Comments made in an article published yesterday in the Jamaica Gleaner headlined: Not ‘coaching against Trinidad’—Boldon hits back at claims he is ignoring T&T for regional rivals” was met with mixed reactions from National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette.

The piece included an interview with one of T&T’s most-celebrated athlete, Olympian Ato Boldon, who recently coached Jamaican junior sprinter Briana Williams, to a historic sprint double in the women’s 100m and 200m events at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, last week.

At the time, Serrette said he had not read the article which included some slighting comments from Boldon on the local track and field association and its programmes.

In the first instance, Serrette agreed with Boldon in saying that the four-time Olympic medallist is: “Not coaching against T&T.”

“He is coaching one of Jamaica’s athletes, he is not helping the Jamaican programme,” said Serrette.

“All of our top athletes are coached outside so it’s a similar situation.”

Serrette, who has been in charge of the governing body for the past 10 years, was told the article said: “Boldon is disappointed that he was not given an influential role in T&T’s track and field programme, like his counterparts from other nations, who have moved on from competing to coaching.”

With Boldon saying that: “I have watched all my peers being given leadership roles—and succeed,” he said. “Glenroy Gilbert (a former sprinter) of Canada, whom I had a conversation with on this very topic; Dennis Mitchell; Jon Drummond (both former sprinters as well), who coached the USA women to the world record in the 4x100m relays.”

For this Serrette responded by saying: “All of them have clubs in the respective countries that they are coaching,” said Serrette. “None of our coaches are paid. It is all voluntary. I do not get paid for my role either, but I am doing my part and giving it my all to ensure that the sport prosper.

“In T&T, development happens at the club level.

The existing clubs operate as ‘one man operations’ and usually the one man is the coach. The association hosts workshops and seminars designed to build capacity and improve accountability across its member clubs.

“The NAAA role is to support and provide general oversight of competitions through clubs and associations for athletes at national competitions, which we have done over the years.”

On learning that he referenced the NAAA as “mediocre,” Serrette said, “That’s Boldon’s opinion.

We had our sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye win gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

I’m not going to go tit-fortat with Ato.”

Boldon, won a bronze in both the 100 and 200m sprints at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, then a silver in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m four years later at the Sydney Games in Australia, had short stints as coach of T&T sprinters Richard Thompson and Kelly-Ann Baptiste, coached the national team previously and was appointed sports ambassador for T&T in 2000.

Boldon’s father Guy also had a local club called Gold Rush but it folded some years ago.

Professional netballer Kalifa McCollin recently returned home from her second stint in England and she’s ready to give back to the sport locally by hosting two threeday camps in Trinidad this weekend and next week in Tobago.

The international shooting sensation, this season, competed with benecosMavericks in the Vitality Netball Superleague, following her debut season with Celtic Dragons of Wales in 2017.

The Gilbert Netball Ambassador helped her Mavericks team to fifth place. (Gilbert is a company that sells custom-designed dresses, shoes as well as exclusively netballs) The first camp will be held at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain from Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 12 noon and over in Tobago at Shaw Park netball court.

The event is in collaboration with the Lystra Lewis Port-of- Spain Netball League.

McCollin, a national senior player, who is also a United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level II certified coach, will be joined by former national captains Rhonda John-Davis and Lystra Solomon Simmons, and senior national player Afeisha Noel, who also has experience playing in England.

John-Davis, who is the most capped player in this country, is the national Under-21 coach and Solomon-Simmons is the current national U-16 team assistant coach.

Each has sound knowledge and experience of the game and an understanding of the rules.

They will assist McCollin in delivering aspects of on offensive and defensive drills; intensive, tailored training from a dynamic team of professionals; and there will also be prizes for challenge winners. The cost is $30 per session and registration is $10.

For more information call 776-7363, 762-3605 or 389-7563.

LONDON – Sunil Ambris and John Campbell stroked lively half-centuries as West Indies A earned a draw against English County Surrey on the final day of their first class tour match yesterday.

Left to survive two sessions after the hosts declared at lunch with a lead of 361, Windies A safely navigated the afternoon at the Oval to end on 194 for three in their second innings.

Test batsman Sunil Ambris sent selectors another reminder of his quality with an unbeaten 63 while opener Campbell struck 55.

Vishaul Singh chipped in with 26, opener Chandrapaul Hemraj got 23 while wicketkeeper Devon Thomas finished 22 not out.

Surrey had earlier added 111 in the first session as they converted their overnight 62 for one into 173 for four declared in their second innings.

Ryan Patel, unbeaten on 30 at the start, top-scored with 48 as he extended his second wicket stand with Mark Stoneman (44) to 79.

He put on exactly 50 for the third wicket with Will Jacks who made 47.

Speedster Odean Smith was the most successful bowler with two for 15, also accounting for Patel to a catch at the wicket.

Windies A then made a lively start to their run chase, with Campbell and Hemraj putting on 79 for the first wicket.

Campbell struck six fours and a six off 70 balls while fellow left-hander Hemraj counted two fours in a 39-ball innings.

Nineteen-year-old off-spinner Amar Virdi got the breakthrough when Campbell drove loosely to cover and Hemraj followed in the next over without addition to the score, lbw to one from seamer Stuart Meaker which kept slightly low.

Ambris put on a further 48 with left-hander Vishaul Singh who scored 26 from 46 deliveries, as together they steadied the innings.

The right-handed Ambris, already with a hundred on tour, faced 99 balls in just under 2-1/4 hours and counted eight fours and a six.

When Vishaul played down the wrong line and lost his off-stump to South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, Ambris found another ally in Thomas to post a further 67 in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

Surrey vs Windies A – 3rd day
SURREY 1st Innings 366
WEST INDIES A 1st Innings 178
SURREY 2nd Innings
(overnight 62 for one)
A Harinath c (sub) b Holder 7
M Stoneman c wkp Thomas b Shepherd 44
R Patel c wkp Thomas b Smith 48
W Jacks not out 47
T Curran b Smith 2
A Rouse not out 7
Extras (b9, lb1, w5, nb3) 18
TOTAL (4 wkts decl., 37 overs) 173
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-88, 3-138, 4-151.
Bowling: Lewis 7-3-27-0 (w2), Holder 11-0-
50-1 (nb3), Reifer 5-0-35-0, Campbell 1-0-6-0,
Shepherd 8-2-30-1, Smith 5-0-15-2.
WEST INDIES A
2nd Innings (target: 362 runs)
J Campbell lbw b Meaker 55
C Hemraj c Borthwick b Virdi 23
S Ambris not out 63
V Singh b Morkel 26
D Thomas not out 22
Extras (b1, lb1, w3) 5
TOTAL (3 wkts, 50 overs) 194
Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-79, 3-127.
Bowling: Morkel 11-2-50-1, Pillans 7-1-39-0,
Meaker 7-2-29-1, Virdi 14-0-37-1, Borthwick
6-0-24-0, Patel 5-1-13-0.
Result: Match drawn.
Toss: Surrey.
Umpires: P Baldwin, M Burns.

Barbadian Antonio Morris copped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U-17 awards function which took place at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva on Tuesday night.

Morris led his country to the title with a brilliant unbeaten century in the final match against Guyana at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva earlier on the day which helped Barbados go ahead of two-time defending champions and hosts T&T by just 0.1 points, to take top honours in what has been described as the closest finish ever in the prestigious regional tournament.

Both Barbados and T&T ended with similar win-loss records, three victories and one defeat each, but the eventual champions ended with 20.6 points compared to T&T’s 20.5 in the final standings. Guyana (19.2) ended third, followed by the Leewards (13.6), the Windward Islands next (13.4) with Jamaica (1.5) in cellar position.

