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

may.23.2008

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)president Larry Romany believes that recent revelations in the Trevor Graham trail will benefit track and field and the Olympic Games.

Romany said the truth coming out will level the playing field for the athletes training and competing without performance-enhancing drugs.

"For years the sense was that drug cheats were getting away.It made things difficult for those who were drug free.The IAAF and USA Track and field must take a hard look at themselves given the scale of the problem" said Romany

Antonio Pettigrew admitted Thursday in federal court that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 1997 to 2001, when he was one of the world’s top 400-meter runners.

Testifying at the trial of his former longtime coach, Trevor Graham.

Pettigrew, 40, has never tested positive for drugs, but he admitted that he used human growth hormone to become stronger and took the blood-boosting drug EPO to improve his endurance.

He was part of the 4x400 relay team that won the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

After Pettigrew testified, Jerome Young, another member of the championship relay team testified that he used EPO from 1999 until 2003. He said Graham had given him some of the drug and told him to inject it in his stomach.

Young was barred from the sport for life in 2004 for doping offenses. His ban was retroactive to June 1999, and he was forced to give up his 2000 Olympic gold medal in the 4x400 relay.

In December, the International Olympic Committee stripped Jones of her five Olympic medals, wiping her name from the record books after her admission that she was a drug cheat.Jones was also coached by Graham.

may.29.2008

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will take place in Beijing, China from 8 to 24 August, 2008.
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) is holding a Youth Art Competition to acknowledge the occasion.
The slogan of the Beijing Olympics is“ONE WORLD ONE DREAM” has been chosen as the theme of the Competition.
The aim of the Competition is to have participants gain knowledge of the Olympic ideals and be encouraged to use them as guidelines in their daily life.

The Art competition is Organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee in collaboration with The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago and The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS)and is sponsored by Guardian Life of the Caribbean

GUIDELINES FOR “ONE WORLD ONE DREAM” Olympic Art competition:

1. Paintings/drawings may be submitted in one of three age groups 6 to 10; 11 to 15 and 16 to 19 years of age
2. The minimum sizes of entries are as follows: a. 6 to 10 years: 12 inches by 15 inches b. 11 to 15 years: 17 inches by 22 inches c. 16 to 19 years: 17 inches by 22 inches
3. Materials to be used: coloured crayons, watercolours, acrylic paint, pastels, pencils or charcoal N.B. In addition to the above entrants in the 6 to 10 years category may also use wax crayons
4. Name and age of the artist together with the name of the composition must be inserted on the front of a foolscap sheet of paper
5. Postal addresses, Email addresses and telephone numbers must be included

Entries must be received by 10 July 2008

AWARDS

1. First prize in each age group - Laptop computer
2. Second prize in each age group - IPOD
3. Third prize in each age group – DVD player
4. Highly commended in each group – 2 GB Flash drive

Each participant will receive a token to commemorate Beijing 2008.

Prize winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held on 7 August 2008. All prize winners will be invited to attend the Ceremony.

For further information telephone the TTOC office ; 625-1285 or 625-4380

ENTRIES MUST BE SENT TO:
Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee
63 Dundonald Street
Port of Spain

jun.02.2008

jun.02.2008

The visit of the England football team and the tremendous response from the public confirms yet again the potential of football ,in particular, and sport on a whole to unite the nation commented T&T Pro league chairman Larry Romany.

Romany said that the TTFF,past and present footballers,coaches,referees,volunteers and Mr.Warner deserves kudos for the fact that football has survived and thrived in its one hundred year history.

