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

Source: Gary Acosta

www.cyclingnews.com

Trinidad and Tobago earned their first medal at the 2011 Pan American Cycling Championships today when Njisane Phillip placed third (3rd) in the Men’s Sprints after he defeated Christian Tamayo (Colombia) in two straight rides.

Due to the inclement weather on Day 3 of the competition, Day 4’s morning session saw the majority of the previous night’s races being stuffed into its schedule. This lead to an action packed 6 hour morning session with five (5) Trinidadians taking to the track; Njisane Phillip (Sprints, Keirin), Haseem Mclean (Keirin), Adam Alexander (Omnium) and both Varun Maharaj & Joshua Alexander in the 40 Laps Points Race.

The morning started with Varun Maharaj in the 10km Points Race Heat, which saw the young Trinidadian qualifying for his first Senior Pan American Cycling Championship final, joining his compatriot, Joshua Alexander. Even with the duo in the same race, neither was capable to grab points in the 160 Lap Final, with Maharaj finishing in 16th and Alexander (J) in 20th.

Phillip took to the track in a must win 2nd ride in his semi-final match-up against Hersony Canelon of Venezuela. The 2011 Easter International Grand Prix Match Sprint Champion however, could not turn his luck around this time as the Venezuelan took the match in two straight rides. Phillip had one final chance to obtain a medal in the Sprints when he faced hometown favourite and the quickest qualifier in the Flying 200m, Chrisitian Tamayo. He easily dispatched Tamayo in two straight rides and deservedly stepped on the podium for the first time in the Championships.

Earlier in the morning, Alexander (A) crashed during the Omnium’s 4th event, Elimination and consequently was disqualified from the rest of the Omnium events.

The final entrant for the day saw Haseem Mclean in the 2nd heat of the Keirin - 1st round. Mclean was unable to advance past the first round after finishing 3rd in his heat and then 2nd in the repercharge just behind Sprints silver medalist, Jimmy Watkins (USA).

Fresh off of his Bronze medal capture, Phillip once again faced the starter’s orders for the Keirin 3rd Heat – 1st Round, which he won, guaranteeing him an automatic advance to the 2nd round.

The Siparia boy failed to advance any further though, after he finished 4th in his semi-final heat that boasted 2011 Pan Am Sprint Gold and Silver medalist and 2010 Pan Am Sprint Gold medalist. Njisane won the 7-12 final to take the 7th place and brought an end to a successful, long and tiring Day 4 for the young Trinidadian.

Tomorrow will see T&T participate in one event, two representatives will race against the clock in the Kilometre Time Trial, which starts at 8:00pm (TT Time).

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T international Wayne Legerton continued his good touch in front of goal with three goals in his last two matches for Hattem, in two victories in the Holland Field Hockey Premier Division. First, the 26-year-old Legerton, who plays locally for 2010 national double crowned champion Petrotrin scored a pair of goals to lead his club past Shinty 3-1 in a clash of fourth and fifth placed clubs on Good Friday (April 22).

This was followed by another goal on Sunday in a 6-2 thumping of cellar-placed Ede to carry his tally to 27 from his team’s 64 goals scored in 18 matches. The back-to-back victories carried Hattem to 37 points, six behind second placed Tempo while leaders Huizen has 47 points from 17 matches. Legerton and his Rabbits’ team-mates will next face Enschedesche on Sunday followed by matches against  Tempo (May 15); AMHC  (May 22) and Shinty (May 29) to close out the regular season.

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

By Nigel Simon

National hockey players, Kwandwane Browne and Mickel Pierre and their English Hockey League club, Canterbury will be competing in either the East, West or North Conference next season after one year in the Premier Division. This after Canterbury, which escaped demotion on the final day of the regular season last month after a last minute 2-1 win over Brooklands MU, ended at the bottom of the four-team Promotion/Relegation tournament, Monday.

In their final match, Canterbury went under to the University of Durham, 5-2. For Canterbury Liam Foster and Tom Butt scored in the first-half for a 2-1 lead but Durham which had Paddy Harman on target in the first-half got other goals from Dan Coultas, Matt Hodgson (two) and Mark Gallowat to secure a come-from-behind win. But the win was not enough for Durham to gain promotion either as it was edged out by Southgate and Exeter on goal-difference after all three clubs ended with six points from three matches.

Exeter topped the group with a similar 5-2 win over Southgate in Sunday’s other match played at the same time. A day earlier, Pierre was on target for Canterbury, in a 5-4 loss to Southgate on Sunday while University of Durham rebounded from its 4-0 loss to Southgate with a similar 5-4 triumph over Exeter.
On Saturday’s first day of matches, Canterbury, which finished second from bottom in the Premier Division regular season was beaten 3-1 by Exeter. Brooklands was relegated automatically while the three other clubs in the playoffs were winners of their three Conferences;, Southgate (East), Exeter (West) and Durham (North).

