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Jul.28.2010

Track and field athletes, Ayanna Alexander, Rondel Sorillo and Janeil Belleile and Aaron Prince  and Tariq Haqq of boxing all earned bronze medals for T&T when the 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games continued in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico last night. The five  medals carried T&T’s haul to 22 (six gold, six silver and ten bronze), going one better than  its tally four years ago in Colombia with four days of competition left. The 28-year-old Alexander secured bronze with a distance of 13.64 metres, on her second of six attempts in the women’s triple jump final. It was short of her national record of 13.96. The winner was Jamaican Kimberly Williams with a distance of 14.23 on her penultimate effort while Colombia’s Caterine Ibarguez snatched the silver with a distance of 14.10.

Sorillo, who qualified as the fastest runner for the half-lap (200m) final in 20.76 in the third of four heats, crossed the line in 20.59 for his bronze medal. First home was Netherlands Antilles’ Churandy Martina in a record time of 20.25 to complete the sprint double while Jamaica’s Rasheed Dwyer picked up silver in a personal best of 20.49. T&T’s Emmanuel Callender, who had the sixth-fastest time going into the final (20.85) finished the final in 20.81 for sixth again. And in the penultimate event of the evening, Belleile completed the women’s 400-metre hurdles final in a personal best time of 56.81 seconds for third behind Mexico’s Zudikey Rodriguez (55.54 PB) and gold medalist, Jamaican Nickiesha Wilson (55.40). On Monday, Belleile qualified in second spot in semifinal two with a time of 58.11 behind top qualifier, Wilson (56.98).

Tomorrow, Gavyn Nero will face the starter in the men’s 800-metre final after he was third in semifinal two in one minute, 49.53 seconds to be fifth overall. His countryman Jamal James clocked 1:51.70 minutes in heat one for tenth spot and failed to advance. Aaron Prince added to T&T’s bronze medal haul after he suffered a heavy 11-2 points loss home town fighter Christian Peguero in their welterweight (-69kg) semifinal. Fellow T&T fighters’ Andrew Fermin, a silver medallist four years ago beat Panama’s Israel Duffus in a men’s lightheavyweight (-81kg) semifinal and will fight for the gold medal on Friday. While Tariq  Haqq's semi final  loss 4-0 to  Netherlands Antilles’ Gilton Zimmerman in a superheavyweight contest took T&T's bronze medal tally to ten.

Jul.28.2010

Yesterday morning the T&T Water Polo team took to the water against Guatemala for their third Game at the 21st CAC Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico . With a one win one loss record T&T must win three games to qualify for the medal rounds.

T&T opened the scoring in the first minute with an item from John Littlepage(captain), Delano Otero got into the act a minute later after faking the Guatemalan net minder, with 4:10 to go in the period Delano again tricked the keeper but this time he passed to Matthew George who made no mistake, taking the score to 3-0. With 1:44 left in the period Christopher George drilled one into the top left corner to finally get his name on the score sheet after several attempts. T&T following Coach Kevin Foster’s direction played steady team defence and Andrew Too-A-Foo gaining in confidence hauled in everything that came his way.

From the start of the second period T&T continued their offensive pressure through Delano Otero. With 6:46 left in the period Alec Chin Lee moved in to space on the near post and netted Littlepage’s pass. A patient T&T got their next goal with 4:11 to go off a brilliant solo effort from Delano Otero 6-0. On the next position Christopher George scored from five metres out 7-0. Before half time Simon Chin Lee added to Guatemala’s frustration netting twice to extend the T&T lead to 9-0.

On the resumption T&T kept the scorers busy. Two minutes into the action Kristian Bocage earned his team a penalty .Matthew George converted 10-0. T&T continued to apply pressure blocking shots and stopping everything on cage but failing to add to the score missing five attemps at goal. With 2:33 to the end of the period Bocage gets thrown out of the game after retaliating, T&T a man down with four minutes left in the period. Too-A-Foo stops the ensuing penalty and a Kris Thomas score saw T&T to an unassaible 11-0 lead.

Early in the third period a goal mouth scuffle escalates into a full scale fight. T&T's Simon Chin Lee suffered a nose injury, the ball remains in play leaving T&T with three players in the water. T&T however kept their composure as Guatemala were unable to settle after the fracas as T&T reel off seven unanswered goals. Littlepage in total command scored three and drew a penalty, two goals from Matthew George and one each from Francis and Thomas rounded out the scoring for the 18-0 win.

The win leaves the Warriors with a two win one loss record. T&T needing a win to stay in the medal hunt will take on hosts Puerto Rico at 8:00p.m. tonight with a boisterous and enthusiastic partisan crowd expected.

Jul.27.2010

Yesterday morning T&T  senior men's  waterpolo team  played the first game of the 21st Central American and Caribbean( CAC) Games  Water Polo Tournament in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico . T&T  suffered a 21-8 loss to Venezuela .In their second game against Curacao  T&T rebounded from their earlier stumble to emerge 17-10 victors.
This morning  T&T will clash with Guatemala .the next match up is a tough encounter against hosts Puerto Rico at 8:00 p.m.  The tournament will continue during the week with a seven team round-robin and placing rounds played on Friday and Saturday.

