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

Source: m.nzherald.co.nz

New Zealand delivered yet another relentless performance in downing Trinidad and Tobago 75-23 at the world netball championship in Singapore tonight.

In their final pool match of the tournament, the Silver Ferns delivered a predictably organised performance to dominate each quarter and secure a quarterfinal berth against either South Africa or Botswana on Friday.

After two lop-sided wins -- an initially patchy 80-26 win over Fiji followed by yesterday's 91-21 thumping of Wales -- New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken continued to test-drive a range of combinations.

Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia again shouldered the early shooting duties, with Liana Leota getting her first start to date at wing attack.

Laura Langman ran the midcourt from centre, with Joline Henry at wing defence and captain Casey Williams at goal defence. Anna Scarlett, mainly used to date at wing defence, started at goal keep.

It was a combination that proved clinicaly efficient, swinging the ball downcourt with rhythm and timing for van Dyk and Tutaia to finish off.

The understanding between Leota and Langman was also a feature, and their fluent feed into the circle impressive.

In contrast, Trinidad and Tobago looked ponderous, and struggled to break through the Silver Ferns' stifling whole-court defence. It took over 10 minutes for their first goal to fall, and the Silver Ferns led 19-4 at the first break.

Leana de Bruin came on for Scarlett in the second spell, but Aitken otherwise stuck with her starting line-up which rolled relentlessly on to lead 37-11 at halftime.

Tutaia and van Dyk between them missed only two goals between them in 30 minutes, their 95 per cent success rate in stark contrast to Trinidad and Tobago's 69 per cent.

Aitken shuffled her combinations at the break, bringing Paula Griffin and Anna Thompson on at goal shoot and goal attack, and replacing Langman with George.

Scarlett returned at wing defence, and Katrina Grant took over duties at the back as the Silver Ferns continued their domination to lead 55-18 at the three-quarter mark.

The same combination saw the game out to its inevitable conclusion, New Zealand taking the final stanza 20-5 to underline a dominant performance.

It has been some time since Trinidad and Tobago have pressed New Zealand -- in fact, the last time the two teams met was in 1999 when the Silver Ferns racked up a 33-goal win at the world championship in Christchurch.Prior to that, Trinidad and Tobago had pushed New Zealand regularly, and managed a narrow one-goal win in their three-test tour of 1988.

Today's match was a milestone for Aitken -- it was her 107th game in 10 years at the helm, and surpassed the previous record of 106 held by master coach Lois Muir, who guided the Silver Ferns for 15 years.

Trinidad and Tobago's Olympic women's team got their Caribbean Football Union qualification campaign for the 2012 Olympics off to a winning start with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Bermuda in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.

T&T got their goals from Janine Francois, Kennya Cordner, Khadidra Debessette, Karyn Forbes and Candace Edwards. Tschana Wade scored the lone goal for Bermuda. The Bermudans trailed 2-1 at half time. T&T then took control with three goals in the second half.

Head coach Richard Hood was pleased with the opening win.

"It's a good win to start off with but the tournament is not over yet. We still have two more games to play and we want to top the group. We will definitely be looking to come away with another impressive victory in our next match," Hood said.

Bermuda head coach Scott Morton added: "I wouldn't say (Trinidad) were too strong for us, but our fitness was definitely a problem. We were more effective in the first half than the second and caused Trinidad some problems.

T&T face Dominica in their second game today and then close off the round against Dominican Republic on Saturday. The winners of the group will advance to the final qualification round while the runners-up will go into a playoff for the third Caribbean qualifying spot.

Meantime, Haiti  claimed a place in the finals of CONCACAF Olympic women's qualifying, beating hosts Aruba 8-0 to earn one of the Caribbean's three berths last weekend. Roselord Borgella scored three goals and Wisline Dolce and Roseleine Joseph got a pair each Sunday to lead Haiti, who also drew 1-1 with Cuba and beat Suriname 4-0. Joseph had Haiti's lone goal against Cuba last Friday, while Dolce had the final item against Suriname.

Both Haiti and Cuba finished atop Group A with seven points each, but Haiti advanced with a plus-12 goal difference in their three games. Cuba had a plus-3.

Haiti will be joined by the Group B winners and best runners-up from the two groups at the CONCACAF finals in Vancouver January 19-29.

Two teams will qualify from CONCACAF for next year's Olympic Games in London.

Source: trinidadexpress.com |By Kern De Freitas

Trinidad and Tobago's Special Olympics team came home yesterday gleaming with pride at Piarco International Airport with a national record 38-medal haul from the recent Special Olympics Games in Greece.

T&T's haul included 15 gold medals, 15 silver medal and eight bronze medals, as well as 28 other ribbons for other placings.

