Local swimmer Dylan Carter glided across the pool at the Aquatic Complex in Barranquilla, Colombia to pick up T&T’s first medal at the Central American and Caribbean Sporting Organisations (CACSO) Games, a gold in the men’s 100 metres freestyle final.

The Olympian comfortably touched the wall in 48.95 seconds to break the meet record of 49.00 which was held by Mexican Hanser Garcia, achieved in 2014. Getting silver was Aruba’ Cristoph Schreuders (49.17) and bronze went to Jorge Cesar of Mexico in 49.28.

Yesterday, Carter gave credit to his doctor and trainer following his goal medal performance which he believes was only possible because of their dedicated efforts to get him ready for the Games after an injury he sustained in April.

Carter said, “The past four months have been a really tumultuous journey for me. Not many people know this, but I had a pretty bad pectoral injury in April so it was a real road back. Big thanks to my doctor Anil Gopeesingh and my trainer Colin Seabright for spending those three months, doing everything possible to get me back for CAC.”

Carter admitted he also worked really hard to get back competitive.

Meanwhile, T&T’s Kael Yorke also hit the water in the men’s 200m B final and placed sixth in a time of 2:05.20.

Hockey men edge Cuba 2-1

T&T’s Men’s hockey team’s promise of its best showing at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games for its fallen player Kwasi Emmanuel, appeared to have taken shape yesterday at the Complejo Pibe Valderrama in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The men, hard-hit by the untimely passing of its goalkeeper Emmanuel, edged regional rivals Cuba in their opening game of the tournament 2-1.

They quickly took the lead after just 13 minutes from forward Teague Marcano, but their efforts appeared to have been in vain when Cuban midfielder Wilfredo Sanchez Reyes found the equalizer in the 37th minute.

The T&T men, playing their first match, however were unfazed by the Cuban response, and got the winner in the 50th, when inspirational midfielder Mickell Pierre found the nets to get their campaign off to a perfect start.

Squash team beat Barbados 2-1

T&T’s Men’s Squash team of Nkrumah Patrick and Stephen Mc Quan were winners 2-1 in the round of 16 of their CAC encounter also yesterday. But they were made to come from behind after the Barbadian team of Rhett and Khamal Cumberbatch took the opening set 11-8. The never-say-die attitude of the T&T pair however saw them storm back to a fighting 11-10 triumph in the second set, before a similar 11-10 victory in the third sealed the win for them.

Mixed results for Table Tennis Women

T&T’s Rheann Chung and Catherine Spicer secured rare wins in the preliminary round of the Women’s Singles yesterday, otherwise it was a not-so-good day for the country in table tennis.

Chung, the step-daughter of veteran tennis ace Dexter St Louis, pulled off an impressive 3-0 win over Camila Obando of Venezuela in match 37 of group 7, never dropping a single set in her 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 victory. But she stumbled thereafter, going down to Mexico’s Yadira Silva 1-3 in another match.

Spicer’s triumph came at the hands of Dahyana Rojas of the Dominican Republic 3-1 during match 33 of group 3. The local player took the opening set 11-7 but fell in the second 7-11. However, she returned to clinch the other two sets 11-7 and 11-9 for her lone victory on the day.

Like Chung, Spicer was also defeated by Luisa Zuluaga of Colombia 3-0. In other matches two T&T players Linda Partap and Brittany Joseph ended the day without a win to their names. In early matches Partap suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea Edghill of Guyana and Joseph fell to Fabiola Diaz of Puerto Rico 3-1. Later in the day, Partap and Joseph were also beaten by Mabelyn Enriquez of Guatemala 3-0 and Estefania Ramiros of El Salvador 3-1 respectively.

Men, women footballers beaten

T&T’s men and women’s football teams suffered opening day losses on Friday night. The men, comprising of mostly under 20 players, went down 2-0 to Honduras, conceding goals before the half time interval and ending the match a man down after Jerren Jackie was red carded for a second bookable offence. The women however were handed a 5-1 beating by Mexico in their encounter.

At the Estadio Rogelio Martinez, T&T men held their own until the 31st minute when captain Denil Maldonado put his effort past goalkeeper Denzil Smith from a wide ball. Before the T&T men could recover at the back, they received a second goal four minutes later from Eduardo Cruz.

T&T lost captain Triston Hodge to injury and the defender had to taken to hospital before being considered out of danger. T&T will today face Costa Rica from 5 pm (TT Time). Colombia defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in the other Group A encounter Friday.

At Estadio Moderno, T&T’s Women got a 57th minute item from Liana Hinds but that was all they could muster against a well oiled Mexican team. Monica Ocampo scored the opening two goals in the 20th and 53rd minutes. Mexico’s third goal came in the 54th through Victoria Corral before Hinds made it 3-1. Kalyn Johnson (66th) and Vaitiare Robles in the 70th were the other goalscorers.

The T&T women will also be in action today against Nicaragua at 5 pm.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

Champion trainer John O’Brien was again seen at his best when he saddled the Desert Dancer to win yesterday’s feature event at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

O’Brien landed a ‘touch’ with the Gerry Harding owned five-year-old gelding as he was sent off at odds of 9/1 to take the main event for the Benchmark Handicap for three-year-olds and over horses weighted 80-60 over 1,300 metres on the main track.

The Walter Debysingh one-raced filly Nuclear Power was made the even-money favourite, to the first prize cheque for champion owner Shivam Maharaj. Today, the talented daughter Mission Impazable could not peg back the well prepared and confidently ridden Desert Dancer.

When the starter sent the seven-horse field on their way Desert Dancer opened his stall and was out fastest of all.

However, after 50 metres the well-backed Glenn Mendez trained Valorous moved to the front from Rocket Wheels as Brian Boodramsing aboard Desert Dancer from the outside berth applied the brakes and allowed Galaxy and Nuclear Power to come forward.

At the far turn, Valorous still held sway from Rocket Wheels with Galaxy coming under pressure and allowing Nuclear Power to move into third with Desert Dancer being asked to take closer order in fourth. At the top of the straight, Rocket Wheels put her head in front and had the measure of Valorous. No sooner had Rocket Wheels hit the front, Boodramsing allowed Desert Dancer his head and he bounded into the lead with Nuclear Power being asked for her effort in the middle of the track by Jorge Bracho.

Nuclear Power powered home like a good horse but Desert Dancer had her measure over this shorter trip and ran out an easier winner than the margin suggested. Rocket Wheel stayed on stoutly for third with Valorous disappointing again in fourth.

The winner recorded the time of 1:20.16 for the trip.

O’Brien’s Santa Cruz Lady won for the fourth consecutive time when she held off her fast finishing stablemate Shangri La in the fourth event over 1,100 metres on the turf course. Brian Boodramsing put the Great Friends Stables three-year-old filly straight to the front and she held sway by the shortest of heads.

The day’s leading trainer was O’Brien who saddled two winners in Desert Dancer and Santa Cruz Lady. Riding honours for the day fell to Boodramsing who rode three winners.

T&T shone brightly at the recent International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) Championship in Colorado, USA, earlier this month (July 5-7) as karatekas from two clubs performed with credit and even brought back medals and trophies.

Karatekas from the Tazmanian Bulldogs School of Martial Arts and Kick-boxing and the Kalari &Kung Fu School of Martial Arts International took the tournament by storm with Sensei Dave Samdeo of Kalari, taking top position in the clash sparring, as well as second in the extreme forms and third in the creative forms and point sparring.

Club Kalari also got first and second places respectively in the Weapon and Creative forms sparring from sensei Brian Boodial: second in creative forms and point sparring from Amrit Ramsubhag while Vishal Ramsubhag copped gold, silver and bronze medals in the clash sparring, weapons and creative forms sparring respectively.

In addition, the Bulldogs’ 8&under and 9&under karatekas Liam Rajkumar, Kaleigh Rajkumar, Aditya Kyle Ragbir, Niya Hassan, Nika Hassan, Nivan Ragoo, Jamari Thomas and Vittal Anil Parasram, walked away with trophies and medals for outstanding performances. The display by the karatekas was evident of the work being done by local ISKA T&T representative Rodney Ramlal, whose responsibility to grow the sport locally and regionally has been picking up speed.

Ramlal, a veteran kick-boxer who defeated Brazil’s Aleksandro Askiva for the ISKA- sanctioned Pan American Championship title in 2015, was high in praise for the local karatekas, saying the hard work and dedication of the youngsters have paid off, as no one left the tournament empty-handed.

“Each one of our students showed a lot of promise based on the quality of their output. I think with more preparation these young karatekas would be on their way to bigger rewards in the future,” Ramlal said.

The local karatekas, spurred on by family and friends, held their own amidst stiff competition from Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Jamaica and the host nation, among other nations.

Ramlal, who is head instructor at the Tazmanian Bulldogs School of Martial Arts and Kick-boxing said his work has just started as he believes there is a lot of talent that exists within the boundaries of the twin-island Republic.

He is calling for this talent to be nurtured. At present, there are 10 clubs registered with the ISKA TT and Ramlal is extending invitations to all interested martial arts and kick-boxing clubs to join the future development of the ISKA, saying clubs must be registered with the local umbrella body of ISKA to be able to participate at international tournaments.

Ramlal can be contacted at (706-4583) or (iskatrinidadandtobago@gmail.com).