Morris emerged the batsman with the highest aggregate of runs in the tournament, 194. Tariq Newman of the Leeward Islands was the top bowler with nine wickets, while there was a tie with Leonardo Julien of T&T and Yeudister Persaud of Guyana who was the wicketkeepers claiming the most dismissals (six each).

Meanwhile, Patrice Charles acting Director of Sports representing Minister of Sports Shamfa Cudjoe brought greetings on her behalf and she was high in praise of the T&T Cricket Board for hosting another successful Regional U-17 tournament.

“I wish to thank the T&T Cricket Board for the tremendous effort that they have put into hosting and making this tournament incredibly successful for the last six years,” Charles, a former track athlete said.

On behalf of the Minister of Sports he said, “I understand the pivotal and critical role sport plays in youth development. By participating in sports, young persons can develop physical, mental and social skills as well as acquire important values that will carry them throughout their lives. I believe that sport coupled with youth development programmes are effective tools for creating well-rounded individuals and productive members of our society. When education and religion/religious knowledge are added to the mix – it makes for an unbeatable formula. Our young men, especially, need sports, like cricket, to give them a sense of focus and purpose and to help them become strong, confident, productive and successful leaders, providers, fathers, and friends. Let me remind you, the only person who can limit you – is you. American world champion athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee once said, ‘Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind’.”

Minister Cudjoe observed in the statement read by Charles noted, “that the CWI Under-17 Championship, over the years, has laid the foundation for many young cricketers whose aim is to move ahead and excel in the esteemed sport of cricket. It is undeniable then, that this event is an extremely important one in promoting regional integration from a socio-economic perspective. I am always delighted when events such as these are able to unite us as a Caribbean region. I am happy that so many representative teams from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and from the Leeward and Windward Islands were able to participate in this year’s championship and exhibit such great sportsmanship. And I also trust that your stay here has been an enjoyable one.”

Azim Bassarath, president of the T&T Cricket Board said, “These tournaments, in which the regional cricket body has invested heavily, affords motivation for youngsters like you to aspire and realise your dreams of becoming professional cricketers.”

Jael Lewis elevated his play to lift Maloney Pacers Basketball Academy and Youth Development Programme to victory in the Boys’ Under-16 Division of the Spartans TT Sports Club’s Basketball Fiesta II, that unfolded at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo, over the weekend.

So too did Brianna Charles in getting her Enterprise team the title in the girls U-18 division in an event that saw some 250 athletes, from 13 different clubs, from across T&T, competing in five different age groups. The others were U-10, U-12 and U-14 (boys and girls).

Lewis, while displaying his talent like the many young basketballers gathered to compete in front of their parents, coaches, well-wishers and basketball fans alike, helped his team take gold ahead of host club Spartans, which picked up silver and the bronze went to Detour Shak Attack.

Lewis was later recognised as the “Most Valuable Player” (MVP) of the division at the awards and closing ceremony.

One of the attendees was president of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Glyne Clarke, who came in from Barbados on the invitation of athletic director of Spartans TT Garvin Warwick.

“I’m impressed by the level of basketball I have seen here over this weekend. Trinidad has to build on this foundation that is being created by all these clubs represented here. I must acknowledge the vision and execution of this event by Mr Warwick and his team,” said Clarke. “I was invited last year but due to conflicting engagements I couldn’t be here, but I’m glad I made it this time around. A job well done to the Spartans TT organisation.” 

Charles’s team finished ahead of Brian Chase Academy and Edinburgh 500 Hawks in the Girls U-18 grouping while in the U-14 division, Vince Bolastig was rightly named the MVP after leading Spartans to the title ahead of Shak Attack and Maloney Pacers, respectively. Winning the girls’ category was Brian Chase Basketball Academy. Warwick was also thrilled by the level of competition displayed by the young athletes.

“I’m impressed by the level of composure these 12 and 14-yearold kids have shown over this weekend. From last year to this year, you have seen the growth and development of these players.

Some may say the World Cup Finals was a good one, but if you were witness to the U-14 or the U-16 finals you would have seen greatness,” said Warwick.

The other winners on the weekend were Enterprise in the Girls in the co-ed categories included Spartans in the U-12 grouping and Enterprise in the U-10 division.

Results

U-10 DIVISION: 1 Enterprise, 2 Spartans TT, 3 Montrose Magic
U-12 Division: 1 Spartans TT, 2 Brian Chase Basketball Academy, 3 Enterprise
U-14 BOYS DIVISION: 1 Spartans TT, 2 Detour Shak Attack, 3 Maloney Pacers Youth Development
U-14 GIRLS DIVISION: 1 Brian Chase Basketball Academy, 2 Enterprise, 3 Edinburgh 500 Hawks
U-16 BOYS DIVISION: 1 Maloney Pacers Youth Development, 2 Spartans TT, 3 Detour Shak Attack
U-18 GIRLS DIVISION: 1 Enterprise, 2 Brian Chase, 3 Edinburgh 500 Hawks

n HONOUR ROLL—MVPS

BOYS U-10: Necose Moore (Enterprise)

• GIRLS U-10: Malica Pierre (Enterprise)

• BOYS U-12: Jedaiah King (Spartans TT)

• GIRLS U-12: Carrisa Ramdial (Enterprsie)

• BOYS U-14: Vince Bolastig (Spartans TT)

• GIRLS U-14: Nyesha Carrington (Brian Chase)

• BOYS U-16 - Jael Lewis (Maloney Pacers)

• GIRLS U-18 - Brianna Charles (Enterprise)

National swimmers, Zoe Anthony, Jahmia Harley, Ornella Walker, Jeron Thompson, Jadar Chatoor and Kael Yorke were all in record-breaking form as a flurry of national records were broken when the Amateur Swimming Association’s annual National Age-Group Short Course Championships concluded at the National Aquatic Centre, in Balmain Couva on Sunday.

Anthony of Marlins Swim Club not only established new records on the 11–12 girls’ 50 metres breaststroke and 50m butterfly, but emerged the top swimmer in the age group.

The Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) gold medallist touched the wall in 29.80 seconds in the final, eclipsing the 2007 mark of Kimberlee John-Williams of 30.04.

Anthony then went on to win the 50m breaststroke a record time of 36.34 to surpass the 2006 record of Rejan Chin of 36.66 seconds.

Overall, Anthony won 12 gold medals over the five days of competition.

The 15-17 girls 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke records were all broken during the meet, Jahmia Harley of Tidal Wave Aquatics and Walker of Tobago YMCA interchanging places and records.

In the 50m backstroke, Walker won the gold breaking records in both the heats and finals.

In the heats, Walker swam 29.42 seconds to surpass the 2010 record of John-Williams of 29.78.

She went even faster in the final to win in 29.30 to break her own record.

Harley earned silver in the 50m backstroke but went on to win gold in the 100m backstroke in 1:03.95 minutes. The 100m backstroke swims saw records fall twice as Walker (1:05.36 mins) broke the 2005 record of Ayeisha Collymore of 1:05.75 in the preliminary heat.

This record only lasted a few hours as Harley 1:03.95 became the new mark with Walker settling for silver in 1:04.30.

Harley got the better of Walker in the 200m backstroke, where Harley won in a new record of 2:21.38, to break another John-Williams record of 2:21.53 (2010).

Harley emerged as the High Point Age-Group winner in the 15-17 girls’ category.

Thompson, a Commonwealth Youth Games medallist of Atlantis Aquatics established new national records in the 15-17 boys’ 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke. In the penultimate event of the meet, Thompson sped to the wall in 22.89 seconds pipping the 2011 record of Joshua Romany of 22.90.

Thompson swam a 50m backstroke Time Trial and set a new 15-17 record of 25.14, erasing Youth Olympic Medallist Christian Homer’s 2009 record of 25.38.

Yorke of Tidal Wave Aquatics established a new 15-17 boys’ national record in the 100m butterfly of 54.53 seconds.