More than 50 represented this country in eight disciplines: aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, football, powerlifting, volleyball, and produced their best performance in the competition to date.

Communications manager of main sponsors, Digicel Trinidad, Penny Gomez commended the team for their strong performances at the Games.

"I just want to say that we are as proud of you when you left as we are today. The medals look beautiful on you today. You are all winners in our eyes."

Ferdinand Bibby, national director of T&T's Special Olympics, was even more pleased about every athlete achieving personal best marks than their impressive medal haul.

And Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts reiterated his ministry's support for the special athletes, indicating that plans are in the works to provide them with their own facilities at the National Sporting Centre in Tacarigua.

He hailed the Special Olympics squad as an example to all national teams, telling them they have made the entire nation proud. He also praised them for their discipline even on their arrival home.

"I want the media to highlight not only how well the team did," Roberts told the athletes, "but the media has been in the VIP room for many a team, and this team is the most disciplined (to return home like this)…they are tired, but they are still showing class."

Source: insidethegames.biz | By Duncan Mackay in Durban

July 6 - Pyeongchang were today awarded the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics after beating rivals Annecy and Munich in the first round of voting at the International Olympic Committee Session here today.

There was a gasp of astonishment as IOC President Jacques Rogge announced one of the three candidates had achieved an outright majority in the first round of voting after being handed the result by Dick Pound.

But the decision that it was Pyeongchang was not officially announced until a special ceremony attended by South African President Jacob Zuma nearly 90 minutes later.

On the eve of the vote, one of Pyeongchang's officials had claimed that they had already secured 54 votes.

In the end they surpassed even that prediction with a total of 63 votes out of the 95 cast, easily ahead of Munich with 25 and Annecy only seven.

The last time a city won in the first round when there were more than two cities bidding was 1995 in Budapest when Salt Lake City won its bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Victory, which was celebrated by Olympic skating champion Kim Yu-Na and Korean Olympic Committee President YS Park and Theresa Rah, the bid communications director (all pictured below) was reward for Pyeongchang's perseverance.

This was the South Korean's third consecutive bid having lost out for the 2010 Games to Vancouver and 2014 to Sochi.

"It feels great," said South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who had been an important part of the bid team.

"I will make a good Olympics.

"This is a victory for the Koreans, thank you to them!"

Lee's joy was shared by the rest of the bid team.

"Koreans have been waiting for 10 years to host the Winter Games," Yang Ho Cho, the President and chief executive of Pyeongchang 2018.

"Now we have finally achieved our dream.

"This is one of the happiest days for our country, our people and millions of youth dreaming of winter sport."

On both previous occasions they had lost, Pyeongchang had led the voting after the first round but had been unable to muster enough support in the second to hold off their rivals.

At the IOC Session in Prague in 2003 they polled 51 votes in the first round but added only two more in the second, following the elimination of Salzburg, as Vancouver won with 56.

Then, at the IOC Session in Guatemala in 2007, they led with 36 votes following the first but, again after Salzburg were knocked out, could not build on that enough in the second as Sochi won it with 51 to their 47.

"Pyeongchang presented a strong and inspiring project that enjoys massive support from the Government and the public," said Rogge after signing the host city contract with Cho.

"I have every confidence that Pyeongchang will deliver on its commitment and host excellent Games in 2018.

"Pyeongchang's inspiring project sets out to have the heart of the Olympic Winter Games beating in the mountains.

"The South Korean project will leave a tremendous legacy as PyeongChang will become a new winter sports hub in Asia, allowing athletes and young generations to practise winter sports at home, be exposed to the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship, and respect, and pursue their Olympic dream.

"I congratulate Pyeongchang.

"The IOC looks forward to collaborating with them over the next seven years."

But even Rogge was shocked by the huge margin of victory.

"I was surprised by the one round victory," he said.

"I was surprised by the margin.

"Definitely the patience and perseverance of the Koreans has been rewarded.

"The fact they showed the vision that they wanted to introduce winter sports in Asia has also played a role."

For Kim Jin-Seun the former Governor of Gangwon Province - who had led the previous two bids and now an ambassador of the 2018 bid - it was a hugely emotional moment.

"For 17 years I have had a really rough road, really hard," said Kim, who shed tears of emotion the presentation.

"I don't know what to say.

"I'm overwhelmed. I'm just very very happy."

Source: newsday.co.tt

The Tennis Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) will host their annual National Tennis Championships at the Country Club, Maraval, from July 15-24.

This year’s Americas Zone Group IV Davis Cup winners, Yohannsey Williams and Vaughn Wilson are expected to be the top seeded players participating in the men’s division of the 2011 Championships. The experienced Carlista Mohammed will also be a part of the tournament and will be among the top seeds in the women’s division.