Source: BBC Sports News

By Leon Mann

The trademark braces may have gone but, despite missing six months of competition after testing positive for a banned substance, Shelly-Ann Fraser's broad smile remains the same.

The reigning 100m Olympic and world champion failed a drugs test at the Diamond League meet in Shanghai on 23 May last year, after taking a painkiller to treat a severe toothache.

In her first international interview since completing the ban - at the MVP athletics club in Jamaica - she was in a philosophical mood.

"The road to success has to have obstacles because at the end of the day, when success comes, it will be that much better," said the 24-year-old.
Continue reading the main story

I'm a professional athlete so whatever it is I put in my body it's up to me to take responsibility

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Almost a year on from the positive test, she still refuses to blame her coach, Stephen Francis, for giving her the banned substance.

"It was a mistake and I blame no one," she said.

"I'm a professional athlete - one who's supposed to set examples - so whatever it is I put in my body it's up to me to take responsibility for it and I have done that."

She will return to action on 7 May in the Jamaica National invitational, a big deal on the island and with hardcore athletics fans. The meet includes all of the big names in Jamaican running, although Usain Bolt will be missing this year.

On a personal note things have never been better. She married long-term boyfriend Jason Pryce in January, to become Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

"I really appreciate the fact that he's in my life. He a big part of the reason that I am successful," she said.

But despite the big smile, bright eyes and occasional giggles during our interview; as she revisited the events around her ban I sensed it has had an impact on her.

She pointed out that she could not have been more open after testing positive. The media wanted answers at the time so she spoke to them and explained the situation. There was no hiding away.

I asked if she worries about going down in history as the athlete who failed a drugs test, instead of as an Olympic and world champion.

Click to play

Fraser talks about her aims to make sprinting history

"What happened, happened. I can't take it back. I wish I could, but I can't", she replied with a sigh.

"I live my life very clean and transparent - so I have nothing to hide. If anyone wants to ask a question or to suggest something I'm always open. So, no, I don't worry about that at all."

Fraser-Pryce believes more must be done for athletes, explaining that oxycodone, for which she tested positive, is not considered performance enhancing and was new to the banned list.

"It should be up to the World Anti-Doping Agency to get it out there," she said.

"We had a seminar here in Jamaica for anti-doping and a lot of the athletes were in attendance. People want to know, they want the knowledge.

"But not a lot of people are educated enough to go out there and get information for themselves. They are living by chance - thinking, Oh, this is not going to happen.

"I would never have dreamed that this would happen to me, but it did, so I have to put things into perspective and try and get the right information so it don't happen again."

Fraser-Pryce admits athletes can be "naive in certain situations".

"I'm sure that people are saying, 'maybe she deliberately took it,' but I didn't. So now my eyes and my knowledge are that much broader because of the experience.

"I have a rule book at home now and one on my computer. But for an athlete I think it is long and there's a lot of substance on the list that are so complicated and it's hard to read.

"But at the end of the day we have a lot of people around us who are in the position to explain certain things. So it's up to us to go out there and get the information because it's going to benefit us"

It is hard to know when Fraser-Pryce is being serious at times. Her playful mood makes her difficult to read. She's most comfortable cracking jokes with her fellow athletes - so it's an awkward fit talking drugs.
Continue reading the main story

I'm anticipating a wonderful track career for the next three years

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

When we moved on to talking about the coming season the smile broadened and the look of an excited child at Christmas came over her face. Fraser-Pryce wants to make up for lost time.

"As the name suggests - it's something new - so I'm definitely bringing something new to the track; I'm just looking forward to the season.

"I lost so much last year - with my fans not seeing me compete and the children asking me, 'Shelly-Ann how comes I didn't see you run' - so I've got a lot of people who are looking up to me and looking forward to my return."

Still smiling she told me she has said sorry to her fans for testing positive and is now focussed on aiming to become a double Olympic and triple world 100m champion in the next three years.

So what's causing the most excitement in the Fraser family? The London Olympics.

"A lot of my family and friends are saying, 'I'm saving to come to London' and my family in London is calling me and saying 'We are ready, are you ready?'

"So I'm looking forward to it and I'm anticipating a wonderful track career for the next three years. I'll create history; let's say that."