Match details Venezulea vs T&T:In the first quarter Venezuela  went ahead 0-2  T&T's  before Matthew George pulled one back .Venezuela shotback to a 4-1 lead. George (M) then  drilled a shot low to the right corner  to cut the margin to 4-2. The teams traded goals before the end of the quarter with Christopher George putting away a pass from Kris Thomas .The South Americans held a 5-3 lead. T&T had opportunties to level the score .However  several shots from Kristian Bocage and Delano Otero missed their mark.

T&T drew first blood two minutes into the second quarter when Kristian Bocage passed perfectly to T&T captain  John Littlepage who “did the business” to put T&T within one point of their opponents. Venezuela kept up the pressure and capitalized on two defensive errors to make the score 7-4 with 4 minutes left to half-time. The tense battle continued with resolute defending by  Littlepage and  George(Matthew)  in front of Yannick Hudson who turned back several shots. With 1:29 to the midway break T&T capitalized on a man advantage, Bocage passing to Christopher George to narrow the Venezuela lead to 7-5.

The pattern of play continued in the second half with T&T scoring with 6:24 left in the period when Christopher George drew two defenders in the hole and Christopher Forte taking advantage of space to open his account and put T&T to within one point. Sadly this was as close as T&T would get as the Venezuelans rattled-in six unanswered goals before Bocage scored with 1:52 to the period’s end 13-7, Venezuela scored twice  for the score to stand at 7-15 after three periods.

After two minutes of the last quarter, Venezuela led 17-7, Coach Kevin Foster pulled his starting line-up with the evening's must win game looming. The bench including alternate goal-keeper Andrew Too-A-Foo all getting important tournament minutes in preparation for a tough week’s tournament. Before the end Kris Thomas would find the back of the net and Venezuela would score four more time for a final tally of  21-8

The day’s second affair was a must win game for T&T  playing with purpose T&T  scored early  with Christopher (Atlas ) George scoring three times, the third having to shake off two defenders and Delano Otero striking on a quick counter from a Yannick Hutson pass to take the 4-0 advantage over Curacao with 3:32 left in the first period. Curacao pulled two back before Kris (Sniper) Thomas did what he does best, scoreing from the top, for the last goal of the period with 24 seconds left 5-2.

With 5:58 to go in the second Mathew George finds Littlepage on the far side of the cage and he made no mistake 6-2. The battle raged on as the referees were letting the guys play and it was a struggle to defend the much bigger Antillean hole sets. After letting in one goal T&T would get two back, first from Simon Chin Lee and with 26 seconds to half-time Littlepage tapping in after a patient pass around both goals coming while on a man advantage 8-3.

During the first three minutes of the third period T&T scored three times to Curacao’s once. Mathew George scoring a penalty drawn by Littlepage, Forte on a man advantage and Christopher George on a pass from his brother Matthew 11-4. Between then and the end of the period the opposition capitalized on a defensive mix-up, a three on two and a penalty to end the period 11-7.

With designs on dragging themselves back into the game Curacao forced Hudson to save twice in the opening minute of the last period before breeching his custody at the 6:52 mark 11-8. But Christopher George fought off his defender to get the goal back immediately 12-8 with 6:33 left in the game. Forte buries one,  Littlepage scores on a man-advantage and Bocage shrugs off a defender and slots home 15-8 at the 3:12 mark. Curacao would score twice but in between Littlepage would squeeze a ball through to Forte to score and he would draw a penalty for Matthew George to score. The game ending at 17-10.

With seven teams in the tournament, Columbia, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Curacao Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, the Warriors must register three victories to reach the semi-finals.

Jul.27.2010

Bar chart

Londoners are more supportive of the 2012 Olympics being held in the city than four years ago, figures show.

The BBC London poll also found almost one in three people felt more positive about the Games now than in 2005, while 54% had not changed their views.

But more than half of Londoners had concerns that the transport system would not be able to cope very well.

The research, carried out by Ipsos Mori, was released to coincide with the two-year countdown to the Games.

Earlier this month the market research firm contacted 1,000 people, aged 17 and above and living in London, and asked identical questions to a survey carried out in November 2006.

Result

Of those asked 73% said they were in support of London hosting the sporting event compared with 69% four years ago.

Former Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said she was delighted the level of support was rising but that this confidence should be taken, and earnt, "day by day".

She said there should be a growing sense that these games "belong to Londoners, that they have got a really important part to play in making them a great success".

The figures also showed the number of people who thought the government and London's mayor were doing a good job of preparing for 2012 had risen from 45% to 65%.

And while almost half of Londoners (45%) said the 2012 Olympics did not represent good value for money, three quarters said spending should not be cut.

But Olympic minister Hugh Robertson said he could not offer a guarantee that the budget, which is subject to a current review, would not be cut.

He said that given the national mood and the economic situation it was important to be "sensible and realistic" about costing.

With the Games expected to bring up to a million people into the city, 55% of those questioned said they did not think the city's transport infrastructure would cope very well with extra passengers.

But Richard Parry, from London Underground, said: "We are focused very much on 2012 being at a point that the transport system will be reliable, high capacity, focused on the east of London particularly.

"We are absolutely going to be ready in 2012 to provide the world class service the world will expect when the Olympics comes to London."