The Championships were regularly hosted at the Eddie Taylor Public Courts, King George V Park, St Clair, but this year’s change of venue came after exorbitant rent and tournament fees from mayor of Port-of- Spain, Louis Lee Sing.

TATT’s president, Jermille Danclair revealed that the required amount for the renting of the courts for this tournament was excessive and this particularly caused the venue change.

Additionally, the TATT will remove the Veterans (Over-45) and mixed doubles events for the National Championships.

Spurce: newsday.co.tt

Ephraim Serrette, president of the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) is hoping to see improvement from each of this country’s athletes at the IAAF World Youth Championships which gets underway on Wednesday in Lille, France.

Serrette, although noting that he believes this country can pick up a couple medals, said he will be pleased if all the athletes at least record personal bests in their respective disciplines.

We’ve sent the best team we could. We have a CARIFTA double gold medallist in Machel Cedenio who is ranked top 10 in the world in his age group. The relay team stands a good chance at medalling too. We expect the athletes would do their best. They are competing against the best in the world so that would motivate them. They are on the world stage. From my experience in 2005 when I managed a team even though some guys didn’t make a final they did their personal best and that is all we can really ask of them,” he said.

Also on the national team is Jereem Richards of Quantum Track and Field Academy who will be competing in the 200m.

Memphis Pioneers’ Reuben Walters, who will feature in the 110-metre hurdles and Hezekiel Romeo, the national Under-18 shot put record holder are in France as well.

Kernesha Spann of Neon Trackers will line up for the girls Under-20 400m hurdles. Shaunna Downey of Burnley Athletic Club will compete in the discus while 100m sprinters Onika Murray of Quantum and Chelsea Charles of Petrotrin Palo Seco are there too.

Source: guardian.co.tt | Rachael Thompson-King

T&T’s netballers maintained their perfect start to the Mission Foods World Netball Championships with a comfortable 58-40 win over Fiji, yesterday in Singapore. The victory means that T&T qualifies for the quarterfinal round.It was the Calypso Girls’ second straight victory at the 13th edition of the world event after beating Wales 51-48 in their first match. The match opened the day’s action and from the get go, it was a one-sided affair as T&T shot out to an early lead, leaving Fiji scrambling to find their feet, but as the whistle blew to signal quarter time, the Fijians had fought back hard, to trail 14-11. The encounter truly was an epic display of netball with bodies on the floor, long passes flying toward shooters and defenders snatching intercepts.

T&T began to extend their lead in the third quarter as speedy goal-attack Joelisa Cooper encouraged her teammates to get the ball to her as she drove fast into the shooting circle, landing directly under the hoop. Cooper shot with 87 per cent accuracy, to finish with 13 goals from 15 attempts. T&T’s centre-court, spurred on by centre Tricia Liverpool, wing-attack Rhonda John-Davis and wing-defence Candice Guerero put out a world-class performance. Their vision and the way they worked tirelessly as a unit was nothing short of grand. Liverpool so impressed, she was named the “Player of the Match.” The match-up between talented Fijian goal-keeper Mere Rabuka and on form T&T goal-shooter Anastascia Wilson was an engaging one as each time a high ball went into the circle they were both in the air contesting. Wilson emerged the more dominant though as she led all shooters with 31 off 34 (91 per cent).

Her captain Janelle Barker was also influential in the win, replacing Cooper in the third quarter and producing 14 from 17 for T&T as the eighth ranked team in the world, went on to outscore its challenger, 31-17 in the final two sessions, to seal the 18-goal triumph. Shooting for Fiji were Afa Rusivakula (24/32) and Seruwaia Vonolagi (16/21). The Calypso Girls’ spirit will be high as they head into third and final match in Pool B against netball powerhouse New Zealand, the defending champion and number one team in the world. The Kiwis too, are coming off two huge wins against Fiji (80-25) on Monday and Wales (97-21), yesterday..

Results

T&T 58 vs Fiji 40
England 74 vs Barbados 42
Sri Lanka 57 vs Samoa 53
New Zealand 91 vs Wales 21
Jamaica 74 vs Botswana 23
Australia 75 vs Northern Ireland 33
South Africa 70 vs Singapore 33
Malawi 66 vs Malaysia 35

Today’s matches
Northern Ireland vs Samoa
Fiji vs Wales
Malawi vs Barbados
New Zealand vs T&T
England vs Malaysia
Singapore vs Jamaica
Australia vs Sri Lanka
South Africa vs Botswana

Source: trinidadexpress.com | By Kwame Laurence

Kelly-Ann Baptiste captured the women's 100 metres title at the Reims international meet, in France, yesterday.

The Trinidad and Tobago track star got to the line in 11.11 seconds, for a comfortable cushion on second-placed Oludamola Osayomi (11.24), of Nigeria. Jamaica's Aleen Bailey (11.32) copped third spot.