Another Homer record was erased in the process as Yorke eclipsed Homer’s 2009 time of 54.79.

A member of this year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games swimming contingent, Yorke won the final in 54.58 and won the 15-17 age group High Point trophy. Chatoor won the 15-17 girls’ 800m freestyle in a time of 9:18.20, to break the 2010 John-Williams record of 9:19.59.

The meet also served as the final qualifier for the Goodwill Swim Meet which will be held in Barbados from August 17 – 19.

Rather regrettably for most of us, the 2018 FIFA World Cup has come to an end. We are now faced with the daunting task of having to wait until November 2022 for the 22nd edition - the experiment on the Asian continent in Qatar to begin.

What a great World Cup it was. There was just about everything that one can dream of; excitement, drama, thrills, controversy, upsets, tactical awareness and great goals.

It was the first World Cup to be held in Eastern Europe and the 11th time in Europe at an estimated cost of over $14.2 Billion, making it the most expensive World Cup ever.

What really struck me was how enthralled we were as a nation with this World Cup. Everyone I spoke to displayed symptoms of World Cup ‘fever’. They were either glued to their television sets or listening on the radio to the games. Just driving along the Avenue or on the ever busy Western Main Road in St James, especially on a weekend, there were crowds gathered in their numbers at their respective watering holes supporting their favourite team. World Cup fever was in every man, woman and child. For this, kudos must be given to CNC3 for bringing the games live and also to their sister company the radio frequency the Vibe CT105.1FM and the Guardian newspapers coverage could not be matched.

I must express a huge thank you to all those who listened on the radio and complimented the commentary as most of you were on the road but were still able to follow the games live and once again, the management of CNC3 and 105.1FM must be congratulated.

As one football fan mentioned to me, it is a pity the Soca Warriors were not in Russia after getting into the final round of the ‘hex’. He alluded to the fact that Stephen Hart should never have been fired at that point after the defeat here at home to Costa Rica followed by a defeat away to Honduras.

I must admit his point was well taken, as it is no disgrace losing to Costa Rica, and Panama was the only team to come away with victory in Honduras. Neither of Mexico, USA nor Costa Rica did that.

It is indeed ironic that the two managers sacked after the first two rounds of CONCACAF qualification were Jürgen Klinsmann of the USA and Hart of T&T. As you know, both countries then finished in 5th and 6th position with neither qualifying for even the playoff match.

Of course, T&T not qualifying was not just about the timing of the sacking of Hart; it goes much deeper than that. It really comes down to planning, or should I say a lack of proper planning. It is as simple as that.

Just the frenzy of the people of this nation should galvanise the executive of the TTFA into some sort of action. The only action I see from some members is trying to get the long-awaited and drawn out financial details relating to the football body’s largely controversial US$2.25 Million “Home of Football”.

Unfortunately, some of the members. I understand from reliable sources, seem to be blowing ‘hot and cold’; one-day demanding answers and the next, like soft babies pretending they are unaware of what is really going on. The country is depending on the members of the TTFA to ensure there is good governance within our football. It is time to stop pussyfooting with persons that are destroying the fabric of the beautiful game right in front of your very eyes and you are doing nothing about it. Stand up and be counted!

Our footballing public deserves better than this. Our players deserve better than this. They must be given every chance and opportunity to qualify for the next World Cup. We’ve done it before and we certainly can do it again. The only footballing interest appears to be warped around the ‘Home of Football’. Where is our development plan heading? What is the plan for the various youth teams?

Have we singled out a couple special players for elite training? Why are our youth teams losing? I suppose what may be of more importance is the gross floor area and the number of rooms being built for the ‘Home of Football’.

In retrospect, the 2018 World Cup saw some of the big teams bow out very early. Colombia left at the round of 16, Brazil left us at the quarter-final stage and we ended up with 4 European countries in the semi-final stage. Congratulations to France on being well-deserved winners and Croatia for being consistent throughout the tournament as runners-up.

I decided to pick my own team of the tournament playing a 4-4-2 system.

Of course, there are at least another dozen players that could have made it but in my opinion, these 11 were the main reason for their countries making it as far as they did. Meanwhile, let’s hope we all get over this World Cup tabanca quickly. But for the next four years, Vive La France!

MY TEAM

Goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Defenders: Kieran Trippier (England) Raphaël Varane (France) Diego Godín (Uruguay) Lucas Hernández (France)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) N’Golo Kanté (France) Luka Modri_ (Croatia) Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Forwards: Kylian Mbappé (France) Antoine Griezmann (France)

Colin Murray

T&T Junior Girls Squash team claimed the bronze medal at the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Tournament which took place in Jamaica recently. However, the boys team finished the tournament in fourth place.

But team T&T earned in third place finish overall, following impressive performances individually and as a team.

Chloe Walcott, the double national champion in the Under-15 and 17s was the lone gold medal winner for the twin-island republic during the tournament.

Alexandria Yearwood, the association’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year for 2017, showed why this award was bestowed upon her by claiming the silver medal in the Girls under-19 category which basically paved the way for other TT achievements.

These achievements include Marie Claire, who was among the large competitive field with her compatriot Yearwood and secured bronze medal to complete a second and third place finish for T&T in the division.

Later Sigourney Williams, the national under-13 queen also rise to the challenge among the other regional territories by earning silver in her age bracket, while double Junior national champion in the boys U-13 and 15 divisions Seth Thong got bronze.

There was also consolation wins for Nicholas Le Quay in the boys under-11 age bracket and Nicola de Verteuil in the u-13 division.

T&T is set to be the host of the 2019 Junior CASA Championships from which it foresees more medal, trophies and titles.

The local women’s table tennis team of France-based Rheann Chung, new national champion Catherine Spicer, and Brittany Joseph suffered defeat in both their Women’s Team matches when the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games began in Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

Playing at the Centro Eventos Puerta de Oro, the T&T women first went under to Puerto Rico 3-1 with five-time Caribbean singles champion Chung getting the lone win for her team, 11-7, 13-11, 11-7 against

Esmerlyn Castro. This after Eva Brito defeated Spicer 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five matches.

Yasiris Ortiz and Castro restored Puerto Rico’s lead at 2-1 when they beat Joseph and Spicer 8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6, in the doubles encounter before Brito stopped Joseph 11-9, 11-7, 12-10 to complete a 3-1 triumph for the Spanish-speaking island.

Against Mexico, Chung got T&T off to a winning start, 11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 over Alejandra Mendez but Spicer then fell to Yadira Silva, 5-11, 4-11, 4-11 while Spicer and Joseph were outplayed by Mendez and Marbella Aceves 11-4, 9-11, 4-11, 4-11 in the doubles.

Chung kept T&T alive in the tie by battling past Aceves 11-6, 6-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8 in her second singles match to set up a decider between Joseph and Silva.

It was not to be for T&T as Joseph despite a valiant effort fell to Silva, 6-11, 7-11, 16-14, 9-11 after starving off three match points and the tie, in the third set.

Today, the T&T women will complete round-robin pool play versus Colombia needing a win to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals. The Colombians defeated Mexico 3-2 in its opener before a 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic for a 2-0 record yesterday.

At the Marina de Puerto Velero, T&T’s Kelly-Ann Arrindell was eighth after the first three Women’s Laser Radial races.

In race one, Arrindell was a seventh-placed finisher while she ended seventh and 10th in the second and third races, respectively for a total of 24 points to end the first day.

She will return to action tomorrow with three more races, then Monday for the final three races.

Today will also see the local squash players Kale Wilson, Patrick Nku and Chayse Mc Quan as well as Alexandra Yearwood, Charlotte Knaggs and Marie-Claire Barcant start singles play in the round-of-32 men and women event.

