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Cricket Anyone / Barbados could lose CPL franchise!
« on: June 27, 2015, 10:06:46 PM »
One would have thought that Barbados would be happy for this exposure.
Apparently not.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150627/sports/barbados-could-lose-cpl-franchise
Apparently not.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150627/sports/barbados-could-lose-cpl-franchise
8
General Discussion / Corporate Salaries
« on: February 27, 2015, 10:41:14 PM »
WASA CEO gets $88,000 a month
The Chief Executive Officer of WASA gets a basic salary of $88,000 monthly plus allowances—but it’s less than the $126,000 salary the utility’s CEO earned under the PNM for the period 2009-May 2010, according to Minister in the Ministry of Finance Rudranath Indarsingh.
Indarsingh outlined the salaries and other perks of office of the heads of WASA, T&TEC, TSTT, Petrotrin, Nidco, NGC, Nipdec and Udecott in Parliament yesterday. This was in reply to an Opposition question on the packages of these executives up to December 2014.
He said WASA’s CEO received a basic salary ($88,500), housing allowance ($8,850), transport allowance ($14,000, or a leased vehicle not exceeding a showroom price of $600,000), entertainment allowance, reimbursable entertainment gratuity of 20 per cent of salary and performance incentive bonus (25 per cent of basic salary).
He said from 2009 to May 2010, the WASA CEO received a basic salary ($126,000), housing allowance/fully furnished accommodation, transport allowances/fully maintained vehicle, entertainment allowance (reimbursable entertainment), gratuity (20 per cent of basic salary), performance incentive bonus (two per cent of salary), health plan (for self and family), return tickets to London (for self and family up to six).
However, the package for the NGC president currently is $150,000 with a monthly salary of $140,000 plus housing and vehicle allowances. In 2009 to 2010, he said, it totalled $114,000 with a monthly salary of $95,000 plus allowances.
Indarsingh said the T&TEC general manager received a basic salary ($70,300), housing allowance ($3,000), entertainment allowance ($1,500), travelling allowance ($5,000 or, in lieu of this allowance, a vehicle valued at $340,000 plus VAT, maintained by TTEC), employee savings plan (three per cent of salary), and residential and cellular local charges paid by TTEC.
He said from 2009 to 2010 under the PNM, it was the same—a $79,800 package..
He said the TSTT CEO currently gets a total monthly compensation package, inclusive of allowances, of $210,000 to $300,000, which is the compensation scale for a local occupant of the position. Ronald Walcott currently holds that position.
The minister said if it was a foreign occupant the compensation scale inclusive of allowance would be between $287,000 and $400,00.
Indarsingh said the monthly package for the period 2009-2010 was between $287,000 and $400,000 when the post was occupied by foreign occupant Roberto Peno.
He said the current Petrotrin president has a basic monthly salary of $115,000, plus a $264,000 car allowance, gratuity, bonus, five-week vacation, Petrotrin fuel, company house, and medical plan .
From 2009 to 2010 he said the same office carried a basic salary of $162,000 monthly plus similar perks.
Indarsingh said the Nidco president received $50,000 basic salary, housing allowance ($7,500), entertainment allowance ($1,000) and travelling allowance ($7,500). In 2009-2010 the package was the same.
Indarsingh said the Nipdec general manager’s total monthly package was $58,250 including a basic salary of $50,000 and allowances. The total package for 2009-2010 was $66,000.
He said the total package for Udecott’s CEO is $65,000 monthly with a salary of $62,500. But in 2009-2010, he said, it was $90,000 with a salary of $81,500.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-02-28/wasa-ceo-gets-88000-month
The Chief Executive Officer of WASA gets a basic salary of $88,000 monthly plus allowances—but it’s less than the $126,000 salary the utility’s CEO earned under the PNM for the period 2009-May 2010, according to Minister in the Ministry of Finance Rudranath Indarsingh.
Indarsingh outlined the salaries and other perks of office of the heads of WASA, T&TEC, TSTT, Petrotrin, Nidco, NGC, Nipdec and Udecott in Parliament yesterday. This was in reply to an Opposition question on the packages of these executives up to December 2014.
He said WASA’s CEO received a basic salary ($88,500), housing allowance ($8,850), transport allowance ($14,000, or a leased vehicle not exceeding a showroom price of $600,000), entertainment allowance, reimbursable entertainment gratuity of 20 per cent of salary and performance incentive bonus (25 per cent of basic salary).
He said from 2009 to May 2010, the WASA CEO received a basic salary ($126,000), housing allowance/fully furnished accommodation, transport allowances/fully maintained vehicle, entertainment allowance (reimbursable entertainment), gratuity (20 per cent of basic salary), performance incentive bonus (two per cent of salary), health plan (for self and family), return tickets to London (for self and family up to six).
However, the package for the NGC president currently is $150,000 with a monthly salary of $140,000 plus housing and vehicle allowances. In 2009 to 2010, he said, it totalled $114,000 with a monthly salary of $95,000 plus allowances.
Indarsingh said the T&TEC general manager received a basic salary ($70,300), housing allowance ($3,000), entertainment allowance ($1,500), travelling allowance ($5,000 or, in lieu of this allowance, a vehicle valued at $340,000 plus VAT, maintained by TTEC), employee savings plan (three per cent of salary), and residential and cellular local charges paid by TTEC.
He said from 2009 to 2010 under the PNM, it was the same—a $79,800 package..
He said the TSTT CEO currently gets a total monthly compensation package, inclusive of allowances, of $210,000 to $300,000, which is the compensation scale for a local occupant of the position. Ronald Walcott currently holds that position.
The minister said if it was a foreign occupant the compensation scale inclusive of allowance would be between $287,000 and $400,00.
Indarsingh said the monthly package for the period 2009-2010 was between $287,000 and $400,000 when the post was occupied by foreign occupant Roberto Peno.