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Brian Lewis

In any organisation, the risk of manipulation is great when there is outside interference, no matter how well intentioned or well thought through. Sport is no exception. Internationally there is growing concern about Government involvement in sport administration and the threat such involvement and/or interference can have on the autonomy of international and national sport governing bodies. Pertinent questions to be asked are what is the role of government in sport? What is the role of corporate T&T? What is the role of Government policy? What is the role of the world governing bodies, athletes, coaches, officials and spectators? Is Government a facilitator or controller? Should National Sport Organisations (NSOs) be entirely dependent on the Ministry of Sport for funding their activities? Where the government is providing funding or financial support what should be the expectations and demands? If there is to be a good integration between culture and proposed changes these questions and many more ought to be asked and discussed.

Failing to do so simply because it may be perceived as “troublemaking” will only lead T&T sport down the blind alley of contention and controversy. Policymakers and change agents must make themselves aware of the formal and informal structures, networks, personal relationships and informal leaders.
Conflict is always to be anticipated and there ought to be an awareness of all the alternatives imagined and unimagined. The role of communication cannot be underestimated. Once careful consideration is not brought to bear, the result is unintended consequences—in other words the opposite result to the one intended. How then can unintended consequences be avoided? One obvious way is to understand that change can and in most cases will bring about a change in the group relationships. Common sense questions such as: is there going to be an increased demand on the human resources that are available? Can T&T sport survive without the culture of volunteerism that has sustained it over the years?
Change is the mantra—we must improve is the sound bite. But how do we produce the desired change?
How do we overcome the resistance to change?

The available evidence over the years suggests that we are not effective at predicting the implications of change, positive or negative. Little thought or consideration is given to culture, personal and group interests and personal expectations. Those who hold views for and against must be encouraged to contribute in a meaningful way to the discussion. Isn’t it time we learn from the vast body of change literature that a too static and arbitrary approach to change may be ineffective, or even worse, be destructive. Undoubtedly, there is a lot that one can learn from politics, business and other sectors in the society. However, forging organisational change in NSOs without an awareness of those who may have vested or hidden agendas, or failing to take an honest look at all the factors, can provide fertile opportunity for manipulation.

NSOs are all wrestling with either having to make anticipatory changes or reactive changes. There is also considerable challenges with the pace of change. Imposing change without appreciating the process of change will create unintended consequences. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and seek to impose new values, beliefs, meaning, purpose and interests on a NSO or sport. Every individual involved in a sport will have a view and perspective on what is wrong within their sport and what change is required. But achieving consensus and commitment for change cannot happen outside the framework of the NSO and the broader context of the causes of perceived problems. A lack of respect for the intelligence, experience, knowledge and views of those who wear the shoes is a sure fire recipe for unintended consequences and ineffective change management. Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the T&T Olympic Committee http// www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the T&TOC.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T’s Men’s team missed out on automatic qualification for the London 2012 Olympics when they placed sixth in the Team Sprint on the second day of the UCI Pan Am Championships in Cali, Colombia, yesterday. Needing to place in the top two, the trio of Christopher Sellier (first leg), Haseem McLean (second) and Njisane Phillip (third) clocked a time of 46.515 in the qualifiers for an early elimination.

The event was eventually won by the host team of  Christian Leandro Tamayo, Fabian Puerta Zapata and Jonathan Marín Cermeño (45.343), who beat Americans Dean Tracy, Jimmy Watkins and Muchael Blatchford (45.416) in the final. Third place went to Venezuela (44.538), who beat Canada for the bronze.

During last year’s Championships in Mexico, Sellier, Phillip and Azikwe Kellar broke the Pan American and national records in the Team Sprint (44.09) during their third place ride off against Canada. Earlier in the Men’s Scratch race on Sunday, Joshua Alexander placed ninth while his brother Adam finished 20th out of 24 riders after being lapped. The Championships will continue today with the Omnium I-III, Points Race and Team Pursuit.

Results

Men's Team Sprint: Qualifying
1. USA (Dean Tracy/Jimmy Watkins/Michael Blatchford) - 44.707
2. Colombia (Christian Leandro Tamayo/Fabian Puerta Zapata/Jonathan Marín Cermeño) - 45.248
3. Venezuela (Angel Pulgar/Hersony Canelon/César Marcano) - 45.260
4 Canada (Travis Smith/Joseph Veloce/Stephane Cosette)
6. T&T (Christopher Sellier/ Haseem McLean/Njisane Phillip) - 46.515

Men's Team Sprint Final
1. Colombia (Christian Leandro Tamayo/Fabian Puerta Zapata/Jonathan Marín Cermeño) - 45.343
2. USA (Dean Tracy/Jimmy Watkins/Muchael Blatchford) - 45.416
Men’s team Sprint Bronze Medal race
3. Venezuela (Angel Pulgar/Hersony Canelon/César Marcano) - 44:538
4. Canada (Travis Smith/Joseph Veloce/Stephane Cosette) - 45.453

