NEWS - Results from #2082

Sancho seeks to restore sporting pride

MINISTER of Sport Brent Sancho yesterday said he aims to restore pride in sport, saying it holds the potential to address social ills.

“For me I want to bring pride back into Sports,” Sancho told reporters moments after being sworn in at President’s House.

“In the next couple of months, or however long my tenure will be, I want to make sure there is pride and that we get the right funding to our athletes so that they represent our country in the right way.

We have an abundance of talent in this country, although we have not given them the correct support.” Sancho, a former national footballer, represented this country at football’s biggest stage in 2006 when the Soca Warriors competed in the World Cup for the first time.

Yesterday he said sport played a role in society.

“Sports is such an important component in our country,” Sancho said. “It could help alleviate some of our social ills.”

Of comments that he was not qualified for the task, Sancho said, “I have spent most of my career serving this country and I look forward to being of continued service and I look forward to it. I can’t wait to start working. There will always be criticisms. I will let my work be the judge of what I do. I am looking forward to get the job started. I will start to work right away.”

Meanwhile, Sancho has relinquished his role as managing director of Central FC, the top team in the 2014-2015 Digicel Pro League season. The operations director Kevin Harrison will take up the mantle as the team’s managing director.

In a story on the League’s website, Harrison stated, “he (Sancho) won’t be involved in the club. It is something that we discussed.

“It is a good move for him although, politically, its not the best time to take that position with all the controversy that’s going on.

The English-born Harrison added, “but he has steady hands to the ship. He is just a neutral person and he is doing it for Trinidad and Tobago. We don’t know how long it will be for because elections (are) around the corner, but maybe he can steady things, being a sensible head.”

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Boxing fraternity mourns loss of Thomas

The Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) and the Special Advisor to the TTBBC, Boxu Potts, have extended condolences to the family of Tommy Thomas, who passed away last Saturday.
‘’We are saddened to hear this news which is a great loss to the boxing fraternity. He is not only known nationally but also internationally where he had worked countless fights. He worked with some of our great local boxers, including the late Jizelle Salandy and Ria Ramnarine,’’ a release from the TTBBC stated.
Up to the time of his death, Thomas was the lone international referee/judge in Trinidad and Tobago registered and recognised by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA).
‘’Tommy was always a supporter of the sport. Even when fights were held in the most rural area he would take time off to serve. He was very selfless rather than selfish. He lent himself to the sport in many different ways,’’ added the TTBBC, which also noted that with Thomas’ passing they will have to work to develop young referees and judges.

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Lalonde tops Armory 300

Trinidad and Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon topped the men’s invitational 300 metres field at the Armory Track Invitational in New York, USA, on Saturday. The double Olympic bronze medallist stopped the clock at 32.57 seconds. Gordon is second on the 2015 world indoor performance list, behind Czech Republic’s reigning world indoor 400m champion Pavel Maslak (32.53).
Odou Hazel claimed silver in the Armory Track Invitational college men’s 500m event. The ASA College student returned a time of one minute, 02.45 seconds.
There was a double triumph for Jessica James at the Masked Rider Open, in Texas. The Abilene Christian University junior won the women’s 600 yards in 1:23.53, and the 400m in 55.78 seconds. South Plains College freshman Aaliyah Telesford clocked 57.34 for eighth spot overall in the 400.
Reyare Thomas emerged victorious in the women’s 200m in 23.73 seconds, while sixth spot went to Western Texas College sophomore Marissa Gale (24.87). Jereem Richards finished second in the men’s 400m in 46.49 seconds, while his South Plains teammate, Domonique Williams clocked 2:16.28 for second spot in the women’s 800m.
Telesford got to the line in 7.04 seconds to finish fourth in the women’s 55m final. Thomas was disqualified for a false start. In the semifinal round, Thomas clocked 6.96, and Telesford 7.00.
At the Paradise Valley indoor meet, in Arizona, Arizona State University student Jamol James won the men’s 60m in 6.71 seconds.
In Texas, Michelle-Lee Ahye seized silver in the Howie Ryan Invitational women’s 60m final in 7.16 seconds. Ivory Coast sprinter Murielle Ahoure won in a world-leading 7.08. Ahye is fifth on the 2015 global performance list, thanks to her 7.16 run.
Pennsylvania State University’s Steve Waithe produced a 15.77 metres effort to finish second in the men’s triple jump, at the Penn State National Invitational, in Pennsylvania. Coppin State University junior Deandra Daniel cleared the bar at 1.82m for second spot in the women’s high jump.
At the Razorback Invitational, in Arkansas, Sparkle McKnight secured bronze in the women’s 400m in 52.67 seconds--her fastest clocking this season. The University of Arkansas senior is eighth on the 2015 world indoor performance list. For eight days in January, McKnight was the world-leader at 52.89.
Another T&T athlete, Texas A&M University’s Carlyle Roudette was 12th overall in the Razorback Invitational men’s 400m in 47.64 seconds.
At the Indiana Relays, Western Kentucky University student Peli Alzola finished third in the women’s 60m final in 7.65 seconds, and fourth in the 200m in 25.06.
In Arizona, Mikel Thomas was eighth fastest in the Mountain T’s Invitational men’s 60m finals in 6.87 seconds. He had clocked 6.80 in the qualifying round. And Thomas was disqualified in the 60m hurdles finals for a false start, after qualifying third fastest with a 7.90 seconds run.