"By any stretch of imagination,Sunday 1 June is a special occasion.It is one that I expect the players to cherish .I look forward to the Soca Warriors producing a great performance"said Romany

Romany,who is also the national Olympic chief,believes that the T&T Pro League is well represented in the team squad selected for the international friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

"The TT Pro league players and clubs have been given every opportunity by Trinidad and Tobago head coach Francisco Maturana.It is a good test for everyone,players,coaches ,fans and administrators.It is not every day that England comes to T&T to play football" added Romany.

jun.11.2008

By Gareth A Davies
www.telegraph.co.uk

There is an often under-played pioneering spirit about Paralympians: witness young South African amputee athletes Oscar Pistorius and Natalie Du Toit stretching their ambitions from the Paralympic to the Olympic Games this year. Now Britain has a new groundbreaker.

Push forward Josie Pearson, 22, from Hereford, with the face of an angel but the tackling skills of a Dallaglio, who will become the first woman ever to compete at wheelchair rugby at the Paralympic Games after being named yesterday in the 12-strong GB squad for Beijing.

Pearson has faced tougher times than in sporting competition. Five years ago, aged 17, in a tragic twist of fate, Pearson broke her neck and lost her boyfriend Daniel Evans, who died aged 19, in a head-on vehicle collision.

Dark days indeed, but her fighting spirit endures.

Pearson, who has played for Cardiff Pirates since November 2005, is also a formidable wheelchair athlete who competes at 100m, 200m and 400m sprint.

She said: "I’m delighted. The blokes don't bat an eyelid that you're a girl. They take no prisoners when they're trying to get the ball.

"I've been playing for two and a half years; I picked up the basics pretty quickly. I'm still pretty new to the game and feel confused and nervous half the time but I love it.

"It's a real adrenaline rush. It's a brilliant sport: I went to one training session and fell in love with it.

"The guys were really welcoming and I never felt singled out just because I am a girl. In fact we need more girls to play as there's only a handful of us - because of the classification system the sport is unisex which is great.

"It's a full-on sport and it takes a while to develop court awareness and get enough experience to be fully involved in games.

"The sport is growing phenomenally fast but we still need more girls and more publicity."

GB takes an experienced squad to the Games, with eight members from the 12-strong squad having represented Great Britain in Athens in 2004 where they narrowly missed a medal after finishing fourth.

Andy Barrow, named captain, said: "It's a tremendous honour to be selected to represent my country. It's going to be my second Paralympics but this time I will be captain, which is a fantastic.

"We came fourth in Athens and fourth again at the last world championships in 2006 so to win a medal would be fantastic. Personally I would like to see us reach the final."

The wheelchair rugby events at the Games, with the world’s eight top ranked countries, will take place at the University of Science and Technology gym, Beijing, from 12-16 September.

jun.11.2008

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) secretary general Brian Lewis will represent the TTOC and deliver the feature address at the La Puerta Government Primary School Annual Graduation Ceremony which will be held on Thursday 12 June at 10 am at the St Finbar Roman Catholic Church in Westmoorings.The theme of the graduation ceremony is " Meant to Shine".

TTOC president Larry Romany said the national Olympic Committee is youth and athlete focused and accepting an invitation to a function such as the La Puerta graduation ceremony affords the TTOC the opportunity to have a "conversation" with parents,teachers and pupils on the important role that sport and physical activity can play in fostering the holistic development of children and young people.

The students attending the La Puerta primary school come mainly from low income homes and parents and pupils face significant challenges in their dy to day lives.

Lewis is also the chairman of the TTOC Olympic Academy,Education and Culture Committee(OAEC)) host of the annual Olympic youth camp.

jun.17.2008

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, who lost his world record to countryman Usain Bolt last weekend, said he prefers a gold medal in Beijing to being known as the fastest man in the world.

"The world record is easy," said Powell, who is in Eugene to watch the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday. "The real challenge is getting the gold medal."

Powell said in this day and age the true test of the world's top sprinter is the one who captures gold, because the Olympics are more of a battle of attrition rather than blazing speed.

"To get the gold medal there are four rounds to run, so it is not the fastest but who can endure it to the end," he said.

"You just have to run one race for the world record so it is easier."

Easy or not, Powell was dethroned as the world's fastest man last weekend in New York when his Jamaican compatriot Bolt lowered the mark by 0.02 of a second to 9.72 seconds.