He said the current Petrotrin president has a basic monthly salary of $115,000, plus a $264,000 car allowance, gratuity, bonus, five-week vacation, Petrotrin fuel, company house, and medical plan .
From 2009 to 2010 he said the same office carried a basic salary of $162,000 monthly plus similar perks.
Indarsingh said the Nidco president received $50,000 basic salary, housing allowance ($7,500), entertainment allowance ($1,000) and travelling allowance ($7,500). In 2009-2010 the package was the same.
Indarsingh said the Nipdec general manager’s total monthly package was $58,250 including a basic salary of $50,000 and allowances. The total package for 2009-2010 was $66,000.
He said the total package for Udecott’s CEO is $65,000 monthly with a salary of $62,500. But in 2009-2010, he said, it was $90,000 with a salary of $81,500.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-02-28/wasa-ceo-gets-88000-month
9
General Discussion / Water Scare
« on: February 25, 2015, 10:38:38 PM »
This is a very serious national emergency.
I would imagine a ration of water going on and the price would increase.
Hope that the government is assisting to either import water from other Caribbean countries or Venezuela in the short run.
Hope we don’t hear is some bottle water company that do this.
This is real madness.
* 1 positive- It happened after Carnival.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/WATER-SCARE-294137801.html
I would imagine a ration of water going on and the price would increase.
Hope that the government is assisting to either import water from other Caribbean countries or Venezuela in the short run.
Hope we don’t hear is some bottle water company that do this.
This is real madness.
* 1 positive- It happened after Carnival.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/WATER-SCARE-294137801.html
10
Cricket Anyone / Help us CARICOM!
« on: November 02, 2014, 02:33:43 AM »WICB to seek regional support to meet BCCI demands
By Roger Seepersad
West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron said the regional body will be enlisting the support of Caricom (Caribbean Community) to meet the million-dollar demand for compensation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the aborted tour of India last month.
The West Indies players, led by one-day captain Dwayne Bravo, withdrew their services after the fourth match of the one-day series on October 17 because of a pay dispute with the WICB and the players union, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
The pullout angered the BCCI which has formally given notice of its intention to, “seek compensation from the WICB to the fullest extent permissible in law,” since it holds the regional body liable for losses incurred because of the cancellation of three Test matches and a solitary Twenty20 International.
In its letter to the WICB on Friday, the BCCI claimed losses totaling US$41.97 million and it also called on the WICB to formally inform it, in writing, of the steps it intends to take to compensate the BCCI for those losses. The Indian board gave a 15-day time frame for the money to be paid, failing which, it said it would file legal proceedings against the WICB.
On Friday prime ministers of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell met with Cameron, WICB vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan, WICB director Baldath Mahabir, Bravo, West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin and WIPA president Wavell Hinds (via teleconference) at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain in a five-hour session to try and resolve the impasse between the players and the Board.
Asked how the WICB was planning to handle the BCCI demand, Cameron said: “That is a matter that we will enlist the support of Caricom going forward.”
Concerning the impasse itself, “I think what we have done, we have a modality for the way forward, so that to us is very important.”
Prime Minister Mitchell, who left midway through the meeting said: “There is a considerable attempt to find a resolution. The two prime ministers spoke passionately about the need for a resolution in the interest of the entire West Indies community.”
Asked if Caricom would try to assist the WICB in handling the BCCI claim for damages, Mitchell said: “If there is not a resolution (of the impasse) then we can’t go there, so a resolution to the current impasse is crucial.
“There is tremendous investment in sporting facilities and in the development of the game of cricket and I think the players, the Board and the union must understand that, and we made it very clear how we see this.
“I made it very clear that we will all be losers in this if there is not a resolution quickly. Whoever has to give up what, it must be done in the interest of cricket and in the interest of our economies and the future of the players of the region,” he added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, although Gonsalves did not reveal what compromises were made, he said all parties “arrived at several conclusions and understandings to move the process forward.”
Gonsalves seemed confident that they had reached an agreement but insisted that all parties will have to now discuss the proposals with their colleagues before making anything official.
“We are in a far better position at ten o’clock tonight than we were at five. I think that on the basis of the discussions, we have the framework and the modalities for the resolution of the issues and for cricket lovers. I fully expect that the best team will be in South Africa representing us,” said Gonsalves.
“Everybody is going back to their various entities. The 14 players who were in India, they have to talk to their WIPA leadership and their colleagues and Dave has to speak to his colleagues on the Board, but believe us, we made very good progress,” he concluded.
Also present at Friday’s meeting were Luke Hamel-Smith of the M Hamel-Smith and Company law firm which represented the WICB and Queen’s Counsel Ralph Thorne who represented the players.
WICBC cannot be serious....BS..d gawl this board have...talk about chickpeas governance....
11
Football / What yuh think??
« on: July 13, 2014, 05:59:57 AM »
Read this comment from an Australian today on a blog
What yuh think??
Brazil is to football as West Indies is to cricket. Perhaps the time for both has come and gone.
What yuh think??
Brazil is to football as West Indies is to cricket. Perhaps the time for both has come and gone.
12
General Discussion / President Anthony Carmona Thread
« on: March 09, 2014, 02:37:23 AM »
Reema Carmona: Carnival conduct a mark of moral decay
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,191636.html
Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona , yesterday said the conduct of some persons on Carnival Monday and Tuesday was a mark of the moral decay in society.
Speaking at the Interclub of Trinidad and Tobago’s annual International Women’s Day celebration at Pier 1 in Chaguaramas, Carmona said commercialisation has skewed TT’s moral compass and resulted in unethical and distasteful conduct.
“The perceived licence exercised and the conduct exhibited during Carnival may well be a reflection of the more insidious aspects of our daily existence which we knowingly and willingly accept into our lives and the lives of our family, which truly mark the moral decay of our society,” she said.