And as people from around the world descend on the city about one in 12 Londoners (8%) said they were planning to leave the city to avoid the Olympics - which could amount to about half-a-million people.

Bar chart

Jul.27.2010

Shot Putter Cleopatra Borel-Brown added to T&T’s gold medal tally at the 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, last night. Long distance runner, Pilar Mc Shine (silver) and shot putter Annie Alexander (bronze), were also among the medals to push T&T’s haul to 17 (six gold, six silver, and five bronze). Four years ago in Cartagena, Colombia, T&T won 21 medals (one gold, nine silver, 11 bronze) to finish 14th overall. The 31-year-old Borel-Brown won the women’s shot put final with her first throw of the iron ball which landed a distance of 18.76 metres, .04 short of her season best of 18.80.

The performance of the 2006 bronze medal winner, Borel-Brown was so dominant that one of her four other legal attempts, 18.64, 18.63, 18.37 and 18.35 would have been good enough for the gold medal as well. Second was Jamaican, Zara Northover with a best heave of 17.04 metres, while T&T’s 23-year-old US-based Alexander got bronze with 16.76 metres. Another US-based Collegiate athlete, Mc Shine, 23, earned silver in the women’s 1,500m final in four minutes, 21.66 seconds to trail Colombian winner, Rosibel Garcia (4:21.17). Puerto Rican, Beverly Ramos took third in 4:22.02. Richard Jones was fifth in the final of the men’s 10,000m in 31 minutes, 42.06 seconds and long jumper, Kyron Blaise, seventh in his final with a best leap of 7.47 metres.

There was disappointment though for T&T in the final track event of the night, when World Track and Field Championship, bronze medal winner, Renny Quow failed to complete the men’s 400m final. He had qualified as the sixth fastest overall with a second place finish in the second of three semifinal heats on Sunday in 46.09 seconds. Today, Janeil Belleile will run for a medal in the women’s 400m hurdles final after she qualified in second spot in semifinal two with a time of 58.11 behind top qualifier, Jamaican, Nickiesha Wilson (56.98). T&T’s Emmanuel Mayers was seventh in the second men’s 400m hurdles heat in 55.38 and failed to reach the final.

Jul.27.2010

LONDON—With today marking the two-year countdown to the London Olympics, organisers are determined to prove the multi-billion-dollar project offers good value for money at a time of economic austerity. London will celebrate today’s milestone by launching a search for games-time volunteers and opening some of the venues to let athletes test out the facilities where they will be competing for medals after the opening ceremony on July 27, 2012.

Michael Johnson, a former Olympic 200-metre and 400-metre champion from the US, will sprint on a temporary track in the 80,000-capacity main stadium. British cyclist Chris Hoy will take a spin at the velodrome. Former NBA player John Amaechi will shoot a few hoops at the basketball arena.“We’re not just the next games,” organising committee president Sebastian Coe said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re the next big global event. The World Cup is out of the way. That’s where the world is coming. There’s nothing else between us and the games.”

Despite a severe economic crisis and government budget cuts, London looks firmly on track to deliver in 2012. The external building work of key arenas is finished, sponsorship revenues are on target, plans are in place to ensure lasting use of facilities, and British politicians, media and the public remain largely on board. Olympic organisers are under scrutiny as the coalition government carries out £40 billion ($61 billion) in public spending cuts to trim the record budget deficit. The government recently ordered relatively modest cuts of £27 million ($41 million) in the budget of the Olympic Delivery Authority, the body responsible for building the venues. The overall construction and infrastructure budget stands at £9.325 billion ($14.3 billion).

Coe’s separate privately financed organising committee budget is £2 billion ($3 billion), raised from sponsorships, television fees, ticket sales and merchandising. The largest cost is going toward the development of the 2.5-square-kilometre (1-square-mile) Olympic Park in the Stratford area of east London. A deprived industrial area of the capital is being transformed into a new complex that will be turned over to the public after the games. Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said Olympic funding is not “ring-fenced” or immune from further cuts. Coe said the Olympics have already had an economic spinoff by providing £6.5 billion ($10 billion) of construction work, employment for 10,500 workers at the Olympic Park and 700 million pounds ($1 billion) of various contracts.

Coe said organisers have raised more than £600 million ($925 million) toward their target of 700 million pounds ($1 billion) in domestic sponsorships—a figure that organising committee chief executive Paul Deighton has called “gravity defying.” The work in the Olympic Park is impressive: “the structure and roof covering of the Olympic Stadium is complete and seats are being installed at the rate of 700 a day. Next up will be fitting out the venues to get them ready for spectators and test events.” Coe is urging the public to sign up for the volunteer programme and put their names down for tickets, which will go on sale next year. Using a sporting analogy, Coe —a former two-time Olympic champion and middle-distance great—said organisers have reached the 400-500 metre mark of an 800-metre race and are entering the back straight or “killing zone.”

Jul.26.2010

Guyana lived up to their billing as favourites to claim the first ever Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Rugby Sevens gold medal on home soil by beating Jamaica 31-7 in Georgetown on Sunday.

The top seeds conceded only three tries - against Bahamas, Venezuela and Jamaica - en route to the title as their strong collective and individual talent shone through with Kevin McKenzie one of Guyana's standout players.

