SPORTS FOUNDATION AWARDS CAN IMPROVE

SPORTS: DANCING BRAVE COLUMN FOR WEDNESDAY 27^TH MARCH, 2013

By Andre E Baptiste

 

              -------  SPORTS FOUNDATION AWARDS CAN IMPROVE -----

 

 

The First Citizens Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year awards were predictable, not only in the mere results (Keshorn Walcott and Kelly Ann Baptiste, the two respective winners) but also in the presentation. There will have to be new ideas for 2013 if this event is not again to lose too much of his glamour. The prestige will remain because of the historical nature of this event, but it is the interest that is clearly waning, as evidence by the low numbers that told me, they were not interested enough to either view the Awards on television or listen on the radio.

Firstly something has to be done to ensure the actual attendance on the night is better , year after year , it appears as if it is a case of diminishing returns with less and less persons on seats. This method seating by special codes is the reason for this, and this separation should be postponed until, a proper solution is found. In the meantime, all of the spectators should be brought to the front end. This would present a much better image for all concerned.

While, I understand that there must be some theatre, I believe that it was far too abstract to ever enquire an understanding of purpose. As Spartacus would say –“Absent expression “. There needs to be some high points filled with applicable music and if possible adopt some mystery, especially in a year when the winners were as predictable, as the fact that the sun will shine in March.

The speeches were generally short and to the point , although it was clear that the Chairman of the First Citizen Sports Fountain – Dr Keith Clifford- was prepared and had not only practiced his speech , but was determined to live by it , to ensure some of the wonderful programmes could be completed sooner rather than later. It was generally accepted by even those that listened via the radio that Dr Clifford’s tone and his way with words assisted greatly in lifting the tone and clarity of the event. Some even suggested, he should have spoken louder as his delivery was succinct and audible.

Also critical and perhaps lacking on the night was the disclosure when nominees were being announced of their presence or absence and who is representing them if they are absent. What we found is that in some cases, the nominees were not there, and while the information was given, there was no one present on the stage. This is an inexcusable failing, unless the Sports Foundation was not notified in advance of the nonappearance of the nominee. If the Sports Foundation knew of this, then alternative arrangements should have been made to have a representative of the nominee or the respective association on the stage to acknowledge his or her performance.

Several leading sporting personalities were missing among them the eventual winner – Keshorn Walcott - , Sunil Narine and Njisane Phillips. It is revealing that only Walcott had a representative in his Manager, Sean Roach. Better efforts should have been made for both Narine and Phillips to be represented. This is an area that needs to be improved on in the future.

One also has to appreciate that this ceremony is live on the television and in a competitive Television market; it needs to set itself apart with some pleasurable moments. For that reason, as this is a sports award, the tone of the presenters of the various profiles should be of a certain spirit and excitement to emphasize it is about sports.

I believe as well, that one if not both of the presenters needs to have knowledge of sports, as this is integral in the credibility of the venture as a true sporting test of time venture. In the past, Ato Boldon and Ian Bishop have both successfully managed this venture with skill and aplomb. Even Anthony Dennison would be a welcome voice based on his pedigree background in sports announcing.

There is also a case to announce the names and qualifications , one by one to all of the public of all of those involved in the decision making process for the four awards on the night. This would help in alleviating the growing concern in this country, that sports administration is losing many of its transparency values.

Let me emphasize, that I thought that Jennifer Lander and her team at First Citizen, did an excellent job in the processing and facilitating of all of the invited guests on the night. The transition was generally smooth and efficient.

Other winners on the night were for the Jeffrey Stollymeyer Award (Best Sporting Organization), were the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, and for the Lystra Lewis Award (Best team of the year), the 4x400 metres London Olympics Relay team.

Overall if, I had to grade the Sports Foundation awards on the night, I would probably have to determine several categories and give points based on those. Maybe next year, I can do that, that is, if I am still invited after these notations and suggestions.

 

:: AB

BEACON OR MIRAGE?

SPORTS: DANCING BRAVE COLUMN FOR WEDNESDAY 20^TH MARCH, 2013

By Andre E Baptiste

  

                             ------- BEACON OR MIRAGE -----

 

 

Some light at the end of the tunnel was revealed when it was revealed/rumoured that well respected horseman Pierpont Scott was the government’s choice to head the currently inactive Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRA).  The appointment of a board for the TTRA is long overdue and it has apparently been accepted by all that racing is currently being conducted illegally by the Arima Race Club.  The fact that this situation has been allowed to persist for as long as it has, is an indictment on the society that is Trinidad and Tobago.   I am reminded of a joke that was recently shared with me:-

Last month, a world-wide telephone survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was: "Could you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a massive failure because of the following:

 

1. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.

2. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.

3. In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.

4. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.

5. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.

6. In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.

7. In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

8. In the UK they hung up as soon as they heard the Indian accent.

 

It seems that Trinidad and Tobago‘s sports shares a lot in common with Eastern Europe, China, the Middle East, South America and the USA. Those in authority seem to believe that they can continue to flaunt the rules of natural justice, fair play and common sense with no consequences.

Horse Racing is a global sport, and even in the Middle East, where gambling is not allowed, there are rules and regulations that govern how the sport is run. For people in Trinidad to believe that the sport can be governed in a haphazard and almost cavalier approach is an underestimation of giant proportions.  Our horse racing is slowly but surely sliding towards the status of horse racing in our neighboring Caricom country, Guyana.  In Guyana, it is almost a situation of anything goes – their various Racing Clubs setting their own rules and owners/trainers/jockeys being allowed to get away with virtually anything.  While this is okay for them, and it could even be a natural step along the path towards establishing an accredited governing body for the sport across there, in Trinidad, we have been there and done that.  It is extremely regressive for us to be going back to that sort of situation.

What is particularly worrying is that the current status quo does not bother or concern many people.  Virtually everyone involved in the sport is continuing their business as if nothing is different.  Now it is true that the presence of the TTRA is not seen by the majority of the general public but there are numerous potential pitfalls associated with its absence.  Believe it or not, virtually anything can take place in the sport at the moment and there is no one to hold the transgressors accountable.  Doping?  That can happen and even though discovered, the individual can continue to participate in the sport until the TTRA is installed AND an investigation conducted.  Suspensions? The ARC can suspend anyone they like, but once the individual appeals to the TTRA, the suspension will be “suspended” pending the outcome of the appeal, which will take place when the TTRA is installed AND the appeal heard. 