Carmona challenged attendees at the event to take control of themselves and consider the language they use, conversations they engage in, movies they watch, music they listen to, clothes they wear, places they go and things they do.
She also asked them to take control of their health and that of their families, noting lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension were prevalent in the country.
“The preemptive strike of change must take place in the kitchen and in the meals we provide. We are shortening the lives of our loved ones when we allow them to engage in unhealthy eating habits,” she said.
Referring to numerous reports of violence and abuse against women and children recently, Carmona noted that some homes had become battlefields, prisons and torture chambers.
She said some women endure abuse from male relatives because they believe they have no where else to go.
“The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness maintain the mentality of victimhood that leaves women paralysed, afraid to demand that they be treated with dignity and equality,” she said.
Saying there were both Government and non-government organisations providing support to women who want to get themselves and their children out of harmful situations, said she recognised that many women were not informed of their options, or that options were not accessible.
She suggested more proactive and realistic outreach initiatives were necessary.
Carmona advised that every woman should be their “sister’s keeper” instead of remaining silent spectators.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,191636.html
Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona , yesterday said the conduct of some persons on Carnival Monday and Tuesday was a mark of the moral decay in society.
Speaking at the Interclub of Trinidad and Tobago’s annual International Women’s Day celebration at Pier 1 in Chaguaramas, Carmona said commercialisation has skewed TT’s moral compass and resulted in unethical and distasteful conduct.
“The perceived licence exercised and the conduct exhibited during Carnival may well be a reflection of the more insidious aspects of our daily existence which we knowingly and willingly accept into our lives and the lives of our family, which truly mark the moral decay of our society,” she said.
Carmona challenged attendees at the event to take control of themselves and consider the language they use, conversations they engage in, movies they watch, music they listen to, clothes they wear, places they go and things they do.
She also asked them to take control of their health and that of their families, noting lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension were prevalent in the country.
“The preemptive strike of change must take place in the kitchen and in the meals we provide. We are shortening the lives of our loved ones when we allow them to engage in unhealthy eating habits,” she said.
Referring to numerous reports of violence and abuse against women and children recently, Carmona noted that some homes had become battlefields, prisons and torture chambers.
She said some women endure abuse from male relatives because they believe they have no where else to go.
“The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness maintain the mentality of victimhood that leaves women paralysed, afraid to demand that they be treated with dignity and equality,” she said.
Saying there were both Government and non-government organisations providing support to women who want to get themselves and their children out of harmful situations, said she recognised that many women were not informed of their options, or that options were not accessible.
She suggested more proactive and realistic outreach initiatives were necessary.
Carmona advised that every woman should be their “sister’s keeper” instead of remaining silent spectators.
13
General Discussion / COURT ROW OVER FOSTER BABY
« on: March 09, 2014, 02:29:01 AM »
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,191634.html
A Carapichaima foster mother who was given the responsibility of taking care of a three-month old abandoned baby girl one year and three months ago, is now fighting tooth and nail to get legal guardianship of the infant child on the grounds of compassion.
Cindy Rakhal and her husband Donald, are waging a legal battle with the Adoption Board of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Foster Care Unit, in a bid to keep the baby who now refers to them as “Mummy” and “Daddy”.
The Rakhals, seeking to adopt, became foster parents in 2010, satisfying all the necessary criteria .
Three years ago they could not contain their joy when they were asked to take care of a seven- month-old baby girl. The couple subsequently applied for legal guardianship and were successful. Their life became complete with the arrival of this baby girl.
One year later, in March last year, they were elated when the Foster Care Unit approached them asking if they were interested in taking care of another abandoned baby girl.
The Rakhals, who are devout Christians, seized the opportunity to take on the responsibility of caring for another infant. And as with any newborn , they spent many sleepless nights caring for this new baby girl, soon developing a bond with the child.
Members of Cindy’s extended family helped the couple take care of their two foster children .
The Rakhals could not be happier. But all that changed last Thursday when Cindy, a bank employee, received a telephone call from the director of the Foster Care Unit, Vidya Pooransingh, informing her that the Adoption Board had decided to place the baby (her second foster daughter) up for adoption and that a couple who was first on the list of people waiting to adopt, will get the baby.
Said Cindy:
“I was shattered, it was as if my whole world had come tumbling down. I immediately alerted my husband as to what was said to me.”
She said that she told the director of the Foster Care Unit that she was at work and there was no way she could make the arrangements to hand over the child, and that she wanted the Adoption Board to hold their hands until she had time to seek legal advice on the matter.
She said she was informed by neighbours that police officers had gone to her home asking about her whereabouts. This, she said, caused her a lot of embarrassment.
Cindy said she contacted attorney Kent Samlal who sought further advice from attorneys Gerald Ramdeen and Abdel Mohammed and others.
She said when the lawyers heard of her predicament, they became so involved that she felt a sense of relief because of their understanding.
An injunction was filed in the High Court to prevent the Adoption Board from proceeding with the decision to take away the baby from Cindy and her husband. The injunction was not granted. The devastated couple filed an immediate appeal to another High Court judge at exactly 5 pm last Thursday. The second injunction was granted; the couple’s prayers were answered.
Cindy and her husband Donald returned to their Carapichaima home and hugged the baby girl whom they have grown to love as their own.
But now they must wait, not knowing if, they will get to keep their second foster daughter.
Cindy told Sunday Newsday:
“I feel hurt because of the way we were treated. The Adoption Board together with the Foster Care Agency should take time off to accept the application of foster parents for legal guardianship of children in cases where they have developed a close bond with children who have been placed in their care.”
Cindy told Sunday Newsday that the baby is the light of her life and that she was upset when she was told by an official of the Adoption Agency that one of the reasons why the baby was being taken away from her was because she was of a different race. Cindy said she was asked the question, “How do you think the child will feel when she grows up and realises that she does not look like you all?” The baby is Afro-Trinidadian while Cindy and her husband are Indo-Trinidadians.