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TTOC Welcomes New Minister of Sport Brent Sancho

The appointment of former national footballer Brent Sancho as Minister of sport sends a good signal to the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Sancho is to be commended for accepting the position in what can be best described as challenging times for Trinidad and Tobago Sport given the macro economic reality of falling oil and gas revenue , the recent life sport scandal and other systemic issues bedeviling and hampering local sport.

In welcoming the new Minister of Sport there is confidence that his experience as a national team sport athlete , a professional footballer, managing director of Central FC, his advocacy for player rights will give him the context and commitment to make decisions that are in the best interest of sport and the athletes.

In addressing some of the major problems zero tolerance for corruption and poor governance will be essential success factors.

On behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) I welcome the new Minister of Sport and extend best wises to him for a successful , progressive and forward thinking tenure.

Sancho appointed new Minister of Sport

Former Trinidad and Tobago footballer and member of the 2006 Soca Warriors squad Brent Sancho has been appointed the new Minister of Sport, replacing Rupert Griffith, who had been acting in that post following the resignation of Anil Robetrs last year.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her address to the nation late yesterday.
Sancho, who represented T&T at the 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany, was a surprise appointment. Sancho has been at the forefront of a ongoing legal battle for monies owed to the Soca Warriors by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
In September last year, Sancho, along with 12 others Soca Warriors, received cheques from the prime minister which represented the balance of the money the court said was owed to them.
Despite the pay off, Sancho vowed the players would continue with their legal action.
Sancho said then, “While the procedure has gone before the court we have unearthed a lot of wrongdoing and we intend to find the person responsible for the missing funds. We will continue with our legal battle and bring those missing funds back to the TTFF.”
Sancho, currently managing director of Central FC, also had given the assurance that once those funds were recovered, the players would reimburse the Government.

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President Lewis walking the talk

Brian Lewis, President of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) deserves commendation for his visibly proactive effort to lay a solid foundation for T&T elite athletes to win at least 10 gold medals by the 2024 Summer Olympics through the Athlete Welfare and Preparation initiative.

Any unbiased observer will quickly acknowledge that Lewis is discharging his responsibilities with passion, optimism and practicality.

He is clear about what he would like to achieve, is passionately optimistic and is making every effort to ensure that these goals are attainable.

The success of modern day sports is dependent upon a number of primary and secondary stakeholders. The primary stakeholders are the athletes who through their respective skills and talent perform outstanding feats to the satisfaction of supporters, sponsors and everyone else who appreciate the value of outstanding performances.

However, it is important to appreciate that the success of athletes is connected to the organizational and managerial skills of sporting administrators. This may be more so in developing countries where economic resources and other infrastructural requirements may be lacking.

Behind the public scenes administrators work assiduously to ensure that all the relevant resources and opportunities are available so that elite athletes can train without undue non-training issues.

Administrators are responsible for the development and implementation strategic plans that will ensure continuous improvement of programmes to achieve clearly identifiable goals.

These plans are not only about the athletes but also the requisite human resource support.

This is required to ensure that athletes are provided with the current scientific training that is available so that they can compete internationally on an equal footing.

The TTOC Athlete Welfare and Preparation initiative is a manifestation of the importance of a dynamic and proactive sports administrator. Achieving 10 gold medals or more will be a costly activity as potential Olympians have to be exposed to the best training and other resources available.

Therefore, instead of sitting back and awaiting for the state to dole out funds, Lewis and the TTOC have embarked upon creatively proactive strategies to raise funds.

Lewis’ appeal has been to both corporate T&T and the general public for sponsorship.

To raise awareness and to personally market the goal of the TTOC he put his body through the grueling demands of walking the 26.2 miles T&T marathon last Sunday from Freeport junction to the Queen’s Park Savannah.

It was a clear demonstration of leading from the front. The goal of this venture was to raise $500 000.

His feat was well supported by family, friends and members of the sporting fraternity.

At the end of the walk he reflected on the wide ranging support he received by stating “I am glad it (the walk) resonated so deeply with the public and it just goes to show there are still wonderful and tremendous people in this country who want to see the country progress.”

Lewis’s effort has immediately had an impact as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, Hasely Crawford.

Crawford has pledged his support by offering for lease his gold medal and full outfit he wore when he defeated Donald Quarrie (Jamaica) silver medal and Valeriy Borzov (Russia) bronze medal to win 100 metres in 10.06 seconds at the Montreal Games. Crawford reiterated that winning an Olympic gold medal is no easy feat and hence the importance of providing support to young athletes in order for them to realise their goals.

Corporate T&T have also responded positively. The Guardian Group have donated $250,000 and other sponsors have been Columbus Communications, Deloitte & Touche and Southern Sales, Toyota. These gestures may be the cue for other corporate entities to follow.

The TTOC is also appealing to corporate T&T to provide internship, mentorship and work opportunities for elite athletes. This strategy will help provide the athletes with an important living comfort which will allow them to train freely without the burden of having to search for financial support.

Lewis has also used his weekly Guardian column to articulate his ideas about the administration of sports and also the importance of sports as a means of building the social and economic capital of the country. There are important lessons for administrators of other sporting administrators to follow.

There is an indeterminacy about sports so success is not guaranteed. There will be constructive critics and there will be the outright naysayers. The latter is an unfortunate feature of our culture- crab in barrel syndrome- some bask in failures or shortcomings of others. However, one cannot fault Lewis and the TTOC for making a concerted effort to achieve their goals of #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Donations to #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund can be made at any Scotia Bank Branch the TTOC Account number is 171188 or by cheque made payable to TTOC which can be dropped off or posted to TTOC Olympic House 121 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

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