 

Enquiries?  People can enquire all they want, but there will be no definitive positions on the issue until the TTRA is installed AND the enquiry adjudicated upon.  This is not even to mention the approval of the monthly/weekly racing programmes – which strictly speaking are all invalid unless approved by the TTRA.  If that was not bad enough, the rules of racing clearly state that no horse will carry more than 56.5 kg in weight in any race in Trinidad, yet the ARC has unilaterally changed that ceiling to 58.5 kg.  Until and unless approved by the TTRA, this change is invalid yet racing continues.  Now is that any way for a country to conduct its affairs?  Surely we are better than this.

As mentioned at the outset, the one name mentioned to date is an ideal candidate for the position and if he accepts/is offered would undoubtedly make a major difference to the manner in which the sport is conducted.  He will need to have equally strong members on the Board but there are lots of candidates.

There is a dearth of honest (yes, some of us know what this word means) people who are willing to fearlessly share their opinions (yes, some of us know what this word means) so as to move this sport to a higher level. 

 

This country is replete with pretenders who offer no real solutions (yes, some of us also know what this word means) while the doers bide their time. 

 

The name called as Chairman falls into the latter category, let us hope the powers that be are serious about their intent  and so rather than the mirages they have been throwing up for us, we have a true beacon for the sport’s future.

:: AB

 

 

 

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD – PART 2

SPORTS: DANCING BRAVE COLUMN FOR WEDNESDAY 16^TH JANUARY, 2013

By Andre E Baptiste

 

      -----------      LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD – PART 2------------

 

In  respect of the collection of the 10% taxes, whereas in most other territories the tax is based on either gross profit or turnover, in Trinidad it is collected at the point of sale (that is, deducted from the pool from inception).  This approach reduces the total amount in circulation and has an inverse multiplier effect both on the earnings of the Club and ironically on the total tax collected.  When one considers that the Club also deducts 14% from the handle to cover its own expenses, that translates into 24% coming out of each dollar bet by a punter at the Club as compared with say 9% at the Betting Shop (if we look at it from the perspective of the punter).  The latter must be able to offer more in return.  The math is obvious. 

Secondly, we have the situation with the various licenses that the Club must pay compared to the Bookmaker.  Whereas English racing is broadcast in Trinidad under license, the same is not true for American racing (equally if not more popular).  The Club must pay a fee to the US tracks to be allowed to commingle bets (necessary in order to broadcast/accept wagering) of 6% plus due to the exchange rate, the minimum US$1 bet costs around TT$7.  The bookmakers do not have to pay anything.  Strictly speaking they can simply “pirate” a signal through HRTV or TVG and accept bets.  I have not be able to ascertain whether that action breaches any Intellectual Property laws (here or abroad)  but even if it doesn’t, this free access to US broadcasts is not an option for the Club.  In addition, the cost of a bet is just the TT$1 (plus tax). 

Hopefully, this matter is really not breaching any laws since the government could again be accused of complicity by knowingly collecting taxes on these bets.  Thirdly, virtually every bookmaker in this country is now accepting general sports betting (football, soccer, cricket, weather, you name it) with the same 10% tax applied.  If the Club wanted to offer sports betting, it would be required to pay a flat $100,000 license per year for each location (including OTBs) which translates into a flat $700,000 per year before the first bet is placed.  Each of these shows how uneven the playing field is between the Club and the Bookmakers.  As such, while it is true that the Bookmakers pay around $17 million in tax per annum and the Club pays around $12 million but receives $15 million from the BLB, the “subsidy” of $3 million should hardly be begrudged.

One of the challenges that will confront this country as we go forward in this new world environment will be the legality of the practices that this country is engaging in.  We have already seen where the cable companies are being forced to pay the proper licenses for their broadcast or risk losing access to various services.  This, in turn has caused the cable companies to increase their charges to the final consumer.  That is the way of the world.  The same thing is inevitable in horse racing.  This country’s challenges with the FATF and the AML/KYC gurus around the world are going to force the government to eventually clamp down on the private members’ club and any illegal activity at the bookmakers and the Arima Race Club.  None will be spared.  The crackdown can only meaningfully begin if the proper legislation and regulatory environment is established.  Knowing our proclivity to dilly-dally, no doubt we will only do what is necessary when our backs are up against the wall but I will still outline what we need to be looking at.

It must start with governance.  At present, although the BLB is responsible for tax collection from the bookmakers, their license is granted by the Courts and can only be suspended/removed through the Courts.  In most other jurisdictions, bookmakers get their license from a gaming commission.  These licenses are only granted after substantial due diligence checks are completed (for AML/KYC purposes) and appropriate safeguards established (such as surety bonds) to protect punters in the event of financial failure of a bookmaker.  While Trinidad law makes provision for a Gaming Authority, this is, for all practical purposes, a defunct body. 

If this country is to get serious (as it will have to) to satisfy the demands of the FATF, a proper Gaming Authority with the powers to suspend licenses will have to be established.  Casinos, private members’ clubs, bookmakers and other gambling establishments are on the international (and local) high risk lists and extreme caution is required when dealing with such entities. 

The BLB has been in existence for almost twenty three years and in all of that time, there has been very little effective policing of the sport due to the inadequacies of the supporting law.  Slowly but surely, the days of leniency will draw to a close. At that time, everyone will no doubt be left scrambling.

Who will be “brave” enough to address all of this in the coming months.

:: AB

 

 

 

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD – PART 1-

SPORTS: DANCING BRAVE COLUMN FOR WEDNESDAY 9^TH JANUARY, 2013

By Andre E Baptiste

 

 

                         -------LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD – PART 1 ---------

 

In the early 1990s, horse racing was shifted from a turf surface to a sand surface primarily to facilitate year round racing since racing was being centralized and it was widely and correctly believed that a turf surface, in the Caribbean, would not stand up to year-round racing.  One of the main reasons for this of course was the weather and the pounding of the hooves which, over time would result in uneven patches on the track unless extensive maintenance was undertaken.  We see the wisdom of this decision today, through the frequency with which scheduled turf races have to be cancelled due to the poor condition of the surface, suggests that enough proper measures have not been established to correct this awful tale of quality horses being injured on the turf surface. Perhaps some more concentrated work on this surface by persons with adequate knowledge and experience would assist.

Unfortunately, while that move was taken to level the surface (so to speak), Trinidad continues to chase the curve ball when it comes to truly leveling the playing field on which horse racing is being asked to compete. 

This analogy is most appropriate and truthful  when we look at the competition that the Arima Race Club ( ARC)  has to contend with from the private member clubs and the  many private bookmakers in this country.  Unless and until those in authorities (also known as the government here in) decide that they will deal with this situation, rather than condone the practices by ignoring the obvious and taking no noticeable action, the reliance on their coffers will not improve significantly.

Procastination is one of the worst sins of any administration and those that look after the affairs of horseracing in this country are rightfully fed up of the excuses and false promises. Perhaps the New Line Minister Vasant Bharath is the man to bring change , or perhaps not, only time and performance will tell.