Pre-race favourite, Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, was disqualified for a false start.

Yesterday's race was only the third outing for Baptiste this season. She opened her 2011 campaign in April, in Arkansas, USA, where she won the 100m dash in 11.56 seconds.

The 24-year-old sprinter followed up with an impressive 10.94 run in finishing second to American Carmelita Jeter (10.86), at the Jamaica International Invitational, on May 7.

Baptiste (10.94) is currently fifth on the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) 2011 performance list. Jeter (10.70), Campbell-Brown (10.76), American Marshevet Myers (10.86) and Jamaican Kerron Stewart (10.87) are first, second, third and fourth, respectively.

T&T sprinters, Keston Bledman and Richard Thompson finished third and fifth, respectively, in yesterday's men's 100m dash. Bledman clocked 10.09 seconds, while Thompson got home in 10.17.

Antigua's Daniel Bailey topped the field in 10.05, beating American Justin Gatlin (10.08) into second spot. Gatlin's compatriot, Darvis Patton (10.15) was fourth.

And in the men's 200m, T&T's Rondel Sorrillo bagged bronze in 20.48 seconds. Panama's Alonso Edward--the half-lap silver medallist at the 2009 World Championships, in Berlin, Germany--emerged victorious in 20.28, edging Jamaican Mario Forsythe (20.29) into second spot.

Source: insidethegames.biz | By Tom Degun at New Scotland Yard in London

July 5 - Home Secretary Theresa May has promised nothing will be left to chance when it comes to ensuring a safe environment during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics as she today announced a comprehensive programme of test exercises here at New Scotland Yard designed to ensure maximum security during the Games.

The test exercises for the Government, the police and other key agencies will range from table top discussions to live play exercise with the London 2012 test event programme, which is currently underway, set to play a key role in the training.

The bespoke programme of exercises will aim to test how the relevant organisations can work together to manage the unprecedented nature and scale of a Games in London and across other parts of the UK looking specifically at scenarios that impact the smooth running of the event such as long queues at venues, transport disruption or a major terrorist attack.

"This programme of exercises will play a key role in helping deliver our commitment of a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games," said May.

"We have a robust safety and security strategy but the testing of our plans, structures and responses to ensure they can deal with any incident is vital.

"I want to ensure everyone that with just over a year to go to the Olympics, we will leave nothing to chance in our plans to deliver a Games that London, the UK and the whole world will enjoy."

May continued that the full £600 million ($967 million) security budget that has been ring-fenced for the Olympic and Paralympic Games may not be required.

"We have £600 million ($967 million) that has been ring-fenced for the London 2012 Games but at present, we anticipate costs will be less than that and just under £500 million ($806 million)," she said.

The exercise programme includes three strategic command post exercises and one live exercise that will run in September and December this year and in spring 2012.

These are supported by a wide range of top table exercises and local level exercises which will include a large amount of work with regional police for the Olympic Torch Relay which tours the country next year ahead of the Olympics.

"Years of experience have proven to us time and time again that testing and exercising our plans is vital to smooth partnership working and providing the most effective response for the public," said Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who is the National Olympic Security Coordinator.

"With new structures and new partners to work with during games-time never before has a testing and exercising programme been so important.

"We will take every opportunity we can to learn together to make sure our operation in 2012 is the best it can be."

The exercising programme builds on the early testing that has taken place as the Games-time plans have been developed and will take place in addition to the on-going exercising programme that takes place across all levels of Government and emergency services every year to test incident responses.

Source: insidethegames.biz | By Duncan Mackay in Durban

July 5 - The London 2012 ticketing system has been defended by Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who claimed that the demand to watch the Games was "amazing".

The system has been condemned in Britain but is being hailed as a major success internationally.

"We're amazed by the demand for tickets for the London Olympics," said Rogge, who is here for the 123rd IOC Session, where a delegation from London 2012 is due to make a presentation on its preparations.

"Seven million [tickets] on sale and 20 million wanting tickets.

There were 22 million requests for 6.6 million available tickets, with 1.2 million applicants getting nothing.

But Rogge insisted that, although it was unfortunate not everybody had been awarded tickets, there was nothing wrong with the system.

"You're bound to have people who are unhappy," he said.

"I can just say the system put in place by LOCOG is a fair system.

"It is a good balance between the international and national."

In total, more than 3.5 million Olympic tickets have now been sold for London 2012 and around 850,000 successful applications have been made for tickets with less than two million tickets remaining.

The next phase will see ticket sales open to the 700,000 applicants who were successful in all or part of their ticket applications in the first round sale.

It is due to open on Friday (July 8) at 6am and close on July 17 at 6pm but only football, volleyball and freestyle wrestling tickets remain with all other sports sold out.

