTOC Alexander B Chapman Award is for outstanding contribution to Sport and Olympism,particularly in the promotion of Olympic ideals.
It recognizes achievements or contributions in any Sport by a person or by individuals acting jointly or an organization,group or team ,which epitomizes all or any of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism as found in the Olympic Charter.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt 

Written by Nicholas Clarke

Shooter Roger Daniel and shot putter Cleopatra Borel Brown were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively during the T&T Olympic Committee’s Annual Awards Ceremony at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain last night. Also recognised were swimmers Christian Homer (Junior Sportsman of the Year), Cherelle Thompson (Junior Sportswoman of the Year) and paralympic swimmer Shanntol Ince (Sports Personality of the Year). The Alexander B. Chapman Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport went to Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club founder Rudolph Jack.

Daniel won two medals (silver and bronze) at the Commonwealth Games in India in October. First, he teamed up with Rhodney Allen to grab bronze in the 50m Standard Pistol pairs event, and returned later to just miss out on gold in the Individual Contest. Earlier in the year he won two medals at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico; a gold in the 25m Standard Pistol and bronze in the 50m. Borrel Brown was also among the medals in India, grabbing silver in the Women’s Shot Put, to become the first local woman to win more than one medal at the quadrennial Games. She also broke the national record three times during the year and won the gold medal at the CAC Games.

Homer took part in the inaugural youth Olympics in Singapore where he won a gold medal to become the first athlete from T&T to win a medal at the Games. Thompson set a new Girls 15-17 50m Freestyle record at the ASATT Open National Short Course Championships in October, was a finalist at the CAC Games, a semifinalist at the Commonwealth Games in India and represented T&T the FINA World Swimming Championships in Dubai. Ince became the first Paralympic athlete from T&T to compete at a Commonwealth Games in October. She went on to finish fifth in the Para Sport 50m Freestyle and sixth in both the Para Sport 100m Freestyle and the Para Sport 100m Butterfly.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Things That Matter Column

Crime and lawlessness dominates. There is a pessimistic and hopeless attitude pervading every nook and cranny of our society. Christmas weekend conversations surrounded the questions: “what the France is going on in T&T” and “how are we going to get out of the perceived morass of crime and lawlessness.” Some feel that populist utterances give the impression that legalising lawlessness is the priority of the day. Trying to relax and enjoy sorrel, ginger beer, pastelles and good Trini ole talk and humour was not easy. There were concerns about reaching home safely; fear of what one would meet on returning home, the breathalyser- even though ginger beer and black cake ought not to result in an appearance before a magistrate. There was an atmosphere of foreboding. “Reach home safe “was uttered more like a desperate and pleading prayer rather than a blessing.

How did we arrive from food filled, free spirited, loving, parang and Christmas carol merriment to this point and why do we appear  unable to do anything about it? In this context it was such a delight to hear that Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II used her Christmas Day message to highlight the importance of sport in building communities, creating harmony and the important role that volunteers play. Her message touched on how sport can be used to encourage the development of vital social skills. Such an influential endorsement is timely. One can but hope that  other world,national,hemispheric and regional leaders are encouraged and moved to place a higher value on the benefits of sport. Regardless of how you look at it, life is about personal relationships, about people working together. To do so effectively require a shared interest, a common bond—these are what sport provides.

Recently I read a perspective by John Maxwell. He asked this question: Once you’ve learned something, do you have a heart to share it with others, or do you hold it for yourself? He sought to differentiate between success and significance. Maxwell quoted Rusty Rustenbach: “You and I live in an age when only a rare minority of individuals desire to spend their lives in pursuit of objectives which are bigger than they are. In our age, for most people, when they die it will be as though they never lived.” He espoused key differences between success and significance—with success, motives may be selfish; with significance, motives cannot be selfish. Significance and selfishness are incompatible. Motives matter because: Selfish people seldom find significance. The other is focus-Success asks, “How can I add value to myself?” Significance asks, “How can I add value to others?” Then there is reward-If you pursue success, your joy is the result of your success; if you pursue significance, your joy is the result of others’ success.

The values of sport; tolerance, excellence, fair play, resilience, determination, discipline, non-discrimination, teamwork seem to be the values most of our citizens are clamouring for. Olympism is a philosophy that seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. The goal of Olympism is to place everywhere sport at the service of the harmonious development of mankind, with a view to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. Maybe, just maybe, if in 2011 sport got a chance to make a positive difference many, not all, but many of those troublesome youths could find a constructive channel for their energy and passion. Maybe through sport some, not all, but some could be encouraged and inspired to strive for significance. God Bless the Queen for understanding and appreciating Sport and its values.