It was Jamaica, though, who sprung the surprise of the tournament by outplaying Trinidad & Tobago to triumph 21-10 in the other semi final, the two sides having played out a 5-5 draw in Pool B on day one.

Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago had topped their respective pools on day one at Providence Stadium in Georgetown, the hosts with a perfect record of three victories over Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Costa Rica and their main rivals having seen off Venezuela and Mexico.

This meant that in the quarter finals Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago would tackle Venezuela and Costa Rica respectively, with the much improved Mexicans facing the Cayman Islands and Jamaica coming up against their neighbours the Bahamas.

Venezuela restricted Guyana to a 14-7 half time advantage before the superior fitness and speed of the hosts saw them emerge comfortable 28-7 winners, while Trinidad & Tobago beat Costa Rica 33-5.

Mexico on the rise

Mexico overcame the Cayman Islands 14-0 to earn a semi final with Guyana, while Trinidad & Tobago would again meet Jamaica after they defeated Bahamas 15-0 to keep alive their hopes of securing a medal in this historic tournament.

The first semi final went according to the seeding with Guyana defeating Mexico 31-0, leaving Jamaica to grab the headlines with their upset of Trinidad & Tobago.

Ultimately, though, they couldn't repeat the feat in the final with Claudius Butts, Theodore Henry, Dominic Lespierre, Richard Staglon and Dwayne Schroeder crossing for tries to the delight of the home crowd.

Mexico, who had been seeded seventh for the tournament, finished on a high note by beating Trinidad & Tobago 10-5 to claim the bronze medal, a fitting reward for a team showing the strides they are making in Rugby in the region, both tactically and physically.

Bahamas finished fifth overall by beating Venezuela 26-15, while Cayman Islands overcame Costa Rica 38-0 on the final day of a Sevens tournament bringing together teams from the IRB's Regional Associations CONSUR and NACRA for the first time.

The six NACRA (North America and Caribbean Rugby Association) teams now turn their attention to the Regonal championship in Guyana on Thursday and Friday, when they will be joined by St Lucia, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands.

Guyana will be looking to retain their title and qualify for the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, next year when Rugby Sevens will make its debut at an exciting time for the sport following its inclusion in the Olympic Games programme from 2016,

Results

Day One

Pool A
Cayman Islands 21-12 Costa Rica
Guyana 21-7 Bahamas
Bahamas 24-12 Costa Rica
Guyana 38-0 Cayman Islands
Bahamas 17-5 Cayman Islands
Guyana 54-0 Costa Rica

Pool B
Jamaica 5-7 Mexico
Venezuela 7-20 Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago 14-0 Mexico
Venezuela 7-7 Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago 5-5 Jamaica
Venezuela 10-10 Mexico

Day Two

Quarter finals
Guyana 28-7 Venezuela
Cayman Isalnds 0-14 Mexico
Jamaica 15-0 Bahamas
Trinidad & Tobago 33-5 Costa Rica

Semi finals
Guyana 31-0 Mexico
Jamaica 21-10 Trinidad & Tobago

Plate
Venezuela 24-10 Cayman Islands
Bahamas 26-0 Costa Rica
Cayman Islands 38-0 Costa Rica
Venezuela 15-26 Bahamas

Bronze medal
Mexico 10-5 Trinidad & Tobago

Final
Guyana 31-7 Jamaica
Source: www.irb.com

Jul.26.2010

Source: www.iaaf.org
Churandy Martina prevailed in a close final to defend his 100m title on Sunday (25) while world champion Ryan Brathwaite dominated the sprint hurdles as the athletics tournament of the 21st Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) got underway in this southern Puerto Rican city.

Olympic fourth placer finisher Martina held off the strong challenge from 2010 World Indoor bronze medallist Daniel Bailey (Antigua and Barbuda) to give the Netherland Antilles its first gold medal of the Games.

Martina clocked 10.07, just one hundredth of a second off his Games record, set in Cartagena 2006. Bailey, who had run the same time in the semifinals, was a close second in 10.08, followed by Jamaica’s Lerone Clarke (10.15) and Oshane Bailey (10.20) in the fastest 100m final in the 84-year history of the world’s oldest regional Games.

Tahesia Harrigan also successfully defended her crown in a comfortable fashion. After a swift and windy 11.11 in the semifinals, the 2008 World Indoor bronze medallist confirmed her favorite status with a clear 11.19 win in the final to give the British Virgin Islands its fist gold in Mayagüez.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Ayanna Hutchinson (11.47) and Colombia’s Yomara Hinestroza (11.51) were distant second and third, respectively.

World champion Ryan Brathwaite proved he is good form as he ran unchallenged to the 110m Hurdles gold in 13.39, after having run 13.35 in the semifinals. Jamaica’s Eric Keddo posted a personal best of 13.52 to clinch silver, ahead of local favorite Héctor Cotto (13.71). Ryan’s younger brother Shane finished sixth in 14.04.

2009 IAAF Challenge winner and 2008 World Cup bronze medallist Eder Sanchez became the first athletics champion on Saturday as he held off a strong challenge from defending champion Luis Fernando López and Gustavo Restrepo of Colombia.