Around 1.5 million football tickets remain for men's and women's matches at Wembley Stadium, City of Coventry Stadium, Millenium Stadium, Hampden Park, St James Park and Old Trafford.

Meanwhile there are around 40,000 volleyball tickets are available for men's and women's volleyball sessions at Earls Court and around 8,000 freestyle wrestling tickets are available for sessions at the ExCel Arena.

Source: insidethegames.biz | By Tom Degun

July 5 - The Guadalajara 2011 Organising Committee are today celebrating a major milestone with just 100 days left to go until the start of the Pan American Games in the Mexican city.

The event, which takes place from October 14 to October 30, with see approximately 6,000 athletes from 42 nations participate across 36 sports in the last major multi-sport event before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

The overall budget is approximately $250 million (£155 million), with $10 million (£6 million) to go towards security for the event due to safety fears in the area following recent gang attacks on bars and police stations in the area.

However, organisers have dismissed fears that the event will not be safe for athletes and spectators to attend.

"I believe that security won't be an obstacle to us enjoying the Pan American Games," said Emilio González Márquez, who is the governor for the state of Jalisco and President of the Guadalajara 2011 Organising Committee.

Aurelio Lopez Rocha, head of tourism for the state, added: "We have intelligence measures prepared to guarantee the security of the athletes and tourists attending the Pan American Games."

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the event is set to take place at the 50,000 capacity Omnilife Stadium, which is the fourth largest stadium in Mexico.

The event will be followed by the Para Pan Games for Paralympic athletes which takes place from November 12 until 20.

Source: bbc.co.uk | Gordon Farquhar

The sight and sound of the Indian women's 4X400m relay team being roared home to win gold was one of the highlights of the Commonwealth games in Delhi last year.

The nation had been yearning for track and field success, and here was a team of bright talents, role models for women in India, beating the best of the rest of the Commonwealth.

That landmark success has been tarnished with the news that three of the four members of the team have failed drug tests over the last few days. Ashwini Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose have all tested positive for anabolic steroids, and are suspended pending further investigation.

Apart from the Commonwealth gold medal, what all three have in common is a Ukrainian coach named Yuri Ogrodnik. Well, they had him in common, but he's now been sacked, according to the Indian sports minister, Ajay Maken.

In fact, six members of the women's 400m squad, coached by Ogrodnik have now been suspended after a spate of positive tests for different steroids. The Indian sports ministry is in a spin: Akkunji was the poster girl of Indian athletics, a double gold medallist at the Asian games, and expected to go on to even greater things. There were genuine hopes of a medal at the London Olympics, but that dream now seems shattered.

Minister Maken hasn't pulled any punches in his reaction to the scandal: "The athletes have disgraced the whole nation and it's very disturbing for us," he said.

"Athletes will get their punishment in the form of suspensions, bans and losing their medals... but we can't let the coaches and any official involved in this episode get away scot-free."

At the moment, there's no suggestion Ogrodnik has done anything wrong, and he's reported in India as saying he knew nothing of any drug taking among his athletes. Ajay Maken is unimpressed: "The coach says he didn't know that the athletes were taking banned substances then I think he's all the more responsible for what's happened. The coach is supposed to know what they're taking and tell them what to take."

The tests were apparently carried out either at the national training camp in Patiala, in the Northern state of Punjab, or after a track meeting in the Southern city of Bangalore in late June.

The athletes have all protested their innocence and blamed contaminated food supplements for the results, but the strict liability rule allows no such excuses.

Drug tests are split into two samples, and the second or B samples given by the women will now be tested. They almost never contradict the A samples. There will be a disciplinary process, and a two year ban would be the normal outcome.

India's national anti-doping agency recently revealed that 122 positive tests had been recorded in an 11 month period to April of this year, mostly among wrestlers and weightlifters.

As a result they said they intended to increase the amount of testing, and carry out raids on athlete's rooms where drugs use was suspected. Ajay Maken has called for further action, including better co-ordination with customs agencies to restrict the import of banned performance enhancing drugs, and has instigated a full inquiry into the current problems.

Lord Coe, in the stadium at the time, said that the success of the women's relay team at the Delhi games "may just have changed the direction of track and field... not only in India, but in Asia." The events of the last few days have surely derailed that hope.

Source: guardian.co.tt|By Rachael Thompson-King

T&T netballers got off to a good start at the Mission Foods World Netball Championships, stopping Wales, 51-48, yesterday in their opening match in Singapore. Led by 36 goals from 40 attempts by captain Janelle Barker, the “Calypso Girls” beat the 13th ranked team in the world. In the first quarter, both T&T and Wales put out a tough fight for the goal but it was the latter that held the advantage by a (13-12) goal. In this period, Barker, playing the goal-attack, teamed-up with goal-shooter Anastasia Wilson, who shot in the first half, scoring nine off 11. The teams exchanged goals throughout the next quarter with T&T earning 26-25 lead at the half after outscoring its opponent, 14-12. This was as a result of T&T taking it slowly with good decision making that included amazing rotations and work with the centre-court players Rhonda John-Davis (wing-attack) and Candice Guerero (centre).