Two-time Olympic swimmer Dylan Swimmer will spearhead T&T’s medal charge in the pool along with David Mc Leod, Jabari Baptiste, Joshua Romany and Kael Yorke.

Another Olympian, who will see action today, is sailor Andrew Lewis in the Men’s Laser Opening Series races one, two and three.

Four years ago at the 22nd CAC Games, in Veracruz, Mexico, T&T ended in the tenth spot with 11 medals, two gold, one silver and eight bronze from 197 athletes.

The medal tally was the smallest return for this country since 1990 in Mexico when T&T managed 13 medals, five silver and eight bronze.

Back in 2010 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico T&T captured 34 medals, nine gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze for the eighth spot on the medal table while in Colombia (2006) T&T won 21 medals (one gold, nine silver and 11 bronze).

In 2002 in San Salvador, El Salvador, T&T bagged 17 medals (five gold, one silver and 11 bronze); 1998 in Venezuela, T&T won 14 medals (one gold, eight silver and five bronze) and five years prior in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the T&T contingent picked up 26 medals, three gold, seven silver and 16 bronze.

With the 11 medals won in Veracruz, it moved the red, white and black, to 11th on the overall table with a total 209 medals, 41 gold, 75 silver and 93 bronze to be the second-ranked English-speaking Caribbean country behind Jamaica’s 340 medal haul, 101 gold, 117 silver and 122 bronze.

Returning home from Veracruz with precious gold for T&T were shot putter Cleopatra Borel in the women’s shot put for a second straight CAC Games, and swimmer George Bovell who won a third straight men’s 50m freestyle title.

The senior men’s national men’s hockey team got the lone silver medal after going down to Cuba 1-5 in their title match while bronze came via Dorian Alexander (taekwondo), Curtis Humphreys/Dexter St Louis (men’s table tennis doubles), Roger Daniel (shooting), Christopher George (judo), Kwesi Browne (cycling), Bovell (swimming), Michael Alexander (boxing) and the men’s sevens rugby team.

Defending Courts T20 champions UdeCOTT North Starblazers opened their defence of the title with a win in the first round on Wednesday night at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva.

Led by brilliant batting from Rachael Vincent, they took away an easy seven-wicket victory over Tridents Sports Phoenix at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva. Chasing 154 runs for victory, Vincent opening the batting took control and in the end was able to guide her team to victory. She scored an unbeaten 83 off 63 balls with seven fours and two sixes. She got good support from Jodian Morgan who scored 30 off 15 balls with one four and three sixes.

Earlier, skipper Lee Ann Kirby was brilliant with the ball, taking four wickets for 21 runs to restrict Phoenix to 153/5 off their allotted 20 overs. The only batter who handled her was Windies player Stacy Ann King, who slapped an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls with seven fours and a six.

The other game in the opening round between LCB Central Sharks and TECU Southern Titans did not come off as planned as the pitch at Wilson Road in Penal was found to be wet by the umpires. Rain in the Southland put paid to this game, as there was seepage under the covers that prevented any play. Both teams left the venue with one point each.

The second round was due to come off last night weather permitting. UdeCOTT North Starblazers were to come up against LCB Contractors at the NCC, while Tridents Sports Phoenix was due to play TECU Southern Titans at the Brian Lara Academy.

COURTS WOMEN’S T20 SCORES

At the NCC: Tridents Sports Phoenix 153/5 (20) (Stacy Ann King 78no, Lee Ann Kirby 4/21) vs UdeCOTT North Starblazers 154/3 (19.1) (Rachael Vincent 83no, Jodian Morgan 30) - Starblazers won by 7 wickets.

At Wilson Road: TECU Southern Titans vs LCB Central Sharks - no play.

The Amateur Swimming Association of T&T (ASATT) has selected a 40-member swim team as this country seeks to defend its Goodwill Swim Meet title when the 2018 edition of the meet takes place in Barbados from August 17 – 19.

The team was selected on Tuesday night at a meeting of the ASAT&T and ratified by its general council on the same night as well following the conclusion of the National Age-Group Short Course Swimming Championship at the National Aquatic Centre, Balmain, Couva on Sunday.

The Goodwill Swim Meet is a developmental meet where swimmers who have represented T&T at Carifta, Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) and higher level meets are excluded.

T&T is hoping to capture its fifth consecutive Goodwill title, as the team has won from 2014-2017.

The 10 and Unders’ were selected by virtue of the overall placing at the end of the meet, while the 11 and Overs’ has to set qualifying times set by ASAT&T.

T&T GOODWILL SWIMMING TEAM

Eighth and Under
Girls
Alyssa Reid, Netania Edwards, Asia-Marie Pouchet, Tamia Archibald
Boys
Rylan Thomas, Adam Scoon, Alejandro Agard, Zaheed Walter
Age 9-10
Girls
Keryn Burke, Shauna Nelson, Madara Edwards, Atiyah Walter
Boys
Giovanni Rivas, Zachary Anthony, Liam Carrington, Jacob Cox
Age 11 – 12
Girls
Kiara Goodridge, Amari Ash, Sharana Balkaran, Daniella Blackman
Boys
Dillon Jaglal, Nathan Pascall, Keron Kotiah, Justin Hassranah
Age 13 – 14
Girls
Isabella Edwards, Patricia-Lee Ravello, Naomi Walters, Jaedra Douglas
Boys
Aaron Stuart, Gardel Elcock, Nicholas Francois, Prince Moreau
Age 15 – 17
Girls
Kami Morean, Courtney Lawrence, Bianca Prevatt, Analee Maharaj
Boys
Jordan McMillan, Brandon Coombs, Dante Williams, Jamaal Pascall
Officials
Mark Alexis (coach), Nefertiti Acosta-Yates (manager), Lennox Gould (assistant coach), Rochelle Pierre (assistant coach), Leslyn Alexander (assistant coach), Keith Matamoro (chaperone), Nisha Charles (chaperone)

Marvin Gordon, the head coach of three-time winners and last season’s defeated finalist Defence Force FC, says it is no surprise to him that the Tetron Boys are into the final of the 2018 First Citizens Cup. His team will take on Central FC at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo tonight. Kick-off is at 7 pm.

“It is no surprise for me that we are in the final with one more hurdle for the title,” Gordon said this week.

“Before the start of the tournament and at the launch, I said that we (Defence Force) will go all the all the way to the final and even go one better (than last season when we lost the final 3-1 to W Connection) to win the title.”

The Defence Force coach added, “It is the confidence that I have as a coach in our squad. The confidence in what we are doing on the training pitch, and the belief in our players. The players also believe in what the coaching staff members are doing.”

Off the pitch and on it, it is also no surprise that the First Citizens Cup final will boast the biggest giveaways including a flat screen television, a security system, and TT$10,000 in ‘dash-for-cash’ as spectators will undoubtedly be the big winners.

Gates open from 5 pm on the final day which will also feature a live performance from Sejoux Leo Star. The largest and loudest First Citizens staff crew will also receive a cooler packed with drinks.

Non-Pro League teams will get a chance to win TT5,000 ‘dash-for-cash’ at 6 pm, while Pro League teams will get their shot during the half-time interval of the final. The rule, however, is that teams, Pro League and non-Pro League, must have ten (10) or more players in their respective team jersey to qualify a player for the ‘dash-for-cash’.

But in the main event Central, First Citizens Cup champions of 2013 and 2014, is keen on reuniting with the prestigious knockout title.

Central FC technical staff also believe in the strength of its team which boasts the likes of T&T’s 2006 World Cup squad members Densill Theobald and Anthony Wolfe, current T&T goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, Jared London, Akim Armstrong and Kerry Baptiste, many of who could celebrate their first title with the Couva Sharks.