First of all, let us examine  the situation with the private members’ clubs.  Everyone in this country knows that casinos are illegal in Trinidad and Tobago.  Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago knows that the definition of a casino is a public place that accommodates certain types of gambling activities.  Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago knows that to avoid being labeled a casino and therefore being illegal, the phenomenon of a private members’ club arose. 

As a private club, they are not open to the public and so therefore lie outside of the definition of a casino and as such, are not illegal.  Over the years since the legislation was implemented, the number of private members’ clubs has exploded from low twenties to maybe triple digits.  Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago knows that is a farce.  Any member of the public can visit a private members’ club by simply becoming a private member at the point of entry.  Since everyone knows it is a farce, how do we interpret the Government’s “increasing” of the levy charged on the tables at the private members’ club. 

Does that mean that successive governments were not aware that they were implicitly condoning the flagrant flaunting of the laws of the country.  The question is for what reason?  Since there is no obvious reason for casinos to be illegal (those on the religious right notwithstanding, particularly those attending St Charles Roman Catholic Church in Tunapuna), and everyone knows that private members’ club are really casinos, and the government is prepared to increase the taxes on their activities, why not just lift the ban on casinos?  There must be a hidden reason  Is there a vested interest in keeping “casinos” banned so as to allow private members’ club to flourish?  If so, someone needs to ask the question “whose vested interest?”

Leaving that question aside, because there will be no “honest” answer, the current reality is that the Arima Race Club cannot get a “license” to be a casino and cannot disguise itself as a private members’ club so it has to compete on an uneven playing field with casinos, sorry, private members’ club.  These clubs pay a tax based on the number of tables while the Club pays tax at the point of sale.  We will discuss this some more below but the point is that the more tax that is paid, the less the promoter will have available to offer to the gambler as winnings.  The math is obvious, even for a kinder garden school child.

With respect to the bookmakers, the issues and uneven playing field are even more egregious.  First of all, while the bookmakers add the 10% tax to the cost of the bet placed by the punter, the Arima Race  Club deducts the 10% from the cost of the bet placed by the punter. 

Proper governance, a transparent and equal tax regime and adherence to all of the laws of this land are required before the playing field outside of the running rails can be leveled.  The final question is who will have the strength to bell that cat?

:: PART 2 will be next week

 

 

 

WICB lauds Shiv on his return to the top of Test Match batting

WICB lauds Shiv on his return to the top of Test Match batting

St John’s, Antigua – West Indies batting star Shivnarine Chanderpaul has made a return to the top of the International Cricket Council’s Test Match Batting Rankings. The reliable left-hander was listed at Number 1 in the latest ICC Test Players Rankings released by the game’s governing body on Tuesday. He has 879 ranking points and is closely followed by Australia captain Michael Clarke on 878 points and Hashim Amla of South Africa on 875 points.

Chaderpaul’s rise came after two brilliant batting performances in the recent two-match series in Bangladesh. In the first Test at Mirpur he made 203 not out – to equal his highest Test score – and followed up with 150 not out in the second Test at Khulna. This earned him the Man-of-the-Series award and led West Indies to victories in both matches as they won the Series 2-0.

The West Indies Cricket Board congratulated Chanderpaul on his return to the top of the international batting ladder as well as his excellent performances with the bat this calendar year.

Chanderpaul ended 2012 with 987 Test runs at the amazing average of 98.70 runs per innings. His other century this year came in his first Test innings when he made 103 not out against Australia at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

His numbers were a big improvement on a good year in 2011 when he scored 646 runs at an average of 53.83 runs per innings. He now stands second on the West Indies all-time list of Test run-makers with 10,696 runs at an average of 51.67, including 27 Test centuries, in 146 Test matches.

In a message, Dr Julian Hunte, President of the WICB, was full of praise for the ever-green 38-year-old, who copped the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy back in 2008, when he was named ICC Cricketer-of-the-Year.

“On behalf of the WICB as well as cricket-lovers across the Caribbean, I want to congratulate Shiv on regaining the Number 1 batting spot in the ICC Test rankings as he completed another outstanding year of batsmanship for West Indies in the Test match arena,” Dr Hunte said.

“Shiv has set very high standards and has maintained those standards. He continues to demonstrate his commitment to West Indies cricket and his love for the game. Earlier this year he scaled new heights becoming just the second West Indian, after Brian Lara, to make 10,000 Test runs. In 18 years of international cricket Shiv has also demonstrated his appetite for runs and the ultimate desire for success.”

Dr Hunte added: “We urge Shiv to continue to ‘bat on’ for West Indies. This year the team showed major improvement with four Test match wins and Shiv played a vital role in those results. He remains a source of inspiration for persons at all levels of West Indies cricket.”

Chanderpaul was fourth on the Test match run-chart this year behind Clarke (1,358 runs), Amla (1,064 runs) and England’s Alastair Cook (1,044 runs). Chanderpaul was the leading West Indies batsman in Test cricket this year. The others in the Top 5 were: Marlon Samuels (866 runs), Kieran Powell (587 runs), Darren Bravo (482 runs) and Darren Sammy (456 runs).

-ENDS-

3rd ODI WI vs Bangladesh

 | 3rd ODI vs Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh – A career-best, fourth One-day International hundred from Marlon Samuels followed up Sunil Narine’s most impactful spell of the tour to lead West Indies to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third ODI on Wednesday here.

Samuels continued his amazing year of run scoring with a typically silky 126 that included 17 fours and two sixes from 149 balls, as the Windies successfully chased 228 for victory under the lights before 22,724 spectators at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

Narine, gaining turn and bounce from the hard, true pitch, had laid the groundwork for the victory, when he collected 4-37 from his allotted 10 overs, as the Bangladeshis were dismissed for 227 in 49.1 overs.

The result meant that the Windies now trail 1-2 in the five-match series which continues on Friday at the same venue, where the two teams also play the final match the following day.

A full match report and scorecard are available here: http://www.windiescricket.com/news/samuels-narine-lead-wi-victory.

Selected photographs for editorial use only are available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/windiescricket/. Please credit all photos, © WICB Media.

Samuels spoke with the Media following the match.

TT vs Canada has been cancelled for December 2012

 T&T vs Canada tournament in December, we regret to advise that it has been cancelled due to circumstances  beyond our control

However, please be reminded that the Caribbean T20 tournament will begin here at the Oval January 6th 2013.

For your convenience see below:-
 
Date
Event
Time
Sunday 6th January 2013
T&T vs Jamaica
8.00 p.m.
Monday 7th January 2013
Barbados vs Leewards
4.00 p.m.

Guyana vs CCC
8.00 p.m.
Tuesday 8th January, 2013
Jamaica vs Barbados
4.00 p.m.