Cindy said there is no race where love is concerned and this should not be used as an excuse to snatch her baby away from her.
She said she did sign a document with the Foster Care Unit to keep the child temporarily but said love knows no boundaries and she is now fighting to keep the baby on grounds of compassion. She said when she took on the responsibility of caring for the child, she did enquire subsequently whether anyone had come forward to claim her and that in September of last year, she was contacted by the Foster Care Unit with the information that the child would be placed for adoption.
“I wrote to the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development Clifton De Coteau requesting that he intervene on the grounds of compassion. He said that according to the Adoption Act he could not respond but that there was a provision in that Act which says we could appeal to the High Court.
“We applied to the Adoption Board requesting that, seeing we are already on an approved list and asked that as we had formed a bond with the child, they give us first priority. The Board will not agree for us to keep the baby because we are not number one on the list...
“I then requested a meeting with the director of the Foster Care Unit and she was adamant that the child will be removed from our care and placed for adoption.
“It is unfair that we took the child (as foster parents) and now they are treating us like this. I am very disappointed at the way we were treated and continue to be treated,” said Cindy.
“I cannot bear the thought of her being taken away from me, I hug and cuddle her every day thinking about her being taken away from us,” said Cindy, her voice choking with emotion.
“It is also very difficult for my husband because she calls him Daddy, and I will do everything within my power to keep this child, I believe in God.”
The case comes up for hearing on Tuesday March 11.
A Carapichaima foster mother who was given the responsibility of taking care of a three-month old abandoned baby girl one year and three months ago, is now fighting tooth and nail to get legal guardianship of the infant child on the grounds of compassion.
Cindy Rakhal and her husband Donald, are waging a legal battle with the Adoption Board of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Foster Care Unit, in a bid to keep the baby who now refers to them as “Mummy” and “Daddy”.
The Rakhals, seeking to adopt, became foster parents in 2010, satisfying all the necessary criteria .
Three years ago they could not contain their joy when they were asked to take care of a seven- month-old baby girl. The couple subsequently applied for legal guardianship and were successful. Their life became complete with the arrival of this baby girl.
One year later, in March last year, they were elated when the Foster Care Unit approached them asking if they were interested in taking care of another abandoned baby girl.
The Rakhals, who are devout Christians, seized the opportunity to take on the responsibility of caring for another infant. And as with any newborn , they spent many sleepless nights caring for this new baby girl, soon developing a bond with the child.
Members of Cindy’s extended family helped the couple take care of their two foster children .
The Rakhals could not be happier. But all that changed last Thursday when Cindy, a bank employee, received a telephone call from the director of the Foster Care Unit, Vidya Pooransingh, informing her that the Adoption Board had decided to place the baby (her second foster daughter) up for adoption and that a couple who was first on the list of people waiting to adopt, will get the baby.
Said Cindy:
“I was shattered, it was as if my whole world had come tumbling down. I immediately alerted my husband as to what was said to me.”
She said that she told the director of the Foster Care Unit that she was at work and there was no way she could make the arrangements to hand over the child, and that she wanted the Adoption Board to hold their hands until she had time to seek legal advice on the matter.
She said she was informed by neighbours that police officers had gone to her home asking about her whereabouts. This, she said, caused her a lot of embarrassment.
Cindy said she contacted attorney Kent Samlal who sought further advice from attorneys Gerald Ramdeen and Abdel Mohammed and others.
She said when the lawyers heard of her predicament, they became so involved that she felt a sense of relief because of their understanding.
An injunction was filed in the High Court to prevent the Adoption Board from proceeding with the decision to take away the baby from Cindy and her husband. The injunction was not granted. The devastated couple filed an immediate appeal to another High Court judge at exactly 5 pm last Thursday. The second injunction was granted; the couple’s prayers were answered.
Cindy and her husband Donald returned to their Carapichaima home and hugged the baby girl whom they have grown to love as their own.
But now they must wait, not knowing if, they will get to keep their second foster daughter.
Cindy told Sunday Newsday:
“I feel hurt because of the way we were treated. The Adoption Board together with the Foster Care Agency should take time off to accept the application of foster parents for legal guardianship of children in cases where they have developed a close bond with children who have been placed in their care.”
Cindy told Sunday Newsday that the baby is the light of her life and that she was upset when she was told by an official of the Adoption Agency that one of the reasons why the baby was being taken away from her was because she was of a different race. Cindy said she was asked the question, “How do you think the child will feel when she grows up and realises that she does not look like you all?” The baby is Afro-Trinidadian while Cindy and her husband are Indo-Trinidadians.
Cindy said there is no race where love is concerned and this should not be used as an excuse to snatch her baby away from her.
She said she did sign a document with the Foster Care Unit to keep the child temporarily but said love knows no boundaries and she is now fighting to keep the baby on grounds of compassion. She said when she took on the responsibility of caring for the child, she did enquire subsequently whether anyone had come forward to claim her and that in September of last year, she was contacted by the Foster Care Unit with the information that the child would be placed for adoption.
“I wrote to the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development Clifton De Coteau requesting that he intervene on the grounds of compassion. He said that according to the Adoption Act he could not respond but that there was a provision in that Act which says we could appeal to the High Court.
“We applied to the Adoption Board requesting that, seeing we are already on an approved list and asked that as we had formed a bond with the child, they give us first priority. The Board will not agree for us to keep the baby because we are not number one on the list...
“I then requested a meeting with the director of the Foster Care Unit and she was adamant that the child will be removed from our care and placed for adoption.
“It is unfair that we took the child (as foster parents) and now they are treating us like this. I am very disappointed at the way we were treated and continue to be treated,” said Cindy.