Mens Scratch Final
1. Carlos Urán Arroyave (Colombia)
2. Cristopher Javier Mansilla (Chile)
3. Darío Angel Colla (Argentina)
9. Joshua Alexander (T&T)
20. Adam Alexander (T&T)

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T successfully defended its Carifta Water Polo Championship boys’ Under-15 title on the weekend as they  decimated Curacao in three straight matches to sweep the best-of-five series, 3-0. In the first encounter at the Aquatic Centre in Wildey Barbados, T&T—under the guidance of coach Eoghan Miller and manager Jerry Chin Lee—demolished Curacao 27-0, led by the trio of ustin Bodden, Adrian Hinds and Christian Gillette, who scored five goals each.

Curacao finally got on the score-scards in the second match, in a 20-2 loss to T&T. For the winners, Jivan Chee Foon topscored with five goals and Gillette added three. In the final match on Sunday, T&T swamped Curacao 17-0 with Chee Foon, Akheem Valentine and Hinds scoring three each. Gillette and Chee Foon emerged as the top goal scorers for the tournament with ten goals a piece. The team was expected to return home yesterday (Monday).

The semi-finalists of the velocity males are 47 Christian Tamayo – Colombia, Njisane Phillip – Trinidad
& Tobago, Hersony Canelon – Venezuela, Jimmy Watkins – United States

Source: http://nuestrociclismo.com/

The six winners of the 2A series were # 47 Christian Leandro Tamayo Saavedra – Colombia # 111 Njisane Phillip –Trinidad & Tobago # 49 Jonathan Marin Cermeño – Colombia # 76 Michael Blatchford – United States # 75 Jimmy Watkins – United States # 77 Kevin Mansker – United States

The Argentines were eliminated in the phase of 1/16.

Source: http://nuestrociclismo.com/

Results from Series 1 / 16 Speed ​​Men

1 st Christian Series # 47 Leandro Tamayo Saavedra - Colombia 10:912
# 10 Paul Peruchoud - Argentina

Series 2 # 111 Njisane Phillip - Trinidad & Tobago 10:671
# 101 Jonathan Ogan Reinoso - Dominican Republic

3 rd Series # 114 Hersony Cannon - Venezuela 11:235
# 72 Eduardo Avelar Alexander Torres - El Salvador

4 th Series # 27 Travis Smith - Canada 10:998
# 110 Haseem Mc Lean - Trinidad & Tobago

5 th Series # 75 Jimmy Watkins - USA 10:905
# 115 Cesar Marcano - Venezuela

6 th Series # 77 Kevin Mansker - USA 11:000
# 9 Matias Gatto - Argentina

7 th Door Series # 48 Fabian Zapata - Colombia 11:204
# 59 Mainat Alejandro Reyes - Cuba

8 th Series # 28 Joseph Veloce - Canada 10:947
# 61 Luis Alberto Montoya Milanes - Cuba

9 th Series # 76 Michael Blatchford - USA 11:029
# 108 Christopher Sellier - Trinidad & Tobago

10 th Series # 49 Jonathan Marin Cermak - Colombia 11:001
# 30 Scott Mulder - Canada

11 th Series # 22 Flavio Cipriano - Brazil 11:249
# 7 Leandro Bottasso - Argentina

12 th Series # 92 Luis Carlos Toussaint - Mexico 10:728
# 113 Angel Pulgar - Venezuela

Breaking News

Njisane Phillip just placed 2nd in the flying 200 at the PanAm Cycling Championships in Medellín, Columbia. His time was 10.276 with the winning time standing at 10.270 !! Chris Sellier came 16th (10.795) & Haseem Mc Clean 21st (10.943).

More results and updates to follow!!

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Carifta gold medal brothers Elton and Kishorn Walcott are T&T’s top athletes in the latest IAAF World Junior (Under-20) rankings. Elton is at number five in the triple jump, following his national record jump of 16.28m at the Falcons Games in Bacolet, Tobago on April 18. He went on to capture his fourth consecutive title in the boy’s triple jump at this year’s Carifta Games in Montego Bay on April 25.
Younger brother Kishorn is also at number five in the javelin with his most recent national record throw of 72.04, which he achieved in taking his fourth Carifta title on April 24.