Second four years ago, Sánchez recovered the men’s 20km walk gold for Mexico and set a new Games record of 1:22:32, closely followed by Lopez (1:22:55) and Restrepo (1:22:56), who were also inside the previous mark, set by Mexico’s 1997 world champion Daniel Garcia (1:23:32) in Maracaibo 1998.

Colombia found redemption in the women’s race as Sandra Galvis came first in 1:38:27, ahead of Milangela Rosales (1:40:16) and Mexico’s Maria Sanchez (1:41:56).

The second Games record fell in the field as Venezuela’s 2005 World Youth Championships runner-up Keisa Monterola soared to 4.20 in the Pole Vault. Third in the previous edition of the Games, the 22-year old cleared 4.20m on her first attempt to erase the 4.10m mark set by Cuba’s Maryoris Sanchez. Monterola failed to equal her national record of 4.30m.

Other winners on the first two days were Trinidad and Tobago’s Aleesha Barber in the 100m Hurdles (13.09), Colombia’s Ely Moreno in the Hammer (66.98m), Arley Ibarguen in the Javelin Throw (78.93m) and Yolanda Caballero in the 10,000m (34:50.58). Venezuela’s Aldo Bello took the men’s Hammer gold in 65.10m. Jamaica’s Dorian Scott (18.92m) in the Shot Put.

The Marathon victories went to Mexico’s Marisol Romero (2:44:30) and Guatemala’s Jose Garcia (2:21:35), the first one for the Central American nation in the history of the Games. Two-time defending champion Procopio Franco finished a distant sixth in 2:28:54.

Eight finals will be contested on Monday on the third day of the athletics tournament: men’s and women’s 400m and 1,500m, as well as the men’s 10,000m, Long Jump and the women’s High Jump, Shot Put and Heptathlon.

Local fans will focus their attention of 2009 World Championships silver medallist Javier Culson, who will run the second semifinal of the 400m Hurdles. The first heat features two-time former World and 2004 Olympic champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic.

The athletics competition will be held at Mayaguez’ Estadio Centroamericano until Friday July 30, with a rest day on Wednesday. Cuba, the long-time overall leader in the history of the Games, in absent in this 21st edition.

Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF

Jul.25.2010

Source: www.guardian.co.tt
Kinsale kicks to Karate Do silver
Kwame Kinsale kicked his way to a silver medal in the men’s over-84kg division after he was beaten in the final by Venezuelan, Angel Aponte 3-0. Kinsale who got a bye in the quarterfinal round edged Costa Rica’s Cesar Duarte 1-0 on points in his semifinal. T&T’s two other competitors Janelle Alexander and Jamone Sherwood failed did not manage to get among the medals.

Mexico beat T&T 10-5 for 3rd
The Calypso Ruggermen missed out on a medal after they were 10-5 by Mexico in the bronze medal match at the Providence Stadium, Guyana. Earlier in the day, T&T after topping its round-robin pool on Saturday with a win and a drawn result roughed up Costa Rica 33-5 in its quarterfinal match before losing out to Jamaica, 10-21 in the semifinal. Guyana won the first ever rugby sevens gold medal with a convincing 31-7 demolition of the Jamaicans.

Honore, Dyette in beach volleyball quarters
Nadiege Honore and Ayanna Dyette went under to Colombian sisters, Andrea Galindo and Claudia Galindo, 12-21, 9-21 but qualified for today’s quarterfinal against Mexico’s Mayra Garcia and Bibiana Candelas as the second best team in its pool today from 10 am. On the indoor court, the T&T men’s team tasted defeat for the second time in Pool B play, losing to host country Puerto Rico, 25-11, 25-22, 25-21

Squash teams place fifth
T&T claimed 5th in both the men’s and women’s team event at the Cancha de Vidrio on Saturday. The men defeated sister Caribbean country Barbados 2-1, in the fifth place match. The T&T women defeated Guatemala 2-1 their fifth place match.

Haqq certain of boxing medal
At the boxing arena, Tariq Haqq won his superheavyweight quarterfinal bout with Carlos Moreno of Panama when the referee stopped the contest at the end of round two with the T&T fighter ahead 10-1 to move into semifinal and certain of a medal.

Jul.23.2010

CLAUDIUS Butts will lead Guyana’s Men’s team at this year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Rugby tournament while Sabola Gray will wear the captain band for the women’s in the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 7s championships. The Guyana Rugby Football released the names of the two squads yesterday. According to the GRFU, for the males only the names of the players participating in the CAC games will be disclosed and those for the NACRA championships will be announced next week.

Butts, who is also captain of the West Indies Rugby team, is no stranger to leading Guyana at major tournaments - something he’s been used to for several years, with his most recent appointment being that in the International Rugby (IRB) USA Sevens World Series held earlier this year in Las Vegas.

The team comprises several of the players who were Butts’ team mates in the USA with the likes of UK-based players Kevin McKenzie and Dominic Lespierre.

Another UK-based player Rupert Giles was also named in the squad of 12 that was released yesterday after the team had completed their encampment at the Splashmin’s Eco Resort on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Half-back Ryan Gonsalves, forwards Ronald Mayers, Dwayne Schroeder and Theodore Henry, along with Hooker Richard Staglon (vice-captain) who were a part of the historic Guyana team at the IRB USA Sevens tournament, have found themselves once again chasing history as they seek to claim the CAC title on home soil.