“I cannot bear the thought of her being taken away from me, I hug and cuddle her every day thinking about her being taken away from us,” said Cindy, her voice choking with emotion.
“It is also very difficult for my husband because she calls him Daddy, and I will do everything within my power to keep this child, I believe in God.”
The case comes up for hearing on Tuesday March 11.
14
Cricket Anyone / McCullum on d brink of a triple century!
« on: February 17, 2014, 08:30:16 AM »
McCullum 281 not out vs India with 1 day to bat
17
General Discussion / Tornado in Trinidad? Where is Redman?
« on: September 15, 2013, 05:19:14 AM »
Tornado in Trinidad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYHt-qX2wus
Who is this Redman fella??
Redman come quick boy....Galvanize like Pigeon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmJYVi-yFHQ&feature=endscreen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYHt-qX2wus
Who is this Redman fella??
Redman come quick boy....Galvanize like Pigeon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmJYVi-yFHQ&feature=endscreen
19
Football / Shabazz says Beenhakker no magician
« on: July 22, 2013, 09:40:45 PM »
Shabazz says Beenhakker no magician.
By Andrew Gioannetti (Guardian).
Former national coach Jamaal Shabazz says the days of a magician coming to Trinidad and Tobago and making magic with the country’s football is an illusion.
Shabazz was speaking in light of T&T’s performance at the Concacaf Gold Cup in which the local team reached the quarter finals stage before losing 1-0 to Mexico on Saturday.
“I think where we go as a nation depends a lot on what the Federation provides to the various technical staff and coaches. I am not taking away from his input, but the team should have qualified for the quarterfinal regardless of Beenhakker’s appointment, because that is where our programme is at.”
“The days of a blonde magician coming to our shores and making magic is an illusion. Football needs resources to back up technical know-how if it to achieve anything, whether it is Anton Corneal or Leo Beenhakker at the helm.”
Shabazz praised the standard of play by the T&T Pro League-based players, who were instrumental in T&T’s progress and the eventual 1-0 narrow defeat at the feet of Mexico but said mechanisms were in place for T&T to reach the quarterfinal and play as it did against Mexico before the start of the tournament.
“I am very happy to see some of the Pro League players rise to the occasion, namely Daneil Cyrus, Cornell Glen, Joevin Jones and Jan Michael Williams, who joined with the players like Kenwyne Jones, Khaleem Hyland and Carlos Edwards and those playing in the highest levels in their (respective) leagues. The Pro League players were able to match their performances,” said Shabazz.
“I think some of the players have done enough to progress in their career. Hopefully these results warrant positive movement in the Fifa rankings, which would ultimately affect those who need work permits. It shows too, that teams like Honduras cannot field a second string team against T&T and expect to come out with a good result.”
Shabazz, who with Hutson Charles, guided T&T to its first Gold Cup final since 2007 after reaching the final of the CFU Caribbean Cup believes the results were expected given the resources made available to the technical staff.
“I expected the team to reach that phase. Anything further than that would have been great. But, where our programme is at, I think reaching the quarterfinal would have been a reasonable target.”
In that regard, Shabazz said there are between 10-15 coaches in the country who are capable of leading the national team, but it is a matter of resources being provided for them.
“The local staff works with no resources and then they bring in a foreigner and give him resources, and they call him a magician. Its not just resources and technical know-how. Nobody could tell me we don’t have at least 10-15 coaches home and abroad with the technical competence,” said Shabazz.
“Throughout my 15 years, I think local coaches, only on a few occasions got the resources to do the job. And every time they got the resources, they made an impact,” said Shabazz, citing former head coaches Bertille St Clair and Everald Cummings. “I can tell you of situations where local coaches did not get resources or support.”
Shabazz said coaching at the national level is no longer part of his plans.
By Andrew Gioannetti (Guardian).
Former national coach Jamaal Shabazz says the days of a magician coming to Trinidad and Tobago and making magic with the country’s football is an illusion.
Shabazz was speaking in light of T&T’s performance at the Concacaf Gold Cup in which the local team reached the quarter finals stage before losing 1-0 to Mexico on Saturday.
“I think where we go as a nation depends a lot on what the Federation provides to the various technical staff and coaches. I am not taking away from his input, but the team should have qualified for the quarterfinal regardless of Beenhakker’s appointment, because that is where our programme is at.”
“The days of a blonde magician coming to our shores and making magic is an illusion. Football needs resources to back up technical know-how if it to achieve anything, whether it is Anton Corneal or Leo Beenhakker at the helm.”
Shabazz praised the standard of play by the T&T Pro League-based players, who were instrumental in T&T’s progress and the eventual 1-0 narrow defeat at the feet of Mexico but said mechanisms were in place for T&T to reach the quarterfinal and play as it did against Mexico before the start of the tournament.
“I am very happy to see some of the Pro League players rise to the occasion, namely Daneil Cyrus, Cornell Glen, Joevin Jones and Jan Michael Williams, who joined with the players like Kenwyne Jones, Khaleem Hyland and Carlos Edwards and those playing in the highest levels in their (respective) leagues. The Pro League players were able to match their performances,” said Shabazz.
“I think some of the players have done enough to progress in their career. Hopefully these results warrant positive movement in the Fifa rankings, which would ultimately affect those who need work permits. It shows too, that teams like Honduras cannot field a second string team against T&T and expect to come out with a good result.”
Shabazz, who with Hutson Charles, guided T&T to its first Gold Cup final since 2007 after reaching the final of the CFU Caribbean Cup believes the results were expected given the resources made available to the technical staff.
“I expected the team to reach that phase. Anything further than that would have been great. But, where our programme is at, I think reaching the quarterfinal would have been a reasonable target.”
In that regard, Shabazz said there are between 10-15 coaches in the country who are capable of leading the national team, but it is a matter of resources being provided for them.