Kishorn’s winning distance was also a Carifta record. He bettered the previous  Carifta mark of 65.52 with his first four throws in the finals. He has lowered the 2010 national standard of 67.01 on four occasions this season. At the Southern Games on April 9, he improved the distance to 67.02 while and followed up at the Falcons Games on April 17 (67.32 and 69.01m) and at the Carifta Games April 24 (72.04). Dethroned Carifta girls under 20 100m champion Michelle Lee Ahye is sixth in the girls 100m with 11.44 seconds she achieved in settling for second Montego Bay.

Kai Selvon is seventh in the 200m (23.38). Jamol James is at number seven in the boys 100m with 10.38 he set in the heats at the 2011 National Secondary Schools Championships at the Hasely Crawford stadium on March 19. Carifta girls under 20 bronze medallist Kernesha Spann is at ninth in the girls 400m hurdles. The Youth Olympic representative clocked a personal best of 59.19 in taking the bronze in Montego Bay.

TT ATHLETES ON LATEST IAAF (U20) RANKINGS

Girls
Event    Position    Name    Performance    Date
100m    6    Michelle Lee Ahye    11.44    April 23
200m    7    Kai Selvon    23.38    March 26
400mH    9    Kernesha Spann    59.19    April 24
4x100m    3    TT U20    45.80    April 24
4x400m    4    TT U20    3:39:88    April 25

Boys
100m    7    Jamol James    10.38    March 19
200m    10    Moriba Morain    21.05    April 25
Triple Jump    5    Elton Walcott    16.28    March 17
Javelin    5    Kishorn Walcott    72.04    April 24
4x100m    2    TT U20    39.91    April 24
4x400m    2    TT U20    3:08:96    April 25

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T athletes picked up two more gold medals as 117th Penn Relays ended at Franklyn Field, Pennsylvania, USA on Saturday. Ayanna Alexander and Keston Bledman won their respective events with Commonwealth silver medallist Alexander topping the field in the women’s triple jump with a wind-added 13.47m (+2.3m/s). American Toni Smith grabbed silver with the same distance. However, Alexander got the edge with her next best jump of 13.41.

Olympic and world sprint relay silver medallist Bledman took the 100m in 10.20 seconds ahead of another American Rae Edwards (10.27) with Bahamas’ Adrian Griffith copping the bronze in 10.32.
Pilar McShine narrowly missed a medal in the women’s mile, clocking 4:37:56 to finished fourth behind Americans Lauren Centrowitz who won in 4:37:12 with Karly Hamric (4:37:35) and Elizabeth Maloy (4:37:48) second and third respectively.

Emmanuel Stewart was seventh in the College men’s discus (50.07m) and 14th in the javelin throw (57.77m). Jeanelle Ovid was joint 21st (1.64) in the College women’s high jump. At the Drakes Relays which also ended on Saturday at Des Moines, Iowa, Zwede Hewitt and his Baylor team-mates captured the men’s 4 x 400m in 3:05:01. Later Baylor claimed silver in the 4x100m in 39.19 seconds. On Friday, Hewitt was part of Baylor victorious 4x200m squad.

Source: www.insidethegames.com

By Duncan Mackay

The Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) interim President V.K Malhotra has sparked a row that could potentially jeopardise the participation of the country's team at the London 2012 Olympics after telling the Government that the National Sports Federations (NSFs) will reject a new law proposed by the Sports Ministry.

The proposed bill will limit the age and tenure of the NSF's office bearers.

After a meeting with 25 of the 34 NSFs today, Malhotra said that it was unanimously decided that the NSFs will defend their autonomy.

"All the NSFs present in the meeting have resolved to defend the autonomy of the Federations," said Malhotra, who is President of the Archery Association of India.

"Most of the Federations were forced or compelled to accept the draconian guidelines and the the Sports Bill.

"Obstacles are being created for them so that they may not send their teams in international competitions."

Malhotra claimed the Government wants to have full control over sports at all levels, including at the state and district levels, which is against the Olympic Charter.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have already warned the Indian Government that they are risking a suspension which could put in doubt their chance to compete at London if they try to interfere in the autonomy of the IOA and NSFs.

"We outrightly reject the bill and the Federations are prepared to accept any other suggestion of the Government which do not interfere in the autonomy of the national federations," said Malhotra, who took over the President of the IOA last week following the arrest of Suresh Kalmadi on corruption charges.

IOA secretary general Randhir Singh, who is also a member of the IOC, said that the matter is due to be discussed with the Government at a special meeting tomorrow.

"Today, 25 Federations, who will be present in tomorrow's meeting, participated in the discussion and all the federations are going to oppose the bill," he said.

"The Government is adopting a dictatorial attitude towards the Federations and this is not the proper way to run sports in a democracy.

Malhotra claimed that the IOA were not against reform but refused to be dicatated to by the Government.