The other players on the team are half-backs Troy Bascom and Chris Singh and back player Elwin Chase.

According to the teams’ Technical Director Joe Whipple who spoke to the gathering after the announcement of the squad, it was a tough task selecting the players because of the wide array of talent to choose from but nonetheless, he believes that the players named were the best for the CAC tournament.

He added that the players have been training hard for the tournament and it is only right for them to be rewarded with the much needed support so that they can go out and perform to the best of their ability.

Guyana will join fellow NACRA-playing nations Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, Cayman, Jamaica and Mexico along with Costa Rica and Venezuela from the Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby (CONSUR) as they vie for the prestigious CAC title come July 24–25 at the Guyana National Stadium.

Twelve matches will be played on the first day, beginning from 10:30 h with the hosts playing Costa Rica in the third match of the day.

Meanwhile, for the women, their team for the NARCA tournament for which they are the defending champions, is made up of players who participated in last year’s tournament.

Guyana’s women won NACRA 7s title twice - back-to-back - and will be joined this year by Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Mexico, Cayman Islands and St Lucia in the six-team tournament.

The women’s Championship in the NACRA 7s tournament will run from July 26 to 27 where they will play a round-robin format (a total of 15 games). After that, the teams will be seeded based on their overall results and then they will head into the knockout phase of the competition.

The local ladies will begin their quest to be crowned three-time women’s Caribbean Champions against St Lucia on Saturday.

Men’s team: Claudius Butts (captain), Theodore Henry, Ronald Gonsalves, Richard Staglon (vice-captain), Rupert Giles, Kevin McKenzie, Dominic Lespierre, Ronald Mayers, Dwayne Schroeder, Troy Bascom, Chris Singh, Elwin Chase.

Female team: Sabola Gray (captain), Colette Hope, Desaun Josiah, Maurice Skeete, Latoya Cordis, Grace Jarvis, Sheneeza Daniels, Nikita Davis, Andrea Lashley, Karen Skeete, Fiona Ward, Natasha Andrews, Tricia Monroe and Laurel Anderson.

Jul.23.2010

Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s Under-15 football team is continuing their preparations for the first Youth Olympic Games next month.
Team coach Marlon Charles, in a recent interview pointed out that the preparation has been going good. The players are working hard.

“The main focus right now is more mental, and (playing) more games,” continued Charles. “This is what we’re focused on right now.”

The Under-15 team lost a warm-up match, by a 7-1 margin, to the national Under-17 women’s team, at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya on July 16.

“We took the opportunity to play the U-17s to see where we are and I said to the girls ‘If this is the strongest team we play going into Singapore, then we just have to continue to work and get a bit fitter’,” said Charles. “But, overall, the focus was not really the score but to see them play and play (organised).”

With regards to the improvements he’s hoping to see within the team, Charles noted: “I think it’s very important for us to become fitter. And work a little more tactically to defend properly. Other than that I think they’re working very, very hard.”

The inaugural Youth Olympic Games will take place in Singapore from August 14-26, while the football competitions will begin two days earlier (August 12) – all the matches will be staged at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Six teams will be featured in the girls’ section — Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Iran, Chile, Papau New Guinea and Equatorial Guinea. Trinidad and Tobago will play Chile on August 12 and Equatorial Guinea on August 15, with the semi-finals set for August 21, the fifth-placed game is August 23 and, both the third-place playoff and final, on August 24.

Jul.23.2010

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s lone Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford has been appointed a Sports Ambassador.

The announcement was made yesterday by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts during the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.

Roberts said that the appointment was long overdue as Crawford has put Trinidad and Tobago on the world map and continues to serve his country.

Crawford won the men’s 100 metres sprint at the 1976 Olympics staged In Montreal, Canada.

Roberts also addressed Crawford’s problem of not being able to access freely the Hasely Crawford Stadium at Mucurapo which ironically is named after him.

“We have solved the problem he has been having as nothing was put in place for him to gain access to the facility. Up to recently he had to pay to enter into his own stadium but it has been rectified. We are in the process of providing him a car parking spot and making it official that he can gain access to his stadium whenever he wants free of charge,” Roberts said.

He also indicated that national cricket captain Daren Ganga has also been appointed Sports Ambassador but with specific responsibilities.

“His responsibilities are to create and develop linkages across the globe using his contacts he has developed in countries especially the large trading countries of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa Australia and England,” Roberts said.

He added that Ganga’s responsibilities also included developing sport tourism, business development, sponsorship, sport management rights as the government tries to fulfill their manifesto promise of transforming sport into a viable industry.

Roberts noted that star cricketer Brian Lara and footballer Dwight Yorke will also remain Sports Ambassadors .

The minister also congratulated swimmer George Bovell III on winning a gold medal on Wednesday at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in a time of 22.23 seconds.

“I would like to say he has made us very proud and I look forward to the other members of the team bringing home much more precious medal,” Roberts said.

Jul.23.2010

An unprecedented withdrawal of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation from the Central American and Caribbean Games curently underway in Puerto Rico has been averted.

This following ongoing and intense efforts during the course of the day after which Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee ( TTOC) Chef de Mission Mushtaque Mohammed and  assistant  Chef de Mission Wendell Labastide confirmed that positive progress has been made. Both men said they are satisfied that a satisfactory resolution to TT’s accommodation issues at the 2010 CAC Games Village in Mayaguez will be reached. 