WALTER ALIBEY
 

Hail Central FC, champion of the First Citizens Cup for a third time.|

“The Sharks” as they are popularly called, claimed this title on Friday night when they defeated Defence Force FC 4-2 on penalty kicks, following a 2-2 stalemate in the final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain.

Discarded T&T midfielder Keron Cummings skilfully converted two goals while the acrobatics of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip ensured the Central men reunited with the trophy they won back in 2013 and 2014.

Phillip blocked attempts from Dylon King and Reon Moore from the penalty shoot-out, and looked on as Kerry Baptiste, Akim Armstrong, Cummings and Duane Muckette converted for Central for the title.

In a close encounter, Cummings fired Central in front in the 42nd minute to break a deadlock after both teams were steady in the defence. The man who was once an important piece of coach Stephen Hart’s puzzle, found himself at the end of Armstrong’s right-side centre inside the area, before eluding the challenges of two defenders before shooting powerfully past Sheldon Clarke to the bottom left corner.

With champagne on ice, however, the Defence Force stormed back in the second half with two quickly taken goals just over the hour mark.

First King beat a fully stretched Phillip from inside the box from Devorn Jorsling’s feed in the 64th minute to level the scores at one-apiece. Two minutes later, provider turned scorer, when Jorsling bundled in a cross by Moore who came on as a substitute, to push the army/coast-guard combination team in front for the first time in the game.

Cummings though had unfinished work to do, a job he finally completed in the 84th minute when he connected with a sweetly timed volley that nestled into the Defence Force nets from some distance out for the equaliser, 2-2. Later Cummings, who represented North East Stars before his move to Central FC, thought he had gotten the ‘winner’ in the first minute of extra-time when his thunderous drive cannoned off the crossbar, before being cleared to safety.

At the other end, Phillip had to keep out Moore’s effort in the 109th minute to send the game to the penalty spot. From the kicks, Hashim Arcia and Brent Sam also scored for the Defence Force while Clarke denied defender Taryk Sampson but it was not enough.

Afterwards, Central coach Stern John said, “They (Defence Force) thought they could just show up and beat us, but we came and we fought tooth and nail. All our boys worked their socks off and we won the game. At the end of the night, we were the better team and we deserved the win.”

Cummings said his display was a signal to T&T coach Dennis Lawrence that he is fully fit and ready for a national recall.

Scores

Defence Force FC- 2: (Dylon King 64’, Devorn Jorsling 66’) vs Central FC- 2: (Keron Cummings 42’, 84’). Central won 4-2 on penalty kicks.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed an upsurge in the way sporting events are promoted globally and to some extent here in T&T.

Similar to ways that sports viewership for international audiences has been upended by changes in the industry, we have started seeing a small shift locally in how teams and brands serve ads to fans in an attempt to lure them towards consuming their content.

We are nearing the end of times where promoting events was done through billboards or banners and television commercials. Instead, social media is the new trend but is it enough to totally blackout traditional advertising through TV, print or radio?

Of course, by moving ad spend to digital and social channels, teams and organisations can more effectively target fans who are already interested in their content, not to forget the younger audience.

But our numbers are way different in comparison to a Mumbai Indians or Paris St Germain or Juventus. Cunupia FC in the T&T Super League is perhaps leading the pack through their social media advertising by promoting games through ads that highlight entertainment by local artistes as well as giving fans the opportunity to win attractive electronic prizes such as mobile phones and Smart TVs. They deserve points for it but whether their numbers are jumping up is another question.

Should we be satisfied with crowds of 500 or maximum 2,000 when really a football match in tiers one and two of T&T football should at least have 4,000 or 5,000 or am I being too ambitious?

I still believe that the majority of citizens here are attracted by what they see in the newspaper or on television. The same ad being pushed on Facebook and Instagram may attract more viewership and interest if it were to appear twice on national TV during the week.

Okay, maybe the costing may be a challenge but this is where there is now opportunity for media houses to engage local sporting clubs and organisations by coming up with partnerships that can benefit both sides before one side dies and it’s more likely to be the traditional one.

The T&T Pro League and Super League are getting there but it is a challenge without pushing their promotions through paid advertisements.

The CPL (Caribbean Premier League) for instance is leading the pack not only because of its growth in popularity over the past two years or so but because they have a much bigger television audience and their financial resources allow them to publish ads on social media for a month straight whereas some of our local organisations can merely afford two days in succession.

Let’s face it. We are at a time of unprecedented commercial opportunity in global sports. This vast opening up of opportunity brings an increase in competition: for sponsors, for media revenue, for fan attention. It starts with understanding what is happening in the industry and figuring out what it means for your organisation.

Many sports teams are thinking about the future of their fan base to ensure they have a next generation of fans 10 to 20 years down the road.

A prime focus for that is connecting with women and children. Two key drivers of fan loyalty are the age of that first attendance at a game and participation in the sport itself. The idea that sport is a man’s world today is as outdated as the stereotype that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.

Women’s sport is a huge opportunity for brands to play a positive, active role in redressing the imbalance of female representation both on the sports field and supporting pitch side. But if there is the feeling that there are not enough women sporting events, well then the next best bet is to ensure they are present at the venues supporting the male events and coming in the form of added attractions. Come on, what’s better than having your event decorated by a strong female presence. Just look at the World Cup.

With so many new and accessible ways to view sports now, from mobile to social to VR, there is less of an incentive for fans to actually attend events in person. And this where we have to be extremely careful when it comes to live-streaming of events.

This may not sound like a big deal – after all, they are still watching – however, empty venues have a hugely negative effect on the entire sports marketing mix. Nothing looks worse than a half empty stadium.

First and foremost, you need to get people to go to the games. That creates the atmosphere and the best broadcast output. Are our sporting events are accessible to all? Is the venue a tiring task for fans to get to? Are the kick-off times an issue? Are the fans being priced out?

I don’t think so because at most it cost $40 to see a match or event a double-header in T&T today. The other obvious way to overcome this challenge is by enhancing the experience fans get at the venue, compared to the one they get at home or on the move via technology.

So let’s have more finger licking options, a wide array of food and a well-stocked bar; better seating accommodation and if the venue lacks it then partner with a company that could afford you a dozen umbrella tables strategically positioned at the venue; ensure you have a proper sound system in place and sufficient security for a safe environment.

If that part is perhaps costly, hopefully, the future can allow for more conversation in finding ways for the protective services to be useful in promoting sports, especially after the flop of LifeSport.

• Shaun Fuentes is a former FIFA Media Officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He is also currently a CONCACAF Competitions Media Operations Officer and has travelled extensively because sport and media. He was also the National Team’s Media Officer at the 2006 World Cup and has held the position for the past eighteen years.

GEORGETOWN—Fresh from their domination of Bangladesh in the recent two-Test series, West Indies will switch formats but hope to sustain their winning momentum when they take on the tourists in the first of three One-Day Internationals starting in Guyana, today.

While neither of the two Tests went the distance as Bangladesh’s batting capitulated weakly in Antigua and Jamaica, the Tigers are expected to put up a stronger showing in the shorter format in which they are more at home and are ranked seventh—two places higher than the Windies.

They were good enough to reach the final of the Tri-Nations Series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe last January, and also clinched a semi-final spot in last year’s Champions Trophy before bowing out.

West Indies Jason Holder said yesterday he was under no illusions about the danger posed by the Bangladeshis but stressed the importance of executing team plans.

“We know they are a better white-ball team probably than a red-ball team and they’ve got some quality in players in their line-up,” Holder noted.

“But I think we’ve got to just plan well for them. I think we’ve done a bit of thinking and a bit of planning towards where we want to go and accomplish, so it’s about executing. I think execution plays a big part of it and hopefully our guys can come tomorrow and execute from ball one.”

West Indies will also need to shake off their own rustiness, having not played an ODI since the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe last March.

The likes of superstars Twenty20 superstars Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Andre Russell have returned to the 13-man squad while Jason Holder and Rovman Powell are fresh off the Windies A tour in England.

And Holder believes with most of the squad having played competitive cricket over the last four months, West Indies should not be at any disadvantage with the change of formats.

“The mood in the camp is pretty good. Obviously we have had some time off since the last ODI series which would have been the World Cup qualifiers,” he explained.

“The guys played some cricket before then. We’ve had many of the guys playing in T20 leagues around the world, some guys have played A-team cricket and some other guys have been involved in Test cricket so everybody has been playing cricket.

“I think everybody is ready to go and hopefully we can start this series well tomorrow.”

The Windies’ recent ODI record is hardly stellar. In fact, last year alone they registered a mere three wins in 23 outings —whitewashed by New Zealand last December and hammered 4-0 by England in a five-match series four months prior.

Though they reached the final of the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, they were hardly convincing either, twice losing to Afghanistan, just edging minnows Zimbabwe, and needing the luck of Duckworth/Lewis to beat lowly Scotland in an all-important second round match.

West Indies, though, have beaten Bangladesh in seven of their last 11 meetings, sweeping them 3-0 the last time they meet in the Caribbean four years ago.

From the Test series, the Windies have also retained stroke-makers Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Kieran Powell, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and rookie pacer Keemo Paul, whose only four ODIs came in the World Cup qualifiers.