The eighth-ranked T&T made use of the good ball handling skills of the players to minimise mistakes and put in goals instead. Credit goes to the good communication with shooters Barker, who was rotated to the goal-shooter position and goal-attack Joelisa Cooper, who replaced her, in the circle. Cooper was perfect in her shooting, scoring all of her six tries which helped the “Calypso Girls” stay ahead into the third, leading 38-34 entering the final period.

A strategic change of players, Cara Moseley (WA) and Sophie Morgan (C), brought Wales up as they worked together to bring the ball to the shooters. The timing of the fielders letting go of the ball, to the good positioning of the shooters gave Wales more chances at goals which helped them close the gap by the end of the last quarter but T&T’s performance was absolutely amazing and the Caribbean team was able to hold out for the victory despite Wales outshooting them (14-13) in that session.

results & fixtures

Jamaica 72 vs South Africa 45

Australia 81 vs Samoa 23

T&T 51 vs Wales 48

New Zealand 80 vs Fiji 25

Sri Lanka 56 vs Northern Ireland 65

England 65 vs Malawi 33

Barbados 62 vs Malaysia 40

Today’s matches

Fiji vs T&T

England vs Barbados

Samoa vs Sri Lanka

New Zealand vs Wales

Jamaica vs Botswana

Australia vs Northern Ireland

Singapore vs South Africa

Malawi vs Malaysia

Source: guardian.co.tt|By Brian Lewis

Words and deeds are all interconnected and interdependent. A belief and value system inspires and motivates our actions and utterances. It is said that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. If one holds the belief that T&T is inherently a good place, then as a nation we ought not to be overcome by evil. There is no easy option. Is it right to be dishonest in a good cause?

What are our core philosophy and values? Don’t mistake empty rhetoric, slogans and sound bites for values and a philosophy. Men and women of integrity are afraid to speak up for fear of a bullet to the head. They simply hand in their resignation and walk away on the path of least resistance. Turn a blind eye, see nothing, hear nothing and do nothing only mind your own business. What about the future? What are we doing to contribute to the sustainable future of those yet to be born? One would think that mentoring and tutoring the next generation of leaders would be an important and necessary course of action.

But can this be done simply by talking? What are we doing to prepare the next generation? What philosophy, culture and history are we passing on? There are so many signs that point to danger ahead. A look at the list of top SEA performers of 2011 point to an alarming disparity-nothing new to be honest- it is, however, symptomatic of the rank hypocrisy, injustice and inequality that are now core values of our society.

We ignore the signs as the chickens come home to roost. As we continue to anoint sainthood on the corrupt, unethical and amoral. Young people are no longer frightened about being caught doing the wrong thing. Monkey see monkey do- all you need is the gift of garb and guile. There is a deepening hypocrisy, what use to be practiced in secret, is now been done openly. The trap door is closing. As the freeloaders and opportunist fight for the spoils, the hungry remain hungry. The defenceless remain at the mercy of the heartless. As the haves turn their back and pockets away from the have-nots—another ten-year-old sells her body and soul.

While the battle for the trappings of office take precedent and  politicians position for the next election and sport leaders for the next trip, another nine year old is sexually abused by a family member, another youth man life slips way in a river of red and a teenaged mother gives birth to another fatherless child. While Johnny Walker, and Red Bull and vodka flow like water, yet another youth leaves school with five CXC subjects, a truck load of talent but the wrong address and no job prospects. When eight, nine and ten-year-olds silently scream Eli, Eli Lema Sabachthani some will only say: “wake me up when it’s over”. As outlined in the philosophy and culture of Olympism—sport can be used to build a better world by educating youth through sport.

But then again, that’s idealistic claptrap isn’t it? It’s a daily grind and commitment that carries with it no quick answers or solutions. When people are transformed into commodities that balance the books or scorecards, it then becomes all about function. How you get there is not important. Four hundred billion dollars but death stalks our hospitals as guns and drugs enter by the boatload. You harden your heart at your own peril. Another day will pass and another bullet will fly nowhere to play, nowhere to hide. Sport can make a difference but who cares? Our value system is a reflection of our society. Are you happy with the picture?

Source: trinidadexpress.com

SINGAPORE

Trinidad and Tobago produced a sterling effort to outlast Wales and start their campaign at the World Netball Championships on a winning note, yesterday.