T&T vs CCC
8.00 p.m.
Wednesday 9th January, 2013
Windwards vs Jamaica
4.00 p.m.

T&T vs Leewards
8.00 p.m.
Thursday 10th January, 2013
CCC vs Windwards
4.00 p.m.

Guyana vs Barbados
8.00 p.m.
Friday 11th January, 2013
Leewards vs Jamaica
4.00 p.m.

CCC vs Barbados
8.00 p.m.
Saturday 12th January, 2013
Windwards vs Leewards
4.00 p.m.

T&T vs Guyana
8.00 p.m.

ARSENE WEGNER HAS TO GO.. NOW

 ----- ARSENE WENGER HAS TO GO …NOW !!!!! --------


By Andre E Baptiste



Arsene Wenger ….Arsene Wenger…Arsene Wenger!!!!
The Arsenal manager is yet again experiencing a poor start to the new Premiership football season in England , and with it , certainly one hopes, the final full recognition that after 16 years , it is time for change when not only is the team changing , but also it appears standards are dropping.
Last season, even as I called on Wenger to leave the post and move upstairs into the boardroom, where his financial background could be useful, many Arsenal fans were critical, as the team finally finished third with the last kick of the season and in the last match, a 3-2 win away to West Bromwich Albion ensuring some saving grace…an automatic Champions League spot again (yes again).
But while last season, goals from Robin Van Persia, the then Arsenal captain masked the inefficiencies and many shortcomings of this team, his subsequent and unforgivable sale to Manchester United has brought home reality to most, who doubted my thoughts last season. The fact is , having watched the writing on the wall last season , with 11 matches completed this season , Arsenal are in eight position on 17 points , which based on this statistics does not endear any confidence for the rest of the season.
Wenger’s team of 2012-2013, is on paper (and perhaps in reality), his worst team in the last five years. Not only are the following talented players missing : Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasir,Gael Clichy , Alex Song and Robin Van Persie , but as well Wenger has opted to leave out intentionally until recently , one of the most attacking and skillful players left in the squad- Theo Walcott-. It is amazing to listen to the often wise looking Wenger make thin veiled comments on Walcott’s absence from the team, even as the England Management pick him without blinking.
Wenger in my opinion, no longer has the free flowing individuals to play his style of aggressive attacking football, instead he has acquired a bunch of newcomers that do not know each other, they have not played together during the youth days and so are unfamiliar with not only each others style of play but also the pace of English Football.
Let us face , the facts , why I believe Arsene Wenger stands accuse of ensuring Arsenal’s demise to an also ran team, with only potential but no measurable results ( via trophies ) to show for their threatening moments of inspired performances .
No Manager of intelligence and proven understanding of the world of football, would have allowed Robin Van Persie to leave at this stage …if Wenger was confident in his belief of the quality of his team, he would have allowed Van Persie to play this season and ensure that he won a trophy or two which would have convinced him to stay. But that was never done and from the time , Wenger went into the market for Lukas Podolski of Germany ( even before 2012 season was over) and then quickly for French striker Oliver Giroud , there was a sense that to Wenger and Arsenal , Van Persie was expendable and for sale . This to me was wrong and is what should ensure at the end of this season, a new forward thinking manager is appointed at Arsenal.
To be fair (and in football, there is nothing fair about judgments, except it is based on results) some of the players acquired this season were far better than those acquired last season, in particular, the pocket dynamo, that is Santi Carzola is a very exciting proposition, who once allowed to grow will be a very talented servant for Arsenal in a few years. So too may be both Podolski and Giroud. For instance – Gervino -, this season, has been much better than last season, both in terms of goals and durability.
But there are other mistakes made by Wenger , that are also inexcusable , such as to allow Alex Song to leave , because , this was a versatile player that was both creative and defensive , and while Mikel Arteta is hardworking and reliable , he will never have the vision of Song , just ask Van Persie. Instead Wenger has continued to invest in the injury prone, lanky and weak player, Frenchman Abou Diaby. Did, I hear someone say, that Wenger is also from France. Perhaps a job coaching France would be good for Wenger at this stage.

If Arsenal is to ever regain their rightful place atop the English Premiership and with some new trophies as well, then Arsene Wenger has to go, whether he is pushed or pulled out. It is time, and the facts are revealing …a new thinking is needed in Arsenal Football.

:: AB

TTFF PRESS RELEASE RE: ATTACK ON ANTHONY HARFORD

TTFF PRESS RELEASE

RE: ATTACK ON ANTHONY HARFORD

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOOTBALL FEDERATION

(Incorporated as the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association

 by Act of Parliament No 17 of 1982)

6 Ana Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, P.O. Box 400 Trinidad. W.I.

Tel: (868)-623-9500 (868) 623-3036//3475 Fax: (868) -625-8150 E-mail: ttff1908@yahoo.com website:www.ttffonline.com

 
Tuesday Oct 9th 2012

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation wishes to place on record its disappointment with the disparaging remarks made against Mr. Anthony Harford, Chairman of All Sport Promotions, during the budget debate in Parliament on Friday October 5th 2012.

The TTFF engaged the services of All Sport in July 2011 with the concurrence of the Ministry of Sport with a specific mandate of setting up a Marketing and Events Division to handle a wide range of services including,

. All sponsorship negotiation

. All Match management for all National Teams

. Handling a Marketing Secretariat with appropriate staff

. All camps, travel and issuing appropriate payments

. All Ministry of Sport Funding

All Sport agreed to reduce its service fees quote when advised that there were no funds available at the time. The revised quote was fifty percent of the original figure. The TTFF further confirms that it received from All Sport a full statement of accounts for the entire allocation of 11 million dollars from the Government plus an additional 1.3 million earned from sponsors, gate receipts etc. This document was presented on January 16th 2012 to the Ministry of Sport , delivered with a cover note requesting the Ministry to provide any queries, questions or suggestions within 3 weeks so that the accounts could be audited.

The TTFF is satisfied that All Sport has received only the funds agreed and that the company has worked tirelessly to improve the standard of administration of the game, through a professional and dedicated team.

The TTFF also acknowledges that All Sport has continued to work for the development of the Sport without further payment until the Federations’ position has improved. All Sport has funded four camps and travel for the National Teams in the absence of government or other funding

 

In the circumstances the TTFF feels the Minister should withdraw his statement.

Respectfully

Lennox Watson

President (AG)

congrats to west indies cricket team - 2012 world cup champions

In case you missed it http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/t20-world-cup-2012/icc-t20-world-cup-2012-final-west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-live-score_749837.html

Charles comes up big as Windies outplay England

Charles comes up big as Windies outplay England
Kandy, Sri Lanka – Johnson Charles announced himself on the world stage with a match-winning half-century as West Indies made a great start to the Super Eights at the ICC World T20 tournament.