Central FC needed a marathon penalty shootout to edged Police FC 7-6 from the spot following a 1-1 draw to reach the final after Defence Force had comfortably dispatched Morvant Caledonia United 4-0 in the first match of last week Friday’s semi-final double-header.

Central FC which is coached by legendary T&T forward Stern John, is the only team to defeat Defence Force so far this season, and did so with a 2-1 group stage win on June 22 courtesy resolute defending and a brilliant double from winger Tyrone Charles, who hit the back of the net seconds into the first and second halves.

John said, “Every club wants to win the First Citizens Cup,” said John, a former Birmingham City, Sunderland and Southampton forward. “It is the equivalent of the FA Cup in England. I cannot express how proud I am of my players and staff to fight their way into the final despite immense personal pressures placed on them. Many footballers would become distracted by the current situation, which has resulted in our players not receiving full salaries. But even so, when they cross that white line, they’ve given me 100 per cent.”

T&T senior women’s volleyballers will open their campaign at the XXIII Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games versus Puerto Rico at Humberto Perea Coliseum from 3 pm today in Barranquilla, Colombia.

However, the team’s preparations for the tournament and for the rest of the year, inclusive of the FIVB World Championship in Japan in September has been rocked by the impending resignation of the Cuba-born T&T coach, Francisco “Panchee” Cruz.

Speaking on Wednesday night ahead of the competition in Colombia, T&T coach, Cuban-born Cruz said: “My team is very tired. We don’t have the proper preparation for such an active season. We were in Canada (Challenge Cup), in Suriname for the Caribbean Cup and then in Santo Domingo for the Pan American Cup.

“Only well-prepared teams are capable to perform at this rhythm, this is not our case because we never train.

“I have faced this problem for 12 years since I took charge of the team and I have presented my resignation effective after the FIVB world championship. This competition is part of our preparation for worlds,” said Cruz, who has led the team to the last seven CAZOVA titles as well as debut appearances at the World Grand Prix (last year) and a spot in next month’s World Championship during his tenure.

The 24-team FIVB World Championship takes place in six cities in Japan from September 29 to October 20. Today’s encounter between T&T women and Puerto Rico comes 11 days after both teams tallied the third highest combined points total in the history of the Women’s Pan American Cup (226 points) which ended in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic on Saturday last.

Recent winners of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Women’s Championship for a record seventh straight time and eighth overall in Suriname, T&T, coming off an 11th-place finish at the Pan American Cup will then face Colombia on Saturday ahead of their final round-robin Pool B match with Costa Rica a day later.

Calypso Stickmen face Guatemala in the opener

With the sudden death of a national colleague, senior men’s team goalkeeper Kwasi Emmanuel (21) on Saturday last due to a heart attack, this country’s senior women’s hockey team will flick off its Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games campaign today.

T&T will face Guatemala in their Pool B opener from 2 pm before matches versus Barbados on Sunday from 12 noon, and Jamaica to end round-robin play on Tuesday, from 2 pm to end pool play.

The ‘Calypso Stickwomen’, gold medal winners in 2002 and 2010, both on Puerto Rican soil and fourth in 2006 in the Dominican Republic, as well as four years ago in Vera Cruz, Mexico after a 2-1 loss to the host.

Earlier this month the Anthony Marcano-coached national team warmed up for the CAC Games by topping a Tri-Nation Series which included hosts Barbados and Guyana at Wildey Hockey Turf, Wildey, Barbados. T&T drew 0-0 and defeated Barbados 1-0 while against Guyana, T&T co-captained by Amie Olton and Teresa Lezama went under to Guyana 1-0 but rebounded for a 3-1 win in their second match.

In addition to captain Olton, the T&T women’s team also feature three of her sisters in Kaitlyn, Samantha and Sarah, making it the first time four siblings had featured for T&T on the same national team.

The deceased Emmanuel and his two other brothers, Kieron and Kristien held that honour as the first sibling trio to represent T&T at a Pan American Junior Men’s Hockey Championship in Toronto, Canada in 2016.

T&T U-21 men, women footballers kick off medal hunt

This country’s Under-20 men’s football team will kick off their Group A round-robin matches at the CAC Games versus Honduras at the Romelio Martinez Stadium, Barranquilla, from 5 pm today.

The Russell Latapy-coached T&T squad which will also face Costa Rica on Sunday and Colombia on Tuesday are using the tournament as part of their preparations for the CONCACAF Men’s Championship in November which also serves as the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers.

“The main focus is on preparation for the U-20 Qualifiers at CONCACAF Level in November so the squad selection for the CAC Games was made with that in mind,” Latapy said prior to the team’s departure last weekend.

Group B comprises Mexico, Venezuela, Haiti and El Salvador. The semifinals take place with the top two teams from each group on July 28, with the gold and bronze medal matches set for July 31.

Three hours after the local men’s footballers open their tournament, T&T’s senior women’s footballers coached by Jamaal Shabazz will open its Group B account against Mexico at the Estadio Moderno Julio Torres from 8 pm (TT time).

The local women’s team will the face Nicaragua two days later (July 22) before closing off its campaign against Haiti Tuesday. The top two teams from the group will advance to take on the top two team in Group A, which comprises hosts Colombia, Venezuela, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