"The Federations have already accepted the principle of transperancy, fair elections, CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) audit, number of players in the management of Federation as per institutional guidelines etc," he said.

"The Federations are also prepared to accept any other suggestion of the Government, which do not interfere in their autonomy."

Contact the writer of this story at duncan.mackay@insidethegames.biz.

Source:www.ttrfu.com

The  Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union(TTRFU) executive committee  were re elected unopposed for another two year term of office at  the  national rugby union's Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday at the Administrative centre of the T&T Police headquarters . The outgoing committee members: Leslie Figaro(President),Anthony Laurence(Vice-president),Colin Peters(Secretary),Curtis Nero(Treasurer) and Karl Muckette(Asst. Secretary) were given another two year mandate.

TTOC president Leslie Figaro,however, cautioned his executive committee colleagues that it is "not business as usual".Figaro said that he took no comfort in the outcome of the election as he is disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm and willingness to "step forward" by the T&T rugby fraternity and stakeholders.

"There are a number of things that I am not satisfied with. The administration of rugby both at the national and club level  must improve. There are issues that we have to address in an honest manner. There are not enough people pulling their weight. While some individuals  seem perfectly happy to criticize and be destructive from the side lines. But that is all they do talk. Ask them to step forward and become a doer and it is a horse of a different colour." said Figaro.

Figaro ,though,is looking forward to working with all the local rugby stakeholders in addressing the myriad of issues and challenges facing local rugby.The most pressing being the need to further accelerate the spread of the game and to obtain the use of  community facilities in other parts of the country not just north Trinidad.

"I am of the view that we need to strength and build capacity in our community programmes.I intend to initiate a programme that will seek to inform and raise awareness about the game of rugby. Raising the positive public profile of rugby will be the core objective of this particular programme. Another priority area is women's rugby. I intend to focus on women's rugby also. then there is the question of the TTRFU becoming financially self sufficent and developing revenue streams that can allow us to be able to plan with greater certainty." added Figaro

Meanwhile ,the T&T senior men's national team is heading to the final weeks of preparation for upcoming matches in the Regional rugby championship.

The TTRFU according to Figaro is working relentlessly with the Ministry of Sport to ensure that New Zealand Technical Director Murray Roulston will return to T&T ahead of the 28 May clash with rivals Guyana.

"Larry Mendez is in charge of the coaching and preparation duties,he is assisted by Dale Trotman. I have confidence in both men,who are former national rugby players.They have a lot of new ideas and we(TTRFU) will provide them with the support that they need. Curtis (Nero) ,the chairman of the TTRFU selectors is an experienced team manager. "

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Men’s 4x100 miss out on medal

Story by: Clayton Clarke

Semoy Hackett continued her impressive 2011 US Collegiate season by winning gold at the prestigious 117th Penn Relays, which ended at the Franklyn Field Stadium in Pennsylvania, USA, yesterday. Hackett was part of her Louisiana State University relay team which captured the College Women’s Sprint Medley event on Friday afternoon. With Hackett on the lead-off leg, LSU sped to gold in 3:48:45. Early in the day, Hackett was part of LSU’s silver-medal winning 4x100m squad. She completed her Penn Relay campaign with a bronze in the College Women’s 100m. The 2009 World Championships 100m semifinalist got to the line in 11.43 seconds behind Jamaican Carrie Russell (U Tech) who won in 11.29 and the USA’s Lakya Brookins of South Carolina (11.39). Hackett’s time was slower than her clocking in the heats (11.38), the quickest in the preliminaries.

Lalonde Gordon also stuck gold in Pennsylvania. The 2010 CAC 4x400m relay bronze medallist helped his Zenith Velocity outfit to the top of the podium in the Olympic Development Men’s 4x100m event in 3:11:92. St Francois Girls College were second in the High School Girls 4x100m relays for Large Schools. The Belmont-based school quartet of Janae Alexander, Tsai Ann Joseph, Kernesha Span and Lisa Wickham clocked 47.61 and were denied gold by Queen’s School of Jamaica, who won in 47.03.

T&T’s Men’s 4x100m team of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson was fourth in the USA vs the World Men’s 4x100m. The 2008 Beijing Olympic quartet crossed the line in 39.18, well behind the winners Jamaica (38.33), the USA Red (38.43) and USA Blue (38.66). In 2010, T&T’s squad was fifth in 38.91 behind Jamaica (with Usain Bolt on anchor), who took the top spot in a Penn Relay record of 37.90. The USA Blue team captured the USA vs the Rest of the World 4x100m title in a new record of 42.33, ahead USA Blue (42.64) and Jamaica (42.74).