The 23-year-old opener cracked 84 off just 56 balls to set-up a victory by 15 runs over England, in front a sell-out crowd at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night. The result gave the Windies their first win of the tournament and moved them to the top of Group 1 in the second phase of the competition.

Charles featured in a brilliant opening stand of 103 off 11 overs with Chris Gayle, who cracked 54 off 35 balls with six boundaries and four sixes, as the West Indies rallied to make 179-8 off 20 overs.

Ravi Rampaul started the ball rolling with two wickets in the first over as England made 165-4 off their 20 overs. There was also some good bowling from Chris Gayle, with his quick off-spin, and leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who used the new ball in his first match; and excellent fielding by Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard on the edge of the boundary.

Charles was pleased with his effort, which won him the Man-of-the-Match award.

“I’m pretty happy. Getting Man-of-the-Match in this T20 World Cup tournament feels good and what is great about it is the fact that we went on to win the match. This is my first major contribution for the West Indies and I’m delighted that it led to a victory at this stage in the tournament,” he said.

Charles made his international debut last September against England and returned to the team for the Digicel Series against Australia in March. He entered the Sagicor High Performance Centre in June and said that has been a great boost to his development on and off the field.

“The HPC has helped me very much. Since going there I have improved my fitness and my approach to the game. I have been working on my batting, especially the start of my innings – how to go about my innings, how to build a big score. I have been doing a lot more batting than at any stage in my career and I have placed a lot more emphasis on fitness. It is an allround programme and after just four months I have seen some of the benefits,” Charles said.

The knock was the highest score for Charles in West Indies colours surpassing the 37 he made against Australia in Barbados earlier this year. The strongly-built right-hander said he relished the chance to play in front such a large number of spectators and enjoyed bating with Gayle. Throughout his innings Charles played some stunning shots with ten fours and three huge sixes into the crowd.

“If you’re batting with Chris Gayle you know his ability, you know what he can do ... you just have to give him the strike, sit back and watch. He’s that type of player, he just explodes ... he keeps it lively, and that takes the pressure off you. Just as Gayle can hit the ball far, I back myself to be able to hit the ball long and far and score quickly as well,” Charles added.

“Once he (Gayle) got out I had to take the leading role and take it from there. There was still some work to do as we were looking for a big total, so I knew I had to keep going and set the platform. I will look to build on this start and look to achieve greater things for the West Indies. I always had the belief that I could perform and now I have proven it, it’s time to be consistent and make a contribution all the time.”

West Indies will have fitness and planning sessions at the team hotel on Friday as they prepare for Saturday’s second Super Eights match against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. First ball in the night match is 7:30 pm (10 am Eastern Caribbean Time/9 am Jamaica Time).


West Indies Super Eights schedule

Thursday, Sept 27: West Indies beat England by 15 runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Saturday, Sept 29: vs Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium - 7:30 pm
Monday, Oct 1: vs New Zealand at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium - 3:30 pm
Semi-finals
Thursday, October 4: Super 8 Group 1-1 vs Super 8 Group 2-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Friday, October 5: Super 8 Group 2-1 vs Super 8 Group 1-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Grand Final: Sunday, October 7 - R Premadasa Stadium

Star girl Dottin powers West Indies to perfect start

Star girl Dottin powers West Indies to perfect start

 

Galle, Sri Lanka – Deandra Dottin loves the big stage and on Wednesday afternoon she put in a big performance to power West Indies to a massive win over New Zealand in the opening round of the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament.

 

The 21-year-old world record holder slammed the bowling to all parts of the field in a brilliant unbeaten half-century, as Windies cruised to victory by seven wickets with 12 balls to spare. It was Dottin’s fifth half-century in T20Is and she ended on 58 not out off 42 balls with six fours and two sixes.

 

She came to the crease with West Indies two wickets down in the second over and added a match-winning 82 runs for the third wicket with the reliable Stafanie Taylor, who made 38.

 

Dottin was named Player of the Match and said her aim was to take on the bowlers and keep the Windies ahead after they limited New Zealand to 117-9 off 20 overs, with some good bowling and fantastic fielding.

 

“Things went really well in this match. We had momentum from the time we got on the bus to come to the ground. That led to us putting on a great display in the field and with the ball and that gave is the momentum when we went on to bat,” she said.

 

“I just went out and played my natural game. The plan was to punish the bad balls. Once the first few deliveries hit the middle of the bat, I got the confidence to play my shots. I just told myself I had to bat to the end, I decided to play each ball on its merit and look to hit the bad ball with meaning and into the gaps.”

 

The powerfully-built Dottin is a talented athlete, having represented Barbados in track and field and football. She was a schoolgirl and regional age group champion in javelin and shot putt.

 

She is the cousin of West Indies Men’s Head Coach Ottis Gibson, and holds several records in the ICC World T20 tournament. Back in 2009 she made the fastest half-century off just 22 balls against Australia at Taunton, England. In 2010 she made the fastest ever century off just 38 balls against South Africa at Warner Park, St Kitts.

 

“I don’t set my mind to break records or establish any feats, I just play my natural game and it comes off. I spend a lot of time in the gym as I try to get stronger and fitter.  I like to hit the ball, but I see myself as more than just a power-hitter. Today I hit the ball through the gaps and we ran hard between the wickets,” Dottin said.

 

“Today, Stafanie played really well and she was there supporting me. She is a great team-mate and played an important role in helping me along. This win has set the stage for something big and we believe we can go on to win our other two matches and top the group. We played the team which everyone felt was the hardest team to beat in the group, so it is up to us now to continue the good work and get even better,” she added.

 

The West Indies will have a training session on Thursday before their second Group B match against Sri Lanka on Friday at Galle International Cricket Ground.

 

West Indies Women World T20 Schedule

First round matches

Wed, Sep 26: West Indies beat New Zealand Women by 7 wickets at Galle International Stadium, Galle

Fri, Sep 28: vs Sri Lanka Women – Galle International Stadium

Sun, Sep 30: vs South Africa Women – Galle International Stadium

Semi-finals

Thu, Oct 4: Winner Group A vs Second Group B – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Fri, Oct 5: Second Group A vs Winner Group B – Premadasa Stadium

Grand Final

Sun, Oct 7: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 – Premadasa Stadium

Narine wants to get his hands on the ICC Emerging Cricketer Award

Narine wants to get his hands on the ICC Emerging Cricketer Award

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – West Indies spin bowler Sunil Narine is looking forward to Saturday night. The 24-year-old believes he has done enough to win the International Cricket Council’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award and wants to get his hands on the trophy.

The annual International Cricket Council’s Awards gala will be held at the Water’s Edge at 4:30 pm (7 am Eastern Caribbean Time/6 am Jamaica Time).

Narine is on the short list which also includes New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell, Sri Lankan top-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal, and James Pattinson, the Australian pacer. To qualify for the award a player must be under the age of 26 at the start of the observation period and have played fewer than five Tests and/or 10 One-Day Internationals and/or five T20Is at the start of the voting period.

“It would mean a lot to me to win this award…I will just hope and see what happens tomorrow night (Saturday night),” Narine said. “It’s a privilege to be nominated. Now coming onto the scene and being up for an award is a good feeling. It’s through hard work and dedication which has brought me to this point. I look forward to being nominated for a lot more awards.

“When I was called up for the West Indies team I was just looking to fit in, work hard and try and maintain my place in the team. I just want to continue performing and get a permanent place in the team,” Narine said.

Narine came onto the international scene when he made his first appearance for West Indies in India late last year, and has been quite successful in his first year of his career.

He made his Test debut in England in June and has so far taken 12 wickets in three Tests, including a match-winning 5-132 against New Zealand in the first Test in Antigua in July. He played a pivotal role as the Windies won both matches in the two-match rubber.

He has played 15 One-Day Internationals with 28 wickets at 18.82 runs per wicket.  He was brilliant in the recent Digicel Series against New Zealand – which the Windies won 4-1 – and was named the Digicel Player of the Series.

Narine has been equally impressive in the T20 format with seven wickets in five appearances for the Windies. His economy rate is a mere 6.4 runs per over and he has become one of the toughest bowlers to score off. He showcased his brilliance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and won the Most Valuable Player award as his team won the title.

“My debut means the most to me so far. I was called into the team and to play against India in India and to bowl the way I did, I think that was a good achievement. To make my debut and help us to win the match was pleasing for me,” he said.

In that match he bowled first change and ended with 2-34 off 10 overs as the West Indies bowled out India to win by 16 runs after setting a victory target 260 at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“It was a total team effort to win against New Zealand in all three formats. To come back from losing in India and losing (Test Series) against Australia to beat New Zealand was something to cherish and something quite memorable. It said a lot about the team – that we have heart. We want take that momentum and come here and do well in the T20 World Cup,” Narine added.

The West Indies will continue their preparations for the ICC World T20 tournament with a full training session at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday at 9 am. They will have another training session on Sunday at the P Sara Oval at 2 pm. On Monday they will have their second warm-up match against Afghanistan at P Sara Oval at 2:30 pm.

The ICC World T20 tournament, which features 12 teams, will be played from September 18 to October 7. The West Indies have been drawn in Group B alongside Australia and Ireland and both first round matches will be at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Their opening match will be against the Aussies on Saturday, September 22 followed by a clash with the Irish on Monday, September 24.

Full Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (Wicket-keeper), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith

SCHEDULE

Warm-up matches

Thursday, Sept 13: vs Sri Lanka - NCC, Colombo
Monday, Sept 17: vs Afghanistan - P Sara Oval, Colombo
First round matches
Saturday, Sept 22: vs Australia - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Monday, Sept 24: vs Ireland - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Super Eight matches
Thursday, Sept 27: C1 v D2 - Pallekele
Thursday, Sept 27: A1 v B2 - Pallekele
Friday, Sept 28: D1 v C2 - Colombo
Friday, Sept 28: B1 v A2 - Colombo
Saturday, Sept 29: A1 v D2 - Pallekele
Saturday, Sept 29: C1 v B2 - Pallekele
Sunday Sept 30: B1 v C2 - Colombo
Sunday Sept 30: D1 v A2 - Colombo
Monday, Oct 1: B2 v D2 - Pallekele
Monday, Oct 1: A1 v C1 - Pallekele
Tuesday, Oct 2: B1 v D1 - Colombo
Tuesday, Oct 2: A2 v C2 - Colombo
Semi-finals
Thursday, October 4: Super 8 Group 1-1 vs Super 8 Group 2-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Friday, October 5: Super 8 Group 2-1 vs Super 8 Group 1-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Grand Final: Sunday, October 7 - R Premadasa Stadium

Cariah eyes strong performances

Cariah eyes strong performances
on Sagicor HPC tour of Bangladesh

KHULNA, Bangladesh – Yannic Cariah said the tour of Bangladesh by the Sagicor High Performance Centre team will be a good experience for him and the other members of the squad.

The 20-year-old Cariah and the rest of the team arrived in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka on Wednesday before travelling to this south-western city ahead of the opening match of the tour against the Bangladesh National Cricket Academy, starting on Sunday at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.

“It will be the first time I will be going there, playing in Asian sub-continent conditions, and I will be looking to take all that I have learnt in the Sagicor HPC and all the preparation we have done and try to perform well,” he said.

“It will be a good chance for me to showcase my talent. All the hard work over the last three months, it is for me to go out there and play well, clear my mind and do what I have got to do, and was born to do.”

The month-long tour also features a four-day match against the Bangladesh A-Team, as well as three One-day and two Twenty20 matches against the same opponents between September 16 and October 5.

Cariah said the first three months of the Sagicor HPC programme had been challenging, but there were a few lessons that he had learnt over the period.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be in the Sagicor HPC,” he said. “I have learnt a lot and I have worked hard on my game. Everybody, including my coaches and my teammates, has put in a lot of hard work.”

He added: “I have tried my best to gain a lot of information about all aspects of my game including the mental side.

“One of the important things I have learnt is that anything you do in practice will be reflected in your game. You have to do everything 110 per cent. You have to be purposeful if you are going to succeed in this game.”

The Sagicor HPC squad has been encamped since June 1 this year at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados.

Cariah, a leg-spinner and handy left-handed batsman, said the players had bonded well and had grown into a closely knit unit, which he felt would serve them well on the tour.

“This is a family,” he said. “People from different countries, different backgrounds, and we have grown to know and understand each other.

“We are all getting along very well and we are all looking forward to doing well on the tour.”

Cariah, a former West Indies Under-19 player at the 2010 ICC Youth World Cup, has played five Regional 4Day for his native Trinidad & Tobago and two Regional Super50 matches for the Windies U-19s over the last three years.

He said his obvious long-term goal was to play for West Indies, ultimately becoming a reliable member of the team.

“I have my goals in life, but my expectations are high because I set very high standards for myself,” he said.

“I want to continue to enjoy playing the game and giving my all in everything I do.”

This is the second squad of players at the Sagicor HPC since its inauguration two years ago.

The first squad of players that included current West Indies opener Kieran Powell and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel successfully completed the programme.

The Sagicor HPC programme, which is exclusively funded by the West Indies Cricket Board through sponsorship from regional financial services company, Sagicor, has been broadened to focus more intensely on developing the mental prowess of the players.