“The local staff works with no resources and then they bring in a foreigner and give him resources, and they call him a magician. Its not just resources and technical know-how. Nobody could tell me we don’t have at least 10-15 coaches home and abroad with the technical competence,” said Shabazz.
“Throughout my 15 years, I think local coaches, only on a few occasions got the resources to do the job. And every time they got the resources, they made an impact,” said Shabazz, citing former head coaches Bertille St Clair and Everald Cummings. “I can tell you of situations where local coaches did not get resources or support.”
Shabazz said coaching at the national level is no longer part of his plans.
21
General Discussion / Man stuffs $.37m into clothing, walks away in airport heist
« on: May 08, 2013, 01:11:50 AM »
Man stuffs $.37m into clothing, walks away in airport heist
By Mark Bassant CCN Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist May 7
More than $300,000 was allegedly stolen by a 23-year-old man from the Cambio Exchange booth inside the duty-free area of Piarco International Airport early Saturday morning.
Investigators say the daring heist, which took place in full view of surveillance cameras, happened shortly after 12.30 a.m. and the suspect stuffed all the money into his clothing and left the airport walking.
Senior law enforcement sources who spoke to TV6 exclusively, said a man with the initials ETR had been working at the Cambio Exchange booth for the last three months.
Early Saturday morning, investigators say, the suspect was on duty with another male employee, who left on a break.
When the employee returned to the Cambio booth about ten minutes later, he discovered all the local and foreign currency had vanished.
He reported the matter to authorities on the compound, who reviewed footage from surveillance cameras inside the Cambio booth.
That footage showed a man stuffing money into his clothing.
By that time, however, the suspect was long gone, having simply walked out of the airport, and has not been seen since.
A source close to the investigation told the Express investigators had no doubt the suspect kept the money in his clothing since the surveillance cameras showed him leaving the compound without any bags.
Investigators say it was quite possible some of the money was contained in small pouches that he had stashed on his person, and that is why he was able to walk out with such a large sum.
Moments later, a janitor found a bag containing Guyanese currency in a garbage bin inside the nearby men’s bathroom and alerted the authorities. In the black bag, police found 139,460 Guyanese dollars—about TT$4,000.....
They believe the suspect might have placed the money there because he was unable to fit any more cash on his person.
Cambio officials were called and together with police.
The Express was able to obtain an official document showing the denominations of the local and foreign bank notes that were stolen:
• TT$159,742.83;
• US$20,285 (TT$131,041);
• euro3,440 (TT$26,926);
• Canadian $1,820 (TT$10,810);
• £2,255 (TT$20,956);
• Swiss Francs 3,090 (TT$19,559);
• Barbados $1,125 (TT$2,898);
• EC$440 (TT$928).
The total amount stolen has worked out to TT$372,860 after being calculated using the latest bank exchange selling rates. The Express understands that an all-points bulletin has been put out for a suspect, as Arouca police continue their investigations to determine if more than one person was in involved in the theft.
Dat fella know d value of FOREX...he get rid of all d Guyanese money ....
By Mark Bassant CCN Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist May 7
More than $300,000 was allegedly stolen by a 23-year-old man from the Cambio Exchange booth inside the duty-free area of Piarco International Airport early Saturday morning.
Investigators say the daring heist, which took place in full view of surveillance cameras, happened shortly after 12.30 a.m. and the suspect stuffed all the money into his clothing and left the airport walking.
Senior law enforcement sources who spoke to TV6 exclusively, said a man with the initials ETR had been working at the Cambio Exchange booth for the last three months.
Early Saturday morning, investigators say, the suspect was on duty with another male employee, who left on a break.
When the employee returned to the Cambio booth about ten minutes later, he discovered all the local and foreign currency had vanished.
He reported the matter to authorities on the compound, who reviewed footage from surveillance cameras inside the Cambio booth.
That footage showed a man stuffing money into his clothing.
By that time, however, the suspect was long gone, having simply walked out of the airport, and has not been seen since.
A source close to the investigation told the Express investigators had no doubt the suspect kept the money in his clothing since the surveillance cameras showed him leaving the compound without any bags.
Investigators say it was quite possible some of the money was contained in small pouches that he had stashed on his person, and that is why he was able to walk out with such a large sum.
Moments later, a janitor found a bag containing Guyanese currency in a garbage bin inside the nearby men’s bathroom and alerted the authorities. In the black bag, police found 139,460 Guyanese dollars—about TT$4,000.....
They believe the suspect might have placed the money there because he was unable to fit any more cash on his person.
Cambio officials were called and together with police.
The Express was able to obtain an official document showing the denominations of the local and foreign bank notes that were stolen:
• TT$159,742.83;
• US$20,285 (TT$131,041);
• euro3,440 (TT$26,926);
• Canadian $1,820 (TT$10,810);
• £2,255 (TT$20,956);
• Swiss Francs 3,090 (TT$19,559);
• Barbados $1,125 (TT$2,898);
• EC$440 (TT$928).
The total amount stolen has worked out to TT$372,860 after being calculated using the latest bank exchange selling rates. The Express understands that an all-points bulletin has been put out for a suspect, as Arouca police continue their investigations to determine if more than one person was in involved in the theft.
Dat fella know d value of FOREX...he get rid of all d Guyanese money ....
22
General Discussion / Poor fella!
« on: March 27, 2013, 02:43:40 AM »
How unfortunate...he must be SO SHOCKED!! 
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/27/french-tycoon-stunned-to-learn-60m-in-cocaine-found-on-his-private-jet/
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/27/french-tycoon-stunned-to-learn-60m-in-cocaine-found-on-his-private-jet/
26
General Discussion / U.S. warns Greece visitors about ‘unprovoked’ attacks against foreigners!