Russell, who served a year-long anti-doping drugs whereabouts ban in 2017, is also back in the squad for the first time in three years, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph also returning after recovering from a stress fracture which sidelined him since last December.

The second ODI is also carded for the National Stadium on Wednesday, with the third set for Warner Park in St Kitts next Saturday. CMC

Squads

WEST INDIES: Jason Holder (captain), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Mohammed, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph.

BANGLADESH: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed.

T&T men’s Team Sprint trio of teenager, Nicholas Paul, Kwesi Browne and two-time Olympian Njisane Phillip doubled this country’s gold medal tally to two at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean Sporting Organisation (CACSO) Games continued in Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

Overall it was a very productive day for T&T as fellow cyclists, Teneil Campbell (bronze) and rower Felice Chow (silver) also captured the first-ever medals for T&T in their respective events to push T&T’s medal haul to four, adding to the swimmer, Dylan Carter 100m freestyle gold on Friday night.

Competing in the final event at the Velodromo Alcides Nieto Patina, the trio of 19-year-old Paul, Browne, 24, and 27-year-old Phillip, riding in that order combined for a time of 43.873 seconds, a new games record, well ahead of Venezuela (44.578 secs) and Colombia (44.172 secs) which got silver and bronze respectively. Mexico was fourth in 45.774.

T&T had earlier finished with the fastest qualifying time of 44.096 ahead of the Venezuelans (45.154).

One event earlier, fellow cyclist and reigning Caribbean Road Race and Time Trial champion, Campbell finally got her historic medal on her second attempt.

Campbell, who was fourth in the women’s Road Time Trial on Friday got bronze this time out in the Women’s Scratch Race (10,000 metres/40 laps) behind Marlies Mejias of Cuba and silver medallist Lizbeth Salazar of Mexico.

The medal for 20-year-old Campbell is the first ever at the CACSO Games by a women’s cyclist for this country in their first ever appearance as well.

She will also compete in the Points Race and Omnium.

Earlier on the same track, the duo of Costa sisters, Alexi and Jessica as well as Christian Farah and Alex Bovell missed out on qualification to the Women’s Team Pursuit (4,000m) medal round.

The T&T women combined for a time of 4:51.022, a new national record, for the fifth spot.

The duo of Cuba (4:33.516) and Colombia (4:34.772) ended in the top two places and will contest the gold medal event today while Mexico (4:34.890) and Venezuela (4:43.060) will battle for the bronze medal.

In the Men’s Team Pursuit (4,000m), T&T’s Kemp Orosco, Tyler Cole, veteran Adam Alexander and Jovian Gomez could only finish sixth in their qualifying event in 4:26.561, ahead of Dominican Republic (4:40.693).

Venezuela (4:06.621) and Mexico (4:08.746) will contest the gold medal while Colombia (4:09.036) and Guatemala (4:16.314) will face off for bronze.

Today, Browne and Paul will compete in heat two of the men’s Keirin event while Akil Campbell lines up in the men’s Scratch Race (15,000m)

Chow rows to historic silver

Over at Lago, Calima, in Cali, 41-year-old Olympian, Felice Chow secured T&T’s first ever women’s medal in rowing, competing in the Women’s Singles Scull contested over a distance of 2000 metres.

Chow, who competed at the Rio Olympics in 2016 crossed the finish line in nine minutes, 26.24 seconds for silver behind Cuban, Yariulvis Cobas (9:13.05 mins) while Mexico’s Naiara Arrillaga took bronze in (9:41.22 mins)

Calypso Stickwomen improve to 2-0

Teenager Shaniah De Freitas netted two goals, as T&T women’s hockey team battled past Barbados 2-1 to improve to a perfect 2-0 round-robin record at the Unidad Deportivo Pibe Valderrama.

However, it was the Barbadians who struck first in the 17th minute through Keisha Boyce after a 0-0 first quarter.

De Freitas, 18, playing in her sixth international match for the ‘Calypso Stickwomen” drew T&T level five minutes later from the penalty spot and with two minutes left in the match she was on spot to score again to earn her team a deserved win.

The win lifted the Anthony Marcano-coached team who clobbered Guatemala 12-0 on Friday to six points in Pool B, three ahead of Jamaica whom they face tomorrow. Barbados is also on three points and meets winless Guatemala in its final match.

The Jamaicans defeated Guatemala 5-0 in the other pool match yesterday.

Today, the senior men’s hockey team, coming off a 2-1 win over Cuba on Saturday meet Barbados from 5 pm. Barbados edged Jamaica 1-0 in its opener.

Carter, Romany in 50m butterfly medal hunt

USA-duo, Dylan Carter and Joshua Romany were expected to add to T&T’s medal tally last night when they contested the men’s 50 metres butterfly final at the Complejo Acautico.

The 22-year-old Carter who won the men’s 100m freestyle in a CACSO Games record of 48.95 seconds on Friday night, was in record-breaking again yesterday when he won heat five of the 50m butterfly in 23.50 seconds, to erase Guatemalan Luis Martinez’s time of 23.53 set the heat before.

Romany, also 22, had earlier won the first heat in 23.73 to have the third fastest time ahead of last night’s gold medal swim.

Two other T&T swimmers who were in action, Jabari Baptiste and David Mc Leod did not advance to their respective final.

Baptiste was fifth in heat two of the men’s 100m backstroke in 58.02 seconds and was due to swim the B-Final, while Mc Leod was seventh in heat three in 59.25.

Ping pong women make doubles exit

The T&T teams of France-based Rheann Chung and Brittany Joseph, and Linda Partap-Boodhan and Catherine Spicer were beaten in the quarterfinal round of the Women’s Table Tennis Doubles at the Centro Eventos Puerta de Oro.

Chung and Joseph first defeated Barbadians Kenday King and Janae Lewis in the last-16, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 while Partap-Boodhan and Spicer battled past Guyana’s Chelsea Edghill and Trenace Lowe, 14-12, 10-12, 12-10, 14-12.

However, in the last-eight, Chung and Joseph went under to Guatemalans, Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Estrada 10-12, 11-4, 5-11, 8-11; and Partap-Boodhan and Spicer were ousted by El Salvadoreans, Emme Arias and Estefania Ramirios, 7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 7-11.

Both Spicer and Chung will now focus their attention on the knockout stage of the Women’s Singles after advancing from the round-robin group stages as second-place finishers in their three players groups with 1-1 records while Partap-Boodhan and Joseph were winless, 0-2.

T&T hopes for a squash doubles medals were dashed as the local teams in the women’s, men’s and mixed doubles were all beaten in their quarterfinals.

The T&T duo of Alexandria Yearwood and Marie-Claire Barcant were booted by Colombians Laura Perez and Maria Perez 4-11; 6-11; men’s doubles duo, Chayse Mc Quan and Nku Patrick were stopped by Bermudans, Micah Franklin and Noah Browne, 8-11, 4-11, and the mixed doubles team of Kale Wilson and Charlotte Knaggs fell to Colombians, Catalina Pelaez and Miguel Rodriguez, 6-11, 7-11.

Calypso Spikers secure quarterfinals spot

T&T women volleyballers will come up against Mexico from 8 pm tonight in the first of two quarterfinals at the Humberto Perea Coliseum. This after the Renele Forde-captain ‘Calypso Spikers’ defeated Costa Rica 25-18, 25-23, 25-16 to end with a 1-2 round-robin Pool B record.

On Saturday night, the T&T women were beaten 22-25, 19-25, 20-25 by host Colombia who got a tournament-high 27 points from Amanda Coneo. Middle blocker Sinead Jack led T&T with 14 points, while wing spiker Channon Thompson added 12, and the pair of Darlene Ramdin and Krystle Esdelle, eight apiece.

Costa Rica hands Under-20s second loss

T&T chances of advancing to the men’s football medal round competition were all but ended after a 3-2 loss to Costa Rica at the Estadio Romelio Martinez, yesterday.

Randall Leal scored twice for the Central Americans in the ninth and 23rd minute while Andres Gomez was also on target in the 15th.

For T&T, John-Paul Rochford got a 60th-minute goal to give his team some hope before Nickel Orr made it 3-2 seven minutes later.

That was as close as T&T would get as Costa Rica held on for the important three points. Last night the T&T women, beaten 5-1 by Mexico in their opener came up against Nicaragua, which defeated Haiti 3-0 on Friday. A win for T&T will keep them in the contest for a medal.

Olympian Andrew Lewis had a mixed day on Saturday as he placed second in the fourth of his Laser Radial races before a 16th placed in race five while Kelly-Ann Arrindell was fifth and ninth in race four and five respectively prior to yesterday’s events.

T&T’s Samantha Wallace and her New South Wales Swifts hopes of advancing to the Suncorp Netball League semifinals faded after a 57-57 with Magpies Netball at Hisense Arena, Australia on Saturday.

Coming off the back off four straight losses, 24-year-old Wallace and the Swifts were hungry for a win, but instead, they walked away with a tie and their path to the top four too far gone.

A second-year player with the Swifts, goal shoot Wallace started off well and scored 11 of her 12 attempts to hand her team an 18-14 first quarter lead.

As the second quarter commenced, the physicality in the Swifts goal circle increased, with both England international, goal attack Helen Housby and Wallace taking some hard knocks to the ground.