In addition to the standard rigorous training in skills development and fitness required for high performance athletes, the players are also benefitting from specialised training in a number of other areas including their roles as ambassadors, personal development, anti-doping and anti-corruption.

The 2012-2013 Sagicor HPC programme will conclude next May.

Gibson optimistic about West Indies’ World T20 chances

Gibson optimistic about West Indies’ World T20 chances

Bridgetown, Barbados – West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said he was optimistic of his side’s chances in the World Twenty20 Tournament taking place this month in Sri Lanka.

Gibson said the composition of the team struck the right balance between experience and talent, and he expected West Indies to live up to his long-held belief that they had the potential to win the World T20 title.

“The players have done very well at the camp and looking at the composition of the team. . .we have a good combination, a good mix of experience and young players. . .and we feel we have a real good chance of doing very well in this tournament,” said Gibson prior to the team’s departure on Sunday.

Gibson noted that players like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine have done very well in the T20 format.

“They have been stars of the Indian Premier League, and have in-depth knowledge of this format,” he said.

“The captain, Darren Sammy, is in great form, so too Andre Russell and Fidel Edwards, and there are others that can step up.”

The World T20 features 12 teams and will be played from September 18 to October 7.

West Indies have been drawn in Group B along with Australia and Ireland – and both first round matches will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka capital of Colombo.

Gibson said it was hard to predict which sides were the biggest threat in the competition and it was important that West Indies focus on the things within their control.

“On the day, if everybody executes well, anybody can win a match,” he said. “We have seen it before. . .In this format, anything is possible.

“It is important that you are on top of your game on the day, on top of your plans, and people stick to their skills, and always doing the basics.

“This game still revolves around string basics, so it is important for our guys to be looking after those basics all the time.”

West Indies open the tournament against the Aussies on Saturday, September 22 followed by a clash with the Irish on Monday, September 24.

-ENDS-

Squad
Darren Sammy (captain)
Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain)
Samuel Badree
Darren Bravo
Johnson Charles
Fidel Edwards
Chris Gayle
Kieron Pollard
Sunil Narine
Denesh Ramdin
Ravi Rampaul
Andre Russell
Marlon Samuels
Lendl Simmons
Dwayne Smith

WI T20 Squad

WI T20 Squad

Full Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (Wicket-keeper), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith
Reserves: Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Devon Thomas
Team Management: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), Toby Radford (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez-Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Relations Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)

WINDIES’ WORLD T20 SCHEDULE

Warm-up matches
Thursday, Sep 13: West Indies vs Sri Lanka - NCC, Colombo
Monday, Sep 17: West Indies vs Afghanistan - P Sara Oval, Colombo
First round matches
Saturday, Sep 22: vs Australia - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Monday, Sep 24: vs Ireland - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Super Eight matches
Thursday, Sep 27: C1 v D2 - Pallekele
Thursday, Sep 27: A1 v B2 - Pallekele
Friday, Sep 28: D1 v C2 - Colombo
Friday, Sep 28: B1 v A2 - Colombo
Saturday, Sep 29: A1 v D2 - Pallekele
Saturday, Sep 29: C1 v B2 - Pallekele
Sunday Sep 30: B1 v C2 - Colombo
Sunday Sep 30: D1 v A2 - Colombo
Monday, Oct 1: B2 v D2 - Pallekele
Monday, Oct 1: A1 v C1 - Pallekele
Tuesday, Oct 2: B1 v D1 - Colombo
Tuesday, Oct 2: A2 v C2 - Colombo
Semi-finals
Thursday, Oct 4: Super 8 Group 1-1 vs Super 8 Group 2-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Friday, Oct 5: Super 8 Group 2-1 vs Super 8 Group 1-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Grand Final: Sunday, Oct 7 - R Premadasa Stadium

Head coach feels HPC players progressing

Head coach feels HPC players progressing

CAVE HILL, Barbados – Head coach of the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre Graeme West has hailed the work ethic of the current squad of emerging players in the current training programme.

West said the current group of players are moving in the right direction and he was looking forward to their upcoming trip to Bangladesh to discover how much they have progressed.

“The group has been excellent to work with,” said West. “They have had a good attitude, a good work ethic, not a single player has missed a day’s training other than for injury. The commitment has been 100 per cent.

“What we now need to work hard on is honing the skills, specifically for the different conditions, and different types of match situations. Right now, there are three forms of the game, and if you want to be an international player, you have got to master all three.”

He said: “I think a lot of the players would say they are strong in one or possibly two forms of the game, but they have a lot of work to do in the third format.

“A number of the players have limited first-class experience and so practice matches like on Thursday against the senior West Indies side are invaluable because they are getting to see first-hand the type of quality that they will encounter on the international stage.”

The HPC team, led by all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, leaves on Monday for a month-long trip to Bangladesh, where they will play four-day matches against the Bangladesh National Cricket Academy and national A-Team.

They also face the Bangladesh A-Team in three One-day matches and two Twenty20s.

The squad to Bangladesh has been increased to 16 with the addition of Veerasammy Permaul. The left-arm spinner replaces World Twenty20-bound West Indies batsman Johnson Charles.

Permaul was a member of the first group of HPC players and was elevated to the role of West Indies A-Team captain for recent matches against India-A.

West said he expected the conditions in Bangladesh to prove to be one of the biggest hurdles for the players.

“It is going to be quite a big challenge for a number of the players that have never played in Bangladesh or India or Pakistan or Sri Lanka,” he said.

“We have tried our best to prepare them for the type of conditions that they will experience over there. This will be a huge challenge for them, rather than playing in their own home territory in conditions that are familiar to them.”

He added: “We are prepared for a lot of spin and a lot of turning pitches. We have prepared them for very hot weather. Ultimately, we will playing against the group of players that are 100 per cent committed to playing cricket and will give possibly everything that they have.

“This will be the big obstacle. We know we have the ability and the HPC is all about development. The next month will be about developing skills and hopefully some of the players will get an opportunity on the international stage to play there again.”

West gave the HPC team a passing grade for their performance against the senior West Indies side, which has been using the same facilities at the Three Ws Oval to prepare for the World Twenty20 Tournament this month in Sri Lanka.

The two sides met in a practice match, which the HPC lost by 44 runs on Thursday.

“Overall, I am very pleased with the way that they played in the practice match against the senior West Indies side,” he said.

“They were competitive. At the 15-over mark in both innings, we were ahead. What we saw was that little bit of extra experience and quality when it really mattered – and it really exposed us.

He said: “The great thing is that the players have gone head-to-head with some very fine international players and shown they have the ability to be competitive at that level.