T&T TEAM

Athletics:
Athletes: Alena Brooks, Ayanna Alexander, Cleopatra Borel, Janeil Bellille, Kayelle Clarke, Khalifa St Fort, Khemani Roberts, La Toya Gilding, Portious Warren, Reyare Thomas, Semoy Hackett, Sparkle Mc Knight, Tyra Gittens, Zakiya Denoon, Aaron Lewis, Akeem Stewart, Andwuelle Wright, Hezekiel Romeo, Jalen Purcel, Jehue Gordon, Johnathan Farinha, Kareem Roberts, Keshorn Walcott, Keston Bledman, Kyle Greaux, Nathan Farinha, Nicholas Landeau, Reubin Walters
Staff: Dexter Voisin (manager), Arlon Morrison (coach), Ian Carter (coach), Ismael Mastrapa (coach), Jamal James (coach), Niconner Alexander (coach), Wade Franklyn (coach), Wendell Williams (coach).
Archery
Athletes: Daniel Catariz, Hasmath Ali, Johnathan Mosca, Jonathan Thomas, Peter Kong, Priyanka Dhanie
Staff: Peter Quesnel (manager), George Vire (coach)
Badminton
Athletes:Avril Marcelle, Will Lee
Staff: Ronald Clarke (manager)
Beach Volleyball
Athletes: Daneil Wiliams, Daynte Stewart, Abby Blackman, Rheeza Grant
Staff: Stephen Williams (manager), Nancy Joseph (coach)
Boxing
Athletes: Aaron Prince, Michael Alexander, Nigel Paul, Tiana Guy
Staff: Reynold Cox M Boxing (manager), Floyd Trumpet M Boxing (coach)
Canoe
Athletes: Satyam Maharaj
Staff: John Handyside (coach)
Cycling
Athletes: Adam Alexander, Akil Campbell, Christian Farah, Jovian Gomez, Kemp Orosco, Keron Bramble, Kwesi Browne, Nicholas Paul, Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Tyler Cole, Teniel Campbell, Jessica Costa, Alexi Costa, Alexi Bovell
Staff: David Francis (manager), Erin Hartwell (Sprint coach), Gene Samuel (Women’s coach), Ashton Williams (Mechanic), Elisha Greene (Mechanic), Gabriel Thomas (Mechanic)
Football
Men: Darnell Hospedales, Denzil Smith, Derron John, Ethan Bonaparte, Isaish Garcia, Isaish Lee, Jadel Poon-Lewis, Jared Dass, Jaydon Prowell, Jerrin Jackie, Jessie Williams, Jodel Brown, John Paul Rochford, Judah Garcia, Kierron Mason, Mark Ramdeen, Nickel Orr, Rivaldo Coryat, Shaqkeem Joseph, Triston Hodge
Staff: Alexandrine Elliot-Procope (manager), Russell Latapy (head coach), Duane Richardson (assistant coach), Kelvin Graham (goalkeeper coach), Caleb De Souza (coach/analyst), Dexter Tomas (trainer/physiotherapist), Otis Hislop (massage therapist), Devin Elcock (equipment manager)
Women: Aaliyah Prince, Afiyah Cornwall, Arin King, Ayana Russell, Janine Francois, Jenelle Cunningham, Jonelle Cato, Karyn Forbes, Kedie Johnson, Kimika Forbes, Liana Hinds, Mariah Shade, Naomi Guerra, Natasha St Louis, Natisha John, Patrice Superville, Rhea Belgrave, Saundra Baron, Summer Arjoon, Tasha St Louis
Staff: Jinelle James (manager), Jamaal Shabazz (head coach), Ross Russell (goalkeeper coach), Kavi Ali (Doctor), Joellen Redhead-Cole (physiotherapist),
Verne Browne (massage therapist), Trey Hart (trainer), Steve Frederick (equipment manager)
Hockey
Men: Akim Toussaint, Andrey Rocke, Daniel Byer, Jordan Reynos, Jordan Vieira, Kristien Emmanuel, Kwandwane Browne, Lyndell Byer, Marcus James, Michael II O’Connor, Mickell Pierre, Shane Legerton, Shaquille Daniel, Stefan Mouttet, Tariq Marcano, Teague Marcano
Staff - Cindy Martin-Faustin (head team manager)
Marlon Granderson (manager), Glenn Francis (head coach), Huw Stevens (assistant coach), Nicholas Baldeosingh (videographer)
Women: Amanda George, Amie Olton, Anya Sealy, Brianna Govia, Brittney Hingh, Dana De Gannes, Felica King, Gabrielle Thompson, Kaitlyn Olton, Kimberley Anne Young, Petal Derry, Saarah Olton, Samantha Olton, Savannah De Freitas, Shaniah De-Freitas, Teresa Lezama, Jennifer Lander (manager)
Anthony Marcano (head coach), Stacy Siu Butt (assistant coach), Natalie Nieves (videographer)
Judo
Athlete: Gabriella Wood
Staff: Mark Littrean (coach)
Rowing
Athlete: Felice Aisha Chow
Staff: Sarah Lucia Trowbridge (coach)
Rugby
Men’s team: Aasan Lewis, Agboola Silverthorn, Jahreem George, James Phillip, Joseph Quashie, Keishon Walker, Keston Earle, Leon Pantor, Nigel Ballington, Shakeel Dyte, Shakir Flemming, Wayne Kelly
Staff: Curtis Nero (manager), Larry Mendez (coach), Felicien Guerra (assistant coach)
Sailing
Athletes: Andrew Lewis, Kelly Ann Arrindell
Staff: Luis Chiappro (coach)
Shooting
Athletes: Clement Marshall, Marlon Moses, Marsha Bullen-Jones, Rhodney Allen, Roger Daniel
Staff: Ian Cockburn (manager)
Squash
Athletes: Chayse McQuan, Kale Wilson, Patrick Nku, Alexandria Yearwood, Charlotte Knaggs, Marie Claire Barcant
Staff: Ryan Jagessar (manager)
Swimming
Athletes: David Mc Leod, Dylan Carter, Jabari Baptiste, Joshua Romany, Kael Yorke; Open Water - Chisara Santana, Gabriel Bynoe, Shania David
Staff: Clive Carter (manager), Joseph Mc Leod (coach), Hazel Haynes (Open Water coach)
Table Tennis
Britney Joseph, Catherine Spicer, Linda Partap-Boodhan, Rheann Chung
Staff: Ian Joseph (manager), Aleena Edwards (coach)
Tennis
Athletes: Breana Stampfli, Yolande Leacock
Staff: Carlista Mohammed (coach)
Volleyball
Women’s team: Afesha Olton, Afiya Alexander, Channon Thompson, Darlene Ramdin, Jalicia Ross-Kydd, Kelly-Ann Billingy, Kiune Fletcher, Krystle Esdelle, Mikela Mc Gillvery, Renele Forde, Sinead Jack, Taija Thomas,
Staff: Susan Pierre (manager), Francisco Cruz Jimenez (coach), Jarad Cuffie (assistant coach), Nicholson Drakes (coach/analyst)
Keva Stephens (physiotherapist)
Men’s team: Akim Bushe, Brandon Legall, Che Cockburn-Harris, Joshua Mohammed, Kameron Donald, Kwesi Daniel, Marc Honore, Marley Davidson, Marlon Phillip, Mikheil Hoyte, Nathanael Noriega, Newton Grant, Nicholas Prescott, Ryan Stewart
Staff: Kairon Serrette (manager), Sean-miguel Morrison (coach), Tobias Ottley (assistant (coach), Amanda Johnson (physiotherapist)
Waterpolo
Men’s team: Adrian Hinds, Andrew Too-A-Foo, Christopher George, Daniel Alvarez, Ethan Elliott, Gregorio Felician, Kris Thomas, Kryztien Sharpe, Leon Daniel, Russell Ferreira, Ryan Smith, Sergio Des Vignes, Tyrece Joseph
Staff: Sebastian Van Reeken (manager), Genai Kerr (coach)
Women’s team: Ariel Stewart, Charissa Hackshaw, Jamila Noguera-Devers, Jordan Van Reeken, Leah Dos Santos, Megan Stafford, Shemiyah Ross, Summer Gibson, Thais Hinds, Yanis Augustine
Staff: Arielle Rostant (manager), Ronson Hackshaw (coach)
Officials:
Lovie Santana (chef de mission), Stacy Santana (deputy chef de mission), Rudranath Ramsawak (chief medical officer), Nailah Adams (Doctor), Ryan Rabilall (Doctor), Karielle De Bique (physiotherapist), Verne Alleyne (physiotherapist), Abdel Murguia Miranda (massage therapist), Brent Elder (massage therapist), Derek Ashby Williams (massage therapist), Ian Sharpe (massage therapist), June Durham (massage therapist), Keisha Fraser (massage therapist), Odessa Chandler (massage therapist), Shurlan Bonas (massage therapist), Melanie Gulston (press attache)ge therapist), Shurlan Bonas (massage therapist), Melanie Gulston (press attache)

T&T’s Alena Brooks, for the second time this week, reached the podium after placing third in the women’s 800 metres at the Morton Games International Athletics meet at the Morton Stadium Santry in Dublin, Ireland, yesterday.

The national champion, running in lane one, raced across the line in two minutes and 02.32 seconds to finish behind American Hannah Green, who won in 2:01.66, with Ciara Mageean of the host country in second in a season’s best 2:02.13.

Brooks, the national record-holder achieved at the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier this year with a 2:01.81-clocking, also won bronze in the event at the 67th Cork City Sports International Athletics meet at the Cork Institute of Technology also in Ireland, on Monday.

The national middle-distance runner raced from lane two and clocked 2:03.40, to trail American duo winner Laura Roesler (2:02.45) and second-placed Emily Richards (2:03.20).

Brooks’ performances will certainly give her a boost heading into the Central American and Caribbean Games which got on the way yesterday in Barranquilla, Colombia.

She was named among 23 athletes on the track and field team. The athletics competitions start on July 27 and run until August 3 at the Roberto Melendez Stadium.

It was so close as T&T cyclist Teniel Campell was edged out of climbing the podium when the 23rd Central American and Caribbean Sporting Organisation (CACSO) Games continued in Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

Competing over a distance of 21.2 kilometres in the Women’s Time Trial, Campbell, the reigning Caribbean Road Race and Time Trial champion crossed the finish line in 29 minutes and 13.17 seconds.