Powell said he has no plans to get into a world record duel with Bolt. But he did congratulate his countryman on Saturday.

"It was a great performance," Powell said. "He is very talented, and I am happy for him.

"He is from my country so it makes me happy we can keep the world record in Jamaica."

Powell, who first broke the world record in June 2005 in Athens with a 9.77, said he is enjoying being part of track and field history.

"I love being a part of the sprints. The races goes so quickly but it proves who is the fastest runner in the world."

Powell won't race on Sunday because of a right shoulder injury but says, "I will be watching from the stands."

His injured shoulder is getting stronger and hasn't prevented him from getting out on the track.

"Now it is better and I should be fine in two or three weeks," he said.

Powell would like to have his world record back someday but says all his energy right now is being channelled into doing well this summer in Beijing.

"Whenever I go on the track a world record is possible," he said. "But I am not focusing on a world record right now.

"I haven't been resting. I am still working out, working my legs. I am at a good point right now. I think I can run a good time now."

jun.18.2008

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany is representing the national Olympic Committee at the 2nd Commonwealth Sports Development Conference taking place on June 12 & 13 at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow,Scotland.

Following the success of the Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in September 2006, the 2008 conference will continue to focus on a range of sport and development initiatives across the Commonwealth.

The two-day conference, which will be workshop based is designed for sports practitioners of all levels and policy makers, and will focus on how sport and development initiatives can raise levels of grass-roots participation and create pathways to excellence both in the UK and in the developing world.

Mike Fennell, President of the CGF, Sue Campbell (UK Sport), Stefan Howells, International Chief Executive SCORE (South Africa) and Miriam Moyo, President, National Olympic Committee of Zambia will all contribute to the conference. There will also be panel debates, plenary sessions and plenty of opportunity for questions and answers to challenge the leading experts, policy makers and practitioners.

jun.18.2008

In October 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the International Olympic Committee will vote on which city should host the 2016 Summer Games. The field is down to four candidate cities: Chicago (USA), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Madrid (Spain) and Tokyo (Japan).

The IOC will also vote on the composition of the sports programme for the 2016 Olympic Games as it seeks to modernise the Games. The IRB believes Rugby should be reintroduced to the Games following its last appearance in 1924 in Paris.

The Beijing Games in 2008 will comprise 28 sports. However, at the IOC session in Singapore in 2005 baseball and softball were voted out of the sports programme for London 2012 during a process the IOC had set up to start a modernisation of the sports programme. Unfortunately in Singapore the IOC chose not to include any new sports for London 2012 from a shortlist of Rugby, karate, squash, golf and roller sports.

The IOC has continued to review the sports programme for the Summer Games and is now committed to having 28 sports in the 2016 Olympic Games. Rugby is again on a shortlist of sports for inclusion that also includes baseball, softball, karate, squash, golf and roller sports.

The Olympic Games only lasts 16 days. Staging a credible Fifteens competition in that period is not feasible and therefore the IRB believes Rugby Sevens (men and women’s tournaments) would be the ideal form of the Game for Olympic inclusion in 2016.

After all it has a proven formula highlighted by its participation in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Games and from 2010 the Pan American Games. Talks are also underway to have it included in the African Games in the near future. Add to this the fact that we also have a Sevens Rugby World Cup heritage and the highly successful annual IRB Sevens World Series it is not hard to see why Sevens make sense.

A recent review of Rugby Sevens by the IRB has shown that participating Unions believe it is a valuable tool for developing talent, developing specific skill sets and a sport that has the potential to open up new markets around the world. Markets that will assist in the continued global spread of Rugby.

And that is what getting Rugby Sevens into the Olympic Games is all about and what is written down in the IRB Strategic Plan in terms of the organisation’s mission statement …” to create an environment in which Member Unions can flourish by developing and expanding the game globally.”