Queen’s Royal College also came up short in the High Schools Boys 4x100 relay for Small Schools. The quartet of Deon Lendore, Jonathan Holder, Asa Guevara and Jonathatn Farinha clocked 42.24 seconds for fourth place. Camperdon of Jamaica took the gold in 41.69, ahead of Junipero Serra (41.75), with another Jamaican school, Herbert Morrison (41.94), in third. In the heats, QRC was ninth in 42.73. There was more success for T&T’s athletes at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday as Zwede Hewitt propelled Baylor to victory in the University Men’s 4x200m in 2:21:47. Hewitt also helped Baylor qualify for the 4x100 finals, which were contested late yesterday. Baylor clocked 40:43.

resuts

College Women’s Sprint Medley Championships of America (Finals)

1. LSU (Semoy Hackett) 3:48:45

Olympic Development Men’s 4x400m (Finals)

1. Zenith Velocity (Lalonde Gordon) 3:11:92

High Schools Girls' 4x100m (Large Schools) (Finals)

2. St Francois Girls(Janae Alexander, Tsai Ann Joseph, Kernesha Span, Lisa Wickham) 47.61

(Heats)

8. St Francois College 48.28

16. St Joseph Convent (POS) 48.71

College Women’s 100m dash (Finals)

1. Carrie Russel (U Tech/Jam) 11.29

2. Lakya Brookins (South Carolina/USA) 11.39

3. Semoy Hackett (LSU) 11.43

(Heats)

1. Hackett 11.38

USA vs Rest of the World Men’s 4x100 (Finals)

1. Jamaica (Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter, Steve Mullings) 38:33

2. USA Red (Walter Dix, Wallace Spearmon, Trell Krimmons, MIke Rodger) 38:43

3. USA Blue (Justin Gatlin, Darvis Patton, Shawn Crawford, Ivory Williams) 38.66

4. T&T (Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callendar, Richard Thompson) 39:18

High School Boys 4x100m (Small Schools) (Finals)

4. Queen’s Royal College (Deon Lendore, Jonathan Holder, Asa Guevara, Jonathan Farinha) 42.24

(Heats)

9. QRC (Deon Lendor, Jonathan Holder, Asa Guevara, Jonathan Farinha) 42.73

17. St Anthony’s College (Kyle Bacchus, Thulani George, Kory Woods, Ian Thomas) 43.26

College Men’s Long Jump Championships (Finals)

13. Kyron Blaise (LSU) 7.20m

College Men’s 4x200m (Heats)

14. Middlle Tennesse (Kendall Bacchus) 1:25:04

High Schools Boys 4x400m (Heats)

15. Queen Royal (Asa Guevara (50.72), Jonathan Farinha (49.76), Edwin Phillips (52.14), Deon Lendore (47.38) 3:19:99

El Dorado (Brandon Benjamin (49.53), Kishon Dempster (55.30), Brent Bernard (54.63), Kristian Farrell (52.18) 3:31:63

Fatima (Che Carr, William Alexander, Mikheil Caraby, Marcel Kewis ) 3:42:11

High Schools Boys Long Jump (Finals)

19. Kerry Benjamin (St Anthony’s College) 6.36m

College Men’s Triple Jump (Finals)

6. Kyron Blaise (LSU) 15:35m

DRAKES RELAYS

University Men’s 4x200m (Finals)

1. Baylor (Zwede Hewitt) 1:21:47

University Men’s 4x100m (Heats)

3. Baylor (Zwede Hewitt) 40:43 (1h1)

Release from the TTOC

There are some concerns about the funding of the T&T Pan Am Games team but rest assured we are working diligently to overcome the financial hurdle Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Micheal Romany told delegates at the TTOC Annual General Meeting held yesterday at Olympic House, 121 Abercromby Street, Port.of. Spain.

Romany alerted affiliates during his extended report on the TTOC's  2010 activities .Delegates also received  and approved the organisation's  audited financial accounts.A presentation was also done by Cartan Tours, the TTOC's official Authorised Ticket Reseller for the London 2012 Olympic games.

According to Romany, the TTOC executive has agreed a course of action in respect of ensuring that the quality of T&T's representation at the Pan Am games ,scheduled for Guadalajara,Mexico in October this year, is not compromised due to the financial uncertainty.

Romany,however, reminded delegates that the TTOC is a not for profit organisation and that any  funding that is received from the IOC and corporate sponsors are programme and project specific. The organisation,therefore,cannot use programme and project dedicated funding for Game travel.

" In the last decade  funding for travel to CAC,Pan Am and Commonwealth Games came  from the Ministry of Sport. So the unwelcome spectacle of athletes,coaches and administrators having to pay their own way has not been on the table.As far as possible we(TTOC) will strive to ensure that those athletes with  a realistic chance of a podium finish will attend the games .It is very possible that the team size will be smaller than in recent years."