The top three finishers were Cuban Arlenis Sierra (28:08.97); followed by Colombian duo, Ana Sanabria (28:41.51), and Serika Guluma (29:06.28) while Alexi Costa, T&T’s other entrant, was tenth of the 14 competitors to complete the event in 32:05.73.

This was the first time T&T was being represented by women’s cyclists at the CACSO Games.

Last night, Olympic swimmer, USA-based Dylan Carter went after a podium finish in the men’s 100m freestyle in the A-Final. This after Carter won heat six of the morning heats in 49.24 seconds ahead of Venezuelan Alberto Mestre (49.69) and Jhonny-Rose Perez of Dominican Republic (51.19) while T&T’s Joshua Romany was fourth in 51.26 but did not make the final cut.|

Kael Yorke also contested the B-final of the 200m butterfly after he was fifth in his first heat in 2:06.07.

Honduras blanks Under-20 footballers

Honduras scored two first-half goals to hand T&T a 2-0 defeat in their opening match.

Denil Maldonado opened the scoring in the 31st minute and Eduardo Cruz doubled the advantage in the 41st for a 2-0 lead at the break.

There were no more goals in the second-half but T&T ended the match with ten men after Jerrin Jackie picked up yellow cards in the 63rd and 86th minutes.

Calypso Stickwomen clobber Guatemala 12-0

Dana-Lee De Gannes scored a beaver-trick to lead this country’s senior women’s hockey to a resounding 12-0 defeat of Guatemala in their Pool B opener.

De Gannes netted as early as the first, third, 33rd and 60th minutes for the “Calypso Stickwomen” while Brianna Govia (sixth and 32nd), Gabrielle Thompson (37th & 55th) and Shaniah De Freitas (41st pen & 54th) added two each in the lopsided win.

The pair of Kimberly Young (17th) and Felicia King (32nd) were also among the goals for T&T who will next face Barbados tomorrow from 12 noon and Jamaica to end round-robin play on Tuesday from 2 pm to end pool play.

Barbados beat Jamaica 1-0 in the other Pool B match while in Pool A, Dominican Republic defeated Guyana 4-0 and Mexico thumped Cuba 3-0.

Puerto Rico outplays Calypso Spikers

This country’s senior women volleyballers began their campaign with a 25-19, 17-25, 16-25, 20-25 loss to Puerto Rico in Pool B.

The duo of Channon Thompson and Sinead Jack both tallied 15 points for the “Calypso Spikers” in the loss while Krystle Esdelle added 12, and Darlene Ramdin six.

Overall it was a very even contest between both teams with T&T enjoying a 40-37 edge on spikes while Puerto Rico outscored T&T, 9-8 on blocks, and 5-4 on aces.

The Puerto Ricans cause was also helped by a whopping 43 unforced errors from T&T as compared to their 26 made.

Today, T&T meets Colombia in its second match.

Squash quartet fall at first hurdle

The local squash quartet of Kale Wilson, Patrick Nku, Alexandria Yearwood and Charlotte Knaggs were all beaten in the opening singles matches.

In the men’s round-of-32, Wilson fell to St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Jason Doyle, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11 and Nku went under to Guyana’s Jason-Ray Khalil, 9-11, 5-11, 6-11.

The women’s tournament served off with round-of-16 matches but still, Yearwood was ousted by Colombian Laura Perez 3-11, 1-11, 1-11 and Knaggs was beaten by Guyana’s Mary Fung-A-Fat, 3-11, 5-11, 3-11.

Today, they will be back on the floor to compete in the mixed doubles competition.

Ping-pong women end winless

France-based Rheann Chung was again the lone T&T player to taste victory as the national women’s table tennis team ended with a 0-3 pool record after a 1-3 loss to Colombia.

Two-time national champion Brittany Joseph was beaten by Paula Medina 7-11, 6-11, 10-12 but Chung overcame Louisa Zuluaga 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 14-12 to even the best-of-five series at 1-1.

Reigning T&T women’s champion, Catherine Spicer and Joseph then suffered a 5-11, 5-11, 8-11 doubles defeat to Zuluaga and Manuela Echeverry before Spicer was beaten again, 3-11, 7-11, 5-11 by Medina.

The Colombians won the four-team pool with a 3-0 mark ahead of Dominican Republic (2-1) which edged Mexico (1-2), 3-2 in their virtual battle for second place.

T&T was beaten by Dominican Republic 3-1 and Mexico, 3-2 on Thursday. Today the local players are back on court for the singles competition.

In action today also are sailor Kelly-Ann Arrindell, who is currently in eighth place, takes on her next three races in the laser series, rower Felicia Chow while the national hockey men face Cuba.

Defending champions Udecott North Starblazers continued their winning ways in the second annual Courts Women’s T20 Extravaganza as they defeated LCB Central Sharks by 21 runs at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva on Thursday night.

Batting first, Starblazers got a brilliant hand from Natasha Mc Lean who scored a powerful 72 not out. She faced just 47 balls, striking five fours and four sixes on a good batting strip at the NCC.

She was well supported by the inform Rachael Vincent who made 42 off 41 balls with four fours and a six. Vincent banged an unbeaten 83 in the first game against Tridents Sports Phoenix. Bowling for Central Sharks Kamara Ragoobar took 2/29 and Leandra Ramdeen 2/18.

Down at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tecu Southern Stars which had to sit and watch the rain stopped its opening match from playing on Wednesday evening, finally got into the action and won, as they had the better of struggling Tridents Sports Phoenix by 60 runs.

Titans were bowled out for 149 with skipper Britney Cooper scoring an unbeaten 76 and Windies standout Deandra Dottin making 27. Cooper needed only 43 balls to score her half-century and struck eight of them to the fence and another three over it. Dottin was her normal brutal self, using only 13 balls and smacking two fours and two sixes.

Karishma Ramharack 3/28 and Stacy Ann King 2/27, kept them in check. When Tridents Sports Phoenix replied they struggled from early and made 89 all out. Reneice Boyce top-scored with 27 as they found the bowling of Rosemary Samaroo 3 /5 and Patrina Walcott 2/12 too hot to handle.

Scores

At NCC: Udecott North Starblazers 155/6 (20) (Natasha McLean 72no, Rachael Vincent 42no, Kamara Ragoobar 2/29, Leandra Ramdeen 2/18) vs LCB Central Sharka 134/7 (20) (S Cambelle 43, C Henry 43no, A Thompson 21, A Collins 2/23, J Morgan 2/23) - Starblazers won by 21 runs.
At Brian Lara: TECU Southern Titans 149 all out (19.3) (Britney Cooper 76no, Deandra Dottin 27, Karishma Ramharack 3/28, Stacy Ann King 2/27) vs Tridents Sports Phoenix 89 all out (18.4) (Reneice Boyce 27, Rosemary Samaroo 3 /5, Patrina Walcott 2/12) - Titans won by 60 runs.

T&T’s Jereem “The Dream” Richards crossed the finishline in fifth place in a competitive men’s 200 metres event at the Herculis EBS Meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco, yesterday. This was at the 10th stop of the IAAF Diamond League Track and Field Meet.

The Commonwealth 200m champion, running out of lane three was in contention early on in the dash but faded to go across the line in a time of 20.16 seconds in a race dominated by world leader American Noah Lyles.

The 21-year-old American bettered his previous world-leading time of 19.69 he achieved some two weeks ago in Lausanne, Switzerland, clocking 19.65, also setting a new meet record and personal best (PB).

Following him to the line in second place was World champion Ramil Guliyev of Turkey in a time of 19.99 and in third was Alex Quinonez of Ecuador in 20.03. Panama’s Alonso Edwards was also ahead of the T&T athlete in 20.15.

The others finishers were Commonwealth silver medallist Aaron Brown of Canada in sixth in 20.17, South African Luxolo Adams was seventh in 20.65 and eighth was American Ameer Webb (20.77).

The Monaco meet had a number of exciting finishes including an incredible run by Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who become the world leader while simultaneously beating the Diamond League record, meeting record, national record and her PB with 48.97. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) was second also beating her personal best with 49.08 and USA’s Shakima Wimbley (50.85) was third.

The women’s 100m was won by Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, who was the only sprinter under 11s, winning at 10.89, followed by another Ivorian Murielle Ahoure (11.01) and Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson (11.02).

Walter Debysingh can land today’s feature event with his one-race filly Nuclear Power. The Shivam Maharaj owned daughter of Mission Impazable won impressively on debut when racing over 1,750 metres. That day she defeated Hurricane Harry and though going up in class, she has improved in the interim and will take all the beating in the Modified Benchmark Handicap for three-year-olds and over horses weighted 80-60 over 1,300 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park in Arima.

The United States-bred filly will be expected to remain unbeaten after this event for jockey Jorge Brancho.

O’Brien sends out the talented top-weight Desert Dancer which will be partnered by Dillon Khelawan with 57.0 kilos. Desert Dancer has been campaigning with better and top weight may not stop him from entering the winner’s enclosure, if my selection fails to fire.

Glenn Mendez whose stable is in tremendous form has a two-pronged attack in the event with Valorous and Golden Choice.

The Merlin Samlalsingh-owned Valorous will be ridden by Ricky Jadoo in the $41,225-purse event. Today, Valorous could go close once again over a distance shorter than which he raced last time out. He only weakened in the final 100m last time out and this shorter trip can play to his strength.

The consistent Golden Choice is expected to run another good race.

John Leotaud has Rocket Wheels entered and this filly is expected to go close with Kerron Khelawan in the saddle. This is her optimum trip and she could prove troublesome.

Post time is 1.05 pm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Newly recalled West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and swashbuckling opening batsman Chris Gayle both had little impact as Bangladesh trounced a Vice Chancellor’s XI by four wickets at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Having won the toss and chosen to bat, the Vice Chancellor’s XI could only muster 227 for nine off their 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh eased to 230-6 in 43.3 overs.

Bangladesh’s efforts were led by Litton Das (70) and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who smashed an unbeaten 75 as they romped to victory with 39 balls to spend.

Known for his usual aggressiveness, Gayle made 29 from 44 balls while Russell scored just 11 as the Vice Chancellor’s XI crumbled to 89 for six at one point.

A fightback was led by Kavem Hodge, who made 44 and Yannik Ottley, who scored 58, during a 91-run seventh wicket stand, after Musaddek Saikat had ripped through the Vice Chancellor’s XI top order.

Andre Russell was unimpressive playing for the Chancellor’s XI. Saikat finished with the impressive figures of four for 14 from 10 overs and Rubel Hossain snagged 3-40 from his nine overs.

In their turn at the crease, Bangladesh lost an early wicket, that of Anamul Haque Bijoy, lbw to Russell for nought.

Das and Nazmul Shanto then enjoyed a 90-run partnership, before Das was forced to retire hurt on 43 after getting hit on the hand by Powell.

However, with the score on 156 for five, Das resumed his innings and together with Rahim steered Bangladesh to relative safety through a 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Rovman Powell was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2-32 from his seven overs, while Russell took one wicket for 22 runs in his five overs.

Bangladesh will now turn their attention to the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against West Indies starting in Guyana on Sunday. (CMC)

T&T’s two Boy’s teams (Team 1 and 2) and the country’s number#2 Girls team have earned the right to contest the final of the ITF/COTECC 12 &Under Development Tournament scheduled for August 20 in Mexico, by virtue of winning the boy’s competition and finishing second in the girl’s play.

On the final day of the Sub Region 4 playoff yesterday at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) in Tacarigua the country’s boys teams of Team 1: Nathan Martin, Beckham Sylvester and Jace Quashie, and Team 2- Luca Denoon, Jaylon Chapman and Daniel Jeary claimed the top two positions respectively, while the country’s girls team of Jordane Dookie, Cameron Wong and Zara Ghuran settled for the second behind the eventual winners Curacao.

On a day of finals, T&T boys 1 produced a flawless 3-0 victory over their compatriots in team 2, with Sylvester whipping Denoon 7-5, 7-5 and Quashie dismissing Chapman 6-0, 6-1 in straight sets. However, the pair of Martin and Quashie were made to work hard for their doubles victory despite claiming the first set 6-3. Instead of a sweep, the pair of Chapman and Jeary stormed back to level the game at one apiece with a 6-4 win.

But the T&T top team showed why they are unbeaten in the tournament by clinching the final set 10-8 for the title and to advance to the finals.

Earlier Curacao boys also pulled off a 3-0 win over Antigua &Barbuda on court 7 for their overall third place finish. Both Cody Ritter and Kyan Henriquez set up the win with respective victories over Justyn Raeburn 6-1, 6-1 and Jaydon Marcano 6-3, 6-0, before the pair of Henriquez and Zahyd Josepia then returned to the court to beat Marcano and Xaveek Toppin in the doubles 7-5, 1-6, 10-8.

T&T’s first girl’s team also thrashed Curacao 3-0, after Ghuran held off Angelina Maduro 6-3, 6-1: Wong defeated Sarah Nita 6-3, 7-5 and the team of Dookie and Wong outplayed Maduro and Nita in the doubles.

Results

GIRLS - Position 3 - 4
Court 2 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 2 vs. ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 0 - 3
No.2 Singles Inara Chin Lee Ariel Kelsick 1-6, 3-6
No.1 Singles Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph Brasha Dyer 4-6, 1-6
Doubles Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph Brasha Dyer 1-6, 2-6
Kiera Youssef Ariel Kelsick
Position 1 - 2
Court 5 CURACAO vs. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 1 3 - 0
No.2 Singles Angelina Maduro Zara Ghuran 6-3, 6-1
No.1 Singles Sarah Nita Cameron Wong 6-3, 7-5
Doubles Angelina Maduro Jordane Dookie 6-1, 6-4
Sarah Nita Cameron Wong
Position 5 - 7
Court 7 BARBADOS vs. GUYANA 1 - 2
No.2 Singles Zahria Trotman-Gibson Menikshi Jaikissoon 0-6, 1-6
No.1 Singles Shonte Sargeant Reshida Hardy 7-6(4), 6-4
Doubles Faith Moore Reshida Hardy 1-6, 2-6
Shonte Sargeant Menikshi Jaikissoon
BOYS - Positions 3 - 4
Court 1 CURACAO vs. ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 3 - 0
No.2 Singles Cody Ritter Justyn Raeburn 6-1, 6-1
No.1 Singles Kyan Henriquez Jaydon Marcano 6-3, 6-0
Doubles Kyan Henriquez Jaydon Marcano 7-5, 1-6, [10 - 8]
Zahyd Josephia Xaveek Toppin
Positions 5 - 7
Court 3 GUYANA vs. GRENADA 1 - 2
No.2 Singles Jadeon Vieira Rayvon Alexander 0-6, 1-6
No.1 Singles Hayden Mentore Khayden McQueen 7-5, 6-2
Doubles Hayden Mentore Ruel Hypolite 3-6, 3-6
Jadeon Vieira Khayden McQueen
Position 1 - 2
Court 6 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 1 vs. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 2 3 - 0
No.2 Singles Beckham Sylvester Luca Denoon 7-5, 7-5
No.1 Singles Jace Quashie Jaylon Chapman 6-0, 6-1
Doubles Nathan Martin Jaylon Chapman 6-3, 4-6, [10 - 8]
Jace Quashie Daniel Jear

WALTER ALIBEY