Rugby Sevens has experienced substantial growth in recent years that has mirrored the overall global growth of our great sport. It is a fast, action-packed sport that is played by boys, girls, men and women of all shapes, sizes, religion and creed.

The IRB Sevens World Series delivers a wonderful mix of speed, guile, world-class athletes and exotic international locations making it a well attended, colourful and a popular feature on the annual world sporting calendar. The IRB believes these outstanding attributes should see Sevens admitted to the Olympic Games in the future.

Rugby Sevens’ brand of fast-paced action, world class players and global locations is attractive to sports fans worldwide. Last season’s IRB Sevens World Series attracted crowds in excess of 250,000, with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 in Hong Kong attracting 120,000 supporters over the three competition days. A record crowd of 50,000 attended the final session of the Rugby Sevens Tournament at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and with 150,000 tickets sold over two days it was the second most watched sport at the games after athletics.

Sevens is the ideal vehicle for developing new rugby talent in emerging nations and its growing appeal is mirrored by record broadcast figures. The Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong enjoyed 160 hours of live broadcast coverage in 37 countries and an additional 40 hours of delayed broadcast coverage in a further 63 countries. There were 9.56 million hits on the Tournament-specific website. In March 2009 Dubai in the Middle East will host the next Sevens Rugby World Cup.

The 2006/07 IRB Sevens World Series was very competitive. It was televised by 30 international broadcasters in 11 different languages and reached 213 million homes (up 24 million on 2005/06) in 137 countries (up 1), and had a potential global cumulative reach of over 530 million (up 45 million). Live coverage increased dramatically during the season with 911 hours of action (up 72%)

Impressed? Well most people are when they look at the facts but unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance about the development importance of Sevens, its global spread and the fact that it is a sport in its own right. The present challenge for the IRB is to get this message across to the IOC strong and clear and it needs the full support of the entire Rugby community if it is to be successful in its ambition of seeing Rugby return to the Olympic Games.

The entire Rugby community has to be united in the drive to see Rugby, via Sevens, readmitted to the Olympic Games.

Entry into the Olympic Games could prove to be the key to unlocking countries such as USA, Russia, China, and Germany where government funding of sport is largely dependent on Olympic Games participation. In all probability it would mean financial support, access to training facilities, academies, etc, and elevate the status of Rugby as a sport in these countries.

An Olympic Games Sevens tournament – one for men and one for women - would be the pinnacle of the sport of Sevens Rugby. The Fifteens game already has the Rugby World Cup. Rugby Sevens would give smaller developing Unions in regions such as Asia, Oceania and Africa an unprecedented chance to compete and win medals. The best example is the fact that Fiji is the reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champion.

jun.18.2008

Amelia Corbie and Tariq Abduhll Haqq led Trinidad and Tobago to first place in both the Junior and Senior Divisions at the 9th, Caribbean Taekwondo Championships at the week-end. The Competition was staged at the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWISPEC), St. Augustine. Fifteen countries, ranging from Puerto Rico in the North to Guyana and Surinam in the South competed at the Games with both Martinique (who was competing for the first time) and Curacao impressing by way of results.

Corbie, who fought in the Heavyweight Division, was adjudged the Best Junior Female Fighter of the Competition. Haqq, who won Gold in the Senior Heavyweight Division was awarded the best Senior Male Fighter Trophy. Andrea St. Bernard, a Grenadian living in Canada won the Gold and was rewarded with the Best Female Fighter Trophy in the Senior Division.

Kevin Lee-A-Ping who won Gold in the Junior Featherweight division was adjudged the Most Promising Junior Fighter of the Tournament. His progress, after being injured at Nationals last December, was nothing short of remarkable. T &T's National Coach, Mr. Colin Mofford, received the award from the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) for the Best Coach of the Tournament.

Mr. Anthony Ferguson, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association was fullsome in his praise for the Financial, Material and Human Resource support the TTTA received from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and gave particular thanks to Honourable Minister Gary Hunt, M.P. for assisting with the process.