NOTE: Brian Lewis is the honorary secretary general of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee-www.ttoc.org.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Things That Matter Column written by Brian Lewis

There are a couple things we need to keep foremost in our minds when we talk, think or discuss sport—it could be sport in T&T or international sport. What we see on TV and read in the media and internet is 90 per cent professional sport. Professional sport is or should never be considered a reflection of sport on the whole. Nowhere in the world will grassroots sport develop without dedicated volunteers. Amateur sport remains a reality and will not survive without a base of volunteers willing to commit their skill, knowledge, time, energy and money. There are individuals who have a passion, love and desire to give back to their country, society and community through sport. In the past those individuals were plentiful in T&T.

As we celebrate the season of goodwill, and for Christians the birth of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, a Christmas wish and prayer would be for a huge influx of gift wrapped volunteers.The concept of professionalisation and commercialisation of sport cannot be taken out of context.

Taking solutions from other countries without a clear appreciation and understanding of the realities, strengths and weaknesses inherent and apparent without first putting in place the foundation and infrastructure that supports professional and commercial sport is akin to a death wish. At this time T&T lacks the culture, facilities and market orientation required to sustainably support a commercial sport sector. This is not to say that sport cannot be efficiently and effectively managed and administrated. It can and should be. The mistake that must not be made is adopting a commercial mindset without the enabling infrastructure and systems. There is the potential to build a vibrant sport business—in particular sport tourism—sector.

However, there are few sports that can meet commercial prerequisites. Sport administrators must therefore objectively look at the realities of their respective sports. Third world and developing countries require a dedicated Government policy that will facilitate sport and professional sport. The challenge is that many third world governments seem to orient to the view that facilitating sport means controlling sport, and the decision making and election process within sport. A problematic situation when the tendency of the international governing bodies is to frown upon government interference. It therefore requires a mature, sincere and honest approach to the issue. Don’t for one second sit on your arm chair and assume that it is simple. It is not! A critical ingredient for viable and sustainable professional sport is television and media. There is not one media house in T&T fully committed to sport. The sport department and journalists are usually not well resourced.

Without television revenue opportunities, professional sport will be a bust. Professional sport requires spectators. T&T supports events not sport. The people who support sport are those who play sport. T&T is not the UK or USA where attending supporting sport is part of the cultural and national DNA. Any move to a professional sport environment must make sense. Otherwise nonsense will result and hard lessons will be learned. The victims as always will be the athletes and the youth. Christmas is the season of goodwill and an opportunity for those who believe that negativity and fighting personal battles are the only way to function in life, to adopt a new way of thinking and behaving. We live in a beautiful country with wonderful citizens. This Christmas let us dedicate ourselves to advocate for what we want and to be the change we want to see. Let us not allow the minority and the miscreants to spoil our beautiful country and quality of life. Remember keep Christ in Christmas. Let moderation be your watchword. There is a morning after.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Brian Lewis is the honorary secretary general of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.The views expressed are not necessarily those of the T&TOC.

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Fatima are the “Kings” of the Digicel Schools Rugby League. The Mucurapo Boys were crowned champions in both the Under-17 and Under-14 Divisions, whipping Tranquillity 20-10 and Belmont 13-10 respectively in the finals last Saturday on its grounds in Mucurapo. In the Under-14 Division final, Fatima was quickly into stride and some good ball movement saw Kevin Jardine kick a drop goal for the first score, giving his team a 3-0 lead.

Belmont player Shaquille Dyte intercepted the Fatima attack ball and ran the length of the field to give Belmont the lead of 5-3.  The tables seemed to turn as Belmont became the aggressors as Fatima held on for the half-time whistle.  On the resumption, the Belmont players started where they left off, applying pressure to Fatima which again resulted in a try scored by Shaquille Dyte, widening Belmont’s lead to 10-3.

This seemed to spur Fatima on and as time wore down the homesters pressed hard for that equalising try which came as Kevin Jardin scored. The try was converted by captain Kareem James. With minutes to go, both teams pushed for the winner and it came off the boot of Kevin Jardine, his second drop goal of the game just clearing the uprights and putting Fatima ahead. Against Tranquillity in the higher division, Fatima went out with revenge on their minds and scored the first points of the match off the boot of Adam Camacho with a drop goal.