“What they now need is to reflect on what took place in this match, and when it comes down to the crunch situations, what it takes to be a little bit better.”

West noted one of the significant improvements has been the fitness levels of the players.

“They have been working on their energy, their enthusiasm in the field, and again we maintained it, taking our chances in the field,” he said.

“Right now, it is about going back and discussing how we can be tighter and sharper with our skills, and making sure the cricket improves at the same rate.”

The HPC squad has been encamped since June 1 this year at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies here.

The HPC programme has been broadened to focus more intensely on developing the mental prowess of the players, in addition to the standard rigorous training in skills development and fitness required for high performance athletes.

The players are also benefitting from specialised training in a number of other areas including their roles as ambassadors, personal development, anti-doping, anti-corruption and media skills among other areas.

The current programme will conclude in May 2013.

This is the second squad of players attending the Sagicor HPC since its inauguration two years ago.

The first squad of players included current West Indies opener Kieran Powell, fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and current West Indies Under-19 captain Kraigg Brathwaite.

-ENDS-

SAGICOR HPC TO BANGLADESH
SQUAD
Carlos Brathwaite (captain)
Marlon Barclay
Jermaine Blackwood
Yannic Cariah
Sheldon Cotterrell
Miguel Cummins
Jason Dawes
Andre Fletcher
Dawnley Grant
Trevon Griffith
Jahmar Hamilton
Kyle Hope
Keddy Lesporis
Kjorn Ottley
Veerasammy Permaul
Jomel Warrican

SAGICOR HPC TO BANGLADESH
ITINERARY
September
16-19: Tour match – Bangladesh National Cricket Academy vs Sagicor HPC – Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna
22-25: Tour match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
28: 1st One-day match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
30: 2nd One-day match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
October
2: 3rd One-day match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
4: 1st Twenty20 match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
5: 2nd Twenty20 match – Bangladesh-A vs Sagicor HPC – Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

IRS examines Warner’s CONCACAF legacy. By Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com).

IRS examines Warner’s CONCACAF legacy.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com).

Concacaf president Jeffrey Webb confirmed on Thursday that the United States’ Internal Revenue Services (IRS), accounting firm BDO International and global legal company Sidley Austin LLP are working in tandem to scrutinize the legacy of his predecessor and Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister Jack Warner.

The CONCACAF Executive was due to receive a report of these investigations at an extraordinary congress this month but Webb claimed that the scale of the operation has forced a postponement until the first quarter of 2013.

“This audit is a massive undertaking that will set our financial house straight and ensure that CONCACAF’s operations are executed in a responsible and ethical manner going forward,” said Webb, via a media release.

“This initiative was inspired by the new CONCACAF’s commitment to full accountability and transparency and it is essential that we get this right so we can move on to focus on our true purpose, the development of the game.”

Warner was CONCACAF president from 1991 to 2011 when he quit after being indicted by FIFA for allegedly facilitating the bribery of Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials.

Webb, the 47-year-old former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) president, replaced Warner at the CONCACAF helm in May while the 38-year-old Colombia-born Enrique Sanz, a former director at football marketing company Traffic, was named as the successor to outgoing general secretary Chuck Blazer.

It appears that Webb and the present CONCACAF Executive are not prepared to forgive and forget where Warner is concerned.

In a release to the CONCACAF member associations, Webb insisted that the confederation was still investigating the ownership of the João Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

Read More: http://www.wired868.com/2012/09/07/irs-investigates-warners-concacaf-legacy/

Which Video/Commentary was your favourite?

http://youtu.be/Bm5JeGPLUSA - La Londe wins Bronze!

or

http://youtu.be/KwYYNaPiyTI - T&T men win bronze in Men's 4x400 Relay

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZOvipMWdaU   Keshorn Walcott wins Gold in Javellin

WICB announces West Indies Squad for ICC World T20

WICB announces West Indies Squad for ICC World T20
St John’s Antigua — The West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel today named the West Indies 15-man squad for the International Cricket Council’s World T20 Tournament in Sri Lanka in September.

FULL SQUAD
Darren Sammy (Captain)
Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain)
Samuel Badree
Darren Bravo
Johnson Charles
Fidel Edwards
Chris Gayle
Kieron Pollard
Sunil Narine
Denesh Ramdin (Wicket-keeper)
Ravi Rampaul
Andre Russell
Marlon Samuels
Lendl Simmons
Dwayne Smith

The WICB Selection Panel has kept faith with the nucleus of the squad which defeated New Zealand in the recent Digicel Twenty20 Series in south Florida. Darren Bravo makes a return after missing the second half of the West Indies tour of England and the Digicel Series at home against New Zealand due to injury.

The squad boasts a number of the leading power-hitters in world as well as several world-class allrounders. The batting is led by Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard who are destructive in this format. Openers Lendl Simmons, Johnson Charles and Dwayne Smith have also done well for West Indies in the past at the top of the order.

The allrounders: Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Marlon Samuels, have all proven their quality with bat and ball in this format, while wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin brings a wealth of experience and know-how in this format.

The spin bowling department is led by Sunil Narine, who has excelled since his international debut last December. The other slow bowler is experienced leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who is the newest member of the squad, but has an excellent track record in this format at domestic level. He debuted against New Zealand in June.

The two main fast bowlers in the squad are the experienced Fidel Edwards, who offers firepower, and Ravi Rampaul, who can be called upon at any stage in the innings.

Fixtures for ICC World T20
WARM-UP
Thursday, Sept 13: vs Sri Lanka - NCC, Colombo
Monday, Sept 17: vs Afghanistan - P Sara Oval, Colombo

FIRST ROUND
Saturday, Sept 22: vs Australia - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Monday, Sept 24: vs Ireland - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

SUPER EIGHTS
Thursday, Sept 27: C1 v D2 - Pallekele
Thursday, Sept 27: A1 v B2 - Pallekele
Friday, Sept 28: D1 v C2 - Colombo
Friday, Sept 28: B1 v A2 - Colombo
Saturday, Sept 29: A1 v D2 - Pallekele
Saturday, Sept 29: C1 v B2 - Pallekele
Sunday Sept 30: B1 v C2 - Colombo
Sunday Sept 30: D1 v A2 - Colombo
Monday, Oct 1: B2 v D2 - Pallekele
Monday, Oct 1: A1 v C1 - Pallekele
Tuesday, Oct 2: B1 v D1 - Colombo
Tuesday, Oct 2: A2 v C2 - Colombo

SEMI-FINALS
Thursday, October 4: Super 8 Group 1-1 vs Super 8 Group 2-2 - R Premadasa Stadium
Friday, October 5: Super 8 Group 2-1 vs Super 8 Group 1-2 - R Premadasa Stadium

GRAND FINAL: Sunday, October 7 - R Premadasa Stadium