Trailing after the first quarter, T&T hit back to lead by one at half-time before battling all the way to the end to earn a 51-48 verdict at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

They were joined by Caribbean powerhouses Jamaica, who brushed aside world number six South Africa 72-45, while Barbados thumped Malaysia 62-40 to ensure a winning start for all Caribbean sides.

T&T had the most trying time, as they were forced to pull out all stops to turn back a determined Welsh unit.

T&T were behind 12-13 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored their opponents 14-12 in the second to lead 26-25 at the half-time whistle.

The Trinidadians gave themselves breathing space in the third quarter by grabbing a 38-34 lead, and even though they were outscored 14-13 in the last quarter, they held on to post a rewarding victory.

For T&T, Janelle Barker finished with 36 goals from 40 attempts, while for Wales, Cara Moseley shot 20 from 28 with support from Rebecca James who got 19 from 22 attempts.

Unlike T&T, Jamaica had no problems, storming to a 15-11 first quarter lead, before hammering out a 34-20 half-time advantage. They eased off a little in the third quarter, but still outscored South Africa 16-13 to lead 50-33 at the start of the fourth quarter, before completing the formalities down the stretch.

Outstanding goal shoot Romelda Aiken led the Caribbean side with 40 from 49 attempts, with Anna-Kay Griffiths supporting with 11 from 15.

For South Africa, goal shoot Claudia Basson counted 23 from 26 attempts, while Christina Bootha scored 16 from 22.

Barbados, meanwhile, turned in a dominant second quarter effort to stun Malaysia.

Ahead 15-11 after the first stanza, the Barbadians outscored the Malaysians 21-8 to take a comfortable 36-19 lead at half-time.

Malaysia stormed back, sparking a 15-9 run in the third quarter to narrow Barbados' lead to 45-34. But that was as far as they got.

Barbados were led by Laurel Browne, with 25 of 28, while Nikita Piggott got 16 from 20 attempts.

Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir led the Malaysians with 23 from 32 attempts.

Source: insidethegames.biz|By David Gold

July 5 - A report published today by Britain's Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee into England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup has attacked FIFA and renewed calls for world football's governing body to review its bidding process, as well as the decision to drop an investigation into former CONCACAF power broker Jack Warner.

Warner last month resigned from the organisation after having been suspended for alleged bribery of FIFA delegates ahead of the Presidential election in favour of Qatari candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The Committee also calls on FIFA to publish the results of their Ethics Committee's report into Warner's alleged involvement in the affair.

"We urge FIFA to conduct a thorough review of its governance of bidding processes, incorporating independent input," said the report.

Criticising the current FIFA President, the committee said that "the record of Sepp Blatter does not inspire confidence that this will occur."

Another angle of attack came from FIFA's failure to hold an investigation into the claims from the Sunday Times that three members of the FIFA Executive Committee - one of whom was suspended at the time - had been bribed by a third party to vote for Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

"On the eve of our evidence session, we received a written submission from the Sunday Times which included allegations that Qatar, the winning bid for the 2022 World Cup, had bought the votes of three FIFA Executive Committee members," the report said.

"FIFA had not launched a proper investigation, despite having had these allegations brought to its attention."

"FIFA has given every impression of wishing to sweep all allegations of misconduct under the carpet and of dismissing anyone bringing allegations to them with an approach bordering on contempt."

Criticism was also levelled at former FA chairman Lord Triesman, who led the English campaign team until being forced to quit both posts after being recorded making accusations about the rival Spanish and Russian bids, for failing to raise the issue of corruption in FIFA when it arose during the 2018 bid campaign.

"It is frustrating and disappointing that Lord Triesman did not see fit to raise his allegations of corruption against four members of FIFA's Executive Committee with FIFA when he first became aware of them," it said.

"We welcome the undertaking he gave us that he would now raise his allegations with FIFA so that it could conduct an investigation."

Since the allegations, an investigation by British lawyer James Dingemans into Triesman's accusations avoided casting judgement and instead called on FIFA to conduct their own inquiry.

Source: insidethegames.biz|By Emily Goddard

July 4 - London's Tower Bridge is set to be at the heart of the 2012 celebrations with plans afoot to hang the iconic Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitors from the eminent structure throughout next year's Games.

Using a state-of-the-art energy efficient LED lighting system, the innovative project will enhance the architectural features of Tower Bridge, particularly at night, providing a permanent lighting legacy similar to that already installed at St Pancras, while also cutting the energy consumption of the existing static flood-lighting system by around 40 per cent.

Lighting artists Citelum, who have worked on the Eiffel Tower, the Zheng Yang Men gate in Beijing and the Abbey of Jumieges in France, will use flexible lighting technology that will also enable striking evening lighting displays during the 45 days of the Games, with gold, silver and bronze lighting effects to mark sporting medal successes.