TTOC  president Michael Romany has also accepted assurances from the CAC Games organisers that TT athletes and delegation will be fully accommodated in the Games Village.

However while a full scale withdrawal of the TT delegation has been averted, Romany said he will not hesitate to take the necessary  action to secure the safety, comfort and peace of mind of all members of the TT delegation.

At this point the TTOC is optimistic that the focus can now return on the competitive endeavours of the TT athletes.
“The role of the TTOC and its representatives is to ensure that our athletes have the environment that will allow them to perform to their full potential. I commend our athletes and coaches for their determination and focus. Adversity and problems can and will be overcome. I remain confident that we will attain the objective of 22 medals, a new CAC medal tally,” said Romany.
Away from the heat of competitive battle CAC Games organisers are struggling to cope with the requirements and demands of housing over 4,500 athletes and coaches at the Games Village.
TTOC officials both in Puerto Rico and at home worked through the night to address the situation that saw some members of the final group of athletes and coaches still waiting to be processed at 2 am in the morning this after arriving in Mayaguez on a TTOC charter at 4 pm. “I am deeply concerned with what is happening. While I appreciate that the City of Mayaguez, the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee and the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CASCO) have suffered certain reversals as a result of the global economic crisis NOCs were given assurances that the comfort and welfare of the athletes and other delegation members will not be compromised. I understand the problems but Puerto Rico will appreciate the concerns of not only the TTOC but all the NOCs,” said Romany.
Romany confirmed that the TTOC is considering sending in the charter flight earlier than originally scheduled so that athletes and coaches who have completed their competition can return home as soon as possible. “There are logistical and financial implications but the TTOC’s priority is the welfare of our delegation,” he said.
Unconfirmed reports coming out of Mayaguez suggest that some of the larger delegations exacerbated the problem by arriving earlier than scheduled and occupied rooms that were allocated to other NOCs.

Jul.23.2010

Olympian swimmer George Bovell ended his 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games with a second silver medal in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in the men’s 50 metre-backstroke final last night.
Returning to the pool for his second final in two nights, Bovell got silver in 26.08 seconds to seperate Venezuelans, Omar Pinzon Garcia and Albert Subirats. Garcia won in a new Games record of 25.96 to lower Subirats mark of 26.37 which was established in the morning heats. Fourth was Barbadian, Nicholas Neckles (26.30), the gold medal winner four years ago and fifth England-based Christian Homer of T&T in 26.40.

Jul.22.2010

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Michael Romany has lauded George Bovell 111 following the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist 50 metres freestyle triumph at the 21st Central American and Caribbean( CAC) Games in Mayaguez,Puerto Rico .
Bovell swam to a new Games record( 22.23) last night to successfully defend the title he won four years ago in Colombia.The three time Olympian then returned a short time later to lead T&T to a silver medal in the men's 4 x 100 meters freestyle relay with team mates Caryle Blondell,Joshua McLeod and Jarryd Gregoire.
" George is a young man with tremendous dignity,integrity,courage and class. He has the heart of a champion and warrior. He is a true patriot.On Sunday,his birthday, he just missed a medal finishing fourth in the 100 meters freestyle.To put aside that disappointment and the negativity that would have followed showed the merit and character of the individual. There is no quit in him. He has an indomitable will and spirit." said Romany
Romany  also pointed  that there is a lot at stake for the athletes and teams competing at the CAC Games as a requirement for selection for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi scheduled for October this year ,aside from fitness, is a CAC medal. In addition  the TTOC policy is that consideration for Olympic selection includes  participation at CAC,Pan Am and Commonwealth Games.
" George is one of  this country's world  level athletes who the public should not take for granted. He is an inspiration to the young people of the nation.His performances at Games is always a boost for the morale of the entire delegation not only the swimming team. He is a positive  role model"
Defence Force Corporal, Roger Daniel ( 634.3) repeated his bronze medal performance of four years ago when he won a bronze medal in the men's 50 metres pistol final.Daniel whose selection for the Games was under a cloud due to a loss of form and work related issues. Justified his selection and showed that he still has the talent and potential to achieve at the highest level of  his sport once he is mentally  focused. In  the final round of eight shooters Rhodney Allen finished in sixth spot with a tally of 627.7.
With three medals won yesterday T&T's medal tally is now five ( one gold,one silver and three bronze).
Today, T&T will be hunting another gold medal this time in Squash. The pair of Colin Ramsara and Kerrie Sample will be going after top honours in the mixed doubles at the Cancha de Vidrio, in Bogota,Colombia.
Ramsara and Sample followed up their  Tuesday night quarter final  upset of 2006 CAC silver medalist,Barbadians ,Shawn Simpson and  Karen Meakins by defeating Jamaica's Bruce Borrowes and Lauren Mahfood 11-8,8-11, 11-5 in their semi-final yesterday.
T&T's senior women's volleyball team created a sensation when they whipped CAC  Games powerhouse Mexico 20-25,25-21,25-22,25-20 in their quarter-final last night to advance to a semi -final encounter with host Puerto Rico.