Towards the end of the quarter, the home to close the gap, at 26- 28, winning the bonus point for taking the quarter, 12-10.

At the start of the third quarter, Wallace who added six goals to her tally from seven attempts was replaced by Sophie Garbin as the Swifts attack slowed down, with Magpies finishing off their passes a lot cleaner.

The home side took a one-goal lead but a call on Kim Ravaillion delaying the centre pass got them back 39-37.

Caitlin Thwaites took a shot on the buzzer but she missed, giving the bonus point to the Swifts (16- 15) with the score 44-41.

The fourth quarter was a seasaw tussle as the momentum was swinging for both sides. As the clock wound down and the scores were levelled and the pressure increased.

Housby and wing attack Paige Hadley both got an intercept each, and centre court Maddy Proud took a hard tumble that took her off the court, but Sharni Layton got the ball back to level the score 55 a-piece with one minute to play.

Right before the final buzzer, Magpies’ goal attack Erin Bell sunk a high-pressure shot to draw the game 57-57 and take home the bonus point.

Wallace ended with 17 goals from 19 attempts to take her season tally to 357 goals from 398 attempts while Housby added 19 from 22 attempts, and Garbin, 21 from 22.

Thwaites who was named the Nissan “Most Valuable Player of the match had a match-high 31 goals 34 attempts, and Bell, 21 from 27.

With the draw results, Swift’s record improved to 5-1-6 from 12 matches, for 41 points, 14 out of joint fourth spot held by Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning with two rounds of matches left. West Coast Fever leads the eight-team table with a 9-0-3 record and 63 points, two ahead of Giants Netball (8-1-3) while Melbourne Vixens (8-0-4) and Queensland Firebirds (7-0-5) are next with 56 and 55 points, respectively.

Magpies Netball is seventh with a 3-1-8 mark and 38 points while winless Adelaide Thunderbird (0- 0-12) occupies the last place with four points.

Former national youth player, Ryan Stewart bagged a double to lead FC Santa Rosa to a comfortable 5-0 mauling of Matura ReUnited in the T&T Super League on Saturday.

Kevon Cornwall opened the scoring for FC Santa Rosa as early as the ninth minute at the Guaya Recreation Ground while Stewart, formerly of Guaya United, netted his first in the 24th for a 2-0 lead at the half time interval.

Two minutes after the restart, Kheelon Mitchell made it 3-0 before Stewart completed his double in the 56th followed by a 92nd-minute strike from Giovanni Abraham to complete the one-sided contest to climb to the fourth spot with 12 points from seven matches, four adrift of leaders Queen’s Park Cricket Club who were in action yesterday.

Up at the University of T&T Ground, O’Meara Road, Arima, Andre Mohammed netted two quick second-half items to earn visitors, Prison Service a 3-2 triumph over UTT.

In-form Nathan Julien handed Prison Service a 1-0 lead at the half thanks to his 40th-minute strike. However, two minutes into the second-half, national futsal player Cyrano Glenn drew UTT level, only for Mohammed to hammer home goals in the 61st and 63rd minute to give his team a 3-1 cushion.

With five minutes left, Shaquille Nesbitt converted a penalty for UTT, but Prison managed to hold on for the valuable three points to move to fifth with ten.

In the two other matches played yesterday, Club Sando Cultural Roots United and San Fernando Giants battled to a 1-1 draw at Dibe Recreation Ground, Long Circular while Petit Valley Diego Martin and Metal X Erin FC ended goalless at St Anthony’s College Ground, Morne Coco Road, Westmoorings.

Results

SATURDAY

Club Sando 1 (Jamal Burke 45th) vs San Fernando Giants 1 (Keston Grant 45th)

FC Santa Rosa 5 (Ryan Stewart 24th, 56th, Kevon Cornwall 9th, Kheelon Mitchell 47th, Giovanni Abraham 92nd) vs Matura ReUnited 0

Prison Service 3 (Andre Mohammed 61st, 63rd, Nathan Julien 40th) vs UTT 2 (Cyrano Glenn 47th, Shaquille Nesbitt 85th pen)

Petit Valley Diego Martin Utd 0 vs Erin FC 0

Standings

CURRENT T&T SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS
TEAMS...........................P...W...D....L...GF...GA PTS
1. QPCC.................................6..... 5.... 1.... 0.....16.... 6....16
2. Cunupia FC......................6..... 4.... 2.... 0.....15.... 5....14
3. Matura ReUnited...........7..... 4.... 1.... 2.....12... 14...13
4. FC Santa Rosa.................7..... 4.... 0.... 3.....15.... 7....12
5. Prisons Service...............7..... 2.... 4.... 1...... 9...... 9....10
6. Guaya Utd.......................6..... 2.... 3.... 1.....11.... 6......9
7. Police FC..........................6..... 2.... 3.... 1...... 5...... 6......9
8. UTT....................................7..... 2.... 2.... 3...... 8..... 11.....8
9. RSSR FC............................6..... 2.... 2.... 2...... 7...... 6......8
10. Erin FC............................7..... 1.... 3.... 3...... 9..... 10.....6
11. Club Sando Cultural...7..... 1.... 2.... 4...... 5..... 10.....5
12. San F’do Giants............7..... 0.... 5.... 2...... 5..... 12.....5
13. Bethel Utd.....................6..... 0.... 3.... 3...... 4..... 12.....3
14. P.V.D.M Utd....................7..... 0.... 3.... 4...... 3..... 10.....3

Out-of-favour national midfielder Ataulla Guerra continued his impressive scoring form in the United Soccer League with Charleston Battery when he scored the game’s lone goal that gave his team a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Laventille-born Guerra, who has not represented T&T in close to a year got the decisive item in the 88th minute at the Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It was his second goal in as many matches which ranks him joint leaguebest with 11 so far in his 2018 campaign. Fellow T&T internationals, midfielder Neveal Hackshaw and defender Leland Archer, also featured for the entire match for Charleston which stays second on the table in the Eastern Conference with 35 points from 20 matches, nine behind England-born T&T defender Justin Hoyte’s Cincinnati, which has played a match more. The 33-year-old Hoyte was an unused substitute in Cincinnati’s 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls II to extend its unbeaten run to nine matches.

Riverhounds are third with 34 points from 18 matches, one more than Canada-born T&t goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh’s defending champions, Louisville City FC, 4-1 victors against Charlotte Independence.

Ranjitsingh was the in goal for the entire match for the winners while national midfielder Kevan George also played the entire encounter for Charlotte Independence, and Cordell Cato was replaced at the halftime interval, failing to add to his eight goals on the season.

The defeat left in ninth spot with 27 points from 21 matches, level Ottawa Fury and Nashville, and one behind, Indy Eleven, the club of national defender Carlyle Mitchell and striker Nathan Lewis.

Mitchell was in his team’s line-up in a 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay Rowdies, while Lewis was not included in the match-day squad.

In other matches, Tobago- born Jamal Jack and his Colorado Springs whipped Tulsa Roughnecks 4-2; defender Shannon Gomez helped Sacramento Republic to a 1-1 draw with OKC Energy; Mekeil Williams and his Richmond Kickers also battled to a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United II, while Andre Fortune watched from the bench as his North Carolina spanked Aikim Andrews’ Toronto FC II, 3-1.

The decision on December 2, 2010 of awarding Russia hosting rights for the 21st FIFA World Cup (2018) raised a number of questions. While there were the usual concerns of the infrastructural works- such as completion of new stadiums and upgrades —there were anxieties relating to security issues.

The security issues ranged from potential threats from the Islamic State and other Islamist radicals; Russian hooligans especially after their disruptive behaviour at Euro 2016 in France; spillover fighting between Russia and Ukraine and racism and xenophobia toward non-whites.

However, by the time referee Nestor Pitana blew the final whistle to end the 21st World Cup crowning France champions, Russia had already proven that all the pre-tournament concerns never saw the light of day.

According to Putin, the World Cup “helped break many stereotypes about Russia,” and “People have seen that Russia is a hospitable country, and will leave with the best feelings and memories… and will come again many times.”

My two weeks in Russia during the World Cup bears testimony to Putin’s words.

The tournament operating systems allowed for effective checks and balances especially as it related to security concerns but at the same time not infringing upon the rights of fans. If there were any issues it was dealt with in a palatable and timely manner.

It was amazing to see how the large crowds the Kazan Sporting Arena (42,000) and Luzhniki stadium (81,000) were managed before, during and after the game without undue delays, fuss and ado.

From the entry at the Sheremetyevo (SVO) airport, the hospitality provided was very satisfying.

The immigration system catered for the FAN ID visa entry into Russia and as such there were not any undue questions and hassle.

The same treatment was extended on match days in the metros and buses. The reliability of the trains and buses to and from the games was also pleasing.

Information booths were strategically placed at the main tourists’ centres such as Red Square with young persons speaking at least Russian and English providing important information about maps, the transport system, and getting around to see landmark places such as St Basil’s Cathedral; the Kremlin; Lenin’s mausoleum, the GUM, Karl Marx monument and the UNESCO heritage sites in Kazan to name a few.

Overall the Russian people were very welcoming whether it was in the tourist centres, the metros, and malls.

None of the Russians I chatted with sadly had any idea of Trinidad and Tobago and its location. "

However, they were interested in finding out more and the opportunity was taken to market the country and the region. Russia 2018 was memorable and it was worth the sports tourism experience. It is a place I will definitely like to revisit.

“I don’t feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning.” —Michel Foucault

PROVIDENCE, Guyana – Hamstrung by a slow pitch, West Indies failed to fire, and Bangladesh, led by their most capped opener Tamim Iqbal and most capped bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, won the first One-day International by 48 runs yesterday.

With the Guyana National Stadium pitch in stark contrast to the surfaces they have exploited throughout the last 1 ? months in Tests against Sri Lanka and this opponent, the Windies bowlers gained slow bounce and little movement, to the delight of the Bangladeshi batsmen, and Tamim collected his 10th One-day International hundred, an unbeaten 130, to anchor his side to 279 for four in 50 overs after they chose to bat.

The home team’s batsmen however, failed to adjust to the conditions and though there were periodic explosions from the bat, the resolve required was absent and they limped to 231 for nine in 50 overs with Mortaza using his vast experience to hurdle out 4-37 from 10 overs.

Before it was over, Shimron Hetmyer increased his value with a typically flamboyant 52 from 78 balls that included five fours, veteran Chris Gayle gathered 40 before he was run out just when it looked like he was getting into gear, and Alzarri Joseph and hometown boy Devendra Bishoo, both finished on 29, providing some tail-end entertainment in an unbroken last-wicket stand of 59.

The result meant the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series which continues on Wednesday under the lights at the same venue before it concludes three days later at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

Apart from the pitch, West Indies were let down by sloppy fielding, and Tamim survived an early chance to plunder 10 fours and three from 160 balls to lead the charge for the tourists.

Four clear misses and a number of close calls blotted the Windies’ copy-book, paving the way for a 207-run stand between Tamim and Shakib-Al-Hasan, whose 97 from 121 balls included just six fours.

Entering the final stages, the host still seemed to have a rein on things with Bangladesh 211 for two, but Mushifqur Rahim arrived to blast a quick-fire 30 and put on 54 in 21 balls with Tamim to add meat to their team’s total.

West Indies failed to get a flourishing start from Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis to put early pressure on their opponents in the chase, and gradually Bangladesh tightened the screws with steady bowling.

Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates taking a wicket with teammates. (CWI Media photo/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

Lewis was caught at mid-off off Mortaza for 17, slicing a drive in the ninth over and Shai Hope departed for six after he failed to review a dubious lbw decision when he played across the line to a delivery from Rubel Hossain in the 13th over to leave West Indies 41 for two.

Windies immediate past and immediate future stars Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer came together and looked to be setting a foundation for a charge to the finish.

Gayle however, was run out in the 22nd over, when Hetmyer failed to respond to his call for a single to short third man, leaving West Indies 81 for three – and the innings lost momentum from this point onwards.

Hetmyer reached his 50 from 70 balls with a single to long-on off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s off-spin in the 33rd over, but he nor the rest of the batting could demystify the Bangladesh bowling and crumbled before Joseph joined Bishoo for a little fun.

Earlier, West Indies conceded dropped Tamim on 17 and Shakib survived three chances, as they built a foundation for their side, after Jason Holder had Anamul Haque caught at second slip for a third-ball duck in the second over.

The Windies bowled with such discipline early on, Bangladesh got their first boundary, when Russell conceded the three in the ninth over to Tamim.

Tamim Iqbal drives into the off-side during his 130 not out. (CWI Media photo/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

But this also precipitated a period in which the fielders failed the bowlers, as Ashley Nurse put down Tamim, on 17, at cover in the 11th over; Nurse too, bowling his off-spin, suffered, when an under-edge from Shakib, on 15, deflected from the thigh of wicketkeeper Shai Hope and flew past Chris Gayle at slip, and next over, Joseph had the same batsman, on the same score, dropped for a second time, when Gayle, again at slip, parried a shoulder-high chance.

The hosts did not get a sniff of a chance again until Shimron Hetmyer, fielding at fine leg, muffed a simple chance, when Shakib, on 84, top-edged a sweep at a delivery from Bishoo in the 39th over.

Bishoo however, was rewarded for his persistence, when he removed Shakib with Hetmyer this time holding onto a skier at deep mid-wicket from a top-edged slop/sweep in the 45th over. Tamim reached his 100 from 146 balls.

SCOREBOAR

West Indies vs Bangladesh – 1st ODI
BANGLADESH (maximum 50 overs)
Tamim Iqbal not out ........................................130
Anamul Haque c Nurse b Holder....................... 0
Shakib-Al-Hasan c Hetmyer b Bishoo ............97
Sabbir Rahman st Hope b Bishoo ......................3
Mushfiqur Rahim c Bishoo b Russell ..............30
Mahmudullah not out ..........................................4
Extras (lb7, w8) ...................................................15
TOTAL (4 wkts, 50 overs)................................ 279
Mosaddek Hossain,
Mashrafe Mortaza,
Mehidy Hasan,
Mustafizur Rahman,
Rubel Hossain did not bat
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-208, 3-221, 4-275
Bowling: Russell 9-0-62-1 (w2);
Holder 9-0-47-1 (w1);
Joseph 10-0-57-0;
Nurse 10-0-39-0;
Bishoo 10-0-52-2 (w5);
Mohammed 2-0-15-0
WEST INDIES
(target: 280 off 50 overs)
C Gayle run out (Mahmudullah/Hossain)..... 40
E Lewis c Mahmudullah b Mortaza ................17
S Hope lbw b Hossain........................................... 6
S Hetmyer c Hasan b Rahman .........................52
J Mohammed st Rahim b Hasan .....................10
J Holder c Hossain b Mortaza.......................... 17
R Powell c wkpr Rahim b Rahman .....................0
A Russell c Mahmudullah b Mortaza............. 13
A Nurse c Mahmudullah b Mortaza.................. 7
D Bishoo not out .................................................29
A Joseph not out................................................. 29
Extras (b4, lb1, w6)............................................ 11
TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) ................................231
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-41, 3-81, 4-111, 5-141, 6-141, 7-151, 8-163, 9-172
Bowling: Mortaza 10-1-37-4;
Miraz 10-0-37-1;
Hossain 8-0-52-1 (w1);
Hossain 7-0-22-0 (w1);
Rahman 8-0-35-2;
Hasan 7-0-43-0 (w4)
Result: Bangladesh won by 48 runs
Series: Bangladesh lead three-match series 1-0
Player-of-the-Match: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)
Umpires: J Wilson, S Ravi (India)
TV Replays umpire: R Illingworth (England)
Match referee: C Broad
Reserve umpire: G Brathwaite (CMC)

T&T cyclist Kwesi Browne won his second medal in as many days when the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games continued in Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

Browne, who on Sunday night combined with Nicholas Paul and Njisane Phillip for the men’s Match Sprint Team gold medal in a new games record time of 43.873 seconds got bronze yesterday in the keirin, contested over six laps at the Velodromo Alcides Nieto Patina.

However, he was only awarded the medal after fellow T&T cyclists Nicholas Paul was relegated to sixth for an infringement after he originally ended in third spot, one ahead of Browne.

Colombian Fabian Puerta took gold and Venezuelan Hersony Canelon got silver, while the fourth spot went to Guatemalan, Brandon Pineda followed by Suriname’s Jair Tjon.

Earlier in the morning session, the 19-year-old Paul and Browne, 24 were one-two finishers in the second of three keirin heats.

Puerta won heat one ahead of countryman Kevin Quintero while Canelon and Mexico’s Edgar Verdugo were the top two in heat three.

And in Round Two, Puerta won heat one ahead of Browne and Pineda while Tjon won heat two followed by Paul and Canelon.

Akil Campbell lined up in the men’s Scratch Race (15,000m) and was in medal contention most of the way before he eventually ended in the eighth spot in the 11-man field.

Today, Paul and Phillip will compete in the men’s Sprint Qualifiers while Teneil Campbell, buoyed by her bronze medal on Sunday returns to the cycling track for the women’s Omnium.

The pair of Adam Alexander and Jovian Gomez will also line up in the men’s Individual Pursuit.

Overall, T&T has now won seven medals in Colombia, three gold, one silver and three bronze.

Late on Sunday night, USA-based swimmer, Dylan Carter swam to his second gold medal in record time as well when he won the men’s 50m butterfly in 23.11 seconds followed by Guatemala’s Luis Carlos Martinez (23.26) and T&T’s Joshua Romany (24.05).

In the morning heats, the 22-year-old Carter who won the men’s 100m freestyle in a new record of 48.95 seconds on Friday night, was in record-breaking form when he won heat five of the 50m butterfly in 23.50 seconds, to erase Martinez’s time of 23.53, set the heat before.

Romany, also 22, won the first heat in 23.73 to have the third fastest time ahead of the gold medal swim.

The T&T swimmers are expected to be in action again today with Carter, Romany, Jabari Baptiste Kael Yorke and David Mc Leod all to face starters.

Lewis misses out on medal

Olympian Andrew Lewis had a solid day with placings of eighth and third in races eight and nine respectively of the men’s Laser Radial for 30 net points and the fourth spot ahead of the medal race. Guatemalan Ignacio Maegli (8) won gold in dominating fashion, which each race in the series, opting out of the last race, which was won by Mexican Yanic Gentry (20), who copped silver. Andrey Quintero just edged out Lewis for the third spot with 27 net points.

Kelly-Ann Arrindell was eighth and seventh in her fourth and sixth races, respectively, to be ninth overall with 38 points.

Barbados stuns Calypso Stickmen 2-1

This country’s senior men’s hockey team fell to a shock 2-1 loss to Barbados in men’s Pool A action at the Unidad Deportivo Pibe Valderrama.

Winners over Cuba, 2-1 on Saturday to start pool play, the T&T men took an early lead against the Barbadians through Tariq Marcano in the sixth minute.

However, the stubborn Bajans, who edged Jamaica 1-0 in their opener replied through Che Warner in the 25th and seven minutes later Akeem Rudder got the winner.

The defeat left, T&T which has a goal-difference of plus-one needing to beat winless Jamaica in its final match tomorrow from 1 pm to have a chance to advance to the semifinals while Cuba (plus-four) and table leaders Barbados (six points) meet in the late match from 5 pm. The Cubans crushed Jamaica 5-0 in the other Pool A match yesterday.

Today the Anthony Marcano-coached women’s team with maximum six points after two matches, face Jamaica (three points) from 3 pm, with a win securing a semifinal spot.

Barbados is also on three points and meets winless Guatemala in its final match from 11 am.

Chung, Spicer make last-32 exit

T&T women’s table tennis players, France-based Rheann Chung and Catherine Spicer were beaten in the round-of-32 Women’s Singles match at the Centro Eventos Puerta de Oro.

Chung, a five-time Caribbean singles champion was ousted by Cuban, Idalys Lovet, 7-11, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11 while Spicer, the recent national women’s championship winner, went under to Venezuelan, Neridee Nino, 8-11, 5-11, 6-11, 6-11.

Today, the national men and women squash teams will start round-robin pool play.

Nicaragua deny Women Warriors

Second-half substitute Yessinia Flores scored twice as Nicaragua rallied from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with T&T senior women footballers on Sunday night.

Beaten 5-1 by Mexico in their opener on Friday, the T&T women went into the match needing a win to boost their semifinal hopes and looked well set to do so, after a Martha Silva own-goal on the stroke of half-time was followed by a Karyn Forbes strike in the 47th.

However, Flores who was a half-time introduction earned the Central Americans a share of the points with goals in the 69th and 75th minutes.

Today, the T&T women will meet winless Haiti from 5 pm in a must-win match while Mexico (six points) faces Nicaragua (four points).

The T&T Under-20 men’s football team will also be in action today versus Colombia from 8 pm.

The President of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) has until today to respond to a letter sent to him by attorneys representing Darren Ganga demanding for yet another time that he demits office to facilitate the conduct of an independent forensic audit into issues raised in an audit conducted by the Cricket Board by the National Gas Company (NGC) and that while the audit is conducted that a committee be appointed to run the affairs of cricket.

In a six-page letter sent to Bassarath dated July 22nd from attorney Priya Ramsahai acting on behalf of Ganga, the TTCB President was accused of chastising Ganga for the publishing of the NGC audit report which made “very damning findings against the TTCB.”

But Ganga said it is “incontrovertible that the breach of a sponsorship agreement with a major sponsor such as NGC is a far more serious matter than publicising of same.”

The NGC audit found that the Bassarath led TTCB did not spend sponsorship money according to the stipulation. The audit revealed between 2014 and 2016, $2,983,000 was spent without approval by the TTCB and not in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.

The NGC signed an MOU with the TTCB for three years in December 2013 for $13.35 million. In 2016, the total sponsorship was reduced by NGC to $12.46 million.

Ganga said it was “disconcerting” that Bassarath had insisted that the “allegations of financial mismanagement and impropriety,” unearthed in the NGC audit report be dealt with internally within the confines of a boardroom, “cloistered from public scrutiny.”

Through his attorney stated, “perhaps you are unaware,’ that the sport of cricket and the “sanctity of its administration are matters for national concern,” for which each and every citizen has a proper stake and interest.

He reminded Bassarath that the TTCB is “not a private company for which you and any of its members can lawfully demand that allegations of financial mismanagement and impropriety be kept confidential.”

Ramsahai noted that the TTCB is a public institution incorporated by an act of Parliament to serve the national interest and is, therefore “duty bound to be transparent and accountable to the public in its affairs.”

It was therefore “untenable,” she wrote that in the face of findings of financial anomalies such as the over-stating and under-stating of TTCB accounts under Bassarath’s stewardship, “you have demonstrated a palpable obsession with excluding these matters from the public sphere.”

Although Bassarath held a news conference after publication of the NGC audit, Ganga through his attorney noted “in convening a press conference to protest your executive’s innocence, one would have thought that you would have facilitated the requested independent audit in order to vindicate your position,” but his refusal to do so “is indicative of an unwillingness to subject the expenditure of funds by the TTCB to both professional and then ultimate public scrutiny.”

Having consulted with “numerous cricket clubs,” on matters raised in the NGC audit Ganga said he had received a petition signed by approximately fifty of the clubs calling on Bassarath and the TTCB executive to step aside in order to facilitate the requested audit. The petition he said also requested as a “matter of urgency and good governance,” the implementation of the recommendations in the report f the Independent Review Committee.”

He is also raising questions as to why the Justice Kokaram report cannot be placed before the Board. Failure to do so he said was “irrational, unreasonable and an act of bad faith.” by both the executive of the TTCB and Bassarath.

The TTCB’s refusal to agree to an independent audit he said was “unreasonable, irrational and constitutes an abuse of power,” by Bassarth as President of the TTCB.

Ganga through his attorney is demanding an “unequivocal response” from Bassarath as to whether he is agreeable to an independent audit into the issues Raised in the NGC audit.

As to Bassarath’s threat of disciplinary action against Ganga, his attorney said: “it seems that your threat of disciplinary action is rooted in bad faith and motivated by malice towards our client.”

Among Ganga’s demands are that Bassarath provide all of the documentation and or materials and or correspondence exchanged between the TTCB and NGC in relation to the audit report, the conduct of an independent forensic audit, and upon conclusion of the audit that the Board convene to consider whether or not disciplinary action should be instituted against Bassarath or his executive .
If Bassarath decides against the audit or placing the Kokaram report before the Board Ganga wants “sufficient reasons and a substantiate basis,” for his decision.

The TTCB has scheduled a board meeting for this Saturday, July 28th, but the notice for the meeting does not contain any reference to the NGC audit.

Ramsahai said Ganga “reserved the right to make further representations on the appropriateness of the circulated agenda.”

The letter placed Bassarath on notice that further legal correspondence is currently underway and his prompt response is required within 48 hours of receipt.

Kevaughn John and Keston George netted three minutes apart in the second half to lead Queen’s Park Cricket Club to a come-from-behind 2-1 defeat of Cunupia FC in their top-of-the-table T&T Super League clash on Sunday.

The Parkites went into the encounter against their fellow unbeaten opponents with a two points lead at the top of the 14- team table at St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair and were eager to get a win to solidify their spot at the table top.

However, after 45 minutes both teams were still locked together at 0-0.

Eleven minutes into the second- half, Keron Clarke broke the deadlock for Cunupia, but within two minutes John got the Parkites back on level terms, and three minutes later, George got the eventual match-winner.

The win lifted the unbeaten Parkites to 19 points from seven matches, five more than Cunupia FC while Matura ReUnited is third with 13 points followed by FC Santa Rosa and defending champions Guaya United.

Playing at home in another match on Sunday, Guaya left it late to earn a 3-1 win over Police.

Justin Fournellier opened the scoring for the host at the Guaya Recreation Ground, only for the talisman, Jason Boodram to reply for the Lawmen in the 24th.

The match looked headed for a draw until Police conceded an own goal in the 87th, while Leroy Jones added, a third item for the hosts, three minutes into time added on.

However, the match of the day took place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, where RSSR FC and Bethel United battled to a 3-3 draw, with Densyl James scoring a hat-trick for the latter.

CURRENT T&T SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Teams P W D L F A Pts
1. QPCC 7 6 1 0 18 7 19
2. Cunupia FC 7 4 2 1 16 7 14
3. Matura ReUnited 7 4 1 2 12 14 13
4. FC Santa Rosa 7 4 0 3 15 7 12
5. Guaya Utd 7 3 3 1 14 7 12
6. Prisons Service 7 2 4 1 9 9 10
7. RSSR FC 7 2 3 2 10 9 9
8. Police FC 7 2 3 2 6 9 9
9. UTT 7 2 2 3 8 11 8
10. Erin FC 7 1 3 3 9 10 6
11. Club Sando Cultural 7 1 2 4 5 10 5
12. San F’do Giants 7 0 5 2 5 12 5
13. Bethel Utd 7 0 4 3 7 15 4
14. P.V.D.M Utd 7 0 3 4 3 10 3

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Guaya United 3 (Justin Fournellier 7th, own goal 87th, Leroy Jones 93rd) vs Police FC 1 (Jason Boodram 24th)

RSSR FC 3 (Jovon Vincent 10th, Hakim Gulston 31st, Nathan Cadore 52nd) vs Bethel United 3 (Densyl James 25th, 57th, 93rd)

QPCC 2 (Kevaughn John 58th, Keston George 61st) vs Cunupia FC 1 (Keron Clarke 56th)

ON SATURDAY

Club Sando 1 (Jamal Burke 45th) vs San Fernando Giants 1 (Keston Grant 45th)

FC Santa Rosa 5 (Ryan Stewart 24th, 56th, Kevon Cornwall 9th, Kheelon Mitchell 47th, Giovanni Abraham 92nd) vs Matura ReUnited 0

Prison Service 3 (Andre Mohammed 61st, 63rd, Nathan Julien 40th) vs UTT 2 (Cyrano Glenn 47th, Shaquille Nesbitt 85th pen)

Petit Valley Diego Martin Utd 0 vs Erin FC 0

UPCOMING FIXTURES

On Saturday

Erin FC vs Guaya United, Erin Rec. Ground, 6pm

UTT vs FC Santa Rosa, UTT O’Meara Road, Campus, 7pm

San Fernando Giants vs Matura ReUnited, St Margaret’s Rec. Ground, 4pm

Cunupia FC vs Club Sando Cultural Roots Utd, Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, 4pm

On Sunday

Prison Service vs Petit Valley/Diego Martin Utd, YTC Ground, Arouca, 3.30pm

Police FC vs RSSR FC, St James Police Barracks, 4pm

Bethel United vs QPCC, Mt Gomery Rec. Ground, 6pm

T&T’s badminton team of Will Lee and Avril Plaza-Marcelle will leave tomorrow to complete T&T’s contingent at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games currently taking place in Barranquilla, Colombia. Both players have not had the type of preparation required for the tournament but coach Ronald Clark, who is also the team manager believes the players can medal once they perform to their true potential.

For the past month or so the duo, who secured their spots on the team by virtue of winning the planned National play-off at the Chinese Association in St Ann’s, was forced to use the Mucurapo East Secondary School, Valencia High School, the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua and the Southern Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville to prepare for the Games, after being unable to secure the National Racquet Centre (NRC) in Tacarigua for use. The NRC would have been ideal for preparation because of its surface which is similar to international facilities, Clark said.

However, the veteran badminton ace who claimed the Men’s Singles Masters title at the National Championship at the Chinese Association about two weeks ago, told Guardian Media Sports they have had to make do with what they had.

The players he said are in super fit condition, as they have worked hard at training.

Yesterday he promised his players will not just be going to the Games to make up numbers, saying the country’s CAC team has been doing well in Colombia to date and badminton wants to make its mark by adding to the achievements.

Despite not getting the use of the NCC, training was beefed up with the players having a session with Cuban Solange Guzman, an experienced player to the sport internationally which should help them, Clark said.

Both players also have experience at international tournaments, particularly Plaza- Marcelle who has represented almost every national team that left local shores.

Clark believes their main challenge will be to execute on what they have worked on in training, saying: “Practice is one thing but it will come down to who can hold their own minds and execute at the tournament.”

The T&T team will plunge into action on July 31 with both Lee and Plaza-Marcelle contesting the Men’s and Women’s Singles respectively.

They will then combine forces to compete in the Mixed Doubles afterwards.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

All-rounder Felicia Walters slammed an unbeaten half-century to help LCB Contractors Central Sharks pull off a major upset over leader TECU Southern Titans in the Courts Women T20 Grand Slam Tournament on Sunday night.

Bottom-of-the-table Sharks sealed an eight-wicket victory in their fourth round match at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva to stay alive in the four-team competition.

Titans won the toss and decided to bat and posted 136 for six off their 20 overs thanks to the key fourth-wicket partnership of batters Britney Cooper and Deandra Dottin after opening batsmen Sheneta Grimmond and Shania Abdool lost their wickets early.

Grimmond was out first bowled by Walters for one. In came Cooper, who tried to steady the Titans innings with Abdool, but the latter departed soon after for just nine, caught leg-before-wicket (lbw) off the bowling of Leandra Ramdeen.

Shenelle Lord was in next but she didn’t’ last long, she too caught lbw, by Kamara Ragoobar though for nought. Ragoobar 3turned in the best bowling figures of 2-18.

Dottin entered the crease and combined with Cooper to build a 68-run partnership but Dottin lost her wicket for 30 caught by Akaze Thompson off the bowling of Ragoobar, who ended with figures of 2-25. Cooper was on 37 at that point.

Cooper batted for 72 minutes, lifting three sixes and eight fours to top score with 74 before she was caught by Walters off the bowling of Samantha Bissoon.

The other three batsmen - Shakera Selman (10), Renelle Dookie (6), Patrina Walcott (2), accounted for only 18 runs to help Titans to a what they would have taught was defendable score having only the night before, defended a smaller total (127/8) for a two-wicket win over UDECOTT North Starblazers.

In reply, Sharks lost only two wickets in getting to the winning score of 137 in 18.3 overs and its first win of the competition, thanks to Walters, who was later named the player of the match, scoring 60 not out off 61 balls which included seven fours.

Her teammate Shemaine Campbelle was also impressive in the batting crease also hitting seven fours for her 48 runs off 32 balls.

Sharks which is in the last place on three points must get wins from the final two rounds of matches, today and before Friday’s eliminator where third place will tackle second place for a chance to play the final on Saturday at 7 pm at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

In the other match played on Sunday evening at BLCA, second-placed Trident Sports Phoenix claimed a six-wicket win over UDECOTT North Starblazers, which sits in the third spot.

Standings
Place Team P W L NR NRR PTS
1 Titans 4 2 1 1 0.966 5
2 Phoenix 4 2 2 0 -0.118 4
3 Starblazers 4 2 2 0 -0.203 4
4 Sharks 4 1 2 1 -0.580 3

SUMMARISED SCORES

Sunday
At NCC
Titans 136/6 (20 overs) (Britney Cooper 74, Deandra Dottin 30; Kamara Ragoobar 2-18, Leandra Ramdeen 2-25) vs Central Sharks 137/2 (18.3 overs) (Felicia Walters 60 no, Shemaine Campbelle 48; D Dottin 1-29). Central Sharks won By 8 wickets.
Man of the Match: Felicia Walters
At Brian Lara Cricket Academy
Starblazers 104/7 (20 overs) (Rachael Vincent 35, Kirbyina Alexander no; Allison Collins 2-17, Stephanie Ragoonath 1-14, Karishma Ramharack 1-22) vs Phoenix 106/4 (15.1 overs) (Kycia Knight 55 no, Rosalie Dolabaille 19 no; K Alexander 2-16, Hiba Shamsad 1-14). Phoenix won by six wickets.
Man of the Match: Kycia Knight
Saturday
At Brian Lara Cricket Academy
Starblazers 126 (19.3 overs) (R Vincenet 72, N McClean 23; D Dottin 4-23, S Selman 2-33) vs Titans 127/8 (19 overs) (S Abdool 27, S Grimmond 24, B Cooper 21; J Morgan 3-14, K Alexander 2-33). Titans won by two wickets.
Man of the Match: Deandra Dottin
At NCC
Central Sharks 131/3 (S Campbelle 38, A Thompson 26 no) vs Phoenix 135/0 (17.1 overs) (R Boyce 73 no, K Knight 52 no). Phoenix won by 10 wickets.
Man of the Match: Reniece Boyce
Today’s matches
TECU Southern Titans vs Trident Sports Phoenix NCC, 7 pm
UDECOTT North Starblazers vs LCB Contractors Central Sharks, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, 7 pm

Today makes it 24 months to the day to the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Approximately 11,000 athletes will participate in 339 events in 33 sports (50 disciplines). The motto of the games is Discover Tomorrow.|

It’s a motto with tremendous profundity. It’s a theme that over the next 24 months the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) will be exploring. Tokyo 2020 is firmly on the radar and as much as the TTOC must focus on the moment in time that is today. The balance to be struck is keeping both eyes on the present while at the same time holding 2020 in the cross hairs.

In this respect, the investment in sending probably the largest ever delegation to a Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games is an important seed that has been planted.

That the first few days of the 23rd CAC Games has occasioned a “Gold Rush” as one daily newspaper called it, has seen a positive light of congratulations bathing Team T&T (#TeamTTO).

It’s always interesting to see individuals who would have expressed in their private or workspace the view that sending such a large team to Barranquilla, Colombia is a waste of money. Also throwing in for good measure that #10golds24 is a dream that is so unrealistic that it ought not to be given any credence. That, some of the individuals making such declarations occupy space in supposedly essential positions within the sports ecosystem, would surprise those who may want to assume that everyone has the confidence that there are the talent and potential.

It should not surprise anyone that there are people who are averse to uplifting the athletes of T&T. It’s as if there is the perverse pleasure in being able to proclaim” “I told you so!”

It should not surprise anyone that within the safety of their comfort zone our athletes making strides and earning medals is an opportunity to join the parade and not be exposed as the impediment to the full bloom of our athletes that they are.

They take great joy and pride in celebrating our athletes’ success as well as their failures only difference one is displayed publicly while the other is done within the inner sanctum of their offices and social safety zones.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is neither here nor there but simply an opportunity to seek to prove their point, whatever that may be.

Our athletes aspire to be great that they fall short at times have more to do with those who act as if our athletes are a means to an end.

But T&T is fortunate that many of our athletes choose to channel their frustration, anger and resent into the positive fire rather than negative.

And as such the nation is given opportunities to feel good and celebrate and discover if they so choose a brighter tomorrow.

Editor’s Note: Brian Lewis is the president of the T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC) and the views expressed by him are not necessarily those of the organisation.

T&T swimmer Dylan Carter made it three gold medals from as many finals when he scorched his rivals in the men’s 50 metres backstroke A-final at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games continued in Barranquilla, Colombia, last night.

In addition to Carter, David Mc Leod also got bronze in the same event with the USA-based T&T swimmer, while women’s cyclist, Teneil Campbell doubled her bronze medal account.

T&T now has ten medals, four gold, three of which belongs to Carter, one silver and five bronze medals.

The 22-year-old USA-based Carter, who had previously won gold in the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle touched the wall in 24.83 seconds to lower his own record of 25.01 he sat in the second of three morning heats to better the 2014 mark of 25.72 by Venezuela’s Albert Subirats.

Taking silver was Venezuelan Robinson Molina in 25.25 while T&T’s David Mc Leod got a satisfying bronze medal in 25.55.

In the morning heats, Mc Leod was third in heat one in 25.85 behind Molina (25.21) a new games record then, while Cuban Armando Barrera was second in 25.68.

In men’s 100m butterfly A-final, Kael Yorke placed seventh in 54.27

Later, the Carter-led freestyle 4x100m relay team also went in search of more precious metal, after press time.

Campbell gets second bronze

The 22-year-old Campbell was third overall in the women’s Omnium. This after she was second in the Scratch Race, fourth in the Tempo Race, second in the Elimination and fifth in the Points Race to add to her bronze medal in the women’s Scratch Race on Sunday.

Mexican Lisbeth Salazar won gold with Cuban, Yudelmis Domingez getting silver.

Today, cyclists Nicholas Paul and Njisane Phillip will continue their quest for more gold when they compete in the men’s Sprint semifinals from 11 am with the final carded for 4.30 pm.

This after Paul (9.720 seconds) and Phillip (9.886) were the fastest two qualifiers in the morning Sprint Qualifiers from the field of 16 to advance straight to the quarterfinals.

In the last-eight match-ups, the 19-year-old Paul defeated Venezuela’s Cesar Marcano in two straight rides in 10.137 and 10.048, respectively while Olympian Phillip, 27, swept aside Guatemalan Brandon Pineda, also in two rides in 10.491 and 10.594, respectively.

In today’s semifinals, Paul comes up against Colombian Kevin Quintero who defeated Suriname’s Jair Tjon 2-0 as well, 10.342 and 10.256, while Phillip battles with Colombian Fabian Puerta, who got past Venezuelan Hersony Canelon in three rides, 2-1.

n the men’s Individual Pursuit, T&T’s Adam Alexander (4:46.058) and Jovian Gomez (4:49.466) were 11th and 13th and failed to get to the medal ride.

Calypso Stickwomen pip Jamaica for semis spot

Shaniah De Freitas scored the lone goal to lead T&T senior women’s hockey team to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Jamaica in the final Pool B match at the Unidad Deportivo Pibe Valderrama. De Freitas, who netted both goals in a 2-1 win over Barbados, got the decisive item from the penalty spot in the 34th minute to earn T&T, a two-time gold medal winner in the competition, a third win from as many matches and maximum nine points.

In the semifinals from 5 pm tomorrow, T&T which also swept past Guatemala 12-0 will face Pool A runner-up Cuba, which ended with six points, after losing 0-3 to Mexico followed by wins against Guyana, 2-0, and the Dominican Republic, 3-2.

Mexico which won Pool A will meet Pool B runner-up Barbados in the first semifinal from 2.45 pm tomorrow.

Today, the senior men’s hockey team will go into their final pool match against Jamaica from 1 pm needing a lopsided win to be certain of a semifinal spot

T&T sits third on the table with three points, the same as Cuba, while Barbados leads with a maximum six points. Barbados meet Cuba in the late match from 5 pm.

Calypso Spikers get historic win over Cuba

T&T women’s volleyball team pulled off a first-ever win over former powerhouse Cuba 25-19, 25-16, 25-22 in its fifth to eighth place semifinal. Sinead Jack led the way with 14 points for the Renele Forde captained “Calypso Spikers” while Channon Thompson added 13 and Krystle Esdelle, 12 in the victory.

T&T moves on to meet Venezuela, which defeated Costa Rica, 25-15, 25-12, 25-13, for fifth place. The Costa Ricans will play 11-time champion Cuba for the seventh spot.

Women Warriors need Mexican favour

T&T senior women footballers needed Mexico to defeat Nicaragua by four clear goals to have a chance at advancing to the semifinals. This after T&T was officially awarded a 3-0 default win over Haiti to end with four points from three matches, after losing to Mexico 5-1 and squandering a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw with the Nicaraguans.

Last night, the national Under-20 men’s football team, beaten in their first two matches faced Colombia in their final pool match.
 

Squash teams come up empty-handed

T&T’s national women’s squash team proved no match for Mexico in their Pool A round-robin opener, losing 3-0.

For Mexico, Diana Garcia swept past T&T’s Alexandria Yearwood 11-0, 11-3, 11-1, Samantha Teran overcame Charlotte Knaggs 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, and Dina Aguiano humbled Marie-Claire Barcant 11-2, 11-1, 11-6.

It was the same result in their second Pool A match with the Cayman Islands, a 3-0 defeat.

Eilidh Bridgemen beat Yearwood 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, Marlene West outplayed Knaggs 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 and Jade Pitcarn humbled Barcant.

The men’s squad team were also blanked 3-0 in their Pool C opener by Cayman Islands.

Jacob Kelly rallied past T&T’s Nku Patrick 15-13, 3-11, 11-8, 0-11, 11-5, Cameron Stafford defeated Kale Alexander 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 and Julian Jervis whipped Chayse Mc Quan 11-4, 11-5, 11-8.

Arrindell sits in eighth spot

In the women’s laser radial, sailor Kelly-Ann Arrindell had finishes of ninth and sixth in races seven and eight, respectively for a net total points tally of 51 and eight spot overall ahead of today’s final race.

A return to the West Indies ODI team is a distinct possibility for the Bravo brothers, Dwayne and Darren, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, following discussions between the players and Cricket West Indies (CWI). The development could potentially pave the way for the players to be involved in the 2019 World Cup.

The development has been aided by a board decision to move their next domestic 50-over competition to October this year, instead of February 2019 - a switch that means there will be minimal clash between the Super50 and the various domestic Twenty20 leagues Caribbean stars are such an integral part of.

The players have been asked to play in the Super50, perform and push for a recall.

“The overall message to Pollard, the Bravo brothers and Narine was ‘come and play in the Super50 Cup’, so that Courtney [Browne, chairman of selectors] and his selection panel will have all the players in system playing,” Johnny Grave, board CEO, said.

“This will not only increase the standard and hopefully give the panel a headache but will help our selectors better gauge and assess our young players if they’re scoring runs against Dwayne Bravo or Sunil in the final overs or getting Darren [Bravo] and Pollard out.”

Browne said he was looking forward to seeing the players in action. “It’s a very important tournament for us in preparation for the World Cup. People that want to put their names in the hat for consideration would need to play Super50 and perform.”

Although far from resolved, this would represent a distinct thaw in the relationship between the board and players in what has been a difficult year. It began with Narine, Pollard and Darren Bravo choosing the PSL over helping West Indies in their World Cup Qualifiers, a decision that left Grave and CWI “hugely disappointed”.

Matters escalated in April when the Bravo brothers, Pollard and Narine claimed they were denied an opportunity to help the Caribbean after being ignored for a Hurricane Relief charity game between West Indies and a World XI side.

Even then, however, Grave had spoken of meeting with the players after the IPL to discuss futures, meetings which have now taken place. This breakthrough of sorts continues Graves’ policy of building bridges with disaffected players. Last year’s amnesty resulted in Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels returning to the team, Andre Russell’s recent selection into a West Indies squad, improved player contracts and now this olive branch.

“Jimmy Adams [director cricket operations] and I met with Dwayne, Darren, Pollard and Narine’s agent in Trinidad,” Grave said. “We met with them individually because they all have different circumstances. I would describe the meetings as positive, as everyone was looking to the future rather than the past.

“We talked through our entire schedule, not just now and to the 2019 World Cup, but also through all the matches and tours scheduled up to the World T20 in Australia 2020.

“We asked the players individually to take time to consider the requirements of Cricket West Indies, where we are going with the teams and how we are looking for prepare for international series.

The scheduling switch of the Super50, Grave said, wasn’t aimed at getting the quartet to play but the result of a holistic reviw of the domestic system.

“We changed the contractual year to start July 1st, so that the off-season would be April-June when we would do new contracts, appraisals and renewals, while players in the system can do their core conditioning work, as well as obviously have a break”, Grave explained.

“So now we start contracts in July and go almost straight into CPL. Hence in the review it just made sense to continue with white-ball cricket by having the Super50 in November with October to prepare for the change in format.

“Only because we are hosting the ICC Women’s World T20 in the Caribbean it meant moving the Super50 to October for this year.”

That switch has coincided with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) moving to January, instead of its November slot.

Grave said CWI had discussions with BCB on the matter, as West Indies are due to tour Bangladesh in November.