Romany told delegates that overall the TTOC had a very positive year and the organisation was audited by the IOC and corporate sponsors and received high marks  for its transparent and meticulous management and use of grants and funds. He also reported that the TTOC's community based programmes received international recognition and acclaim.

A year ago, Jennie Petersen was in the midst of a 14-month placement in Trinidad and Tobago as part of Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC)’s innovative Capacity Support Program (see story, above). Now, the Calgary native is moving into a full-time role with CGC as its International Internship Programs Officer.

In her new position, Petersen will be responsible for the administration, development and implementation of CGC’s International Development through Sport internship programs, including the Capacity Support Program (CSP), South2North (S2N) and the new Sport Leaders Abroad Program (SLAP). One of more than 100 applicants for the position, she will report directly to Carla Thachuk, CGC’s Director of International Programs.

“We’re thrilled that Jennie has accepted this position with CGC,” says Thachuk. “During her Capacity Support Program internship, and more recently as Calgary Race Director for Commonwealth Games Canada’s inaugural IDS Game of Life Run/Walk, Jennie has demonstrated tremendous leadership and enthusiasm. Her skills and experience will be of great benefit to CGC as we work to further develop our internship programs.”

Petersen, who grew up in Calgary, has been working with Alberta Health Services as an addiction-prevention consultant since her return from Trinidad & Tobago. She’s very much looking forward to rejoining the world of International Development through Sport.

“I’ve been involved in sport my whole life and it’s a part of who I am,” says Petersen, a former competitive rugby player. “I had a fantastic experience in the Caribbean and the idea of being involved in that kind of work again is really exciting for me.”

Having been a CGC intern herself, Peterson will bring a unique perspective to the job. “It will help me to understand what the interns are going through and what kind of support they might need.”

Petersen holds a Master of Science degree with a specialization in Public Health from the University of Calgary, where she also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She will join CGC on a full-time basis in July, and will work part-time while wrapping up projects in her current job.  

Petersen replaces Hannah Juneau, who stepped down at the beginning of February to pursue other career opportunities.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

FOUR years ago, the family of Trinidad and Tobago swimmer George Bovell III desperately struggled to get tickets to see him compete at the Beijing Olympic Games. And it was only after protracted efforts they were able to secure four tickets at the last minute.

Yesterday, officials of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) announced that they were seeking to make the ticket-acquiring process easier for interested Trinidad and Tobago residents by appointing an official ticket agent to distribute its allocation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Trinidad and Tobago have been given an allocation of just 800 tickets, which are mainly for athletic events. It was also revealed that just two local print media will be accredited, while competing athletes have the opportunity to purchase two tickets for their events.

When the application process for London 2012 Olympic tickets closed recently, early indications showed that more than 20 million tickets were applied for worldwide, with around 1.8 million people submitting requests for tickets.

And because of the high demand, the TTOC said it aims to make the process as transparent as possible.

"We felt it was important to do that because we have had a number of requests from members of the public who are concerned about where they can get tickets," TTOC general secretary Brian Lewis said yesterday during a media conference at Olympic House, 121 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee announced American sports and leisure company Cartan Tours as its official authorised ticket re-sellers for the 2012 Olympics. The TTOC was represented by Lewis and president Larry Romany, who were joined by Cartan officials Grey Harney, director international business, and Donald Williams, vice-president sales and marketing.

Cartan is one of the oldest travel companies in North America, having been in existence since 1899. Between 1980 and 2006, Cartan was official ticket agent for the US Olympic Committee, but now represents the Olympic committees of 40 countries, including 37 in the Caribbean and North and Central America.

Williams disclosed that Cartan will offer official tickets, travel packages, and hospitality services to Trinidad and Tobago residents.

The average ticket price for London Olympics Games events is US$100, while an opening ceremony ticket goes for US$3,700.

Cartan Tours packages will start at US$1,900 and vary depending on number of days in London and the quality of hotel required.

Tickets can be bought directly on-line at cartanglobal.com or a form can be down-loaded from the same website and sent in by mail. Navigation to Cartan can also be made via the TTOC website (www.ttoc.org).

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee held a Media Conference on Friday 29th April, 2011, 3:00pm at the Olympic House, 121 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.

The Committee presented Cartan Tours as the Authorized Ticket Reseller for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Cartan Tours provided information to individuals and companies interested in securing tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

For further information about Cartan Tours London 2012 Olympic Games Travel Programs please contact info@cartanglobal.com or visit www.cartanglobal.com