« on: December 17, 2012, 03:08:29 AM »
U.S. warns Greece visitors about ‘unprovoked’ violent attacks against foreigners
Published on Friday November 16, 2012
The Associated Press
ATHENS, GREECE—The U.S. Embassy in Athens updated its travel advice Friday for American citizens visiting Greek cities, warning them to beware of the possibility of “unprovoked harassment and violent attacks” against people who could be mistaken for foreign migrants.
Racist attacks hit alarming levels:UN
Greece has seen an increase in racist violence over the past year, with dark-skinned migrants attacked by groups of men armed with metal bars, knives and wooden bats. Tens of thousands of migrants have also been rounded up by police in a government crackdown on illegal immigration.
The country has also seen a rise in popularity of the extreme nationalist Golden Dawn party, which went from a fringe group in 2009 elections to win nearly 7 per cent of the vote and 18 seats in the 300-member Parliament in June. The party advocates that all immigrants should be expelled, but denies its members have been involved in racist attacks.
In a security message, the embassy said the State Department's travel section had been “updated to inform U.S. citizens of a rise in unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against persons who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be foreign migrants. U.S. citizens most at risk are those of African, Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern descent in Athens and other major cities.”
The travel advice on Greece also said the embassy “has confirmed reports of U.S. African-American citizens detained by police authorities conducting sweeps for illegal immigrants in Athens.”
Tourism is a major source of revenue in Greece, and the country is sensitive to any travel advice that might affect visitors. The country is struggling through a deep financial crisis that has left one in four Greeks out of work and the country facing a sixth year of a recession.
“Greece was and remains a safe country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said in a statement. “The isolated incidents of racist violence which have occurred are foreign to Greeks, our civilization and the long tradition of Greek hospitality.”
Delavekouras stressed that the government was “following a zero tolerance policy” against such incidents “and is taking all the necessary measures for the prevention and suppression of such behaviour, which we condemn.”
On Thursday, police said a 31-year-old Greek policeman had been arrested on suspicion of robbing migrants at gunpoint in a racially tense part of central Athens.
The muggings took place in the capital's Aghios Panteleimon district, home to thousands of immigrants from Asia and Africa — many of whom entered Greece illegally. The crime-ridden area has become a flashpoint of recent racist attacks, with gangs of ultranationalists smashing immigrants' shops and attacking dark-skinned people.
Published on Friday November 16, 2012
The Associated Press
ATHENS, GREECE—The U.S. Embassy in Athens updated its travel advice Friday for American citizens visiting Greek cities, warning them to beware of the possibility of “unprovoked harassment and violent attacks” against people who could be mistaken for foreign migrants.
Racist attacks hit alarming levels:UN
Greece has seen an increase in racist violence over the past year, with dark-skinned migrants attacked by groups of men armed with metal bars, knives and wooden bats. Tens of thousands of migrants have also been rounded up by police in a government crackdown on illegal immigration.
The country has also seen a rise in popularity of the extreme nationalist Golden Dawn party, which went from a fringe group in 2009 elections to win nearly 7 per cent of the vote and 18 seats in the 300-member Parliament in June. The party advocates that all immigrants should be expelled, but denies its members have been involved in racist attacks.
In a security message, the embassy said the State Department's travel section had been “updated to inform U.S. citizens of a rise in unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against persons who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be foreign migrants. U.S. citizens most at risk are those of African, Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern descent in Athens and other major cities.”
The travel advice on Greece also said the embassy “has confirmed reports of U.S. African-American citizens detained by police authorities conducting sweeps for illegal immigrants in Athens.”
Tourism is a major source of revenue in Greece, and the country is sensitive to any travel advice that might affect visitors. The country is struggling through a deep financial crisis that has left one in four Greeks out of work and the country facing a sixth year of a recession.
“Greece was and remains a safe country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said in a statement. “The isolated incidents of racist violence which have occurred are foreign to Greeks, our civilization and the long tradition of Greek hospitality.”
Delavekouras stressed that the government was “following a zero tolerance policy” against such incidents “and is taking all the necessary measures for the prevention and suppression of such behaviour, which we condemn.”
On Thursday, police said a 31-year-old Greek policeman had been arrested on suspicion of robbing migrants at gunpoint in a racially tense part of central Athens.
The muggings took place in the capital's Aghios Panteleimon district, home to thousands of immigrants from Asia and Africa — many of whom entered Greece illegally. The crime-ridden area has become a flashpoint of recent racist attacks, with gangs of ultranationalists smashing immigrants' shops and attacking dark-skinned people.
27
General Discussion / Kublalsingh: We don’t want to meet PM
« on: November 19, 2012, 09:59:05 PM »
http://guardian.co.tt/news/2012-11-19/kublalsingh-we-don%E2%80%99t-want-meet-pm
Kublalsingh: We don’t want to meet PM
Published:
Monday, November 19, 2012
Radhica Sookraj
Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has not eaten a morsel of food, or tasted a drop of water in four days and it shows. His face is gaunt, eyes sunken and his voice is weak. His hands shake due to severe dehydration. But the environmental activist insists that even as he gets weaker, support for his cause is growing.
During a brief interview at Palms Club, San Fernando, yesterday, Kublalsingh said he will not give up his struggle to reroute the highway. “It’s my fourth day now, no water and no food, so I am getting dehydrated. I will last today but I think that something radical is going to happen to my body tomorrow,” he said.
More than 25 supporters from the Highway Reroute Movement accompanied Kublalsingh to the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) party congress. All the supporters, including members of Kublalsingh’s family, will picket outside the Prime Minister’s office at St Clair, this morning.
Asked whether his family supports his struggle, Kublalsingh said initially they were horrified when he told them of his intentions. “Originally they were not supportive but I told them that if they want to put pressure on anybody, then put pressure on the Government. Don’t put pressure on me, put pressure on the Prime Minister,” he said.