There were other signal events at the Championships:

a) The La Just Electronic Chest Protectors, which have been in use in other areas of the world, were introduced to the Pan American Region through the Games. Mr. Ferguson, member of the PATU Evaluation Committee for the Electronic Protectors, said that overall, they were satisfied with the Equipment. That although a few glitches still needed to be worked out, they recommended it for adoption at all PATU-related Games.

b) A Caribbean-wide Black Belt Grading was also administered by Master Ji Ho Choi and Master Jose Cornelio, President and Vice President of PATU. The Grading which took place at UWISPEC saw three local heads of Taekwondo Schools availing themselves of the opportunity to become fourth Dan. The results would be announced in a few weeks. Ferguson said that success would empower the Heads to Grade their own students, allowing the Sport to spread more rapidly. It would, he continued, also make them eligible to become International Referees, both significant goals of the TTTA.

c)The Caribbean Taekwondo Union (CTU) underwent a name change to the Caribbean Taekwondo Federation. This to avoid any mix-up with the acronym of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU). The Organisation redefined its Objectives and shifted its headquarters to Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean Taekwondo Heads decided that given the success of the Championsips and given the fact that countries outside of the region expressed real interest in attending (Kenya, India, Iceland, Argentina, Tibet and Denmark) that a Caribbean Open Taekwondo Championships should be placed on the schedule. Trinidad and Tobago was selected to host the inaugural Championships in 2011.

d) PATU held its first Executive Council Meeting in the English speaking Caribbean at Coco Reef Resort and Spa, Tobago. Several initiatives were taken at the Meeting including the changing and addition of new Committee members. PATU will issue a Press Statement in due course.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony were Mr. Ashwin Creed, Deputy Permanent Secretary in The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs representing the Minister Of Sport and Youth Affairs, The Honourable Gary Hunt, M.P.; Mr. Larry Romany, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee; Master Choi, President of PATU and TTTA's head, Mr. Ferguson. Also in attendance were the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Chong-on Won; Mr. Brian Lewis, Secretary General of TTOC and; Other members of PATU's Executive Council. The Ceremony was highlighted by well received performances of the Malik Folk Performers and the Shiv Shakti Dancers..

The full list of Trinidad and Tobago Medalists is as follows:

JUNIORS:

Kevin Lee-A-Ping Feather (M) Gold
Andrew O'Brien Light (M) Gold
Jyothi Persad Bantam Weight (F) Silver
Chad Lee Light Middle (M) Silver
Andrew Lee Fly(M) Gold
In Seung Jung Light Heavy (M) Gold
Che Sankar Welter(M) Gold
Amelia Corbie Heavy (F) Gold
SENIORS: Avin Maharaj Fly(M) Bronze
Ahisher Maxima Bantam(M) Silver
Dorian Alexander Feather (M) Silver
Roger Lezama Light(M) Bronze
Lenn Hypolite Welter(M) Bronze
Kevin Khan Middle (M) Bronze
Tariq Abduhll Haqq Heavy (M) Gold

Following is the List of Placement Awards

JUNIOR TEAM 1ST PLACE TRINIDAD (32 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 2ND PLACE NETHERLAND ANTILLES (15 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 3RD PLACE BARBADOS (14 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 4TH PLACE GUADELOUPE (9 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 1ST PLACE TRINIDAD (39 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 2ND PLACE GUADELOUPE (26 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 3RD PLACE PUERTO RICO (24 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 4TH PLACE GUYANA (23 POINTS)
Best Male Fighter (Senior) TARIQ ABDUL-HAQQ (TRINIDAD)
Best Female Fighter (Senior) ANDRE ST. BERNARD (GRENADA)
Best Male Fighter (Junior) ADRIAN JANSEN (NETHERLAND ANT)
Best Female Fighter (junior) AMELIA CORBIE (TRINIDAD)
Most Promising Junior (Male) KEVIN LEE-A-PING (TRINIDAD)
Most Promising Junior (Female) MELISSA MARTIN (GUADELOUPE)
Best Fighting Spirit) CHARLES FRONZIE (GRENADA)
Best Coach (Female & Male) Guadeloupe (Female) & Trinidad (Male)
Best Referee (Male & Female) CONRAD JENKINS & TRACY BONERTZ

jun.20.2008

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Mediation Panel appointed to resolve the electoral dispute in the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT) is pleased to confirm that a mutually agreed resolution has been reached.