Fatima scored again with a brilliant piece of skill by William Edghill stepping through two Tranquillity players and showing his speed to score directly under the posts, as Christian Chin coveted the try, giving Fatima a lead of 10-0. Tranquillity picked up the tempo and showed why they were unbeaten during the season to score through Argus Des Vignes as the first half came to an end.

Early in the second half Tranquility broke the defence on the wing with Marlon Browne showing his speed to score under the uprights. With the game tied, Tranquillity seemed to have the edge with their pace, as Fatima had to put in a lot of cover defensive tackles to keep the score level.  Then with time running out, Ross Navarro stepped up to intercept the ball to take Fatima into the lead and Adam Camacho duly converted the resulting try. As Tranquillity tried for an equaliser, they gave away a penalty which Christian Chin dispatched to push the score and seal the win for Fatima.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt   

Things That Matter Column

At the beginning of the year there would have been high expectations for T&T national senior teams in a number of team sports. However, most national senior representatives underperformed. There were some exceptions but disappointment was the order of the day. Why was there lack of proper preparation and why did the national sport organisations (NSOs) fail to provide their national teams with all that was needed? Or was it just a case of shirking responsibility? Even where success occurred at the regional level, national team sports failed to make the next step up in class. It is accepted that team sports are an expensive proposition especially if the intention is to achieve success at the international level. The bill can run into millions. There are some who hold the view that it is more cost effective to channel funding into individual sports where the chances of success are more likely.

Is the answer as simple as that? Maybe it is? In the current environment where there are economic challenges, the reality is that sport is not a priority on the national agenda and government policy.

Funding sport is low down the totem pole. Forget the rhetoric; try arguing a case for sport as against crime, health and education. You will get run out of town. Intelligent people don’t discuss sport and recreation in the same sentence with the economy and finance. Right now high expectations seem to have quickly faded. One gets the sense that Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Anil Roberts, is under siege and operating with his hands firmly tied behind his back. This is not to suggest that sport should not be asked to make sacrifices. In difficult economic times all areas of national life must share the burden. But, it is hard not to feel that sport is made to carry a greater than necessary share of the burden.

Against such a background it is unrealistic and unreasonable to expect any of the team sports to achieve elite level performance targets on a shoe string budget. It cannot be done, not in the modern world of international sport. No amount of shuffling of the coaching deck of cards and players will help. Okay, so where are we? Sometimes, it may be better if we just admit that achieving sporting success is not a national priority. If we get it, great. Someone else can pay the bill but, T&T’S objective is not to be recognised as a sporting nation. Oil and gas, academic, health, technology, carnival capital but certainly not sport. Forget all the ole talk about what sport can do - the positive impact on healthy lifestyles, at risk youth, crime, communities, and social and civic pride. Forget that nonsense, Sport is simply a bunch of idle individuals indulging in a pastime. If they want to better themselves let them do it on their own and with their own money. There will always be people who prefer to sit and suffer in silence. Fire the coach and drop the players. It is nothing but a merry go round. As the iconic poet Bob Marley sang:

“Man to man is so unjust, Ya don't know who to trust, Your worst enemy could be your best friend, and your best friend your worse enemy.Some will hate you, pretend they love you now then behind they try to eliminate you hypocrites and parasites will come up and take a bite. And if your night should turn to day a lot of people would run away…”

One can have great sympathy for T&T Ministers of Sport; they constantly have to fight an uphill battle and lack of respect for what should be an integral aspect of culture and national life.

NOTE: Brian Lewis is the honorary secretary general of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee-www.ttoc.org.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

Sepp Blatter, president of football’s world governing body FIFA, yesterday rejected allegations of corruption and accused England of being "bad losers" after the award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
 
England lost out in the race for the 2018 tournament last Thursday after gathering only two of 22 first-preference votes of the FIFA Executive Committee.
Over the weekend acting English Football Association chairman Roger Burden withdrew his application for the permanent post over England's World Cup bid failure, saying "the role entails liaising with FIFA and I want nothing more to do with them."
"To be honest, I was surprised by all the English complaining after the defeat," Blatter told Swiss weekly magazine Weltwoche in an interview published today. "England, of all people, the motherland of fair play ideas.
"Now some of them are showing themselves to be bad losers. You can't come afterwards and say so and so promised to vote for England. The results are known. The outcome came out clearly."
"There is no systematic corruption in FIFA. That is nonsense," he added. "We are financially clean and clear."