The news comes following a funding deal announced recently by the Mayor of London between City Hall, City of London Corporation and London 2012 Sustainability partners EDF Energy and GE.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "I want London to sparkle with special moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and thanks to this funding deal, Tower Bridge is set to play a starring role in these once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.

"The Games are also a unique opportunity for London to secure its position for another generation as the best big city in the world and these plans will secure a fantastic legacy for one of the capital's best loved landmarks."

The project is now seeking to obtain the necessary planning consents and work could begin as early as September this year for completion by spring 2012, in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

"This proposal will help improve London's global image - not just in 2012 - but for the next 25 years," said Stuart Fraser, policy chairman of the City of London.

Source: insidethegames.biz|By Duncan Mackay

July 4 - An investigation is set to be launched to try to find out the reasons for the controversial resignation last week of John Scott as the chief executive of Glasgow 2014, a decision which remains shrouded in mystery.

Glasgow City Council's Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee is expected to lead the inquiry into why 59-year-old Scott quit his £179,000 ($286,000) role following, what was claimed, was an "error of judgement".

It was later reported that Scott had received free tax advice worth £6,000 ($8,750) from accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The Organising Committee have a strict policy that employees are not allowed to such any gifts or gratuities above the value of £100 ($145).

PwC have refused to confirm or deny it was the firm at the centre of the affair and Glasgow 2014 also declined to elaborate on the claims.

PwC had a two-year contract with Glasgow 2014 that ended in May, a role that included reviewing the Games' budget.

Kenneth Edler, the Liberal Democrat who is the chairman of the Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, is expected to ask for more details on the basis that the City Council are providing £80 million worth of funding for the Games, which are costing a total £524 million.

Dr Christopher Mason, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the City Council, claimed there were serious questions about the way Glasgow 2014 was being run.

"It's our view that the council needs to satisfy itself that the Organising Committee's governance practices are fit for purpose," he said.

Source: trinidadexpress.com

Trinidad and Tobago's Women's Olympic footballers were scheduled to arrive in Santo Domingo Saturday night ahead of their Caribbean Football Union Olympic qualifying matches against Dominican Republic, Bermuda and Dominica.

T&T, under head coach Richard Hood will face Bermuda in their first match tomorrow and Hood is quietly optimistic of an opening win.

"We've prepared well for the tournament. There have been some obstacles including the lack of international practice games but we've managed to work around that. We have some pretty experienced players who have been through this kind of competition before and I think they are keen to show their ability in these games," Hood told TTFF Media.

"We have some of the players from the Under 17 World Cup last year who also want to make an impression at this higher level and the girls are all anxious over the possibility of playing in the Olympics but they know they have a major step to take which is getting to the CONCACAF final round next year in Canada," Hood added.

T&T,captained by Kennya Cordner, faces Dominica in their second game on July 7 and closes against Dominican Republic two days later. The group winner advances to the CONCACAF Finals in Vancouver in January.

Players: Kimika Forbes (GK), Shalette Alexander (GK), Anastasia Prescott (DEF) (vice-captain), Arin King (DEF), Rhea Belgrave (DEF), Tiana Bateau (DEF), Patrice Superville (DEF), Kia Rigsby (DEF), Tineisha Cobham (DEF), Karyn Forbes (MF), Janine Francois (MF), Khadidra Debesette (MF) (WWC U-17 team), Patrice Campbell (MF), Tamar Watson (MF), Kenya Cordner (FOR) (captain), Candace Edwards (FOR), Jo Marie Lewis (FOR) WWC (U-17 team), Janelle Mcgee (FOR)

Technical Staff:

Richard Hood- Head Coach

Chris Bailey- Assistant Coach

Vernetta Flanders- Manager

Nicole Kistow- Physio Therapist

Glennon Foncette-Goalkeeper Coach

Anthony Walcott- Trainer

Claire George- Equipment Manager

Source: sportbusiness.com

The BBC has acquired broadcast rights to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Under the terms of the deal, the corporation will air events on television and radio and will provide online coverage for the UK home nations. The BBC will also work with the organisers in appointing a host production broadcaster for the event. As well as carrying all the sporting action from the Games, BBC Scotland will additionally show support programming to preview the event.

“BBC Scotland will have a special role at the heart of our coverage in giving the games extensive exposure in Scotland across our dedicated TV, radio and online services – all of which will help make the 2014 Games a truly momentous occasion in Scotland,” said BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie.

Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin added: “I am delighted that the BBC has taken up the domestic rights for the Commonwealth Games and I believe this deal represents a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow 2014 as well as the Commonwealth Games movement in general. The BBC's reach will help us to generate a huge level of excitement and anticipation in the lead-up to the biggest event Scotland will ever have hosted.”