Both Messrs Earl John and Brian Manning have agreed in writing to the Mediation Panel’s recommendations.

The confidential mediation sessions began on May 14th and ended on Monday June 23rd.

The TTOC congratulates both Mr. John and Mr. Manning for putting the best interest of T&T basketball ahead of personal considerations.

Given that both gentlemen agreed to the procedure under which the mediation process was conducted,It is the reasonable and resolute expectation of the TTOC that all parties will act in good faith and honour their expressed commitment to the letter and spirit of the agreement and mediation process.

jun.20.2008

jun.20.2008

Members of the T&T national under 19 rugby team will participate in the TTOC Olympic day relay run on Saturday (21 June) at the King George V Park.

The young ruggerities are in the final stage of their preparation for the upcoming NAWIRA under 19 rugby championship which will be held in Barbados from 5- 12 July.The NAWIRA age grade championship will act as a qualifier for the 2009 IRB Junior World Trophy tournament.

The national under 19s will be joined in the Olympic relay run by the T&T women's rugby team.

However,T&T men's rugby team will not be represented as most of the senior players will be fulfilling club obligations in the Toyota Championship division league competition which gets underway on Saturday.

jun.20.2008

By Ashling O'Connor, Times Olympics Correspondent

The biggest shake-up of the British Olympic Association(BOA )in its 100-year history will be announced today before the handover of the summer Games from Beijing to London on August 24.

A restructuring of the organisation will begin at the top, with the search for a new chief executive from the business world in a quest to double annual revenues, from £11million, and the number of staff, from 60. Headhunters have been appointed to find a commercial leader, certain to demand a six-figure salary, who is capable of running a National Olympic Committee (NOC) at a time when Britain will be host nation for an Olympic Games.

Simon Clegg, the outgoing chief executive, will continue on the management team - as chef de mission, leading the Great Britain team, at the Beijing Games. Lord Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, said the reshuffle would allow Clegg to “focus on what he is good at”.

The announcement is the culmination of three months' work by management consultants at AT Kearney, which was tasked with beefing up the BOA in light of the 2012 Games coming to London.

A more heavyweight management structure, with an emphasis on business expertise, was viewed as essential to ensuring that Britain meet their target of fourth place in the 2012 medals table.

It is also recognition that Olympic chiefs will come under much greater scrutiny after Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, receives the Olympic flag from his Chinese counterpart at the closing ceremonies in Beijing.

The BOA cannot afford to repeat gaffes such as the infamous “gagging order”, which spiralled into an international incident after clumsy wording was inserted into the contracts of Britain athletes going to Beijing.

The BOA was founded in 1905 in the House of Commons, around only nine sports - fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing, athletics, rugby, football and archery - but now represents 35 national governing bodies from Olympic sport.

Independent of the Government, it depends entirely for its income on its fundraising activities and commercial sponsorship. These ventures are likely to become increasingly difficult given the restrictions around the London 2012 and Olympic brands and the competition for money in a tight economic climate.

“Being a host nation NOC places huge additional demands on the organisation and it is right that the BOA executive board is working with consultants to review and agree a new structure,” Moynihan said. “Over the next six months, changes to strengthen the BOA are likely to be the most far-reaching in our history.”

The BOA's executive board yesterday also approved a recommendation to relocate to more “appropriate” modern offices in Central London.

jun.25.2008

The Trinidad and Tobago Darts Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, will host of the 17th Caribbean Darts Championships and the 4th Americas Cup from July 25th to August 3rd , 2008. This was officially announced at a Media Launch at the Cascadia Hotel recently, the proposed venue for these events.

The Americas Cup will be the first event and will run from July 25th - 27th with the main sponsor being Superl Travel Service Limited. This will involve 12 competing teams and will feature world- ranked players from Canada and U.S.A. While this tournament is usually dominated by these two teams, our team has had notable success in the last three events by placing third and winning the Ladies’ Singles Title in 2004 with Nannette Brooks.

The major event is, of course, the Caribbean Championships which will feature the top Caribbean teams, as well as teams from Florida and Brazil. These include Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Florida, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia. These teams are coming to “settle their own score” with Trinidad and Tobago as we are the present Caribbean Team Champions, being unbeaten in Barbados in 2006 at the last Championships.

Each Caribbean team will comprise of 8 male and 5 female players, together with a manager and coach. T&T hopefully, will use the experience gained from participating in the World Cup Darts which was held last year in Holland. Our Men’s team includes Vivekanand Dyal (captain), Kevin Jacob, Rahaman Hassanali, Troy Bhujawan, Anthony Guevarra, Felix Le Blanc, Duke Cole, Ian De Silva and Lester Legall (reserve). The women are Nannette Brooks, Ann- Marie James, Charmaine Harrington, Debbie Blanc, Abi- Gail Jacob with Jo- Ann Christopher as reserve.

These tournaments will be an important marker on the sports calendar as it is not often that any sport is given the opportunity to host such a major event featuring 13 foreign teams with over 200 participants for a period of 10 days. While the sport of Darts may not enjoy the popularity of football and cricket, the rivalry among the Caribbean countries competing in Darts is just as competitive and exciting and the T.T.D.A. invites everyone to come out and support the home team as we seek to make T&T proud.

Click here to view photos

jun.25.2008

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Mediation Panel appointed to resolve the electoral dispute in the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT) is pleased to confirm that a mutually agreed resolution has been reached.

Both Messrs Earl John and Brian Manning have agreed in writing to the Mediation Panel’s recommendations.

The confidential mediation sessions began on May 14th and ended on Monday June 23rd.

The TTOC congratulates both Mr. John and Mr. Manning for putting the best interest of T&T basketball ahead of personal considerations.

Given that both gentlemen from inception expressly agreed to the procedure under which the mediation process was conducted.

It is the reasonable and resolute expectation of the TTOC that all parties will act in good faith and honour their expressed commitment to the letter and spirit of the agreement and mediation process.

Brian Lewis
Hon.Secretary General
TTOC

jun.25.2008

George Bovell, Cleopatra Borel-Brown, Darrel Brown and Richard Thompson were among some of the 25 Olympic-bound athletes presented to the public at the Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain, on Monday.

The event which was labelled “A Presentation of Our Olympic Hopefuls” drew a large crowd from as early 4 pm, as a wide cross section of the population from children to adults were in search of autographs and photos with their favourite national heroes.

Even Hasely Crawford, the country’s lone Olympic gold medalist, and four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon were there.

The function which was hosted by the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of T&T (SPORTT) brought PoS to a standstill.

Among the specially invited guests were Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown and T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC) president Larry Romany, who delivered brief addresses to the gathering.

Romany said: “From the 1948 Olympics to now, T&T has won 12 Olympic medals, no small feat given the size of our relatively small population.”

He adding that these efforts were owed to vision and a dream, as well as good planning, commitment and perseverance.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt in giving the feature address urged the crowd to show their support for the T&T Olympic team.

“Do you love your athletes?.Do you believe that they will bring home Olympic medals?” Hunt asked the crowd, before receiving loud cheers of agreement from the hundreds in the audience.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

jun.25.2008

The National Amateur Athletic Association (NAAA) yesterday named the 29 athletes who will represent T&T at the upcoming Central American and Caribbean championships in the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from July 15—30.

The selection panel which comprised of NAAA executive members met on Sunday night after the three days of competition at the Sagicor National Open Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Among the men selected for the championship are Richard Thompson, Aaron Armstrong, Marc Burns and Darrel Brown, the core of the Olympic four by 100m relay team.

Also on the team is Renny Quow who broke the national 400m record at the Championships over the weekend, along with fellow 400m runners Stan Waithe and Cowin Mills.

Among the women, T&T will have the services of Kelly Ann Baptiste, Annie Alexander, Borel-Brown and Candice Scott.

Baptiste T&T’s fastest ever female and holder of the national records in both 100m and 200m will line up along side Wanda Hutson, Ayanna Hutchinson and Semoy Hackett in the four by 100m.

Borel-Brown the 2007 Sports Woman of the Year will have company in the form of Annie Alexander when she does battle in the women’s shot put. Borel-Brown and Alexander were in hot competition with each other over the weekend at the National Championship and will be giving T&T a good chance of medalling in the event. Alexander will also compete in the discus. (CMD).

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

jun.27.2008

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (T&TOC) president Larry Romany has heaped praises on the athletes who have earned the right to represent the country at the August 8-24 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Speaking at a farewell function on Wednesday evening, at BHP Billiton, Invaders Bay, Port of Spain, the local Olympic boss said he is looking forward to "great things" at the 2008 Olympics. He also encouraged the Beijing hopefuls in attendance-including two-time Olympian Ayanna Hutchinson-to prepare themselves for the experience of a lifetime.

"Ayanna, if you think that Sydney (2000) was a big thing, wait until you get to Beijing. The Chinese have decided to make this better than anybody has ever experienced.

"And young guys like Rondell Sorillo, Emmanuel Callender, Zwede Hewitt, young ladies like Annie Alexander, Aleesha Barber and Josanne Lucas...Be like a sponge and accept the aura of what you think and what you feel is true greatness because you will be among the greatest athletes on the face of the planet.

"No one who has not been to an Olympic Games," Romany continued, "can imagine what to expect, but don't let the whole thing get the better of you."

The T&TOC president urged the athletes to utilise the resources at their disposal.

"You have Hasely Crawford who is going to be with the team, you have (sports psychologist) Margaret Ottley who will be with the team. Talk to people about it, talk to people about the pressure that you're going to be under because you're going to be under tremendous pressure.

"It's not an easy thing to go into a stadium and have 80,000 people cheering, whether you win or lose. Just the murmur in 80,000 people is more than you can imagine, and it is something that you need to start thinking about and start preparing for."

On Wednesday evening, Romany expressed his gratitude to three corporate sponsors.

"BHP Billiton is a tremendous corporate partner of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and have helped us tremendously over the last four years.

"We also have joined recently with bmobile, and they too have shown a tremendous desire to ensure, that from a community level, sport really makes a difference.

"Our partners in Guardian Life have been with us over 12 years now, and they have paid yeoman service...it's unmeasurable how much they have done for sport in Trinidad and Tobago."

BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago president Vincent Pereira gave details of his company's association with Beijing 2008.

"We are the metal for medals sponsor for the Games. What that means is that we are providing all of the metal for minting the gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games...6,000 medals for the Olympics and Paralympics and 51,000 commemorative medals."

Pereira also wished T&T's Olympic hopefuls the best of luck in Beijing. "...and hope they bring some of that BHP metal back to Trinidad."

Romany said he is very grateful to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) and the T&TOC's immediate past president.

"The product that you see with regard to our Olympic team this year is a product of Mr Douglas Camacho's presidency and the work he has done, and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has done, with the Government...we are now starting to reap these rewards.

"We have a team with much promise," Romany continued, "we have a team that at the end of the day can bring medals." Sports Minister Gary Hunt concurred.

"...it's my belief as well that we have the best team ever that we've presented at the Olympics. We anticipate our athletes returning home with precious metal of all colours."

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
Written by Kwame Laurence