Kublalsingh said he doesn’t know how his son, who is studying law, feels about his hunger strike. “I don’t know how my son is taking this but I want everybody to know that this action has to be done, whatever the consequences.” Kublalsingh, who holds a BA, M Phil (University of the West Indies); MA (Columbia University, New York) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Oxford University), said he will fight the highway construction with his last breath.
“We wrote to the Prime Minister, she is our leader. I was sitting two feet from her and she promised to do a review. She promised to put this on hold. We don’t want to meet with her. We want her to commit to the undertaking she promised which is that she will set up an independent committee to review and put on hold the project that will devastate 13 communities.
We want her to have all the technical experts look at the project and get an independent scientific review of it. That is all we want, a commitment from her to review this project,” Kublalsingh said.
He said the Prime Minister must honour her obligation to the people. “I will not relent in my fasting and hunger strike until we get some word from her that she will treat with this matter,” he added. Kublalsingh said his decision to embark on a hunger strike came after a lot of thought.
“The people of Debe to Mon Desir are very tired and they too are exhausted. I have to help them—this is my last step.” Kublalsingh called on the public to defend more than 300 families displaced by the dust of the highway. “They have suffered long enough. We need the support of everybody, the political parties, the trade unions, to come and help our people. This is my way of bringing attention to this struggle,” he said.
Kublalsingh: We don’t want to meet PM
Published:
Monday, November 19, 2012
Radhica Sookraj
Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has not eaten a morsel of food, or tasted a drop of water in four days and it shows. His face is gaunt, eyes sunken and his voice is weak. His hands shake due to severe dehydration. But the environmental activist insists that even as he gets weaker, support for his cause is growing.
During a brief interview at Palms Club, San Fernando, yesterday, Kublalsingh said he will not give up his struggle to reroute the highway. “It’s my fourth day now, no water and no food, so I am getting dehydrated. I will last today but I think that something radical is going to happen to my body tomorrow,” he said.
More than 25 supporters from the Highway Reroute Movement accompanied Kublalsingh to the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) party congress. All the supporters, including members of Kublalsingh’s family, will picket outside the Prime Minister’s office at St Clair, this morning.
Asked whether his family supports his struggle, Kublalsingh said initially they were horrified when he told them of his intentions. “Originally they were not supportive but I told them that if they want to put pressure on anybody, then put pressure on the Government. Don’t put pressure on me, put pressure on the Prime Minister,” he said.
Kublalsingh said he doesn’t know how his son, who is studying law, feels about his hunger strike. “I don’t know how my son is taking this but I want everybody to know that this action has to be done, whatever the consequences.” Kublalsingh, who holds a BA, M Phil (University of the West Indies); MA (Columbia University, New York) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Oxford University), said he will fight the highway construction with his last breath.
“We wrote to the Prime Minister, she is our leader. I was sitting two feet from her and she promised to do a review. She promised to put this on hold. We don’t want to meet with her. We want her to commit to the undertaking she promised which is that she will set up an independent committee to review and put on hold the project that will devastate 13 communities.
We want her to have all the technical experts look at the project and get an independent scientific review of it. That is all we want, a commitment from her to review this project,” Kublalsingh said.
He said the Prime Minister must honour her obligation to the people. “I will not relent in my fasting and hunger strike until we get some word from her that she will treat with this matter,” he added. Kublalsingh said his decision to embark on a hunger strike came after a lot of thought.
“The people of Debe to Mon Desir are very tired and they too are exhausted. I have to help them—this is my last step.” Kublalsingh called on the public to defend more than 300 families displaced by the dust of the highway. “They have suffered long enough. We need the support of everybody, the political parties, the trade unions, to come and help our people. This is my way of bringing attention to this struggle,” he said.
29
General Discussion / Nigeria pirates kidnap six Russians, one Estonian!
« on: October 18, 2012, 03:26:32 AM »
PARIS (Reuters) - Pirates off the coast of Nigeria kidnapped six Russians and an Estonian during an attack on their ship on Monday, the French company operating the vessel said on Wednesday.
Another nine crew members were safe after the ship reached the Nigerian port of Onne in the oil-rich Niger Delta, said a spokeswoman for Bourbon, which supplies vessels to the offshore oil industry.
Pirate attacks are on the rise in the Gulf of Guinea, which is second only to the waters around Somalia for piracy.
Attackers usually seize boats to steal their cargo then free the crew. Kidnappings for ransom also take place in the waters around the delta, the heart of Africa's biggest energy industry.
Pirates freed a Greek-operated gasoline tanker earlier this month that they had hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea near Ivory Coast.
In August pirates attacked a Greek-operated oil tanker with a crew of about 20 off the coast of Togo. They released the ship a few days later after stealing 3,000 tonnes of fuel.
Nigerian navy spokesman Commodore Kabir Aliyu said his forces were searching for the pirates involved in Monday's attack.
(Reporting by Patrick Vignal; Additional reporting by Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
This is gonna be interesting....didnt the Nigerians read the fine print...you dont mess with Russians!!
Another nine crew members were safe after the ship reached the Nigerian port of Onne in the oil-rich Niger Delta, said a spokeswoman for Bourbon, which supplies vessels to the offshore oil industry.
Pirate attacks are on the rise in the Gulf of Guinea, which is second only to the waters around Somalia for piracy.
Attackers usually seize boats to steal their cargo then free the crew. Kidnappings for ransom also take place in the waters around the delta, the heart of Africa's biggest energy industry.
Pirates freed a Greek-operated gasoline tanker earlier this month that they had hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea near Ivory Coast.
In August pirates attacked a Greek-operated oil tanker with a crew of about 20 off the coast of Togo. They released the ship a few days later after stealing 3,000 tonnes of fuel.
Nigerian navy spokesman Commodore Kabir Aliyu said his forces were searching for the pirates involved in Monday's attack.
(Reporting by Patrick Vignal; Additional reporting by Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
This is gonna be interesting....didnt the Nigerians read the fine print...you dont mess with Russians!!