Jul.21.2010

A short while ago T&T's  2004 Olympic 200 IM bronze medalist George Bovell 111 won the 50 m freestyle gold medal at the 21st CAC Games in Mayaguez,Puerto Rico.More to follow......

 

...

Jul.21.2010

Yesterday the T&T mixed doubles team of Colin Ramasra / Kerrie Sample upset 2006 CAC silver medalist Barbados ( Shawn Simpson / Karen Meakins ) to move into today's semi-  finals  at 12.00  noon vs Jamaica ( Bruce Burrowes / Lauren Mahfood ).  The first game was intense but a determined Barbados won 11/7. In the second game Barbados continued their strategy of concentrating on Sample  who was playing on the forehand side  with Meakins. Sample withstood  the  sustained attack  and although visibly tiring kept her concentration and determination to see  T&T through  to a 11/9 win   to level the encounter . In the third game  T&T jumped out to  an early 6-1 lead, the Barbadian duo fought back to  back to 4 -10 before T&T closed out the match to wild applause from the flag waving Trini supporters.  Final score was 7/11, 11/9, 11/4

In the earlier Men's doubles match T&T team of Don Lee / Kale Wilson gave a spirited performance but went down in straight sets to hosts Colombia who have the men's #1 seed Miguel Rodriguez ( ranked # 20 in the world ) and Javier Castilla. Final score was 5/11, 7/11   

Today

Mixed Doubles semifinals

T&T vs Jamaica 12.00

Jul.21.2010

The  final batch of T&T athletes for the 21st Central American and Caribbean Games, which began on Sunday in Puerto Rico and Colombia, will leave today for Mayaguez via a charter flight at noon.
Departing today are the 26-member track and field squad,the men's indoor voleyball team and the archery and boxing teams.
The men's rugby team  also flyout for Georgetown, Guyana,today on a caribbean Airlines flight for its two day competitionon Saturday and Sunday.
It is the first time rugby is being contested at the CAC Games.

 


Jul.21.2010

TRINIDAD AND Tobago had a blank day yesterday, on the fourth day of the 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

In swimming, only the women’s 4x100-metre medley relay team advanced to a final, which was supposed to be contested last night (TT time).

The quartet of Kimberlee John-Williams, Kimba Collymore, Samantha Rahael and Sharntelle McLean finished with the eighth fastest clocking, amongst the eight finalists — four minutes 32.15 seconds. The TT quartet placed fifth in heat two in the preliminary round stage.

Collymore was unable to book a spot in the final of the women’s 100m breaststroke, despite the fact that she finished third in heat two, with a time of 1:15.06. Only the fastest eight times, in the prelims, advanced to the medal race.

In the men’s 100m butterfly, Joshua McLeod placed fourth in heat three (56.36 seconds) while Christian Homer was fifth in heat four (56.66 seconds).

Keron Bourne’s medal quest ended at the quarter-final stage of the men’s judo 60-kilogramme class, as he was beaten by Juan Roman of Puerto Rico. 

Trinidad and Tobago failed to make an impact in the men’s 50-metre rifle prone qualification.

Only the top nine finishers, out of the 28 entrants, advanced to the final and, as far as the TT contingent are concerned, Aftab Khan was 14th, Curtis Blunt 16th and Sheldon Waterman 17th.

Last evening, Trinidad and Tobago were beaten 25-14, 25-14, 25-21 by the Dominican Republic, in Group “A” of the women’s  volleyball preliminary round.

The national women’s basketball squad were expected to play hosts Puerto Rico, in a Group “A” preliminary round contest.
The squash events are being contested in Colombia and, on Monday, Colin Ramasra was whipped  11-0, 11-1, 11-3 by Eric Galvez of Mexico, in the men’s singles quarter-finals.

Jul.20.2010

The IOC says 204 of 205 National Olympic Committees are on the list to send teams to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next month in Singapore.

A spokesman for the IOC confirms that just one of the world’s NOCs – Kuwait - will not be represented at the Youth Olympic Games.

Kuwait is suspended from the IOC while the country solves the issue of government interference in the affairs of the Kuwait NOC. In this instance, Kuwaiti law puts term limits and other controls on the NOC, a violation of the Olympic Charter.

But while the flag of Kuwait will not be seen in Singapore, athletes from the country will be allowed to attend the Games. The IOC says these young people will compete under the IOC flag with the Olympic Anthem played during medal ceremonies instead of the Kuwait anthem. It’s a protocol followed in Olympic Games when an NOC is disqualified from attending, so as not to penalize the country’s athletes.

Confirmation of 204 NOCs also means that Brunei Darussalam says it will be attending. The southeast Asia nation has had a spotty record of sending athletes to the Games since 1988. Two weeks ago the president of the Brunei Darussalam NOC expressed concern that the IOC might issue sanctions if the country failed to send a team to Singapore.

The IOC suspended Brunei Darussalam the day of opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics when it did not register any athletes for the Games. The suspension was lifted later when the NOC said that injury prevented the athlete from attending.

The YOG run from August 14 to 26 and will feature 3,500 athletes in the 26 sports on the program of the London Olympics.

Flame lighting for the Games takes place July 23 in a ceremony at Ancient Olympia, Greece similar to one for the Olympic Games. The flame will travel to five locations on its way to Singapore: Berlin, Dakar, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul.